Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-01-19

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Finnish PM Lipponen touts Athens' efforts towards EMU

[02] Athens bourse drafts plan to allow entry by foreign firms

[03] Stocks jump aided by markets abroad

[04] Development minister to chair meeting on Prinos oil shutdown

[05] Athens Chamber launches pilot database on Balkans

[06] Ergobank seeks share capital rise

[07] Greek exporters to take part in Yugoslav trade fair

[08] HEPO participation at Yugoslav int'l farm exhibition

[09] Less bankruptcies reported in 1998 than '97

[10] Papoutsis addresses energy, development of Euro-cities issues

[11] Pilots, OA in talks

[12] Athens Foreign Exchange

[13] Athens: More Aegean tension invented by Turkey

[14] Turkish embassy denies press reports pointing to 'Ottoman bomb'

[15] Greece condemns massacre of unarmed Albanian civilians in Kosovo

[16] Gov't: No request by Ocalan for visit to Greece

[17] Karamanlis in Spain for EPP conference

[18] Pangalos begins visit to Bulgaria, Romania

[19] V. Papandreou begins tour of US

[20] Kranidiotis chairs meeting on human rights

[21] Greek photo exhibition in New York

[22] Greek MPs hopeful of repatriation of Parthenon Marbles

[23] C.E.D.S. diplomas to be handed out by French ambassador

[24] Gov't says most schools back to normal,pupils'roadblocks persist

[25] Dimitra Liani-Papandreou charged with felony fraud

[26] Kurds on hunger strike in Crete

[27] GSEE Internet site

[28] ECOFIN focuses economic, monetary affairs action

[29] 2 Albanians given life sentence for British couple's murder

[01] Finnish PM Lipponen touts Athens' efforts towards EMU

Athens 19/01/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Lipponen arrived in Greece on Sunday evening for a two-day visit expected to focus on European Union issues, developments in the Balkan and eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus and the course of Turkey's relations with the EU.

Mr. Lipponen was speaking after meeting with his Greek counterpart Costas Simitis, who said the meeting was constructive and particularly important in light of Finland's presidency of the European Union in the second half of 1999.

Greece's progress towards EMU, the allocation of EU funds, 'Agenda 2000' and continuing talks on EU expansion are all items on the agenda for Finland's presidency.

Mr. Simitis said Helsinki and Athens were in agreement on the EU funds allocation issue.

Both agreed that the principles of convergence and Community solidarity should be stressed in new measures so that member-states could contribute to the Community budget in line with their national wealth, Mr. Lipponen said.

He added that Finland faced problems similar to Greece in having many poorer regions and hoped for Community solidarity for a just distribution of funds, in line with the economic ability of each country.

He added that Helsinki was supportive of Cyprus's accession efforts and that expansion was a leading priority for Finland.

Both men also underlined the need for an effective EU presence in foreign policy.

The Finnish prime minister also said problems in relations between Greece and Turkey should be referred to the International Court of Justice at The Hague.

"We need civilised solutions to these problems," Mr. Lipponen said.

Bilateral relations were at a good level and Mr. Simitis said that distance was no obstacle to developing trade.

Mr. Lipponen met earlier with Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis and President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos at midday.

He later met Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos. According to reports, Mr. Pangalos exchanged views with Mr. Lipponen on developments in the European Union, since Finland will be assuming the EU's rotating presidency in the second half of 1999.

Athens News Agency

[02] Athens bourse drafts plan to allow entry by foreign firms

Athens 19/01/1999 (ANA)

A bourse committee has proposed that a foreign company seeking listing must have a sponsor who would be responsible for the company's liabilities in the domestic market.

The law currently contains no provisions for sponsorship, as in other European markets, and the committee has suggested that an amendment should be forwarded to parliament soon.

The report also recommended that the entry prospectus of foreign applicants should be checked by a domestic lawyer in order to ensure compatability with the law.

Balance sheets should comply with international accounting standards. At the same time, checks by domestic certified accountants would act as a deterrent, the report said.

In addition, Greece should adopt European Union directive 94/18 on entire or partial exemption from publishing entry prospectuses, the report said.

The exemptions would apply to firms already listed in other EU states for at least three years whose national authorities would confirm that the companies had met their financial commitments in the same time period.

Athens News Agency

[03] Stocks jump aided by markets abroad

Athens 19/01/1999 (ANA)

The general index ended 3.61 percent up at 2,987.36 points, off the day's highs. Turnover was heavy at 117.5 billion drachmas, a record so far in the new year, on volume of 22,237,000 shares.

Sector indices ended sharply higher.

Banks rose 4.42 percent, Leasing increased 4.20 percent, Insurance ended 4.48 percent up, Investment jumped 5.22 percent, Construction soared 6.81 percent, Industrials ended 1.95 percent higher, Miscellaneous surged 6.38 percent and Holding rose 2.64 pe rcent.

The parallel market index for small cap companies ended 6.62 percent up while the FTSE/ASE 20 index ended 4.07 percent higher at 1,882.70 points.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 270 to 10 with another 5 issues unchanged.

A spectacular 122 shares hit the day's 8.0 percent limit up. Among them were Attica Bank, Dorian Bank, Bank of Central Greece, Teletypos, Hellenic Sugar, Aktor, Terna, Dimitriadis, Britannia and Sanyo.

Shares of Pantechniki, an engineering contractor, fell 20 drachmas to 1,980 on their trading debut in the market.

Kallinis-Simos, Hellenic Bottling, Mouriadis, Eskimo, Papahellinas, Ideal, Galis, Allatini and Metka suffered losses.

Strintzis Line, Thessaliki, Ideal and Mytilineos were the most heavily traded stocks.

National Bank of Greece ended at 66,850 drachmas, Ergobank at 36,400, Alpha Credit Bank at 32,000, Ionian Bank at 16,200, Titan Cement at 21,520, Hellenic Petroleum at 2,360, Intracom at 14,390, Minoan Lines at 7,340, Panafon at 8,710 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation at 8,255 drachmas.

Domestic bonds, drachma pick up steam following Brazil crisis : Domestic bond prices gained around 100 basis points and the drachma was firmer against the euro yesterday, recovering from jitters over Brazil's financial crisis.

The 15-year bond was trading at 102.80, the 10-year bond at 115.00-115.25, and the seven-year bond at 115.25. Electronic trade totalled 60 billion drachmas.

In the foreign currency market, the drachma showed strong upward pressure due to a mass dumping of euros. At the central bank's daily fix the euro was 323.490 drachmas from 325.100 in the previous session.

However, the central bank did not step in to curb the rampant drachma's rise, allowing the national currency to hit the same level as 10 days ago.

It kept out of the market even when the euro reached 323.4 drachmas, its usual intervention point.

The dollar edged up to close at 279.360 drachmas from 278.720 at the last fix.

Interbank rates remained firm due to low liquidity. Overnight funds were trading at 13.30 percent and one-month funds at 12.00 percent.

Athens News Agency

[04] Development minister to chair meeting on Prinos oil shutdown

Athens 19/01/1999 (ANA)

Due to attend the meeting are representatives of the labour ministry, deputies from the Kavala prefecture, NAPC officials and workers.

NAPC will also have to explain its decision to lay off the company's workforce of 400 despite the fact that employees appeared to have accepted a cost-cutting plan worth 10 million US dollars.

The labour ministry has declared the lay-offs are illegal.

According to sources, Hellenic Petroleum may seek to take over Prinos if the consortium refuses to begin operations.

Athens News Agency

[05] Athens Chamber launches pilot database on Balkans

Athens 19/01/1999 (ANA)

In the first phase, the databank will cover Albania, Bulgaria and Romania, available on the Chamber's Internet address, which is http://pixis.acci.gr.

Information supplied includes financial data on the countries concerned, updates on the result of privatisation attempts, tenders called in the private and public sectors, and details of European Union programmes.

Athens News Agency

[06] Ergobank seeks share capital rise

Athens 19/01/1999 (ANA)

The plan includes a capitalisation of reserves and a share offer of three new shares for every 10 old to existing shareholders worth 12,000 drachmas each.

Athens News Agency

[07] Greek exporters to take part in Yugoslav trade fair

Athens 19/01/1999 (ANA)

Among goods to be displayed are foodstuffs, alcoholic beverages, tobacco and flowers, HEPO said in a statement yesterday.

Athens News Agency

[08] HEPO participation at Yugoslav int'l farm exhibition

Athens 19/01/1999 (ANA)

The products to be displayed at the exhibition are, among others, foodstuffs, spices, honey, alcoholic drinks, tobacco, cigarettes, tinned food, seeds and cultivation materials, flowers, packaging and materials for agricultural products, pesticides and fertilizers, agricultural machinery, animal fodder and animal medicines.

Applications for participation must be sent to HEPO by Jan. 25.

Athens News Agency

[09] Less bankruptcies reported in 1998 than '97

Athens 19/01/1999 (ANA)

Specifically, unpaid bills of exchange decreased by 7.5 per cent in volume and 2 per cent in value; bounced cheques by 1.5 per cent in volume and 3.9 per cent in value; payment orders by 11 per cent, bankruptcy applications by 36.3 per cent and declared bankruptcies by 33 per cent.

In 1998 unpaid bills of exchange amounted to 357,155 pieces amounting to 98.6 billion drachmas compared to 385,978 pieces amounting to 100.7 billion drachmas in 1997. Bouncing cheques were 129,197 pieces worth 263 billion drachmas last year as against 131,232 pieces worth 253.2 billion drachmas in 1997. Payment orders totalled 86,504 in 1998 as against 97,182 in 1997. Bankruptcy applications were 2,212 last year as against 3,477 in 1997. Declared bankruptcies decreased from 1,299 in 1997 to 871 in 1998.

Athens News Agency

[10] Papoutsis addresses energy, development of Euro-cities issues

Athens 19/01/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Papoutsis said "the cities which are behind on issues of infrastructure (i.e. energy, water supply, waste management, telecoms and transports) cannot become the basis of businesses' development, therefore, the examination of solutions on all levels is demanded."

He added that at the beginning of the 21st century there are many changes in the way businesses and economies develop, moving toward the service sector.

More than 400 government officials, local government representatives from European Union member-states as well as specialists and representatives of international institutions and organisations are participating in the conference.

Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis, Transport and Communication Minister Tassos Mantelis, Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos and Technical Chamber of Greece president Constantinos Liaskas also addressed the conference.

Athens News Agency

[11] Pilots, OA in talks

Athens 19/01/1999 (ANA)

Pilots' union representatives demanded that no statement be made at the end of the meeting.

According to reports, the pilots refused an earlier offer by the state-run air carrier and proposed that allowances in their salaries be included in the main body of their compensation packages, while they also requested for 12.5 per cent ceiling on tax ation until the year 2000. They also proposed the take-over Macedonian Airlines' posts.

Athens News Agency

[12] Athens Foreign Exchange

Athens 19/01/1999 (ANA)

Parities in Drachmas

Banknotes            Buying  Selling
US Dollar            277.125 283.550
Can.Dollar           181.536 185.745
Australian Dlr       175.981 180.061
Pound Sterling       458.304 468.930
Irish Punt           407.462 416.909
Pound Cyprus         551.988 564.787
Pound Malta          687.170 715.802
Turkish pound (100)    0.072   0.075
French franc          48.921  50.055
Swiss franc          199.918 204.553
Belgian franc          7.955   8.139
German Mark          164.075 167.879
Finnish Mark          53.972  55.223
Dutch Guilder        145.619 148.995
Danish Kr.            43.102  44.102
Swedish Kr.           35.323  36.142
Norwegian Kr.         37.152  38.014
Austrian Sh.          23.321  23.862
Italian lira (100)    16.573  16.957
Yen (100)            241.423 247.021
Spanish Peseta         1.929   1.973
Port. Escudo           1.601   1.638

Foreign Exchange     Buying  Selling
New York             277.125 283.550
Montreal             181.536 185.745
Sydney               175.981 180.061
London               458.304 468.930
Dublin               407.462 416.909
Nicosia              551.988 564.787
Paris                 48.921  50.055
Zurich               199.918 204.553
Brussels               7.955   8.139
Frankfurt            164.075 167.879
Helsinki              53.972  55.223
Amsterdam            145.619 148.995
Copenhagen            43.102  44.102
Stockholm             35.323  36.142
Oslo                  37.152  38.014
Vienna                23.321  23.862
Milan                 16.573  16.957
Tokyo                241.423 247.021
Madrid                 1.929   1.973
Lisbon                 1.601   1.638

Athens News Agency

[13] Athens: More Aegean tension invented by Turkey

Athens 19/01/1999 (ANA)

Greece also centred its criticism and pointed to statements by a Turkish foreign ministry, who more-or-less disputed Greece's sovereignty of rock islets in the Aegean.

"Turkey is creating escalation and seeking a confrontation," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said.

He again suggested that Turkey take recourse in the International Court of Justice at The Hague, since "Turkey has the problem, let it undertake its resolution. The roads for its resolution are very specific. Unless it (Ankara) desires war..."

Asked to comment on opposition criticism of "delay" on the part of the PASOK government in responding to the latest Turkish provocations, Mr. Reppas said that "Greece cannot possibly be expected to dance to the tune of the Turkish government".

Athens News Agency

[14] Turkish embassy denies press reports pointing to 'Ottoman bomb'

Athens 19/01/1999 (ANA)

"Recent press reports contain claims to the effect that Turkey tries to acquire nuclear weapons. These claims are totally baseless and unfounded. Turkey has no intention whatsoever to produce nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. Turkey is committed to all agreements on arms control and disarmament including the ones on weapons of mass destruction. Turkey will continue to abide by these agreements that she is a party to," the statement read.

Athens News Agency

[15] Greece condemns massacre of unarmed Albanian civilians in Kosovo

Athens 19/01/1999 (ANA)

"We hope that those responsible will be arrested and held to account," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said.

He said blame for the killings should be laid on both sides and reiterated that UN Security Council resolutions provided the only framework for a way out of the crisis.

Athens News Agency

[16] Gov't: No request by Ocalan for visit to Greece

Athens 19/01/1999 (ANA)

Responding to press reports, he said the PKK leader had no contact with government officials.

The Greek government had not been in touch with the Italian government before Mr. Ocalan left Rome on Saturday and consequently the issue does not directly affect Greece, Mr. Reppas said.

"In any case, as we have stressed in the past, we do not believe the entry or stay of Mr. Ocalan in Greece to be of any benefit to the Kurdish issue," Mr. Reppas stressed.

Mr. Ocalan left Rome on Saturday after a two-month stay, whereby Rome refused to turn him over to Ankara.

Greece has supported the PKK leader being granted political asylum as well as an international conference for the Kurdish issue.

Athens News Agency

[17] Karamanlis in Spain for EPP conference

MADRID 19/01/1999 (ANA - A. Panagopoulos)

EPP representatives discussed the grouping's main platform points for the next Euroelections in June, 'Agenda 2000', structural funds issues, unemployment and internal EU security.

Later in the day, Mr. Karamanlis met with Mr. Aznar, with the two men concluding that both Greece and Spain share the same views over EU funds and EU budget issues.

According to reports, during their private meeting, Mr. Aznar told Mr. Karamanlis that "we need good friends such as you because we are the new generation in the Europe of the 21st century and we must do a lot together."

The Spanish premier also said Greece and Spain must play an important role in the Mediterranean south, with fresh ideas and policies.

He stressed that the issue of the EU budget income must be re-examined, since, as he said, the problem is not one of north vs. south but north vs. north, that is those countries which contribute to the EU budget based on their GDP and those which do not .

Mr. Aznar said that if the issue is not resolved the idea of European Union enlargement is in danger and added that Germany must continue to play a protagonist role, although it seems that the new chancellor of Germany may want a lesser participation.

On his part, Mr. Karamanlis after the meeting said that "we should give a vision and prospect to the European concept in the direction of political unification."

He noted that initial reactions to that idea were positive but said that several leaders from northern EU member-states expressed their reservations on whether this idea should proceed in a fast or slow pace.

According to reports, Mr. Karamanlis, during the meeting said the Kosovo and Iraqi crisis proved that the EU is a "political dwarf", adding it is not correct for the EU of the 21st century to not even have an opinion on the conditions in its own region.

Athens News Agency

[18] Pangalos begins visit to Bulgaria, Romania

SOFIA 19/01/1999 (ANA - B. Borisov)

Mr. Pangalos is scheduled to meet with his Bulgarian counterpart Mihailova today to discuss implementation of existing cross-border agreements as well as bilateral issues such as the situtation in Kosovo and tri-party cooperation between Greece-Bulgaria and Romania (SECI).

The Greek foreign minister will also meet with Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov, Prime Minister Ivan Kostov and the president of the Bulgarian Parliament Jordan Sokolov.

In Romania, discussions are expected to focus on economic cooperation, as several Greece-based firms have already made significant investments in the country.

Athens News Agency

[19] V. Papandreou begins tour of US

WASHINGTON 19/01/1999 (ANA - T. Ellis)

She is expected to meet with US Energy Secretary Bill Richardson and US Assistant Secretary of State responsible for European affairs Mark Grossman.

She is also scheduled to be interviewed by CNN, while she will have talks with Greek-American Sen. Paul Sarbanis, and attend a dinner with US and Greek-Ameri-can business people hosted by the Greek embassy in Washington.

On Friday, she will deliver a speech at the Western Policy Centre, and will then travel to New York where she will address an event organised by US- based PASOK organisations on Sunday.

Her schedule includes a meeting with the editorial staff of the financial publication "Forbes" on Monday.

The Greek development minister will further meet with Archbishop of America Spyridon, travel agents and the leadership of Greek organisations and associations in New York City.

Ms Papandreou's final stop will be in Houston, where she will hold contacts with energy sector representatives and will visit a number of petrochemical installations. She will return to Athens next Thursday.

Athens News Agency

[20] Kranidiotis chairs meeting on human rights

Athens 19/01/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Kranidiotis set out Greek policy in the sector of human rights protection, stressing that the government intends to promote it to one of Greek foreign policy's basic parameters. He called on the representatives of humanitarian non-governmental organ isations to widen initiatives and interventions in Greece and abroad and to strengthen their cooperation with corresponding organisations from other countries.

Mr. Kranidiotis also requested from the non-governmental organisations to cooperate with the Foreign Ministry for the improvement of the situation of human rights protection in Greece and to enable a sustained policy to be promoted in the country's international relations in this sector.

Athens News Agency

[21] Greek photo exhibition in New York

Athens 19/01/1999 (ANA)

As one of the rare exhibitions of modern Greek photography ever presented in the United States, the selection of photos depict the less-known aspects of Greece and its landscape.

The event will run from Jan. 20 through to Feb. 28.

Athens News Agency

[22] Greek MPs hopeful of repatriation of Parthenon Marbles

Athens 19/01/1999 (ANA)

"The issue of a return of the Parthenon Marbles is no longer a bilateral issue between Britain and Greece but is now one for the Community and leaves the Greek government larger possibilities to bring up the issue in the framework of the European Union, " Left Coalition Eurodeputy Alekos Alavanos told a news conference on Monday.

On Friday, 339 of 626 European Parliament deputies, or more than half of the assembly, signed a petition in favour of a return of the Parthenon Marbles.

The petition says "it would be a timely act which would contribute to our common European cultural heritage."

It was the third, and first successful, attempt by Greek Eurodeputies to gather enough signatures for a formal resolution. The other two attempts occurred in 1994 and 1996.

Greece has been trying for years to secure the return of the marbles, lifted from the Parthenon by Lord Elgin before Greek independence from Ottoman rule. Elgin sold them to the British Museum in 1816.

Britain has repeatedly refused Greece's requests, saying they were safer at the British Museum than in the smog of Athens, despite recently acknowledging that some damage was caused by cleaning in 1937.

According to the results of a recent MORI poll, if there were a referendum on whether or not the Parthenon Marbles should be returned to Greece or remain at the British Museum, the British public would vote for return, by a margin of more than two to one.

The petition will be sent to the prime ministers of Britain and Greece, the president of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Leni Fischer and the president of the European Commission Jacques Santer on Feb. 8.

Athens News Agency

[23] C.E.D.S. diplomas to be handed out by French ambassador

Athens 19/01/1999 (ANA)

The Centre was established in 1987 with the purpose of allowing career diplomats, employees of international organisations, consular officials and private sector executives to deepen their knowledge on international relations, as well as to ensure high- quality training for officials around the world desiring to specialise in defence-related problems and international politics.

The C.E.D.S. branch opened in Greece in 1996.

Athens News Agency

[24] Gov't says most schools back to normal,pupils'roadblocks persist

Athens 19/01/1999 (ANA)

"...(This would) lead to a start of dialogue on the adjustments and details which relate to the implementation of the education reforms," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said.

He condemned acts of violence during Friday's students marches in major towns and cities and expressed the goverment's confidence in Education Minister Gerasimos Arsenis.

"Parliament returned a positive vote on Saturday and so it is self-evident that Mr. Arsenis enjoys the confidence of the prime minister and has no reason to choose the path of resignation," Mr. Reppas said.

Parliament on Saturday night voted 163-127 to reject a no-confidence motion filed against Mr. Arsenis by main opposition New Democracy party last week.

ND cited the "explosive dimensions" of the ongoing student protests against the ministry's reforms to grading and the structure of secondary education.

Protests and sit-ins have meant many schools around the country have not opened for classes for weeks. Snap road blocks at various points around cities and on national roads have caused traffic chaos and drawn the ire of motorists, leading at times to f isticuffs between protestors and drivers.

Christodoulos : Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos reiterated that students should return to classes and offered to act as an independent intermediary between the protestors and the government.

"I am not anybody's stooge, I have an opinion and I say it," Christodoulos said.

He said that the students would one day realise that others were playing games with them, to their detriment.

Turmoil, occupations continue : However, despite the popular Archbishop's offer, students continued their tactics of surprise road blocks on major arterials, again causing havoc for hours on city roads.

A young high school student was hit by a car and injured yesterday during a road block set up by pupils protesting education ministry reforms.

The accident occurred outside a school that is being occupied in the northern Athens suburb of Paleo Psyhiko. Police said some 50 students had blocked the road outside the school and were milling around when the car, driven by a 47-year-old man, hit the 16-year-old girl.

The driver was arrested.

After the girl was transferred to hospital, more protesting students gathered at the site and continued to block the road.

The girl was reported to be in a satisfactory condition.

Meanwhile, a group calling itself 'Francisco Ferre' claimed responsibility for the placing of a makeshift incendiary device at the entrance to the Pedagogical Institute in the Athens on Sunday night.

The device, comprised of a container of fuel and a lit cigarette placed atop a box of matches on top of the container, failed to go off.

An anonymous caller to SKAI television station said that the group had placed the device and called for the release of the 10 youths arrested during violence at Friday's student march in Athens.

Police searched the premises on being notified of the call and found the device, which had been placed inside an arcade, at the entrance to the Institute's library.

The day began with a road block by students on central Alexandras Avenue. Students clashed with passersby and drivers. Another group of students closed off Vouliagmenis Avenue in the Ilioupolis area.

Also in Ilioupolis, a school principal locked his students into the building after 'agents provocateurs' within the classrooms began exhorting other students to abandon their lessons and support the road block.

Later in the day, another road block on Aharnon Street led to students attacking a truck with eggs, tubs of yoghurt and other items when the driver of the truck loudly demanded he be allowed to pass.

And in the northern suburb of Pefki, parents urging students to get back to classes smashed windows and doors of the school to get at students who had blockaded themselves into the building.

Athens News Agency

[25] Dimitra Liani-Papandreou charged with felony fraud

Athens 19/01/1999 (ANA)

The charges are related to income tax irregularities over the acquisition of a plot in the posh northern Athens suburb of Ekali. The land was used by Ms Papandreou and Andreas Papandreou to build a luxury home.

Ms Papandreou's co-defendants are the brothers Aristidis and Sotiris Loumidis and businessman Yiannis Alexiou.

The prosecutor also filed charges of breach of duty against the head of the Kifissia tax bureau in the period 1993-1998.

The charges were brought after a lengthy preliminary investigation started on orders of former Supreme Court chief justice Vassilis Kokkinos, who acted on the basis of press reports.

Athens News Agency

[26] Kurds on hunger strike in Crete

Athens 19/01/1999 (ANA)

The hunger strikers are in the eighth day of their strike and are refusing all food except for water and tea.

The refugees began the strike to protest their continued detention despite their having submitted requests for political asylum.

A health committee from the local hospital said a lack of basic hygiene in their living quarters constituted a danger to public health.

Athens News Agency

[27] GSEE Internet site

Athens 19/01/1999 (ANA)

Internet users can look up the GSEE page to find information on the history of the confederation and the labour movement and views of labour unions on current issues, among others.

Athens News Agency

[28] ECOFIN focuses economic, monetary affairs action

BRUSSELS 19/01/1999 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

German Finance Minister Oskar Lafontaine said unemployment was a "first priority" and pointed out that Bonn's target was to prepare programmes on both national and community levels, which will contain "quantitive" and "verifiable" targets.

The vast majority of EU member-states, including the Greek delegation, rejected Belgian Finance Minister Jean-Jacques Viseur's proposal for circulation of euro coins and bank notes earlier than Jan. 1, 2002.

Deputy National Economy Minister Alekos Baltas, representing Athens, supported the German presidency's programme, pointing out that "1999 is a particularly crucial year for Greece, aiming at meeting the criteria of the Maastricht Treaty for entry to the European Monetary Union on Jan. 1, 2001."

Mr. Baltas said "intense efforts and structural measures were required to combat uneployment" and he expressed satisfaction at European Commission President Jacques Santer's recommendation on the creation of a special service to fight fraud in the European Union.

The Greek minister agreed that a political agreement must be concluded by March in relation to 'Agenda 2000'.

Athens News Agency

[29] 2 Albanians given life sentence for British couple's murder

Athens 19/01/1999 (ANA)

Lambro Papas and Eduard Elmazai, both 27, also received 11-year sentences, to run concurrently, for possession and use of weapons.

The two confessed to murdering Judith and Roy Eccles during a break-in on March 12, 1998. Police arrested them two days after the discovery of the double murder.

Roy Eccles, 53, an electrical engineer and his wife Judith, 49, an accountant, had recently retired to the village of Kaminarata.

Papas and Elmazai said they had been staking out the couple's home from an abandoned shed across the street on the night before the murders, breaking into the residence by smashing the window of a sliding glass balcony door after the couple had gone to sleep.

According to court records, they told police they stabbed the Britons repeatedly when the couple woke up and discovered them, before combing the house for money and credit cards. They subsequently fled in the Eccles' car.

Both men told the court they had been under the influence of drugs at the time of the break-in and murders.

Athens News Agency

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article