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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-03-20

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

  • [01] Five SE Europe FMs press for wide-ranging Kosovo autonomy within present borders
  • [02] Tsohatzopoulos: NATO a Europe-wide security organisation
  • [03] Latvia's Ulmanis begins tour of northern Greece
  • [04] Panamanian leader Balladares in Greece this month
  • [05] Simitis-Majko talks on congress' sidelines
  • [06] Second day of PASOK congress continues with lively addresses
  • [07] Japanese Crown Prince Hitachi honoured by City of Athens
  • [08] Gov't on 'Agenda 2000'
  • [09] Cuban official received by Synaspismos, DHKKI leaders
  • [10] Karamanlis stresses that Euroelections a 'referendum' of gov't policies
  • [11] Greek trustees issue press release on appeal against Swiss court decision
  • [12] Convictions handed down in fatal '97 ferry-gunboat collision
  • [13] Bond prices, turnover hit record highs
  • [14] Stocks skyrocket in heavy trade
  • [15] Eurobank's shareholders okay Dr 110 bln share cap rise
  • [16] Finance ministry to auction T-bills
  • [17] Anek releases rescue plan for Dane Lines
  • [18] Electra to hold IPO for parallel market entry
  • [19] Ionian consumer loan at 14.5%
  • [20] Aspis purchase of Evropaiki Pistis stock
  • [21] Athens foreign exchange

  • [01] Five SE Europe FMs press for wide-ranging Kosovo autonomy within present borders

    BUCHAREST, 20/3/1999 (ANA - A. Podimata)

    The foreign ministers of five SE European countries yesterday reaffirmed their "commitment to the immediate peaceful settlement of the Kosovo crisis on the basis of substantial autonomy for Kosovo in full respect for the so vereignty and the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia."

    A statement issued after a meeting of the foreign ministers of Romania, Andrei Plesu; Greece, George Papandreou; Bulgaria, Nadezhda Mihailova; the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Aleksandar Dimitrov and Turkey, Ismail Cem, said that the m inisters also "appealed to the parties concerned to ensure the fullest possible protection of the rights of all inhabitants, citizens, national minorities and ethnic communities, in accordance with the relevant international norms and principles."

    "Emphasising that the Paris talks may represent a last opportunity for a political settlement of the crisis, they welcomed the signing of the Interim Agreement for Peace and Self-Government in Kosovo, in its entirety, by the delegation of the Kosovar Al banians. They urged the FRY to sign, as well, the agreement at the earliest stage. In this respect, the ministers expressed support for an international force that will assist the implementation of the agreement," the statement read.

    "At this critical moment the ministers underlined the utmost importance of restraint on both sides and called for immediate cessation of hostilities. The latest buid-up of troops in Kosovo by Yugoslavia has added to the gravity of the situation. Existin g agreements in this regard should be fully respected," the statement added.

    "Ministers reiterated their full support to the efforts of the international community for the political settlement of the Kosovo crisis. They reconfirmed their commitment to contribute alongside the efforts of the Contact Group, NATO, EU and OSCE to a viable, peaceful solution as a prerequisite for peace and stability in Kosovo, as well as in the whole region in compliance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions," it further stressed.

    "Ministers expressed their belief that the agreement shall enable the different communities in Kosovo to promote inter-ethnic relations and co- existence to stand the test of time. The signing of the Rambouillet Agreement will pave the way for incorporat ing the FRY in European and international institutions," it stated.

    "They considered that this solution will free the neighbouring countries from the serious negative repercussions of the current instability in the region.

    "Ministers asked the Chairman-in-Office to work on setting-up a Task Force on Kosovo which will coordinate the efforts of SEEC countries particularly with regard to the humanitarian issues, and activate existing mechanisms within the SEEC to that end," the statement concluded. Press conference: Speaking at a joint press conference with his counterparts afterwards, Mr. Papandreou said the meeting was absolutely successful and stressed that its target was "to unite all our voices into one voice for peace and cooperation in our region."

    Mr. Papandreou and his Romanian counterpart Andrei Plesu will communicate the joint proclamation's text both to Albania and Yugoslavia, which had refused to participate in the meeting as well as to the Contact Group countries.

    Replying to a question on the threat of NATO taking military measures, Mr. Papandreou said that despite reservations it has as a neighbouring country, Greece did not prevent the alliance in taking a decision.

    "However, we want everything possible to be done for a peaceful solution to be achieved," he said.

    Speaking to Greek reporters, Mr. Papandreou said yesterday's meeting of inter-Balkan countries comes to underline another dimension existing in the Balkan area, that of regional cooperation instead of conflicts. Brief Papandreou-Cem encounter: Shortly before the start to the conference, Mr. Papandreou held brief contacts with his Balkan counterparts, including Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem.

    Asked to comment on the content of these discussions, Mr. Papandreou said he did not discuss bilateral issues with Mr. Cem, but issues concerning the wider region and the crisis in Kosovo in particular.

    Athens News Agency

    [02] Tsohatzopoulos: NATO a Europe-wide security organisation

    Athens, 20/3/1999 (ANA)

    NATO is evolving into a Europe-wide security organisation and the April summit in Washington will reaffirm that role, National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said yesterday.

    He told an Athens international conference of the North Atlantic Treaty Association, marking NATO's 50th anniversary, that the alliance now covered multi-lateral security needs and lead to the countries of central and eastern Europe as well as the Commonwealth of Independent States (former Soviet Union) to no longer view the organisation competitively but as an institution of cooperation.

    Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the Atlantic alliance had opted for a new structure and enlargement as the firm foundation of its evolution.

    Russia and the Ukraine were now strategic partners of NATO, and this was the "basis for recognition of the principle of common security for all of Europe," he said.

    Also indicative of NATO's new role was its cooperation with the European Union on the role of the Western European Union (WEU) and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), he added.

    He predicted that, with the adoption of a new strategy at the Washington summit in April, NATO would become an organisation of collective security with Europe-wide range. The target, he added, was to cement a new security order protecting all the Europe an states.

    But for this to happen, respect of national sovereignty, territorial integrity, international law and the international treaties was necessary by all the member countries.

    "There is no room for revisionary views or oppression of human and minority rights in a Europe heading to its integration," Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said, adding that respect of existing borders was of paramount importance.

    NATO must, in cooperation with Russia, build a new security involvement in an undivided Europe and fight the disbelief existing among the peoples, he said.

    He also spoke of the importance of the Mediterranean dimension for NATO, since "slowly but surely the centre of gravity on security issues is moving towards the south".

    The defence minister expressed concern over developments in the troubled Yugoslav province of Kosovo, and stressed his opposition to the prospect of a military intervention.

    The collapse of the Kosovo peace talks in Paris forced NATO secretary general to cancel his visit to Greece to address the opening session of the conference.

    Speaking in Mr. Solana's place, NATO Assistant Secretary General for political affairs, Klaus-Peter Klaiber, described the agenda of the Washington summit as "very ambitious" as NATO was proving to be the central element of European defence.

    Proof of that, he added, was that the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary were joining the Alliance in April, in the first step of the Alliance's enlargement as "NATO's door is open to all who fulfill the prerequisites."

    "We want a new relationship with Russia. We must send a clear message to that country that, for us, it is a front-line partner," Mr. Klaiber said.

    He said it was also in the NATO members' interests to help Ukraine in the difficult period of transition.

    Mr. Klaiber further spoke of the major political and strategic importance of the Mediterranean, the dialogue instituted with Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Mauritania and Tunisia, and the new dangers arising from the spread of mass destruction weapons, which he said endangered the populations and territories of the Atlantic alliance nations.

    "A stronger role for Europe is necessary to both sides of the Atlantic. NATO is not the gandarme of Europe. But the cost of indifference could prove greater than that of involvement," he said.

    Turning to Kosovo developments, the NATO official said the reasoning behind NATO's involvement in the crisis was to avert a new tragedy, adding that the number of Europeans involved in the operation would be much larger than of the Americans.

    "We are not abandoning hope for agreement, but we are prepared for action," Mr. Klaiber said. First deployment completed: The first phase of the movement of NATO troops and equipment to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) via Thessaloniki has been completed, with some 8,000 British, French, German and Italian soldiers already having passed through the norther n Greek city's port or airport.

    The NATO troops have been sent to FYROM to be ready to back any peace deal which may be reached for the strife-torn Yugoslav province of Kosovo.

    The movement of additional NATO forces and equipment through Thessaloniki will now depend on developments at peace talks in France.

    A Hellenic Army officer who took part in the operation to secure safe passage for the NATO forces told the ANA yesterday that 10,000 NATO troops were currently deployed in FYROM.

    This compares with the figure of 2,000 troops deployed in FYROM since December to facilitate OSCE verifiers in the event they had to withdraw from Kosovo.

    If a peace deal is eventually struck, NATO officials calculate that up to 28,500 troops will be required to help enforce it.

    Athens News Agency

    [03] Latvia's Ulmanis begins tour of northern Greece

    Athens, 20/3/1999 (ANA)

    Latvian President Guntis Ulmanis yesterday began a two-day visit to northern Greece after signing several cooperation agreements previously in Athens.

    Inclement weather forced Mr. Ulmanis to cancel a trip by helicopter to the all-male monastic community of Mount Athos, where he was to have visited the Monastery of Xenophon, which this year celebrates the 1,000th anniversary of its founding.

    Instead, shortly after arriving in Thessaloniki, Mr. Ulmanis and his entourage visited the archaeological site of Vergina, where the royal Macedonian tombs were uncovered more than a decade ago.

    President Ulmanis is accompanied by Foreign Minister Virkas Valtis, Defence Minister Girtz Kristovskis, Orthodox Archbishop of Latvia Alexandros and other officials.

    In statements, the Latvian leader noted the importance of the archaeological finds in Vergina in relation to politics and diplomacy.

    After viewing a golden wreath found in what is believed to be Phillip of Macedon's royal tomb, Mr. Ulmanis said "we saw a symbol of the oak tree, which is the symbol of LatviaII think that Greeks must be very proud of such history...``.

    Athens News Agency

    [04] Panamanian leader Balladares in Greece this month

    Athens, 20/3/1999 (ANA)

    Panamanian President Ernesto Perez Balladares will pay an official visit to Greece from March 31 to April 2, the office of the presidency announced yesterday.

    Mr. Balladares is visiting Greece at the invitation of Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos.

    Athens News Agency

    [05] Simitis-Majko talks on congress' sidelines

    Athens, 20/3/1999 (ANA)

    On the sidelines of PASOK's 5th congress yesterday, Prime Minister Costas Simitis met with his Albanian counterpart Pandeli Majko, with talks focusing primarily on the Kosovo issue.

    The two men exchanged views aimed at avoiding a spillover of the crisis. Speaking from the congress' podium later, Mr. Majko said that in accepting the peace agreement, the Albanian-speaking populace proved that they are seeking a dignified compromise.

    Mr. Majko also referred to the agreement between Albania and Turkey on the use of a naval base at Vlore by Turkish warships, saying that in no way will the base be used against the interests of Albania's neighbours.

    Mr. Simitis also met with Montenegrin Prime Minister Mr. Vujanovic, as well as with the Secretary General of the Spanish Socialist Party Joaquin Almounia.

    The meeting between Mr. Simitis and Mr. Almounia focused on the strengthening relations between their parties and a common strategy in light of the Euroelections in June.

    They also discussed issues to be raised at the Berlin summit on March 24- 25.

    Athens News Agency

    [06] Second day of PASOK congress continues with lively addresses

    Athens, 20/3/1999 (ANA)

    Combative former FM Theodoros Pangalos received a warm welcome from most participants at the 5th PASOK congress yesterday but went almost straight into battle with a section of the crowd over the relevance of the ruling party to the new generation.

    Mr. Pangalos drew fire from several delegates when he said PASOK needed to find more support from the younger generations of Greeks.

    "Where are they? They're somewhere else, not where you are," he asked, addressing a section of the crowd which jeered him when he compared PASOK's youth group, which he said was preoccupied with internal party conflicts, and the new generation of Greeks .

    When the youth group members taunted the former minister with chants of "freedom to Ocalan", Mr. Pangalos said he agreed.

    He was who was forced to resign his post a few weeks ago after following the botched handling of the Ocalan affair.

    "I agree with you but I tried for freedom for Ocalan and have paid the priceImy responsibilities will be determined by a Parliamentary commission of inquiry," Mr. Pangalos said.

    "However, I refuse to be tried by a 'kangaroo court' unless all the delegates participate in this and not only a small section of self-seekers and fringe-dwellers."

    The Ocalan affair was widely seen as a national humiliation and resulted in the resignations of three ministers, including Mr. Pangalos. The affair has caused much soul-seeking in the ruling party and the government.

    On the other hand, he was roundly cheered when he urged delegates to leave the congress "united like a fist".

    "We all have to answer the main question of whether PASOK has the right to change and amend its policies and to what extent. We are not a religious organisation, but a popular movement," he said.

    Referring to PASOK founder, the late Andreas Papandreou, Mr. Pangalos said Papandreou was himself open to change, "if he had not been, in 1974 he would have formed a centrist party and not the Panhellenic Socialist Movement."

    "PASOK has to maintain the basic principles of the past, insist on the present and plan the future," he said.

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis' speech on Thursday, he added, "has opened up the horizon for a 'pragmatic restructuring' and efforts must be stepped up and continue. Defeatist talk does not become us."

    Development Minister Evangelos Venizelos said the party was not facing genuine ideological or political divisions but "psychological problems."

    "There would be no better way to do Andreas Papandreou justice than by our going forward," he said.

    "Being a leftist today is more difficult than it was 20 years ago because it requires knowledge, imagination and innovation," Mr. Venizelos said.

    On his part, National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said that taming inflation was this government's greatest contribution to social justice.

    Mr. Papantoniou said that "for years now we are protesting low income, high taxes, difficulty in finding employment, ineficacies in the social state, the state hospitals, public schools and transportationIbeyond the responsibilities carried by certain g overnments, there was a central cause: the failure of the economy during the past decades".

    The minister reiterated that the government "proceeds with its wage policy for the people, with the people and for the benefit of the people", rejecting allegations that the government consists of "accountants" who allegedly ignore the human factor.

    Alternate Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis noted that Greece's future depended on the European Union and developments within the bloc.

    Conversely, PASOK deputy Antonis Kotsakas said "the 'silence of the lambs' is not becoming us" and pointed out that the "new collectivity, as promised by Costas Simitis immediately after the 1996 party congress, has not become a reality". He added that "(the idea of) a unified and large PASOK has nothing to do with reality".

    In line with recent press reports, deputy Pantelis Economou announced that he would not be a candidate for the party's presidency.

    Mr. Economou, who is also a member of PASOK's executive bureau, said the congress is taking place to solve problems and forge ahead, while he added that worries over the unity of the party were baseless.

    He presented three preconditions, which if met would secure the unity of PASOK, namely, an end to all public verbal attacks against party officials and especially against veteran cadres; an end to "interventions" by non- party elements as well as a re-su bmitting of PASOK membership applications.

    He agreed with efforts for EMU entry, but said that besides the euro there is "national security and social cohesion."

    On his part, European Commissioner Christos Papoutsis began his address by reminding that PASOK was born out of a "national liberation movement" (PAK).

    He said the Ocalan affair "saddened and angered the people of PASOK" and the Greek people, while he stressed that PASOK was always and should always remain in solidarity with the struggles of peoples for national independence and democracy.

    Mr. Papoutsis agreed with the aim of a strong Greece and its entry to the EMU, but stressed that it would be naive and a political mistake to disregard security problems confronted by the country.

    EMU accession, he said, does not mean that Turkish aggressiveness will automatically come to an end.

    Addressing the issue of the Euroelections, Mr. Papoutsis said there should not be an "underestimation of reality", because in that way PASOK will lose the elections. Simitis the sole candidate: Finally, it was announced that Mr. Simitis is the only candidate for PASOK's presidency at the 5th party congress.

    Athens News Agency

    [07] Japanese Crown Prince Hitachi honoured by City of Athens

    Athens, 20/3/1999 (ANA)

    Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos yesterday bestowed the Medal of the City of Athens on Japanese Crown Prince Mosahito Hitachi, during a ceremony at City Hall.

    "The large number of Japanese citizens that visit Greece, the admiration (of the Japanese) about Greek civilisation and Greek lettersIare returned by the admiration of Greeks for the great Japanese tradition and culture, but also by the increasing coope ration between Greece and Japan in the business and trade sectors," Mr. Avramopoulos said in his address.

    Crown Prince Hitachi replied that "Athens, which is the cradle of civilisationIis called to play a significant role today with the organisation of the 2004 Olympic Games, the first of the next millennium."

    Athens News Agency

    [08] Gov't on 'Agenda 2000'

    Athens, 20/3/1999 (ANA)

    The "Agenda 2000" issue is reaching the end of its negotiating stage and may be concluded in Brussels by the European Union's foreign ministers (conclave) tomorrow.

    In the event the "15" do not reach finalised decisions, we will have, one way or another, an initial taste of the decisions to be taken by the heads of state and government at the Berlin summit on March 26, according to the foreign ministry's European a ffairs Secretary General Stelios Perrakis.

    On the question of Greek positions concerning the European Commission's President and its members, Mr. Perrakis said "we want a strong European Commission with a new president to play the role called on by the Treaty. However, we do not rule out a caret aker commission, but such a thing is rejected by the commissioners themselves."

    Referring to issues to be discussed at the council of general affairs on Monday, Mr. Perrakis said, among others, that the discussion on the western Balkans will prevail, and particularly on Kosovo. The Greek side sets out its reservations on the use of force in the wider region.

    Athens News Agency

    [09] Cuban official received by Synaspismos, DHKKI leaders

    Athens, 20/3/1999 (ANA)

    Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos held talks with the Communist Party of Cuba's international relations secretary, Alberto Rodriguez Arufe, who is currently in Greece for the ruling PASOK's congress. Mr. Constan topoulos briefed the Cuban politician on the situation in the Balkans and on Greek-Turkish relations. In turn, he was briefed on efforts being made by the Castro government to overcome economic difficulties faced by the Caribbean island nation.

    Mr. Arufe had a similar meeting with Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas whom he invited, as well as Mr. Constantopoulos, to visit Havana.

    Mr. Constantopoulos also met with Hani Al Hasan, an adviser to Yasser Arafat, who is also attending the congress.

    Athens News Agency

    [10] Karamanlis stresses that Euroelections a 'referendum' of gov't policies

    Athens, 20/3/1999 (ANA)

    Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis yesterday said the upcoming June Euroelections will determine the degree to which Greek citizens are pleased with current PASOK government's policies.

    "No matter how hard (PM) Mr. Simitis is trying to downplay their importance, he cannot alter the character of these Euroelections," Mr. Karamanlis said from Leonidi, in the central Peloponnese, the first leg of his three-day tour of the region.

    Referring to the PASOK congress, the ND leader spoke of an "apparent effort to preserve the remnants of a partisan army", and called on the Greek people not to compromise with "decadence and misery."

    Athens News Agency

    [11] Greek trustees issue press release on appeal against Swiss court decision

    Athens, 20/3/1999 (ANA)

    The four Greek administrators of the patrimony of 14-year-old Athina Roussel, sole heir to the vast Onassis fortune, said yesterday that the initial stage of an appeal process against a Swiss court's decision to assign administration of the assets to a Lu cerne-based auditing firm had been successful.

    The Athens-based administrators on March 15 filed an appeal with a Swiss first instance court against the decision of the Guardianship Authority of Oberengadin removing administration of the patrimony from them and assigning it to the auditing firm KPMG

    Fides.

    In a press release issued yesterday, the administrators said the president of the court ruled on Thursday that they had an arguable case and ordered a stay of execution of the Guardianship Authority's decision, even though they had made no request to th is effect.

    The last surviving heir of the Onassis shipping fortune, Athina will inherit an estimated US$600 million on her 18th birthday. Four Greek administrators and Athina's father, Thierry Roussel, originally comprised the five-member board of administrat ion.

    The Guardianship Authority of Oberengadin also decided to uphold the last wishes of Christina Onassis in her handwritten will, namely, that her husband be excluded from the administration of Athina's legacy.

    The authority decided to remove the administration of the patrimony from the board on the grounds that Athina's patrimony was at risk "because of serious disputes between the Greek members of the board and Mr. Roussel", since such disputes "render impos sible" the functioning of the board.

    "Within the coming weeks, the Greek administrators will hold a conference with the Board of Directors of the Onassis Foundation in order to place before it the serious concerns and questions over the issues relating to Athina Roussel in general so that they may take their decisions and determine their future course of action," the Greek administrators' press release concluded.

    Athens News Agency

    [12] Convictions handed down in fatal '97 ferry-gunboat collision

    Athens, 20/3/1999 (ANA)

    A Samos court yesterday convicted the one-time skipper and second in command of the ferry boat "Samaina" to slightly more than five years in prison and a million-drachma fine over the 1996 collision of the gunboat "Kostakos", which resulted in the death o f four sailors.

    Mattheos Pneumatikis and Antonis Tzoanos where convicted on four counts of manslaughter and negligence in performing their duty.

    Both men appealed their conviction.

    However, the court accepted that both vessels were at fault, while it accepted the right to appeal.

    Athens News Agency

    [13] Bond prices, turnover hit record highs

    Athens, 20/3/1999 (ANA)

    Secondary bond market prices yesterday hit all-time records in the highest turnover ever with domestic players leading the rally, followed by institutional investors abroad.

    The new 10-year bond finished at 103.80-104.20, posting a yield of 5.38 percent from 5.81 percent in the previous session. The yield spread with German bunds hitting a historic low of 1.88 percent, boding well for Greece's entry into the euro zone.

    The previous 10-year issue ended at 118.75-119.15.

    Electronic trade was 231 billion drachmas from 58 billion drachmas a day earlier.

    The drachma nosed down against the euro in the foreign currency market, where trade was lacklustre.

    The euro was set at 321.710 drachmas at the central bank's daily fix from 321.400 drachmas in the previous session.

    Athens News Agency

    [14] Stocks skyrocket in heavy trade

    Athens, 20/3/1999 (ANA)

    Equities surged to new records yesterday as the market reacted positively to a speech by the prime minister at the opening of the ruling PASOK party's congress the previous day.

    The general index broke through the 3,700-point level to end at a record 3, 774.29 points, up 3.12 percent. It was the market's 22nd record close this year.

    Turnover was heavy at 210.097 billion drachmas on 31,240,071 shares traded.

    Foreign institutional investors were active, opening new positions in Greek blue chips.

    Traders said the premier's pledge to keep to the timetable for the country's participation in the euro inspired confidence in the country's political and economic outlook.

    Bank shares led the rally, focusing on Commercial, Alpha Credit, National and Ionian Bank.

    Investors again discounted a positive outcome for a second tender to privatise a majority stake in Ionian Bank, and anticipated robust profitability for the sector in the first quarter.

    According to market estimates, listed companies' profits will rise 50 percent in the first quarter of 1999 compared with the same period last year.

    Sector indices scored gains.

    Banks soared 4.79 percent, Leasing rose 0.37 percent, Insurance jumped 7.49 percent, Investment increased 1.46 percent, Construction fell 0.48 percent, Industrials rose 2.28 percent, Miscellaneous ended 0.16 percent up and Holding eased 0.77 percent.

    The parallel market index for small cap companies was unchanged from Thursday's close.

    Advancers led decliners by 165 to 114 with another 13 issues unchanged.

    The FTSE/ASE 20 index ended 3.67 percent up at 2,350.63 points.

    Intrasoft, Piraeus Bank, Eskimo and National Bank of Greece were the most heavily traded stocks.

    European Credit, Xiosbank, Giannousis, Plaesio Computer, Elmec Sport, Lavipharm, Papastratos, Tasoglou, Halyps Cement and Fanco scored the biggest percentage gains hitting the daily 8.0 percent limit up.

    Nematemboriki, Macedonian Spinning Mills, Allatini Ceramics, Athinea, Etma, Papoutsanis, Benroubi, Keranis and Doudos suffered the heaviest losses.

    National Bank of Greece ended at 23,800 drachmas, Alpha Credit Bank at 41, 675, Ergobank at 27,435, Ionian Bank at 24,500, Titan Cement at 27,860, Hellenic Petroleum at 2,690, Intracom at 22,000, Minoan Lines at 7,675, Panafon at 8,990 and Hellenic Telec oms at 7,655. Bourse gains 6.68 pct on week: The Athens Stock Exchange gained 6.68 percent on the week to end at 3, 774.29 points from 3,537.90 points a week earlier, posting a string of record highs.

    The general index has gained 37.87 percent since the start of the year.

    Turnover last week totalled 863,507 billion drachmas to post a daily average of 172.701 billion drachmas, up from an average of 158.5 billion a week earlier.

    The sector to record the highest percentage gains was the heavily weighted banking sector, which rose 11.07 percent.

    The week's loser was the Holding Companies sector, which shed 2.04 percent.

    Athens News Agency

    [15] Eurobank's shareholders okay Dr 110 bln share cap rise

    Athens, 20/3/1999 (ANA)

    Shareholders of EFG Eurobank yesterday endorsed management's proposal for a share capital increase of 110 billion drachmas.

    Preference rights may be exercised for one month, with the process expected to end at the end of May or early June.

    Eligible to take part in the rights issue will be buyers of stock in the current public offer, which ended yesterday after attracting strong interest from retail investors.

    Athens News Agency

    [16] Finance ministry to auction T-bills

    Athens, 20/3/1999 (ANA) The finance ministry yesterday announced that it will auction three- and six-month Treasury bills in paperless form on Tuesday.

    Thirty billion drachmas' worth of each term are on auction.

    The sale will be held through primary dealers with a commission of 0.15 percent for the three-month T-bills and 0.25 percent for the six-month paper.

    Athens News Agency

    [17] Anek releases rescue plan for Dane Lines

    Athens, 20/3/1999

    Crete-based passenger shipper Anek yesterday informed the Athens bourse of a rescue plan for ailing Dane Lines of the Dodecanese Islands.

    The plan, which was endorsed by Dane's shareholders on March 10, includes 3.5 billion drachmas of financing from Anek through a rights issue in which Anek will buy stock.

    Most of the remaining stock will go to creditors in exchange for up to 50 percent of debt.

    Existing shareholders will have to yield their preference rights on a certain number of shares to Anek.

    Athens News Agency

    [18] Electra to hold IPO for parallel market entry

    Athens, 20/3/1999 (ANA)

    Electra, an importer of electrical materials, is to hold an initial public offer on March 22-24 in order to enter the Athens bourse's parallel market for smaller cap stocks.

    The IPO share price is 1,650 drachmas. A small percentage of stock is destined for private placement.

    The offer's advisers are Commercial Bank of Greece and Nuntius brokerage. The main underwriter is Commercial Bank of Greece.

    Athens News Agency

    [19] Ionian consumer loan at 14.5%

    Athens, 20/3/1999 (ANA)

    Ionian Bank will offer a consumer loan during the Easter period with a slightly lower interest rate.

    The loan concerns a total of up to one million drachmas without collateral and with a 14.5 per cent interest rate plus tax charges. Borrowers can select a four-month grace period with the first instalment payable five months after the payment date and a total duration of 12 or 18 months.

    Athens News Agency

    [20] Aspis purchase of Evropaiki Pistis stock

    Athens, 20/3/1999 (ANA)

    The Aspis Pronoia firm announced the purchase of 10 per cent of the Evropaiki Pistis company's common shares. The purchase was carried out yesterday following an in principle agreement which had preceded between the two insurance companies.

    A total of 456,740 shares were bought at the price of 3,000 drachmas each, meaning a total of 1.37 billion drachmas.

    Both companies are listed with the Athens Stock Exchange's main market in the insurance companies sector. National Bank will offer a personal loan of between 500,000 and one million drachmas with a 15 per cent interest rate (plus charges for third parties) from March 22 until April 23. The duration of the loan will range between six to 12 months.

    Athens News Agency

    [21] Athens foreign exchange

    Athens, 20/3/1999 (ANA)

    Banknotes Buying Selling
    US Dollar 291.727 298.491
    Can.Dollar 192.091 196.545
    Australian Dlr 183.153 187.399
    Pound Sterling 474.672 485.677
    Irish Punt 405.219 414.614
    Pound Cyprus 550.560 563.325
    Pound Malta 703.113 732.409
    Turkish pound (100) 0.073 0.076
    French franc 48.652 49.780
    Swiss franc 199.650 204.279
    Belgian franc 7.911 8.095
    German Mark 163.172 166.955
    Finnish Mark 53.675 54.920
    Dutch Guilder 144.818 148.176
    Danish Kr. 42.944 43.939
    Swedish Kr. 35.752 36.581
    Norwegian Kr. 37.746 38.621
    Austrian Sh. 23.193 23.731
    Italian lira (100) 16.482 16.864
    Yen (100) 248.655 254.420
    Spanish Peseta 1.919 1.963
    Port. Escudo 1.592 1.629
    Euro
    Buying: 319.136   Selling: 326.536
    
    Foreign Exchange Buying Selling
    New York 291.727 298.491
    Montreal 192.091 196.545
    Sydney 183.153 187.399
    London 474.672 485.677
    Dublin 405.219 414.614
    Nicosia 550.560 563.325
    Paris 48.652 49.780
    Zurich 199.650 204.279
    Brussels 7.911 8.095
    Frankfurt 163.172 166.955
    Helsinki 53.675 54.920
    Amsterdam 144.818 148.176
    Copenhagen 42.944 43.939
    Stockholm 35.752 36.581
    Oslo 37.746 38.621
    Vienna 23.193 23.731
    Milan 16.482 16.864
    Tokyo 248.655 254.420
    Madrid 1.919 1.963
    Lisbon 1.592 1.629
    
    Athens News Agency

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