Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 98-02-10
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <[email protected]>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1412), February 10, 1998
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
CONTENTS
[01] Greece submits non-paper to NATO on Turkish provocations
[02] Papadopoulos hints at new employment 'balance' in public sector
[03] ... Farmers' cooperatives
[04] Greek, Turkish journalists concerned over tension
[05] Tsohatzopoulos chairs committee meeting
[06] Impasse in EU-Turkey relations continues
[07] Santer to visit Athens in April
[08] Premier to receive Vietnamese deputy PM on Thursday
[09] Other Simitis' Meetings
[10] President Stephanopoulos tours Arta, Preveza
[11] Imported blood by-products confiscated
[12] Organization of 2004 Olympics a challenge, but poses no fears
[13] Iordanescu given green light to coach Greek national soccer team
[14] ND leader chairs meeting of party's heads of policy sectors
[15] ... Manos meets Andrianopoulos
[16] Gov't officials visit flood-hit Evros
[17] Buildings in Kavala seriously damaged by floods
[18] News in Brief
[19] Turkish freighter refloated
[20] EU to initiate proceedings against Greece on spent mineral oils
[21] IKA revenue losses may spell trouble in years to come
[22] Farmers' representatives to meet Gov't officials
[23] Draft bill aspires to benefit cooperatives
[24] Greek stocks surge on falling inflation, rates
[25] Greece to change law on overdue loans
[26] Greece to create incentives for withdrawal of old cars
[27] Greek exports rise in value in 1994-1996
[28] Italian company wins OTE tender
[29] Greece sees 12% increase in UK arrivals
[30] New loans program for real estate in eastern Aegean
[31] ASE president heads for Chicago
[01] Greece submits non-paper to NATO on Turkish provocations
Athens, 10/02/1998 (ANA)
Government spokesman Demetris Reppas yesterday confirmed a
report that Greece had sent a non-paper to NATO refuting Turkish
claims that Greece was giving support to Turkey's Kurdish
minority.
The report, which appeared in Sunday's issue of the Athens daily
"Kathimerini", said the non-paper also presented NATO with data
indicating that Turkey was undermining the normalization of
Greek-Turkish relations through, firstly specific mechanisms in
Greece's northeastern province of Thrace with a view to
promoting destabilization and separatist views, secondly,
through arsons in forests and other forms of sabotage in Greece
by members of the Turkish underworld linked with unofficial
power centers in the neighboring country and thirdly, by Turkish
authorities showing "tolerance" in the massive flow of illegal
immigrants to Greece and drug trafficking from Turkey towards
Europe through Greece.
The report said the submission of the non-paper was part of a
broader strategy on the part of the Greek government, according
to which the de-escalation of tension between the two countries
should be accompanied by shedding light on Turkish provocations
so that the international community acquires a clear picture of
the ways in which Turkey's aggressiveness is manifested.
According to the report, sources said the government considered
that these tactics minimized the dangers of 'spasmodic' -and
with unforeseeable consequences- moves by Ankara in Thrace,
where its strategy has been led to an impasse through Greece's
policy of equal political and legal rights for the Moslem
minority in recent years, as testified, among other things, by
the abolition of Article 19 of the Citizenship Code.
Such an approach is also considered to reduce the likelihood of
a 'hot' incident in the Aegean. The latest briefing of EU
ambassadors on Turkish violations of Greek airspace in the
Aegean was accompanied by a video showing to better illustrate
Turkish provocative behavior.
With regard to the referral of bilateral differences to the
International Court of Justice, Mr. Reppas said Greece's
position was unchanged.
As reiterated by Prime Minister Costas Simitis in parliament
last Wednesday, the only issue that the two countries could
jointly refer to the International Court was the question of the
continental shelf, he said.
If Turkey recognized the Court's jurisdiction, something which
Mr. Reppas did not think likely, then it would be able to take
recourse to that Court over any issue it wished.
"It is not necessary (for Turkey) to raise these issues by means
of irregular military action," he added.
[02] Papadopoulos hints at new employment 'balance' in public sector
Athens, 10/02/1998 (ANA)
Interior and Public Administration Minister Alekos Papadopoulos
has left open the issue of flexibility in labor relations and
part-time employment in the public sector.
Speaking yesterday at the European Conference on local and
regional government, the minister referred to changes with a
view to achieving a "new balance", and a new "entrepreneurial
education" capable of transforming economic development into an
increase in employment. He also referred to local collective
labor agreements, independently of national or sectoral ones,
resolution of problems relating to time of work with a view to
boosting competitiveness, but also pursuing "ways of cooperation
between the private and the public sectors".
Civil servants' union (ADEDY) president Yiannis Koutsoukos
called for the institutionalization of social dialogue through
collective bargaining, and urged the government not to undermine
the climate of dialogue with the unions by raising issues, such
as part-time employment in the public sector, whose rejection by
the unions is a foregone conclusion. He said unions would defend
the European model of labor relations, against the wishes of the
admirers of American or Japanese models.
[03] ... Farmers' cooperatives
Athens, 10/02/1998 (ANA)
Trade union leader (GSEE) Christos Polyzogopoulos yesterday
chaired a broad meeting of delegates from all over Greece in
Thessaloniki's Labor Center, which dealt with the problem of
possible staff dismissals from agricultural cooperatives as part
of a plan which, sources say, the government is promoting for
their rehabilitation.
Delegates said the plan would lead 3,000 people to unemployment,
as more than 75 cooperatives would shed between 20 and 75 per
cent of their staff, and that five cooperatives had already
submitted plans for group layoffs.
[04] Greek, Turkish journalists concerned over tension
Izmir, 10/02/1998 (ANA/S.Balaskas)
A group of Greek and Turkish journalists on Sunday expressed
concern over the "perpetuation of tension" in relations between
Greece and Turkey and called on the two sides to avoid any
provocative military or other actions.
A resolution issued after a three-day meeting in the Turkish
city of Izmir, which ended on Sunday night, said:
"We consider negative for both countries, the implication in
Greek-Turkish relations of foreign military formations
regardless of how they are manifested, as they entail the danger
of war or an arbiter's role".
More than 250 journalists, politicians and intellectuals
attended the "2nd solidarity meeting of Greek and Turkish
journalists" organized by the "Journalists in the Aegean and
Thrace for Peace" movement, in a follow up to the first meeting
last year on the Greek island of Hios.
The resolution expressed "deep concern over the perpetuating
tension in relations between Greece and Turkey".
It reiterated the journalists' "firm position that the problems
between the two countries can and should be resolved through the
application of the rules of international law, bilateral
treaties, and full respect of the existing borders".
It called on both sides to "finally decide to avoid every
provocative, military or other action".
The resolution said that "any hesitation on the path of
dialogue, often the result of pressure from nationalistic
circles in both countries, and every hesitation in respecting
international law only intensifies the crisis and gives rise to
interventions by third parties that serve only the arms dealers
at the expense of the standard of living of the two peoples".
Regarding the Cyprus problem, the resolution stressed "the need
for demilitarization of the island and solving its internal
problems to the benefit of the two communities".
At another point the resolution stressed that "the minorities in
Greece and Turkey could form a bridge of friendship among the
two countries," adding that "we feel compelled to demand the
implementation of any human rights that are violated today".
The delegates said that the next solidarity meeting would be
held in Alexandroupolis, Thrace next year.
[05] Tsohatzopoulos chairs committee meeting
Athens, 10/02/1998 (ANA)
National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos chaired a meeting
of the joint Defense and Foreign Affairs Ministries' committee
yesterday in the framework of regular meetings on the better
coordination of action. The meeting was attended by Foreign
Undersecretary Yiannos Kranidiotis.
The new structure of the NATO alliance was examined, as well as
confidence building measures being promoted by NATO's
Secretary-General Javier Solana.
[06] Impasse in EU-Turkey relations continues
Brussels, 10/02/1998 (ANA-M. Spinthourakis)
The heavy atmosphere prevailing in EU-Turkey relations since the
Luxembourg summit continued during yesterday's first session of
the Joint Parliamentary Committee, in which 12 Turkish deputies
and 12 Euro-MPs participated .
The head of the Turkish delegation, Istanbul deputy Bulent
Akarcali appeared intransigent, even hostile, stressing that
Turkey was not considering its participation in the European
conference as the Luxembourg summit had adopted decisions which
were discriminatory against his country.
Other Turkish deputies criticized the EU for discriminating in
favor of Greece, and said that as a result it could not play any
role in the resolution of Greek-Turkish differences.
Regarding Cyprus, External Affair Commissioner Hans van den
Broek said the EU had not placed any special terms for Turkey,
and that the door of the European conference remained open
either now or in the future for Turkey whose absence would be a
mistake . He added that no EU institutional organ shared the
view that Cyprus was a Greek-Turkish dispute, and reiterated
that accession negotiations with Cyprus and countries of eastern
Europe would begin at the end of March.
Former Europarliament president Peter Dunkirt told Turkish
delegates, "you have a long way to go and you will need time to
cover it," noting that Turkey was currently facing an internal
war (with the Kurds) , which was a problem that no other country
of the Union or prospective member was facing.
[07] Santer to visit Athens in April
Brussels, 10/02/1998 (ANA)
European Commission president Jacques Santer will pay an
official visit to Greece April 9-13.
While in Athens, Mr. Santer will meet with the state and
political leadership of the country.
He will also be the keynote speaker at a banquet at an
international conference on "Greeting a new Business Age" being
organized in Athens by The Economist magazine on April 9.
Mr. Santer will also visit the island of Crete, where he will
meet with representatives of local authorities and producers.
It will be Mr. Santer's third official visit to Greece since
assuming the helm of the Commission in January 1995.
[08] Premier to receive Vietnamese deputy PM on Thursday
Athens, 10/02/1998 (ANA)
Vietnam's deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Nguyen
Manh Cam, will be in Athens on Thursday to meet with Prime
Minister Costas Simitis, government spokesman Demetris Reppas
said yesterday.
Mr. Reppas added that the prime minister would answer questions
on the farmers protests in Parliament tomorrow.
Today, the prime minister will chair a meeting on public
utilities and corporations. The meeting will be attended by
National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou,
Transport and Communications Minister Tassos Mantelis and Labor
and Welfare Minister Miltiades Papaioannou.
[09] Other Simitis' Meetings
Athens, 10/02/1998 (ANA)
Mr. Simitis met yesterday with Greek film director Costa-Gavra
and singer George Dalaras.
Mr. Gavra said he had met Mr. Simitis before he became prime
minister "and I just visited him today to say hello".
He added that he told the prime minister that he felt the
perception of Greece abroad was changing for the better since
Mr. Simitis became prime minister.
The prime minister later met with PASOK Secretary Costas
Skandalidis and PASOK Eurodeputy Paraskevas Avgerinos.
[10] President Stephanopoulos tours Arta, Preveza
Athens, 10/02/1998 (ANA)
President Kostis Stephanopoulos started a two-day tour of Arta
and Preveza yesterday. He received a warm welcome in Arta by
local authorities and inhabitants. Also present was Democratic
Social Movement (DHKKI) President Demetris Tsovolas and a number
of deputies.
Addressing President Stephanopoulos, the Mayor of Arta Mr.
Vayios referred to the city's problems, stressing that the state
has forgotten the region and called on President Stephanopoulos
to intervene for a new impetus to be provided for development.
"I cannot resolve problems faced by Arta myself, but you were
right in raising them because only in this way can a government
be sensitized to resolving them," President Stephanopoulos said.
Referring to Greek national issues, President Stephanopoulos
said "we must defend our homeland from enemies. I am not being
an alarmist, but we must defend dignity, pride and our
territorial sovereignty."
Afterwards, President Stephanopoulos visited Saint Theodora
Cathedral, the Byzantine Museum, the Holy Panagia Monastery and
the historic bridge. Later on in the day he was due to be given
the city's gold medal.
President Stephanopoulos will tour the prefecture of Preveza
today.
[11] Imported blood by-products confiscated
Athens, 10/02/1998 (ANA)
The Greek Pharmaceutical Organization (EOF) yesterday announced
that it confiscated more than a month ago a large number of
imported blood by-products, which may be tainted.
EOF President G. Kavadias said that two pharmaceutical products
imported from Germany were pulled off the shelves of two
pharmacies in the Athens area to be tested for viruses.
The samples tested to date did not contain infectious diseases
but the testing at the "Laiko Hospital" will continue, Mr.
Kavadias said.
EOF's announcement came after a report yesterday that a
Lichtenstein lawyer revealed that tainted blood by-products and
human organs were illegally imported from eastern European
countries and Russia and exported to Greece.
The illegal trade, which begun in 1996, used blood of cancer
patients and people with a weak immune system.
Mr. Kavadias noted that the case has already been assigned to a
public prosecutor, since these products were promoted in public
hospitals in Athens and Patra by university doctors without the
quality seal of EOF.
Mr. Kavadias said that at least two doctors are allegedly
involved in prescribing the blood by-products, and it is
probable that they received large commissions for promoting the
products.
The EOF president noted that all products with the EOF seal of
approval may be used without fear by all patients.
[12] Organization of 2004 Olympics a challenge, but poses no fears
Athens, 10/02/1998 (ANA)
Newly appointed president of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games
organizing committee Stratis Stratigis yesterday said the
organization of the Games, while a "considerable challenge",
posed no fears.
Speaking at a joint press conference yesterday with Sports
Under-secretary Andreas Fouras after returning from the opening
ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, Mr. Stratigis
said of his meeting with International Olympic Committee
president Juan Antonio Samaranch:
"The IOC president believes that the Athens Olympics will
combine sports with culture linked with history. Mr. Samaranch
rightly believes that the 2004 Games will be the best ever held."
With regard to the 2004 budget, Mr. Stratigis stressed that the
final budget would be submitted after the Sydney Olympiad in
2000.
"We aren't afraid of anything. The IOC's accumulation of
technical know-how and our efforts to adapt the Games to new
technology are a guarantee that the Games will be organized
successfully," he said.
Questioned with regard to Greece's proposal for a world truce
during the 2004 Games, Mr. Fouras said the proposal had become
"flesh and blood" in Nagano and had been enthusiastically
received by all IOC members.
Asked to comment on the participation in the organizing
committee of Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, who led the
successful bid committee, Mr. Stratigis said:
"The government wants Mrs. Angelopoulos-Daskalaki on the
organizing committee. She has told me that for family reasons
she will be unable to do so. However, she will be on the
National Committee and has assured me she will ... assist us."
[13] Iordanescu given green light to coach Greek national soccer team
Athens, 10/02/1998 (ANA)
The appointment of Romanian soccer coach Anghel Iordanescu to
head the Greek national team was approved yesterday by the board
of the National Soccer Federation (EPO).
Mr. Iordanescu has been recruited to help the team in its bid to
qualify for the finals of the Euro 2000 championships.
He has signed a two-year contract at a salary of 300,000 dollars
per year, with a bonus of 250,000 if the team reaches the finals.
EPO president Sotiris Alimisis said the federation reserved the
right to renew the contract for another two years.
[14] ND leader chairs meeting of party's heads of policy sectors
Athens, 10/02/1998 (ANA)
Yesterday's meeting of the main opposition New Democracy party's
heads of policy sectors, the first after the recent expulsions
of six deputies, was held in a formal and rather cold atmosphere.
The meeting, chaired by party leader Costas Karamanlis, did not
discuss intraparty issues, while according to party spokesman
Aris Spiliotopoulos, the issues relating to the expulsions was
now over.
The six were brought before the party disciplinary council last
week after they failed to comply with the party's line in voting
against a government-sponsored amendment for public utilities.
Former ministers Stefanos Manos, George Souflias and Vassilis
Kontoyiannopoulos were permanently expelled, while three other
deputies were suspended from the party for one year.
Replying to a question as to whether the ND's electoral chances
were slashed after the expulsions, Mr. Spiliotopoulos said
politics was not practiced through assumptions but was rather
judged by results.
He added ND's current mission was to fulfill its institutional
undertaking, namely to systematically check on the government
for mistakes and deficiencies and submit its own proposals.
Discussion during yesterday's session focused on farmers'
protest action, compound interest and the pensions system.
Mr. Spiliotopoulos charged that it was now widely acknowledged
that Agriculture Minister Stefanos Tzoumakas was unsuitable for
the post because he has insufficient knowledge of the issues
involved, on top of having been ineffective on crucial issues in
Brussels.
He also accused the government of not having taken advantage of
the time since last year's protest action by farmers to bring in
parliament a comprehensive policy to solve problems.
Regarding the controversial issue of compound interest, the ND
spokesman said in the coming days the party will submit its own
proposal in parliament.
[15] ... Manos meets Andrianopoulos
Athens, 10/02/1998 (ANA)
The latest developments in the ND party and consequences of the
recent expulsions were the focus of a meeting lasting one hour,
between expelled deputy Stefanos Manos and Andreas
Andrianopoulos, held in London yesterday.
Both men agreed that both the ND and the country were going
through a critical period, and moves should not be hasty, but
serious and in low profile.
In the meantime, Vassilis Kontoyiannopoulos has left open the
possibility regarding the founding of a new political party.
In an interview with the Ethnos newspaper, the former ND deputy
said both George Souflias and Stefanos Manos had the required
qualities to lead a new political movement.
Nevertheless, he noted that the current crisis in the main
opposition party could ease off if the leadership acknowledged
its error and called the expelled back in the party.
[16] Gov't officials visit flood-hit Evros
Athens, 10/02/1998 (ANA)
Macedonia-Thrace Minister Philippos Petsalnikos and Agriculture
Under-secretary Vassilis Geranidis yesterday visited the Evros
prefecture regions, which were hit by flooding.
Mr. Petsalnikos said that the damages were extensive and that as
soon as they are catalogued he will move to "heal the wounds,"
both with financial aid and with the reconstruction of the
infrastucture.
Mr. Geranidis said that his ministry will move to compensate the
farmers for their losses as soon as the official cataloguing of
the damage is complete.
[17] Buildings in Kavala seriously damaged by floods
Athens, 10/02/1998 (ANA)
Over 250 homes and businesses were seriously damaged in last
week's flooding in Nea Peramos, Kavala, according to a statement
by its mayor Iraklis Karaberidis yesterday.
Dozens of holiday-home owners visited the region over the
weekend to survey the damage to property.
A team of engineers is inspecting all flooded buildings for
structural damage.
Regional Director for eastern Macedonia and Thrace Stavros
Karatziotis is to visit Nea Perama tomorrow to announce measures
to assist the flood victims and allocate compensation from
national and European Union funds.
[18] News in Brief
Athens, 10/02/1998 (ANA)
- Development Minister Vasso Papandreou yesterday received
Britain's Research and Technology Secretary and discussed the
5th research and technology program of the European Union.
- The Foreign Ministry said yesterday that a report published in
the Albanian newspaper "Albania," which wrote that Greek
politicians were involved in an alleged murder plot last March
against former president Sali Berisha, was unfounded and "lacked
seriousness".
- An earthquake measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale was recorded
at 16.00 yesterday, its epicenter located 20 kms east of Athens
in the sea bed near the port of Rafina, according to an
announcement by Athens seismologists. The tremor was felt in
Rafina, Loutsa and Athens, particularly the northern suburbs. No
damage has been reported.
- "Greece has had no message from the United States concerning a
possible request from Washington for the use of (military) bases
on Greek territory in the event of an intervention in Iraq,"
government spokesman Demetris Reppas said yesterday in reply to
press questions.
[19] Turkish freighter refloated
Athens, 10/02/1998 (ANA)
Greek tugboats refloated a Turkish freighter that had run
aground in the shallows off the islet of Mathraki, northeast of
the island of Corfu, harbor officials said yesterday.
They said the Ecuador-flagged "C. Osman", which ran aground last
Friday while en route to the Yugoslav port of Veka, was
refloated late on Sunday night by two Greek tugs after
transferring part of its cargo to a Greek cargo ship.
Meanwhile, the Piraeus harbor authority said that the 2,037-ton
Greek tanker "Aegean VI" ran aground yesterday in the sandy
shallows off the island of Poros.
The tanker's nine-member crew were all safe, and efforts were
being made to refloat it.
[20] EU to initiate proceedings against Greece on spent mineral oils
Brussels, 10/02/1998 (ANA- P. Pantelis)
The European Commission has decided to initiate procedures
against Greece for not announcing plans for the management of
spent mineral oils, Environment Commissioner Ritt Bjerregaard
said in reply to a question by Greek Euro- MP Michalis
Papayiannakis.
"Greece has not submitted data concerning the implementation of
Directive 87/101/EOK, regarding spent mineral oils, amending
Directive 75/439/EOK on the disposal of spent mineral oils," she
said in a reply dated February 5.
"In Greece, only 9 per cent (5,000 tons) of used mineral oils
are gathered through legal procedures and undergo renewal. The
remaining part is gathered by illicit small traders, who sell
the untreated waste as fuel," she added. As a result the
Commission was considering referring Greece to the European
court for ill application of the Directives, she concluded.
[21] IKA revenue losses may spell trouble in years to come
Athens, 10/02/1998 (ANA)
The President of the Social Security Foundation's, IKA, Staff
Federation Mr. G. Perifanos told a press conference yesterday
that an increase in contributions evasion and loans can lead IKA
to a crucial position and even to inability to guarantee, five
years later, pensions and medical care for those insured with it.
The POS-IKA union has called a 24-hour strike today and has
announced a 48-hour strike in the next few days. Trade unionists
warned that they will consider the period until Easter as
"strike time" and called on the government to evaluate the
foundation's revenue losses and inconvenience caused for the
insured.
Their main claim is an incentive bonus for pursuing
contributions evasion, totaling six billion drachmas, given to
them last year but withdrawn this year by decision of Finance
Under-secretary Nicos Christodoulakis. They also want the hiring
of more staff.
More than 3,000 vacant jobs cost IKA a great deal. Mr. Perifanos
predicted a decrease in contributions receipts by 5-7 per cent a
year, leading to a loss of 300 billion drachmas over the next
three years.
[22] Farmers' representatives to meet Gov't officials
Athens, 10/02/1998 (ANA)
Protesting farmers yesterday continued a week-long blockade of
national highways in northern Greece as the government set up a
team of troubleshooters in a bid to end the standoff.
The team, headed by Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas and
comprising Finance Under-secretary George Drys, agriculture
undersecretaries Demetris Sotirlis and Vassilis Geranidis, and
the governor of the Agricultural Bank of Greece, Petros Lambrou,
invited protesting farmers' representatives to the ministry for
talks on Thursday.
The farmers have said they will intensify blockades this week
and continue their protest until their demands are met for state
subsidies and cheaper petrol for agricultural use. Farmers are
blocking the national road at several points in the prefectures
of Thessaloniki, Pieria and Imathia, causing serious disruption
to traffic and forcing drivers to use side roads.
They plan a two-hour blockade near the Greek-Yugoslav border
post at Evzoni beginning at 2:00 p.m. today.
[23] Draft bill aspires to benefit cooperatives
Athens, 10/02/1998 (ANA)
A draft bill presented yesterday by Agriculture Minister
Stefanos Tzoumakas aspires to contribute to the establishment of
independent and economically sound farmers' cooperatives.
The draft bill was put together by a committee set up for the
purpose by the minister last August.
According to the committee's report, new legislation should be
governed by the following basic axes:
- small farming interests and local societies in mountainous and
disadvantaged regions can only be supported through cooperatives
- as businesses owned by their members, cooperatives should
operate in the form of independent bodies to the benefit of
their members.
The social nature of the cooperatives is evident in their
internal rules, while their economic well-being would result
from initiatives serving the interests of the local society.
[24] Greek stocks surge on falling inflation, rates
Athens, 10/02/1998 (ANA)
Greek equities yesterday shot to their highest levels in more
than a month on the Athens Stock Exchange.
Traders said market sentiment was encouraged by a fall in
inflation, a gradual drop in domestic interbank interest rates
and positive news on a government sponsored amendment for bank
penalty rates on overdue loans.
The general index closed 3.09 percent up at 1,509.31 points
reflecting a 5.12 percent surge in the banking index.
Other sector indices scored gains. Insurance rose 4.02 percent,
Investment increased 0.86 percent, Construction ended 4.75
percent up, Industrials rose 1.92 percent, Miscellaneous ended
3.55 percent higher, Holding was 1.74 percent up but Leasing
bucked the trend to end 0.52 percent off.
The parallel market index for small cap companies rose 0.68
percent. The FTSE/ASE index surged 3.85 percent to end at 843.09
points.
Trading was extremely heavy with turnover at 29.2 billion
drachmas.
Broadly, advancers led decliners by 147 to 76 with another 20
issues unchanged.
St. George Mills, Esha, Hellenic Textiles and Bank of Athens
scored the biggest percentage gains at the daily upper 8.0
percent limit, while Vis, Halyps Cement, Mouzakis and Benroubi
suffered the heaviest losses at 8.0 percent limit down.
National Bank of Greece ended at 22,580 drachmas, Ergobank at
15,600, Alpha Credit Bank at 16,250, Delta Dairy at 3,000, Titan
Cement at 14,295, Intracom at 15,815 and Hellenic
Telecommunications Organization at 5,950.
[25] Greece to change law on overdue loans
Athens, 10/02/1998 (ANA)
The Greek government will release a bill next week covering the
imposition of penalty rates on overdue loans by commercial banks.
Under the new regulation, penalty rates are to be imposed every
six months, down from the current three months, National Economy
and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said yesterday.
Mr. Papantoniou told reporters after a meeting with bank
governors that the ministry wanted to benefit borrowers.
He stressed that the government would do its utmost to limit the
cost of the new regulation. It is being introduced following a
Supreme Court decision.
[26] Greece to create incentives for withdrawal of old cars
Athens, 10/02/1998 (ANA)
Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis plans to introduce
incentives for car owners to withdraw old vehicles from the
market in order to help cut pollution by 2004 when Athens will
host the Olympic Games.
"There must be attractive incentives so that cars over 15 years
old on average can gradually be withdrawn ... and replaced by
new cars with new technology," Mr. Laliotis told journalists
yesterday.
Declining to give details of the measures that have yet to be
decided, he said the import of cars up to five years old should
be allowed so that Greece would not become a graveyard for old
vehicles.
Cars over 15 years old accounted for up to 40 percent of
atmospheric pollution, Mr. Laliotis said.
[27] Greek exports rise in value in 1994-1996
Athens, 10/02/1998 (ANA)
Greek exports rose steadily in 1994-1996 in value but fell in
the first three months of 1997, an industry report said
yesterday.
A Greek industry chamber report showed that exports jumped 87
percent in 1994 to slow to 16.9 and 3.1 percent in 1995 and 1996
respectively, following declines of 11.6 percent in 1992 and
16.2 percent in 1993.
Exports, however, fell 3.2 percent in ECUs in the first quarter
of 1997 compared with the corresponding period in 1996.
Exporters, businessmen and producers urged the government to
take measures to support the economy in order to improve
competitiveness and promote Greek exports abroad.
Exporters' representatives stressed that in 1992-1996 Greece's
presence in its traditional central European markets shrank to
the benefit of emerging markets in the Balkans and Eastern
Europe.
At the same time, Greece's export share in the European Union
market fell to its lowest levels.
Exporters warned that the government's hard drachma policy was
hurting competitiveness and urged better coordination between
government and industry export agencies.
[28] Italian company wins OTE tender
Athens, 10/02/1998 (ANA)
The Italian Maristel construction company has won a tender to
procure and install a 330 km submerged optical fibers cable
connecting Yugoslavia with Greece.
The 3 billion drachma project is to be implemented on behalf of
the Telecommunications Organization of Greece (OTE) and the
Yugoslav counterpart organization.
[29] Greece sees 12% increase in UK arrivals
Athens, 10/02/1998 (ANA)
Greece expects a 12 percent increase in tourist traffic from
Great Britain, according to recent figures from the Greek
National Tourist Organization in London. Bookings in December
1997 were up by 35 percent compared with the same month in 1996,
with bookings for January 1998 already over the December figure.
The most popular destinations for holidaying Britons were:
Athens (up 195 percent), Lefkada (up 72%), Cephallonia (up 62
percent), Skiathos (up 61 percent), Corfu (30 percent), Rhodes
(22 percent) and Zakynthos (20 percent).
[30] New loans program for real estate in eastern Aegean
Athens, 10/02/1998 (ANA)
Labor and Social Insurance Minister Miltiades Papaioannou
attended the delivery ceremony for new workers homes in
Polichnito Lesvos yesterday and announced a new loans program by
the Workers Home Organization for beneficiaries from the eastern
Aegean.
According to the new program, beneficiaries in the Aegean will
be able to receive loans for the purchase and repair of real
estate in eastern Aegean islands. The period for paying off the
loan is 25 years with an interest rate ranging between 1 per
cent and 7 per cent in accordance with the beneficiary's civil
status.
The minimum income required for one to join the programs is 2.2
million drachmas for people from the islands of Lesvos, Rhodes
and Chios, while a minimum level is not required for people from
the smaller islands.
[31] ASE president heads for Chicago
Athens, 10/02/1998 (ANA)
Athens Stock Exchange President Manolis Xanthakis will head a
committee of ASE and Capital Market Committee members departing
for Chicago today for contacts with officials of the local Stock
Exchange for Merchandise in the framework of obtaining better in
formation for the Greek capital market. Mr. Xanthakis disclosed
this during a luncheon meeting with journalists yesterday.
End of English language section.
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