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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-07-30Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Greek-Turkish talks shift to Athens with cultural,regional issues on the agendaAthens, 30/07/1999 (ANA)The first day of a second leg of talks between Greek and Turkish officials ended in Athens yesterday, after commencing in Ankara on Monday.The two delegations of foreign ministry officials will conclude talks today on issues related to the "safety of the citizen", with discussions expected to focus on ways of confronting illegal immigration and combatting organised crime and terrorism. Informed sources said talks yesterday covered cultural and regional cooperation issues, and were conducted in a "positive climate". The foreign ministry officials from both countries have been appointed to discuss "low-level policy issues". Foreign Minister George Papandreou is expected to receive the Turkish delegation in his office on Saturday. The Greek-Turkish talks was agreed upon by Greek and Turkish Foreign Ministers George Papandreou and Ismail Cem, respectively, in New York late last month. Athens News Agency[02] Chrysohoidis covers anti-crime cooperation, border control with FYROM leadershipSKOPJE, 30/07/1999 (ANA)Public Order Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis held talks here yesterday with Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski during his one-day visit to the neighbouring country.Mr. Chrysohoidis also met with FYROM Deputy PM Dosta Dimovska, Parliament Deputy President Tomislav Stojanovski and Interior Minister Trajanov. The issue of implementing a police cooperation protocol and cooperation against drug and weapon smuggling were discussed during the Greek minister's meeting with Mr. Trajanov, while prevention of international terrorism and illegal immigration were also examined along with specific security issues related to the Balkan region. The two sides agreed that cracking down on crime constitutes a common target of the two countries. Finally, Mr. Chrysohoidis invited Mr. Trajanov to visit Greece. Athens News Agency[03] Gov't on Simitis attendance at Balkan stability pact summitAthens, 30/07/1999 (ANA)Prime Minister Costas Simitis leaves for Sarajevo early today to attend a Balkan stability pact summit in the Bosnian capital.Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the Greek side would attempt to have final resolutions include certain views to contribute to a resolution of regional problems. He noted that the stability pact had three components, namely, the provision of humanitarian aid, provision of economic aid for reconstruction, as well as the introduction and consolidation of democratic parliamentary institutions. Athens News Agency[04] Treatment of illegals the focus of EU talks with Africa--Caribbean- Pacific nationsBRUSSELS, 30/07/1999 (ANA - Y. Zitouniati)The issues of the treatment of illegal immigrants - xenophobia and racism - in Europe and the return of cultural artifacts to their country of origin were discussed here yesterday at the EU's interministerial session and a negotiating group with countries from Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific rim.Foreign ministry secretary general Stelios Perrakis represented Greece at the session which was attended by ministers from 71 countries with their "15" counterparts from the European Union. It focused on revising the LOME Treaty on eradicating poverty, development, proper administration and harmonisation with the state of law, as well as the gradual incorporation of these countries in the world's economy. The representatives of the non-EU countries protested over the ill- treatment of many of their subjects who arrive in EU countries as illegal immigrants and referred to phenomena of xenophobia and racism. They also called for the return of their cultural artifacts which adorn many museums in developed countries at present to their place of origin. Greece backed this claim due to the Parthenon Marbles, but did not receive a relevant response from the "15. " Mr. Perrakis held contacts on the sidelines of the session with senior European Commission officials responsible for establishing the headquarters of the Balkan reconstruction agency in Thessaloniki and discussed "the next steps" with them, stressing th at continuing reactions to a decision taken are not beneficial for anyone. Athens News Agency[05] Gov't reiterates its well-known position over Moslem minorityAthens, 30/07/1999 (ANA)The government said yesterday that its position on the issue of the Moslem minority of Thrace was "clear, known and unchanged", namely, that such a minority existed and was only a religious one.Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas made the statement when asked by reporters to comment on remarks by Foreign Minister George Papandreou in an interview with an Athens-based monthly magazine and speaking yesterday on a local radio station. In the published interview, Mr. Papandreou was quoted as saying that "nobody doubts that there are a lot of Moslems of Turkish origin" in western Thrace, adding however, that "at times the minority issue is raised together with territorial claims. If ex isting borders are not questioned, I don't really care if somebody calls himself a Moslem, Turk, Bulgarian or Pomack". "The Balkans will find their peace if we guarantee borders and at the same time the rights of minorities," he said. Mr. Reppas stressed that as far as Greece was concerned there could be no question of the minority in Thrace being designated in any way other than 'Moslem'. The issue came to the forefront last week when Thrace's three Moslem MPs and 13 non-governmental organisations called for recognition of so-called "Turkish" and "Macedonian" minorities in Greece. Over the weekend, National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos rejected the call outright, telling reporters that "such minorities do not exist, however much some may want to create them." "Under the Treaty of Lausanne (1923), there is only a Moslem minority in our country, which lives in the best conditions," he added. Commenting on Mr. Papandreou's statements, Mr. Reppas said he had simply stated what was self-evident, namely, that the status of the minority in Thrace is governed by the Treaty of Lausanne, "which refers to the existence of a Moslem minority and speci fies its three components - Pomacks, gypsies and those of Turkish origin". Mr. Reppas said the Treaty of Lausanne, which determines the status of the Moslem minority, prevails in this respect over the conventions of Copenhagen and Paris, which pertain to citizens' rights, and to which Greece is a signatory. Noting that the government agreed with Mr. Papandreou's statements, Mr. Reppas said the foreign minister had raised the major issue of the inviolability of borders "and did so in a responsible manner". Mr. Reppas noted that the Greek minister had said in the interview that the term "Turkish minority" could be used in efforts aimed at changing borders and that this could create many problems. Regarding the way in which the minority or certain members of the Moslem minority might refer to themselves, Mr. Reppas said Greece, during the New Democracy government in 1990-93, had signed the relevant international conventions "and at all events, we are not afraid of how someone may choose to call himself". He added that policy on such issues had to take into account all the relevant international factors. Replying to other questions, Mr. Reppas underlined that there had been no change in the government's stance on the issue, nor could this be construed from Mr. Papandreou's statements. Mr. Reppas said while the rights of Greek citizens were respected, "any attempt to undermine national sovereignty or obstruct the exercise of (Greece's) sovereign rights will not be tolerated". Reactions : The foreign minister's statements drew, however, strong reactions from all opposition parties. Main opposition New Democracy described them as "unacceptable and impermissible" and called for the PM's intervention. "The foreign minister has committed a most serious mistake. The prime minister should have immediately called him to order and make him either retract his unacceptable statements, for which the Turkish press congratulates him, or resign," party spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos stressed. "What else does the minister need to realise the neighbouring country's expansionist policy, when the occupation of half of Cyprus is continuing and doubt is cast on our country's sovereign rights in the Aegean?", he said in a written statement earlier. "It is obvious that even Mr. Papandreou - and the Simitis government in general - is obliged both to defend the treaties unwaveringly and to propagate the reality. In other words, that Greek Moslems fully and absolutely enjoy their rights as citizens, without any exception. They are also increasing in numbers, in contrast to the Greeks who remained in the neighbouring country after the Treaty of Lausanne. A simple reading of the treaty would suffice to remind, both of provisions regarding the numerical balance of the respective minorities and Turkey's expressly stated conventional obligation to establish and maintain intact a special regime of full administrative autonomy of the Greeks of Imvros and Tenedos. "Only a few hundred Greeks live in Istanbul today, while the two islands lack not only a minority status but also a Greek population," the ND statement emphasised. "Hellenism can bear no more concessions," it concluded. Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga charged that "the government is following a policy of compliance with the new NATO structure and this means giving up a lot". She added that KKE supported full rights for minorities within the countries they lived and together with the rest of the people. Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos accused the government and the leadership of the forei gn ministry of "makeshift and spasmodic reactions, amateurism and lack of strategy." Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas said Mr. Papandreou's "unaccep-table statements not only fuelled Turkish propaganda but could also be used by major western powers to promote their anti-Greek designs". Ruling PASOK deputy and former public order minister Stelios Papathemelis called for Mr. Papandreou's resignation. Turkish comments : ISTANBUL (ANA- A. Kourkoulas) - The Turkish foreign ministry sees no change in Greek policy regarding the minority in western Thrace, as a result of Mr. Papandreou's statements. "I did not detect in his words a stance much different from the official and well-known Greek stance," said ministry spokesman Sermet Atancali. Athens News Agency[06] Gilman article: Cyprus impasse begs attentionWASHINGTON, 30/07/1999 (ANA)US Rep. Benjamin Gilman (R-New York) drew a comparison between the plight of the Kosovar Albanian refugees and Greek Cypriot refugees, driven from their homes by a Turkish invasion in 1974."...This repatriation (in Kosovo) should positively influence similar situations, such as the one on Cyprus, where some 200,000 Greek Cypriots have been prevented from returning to their homes in Northern Cyprus for nearly 25 years," Mr. Gilman wrote in a commentary published in the "Washington Times" yesterday. Mr. Gilman referred to a "courageous" decision by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides to cancel the planned deployment of the Russian-made S-300 missiles on the free parts of the island republic in order achieve, as he said, progress towards solving the Cyprus problem. He stressed that Turkey must now realised "its interests" and contribute to such a solution. "It is time now to cut the Gordian knot of Cyprus," he concluded in his article. Athens News Agency[07] Gov't releases results of lab tests on various foodsAthens, 30/07/1999 (ANA)The government yesterday presented results of lab tests reportedly showing that Greek foodstuffs are uncontaminated.Development Minister Evangelos Venizelos said a wide range of samples from dairy products, meats, poultry, eggs and their by products, were all tested for dioxin contamination, with levels far lower than prescribed legal limits. Mr. Venizelos also announced that a bill establishing a "national foods inspection agency" will be tabled in Parliament within the next few days. Athens News Agency[08] Employers, unions set up committee on 35-hour work weekAthens, 30/07/1999 (ANA)Representatives of employees' and employers' federations yesterday decided to establish a joint committee to study methods of applying a proposed 35- hour work week in Greece.The joint committee, established by the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE), the Federation of Greek Industries (SEB) and other groups, will examine results of the decreased work week in businesses, the experience of other European countries and potential changes in the job market. Athens News Agency[09] Two arrested in Corfu bomb attackAthens, 30/07/1999 (ANA)Authorities on Corfu have arrested two men on charges related to a bomb attack that occurred early Wednesday morning.A vehicle and motorcycle were destroyed in the blast outside the house of two brothers in the rural Agia Ekaterini region of the island. According to reports, the two suspects -- identified as Konstantinos Fakialas and Dimitris Kalokidis --were reportedly at odds with the two brothers. Both men appeared before a first instance court prosecutor. Athens News Agency[10] Deadline ends for new bids in Ergobank buyoutAthens, 30/07/1999 (ANA)The deadline expired yesterday for new bids in a war for the acquisition of Ergobank with EFG Eurobank apparently emerging the winner in the absence of a fresh offer from Bank of Piraeus, analysts said.Piraeus had effectively withdrawn from the battle earlier this week after Ergobank's management recommended to shareholders that they should accept the offer by the EFG Bank Group through Consolidated Eurofinance Holdings, itself a member of the Latsis Group. Piraeus and EFG, which, along with Ergobank are listed on the Athens Stock Exchange, were the only bidders. Today is the date when bids may be withdrawn. Ergobank's shareholders must decide on August 4 whether or not to take part in an offer, and any shares collected by the bidders must be announced on August 5. Athens News Agency[11] Agricultural Bank to hold Dr 200 bln share cap riseAthens, 30/07/1999 (ANA)Shareholders of Agricultural Bank of Greece yesterday approved a share capital rise of 200 billion drachmas.The bank's sole shareholder, the state, will handle the increase through a cash payment within three months. The bank's share capital will then total 354 billion drachmas, allowing a restructuring and revitalisation plan ordered by the government to move at a faster pace. Athens News Agency[12] Stocks nose down in brisk tradeAthens, 30/07/1999 (ANA)Equities ended slightly lower yesterday with investors again shunning blue chips and favouring selected buys in small and medium capitalisation stocks.The general index ended 0.32 percent lower at 4,378.37 points from 4,392.24 points a day earlier. Turnover was 237.402 billion drachmas from 164.1 billion drachmas in the previous session. Changing hands were 34,439,505 stocks. Sector indices ended as follows: Banks (-0.37 pct), Leasing (+8.00 pct), Insurance (-3.84 pct), Investment (-1.73 pct), Construction (-0.01 pct), Industrials (-0.10 pct), Miscellaneous (-0.30 pct) and Holding (-0.73 pct). The parallel market index for smaller capitalisation stocks ended 0.19 percent higher. The FTSE/ASE 20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips dropped 0.33 percent to finish at 2,535.46 points. Of 296 shares traded, declines outpaced advances at 156 to 131 with 9 issues unchanged. National Bank of Greece ended at 21,300 drachmas, Alpha Credit Bank at 21, 900, Bank of Piraeus at 8,940, Ergobank at 32,000, Titan Cement (common) at 30,790, Hellenic Petroleum at 2,855 and Intracom (common) at 20,700 drachmas. Block trade in Bank of Piraeus : A block trade in Bank of Piraeus shares, representing 2.6 percent of the bank's share capital, was reported on the Athens Stock Exchange yesterday. The stock was reportedly moved by private investors. The trade was for 3, 109,000 shares at 8,800 drachmas each, totalling 27.4 billion drachmas of the bourse's turnover for the day. Athens News Agency[13] Bonds drop in flaccid tradeAthens, 30/07/1999 (ANA)Bond prices in the secondary market yesterday shed 50 to 60 basis points in thin trade, mostly untouched by negative sentiment abroad on fears of inflationary pressures in the United States.Electronic trade totalled 14 billion drachmas from 2.0 billion drachmas in the previous session and 17 billion drachmas on Tuesday. The benchmark 10 year bond showed a yield of 6.44 percent from 6.39 percent in the previous two sessions. The yield spread above German bunds was 172 basis points from 173-175 basis points a day earlier and 173 basis on Tuesday. At the central bank's daily fix, the euro nosed up against the drachma. It was set at 324.950 drachmas from 324.900 drachmas in the previous session. The central bank intervened to prop up the euro after the drachma showed upward pressure, absorbing around 30 million euros. The dollar slumped versus the drachma at the fix. The greenback was set at 304.200 drachmas from 306.600 drachmas a day earlier. Athens News Agency[14] UK travel agents to hold congress in GreeceAthens, 30/07/1999 (ANA)The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) is to hold its annual congress for 2000 on the island of Kos, a domestic tourism official said yesterday.General secretary Evgenios Yannakopoulos of the Greek National Tourism Organisation said ABTA's members in London voted yesterday in favour of Greece against Portugal, the other candidate country. Organisational details of the congress, one of the largest sector events in the world, will be announced in the autumn, Mr. Yannakopoulos said. Athens News Agency[15] Alpha Credit Bank doubles H1 profitAthens, 30/07/1999 (ANA)Alpha Credit Bank, a blue chip on the Athens bourse, said yesterday that its first-half profit rose to 79.2 billion drachmas from 39.5 billion drachmas in the same period of 1998, up around 100 percent.Also in the first half, the bank's assets totalled 5,049 billion drachmas, up 45 percent; deposits were 3,548 billion drachmas, up 42 percent; loans totalled 1,864 billion drachmas, up 27 percent; and shareholders' equity was at 518 billion drachmas, up 126 percent. The Alpha Credit Bank Group's consolidated profits rose to 115.7 billion drachmas in the first half, up 115 percent from the same period of last year. For the first time, the data included results of Ionian Bank and its subsidiaries, which Alpha bought in a privatisation tender last year. Athens News Agency[16] Progress report on Athens metroAthens, 30/07/1999 (ANA)Transport and Communications Minister Tasos Mantelis yesterday visited the site of the Sepolia station being built for the new Athens metro.Construction is at an advanced stage in 19 out of 21 stations, and 23 out of 25 trains ordered have been delivered. Around 800,000 passengers are expected to travel annually on the existing and new network, due to come into operation at the end of the year. Athens News Agency[17] Bank of Attica shows H1 profit of Dr 2.58 blnAthens, 30/07/1999 (ANA)Bank of Attica yesterday reported first half pre-tax profits of 2.58 billion drachmas with assets at 273 billion drachmas, up 60 percent on the same period of 1998. Deposits totalled 184.3 billion drachmas, up 49 percent, and loans 128.1 billion drachmas, up 23.5 percent. In the first half of this year, the bank had provisions for bad debts totalling 1.17 billion drachmas against 511 billion drachmas in the same period of last year.Athens News Agency[18] OA transfer to Spata the focus of high-level gov't meetingAthens, 30/07/1999 (ANA)The government yesterday decided to accelerate procedures for the transfer of state-owned Olympic Airways to the new Athens international airport at Spata, according to reports.National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and Transport Minister Tassos Mantelis reportedly agreed on the amount of compensation the government will provide to debt-ridden Olympic for the move. Legal details concerning relevant contacts related to the European Union were also discussed. The amount of compensation was not set at the meeting, although the government has reportedly offered 33 billion drachmas, while Olympic wants 62 billion. Olympic is by far expected to be the Hochtief-managed new airport's largest client, although press reports over the past year have cited delays in the national carrier's plans to transfer to the Eleftherios Venizelos Airport. Athens News Agency[19] Athens Foreign ExchangeAthens, 30/07/1999 (ANA)Bank of Greece closing rates of: July 29, 1999Parities in Drachmas Banknotes Buying Selling US Dollar 301.766 308.763 Can.Dollar 199.630 204.259 Australian Dlr 195.583 200.117 Pound Sterling 482.985 494.183 Irish Punt 409.300 418.790 Pound Cyprus 558.278 571.222 Pound Malta 703.140 732.438 Turkish pound (100) 0.062 0.065 French franc 49.142 50.281 Swiss franc 201.674 206.350 Belgian franc 7.991 8.176 German Mark 164.815 168.636 Finnish Mark 54.216 55.473 Dutch Guilder 146.276 149.668 Danish Kr. 43.293 44.297 Swedish Kr. 36.605 37.454 Norwegian Kr. 38.549 39.443 Austrian Sh. 23.426 23.969 Italian lira (100) 16.648 17.034 Yen (100) 261.402 267.463 Spanish Peseta 1.937 1.982 Port. Escudo 1.608 1.645 Foreign Exchange Buying Selling New York 301.766 308.763 Montreal 199.630 204.259 Sydney 195.583 200.117 London 482.985 494.183 Dublin 409.300 418.790 Nicosia 558.278 571.222 Paris 49.142 50.281 Zurich 201.674 206.350 Brussels 7.991 8.176 Frankfurt 164.815 168.636 Helsinki 54.216 55.473 Amsterdam 146.276 149.668 Copenhagen 43.293 44.297 Stockholm 36.605 37.454 Oslo 38.549 39.443 Vienna 23.426 23.969 Milan 16.648 17.034 Tokyo 261.402 267.463 Madrid 1.937 1.982 Lisbon 1.608 1.645 Athens News AgencyAthens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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