Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-10-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] Premier: `Deeds, decisions` now necessary from Ankara to fyrther improve relations

[02] Tsohatzopoulos cites upgraded Greek role in new NATO structure

[03] Gov't calls latest Turkish FIR infringements a 'routine event'

[04] Chrysohoidis, public order delegation on US visit

[05] Commission considers quake relief for Greece

[06] US embassy donations for quake victims

[07] Simitis says PASOK ready for any election battle

[08] Int'l Symposium Against Torture adopts 'Istanbul Protocol'

[09] Current account deficit shrinks in January-April

[10] Stocks jump on domestic rate cut hopes

[11] Drachma unruffled in wake of attacks

[12] Yield drops in five-year bond auction

[13] Intralot to hold IPO

[14] Japanese delegation visits the north

[15] ETVA opens account for quake victims

[16] Athens Foreign Exchange

[17] Christodoulos on Church bureaucracy, possibilities of pope visit

[01] Premier: `Deeds, decisions` now necessary from Ankara to fyrther improve relations

Athens, 06/10/1999 (ANA)

Addressing the ruling PASOK party's parliamentary group, Mr. Simitis said he was speaking of deeds and decisions by Ankara which would "create a solid foundation for the improvement of bilateral relations".

The prime minister said such deeds and decisions had "yet to appear", but expressed the hope that Turkey would "take a substantial step" to advance its European vocation and support efforts being made for closer cooperation.

Commenting on Greek-Turkish relations, in general, Mr. Simitis said: "We have created an impetus that placed Turkey in the dilemma of choosing between peace and cooperation or a gradual distancing from European structures and marginalisation."

The prime minister said Greece believed in Turkey's European vocation but reiterated that this entailed both rights and responsibilities and that these must apply for all candidate countries just as they had applied for decades and continue to apply for the "15" EU members.

Schroeder : In a related development, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, in Athens on a two-day working visit, reiterated that Ankara had taken one step closer to the EU after his talks with Mr. Simitis.

"I think so, yes," Mr. Schroeder told reporters as he met with President Kostis Stephanopoulos.

He added that he believed Athens was playing a constructive role. Mr. Simitis and Mr. Schroeder indicated on Monday night that they would search for ways to make possible an endorsement of Turkey's candidacy for EU membership by the Helsinki EU sum mit in December.

Mr. Simitis said he set out to the German chancellor the standing Greek position that Turkey must make certain moves for the Helsinki summit to arrive at a positive conclusion.

Mr. Schroeder refused to be drawn on the conditions that Turkey would be required to fulfil in order to become a candidate country.

The Greek chancellor yesterday said his visit to Athens had affirmed the successful cooperation between Athens and Berlin and further bolstered the already good relations in all sectors, such as the economy and politics.

He said his visit had also had a positive effect on the two countries' "joint obligations" to the EU and the Balkans, where, he said, "we are cooperating closely".

"We want to bring together Greece and Germany and take advantage of Greek experiences in the Balkans," he said.

Gov't : Finally, Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said later that Mr. Schroeder had expressed "a wish and not a certainty" that Turkey would be accepted as a candidate country.

"For Turkey to be included it must fall into line with the decisions taken at (the EU summits in) Luxembourg and Cardiff," Mr. Reppas said. "

In this case, Greece will have no objection to upgrading relations between the European Union and Turkey".

Athens News Agency

[02] Tsohatzopoulos cites upgraded Greek role in new NATO structure

Athens, 06/10/1999 (ANA)

Speaking at a ceremony marking the official activation of the NATO sub- headquarters at Tyrnavos near Larissa, central Greece, and later at a press conference, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the upgrading of Greece's position in the Alliance also confirmed the country's role as a force for stability, peace and security in the region.

The minister stressed, however, that Greece's participation in NATO did not eliminate the country's responsibilities regarding matters of national security.

On the contrary, he said, countries which participate in international organisations acquire the same rights and privileges and are able to develop their comparative advantages and strengthen their national sovereignty.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos also noted the special role that Greece had to play in the Balkans, given that the Tyrnavos sub-headquarters would be a centre for the exercise of NATO policy in the region.

The ceremony was attended by allied supreme commander US Gen. Wesley Clark, who described yesterday's activation of the sub-headquarters as a historic occasion. Gen. Clark said the activation was associated with many hopes about the functioning of the "new NATO" and the consolidation of security and cooperation in the region.

Asked later at a press conference why NATO had not acted to curb Turkey's expansionist designs against Greece, Gen. Clark said both countries were Alliance members and NATO was collaborating with both to maintain peace and security in the region.

Officially known as "Joint Command South Centre" (JCSC), the Tyrnavos sub- headquarters is one of four southern NATO sub-head-quarters activated during the past month.

When fully operational, it will have 453 commissioned officers and NCOs as well as 815 civilian employees, half of whom will be Greek.

Athens News Agency

[03] Gov't calls latest Turkish FIR infringements a 'routine event'

Athens, 06/10/1999 (ANA)

The infringements were reported during the first day of a joint military exercise by Greek and Cypriot forces.

"These exercises are being held as normal, and nobody else is entitled to an opinion," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said, in response to press questions regarding comments by Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit.

The Turkish PM requested that Greek fighter planes not land at the Paphos air base in western Cyprus.

According to reports, 28 Turkish fighter planes entered international airspace between Crete and Cyprus on Monday, departing before Greek warplanes reached the area. According to Hellenic Air Force sources, the Turkish reaction to the annual exercise was the "mildest to date".

Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, referring to the military exercises underway between Greece and Cyprus, told reporters later that there had been "some Greek-Turkish 'rapprochement' in a special air force manner" during the exercise.

"But these were contained compared to the past," Mr. Tsohatzopoulos added. "This is a good sign, which shows there is political will on both sides to reduce tension."

"We have no illusions that because of the positive atmosphere bilateral differences will be solved," he said. "But the decline in the climate of confrontation, including between the armed forces, strengthens the political ability of the two countries to proceed to a procedure of resolution through international law."

Athens News Agency

[04] Chrysohoidis, public order delegation on US visit

Athens, 06/10/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Chrysohoidis is being accompanied by the head of the Greek police, Lt.- Gen. Ioannis Georgakopoulos and Public Prosecutor Ioannis Diotis, who is also chairman of the public order ministry's council for coordination, analysis and investigations.

During their stay in Washington, the members of the Greek delegation will meet with FBI director Louis Freeh, CIA director George Tenet and US Sen. Paul Sarbanes.

Athens News Agency

[05] Commission considers quake relief for Greece

BRUSSELS, 06/10/1999 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

Discussions on damages caused by the devastating Sept. 7 quake were based on a text compiled by Greek Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou, responsible for employment and social affairs, as well as French Commissioner Michel Barnier, responsible for regional policy.

According to the text, the provision of "sizable aid" to Greece "is possible" on condition that Greek authorities will quickly provide a description and a realistic and total evaluation of the nature and cost of the damages, so they may be assessed.

The two EU commissioners also noted in their text that European Union funding can be used for the reconstruction of public works, educational facilities, health facilities, industrial buildings and touristic infrastructure, while they added that, accord ing to new regulations, Union funds can total up to 80 per cent of the cost, with the remainder to be covered by state and private funds.

In a related development, Mr. Barnier will met with National Economy Deputy Minister Christos Pachtas in Brussels yesterday, for talks on quake relief measures.

Mr. Barnier will visit Athens next month.

Austria : VIENNA (ANA - D. Dimitrakoudis) - The Austrian government yesterday expressed its intent to provide aid for the victims of the earthquake of September 7 NW of Athens.

According to an announcement, the Austrian government decided to allocate 24 million drachmas to the Austrian Red Cross chapter in efforts to aid quake victims.

Athens News Agency

[06] US embassy donations for quake victims

Athens, 06/10/1999 (ANA)

"We hope this donation of tents and other supplies - along with the 15.6 million drachmas the embassy contributed to relief efforts last month - will help alleviate the suffering of those worst hit by the earthquake," US ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns said.

It was also announced that the embassy employees are collecting foodstuffs and clothing for quake victims, which will be delivered on a weekly basis.

In a related development, Interior Minister Vasso Papandreou received a local government delegation from the Topiros municipality, Xanthi prefecture, accepting a five-million-drachma donation towards the needs of earthquake victims.

The delegation from the predominately Moslem municipality was represented by Mayor Stelios Hatzievangelou, Vice-Mayor Ekrem Mustafa and other citizens.

Athens News Agency

[07] Simitis says PASOK ready for any election battle

Athens, 06/10/1999 (ANA)

"We are exactly one year before the end of the present Parliament's constitutionally set term. The present Parliament is in a position to elect a president of the republic, unless petty party expediencies prevail among the parties of the opposition," he told the ruling party's first parliamentary group session after the summer recess.

He stressed that PASOK was not afraid of elections because it would win whenever they took place, and that this was one factor that should guide opposition parties on the issue of the presidential election.

The prime minister said PASOK would aim to win the majority of the Greek people on the strength of "a galloping improvement in the Greek people's living standards". "Only PASOK is in a position to safeguard the new prosperity into the new millenn ium, as the average annual growth rate in the 2000-2004 period is projected to exceed 4 per cent and Greece's living standards will reach between 80 and 85 per cent of the EU average," he asserted.

Mr. Simitis said he did not wish elections in the March-June 2000 period, because in March, Greece would sumbit its application for accession to the 'euro zone' for 2001; and in June, the EU summit in Lisbon would be expected to approve it. In the mean time, he added, there would be delicate and hard negotiations and this period "requires political stability".

He also accused all opposition parties of trying to "upset in any way they could the country's smooth progress to the attainment of economic and political goals," and referred to a possible re-appearance of a "negation front" among colluding opposition parties, as before the Euroelections earlier this year.

He charged main opposition New Democracy, in particular, with aiming to restore a state of "clientele relations of the past". He warned that its promises, costing one trillion drachmas, would lead the country to direct fiscal collapse.

"The challenge of the 21st century is one for a change in mentalities. Populism, the clientele state and the armies of party cadres have no place in it," he said.

Reducing unemployment was a foremost priority in the government's programme, which also included the completion of reforms in public administration, health, the tax system, social insurance and education, with a view to bringing the state nearer to the citizen.

Reactions : Reacting to the prime minister's address, the Coalition of the Left accused Mr. Simitis of constructing "a non-existent front of the Left with New Democracy," and resorting to "danger-mongering and bogus dilemmas to hide that his party had no essential differences from the main opposition."

Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas said that using the issue of the election of a president to serve party expediencies and then accusing those who refused to collaborate of "ridiculing the institution required a good deal of au dacity, of which the government possessed plenty."

Athens News Agency

[08] Int'l Symposium Against Torture adopts 'Istanbul Protocol'

Athens, 06/10/1999 (ANA)

The symposium also adopted the "Istanbul Protocol", a report on systematic torture in Turkey, which took 33 years to prepare.

In a press conference, the president of the International Council for the Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (IRCT), physician Maria Piniou-Kalli, said work on the report was begun on the initiative of the Turkish Medical Association in a conference in Adana in 1966, but was only handed to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights last August, opening the way for the adoption of a relevant resolution by the UN General Assembly.

According to Dr. Piniou-Kalli, who cited estimates by non-governmental organisations, about 30 million people become refugees annually, and a percentage of those, varying between 15 and 35 per cent, are subjected to systematic torture. These figures include about one million immigrants from third countries, either legal or illegal, who live in Greece, she added.

Athens News Agency

[09] Current account deficit shrinks in January-April

Athens, 06/10/1999 (ANA)

The change was due mainly to an improvement in the trade deficit, which shrank to 4.807 billion euros from 5.535 billion euros in the same four month period of last year, the central bank said in a statement.

In April, the current account deficit fell to 396 million euros from 868 million euros in the same month of last year.

The trade deficit in April stood at 1.242 billion euros from 1.504 billion euros in the same month of 1998, the Bank of Greece said.

Athens News Agency

[10] Stocks jump on domestic rate cut hopes

Athens, 06/10/1999 (ANA)

A healthy opening in European bourses also fuelled sentiment as investors abroad appeared to discount that the Federal Reserve will leave US rates unchanged.

The general index ended 3.02 percent higher at 5,825.45 points from 5, 654.65 points in the previous session.

Turnover was around 370 billion drachmas from 240 billion drachmas a day earlier and 482.122 billion drachmas on Friday.

Buying interest again focused on small and medium capitalisation stocks listed on the parallel market and the main market's construction sector with 120 shares finishing at 8.0 percent limit up.

The market was seeking to stabilise around 5,600 points after a volatile phase.

Analysts say the outlook for the Athens bourse is improving as the market shows more signs of consolidation.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banking (+1.22 pct), Insurance (+0.32 pct), Construction (+6.57 pct), Miscellaneous (+3.93 pct), Leasing (+4.77 pct), Investment (+4.21 pct), Industrials (+4.63 pct) and Holding (+3.45 pct).

The parallel market index for smaller capitalisation stocks gained 7.67 percent while the FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chips and heavily traded stocks gained 1.82 percent to finish at 2,991.71 points.

Of 307 stocks traded, advances outpaced declines at 284 to 18 with five shares remaining unchanged.

Among shares to end at the daily 8.0 percent upper volatility limit were General Warehouses, Goody's, Vis and Epilektos; and among those to finish at the 8.0 percent lower volatility limit were Karelias, Macedonia-Thrace Bank and Uncle Stathis.

The day's most heavily traded stocks were Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation and Hellenic Petroleum. National Bank of Greece ended at 23, 650 drachmas, Commercial Bank of Greece at 27,950, Alpha Credit Bank at 23, 800, Minoan Lines at 9,300, Intrac om (common) at 28,500, Titan Cement (common) at 38,750, Hellenic Petroleum at 5,890, Hellenic Telecommmunications Organisation at 7,155 and Panafon at 8,400 drachmas.

Athens News Agency

[11] Drachma unruffled in wake of attacks

Athens, 06/10/1999 (ANA)

The Bank of Greece had sold around one billion euros since Thursday to stem the drachma's decline.

Speculators appeared to back off after the central bank made it clear it would not tolerate an unbridled descent of the drachma to its central parity in the European Union's exchange rate mechanism II of 353.1 to the euro.

A plan for a phased depreciation of the drachma, which currently stands around 8.0 percent above parity, towards the ERM rate is part of the country's counter-inflationary policy devised to take Greece into the euro zone by January 1, 2001.

At the central bank's daily fix, the euro ended slightly lower versus the drachma.

The European currency was set at 328.550 drachmas from 328.700 drachmas a day earlier and 328.570 drachmas in the two previous sessions.

The dollar finished higher against the drachma.

At the fix, it was set at 307.510 drachmas from 306.350 in the previous session and 306.340 drachmas on Friday.

Bonds hold steady in thin trade : Secondary market bond prices yesterday held steady at current low levels in slight buying interest but low turnover. Investors in Europe were awaiting news on US monetary policy.

Electronic trade totalled 12 billion drachmas from 25 billion drachmas a session earlier and 30 billion drachmas on Friday.

Of yesterday's turnover, buy orders accounted for 11 billion drachmas of the total.

The benchmark 10-year bond, which was still trading below par, showed a yield of 6.80 percent, the same as the previous two trading days, from 6.73 percent on Thursday.

The 10-year paper's yield spread over German bunds was 163 basis points, the same as the two previous sessions, from 161 basis points on Thursday.

Athens News Agency

[12] Yield drops in five-year bond auction

Athens, 06/10/1999 (ANA)

On offer were 170 billion drachmas of paper carrying an annual coupon of 6.60 percent. Bids totalled 339.5 billion drachmas, oversubscribing the sale about twice.

The ministry accepted bids worth 186 billion drachmas.

Athens News Agency

[13] Intralot to hold IPO

Athens, 06/10/1999 (ANA)

Intralot devises, installs and operates information technology for games of chance.

The firm is seeking to raise its share capital by 10.1 billion drachmas through the sale of 1,270,500 shares at 8,000 drachmas each.

Athens News Agency

[14] Japanese delegation visits the north

Athens, 06/10/1999 (ANA)

The delegation included the general director of JETRO, the Japanese foreign trade board, and the head of economy and trade at Japan's embassy in Athens.

The sessions in Alexandroupoli were organised by local authorities with groups including the Association of Northern Greek Industrialists.

Discussed were opportunities for local investment and widening alliances between Greek and Japanese firms. Among speakers at an open event were Deputy National Economy Minister Rhodoula Zissi, who outlined Greece's role in aiding growth in neighbouri ng Balkan countries.

Ms Zissi also outlined the national economy ministry's Hermes plan to help widen business ties between Greece and Japan.

Athens News Agency

[15] ETVA opens account for quake victims

Athens, 06/10/1999 (ANA)

The account number is 015/00000001111198.

ETVA has donated 200 million drachmas for quake relief through a collection made by the Union of Greek Banks.

Athens News Agency

[16] Athens Foreign Exchange

Athens, 06/10/1999 (ANA)

Parities in Drachmas

Banknotes             Buying  Selling
US Dollar             305.050 312.123
Can.Dollar            208.598 213.434
Australian Dlr        201.932 206.613
Pound Sterling        503.718 515.397
Irish Punt            413.835 423.430
Pound Cyprus          563.754 576.824
Pound Malta           715.206 745.006
Turkish pound (100)     0.060   0.063
French franc           49.686  50.838
Swiss franc           204.585 209.329
Belgian franc           8.079   8.267
German Mark           166.641 170.505
Finnish Mark           54.816  56.087
Dutch Guilder         147.896 151.325
Danish Kr.             43.854  44.871
Swedish Kr.            37.480  38.349
Norwegian Kr.          39.579  40.496
Austrian Sh.           23.686  24.235
Italian lira (100)     16.832  17.223
Yen (100)             286.192 292.827
Spanish Peseta          1.959   2.005
Port. Escudo            1.626   1.664

Foreign Exchange      Buying  Selling
New York              305.050 312.123
Montreal              208.598 213.434
Sydney                201.932 206.613
London                503.718 515.397
Dublin                413.835 423.430
Nicosia               563.754 576.824
Paris                  49.686  50.838
Zurich                204.585 209.329
Brussels                8.079   8.267
Frankfurt             166.641 170.505
Helsinki               54.816  56.087
Amsterdam             147.896 151.325
Copenhagen             43.854  44.871
Stockholm              37.480  38.349
Oslo                   39.579  40.496
Vienna                 23.686  24.235
Milan                  16.832  17.223
Tokyo                 286.192 292.827
Madrid                  1.959   2.005
Lisbon                  1.626   1.664

Athens News Agency

[17] Christodoulos on Church bureaucracy, possibilities of pope visit

Athens, 06/10/1999 (ANA)

Christodoulos added that when he assumed the post of Prelate of the Autocephalus Orthodox Church of Greece, "heads did not roll", he harmed no one, while, on the contrary, he requested and is still requesting more work to enable all to perform in accord ance with their capabilities and abilities.

The Archbishop, who was speaking during a Holy Synod meeting yesterday stressed: "I believe that the Archbishop belongs to all and is bent on giving the password of unity, justice and effectiveness."

Archbishop Christodoulos also referred to problems faced by the Church regarding what it considers as various heresies and cults, as well as 'conferences' organised by para-religious groups throughout Greece. He referred in particular to the foreign min istry, which has created a scientific committee recently and assigned it with the study of the issue of religious freedom in the country.

"We are afraid that the committee will wish to satisfy the locals and foreigners who question the existence of real religious freedom in Greece. We are watching developments so as to intervene when necessary. In a lengthy document already addressed to t he foreign ministry, we not only protested for being completely ignored in the composition of this committee but we also underlined, with legal arguments, the illegality of its formation in the way it was established," he said.

Christodoulos also referred to a possible visit to Athens by the Pope John Paul II, saying that "if we said 'yes' to the pope's visit we would jeopardise our internal unity. If we said 'no' we would be slandered abroad, primarily, as well as at home as being intolerant and medieval. We did our duty with great prudence and care, and things vindicated us."

Athens News Agency

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