Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-09-03
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <[email protected]>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 1279), September 3, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
CONTENTS
[01] G. Papandreou inaugurates schools, hospital in Sarajevo
[02] Greece satisfied with Poos' statements in Ankara
[03] France says Turkish Cypriots must make greater effort for Cyprus
solution
[04] Tsohatzopoulos confers with British counterpart in London
[05] Mantelis, Benos sworn in
[06] Gov't statements
[07] French military chief to begin official visit
[08] SDP Euro-MPs to visit Greece
[09] Karamanlis calls on new course for ND
[10] Final decrees on legalizing illegal immigrants expected
[11] Greece-Cyprus business symposium
[12] Socialist youth groups meet in Maastricht
[13] Gov't says Olympics' bid allegations should be verified
[14] Stockholm, Cape Town accused of offering gifts
[15] Military helicopter crashes, three injured
[16] Eco-technology congress on Lesvos
[17] Europe's less-spoken languages
[18] Letter bomb injures Orestiada court secretary
[19] Greek couple Silk Road
[20] Political parties send messages for Thessaloniki's fair
[21] Papoutsis to speak in Thessaloniki
[22] Industrial production rises 0.1 pct in June yr/yr
[23] EU seeks investment proposals for SE Europe co-operation
[24] US dlr. gains 2.82 pct vs drachma in August
[25] Greece records 10.3 percent unemployment in 1996
[26] Greek shares rise in technical correction
[27] Meeting on 1997 state budget
[28] Vocational training in Northern Greece
[01] G. Papandreou inaugurates schools, hospital in Sarajevo
Sarajevo, 03/09/1997 (ANA)
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou yesterday expressed
Greece's strong interest in the pacification and reconstruction
of the former Yugoslavia to the Bosnian joint President Kresimir
Zubak.
Mr. Papandreou paid a one-day visit to Sarajevo in order to
inaugurate two schools and a hospital rebuilt by a consortium of
Greek construction firms and financed by Athens. He stated that
Greek aid to Bosnia would also continue in 1997.
In addition, Mr. Papandreou visited the Greek contingent of the
NATO peacekeeping force in Bosnia, stationed at the Visoko
district.
Mr. Papandreou told the contingent that their presence in the
formerly war-ravaged country elevates Greece into a force of
stability in the area.
"You are pioneers, because you are participating actively in the
pacification of an area which attracts international interest.
We are proud of your work and be sure we are near you," he said.
Mr. Papandreou was warmly received during the school inaugural
ceremonies.
"We hope that these schools will become bridges of consolidation
for the peace process, which is already being implemented," he
said, adding that "now and in the future you will find only
friends in Greece."
He said US $10 million had been disbursed in total for the
reconstruction of the hospital, while more money will be made
available for a hospital in Mostar.
"It is our intention to consolidate relations between Greece and
its Balkan neighbors," he said, adding:
"We would like inter-cultural relations to develop and to get to
know each other better. We are promoting contacts between
individuals of different religions. I noted your interest in
Greek music. We shall be back."
[02] Greece satisfied with Poos' statements in Ankara
Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)
Greece is fully satisfied with the statements by Luxembourg
Foreign Minister Jacques Poos in Ankara, government spokesman
Dimitris Reppas said yesterday.
Mr. Poos said after talks with his Turkish counterpart Ismail
Cem in Ankara that the improvement of Ankara's relations with
Greece and the facilitation of negotiations on Cyprus' accession
to the European Union were prerequisites for Turkey to improve
its relations with the EU.
Luxembourg currently holds the rotating EU presidency.
"The EU member states believe that if Turkey truly wants full
membership in the EU, why shouldn't it encourage Cyprus'
negotiations, even before it becomes a member itself?," Mr. Poos
said.
Asked by journalists meanwhile about reports that soldiers from
the British bases on Cyprus were visiting the Turkish-occupied
north of the island using papers declaring "Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus", Mr. Reppas said the government knew nothing of
the matter. He stressed however that all the EU countries
recognized the Republic of Cyprus and the government of
President Glafcos Clerides as the legitimate government of
Cyprus.
"Such matters have no bearing on developments. What is important
are official relations," Mr. Reppas said commenting on the
reports.
[03] France says Turkish Cypriots must make greater effort for Cyprus
solution
Paris, (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)
The Turkish Cypriot side is the side that must make the greatest
effort to solve the Cyprus issue, French Minister for European
Affairs Pierre Moscovici said here yesterday.
At a press conference following a meeting with visiting Turkish
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Mr. Moscovici said that "solving
the political issue of Cyprus is a necessary prerequisite" for
Cyprus' accession into the European Union (EU).
The French minister called on all interested parties to make
efforts to solve the Cyprus issue, but stressed that the Turkish
Cypriot side had to contribute the greatest effort.
He added that applications for accession to the EU by Cyprus and
Turkey should be examined separately and each one evaluated on
the basis of its own merits.
On his part, Mr. Cem said that "in Cyprus there are two states
at present" and every effort to solve the issue must be based on
this assertion.
The Turkish foreign minister said that both Greece and Turkey
should take specific initiatives to solve pending issues, such
as differences between the two countries in the Aegean.
"Both we and the Greeks must do something," he insisted.
[04] Tsohatzopoulos confers with British counterpart in London
London, 03//09/1997 (ANA - L. Tsirigotakis)
National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos yesterday
expressed his full satisfaction with the results of his talks
with his British counterpart George Robertson.
He stressed they had the opportunity to reach certain important
agreements regarding the two countries' co-operation on issues
of security, armaments and training.
"Our two countries cover two opposite geopolitical areas...
under different terms, of course, which creates the conditions
for a substantial co-operation on issues of security, stability
and policy. Our common findings in today's talks was that our
views on these issues converge," he said.
Questioned whether his visit to British arms industries was
related with a direct Greek interest for purchase of defense
material, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos clarified that some weapons systems
which are of interest to Greece are produced in Britain, and
that this is related to his visit.
He also said there was a common assessment with Mr. Robertson
for the creation of a new defense organization which will emerge
from NATO, covering the broader geopolitical area of Europe and
including eastern Europe.
The two ministers met yesterday morning in talks which continued
over a working lunch.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos is also due to meet with the British chief of
staff and visit defense industries. He will also meet with
members of Britain's Greek community and the Greek Orthodox
Archbishop of Great Britain.
[05] Mantelis, Benos sworn in
Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)
Tassos Mantelis was sworn in as the government's new transport
and communications minister yesterday morning in the presence of
President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and Prime
Minister Costas Simitis.
Also sworn in was Stavros Benos, who replaces Mr. Mantelis as
under-secretary at the interior, public administration and
decentralization ministry.
Mr. Mantelis was appointed as transport and communications
minister by Mr. Simitis on Monday, after he accepted Haris
Kastanidis' resignation.
Mr. Kastanidis tendered his resignation on Saturday after
claiming his work was being undermined through leaks to the
press.
In handing over his post to Mr. Mantelis, Mr. Kastanidis gave an
emotional, hour-long account of his work at the transport
ministry, particularly with regard to state-run mass
transportation enterprises and other organizations controlled by
the ministry .
He said he had been put under a great deal of pressure and had
to deal with interference in his work, although he absolved the
prime minister of any responsibility, stressing his friendly
relationship with Mr. Simitis.
In regard to his resignation, Mr. Kastanidis said Mr. Simitis
did not have any other alternative but to accept his
resignation. He also criticized the main opposition New
Democracy party for comments on the issue, saying it had no
right to speak of "values" and said ND leader Costas Karamanlis
was "insecure".
On his part, Mr. Mantelis handed over his post to Mr. Benos in
the presence of Interior, Public Administration and
Decentralization Minister Alekos Papadopoulos and Interior
Under-secretary Lambros Papademos.
Mr. Benos will be responsible for public administration.
[06] Gov't statements
Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)
During a later press briefing, government spokesman Dimitris
Reppas said that Mr. Kastandis had freely tendered his
resignation, without being requested to do so.
Replying to questions, Mr. Reppas said the prime minister had
confidence in all his ministers, "as he had in Mr. Kastanidis".
Asked whether the government was concerned that other ministers
might resign, Mr. Reppas said the sole concern of the government
were the problems which existed and which it wanted to tackle.
On the appointment of Mr. Mantelis, the spokesman said that he
had held the post of general secretary at the industry ministry
and was president of the Hellenic Telecommunications
Organization (OTE), stressing that "he meets all the
requirements for the selection."
[07] French military chief to begin official visit
Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)
France's Chief of General Staff, Air Force Gen. Jean-Philippe
Douin, begins an official three-day visit here today on the
invitation of his Greek counterpart Athanasios Tzoganis.
According to an announcement, Gen. Douin will meet with the
political and military leadership of the national defense
ministry and will be briefed on issues of mutual concern.
He is also scheduled to visit military bases and installations.
[08] SDP Euro-MPs to visit Greece
Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)
Several of Germany's Social Democratic Party (SDP) Eurodeputies
will visit Athens at the invitation of PASOK's Eurodeputies, it
was announced yesterday.
The German Euro-MPs will stay in Athens between Sept. 4-8.
During their visit, they will attend a seminar on EU
enlargement, the Balkans and EU policies on security and
development. While visiting Greece, the German delegation will
visit the site of the ongoing Spata airport.
[09] Karamanlis calls on new course for ND
Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis
yesterday addressed a call to the party's grass roots to
participate in a new course with "faith, vision and inspiration".
He was speaking during a visit to the northwestern city of Arta.
Mr. Karamanlis described the government's policy as "wrong,
irrational, anti-developmental and socially unjust," and one
which uses the European Union as an "alibi".
ND's alternative policy to the "continuous impositions of tax
burdens" would be based on privatizations, reform in public
administration, attraction of investment and development, he
said.
[10] Final decrees on legalizing illegal immigrants expected
Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis is due to announce during Friday's
Cabinet session the final drafts of presidential decrees that
provide for the recording and legalization of illegal immigrants.
Sources said the provision will not exempt nationals from
neighboring countries, particularly the largest group in the
country, Albanian nationals.
Public order ministry data show that the problem of illegal
immigration is serious and its effective handling particularly
difficult. Between 1991 and 1996 more than 1.11 million foreign
nationals permanently residing in Greece were located throughout
the country, of which only 69,884 had residence permits.
Other data demonstrate the seriousness of imported crime. In
1994-95, 22,085 foreign nationals were arrested and imprisoned.
According to the same sources, the government appears determined
to provide a definitive solution with the granting of a "green
card" to illegal immigrants.
[11] Greece-Cyprus business symposium
Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)
A symposium of businessmen from Greece and Cyprus took place in
Thessaloniki yesterday.
The honorary president of the Cypriot Chamber of Commerce and
Industry, Andreas Avramidis, said business co-operation between
the two countries was not only an imperative need but also an
unavoidable option.
He continued that there is potential for co-operation in many
sectors, such as in production consortia, major construction
projects, the setting up of joint export ventures, as well as in
the service sector -tourism, banking and consulting services and
technology.
Thessaloniki Industry and Commerce Chamber President Pantelis
Constantinidis praised the performance of the Greek economy,
noting its 2.5 per cent GDP in 1996, its 3 per cent inflation
rate, its 3.16 unemployment rate and its public debt amounting
to 2. 9 per cent of GDP.
[12] Socialist youth groups meet in Maastricht
Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)
Representatives from 60 socialist youth organizations met in
Maastricht, The Netherlands, to attend the second summer
University of the European Socialist Party meeting on "Europe in
2005".
The meeting discussed current topics related to the European
Union (EU) and closed with a resolution calling for a Europe
that paid attention to individual rights.
Greece was represented by the PASOK youth group, and Cyprus by
the Socialist EDEK youth, both of which proposed the inclusion
of a clause calling for the promotion of a Common Foreign Policy
and Political Defense and a guarantee of internationally
recognized borders by the EU.
[13] Gov't says Olympics' bid allegations should be verified
Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)
The government said yesterday that any allegations of
irregularities in the bidding process for the 2004 Olympic Games
should be substantiated.
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas was commenting on
allegations by International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Vice-President Marc Hodler that rules had been broken regarding
the bidding for the 2004 Games.
Mr. Hodler told the German Press Agency DPA there had been
incidents in the past three weeks which were "pretty rough".
Swiss officials, however, who are responsible for bidding rules
in the IOC, declined to give further details.
The IOC is scheduled to decide in Lausanne on Friday which one
out of five candidate cities will host the 2004 Olympic Games.
In the running are Athens, Rome, Cape Town, Buenos Aires and
Stockholm.
Replying to reporters' questions on the contract with the IOC
which Athens would sign if it is chosen, Mr. Reppas said it had
become "the subject of study by researchers".
He said, however, that it was not the right time to talk about
such matters in view of the IOC's decision on Friday.
The spokesman added that "everything else will be discussed on
the basis of the high level of organization (of the Games) and
the safeguarding of the public interest".
[14] Stockholm, Cape Town accused of offering gifts
Lausanne, 03/09/1997 (ANA/Reuter)
Olympic chiefs have accused Stockholm and Cape Town of breaking
IOC rules by offering gifts to officials who vote on the venue
of the Games.
A senior IOC member said yesterday that the IOC had warned both
cities about Olympic rules in letters sent just days before the
international organization votes on the venue of the Games.
Stockholm has been accused of offering free furniture to IOC
members, while Cape Town has allegedly offered the wives of IOC
officials free trips to Switzerland for the vote.
Both cities' bidding committees immediately denied that they had
offered bribes to members.
But the senior IOC member, who did not want to be identified,
said: "IOC Vice-President Marc Hodler has sent a letter to the
two cities warning them about IOC rules."
In the past there have often been allegations of bribes being
made to IOC members during the bidding process. But this is a
rare case where specific details have emerged from the top of
the organization.
[15] Military helicopter crashes, three injured
Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)
A military helicopter crashed late yesterday near the Episkopi,
Naousa region of Imathia prefecture, from as yet unknown reasons.
Three members of the helicopter's crew were injured in the
crash. One of the three was transported to Naousa hospital,
while the other two were transported to the 424 Military
Hospital in Thessaloniki.
[16] Eco-technology congress on Lesvos
Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)
University of the Aegean rector Themistoklis Lekkas called for
the founding of a world network of managing data on the
environment during the opening session yesterday of an
international congress on Lesvos.
The fifth congress for environmental science and technology has
being held every two years since 1989 at Molyvos, Lesvos,
focusing on means of reducing pollution and promoting
environmental responsibility.
Prof. Lekkas said that what was needed today was "a new
civilization where nobody will support (anymore) the belief of
man's sovereignty over nature."
The congress will continue until tomorrow.
[17] Europe's less-spoken languages
Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)
A seminar is to be held in Brussels on September 11 aimed at
finding ways to promote the use of and equal status for all
Europe's languages.
Organized by PASOK Eurodeputy Irini Lambraki with the support of
the Hellenic Culture Foundation, participants will be from
Greece, Finland, the Netherlands, Portugal and Denmark.
The proceedings, to be coordinated by Professor Lambros
Kouloubaritsas, will be translated into all nine official
languages of the European Union.
[18] Letter bomb injures Orestiada court secretary
Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)
A court secretary lost her left hand yesterday after opening a
parcel bomb, which was addressed to the chief justice of the
Orestiada first instance courts, Evros prefecture.
The homemade device exploded inside the Orestiada court building
when secretary Chryssa Parapagillou opened the parcel addressed
to Fotis Kimiskidis.
Mr. Kimiskidis is currently on leave and was not in the building
at the time of the blast.
Ms Parapagillou was taken to a hospital in Didymoticho.
No one has claimed responsibility for the bomb.
[19] Greek couple Silk Road
Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)
A Greek couple has just concluded a journey on the old Silk Road
traveled hundreds of years ago by Byzantine monks who went to
China in order to smuggle silk out of the country and bring it
back to Byzantium.
Costas Mitsakis and Olga Papadoyianni set off on their journey
on 4 July from Beijing and returned to Greece on Monday having
traveled 12,500 km. on their motorcycle through landscapes
ranging from the deserts of western China to the steep mountains
of Central Asia.
The couple, backed by the Thessaloniki '97 Cultural Capital
Organization, retraced the route followed by merchants hundreds
of years ago through China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan,
Turkmenistan, Iran and Turkey.
In all the countries they visited, the two travelers conveyed
messages from the Thessaloniki 97 Cultural City Organization and
the Thessaloniki Mayor.
The Greek couple, who got married just before they embarked on
the journey, have made other such journeys in the past.
In 1993 and 1994 they retraced the road traveled by Alexander
the Great and his Macedonian warriors, while two years ago they
covered the Athens-Sydney route. Last year they went around the
world in 80 days.
[20] Political parties send messages for Thessaloniki's fair
Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)
Political parties hailed the opening of the Thessaloniki
International Fair (TIF), scheduled for Friday, with messages
about its importance in promoting Greece abroad and good
relations in the Balkans.
The TIF is "an important institution to promote Greece's
political and economic abilities overseas, also an institution
promoting Macedonia's national importance and Thessaloniki's
multi-faceted economic role in our country's development", main
opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Costas Karamanlis
said in an announcement yesterday.
He added that at present, the national economy was "moving
towards the great and historical choice of Europe, the Economic
and Monetary Union (EMU)".
Communist Party of Greece (KKE) leader Aleka Papariga referred
to the Balkans in her announcement, saying the party was
entirely against the notion that the Balkans offered golden
opportunities for profit by businesses and privatization. She
added that the TIF could give a different message by promoting
friendship, peace and equal co-operation between countries.
A message by Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos)
leader Nikos Constantopoulos focused on the idea of a united
Europe, criticizing it for "being indifferent to the individual
and to guarantees" for employment and democratic participation,
among others.
The fair, he said, "records our opportunities to promote our
country as supporter of the development and reconstruction of
countries in the Balkans, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean".
The leader of the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI), Dimitris
Tsovolas, expressed his certainty about the glorious future
awaiting Thessaloniki and its fair, the latter of which was "the
crossroads of peoples and cultures".
Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras noted the importance of
the European Union and its values and said the "dynamic presence
of Greek businesses" had made the fair a very prestigious
institution promoting northern Greece and Balkan co-operation.
The fair will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Costas Simitis on
Friday evening. Its opening hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
For the first two weeks, it will also be open on the weekends
with the same hours.
[21] Papoutsis to speak in Thessaloniki
Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)
EU Commissioner Christos Papoutsis will be the keynote speaker
at a dinner hosted by the Federation of Industries of Northern
Greece in Thessaloniki on Monday.
The dinner will be held on the occasion of the Thessaloniki
International Fair (TIF), to be inaugurated by Prime Minister
Costas Simitis on Friday evening.
Mr. Papoutsis, responsible for energy, tourism, small and
medium-sized enterprises, will deliver his speech at 9 p.m.
local time.
Earlier in the day he will preside at a joint session of the
federation and the board of managers of the Stock Exchange
Center in the city.
This year the European Union celebrates the 40th anniversary of
its founding. It is also the 13th consecutive year of its
presence at the fair. Mr. Papoutsis will attend events marking
the anniversary at the Thessaloniki fair along with European
Commission general director for information and
telecommunications Spyros Pappas.
[22] Industrial production rises 0.1 pct in June yr/yr
Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)
Greece's year-on-year industrial production rose fractionally in
June, the National Statistics Service (NSS) said yesterday.
In its monthly release of the output index, NSS said that
industrial production rose by 0.1 percent in June from the
corresponding month last year.
Industrial production was 0.1 percent higher in the first six
months of the year against the same period a year earlier.
[23] EU seeks investment proposals for SE Europe co-operation
Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)
The European Union is seeking investment proposals by September
26 in the second phase of a 1994-1998 program to fund research
and development by EU states working with countries in central
and eastern Europe.
The call for proposals, which was published in the European
Union's gazette, also covers co-operation by EU countries with
world organizations.
Research and development fields eligible for funding include
environmental protection, land and water management, health,
non-nuclear energy, and technologies for industry,
communications, foodstuffs and materials.
Another project on offer is development of a strategy to combat
the sale of bootleg medicine. Funding will be extended to
independent states that emerged from dissolution of the former
Soviet Union.
[24] US dlr. gains 2.82 pct vs drachma in August
Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)
A sharp rise in the US dollar and a fall in most European
currencies were the main features in the domestic foreign
exchange market in August.
The greenback rose by 2.82 percent against the drachma on a
monthly basis. The August fixing was 288.890 drachmas from
280.976 in July.
The US currency was 22.98 percent higher against the drachma
compared to its level a year ago.
On an annual basis the DMark fell by 0.11 percent against the
Greek currency while the French franc was stable. The British
pound was 1.40 percent lower and the Italian lira fell by 0.44
percent against the drachma.
The European Currency Unit (ECU) eased by 0.34 percent while the
Japanese yen rose by 0.33 percent.
[25] Greece records 10.3 percent unemployment in 1996
Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)
Greece reported an increase both in employment and unemployment
rates in 1996, a survey by the National Statistics Service said
yesterday.
The survey showed that the country's total workforce was
4,318,302 at the end of last year. The employed numbered
3,871,923, representing 89.7 percent of the workforce, and the
jobless were 446,379, or 10.3 percent.
The total workforce was up 69,774 from 1995. The number of
employed rose by 48,114 while the unemployed increased by 21,660.
Employment in agriculture, farming, fishing, forestry and mines
fell to 20.3 percent in 1996 from 27 percent in 1987.
Employment also declined in industry and manufacturing, running
at 22.9 percent from 23.2 percent in 1995.
However, employment in the public sector, banking, transport and
communications rose steadily from 45 percent of the workforce in
1987 to 51 percent in 1992, 54.5 pct in 1993, 55.5 pct in 1994,
56.4 pct in 1995 and 56.8 percent in 1996.
The survey also showed that western Macedonia, Epirus and Attica
marked the highest unemployment rates among the country's 13
regions at 17.2, 12.5 and 12.5 percent respectively.
The lowest rates were reported in the Ionian islands, south
Aegean and Crete at 6.2, 5.4 and 3.8 percent respectively.
Unemployment among women rose to 62.6 percent of total
unemployment in 1996 from 58.5 percent in 1995.
[26] Greek shares rise in technical correction
Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)
Greek equities reversed a three-day decline to end substantially
higher on the Athens Stock Exchange in a technical rebound,
traders said yesterday.
The general index closed 0.95 percent up at 1,543.80 points with
most sector indices scoring gains.
Banks were 0.85 percent higher, Leasing fell 0.17 percent,
Insurance rose 0.68 percent, Investment increased 1.34 percent,
Industrials were 0.73 percent up, Construction rose 0.59
percent, Holding ended 0.49 percent higher and Miscellaneous
rose 0.98 percent.
The parallel market index for small cap companies ended 0.69
percent up.
Trading was light to moderate. Turnover was 12.7 billion
drachmas including a block trade in Viochalco shares of six
billion drachmas.
Broadly, advancers led decliners by 138 to 53 with another 31
issues unchanged.
National Portfolio, Levenderis, Ridenco and Barba Stathis scored
the biggest percentage gains, while Bank of Athens, Epilektos
and Kallinis suffered the heaviest losses of the day.
National Bank of Greece ended at 33,930 drachmas, Ergobank at
16,930, Alpha Credit Bank at 18,850, Delta Dairy at 4,025, Titan
Cement at 14,450, Intracom at 11,990 and Hellenic
Telecommunications Organization at 6,380.
In the domestic foreign exchange market the US dollar was
slightly higher against the drachma.
[27] Meeting on 1997 state budget
Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)
National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou
yesterday chaired a meeting on the revenues and expenditures of
the 1997 state budget.
The meeting was attended by finance undersecretaries George Drys
and Nikos Christodoulakis.
The focus of the meeting was the course of revenues and
expenditures to date and the relevant forecasts up to the end of
the year.
Also discussed were matters concerning the magnitudes of the new
budget for 1998 which will be finalized in the next two months.
[28] Vocational training in Northern Greece
Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)
Vocational training for the unemployed will continue in eastern
Macedonia and Thrace this autumn within the framework of the
Regional Business Program. The programs are open to all those
who have been registered with the state employment organization
(OAED) for at least one month.
End of English language section.
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