Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-04-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis receives mandate to form new government

[02] PASOK wins parliamentary majority

[03] Congratulatory telegrams for Simitis' re-election begin to arrive

[04] White House, State Department extent congratulations for election

[05] Turkish defense minister, NATO commander Europe on Greek elections

[06] New Democracy's showing in elections was impressive, party spokesman says

[07] EU foreign ministers adopt common position on relations with Turkey

[08] Business leaders want economic reform to continue

[09] Greek bourse starts afresh following Sunday's election

[10] Greek bourse nervous, market digests elections result

[11] Doctors of the World on Kasos

[12] President Clerides congratulates Greek Prime Minister on his victory

[13] President Clerides holds talks in London with British premier

[14] House President receives Finnish parliamentarians

[15] Greek and Turkish Cypriots can live together, US policy-makers

[01] Simitis receives mandate to form new government

Athens, 11/04/2000 (ANA)

Renewal and continuity would play the primary role in the formation of the new government, Simitis said after calling on the president at noon to receive the mandate.

He said he would concentrate his attention on the issues, which would be significant for the next four-year term in office, namely the social state and employment.

In order to form a government, he must wait for the official final results on the composition of the 300-member parliament, and immediately afterwards present the new government, Simitis explained, adding that this process required "a few days".

With the new government, the premier added, a "new cycle of reforms and changes" would begin that would "give perspective, open up new horizons, and make Greece even stronger and render the country a larger presence".

Reliable sources said that the new PASOK government would be formed by Wednesday or Thursday, while the new parliament will convene for the first time on April 20 and the new Parliament presidium will be elected on April 21.

The same sources noted that the new government's policy statements will be made two days later on April 22, which will initiate a two day round of Parliament debate that will culminate with a vote on those statements.

[02] PASOK wins parliamentary majority

With more than 99.7 percent of the votes counted on Monday afternoon, Costas Simitis' ruling PASOK party won 43.80 percent of the poll in Sunday's general election and 158 seats in Greece's 300-member Parliament, according to figures released by the interior ministry.

The conservative main opposition New Democracy led by Costas Karamanlis, narrowly trailed PASOK with 42.72 percent, which gave it 125 parliamentary seats.

PASOK gathered 3,001,052 votes and New Democracy 2,928,844, which represented one of the smallest differences in the history of Greek elections. However, the electoral system virtually guarantees an absolute majority of seats to the winner.

Several exit polls on Sunday night indicated New Democracy would emerge as the victor, this being corroborated by initial projections. But as vote counting progressed the result appeared increasingly as a cliffhanger. It was only well after midnight that PASOK's lead was indisputably established.

Both major parties improved on their 1996 general election totals at the expense of smaller contenders. PASOK gained more than two percent and New Democracy more than four percent.

They both elected six deputies from their respective so-called 'state tickets' on the basis of poll strength.

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) realized only slight losses, staying above the 5.5 percent mark, and winning 11 seats in the new Parliament, the same as previously.

The Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) only narrowly managed to overcome the three percent hurdle required for parliamentary representation (3.2 percent), winning six seats. Its losses compared to 1996 were nearly 2.5 percent.

Finally, the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI), led by one-time PASOK minister Dimitris Tsovolas, failed to re-enter Parliament by earning fewer than 3 percent (2.69 percent).

No other party won more than 0.5 percent of votes.

[03] Congratulatory telegrams for Simitis' re-election begin to arrive

Congratulations by several heads of state and government began to pour in on Monday for re-elected Greek PM Costas Simitis and his PASOK party, following the former's narrow victory in Sunday's general elections.

Simitis edged Costas Karamanlis and his main opposition New Democracy party by approximately one percentage point, or roughly 70,000 votes nationwide, to earn his second four-year mandate in a row.

US President Bill Clinton sent a congratulatory telegram stressing that he considers the strengthening of the "historical ties" connecting Greece and the United States as very significant.

"When I was in Athens last autumn I emphasized that Greece and the United States have a long and close friendship. We must continue our struggle for the deepening of our ties as friends and allies. The renewal of our cooperation is in the interests of both our countries, as well as heightened cooperation for the strengthening of trade and political ties..." Clinton said in his telegram.

"Greece, as the only member-state of NATO and the European Union in SE Europe, has a major role to play in the Balkans. In the previous year you and your government showed great fortitude in your effort to overcome historical differences between Greece and Turkey by offering a hand of friendship," the US president said, adding that he hopes both Athens and Ankara will continue efforts over the next few months to continue the nascent Greek-Turkish rapprochement.

Clinton also mentioned what he called his administration's desire to assist efforts to lessen differences on the divided island of Cyprus and help both of the island republic's communities reach a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem.

The US embassy also echoed the Clinton telegram.

"We look forward to continued strong co-operation between the governments of the United States and Greece," an embassy press release stated, adding that US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has conveyed her congratulations to her counterpart George Papandreou.

On his part, European Commission President Romano Prodi also congratulated Simitis on his re-election.

"We (Commission) sincerely wish you much success in the continuation of your work. The European Commission is committed to continuing to work closely with your government and you personally, and I want to assure you that you'll have its support and cooperation in the joint efforts at dealing with the challenges in building Europe," Prodi noted.

The Commission president also spoke by phone with Simitis in the morning, as did Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, Spanish PM Jose Maria Aznar and Luxembourg Premier Jean Claude Juncker.

In a telegram from London where he was scheduled to receive Cyprus' Clerides on Monday, British Prime Minister Tony Blair stated:

"Congratulations on PASOK's success in yesterday's general election. This is a strong vote of confidence in your management of Greece's economy; in your success in bringing Greece towards membership of the Euro and in your foreign policy, in particular re-building the mutual relationship between Greece and Turkey... I look forward to carrying forward our shared objectives in Europe and bilaterally."

Blair has also called his Greek counterpart Monday afternoon, as has Italian Prime Minister Massimo D' Alema.

On his part, Dutch Premier Wim Kok stressed that Simitis' victory as an incumbent premier "comprises a significant political and popular confirmation," while he praised the re-elected PM's efforts at preparing the Greek economy for inclusion into the "euro-zone".

Iranian President Hasan Habibi also conveyed his congratulations, while Archbishop of Athens and All Greece both spoke with Simitis and sent a congratulatory telegram.

On his part, British Foreign Minister Robin Cook expressed his satisfaction over the election results in Greece, at the sidelines of the European Union General Affairs Council in Luxembourg.

"I am especially satisfied with the election result, because the Greek government will be able to continue its work," Cook said, adding that he was very happy, since he will continue to cooperate with Foreign Minister George Papandreou, in the event that the Greek minister retains the same post.

French President Jacques Chirac, in his congratulatory letter to Prime Minister Costas Simitis said:

"Dear Costas, I am extending my warmest wishes for the victory of your party in the parliamentary elections. I also would like to extend my best wishes for the success of your government, at a time during which Greece is preparing to realize its great aim of entering the euro-zone.

"I am convinced that the action you will undertake will contribute effectively, as it has already happened to this day, to the strengthening of the traditional bonds of friendship between our two countries".

On his part, French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin said in his message that "this result compensates, mainly, the courageous action" taken by his Greek counterpart "to allow Greece to present its candidacy to the Economic Monetary Union (EMU) and to resume dialogue with Turkey".

[04] White House, State Department extent congratulations for election

WASHINGTON, 11/04/2000 (ANA - T. Ellis)

"Once again the most ancient democracy in the world has given us a lesson in democracy," Blinken stressed.

On his part, US State Department spokesman James Rubin said "I want to note that both PASOK and the main opposition support the further integration of Greece in the European Union as well as the implementation of economic reforms, which are important for the country's future".

[05] Turkish defense minister, NATO commander Europe on Greek elections

ANKARA, 11/04/2000 (ANA/AFP)

"Nothing will change. The government is the same. Today's climate of friendship will continue," Tsakmakoglu said in response to questions, following a meeting with NATO forces commander in Europe Wesley Clark.

On his part, Clark said that dialogue between Greece and Turkey, two of NATO's members, should continue.

"There is more that should be done," he added, noting the "great progress of the past 12 months".

[06] New Democracy's showing in elections was impressive, party spokesman says

Main opposition New Democracy's (ND) percentage of the vote in Sunday's general elections was impressive, party spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos said on Monday.

He claimed that voter preference of ND was dynamically registered, was indisputable and constituted a great success for ND.

Spiliotopoulos stressed that ND will remain close to the problems of the people, it will be ever present and effective, adding that the initiatives ND will undertake will be continual and long-term.

He also said that his party would systematically check actions of the government, as ND's struggle for a better Greece continues from a better position and with more strength.

Spiliotopoulos noted that he could not predict whether there would be political developments because of the government's marginal majority of the popular vote, while he called on ND voters to "feel proud, since it was ND that in essence won".

[07] EU foreign ministers adopt common position on relations with Turkey

LUXEMBOURG, 11/04/2000 (ANA- M. Demiris)

"In our common stand towards Turkey we reiterated in full the conclusions of the European Council at Helsinki regarding the efforts for a solution of the Cyprus problem, the principle for a peaceful solution of border differences by the International Court at The Hague and the formulation of the partnership for Turkey's accession. Today's decision is an important confirmation of the success at Helsinki," he said.

Referring to the joint position, which will be presented to Turkey's Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, the President of the General Affairs Council, Portuguese Foreign Minister Jaime Gama said, "we achieved the lowest common denominator and there were no surprises in the formulation of the text".

Meanwhile, in a letter to his Greek counterpart on Monday, British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook sent congratulations on PASOK's re-election to power in Sunday's election, and praised the "systematic efforts of the Greek government for stability and security in SE Europe". He also said he was looking forward to the continuation of cooperation with Greece in the further improvement of relations between the EU and Turkey.

[08] Business leaders want economic reform to continue

Greek business leaders on Monday told the Athens News Agency that they hoped for a continuation of economic reform following national polls in which the Panhellenic Socialist Movement was re-elected with a fairly comfortable majority in parliament.

At the same time, the leaders urged Prime Minister Costas Simitis' new government to move ahead briskly with planned structural changes to the economy.

The president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ioannis Kapralos told the ANA: "The new government must immediately proceed with major decisions and extensive changes as its election coincides both formally and in substance with the country's entry into the euro zone.

"The business world is expecting the government immediately to implement its pre-election pledges for a drastic cut in state spending, lower taxation for businesses, a stable and equitable taxation system, promotion of privatization, measures to support small and medium sized enterprises, lower unemployment, job creation, and a solution to the social insurance problem, the latter with the consensus of political parties and social agencies."

The president of the Association of Retail Sales Enterprises of Greece, Marinos Paravalos, told the ANA that the trade group he heads is hoping for a continuation of existing government policy.

Paravalos, who is also the president and managing director of Athens bourse listed Kotsovolos, said his sector would also seek to resolve outstanding issues including store opening times and land use in Attica.

Iason Stratos, president of the Federation of Greek Industry, told the ANA that it was significant that 87 percent of voters - combining votes for the two main parties - had shown their support for Greece's euro zone entry, expected on January 1, 2001.

Entailed were fiscal discipline, structural changes to the economy, privatization, the liberalization of markets and improvement of the taxation system in order attract investments and make the country more competitive, Stratos said.

[09] Greek bourse starts afresh following Sunday's election

The Greek stock market will enter a new phase following Sunday's positive election results although it will need some time to absorb new developments in economic policy, analysts said on Monday.

Equity prices ended mixed in volatile trade the day after Greek voters renewed the ruling Pasok's term in government for another four years.

Analysts said that investors were cautious ahead of the formation of the new government, the announcement of its policy statement and the pace of the necessary structural reforms.

"The long pre-election period, which resulted to market volatility, is over and we know expect to see investors' stance. What we need in this phase is to begin the day after the elections afresh, avoiding past mistakes. We all have to contribute in the creation of a market moving in line with micro- and macro-economic fundamentals. Investors will have to change their attitudes towards the market and learn how to invest in stocks following technical analysis of data," said Vasilis Giannatsis, chief analyst at Atlas Securities.

Emmanouel Kasimatis, chairman and chief executive in Major Finance, said that "the market will be volatile in the short-term awaiting the Prime Minister's decisions on the formation of the government and his policy statement in parliament. Institutional interventions, which featured the pre-election period, will gradually decrease. The Athens bourse will balance itself and will move according to market rules. It will be crucial, however, the reaction of state portfolios over the handling of stocks acquired recently during the support they offered to the market in the pre-election period".

[10] Greek bourse nervous, market digests elections result

Equity prices ended mixed to higher on the Athens Stock Exchange on Monday as the market tried to digest Sunday's election results.

Analysts said that the stock market would enter a transition period in the short-term awaiting the new government's policy statement.

The general index ended 0.13 percent higher at 4,941.32 points, off the day's highs of 5,022.82 and the day's lows of 4,834.59 points.

Sector indices were mixed while stocks in the parallel market for smaller capitalization issues scored the biggest percentage gains.

Turnover was 143.6 billion drachmas. The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.51 percent to 2,788.83 points and the FTSE/ASE 40 index ended 0.64 percent off at 694.49 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 9,628.20 +0.49% Leasing: 1,072.48 -1.34% Insurance: 3,336.85 -0.92% Investment: 2,089.46 -1.03% Construction: 2,481.91 -0.26% Industrials: 2,918.75 +0.19% Miscellaneous: 5,099.17 -1.61% Holding: 5,604.84 -0.18%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 885.68 points, up 1.36 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 216 to 113 with another nine issues unchanged.

National Bank, Hellenic Telecoms, Commercial Bank and Alpha Credit Bank were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in Drs): National Bank: 24,860 Alpha Credit: 25,000 Commercial Bank: 22,900 Ergobank: 8,590 Eurobank: 11,890 Heracles Cement: 10,350 Titan Cement (c): 15,200 Hellenic Petroleum: 4,690 Intracom: 15,190 Minoan Lines: 6,860 Hellenic Bottling: 6,435 Hellenic Telecoms: 9,920 Panafon: 5,140

Derivatives prices end mixed on ADEX: Derivatives prices ended mixed on the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Monday reflecting investors' reluctance ahead of the new government's policy statement and a mixed appearance in the two benchmark indices, FTSE/ASE 20 and FTSE/ASE 40.

A total of 886 futures contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20 index, with a turnover of 4.7 billion drachmas. The April expiring contract ended at 2,742 points, the May at 2,763 and the June contract at 2,777 points.

A total of 1,206 futures contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 40 index, worth 3.3 billion drachmas. The April expiring contract ended at 690 points, the May at 692 and the June contract at 717 points.

Bonds trade quietly after elections: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market were mostly flat in thin trade on Monday after national elections in which the ruling PASOK party was returned to power with a slim majority.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 6.06 percent from 6.16 percent a day earlier, 6.13 percent on Thursday and 6.10 percent on Wednesday.

The paper's yield spread over German bunds was 91 basis points from 94 basis points in the previous session and 93 basis points on Thursday.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 16 billion drachmas from 22 billion drachmas a trading day earlier and 40 billion drachmas on Thursday.

Of Monday's total, sell orders accounted for 10 billion drachmas of turnover and buy orders the remaining 6.0 billion drachmas.

Traders reported another 15-20 billion drachmas of deals effected outside the electronic system.

Buying interest seen in drachma after elections: The drachma on Monday rose against the euro in demand for the national currency after parliamentary elections and fell versus the US dollar in the domestic foreign exchange market.

To meet the demand for drachmas, the Bank of Greece bought around 20 million euros. Later in the session, sellers moved into the market, taking the drachma slightly lower.

The socialist PASOK party was re-elected with a slim majority in votes, but fairly comfortable majority in parliamentary seats. The national currency had come under some pressure in the run-up to the elections, partly on uncertainty.

At the central bank's daily fixing on Monday, the euro was set at 334.650 drachmas from 334.870 drachmas for two straight sessions and 334.860 drachmas on Wednesday.

Also at the fixing, the US dollar was set at 349.810 drachmas from 349.040 drachmas in the previous session and 347.810 drachmas on Thursday.

[11] Doctors of the World on Kasos

A Medecines du Monde (Doctors of the World) team arrives on the island of Kasos on Thursday for a 10-day program during which they will provide free dental care to the remote island's inhabitants.

The visit comes in fulfillment of a promise made by the first five-member delegation of the organization that had visited the island to provide medical care in September 1998.

[12] President Clerides congratulates Greek Prime Minister on his election victory

NICOSIA, 11/04/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Clerides, who is in London for a meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, telephoned Simitis earlier on Monday to congratulate him. As he told reporters, the two pledged to continue cooperating as they have done so far in their pursue of a Cyprus settlement and intend to meet soon in order to discuss ways of promoting this objective.

Meanwhile, acting President of the Republic and House President Spyros Kyprianou congratulated both Simitis for his victory and the leader of main opposition party New Democracy Costas Karamanlis for the great success of his party, but expressed concern over the shrinking of smaller parties, describing it as "not healthy".

Kyprianou also expressed the hope for greater efforts aiming at a settlement of the Cyprus problem.

Political party leaders also sent congratulation messages to Simitis and at the same time congratulated Karamanlis for succeeding in increasing his party's voting power.

[13] President Clerides holds talks in London with British premier

LONDON, 11/04/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking after the meeting, during which they discussed ways in which Britain could assist so that UN-led peace talks on Cyprus would proceed, President Clerides said they reviewed the Cyprus problem "in the sense of where we stand and what the difficulties we face are".

"We also stressed the fact that we have not yet entered negotiations for a solution," Clerides added, due to the refusal of Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to negotiate unless the illegal entity unilaterally set up in the northern Turkish-occupied part of the island is recognized.

"We examined this matter in depth and reached the conclusion that there are ways in which we can face the situation," Clerides added.

Asked whether Britain seems determined to assist the process, the president said Blair held a very positive attitude and told him at the end of the meeting he was "willing to intervene personally".

"I can say I am very satisfied with the meeting," Clerides added.

Invited to say whether London expected a substantive dialogue by the end of the third round of proximity talks due to take place next month in New York, the president said, "this I will know in May".

UN-led proximity talks between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides began in New York last December with a second round taking place in Geneva in early February.

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou and Cypriot High Commissioner to Britain Michalis Attalides, as well as British representative for Cyprus Sir David Hannay were also present at the meeting.

President Clerides returns to Cyprus on Tuesday.

[14] House President receives Finnish parliamentarians

NICOSIA, 11/04/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Uosukainen described the meeting as "very helpful and fruitful", noting that the Finnish parliamentarians are interested in the island's political issue, given Cyprus' European Union (EU) accession course.

"We discussed about how much we want to do our best to support Cyprus", she pointed out, expressing hopes for "positive developments".

On his part, Kyprianou said the Speaker of the Eduskunta invited him to visit Finland, adding that the invitation has been accepted. He described the meeting as "very friendly, constructive and useful" and said he briefed the Finnish parliamentarians on the latest developments in the Cyprus issue, in which Uosukainen "is very interested".

Uosukainen is on a four-day official visit to the island, heading a delegation of deputies and parliament officials, at the invitation of Kyprianou.

[15] Greek and Turkish Cypriots can live together, US policy-makers told

WASHINGTON, 11/04/2000 (ANA)

"Just last week scores of Turkish Cypriots crossed into the UN controlled buffer-zone of Cyprus to have their blood tested to see if they could provide a life-saving bone marrow transplant for a six-year-old Greek-Cypriot boy," CEH said in a letter to the White House, the US National Security Council, the US State Department and the US Defense Department as well as the Congress' foreign affairs and defense related committees.

"In the last two months over 200 Turkish Cypriots have risked their lives passing through the heavily armed Green Line, which (illegally) divides Cyprus ... so they can live on the Greek Cypriot side," Greek American leaders noted in their letter.

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