Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-06-14
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <[email protected]>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 1212), June 14, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
CONTENTS
[01] IGC issues dominate cabinet meeting chaired by premier
[02] G. Papandreou
[03] Black Sea co-operation parliamentary assembly to meet in Athens
[04] Committee on Constitutional revision chosen
[05] Belgian Euro-MP calls for principle of transparency in new EU
Treaty
[06] EU's Bjerregaard calls for concerted effort by EU nations on
environment
[07] Tsohatzopoulos outlines Athens' views on new Euro-Atlantic
Security Council
[08] Philippine leader to visit Greece end of June
[09] Georgian parliament speaker in Athens next week
[10] Gov't defends Pangalos' statements on Schengen
[11] Stephanopoulos begins tour of Cyclades
[12] Gov't says Greek committee of experts' reply due in a few days
[13] Turkish business delegation to visit Rhodes on trade mission
[14] Albanian Socialist leader Nano addresses campaign rally in Athens
[15] Anastasios urges Orthodox faithful to exercise voting rights
[16] Black Sea Greeks conference convenes in Thessaloniki
[17] High-level meeting focuses on security along Greek-Albanian
border
[18] Gov't says no issue of Gibraltar protocol at hand
[19] Gov't says possibility of Simitis-Constantopoulos meeting still
open
[20] ND, Synaspismos leaders meet
[21] Mount Athos treasures open in Thessaloniki this month
[22] Chinese health sector delegation on official Greek visit
[23] OTE to participate at world-wide event
[24] Drug problem provokes questions in Parliament
[25] Greenpeace promotes solar energy with massive banner off Halkida
Bridge
[26] European delegation of publishers, reporters visit Athens 2004
committee
[27] Replica of ancient trireme arrives in Thessaloniki
[28] Greece to slash state spending on pharmaceuticals
[29] Commercial Bank of Greece ups stake in BIB
[30] Bank of Greece urges banks to cut operating costs
[31] Greek stocks end flat, post 2.10 pct gain for the week
[32] Eastern Europe seen joining world tourism market
[33] Commission places Greek olive oil on protected brand names list
[34] EOT expects increase in tourist arrivals from Middle East
[35] NOTE:
[01] IGC issues dominate cabinet meeting chaired by premier
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday chaired a cabinet
meeting focusing on the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) in
view of the crucial European Union summit in Amsterdam next
week, expected to witness several major political skirmishes by
member-states.
During a briefing by the competent ministers on the course of
the IGC, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the cabinet
expressed satisfaction regarding developments to date.
Mr. Reppas noted that most of Greece's targets appeared to have
been attained "since the issues in question are included in the
text which will serve as a guideline for discussion" at the
Amsterdam summit.
The spokesman emphasized in particular that Greece's proposals
concerning borders were included in the relevant chapter on the
Community's common foreign and security policy.
On Monday, discussions will centre on outstanding questions
related to the IGC, especially examining the issue of "The Union
and Citizens" with particular emphasis on employment.
Additionally, EU finance ministers will discuss a proposed
European Council resolution on employment to accompany the
resolution as well as the stability pact and European Monetary
Union (EMU).
On Tuesday, ministers will finalize any outstanding questions on
the IGC and EMU.
[02] G. Papandreou
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
On his part, Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou said
yesterday that he expected a "major battle" on institutional
issues during the EU summit on Monday and Tuesday.
Noting that differences between EU member-states on the issue of
Commissioners and the reweighting of votes were still large,
however, he nevertheless said that the political will for
negotiations to come to a successful end was there, and one had
to look at the total compromise possible.
He also stressed that efforts were underway by socialist parties
and governments at a European level to bring out the EU's social
profile, and it would be a mistake to suppose that there was
singularity of pursuits in the European Union.
The Greek side views with satisfaction the inclusion in the
proposal for the new Treaty of the EU of Article 130, concerning
the islands, which is accompanied by a satisfactory statement,
while in the chapter on the common external and security policy
t here is reference to territorial integrity, political
solidarity and the borders.
However, certain member-states have stated their opposition to
this chapter, and therefore, its final form, according to
observers, is uncertain.
[03] Black Sea co-operation parliamentary assembly to meet in Athens
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
The parliamentary assembly of Black Sea Economic Co-operation
Pact (PABSEC), whose six-month rotating presidency is held by
Greece, will meet in Athens on June 17-19 to discuss a wide
range of economic, political and social issues.
PABSEC, founded in 1993, is the parliamentary arm of Black Sea
Economic Co-operation (BSEC). It aims to facilitate co-operation
among Black Sea countries and turn the region into a zone of
stability, prosperity and peace.
The meeting, chaired by Parliament speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis,
will discuss improving customs regulations, developing a
co-operation mechanism between PABSEC and BSEC, and protecting
the rights of refugees from the Black Sea region. Delegates at
the meeting will also discuss conclusions of a BSEC foreign
ministers' meeting held in Istanbul in April and developments in
the creation of the Black Sea Commerce and Development Bank,
based in Thessaloniki. Also on the agenda is the review of a
progress re port by the presidency's permanent committee and
approval of 1997's budget.
Mr. Kaklamanis will deliver the group's presidency to Moldavian
parliament speaker Dimitru Motspan at the end of the meeting.
President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and the
president of BSEC, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Gennady Udovenko,
will address the meeting.
Parliamentary members from all 10 member-states - Albania,
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russian
Federation, Turkey and Ukraine - will take part in the meeting.
Egypt, Israel and the Western European Union will attend as
observers.
[04] Committee on Constitutional revision chosen
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
The committee entrusted with revising the Constitution has been
established with the election of an inter-party presidium, which
will convene at the start of a plenary session.
Parliament's first Vice-President Panayiotis Kritikos was
elected president of the committee; main opposition New
Democracy party Deputy Georgios Panayiotopoulos was elected
Vice-President and Communist Party of Greece (KKE) deputy
Achilleas Katartzis a s secretary.
[05] Belgian Euro-MP calls for principle of transparency in new EU
Treaty
Strasbourg, 14/06/1997 (ANA/C. Haralambopoulos)
Belgian Liberal Euro-MP Neidje Uterbrouk has called in a report
for the inclusion of the principle of transparency in the new EU
Treaty, as a principle binding all institutional organs so as to
eliminate the democratic deficit in the Union. The report, on
the relations between the assembly and the national parliaments,
was presented to the plenum of Europarliament yesterday.
Ms. Uterbrouk also called for the strengthening of the areas of
responsibility of the Europarliament in order to combat the
democratic deficit, and the adoption of the procedure for joint
decisions by the Council of Ministers. She provided a reminder
that half the budget of the Union is decided upon without
control by the Europarliament.
The Belgian Euro-MP expressed the view that national parliaments
and the European Parliament play a key-role in the exercise of
democratic control in the Union, although their relations are
characterized by contrariness, and that their relations are
competitive, but also complementary.
[06] EU's Bjerregaard calls for concerted effort by EU nations on
environment
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
The environment is a sector which needs a common effort on the
part of all European Union member-states, EU Commissioner for
Environment and Nuclear Security Ritt Bjerregaard said during a
press conference in Athens yesterday.
The Danish Commissioner also called for greater citizens'
mobilization in the efforts to combat waste pollution.
In addition, she discussed environmental issues in separate
meetings with Environment Minister Costas Laliotis, Athens Mayor
Dimitris Avramopoulos and National Economy Under-secretary
Christos Pachtas.
[07] Tsohatzopoulos outlines Athens' views on new Euro-Atlantic
Security Council
Brussels, 14/06/1997 (ANA/M. Spinthourakis)
NATO defense ministers convened in Brussels yesterday to discuss
the issue of the Euro-Atlantic Security Council, which will be
composed of 43 countries, namely, NATO's 16 members and
countries from eastern Europe, the Middle East, the former USSR
and Russia.
Greece was represented by National Defense Minister Akis
Tsohatzopoulos.
Speaking to Greek reporters, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the
Euro-Atlantic Security Council "constitutes a place in which all
issues related to security, stability and co-operation in the
Euro-Atlantic region can be discussed."
He said it is an exclusive form of collective action by a large
number of countries which will be jointly able to take decisions
on issues of security and co-operation. Defense ministers will
meet twice a year and foreign ministers twice to safeguard
cooperation terms and create preconditions for collective
security, he added.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the organization has particular
importance for Greece and that two basic principles in its
functioning must be secured, namely, the possibility of each
country to determine by itself what degree of co-operation it
will have with t he new institution, regardless of the
relationship it has with NATO, as well as the possibility of
regional co-operation according to the region to which each
country belongs.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos further stressed the significance of the
Euro-Atlantic Security Council and more specifically support for
regional co-operation for the Balkan region, because from now on
Balkan countries which are not currently NATO member-states will
have the possibility of expressing their views and positions in
the framework of the new organization.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said Greece "has already submitted proposals
in the Balkan region for the creation of a Security and
Co-operation Council and for predicting crises", adding that
after NATO's session yesterday this logic was confirmed. He
further said that "the experience which contributed towards
promoting the Euro-Atlantic Security Council is utilizing the
institution of partnership for peace." He also referred to
Bosnia where NATO's activity was impressive and commented on
Albania, saying that "neither NATO nor the West European Union
(WEU) managed to intervene and tackle the crisis."
Referring to the WEU in particular, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the
issue of Albania belonged to its jurisdiction if it wanted to
prove that a realistic prospect existed for the European
identity and defense. However, this possibility was replaced by
the cooperation initiative between certain OSCE member-states,
and primarily Italy and Greece.
At this point, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos expressed the hope that the
elections in Albania on June 29 will provide a solution to the
problem of Albania and that an acceptable government will result
which will undertake to handle the real problems faced by the
Albanian people. He said that during the meeting with his
Albanian counterpart yesterday, he ascertained that the latter
viewed the problem in the same spirit.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos expressed the importance of NATO's
co-operation with countries having expressed the desire for NATO
membership but will not be included in the list concerning
NATO's first enlargement. He said these countries must have the
possibility of wider co-operation with NATO and acquire
experiences and access to NATO's infrastructures to enable them
to have the feeling that they are not alone and that the
prospect of their accession to NATO is tangible.
Replying to questions from the press on criteria for NATO's
enlargement, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said many discussions will be
held in the next few days on which countries will join the
alliance and added that although the United States has already
presented its own views, the issue remains open to a certain
degree and that he himself will have the opportunity of holding
talks with his US counterpart William Cohen during his visit to
the United States.
[08] Philippine leader to visit Greece end of June
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
Philippine President Fidel Ramos will pay a three-day official
visit to Greece beginning June 22 at the invitation of President
Kostis Stephanopoulos, it was announced yesterday.
During his stay, Mr. Ramos will have talks with Prime Minister
Costas Simitis and sign a bilateral cultural accord and an
informal agreement between the Greek overseas trade council and
the equivalent Philippine agency.
Mr. Ramos' talks with Mr. Stephanopoulos and Mr. Simitis are
expected to focus on ways of further improving relations between
the two countries in the political and, particularly, economic
sectors.
Within this framework, Mr. Ramos will also have talks with
representatives of the Greek business world, including
ship-owners.
[09] Georgian parliament speaker in Athens next week
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
The president of Georgia's parliament, Zourab Zhvania, is
expected to arrive in Athens on Tuesday for a four-day official
visit at the invitation of his Greek counterpart Apostolos
Kaklamanis.
During his stay, Mr. Zhvania will have meetings with President
Kostis Stephanopoulos and Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.
He will also meet with main opposition New Democracy leader
Costas Karamanlis and other political leaders.
He will further have meetings with members of the Commerce and
Industry Chamber and will attend the opening sessions of the
ninth Black Sea Economic Co-operation plenum (BSEC).
[10] Gov't defends Pangalos' statements on Schengen
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas came to the defense of
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos yesterday, when asked to
comment on Mr. Pangalos' statements regarding the Schengen Pact
on Thursday evening.
Mr. Reppas said the government agreed with the political content
of Mr. Pangalos' positions. Speaking in a television interview,
Mr. Pangalos criticized the deputies who did not vote for
Schengen, saying they were defending the rights of convicts.
Mr. Reppas said that the minister was expressing personal views
and convictions.
In the interview, Mr. Pangalos lashed out against those who did
not endorse the Schengen Pact, accusing them of wanting to turn
Greece back to medieval times.
In a related development, Coalition of the Left and Progress
(Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos addressed a letter to
the Prime Minister Costas Simitis, stating that the foreign
minister's statements raised "a major issue of political morals
and cultural order".
He added that the government spokesman's view that the issue was
connected with the foreign minister's personal style and
individual behaviour, was evasive and a pretext.
Further, he called on the prime minister to state whether he
accepts "this methodology of political discourse and the
phenomenal statements repeatedly used by your top aide".
In another written statement, Mr. Constantopoulos accused the
government of having deliberately raised the issue of
constitutional provisions for the election of the president of
the republic, not being able to appreciate the impeccable manner
in which the incumbent President, Kostis Stephanopoulos, is
carrying out his duties.
[11] Stephanopoulos begins tour of Cyclades
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos kicked off a
three-day tour of the Cyclades yesterday from Kythnos.
Speaking on problems facing the islands, he confirmed the
interest of the state to find solutions to these problems.
Turning to other issues, he defended the status quo in the
Aegean, saying that "all the Aegean islands, isles or rocky
isles, are Greek."
Justice would prevail in the Aegean and Turkish claims in the
area would be lifted, he later said on the island of Sifnos.
"Justice will prevail because it is based on our history and
tradition, and on international treaties and agreements," Mr.
Stephanopoulos said.
"We don't have the right to make more concessions," he said.
"We have (already) lost many homelands" he added, calling on all
the Aegean residents to remain on their islands.
The president also criticized Ankara for its expansionist
tendencies and foresaw that it would not achieve anything more
than reaffirming the Aegean's Greekness.
Mr. Stephanopoulos is accompanied by Aegean Minister Elisabeth
Papazoi.
[12] Gov't says Greek committee of experts' reply due in a few days
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
The reply by the two-man Greek "committee of experts"
formulating Athens' positions on Greek-Turkish differences will
be sent to the Dutch EU presidency within the next few days,
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou stated yesterday.
Replying to reporters' questions, Mr. Papandreou said Athens'
reply would comment on the views set out by the two members of
the corresponding Turkish committee of experts, in accordance
with the agreed procedure.
Greece and Turkey each agreed to set up a committee of experts
to examine procedures for approaching and recording certain
differences between the two countries.
The reports drawn up by the committees are exchanged between the
two countries via the rotating Dutch EU presidency.
[13] Turkish business delegation to visit Rhodes on trade mission
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
One hundred businessmen from Turkey, members of the Commerce and
Industry Chamber of Izmir, will visit Rhodes on June 29 and 30
to discuss co-operation and commercial exchanges.
It will be the first time a Turkish business delegation visits
Rhodes. The event is being organized after an initiative by the
Izmir chamber.
Delegation members will meet with local chamber representatives
and other agencies and discuss co-operation in tourism, coastal
shipping and promotion of Turkish products on the island.
[14] Albanian Socialist leader Nano addresses campaign rally in Athens
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
Albanians living in Greece should return to their country to
vote in the June 29 general elections, the leader of the
opposition Socialist Party of Albania Fatos Nano told a campaign
rally at a downtown Athens square yesterday.
At the rally at Kaningos Square, which was linked with an
official visit to Greece, Mr. Nano said he guaranteed their safe
transport and return, and accused Albanian President Sali
Berisha of having "turned Albania into a country of emigres".
"Albanians must work in Albania", Mr. Nano told the crowd who
had thronged to the square, adding that if he won the elections,
he would return the money invested in pyramid schemes, whose
collapse led to the present severe crisis in the neighbouring
country.
The socialist leader thanked the Greek government for the
respect it showed for rights of ethnic Albanians working in
Greece and for the permission it granted his party to hold an
open rally in central Athens.
A short message was also conveyed by former socialist deputy
Todor Bei, of Greek descent, who called for "unity of Albanians
and Albanians of Greek descent, in the north and south, against
Berisha".
He also guaranteed that whoever left Greece to vote in the
Albanian elections would not be prevented from returning by
Greek authorities.
[15] Anastasios urges Orthodox faithful to exercise voting rights
Tirana, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
Members of the Orthodox Church of Albania, as responsible
citizens, should vote, Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and All
Albania said in an announcement yesterday.
"The Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania has repeatedly and
consistently stressed it does not become involved in politics.
Its members, of course, ought to be responsible citizens, and as
such to participate in the elections of the political leader s
of its country," he said.
Orthodoxy cultivates conscience and promotes love, truth,
justice, honesty and freedom, he added.
"On that basis, every Orthodox is called occasionally to judge
with responsibility and according to his conscience the party
programs and vote for specific candidates", he said.
[16] Black Sea Greeks conference convenes in Thessaloniki
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
Interior Minister Alekos Papadopoulos was expected to open the
fourth congress of Black Sea Greeks (Pontians) at the University
of Thessaloniki yesterday evening.
The congress is attended by about 800 representatives from world
associations of Greeks who originally lived in the Black Sea
area.
The congress will continue this morning at the Helexpo fair
grounds and will focus on official recognition by the world
community of the genocide by the Turks between 1915 and 1918,
integration issues for Black Sea Greeks coming to Greece and the
problems of Pontians living in the former Soviet Union.
[17] High-level meeting focuses on security along Greek-Albanian
border
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday chaired a meeting to
examine the often tense situation on the Greek-Albanian border,
following a series of recent violent incidents along the
frontier.
The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos,
Interior Minister Alekos Papadopoulos, Public Order Minister
George Romeos, Merchant Marine Minister Stavros Soumakis,
National Defense Under-secretary Dimitris Apostolakis and
representatives of the armed forces and coast-guard.
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the meeting examined
the latest developments on the border with Albania, as part of
efforts to tackle the problems which have arisen, particularly
in view of fears that the situation might worsen because of
Albanian general elections at the end of the month.
[18] Gov't says no issue of Gibraltar protocol at hand
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said there is no question
of a protocol for Gibraltar, invoking a relevant statement by a
Dutch European Union presidency representative, who said Britain
and Spain are not interested in the issue and that it does not
concern Greece.
On the occasion of this statement, Mr. Reppas criticized the
Athens daily "Eleftheros Typos", saying it falsified past
statements he had made and further criticized main opposition
New Democracy party Vice-President Yiannis Varvitsiotis for
relevant statements, calling for more responsibility in handling
such issues.
Replying to a question, Mr. Reppas said Community Affairs
Secretary-General Stelios Perrakis, in relevant consultations
with the Dutch presidency, raised an issue of possible confusion
which could arise due to the Gibraltar Protocol, categorically
reiterating the government's position that borders are defined
by international treaties and not by EU bodies.
[19] Gov't says possibility of Simitis-Constantopoulos meeting still
open
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday the
possibility of Prime Minister Costas Simitis meeting Coalition
of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos remains
open, adding that the two men had a telephone conversation since
the time Mr. Constantopoulos had addressed a letter to the
premier.
Mr. Reppas said Mr. Constantopoulos met (PASOK Secretary) Costas
Skandalidis for talks on local administration issues and
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou, who briefed him on
issues concerning the Intergovern-mental Conference.
He said that criticism by Mr. Constantopoulos on Thursday was
unjustified, adding that while denouncing speculation concerning
the presidency of the republic he did just that; while
denouncing speculation about elections, he did just that and
while refusing real dialogue on the centre-left he blames others
for the refusal.
[20] ND, Synaspismos leaders meet
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis met
yesterday with Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos)
leader Nikos Constantopoulos.
[21] Mount Athos treasures open in Thessaloniki this month
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
An unprecedented exhibition of 600 treasures from the all-male
monastic community of Mount Athos opens officially in
Thessaloniki on June 21.
The objects, which have never left the semi-autonomous peninsula
before, will be sent off in a Byzantine ceremony from Karyes,
the community's administrative headquarters on June 17.
They include one of the rarest possessions of the monasteries,
one of the two existing charters establishing the community, and
will be the only chance women have of seeing the objects, since
they are banned from setting foot on Mount Athos.
The exhibition is part of the celebrations for Thessaloniki
Cultural Capital and will be attended by President of the
Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, government officials, political
leaders and others.
The objects come from 17 participating monasteries of Mount
Athos, out of the total of 20. The exhibition will last until
Dec. 31. Opening hours for the public are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
daily, including Sunday.
Entrance fees are 2,000 drachmas for adults and waived for the
clergy, monks, soldiers and tour guides.
Receipts from tickets will be turned over the Mount Athos
monasteries for renovation and infrastructure works.
[22] Chinese health sector delegation on official Greek visit
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
A People's Republic of China delegation is visiting Greece at
the invitation of Health and Welfare Under-secretary Theodoros
Kotsonis within the framework of overall co-operation between
the two countries in the welfare sector and, specifically, in
welfare policy for the handicapped.
The Chinese delegation visited a series of institutions and
units for rehabilitating handicapped people. They also held
talks with Health and Welfare Minister Costas Geitonas and Mr.
Kotsonis.
The Chinese ambassador gave an official luncheon last Wednesday
in honour of Mr. Kotsonis and the Chinese delegation.
Their itinerary includes a visit to archaeological sites and
museums before their departure tomorrow. The under-secretary and
the leadership of the Greek Confederation of Handicapped Persons
has accepted an official invitation to visit the People's
Republic of China.
[23] OTE to participate at world-wide event
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
The Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE), in
co-operation with the Democritus Research Centre, is
participating in a three-day worldwide event in the framework of
the ACTS program, presenting the potential for utilizing the
high-speed networks with ATM technology.
The program will include the interconnection of three
international conferences taking place in Calgary, Moscow,
Madeira, with 14 European countries next week.
There will also be a connection with a one-day conference at the
European Parliament on June 18, under the title "21st century -
The age of communications".
The connections will take place at OTE's building in Athens.
[24] Drug problem provokes questions in Parliament
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
The drug rehabilitation program with methadone is functioning
very well and the government plans to expand it to other cities
besides Athens and Thessaloniki, Health Under-secretary Manolis
Skoulakis said in Parliament yesterday.
Replying to questions on drug use tabled by the main opposition
New Democracy and the opposition Communist Party of Greece
(KKE), Mr. Skoulakis said the state was doing whatever possible
to check the problem of drugs by pitting all its efforts on
prevention.
The minister said that the annual turnover from the drug trade
in Greece came up to 300 or 400 billion drachmas.
On his part, ND deputy Giorgos Sourlas charged the government
with taking superficial measures. The programs on drug
prevention, he said, the government allotted just one billion
drachmas.
He further charged that the state does not have the means of
restricting the laundering of drug trade money, since a drug
dealer could easily buy state bonds or treasury bills without
any difficulty.
[25] Greenpeace promotes solar energy with massive banner off Halkida
Bridge
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
Four Greenpeace activists staged a dramatic spectacle yesterday,
unfolding a gigantic transparent banner with the slogan "Solar
Power - Bridge to the Future" from the new Halkida Bridge
connecting Evia with mainland Greece.
This Greenpeace action was part of a solar power promotional
tour by the Greenpeace vessel "Sirius".
Halkida's new bridge was chosen because the island of Evia is
one of the most suitable regions in the Mediterranean for
large-scale development of renewable energy sources.
With some 2,500 hours of insolation per year, Evia is an ideal
region for developing solar power stations, given that it is
linked to the Public Power Corp.'s (DEH) continental grid. The
island, the second largest in Greece, is also very suitable for
the construction of wind farms.
[26] European delegation of publishers, reporters visit Athens 2004
committee
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
Thirty-five publishers and reporters from most of Europe's major
economic and business publications visited the headquarters of
the Athens 2004 Olympics committee at the Zappeion Hall
yesterday.
The group is currently in Athens on the occasion of the Union of
the European Economic Press' (UPEFE) annual assembly.
Meanwhile, International Olympic Committee (IOC) member UN-Ihiro
Okano from Japan, who is paying an official visit to Athens,
termed the candidacy of Athens "excellent and fully
substantiated."
He later attended a ceremony during which an olive tree bearing
his name was planted in the "Forest of IOC members."
Another permanent IOC member, Agustin Carlos Arojo from Ecuador,
is expected in Athens tomorrow.
[27] Replica of ancient trireme arrives in Thessaloniki
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
An full-scale, sea-going replica of an ancient Athenian trireme
arrived in the port of Thessaloniki yesterday.
The "Olympias," a copy of a 5th century BC trireme, with places
for 170 rowers, linen sails and bronze rams, was carried to
Thessaloniki by a Hellenic Navy landing craft. With the help of
a floating crane and tug-boats, the trireme was placed on a
specially-designed platform where it can be visited by the
public.
The trireme, built with shipbuilding methods, has generated
archaeological and naval interest throughout the world. It was
built in Perama, near Piraeus, with the assistance of two
British history professors and officers of the Hellenic Navy
general staff.
The naval vessel which transported the trireme, the "Ikaria",
also anchored at the port, while an exhibition entitled "The
Hellenic Navy," which will be open to the public, will be held
aboard the Ikaria.
The two exhibitions will be officially inaugurated by National
Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos on Tuesday.
[28] Greece to slash state spending on pharmaceuticals
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
The cabinet yesterday approved measures aimed to combat an
excessive use of pharmaceuticals and prescriptions in a bid to
offer the public cheap medicine and save money for health-care
funds.
Health Minister Costas Geitonas said that Greece was among the
top consumers of pharmaceuticals, especially antibiotics.
Spending had shot up to 584 billion drachmas from 87 billion
drachmas in 1987.
Mr. Geitonas cited an overuse of prescriptions, hi-gher prices
and new expensive medicines to replace traditional products as
the reasons behind the upsurge in spending.
He said the health ministry had already prepared new rules on
prescriptions, with separate instructions for hospitals, and was
compiling a single list of medicine for use by social insurance
organizations.
The minister said the new measures were necessary and fair and
urged related agencies and the public to support them.
Social Security Under-secretary Nikos Farmakis noted that the
new list contained 2,800 drugs against 4,500 currently available
in the market, but stressed the figure could be changed.
He said that the list of medicines would discourage the
circulation of new pharmaceuticals in the market, and that it
could possibly lead to a decline in contributions to social
security funds. Private individuals currently account for 25% of
spending o n medicine, the rest being paid by the state.
The process of revising the pharmaceutical price list will lead
to a reduction in retail prices for many drugs, since their
price doubles by the time they make it from the factory to the
consumer, Development Under-secretary Mihalis Chrysohoidis added.
A series of taxes on a drug's retail price would be reduced, he
said, as would the profit of 35 per cent on each drug that the
pharmacist makes. The profit percentage remained the same, but
in real terms became lower since the new prices were reduced.
Mr. Chrysohoidis said the percentage of profit per imported drug
would be abolished, while profit on domestically produced drugs
would fall to 8.5 per cent, from 12.5 per cent today.
Imported drugs will be priced on the basis of the lowest price
offered in Europe, while the price for domestic pharmaceuticals
is expected to not exceed the lowest retail price in Europe.
[29] Commercial Bank of Greece ups stake in BIB
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
The National Bank of Bulgaria, the country's central bank, has
cleared an increase in Commercial Bank of Greece's stake in
Bulgarian Investment Bank (BIB) from 17.6 percent to 20.6
percent.
It has also endorsed an 11.12 percent holding by Commercial
Capital, a subsidiary of the Greek bank, in BIB's equity capital.
The Commercial Bank Group will obtain three seats on BIB's
nine-seat board. The Bulgarian bank's chief executive is
Gerassimos Tsiaparas and the financial director is Anastasios
Tsamis.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development holds a 46
percent stake in BIB. Other shareholders are the French bank BNP
and Bulgarian UBB with 5 percent and 6.9 percent stakes
respectively.
[30] Bank of Greece urges banks to cut operating costs
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
Bank of Greece Governor Lucas Papademos called for a major
reduction in the operating costs of banks in order to improve
the sector's competitiveness in international markets.
Speaking at a seminar organized by Euromoney magazine, Mr.
Papademos said reducing operating costs would help to improve
competitiveness and streng-then the presence of Greek banks
abroad and their leading role in southeastern Europe.
Mr. Papademos also called for more effective methods of internal
organization and monitoring; and better risk management
associated with lending and volatility in securities, stocks,
interest rates and foreign exchange parities.
[31] Greek stocks end flat, post 2.10 pct gain for the week
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
Greek stocks ended the last trading session of the week slightly
lower following a decline in Hellenic Telecommunications
Organization (OTE) although the market managed to show hefty
gains for the week.
The general index closed 0.38 percent lower at 1,625.73 points,
up 2.10 percent from last Friday's close. Turnover was moderate
at 17.5 billion drachmas.
Construction shares remained the focus of investment interest to
end 3.37 percent higher. Banks fell 0.73 percent, Leasing were
1.41 percent up, Insurance dropped 0.46 percent, Investment fell
0.66 percent, Industrials rose 0.12 percent, Holding eased 0 .57
percent and Miscellaneous were 0.10 percent off.
The Parallel Market index fell by 0.99 percent.
OTE fell 105 drachmas to close at 7,095 in heavy volume of
492,430. National Bank of Greece ended at 36,305 drachmas,
Ergobank at 18,300, Alpha Credit Bank at 20,040, Titan at 26,000
and Intracom at 14,190. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 120
to 97 with another 28 issues unchanged.
[32] Eastern Europe seen joining world tourism market
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
International tourism trade fair groups have show growing
interest in east European markets as a venue for their product,
speakers at a conference in Thessaloniki said.
According to Tom Natley, British president of the European
Tourism Trade Fair Association (ETTFA), east Europe is a
promising market for international tourism with countries in the
region seen both as host countries and a source of tourists.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Natley and representatives of
European trade fair organizations reaffirmed that Greece still
ranked top as a holiday venue for tourists from their countries.
ETTFA is holding an internal meeting at HELEXPO, Greece's
state-run trade fair organizer.
[33] Commission places Greek olive oil on protected brand names list
Brussels, 14/06/1997 (ANA/AFP)
The European Commission yesterday acknowledged protection of the
name of origin of certain foodstuffs, including Greek olive oil,
according to an announcement by a Commission representative.
It is the fourth list prepared by the Commission on the
protection of local products, which contains 17 products and
raises the total number of protected products to 400.
The new list contains Italian ham, cheese and cereals from
Austria, olive oil from Greece and lentils and honey from France.
[34] EOT expects increase in tourist arrivals from Middle East
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
A significant increase in the number of tourists from the Arab
gulf states and the Middle East is expected this year, according
to a National Tourism Organization (EOT) statement yesterday.
EOT and Olympic Airways participated with a joint pavilion in
the recent Arabian Travel Market 1997 exhibition in Dubai.
EOT representatives also participated in a meeting of about 400
travel agents, organized by Emirates Holidays, a subsidiary of
Emirates Airways, on the occasion of Greece's inclusion in its
programs for 1997-98.
The travel agency last year included Athens in one of its
European destinations, with two direct flights from Dubai weekly.
Greece was presented as a competitive destination, together with
Malaysia, South Africa, Kenya, Australia and Yemen.
Athens, 14/06/1997 (ANA)
The Bulletin will not be published on Monday, in observation of
the official holiday of the Holy Spirit. It will appear again on
Tuesday.
End of English language section.
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