Athens News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-04-06

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

NEWS IN ENGLISH

ATHENS, GREECE, 06/04/1999 (ANA)

MAIN HEADLINES

• Simitis: Cooperation with NATO, contacts with Yugoslabia necessary
• G. Papandreou discusses Kosovo crisis with Talbott
• Athens, Ankara agree on proposal for equal refugee burden
• Balkan personalities appeal for peace
• G. Papandreou meets with Omonia group's presidium
• Local opposition to plans for hosting Kosovars
• Torchlight marches tomorrow across Greece against NATO bombings
• KKE against stationing of Greek soldiers outside Greece
• Bourse falls in nervous trading
• Sfakianakis results
• Athens dismisses repercussions on tourism from crisis
• Advertising pie for first part of '99
• Weather
• Foreign exchange

NEWS IN DETAIL

Prime Minister Costas Simitis last night stressed that Athens' actions must proceed in cooperation with other NATO members, although contact with Yugoslavia is also necessary.

He was speaking in a televised address to the nation regarding the worsening situation in Kosovo.

"Our actions must proceed in cooperation with the other NATO states and in contact with the Serbs. Otherwise, the only thing we will accomplish is to alienate ourselves from all parties involved," he said.

Greece has stated from the very beginning that it will not get involved in military operations, Mr. Simitis reiterated.

"...Because we are neighbours with Yugoslavia. Because we want a political solution. From the very first day, we have declared that Yugoslavia must provide a wide ranging autonomy to Kosovo's residents. Yugoslavia must respect their human rights and promote a peaceful settlement of differences. We condemn the policy of ethnic cleansing followed by Serbia."

"Any fear by Greece is unjustified. We will not get involved in military confrontations. Greece belongs in a zone of stability and in Europe's power structure. It remains in this zone," he said, adding: "We are against any act that could lead to a change of borders in the Balkans."

"We will ensure a future of development, stability and prosperity for our country if we preserve our sensible course of cooperation with the other EU and NATO countries, as well as the course of understanding and contact with the Balkan countries," he added.

Mr. Simitis said the "Greek government has acted both within NATO's framework and that of the European Union for the effective confrontation of the refugee problem."

Regarding the refugee crisis, he said decisions taken over the past few days are the "result of our initiatives."

"As far as we are concerned the basic aim should be for the refugees to remain near their country of origin. All European Union member-states are obliged to contribute according to their strength and ability."

"We pay special attention to the issue of the Greek minority in Albania, to the protection of the property of the Greek ethnic minority in that country. Albania's leadership has reassured us that its (Greek ethnic minority) rights would not be infringed upon.

"The continuing use of military force cannot lead to a permanent solution. We repeatedly have proposed the examination of the possibilities of a peaceful dialogue. We are looking for a political solution, we demand respect for human life and we aim at re-establishing stability in the region. We are friends with the peoples who are suffering."

Mr. Simitis noted that Greece also lives with Turkey's aggressive behaviour in the Aegean. "A large part of Cyprus is under Turkish occupation. In order to confront the dangers in the region, we must cooperate with the EU member-states and safeguard our role in NATO."

"We are not alone in the world. We operate in specific conditions, which are often formulated by others. We need to balance carefully our national interest. Turkey is looking for the opportunity to cover the void of a possible Greek deviation from devel opments. We will not allow such a course."

He also said Greece "is a country which has conquered, with struggles and sacrifices, peace, stability and economic and social progress. The Greek people demand we safeguard those achievements."

G. Papandreou discusses Kosovo crisis with Talbott

Foreign Minister George Papandreou said yesterday after talks with US Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott regarding the Kosovo crisis that there was no identity of views between the two sides.

Mr. Papandreou said he had a "frank" discussion with Mr. Talbott during which he expressed Greece's views and conveyed the sentiments of the Greek people concerning NATO military strikes against Yugoslavia, as well as the "need for a speedy end to the war there".

He stressed that Greece was close to all the Balkan peoples and regarded Serbs, Albanians and Kosovars as friends.

"We ascertained that there is no identity of views between us," Mr. Papandreou said, adding however, that both Greece and the US attach great importance to their bilateral relations and viewed them as "mutually valuable".

Mr. Papandreou also referred to Greece's special position as a NATO and European Union member but also a Balkan country very close to the crisis, "which allows us to play a mediating and peacemaking role".

Asked whether Mr. Talbott had asked Greece to receive approximately 25,000 refugees from Kosovo, Mr. Papandreou declined to reply directly but confirmed that "talks are being held with our NATO and EU partners with a view to our country also taking in a considerable number of refugees".

At this point, Mr. Papandreou said Greece would be willing to receive a number of refugees in order to contribute to helping resolve the enormous problem which has been created, but only if there was some understanding and "proportional distribution amo ng the partners".

Mr. Papandreou said it should also be taken into account that Greece had already taken in some 500,000 Albanian refugees, following previous crises in the neighbouring country, and was in addition hosting a large number of refugees from other countries.

Athens, Ankara agree on proposal for equal refugee burden

Greece and Turkey will make a joint proposal to NATO that the alliance members share the financial burden of sheltering refugees from Kosovo, diplomatic sources said yesterday.

The same sources said the gist of a telephone conversation between Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and his Greek counterpart George Papandreou on Sunday was that each NATO member take in a proportional number of refugees.

The financial burden, according to the sources, should be shared, again in proportion, by all NATO members. The two ministers were in touch to coordinate efforts to relieve the refugee crisis and provide humanitarian aid. The government gave three Turkish transport planes permission to cross Greek air space to deliver aid to Skopje and Tirana on Sunday afternoon.

Athens is considering accepting about 5,000 Kosovar refugees and is also reported to be considering participating in a NATO force to coordinate humanitarian and relief operations in Albania and Skopje.

Balkan personalities appeal for peace

Several noted personalities from Greece, Romania and Bulgaria yesterday appealed for an immediate cessation of bombings against Yugoslavia and of military operations in Kosovo.

"We, the citizens of the Balkans, know well and are conscious of the particularity of the area and are strongly concerned about the unforeseen continuation of the war," the appeal read.

The appeal called for the protection of civilians and the initiation of negotiations that will envisage a wide autonomy of the region and international protection of the frontiers of Yugoslavia.

It urged practical concern of the international community with the immediate needs of the refugees and thereafter their secure repatriation under international supervision. It also called for the liberation of all the hostages and prisoners of war.

The appeal went on to request the supply of international economic aid for the restoration of all damages inflicted by the bombing and war attacks in all regions of Yugoslavia.

The announcement further appealed for the protection of all cultural monuments that were damaged by the bombings of Yugoslavia.

"We pledge that, together with the intellectuals of the Balkans, we will work with responsibility, to the utmost of our strength for the peaceful co- existence and equality of all the citizens of the region, for making known and promoting the particulari ties of Balkan culture.

Those who signed the declaration include Manolis Anagnostakis, Theodoros Angelopoulos, Mihai Bubulei, Stefan Danailov, Mircea Dinescu, Iakovos Kambanelis, Maia Morgenstern, Valeri Petrov, Svetlin Roussev, Harry Tavitian, Stefan Tjanev, Mikis Theodorakis and Giorgos Zongolopoulos.

G. Papandreou meets with Omonia group's presidium

Foreign Minister George Papandreou on Monday held talks with the three- member presidium of the ethnic Greek organisation of Albania "Omonia" to exchange views on the wave of Kosovar refugees flooding Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

Mr. Papandreou told reporters he had conveyed to the presidium assurances he had been given by the Albanian government during his recent visit to Tirana, when he informed Albanian President Rexhep Mejdani and Prime Minister Pandeli Majko of Athens' views that Kosovar refugees should not be settled in the south of the country, where the majority of ethnic Greeks live.

He said the situation in areas of Albania with a high ethnic Greek population was not worrying, adding that Greece expected Albania to keep its promises.

The "Omonia" representatives stressed the need to avert any demographic "distortion" of minority areas since this could lead to "friction".

Asked by reporters to put a figure on the number of ethnic Greeks currently living in Albania, the representatives pointed out that no reliable data was available because there had been no census for about 50 years.

Replying to other questions, the representatives said approximately 1,000 Kosovar refugees had already been brought to areas with a large ethnic Greek minority.

Mr. Papandreou noted at this point that the members of the ethnic Greek community were cooperating well with the refugees "and this illustrates their intention to contribute in a positive manner to help resolve the problem."

Local opposition to plans for hosting Kosovars

The Greek government's plans to house about 1,500 Kosovo Albanian refugees in Fthiotida prefecture of central Greece has caught local authorities off guard.

The Fthiotida prefect said after an urgent meeting called to coordinate action yesterday that there were "serious problems" that would complicate the efforts to provide shelter to such a large number of refugees.

He cited these problems as being a lack of sanitary and health care facilities. He said there were concerns the local hospital would not be able to meet the specific health needs of the refugees.

He also expressed the view that the tourist region of Kamena Vourla was not the best place to shelter the refugees.

The mayor of Kamena Vourla has already expressed his objections and was due to call an emergency meeting of the local council last night, he said.

The ministry on Sunday night notified authorities to begin preparing National Tourist Organisation (EOT) camp grounds.

Prefectural and regional authorities have began repairing damage to camping sites in Ano Kallithea and Aspronerio, which have a capacity of about 400 people. Sixty tents have already been set up.

Torchlight marches tomorrow across Greece against NATO bombings

Several political youth organisations yesterday announced torchlight processions scheduled for tomorrow in 10 Greek cities in protest of the continuing bombing of Yugoslavia during Easter Holy Week.

"NATO's decision to deprive peace of a minimal chance by continuing the bombing of civilians even during the Catholic and Orthodox Holy Week, although it 'respected' Ramadan in Iraq's case, constitutes one more blatant abuse against international law, h uman rights and civilisation," the release read.

The protest rallies will take place at 8 p.m. in Athens, Thessaloniki, Patra, Ioannina, Irakleio, Komotini, Alexandroupoli, Larisa, Kalamata, Rhodes and outside the NATO base of Aktio in Preveza.

KKE against stationing of Greek soldiers outside Greece

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Aleka Papariga yesterday stressed that no Greek soldiers should be send outside the country's boundaries, while the PASOK government's decision to do just that will transform the army to an occupation force.

"When a soldier goes out of his land's borders, and for that matter under the auspices of NATO, they transform him into an enemy of the people," she said.

Bourse falls in nervous trading

Equity prices ended sharply lower in nervous trading on the Athens Stock Exchange yesterday, resuming their downward trend following Friday's spectacular rebound

The general index ended 2.59 percent lower to 3,218.06 points.

Turnover narrowed below the 100 billion drachmas level for the first time in months as investors remained on the sidelines ahead of developments in Kosovo and the Easter holidays.

Turnover totalled 80.832 billion drachmas and volume was 15,455,129 shares.

Traders said the Kosovo crisis had already hit sentiment among domestic investors, who control 60 percent of the market's daily turnover. Foreign investors, however, remained active seeking opportunities.

A wave of international investment firms, such as Merrill Lynch, Warburg Dillon Read, Credit Suisse First Boston, ING Barings, Morgan Stanley reaffirmed foreign institutional investors' confidence in the Greek economy and the market's outlook.

They said that recent price falls created buying opportunities in certain market sectors.

Sector indices suffered losses. Banks fell 1.89 percent, Leasing dropped 3.13 percent, Insurance plunged 4.93 percent, Investment ended 3.58 percent off, Construction eased 4.22 percent, Industrials fell 3.78 percent, Miscellaneous ended 3.56 percent down and Holding fell 3.66 percent.

The parallel market index for small cap companies ended 1.22 percent off, while the FTSE/ASE 20 index dropped 1.91 percent to 2,014.66.

National Bank ended at 20,650 drachmas, Alpha Credit Bank at 20,130, Ergobank at 21,800, Ionian Bank at 17,945, Titan Cement at 22,700, Hellenic Petroleum at 2,250, Intracom at 17,000, Minoan Lines at 6,700, Panafon at 7, 585 and Hellenic Telecoms at 6,960.

Sfakianakis results

Sfakianakis, Suzuki's authorised dealer in Greece, reported a 39 per cent rise in its first quarter car sales to 2,510 units and a 27.5 percent increase in its turnover to 10.2 billion drachmas, compared with the same period last year.

Suzuki car sales totalled 10.031 units in 1998, a rise of 17 percent from the previous year, while turnover totalled 44.9 billion drachmas, a 22 percent increase, and net profits rose 10 percent to 4.5 billion drachmas.

Sfakianakis is expected to begin this month delivery of the first of a total 96 trolley-bus, manufactured in a joint venture with Belgian bus manufacturer Vanhool and British-French energy group Alsthom.

Athens dismisses repercussions on tourism from crisis

The government stood again yesterday by its earlier prediction that according to all indications tourism will post an increase this year.

Development Minister Evangelos Venizelos was replying to questions on possible repercussions from the crisis in Yugoslavia. He added, however, that this does not justify any complacency.

Mr. Venizelos said he had spoke with the French ambassador and had requested a meeting with him for today or tomorrow. He also requested meetings with the Italian and US ambassadors.

Advertising pie for first part of '99

Advertising expenses in the mass media reached 100 billion drachmas during the first three months of the year, a 29.3 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

The lion's share (48.5 per cent) went to television for a total of 48 billion drachmas, followed by magazines, newspapers and radio.

WEATHER

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Tuesday's rates (buying)
U.S. dollar          301.102
Pound sterling       483.937
Japanese yen (100)   248.407
French franc          49.437
German mark          165.804
Italian lira (100)    16.748
Irish Punt           411.756
Belgian franc          8.039
Luxembourg franc       8.039
Finnish mark          54.541
Dutch guilder        147.154
Danish kr.            43.666
Austrian sch.         23.567
Spanish peseta         1.949
Swedish kr.           36.589
Norwegian kr.         38.956
Swiss franc          203.028
Port. Escudo           1.618
Aus. dollar          190.985
Can. dollar          200.682
Cyprus pound         559.012
Euro                 324.285

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