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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-10-27Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Papandreou-Cem contacts in Thessaloniki todayAthens, 27/10/1999 (ANA)The Greek and Turkish foreign ministers - meeting today on the sidelines of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) pact conference in Thessaloniki - are expected to evaluate results of the third round of "low-policy" contacts between diplomats from each nation's foreign ministry.FM George Papandreou and his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem will meet in the northern Greek capital. The last round, conducted in both countries' capitals and concluded in Athens yesterday, included discussions on issues related to tourism, the environment, economic and commercial relations, culture, cooperation in the multilateral regional field and combatting organised crime, illegal immigration, drug trafficking and terrorism. According to a joint communique, "the talks were conducted in a friendly and business-like atmosphere", and "included updating the contractual framework of Greek-Turkish relations as and when appropriate, as well as defining specific areas where cooperation could be initiated in the short or longer term". It was decided to establish working groups related to the above fields and aimed at further elaborating draft texts already exchanged, while conclusions will be ratified in the fourth round, tentatively scheduled to begin some time in December. The ultimate results will be presented to the two countries' foreign ministers, according to the communique. Tsohatzopoulos: Ankara must make goodwill gesture now : With both Cyprus and Turkey turning their sights on joining the European Union, Ankara must seize the opportunity now to agree to European standards on respect for human rights and peaceful coexistence between peoples, National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said yesterday. He added that for Greece the right of return of refugees and the restoration of freedom and democracy in a united free Republic of Cyprus, which would join the European Union, were inalienable aspects of any resolution of the Cyprus problem. The minister was speaking in Thessaloniki, where he attended a church service marking the feast day of the city's patron saint. The defence minister said Greek citizens had every reason to look forward to the coming of a new millennium. Constantopoulos received by Demirel in Ankara : ANKARA (ANA - A. Abatzis) - Turkish President Suleyman Demirel yesterday received a Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) delegation headed by party leader Nikos Constantopoulos. The Turkish leader stressed that good intentions must be turned into practice and the positive climate shaped in Greek-Turkish relations should be duly utilised. He added the atmosphere for developing Greek-Turkish relations was "suitable", saying that "resol-ving differences between us is possible", while he extended his thanks for "the interest shown by the Greek people and the Greek government to Turkey after the disastrous earthquake." "There are three possibilities for us to settle our differences: the first is bad, the second is good and the third is the continuation of the present situation. Everything depends on us," he said, and went on to say that "there are no problems between the peoples but between the countries and these are not yesterday's," he said. "Our relations will become better in the coming years," he said. On his part, Mr. Constantopoulos spoke of "an interesting phase in Greek- Turkish relations" and stres-sed that "this positive situation should find response in politics." The Greek party leader underlined that the two countries should get acquainted and "should not be informed by third parties of things concerning them." Gov't denies Greek-Turkish textbook committee report : The government yesterday denied press reports that Greek and Turkish experts had agreed to look at one another's school text books, saying the matter could be a focus for discussion. Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the issue could be brought onto the agenda of the so-called 'low-level' talks, which are being held between Greek and Turkish foreign ministry officials. The talks aim at finding common ground for the two countries on a number of non-contentious issues. These include cooperation in tourism, crime and other sectors. The Athens daily "Ta Nea" reported that it had been agreed to establish a joint committee of experts to examine books used in Greek and Turkish schools at the talks. The newspaper claimed the aim of the committee was to examine text books used in history, geography and the environment for chauvinistic aspects. Mr. Reppas said, however, that the issue had not been a focus of discussions during the talks and was not being discussed in the currently. Discussion of this issue, he added, would require good will. Foreign Minister George Papandreou told reporters after conferring with Prime Minister Costas Simitis on foreign policy issues that he had yet to be briefed on the results of the talks. He said, however, that there would be a mid-term report on the talks on the completion of the third round, which is currently under way. Athens News Agency[02] National Bank of Greece to keep rates steadyAthens, 27/10/1999 (ANA)National Bank of Greece Governor Theodoros Karatzas announced yesterday that the bank will not cut interest rates in the near future but instead await a signal from the central bank."When that occurs (any decrease in rates by the Bank of Greece), we'll review the development," Mr. Karatzas said. He was addressing a news conference in downtown Athens to outline nine- month results posted by National, the country's largest commercial bank and the second Greek listing on the New York Stock Exchange. National Bank unveiled pre-tax profits of 146.4 billion drachmas for January-September compared to 88.6 billion drachmas in the corresponding period of 1998. The National Bank Group posted consolidated pre-tax profits estimated at 219 billion drachmas in January-September against 128.9 billion in the first nine months of 1998 - an increase of about 70 percent. Athens News Agency[03] New FT index for Athens bourseAthens, 27/10/1999 (ANA)A new Financial Times stock index is to be introduced into the Athens Stock Exchange within the next two months, named the FTSE/ASE 40.The new index for medium capitalisation stocks will complement the existing FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chips and heavily traded shares. In the future, the FTSE/ASE 40 will be used as a base for futures trading on the Athens Derivatives Exchange, like its predecessor. Athens News Agency[04] Alpha Credit Bank shows 9M profit jumpAthens, 27/10/1999 (ANA)Alpha Credit Bank yesterday reported pre-tax profits of 113.8 billion drachmas in January to September, up 72.7 percent from the same period of 1998.The bank's assets totalled 5.4 trillion drachmas in the same period, up 45.9 percent. Shareholders' equity rose by 63.2 percent to 518.2 billion drachmas. Deposits totalled 3.8 trillion drachmas in January-September, up 40.7 percent, and loans rose by 40 percent to 2.1 trillion drachmas. The bank reported that it was proceeding with the integration of Ionian Bank into the Alpha group, and the merger of the two group's subsidiaries. The merger between the two banks is due for completion in the first quarter of 2000, and that of subsidiaries by the end of this year. Athens News Agency[05] Stocks drop on inflation jittersAthens, 27/10/1999 (ANA)Equity prices remained under mild pressure yesterday reflecting investors' worries over the outlook for inflation and developments in international markets.Trading was nervous with the general index ending 0.96 percent lower at 5, 524.32 points, off the day's low when losses were 2.0 percent. Turnover was a moderate 311 billion drachmas. Shares in the Miscellaneous and Holding sectors were badly hit to end 2.25 percent and 2.66 percent lower respectively. On the other hand, the Leasing and Banks sectors scored gains, up 2.20 pct and 1.06 pct respectively. Other sector indices ended as follows: Insurance (-0.55 pct), Investment (- 2.02 pct), Construction (-0.67 pct) and Industrials (-2.35 pct). The parallel market index for smaller capitalisation stocks increased 0.62 percent while the FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks fell 0.29 percent to 2,777.53 points. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 228 to 91 with another six issues unchanged. A total of 26 shares ended at the day's 8.0 percent limit up, while another 25 ended at the day's limit down. ANEK Lines and Macedonian Spinning Mills were the most heavily traded stocks. National Bank of Greece ended at 22,380 drachmas, Alpha Credit Bank at 22, 595, Commercial Bank at 23,690, Titan Cement (common) at 35,000, Hellenic Petroleum at 5,050, Intracom (common) at 13,920, Minoan Lines at 9,835, Panafon at 4,000 and Hellenic Telecoms at 6,850. Athens News Agency[06] SEB sees euro goal intactAthens, 27/10/1999 (ANA)The Federation of Greek Industries (SEB), the country's largest employers' union, believes that Greece's chance of taking part in European economic and monetary union has not changed because of a temporary rise in inflation.Iason Stratos, SEB's chairman, said yesterday that the government had remained steadfast in the economic policy it had originally adopted, and could deal with any problems in a timely fashion. He was commenting on reports that the annual inflation rate may rise above 2.0 percent in October, up from 1.9 percent in September. Athens News Agency[07] Civil servants' salaries up 2.5 pctAthens, 27/10/1999 (ANA)Civil servants' salaries will increase an average 2.5 percent next year, Deputy Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis said yesterday at a meeting with the civil servants union (ADEDY).Mr. Christodoulakis pledged that the government would pay rises ranging from 2.1 to 2.9 percent for an average weighed rise of 2.5 percent. The pay increases represent a minimum of 166 drachmas and a maximum of 366 drachmas daily. He said that the government's proposals, including tax cuts, would increase the purchasing power of civil servants with pay rises exceeding the inflation target for the year 2000. ADEDY president G. Koutsoukos said that the government's proposals did not meet his members' demands. The union plans to stage demonstrations in the first 10 days of November. Athens News Agency[08] Olympic Catering set for second floatAthens, 27/10/1999 (ANA)National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and Transport Minister Tassos Mantelis yesterday decided to float a second stake in Olympic Catering on the Athens bourse through the sale of an additional seven percent of its equity.The ministers also discussed the financial condition of public utilities supervised by the transport ministry. Athens News Agency[09] Yield on T-bills risesAthens, 27/10/1999 (ANA)The yield on 12-month treasury bills yesterday moved upwards in a weekly auction of state securities by the finance ministry.The average weighed rate of the 60 billion drachmas of T-bills rose to 9.07 percent from 8.74 percent in the previous auction on September 28. The auction was held through the market's primary dealers and the finance ministry paid a commission of 0.45 percent. Bids submitted totalled 107.2 billion drachmas, 1.8 times more than the amount sought. The ministry finally accepted bids totalling 65.2 billion drachmas. The finance ministry will launch a new issue of tax-free savings bonds in paperless form in a public offering on Friday 29 October to Tuesday 2 November. The bonds will pay an annual fixed coupon of 8.6 percent. Athens News Agency[10] Varvaressos to hold IPOAthens, 27/10/1999 (ANA)Varvaressos SA-Naoussa Spinning Mills, a textiles company, yesterday announced it would seek listing on the main market of the Athens bourse through an initial public offering starting on November 2 and ending on November 5.The plan, approved by the Athens bourse and the capital market commission, envisages the issue of 2,576,270 common shares at a nominal value of 200 drachmas each. A total of 2,453,590 shares will be offered to the public while another 122, 680 shares are destined for the company's staff through a private placement. The company's total shares will rise to 10,305,079 after the share capital increase. The new capital will be used to finance the company's business plan, including a five billion drachma investment to modernise facilities, build a new spinning mill and to forge cooperation agreements. Varvaressos was founded in 1964. Its 1998 turnover totalled 7.25 billion drachmas, a 14 percent increase from 1997, while pre-tax profits totalled 473 million drachmas, up 180 percent. In 1999, the company expects its turnover to reach 7.3 billion drachmas and pre-tax profits 594 million drachmas. National Bank of Greece is acting as the main underwriter to the IPO, with Alpha Finance as consultant. Athens News Agency[11] Athens Foreign ExchangeAthens, 27/10/1999 (ANA)Bank of Greece closing rates of: October 26, 1999Parities in Drachmas Banknotes Buying Selling US Dollar 307.837 314.975 Can.Dollar 209.014 213.860 Australian Dlr 200.726 205.380 Pound Sterling 510.781 522.624 Irish Punt 415.598 425.234 Pound Cyprus 566.035 579.159 Pound Malta 730.653 761.097 Turkish pound (100) 0.060 0.063 French franc 49.899 51.056 Swiss franc 204.764 209.511 Belgian franc 8.114 8.302 German Mark 167.351 171.232 Finnish Mark 55.050 56.326 Dutch Guilder 148.527 151.971 Danish Kr. 44.033 45.054 Swedish Kr. 37.754 38.629 Norwegian Kr. 39.650 40.570 Austrian Sh. 23.786 24.338 Italian lira (100) 16.904 17.296 Yen (100) 294.227 301.049 Spanish Peseta 1.967 2.013 Port. Escudo 1.633 1.671 Foreign Exchange Buying Selling New York 307.837 314.975 Montreal 209.014 213.860 Sydney 200.726 205.380 London 510.781 522.624 Dublin 415.598 425.234 Nicosia 566.035 579.159 Paris 49.899 51.056 Zurich 204.764 209.511 Brussels 8.114 8.302 Frankfurt 167.351 171.232 Helsinki 55.050 56.326 Amsterdam 148.527 151.971 Copenhagen 44.033 45.054 Stockholm 37.754 38.629 Oslo 39.650 40.570 Vienna 23.786 24.338 Milan 16.904 17.296 Tokyo 294.227 301.049 Madrid 1.967 2.013 Lisbon 1.633 1.671 Athens News Agency[12] Clinton's visit to Greece officially announcedWASHINGTON, 27/10/1999 (ANA - Thomas Ellis)US President Bill Clinton will officially visit Greece on Nov. 13-15, according to a White House announcement yesterday.Mr. Clinton will visit Turkey on Nov. 15-17 ahead of a planned Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) summit, scheduled for Nov. 17- 19 in Istanbul. The OSCE summit "is an opportunity for the leaders of 54 countries of the Euro-Atlantic region to focus on the promotion of democracy, human rights, security and stability between us, as well as within the participating countries," the announcement read . Mr. Clinton will also visit Italy on Nov. 20-21 and Bulgaria on Nov. 21- 23. Athens News Agency[13] Greek leadership on `OXI Day`, Thessaloniki liberation anniversaryAthens, 27/10/1999 (ANA)President Kostis Stephanopoulos yesterday paid tribute to the country's heroic efforts during the liberation of Thessaloniki from Ottoman rule in the 1912-1913 Balkan Wars and during World War II."The anniversary we are celebrating tomorrow, as well as the anniversary of the liberation of Thessaloniki, which we honoured yesterday, is a source of pride for the nation and of teachings for Hellenism," he stated in a message yesterday. "Greece's heroic resistance against the axis forces in 1940, as well as the liberation of Thessaloniki in 1912, proved that Greeks maintain significant reserves of ancestral virtues and fight with heroism when it concerns regaining or maintaining their freedom," he added. "...The Greek people will always remember the days of the 1940s with emotion, as well as the 1912-13 period, during which national desires were realised and Greece's just causes recognised. Today, national desires focus on repelling any questioning of our sovereign rights, on the just solution of the Cyprus problem, development and the prosperity of our people," Mr. Stephanopoulos said. Simitis : On his part, Prime Minister Costas Simitis said in his message that "we Greeks have shown on the battlefields in 1940, and then in the resistance, that we can struggle for our visions and build our future with trust." "The eve of the third millennium finds Europe with a completely different geographical and political landscape from that which it experienced on the eve of the Second World War and during the Cold War period: that of the gradual unification of the conti nent in all sectors," he said. Opposition leaders : In his message on the occasion of the Oct. 28 national holiday, the anniversary of the outbreak of war between Greece and Italian troops in 1940, main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis referred to Greece's role as a force pursuing peace, d emocracy, stability, prosperity, respect for human rights and adherence to international law. Commenting on the issue of globalisation, Mr. Karamanlis said "global peaceful cooperation will have no prospects if it is supported on domination, levelling, contempt, hypocrisy and the infringement of international law." In a similar message, the Coalition of the Left said "today, our country needs a processed national strategy and a minimum national understanding through the creation of a national foreign policy council. The surge in xenophobia and racism which is also knocking menacingly at our door as well requires a new big movement of humanity and solidarity." Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras said October 28 "teaches duty. The supreme duty to the motherland which understands nothing of compromises, offsetting and backtracking." Thessaloniki celebrations : Thessaloniki yesterday celebrated the 87th anniversary of its liberation from Ottoman rule and the feast day of its patron saint, Agios Demetrios. Mr. Stephanopoulos, representatives of the government, party leaders and high-ranking military officers were present at several events, which will culminate tomorrow with a military parade. Macedonia-Thrace Minister Yiannis Magriotis and Development Minister Evangelos Venizelos represented the government, while Mr. Karamanlis represented ND during the events. The celebrations began with a service at the Agios Demetrios Cathedral. In the afternoon, Mr. Stephanopoulos addressed an official celebration at the city's university campus, while Thessaloniki Mayor Vassilis Papageorgiou hosted a dinner in honour of the president in the evening. Athens News Agency[14] Gov't defends purpose of Clinton visitAthens, 27/10/1999 (ANA)The government yesterday said opposition party criticism of US President Bill Clinton's visit to the country in November was out of line."It is not justified," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas told reporters. "This visit will be of benefit to the country as important issues will be discussed and these discussions may help in the resolution of problems." He said there should be no reactions against Mr. Clinton's visit, adding however, that there was a right to freedom of expression of any opinion, within the context of democratic dialogue. However, he underlined that asking for a cancellation of the visit was out of the question and that any "events" should not blacken the visit. "The expression of political views can not be conducted through the exercise of force or threat. These acts are to be condemned," he said. The US president will be in Greece at the same time as events get under way to mark the 26th anniversary of the student uprising at Athens Polytechnic in November 1973. The annual events culminate in a march to the US embassy on November 17 which has sometimes been marred by violence. Asked by reporters whether he was predicting a stormy welcome for the US leader, Mr. Reppas said he was not, and that he was making a statement on the basis of principles. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister George Papandreou said that the foreign ministr y was not aware of any plans by US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to arrive in Greece before Mr. Clinton. Athens News Agency[15] Simitis in Bulgaria next weekSOFIA, 27/10/1999 (ANA - B. Borisov)Prime Minister Costas Simitis will meet here with Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov and Romanian President Emil Constantinescu next week to discuss conditions in the region, the Bulgarian government announced yesterday.Athens News Agency Athens 27/10/1999 (ANA) The "Daily Bulletin" will not be published tomorrow, Oct. 28, due to the "OXI Day" commemoration. It will again recirculate on Friday, Oct. 29 Athens News Agency[16] Russian, Turkish FMs in ThessalonikiAthens, 27/10/1999 (ANA)The foreign ministers of Black Sea Economic Cooperation pact (BSEC) members were due in the port city of Thessaloniki yesterday afternoon to begin their meeting on organisational issues.Among them is Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, who was due to arrive late last night in Thessaloniki from Germany. Mr. Cem is expected to have a meeting with his host, Foreign Minister George Papandreou today, on the sidelines of the summit. Also expected yesterday was Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov. In the wake of the dramatic developments in the Caucasus, the meetings Mr. Ivanov will have with his Caucasus counterparts are expected to be watched with interest. Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nadhezda Mihailova will be unable to attend, however. A question mark also hanged over the arrival of Albanian FM Paskal Milo, following the resignation of Albanian Prime Minister Pandeli Majko on Monday. The meeting will focus on organisational issues, such as a headquarters for the BSEC and the appointment of officials. Other issues related to the BSEC's relations with the European Union, the Black Sea development bank and cross-border cooperation will also be discussed. The meeting is expected to wind up in the afternoon with a press conference. Athens News Agency[17] Naval standards, banners returned to RussiaAthens, 27/10/1999 (ANA)Greece yesterday handed over to Russia several 19th century naval standards and banners kept safe by a Greek woman resident of Algiers, a foreign ministry statement said yesterday.The historic items, along with others of ecclesiastical use, were part of property kept in an apartment in the Algerian capital bequeathed to the Greek state and maintained as a chapel by the Greek embassy in the city. They were turned over to Russian ambassador to Greece Mihail Botcharnikov by the Greek foreign ministry. A statement said Russia had agreed to reciprocate by returning the archives of Thessaloniki's Jewish Community for the period between 1870 and 1942. The latter had been uncovered in Berlin by Red Army troops in 1945 and kept in Moscow ever since. Athens News Agency[18] Sept. 7 quake costs to top 500 billionAthens, 27/10/1999 (ANA)Greece expects to spend more than 500 billion drachmas on repairing damage to residences and providing housing for those made homeless during the September 7 earthquake, National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said yesterday.Mr. Papantoniou, speaking after a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis on housing policies for the quake-stricken, said that he was awaiting a European Union response on covering more than half of the amount. The budget and loans from the European Investment Bank are expected to help meet the rest of the bill. Attending the meeting yesterday were, apart from Mr. Papantoniou, Interior Minister Vasso Papandreou, Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis and his deputy Christos Verelis, among others. Meanwhile, measures and support for businesses affected by the quake will be announced next week, the government said. Ms. Papandreou added that the meeting had decided to adopt a new measure providing landlords with tax exemptions if they rented their properties to the quake's homeless. Athens News Agency[19] Delos lions to be moved todayAthens, 27/10/1999 (ANA)A complicated operation to move five ancient marble lions from the island of Delos in order to save them from further damage will get under way today.Strong Cycladic winds and sea breezes over the centuries have damaged the lions, which are thought to date back to the 6th and 7th centuries BC. Only five are in a reasonable condition today, while only half of another two can be saved and a further thr ee are in fragments. The lions - each thought to weight about 2.5 tons - will be moved to a special hall at the island's museum where they will be restored and exhibited. Replicas of the statues will be placed along the road the lions guard on Delos. The 'Lions Way' is a popular drawcard for the thousands of tourists who visit the island annually. Archaeologists have expressed concern about the degenerating condition of the marble lions for some time. They first requested their removal to the museum in 1992. Other archaeologists have voiced objections against the move, saying that the lions had to be saved but not to the cost of the aesthetic unity of the site. Delos, which has been described as "a floating archaeological site", is visited by thousands of tourists every year. It is inhabited by only a handful of museum guards and the staff of a small hostel for archaeologists. According to mythology, Delos was raised from the seabed by Poseidon, god of the sea. Archaeological findings show that it was inhabited as far back as the early Bronze Age (around 2000 BC). By the second and first centuries BC, the isle had become the chief trading centre of the eastern Mediterranean. Apart from the impressive row of lions, its numerous archaeological sites have yielded a large number of ancient temples, villas and magnificent sculptures. Athens News AgencyAthens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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