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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 98-05-20Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Greece rejects idea of 'package deal' on Cyprus,AegeanAthens 20/05/1998 (ANA)Greece yesterday, through Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, categorically rejected the idea of a "package deal" solution of Greek-Turkish relations and the protracted Cyprus problem.Commenting on statements by US President Bill Clinton, in London on Monday, suggesting that "we will have to proceed on many fronts at once" and that "both the Turks and Greeks will have to make difficult decisions", Mr. Pangalos stressed the Greek side could make no new concessions for a Cyprus settlement. "There never was and there could never be a package deal for these two major issues (the Cyprus problem and Greek-Turkish relations)", he stressed. He also said that Mr. Clinton's statements linking the Cyprus issue, Greek- Turkish problems in the Aegean and Turkey's European vocation contained certain contradictions. Mr. Clinton made the statements at a press conference in Britain, where he had attended the G7 plus Russia summit over the weekend and a subsequent meeting of the six-nation Contact Group. Commenting on Mr. Clinton's observation that it was not possible to resolve one problem in isolation from the others, Mr. Pangalos said it was not clear exactly what he meant. Mr. Pangalos reiterated Athens' position that the Cyprus problem clearly affects the climate of Greek-Turkish relations and that Ankara's aggressiveness towards Greece affects the political climate in Cyprus. He stressed, however, that there could be no issue of a "package" solution. By their very nature, Mr. Pangalos said, the Cyprus problem and Greek- Turkish relations were different. "The Cyprus issue is an international problem of invasion and occupation which concerns the world community. It is not a Greek-Turkish issue," he said, likening the problem to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. The Greek minister expressed discontent because the Cyprus problem "has not been dealt with by the international community in a satisfactory manner so far. "For 24 years now, Turkey manages to escape sanctions and implementation of resolutions adopted by the international community," Mr. Pangalos added. On Greek-Turkish relations, Mr. Pangalos stressed that Ankara was putting forward claims against Greece which were "legally unfounded, groundless and inadequately defined", thereby creating a climate of tension. "They are different issues which must be dealt with through different procedures," Mr. Pangalos said, once again stressing that "there is no package". Mr. Clinton said on Monday that "I do not think we can solve one problem in isolation from the other. I think we must move forward on all these problems - Cyprus, the Aegean, jurisdiction on disputes and the role of Turkey in Europe's future." Mr. Pangalos noted that Greece was demanding nothing from Turkey that was contrary to the present status quo and the rules of international law. "We are not asking Turkey to make any concessions which could form the basis of some kind of negotiation," he said, adding that "unilateral pressure on Greece would be exercised, using material and other means in order to make concessions". Turning to Mr. Clinton's appeal to both sides to take difficult decisions and make sacrifices, Mr. Pangalos underlined that Cyprus had "already been forced to make terrible sacrifices". "Cyprus has suffered the fait accompli of invasion and occupation. It has accepted a solution on the basis of a bizonal federation as well as a series of arrangements which are in the direction of Turkey's positions. There is no more margin for concessi ons," Mr. Pangalos said. He added that it was precisely for this reason that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash broke off (reunification) talks while making the "outrageous" demand that Nicosia stop its EU accession negotiations and withdraw its EU candidacy until Turkey beca me a member. "In other words, never," Mr. Pangalos said, adding that Mr. Denktash put forth these demands as a precondition for returning to the negotiating table. The Turkish Cypriot leader's demands brought US efforts to resume bicommunal talks to a deadlock, earlier this month. The adoption of such logic, Mr. Pangalos added, would amount to admission of a "catastrophic failure" on the part of the international community's vis-a-vis the Cyprus problem, as well as creating a major problem between Greece and Turkey for a hundred years. "I do not believe that this is the intention of the United States," Mr. Pangalos said. Referring to the crisis in late January 1996, when Turkish troops briefly occupied the Greek islet of Imia in the eastern Aegean near Kalymnos, bringing the two countries to the brink of war, Mr. Pangalos said Athens had displayed exemplary self-restrai nt. "At the time, Greece could easily, invoking Community solidarity, have demanded that the EU sever all relations with Turkey until Ankara withdrew its challenges to the sovereignty of Greek islands, accept Greece's right to extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles and recognise the extent of our national air space, etc.," Mr. Pangalos said. "Many countries would have done exactly this, including of course, the United States. We did not adopt this position, preferring simply to suggest to Turkey the judicial resolution of problems," he added. The foreign minister, asking why Washington was trying to suggest solutions on wholly European issues, stressed that close US-European relations, just as US-Greek relations, were one thing, while quite another for the US to suggest to Greece and the EU what they should do. He also stressed that the Luxembourg summit's decisions last December did "not close, but opened" Europe's door to Turkey, overcoming reactions by several European countries, such as Germany, Denmark and Greece. Mr. Pangalos said a portion of the Greek people did not want to hear anything about Turkey, but the Greek government was telling them that they were wrong and that Turkey must have a European vocation "provided the military establishment, which, in effe ct, rules the country, makes the necessary sacrifices." When Greece had "the known regime", Mr. Pangalos said, referring to the seven-year (1967-74) military dictatorship, it was expelled from the Council of Europe, adding that those forces in Turkey which criticise the domestic situation in their country be fore international public opinion should be strengthened . "It is they who serve Turkey's national interests and not nationalistic fanaticism," he added. Since the EU summit in Luxembourg, Mr. Pangalos said, relations between the Community and Ankara had worsened, because Turkey was "vilifying" Europe and had broken off political dialogue. Now, he continued, Turkey has the prospect of participating in the European Conference and later becoming a candidate for membership. Commenting on the forthcoming EU-Turkey Association Council and the British presidency's draft joint position , Mr. Pangalos said it was totally unacceptable to separate the financial aspect of relations from the political aspect. "It is the first time we have had such antics," he said. "It's not possible for us in Europe to accept to talk about our economic interests without accepting to have a dialogue on the political substance of our relations. Europe is not a grocers' guild," Mr. Pangalos said. The foreign minister said Athens believed in the political unification of Europe and for this reason was willing to make sacrifices on an economic level. On Greece's veto of EU funds to Turkey, Mr. Pangalos said that after the Imia incident, Greece had simply asked Ankara to make a statement that it would have recourse to the International Court at The Hague over the issue. Since then, he said, Turkey's behaviour has become worse. "So why should we now make some gesture to Turkey?" Mr. Pangalos asked. Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, meanwhile, rejected Mr. Clinton's proposal for talks on the Cyprus problem, Greek-Turkish relations and EU- Turkey relations as a package. "They are three entirely different issues," he said, adding that Greek policy would not change on the three issues. Opposition criticism : All opposition parties expressed disapproval of Mr. Clinton's statements, but also criticised the government's foreign policy as being largely responsible for the US stand. "The equation of Greece's positions, based on the sound legal framework of international law and treaties governing the status quo in the Aegean, with Turkey's arbitrary stand whichWashington is now attempting (to do), anything but helps in the consolid ation of stability in the region," said New Democracy spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos. "Beginning with the crisis in Imia, the government is continuously making concessions to every pressure by Turkey or others," he added. The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said it has been known for some time that the US has a "package solution" for the Aegean and Cyprus, and Mr. Pangalos' reply should not be viewed as grounds for reassurance. Coalition of the Left leader Nikos Constantopoulos said President Clinton's statements as well as unilateral demarches and one-sided pressures on the part of the US represented "a negative intervention and development". Mr. Clinton's unacceptable and belittling for the Greek people statements, in violation of international law, are a provocation to the concept of justice, but also confirm the dangerous and slippery road followed by the Greek government, said the Democr atic Social Movement (DHKKI) in a statement. Turkish reaction : ISTANBUL (ANA- A. Kourkoulas) - The Turkish press reacted with particular satisfaction to President Clinton's statements. "There is no way Turkey can be ignored," ran "Milliyet's" headline, while "Hurriyet's" read: "Support to Ankara from Clinton, Blair". Most dailies stressed the promise "to double efforts for Turkey to become a member of the European family". Athens News Agency[02] National Bank of Greece gets Dr 46,900 a share in private placementAthens 20/05/1998 (ANA)National Bank of Greece, the country's largest bank, has successfully completed a private placement of 2.5 million shares to Greek and foreign institutional investors at 46,900 drachmas per share, near to its closing price last Friday.National Bank Governor Theodoros Karatazas yesterday told a joint news conference with Finance Undersecretary Nikos Christodoulakis that the success of the offering reflected confidence in the bank. The bank's share price rocketed to 51,995 drachmas on the Athens Stock Exchange yesterday, gaining 2,245 drachmas. The stock was heavily traded with volume at 124,000 shares. International investment banks Merrill Lynch and SBC Warburg Dillon Read were the chief underwriters for the offering, with HSBC also acting as underwriter. The price was set through bookbuilding in Greece and abroad, and bankers said that demand was especially robust from Britain and the US. Overall demand from Europe was also strong. The offering was oversubscribed 2.5 times. The bank accepted 100 of 250 foreign institutional investors who wanted to subscribe to the issue, and another 70 Greek institutionals. Foreign investors covered 90 percent of the issue, with the remaining 10 percent offered to domestic funds. Mr. Karatzas said that after the international offering the composition of National Bank of Greece's shareholders was as follows:
The bank's capitalisation totals 1.3 trillion drachmas. The shares sold in the private placement belonged to the portfolio of the newly created Public Securities Enterprise (DEKA), which manages shares owned by the state in public enterprises for the finance ministry. The share offering covered the first installment of a convertible bond issue in shares agreed by National Bank of Greece and the Greek state, Mr. Karatzas said. State coffers would receive 117.25 billion drachmas from the sale with four more annual installments outstanding. According to Mr. Christodoulakis, the deal was highly profitable for the state. DEKA had bought the bank's shares at 12,600 drachmas each and then sold them at 46,900 drachmas in its largest sale. He said that DEKA had made 125 billion drachmas in capital gains from the sale of stock in public sector enterprises. Apart from National Bank of Greece, the firms whose stock DEKA has sold are Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation and Hellenic Duty Free Shops, which are both listed on the Athens bourse. Athens News Agency[03] Apostolakis says Washington has documents refuting latest claims by AnkaraAthens 20/05/1998 (ANA)US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has told Ankara that it is mistaken over making an issue of the sovereignty of four inhabited small islands in the Aegean and that Washington had documents proving the islands were Greek, National Defence Undersecr etary Dimitris Apostolakis revealed yesterday.Mr. Apostolakis, speaking after a meeting with US ambassador in Athens Nicholas Burns, told reporters that Ms Albright had spoken by phone to Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem on Sunday. Ankara recently disputed Greek sovereignty of four inhabited islands in the eastern Aegean - Fouruoi, Agathonisi, Farmakonisi and Pserimos. Referring to US President Clinton's comments on Greek-Turkish relations, Mr. Apostolakis said he did not think that Mr. Clinton was referring to a comprehensive settlement but to the simlutaneous settlement of problems. Asked about Mr. Clinton's comment on the need to take "difficult decisions", Mr. Apostolakis said Turkey was the one who had to take difficult decisions. Sources said Mr. Burns told Mr. Apostolakis that the United States did not link the problems in the Aegean with the Cyprus problem. Mr. Apostolakis reiterated the Greek position that the Cypriot issue was one which concerned the Cypriot government and was completely separate from the issue of Greek-Turkish relations. Athens News Agency[04] State Dept. says no ' package solution' deal in Clinton statementsWASHINGTON 20/05/1998 (ANA - T. Ellis)The US did not propose a "package solution" to Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus problem, US State Department spokesman James Rubin said yesterday.In answer to an ANA question, he clarified statements by Mr. Clinton on Monday, adding that US policy remains unchanged. "...there is no new policy in this regard. The president's statement speaks for itself in reaffirming long-standing US policy...The US is not proposing a new set of negotiations or any other approach that would link these issues in some sort of package deal ," he added. "We do, however, believe as the president indicated, that progress in one area can improve the climate and the atmosphere for progress in another. But they are still separate issues being dealt with separately, through diplomatic channels," he added. He also added that a final decision hasn't been taken on a visit by US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to Athens and Ankara. Athens News Agency[05] Britain's Cook discusses EU financial aid with Turkish leadershipANKARA 20/05/1998 (ANA - A. Abatzis)British Foreign Minister Robin Cook said during a press conference here and after talks with Turkish leadership that "no obstacle exists for the (EU) Association Council to take place."Referring to EU economic aid to Turkey, Mr. Cook said that he conveyed to Ankara the common position of the 14 European Union member-states, with the exception of Greece, in the direction of releasing the funds. Replying to questions, Mr. Cook said that the Turkish Foreign Minister earlier yesterday expressed Turkey's displeasure over the decision taken by the EU in Luxembourg last December. "I regret this displeasure, but the Turkish government must take the relevant decision." Replying to a question on whether guarantees were given to the Turkish government concerning funding by the EU, Mr. Cook said that the "14 member- states are in favour of the funding", adding that "I have hopes that this problem will be resolved. The first step is the convening of the Association Council." According to Mr. Cook, "the EU is ready for the convening of the Association Council next Monday and what is required is Turkey's readiness as well." Mr. Cook said that "the issue of Cyprus was also discussed" and that "I expressed the position, which is also the EU's position, that we want a bizonal, bicommunal political solution in the framework of the UN's efforts." Mr. Cook also expressed his "concern" over the assassination attempt against the President of the Human Rights Committee Akin Birdal, whom he termed "an indefatigable fighter for justice." Yilmaz : After talks with Mr. Cook yesterday, Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said that "the 14 European Union member-states appear to have agreed on a common position", adding that "Greece is continuing to have certain objections." Replying to a question on whether Mr. Cook brought new proposals concerning the EU-Turkey Association Council, Mr. Yilmaz made the above statement and went on to say that "if they do not succeed in preventing Greece from making use of the right to veto,then there will be no ground for their proposals to be implemented." Replying to a question on the Association Council, Mr. Yilmaz said "I presented our positions. To the degree that they will honour our position, the Association Council can convene. Otherwise, the meeting cannot take place." Athens News Agency[06] US Pentagon announces sale of Hellfire II missilesWASHINGTON 20/05/1998 (ANA - T. Ellis)The US Pentagon announced late on Monday the possible sale to Greece of 160 Hellfire II (AGM-114KBF) anti-tank missiles and 88 Hellfire II (AGM-114K1) missiles, together with their support systems for US$24 million.The Pentagon also announced the possible sale to Turkey of 30 Harpoon missiles and necessary spare parts for US$43 million. In both cases, the sales would advance the targets of US foreign policy and reinforce the operational capability of each recipient country, while they would not affect the military balance in the region nor US efforts for a solution to the Cyprus problem, the Pentagon stated. Athens News Agency[07] Gov't reminds deputy Galip of obligationsAthens 20/05/1998 (ANA)Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday that ruling PASOK deputy Galip Galip, elected in Thrace's Rhodopi prefecture, should keep in mind that he was elected by Greek citizens and that he has taken an oath to Greece's Constitution.The spokesman was referring to Mr. Galip's statements during a radio interview, in which the Muslim deputy was quoted as having spoken of a "Turkish minority" in Thrace. Mr. Rappas added that all related issues have been resolved, and that there is no such thing as a Turkish minority in Thrace. Athens News Agency[08] Tsohatzopoulos concludes visit to Sweden after wideranging talksSTOCKHOLM 20/05/1998 (ANA- N. Servetas)National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos described his visit here as "useful and beneficial for both countries," shortly before leaving yesterday afternoon."We agreed on a common study by the two (military general) staffs, with a view to signing agreements similar to ones we signed with other countries that will give us the possibility for multifold military and arms industry cooperation," he told Greek re porters. Referring to an exhibition of defence industry hardware which he attended, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said Greece would not buy equipment without applying political and strategic criteria beforehand, or without analysing the economic, technological and operatio nal aspects of the items to be purchased. He said his talks with Swedish counterpart Bjorn von Sydow dealt extensively with issues of regional cooperation and collective security, and the contribution of the current Greek presidency of the Western European Union (WEU). "The contribution of the Greek presidency to the creation of a military infrastructure and the operational capacity of this institution undoubtedly opens new prospects, and we can look forward to the incoming Italian presidency, in view of the problems in the Balkans, to promote a creative role for the WEU regarding security issues in our area," he said. "My counterpart and I had the opportunity to analyse the results of the (recent) Rhodes summit, in order to support new initiatives of the WEU," he added, noting the Swedish side's interest in active participation in such initiatives. He stressed that the two countries held positions of similar strategic importance. "Baltic and Balkan countries wish to become members of both NATO and the European Union in future. In both regions, only Greece and Sweden are members of the EU. Therefore, we have a parallel role in a way, to contribute with our experience and initiati ves - particularly Greece that has the NATO experience - to the formation of regional security institutions involving the countries of both regions that will help promote conditions of stability and security. He added that Greece sees as very positive Russia's participation in such security schemes in both regions. Athens News Agency[09] Spanish royals in AthensAthens 20/05/1998 (ANA)King of Spain Juan Carlos and his wife Sophia are expected in Athens on Monday for a four-day official visit at the invitation of the President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos.The Greek president will host a dinner in honour of the Spanish royals on Monday night, while the couple will also inaugurate the "Classic Greece in Spain" exhibition. Athens News Agency[10] Socialist International Council concludes in NorwayOSLO 20/05/1998 (ANA - S. Sideris)The Socialist International Council came to a close here yesterday with the ratification of resolutions concerning various urgent issues around the world.Continuation of the peace process in the Middle East, full implementation of the Dayton agreement and the tackling of problems in Asia and Africa are positions set out in the Socialist International's individual resolutions. The resolution on central and eastern Europe refers to the need for stability in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and to a solution to the problem of Kosovo. Mention is also made of Turkey, by noting that its accession prospects will he lp its democratisation and stability in the region. Following interventions by PASOK's delegation, headed by Foreign Undersecretary Yiannos Kranidiotis, and the President of the Cypriot socialist party EDEK, Vassos Lysarides, reference is made to the issue of Cyprus that the accession of Cyprus to the European Union will help in the finding of a solution based on UN resolutions. Mr. Kranidiotis' intervention was supported immediately by the British and Italian representations and was unanimously approved, despite reservations by Erdal Inonu of the Republican People's Party. Kranidiotis : In another development, Mr. Kranidiotis held talks in Oslo at noon yesterday with Norwegian Foreign Undersecretary Yianna Matlari and Jan Egelan (who participates in Richard Holbrooke's team on the Cyprus issue). Talks focused on bilateral relations, in which the high level of relations between Greece and Norway was confirmed, and the Middle East question. On his part, Mr. Kranidiotis briefed the Norwegian officials on Greek positions on various issues, the Cypr us issue and Greek-Turkish relations. Athens News Agency[11] Constantopoulos receives Palestinian Authority's representativeAthens 20/05/1998 (ANA)Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos and the representative of the Palestinian Authority in Greece, Abdala Abdala, agreed yesterday on the need for Palestinians to acquire their own state.In a meeting held at the Synaspismos offices, Mr. Constantopoulos blamed the current Netanyahu government for the deadlock in the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians. He said that the international community must activate itself for the just causes of the Palestinian people and a peaceful solution to the Middle East issue based on UN resolutions. He further said that this issue is of direct interest for Greece and Europe which must assume its responsibilities if it desires Euro- Mediterrane an cooperation to forge ahead. In another development, the serious problems being faced by hundreds of refugees from Iraqi Kurdistan in Greece were brought to the attention of Synaspismos cadre Panos Trigazis by a Kurdish delegation during a meeting held at the party's office. Among others, the Kurdish delegation referred to the lack of foodstuffs and to the failure of the Greek authorities to reply to asylum applications made long ago. On his part, the Synaspismos official expressed his party's solidarity for the problems faced by the Kurdish refugees. Athens News Agency[12] Parliament commitee votes through bill on UN war crimes courtsAthens 20/05/1998 (ANA)A Parliamentary committee yesterday voted through legislation ratifying the decisions of the United Nations Security Council, which provides for the establishment of two international courts to try violations of international law relating to human rights in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda.Both the ruling party PASOK and main opposition New Democracy voted in favour of the bill, despite some objections from a number of deputies. Justice Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos told the committee that the government was implementing the Security Council's resolution on the international courts, which was compulsory for all member-states. He noted that there was a question mark over whether a court could hear and hand down a sentence on a crime committed before its establishment but that there was a precedent for this. He mentioned that the crimes committed in Cyprus had not drawn a similar response from the UN Security Council. "We should implement in Cyprus whatever is effective for other countries which have seen the oppression of human rights, (war) crimes and rape," he said. "(U.S. President Bill) Clinton says we (Greece, Turkey and Cyprus) should find a solution," he said, referring to the president's remarks on Monday. "But the crimes against the Cypriot people have not been dealt with". The issue of Cyprus was also raised in objections to the bill by PASOK MP Anastasios Peponis, who said that it should have been raised when the establishment of the two courts was being discussed. "Governments may be obliged to vote on the bill, but MPs are not," he said. "We should find a way to respond to the acts in Cyprus". ND deputy Yiannis Kefaloyiannis said that he would not vote for the bill as a matter of conscience and hoped the Greek Parliament would vote it down to send a "message of protest over the selective treatment of Cyprus". Athens News Agency[13] Pontians commemorate 80th anniversary of genocideAthens 20/05/1998 (ANA)The National Federation of Black Sea Greeks (Pontians) yesterday commemorated the 80th anniversary of the 1918 hiatus of the extermination of approximately 353,000 Pontians by the Young Turk movement and the subsequent Turkish regimes.Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, who addressed the event in Thessaloniki, condemned the policies of Turkish leadership, which continue to disregard international justice and morality, as he said. Mr. Kaklamanis added that the holocaust of the Pontian Greeks has not yet been totally understood and thus continues to be a source of national agony. Addressing a large gathering at Agia Sophia cathedral, he cited what he called the civilised world's shame for standing idly by while "massacres such as that of the Pontians, the Armenians and the Cypriot peoples, as well as that of the Kurds today" occ ur unabated. He called on Turkey to "recognise, finally, these crimes and in following the example of Germany...apologise publicly." Furthermore, Mr. Kaklamanis said the new proposal by US President Bill Clinton for a resolution of the Greek-Turkish problems and the Cyrpus issue equates the victim with the victimiser. It should be noted that May 19 was voted by Parliament as a day of remembrance of the genocide, passed in 1994. Athens News Agency[14] New drug treatment centre in AthensAthens 20/05/1998 (ANA)A fourth methadone centre for detoxification of drug users was inaugurated yesterday evening in Athens by Prime Minister Costas Simitis.At the moment, the centre's capacity is for 200 patients, with the number to rise to 300. The methadone programme is aimed at offering high quality psychological support services to drug users, especially heroin addicts. The prime minister said that in the fall a similar centre will open for prisoners. However, an even more important announcement by Mr Simitis was that the government will soon submit a draft bill in Parliament aimed at differentiating between major drug dealers and small-time peddlers, usually users, arrested for drug trafficking. Athens News Agency[15] Memorial service for Cypriot-American taken by Attila forcesWASHINGTON 20/05/1998 (ANA)Archbishop of America Spyridon last Thursday led a memorial service for Cypriot-American Andrew Kassapis on Capitol Hill, as his remains were DNA- identified recently after being uncovered in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus.Kassapis, a US citizen, was taken alive, passaport in hand, by Turkish troops during the 1974 invasion of the island republic along with another five US citizens and 1,614 Greek Cypriots. The 17-year-old youth's remains were identified by DNA testing, and after the US Congress enacted legislation directing the US president to find the five US citizens taken alive by Turkish troops, according to an International Coordinating Committee of Cypriot Struggle (PSEKA) press release. Athens News Agency[16] Educational reforms for high school diploma, entrance examsAthens 20/05/1998 (ANA)Education Minister Gerasimos Arsenis yesterday unveiled reforms dealing with the evaluation of the unified high school system and nationwide college entrance requirements.The basic changes include division of the school year into two four-month semesters instead of three trimesters, as was the case with the old system. According to an announcement, the general examination for college entrance will be based on the cumulative grade of the unified HS diploma by 70 per cent. The new system will also have five major areas of study -humanities and social sciences, natural sciences, health sciences, technical sciences as well as business administration and finance. Finally, a relevant presidential decree states that the final exams of the two last HS grades will be evaluated by two educators at centres based at prefectural capitals. Athens News Agency[17] Anti-racist rally in central AthensAthens 20/05/1998 (ANA)A gathering was held outside the Athens University yesterday to protest against racism and xenophobia. The rally was organised by a number of anti- racist groups and at the initiative of several major trade unions (GSEE, ADEDY, EKA, OLME, DOE and OTOE)."No more racism" and "peoples' friendship unite us" were the main slogans shouted by demonstrators. The children of the British centres schools in Athens yesterday sent an open letter to British Prime Minister Tony Blair inviting him to use the British EU presidency in appointing a special Union envoy in efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem. Athens News Agency[18] Network of Balkan rehabilitation centres for torture victimsAthens 20/05/1998 (ANA)Representatives of the eight Balkan rehabilitation centres for torture victims met in Sarajevo on April 29 in an effort to better coordinate work in providing aid to war victims.In a declaration issued in Athens yesterday, representatives stated the neccesity for action to prevent torture in the Balkans as well as to gain the attention and support of the pulbic. The declaration added that this network will provide medical and legal aid to torture victims regardless of ethnicity, religion, nationality or political views. Greek representatives noted that there are three such centres operating in Greece and funded by the European Union. - Four Croatian fishermen were rescued by the Greek ferry "Eroto-kritos", belonging to Minoan Lines, yesterday after the Croatians' boat began taking on water as it was sailing 40 miles off the Italian port of Ancona. The Merchant Marine Ministry said the fourfishermen would be taken to the Croatian island of Korcu on Thursday. - Police in Rhodes said yesterday that they had found the body of a French tourist on one of the holiday island's beaches. Police said the circumstances of the 46-year-old man's death were being investigated. The body has been taken to the Rhodes hospital for autopsy. Athens News Agency[19] Greek family agency plans to bring down abortion figuresAthens 20/05/1998 (ANA)Greek hospitals perform 150,000 abortions a year and the Greek family planning council said yesterday it was launching a campaign to reduce that number by a third by the end of the century and bolster Greece's falling birthrate.In 1996, the mortality rate outpaced the birthrate with 100,740 deaths to 100,718 births, the head of the family planning council A. Sotiriadou said. Greece's falling birthrate will be the major issue on the agenda of this month's first national family planning conference in Athens May 21-23. Ms. Sotiriadou said the incidence of abortion appeared to be declining in comparison with mid-80s fig ures although Greece is probably the country with the lowest use of the contraceptive pill and other contraceptive methods. According to Eurostat, Greece has an average birthrate of 1.31 children, compared to the European average of 1.44. The average life span of the Greek male in 75 years, with Greek women living to the age of 80 on average. Athens News Agency[20] Police, dealers trade fire at drug arrestsAthens 20/05/1998 (ANA)Drug squad officers early yesterday exchanged fire with a gang of narcotics dealers near the university hospital at Rio, central Greece.The gunfight broke out while a police officer, posing as a drug dealer, was negotiating the purchase of 50 kilos of hashish for five million drachmas. As other officers moved in to arrest the five-member gang, they came under fire from automatic weapons. The police returned fire, wounding a 22-year- old Albanian, Andriatik Skenteraz, a resident of Geraka, Attica, in the leg. After a brief chase, the police arrested Albanian Akim Kouki, 23, also a resident of Geraka, Spyros Georgiou, 27, a driver from Piraeus and Maria Nikolaou, 32, a private employee from Neo Psychico, Athens. The fifth member of the gang, an Albanian named Spyros, managed to escape in the confusion. Athens News Agency[21] Scientific symposium in HaniaAthens 20/05/1998 (ANA)An announcement issued during a scientific symposium in Hania yesterday stated that earthquakes are caused by a mechanism produced by the movement of planets around the Earth.The announcement was made by the Moscow Academy of Sciences, which presented research on the subject. Another announcement was related to a programme for the protection of people from natural disasters, to be funded by the European Union with the participation of eight countries. Athens News Agency[22] Greek participation in US-EU exhibitionAthens 20/05/1998 (ANA)About 20 Greek firms active in the foodstuffs industry, bio-technology as well as electronic and industrial machinery will be selected for participation in the "US-EU Partenariat" exhibition to be held in Chicago this October.In the context of business cooperation between the EU and the US, the European Chamber has undertaken to select 200 companies from EU countries. Another 450 SMEs will take part in the exhibition. Greek firms fulfilling criteria can apply for participation by early August 1998, after contacting the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EBEA), which has been assigned the role of the national advisory body. Athens News Agency[23] De Silguy refers to improved indicators in Greek economyBRUSSELS 20/05/1998 (ANA)European Commissioner Yves-Thibault de Silguy has referred to an improvement of the Greek economy's basic indicators in 1997, and fully endorsed the plan for participation of the drachma in the euro as of Jan. 1, 2001.The EU Commissioner made the statement during yesterday's meeting of the EU finance ministers' council (ECOFIN), where he presented the 'major orientations" of the economic policies of member-states in 1998. He laid particular emphasis on the reduction of the public deficit in Greece, from 7.5 per cent of GDP in 1996 to 4 per cent in 1997, compared to the 4.2 per cent envisaged in the convergence programme. The council adopted the text of a recommendation to Greece for a reduction of the public deficit below 3 per cent, which is the criterion for participation in EMU. National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said this would be the last such recommendation sent to Greece, as the deficit would not exceed 2.4 per cent at the end of the year. The Council also discussed for the first time views on the budget for 1999 and the Agenda 2000. Mr. Papantoniou expressed the view that in the 2000- 2006 period, for which the new financial "package" was envisaged, many unforeseeable factors could arise regarding the cost of production (revision of CAP, EMU, enlargement etc,) which today did not permit a precise calculation of resources. For this reason, he proposed an interim evaluation during the first three years and then a precise determination of resources, which would avert the possibility of unforeseeable expenses affecting poorer countries of the Cohesion Fund (Greece, Spain, Portugal), which are its main beneficiaries. Athens News Agency[24] Government again vows not to backtrack over Ionian Bank saleAthens 20/05/1998 (ANA)The government will not back down over its plan to sell Ionian Bank despite a wave of bank strikes, spokesman Dimitris Reppas told a news conference yesterday.The method and timing of the sale were the only factors that had yet to be decided, said Mr. Reppas in reply to a reporter's question. Workers of Ionian Bank are staging an indefinite strike, and have occupied its computer centre, disrupting ATM operations. Other banks are staging rolling strikes with the Bank of Greece expected to stage a 24-hour strike tomorrow and private Alpha Credit Bank on Friday. Today, all banks will hold a four-hour stoppage at 1200-1600 hours. National Bank of Greece launched the strike wave last Friday, followed by Commercial Bank of Greece, Ionian's parent, on Monday and Agricultural Bank yesterday. Athens News Agency[25] Greek government mulls use of Balladur bonds in privatisationAthens 20/05/1998 (ANA)The government will decide by the end of May whether it will use Balladur bonds in order to float public enterprises, Finance Undersecretary Nikos Christodoulakis said yesterday.Replying to a reporter's question, Mr. Christodoulakis said that if the government decided to go ahead with the convertible Balladur bond, the extent of their use would also have to be decided. The French model of convertible bond may be used to cover up to half the stock to be sold, but not the whole amount, he said. The Balladur is a state security that gives holders the option of exchanging the original bond for stock in public enterprises. Athens News Agency[26] Government releases public debt breakdownAthens 20/05/1998 (ANA)The government yesterday released a breakdown for the public debt as it stood on February 28, 1998.The breakdown of the debt is as follows:
Athens News Agency[27] Greek stocks slip in edgy tradeAthens 20/05/1998 (ANA)Greek equities ended a nervous session slightly lower yesterday as profit- taking reversed an early advance. Traders said investors showed interest in banks with National Bank of Greece the focus of attention. Its share price rose 2,245 drachmas to 51,99 5 in a heavy volume of 124,000 issues.The general index ended 0.27 percent lower at 2,493.70 points after showing a 1.30 percent gain early in the session. Sector indices were mixed. Banks rose 0.37 percent, Insurance fell 0.66 percent, Investment was 0.45 percent off, Leasing dropped 2.42 percent, Industrials eased 0.68 percent, Construction plunged 3.21 percent, Miscellaneous rose 0.39 percent and Holding fell 1.66 percent. The parallel market index for small cap companies gained 0.46 percent. Trading was moderate with turnover at 51.1 billion drachmas. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 149 to 93 with another 24 issues unchanged. Intracom, Etma, Vernikos Yachts, Lavipharm, Boutaris, Korasidis and Lampsa scored the biggest percentage gains hitting the day's 8.0 percent limit up. Balkan Export, Viokarpet, Ideal, Alte, Ekter, Klaoudatos, Ippotour and Attica Aluminium suffered the heaviest losses. Ergobank ended at 26,400 drachmas, Alpha Credit Bank at 31,000, Delta Dairy at 4,700, Titan Cement at 23,800, Intracom at 15,930 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation at 8,920. Athens News Agency[28] State to issue debt paper in MayAthens 20/05/1998 (ANA)The government will hold two issues of state paper by the end of May, Finance Undersecretary Nikos Christodoulakis said yesterday.The issues are as follows:
Athens News Agency[29] Greece to host international fur congressAthens 20/05/1998 (ANA)Delegates from 12 countries including Russia, the US and China will take part in an international fur congress to be held in the northwestern Greek city of Kastoria on May 29-31.The Siatista area and prefecture of Kastoria, with a long tradition in fur production from breeding to the finished product, accounts for approximately six percent of total foreign exchange inflows into Greece annually. Kastoria is the country's second largest prefecture in terms of secondary sector employment in western Macedonia. It has 2,700 fur producing enterprises,1,700 of which are exclusively export-oriented. Russia and the Far East are evolving into the industry's major importers. According to official data, the fur industry in the region employs 13,000 people. Unofficially, the number is believed to be much higher as local farming families, particularly in winter, do work by the piece at home for the furriers. Fur exports to eastern European markets alone were 60 billion drachmas in 1996, up from an estimated 80 billion drachmas in 1997, according to the Greek Fur Centre. Greek furriers treat 8.5 percent of world fur and leather production, and produce 30 percent of fur products worldwide. According to the Greek Fur Centre, the sector's value added is estimated at 45 percent, compared with 47.9 percent for apparel and footwear, 35 percent for textiles, and 29.6 percent for the overall industrial sector. Large delegations from Russia, Uk raine, China,the Czech Republic, Romania, Spain, Austria, Denmark, Hungary, Italy and the US will be attending the launch of the international fur congress. The event is organised by the Greek Fur Centre with scientific and technical support from the Macedonia Research Centre, under the aegis of the Ministries of Development and Macedonia-Thrace. On the conference's agenda are fur production technology, covering breeding, treatment, quality control and environmental parameters; fur dressing technology, including stranding and product design; and fur finance, or investments, funding and trade. The working languages of the congress are Greek, English and Russian, with simultaneous translation. The three-day event also features a fashion show, a presentation of scientific papers, and a round table discussion on Sunday. Athens News Agency[30] Futuristic ferries on display at Piraeus shipping fairAthens 20/05/1998 (ANA)The latest designs of fast catamaran ferries from British designer and builder FBM Marine Group will be on display at the Poseidonia international shipping exhibition to take place on June 1-5 at the port of Piraeus.The 10th "Tricat" in the world, flagship of the range, is to enter service in Greece on June 3, in the middle of Poseidonia week. The 45-metre, 50-knot Tricat is a futuristic-looking, fast, luxury vessel able to carry up to 400 passengers. Eight of the catamarans are operating in the Far East and one in the US. Athens News Agency[31] Government says preparations for 2004 Olympics on targetAthens 20/05/1998 (ANA)Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos said yesterday that there were no delays in preparing for the 2004 Olympic Games, which Athens is hosting.Mr. Venizelos was speaking to reporters after a meeting of a ministerial committee set up to oversee the organisation of the Olympiad. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis. The project to host the Olympics will mean new construction projects, which have attracted the attention of investors and engineering contractors abroad. The minister said cooperation was excellent between the committee and the International Olympic Committee. "The venture is a great one, it is a national affair. No haste, no last- minute improvisation and no waste of effort or money can be excused. We are working in a very systematic and disciplined manner which is yielding results," Mr. Venizelos said. Athens News Agency[32] Industrial production rises slightly in Jan-FebAthens 20/05/1998 (ANA)Industrial production rose by 1.4 per cent during January and February compared to the same period in 1997, while the total industry-related production rose by 1.3 per cent, the National Statistical Service announced.Athens News Agency[33] EOT domestic tourism programmeAthens 20/05/1998 (ANA)This year's domestic tourism programme by the Greek National Tourism Organisation (EOT) will run from May to April 1999.In an announcement yesterday, EOT said it places great importance on the programme's development, aspiring to bring citizens closer with the country's provinces. The programme also aims at making the tourist season longer and at a better distribution of Greek tourists around the country. Accommodation under the scheme is offered at a discount of 30 to 50 per cent from going rates, by 236 affiliated hotels, studios, rooms and camp sites, while various cruise agencies are also participating in the programme. Eligibility is granted to groups of four people making a minimum reservation for two overnight stays. Further information can be obtained at EOT branches and some municipalities, tourist police, etc. Athens News AgencyAthens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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