Subject: A.N.A. Bulletin 24/9/93
From: miltos@nfl2.irc.nrc.ca

Athens News Agency Bulletin, September 24,1993

	Athens, 24/9/1993 (ANA): Prime Minister Constantine Mitsotakis
yesterday declined comment on statements by US Senate Foreign
Relations Committee Chairman Claiborne Pell who expressed the
view that the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) is ahead of
the ruling New Democracy party just a few weeks before general
elections in Greece. But National Defence Minister Ioannis
Varvitsiotis advised the US "to concern itself with its own
affairs and not make forecasts for other countries".

	Speaking in Washington to Greek American community leaders, Mr.
Pell reportedly expressed the view that PASOK was ahead of New
Democracy on the basis of recent opinion polls and that
"something should be done to improve the situation". "Senator
Pell expressed an opinion. I have no comment to make", Mr.
Mitsotakis said. On the same issue, Deputy Premier Tzannis
Tzannetakis told reporters: "I think that elections are being
held in Greece. Have you been informed that elections are to be
held in America?"

	Main opposition PASOK party leader Andreas Papandreou said that
"in these elections, it is the Greek people who will express
their sovereign will".


	Athens, 24/9/1993 (ANA): National issues, the overall attitude
of the Left, and the main opposition party PASOK were the main
topics in an election speech by Coalition of the Left and
Progress leader Maria Damanaki at a party gathering on Mytilini
yesterday. In her remarks about PASOK, Ms. Damanaki stressed the
need for the Coalition to rally together in order to prevent a
New Democracy defeat from leading to a PASOK autocracy. "Such an
outcome would not benefit the nation's future, but, instead,
would serve as an obstacle", Ms. Damanaki added.


	Athens, 24/9/1993 (ANA): Greece and Ukraine will shortly sign a
friendship and cultural co-operation agreement, the foreign
ministry announced yesterday. It said the agreement would be
signed at a high-level meeting between the two countries "very
soon". The agreement provides for the development of
co-operation in the fields of culture, the arts, education and
information.

	According to the ministry announcement, the two countries
agreed to encourage the establishment of direct contacts between
cultural, artistic and educational organisations and
institutions. They will also develop co-operation between the
mass media "and promote the broader and less restricted
application of means of communication between the two countries
using modern equipment". According to article 12 of the
agreement, Greece and the Ukraine "shall encourage the
development of broad contacts between their citizens" and
"promote the development of tourism and the strengthening of
relations between youth and sports organisations".


	Athens, 24/9/1993 (ANA): National Defence Minister Ioannis
Varvitsiotis said yesterday that any unrest in Russia would have
repercussions for the whole world and particularly for the
Balkan region. Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the
ruling New Democracy electoral committee, Mr. Varvitsiotis
described the situation in Russia as "critical" but expressed
the view that President Yeltsin would "survive" the crisis.


	Athens, 24/9/1993 (ANA): Greek legislation concerning the
securities exchange and mutual funds as well as clauses for
organisations for collective investments in liquid assets will
be harmonised with Community directives with a presidential
decree, according to a draft tabled by National Economy
Under-secretary Kostas Dousis with the Council of State. Among
other things, the decree anticipates a reduction in the
percentage of company shares carrying a vote from 30 per cent to
10 per cent.

	Moreover, the investment of up to 25 per cent of mutual funds'
net value in bonds issued by a credit institution based in an EC
member state is prohibited. The right is granted for an increase
in the total investments in liquid assets of the same drawer
regardless of whether it is a member state, local administration
organisations in member states and public international
organisations from 35 per cent to 100 per cent. The use of
resources and techniques to effectively manage the treasury and
cover foreign exchange dangers is permitted but only under
conditions set by the capital market committee. The loaning of
mutual funds is prohibited with certain exceptions. Decisions
taken by the capital market committee must be justified. Lastly,
issues are settled as to who has the right to act as overseer.