Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-09-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] Condolences pour in for Kranidiotis, five other victims

[02] Gov't, seismologists downplay quake prediction

[03] Probe into plane's plunge ordered at highest level

[04] Mantelis travels to Bucharest

[05] Olympiakos-Real tie at 3-3

[06] Quake-stricken municipalities begin to designate areas for new housing

[07] Talks between Greek, Turkish diplomats resume

[08] Ecevit: No concession over Cyprus

[09] Turkish ambassador's condolences

[10] US ambassador on loss of Kranidiotis, quake relief

[11] Rampant stocks sprint towards 6,200 points

[12] Bonds stay low in light trade

[13] Companies offer quake aid

[14] Gov't again calls for price cuts

[15] Industrialists call for more structural change

[16] Goody's to boost share capital

[17] Eurostat reports slip in Greek exports for '98

[18] Magriotis receives Yugoslav consul in Thessaloniki

[19] Athens Foreign Exchange

[20] Cyprus leadership pays tribute to Kranidiotis

[01] Condolences pour in for Kranidiotis, five other victims

Athens, 16/09/1999 (ANA)

The 52-year-old Nicosia-born Kranidiotis; his 23-year-old son Nikos; Greek state TV and radio reporters Dimitris Pantazopoulos and Nina Assimakopoulou; the minister's bodyguard Nikos Assimakopoulos and flight engineer Mihalis Papadopoulos were all kille d when the Falcon commuter jet plunged from 23, 000 feet to 4,000 feet in a matter of seconds, just as it commenced landing procedures and while nearing Bucharest.

Three of the seven survivors were hospitalised, two of them with serious injuries. The pilot and co-pilot, who were strapped into their seats at the time of the free-fall, escaped injury and managed to land the plane safely at Bucharest airport.

Kranidiotis was on his way to the Romanian capital to attend a Balkan foreign ministers' conference, scheduled to open yesterday before being unanimously postponed due to the accident.

Accompanying the bodies back to Athens was Transport Minister Tassos Mantelis, who had earlier in the day led a team of civil aviation experts to the Romanian capital.

The six coffins, all draped in Greek flags, arrived at Athens airport at about 2:45 p.m., and were met by the families of the victims, Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, several members of the government,the ruling party and Parliament MPs.

Kranidiotis will be buried at noon tomorrow at the Athens First Cemetary, while the other victims will be laid to rest today.

"Yannos Kranidiotis was a friend, colleague, a person with knowledge, great experience in foreign policy, great talent in handling issues, a person who fought around the world for Greece's interests," Mr. Simitis said.

"He showed that we can approach a world which has changed with new ideas, new ways, which win the respect of whoever works withus. Greece's presence today is, in part, due to the contribution of Yannos Kranidiotis. His absence leaves a tremendous void, difficult to fill...I hope his way of working will be an example to all of us," he added.

Parliament : During its morning session, the Greek Parliament paid tribute to Kranidiotis in a "political memorial", addressed by Mr. Kaklamanis and representatives of political parties.

Mr. Kaklamanis said the alternate FM had "diligently served the interests of Greece and Cyprus, and his death had left a huge void".

On behalf of the government, Foreign Minister George Papandreou called Kranidiotis "a friend" and the "most capable and worthy associate", as well as a close associate of his late father, three-time premier Andreas Papandreou.

"His loss comes at a crucial moment when we work for peace and stability in the region," he added.

Speaking for PASOK, Dimitris Georgakopoulos noted that "the good die young", while main opposition New Democracy rapporteur Dimitris Sioufas said Kranidiotis "waged tireless battles with knowledge and ability, and had dedicated his life to ending the oc cupation of his homeland, while one could not but respect his character".

Similar statements were made by representatives of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), the Coalition of the Left and Progress and the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI).

Parliament suspended its sessions yesterday and today in mourning.

Former FM Theodoros Pangalos stressed that with Kranidiotis' death, the Greek people had lost "a guarantee for the continuation of a policy of unwavering defence of the national interests".

"As for myself, I did not just lose a friend and associate, I lost a brother," Mr. Pangalos said.

KKE Secretary General Aleka Papariga expressed her condolences to the government and the families of the victims.

In London, Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides said Kranidiotis' death had left a void, as he had a deep knowledge of the Cyprus issue and, as a Cypriot, had a great interest in the problem. He also expressed his grief at the loss of a "good friend and excellent diplomat".

Int'l response : WASHINGTON (ANA - T. Ellis) - US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright yesterday expressed her condolences to Mr. Papandreou in a letter.

Ms Albright praised the role of the late minister in formulating Greek foreign policy and especially on the Cyprus problem.

"...I want to offer the heartfelt condolences of the American people for the loss yesterday (Tuesday) of the Alternate Foreign Minister Kranidiotis and those who accompanied him to Bucharest. I understand he was travelling there with his son to represent Greece at an inter-Balkan ministerial session. It is indeed tragic that his dedication to regional peace and stability cost him his life, as well as the lives of many who shared the same goal.

"Yannos Kranidiotis embodied the best of Greek diplomacy. His dedication to finding a permanent and peaceful solution to the Cyprus question will continue to inspire our own efforts. I know that his loss comes at a critical time in regional diplomatic a ctivities, and I sense that this will weigh heavily upon you and the Greek nation, just as your country was beginning to recover from another great tragedy last week. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this sad moment."

On his part, Turkish President Suleyman Demirel expressed his condolences to his Greek counterpart Kostis Stephanopoulos, noting the "valuable services" Kranidiotis offered to Greece, adding that Turkey "shares the sorrow of the Greek people owing to the loss of a noted diplomat and political man."

Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem on Tuesday night called his Greek counterpart George Papandreou and expressed his condolences over the loss.

British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said he was saddened by the news.

"I held him in great esteem, we recently met in London and discussed resolving problems in the region. It was a pleasant and constructive meeting. Yannos was a true professional and he will be missed by his colleagues in Europe."

German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer sent his condolences to the victims' families through his telegram to Mr. Papandreou.

The German FM said he had been "deeply impressed" by the "open and creative way in which he (Kranidiotis) had approached chronic problems, with a peaceful and unified Europe always in mind."

The government of Israel also expressed its condolences, as Israeli FM David Levy sent Mr. Papandreou a telegram.

In Athens, US ambassador Nicholas Burns issued a statement offering his condolences to the Greek people .

"Yannos Kranidiotis' resolute, determined and effective efforts to resolve the Cyprus dispute and other regional problems will be sorely missed. We have all lost a friend and respected colleague in this tragic accident. I admired Yannos and would like t o pay tribute to his professionalism, expertise and unflagging patriotism in representing Greece and the Greek people as a diplomat," Mr. Burns said.

At the foreign ministry, where Kranidiotis had served in one capacity or another since 1981, a book of condolences was opened.

All the ambassadors of European Union countries, the ambassadors of Switzerland, Turkey, Yugoslavia, Russia, Canada, Lebanon, India, Japan, Egypt, Argentina, the People's Republic of China, Indonesia and the representative of Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) as well as the Palestinian diplomatic mission signed the book so far.

In Vienna, the president of the Austrian federal parliament Heinz Fischer expressed his deep grief and condolences.

"Yannos was a true friend, a gifted Greek politician dedicated to the European Idea," Mr. Fischer said.

"His death is, from a human as well as a political aspect, a true tragedy," he added. "Austria expresses its sincerest participation in the mourning of our friend to Greece, over this unexpected and painful loss."

Athens News Agency

[02] Gov't, seismologists downplay quake prediction

Athens, 16/09/1999 (ANA)

The VAN team claimed it had predicted an earthquake near the central city of Lamia.

Speaking to reporters after a three-hour ministerial meeting yesterday presided over by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Mr. Laliotis noted that if anyone thinks he has the "forecast of the time, magnitude and epicentre of an upcoming earthquake, he should come out and say so."

"What is paramount in words and in deeds is cooperation between the state and citizens, the state and prefectural administrations, the government and parties."

"Our aim is the better coordination for relief of the earthquake victims, we are trying for the best possible result," he added.

Meanwhile, most scientists that gave an opinion also appeared unconcerned over the vague VAN prediction, as no location, time or magnitude is specified.

The president of the OASP organisation said the prognosis of an impending earthquake cannot be substantiated scientifically so far, adding that there was no prognosis whatsoever, or any other scientific information before the earthquake that struck in Athens.

Seismology professor Vassilis Papazahos termed the report by the VAN group a "piece of paper which says nothing and which in no way constitutes a prognosis."

Athens News Agency

[03] Probe into plane's plunge ordered at highest level

Athens, 16/09/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Reppas said the prime minister had contacted the management of Olympic Airways, which maintains the prime minister's plane, requesting that the inquiry ascertain who was responsible for the events leading up to Tuesday evening.

Mr. Reppas also confirmed a report in "Ta Nea" newspaper that the same plane - once again with Kranidiotis and his entourage on board - was involved in an emergency landing in central Asia, although he asked the media to refrain from speculating and to allow experts to determine exactly what the causes were.

"The airplane receives the proper maintenance because it is the aircraft with which the prime minister and various ministers travel. But on occasion, this plane, as well as others, has presented problems," he said.

"These were dealt with and, after an inspection by the appropriate technical services and their affirmation that the airplane can fly, it was used again."

Prosecutor : The Athens public prosecutor yesterday ordered an urgent preliminary inquiry into the circumstances of the plunge of the Falcon aircraft.

Prosecutor Georgios Koliokostas ordered the questioning of witnesses and the inclusion of the aircraft's documents on inspections, maintenance and repairs carried out on it to be attached to the case file.

He also ordered an expert's report to ascertain the condition of the plane and whether a malfunction had occurred during the flight.

Athens News Agency

[04] Mantelis travels to Bucharest

Athens, 16/09/1999 (ANA)

He said investigation results will be handed to a prosecutor if necessary, adding that the plane's "black box" will be sent to Germany for examination, while a US expert will also be called upon to offer an opinion.

Mr. Mantelis added that he and his Romanian counterpart decided to establish a joint investigative committee, which began work early yesterday morning.

Athens News Agency

[05] Olympiakos-Real tie at 3-3

Athens, 16/09/1999 (ANA)

Athens News Agency

[06] Quake-stricken municipalities begin to designate areas for new housing

Athens, 16/09/1999 (ANA)

On his part, Town Planning Minister Costas Laliotis stressed yesterday that most municipalities have informed the ministry that they have designated locations where the first new communities will be built.

The municipality of Metamorphosis has earmarked two hectares on Tatoi street where 200 homes are expected to be erected. The municipality of Menidi has proposed three locations, one of which was considered suitable, and where 200 homes will likewise be built.

The Ano Liosia municipality has pointed to three locations of a total area of about five hectares where 500 homes will be built. Zefyri has not yet determined locations, while the community of Thrakomakedones, the suburban municipality of Nea Philadelphia and the municipality of Erithrea are still in the process of determining relevant spaces. Kifissia has earmarked space for 10 homes.

Mr. Laliotis said second-level committees have advanced a great deal in their work and made it clear that all buildings characterised as unfit (a red mark) will not all be demolished necessarily.

He further cautioned citizens constructing buildings in earthquake-stricken areas at present not to use concrete since a problem of foundation integrity exists.

Meanwhile, various agencies and non-governmental bodies are reported to be offering financial and material aid to the earthquake sufferers on a daily basis.

The Greek Committee for Cooperation with UNICEF has provided 30 million drachmas to help meet the pressing needs of children in the stricken areas.

On his part, US ambassador to Greece Nicholas Burns donated a check for 50, 000 dollars for earthquake victims during a visit he paid to the Greek Red Cross yesterday.

In addition, the administration of the short films festival in the northern town of Drama provided the symbolic sum of one million drachmas.

According to the national defence ministry, armed forces personnel dedicated to providing earthquake relief totalled more than 3,400.

Finally, a delegation of the Orthodox Armenians of Greece organisation donated 10 million drachmas to Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis,

The delegation of the Armenian Community of Greece also visited Parliament, headed by Metropolitan Sahak Aivazian and council members.

In a related development, an earthquake measuring 3.6 points on the Richter scale was reported at 12:49 a.m. yesterday and was felt in the areas of Kavala, Drama and Paggaio. The earthquake's epicentre was in the region of Eleftheroupoli.

Seismologists said its epicentre was located 87 km east-northeast of Thessaloniki. No damage was reported.

Athens News Agency

[07] Talks between Greek, Turkish diplomats resume

ANKARA, 16/09/1999 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Greek and Turkish diplomats have already proceeded in preparing the ground work to cover the vacuum created by long absence of close relations, sources said.

The Greek delegation is expected to discuss issues regarding personal security.

Athens News Agency

[08] Ecevit: No concession over Cyprus

NICOSIA, 16/09/1999 (ANA - G. Leonidas)

Mr. Ecevit also spoke of two completely separate and independent states in Cyprus and made groundless allegations of fears by Turkish Cypriots of "so- called genocide".

His statement, made shortly before his visit to Washington, may provide an indication of the intransigent stance the Turkish side will observe in impending initiatives.

In an interview with the international TV news agency PTN, Mr. Ecevit expressed hope that the Greek-Turkish dialogue which has got underway will lead to a discussion of important political issues.

However, he added that the Cyprus issue should not be confused with Greek- Turkish relations.

"Cyprus is a different country and the reality that there are two completely separate and independent countries there is an indisputable fact, " he said.

"We cannot risk a return to the previous status quo in Cyprus, particularly after the developments in Bosnia and Kosovo," he added.

Mr. Ecevit also said that Turkish sensitivities over the possibilities of a "resurgence of efforts at genocide" have increased and for this reason the Turkish Cypriots are more bent on their independence than before.

Athens News Agency

[09] Turkish ambassador's condolences

Athens, 16/09/1999 (ANA)

Ambassador Ali Tuygan made the statements to Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos during their meeting. Speaking afterwards, Mr. Constantopoulos said that through the simultaneous tragedies, the peoples of "Greece and Turkey are realising their common fate", adding that the duty of the political world in both countries is to harmonise themselves with the feelings of their peoples. Mr. Constantopoulos said Synaspismos believes that decisive moves are necessary to enable the si tuation of rivalry to be overturned and that it is time for new initiatives in this direction.

He noted that the signing of a non-aggression agreement, in principle a decision on a freeze regarding weaponry and a mutual as well as balanced decrease in armaments and military expenditures are steps which can be taken to reverse the climate.

Athens News Agency

[10] US ambassador on loss of Kranidiotis, quake relief

Athens, 16/09/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Burns was speaking at a press conference organised by the Hellenic American Business Council at a downtown Athens hotel yesterday.

The US ambassador also stressed that Kranidiotis was courageous supporter of the national interests of Greece and Cyprus.

Referring to the recent disastrous earthquake in the Attica area, Mr. Burns disclosed that, apart from immediate aid by the US government amounting to 50,000 dollars towards the Greek Red Cross, the US embassy in Athens is in contact with the US Army co mmand in Europe for additional supplies to be sent, namely, tents, prefabricated houses etc.

On the question of bilateral relations on the occasion of the recent visit by members of the Hellenic-American Business Council to National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, Development Minister Evangelos Venizelos, as well as the Athens 2004 organi sation, Mr. Burns said bilateral economic and business relations are ready to "take off."

Mr. Burns said that following its historic transformation, the Greek economy is on the threshold of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). He added that the fact will undoubtedly lead to a "tremendous improvement" in bilateral relations over the next four to five years.

He also expressed certainty that a further step in revitalising bilateral relations will be achieved after the next meeting between Prime Minister Costas Simitis and US President Bill Clinton which will take place soon, as he said.

During the press conference, the joint presidents of the Hellenic American Business Council Athanassios Lavidas (Lavipharm S.A.), on the Greek side, and expatriate Greek-American Alex Spanos for the US side, announced that they will each provide 100,000 dollars for earthquake sufferers.

They further said that they will make a relevant campaign in Greece and the US, among members of the council, to collect more aid.

Mr. Lavidas said there is optimism now over the implementation of US investments in Greece, as well as for the creation of joint Greek-American companies to expand into the Balkans.

He singled out banking and other financial services, energy, petroleum, tourism, defence, the environment, health, construction and informatics (primarily software) as possible sectors for such cooperation.

Athens News Agency

[11] Rampant stocks sprint towards 6,200 points

Athens, 16/09/1999 (ANA)

The index ended 2.10 percent higher at 6,181.05 points, its 51st record this year.

It now stands 125.79 percent higher from the beginning of 1999. Yesterday's turnover exceeded 500 billion drachmas.

Traders said new money continued to enter the market, keeping liquidity at very high levels.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks (+0.06 pct), Insurance (+1.57 pct), Construction (+6.60 pct), Miscellaneous (+1.48 pct), Leasing (+5.18 pct), Investment (+4.91 pct), Industrials (+3.34 pct) and Holding (+5.86 pct).

The parallel market index for smaller capitalisation stocks ended 3.93 percent up, while the FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chips and heavily traded stocks ended 0.76 percent higher at 3,197.02 points.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 266 to 37 with another six issues unchanged.

A total of 137 shares ended at the day's 8.0 percent limit up.

National Bank of Greece ended at 26,600 drachmas, Alpha Credit Bank at 26, 580, Commercial Bank at 30,470, Titan Cement at 40,000, Hellenic Petroleum at 5,184, Intracom at 30,050, Minoan Lines at 9,433, Panafon at 9,600 and Hellenic Telecoms at 8,100.

Futures trade falls : Trade on the newly created Athens Derivatives Exchange yesterday dropped to 2.6 billion drachmas on 424 futures contracts from 3.3 billion drachmas in the previuos session and 3.9 billion drachmas on Monday.

Contracts for September ended at 3,174.23; for October at 3,131.53; for November at 3,139.76; and for June 2000 at 3,265.25.

No trades were reported in December 1999 futures.

Athens News Agency

[12] Bonds stay low in light trade

Athens, 16/09/1999 (ANA)

Electronic trade was 14 billion drachmas from 29 billion drachmas in the previous session and 27 billion drachmas on Monday.

The benchmark 10-year bond was still trading below par around 97.10, showing a yield of about 6.72 percent, the same as in the previous two sessions, and 6.71 percent and 6.68 percent before that.

The 10-year paper's yield spread over German bunds was 168 basis points from 167 basis points in the previous session and 165 basis points on Monday.

At the central bank's daily fix, the euro nosed down against the drachma.

The euro was set at 326.300 drachmas from 326.460 drachmas a day earlier.

The dollar crept down against the drachma.

At the fix, it was set at 314.370 drachmas from 315.120 drachmas in the previous session and 315.900 drachmas on Monday.

Athens News Agency

[13] Companies offer quake aid

Athens, 16/09/1999 (ANA)

The latest donations, announced yesterday, are as follows:

Banknotes             Buying  Selling
US Dollar             311.855 319.086
Can.Dollar            211.157 216.053
Australian Dlr        203.142 207.852
Pound Sterling        501.238 512.859
Irish Punt            411.001 420.531
Pound Cyprus          558.893 571.851
Pound Malta           728.153 758.493
Turkish pound (100)     0.064   0.067
French franc           49.346  50.490
Swiss franc           201.837 206.517
Belgian franc           8.024   8.210
German Mark           165.500 169.338
Finnish Mark           54.441  55.703
Dutch Guilder         146.883 150.289
Danish Kr.             43.557  44.567
Swedish Kr.            37.488  38.357
Norwegian Kr.          39.303  40.214
Austrian Sh.           23.523  24.069
Italian lira (100)     16.717  17.105
Yen (100)             300.576 307.545
Spanish Peseta          1.945   1.990
Port. Escudo            1.615   1.652

Foreign Exchange      Buying  Selling
New York              311.855 319.086
Montreal              211.157 216.053
Sydney                203.142 207.852
London                501.238 512.859
Dublin                411.001 420.531
Nicosia               558.893 571.851
Paris                  49.346  50.490
Zurich                201.837 206.517
Brussels                8.024   8.210
Frankfurt             165.500 169.338
Helsinki               54.441  55.703
Amsterdam             146.883 150.289
Copenhagen             43.557  44.567
Stockholm              37.488  38.357
Oslo                   39.303  40.214
Vienna                 23.523  24.069
Milan                  16.717  17.105
Tokyo                 300.576 307.545
Madrid                  1.945   1.990
Lisbon                  1.615   1.652