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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-08-18Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Sport in aid of thaw in Greek-Turkish relationsAthens, 18/08/2000 (ANA)One year ago to the day since a destructive earthquake initiated a thaw in Greek and Turkish relations, Foreign Minister George Papandreou on Thursday gave the process a further boost by consenting to exploratory contacts for a joint bid by the two countries for hosting the European soccer championship in 2008. The development, announced by Greek Soccer Federation (EPO) president Costas Alexandridis, opens the way for contacts with the Turkish counterpart federation, with a view to submitting a joint application to the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).Two weeks ago, EPO responded favorably to a renewed proposal by the Turkish side. The contacts are expected to start in September. Greece says dynamics of friendship with Turkey must be reinforced: The Greek Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that the catastrophic earthquake that struck NW. Turkey on August 17, 1999 has brought the two peoples closer together. Ministry spokesman Panayiotis Beglitis said in a statement that the quake that shook the neighboring country in the early hours of August 17, 1999, "completely changed the landscape in Greek-Turkish relations." He noted the enormous and spontaneous response of the Greek people to rush all kinds of aid to Turkey. "The solidarity which the Greek people showed, despite the tension in relations with Turkey, but also the reciprocal mobilization by the Turkish people to the Athens earthquake (on September 7) contributed decisively to the shaping of a new climate in relations between the two peoples," the spokesman said. "This immediate response and the mutual sentiments which were manifested, went to show that the two peoples feel the need to undertake initiatives for the building of peace, cooperation and stability in the region and to work towards Greek-Turkish friendship," he added. "This dynamism which was developed must be maintained and supported. The peoples of Greece and Turkey will only benefit from the strengthening of their cooperation. The positive reactions by the citizens and the state agencies during the year that mediated, demolished myths and artificial tensions. Initiatives of major importance were undertaken by local government, business and the forces of culture," Beglitis said. "Through their stance, our peoples sent the message of friendship, peace and cooperation. The Greek government, responding to this message, will continue the principled policy it follows in its relations with Turkey, with respect to international law and international treaties," Beglitis concluded. [02] Karamanlis chairs party meetingAthens, 18/08/2000 (ANA)The leader of main opposition New Democracy party, Constantine Karamanlis, has returned to Athens after his summer holidays, calling a meeting with top ND cadres at party headquarters on Thursday morning to discuss plans for the upcoming sessions of Parliament.The summer sessions begin on Monday, while Karamanlis is also preparing to attend the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) on September 8-9. Karamanlis has asked section chiefs to make any proposals they may have in writing and is expected to emphasize issues of transparency and privatizations. The ND leader also made it clear that the return or not of Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras to the party is not an issue at this time. Speculation regarding such a possibility has been fuelled by the strongly voiced objections of high-ranking ND deputy Dora Bakoyianni to his return on national television. ND Political Planning secretary Vangelis Meimarakis noted that neither Samaras nor ND had made any such proposal. [03] ND denies it intends to replace SpiliotopoulosAthens, 18/08/2000 (ANA)The Press Office of the main opposition New Democracy (ND) party on Thursday denied reports broadcast by a television station that the party intended to replace its press spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos.The ND Press Office termed the reports "a total lie", adding that "if they are not due to summer fantasies or poverty of journalism, they certainly conceal other expediencies against the party." The rumors of Spiliotopoulos' replacement were triggered by a brief meeting ND leader Costas Karamanlis had with the party's press spokesman at ND headquarters at noon. [04] World conference of Parliament presidentsAthens, 18/08/2000 (ANA)The first world summit of Parliament presidents will be held from 30 August through 1 September in New York, themed the Parliamentary Vision for World-Wide Cooperation at the Dawn of the Third Millennium.UN Secretary General Koffi Annan and various Parliament presidents including the President of the Greek Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis will address the worldwide conference, which is under the auspices of the Inter-Parliamentary Association. [05] Equities drop in scant tradeAthens, 18/08/2000 (ANA)Stocks fell on the Athens Stock Exchange on Thursday for the second straight session with turnover hitting a two-year low in moribund trade, analysts said.Investors kept out of the market in the wake of short-term profit taking in the previous session. The general index dropped 0.61 percent to finish at 3,728.14 points. Turnover was 40.07 billion drachmas. Turnover needed to rise in order for a trend to emerge, analysts said. They were reluctant to forecast the bourse's short-term future in its current lackluster phase. The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 0.73 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 index for medium-sized shares finished 0.04 percent lower. Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: -0.94% Leasing: +0.74% Insurance: -0.09% Investment: -0.82% Construction: +0.69% Industrials: -0.56% Miscellaneous: +0.38% Holding: -0.21% The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks closed 0.49 percent up. Of 346 shares traded, declines led advances at 170 to 151 with 25 issues unchanged. Closing prices of leading shares in drachmas were as follows: National Bank:13,650 Titan Cement Co. (c): 13,245 Alpha Bank: 12,440 Hellenic Telecommunications: 7,900 Commercial Bank: 15,925 Panafon: 4,000 Hellenic Petroleum: 3,415 Eurobank: 8,750 Intracom: 12,080 Lambrakis Press: 9,290 Heracles Cement: 7,290 Equity futures end mixed, tracking Athens bourse: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished mixed on Thursday, in line with the indices on which they are based. The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 0.73 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 0.04 percent lower. Turnover was 13.0 billion drachmas from 14.4 billion drachmas a day earlier. A total of 1,640 contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20 with turnover at 6.8 billion drachmas. On the FTSE/ASE 40 index, 3,140 contracts changed hands on turnover of 6.1 billion drachmas. Bonds perky for second straight session: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Thursday finished higher in moderate trade, fuelled by heavy buying interest from institutionals at home and abroad in a wide range of paper The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 6.036 percent from 6.061 percent in the previous session. The Greek paper's yield spread over German bunds was 83-85 basis points from 84-87 basis points a session earlier. Turnover through the central bank's electronic system was 62 billion drachmas from 96 billion drachmas the day before. Buy orders accounted for 54 billion drachmas of trade. Drachma down vs. euro, up vs. dollar: The drachma on Thursday ended lower against the euro and higher versus the US dollar in the domestic foreign exchange market. At the central bank's daily fixing, the euro was set at 337.200 drachmas from 337.100 drachmas in the previous session. Also at the fix, the dollar was set at 369.110 drachmas from 371.390 drachmas a day earlier. [06] Gov't refers unfair fuel hikes to competition commissionAthens, 18/08/2000 (ANA)The development ministry is to refer instances of unjustified fuel price hikes nationwide to the competition commission, and has called on consumers to shop carefully for gasoline and report violations.The cases refer to gas stations that over the past two weeks have charged more than warranted by indicative rates released weekly by the ministry, which are based on the dollar's rate on world markets and the price of crude oil. The commission has the right to impose penalties on the gas stations. A ministry phone number consumers may call with complaints about petrol prices is 1720 (four digits only). From September 1, the ministry is to switch to daily from weekly indicative rates in a bid to boost competition and curb arbitrary price rises. [07] New directorates at nat'l economy ministry for absorption of CSF fundsAthens, 18/08/2000 (ANA)Four new directorates will be established at the national economy ministry in order for all-important Third Community Support Framework (CSF) funds to be allocated within Greece based on strict European Union regulations.According to the ministry, the method of operation and procedures governing the four directorates - one each for management, regulatory control, disbursement and auditing - have been decided, whereas they must begin work soon in order for the absorption of CSF monies to commence. [08] InterBalkan Medical Center to open on SaturdayAthens, 18/08/2000 (ANA)The InterBalkan Medical Center on the outskirts of the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki, a member of the Apostolopoulos group of companies, will be open to the public as of Saturday, August 19, offering full medical and hospitalization services on a 24-hour basis with a full complement of doctors and nursing staff.The announcement was made on Thursday afternoon by group president George Apostolopoulos, who also outlined the group's future plans for northern Greece and the Balkans - particularly stressing the foundation of a private medical school in Thessaloniki, though without giving specific details. For the rest of the Balkans, the group plans to forge ahead with plans to establish diagnostic centers in Tirana and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). [09] Gore pledges no major changes in U.S. policy regarding Cyprus problemNICOSIA, 18/08/2000 (CNA/ANA)Candidate of the Democratic party for the US Presidency Al Gore pledged there would be no major changes in American policy in regards to the Cyprus problem and that efforts will continue for its peaceful resolution.As Co-Chair of Al-Gore's Foreign Policy Team Michael Nacht said during a press conference, the effort will be "to resolve the matter (Cyprus problem) peacefully and to sustain Greece and Turkey as core members of the NATO alliance". Nacht described Cyprus and the Balkans as "very delicate and difficult problems", while pointing out that "Greece and Turkey are two of our strongest allies," he stressed the need for a peaceful resolution of the Cyprus problem. "We have had the problem there since 1974. I do not think, frankly, that under Vice President Gore you would see a major change in American policy," he said. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded the island and occupied 37 per cent of its territory. [10] Clerides takes Annan to task over statementNICOSIA, 18/08/2000 (ANA)Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides has said that a letter by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, in which he expressed hope that ways would be found to bridge differences between the positions of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders, did not bode well for scheduled intercommunal talks in New York next month."I consider that the wording of your statement regarding preparation of the ground for the September talks was totally wrong," Clerides said in a reply letter, according to Cyprus's Mega television channel on Wednesday. "It must be made clear to (Turkish Cypriot leader) Denktash and Ankara that the necessary preparation phase is over and it is now time for negotiations," he added. Clerides further said that Annan's statement was unsatisfactory and inadequate to induce Denktash to engage in substantive negotiations within the parameters set by Security Council resolutions. "Denktash threatens to walk out of proximity talks if any reference is made to concepts contained in Security Council resolutions, such as federation, communities, one sovereignty and one citizenship," he pointed out. Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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