Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-01-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Pan-Orthodox gathering in Bethlehem calls for peace and coexistence

[02] Italy's D' Alema calls on Ankara to resolve differences with Athens

[03] Greek President present in Orthodox millennium celebrations in Bethlehem

[04] Overseas Greeks play important role, Stephanopoulos tells Greek community

[05] Elections are not among PASOK priorities, Skandalidis says

[06] New Democracy announces policy-making meeting

[07] Tsovolas criticizes latest opinion polls 'ordered' by PASOK and ND

[08] Contract for 3 new missile boats signed

[09] Greek Euro-MP tables question over planned Turkish N-plant

[10] Clerides dismisses reports on territorial aspect of Cyprus

[11] Special Parliament events planned for next week

[12] Mycenae mayor denies American archaeologist's claims

[13] ASE follows foreign markets' rebound, end higher

[14] Central Bank announces relaxation on investments

[15] Egnatia Bank launches electronic banking

[16] Panafon acquires 25.01 percent stake in Mobitel

[17] Bulgaria�s telecom company privatization again in the forefront

[18] Futures prices end lower in Athens

[19] Bank branches in Greece increased by 29%, EUROSTAT reports

[20] Six immigrants killed in road accident

[21] Young girl dies of meningitis

[22] The Athens Dailies at a glance

[01] Pan-Orthodox gathering in Bethlehem calls for peace and coexistence

Athens, 08/01/2000 (ANA)

The leaders of Orthodoxy also called on the powerful secular leaders of the world to secure peace in the Middle East, for all peoples residing in this region, all the while respecting the century old status quo of the Holy Lands, Vartholomeos read from a prepared statement co-signed by all Orthodox leaders.

We denounce every and any tendencies of nationalism and national purity, which tends to corrupt the Orthodox Ecclesiastic tradition.

The Orthodox Church denounces racism and condemns religious fanaticism wherever and whenever they manifest, Vartholomeos added.

We look forward to building better preconditions for dialogue with the rest of the monotheistic religions, especially Judaism and Islam, aiming at the peaceful co-existence of all peoples, he added.

He concluded with a condemnation of Christianitys schism, which he called a scandal, adding that efforts by other Christian denominations at conversions of fellow Christians should also be condemned.

The message was prepared before the ceremony co-officiated by all Orthodox leaders during the synaxis (gathering of all) in Bethlehem, which was part of the celebrations for the 2000 years since the birth of Jesus Christ

[02] Italy's D' Alema calls on Ankara to resolve differences with Athens

ROME 08/01/2000 (ANA)

Speaking to Greek journalists ahead of his visit to Athens on Monday, D' Alema said that the gates of Europe will close for Ankara if it does not accept the Copenhagen principles and does not resolve the dispute with Athens and the issue of Cyprus.

He also praised Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis' personality and opposed independence for Kosovo and Montenegro, underlying that Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic remained a problem.

"I would like to stress that this (Helsinki) decision by Greece was very important for Europe. It was a decision in favor of dtente, peace and security in the Mediterranean and Europe. This decision characterizes the Greek leadership as a great, mature and democratic power. The process which started at Helsinki is very important, but it is also a challenge for Turkey," he said.

"The Turkish leaders are well aware that the candidacy also entails the resolution of problems such as democratization and human rights. It is an option on which it will depend whether negotiations will start for Ankara's accession to Europe. As you are aware, if Ankara does not accept Copenhagen's conditions and principles, the negotiations will not start. We have opened the door. The Turkish leadership is well aware that if they want to go through the door they should take bold decisions. I hope they will have the necessary courage. We are at peace with our conscience. We did not turn Turkey away. On the contrary, we offered it a historical opportunity to join Europe, not only economically, but also from the point of view of democratic principles," he added.

Commenting on Greek-Turkish issues, D' Alema said:

"It is a great and historical opportunity. A process started in Helsinki during which problems should be lifted. It is difficult for us to imagine that Turkey will become a full member of the EU without the dispute with Greece being resolved, without a solution to the Cyprus issue. A process of dtente, peace and security and of resolving problems has started. If these problems are not resolved, then the process will not proceed."

[03] Greek President present in Orthodox millennium celebrations in Bethlehem

Athens, 08/01/2000 (ANA)

Present at the ceremony were also, Former Russian President Boris Yeltsin, Georgian President Edward Shevardnadze; Ukrainian President Leonind Kutsma; Belarus President Alexander Lukachenko; Ronanian President Emil Konstantinescu and Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

This belated celebration of Christmas was due to the fact that all but Greek Orthodox Christians use the old Julian calendar, which contains a 13-day error in comparison to the Gregorian calendar used in the west.

[04] Overseas Greeks play important role, Stephanopoulos tells Greek community

Athens, 08/01/2000 (ANA)

President Stephanopoulos praised the Greek community's presence in Jerusalem, saying that it is the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate's flock which is entrusted with safeguarding what Orthodoxy holds as most holy in the region.

He said that it is not as important for overseas Greeks to speak the Greek, rather it is more important that they should feel Greek in heart and spirit.

The event, attended by scores of Greeks living in Jerusalem, was addressed by a Greek community representative who said that the Greeks in Jerusalem feel unbreakable bonds with their motherland.

Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos also addressed the event, praising the work accomplished by the Greek community in Jerusalem. Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Deputy Foreign Minister Grigoris Niotis were also present. The president's visit to Israel concludes on Saturday with visits to Jericho, Nazareth and the Dead Sea.

[05] Elections are not among PASOK priorities, Skandalidis says

Athens, 08/01/2000 (ANA)

Skandalidis, who was speaking to reporters after a meeting with Prime Minister and PASOK President Costas Simitis, said "we do not have elections in our minds", adding however that the party is "preparing itself in an organizational and operational manner for the next developments."

On Thursday, Premier Simitis said the government was not pre-occupied with elections at present. Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis also said the government should exhaust its period of office, while National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos confirmed that elections were not among the premier's immediate plans.

Skandalidis said "this is election year and the relevant initiative, as the prime minister has pointed out, lies with PASOK and the government".

He said that during this period PASOK will throw its weight on achieving targets set such as accession to Economic and Monetary Union (EMU).

Skandalidis said that PASOK will place particular importance on briefing citizens.

It was also decided at the meeting that PASOK' s conference on positions will be held on February 5-6.

Commenting on the announcement by main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis that ND will hold a congress on positions, Skandalidis said "a congress is good provided there are positions."

[06] New Democracy announces policy-making meeting

Athens, 08/01/2000 (ANA)

Karamanlis said the three-day congress would deal in depth with the party's policy platform for the future.

[07] Tsovolas criticizes latest opinion polls 'ordered' by PASOK and ND

Athens, 08/01/2000 (ANA)

We are observing that those two parties play games at the expense of democratic institutions and the people with fixed opinion polls, aiming at maintaining the bipolar, two-party system, Tsovolas said.

In this manner the two parties aim at continuing to be in control of power and to serve their own interests, which are against workers and pensioners, he added.

Commenting on elections, Tsovolas predicted that they would take place before June, adding that none of the two major parties would gain Parliamentary majority, needed to form a government.

[08] Contract for 3 new missile boats signed

Athens, 08/01/2000 (ANA)

The cost for the three missile boats totals some 150 billion drachmas (appx. 322 drachmas equal one US dollar), while offset benefits for Greek subcontractors are expected to total some three billion drachmas.

The UK group Vosper Thornycroft has designed the missile boat model, with the Elefsina shipyards-built vessels to be armed with German- and Dutch-made weapons systems. The Super Vita missile boat is 61.9 meters long, 9.5 meters wide and can achieve a maximum speed of around 34 knots while fully loaded. The first missile boat is scheduled for delivery in 33 months from the date the contract comes into force; the second in 50 months and the third in 56 months.

In addition, the other contract foresees the building of a new oil ship for the Hellenic Navy, complete with an on-board hospital and surgical unit. The total cost for the vessel will reach 39 billion drachmas and is based on a design by Italys Fincantieri Ship-yards. Its delivery date will be 33 months after the contract comes into force.

In an address at the signing ceremony, National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said the two contracts with the shipyard, west of Athens, are part of the ministrys efforts to acquire most weapons systems and provisions from Greek firms and industries.

Deputy Defense Minister Dimitris Apostolakis and the Hellenic Navys leadership also attended the ceremony.

[09] Greek Euro-MP tables question over planned Turkish N-plant

BRUSSELS, 08/01/2000 (ANA)

Karamanou cited new evidence unveiled recently by Canadian deputies opposed to Ottawas intention to supply Turkey with nuclear reactors for the envisioned plant at the Akkuyu site.

Critics, including environmental groups in both Greece and Turkey, have pointed out that the reactors feature out-dated technology, while the area -- near several countries in the Middle East as well as Cyprus -- sits on a seismically active geological plate.

Athens has also criticized the move as a precursor to nuclear proliferation in the region.

[10] Clerides dismisses reports on territorial aspect of Cyprus

Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides described here Friday as entirely untrue media reports that the UN rejected the Greek Cypriot proposal regarding the territorial aspect of Cyprus.

He said equally untrue is a statement that the UN has proposed a Federal Republic of Cyprus should have a President and a Prime Minister, noting that such reports are regrettable and create confusion and bitterness to those who work on behalf of the UN or their governments for a Cyprus settlement.

In a written statement in response to media reports, President Clerides said it is entirely untrue that the UN has rejected the Greek Cypriot proposal regarding the territorial aspect of the Cyprus problem, stressing that the UN recorded the proposal, as they did with all other proposals, without comment. It is equally untrue that the UN has proposed that a Federal Republic of Cyprus should have a President and a Prime Minister, he added.

Noting that the UN Secretary-Generals Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, has not made any proposal nor has he proposed an equal distribution of powers, Clerides clarified that de Soto merely recorded without discussion the positions of the Greek Cypriot side and the grounds on which these positions are based.

At the same time, he said US Special Presidential Emissary for Cyprus, Alfred Moses, has neither made observations nor expressed any views on the Greek Cypriot positions. Nor has he made any suggestions or reference to the various aspects of the Cyprus problem, stressing he did not exert any pressure either.

The whole matter, the President added, is regrettable as un-founded reports published not only do not help promote a solution to the Cyprus problem but on the contrary create confusion and bitterness to all those who are working on behalf of either the UN or their governments.

A first round of UN-led proximity talks on Cyprus took place in December 1999 in New York. A second round has been scheduled to start on January 31, 2000 in Geneva.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of the islands territory.

[11] Special Parliament events planned for next week

Athens, 08/01/2000 (ANA)

Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis will present the book, entitled Harilaos Trikoupis: His Life and Works in the MPs parlor - part of a series of events focusing on the Messolonghi native.

On Tuesday, a concert at the Athens Concert Hall, organized by Parliament, will feature music based on the poetry of several contemporary Greek poets, including Nobel laureate Odysseas Elytis. The concert is part of events surrounding the holding of the Youth Parliament.

Finally, on Thursday, Kaklamanis will unveil the schedule for the fifth Youth Parliament - an educational program designed to bring dozens of Greek youths together for an exchange of views on a variety of issues and concerns.

[12] Mycenae mayor denies American archaeologist's claims

Athens, 08/01/2000 (ANA)

"The municipality has never prevented archaeologists from access," Angelos Mermyngis, spokesman for the municipality of Mycenae, said in a statement to the ANA.

His statements came in response to an article written by Nancy Wilkie, the president of the Archaeological Institute of America, and published in the latest edition of 'Archaeology'.

In an editorial entitled 'Mycenaean Madness', Wilkie said that the mayor of the township had, in February, 1999, "inexplicably seized the building, changed the locks, and refused to allow archaeologists access to it."

The building in question, the Melathron, is a stone structure built around a large central courtyard in the village of Mycenae and designed to serve as a research center for archaeologists working at ancient site in southern Greece.

The building was constructed through the efforts of the Mycenaean Foundation, set up by American supporters of the late George Mylonas, the former director of excavations at Mycenae and president of the Archaeological Institute of American from 1957 to 1960.

The local community was allowed to use the structure as well - for many years, one wing served as a medical clinic and another as a meeting room for the local village.

Wilkie said the Mycenaean Foundation immediately filed an action in the Greek courts asking for the return of the building when the mayor took over the halls.

"To date the only outcome has been a temporary restraining order, requiring the township of Mycenae to allow archaeologists access to part of the building, while granting the village more space than it had been allowed to use previously."

But Mermyngis disputes Wilkie's version of events, saying that he and mayor Panayiotis Goritsas had been taken by "surprise" at what had been written.

"The archaeologists are free to use the Mycenae Melathron whenever they desire and the municipality will provide any support they need," he said.

He said that the two halls that had been reserved for the archaeologists use had never been used by the municipality, particularly since the keys to them were in the possession of the archaeologists.

The main chamber of the building - previously used by archaeologists to set up their drafting tables - had been awarded to the village on the grounds that it had not been used for such work in the previous year.

Wilkie admitted that no archaeological work had been conducted for more than a year but said that this had been due to reasons beyond their control, such as a freeze on hiring additional guards.

"Next summer, Spyros Iakovides, executive director of the Mycenaean Foundation, intends to resume excavations at Mycenae, and he will require use of all of the space previously assigned to the archaeologists in the Mycenaean Melathron," Wilkie said.

[13] ASE follows foreign markets' rebound, end higher

Athens, 08/01/2000 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.77 percent higher at 5,410.82 points, off the day's highs of 5,483 points. Turnover was a moderate 241.23 billion drachmas.

Dealers said the market pushed strongly up initially but that gains evaporated later in the session on profit taking

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks jumped 6.65 percent, while the FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell 0.51 percent to 2,781.69 and the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 3.11 percent higher at 1,022.94 points.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 287 to 26 with another 12 issues unchanged.

A total of 50 shares ended at the day's 8.0 percent limit up. Attica Publications, Radio Athina, Piraeus Leasing, Xiosbank and Radio Korasidis suffered the heaviest losses.

Panafon, Hellenic Telecoms, Techniki Olympiaki and Dias were the most heavily traded stocks.

[14] Central Bank announces relaxation on investments

The Central Bank on Friday announced the introduction of significant relaxation of the long standing regulations limiting the investment of Cypriots abroad and of foreigners in Cyprus.

The Bank points out in a statement that the introduction of the relaxation, which come into effect as from Friday, is part of the islands harmonization with the acquis communautaire.

It says that all existing restrictions on the minimum investment and the share of foreign participation in a company operating in Cyprus are abolished on condition the investors are residents of a European Union member-state.

However, restrictions on other issues such as the ownership of real estate remain.

Restrictions on the share of residents of EU member-states in a Cyprus company which is listed in the Cyprus Stock Exchange are also abolished, raising their potential share to 100 per cent on condition the company is not part of the banking sector.

Referring to Cypriots investments abroad, the Bank announced that residents of the island are allowed to participate in a direct investment with no restrictions on the amount or the sector of investment.

Cyprus started substantive accession negotiations with the EU in November 1998.

[15] Egnatia Bank launches electronic banking

Athens, 08/01/2000 (ANA)

In its address (http://www.egnatiabank.gr), visitors will have access to information on all products and services offered by Egnatia Bank Group. They will also be able to open new accounts, ask for new loans, bankassurance services and credit card issuance.

The bank's customers will also have access to all major international stock markets and financial institutions. The site offers special access to Helenes abroad.

Egnatia Bank is offering investment advice through its website.

Customers will be able to link with the WebTeller system for real banking transactions on the Internet.

The bank will soon offer on line/real time transactions on the Athens Stock Exchange through its website.

[16] Panafon acquires 25.01 percent stake in Mobitel

Athens, 08/01/2000 (ANA)

Panafon's stake in Mobitel, on completion of all legal processes, will amount to 25.01 percent of the share capital. It will come from the purchase of all the shares of the Interamerican Systems-Systems of Financial Services S.A. company, which holds 18.58 percent of Mobitel's share capital and for the remaining 6.43 percent from an increase in Mobitel's share capital.

Panafon said that as a result of this development Mobitel will receive considerable capital which will be invested in its further development as one of Panafon's commercial partners with the addition of more "Mobitel Centers", the enlargement and strengthening of its commercial network and the creation of new mobile telephony products and services.

[17] Bulgarias telecom company privatization again in the forefront

Athens, 08/01/2000 (ANA)

One of the first decisions of the new Government of the Re-public of Bulgaria was to establish a working group to carry out the negotiations for the privatization of BTC, thus confirming its commitment to bring the procedure to a successful end, a letter of Slavinkis to OTE noted, according to the press release.

OTE and KPN have been in negotiations, for some time, to purchase a controlling interest in BTC.

[18] Futures prices end lower in Athens

Athens, 08/01/2000 (ANA)

A total of 634 contracts were traded worth 3.6 billion drachmas.

The January 2000 contract ended at 2,802.97 points, the February at 2,896.81 and the March contract at 2,926.96 points.

The June and September contracts ended at 2,976.25 and 3,100 points, respectively. The December 2000 contract was not traded and its settlement price was set at 3,074.75 points.

[19] Bank branches in Greece increased by 29%, EUROSTAT reports

Athens, 08/01/2000 (ANA)

In addition, the report noted that Greece placed third in banking-employee increase during the same period, recording a 9.2 per cent rise, outpaced by Ireland (44.2 per cent) and Norway (15.2 per cent).

Meanwhile, Finland and Denmark ranked first in banking employee reduction, for a 26.9 per cent and 12.6 per cent respectively.

Other countries recording increases in bank branches are Germany with 27 per cent, Portugal with 25 per cent and Norway with 20 per cent, while Ireland ranked last with an actual reduction to the tune of 29 per cent.

Opposing Greece, Ireland witnessed a considerable increase in banking institutions recording a whapping 36 per cent.

The report also noted that the European Union-wide number of banking institutions decreased by 10 percent, bank branches increased by 8 percent, while employment in the sector remained unchanged.

EUROSTATs report concluded that employment in the banking sector accounts for about 1.8 percent of total employment in the Union.

[20] Six immigrants killed in road accident

Athens, 08/01/2000 (ANA)

The driver of the truck fled after the accident, which occurred shortly before 5:00 a.m. on the national highway near the village Neo Sidirohori - Pagouri outside Komotini.

Ambulances rushed to the scene to take the dead and injured to Komotini hospital.

The truck, bearing Greek license plates, skidded off the road which was covered with a thin sheet of ice, rammed into an electricity pole and overturned.

"It was a tragic situation because of adverse weather conditions and below-zero temperatures prevailing in the region," a police officer at the scene told ANA.

According to early reports, the truck had been stolen Wednesday in Komotini.

Police are searching for the driver, as well as a suspected accomplice driving a car ahead of the truck to warn of police checks.

Two of the 58 illegal immigrants taken to Komotini hospital were in serious condition and underwent surgery, another 28 were hospitalized, and the remaining 30 were given first aid and taken by police to the Rhodopi police station, where they were being held.

Police sources said an estimated 80 illegal immigrants, all of them young Iraqi men of Kurdish origin, were in the truck, which they boarded in Evros on the Greek side of the border with Turkey to be transported to Thessaloniki and Athens.

The illegal immigrants told police they had entered Greece with the help of Turkish immigrant-runners in the hope of finding work.

They said they had paid 1,500-2,000 dollars each to be transported to Greece.

[21] Young girl dies of meningitis

Athens, 08/01/2000 (ANA)

[22] The Athens Dailies at a glance

Athens, 08/01/2000 (ANA)

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS(Rizos): "They're turning thou-sands of aliens into Greeks and give them election booklets -- Electoral fraud with aliens".

APOGEVMATINI: "Simitis - Kaklamanis flatly state: 'forget early elections".

AVRIANI: "After Avramopoulos (the Athens mayor) even the mayor of Piraeus supports Simitis -- heart attack at Rigilis -- the New Democracy headquarters".

ATHINAIKI: " Unrest in the church ranks over the (church's) entry into the Athens Bourse -- temptation is great regarding the 'sacred' shares".

ELEFTHERI ORA: "The election fever is a false pregnancy".

ELEFTHEROS: "An electoral coup with bogus voters".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Involvement of the army and the Greek police (EL.AS) in the elections game".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: Headlined a European Union report on the low birth-rate in Greece.

ESTIA: " The Yiannopoulos (Justice Minister) phenomenon -- the prime minister is responsible for his actions".

ETHNOS: Headlined what it described an explosive report by the Council of State blocking the legalization of illegal buildings.

STO KARFI: "Avramopoulos (the Athens mayor) plays on two game boards".

TA NEA: "International bourses cause uncertainty".

VRADYNI: "The flu is sweeping -- deaths in Albania and Yugoslavia".

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