Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-10-02
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1304), October 3, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
Email: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] PM chairs high-ranking meeting on utilities' reform
[02] ... ND reaction
[03] Patriarch expresses hope for better Greek-Turkish relations
[04] ... Meeting with Pangalos
[05] ... Exhibition inaugurated
[06] Pangalos, Kranidiotis meet with Grossman
[07] Gov't says FM's statements on Turkey not exaggerated
[08] Tsohatzopoulos meets Russian counterpart on sidelines of NATO meeting
[09] ... Alliance issues
[10] Greece, Cyprus respond to Turkish threats over S-300 missiles
[11] Police seize rare Neolithic jewelry collection
[12] Cypriot independence marked at Herod Atticus event
[13] Romeos to see CIA, FBI chiefs in Washington
[14] President receives new envoys
[15] Conference on education, social exclusion
[16] Greek-Albanian co-operation in education, public order
[17] Kaklamanis in Australia
[18] State Dept. on PKK issue
[19] PfP meeting in Sofia without Moscow's participation
[20] Greek students take Parthenon Marbles campaign to the Internet
[21] Liani-Papandreou book sales hit 20,000
[22] Venice Byzantine Studies Institute director dies
[23] New drug prices set
[24] Grape check follows German press reports
[25] Aktor share increase
[26] Greece to overhaul public administration
[27] Greece's merchant fleet shows rise in capacity
[28] Greek stocks slip in profit-taking after new all-time highs
[29] Greece to host gum mastic conference
[30] EU to allow phone users to switch carriers easily
[31] Petrol prices increase
[32] Int'l trade exhibition in Kavala
[33] ND queries DEH profits
[34] Euroconference on energy and local government
[35] High-speed rail the focus of Ioannina meeting
[36] New EU shipbuilding policy paper adopted
[37] Euro-Mediterranean Industrial Conference in Vouliagmeni
[01] PM chairs high-ranking meeting on utilities' reform
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday chaired a meeting that
focused on the general directions of government policy
concerning the revitalization of public utilities (DEKO) and
abolition or merger of several public organizations.
No final decisions were taken, however, at the three-hour
meeting, which was attended by National Economy and Finance
Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, Deve-lopment Minister Vasso
Papandreou, Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization
Minister Alekos Papadopoulos and Transport Minister Tassos
Mantelis.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr. Papantoniou said
specific decisions would be announced shortly.
Replying to questions, Mr. Papantoniou said one of the issues
agreed yesterday was the general outline of the government's
policy on utility rates which, he added, would be "very
restrained" during the next two years.
According to reports, another issue that was decided during
yesterday's meeting concerned an announcement by the government
over which profit-making utilities and in what order will join
the Athens Stock Exchange over the 1998-1999 period, following
in the footsteps of the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization
(OTE).
This development will reportedly take place at the latest by the
date a new state budget will be tabled in Parliament, namely, by
mid-November.
The finalized partial privatization timetable will be set after
relevant consultations between the national economy ministry and
jointly responsible ministries (development and transport),
which supervise most utilities and in accordance with the
enterprises' degree of readiness. The 1998 budget will include a
special fund from revenues expected from this procedure.
Meanwhile, Mr. Papantoniou also submitted a proposal to Mr.
Simitis on the economic policy which must be applied in the
public enterprise sector in the coming years - crucial for
convergence - so as to contain inflation and reduce the public
deficit. The proposal was approved. More specifically, regarding
utility rates, it was decided that they will increase over the
1998-1999 period but at a very slow pace, which will be in line
with inflation which is expected to follow a continuous downward
trend.
With regard to non-profit-making utilities, which cannot be
registered with the bourse soon, it was decided to have them
subjected to an intensive recovery program.
Measures to tidy up their finances will be operational plans,
which their management will be obliged to submit from now on (by
virtue of law 2414/96) as well as the contracts, which the new
managing directors will be called upon to sign by the end of the
current year.
The government, as it was also made clear at yesterday's
meeting, encourages, apart from partial privatization of
utilities, the conclusion by the latter of "strategic
co-operations" with foreign companies, with the basic target of
improving their competitiveness.
The existing institutional framework will be suitably reshaped
to enable effective access to capital markets for utilities (to
facilitate the funding of their investment programs).
There will also be stricter control of their budgets and the
procedures for granting guarantees to them by the state, while
the possibility is being examined of off-setting debts owed to
each other which are considerable.
[02] ... ND reaction
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
The main opposition New Democracy (ND) party in an announcement
on yesterday's meeting said a needed intervention to restructure
public sector finances should be based on three major axes:
- A drastic cut in public spending
- An increase in productivity
- Transparency in public administration
The public sector, ND added, was in need of what has been
lacking, and still lacks, under the PASOK government.
[03] Patriarch expresses hope for better Greek-Turkish relations
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos expressed a hope yesterday
that relations between Greece and Turkey will rise to the level
the two countries enjoyed during the rule of Kemal Ataturk, the
founder of the modern Turkish state.
The Patriarch, on an official tour of Thessaloniki and northern
Greece, was speaking during a visit to the home in Thessaloniki
where Ataturk was born in 1881 and to the adjacent Turkish
consulate.
Making it clear that he was speaking "as a religious leader who
is not involved in politics", Vartholomeos recalled the message
of Ataturk for peaceful co-existence between the peoples of
Greece and Turkey which, he added, he wholeheartedly adopted "as
being in line with the teachings of our Christian faith".
"We have repeatedly stated our conviction that peaceful
co-existence of the two peoples as the solution which is in the
interests of both sides. As Ataturk said to (Eleftherios)
Venizelos, the vital interests of Greece and Turkey are in
complete harmony ," the Patriarch said. "We sincerely hope that
this message of peace is accepted by all for the benefit of
all," he added.
Vartholomeos was received by Turkish Consul Ertan Tesgior who
presented the Patriarch with a book on the life of Ataturk.
[04] ... Meeting with Pangalos
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
In a related development, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos
said that Athens would support the Ecumenical Patriarchate of
Constantinople, "which is an ecumenical institution of Orthodox
Christianity", following talks in Thessaloniki with Vartholomeos.
The Patriarch described as "sincere" the interest of the Greek
government, adding that co-operation between the Patriarchate
and Athens was necessary today more than at any other time.
Following the meeting, sources close to both sides said that the
clouds which had recently cast a shadow over relations between
Vartholomeos and Mr. Pangalos had been dispersed.
In statements to reporters, the Patriarch appeared to confirm
this, saying: "We agreed about all matters of common interest
which were discussed".
Vartholomeos, who wound up his visit to the northern Greek port
city yesterday and travels to Xanthi today, said his trip to
Greece had been "blessed" from every point of view and had
provided the opportunity for "the people, the Church and various
bodies to express their love, respect and devotion to the
Ecumenical Patriarchate".
The university community in the city also honored the work of
Vartholomeos in the sectors of peace, Orthodoxy, social
contribution and environmental protection last night.
In the packed hall of ceremonies at the Aristotelion University,
the Patriarch was given an honorary doctorate for his overall
activities and contribution.
Patriarch Vartholomeos analyzed on the part of the Orthodox
Church the concepts of "faith and learning", underlining that
faith and learning do not combat each other, but mastery is the
product of profound faith in Christ.
He said that for the salvation of man strength is not needed but
freedom, but for one to reach freedom what is helpful is faith
and not learning.
[05] ... Exhibition inaugurated
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
The Patriarch yesterday also attended the inauguration of an
exhibition of books and texts published by the Cultural Capital
Organization at the Bianca Villa, restored and opened on the
occasion of the exhibition.
Two of the books on show are on the life of a monk from Mount
Athos, Gerassimos Mikrayiannanitis, who wrote hymns.
Vartholomeos had earlier met with the prefect of Thessaloniki
Costas Papadopoulos and attended a special meeting of the
prefectural council.
He said Thessaloniki deserved the honor of Cultural Capital of
Europe as it was "harbors the inextinguishable light of Greek
Orthodox civilization and maintains the monuments of classical
and Byzantine civilization in good order."
[06] Pangalos, Kranidiotis meet with Grossman
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
US Assistant Secretary of State Mark Grossman held consecutive
meetings with Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis and
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos yesterday afternoon.
No statements were made afterwards.
The main purpose of Mr. Grossman's tour of Athens, Nicosia and
Ankara is the need to maintain certain corridors of
communication between Greece and Turkey open, despite the
complete deadlock reached in New York between Mr. Pangalos and
his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem.
Mr. Grossman, who had initially planned to visit Athens,
Bucharest and Sofia, amended his program after the developments
in New York to include Ankara and Nicosia in his tour.
According to authoritative diplomatic sources, the US desires to
make it clear to Greece and Turkey that it wants the spirit of
Madrid to remain alive as it looks forward to certain more
positive developments during the meeting between Prime Minister
Costas Simitis and his Turkish counterpart Mesut Yilmaz on the
sidelines of the inter-Balkan conference in Crete.
The sources pointed out that Mr. Pangalos reiterated to his
interlocutor from the US that Greece desires an improvement in
relations with the neighboring country on condition that Turkey
will make some substantive gesture.
Mr. Grossman will meet Alternate Foreign Minister Andreas
Papandreou this morning.
[07] Gov't says FM's statements on Turkey not exaggerated
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
Athens said yesterday that it had not and did not intend to
change its policy on Greek-Turkish relations but expressed the
hope that Turkey would change its stance.
Government spokesman Demetris Reppas made the statement when
asked to comment on recent remarks by Foreign Minister Theodoros
Pangalos, and particularly whether these remarks constituted
exaggeration.
"There is no question of exaggeration or downgrading," Mr.
Reppas said, expressing the hope that Ankara would change its
stance on Greek-Turkish relations, noting that this would in
turn bring a change in the Greek stance.
The spokesman reiterated that the tone of statements by Turkish
officials had of late been "impudent" and were responsible for
the recent tension in relations between the two countries.
Replying to other questions, Mr. Reppas described Turkey's
policy a s provocative and aggressive.
On the joint communiqui signed earlier this year in Madrid by
Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Turkish President Suleyman
Demirel, Mr. Reppas said it did not solve any problem but merely
constituted the basis for the commencement of a procedure "which
might lead to confronting problems".
[08] Tsohatzopoulos meets Russian counterpart on sidelines of NATO meeting
Maastricht, 02/10/1997 (ANA - K. Giannarakos)
National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos yesterday
discussed issues of security and co-operation in the Balkans and
the eastern Mediterranean, especially military co-operation
between Athens and Moscow with his counterpart from Russia.
Their meeting took place on the sidelines of an informal NATO
defense ministers' conference in Maastricht, The Netherlands.
When asked after the meeting whether they discussed the issue of
safe transport for the Russian-made S-300 anti-aircraft missiles
to Cyprus, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos told the press that the
continuation of the abnormal situation on Cyprus with the
continued occupation of its northern part by Turkey signals a
source of destabilization in the eastern Mediterranean.
Turkey's security is not threatened by Cyprus' anti-aircraft
system, he said, adding that Cyprus has an inalienable right to
defense.
"Only whoever is thinking of operating offensively against the
Cyprus Republic with warplane access could possibly be concerned
(over the missiles), because the defending side who up to now
was under his complete rule can employ a basic anti-aircraft
protection (system)," Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said.
[09] ... Alliance issues
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
Meanwhile, during the regular session examined issues related to
NATO's new structure, as well as Bosia-Herzegovina and relations
between Russia and the alliance.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that for the first time Turkey, too,
seems to have a positive stance on a proposal by the chairman of
NATO's military committee, Mr. Nowman, on the body's new
structure, which provides for the establishment of two regional
headquarters in the Atlantic and Europe. With regard to southern
Europe, the proposal recommends the establishment of four
regional headquarters in Spain, Italy, and Greece, as well as
two more sub headquarters in Turkey.
NATO defense ministers, during discussion on Bosnia, underlined
once again that no one should be allowed to threaten the use of
violence, or use violence for political reasons.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the same message applies to all
directions, in all regions where such behaviors and threats
occur, "such as our region".
On relations between NATO and Russia, all countries placed
importance on a more effective co-operation. Within this
framework, it was stressed that regional forms of co-operation
should be encouraged to contribute to security, peace and
co-operation in the wider region of the Balkans, the Black Sea
and Transcaucasus.
Today, discussion will focus on the alliance's expansion, with
the participation of three new countries, which will be included
in the first phase of expansion: the Czech Republic, Hungary and
Poland.
[10] Greece, Cyprus respond to Turkish threats over S-300 missiles
United Nations, 02/10/1997 (ANA/M. Georgiadou)
The UN Security Council and General Assembly released late on
Monday the letters addressed to the UN Secretary General by the
permanent representations of Greece and Cyprus regarding the
letter of Turkey's permanent representative - dated Sept. 19 -
and the Turkish threats against the purchase of the Russian-made
S-300 missiles. Permanent representative of Greece to the United
Nations, ambassador Christos Zaharakis, said in his letter, "I
should like to stress the self-evident point that no nation can
abdicate its right of self-defense or shirk its responsibility
to protect its citizens from aggression.
"As an independent State, Cyprus exercises this fundamental
right, as recognized by the Charter of the United Nations, by
improving the deterrent capabilities of the Cypriot National
Guard, all the more since the Republic of Cyprus has been the
victim of vicious aggression by Turkey, which has been occupying
the northern part of the island with its troops since 1974.
"In a series of resolutions the United Nations have confirmed
again and again the need to respect the sovereignty, the
territorial integrity and the independence of the Republic of
Cyprus.
"Turkey has not complied with those resolutions, and the
occupation forces still remain there. The Secretary General of
the United Nations has described the occupied area as 'one of
the most densely militarized areas in the world'.
"(...) Greece, itself a guarantor power, has the legal and moral
obligation to assist this effort, given its commitment under the
1960 Treaties of Alliance and Guarantees to support Cyprus in
the event of any attempt to Turkey to attack and further extend
the occupied area."
[11] Police seize rare Neolithic jewelry collection
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
A rare collection of Neolithic jewelry dating back to the 5th
and 4th millennia B.C. was seized by Athens police on Tuesday
night when they arrested two people trying to sell the
collection for one billion drachmas.
National Archaeological Museum experts said the 54 pieces of
gold jewelry, weighing a total of 232 grams, were extremely
rare. The largest piece, weighing 80 grams, is described as
unique.
Security police officers posing as buyers arrested Panayotis
Evangelou, a 47-year old private security guard and Egyptian
national George-Richard Andreas Bitar, 63, a retired building
contractor from Canada, in the seaside suburb of Vouliagmeni.
Police sources said the two men refused to reveal where they
obtained the collection.
Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos said yesterday the
collection would be put on exhibition at the National
Archaeological Museum.
It is considered to be the largest collection of its kind in
Greece. The objects were originally found at various Neolithic
sites in Macedonia, Thessaly, the Peloponnese and the Cyclades,
as well as in graves at the prehistoric cemetery in Varna,
Bulgaria, on the Black Sea coast.
National Archaeological Museum director Ekaterini Dimakopoulou
said that the jewelry "is genuine and are dated to the last
phase of the Neolithic period in Greece".
She said that in Greece, jewelry of similar technique and dates
was found in Naxos, Sesklo in Thessaly, Alepotrypa in the Mani
and Aravyssos in Pella.
"The most possible theory is that the pieces were found in a
grave, however they may possibly have comprised an
archaeological unit found stacked away, like Schliemann's
Treasure in Troy," Mrs. Dimakopoulou said.
[12] Cypriot independence marked at Herod Atticus event
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
Turkey for the first time since 1974 is realizing that its
policy on the Cyprus issue is leading to deadlock, Foreign
Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis said last night at an event
marking the 37th anniversary of Cypriot independence.
Speaking at the Herod Atticus theater, he added without "a just
solution of the Cyprus problem, Turkey's European aspirations
cannot proceed".
Mr. Kranidiotis observed that Turkey had nothing to reply to the
proposal for the island's demilitarization, and had no
disposition of flexibility to show.
"Greece will continue its policy of active support on the side
of Cyprus Hellenism", he said, based on the just solution of the
problem in accordance with UN resolutions, international law and
European ideals.
A concert was held at the ancient theater by several well-known
Cypriot and Greek performers to honor the occasion.
[13] Romeos to see CIA, FBI chiefs in Washington
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
Public Order Minister George Romeos left for Washington
yesterday where he will have talks with CIA Director George
Tenet, FBI Director Louis Freeh and State Department officials.
Mr. Romeos is scheduled to meet Mr. Tenet today and with Mr.
Freeh on Friday, after which he will give a press conference at
the Greek Embassy.
Late on Friday, Mr. Romeos will fly to New York where he will
stay until Sunday for meetings with local officials and
representatives of the Greek-American community.
The focus of Mr. Romeos' talks in the United States will be
matters related to co-operation in efforts to combat drug
trafficking, terrorism and organized crime.
Mr. Romeos will return to Greece on Sunday.
[14] President receives new envoys
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos yesterday
received the new ambassadors of the Czech Republic, Poland and
Sweden, who presented their credentials.
The new ambassadors are: Vladimir Zavazal, Wojciech Lamentowicz,
and Bjorn Elmer, respectively.
The ceremony was also attended by Foreign Under-secretary
Yiannos Kranidiotis and the Secretary-General of the Presidency
of the Republic, ambassador Emmanuel Gikas.
[15] Conference on education, social exclusion
Strasbourg, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
A conference on education policies in Europe is being held in
Athens on 2-4 October.
Organized by the Council of Europe's Human Dignity and Social
Exclusion Project (HDSE), it will gather international education
experts, government officials and NGO representatives to examine
not only the current state of education policy, but also how
education can help prevent social exclusion in Europe.
Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis will make an opening
address.
The two-day conference itself is open to the press and will
cover, among other issues, the following topics:
Children at risk of exclusion, high risk groups, using formal
and informal education to fight exclusion and how NGOs help
societies limit social exclusion.
The first pan-European effort of its kind, the HDSE Project
includes a network of 17 research correspondents that have
reported on five social issues (health, housing, employment,
social protection and education) in Europe. The purpose to see
how social exclusion and poverty is affecting the entire
continent almost one decade after the fall of the Iron Curtain.
Social exclusion will be one of the main issues to be examined
at the 40 Heads of state and government summit in Strasbourg on
Oct. 10-11.
In Athens during the conference, please contact the HDSE
Secretariat at 32.12.531.
The conference will take place at the amphitheater of the
foreign ministry.
[16] Greek-Albanian co-operation in education, public order
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
Co-operation between Greece and Albania in a number of sectors
including education and customs control will improve with
specific measures decided yesterday at a meeting of the National
Foundation for the Reception and Rehabilitation of Repatriated
Greeks (EIYAPOE) in Ioannina.
The meeting was attended by Alternate Foreign Minister George
Papandreou and Albanian Interior Minister Neritan Ceka.
The meeting concentrated its efforts on activities related to
the ethnic Greek minority in Albania.
Among the decisions is the reactivation of education protocols
between the University of Ioannina and the Universities of
Tirana and Gjirokaster, including a strengthening of the
departments of Greek language, physics, chemistry and computers
in the latter university.
EIYAPOE will also provide equipment to the Kakavia customs post
on the Albanian side, to facilitate their work, and donate cars
to the Albanian police force in the Gjirokaster area.
Also new school centers will be set up in co-operation with
Albanian authorities, to upgrade education for the Greek
minority in Albania.
Ioannina, where all these activities will be coordinated from,
is also going to promote educational programs to promote
teaching of Greek in former Soviet republics.
At the end of the meeting, the Albanian minister said that the
new government of his country put special emphasis on relations
with Greece.
He added that he was scheduled to meet with Public Order
Minister George Romeos next week to discuss ways of further
promoting relations.
[17] Kaklamanis in Australia
Melbourne, 02/10/1997 (ANA - S. Hatzimanolis)
Parliament Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis was welcomed yesterday
in Melbourne, his last stop on a three-city tour of Australia,
by a large number of Greek-Australians. Also in Australia as the
guest of Greek-Australians from the island of Limnos, is Lesvos
deputy Nikos Sifounakis, who also arrived in Melbourne yesterday.
[18] State Dept. on PKK issue
Washington, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
Replying to a question last night by a Turkish reporter in
relation to an article in the "Observer" recently, which said
that Greece was supporting Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)
separatists, US State Department spokesman Jim Foley said the
latest State Department report referring to terrorism underlined
that "the Greek government continues to tolerate the official
presence of offices by two 'terrorist' groups, the ERNK, PKK's
political wing and the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party
Front, previously known as Dev Sol." He said "this last group is
responsible for the killing of two American businessmen in
Turkey."
[19] PfP meeting in Sofia without Moscow's participation
Sofia, 02/10/1997 (ANA - N. Hios)
A defense ministers' meeting here tomorrow will only include
representatives from NATO and southeast European countries
participating in the alliance's "Partnership for Peace (PfP)"
initiative.
Represented countries include the United States, Italy, Turkey,
Slovenia, Albania, Romania, Bulgaria, the Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Greece.
The original plan to invite defense ministers from all Balkan
countries was changed, prompting Russia to file a verbal note to
Bulgaria over its exclusion.
The main topics on the agenda, with the countries introducing
each topic are: incorporation in European institutions
(Romania); measures for confidence-building and security
(Bulgaria) and regional co-operation in security (Italy).
Greece will be represented by National Defense Minister Akis
Tsohatzopoulos.
[20] Greek students take Parthenon Marbles campaign to the Internet
London, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
The Union of Greek Students in Britain has launched a website on
the Internet "to inform Britons and the entire world" on the
campaign for the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece, an
announcement said yesterday.
The 5th century B.C. marbles were removed from the Parthenon in
1806 by British Ambassador to Constantinople Thomas Bruce, 7th
Earl of Elgin, on the basis of a controversial 'firman' from the
Ottoman Turkish administrators.
Lord Elgin removed an estimated 253 pieces, including the
Parthenon frieze by Phidias, a Caryatid and a column from the
Erectheum, and sold them to Britain for 36,000 pounds sterling.
The impressive Parthenon temple was dedicated to the goddess
Athena, patron of the Greek capital city of Athens.
The Marbles are housed at the British Museum.
Members of the Union, the announcement added, will also be
present today at the Grand Hotel in Brighton, where the ruling
Labor Party congress is taking place, to brief the MPs and other
delegates on the issue.
The Union's target is to inform the public of its own campaign
to establish November 28 as "Parthenon Day".
The Union's website (www.parthenonday.org) contains information
on Greece, the Acropolis and its main monument, the Parthenon,
how the Marbles were removed from the Parthenon and transported
to Britain, and the late actress/culture minister Melina
Mercouri's campaign for their return.
It further contains a text of protest which Internet users may
sign, to be handed to the British government at a later date.
The 22,000 Greek and Cypriot students in Britain are also
planning a series of other events to promote the Marbles
campaign.
[21] Liani-Papandreou book sales hit 20,000
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
Sales of Demetra Liani-Papandreou's book about her life with the
late premier Andreas Papandreou have topped the 20,000 mark,
with a second edition in the offing.
The public's response to the book, entitled "Ten years and 54
days", has been "spectacular" according to Maria Koukouvinou,
public relations director for the publisher, Livanis - Nea
Synora. Foreign publishers from as far afield as Australia, the
US an d Saudi Arabia have expressed great interest in
translations of the book.
Ms. Liani-Papandreou is to sign copies of her book next week in
a central Athens bookstore; the author is to announce details
shortly.
[22] Venice Byzantine Studies Institute director dies
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
Professor Nikos Panayotakis, a prominent historian and director
of the Venice Institute of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Studies,
died early yesterday of a heart attack on the island of Crete,
shortly after arriving to attend an international conference.
Panayotakis was 62.
He was rushed to the local university hospital shortly after his
arrival, but was declared dead on arrival.
Panayotakis was part of a group involved in the founding of the
University of Crete and had worked closely with intellectual
foundations throughout Greece, carrying out numerous scientific
and historical studies.
[23] New drug prices set
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
New prices have been set on a number of pharmaceuticals, worked
out by the ministries of development and health, according to
the method decided by the Cabinet some time ago.
The price of 4,075 drugs will be reduced by an average of 19 per
cent, while the price of 1,934 drugs will increase by an average
of 14 per cent.
According to Development Under-secretary Michalis Chrysochoidis,
the implementation of the new prices is estimated to benefit
both consumers and social security funds, as well as the
domestic pharmaceutical industry.
The lowering of prices relates to expensive drugs, both
domestically produced and imported, which had a higher price
than the lowest price in any European country. In a move to
support the domestic industry, apart from the above category,
other domestic drugs' prices will be reduced.
Meanwhile, there has been a reaction by pharmacists, who say
that out of the estimated 80 billion drachmas less in the yearly
cost of drugs to the national economy, 40 billion will be taken
out of their income.
[24] Grape check follows German press reports
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
Emergency checks have been ordered for grapes headed for
domestic and foreign consumption following German press reports
claiming that Greek grapes were found to contain chlozolinat and
monocrotophos, banned chemical substances.
Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas sent a report yesterday
to his German counterpart assuring him that exports of Greek
grapes were not being allowed before necessary checks were
conducted.
Mr. Tzoumakas also informed the German minister that he had
ordered emergency checks on grapes. He also ordered the
commercial attachi in the Greek embassy in Bonn to brief him on
spot checks conducted by German authorities on the imports, and
if they b ear any relation with the press report.
Mr. Tzoumakas also asked Agriculture Under-secretary Demetris
Sotirlis, responsible for plant produce, to conduct checks on
other fruits and vegetables.
[25] Aktor share increase
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
The Aktor construction company will increase its share capital
by seven to eight billion drachmas. The price of the new shares
to be issued will approach 3,000 drachmas, while old
shareholders will be issued with two new shares for 10 old ones.
The company expects profits amounting to three billion drachmas
and a turnover in the region of 15 billion drachmas in 1997,
while in 1998 profits will reach 4.5 billion drachmas and
turnover 24 billion drachmas.
According to its administration, the company is considering the
purchase of a small construction company worth 300-500 million
drachmas, while the company is participating in a project of
British investors for the building of five hotels in Crete, with
a total budget of 200 billion drachmas.
[26] Greece to overhaul public administration
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
Greece's socialist government wants to make the country's
Byzantine public administration more consumer-oriented by
introducing quality assurance and cutting red tape.
Public Administration Under-secretary Stavros Benos said
yesterday he planned to launch seminars on quality assurance in
ministries that would help to tighten up services.
"All staff will gradually be incorporated into administrative
changes," Mr. Benos told a conference on quality held by the
UK's Economist business magazine.
Infuriating the public were an absence of explanatory leaflets
and signs to show the function of offices in public buildings;
an inadequate priority system for dealing with customers; and
poorly informed staff.
Customers were burdened by excessive form-filling and charges
for services. They also had difficulty in obtaining information
from staff on the progress of business they were conducting with
the ministries, Mr. Benos said.
Two innovations slated for introduction were distance services
to free customers from appearing personally in state offices,
and a one-stop shop to enable customers' files to circulate,
rather than the customers themselves.
Prime Minister Costas Simitis backed the planned reforms in
outlook and practice, and the cabinet would debate the plan at a
future meeting. Criteria from the private sector would be used,
but selectively, Mr. Benos said. The government has already take
n steps to improve public administration by endorsing the
creation of an ombudsman to handle complaints by the public,
basing recruitment on merit and reforming local government.
[27] Greece's merchant fleet shows rise in capacity
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
The capacity of the Greek merchant fleet increased by 59,960
gross registered tons (GRT) in September and the number of
vessels remained the same, with three joining and three leaving
the Greek registry, the merchant marine ministry said yesterday.
The three vessels to join the registry had a total capacity of
130,195 GRT and those to leave 70,235 grt. The three vessels
that registered had an average age of nine years against 19
years for those leaving.
Meanwhile, Merchant Marine Minister Stavros Soumakis said he
would meet on October 13 with Eurodeputies occupied with
transport and shipping matters and the administrative board of
the Panhellenic Seamen's Federation (PNO) to discuss the lifting
of cabotage restrictions in 2004.
[28] Greek stocks slip in profit-taking after new all-time highs
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
Greek equities ended a two-day rally to new records as investors
preferred to cash in part of their previous days' massive gains.
The general index closed 0.02 percent off at 1,771.04 points but
the parallel market index for small cap companies soared 2.59
percent reflecting renewed buying interest in smaller stocks on
the Athens Stock Exchange.
Sector indices ended mixed. Banks fell 0.08 percent, Leasing was
0.40 percent down, Insurance dropped 0.88 percent, Investment
rose 0.73 percent, Industrials were 0.02 percent up,
Construction fell 0.36 percent, Holding increased 1.38 percent
and Miscellaneous rose 0.14 percent. Trading was heavy and
turnover was 28.6 billion drachmas.
Broadly, advancers led decliners by 119 to 107 with another 29
issues remaining unchanged.
Athinea, Pavlides, Sanyo, Singular, Bank of Central Greece
scored the biggest percentage gains at the day's upper limit of
8.0 percent, while Bank of Athens, Corinth Mills and Macedonian
Plastics suffered the heaviest losses.
National Bank of Greece ended at 34,850 drachmas, Ergobank at
18,600, Alpha Credit at 20,485, Delta Dairy at 3,900, Titan
Cement at 16,780, Intracom at 14,710 and Hellenic
Telecommunications Organization at 6,975.
In the domestic foreign exchange market, the US dollar was
slightly easier against the drachma.
[29] Greece to host gum mastic conference
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
An international conference on gum mastic, a product exclusively
cultivated on the Greek island of Hios, will be held on Thursday
to Sunday on Hios.
The conference, to be attended by scientists in the fields of
agronomy, ecology, finance, archaeology, medicine and
pharmaceuticals, is sponsored by the ministry of Aegean and
Hios' gum mastic producers.
Gum mastic is a product included in the origin-name protection
scheme of the European Union.
[30] EU to allow phone users to switch carriers easily
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
The European Union moved to make it easy for callers to switch
phone companies after the EU throws open its telecommunications
markets to full competition next January.
The European Commission, executive body for the 15-member EU,
proposed legislation that would allow subscribers to take their
phone number with them when they change operators from the start
of 2000.
It would also allow them from that date to make long-distance or
international calls without having to dial a special code --
even if the carrier is not the same one that handles their local
service.
That is a system known as "carrier pre-selection", already
widely used in the United States and endorsed by most EU
countries with the notable exception of Britain.
The proposal, which must be agreed by EU telecoms ministers and
the European Parliament before final adoption, is one of the
final pieces in the EU's plan for breaking the grip of state
telecoms monopolies.
Carrier pre-selection is the most controversial of the proposals
since Britain has argued it would disrupt its own approach for
liberalizing telecoms markets.
However, most other EU countries have endorsed pre-carrier
selection as an essential ingredient for opening telecoms
markets.
As an interim measure, the Commission proposed that consumers be
allowed from the start of 1998 to have access to the
long-distance carrier of their choice by dialing a short prefix.
The EU has agreed that all but five EU countries -- Ireland,
Greece, Luxembourg, Portugal and Spain -- must introduce full
telecoms competition by January 1, 1998. The Commission said
even the countries that have been granted delays should be able
to introduce the new proposals on the same timetable as other EU
members.
[31] Petrol prices increase
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
The retail sales prices of fuel will increase as of today and
for one week due to a change in international prices. According
to an announcement by the Public Petroleum Corp. (DEP) and the
development ministry, the retail sales prices of gasoline will
increase by 1.20 drachmas per liter and of diesel by 1.60
drachmas per liter.
In the Attica region and Thessaloniki prefecture, super gasoline
will cost 223 drachmas per liter and unleaded 207 drachmas per
liter.
[32] Int'l trade exhibition in Kavala
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
A large exhibition of products manufactured exclusively in
Kavala, entitled "Kavala '97", will be organized between Oct. 4
to 9 in the city's government building.
The 3,000-sq.-meter exhibition area will include products from
industry, manufacturing, arts and crafts.
The Kavala Chamber of Commerce said several countries will be
taking part.
About 20,000 people visited last year's exhibition, while this
year organizers expect an increased number of business deals to
be concluded.
The event is organized by the Kavala Chamber with support from
the prefecture and Kavala municipality.
[33] ND queries DEH profits
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Aris
Spiliotopoulos said yesterday that the 80% discrepancy between
projected and real profits by the Public Power Corporation (DEH)
indicated "the degree of disorganization and breakdown in the
public sector' s largest enterprise".
According to Mr. Spiliotopoulos, DEH's role is not to make a
profit but to be the cornerstone of the effort for growth, a
role which he said it cannot fulfill under "the current state of
mismanagement".
[34] Euroconference on energy and local government
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
The third European conference on "Energy and Local Government",
jointly organized by the European Commission and the Dodecanese
Prefecture will be held in Rhodes tomorrow.
The conference, to focus on repercussions from the management of
energy at a local level, will be addressed, among others, by
Energy Commissioner Christos Papoutsis and Interior, Public
Administration and Decentralization Minister Alekos Papadopoulos.
The European Commission, through the SAVE II program, supports
every effort aimed at managing energy from a local and regional
level in European Union member-states. In this framework, it
funds the creation of Energy Management Centers on islands and
in rural areas.
[35] High-speed rail the focus of Ioannina meeting
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
A two-day meeting of the southeastern European group of the
International Railway Union wound up in Ioannina yesterday,
presided over by the Greek Railway Organization (OSE).
The meeting's main theme was the extension of a high speed
railway network in southeastern Europe, including Greece.
According to OSE, train speeds on such railroad networks will
exceed 160 kilometers per hour, depending on the condition of
interconnecting networks in each country.
Referring to the extension of Greece's railway network, an OSE
official said according to a timetable, the network will reach
Ioannina in 2004 and the port of Igoumenitsa probably in 2009.
[36] New EU shipbuilding policy paper adopted
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
The European Commission adopted a strategy paper on the future
European shipbuilding policy and a proposal for a regulation
establishing new rules on aid to shipbuilding.
The communication announces the Commission's intention to direct
its efforts into defending the industry from anti-competitive
behavior of shipbuilders in third countries and to help the
industry increase its competitiveness in promoting research,
development and innovation and supporting closer industrial
co-operation.
The proposal for a new state aid regime provides for a
prolongation of the possibility to grant contract-related state
aid to shipyards up until the end of the year 2000.
Other forms of public support such as investment aid,
restructuring aid and aid for research and development are
proposed as well.
In addition, under certain circumstances, the Commission is
prepared to allow aid for innovation to partly cover risks
related to technological challenges.
With these combined efforts, the Commission is optimistic that
the objective of making European shipbuilding a global and
competitive industrial sector can be achieved.
Structural change is in the first place task of the industry.
The Commission expects that industry is actively seeking to
overcome its structural disadvantages, as compared with Far
Eastern competitors.
Shipbuilders should strive to use the cost saving potential of
close co-operation in research and development, in the
production process and also in marketing.
The promotion of R&D by the European Union is directed towards
improvement of the production process itself and to the
development of safe and efficient ships, including new and
advanced designs for highly sophisticated ships and onboard
systems.
In order to enhance this effort, the Commission has already set
up the Task Force "Maritime Systems of the Future". The Task
Force is working in close collaboration with industry to define
together priorities for R&D.
The Commission is supporting horizontal and vertical industrial
co-operation. To this end, the Maritime Industries Forum was
created by the Commission in 1991.
The Commission is committed to support any industry initiative
to reinforce markets. One example is short-sea shipping.
An increased share of short-sea shipping in European goods
transport would not only contribute to the reduction of
congestion of land-based transport corridors, benefiting the
environment; it also would create demand for modern relevant
ship types.
[37] Euro-Mediterranean Industrial Conference in Vouliagmeni
Athens, 02/10/1997 (ANA)
The third Euro-Mediterranean Industrial Conference will begin at
the Astir resort in Vouliagmeni on Monday with the participation
of about 500 representatives from industrial federations, senior
European Commission officials and businessmen from 31 Europe an
and Mediterranean countries.
The conference will assess the course of Euro-Mediterranean
co-operation to date and specific measures and policies will be
proposed, which will contribute to the further development of
this co-operation.
The conclusions drawn at the conference will be presented by
representatives of industrial federations and businessmen from
participating countries at the second Euro-Mediterranean
ministerial session to be held in Marrakech, Morocco on Oct.
30-31.
End of English language section.
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