Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-09-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis holds talks with Arafat, Albanian and FYROM presidents and Jordanian King

[02] US president to meet Turkish counterpart, Greek premier

[03] FM's Balkan tour 'confirms Greece's policy of active role in the region'

[04] Tsohatzopoulos outlines aims and goals of Defense Revision Strategy

[05] US State Department notes improvements in Greek government's tolerance on religious freedom

[06] European Parliament sets conditions to Turkey for disbursement of economic aid

[07] President appeals for Olympic Truce on eve of Sydney Games

[08] OA chief offers resignation; union protests that staffers are being 'victimized'

[09] Skandalidis addresses changes in vital sectors in Greece

[10] Karamanlis says course of restoring damage from 1999 earthquake disappointing

[11] Trade unions call for Oct. 10 general strike

[12] European Commission decides on guidelines for employment in EU following proposal by Diamantopoulou

[13] Greece sound for investments, German banker says

[14] Rally of prices continues for fifth consecutive session on ASE

[15] Greece to grant 2.0 million US dollars economic help to Georgia

[16] Key intervention rates to be cut by 2.5-3.0 basis points by year-end

[17] Draft bill to offer 2.5 pct equity capital divergence after euro conversion

[18] ASE chairman to seek single stock exchange with Cyprus

[19] Fuel prices to rise Thursday

[20] Ship owners oppose terms of Athens bourse listing

[21] Group claims car torching

[22] Firebombs hurled at KKE offices

[23] Culture minister presents Olympic Games history CD-ROM

[24] Olympic Flame to traverse Balkans, culture minister says

[25] President Clerides addresses UN Millennium Summit in New York

[26] Clerides says satisfied with meeting with UN chief

[01] Simitis holds talks with Arafat, Albanian and FYROM presidents and Jordanian King

NEW YORK, 07/09/2000 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

Simitis expressed Greece's interest in the handling of the Middle East problem in talks with Arafat and stressed the importance of the issue for Greece. He showed understanding over efforts made so far by Arafat and on difficulties he is encountering. However, he encouraged him to proceed even further with bolder steps to contribute to the finding of a solution and not to allow the opportunity to be lost.

The Greek government's views Simitis will be outlining in his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak on Thursday are expected to follow the same pattern, Reppas said.

Talks with Albanian President Mejdani focused on the two leaders' interest in maintaining relations between the two countries at a good level. Mejdani stressed Albania's bid to join European institutions and called for even greater backing by Greece to enable Albania to approach Europe. Simitis referred primarily to issues concerning Greek business activities in the neighboring country. He also raised the issue of the Greek minority and pointed to the Albanian government's obligation to handle all issues in a responsible and effective way, the spokesman said.

Simitis and FYROM President Trajkovski underlined the very favorable development of bilateral relations between the two countries, particularly in the economic and commercial sectors. The issue of FYROM's name was also raised and both sides showed interest in finding a solution to the issue. Simitis said the situation cannot be perpetuated and both sides should contribute towards an agreement on the name.

Simitis wished King Abdallah every success in his task since Jordan can play an important role in the region, which is faced with many problems. Both expressed the desire for an improvement in relations between Greece and Jordan, adding that there is ground for closer contact and communication and the joint undertaking of initiatives on issues concerning the wider region, Reppas said.

[02] US president to meet Turkish counterpart, Greek premier

WASHINGTON, 07/09/2000 (ANA T. Ellis)

Prime Minister Costas Simitis at the sidelines of the "Progressive Governance" leaders' conference.

"He (Sezer) is the former president of the Turkish Constitutional Court, a sound supporter of democratic reforms and respect of the law. We will discuss, of course, bilateral issues, European-Turkish relations, Greek-Turkish issues, the issues of the Aegean and Cyprus," Berger said, adding "President Clinton will meet with Prime Minister Simitis, a little later during the conference of the leaders of the progressive governance".

[03] FM's Balkan tour 'confirms Greece's policy of active role in the region'

SKOPJE, 07/09/2000 (ANA-M. Vichou)

Papandreou met with FYROM Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski in Skopje, in the first stop on his tour.

Papandreou told reporters that, as the foreign minister of Greece, "a country that plays an active role in the European Union" and wished to "contribute to the European course of the region", he was conveying a message "for the advancement of the democratic institutions and functions, respect of borders, human rights and the rules of international law, and the peaceful settlement of differences.

Papandreou called Georgievski a "good friend who has worked hard to improve bilateral relations" between Greece and FYROM.

The Greek foreign minister said relations with FYROM were of strategic importance for Greece, adding that he and Georgievski had exchanged views on the situation in the region and on a "stronger and more substantial EU presence in the area".

Papandreou said he and Georgievski had further discussed the future of Yugoslavia.

The Greek foreign minister will be visiting Serbia and Montenegro -- the two states comprising the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia -- and the troubled Yugoslav province of Kosovo in the next leg of his tour.

Papandreou said he would convey to Yugoslavia "the desire that the Serbian people will become a part of Europe and its institutions" and, for that purpose, Serbia "should proceed in a democratic way".

"Greece wants Yugoslavia inside the European Union, and awaits developments that will contribute to normalization of its relations and its democratic course," Papandreou told reporters.

Papandreou said Greece was at the side of all the countries in the region that desired to join the European Union, and believed that stability was important for Greece and for the entire region.

The Greek foreign minister's tour comes ahead of elections in the region.

Municipal elections are due to take place in FYROM on Sunday, while presidential elections are scheduled in Yugoslavia on September 24, and local elections are due in Kosovo on October 28.

According to an ANA dispatch from Belgrade Papandreou arrived in the Serbian capital late Wednesday afternoon, where he is scheduled to meet on Thursday with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, his counterpart Zivadin Jovanovic.

The Greek Foreign Minister met just after his arrival with Serbian Orthodox Patriarch Pavle.

Papandreou aims to send the message that Greece and Europe wish that democratic processes be employed in that country and a basic precondition for just that would be the conducting of honest, free and democratic elections, the result of which would be recognized by all political forces in the country.

He is also expected to stress to the Yugoslavian leadership the need for the lifting of sanctions and will make note of Greece's initiatives toward that end, at the European Union bodies, arguing that those sanctions have resulted in the opposite of the expected results and damaged the Serbian people most of all.

Papandreou will be in Kosovo on Friday before winding up his tour with a visit to Montenegro

Foreign Minister to meet Milosevic while in Belgrade, spokesman says: Acting government spokesman Telemachos Hytiris on Wednesday announced that Foreign Minister George Papandreou is due to meet with the President of Federal Yugoslavia Slobodan Milosevic, Serb President Milan Milutinovic and his Yugoslav counterpart Zivadin Jovanovic while in Belgrade on Thursday.

Hytiris said that Papandreou and Milosevic would not discuss Yugoslavia's internal affairs, and that the meeting could not be interpreted by anyone as intervention in its internal affairs.

Greece's positions on Yugoslavia are known, the spokesman added, including its efforts in favor of lifting the embargo on Serbia and the rapprochement between the Balkan states and united Europe.

He said that the meeting between the Greek foreign minister and Milosevic had been arranged some time ago, and the ministry had simply finalized the date for it.

[04] Tsohatzopoulos outlines aims and goals of Defense Revision Strategy

Athens, 07/09/2000 (ANA)

Greece's defense policy must steadfastly deal with Turkey's insistence on changing the status quo, he added, and this can be achieved by reducing the gap created by Turkey's unrelenting and ever-widening armaments procurements program.

He also noted that Athens supports Turkey's accession to the European Union, but that the neighboring country "has to realize that it is must make its own contribution in this direction by assisting a resolution to the Cyprus problem and abandoning its threats and claims against an EU member-state."

Another goal of the Defense Revision Strategy, the minister explained, was to assist in the implementation of the joint defense doctrine with Cyprus, secure east Mediterranean sea routes, deal with possible instability to the north and honor Greece's commitments to international organizations to participate in the European army and international peace-keeping missions.

According to Tsohatzopoulos, the four trillion drachmas earmarked for the Unified Medium-term Armaments Procurements Program was a part of the Defense Revision Strategy, adding that 2.56 trillion drachmas would be withdrawn by 2005.

He also announced plans for Greece's equal participation in the Common European Defense Policy, improving manpower resources with the armed forces, setting up a professional army in addition to conscript troops and the purchase of new equipment.

Greece's further efforts in the defense sector in the 21st century will focus in improvements of personnel and material, as well as in diplomatic levels, Tsohatzopoulos said.

These efforts will include Greece's participation in the Joint European Defense Policy on an equal footing; changes in the quality of personnel, by improving on leadership, military dogma training, organization and materials; resolution of unforeseen problems in operations; use of the economy as a defense factor and the creation of a professional armed force in parallel with the conscription system, he said.

He added that in order to succeed in realizing those efforts a Joint Long Term Arms Procurement Program was drafted.

The cost of the program, Tsohatzopoulos said, would reach to 4 trillion drachmas of which 2.56 would be spent by the year 2005 and the rest by the end of the decade and would include the purchase of 12 attack helicopters; vehicles of several types; the building of two gunboats, four missile boats and two corvettes; the modernization of submarines, existing missile boats, frigates and the acquisition of fuel ships, armor carriers, among others.

It also will include the modernization of Mirage 2000 aircraft, improvements on the "Arrow" defense system, improvements on communications in the Aegean and the replacement of aircraft.

According to Tsohatzopoulos, the total defense spending up to 2006 will be decreased to 4.4 per cent of Greece's GDP compared to 4.7 per cent now, adding that 28-40 per cent of the funds will be funneled to Greek defense firms, compared to 3-4 per cent in the 1970s.

Finally, the minister announced the entry of the Hellenic Arms Industries in the Athens Stock Exchange and efforts to attract institutional investors from abroad to invest in the company.

[05] US State Department notes improvements in Greek government's tolerance on religious freedom

NEW YORK, 07/09/2000 (ANA- M. Georgiadou)

Regarding Greece the report notes that religious freedom in Greece is guaranteed by the constitution and includes details on constitutional issues, reactions by religious groups and everyday life conditions, in the overwhelmingly Christian Orthodox country.

Specifically, the report states that "the constitution establishes the Eastern Orthodox Church of Christ (Greek Orthodoxy) as the prevailing religion, but also provides for the right of their choice.

"The government generally respects this right, non-Orthodox groups sometimes face administrative obstacles or encounter legal restrictions on religious practice. The Constitution prohibits proselytizing and stipulates that non-Orthodox rites of worship may not disturb public order or offend moral principles," the report added.

"Overall, leaders of minority religions noted a general improvement in government tolerance during the period covered by this report, citing fewer detentions for proselytizing, the conscientious objector law, and an effective, well-run Ombudsman's office, which successfully handled an increasing number of cases related to religious freedom.

"Greeks tend to link religious affiliation very closely to ethnicity. In the minds of many Greeks, an ethnic Greek is also Orthodox Christian. Non-Orthodox citizens have complained of being treated with suspicion or told that they were not truly Greek when they revealed their religious affiliation. The Government's decision in the summer of 2000 to remove a notation of religious affiliation on national identity cards sparked a national debate on the role of the church in Greek society.

"Approximately 94 to 97 per cent of the country's 10.6 million citizens adhere at least nominally to the Greek Orthodox faith. With the exception of the Muslim community ... the government does not keep statistics on the size of religious groups," the report noted, making mention of estimates of followers of other faiths around the country.

It also noted that Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos organized rallies in Athens and Thessaloniki, attended by over 100,000 of his followers. The report further said that the head of the Greek Church is strongly criticizing the government and is planning to collect signatures with the purpose of forcing the government to accept the optional listing of religion in identity cards.

[06] European Parliament sets conditions to Turkey for disbursement of economic aid

STRASBOURG, 07/09/2000 (ANA - Y. Zitouniati)

The Morillon report, ratified by the European Parliament in a second reading and anticipating 135 million euros in aid to Turkey, again contains three amendments, which the Council of Ministers had rejected and which constitute terms Ankara has to fulfill before the disbursement of aid.

The European Parliament's terms concern the promotion of cooperation to defend democracy, a state of law, human rights, respect for minorities and the protection of their cultural identity and initiatives aimed at abolishing capital punishment.

They also refer to cooperation in settling the Kurdish problem and not establishing nuclear energy plants in seismic regions.

He placed particular emphasis in his address on preserving the values and culture constituting Europe's identity and he attached solutions to the Kurdish and Cyprus problems to this framework.

"Turkey should contribute to a solution to the Cyprus issue as soon as possible, to the extent that nobody in Europe realizes why Cyprus should remain divided by a wall, such as that of Berlin, Beirut or Sarajevo which luckily no longer exist," he said.

[07] President appeals for Olympic Truce on eve of Sydney Games

Athens, 07/09/2000 (ANA)

The ancient Greek "Ekecheiria" was established in the 9th century BC when three kings signed a peace treaty that led to the widely recognized immunity of the sanctuary at Olympia, where the Games originated, and was meant to allow athletes and pilgrims to travel to the Games in ancient Olympia and back home safely.

Greece, which is to host the 2004 Olympics in Athens, envisions the modern Truce as an effort and opportunity to resolve international conflicts.

Over 180 nations have already signed the Greek proposal for truce during the Olympic Games, Greece's foreign minister said recently.

The full text of the President's appeal is as follows:

"As President of the Hellenic Republic, birthplace of the Olympic Games, but also as a concerned citizen of the world, I am launching an appeal to all concerned parties to exercise their legitimate powers in support of the observance of the Olympic Truce on the occasion of the XXVII Olympic Games due to take place in Sydney, Australia.

"I appeal for the laying down of all weapons and for the ceasing of all war preparations among countries and peoples currently in armed conflict or on the verge of conflict for, at least, the duration of the Games, and one would hope even following their closing. This, by its nature, an appeal solely based on humanity, transcending the inevitable questions of 'right' and 'wrong', of history or current realities, between parties to any conflict.

"As you know, the Games will take place between September 15 and October 1, 2000. In this regard, I would kike to bring to your attention the fact that, in 1999, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution, with 180 members, including Greece, as co-sponsors -- a record number. The resolution urges member-states to abide by the Olympic Truce, individually and collectively, and to pursue, in conformity with the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter, the peaceful settlement of all international conflicts through diplomatic means.

"My appeal is grounded on a history of concrete results, not romantic notions. Since antiquity, the concepts of the Olympic Games and of the ceasing of all hostilities during their duration have been inextricably linked. Throughout the duration of the Olympic Truce, from the seventh day prior to the opening of the Games to the seventh day following their closing, all conflicts ceased, allowing athletes, artists and spectators to travel to Olympia, participate in the Games, and return to their homelands in safety.

"Furthermore, the Olympic Truce symbolized the unique value of Sport as a conduit for peaceful competition and co-existence among people, even among those who felt that differences between them were so great as to compel them to fight. All those combatants laid down their weapons during the Olympic Games, and sometimes even after the Games' closing.

"In our 'global village', the link between the biggest sport and culture event -- the Olympics -- and a culture of peace will become a strong inspiration for the younger generation of our world. This concept continues to inspire my country today. This is the reason we are hosting the Olympic Truce Center, which is chaired by HE. the President of the International Olympic Committee Mr. Juan Antonia Samaranch, who has consistently promoted this noble idea as President of the IOC.

"Since the truce could be observed and respected by all during those ancient times, my hope is that it can be observed and respected in our time as well, at the dawn of the 21st century, if we can only show the required strength and foresight.

"With this message I appeal to you to become a guiding force in the modern Olympic Truce movement. Through officially announcing the observance of the Olympic Truce in your region this year, you will be sending the world a powerful message of moderation and humanity with far-reaching repercussions. Your brave example of voluntarily choosing to abide by the tradition of the Olympic Truce and Olympic ideals during the Sydney Olympics would spread around the world and give hope to millions of people, including children, in conflict-torn regions. For my part, I assure you that my country and I will do all we can to disseminate your message of hope the world over."

[08] OA chief offers resignation; union protests that staffers are being 'victimized'

Athens, 07/09/2000 (ANA)

The problem arose because of the failure of OA staff to request diplomatic clearance for the plane from Yugoslav authorities, who denied the aircraft entry into Yugoslav airspace. According to Kalofonos, the plane's status was automatically upgraded to "state aircraft" as soon as the prime minister came on board.

The OA chief also ordered that the four OA employees responsible, who have been temporarily suspended from duty, should answer to the Disciplinary Committee.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Civil Aviation Unions (OSPA) on Wednesday expressed its disagreement to the stance taken by OA's management and claimed that the four employees were not at fault and had strictly followed the rules of "Eurocontrol".

New Democracy cadre Ioannis Varvitsiotis, a former defense minister, also exonerated OA's staff, attributing the incident to a political move by Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic and a reaction to the foreign policy being pursued by the government.

Later on Wednesday, Kalofonos will attend a meeting with Transport and Communications Minister Christos Verelis that had been arranged some time ago.

Government spokesman says OA fell short of the mark: Commenting on the latest blunder by Greek national carrier Olympic Airways, acting government spokesman Telemachos Hytiris said on Wednesday that "we have an obligation to be professionally and operationally correct. And from our side this did not happen."

The spokesman said that the airline's managing director had offered to resign over the incident, but that his resignation had not been accepted.

[09] Skandalidis addresses changes in vital sectors in Greece

Athens, 07/09/2000 (ANA)

Skandalidis said that he had already submitted proposals for the two most immediate issues - health and employment - both of which, he added, were on a positive course and create a progressive framework for social dialogue.

He said that changes in both funding and operations of the health care system were needed to achieve the initial goal of the National Healthcare System, which will include a unified funding agency while at the same time it will grant autonomy to hospitals.

On labor issues, Skandalidis said that work-hours, the training of the workforce and active policies to combat unemployment were needed to succeed in combatting unemployment.

Similar meetings promoting social dialogue on the aforementioned issues will take place over time, with the next two in October.

[10] Karamanlis says course of restoring damage from 1999 earthquake disappointing

Athens, 07/09/2000 (ANA)

Karamanlis, accompanied by party deputies, visited the camp site set up for earthquake victims, housing facilities and the Town Hall and stressed that the course of restoring damage caused is disappointing.

He criticized the government "for its known complacent beautification of mediocrity and of seeing everything rosy", adding that the truth is distant from the propagandistic and fictitious reality it is attempting to present.

Karamanlis called on the government to assume its responsibilities and do what it has committed itself to do and has not applied for an entire year.

He further said that camp occupants see no prompt solution to the problem of their final housing, the probe on the causes of buildings collapsing has not been completed and nobody accountable has been brought before justice yet, while building repairs are going ahead at a slow pace.

Experts draw conclusions on seismic activity in Greece and Turkey: Distinguished professors and seismologists set out their conclusions on seismic activity in Greece and Turkey, a year after killer earthquakes struck in Athens and Turkey, at a commemorative event organized on Wednesday night by the International Union on Natural Disasters.

Thessaloniki University professor S. Pavlidis said " we have learnt many things from the earthquakes in Athens and Turkey, as well as by the other Greek earthquakes, which have overturned facts, formulas and laws we had. Conclusions on why we had such great accelerations and disasters constitute a new lesson which the state should assimilate quickly in the future."

Thursday marks the anniversary of the devastating earthquake that struck Athens on September 7 last year, which left more than 140 people dead.

[11] Trade unions call for Oct. 10 general strike

Athens, 07/09/2000 (ANA)

The GSEE Executive Committee also decided to meet with Yiannitsis on Friday as was proposed, stating, however, that "it will discuss measures that exclusively regard ways to confront unemployment, but dialogue on labor relations will not take place."

Meanwhile, Federation of Greek Industries (SEB) issued a press release stating its opposition with the Yiannitsis measures on labor policies.

GSEE is expected to submit to the minister a specialized text of demands dealing with unemployment and according to reports the representatives of the confederation will walk out of the talks if the minister tables labor relations' issues.

[12] European Commission decides on guidelines for employment in EU following proposal by Diamantopoulou

Athens, 07/09/2000 (ANA)

The new guidelines on employment promote active and pre-emptive measures for combatting long-term unemployment and unemployment among young people, contrasting with the passive subsidization policies of the past decade.

Referring to Greece, the Commission's report ascertains that the employment percentage is among the lowest in the EU, amounting to 55 per cent, and that unemployment has increased in past years, due primarily to the entrance of women and immigrants to the labor market.

Long-term unemployment is also on the rise and remains higher than the EU's average, as is also the case with unemployment among women and young people.

[13] Greece sound for investments, German banker says

Athens, 07/09/2000 (ANA)

"The Greek economy is attractive to foreign investors as its dynamics and outlook are many," Breuer told reporters after a meeting with National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou.

He added that his bank had invested half a billion euros in Greece.

Asked if Deutsche Bank was planning more investments, Breuer said: "We will not continue to make fresh outlays but we will maintain our presence, interest and business activities here."

He said the bank has no plans to boost its 10 percent stake in EFG Eurobank Ergasias.

Breuer also welcomed Greece's entry into the 11-member euro zone, which is to take place on January 1, 2001.

Papantoniou said he saw Deutsche Bank's investment in Greece as a precursor to others by foreign investors.

Also taking part in the meeting were EFG Eurobank Ergasias managing director Nikos Nanopoulos and its deputy managing director, Nikos Karamouzis.

Breuer also had meetings with Development Minister Nikos Christodoulakis and central bank governor Lucas Papademos.

[14] Rally of prices continues for fifth consecutive session on ASE

Athens, 07/09/2000 (ANA)

Traders said the market easily absorbed two rounds of liquidation during the session, a sign of strong buying activity.

The general index ended 2.49 percent higher at 3,935.52 points, off the day's highs of 3,946.23 and sharply up from the day's lows of 3,847.55. The index is now 506 points, or 14.76 percent, up from a year's low of 3,429 points recorded late August.

Turnover was an improved 155.41 billion drachmas. The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended at 2,236.96 points, up 2.09 percent, and the FTSE/ASE 40 index jumped 4.17 percent to 537.02 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 7,520.41 +2.02% Leasing: 703.69 +5.94% Insurance: 2,318.47 +1.00% Investment: 1,561.86 +5.38% Construction: 1,880.93 +6.28% Industrials: 2,426.11 +1.95% Miscellaneous: 4,281.02 +4.17% Holding: 4,723.58 +5.07%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 654.75 points, up 4.88 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 334 to 13 with another five issues unchanged.

Alpha Bank, Hellenic Telecoms, Panafon, Commercial Bank, Klonatex and Intracom were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in Drs): National Bank: 13,960 Titan Cement (c): 15,300 Alpha Bank: 13,345 Hellenic Telecoms: 7,900 Commercial Bank: 17,500 Panafon: 3,980 Hellenic Petroleum: 4,080 Eurobank: 9,255 Attica Enterprises: 3,100 Intracom:

13,130 Lambrakis Press: 9,900 Minoan Lines: 3,640

Heracles Cement: 6,190 Hellenic Bottling: 4,460

Equity futures rise, tracking Athens bourse: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished higher on Wednesday, in line with the indices on which they are based.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 2.09 percent up, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 4.17 percent higher.

Turnover was 22.6 billion drachmas.

A total of 3,237 contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20 with turnover at 14.2 billion drachmas.

On the FTSE/ASE 40 index, 3,971 contracts changed hands on turnover of 8.3 billion drachmas.

Bond prices end mixed in flaccid trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Wednesday finished mixed in thin, directionless trade.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 6.02 percent from around 6.01 percent in the last session.

The Greek paper's yield spread over German bunds was 79 basis points from 79-80 basis points a trading day earlier.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 42 billion drachmas.

Of the total, buy orders accounted for around half of trade.

Drachma down vs. euro, dollar: The drachma on Wednesday ended lower 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 337.950 drachmas from 337.640 drachmas in the previous session.

Also at the fix, the dollar was set at 382.980 drachmas from 378.920 drachmas a day earlier.

[15] Greece to grant 2.0 million US dollars economic help to Georgia

Athens, 07/09/2000 (ANA)

National Economy Deputy Minister Yiannis Zaphiropoulos and Georgias ambassador to Greece, Alexandre Tsikvaidze, signed the deal.

The Georgian ambassador thanked the Greek government for the economic support and stressed his country's efforts for the reconstruction of its economy. He also referred to the traditional friendly relations between the two countries.

Greek exports to Georgia were steadily rising in the last few years. Exports included fuel, machinery, steel products, sweets, alcohol and tobacco. Imports were included minerals, forestry products, and fertilizers.

A total of 22 Greek-owned and another 28 mixed businesses were operating in Georgia, mainly in the sectors of trade, communications, constructions, transport and tourism.

[16] Key intervention rates to be cut by 2.5-3.0 basis points by year-end

Athens, 07/09/2000 (ANA)

The Bank of Greece announced Tuesday a reduction in its key intervention rates by 75 basis points, effective Wednesday, in the fifth decline this year.

[17] Draft bill to offer 2.5 pct equity capital divergence after euro conversion

Athens, 07/09/2000 (ANA)

The amendment envisages that listed companies' equity capital should be no less than 60,000 euros instead of 20 million drachmas currently, and that share prices should be less than 0.30 euros or more than 100 euros.

[18] ASE chairman to seek single stock exchange with Cyprus

Athens, 07/09/2000 (ANA)

Alexakis will have talks with the board of Cyprus Stock Exchange following a decision by the island's bourse to launch a derivative products' market.

The two stock exchanges will also discuss plans to expand their partnership in the wider area.

Alexakis will arrive to Cyprus via Burgenstock, Switzerland, to participate in the 21st Annual International Stock Exchange Meeting.

[19] Fuel prices to rise Thursday

Athens, 07/09/2000 (ANA)

Gasoline is to rise by around 2.8 drachmas a liter following an overall 1.5 drachma decline on Tuesday and Wednesday. Diesel will rise by about 2.9 drachmas per liter and heating oil by 1.7 drachmas.

The development ministry this month switched to daily from weekly indicative prices in order to better represent world price movements.

[20] Ship owners oppose terms of Athens bourse listing

Athens, 07/09/2000 (ANA)

"Our union has rejected this bill," said the trade group's president Yiannis Lyras in an urgent memo to parliament's standing financial affairs committee.

The bill is currently being processed in parliament's summer recess session.

Among counter-proposals put forward by ship owners are that the minimum share capital of investment companies that will act as the vehicles for bourse listing should drop to 8.0 billion drachmas from 10 billion drachmas.

In addition, the minimum number of ships among company assets should be five rather than six, and the union opposes registered shares for the investment companies that will be listed on behalf of the shippers.

[21] Group claims car torching

Athens, 07/09/2000 (ANA)

Police said the car of 55-year-old pensioner Eleftherios Zolis was torched at 3:45 a.m. in an indoor parking area, causing damage to the car.

An anonymous caller later phoned private FLASH radio station and ELEFTHEROTYPIA daily and claimed responsibility for the attack on behalf of the "Black Star" organization.

"Black Star" first emerged in August 1999, claiming responsibility for a homemade firebomb at the entrance of the Greece-Israel Friendship Society near the central Athens district of Exarchia.

The group has also claimed the torching of a car belonging to the UN office in Athens in the central Athens district of Kolonaki in mid-June, another car belonging to Athens University's European Center for Civil Law a week later in the Athens district of Ambelokipi, a car belonging to the Italian embassy in Athens in mid-August, and a Polish embassy car in the Athens northern suburb of Aghia Paraskevi in late August.

[22] Firebombs hurled at KKE offices

Athens, 07/09/2000 (ANA)

Police said two Molotov cocktails were thrown at the KKE offices in Ambelokipi at about 2:30 a.m., causing minor material damage but no injuries.

No group had claimed responsibility for the attack.

[23] Culture minister presents Olympic Games history CD-ROM

Athens, 07/09/2000 (ANA)

The new CD-ROM was the result of five-year concerted efforts by the scientists and collaborators of EPKED and was approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and its President Juan Antonio Samaranch.

The retail value of the CD-ROM was set at under 2,000 drachmas, the minister said, adding that he will hand out 1,000 copies during his visit to Sydney, where the 2000 Olympic Games are about to begin.

[24] Olympic Flame to traverse Balkans, culture minister says

Athens, 07/09/2000 (ANA)

On Aug. 27 the culture ministers of Greece, Albania, FYROM, Bulgaria and Cyprus signed a proposal that the Olympic Flame for the Athens 2004 Games to traverse Greece's Balkan neighbors, except Turkey.

Pangalos said the proposal would be given to the International Olympics Committee and to the organizers of the 2004 Games to be hosted by Athens.

According to the memorandum, proposals formulated will be submitted to the relevant agencies regarding the Olympic Flame of 2004, while cultural events will be organized to take place as the flame goes past those regions.

[25] President Clerides addresses UN Millennium Summit in New York

NICOSIA, 07/09/2000 (CNA/ANA)

President Clerides referred to the situation of persons missing since the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, noting that solutions based on political expediencies or considerations cannot give answers to this problem, the very existence of which constitutes an affront to the conscience of humanity.

He expressed hope that this effort "will give a strong impetus to the desire of mankind to construct a more just and secure world that will guarantee the survival, development and prosperity of the peoples of our planet".

Cyprus a 'flagrant example' of non-implementation of UN resolutions: President Clerides expressed the firm belief that the UN should act on the principles of its Charter and called for the respect and implementation of Security Council resolutions.

Clerides cited the case of Cyprus as a "flagrant example" of the non- implementation of General Assembly and Security Council resolutions and underlined this constitutes an affront to the international community and an example of the prevalence of impunity.

The president also referred to the new effort to solve the Cyprus problem and reassured he will participate in the negotiations beginning in New York on September 12 "with goodwill and determination to find a just and viable solution within the parameters established by the UN resolutions, a solution that will meet the interests and restore and safeguard the human rights of all Cypriots without discrimination."

The Cyprus president said "Security Council resolutions must be respected and implemented to safeguard international legality so that the concept of collective security will sink deeply into our collective consciousness and find its practical application in the full respect of the principles of the UN Charter."

"There is no more flagrant example of this failure in implementing the resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and the Security Council than the case of Cyprus where numerous resolutions remain unimplemented for over a quarter of a century", he added.

[26] Clerides says satisfied with meeting with UN chief

NEW YORK, 07/09/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Talking to reporters in New York after the 20-minute meeting at UN headquarters, President Clerides said "we exchanged views on this issue (the Cyprus talks), the issue of Strovilia and the case of missing persons in Cyprus."

President Clerides thanked the UN chief for the statements he made earlier on Cyprus.

Speaking at a press conference for the UN Millennium Summit, Annan said "we will press hard for a discussion on the core issues, we will want to get into the substance", adding that "we have gone beyond the stage where we get together to have talks about talks and I think we now really have to push the substance".

The UN chief added that "that is what we intend to do and I hope the leaders will come prepared to do so".

Asked if there is a way for the Secretary-General to be more determined in the Cyprus peace effort, the Cyprus president said "when he has the will there is a way. For him to make this statement it means he wants to."

Present at the meeting were also Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, Cyprus' permanent representative to the UN Soto Zackheos and the director of the foreign minister's office Minas Hadjimichael.

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