Athens News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-06-20
NEWS IN ENGLISH
Athens, Greece, 20/06/1997 (ANA)
MAIN HEADLINES
- Greece welcomes US map of a Greek Imia
- Social dialogue conference in Thessaloniki
- Philippines' Ramos in Athens on Sunday
- Greek, Egyptian defence ministers discuss cooperation
- Equipment delivered for Gjirokaster police
- Abducted Greek businessman released in Albania
- Marlon Brando in Athens for speech on environment
- Committee proposes strict incomes policy in next 2 years
- New radar system activated
- EU efforts for integration of internal energy market
- Greek Jan-Feb current account deficit widens to $874 mln
- Greece not to impose special tax on company profit-sources
- Retail sales figures
- Greek equities slump 2.78pct in brisk sell-off
- WEATHER
- FOREIGN EXCHANGE
NEWS IN DETAIL
Greece welcomes US map of a Greek Imia
The government today described as ''quite significant'' Washington's
statement that it considered the Imia islets within Greece's sovereignty.
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas noted however that since 1996, when
Turkey first began disputing the sovereignty of the islets, the US had
issued maps designating Imia also by its Turkish name.
Pentagon spokesman Ken Bacon yesterday verified the existence of an
official navigational map issued by the US Federal Cartographical Service
showing the Imia islets as Greek territory.
''It's a fact that there was a new map issued at the end of 1996 clearly
showing the island within Greece's sovereignty, as it always was. It's a
navigational map for seamen and it's available to the public. You can check
and verify that the islet is depicted as under Greek sovereignty,'' Bacon
stressed.
Bacon however seemed to retract in statements today, reverting to the
stance according to which the sovereignty of the Imia islets is supposedly
''in dispute''.
''During yesterday's briefing I mistakenly said that the Aegean islet of
Imia is under Greek sovereignty,'' Bacon reportedly said in a statement.
''In reality, the sovereignty of the island is under dispute between Greece
and Turkey. It is a standing position of the United States to take no
position on conflicting claims of sovereignty or border disputes between
other countries...,'' Bacon added.
''If a problem was created,'' Reppas said, ''it was certainly not created
for the Greek government.
He added that Greece had already proposed the utilisation of international
procedures (i.e. International Court at the Hague), through which ''anyone
can put forward their arguments about whether Imia is Greek or not''.
''But they will not achieve anything,'' the spokesman added.
The position of the US, he continued, appears to be that when there is a
dispute, the US government does not wish to make its position known, even
if it has a position.
Reppas said that while Greece did not expect third parties to solve its
problems, it did expect from the US, other governments and international
organisations assistance and support in making use of international
procedures.
''To a great extent,'' Reppas added, ''Greece does have this support, since
many governments are pointing to the use of the International Court at the
Hague''.
Social dialogue conference in Thessaloniki
A two-day meeting on the issue of social dialogue in the countries of
southeast Europe will be held in Thessaloniki on June 24-25.
Taking part in the meeting, organised by the Economic and Social Committee
(ESC), will be 60 delegates representing 15 trade union organisations,
eleven employers' associations and two farmers' unions from countries of
southeast Europe.
The delegates also include representatives from the corresponding ESC of
Croatia and FYROM.
Speaking at a press conference in Thessaloniki today, the President of the
Greek ESC, Professor Ioannis Koukiadis, described the committee as an
advisory body for bills which are to be tabled in Parliament.
He said the objective was for similar committees to be set up in other
countries of southeast Europe, in order to promote the process of social
dialogue.
Philippines' Ramos in Athens on Sunday
The president of the Philippines, Fidel Ramos, is due in Athens Sunday for
a three-day visit at the invitation of his Greek counterpart Kostis
Stephanopoulos.
The two presidents will have a meeting on Monday morning, after which Mr.
Ramos will hold talks with Prime Minister Costas Simitis.
Mr. Ramos will meet with political party representatives and Greek
businessmen on Monday afternoon.
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos is also due to meet with his Filipino
counterpart on Monday afternoon.
Mr. Ramos is currently on a nine-day tour of Britain, Greece and Oman in a
bid to attract foreign investors.
Greek, Egyptian defence ministers discuss cooperation
Greece and Egypt ascertained an identity of views on issues concerning
peace, security and progress in the greater region of the Balkans, the
eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, during talks yesterday between
National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos and his counterpart, Gen.
Hussein Tantawi.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos stressed that Greece and Egypt were stabilising factors
in developments in the broader region.
"Egypt and Greece, two countries with such friendly relations and a
stabilising role in the region, care about the behaviour of countries which
do not conduct themselves in a stabilising manner in order to exercise
their influence," Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said, indirectly referring to
Turkey.
The two ministers agreed that Greece and Egypt should embark on more
substantial cooperation in the armed forces sector, particularly with
regard to training, joint exercises, armaments and the exchange of views
and information.
Details concerning the cooperation will be discussed at meetings between
representatives of the two countries' general staffs.
They also agreed that the two countries should make joint efforts to
contribute to the peace processes in the eastern Mediterranean and the
Middle East.
Gen. Tantawi said that Athens and Cairo were "albeit with a delay"
cooperating more closely, citing the signing of a cooperation protocol
between the armed forces of the two countries.
He praised "the important role" played by Greece in the Balkans, saying
Athens' policy was the same as that being implemented by Cairo concerning
problems in the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.
On Egypt's position in relation to the Middle East peace process, Gen.
Tantawi said efforts must continue for an overall and lasting peace in the
region for the benefit of all the peoples of the Middle East.
In this direction, he added, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was
exercising his influence "since Egypt is the only country which can play
this role."
Equipment delivered for Gjirokaster police
A portion of the aid the Greek public order ministry is providing for the
Albanian police was delivered at the Kakavia customs post yesterday.
The aid comprises three vehicles, five motorcycles, bullet-proof vests,
police uniforms, clothing, stationery etc. All the equipment is destined
for police in Gjirokaster.
Delivery was made by the police inspector of Epirus, Ilias Krokidis, to the
head of the Gjirokaster police Jiaffer Tziotzi in the presence of Greece's
new general consul in Gjirokaster Costas Kakiousis.
Similar aid was given yesterday to police in Korce, while aid will also be
sent to police in Tirana and Vlore in the next few days.
Abducted Greek businessman released in Albania
Greek businessman Andreas Radoyiannis,who had been abducted by an armed
gang on Wednesday, was released yesterday after relatives paid two a
million drachmas ransom to his abductors.
Mr. Radoyiannis was abducted between the Albanian towns of Tepeleni and
Premeti.
The kidnappers, who grabbed the Patra businessman after a clash with his
accompanying bodyguards, initially demanded a 20 million drachmas ransom
for his release, but settled for a lesser amount after negotiations with
hostage negotiators and his Albani an business partner.
Mr. Radoyiannis was riding in a truck loaded with charcoal when he was
kidnapped.
Marlon Brando in Athens for speech on environment
Hollywood legend Marlon Brando arrived in Athens yesterday evening, a guest
of shpping magnate Yannis Latsis' daughter, Marianna.
The controversial Academy Award-winning actor is to speak Monday night on
environmental issues at the Pallas Athena Hotel in the Athens suburb of
Politeia. Sources said that among those expected to attend are Environment
Minister Costas Laliotis and Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos.
The same sources said he expressed a desire to visit the Acropolis,
probably on Sunday, after a cruise of several Aegean islands.
Committee proposes strict incomes policy in next 2 years
An economic committee's report released yesterday recommends wage increases
of 4 per cent in 1998 and 3.5 per cent in 1999 in order to bring inflation
down to 2.5 and 2 per cent, respectively.
The report also calls for a reduction in indirect taxation, and limited
public utility rate increases.
Prepared by a committee headed by Professor Yiannis Spraos and commissioned
by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, the report also calls for the levying of
a "one-off" 10 per cent tax on company incomes or, alternatively, a lump
sum contribution, at the same rate, to a fund dealing with labour
issues.
Mr. Spraos stressed that the government must seek a consensus of social
partners in the application of the report's recommendations, although in
case this is not obtained, the government must make it clear it will remain
on its inflation target, "even if its attainment without consensus is more
painful". He also insisted that the government must consistently apply the
programme for privatisation or liquidation of ailing state-controlled
enterprises.
Premier Simitis described the economic report as "a central reference point
for discussions on inflation and incomes."
New radar system activated
The Civil Aviation Authority (YPA) will for the first time activate a radar
system to facilitate air transport and pilots within the Athens FIR.
This was communicated to all international organisations with a NOTAM
issued by YPA, according to which as of June 25, radar service will be
provided in the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR) with unlimited
possibilities.
Transport and Communications Minister Haris Kastanidis said the system will
increase the capacity of airspace, meaning 200 more flights, while delays
will be decreased.
EU efforts for integration of internal energy market
Opening a conference on "Energy and Development" yesterday, EU Commissioner
Christos Papoutsis referred to the efforts of the European Commission for
the integration of the internal energy market.
"Natural gas in Europe costs 30 per cent more than in the US, while energy
in the chemical industry is 45 per cent more expensive. It is clear that
under such conditions, European products are not competitive," he pointed
out.
"Renewable energy sources are a priority for Greece. The triptych Energy -
Tourism - Small- and Medium-Enterprises cand provide the basis for an
integrated development drive," he said.
Greek Jan-Feb current account deficit widens to $874 mln
Greece's current account deficit widened to 874 million dollars in January-
February 1997 from 305.1 million dollars in the corresponding period of
1996, the central bank said yesterday.
According to data released by the Bank of Greece, the rise stemmed from a
443.3-million dollar jump in the trade deficit combined with a 125.6-
million dollar slump in the surplus of invisible transactions.
At the end of February foreign currency reserves were 19.6 billion dollars,
up from 17.4 billion a year earlier, the central bank said.
Greece not to impose special tax on company profit-sources
Greece's socialist government has no plans to slap an extraordinary tax on
company profits, national economy ministry sources told the Athens News
Agency.
The response followed a proposal for imposition of the tax in a report
submitted to the ministry by an advisory committee that has upset stock
market players and firms.
Retail sales figures
Greek retail sales in volume slipped by 0.3 percent year-on-year in March
against the same month in 1996, the National Statistics Service (NSS) said
today.
The volume of retail sales in January-March rose by 1.1 percent against the
same period a year earlier.
Greek equities slump 2.78pct in brisk sell-off
Greek stocks came under heavy selling pressure to finish 2.78 percent lower
in moderate trade, only just holding the 1,500-point psychological level.
The bourse lost 7.71 percent over the week.
The Athens general share index finished at 1,500.37 points with turnover at
20.6 billion drachmas, slightly up on the previous session. The parallel
market for smaller cap stocks ended fractionally lower by 0.07 percent.
The insurance sector bucked the downward trend, ending 0.03 percent higher.
Banks slid 3.48 percent, Leasing plunged 4.35 percent, Investments dropped
2.78 percent, Industrials slumped 3.19 percent, Construction fell 2.20
percent, Holding dropped 2.26 percent, and Miscellaneous slip 2.62
percent.
WEATHER
Sunny and hot weather with continuing high temperatures is forecast
throughout the country today. Local clouds in central and northern Greece
with intermittent rain and storms in the mountainous northern regions in
the afternoon. Winds will be variable, light to moderate. Temperatures in
Athens will range between 25-40C, while in Thessaloniki from 21-35C.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
Thursday's closing rates - buying US dlr. 271.471
Pound sterling 445.686 Cyprus pd 529.530
French franc 46.479 Swiss franc 187.805
German mark 156.825 Italian lira (100) 16.011
Yen (100) 239.499 Canadian dlr. 194.868
Australian dlr. 203.206 Irish Punt 409.954
Belgian franc 7.600 Finnish mark 52.403
Dutch guilder 139.346 Danish kr. 41.188
Swedish kr. 35.129 Norwegian kr. 37.478
Austrian sch. 22.301 Spanish peseta 1.859
Port. Escudo 1.557
(M.P.)
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