Athens News Agency: News in English, 03-03-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Defence minister reiterates objections to Turkey entering north Iraq

[02] Athens municipality, NGOs to send humanitarian aid to people of Iraq

[03] Length of Iraq war seen determining impact on Greek economy

[04] Law to parliament on leasing homes for Athens 2004 Olympics

[05] Foreign Exchange Rates - Thursday

[06] Weather Forecast: Sunny on Thursday

[07] Greek stocks end off session highs on Wednesday

[01] Defence minister reiterates objections to Turkey entering north Iraq

Greek Defence Minister Yiannos Papantoniou on Wednesday repeated Greek objections to any involvement by Turkey in northern Iraq and stressed that Athens would re-evaluate its positions if fears that Ankara planned a strong incursion into Iraq were confirmed.

Stressing that any international move to avoid this outcome would be positive, the minister also noted rumours that limited numbers of Turkish troops were already in north Iraq.

For the time being, Greece was not concerned about a loan to Turkey if this was used to help that country deal with its massive economic problems, he added.

Regarding the latest developments in the Iraq war, Papaantoniou said this appeared to be running into difficulties with respect to the time frame and the cost in human lives.

The Greek government was monitoring events closely but still considered that the consequences for the Greek economy would be minor provided the war ended quickly, he said.

In the event that the war dragged on, Athens would re-evaluate this position, he added.

The defence minister was speaking in Halkida, where he visited Evia local authorities after a visit to the Hellenic Defence Industries (EAB).

[02] Athens municipality, NGOs to send humanitarian aid to people of Iraq

Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyianni and representatives of humanitarian organisations met at the Town Hall on Wednesday and decided on humanitarian aid to be sent to the people of Iraq.

Present at the meeting were representatives of UNICEF, ''Doctors of the World'', the Red Cross, the UN High Commission for Refugees, Action Aid and other organisations.

Bakoyianni, after her meeting with the representatives of the non-government organisations, appealed also to other organisations to act in the same direction in order for this joint effort ''to be serious and effective and reach the children of Iraq as soon as possible.''

The mayor said that the Athens municipality will start collecting as of Monday goods and medicines for the needy people of Iraq.

[03] Length of Iraq war seen determining impact on Greek economy

The duration of the US-led war on Iraq will determine the extent of repercussions on the Greek economy, the president of the Association of Greek Industry, Odysseas Kyriakopoulos, said on Wednesday.

So far, the impact was impossible to gauge, Kyriakopoulos told reporters.

The association repeated its call for a reduction in oil and diesel tax for industrial users.

[04] Law to parliament on leasing homes for Athens 2004 Olympics

The government on Wednesday sent an amendment to parliament that sets the legal framework for the lease of homes by the public to host visitors of the Athens 2004 Olympics, easing an accomodation shortage.

Homeowners will be able to rent out their homes from a minimum of three days to a maximum of two months from July 10 to September 10, 2004.

The measure applies to the prefectures of Attica, Corinth, Evia and Viotia.

Premises offered for rent will have to meet government ordained specifications, and will be checked beforehand for compliance.

[05] Foreign Exchange Rates - Thursday

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank

U.S. dollar 1.075

Pound sterling 0.683

Danish kroner 7.485

Swedish kroner 9.290

Japanese yen 129.2

Swiss franc 1.485

Norwegian kroner 7.876

Cyprus pound 0.588

Canadian dollar 1.579

Australian dollar 1.797

[06] Weather Forecast: Sunny on Thursday

Sunshine is forecast in all parts of the country. Winds variable, light to moderate, turning strong in parts of the eastern Aegean. In the north, temperatures will range from 0C to 19C; in the Ionian and on the rest of the mainland from 3C to 21C; and in the Aegean islands from 6C to 18C. Temperatures in Athens between 5C and 20C; and in Thessaloniki from 2C to 19C.

[07] Greek stocks end off session highs on Wednesday

Greek stocks ended Thursday's session higher reflecting an improved climate in international markets after positive news on the war in Iraq, although the general index ended off the day's highs as several investors took early profits during the last hour of trading in the Athens Stock Exchange.

The general index rose 0.17 percent to end at 1,551.80 points, with turnover a sharply increased 240 million euros, of which 160 million euros were pre-agreed block trades.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 268 to 50 with another 43 issues unchanged.

The Cement and Telecommunications sectors were the only ones to suffer losses (0.62 percent and 0.48 percent, respectively), while the Publications (6.31 percent) and Textile (5.42 percent) sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day. The Industry sector scored the smallest percentage gains (0.16 percent).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.41 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 1.12 percent higher, the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index rose 2.08 percent and the wider FTSE/ASE 140 index ended 0.70 percent up.

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