Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-12-18
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <[email protected]>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1370), December 18, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
CONTENTS
[01] Parliament begins debate on '98 budget
[02] ... Reppas
[03] ... SEB President
[04] ... Karamanlis
[05] Ukrainian airliner disappears before Thessaloniki landing
[06] Athens hosts second Mideast peace process meeting
[07] Premier briefs Pol. An's Samaras on EU summit
[08] Clinton reiterates interest in Greek-Turkish relations, Cyprus
[09] State Dept. on EU-Turkey relations
[10] Juncker: Ankara must respect EU principles if Turkey is to join
[11] Turk leader wants review on policy of disputes with Greece
[12] Reppas on possible Aegean tension
[13] Turkish businessmen suspended contacts with Greek counterparts
[14] Stephanopoulos named honorary citizen of Odessa, Mariupol
[15] President's message towards Demirel, Turkish people
[16] Friendship, co-operation pact with Albania ratified
[17] ... 'Tsamides'
[18] Tension outside Greek consulate in Gjirokaster
[19] Discovery of petrified forest on Lesvos
[20] Police rally outside Parliament
[21] Language Center
[22] Several changes through new culture bill
[23] Diplomats call 48-hour strike.
[24] ESHEA work stoppage today
[25] GSEE, ADEDY strike today
[26] Olympic Airways delays, cancellations today
[27] Cretabank up for sale again
[28] Greek exports to Russia increasing
[29] Greece earmarks 350 bln drachmas for employment in 1998
[30] Greek stocks rangebound, block trades bolster turnover
[31] Greek telecom bids in Moldova, National Bank of Greece projects
[32] Greek telecom announces long-term contracts
[33] Greek civil aviation head joins board of European trade group
[34] Greek telecom hands telegram services to Hellenic Post Offices
[35] European Union ratifies energy charter treaty, protocol
[36] Commission leaves shipbuilding aid ceiling unchanged for 1998
[37] No action against Greece over toy ad ban
[38] Snow falls in northern Greece
[39] Mount Athos exhibition to run to end-April
[40] Bregovic organizes Balkan extravaganza in Thessaloniki
[01] Parliament begins debate on '98 budget
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
Parliament last night began debating the 1998 budget with
hearings of the parties' general rapporteurs, in the presence of
Prime Minister Costas Simitis and party leaders.
The vote on the budget will be held on Sunday midnight.
Premier Simitis yesterday threw down the gauntlet to critics
within his ruling PASOK party just a few hours before a
Parliamentary debate on the 1998 state budget, parts of which
have been criticized by several PASOK deputies.
"If somebody thinks they have a better proposal, the door is
open for them to express so publicly," Mr. Simitis said, adding:
"They will be judged by the people."
Mr. Simitis was addressing PASOK's Parliamentary group.
The passing of the budget by Parliament, he said, was a key step
in the implementation of the (economic) program approved by the
Greek people.
Stressing that PASOK's policy was not "fragmentary", Mr. Simitis
said one could not select certain main points and reject others.
The premier also called on all PASOK deputies to wholeheartedly
support the government's task and ensure a "fruitful discussion"
of the budget in Parliament.
"The implementation of the government's policy is identified,
now more than at any other time," with the vital, direct and
long-term interests of the country... Today, we have a historic
responsibility which goes far beyond all party and political
considerations, and most certainly beyond all personal
interests," he said.
Mr. Simitis also warned "all those who retain privileges and
promote their own specific interests, draining the vital
resources of the economy," that no concessions would be made to
them, irrespective of the political cost.
Closing the session later, the prime minister said he had found
agreement among deputies on the general orientations, the
program and the aims, despite the admissible and natural
differences in approach.
"A society that wishes to solve its problems needs discussion
and is not afraid of diversity of views," he said.
"This is the message I have been trying to get across since
being elected prime minister and party leader, because I believe
that with the possibility of expression of different views, we
achieve synthesis... (However) certain preconditions and
moderation are needed, the observance of procedures is required,
otherwise there is a mess and irresponsibility," he added.
Regarding the Luxembourg summit, the prime minister said the
endorsement of Greek positions was not coincidental, but the
product of a long and hard effort, with initiatives such as the
conference of Balkan leaders on Crete in early November, which
changed the coun-try's status from past isolation to assuming a
leading role in the region. He added that Romanian President
Emil Constantinescu and Bulgarian Prime Minister Ivan Kostov had
thanked him for Greece's contribution in Luxembourg.
Mr. Simitis warned that further difficulties lay ahead.
"A long period of negotiations begins now, and it is natural
there will be pressures from Turkey and tension. We have
conquered something very substantial, and now need
cool-headedness, unanimity and awareness of the international
environment so as not to arrive in the same level as Turkey," he
cautioned.
[02] ... Reppas
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
Asked by reporters later to clarify what Mr. Simitis meant by
his reference to the door being open, government spokesman
Demetris Reppas said:
"The doors to PASOK are open for anyone wishing to enter or
leave. Each person chooses for himself the entrance or exit."
Mr. Reppas explained that Mr. Simitis' statement was in effect a
reiteration of the premier's position that "each person must
assume his or her responsibilities". If divisive views are
expressed, he added, this will be an obstacle to implementation
of collective decisions.
[03] ... SEB President
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
Federation of Greek Industries (SEB) President Iason Stratos,
said the budget this year is more positive than in previous
years, but a great effort would be required in order to secure
both the revenues and the cutbacks in expenses envisaged.
He claimed that taxation this year went up 20 per cent, and is
expected to rise a further 29 per cent in 1998.
[04] ... Karamanlis
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis
said on the occasion:
"We are before a dilemma whether to opt for a policy of bold
reforms in the state or more taxes, whether we shall adopt a
bold reform or anachronistic policies that will simply
perpetuate the crisis which is only what the government today
does".
[05] Ukrainian airliner disappears before Thessaloniki landing
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
A Ukrainian airlines Yakovlev-42 type plane which went off radar
screens yesterday evening, as it was preparing to land in
Thessaloniki's Macedonia Airport, was still missing at press
time early this morning. The plane, on route from Kiev and
Odessa to Thessaloniki, with a total of 63 passengers and eight
crewmembers on board, had asked for and received permission to
land since 9.12 p.m., but gave no signal after that.
Army and police units, as well as an airforce plane were
searching an area southwest of Thessaloniki in the Katerini
region as well as the sea region south of the city. In addition,
medical units and ambulances had been mobilized. A forest ranger
in Methoni, Pieria prefecture, was reported to have said that he
heard a loud noise, which was probably an explosion at the
plane's crash either in the land or sea. Latest reports pointed
that the plane most probably crashed.
[06] Athens hosts second Mideast peace process meeting
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
The second meeting between Israeli and Palestinian delegations
is to begin in Athens today aimed at examining the course of the
peace process and an exchange of views regarding the possibility
of speeding up that process.
The Israeli delegation will include parliamentary
vice-presidents and two deputies representing the governing
coalition and the opposition.
The Palestinian side will consist of members of the Palestinian
Authority and of the Legislative Council.
The meeting will be opened by Greek Foreign Under-secretary
Yiannos Kranidiotis.
A press conference will also be given today by Foreign Minister
Theodoros Pangalos, the European Union's special envoy for the
Middle East peace process Miguel Angel Muratino and
representatives of the two delegations.
[07] Premier briefs Pol. An's Samaras on EU summit
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis met the leader of the Political
Spring party Antonis Samaras in Parliament yesterday evening for
a briefing on the latest European Union Luxembourg summit.
After the meeting, Mr. Samaras noted that Europe's stance
towards Turkey was self-evident, adding that now that Ankara had
lost what he called the "European game", Turkey will resort to
other means at its disposal to achieve a domestic and populist
rallying, namely, its "nationalist trumpcard".
The Pol. An leader predicted that Turkey would go ahead with
further provocations against Greece in Thrace, the Aegean,
against the Ecumenical Patriarchate and on Cyprus.
[08] Clinton reiterates interest in Greek-Turkish relations, Cyprus
Washington, 18/12/1997 (ANA - T.Ellis/CNA)
US President Bill Clinton said the United States wished to do
everything it can to resolve Greek-Turkish differences.
Speaking at a press conference at the US State Department here
on Tuesday, President Clinton stressed that "it is terribly
important for us to do everything we can to resolve differences
between Turkey and Greece".
The US president said the differences between the two countries
"are deeply held, historic and I am convinced ultimately
irrational."
He said he believed that "to allow the potential that Greece and
Turkey both have for future economic growth and co-operation,
political co-operation and security co-operation to be broken on
the rocks of their differences over Cyprus and other territorial
differences in the Aegean, is in my view, a grave error."
"I want a resolution of the Cyprus issue very badly. You have
evidence on that when I asked Mr. (Richard) Holbrooke to head
our efforts to try to resolve it," he said.
President Clinton said on the relationship between Turkey and
the European Union that "it is very important that we do
everything reasonable to anchor Turkey to the West. They are a
secular Islamic government that has been a dependable ally in
NATO, the y have also supported a lot of our operations in and
around Iraq since the Gulf War and they have been a good ally of
ours. I think is terribly important."
Mr. Clinton said "if you look at the size of the country
(Turkey), if you look at its geostrategic significance, where it
is, what it can block and what it can open the doors to, it is
terribly important."
President Clinton said regarding the Cyprus problem that "our
long friendship, our long alliance with Greece, the role that
many Greek-Americans have in our national life would if nothing
else impose on us a heavy responsibility to try to work out the
problems on Cyprus."
Mr. Clinton said about the situation in Greek-Turkish relations
that "this is a case where not only does the United States need
to be on good terms with Greece and Turkey, they need to be on
good terms with each other.
If they could sort of take off their blinders about each other
and look at what they're really up against for the next 30 or 40
years in their neighborhood in terms of opportunities and
threats, this world would be in considerably better shape moving
in to a new century," he added.
[09] State Dept. on EU-Turkey relations
Washington, 18/12/1997 (ANA - T. Ellis)
US State Department spokesman Jim Foley yesterday reiterated US
President Bill Clinton's statement on Tuesday that Turkey is a
valuable US ally and should be accepted as a member of the
European Union in future.
"We believe that Turkey has a place in Europe and that its
accession to the European Union, in our view, must be something
that will be done," he said.
"Naturally, we recognize the right and the competence of the EU
to determine the terms and the schedule for accession and we
don't dispute. This is certainly something that will be
discussed in the meetings with the Turkish prime minister when
he comes here. We believe that the relationship between the US
and Turkey is decisive regarding Turkish orientation towards the
west... We consider Turkey as a crucial and strategic ally," he
added.
Asked to comment on US policy regarding Greece's territorial
integrity, Mr. Foley said the US recognized territorial
integrity throughout the world.
[10] Juncker: Ankara must respect EU principles if Turkey is to join
Strasbourg, 18/12/1997 (ANA - C. Charalambopoulos)
"Turkey must understand that we are not just a Christian club,
but a club with principles and rules which it has to respect if
it wishes to become a member," Luxembourg Prime Minister an d
outgoing European Council president Jean-Claude Juncker told the
Europarliament's plenum yesterday.
Turkey was excluded from a list of EU hopefuls during last
weekend's summit in Luxembourg.
Mr. Juncker noted, nevertheless, that the Council had presented
a specific strategy for approaching Turkey - an important EU
partner - aiming to open the way to its accession in the
long-term.
"The European Union has asked Turkey to recognize the competence
of the International Court at The Hague, to show respect to the
rules of good neighborliness and to support the efforts for a
solution of the Cyprus issue and the island republic's accession
to the EU," he said, wondering whether all this was too much to
ask of Ankara.
Former Europarliament president Klaus Hensch told the assembly
that the EU's offer to Turkey was generous and magnanimous,
stressing characteristically that "Turkey must seize this
opportunity and stop complaining".
European People's Party President Wilfried Martens stressed that
Turkey should respect the principles of democracy and
international law, noting however, that the interruption of
political dialogue with Ankara should not continue as there
could be no solution to the Cyprus problem without trust.
"It is clear, however, that we cannot accept blackmail and
threats from Turkey," he said.
The head of the European Unified Left group, Portuguese Euro-MP
Alonso Puerta, also described Turkey's threats as unacceptable,
adding that "there are, of course, two communities on Cyprus as
there is only one legal government which the EU recognizes and
negotiates with".
[11] Turk leader wants review on policy of disputes with Greece
Ankara, 18/12/1997 (ANA/Reuter)
The leader of Turkey's Democratic Party, a junior partner in the
government coalition, has threatened that Ankara may revise its
position regarding a peaceful resolution of its differences with
Greece.
"Our country's policy on a peaceful solution to 12 (Aegean)
islands and the territorial waters in the Aegean should be
reviewed," Husamettin Cindoruk told his party's parliamentary
group session.
Concerning the European Council's decision in Luxembourg last
weekend not to include Turkey in a list of prospective members,
Mr. Cindoruk said: "with this decision, the EU has openly taken
Greece's side... We should restore the balance upset in the
favor of a country run by political fanatics such as Greece."
The Democratic Party, with 20 deputies, is the third largest in
the Turkish government coalition.
[12] Reppas on possible Aegean tension
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
Referring yesterday to assessments on an increase in tension in
the Aegean on behalf of Turkey and called on to reply whether
increased readiness in Greece also means increased readiness in
the armed forces, government spokesman Demetris Reppas said that
"we do not have any specific information.
"However, there are elements from Turkey's attitude in the past
which we cannot ignore."
[13] Turkish businessmen suspended contacts with Greek counterparts
Istanbul, 18/12/1997 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)
Several Turkish businessmen and non-governmental officials
refused to participate in a scheduled meeting here to promote
Greek-Turkish co-operation yesterday.
The move by the Turkish businessmen is reportedly aligned with a
toughening stance announced by Ankara to protest decisions of
the European Union's Luxembourg summit.
The refusal of the Turkish mission also led to the cancellation
of the tripartite Greek-Turkish-US meeting, due to take place in
Athens. The meetings were taking place in the past two years
under the auspices of the US foundation Carnegie Endowment for
International Peace.
Following the refusal of the Turkish mission to travel to
Athens, the foundation was obliged to cancel the meeting,
business sources in Istanbul said. The Turkish mission included
businessmen Sariki Tara and Halia Komili, journalist Hasan Jemal
and other non-governmental officials.
[14] Stephanopoulos named honorary citizen of Odessa, Mariupol
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
President Kostis Stephanopoulos yesterday was declared an
honorary citizen of the city of Odessa.
The Greek president, who was on a three-day visit to the
Ukraine, arrived in the historic city yesterday, the second stop
on his official trip.
In a short speech he stressed that the history of Odessa was
closely associated with modern Greece's history, since it was
there that the idea for the uprising against Ottoman rule began,
with the establishment of the "Society of Friends".
Before leaving Odessa for Mariupol, Mr. Stephanopoulos visited
the museum of the "Society of Friends" and the offices of the
Hellenic Culture Foundation.
Arriving in the city of Mariupol, in the Azov Sea, the Greek
president was extended a warm welcome by the city's ethnic Greek
population, the largest in the Ukraine.
Several villages in the Azov Sea region are predominately Greek,
while Mariupol, where the Federation of Greek Associations of
the Ukraine has its headquarters, is regarded as the center for
Hellenic studies at the Institute of Humanities. In all but two
of the institute's schools, Greek is a compulsory subject.
Mr. Stephanopoulos was named also a Mariupol honorary citizen by
the city's mayor and an honorary professor by the institute's
dean, ethnic Greek professor Konstantin Balambanov.
[15] President's message towards Demirel, Turkish people
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos conveyed a
message to Turkish President Suleyman Demirel and to the Turkish
people during his flight from the Ukraine to Athens yesterday,
which took him over Samsun, Ankara and Izmir. "While flying over
Turkey I would like to extend to your excellency my best wishes
for your personal well being as well as for the prosperity of
the Turkish people," the message read.
Mr. Stephanopoulos will pay an official visit to India in
January.
Also, during the first months of 1998 he will receive in Athens
the presidents of Albania and Poland as well as the royal couple
of Spain.
[16] Friendship, co-operation pact with Albania ratified
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
Parliament yesterday ratified a friendship, co-operation,
security and good-neighborly pact with Albania, as deputies from
ruling PASOK, main opposition New Democracy and the Coalition of
the Left and Progress voted in favor.
Deputies from the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and the
Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) voted against.
A second address by Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis
in Parliament clarified that is was a mistake on the part of the
General Accounting Office to refer to "minorities" in a relevant
report.
[17] ... 'Tsamides'
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
Mr. Kranidiotis also said that Athens did not recognize any
issue concerning property claims by "Tsamides" - an Albanian
Moslem minority now living in the neighboring country.
He stressed that there was no property issue either from a
political or legal standpoint.
Tsamides are an Albanian-speaking group that by and large
collaborated with Italian and German occupation forces in Greece
during the Second World War. They fled to neighboring Albania
together with the retreating occupation forces. Members of the
ethnic group have at various times raised claims against the
Greek government for property which they claim was lost during
that period.
"The issue was never raised by the Albanian side during talks
prior to the agreement. Why should we raise it?" Mr. Kranidiotis
said in response to sharp criticism from the main opposition New
Democracy party.
Mr. Kranidiotis told Parliament that there was also no issue of
an Albanian minority in Greece.
Furthermore, he added that, according to Tirana, Athens could
establish Greek-language schools throughout the neighboring
country.
"In reality," Mr. Kranidiotis said, there are no clearly defined
(ethnic Greek) minority zones in Albania and Athens would work
to have this recognized also formally."
ND deputies originally claimed that the agreement did not secure
the rights of ethnic Greeks in southern Albania, nor the
principle of reciprocity, while failing to resolve the problems
of education, religion, establishment of Greek banks, customs
posts and illegal immigration.
[18] Tension outside Greek consulate in Gjirokaster
Gjirokaster, 18/12/1997 (ANA - P. Barkas)
Albanian police yesterday dispersed a crowd of 4,000 people
gathered outside the Greek consulate for application of entrance
visas to Greece.
Violence broke out and gunshots were also heard, before Albanian
police restored order, allowing the consulate to function
normally, according to a foreign ministry press release.
[19] Discovery of petrified forest on Lesvos
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
A petrified palm forest was recently unearthed on the island of
Lesvos, according to an announcement on Tuesday by Athens
University professor Evangelos Velitzelos.
The professor announced that the petrified forest, in the
island's west-central Antissa region, was covered by petrified
volcano lava, with the trunks of the ancient trees preserved in
an upright position. Also preserved were their roots and leaves.
Professor Velitzelos believes the importance of the discovery
lies in the fact that it reveals that a large number of plants
were part of a complicated ecosystem that existed there as many
as 20 million years ago. It also proves the region's subtropical
climate, with temperatures much higher than today's, a fact that
gives scientists unique details about the flora, ecological
conditions, volcano and earthquake activity which contributed to
the formation of today's region.
The director of the Natural History Meseum of Lesvos, Demetris
Zouros, said further digs will be carried out in the region to
bring to light the remaining petrified forest.
[20] Police rally outside Parliament
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
More than 3,000 police officers, port authority officers and
firefighters yesterday rallied in two groups outside Parliament.
They demanded immediate action by the government on their salary
and institutional problems.
[21] Language Center
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
The Greek Language Center yesterday reviewed its work during a
ceremony at the Old Parliament building.
Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis, who was present, said
that the Greek language has been upgraded internationally
because of the center.
[22] Several changes through new culture bill
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos yesterday announced changes
to what he referred to the nation's "general cultural policy."
Some of the changes, according to the new bill, which was voted
into law three days ago, will be:
- A new policy on the taxation of donations.
- A new state lottery game "KINO," which will contribute at a
higher percentage than the rest to the ministry.
- The Thessaloniki Cultural Capital of Europe organization will
be desolved on Jan. 1, 1998.
- A Museum of Modern Art will be established in Thessaloniki.
- The National Museum of Modern Art will be housed at the former
FIX complex on Syngrou Avenue.
[23] Diplomats call 48-hour strike.
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
Diplomatic staff of the foreign ministry will hold a 48-hour
strike beginning today to protest the refusal of the finance
ministry to revise their salary scales.
The Union of Diplomatic Staff, in an announcement yesterday,
said although the salary scales of all categories of senior
state functionaries had been reviewed in recent months, "with
major pay increases being given in many cases ...an impartial
assessment of the needs of our branch has not been made".
The union said that the upgrading of Greek diplomacy being
pursued by the government was inconsistent with the present
economic circumstances of the Greek diplomat.
The union pointed out that the present salaries of diplomatic
staff was not commensurate with their high qualifications,
particularly in view of the fact that spouses were very often
unable to work due to relocations abroad.
[24] ESHEA work stoppage today
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
Athens journalists employed in both the printed and electronic
press will hold a two-hour work stoppage from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
today, participating in the 24-hour nationwide strike called by
the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) and the
Civil Servants Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY).
In an announcement, the Athens Journalists Union (ESHEA)
expresses support for the claims put forward by employees in
both the private and public sectors throughout the country.
[25] GSEE, ADEDY strike today
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
A General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) and the
Civil Servants' Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY) 24-hour
general strike was called for today, as Parliament debates the
1998 budget.
According to GSEE and ADEDY, the budget reflects the
government's continued policy of austerity, reductions of social
benefits and tax increases for workers and pensioners.
A rally will be held at Kaningos square, while at 10:30 a.m.
there will be a protest march to Parliament.
Negotiations between trade unions and the employers are expected
to begin on Monday.
Trade unions demand a 6 per cent increase in wages, while
employer federations consider a 2.5 per cent increase as a
starting point for the negotiations.
[26] Olympic Airways delays, cancellations today
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
Several Olympic Airways domestic and international flights today
have been canceled or rescheduled due to two planned four-hour
work stoppages by air traffic controllers.
A meeting of controllers' representatives has been scheduled
with Transport Minister Tassos Mantelis later today.
[27] Cretabank up for sale again
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
The liquidator of state-run Cretabank, formerly the Bank of
Crete, yesterday announced that a third international tender for
the sale of the bank would be held no later than early April
1998.
The liquidator told a news conference that under the new tender
there would be no minimum bidding price as in the previous two
tenders while the evaluation procedure for bids would be
determined no later than the end of January by National Economy
and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and the Governor of the
Bank of Greece Lucas Papademos.
The deadline for the submission of bids is expected to be May
31, 1998. The liquidator clarified that although there would be
no minimum bidding price this did not mean that the bank would
be sold for a price which was not deemed to be in the interests
of the seller.
He added that the bad debts of the Bank of Crete, that is, loans
now considered incapable of collection, totaled 32-33 billion
drachmas, of which 18 billion drachmas corresponded to the
period up to 1988.
[28] Greek exports to Russia increasing
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
Greek exports to the former Soviet republics are doing
especially well, having recorded a steady rise in the past few
years, according to figures released by the EU bureau of
statistics.
The Russian market appears to be of great interest, owing to its
large size, while results have been encouraging.
However, Greece is in an adverse position as far as the trade
balance between the two countries is concerned, mainly due to
import of Russian oil.
Greek exports to Russia in 1996 reached ECU 282.3 million, while
in the first quarter of 1997 the figure stands at ECU 120.7
million.
The top Greek exports to Russia are fur products, followed by
citrus fruit. There is also increased demand for Greek tobacco,
which amounted to ECU 22.5 million.
Other Greek exports include steel products, machinery and
bauxite.
[29] Greece earmarks 350 bln drachmas for employment in 1998
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
The Greek government's measures to support employment will cost
350 billion drachmas in 1998, Labor and Social Insurance
Minister Miltiades Papaioannou said yesterday.
The minister presented to reporters decisions taken at the
European Union's Council to support employment under which each
member-state has to submit a national plan to combat
unemployment.
The European Union also decided to adopt a mechanism to gauge
national labor policies.
The Council's decisions on employment are oriented towards
improving workers' rehabilitation, developing a business spirit,
encouraging business and workers in adjusting to new data and
strengthening equal opportunities policies in Europe.
Mr. Papaioannou left open the possibility that the government
would table a bill in parliament to promote flexible labor rules
despite the fact that an earlier move was withdrawn due to trade
union protests.
[30] Greek stocks rangebound, block trades bolster turnover
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
Greek equities moved in a tight range yesterday on the Athens
Stock Exchange to end mixed to lower but trading shot up due to
large block trades.
The general index closed 0.04 percent lower at 1,514.65 points.
Trading was heavy with turnover at 31.8 billion drachmas.
National Bank of Greece and Hellenic Telecommunications
Organization traded huge blocks of 611,900 and 300,290 shares
respectively.
Sector indices were mixed. Banks fell 0.27 percent, Insurance
rose 0.06 percent, Leasing dropped 0.44 percent, Investment
eased 0.57 percent, Construction was 0.45 percent off,
Industrials increased 0.28 percent, Miscellaneous eased 0.06
percent and Holding was 0.30 percent down.
The parallel market index for small cap companies ended 0.96
percent up, while the FTSE/ASE index dropped 0.11 percent to
865.84 points. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 117 to 93
with another 20 issues unchanged. Singular, Dave, Intertyp,
Thessaliki and Desmos scored the biggest percentage gains at the
upper 8.0 percent volatility limit, while Demetriades, Etma and
Viosol suffered the heaviest losses. National Bank of Greece
ended at 26,090 drachmas, Ergobank at 15, 100, Alpha Credit Bank
at 16,600, Delta Dairy at 3,265, Titan Cement at 13,000,
Intracom at 6,095 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organization
at 6,095.
[31] Greek telecom bids in Moldova, National Bank of Greece projects
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) is to take part
in the second phase of an international tender for sale of a
minority stake in Moldova's state telecom.
OTE will bid for the full 40 percent share of Mold Telekom being
offered. Also of interest to OTE is a plan by National Bank of
Greece to redesign its communications and networks in a tender
due to be called on December 23. OTE will bid for the project,
which is budgeted at 1.5-2.0 billion drachmas.
[32] Greek telecom announces long-term contracts
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) yesterday
announced a series of long-term contracts for telecoms and
office furniture supplies, as follows.
- A one-year extension of draft agreements with Siemens SA,
Siemens GEC Communication Systems Ltd. and Stat SA for LTK
equipment; with Lucent Technologies and Anko SA also for LTK
equipment; and with Alcatel and Philips Hellas for private
switchboards. The total budget for the three deals is three
billion drachmas, subject to need
- Five-year contracts (1998-2002) for office furniture
procurements from Dromeas, Sato and Skouropoulos worth a total
of about three billion drachmas, subject to a 30 percent
fluctuation
[33] Greek civil aviation head joins board of European trade group
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
The head of Greece's Civil Aviation Authority, Dionysis
Kalofonos, was yesterday unanimously elected a board member of
the Paris-based European Civil Aviation Organization (ECAC).
Mr. Kalofonos was proposed by representatives of countries
including Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Poland,
Estonia, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia.
ECAC, which has 36 member-states, forges and implements strategy
for European air transport. It is the main European organization
to belong to the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO).
[34] Greek telecom hands telegram services to Hellenic Post Offices
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE), which is listed
on the Athens bourse, will hand over telegram services to
Hellenic Post Offices on January 1 as part of a cost-cutting
plan, OTE said yesterday.
Under the terms of a contract to be signed by both state firms,
OTE will save on personnel and reduce its deficit from telegrams
by 4.1 billion drachmas. The cost of a telegram will drop by 20
percent.
The decision to transfer the loss-making business was taken by
OTE's board.
[35] European Union ratifies energy charter treaty, protocol
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
The European Union (EU) and twelve of its member states have
submitted ratification to the depository of the energy charter
treaty and its protocol on energy efficiency and the environment.
The depository is the government of Portugal.
The energy charter treaty will provide legal certainty and
enhanced predictability for foreign investors and thereby
facilitate access for countries with economies in transition to
western capital and markets.
For the European Union it will strengthen its security of supply.
In the three European Union members (Belgium, Ireland and
France) which have not yet ratified the treaty in their
parliaments, the process is well underway.
Commissioner Christos Papoutsis, responsible for energy, said:
"The energy charter process will not be successfully completed,
and live up to initial expectations, as long as the treaty has
not been ratified by all signatory countries and in particular
the Russian Federation. That is the reason why today, although I
am pleased with the progress which has been achieved I am not
yet fully satisfied".
The energy charter treaty, a legal framework for long-term
co-operation, protection of investment and open trade in the
energy sector, was signed on 17 December 1994 in Lisbon by 49
countries and the European Union.
Signatory countries are the Russian Federation and the other
ex-Soviet republics, central and eastern European countries, the
15 European Union member states and other members of the OECD.
[36] Commission leaves shipbuilding aid ceiling unchanged for 1998
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
The European Commission has decided that from January 1, 1998
the shipbuilding aid ceiling should be maintained at 9% of
contract value and at 4.5% for smaller vessels and conversions.
The decision has been taken on the assumption that the council
of ministers will later this week decide to prolong the rules of
the seventh directive on aid to shipbuilding until 31 December
1998, unless an OECD agreement on normal competitive condition s
in commercial shipbuilding and shiprepairs comes into force
before then.
[37] No action against Greece over toy ad ban
Brussels, 18/12/1997 (ANA - P. Pantelis)
Greece was ultimately vindicated over a ban on the television
advertising of children's toys, imposed from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The issue had been raised with the European Commission following
accusations by toy manufacturers, which claimed that the ban on
advertising was contrary to the free circulation of products in
a domestic market, something that favors Greek products at the
expense of products from other European Union countries.
Greece argued that the choice was up to parents and not
children, who are not in a position to distinguish between
"good" and "dangerous" toys.
Prolonged discussions were held with the Commission, which had
even activated the process of resorting to the European Court
against Greece.
However, the issue was discussed at the Commission's weekly
meeting on Tuesday. Greek arguments, apart from EU Commissioner
Christos Papoutsis, were supported by Commission President
Jacques Santer.
The issue was put to the vote and the Commission ultimately
decided to discontinue the process of taking action against
Greece, something that essentially shelves the issue.
[38] Snow falls in northern Greece
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
Heavy snow continues to fall in Epirus, central and western
Macedonia, causing problems for traffic in the region.
Temperatures have dropped to -5C in the Katara Pass on the
Ioannina-Trikala road, while snow is also falling in the city of
Thessaloniki. Chains are required for all vehicles traveling on
the Kozani-Kastoria road via Vigla and on a section of the
Thessaloniki-Kozani road as well as on some mountain roads in
the region.
Authorities are on the alert in the prefecture of Evros, in
Thrace, as it is feared the river Arda is likely to break its
banks due to the heavy rain which has been falling as far north
as the river's headwaters in Bulgaria.
The Bulgarian authorities are briefing the Greek Embassy in
Sofia on the situation.
[39] Mount Athos exhibition to run to end-April
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
Thessaloniki may cease being European Cultural Capital on
December 31, but the legacy of the city's year as the reference
point for European cultural events will live on, at least until
April 30, when the Treasures of Mount Athos exhibition ends.
The exhibition has been extended due to an enthusiastic public
response and the fact that the exhibition is unlikely to travel
anywhere else but back to the cloistered monastic community of
Mount Athos, which women are forbidden to enter.
"It may take several decades before the relics leave the
monastic community again," Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos
told reporters in June when the exhibition opened at the city's
Byzantine Museum. Sixteen of the 20 monasteries on the Athos
peninsula have contributed to the exhibition, which took two
years to organize and cost four billion drachmas. Among the
items on show are icons by famous hagiographers, such as
Panselinos and Theophanis, priceless manuscripts and books,
hand-woven, embroidered tapestries and cloth. Most of the 600
items had never before left the peninsula.
The 2,000 drachma admission and proceeds from the sales of
catalogues and posters has brought in 1.5 billion drachmas, much
of which will make its way back to the autonomous community for
restoration of monasteries. The amount is thought to have been a
major reason behind the decision to extend the exhibition.
Some 464,706 people have visited the exhibition since it opened
on June 21 this year, but free admission on Sundays as of
November 1 has increased the number of Sunday visitors to some
6,000 daily. Organizers hope to reach the one million visitor
mark b y the time the exhibition ends.
Although the majority of visitors are Greeks, organizers said at
least three tourist coaches a day pass into Greece from its
border with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia with
Orthodox faithful from all over former Yugoslavia. One of the
monasteries participating in the exhibition is the Serbian
Monastery of Hilandariou.
The 30,000 catalogues of the exhibition have been sold out since
September and a second print run is expected to be ready for
distribution by January 15.
[40] Bregovic organizes Balkan extravaganza in Thessaloniki
Athens, 18/12/1997 (ANA)
Yugoslav composer Goran Bregovic, who is to give a performance
in Thessaloniki on December 30 to mark the closure of the city's
year as Cultural Capital of Europe, has invited 200 performing
artists from all the Balkan states except his own as he
considers his compatriots "immature".
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Mr. Bregovic said
nevertheless that the program included a song to be performed by
three children from Sarajevo - a Moslem, a Serb and a Croat.
The event will include the premiere of the work "Thessaloniki",
commissioned by the Cultural Capital Organization, to be
performed by Greek singer George Dalaras, and a film entitled
"The Silence of the Balkans", directed by Boris Milikovic.
End of English language section.
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