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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-09-21Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Papandreou-Cem meet to discuss common initiative to tackle natural disastersNEW YORK, 21/9/1999 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)Foreign Minister George Papandreou and his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem yesterday discus-sed here preparations for a joint initiative based on the two countries' recent experience with earthquakes.The initiative aims at gaining the adoption by the United Nations of a resolution regarding the speedy tackling of natural disasters by the international community. The two ministers will set out their positions during their addresses to the UN General Assembly. Meanwhile, they appointed representatives who will work together ahead of a common statement on the initiative tomorrow. Both men are scheduled to meet again for a working lunch on Friday. They also discussed various details yesterday pertaining to the ongoing dialogue between officials of the two countries' foreign ministers regarding cooperation on secondary issues. Mr. Papandreou is also scheduled to meet separately with US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on Thursday. Speaking to reporters on other issues, the Greek FM denied several Greek press reports claiming that Washington is pressuring Athens on the issue of terrorism. "With Ms Albright we are certain to discuss (US president) Mr. Clinton's trip (to Greece), some ideas regarding his schedule. Beyond that, certain essential issues on how Mr. Clinton, with his trip, could contribute to Greek-American relations, but also the the promotion of our cooperation in the Balkans and, of course, the Cyprus problem. "We shall certainly discuss Greek-Turkish issues, Kosovo and Cyprus," he added. Mr. Papandreou further described as important the meetings which he will have on the sidelines of the UN assembly with Balkan and Mediterranean counterparts, as well as with other dignitaries from countries which are EU hopefuls. He will also me et with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to discuss the long-standing Cyprus problem, which is on the agenda of the assembly, in view of Mr. Annan's new invitation for dialogue between the two communities on the island republic. Athens, Istanbul mayors agree over bilateral cooperation protocol: Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos and his visiting Istanbul counterpart Ali Mufit Gurduna yesterday agreed to sign a cooperation protocol between the two cities in the sectors of culture, trade and business ties, tourism and technical support. Speaking at a joint press conference at the Athens Town Hall after their meeting, both men underlined what they called the "new paths of friendship" opened to the two peoples in the wake of the devastating earthquakes which struck northwestern Turkey in mid August and the greater Athens area earlier this month. "Ilocal societies are showing the path. The peoples want it. It remains to be seen whether the states can," Mr. Avramopoulos said, referring to "the foundations of a bridge of understanding and acquaintance between the two peoples upon the ruins." Mr. Gurduna stressed what he termed "a new era of cooperation, understanding and solidarity between the two peoples", adding: "the best cure for pain is love which does not know borders of nationality, religion and other things which separate people." "I hope that this beginning we are doing will constitute a start to the new century as a century of peace and solidarity. For this reason I say that, indeed, we should constitute the start to a century of peace and make the friendship which appeared mor e permanent. We should promote the friendship existing between the two peoples even further," Mr. Gurduna said. The Turkish mayor also gave Mr. Avramopoulos an album containing photographs and a videotape from the latter's recent visit to Istanbul, as well as a painting depicting the metropolis on the Bosporus. Mr. Avramopoulos, in turn, presented Mr. Gurduna with a pen engraved with the word "friendship" in both Greek and Turkish. Thessaloniki, Izmir universities cite cooperation over Aegean environmental issues: The universities of Thessaloniki and Izmir have signed a cooperation agreement regarding ecology and the environment in the Aegean, according to a statement. The statement notes that the agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 8th pan-European Ecological Conference "Eureco '99", currently being held in Halkidiki. The agreement is expected to be sent to the prime ministers of both countries so that proposals can be implemented at a government level. The agreement foresees joint research programmes, financed by the European Union, the holding of summer seminars and the creation of a network for information campaigns over protection of the environment. "The aim of the two universities is the study of ecological problems in the Aegean area, both territorial and marine ecosystems," the statement read. Five hundred delegates from 44 countries participated in the conference, which examined the consequences of the bombings of Yugoslavia on the environment as well as the functioning of nuclear power stations in the Balkans. Athens News Agency[02] Interest rates to remain unchanged, cent ral bank saysAthens, 21/9/1999 (ANA)Interest rates will remain stable in the near future, Bank of Greece governor Lucas Papademos said yesterday.Speaking to reporters after a meeting with National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou to review monetary policy ahead of an International Monetary Fund meeting, Mr. Papademos said that interest rates would be adjusted when "a sustainable fall in the inflation rate below 2.0 percent", was ensured. The crucial word was sustainability and that would take more time, he added. "As I have said in the past, it's not easy to determine the exact timing of a cut in interest rates". Mr. Papademos expressed his satisfaction at the stock market's spectacular performance, a development which supported economic growth but underlined the risk of excesses. Athens News Agency[03] Simitis: All displaces person from quake to be housed before winterAthens, 21/9/1999 (ANA)Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday reiterated that all displaced persons from the recent earthquake that struck the greater Athens region will be adequately housed before the onset of winter. "Quake-stricken victims will be housed in pre-fabric ated dwellings and caravans in two months at the latest, in order to face winter. This is a transitional stage, and procedures regarding approval of loans for restoration and repair of quake-stricken houses have already got underway and are being simplifi ed," he said during a visit to several quake-stricken west Athens neighbourhoods, at the head of a ministerial delegation."Rehabilitation time will depend on the smooth cooperation of local government authorities, the state, and the more general solidarity in Greek society," he added. He stressed that the emergency plan was being applied correctly, while the environment ministry had already placed the orders for the new dwellings. Referring to instances of profiteering in rent prices, Mr. Simitis said controls would be intensified and culprits appropriately sanctioned. Meanwhile, Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos called for speedier implementa tion of emergency measures, which was "being held back by bureaucracy and the lack of coordination", as he said. "Ministers should not feel particularly satisfied with the work done to date. Tents have not been distributed to all the needy victims and procedures for appraisal and recording have not been completed," Mr. Constantopoulos said while visiting camps cre ated for the homeless of the Menidi district. Ministerial meeting: The PM later chaired a ministerial meeting which decided to create two new committees concerning earthquake-stricken citizens, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said afterwards. According to the decision, an emergency committee will be created under the supervision of Interior Deputy Minister Giorgos Floridis and a reconstruction committee under the supervision of Town Planning Deputy Minister Christos Verelis. An information centre will also be created which will aim at conveying information on claims to the central authority and the relevant committees and vice versa to enable citizens to be informed on measures taken. Moreover, a working group will be creat ed in each municipality to deal respectively with the issues concerning both committees. Gov't spokesman: Asked to comment on opposition criticism over ads placed by ministries announcing the measures taken for the relief of the earthquake-stricken, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas responded: "The only thing we care about is confronting the problems of the earthquake stricken, and not a showdown with New Democracy and the other parties over earthquake victims' problems". He described as "sad" what he called the "petty political exploitation being attempted by the opposition parties". Athens News Agency[04] Magriotis meets with SAE European region membersAthens, 21/9/1999 (ANA)Macedonia-Thrace Minister Yiannis Magriotis expressed his ministry's support yesterday for the Council of Overseas Hellenes-European Region (SAE) initiatives and efforts during a meeting with members of SAE's and expatriate youth of Europe's administratio ns yesterday.The president of SAE's European youth, Dimitris Pechlivanidis, presented the minister with the Council's activities programme concerning hospitality for 6,000 young expatriate people from Europe at Skotina, Pieria prefecture, the possibility of their ho sting through the exchange programme of the municipalities of Greece and the linking of expatriate young people with youth organisations in Greece. Referring to the hospitality programme in Skotina, which has already got underway, he said that it can be expanded as of the year 2000 and reach 50, 000 expatriate guests. Athens News Agency[05] Gov't: Mantelis to remain at ministry, prosecutor probes Falcon accidentAthens, 21/9/1999 (ANA)The government reiterated yesterday that there was no issue of Transport Minister Tassos Mantelis resigning in the wake of last week's freak air accident over Romania that cost the lives of Alternate FM Yannos Kranidiotis and six others.Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the premier had instructed Mr. Mantelis to carry on with his duties, as well as the additional task of completing the investigation into the causes of the accident. Meanwhile, Athens public prosecutor Isidoros Dogiakos is continuing his investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident. Sources said he had already taken the depositions of the Falcon executive jet's two pilots and next plans to examine a stewardess, who remains hospitalised, as well as ground engineers responsible for the aircraft's maintenance. Mr. Dogiakos has also appointed an independent expert to travel to Bucharest to follow investigations of Greece's Civil Aviation Authority. The prosecutor may also take additional depositions from the two pilots after the findings from the plane's fligh t data recorder are released. The French-made plane's "black box" has been sent to Germany for analysis, results of which are expected later this week. Both pilots have blamed a mulfunction in the aircraft's automatic pilot control, saying it caused a sudden plunge of several thousand feet before they could stabilise the plane at around 3,000 feet. The prosecutor is expected to release his findings in 20-25 days' time. Athens News Agency[06] Rokofyllos appointed as new alternate foreign ministerAthens, 21/9/1999 (ANA)Christos Rokofyllos, a PASOK deputy for Aetoloakarnania prefecture and former minister, has been appointed as the new alternate foreign minister to replace the late Yannos Kranidiotis, the government spokesman announced yesterday.Spokesman Dimitris Reppas said a swearing in ceremony is scheduled for today. Kranidiotis died in a freak air accident early last week as the prime ministerial Falcon executive jet approached Bucharest airport. Mr. Rokofyllos was born in 1931 and is married with a son and a daughter. A fluent French speaker, he studied law at the universities of Athens and Paris. Mr. Rokofyllos was one of the founding members of the resistance group "Democratic Defence", created in opposition to the advent of the colonels in April 1967. One of his associates in the group was Costas Simitis. Throughout the seven-year dictatorship, he acted as defence lawyer for various resistance figures, while he was first arrested in October 1967 and jailed in isolation. Arrested a second time in June 1969, he was again held in isolation for three months and then detained for a further six months. In 1974, upon the fall of the junta, he was elected to the administrative board of Democratic Defence, which then agreed to join forces with the fledgling PASOK party led by Andreas Papandreou. In 1977, Mr. Rokofyllos was elected to Parliament for the first time from Aetoloakarnania. In October 1981 he was appointed governor of the Agricultural Bank of Greece and a year later, in 1982, ambassador to France. He was elected to PASOK's central committee on Sept. 24, 1990, and named PASOK parliamentary spokesman following the 1993 elections. He was first appointed to government in 1994, when he took over as alternate industry minister, a post he held until 1995. He lost his parliamentary seat in the 1996 elections but returned to the legislature to replace another MP stripped of his seat. In 1997, he was appointed head of the Greek parliamentary representation to NATO and, in April 1999, secretary of the party's foreign affairs and defence department. Athens News Agency[07] Informal NATO defence ministers' summit begins in CanadaMONTREAL, 21/9/1999 (ANA - I. Frangouli)An informal two-day summit of NATO defence ministers was due to start in Toronto yesterday with the participation of National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos.The Toronto summit, hosted by Canadian Defence Minister Art Eagleton, will have no official agenda and will focus primarily on issues concerning the upgrading of NATO member-states' weaponry systems, the reorganisation of their economic budgets, as well as of communications, to enable them to reach the level of the defence system of the US. The technological rift between the US and the remaining countries is increasing continuously because Europe and Canada have no intention of making big investments in defence. This was strongly proved during the latest intervention of NATO forces in Koso vo, where the Americans were the protagonists of the entire undertaking. Both the Americans and Canadians will exert pressure during the summit in the direction of upgrading Europe's defence in the framework of NATO. The greatest concern of the transatlantic forces lies in the prospect of a unified defence policy being devel oped in the European Union which could lead to a standoff between Europe and the US in the faraway future. Hopes for the development of the European countries' defence policy within the spirit of NATO by the US currently lie with outgoing NATO Secretary General Javier Solana, who will be the EU's senior representative. Athens News Agency[08] Stephanopoulos inaugurates book festivalAthens, 21/9/1999 (ANA)President Kostis Stephanopoulos inaugurated the 28th Book Festival last night, which got underway at the Pedion tou Areos square last Friday.Mr. Stephanopoulos said the festival "is tending to develop into a wider cultural institution" and added that the idea of dedicating this year's festival to expatriate Hellenism is a very successful one. "During the unpleasant days we are experiencing after the earthquakes and the air accidentIit is a joy that happy events take place such as this book exhibition," he said. On his part, Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos termed the book festival an important cultural event. Among others, the inauguration ceremony was attended by Culture Minister Elizabeth Papazoi, Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos, Democratic Social Movement, DHKKI, leader Dimitris Tsovolas, Liberal Party leader Stephanos Mano s and by many parliamentarians. Athens News Agency[09] Driver, 18 illegals arrestedAthens, 21/9/1999 (ANA)A 30-year-old man was charged yesterday with transporting 18 illegal immigrants in his vehicle.Police identified the man as Panayiotis Kostopoulos, a Thebes resident. According to reports, the suspect told police he was transporting the men on behalf of a farm produce packaging company, which he named, based on the Thebes-Elefsina road. The 18 illegals P 10 Romanians, four Moldovans, three Russians and a citizen of Belarus P were reportedly being taken to Florina to work on the potato harvest. The 18 illegals were also arrested. - A successful heart transplant was performed on a patient at the Onasseio Cardiosurgical Centre on Sunday. The identity of the female patient, aged 43, has been kept anonymous, while physicians said her condition is satisfactory. The donor was listed as a 33- year-old woman who died in a traffic accident. This is the 16th successful heart transplant operation to be carried out at the Athens hospital. - Police are investigating the brutal murder of a man found stabbed to death in downtown Athens early yesterday. A coroner said Menelaos Tzelinis, 30, was found with multiple knife wounds to the back and neck. The victim was found on a pedestrian walkway in the Monastiraki district at 6:30 a.m. by a motorist, who immediately informed the crew of a nearby police patrol car. Authorities later announced the crime may be linked to the victim's past activity as a male prostitute. - The managing director of the 2004 Olympic Games organising committee, Costas Bakouris, and the general directors and directors of the Athens 2004 organisation decided yesterday that 5 per cent of their gross remuneration for the month of October will be g iven for earthquake-stricken citizens of west Athens. Athens News Agency[10] Economic NewsAthens, 21/9/1999 (ANA) Major shareholders to declare transactions: Major shareholders will in future be obliged to declare their transactions on the Athens bourse, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday.The ruling comes under a government amendment for debate in parliament. Mr. Reppas said that both major shareholders and listed companies should have to declare their transactions so that the daily workings of the bourse became more visible. He added that the Athens Stock Exchange operated autonomously with no government intervention, and that the bourse's president was a government appointee. Bourse authorities debate reforms: The board of the Athens Stock Exchange met yesterday to debate changes to rules governing the operation of the bourse. No decisions were taken. Among proposals that could help to improve transparency were the following: Harmonised inflation drops to 1.6 pct: Greece's harmonised annual inflation rate fell to 1.6 percent in August year on year from 1.8 percent in July, the National Statistics Service said yesterday. The harmonised rate has not replaced the national consumer price index but offers figures comparable with those in the European Union. It is also used in the evaluation of the EU convergence criterion and price stability in the euro zone. It differs from the national inflation rate in that it does not include health and education services. Panafon, France Telecom debate stock sale: Panafon and France Telecom yesterday announced that they are discussing the sale of a 20 percent stake the French telecommunications group holds in the Greek mobile phone operator. France Telecom sold a 15 percent stake in November 1998 through a public offer for the listing of Panafon's shares on the Athens and London Stock Exchanges simultaneously. The French group is now considering the sale of part or all of its remaining 20 percent stake in Panafon through a share offering or the issue of convertible bonds. The plan could increase Panafon's shareholder base, improve share liquidity and strengthen its position on the Athens Stock Exchange. France Telecom is the second biggest shareholder in Panafon following the British telecommunications group Vodafone AirTouch Plc, which holds 55 percent of the Greek company. Panafon's subscribers exceed 1.4 million according to management figures. Atlantic supermarkets offer earthquake aid: The Atlantic supermarket chain yesterday offered foodstuffs and other products worth 10 million drachmas to earthquake victims in Menidi and Elefsina. Atlantic is the latest company to offer cash and goods as earthquake aid. Meanwhile, Deputy Commerce Minister Yiannis Haralambopoulos said no problems of inflated rents had been found in checks by the development ministry in areas hit by the September 7 quake. Stocks edge down, interrupting rapid ascent: Equity prices ended lower yesterday halting a five-day record rally on the Athens Stock Exchange. Warnings by bankers of the dangers of rapidly rising stocks whose ascent was unwarranted by financial performance undermined sentiment in smaller capitalisation stocks and led investors into the safety of blue chips. The general index ended 0.37 percent lower at 6,331.80 points, off the day's lows of 6,307. The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks, however, increased 0.97 percent. Turnover was 500 billion drachmas. Sector indices ended as follows: Banks (+2.54 pct), Insurance (-0.12 pct), Construction (-6.86 pct), Miscellaneous (-3.37 pct), Leasing (-5.37 pct), Investment (+0.23 pct), Industrials (-1.14 pct) and Holding (-5.47 pct). The parallel market index for smaller capitalisation stocks plunged 7.15 percent. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 229 to 76 with another three issues unchanged. A total of 19 shares ended at the day's 8.0 percent limit up, while another 97 ended at the day's limit down. Hellenic Petroleum and Macedonian Spinning Mills were the most heavily traded stocks. National Bank of Greece ended at 28,295 drachmas, Commercial Bank at 31,300, Alpha Credit Bank at 28,200, Minoan Lines at 9,600, Intracom at 29,000, Titan Cement at 40,000, Hellenic Petroleum at 6,484, Hellenic Telecoms at 7, 700 and Panafon at 9,490. Bonds flat in moderate trade: Secondary bond market prices remained unchanged yesterday with a minor bout of profit-taking on statements by central bank governor Lucas Papademos that interest rates will not decline in the near future. Electronic trade totalled 31 billion drachmas from 29.5 billion drachmas in the previous session and 16 billion drachmas on Thursday. The benchmark 10-year bond was still trading below par, showing a yield of 6.61 percent from 6.59 percent a day earlier and 6.70-6.74 percent on Thursday. The 10-year paper's yield spread over German bunds was 153 basis points from 156 basis points in the previous session and 168 basis points on Thursday. At the central bank's daily fix, the euro crept up against the drachma. The euro was set at 326.570 drachmas from 326.350 drachmas in the two previous sessions. The dollar edged down against the drachma. At the fix, it was set at 313.290 drachmas from 313.470 drachmas in the last trading session and 313.980 drachmas on Thursday. Danielidis Diagnostic holds successful IPO: K.I. Danielidis Diagnostic and Treatment Centre yesterday announced that its initial public offering for listing on the Athens Stock Exchange's parallel market for smaller capitalisation stocks was oversubscribed by 474 times. The IPO ended on Friday. Autohellas buys stake in leasing firm: Autohellas (Hertz) announced yesterday it will acquire a 33 percent stake in Best Leasing from Piraeus Leasing. Piraeus had originally acquired a majority stake in the company to expand into the long-term car rental market and the management of corporate fleets. Piraeus Leasing will retain the management of Best Leasing, supported by the Bank of Piraeus Group's 150 branches and its financing facilities. Autohellas will ensure both know-how and purchasing power. The new company, to be named Piraeus Best Leasing, will seek a share capital increase in the near future. Best Leasing has a fleet of 1,500 automobiles, making it the fourth largest car rental company in Greece. The company expects its turnover to total 2.5 billion drachmas in 1999. Family allowances to rise in 1999: Family allowances for 1999 that the Manpower Employment Organisation awards to around 550,000 people will rise under an amendment submitted to parliament yesterday by the ministers of national economy and labour. The monthly allowance is to total 2,000 d rachmas for families with one child, rising to 16,400 drachmas for families with four children. An extra sum of 2,750 drachmas will be allocated for each child above four. ATE network reorganisation through deal with OTE: A comprehensive reorganisation of the Agricultural Bank of Greece's (ATE) telecommunications network and the provision by the Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE) of services covering for the bank's roughly 500 branches has been agreed to the tw o large state-run enterprises. The Intracom and ALTEC firms will also participate in ATE's modernisation. The bank's telecommunications network is expected to increase its competitiveness and fulfill operational targets. Banknotes Buying Selling US Dollar 310.784 317.989 Can.Dollar 210.800 215.688 Australian Dlr 199.873 204.507 Pound Sterling 504.253 515.945 Irish Punt 411.341 420.878 Pound Cyprus 561.631 574.652 Pound Malta 725.652 755.887 Turkish pound (100) 0.064 0.067 French franc 49.387 50.532 Swiss franc 201.892 206.573 Belgian franc 8.031 8.217 German Mark 165.637 169.478 Finnish Mark 54.486 55.749 Dutch Guilder 147.005 150.414 Danish Kr. 43.594 44.605 Swedish Kr. 37.732 38.607 Norwegian Kr. 39.603 40.521 Austrian Sh. 23.543 24.089 Italian lira (100) 16.731 17.119 Yen (100) 288.126 294.807 Spanish Peseta 1.947 1.992 Port. Escudo 1.616 1.653Foreign Exchange Buying Selling New York 310.784 317.989 Montreal 210.800 215.688 Sydney 199.873 204.507 London 504.253 515.945 Dublin 411.341 420.878 Nicosia 561.631 574.652 Paris 49.387 50.532 Zurich 201.892 206.573 Brussels 8.031 8.217 Frankfurt 165.637 169.478 Helsinki 54.486 55.749 Amsterdam 147.005 150.414 Copenhagen 43.594 44.605 Stockholm 37.732 38.607 Oslo 39.603 40.521 Vienna 23.543 24.089 Milan 16.731 17.119 Tolyo 288.126 294.807 Madrid 1.947 1.992 Lisbon 1.616 1.653 Athens News AgencyAthens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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