Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 98-04-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM brushes offc talk of new devaluation,early elections

[02] Panionios wins football cup, 1-0 over Panathinaikos

[03] Kranidiotis in Yerevan for BSEC conference

[04] Australia's immigration minister meets Petsalnikos

[05] Simitis calls Turkish threat 'strong'

[06] Athens condemns firings of two noted Turkish journalists

[07] Gov't spokesman says Simitis touched on Kozloduy issue during recent Sofia visit

[08] Greek embassy in Bonn unveils publication

[09] Tsohatzopoulos holds talks with Italian counterpart Andreatta

[10] Defence minister to visit Sweden

[11] Party leaders debate Constitutional revision in Parliament

[12] Annual May Day rally tomorrow

[13] Karamanlis' May Day message

[14] Papoutsis voices concerns on lifting of cabotage

[15] Epirus representation office in Brussels

[16] Vartholomeos comments on Christodoulos' election as Archbishop

[17] Europarliament honour for Karamanlis

[18] US criticises proposed deployment of S-300 missiles on Cyprus

[19] Strong quake shakes southern Greece

[20] Cutbacks in expenditures envisioned

[21] Greek auction for state securities

[22] German tourist agents visit Crete

[23] State telecom share sale raises 126 bln for state coffer

[24] Greece seen joining EMU by 2002 or before - analysts

[25] Greek stocks sprint ahead for second straight session

[26] Foreign investors absorb domestic drachma sales in money market

[27] Government backs economic diplomacy

[28] Thessaloniki's drainage utility urges Balkan network

[29] Gov't repeats that port of Piraeus set for privatisation

[30] Prominent cartoonist Antonaros dies

[01] PM brushes offc talk of new devaluation,early elections

Athens 30/04/1998 (ANA)

Reports of a new devaluation have been fuelled by speculation that a European Union summit over the weekend to launch the euro will readjust the parities of currencies in the EU's Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM).

"(The rumours) are absurdities coming from speculators who want to recoup the money they lost in the March devaluation," Mr. Simitis told a meeting of the ruling PASOK Parliamentary group.

The drachma was devalued by 13.8 percent on March 14 to ease entry into the ERM. The government announced measures to speed up cuts in public spending in order to further align the economy with other EU countries.

On Tuesday, both the national economy minister and the central bank governor denied a new devaluation was being planned.

Mr. Simitis also shrugged off talk of early national elections, saying the polls would be held on schedule in 2000, "after the policy being applied by the government today is completed".

He defended his government's policies across the board, which he said had begun to bear fruit and would remain in place.

His target was to improve the public's standard of living, and not merely boost numerical indicators such as the stock exchange.

Mr. Simitis called on recalcitrant PASOK deputies to avoid internal party friction and personal clashes, opting instead for cohesion.

The premier conceded that weaknesses and errors existed, and that there were also clashes and differences in ideology.

"Some of us are wavering, disputing (policy), and asking ourselves whether there is another policy" he said. "But if we look a little deeper, we shall see that there is no other policy. This policy is the only way, and it serves the interests of the wor king people."

Mr. Simitis said the responsibility for the implementation of the policy did not lie only with the government but with "all of us who received the popular mandate two years ago".

He called on his MPs not to opt for "the road of internal friction, personal clashes and pseudo-dile-mmas", but to choose instead the road of "solidarity, cohesion and creative unity".

The government, he said, wished to effect the structural changes in the economy with the support of the people, otherwise it would be difficult to realise them or they would be put at risk.

The target, he explained, was to improve the living conditions of the Greeks and not be satisfied with a rise in indicators such as that of the stock exchange.

Turning to foreign policy, the premier said that, in a changing world, Greece needed to participate in European developments, without that meaning automatic, across-the-board acceptance of everything taking place in the EU, but by having its own specific perception on the various issues. He also stressed Greece's role in the region.

Taking the floor again later, the prime minister, responding to earlier speakers who claimed Greece should participate in the first phase of EMU, said the mistake of entering the European Economic Community unprepared should not be committed again.

"If we repeated it, it would be like taking part in a race while being lame, " he said.

He dismissed a suggestion that Greece should block the entry of Belgium and Italy in the first phase on the grounds that they did not fulfill the public deficit criterion, saying that the 15 had agreed to interpret this criterion as a tendency and not as an absolute figure.

"That would be like Greece committing suicide, it would be like ruling out its entry to EMU for ever," he said.

New Democracy reaction : The prime minister's speech was a typical example of blatant and shameless propaganda of the inter-war era, main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos commented on his part.

He added Mr. Simitis had lied to the Greek people when promising no devaluation and no new taxes, and that he had absolutely no mandate to postpone the country's entry into EMU for the indefinite future.

Athens News Agency

[02] Panionios wins football cup, 1-0 over Panathinaikos

Athens 30/04/1998 (ANA)

The only goal of the match was posted in the 53rd minute with a short header. The Nea Smyrni team finished with nine players, following two players' exit with red cards.

President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos watched the game and later awarded the Cup to the Panionios side.

Athens News Agency

[03] Kranidiotis in Yerevan for BSEC conference

Athens 30/04/1998 (ANA)

Member-states' representatives are set to sign the BSEC's charter and will discuss organisational and operational issues.

They will also discuss the applications of Yugoslavia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Iran and Uzbekistan for accession to BSEC as full members.

Athens News Agency

[04] Australia's immigration minister meets Petsalnikos

Athens 30/04/1998 (ANA)

Mr. Ruddock is presently in Greece on an unofficial visit.

"The strong presence of the Greek community in Australia is a strong bridge linking the two peoples," Mr. Petsalnikos said.

Mr. Petsalnikos underlined the Greek government's interest in overseas Greek communities, particularly in developing Greek studies courses and the teaching of the Greek language.

He said he was aware that a number of Greek-language courses in Australia were faced with closure due to financial reasons.

Mr. Ruddock said Australia was a prototype of a multi-cultural society and that the government was particularly interested in maintaining and improving the cultural and linguistic heritage of its communities, including language teaching for early school students.

Athens News Agency

[05] Simitis calls Turkish threat 'strong'

Athens 30/04/1998 (ANA)

Addressing the ruling PASOK's Parliamentary group, Mr. Simitis also warned that Greece should not be dragged into a "mentality of rhetoric", which only benefitted Turkey.

The premier further said that Greece was not opposed to Turkey's European orientation, adding however, that Athens' acceptance hinged on such conditions as Ankara's acceptance of international treaties, its contribution to a resolution of the Cyprus pro blem and improvement of its relations with Greece.

Replying to criticism that Greece was adopting the stance of "a compliant and well-behaved child" in its foreign policy, the prime minister said he did not accept this notion at all, adding that if this were so, Athens would have consented to the unblo cking of the EU financial protocol for Turkey, and would have entered into an across-the-board dialogue with Turkey. In fact, he added, it became clear during the last EU ministers' council that Greece was increasing the number of its friends.

He added that the government had "cleared up" the scene regarding defence policy and decisions would soon be taken on new armaments procurements.

Gov't backs Pangalos over recent Chirac criticism : The government fully shares Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos' concern and interest in vigorously promoting Athens' positions and defending national rights, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday in reply to a question regarding the Greek FM's harsh criticism this week of French President Jacques Chirac.

Mr. Reppas said that it was not the French president that provoked criticism by the Greek foreign minister, but Paris' policy in terms of EU- Turkey and Greek-Turkish relations, saying France finds it difficult to understand the reason why Athens was ins isting on maintaining its veto of the EU financial protocol for Ankara.

Instead, what is hard to understand, according to Mr. Reppas, is the stance of those who insisted on turning a blind eye to Ankara's questioning of Greek sovereignty of several islets in the eastern Aegean.

Greece has a policy of principles, which the EU should understand and follow, as it is the policy of a member-state, he noted.

Asked whether Turkey was pressuring Washington not to sell F-15E fighters to Greece, Mr. Reppas replied that Greece's armaments programme will proceed according to plans, regardless of pressures. He added that flight demonstrations of the F-15E had alre ady been given for Greek military authorities and that the choice was now left up to Athens.

French demarche : French ambassador in Athens Bernard Kessedjian yesterday protested to the Greek foreign ministry over Mr. Pangalos' remarks on French policies on the Cyprus issue and EU-Turkish relations.

The ministry's secretary general, ambassador Alexandros Philon, responded to Mr. Kessedjian that there is a general displeasure in the country over French policies, underlining that the positions of the French government on the Cyprus issue, for instance, deviate from those of the European Union.

The French minister on European affairs, speaking to the French Parliament recently, said that a "military conflict" will be transferred within the Union if Cyprus enters the EU before a solution to its political problem is found.

France repeatedly has supported the unconditional withdrawal of the Greek veto for EU aid to Ankara.

Turkish foreign ministry response : ISTANBUL (ANA - A. Kourkoulas) - A memorandum submitted by Mr. Pangalos to his EU counterparts during Tuesday's EU foreign ministers meeting was viewed as "propaganda" by the Turkish foreign ministry.

The Greek FM submitted a memorandum on Tuesday citing Turkey's dispute of Greek sovereignty of four eastern Aegean islets, all populated.

"The document is full of legal and historical inaccuracies", Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Netzati Utkan claimed yesterday, adding that Ankara was not casting doubt on islands which came under Greek sovereignty with the Lausanne (1923) and Paris (1 947) Treaties, but "rather on small islands and islets that did come under Greece's jurisdiction."

The Turkish official further claimed that the status of any geographical formations and rocky islets which were not explicitly referred to in international treaties could not be determined "unilaterally".

Athens News Agency

[06] Athens condemns firings of two noted Turkish journalists

Athens 30/04/1998 (ANA)

In a related development, Eurodeputy Yiannis Roumbatis denounced the actions against "Sabah's" Mehmet Ali Birand and Cengiz Kandar to the European Commission and the European Union Council of Ministers in Brussels.

The two columnists were sacked after former Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) military leader Semdin Sakik had told Turkish judicial authorities that they were linked to the group, which is fighting since 1984 for Kurdish self-rule.

The two men have often cast doubt on Turkey's military appoach to the issue.

Mr. Roumbatis requested information on the specific measures the above EU bodies are going to take for protection of the two men from possible attacks.

Meanwhile, the Greek secretariat of the "Journalists in Aegean and Thrace for Peace" noted: "It is necessary for Turkey to finally realise that journalists are not the necessary components of any state mechanism."

Athens News Agency

[07] Gov't spokesman says Simitis touched on Kozloduy issue during recent Sofia visit

Athens 30/04/1998 (ANA)

He was responding to a question concerning the construction of a nuclear power plant on the southwestern coast of Turkey.

Mr. Reppas said that according to Athens' information, construction of the plant has not proceeded and that the entire process is at a preliminary stage. He further said that Greece is following the issue and its development.

Athens News Agency

[08] Greek embassy in Bonn unveils publication

BONN 30/04/1998 (ANA)

The event was attended by Press Ministry Secretary General Yiannis Nikolaou, Greek ambassador in Bonn Konstantinos Ailianos as well as several representatives of the political, diplomatic, business sectors and reporters.

Among others, the report contains standing Greek positions on decisive issues, such as the country's course towards Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue.

Athens News Agency

[09] Tsohatzopoulos holds talks with Italian counterpart Andreatta

Athens 30/04/1998 (ANA)

In particular, talks centred on the Bosnian issue, the situation in Kosovo, the Cyprus problem, the restructuring of Albania and cooperation between the two countries' defence industries.

On the Kosovo crisis, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said Athens and Rome agreed on the need for international pressure to be exerted on both sides aimed at the immediate commencement of dialogue on the rights of the ethnic Albanians to self-government.

At the same time, he stressed, violence and terrorism are not acceptable means for pursuing these rights. Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said he had briefed Mr. Andreatta on Turkey's latest provocation in disputing Greece's sovereignty of four Aegean islands an d national borders in the region. He also briefed him on developments in the Cyprus problem. Mr. Andreatta attributed a delay in the sale of the Italian-made medium-range,surface-to-surface "Aspide S- 330" missile system to Cyprus to strict Italian law prohibiting the export of arms to crisis areas. He indicated the law might be revised in the future in order to resolve the issue.

Cypriot Defence Minister Yiannakis Omirou said earlier this month that Nicosia was attempting to obtain the Italian-made system. Mr. Omirou said that the armed forces of Cyprus want Italy to "honour" a commitment dating back to 1996 concerning the missile system, which can be turned into a surface-to-air missile system.

Turning to Turkey, Mr. Andreatta said there was always a door open for its accession to institutional European bodies. Any disputes between Athens and Ankara, he added, should be resolved within European legal frameworks.

On a proposal for the formation of a multi-national Balkan peace force, Mr. Andreatta said Rome was in favour of the unit being based in a NATO country and its command alternating between the participating countries.

Of the Balkan countries, only Greece and Turkey are NATO members.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the issue would be resolved through dialogue and in this respect Balkan defence undersecretaries would be meeting in Tirana on May 22, while a meeting of ministers would be held in Sofia in September.

With regard to bilateral cooperation, it was agreed to hold a meeting of the general armaments directorates of both countries to promote the arms programmes of Greece and Italy.

Athens News Agency

[10] Defence minister to visit Sweden

STOCKHOM 30/04/1998 (ANA - N. Servetas)

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos will also meet with Swedish Foreign Minister Lena Hjelm Wallen and visit the installations of electronics giant LM Eriksson.

It is believed that Mr. Tsohatzopoulos' talks will be related to recent efforts by Sweden to reorganise its defence structures, establish cooperation in the production of defence material and participate in military exercises within the framework of the "Partnership for Peace" programme.

At the same time, Sweden has undertaken a number of research projects related to defence policy issues.

Athens News Agency

[11] Party leaders debate Constitutional revision in Parliament

Athens 30/04/1998 (ANA)

Current provisions stipulate a two-thirds majority in the first two rounds for the election of a president, while a simple majority is required by the new parliament that will result from the election.

A total of 60 Articles, out of 120, mainly relating to the functioning of government and Parliament, are currently under revision.

Referring to his party's proposals, the prime minister said the constitution must be enriched with new rights and guarantees for the protection of the citizen, and stressed that the revision is in line with the spirit of speeding up the process of Europ ean integration.

Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis referred to four issues which, he said, there was a considerable difference of views between the two parties: the operation of private universities, the issue of Parliamentary immunity, the change in the way the president of the republic is elected and the electoral system.

Regarding the opening of private universities, Mr. Karamanlis said it provided an opportunity for the government to turn its professed strive towards modernisation into reality.

Further, he said acceptance of his party's proposal that deputies should lose their seats if they exceeded the stipulated ceiling of electoral expenses would help in restoring and upgrading the prestige of politics.

He said the government's proposal concerning the election of the president of the republic made the president an organ of the ruling party and undermined the authority of the institution.

Finally, he urged the government to make clear its intentions regarding the system to be employed in the next general election.

Coalition of the Left leader Nikos Constantopoulos described as politically meaningless and socially indifferent the government's proposal.

Communist Party deputy Orestis Kolozov claimed that the main reason of the revision promoted by PASOK and New Democracy was "to secure constitutionally the unimpeded incorporation of our country to the EU. He called, among other things, for the introduc tion of the proportional representation system in elections and local and national referenda, and full equality before the law of all those residing in Greece without discriminations."

Athens News Agency

[12] Annual May Day rally tomorrow

Athens 30/04/1998 (ANA)

There will be work stoppages in the bus transport utility, from 5 to 8 am and from 10 pm until midnight, in ferry boats from 8 am to 12 noon, and in Olympic Airways from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A rival rally is being organised by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) affiliated trade union faction (ESAK) in Syntagma Square. The organisers are calling for "a class and militant" celebration and a withdrawal from the procedure of social dialogue, and accusing the mainstream unions of having compromised with the government.

Labour Minister Miltiades Papaioannou said in a message of "solidarity and participation in the common effort" that the government would persist with the policy of social dialogue and fight for a strong society of solidarity and achievement.

Meanwhile, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas yesterday responded to an announcement by the neo-fascist organisation Chryssi Avgi (Golden Dawn) that it would hold a rally under the slogan "Foreigners Out," by saying that the law would deal with any a ctivity which broke the rules of the democratic system and the Constitution.

"Our position is unwavering regarding racist, xenophobic and nationalist phenomena. It is not possible for such small groups, no matter how loud they may yell, to disturb the accomodating situation which Greece has created with much hard work, and with the backing of all the political forces of the country," he said.

The Coalition of the Left described Chryssi Avgi's announced intention to hold the rally as a brutal provocation which must not be left unanswered by society and organised institutions. It also accused the organisation of attacks against undocumented workers.

Athens News Agency

[13] Karamanlis' May Day message

Athens 30/04/1998 (ANA)

Mr. Karamanlis said this year's celebration of May Day sealed the end of ideologies, while demanding a turn in the pages of history and a change in policy. The progressive policy proposed by the ND was the means for development and the country's social prosperity, he said.

Athens News Agency

[14] Papoutsis voices concerns on lifting of cabotage

Athens 30/04/1998 (ANA)

Athens' concerns are focused on the number of crewmembers on passenger ships and their working hours.

Serious problems may arise in Greek shipping in 2004, according to Mr. Papoutsis, when foreign-flag-ged vessels will be allowed to carry out routes in Greek waters.

Transport Commissioner Neil Kinnock has proposed that issues like the above not be governed by national laws but by the laws of the registry under which the ships are registered.

Mr. Papoutsis wondered how it was possible for the Commission to impose such an arrangement of issues of such importance to Greek shipping without acknwoledging the fact that the relevant Greek laws were fully adjusted to the needs of the specific sector in Greece.

Athens News Agency

[15] Epirus representation office in Brussels

BRUSSELS 30/04/1998 (ANA - P. Pantelis)

Epirus regional secretary general Dimitris Kaloudiotis said that although that region is the poorest in the European Union it has great potential for growth both in terms of tourism and agricultural production. - President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos yesterday visited the Mitera infants' orphanage in Athens, accompanied by Health and Welfare Minister Costas Geitonas. He noted the importance of the institution and discussed issues relating to its operat ion and mission.

Athens News Agency

[16] Vartholomeos comments on Christodoulos' election as Archbishop

ISTANBUL 30/04/1998 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

"We are particularly close with the new Archbishop, we are friends," he told ANA, stressing their "strong spiritual link".

"We are looking forward to receiving him at the Ecumenical Patriarchate with particular joy," he said, adding that he hopes to visit Athens soon after.

Ironically, the Autocephalus Orthodox Church of Greece is the only Orthodox Church that the Patriarch has not visited. A planned visit was postponed three times due to the ill health of late Archbishop Serapheim.

Athens News Agency

[17] Europarliament honour for Karamanlis

BRUSSELS 30/04/1998 (ANA)

Europarliament President Gil Robles told the plenum that the late Greek politician's efforts in fortifying democracy in Greece and the nation's accession to the European Union must be recognised by everybody.

Athens News Agency

[18] US criticises proposed deployment of S-300 missiles on Cyprus

WASHINGTON 30/04/1998 (ANA - T. Ellis)

Commenting on US diplomat Richard Holbrooke's visit to Cyprus, Mr. McCurry said: "He will transmit the strong feelings of the President (Bill Clinton) for both sides to take advantage of the opportunity now, to set aside the differences which divided the island for more than 20 years.

"He will pose other issues, which are also cause for concern to us, especially the acceptance of the S-300 missiles' transfer," he added.

The spokesman noted that the US considers that the missiles will have destabilising effects.

Athens News Agency

[19] Strong quake shakes southern Greece

Athens 30/04/1998 (ANA)

Athens News Agency

[20] Cutbacks in expenditures envisioned

Athens 30/04/1998 (ANA)

Considerable cutbacks are anticipated in special categories of expenditures, such as operational expenses (electricity, water, telephone, etc), transport costs and civil servants' travel expenses.

Cutbacks in expenses are anticipated in a circular on the preparation of the 1999 budget, expected to be sent to all ministries and public agencies next week, to enable them to start processes for a new budget. The main points in the circular were annou nced beforehand by Finance Undersecretary Nikos Christodoulakis.

Athens News Agency

[21] Greek auction for state securities

Athens 30/04/1998 (ANA)

The securities to be auctioned will be treasury bills of a three-month duration amounting to 70 billion drachmas and six-month T-bills amounting to 50 billion drachmas.

Athens News Agency

[22] German tourist agents visit Crete

Athens 30/04/1998 (ANA)

The seminar was also attended by the Greek National Tourist Organisation's (EOT) director in Germany, Platon Davakis.

The German tourist agents were invited by the Codor, Air Marin, Fischer Reisen and Kreutzer firms and were hosted by the Maris Hotels group.

Athens News Agency

[23] State telecom share sale raises 126 bln for state coffer

Athens 30/04/1998 (ANA)

The private placement carried out this week, brings the total of shares sold to private investors to around 24 percent of the state telecom's share capital, Mr. Christodoulakis said.

The cash raised in the sale, which forms part of a third float for OTE, will be given to the State Securities Management Company to which the shares had originally been transferred.

All shares available in the float were placed, with a minor stake reserved as an incentive for OTE's staff. Institutional investors bought 15 million shares and OTE took one million for its personnel.

The stock's price was 8,700 drachmas less a 3.4 percent discount, a practice customary on international markets for private placements. The discount was offered for bids on large blocs of shares.

Eighty percent of shares were sold to foreign institutionals and 20 percent to domestic institutions.

The state, which payed no commission for the transaction, has undertaken to refrain from selling any more OTE shares for three months.

Coordinating the float was National Bank of Greece, the country's largest bank. Among foreign banks handling the float were Credit Suisse First Boston and Salomon Smith Barney.

The third float, representing 10-15 percent of the firm's share capital, will be held in autumn.

Athens News Agency

[24] Greece seen joining EMU by 2002 or before - analysts

BRUSSELS 30/04/1998 (ANA-Reuters)

Per Jedefors, head of EMU preparations at Sweden's S-E-Banken, reckons Greece could jump aboard the EMU train before the three others, which he did not believe would enter until after the introduction of euro coins and notes in 2002.

Economist Holger Schmieding at investment bank Merrill Lynch took a similar line, saying Greece was "extremely likely" to come in early, maybe in 2001.

Britain, Denmark, Greece and Sweden may feel like gatecrashers when the European Union makes a landmark agreement in the weekend to launch economic and monetary union with 11 members.

By staying out of the ambitious project, the four EMU "outs" will lose influence over EU economic affairs and may suffer higher interest rates and reduced foreign investment.

Their monetary isolation in the 15-nation EU could, however, be only temporary.

Greece does not yet meet the tough economic conditions laid down by the EU's Maastricht Treaty but has signalled its intention to enter soon, devaluing the drachma by 14 percent last month and joining the EU's Exchange Rate Mechanism.

Athens News Agency

[25] Greek stocks sprint ahead for second straight session

Athens 30/04/1998 (ANA)

The index ended 2.69 percent higher at 2,511.56 points.

Traders said the market was relieved after a barrage of comments from government officials dismissing talk of a new drachma devaluation.

The market was also encouraged by a successful offering of a 3.0 percent stake of Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation to institutional investors via the market.

Trading was heavy with turnover at a new record of 222.3 billion drachmas with 130 billion of the total accounting for the state telecom share transaction.

Sector indices scored gains. Banks rose 4.04 percent, Insurance was 3.33 percent up, Investments ended 3.93 percent higher, Leasing increased 4.15 percent, Industrials rose 2.16 percent, Construction ended 1.20 percent up, Miscellaneous increased 4.22 p ercent and Holding was up 3.81 percent.

The parallel market index rose 1.59 percent, and the FTSE/ASE 20 blue chip index increased 2.74 percent to 1,513.24.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 179 to 60 with another 24 issues unchanged.

Strintzis Lines, Klonatex, Nikas, Alpha Invest, Ergodata, Bank of Central Greece, Bank of Athens, Sea Farm Ionian and Etma scored the biggest percentage gains at the day's 8.0 percent limit up.

Ergas, Viokarpet and Desmos suffered the heaviest losses hitting the 8.0 percent down limit.

National Bank of Greece ended at 53,350 drachmas, Ergobank at 27,895, Alpha Credit Bank at 30,700, Delta Dairy at 4,290, Titan Cement at 25,100 Intracom at 18,900 and Hellenic Telecoms at 8,650.

Athens News Agency

[26] Foreign investors absorb domestic drachma sales in money market

Athens 30/04/1998 (ANA)

Banking sources reported a 20-million US dollar capital outflow, reflecting a drachma/foreign currency swap in the domestic market totalling 500 billion drachmas.

Athens News Agency

[27] Government backs economic diplomacy

Athens 30/04/1998 (ANA)

Mr. Pangalos underlined Greece's strong presence in the European Union's financial aid programmes (PHARE, TACIS) and in SECI, a US initiative to promote administration infrastructure in the Balkans and adaptation to a free market economy.

He stressed the need for the creation of a communications network among Balkan states in transport, telecommunications, energy and information.

Attending the monthly meeting, which is backed by the Hellenic Foreign Trade Board, were ambassadors and commercial and trade attaches from countries of the European Union, Balkans, eastern Europe, Americas, north Africa and Asia.

Athens News Agency

[28] Thessaloniki's drainage utility urges Balkan network

Athens 30/04/1998 (ANA)

The utility hopes the network will encourage an exchange of know-how in order to boost efficiency and profitability.

Thessaloniki water and drainage utilities will merge by the end of the year.

The government plans to privatise the drainage company, which is among the country's 10 profitable utilities.

The firms are likely to seek a part-listing on the Athens Stock Exchange within the next two years.

Athens News Agency

[29] Gov't repeats that port of Piraeus set for privatisation

Athens 30/04/1998 (ANA)

The transition, which would not be accomplished hastily, was being studied, Mr. Soumakis told a news conference yesterday.

He was speaking in the wake of a rift with the port authority's president, George Klavdianos, who on Tuesday submitted his resignation to the prime minister, alleging unwarranted intervention by the minister in the port's operation. Saying he had erred in choosing Mr. Klavdianos for the post, Mr. Soumakis insisted he would continue visiting the port to check the standard of services.

"Thousands of passengers from Greece and abroad pass through the country's top port, which acts as a mirror for the rest of the country," he said. "Our goal is to upgrade services for the travelling public."

Mr. Soumakis also said his life had been threatened during one of the visits but he declined to give details.

Athens News Agency

[30] Prominent cartoonist Antonaros dies

Athens 30/04/1998 (ANA)

The noted cartoonist, who was known simply as "Archelaos", had his first political cartoon printed in 'Makedonia' newspaper in 1936, when he was a 15-year-old high school student.

While a student of philosophy during World War II, he took active part in the national resistance against the Nazi occupation. Antonaros drew more than 50,000 cartoons, many of which were exhibited at major international exhibitions, receiving several p rizes.

The Thessaloniki-born Archelaos, who had served as president of the Union of Cartoonists of Greece, was the father of Foreign Press Association of Greece (FPA) President Evangelos Antonaros. His funeral will be held today at 5 p.m. at the Kallithea Ceme tery's chapel.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas expressed the government's condolences to the family of Antonaros, as did main opposition New Democracy spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos.

The Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) also issued a statement lauding the late cartoonist.

Athens News Agency

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