Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-01-07

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Epiphany Day celebrated in Greece

[02] Bourse slips following profit-taking on Tuesday

[03] Fishermen continue strike

[04] Athens Foreign Exchange

[05] Simitis chairs PASOK executive bureau on ideological,political positions

[06] Gov't presses for schools to open on time tomorrow

[07] Gov't dismisses latest Turkish machination to appropriate Athens FIR

[08] Kosovo dominates talks between Kaklamanis, Serbia's Markovic

[09] Tsovolas calls for Parliament discussion over S-300s

[10] Containers filled with NATO force weaponry momentarily detained

[11] Press report: Cyprus interested in mid-range Russian anti-aircraft missiles

[12] OA,pilots' talks breakdown

[13] Kavala products in Nurnberg

[14] Delta to inaugurate Athens-Atlanta route in June

[15] 'Amtech' gets underway on Jan. 21

[16] Intimidation cited as cause behind attack on SDOE official

[17] Three convicted of smuggling illegals

[18] Hania man, 31, the latest victim in bloody Cretan vendetta

[01] Epiphany Day celebrated in Greece

Athens 07/01/1999 (ANA)

President Kostis Stephanopoulos and Prime Minister Costas Simitis attended the sanctification of the waters ceremony at the Agios Spyridon pier in Piraeus, where Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos tossed the Holy Cross into the sea at the end of the service. Archbishop Christodoulos also officiated at a church service at the Holy Trinity Church earlier.

The sanctification of the waters ceremony was also attended by former president Christos Sartzetakis, main opposition New Democracy honourary president Constan-tine Mitsotakis, Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos, Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas, Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, newly elected Piraeus mayor Christos Agrapidis, government officials and crowds of local residents.

Speaking at the end of the ceremony, Mr. Simitis said that "I will also have the opportunity to visit Piraeus in the coming weeks. The government and I personally will contribute with all our strength and, together with the city's agencies and authorities, we will resolve long-standing problems."

The sanctification of the waters in Athens was held at Dexameni Square in the Kolonaki district in the presence of Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos, Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou, ND deputy Dora Bakoyianni and political, military and municipal representatives.

Concluding his visit to the island of Kassos on the occasion of Epiphany, ND leader Costas Karamanlis stressed the need for a national strategy to be determined for the promotion of the interests of Hellenism with the widest possible consensus.

"The Aegean is the breath of Greece and without the Aegean there is no Greece," Mr. Karamanlis said.

He said that the state must abandon its slack position and stand by people living in border regions and create necessary infrastructure projects.

Mr. Karamanlis attended a church service in the morning and the sanctification of the waters. Afterwards, he visited a military checkpoint and the historic monastery of Agios Georgios, founded in 1690.

Athens News Agency

[02] Bourse slips following profit-taking on Tuesday

Athens 07/01/1999 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.48 percent off to 2,907.14 points, although it recorded gains up to 1.60 percent earlier in the session.

Turnover remained heavy at 97 billion drachmas while volume was 17,197,000 shares.

Sector indices ended lower. Banks fell 0.37 percent, Insurance eased 1.15 percent, Investment dropped 0.48 percent, Construction ended 1.58 percent down, Industrials fell 1.37 percent and Miscellaneous ended 0.14 percent off. Leasing and Holding, however,remained in focus to rise 6.35 and 2.02 percent respectively.

The parallel market index for small cap companies ended 0.13 percent up.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index fell 0.26 percent to 1,843.21.

Mytilineos, Hellenic Telecoms, Viosol and Hellenic Petroleum were the most heavily traded stocks.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 159 to 98 with another 17 issues unchanged.

Dimitriadis, Zampa, Fintexport, Kyriakoulis, Kalpinis, Alcar-Aemet, Radio Athina and Britannia scored the biggest percentage gains, hitting the day's 8.0 percent limit up.

Techniki Olympiaki, Sato, Tegopoulos, Athina, Metka, Gnomon, Esha and Macedonian Plastics suffered the heaviest losses.

National Bank of Greece ended at 68,150 drachmas, Ergobank at 35,400, Alpha Credit Bank at 31,600, Ionian Bank at 15,800, Hellenic Telecoms at 7,910, Delta Dairy at 4,100, Intracom at 14,000, Titan Cement at 22,995, Hellenic Petroleum at 2,365 and Minoan Lines at 6,515.

Athens News Agency

[03] Fishermen continue strike

Athens 07/01/1998 (ANA)

Fishermen are protesting EU Directive 1626.

At the meeting, members of the Panhellenic Union of Trawler Owners decided not to go out fishing Tuesday and on Thursday to moor their boats in protest along the Thessaloniki seafront, as they did on Monday.

The leadership of the agriculture ministry is expected to meet today with union representatives. The vice-president of the trawler owners' union, Theodosis Maritsas, said that if the meeting ended without result, the members would step up their labour action, possibly using their vessels to blockade ports around the country.

Trawler owners claim the provision of the directive stipulating a larger mesh for nets will result in a 50 per cent reduction in catches, since smaller fish will slip through, while Turkish trawlers will continue to catch those fish and channel them to the Greek market.

The Panhellenic Union of Trawler Owners numbers over 190 members who own approximately 150 trawlers that supply all the fishmarkets of the country.

Athens News Agency

[04] Athens Foreign Exchange

Athens 07/01/1999 (ANA)

Parities in Drachmas

Banknotes            Buying  Selling
US Dollar            272.731 279.054
Can.Dollar           178.560 182.700
Australian Dlr       169.632 173.565
Pound Sterling       451.618 462.089
Irish Punt           409.175 418.662
Pound Cyprus         553.536 566.370
Pound Malta          676.272 704.450
Turkish pound (100)    0.071   0.074
French franc          49.127  50.266
Swiss franc          199.585 204.213
Belgian franc          7.988   8.174
German Mark          164.764 168.585
Finnish Mark          54.199  55.455
Dutch Guilder        146.231 149.622
Danish Kr.            43.251  44.254
Swedish Kr.           34.272  35.066
Norwegian Kr.         36.690  37.541
Austrian Sh.          23.419  23.962
Italian lira (100)    16.643  17.029
Yen (100)            245.580 251.273
Spanish Peseta         1.937   1.982
Port. Escudo           1.607   1.645

Foreign Exchange     Buying  Selling
New York             272.731 279.054
Montreal             178.560 182.700
Sydney               169.632 173.565
London               451.618 462.089
Dublin               409.175 418.662
Nicosia              553.536 566.370
Paris                 49.127  50.266
Zurich               199.585 204.213
Brussels               7.988   8.174
Frankfurt            164.764 168.585
Helsinki              54.199  55.455
Amsterdam            146.231 149.622
Copenhagen            43.251  44.254
Stockholm             34.272  35.066
Oslo                  36.690  37.541
Vienna                23.419  23.962
Milan                 16.643  17.029
Tokyo                245.580 251.273
Madrid                 1.937   1.982
Lisbon                 1.607   1.645

Athens News Agency

[05] Simitis chairs PASOK executive bureau on ideological,political positions

Athens 07/01/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Simitis said PASOK's policy over the years to come will be shaped at the congress and will be based on its targets, which are the Euro-elections in June and national elections.

He said that for the government there is nothing that is a dogma. He added that there were values and general directions, but the method of implementation depends on developments and special conditions and policy must be adjusted.

Mr. Simitis noted that other issues requiring attention were Greece's prospects in the European Union's great changes, its reactions to globalisation of the economy and rapid technological changes, as well as tackling illegal immigration and crime.

Replying to a relevant question, Mr. Simitis said there is no question of changing PASOK's inaugural proclamation of the 3rd of September 1974, adding that the relevant text refers to the 3rd of September.

He said that every party has its development and its history and the need to redetermine targets and policies.

Mr. Simitis said that if democracy is wanted in the country democracy must be promoted in the parties and this means that there are different views in every party. He added that a party has dynamism and prospects if it gathers as many people as possible and that at the congress views, dialogue and voting will be hailed. According to reports, he also said that the electoral law will not be changed.

According to the same reports, National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos requested that the party congress should not have a charter nature and that the organising conference should take place in October (the proposal was not accepted), while at the same time he said that the issue must come to an end with the registration of new members.

PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis said that for the time being only two objections have been lodged on this issue, while it was agreed that the issue will pre-occupy the established practice committee.

Athens News Agency

[06] Gov't presses for schools to open on time tomorrow

Athens 07/01/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Simitis was speaking at a meeting of PASOK cadres and government officials at a ruling party executive bureau meeting. The meeting included Education Minister Gerasimos Arsenis.

Following an assessment of the situation, the view prevailing was that the climate at present is better than what it was before the holidays and reserved optimism was expressed that several schools will open for the new term tomorrow.

However, according to the same reports, it is also believed that the confrontation will probably continue until Jan. 15 when students will be holding a rally.

Cadres attending the meeting said the confrontation does not have motives related to education but solely political ones.

In another development, the board of the Union of Secondary School Teachers (OLME) decided to call two 24-hour strikes on Jan. 21 and 27 during its meeting on Tuesday.

In parallel, the federation has accepted a proposal by Mr. Arsenis for a meeting today to discuss institutional and economic issues.

Athens News Agency

[07] Gov't dismisses latest Turkish machination to appropriate Athens FIR

Athens 07/01/1999 (ANA)

Speaking to a private radio station, the retired general said it is "not defined anywhere that the determination of flight information regions (FIR) takes place in accordance with existing means of radars. Entire areas are divided into flight information regions in accordance with existing borders and geographical allocation in general."

Mr. Apostolakis said Turkey always made such efforts because in the Athens FIR there is also, among others, the responsibility for search and rescue in the event of an accident.

Commenting on the issue, he said "supposedly, it can provide information quicker at a time that it is well known that in every air or naval accident in this region, even a Turkish one, Greece has arrived first and has offered its help to save victims."

Mr. Apostolakis said that the issue of installing radars was a minor detail, adding that the limits of the Athens FIR are specific, as responsibilities are on this issue, and nobody can move them whatever Turkey says.

Turkish provocation : ANKARA (ANA/AFP) - Turkey claimed the responsibility for air traffic control over the entire Aegean region on Tuesday, criticising Greece for what it called "lacking in its technical responsibility".

According to the Turkish foreign ministry's announcement, Greece has not yet activated the air traffic radar system despite repeated requests by international civil aviation agencies.

In another development, Civil Aviation Service director Dionysis Kalofonos told the private radio station yesterday that as of Feb. 15 the new automated air traffic control system will be fully operational. He said the system will provide fivefold cover age in Greek airspace and its radius will cover Albania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria from the north, Italy from the west and Crete and the Libyan Sea from the south.

Mr. Kalofonos said that the new automated system is considered the most advanced in Europe, adding that the Turkish system is antiquated and has no relation with automation.

"Our system (PALAS) has been operational over the past two years but is not in a state of full operational readiness. It will present a double flow during the first year with its full operation," he said.

Commenting on delays, he said that for Greece 29 per cent emanate exclusively within August. He added that it is known to all that this is due to the many movements due to the summer period and at the same time to the many crossings of airspace.

"It is noteworthy that real delay reach 17 per cent, considered extremely satisfactory if one considers that France, which has the same system as us, records a delay of 21 per cent and Britain 14 per cent," he said.

Athens News Agency

[08] Kosovo dominates talks between Kaklamanis, Serbia's Markovic

Athens 07/01/1999 (ANA)

The solution to the problem, Mr. Kaklamanis said, must be sought through peaceful means, chiefly on the initiative of the countries of the region rather than powers outside the Balkans.

He also stressed the need for the rights to be recognised of the ethnic minorities of the Yugoslav province of Kosovo, within the framework of respect for the borders of Yugoslavia.

Mr. Markovic briefed Mr. Kaklamanis on the latest developments in Kosovo and his country's positions regarding a just settlement of the problem.

Mr. Markovic also met on Tuesday with Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis, whom he briefed about Belgrade's positions on Kosovo prior to talks due to commence within the framework of the European Union and the OSCE.

Mr. Kranidiotis expressed Athens' understanding and reiterated Athens' insistence that a solution - one granting wide-ranging autonomy to the province's ethnic Albanians - be found through peaceful means.

Mr. Kranidiotis left yesterday for Brussels to participate in the sessions of the group working on the manifesto of the European Socialist Party in view of European elections in June.

The final text of the manifesto will be submitted to the party's summit meeting in Vienna on Jan. 29.

Athens News Agency

[09] Tsovolas calls for Parliament discussion over S-300s

NICOSIA 07/01/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Tsovolas was speaking to reporters after talks in Nicosia with ruling Democratic Rally (DHSY) leader Nicos Anastasiades. He arrived on Monday for a two-day working visit and talks with political party leaders.

"My briefing by the (Cypriot political) parties was very useful because I intend to provoke a special session of parliament so that we can discuss this change in position," Mr. Tsovolas said.

Mr. Clerides announced his decision not to install the S-300 missiles after a meeting of Cyprus' National Council on Dec. 29. Earlier the same day, he had held talks in Athens with Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Greek leadership.

Greece and Cyprus entered into a joint defence doctrine in 1993.

"We believe in promoting further more the joint defence doctrine, because it is the only way to deal with the Turkish threat and Turkish provocativeness, which unfortunately is supported by the major powers and international organisations, which are sup posed not to serve the interests of specific countries but rather to protect international legality and human rights, when they are violated, as they have been violated to the detriment of Cypriot Hellenism," Mr, Tsovolas said.

Mr. Anastasiades, meanwhile, told reporters that there was no possibility of reversing the missile decision.

Referring to the decision itself, Mr. Anastasiades spoke of "bitter-ness" and "disappointment".

Athens News Agency

[10] Containers filled with NATO force weaponry momentarily detained

Athens 07/01/1999 (ANA)

Port sources said the 18 containers, containing rifles, rockets and other light weaponry, were detained by order of a Thessaloniki prosecutor.

They said the 18 containers were unloaded by a Honduran-flagged merchant ship on New Year's Eve together with other weaponry destined for the NATO multinational "Extraction Force", being deployed in FYROM to conceivably protect OSCE observers in the tro ubled neighbouring Yugoslav province of Kosovo if the need arose.

A customs check revealed that the 18 containers were not accompanied by the required shipping documents, and the merchant marine ministry, which was immediately informed, alerted the Thessaloniki prosecutor's office.

They said the cargo was detained until the sender and recipient were ascertained.

A government official said it was "a purely procedural matter, since the shipping company had not promptly supplied the shipping documents, which it has said it will do within the next few hours".

A military source later said it would be "extremely difficult, if not impossible, for someone to try to smuggle weapons on a ship transporting weaponry to the multinational force via the port of Thessaloniki, which is swarming with NATO officials at this time and where stringent checks are being carried out".

"Nor, of course, does NATO have reasons to want to send weapons secretly," the military source added.

Massive quantities of military equipment are being shipped to FYROM via Thessaloniki for the 2,000-man NATO protection force, which is expected to be fully deployed by mid-January.

A ministry announcement later attributed the issue to omission by the shipping company to submit the necessary documentation.

The ministry subsequently set in motion a process for issuing the transit permit, in agreement with the other relevant ministries, and after the company submitted the necessary documentation.

The merchant marine ministry announcement further said that legal procedures had also been set in motion against the shipping company for violation of Law 2168 with respect to its omission.

Athens News Agency

[11] Press report: Cyprus interested in mid-range Russian anti-aircraft missiles

MOSCOW 07/01/1999 (ANA/D. Konstantakopoulos)

The report was published in the Russian newspaper "Sivodnia", which cites Cypriot diplomatic sources.

The same press report refers to Cyprus' interest in the Italian-made anti- aircraft system "Aspide", a weapons system rumoured to be on Nicosia's shopping list for the past three years.

An official at the Cypriot embassy in Moscow simply referred to the embassy's standing position of not commenting on defence-related issues for the island republic.

The report comes on the heels of Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides' recent decision to cancel the planned deployment of the Russian-made long-range S- 300 anti-aircraft system on the island republic.

Athens News Agency

[12] OA,pilots' talks breakdown

Athens 07/01/1999 (ANA)

OA pilots are refusing to work overtime in order to press their demands, which include the hiring of more flight personnel - a move which has caused cancellations and long delays to domestic and international flights.

An announcement released by OA's management after the talks on Tuesday night said the pilots were now putting forth financial demands that the company could not afford and which, if satisfied, would violate provisions of an ongoing five-year restructuring plan.

Pilots' representatives, meanwhile, described as a "mockery" the proposals put forth by OA management in an effort to resolve the impasse.

National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said in a radio interview on Tuesday that the government was determined to press ahead with plans to find a strategic partner and establish cooperation with the private sector, adding that this was the only solution which could save the national carrier.

Acknowledging that the situation was becoming more difficult, Mr. Papantoniou called for "the active cooperation" of all parties involved and declined to make further statements saying he did not want to "add fuel to the fire."

Athens News Agency

[13] Kavala products in Nurnberg

Athens 07/01/1999 (ANA)

A trade mission was carried out at the initiative of the Kavala Chamber of Commerce and the Municipal Tourist Development Enterprise, while several of the Kavala products and goods were also given to consumers for advertising reasons.

In addition, a proposal was made to the Kavala Chamber of Commerce to attend the commercial exhibitions taking place in Nurnberg.

Meanwhile, the president of the Greek community in Nurnberg and the president of the "Filos-Protovoulia" society, announced that the twinning of Nurnberg and Kavala is being promoted.

Athens News Agency

[14] Delta to inaugurate Athens-Atlanta route in June

Athens 07/01/1999 (ANA)

The route will begin on June 3 and last until October. Delta already operates a non-stop Athens to New York flight. Four flights weekly to Atlanta are scheduled on MD-11 type passenger jets, featuring 50 'business class' seats and 219 'economy class' se ats.

Both Development Minister Vasso Papandreou and US ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns attended the company's press conference on Tuesday announcing the route.

On her part, Ms Papandreou said the new route will allow more American tourists to visit Greece. She said the government projected a 10 per cent increase in tourist arrivals from the US in 1999. According to the government, approximately 250,000 American tourists visited Greece in 1998.

Mr. Burns said Delta's initiative exemplified the interest shown by US firms for Greece's economy, adding it was also a "confidence vote" for "the significant steps taken by the Greek government in the economic sector."

Athens News Aagency

[15] 'Amtech' gets underway on Jan. 21

Athens 07/01/1999 (ANA)

During the exhibition, organised by the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce, events will be held focusing on such issues as modern technological solutions for the financial sector as well as convergence of informatics and telecommunications technologi es in the Greek economy.

The exhibition will last until Jan. 24.

Athens News Agency

[16] Intimidation cited as cause behind attack on SDOE official

Athens 07/01/1999 (ANA)

SDOE deputy director Nikos Kokosias, 54, said the assailant was about 25 and had the hood of his raincoat pulled over his head. Police believe the purpose of the attack was intimidation. Mr. Kokosias was unhurt.

Speaking to reporters, SDOE director Panayiotis Stathis said Mr. Kokosias had not dealt with any important case recently but added that the service, which deals primarily with cracking down on smuggling and tax evasion, receives threatening calls freque ntly.

Deputy Finance Minister George Drys visited SDOE's offices later on for a briefing on the attack.

He told SDOE employees that "such actions cannot daunt our spirit nor prevent us from continuing our important work."

Athens News Agency

[17] Three convicted of smuggling illegals

Athens 07/01/1999 (ANA)

The three crew members of the Italian-flagged "Mustang" were among those rescued when the vessel sank in icy waters about seven nautical miles off Nisyros on Dec. 31.

About 10 people are presumed to have drowned and 24 were rescued.

The two Greek nationals sentenced were Iosif Tsagarakis and Constantinos Logothetis, as well as Ifet Cosovic.

The 'Mustang' sailed from the Turkish coast late at night on Dec. 30. The exact number of illegals on the boat has still not been established.

Athens News Agency

[18] Hania man, 31, the latest victim in bloody Cretan vendetta

Athens 07/01/1999 (ANA)

Police said Ioannis Mouzourakis, the father of two, was ambushed in the Peristeri district of western Athens after leaving a residence. Two gunmen were spotted, while authorities believe the man was shot with a Kalashnikov- type assault rifle. A .357 mag num handgun was found on the victim.

Although land differences were initially the cause of the feud between the Mouzourakis and Dikonymakis families in the Cretan village of Patima Apokoronou, Hania prefecture, the "cycle of blood" began in May 1994 with the rape murder of Fotoula Mouzourakis, the mother of yesterday's victim.

Five shootings followed.

Athens News Agency

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