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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-03-24Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Kosovo the focus of London talks between Tsohatzopoulos,RobertsonLONDON, 24/03/1999 (ANA - L. Tsirigotakis)The Kosovo crisis was the focal point in talks between British Secretary of Defence George Robertson and his Greek counterpart Akis Tsohatzopoulos, both men said at a joint press conference after their working lunch.Both ministers also expressed grave concern over latest developments in this part of the Balkans. Mr. Tsohatzopoulos expressed fears over a possible major wave of refugees from Kosovo to Greece, adding that NATO's political and military force must exhaust all limits for the finding of a diplomatic solution to the Kosovo issue. Mr. Robertson conceded that the situation in Kosovo has reached its last stage, but believes that a political solution might be found at the last moment, although he said this is up to Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic. The two ministers also discussed bilateral relations, issues concerning the upcoming NATO summit, as well as the procurement of military equipment for the Greek armed forces. Mr. Tsohatzopoulos specifically discussed the latter issue with British Defence Undersecretary Douglas Henderson. During talks with Mr. Roberston, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos called for alternative ideas on guarantees for implementaion of an agreement, so that a political solution may be found. Commenting on British PM Tony Blair's earlier statement that if Kosovo were left to be handled by Serbia, one of the repercussions would be a crisis in Greek-Turkish relations, he said developments would directly affect neighbouring countries but not Turkey. Greek-Britain military cooperation : During a second press conference later in the day, the minister said the Greek and British defence ministries had already established a close cooperation on issues of telecommunications and information systems, adding that Britain was interested in supply ing the "Challenger 2" main battle tank to the Greek military. "Greece is also interested in participating in production of the Eurofighter aircraft, planned to be integrated into the Hellenic Air Force after 2005," he said, adding that negotiations were already underway with British Aerospace on the issue. Finally, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said Britain was interested in supplying the Hellenic navy with missiles and gunboats, saying he would visit bases and shipyards of the Royal Navy. CNN interview : In the morning, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos gave a five-minute live interview to the Atlanta-based CNN TV network. Afterwards, he had a working breakfast at his hotel with the diplomatic editors of the "Financial Times", the "Independent", "Times", Reuters and the economic weekly "The Economist". Speaking to CNN, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said Greece wants a solution to the problem of Kosovo on a political basis. He said Greece is a neighbour in the Kosovo region and wants political pressure to be exerted by the international community to convince the Yugoslav leadership and the Albanian separatists to accept an agreement. He said the NATO force can be used as a n argument to have a political solution honoured. Asked by the CNN's reporter whether Greece supports NATO bombings, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said Greece has accepted this initiative by NATO, while its allies in NATO have accepted, in turn, that Greece, being a neighbouring country, cannot contribute with its armed forces to this military operation. Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that Greece, having good relations with the Balkan countries, is trying to exert its influence for a political solution. He said the crisis in Kosovo is not only a problem for Yugoslavia, but influences the entire region. The For mer Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Albania, Bulgaria and Greece. The CNN's anchor then asked Mr. Tsohatzopoulos on the possibility of a major European war breaking out in the event Mr. Milosevic does not back down, who replied that the crisis has the characteristics of a local crisis. Asked whether Greece is ready to get involved in a conflict, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that Greece is concerned because thousands of refugees had flocked into the country in the past and such an eventuality could create a new upheaval in the entire region . He said the solution to all the problems is a peaceful solution. In a related development, the foreign ministry through the Greek embassy in Belgrade is taking all measures for the safe departure of Greek citizens from Yugoslavia. Opposition : In terms of political reaction, Coallition for the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos yesterday said that the government was responsible for Greece's entanglement in the Kosovo problem. He said that the Greek government became entangled by facilitating a unilateral military intervention and continues to this day to allow the passage of NATO military forces via Greek territory. He added that (US President Bill) Clinton's statement on Greek involvement reveals a wider destabilising plan and creating an issue of major responsibilities for the government. Mr. Constantopoulos called on the government to oppose any decision of a military intervention within the NATO framework. He added that the government should table the issue in the Berlin summit and demand that no bombings take place. On his part, Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas expressed his opposition to the possibility of a NATO intervention in Yugoslavia. He said that such action would constitute a "flagrant violation of the international legal order and human rights in the region..." Christodoulos : Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos also expressed his concern about the situation in the strife-torn province, saying he was praying for peace. Christodoulos appealed to all sides to show self-restraint. "War and violence must at all costs be avoided because they bring, apart from a change in borders, the loss of human lives," the Archbishop said. Parliament committee calls for peaceful solution : In addition, members of Parliament's foreign affairs and defence committee yesterday expressed concern over the "especially dangerous situation" created by the impasse in efforts to resolve the Kosovo problem. They also expressed opposition to "any military intervention" and called on interested parties to show the necessary political will for a peaceful resolution of the problem. "The committee believes the problem in Kosovo can only be resolved by political and peaceful means and expresses its opposition to any military intervention without the approval of the (United Nations) Security Council, " a statement read. Athens News Agency[02] Papantoniou points to CAP, structural funds talks at Berlin summitBERLIN, 24/03/1999 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said yesterday that the upcoming Berlin EU summit would address three basic issues, namely, Common Agricultural Policy, resources for structural funds and the Community's own funds.Speaking to Greek reporters, Mr. Papantoniou said Athens was satisfied with the agreement recently reached by EU farm ministers, adding that the country had received about 900 billion drachmas annually from CAP over the past seven years and expected to receive a further one trillion drachmas annually in coming years. The exemption of small farm plots from the expected cuts to income supports was particularly important for Greece, he said. Receipts from structural funds in the 1994-2000 period were estimated at 18.5 billion euros, and Greece has reason to hope that more would be disbursed on the basis of the agreement to be reached in Berlin, Mr. Papantoniou said, but the addition of more areas for funding under Target 1 of the structural funds, posed a threat to Greek interests, as the whole of Greece was financed through them. Regarding the Community's own resources, Mr. Papantoniou said the situation was unclear for the time being and the only specific decision adopted to date was the substitution of revenue estimated on the basis of each country' prosperity for revenue orig inating in Value Added Tax. Finally, he said the growth rate of the Greek economy would reach 5 per cent by 2004. Athens News Agency[03] Gov't reaction to Clinton's statement on KosovoAthens, 24/03/1999 (ANA)Greece was and will continue to be an "oasis of stability in the region", the acting government spokesman said yesterday when asked to comment on US President Bill Clinton's statement concerning possible Greek and Turkish involvement over Kosovo.Acting government spokesman Yiannis Nikolaou said the US president did not anticipate involvement, but simply expressed his concern over possible developments in the region. "Greece is an oasis of stability in the region, and shall continue to be," he said. Athens News Agency[04] Stephanopoulos on March 25 anniversaryAthens, 24/03/1999 (ANA)In a message on the March 25 anniversary of Greek Independence Day, celebrating the 1821 revolution against Ottoman rule, President Kostis Stephanopoulos stressed the need for national unity."At a time of fluidity throughout the world and uncertainty, when our country is faced with challenges and dangers, it is necessary for us to follow the example set by the heroes of the Greek Revolution, namely, their patriotic spirit, determination and unlimited love for the motherland and freedom, avoiding their mistakes and dissensions," the message read. "Strengthening our confidence in the capabilities of our country and our people, forging national unanimity and offering all our strength at the service of the country, we can achieve all our targets. Let us proclaim once again that we are not prepared to make the slightest concession on our sovereign rights and let us assure that we are ready to work with all our strength for peace, stability and prosperity in our region," the message added. The message also referred to the "steadfast European orientation of the country", stressing that the effort and toils of the Greeks in the course towards European unification will not remain unrewarded. Karamanlis : In his message on the opportunity on Independence Day, main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis said it constituted a "day for everyone to rally and rise together." "We are called on to bring Greece back on the front lineIIn that effort there is no room for compromise, fabricated and disorienting dissension." Political Spring (Pol.An) leader Antonis Samaras said that "history recorded the year 1821 as a miracle of freedom . A highest point of heroism. The zenith of faith...". Athens News Agency[05] Daylight Savings Time this SundayAthens, 24/03/1999 (ANA)Daylight Savings Time ends and "summer time" officially begins this Sunday, March 28, when clocks will be moved forward one hour at 3 a.m. to 4 a.m.The switch to summer time takes place simultaneously throughout the European Union. Summer time ends on Sunday, Oct. 31, when clocks will be mo-ved back one hour. Athens News Agency The "Bulletin" will not be published on Thursday, March 25 due to celebrations for Greek Independence Day. It will re-circulate on Friday. [06] Gov't denies first shipment of S-300s in CreteAthens, 24/03/1999 (ANA)The government yesterday denied that a vessel docked in Irakleio had brought in the first consignment of parts for the installation of S-300 missiles on the island.A commercial vessel carrying a cargo of military supplies docked late on Monday at the port of Iraklion and began unloading under strict military security, fuelling the rumours. Defence ministry sources denied the reports, saying that the delivery was part of a routine shipment of parts for the Hellenic Air Force and completely unrelated to the missiles. Government spokesman Yiannis Nikolaou said the shipment related to specific material for the air force and that there would be no public discussion about the movements of the armed forces. "The government has announced what it will do with the S-300 missiles for some time now," he said. Athens News Agency[07] Greek military chief receives US ambassadorAthens, 24/03/1999 (ANA)US ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns held a scheduled meeting yesterday with the Chief of the National Defence General Staff, Gen. Manousos Paragioudakis.Defence ministry sources said the meeting focused on matters within the competence of the general staff. They said that the latest developments in the strife-torn Yugoslav province of Kosovo were also discussed. Sources said Mr. Burns and Gen. Paragioudakis both expressed concern about recent developments in Kosovo and the hope that a solution could be found to the crisis through diplomatic channels. According to the same sources, Mr. Burns praised Thessaloniki's role in the greater region and thanked Athens for its support for NATO forces. The first phase of the movement of NATO troops and equipment to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) via Thessaloniki has already been completed, with some 8,000 British, French, German and Italian soldiers already having passed through the northern Greek city's port and airport. The NATO troops have been sent to FYROM to be ready to back any peace deal which may be reached for Kosovo. Mr. Burns paid the courtesy call on Gen. Paragioudakis at the defence ministry on the occasion of his assumption as chief of staff earlier this year. Athens News Agency[08] Israel to honour several Greeks as 'Righteous Among the Nations'Athens, 24/03/1999 (ANA)The Israeli ambassador to Athens will honour several Greek citizens by adding their names to a list of more than 200 Greeks already honoured by the state of Israel for their efforts in saving the lives of persecuted Jews during the 1941-44 occupation, the Isreali embassy announced yesterday.Ambassador Ran Curiel will bestow the title of the "Righteous Among the Nations" during a special event at the Municipality of Athens' cultural centre on Monday. Mr. Curiel and the president of the Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece, Moses Konstantinis, will present the medals awarded by Yad Vashem, the Israeli institute devoted to "perpetuation of the memories of the heroes and martyrs" of the Jewish Holocaust during WWII. Athens News Agency[09] Gov't denies it has received application for Kurdish TV stationAthens, 24/03/1999 (ANA)Athens denied yesterday that it had received any application from Kurdish groups to establish a television station in Greece."There has been no application to the Greek government for it to extend a broadcasting licence for a Kurdish channel in Greece," government spokesman Yiannis Nikolaou said. He was responding to reporters' questions in the wake of the decision by the British Independent Television Commission (ITC) to order the Kurdish channel MED TV to cease broadcasting for 21 days. ITC said it had given Med TV three weeks to convince it to allow the station to continue broadcasting, after the station allegedly broadcast calls for acts of violence in Turkey. Athens News Agency[10] Stocks dive on fears of NATO attack on SerbsAthens, 24/03/1999 (ANA)Fears of NATO air strikes against Serb military targets undermined sentiment on the Athens Stock Exchange yesterday reversing a record- breaking price rally.The general index ended 3.24 percent down at 3,637.80 points, off the day's lows. Turnover was 142.838 billion drachmas and volume 25,056,863 shares. Traders said worries over developments in Kosovo offered investors a pretext to take profits. The general index has gained 37 percent this year without experiencing a prolonged period of correction. Athens News Agency[11] Sector indices suffered losses.Athens, 24/03/1999 (ANA)Banks dropped 3.69 percent, Leasing was 3.58 percent off, Insurance fell 2.32 percent, Investment ended 1.19 percent down, Construction fell 2.21 percent, Industrials plunged 3.17 percent, Miscellaneous ended 0.97 percent off and Holding fell 2.92 percent .The parallel market index for small cap companies ended 0.21 percent down, while the FTSE/ASE 20 index dropped 3.58 percent to 2,269.73. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 227 to 58 with another 3 issues unchanged. Strintzis, Eskimo, National Bank and Alpha Investments were the most heavily traded stocks. Giannousis, ANEK Lines, Etma, Britannia, Sigalas, Nafpaktos Mills, Metrolife, Commercial Invest and Boutaris scored the biggest percentage gains. Ionian Hotels, Hellenic Textiles, European Credit, Halyps Cement, Sarandopoulos, Corinth Mills, Benroubi, Ionian Invest and Alcatel suffered the heaviest losses hitting the day's 8.0 percent limit down. National Bank of Greece ended at 22,540 drachmas, Alpha Credit Bank at 39, 340, Ergobank at 26,630, Ionian Bank at 22,280, Titan Cement at 26,080, Hellenic Petroleum at 2,570, Intracom at 21,100, Minoan Lines at 7,500, Panafon at 8,375 and Hellenic Telec oms at 7,350. Bond prices end lower in Kosovo tension : Secondary bond market prices ended down yesterday on fears of military action by NATO against the Serbs. European markets also finished lower. Electronic trade was 84 billion drachmas from 55 billion drachmas a day earlier. The 10-year bond was 103.35, showing a yield of 5.84 percent. Aided by the drop in German bunds, the yield spread between the two- countries' paper was 1.85 percent. The drachma slipped against the euro in the foreign currency market. The euro was set at 322.300 drachmas at the central bank's daily fix from 321.600 drachmas in the previous session. Athens News Agency[12] Bond yields drop in T-bill auctionAthens, 24/03/1999 (ANA)Short-term yields fell further in yesterday's auction of three- and six- month Treasury bills held by the finance ministry.The average weighed yield of three-month T-bills fell from 9.5 percent to 8.9 percent, and of six-month paper from 9.54 to 8.72 percent. Deputy Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis said that the Greek economy "has entered a period of discernible decline in interest rates". He was also referring to a recent drop in 10-year bond yields, one of the Maastricht criteria for participation in the euro zone. Mr. Christodoulakis added that the holders of state equity convertible bonds would be offered the chance by the end of the year of exchanging their paper for shares in Duty Free Shops, Hellenic Telecoms and National Bank of Greece. Athens News Agency[13] Budget spending in Jan-Feb beats targetAthens, 24/03/1999 (ANA)Budgetary spending increased by 2.0 percent in the first two months of 1999, slower than the government's 4.5 percent target, Deputy Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis said yesterday.He said that budget spending had increased by 10 percent in January- February last year. Mr. Christodoulakis said primary budget spending fell 4.9 percent in January-February as a result of efforts to contain spending, and because of a rise in the rate of spending in the same period of last year due to retroactive outlays for welfare benefi ts and pensions. Expenditure on interest rose 14.9 percent in January-February compared with a 13.2 percent drop in the same period of 1998. Mr. Christodoulakis forecast that spending on interest in 1999 would be contained to a budgetary target of 2.4 percent. Athens News Agency[14] Central bank to propose Dr 1,550 dividendAthens, 24/03/1999 (ANA)The Bank of Greece, which is listed on the Athens bourse, is to propose a dividend of 1,550 drachmas, up from 1,208 drachmas a year earlier.In addition, the central bank raised its assets by 904 billion drachmas, or 8.4 percent, due to a jump in foreign currency reserves by 37 percent in the wake of the drachma's entry into the European Union's Exchange Rate Mechanism last year and accompan ying devaluation. On March 19, foreign currency reserves were 22.7 billion dollars. At the end of 1998, drachma deposits at the central bank totalled 3.146 trillion drachmas, up 78.7 from a year earlier. The figures were endorsed at a meeting on March 19 of the bank's general council. Athens News Agency[15] Bulgaria begins talks with Greek-Dutch group in telecom saleSOFIA, 24/03/1999 (ANA-B.Borisov)The Bulgarian government will begin negotiations with a Greek-Dutch consortium, the sole bidder in a privatisation tender for BTK, the state telecom.The offer was opened yesterday but government officials released no information, citing a confidentiality agreement between the state and bidders Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation with KPN Telecom. The officials said details of the deal would be given following endorsement of the sale by the cabinet. Sources told the Athens News Agency that the bid may fall at the top of a range of 400-600 million dollars that the government had set for sale of the 51 percent stake in BTK, including a licence to create a second mobile phone network. Athens News Agency[16] Cosmote claims 16 pct of mobile phone marketAthens, 24/03/1999 (ANA)Cosmote, the mobile phone subsidiary of Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation, has 420,000 subscribers, accounting for 16 percent of the market, it said in a statement yesterday.The firm has 720 cells covering 92 percent of the population, and plans by the end of April to offer equal coverage with its two competitors. The company's service for subscribers abroad handles all European countries, Latvia, Ukraine, Russia, Cyprus, India, Lebanon, South Africa, Singapore, Taiwan, Turkey and Hong Kong. Athens News Agency[17] Royal Ten Cate sells stock in Hellenic TextilesAthens, 24/03/1999 (ANA)Hellenic Textiles said yesterday a preliminary agreement had been made for Royal Ten Cate NV of the Netherlands to sell its remaining 32 percent of shares in the Greek firm to the Akkas Group.The Akkas Group and Marfin last week bought the other 32 percent stake from Ten Cate, which has withdrawn from ownership in Hellenic Textiles. Athens News Agency[18] NYSE president on possibilities of more Greek firms being listedNEW YORK, 24/03/1999 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) President William Johnston said yesterday that more Greek companies and banks were on the way to being listed, after OTE last year.Speaking at a forum organised by the Capital Link company in Manhattan, he noted the Greek economy's dynamism, the high growth rates, and the fall in inflation, adding that the government had committed itself to large-scale privatisations in 1999. Greek ambassador to the US Alexandros Filon pointed out Greece's increased productivity, reductions in public deficits and debt, a comparative flexibility in the labour market, and the country's advantageous position for access to Balkan and Black Sea countries. Capital Market Commission president Stavros Thomadakis set out the radical institutional changes and innovations already introduced or on the way for improving transparency and efficiency. On his part, OTE president Vasilis Rapanos referred to the state-run organisation's strategies and domestic and international activities and the framework of operational regulations in the new extremely competitive environment in telecommunications. Olympics 2004 director Giorgos Leventis referred to the funding of the projects from the private sector, and cited the benefits which Greece will derive from the 2004 event, both in improving infrastructure and the quality of life in Athens, as well as in terms of employment and development. Athens News Agency[19] Athens Foreign ExchangeAthens, 24/03/1999 (ANA)Bank of Greece closing rates of: March 23, 1999Parities in Drachmas Banknotes Buying Selling US Dollar 293.364 300.166 Can.Dollar 194.968 199.488 Australian Dlr 187.468 191.815 Pound Sterling 476.279 487.322 Irish Punt 405.963 415.376 Pound Cyprus 553.119 565.944 Pound Malta 707.057 736.518 Turkish pound (100) 0.074 0.077 French franc 48.741 49.871 Swiss franc 200.523 205.172 Belgian franc 7.926 8.109 German Mark 163.471 167.261 Finnish Mark 53.773 55.020 Dutch Guilder 145.083 148.447 Danish Kr. 43.033 44.031 Swedish Kr. 35.805 36.635 Norwegian Kr. 37.946 38.826 Austrian Sh. 23.235 23.773 Italian lira (100) 16.512 16.895 Yen (100) 247.821 253.567 Spanish Peseta 1.922 1.966 Port. Escudo 1.595 1.632 Foreign Exchange Buying Selling New York 293.364 300.166 Montreal 194.968 199.488 Sydney 187.468 191.815 London 476.279 487.322 Dublin 405.963 415.376 Nicosia 553.119 565.944 Paris 48.741 49.871 Zurich 200.523 205.172 Brussels 7.926 8.109 Frankfurt 163.471 167.261 Helsinki 53.773 55.020 Amsterdam 145.083 148.447 Copenhagen 43.033 44.031 Stockholm 35.805 36.635 Oslo 37.946 38.826 Vienna 23.235 23.773 Milan 16.512 16.895 Tokyo 247.821 253.567 Madrid 1.922 1.966 Lisbon 1.595 1.632 Athens News AgencyAthens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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