Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-06-19

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Athens considers contribution to projected FYROM peacekeeping force

[02] Gov't doesn't share Kostunica view of Albanian terrorist action in Greece

[03] PM's schedule announced by gov't spokesman

[04] PM and Giannitsis discuss dialogue process for social security reform

[05] Government spokesman rules out cabinet reshuffle

[06] Communist party says NATO warships' visit part of plan for intervention in FYROM

[07] KEP leader gives interview on party's plans to 'Ta Nea' newspaper

[08] UN Refugee High Commission to organize event at Syntagma Square on Wednesday

[09] ND leader visits Fire Department headquarters

[10] Memorial service on fifth anniversary of Andreas Papandreou's death

[11] Third Community Support Framework will lead Greece to real convergence, gov�t says

[12] Anomeritis satisfied with EU Goteborg summit outcome

[13] EFG Eurobank Ergasias tops Greece's mutual funds market in May

[14] Four companies submit offers to buyout Olympic Airways

[15] World Bank's investment guarantee agency holds conference in Thessaloniki

[16] Greek chambers inaugurate representation office to EU in Brussels

[17] Spokesman comments on course of Athens bourse

[18] Greek stocks drift lower in subdued trade

[19] About 10 percent of municipalities have not yet taken necessary measures against fires

[20] 'Culture' program monitoring committee convening in Athens on Tuesday

[21] Former US president George Bush and his wife Barbara are in Greece this week for an Aegean cruise

[22] Screenplay writers European union founded in Athens

[23] 'Zorba' ballet to be presented at International Opera Festival in Turkey

[24] Greek language and its teaching now has access to Internet

[25] Athens Airport Company to sponsor book on Mediterranean culture

[26] Gov't, hoteliers and Athens 2004 sign memorandum on hotel capacity increase

[27] More bus-only lanes announced for Athens during 2004 Games

[28] Bishop protests destruction of religious heritage by Turkish troops

[29] National Council meets

[01] Athens considers contribution to projected FYROM peacekeeping force

Athens, 19/06/2001 (ANA)

Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis convened a meeting here with the foreign and defense ministers, George Papandreou and Akis Tsohatzopoulos, respectively, to consider just such a mission.

If consent by the international community and the Skopje government is given, an international peacekeeping force would probably be called on to mainly monitor the disarming of Albanian insurgents operating in FYROM�s northern frontier over the past few months.

On his part, Tsohatzopoulos said a relevant NATO decision authorizing such a force would be taken on Wednesday, whereas Greece�s armed forces are ready to contribute to such a mission.

According to reports, one Greek army mechanized battalion has been placed on stand-by in case a peacekeeping force is sanctioned.

[02] Gov't doesn't share Kostunica view of Albanian terrorist action in Greece

Athens, 19/06/2001 (ANA)

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said Athens doesn�t share the Yugoslav president�s view that NW Epirus will be the next spot where Albanian extremists will strike.

�We�re not facing such an issue,� Reppas added.

In an unrelated development and in response to a press question over the election victory in neighboring Bulgaria by a newly founded coalition led by former Bulgarian king Simeon II, Reppas replied that �we respect the verdict of the Bulgarian people, as expressed by yesterday�s (Sunday) election.�

Papandreou: Meanwhile, in later statements following a meeting with PM Costas Simitis, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou emphasized that the international community has vigorously condemned the activities of Albanian extremists in neighboring FYROM and elsewhere, while stressing that nary an incident or even a faint indication of such has been reported in Greece.

Initial press report: The furor surrounding the alleged threat by the so-called �National Liberation Army� -- known as UCK -- arose late last month, when someone claiming to be the extremist group�s political representative in FYROM was quoted by an Australian radio network as saying a �Tsamouria Liberation Army� was created with the purpose of taking up arms in the NW Greek prefecture of Thesprotia.

However, in an interview with the BBC two days later, UCK representative Ali Mehmeti said all information regarding �action� in Greece was false and damaging to what he called the guerrilla group�s relations with Athens.

"I never made such statements," he told the BBC, adding: "nor did I ever think to table such issues. I believe, however, that it is a deliberate action of certain circles aimed at establishing obstacles to the democratic process in FYROM and the Balkans.�

Athens mostly dismissed the report in the subsequent days, with direct references by Papandreou himself. Additionally, a Greek foreign ministry spokesman simply warned that �UCK forces, with their terrorist activities in FYROM and Kosovo, continue to be a destabilizing factor in the Balkans.�

Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo offered a scathing condemnation almost a week later.

Milo said that �ideas related to the existence or creation of a so-called �Tsamouria Liberation Army� are the product, unfortunately, of sick Albanian minds outside the Albanian state ... (minds) that create the appearance that Albanians are a destabilizing element in the Balkans. For this reason they should be condemned and isolated by all countries�.

A few thousand Tsam Albanians did, in fact, live in Thesprotia prefecture before World War II, only to be driven out of the country by wartime partisans for collaborating with Axis forces then occupying allied Greece.

[03] PM's schedule announced by gov't spokesman

Athens, 19/06/2001 (ANA)

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas announced this on Monday.

[04] PM and Giannitsis discuss dialogue process for social security reform

Athens, 19/06/2001 (ANA)

Giannitsis later said the work of his ministry's experts committee, which has undertaken to examine two reports, would be completed at the end of July, while the dialogue on social security will begin in September.

He also said he briefed Simitis on employment programs and general issues pertaining to his duties. He stated categorically that there was no question of him resigning and that he did not discuss such an issue with the prime minister.

[05] Government spokesman rules out cabinet reshuffle

Athens, 19/06/2001 (ANA)

[06] Communist party says NATO warships' visit part of plan for intervention in FYROM

Athens, 19/06/2001 (ANA)

The announcement went on to say that "our city is being consolidated as a springboard for military interventions against neighboring peoples and the port is being turned into a naval station of NATO."

KKE's local office also addressed a letter to the president and the board members of the Thessaloniki Port Authority, calling on them "in the framework of their duties, to refuse to become accomplices in the new crime being prepared in our region."

[07] KEP leader gives interview on party's plans to 'Ta Nea' newspaper

Athens, 19/06/2001 (ANA)

Commenting on his party's political orientation, he said that it occupied the center and simultaneously attacked main opposition New Democracy and ND leader Costas Karamanlis by saying that the "center has nothing to do with the hypocritical and apolitical term 'central region'".

KEP's leader spoke in favor of accelerating structural reforms in the economy and of allowing private universities, while noting that Greece ought to learn from Ireland's example.

The Athens Mayor also refused to commit himself regarding local government elections, saying that no decision had yet been made, while he did not rule out that his party might run independently in the upcoming municipal and prefectural elections.

[08] UN Refugee High Commission to organize event at Syntagma Square on Wednesday

Athens, 19/06/2001 (ANA)

It was added that the figure concerns the number of people whose refugee status has been recognized.

Meanwhile, an open event will be held at Syntagma Square in downtown Athens at 7 p.m. on June 20 with the purpose of briefing and sensitizing citizens on refugee issues.

The UN�s Refugee High Commission, the Greek Refugee Council, the Social Labor Foundation, the Greek Red Cross and the International Social Service will jointly organize the event.

The event, to be held in the framework of World Refugee Day on June 20, will aim at sending the message of solidarity, contact and respect for refugees and the need for them to join society.

It will be open to both adults and children and will include theatrical performances, music groups and choirs, while painting, sculpture and photographic exhibitions by refugee artists will also be organized.

[09] ND leader visits Fire Department headquarters

Athens, 19/06/2001 (ANA)

After his visit, Karamanlis accused the government of having an inadequately coordinated policy for fire prevention, while noting that ND had made proposals for this issue.

[10] Memorial service on fifth anniversary of Andreas Papandreou's death

Athens, 19/06/2001 (ANA)

PASOK President and Prime Minister Costas Simitis will attend the service.

PASOK's organizations will also be holding similar services in all prefectures throughout the country.

[11] Third Community Support Framework will lead Greece to real convergence, gov�t says

Athens, 19/06/2001 (ANA)

Pahtas said that a third package of EU funds alone was not enough to achieve this target and that it would need a more efficient way to manage funds and policies aiming to improve the quality of living around the country.

The funds' absorption rate of a Second Community Support Framework program, to be completed in the next few months, exceeds 95 percent, while a sum of 2.5 trillion drachmas in new funds from a Third Community Support Framework were have already been earmarked for projects approved in the last 18 months. These projects include large road network infrastructure works.

"We are not in danger of losing funds because of lack of absorption rates, but we have to try for improved efficiency, quality and transparency," Pahtas said.

Addressing a meeting of a monitoring committee for public works in central Macedonia, in Thessaloniki, Pahtas announced that the government has earmarked more than 2.0 trillion drachmas to finance projects in the area in the period 2000-2006.

[12] Anomeritis satisfied with EU Goteborg summit outcome

BRUSSELS, 19/06/2001 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

"Common Agricultural Policy and its future development should, among other targets, contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, placing greater emphasis on encouraging healthy high quality products, methods of environmentally sustainable production, including biological production, renewable raw materials and protection for biovariety," the text said.

It further said that the EU's integrated product policy, aimed at decreasing the use of resources and the environmental repercussions from sewage, should be implemented in cooperation with businesses and the downgrading of biovariety should stop so that this target can be achieved by 2010 as defined by the 6th Action Program for the environment.

[13] EFG Eurobank Ergasias tops Greece's mutual funds market in May

Athens, 19/06/2001 (ANA)

A report by the Union of Institutional Investors said that six large banking institutions controlled 72 percent of the domestic mutual funds' market assets.

EFG Eurobank Ergasias was followed by National Bank, with a market share of 18.62 percent, Alpha Bank (15.64%), Commercial Bank (8.47%), Agricultural Bank (4.73%) and Piraeus Bank (4.64%).

Intertrust Mutual Funds Management Co, with a market share of 9.17 percent, is the only other company with a significant share not belonging to a large banking group.

Greece's mutual funds' assets fell to 9.2 trillion drachmas in May from 10.5 trillion in January, a decline of 12 percent.

Market experts said mutual funds' investors should remain calm and set long-term strategies in their investments, at least three years, predicting rewarding returns.

[14] Four companies submit offers to buyout Olympic Airways

Athens, 19/06/2001 (ANA)

The offers that included operational and business plans were submitted by "Cyprus Airlines", Restis Group, Axon Group and Texas based Integrated Airline Solutions at 5 p.m. London time.

Meanwhile, sources said that OA's pilots agreed to proposals tabled to them by Integrated Airlines Solutions regarding their participation in the company's share capital to the tune of 7 per cent, beyond what was already offered to them by the Greek government and also agreed to the reduction of employees in the company to 6,000 from the present 10,500.

[15] World Bank's investment guarantee agency holds conference in Thessaloniki

Athens, 19/06/2001 (ANA)

MIGA, a member of the World Bank group, encourages foreign direct investment into developing countries by providing political risk insurance against: transfer restriction, expropriation, breach of contract, and war and civil disturbance. MIGA also offers investment-marketing services to help developing countries promote their own private investment opportunities more effectively.

The agency has been promoting cooperation agreements with the Black Sea Cooperation and Development Bank as well as with commercial banks in the region to strengthen its presence in the Balkans.

According to data provided during the conference MIGA underwrote investments in the region to the tune of 707 million dollars since 1990, while 439 million of the total was used by Turkish ventures.

[16] Greek chambers inaugurate representation office to EU in Brussels

BRUSSELS, 19/06/2001 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

Deputy Development Minister Milena Apostolaki represented the Greek government in the event, while Greek Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou was among those notables who were present.

[17] Spokesman comments on course of Athens bourse

Athens, 19/06/2001 (ANA)

He refused to comment further, however, claiming that this would constitute interference and would contravene the government's standing position of not interfering with the operation of the ASE.

[18] Greek stocks drift lower in subdued trade

Athens, 19/06/2001 (ANA)

Traders said the market has found short-term support at the 2,830-2,820 level and noted that investors continued to ignore the fact that the Greek bourse's valuations were fairly attractive.

The general index ended 0.57 percent lower at 2,843.40 points, off the day's lows of 2,835.77 points. Turnover was a low 81.64 million euros, or 27.82 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended at 1,652.96 points, off 0.75 percent, the FTSE/ASE 40 index eased 0.13 percent to 327.85 points, and the FTSE/ASE SMALLCAP 80 index ended at 910.52 points, up 0.49 percent.

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 271.85 points, up 0.33 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 163 to 162 with another 35 issues unchanged.

Atemke, Parnassos, Sidenor, Technodomi, Eskimo, Fitco, Athenian Holdings, Stabilton, Xylemporia and Keranis scored the biggest percentage gains, while Klaoudatos, Alysida, Lanakam, Rocas, AAA, Vis, Egnatia Bank and Alpha Trust suffered the heaviest losses.

Interamerican Insurance, Hellenic Telecoms, Sidenor, EFG Eurobank Ergasias and Alpha Bank were the most heavily traded stocks.

Equity futures finish lower: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished lower on Monday.

The underlying FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 0.75 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 0.13 percent up.

Traded were 5,353 contracts on turnover of 36.2 million euros.

Bond prices finish almost unchanged in moderate trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Monday finished almost unchanged in moderate trade with players focusing on 5 and 15-year papers.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.45 percent same as a trading day earlier.

The yield spread over German bunds was 46 basis points from 45 in the previous session.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totaled 840 million euros (286.2 billion drachmas) from 1.02 billion euros (350 billion drachmas) a trading day earlier.

Buy orders outpaced sell orders and accounted for the most of the turnover.

[19] About 10 percent of municipalities have not yet taken necessary measures against fires

Athens, 19/06/2001 (ANA)

The interior ministry and the civil Protection General Secretariat have already taken measures to tackle the scourge of forest fires and have notified prefectures, municipalities and regional services in the country with circulars since the end of February.

Papanikolaou said a big problem is being faced in the Attica area where there is a lack of coordination despite unfavorable predictions for this summer and the additional 1.5 billion drachmas given to municipalities and communities to help them meet possible shortcomings. He added that 10 billion drachmas are earmarked for Attica this year.

[20] 'Culture' program monitoring committee convening in Athens on Tuesday

Athens, 19/06/2001 (ANA)

Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, presenting the "Culture" program on Monday, said "the ratio of funds from the 2nd CSF to the 3rd CSF, which covers the 2000-2006 period, has increased fivefold, resulting in funds multiplying in the 3rd CSF's culture sector."

The culture ministry will manage at least 500 billion drachmas over this period in the framework of the 3rd CSF.

The program is composed of the operational "Culture" program, 13 regional operational programs, the participation of the culture ministry and the Culture Sector in the horizontal Informatics Society operational program, the EU Interreg initiative and the employment operational program managed by the labor ministry.

Venizelos also announced the establishment of the Electronic Museum of Greek Culture, which will function regularly as an independent and competitive service and will be devoted to the Internet and the "logic" of the digital era.

[21] Former US president George Bush and his wife Barbara are in Greece this week for an Aegean cruise

Athens, 19/06/2001 (ANA)

The yacht�s first stop was the Cyclades holiday island of Mykonos, where the ex-president jogged and joked with trailing reporters, saying he�s �in training for the 2004 Olympics�.

George and Barbara Bush have been frequent visitors to the Greek isles since leaving the White House in 1992.

[22] Screenplay writers European union founded in Athens

Athens, 19/06/2001 (ANA)

The Audiovisual Media Institute sponsored the event as part of its activities for the scientific support and coordinating activity for the Greek audiovisual media sector.

The new union is made up of the national unions of France, the UK, Italy, Spain, Holland, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Portugal, Ireland, Iceland and Belgium.

Its aim is to promote and protect the rights of cinema and television screenplay writers and to preserve the cultural identity of European countries.

Legal advisors of the national unions participating met on Monday morning for a seminar on streamlining European copyright laws.

[23] 'Zorba' ballet to be presented at International Opera Festival in Turkey

Athens, 19/06/2001 (ANA)

"Zorba" is a symphonic ballet written by Theodorakis in 1987 following an order by the Opera of Verona. He joined and orchestrated various parts of his works, which, in his view, could support the story of Nikos Kazantzakis' hero.

The performance is part of the framework of cultural relations between Greece and Turkey.

[24] Greek language and its teaching now has access to Internet

Athens, 19/06/2001 (ANA)

It appeals primarily to schoolchildren of all levels, both inside and outside the country, and to teachers and provides them with substantiated scientific knowledge.

The Greek Language Center and its site, operating since the beginning of the year, was visited on Monday by Deputy Education Minister Philippos Petsalnikos who was given a guided tour by the center�s representatives.

Petsalnikos said that by the end of 2002 all schools in the country (both those belonging to first and second stage education) will have access to the electronic site, adding that the electronic site's contribution is expected to be extremely important since it contributes substantively to the Greek language's promotion.

[25] Athens Airport Company to sponsor book on Mediterranean culture

Athens, 19/06/2001 (ANA)

The production of the project has been assigned to "Idea SA", while the individual chapters will be written by noted scientists, researchers and historians of the region and its culture.

The 326-page volume will bring to the public previously unknown treasures of the ancient and Byzantine eras only recently discovered by archaeologists, as well as the latest evidence that sheds light on the region's historical course over time.

Apart from archaeological and historical facts, the book will also focus on important aspects of folk culture.

[26] Gov't, hoteliers and Athens 2004 sign memorandum on hotel capacity increase

Athens, 19/06/2001 (ANA)

Development Minister Nikos Christodoulakis, Athens 2004 Olympics Organizing Committee (ATHOC) official Spyros Kapralos, and representatives of the Hotelier's Association of Athens and the Hellenic Hotels' Chamber signed the memorandum, which was agreed upon on Friday.

According to the memorandum, hoteliers are obliged to make available 90 per cent of their hotels' capacity to ATHOC for the Games and ATHOC on its part is obliged to provide 3000 hotel beds in docked cruise ships, while hoteliers agreed to make available the rest 10 per cent of rooms in case that the number of official visitors increases unexpectedly.

On its part the government is expected to withdraw, next week, plans to allow increased construction limits and lot coverage in Athens for hotels that would serve the purposes of the Games, but this provision was not expressly noted in the memorandum, while Christodoulakis announced his decision to lift an embargo on the construction of new hotel space in Athens.

The embargo has been in force for several years as Athens hoteliers objected to plans to increase the number of rooms in the capital, claiming that occupancy rates are presently low and that additional rooms will further increase problems in filling hotels.

They were particularly opposed to government plans to encourage the building of new hotels in Athens' Maroussi district, near the Olympic facilities, by offering incentives (higher lot coverage and others).

[27] More bus-only lanes announced for Athens during 2004 Games

Athens, 19/06/2001 (ANA)

The event was co-organized by the Athens 2004 Olympics organizers (ATHOC) and the Greek Society of Traffic Engineers. According to Transport Minister Christos Verelis, some 45 kilometers of bus-only lanes will be added in the greater Athens area by 2004, while over a two-month period during the holding of the Games some 100 kilometers will given over exclusively to buses, trolleys and tourist coaches.

During the seminar, some stunning statistics on the operation of buses in Athens was unveiled. Specifically, the average speed of mass transit vehicles in the past neared the 20-kph mark, whereas today that same figure stands at a 'snail�s pace' of 12.5 kph.

Verelis also promised that a long-awaited suburban rail project would be on line by the Olympics, whereas a new fixed-lined tram network should be in operation by 2003.

[28] Bishop protests destruction of religious heritage by Turkish troops

NICOSIA, 19/06/2001 (CNA/ANA)

The Holy Diocese of Kyrenia has announced that the letter is addressed to the Ambassadors of the permanent member states of the UN Security Council, the Secretary-Generals of the UN, the Council of Europe, Interpol and UNESCO, as well as the US President and the President of American Congress.

"Turkey, still occupying by force our island, has not only stripped our churches from their icons, frescoes and sacred vessels but even changed many of them into Moslem mosques, store-rooms and latrines", he adds in his letter.

Recently, Turkish Cypriot newspaper "Avrupa" published an article on the destruction of the Panayia of Thermia church in Turkish occupied Kyrenia, as well as the transformation of a nearby recently excavated Greek Orthodox cemetery into a nightclub and restaurant.

"We draw your attention to the fact that the systematic plundering of our religious and cultural heritage and the destruction and shattering of every Christian symbol in our holy island began as soon as Cyprus was occupied by the Turkish troops in 1974. Since then, historical religious places have been continuously looted without any barrier", the Bishop notes.

In his letter, Bishop Pavlos refers to the efforts made by the government of Cyprus to maintain every mosque and shrine of Moslem faith in the free parts of the Republic and calls upon everyone to "raise a voice of protest against the continuous violation of human rights in Cyprus by Turkey and to take whatever measures appropriate to safeguard our human rights including religious and cultural heritage".

[29] National Council meets

NICOSIA, 19/06/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou announced this here on Monday after a three-and-a-half hour session, the first since the 27 May parliamentary elections.

Speaking after the Presidential Palace meeting presided over by President Glafcos Clerides, Papapetrou said President Clerides and the leaders and representatives of the eight parliamentary parties, comprising the Council, discussed "the latest developments on the Cyprus problem and the island's accession course to the European Union, including Turkish threats against Cyprus in case the island accedes before a solution to the political issue is found".

Regarding the Council's work under its new composition, the spokesman said President Clerides would submit "a complete suggestion" on the issue at the next session.

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article