Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 98-04-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] Archbishop Serafheim laid to rest

[02] Karamanlis' condition critical

[03] ND meeting on DEKOs, unemployment

[04] US defense secretary schedules Athens stop-over

[05] Synaspismos meeting on prefectural elections

[06] Simitis begins official two-day visit to Bulgaria today

[07] Armenian Committee to commemorate 1915 genocide

[08] Conference to call for end to Iraqi blockade

[09] New methadone centre in Athens

[10] U.S. education fair to be held in Athens

[11] Anarchist group claims firebomb attack

[12] Quake recorded in NW Greece

[13] Zakynthos to host environmental conference

[14] Gov't intends to privatise ELBO

[15] Greek-American trade exhibition in Atlantic City

[16] Xiosbank accumulates 11.3 of Minoan issue

[17] Greek stocks jump 4.53 pct, post 11th record in 20 sessions

[18] Olympic Airways cancels, merges flights due to staff shortage

[19] National Insurance sees 1998 profit doubling

[20] Flexopack reports 21.6 pct sales rise in Q1

[21] National Tech. University seeks papers for renewable energy meet

[22] Greek hotel again wins Thompson award

[23] Increased National Bank presence on Cyprus

[01] Archbishop Serafheim laid to rest

Athens 14/04/1998 (ANA)

The longest-serving Archbishop in the Autocephalus Church's more than 150- year history, Serapheim died early Friday morning at the age of 85 from a respiratory infection compounded by chronic renal failure.

Flags flew at half-mast in all public buildings throughout the country, as civil services remained closed in public mourning.

After lying in state for three days at the Athens Cathedral, Serapheim's coffin was carried on a gun carriage from the Cathedral through central Athens to the city's First Cemetery as a 21-cannon salute was fired from Lycabettus Hill.

He was laid to rest in the burial ground reserved for Church leaders.

The funeral cortege was headed by a contingent of soldiers, followed dozens of Orthodox bishops, prelates of various religious denominations, members of the Cabinet, political party leaders, MPs and the diplomatic corps as well as thousands of mourners.

Eulogies were delivered earlier at the funeral mass by prelates of the Holy Synod, the ruling body of the Orthodox Church of Greece.

A brief eulogy was also delivered by Harilaos Florakis, the honorary leader of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), who was a schoolmate of Serapheim, whom he fondly referred to as the "resistance fighter Archbishop".

Mr. Florakis and Serapheim fought on rival resistance organisations during the Nazi occupation and the Greek Civil War that followed. It was the first time a communist leader had bid a final farewell and tribute to a Church leader.

"You never lost your directness, and never gave in to the temptation of bigotry. You stood nationally and morally proud vis-a-vis those of different political, religious, or other persuasions. History will recognise this," said Mr. Florakis.

Funeral orations were also delivered by Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, Education and Religious Affairs Minister Gerasimos Arsenis, Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos, political party representatives, and the community president of the village Artesiano in Thessaly, where Serapheim was born.

Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic also sent a message of condolence to the Church's Holy Synod, saying that future generations will "remember the honourable presence and work of Archbishop Serapheim, who will also be remembered by Yugoslavia's citiz ens as the great architect of friendship between the peoples of Yugoslavia and Greece."

Mr. Kaklamanis stressed the Archbishop's exemplary stand during periods of tension in the church and crisis in the country.

Main opposition New Democracy representative George Sioufas said Serapheim was an inspired prelate, who exhibited the largest and most important virtues of the nation.

Mr. Avramopoulos also referred to the Archbishop's "resistance fighter" nature.

"He fought the country's conquerors, fought for the rights of ethnic Greeks in Albania, for the independence of Cyprus, but also against poverty and for man".

Coalition of the Left leader Nikos Constantopoulos stressed that Serapheim had "restored internal order and the prestige of the Church after the fall of the dictatorhip in 1974, and won the appreciation and love of the people...He did not forget his roots and never waited in the shadows, assuming the risks of his options."

Athens News Agency

[02] Karamanlis' condition critical

Athens 14/04/1998 (ANA)

Physicians said Mr. Karamanlis' condition was unchanged, according to a medical bulletin issued at 8:15 p.m. yesterday.

"The attempt to disconnect the patient from the artificial respirator did not yield satisfactory results,but it will be repeated when it is considered suitable," the bulletin read. This is likely to happen tomorrow, if Mr. Karamanlis is deemed capable of resuming his respiratory functions without mechanical support.

Doctors refused to be drawn on the prospects of the former president's health, saying that they did not know whether he would be able to be disconnected from the respirator and when.

Mr. Karamanlis' pathologist described his condition as "serious". "He is seriously ill, and the steps we take must be careful," he said.

Mr. Karamanlis was placed on breathing support after his heart stopped beating early on Sunday. Doctors said the 91-year-old patient had shown an improvement since being transferred to intensive care on Sunday.

His advanced age, doctors said, was working against his full recovery from the respiratory infection.

Athens News Agency

[03] ND meeting on DEKOs, unemployment

Athens 14/04/1998 (ANA)

ND spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos said after the meeting that the main opposition will submit a set of proposals after the Easter holidays for the modernisation of public utilities.

The basic axis, he added, will be a proposal for the management of DEKOs to be transferred to private sector managements.

Athens News Agency

[04] US defense secretary schedules Athens stop-over

WASHINGTON 14/04/1998 (ANA - T. Ellis)

Mr. Cohen's five-day regional tour, beginning on Friday, will also bring him to Turkey, Jordan, Egypt and Israel, the US Pentagon announced yesterday.

According to a US State Department official, Mr. Cohen will meet with Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, while he may also be received by President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and Prime Minister Costas Simitis. He will end his four-hour Ath ens visit by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The same official stressed that the US defense secretary will discuss NATO's structural changes and will reiterate the US support for confidence- building measures in the Aegean, promoted by NATO's Secretary General Javier Solana. He will also discuss a Greek weapons acquisition programme, while discussions might touch on the Cyprus issue.

The official added that the US-made warplanes F-15E or F-16 have been presented to the Greek political and military leadership, which will now decide on a possible purchase.

Mr. Cohen's first stop will be at Ankara, where he will meet with Turkish President Suleyman Demirel and other Turkish leaders. He will discuss the continued use of air bases by the US and Greek-Turkish relations, among others.

The US official also said that Mr. Cohen will hold talks with Mideast leaders on the lagging Middle East peace process and bilateral military ties of those countries with Washington as well as the situation with Iraq.

During this trip he will also meet with Jordan's King Hussein, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Israeli Prime Minister Benjanim Netanyahu.

He will spend one night each in Jordan, Egypt and Israel.

The official stressed that the White House and State Department had been taking the lead in US efforts to advance Middle East peace.

"We all want the peace process to go forward," the official said.

Athens News Agency

[05] Synaspismos meeting on prefectural elections

Athens 14/04/1998 (ANA)

The party will participate in the elections without cooperating with other parties. Its candidates will be Yiannis Dragasakis for the post of "supraprefect", Spyros Lykoudis for Athens prefect and Bambis Sarantidis for Piraeus prefect.

In an address, Synaspismos leader Nikos Constantopoulos attacked the government, saying it was responsible because the political climate in the country is deteriorating, adding that no hope is being created by its policy that matters will improve.

Mr. Constantopoulos spoke of a "right-wing" character in the government's choices in labour relations and called on the government to change the policy and methods it is applying.

He also said that with the target of shaping a new majority based on all the forces of the wider progressive sector, Synaspismos is steadfastly open to dialogue and commong action, where this is feasible, and despite serious differences with these forces.

Athens News Agency

[06] Simitis begins official two-day visit to Bulgaria today

SOFIA 14/04/1998 (ANA - B. Borisov)

In an interview to the Bulgarian News Agency, Prime Minister Costas Simitis said that Sofia's drive to join the Euro-Altantic organisations opened prospects for even closer bilateral ties.

Mr. Simitis was speaking ahead of a two-day official visit to Bulgaria, starting today, during which he will meet Prime Minister Ivan Kostov, President Petar Stoyanov, the country's parliament speaker and party political leaders.

He welcomed coordinated moves by Greece, Bulgaria and other Balkan countries to try to resolve the Kosovo crisis.

For the first time since the former Yugoslavia collapsed, a unified proposal was drafted for a solution in Kosovo when a six-nation contact group met in Bonn last month, Mr. Simitis said.

Healthy ties between Greece and Bulgaria, whose two-way trade exceeded US$500 million in 1997, stemmed from regular contracts among government and other officials, he said.

Both countries were working to ensure peace, stability and prosperity in the Balkans.

Mr. Simitis also said that a delayed project to build a pipeline to carry Russian oil from the Bulgarian port of Burgas to Alexandroupoli would go ahead.

During his trip to Sofia, the Greek premier is expected to discuss the pipeline project and other infrastructure works in transports and environmental protection.

Also likely to be discussed is construction of three new border points between the two countries.

Athens News Agency

[07] Armenian Committee to commemorate 1915 genocide

Athens 14/04/1998 (ANA)

The official service in memory of the approximately 1.5 million Armenians who were slaughtered in the genocide will be held on Friday, Arpil 24, while the main political rally will be held on the following Sunday, April 26.

Former transport minister Haris Kastanidis will speak on the subject of "The Armenian Genocide and the International Legal Order".

A statement issued by the Committee yesterday said the Armenian people demanded "acknowled-gement of the genocide and the return of the Armenian ancestral lands occupied by Turkey".

It also calls for an end to "the systematic destruction of the monuments of Armenian civilisation in Turkish-occupied Armenia, an end to the blockade of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as the end of the arming of Azerbaijan by Turkey and the under mining of peace initiatives for a just and viable solution to the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh."

The statement also stresses that "this year's 83rd anniversary of the Armenian genocide is officially commemorated for the first time in Greece, and for this reason acquires historic significance".

Athens News Agency

[08] Conference to call for end to Iraqi blockade

Athens 14/04/1998 (ANA)

In a statement, the organisers of the "Third Athens Conference Against the Blockade on Iraq" said that the blockade had caused the death of more than 1.5 million Iraqis, "mostly children under five years of age".

Saying that the government of Iraq had fulfilled all the obligations imposed by the UN resolutions, the committee described the blockade as an "unprecedented genocide which brought havoc to the people of Iraq".

It said the conference, to take place April 25 at the Municipal Theatre of Athens, was being organised to "call for an end to this crime on humanity and the uncivilised sanctions, and with the aim of helping the people of Iraq in their plight and sufferings".

Athens News Agency

[09] New methadone centre in Athens

Athens 14/04/1998 (ANA)

"We hope this second (methadone) centre will be ready to operate by the end of April", he said, adding that a third such centre, for Piraeus, is planned.

A Piraeus methadone centre is expected to operate within the year, while Mr. Skoulakis said the methadone administration programme will be extended throughout the country.

He said the issue was currently debated in the Parliament's interparty committee.

Methadone is a synthetic, non-hallucinogenic drug substitute, used especially for the treatment of heroin addiction.

Athens News Agency

[10] U.S. education fair to be held in Athens

Athens 14/04/1998 (ANA)

The April 28-29 event is organised by the Seattle-based firm "Study in the USA", and follows similar events in Madrid, Barcelona and Milan.

According to officials at the US embassy's commercial section in Athens, which is assisting the event's organisers, the educational fair targets those interested in language training and undergraduate courses in the US, as well as continuing education and postgraduate study programmes. A third target group will be individuals or companies interested in executive or human resources training.

The education fair will be held at the Athens Hilton, with doors opening between 12 noon and 8 p.m. on both days.

Among the universities represented are Boston University, California State in Long Beach, Columbia, DePaul in Chicago, New York University in New York City, Temple in Philadelphia, the University of San Francisco, as well as four schools in the Universi ty of California system -- UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Riverside and UC Santa Cruz.

Athens News Agency

[11] Anarchist group claims firebomb attack

Athens 14/04/1998 (ANA)

A caller claimed responsibility in a telephone call to a private radio station. The same organisation has carried out a series of firebomb attacks against privately-owned and state vehicles over the past few months.

A leaflet distributed by the group in mid-February called for the release of four anarchists, including Nikos Maziotis, arrested in January and since charged with invovlement in a series of bomb attacks.

The car of the latest victim, Panagiotis Zografou, 44, was parked outside his home in the Athens suburb of Filothei at the time of the attack which resulted in damage estimated at four million drachmas.

The fire spread to an adjacent car causing minor damage.

Athens News Agency

[12] Quake recorded in NW Greece

Athens 14/04/1998 (ANA)

The tremor, recorded at 2:53 a.m. by the Thessaloniki Observatory, was pinpointed 50 kilometres west of Kozani and 30 kilometres northwest of Grevena.

Athens News Agency

[13] Zakynthos to host environmental conference

Athens 14/04/1998 (ANA)

The conference, the first-ever jointly sponsored by the US embassy in Athens, was announced yesterday by the embassy's commercial counsellor, Patrick Santillo, at a news conference.

"We chose Zakynthos not only because of the (endangered) Caretta Caretta sea turtles, but as experts have said, it features probably the best and most environmentally friendly landfill in Greece," Mr. Santillo said.

Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis and US ambassador in Athens Nicholas Burns will inaugurate the two-day environmental conference, set for April 29-30.

The conference, entitled "Waste Management on Islands and Small Geographical Regions", will focus on recycling, energy conservation through recycling, funding sources for projects, solid waste management and new wastewater management technologies.

Mr. Santillo said the conference is a continuation of last year's initiative by the US embassy in Athens, when the commercial section organised a tour for about 50 Greek executives for contacts with American colleagues. He said the purpose of this confe rence is to bring representatives of US firms - including Brown and Root and Lockheed Finance - and agencies in direct contact with Greek industry leaders, local government officials and academics.

The prefecture of Zakynthos is also co-sponsoring the conference.

Athens News Agency

[14] Gov't intends to privatise ELBO

Athens 14/04/1998 (ANA)

The ministers also said that the Hellenic Arms Industry (EBO), Hellenic Aerospace Industry (EAB) and Powder and Cartridge Co. (PYRKAL) managements will develop business plans, which must be submitted to the government's economic council by next week.

As for surplus personnel at the industries, the ministers decided to transfer them to other defence and public order sectors.

Athens News Agency

[15] Greek-American trade exhibition in Atlantic City

MONTREAL 14/04/1998 (ANA)

Event organisers expect some 150 exhibitors from the US, Greece and Cyprus to participate, while visitors are estimated at more than 9,000 people.

The sixth annual Hermes exhibition, the most important commercial and economic event of the Greek-American community, will feature products from the foodstuffs and beverage sectors, travel services, the media, banks and insurance.

Sponsors this year include the Greek National Tourist Organisation (EOT), Olympic Airways, Coca-Cola, the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce, the University of Drexel in Pennsylvania and the "Athens 2004" organisation.

Athens News Agency

[16] Xiosbank accumulates 11.3 of Minoan issue

Athens 14/04/1998 (ANA)

The bank guaranteed 6.2 per cent of the Minoan issue, while it eventually gathered capital representing 11.3 per cent of the issue.

A Xiosbank announcement said the figures were indicative of the bank's significant activity in the lead management sector.

As far as the bank's interest rates are concerned, the basic rate for business credit will remain unchanged this week, while for the same period the Xios Alma savings account will offer an annual yield of 11.02 per cent with a monthly payment of interest.

Athens News Agency

[17] Greek stocks jump 4.53 pct, post 11th record in 20 sessions

Athens 14/04/1998 (ANA)

Traders said the market welcomed news that the private Bank of Piraeus had bid highest in a tender for the sale of state Macedonia-Thrace Bank.

The general index closed 4.53 percent up at 2,255.81 points with most sector indices scoring gains.

Banks soared 5.64 percent, Insurance rose 4.44 percent, Investment was 4.61 percent up, Industrials increased 4.09 percent, Construction was 3.58 percent higher, Miscellaneous rose 4.03 percent, Holding increased 2.89 percent but Leasing bucked the tren d to end 0.43 percent off.

The parallel market index for small cap companies rose 5.88 percent.

Trading was heavy with turnover at 59 billion drachmas.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 203 to 42 with another 21 issues unchanged.

Titan Cement, Varyte, Hellenic Sugar, Bank of Attica, National Insurance, Xiosbank, Macedonia-Thrace Bank, Bank of Piraeus and Halcor scored the biggest percentage gains at the day's 8.0 percent limit up.

Vis, Xylemporia, Maxim and Kyriakoulis suffered the heaviest losses.

National Bank of Greece ended at 40,200 drachmas, Ergobank at 26,250, Alpha Credit Bank at 26,130, Delta Dairy at 3,990, Titan Cement at 25,500, Intracom at 20,900 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation at 8, 200.

Athens News Agency

[18] Olympic Airways cancels, merges flights due to staff shortage

Athens 14/04/1998 (ANA)

The staff shortage has arisen due to a rush by flight staff to gain early retirement, fearing they may lose lump sum payments and pensions on the present scale under a five-year restructuring of the national carrier.

OA management is now considering hiring aircraft with foreign crews to serve passenger needs. It will meet the Supreme Council for the Selection of Personnel (ASEP) to seek approval for the move.

The problem has been compounded by a shortage of technicians resulting in five OA aircraft remaining grounded after extensive maintenance work.

A further five are expected to be phased into service again by June.

Later this week European Union auditors are expected to visit the ailing company.

The airline's flight schedule for May will be announced in coming days.

Athens News Agency

[19] National Insurance sees 1998 profit doubling

Athens 14/04/1998 (ANA)

Company chairman Theodore Pantalakis said he expected this year's profits to double to four billion drachmas.

He also said that a range of bankassurance products would be offered in the Greek market this year.

National Insurance is planning a share capital increase to fund its expansion into the Balkans, particularly in Romania.

Athens News Agency

[20] Flexopack reports 21.6 pct sales rise in Q1

Athens 14/04/1998 (ANA)

First quarter profits were 135.2 million drachmas, up 15.6 percent.

Company officials said they expected the increase in turnover and profits to continue in the second quarter.

The drachma's devaluation by 13.8 percent on March 14 would not affect results because the firm had no loans in foreign currency.

A rise in the cost of raw materials due to the devaluation was offset by a 50 percent rise in exports, the officials said.

Athens News Agency

[21] National Tech. University seeks papers for renewable energy meet

Athens 14/04/1998 (ANA)

The conference will be entitled "Applying Renewable Energy - National Priorities and European Strategy."

Organising the conference is the university's newly created renewable energy group, comprising lecturers and research staff involved in renewable energy applications.

The deadline for applications to deliver papers at the conference is May 28. Further information is available on 7723272.

Athens News Agency

[22] Greek hotel again wins Thompson award

Athens 14/04/1998 (ANA)

The British tour operator said it ranked the hotel top in Greece and fifth worldwide for its services.

The Candia Park Village holds the ISO 9001 international quality assurance certificate for services.

Among officials attending the award ceremony were the Greek National Tourism Organisation's secretary general, Nikos Skoulas, and the president of the Athens Hoteliers Union, Gerassimos Fokas.

Athens News Agency

[23] Increased National Bank presence on Cyprus

NICOSIA 14/04/1998 (ANA)

Theodoros Pantalakis, a National Bank vice-president and president of the group's insurance subsidiary "Ethniki", revealed the expansion at a press conference on the occasion of a planned visit to Cyprus by National Bank Deputy Governor Nikolaos Karamouzis. However, his visit was not carried out due to strike action concerning Olympic Airways.

The press conference was addressed by Michalis Tagaroulias, the director of the National Bank of Greece (Cyprus), who said that the bank has 23 branches and five exchange bureaus on Cyprus and holds a 4.5 per cent market share.

Mr. Tagaroulias said that in 1997 the National Bank of Greece (Cyprus) produced profits amounting to 543,000 pounds, compared to 256,000 in 1996, while in the first quarter in 1998 they increased by roughly 14 per cent.

He further said that the bank will soon operate a mutual funds management company on Cyprus in cooperation with Interamerican of Greece and the Shacolas group of companies, while it has also established in Nicosia a unit for serving offshore companies. Such a unit is being scheduled in Limassol as well.

The National Bank of Greece (Cyprus) has been operating since 1994 as an independent bank.

Athens News Agency

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