Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-11-26
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <[email protected]>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1350), November 26, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
CONTENTS
[01] Simitis stresses Gov't adherence to drachma's stability, EMU
target
[02] ... Towards EU convergence
[03] ... Low inflation, fiscal balance needed for EMU entry
[04] ... Need for integrated shipping policy stressed
[05] ... Opposition reaction
[06] ... SEB
[07] Simitis leaves for London, Paris today
[08] Tax burden will fall on the right shoulders, Reppas says
[09] International market developments
[10] The Hague at center of proposal on Greek-Turkish relations
[11] ... Turkish 'committee of experts' reply
[12] Athens' stance conveyed to Ankara by Juncker, Gov't says
[13] Turkey repeats threat to annex occupied Cyprus
[14] Premier briefs president on issues
[15] ... Strategy meeting
[16] 'Cumhurriyet': Turkey to revise regulation governing straits
[17] Greece re elected to IMO's A Category
[18] US Greek Orthodox Bishops given rank of Metropolitan
[19] Skandalidis launches book
[20] Albanian justice minister in Athens
[21] European Respiratory Society's tobacco campaign
[22] Mass media conference concludes in Thessaloniki
[23] Gov't firm on incomes policy as civil servants strike
[24] TVX Gold claims locals' plans to attack mines
[25] SE European firms to discuss creation of trade chamber, lobby
[26] Greek stocks edgy over short-term outlook, fear of turmoil
[27] 1998 budget goes to parliament committee
[28] Bucharest to host conference on EU-Black Sea energy
[29] Athens to host seminar on marketing in Eastern Europe
[30] Minoan Lines seeks to join bourse
[31] Petsalnikos receives Israeli, European and US chief rabbis
[01] Simitis stresses Gov't adherence to drachma's stability, EMU
target
Athens, 26/11/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday reiterated the
government's steadfast adherence to the stability of the
drachma, stressing that it was "equal to the stability of the
whole of the economy" and that the current exchange policy would
provide the best results for the economy, businesses and
consumers.
Speaking at an event sponsored by the Hellenic-American Chamber
of Trade and the Federation of Greek Industry (SEB) at a
downtown Athens hotel, he stated that normality was returning
after the recent currency crisis, and that stricter combination
of fiscal, monetary and incomes policies, apart from the
positive results, would also boost confidence in the economy and
the national currency.
He stressed that the economy was now entering "the most delicate
and decisive phase of its adjustment" to the requirements for
participation in the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU).
"This phase will not be easy, as the previous ones were not. But
it requires greater resoluteness, responsibility and
particularly collective confidence," he said.
"We cannot stand in the middle of the road and negotiate whether
we shall proceed or not, the attainment of our strategic options
is a duty for us. Otherwise, we shall suffer the consequences of
destabilization, regression and undermining of the accumulated
sacrifices of many years," he continued.
The prime minister said that next year's aims were the
attainment of the criteria of the fiscal deficit and the scaling
down of inflation down to 2 per cent at the end of 1999, so that
Greece would be able to join EMU in 2001, before the launching
of the single currency.
"If we do not want to be the failed child of European
unification and suffer the consequences, it is necessary to
cover the gap separating us from the European Union," he said.
Referring to the budget, the premier said the government's
economic policy was supported by five points, namely, fiscal
stabilization, the complementing of monetary policy,
credibility, priority to investment spending and the application
of an incomes policy which would not run counter to the aim of
further reducing inflation.
Finally, referring to critics, the prime minister described them
as "apprentice magicians of irresponsible criticism," and
rejected charges of a "taxation storm" and "compression of low
incomes".
[02] ... Towards EU convergence
Athens, 26/11/1997 (ANA)
The Greek economy has taken giant strides towards convergence
with other EU countries in the last four years, moving closer to
the government's primary target of EMU, National Economy and
Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said yesterday at the same
annual conference.
Inflation and the fiscal deficit as a percentage of GDP have
fallen from 12.3 per cent and 13.8 percentage points in
1993-1994 to 4.7 per cent and 4.2 percentage points, Mr.
Papantoniou said.
The growth rate is currently running at 3 per cent with
prospects of reaching 3.5 per cent in 1998 from minus 1 per cent
under a previous New Democracy (ND) government, Mr. Papantoniou
said.
He was replying to criticism by main opposition ND leader Costas
Karamanlis on Monday of the government's economic policy and
what he claimed was a slow rate of growth.
Turning to a recent crisis in international markets and its
repercussions on Greece, Mr. Papantoniou said the country had
moved out of a high-risk country ranking and would soon again be
classed as low-risk.
"The policy of defending the drachma by raising interest rates
will be applied again if necessary to protect our national
currency," he said.
An increase in interbank, deposit and loan rates was temporary
and rates would soon return to pre-crisis levels the minister
added.
Taxation policy contained in the 1998 budget would not harm
lower income groups, and a de-escalation of tax levels would
begin in the business sector in the next few years, Mr.
Papantoniou said.
In addition, an existing system of taxation on the basis of
presumed income would be abolished by end-1999 with the
introduction of the "Taxis" program, an integrated informatics
plan being developed at the finance ministry.
Mr. Papantoniou said his policy of containing public
expenditures was based mainly on limiting new public sector
hiring and merging or abolishing state agencies, a step he said
would be completed next year. Also, the partial flotation of
another 10 state-owned enterprises and state-controlled banks
would help to streamline public spending, he said.
Turning to incomes policy, Mr. Papantoniou said there had been a
substantial increase in real income for civil servants in the
last two years following a stagnation in the period 1990-94.
Mr. Papantoniou also predicted a rise in the Athens Stock
Exchange's general index in the medium-term amid temporary
fluctuations.
He said that a new development law would be submitted to
parliament by May 1998, and the abolition of monopolies in
energy and telecommunications sectors would be completed by the
year 2000 in line with EU directives.
[03] ... Low inflation, fiscal balance needed for EMU entry
Athens, 26/11/1997 (ANA)
Bank of Greece Governor Lucas Papademos told the conference that
the country's entry into EMU would depend on maintaining
economic stability through low inflation and fiscal balance.
Mr. Papademos also urged swifter implementation of structural
changes in the economy, consistent employment policy and
measures to strengthen competitiveness.
"Tougher competition abroad due to the internationalization of
markets coupled with technological progress require a
restructuring of the productive base and an economic policy that
would encourage that," Mr. Papademos said.
The government's funding policy to meet the fiscal deficit and
external debt should be based on market conditions with
borrowing needs met by selling state securities mainly to
domestic investors, he said.
Turning to Greek banks, Mr. Papademos said that capital adequacy
was insufficient alone to meet external pressures in times of
international market turbulence.
What was needed were risk management systems able to handle rate
fluctuations, parities and bond and equity prices.
The central bank would promote measures to strengthen the
banking system, he said.
[04] ... Need for integrated shipping policy stressed
Athens, 26/11/1997 (ANA)
On his part, Merchant Marine Minister Stavros Soumakis said at
the conference that Greece needs to develop a shipping policy
that will take into account the needs of coastal and ocean-going
shipping, both important factors in the growth of the national
economy.
He outlined a series of measures taken by his ministry to
improve competitiveness in shipping and in employment issues
affecting merchant seamen and crews.
Mr. Soumakis said the country's ports could be developed into
"transport hubs" for a region encompassing the Balkans, Black
Sea, Middle East, North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean.
He said his recent visit to the United States and meetings with
Greek shipowners there and to the US Coast Guard and merchant
marine academy had highlighted the need and willingness to
co-operate with other agencies around the world to improve the
competitiveness of the Greek fleet.
He said emphasis should be placed on education and training of
seamen and crew so as to enable them to meet the challenges
posed by the introduction of new technologies.
[05] ... Opposition reaction
Athens, 26/11/1997 (ANA)
The main opposition New Democracy party said yesterday that it
would not follow the government "down the slippery road of
mud-slinging, which it has chosen", ND press spokesman Aris
Spiliotopoulos said in response to Mr. Papantoniou's comments
criticising ND leader Costas Karamanlis for his attack on the
government's economic policy.
Mr. Spiliotopoulos said that the economic impasse faced by the
country was related to the mistaken policies followed during the
1980s by successive PASOK governments.
He also said that the government was trapped in "a vicious
economic circle" and trying to cover deficits with new tax
burdens borne by wage-earners, low-income earners and pensioners.
Mr. Spiliotopoulos said an average family would face paying an
additional 270,000 drachmas a year "to be wasted on the deficits
which exist due to wasteful spending by the state", adding that
the government was "panicking in the face of popular discontent".
Addressing the conference, ND Parliamentary representative
Demetris Sioufas, Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader
Demetris Tsovolas and Political Spring party leader Antonis
Samaras - Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos
Constantopoulos was unable to attend - also sternly opposed the
government's economic policy.
On his part, Mr. Tsovolas referred to the "two major structural
problems of the Greek economy: the very small economic unit and
the unequal and unfair distribution of employment and income."
He said DHKKI proposes "development in specific sectors of the
economy which favors small and medium-sized enterprises" and
considers the stabilization of the economy necessary "but not
through unorthodox policies with one-sided austerity."
Mr. Sioufas said the government's policy in this specific sector
was "ineffective" and "petty accounting", since the "bases of
the economy are weak.
He said that, on the other hand, "the public sector is the great
patient, wasteful and atrophied, with the government unable to
control it, being a prisoner of trade union interests."
Mr. Samaras said "the economic policy being applied, which has
as its axis receipt measures, austerity and the hard drachma, is
disastrous for the country", and termed the budget "fictitious"
since "it shows the deficit decreased by 40-50 per cent in a
fictitious way in an effort to beautify the tragic fiscal
reality."
Athens, 26/11/1997 (ANA)
The Greek economy is in a phase of hesitant ascent, which could,
under certain conditions, lead it to a new period of speedy
growth, SEB (Association of Greek Industrialists) President
Iason Stratos said in his address.
He warned, however, that the policy of the stable drachma could
not be maintained for long without substantial and direct
interventions that would drastically limit public spending.
Mr. Stratos stressed the great importance of attracting new
capital, both domestic and foreign, towards productive
investment which will increase the potential of the Greek
economy.
He added that this required the lifting of disincentives, the
most important of which originated in the size and operation of
the state, the thick mesh of bureaucratic procedures,
regulations and interventions created by the uncontrollable
growth of the public sector.
Finally, he stressed the growth potential of the sectors of
manufacturing and services.
[07] Simitis leaves for London, Paris today
Athens, 26/11/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis today leaves for London and Paris
for talks with counterparts Tony Blair and Lionel Jospin,
expected to focus on current developments in the European Union.
The Greek premier is also expected to set out Greek positions on
the issue of convening a European Conference with Turkish
participation.
Mr. Simitis will also meet French President Jacques Chirac on
Monday. The meeting is expected with particular interest, in
view of the fact that it was the French side which first set out
the idea for the Conference, with the proposed participation of
the European Union member-states, the 11 candidate countries and
Turkey.
The issue of Greek-Turkish relations is likely to be at the
center of Mr. Simitis' visit to France, in view of the Western
European Union's (WEU) parliamentary convention in the French
capital on Tuesday and Wednesday. A meeting with Turkish
counterpart Mesut Yilmaz is also not being ruled out.
Well-informed sources said that if Mr. Yilmaz expresses a desire
for a meeting there will be no objection, but let it be
understood that the Greek side will not undertake such an
initiative, even though it is considered rather given that the
two men will converse for a few minutes at least.
The prime minister's schedule in London includes meeting Tony
Blair tomorrow, the external affairs committee of the House of
Lords on Friday and Conservative Party leader William Hague. On
the same day, Mr. Simitis will also meet Orthodox Archbishop of
Thyateira, Gregorios, and be honored at a special dinner by the
London-based Greek shipowners' Committee.
The prime minister will leave for Paris on Sunday.
[08] Tax burden will fall on the right shoulders, Reppas says
Athens, 26/11/1997 (ANA)
Government spokesman Demetris Reppas yesterday emphasized that
the tax burden for 1998 would be borne by those who were able to
do so and clarified that there would be no increase in taxation
next year for families with two children.
Mr. Reppas criticized main opposition New Democracy party leader
Costas Karamanlis for his comments on Monday on the budget,
noting that the country's course towards convergence was being
monitored by European Union agencies, who had noted a drop in
inflation and a reduction in deficits.
The spokesman said the government was very close to meeting its
budget targets (the deviation being only 3.3 percent), while the
last corresponding prediction made by the New Democracy had been
19 percent.
The flotation of public enterprises, he added, was proceeding as
planned.
Questioned on deficits in the public transport sector, the
spokesman referred to the government's policy of keeping urban
transport prices as low as possible.
A parliamentary committee began discussion of the budget
yesterday. It will be voted on in Parliament at midnight on
December 21.
[09] International market developments
Athens, 26/11/1997 (ANA)
Mr. Reppas told reporters that bankrupt Japanese securities firm
Yamaichi had no investments in Greece and that no Greek
investors or businesses were connected to the firm. The fall of
Yamaichi earlier this week has caused concern amongst Asian and
Europe an markets that it could trigger another crisis on money
markets.
"The government's monetary policy has not changed and is ready
at any time to deal with all possibilities," Mr. Reppas said.
[10] The Hague at center of proposal on Greek-Turkish relations
Brussels, 26/11/1997 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)
The European Union's Luxembourg Council presidency proposed a
process by which resolving pending issues between Greece and
Turkey could be facilitated by referring them to the
International Court at The Hague.
With this sibyllic formulation, circles of the Luxembourg
presidency commented on the existing reference in a letter
addressed by Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem to his
counterparts in the EU, made public on Monday, in which Mr. Cem
said Turkey regretted that the presidency's "informal
initiative" "did not achieve progress", proposing its
continuation.
A Luxembourg diplomat, who wished to maintain anonymity, told
the ANA yesterday that he is not in a position to provide more
details, adding that the presidency, also in light of its visit
to Ankara, is handling the issue with great discretion.
He said the informal initiative, the Secretary-General of the
Luxembourg foreign ministry was responsible for promoting it,
anticipated among others the assuming of mutual commitments both
by Greece and Turkey aimed at facilitating the reference of
certain pending issues to the International Court at The Hague.
[11] ... Turkish 'committee of experts' reply
Brussels, 26/11/1997 (ANA)
In another development, the Turkish "experts committee"
delivered its reply to a memorandum submitted by the Greek
"wisemen" last September. The reply was received by the
Luxembourg Presidency which, in turn, communicated it to Foreign
Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis who conveyed it to Demetris
Fatouros and Krateros Ioannou to set out their reply.
The announcement was issued by the Foreign Ministry late last
night without providing any further information concerning the
content of the Turkish expert committee's reply.
During their recent meeting in Crete, Prime Minister Costas
Simitis and his Turkish counterpart Mesut Yilmaz had expressed
their will to have the process of experts committees continued.
It is not known when the reply of the Greek committee will be
ready. However, it is believed that it will be sent before the
December summit.
[12] Athens' stance conveyed to Ankara by Juncker, Gov't says
Athens, 26/11/1997 (ANA)
The Greek government's views on relations with Turkey are being
conveyed to Ankara by current European Union Council president
Jean-Claude Juncker, the prime minister of Luxembourg, who will
visit the Turkish capital tomorrow, government spokesman
Demetris Reppas said yesterday.
Greece's stance, presented to Mr. Juncker by Prime Minister
Costas Simitis and Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, is that
Turkey should recognize the jurisdiction of the International
Court of Justice at The Hague, contribute in every possible way
towards a speedy resolution of the Cyprus problem and to restore
a climate of good-neighbourly relations with Greece.
Both the Turkish Cypriots and the Turkish government, he said,
should comply with the framework created by the relevant UN
resolutions and the summit agreements of 1977 and 1979 on a
resolution of the Cyprus problem. The Greek government, he
reiterated, wished to take a step-by-step approach to its
relations with Turkey.
Mr. Reppas expressed agreement with former foreign
under-secretary Christos Rozakis that the government should use
its right of veto in the European Union "sparingly."
[13] Turkey repeats threat to annex occupied Cyprus
Istanbul, 26/11/1997 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)
Ankara repeated its threat to annex the northern occupied part
of Cyprus if accession talks go ahead between the island
republic and the European Union.
Turkey also reiterated its demand for the recognition of its
occupation of northern Cyprus to the visiting UN Secretary
General's special envoy on the Cyprus issue, Diego Cordovez.
Mr. Cordovez, who is on a tour to Nicosia, Ankara and Athens,
met yesterday with Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit,
minister without portfolio for the Cyprus issue and the European
Union, Sukru Sina Gurel, and Assistant Foreign Under-secretary
Inal Batu.
On his part, Mr. Cordovez has been speaking of "a single,
federated Cyprus, a full member of the EU", asking at the same
time for the resumption of intercommunal negotiations.
Commenting on the distance of Turkey's stance from UN positions,
Mr. Cordovez said: "I have the impression that some are adopting
inflexible positions."
After the UN official's contacts in Ankara, Mr. Batu gave a
clear picture of Ankara's stance, saying that Ankara will not
remain idle to the beginning of EU-Cyprus accession talks.
"The admission process means the start of the unification
process of the Greek Cypriots with Greece", he claimed, adding
that "we have to list the start of 'northern Cyprus' '
incorporation process in the agenda."
When Mr. Cordovez was made aware by reporters of Mr. Batu's
comments, he said "I hope they will change their mind, it is my
mission to talk them into changing their mind."
The UN official also made it clear that the UN aimed at keeping
intercommunal talks on Cyprus on-going.
Turkey is the only nation in the world to recognize the
so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus", a pseudo-state
illegally declared in 1983.
[14] Premier briefs president on issues
Athens, 26/11/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis and President of the Republic
Kostis Stephanopoulos had a discussion on the gamut of national
and current issues during their meeting yesterday.
Mr. Simitis said after the meeting that the discussion had been
"very friendly" and that it had also covered the general
economic situation following the recent monetary crisis and
ahead of Parliament's vote on the budget in December.
He said he had briefed the president on the contacts he had at
the informal summit meeting in Luxembourg and on the possibility
of a European Conference, as well as EU talks on employment.
Government spokesman Demetris Reppas said later that the
president and prime minister were in regular contact and
clarified that yesterday's meeting was not related to any
specific event.
[15] ... Strategy meeting
Athens, 26/11/1997
Mr. Simitis later chaired a PASOK party meeting on strategy for
forthcoming municipal and prefectural elections.
The meeting was attended by PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis,
Interior Minister Alekos Papadopoulos and other party officials.
Mr. Simitis will meet with Athens mayoral hopeful Maria Damanaki
today before his departure for London to discuss the prospect of
PASOK supporting her candidacy.
[16] 'Cumhurriyet': Turkey to revise regulation governing straits
Ankara, 26/11/1997 (ANA - A. Abatzis)
Ankara is preparing to revise the regulation governing the
straits in the direction of Russian and Greek demands and
following US pressure, the Istanbul daily "Cumhurriyet" reported
in a front-page story yesterday.
The paper stresses that as a result of pressures following the
implementation of the new regulation since July 1994, Turkey is
preparing to revise it and lift several of its restrictions,
including those concerning two-way sea traffic and ship tonnage.
Ankara is also expected to proceed with the long-delayed
installation of radar, which will enable move speedy navigation
through the straits, the paper adds.
[17] Greece re elected to IMO's A Category
Athens, 26/11/1997 (ANA)
Greece was unanimously re-elected to the eight-member Category A
of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), held in London
last week.
Other member-states elected in the first category during the
20th session of the general assembly were: China, Italy, Japan,
Norway, Russia, Britain and the United States.
Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, the
Netherlands and Sweden were elected to the eight-member Category
B.
Sixteen countries were elected to the third category.
Also, William O' Neil was re-elected to the post of IMO's
Secretary General.
Greece was elected unanimously to the presidency of the Council
of Europe's Agreement of Major Natural and Man-made Disasters,
during the 7th meeting of member-states in Monte Carlo.
[18] US Greek Orthodox Bishops given rank of Metropolitan
Istanbul, 26/11/1997 (ANA)
In recognition of the long-time service of Greek Orthodox
Bishops in the United States, the Synod of the Ecumenical
Patriarchate decided yesterday to promote them to the rank of
Metropolitan.
An announcement by the Holy Synod stated that it was unanimously
decided to grant Greek Orthodox Bishops in the US the religious
title of Metropolitans, which however, will be a personal title
and will not be given to their successors.
The changes came to satisfy an older demand by the US bishops,
who saw younger bishops climbing the religious ladder, rising in
higher ranks than them.
[19] Skandalidis launches book
Athens, 26/11/1997 (ANA)
PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis yesterday launched his book,
"The Left in the Turmoil of the Millennium", at an event
attended by Prime Minister Costas Simitis as well as several
ministers.
Referring to the aims of the book, which he dedicates to "the
teacher, comrade, and visionary Andreas Papandreou", Mr.
Skandalidis said he sought to provide answers to PASOK's
relations with the parties of the broader left, but more
generally, to g o beyond today's political conjuncture and era,
and boldly state "a total proposal in an era when we usually
seek to find in the partial something beyond what happens
everyday".
Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas
Laliotis, who was among those presenting the book, said the book
opens a dialogue with PASOK, the Left, and the broad society.
"It is an argument setting out the necessity and usefulness of
an ecumenical, ecological, European and at the same time, modern
and democratic left," he said.
[20] Albanian justice minister in Athens
Athens, 26/11/1997 (ANA)
Albanian Justice Minister Thimio Kondi arrived in Athens
yesterday on a official visit at the invitation of his Greek
counterpart Evangelos Yiannopoulos.
The Albanian minister's three-day visit is aimed at furthering
bilateral legal co-operation, mainly in the form of providing
assistance for the formulation of Albania's new legal system, as
well as the training of Albanian judges and attorneys.
Solutions will also be sought to the issue of transporting
Albanian prisoners from Greek to Albanian jails, a measure
needed in order to relieve Greek correctional facilities from
current overcrowding.
[21] European Respiratory Society's tobacco campaign
Athens, 26/11/1997 (ANA)
Athens University Professor Charis Roussos, president of the
European Respiratory Society, yesterday delivered to the
European Commission a petition supporting an EU directive to ban
tobacco advertising and promotion.
Professor Roussos was to hand the petition to Commissioner for
employment and social affairs (including public health matters)
Padraig Flynn in Brussels.
The petition is supported by 3,200 members of the European
Respiratory Society, the official body of the European-based
respiratory specialists. Professor Roussos is the professor and
director of Critical Care and Thoracic Medicine at the Athens
Medical School.
In another development, a series of measures aimed at making
life easier for the disabled were announced yesterday by
Transport and Communications Minister Tassos Mantelis. The
measures, to be carried out at all state services belonging to
the ministry, include priority service, ramps, special parking
places, lifts with space for wheelchairs, special telephone
booths, seats for the elderly and building renovations where
necessary.
A permanent committee will be set up to monitor the
implementation of the measures and make proposals.
[22] Mass media conference concludes in Thessaloniki
Athens, 26/11/1997 (ANA)
The conference "Europe and Mass Media: Our Cultural Heritage",
wound up in Thessaloniki yesterday after several presentations
were delivered by general directors and chief editors of Balkan
news agencies.
The conference was organized by the Macedonian News Agency in
co-operation with the European Cultural Capital Organization -
Thessaloniki '97.
During its second day, papers by speakers touched on the role of
Balkan news agencies in promoting culture in southeast Europe.
Gerassimos Zarkadis, managing director at the Athens News Agency
(ANA), said proper information to citizens was by definition "a
cultural event", but was at risk by "the imposition of specific
standards and models in relation to selection and presentation."
He added that another danger for the service of information came
from the latest nationalism and tension in the Balkans, which
damaged the journalistic profession's prestige, since if often
served interests which differed from the values on which Europe
an culture is based.
The general director of the Albanian News Agency (ATA), Frok
Cupi, stressed that news agencies were basically cultural
agents, although stress from political and economic news drove
them away from that function.
Zoran Jebdojovic, the general director of "Tanjug", observed
that the times were going through a generalized transition,
which resulted to transformation of the mass media. The general
director of the Macedonian News Agency, Spyros Kouzinopoulos,
underlined that the expansion of the mass media in conjunction
with a lack of credibility, could very possibly make them into a
"gigantic supermarket". He said this danger could be overcome by
an improvement in quality and presentation of more cultural
items.
Mehmet Guler, general director of the Anadolu news agency,
referring to the role of the mass media, said they should
function objectively, on a rational basis and with respect for
multiformity.
"It is easy to yell for war, but we should try and preserve
peace", he said.
[23] Gov't firm on incomes policy as civil servants strike
Athens, 26/11/1997 (ANA)
The government stood firm on its incomes policy yesterday during
a meeting between National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou
and the leadership of the civil service union, ADEDY, which held
a 24-hour strike yesterday.
"The budget is as stands," Mr. Papantoniou told an ADEDY
delegation headed by its president Yiannis Koutsoukos, although
he did agree to discuss civil servants' demands in more detail
next week.
Several ADEDY officials warned later that if the government did
not change its stance, industrial action would continue.
Mr. Koutsoukos accused the government of a lack of credibility
and accused it of trying to deceive public servants, referring
to a promise he said had been made by Finance Under-secretary
Nikos Christodoulakis a month ago for pay rises of 4.5 percent.
He dismissed the government's proposed rise of 2.5 percent,
adding that the budget was not clear as to whether this increase
would be on gross or net pay and whether it would apply from
January.
With regard to the government's claim to have increased spending
on wages by 13 percent during 1996, Mr. Koutsoukos charged that
none of that money ever reached the pockets of civil servants.
He asked the government to release the salary scales of the
judiciary, military and police in order to clarify just where
the money had gone.
The ADEDY leadership was later received by Parliament President
Apostolos Kaklamanis, who urged them to make full use of all
established avenues open to them for resolving differences,
following the ratification of the international agreement on
collective wage negotiations between the union and the state.
[24] TVX Gold claims locals' plans to attack mines
Athens, 26/11/1997 (ANA)
The management of the TVX gold mine near Olympiada, Halkidiki
yesterday fired back at local residents' groups protesting the
reopening of the mine, accusing them of terrorist acts after
police found about 90 Molotov cocktails hidden near a building
used b y one of the residents' "struggle committees".
In an announcement issued yesterday, TVX says that this find,
along with the destruction of the foundations of the transformer
that supplied power to the fire warning system and to the system
protecting the mine from flooding "arouses suspicions that the
opponents (of the mine) are planning large-scale terrorist acts
which will endanger the lives of the company's employees, its
property and security and peace in the region in general".
The company also maintains that the large police force deployed
in the area in recent days had been judged necessary following
attacks on police officers, the destruction of property and the
intimidation of workers.
The statement concluded by expressing the company's satisfaction
at the "decisive stance" taken by the government on the issue.
[25] SE European firms to discuss creation of trade chamber, lobby
Athens, 26/11/1997 (ANA)
Southeast European companies will send representatives to a
meeting in Washington in March to discuss setting up a Balkan
chamber of trade.
The meeting was proposed by Hellenic-American trade chambers
belonging to the Hellenic-American National Council, in
co-operation with the US department of commerce.
"We are creating the conditions for peace and economic
co-operation in the sensitive southeast European region, which
is why the conference is entitled 'Peace in southeastern
Europe'," said Thanasis Spyropoulos, president of the national
council and organizer of the meeting.
Due to attend are representatives of firms from Greece, Albania,
Yugoslavia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria,
Romania, Ukraine, Turkey and Cyprus.
The representatives will have the chance to meet officials from
the US State Department and department of commerce in order to
discuss creating a southeast European lobby.
[26] Greek stocks edgy over short-term outlook, fear of turmoil
Athens, 26/11/1997 (ANA)
Greek equities traded nervously on the Athens Stock Exchange
yesterday reflecting uncertainty over short-term prospects for
the market and fears of renewed turmoil in international markets.
The general index closed 0.06 percent higher at 1,402.58 points,
after losing more than 3.0 percent earlier in the session.
Trading was light with turnover at 13.8 billion drachmas.
Sector indices were mixed. Banks fell 0.61 percent, Insurance
was 1.64 percent up, Leasing dropped 1.49 percent, Investment
eased 0.55 percent, Construction rose 1.42 percent, Industrials
were 0.83 percent higher, Miscellaneous increased 0.55 percent
an d Holding fell 0.08 percent.
The parallel market index for small cap companies rose 0.24
percent. The FTSE/ASE index eased 0.07 percent at 805.85 points.
Broadly, decliners narrowly led advancers by 100 to 96 with
another 24 issues unchanged.
Alcatel, Remek, Macedonian Plastics, Mesochoritis and
Papastratos scored the biggest percentage gains at the daily
upper 8.0 percent volatility limit, while Balkan Export,
Macedonian Mills, Pairis and Hellenic Mills suffered the
heaviest losses.
National Bank of Greece ended at 25,250 drachmas, Ergobank at
14,900, Alpha Credit Bank at 16,405, Delta Dairy at 3,395, Titan
Cement at 11,740, Intracom at 12,800 and Hellenic
Telecommunications Organization at 5,200.
[27] 1998 budget goes to parliament committee
Athens, 26/11/1997 (ANA)
Greece's parliamentary budget committee began discussion of the
government's 1998 budget yesterday.
Government and opposition deputies clashed over the contents of
the budget, which is due to be debated within five sessions.
A full parliamentary debate will begin on December 17 with a
vote scheduled at midnight on December 21.
[28] Bucharest to host conference on EU-Black Sea energy
Athens, 26/11/1997 (ANA)
European Union Commissioner Christos Papoutsis, who is
responsible for energy, has called a ministerial conference
entitled "European Union - Black Sea region: Extending
Co-operation between two key players in the world energy market"
to be held in Bucharest on November 28.
It will focus on integrating the two regional energy systems
including the development of interconnections, promotion of
transit and harmonization of market reform policies.
The conference will be attended by Mr. Papoutsis, energy
ministers and senior officials and industry representatives from
the countries of the Black Sea Region. The countries are
Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece,
Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine.
Also taking part are countries participating in the Balkans
Energy Interconnections Task Force, which are Albania,
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, the Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia (FYROM), Greece, Romania and Turkey.
Mr. Papoutsis said in a statement:
"The Bucharest conference is of particular importance. We want
to increase our co-operation with the big energy producers of
the East. In parallel, we also want to strengthen energy
co-operation between the countries of Southeastern, Central and
Eastern Europe. This co-operation will greatly contribute to
their economic development as well as to the political
improvement of their relations. With energy co-operation we
guarantee our security of supply, and we lay the foundations,
through improved political and economic relations, for the
strengthening and maintenance of peace."
Parallel groups have been set up on specific issues, including
the Balkans Energy Interconnection Task Force.
It was established by Mr. Papoutsis at a conference in
Thessaloniki in October 1995 on gas, oil and electricity in the
Balkans.
The group has been working in southeastern Europe under the
Synergy program.
[29] Athens to host seminar on marketing in Eastern Europe
Athens, 26/11/1997 (ANA)
Marketing in the developing economies of eastern Europe will be
the subject of a seminar to be held in Athens December 3.
The seminar is organized by the Hellenic Marketing Institute and
is addressed to company executives and exporters operating in
the Balkans and eastern Europe.
The purpose of the seminar is to present companies with
investment opportunities in Europe's emerging economies and
co-operation prospects with businesses in the region.
[30] Minoan Lines seeks to join bourse
Athens, 26/11/1997 (ANA)
Minoan Lines, a Greek passenger shipping company, will seek to
gain listing on the Athens Stock Exchange following approval by
the firm's shareholders.
Shareholders voted 83.39 percent in favor of the proposal which
signals a new era in the development and modernization of the
company.
A company statement said yesterday that listing on the Athens
bourse would enable Minoan Lines to raise low-cost funds in
order to finance investment programs.
[31] Petsalnikos receives Israeli, European and US chief rabbis
Athens, 26/11/1997 (ANA)
Minister for Macedonia and Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos
yesterday received the Chief Rabbis of Israel, Paris, New York,
Thessaloniki and the former chief rabbi of London, all of whom
attended the unveiling of the "Monument to the Jewish Martyrs"
in Thessaloniki by President of the Republic Kostis
Stephanopoulos last Sunday.
The monument was dedicated to the 50,000 Greek Jews who lost
their lives in Nazi concentration camps during World War Two.
The minister referred to the monument as the "duty of both
Thessaloniki and Greece, a duty which should have been done many
years ago", and stressed the significant role the Jewish
community had played in the development of the city.
Although there have been Jews in Greece since ancient times,
most of the city's Jewish community were descendants of
Sephardic Jews who had fled the Spanish Inquisition in 1492.
End of English language section.
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