Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-03-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] Premier says government will continue to work with people for civil liberties

[02] Kosovo expected to top agenda in trilateral meeting of FMs from Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey

[03] Sources deny Greek vessel to participate in Turkish maneuver, NATO exercise cited instead

[04] Cyprus issue discussed at EU, US and Russia meeting

[05] Greek EU commissioner to have contacts with Japanese officials

[06] T.V. copyright infringement in Greece decreases dramatically

[07] ND leader says his party is the top political force in the country

[08] EU ministers deal with issues related to prevention of crime

[09] Development ministry shows activities on Greece's 'other' culture

[10] New Athens airport designed to serve as transport hub

[11] Debate on role of the Press in Greek-Turkish relations to be held March 15

[12] Patrol boat to be delivered to Cypriot National Guard

[13] Stolen truck loaded with illegal immigrants intercepted near Turkish border

[14] Greece completes delivery of homes for Turkey's quake victims

[15] Two Kurds hospitalised with respiratory problems caused in attempt to reach Italy

[16] Banks, state telecom to launch consumer smart cards in Greece

[17] Greek stocks end the week with losses

[18] Greek stocks remain under pressure for the third week running

[19] Bonds keep momentum in lively trade

[20] Drachma ends down vs euro, dollar

[21] Credit expansion exceeds target in 1999

[22] EFG Eurobank to offer Dr 100 dividend

[23] Mytilineos reports hefty results for 1999

[24] Foodstuffs industries open to the public from 14-17 March

[25] New company to utilise Technology and Research Foundation's work

[26] Delegation of 'Beijing Olympic Games 2008' bid committee briefed in Athens

[27] Law school discussion cancelled after rival students groups clash

[28] Greek-Australian's novel receives positive reviews

[29] Athens trolley drivers to continue work stoppages next week

[30] The Athens dailies at a glance

[01] Premier says government will continue to work with people for civil liberties

The Greek people gained their democratic rights with long struggles and sacrifices, prime minister Costas Simitis said Friday.

He said the government would continue to discuss and work together with the people for those liberties and democracy, but warned that those who used the rights and liberties as a pretext for their petty political tactics would be judged harshly.

Opening an off-the-agenda parliamentary debate on civil rights and trade union freedoms initiated by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), Simitis said there was no cause for the debate, but it had been instigated by the KKE for electoral campaign expediencies and 'making impressions'.

That, he said, was why the debate, held at political party leaders' level, had attracted a very small turnout of MPs.

Indeed, 16 MPs from the ruling PASOK party, 14 from main opposition New Democracy, five from the KKE, one from the Coalition of the Left and Progress and three from the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) were in attendance at the commencement of the debate, while several MPs showed up during the course of the discussion.

Simitis outlined the Greek people's political and social struggles for their civil rights and freedoms, and noted PASOK's contribution to eliminating discrimmination and to the evolution of a trade union movement "without guardians".

Citizens' rights were the essence of democracy, Simitis said, outlining the government's recent efforts such as the introduction of an Ombudsman, a National Committee on Human Rights, state cooperation with NGOs (non-governmental organisations), and the adoption and legislation of important international accords on protection of human rights.

Simitis made specific mention of the demonstrations during the Polytechnic students' uprising anniversaries, the students' protests and the rallies against the war in Kosovo, "in which we opted for protection of the citizens' rights rather than suppression".

He indirectly criticised the KKE for its stance on the above protests and also on the KKE-initiated protests staged during US president Bill Clinton's visit to Athens last November, which turned violent.

"All the Greeks saw on television the protestors during the Clinton visit attempting to break through police lines...BUt it was they who opted for and provoked clashes, and then did not have the courage to shoulder the consequences of their choices," Simitis said.

The government, he said, was accused of authoritarianism when it took steps to protect school property during the students' protests, but questioned: "Can a minority impose, by violence, its choices on the majority? Can it destroy schools?"

"What has that got to do with rights?", Simitis said.

He called on the KKE to be doubly cautious, warning that "the abuse of rights for petty political benefit breeds a (kind of) social fascism, a tendency towards conflict and enmity in society" which, end up diminishing "the value of the protest and of the rights invoked".

Taking the floor after the premier, KKE secretary Aleka Papariga said that the criterion of democracy "are not the laws and institutions, because they may exist on the papers but not function, but rather, democracy is judged in the workplace, where fear and terrorism prevail".

Papariga set out a "black bible of persecutions" by the Simitis government against trade unionists, protesting farmers and teachers, and the lawsuit against the Athens daily Rizospastis, the official KKE publication, by the justice minister.

"We believe that the lawsuit against Rizospastis, combined with the government's claims that the KKE is a troublemaker that was on the edge of legality open up a new page in violence and authoritarianism," Papariga said.

Karamanlis repeats charges of 'PASOK regime'

In his speech, main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis reiterated charges that "PASOK has become a regime" after governing for about 20 years, exercising stifling control over public services such as television.

"State television has become an offshoot of PASOK headquarters which has vanquished the smaller parties from its news bulletins," he said.

Further, he criticised the continued advertising of EU-subsidised public projects by the government and spoke of an unacceptable interplay between judicial and executive power in persecuting media, siting in particular the case of Justice Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos's suit against the Communist Party-affiliated newspaper Rizospastis.

"It is phenomenal for a justice minister to sue anybody without resigning from the post," he said.

Finally, he reminded of the violent treatment of protesting pensioners by the police but stated his opposition to farmers' blockades of roads and sit-ins.

He repeated proposals for a lifting of the immunity of deputies and challenged the prime minister to accept debates with other political leaders on television.

Responding, Simitis noted that PASOK had not been in power for an uninterrupted 20 years and challenged the claim of a violent treatment of pensioners.

Coalition of the Left leader Nikos Constantopoulos cautioned against the viewing of civil rights as a threat to the government's work and cricitised interventions by the press ministry in the National Radio and Television Council. He further charged of instances of arrogant and insulting behaviour by government officials.

Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI)leader Dimitris Tsovolas spoke of many instances in which democracy had been raped during the term of the neo-liberal PASOK government, of stifling control of the media and of suppression of farmers', students' and workers' protests.

[02] Kosovo expected to top agenda in trilateral meeting of FMs from Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey

Athens, 04/03/2000 (ANA)

According to diplomatic sources in the Greek capital, the agenda of talks will include the situation in the Balkans -- especially the strife-torn Yugoslav province of Kosovo -- implementation of the Stability Pact for SE Europe as well as the European prospects of both Sofia and Ankara.

The three FMs -- Turkey's Ismail Cem, Bulgaria's Nadejda Mihailova and Greece's George Papandreou - are expected to issue a joint communique with references to the respect of the principles of good-neighbourliness, international law, the Kosovo situation and the need for respect of the rights of all ethnicities living in the province, as well as Bulgaria's Euro-Atlantic prospects and Turkey's European vocation.

In a related development, it was announced that Papandreou will meet with his FYROM and Albanian counterparts on Wednesday for talks in both Korce, Albania and the resort town of Ochrid, in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

Papandreou is also scheduled to travel to the southern Albanian town of Gjirokaster on the sidelines of his official contacts in the neighbouring country.

Gov't spokesman

Meanwhile, the government noted on Friday that the trilateral meetings begun since 1997 between the foreign ministers of

Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece focus on achieving a "peaceful (political) climate in our region."

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas made the statement in response to a press question regarding Athens' expectations from the meeting on Sunday.

Akkuyu

In response to a question over Ankara's decision to proceed with the construction and operation of a nuclear power plant at the Akkuyu site, on the coast of SE Asia Minor, Reppas said the Greek government's position is well known. He stressed that Athens has repeatedly questioned and criticised plans to build the nuclear station at Akkuyu, and has reiterated this view in various international fora.

[03] Sources deny Greek vessel to participate in Turkish maneuver, NATO exercise cited instead

Diplomatic sources at Greece's foreign ministry on Friday denied recent press reports in Athens claiming that a Hellenic Navy frigate would participate in a Turkish military exercise ostensibly set to take place over occupied Cyprus' airspace as well.

The same sources stressed that the exercise in question was not a Turkish one, but a multinational aeronautical maneuver with the participation of several NATO member-states - including the United States, Britain, France, Italy, Greece and Turkey. They also added that the exercise will take place entirely within the Istanbul FIR and international airspace. The participation of a Greek vessel in the April exercise was verified, although sources again denied that airspace over Turkish-occupied Cyprus would be utilized.

[04] Cyprus issue discussed at EU, US and Russia meeting

Portuguese Foreign Minister Jaime Gama said at a press conference on Thursday that "prospects for the solution of the Cyprus problem are encouraging and the recent improvement in relations between Greece and Turkey is definitely a great help."

Gama, who was replying to a question by the Athens News Agency, was representing the EU presidency at the end of the first meeting between the EU, the US and Russia.

Gama said in the presence of US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, her Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov, French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine, the representative for European Foreign Affairs and Security issues Javier Solana and Commissioner Paten that "the Cyprus issue might not be resolved tomorrow. However, hopes are certainly created by the recent thaw in Greek-Turkish relations and the indications we have from the latest meetings under UN auspices."

The tripartite meeting, agreed to be established on a permanent basis, focused on the situation in Chechnya, Kosovo and the Middle East.

[05] Greek EU commissioner to have contacts with Japanese officials

Greek European Union Employment and Social Affairs Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou, currently on a five-day official visit to Japan, will hold talks with government ministers, Japanese administration officials and the leadership of the Japanese trade union confederation, as well as with the boards of some of the biggest businesses in the country.

Diamantopoulou was due on Friday to meet Japanese Alternate Foreign Minister Yamamoto for talks on the EU's social and employment policies and preparation for the special Lisbon summit. Later, she will visit Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister on equality issues Nagamine to discuss Europe's experience and the plan of action for equal opportunities and proposals promoted by her for the lifting of discriminations.

On Monday, Diamantopoulou will address the 8th Euro-Japanese conference on "New employment strategies in the EU and Japan."

[06] T.V. copyright infringement in Greece decreases dramatically

Video and television copyright infringement of U.S. products has declined to 5 per cent from 17 per cent and it will be totally wiped out in the immediate future, Press and Media Minister Dimitris Reppas said on Friday.

He said that the issue is "indeed one that could cause a crisis in Greek-U.S. relations. We have discussed it many times with the Americans and we have taken the necessary measures, which resulted in the decline of television programme piracy for (an earlier) 17 per cent down to 5 per cent".

An International Intellectual Property Alliance report on Greece noted the decrease Reppas described, stressing that "if the Broadcast law's Article 17 continues to be enforced, we can look to the early elimination of such piracy in the near future".

The report, however, noted that "in order (for Greece) to finish the job started with lowering TV piracy, IIPA recommends that Greece be placed on the Watch List in 2000", adding that enforcement of relevant laws should also include other areas of intellectual property rights infringement.

[07] ND leader says his party is the top political force in the country

Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis on Friday accused the PASOK government of "squandering huge amounts, squandering billions for the party and the establishment, which constitutes a provocation for the taxpayer, the pensioner, the unemployed and young people who are in search of work and who lack the basics in their lives."

Karamanlis, who was addressing his party's preliminary conference on "Health - Education - Culture - New Technologies" in Thessaloniki on Friday evening, said ND is currently the top political force in the country.

Referring to the April 9 general election, Karamanlis said "we will make a new start on April 9. The struggle will be tough. However, victory is in our hands."

Outlining his party's proposals on education, he said a national dialogue should be initiated with the participation of the educational community, exams for the senior high school's second grade should be abolished, expenditures for education should increase to 5 percent of GDP and 20 percent of the 3rd Community Support Framework should be provided in this context.

On the question of new technologies, Karamanlis said ND considers investment in technology and knowledge as its primary policy axis.

The preliminary conference will continue on Saturday with addresses by party members and will be concluded on Sunday. On the sidelines of the conference, Karamanlis will meet the board of the Federation of Exporters of Northern Greece on Saturday, while he is also expected to receive local party members.

[08] EU ministers deal with issues related to prevention of crime

A two-day informal meeting of EU Justice and Interior ministers started in Lisbon on Friday and dealt with issues related to the prevention of crime, security and administering of justice in Europe. Greece was represented by the Foreign Ministry's European Affairs general secretary Stelios Perrakis.

Proposals were made for the setting up of a European Police Academy where men will be trained and sent to crisis regions. However, they will not constitute part of the military forces.

Another proposal put forward was for the insitutionalisation of a type of Euro-public prosecutor whose mission will be to coordinate and help judicials and police authorities on a European level.

Perrakis, who was in favour of the two proposals, gave particular emphasis to Greece's positions on issues regarding asylum, control of external borders, recourse of citizens to justice, crime against children, the trading of people and economic and ecological crime. He also underlined the importance Greece gives in the combatting of organised crime and drug trafficking.

[09] Development ministry shows activities on Greece's 'other' culture

Greece's cultural 'reserves' do not just rest on the projection of its classical heritage but include other modern approaches, such as industrial archaeology and popular culture and traditions, Development Minister Evangelos Venizelos, a former culture minister, said on Friday.

He was speaking at a conference on "Society, Culture and the Culture Industry," held in the framework of a two-day presentation of his ministry's Operational Research and Technology Programme.

The 10-billion drachma programme promotes and coordinates activities in the domains of culture and its relation with education, carried out by both public and private agencies.

"Such domains are very important for the our country's character, for the projection of the Greek cultural reserves and our tourism product ... It is an investment which can yield considerable returns in future, and must be depend not only on state but also on private initiatives," Veniezelos said.

[10] New Athens airport designed to serve as transport hub

The new international Athens airport at Spata is designed to be an air transport hub and a means for the development of combined transport activities, Transport and Communications Minister Tassos Mantelis said on Friday.

In his address at meeting of European civil aviation service general directors, Mantelis said that the construction of the airport is the biggest such project being carried out in Europe at present. He added that the government is proceeding with the construction of other major projects based on experience gained during this "pilot-project".

He further said that Olympic Airways, the country's national carrier, will be established at Spata airport within 2001 and that the entire railway and road network linking Spata with the rest of the country will be completed by 2004.

[11] Debate on role of the Press in Greek-Turkish relations to be held March 15

Around-table discussion on the role of the Press in Greek-Turkish relations will be held on March 15 by the Democratic Rally Group on Rapprochement and Civil Society at the Ledra Palace hotel in the buffer zone.

Kate Clerides, member of the Political Bureau and DISY deputy, told a press conference on Friday that during the discussion the Greek and Turkish languages will be used and there will be a translation in English for diplomats and UN officials attending.

"We preferred to use the two official languages of the Cyprus Republic... to convey a political message about our desire for the two communities to live together", Clerides said.

She specified that the occupation regime in the Turkish-occupied north of the island is still raising obstacles in contacts between members of the two communities on the island and expressed hope that Turkish Cypriots will be allowed to attend the debate.

The debate will addressed by director of the Athens News Agency, Andreas Christodoulides, ANA's correspondent in Istanbul, Alkis Kourkoulas, Ankara journalist Koray Duzgorem, Nicosia's CyBC journalist Soula Hadzikiriakou and Turkish Cypriot "Kibris" journalist Hasan Hasturer.

Among the aims of the DISY Group for Rapprochement are to support contacts between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and to promote the need for a stronger civil society.

[12] Patrol boat to be delivered to Cypriot National Guard

The Cypriot National Guard will take delivery of a fully equipped patrol boat from the Greek navy during a ceremony this month near Athens.

In statements this week, Cypriot Defence Minister Socrates Hasikos said he would attend the ceremony on March 21, along with his Greek counterpart Akis Tsohatzopoulos.

Hasikos added that 15 National Guard officers and men are currently training in Greece in order to officially assume control of the vessel.

During an address at a confirmation ceremony in the Athalassa district for new five-year military volunteers, Hasikos noted that as long as the Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus remains, "we have no other alternative but to strengthen our defence within the framework of the joint defence doctrine".

[13] Stolen truck loaded with illegal immigrants intercepted near Turkish border

Forty-eight illegals crammed into a stolen truck were intercepted just inside the Greek border on Friday, as police also charged four individuals with illegal immigrant smuggling.

According to reports, the illegals - 29 Afghanis, 11 Moroccans, seven Iraqis and a Tunisian national - told authorities they had paid a total of US$24,000 to a Turkish illegal immigrant smuggler identified only as "Salim" for the passage into Greece from Turkey and with a final destination of Thessaloniki. The stolen truck was stopped on the 8th kilometre of the Alexandroupoli-Kipi border post highway.

In addition, police issued an arrest warrant for an Iraqi identified as "Alan Zair", the alleged contact in the northern Greece city, as well as the suspect believed to have stolen the vehicle.

The arrested suspects were listed as Spyros Liarmakopoulos, 22, the driver of the stolen truck; Olga Papadopoulou, 27; Grigorio Kozmenko, 26, and Christos Vassilakakis, accused of being a "lookout" by preceding the truck in a car to spot any police roadblocks.

[14] Greece completes delivery of homes for Turkey's quake victims

Greece's contribution of 150 pre-fabricated homes to the Aug. 17 quake victims of Dernize, Turkey will conclude with the delivery of the last 100, which were loaded on Friday, on a cargo vessel bound for the neighbouring country.

The cost of the aid was covered by the Greek government and the Ministry of Environment, Town Planing and Public Works, a press release stated. The first shipment of 50 homes was concluded in September.

[15] Two Kurds hospitalised with respiratory problems caused in attempt to reach Italy

A 30-year-old Kurdish woman and her 12-year-old daughter were hospitalised in the town of Rio near the port city of Patras, Peloponnese, as they experienced respiratory problems, caused by their stay in the sealed cargo trailer of a truck bound for Italy. The mother and daughter, not yet identified, were discovered by customs agents, who were conducting a routine check, which ended in the confiscation of the cargo, as it was not properly documented.

Police were ordered to arrest the driver of the truck following the discovery of the ill persons.

[16] Banks, state telecom to launch consumer smart cards in Greece

The country's two largest banks are to team up with the state telecom to launch consumer smart cards in Greece this year through a newly created subsidiary, executives said on Friday.

Taking an equal stake in the new company to devise and manage the card system are state-run National Bank of Greece, private Alpha Credit Bank and Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE), executives of the firms told a news conference.

The three enterprises are listed on the Athens Stock Exchange.

Consumers will be able to use the smart cards at sales outlets including stores, kiosks, taxis, cinemas and theatres for the purchase of goods or services of up to around 10,000 drachmas.

The cards will be rechargable at special sales points and at banking automated teller machines and OTE's public card telephones, which will all need upgrading to offer the new service.

The new subsidiary, which will also undertake to provide businesses with terminals to use and recharge the cards, is to have a start-up share capital of 1.5 billion drachmas.

Investment costs will gradually rise to upgrade existing ATMs and card phones.

Announcing the introduction of consumer smart cards were Alpha Credit Bank governor Yiannis Kostopoulos, National Bank of Greece governor Theodoros Karatzas, and OTE chairman Vassilis Rapanos.

The three officials said creation of the new company was an example of how banks, financial service providers and other firms could forge alliances while retaining competition in their own fields. Similar moves would also boost the competitiveness of Greek firms in Europe, the officials said.

In another project, Alpha Credit Bank, National Bank of Greece and OTE are setting up a company with the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry to issue and distribute a computer-encrypted signature system.

The system will provide Internet and Intranet/Extranet users with a secure electronic signature or means of identification in the absence of handwritten documents.

The new company, which is to have a start-up capital of 500 million drachmas, will contribute to the growth of e-commerce in Greece, said chamber president Yiannis Papathanasiou.

[17] Greek stocks end the week with losses

Equity prices came under pressure to end lower on Friday as investors preferred to take early profits following a two-day rebound on the Athens Stock Exchange.

Dealers said the market remained cautious ahead of the elections. Blue chip and medium-sized capitalisation stocks were particularly hit, while smaller capitalisation stocks continued moving upwards.

The general index ended at 5,116.98 points, down 1.11 percent, with turnover at 200 billion drachmas, boosted by a block trade, worth 25 billion drachmas, in Altec.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell 0.95 percent to 2,822.56 points, while the FTSE/ASE 40 index ended 0.95 percent lower at 803.72 points.

The parallel market index for smaller capitalisation stocks ended at 1,199.64, up 1.82 percent. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 174 to 160 with another 12 issues unchanged.

Desmos, Agrinio Metalplastic, Galis, Alcatel and Xylemporia (c) ended at the day's 10.0 percent limit up. Intersat, Lambropoulos (c), Barba Stathis (p), European Credit and Development Invest suffered the heaviest percentage losses. Altec, Athens Water and Hellenic Telecoms were the most heavily traded stocks.

[18] Greek stocks remain under pressure for the third week running

Equity prices ended with losses for the third consecutive week reflecting investors' cautiousness over the short-term course of the Athens Stock Exchange.

The Greek market flirted with the psychologically critical level of 5,000 points, which finally resisted pressures. A short-term buying activity on Wednesday and Thursday was not followed by a rise in turnover with investors preferring to take early profits on Friday.

Smaller and medium-sized capitalisation stocks were particularly hit, while blue chips found support as the weekly moves of the FTSE/ASE 20 and FTSE/ASE 40 indices show (down 0.91 and 4.55 percent respectively).

Turnover slightly improved to a total of 1.010 trillion drachmas, or a daily average of 202.024 billion drachmas, up from 168.437 billion the previous week.

The general index ended the week 1.65 percent lower, with the Construction index plunging 10.11 percent on the week and the Insurance index ending slightly higher.

[19] Bonds keep momentum in lively trade

Bonds in the domestic secondary market traded briskly on Friday with players again discounting a cut in the central bank's intervention rates next week. Expectations of a rate hike by the European Central Bank remained, traders said.

Buyers were active in the market, although a major investor abroad was seen dumping paper, apparently linked to a 20-year bond auction to be held by the finance ministry on Tuesday.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 6.32 percent against 6.39 percent a day earlier and 6.37 percent on Wednesday.

The paper's yield spread over German bunds was around 88 basis points for the second straight session from between 91 and 92 basis points on Wednesday.

Trade through the central bank's electronic system totalled around 80 billion drachmas, the same as a day earlier, from 86 billion drachmas on Wednesday.

[20] Drachma ends down vs euro, dollar

The drachma lost against the euro and the US dollar in the domestic foreign exchange market on Friday. Minor outflows of around 70 million euros, were seen, traders said.

At the central bank's daily fixing, the euro was set at 333.700 drachmas from 333.600 drachmas a day earlier and 333.700 drachmas on Wednesday.

Also at the fixing, the US dollar was set at 345.500 drachmas from 343.680 drachmas in the previous session and 344.150 drachmas on Wednesday.

[21] Credit expansion exceeds target in 1999

Credit expansion growth rate totalled 11.1 percent in 1999, exceeding the Bank of Greece's 7-9 percent target for the year, while credit expansion to the private sector grew an annual 10.3 percent - including a foreign exchange "correction" - compared with an official target of 13 percent, official figures showed on Friday.

Excluding the correction, credit expansion increased 12.3 percent in the wider economy and 14.4 percent in the private sector.

A central bank's report attributed the speedier growth to an increased credit expansion in the public sector, up 11.4 percent in 1999 from 7.4 percent the previous year.

Credit expansion to the private sector slowed to an annual rate of 14.4 percent last year from 15.0 percent in 1998.

Consumer loans also slowed to an annual growth rate of 31 percent, from 36.7 pct in 1998, while mortgage loans rose to 26.7 percent in 1999 from 18.5 pct the previous year.

Credit expansion to the manufacturing sector rose to 14.7 percent from 5.2 pct in 1998, while trade credit expansion fell sharply to 6.8 pct in 1999 from 19.7 pct the previous year.

The Bank of Greece said that sharp changes in the US dollar/Japanese yen parity last year burdened the privata sector's debt. Around two-thirds of the private sector's loans in Greece have been issued in these two currencies.

The central bank said that foreign exchange loans rose 22.9 percent in 1999, up from 13.8 percent the previous year.

[22] EFG Eurobank to offer Dr 100 dividend

EFG Eurobank, a member of the Latsis shipping, banking and oil group, announced on Friday it would propose to shareholders a dividend of 100 drachmas per share on 1999 profits. The bank will also propose a three-for-ten bonus issue to all shareholders due to its merger with private sector Ergobank.

A final decision on the bonus issue will be taken at the first meeting of the new bank's shareholders when the merger is completed.

[23] Mytilineos reports hefty results for 1999

Mytilineos Group, a listed mining company, on Friday reported a 35 percent increase in its 1999 turnover to 93 billion drachmas from 69 billion the previous year.

The group said improved results reflected balanced growth in all subsidiaries' figures despite adverse conditions due to the war in Kosovo, low prices in international metal markets and adverse foreign exchange moves.

Net pre-tax profits totalled 15.6 billion drachmas from 4.6 billion in 1998, while operating income rose to 7.6 billion drachmas, an increase of 65 percent from the previous year.

Financial expenses totalled 3.8 billion drachmas, reflecting higher funding for the acquisition of Metka and other expanding moves by the group which ensured a capitalisation of more than 100 billion drachmas for the company, in current prices.

Mytilineos said its profits would have exceeded 20 billion drachmas last year if it were not for a provision of 4.5 billion drachmas on an agreement with RMHK Trepca in Kosovo.

The company said its high liquidity situation, totalling 65 billion drachmas, paved the way for continuing an aggressive expansion policy.

Mytilineos plans to pay a 50 drachmas per share dividend to shareholders, up from 15 drachmas in 1998.

[24] Foodstuffs industries open to the public from 14-17 March

The Federation of Greek Foodstuffs Industries (SEBT) will organise an "Open-house Week for the Foodstuffs Industry" from March 14-17 on the occasion of World Consumer's Day on March 15.

An announcement by FGFI said that with these events the public is given the opportunity to become acquainted with modern achievements and the security and hygiene standards applied for foodstuffs by Greek industries in the sector, which are aimed at safeguarding the consumer's health.

The programme includes a visit to production installations, reference to the background of each industry, product tests and the offering of samples to those interested.

[25] New company to utilise Technology and Research Foundation's work

Four banking, transport and technology firm joint forces with the creation of the Technological Development Company (ETAN) to commercially develop new technologies, according to a press release issued on Friday.

The Technology and Research Foundation (ITE), the Bank of Piraeus Group, the Minoan Lines shipping company and the Cyprus Development Bank have jointly established a Technological Development Company to commercially exploit the work of ITE and possibly of other agencies.

The company, will be based in Irakleio, Crete, will invest in opportunities created by the foundation's research work, primarily in applied technology sectors, while the Cyprus Development Bank will manage investments.

[26] Delegation of 'Beijing Olympic Games 2008' bid committee briefed in Athens

A Chinese delegation representing the committee of the Beijing Olympic Games 2008 bid on Friday visited the headquarters of the "Athens 2004 Olympic Games" organising committee and was briefed on preparations for the Games.

The Chinese delegation was briefed in detail on issues regarding the installations, high-technology application, environment, traffic and economic development.

"Athens 2004" Managing Director Costas Bakouris received the delegation and analysed the problems Greece confronted in organising the Games, informing the Chinese officials of ways they could use to better organise their bid for the Games.

[27] Law school discussion cancelled after rival students groups clash

A public discussion on Friday at the Athens law school between Justice Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos and well-known attorney and ND candidate Alexandros Lykourezos was cancelled when fighting broke out between two rival students' political groupings.

Violence was reported before the start of the event when students belonging to main opposition New Democracy-affiliated DAP-NDFK clashed with several of their college peers from the leftist

EAAK grouping. The DAP-NDFK group had organised the discussion on the issue of "Justice and Politics". Lykourezos departed when the fracas broke out, while Yiannopoulos informed the organisers that he would not attend.

[28] Greek-Australian's novel receives positive reviews

Greek-Australian writer Tom Petsinis' new novel entitled "The Twelfth Dialogue" hit the bookstands in Australia this week and received positive reviews by critics.

Australian newspapers wrote that it is the best novel of the year. Petsinis, who was born in Greece in 1953, is considered one of Australia's most distinguished writers.

[29] Athens trolley drivers to continue work stoppages next week

Athens trolley drivers will continue their strike action next week in demand of the signing of a collective labour agreement and for the settlement of insurance issues.

The work stoppages will be held on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The stoppages on Tuesday and Friday will be from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and from 6.30 p.m to 8.30 p.m. There will also be a work stoppage on Thursday from noon to 4 p.m during which time the strikers will hold a general assembly to decide on further action.

[30] The Athens dailies at a glance

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS (Rizos): "He's (Simitis) giving out 600,000 jobs and....12 trillion to the farmers..., a mockery...; tax reliefs for the banks, big businessmen and high-salaried... ; New Democracy says: "In their 20 years of rule, whatever they had to give they have given it".

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS (Mitsis): "Simitis promises artificial paradises; he resolved all our problems with a press conference at the Zappion hall".

AKROPOLIS: "Generous in funds, sparing in undertaking commitments; what Simitis concealed".

APOGEVMATINI: "Simitis gives a recital of hypocritical policy; he concealed the bitter truths about pensions, the social insurance issue, salaries and income tax".

ATHINAIKI: "Simitis poses a dilemma to the people, either me or chaos...".

AVGHI: "Funds up in the air for the new four-year term - Simitis' maquettes".

AVRIANI: "Express loans for the quake-stricken; without an engineer's study and a construction licence".

CHORA: "Simitis gave it all..promises of trillions starting in ...2001 with post-dated checques".

ELEFTHERI ORA: "Georgakis (the diminutive for foreign minister George Papandreou).... wants the illegal immigrants in ....parliament; he's against national purity".

ELEFTHEROS: "He spoke like a foreigner; Costas Simitis' pre-electoral delirium", a reference to the prime minister's press conference on Thursday.

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "The prime minister's proclamations with lots of words, but without substance; an empty 'Simitis package'".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "A four-year programme aimed at society and development; 10 tax reliefs," a reference to Mr. Simitis' press conference.

ESTIA: "Simitis, give everything, that's what the prime minister resorted to...."

ETHNOS: "Simitis: E.M.U.'s benefits are flowing in; profits for all", and elsewhere: "Our soldiers averted bloodshed in Kosovo".

EXOUSIA: "The prime minister tabled a four-year programme and asked for a strong majority; Simitis: 'this is how I'm going to rule....; at the epicentre, tax reliefs, health and public administration".

KATHIMERINI: "Raining grants, but the following day is foggy; although the Simitis four-year programme is complete, it diverts from the country's major problems", and elsewhere: "hopes for a recovery on the Athens Bourse".

LOGOS: "With tax reliefs and social measures; a Simitis turn to the people".

NIKI: "Simitis' ten-point programme; priority to development, employment and provinces; PASOK's programme for the post-E.M.U. era".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Simitis presents PASOK's electoral programme; a 10-point programme of hypocricy and demagogy" and elsewhere: "NATO and the Americans reinforce the climate of tension in Kosovo".

STO KARFI: "Pseudo-bully Karamanlis...out of battle...".

TA NEA: "Simitis seeks a clean mandate on April 9; he presented the government's four-year programme".

TO VIMA: "Prime minister Simitis announced the new programme; who and how much do they benefit from the tax reliefs".

VRADYNI: "He 'unlocked' the grants in order not to lose the elections; he distributed 'promises' and bounced checques for....2001".

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