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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-08-24Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Tougher union stance puts labour regulations talks on precarious groundAthens, 24/08/2000 (ANA)The fate of talks on labour regulations between the government and trade unions appeared to hang in the balance following the tough stance adopted by the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) - Greece's largest workers' union - on Wednesday.After a meeting of the GSEE Executive Committee on Wednesday morning, GSEE President Christos Polyzogopoulos made it clear that trade unionists would walk out of the talks starting on Thursday if the government attempted to introduce three controversial issues "through the back-door". The three banned subjects include that of deregulating mass lay-offs, more flexible working-hour arrangements (which unions claim will lead to abolishing the eight-hour day), and "greater flexibility" in part-time employment, temporary work, insurance etc. Polyzogopoulos also underlined that the entire process was problematic, since the government had not yet submitted any overall policy framework to be discussed, unlike the unions. Unless this was done, the GSEE leader said, the trade unions would withdraw from the talks and "be at the government's disposal when it was ready, with a policy plan and specific measures." He also said that GSEE would be calling a general assembly in the first fortnight of September to propose strike action in October if necessary. The unions, he clarified, were ready with a policy plan and commitments to specific measures which they would present on Thursday in a 48-page document. Among the issues they raise is the controversial question of how funds from the 3rd Community Support Framework will be spent on increasing employment, and their objections to the various "flexibility" measures proposed by the government. Polyzogopoulos pointed out that two trillion drachmas were spent on human resources under the European Union-subsidised Community Support Frameworks I and II: "Funds were wasted, many got rich but unemployment climbed to 12 per cent." He underlined that the unions would demand a full account as a condition of discussing how funds from the 3rd CSF would be spent. With regard to flexibility in working arrangements, he noted that in no country had this helped increase employment. Particularly in Greece, he added, where 20 per cent of employees live on the poverty line, there is no room for underemployment. On working-hour flexibility in particular, Polyzogopoulos said that this was the central issue. One of the main arguments used by the government was that this would help boost the profitability of businesses, while the GSEE leader observed that other measures to increase the profitability of businesses had not brought any increase in employment until now. [02] Simitis and Kaklamanis discuss process for revising ConstitutionAthens, 24/08/2000 (ANA)Parliament speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis and Prime Minister Costas Simitis met on Wednesday to discuss the process of revising the Constitution, due to begin in Parliament after October.Emerging from the meeting, Kaklamanis told reporters that a cross-parliamentary committee on revising the Constitution would have its first meeting next Wednesday, a week from now, while the committee's chair and party spokespeople will first discuss the issues related to the process and its progress. "By the final deadline of October 15," Kaklamanis said, "the committee will present its conclusions to the Plenary, which will devote the rest of the session - if necessary - at least until Easter or even later in 2001, to complete the process of revising the Constitution." With regard to the specific measures proposed, Kaklamanis said that on certain points the parties agreed while in other areas there were differences of opinion. [03] Karamanlis slams government's economic policy at seminar on Greece within EMUAthens, 24/08/2000 (ANA)Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis on Wednesday strongly criticised the entire spectrum of the government's policies while speaking at a seminar organised by the "Constantine Karamanlis Democracy Institute" on the subject: "Greece after the start of EMU. A time of difficult decisions".Karamanlis focused his criticism on developments in the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE), saying that some had deceived the people, and referring to a collusion between those in power and vested interests. Specifically, Karamanlis commented on developments on the ASE and said the government was responsible "that a whole lot of people were led to financial ruin, thousands of citizens are trapped under the weight of the losses they suffered on the ASE. "Since the end of last December investors have suffered total losses that exceed 18 trillion drachmas. Where did their savings go? Who got rich at the expense of the many? Because there is no doubt - it has to be someone's fault. Certain people were deceiving the public, they should have taken steps and didn't do so. And all these are responsible. All these people have to explain themselves to the public that is asking questions and demanding to know what happened, what is happening, what will happen." Karamanlis noted that Greece is now going through a crucial period for its future and predicted that, over the next few months, serious questions of a national, social and economic nature would be raised. In this new period, he said, the top priority is to bolster productivity and competitiveness, accelerate the rates of growth and increase employment. [04] Reppas comments on Christodoulos' meeting with foreign ministerAthens, 24/08/2000 (ANA)Issues concerning relations between the Church and the state are the responsibility of the education (and religious affairs) minister, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas told reporters on Wednesday after a meeting between the leader of the Autocephalus Orthodox Church of Greece, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos, and Foreign Minister George Papandreou.Reppas said that the meeting between Papandreou and Christodoulos concerned the latter's upcoming visit to the Jerusalem Orthodox Patriarchate. Reppas also noted that Education Minister Petros Efthymiou would be sending a reply to the Archbishop's letter, in which Christodoulos voiced concern over newspaper reports that religious studies were to become a non-exam subject in the last two years of senior school. In the past, Efthymiou had said that the subject of religious studies in state schools will not be altered. In more recent statements, he said that any decision will be announced before the beginning of the upcoming academic year and will be based solely on "educational criteria". [05] Stephanopoulos sends condolences to Russia for 'Kursk' victimsAthens, 24/08/2000 (ANA)President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos on Wednesday issued condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the loss of the nuclear-powered submarine "Kursk" and its entire crew."...Let me express the profound grief and solidarity of both myself, personally, as well as the entire Greek people for you, the families of the victims and the Russian people," Stephanopoulos' letter read. On his part, Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis also addressed a similar letter to the president of Russia's Duma, conveying the condolences of Greece's Parliament deputies towards the families of the submarine's crew. [06] Equities nose down in light tradeAthens, 24/08/2000 (ANA)Stocks edged down on the Athens Stock Exchange on Wednesday with the market showing signs of consolidating around current levels.The general index shed 0.19 percent to finish at 3,751.16 points. Turnover was 71.69 billion drachmas. The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 0.24 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 index for medium-sized shares finished 0.51 percent higher. The parallel market index for smaller capitalisation stocks closed 1.03 percent up. Of 346 shares traded, advances led declines at 218 to 111 with 17 issues unchanged. [07] Equity futures rise, tracking Athens bourseAthens, 24/08/2000 (ANA)Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished higher on Wednesday, in line with the indices on which they are based.The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 0.24 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 0.51 percent higher. Turnover was 11.259 billion drachmas from 7.87 billion drachmas a day earlier. A total of 914 contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20 with turnover at 3.8 billion drachmas. On the FTSE/ASE 40 index, 3,646 contracts changed hands on turnover of 7.3 billion drachmas. [08] Bonds rise in brisk tradeAthens, 24/08/2000 (ANA)Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Wednesday finished higher in moderate across-the-board trade.The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 6.043 percent from 6.072 percent in the previous session. The Greek paper's yield spread over German bunds was 83 basis points from 82 basis points a session earlier. Turnover through the central bank's electronic system was 88 billion drachmas from 16.2 billion drachmas the day before. Buy orders accounted for the whole of trade. [09] Drachma ends down vs euro, dollarAthens, 24/08/2000 (ANA)The drachma on Wednesday ended lower against the euro and the rampant US dollar in the domestic foreign exchange market.At the central bank's daily fixing, the euro was set at 337.390 drachmas from 337.380 drachmas in the previous session. Also at the fix, the dollar was set at 377.520 drachmas from 375.480 drachmas a day earlier. [10] Fuel prices to rise in coming weekAthens, 24/08/2000 (ANA)Fuel prices are to rise in the coming week, effective on Thursday, in line with indicative retail prices released by the development ministry.The ministry said on Wednesday that petrol would rise by 0.5 drachmas per litre, diesel by 5 drachmas per litre and heating oil by 2.6 drachmas per litre, due to changes in world crude oil prices. Retail prices for unleaded petrol will be around 248.9 drachmas per litre, and for super petrol about 265.5 drachmas per litre. [11] Group of passenger shippers announce expanded allianceAthens, 24/08/2000 (ANA)A group of passenger shippers - ANEK, ANEN, DANE, LANE AND NEL - on Wednesday announced that they will widen their alliance.Their decisions, which were taken during a meeting spanning August 17 to 21, are as follows: The five companies in the alliance have a total fleet of 25 vessels, due to rise to 31 in 2001. [12] Gov't denies awarding mobile phone licence to France TelecomAthens, 24/08/2000 (ANA)The government on Wednesday rejected press reports claiming that the country's fourth mobile telephone licence would be awarded to France Telecom.The transport ministry said it was holding public consultations through the national telecommunications commission and Hellenic Post Offices on the form an international tender will take for sale of the licence. The ministry will study the commission's findings, due for completion on August 31, and then call the tender, in which France Telecom has expressed interest. The country's three existing mobile phone operators are Panafon, Telestet and Cosmote. [13] Gov't to review latest obstacles faced by refinery project in AlbaniaAthens, 24/08/2000 (ANA)The government on Wednesday announced that a meeting would be held at the foreign ministry on Thursday regarding the latest bureaucratic obstacles encountered by the Hellenic Petroleum (EL.PE) consortium in neighbouring Albania.EL.PE is currently building a refinery in Albania. [14] Ambitious US presence on the agenda at next month's Thessaloniki trade fairAthens, 24/08/2000 (ANA)The United States will take centre stage in Thessaloniki early next month as the "honoured nation" at Greece's largest trade exhibition, a move many hope will help smooth over some of the resentment felt in the region for last year's NATO air offensive against Yugoslavia.The ambitious American presence at the 65th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) is highlighted by, among others, an Andy Warhol retrospective, a baseball pavilion, jazz music performances and an unprecedented 15-film tribute to America's incomparable 20th century cinema. The People's Republic of China was the first country chosen as the "honoured nation" at last year's TIF, annually held in the first half of September in Greece's second-largest city, with America now in the limelight at the HELEXPO-sponsored exhibition. "Our selection was guided by the trade fair itself -- art and commerce as interchangeable components, something for which the United States is a pre-eminent example. We also wanted to show the playful side of US culture and specific US art forms," Arlene Jacquette, the US embassy's public affairs counselor said on Wednesday in presenting all 11 events comprising the American participation. Officials also emphasised the support given by the American-Hellenic Chamber and the US consulate in Thessaloniki towards organising the US-related series of events. Jacquette credited US ambassador Nicholas Burns with "seizing the opportunity" to showcase US culture and lifestyle at the almost two-week-long fair, hosted in a port city that first received the bulk of NATO forces headed for deployment in the strife-torn Yugoslav province of Kosovo. Burns is also expected to be present during both weekends that TIF runs for, US officials added. During an Athens briefing on the TIF participation, US embassy officials expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation they had with both TIF executives and officials from the state-run exhibition organisation Helexpo, as well as over security precautions at the events. "We're satisfied with the level of security, something that's of great interest to us..." Jacquette said, adding that US embassy security officials have participated in discussions with organisers and the management of various venues "from the beginning." The 11 US-related event programmes include: � "Figment: The life and Work of Andy Warhol" An exhibition of works by the well-known pop artist organised by the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh in cooperation with the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art and the municipality of Thessaloniki. Aug. 22 through Sept. 19. � The "Baseball and Softball Experience" A daily baseball demonstration that organisers hope will introduce children and young people to America's "favorite pastime, and a new Olympic sport. At Helexpo's YMCA gate, Sept. 2-10. � Warner Bros. Characters Well-known animated Warner Bros. Characters (Tweety, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and the Tasmanian Devil) "jump to life" on Thessaloniki's streets and on TIF's fairgrounds. � Celebration of American Cuisine Festival of American Regional Cuisine at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, prepared by a leading US chef every night during the fair. Sept. 2-10. � "Modern Odysseys: Greek-American Artists of the 20th Century" An exhibition of works by several noted American artists. Organised under the auspices of the Greek culture ministry and the State Museum of Contemporary Art, in cooperation with the World Council of Hellenes Abroad, the Queens Museum of Art and the I.F. Kostopoulos Foundation. Lazariston Monastery, Stavroupoli municipality of Thessaloniki, Sept. 3 through December 2000. � Dixieland Band Popular southern jazz performed by the 11-member Dixieland Band from Corinth. On the Helexpo's grounds in front of the indoor sports arena, Sept. 5-6 after 9 p.m. � American Line and Square Dancing Traditional line and square dancing by American Farm School students. On the Helexpo's grounds in front of the indoor sports arena, Sept. 5-6 after 9 p.m. � Concerts with performer Yvette Jarvis Soul, disco, Latin, and gospel hits with Greece-based performer Yvette Jarvis and the nine-member band "Grupo Candela". On the Helexpo's grounds in front of the indoor sports arena, Sept. 8-10 after 9 p.m. � "20th Century American Film: Milestones of a Legendary Dream" Fifteen classic American films screened in cooperation with the Thessaloniki Film Festival at the Olympion movie theatre on Aristotelous square, Sept. 8-21. Screenings start at 8:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. daily. Admission to opening night is by invitation only. � The Sixth Fleet Band The 25-member band of the Sixth Fleet will bring its "Big Band" sound to Thessaloniki on Sept. 8-9. On the Helexpo's grounds in front of the indoor sports arena at 7 p.m. � The Carnegie Hall Jazz Band The renowned Carnegie Hall Jazz Band from New York City will perform at the Thessaloniki Concert Hall on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 9 p.m. [15] Athens and Toronto mayors meetAthens, 24/08/2000 (ANA)Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos and visiting Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman on Wednesday signed a protocol of cooperation on tackling social and cultural problems in the two cities.Lastman is on an official visit to Greece at the head of a large delegation, reciprocating a visit Avramopoulos to Toronto. The Toronto mayor was given a guided tour of the archaeological sites of Athens and also had official contacts with the Athens 2004 Olympic Games Organising Committee. Avramopoulos noted that the next meeting of the mayors of the 35 largest cities in the world will be held in Athens in 2002. [16] Iraqi arrested for immigrant smuggling and blackmailAthens, 24/08/2000 (ANA)Iraqi national Rad Abdullah, 39, was arrested on Wednesday on charges of smuggling illegal immigrants into Greece and blackmail.Along with a group of accomplices, Abdullah had set up an immigrant-smuggling ring, which for the past seven years had transported illegal immigrants into Greece from Turkey via Evros, against the sum of US $2,000 each. Amongst those transported by Abdullah about two years ago, along with 20 more of his countrymen, was Hani Samaon, aged 22. Samaon had only paid half the amount (US$1,000) normally charged by Abdullah, who tracked him down in the Athens district of Peristeri in the beginning of August and demanded that he pay the rest by the 20th of the month. When Samaon claimed this was impossible, Abdullah and four unknown accomplices succeeded in pulling him from his car and attacked him with knives but he managed to escape. Later he received a phone call from Abdullah, who threatened to kill him unless he paid up the sum they had agreed by August 22. The victim finally decided to go to the police for help. He was given marked notes and police arrested Abdullah as soon as he picked up the cash. [17] Police detain two men for robbery with fake guns, selling brick as a video camera.Athens, 24/08/2000 (ANA)Police in Kalamata on Wednesday arrested the two "armed" robbers who had held up a man in Poulithra, Kynouria two days before, taking 40,000 drachmas from him under the threat of what turned out to be...toy cell phones wrapped in black masking tape.Constantinos Athanasopoulos, 32, and Panagiotis Angelopoulos, 32, both residents of Agia Varvara in Athens, were picked up as suspects at midday in Kalamata and admitted under questioning that they had robbed Constantinos Liatopoulos at "gunpoint". They also admitted to selling Oitylos resident Ioannis Spaneas a brick packaged as a video camera for 40,000 drachmas on Tuesday night. The two men were driving a black Opel Astra at the time of the robbery, in which police found and confiscated 40,000 drachmas, chains and jewellery and a video camera. Athanasopoulos also has three outstanding convictions against him for thefts in Livadia. [18] Fisherman dies in suspected TNT blastAthens, 24/08/2000 (ANA)A 40-year-old fisherman in northern Greece was killed aboard his boat by an overnight explosion apparently caused by dynamite he illegal used catch large quantities of fish.The blast took place in the Nea Marmara harbour of Halkidiki prefecture, while the victim was identified as Vassilis Karnopoulos. The use of dynamite (TNT) to fish has long been outlawed in Greece, with stiff fines in place for convictions. [19] Another cache of cannabis turns up on NW Greece beachAthens, 24/08/2000 (ANA)Another large cache of hashish was again discovered on a Preveza-area beach, northwestern Greece, on Tuesday by the coast guard.Specifically, a total of 420 kilos of the drugs, packaged in nine sacks, were spotted on a stretch of Loutsa beach. According to reports, the sacks were still wet, something which leads authorities to believe that the sacks were thrown overboard recently by smugglers. Another 600 kilos of cannabis had recently been discovered in the same area. [20] Greenpeace activists arrested for protesting against a soya processing plantAthens, 24/08/2000 (ANA)Police on Wednesday said they had arrested 12 Greenpeace activists who were for a second consecutive day blocking the access to company trucks at a soya processing plant in protest against the import of genetically engineered products.Seven Greeks and five foreign nationals, who had on Tuesday chained themselves to the gates of the "Soya Hellas" plant on the island of Evoia, were arrested after the company late on Tuesday filed an official complaint against them for blocking its plant's gates, the authorities said. The group of the 12 Greenpeace activists, who had remained chained to the gates throughout Tuesday night under watch by strong police forces and a fire-truck, were on Wednesday taken to the local police station of Nea Artaki, police said. Greenpeace in a letter to "Soya Hellas" on Tuesday had asked that the company clarify its position on the issue of genetically engineered organisms in food items and state its intention to secure natural soya for cattle breeders, the industry and the consumers. "Soya Hellas", a leading soya importer in Greece also importing corn, wheat and other cereals, replied that the company always followed legal import procedures in accordance with Greek and European Union laws. [21] Fire Department on high alertAthens, 24/08/2000 (ANA)Fire Department officials on Wednesday said they were on high alert due to anticipated higher temperatures on Thursday.Fires on Wednesday were blazing in the areas of Ano Pedina in Ioannina, Chrysoupoli in Kavala, Xyrocambo, Lykohia and Vlahorafti in Megaloupolis Arcadia prefect, and at Lehaina in Ahaia prefect, authorities said. Blazes in Aetos, Kato Aetos, Agia Mavra and Grampto in Karystos of Evia, Pigadakia in Arcadia, Fteri in Aegion and Kastania in Ioannina, were reported by authorities under partial control. [22] Wildfires out of controlAthens, 24/08/2000 (ANA)Many large wildfires were still raging on Wednesday night in various areas of the country.Hundreds of firefighters were struggling to place under control a large brush fire that broke out early Wednesday afternoon near the port town of Lavrion, south of Athens. The blaze also threatened the installations Hellenic Arms Industry (EVO). Forest fires were also still blazing near the northern city of Ioannina, the southern prefectures of Arcadia and Ahaia, the Ionian islands of Zakynthos and Corfu and on the island of Evia. [23] Arsonists torch Egyptian embassy vehicleAthens, 24/08/2000 (ANA)Athens police on Wednesday said that arsonists hit an Egyptian embassy vehicle at 1.30 after midnight.An underground group self-dubbed "Anarchist Faction" claimed responsibility for the act in a telephone call to Athens daily "Eleftherotypia", not giving any reasons for the attack on the Egyptian diplomatic car, licence plate 584, which was parked in Kaisariani, a central Athens district. There were no reports of injuries but the car was heavily damaged by the explosion that police said was caused by a self-made explosive mechanism. [24] IOC delegation arrives in Athens on ThursdayAthens, 24/08/2000 (ANA)A delegation from the International Olympics Committee (IOC), headed by its Vice-President Jacques Rogge, arrives in Athens on Thursday to inspect progress in the preparations for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.Following a ministerial meeting on Wednesday, chaired by the Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Press and Mass Media Deputy Minister Telemachus Hytiris expressed optimism that "all will go well, although Mr. Rogge will have the last word." Hytiris said that most of the memorandums of coordination and cooperation between the Athens 2004 Olympic Games Organising Committee and the relevant ministries have been signed. A memorandum of coordination and cooperation was signed on Wednesday between Athens 2004 Olympic Games Organising Committee President Yianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki and Public Order Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis. The memorandum concerns security issues for the Games. A Security Division for the Olympic Games has already been set up and is staffed by qualified police officers. In the coming days officers of this division will travel to Sydney to study the security measures being taken there by the Australian authorities for the Olympic Games which will be held in Sydney in September. On Tuesday, Angelopoulos-Daskalaki signed a similar memoradum with Labour and Social Security Minister Athanasios Yiannitsis. [25] Kyrenia bishop sends letter to British High Commissioner on property issueNICOSIA 24-08-2000 (CNA/ANA)A high-ranking Cypriot clergyman on Wednesday sent a letter to British High Commissioner to Cyprus, Edward Clay, saying he was "profoundly shocked at the 'Daily Telegraph' report that British subjects, illegally occupying Greek Cypriot owned houses in the Turkish-occupied village of Karmi in the Kyrenia district, had threatened to burn them should they be asked to vacate on a settlement of the Cyprus problem". Kyrenia Bishop Pavlos notes in his letter that the "occupation of the property of Greek Cypriots forced out by the invading Turkish troops does not constitute any legal right of ownership by current or future unlawful tenants". He told the British diplomat that "we hold your government, as a guarantor power of the integrity of the Republic of Cyprus and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, responsible for taking prompt action to bring about withdrawal of the Turkish troops and settlers from the island and to abolish the Denktash pseudo-regime". On Monday, government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said anybody buying, through illegal means, Greek Cypriot property, under Turkish occupation for the past 26 years in the northern part of the island, should know they will not be able to keep it and that the government would not condone under any circumstances such purchases. His comments were made in response to reports in the British press that UK and German nationals have illegally bought or leased property belonging to Greek Cypriots from Turkish Cypriots or Turks in the areas under Turkish occupation. Greek Cypriots who fled the occupied north as the Turkish troops advanced in the summer of 1974, when they invaded Cyprus, left behind them millions worth of property. The report appeared in the Daily Telegraph's Saturday edition and quoted British buyers, who refused to give their full name, wondering how long they will be able to enjoy the lifestyle in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus, in the light of efforts to reunite the divided island. The article refers to the self-styled Turkish Cypriot authorities giving out long-term leases to foreigners for purportedly renovation of property, which does not belong to them. [26] Cypriot leadership signs book of condolences at Russia EmbassyNICOSIA 24-08-2000 (CNA/ANA)Cypriot political, church and military leadership, foreign Ambassadors and ordinary citizens signed on Wednesday a book of condolences at the Russian Embassy in Nicosia for the 118 sailors who died when their submarine sank at Barents Sea. The Russian flag was flying at half mast and Russian Ambassador Vladimir Pavlinov thanked the people of Cyprus for their support at such tragic times for his country. Signing the book, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides stressed "the Russian people are brave and courageous and will be able to overcome the consequences of this tragic accident". The book of condolences for the 118 sailors of Kursk submarine was also signed by the Primate of the Cyprus Greek Orthodox Church Archbishop Chrysostomos, government ministers and other high-ranking officials, political party leaders and representatives and the Commander of the National Guard. Acting President of the Republic Spyros Kyprianou signed the book on Tuesday. Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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