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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-07-31Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Greece pleased with developments at Balkan stability pact summitSARAJEVO (ANA - V. Mourtis) - A joint communique issued yesterday here by summit participants contains two principles P one calling for no change of borders in the region and that the task of stabilisation will be undertaken by Balkan countries themselvesP which will have to develop forms of strong regional cooperation, Prime Minister Costas Simitis said after the signing of the Balkan stability pact. He stressed that the Sarajevo summit provided unequivocal confirmation that the process of reconstruction has begun, and that more funds were in the pipeline, in addition to the two billion US dollars already secured. "There was strong interest among all participants that something had to be done. There was a disposition, a will for things to move ahead and not to stay at mere statementsIThe Sarajevo summit is an important step which will contribute to the overcoming of hatreds and insecurities," he said. Mr. Simitis stressed Greece's contribution to Balkan stability through participation in the peace forces in Kosovo, Albania and Bosnia, as well as the granting of humanitarian and economic aid to most countries in the region. "Thanks to our presence, were are a force contributing to the stability of the region and the solution to problemsISarajevo is a link in a chain which is being slowly put together for the Balkans to be able to participate in developments underway in Eur opeI "Greece promoted the idea of the integration of the whole of the Balkans in a process of Euroatlantic prospectsI(However) it should not be considered that the Balkan countries are the only ones responsible for the situation in the region, as this was al so caused by the interventions and exercise of influences by third countries," Mr. Simitis said. In his address to the summit earlier, he said the insecurity and fear prevailing in the region were also to blame. He called for a comprehensive plan for the entire region, aimed at promoting economic and political reform, securing development and strengthening security. The stability pact, he said, could serve as a basis for peace and cooperation in the region. "At the end of the 20th century, we have gathered here in Sarajevo to signal the beginning of a new era, with hopes and prospects for a continuous peace and security in southeastern Europe. In order to attain this goal, we need to transcend the legacy o f wars, catastrophes and bloodshed, the mentality of extreme nationalism, as well as the practice of big power intervention, the insecurity and fear prevailing in the region. This can only be achieved through a common strategy for the entire region, a str ategy promoting economic and political reform, securing economic development and boosting security," he said. Mr. Simitis further emphasised that the summit should not be seen as pitting two sides against each other, that is, on the one hand the Balkan countries which wanted to overcome their difficulties, and on the other the rest of the world which is willin g to help. "For this reason, we must unite our efforts to overcome the present situation," he said. Responding to questions, Mr. Simitis said Greece was opposed to the exclusion of Yugoslavia from the Balkan stability pact as long as President Slobodan Milosevic remained in power, something favoured by most other countries. Athens News Agency [02] Second leg of Greek-Turki sh talks concluded in AthensThe second leg of the first round of talks between Greece and Turkey over "low-key political" issues ended yesterday in Athens with views exchanged on combatting organised crime, terrorism, illegal immigration and drug trafficking.The next round of talks will take place around mid September over the same issues after a prior review of the ideas and proposals put forth by each side separately. According to Greek diplomatic sources, the discussions between Greek and Turkish foreign ministry officials took place "in a very good climate for the entirety of the issues under review". According to the same sources, "sensitive" issues were not raised by either side during the talks, but a first discussion was held over the six groups of issues which were agreed to at the meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries late June in New York. After the end of the first round of talks yesterday a joint communique was issued by both delegations, stating that "the high-level official meetings between the foreign ministries of Greece and Turkey held on July 26 and 27 in Ankara and on July 29 and 30 in Athens over tourist, environmental, cultural, trade and economic cooperation issues, regional cooperation, illegal immigration, anti-crime and anti-drug measures, and terrorism were held in a positive, professional and relaxed atmosphere". "Both sides agreed on the target of closer cooperation in the fields under discussion. To that end they exchanged views and reviewed the possibilities for promoting that cooperation in a specific manner. Each side presented a series of proposals and ide as which will be reviewed in order to identify the possibilities for cooperation in these fields. Both sides agreed to proceed to the next round of talks on the same issues, in September," the communique read. Athens News Agency [03] Papandreou-Cem in SarajevoSARAJEVO (ANA - V. Mourtis) - Foreign Minister George Papandreou and his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem met for about half an hour here yesterday, while referring to the issue, Prime Minister Costas Simitis said an assessment of talks between delegations from the two countries was made at the meeting.It was ascertained that the discussions were held in a good atmosphere and will be resumed in September. Asked whether the government's policy on the issue of the Moslem minority will change, Mr. Simitis said the government's policy on the issue is known, steadfast and will not change. According to reports, the sectors of possible cooperations between the two countries were pointed to during the meeting between the two foreign ministers, while these issues will be examined in a more systematic way in September. A third phase of dialogue will follow which also anticipates the creation of committees in which representatives of relevant ministries will participate to enable cooperation to proceed in sectors where an agreement has been reached. -- Demirel: ISTANBUL (ANA - A. Kourkoulas) - Turkish President Suleyman Demirel stressed the possibility of peaceful and friendly cohabitation between Greece and Turkey, despite their disagreements, during a visit to Imvros. "There are always disagreements and problems between neighbours. Efforts will be made for a peaceful solution to these problems," he said. Mr. Demirel was welcomed on the island by local officials and the mayor of Imvros, who briefed him on issues of local interest. The Anatolian news agency reported that Mr. Demirel stated that "Turkey has lived in peace over the past 75 years. Problems always exist between neighbours. People learn to live with a part of these problems with time. Turkey moves as a big country. It is, namely, in favour of resolving issues with patience and logic. Nobody reaches anywhere with hostility, but he can reach with friendship," he said, adding that "Turkey always responded in a friendly fashion to a friendly position." Prior to 1964, Imvros was inhabited by a predominately ethnic Greek population, while massive land appropriations by the Turkish state on the island have left only a few dozen Greeks on Imvros. Athens News Agency [04] Belgrade presents edition on 'NATO Crimes in Yugoslavia'Some 30 per cent of Yugoslav civilian fatalities and 40 per cent of those injured in NATO's air strikes were children, according to a publication unveiled by the Yugoslav foreign ministry and presented in Athens yesterday.In addition, 10 per cent of Yugoslav children, approximately 300,000, have been deeply traumatised, according to the book. Presenting the edition, entitled "NATO Crimes in Yugoslavia", Yugoslav ambassador in Athens Dragomir Vucicevic described the alliance's bombardment of his country as "the biggest disgrace in the history of contemporary Europe", which took place in viola tion of the UN Charter and international law. The book contains photographs and details what Belgrade called the "suffering caused to the Yugoslav people during eleven weeks of NATO air attacks." Mr. Vucicevic condemned NATO's use of scatter bombs P prohibited by international treaties P and what he called ant attempt to assassinate President Slobodan Milosevic on April 22. Due to the destruction caused by the bombing of industrial installations, the ambassador said, more than 600,000 workers are now unemployed. Mr. Vucicevic said 2.5 million people, or 25 per cent of the total population of Yugoslavia, has lost even the most basic means of making a living. Referring to power and water supply problems caused by graphite bombs and the pollution of the Balkan environment in general, the envoy said the consequences would be long-term not only for the Yugoslav people but also neighbouring countries. Mr. Vucice vic put the total cost of the destruction at 100 billion US dollars. Athens News Agency [05] To the "Daily Bulletin" subscribersDear friends, As you are aware, technological developments in the mass media sector are rapid. Today, all the news services are offered online. The "electronic newspaper" supplements, and in many cases replaces, the printed newspaper. Contact via e-mail also affords th e ability for direct communication.These developments, as many others, have also influenced our own work here at the Athens News Agency (ANA), which is adapting all its services to the new technology. In the framework of those changes, the "Daily Bulletin" will P as of Jan. 2, 2000 P be converted from a printed to an electronic medium for our subscribers. With this change, our subscribers will: a) receive our news items online, at the moment the news is breaking. b) receive the next day's "Daily Bulletin" on their screens at midnight, with the ability to print it out if they wish or simply view it on screen. c) receive the "Bulletin" either via the paid ANA services on the Internet, or via e-mail sent to a subscriber's e-mail address. d) also have the ability, for a small surcharge, to utilise the ANA's English-language data bank, which contains all the news items appearing in the "Daily Bulletin" since 1992. We believe that these changes, which correspond with the new function of the international and national news agencies, will satisfy subscribers' needs for immediate and credible information. In order to subscribe to this service, you must have a PC and a modem, or an e-mail address. All who wish to continue receiving our services should prepare for these changes which, as stated, will commence on Jan. 2, 2000. Takis Mantis, the director of ANA's informatics and telecommunications department, is at your disposal for any technical information at tel: 64.00.560 and 64.00.038. I sincerely hope all our subscribers will adapt to these necessary technological change s. May we wish you a pleasant summer holiday. Andreas Christodoulides ANA General Director Athens News Agency [06] Gov't: Only a Moslem minority recognised officiallyA government spokesman yesterday reiterated that Greece does not recognise any ethnic minority in the country, but only a religious Moslem minority."We do not recognise any ethnic minority, nor is there a question of recognising a gypsy, Pomack, Turkish or other minority," acting spokesman Nikos Athanassakis told a press breifing. "The right to self-determination is an individual right, but we do not recognise a collective right to self-determination," he added. Mr. Athanassakis said that Greece, on the basis of the Treaty of Lausanne, recognises "a Moslem minority as a religious minority, comprising individuals of Turkish origin, gypsy, Pomacks and, in the beginning, Arabs and Greeks converted to Islam". Mr. Athanassakis said this was the position stated also by Foreign Minister George Papandreou. He said Turkey, on the contrary, had done the opposite in relation to respect of the Treaty of Lausanne. Mr. Athanassakis warned that the issue should not be oversimplified, as it comprised a network of treaties that must be collated and studied carefully in order for one to reach conclusions. In Greece, he said, the rights of the Moslem minority were respected. With regard to the Greek-Turkish dialogue, the first round of which opened in Ankara on Monday and switched to Athens on Thursday and yesterday, Mr. Athanassakis said the climate was "good". Athens News Agency [07] Commission warns Athens over voting rights for EU citizensBRUSSELS (ANA - Y. Zitouniati) - The European Commission yesterday issued a warning towards Greece and Germany, threatening legal action over failure to grant voting rights to other EU citizens regardless of nationality.The Commission requested what it called satisfactory answers for the breaching of relevant directives of the Maastricht and Amsterdam Treaties, granting the right to all Union citizens to vote or to run for office in the place of their residence and in local and Europarliament elections. According to the Commission, Greece violated the directives during the last local elections in Greece, while Germany violated the same directives in both local and Europarliament elections. Specifically, the Commission noted that discrimination in Greece lies in the demand of Greek law that Union citizens complete a two-year stay in the country before they are allowed to vote in local elections, claiming that this is not so for Greek citi zens. However, Greek law states that Greek citizens may not vote in the locality of their current residence in local elections unless they have completed a two-year continual legal presence in the specific locality. Athens News Agency[08] Commission action against Greece over hazardous waste directiveBRUSSELS (ANA - Y. Zitouniati) - The European Commission yesterday decided to take recourse against Greece for failing to report on hazardous waste management and facilities, violating a relevant Directive.The EU directive demands of member-states to provide information to the Commission regarding facilities for the handling and disposal of hazardous waste. According to reports, Greece has failed to present the information requested despite the fact that the Commission twice requested the necessary information in efforts to complete its network system. Athens News Agency [09] Culture ministry budget for action programme announcedThe culture ministry's budget for a new action programme for until April 30, 2000 amounts to 67 billion drachmas.The share of the budget corresponding to the ministry last year amounted to 40.8 billion drachmas compared to 40.5 billion drachmas in 1997. Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Culture Minister Elizabeth Papazoi announced the ministry's decision to keep rare antiquities found in the Makriyianni estate during excavations in their initial position - dating back to the Byzantine and post- Byzantine era - along side with archaeological exhibits at the new Acropolis Musuem. Athens News Agency [10] Midnight opening of archaeological sites on Aug. 27 amid full moonThirty-nine archaeological sites throughout Greece will remain open to the public until after midnight on Aug. 27 to allow visitors the unique experience of seeing the ancient ruins bathed in the light of the full moon.Visitors to many of the sites, which normally close at sunset, will also enjoy live music performed by groups of musicians. "We decided to open these sites because we want to offer the public a night of magic," Culture Minister Elisabeth Papazoi told reporters. Among the 39 sites are the Acropolis in Athens, the Palace of Vergina, the ancient stadium at Delphi, the island of Delos (on Saturday, Aug. 28), Poseidon's Temple at Sounion, ancient Olympia and the Heraeum on Samothrace. The total cost of events organised and the added cost of guarding the sites amounts to 100 million drachmas. Athens News Agency [11] Growth in liquidity slows slightly in JuneThe growth of liquidity in the economy slowed slightly in June, the Bank of Greece said yesterday.The central bank's M4N money supply index showed a 7.4 percent rise in June year on year against the same month of 1998. In May this year, M4N grew by 8.3 percent year on year. June's figure is within the central bank's annual target of between 7.0 percent and 9.0 percent for 1999 in line with a drive by monetary authorities to reduce consumer price inflation. The Bank of Greece said that contributing to the slower rate of growth was a fall in credit expansion in the private sector, and major financing obtained by banks through the Athens Stock Exchange. In June, private deposits in drachmas and foreign currency grew by 9.5 percent year on year against 10.1 percent in May. Athens News Agency [12] Athens prosecutor launches probe into Ergobank saleThe prosecution department of the Athens Court of First Instance yesterday launched a preliminary enquiry into an attempt by two banks to acquire Ergobank through offers to shareholders.The enquiry into the acquisition procedure follows allegations in the media of wrongdoing in the takeover bid, whose outcome will be clear by the middle of next week. The bidders are the EFG Bank Group, a member of the Latsis Group, and Bank of Piraeus. All three banks in the buyout attempt are listed on the Athens Stock Exchange. The probe has been incorporated into a broader enquiry begun in June into allegations of malpractice involving the Athens bourse, including insider trading, share manipulation and the operation of illegal brokerages. Athens News Agency[13] GDP seen rising by 3.2 pct in 1999The country's gross domestic product is likely to grow by 3.2 percent in 1999 as the repercussions of the Kosovo crisis on tourism appear to be limited, National Bank of Greece said in a monthly economic report.The English-language Economic and Financial Bulletin, written for the bank's customers abroad, also forecast that private consumption would rise by 2.1 percent in 1999 against 1.9 percent a year earlier. This year's rise would not lead to any worrying inflationary pressures, the report added. It predicted that consumer price inflation would drop to around 2.0 percent at the end of the year, leading to a 1999 average of about 2.6 percent, despite rising world oil prices.The central bank would maintain its tight anti-inflationary policy. National Bank also said that a recent upgrade to A2 from Baa1 of the country's securities and foreign currency deposits by Moody's Investors Service would help to lift the economy. The change in status would reduce the cost of borrowing to service the country's public debt and improve the climate for capital inflows, the report said. Finally, the report said that Greece was likely to meet with ease the Maastricht Treaty's criterion on long-term interest rates needed to enter the euro zone on January 1, 2001, as planned; and prices on the Athens Stock Exchange were high, aided by ong oing consolidation on the banking sector. Athens News Agency [14] Stocks fall on fears abroadEquities dropped yesterday to finish off the day's lows after an early slump triggered by anxiety over a sharp decline in bourses abroad a day earlier.The general index ended 0.76 percent lower at 4,345.13 points from 4,378.37 points in the previous session. Turnover was 194.484 billion drachmas from 237.402 billion drachmas a day earlier. Changing hands were 28,899,280 stocks. Sector indices ended as follows: Banks (-0.55 pct), Leasing (-1.58 pct), Insurance (-0.68 pct), Investment (+1.82 pct), Construction (-2.24 pct), Industrials (-0.45 pct), Miscellaneous (-0.97 pct) and Holding (-2.74 pct). The parallel market index for smaller capitalisation stocks ended 0.46 percent higher. The FTSE/ASE 20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips dropped 1.25 percent to finish at 2,503.83 points. Of 297 shares traded, declines outpaced advances at 193 to 94 with 10 issues unchanged. National Bank of Greece ended at 21,300 drachmas, Alpha Credit Bank at 21, 980, Bank of Piraeus at 8,750, Ergobank at 30,050, Titan Cement (common) at 30,500, Hellenic Petroleum at 2,820 and Intracom (common) at 20,440 drachmas. Athens News Agency [15] Bonds nose down in sell-offBond prices edged down in the secondary market yesterday to fall further in late out of hours trade on a sell-off mostly by players from abroad, traders said.Electronic trade was around 14 billion drachmas, as in the previous session, from 2.0 billion drachmas on Wednesday. The benchmark 10 year bond showed a yield of 6.54 percent from 6.44 percent a day earlier and 6.39 percent in the previous two sessions. The yield spread above German bunds fluctuated between 173 and 175 basis points from 172 basis points a day earlier and 173-175 basis points on Wednesday. At the central bank's daily fix, the euro crept up against the drachma. It was set at 325.100 drachmas from 324.950 drachmas in the previous session. Also at the fix, the dollar slumped versus the drachma, in line with the US currency's decline in markets abroad. The dollar was set at 303.880 drachmas from 304.200 drachmas a day earlier. Gov't to auction five-year bonds on Tuesday Greece will auction 120 billion drachmas of fixed-rate five year bonds on Tuesday in a re-opening of its January 15 paper, the finance ministry said in a statement yesterday. The paperless bonds will carry an annual coupon of 6.60 percent. Athens News Agency [16] Alpha Finance shows H1 profit jumpAlpha Finance, a member of the Alpha Credit Bank Group, yesterday reported net pre-tax profits of 5.4 billion drachmas in the first half from 2.9 billion drachmas in the same period of 1998, up 87 percent.Shareholders' equity totalled 30.8 billion drachmas in the first half against 8.7 billion drachmas in the same period of last year, up 252 percent, Alpha Finance said in a statement. On a consolidated basis, net pre-tax profits of the Alpha Finance Group were 9.5 billion drachmas from 2.9 billion drachmas in 1998, up 228 percent. Contributing to results was a doubling in profits by Alpha Brokerage. Athens News Agency[17] Spyrou Farming reports higher H1 earningsSpyrou Farming said yesterday that it had posted net pre-tax profits of 2.9 billion drachmas in the first half from 1.74 billion drachmas in the same period of last year.The company said in a statement that sales totalled 8.0 billion drachmas in the first half against 5.17 billion drachmas in the same period of 1998, up 55 percent. Spyrou Farming forecast that turnover would rise to more than 10 billion drachmas in the whole of 1999, up 49 percent on 1998. Pre-tax profits this year would increase by over 46 percent from the previous year. In June, shareholders endorsed a share capital rise with four new shares, including two free ones from a capitalisation of reserves, for 10 existing shares. The two other shares will be priced at 1, 700 drachmas each. Athens News Agency[18] Gov't, DEH union agree on insurance issueA bill on deregulating the energy sector along with a clause resolving the state-owned utility employees' insurance issue apparently marks the beginning of a major transformation in the Public Power Corp. (DEH).The bill is touted by the government as allowing DEH to plan its first bourse flotation and future listing with the Athens Stock Exchange. Development Minister Evangelos Venizelos and GENOP-DEH's union presidium signed an agreement yesterday on resolving DEH employees' and pensioners' insurance claims. The agreement anticipates the abolition of the existing insurance system and the creatio n of a new insurance body. According to assessments by trade unionists, DEH's commitments to the employees' existing insurance system to date amount to 3.3 trillion drachmas, but this amount is not described precisely in the agreement announced. Athens News Agency [19] Athens Foreign ExchangeBank of Greece closing ratew of July 31,1999 Banknotes Buying SellingUS Dollar 301.449 308.438 Can.Dollar 200.186 204.827 Australian Dlr 196.237 200.787 Pound Sterling 488.758 500.091 Irish Punt 409.490 418.984 Pound Cyprus 558.496 571.445 Pound Malta 702.401 731.668 Turkish pound (100) 0.062 0.065 French franc 49.165 50.304 Swiss franc 201.808 206.487 Belgian franc 7.995 8.180 German Mark 164.891 168.714 Finnish Mark 54.241 55.498 Dutch Guilder 146.344 149.737 Danish Kr. 43.301 44.305 Swedish Kr. 36.845 37.699 Norwegian Kr. 38.720 39.617 Austrian Sh. 23.437 23.980 Italian lira (100) 16.656 17.042 Yen (100) 261.828 267.899 Spanish Peseta 1.938 1.983 Port. Escudo 1.609 1.646 Foreign Exchange Buying Selling New York 301.449 308.438 Montreal 200.186 204.827 Sydney 196.237 200.787 London 488.758 500.091 Dublin 409.490 418.984 Nicosia 558.496 571.445 Paris 49.165 50.304 Zurich 201.808 206.487 Brussels 7.995 8.180 Frankfurt 164.891 168.714 Helsinki 54.241 55.498 Amsterdam 146.344 149.737 Copenhagen 43.301 44.305 Stockholm 36.845 37.699 Oslo 38.720 39.617 Vienna 23.437 23.980 Milan 16.656 17.042 Tokyo 261.828 267.899 Madrid 1.938 1.983 Lisbon 1.609 1.646 Athens News Agency/END Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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