Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-09-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Death toll from Athens quake reaches 65, premier announces relief measures

[02] Greece, Armenia and Iran sign cooperation memorandum

[03] Gov't to give quake rebuilding cash from budget

[04] EU raps Greece over unemployment

[05] No bourse, derivatives today in quake aftermath

[06] Minor speculation in forex, bond market shut

[07] Mega Channel goes to Cyprus

[08] Prospects of Georgia's economy presented

[09] Athens Foreign Exchange

[10] No change in location of Olympic Village

[11] European soccer match postponed

[12] PM Simitis expresses thanks for messages of sympathy, aid

[13] Message by US President Clinton

[14] Tribute to dedicated rescue workers

[15] PM Simitis calls off reception for media

[16] Greece supports international peacekeeping presence in East Timor

[17] Ecevit reserved but optimistic on Greek-Turkish relations

[01] Death toll from Athens quake reaches 65, premier announces relief measures

Athens, 09/09/1999 (ANA)

Rescuers were still continuing operations to locate around 30 people missing. The number of injured are in their hundreds.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis announced a series of measures to provide support and restitution to those left homeless. He outlined a five-point plan including rental subsidies and subsidised loans for businesses to get back on their feet.

More than 700 aftershocks shook the Greek capital since the major quake which measured 5.9 on the Richter scale occurred on Tuesday.

Greek seismologists meeting last night at the environment ministry, attended by Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis, unanimously concluded that Tuesday's quake was the major one and no greater jolt was expected.

Seismologists also assessed that the critical factor Zen measuring the ground speed produced by Tuesday's earthquake stood at 0.50, greater than that of the quakes in Aegion, in the Peloponnese in 1995 or that in Turkey last month.

President of the seismologists committee Dimitris Papanikolaou said after the meeting that the aftershock activity has been developing normally.

He stressed that buildings should not be used before they are checked by state engineers, while he reiterated that Greece is an earthquake-prone country , thus continual readiness of agencies was necessary.

The environment, town planning and public works ministry announced that 250 teams of engineers checked 3,009 buildings of which 1352 were found undamaged, 1,239 in need of repairs and 418 damaged beyond repair.

Thousands of Athenians spent Tuesday and yesterday in open spaces, camping in parks, soccer fields, church yards and schools, fearful of returning to their homes.

Schools in the capital remained closed and the ministry of education postponed yesterday's second lyceum entry exams. The usually busy Athens Stock Exchange remained closed yesterday. It will resume transactions tomorrow.

Simitis : Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday announced a series of measures to provide support and restitution to those left homeless by Tuesday's devastating 5.9 magnitude Richter earthquake.

Mr. Simitis, speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting of his ministers, outlined a five-point plan including rental subsidies and subsidised loans for businesses to get back on their feet.

The prime minister said each family left homeless by the quake will receive an immediate lump sum payment of 200,000 drachmas.

Local government authorities will be charged with setting up camping sites for the establishment of tent cities for the temporarily homeless, Mr. Simitis said. This would provide the necessary health and sanitary services.

The State will undertake to cover a third of the cost of the rebuilding or repair of damaged homes and would also provide interest-free 15-year loans, Mr. Simitis said.

Also available will be subsidised loans for those self-employed professionals and commercial enterprises hurt by the quake.

The prime minister said he did not believe the quake damage would derail Greece's attempts to become the 13th member of economic and monetary union and join the euro zone.

National Economy and Finance Minister Yannos Papantoniou agreed:

"The cost (of the quake) in human terms is extremely heavy, unbearably so. The material damage is, unfortunately, significant. On the other hand, however, the economy is strong and the budget is strong," Mr. Papantoniou said.

"There is no cause for concern. The initial estimates of the cost are of course higher than what initially appeared. But the state budget ... is able to shoulder this cost, without any other effect on the economy," he said.

Spokesman : Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas called on Greeks not to fall prey to rumour-mongering, following intense rumours of an imminent major earthquake yesterday.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Reppas said a seismology professor had denied that he predicted such an earthquake, as claimed by an Athens radio station earlier in the day.

"The best defence against any such natural phenomenon is calm and self- restraint," he said. "I ask citizens to show calm, it is the best aid that they could offer."

Mr. Reppas said 3,000 tents and makeshift shelters had been distributed, and that 2,000 firemen and 1,000 soldiers were involved in rescue work, along with army engineers.

The environment, town planning and public works ministry had received 2,500 calls to date from those seeking inspections of their damaged buildings.

Mr. Reppas said the government was fully behind the judicial inquiry under way into whether negligence or faulty workmanship contributed to the collapse of buildings.

Athens public prosecutor George Koliokostas ordered an "urgent inquiry" regarding the collapsed buildings, to establish whether their was any responsibility by engineers for poor construction.

The European commission's council of permanent representatives COREPER will meet soon to approve financial aid for Greece, following a request for the meeting submitted by Alternate Foreign Minister Yannos Kranidiotis, the spokesman said.

He thanked the countries and various organisations, including citizen's groups who had offered help to Greece, mentioning that a 20-member Turkish rescue team, 40-member French team and seven-member Swiss team were already in Greece.

A rescue team from the Czech Republic is taking part in operations.

"We have done everything possible to bring this adventure to an end with the least consequences possible," Mr. Reppas said.

Mr. Reppas welcomed the "helpful stance" of the opposition at this time of emergency, saying that it was "a good example of healthy politics that, in such crucial moments, what prevails are the elements which unite and, not divide, us", adding that the opposition's stance had also contributed to a feeling of safety and security."

Athens News Agency

[02] Greece, Armenia and Iran sign cooperation memorandum

Athens, 09/09/1999 (ANA)

The three ministers, who met in the Armenian capital of Yerevan, also discussed the participation of third countries in a natural gas pipeline between Iran and Armenia.

The issue is to be discussed in more depth in November when the three countries' energy committee meets in Athens.

Signing for Greece was George Papandreou; for Iran, Kamal Kharrazi; and for Armenia, Vartan Oskanyan. The three also confirmed their interest in the use of renewable energy, and agreed to establish an energy data base in their countries.

They also said they would set up a new regional design and construction committee.

Welcomed at the meeting were initiatives by Greece to organise training seminars on tourism, transport, industry, technology and the economy.

The three foreign ministers will meet again in Athens in 2000 after a session of their coordinating committee in April of the same year.

Athens News Agency

[03] Gov't to give quake rebuilding cash from budget

Athens, 09/09/1999 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters after a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Mr. Papantoniou said that the government would also seek funds from the European Union to back spending from the budget.

The earthquake would not negatively affect the stock market's performance, and the bourse would continue to reflect the economy's health, the minister said in reply to a question.

Klonatex, Agricultural Bank join relief effort : The Klonatex Group, a textiles manufacturer listed on the Athens bourse, yesterday announced that it would place 100 million drachmas at the disposal of the government in solidarity with the relatives of Tuesday's earthquake and their families.

In addition, state-owned Agricultural Bank of Greece said it would offer a series of loans on favourable terms to individuals and businesses that have suffered in the earthquake.

Athens News Agency

[04] EU raps Greece over unemployment

BRUSSELS, 09/09/1999 (ANA/M.Spinthourakis)

EU Commissioner Padraig Flynn told a news conference that Greece's healthy economic growth over the last two years was not matched by a decline in unemployment, which meant a need for major structural changes.

Mr. Flynn, who is responsible for employment, said that in 1998 the jobless rate was 10.7 percent in Greece, up from 9.8 percent in 1997.

The 1998 rate was also higher than the EU average of 9.9 percent for the same year.

The Commission said in a report on joblessness in each member state that it was especially concerned at Greece's youth unemployment rate of 12 percent against the EU's 9.3 percent average.

Also of major concern were long-term joblessness, and the differential between women and men.

Among member states, Greece spent the lowest percentage of gross domestic product on measures for the labour market, and major weaknesses were apparent in permanent vocational training.

The report added that in the business sector, both taxation policy and state red tape acted as a disincentive to new initiatives, and therefore job creation. The situation was especially acute in the services sector, it said.

Both the tax burden in the labour market and non-wage cost of labour had to be reduced.

Finally, more flexibility should be introduced into the labour market, the report said.

From information in the Commission's report, member states fall into four categories according to their performance in adopting recommendations set by the EU two years ago on how to combat unemployment.

Greece appears in the fourth and final category of countries that have shown a negative record of adaptation to the recommendations. Along with Greece are Italy and Belgium.

Athens News Agency

[05] No bourse, derivatives today in quake aftermath

Athens, 09/09/1999 (ANA)

The stock market remained closed yesterday to finish settlement left over from Tuesday. However, technical problems appeared in brokerages and the share depository, again hindering the clearing system.

The decision to suspend trading also includes the Athens Derivatives Exchange, whose futures trades are based on the FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chips and heavily traded stocks.

Athens News Agency

[06] Minor speculation in forex, bond market shut

Athens, 09/09/1999 (ANA)

The Bank of Greece stepped in after the euro rose above 326.950 drachmas, selling around 50 million euros to bring the national currency higher.

After the intervention, the market stabilised in lighter trade. At the central bank's daily fix, the euro nosed up versus the drachma.

It ended at 326.950 drachmas from 326.800 drachmas a day earlier and 326.920 drachmas on Monday.

Also at the fix, the dollar dropped against the drachma in line with its descent in international markets. The greenback was set at 308.730 drachmas from 309.870 drachmas in the previous session and 307.750 drachmas on Monday.

Monetary authorities decided to call off secondary market bond trading for precautionary reasons linked to Tuesday's major earthquake and continuing aftershocks.

Money market trade was lacklustre, and the central bank conducted its regular Wednesday intervention unchanged at 12 percent.

Economy, drachma intact after quake, gov't says : The economy and the drachma are unscathed by the repercussions of Tuesday's earthquake and aftershocks, a senior government adviser said yesterday.

"The economic impact of the earthquakes is not particularly significant and in any case is not expected to affect the drachma's parity adversely, or the Greek economy overall," said Yannis Stournaras, president of the national economy ministry's Council of Economic Advisers.

Athens News Agency

[07] Mega Channel goes to Cyprus

Athens, 09/09/1999 (ANA)

Teletypos, which is listed on the Athens bourse, has secured the long-term operation of a TV network and installations currently used by the Logos channel, the Greek firm said in a statement yesterday.

Programming in Cyprus, which is to begin immediately, will include news and entertainment, the statement said.

Athens News Agency

[08] Prospects of Georgia's economy presented

Athens, 09/09/1999 (ANA)

The director of Georgia's Investment Centre Mr. Sarishvilli was the main speaker at the event, while addresses were also made by Minister of Macedonia and Thrace Yiannis Mangriotis and DIPEK President Dimitris Bakatselos.

Mr. Mangriotis said the common traditions linking Greece and Georgia and its economy's dynamic prospects are excellent preconditions for the start to a productive economic, commercial and business cooperation between the two countries. Georgia has signed a series of agreements with Greece concerning, among others, economic, industrial, technical and scientific cooperation.

Athens News Agency

[09] Athens Foreign Exchange

Athens, 09/09/1999 (ANA)

Parities in Drachmas

Banknotes             Buying  Selling
US Dollar             306.260 313.361
Can.Dollar            205.642 210.410
Australian Dlr        198.896 203.507
Pound Sterling        492.012 503.420
Irish Punt            411.820 421.368
Pound Cyprus          561.472 574.490
Pound Malta           715.091 744.886
Turkish pound (100)     0.063   0.066
French franc           49.444  50.591
Swiss franc           202.938 207.644
Belgian franc           8.040   8.226
German Mark           165.830 169.675
Finnish Mark           54.549 55.814
Dutch Guilder         147.176 150.588
Danish Kr.             43.598  44.609
Swedish Kr.            37.617  38.489
Norwegian Kr.          39.412  40.326
Austrian Sh.           23.570  24.116
Italian lira (100)     16.751  17.139
Yen (100)             276.371 282.779
Spanish Peseta          1.949   1.994
Port. Escudo            1.618   1.655

Foreign Exchange      Buying  Selling
US Dollar             306.260 313.361
Can.Dollar            205.642 210.410
Australian Dlr        198.896 203.507
Pound Sterling        492.012 503.420
Irish Punt            411.820 421.368
Pound Cyprus          561.472 574.490
Pound Malta           715.091 744.886
Turkish pound (100)     0.063   0.066
French franc           49.444  50.591
Swiss franc           202.938 207.644
Belgian franc           8.040   8.226
German Mark           165.830 169.675
Finnish Mark           54.549  55.814
Dutch Guilder         147.176 150.588
Danish Kr.             43.598  44.609
Swedish Kr.            37.617  38.489
Norwegian Kr.          39.412  40.326
Austrian Sh.           23.570  24.116
Italian lira (100)     16.751  17.139
Yen (100)             276.371 282.779
Spanish Peseta          1.949   1.994
Port. Escudo            1.618   1.655

Athens News Agency

[10] No change in location of Olympic Village

Athens, 09/09/1999 (ANA)

"The Olympic Village will be constructed in the Acharnes Basin, with special features able to withstand earthquakes, so as not to have any problems in case of an earthquake. No changes in location are planned," Mr. Bakouris stressed, in statements to the Athens News Agency.

"No damages were listed in the existing facilities, which will be used either for the athletic events or training. No important damages were registered, however, special teams of experts will examine them in detail, so as to have a complete picture of the situation. The organising of the Olympic Games is not influenced in essence by the hit of the earthquake, as data up to this point show," he added.

Athens News Agency

[11] European soccer match postponed

Athens, 09/09/1999 (ANA)

Deputy Minister for Sports Andreas Fouras said all forms of competitive team sports had been postponed in the Attica region until today pending checks on sporting facilities in the wake of the quake.

"All matches scheduled for the Attica prefecture today Wednesday 8 and tomorrow Thursday 9 September have been postponed to allow inspections of sporting facilities in the areas affected by the recent seismic activiy and for the safety of athletes and fans," Mr. Fouras said in a statement.

He had earlier spoken with his Albanian counterpart, who had agreed to a postponement. A later announcement from the federation said that the game would be played on October 6.

Athens News Agency

[12] PM Simitis expresses thanks for messages of sympathy, aid

Athens, 09/09/1999 (ANA)

Responding to a question about the message sent by Turkish President Bulent Ecevit and the help offered by Turkish rescue teams, Mr. Simitis said:

"I am expressing thanks for the message from the Turkish prime minister, as well as for all the others who showed their support, such as (Cypriot) President Clerides, who offered on behalf of Cyprus to extend financial aid of one million dollars."

Mr. Simitis called the presence of Turkish rescue teams in Greece "a sign of solidarity and friendship between the peoples of the region."

Meanwhile, a U.S. Embassy statement said President Clinton, Secretary of State Albright and Secretary of Defence Cohen were sending messages of support to Mr. Simitis and his foreign and defence ministers.

The embassy has expressed its profound sympathy and condolences to the Greek people for the earthquake and has offered Greece any assistance that may be required to cope with the aftermath of the quake.

Israel has offered to provide Greece with rescue teams to free the dozens of people trapped under tonnes of rubble.

Israeli ambassador to Greece Ran Curiel spoke with Alternate Foreign Minister Yannos Kranidiotis on Tuesday evening, telling him of Israel's readiness to extend all help needed.

An Israeli embassy statement yesterday said an Israeli special rescue team - which worked in Kenya after the U.S. embassy bombing and in Turkey during last month's earthquake - was ready to travel to Athens.

Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Nawaf Massalha, in Athens last week for the Athens-sponsored Israeli-Palestinian dialogue, spoke with Mr. Kranidiotis to express his regret at the loss of life and reiterated Israel's willingness to help.

The Turkish Embassy in Athens in a press release yesterday expressed its "deepest sympathy and condolences" for the victims of the earthquake.

"The fact that this earthquake occurred at a time when the government and the people of Greece were generously helping the victims of another tragedy in Turkey, makes our sorrow even more profound," the statement said.

Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien yesterday expressed the condolences and solidarity of the Canadian people to the people of Greece, hit by the earthquake.

Mr. Chretien expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the dead.

Meanwhile, the Canadian branch of the Red Cross has began efforts to locate Canadian citizens residing in Athens.

Countries already having provided assistance are the United States, Russia, Britain, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Turkey, Bulgaria, Israel, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Albania, Slovakia, Ukraine, Slovenia, Austria, Moldova and Cyprus.

Aid offers have also been made by the European Union, NATO and other international organisations, while rescue teams from Cyprus, Turkey, Switzerland, France and Germany have arrived in Athens so far. A rescue team from Israel was also expected in a few hours' time.

One of the first messages of condolences to reach Prime Minister Costas Simitis was by German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, while German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer addressed a letter to his Greek counterpart George Papandreou, expressing his country's readiness to provide aid of all kinds.

Apart from solidarity and sympathy messages sent by almost all European governments, Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Massimo Ranieri expressed his government's availability for further aid to be provided. Luxembourg Foreign Minister Lidi Polfer addresse da letter to her Greek counterpart expressing her government's condolences.

Immediate response by the Czech Republic's government was moving which informed the Greek Foreign Ministry that two aircraft were on standby to take a 20-member rescue team to Athens together with sniffer dogs.

Hungarian President Arbad Gontz stressed in a letter to President Kostis Stephanopoulos "the Greek people, known all over the world for their spiritual strength and indomitable nature, will overcome this difficult moment thanks to the country's good pre paration and the assistance of friendly countries, including Hungary."

Greek-American organisations, specialised search and rescue teams from the United States, and the Los Angeles Fire Brigade communicated with the Greek Embassy in Washington and offered to provide their services in the event it was requested by the Greek authorities.