Athens News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-06-24

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

NEWS IN ENGLISH

Athens, Greece, 24/06/1998 (ANA)

MAIN HEADLINES

• Greece, FYROM agree on need for peaceful Kosovo resolution
• Parliament honours memory of Andreas Papandreou
• Pangalos receives Moscow mayor
• Onassis Foundation proclaims awards for theatrical plays
• Three top ND cadres plan July marriages
• New rules for slimming centres
• US Joint Chiefs of Staff deputy commander in Greece
• Arms cache found on board detained ship
• Venizelos to tour Austria, Canada, Portugal
• New ferry route links Thessaloniki-Istanbul-Batumi-Venice
• Bank of Central Greece positioning for privatisation
• Greek stocks rangebound in lacklustre trade
• Government vows to stick to economic policy
• Weather
• Foreign exchange

NEWS IN DETAIL

The foreign ministers of Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Theodoros Pangalos and Blagoya Hatzinski, respectively, agreed during talks in Athens yesterday that the crisis in the Serbian province of Kosovo should be resolved by peaceful means.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr. Pangalos said the fact that both sides shared the same view on the Kosovo crisis was no coincidence, adding that "the voice of the countries of the region is the voice of reason".

"We have lots to gain with a peaceful resolution and much to lose with military intervention," Mr. Pangalos said, calling on "all those sitting comfortably in capitals of the north and west, and who like playing war games" to be "more modest".

Mr. Hatzinski began his two-day official visit to Greece, yesterday, the first ever by a FYROM foreign minister.

Mr. Pangalos said Athens and Skopje supported the preservation of the Republic of Serbia's unity and respect for borders in the region, while being determined to discourage any secessionist activity.

On the issue of the neighbouring country's name - the main difference in relations between the two Balkan states - Mr. Pangalos said that it had been agreed that " examination of the issue should remain within the framework of the United Nations". Mr. Hatzinski said the name issue was one of the most sensitive for his country and "cannot be resolved overnight".

The Greek minister also announced the signing of several bilateral accords and a visit to Skopje next month by Public Order Minister George Romeos for the signing of a bilateral law enforcement cooperation agreement.

Mr. Hatzinski said that bilateral and multilateral relations have been promoted, in particular, over past years, adding that after the signing of the interim agreement in 1995 both countries have shown tangible interest in the development of bilateral relations.

Mr. Pangalos said bilateral relations "have developed to an excellent degree" after the signing of the interim agreement. He also mentioned as an example that trade exchanges exceed US$225 million at present, adding Greece occupied third place among FYROM's trade partners.

Parliament honours memory of Andreas Papandreou

Parliament yesterday honoured the memory of three-time prime minister and PASOK founder Andreas Papandreou two years after his death, in the presence of family members, close associates and political party leaders.

In his address, Prime Minister Costas Simitis praised the "creator and protagonist of history" Andreas Papandreou. He said Andreas Papandreou was a charismatic leader, a man who gave shape to the visions of the people, one who transformed the concerns, sensitivities and claims of the progressive side into speech and political prospect.

Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis said Andreas Papandreou's success was that he expressed a political sector which had not been shaped, while his most important creation was PASOK. His anti-west and socialist approach have been overturned, but this does not belittle Andreas Papandreou's achievement to turn conflicting groups into a unified entity, he added.

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) leader Aleka Papariga was critical in her address. She said Andreas Papandreou is praised as a great and charismatic leader and visionary but "we judge a historic personality based on the question at the services of whom did he place his abilities and perspicacity."

Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos recognised the leading role played by Andreas Papandreou in Greece's political life. He said that his positive aspects were his decisive contribution in consolidating the system of democrat ic alternation of power and giving a political power prospect to the progressive majority of the Greek people.

Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas referred to the glamour, greatness and passion of Andreas Papandreou.

However, Mr. Tsovolas' phrase that "the people do not tolerate that the real victimisers of Andreas and PASOK appearing as his critics because today this serves their communication policy" drew reactions from deputies of the ruling party.

The special meeting of Parliament's plenum was concluded with a minute's silence for Papandreou.

Pangalos receives Moscow Mayor

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos yesterday underlined the need for a stronger Russian presence in the Balkans to provide "greater balance" in the region, following a meeting with the mayor of Moscow Yuri Luzkov.

Mr. Luzkov, who is also a member of the Russian Senate, expressed concern about developments in the Balkans and particularly in Kosovo, saying that the Yeltsin-Milosevic meeting had been definitive for developments.

Mr. Luzkov, a close associate of Russian President Boris Yeltsin, said Russia was against the idea of military intervention, use of force and unilateral actions from any military alliance, "including NATO".

Onassis Foundation proclaims awards for theatrical plays

The Onassis Foundation has proclaimed the second international competition for the writing of an original theatrical play for the year 2001.

It will also establish a first international competition, again for 2001, for a musical composition for dance and choreography. The foundation said in a statement yesterday the works must be submitted no later than Dec. 31, 1999. The awards will be pr esented in Athens in autumn 2001. First place for the theatrical play comes with an award of 150,000 dollars. Second place 100,000 and third place 75,000 dollars.

First prize for the musical composition is 100,000 dollars, second place 75, 000 and third place 50,000 dollars. The theatrical plays must be written in either Greek, English, French, Italian, Spanish or German. For more information, contact the Onassis Foundation, Aeschinou 7, Athens - tel. 33.10.900 or at Internet site: www.onassis.gr

Three top ND cadres plan July marriages

Three high-ranking New Democracy ( ND) cadres, including the main opposition's president, have announced weddings next month. The news was announced yesterday during a meeting of the partyYs heads of sectors. According to reports, ND leader Costas Karam anlis will marry Natasha Pazaiti on July 19, in Proti, Serres prefecture.

On July 9, senior deputy and former minister Dora Bakoyianni and businessman Isidoros Kouvelos will marry at Akrotiri, Hania. Last in the line is deputy Manolis Kefaloyiannis, who only said he will hold his wedding at the Ecumenical Patriarchate. All th ree are expected to hold private weddings.

New rules for slimming centres

Slimming institutes will from now on have to comply with a new set of operation rules, announced by the health ministry yesterday, if they want to avoid suspension of licences

Health Minister Costas Geitonas announced a decision by the ministry according to which all slimming and diet centres should have appropriately qualified personnel and should have a fully equipped clinic for first aid.

The ministry also banned the sale or administration of any medicine or other substances of a pharmaceutical nature, as well as products not approved by the National Pharmaceuticals Organisation (EOF).

Mr. Geitonas said the ministry took the decision in order to make up for an existing legislative loophole, which allowed such businesses to operate without control.

US Joint Chiefs of Staff deputy commander in Greece

US Air Force Gen. Jozeph Ralston, the deputy commander of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, yesterday began an official courtesy visit to Greece, at the invitation of the nation's top military staff.

Gen. Ralston met yesterday afternoon with National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, while tomorrow he will meet with National Defence General Staff Chief Gen. Athanasios Tzoganis.

Arms cache found on board detained ship

Coastguard officials yesterday discovered a shipment of rockets and mortars on board a Romanian-flagged cargo vessel, which has been prohibited from sailing for nearly a year because of debts.

The "Sempes" has remained docked at a pier off Drapetsona, Piraeus, because its shipping operator has not paid debts to third parties. Acting on information, coastguard officials boarded the vessel yesterday morning and discovered among the cargo of plastics 925 wooden crates containing military supplies, chiefly rockets and mortar bombs, and thousands of rounds.

According to unconfirmed reports, the military equipment was destined for Mauritania.

Venizelos tour of Austria, Canada, Portugal

Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos will visit Austria, Canada and Portugal in the near future.

The minister will visit Vienna to participate at the "Future of European Cultural Cooperation" conference, organised by the European Socialist Party.

Later on in Canada, Mr. Venizelos will brief UNESCO members on the issue of the Parthenon Marbles.

Finally, the minister will visit Lisbon as part of a Greek delegation, headed by premier Costas Simitis, which will represent Greece at the EXPO '98 "Greek Day."

New ferry route links Thessaloniki-Istanbul-Batumi-Venice

Ferry boat connections linking Thessaloniki with the ports of Istanbul, Batumi, Georgia, and Venice were inaugurated yesterday.

The route will be conducted by the vessel "Memed Abashidze", which features a 450-bed capacity and can transport 280 cars. The vessel belongs to the Georgia-based Gesco Lines.

Routes to Odessa are also scheduled.

Bank of Central Greece positioning for privatisation

State-owned Bank of Central Greece, a listed subsidiary of Agricultural Bank of Greece, is proceeding smoothly with its 1997-1999 development plan aimed at flotation on the Athens bourse, its senior executives said yesterday.

The bank's managing director, Giorgos Zygoyiannis, told shareholders that lending rose 20 percent to 80.8 billion drachmas in 1997, and deposits increased 18 percent to 129 billion drachmas in the same period.

Under a government privatisation plan, Agricultural Bank of Greece will sell a 56 percent stake in the Bank of Central Greece through the stock market in the summer.

Bank of Central Greece's board of directors decided not to pay a dividend for 1997 but to use profits to provide one billion drachmas in provisions aimed at a speedier restructuring of the bank's portfolio.

Greek stocks rangebound in lacklustre trade

Greek equities moved in a tight range on the Athens Stock Exchange yesterday reflecting a lack of fresh incentives and a reluctance to push the market higher.

The general index closed 0.26 percent lower at 2,411.68 points with sector indices ending mixed. Turnover was light to moderate at 43.4 billion drachmas.

Banks fell 0.20 percent, Insurance dropped 2.28 percent, Investment ended 1.24 percent off, Leasing plunged 4.32 percent, Industrials eased 0.51 percent, Construction rose 0.55 percent, Miscellaneous soared 3.36 percent and Holding ended 0.05 percent u p.

The parallel market index for small cap companies rose 0.99 percent, and the FTSE/ASE 20 index ended 0.15 percent up at 1,442.15.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 115 to 112 with another 28 issues unchanged.

Attica Bank, Bank of Athens, Euromedica, Bank of Piraeus, Bank of Central Greece, Macedonia-Thrace Bank, Remek and Vis scored the biggest percentage gains hitting the daily 8.0 percent limit up.

National Bank of Greece ended at 38,975 drachmas, Ergobank at 26,100, Alpha Credit Bank at 26,930, Ionian Bank at 12,810, Delta Dairy at 3,935, Titan Cement at 20,500, Intracom at 11,000 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation at 7,160 drachmas.

Government vows to stick to economic policy

National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou yesterday reiterated that the government's economic policy will be implemented without any changes.

He was speaking at a ruling PASOK party political secretariat meeting chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis. Officials at the meeting discussed the timetable for a government restructuring programme in the public sector.

Mr. Papantoniou had a brief private meeting with the prime minister before the session.

Also attending the meeting was Labour Minister Miltiades Papaioannou.

PASOK Secretary General Costas Skandalidis acknowledged that there were differing views within the party, and requested more understanding for the positions of certain trade unionists.

He noted that there was unanimous support for the government's strategic goals.

WEATHER

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

(C.E.)

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