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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-08-26Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Gov`t to push for Commission support to Turkey, veto still in forceAthens, 26/8/1999 (ANA)The government stressed yesterday that it will spearhead an initiative to secure support from the European Commission towards earthquake-stricken Turkey.Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said Athens wanted Turkey to receive ecomonic assistance, "and for this reason we have decided to actively contribute to the issuing by the Commission of a decision in this respect." However, the government also clarified that no decision had been taken to lift Greece's veto over funding for Turkey under a separate European Union financial protocol. Speculation in the press that the government may lift its long-standing veto has been fuelled recently, partly by the speed and extent of Greek humanitarian aid to quake-stricken residents in NW Turkey. "Providing aid to Turkey is a completely different matter and has nothing to do with that country's accession to the EU. The criteria are quite specific," Mr. Reppas said. Athens insists that Ankara must fulfil certain conditions pertaining to human rights and abandon its often aggressive stance before the former lifts its veto on funds allocated by the EU. "To express one's solidarity and support to the suffering people of the neighbouring country does not mean that we have changed our policy. And I presume the same holds for Turkey," Mr. Reppas said. Mr. Reppas said the relevant decisions would be taken at the Council of Ministers on Sept. 4-5. Synaspismos: The Coalition for the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) yesterday requested of the President Kostis Stephanopoulos to convene a meeting of all political leaders to discuss the issue of the Greek veto. In a press release, the fourth-ranking party in the Greek parliament noted that "the veto for the financing protocol has out-lived its usefulness; has led the country into isolation within the European Union and has allowed the powerful countries of the Union to take cover behind the Greek stanceI" Synaspismos leader Nikos Constantopoulos also proposed an immediate dialogue with Turkey aimed at mutual armaments reductions. "Greece and Turkey should jointly slow down the arms race, so as to take a real step towards peace and to release huge funds for real development and social needs," he said. On his part, Liberals party leader Stephanos Manos said he favoured a lifting of the veto. Athens News Agency[02] CemANKARA, 26/8/1999 (ANA - A. Abatzis)In a related development, Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said Greek- Turkish dialogue has proceeded well to date and the same is expected in the future.In an interview to a Kuwait-based newspaper, Mr. Cem said "dialogue with Greece has proceeded very well and there is no reason why its continuation may not be the same." According to a dispatch by the Turkish Anadolu news agency, Mr. Cem also expressed a hope that "the process may continue so that all problems between Turkey and Greece are examined and resolved." The Turkish FM noted that as far as the Cyprus problem is concerned, "any solution beyond the creation of a confederation would not be realistic." Finally, speaking of Turkey's long-desired entry into the European Union, Mr. Cem said "12 of the EU member-states support Turkey's accession in the Union," adding that he hoped that "soon, the remaining three member-states will change their opinion." Athens News Agency[03] Greek navy chief in AnkaraISTANBUL, 26/8/1999 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)Hellenic Navy Chief Vice-Adm. Georgios Ioannidis yesterday arrived in Ankara at the invitation of his Turkish counterpart Salim Dervishoglu, as he is handing over his post to Adm. Ilhami Erdil.Athens News Agency[04] Avramopoulos tours quake-stricken areasISTANBUL, 26/8/1999 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)The deputy mayor of Istanbul, Umit Ozerol, yesterday welcomed Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos here, saying that a "true friend appears in difficult times". Mr. Avramopoulos arrived in Istanbul to coordinate an ea rthquake relief initiative undertaken by Greece's five biggest municipalities.Immediately after arriving, Mr. Avramopoulos toured the worst hit areas of Istanbul before meeting with his counterpart Ali Mufti Gurduna. Mr. Avramopoulos toured the devastated areas of the city, where he received a warm reception from local residents. "We are representing the feelings of solidarity of the Greek people, who with reacted from the first moment, showing their most humane and best self to their neighbours," he said. Following the meeting with Mr. Gurduna, Mr. Avramopoulos announced their joint decision for the creation of a first camp for the earthquake victims within 10 days, comprised of three units that will provide shelter to 10, 000 people. On his part, Mr. Gurduna thanked Mr. Avramopoulos for his visit and said that "since Aug. 17 we have faced and still face many problems, we have to repair homes, but above all we have to heal the souls which have been shattered." The Athens mayor and the mayors of Athens, Thessaloniki, Patra and Irakleio met on Tuesday to discuss the coordination of humanitarian aid to Turkey. In a related development, countless messages reached the Greek embassy in Ankara from various Turkish citizens thanking the Greek people for the humanitarian aid offered. Many callers requested telephone numbers and addresses of agencies in Greece to express their gratitude, embassy officials said. Turkish public opinion was especially moved by the Greek emergency task force (EMAK) following the televised rescue of a child. The Turkish daily "Milliyet" wrote: "Iit was revealed that the Greek people are friends in these difficult times for Turkey. Now the image of Greeks is different in Turkey, as Turkey's image is different in Greece." Athens News Agency[05] Gov't, trade unions reach agreement on key pointsAthens, 26/8/1999 (ANA)The government and country's main trade union umbrella group yesterday reached agreement on issues central to the economy and industrial relations.Prime Minister Costas Simitis, his economics ministers and leaders of the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) had met to debate their agenda. After the meeting, a statement from the premier's office said that agreement between the two sides covered the following points: National Economy Undersecretary Christos Pahtas told reporters that one of the priorities of projects being devised for funding under the European Union's Third Community Support Framework was to reduce domestic unemployment to 5.0-6.0 percent by 2006 a nd increase per capita income from 68 percent of the EU average to 80 percent. Also at the meeting, GSEE leader Christos Polyzogopoulos asked for a hike in the tax on stock market transactions in order to help fund social policy and the battle against unemployment. Other demands were a rise in the tax-exempt bracket to 2.3 million drachmas and an inflation-linked tax scale. In addition GSEE also pressed for higher wages and pensions. Mr. Simitis refererred trade unionists to talks with employers, according to trade union sources. Unions would back their demands in the talks with employers, and, if needed, through strike action, Mr. Polyzogopoulos added. Athens News Agency[06] Gov't pleased with outcome of Simitis visit to AlbaniaAthens, 26/8/1999 (ANA)Greece yesterday described as "positive" the outcome of Prime Minister Costas Simitis' visit to Albania, saying Athens wanted to contribute to the development of the region.Commenting on Mr. Simitis' one-day trip to Tirana on Tuesday, during which two cooperation protocols were signed, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas noted, however, the different stance of the two countries regarding Kosovo. He said this difference ha d emerged quite clearly in talks yesterday between Mr. Simitis and Albanian President Rexhep Mejdani and Prime Minister Pandeli Majko. During talks in Tirana, both sides reaffirmed their desire to further improve bilateral relations. Asked by reporters wh ether former Albanian president Sali Berisha was pressing for the withdrawal of the Greek military contingent stationed in Albania, Mr. Reppas said the force was in the neighbouring country by decision of the Albanian parliament, and whose mandate is rene wed every six months. Athens News Agency[07] ND: No connection between ethnic Greek community of Albania, illegalsAthens, 26/8/1999 (ANA)Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos yesterday criticised the government for what he called "frivolous behaviour, as it appears to accept the equation of the Greek minority in Albania" to Albanian nationals in Greece.Mr. Spiliotopoulos said the conditions set by Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Tuesday regarding the legalisation of illegal immigrants were "unacceptably vague". Replying to Mr. Spiliotopoulos' criticism, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said "New Democracy often devotes itselfIto distorting reality, thinking that this is sufficient to cover up its political and policy vacuum". Athens News Agency[08] US Sen. Lugar briefed by Greek leadershipAthens, 26/8/1999 (ANA)US Sen. Richard Lugar, currently on a visit to Greece, yesterday met with National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos and Foreign Minister George Papandreou.Mr. Lugar, the second ranking Republican in the US SenateYs foreign affairs committee, was briefed by the Greek officials on a number of issues regarding the SE Mediterranean region as well as Athens' position on the Greek-Turkish issues and the Cyprus problem. Athens News Agency[09] Onassis Foundation donation to Istanbul-based universityAthens, 26/8/1999 (ANA)The Onassis Foundation's board of trustees has donated 32 million drachmas to Istanbul's Bosporus University for the relief of quake victims.The Onassis Foundation, stated in a release, that the funds will be allocated by priority to the University's teaching staff, employees and students, as an expression of solidarity to the Turkish university. Athens News Agency[10] Dimitrios-Niotis meeting in AthensAthens, 26/8/1999 (ANA)Deputy Foreign Minister Grigoris Niotis yesterday met with the new Archbishop of America Dimitrios.Afterwards, Mr. Niotis said that "the new Archbishop was an individual enjoying the respect, love and trust of the entire Greek people". On his part, Archbishop Dimitrios said "we always rely on the assistance, support and the inspiration of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, but we also count on the support of the state...`` Athens News Agency[11] Investigation over report on bogus passport ringAthens, 26/8/1999 (ANA)An Athens prosecutor yesterday commenced a probe into allegations of a forged passport ring, following press reports that passports are offered at 80,000 dollars via an Internet site.The Athens daily ``Vima`` last week followed up an article by a Russian reporter regarding a Greek-Russian ring allegedly supplying Greek passoports to foreign nationals. Athens News Agency[12] Cabinet approves aid to TurkeyNICOSIA, 26/8/1999 (CNA/ANA)The cabinet, at its first meeting yesterday after a government reshuffle, approved a health ministry proposal to send aid to Turkey worth 100,000 US dollars.Announcing the decision after the meeting, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said "the aid, in medicine or other items considered necessary, worth 100,000 US dollars, will be sent through the UN agency in Geneva, coordinating the relief effort." Mr. Kasoulides said that only two days after the earthquake on August 17, "notes were sent to both the Turkish government and the UN agency in charge to inform them that one forensic expert, two general surgeons, two nurses and a civil engineer from Cyp rus are willing to go to Turkey to offer help, on a voluntary basis." "We have not received a reply," he said. Two Greek Cypriot doctors and a nurse went to Turkey last week to offer their expertise and a local radio station is waging a campaign to raise funds for the stricken areas. Athens News Agency[13] Economic NewsAthens, 26/8//1999 (ANA)Inflation needs to drop below 2.0 pct for euro zone entry: National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said yesterday that inflation would have to fall below 2.0 percent for Greece to qualify for euro zone entry by the target date of January 1, 2001. The government's target of 2.0 percent inflation this summer would be met despite a rise in global oil prices, but it needed to fall further due to low inflation rates in Europe, Mr. Papantoniou said. The minister called on businesses to cut their prices rather than freeze them, as bringing inflation below 2.0 percent would be tough. He was speaking to reporters after a lengthy meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis and other economics ministers and deputy ministers to debate the budget for 2000 and changes in taxation. Mr. Papantoniou did not say what new measures the government would take as part of its counter-inflationary drive. According to sources, being debated are cuts in indirect taxation and a reduction of Value Added Tax in public utility rates. The meeting was followed by another on projects to be submitted for funding under the European Union's Third Community Support Framework, and another to discuss incomes policy. Stocks sprint through 5,200 pts in renewed ascent: Equity prices resumed their record rally yesterday pushing the general index to its 43th record closing this year and beyond the 5,200-point level. Traders said buying interest was transferred from smaller capitalisation stocks to blue chips in the banking sector, which outperformed the market to end 6.08 percent higher. The general index ended 3.32 percent up at 5,224.15 points to stand 90.83 percent up from the start of the year. Turnover was heavy at 319.725 billion drachmas with 38,940,064 shares changing hands. A decision by the US Federal Reserve to raise short-term interest rates by 25 basis points had already been discounted in markets abroad, and there was no negative impact domestically. Sector indices ended as follows: Leasing (+2.89 pct), Insurance (-1.19 pct), Investment (-3.25 pct), Construction (+2.06 pct), Industrials (+2.08 pct), Miscellaneous (-0.03 pct) and Holding (-0.77 pct). The parallel market index for smaller capitalisation stocks fell 2.0 percent while the FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 5.11 percent higher at 2,921.05 points. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 175 to 113 with another seven issues unchanged. Hellenic Telecoms and Bank of Piraeus were the most heavily traded stocks while National Bank, Alpha Credit Bank, Piraeus Bank, Hellenic Telecoms and Intracom led the day's turnover. National Bank of Greece ended at 24,700 drachmas, Alpha Credit Bank at 25, 290, Commercial Bank at 30,186, Titan Cement at 37,500, Hellenic Petroleum at 3,070, Intracom at 25,000, Minoan Lines at 7,300, Panafon at 8,960 and Hellenic Telecoms at 6,790. Bonds edge up in brisker trade: Secondary market bond prices nosed up in livelier trade yesterday with interest focused on mid-term securities. Electronic turnover was sharply higher at 27.5 billion drachmas from 8.0 billion drachmas in the previous session and 2.0 billion drachmas on Monday. Again at the centre of trade were five- and seven-year securities. The benchmark 10-year bond was trading five to 10 basis points above yesterday's 98.50, showing a yield of 6.49 percent from 6.57 percent in the previous session and 6.50 percent on Monday. The yield spread above German bunds was 174-175 basis points from 177 basis points in the previous session and 178 basis points on Monday. At the central bank's daily fix, the euro was flat versus the drachma at Tuesday's 326.460 drachmas from 326.560 drachmas on Monday. Also at the fix, the dollar rose against the drachma in line with the US currency's ascent in markets abroad. The greenback was set at 312,450 drachmas from 310.000 in the previous session and 307.090 drachmas on Monday. McDonald's opens new outlets: McDonald's, the US fast food chain, said yesterday it planned to open new restaurants in Greece, and forge strategic alliances. The international chain has 38 outlets in Greece and 25,000 in the 117 countries in which it operates, the company said in a statement. Banknotes Buying Selling US Dollar 309.950 317.137 Can.Dollar 207.526 212.338 Australian Dlr 196.074 200.620 Pound Sterling 491.774 503.176 Irish Punt 411.203 420.737 Pound Cyprus 560.797 573.800 Pound Malta 722.212 752.304 Turkish pound (100) 0.064 0.067 French franc 49.371 50.516 Swiss franc 202.160 206.847 Belgian franc 8.028 8.214 German Mark 165.581 169.420 Finnish Mark 54.468 55.731 Dutch Guilder 146.956 150.363 Danish Kr. 43.565 44.575 Swedish Kr. 37.258 38.121 Norwegian Kr. 39.263 40.174 Austrian Sh. 23.535 24.081 Italian lira (100) 16.725 17.113 Yen (100) 279.198 285.672 Spanish Peseta 1.946 1.991 Port. Escudo 1.615 1.652 Euro Buying: 323.848, Selling: 331.357 Foreign Exchange Buying Selling New York 309.950 317.137 Montreal 207.526 212.338 Sydney 196.074 200.620 London 491.774 503.176 Dublin 411.203 420.737 Nicosia 560.797 573.800 Paris 49.371 50.516 Zurich 202.160 206.847 Brussels 8.028 8.214 Frankfurt 165.581 169.420 Helsinki 54.468 55.731 Amsterdam 146.956 150.363 Copenhagen 43.565 44.575 Stockholm 37.258 38.121 Oslo 39.263 40.174 Vienna 23.535 24.081 Milan 16.725 17.113 Tokyo 279.198 285.672 Madrid 1.946 1.991 Lisbon 1.615 1.652 Athens News AgencyAthens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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