Athens News Agency: News in English, 03-12-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM issues invitations to int'l leaders to attend Olympic Games

[02] Rogge message ahead of 'Olympic' year

[03] Main opposition leader visits nursing home for elderly in Piraeus

[04] Weather Forecast: Rain, storms on Wednesday

[05] Greek Red Cross opens bank account for aid to quake-stricken Bam

[06] Foreign Exchange Rates: Wednesday

[07] Greek stocks end 1.86 pct higher on Tuesday

[01] PM issues invitations to int'l leaders to attend Olympic Games

Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Tuesday issued invitations to the leaders of the European Union Member and Acceding-States, along with those of the three EU candidate countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey to attend the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, between Aug. 13 and 29.

The Greek premier also sent out invitations to the presidents of America and Russia, as well as to the leaders of China, Japan, Canada and Australia.

Finally, Simitis issued an invitation to United Nations Chief Kofi Annan for the ?Olympic homecoming?.

The prime minister reiterated that Greeks are extremely proud to host such a major event, one closely linked with ?our common historical and cultural inheritance?.

[02] Rogge message ahead of 'Olympic' year

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge on Tuesday reiterated that the 2004 Games will leave a tremendous legacy for Greece, while at the same time expressing the Lausanne-based entity's complete confidence in ongoing preparations by Greek organisers.

?In less than eight months the Olympic Games return to Athens. Their hosting has always been a major challenge. Difficult days will also lie ahead. The endeavour, however, is great and inspired, it will leave a major legacy for Greece, as many Greeks have already realised,? Rogge said in a message days before the Olympic year commences.

[03] Main opposition leader visits nursing home for elderly in Piraeus

Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis on Tuesday paid a visit to the Piraeus Home for the Elderly, accompanied by his wife Natasa, ND party officials and MPs.

Speaking to the 160 elderly residents of the home, Karamanlis said

his party was committed to taking action to ensure that old people could have dignified living conditions.

He said incentives were needed for those providing care for the elderly, as well as a better system for providing help at home and more modern legislation governing retirement homes.

[04] Weather Forecast: Rain, storms on Wednesday

Rain and storms are forecast in most parts of the country on Wednesday. Winds southerly, southwesterly, moderate to strong, turning very strong at sea. Sporadic rain with the possibility of intermittent storms in Athens where temperatures will range from 7C to 15C. Cloud and sporadic rain in Thessaloniki with temperatures from 7C to 10C.

[05] Greek Red Cross opens bank account for aid to quake-stricken Bam

The Greek Red Cross, participating in the efforts by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement for the sending of humanitarian aid to cover the needs of the 200,000 people (40,000 families) affected by the killer earthquake which struck the historic city of Bam in Iran at dawn Friday, has appealed for the collection of money to meet basic needs such as medical care, drinking water, tents, blankets, matresses and cooking utensils.

For this purpose, the Greek Red Cross has opened a special bank account at the Agricultural Bank: Account No. 01704005437-32 where deposits can be made with the indication ''Earthquake in Iran''.

Further information is offered by the International Relations Department (Tel. 210 3621681 - 210 3615606).

[06] Foreign Exchange Rates: Wednesday

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank

U.S. dollar 1.259

Pound sterling 0.709

Danish kroner 7.504

Swedish kroner 9.149

Japanese yen 134.7

Swiss franc 1.571

Norwegian kroner 8.488

Cyprus pound 0.590

Canadian dollar 1.651

Australian dollar 1.687

[07] Greek stocks end 1.86 pct higher on Tuesday

Greek stocks ended Tuesday's session sharply higher in the Athens Stock Exchange reflecting strong buying interest for blue chip stocks like National Bank and Alpha Bank (up 4.10 percent and 4.34 percent, respectively), pushing the general index above the 2,250 technical resistance level.

The index ended 1.86 percent higher at 2,252.98 points, with turnover a strong 152.7 million euros.

The Textile, Banks and Publication sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (3.88 percent, 3.31 percent and 3.11 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 2.24 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 1.65 percent higher and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index rose 2.05 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 282 to 39 with another 36 issues unchanged.

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