Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-09-18

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From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <[email protected]>

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1292), September 18, 1997

Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: [email protected]

CONTENTS

[01] Pangalos to meet Cem on the sidelines of UN general assembly

[02] ... Turkish foreign ministry

[03] ... Tsohatzopoulos

[04] Central bank governor sees inflation drop by end-year

[05] Greece to borrow around Dr 300 bln to host 2004 Olympics

[06] Most of Greek north-south highway ready for use by 2000

[07] Greece to amend award of shipping licenses

[08] Greek stocks climb after correction

[09] Greece signs Dr 2.2 bln ammunition deal

[10] US optimistic over Greek-Turkish relations, Niles says

[11] PASOK central committee meeting

[12] Shevardnadze winds up official visit with contacts in Thessaloniki

[13] ... Andreas Papandreou Foundation

[14] Kaklamanis meets with former Ukraine PM

[15] Kranidiotis meets Cyprus' attorney general

[16] Pangalos to welcome Patriarch to Thessaloniki

[17] Greek OSCE observers leave for Serbia

[18] Conference on democratic institutions opens

[19] Athens hosts regional, EU journalism conference

[20] Ecology congress by UNESCO continues on Tilos

[21] Religious treasures from Sinai exhibition inaugurated

[22] Simitis to chair meeting on local Gov't merger plan today

[23] V. Papandreou to brief Bakoyianni on development ministry issues

[24] Light at the end of the tunnel for OA dispute

[25] Olympic Games hosts should form fraternity, Avramopoulos says

[26] Papaioannou on pensioning law, social dialogue

[27] Members of 'BEST' group announced by Commission

[28] Greek artists from around the world to perform at Herod Atticus

[29] EU absorption rate must improve in tourism, V. Papandreou says

[30] 'Economist' hosts Athens conference on quality

[31] HEPO-organized delegation to southeast Asia

[32] Olympiakos beats Porto

[01] Pangalos to meet Cem on the sidelines of UN general assembly

Athens, 18/09/1997 (ANA)

The two ministers are to discuss bilateral relations including economic co-operation, on which Mr. Cem has said Turkey has prepared a package of proposals. Mr. Reppas said proposals on economic issues had also been put forward by individuals in the private sector. He added that Athens had formulated an opinion as to how these relations could be developed.

Asked to comment on Mr. Cem's accusations that Greece was responsible for the fact that the Madrid communiqui had not been adhered to, Mr. Reppas said:

"These statements by Mr. Cem are to be expected. It is Turkish officials that have destroyed the climate in Greek-Turkish relations with thoughtless and damaging statements."

"Greece is pleased when countries, including Turkey, respect international law. If Turkish foreign policy indicates respect for international law and order, then this will be a step forward. However, that remains to be seen," he said.

Meanwhile, with regard to predictions by British envoy on the Cyprus issue, Sir David Hannay, that the Cyprus issue would be resolved within two years, Mr. Reppas said the government both wished and hoped that Sir David would contribute to such an outcome. However, he advised the British envoy to evaluate the views of the Turkish foreign minister who has maintained that two years would not be long enough.

[02] ... Turkish foreign ministry

Istanbul, 18/09/1997 (ANA-A. Kourkoulas)

Referring to contacts Mr. Cem will have in New York, Mr. Akbel confirmed that there will be a meeting with Mr. Pangalos, as well as the foreign ministers of Iran and Britain. Mr. Akbel did not rule out the possibility of a tripartite meeting. "If it is requested of us, we will examine it," he said.

[03] ... Tsohatzopoulos

Athens, 18/09/1997 (ANA)

Sources said Mr. Tsohatzopoulos' agenda was quite full and that ministers did not usually attend such events.

According to the sources, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos' regrets have already been sent to Ankara, as well as his thanks for the invitation.

[04] Central bank governor sees inflation drop by end-year

Athens, 18/09/1997 (ANA)

The decline in inflation, which would begin in September, meant that the target for 1998 was feasible but monetary authorities were seeking ways to accelerate the drop, Mr. Papademos told reporters.

He was speaking after a two-hour meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis, also attended by the premier's economic adviser, Tassos Yiannitsis, and the Bank of Greece's two deputy governors, Panayiotis Thomopoulos and Nikos Garganas.

Cutting inflation is central to the government's policy of aligning the country's economy with other European Union partners and joining Economic and Monetary Union (EMU).

Replying to questions, Mr. Papademos said no concrete economic measures were brought up at the meeting, which aimed to forge monetary and economic policy guidelines.

[05] Greece to borrow around Dr 300 bln to host 2004 Olympics

Athens, 18/09/1997 (ANA)

Replying to a reporter's question, Mr. Papademos said the estimate stemmed from offsetting revenue and expenditure, also accounting for a time lag between outlays and receipts.

Mr. Papademos was speaking after a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis on forging monetary and economic policy guidelines.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) early in September voted Athens as host city for the Games. Around 80 percent of infrastructure needed is already in place or being built.

[06] Most of Greek north-south highway ready for use by 2000

Athens, 18/09/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Laliotis expressed satisfaction over progress in the project, which is included in the trans-European networks (TENs).

He said the government had secured more than 300 billion drachmas in funds for the project. The European Union would provide 180 billion through the second community support framework and the rest would be covered by the state.

The total length of the road network is estimated at 730 kilometers taking into account a 40 km short cut that will span Maliakos bay. The link is expected to be a co-financed tunnel, rather than a bridge, budgeted at 150 billion drachmas, with operation by the contractor.

Mr. Laliotis underlined the road project had been drawn up according to the latest standards with special concern for conserving the environment and archaeological sites.

[07] Greece to amend award of shipping licenses

Athens, 18/09/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Soumakis was commenting on a recent proposal by shipowner Gerassimos Strintzis asking for the removal of cabotage restrictions for certain domestic lines.

The ministry had formed a special committee to examine the issue along with shipowners. Its task would be to harmonize the procedure of granting shipping lines licenses, Mr. Soumakis said.

He stressed that the same policy would be applied to foreign ships after the year 2004 as provided by a European Union directive on shipping transport.

[08] Greek stocks climb after correction

Athens, 18/09/1997 (ANA)

Traders said buying was focused in the construction sector but pointed out that investors were looking for bargains in medium-sized firms listed on the market. The general index closed 0.61 percent higher at 1,691.59 points, with all sector indices scoring gains.

Banks rose 0.39 percent, Leasing was 1.55 percent higher, Insurance ended 0.02 percent up, Investment rose 0.36 percent, Industrials gained 0.99 percent, Construction jumped 3.96 percent, Holding rose 0.63 percent and Miscellaneous was 3.73 percent up.

The parallel market index for small cap companies ended 1.46 percent higher.

Trading remained heavy and turnover was 24.4 billion drachmas.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 148 to 73 with another 23 issues unchanged.

Vis, Hellenic Biscuits, Spirou Wines and Diekat scored the biggest percentage gains, while Papastratos, Britania, Mouriades and Ippotour suffered the heaviest losses.

Hellenic Telecommunications Organization's shares fell 80 drachmas to 6,650. National Bank of Greece ended at 34,500 drachmas, Ergobank at 18,550, Alpha Credit at 20,050, Delta Dairy at 4,265, Titan Cement at 16,505 and Intracom at 14,360.

[09] Greece signs Dr 2.2 bln ammunition deal

Athens, 18/09/1997 (ANA)

Ioannis Sbokos, chief executive of the department of arms procurement in the defense ministry, said that the agreement implemented a policy designed by the ministry to support domestic arms manufacturers.

PYRKAL is expected to sign new deals worth 3.3 billion drachmas along with three-year contracts worth more than 20 billion for the supply of new co-produced ammunition within the year.

[10] US optimistic over Greek-Turkish relations, Niles says

Athens, 18/09/1997 (ANA)

The Athens daily "Ta Nea" quoted Mr. Niles as saying that there had been some progress in direct talks between the two sides on Cyprus, and despite expected difficulties the US was not discouraged.

His government believed that Cyprus' accession talks for the European Union (EU) should provide assistance in efforts to solve the Cyprus problem.

"It is important to find some way of involving the Turkish Cypriot community in accession talks also," he was quoted as saying.

In terms of Cyprus' decision to deploy Russian-made S-300 missiles on the island for defense purposes, Mr. Niles said the US did not doubt the republic's right to defend itself, but "the usefulness of the decision to purchase this military equipment under the aspect of the efforts to solve the Cyprus issue".

The best way to guarantee security on Cyprus is an agreement during inter-communal talks, he said, since the US did not believe this purchase strengthened Cyprus' defense against Turkey.

A solution to the Cyprus issue "would benefit Turkey, because it would create a stronger link between itself and the EU, while Cyprus could in itself become a bridge between Turkey and the EU instead of being a barrier, as it is today," he explained.

In terms of Greek-Turkish relations, Mr. Niles reiterated the satisfaction of the US with the Madrid communiqui, and said that despite some negative developments following it, it did not mean the spirit of Madrid was dead or dying.

The US is determined to continue as mediators between Greece and Turkey as long as both countries wished it to do so.

His government fully supported the efforts of the United Nations (UN) secretary general, he said, and said the US did not believe there would be an escalation in tension in the Aegean, like the Imia incident.

Discussions in the UN framework should restart, in an effort to "find ways of extending the confidence-building measures or agree to new ones in order to reduce the possibility of a confrontation in the Aegean," he added.

Mr. Niles' tenure as ambassador ends next month. He will be replaced by former US State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns, pending approval by the US Congress.

[11] PASOK central committee meeting

Athens, 18/09/1997 (ANA)

The meeting was attended by National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis, Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou, Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis and Eurodeputy Paraskevas Avgerinos.

The final draft will be ratified by the PASOK executive bureau at a meeting today, again chaired by Mr. Simitis.

Before the meeting yesterday, the prime minister was briefed on issues by Mr. Papandreou.

[12] Shevardnadze winds up official visit with contacts in Thessaloniki

Athens, 18/09/1997 (ANA)

He was welcomed at Macedonia Airport earlier in the day by Mr. Petsalnikos, Mr. Kosmopoulos and Thessaloniki Prefect Costas Papadopoulos, before flying by helicopter to visit Mount Athos.

The Georgia president said that his three-day visit to Greece had been "extremely fruitful".

"In these meetings we have created a very good institutional basis which will enable us to renew the ancient relations between Greece and Georgia," said Mr. Shevardnadze of his contacts in Athens and those of the delegation members accompanying him.

Mr. Petsalnikos thanked the Georgian president for the strong interest he has shown in maintaining Greek culture in Georgia and for making the Greek language one of the official languages taught in Georgian schools.

The minister announced that five scholarships would be awarded to Georgian graduates who wish to study Greek culture at universities in Macedonia.

During the meeting, Mr. Shevardnadze also made special reference to the thousands of Georgians of Greek descent who have settled in Greece in past years, most of whom live in the Thessaloniki area.

He thanked Mr. Kosmopoulos, as well as the people of Thessaloniki, for their support for the ethnic Greeks from Georgia.

On his part, Mr. Kosmopoulos proposed a shipping link between Thessaloniki and Georgia, a proposal which Mr. Shevardnadze responded to positively.

Earlier, Mr. Kosmopoulos met the mayor of Tbilisi Badry Shoshitaishvili, who is accompanying Mr. Shevardnadze.

Speaking to reporters, the two men expressed their common desire for the reactivation of the preparation process for the twinning of the two municipalities, a decision taken in 1990 but which had "frozen" afterwards.

Mr. Shoshitaishvili invited Mr. Kosmopoulos to pay an official visit to Tbilisi.

At 7 p.m. Mr. Shevardnadze visited the exhibition of Mount Athos treasures at the Byzantine Museum in Thessaloniki.

[13] ... Andreas Papandreou Foundation

Athens, 18/09/1997 (ANA)

The presentation was made by Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou, son of the late PASOK leader.

The foundation was set up in memory of the former prime minister and founder of the ruling Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), who died last year.

[14] Kaklamanis meets with former Ukraine PM

Athens, 18/09/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Lazarenko is also president of the local parliament of Nipropetrovski.

It was also agreed to boost co-operation between the two countries and their parliaments within the framework of the Black Sea Economic Co-operation organization and the European Interparliamentary Orthodox Assembly. Also present at the meeting was the presidents of the standing parliamentary committee for overseas Greeks, Grigoris Niotis, and the parliamentary committee on Orthodoxy, Stelios Papathemelis, respectively.

[15] Kranidiotis meets Cyprus' attorney general

Athens, 18/09/1997 (ANA)

During their meeting, which was also attended by officials from legal services and the foreign ministry, the two officials exchanged views on legal issues of common interest to both countries.

Discussion also touched upon the issue of bringing Cyprus' legal system in line with European Union legislation, in view of the opening of Cyprus' EU admission talks.

An announcement issued by the foreign ministry after the meeting said Mr. Kranidiotis and Mr. Markides also examined latest developments in the Cyprus problems and agreed to keep in touch to coordinate their moves in promoting the issue.

[16] Pangalos to welcome Patriarch to Thessaloniki

Athens, 18/09/1997 (ANA)

Government spokesman Demetris Reppas said Mr. Pangalos would have a meeting and talks with the Patriarch during his visit.

[17] Greek OSCE observers leave for Serbia

Athens, 18/09/1997 (ANA)

The delegation comprises Parliament's second and fifth vice-presidents Panagiotis Sgouridis and Demetris Kostopoulos, and MPs Demetris Tsetines and George Tzitzikostas.

[18] Conference on democratic institutions opens

Athens, 18/09/1997 (ANA)

The conference is organized by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Institute of International Relations (IIR) of Panteion University.

Opening remarks, at 9:30 a.m., will be delivered by ambassador and IIR director Demetris Constas, and Lueen Miller, resident coordinator of UNDP, Romania.

Speakers include opposition New Democracy deputies, journalists, and professors. Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou will speak during a lunch between the morning and afternoon sessions.

Closing session is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. with speeches by Dr. Constas and Dirk Drijbooms, from UNDP's division of Public Affairs.

[19] Athens hosts regional, EU journalism conference

Athens, 18/09/1997 (ANA)

The theme of the conference is "The role of journalists in light of the Mediterranean's importance in the process of European integration".

Main speakers include Press and Media Minister Demetris Reppas, Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou, European Parliament vice-president Paraskevas Avgerinos, Athens News Agency General Director Andreas Christodoulides, Foreign Press Association of Greece President Evangelos Antonaros, Association of European Journalists International President Athanassios Papandropoulos, ANA Director Nicholas Voulelis, director of the European Commission's representation in Athens Marios Kamhis, and a number of Greek and foreign journalists.

[20] Ecology congress by UNESCO continues on Tilos

Athens, 18/09/1997 (ANA)

Three exhibitions were inaugurated late on Tuesday night, on birds, ancient coins and notes on birds by Renaissance genius Leonardo da Vinci.

"The birds of the Aegean and their nests" consists of photographs of rare birds living or flying through the area seasonally.

"Greece: 2,500 Years of Ecology", with ancient Greek coins of the 5th century BC - minted in Ionia and Lydia - highlights depictions of animals and the fine natural representation abilities of ancient artists.

"The flight of the birds" is an exhibition of an Italian publication on da Vinci's notebooks on the flight of birds, shown in Greece for the first time, and comprising 36 pages with notes and drawings. This exhibition is under the charge of professor Georgios Marcou, president of the Dodecanese chapter of UNESCO, who is also responsible for the Greek edition of the artist's study.

[21] Religious treasures from Sinai exhibition inaugurated

Athens, 18/09/1997 (ANA)

Also present at the inauguration was Prime Minister Costas Simitis and opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos and many others.

An address was delivered by Benaki Museum director Angelos Delivorias and Archbishop of Sinai Damianos.

The exhibition will open to the public tomorrow.

[22] Simitis to chair meeting on local Gov't merger plan today

Athens, 18/09/1997 (ANA)

The "Ioannis Kapodistrias" plan, named after the first governor of independent Greece, calls for structural changes in local administration that will transfer jurisdiction of certain state services from the central government to local powers.

The government has been holding a series of meetings with officials from various agencies and the opposition parties before the draft bill on the changes is tabled in the bill in Parliament in October.

In this spirit, Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos was briefed yesterday by Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Alekos Papadopoulos on the "Kapodistrias" plan, in a meeting at the latter's office.

Following their meeting, Mr. Constantopoulos expressed support for the plan, calling it a "necessary step towards the modernization of local government".

He said that Synaspismos insisted that specific regulations on funding and jurisdictions for local government should be guaranteed before the program went ahead, pending its voting in Parliament.

Asked to comment on municipal elections, scheduled for October 1998, the party leader said that it was too early to start talking about it.

"All those who began the fight for candidates prematurely are seriously harming the institution of local government, its independence, and the individuals themselves," he added.

[23] V. Papandreou to brief Bakoyianni on development ministry issues

Athens, 18/09/1997 (ANA)

Analysts are focusing attention on the meeting, since Ms Papandreou had recently expressed her willingness to meet Ms Bakoyianni in order to brief her on ministry issues.

[24] Light at the end of the tunnel for OA dispute

Athens, 18/09/1997 (ANA)

The opportunity arose following a discussion in Parliament on Tuesday night on the law regarding public sector appointments.

Stewards said they would lift their work-to-rule strike until Friday, to facilitate flight schedules.

[25] Olympic Games hosts should form fraternity, Avramopoulos says

Brussels, 18/09/1997 (ANA - M. Savva)

During the plenary session of the Committee of Regions of Europe, Mr. Avramopoulos proposed that the network of past host cities be established under the aegis of International Olympic Committee (IOC) chairman Juan Antonio Samaranch, who also attended t he meeting.

"Cities predated states, and shall exist after they are gone," he said.

Mr. Avramopoulos also took part on a round-table discussion on preparations for the Olympic Games of 2004 that Athens won recently. The discussion was attended by Mr. Samaranch.

During the discussion, Mr. Avramopoulos noted that Athens' success in winning the bid "is part of our common (European) civilization, since whatever starts in any country of Europe belongs to all peoples of Europe".

The mayor said Athens would become a sister city of Barcelona, which hosted the Olympic Games in 1992, and Barcelona Mayor Pascual Maragal would be invited to Greece.

Once he returns to Athens, Mr. Avramopoulos will meet with Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Tuesday to discuss the 2004 Olympics.

[26] Papaioannou on pensioning law, social dialogue

Athens, 18/09/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Papaioannou said yesterday that workers who will consolidate a pensioning right by Dec. 31, 1997 will be pensioned off with the previous status, namely, that they will not experience the unfavorable repercussions of the Sioufas Law, regardless of when they will decide to depart from their service.

He said that in the social dialogue, trade unions have raised the claim for the 20 per cent ceiling on auxiliary pensions not to take effect, adding that this is the sole claim discussed by the government.

Mr. Papaioannou said the social dialogue is proceeding with satisfactory rates in both sectors, both on development and employment issues and the insurance issue. According to his predictions, the so-called small package on the insurance issue will be ready in January, while a report by the dialogue committee on employment is expected at the end of October.

Mr. Papaioannou will be in Luxembourg on Oct. 6-7 for the ministerial conference on employment.

[27] Members of 'BEST' group announced by Commission

Brussels, 18/09/1997 (ANA - M. Savva)

The group was created at the initiative of EU Commissioner Christos Papoutsis and had as president professor Chris Evans from Britain.

Mr. Papoutsis said "while the Commission has already undertaken a considerable number of initiatives in this sector, such as for example, the recommendation to member-states on the simplification and improvement of processes for the start of enterprises and the SLIM program (a more simple legislation for the unified market), a real new initiative was necessary to enable us to examine all the factors preventing SMEs to develop and create employment."

[28] Greek artists from around the world to perform at Herod Atticus

Athens, 18/09/1997 (ANA)

According to Stelios Elliniadis, the organizer, 240 musicians, singers and dancers from Greek communities from the United States, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Bulgaria, the Czech republic, southern Italy, Albania, Ukraine, Russia and Georgia will take part.

They will feature music ranging from the traditional to the modern, and from Greek and Greek-speakiing artists.

Organizers said the response to the event was "impressive".

"They try to maintain and continue the Greek presence with the minimum available - for example, Greeks in isolated villages and towns in Ukraine," Mr. Elliniadis said.

A highlight of the event will be the presence of Antonio Greco, a visually-impaired pianist and musician from southern Italy, who will sing songs of the Greek-speaking region.

Apart from artists of Greek origin, also present will be "philhellenes" such as the rebetika troupe "Paxim" from Sweden, comprising five Greeks and two Swedes, and the "Prosehos" band from Germany, comprising five Greeks, one Moroccan and two Turks.

[29] EU absorption rate must improve in tourism, V. Papandreou says

Athens, 18/09/1997 (ANA)

Ms Papandreou said that the agencies responsible for tourism projects funded by the second Community Support Framework would have to accelerate procedures in order to avoid losing funds.

The secretary general for the National Tourism Organization (EOT) Nikos Skoulas said at the meeting that both public and private sector agencies had to become more active and not lose funds to other development projects.

In a related but separate meeting yesterday, both Ms Papandreou and Mr. Skoulas received the Romanian minister of tourism and the head of the Romanian tourism organization to discuss a further improvement in relations.

[30] 'Economist' hosts Athens conference on quality

Athens, 18/09/1997 (ANA)

Included on the agenda will be a discussion of new practices being used in two-thirds of firms in the US and Europe in all sectors of activities.

Participants include 22 Greek and foreign speakers such as Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Under-secretary Stavros Benos, the adviser to the Greek Standardization Organization (ELOT) P. Theofilopoulos and the general secretary of the European Foundation for Quality Ceert de Raad.

[31] HEPO-organized delegation to southeast Asia

Athens, 18/09/1997 (ANA)

The mission is organized by the Hellenic Foreign Trade Board (HEPO), with visits planned to Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

Products with export potential and investments include foodstuffs/drinks, plastics, construction materials, irrigation systems and construction.

For more information call HEPO at 99.82.100.

[32] Olympiakos beats Porto

Athens, 18/09/1997 (ANA)

Olympiakos scored early, in the sixth minute of play with a 40-meter shot by striker Stelios Yiannakopoulos.

End of English language section.

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