Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-11-21

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1346), November 21, 1997

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU leaders' summit on employment commences

[02] Karamanlis says recent monetary union reveals Gov't timidness

[03] New fair POLIS opens in Thessaloniki

[04] Simitis cites socialist leaders' satisfaction at EU presidency text

[05] Papandreou, Protopapas

[06] Premier meets with Luxembourg's Juncker

[07] Greece favors Turkey's European orientation

[08] Papoutsis: Coordinated action needed on unemployment 'time-bomb'

[09] Gov't asks for support in implementing 'Kapodistrias' plan

[10] Greece launches stinging attack at UN on Ankara's human rights record

[11] Gov't comments on new NATO structure

[12] Papariga continues tour with arrival in Canada

[13] Coalition, government in war of words over OSE appointment

[14] Constantopoulos: Support for Damanaki mayoral bid

[15] Onassis Foundation funds study on Ioannina lake

[16] Proposal to create technology park in Thrace

[17] Soumakis stresses importance of Greek flag for merchant shipping

[18] Athens to host meeting on Bourgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline

[19] Meeting focuses on wider inter-bourse co-operation in Balkans

[20] Greek stocks perkier on industrial buying spree

[21] Athens Airport SA wants rail link to new airport

[22] State auditors find illegal payments in public finances

[23] Foreign diplomats to visit northern Greece

[24] Greek ministry to spend Dr 3.5 bln on worker safety

[25] Six insurance companies have licenses suspended

[26] Legal reforms

[27] Intracom sees higher turnover, plans share cap hike

[01] EU leaders' summit on employment commences

Luxembourg, 21/11/1997 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

A dinner was continuing at press time, while Mr. Simitis told reporters late last night that EU expansion and EU-Turkish relations were discussed during the closed-door affair.

During today's talks, the 15 leaders will attempt to locate the points where the EU can contribute effectively to efforts to decrease unemployment, given that the EU budget as well as national budgets leave little ground to find the necessary funds to create the required conditions for unemployment to be decreased.

Earlier, EU socialist leaders voiced their satisfaction with the text the EU presidency will present at the summit.

EU leaders set out in June to send a signal to the bloc's citizens that it wanted to turn fair words into action to try and curb the blight and get millions back to work.

The European Commission, the Union's executive, has proposed leaders adopt 19 guidelines, ranging from lower taxes on labor to foster the creation of a pan-European secondary capital market and to support equal opportunities in the workplace.

Generally speaking, EU leaders are expected to adopt certain guidelines to decrease unemployment which will not be binding and will not burden the budget of each country with additional costs.

The main targets of these guidelines will be decreasing unemployment among young people and increased training possibilities in specialties having increased demand in the labor market of all the unemployed.

Moreover, the European Investment Bank (EIB) is expected, implementing a relevant order by the Amsterdam summit, to present a plan of action on strengthening investments in primarily three sectors which were not included in the bank's main priorities to date.

The sectors are restructuring urban center, providing loans for infrastructure works and supporting innovative plans for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The European Investments Bank is also expected to agree to additional measures to support inter-European infrastructure networks in the transport, energy and telecommunications sectors.

[02] Karamanlis says recent monetary union reveals Gov't timidness

Athens, 21/11/1997 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters after meeting with Bank of Greece Governor Lucas Papademos, Mr. Karamanlis said: "The monetary crisis revealed the true nakedness of the Greek economy inspite of the beautifying the government is attempting".

The main opposition leader said that because of the crisis "it became apparent that the Greek economy is very weak."

He added that this was due to "a lack of will and ability on the part of the government to forge forward with the necessary structural changes".

According to Mr. Karamanlis, Greece is moving further away from Economic Monetary Union (EMU) targets.

The combination of the crisis and the problems of the economy "burden directly every Greek family and the average Greek," he concluded.

[03] New fair POLIS opens in Thessaloniki

Athens, 21/11/1997 (ANA)

It is aimed at improving co-operation between these agencies and suppliers of equipment and services in sectors such as waste management, information technology, road safety, parking and recreation.

The exhibition was opened by Minister for Macedonia and Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos, who welcomed participants from 14 different countries. Also present were EETAA president, Athens Mayor Demetris Avramopoulos, and Environment, Public Works and Town Planning Under-secretary Lambros Papadimas.

The exhibition is to stay open until November 23.

[04] Simitis cites socialist leaders' satisfaction at EU presidency text

Luxembourg, 21/11/1997 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

"It expresses the social democrat policy and the desire for guidelines to exist in the EU for the restriction of unemployment. We also ascertained that maybe more might be required. However, it is right for us to accumulate experiences, utilize means we have and at the end of the year we will be able to propose new measures which will lead to the greater restriction of unemployment," he said.

Mr. Simitis added that it is a common conviction among socialists that the EU has now entered a policy which can produce results. He further expressed the view that in the framework of the "15" a coincidence of views exists in relation to the directions that efforts to decrease unemployment must have.

[05] Papandreou, Protopapas

Athens, 21/11/1997 (ANA)

EU heads of government and state will be having today.

Mr. Papandreou said that the first step in the process of tackling the problem of unemployment is expected to be taken at today's summit. He said the socialist leaders agreed to a non-paper placing emphasis on handling the problems of unemployed young people and the long-term unemployed.

He said it was also agreed that small and medium-sized enterprises must be supported in particular and the peculiarities of each country must be taken into consideration.

On his part, Mr. Protopapas said that special mention will be made in the text to be examined by the leaders today to control and assessment processes for employment policies which member-states will apply from now on.

He said they must correspond to the directions which the summit will adopt today. Mr. Protopapas stressed that the text to be endorsed today will focus on the following four points: the widening of the possibility of employment primarily for young people; creation of business co-operation through social dialogue; strengthening of commerce and the provision of equal opportunities concerning the finding of work.

He said that every member-state will undertake to incorporate these directions in its employment policy.

[06] Premier meets with Luxembourg's Juncker

Luxembourg, 21/11/1997 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

The Greek premier is in Luxembourg to attend a European Union summit on employment.

In a brief statement to the press, Mr. Simitis said the meeting centered on summit issues as well as problems related to EU enlargement, EU-Turkish relations as well as Greek-Turkish relations.

[07] Greece favors Turkey's European orientation

Luxembourg, 21/11/1997 (ANA)

"As you know, we don't believe in the necessity of a European conference. A decision has not been made in the European Union whether there will be a conference or not. Greece is in favor of Turkey's European orientation, and I would say, more than other EU member-states. But there are specific issues which we would like to see resolved. These are the only ones that impede good relations between our two countries," he said.

"If Turkey wishes to help by making specific steps to promote solutions in the problems it has created, such as the Cyprus issue, then we shall also be able to help," he added.

[08] Papoutsis: Coordinated action needed on unemployment 'time-bomb'

Milan, 21/11/1997 (ANA - M. Psilos)

Speaking at the 3rd European Conference on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Mr. Papoutsis said the key to creating new jobs lay in tourism and small and medium-sized businesses as these were more flexible and amenable to different approaches.

A more favorable environment could be created in the sector by means of an improved legislative framework and improved public administration, easier access to banks, more favorable terms for funding, and financial assistance for the first three years of operation.

"All of the above can only be achieved through coordination between member states and by giving the European Commission the means to act as coordinator," he said.

[09] Gov't asks for support in implementing 'Kapodistrias' plan

Athens, 21/11/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Papadopoulos said "the reform, which we'll implement for a new type of state structure, is a political imperative, a social demand, a national must..."

He also said that with a collective effort, the second and most important phase of Kapodistrias will begin.

Mr. Papadopoulos said all ministerial decrees pertaining to plan will be issued during the first six months of 1998 in order for the law to take effect by Jan. 1, 1999.

[10] Greece launches stinging attack at UN on Ankara's human rights record

New York, 21/11/1997 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

Ambassador Dionysios Kodellas, Greece's representative to the UN Third Committee, warned that further tolerance of Ankara's human rights violations would not only increase Turkey's contempt of international law and principles, but would also encourage potential human rights violators elsewhere in the world.

Addressing the 52nd General Assembly of the Third Committee on Human Rights Issues, Mr. Kodellas said that in pursuing its ultimate goal of Cyprus' partition, Ankara was executing a "well-planned policy of colonization of the occupied sector of Cyprus, aimed at altering the island republic's demography through killings, forced displacement of persons, separation of families and the settlement of thousands of mainland Turks illegally brought to Cyprus".

The situation in the occupied area, which was a "clear case of flagrant violation of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Greek Cypriot population" was "particularly alarming", he said.

Mr. Kodellas said that every year for the past 23 years the Committee "is confronted with the same phenomenon, which remains a cause for great concern to all international organizations, and in particular, the United Nations. Namely, Turkey's contemptuous attitude towards the repeated calls of the international community urging Ankara to align its international and domestic behavior to what the UN member states consider the bare minima of behavior in the field of human rights and to comply with its commitments and obligations under international law."

Particularly in the case of Cyprus, he noted that "numerous UN Security Council resolutions have been provocatively defied by Turkey, which is encouraged by the fact that it has so far managed to remain unpunished."

Mr. Kodellas pointed out that Ankara's policy on Cyprus remained unchanged regardless of what government was in power in Turkey, and expressed doubt on the frankness of the "fresh assurances and promises" of what the new Turkish prime minister Mesut Yilmaz called his government's "new approach in the human rights field", when the past Yilmaz government had been "equally marked by very serious human rights violations."

He said that, at the threshold of the 21st century, "the UN can no longer, and should no longer, remain idle in the face of the deplorable situation of the human rights violations in Cyprus and Turkey's outright defiance of the resolutions calling for the withdrawal of its troops and settlers from Cyprus as a first step towards restoration of respect of human rights on the island."

"Turkey should be equally reminded that its serious breaches vis-a-vis the principles and norms enshrined in the international conventions on protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms" made Ankara accountable under international law, he said.

Turkey should also be reminded that the obligations it had assumed under international treaties, including treaties on humanitarian law, "form an integral part of Turkish domestic law, according to the Turkish constitution", he said.

Mr. Kodellas warned that Turkey's "continuous display of total disrespect" of human rights in Cyprus not only revealed Ankara's "true identity" but also "ridicules the entire issue of human rights worldwide and undermines the credibility of international organizations".

He said that protection of human rights was a "very serious affair", with "no room for arbitrary interpretations, alibis and further postponements".

Further tolerance would send the "wrong messages not only to Turkey, but also to other potential violators of human rights elsewhere," the ambassador said, warning that remaining idle would result in regressing "to other, much darker periods of mankind " which the international community, through the promotion of respect of human rights, was trying to put firmly behind it."

[11] Gov't comments on new NATO structure

Athens, 21/11/1997 (ANA)

Acting government spokesman Yiannis Nikolaou attributed the current government's policy to the fact that international relationships and the situation in the region under NATO's jurisdiction had changed, therefore the structure and operation of NATO had to change accordingly.

[12] Papariga continues tour with arrival in Canada

Toronto, 21/11/1997 (ANA - I. Frangouli)

Ms Papariga, accompanied by KKE central committee member Georgios Skiadiotis, has already had her first contact with officials in Canada while as of today she is scheduled to meet Greek expatriate societies and make an address to local Greeks at Toronto's Community Center in the afternoon.

During her three-day stay in Canada, Ms Papariga will also hold talks with trade union bodies from Ontario, as well as with federal societies.

Her visit to Toronto will be concluded with events marking the 80th anniversary of KKE and the 76th anniversary of its Canadian counterpart. The main speakers at the event will be Canadian Communist Party Secretary General Miguel Figueroa and Ms Papariga.

[13] Coalition, government in war of words over OSE appointment

Athens, 21/11/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Constantopoulos was commenting on the appointment of a Coalition cadre Nikos Gratsias to the presidency of the Greek Railways Organization, OSE.

Mr. Nikolaou said the Coalition leader's thinking was "strange and dangerous" and that rather than hailing the government for using members from other party affiliations, he was alleging something else.

A Coalition announcement later said that the government spokesman had failed in his attempt to justify the government's handlings.

The announcement reiterated the party's proposal that the appointment of public organization management be made by calling for public expressions of interest, and evaluation and approval be made by the Parliament.

[14] Constantopoulos: Support for Damanaki mayoral bid

Athens, 21/11/1997 (ANA)

Ms Damanaki herself initiated a round of meetings with several party leaders, beginning with Political Spring's Antonis Samaras, who did not rule out the possibility of supporting her candidacy.

Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) President Demetris Tsovolas, meanwhile, released a letter he sent to Ms Damanaki, rejecting her request for a meeting on the grounds that his party has launched its own initiative for a grouping of political and social forces in view of the local elections next year.

[15] Onassis Foundation funds study on Ioannina lake

Athens, 21/11/1997 (ANA)

The study will be carried out by Professor Joerg Imberger, director of the Center for Environmental Fluid Dynamics and Chairman for Water Resources at the University of Western Australia.

Mr. Imberger, winner of the 1995 Onassis Prize for the Environment, will carry out the study and propose measures for the restoration of the lake under a two-year agreement with the Foundation.

The Foundation will fully subsidize the study with 245,000 US dollars.

[16] Proposal to create technology park in Thrace

Athens, 21/11/1997 (ANA)

Speaking at the Thessaloniki Rotary Club yesterday, Mr. Spyropoulos proposed the foundation of a community of approximately 80,000 people to develop research, science and technology.

A study has been made by Greek scientist Antonios Tomazinis, who lives in Philadelphia, in the US.

[17] Soumakis stresses importance of Greek flag for merchant shipping

New York, 21/11/1997 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

"The Greek flag has historically proved its value. It costs more, but is more valuable. We want to maintain its prestige. The merchant marine needs support. It is one of the most important Greek industries. It is a national issue," he said during a press conference.

Mr. Soumakis held two meetings with expatriate shipowners, whom he described "as a bastion of the Greek shipowning world", and had an exchange of views.

He said he had drawn valuable experiences from two visits to the US Coastguard and the US Naval Academy.

"My colleagues and I drew a very useful experience from these two visits. We formed various ideas which we could see applied in Greece," he said, adding that he was particularly pleased to see that the US Coastguard had many similarities with the Greek one.

"We have exactly the same functions, the same tasks. With one big difference. We lag behind in means," he added.

He said an intensive program of strengthening the Greek coastguard with naval and aerial means, and other type of equipment was currently in progress, "to make it competent and effective in the framework of the mission and obligations emanating from our membership of the European Union".

Mr. Soumakis said that as a result of the Schengen Treaty, the Greek coastguard was responsible for protecting and guarding 17,000 km of coastline, given the country's 3,000 small and large islands.

[18] Athens to host meeting on Bourgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline

Experts will discuss a project to build an oil pipeline between Bourgas in southeastern Bulgaria and the northeastern Greek town of Alexandroupolis in Athens on December 4-5, Deputy Prime Minister Evgeni Bakurdjiev said on his return fro m Greece on Wednesday.

Mr. Bakurdjiev held meetings with Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis and cabinet officials. The two sides discussed cross-border co-operation, the oil pipeline and other energy projects.

The pipeline is 280 km long and will cost an estimated US$ 680-700 million to build, Mr. Bakurdjiev said.

Russia will take part in laying the pipeline on its territory and will build facilities at the port of Novorossiisk. This, along with tenders by the companies carrying the oil, will guarantee that the pipeline will be used, the deputy prime minister said.

An oil pipeline linking Bourgas, Sofia, Skopje and Vlore was not discussed, Mr. Bakurdjiev said. It will be 920 km long and will cost US$ 850 million according to estimates, he said.

Greece projects natural gas consumption in 1997 at 180-200 million cubic meters, but is planning to increase it. Part of this amount may be transited across Bulgaria, Mr. Bakurdjiev said.

The weakest link in the gas pipeline is the section between Ihtiman and Stara Zagora. It is technically feasible to lay the pipeline in twelve months, he said.

Greece will complete its part of the section between Drama and Gotse Delchev by November 1998.

"At the end of the winter we will invite tenders for the Bulgarian part of this section but we will be way behind our neighbors," Mr. Bakurdjiev said.

Mr. Bakurdjiev also held meetings with Greek businessmen who are satisfied that Bulgaria now offers them an environment to do business.

[19] Meeting focuses on wider inter-bourse co-operation in Balkans

Athens, 21/11/1997 (ANA)

The meeting was attended by the presidents and representatives of the bourses of Bucharest and Athens.

Co-operation was decided on three products: Greek Certificates (ELPIS), the Investment Capital of Emerging Markets (EKKA) and the Portfolio Companies of Emerging Markets (EXAA) which will be negotiated at the Parallel Market of Emerging Markets at the Thessaloniki Stock Exchange Center.

Meanwhile, the board of the Athens Stock Exchange has approved the partial privatization of the Athens Stock Exchange.

According to the clauses of law 2533/1997, private investment can amount to 2,450,000 shares, namely 49 per cent of the company's share capital.

[20] Greek stocks perkier on industrial buying spree

Athens, 21/11/1997 (ANA)

The general index closed 1.49 percent higher at 1,415.77 points but significantly off the day's highs. The FTSE/ASE index rose 1.20 percent to 818.70.

Trading remained moderate with turnover at 17.8 billion drachmas.

Sector indices scored gains across the board.

Banks rose 0.28 percent, Insurance was 2.14 percent up, Leasing increased 0.08 percent, Investment rose 1.49 percent, Construction was 0.82 percent up, Industrials soared 3.09 percent, Miscellaneous increased 1.13 percent and Holding was 1.35 percent higher.

The parallel market index for small cap companies rose 1.88 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 157 to 61 with another 21 issues unchanged.

Intracom, Heliofin, Ideal and Macedonian Plastics scored the biggest percentage gains at the upper eight percent daily volatility limit, while Etma, Ermis, Lambropoulos and Pairis suffered the heaviest losses. National Bank of Greece ended at 26,450 drachmas, Ergobank at 15,100, Alpha Credit Bank at 16,500, Delta Dairy at 3,395, Titan Cement at 12,000, Intracom at 12,710 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organization at 5,310.

[21] Athens Airport SA wants rail link to new airport

Athens, 21/11/1997 (ANA)

Speaking at a news conference on air traffic control in Athens, Mr. Risch said that construction of a railway line from Athens to Spata airport was imperative to ensure speed of transportation for travelers.

Athens metro, which is currently being built, has no planned extension to the airport.

Mr. Risch also said that works at the Spata site were progressing rapidly and co-operation was smooth between Hochtief, the project's German contractor, and Olympic Airways, the Greek national carrier.

Representatives of air traffic controllers said that a new air traffic control system would be fully operational by January 31, 1998.

They also said that delays in the Athens Flight Information Region had fallen by 17.3 percent in January-September although the number of flights had increased by 5.9 percent.

[22] State auditors find illegal payments in public finances

Athens, 21/11/1997 (ANA)

In a report released on Wednesday, the Audit Council reported that it had blocked illegal payments of 19.5 billion drachmas.

Another 671 million drachmas in payments were made illegally and proceedings were underway to have the amount returned, the report said.

Breaches in state finances included the absence of legally required public procurement tenders calling for the lowest bidder, and violations in the execution of public works that led to overspending.

Other unwarranted payments included staff travel expenses, family benefits, non-existent overtime, and unsanctioned recruitment.

[23] Foreign diplomats to visit northern Greece

During the visit a seminar will be held at the Evros chamber of commerce to present the government's economic policy.

National Economy ministry secretary general Apostolos Fotiades will represent the government at the meeting.

The delegation includes economic and commercial attaches and ambassadors from Albania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, Ukraine, Russia, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, France, the UK, Germany, Italy, Tunisia, Syria, Morocco, Thailand, Pakistan, Chile, Canada, USA, China, Japan, India and Indonesia.

[24] Greek ministry to spend Dr 3.5 bln on worker safety

Athens, 21/11/1997 (ANA)

A development ministry official said yesterday that workers should be fully informed of existing legislation on health and safety at work.

He said national laws had been fully harmonized with community law and urged businesses to strictly implement the rules.

[25] Six insurance companies have licenses suspended

Athens, 21/11/1997 (ANA)

The six companies that have had their operation suspended are Nordic American Standard, Apollon, Themis Insurance, National Insurance Foundation of Greece (Ethniko Idrima Asfalion Ellados), Propontis-Merimna and Express.

Compensation owed by these companies will be paid by the insurance companies' reserve capital. Vehicles insured with these companies are entitled to coverage for a period of one month following the revocation of the companies' licenses.

Mr. Chrysohoidis said that the operating license for Mesogeios Zois had also been revoked but that, after negotiations, the companies' insurance policies would be assumed by Ethniki Asfalistiki.

The Insurance Companies' Union of Greece welcomed the move, saying that the reserve capital was enough to cover the damages, which amounted to billions of drachmas.

[26] Legal reforms

Athens, 21/11/1997 (ANA)

Also provided for in the new legislation are measures to highlight the "fine print" in contracts and bring provisions to the attention of consumers and allow consumers to have their money refunded.

A code of conduct for the sector will be completed by early next year, the under-secretary said, while the development ministry plans to issue half-yearly statements on the financial status of all companies and the details of valid consumer complaints.

[27] Intracom sees higher turnover, plans share cap hike

Athens, 21/11/1997 (ANA)

Profits this year should total 9.1 billion drachmas against 7.2 billion in 1996, the sources said.

The firm, whose customers include NATO, Hellenic Telecommunications Organization and the Greek armed forces, is expected to raise its share capital early in 1998.

The shares will be offered to institutional investors abroad, and Salomon Brothers will act as lead underwriter and coordinator for the issue, the sources said.

The capital raised will be used to help expand the firm's activities, including takeovers of high-tech firms across the Atlantic.

End of English language section.

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