Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-02-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] Former US ambassador to NATO cites upgraded Greek role within alliance, comments on Kosovo

[02] Greece signs contract for three new submarines

[03] Parliament committee approves NATO sub-headquarters accord, Partnership for Peace protocol

[04] UN special adviser to visit Cyprus end of February

[05] Clinton says 'there will be further opportunities for progress' on Cyprus problem

[06] UN not expected to prepare overall settlement plan for third round of Cyprus proximity talks

[07] Karamanlis says country's defense 'in good hands'

[08] NATO to hold "Dogfish 2000" submarine exercise in central Mediterranean and Ionian Sea

[09] PASOK says Theodorakis not a candidate

[10] Tsovolas to visit Belgrade

[11] New Belgian ambassador visits Minister of Macedonia and Thrace

[12] Oil price jump won't hurt euro-zone entry, Venizelos says

[13] Greek airlines, Iberia plan Madrid-Thessaloniki route

[14] Greek stocks remain under pressure

[15] Labor minister presents OAED restructuring plans

[16] Tourism to Greece expected to increase this year by 8-10 pct

[17] Greece waiting for proposals on its Balkan reconstruction plan

[18] Economist conference focuses on Balkans

[19] Greece formally launches e-commerce era

[20] Council of State suspends requisitioning of private land for Preveza-Aktio link

[21] American School in Athens offers diversity scholarships to Greeks

[22] Police say digging due to Pasha treasure hunters

[01] Former US ambassador to NATO cites upgraded Greek role within alliance, comments on Kosovo

Athens, 16/02/2000 (ANA)

Ambassador Robert E. Hunter justified his statement, made during a speech at the Greek foreign ministrys auditorium, by adding that the US Air Force is not in Germany any longer, its in Italy.

The (US) Sixth Fleet is more important than it was beforeand with the locus of concern shifting so much towards the Near East, the Middle East and possibly to the Trans-Caucasus and even to the Caspianhaving a rear area of Greece, Turkey and Cyprus, which is a positive contribution rather than an irritant, has become more important.

Again, I salute you (Greece) for what you are doing; youll have the firm support of my country, even though I am no longer in the (US) government, he said in a direct reference to recent highly publicized efforts at rapprochement between Athens and Ankara.

Hunter spoke at an event organized by the Athens-based Hellenic Foundation for Defense and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP)

Commenting on the crises in the former Yugoslavia during much of the 1990s, Hunter Washingtons point-man in securing North Atlantic Council approval for nine air strike decisions in Bosnia as well as the alliances approval for both the Implementation Force (IFOR) and the Stabilization Force (SFOR) noted that the 19-member alliance sought to consolidate its political and moral determination by stopping what he termed the worst killing in Europe since the end of World War II.

Lets be clear about why the alliance became engaged in Bosnia and then in Kosovoit became essential not as a strategic goal but as a practical and a political goal to stop the killing in Bosnia and later to stop the killing in Kosovo

He also referred to a need to develop an international legal framework for justifying such actions; international law must catch up with international morality.

Examining the relationship between NATO and the EUs nascent military wing -- the West European Union (WEU) -- he said Washington more than welcomes Europeans efforts at bolstering their own security, with the US-led alliance ready to assist in any way it can, but as long as it does not tread on the 3Ds, as he called them: duplication of missions and tasks; discrimination and any decoupling of the Euro-Atlantic connection.

In terms of discrimination, he directly referred to Norway and Turkey NATO members but not EU member-states.

Nineteen countries have decided that it is better to do military security together rather than apart, even though there is no unifying threat, as there was with the Soviet Union. NATO also hopes, in line with the European Union, that it provides a home for GermanyTo also build upon something which again is uniquefor the countries of the European Union have done nothing less than abolish war as an instrument of their relations with one another.

Youll notice I didnt say NATO, because still here, in Greece and Turkey, we are not entirely clear that this proposition will hold true, but it has been remarkable what has been achieved in the last several months. And the opportunities now to do things in Greek-Turkish relations I think are without precedence, he said.

Hunter on several occasions also stressed that a pre-eminent NATO, EU and US goal is to promote a stable eastern Europe and Russia.

Perhaps the most consequential (goal) of all is to try help shape the future of the former Soviet Union, and particularly the Russian Federation the one country which if it goes decisively sour could tear apart everything else we are trying to build in the 21st century.

The veteran US foreign policy official compared the situation with Russia today with the way the victorious allies treated a defeated Germany in 1919 and then again in 1946 onwards.

The key is: can we treat Russia like Germany No. 2? he asked in his less than one-hour address.

Finally, he said the alliances targets include enlargement as well as keeping the door open to the countries that want to join and can fulfill the responsibilities of NATO membershipIt is not a club, it is a military-political alliance. Other NATO priorities, as he noted, include the Partnership for Peace (PfP) initiative, probably the most important thing NATO has done in a generation, along with upgraded cooperation between the alliance and those governments in the European Union who have collectively decided they want to do more for themselves in security, and if need be, by themselves.

Hunter is currently a senior adviser at the Rand Corp. in Washington D.C. as well as vice-chairman of the Atlantic Treaty Association. He also serves on the US secretary of defenses policy board and the senior international consultant for the US defense contractor Lockheed Martin Overseas Corp., among others.

Prior to his appointment to NATO, Ambassador Hunter was vice-president for international politics and director of European studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

Affiliated with the Democratic Party throughout his career, Hunter had earlier served on the National Security Council staff during the Carter administration, while he has acted as a foreign policy consultant to the Clinton presidential campaign, Walter Mondale, Hubert Humphrey and Edward Kennedy, beginning his public service career in the Johnson administration.

All in all, he has been active in nine US presidential election campaigns in addition to serving as a leading speechwriter for US leaders and others for some 30 years.

ELIAMEP was established in 1988 as an independent, policy-oriented non-profit research institute. It serves as a forum for the study and understanding of issues relating to foreign and security policy, European affairs and international relations. The institute also organizes several international conferences and workshops every year addressing issues of direct concern to ELIAMEPs audience.

[02] Greece signs contract for three new submarines

Athens, 16/02/2000 (ANA)

The total cost of the contract for the submarines comes to 430 billion drachmas, with offset benefits for Greek industries amounting to some 76 billion drachmas, or 19 percent of the contract.

These offset benefits will include pre-building procedures, development of the infrastructure of the shipyards and the construction of two ferryboats.

Among the Greek companies expected to be involved in offset benefit projects are Metka, Siemens Hellas, Intracom, Germanos, PYRKAL, EMEK and Hourdakis.

Under the terms of the contract, the Greek Navy will receive gratis two Type S-148 missile gunboats worth a total of 6.6 billion drachmas.

The main feature of the submarines to be built is their ability to stay submerged for 13 consecutive days.

Work begins on the first submarine at the Kiel shipyard in 12 months time, with a delivery date of 60 months, Skaramangas Shipyards managing director Sotiris Emmanuel said.

The second sub is to be delivered in 85 months' time. The contract has a life of nine years.

Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said that the signing of the contract brought the Greek Navy to a significant turning point and confirmed the supremacy of the Greek fleet in the Aegean.

He noted that of the 2.7 trillion drachmas allocated over the past three years to the Armed Forces armaments program, 1.1 trillion (or 40.5%) had found its way into Greek hands.

Commenting on a demand by the leader of conservative opposition New Democracy that no armaments contracts be signed in the pre-election period, the minister said that a parliamentary committee had given the go-ahead for the concluding of the contract a month ago.

The main opposition New Democracy party (ND) later accused the government of non-transparent practices in awarding defense contracts by direct assignment.

"The ND defense committee condemns the damaging for the interests of the Greek people practice of the national defense ministry, which insists in using non transparent procedures involving direct assignments of projects, such as the one regarding the construction of three submarines," ND Parliament deputy Spilios Spiliotopoulos said.

"Just last week Minister of Defense Akis Tsohatzopoulos reassured us, following a question I tabled to the Foreign Affairs and Defense Parliament Committee, that there was an open tender and all was well," he added.

"However, developments contradict the minister, who is being called upon to answer the difficult questions arising, regarding non transparent procedures, the very high cost, the very long delivery times, the specific company's reneging on the supply of equipment at no cost to Greece (15 bulk carriers and a port-side loading crane) as well as the reasons for the speeding up of the process," he concluded.

[03] Parliament committee approves NATO sub-headquarters accord, Partnership for Peace protocol

Athens, 16/02/2000 (ANA)

It also endorsed an accord between NATO member states and the Partnership for Peace participant states on the legal status of their forces, as well as an Additional Protocol to the accord.

Ruling PASOK and main opposition New Democracy rapporteurs Nasos Alevras and Vassilis Magginas voted in favor of the agreements, while the smaller political parties' representatives voted against.

Communist Party of Greece rapporteur Mitsos Kostopoulos called for a discussion and vote on the accords by the parliament plenary, with endorsement subject to the three-fifths majority in the 300-member House set out by the Constitution.

Coalition of the Left and Progress rapporteur Maria Damanaki disagreed with the change in NATO's character, which she said allowed the Alliance to intervene in other, non-NATO countries, without UN approval.

Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) rapporteur George Rokkos also disagreed with the accords, charging that NATO had evolved into an "aggressive machine for imposing the new world order".

Representing the government, the national defense undersecretary said that Greece boldly expresses its views to NATO, such as during the crisis in Yugoslavia, adding that it was Greece that championed the lifting of the embargo against Belgrade.

[04] UN special adviser to visit Cyprus end of February

NICOSIA, 16/02/2000 (CNA/ANA)

The government does not see this visit linked to any other visits here by representatives of foreign countries between now and the beginning of the third round of UN-led proximity talks.

"This is the first visit by de Soto here and we believe it is only natural that he will need some days to get acquainted with certain realities on the island, such as the Green Line," government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said ahead of de Soto's visit to Cyprus, the end of February.

The spokesman also said the UN official should see for himself "this eye-sore, the island's division, which exists in the 21st century."

Papapetrou said there appears to be no link between de Soto's visit here with other visits by British, US and possibly other envoys in the next three months.

The Peruvian UN officer will be in Cyprus from February 29 to 7 March and will spend most of his time with the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

Commenting on statements by Turkey's President Suleyman Demirel, Papapetrou said they do not form the basis for a solution and expressed the hope that the Turkish side will review such approaches to open the road towards a solution.

Demirel claimed on Monday peace in Cyprus cannot be secured unless the present situation is taken into account, reiterated that there exist "two states" on the island and blamed the government of the Republic of Cyprus for the absence of a solution.

The UN and the international community recognize only one legitimate state on the island, the Cyprus Republic. Ankara only recognizes the self-styled regime declared in 1983 in the areas occupied by Turkish troops since 1974.

"We reject such comments, they cannot even form the basis for a solution and we would like to hope that the Turkish side will review this approach to pave the way for a settlement," Papapetrou noted.

The Cypriot official wondered why Ankara couldnt accept today a federal solution in Cyprus when its ties with Greece are improving and it did when relations with Athens were strained.

[05] Clinton says 'there will be further opportunities for progress' on Cyprus problem

NICOSIA, 16/02/2000 (CNA/ANA)

In a reply letter to Councillor of London Borough of Barnet, Andreas Tambourides, the US President also says he is encouraged "that after a hiatus of more than two years, Greek and Turkish Cypriots came to New York last December under UN auspices to restart Cyprus talks."

He also thanks Tambourides for his support to his Administration's efforts "to resolve the Cyprus problem," noting, "we have spent considerable time and effort, here in Washington and in trips abroad, to encourage a fair, just and final resolution to the situation."

"I am convinced that there will be further opportunities for progress" the US President underlines in his letter.

In his letter to Clinton, Tambourides had expressed on behalf of all Greek Cypriots living in the London Borough of Barnet and the UK in general gratitude for his involvement towards the settlement of the Cyprus problem.

[06] UN not expected to prepare overall settlement plan for third round of Cyprus proximity talks

NICOSIA, 16/02/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Asked which the context of the third round of proximity talks will be, Kasoulides said he expected the UN would orally put forward thoughts and ideas and see how close these are to the positions held by either side.

The foreign minister also repeated the conviction that if the Turkish side keeps insisting on its intransigent positions there would be no prospect for a settlement but said one should be patient until the so-called elections in the Turkish-occupied areas of the island take place.

Both the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and Ankara officials are insisting on the creation of a confederation of two states in Cyprus, something that runs contrary to all UN Security Council resolutions stipulating for a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with one international character.

Kasoulides said Ankara's position does not comply with its ambition to become a member of the European Union and that Turkey had a moral obligation towards Greece to respond to its good-will gestures.

[07] Karamanlis says country's defense 'in good hands'

Athens, 16/02/2000 (ANA)

He said the program to be implemented by ND when it won the April 9 early general elections was aimed in that direction.

Karamanlis was speaking to reporters after inspecting the conscripts training center in Athens' western suburb of Haidari.

The main opposition leader was briefed by the centers officers on the problems it faces, as most of the buildings in the camp were severely damaged in the devastating September 1999 earthquake in Athens and the camp's officers and conscripts were living in tents.

A prefabricated building to house new conscripts is due to be delivered to the camp in a few days.

Karamanlis also said that all conscript camps should be relocated out of the city center and supplied with modern security systems in order to put an end to the traditional guard duty, and reiterated the party's proposal for reducing the conscription term.

He said ND's proposal on the Armed Forces was a realistic and applicable one, adding that the conscription term should be just long enough for acquiring good training

A good incentive for youth opting to enter conscription at the age of 18 was a 12-month conscription term, as foreseen in the ND plan, Karamanlis added.

[08] NATO to hold "Dogfish 2000" submarine exercise in central Mediterranean and Ionian Sea

Athens, 16/02/2000 (ANA)

France, Germany, Greece, Britain, Spain, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, Portugal and Turkey will participate in the exercise with submarines, surface vessels, coast guard aircraft and helicopters. Greece will participate with one submarine.

The Submarine Commander and the Commander of the Aeronautical Forces of NATO's Southern Flank, headquartered in Naples, Italy, will have command of the exercise.

[09] PASOK says Theodorakis not a candidate

Athens, 16/02/2000 (ANA)

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas told reporters that ruling socialists PASOK had great respect for Theodorakis, but that no issue of his running on the PASOK ticket had arisen.

Reppas was speaking to reporters in the wake of the decision by a leading former New Democracy member to throw in his lot with the ruling socialists.

Former conservative minister Vassilis Kontoyannopoulos will stand as a candidate for PASOK on the Athens B' constituency. He has acted as an independent deputy in Parliament since being expelled from opposition New Democracy for failing to toe the party line.

Reppas, commenting on Kontoyannopoulos' decision, said it was positive that personalities from other fields were opting to cooperate with PASOK.

An established figure on the left due to his resistance against the 1967-1974 military junta, Theodorakis' became Minister without Portfolio with the New Democracy Mitsotakis government in the early '90s but later dissociated himself from the party, citing "disappointment" and declaring himself an independent.

He later resigned to take up his post as musical director of Hellenic Radio and Television.

His failing health forced him to withdraw from live performances last year, after he was taken ill in Germany. He nevertheless continues to be a vocal commentator on public issues and was last year proposed for the Nobel Peace Prize by Greece.

[10] Tsovolas to visit Belgrade

Athens, 16/02/2000 (ANA)

Tsovolas and Bakopoulos have been invited to speak at the 4th Congress of the Serbian Socialist Party.

The DHKKI leader is also expected to meet with a series of leading government and political figures in Yugoslavia.

[11] New Belgian ambassador visits Minister of Macedonia and Thrace

Athens, 16/02/2000 (ANA)

Rijmenans later visited Thessaloniki Prefect Costas Papadopoulos.

[12] Oil price jump won't hurt euro-zone entry, Venizelos says

Athens, 16/02/2000 (ANA)

"The outlook for the country's entry into EMU is not affected at all, since the inflation criterion is fixed on the basis of the average rate of the three best-performing countries in the European Union," Venizelos said, implying that EU countries would also be affected by the price rise.

He was speaking after a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

"This is an unprecedented jump in world oil prices that poses a problem for the global economy, a problem that is political as well as economic, and which cannot be confronted either by Greece or the European Union alone," the minister added.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said earlier in the day that the economy was strong enough to deal with any problems arising from international higher oil prices, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said on Tuesday.

Reppas said that higher crude oil costs also burdened other European Union states, affecting accordingly the inflation rate.

He underlined, however, that rising oil prices would not affect the procedure of the country's participation in EMU

[13] Greek airlines, Iberia plan Madrid-Thessaloniki route

Athens, 16/02/2000 (ANA)

Iberia and its private sector Greek partners expect to sign a contract March to set up the route linking the two cities, which would go into effect immediately, the officials said.

They were speaking at a joint news conference with representatives of the Spanish Tourism Board called to mark Spain's first campaign to sell its tourism product in northern Greece.

The new Thessaloniki-Madrid air link would pass through Athens, at no extra cost. A direct link with the northern Greek city was not yet feasible, the officials said.

The Spanish Tourism Board wants to promote the tourist trade with Greece, which is currently at a low level.

[14] Greek stocks remain under pressure

Athens, 16/02/2000 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.86 percent lower at 5,413.73 points, off the day's lows of 5,380, reflecting sharp losses in the smaller capitalization and construction sectors.

Turnover was a moderate 215.28 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks dropped 0.48 percent to 2,904.41 while the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 1.77 percent lower at 906.61 points.

Other sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 10,153.18 -0.61% Leasing: 1,353.45 -2.95% Insurance: 3,577.07 -1.18% Investment: 2,616.60

-1.98% Construction: 3,351.87 -3.10% Industrials: 3,199.04 -1.19% Miscellaneous: 6,730.59 -1.29% Holding: 6,072.36 -1.43%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 1,509.39, off 3.94 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 273 to 46 with another eight issues unchanged.

Crete Building saw its share soar 112.6 percent on the first trading day in the market. Doudos, Mylonas Alumil, Gekat and Constantinidis were also chief percentage gainers.

Viosol (p), Macedonian Plastics, Macedonian Spinning (p), Pairis and Ermes suffered the heaviest percentage losses.

Germanos, Hellenic Telecoms and ETBAbank were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in Drs): National Bank: 25,160 Alpha Credit: 27,000 Commercial Bank: 23,680 Eurobank: 13,200 Hellenic Telecoms: 9,775 Panafon: 5,150 Hellenic Petroleum: 4,490 Titan Cement: 16,990 Minoan Lines: 8,565 Intracom: 15,200

Equity futures slump in higher turnover: Equity futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished lower on Tuesday in line with the indices on which they are based.

On the Athens bourse, the FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 0.48 percent lower; and the FTSE/ASE Mid 40 for medium capitalization stocks closed 1.77 percent down.

Turnover from equity futures rose to 7.7 billion drachmas from 4.8 billion drachmas a day earlier and 6.6 billion drachmas on Friday.

A total of 950 contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20, showing turnover of 5.4 billion drachmas.

The contracts ended as follows: expiring February at 2,906; expiring March at 2,946; expiring April at 2,964; and expiring June at 2,995.

Futures traded on the FTSE/ASE Mid 40 numbered 632, posting turnover of 2.3 billion drachmas.

Contracts closed as follows: expiring February at 912; expiring March at 923; expiring April at 940; and expiring June at 960.

Sellers outpace buyers in dull trade: Bonds on Tuesday again were lackluster in the domestic secondary market with bears outnumbering bulls.

The benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 6.56 percent from 6.51-6.53 percent in the previous session and 6.55-6.57 percent on Friday.

The paper's yield spread over German bunds was flat at 98 basis points for the second straight session from 98-100 basis points on Friday and 98 basis points in the two sessions before that.

Trade through the central bank's electronic system totalled 50 billion drachmas from 18 billion drachmas a day earlier and 68 billion drachmas on Friday.

In Tuesday's trade, sell orders accounted for 38 billion drachmas of turnover and buy orders the remaining 12 billion drachmas.

Analysts said there was little room for the yield spread over bunds to drop lower than 98 basis points, and that even a central bank rate cut of 75-100 basis points would have little impact on the market.

The only factor that the market had yet to discount was the extent of the rate cut, expected in March, itself a reason for the market's fatigue, the analysts said.

Drachma drops vs. euro, dollar: The drachma on Tuesday fell against the euro and the US dollar in the domestic foreign exchange market.

At the central bank's daily fixing, the euro was set at 333.200 drachmas from 333.070 drachmas a day earlier and 332.930 drachmas on Friday.

Also at the fixing, the dollar was set at 339.800 drachmas from 336.890 drachmas in the previous session and 338.390 drachmas at the end of last week.

[15] Labor minister presents OAED restructuring plans

Athens, 16/02/2000 (ANA)

Labor and Social Insurance Minister Miltiadis Papaioannou, presenting OAED's annual report said that 300 billion drachmas will be granted from the European Social Fund and the remaining 560 billion drachmas from OAED's budget which is based on social contributions.

Papaioannou said he asked OAED to stop a promotion campaign through daily newspapers following criticism from opposition political parties.

He noted, however, that the campaign was scheduled a long time ago and was aiming to inform unemployed people over the organizations actions to combat unemployment.

Papaioannou said he was fully satisfied with OAED's operation and its restructuring plans aimed to become more flexible and efficient.

During 1999, a total of 185,000 people, of which 101,000 unemployed, benefited from OAED's programs with a total cost of 203 billion drachmas.

OAED also completed the huge work of massive registration of immigrants living in Greece. Out of a total 374,000 immigrants seeking a white card, 225,000 submitted formal applications for a green card with 110,000 of them completing legalization procedures.

Papaioannou said actions to support employment was a pan-European issue and that significant decisions were expected to be taken at a EU summit in Lisbon, March 23-24.

He said that Greece's national action plan included significant amendments referring to employment subsidies paid to employers.

[16] Tourism to Greece expected to increase this year by 8-10 pct

Athens, 16/02/2000 (ANA)

"Greece can and should have a tourism industry operating incessantly for 12 months a year and developing, among others, thousands of new jobs. We should utilize our comparative advantages systematically and the big communication opportunity provided by the 2004 Olympic Games," he said.

According to the World Tourism Organization, Greece held 16th place internationally on the list of tourist destinations in 1998, while 90 percent of arrivals were from Europe, which is Greece's primary tourist market. Tourist exchange flowing into the country that year amounted to six billion dollars.

Yiannakopoulos said the country currently has 600,000 beds available, as against 350,000 in 1985, while 30 percent of beds are luxury and first class. He added that people employed in the tourism sector at present account for 8-10 percent of the total number of working people in the country.

Yiannakopoulos further said that EOT's main target is modernizing infrastructures and hotels, decreasing dependence on seasonal demand in the summer and infiltrating foreign markets. In this context, EOT will open branch offices in Cyprus, Egypt, China and Latin America.

[17] Greece waiting for proposals on its Balkan reconstruction plan

Athens, 16/02/2000 (ANA)

In an interview on Albanian television, Mallias recalled that Greece was the first country to propose an integrated plan for the economic reconstruction of the Southeast Europe region.

The Greek diplomat noted that Greece desired its neighboring countries to progress and flourish, which was in the interests of not only Greece but would contribute more generally to stability in the region.

Mallias further noted that Albania would benefit by 55 million dollars from the Greek state under the Greek plan.

Mallias had presented the Greek national economy ministry's plan on Balkan reconstruction during a press conference in late 1999.

Under the plan, Greece would provide 100 billion dr. over the five-year period 2000-2004 for reconstruction of the countries of Southeast Europe.

The troubled Yugoslav province of Kosovo would benefit the most under the plan, with 81 million dollars earmarked for it.

In addition to the 55 million dollars earmarked for Albania and the 81 million dollars for Kosovo, the plan also provided aid for FYROM, Bulgaria, and Romania, as well as the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia if it fulfilled the conditions set out by the international community.

[18] Economist conference focuses on Balkans

Athens, 16/02/2000 (ANA)

On his part, the president of the Federation of Northern Greece Industries, Vassilis Takas, said Greek firms' participation in privatization efforts throughout the Balkans affords them the opportunity to increase in size and dynamism, something he termed necessary in order to compete internationally or on the European level.

According to figures cited at the conference, Greek companies are in first place in terms of investments within the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM); second in Albania; third in Bulgarian and fifth in Romania.

Greek business leader Panayiotis Koutsikos, meanwhile, said that similar to the notion of a "Europe of two speeds" being incomprehensible, so too was the idea of a "two-speed" development and growth for the Balkans and the Black Sea region.

[19] Greece formally launches e-commerce era

Athens, 16/02/2000 (ANA)

Government ministers, deputies, chamber representatives and businessmen attended the meeting.

The government's main policy target was to establish Greece as a modern global commerce center, Prime Minister Costas Simitis said in a message to the meeting. He was unable to address the meeting due to a viral infection.

"...into an international crossroad of production and intelligence exchange, services and products, where the new technologies society saturates every aspect of social activity," the message said.

The Prime Minister's message also referred to the importance of equal participation and access of all citizens to new technology and the information society to avoid creation of a new form of illiteracy.

"The new technology is limiting the disadvantages of smaller scale and the distance from decision centers and markets. It offers smaller states, like Greece, the chance to equally participate in an international commercial ground," Simitis said.

Development Minister, Evangelos Venizelos, who inaugurated the meeting said that Third Community Support Framework's funds to support development of the information society in Greece would total 780 billion drachmas, offering the country a comparative advantage on the sector.

A sum of 80 billion drachmas will be earmarked for actions related with E-commerce.

[20] Council of State suspends requisitioning of private land for Preveza-Aktio link

Athens, 16/02/2000 (ANA)

Landowners in the region and the ecological organization "Pantokratoras" had resorted to the Council of State, claiming that they would incur irreparable damage from the loss of their property and irreparable damage would also be caused to the environment because the old olive grove in Preveza would be destroyed.

On its part, the Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Ministry stressed that the project was an urgent necessity, adding that the olive grove was already waning through age and building activity in the region.

The Council of State ruled that installations and plants exist in the area which would be harmed by the takeover of land and suspended the progress of work until the cases are examined on October 17 this year.

[21] American School in Athens offers diversity scholarships to Greeks

Athens, 16/02/2000 (ANA)

The scholarships are open only to Greek nationals who successfully graduated Greek Gymnasium with a grade-point average of B+ (16,5 on the Greek grading scale) and have a good working knowledge of English, the wife of US ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns said.

Financial need and the personality of the candidates will be major criteria in the application process, Burns said, adding that it is very important for both the school and the students to be exposed to different cultures.

"ACS is a school that offers an American curriculum, with a strong academic program and a variety of extracurricular activities," she said, adding "our goal is to provide educational opportunities to combine an American education with Greek culture in an international environment. I am a firm believer in the value of exposing students to other cultures and ideas".

"ACS encourages such links and further views this program as an opportunity to build bridges between Greece and the US for future generations, many businesses will undoubtedly see the value of such a program in the pursuit of their own goals," Burns said.

She thanked Motorola SA, Aventis Pharma SA and Procter and Gamble SA for their sponsorship, as each of the companies committed to providing the funding for the three-year scholarships, adding that graduation from ACS means both easy access to US and British higher education and cultural enrichment of ACS.

The 800 strong, 14-grade school has a 50-year presence in Greece, and serves 40 different ethnic groups residing in Athens, while among its students it already counts 20 Greek nationals, school Superintendent George Besculides said.

The program will begin in September 2000 and the deadline for applications was set for March 20. For more information on the program contact ACS at 63 93 200 ext. 200.

[22] Police say digging due to Pasha treasure hunters

Athens, 16/02/2000 (ANA)

The mosque, which now houses the Ioannina Municipal Museum, has been the target of gold-diggers in the past. None have ever managed to find the legendary treasure of Ali Pasha.

Ali Pasha (1744-1822) was a mountain brigand who rose to be the Turkish military governor, the pasha of Ioannina. His power grew to be so great that he ruled as a quasi-independent despot did over most of Albanian and Epirus.

His court was immortalized by many French and British visitors, including Byron in Childe Harold.

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