Seamen's strike extended
NEWS IN DETAIL
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said yesterday that Greece was ready to
discuss all proposals leading to a lessening of third countries' military
presence on Cyprus, but in a clear reference to Nicosia's decision to
purchase an anti-aircraft missile s ystem, he said it was not willing to
concentrate only on the specific action.
"We told the Americans that we are ready to discuss all propositions
leading to the decrease of third countries' military presence on Cyprus,
and within this framework all concrete facts and actions, but we are not
willing to isolate a specific action a nd discuss only this issue, because
it bothers the Turkish side," Mr. Pangalos told reporters in relation to US
State Department official Carey Cavanaugh's talks in Athens yesterday.
Mr. Pangalos spoke to reporters after meeting Dutch Foreign Minister Hans
van Mierlo.
"Greek flights over Cyprus are part of a defence cooperation between Greece
and the Republic of Cyprus, and in this respect are not subject to
criticism and cannot be the subject of negotiations...but we must recognise
the necessity of defusing as much as possible, the crisis concerning the
island," Mr. Pangalos said, adding, "the proposal of the Cyprus government
is the demilitarisation (of the island republic) and it is logical that we
work towards this direction."
Mr. Cavanaugh said the crisis in the region over Nicosia's decision to
purchase the Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles had been defused, since
the Cyprus government assured him that the S-300 system would not be
installed for at least 16 months.
In Nicosia, Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides said yesterday that Russia
had informed his government that it could not deliver the missiles before
16 months had elapsed, despite Nicosia's wishes to the contrary.
Mr. Clerides also made it clear that no agreement had been reached on the
immediate implementation of a UN package of measures aimed at reducing
tension on the island following talks on Monday with Mr. Cavanaugh.
In Athens, Mr Cavanaugh said that his current tour of Cyprus, Greece and
Turkey was within the framework of US efforts to reduce tension in the
region, noting that "positive steps" had been taken in this direction
during his talks on the island republic .
Mr. Cavanaugh confirmed that an "overall initiative" would soon be
undertaken for the settlement of the Cyprus problem, adding that both the
United States and the international community in its entirety were
determined to contribute with all means to re solving the problem.
State Dept. says no agreement for Cyprus finalised
Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides has given US State Department official
Carey Cavanaugh specific assurances that no part of the Russian-made S-300
missiles, whose purchase was recently announced, will arrive on Cyprus in
the next 16 months, spokesman Nicholas Burns told reporters yesterday.
"This gives us breathing space to solve the problem in a friendly and
cooperative climate," he added, reiterating that Mr. Cavanaugh had received
assurances for full support for "measures along the ceasefire line", and
adding that the US understood that UN representatives would discuss these
matters with the Cypriot government and the Turkish Cypriots this week.
"Full support does not mean a signed agreement. It means full support for
these issues to be negotiated and for a solution that would avert what we
have seen: Two people dead in the last six months," he specified. "It is
time for all sides to show self-restraint in what they are saying
and doing, and to try to solve these problems," he added.
Dutch FM van Mierlo says common EU borders on IGC agenda
The issue of common European Union external borders is included in the
agenda of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC), while the Dutch
presidency supports the safeguarding of solidarity between member-states,
Dutch Foreign Minister Hans van Mierlo said after talks with his Greek
counterpart Theodoros Pangalos in Athens yesterday.
The talks, apart from progress in the IGC, also touched upon a wide range
of issues, particularly the Cyprus problem, prospects for a start to
negotiations for the island republic's entry into the EU, and the convening
of the EU-Turkey Association Council.
He described the Cyprus issue as "very important", which "has been in a
stalemate for many years now, and must be overcome in the interests of
Greece, Turkey, Europe, and of course, Cyprus". He also confirmed the Dutch
presidency's adherence to a timetable for a start to negotiations for
Cyprus' entry to the EU six months after the end of IGC, noting that "we
have begun working on the preparation of this framework."
Belgrade mission
Referring to his brief meeeting with Mr. Cavanaugh, the foreign minister
said it concerned exclusively a message he wished to convey to the State
Department regarding his recent trip to Belgrade, which aimed at facilitating
progress towards a solution to the recent political crisis in Serbia.
"This initiative comprises a proposal to (Serbian) President (Slobodan)
Milosevic to direct Belgrade's attorney general to re-introduce the issue
of (municipal elections in) the city's greater district at the supreme
court," he said. He added that Vuk Drascovic,one of the opposition leaders,
had assured him that such a move by the attorney general would suffice to
stop the mass mobilisations.
"Greece does not intend to advise solutions to anyone, but to contribute,
in a capacity of a friendly country, to the overcoming of the crisis. I
think our good intentions have been recognised by all," he said.
Gov't denial of Cyprus overflight suspension
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas categorically denied reports that
Athens had decided to suspend flights of Greek military aircraft over
Cyprus until October.
"This report does not correspond to the truth," Mr. Reppas said.
Replying to questions, Mr. Reppas said that the government was not at the
present time considering the matter of a moratorium on military overflights
of the island republic's airspace.
Sponsorship programmes for Athens` 2004 candidacy unveiled
The Athens 2004 Olympic Candidacy Committee yesterday presented its
sponsorship programmes at the Zappeion Hall in Athens.
"Our proposal seeks to effectively project to the international community,
in a different manner and spirit, the modern face of our culture, our will
and ability to organise the games, as well as the potential of our
contribution to the course of the Olympic ideal in the third millenium,"
Committee President Yianna Angelopoulou- -Daskalaki said.
"Our strategy combines in a harmonious way the dynamics of the country's
evolution, the existing infrastructure and our experience in organising
international sports events, in the context of one single heritage: the
relation of Greek culture with the Olympic ideal,"she added.
Referring to the likely positive results of a successful candidacy, 'Athens
2004' special advisor Marton Simicek, said these included, apart from the
direct economic benefits, improvement in the countryYs international
position and a beneficial influen ce on tourism.
The effort for a successful candidacy needs sponsorship programmes for
three reasons, he said.
First, to show that private enterprise approves of the endeavour. Secondly,
to create a friendly environment for the sponsors among the Greek business
world, and thirdly, to provide guarantees regarding our organisational
ability.
Greek Euro-MPs elected as Europarliament deputy presidents
The European Parliament has essentially completed its procedures for
electing a new presidium with the election of PASOK Euro-MP Paraskevas
Avgerinos as a Europarliament deputy president.
Mr. Avgerinos was re-elected 10th among 14 deputy presidents, receiving 271
votes in the second round of the process.
Consequently, there are again two Greek Eurodeputies among the body's 14
deputy presidents. According to EU officials, the election of a Greek
Eurodeputy to the presidency of a parliamentary committee would only be
possible in the event two Greek deputy presidents were not elected, since
an informal status of national quotas exists in the European Parliament in
connection with the body's major posts.
New Spata airport to be ready in February 2001
The Spata international airport is expected to be completed by February
2001, given the current progress of construction.
The Hochtief-led consortium building the airport announced yesterday that
construction on the central airport terminal, considered one of the most
important parts of the project, will begin within the month, as will work
on three of the project's five p hases. Work on the last two phases is due
to commence in six months' time.
Work to lower a hill north of the airport by 50 metres will also start this
month. The work is essential to the safety of future flights.
Ten construction teams and a total of 800 workers are currently on the
project. By the end of this year, 150 construction teams are expected to
have been installed, while the number of workers will reach 3,000.
Bank of Central Greece lowers rates
New reduced lending interest rates will take affect at the Bank of Central
Greece as of today. The new interest rates will be 16.50 per cent for
housing loans, 19.75 per cent (basic interest rate) for short-term loans,
18 per cent for the privileged inter est rate, 18 per cent (basic interest
rate) for medium and long-term loans and 24 per cent for consumer
loans.
The privileged interest rate will be applied in accordance with security,
mutuality, credit capacity and the purpose and duration of the loan.
The following interest rates will apply to deposits: For the ordinary
savings bank 10.50 per cent, for the super savings bank 11 per cent for 1-
10 million drachmas, 11.50 per cent for 10-30 million and 12 per cent for
30 million and over.
For the current account 9 per cent for up to one million drachmas and 11
per cent from one million and over. Lastly, for time deposits 11-12.20 per
cent for 3-12 months, while the interest rate is negotiable for over 40
million drachmas.
Seamen's strike extended
Merchant seamen are to continue their strike for another 48 hours and may
intensify mobilisations, after a meeting yesterday between Merchant Marine
Minister Stavros Soumakis and the Coordinating Committee of the Panhellenic
Seamen's Federation (PNO) prov ed fruitless.
The seamen's strike is now due to end at 6 a.m. Friday.
All ships remained in their ports both yesterday and on Monday as seamen
and dockworkers pressed their main demand that no changes be made to the
fiscal regime applicable since 1955.
The strike has affected Greek-flag vessels of all categories as well as
foreign ships employing Greek seamen.
Reiterating the government's positions, Mr. Soumakis told the PNO
representatives that their problems had accumulated over a long period of
time, adding that their resolution required a "sincere and constructive"
dialogue.
The seamen are also demanding measures to combat unemployment, the
absorption of unemployed colleagues and an increase in minimum pensions.
Mr. Soumakis said the government would take measures in February aimed at
halting a growing trend for Greek-owned vessels to leave the Hellenic
Registry of Shipping.
WEATHER
Sunny to overcast in most parts of the country. Cloudy skies and possible
rain in central and eastern Greec, the Cyclades, Crete and the Peloponnese.
Strong winds in the Aegean sea. Athens will be sunny to partly cloudy with
temperatures between 5-13C. Same for Thessaloniki with temperatures between
1-10C.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
(closing rates - buying) US dlr. 246.016
Pound sterling 411.164 Cyprus pd 516.237
French franc 45.870 Swiss franc 179.393
German mark 154.841 Italian lira (100) 15.917
Yen (100) 210.869 Canadian dlr. 181.536
Australian dlr. 190.910 Irish Punt 405.133
Belgian franc 7.512 Finnish mark 51.802
Dutch guilder 137.923 Danish kr. 40.642
Swedish kr. 35.337 Norwegian kr. 38.589
Austrian sh. 22.019 Spanish peseta 1.852
Portuguese escudo 1.551
(C.E.)
