Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-12-09
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <[email protected]>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1362), December 9, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
CONTENTS
[01] Greece reiterates reservations for European Conference
[02] UNESCO's Mayor urges world awareness for environment
[03] ... Mayor presents book
[04] Kranidiotis off to Bonn today
[05] Karamanlis confers with cadres
[06] Tsohatzopoulos: Greece's position upgraded in NATO's new
structure
[07] ... Opposition parties
[08] ... Gov't spokesman on Arsenis, NATO
[09] US to allow F-15 demonstration flights in Greece
[10] ... Tsohatzopoulos
[11] Cultural Capital of Europe Organization concludes work
[12] No classified report on Cyprus
[13] Greece to help negotiate Albanian media participation in EU
program
[14] Thessaloniki to host CoE conference on mass media policy
[15] PASOK's executive bureau meets
[16] Journalists receive Botsis awards at special ceremony
[17] Iraqi ambassador briefs Kaklamanis on trade sanctions
[18] European literature, translation prizes awarded
[19] EU energy ministers approve natural gas deregulation draft
directive
[20] EU ministers adopt renewable energy sources program
[21] Egnatia Highway proceeding well, Laliotis says
[22] Greece needs to take more measures for EMU
[23] Greek stocks rise again driven by construction, investment
[24] Government rejects civil servants pay claim
[25] Trilateral meeting on Bourgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline ends
[26] OTE approves shares purchase
[27] Athens 'witchcraft' trial
[28] Turk sentenced
[29] Dialogue on church-state relations
[30] Health care system inadequate, study shows
[01] Greece reiterates reservations for European Conference
Brussels, 09/12/1997 (ANA- M. Spinthourakis)
Greece yesterday reiterated its general reservation regarding
the setting up of a European Conference with the participation
of the EU members, the 10 prospective members of central and
eastern Europe, Turkey and Cyprus - as proposed in a report by
the Luxembourg presidency presented to the EU Council of
Ministers.
"Greece continues not to understand the meaning of a European
Conference, apart from the desire of certain countries to
satisfy Turkey's demands," Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos
said during a press conference, adding that despite this, Greece
proposed certain ways out which could make the holding of the
conference feasible.
"If certain rules of behavior for countries wishing to join the
European Conference are adopted, similar to those applying to
the 15 EU member-states, including the peaceful resolution of
differences on the basis of international law and the
recognition of the general jurisdiction of the International
Court at The Hague, then the matter could be discussed," he said.
He also stressed that the Council of Ministers should establish
means of controlling whether the member-countries of the
conference complied with such rules, as well as certain other
conditions, such as the basic principles of democracy, respect
for human and minority rights.
"Turkey must proceed to specific steps towards democratization
and respect for human rights, being the only country wishing to
join the EU which does not fulfill any of the criteria set at
the Copenhagen summit," he said. He added that Turkey should
stop raising any obstacles to other countries' EU accession
course such as Cyprus.
He said he had stressed to the Council that it was clear
negotiations with Cyprus would begin in April 1998, and that the
legal and internationally recognized government of Cyprus would
be sitting at the negotiations, which did not require a prior
solution of the island's political problem.
Regarding the participation of Turkish Cypriots, he said it was
desirable provided it was also their aim for Cyprus to join the
EU.
Turning to Greek-Turkish issues, Mr. Pangalos said that Turkey
was still seeking a resolution at a political rather than a
legal level, and that Greece was not prepared to negotiate on
its sovereign rights.
"The problem is that Turkey does not accept the rules of the
game. It's like wanting to play football with hands, when all
agree that the game is played with feet," he said
characteristically, adding that Greece proposed referring
certain issues to The Hague not knowing in advance the outcome,
but respecting the "rules of the game".
He also reported that Greece had sent a fourth letter to the
Turkish experts' committee established in common with their
Greek counterparts about a year ago, but noted that the Turkish
side did not appear willing to budge from the insistence for an
over all discussion of differences, which Greece does not accept.
"Besides, Turkey refuses to tell us which these differences
are," he said. Regarding the resolution of Greek-Turkish
differences, Mr. Pangalos said "one does not talk on his
sovereign rights," stressing that Turkey was the only country in
Europe today that continues changes in borders.
[02] UNESCO's Mayor urges world awareness for environment
Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)
UNESCO General Director Federico Mayor yesterday called on
people around the world to send a message to their governments
that development must be in balance with the protection of the
environment, both now and in the future.
Speaking at an international conference entitled "Environment
and Society: Education and public awareness for sustainability"
in Thessaloniki, Mr. Mayor said that two years after the Rio
conference, "which brought results only at the level of
increasing public awareness", the time had now come for action.
"Society must exert pressure on those who govern us in order for
them to take measures to tackle not only the destruction of the
environment, but also poverty and ignorance," he said.
The solution to these problems, he added, was "to invest in
dignity, education - which begins at home and continues at
school - and ongoing training throughout life.
Environment Minister Costas Laliotis told the conference that
sustainable development dictated new socio-economic models in
production, the movement and consumption of goods, products,
services and know-how, which would lead to a just distribution
and use of the planet's resources among nations, regions and
peoples all over the world.
He too called on citizens, agencies and governments to take
action along the lines of "one must think globally and act
locally".
Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis described the dangers
facing the environment as "a challenge for humanity".
Noting that many initiatives were in the hands of citizens, Mr.
Arsenis said that the role of education was precisely to promote
this message. He proposed mobilizing citizens in a "world
movement of consumers" with the objective of changing people's
lifestyles to a "more alternative" way of life.
Mr. Arsenis stressed also that scientists had a great
responsibility to change the direction of technological research
towards more "environment-friendly" products while governments
should invest in research.
Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos said that the problem of
the environment was a political one which was connected to the
"crisis" of the social state and social cohesion. The
conference, which opened today and will end on December 12, has
been organized by UNESCO in co-operation with the Greek
government and under the auspices of President Kostis
Stephanopoulos.
[03] ... Mayor presents book
Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)
Speaking at a press conference in Thessaloniki yesterday, while
presenting his book titled "The new page", Mr. Mayor appeared
optimistic over the future of mankind.
He said that having assimilated as a writer the anxiety of
modern man and of post-industrial society, he is optimistic over
where humanity is headed.
"Fate has not yet been written. It is up to us to write this new
page," he said, adding that he has confidence in human beings.
Mr. Venizelos termed Mr. Mayor's book "a gospel of a young man
who is preoccupied with the existential problems of the citizen,
the culture of peace, the culture of social cohesion and
democracy. It is the deposition of anxiety and responsibility by
a man who looks at things with an ecumenical gaze."
On his part, the writer Vassilis Vassilikos, who presented the
book, said he discerns "a breeze of optimism" in its pages.
[04] Kranidiotis off to Bonn today
Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)
Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis leaves for Bonn
today to take part in a conference on the implementation of the
Dayton peace accord for Bosnia-Herzegovina and bilateral talks
with his counterparts.
Among the issues on the agenda are developments in Bosnia, the
issue of Kosovo, and prospects for the continuation of the
presence of NATO-led peacekeeping troops in Bosnia after their
current mandate expires in June 1998.
[05] Karamanlis confers with cadres
Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy party leader chaired a meeting of
his shadow cabinet yesterday to discuss issues including last
week's dispute within the government, today's off-the-agenda
debate in parliament and party organizational issues.
The shadow ministers had commented on what party spokesman Aris
Spiliotopoulos later referred to as the "image of dissolution"
presented by the government particularly after last week's
Cabinet meeting, both with regard to national issues and
economic policy.
Referring to what he said was "secret diplomacy", he criticized
the prime minister and the government for not briefing the other
party leaders, parliament and the people with regard to the new
structure of NATO.
Mr. Karamanlis reportedly asked his shadow ministers to make
proposals regarding tomorrow's debate on the Amsterdam agreement.
He warned that if the prime minister attempted to discuss NATO
without giving further information, he would ask for a separate
debate on the issue.
[06] Tsohatzopoulos: Greece's position upgraded in NATO's new
structure
Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)
Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said yesterday that Greece
had for the first time acquired the right of veto in NATO
following the agreement on the alliance's new structure last
week.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos told a press conference that Greece's
position in NATO had been upgraded and reiterated that the
country's interests were fully safeguarded.
"For 17 years, our country's participation in NATO was formal
and unequal compared to that of Turkey, which had three regional
headquarters, compared to one of ours," he said.
Greece now acquired equal participation in all the functions of
the alliance, and retained the right of veto in all functions if
the NATO commander's proposals were not in line with national
interests, he said. All arrangements would remain in full force
until their revision, despite Turkey's contrary view.
Nevertheless, he noted that there will be many difficulties in
the revision of these arrangements, but Greece would make sure
to avert any claims, privileges or advantages for other
countries at the expense of Greece.
"NATO has to accept our country's structure, regarding the 10
nautical miles of our national airspace. Also, the terms of
operation within the Athens FIR are in the exclusive competence
of Greece, being dictated and emanating from international law,"
he said.
"With the new NATO structure, we acquire additional rights for
promoting our national aims, and there is no case of joint
responsibility of Greece and Turkey in the Aegean," he added.
Commenting on disagreement expressed within the ruling PASOK
party on the government's decision to sign the agreement, Mr.
Tsohatzopoulos said that "some people" continued to think with
criteria of the past which, however, had changed.
Referring specifically to the disagreement expressed by
Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said
the former defense minister's position led nowhere since "if we
adopt it, we would either have to remain outside NATO or be
forced to retreat after six months."
He said that Greece's participation in the new NATO structure
would promote the desired policies of security, stability and
co-operation in the greater region of the Balkans,
Trans-Caucasia and the Black Sea.
[07] ... Opposition parties
Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)
Commenting on Mr. Tsohatzopoulos' press conference, main
opposition New Democracy party spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos
said what was imperative was an immediate, responsible and full
briefing of parliament and the Greek people on the exact content
of the agreement the government had endorsed in Brussels.
The spokesman said the defense minister's one-way talk on NATO's
new structure was entirely unnecessary.
A Communist Party (KKE) statement said "the defense minister
once again carefully covered up the essence and the aims that
NATO's new structure serves".
It added that "Mr. Tsohatzopoulos presented the Greek
government's right of veto as a government success... without
saying what the value of such veto would be at a time when a
shared sovereignty with Turkey was established in the Aegean
with the government's endorsement".
Coalition of Left and Progress (Synaspismos) leader Nikos
Constantopoulos asked to be briefed in a concise manner by the
government on the new NATO structure and the repercussions it
will have on Greece.
Mr. Konstantopoulos accused the government of conducting secret
diplomacy and for the lack of strategic planning.
Synaspismos' leader also said that the important national issues
should not be used for in-party exercises.
In any case, he said, PASOK has the responsibility for the
impasses on the national issues, since it did not just come to
power but has already been in power for three terms.
Mr. Konstantopoulos' made the demand during his visit at the 1st
Army airforce tactical headquarters in Larissa, where he served
his military tour of duty.
Commenting on the defense minister's interview, the leader of
the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) Demetris Tsovolas said he
believed the Brussels agreement was part of a submissive foreign
policy, as was the Madrid agreement, that gradually lead to a
reform of the current status quo in the Aegean, harming Greece's
interests.
Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras observed that the
right of veto could not save Greece from dangers, since as the
government knew very well, it could not be used in every case
nor unlimitedly.
[08] ... Gov't spokesman on Arsenis, NATO
Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)
Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis is an eminent figure and
indeed supports the government, government spokesman Demetris
Reppas said yesterday during a briefing of the press.
However, referring to the latest differentiations by PASOK and
government members, he said they affected the government's work.
Mr. Reppas stressed that the PASOK party was not divided into
those supporting the government and those opposing it.
He further denied that a reshuffle was imminent in the
government, which was standing up to its commitments and enjoyed
the support of the parliament's majority.
Speaking on the issue of NATO's new operational structure, the
spokesman said the government had a firm position and its policy
was followed by the ministers of national defense and foreign
affairs.
[09] US to allow F-15 demonstration flights in Greece
Washington, 09/12/1997 (ANA - T. Ellis)
Replying to questions regarding the US decision to allow the
demonstration of the F-15 fighter jet in Greece, State
Department Spokesman Jim Foley said here yesterday that the
decision was not related to a final decision to the selling of
the ultra-modern jets to Greece, but was simply a preliminary
phase of the procedure.
The American official said, "It is only a preliminary decision.
The State Department gave permission last week to the F-15
manufacturing company to go ahead with demonstration flights in
Greece, as part of its effort to compete in the proposed
purchasing by Greece of advanced fighter jets".
Mr. Foley said it was understood that other European-made
aircraft were to be also considered by Greece, and that the
decision was carefully examined by top State Department
officials wishing to make sure that "such a decision would be in
line with the
US interests in supporting a legitimate modernization of NATO
allies, promoting the US industry and securing stability in
southern Europe".
He further observed that "should the Greek government decide to
purchase the American-made fi-ghter jets, then the State
Department should have to decide whether it will grant
permission for the sale", adding that "we have to weigh the
consequences in the Aegean, to contribute to stability, not the
opposite".
Meanwhile, reports from Washington said the delay in releasing
the US-built F-15 aircraft was due to a difference in views
between relevant US State Department officials.
The F-15 will now be one of the candidate aircraft whose
purchase Athens will decide in the framework of modernizing the
Greek Air Force. According to indications, the candidate
aircraft will be five: the US-built F-15 and F-16s, the French
Mirage-2000, the Russian Sukhoi-27 and the Eurofighter built by
a consortium composed of Germany, France, Spain and Italy.
According to US diplomatic sources, the release on the part of
the United States was the result of coordinated action by
Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Mark Grossman
and the new US Ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns. The same
diploma tic sources termed Washington's final decision as being
"symbolic" of the intentions of the US concerning the equipping
of the Greek Armed Forces and bilateral defense co-operation in
the future.
In the event Greece chooses to purchase the F-15 aircraft, it
will be one of few countries in the world in possession of these
ultra-modern US warplanes. According to relevant officials in
Washington, apart from the US, the F-15 is only possessed by
Saudi Arabia, Israel and Japan. The Turkish Air Force does not
possess such aircraft.
An important factor contributing to this is the high economic
cost of the specific fighter. The F-15 costs about 50 million
dollars compared to the much cheaper F-16 (costing about 35
million dollars).
The difference in price has its explanation. According to
military sources in the US capital, the F-15 is superior to the
F-16 in that it has a longer radius of action, a much more
advanced electronic system and its radar is almost double the
radius.
[10] ... Tsohatzopoulos
Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)
In Athens, Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said during a
press conference yesterday that within the next three weeks the
Hellenic Air Force will conduct an evaluation of the F-15
fighter jet.
The list of aircraft which will be evaluated also includes the
US F-16 fighter, the Russian Sukhoi, the European EF-2000 and
the French Mirage 2000-5. The decision on which type will be
picked is expected next year.
[11] Cultural Capital of Europe Organization concludes work
Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)
The Cultural Capital of Europe Organization will cease to exist
as a legal entity after December 31, 1997 and will be placed
under liquidation, while a coordinating body will be created for
the monitoring and completion of projects which have been
planned.
The statements were made by the two supervising ministers,
Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Environment, Town
Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis, who attended
the organization's board meeting in Thessaloniki yesterday.
"Thessaloniki will always be a cultural capital of Europe. Only
in this way can the big deposit of new cultural institutions and
important cultural buildings the 1997 event is leaving behind
can be utilized," Mr. Venizelos said afterwards.
He said liquidation necessitates a full inventory and account
and of all controls anticipated by the law to secure complete
transparency.
On his part, Mr. Laliotis referred to the funding of projects
and to amounts disbursed to date, saying that it is a foregone
conclusion that the need to coordinate all activities will be
created in the city by the very nature of the projects and the
institutions.
He said it was logical for a body to be created in the future
which will possibly include private persons or legal entities in
the city which will be in a position to operate in a
coordinating fashion.
Mr. Laliotis said 128 projects have been completed so far,
budgeted at about 34 billion drachmas. He added that 76 projects
are under construction, whose budget amounts to about 30 billion
drachmas. Lastly, another 56 projects budgeted at 11 billion
drachmas are in the process of being studied and awarded.
[12] No classified report on Cyprus
Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)
Government spokesman Demetris Reppas categorically denied
reports yesterday claiming that Prime Minister Costas Simitis is
in possession of a classified report on the possibility of a
provocation being manifested in Cyprus.
"There is no classified report," Mr. Reppas stressed.
[13] Greece to help negotiate Albanian media participation in EU
program
Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)
Greece will mediate in the European Union, aiming to involve the
Albanian mass media in the EU program "Eureka," Albanian news
agency ATA said following a visit to Athens by the Albanian
parliamentary commission on media December 3-6.
Attention in talks with officials from Greek radio and
television focused on the electronic media. The delegation met
with Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, Foreign Minister
Theodoros Pangalos, Press and Media Minister Demetris Reppas as
well as the chairman of the Albanian friendship group in the
Greek Parliament.
This was the first visit held by a parliamentary commission in
Greece. A foreign policy commission will also visit Athens soon.
[14] Thessaloniki to host CoE conference on mass media policy
Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)
Forty ministers responsible for communications and information
from the Council of Europe member-states will meet in
Thessaloniki December 11-12 for the 5th European Ministerial
Conference on Mass Media Policy.
Press and Media Minister Demetris Reppas and Council of Europe
Alternate Secretary General Hans Christian Kruger will open the
conference, which is taking place in Greece for the first time
and is organized by the Press and Media Ministry.
Mr. Reppas will introduce the Greek delegation's paper "The
society of information: a challenge for Europe."
[15] PASOK's executive bureau meets
Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)
The ruling PASOK's executive bureau met last night and discussed
rules of behavior by high-ranking party cadres.
Party secretary Costas Skandalidis told reporters after the
meeting that the government's image is not what it should be as
the ruling party's political positions were the only credible in
the country.
He said that Prime Minister and PASOK President Costas Simitis
during the meeting referred to the prevailing political
situation as well as issues concerning municipal and prefectural
elections.
[16] Journalists receive Botsis awards at special ceremony
Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)
The Botsis Foundation yesterday awarded ten journalists for
"their work and their focus on the journalism code of ethics."
The 500,000-drachma awards were given at a special ceremony to:
- Alkis Kourkoulas "for his well researched reports from Turkey,
where he is a permanent corespondent of Greek media, which cover
the entire spectrum of Greek-Turkish relations."
- Christos Michailedis "for his approach on subjects of daily
interest, his analysis and his excellent writing."
- Yiannis Theodorakopoulos "for his successful service in
athletic reporting and the advancing and upgrading of sports
coverage through his many years of work as the Union of Sports
Journalists' president."
- Aristotelis Sarrikostas "for his successful missions for 30
years as Associated Press photojournalist in all the wars around
the world and reporting with great sensitivity of the refugees'
plea."
- Christina Poulidou "for her objective coverage of foreign
affairs and her interviews with European dignitaries.
- George Diamantidis "for his long time service in financial
reporting and his on target analysis."
Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis presented to Yiannis
Diakoyiannis the award "for the successful coverage and
promotion of parliamentary reporting and his journalistic
missions in Asia and South America."
Finally, three honorary awards were given to George Karagiorgas
for all he offered to journalism, to Yiannis Yaredakis for his
work in upgrading the provincial press and to Stelios
Anemodouras for the volume of his work in the weekly and monthly
press.
[17] Iraqi ambassador briefs Kaklamanis on trade sanctions
Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)
Iraqi Ambassador in Athens Issam Khalil briefed Parliament
President Apostolos Kaklamanis on the latest developments in the
issue of trade sanctions against Iraq and called for Greece's
support in having them lifted, as well as the full
implementation of the terms of the agreements with the United
Nations on humanitarian aid to the Iraqi people.
Mr. Kaklamanis, noting that Greece could not exempt itself from
the trade embargo imposed by the international community, said
that it should nevertheless not be implemented in a way that it
affected civilians.
He drew attention to the fact that Greece had maintained its
diplomatic representation in Baghdad and underlined the need for
the UN to facilitate the unobstructed dispatch to Iraq of
humanitarian aid.
Mr. Kaklamanis thanked the ambassador for an invitation to visit
Iraq extended by his Iraqi counterpart and said he would brief
the Greek government on their talks.
[18] European literature, translation prizes awarded
Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)
The European Commission's "Aristeion" prizes for literature and
translation were presented on Sunday night in Thessaloniki.
The competition, established following a proposal by the late
Greek actress and former Culture Minister Melina Mercouri, is
held every year by the current Cultural Capital of Europe.
The literature prize went to Italy's Antonio Tabucchi for his
book "... according to Pereira", while Hans-Christian Oeser
received the translation prize for his German translation of
"The Butcher's Son" by Ireland's Patrick McCabe.
The literature prize was awarded by UNESCO Director General
Federico Mayor and the translation prize by Culture Minister
Evangelos Venizelos.
[19] EU energy ministers approve natural gas deregulation draft
directive
Brussels, 09/12/1997 (ANA - P. Pantelis)
The European Union's energy ministers council which met here
yesterday, unanimously approved after lengthy deliberations a
draft directive on deregulation of the natural gas market.
The draft directive had been proposed by Commissioner of Energy
Christos Papoutsis.
Participating, Development Minister Vasso Papandreou said Greece
had managed to get an exemption from the directive for a period
of ten years, which will allow a smooth growth of the specific
emerging market, meaning also that certain areas in Greece to be
supplied with natural gas in future, will be exempt from
deregulation for ten years starting from the supply date.
[20] EU ministers adopt renewable energy sources program
Brussels, 09/12/1997 (ANA - G. Daratos)
The 15 European Union energy ministers yesterday adopted
"ALTENER-2", a 22-million-ECU renewable energy sources program.
"ALTENER-2" will begin on Jan 1, 1998 and will extend and
reinforce an earlier program, which targets the increase of
environment friendly energy forms and uses.
This program is part of the EU effort to limit the CO2
emissions, which increased by 1.7 per cent in 1995 in the EU
member states, according to the EU official statistics service
(EUROSTAT).
ALTENER-2 is designed to aid the incorporation of renewable
energy resources in the EU market, the briefing of consumers and
the re-education of those who work on energy problems.
The 15 ministers, with Development Minister Vasso Papandreou
representing Greece, also struck a political agreement
concerning SYNERGY, a 5 million-ECU program, which targets a
broader international co-operation in the energy sector and more
specifically in increasing the safety of the fuel supply and
environmental protection.
[21] Egnatia Highway proceeding well, Laliotis says
Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)
The construction of the Egnatia Highway is proceeding according
to plan and its completion will be within the scheduled time,
Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas
Laliotis told representatives of the Technical Chamber of Greece
(TEE) and its local branches in Epirus, Macedonia and Thrace
yesterday.
Speaking at a one-day meeting organized by "Egnatia Highway SA",
the minister emphasized that the European Union viewed the
highway as an important part of the Intereuropean Road Network,
and that was the reason why it agreed on its completion.
The president of TEE Costas Liaskas, however, expressed
reservations as to whether the project would be actually
completed by the year 2000, owing to organizational and
administrative inefficiencies.
Nevertheless, Mr. Laliotis added that calls for tenders will be
issued for all remaining parts of the project within the first
half of next year, while he said he was certain that funding
will eventually be secured for the final 60 km of the highway
that are not part of a funding program at the moment.
The minister also assured TEE representatives that no Egnatia
Highway funding will be transferred for use in other projects.
He stressed that by the end of the year about 45 billion
drachmas will have been absorbed in the project, and this amount
may even rise to 60 or 62 billion if additional funding was
secured.
[22] Greece needs to take more measures for EMU
Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)
Greece may not become a founding member of the single European
currency on January 1, 1999 but the country needs to take urgent
measures to adjust to European economic and monetary union
(EMU), a Federation of Greek Industry (SEB) survey released
yesterday said. The survey on preparations for the euro urged
Greek businesses to take steps to adjust to systems and
operations ahead of the implementation of the single currency
despite the fact that Greece will not participate in EMU until
2001.
The survey was conducted in the European Union on the initiative
of the Association on European Monetary Union, and its Greek
edition was sponsored by EFG Eurobank, a bank representing AMUE
in Greece.
The survey includes practical information and guidelines to
support local enterprises in supply, sales, competition,
funding, accounting and tax, manpower and information systems.
SEB chairman Iason Stratos stressed that Greek businesses would
live with the euro from the moment of its launch in 1999 because
of their transactions with other European firms.
He urged the immediate operation of a national euro coordination
committee in Greece.
Finance Under-secretary Nikos Christodoulakis agreed that
procedures to adjust public administration to the single
currency should be accelerated.
[23] Greek stocks rise again driven by construction, investment
Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)
Greek equities remained on a rebound for the 10th consecutive
session on the Athens Stock Exchange yesterday with interest
focusing on construction and investment issues.
The general index closed 1.0 percent higher at 1,566.81 points,
to show an 11.78 percent gain over the last ten sessions.
Trading, however, remained moderate with turnover at 16.1
billion drachmas.
Sector indices scored gains. Banks rose 0.72 percent, Insurance
increased 1.53 percent, Investment ended 3.0 percent up,
Construction soared 5.5 percent, Industrials rose 0.56 percent,
Miscellaneous ended 1.66 percent higher, Holding was 1.08
percent up but Leasing bucked the trend to end 2.30 percent off.
The parallel market index for small cap companies rose 0.23
percent, while the FTSE/ASE index rose 0.87 percent to end at
896.18 points.
Broadly, advancers led decliners by 147 to 76 with another 20
issues unchanged.
Alysida, Heliofin, Cambas scored the biggest percentage gains at
the daily upper 8.0 percent limit, while N. Galis, Hellenic
Sugar, Bank of Athens and Radio Athina suffered the heaviest
losses. National Bank of Greece ended at 27,200 drachmas,
Ergobank at 16,000, Alpha Credit Bank at 17,330, Delta Dairy at
3,530, Titan Cement at 13,295, Intracom at 15,050 and Hellenic
Telecommunications Organization at 6,105.
[24] Government rejects civil servants pay claim
Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)
National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou
yesterday rejected civil servants' demands for 1998 pay rises
and an increase in their tax-free income.
Civil servants' union leaders told reporters after a meeting
with Mr. Papantoniou that the minister had rejected their
demands.
Mr. Papantoniou remained firm on the government's proposal of a
3.9 percent pay rise for the public sector in 1998.
[25] Trilateral meeting on Bourgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline ends
Sofia, 09/12/1997 (BTA/ANA)
A meeting among Bulgarian, Greek and Russian representatives on
a project for an oil pipeline linking Bourgas and
Alexandroupolis ended in Athens, regional development and public
works ministry sources told BTA.
A memorandum on trilateral technical co-operation in the design
of the oil pipeline was reportedly signed and an engineering
committee which will be instrumental in designing the project
and consisting of three representatives of each country was set
up.
The meeting also agreed on a tender dossier prior to inviting
tenders from prospective consultants on the project.
The Bulgarian participants set out a course of the oil pipeline
in the country's territory, approved by an expert council. The
Greek side is expected to do so by the end of December.
The sides exchanged views on the setting up of a Trans-Balkan
oil company which will operate the pipeline.
[26] OTE approves shares purchase
Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)
The Hellenic Telecommunications Organization's (OTE) board
approved the purchase of Athens Stock Exchange shares yesterday
amounting to 1,470 million drachmas. It also ratified a contract
to buy off the Armenian Telecommunications Organization, but
expressed reservations over the issue of program agreements for
which, according to indications, it will reach a decision today.
[27] Athens 'witchcraft' trial
Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)
The Athens Appeals court held a hearing yesterday at the women's
section of the Korydalos prison to examine an appeal by three
young members of a witchcraft ring, accused of a series of
crimes, including the murder of 14-year-old Dora Spyropoulou and
Garoufalia Giourga, 28.
Asimakis Katsoulas, group leader, and Manos Dimitrokalis had
been sentenced to twice life and a further 20 and 15 years each
for the murders, while accessory Dimitra Margeti had received 18
years and four months.
Margeti's sentence had been regarded as "small" and that is the
reason why a counter appeal was lodged by a public prosecutor,
meaning that she will face the court again.
At the first trial the defendants had pleaded repentance and
asked judges for leniency. However, bench public prosecutor
Monolis Rasidakis had described them as "dangerous satans with
an angel's face and a wrinkled heart".
The relatives of the two victims were examined during
yesterday's secondary hearing. They said the crimes involved no
witchcraft but were entirely sexually motivated.
All the witnesses examined said Margeti's sentence was too
small, since she was fully aware of the criminal activity of her
friends but did nothing to stop them.
The trial was adjourned for this morning in the Appeals Court
room in Athens.
[28] Turk sentenced
Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)
A Samos court yesterday sentenced Turkish citizen Polat
Houssein, 25, to 10 years imprisonment and fined him 14 million
drachmas for transporting 13 Iraqi illegal immigrants to the
island on December 6.
[29] Dialogue on church-state relations
Brussels, 09/12/1997 (ANA - G. Daratos)
The second dialogue meeting between the Ecumenical Patriarchate,
the Presidium of the European Peoples Party's (EPP)
Parliamentary Group and the Presidium of the European Christian
Democrat Union (ECDU) will take place in Thessaloniki on
December 11-13, at the invitation of Ecumenical Patriarch
Vartholomeos.
The focal point of the dialogue will be "Relations between the
church and the state. Man and his environment in Europe of the
third millennium."
[30] Health care system inadequate, study shows
Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)
Eighty per cent of respondents to a recent research study
"consider the Greek health care system inadequate, not at all
satisfactory, or even unacceptable".
The results of the study, released yesterday by the Union of
Consumers for Quality of Life (EKPOIZO), also says that 25 of
respondents, "consider they have fallen victims of
discrimination in the sector of health care, chiefly due to
financial inability , while few think that the level of
information and training provided to citizens on the subject of
health is adequate".
The study was conducted in a sample of 2,000 people by eight
different consumer organizations in different parts of the
country.
Thessaloniki EKPOIZO representative, Dr. A. Stavrakis, said
during yesterday's press conference that relevant legislation in
Greece had weaknesses, and presented a leaflet setting out
patients' rights and obligations.
The organization will also accept relevant complaints.
End of English language section.
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