Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-09-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Quake death toll reachew 99, Simitis visits hard-hit Athens areas

[02] Rescue teams continue to dig into rubble

[03] Strong aftershock shakes Athens buildings

[04] Buildings to be demolished

[05] Greek president personally thanks Turkish rescue team

[06] Burns meets Papandreou for US quake aid to Greece

[07] Athens prosecutors collect evidence on collapsed buildings

[08] Messages of condolences continue to pour in

[09] Kaklamanis receives messages of sympathy and funds for quake vicims

[10] Workers union calls for money for victims

[11] Karamanlis proposes quake measures

[12] Greek, Turkish officials conclude second phase of talks

[13] Very good climate noted

[14] Ecevit conveys Turkish people's sympathy

[15] Germany recognises urgent need for Cyprus solution, Kranidiotis says

[16] British soldier jailed 10 months for resisting arrest

[17] Gov't releases bill to aid lower income groups

[18] Stocks hit new record in wake of earthquake

[19] ---Turnover rises in derivatives market--- Turnover rose to 3.148

[01] Quake death toll reachew 99, Simitis visits hard-hit Athens areas

The death toll at press time stood at 99, while Greek and foreign rescue teams relentlessly continued their efforts to find survivors under the rubble of collapsed buildings. More than 30 people are still missing.

"We must work effectively and more rapidly and in any way we can so that the help is more accessible and more readily felt," Mr. Simitis said.

He said he was committed to ensuring a quick and painless end to the suffering of those who lost their homes or were otherwise affected by the quake.

"We do not want and we will not allow there to be a year of waiting for the people affected by the quake," he said.

"The government will contribute so that the country can return to the situation it was in before."

Mr. Simitis, who postponed a scheduled visit to China to oversee relief efforts, earlier in the day chaired a meeting of the Cabinet on measures to relieve the suffering of the homeless.

Speaking to reporters, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the cost of the measures announced by the government - which include rental subsidies, interest-free loans to repair or rebuild homes and start-up loans for small industry and businesses - could be absorbed by the Greek economy.

Branches of the National Bank of Greece will open at the weekend to pay tens of thousands of homeless families a stipend of 200,000 drachmas per family for necessities. Pensioners affected will receive 120,000 drachmas, while those who lose employed mem bers of their families will receive an immediate payment of three million drachmas.

Yesterday's Cabinet meeting also decided the creation of a mechanism that would strictly monitor the safety and quality of private construction.

Mr. Reppas said the government's priority was to meet the immediate needs of the homeless and ensure their humane and dignified conditions.

He said the government had already provided 12,000 tents, which would grow in number to 20,000 by Monday. Three campsites have been set up in Menidi and in Nea Liosia with the help of local authorities, the army and state services.

Mr. Reppas said that of 12,000 buildings inspected, 1,700 were deemed fit only for demolition and 4,500 fit for habitation after repairs.

The measures will apply to all those left homeless, regardless of whether their homes were illegally built or not.

Mr. Reppas said there was no exact figure for the cost of the quake but that it was certainly expected to run into the hundreds of billions of drachmas.

The cost, he said, would be covered by the programme for public investment, from the European Union and through lending from major international banks.

He said there was no need for the priorities of the Third Community Support Framework to be changed - as requested by Communist Party leader Aleka Papariga - to provide immediate shelter for the homeless.

On main opposition leader Costas Karamanlis's proposal that unused monies in the Second Delors Package be used, Mr. Reppas said that a discussion had been undertaken at the Community and that Greece had received preliminary approval.

National Economy Minister Yannos Papantoniou will bring up the issue at the ECOFIN meeting in Finland and a final response on the type of financial support from the EU will come from the EU's General Affairs Council.

Athens News Agency

[02] Rescue teams continue to dig into rubble

"The chance to find anyone alive under the rubble should be considered a miracle. But this means nothing for the rescue teams," a rescue squad officer said.

More than 800 EMAK men and women along with 185 of their counterparts from Turkey, France, Russia, Switzerland, Germany, Cyprus and Israel have rescued 85 people, while they pulled out of the rubble 73 dead.

Efforts to recover the rest continued even as an aftershock of 4.3 on the Richter scale, jolted Athens shortly before 6 p.m. Athens News Agency

[03] Strong aftershock shakes Athens buildings

The quake's epicentre was on the Parnitha-Penteli fault line, same as Tuesday's quake, which registered 5.9 on the Richter scale.

According to initial estimates from seismologists, the jolt was expected since there was no quake activity during the last few hours and was part of the waning aftershock course. Athens News Agency

[04] Buildings to be demolished

The total results of building inspections conducted by 300 teams of engineers, by day's end, indicated that out of 14,974 buildings inspected, 2,327 were to be demolished, 5,951 or 40 per cent are in need of repairs and 6,696 or 45 per cent are safe for use, the announcement added.

Athens News Agency

[05] Greek president personally thanks Turkish rescue team

"You had the kindess to come and help us. You have won the gratitude of all of us ... all the Greek people," Mr. Stephanopoulos said. "The earthquake brought us closer. Let us hope that there will be instances which will not be so bad, which will al so symbolise our two peoples coming closer."

The president was speaking at a ceremony held at the presidential mansion to thank the 20-strong Turkish rescue team which arrived in Athens the morning after the quake. They were due to leave yesterday.

Also present at the ceremony, representing the government, was Health and Welfare Minister Lambros Papadimas.

Earlier, the president had visited tent cities set up to house the homeless in the municipalities of Aharnai, Nea Liosia and Petroupoli.

Mr. Stephanopoulos has postponed his visit to Yalta to attend the international summit of Baltic and Blac k Sea countries, which was scheduled to begin yesterday. Athens News Agency

[06] Burns meets Papandreou for US quake aid to Greece

During the meeting, Mr. Burns reconfirmed his country's readiness to send aid to Greece, specifically the dispatch of tents and the collaboration of between U.S. and Greek non-governmental organisations, a foreign ministry statement said.

The envoy also informed Mr. Papandreou that U.S. administrative services were collecting money for the victims of the earthquake.

-- Embassy donates 50,000 dollars:-- The United States has made 50,000 dpollars available immediately for disaster relief efforts in the Athens area, the U.S. embassy said in a press release yesterday .

The statement said the money was made available by the State Department after an appeal by Ambassador Burns. It will be used to alleviate the suffering of those made homeless by the quake.

Half of the amount will be donated to the Greek Red Cross for its work with the homeless and injured, while the other half will be used to purchase tents and blankets to provide secure shelter, the embassy said.

Athens News Agency

[07] Athens prosecutors collect evidence on collapsed buildings

Investigators confiscated existing files in city halls containing building plans submitted to obtain building permits.

Investigations also focus on collecting statements from witnesses and analysing physical data, the prosecutor's office said. Athens News Agency

[08] Messages of condolences continue to pour in

The prime ministers of Sweden, Finland and the Czech Republic expressed their condolences and their solidarity over the disaster.

Telegrammes, were also received from mayors of several Turkish cities and Kemerovo, Siberia governor. Athens News Agency

[09] Kaklamanis receives messages of sympathy and funds for quake vicims

In a related development, World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) President Andrew Athens informed Mr. Kaklamanis that the council set up a bank account for the collection of funds in aid to the earthquake victims.

Athens News Agency

[10] Workers union calls for money for victims

According the press release issued by GSEE, the money will automatically deducted from salaries, unless otherwise indicated.

The money collected will be used for refief of workers, pensioners and the unemployed suffered injuries or material loss by the earthquake.

Athens News Agency

[11] Karamanlis proposes quake measures

Mr. Karamanlis said it is not time for criticism, but all should contribute towards healing the big wounds left by the disaster.

He said that all have the duty of recognising the heroic efforts of the EMAK rescue team and the fire brigade, adding that a generous policy of increasing their remuneration is necessary.

All school buildings should be examined immediately, he said, and ND groups will also be making their own examinations, while there should be exemplary punishment for those guilty of faulty workmanship which led to the tragedy.

Mr. Karamanlis said coordinated and close cooperation is necessary between the state, local administration, the Church, the Red Cross and volunteers to relieve earthquake sufferers and restore social cohesion as soon as possible.

He said that a big part of the funding of measures proposed can be obtained from the European Union.

The measures proposed are that every stricken family should receive an immediate payment of 500,000 drachmas which will increase by 100,000 drachmas for every underaged child.

The support programme for the repair or building of a house should enjoy a 50 per cent state subsidy and a 50 per cent interest free loan of a 15-year duration.

Financial support of two million drachmas should be provided for household appliances and equipment destroyed.

Nursery school services should be provided free of charge and special support programmes should be obtained for handicapped and elderly people.

Free medical and pharmaceutical treatment should be provided for earthquake sufferers living in camps or tents.

Lastly, the families of the dead or injured should receive a pension due to death or disablement as a result of labour accidents

He further said an essential number of tents should be obtained, adding that according to information by mayors about 5,000 tents have been provided which are less than a third of the number urgently needed.

Mr. Karamanlis proposed that low interest loans should be provided for businesses to help them meet salary requirements, the settlement of debts owed to the state, insurance organisations and banks, with a one or two years period of grace and coverage o f a third of the necessary cost of repairing or reconstructing building and mechanical installations.

Athens News Agency

[12] Greek, Turkish officials conclude second phase of talks

According to a foreign ministry press release, the talks were held "in a friendly and businesslike atmosphere", while both delegations "evoked the recent tragic events" resulting from the earthquakes in Turkey on August 17 and Greece last Tuesday.

The two delegations take note that these events resulted in "prompt and spontaneous response from the authorities and public opinion of their countries. They are resolved to continue working on the basis of the friendly atmosphere between them," the pre ss release said.

The senior foreign ministry officials from the two neighbouring countries will continue their talks in Ankara on Sept. 15 and 16, to discuss issues concerning culture, regional cooperation as well as fight against organised crime, illegal immigration, d rug trafficking and terrorism, the press release noted. Athens News Agency

[13] Very good climate noted

The Turkish foreign ministry's announcement said the two delegations noted "the reactions of public opinion and of relevant authorities over the tragic events of past days", adding that "the two delegations discussed issues concerning tourism, environme ntal protection, as well as economic and commercial cooperation in Athens."

The announcement said that issues concerning cultural and regional cooperation, the combatting of illegal immigration, drug trafficking and the combatting of terrorism will be discussed in Ankara on September 15- 16. Athens News Agency

[14] Ecevit conveys Turkish people's sympathy

"I wish to stress that the Turkish people and government share Greece's pain from the earthquake. We are determined to make every effort possible to relieve the pain. We consider this a human duty and a duty to our neighbour," Mr. Ecevit said in a state ment to the Turkish press.

Turkish government Deputy Premier Devlet Bahceli said on his part "it is impossible for one not to feel sorry over the earthquake which occurred in Greece. They had shared our pain and now we are sharing their pain. A human development has been revealed between the peoples of the two countries with the earthquake. It is imperative that this fine feeling should continue."

Athens News Agency

[15] Germany recognises urgent need for Cyprus solution, Kranidiotis says

Germany now considers the Cyprus issue "an issue of particular importance" and the appointment of a new German ambassador to Nicosia with increased responsibilities regarding diplomatic initiatives is considered as an indication of this upgrading and it s activation in this field, as well as a statement by Mr. Fischer according to which "the EU must play a more active role."

Speaking to Greek reporters, Mr. Kranidiotis termed his meeting with Mr. Fischer "very useful" and talks "an in-depth discussion", speaking of "a great convergence of views" and stressing that a continuation will be given to this dialogue.

Mr. Kranidiotis said the "con-vergence of views" lies in the recognition of Turkey's European prospects and the need for certain principles and criteria to be observed and in the fact that it was realised by the German side that there should be certain c ommitments on the part of Turkey over Cyprus and Greek-Turkish issues due to specific political problems in Greek- Turkish relations.

"We are negotiating. We have not reached any agreement. However, we have defined the framework in which we should move in coming months and the guidelines we should follow to enable us to reach some mutually acceptable proposal," he said.

Mr. Fischer's adoption of the "logic" of the so-called "map route" and "checkpoints", proposed by Sweden, for Turkey's accession route as a candidate country, as well as recognition of the need for the intercommunal dialogue on a solution to the Cyprus issue to start without preconditions and terms also constitute points of convergence ascertained during yesterday's meeting.

Apart from issues concerning Europe and Turkey and the Cyprus issue, Mr. Kranidiotis and Mr. Fischer discussed the situation in the Balkans and Greece's route towards its participation in Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), to which Mr. Fischer expressed his "undi-vided support" on behalf of the German government. Mr. Kranidiotis thanked the German government for the aid it offered to Greece following the earthquake which struck Athens earlier this week.

Athens News Agency

[16] British soldier jailed 10 months for resisting arrest

Alan Johnston allegedly, in a drunken state, was damaging a parked car and refused to provide identification to a police officer, police said.

Following his arrest he identified himself as a soldier of the British forces in Kosovo, in Greece for a short holiday.

The sentence can be appealed but as bail was set at 500,000 drachmas and he did not pay it he was remanded in custody. Athens News Agency

[17] Gov't releases bill to aid lower income groups

National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said the the measures contained in the bill, which cover incomes in 1999 and 2000, were the result of a wide-ranging dialogue instigated by the government, and long-term study.

Among the measures are the abolition of an unpopular base assessed income tax system for small and medium sized enterprises.

In addition, the tax-exempt ceiling for wage earners and pensioners has been raised to 1.9 million drachmas for 1999 income and to 1.6 million for other categories of taxpayers.

The level rises to 2.3 million drachmas in 2000 for wage earners and pensioners and 2.0 million for other categories of taxpayers.

Inflation indexation has been introduced with the level set at 2.5 percent.

The tax bracket for small companies has been lowered to 30 percent for this year's income from 35 percent.

It will drop to 25 percent for incomes earned in 2000.

In addition, employers will receive a reduction on taxable net profits equal to 50 percent of their social insurance contributions for the newly recruited.

The bill also grants a tax reduction of up to 35,000 drachmas for each child in a family, up from 5,000 drachmas.

In addition, a tax on stock transactions has been raised to 0.6 percent from 0.3 percent. Athens News Agency

[18] Stocks hit new record in wake of earthquake

The Athens Stock Exchange fell almost 7.0 percent early in the session hit by a wave of profit-taking but recovered easily to end at its 48th record this year.

The general index ended 0.62 percent higher at 5,740.47 points reflecting gains in the construction sector and industrial blue chips.

Turnover was 390.307 billion drachmas with 41,950,212 shares changing hands.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks (-1.44 pct), Insurance (-1.46 pct), Construction (+5.90 pct), Miscellaneous (+1.47 pct), Leasing (-2.63 pct), Investment (+1.36 pct), Industrials (+2.05 pct) and Holding (-0.01 pct).

The parallel market index for smaller capitalisation stocks ended 5.12 percent higher while the FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 0.25 percent off at 3,028.26 points.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 186 to 115 with another nine issues unchanged.

A total of 70 shares ended at the day's 8.0 percent limit up, while another four ended at the day's limit down.

Hellenic Telecoms and Techniki Olympiaki were the most heavily traded stocks, while Hellenic Telecoms, National Bank and Alpha Credit Bank led the day's turnover.

National Bank of Greece ended at 25,000 drachmas, Alpha Credit Bank at 24, 790, Commercial Bank at 31,200, Titan Cement at 37,000, Hellenic Petroleum at 4,280, Intracom at 29,580, Minoan Lines at 8,740, Panafon at 9,600 and Hellenic Telecoms at 7,300.

[19] ---Turnover rises in derivatives market--- Turnover rose to 3.148

Trades in futures on the FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chips and heavily traded stocks were in September, October, November and December contracts. Athens News Agency Bonds hold low levels in scant trade Secondary bond market prices held their low levels in scant trade yesterday, despite the existence of buying opportunities.

Electronic trade was 6.0 billion drachmas from 2.0 billion drachmas in the previous session.

The benchmark 10-year bond was still trading below par at around 98, showing a yield of 6.71 percent from 6.68 percent a day earlier.

The 10-year paper's yield spread over German bunds was 165 basis points from around 160 basis points to 163 basis points a day earlier.

In the foreign exchange market, the drachma came under minor speculative pressure, but managed to remain eight percent above its central parity in the European Union's exchange rate mechanism.

At the central bank's daily fix, the euro nosed down against the drachma. It was set at 326.700 drachmas from 326.990 drachmas in the previous session and 326.950 drachmas on Wednesday.

The dollar gained against the drachma.

At the fix it was set at 310.400 drachmas from 308.600 drachmas a day earlier and 308.730 drachmas on Wednesday. Athens News Agency Bourse suspends trade in quake-hit firms The chairman of the Athens Stock Exchange, Spyros Kouniakis, yesterday suspended share trading in Fourlis AEBE and Papoutsanis AEBE for the next five sessions.

Both firms suffered damage in a major earthquake that struck Athens and Attica last week. The decision was taken in order to protect investors and ensure the normal operation of the market.

In the coming week, investors would have time to learn of the financial impact of the earthquake on the two companies, the bourse said. Athens News Agency S.E. European countries to set up electricity market Southeast European countries yesterday signed an agreement to create a competitive regional electricity market in a scheme backed by the European Union.

The agreement was signed by ministers with varying portfolios from Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia, Greece, Romania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

The new market will facilitate the transport of electricity through national networks and make energy systems in the region more efficient and competitive.

The agreement also aims to help boost industry and the economy in the region, creating new jobs and business opportunities.

Other countries in southeastern Europe will have the chance to sign the agreement when they are ready.

Signing for Greece was Development Minister Evangelos Venizelos, and for the European Union, outgoing Energy Commissioner Christos Papoutsis.

In another agreement, Greece signed a memorandum of understanding with Albania for the Public Power Corporation to provide electricity to Korce in the neighbouring country.

Mr. Venizelos told participants there was a political will to merge national energy networks into an integrated regional market under signed agreements. He said one such agreement was one being prepared by Greece and Turkey.

Reconstruction in the Balkans and the completion of deregulation in the EU's energy market were a challenge for the project, the minister said.

Energy was at the core of planning for the reconstruction of the region, he added.

Mr. Papoutsis said that signing the agreement was the fruit of five years of work and the first step in consolidating and developing peace in southeast Europe. Athens News Agency Gov't and companies offer more aid after quake More donations and offers of help were announced yesterday from the government and from companies.

They were as follows:

- Intracom chairman Socrates Kokkalis yesterday announced the donation of 100 million drachmas to upgrade the national emergency rescue squad's equipment following a major temblor that hit Athens this week. In a statement, Mr. Kokkalis also expressed h is admiration for the squad's operations.

- The Sanyo Hellas Group offered 50 million drachmas in financial aid to victims of the earthquake. Athens News Agency Olympic Airways posts Dr 1.66 bln profit in 1998 National Carrier Olympic Airways yesterday reported that its earnings for 1998 totalled 1.66 billion drachmas after the inclusion of special profits of 12 billion drachmas.

Operating results for last year showed losses of 10.36 billion drachmas, an improvement on 1997 losses of 28 billion drachmas, the company said. Athens News Agency Mutual fund inflows jump in August Capital inflows into domestic equity and composite mutual funds continued rising at a fast pace in August, reflecting outflows from fixed-income and money market mutual funds, Ionian Bank said in a report yesterday. The monthly report said that domestic equity mutual funds assets totalled 3.017 trillion drachmas in August, up 54.79 percent in the month and 533.76 percent from the start of the year.

The category accounts for 26.62 percent of total mutual fund assets, which were worth 11.3 trillion drachmas on August 31.

Equity mutual funds only held 5.2 percent of the market at the end of 1998. Domestic fixed-income mutual fund assets totalled 1.646 trillion drachmas, down 6.11 percent.

The sector's share of the market dropped from 17.24 to 14.52 percent.

Money market mutual funds also suffered from continued capital outflows. Assets totalled 5.472 trillion drachmas, or 48.28 percent of the total market, down from more than 65 percent at the end of 1998. Athens News Agency Gov't gives more cash to quake victims The government said yesterday it had earmarked more funds from the public investments programme for the victims of a major earthquake that hit Athens last week.

The government decided to raise total assistance from this year's public investments programme, managed by the national economy ministry, to 2.235 trillion drachmas from an initial 2.195 trillion drachmas. A total of 15.5 billion drachmas from the prog ramme's reserves has already been allocated to earthquake relief.

The national economy ministry said it was fully cooperating with other ministries to ensure speedier procedures. Athens News Agency Hellenic Petroleum in talks with FYROM Hellenic Petroleum and the government of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) are in talks over the Greek company's planned investments in the neighbouring country.

The company's chairman and chief executive officer, Eleftherios Tzellas, met FYROM's president, Ljubco Georgievski, in Skopje yesterday at the request of Mr. Tzellas, Hellenic Petroleum said in a statement. Investments by the company, which is listed o n the Athens bourse, have been stalled by some opposition in FYROM to the privatisation of major state companies.

"During the meeting a review of the current situation took place, as far as current and eventually future activities of Hellenic Petroleum are concerned in the wider area," the statement said.

"The Group is willing to invest further and contribute to FYROM's development by seizing any opportunity that might arise from the implementation of the stability pact in southeastern Europe," the statement added. Athens News Agency Commercial Bank's Bulgarian unit changes name International Commercial Bank is the new name for the former Bulgarian Investment Bank, a subsidiary of Commercial Bank of Greece.

Reuters news agency yesterday quoted an official of the Bulgaria-based bank as saying that the change of name was to help promote the company as a key player in the Balkans and Black Sea region. Athens News Agency Athens hosts world dairy conference Greece will host the annual conference of scientific committees and working groups of the International Dairy Federation (IDF) in Athens on September 14-18.

The first IDF conference to be hosted by Greece is organised by the Greek National Dairy Committee with IDF, under the auspices of the agriculture ministry.

The conference's agenda includes three four-hour symposiums on international market conditions and the future of the forthcoming World Trade Organisation's new round of talks, packaging, and the quality and safety of fresh milk.

Delta Dairy SA, EVGA SA, FAGE SA and Tetrapak Hellas are sponsoring the conference. Athens News Agency Athens Foreign Exchange Bank of Greece closing rates of September 10, 1999

Banknotes           Buying  Selling
US Dollar            307.917 315.056
Can.Dollar           207.626 212.439
Australian Dlr       200.429 205.076
Pound Sterling       501.853 513.488
Irish Punt           411.504 421.045
Pound Cyprus         560.480 573.475
Pound Malta          718.958 748.915
Turkish pound (100)    0.064 0.067
French franc          49.407 50.552
Swiss franc          202.204 206.893
Belgian franc          8.034 8.220
German Mark          165.703 169.545
Finnish Mark          54.507 55.771
Dutch Guilder        147.064 150.474
Danish Kr.            43.585 44.595
Swedish Kr.           37.615 38.487
Norwegian Kr.         39.452 40.367
Austrian Sh.          23.552 24.098
Italian lira (100)    16.738 17.126
Yen (100)            281.629 288.158
Spanish Peseta         1.948 1.993
Port. Escudo           1.617 1.654

Foreign Exchange                 Buying  Selling
New York        307.917 315.056
Montreal        207.626 212.439
Sydney          200.429 205.076
London          501.853 513.488
Dublin          411.504 421.045
Cyprus          560.480 573.475
Paris            49.407 50.552
Zurich          202.204 206.893
Brussels          8.034 8.220
Frankfurt       165.703 169.545
Helsinki         54.507 55.771
Amsterdam       147.064 150.474
Copenhagen       43.585 44.595
Stockholm        37.615 38.487
Oslo             39.452 40.367
Vienna           23.552 24.098
Milan            16.738 17.126
Tokyo           281.629 288.158
Madrid            1.948 1.993
Lisbon            1.617 1.654E

The informal ECOFIN Council starting in Turku, Finland, yesterday and lasting until tomorrow will focus, among others, on tax harmonisation in the European Union, current economic developments and the international economic conjuncture. Greece is represen ted by National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou.

Issues concerning the coordination of the EU's economic policy, as well as the economic and financial situation in Kosovo will also be discussed.

Lastly, the national economy and finance ministers will be discussing certain practical issues concerning the introduction of euro coins and banknotes, as well as the problem posed by electronic computers due to the new millennium. Athens News Agency Farm products to be given free of charge to quake sufferers

Farm products will be given free of charge to the homeless living in parks and squares in the Attica basin as part of measures aimed at facilitating food supply for earthquake sufferers taken by the Development Ministry yesterday, following consultations between Deputy Development Minister Yiannis Haralambous with various agency representatives.

The decision was taken in cooperation with the President of the Street Market Fund Mr. Bitounis, the President of the Producers Federation Mr. Moschos and the President of the Professionals Federation Mr. Golemas.

The distribution of farm products will take place at homeless camps with the assistance of municipalities. The two federations will also take to the camps chemical toilets used by street market sellers. Athens News Agency Lambrakis announces acquisition

Lambrakis Publications Group (DOL) yesterday announced the acquisition of 49 per cent of the "Greek Letters" (Ellinika Grammata) publishing house.

The new acquisition by DOL owns 1,500 titles and is expected to publish 260 additional ones this year, while the expected turnover is 2.5 billion drachmas. Athens News Agency Retail trade lacking in preparing for advent of common currency

The Association for the Monetary Union of Europe (AMUE) announced that retail trade was lacking in preparing for the advent of the common currency.

AMUE proposed the intensification of the information campaign on the new currency and the printing and cutting of a large number of bills and coins, especially for regions not adequately serviced by banks. AMUE is composed of 400 members-companies and b anks from around the 15 European Union member states, while in Greece it is represented by EFG Eurobank.

Athens News Agency

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