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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-09-03

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

From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 1279), September 3, 1997

Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca


CONTENTS

  • [01] G. Papandreou inaugurates schools, hospital in Sarajevo
  • [02] Greece satisfied with Poos' statements in Ankara
  • [03] France says Turkish Cypriots must make greater effort for Cyprus solution
  • [04] Tsohatzopoulos confers with British counterpart in London
  • [05] Mantelis, Benos sworn in
  • [06] Gov't statements
  • [07] French military chief to begin official visit
  • [08] SDP Euro-MPs to visit Greece
  • [09] Karamanlis calls on new course for ND
  • [10] Final decrees on legalizing illegal immigrants expected
  • [11] Greece-Cyprus business symposium
  • [12] Socialist youth groups meet in Maastricht
  • [13] Gov't says Olympics' bid allegations should be verified
  • [14] Stockholm, Cape Town accused of offering gifts
  • [15] Military helicopter crashes, three injured
  • [16] Eco-technology congress on Lesvos
  • [17] Europe's less-spoken languages
  • [18] Letter bomb injures Orestiada court secretary
  • [19] Greek couple Silk Road
  • [20] Political parties send messages for Thessaloniki's fair
  • [21] Papoutsis to speak in Thessaloniki
  • [22] Industrial production rises 0.1 pct in June yr/yr
  • [23] EU seeks investment proposals for SE Europe co-operation
  • [24] US dlr. gains 2.82 pct vs drachma in August
  • [25] Greece records 10.3 percent unemployment in 1996
  • [26] Greek shares rise in technical correction
  • [27] Meeting on 1997 state budget
  • [28] Vocational training in Northern Greece

  • [01] G. Papandreou inaugurates schools, hospital in Sarajevo

    Sarajevo, 03/09/1997 (ANA)

    Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou yesterday expressed Greece's strong interest in the pacification and reconstruction of the former Yugoslavia to the Bosnian joint President Kresimir Zubak.

    Mr. Papandreou paid a one-day visit to Sarajevo in order to inaugurate two schools and a hospital rebuilt by a consortium of Greek construction firms and financed by Athens. He stated that Greek aid to Bosnia would also continue in 1997.

    In addition, Mr. Papandreou visited the Greek contingent of the NATO peacekeeping force in Bosnia, stationed at the Visoko district.

    Mr. Papandreou told the contingent that their presence in the formerly war-ravaged country elevates Greece into a force of stability in the area.

    "You are pioneers, because you are participating actively in the pacification of an area which attracts international interest. We are proud of your work and be sure we are near you," he said.

    Mr. Papandreou was warmly received during the school inaugural ceremonies.

    "We hope that these schools will become bridges of consolidation for the peace process, which is already being implemented," he said, adding that "now and in the future you will find only friends in Greece."

    He said US $10 million had been disbursed in total for the reconstruction of the hospital, while more money will be made available for a hospital in Mostar.

    "It is our intention to consolidate relations between Greece and its Balkan neighbors," he said, adding:

    "We would like inter-cultural relations to develop and to get to know each other better. We are promoting contacts between individuals of different religions. I noted your interest in Greek music. We shall be back."

    [02] Greece satisfied with Poos' statements in Ankara

    Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)

    Greece is fully satisfied with the statements by Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jacques Poos in Ankara, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday.

    Mr. Poos said after talks with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem in Ankara that the improvement of Ankara's relations with Greece and the facilitation of negotiations on Cyprus' accession to the European Union were prerequisites for Turkey to improve its relations with the EU.

    Luxembourg currently holds the rotating EU presidency.

    "The EU member states believe that if Turkey truly wants full membership in the EU, why shouldn't it encourage Cyprus' negotiations, even before it becomes a member itself?," Mr. Poos said.

    Asked by journalists meanwhile about reports that soldiers from the British bases on Cyprus were visiting the Turkish-occupied north of the island using papers declaring "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus", Mr. Reppas said the government knew nothing of the matter. He stressed however that all the EU countries recognized the Republic of Cyprus and the government of President Glafcos Clerides as the legitimate government of Cyprus.

    "Such matters have no bearing on developments. What is important are official relations," Mr. Reppas said commenting on the reports.

    [03] France says Turkish Cypriots must make greater effort for Cyprus solution

    Paris, (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

    The Turkish Cypriot side is the side that must make the greatest effort to solve the Cyprus issue, French Minister for European Affairs Pierre Moscovici said here yesterday.

    At a press conference following a meeting with visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Mr. Moscovici said that "solving the political issue of Cyprus is a necessary prerequisite" for Cyprus' accession into the European Union (EU).

    The French minister called on all interested parties to make efforts to solve the Cyprus issue, but stressed that the Turkish Cypriot side had to contribute the greatest effort.

    He added that applications for accession to the EU by Cyprus and Turkey should be examined separately and each one evaluated on the basis of its own merits.

    On his part, Mr. Cem said that "in Cyprus there are two states at present" and every effort to solve the issue must be based on this assertion.

    The Turkish foreign minister said that both Greece and Turkey should take specific initiatives to solve pending issues, such as differences between the two countries in the Aegean.

    "Both we and the Greeks must do something," he insisted.

    [04] Tsohatzopoulos confers with British counterpart in London

    London, 03//09/1997 (ANA - L. Tsirigotakis)

    National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos yesterday expressed his full satisfaction with the results of his talks with his British counterpart George Robertson.

    He stressed they had the opportunity to reach certain important agreements regarding the two countries' co-operation on issues of security, armaments and training.

    "Our two countries cover two opposite geopolitical areas... under different terms, of course, which creates the conditions for a substantial co-operation on issues of security, stability and policy. Our common findings in today's talks was that our views on these issues converge," he said.

    Questioned whether his visit to British arms industries was related with a direct Greek interest for purchase of defense material, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos clarified that some weapons systems which are of interest to Greece are produced in Britain, and that this is related to his visit.

    He also said there was a common assessment with Mr. Robertson for the creation of a new defense organization which will emerge from NATO, covering the broader geopolitical area of Europe and including eastern Europe.

    The two ministers met yesterday morning in talks which continued over a working lunch.

    Mr. Tsohatzopoulos is also due to meet with the British chief of staff and visit defense industries. He will also meet with members of Britain's Greek community and the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Great Britain.

    [05] Mantelis, Benos sworn in

    Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)

    Tassos Mantelis was sworn in as the government's new transport and communications minister yesterday morning in the presence of President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

    Also sworn in was Stavros Benos, who replaces Mr. Mantelis as under-secretary at the interior, public administration and decentralization ministry.

    Mr. Mantelis was appointed as transport and communications minister by Mr. Simitis on Monday, after he accepted Haris Kastanidis' resignation.

    Mr. Kastanidis tendered his resignation on Saturday after claiming his work was being undermined through leaks to the press.

    In handing over his post to Mr. Mantelis, Mr. Kastanidis gave an emotional, hour-long account of his work at the transport ministry, particularly with regard to state-run mass transportation enterprises and other organizations controlled by the ministry .

    He said he had been put under a great deal of pressure and had to deal with interference in his work, although he absolved the prime minister of any responsibility, stressing his friendly relationship with Mr. Simitis.

    In regard to his resignation, Mr. Kastanidis said Mr. Simitis did not have any other alternative but to accept his resignation. He also criticized the main opposition New Democracy party for comments on the issue, saying it had no right to speak of "values" and said ND leader Costas Karamanlis was "insecure".

    On his part, Mr. Mantelis handed over his post to Mr. Benos in the presence of Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Alekos Papadopoulos and Interior Under-secretary Lambros Papademos.

    Mr. Benos will be responsible for public administration.

    [06] Gov't statements

    Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)

    During a later press briefing, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said that Mr. Kastandis had freely tendered his resignation, without being requested to do so.

    Replying to questions, Mr. Reppas said the prime minister had confidence in all his ministers, "as he had in Mr. Kastanidis".

    Asked whether the government was concerned that other ministers might resign, Mr. Reppas said the sole concern of the government were the problems which existed and which it wanted to tackle.

    On the appointment of Mr. Mantelis, the spokesman said that he had held the post of general secretary at the industry ministry and was president of the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE), stressing that "he meets all the requirements for the selection."

    [07] French military chief to begin official visit

    Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)

    France's Chief of General Staff, Air Force Gen. Jean-Philippe Douin, begins an official three-day visit here today on the invitation of his Greek counterpart Athanasios Tzoganis.

    According to an announcement, Gen. Douin will meet with the political and military leadership of the national defense ministry and will be briefed on issues of mutual concern.

    He is also scheduled to visit military bases and installations.

    [08] SDP Euro-MPs to visit Greece

    Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)

    Several of Germany's Social Democratic Party (SDP) Eurodeputies will visit Athens at the invitation of PASOK's Eurodeputies, it was announced yesterday.

    The German Euro-MPs will stay in Athens between Sept. 4-8. During their visit, they will attend a seminar on EU enlargement, the Balkans and EU policies on security and development. While visiting Greece, the German delegation will visit the site of the ongoing Spata airport.

    [09] Karamanlis calls on new course for ND

    Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)

    Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis yesterday addressed a call to the party's grass roots to participate in a new course with "faith, vision and inspiration".

    He was speaking during a visit to the northwestern city of Arta.

    Mr. Karamanlis described the government's policy as "wrong, irrational, anti-developmental and socially unjust," and one which uses the European Union as an "alibi".

    ND's alternative policy to the "continuous impositions of tax burdens" would be based on privatizations, reform in public administration, attraction of investment and development, he said.

    [10] Final decrees on legalizing illegal immigrants expected

    Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis is due to announce during Friday's Cabinet session the final drafts of presidential decrees that provide for the recording and legalization of illegal immigrants.

    Sources said the provision will not exempt nationals from neighboring countries, particularly the largest group in the country, Albanian nationals.

    Public order ministry data show that the problem of illegal immigration is serious and its effective handling particularly difficult. Between 1991 and 1996 more than 1.11 million foreign nationals permanently residing in Greece were located throughout the country, of which only 69,884 had residence permits.

    Other data demonstrate the seriousness of imported crime. In 1994-95, 22,085 foreign nationals were arrested and imprisoned.

    According to the same sources, the government appears determined to provide a definitive solution with the granting of a "green card" to illegal immigrants.

    [11] Greece-Cyprus business symposium

    Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)

    A symposium of businessmen from Greece and Cyprus took place in Thessaloniki yesterday.

    The honorary president of the Cypriot Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Andreas Avramidis, said business co-operation between the two countries was not only an imperative need but also an unavoidable option.

    He continued that there is potential for co-operation in many sectors, such as in production consortia, major construction projects, the setting up of joint export ventures, as well as in the service sector -tourism, banking and consulting services and technology.

    Thessaloniki Industry and Commerce Chamber President Pantelis Constantinidis praised the performance of the Greek economy, noting its 2.5 per cent GDP in 1996, its 3 per cent inflation rate, its 3.16 unemployment rate and its public debt amounting to 2. 9 per cent of GDP.

    [12] Socialist youth groups meet in Maastricht

    Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)

    Representatives from 60 socialist youth organizations met in Maastricht, The Netherlands, to attend the second summer University of the European Socialist Party meeting on "Europe in 2005".

    The meeting discussed current topics related to the European Union (EU) and closed with a resolution calling for a Europe that paid attention to individual rights.

    Greece was represented by the PASOK youth group, and Cyprus by the Socialist EDEK youth, both of which proposed the inclusion of a clause calling for the promotion of a Common Foreign Policy and Political Defense and a guarantee of internationally recognized borders by the EU.

    [13] Gov't says Olympics' bid allegations should be verified

    Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)

    The government said yesterday that any allegations of irregularities in the bidding process for the 2004 Olympic Games should be substantiated.

    Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas was commenting on allegations by International Olympic Committee (IOC) Vice-President Marc Hodler that rules had been broken regarding the bidding for the 2004 Games.

    Mr. Hodler told the German Press Agency DPA there had been incidents in the past three weeks which were "pretty rough".

    Swiss officials, however, who are responsible for bidding rules in the IOC, declined to give further details.

    The IOC is scheduled to decide in Lausanne on Friday which one out of five candidate cities will host the 2004 Olympic Games.

    In the running are Athens, Rome, Cape Town, Buenos Aires and Stockholm.

    Replying to reporters' questions on the contract with the IOC which Athens would sign if it is chosen, Mr. Reppas said it had become "the subject of study by researchers".

    He said, however, that it was not the right time to talk about such matters in view of the IOC's decision on Friday.

    The spokesman added that "everything else will be discussed on the basis of the high level of organization (of the Games) and the safeguarding of the public interest".

    [14] Stockholm, Cape Town accused of offering gifts

    Lausanne, 03/09/1997 (ANA/Reuter)

    Olympic chiefs have accused Stockholm and Cape Town of breaking IOC rules by offering gifts to officials who vote on the venue of the Games.

    A senior IOC member said yesterday that the IOC had warned both cities about Olympic rules in letters sent just days before the international organization votes on the venue of the Games.

    Stockholm has been accused of offering free furniture to IOC members, while Cape Town has allegedly offered the wives of IOC officials free trips to Switzerland for the vote.

    Both cities' bidding committees immediately denied that they had offered bribes to members.

    But the senior IOC member, who did not want to be identified, said: "IOC Vice-President Marc Hodler has sent a letter to the two cities warning them about IOC rules."

    In the past there have often been allegations of bribes being made to IOC members during the bidding process. But this is a rare case where specific details have emerged from the top of the organization.

    [15] Military helicopter crashes, three injured

    Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)

    A military helicopter crashed late yesterday near the Episkopi, Naousa region of Imathia prefecture, from as yet unknown reasons.

    Three members of the helicopter's crew were injured in the crash. One of the three was transported to Naousa hospital, while the other two were transported to the 424 Military Hospital in Thessaloniki.

    [16] Eco-technology congress on Lesvos

    Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)

    University of the Aegean rector Themistoklis Lekkas called for the founding of a world network of managing data on the environment during the opening session yesterday of an international congress on Lesvos.

    The fifth congress for environmental science and technology has being held every two years since 1989 at Molyvos, Lesvos, focusing on means of reducing pollution and promoting environmental responsibility.

    Prof. Lekkas said that what was needed today was "a new civilization where nobody will support (anymore) the belief of man's sovereignty over nature."

    The congress will continue until tomorrow.

    [17] Europe's less-spoken languages

    Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)

    A seminar is to be held in Brussels on September 11 aimed at finding ways to promote the use of and equal status for all Europe's languages.

    Organized by PASOK Eurodeputy Irini Lambraki with the support of the Hellenic Culture Foundation, participants will be from Greece, Finland, the Netherlands, Portugal and Denmark.

    The proceedings, to be coordinated by Professor Lambros Kouloubaritsas, will be translated into all nine official languages of the European Union.

    [18] Letter bomb injures Orestiada court secretary

    Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)

    A court secretary lost her left hand yesterday after opening a parcel bomb, which was addressed to the chief justice of the Orestiada first instance courts, Evros prefecture.

    The homemade device exploded inside the Orestiada court building when secretary Chryssa Parapagillou opened the parcel addressed to Fotis Kimiskidis.

    Mr. Kimiskidis is currently on leave and was not in the building at the time of the blast.

    Ms Parapagillou was taken to a hospital in Didymoticho.

    No one has claimed responsibility for the bomb.

    [19] Greek couple Silk Road

    Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)

    A Greek couple has just concluded a journey on the old Silk Road traveled hundreds of years ago by Byzantine monks who went to China in order to smuggle silk out of the country and bring it back to Byzantium.

    Costas Mitsakis and Olga Papadoyianni set off on their journey on 4 July from Beijing and returned to Greece on Monday having traveled 12,500 km. on their motorcycle through landscapes ranging from the deserts of western China to the steep mountains of Central Asia.

    The couple, backed by the Thessaloniki '97 Cultural Capital Organization, retraced the route followed by merchants hundreds of years ago through China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Turkey.

    In all the countries they visited, the two travelers conveyed messages from the Thessaloniki 97 Cultural City Organization and the Thessaloniki Mayor.

    The Greek couple, who got married just before they embarked on the journey, have made other such journeys in the past.

    In 1993 and 1994 they retraced the road traveled by Alexander the Great and his Macedonian warriors, while two years ago they covered the Athens-Sydney route. Last year they went around the world in 80 days.

    [20] Political parties send messages for Thessaloniki's fair

    Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)

    Political parties hailed the opening of the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), scheduled for Friday, with messages about its importance in promoting Greece abroad and good relations in the Balkans.

    The TIF is "an important institution to promote Greece's political and economic abilities overseas, also an institution promoting Macedonia's national importance and Thessaloniki's multi-faceted economic role in our country's development", main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Costas Karamanlis said in an announcement yesterday.

    He added that at present, the national economy was "moving towards the great and historical choice of Europe, the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU)".

    Communist Party of Greece (KKE) leader Aleka Papariga referred to the Balkans in her announcement, saying the party was entirely against the notion that the Balkans offered golden opportunities for profit by businesses and privatization. She added that the TIF could give a different message by promoting friendship, peace and equal co-operation between countries.

    A message by Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos focused on the idea of a united Europe, criticizing it for "being indifferent to the individual and to guarantees" for employment and democratic participation, among others.

    The fair, he said, "records our opportunities to promote our country as supporter of the development and reconstruction of countries in the Balkans, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean".

    The leader of the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI), Dimitris Tsovolas, expressed his certainty about the glorious future awaiting Thessaloniki and its fair, the latter of which was "the crossroads of peoples and cultures".

    Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras noted the importance of the European Union and its values and said the "dynamic presence of Greek businesses" had made the fair a very prestigious institution promoting northern Greece and Balkan co-operation.

    The fair will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Friday evening. Its opening hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

    For the first two weeks, it will also be open on the weekends with the same hours.

    [21] Papoutsis to speak in Thessaloniki

    Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)

    EU Commissioner Christos Papoutsis will be the keynote speaker at a dinner hosted by the Federation of Industries of Northern Greece in Thessaloniki on Monday.

    The dinner will be held on the occasion of the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Friday evening.

    Mr. Papoutsis, responsible for energy, tourism, small and medium-sized enterprises, will deliver his speech at 9 p.m. local time.

    Earlier in the day he will preside at a joint session of the federation and the board of managers of the Stock Exchange Center in the city.

    This year the European Union celebrates the 40th anniversary of its founding. It is also the 13th consecutive year of its presence at the fair. Mr. Papoutsis will attend events marking the anniversary at the Thessaloniki fair along with European Commission general director for information and telecommunications Spyros Pappas.

    [22] Industrial production rises 0.1 pct in June yr/yr

    Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)

    Greece's year-on-year industrial production rose fractionally in June, the National Statistics Service (NSS) said yesterday.

    In its monthly release of the output index, NSS said that industrial production rose by 0.1 percent in June from the corresponding month last year.

    Industrial production was 0.1 percent higher in the first six months of the year against the same period a year earlier.

    [23] EU seeks investment proposals for SE Europe co-operation

    Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)

    The European Union is seeking investment proposals by September 26 in the second phase of a 1994-1998 program to fund research and development by EU states working with countries in central and eastern Europe.

    The call for proposals, which was published in the European Union's gazette, also covers co-operation by EU countries with world organizations.

    Research and development fields eligible for funding include environmental protection, land and water management, health, non-nuclear energy, and technologies for industry, communications, foodstuffs and materials.

    Another project on offer is development of a strategy to combat the sale of bootleg medicine. Funding will be extended to independent states that emerged from dissolution of the former Soviet Union.

    [24] US dlr. gains 2.82 pct vs drachma in August

    Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)

    A sharp rise in the US dollar and a fall in most European currencies were the main features in the domestic foreign exchange market in August.

    The greenback rose by 2.82 percent against the drachma on a monthly basis. The August fixing was 288.890 drachmas from 280.976 in July.

    The US currency was 22.98 percent higher against the drachma compared to its level a year ago.

    On an annual basis the DMark fell by 0.11 percent against the Greek currency while the French franc was stable. The British pound was 1.40 percent lower and the Italian lira fell by 0.44 percent against the drachma.

    The European Currency Unit (ECU) eased by 0.34 percent while the Japanese yen rose by 0.33 percent.

    [25] Greece records 10.3 percent unemployment in 1996

    Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)

    Greece reported an increase both in employment and unemployment rates in 1996, a survey by the National Statistics Service said yesterday.

    The survey showed that the country's total workforce was 4,318,302 at the end of last year. The employed numbered 3,871,923, representing 89.7 percent of the workforce, and the jobless were 446,379, or 10.3 percent.

    The total workforce was up 69,774 from 1995. The number of employed rose by 48,114 while the unemployed increased by 21,660.

    Employment in agriculture, farming, fishing, forestry and mines fell to 20.3 percent in 1996 from 27 percent in 1987.

    Employment also declined in industry and manufacturing, running at 22.9 percent from 23.2 percent in 1995.

    However, employment in the public sector, banking, transport and communications rose steadily from 45 percent of the workforce in 1987 to 51 percent in 1992, 54.5 pct in 1993, 55.5 pct in 1994, 56.4 pct in 1995 and 56.8 percent in 1996.

    The survey also showed that western Macedonia, Epirus and Attica marked the highest unemployment rates among the country's 13 regions at 17.2, 12.5 and 12.5 percent respectively.

    The lowest rates were reported in the Ionian islands, south Aegean and Crete at 6.2, 5.4 and 3.8 percent respectively.

    Unemployment among women rose to 62.6 percent of total unemployment in 1996 from 58.5 percent in 1995.

    [26] Greek shares rise in technical correction

    Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)

    Greek equities reversed a three-day decline to end substantially higher on the Athens Stock Exchange in a technical rebound, traders said yesterday.

    The general index closed 0.95 percent up at 1,543.80 points with most sector indices scoring gains.

    Banks were 0.85 percent higher, Leasing fell 0.17 percent, Insurance rose 0.68 percent, Investment increased 1.34 percent, Industrials were 0.73 percent up, Construction rose 0.59 percent, Holding ended 0.49 percent higher and Miscellaneous rose 0.98 percent.

    The parallel market index for small cap companies ended 0.69 percent up.

    Trading was light to moderate. Turnover was 12.7 billion drachmas including a block trade in Viochalco shares of six billion drachmas.

    Broadly, advancers led decliners by 138 to 53 with another 31 issues unchanged.

    National Portfolio, Levenderis, Ridenco and Barba Stathis scored the biggest percentage gains, while Bank of Athens, Epilektos and Kallinis suffered the heaviest losses of the day.

    National Bank of Greece ended at 33,930 drachmas, Ergobank at 16,930, Alpha Credit Bank at 18,850, Delta Dairy at 4,025, Titan Cement at 14,450, Intracom at 11,990 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organization at 6,380.

    In the domestic foreign exchange market the US dollar was slightly higher against the drachma.

    [27] Meeting on 1997 state budget

    Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)

    National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou yesterday chaired a meeting on the revenues and expenditures of the 1997 state budget.

    The meeting was attended by finance undersecretaries George Drys and Nikos Christodoulakis.

    The focus of the meeting was the course of revenues and expenditures to date and the relevant forecasts up to the end of the year.

    Also discussed were matters concerning the magnitudes of the new budget for 1998 which will be finalized in the next two months.

    [28] Vocational training in Northern Greece

    Athens, 03/09/1997 (ANA)

    Vocational training for the unemployed will continue in eastern Macedonia and Thrace this autumn within the framework of the Regional Business Program. The programs are open to all those who have been registered with the state employment organization (OAED) for at least one month.

    End of English language section.


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