Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-10-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek and Turkish FMs agree their countries are taking positive steps in ongoing dialogue

[02] Greek FM arrives in Berlin for talks with German counterpart

[03] President calls on Ankara to change its position on Cyprus issue

[04] BSEC has made a 'qualitative leap', says Papandreou as Thessaloniki conference ends

[05] Greek experts arrive in London to examine state of Parthenon Marbles

[06] Greece celobrates 59th anniversary of `OHI` Day with parades and church services

[07] Security situation in Southeast Europe analysed at confereence in Crete

[08] KKE holds rally protesting Clinton's visit

[09] Alexander the Great gold coin found in Turkey

[10] Kritikos denies Turkish TV claim he visited northern Iraq Oct. 21

[11] Local officials worried about reported presence of nukes at Araxos

[12] Fitch IBCA upgrades Greece to 'BBB+'

[13] European Court ruling condemns Greece for still discriminating against working women

[14] Bank of Greece governor says optimistic over course of inflation

[15] Worries over inflation create negative climate at ASE

[16] Papantoniou announces decrease in interest rates for new housing loans

[17] Greece, Albania sign economic cooperation protocol

[18] Bids underway for the installation of trams in Kalamata

[19] Koumbas SA to seek share capital increase plan

[20] Athens Foreign Exchange

[01] Greek and Turkish FMs agree their countries are taking positive steps in ongoing dialogue

Athens, 29/10/1999 (ANA)

The two men agreed that positive steps have been made and appeared determined to advance the process of Greek-Turkish dialogue. Assessing the course of the discussions which have taken place between the commissions of the two ministries, Mr. Papandreou said "I can say that we are satisfied with the course of these discussions" and that this was an indication that there are many sectors of common interest which could conclude in agreements.

"I think this is a positive development in relations between Greece and Turkey and I believe that this procedure will yield other positive results, " Mr. Papandreou concluded.

Mr. Cem said the commissions were progressing well in their work.

"The initial phase has ended. There will be very soon a plan containing common positions of the two sides and agreements. I do not expect that the procedure will end soon, but we are progressing in a positive manner and I see some reserved results," Mr. Cem said.

He reffered to a "great number of Turkish tourists that visited" the island of Rhodes last summer and to "many applications by Greek businessmen to the Turkish embassy in Athens asking for information to invest in Turkey".

"Tensions are beginning to ease. We must not exaggerate but there are positive signs," the Turkish foreign minister said.

On arrival statements, Mr. Cem said that Turkish-Greek relations were on a good path, and anticipated they would improve even further in the immediate future.

"Our relations with Greece are on a good path. We are both cautious in our moves and look forward to cultivating mutual confidence. This is a positive step. Over the coming months the relations between the two countries will improve."

While in Thessaloniki on Wednesday, Mr. Cem also visited the house in which Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, was born.

Athens News Agency

[02] Greek FM arrives in Berlin for talks with German counterpart

BERLIN, 29/10/1999 (ANA-P.Stangos)

In a related development, Mr. Fischer said yesterday that the German government's "new policy" on Turkey has had a positive effect on the improvement of Greek-Turkish relations.

During a discussion in the Bundestag, which focused on the recent EU Tampere summit results, Mr. Fischer defended his government's policy on EU- Turkey relations, in the face of criticism by opposition parties.

Mr. Fischer said that in Tampere there was a "further convergence" on the issue of the Turkish European Union candidacy status.

The main opposition Christian Democrat party strongly objected to Turkey acquiring the status of a EU member candidate, accusing the government of Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder of "contradictory policies".

Athens News Agency

[03] President calls on Ankara to change its position on Cyprus issue

Athens, 29/10/1999 (ANA)

Speaking in Thessaloniki at the traditional dinner given in his honour by the Commander of the 3rd Army Corps on Wednesday night, on the eve of the traditional military parade for the celebration of the October 28 1940 anniversary, President Stephanopoulos said that "sentiment should not prevail in the country's national interests when, indeed, the neighbouring country is the first to follow this example".

He expressed the hope that the European Union will request from Turkey, as a precondition for its candidacy and for Greece's consent for this candidacy, to recognise the importance of human rights and democratic processes applied in the western world.

Referring to the killer earthquakes which struck Turkey and Greece last August and September and the mutual assistance that followed, Mr. Stephanopoulos said Greece, "rightly doing so, undertook an initiative for financial aid to Turkey on behalf of the EU to help it heal wounds left by the earthquake".

However, as to whether or not Greece's objections to date to Turkey's funding should be lifted, he said Greece's arguments and views are not of a temporary nature for some to cease to exist, adding that it should be "ensured that the funds given to Turk ey as aid will be used exclusively for the restoration of the extensive damage it sustained and, in parallel, it should be pointed out to it that the amounts it spends on armaments are disproportionate to its needs and possibilities, and even more so because it is not threatened by anyone".

He said that in no way does Greece desire the maintenance of tension between the two countries and hopes the earthquake will indeed provide the opportunity for a permanent rapprochement between them.

"However, the emotional aspect and the corresponding impulse are not enough, unfortunately," the president said, reminding that Turkey's politicians and military officials announced immediately after the earthquakes that the earthquakes are one thing and the country's foreign policy another.

President Stephanopoulos said that "since this is appropriate for Turkey then it should also be appropriate for us and our national interest".

Commenting on the designation of Thessaloniki to be the headquarters of the Balkans Reconstruction Organisation, President Stephanopoulos said that with this designation our country is recognised as having, more than any other, the possibility, knowledge and disposition to provide help for friendly Balkan countries.

Greeks not nationalistic : The Greeks are not a nationalistic people, but a people who desire fraternity and cooperation with all the peoples of the region, Mr. Stephanopoulos said earlier.

"The Greeks are not a people of nationalists, but a people who desire love and cooperation with all the peoples of the region," Mr. Stephanopoulos said during a ceremony in which he was declared an honorary resident of Aghios Athanassios Municipality, in Thessaloniki.

The president said that Greece was still going through difficult times, adding that the primary commodity was peace and the greatest commodity was cooperation, but a cooperation without concessions on the national rights and just causes.

Athens News Agency

[04] BSEC has made a 'qualitative leap', says Papandreou as Thessaloniki conference ends

Athens, 29/10/1999 (ANA)

Greece held the BSEC's presidency during the last period and Mr. Papandreou said that during this period "BSEC made a qualitative leap."

Mr. Papandreou said that during the Greek presidency BSEC functioned as a bridge of cooperation between Europe and Asia, east and west, while the target was to strengthen economic cooperation between its member-states.

He also announced that Greece will take an initiative to enable an institutional upgrading of the organisation's relations with the European Union which might appear at the Helsinki summit.

Asked of the prospect of BSEC's political upgrading to enable it to intervene in tensions and crises between its member-states, Mr. Papandreou said there was no such issue in the immediate future.

The press conference was attended by Nikolai Tabacaru, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Moldova which assumed BSEC's presidency as of Wednesday. The Moldovan deputy foreign minister confirmed that the session treated positively a proposal by Turkish President Suleyman Demirel for a meeting of BSEC heads of state to take place on the sidelines of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) summit in Istanbul next month.

The BSEC foreign ministers began their meeting by examining applications for membership from four new prospective members.

Applications to join came from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Uzbekistan and Iran.

Discussion however was referred to a future meeting, under the presidency of Moldova, due to a lack of preparation. Ministers said that the time was not yet right for a decision.

The issue of a political upgrading of the organisation was greeted by most foreign ministers but reportedly found the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers opposed. The foreign ministers of Albania and Moldova, the deputy foreign minister of Russia, and the foreign undersecretaries of the other Black Sea countries also took part in the in camera conference.

Athens News Agency

[05] Greek experts arrive in London to examine state of Parthenon Marbles

LONDON, 29/10/1999 (ANA - L. Tsirigotakis)

The committee's report and ascertainments will be forwarded to Culture Minister Elizabeth Papazoi first and will be presented at a special conference to be organised by the British Museum at the end of November on the state of these historic monuments.

The committee made its first visit to the British Museum yesterday and discussed the timetable and the process of the mission they have scheduled with the Museum's director Mr. Anderson.

The British media showed great interest in the committee's presence. The committee's members gave no interviews, stressing that they are in London exclusively in their capacity as experts and it is not up to them to express views on the dialogue over the future of the Parthenon Marbles.

Channel 4 dedicated extensive footage on latest developments over Greece's claim for the return of the Parthenon Marbles during its news bulletin yesterday.

Athens News Agency

[06] Greece celobrates 59th anniversary of `OHI` Day with parades and church services

Athens, 29/10/1999 (ANA)

The October 28, 1940 anniversary was celebrated with church te deums and parades in Athens and other cities, and an impressive military parade inspected by President of the Republic Costis Stephanopoulos in Thessaloniki.

"The parade was indeed impressive. The day of the 28th of October is always charged with national feeling and memories. The feeling involves us all, however the memories are the privilege of the elders, but the younger generations should learn all about such days," Mr. Stephanopoulos said.

On his part, National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said "the Armed Forces, with their presence (here today), have shown that Greeks can be sure and calm. The decisiveness, the perfection, the modern (equipment and training) of the Armed Forces are in line with the great moments of decisiveness of the Greek people in the epic times of the Albanian (front during World War II).

He concluded "...it is for this reason that we support all efforts for peace, cooperation and stability in the region having the certainty of a decisive and deterrent force of the armed forces of the country."

Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis, who was also present at the events in Thessaloniki, said "today's message is that of national unity and union of hearts, so we can play a protagonist role in the region, to be able to defend our national rights and our vital interests."

Athens News Agency

[07] Security situation in Southeast Europe analysed at confereence in Crete

Athens, 29/10/1999 (ANA)

Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis opened proceedings at the conference by condemning the continuing violence in Kosovo and saying that a "policy of the ethnic cleansing of Serbs is not only dangerous for regional peace and stability but also flew in the face of NATO declarations to resolve the crisis and protect the indigenous population".

Under this policy, anything but peace and stability can be discussed, Mr. Kaklamanis said. Also taking a battering is the effectiveness of EU external affairs policy as well as the prestige and standing of international organisations.

"This situation brings our thoughts to another great open issue, the Cyprus issue, which has preoccupied the international community for some 25 years, " Mr. Kaklamanis said.

The security status of countries in southeast Europe and particularly the vulnerable region of the Balkans and Yugoslavia and their repercussions for world peace are the focus of the three-day conference in Hania, Crete.

Organised by the political and defence committees of the Western European Union, the meeting hopes to analytically look at those parameters affecting the problems in an integrated defence and security policy for Europe, and particularly in maintaining p eace and stability in the Balkans.

Deputy Defence Minister Dimitris Apostolakis said that Europe had showed itself to be lacking a defence policy and this was an issue that had to be tackled and effectively dealt with with the requisite means and willingness.

Mr. Apostolakis proposed that dialogue be aided by considering issues such as improvement of administrative and military capability and the development of an independent source of information. A complete overhaul was also needed of the orientation of th e Western European Union Armaments Group - due to meet this month in Crete - at the general armaments directors level.

The deputy minister said decision-making for crisis management in Europe could be ensured through committees meeting on a standing basis, particularly in the wake of the activation of the EU high representative on security issues.

Mr. Apostolakis said that the gradual operation of common foreign and defence policy was the prerogative of the 15 present members of the European Union and not to countries aspiring to join. These countries' opinions, he said, are respected but should be taken into consideration in the next phase. Luis Maria de Puig, president of the Western European Union's parliamentary assembly, admitted that there were problems and difficulties in the effort to bring stabilisation and peace to the region.

He said basic prerequisites to resolve these problems was maintaining existing borders in the Balkan regions and completing efforts to bring about harmonious co-existence to the region's populations.

It is self-evident that borders in the Balkans do not need to change for peace and security to be restored in Yugoslavia, he said.

In a message read out to the conference, Foreign Minister George Papandreou said that the current stage in making the Stability Pact a reality and bringing stability, cooperation and development to the wider region of southeast Europe was a historic op portunity that could overcome the negative consequences of the hostilities in Yugoslavia and should not be lost.

"The consequences of the crisis in southeast Europe are still being felt and will continue to bother the Balkans," Mr. Papandreou said.

"The Greek government will continue to work steadily to bring peace and stability to Kosovo at the same time as developing and rebuilding the whole of the southeast Europe region," he said.

Athens News Agency

[08] KKE holds rally protesting Clinton's visit

Athens, 29/10/1999 (ANA)

The rally took place during events commemorating the World War II October 28 "OHI" Day in the city and was held on a street parallel to the military parade held traditionally in the northern Greek capital, on this day.

Meanwhile, banners appeared at the military parade sidelines which read "October 28, 1940 - OHI (NO) to fascism, October, 28 1999 - OHI (NO) to the neofascism of NATO and EU."

Participants at the rally also protested Greece's aid to the NATO forces in Kosovo.

Athens News Agency

[09] Alexander the Great gold coin found in Turkey

ANKARA, 29/10/1999 (ANA - A. Ambatzis)

According to an announcement by the Turkish mobile telephone company Turksel, which has undertaken to fund the works, "it is a coin from the era immediately after the enthronement of Alexander the Great." The director of Bodrum's museum Oyuz Alpozen told the Turkish news agency Anadolu that one side of the coin, estimated as belonging to the year 336 and weighing 8.6 grams, depicts Athena and the other the name of Alexander written in Greek."

Athens News Agency

[10] Kritikos denies Turkish TV claim he visited northern Iraq Oct. 21

Athens, 29/10/1999 (ANA)

"I do not reply to such kinds of provocations," Mr. Kritikos said of the claims aired by the Turkish private television station NTV.

"My presence in Greece on the said date is proved by the Minutes of Parliament, the session of which I attended on the cited date," Mr. Kritikos added.

He blasted the claims as "crass, provocative actions".

Mr. Kritikos added, however, that the Greek side "must concern itself with and seek the provocative reasons behind the claims".

"One asks oneself: is it, perhaps, that the militarists of Ankara do not want even the most elementary climate of non-tension? Is it perhaps that they want to coerce to achieve more auspicious conditions at the Helsinki EU summit? Is it perhaps the begi nning of more provocative actions in view of the Clinton visit to Greece?", he questioned.

"Let the authorities investigate," Mr. Kritikos said.

Athens News Agency

[11] Local officials worried about reported presence of nukes at Araxos

Athens, 29/10/1999 (ANA)

"I personally am against the presence of nuclear weapons in our region and if they do exist there should have been briefings of prefectural and local government so that we know what is going on and can plan on how to react," Prefect Stathis Seretis said .

Mr. Seretis said that the issue would be a focus for discussion at the local prefectural council meeting.

Three U.S. researchers and data presented by a Belgian group last week claimed that nuclear weapons warheads were stocked in Araxos.

They said the nuclear warheads were placed in Greece and other countries over the course of the Cold War. Greece is reported to have 11 B-16 type bombs stored underground at the Araxos base.

According to wire reports, the United States stored about 12,000 nuclear weapons in at least 15 other nations, at U.S. Pacific bases and on Navy ships at the height of the Cold War.

The weapons were stationed in some countries, including Iceland, without the knowledge of officials there, the reports said.

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) in statements on Wednesday called on the government to "break its silence" over the matter.

The KKE has repeatedly said in the past that NATO warheads were stationed on Greek soil.

Reppas : Politicians and citizens have discussed many a time the existence of nuclear weapons in Greece, nothing new beyond that has come up, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday following the te deum services in Patra, commemorating the entry of Greece in World War II.

"Nothing new has come up, so as to merit new discussions. No one is troubled. Greece is a country, where all is conducted with the measure of responsibility, so as to secure the national interest on one hand, while on the other hand to secure conditions of prosperity and uninterrupted progress for all citizens," Mr. Reppas said.

Athens News Agency

[12] Fitch IBCA upgrades Greece to 'BBB+'

Athens, 29/10/1999 (ANA)

Fitch IBCA comments that the general government deficit has declined from a high of 13.8 per cent of GDP in 1993 and should hit near 1.6 per cent this year, although deficit reduction has been aided by certain "accounting devices", such as the government purchases of equities in public companies. While general government debt is above the 60 per cent of GDP Maastricht reference value, it has declined from a high of 112.2 per cent of GDP in 1996 to a projected 105 per cent in 1999. Further declines are envisaged thanks to continued privatisation receipts and the high primary surplus at 6.7 per cent of GDP in 1998. Still, general government debt is the third highest in the European Union (after Belgium and Italy). The need for further reduction in debt, a nd for reforms in the social security and pension system, is heightened by the projected ageing of the population.

Athens News Agency

[13] European Court ruling condemns Greece for still discriminating against working women

BRUSSELS, 29/10/1999 (ANA - P. Pantelis)

Magistrates accepted an appeal by the European Commission which claimed that Greece has violated European Union laws and has set preconditions for married working women which it has not set for married working men.

Athens News Agency

[14] Bank of Greece governor says optimistic over course of inflation

Athens, 29/10/1999 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Mr. Papademos noted that the harmonised consumer price index (to be used in evaluating Greece's progress in fulfilling the inflation criterion) was moving smoothly.

He said that harmonised inflation figures were moving within ranges that ensured fulfillment of the Maastricht criterion.

He attributed recent pressures on the inflation rate, based on the national consumer price index, to temporary phenomena.

Mr. Papademos said monetary authorities would take measures to establish a low inflation environment and urged for a coordination of efforts. He expressed his belief that the country would achieve all convergence criteria to participate in EMU.

The central banker said that recent pressures on the drachma were fully justifiable and that they were linked to an entry procedure in the eurozone and prospects of adjusting the drachma's parity with its central ERM parity.

Commenting on monetary policy, Mr. Papademos said that further interest rates cuts would depend on the course of inflation in the next two months and noted that a Bank of Greece's decision last week to lower short-term interest rates was too small to have an impact on commercial banks' interest rates.

Papantoniou : National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said on Wednesday he remained worried over the course of inflation and urged all business and monetary authorities to remain alerted and aware "of the great responsibility we have to achieve the in flation criterion for participating in EMU".

Mr. Papantoniou said there were two more parameters in a joint effort to combat inflation: the Bank of Greece to continue its strict monetary policy and a package of measures to contain agricultural produce prices in cooperation with the development ministry.

Athens News Agency

[15] Worries over inflation create negative climate at ASE

Athens, 29/10/1999 (ANA)

The general index ended 2.42 percent lower at 5,390.37 points with the FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks down 1.20 percent at 2,744.20 points.

Turnover was moderate 267.463 billion drachmas.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks (-0.78 pct), Leasing (-2.52 pct), Insurance (-3.50 pct), Investment (-4.14 pct), Construction (-5.10 pct), Industrials (-3.32 pct), Holding (-4.07 pct) and Miscellaneous (-3.35 pct). The parallel market index for smaller capitalisation stocks plunged 6.77 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 278 to 42 with another six issues unchanged.

A large number of shares ended at the day's 8.0 percent limit down, among them were Techniki Olympiaki, Giannousis, Klonatex, Mouzakis and Kekrops. Olympic Catering, Ellatex, Macedonian Spinn Mills, Viosol and Vis ended at the day's limit up. Macedoni an Spinn Mills, Agrinio Metalplastics and Techniki Olympiaki were the most heavily traded stocks. National Bank of Greece ended at 22,040 drachmas, Alpha Credit Bank at 22,800, Commercial Bank at 23,370, Titan Cement (common) at 34,700, Hellenic Petroleum at 4, 646, Intracom (common) at 13,960, Minoan Lines at 9,495, Panafon at 3,970 and Hellenic Telecoms at 6,770.

ASE closed yesterday : The Athens Stock Exchange remained closed yesterday for the celebration of the October 28 "OHI" Day, marking the beginning of World War II for Greece in 1940.

The exchange will reopen today.

Athens News Agency

[16] Papantoniou announces decrease in interest rates for new housing loans

Athens, 29/10/1999 (ANA)

As a result of the decrease in interest rates, the benefit for a person receiving a loan amounts to 420,000 drachmas per annum for a loan amounting to 25 million drachmas.

The Deposits and Loans Fund decided and proposed to Mr. Papantoniou, who accepted the proposal, a decrease in interest rates for new housing loans for the acquisition of the first residence by about two percentage points.

Consequently, for the A and B regions falling under Law 1262/82 the interest rates decrease to 7 per cent from 9 and 8 per cent. The interest rate for the C region of Law 1262/82 will be 6 per cent from 7.5 per cent. For the D region (border regions) 5 per cent from 7 per cent and for special categories (people with large families and blind people) 4.5 per cent from 5 per cent.

Athens News Agency

[17] Greece, Albania sign economic cooperation protocol

Athens, 29/10/1999 (ANA)

The seventh Greek-Albanian inter-ministerial committee protocol, signed by National Economy Undersecretary Rodoula Zissi and Albanian Economy Minister Ms Mexi, envisages speedier procedures for the implementation of Greek- funded housing programmes in Albania, Greek support to developing economic and social structures in the neighbouring country and support for a training programme for employees both in the public and private sectors.

The Albanian minister praised the cooperation and the excellent relations between the two countries and said Greece was one of Albania's important partners. Ms Zissi said that strengthening bilateral cooperation was a Greek government's steadfast position.

Athens News Agency

[18] Bids underway for the installation of trams in Kalamata

Athens, 29/10/1999 (ANA)

The project is part of a four billion drachma programme to tackle the city's traffic problem, to be co-financed by the European Investment Bank and national funds.

Athens News Agency

[19] Koumbas SA to seek share capital increase plan

Athens, 29/10/1999 (ANA)

The plan envisages the issuance of 13,158,450 new common shares which will raise the company's equity capital to 13.1 billion drachmas.

The new capital will be used to fund its expansion programme, part of a plan to transform the company into a Holding company.

The board's decision will be submitted to a general shareholders' meeting, November 10, for approval.

Athens News Agency

[20] Athens Foreign Exchange

Athens, 29/10/1999 (ANA)

Parities in Drachmas

Banknotes             Buying  Selling
US Dollar             308.353 315.503
Can.Dollar            208.995 213.840
Australian Dlr        199.561 204.188
Pound Sterling        510.384 522.217
Irish Punt            415.687 425.325
Pound Cyprus          567.126 580.276
Pound Malta           731.876 762.371
Turkish pound (100)     0.061   0.064
French franc           49.909  51.066
Swiss franc           204.635 209.379
Belgian franc           8.116   8.304
German Mark           167.387 171.268
Finnish Mark           55.061  56.338
Dutch Guilder         148.559 152.003
Danish Kr.             44.053  45.074
Swedish Kr.            37.853  38.730
Norwegian Kr.          39.660  40.580
Austrian Sh.           23.791  24.343
Italian lira (100)     16.908  17.300
Yen (100)             295.943 302.805
Spanish Peseta          1.967   2.013
Port. Escudo            1.633   1.671

Foreign Exchange      Buying  Selling
New York              308.353 315.503
Montreal              208.995 213.840
Sydney                199.561 204.188
London                510.384 522.217
Dublin                415.687 425.325
Nicosia               567.126 580.276
Paris                  49.909  51.066
Zurich                204.635 209.379
Brussels                8.116   8.304
Frankfurt             167.387 171.268
Helsinki               55.061  56.338
Amsterdam             148.559 152.003
Copenhagen             44.053  45.074
Stockholm              37.853  38.730
Oslo                   39.660  40.580
Vienna                 23.791  24.343
Milan                  16.908  17.300
Tokyo                 295.943 302.805
Madrid                  1.967   2.013
Lisbon                  1.633   1.671

Athens News Agency

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