Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-05-28

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] Nikos Garganas named new central bank governor

[02] Simitis in Rome for signing of NATO-Russia accord

[03] Papantoniou, Russian envoy discuss EU-Russia defense ties

[04] Spokesman on FM's contacts in US

[05] No timetable on Euro-army, foreign ministry spokesman says

[06] 'Ta Nea' opinion poll puts main opposition 8.8 points ahead

[07] Tsohatzopoulos backs VP posts in ruling PASOK

[08] EU. Commission concerned over freedom of speech violations in Turkey

[09] Greece favors Turkey's accession to the EU, Turkish daily asserts

[10] Press ministry secretary, alternate FM address reporters of Greek origin

[11] DHKKI party leader briefs President Stephanopoulos

[12] Gov�t reiterates "no fund losses" from EU programs

[13] PM forecasts general gov't surplus at 0.8 pct of GDP in 2002

[14] Gov't says sale of Hellenic Shipyard proceeding on target

[15] Bank of Greece adopts Basle Committee rules on capital adequacy

[16] Greek mining industry reports on "positive 2001"

[17] Trade unionist seeks Coalition support for union positions on pension reform

[18] Civil servants union calls nationwide strike on Wednesday

[19] 48-hour seamen's strike next month

[20] Figures on Greeks' unemployment in Germany presented

[21] Protection of feta cheese to be discussed in June, Drys says

[22] Sismanoglion Mansion in Istanbul to be restored, used as consulate

[23] Greek stocks end below 2,300 level on Monday

[24] ATHOC head returns following Kuala Lumpur presentation

[25] Ecumenical Patriarch calls for reopening of Theological School of Halki

[26] Exhibition on Parthenon Marbles in Europarliament

[27] Greece to aid efforts for the preservation of Afghanistan's cultural heritage

[28] UN-led Cyprus talks may continue till December

[29] Spokesman says Denktash is trying to stir up matters

[01] Nikos Garganas named new central bank governor

Athens, 28/05/2002 (ANA)

Garganas, until now deputy governor, was unanimously elected to his new position by the bank's general council. A parliamentary committee has to approve the appointment.

He replaces Lucas Papademos, who has been named vice president of the European Central Bank.

Papademos, who recommended Garganas for the post to the government, submitted his resignation to the general council, effective on June 1.

Chosen as deputy governor of the Bank of Greece to replace Garganas was Nikos Paleokrassas, a member of the institution's monetary committee.

Garganas, who has held senior positions at the central bank for 27 years, was also Greece's deputy governor for Greece at the International Monetary Fund; and, from 1999, a member of the European Union's economic and monetary committee.

His appointment signals the maintenance of policies established in October 1994 when Papademos became governor of the central bank, later helping to take Greece into the eurozone.

Among challenges Garganas will have to face are controlling a high rate of credit expansion, with consumer loans and mortgages showing a roughly 40 percent rate of growth.

[02] Simitis in Rome for signing of NATO-Russia accord

Athens, 28/05/2002 (ANA)

Specifically, the 19 NATO leaders and Russian President Vladimir Putin will sign an accord establishing a NATO-Russia Council, that creates a 20-nation forum for discussing and planning NATO actions in a number of key areas.

Government spokesman Christos Protopapas also reported a meeting earlier on Monday between the prime minister and the presidency of the Association of Greek Industry (SEB) to discuss the economy, in view of a SEB congress that Simitis will be unable to attend because he will be in Rome.

The summit is to begin in Rome on Tuesday, with the 20 heads of state and government making addresses between the hours of 11:30 and 13:30 Greek time, followed by a press conference.

Protopapas said that no bilateral meetings between the Greek premier and other NATO leaders had been organized on the sidelines of the Summit, but did not rule out that meetings might take place.

On his return from Rome on Wednesday, the prime minister will pay a call on President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos to brief him on the latest developments, while at 14:30 the same day Simitis will take part in the elections for a new presidency for PASOK's parliamentary group. On Wednesday evening he will speak in Parliament during an off-the-agenda debate on the economy.

On Thursday, Simitis will chair a meeting of the cabinet dealing with the implementation of the 3rd Community Support Framework (3rd CSF) and how to iron out problems arising in the summer months, while on Friday morning he will be in Parliament for Prime Minister's Question Time.

According to the government spokesman, no time had yet been set for a planned meeting between the Prime Minister, Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and Foreign Minister George Papandreou to discuss foreign policy issues.

The next day, Saturday, Simitis is to depart for a weeklong official visit to China, from which he will return late on Friday, June 7.

Protopapas also announced a visit to Athens by the head of the EU's Spanish presidency, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, on June 11, prior to the EU summit in Seville.

[03] Papantoniou, Russian envoy discuss EU-Russia defense ties

Athens, 28/05/2002 (ANA)

The issue of Russia's participation in the projected "Euro Army", as well as efforts to better adapt Russian-made defense systems for use by western forces, was also discussed.

Athens has already announced that one of its EU presidency initiatives in the first half of 2003 will be to promote EU-Russia defense cooperation.

In an unrelated development, Papantoniou met earlier with members of the Pan-Arcadia Federation of America, as well as the founder and president of the American-Hellenic Institute (AHI), distinguished Greek-American Eugene Rossides, for briefings on major foreign policy issues affecting Greece.

Papantoniou says Greek military ready to deal with any incident: Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou on Monday reiterated Greece's military readiness to confront any eventuality of an incident, due to the arrival of the Turkish ''Sismik'' research vessel in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus.

Following a meeting with the Pancyprian Association of Reservist Commandos, Papantoniou said that the unified defense region and the joint defense doctrine remained active, on the basis of which Greece will consider as an attack on its own territory any attack against the Republic of Cyprus.

[04] Spokesman on FM's contacts in US

Athens, 28/05/2002 (ANA)

He told a press briefing that, in his US talks, Papandreou explained the Greek positions and put forward all the possible scenarios for the immediate future concerning the Cyprus problem.

Replying to questions, Beglitis said that Cyprus' course to EU accession was progressing smoothly, but added that one should look at "the good and the bad scenarios".

The Greek side, he said, wanted the island republic's political problem to be resolved before Cyprus' EU membership but, if that was not rendered possible due to the Turkish Cypriot side's intransigent stance, then membership would proceed in accordance with the timetable set out by the EU.

Responding to a question regarding the prospect of Turkey annexing the Turkish-occupied sector of Cyprus, Beglitis said that in such an eventuality Turkey's European policy would be undermined, and the response would be a collective one from the entire EU.

[05] No timetable on Euro-army, foreign ministry spokesman says

Athens, 28/05/2002 (ANA)

Beglitis said that negotiations on the issue were continuing in the framework of the decisions of the EU summit at Barcelona. He added that the negotiations had a "dynamic character", and expressed hope that a mutually acceptable solution satisfying both sides would be reached.

Beglitis reiterated that the Ankara text could not be accepted as it stood, adding that the various proposals could be examined, "but not without being accompanied by changes to the text".

The foreign ministry spokesman said that Greece desired that the problem be solved "yesterday", adding that Athens was among the champions of EU political unification and the Union's autonomous presence on the international scene.

"We are aware of the difficulties. We aim at a new dynamic. Besides, the issue of EU autonomy meets the support of many Community partners," Beglitis added.

[06] 'Ta Nea' opinion poll puts main opposition 8.8 points ahead

Athens, 28/05/2002 (ANA)

Conducted by V-PRC, the poll gave ND 36.2 percent of voter preference if elections were held immediately against 27.4 for ruling PASOK.

The survey gave the Communist Party of Greece 4.8 percent; the Coalition of the Left and Progress 2.8 percent; the Free Citizens' Movement 2.7 percent; and the Democratic Social Movement 2.2 percent.

The main opposition is also the party considered most likely to win the elections, with 57.8 per cent of voters predicting an ND victory against 22.7 per cent for PASOK. In the equivalent poll in October 2001, 42.1 per cent of those responding said ND would win immediate elections against 32.4 per cent that said PASOK would win.

The poll also revealed that PASOK had lost more of its voters to the main opposition than vice-versa, with 9.8 per cent of PASOK voters now saying they would switch to ND, while the equivalent figure for ND was 0.6 per cent.

The main opposition is still having trouble convincing the electorate that it can field the best people for the job, however, according to the poll.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis continues to lead over ND leader Costas Karamanlis as most suitable for prime minister, with 36.1 per cent against 35.3 per cent for Karamanlis.

Similarly, Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis is considered more suitable for the post than ND's George Alogoskoufis and Foreign Minister George Papandreou is considered more suitable than ND's Dora Bakoyianni for foreign minister.

Commenting on the results of the poll on Monday, government spokesman Christos Protopapas stressed that opinion polls only reflected the public's thoughts at a specific moment in time and that the government had not yet completed its program.

"It's worth noting that the same opinion poll shows that the Greek public only expects something from us," the spokesman underlined, referring to the higher preference shown by those responding to members of the government over their counterparts in the opposition.

The fact that Simitis was considered the better premier and his minister were seen as effective should be considered alongside the more negative messages from the specific survey, he added.

[07] Tsohatzopoulos backs VP posts in ruling PASOK

Athens, 28/05/2002 (ANA)

In statements published by the Athens daily "Ta Nea", the veteran politician and PASOK executive bureau member also appears optimistic over the chances of reversing the "negative political climate" that is currently plaguing the ruling party, noting characteristically:

"The people are upset and bothered by PASOK, although (main opposition) New Democracy has not taken any steps forward," he said.

Tsohatzopoulos also dismisses any question of a leadership change at PASOK's helm, stressing that the last party congress decided on a "coordinated political course with three crucial stages: Municipal elections, the EU presidency (first half of 2003) and the 2004 general elections".

[08] EU. Commission concerned over freedom of speech violations in Turkey

BRUSSELS, 28/05/2002 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

European Commissioner Guenter Verheugen referred to such efforts by the EU, in response to a question tabled by Greek Eurodeputy Stavros Xarhakos requesting information on the issue and reporting that the Turkish authorities confiscated a book by Turkish author Omer Hasan, entitled ''The Hellenism of Pontos''.

According to a press release issued by the Greek Eurodeputy, Verheugen responded that ''the limitations of exercising the relevant right remain in force, including the confiscation of books and other published material''.

In regards to the concerns of the Greek Eurodeputy for the safety of the Greek speaking populations of the Pontos (Black Sea coast) the commissioner said ''the Commission understands the concerns of Mr. Xarhakos, but it is not in a position to provide assurances requested of it ... the relevant assurances can only be provided by the Turkish authorities themselves''.

The Greek main opposition New Democracy (ND) Eurodeputies' group, to which Xarhakos is a member, stressed in their press release that ''while the Turks continue unchecked to violate basic rights and persecute national minorities, such as the Greek speaking populations of Pontos, the European Com-mission uses only warnings and continues its meetings with the Turkish officials''.

[09] Greece favors Turkey's accession to the EU, Turkish daily asserts

ISTANBUL, 28/05/2002 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

The interview was published during a period that a public discussion is underway in Turkey concerning the effects of Prime Minister Bullent Ecevit's illness on the European course of the country.

''Turkey has the right to enter the European Union. Europe is a multicultural society, where there are different religions, different customs, different languages, different foods, different attire,'' the Greek ambassador said in his interview.

''Everyone's common wish is to live together, with these differences,'' he added.

[10] Press ministry secretary, alternate FM address reporters of Greek origin

Athens, 28/05/2002 (ANA)

It is the sixth such meeting to be organized at the press ministry's initiative.

Gerou termed the meeting an annual institution ''which has been proved very successful for our country.'' More and more reporters are responding to the invitation, which brings them in direct contact with the homeland, institutions and reality, he said.

Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Giannitsis referred at length to the country's preparation for the European Union's presidency and enlargement issues and made particular reference to the political significance of Cyprus' accession.

He said Greece will find itself in the midst of developments, taking care for better organizational and political preparation because a ''good'' presidency is the one offering appropriate organization, structure and coordinating-mediating role between contrasting countries for a joint decision to be found.

Giannitsis also underlined the significance of Cyprus' accession both for Hellenism and national issues, since its entry into the unified European area ''will liberate it from being held hostage by the Turkish invasion and will constitute a lever for a solution to the Cyprus issue.''

Moreover, he said preconditions and pressures will be created for a result to be achieved in talks between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

On the question of negotiations, Giannitsis confirmed that Cyprus is presenting the most satisfactory progress, it has the best economic structures with the highest income per capita (15,000 dollars), which is higher than the EU average and that of Greece (12,000 dollars).

In the event that the whole of Cyprus joins, the minister clarified that there will be a clause excluding regions not under the control of the Republic of Cyprus.

Referring to the issue of Turkey's accession, he said Greece has lifted the veto many years ago and that commitments emanate from the decision taken at the Helsinki summit regarding criteria.

[11] DHKKI party leader briefs President Stephanopoulos

Athens, 28/05/2002 (ANA)

Tsovolas said the policy of dialogue with Turkey is a mistake at this period when the United States wants to upgrade the neighboring country to serve its own interests.

Tsovolas said he expressed his concerns and positions to the president on the Cyprus issue and the European army. He said Greece should exercise a veto if Cyprus is not admitted to the EU and proposed a meeting of all party leaders under the president's chairmanship.

[12] Gov�t reiterates "no fund losses" from EU programs

Athens, 28/05/2002 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, the two ministers noted that Greece has already received 92 percent of total funds earmarked for the country in a Second Community Support Framework, with the remaining 8.0 percent (around 500 billion drachmas) expected to be received by the time Greece would submit its closing statement to the EU and after European authorities would approve these figures.

Both ministers declined to comment on an alleged reference, in a letter sent to EU Commissioner Michel Barnier by Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, that the repayment of the program was determining Greece's ability to respond to its fiscal commitments in a Stability and Growth Pact.

Mr. Pahtas referred to the difficulties facing the implementation of a Third Community Support Framework, compared with its predecessor program, saying that the state would have to cover any cost excesses.

"What it is important, is to avoid any miscalculations in projecting costs, that's why we need a clear budget from the start. The European Commission noted that there should not be any cost excesses," Pahtas said.

Simitis response to Barnier warning over CSF funding: Prime Minister Costas Simitis has responded in writing to a recent high-profile warning by EU Commissioner for Regional Development Michel Barnier, saying that necessary reforms have been instituted during his tenure to prevent cost-overruns and shoddy work plaguing various EU-funded projects in Greece.

Barnier, among others, cited a danger of reduced Community 3rd Support Framework funding towards Greece because of what he called a lack of relevant projects' studies and overall irregularities.

Simitis, however, noted that Greek government reforms, part of the "Special Action Plan", have apparently eliminated deficiencies and "errors in studies after 1997".

"As a result, the admonition that had appeared a few years ago, and have already been dealt with, should under no circumstances lead to generalized conclusions over the reliability of new Community Support Framework structures," Simitis' letter read.

Barnier was particularly critical of three railroad projects in the country, including the Thriassion-Elefsina-Corinth line (west of the greater Athens area), where only 25 percent of the first phase and only 20 per cent of the second phase have been completed to date, as well as the main Athens-Thessaloniki rail project, with a completion rate of 23 per cent.

Finally, on his part, the Greek premier noted that the Greek government is committed to fully funding the 2nd CSF, "assuming the cost of all the errors of the previous government".

[13] PM forecasts general gov't surplus at 0.8 pct of GDP in 2002

Athens, 28/05/2002 (ANA)

At a meeting with leaders of the Association of Greek Industry (SEB), Simitis also said that the public debt as a percentage of GDP was steadily declining.

The International Monetary Fund and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development had welcomed the government's fiscal policy, while noting that factors including high defense spending and a rise in the dollar had slowed the pace of the public debt's decline.

Furthermore, growth was forecast at 3.8 percent of GDP in 2002, three times the anticipated European Union average for the same period, despite a global recession, Simitis said.

Inflation was about one percentage point higher than the EU average as Greece had the second highest rate of growth in the 15-nation bloc, fuelled by private and state investment at around 10 percent, he added.

The prime minister also discussed an overhaul of the social insurance system and reform of the tax system with SEB's board.

The trade group's president, Odysseus Kyriakopoulos, told reporters that the meeting had been ''constructive.''

[14] Gov't says sale of Hellenic Shipyard proceeding on target

Athens, 28/05/2002 (ANA)

Kalafatis was replying to question by New Democracy deputy Nikolaos Tsiartsionis, who claimed that talks with the company's planned buyer, a German consortium, lacked transparency; and that the state was set to lose 200 billion drachmas from the sale.

Rival Elefsina Shipyard this month-sought recourse in the European Union over what it called unfair competition from Hellenic Shipyards.

Elefsina said that it had lodged a complaint with the EU's competition committee charging ''major distortion and breaches of competition rules by Hellenic Shipyard.''

In the complaint, Elefsina said that illegitimate state subsidies had been given to Hellenic, and that a privatization tender for the firm contained irregularities. The facts had been made known to authorities but no action taken.

Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) AG and Ferrostaal AG of Germany won the privatization tender for Hellenic Shipyard.

The European Union's executive Commission has approved the purchase, saying that regulatory approval had been given as the acquisition of Hellenic, formerly known as Skaramangas, by the two corporations did not breach rules of fair competition.

HDW, the largest shipyard in Germany, was recently acquired by One Equity Partners, a subsidiary of Bank One of the US. Its new owners have said the buyout would not affect plans for Hellenic Shipyards.

Thyssen Krupp, a metals and shipyard company, is now a member of the HDW group, replacing Babcock.

Under its new owner, HDW released a statement on March 12 saying that Hellenic Shipyards was seen as a major factor in the German company's future European strategy.

[15] Bank of Greece adopts Basle Committee rules on capital adequacy

Athens, 28/05/2002 (ANA)

The central bank announced it was raising the capital used by banks to cover derivatives' risk, while it was also announced more flexible rules on capital adequacy factors on foreign exchange.

The Bank of Greece said that both factors would be used to setting a total capital adequacy index at 8.0 percent.

Under the new set of rules, Greek financial institutions will be obliged to report capital adequacy conditions every three months instead of a previous six-month requirement.

[16] Greek mining industry reports on "positive 2001"

Athens, 28/05/2002 (ANA)

Addressing an annual meeting of the union's members, Mr. Georgiadis noted that Greek mining companies focused in improving their productivity, a necessity to survive in an competitive international environment. This effort was more necessary and successful in the aluminium, nickel and magnesite sectors in the wake of China's entry in the World Trade Organization.

He noted that the sector's largest companies, Silver & Baryte and Greek Magnesite, managed to expand their positions in the foreign market through new acquisitions, while he stressed that the union has made a breakthrough in its relations with the Greek marble industry

Mr. Georgiadis also referred to the "unrealistic, some times, environmental legislation and turbulent relations with local societies, two strong counter-incentives for the development and for the survival of the mining industry in the country."

[17] Trade unionist seeks Coalition support for union positions on pension reform

Athens, 28/05/2002 (ANA)

Polyzogopoulos is president of Greece's largest umbrella trade union organization, the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE).

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Constantopoulos concurred that the government's proposals did not ensure the viability of the social insurance system.

Polyzogopoulos said the unions wanted party support for a clause that would ensure the system's financial viability, adding that the talks between the unions and the parties had not been concluded.

He did not rule out another meeting with the Coalition on this issue, since the government had not yet presented its final proposal.

[18] Civil servants union calls nationwide strike on Wednesday

Athens, 28/05/2002 (ANA)

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, ADEDY President Spyros Papaspyros warned the government of ''frontal conflicts in June'' and an escalation of mobilizations in autumn.

He said social security reform will cause a 13 percent decrease in the pensions of civil servants insured over the 1983-1992 period, adding that favorable settlements for those insured after 1993 will be no gift since by 2028 when they shall be applied new interventions will have been made in the system.

Papaspyros also expressed reservations over the orientations of tax reform and said he favored the establishment of a socially fair tax system.

[19] 48-hour seamen's strike next month

Athens, 28/05/2002 (ANA)

Meanwhile, a 24-hour strike has been called by the KKE-affiliated PAME labor grouping in the passenger-shipping sector on May 29.

[20] Figures on Greeks' unemployment in Germany presented

Athens, 28/05/2002 (ANA)

According to officials from Pro-Qualifizierung and Kausa - the federal coordinating bureau for vocational training of firms in Germany owned by foreigners - 110,000 out of the 370,000 ethnic Greeks officially registered in that country are employed, with roughly 24,000 listed on unemployment rolls. The figure puts the Greek community third in terms of official joblessness among foreigners, behind Turkish nationals and Italian citizens.

Additionally, 86 percent of unemployed Greeks and 56 percent of employed Greeks between the ages of 18 to 55 are unskilled, whereas 39 percent of Greeks in Germany between the ages of 16 and 28 have reportedly not received vocational training.

The figures were presented at a Greek-German seminar in the northern port city organized by Pro-Qualifizierung, Kausa and Greece's embassy in Berlin.

[21] Protection of feta cheese to be discussed in June, Drys says

BRUSSELS, 28/05/2002 (ANA - Y. Zitouniati)

Drys added that the issue is expected to be ultimately settled at the next council meeting and before the assumption of the European Union's presidency by Denmark (July-December 2002) which had raised the greatest objections for the protection of the product's origin.

The European Commission's proposal consolidates feta cheese as a protected product, but a special increased majority is required at the council for both the ratification and rejection of the proposal.

The Council of Agriculture Ministers on Monday involved itself with the issue of equal opportunities for both genders in the agricultural sector.

Drys said that securing equal opportunities between the genders constitutes a common conscience emanating from the EU's overall policy and its social options.

He will be discussing current issues concerning Greek agriculture during a working breakfast with the relevant Commissioner Franz Fischler here on Tuesday.

[22] Sismanoglion Mansion in Istanbul to be restored, used as consulate

ISTANBUL, 28/05/2002 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

The mansion was a donation by the well-known Greek family of Istanbul to the Greek state and is located in the Peran neighborhood, near the center of the city on the Isticlal Avenue.

The Turkish state provided the building permit following long negotiations, which concluded due to the positive climate between the two countries and the continual personal interest of Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, Kalogeropoulos said.

The construction project is expected to conclude in 12 months and the building will then house services of the Greek consulate in the city.

Greek, British Eurodeputies call for depiction of Cyprus on Euro banknotes

BRUSSELS, 28/05/2002 (ANA - M. Spinthou rakis)

According to the announcement, the British Eurodeputy asked of Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Pedro Solbes Mira to include Cyprus on the map of Europe which is on the Euro banknotes, as the island republic is among the candidate countries which have proceeded to a great degree in EU accession talks and is expected to join the EU in 2004.

On his part, the Greek Eurodeputy noted that while Cyprus does not appear on this map, other countries which have not yet adopted the Euro (Britain, Denmark, Sweden and many can-didate countries) are depicted on the banknotes.

[23] Greek stocks end below 2,300 level on Monday

Athens, 28/05/2002 (ANA)

The general index fell 1.34 percent to end below the 2,300 support level, at 2,298.42 points, with turnover a low 78.8 million euros.

The Publication, Retail and Investment sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (4.30 percent, 2.81 percent and 2.58 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell 0.81 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 2.10 percent lower and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index dropped 2.70 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 303 to 46 with another 16 issues unchanged.

The most heavily traded shares in value were National Bank of Greece, Delta Singular, Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Coca Cola HBC, and Alpha Bank.

Equity index futures mixed: Equity index futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Monday ended mixed, with contracts on the high capitalization index trading at a discount and on the medium cap index showing a slight premium.

Turnover was 56.7 million euros.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips shed 0.81 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks fell 2.10 percent.

Heavy demand was noted for stock repos in Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, with players seeking short-term positions in the stock.

Bond prices mixed in moderate trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Monday finished mixed in moderate trade focusing on five-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.52 percent, and the spread over the corresponding German bund was 29 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system was 1.9 billion euros.

Buy orders accounted for just over half of trade.

[24] ATHOC head returns following Kuala Lumpur presentation

Athens, 28/05/2002 (ANA)

Angelopoulos-Daskalaki and ATHOC's leadership outlined various aspects of preparations for the Athens Games to members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as well as to delegates of the world's numerous national Olympic committees.

On his part, IOC President Jacques Rogge reportedly praised ATHOC's report as "absolutely satisfactory".

Conversely, in answer to a reporter's question over problems with Athens' preparations in the hospitality sector, Rogge said, "there are still some problems regarding the issue of Olympic hospitality," before noting that improvements are underway.

[25] Ecumenical Patriarch calls for reopening of Theological School of Halki

ISTANBUL, 28/05/2002 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

The reopening of the Theological School ''is our right and for this reason we expect it to be realized,'' he said, speaking to journalists.

''The ministry of education and the supreme educational council will deal with the problem with understanding and will find some solution as soon as possible,'' Vartholomeos said.

The issue of the Theological School's reopening was the subject of a round table discussion with the participation of local politicians and intellectuals in light of the Patriarch's visit to the region.

[26] Exhibition on Parthenon Marbles in Europarliament

BRUSSELS, 28/05/2002 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

The exhibition was organized by Eurodeputies Alekos Alavanos, Dimitrios Tsatsos, Stavros Xarhakos, N. Kleg and N. Ahern, in cooperation with the Greek culture ministry and the Melina Mercouri Foundation.

The exhibition will be inaugurated on Wednesday by Commissioner Viviane Reding, after a one-day conference on the issue, with the participation of academics and supporters of the return of the marbles to Greece.

[27] Greece to aid efforts for the preservation of Afghanistan's cultural heritage

Athens, 28/05/2002 (ANA)

Thessaloniki Byzantine Antiquities Director Charalambos Bakirtzis and Prehistoric and Thrace Classical Antiquities Director Diamantis Triantafyllos participate in the seminar that includes representatives of countries and organizations, which have voiced their concern for the restoration of Afghanistan's cultural goods.

It should be noted that Greek Cultural Minister Evangelos Venizelos in a letter to Radheen expressed the will of his ministry to provide technical and scientific aid in the reconstruction and operation of the Kabul Museum, as well as economic aid in the restoration of the city's National Theater, the National Gallery and the National Conservatory.

The Greek culture ministry has already sent 44.000 euros to the Afghan government via the Greek embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan.

[28] UN-led Cyprus talks may continue till December

NICOSIA, 28/05/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Replying to questions after the inauguration of the Tamassos dam in the Nicosia district, the president pointed out UN chief Kofi Annan ''had said that progress should be made by the end of June and had also said that the talks can continue until December''.

Asked what the government was doing about the presence of Turkish research vessel ''Sismik'' off the coast of Cyprus, President Clerides said ''we are monitoring the movement of this boat and making the appropriate representations''.

[29] Spokesman says Denktash is trying to stir up matters

NICOSIA, 28/05/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Invited to comment on Denktash's statements that the Greek Cypriot side had indirectly accepted a series of issues and that the UN Secretary General had accepted certain Turkish approaches, Papapetrou said ''we should wait and see what this tactic of presenting a better picture than the real one, aims at''.

He noted that what matters ''is whether Denktash, at a certain stage in this process, would change his approach, thus obliging to the continuous suggestions of (Turkey's Vice President Mesut) Yilmaz and of the Turkish Cypriot 'opposition', in order to pave the way for a solution''.

The spokesman specifically referred to comments made by Mustafa Akinci, so-called ''parliamentarian'' of the Turkish Cypriot Community Liberation Party, and Mehmet Ali Talat, leader of the Turkish Republican Party.

According to the Turkish Cypriot press, Akinci has criticised Denktash for speaking of the ''sovereignty'' of his so-called ''state'' and that he continuously states he will not make any concessions on this. Akinci also wondered how is it possible to give up something you do not have.

Also, according to Turkish dailies, Talat said Cyprus would accede to the European Union and pointed out that if accession comes prior to a solution to the Cyprus problem, that would be to the Turkish Cypriots' detriment.

He added that his party insists on a solution to the problem prior to the island's accession to the EU and said that otherwise the region would have to deal with serious problems. He also called on the EU to make ''brave'' steps regarding Turkey's accession.

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