Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-08-01
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1252), August 1, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Athens '97 Athletics Championships open today
[02] Anabolics ban halved
[03] Athens mayor to honor Nebiolo
[04] Talks held on creation of 3 new Greek-Bulgarian border
checkpoints
[05] Evros River pollution caused by factory, study claims
[06] Greece favors UN resolutions in seeking a Cyprus solution
[07] Tsohatzopoulos underlines Greece's stabilizing role in the region
[08] KKE reaction to KYSEA decisions
[09] Albanian police receive final shipment of Greek aid
[10] Greek athletes voice optimism and determination
[11] Jamaica's Oti hopes to win medal
[12] Premier Simitis meets IOC and IAAF officials
[13] OTE technical support
[14] Alexandria patriarch hails IAAF World Championships
[15] Kaklamanakis completes the first-ever windsurf run of the Aegean
[16] Search reveals more illegal immigrants on ship
[17] SYN leader appeals for 'spirit of humanitarianism'
[18] More illegal immigrants enter Evros area
[19] Important findings in Konitsa excavations
[20] Thessaloniki port renews special treatment for Yugoslav goods
[21] Meeting held on improving transport and traffic conditions in
Athens
[22] Greece to buy two new Airbus A340s
[23] Greece to hire evaluator for new power plant to quell doubts
[24] Athens share index rises in July vs June, turnover drops
[25] Greek state telecom postpones digital switch purchase
[26] US dollar gains 4.09 pct vs drachma in July
[27] Greek equities end higher, fall short of resistance at 1,600 pts.
[28] Record tourist arrivals in Rhodes
[01] Athens '97 Athletics Championships open today
Athens, 1/8/1997 (ANA)
The 6th World Athletics Championships open in Athens at 20h30
today with a spectacular ceremony at the Panathenian Stadium.
A record 200 countries are participating in the event which will
end on August 10.
International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) president
Primo Nebiolo yesterday expressed confidence that the Athens '97
championships would be a success:
"To me, Greece is the spiritual home of athletics. I believe the
staging of the championships will be a success," he told a press
conference.
He underlined the fact that a record 200 countries will be
taking part in the championships which, he noted, would be
watched by 3.3 billion television viewers in 212 countries.
He added that demand for tickets was higher than expected,
observing that tickets had already been sold out for August 3,
when the finals of the men's and women's 100 meters sprint will
be held.
Mr. Nebiolo said that tonight's opening ceremony "with the
participation of the great artists Vangelis and Montserrat
Caballe" would be "a truly spectacular show".
He also noted that Vangelis had composed a new Anthem for the
IAAF which will be heard for the first time today at the
Panathenian Stadium.
[02] Anabolics ban halved
Athens, 1/8/1997 (ANA)
In another development, the IAAF yesterday halved its penalty
for first-time anabolics offenders to two-year maximum
suspension from athletics events from the present four-year
maximum.
Delegates at the annual two-day IAAF congress in Athens, which
opened on Wednesday, voted 112-56 with three abstentions in
favor of a proposal by several European countries, spearheaded
by Germany, to reduce the ban.
The four-year maximum suspension for athletes caught using
steroid anabolics for a first time, introduced by the IAAF in
1991, has caused problems with the International Olympic
Committee (IOC), which was pressing for reduction of the ban,
and also with civil courts in many countries, to which athletes
took recourse.
A second offense carries a lifetime ban. The IAAF spent 1.7
million dollars on combating doping last year.
The IAAF president endorsed a reduction of the ban in statements
to the Congress on Wednesday.
The congress voted against a similar proposal two years ago in
Ggteborg, fearing a reduction would be construed as a softening
of the Federation's stance against doping.
In his press conference, Mr. Nebiolo clarified that athletes
caught using stimulants, instead of the present three-month
suspension from athletics events, would now by given a "public
warning".
In the event of a second and third offense however, they will be
liable to a two-year and lifetime ban respectively, he said.
The IAAF chief stressed that if a national athletics federation
wished to impose harsher penalties on athletes caught using
prohibited substances, "we at the IAAF will accept them".
[03] Athens mayor to honor Nebiolo
Athens, 1/8/1997 (ANA)
Mayor of Athens, Dimitris Avramopoulos will today present Mr.
Nebiolo with the Gold Medal of Value of the city of Athens, at a
special ceremony to be held at noon at the Town Hall. Talks held
on creation of three new Greek-Bulgarian border checkpoints
[04] Talks held on creation of 3 new Greek-Bulgarian border
checkpoints
Sofia, 1/8/1997 (ANA - N. Chios)
The creation of three new border checkpoints on the
Greek-Bulgarian border was discussed during a meeting between
Deputy Prime Minister Yevgeni Bakarziev and the Greek Ambassador
to Sofia Panayiotis Karakasis, according to an announcement by
the Bulgarian government's press service.
A meeting between experts from the two countries will follow,
according to a report by BTA, to determine the locations where
the border crossings will be established.
According to the existing Greek-Bulgarian agreement, the three
border checkpoints will link the cities of Drama-Goce Delchev,
Xanthi-Rudozem and Komotini-Kerzali, while their construction
must be completed by the end of 1998. The government
announcement further said that the two countries will co-operate
on all infrastructure works included in the American "Sifter"
plan for southeastern Europe.
[05] Evros River pollution caused by factory, study claims
Sofia, 1/8/1997 (ANA - N. Chios)
The pollution of the Evros River's waters with ammoniac nitrogen
in the Bulgarian Dimitrovgrad-Simeonovgrad section has created
poisoning among big quantities of fish, according to laboratory
studies by the regional environment department in the city of
Haskovo.
According to a BTA report, the pollution was caused by the
NEOXIM factory. The head of the regional department Dimiter
Iliev explained that compared to the previous similar case in
1994, the polluted section is smaller.
The regional governor of Haskovo has briefed authorities in
Alexandroupolis on the case and offered assurances that the
content of ammoniac nitrogen in the waters of the Evros River as
far as the Greek-Bulgarian border is below relevant levels.
[06] Greece favors UN resolutions in seeking a Cyprus solution
Athens, 1/8/1997 (ANA)
Greece said yesterday that the solution being sought to the
Cyprus problem should be one which takes into consideration
United Nations resolutions and the texts of agreements reached
in the past and which "makes use of experience". Government
spokesman Dimitris Reppas made the statement when asked to
comment on statements by NATO Secretary General Javier Solana.
"Mr. Solana is familiar with the development of things," Mr.
Reppas added.
Speaking Tuesday in New York, Mr. Solana did not rule out the
possibility of NATO taking a more active role to safeguard
Cyprus' security in the future.
At the same time he expressed the hope that the Cyprus problem
would be resolved during 1998.
Mr. Reppas noted that for the first time the conditions appeared
to exist and efforts being made for a solution, while stressing
that it was still "early days" and "Greece continues to be
reserved".
The spokesman strongly criticized Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf
Denktash for threatening not to attend the second round of
UN-sponsored negotiations in August unless the European Union
suspends its decision to start accession talks with Cyprus.
"Mr. Denktash is compromising himself and Turkey. It appears
that he lacks the will to contribute to a settlement," Mr.
Reppas said. The spokesman added that Mr. Denktash's statements
were tantamount to blackmailing the EU "because when the
decisions were taken about the accession procedure for Cyprus,
the situation on the island was known".
"The decisions of the EU are not subject to any revocation or
dilution due to the statements of Mr. Denktash, whose only task
is to contribute to a solution of the Cyprus problem," Mr.
Reppas said.
[07] Tsohatzopoulos underlines Greece's stabilizing role in the region
Athens, 1/8/1997 (ANA)
National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos yesterday
underlined the stabilizing role played by Greece in the Balkans,
the eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea region, contrasting
it with Turkey which, he said, because of its expansionist
policy was a destabilizing factor in the region.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos was commenting on the decisions taken at
Wednesday's Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense
(KYSEA) concerning defense policy and the new structure of the
armed forces.
"Greece is in favor of peace and co-operation with the countries
of the region and adheres to international treaties and
agreements (which ensure) the inviolability of and precisely
determine its borders," Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said.
Replying to reporters' questions on the joint communiqui signed
recently in Madrid by Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Turkish
President Suleyman Demirel on the sidelines of the NATO summit,
the minister said:
"The communiqui sets the framework for the peaceful promotion of
procedures for resolving problems between the two countries,
without it being binding. We hope that Turkey changes from being
a destabilizing factor to becoming a stabilizing force and its
aggressive dogma becomes peaceful and defensive in nature, as is
Greece's."
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos charged that Turkey was aspiring to secure
the free movement of its warplanes and ships in international
space in the Aegean.
"For this reason, Ankara put forward a proposal according to
which it would not be obliged to submit flight plans for its
aircraft, as it is legally obliged by international conventions,
but for recognition to be accomplished by means of the
Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system," he said, stressing
that Greece had rejected the proposal.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos also denied any knowledge of press reports
claiming that NATO was becoming involved in the Aegean,
clarifying that the US aircraft carriers at Corfu and Rhodes
were on friendly visits "and totally unrelated to these reports".
Referring to the new structure of the armed forces, Mr.
Tsohatzopoulos said in the new defense doctrine are also
introduced:
- A structural policy, calling for flexibility in the operation
of the armed forces, by introducing new services and know how
and participating in humanitarian initiatives by international
organizations.
- The qualitative upgrading of the armed forces with modern
armaments in terms of competition with Turkey, on the principle
of averting an incident.
- Undertaking initiatives in the greater area, allowing Greece
to take a leading role as a stabilizing factor. In this context,
Greece will intervene with the United States and the European
Union for setting up regional security institutions to solve
political and economic problems in the area.
The defense minister said that the restructuring of the armed
forces is a national necessity and is not related to structural
changes in NATO. This restructuring would include the
integration of units and the creation of flexible and easily
mobilized forces with a high degree of preparedness and range,
he added.
The new structure of the armed forces will remain valid for 15
years, and be reviewed in 2001 to determine whether it needs
modifications, he said.
[08] KKE reaction to KYSEA decisions
Athens, 1/8/1997 (ANA)
The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) disagreed with the changes
on the new structure of the armed forces and questioned
statements by Mr. Tsohatzopoulos yesterday that the changes in
the military have nothing to do with NATO's new structure.
An announcement by KKE said Mr. Tsohatzopoulos' statements
reveal that the content of KYSEA's decisions is in full harmony
with the imperialist policy of NATO and in which Greece and its
armed forces have been included even deeper.
KKE said intensified armaments have nothing to do with Greek
defense interests but with the aggressive policy of NATO and the
Americans because, apart from the huge economic burdens working
people will have to pay while multinationals will gain, the
armaments race constitutes a source of increasing dangers for
the country and the people in the region in general.
According to KKE, the latest developments confirm that the
Madrid communiqui gives the green light to the imperialists to
proceed with the deeper Americanization of the Aegean and this
is also revealed by KYSEA's decisions and Mr. Tsohatzopoulos'
statements.
[09] Albanian police receive final shipment of Greek aid
Athens, 1/8/1997 (ANA)
The Albanian police has received the second and final shipment
of useful material sent in by the Greek government to assist in
its reorganization. Material sent to the neighboring country
includes police cars and motorbikes, bullet-proof vests,
clothing and office equipment.
The equipment was transported to the port of Durres aboard the
Hellenic Navy tank-landing ship "Samos". It will be used by the
Tirana and Vlore police for the reorganization of the Interior
Ministry, the restoration of public order and a return to norm
al life.
During the delivery ceremony, Albanian government officials
thanked the Greek government for its contribution. They said it
was the first step in the difficult task of restoring order in
the country.
[10] Greek athletes voice optimism and determination
Athens, 1/8/1997 (ANA)
There is a lot of optimism and determination among Greek
athletes taking part in the 6th World Athletics Championships.
The athletes met at a special promotion function yesterday,
organized by the German sportswear firm "Adidas" at the Politia
Tennis Club .
Most Greek athletes said they were ready to compete for a title
with their colleagues from around the world, while they also
praised the excellent OAKA facilities and organization.
Athletes from Cuba and Ethiopia also attended the "Adidas"
event, including Ivan Pentrozo, Yelvis Kesada and Xavier
Sotomagior (Cuba) and Haile Gebresilasie (Ethiopia).
[11] Jamaica's Oti hopes to win medal
Athens, 1/8/1997 (ANA)
An impressive Olympic silver medalist in 100 m., Jamaican Marlen
Oti yesterday attended a special event organized by sportswear
company "Puma", at a central Athens hotel.
Oti said "I hope I will win a medal. At first, I was planning to
run only in the 100 m., but since my health problem is over, I
will also be in the 200 m. run". She added she was optimistic
she would manage to win a title and said "I'm not sure whether
this will be the last world championships I'm taking part in".
Also present at the same event was Greek sprint champion
Katerina Coffa, who said "although I'm not in my best form at
present, you should know that in such big games, athletes do
perform better". Coffa, due to a minor problem with her left
leg, will only run in the 200 m.
[12] Premier Simitis meets IOC and IAAF officials
Athens, 1/8/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday had an acquaintance
meeting with the members of the International Olympic Committee
(IOC) and the Executive Committee of the International Amateur
Athletics Federation (IAAF) who are currently in Greece in view
of to day's official opening of the 6th IAAF World Athletics
Championships.
Present at the meeting were IOC chairman Juan Antonio Samaranch,
IAAF chairman Primo Nebiolo, government ministers, the mayor of
Athens Dimitris Avramopoulos and the chairman of Athens's
bidding committee for the 2004 Olympics Gianna
Aggelopoulou-Daskalaki.
Earlier, Mr. Simitis had a similar meeting with the chairman of
the Publishers Association of Mexico and former UPI news agency
Mario Vaskes Rania. Mr. Rania is also a IOC member.
[13] OTE technical support
Athens, 1/8/1997 (ANA)
The administration and staff of the Greek Telecommunications
Organization (OTE) believe the 6th IAAF World Athletics
Championships will be successful, or at least as far as
technical support is concerned.
OTE has actively contributed to national efforts towards this
direction by having worked hard during the past few months to
install all necessary additional lines required for
communication at the Athens Olympic Sports Complex (OAKA). The
extra services installed by OTE personnel include a modern
digital network of 2,500 lines at OAKA, 500 local and
international voice and data circuits, 60 TV optic fiber
circuits, 120 ISDN lines and a number of cordless communication
centers. Of course, some OTE staff will work around the clock
during the top athletics meeting.
[14] Alexandria patriarch hails IAAF World Championships
Alexandria, 1/8/1997 (ANA)
On the occasion of the 6th IAAF World Championships in Athens,
the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa Petros
addressed a message hailing the start "of this event of
historical significance with feelings of happiness and national
pride."
"Sport and the stadium in general is the most ideal way of
rapprochement among peoples and for the downfall of the walls of
racism and chauvinism," the message said.
"Our Church has been experiencing the significance of athletics
since the day it was established. The teaching of the Gospel is
a continuous exhortation for noble contest and obtaining
spiritual targets," it added.
The message concluded that through athletics and sports of all
kinds the character of man is revealed and relations between
peoples, races and countries are forged.
[15] Kaklamanakis completes the first-ever windsurf run of the Aegean
Athens, 1/8/1997 (ANA)
Olympic gold medallist Nikos Kaklamanis arrived at Iraklion
early yesterday evening on his windsurf board, having completed
the last leg of a trip that began at Sounion on Wednesday.
He was welcomed by nearly 3,000 people, some of whom waded
enthusiastically into the sea to greet him, local officials, and
Development Minister Vasso Papandreou, who had also seen him off
on Wednesday.
Mr. Kaklamanakis set off from Sounion mid-day Wednesday on a run
to Crete to publicize Athens' bid for the 2004 Olympic Games.
On the first day, he covered 120 nautical miles to the island of
Santorini, where he stayed overnight, in little under nine hours.
Yesterday he set off from Ammoudi beach and reached Karteros
beach, near Iraklion, at 19:20, ha-ving covered 80 nautical
miles in 6 hours and 40 minutes.
In statements following the completion of the trip, the first
time such an attempt has been made on a windsurf board, Mr.
Kaklamanakis said, "I'm very touched. I did it for the sake of
Greece, not for myself. I'm especially touched by the enthusiasm
people showed here at Iraklio on welcoming me."
Mrs. Papandreou expressed Greece's pride in his accomplishment,
and said that "his achievement is very important because it
highlights the Aegean and the ancient Greek spirit, important
elements in terms of our bid for the 2004 Olympics".
She added, "We are grateful to Nikos Kaklamanakis for his great
achievement, his daring, his courage and his love for Greece".
[16] Search reveals more illegal immigrants on ship
Athens, 1/8/1997 (ANA)
Port authorities which towed a Ukrainian-flagged ship found
adrift off Euboea, yesterday discovered in their final count a
total of 314 illegal immigrants of various nationalities,
including 40 children.
The immigrants include a substantial number of Iraqis and
Pakistanis.
The ship "Sochol" was towed to Palea Fokea, Attica, late
yesterday.
The authorities had originally counted close to 180 people, but
further search into the ship's hold revealed more people.
Children and their mothers were sent to hospitals and the rest
lodged at immigrant police stations, until they are all
repatriated. The children, ranging in ages from four months to
12 years, were found to be in a state of dehydration.
Fishermen at Palea Fokea, the merchant marine ministry and the
city of Athens have sent supplies, mainly food and milk, to the
immigrants.
Two Turkish nationals found on the ship among the immigrants are
being questioned by the port authorities on suspicion of being
crew members who did not manage to escape with the captain of
the ship.
The ship had left Izmir and was heading for Italy.
[17] SYN leader appeals for 'spirit of humanitarianism'
Athens, 1/8/1997 (ANA)
Meanwhile, the leader of the Coalition of the Left and Progress
(SYN), Nikos Constantopoulos, said yesterday that Greece should
show a spirit of humanitarianism regarding the illegal
immigrants currently aboard the cargo vessel. "The terrible
ordeal of the victims of refugee smugglers dictates that our
country displays a spirit of humanitarianism, social sensitivity
and international solidarity," Mr. Constantopoulos said.
"It is absolutely urgent that these exhausted people are allowed
to disembark, be examined by doctors, be provided with all
necessary medical care, food and anything else they may need,
and for special arrangements to be made for looking after the
children," the Coalition leader said.
Mr. Constantopoulos also urged the government to examine "with
an open mind" the possibility of the immigrants being allowed to
stay in Greece.
[18] More illegal immigrants enter Evros area
Athens, 1/8/1997 (ANA)
Police at Ferres, Evros, northern Greece, arrested 24 illegal
immigrants of various nationalities early yesterday morning.
The illegal immigrants are between 18 and 25 years old, from
Pakistan, Iraq, India, Rwanda, Bagladesh and Romania and are
being held in Alexandroupoli police headquarters before being
extradited.
The police has set up police blockades which change positions
along the border passages with Turkey to prevent illegal entry
into Greece, especially after information that a large number of
illegal immigrants are expected to attempt entry from Turkey.
[19] Important findings in Konitsa excavations
Athens, 1/8/1997 (ANA)
A group of Greek archaeologists conducting excavations in the
Voidomatis river bed in Konitsa has made important findings
proving that the clifftops near the Vikos gorge had been
populated about 15,000 years ago.
The inhabitants were mainly occupied with hunting small wild
goats and red deer, primarily in the hot months of the year.
Sea shells were also discovered which shows that they descended
to the beaches in winter and that they used the shells for
jewelry.
Past excavations made in the area by British archaeologists had
also led to important findings concerning the Paleolithic era.
The excavations will continue throughout August.
[20] Thessaloniki port renews special treatment for Yugoslav goods
Belgrade, 1/8/1997 (Tanjug)
Yugoslav Chamber of Commerce secretary general Bosko Markovic
said on Tuesday that a memorandum granting favorable treatment
to Yugoslav goods in transit was soon to be signed with the port
of Thessaloniki.
Mr. Markovic said that Yugoslav goods in transit in the
Thessaloniki free-trade zone will be granted the best services
and favorable prices in keeping with port regulations as defined
by the European Union finance ministry and customs codex.
The memorandum will be signed early in August, he said.
The special favors pertain to goods from third countries bound
for Yugoslavia, and Yugoslav-made goods bound for third markets.
Mr. Markovic said the validity of the contract would be five
years.
The signing of the memorandum will bring to a conclusion nearly
two years of negotiations between Greece and Yugoslavia on the
use of the port.
A bilateral arrangement between the former Yugoslavia and Greece
on Yugoslav goods in transit in the Thessaloniki zone was
concluded in 1975, but canceled by Greece in 1993 due to the
sanctions against Yugoslavia.
Yugoslav goods have enjoyed special treatment in the
Thessaloniki port free-trade zone since 1923.
[21] Meeting held on improving transport and traffic conditions in
Athens
Athens, 1/8/1997 (ANA)
A meeting on improving transport and traffic conditions in
Athens was held at the Environment, Town Planning and Public
Works Ministry yesterday in the presence of Environment, Town
Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis, Transport
and Communications Minister Haris Kastanidis, Public Order
Minister George Romeos and Undersecretaries M. Loukakis and Ch.
Verelis.
Proposals by the "Attiki-SOS" program were examined which, among
others, proposes police control at 300 crossroads creating
traffic problems, an intensification of exhaust fume controls,
etc.
[22] Greece to buy two new Airbus A340s
Athens, 1/8/1997 (ANA)
Greek Transport and Communications Minister Haris Kastanidis
yesterday announced the purchase of two new Airbus A340s for
Olympic Airways, the national carrier.
Mr. Kastanidis said the contract, which is due to be signed in
coming days, also contained an option for the purchase of two
more of the long-haul passenger aircraft.
OA's board of directors had been authorized to approve the
purchase following a recommendation by the State Audit Council,
which checked the contract's technical and financial terms.
"All procedures were conducted in a manner that underlines the
importance attached by the government to transparency," Mr.
Kastanidis said.
[23] Greece to hire evaluator for new power plant to quell doubts
Athens, 1/8/1997 (ANA)
The government will appoint an evaluator to determine a market
price for construction of a state-owned electricity plant in the
northern town of Florina in order to protect public money,
spokesman Dimitris Reppas told reporters yesterday.
Construction of the lignite-fired plant, whose cost has been
cited at roughly 175 billion drachmas, has already been awarded
to a consortium led by Russia's Prometheus under a 1994
bilateral pact between the two countries.
The terms of the deal have come under fire from several deputies
within the ruling socialist PASOK party, and from parliamentary
opposition parties. Hiring an independent evaluator would ensure
transparency in the pact and allow a final decision to be taken
on a market price for construction of the plant, quelling
remaining doubts, Mr. Reppas said.
He charged the main opposition New Democracy party, which has
opposed the terms of the deal, with scandal-mongering for
political gain.
A cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis
agreed on Wednesday to hire the evaluator in order to assess the
price agreed by state-run Public Power Corporation (DEH) with
the consortium.
The suggestion to use an outside evaluator was one among several
put forward at the meeting by Development Minister Vasso
Papandreou, whose ministry is responsible for DEH.
Meanwhile, New Democracy press spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos
accused the government of backtracking, delays and a lack of
transparency in the project. "The cabinet's decision (to appoint
an evaluator) shows existing mechanisms are inadequate and that
the government agencies involved cannot function correctly," Mr.
Spiliotopoulos said.
ND leader Costas Karamanlis yesterday attended a meeting held by
a local committee monitoring the project's progress.
He was quoted as telling the meeting he backed construction of a
new plant, and would press the government to set a deadline for
evaluation of the contract.
At the same meeting, PASOK deputy George Lianis reportedly
threatened to resign from his position if the project was
delayed by more than six months.
[24] Athens share index rises in July vs June, turnover drops
Athens, 1/8/1997 (ANA)
Greece's bourse rose in July against June with the Athens
general share index gaining 5.26 percent to close at 1,598.34
points from 1,518.51 points a month earlier. The index hit a
month's high of 1,623.44 points on July 28 and a low of 1,493.53
on July 3 .
In a year-on-year comparison it gained 81.88 percent on July
1996.
Turnover in July 1997 was 298.6 billion drachmas, sharply down
on June's total of 1.09465 trillion drachmas, which was aided by
another part flotation of state-run Hellenic Telecommunications
Organization (OTE).
The market's best performing sector in percentage terms was
investment, which jumped 13.51 percent. The weakest performance
was by construction, slumping 8.16 percent.
[25] Greek state telecom postpones digital switch purchase
Athens, 1/8/1997 (ANA)
State-run Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE)
postponed until September a decision to purchase 1.3 million
digital switches, OTE sources said. The decision was taken by
OTE's board. No further details were available.
The procurement, budgeted at around 70 billion drachmas, is part
of a fast-track investment program for 1997-1998.
[26] US dollar gains 4.09 pct vs drachma in July
Athens, 1/8/1997 (ANA)
The US dollar gained 4.09 percent on the drachma in July,
closing at 286.460 drachmas at the central bank's daily fix.
The greenback has jumped 11.26 drachmas against June's close of
275.200 drachmas.
Since the beginning of 1997, the dollar has gained 15.72 percent
against the Greek currency.
In July the dollar scored seven record highs, culminating in the
central bank's fix on July 28 of 288.40 drachmas. The German
mark fell 0.94 percent against the drachma, closing at 156.210
drachmas against 157.685 on June 30.
The pound sterling jumped 2.47 percent against the Greek
currency, finishing at 468.680 drachmas.
In July the drachma gained 0.43 percent on the ECU, which
finished at 308.00 drachmas against 309.330 in June.
[27] Greek equities end higher, fall short of resistance at 1,600 pts.
Athens, 1/8/1997 (ANA)
Greek stocks finished 0.89 percent higher in light-to-moderate
trade yesterday, in a bid to recoup losses this week, but
falling just short of key resistance at 1,600 points.
The Athens general share index ended at 1,598.34 points,
outperformed by the parallel market for smaller cap stocks which
jumped 1.32 percent.
Turnover edged up to 14.3 billion drachmas from 10.4 billion in
the previous session.
State-owned Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) rose
60 drachmas to end at 6,300 drachmas on 521,460 shares sold.
Sector indices finished mixed. Banks rose 0.43 percent, Leasing
slumped 0.93 percent, Insurance jumped 4.61 percent, Investment
gained 0.60 percent, Industrials increased 1.74 percent,
Construction fell 0.88 percent, Holding increased 1.03 percent
and Miscellaneous gained 0.54 percent.
Advances outstripped declines at 109 to 95 with 26 shares
remaining unchanged of 230 traded.
The day's highest percentage gainers were Delta Informatics,
Sportsman (common), Sportsman (preferred) and Intertyp, which
all finished at or near the daily upper volatility limit of
eight percent.
The biggest losers were Nimatemboriki, Mohlos, Emborikos Desmos
(common) and Macedonian Textiles (preferred), all of which ended
at or near the lower eight percent volatility limit.
Among blue chips National Bank of Greece finished at 36,960
drachmas, Ergobank at 17,115, Alpha Credit Bank at 19,845, Delta
Dairies (common) at 3,370, Hellenic Bottling at 10,360, Titan
(common) at 14,750 Intracom (common) at 13,490 and Aluminium de
Grece (common) at 18,800 drachmas.
[28] Record tourist arrivals in Rhodes
Athens, 1/8/1997 (ANA)
A record in tourist arrivals is taking place in Rhodes this year
according to data provided by the Dodecanese bureau of the Greek
Tourist Organization (EOT) and by which this year's arrivals
even exceed those recorded in 1995 which was the fashionable
island's best year regarding tourist arrivals.
In the hotels of Rhodes alone, visitors amount to 65,981 of whom
61,356 are foreigners and 4,625 Greeks.
Visitors during the same period last year amounted to 59,583
(54,605 foreigners and 4,426 Greeks), meaning that an increase
of 11 per cent has occurred this year.
This year's arrivals are even higher than those recorded in 1995
when visitors totaled 61,813 (57,509 foreigners and 4,303
Greeks).
According to assessments by tourist officials, tourist arrivals
are expected to increase even further in the coming days,
primarily with the arrival of Greek visitors and many Italians
and French.
End of English language section.
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