Athens News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-05-20
NEWS IN ENGLISH
Athens, Greece, 20/05/1997 (ANA)
MAIN HEADLINES
- Premier stresses need for Greece's economic progress
- Costas Karamanlis attacks government's policies
- Greece reiterates its support for Palestinians, peace process
- Pangalos to meet with Israeli leadership today
- Washington comments on Greek-Turkish CBMs for the Aegean
- Unrest outside Cyprus buffer zone concert, no incidents inside
- Greek tourism expected to recover in 1997
- Greek farm produce ready to enter European markets
- Greek shipping needs improvement, conference told
- Weather
- Foreign exchange
NEWS IN DETAIL
Premier stresses need for Greece's economic progress
Opening a pre-agenda parliamentary debate last night on the economy, Prime
Minister Costas Simitis said a strong economy was the foundation and main
weapon of the nation on all fronts, particularly in view of problems with
neighbouring countries.
"We must place the weight on the country's economic progress, which must
constitute a national effort par excellence," he said.
He stressed the government's unshakeable resolve to lead the country to the
"safe harbour" of European Monetary Union (EMU), which he said was feasible,
despite inflation, deficits and the public debt remaining at relatively
high levels compared to othe r EU partners.
"The economy is in its best phase in the post-dictatorship era, has
acquired a notable growth dimension, and the basic challenge is acceleration
of this process so that it may enter a cycle of sustainable development,"
he said.
He predicted the GDP growth would be in the region of 3.7 per cent in 1997,
and definitely above 3.5 per cent in 1998, while annualised inflation would
fall below 5.5 per cent in May, and the public deficit would shrink to 4.2
per cent of GDP at the end of the year.
"All these constitute characteristic indications that the economy is on the
right course, but much more remains to be done for the country to approach
Maastricht criteria. The aim of participating in EMU is feasible, not
outright as from Jan. 1, 1999, but a little later, if the same policy is
followed with consistency," he said.
He said the government supported all efforts for the strengthening of the
competitiveness of firms, and reiterated the need for large sections of
public services to open up to competition, citing the Public Power Corp.
(DEH) as a prime example.
Finally, he said the country's exchange reserves, including gold, stand at
an all-time high of US$19.2 billion, but admitted that the situation in the
balance of payments is not what the government would wish.
Costas Karamanlis attacks government's policies
Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis launched an attack
on several issues against the government in his first address in Parliament,
placing responsibilities on all past PASOK governments.
At the start of his speech, Mr. Karamanlis expressed satisfaction over
PASOK's European orientation, but added that the issue in question is not
solely convergence with the European Union but with the methods this could
be achieved.
He termed the government a "halloween dance", saying the " people are weary
of the many 'we wills' and want results.
"The prospects are ominous. You must take action and your course to date
does not create special expectations for the future," he added.
Mr. Karamanlis spoke of what he called the lost decade of the '80s, adding
that the present government, which is composed in its majority of the
people who ruled at the time, cannot promise prosperity and progress.
Referring to inflation, Mr. Karamanlis said whatever improvement is based
on the tariff policy for public utilities and on fiscal policy. He said
rapprochement in the fiscal sector is slanted and imbalanced, there are
sick phenomena in the Greek economy , the squandering of public funds, poor
services and preservation of the party state.
Commenting on European Union funds, Mr. Karamanlis said the rate of their
absorption is unacceptably low, adding that what is necessary is a bold
privatisation programme and encouragement for creative forces.
Greece reiterates its support for Palestinians, peace process
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos yesterday reiterated Greece's support
for the Palestinian autonomous territories and for the continuation of the
Middle East peace process, while visiting Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat
in the Gaza Strip yesterday.
Mr. Pangalos and Foreign Undersecretary Yiannos Kranidiotis arrived in Tel-
Aviv earlier in the day and left for Gaza to meet with Mr. Arafat, during a
two-day official visit to the area.
"We had a very good and constructive discussion on the issue of protecting
the peace process and on our bilateral relations," Mr. Arafat said after
the meeting.
"We do not forget Greece's constant support during difficult moments," the
Palestinian leader said, adding: "The meeting was positive and constructive."
Mr. Pangalos said the meeting focused on the current situation in the
region after the recent impasse in the peace processes.
"Greece," Mr. Pangalos said, "condemns every effort aiming at interrupting
or slowing down the Oslo procedures," calling on all parties "to honour
their signature." "The Greek government condemns Israel's settlement policy,
" he added.
Both men concluded that relations between the two countries were at a very
good level, while the Greek minister emphasised Palestinian plans to
celebrate the 2000 years since the birth of Christ in Bethlehem.
Pangalos to meet with Israeli leadership today
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said that during his meeting with
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today, he will try to convey as
best as possible the views, concerns and anxiety of the Palestinians.
After his meeting with the Palestinian leader, Mr. Pangalos travelled to
Israel, where he met with the leader of the opposition, Shimon Peres, and
discussed developments in the region.
Mr. Peres said he opposed the government's policy of building Jewish
settlements in the Arab areas of East Jerusalem, and called for the more
active involvement of the European Union and promotion of the peace
process.
The Greek foreign minister later visited the Jerusalem Orthodox Patriarchate
and met with Patriarch Diodoros, with whom he discussed the problem which
arose after two rooms of the Patriarchate were annexed by Islamist
fundamentalists. The issue is curre ntly being dealt with in the courts.
Mr. Pangalos assured the Patriarch that Greece will always support the
Patriarchate, adding that its values and property must be safeguarded.
The Greek minister was also awarded with the Church's highest honour during
his visit.
Besides Prime Minister Netenyahu, the foreign minister is due to meet today
with Israeli President Ezer Weizman and Israeli Foreign Minister David
Levi.
Washington comments on Greek-Turkish CBMs for the Aegean
US State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns said yesterday that NATO's
proposed confidence-building measures for the Aegean have not been rejected,
and that both Greece and Turkey are continuing to examine them carefully.
Mr. Burns noted that the issues were "legally difficult and politically
sensitive for both countries," and for this reason, it is understandable
that they want more time and a more cautious public approach."
The State Department spokesman expressed the satisfaction of the US over
the fact that "some progress is being made between the interested parties,"
as both countries appear to be dealing with the proposals by NATO Secretary
General Javier Solana "with a degree of seriousness and good will".
Unrest outside Cyprus buffer zone concert, no incidents inside
Police used tear gas yesterday to break up groups of young Greek Cypriot
rioters in the free part of Nicosia who threw firebombs to protest a joint
concert by a Greek and Turkish singer at a stadium in the buffer zone
dividing the island republic.
The concert ended without any serious incidents inside the stadium, with
Greek Cypriots outnumbering Turkish Cypriots by three to one. In addition,
several high-ranking UN peace-keeping officials attended the concert, which
was organised under the auspices of the United Nations.
Greek singer Sakis Rouvas and Turkish singer Burat Kut opened their
performance at the Taxim Stadium under the auspices of United Nations
peacekeeping forces. Although strict controls were implemented for those
entering the area of the stadium, attendance was low by both Greek and
Turkish Cypriots.
Meanwhile, in the free areas of the capital rioters lit fires on several
streets, burned plastic trash bins and broke storefronts.
An unspecified number of young people were also arrested following scuffles
that broke out between the police and a group of more than 4,000 protesters.
The Greek Cypriot group, which had gathered at Eleftherias Square, approved
a resolution calling for the United Nations to concentrate on applying the
resolutions they have adopted rather than organising concerts.
The only tension at the concert was when an unidentified man, a suspected
member of the extremist "grey wolves" organisation, shouted slogans in
favour of Turkey. He was quickly removed from the area by UN personnel.
Greek tourism expected to recover in 1997
1997 will be a year of recovery for Greek tourism after two years of
stagnation, with an expected rate of increase of 8-10 percent, according to
a quarterly survey by the Institute of Tourism Research and Forecasts.
The survey, however, predicts slower growth for revenue and links the
recovery in the number of arrivals to the necessity for an adaptation of
policies and services by the state and private sector to new standards
established in the international touris m market during the last few years.
Problems facing the tourism industry surfaced in 1995 when arrivals dropped
by 10 percent on an annual basis, which was followed by an equivalent drop
in 1996.
Andreas Andreadis, president of the Hoteliers' Union of Halkidiki, expects
a return to growth rates in 1994, also noting that prices remained steady
during the last four years.
Giorgos Georgiadis, president of the Hoteliers' Union of Rhodes, said that
although the number of beds remained unchanged in Rhodes and Cyprus, in
1996 there were 900,000 arrivals in Rhodes, while in Cyprus the number of
arrivals reached 2,100,000.
The survey also refers to the importance of 'service with a smile' as a
factor in upgrading the quality of services offered to tourists.
Greek farm produce ready to enter European markets
Greek exports of fresh and processed farm produce to western and central
European markets totalled 1,436 million Ecus in 1995, according to data
released by the Association of Northern Greek Exporters (SEBE).
The president of the confederation, Apostolos Genitsaris, addressing a
seminar held in Thessaloniki as part of events marking the 14th DETROP
trade fair, said that while there was a marked rise in processed farm
exports, fresh produce exports remained stagnant. Vegetables had shown a
steady increase during the last few years, although Greek exports remained
low compared with other exports showing similar levels of production. Fruit
exports slowed in 1995 due to lower exports to Eastern Europe, but the
situation improved in 1996.
SEBE's president underlined that modernisation achieved in the production
of both fresh and processed farm produce during the last few years had
given the sector a competitive advantage for expanding into the high-
standard markets of west and central Europe.
Greek shipping needs improvement, conference told
Greek shipping needs to be modernised and improve the quality of its
services in order to meet competition from abroad, especially before
cabotage restrictions are lifted, according to speakers at a conference
held in the port city of Piraeus.
The conference, which focused on improving the quality of shipping
management and training, concluded that modernisation was needed across the
board, with special emphasis on passenger transport.
IEK Xyni, a chain of private sector vocational training colleges, organised
the conference, which was sponsored by the Express daily financial
newspaper.
The event was backed by Piraeus' local authorities, the Union of Coastal
Ship Owners, Panhellenic Union of Merchant Shipping Captains, Union of
Greek Passenger Ship Owners and Hellenic Standardisation Organisation. Also
on the agenda were developments in shipping at home and abroad, training
for seamen, safety for passengers, ships and cargo, and marine pollution
prevention.
WEATHER
Sunny weather is forecast for most parts of Greece today with some local
cloudiness in the afternoon with scattered rainstorms and central and
northern Greece and the Peloponnese. Athens will be sunny with some clouds
in the northern parts and temperatures between 18-32C. Almost fair weather
in Thessaloniki with temperatures from 16-29C.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
Monday's closing rates - buying US dlr. 268.703
Pound sterling 440.924 Cyprus pd 533.180
French franc 46.969 Swiss franc 189.031
German mark 158.164 Italian lira (100) 16.058
Yen (100) 231.602 Canadian dlr. 196.019
Australian dlr. 208.221 Irish Punt 411.085
Belgian franc 7.664 Finnish mark 52.439
Dutch guilder 140.671 Danish kr. 41.545
Swedish kr. 35.206 Norwegian kr. 38.212
Austrian sch. 22.479 Spanish peseta 1.879
Port. Escudo 1.573
(C.E.)
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