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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 98-05-29Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Greece satisfied with latest NATO decisions on defusing Kosovo crisisLUXEMBOURG 29/05/1998 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos yesterday described as positive a NATO decision to consider ways to stop the Kosovo conflict from spilling over its borders, as well as military measures to supplement diplomatic mo ves for a settlement.Speaking at a press conference after the end of the NATO foreign ministers' session, Mr. Pangalos clarified that the decision did not imply an intervention in the internal affairs of the sovereign Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and that NATO clearly co ndemned the use of violence and terrorism in the region, calling on both sides to work for a peaceful resolution of the crisis. The Greek foreign minister added that the neighbouring countries, Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), had acted responsibly during the crisis, allowing for NATO, with yesterday's decision, to boost their potential for effectively dealing with developments. He stated Greece's intention to contribute to the strengthening of forces that would be deployed in both neighbouring countries, in response to their urgent requests. Mr. Pangalos revealed, however, that Athens had disagreed with all other alliance members on a clause in the draft communique, providing for the possibility of NATO air exercises over Kosovo. The objection, in combination with Russia's clear disagreement, led to the removal of the clause, Mr. Pangalos added. "With our stand, we helped NATO. Sometimes it is better to become isolated, particularly when this leads to a clarification of positions," he added. Referring to other matters examined during the session, Mr. Pangalos reported that discussion centred on the internal structure of the alliance, and that the final decisions would be adopted during NATO's next spring session in the US, where the first enlargement would also be approved. He stressed Greece had special interests in the enlargement process, particularly as regards Bulgaria and Romania. The Greek foreign minister expressed his concern over the possibility of further nuclear tests in the Indian subcontinent, as well as the planned nuclear power plant near Turkey's southern coast, stressing the lack of reliable information regarding its safety and the aims of its construction. Finally, Mr. Pangalos said he would meet today with his US counterpart, Madeleine Albright, and Russia's Yevgeni Primakov. He added that they expected to discuss Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue with Ms Albright. Athens News Agency[02] Alpha Credit Bank to make offer for Ionian Bank - FTAthens 29/05/1998 (ANA)Alpha Credit Bank, the country's biggest private bank, said it would offer to buy embattled state Ionian Bank, the Financial Times newspaper reported yesterday.Yiannis Costopoulos, Alpha Credit's chairman, told the FT in an interview that the bank would seek shareholders' approval next month for an 80-90 billion drachma capital increase to bid for a 51 percent stake in Ionian, which is to be offered for sale on the Athens Stock Exchange. "We intend to make a firm offer. We would pay quite a big premium on the bank's book value in order to demonstrate our confidence in the capabilities of Ionian's workforce," Mr. Costopoulos was quoted as saying. He said Ionian would not be merged with Alpha Credit "because of the problems that would arise with trying to bring two separate pension funds in line." Most of Ionian's 160 branches would continue to operate to strengthen the Alpha Credit network, Mr. Costopoulos said. The FT quoted analysts as saying that Alpha Credit was likely to offer about 150 billion drachmas for 51 percent of Ionian, which has a book value of 90 billion drachmas. Alpha Credit Bank said in a statement released to media later in the day that its offer would reflect Ionian Bank's real value, and not its daily share price fluctuations. Based on yesterday's closing price, Ionian Bank's market capitalisation for a 51 percent stake of its share capital would total 185 billion drachmas, more than double its book value. Workers at Ionian Bank have staged an indefinite strike since May 11 in protest at the government's decision to sell the bank rather than merge it with its main shareholder, state-owned Commercial Bank of Greece. The government has said a merger would lead to 3,500 lay-offs. A strikers' blockade of the computer centre had frozen on-line systems and halted ATM transactions. The occupation ended on Sunday when riot police moved in to remove the strikers. Athens News Agency[03] Ionian employees vote to continue strike despite court orderAthens 29/05/1998 (ANA)A general assembly of the Ionian Bank employees overwhelmingly approved a proposal by the union president Yiannis Markakis to continue their strike, despite a court ruling on Wednesday declaring the strike illegal.The endorsed proposal anticipates the continuation of the strike with rolling 48-hour strikes, backed by the Federation of Bank Employee Unions (OTOE). Mr. Markakis left open the possibility for dialogue with the government but on condition that it will start on a "zero basis", that Commercial Bank's general assembly not take place, as well as on the conditions that the sale of the Ionian must stop being considered as the sole basis for discussion and that all other proposals must be examined equally. At this point, Mr. Markakis differentiated his position from that of other leading trade unionists, such as GSEE President Christos Polyzogopoulos and OTOE President Dimitris Kouselas, who set the guaranteeing of employment for staff as a main condition for dialogue. Mr. Kouselas told the assembly that OTOE will back the struggle of the Ionian because it concerns the entire bank employees' sector. OTOE will convene its General Council today to examine the problem of the Ionian Bank. The assembly was attended by Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos, who called on the government "to abandon its strong- fisted policy and adopt the proposal for a substantive, creative, responsible and binding dialogue." In another development, the Ionian Bank's administration, invoking the court's decision called "on all the staff to turn up for work." It also called on labour unions not to obstruct anyone from carrying out his duties. This appeal must probably be combined with statements by government spokesman Dimitris Reppas who said that the government believes that there is an abuse of the right to strike at the Ionian Bank, adding that "all legal means" will be used for the bank's resumption of work to be achieved. Athens News Agency[04] Gov't urges striking Ionian workers to comply with court rulingAthens 29/05/1998 (ANA)Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas yesterday called on striking Ionian Bank workers to return to work and respect a court ruling that their stoppage is illegal."The government believes that this is an abuse of the right to strike," Mr. Reppas told his daily media briefing. An Athens court of first instance on Wednesday ruled that the indefinite strike was illegal, and that Ionian Bank's union president and board were liable to a fine of 400,000 drachmas for each day the strike continued. Mr. Reppas said the ruling PASOK party was sensitive to labour rights. It had scrapped a law in force under a previous New Democracy government that allowed the dismissal of workers who took part in strikes ruled illegal. Athens News Agency[05] Hellenic Petroleum share flotationAthens 29/05/1998 (ANA)The Hellenic Petroleum S.A. group will provide 46,430,000 shares with public registration and private investment, of which 27,841,702 concern the sale of existing shares belonging to the state.The above shares will be provided in part on the international market through private investment, as well as on the local market with public registration for investors (at least 30 per cent of the total issue) and with private investment for the company's employees. Accumulated capital from the increase in share capital will be used primarily to finance the company's investment programme. Athens News Agency[06] Greek stocks recoup some losses, buoyed by privatisationAthens 29/05/1998 (ANA)Greek equities rebounded on the Athens Stock Exchange yesterday halting a sharp decline in the previous two sessions.Traders said the market had regained confidence in a government drive to privatise state-owned banks and public enterprises. The general index closed 1.03 percent higher at 2,549.07 points with most sector indices ending up. Trade was moderate with turnover at 62.6 billion drachmas. Banks rose 1.25 percent, Insurance jumped 2.97 percent, Investment increased 1.55 percent, Leasing fell 0.07 percent, Industrials rose 0.46 percent, Construction ended 1.93 percent up, Miscellaneous soared 2.84 percent and Holding ended 1.45 percent hig her. The parallel market index for small cap companies ended 0.45 percent up, and the FTSE/ASE 20 index rose 1.03 percent to finish at 1,529.38. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 160 to 78 with another 24 issues unchanged. Selonda, AB Vassilopoulos, Intracom, Pouliadis, Athens Bank, Intrasoft and Ekter scored the biggest percentage gains hitting the daily 8.0 percent limit up. Sarandopoulos, Hadzioannou, Ergas, Galis, Vernikos Yachts, Minerva, Sarantis and Demetriadis suffered the heaviest losses hitting the 8.0 percent limit down. Ionian Bank finished at 12,505 drachmas from 11,950 in the previous session, up 4.6 percent, and Commercial Bank of Greece ended at 20,195 from the previous 19,500 drachmas, gaining 3.6 percent. National Bank of Greece ended at 43,300 drachmas, Ergobank at 27,010, Alpha Credit Bank at 31,700, Delta Dairy at 4,410, Titan Cement at 23,330, Intracom at 20,250 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation at 8, 550. Athens News Agency[07] Development minister to launch new packaging plantAthens 29/05/1998 (ANA)Development Minister Vasso Papandreou will launch a new 63-million dollar packaging plant on Sunday as part of a three-day tour of the prefecture of Magnesia. The plant is owned by VPI SA, whose shareholders are private Hellenic Bottling SA (51 percent) , state-run Hellenic Petroleum SA (35 percent), and Radici of Italy (14 percent). It produces PET packaging material, a form of plastic.Hellenic Bottling is a blue chip on the Athens bourse, and Hellenic Petroleum is scheduled for a part-float this summer. The investment is unusual for Greece as it spans the public and private sectors, and also two countries. A hundred jobs have been created in the scheme. Ms Papandreou's tour of Magnesia begins today. Tomorrow she will visit Metka SA and Imas SA to monitor progress in long- term contracts the two firms made with Public Power Corp. worth 36 billion drachmas. Athens News Agency[08] Tussle in Preveza leads to reduced car ferry serviceAthens 29/05/1998 (ANA)A quarrel involving Preveza municipal authorities, the town's harbour master's office and ferry operators between Preveza and Aktio has led to reduced services at the port, mainly affecting vehicles.The municipality yesterday used mechanical diggers to block all roads leading to the port, demanding that ferry-boats be moved to the western town's new pier in order to alleviate traffic congestion along the sea front, and allow the completion of land scaping work. But ferry-boat operators and the harbour master's office said the new jetty was hazardous following an inspection by experts. Arguing the risk of accidents, the operators, backed by the harbour master, refused to use the new jetty. Preveza Mayor Dimitris Tambouris said the blockade of the port would continue until the ferry operators made the move. Ferry services continued mainly for passengers, as only few cars were able to reach the harbour. Athens News Agency[09] National economy ministry launches publicity campaign for EU fundsAthens 29/05/1998 (ANA)The national economy ministry yesterday launched a pilot campaign to publicise projects funded from the European Union's Second Community Framework.The campaign was launched in the prefecture of Larissa using a mobile unit equipped with audio-visual aids, two giant screens and an information kiosk. The unit will tour towns in the area for five days, staging presentations on projects in Greece and the Thessaly region, and distributing leaflets. As part of the campaign, National Economy Undersecretary Christos Pahtas was due to address a seminar in the city of Larissa held by local authorities last night. Athens News Agency[10] Opposition leader urges gov't to scrap property taxAthens 29/05/1998 (ANA)Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis yesterday called on the government to abolish an unpopular tax on larger real estate (FMAP), vowing his party would do so if it came to power."Common sense dictates the abolition of FMAP, and we, as government, shall do so," Mr. Karamanlis told reporters during a visit to a suburban tax office. He said that the cost of implementing the tax was higher than its revenue. Mr. Karamanlis also accused the government of improvisation and a lack of coordination in handling tax returns, resulting in thousands of mistakes and inconvenience to taxpayers. The tax officers union said recently that complexities in the system had led to numerous errors in estimating the tax payable on property. The outcome was that many taxpayers were overcharged. Athens News Agency[11] Petzetakis share capital increaseAthens 29/05/1998 (ANA)The AG Petzetakis S.A. company will proceed with an increase in its share capital by issuing 695,625 new shares at a sale price of 1,200 drachmas each and 177,856 new privileged shares at a sale price of 650 drachmas per share.The new shares will be provided with a right of preference for old shares and at a ratio of 1:10 in both cases. Athens News Agency[12] Sarantis sales up,foreign currency loans increase lossesAthens 29/05/1998 (ANA)Sales of the Sarantis cosmetics group increased by 31 per cent in the first quarter of 1998, totalling 6.6 billion drachmas against 5 billion drachmas in the corresponding period last year.The company presented losses of 361 million drachmas due to the registration of extraordinary losses totalling 1.16 billion drachmas from loans in foreign currency. Prior to these losses, the company had showed profits of 803 million drachmas as against 344 million drachmas in the corresponding period last year. Athens News Agency[13] 18 per cent increase in Delta salesAthens 29/05/1998 (ANA)The Delta dairy company increased sales by 18 per cent in the first quarter of the year, totalling 16.5 billion drachmas, while profits increased by 12 per cent, to 537 million drachmas.At a group level, sales increased by 24 per cent and total profits amounted to 933 million drachmas as against 817 million drachmas over the corresponding period last year. Depreciation carried out during the first three months in 1998 amounted to 2.1 b illion drachmas. Athens News Agency[14] Reduced rates for several OA flightsAthens 29/05/1998 (ANA)Olympic Airways will offer reduced fares for a limited number of seats to 20 European round-trip destinations from Athens and Thessaloniki as of June 1. Specifically, fares to the following destinations will be decreased to 75,000 drachmas:Amsterdam, Budapest, Berlin; Brussels, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Zurich, Geneva, London, Istanbul, Milan, Moscow, Marseilles, Munich, Naples, Paris, Rome, Stuttgart and Vienna. Athens News Agency[15] Simitis-Laliotis meetingAthens 29/05/1998 (ANA)Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday conferred with Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis.Afterwards, Mr. Laliotis termed the course of on-going public works projects as positive. Athens News Agency[16] Kinkel: Better EU-Turkish relations entail settlement of Cyprus issue, differences with AthensLUXEMBOURG 29/05/1998 (ANA- M. Spinthourakis)Turkey must contribute to the resolution of its differences with Greece by referring them to the International Court at The Hague, as well as to a settlement of the Cyprus issue if it wants to improve relations with th e EU, German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel stated yesterday.He made the comments during a press conference after the end of the recent NATO ministerial session. The German minister added, however, that he completely disagreed with Athens' stand regarding provision of the EU's financial protocol to Turkey, which he said should be revised. Mr. Kinkel declined to be drawn on Bonn's position on the changes being sought by Turkey to decisions reached at last December's Luxembourg summit, which placed certain conditions on Turkey for the endorsement of its candidacy for EU membership. He also revealed that he had discussed the issue with his Turkish counterpart, Ismail Cem, in view of the Cardiff EU summit next month. "Turkey knows well that there are things that cannot change," he stressed. Cabinet meeting today : The Cabinet meets today to discuss two draft bills, one on the protection of Greece's cultural heritage and the other on vocational and professional training, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday. Responding to questions, Mr. Reppas said Prime Minister Costas Simitis was not scheduled to have a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Mesut Yilmaz on the sidelines of the forthcoming Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) summit in Yalta. Mr. Reppas sa id the Greek and Turkish premiers "may shake hands" but this could not be considered a meeting. BSEC leaders will meet June 4-5. Athens News Agency[17] Anastasios,Simitis confer on regional peace and stabilityAthens 29/05/1998 (ANA)Archbishop Anastasios,head of the autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, said yesterday that one of the primary aims of the church was to work to consolidate peaceful co-existence and co-operation among the communities of SE Europe."Regarding this, the head of the Greek government is displaying great interest," he added. Anastasios made the statement to reporters after 45 minutes of talks with Prime Minister Costas Simitis. Although he declined to speak about the content of his talks with Mr. Simitis, Anastasios said that in addition to its spiritual work, the Church of Albania was also involved in other activities related to health, education and agricultural reform. Anastasios earlier had talks with recently enthroned Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece. He said the talks on issues concerning both Churches were "constructive". Athens News Agency[18] Kranidiotis says Ankara's policies behind influx of Kurds into EUAthens 29/05/1998 (ANA)Foreign Undersecretary Yiannos Kranidiotis, in reply to a tabled question in Parliament, yesterday said that Turkey's activities in northern Iraq and its policies on the Kurdish issue are behind the influx of refugees from those regions into the European Union.Mr. Kranidiotis noted that Athens is very sensitive in the way it deals with refugee issues and has struggled for the adoption of these rights by the European Union. Athens News Agency[19] Rapprochement necessitates end od Ankara's aggressive policies, ApostolakisAthens 29/05/1998 (ANA)Athens would be prepared to agree to a step-by-step approach in resolving differences with Turkey if Ankara ended its aggressive policies towards Greece, Defence Undersecretary Dimitris Apostolakis said yesterday during sessions of the 7th annual high-level US-Greek consultative committee conference in Williamsburg, Virginia.The conference, co-chaired by Mr. Apostolakis and his US counterpart Jon Lodal, examined Greek-Turkish relations, the Kosovo situation and the Balkans, as well as NATO enlargement eastwards. Mr. Apostolakis said "the creation of conditions of security and stability in our broader region is in Greece's legitimate interest. We believe NATO enlargement will contribute to this". "Greece seeks the promotion of institutions and bodies of regional security in the Balkans," he said, mentioning his recent participation in a Tirana conference with area counterparts, which discussed the formation of a peacekeeping force in the region. Regarding the Kosovo crisis, he said Greece's position was that there was an issue of human rights, as well as territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. After Mr. Apostolakis' speech, a Greek general staff representative briefed the session's participants on defence policy issues, including Greek- Turkish relations. "Ankara's continuous and unilateral claims constitute points of friction and indications of hostile behaviour," the representative said, adding that with this policy "Turkey becomes a factor of political, military and economic instability". The conference ends this afternoon. Athens News Agency[20] Tsohatzopoulos briefed on construction of 3 tank landing craftAthens 29/05/1998 (ANA)National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos yesterday visited the Elefsina Shipyards to be briefed on the progress of work on the last three tank landing craft for the Hellenic Navy.Mr. Tsohatzopoulos requested that construction to be accelerated to enable delivery of the first of the three vessels in December. Delivery dates for the craft had already been brought up to schedule, compared to those set out in the original contract, according to reports. The first vessel was to have been delivered in February 1999, the second in December 1999 rather than January 2000, and the third in February 2000 instead of July 2000. Workers and management at the yard assured the minister that they would d o everything possible to keep these dates and even bring them further forward. The three vessels yet to be completed and delivered are the "Lesvos", "Ikaria" and "Rhodos". Two tank landing craft built at the yard P the Samos and Hios P have already been delivered. Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the navy contracts were providing Greek shipyards with an opportunity not only to survive but also to gain a share of the European market, "provided what they produce is competitive, incorporates the latest technology and is prom ptly delivered". At the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence (KYSEA) scheduled for the end of June, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said final decisions will be taken concerning the implementation of part of the Hellenic Navy's armaments programme by Hellenic Shipyards (Scaramanga) and Elefsina Shipyards. The programme provides for the construction of missile boats, gunboats and a tanker. The possibility will then be examined of Greek shipyards for the first time constructing submarines in cooperation with other countries. Athens News Agency[21] Karamanlis tour of ThessalyAthens 29/05/1998 (ANA)Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis yesterday began a four-day tour of Thessaly with a renewed attack on government policies.Mr. Karamanlis, speaking from Almyros, accused the government of squandering public funds, stressing that its policies were flawed. He also accused Prime Minister Costas Simitis of not fighting for Greece's agricultural interests. The ND leader later visited nearby Velestino, where he laid a wreath at a monument to late 18th century revolutionary visionary Rigas Ferraios, before leaving for Volos. Today, Mr. Karamanlis, will visit Larissa prefecture and tomorrow he will visit Karditsa prefecture and Trikala. Athens News Agency[22] Police cadet murdered in Rhodes hotelAthens 29/05/1998 (ANA)A young police cadet was found dead with gunshot wounds to the head early yesterday outside his room at a hotel on Rhodes and the prime suspect appears to be his room-mate and colleague.Ioannis Vlachos, 21, from Patras was a cadet at the Grevena Police Academy. Since May 1 he had been training at the police department of Rhodes airport. His body was found by colleagues at 3.25 local time near his room on the first floor of the Valia Village hotel in Paradisi on the Dodecanese island. He had been shot twice in the head. According to the initial inquiry conducted by officers of the Ialysos police department, Vlachos and his room-mate, George Kostidis, 21, of Thessaloniki began fighting in the hotel room and Kostidies reportedly shot the victim with his personal revolver . Although badly wounded, Vlachos continued to struggle with Kostidis, the fight spilling out into the hall where Vlachos was shot a second time in the head and died. Kostidis is also a cadet at Grevena Police Academy and, like Vlachos, was being trained at Rhodes airport. The police investigation into the circumstances surrounding Vlachos' death is continuing. Athens News Agency[23] Europarliament committee approves proposal for EU-wide election of 10% of Euro-MPsBRUSSELS 29/05/1998 (ANA)The EU's Parliamentary Committee on Institutional Issues overwhelmingly approved yesterday the proposed election of 10 per cent of Eurodeputies through a multinational list system, beginning with the 2009 elections.The proposal, submitted by Europarliament Vice-president Georgios Anastasopoulos, will reach the plenum on June 15 or 16. It sould be noted that Mr. Anastasopoulos' initiative to introduce common election dates and processes is not a new one and althought it is a part of the Treaty of Rome it has stumbled on British reservations in the past. The proposed system will establish proportional represantation of the population and the creation of electoral districts in the five largest countries of the EU, namely, Germany, France, Italy, Britain and Spain by the year 2004, while in the countries with a population smaller than 20 million the creation of electoral districts will not be obligatory during the first stage. The new system will also support the election with the use of a cross of preference. Finally, the proposal recommends that the highest percentage of votes needed for entrance of a candidate or party into the Europarliament be set at maximum of 5 per cent. Athens News Agency[24] EU business conference on insurance, private banking in AthensAthens 29/05/1998 (ANA)A conference of the European Union of Enterprises and Businesspeople on "Business insurance and private banking" was held in Athens yesterday with the participation of insurance companies, informatics companies and banks.Officials from enterprises and organisations referred to latest developments and to the prospects of the insurance services sector. At the end of the event, awards were given to 20 enterprises from all sectors of economic activity for the provision of high quality products and services in the framework of European specifications. The European Union of Enterprises and Businessmen has 250 members and was established five years ago with the purpose of promoting the positions of Greek enterprises in the European Union. Athens News Agency[25] Gov't spokesman defends recent PASOK advertising campaignAthens 29/05/1998 (ANA)Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas yesterday indirectly urged 12 PASOK deputies, who criticised an advertising campaign by the party, to use less extreme language.He said such campaigns were standard practice in partiesY communication policy, and that PASOK had specific and fully transparent economic resources. Questioned further, Mr. Reppas said he did not know the cost of the campaign, and referred reporters to the party. He categorically denied that the campaign was a sign of forthcoming elections. "There is no such issue," he said. Athens News Agency[26] Spanish royals visit Thessaloniki,leave todayAthens 29/05/1998 (ANA)Spain's King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia arrived in Thessaloniki yesterday on the final leg of their five-day official visit to Greece. The royal couple arrived at Thessaloniki's Macedonia Airport at 1 p.m. and were received by Macedonia-Thrace Minister Philippos Petsalnikos and local officials.The Spanish royal couple's first stop was at the city's memorial to the Greek Jews exterminated by Nazi troops during World War II. The president of Thessaloniki's Jewish community, Andreas Sefiha, greeted the Spanish royal couple as they arrived to lay a wreath at the memorial, erected last November to commemorate the more than 50,000 mostly Sephardic Jews killed during occupation. Mr. Sefiha, speaking in Spanish and Greek, reminded those present of the tragic history of the Sephardic Jews, who arrived in Ottoman-ravaged Thessaloniki in 1492 after being expelled from Spain at the height of the Inquisition. Spanish Jews were forced to either renouce their religion and convert to Catholicism, Mr. Sefiha said, or leave Spain, their homeland for centuries. The only thing these Jews brought with them to Thessaloniki, Mr. Sefiha said to Juan Carlos in Spanish, was their language, their culture and the keys to their homes in Cordoba and Toledo they would never see again. "Keys they kept for centuries in the hope that they would one day return," he said. In his address, Juan Carlos spoke of the recent past, of Spanish efforts during the Second World War to protect Jews of Thessaloniki being hounded by the Nazis, referring to a 1924 decree which bestowed Spanish citizenship on those descendants of Spanis h-speaking Jews. Some 500 Thessaloniki Jews were able to find refuge through this decree, Juan Carlos said. Juan Carlos and Sophia also visited the Byzantine Museum to tour the "Treasures of Mount Athos" exhibition. The hugely popular exhibition ended at the end of April but the items have been kept on in the northern city especially for the royal couple's visit. Mr. Petsalnikos later hosted a dinner for the Spanish royal couple in the evening. In a related development, Mr. Sefiha later told reporters yesterday that his community was against any canonisation of Queen Isabella of Spain being considered by the Catholic Church. Mr. Sefiha drew parallels between the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492 and the persecution of the Jews by Hitler. He pointed out, however, that at least Isabella's Spain had given the Jews a "choice" - to leave penniless or convert to Catholicism, in contrast to the policies of the Nazis. More than 98 percent of the Jewish community in the city was killed in concentration camps. Athens News Agency[27] Black Sea Greeks to hold U.S. conference on Pontians' ethnic cleansingNEW YORK 29/05/1998 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)The Federation of US and Canada Black Sea Greeks (Pontians) in cooperation with the Greek Federation of Pontian Societies, the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) and Greece's general secretariat for expatriates will or ganise a two-day conference on June 5 on the issue of ethnic cleansing of Greeks of the Black Sea regions of Turkey. It should be noted that about 353,000 Greeks were killed and hundreds of thousands expelled from the northern regions of Asia Minor betwee n 1912 and 1923, as part of a general ethnic and religious cleansing by Ottoman and later Turkish regimes.Athens News Agency[28] Int'l conference on Alexander the GreatAthens 29/05/1998 (ANA)Two Egyptian archaeology professors yesterday debated the exact location of Alexander the Great's tomb in Alexandria, during a conference entitled "From Macedonia to the World", which began Wednesday in Veria and will last until Saturday.Archaeology professor Faouzi el Fakharani said that "if the tomb of Alexander the Great is discovered...it will be more significant than the pyramid of Tutankhamen." Mr. Fakharani said that the mistake many reseachers make is that they confuse the facts about ancient Alexandria with the one of the early Arab era. He added that the topography and the size of the city has changed, with the only reliable sources being those dating before the 4th century AD. Mr. Fakharani said that his study is based on ancient sources dating from 25 AD to the 3rd century AD as well as the entrance of an ancient tomb with a Macedonian architectural style, found at the old Orthodox cemetery of Alexandria. He claimed that the possible finds are at least eight metres from the surface. Another Egyptian archaeology professor, Mahmoud el Saadani, diagreed with his compatriot, saying the tomb is approximately 1.25 miles from the position Mr. Farakhani pointed out. Athens News Agency[29] Round-table debate on media-intellectuals-politicsAthens 29/05/1998 (ANA)A round-table debate on relations between the mass media, intellectuals and political centres of power was organised last night at Athens' French Institute by the "Sunday Eleftherotypia".Speakers included the director of the French monthly review "Monde Diplomatique" Ignacio Ramonet, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, "Eleftherotypia" daily managing director Serapheim Fyntanidis and philosophy professor Efty-his Bitsakis. Athens News Agency[30] Smoking still a bad habit for young GreeksAthens 29/05/1998 (ANA)Greeks are smoking more than ever and starting younger but the majority of them still believe there should be a ban on tobacco advertising, according to the findings of a study, released yesterday.Greeks begin smoking, on average, at the age of 13.5, according to the Greek Cardiology Centre's (ELIKAP) survey of 5,000 students aged 12-18 in 20 different areas around Greece. Of the sample group, nine percent were regular smokers, 30 percent were occasional smokers while 86 percent had parents who were smokers. However, 72 percent said they agreed with a ban on tobacco advertising and 92 percent said they understand the discomfort of non-smokers around smokers. Although only 26 percent of Greek women smoke - compared to 60 percent of Greek men - the percentage is still one of the highest in the European Union. Another study showed that 40 percent of female medical students were smokers. ELIKAP representatives, speaking at a news conference today ahead of Anti- Smoking Day on May 31, said the finding that raised the most concern was the fact that of the 24 percent who tried to quit smoking, only 1 percent stayed off cigarettes for more t han 12 months. This year's Anti-Smoking Day is targetted towards informing the young of the risks involved in cigarette smoking. The greatest danger for the young, professor of cardiology Eftychios Voridis said, was that they believed they could stop smoking at any time, a belief that was not borne out by the study. Athens News Agency[31] One-fourth of economic protocol to Albania disbursedAthens 29/05/1998 (ANA)National Economy Undersecretary Alekos Baltas yesterday announced that five billion drachmas out of 20 billion envisaged under an economic cooperation protocol with Albania have already been disbursed, and that ratification procedures are underway for the remaining instalments.Earlier, Foreign Undersecretary Yiannos Kranidiotis chaired an inter- ministerial meeting which discussed a wide range of issues, including implementation of the protocol as well as management of water resources with neighbouring countries (Albania, FY ROM), implementation of new visa regulations after Greece's accession to the Schengen Treaty and cooperation with developing countries. Athens News Agency[32] Europarliament approves Roubatis report on EU accession to fisheries councilBRUSSELS 29/05/1998 (ANA)The European Parliament yesterday approved a report by PASOK Euro-MP and vice-president of the Socialist Group Yiannis Roubatis, recommending EU accession to the General Mediterranean Fisheries Council. The aim of participation in the cou ncil is promotion of cooperation at an international and regional level for a more rational use of fish reserves, Mr. Roubatis stated in his report.The development is considered of major importance for Greece's interests, given that together with the other three Mediterranean members of the EU (Spain, France, and Italy), it accounts for about 40 per cent of fishing in the eastern Mediterranean, and retains privileged fishing relations with most developing countries in the region. According to the rapporteur, the EU's participation in the Council is expected to bring about progress in the joint management of fishing resources, scientific research and monitoring of the environment. Athens News Agency[33] Deal for AEK's Nikolaidis all but finished by AnderlechtAthens 29/05/1998 (ANA)Greek football star Demis Nikolaidis is reportedly only a step away from signing with one-time Belgian powerhouse Anderlecht, according to press reports emanating from Brussels yesterday.The same sources said representatives of the Brussels-area club are expected soon in Athens to finalise the deal for the 25-year-old Nikolaidis, one of the most lethal strikers in the Greek first division with popular AEK Athens. The deal is widely expe cted to be the most expensive transfer ever for a Greek footballer. Athens News Agency[34] Int'l documentary festival in KalamataAthens 29/05/1998 (ANA)An international documentary festival has been inaugurated in Kalamata under the aegis of the municipality, the development ministry and the Greek National Tourism Organisation (EOT).The festival will be taking place in the southwestern Peloponnese port city as of next May as well as every spring in the years to come. The initiative belongs to the newly established Greek Documentary Centre. Athens News AgencyAthens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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