Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-06-18

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1214),

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU leaders agree on foreign, security policy

[02] Simitis statements

[03] EU leaders compromise on WEU's status vis-a-vis Union

[04] Kranidiotis' Washington meetings cover Cyprus, CBMs in Aegean

[05] Kissinger

[06] Tsohatzopoulos calls for true convergence of EU economies

[07] Greece to be represented by Koliopanos at this month's Earth Summit

[08] Greece rejects Turkish requests regarding Imia

[09] Black Sea Parliamentary Assembly meeting begins today

[10] Georgian parliament president in Athens

[11] Cabinet meeting on Friday

[12] V. Papandreou, Avramopoulos discuss Athens' tourism issues

[13] Athens mayor to attend Moscow conference

[14] Gligorov praises Athens' role in Balkans after meeting with Clinton

[15] Greek athletes pick up 9 medals at yesterday's session of Med Games

[16] Bakoyianni comments on ND, Karamanlis

[17] Papandreou's widow recalls PASOK founder's last days

[18] Hellenic Steel announces 4.5-billion-drachma investment program

[19] Gov't-sponsored dialogue on social insurance issue begins today

[20] ADEDY

[21] INTERREG II, PHARE programs examined at Thessaloniki conference

[22] Greek equities end 2.94 pct down in selling spree

[23] Greece's Delta Dairy sees 10 pct rise in '97 sales, profit

[24] Greece's Lavipharm to launch new acne product in Europe

[25] GEKAT to launch US Appledee's chain in Greece

[26] OSE board decides on 25-billion-drachma loan

[27] EBO sales up by 36.4 per cent in '96

[28] Quick consumer loans part of new aggressive ATE policy

[29] Reports on child abuse

[30] Mount Athos treasures head for Thessaloniki

[31] Revolutionary driver-less vehicle system presented at Hania conference

[01] EU leaders agree on foreign, security policy

Amsterdam, 18/06/1997 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

The '15' arrived at a compromise agreement on the issue of Common External and Security Policy on the basis of a draft text by the Dutch presidency, setting as aims the protection of external borders, the showing of solidarity between member-states and the defense of the integrity of the Union.

It was announced late in the evening that a deal had been struck on defense policy, essentially on the basis of a British proposal, postponing the integration of the Western European Union (WEU) into the 15-member bloc.

The deal includes a reference to developing closer relations with the WEU, with the possibility of an eventual merger, while maintaining NATO's prominent role in the security of Europe.

Another crucial issue which appeared on the way of a solution was the integration of the Schengen Pact in the acquis communautaire. The arrangement provides the possibility of maintaining border controls in Britain and the Netherlands, with certain schedules for harmonization with the rest of the Union.

The above issues, together with the stability and development pact were, until last night, the two basic sectors on which progress had been achieved during the summit. Still pending were the so-called reweighting of votes between large and small countries in decision making, and the issue of "flexibility", referring to the possibilities of member-states developing advanced forms of co-operation in the Community framework. A third issue awaiting resolution was the number of commissioners.

These three issues appeared to have created an unknown - until - division between the large and small population countries of the Union. The outcome of this negotiation was expected to determine the success of the process for a revision of the Maastricht Treaty.

Greece, together with the other nine smaller EU members, is supporting the maintenance of the present balance.

[02] Simitis statements

Amsterdam, 18/06/1997 (ANA)

"The results so far are very positive for Greece," he told Greek reporters yesterday afternoon, singling out in particular the arrangements in the Common External and Security Policy.

The prime minister also expressed his satisfaction with the references to the Greek islands, particularly regarding the need for boosting their development, as well as to issues of environmental protection, consumer rights and public health.

He noted that in spite of progress in the negotiations, there were still disagreements and difficulties on the issue of flexibility and the Common External Policy. Questioned whether developments presented dangers for Greece, Mr. Simitis replied: "When a negotiation is in progress, dangers are always present".

[03] EU leaders compromise on WEU's status vis-a-vis Union

Amsterdam, 18/06/1997 (ANA - H. Haralambopoulos)

It is the first time that a EU treaty makes reference to defense issues within the framework of the Union's Common Foreign Policy and Security.

The new treaty mentions that the WEU is element for the "EU's development", giving the Union access to operational ability in relation to humanitarian, rescue and peacekeeping missions, as well as intervention of troops in regard to crisis management.

Although it is stressed that the EU should develop its institutional ties with the WEU, the possibility of the 10-member defense body's incorporation into the EU has been left up to the European Summit Council to decide.

The EU council, with the agreement of WEU organs, will take all necessary practical measures to allow all member-states to contribute in the targets and participate fully and equally in the decisions taken by the WEU.

[04] Kranidiotis' Washington meetings cover Cyprus, CBMs in Aegean

Washington, 18/06/1997 (ANA - S. Sideris)

Speaking at a news conference, Mr. Kranidiotis said he had discussed NATO-proposed confidence-building measures in the Aegean and Greek-Turkish relations with Mr. Lodal, implying however, that there had been no further progress on the issue but that Athens was continuing the discussion in the framework of the NATO secretary-general's initiative.

Mr. Kranidiotis also had the opportunity to meet with Richard Holbrooke, who was recently appointed as a US presidential envoy for Cyprus.

Mr. Kranidiotis told reporters that Mr. Holbrooke agreed that Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue could not be considered as a "package", as they involved different issues requiring different handling.

However, both sides agreed that a Cyprus resolution would have a positive effect on Greek-Turkish relations.

Mr. Holbrooke, who negotiated the Bosnian peace accords, is expected to visit Athens, Nicosia and Ankara at the beginning of August for talks with the three governments on the future of negotiations regarding Cyprus, following face-to-face talks between Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in New York from July 9-13.

On his part, Mr. Kranidiotis implied that the talks between Mr. Clerides and Mr. Denktash would be of substantial interest from the beginning.

The talks will be chaired by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, while the guarantor powers in Cyprus - Greece, Turkey and Britain - will be observers as will the five permanent Security Council members and the European Union, whose presence was requested by Greece.

The European Union's participation is necessary, Mr. Kranidiotis said, and any attempt to resolve the issue must be made in concert with the EU in light of Cyprus' prospects of entry into the 15-member bloc.

Mr. Kranidiotis said he told Mr. Holbrooke the Greek government welcomed his appointment as an indication of the US interest in resolving the protracted problem, adding that for the US involvement to show a result pressure must be exerted on Turkey to retreat from its present stance.

Mr. Holbrooke will be assisted by the US charge d'affaires in Athens, Mr. Miller.

Mr. Kranidiotis added that he would be visiting eastern European countries desiring to join the EU and NATO as well as Middle Eastern states and the People's Republic China (a member of the Security Council), as part of the government's diplomatic offensive on national issues.

Other matters to be discussed during these visits include the Balkans and Greece's role in the region and the EU as well as bilateral relations.

Mr. Kranidiotis also held discussions with his US counterpart Thomas Pickering.

The Greek under-secretary stated afterwards that he told his counterpart that the Cyprus issue constitutes the cornerstone for the broader problems Greece is facing with Turkey, and that the US should exercise their influence on Turkey for a just and viable solution. He also asked for US co-operation with the EU in view of the prospects for Cypriot membership.

He also said that he found the US in agreement with Greece's position for a step-by-step approach in Greek-Turkish relations.

[05] Kissinger

Washington, 18/06/1997 (ANA)

[06] Tsohatzopoulos calls for true convergence of EU economies

Athens, 18/06/1997 (ANA)

"Those looking at development in the narrow, rationalistic sense of mathematical equations are out of touch with reality," the minister said, a few days before the opening of ruling PASOK's central committee meeting.

"They haven't realized that European public feeling is running high," said Mr. Tsohatzopoulos, who is also the Vice-President of the European Socialist Party.

European socialists do not dispute convergence criteria or the need for a single European currency, he said, adding that coordination of economic policies on both a national and European level would lead to higher growth rates.

He added, however, that European socialists demand that the EU's stability pact, the main tool for the shaping of tomorrow's Europe, should be complemented with a "social contract."

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the Greek government's economic policy is based on stability and growth with a social dimension, but that the results from the social and development aspect of the economic policy were yet to be seen.

"We have to provide answers to the citizens' concerns, we have to be able to give dimension to a realistic growth prospect which in the final analysis will carry social evolution through a wide dialogue on national and European level," Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said.

Turning to the issue of NATO's headquarters, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos referred to the proposal during the alliance's last meeting, providing for the establishment of two European headquarters, one in the north and the other in the south with four subheadquarters in Spain, Italy, Greece and Turkey.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the proposal was supported by all NATO member states except Turkey, which claims that the number of NATO's Mediterranean subheadquarters should be reduced, while suggesting that Greece and Turkey share a common subheadquarters.

If Turkey sincerely hopes to upgrade its relations with the European Union and NATO it is time to show it now, the minister said when asked to speculate on the possibility of Turkey making a concession. Stressing that growth was based on security, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said "our goal is to create through a fresh co-operation between the private and public sector an industry for the manufacture of armaments and products for Greece in order to limit the flow of funds used for purchasing weapons systems (from abroad)."

Asked to comment on the possibility of a joint venture with Russia to manufacture weapons systems, including tanks and anti-missiles, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the issue was under consideration and due to be finalized over the next few months.

[07] Greece to be represented by Koliopanos at this month's Earth Summit

Athens, 18/06/1997 (ANA)

The summit will evaluate the achievements of member countries and the problems which must be overcome for the protection of the environment, five years after the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit.

Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis, who may attend the summit as well, yesterday briefed the press on Greece's achievements in the field of environmental protection.

"There's yet a lot to be done," Mr. Laliotis said, pledging that the government will do everything possible to protect the environment.

[08] Greece rejects Turkish requests regarding Imia

Athens, 18/06/1997 (ANA)

Confirming reports of the Turkish request in the Athens daily 'Eleftheros Typos', acting government spokesman Yiannis Nikolaou said the Turkish government had requested the information but avoided calling the request a formal demarche.

"Such acts are steadfastly rejected as this specific one was," he said. The islet of Imia was the focus of a tense stand-off between Greece and Turkey early last year when Turkey disputed Greece's sovereignty.

Turning to the presence of Turkish battleships at ports in the Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus, Mr. Nikolaou said any act that did not contribute to the creation of a positive climate for a successful outcome to the talks between Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in New York early next month was to be condemned.

"The Cypriot government is undertaking every effort for the talks to succeed while the Turkish Cypriot stance is to the contrary," he said.

[09] Black Sea Parliamentary Assembly meeting begins today

Athens, 18/06/1997 (ANA)

President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos will officially inaugurate the meeting today, although sessions began yesterday, under the chairmanship of Greece's President of Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis, who is the current president of the body.

On the agenda is a discussion of the conclusions of the 9th foreign ministers' meeting of the organization held in Istanbul in April, developments in the establishment of the Thessaloniki-based Black Sea Trade and Development Bank and the rights and protection of refugees in the region.

Ten Black Sea nations are represented at the meeting - Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine.

Also participating as observers are representatives of the Egyptian Parliament and Israel's Knesset and the UN High Commission for Refugees.

The president of the Bulgarian parliament has also been invited to attend.

PABSEC was created in 1993 at the parliamentary arm of the Black Sea Economic Co-operation Pact and aims at co-operation between the peoples of the region to create a zone of stability, prosperity and peace in the larger effort for a new Europe.

At the end of the meeting, Mr. Kaklamanis will hand over the presidency to Moldova's parliament president Dimitru Motspan.

[10] Georgian parliament president in Athens

Athens, 18/06/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Zhvania met with President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos earlier yesterday as well as his Greek counterpart Apostolos Kaklamanis in the evening.

Today, he will attend the official inauguration of the Black Sea Parliamentary Assembly plenary session.

He is also scheduled to meet with members of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

[11] Cabinet meeting on Friday

Athens, 18/06/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Simitis will travel to Thessaloniki the next day to inaugurate the city's exhibition of artifacts from Mount Athos.

[12] V. Papandreou, Avramopoulos discuss Athens' tourism issues

Athens, 18/06/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Avramopoulos expressed concern over the continuing decrease over the past few years in the number of tourists staying in the Greek capital, saying that 30 per cent of tourist arrivals completely bypass Athens in order to reach other destinations. It was agreed that all existing possibilities should be examined to shape a specific framework for upgrading the capital.

Both officials, who met at the offices of the Greek Tourist Organization (EOT) in downtown Athens, termed the meeting particularly useful, while more meetings will be held with the purpose of finalizing settlements to be promoted for tourism development in Athens.

[13] Athens mayor to attend Moscow conference

Athens, 18/06/1997 (ANA)

Visiting Moscow at the invitation of his counterpart Yuri Louskov, Mr. Avramopoulos is expected to try to gain accession for Athens to the international network of the world's largest cities.

[14] Gligorov praises Athens' role in Balkans after meeting with Clinton

Washington, 18/06/1997 (ANA - T. Ellis)

In leaving the Oval Office and replying to a question, Mr. Gligorov said he did not discuss the question of his country's name with President Clinton.

"It was not the object of our talks today. I briefed President Clinton on our views on the present policy followed by (Greece's) Prime Minister Mr. Simitis, and that we evaluate very positively this policy, particularly Greece's orientation to be a more important factor in this region compared to how it was until now," Mr. Gligorov said.

The FYROM president expressed his country's appreciation over the catalytic role played by the UN peacekeeping force in safeguarding peace and stability, which is primarily composed of Americans, and called for the renewal of the mandate for its stay.

He also called on US firms to invest in FYROM, linking such a development both to promoting economic development in this country and safeguarding stability in the country.

It is Mr. Gligorov's first visit to the United States as the president of FYROM. He was due to also meet US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright at the State Department.

[15] Greek athletes pick up 9 medals at yesterday's session of Med Games

Athens, 18/06/1997 (ANA)

The gold medals were won in the women's triple jump event by Olga Vasdeki with 14 meters and 13 centimeters and by weightlifting champion Kahi Kahiasvili (he won a gold medal in the Atlanta Olympics) in the 99-kg category with 212.5 kg in jerk.

Silver medals were won by Kahiasvili in his category's snatch with 167.5 kg, Niki Bakoyianni in the women's high jump with 1.93, Giorgos Panayiotopoulos in the 200 meters men's race with 20.53, Katerina Koffa in the same event for women with 22.80 and Katia Sarakatsani in the women's 200 joint individual race with 2:19.43.

Bronze medals were won by Oleg Panatidis in the plus 100 category in weightlifting with 162.5 kg in snatch and Makis Korkizoglu in the decathlon with 7,932 points.

[16] Bakoyianni comments on ND, Karamanlis

Athens, 18/06/1997 (ANA)

Described as feeling bitter for not having been appointed parliamentary spokesman, Ms Bakoyianni is quoted saying that "today's leading team is called upon, with a sense of responsibility and seriousness, to give the party prospect and hope... to express a new vision that will inspire..."

Asked to comment on the results of a recent MRB survey showing ruling PASOK voters moving to New Democracy, Ms Bakoyianni said It would be a tragic mistake for the party to stay dormant.

She then went on to say that Mr. Karamanlis should undertake the initiative of encouraging former ND officials, who had been removed or willingly left the party in the past, to rejoin ND.

Referring to former ND officials who left the party in order to join the ranks of Political Spring, she said: "Everyone is welcome to join a party, which I think is in a position to express them better."

The former minister also criticized the government's economic policy and policy in Greek-Turkish relations, despite detecting certain coincidence of views between the two parties' policies.

[17] Papandreou's widow recalls PASOK founder's last days

Athens, 18/06/1997 (ANA)

In the interview, Ms Liani-Papandreou remembers the hours she spent with the PASOK founder on the night of his death.

"On the morning of that day," she remembers, "Andreas Papandreou woke up feeling tired and downhearted."

"He called for Takis Karatsis, his loyal bodyguard who had died a few years before, and deputy Midis, who had been killed in 1963 and whose loss he had never recovered," Ms Liani-Papandreou is quoted as saying in the interview.

According to Ms Liani-Papandreou, in the afternoon of June 22 (the day of his death) Papandreou was visited by former minister Antonis Livanis, Dimitris Kremastinos (his personal physician) and Costas Stephanis, as well as his son, George Papandreou, who was accompanied by his wife and daughter Margarita.

Ms Liani-Papandreou said that George Papandreou was trying to persuade his father not to attend the PASOK congress, the sessions of which were about to open in those days.

"There was no intention, on my part or anyone else's from his close circle (of friends and associates) to pressure him to attend," she remembers.

But, she is quoted adding, "Andreas always lived through three things: hope, motive and prospect... he was living with the prospect of attending the conference..." "Of course, he would send a message of unity, but I am certain that he would also make insinuations regarding internal party opposition, which was not opposition any more. It is certain that he wanted to be an active politician again. He lived in the hope of doing it," she added.

On the evening of the same day, Ms Liani-Papandreou said her late husband was visited in their home in Ekali by former government spokesman Telemahos Hytiris and deputy Nikos Athanasakis.

They stayed for dinner, Ms Liani-Papandreou remembers.

The president looked sad and said only a few words," she said, adding that "for the first time he willingly ate his dinner."

Around midnight," Papandreou's widow states "he got up and excused himself, saying he wished to retire. I feel a little tired he said. We got up. He shook hands with the guests. I went with him to the room... I leaned forward to kiss him and left him in the care of the nurses," she remembers.

A few hours later he died.

Mrs. Liani-Papandreou, whose book about her life with Andreas Papandreou is due to be published in September, claims to have no recollection of events in the hours that followed Papandreou's death.

I was in shock," she says. "The only thing I remember is kneeling on the floor, my hands clinging around an icon of Christ, shouting: 'God please don't do this to me...' "

In the rest of the interview, Ms Liani-Papandreou is quoted elaborating on her husband's taste in clothes and his relations with his children.

[18] Hellenic Steel announces 4.5-billion-drachma investment program

Athens, 18/06/1997 (ANA)

The company has already announced that its profits over the first five months of the current year have amounted to 1.05 billion drachmas, exceeding targets set in the budget and while over the corresponding period last year it produced losses totaling 711 million drachmas.

Commenting on these developments, the firm's general director, G. Lykidis, said the favorable results stemmed from the climate of accord and confidence between the company and workers.

[19] Gov't-sponsored dialogue on social insurance issue begins today

Athens, 18/06/1997 (ANA)

Labor and Social Insurance Minister Miltiades Papaioannou will support government positions before 17 social partner organizations, which have been invited to participate in the second cycle of dialogue set to develop in parallel to a discussion on changes in the nation's labor relations.

The small package of measures is expected to be agreed on and will be initiated in 1997. It will primarily concern measures against contribution evasion, equipping the funds' auditing services with new powers (such as imposing fines on contribution evaders, checking the accounting books of companies, etc.), hiring necessary staff, etc.

Moreover, the unification of similar funds will be promoted. Stumbling blocks for the government include unification of bank funds and a solution for the unorthodox insurance status at the Public Power Corp. (DEH).

The large package will concern radical changes in the system which will be discussed in 1998, but their implementation is expected after the year 2000. They are measures which, according to Mr. Papaioannou, will define the insurance system over a period of 30 years.

Points to be discussed will be reciprocity, pensioning limits, contributions, the level of insurance benefits, etc. According to reports, the model for discussions will be the so-called "tri-zonal system", which anticipates a minimum national pension for all working people, reciprocal insurance, health and pensions with many scales which each working person will voluntarily join and paying relevant contributions. The third zone will be a combination of the system with private insurance.

[20] ADEDY

Athens, 18/06/1997 (ANA)

ADEDY's leadership stated that the current state of the social security system and the country's demographics are the main reasons for today's problems.

With regard to the social dialogue procedures, ADEDY stressed that discussion should initially focus on the basic principles governing the operation of the social security system, as well as on safeguarding its future.

The civil servants' union also stated that it believes that the social security system's public and social nature cannot be negotiated, but should be based on solidarity between generations and on the principles of equality and universality.

As far as civil servants are concerned, ADEDY said discussion of all matters should take place on a bilateral basis, with a foremost target - according to ADEDY - of a primary pension totaling 80 per cent of the amount of an active salary while also up grading supplementary pensions.

ADEDY has rejected even the idea of rising the retirement age, remaining adamant on the establishment of the 35 years of work before retirement.

Finally, ADEDY called on the government to take no measures on issues under discussion during the social dialogue.

[21] INTERREG II, PHARE programs examined at Thessaloniki conference

Athens, 18/06/1997 (ANA)

Private sector projects, however, have recorded delays, mainly due to the absence of an appropriate institutional framework until recently.

It was also revealed that Bulgaria and Albania, both of whom are participating in these programs, are lagging far behind Greece.

National economy ministry officials said more programs in the framework of INTERREG for integrated projects along Greece's northern border and in the eastern Aegean islands have been sent for approval to the European Commission. Other proposals are being considered by the ministry.

The total budget for these programs is 11.3 billion drachmas.

The ministry is also preparing invitations for tenders for more projects by chambers and non-profit organizations, and others for tourist and cultural areas - budgeted at 10 billion drachmas - for which EU subsidies range from 50 to 70 percent.

Contacts have been made with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), while the neighboring country has accepted integration of the E-79 European highway in the framework of INTERREG.

[22] Greek equities end 2.94 pct down in selling spree

Athens, 18/06/1997 (ANA)

Turnover was moderate at 18.9 billion drachmas. The parallel index for smaller cap stocks finished 1.92 percent down.

Heavily weighted Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE), which is undergoing a second part-privatization on the Athens bourse, lost 275 drachmas to close at 6,820 drachmas.

The second float's share prices were set at 6,600 drachmas for institutional investors and 6,400 drachmas for individual buyers.

All sector indices ended with losses. Banks plunged 3.02 percent, Leasing sank 1.97 percent, Insurance dropped 2.20 percent, Investment fell 2.52 percent, Industrials slumped 2.47 percent, Construction slid 2.33 percent, Holding plummeted 4.71 percent, and Miscellaneous finished 2.37 percent down.

Of 237 shares traded, losers outpaced gainers at 163 to 47 with 27 stocks remaining unchanged.

Among the largest gainers were Parnassos, Erlikon, Papoutsanis (common) and Macedonia Textiles (preferred), all of which ended at the upper 8 percent daily volatility limit.

The biggest losers were Intrasoft (common), Bank of Athens (common and preferred), and Mouriadis, all of which ended at or near the lower 8 percent daily volatility limit.

[23] Greece's Delta Dairy sees 10 pct rise in '97 sales, profit

Athens, 18/06/1997 (ANA)

Sales of products including milk and yogurt rose 10 percent in value in January to May, representing a five percent increase in volume.

Yogurt sales posted a 20 percent rise despite holding 1996 price levels.

The volume of sales for milk rose 10 percent following a new product launch, and ice cream sales rose five percent despite adverse weather conditions.

An annual general shareholders meeting on Wednesday is expected to endorse a 70-drachma dividend from 60 drachmas last year, and a share capital increase involving the distribution of two free shares for ten existing ones.

Delta is due to produce ice cream in Romania from mid-July and plans to build two new plants in Ukraine and Serbia in 1998-99.

The firm, classed as a blue chip on the Athens bourse, is active in Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Cyprus, FYROM, Lebanon and Russia.

[24] Greece's Lavipharm to launch new acne product in Europe

Athens, 18/06/1997 (ANA)

The new fast-acting cream will remove all signs of the skin complaint in 35 hours, according to Lavipharm.

The company plans to hold a 6.5 billion drachma share capital increase by issuing four new shares for 10 existing ones at 1,900 drachmas per share.

Proceeds will be used to expand premises, fund research and development, and reduce bank borrowing. Lavipharm is currently negotiating possible acquisitions of three unnamed firms, two of which are in Greece and one abroad.

Sales in the first five months of 1997 jumped 55 percent and are expected to exceed by 15 percent a target of 50 billion drachmas for the whole of fiscal 1997. In 1996 sales rose by 41 percent to 42 billion drachmas, net profits increased 22 percent to 2.6 billion drachmas, and investments were 7.6 billion.

[25] GEKAT to launch US Appledee's chain in Greece

Athens, 18/06/1997 (ANA)

The restaurant, offering a variety of food adapted to Greek tastes, will be located near Thessaloniki's international airport.

GEKAT, which holds the master franchise for the chain, plans to open nine restaurants throughout Greece by 2000.

Investment in each unit is expected to total 500-600 million drachmas with construction accounting for half of the figure.

Operation of the restaurants in Greece has been awarded to Milomel Ltd, 55 percent owned by GEKAT. According to forecasts, each unit will have an annual turnover of 800-900 million drachmas.

The US chain operates in America, Canada and the Caribbean.

[26] OSE board decides on 25-billion-drachma loan

Athens, 18/06/1997 (ANA)

The board meeting also decided to approve an increase in OSE's share capital by 20 billion drachmas; procurement of two train coaches and an increase of 416 million drachmas in the cost of additional works to lay the double Larisa-Plateos line. The initial cost of the works amounts to 838 million drachmas.

[27] EBO sales up by 36.4 per cent in '96

Athens, 18/06/1997 (ANA)

EBO losses decreased for the third consecutive year by 36.2 per cent - or about 3.9 billion drachmas.

The state-run arms manufacturer made investments totaling 500 million drachmas in its three plants, while it decreased expenditures by 200 million drachmas.

EBO's turnover is projected to exceed 20 billion drachmas in 1997.

[28] Quick consumer loans part of new aggressive ATE policy

Athens, 18/06/1997 (ANA)

In addition, attracting major clients and developing modern banking services, such as credit cards, leasing and mutual funds, are also mentioned in a circular by the bank's governor, Christos Papathanasiou.

The ATE will further pursue a widening of its share in banking market deposits sector.

Mr. Papathanasiou said that to this end ATE possesses three main competitive advantages, namely, an extensive network throughout the country and abroad; specialization in relation to the nature of clients' activities and the ability of the ATE group to provide almost all products and services required by clients and on competitive terms.

[29] Reports on child abuse

Athens, 18/06/1997 (ANA)

Data provided by researchers yesterday, the first day of a two-day conference on "Priority in Dignity and Safety for the Children of Europe", is shocking. The director of the Institute of Health for the Child, Eleni Agathonos, said that only indicative evidence exists in the country.

"As you can imagine it would not be possible to open all the doors of Greek homes and see what is going on inside. However, if conditions which appear to exist in other countries apply to Greece, then we must estimate about 1,000 to 2,000 new cases of child abuse every year," Ms Agathonos said, adding that between 18-36,000 children must have been abused in Greece over the past 20 years, many of which continue to be abused.

According to reports, children leaving home must be included among children abused emotionally, while half of the children leaving their homes have psychological traumas for the rest of their lives. Based on unofficial data, abuse in Greece concerns 7 per cent of boys and 17 per cent of girls.

[30] Mount Athos treasures head for Thessaloniki

Athens, 18/06/1997 (ANA)

About 2,000 artifacts from the autonomous monastic community in Halkidiki prefecture's eastern-most peninsula will travel to the northern Greek city for the exhibition, which will be declared open Saturday by President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos in the presence of a high-ranking government delegation headed by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, opposition party leaders and other officials.

The 2,000 artifacts, including 600 invaluable objects, have never before left any of the 20 monasteries on Mount Athos, which bars females from visiting the peninsula.

European Commission President Jacques Santer, during a recent visit to the monastic community, praised the spiritual tradition of Mount Athos, which he said could be a model for the Europe of the future, adding that its cultural heritage and history had contributed to the creation of a "unique type of society based on spiritual values."

Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, speaking during the blessing at the community's capital Karyes, described the exhibition of Mount Athos treasures as "the largest (art) exhibition event ever in Greece and one of the most significant internationally ."

Meanwhile, representatives from eight of the community's 20 monasteries did not attend the ceremony in protest over the Greek Parliament's ratification last week of the EU-sponsored Schengen Pact, although five of the monasteries that did not send a representative to yesterday's event are sending artifacts to Thessaloniki.

Mount Athos monasteries called for re-consideration of Parliament's 141-vote majority ratification of Schengen.

[31] Revolutionary driver-less vehicle system presented at Hania conference

Athens, 18/06/1997 (ANA)

The PAFF program concerns a modern automated motorway system whereby vehicles will be piloted without drivers, thanks to radars, sensors and ultra-red frequen-cies.

According to University of California professor Roberto Horowitz, the purpose of the program, to be implemented in the certain sites in the US over the next five years, is to create a modern highway infrastructure which will guarantee a considerable increase in traffic capacity and a decrease in accidents.

End of English language section.

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