Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-07-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] Gov`t continues campaign to finalise selection of Thessaloniki as EU agency base

[02] Probe now focuses to identifying dead suspect in bus hijacking

[03] Balkans reconstruction agency among Athens` priorities at upcoming EU General Affairs Council

[04] Athens steadfast on Cyprus issue, condemns continuing Turkish occupation

[05] Finnish PM Lipponen assures of Thessaloniki selection

[06] Simitis chairs Cabinet meeting

[07] KKE cites threat of border changes in the region

[08] Tsovolas emphasises call for simple representation system

[09] Farmer who hijacked bus in protest heads for court

[10] ND criticism over bill regarding transparency in state procurements

[11] Economic News

[12] Athens foreign exchange

[01] Gov`t continues campaign to finalise selection of Thessaloniki as EU agency base

BRUSSELS, 17/7/1999 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

The Greek minister made the statements during the European Union's budget council here.

Mr. Christodoulakis pointed to a political commitment made by the "15" EU leaders in favour of Thessaloniki as the agency's host.

He added that the choice of Thessaloniki will secure the "effecti-veness and coordination of EU actions" in Kosovo, in the name of which the European Commission is trying to "cloud" the decision taken by the 15 leaders and substantively thwart the optio n of Thessaloniki as the agency's headquarters.

The main argument put forward yesterday on the part of the European Commission, both during the Council and the regular daily press briefing, was that what has priority is the effectiveness of EU actions in Kosovo.

Among the arguments made by Finnish Commissioner Erki Liikanen to justify the Commission's reservations was that Thessaloniki was 400 kilometres away from Pristina. When Mr. Christodoulakis replied that it was 200 kilometres away, Mr. Liikanen explained that his assessments were mad e with the return trip in mind.

The Commission's representatives did not rule out the possibility of a compromise proposal being found by Monday when the EU's Council of Foreign Ministers will convene which will confirm both the choice of Thessaloniki as headquarters and the Commissio n's desire to secure the "effectiveness" of EU actions. The prevailing assessment is that some compromise proposal will be found on Monday, following consultations between the presidency and the Commission.

Generally speaking, the climate prevailing in the EU regarding the reconstruction of Kosovo is one of "austerity", which is reflected in the possibility of the summit for the Stability Pact for Sarajevo, scheduled for the end of July.

Athens News Agency

[02] Probe now focuses to identifying dead suspect in bus hijacking

Athens, 17/7/1999 (ANA)

According to reports, papers found on the man didn't identify him as "Aleksandr Nana", as he claimed, but one Arbin Soupa, 26. A further search revealed that the man had been arrested in 1993 in Thessaloniki during a crackdown on illegal immigrants. The suspect had then said his name was Ilias Markoy.

Meanwhile, Greek Police (EL.AS) Chief Ioannis Georgakopoulos, speaking to reporters in Thessaloniki, said police were continuing to investigate whether the grenade-wielding suspect had acted alone or with accomplices.

He said authorities were in possession of the numbers the hijacker had phoned during the hijacking and were investigating what relationship these people had to the suspect.

Mr. Georgakopoulos said the entire operation to end the siege had occured in eight seconds and after police had been able, through gestures, to communicate to the hostages on the bus that they were to grab the hijacker, who was growing increasingly tire d, and wrest the two handgrenades away from him as special forces stormed the bus.

One of the hostages, army conscript Nestoras Kokkalis, grabbed the left hand of the man and the other was grabbed by another hostage, Anastasios Karayiannis, helped by a police officer entering the bus at the same time.

One grenade was thrown out of the bus and exploded in a field while the other had its pin restored before detonating.

A police sharpshooter positioned about 20 metres away managed to shoot the suspect in the face.

The police chief said that the previous hostage incident on May 29, in which another Albanian had hijacked an intercity bus in about the same region with passengers on board, provided bitter lessons that helped authorities not repeat the same mistakes o f the first incident.

He also admitted that Greek police had little experience in dealing with situations of this kind.

Two officers involved in the Thursday afternoon drama had been part of a group trained in the United States in December, while Mr. Georgakopoulos said another group of 25 would be leaving for training in the same country on Saturday and another group of

25 was scheduled to leave in September.

Police had delayed in order to plan their moves when the hostage incident began by arranging for heavy farm equipment to drive in front of the bus as it headed for Albania.

They also decided to move when it was ascertained that the hijacker was feeling emotionally and physically exhausted and isolated, he said.

Professor of psychology Andreas Paraschos, who was involved in the negotiations with the hijacker, said the man appeared convinced that he would carry off the hijacking as he had planned although he did not appear determined to harm the hostages.

He began to lose control of the situation and not be able to take decisions calmly when he began to tire and realise that developments were not going as he planned, the professor observed.

Gov't: Speaking after chairing a joint meeting of the Cabinet and inner Cabinet yesterday, less than 24 hours after the bus hijacking ended, PM Costas Simitis underlined that the safety of citizens was a basic social requirement.

The premier said the government would do everything possible to secure citizens' safety and linked the presence of economic refugees in Greece with many aspects of criminal activity which have appeared in the country over recent years.

"Whoever fails to respect law and order has no place in our country and must leave," Mr. Simitis said, underlining the government's determination to combat crime.

Greece, he said, a hospitable country, has in recent years encountered unprecedented "criminal phenomena" which are trying the naturally hospitable feelings of the Greek people.

Noting that Greece had very long borders to guard, Simitis said the high standard of living attracted economic refugees who brought with them "phenomena of other countries" into Greek society.

These issues must be tackled with understanding and a sense of responsibility by all, the premier said, calling on opposition parties to make a contribution.

In this respect, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the premier intended to meet opposition leaders next week to brief them on the government's thoughts on the issue of tackling illegal immigration and crime in general and ask for their views on the matter.

KKE: In an announcement yesterday, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) criticised a statement by Mr. Simitis on crime developing among circles of foreigners as "racist and therefore extremely dangerous."

KKE said Mr. Simitis is "hiding the causes creating economic immigrants and the increase in crime among peoples who are starving."

"We're dealing with a government with a mentality reminiscent of (French nationalist leader Jean-Marie) Le Pen," the KKE announcement said, adding that "if the government had the registration and legality of immigrants as its target, it merely had to ch eck employers wanting Greek and foreign blackmarket labour and not call on citizens to report illegal immigrantsI".

Athens News Agency

[03] Balkans reconstruction agency among Athens` priorities at upcoming EU General Affairs Council

Athens, 17/7/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Kranidiotis told a press conference yesterday that Greece still had certain reservations regarding the relevant regulations pertaining to the agency as proposed by the European Commission.

He clarified that the Commission had not yet taken steps to fall in line with the political decision taken by EU leaders at the recent Cologne summit and meeting in Rio de Janeiro in favour of the agency being headquartered in Thessaloniki.

"We are awaiting fresh proposals from outgoing Commissioner (for external relations) Hans van den Broek. I hope that the new decision will be in line with the political decisions taken at Rio," Mr. Kranidiotis said.

The Commission's intentions regarding the issue of a Thessaloniki-based reconstruction agency became no clearer following a discussion in Brussels on Wednesday.

During the session, Mr. van den Broek did not clarify whether he would propose Thessaloniki himself, or on behalf of the Commission, or if he would insist on a previous proposal in favour of Pristina.

Loukas Tsilas, Greece's representative at the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) which also discussed the issue on Wednesday, said Athens would not consent on Monday to an adoption of the regulations governing the agency if it was not clea rly stated that its headquarters and basic services would be based in Thessaloniki. Mr. Kranidiotis said yesterday that Thessaloniki already had the necessary infrastructure to host the agency, while acknowledging that a number of branches could also be set up in cities of the region to expedite affairs on-the- spot.

He also announced that Greece and the Netherlands would jointly submit a proposal to the General Affairs Council requesting the lifting of sanctions on Yugoslavia to facilitate the country's re-incorporation in the international community. Mr.

Kranidiotis said the main issues to be discussed on Monday and Tuesday were EU enlargement, preparations for the intergovernmental conference on institutional issues, European security and defence, the incorporation of the Western European Union (WEU) in to the EU and human rights.

The Council will also be discussing preparations for common strategies on the Ukraine, the Mediterranean and the western Balkans.

Turning to the Middle East, Mr. Kranidiotis said the EU should play a more active role in peace efforts in the region.

He added that the Finnish presidency of the EU was quite correct in planning a trip to the Middle East to get a first hand picture of the situation prevailing.

Mr. Kranidiotis said both he and Foreign Minister George Papandreou would visit Israel soon for talks aimed at promoting contacts between Israelis and Palestinians within the framework of confidence-building measures agreed at Wye River.

Athens News Agency

[04] Athens steadfast on Cyprus issue, condemns continuing Turkish occupation

Athens, 17/7/1999 (ANA)

"For a quarter of a century, the Cypriot tragedy has been a black page in the annals of contemporary world history and civilisation," Alternate Foreign Minister Yannos Kranidiotis said in a statement.

He added that in the summer of 1974 Turkey used brute force to "proceed with one of the most abhorrent ethnic cleansing operations" on Cyprus.

A third of Greek Cypriots became refugees and the tragedy of those listed as missing during the invasion continues, he said.

"In the occupied territories of Cyprus, Turkey is implementing a systematic programme of demographic changes, led by illegal Turkish settlers while continuing to oppress and gradually push out the enclaved," he said.

"Our positions on Cyprus remain unchanged. The situation today, created by force in Cyprus, is unacceptable. No matter how much time passes, the struggle to restore legality will continue.

"Cyprus' struggle is Hellenism's struggle. Greece remains a guarantor of the security and existence of Cypriot Hellenism, steadily pursuing the implementation of the joint defence doctrine and Cyprus' accession to the European Union," he concluded.

Responding to a press question, Mr. Kranidiotis said Greece condemned as "totally illegal", festivities taking part in Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus, adding that they do not contribute to the effort for securing peace on Cyprus.

Athens News Agency

[05] Finnish PM Lipponen assures of Thessaloniki selection

BRUSSELS, 17/7/1999 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

"The headquarters of the reconstruction organisation in the Balkans will be in Thessaloniki. The Finnish presidency will observe the decision taken in Rio," he said.

The assurance was given to PASOK Eurodeputy and Socialist group vice- president Georgios Katiforis by the Finnish premier in Helsinki yesterday, when Mr. Katiforis raised the issue during a meeting between the Socialist group's presidium and Mr. Lipponen .

In a statement afterwards, Mr. Katiforis expressed satisfaction over the assurance, adding that "the agreement of the '15' in Rio should be respected by allI"

Lastly, Mr. Katiforis announced that PASOK's Parliamentary group at the European Parliament has already addressed a letter to the European Parliament's budget committee chairman requesting the inclusion of the necessary amount for the establishment of t he organisation in Thessaloniki within the EU's budget.

Athens News Agency

[06] Simitis chairs Cabinet meeting

Athens, 17/7/1999 (ANA)

During a Cabinet meeting, Mr. Simitis asked each minister to visit the provinces at least once during July and August and twice beginning in September, while he repeated warnings against what he called a "climate of mass hirings" which would have advers e repercussions. The government has already announced some 1,000 new hires in police forces and 1,500 more personnel to boost border patrols.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said Transport Minister Tassos Mantelis presented the inner cabinet with 12 action plans for the improvement of public transports, adding that developments in state-owned Olympic Airways were encouraging, while the l ong-awaited Athens metro will have a test-start on Dec. 1. He added that the airport in Spata will be 90 to 100 per cent completed by year-end.

Finally, Mr. Reppas said that Interior Minister Vasso Papandreou was assigned the preparation of a bill regarding the regulation of immigration issues. - Council of State vice-president Christos Geraris was appointed yesterday by the cabinet to the position of the CoS' president.

The two vice-president slots were filled by Mihalis Vrondakis and Georgios Stavropoulos, while Anastasios Karagiorgis was appointed vice-president of the Supreme Court. - The Cabinet has approved the appointment of Anna Efstathiadi-Kokevi as president of the Organisation for Combatting Drugs (OKANA).

She is an alternate professor of psychology at the Athens University and succeeds Meni Malliori, who was elected recently to the Europarliament.

Athens News Agency

[07] KKE cites threat of border changes in the region

Athens, 17/7/1999 (ANA)

"The danger for a general change in borders and a more general conflict, as well as the threat of a new war waged by the imperialists will be used as a demand and complete submission of the region to their plans" KKE's central committee said in a resolu tion released after its July 10 meeting.

The party's central committee criticised the government and the opposition parties for what it called their "war-time and post-war stance".

Athens News Agency

[08] Tsovolas emphasises call for simple representation system

Athens, 17/7/1999 (ANA)

Replying to reporters' questions on possible dialogue with ruling PASOK over establishing a simple representation election system, Mr. Tsovolas said "the establishment of simple representation consists of an obligation the government has toward democrac y and the Greek people, and we are calling on it to implement it without any further discussions.

"Otherwise, PASOK's leadership becomes solely responsible for political developments in the country, despite its claim that the (main opposition) New Democracy party cannot be elected into power again," he said.

Athens News Agency

[09] Farmer who hijacked bus in protest heads for court

Athens, 17/7/1999 (ANA)

According to police, 44-year-old Andreas Kalyvas released the driver and all 38 passengers of the coach he hijacked and drove it to a Messolongi police station in protest over the other hijacking.

Authorities said Mr. Kalyvas first followed the bus, en route from Tirana to Athens, in his pick-up truck and stopped it along the Antirrio-Ioannina national highway by brandishing a shotgun.

Athens News Agency

[10] ND criticism over bill regarding transparency in state procurements

Athens, 17/7/1999 (ANA)

"...they fail to lay strong foundations for the creation of a central system with sufficient guarantees on transparency in the public sector, and more specifically, over the management of public funds", Mr. Sioufas said.

Athens News Agency

[11] Economic News

Athens, 17/7/1999 (ANA)

The general index ended 2.35 percent higher at 4,410.33 points, near near the day's highs.

Turnover was 179.690 billion drachmas with 24,502,467 shares changing hands.

Dealers said buying activity once again focused on blue chips in the banking sector encouraged by a fierce battle between Eurobank and Bank of Piraeus to gain control of Ergobank.

All three banks are listed on the bourse.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks (+3.90 pct), Leasing (+3.92 pct), Insurance (+3.48 pct), Investment (+2.42 pct), Construction (+3.22 pct), Industrials (-0.27 pct), Miscellaneous (+0.69 pct) and Holding (+1.56 pct).

The parallel market index for smaller capitalisation stocks ended 1.07 percent higher while the FTSE/ASE 20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips rose 2.81 percent to 2,618.40.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 184 to 107 with another nine issues unchanged.

Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation, National Bank of Greece and Panafon were the most heavily traded stocks, with National Bank, Ergobank, Commercial Bank and Alpha Credit Bank leading the day's turnover.

A total of 38 shares ended at the day's 8.0 percent limit up.

National Bank of Greece ended at 22,740 drachmas, Alpha Credit Bank at 22, 050, Ergobank at 42,290, Bank of Piraeus at 9,160, Titan Cement 29,855, Hellenic Petroleum at 2,785, Intracom at 18,750, Minoan Lines at 5,800, Panafon at 8,160 and Hellenic Telec oms at 6,930.

Bonds perk up in bargain hunting: Bonds in the secondary market gained a little momentum yesterday with buying interest firming up prices in light trade.

Electronic trade totalled 34 billion drachmas from 26 billion drachmas in the previous session and 30 billion drachmas on Wednesday.

Of yesterday's total, buy orders accounted for around 31 billion drachmas of turnover.

The ten-year bond was trading higher to show a yield of 6.45 percent from 6.38 percent a day earlier and 6.30 percent on Wednesday.

The yield spread over German bunds was flat at 170 basis points from the previous session, rising from 164 basis points on Wednesday.

At the central bank's daily fix, the euro nosed down against the drachma. It was set at 324.400 drachmas from 324.750 drachmas in the previous session.

Bank of Piraeus Group posts 256 pct profit jump: The Bank of Piraeus Group said yesterday that it showed a pre-tax consolidated profit jump of 256 percent in the first half to 44.3 billion drachmas against the same period of last year.

Of the total, profits for distribution to shareholders are 29.1 billion drachmas, seen rising to 50 billion drachmas by the end of the year on overall earnings of 70 billion drachmas, Bank of Piraeus said in a statement.

The integration into the Group of the parent bank and two acquisitions is nearing completion, the statement said.

The three banks are Bank of Piraeus, Xiosbank and Macedonia-Thrace Bank. All are listed on the Athens bourse.

The Bank of Piraeus Group has launched a friendly takeover offer for listed Ergobank in the wake of a hostile bid by the Latsis Group.

Eurobank pledges stock for all Ergobank shareholders: Ergobank's retail shareholders will all receive stock if a share swap offer by Eurobank is oversubscribed, EFG Eurobank's managing director, Nikos Nanopoulos, said yesterday.

Mr. Nanopoulos was addressing a news conference to explain the Eurobank Group's new, improved offer in a hostile takeover bid it has launched for Ergobank through Consolidated Eurofinance Holdings.

He said that all of Ergobank's retail shareholders owning less than 400 shares would receive stock because under the terms of the deal every applicant would receive a minimum of 200 shares.

Ergobank's management backs a rival stock swap offer from Bank of Piraeus and has advised shareholders to buy into it.

The offer followed a merger proposal made by Bank of Piraeus to management.

EFG Eurobank is a member of the Latsis Group. All three banks are private and listed on the Athens bourse.

Gov't to auction three-year bonds Tuesday: The finance ministry is to auction 120 billion drachmas of three-year bonds on Tuesday in a reopening of its original January 22 paper, it said in a statement yesterday.

The paperless bonds carry an annual coupon of 7.60 percent. Settlement is on July 23.

The securities are tax-free for permanent residents abroad under a law in force since January 1.

Strintzis Lines to get new high-speed ferry: Strintzis Lines, a passenger shipper listed on the Athens bourse, has ordered the construction of a ro- pax ferry from Daewoo Heavy Industries, the first Greek vessel of its type.

Strintzis Lines said in a statement yesterday that the ship, to be named Ithaki, is expected to ply the Kefallonia route from June 2000.

The ship will have a capacity of 1,500 passengers and 300 vehicles.

National Bank extends debit card abroad: National Bank of Greece, a blue chip on the Athens bourse, said that as of yesterday it had extended the use of its debit card to transactions abroad.

The card may be used at any ATM outside Greece marked Cirrus and Maestro.

Withdrawals abroad will come in the form of that country's currency up to the equivalent of 2000 euros for each trip. The daily limit is the equivalent of 300,000 drachmas.

The amount of the withdrawal in foreign currency is converted into drachmas and automatically debited to the holder's account.

Lambrakis makes trade fair deal with Italian firm: The Lambrakis Group, whose activities include publishing and travel, is to enter the trade fair sector through an alliance with Fiere Di Bologna of Italy.

The two groups, who are due to sign the agreement on Monday, will create a joint venture called Expoplan with each holding a 50 percent stake.

Expoplan will take part in Macedonia Development, a newly created consortium that is seeking to buy 45 percent of Helexpo SA, Greece's state trade fair organiser.

Labour ministry plans for employment: The labour ministry is implementing a plan of action to provide information for the unemployed and businesses regarding additional training programmes concerning new specialties, as well as on the subsidisation of new jobs.

The plan anticipates the creation of an integrated information office network, eight of which are already functioning, while the creation of another 10 is being scheduled in 1999.

Deputy Labour and Social Insurances Minister Christos Protopapas, who inaugurated the information office operating in Thessaloniki's Neapoli municipality since July 1, yesterday defined the axes of this policy.

He said the total investment will amount to 1.5 billion drachmas. "When we speak today of development access to information it is not merely a right but a top priority. The employees and businesses information offices come to cover this demand for prope r organisationI" he said.

Athens News Agency

[12] Athens foreign exchange

Athens, 17/7/1999 (ANA)

Banknotes Buying Selling
US Dollar 315.486 322.800
Can.Dollar 212.982 217.920
Australian Dlr 208.335 213.165
Pound Sterling 494.413 505.876
Irish Punt 408.608 418.082
Pound Cyprus 558.893 571.851
Pound Malta 735.109 765.739
Turkish pound (100) 0.065 0.068
French franc 49.058 50.196
Swiss franc 200.329 204.974
Belgian franc 7.977 8.162
German Mark 164.536 168.351
Finnish Mark 54.124 55.378
Dutch Guilder 146.028 149.414
Danish Kr. 43.273 44.276
Swedish Kr. 36.817 37.671
Norwegian Kr. 39.551 40.468
Austrian Sh. 23.386 23.929
Italian lira (100) 16.620 17.005
Yen (100) 261.144 267.199
Spanish Peseta 1.934 1.979 Port.
Escudo 1.605 1.642

Foreign Exchange Buying Selling
New York 315.486 322.800
Montreal 212.982 217.920
Sydney 208.335 213.165
London 494.413 505.876
Dublin 408.608 418.082
Nicosia 558.893 571.851
Paris 49.058 50.196
Zurich 200.329 204.974
Brussels 7.977 8.162
Frankfurt 164.536 168.351
Helsinki 54.124 55.378
Amsterdam 146.028 149.414
Copenhagen 43.273 44.276
Stockholm 36.817 37.671
Oslo 39.551 40.468
Vienna 23.386 23.929
Milan 16.620 17.005
Tokyo 261.144 267.199
Madrid 1.934 1.979
Lisbon 1.605 1.642

Athens News Agency

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