Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-07-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Fischer reiterates Bonn's support for reconstruction agency base in Thessaloniki

[02] ECOFIN discusses EU economy, Finnish presidency's action plan

[03] Russian, NATO troops expected through Thessaloniki this week

[04] Athens blasts latest Ecevit quips regarding Cyprus

[05] Cohen arrives in Thessaloniki to begin 2-day visit

[06] Latest round of Greece-Iran-Armenia cooperation talks held in Athens

[07] Spyridon leaves for US today following talks with Patriarch

[08] Patti Smith rails against US-led bombings of Yugoslavia

[09] Gov't denies press report over Turkish exercises in Aegean

[10] UN report on global economy

[11] EU Commissioner Flynn in Athens

[12] Study: 'Tsikoudia' a favourite drink for Minoans, Myceneans

[13] Gov't warns against land registry middlemen

[14] Gov't to crack down on car insurance evaders

[15] Greek economy has improved, UN says

[16] Stocks rally reversing decline

[17] Unemployment rises sharply in Q2

[18] Budget revenue more than doubles vs target in H1

[19] Mytilineos to raise share capital

[20] New terminal at Kavala's airport

[21] Athens Foreign Exchange

[22] Commission warns of court action against Greece over waste management directives

[01] Fischer reiterates Bonn's support for reconstruction agency base in Thessaloniki

Athens, 13/07/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Fischer held high-level talks in Athens with Greek leadership over reconstruction plans for the Balkans, a Stability Pact for SE Europe, recent developments in Greek-Turkish relations, Cyprus as well as European Union issues.

Speaking at a joint press conference with his Greek counterpart George Papandreou, Mr. Fischer praised Greece's role in the Balkans and the broader Mediterranean region. "European Union leaders reached a specific decision. It remains to be seen how this decision will be implemented in practice...I do not see why it should not be implemented," he said.

Mr. Papandreou also confirmed the agreement with the German FM on the issue.

"There is a decision which we respect. We hope that the agency which will be based in Thessaloniki will be able to play the role it must," he said.

Sources later said that Mr. Fischer had agreed with his interlocutors that the Rio decisions remained valid and assured Athens of the German government's support.

Referring to other issues, the German FM welcomed a recent initiative by the Greek and Turkish foreign ministers to begin talks on a top foreign ministry-officials level, saying the move "contains specific hopes for the future".

"We all know very well the history of the region and are aware that we cannot expect spectacular developments when there are significant issues remaining open, such as Cyprus," he said.

He added it was to the benefit of both the EU and Turkey that specific initiatives be undertaken so as to avoid conflict, while he announced that he would be travelling to Ankara on July 20 to discuss EU-Turkey relations with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem.

Reliable sources said that in his talks with Prime Minister Costas Simitis - with the participation of Mr. Papandreou and Alternate FM Yiannos Kranidiotis - Mr. Fischer agreed that Turkey should undertake steps with regard to Greece, Cyprus and human rights in order for its relations with Europe to develop constructively.

Discussion on EU affairs focused on the issues of European identity, security and defence, institutional changes and enlargement.

Sources said Mr. Fischer expressed a view that the countries of the second wave for enlargement should proceed together without separations between them.

He later continued talks with Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, after which he expressed his country's "admiration and respect for Greece's stand" during the Kosovo crisis. He further expressed a view that Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic was solely responsible for the crisis.

On his part, Mr. Kaklamanis said European peoples felt that their governments had no steady policy for dealing with problems, noting that "in Kosovo, the EU and NATO acted unilaterally in order to deal only with part of the problem, that of the Albanian population".

"Why do they not show the same sensitivity in the case of Turkey, which occupies 40 per cent of the territory of Cyprus and flagrantly violates human rights at home?" he asked.

Athens News Agency

[02] ECOFIN discusses EU economy, Finnish presidency's action plan

BRUSSELS, 13/07/1999 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou referred to the performance of the Greek economy, terming it "extremely positive" and underlining that Greece's accession to Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) will take place according to government planning.

He added that at the end of the year Greece will respond fully to criteria set out by the Maastricht Treaty for entering the "euro zone" and that the Greek government will submit, probably in early March next year, its accession application to the single European currency, as well as to enable the June summit in Portugal to formally ratify Greece's EMU accession as of Jan. 1, 2001.

Referring to the European economy's overall prospects, Mr. Papantoniou said the EU's Council of Economic and Monetary Affairs should take measures for the effective coordination of the 15 member-states' economic policies to enable the European economy to improve its competitiveness vis-a-vis the US economy and for the necessary foundations to be created to strengthen the euro.

On the question of reconstruction of regions damaged by the recent NATO bombings, Mr. Papantoniou underlined the need for an improvement in intra- communal coordination on the issue as well as Greece's contribution to reconstruction efforts.

Mr. Papantoniou, as well as most of his counterparts, expressed support for the coverage of expenditures for Kosovo's reconstruction from the existing EU budget and rejected any possible revision of fiscal prospects.

Focusing in particular on the issue of the EU organisation for the region's reconstruction, Mr. Papantoniou underlined that its headquarters should be in Thessaloniki, as agreed at summit level, and called on his counterparts to speedily honour the political commitment of the "15" in Rio.

The issue will be discussed again at the EU's permanent representatives committee in Brussels tomorrow, while today Alternate Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis will be having consultations on the same issue with the committee's senior officials.

In a statement to reporters, Mr. Papantoniou said he is absolutely satisfied from the course of the Hellenic Telecommunications Organi- sation's (OTE) floatation. He noted that the fact that 436 billion drachmas has already been collected from the floata tion proves the confidence of markets in the telecoms utility.

Athens News Agency

[03] Russian, NATO troops expected through Thessaloniki this week

Athens, 13/07/1999 (ANA)

Five Russian warships carrying marines and military vehicles for a Russian peace-keeping contingent in the troubled Yugoslav province are due to arrive in the port tomorrow.

Also due tomorrow are an Italian and a British vessel, which will arrive empty to pick up artillery and troops returning from Kosovo. Today, some 700 British troops returning from Kosovo are due in Thessaloniki, where they will be picked up by the British warship "Centurion". On Thursday, a Spanish and three US ships are due to pick up military vehicles and 600 troops returning from Kosovo.

Athens News Agency

[04] Athens blasts latest Ecevit quips regarding Cyprus

Athens, 13/07/1999 (ANA)

"Mr. Ecevit's statements regarding Cyprus constitute an unprecedented provocation to the international community. Mr. Ecevit and the Turkish government endorse the invasion and illegal occupation to claim that the Cyprus problem has been solved," govern ment spokesman Dimitris Reppas said.

In an interview with the state-run Turkish TRT network on Sunday, Mr. Ecevit claimed that "the Cyprus problem ceased existing after the creation of the 'Turkish Cypriot state'," and that "the entire world has to understand the reality of an independent Turkish state on Cyprus".

In response, the Greek government spokesman stressed that "...with his statements, the Turkish premier places Turkey outside the framework of international legality. His claims ultimately achieve the exact opposite from the intended result...confirming the provocative and aggressive character which, in violation of any concept of law, characterises Turkey's policy. This has its unfavorable repercussions on Ankara."

On his part, main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos said that "once again Ankara is showing its true face" through Mr. Ecevit's statements.

Mr. Spiliotopoulos said the international community's demand is for a just and permanent solution to be found based on UN resolutions, adding that the decision by the G8 indicates this, while this is also demanded by the Security Council's latest resolutions.

Memorial for Cyprus dead : In a related development, the Athens Municipality will hold a memorial service on Sunday for the fallen during the 1974 tragedy, when Turkey invaded the Mediterranean island on July 20, 1974 and subsequently occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos and the ambassador of Cyprus to Athens, Christodoulos Pashiardis, will address the event.

The service will be held at the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral at 11 a.m. Wreaths will be laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier afterwards.

Athens News Agency

[05] Cohen arrives in Thessaloniki to begin 2-day visit

Athens, 13/07/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Cohen will meet with his Greek counterpart Akis Tsohatzopoulos for talks on the situation in the Balkans, and especially developments in Kosovo, the Cyprus issue in the light of the recent G8 initiative as well as Greek-Turkish relations.

Later in the day he will attend an official dinner hosted in his honour by Mr. Tsohatzopoulos, while the two men will also visit the US helicopter carrier "Kearsarge", docked at the port of Thessaloniki.

Tomorrow Mr. Cohen will meet with Prime Minister Costas Simitis in Athens. He will also hold talks with main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis.

Athens News Agency

[06] Latest round of Greece-Iran-Armenia cooperation talks held in Athens

Athens, 13/07/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Kranidiotis underlined the political significance of such tripartite cooperation in efforts to stabilise peace in the wider region and referred to a need to strengthen economic cooperation between the three countries, particularly in the energy sector, according to a foreign ministry announcement.

Afterwards, the two foreign deputy ministers along with foreign ministry officials focused on the course of tripartite cooperation in the sectors of tourism, energy, transport and communications, the economy, industry, technology, prevention of natural disasters as well as health and the environment.

It was agreed that the coordinating committee's next meeting will take place in Yerevan, where the third meeting, at the foreign ministers' level, will take place on September 7-8.

In an unrelated development, Mr. Kranidiotis will meet European Commission President Romano Prodi and other EU officials in Brussels today.

The purpose of Mr. Kranidiotis' contacts is to promote the finalisation of Thessaloniki as the headquarters of the Union's Balkan Reconstruction Organisation, a foreign ministry announcement said.

Athens News Agency

[07] Spyridon leaves for US today following talks with Patriarch

ISTANBUL, 13/07/1999 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Spyridon announced after the talks that he was satisfied at their outcome, and that he will return to Istanbul in August to "complete the discussion".

Meanwhile, the Patriarch yesterday also received a Greek foreign ministry delegation, shortly before the group departed for Athens.

Greek officials, headed by ambassador Stylianos Valsamas-Rallis, had set out certain ideas to the Patriarch and members of the Holy Synod on Sunday concerning ways of strengthening cooperation between Athens, the Archdiocese of America and the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

According to sources, the Greek government has decided not to become involved in issues constituting the exclusive domain of the Ecumenical Patriarchate's Synod.

Athens News Agency

[08] Patti Smith rails against US-led bombings of Yugoslavia

Athens, 13/07/1999 (ANA)

"I'm an American, but I am not at all proud about the war in Yugoslavia. Unfortunately, this war did not sensitise Americans as much as it should have. The war in Vietnam concerned everyone from the first minute. With the war in Yugoslavia, now that it has ended do we realise its repercussions," Ms Smith said from the northern Greek capital, where she was to hold two concerts - last night and tonight - at the Mylos complex near the city's port.

The 53-year-old Smith, on her first visit to Greece, also remarked on the ecological devastation resulting from the war in Yugoslavia, noting that she did not know the details of the war, "since my information comes from the American media".

Ms Smith, who will also appear tomorrow at the Rockwave '99 Festival in Athens, said regarding her career, that success was not an all-encompassing goal, adding that the most important event in her life was being a mother.

Athens News Agency

[09] Gov't denies press report over Turkish exercises in Aegean

Athens, 13/07/1999 (ANA)

A front-page article in yesterday's edition of the Athens daily 'Athinaiki' claimed that the Turkish military had conducted maneuvers 15 nautical miles inside Greek territorial waters.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said most military exercises take place in Flight Information Regions (FIRs) in which responsibility is shared and that this was the case with regard to the exercises referred to in the newspaper article.

Consequently, Mr. Reppas added, Greece's national interests had in no way been harmed by Turkey's 'Ephessus' and 'Sea Wolf' exercises.

The spokesman also said that the newspaper's comments and interpretation of Civil Aviation Service signals were "completely erroneous".

Replying to reporters' questions on upcoming Greek-Turkish talks as agreed at a recent meeting in New York by the FMs of the two countries, George Papandreou and Ismail Cem, respectively, Mr. Reppas said the Greek delegation would be headed by the foreign ministry's political director. He declined, however, to clarify when the talks would take place, saying only that they would begin "in the next few days" in both Greece and Turkey.

Athens News Agency

[10] UN report on global economy

Athens, 13/07/1999 (ANA)

The UN's annual report said that out of 174 countries in the human development category, Greece placed 27th, behind by Portugal and before Cyprus, while the top spots are held by Canada, Norway, the United States, Japan and Belgium.

Athens News Agency

[11] EU Commissioner Flynn in Athens

Athens, 13/07/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Flynn, accompanied by Deputy Labour Minister Christos Protopapas and other officials, visited an employment promotion centre in Kallithea yesterday. Mr. Flynn said that over the past two years a radical restructuring of programmes has taken place, adding that the course of absorbing EU funds for employment is at an excellent level.

Mr. Protopapas said that during Mr. Flynn's tenure, guidelines, national action plans and the appropriate management of funds were important elements in support for employment, particularly in countries facing development problems, such as Greece.

Athens News Agency

[12] Study: 'Tsikoudia' a favourite drink for Minoans, Myceneans

Athens, 13/07/1999 (ANA)

Police on Crete yesterday morning seized one of the largest crops of marijuana in recent years on the island, specifically, at the Apladiona site near Rethymno. In all, police uprooted 1,128 plants, many of which were 3.5 metres tall. The cultivated area had been fenced off while authoritites found irrigation hoses and other equipment for tending the drug crops. No arrests were announced.

Air traffic control at Macedonia Airport in Thessaloniki was burglarised at dawn yesterday with some 2.7 million drachmas stolen. The money was from airport parking dues. The burglary occurred at around 4 a.m.

Athens News Agency

[13] Gov't warns against land registry middlemen

Athens, 13/07/1999 (ANA)

The environment, town planning and public works ministry said a number of people had set up "establishments" close to public offices where declarations of title deeds are made, often exploiting the public by charging up to 30, 000 drachmas to fill out forms.

National Land Register SA said it would intervene if those responsible did not immediately remove signs from offices. They also warned municipal officials to intervene to cease this activity.

Officials reiterated that land register personnel were required by law to assist private citizens in filling out their declarations.

The ministry also asked those members of the public who were facing problems to report the details on (01) 65.05.600.

Some two million property owners in 275 municipalities around the country have until Oct. 5 to file their declarations.

Around 500,000 owners of real estate have registered their properties for a national land register being created in Greece for the first time.

Albania and Greece are the only European countries without a land register.

The register, which is expected to start initial operations in 2004, aims to protect public land from encroachment, formalise private ownership rights and provide revenue for the state.

Athens News Agency

[14] Gov't to crack down on car insurance evaders

Athens, 13/07/1999 (ANA)

Among the penalties are fines of 325,000 drachmas (1,000 euros) for uninsured coaches and trucks; 162,000 drachmas (500 euros) for cars; and 81, 000 drachmas (250 euros) for motorbikes.

In addition, owners of the offending vehicles may have their licence plates removed and circulation permit confiscated for a year.

The period rises to two or three years if the vehicle causes an accident.

The plates and permits will not be returned to their owners if proof of insurance is not produced, Mr. Venizelos said.

In another provision of the umbrella bill, the government will again be responsible for setting the time period of the summer and winter sales, and offenders will be penalised.

Mr. Venizelos said that trade groups had been unable to handle the job effectively themselves.

Food control agency to be established : Mr. Venizelos also said that the bill allowed the creation of a centralised food control agency that would work to ensure quality for consumers.

The new organisation will check imports, production and transportation of food.

It will also be responsible for handling misrepresentation concerning labelling of foodstuffs, their contents and price.

In addition, the organisation will set standards and impose fines.

Athens News Agency

[15] Greek economy has improved, UN says

Athens, 13/07/1999 (ANA)

At the same time, its performance in human development remained below the average for industrially advanced nations, said the UN report on human development.

Greece ranks 27th for human development among 174 countries, the report said.

Average life expectancy in Greece in 1970-1997 rose by six years to 78 years from 72 years. Infant mortality fell to seven out of every 1000 births from 38.

The position of women in society has shown major improvement, but Greece again lags the industrially advanced nations, the report said.

Athens News Agency

[16] Stocks rally reversing decline

Athens, 13/07/1999 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.82 percent higher at 4,259.65 points, sharply off the day's highs of 4,345 points.

Turnover was 560.389 billion drachmas with 82,843,984 shares changing hands reflecting the transfer of Hellenic Telecoms' 59,288,937 shares from the Greek state to the underwriters of its fourth flotation, at 6,500 drachmas per share.

The company's share price, however, fell 55 drachmas to end at 6,745 drachmas despite the successful outcome of the flotation.

Banks outperformed the market to end 1.54 percent higher.

Other sector indices ended as follows: Leasing (+0.63 pct), Insurance (+0.26 pct), Investment (+0.62 pct), Construction (-0.71 pct), Industrials (+0.39 pct), Miscellaneous (+0.49 pct) and Holding (+0.24 pct).

The parallel market index for smaller capitalisation stocks ended 1.87 percent higher while the FTSE/ASE 20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips rose 0.89 percent to 2,494.99 points.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 173 to 111 with another 15 issues unchanged.

Dorian Bank's shares resumed trading in the market at a new price of 6,105 drachmas.

It ended at the day's 8.0 percent limit up but in very low turnover.

National Bank of Greece ended at 20,550 drachmas, Alpha Credit Bank at 20, 575, Ergobank at 41,510, Bank of Piraeus 9,300, Titan Cement at 31,390, Hellenic Petroleum at 2,845, Intracom at 19,050, Minoan Lines at 5,740, Panafon at 8,570.

Bond prices edge up in scant trade : Bond prices in the secondary market yesterday nosed up 30 basis points but remained at low levels in line with markets in Europe, hurt by the euro's continuing descent against the dollar.

Electronic trade totalled 13 billion drachmas from 167 billion drachmas in the previous session and 114 billion drachmas on Thursday.

The ten-year bond was again trading below par to show a yield of 6.41 percent from 6.39 percent in the previous session and 6.55 percent on Thursday.

Yield is well above the paper's 6.3 percent coupon. The equivalent German bund's yield was 4.75 percent from 4.70 percent.

The yield spread over German bunds was 166 basis points from 167 basis points in the previous session and 175 basis points on Thursday.

At the central bank's daily fix, the euro fell against the drachma. It was set at 324.850 drachmas from 325.350 drachmas in the previous session.

The Bank of Greece intervened in the foreign currency market to back the flagging European currency by purchasing around 120 million euros.

Athens News Agency

[17] Unemployment rises sharply in Q2

Athens, 13/07/1999 (ANA)

NSS's report, based on harmonised EU figures set by Eurostat, showed that employment increased by 113,832, or three percent in the period April-June last year, while the country's total workforce rose to 4,445,702 from 4,262, 345 in the same period of 1997.

Athens News Agency

[18] Budget revenue more than doubles vs target in H1

Athens, 13/07/1999 (ANA)

The finance ministry said in a statement yesterday that budgetary revenue increased by 12.39 percent in the first half of the year, sharply up from a 5.83 percent increase envisaged in the budget.

Tax collected rose 7.7 percent in June and by 13.2 percent in the first six months of 1999.

Customs revenue was 11.7 percent up in June and 3.3 percent higher in the period January-June.

Value Added Tax revenue jumped 29.5 percent in June, posting a 12 percent rise in the first half of the year.

Athens News Agency

[19] Mytilineos to raise share capital

Athens, 13/07/1999 (ANA)

The group's chairman, Evangelos Mytilineos, said yesterday the new capital would be used to fund the company's ambitious expansion programme that aims to make the Group one of Greece's five largest.

A general shareholders' meeting yesterday approved a plan to issue 40,520, 340 new shares at a nominal value of 100 drachmas each.

The new stock will be offered at a ratio of one to one at 1,250 drachmas each.

Mr. Mytilineos said consolidated first half profits would be double the figure for the whole of last year.

He also said the group was determined to defend its interests in the Balkans.

Athens News Agency

[20] New terminal at Kavala's airport

Athens, 13/07/1999 (ANA)

The 6,800-square-metre terminal replaces facilities comprising prefabricated buildings occupying only 1,500 square metres.

Apart from the renovation work on the terminal itself, the airport's runway was also extended.

Athens News Agency

[21] Athens Foreign Exchange

Athens, 13/07/1999 (ANA)

Parities in Drachmas

Banknotes             Buying  Selling
US Dollar             317.986 325.358
Can.Dollar            215.859 220.864
Australian Dlr        210.939 215.830
Pound Sterling        494.056 505.511
Irish Punt            409.174 418.661
Pound Cyprus          558.992 571.953
Pound Malta           740.933 771.805
Turkish pound (100)     0.066   0.069
French franc           49.127  50.266
Swiss franc           200.434 205.081
Belgian franc           7.988   8.174
German Mark           164.764 168.584
Finnish Mark           54.199  55.456
Dutch Guilder         146.232 149.622
Danish Kr.             43.380  44.386
Swedish Kr.            36.978  37.835
Norwegian Kr.          39.749  40.671
Austrian Sh.           23.419  23.962
Italian lira (100)     16.643  17.029
Yen (100)             260.152 266.184
Spanish Peseta          1.936   1.981
Port. Escudo            1.607   1.644

Foreign Exchange      Buying  Selling
New York              317.986 325.358
Montreal              215.859 220.864
Sydney                210.939 215.830
London                494.056 505.511
Dublin                409.174 418.661
Nicosia               558.992 571.953
Paris                  49.127  50.266
Zurich                200.434 205.081
Brussels                7.988   8.174
Frankfurt             164.764 168.584
Helsinki               54.199  55.456
Amsterdam             146.232 149.622
Copenhagen             43.380  44.386
Stockholm              36.978  37.835
Oslo                   39.749  40.671
Vienna                 23.419  23.962
Milan                  16.643  17.029
Tokyo                 260.152 266.184
Madrid                  1.936   1.981
Lisbon                  1.607   1.644

Athens News Agency

[22] Commission warns of court action against Greece over waste management directives

BRUSSELS, 13/07/1999 (ANA - P. Pantelis)

The Commission said Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Italy and Greece had failed to enforce or announce to the Commission programmes on waste management, as foreseen by three Community directives.

In Greece's case, the Commission stated that the country has not provided it with any information in relation to waste management nor provided any documentation which could be considered to be related to programmes foreseen under the directives.

Athens News Agency

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