Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-04-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis projects social spending of 45 trillion drachmas in next four years

[02] ND leader accuses government of making black propaganda and of attempting to create political jungle

[03] PASOK and New Democracy satisfied with leaders' televised debate

[04] PASOK spokesman accuses ND of violating law on opinion poll ban

[05] Greek FM and Foreign Office special coordinator for Cyprus Sir David Hannay discuss developments on Cyprus issue

[06] Greek embassy, business delegation visits port of Vlore

[07] Izmir jewelry-makers' chamber gifts golden olive branch to Greek consul

[08] Russia donates three jeeps to Greek armed forces

[09] Sofia holds off deciding on BTC sale, offer sent to parliament

[10] Greek stocks end mixed in subdued trade

[11] ASE ends week with gains, volume thin

[12] Moody's reviews EFG Eurobank, Ergobank before merger

[13] Carrefour, Marinopoulos form new company

[14] Undersea electricity cable to be laid

[15] OTE launches new service for special needs persons

[16] Financial crimes squad reveals 2000 program

[17] Photo exhibition of noted Swiss archaeologist's Greece-inspired works opens in Geneva

[18] Canadian production wins first prize in Thessaloniki documentary festival

[19] Clerides says 'common ground' established on some issues during Israel visit

[20] President Clerides meets Chairman Arafat

[01] Simitis projects social spending of 45 trillion drachmas in next four years

Athens, 01/04/2000 (ANA)

"For the new four-year term (2000-2004) we have secured 15 trillion drachmas for development through the Community Framework, 9.5 trillion for the farmer and the reconstruction of rural areas, and 45 trillion drachmas for extending social protection to meet the requirement of social solidarity and secure social cohesion. Our aim is to complete the welfare state in the next four years," he said in a rally address in the northwestern city of Ioannina.

Simitis said the overall aim was to improve life for all.

"Economic achievements have meaning only when they provide the foundation for the creation of a better life for all," he said.

He warned that promises of "less government" by the main opposition New Democracy inevitably meant less welfare state.

"The welfare state is not handouts of borrowed money. When the economy is overdebted the cost is paid in multiple by the workers. There can be no welfare state with less government which New Democracy promises, with the unchecked domination of market forces. For New Democracy less government always means a lesser welfare state," he said.

[02] ND leader accuses government of making black propaganda and of attempting to create political jungle

Athens, 01/04/2000 (ANA)

He also said that the government was attempting to distort ND's image and to falsify reality via the use of models of projects and computer animation, during an address at a party rally in Iraklio, Crete on Friday night.

He spoke of Crete's democratic tradition and the great statesmen born on the island and added that his government will repeat meetings held under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic as was the case when ND Prime Minister Constantine Mitsotakis ruled the country over the 1990-1993 period.

Karamanlis said ND covers the political center and accused the government of copying ND's proposals and of authoritarianism, as well as of "abusing farmers and looting small and medium-size businessmen via taxation".

Focusing on day-to-day problems, Karamanlis reiterated his proposals to help farmers, low pension earners, small and medium-size businessmen and the unemployed, as well as his positions on upgrading public health, reforming education and combating crime.

[03] PASOK and New Democracy satisfied with leaders' televised debate

Athens, 01/04/2000 (ANA)

"The Prime Minister was clearly calling the shots, while Mr. Karamanlis fell victim to the excessive expectations cultivated by his aides and his party's affiliated press," he said.

"The Prime Minister inspired confidence and hope for the present and future of the country," he added.

Laliotis accused the main opposition of violating the ethics code banning the release of opinion polls two weeks before the election, by "leaking" to ND-affiliated media two telephone surveys claiming the party was ahead.

He said PASOK would respond on Monday by producing similar predictions of 1996 when ND lost.

ND party spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos also appeared satisfied with the televised debate, claiming that Karamanlis had overwhelmed his opponent and that according to a telephone survey ordered by the party, 41.3 percent of respondents thought the ND leader had had the edge over his opponent, 25.5 percent thought Simitis had won the impressions, while 25.2 percent thought the result had been a draw.

[04] PASOK spokesman accuses ND of violating law on opinion poll ban

Athens, 01/04/2000 (ANA)

"While an explicit ban by the law exists on publicizing opinion polls 15 days before the elections and for carrying out public opinion telephone probes, the New Democracy party's spokesman made a serious mistake in violating the law", Nikolaou said after an inter-party committee meeting held at the interior ministry under the chairmanship of caretaker minister George Koumantos.

[05] Greek FM and Foreign Office special coordinator for Cyprus Sir David Hannay discuss developments on Cyprus issue

Athens, 01/04/2000 (ANA)

The Foreign Office special envoy for Cyprus arrived in Athens on Thursday, following his visit in Ankara, in light of the third round of proximity talks between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot community leader Rauf Denktash, due to start in New York on May 23,

Later, Hannay said his talks with Papandreou were "very useful" and, referring to talks on Cyprus, he said there was "common ground."

He gave no further details, invoking the appeal by the UN Secretary General for statements not to be made on the essential elements of the issue.

On the question of a separate agreement being concluded with the Turkish administration on renewing the mandate of UNFICYP, Hannay reminded that UNFICYP's mandate will end on June 15 and therefore "it is not an issue to be raised at present."

"We are continuing preparations so that when we reach New York on May 23 the hope that something good will develop will be a realistic hope," Hannay said on the proximity talks' prospects of success.

On his part, Papandreou said, "we are in a new process of negotiations", adding that, apart from the resumption of talks, there is the new framework which has been shaped through decisions taken at the Helsinki EU summit both for Turkey's candidacy and in relation to Cyprus.

[06] Greek embassy, business delegation visits port of Vlore

TIRANA, 01/04/2000 (ANA)

In contacts with local government and chamber officials, Athens' envoy to Tirana, Alexandros Mallias, cited Greek interest in connecting the port with the Igoumenitsa-Patra route disembarking from western Greece, as well as upgrading the port of Sarande and exploiting Vlore's nearby salt pits.

In addition, the director of National Bank of Greece's main branch in Tirana told reporters that Greece's largest financial institution is considering the possibility of opening a branch in Vlore, which would be the bank's fourth in Albania.

On their side, local officials emphasized a decrease in crime throughout the area as well as the Vlore region's advantageous position on the Adriatic, a tourism potential and its rising population - up from 60,000 to 150,000 over the past decade.

The Greek delegation later visited the towns of Selenitsa and Narta, where 2,000 Greek-language books were distributed. The latter was home to some 4,000 ethnic Greeks at one point recently, with 1,000 now remaining.

[07] Izmir jewelry-makers' chamber gifts golden olive branch to Greek consul

Athens, 01/04/2000 (ANA)

"I believe the friendship between Greece and Turkey will be strengthened in the future and that a spirit of peace will be consolidated between the two peoples," consul Christina Alexopoulou said in accepting the chamber's gift.

"Greeks and Turks lived together for centuries with common sentiments of friendship and brotherhood," chamber president Mevlut Ozer responded.

[08] Russia donates three jeeps to Greek armed forces

Athens, 01/04/2000 (ANA)

[09] Sofia holds off deciding on BTC sale, offer sent to parliament

SOFIA, 01/04/2000 (ANA - B. Borisov)

The Sofia government said this week that it would announce on Friday the outcome of a tender for the telephone utility's privatization. A consortium comprising the state-run Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) and KPN of the Netherlands are the sole bidders in the tender, with the final sale repeatedly delayed in the past few months over disagreements regarding terms.

Three Bulgarian parliament committees will now jointly discuss the consortium's revised offer, tabled in the legislature on Friday. In addition, a same-day report in the pro-government "Demokrasia" quotes the head of the Bulgarian negotiating team as saying that the parliament discussion was judged as necessary following a request by the consortium for changes in the legal framework governing BTC's activities.

The Bulgarian privatization minister earlier in the week pointed to a decision on Friday in comments to reporters, and after a cabinet meeting debated the matter.

A portion of the Sofia dailies earlier in the month claimed that Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nadejda Mihailova had reassured her Greek counterpart George Papandreou that negotiations BTC would conclude soon. At the time, Bulgarian press reports cited unnamed media reports in Greece as the source of the statement.

The deal to purchase a majority stake of BTC by OTE and KPN has generated heated opposition amid some quarters of the neighboring country's political leadership and state bureaucracy.

[10] Greek stocks end mixed in subdued trade

Athens, 01/04/2000 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.24 percent higher at 4,793.47 points, off the day's lows of 4,710.88 points, helped by institutional buying in banks. Turnover was a low 134.09 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index ended 0.10 percent up at 2,710.40 and the FTSE/ASE 40 index fell 0.17 percent to 686.12 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 9,269.77 +0.30% Leasing: 1,076.85 +0.09% Insurance: 3,288.74 +0.96% Investment: 2,051.99 -0.76% Construction: 2,357.50 +0.94% Industrials: 2,838.94

+0.53% Miscellaneous: 5,058.91 -0.86% Holding: 5,278.03 +0.55%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 826.46 points, up 0.73 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 202 to 126 with another 12 issues unchanged.

Hellenic Telecoms, National Bank, Athens Water, Panafon and Alpha Credit Bank were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in Drs): National Bank: 24,550 Alpha Credit: 23,500 Commercial Bank: 20,800 Ergobank: 8,200 Eurobank: 11,700 Heracles Cement: 9,700 Titan Cement (c): 14,620

Hellenic Petroleum: 4,530 Intracom: 15,300 Minoan Lines: 6,995 Hellenic Bottling: 6,250 Hellenic Telecoms: 9,945 Panafon: 5,150

Derivatives prices end higher on Friday: Derivatives prices ended higher, in thin volume, on the last trading session in the Athens Derivatives Exchange despite a mixed appearance in the two benchmark indices, FTSE/ASE 20 and FTSE/ASE 40.

A total of 1,016 futures contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20 index, with a turnover of 5.4 billion drachmas. The April expiring contract ended at 2,703 points, the May at 2,717, the June at 2,728 and the September contract at 2,761 points.

A total of 850 futures contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 40 index, with a turnover of 2.2 billion drachmas. The April expiring contract ended at 677.25 points, the May at 681.25, the June at 687.25 and the September contract at 700 points.

Foreign players sell Greek bonds: Investors abroad sold off bonds in the domestic secondary market on Friday, again bucking forecasts that a moribund phase would continue until national elections on April 9, dealers said.

The sellers were trying to show healthy profits for the end of the first rather than suffering from pre-election jitters, the dealers said.

Some selling by players abroad had been seen in the previous session, partly on uncertainty over the polls, the dealers added.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 6.21 percent, the same as a day earlier, from 6.20 percent in the two previous sessions and 6.23 percent on Monday.

The paper's yield spread over German bunds was between 95 and 99 basis points against 91 to 95 basis points in the previous session and 92 basis points on Wednesday.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 69 billion drachmas from 104 billion drachmas a day earlier and a scant 8.0 billion drachmas on Wednesday.

Of the total on Friday, sell orders accounted for 55 billion drachmas of turnover and buy orders the remaining 14 billion drachmas. Ten-year bonds made up the bulk of trade.

According to the final opinion polls allowed under electoral law, the ruling socialist PASOK party and main opposition conservative New Democracy party are likely to run neck-and-neck in voting.

Drachma under pressure after bond sell-off: The drachma came under pressure on Friday after bond players abroad sold paper in the domestic market, and then sought foreign currency in exchange for drachmas accruing from the sell-off, dealers said.

The Bank of Greece sold around 250 million euros in order to meet the heavy demand.

The activity abroad probably stemmed more from a desire to show robust profits at the end of the first quarter than from pre-election uncertainty, the dealers said. National elections are on April 9.

The central bank sold roughly 750 million euros last week in a spate of interventions, but did not step into the market on Monday. On Tuesday and Wednesday, it sold another 225 million euros.

At the central bank's daily fixing on Friday, the euro was set at 334.720 drachmas from 334.500 drachmas a day earlier and 334.450 drachmas on Wednesday.

Also at the fixing, the rampant US dollar was set at 350.330 drachmas from 349.650 drachmas in the previous session and 349.830 drachmas on Wednesday.

The greenback has gained 6.65 percent on the drachma since the start of the year.

[11] ASE ends week with gains, volume thin

Athens, 01/04/2000 (ANA)

Traders said buying interest "froze" ahead of next Sunday's general elections.

A Morgan Stanley Capital International announcement in the week that it was placing the Greek stock market under possible upgrade to a mature market had only temporary positive effects on the market, pushing the general index 1.94 percent higher on Wednesday.

The general index ended the week 108.3 points, or 2.31 percent, higher. The FTSE/ASE 20 ended rose 0.39 percent in the week, while the FTSE/ASE 40 index dropped 4.17 percent reflecting pressures in medium and smaller capitalization stocks.

The week's turnover totalled 755.635 billion drachmas to a daily average of 151.127 billion, down from 170.446 bln the previous week.

[12] Moody's reviews EFG Eurobank, Ergobank before merger

Athens, 01/04/2000 (ANA)

Moody's also upgraded the long-term foreign currency deposit rating of EFG Eurobank SA to A3 from Baa1, and the bank's financial strength rating to C from D+. The outlook on both ratings is stable, Moody's said in a statement.

The agency said that the ratings followed a decision by the two banks' controlling shareholder, Latsis-owned Consolidated Eurofinance Holdings, to proceed with the merger of the two banks in June 2000, much sooner than originally planned.

Already the boards of the banks have proposed to shareholders a swap ratio of 0.75 EFG Eurobank share for each Ergobank share. The proposal is expected to be approved by shareholders at extraordinary general assemblies scheduled for June 2000, the statement said.

[13] Carrefour, Marinopoulos form new company

Athens, 01/04/2000 (ANA)

Each group will hold an equal 50 percent stake in the newly created firm, called Carrefour-Marinopoulos SA.

The two firms already have the largest retail distribution network in Greece with 125 Marinopoulos supermarkets and eight Continent hypermarkets.

The new company's sales are forecast at 370 billion drachmas in 2000.

The firm plans to expand into Cyprus, Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Carrefour-Marinopoulos' president will be Leonidas Marinopoulos and its general director, Eric Uzan of Carrefour.

[14] Undersea electricity cable to be laid

Athens, 01/04/2000 (ANA)

The cable beneath the Thracian Sea will link the city of Alexandroupolis to the island of Samothrace, which has faced recurrent electricity shortages.

The project is budgeted at 3.3 billion drachmas.

[15] OTE launches new service for special needs persons

Athens, 01/04/2000 (ANA)

The new service will be provided at 4,000 standing charges, while each call to the emergency assistance center will cost 50 drachmas, according to a relevant press release. These changes, however, will not be applicable during the pilot program phase of the project.

The pilot program will only be available in Attica and interested citizens may receive additional information by calling the three digit 134 number for the OTE customer service center.

[16] Financial crimes squad reveals 2000 program

Athens, 01/04/2000 (ANA)

The financial crimes squad also published its report for the previous three years, a period in which state revenues rose substantially.

The squad has made 28,736 inspections in the period January-February this year, up from an official target of 14,689 inspections (a rise of 96 percent), with almost half of the inspections made in the Attica prefect.

This year's action program envisages inspections in doctors, lawyers, accountants, consumer goods distribution, ports, road tolls, heavy trucks, gas stations, restaurants and bars, hotels, clothing and footwear, foodstuff, jewelry and securities firms.

[17] Photo exhibition of noted Swiss archaeologist's Greece-inspired works opens in Geneva

GENEVA, 01/04/2000 (ANA)

Entitled "Waldemar Deonna: An Archaeologist Behind the Lens -- From 1903 to 1939", the exhibition will display 150 photographs taken by the eminent University of Geneva archaeology professor and long-time director of the same museum (1927-51) now hosting the event.

Deanna (1880-1951) served for three years at the French School of Archaeology in Athens and was a frequent visitor of sites in continental Greece, the Aegean and Asia Minor, where he photographed not only archaeological sites and monuments but scenes from daily life as well.

Additionally, a catalogue for the exhibition contains 193 high-resolution prints and was sponsored by the Alexander Onassis Foundation, while the entire event will transfer to Athens' Benaki Museum in the spring of 2001.

[18] Canadian production wins first prize in Thessaloniki documentary festival

Athens, 01/04/2000 (ANA)

The 83-minute documentary entitled "Life without death" was directed by Frank Cole and was chosen from among 70 films shown during the festival.

The Greek journalists' prize was given to the Greek production "I like hearts like my own - Markos Vamvakaris".

[19] Clerides says 'common ground' established on some issues during Israel visit

LARNACA, 01/04/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking on his return, President Clerides said that in his meeting with Palestinian Chairman Yasser Arafat they discussed their national problems and ways of cooperation.

He also said that during meetings in Israel, Nicosia reiterated its willingness to host the Middle East peace talks and revealed that Cyprus' role to this end was examined.

President Clerides described his visit as "very satisfactory" and said that in his meetings with the Israeli President and the Prime Minister, and during Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides' meeting with his counterpart "we found common ground on a number of issues".

On his meeting with Arafat, he said "we had the opportunity to exchange thoughts and views on the problems we face and the way in which we must cooperate in the future".

Asked on the importance of his visit especially regarding the Cyprus problem's regional aspect, the President said "the largest part of our talks was taken up by a discussion on regional cooperation and the creation of conditions of stability, peace and prosperity".

Replying to questions, he said more should be expected in this direction in the future.

To a question on the role Cyprus could play in Israel's talks with its Arab neighbors, President Clerides said Nicosia reiterated "we would be happy to host talks when and if they begin".

"We are prepared to take up some role at any time," he said, adding that "we examined what this role could be".

[20] President Clerides meets Chairman Arafat

RAMALLAH, 01/04/2000(CNA/ANA)

President Clerides said Cyprus applies no double standards and wishes others to achieve what it is striving to get, that is return of the refugees, withdrawal of foreign troops and peaceful existence with its neighbors.

Speaking to the press after their talks in Ramallah, Chairman Arafat said "we are very happy to have this opportunity and this visit from His Excellency to our Palestine" and added "we cannot forget the continuous support we have from the people of Cyprus in the difficult years."

Stressing the friendly relations between the two people, Arafat referred to the newly established air links between Gaza and Cyprus, saying that "for the first time there is a line between the airports of Cyprus and Gaza and you have His Excellency to thank for that." Arafat said he briefed the President on the Middle East peace process, especially on the building of new settlements around Bethlehem and inside Jerusalem.

The Palestinian leader said he asked Clerides to help in the peace process.

"Mr. President, our personal friendship goes back many years and I wish to reiterate here that irrespective of who will be the next president and the president after him, there will always be good relations between us," President Clerides said in his remarks.

He referred to the difficulties of both people in "getting our freedom and our independence" and stressed that they have always been helping each other and will continue to do so.

President Clerides briefed Chairman Arafat on the Cyprus peace process and "the difficulties we are facing."

"We have quite a few common factors in the difficulties we are facing," he added, reassuring Arafat that Cyprus "has no double standards in policy, what we want for our people, return of our refugees to their homes under conditions of safety, the withdrawal of all foreign troops from our territory and the peaceful existence with our neighbors, we want it also for the Palestinians."

Clerides said there was an exchange of important views to cooperate on vital issues.

Invited to comment on a Cyprus proposal to host meetings as part of the Middle East peace process, Chairman Arafat did not rule out such possibility, saying "why not?"

Asked to identify the problems they are facing in the peace talks, President Clerides said there is a moratorium on the UN-led talks and refrained from replying.

Arafat said he is asking for what was signed and not asking for the moon, noting that so far "we have not achieved concrete results."

Cyprus is engaged in UN-led proximity talks with the Turkish Cypriot side. Two round of talks have already been held, the first in December in New York and the second in February in Geneva. A third round is scheduled to begin May 23 in New York.

The island has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied the northern third.

After their meeting, President Clerides visited the Greek Orthodox church of Ayios Georgios-Metamorphosis, built in 1850, in Ramallah where some 6-7,000 Greek Orthodox Arabs live.

The President will attend a lunch hosted by Chairman Arafat and later on will return home.

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