Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 98-01-24
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <[email protected]>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1398), January 24, 1998
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
CONTENTS
[01] Commissioner de Silguy: Greek economy growing 'faster than
forecast'
[02] Cabinet decides to abolish Article 19 of citizenship code
[03] ... Opposition reaction
[04] EU General Affairs Council to focus on illegal immigration
[05] The "Greece in Britain" festival
[06] Kinkel-Cem meeting expected in Bonn
[07] WEU's de Puig satisfied with Athens talks
[08] European Parliament president in Athens next week
[09] Kranidiotis meets with his Chilean counterpart Amunategui
[10] Gen. Tzoganis to present Greek position at OSCE conference
[11] Mitsotakis: Ankara showing nervousness, as military dominates
[12] ... Reactions
[13] Greek national released by Turkish occupation forces
[14] Simitis on 2004 Games' managing director's appointment
[15] ... US executive quits private sector for Athens 2004
[16] ... Stronger environmental laws urged in light of Olympics
[17] Kranidiotis tour of Africa
[18] Embassy car torched
[19] Gov't comments on violence by Turkish fans against Greek team
[20] ... Olympiakos' complaints
[21] Gov't says it won't budge on farmers' demand
[22] Inflation rate expected to slide this month
[23] Heightened interest for DIS firm's bourse listing
[24] Funding announced for airports, road works
[25] Economic News
[26] ... Greek stocks end lower on profit taking
[27] European transport conference to be held in Thessaloniki
[28] Tourism authority seeks tougher policy adherence
[29] Mortgage/Housing Bank shareholders receive new shares
[30] Unions call new strike for Tuesday
[31] Mobile cardphones on InterCity trains
[01] Commissioner de Silguy: Greek economy growing 'faster than
forecast'
Brussels, 24/1/1998 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)
The Greek economy is on a positive course, with its rate of
growth being "clearly faster than forecast", while public
finances in general are developing according to set targets,
European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Yves
Thibault de Silguy stated yesterday.
The EU Commissioner replied in writing to a question by
Coalition of the Left Euro-MP Mihalis Papayiannakis.
Mr. Papayiannakis' question asked the Commission how it judged
the recent re-adjustment of Greece's convergence program, and
whether after the recent stock exchange crisis further
adjustments would be needed.
After analysis and evaluation by the Commission, the finance
ministers' council considered the re-adjusted program on Dec. 1,
1997.
Mr. de Silguy said this re-adjustment was necessary because the
evolution of the main economic indicators between 1994 and 1996
had partly diverged from the targets.
"The rate of economic growth was clearly faster than forecast,
while the process of slowing down inflation had a slower pace
than expected. These new facts justify the re-adjustment of the
convergence program forecasts for the 1997-1999 period," he says
in his reply.
"The re-adjustment in question has been favorably received. The
Commission, more particularly, expresses its satisfaction with
the fact that the central target of the convergence program of
1994 was maintained, that is, that all the criteria for the
transition to the third stage of Economic and Monetary Union
after 1999 were fulfilled," Mr. de Silguy continues.
The Commission, he added, considered that the process of
re-adjustment was a normal procedure for all member-states and
very beneficial, saying he would like to stress Greece's
commitment to continue the same strategy for fiscal
rehabilitation.
Finally, the Commissioner expressed the view that the recent
upheaval in Asian money and bond markets would not have an
impact on this re-adjustment.
"In actual fact, the Commission considers that the Asian
financial crisis will only have a marginal impact on European
economic growth. On the contrary, the Asian crisis has made it
clear that the money markets discount the birth of the Euro on
Jan. 1, 1999, even before its creation. Thus, the Euro has
already played the role of a protective shield for Europe," he
concluded.
[02] Cabinet decides to abolish Article 19 of citizenship code
Athens, 24/1/1998 (ANA)
The government said yesterday that it was abolishing Article 19
of the citizenship code enabling the state to strip members of
ethnic minorities of their citizenship when they leave the
country with the intention of not returning.
Government spokesman Demetris Reppas said the issue was on the
agenda at yesterday's Cabinet meeting.
"Greece has attained a high standard with respect to the
safeguarding of human rights and equality before the law," Mr.
Reppas said, adding that efforts to further improve the
situation in these areas were continuing.
Mr. Reppas said the provision had in effect become inoperative,
with only 70 persons losing their citizenship in 1997, many of
whom at their own request. Since 1993, he added, only a few
hundred people had lost their citizenship through application of
the provision.
The spokesman said a draft law would soon be tabled in
Parliament ratifying the Cabinet's decision. Replying to
reporters' questions, however, Mr. Reppas said the provision was
in effect abolished as of yesterday.
Meanwhile, Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization
Minister Alekos Papadopoulos said abolition of Article 19 would
not have a retroactive effect.
The article, he said, had come into force by virtue of a
legislative decree in 1955, on the basis of which approximately
60,000 people had since lost their Greek citizenship, most at
their own request.
Mr. Papadopoulos clarified that Article 20 of the same code,
which enables the state to strip persons of Greek citizenship
for espionage, causing harm to the nation etc., would remain in
force.
[03] ... Opposition reaction
Athens, 24/1/1998 (ANA)
The Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) party said
abolition of Article 19 was "impe-rative, for some time now".
A Synaspismos press release added that "the content of Article
19 and its enforcement, was against the basic democratic values,
creating a negative image for our country internationally and
provided ground for the propaganda of the Turkish establishment."
Political Spring (Pol.An) leader Antonis Samaras, however,
expressed his opposition to the Cabinet decision. "I am
astonished by the lack of seriousness by the Simitis
government," he said.
[04] EU General Affairs Council to focus on illegal immigration
Athens, 24/1/1998 (ANA)
The EU General Affairs Council session in Brussels next week
will focus on the adoption of a series of measures to deal with
the problem of illegal immigration toward the Union and the
European Conference, scheduled to include EU prospective members.
The council will be attended by Foreign Minister Theodoros
Pangalos and Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou.
Meanwhile, an ANA dispatch from Ankara reported that Turkish
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem reportedly told the daily "Turkish
Daily News" that Ankara would not take part in such a European
Conference, as this "would mean that we accepted the candidacy
an d membership of the Greek Cypriots as the sole
representatives of the whole of Cyprus".
He reiterated that Turkey "refuses political dialogue with the
EU on issues such as the Aegean, Cyprus and its (Turkey)
internal affairs".
He also said there was "no issue" of the Turkish Cypriot
pseudo-state being incorporated into Turkey, but stressed "the
continuity of the Turkish Cypriot 'state' as a sovereign entity"
was important.
Only Ankara recognizes the breakaway Turkish Cypriot
pseudo-state, illegally declared in 1983 in the Turkish-occupied
north of the island republic.
[05] The "Greece in Britain" festival
London, 24/1/1998 (ANA - L. Tsirigotakis)
The "Greece in Britain" festival began in London on Thursday
night with a reception given by Greek Ambassador in London
Vassilis Zafiropoulos for British academics involved in the
study of both modern and ancient Greece.
The ambassador read out a message from Greek Culture Minister
Evangelos Venizelos, who drew attention to the work of the
British committee for the return of the Parthenon marbles in
informing the British public on the issue.
[06] Kinkel-Cem meeting expected in Bonn
Bonn, 24/1/1998 (ANA - P. Stangos)
German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel and his Turkish counterpart
Ismail Cem will meet here next Tuesday, according to diplomatic
sources.
Mr. Cem will arrive in Bonn on Sunday to take part in the
meeting of the 14 Turkish charge d'affaires officers in Germany
on Monday, and to meet with representatives of Turkish immigrant
organizations in Cologne on Tuesday.
The fact that the two ministers will be seen together is viewed
as an effort to lower tension between their two countries after
the Luxembourg EU summit, and Turkish Prime Minister Mesut
Yilmaz's accusations against German Chancellor Helmut Kohl.
The subject of Turkey's participation at the European Conference
will be discussed at the EU General Affairs Council in Brussels
on Monday, while Mr. Cem will be informed "first hand" by his
German counterpart.
However, German foreign ministry sources insisted that a change
in Ankara's stance is not apparent "for the time being".
In any case, the same sources said Bonn "has not changed" its
views on the issue of Turkish participation at the Conference or
necessary conditions for that participation.
[07] WEU's de Puig satisfied with Athens talks
Athens, 24/1/1998 (ANA)
The visiting president of the Western European Union's (WEU)
parliamentary assembly Luis-Maria de Puig yesterday expressed
full satisfaction with his high-level talks in Athens.
"We expect a lot from the (current) Greek presidency, first of
all because we know Greece's commitment to building a European
defense with the active role of WEU. And secondly because we are
going through a particularly important period, following the
serious discussions on the building of European defense and
security that took place at the Amsterdam and Madrid summits,"
he said. Mr. de Puig was earlier received by President of the
Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos.
The WEU official noted that the Greek presidency began with the
very best omens, referring to Prime Minister Costas Simitis'
address to WEU parliamentary assembly in Paris last December,
which was well received.
The fact that Greece participated with a delegation at the
highest possible level, including the prime minister, the
foreign minister and the alternate foreign minister, was also an
indication of the significance Athens attributed to the
institution.
In statements during Mr. de Puig's reception at the foreign
ministry, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos stressed Greece's
permanent emphasis on the significance of the European defense
dimension in the overall process of European integration.
He also said that Greece attributed considerable importance to
the parliamentary assemblies of organizations such as the WEU,
the European Union or the Council of Europe, because it believes
that their functions should be as democratic and transparent a s
possible.
"Greece is too small a country to do things behind the backs of
citizens," he said.
He reminded that WEU's defense ministers' council, to be held in
Rhodes on May 11 and 12, will be attended by the ministers of 28
countries, WEU members, associated and observer nations.
Replying to questions, Mr. de Puig said the WEU's parliamentary
assembly retained the proposal submitted during the German
presidency for the convening of a WEU summit, adding that he had
discussed the matter with his Greek guests, and they had agreed
to re-examine the matter when the circumstances are more mature.
Mr. Pangalos said Greece would be willing to organize such a
summit if unanimity could be established among the other
governments.
He also said "we shall let this idea mature".
[08] European Parliament president in Athens next week
Athens, 24/1/1998 (ANA)
The President of the European Parliament, Jose Maria Gil-Robles,
will visit Athens next Thursday for contacts with Greece's
political leaders. Among the issues he is expected to discuss
are Economic and Monetary Union, relations between the European
Union and Turkey and Greek-Turkish relations.
[09] Kranidiotis meets with his Chilean counterpart Amunategui
Athens, 24/1/1998 (ANA)
Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis yesterday met with
his visiting Chilean counterpart Mariano Gernadez Amunategui,
discussing further development of bilateral co-operation in the
economic and trade sectors.
They also discussed developments on the Cyprus issue,
Greek-Turkish relations and Balkan affairs.
[10] Gen. Tzoganis to present Greek position at OSCE conference
Vienna, 24/1/1998 (ANA - D. Dimitrakoudis)
National Defense General Staff Chief, Gen. Athanasios Tzoganis,
will set out Athens' positions on security in southeastern
Europe and on regional security as a main speaker at an
international conference on defense policy and military
doctrines.
The conference will take place between Monday and Wednesday
within the framework of the Organization for Security and
Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
The address by Gen. Tzoganis, who will head a large delegation
of senior Greek armed forces officers, will focus on "Security
in southeastern Europe, challenges and pro-spects."
Turkish General Staff Chief Gen. Ismail Karadayi and his US and
Russian counterparts will be among the 34 general staff chiefs
and senior officers from the OSCE's 54 member-states.
The conference on defense policy and military doctrines, which
is taking place following a proposal by Russia, desires to send
a message on the organization's importance in European security
policy.
The OSCE is the sole European security organization in which
Russia participates, which is opposed to NATO's upcoming
enlargement to the east with the accession of Poland, the Czech
Republic and Hungary as member-states.
The Vienna Conference is the third consecutive summit meeting
between military officers from OSCE member-states. The previous
two had also taken place in Vienna in 1990 and 1991.
[11] Mitsotakis: Ankara showing nervousness, as military dominates
Athens, 24/1/1998 (ANA)
In an interview with the New York - based Greek-language
newspaper "Ethnikos Kyrix", former prime minister Constantine
Mitsotakis said that 1998 will be a turning point for national
issues.
He added that Turkey is showing symptoms of nervousness, with
spasmodic moves which he doubts are part of a policy.
Mr. Mitsotakis said the Yilmaz government in Ankara is
particularly weak, adding that the influence of the military has
taken on massive proportions, while sober forces are on the
retreat.
"Under the circumstances, it is certain that at this moment
Turkey is not in a position to conduct negotiations with Greece
with the purpose of resolving Greek-Turkish differences," he
said.
The main opposition ND honorary president criticized the
government of being in danger of projecting an image of
abandonment of Greek positions, at a phase where Athens must not
back down from its position, not even by a millimeter, as he
said.
Mr. Mitsotakis said a possible withdrawal in foreign policy is
inconceivable without negotiations and without something in
return.
"We give the image of withdrawing before even starting
negotiations. What is necessary is calm resoluteness, clear and
steadfast positions and primarily raising the Cyprus issue," he
said.
Commenting on statements by US ambassador in Athens Nicholas
Burns regarding Greek airspace, Mr. Mitsotakis said that if he
was in Mr. Simitis' position he would have replied that Greece
was aware of what Mr. Burns said in the same way that Washington
i s aware of Athens' position, which he said, he was certain
that it respected.
He went on to say that certainly the difference between six-mile
territorial waters and 10-mile airspace is not the strongest
possible position legally. However, Greece can resolve this
problem either by reducing airspace or by increasing its
territorial waters within the 12-mile limit, adding that the
decision was an inalienable right stemming from international
law.
Mr. Mitsotakis believes that Turkey will not seek an armed
conflict in the Aegean and that the continuation of this
senseless game of infringements and violations taking place over
the Aegean lacks any essence, while stressing that the Turks
behaved responsibly during their latest exercise under US
pressure, and in essence canceled it.
[12] ... Reactions
Athens, 24/1/1998 (ANA)
Commenting on Mr. Mitsotakis' interview, government spokesman
Demetris Reppas said many of his views on Greek-Turkish
relations are interesting, adding that this is so because Mr.
Mitsotakis has handled these issues in the past.
He said that the government agrees with some points in the
statements and does not agree with others. He further disagreed
with Mr. Mitsotakis' view on the lack of a unified government
policy and added that Greece is stronger and can consolidate its
interests.
On the 12-mile question, Mr. Reppas said the government's
position is clear.
On his part, ND spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos "we remain unmoved
on the extent of national airspace limits, while our country's
right to extend territorial waters to 12 nautical miles when it
deems necessary is inviolable."
Speaking to "Antenna" radio, former ND party leader Miltiades
Evert said the country's negotiating position is weakened by Mr.
Mitsotakis' views on Greek national airspace.
Mr. Evert said that if at a given moment Greece goes to the
international court on the issue, the Turks will say that "you
yourselves admit that your position is not strong,", adding that
"it would be better for such statements to be avoided."
[13] Greek national released by Turkish occupation forces
Nicosia, 24/1/1998 (ANA - G. Leonidas)
Greek national Georgios Kantarakis, 32, was released by Turkish
occupation authorities yesterday.
Mr. Kantarakis had been abducted 45 days ago.
He was handed over to Cypriot authorities at the Ledra Palace
Hotel in the Nicosia buffer zone at around 5 p.m.
[14] Simitis on 2004 Games' managing director's appointment
Athens, 24/1/1998 (ANA)
Addressing a cabinet meeting yesterday, Prime Minister Costas
Simitis said the appointment of Costas Bakouris as managing
director of the 2004 Olympic Games organizing committee
guarantees objectivity and transparency.
Mr. Simitis said checks occurred beforehand to ensure that the
head of the national effort will not be dependent or have
relations that even hint at suspicions.
"All of us must approve efforts to achieve targets, exceeding in
many cases the inherent delays of the administration and cadres
of enterprises such as control of environmental studies," he
said.
Mr. Simitis said Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki had expressed a
wish not to be included in the organizing committee, while
Petros Synodinos was proposed but did not accept.
Government spokesman Demetris Reppas said reports mentioning
displeasure on the part of Sports Under-secretary Andreas Fouras
due to the participation of Sports Secretary-General Yiannis
Sgouros in the organizing committee are groundless, as Mr.
Fouras w as the one who proposed Mr. Sgouros.
Replying to other question, Mr. Reppas said Mr. Bakouris was not
rejected during the process of selecting a managing director for
the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) because he
wasn't reliable or objective, but because he had no relation
with the telecoms sector, as the successful short-list candidate
did.
He added that the appointment of Mr. Bakouris to the Olympic
Games committee does not constitute a party choice, because Mr.
Bakouris has nothing to do with PASOK, while he combines
knowledge and adequacy.
[15] ... US executive quits private sector for Athens 2004
Athens, 24/1/1998 (ANA)
Costas Bakouris, the 62-year-old executive appointed managing
director of the 15-member organizing committee for the 2004
Olympic Games "Athens 2004 S.A.", yesterday announced his
retirement from the post of Chairman for Europe of Ralston
Energy Systems Europe S.A., effective February 1, to take up his
new post.
A company spokesman told the ANA that Mr. Bakouris was
"concluding a successful 28-year career with the company", which
is the European arm of the St. Louis-based Eveready Battery
Company. "Costas Bakouris has dedicated his life's work to
Eveready Battery Company and made innumerable contributions to
our business... We congratulate Costas and wish him continued
success in his upcoming endeavor," the spokesman said.
Mr. Bakouris, who was born in a village outside Tripoli in the
Peloponnese and holds B.A. and MBA degrees from DePaul
University in Chicago, began his career with Esso Papas in
Greece before moving to Eveready in 1970 as finance manager,
Greece.
He held numerous positions of increasing responsibility in
Europe, including Managing Director-Greece, Director of
Marketing-Europe, Director of Operations-Europe, and Vice
President, General Manager of Battery Products-Europe, before
being named Chairman for Europe in 1986.
Mr. Bakouris also served as President of the European Portable
Battery Association from 1988-1992, and on several European
business organizations and advisory boards.
[16] ... Stronger environmental laws urged in light of Olympics
Athens, 24/1/1998 (ANA)
An international symposium entitled "Olympic Games - The city
and environment" continued for a second day yesterday at Athens'
Zappeion Hall with a presentation by architect Inge Aarchus on
the experience of Lillehammer, Norway, site of the 1994 Winter
Olympics.
Mr. Aarchus commented on the close co-operation between the
central and local government, the Olympic committee,
non-govern-mental organizations and emphasis on a special
program for the protection of the environment.
He urged both Sydney and Athens to implement stricter laws than
those already in force regarding environmental protection.
Australian environmentalist Michael Bland, who is also a member
of Greenpeace, described the organization's official
co-operation with the Sydney Organizing Committee for the
Olympic Games (SOCOG). Measures to protect the environment in
Sydney include a reduction in the use of PVC in the construction
of the Olympic village and solar air conditioning units.
All buildings in the Olympic village will be prefabricated in
order to be able to be used elsewhere after the Games.
[17] Kranidiotis tour of Africa
Athens, 24/1/1998 (ANA)
Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis will tour four
African countries - Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and South Africa -
between Jan. 28 and Feb. 2. The aim of Mr. Kranidiotis' tour is
the promotion of Greece's candidacy for the post of a
non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 1999-2000,
and the strengthening of its bilateral relations.
[18] Embassy car torched
Athens, 24/1/1998 (ANA)
A car belonging to the Armenian Embassy was torched yesterday
morning, causing extensive damage but no injuries, police said.
They said the car, belonging to the Armenian consul, was doused
with gasoline and set on fire as it was parked near the Consul's
home in the Nea Smyrni residential district.
A nearly-empty gas canister was found next to the burned car,
police said.
A man later claimed responsibility for the attack on behalf of
an anarchist group calling itself "Arsonists of Conscience", in
a telephone call to the radio and TV station "Skai".
Police said on Thursday that a recent rash of car torchings and
bomb attacks in the Athens area were random attacks by
anarchists hoping to throw police off the trail of accomplices
of a man arrested last week on suspicion of involvement in an
urban guerrilla group.
Five cars were torched and three bombs went off in a three hour
period late Wednesday night. The three bombs caused damage to
property in the immediate vicinity. Police said the sudden
increase in the attacks were an attempt to derail police from
making any further inroads into their investigation of urban
guerrilla groups, following the arrest of Nikos Maziotis last
week.
Maziotis, 27, was charged with possession of weapons, explosive
material and seditious printed material after a police swoop on
a number of Athens homes. Police found a significant quantity of
explosive material in the raids, including 9.5 kilos at
Maziotis's Kamatero home.
The finds, police say, link Maziotis with the urban guerrilla
group Militant Guerrilla Formation (MAS), which has claimed
responsibility for a number of bomb attacks since its appearance
in 1996.
[19] Gov't comments on violence by Turkish fans against Greek team
Athens, 24/1/1998 (ANA)
Athens yesterday called the violent incidents after the RTT
Ankara-Olympiakos basketball game in Ankara Thursday night
"regrettable".
After the game, which Olympiakos won 82-80, fans of the Turkish
team pelted the Greek team's players with stones, bolts and
radio batteries, among others.
Government spokesman Demetris Reppas said that a "few foolish
people" had not helped their team or their country.
In an unrelated development, commenting on a proposal by the
Turkish Soccer Federation for Greece and Turkey to stage the
2002 European Soccer Championship together, Mr. Reppas said that
while the time was still some time off, it was an issue for the
respective federations and authorities to consider.
However, he said it would be a positive move "to link culture
and sports".
[20] ... Olympiakos' complaints
Athens, 24/1/1998 (ANA)
On his part, Olympiakos basketball team owner Socrates Kokkalis
yesterday expressed his club's complaints to Euroleague
officials.
"FIBA should not allow this new 'achievement' of the Turkish
fans to go unpunished," said Georgios Vasilakopoulos, an
influential Greek basketball personality and former official.
Dozens of Turkish fans also attacked the Greek team's
locker-room.
[21] Gov't says it won't budge on farmers' demand
Athens, 24/1/1998 (ANA)
The government said yesterday that it would not allow any
violation of European Community legislation or the Common
Agricultural Policy in order to satisfy "a few farmers' groups".
Prime Minister Costas Simitis told a Cabinet meeting yesterday
morning that demands placed by farmers over olive oil and citrus
fruits would not force the government to bend Community rules.
On their part, protesting farmers from the Thessaly town of
Farsala blocked the railway line at the Stavros community for an
hour yesterday. The farmers, in a show of solidarity to about a
dozen farmers standing trial in Larisa for obstructing
communications during mobilizations last year, arrived at the
location with tractors, although they ultimately decided to lie
down on the tracks for about an hour, also blocking the local
train's schedule.
After an hour, the farmers withdrew. They announced that they
will block the national motorway in the Farsala province at the
Monastiri community on Wednesday. The development is part of the
escalation of their struggle until Feb. 2 when a major
mobilization will take place.
[22] Inflation rate expected to slide this month
Athens, 24/1/1998 (ANA)
Inflation is expected to fall to between 4.5 and 4.4 per cent
this month, compared to 4.7 per cent at the end of last year.
Government officials are optimistic that the decline will
continue in February and that the inflation rate will stand at
3.8 per cent in May.
The government's goal in 1998 is to lower inflation to 2.5 per
cent.
[23] Heightened interest for DIS firm's bourse listing
Athens, 24/1/1998 (ANA)
The informatics firm DIS posted a significant success yesterday
during registration at the Athens Stock Exchange following the
introduction of its shares onto the parallel market of the
Athens bourse.
Capital obtained amounted to 83.7 billion drachmas, compared to
612 million drachmas sought by the company. The investing
interest shown for DIS is interpreted by the expectations being
created by hi-tech companies.
DIS is the seventh consecutive informatics firm to register its
shares at the bourse during a very good conjuncture for such
companies.
The company is expected to show sales totaling 1.4 billion
drachmas in 1997, compared to 1.2 billion drachmas in 1996. Its
revenues will amount to 444 million as against 389 million
drachmas over the corresponding period last year.
[24] Funding announced for airports, road works
Athens, 24/1/1998 (ANA)
Credits totaling 11 billion drachmas have been earmarked for
projects at Thessaloniki's Macedonia Airport, expansion of an
air terminal in Mykonos, tendering for road works contracts in
the Thessaloniki, Arcadia and Aitoloakarnania prefectures and
for road and flood-protection works in Attica.
Among others, the air terminal will be expanded and an
environmentally friendly location will be shaped at Mykonos
State Airport, budgeted at 4.85 billion drachmas.
Works at Macedonia Airport were awarded to the ETETH S.A.
company and are budgeted at 1.5 billion drachmas.
[25] ECONOMIC NEWS
Athens, 24/1/1998 (ANA)
Three Greek companies listed in Europe's top 500: Three Greek
listed companies were included for the first time in a list of
Europe's 500 top companies published by the Financial Times.
Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) is listed in the
108th position based on the company's capitalization - measured
in earnings multiplied by the number of issued stocks, followed
by Alpha Credit Bank at 361 and National Bank of Greece at 45 4.
OTE is the only Greek company to be included in the Global 500
list at the 359th position.
Financial Times started publishing the Europe 500 list 16 years
ago, while its Global 500 list is in its second year.
General Electric, Royal Dutch/Shell and Microsoft were the first
three companies in the world league, while Royal Dutch/Shell,
Novartis and HSBC Holdings topped the European league.
[26] ... Greek stocks end lower on profit taking
Athens, 24/1/1998 (ANA)
Greek equities ended a five-day advance yesterday to end
moderately lower in the last trading session of the week on the
Athens Stock Exchange.
Traders said investors preferred to liquidate gains ahead of the
weekend.
The general index closed 0.25 percent off at 1,448.04 points, to
show a net gain of 2.60 percent in the week. Analysts said that
the market would find it difficult to surpass the 1,450
resistance level without any new major incentives and as long as
interbank rates remained at current high levels despite a
further fall in relation to an expected 4.4 percent in January.
Economists and government officials agree that further
turbulence in the domestic money market was possible until
spring when European Union leaders will decide on the founding
members of a monetary union in 1999 and foreign exchange
parities fixed for those participating in the euro currency.
Sector indices were mixed. Banks fell 1.13 percent, Insurance
fell 1.07 percent, Leasing were 0.33 percent down, Investments
dropped 0.55 percent, Constructions increased 0.13 percent,
Industrials were stable, Miscellaneous rose 1.70 percent and
Holding ended 0.56 percent up.
The parallel market index for small cap companies rose 0.75
percent while the FTSE/ASE index dropped 0.65 percent to 793.88
points for a net gain of 2.27 percent in the week.
Trading was moderate with turnover at 14.7 billion drachmas. The
week's turnover totaled 82.254 billion drachmas to a daily
average of 16.5 billion, down from 20 billion the previous week.
Broadly, decliners led advancers by 128 to 72 with another 31
issues unchanged.
Agrinio Metalplastic, Athinea, Radio Athina and Alcar-Aemet
scored the biggest percentage gains at the day's upper limit of
8.0 percent, while Nafpaktos Mills, Daring, Sarandopoulos and
Macedonian Mills suffered the heaviest losses.
National Bank of Greece ended at 20,470 drachmas, Ergobank at
13,950, Alpha Credit Bank at 14,940, Delta Dairy at 2,720, Titan
Cement at 13,515, Intracom at 14,900 and OTE at 5,590.
[27] European transport conference to be held in Thessaloniki
Athens, 24/1/1998 (ANA)
The 15th European conference of transport ministers will be held
in Thessaloniki in the spring of 2000.
The conference will be organized by the Aristotelion University
of Thessaloniki on a proposal by Greece's transport ministry.
A university statement said that organizing the conference was
an initiative of international importance promoting the
institution's educational role in Europe.
[28] Tourism authority seeks tougher policy adherence
Athens, 24/1/1998 (ANA)
The Greek National Tourist Organization (EOT) is determined to
impose maximum penalties on cases of tourism regulation
infringements, the organization's secretary general Nikos
Skoulas said yesterday.
Presenting the annual results of the organization's agencies,
Mr. Skoulas reported 2,645 inspections on tourism enterprises in
the country.
Inspections covered application of technical standards, quality
of services, pricing, equipment, sanitary measures and behavior.
EOT's agencies proposed improvement works in 764 hotels, imposed
penalties on 157, pressed charges on another 24 and recalled
permits in three cases.
Mr. Skoulas said tourism authorities will work hard in order to
upgrade Greece's tourism services.
[29] Mortgage/Housing Bank shareholders receive new shares
Athens, 24/1/1998 (ANA)
Shareholders in Mortgage Bank and Housing Bank will receive free
shares in the form of depositary receipts, resulting from the
two banks merger last year and a consequent share capital
increase.
Housing Bank's shareholders will receive 0.04 of a new share for
every old one, while Mortgage Bank's shareholders will receive
0.52 of a new share for every old one.
Registration begins February 3.
[30] Unions call new strike for Tuesday
Athens, 24/1/1998 (ANA)
The General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) yesterday
decided at a meeting with union representatives of public sector
organizations and banks to call a new 24-hour strike next
Tuesday over a provision in the government's tax bill.
Thursday's 24-hour strike was called for the same reason, namely
a provision that allows a change in the status of workers at
public sector organizations within the framework of their reform.
Workers say that the provision directly undermines their status.
National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou
Thursday told unionists presenting him with their demands that
the provision applied only to loss-making or bankrupt public
enterprises and corporations (DEKOs).
At a press conference called for Monday, GSEE will rebut the
government's view that employees of public sector organizations
enjoy special privileges.
It also intends to contact the International Labor Organization
and the Confederation of European Trade Unions to condemn the
Greek government for circumventing the International Labor
Agreement.
At the same time, GSEE said it was demanding a meeting with
Prime Minister Costas Simitis and strongly criticized National
Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou.
GSEE President Christos Polyzogopoulos accused Mr. Papantoniou
of "consciously choosing to weaken the public sector".
[31] Mobile cardphones on InterCity trains
Athens, 24/1/1998 (ANA)
The installation of mobile telephony cardphones on InterCity
trains has been completed, with passengers now able to make
phone calls during their trip.
Units operate with a special card which passengers can obtain
from the snack bars on InterCity trains, at a cost of 600
drachmas for a conversation of up to four minutes.
End of English language section.
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