Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-02-21
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1121), February 21, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Premier optimistic major works will be completed on schedule
[02] Commissioner Wulf-Mathies happy with Crete's absorption rates
[03] Reppas announces beginning of new campaign to inform int'l
public opinion on Greece
[04] Holbrooke to arrive Monday on unofficial Athens visit
[05] Clerides says Nicosia aims at only peaceful solution to Cyprus
problem
[06] Athens denies existence of German initiative on Cyprus
[07] Annan briefed by UN special envoy to Cyprus
[08] Turkish official's comments
[09] Iran reportedly offers to mediate between Greece, Turkey
[10] Athens among favorites for 2004 Olympics short-list
[11] Athens' environment the focus of scientific symposium
[12] Conference to focus on Greek language education in US
[13] Seminar on Greece's role in the Mediterranean
[14] Costas Karamanlis' entry into ND leadership race creates flurry
of activity
[15] Ioannina celebrates 84th anniversary of liberation from Turkish
yoke
[16] Conference on satellite systems held
[17] Striking high school teachers demonstrate in central Athens
[18] Greeks spend 646 billion drachmas on Lady Luck
[19] Jan-Oct 1996 current accounts deficit rises
[20] Amendment on pension fund's reserves passed
[21] OTE to unveil new mobile phone at TIF
[22] Athens bourse sees six-year high in prices
[23] ELBO looks into manufacturing Greek car
[24] Athens court convicts eight suspects in MAVI case
[25] Internet site for overseas Greeks
[26] Photo exhibition on Greeks of Istanbul
[27] Romeos confident Iraklio bombing suspects will be brought to
justice
[01] Premier optimistic major works will be completed on schedule
Athens, 21/02/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday expressed optimism that
all the major infrastructure works under way throughout the
country would be completed on schedule, while all related
European Union funds would be absorbed.
Speaking to reporters at the environment, town planning and
public works ministry after a two-hour meeting with the
ministry's political leadership, Mr. Simitis said he was
satisfied by the progress of works despite certain difficulties
and "friction".
For most of the approximately 7,000 works in progress, Mr.
Simitis said funding, estimated at 4.2 trillion drachmas, has
already been secured. In those cases where available finances
remained inadequate the necessary funds will be raised in
co-operation with the environment, town planning and public
works ministry and the national economy ministry, he added.
The premier did not rule out participation of the private sector
in the financing of major works.
"It is an issue which has been discussed by the cabinet and
inner cabinet. But we must find ways to ensure that it would be
to the benefit of the works and not increase their cost," he
said.
On the delay in the construction of the Athens metro, Mr.
Simitis said talks were currently being held, as the project's
contractors had put forward certain new demands.
"We are determined to stick to our contractual agreements. There
is a contractual framework which is binding on all parties
carrying out works in Greece. It is not possible whenever such
parties realize that they have not made accurate calculations to
demand amendments, modifications and revisions. Contracts must
be adhered to," he noted.
The premier acknowledged that in certain cases where something
unexpected arises, good faith is necessary on both sides to find
other remedies within the contractual framework. Mr. Simitis
said all related Community funds will be absorbed, adding that
"no source or ECU which will have been planned for will be lost."
Stressing that the ability to secure EU funding after the year
2000 will not be the same as today's, the premier said that "we
shall intensify our efforts in all sectors..."
"We must absorb the funds within the fixed timetable," he said.
"We shall continue, in co-operation with the political
leadership of the environment, town planning and public works
ministry, to... over-come the problems and great difficulties
which sometimes arise from the fact that this is an
unprecedented effort for our country," Mr. Simitis said.
During his visit to the ministry, the premier also discussed
town planning and environmental issues with the ministry's
political leadership.
[02] Commissioner Wulf-Mathies happy with Crete's absorption rates
Athens, 21/02/1997 (ANA)
EU Commissioner for regional policy, structural funds and the
cohesion fund, Monika Wulf-Mathies, yesterday expressed complete
satisfaction at the rate of absorption of Community funds in
Crete and the quality of works being performed.
Ms Wulf-Mathies, who began an official visit to Greece on
Tuesday, was speaking in Hania, first stop on a tour of Crete.
She was briefed on the progress of works during talks at the
prefecture building.
After visiting the old part of the city and a women's
cooperative organization, Ms Wulf-Mathies left for Iraklion.
[03] Reppas announces beginning of new campaign to inform int'l
public opinion on Greece
Athens, 21/02/1997 (ANA)
Press and Media Minister Dimitris Reppas said yesterday's first
meeting of the communications policy council coincided with the
start of an information campaign to present a "new face" of
Greece to international public opinion.
The aim of the 11-member council, to be chaired by the general
secretary of the press and media ministry, is to recommend
methods for better informing public opinion outside Greece and
guidelines for the relations which should be developed with
international mass media.
"Greece's singular geopolitical circumstances dictate that we
embark on an effort to make our positions known," Mr. Reppas
said.
Commenting on the information campaign begun by the government
and the ministry, Mr. Reppas said it was an effort aimed at
Greece's "rebirth", with a new face as an element of its
international image. "This face will present Greece as an EU
member state, as a factor for peace and stability in the region,
a country with modern parliamentary institutions, enviable
social attainments and a notable cultural, intellectual and
moral background," Mr. Reppas said.
This, he added, will put an end to the impression often
prevailing in international public opinion that Greece is "a
country which begins and ends at the boundaries of the
bi-polarism of Greek-Turkish relations..."
[04] Holbrooke to arrive Monday on unofficial Athens visit
Athens, 21/02/1997 (ANA)
Former US assistant secretary of state Richard Holbrooke will be
in Athens on Monday to accompany his wife, who will be honored
at a press awards ceremony.
Kati Marton will be honored for her work as president of the
International Committee for Protection of Journalists by the
Costas Kyrazis International Center. Her group has been
particularly active in pressing for the safety of reporters in
Turkey and former Yugoslavia, according to the center. The event
will be held at a downtown Athens hotel at 8:30 p.m.
The award to Ms Marton will be presented by Artemis Kyriazis,
the president of the center and widow of Athens publisher Costas
Kyriazis.
Other recipients include the BBC World Service program broadcast
out of Athens, the London-based "European" newspaper's Sunday
supplement "Magazine", and the London School of Journalism.
Monday's ceremony marks the first time the Kyriazis
International Center has bestowed awards to international
personalities or media outlets.
Holbrooke's exact itinerary for the unofficial visit has not
been released. Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas has
confirmed that the ex-State Department official will visit
Athens, but said he did not know of any scheduled meetings with
Greek officials.
[05] Clerides says Nicosia aims at only peaceful solution to Cyprus
problem
Athens, 21/02/1997 (ANA)
Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides noted yesterday that Cyprus
doesn't aim at a solution to the island republic's problem
through a military confrontation but with peaceful means.
However, he firmly stressed that Cyprus will continue its
armaments program me for as long as there are Turkish troops on
the island, adding that Nicosia insists on its proposal for the
entire island's demilitarization.
In an address at the War Museum yesterday at an event organized
by the "Citizens' Initiative on National Issues and Social
Progress", President Clerides expressed the readiness of Nicosia
to accept a rational "compromise", but not a "surrender" of the
island.
Mr. Clerides, who was honored at the event with a plaque, then
referred to the need of implementing the Greece-Cyprus joint
defense doctrine, adding once again that "when the various
initiatives being planned for the Cyprus issue are activated, we
will take care to see that no actions will take place which
might create tension."
He warned Ankara that if Turkish troops dare to impose a
solution they will find Cyprus fully prepared, reiterating that
whatever settlement of the Cyprus problem should be based on a
Cypriot state composed of two politically equal communities "in
an inter-communal bi-zonal federation." However, he clarified
that the federation solution would not be chosen if the
occupation army did not exist. Referring to the issue of
security and the physical and national survival of the two
communities, President Clerides said that it can only exist in
the framework of a federal Cypriot Republic "where an
international force will be stationed with mandate terms from
the Security Council." He did not elaborate on who will compose
the force.
The event was also addressed by National Defense Minister Akis
Tsohatzopoulos, the Cyprus Foreign Minister Alekos Michaelides
and the main opposition New Democracy party's Parliamentary
representative Stavros Dimas. Also attending the event were
former prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis, Parliament
President Apostolos Kaklamanis, deputies, academics, military
officers, diplomats and church representatives.
[06] Athens denies existence of German initiative on Cyprus
Athens, 21/02/1997 (ANA)
Athens yesterday denied that a German initiative to resolve the
Cyprus problem had been handed to National Defense Minister Akis
Tsohatzopoulos during his recent visit to Bonn. "Mr.
Tsohatzopoulos' visit did not have this dimension," government
spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated.
[07] Annan briefed by UN special envoy to Cyprus
UN, 21/02/1997 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan was briefed on the
Cyprus issue on Wednesday by the UN special envoy in Nicosia
Gustave Feissel.
On the same day Mr. Annan also had a meeting with the deputy
chief of the Turkish general staff Gen. Sivik Bir.
Diplomatic circles say Gen. Bir's visit to the United States may
be to counter-balance or even a warning on the part of the
Turkish military to the presence in the US of Turkish Minister
of State for Foreign Affairs Abdullah G0l, a close associate of
Turkish Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan.
Mr. G0l is having a series of official talks in Washington in
his purported capacity as Mr. Erbakan's "personal foreign
minister".
Yesterday, the UN secretary general was to receive his first
courtesy call from Greece's Permanent Representative to the UN
Christos Zaharakis.
[08] Turkish official's comments
Washington, 21/02/1997 (ANA - T. Ellis)
Mr. G0l expressed his views on Greek-Turkish relations and the
Cyprus problem at an event yesterday held here by the newspaper
"Turkish Daily News".
Mr. G0l commented that Ankara wanted a reduction in tension with
Athens to benefit not only Greece but the region in general.
With regard to the two communities on Cyprus, he expressed the
belief that although they had lived together in the past, one
had to be realistic and realize that this was no longer possible
"even though we would like them to be able to". He added that
neither Turkey, Greece, the United States or the European Union
would like to see another Bosnia.
"Ways have to be sought for the two communities to live together
on the same island," he added.
[09] Iran reportedly offers to mediate between Greece, Turkey
UN 21/02/1997 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)
Iran has offered to undertake the role of mediating between
Greece and Turkey to resolve their outstanding problems, a press
release from Iran's permanent representation at the United
Nations said.
The press release referred to the visit to Athens this week by
Iranian First Vice-President Hassan Habibi, saying that the aim
of the three-day visit was to examine forms of widening
co-operation between Tehran and Athens in various fields.
Iran's Alternate Foreign Minister for European and US affairs
Mahmoud Vaezi told IRNA, the state news agency, that
strengthening Greek-Iranian relations was not directed against
any other nation, specifically not Turkey.
[10] Athens among favorites for 2004 Olympics short-list
Athens, 21/02/1997 (ANA)
Athens, Rome and Buenos Aires, and to a lesser extent Cape Town,
appear as the favorites for the hosting of the 2004 Olympic
Games, according to a report issued in Lausanne yesterday by the
International Olympic Committee's (IOC) evaluation commission.
The IOC will announce a short-list of four or five Olympic
contenders in Lausanne on March 7.
[11] Athens' environment the focus of scientific symposium
Athens, 21/02/1997 (ANA)
Athens has the ability to again become a city attractive for its
climate and atmosphere, an international scientific symposium
organized by the Athens Olympics Committee concluded.
The symposium, which ended yesterday, had focused on the quality
of air in Athens in the year 2004.
Conclusions of the meeting will be presented early next month in
Athens.
Research into the environment of the Greek capital is continuing.
[12] Conference to focus on Greek language education in US
N. York, 21/02/1997 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)
A conference on Greek language education will open here
tomorrow, organized by the Federation of Greek Associations of
New York.
The conference will be officially opened by Archbishop of
America Spyridon.
The main issue tabled for discussion is the financial situation
of Greek day schools and the examination of the contribution of
the organized Greek-American community.
Another subject to be broached is the suitability of text books
in both day and afternoon Greek schools, while several
professors from various US universities are to speak on the
possibilities of the founding of a Greek-American university in
New York.
[13] Seminar on Greece's role in the Mediterranean
Athens, 21/02/1997 (ANA)
A seminar entitled "The Role of Greece in the Mediterranean" was
held yesterday in Athens with the participation of government
officials, trade union representatives, diplomats, politicians
and businessmen.
The seminar was organized by the newly founded Mediterranean
Co-operation Research Center (KEMES). It concluded that Greece,
although in a position to play a leading role in assisting the
countries of the southeastern Mediterranean and North Africa to
forge closer relations with Europe, was not exploiting this
advantage.
Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis, who addressed the
seminar, centered on the acute problems facing non-European
Union countries in the region, adding that Greece is able to
assist considerably "through participating in the formulation of
a development and security establishment."
According to Mr. Kranidiotis, western policies which have been
applied to the countries of these regions "have until now been
of a neo-colonial character."
Citing the EU-brokered MEDA program, which he described as
"under-funded", Mr. Kranidiotis said that European policies in
the region have also proven to be "of limited scope and
effectiveness."
He further stressed the need for new policies and initiatives
with long-term prospects.
Referring to the goals of Greek foreign policy in the region,
Mr. Kranidiotis said they aimed at "averting dangers which could
emerge due to neighboring relations with Mediterranean
countries," as well as "promoting issues of Greek interest,
economic relations" and "balancing action plans in the framework
of international organizations."
Mr. Kranidiotis said the foreign ministry's action plan also
aimed at supporting the patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch and
Jerusalem as well as supporting the councils of Overseas Greeks.
He said that the foreign ministry's action plan also included a
number of visits to the Middle East by business delegations
headed by the under-secretary.
Concluding, Mr. Kranidiotis described as "factors of anomaly,"
Turkey's aggressiveness against Greece, adding that the Cyprus
problem is "an international problem towards which Europe must
show particular sensitivity."
Aegean Minister Elizabeth Papazoi stressed Greece's absence from
the formulation of Euro-Mediterranean policy, in spite of the
fact "that Greece has all the necessary tools to do so."
"The future will show if Greece will become more isolated or
whether it will substantially contribute to the fresh
unification of the Mediterranean," the minister said.
In his address to the seminar, Coalition of the Left and
Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos said Greece's bi-partisan
political system "has deprived Greece of its comparative
advantages in relation to other regional countries."
Stressing what he described as the "absence or downgraded
presence of Greece" in a series of initiatives such as the
Centro-European Co-operation and the European Commission's
program for the support of the autonomous Palestinian
territories, Mr. Constantopoulos said that Greece has managed to
"become part of the problem in the central Balkan peninsula."
Regarding policies for the 21st century, Mr. Constantopoulos
proposed the formation of a "national strategy, an economic
development policy providing for social cohesion, and serious
changes in the administration system."
Regarding the government's foreign policy, he said Greece should
use the advantage of being a member of the European Union,
adding that the government could also undertake a series of
initiatives in various sectors such as the ecological protection
of t he region and peace procedures in the Middle East through
co-operation with non-governmental organizations.
The seminar also focused on Greece's prospects for economic
co-operation and intervention in the region, with special
reference to the fact that business opportunities have not been
exploited until now, and to the issue of whether economic
diplomacy should be the top item on the official state foreign
policy agenda, especially in relations with Turkey.
"If we do not financially penetrate into Turkey now, we never
will. Others will have done it," former foreign minister Mihalis
Papaconstantinou told the seminar, stressing that "we have to
establish at least a political framework to cover business
transactions with the neighboring country."
[14] Costas Karamanlis' entry into ND leadership race creates flurry
of activity
Athens, 21/02/1997 (ANA)
A proposal by 30 main opposition New Democracy party deputies
nominating ND deputy Costas Karamanlis for the party's
presidency has prompted a series of internal meetings in view of
the party's upcoming congress to elect a new leader.
The 30 deputies met this past week at the initiative of ND
Vice-President Ioannis Varvitsiotis, saying afterwards in a
joint statement on Tuesday that "...the time has come for the
election of a leadership from the new generation..."
In accepting the proposal, Mr. Karamanlis, the nephew of ND
founder and former president of the republic Constantine
Karamanlis, said in a public statement that he was honored by
the proposal and willing to do his duty "in the interest of the
party and with a sense of responsibility."
Meanwhile, close associates of ND leader Miltiades Evert on
Wednesday maintained that he will run for the party's
leadership, while sources close to ND deputy and former minister
Dora Bakoyianni said she will continue to support the candidacy
of George Souflias.
They added, however, that due to the latest developments Ms
Bakoyianni is open to suggestions for reviewing her position in
the event that Mr. Evert will no longer run for the party's
leadership.
Ms Bakoyianni had a meeting with Mr. Souflias on Wednesday
evening.
ND deputy and former minister Mr. Souflias is also supported in
his run-up to the party's leadership elections by ND deputy and
former minister Stephanos Manos, with whom he met yesterday
morning.
Both Mr. Manos and Ms Bakoyianni were candidates for the party's
leadership but withdrew their candidacies, announcing that they
would support Mr. Souflias.
According to sources close to Mr. Souflias, either Mr. Evert or
Mr. Karamanlis will withdraw his candidacy.
Yesterday, Mr. Souflias said candidacies should be clarified,
adding that the issue "is not the persons, but their
qualifications and the criteria."
Party deputy and former minister Vyron Polydoras has also
announced that he will run for ND's leadership.
[15] Ioannina celebrates 84th anniversary of liberation from Turkish
yoke
Athens, 21/02/1997 (ANA)
The 84th anniversary of the city of Ioannina's liberation from
Turkish rule is being celebrated in three days of events to
culminate in a parade through the city streets today by the
armed forces, police, school children and scouts.
Attending events in the Epirot capital are Health Minister
Costas Geitonas, representing the government, main opposition
New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert and Democratic Social
Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas.
This evening a celebration at the city's Cultural Center will be
addressed by Ioannina University Professor D. Visvili-Donta on
"Sealing a military victory: Mr. (Eleftherios) Venizelos and the
Treaty of London, 30 May 1913."
[16] Conference on satellite systems held
Athens, 21/02/1997 (ANA)
The National Meteorological Service in co-operation with the
Greek Air Industry and the European organization on Exploiting
Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) yesterday organized a
conference on satellite systems for the first time in Greece.
The conference aimed at briefing Greek industries and other
bodies on the possibilities of their participation in EUMETSAT's
programs.
Yesterday's conference focused on providing information for all
Greek agencies related to aerospace work, the activities, role
and duties of EUMETSAT and the creation of initial preconditions
for future co-operation.
The conference was addressed by the national defense minister's
staff general director, Rihardos Kapellos, who praised the
extent of the response shown, which he said proves the interest
of Greek organizations and Greek industry in the possibility of
participating in project tendering concerning EUMETSAT's
satellite programs.
[17] Striking high school teachers demonstrate in central Athens
Athens, 21/02/1997 (ANA)
Striking teachers, who on Wednesday said they would continue
their six-week-old strike until all their wage and institutional
demands were met, called for new talks with Education Minister
Gerassimos Arsenis.
Specifically, representatives from the Union of Secondary School
Teachers (OLME) told a press conference they would not end their
strike if wage increases and other claims were not met, namely,
appointment of an extra 6,000 teachers in schools, reduced
numbers of students in classes and resolution of all pension and
social security issues.
The press conference came a day after primary school and
kindergarten teachers decided to end their three-week-old strike
and return to classrooms.
Teachers gathered outside the education ministry early yesterday
morning and blocked the entrance after failing to convince
ministry employees not to work yesterday as a show of support
for their strike.
There were scuffles shortly after 10 a.m. when police attempted
to allow access to the building. The striking teachers retreated
shortly afterwards and allowed employees to enter the building.
At 12.30 p.m., however, students from 17 junior and senior high
schools in Athens gathered outside the building and met with the
ministry's secretary general to hand him a petition in support
of teachers' demands.
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said later yesterday there
was no question of mobilizing teachers, stressing that there
were still margins for the teachers to take the right steps and
open the schools.
Mr. Reppas said that while the government had taken a number of
steps, teachers had not yet taken one, adding that the increases
granted to teachers were the largest of all social groups.
On his part, Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis told
Parliament late Wednesday night that while no one maintained
that the issue of high school teachers' salaries had been
satisfactorily resolved, there was no excuse for continuing the
strike since a positive approach had been made and the
government had improved the salary scale.
[18] Greeks spend 646 billion drachmas on Lady Luck
Athens, 21/02/1997 (ANA)
Greeks gambled a massive 646.1 billion drachmas or approximately
2.4 billion dollars in 1996, compared to 494.5 billion drachmas
(1.8 billion dollars) in 1995, according to figures released
yesterday by the National Statistics Service (ESYE).
Casinos earned the lion's share with a turnover of 241.6 billion
drachmas (89 million dollars), marking a massive 273.1 per cent
increase over the 1995 figure of 64.7 billion drachmas (240
million dollars).
Of the 241.6 billion drachmas, privately-owned casinos, many of
which opened only recently, raked in 230.3 billion drachmas,
against 51.9 billion drachmas in 1995. State-controlled casinos
earned 11.3 billion drachmas, compared to 12.8 billion drachmas
in 1995.
According to the ESYE, lottery tickets and instant lottery
scratch cards accounted for 178 billion drachmas of the total in
1996, down on the 1995 figure of 190.3 billion drachmas.
Punters gambled 168 billion dollars on the football pools,
compared to 186.5 billion drachmas in 1995, while horse-racing
bets accounted for 56.4 billion drachmas, against 52 billion
drachmas in 1995.
[19] Jan-Oct 1996 current accounts deficit rises
Athens, 21/02/1997 (ANA)
The current accounts deficit in January-October 1996 rose to
$4.3 billion, compared to $3.0 billion in the corresponding
ten-month period of 1995, according to figures released
yesterday by the Bank of Greece. The bank said the increase was
due to a 952.4 million dollar widening of the trade deficit
coupled with a 302.8 million dollar reduction in the invisibles
surplus.
In October 1986, the current accounts deficit reached $646
million, compared to $627 million in the same month of 1995.
[20] Amendment on pension fund's reserves passed
Athens, 21/02/1997 (ANA)
An amendment concerning the utilization of reserve deposits
belonging to legal entities of public law and insurance funds
was ratified in Parliament yesterday in the face of strong
reaction by opposition parties.
National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou reiterated that
the clause refers to existing legislation anticipating
"compulsory" deposit of reserves with the Bank of Greece, only
to the extent that they are not invested directly by the funds
themselves or through commercial banks.
"The deposition is formally compulsory, but in essence it is
voluntary," he said.
Mr. Papantoniou said the sole substantive intervention provided
by the amendment in the management of funds takes place with the
creation of joint deposit capital of legal entities of public
law and insurance funds, which is managed by the Bank of Greece
for investments in state securities and without intervention by
the finance ministry.
Labor and Social Security Minister Miltiades Papaioannou said
the appropriate utilization of the funds' reserves will solve
many problems, adding that management by the Bank of Greece will
be facilitated with the joint capital created.
Main opposition New Democracy Parliamentary representative
Dimitris Sioufas said the issue was created by the government
itself and the fact it "amended the amendment" means the
minister acknowledges that he was mistaken.
Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas,
Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) leader Nikos
Constantopoulos and the representative of the Communist Party of
Greece (KKE) Stratis Korakas called for the amendment's
withdrawal.
KKE walked out before the issue was put to the vote and after
Mr. Korakas termed the amendment "shameful" and said "it is
money belonging to working people and nobody can use it for
gambling."
Mr. Constantopoulos pondered "how a non-existent and
insignificant issue, in the national economy minister's view,
created such a political and social turmoil", adding that he
does not understand on which social basis the government rests
its policy.
Mr. Tsovolas said the amendment burdens insurance funds with two
billion drachmas from management costs despite the fact that the
Bank of Greece takes the reserves from them and manages them at
will without asking.
[21] OTE to unveil new mobile phone at TIF
Athens, 21/02/1997 (ANA)
The Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) will unveil
its first mobile telephone at the annual Thessaloniki
International Fair in September.
Making the announcement yesterday, OTE president Dimitris
Papoulias said that a subsidiary - COSMO-OTE - had already been
set up and would be responsible for the organization's cellular
phone activities.
Mr. Papoulias said the subsidiary's share capital would total
100 billion drachmas, of which half would be paid in from OTE's
own capital while the remainder would be borrowed funds. OTE
will be entering the Greek mobile phone market with a partner,
to be selected after evaluation of offers from three companies -
Airtats, Telenor and Orange.
The offers, he added, would be submitted by the deadline of
February 28 and the competent evaluation committee would convene
prior to March 10 and give its recommendation to OTE's board of
directors. The successful bidding company will purchase 30 per
cent of COSMO-OTE's shares. The mobile phone market in Greece is
currently divided between two companies -Telestet and Panafon.
[22] Athens bourse sees six-year high in prices
Athens, 21/02/1997 (ANA)
Stock prices soared to a six-year high at the Athens Stock
Exchange yesterday with the general price index closing at
1,306.46 points, up 1.69 per cent.
Stocks have been gearing up for the assault on the 1,300 point
barrier since the beginning of the year, with profits increasing
by 40 per cent. The general price index last broke through the
1,300 point barrier in April, 1991.
The bullish sentiment is primarily due to the significant fall
in inflation rates, which is expected to continue this month,
the subsequent fall in interest rates and the government's
intention to speed up privatization of state-run firms.
Investment interest at yesterday's session was centered on bank
stocks, which saw an increase of 3.44 percent.
Turnover was also impressively high, totaling 23 billion
drachmas.
[23] ELBO looks into manufacturing Greek car
Athens, 21/02/1997 (ANA)
The Hellenic Vehicles Industry (ELBO) has announced it is to
look into the construction of a light, multi-use vehicle,
initially for the local market, making use of opportunities the
European Union is offering defense industries to turn to the
open market .
Within 1997, ELBO is to examine possibilities for producing a
vehicle for the commercial market, within the framework of the
EU's KONVER II program aimed at helping defense industries
convert part or all of their production from defense to the open
market.
The program's budget stands at 840 million drachmas over three
years. ELBO says that within 1997, 410 million drachmas should
be absorbed.
[24] Athens court convicts eight suspects in MAVI case
Athens, 21/02/1997 (ANA)
An Athens court yesterday sentenced eight men to jail terms of
between three and four and a half years after convicting them on
charges of possessing, transferring and concealing weapons.
The eight had been accused of being members of the Northern
Epirus Liberation Front (MAVI).
The court, convening over a number of days, found all eight
guilty but converted the charge from a felony to a misdemeanor
and acknowledged the fact that they had no prior convictions.
After the court's verdict the defendants appealed their
sentences and were released.
Defendants claimed that they had found the weapons by chance
while on a hunting trip, when seven of the suspects had been
arrested near Delvinaki, Ioannina prefecture, in March 1995.
All eight had also been initially charged with participation in
a bloody incident which took place in the village of Episkopi,
Albania, in April 1994, in which a clash at an Albanian army
recruiting center there had left three Albanian soldiers dead
and two wounded.
However, the eight suspects were later acquitted of the charge.
[25] Internet site for overseas Greeks
Athens, 21/02/1997 (ANA)
A site on the Internet for overseas Greeks was presented
yesterday at a ceremony attended by Foreign Minister Theodoros
Pangalos and the foreign ministry's political leadership, as
well as political party leaders. The site will provide
information to the Greeks of the Diaspora on foreign policy,
educational and cultural issues as well as public services.
[26] Photo exhibition on Greeks of Istanbul
New York, 21/02/1997 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)
A photographic exhibition on the Greeks of Istanbul
(Constantinople) is to open at the Greek Culture Foundation here
on March 2, and will run until April 6.
The event coincides with the circulation of the English edition
of a book entitled "The Miracle - A True Story" by Leonidas
Koumakis, which describes the sufferings of Istanbul's ethnic
Greeks in 1955 and 1964.
[27] Romeos confident Iraklio bombing suspects will be brought to
justice
Athens, 21/02/1997 (ANA)
Public Order Minister George Romeos yesterday expressed his
certainty that the perpetrators of a bomb attack on a police
chief's car in Iraklio will be caught.
The car had been booby-trapped and exploded when the law
enforcement official's wife, Georgia Soldatou, turned the key in
the ignition. She is currently being treated in a local hospital
with serious injuries, including a severed leg.
Mr. Romeos, speaking from Iraklio, said the investigation would
follow all leads, both in Crete and elsewhere, but added that
there would be no announcement by the public order ministry or
by police "until we have specific results."
He added that one million drachmas has already been provided for
the Soldatos family, and that all hospital expenses for Ms
Soldatos would be met by the ministry.
Speaking after a meeting at the Iraklio police headquarters, Mr.
Romeos said that recent reports on the crime rate in Iraklio are
misleading, adding that the crime rate had actually fallen, and
not risen.
He said the island's most serious crime problems were the
possession of weapons and the cultivation of hashish, which he
said must be dealt with.
"I want to assure the people of Crete that they must not worry
as we have very able (crime fighters) on the island," he said.
End of English language section.
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