Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-09-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek FM satisfied over EU ministers’ statement on Yugoslav elections

[02] Greek FM briefs EU counterparts on Cyprus proximity talks

[03] Greece's position on Cyprus is 'crystal clear', FM says in radio interview

[04] Reppas rejects Ecevit's call for talks, comments on Athens' stance on Cyprus, rapprochement efforts

[05] Reppas outlines premier's scheduled meetings for week

[06] Simitis, Skandalidis discuss current political developments

[07] Reppas denies plans for cabinet re-shuffle, Souflias entry into PASOK

[08] Reppas announces imminent arrival of new ID cards; responds to Christodoulos

[09] Pangalos optimistic mosque in Paiania municipality will be completed by 2004

[10] KKE calls EU joint statement on Yugoslav elections "blackmail"

[11] Former Spanish PM Gonzalez arrives in Irakleio on private visit

[12] Giannitsis says labor negotiations should be concluded by mid-October

[13] Papoutsis asks two sides in seamen's strike to 'assume their responsibilities'

[14] Papoutsis meets Greek shippers in London

[15] Municipality and community employees suspend 48-hour strike

[16] Greece, Israel to hold conference on telecoms

[17] Building activity up 7.3 percent in June, yr/yr

[18] Car sales continue rising in August

[19] EU Commission gives go ahead to Nova Bank project

[20] High oil prices push Greek stocks lower

[21] Free public transportation on Friday, says minister

[22] University entrance examination results due on Wednesday

[23] UNESCO organizes events for women artists in Thessaloniki

[24] Drama Short Length Film Festival to screen films in Turkey

[25] Interior minister sends message to conference on equality of genders

[26] Simitis congratulates Sambanis for winning silver medal in Olympic weightlifting contest

[27] Floridis urges Greek-Australians to help in organizing Athens Olympics

[28] Clerides says had 'very good' meeting with UN's de Soto

[29] Tourism to Cyprus on the increase

[01] Greek FM satisfied over EU ministers statement on Yugoslav elections

BRUSSELS, 19/09/2000 (ANA-M. Spinthourakis)

Todays statement by the 15 is a very important decision that opens up the prospect of different policy by the EU toward Yugoslavia, the Greek minister said during a press conference following the ministers meeting.

The European Union called on Yugoslav citizens to reject incumbent President Slobodan Milosevic's policies in Sunday's elections, vowing to lift sanctions should the opposition forces in the country emerge victorious from this election.

Papandreou stressed that the 15 ministers called on Yugoslavia to follow a democratic course, without specifying the terms and conditions under which such a course can be achieved.

The expressions used are totally different than those included in previous texts of the EU and I think that this represents an effort toward a different approach of Yugoslavia, sending a message to its people, he said.

He said that the text did not include expressions, which hinted to the vilification of persons or the Serbian people, adding that Greece will send observers to Yugoslavia to overlook the elections. He added that former Greek foreign minister Karolos Papoulias might lead such a mission.

The EU ministers issued a statement calling it a "message to the Serbian people", noting that with the Sept. 24 elections in that country the voters would face "a crucial political choice".

"The elections, whatever the circumstances under which they have been decided and organized, will give the Serbian people the opportunity to repudiate clearly and peacefully the policy of Milosevic," the statement read.

"We reaffirm that a choice leading to democratic change will entail a radical change in the European Union's policy with regard to Serbia: we will lift the sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia..." the ministers said.

They also promised economic reconstruction aid, which they have refused to give while Milosevic remains in power, and help to enable Serbia to end its isolation and join the international community, including the EU where it should be as Serbians are Europeans.

The message said Milosevic's policy consisted of "political manipulation, deprivation of liberty and impoverishment of the population", a policy, which had led Yugoslavia to "war, isolation and deadlock."

"These elections will give the Serbian people a chance for democratic change. It is up to them to seize the opportunity by turning out to vote," it said.

[02] Greek FM briefs EU counterparts on Cyprus proximity talks

BRUSSELS, 19/09/2000 (ANA-M. Demiris)

He said that the process of the fourth round of intercommunal proximity talks has begun with discussions on the territorial problem, adding that according to the proposal tabled by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan the next items on the agenda would be the constitution, security issues and the problem of the refugees.

The Council of Foreign Ministers also discussed the Union's enlargement process, new modes of decision-making and the composition of the Union's commission.

Greek Alternate Foreign Minister Elisabeth Papazoi, also in Brussels, said that candidate member-states believe that the Union delayed the process of examining their progress in harmonizing their legal systems to that of the Union, adding that candidate member-states were pressing for the adoption of a specific time table leading toward the completion of the negotiations.

[03] Greece's position on Cyprus is 'crystal clear', FM says in radio interview

NEW YORK, 19/09/2000 (ANA-M. Georgiadou)

In an interview with the Greek-American radio station "Cosmos FM" in New York, Papandreou shrugged off as "gossip" rumors of differences of opinion between the Greek and Cyprus government and that Cyprus president Glafcos Clerides had been "pressured" into returning to UN-brokered proximity talks with the Turkish Cypriot community regardless of whether clarifications were forthcoming from UN secretary general Kofi Annan over an ambiguous statement of his last week calling for re-cognition of an 'equal status' of the two sides in the comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.

"The settlement of the Cyprus problem is a necessary condition for a substantive improvement in Greek-Turkish relations," the foreign minister said.

Papandreou further spoke on the confidence-building measures (CBMs) and the agreement on procedural matters for discussion of purely military and operational issues at NATO level, as well discussion of bilateral goodwill measures in the sectors of trade, economy, shipping, tourism and the environment by the two foreign ministries' senior officials

Greece and Turkey agreed to seek closer ties through steps to include devising confidence building measures (CBMs) in the Aegean and considering a joint bid to host the 2008 European Soccer Championship during a meeting between Papandreou and his Turkish counterpart, Ismail Cem, at a meeting in New York late on Saturday (Greek time).

On the situation in Yugoslavia, and the upcoming national elections there scheduled for September 24, Papandreou said that Greece, "as a friendly country", conveyed to the neighboring Balkan nation the message of "a course towards democracy with open democratic elections", rather than isolation.

The goal of Greek foreign policy was "stabilization, not conflict", Papandreou said, adding that after the elections the EU and the international community in general should re-examine the embargo on Yugoslavia "because Serbia's isolation does not contribute to stability in the region".

The foreign minister further referred to the important role played by the Greek-American lobby in the US in advancing Greece's national issues, noting that "the Greeks of the Diaspora are two times Greek".

Papandreou said he would return to the US in late October, when he would visit the West Coast to advance Greece's proposal for an Olympic Truce and for meetings with local leaders and members of the Greek community.

[04] Reppas rejects Ecevit's call for talks, comments on Athens' stance on Cyprus, rapprochement efforts

Athens, 19/09/2000 (ANA)

He rejected Ecevit's call for talks on "Aegean issues," saying that such statements had no receiver - "all other issues are already clear," he added.

With regard to the Cyprus problem, the spokesman stressed that Athens and the Cyprus Republic were not "close" but united and that the government believed that a solution to the Cyprus problem should be based on UN resolutions.

The credibility of the UN will be judged by [that organizations] effectiveness, the spokesman pointed out.

Reppas also commented on a meeting between Foreign Minister George Papandreou and his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem on the sidelines of the UN Millennium Summit, saying there had been positive elements and a constructive contribution to relations between the two countries.

He added, however, that Turkey had to move in the right direction because it had so far failed to contribute decisively to improving Greek and Turkish relations.

"This, of course, does not mean that we should not talk with the neighboring country," he concluded.

[05] Reppas outlines premier's scheduled meetings for week

Athens, 19/09/2000 (ANA)

After the ministers' meeting, the spokesman added, Simitis will have talks with National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, Interior Minister Vasso Papandreou and Deputy Finance Minister George Drys to discuss the budget.

On Thursday, Reppas said, the prime minister will chair a meeting of the inner cabinet, which will also include a few additional ministers.

On the premier's agenda for Wednesday, meanwhile, there is an early morning meeting with Foreign Minister George Papandreou to discuss the results of his trip to the US and his contacts on the sidelines of the UN Millennium Summit, while on Friday the premier will meet with Culture Minister Theodoros Pangalos to discuss culture issues and the Olympic Games.

On Monday evening, at 7:30 p.m., Simitis is to meet with PASOK house sponsor Evangelos Venizelos to discuss the re-vision of the Constitution.

The prime minister is also due at the Agriculture Ministry on Wednesday noon, while on Wednesday night he will chair a meeting of PASOK's Executive Bureau.

Earlier on Monday, Simitis met with PASOK Central Committee Secretary Costas Skandalidis.

[06] Simitis, Skandalidis discuss current political developments

Athens, 19/09/2000 (ANA)

Following the meeting, Skandalidis said that he and the premier discussed initiatives that should be undertaken by the premier, the government and the party, which according to assessments regard the issue of vested economic interests, a much discussed topic in Greek current affairs.

[07] Reppas denies plans for cabinet re-shuffle, Souflias entry into PASOK

Athens, 19/09/2000 (ANA)

He also denied any plans on the part of the government to accept former New Democracy member and minister George Souflias into the PASOK party or to make him a minister.

"Mr. Souflias has an autonomous positive political career but we have had no contact of this nature with him," Reppas said.

[08] Reppas announces imminent arrival of new ID cards; responds to Christodoulos

Athens, 19/09/2000 (ANA)

Reppas made no comment on the upcoming visit to Greece by Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos before the end of the year.

[09] Pangalos optimistic mosque in Paiania municipality will be completed by 2004

Athens, 19/09/2000 (ANA)

The ambassadors visited Pangalos to thank him for the decision taken by the Greek Parliament for the establishment of the mosque. Pangalos reiterated that the relevant establishment's charter will take on the form of a decree in the weeks to come and will anticipate the establishment of an Islamic center with the creation of a library and restaurant.

[10] KKE calls EU joint statement on Yugoslav elections "blackmail"

Athens, 19/09/2000 (ANA)

It is a "flagrant provocation, intervention and a gross blackmail toward the Yugoslav people, as well as other peoples... it proves that once again the imperialists do not hesitate to shred to pieces even the most elementary of democratic principles, which they so hypocritically defend," the press release noted.

[11] Former Spanish PM Gonzalez arrives in Irakleio on private visit

Athens, 19/09/2000 (ANA)

Later, Gonzalez, a friend and two security men went for coffee at Agios Titos Square, while his wife and daughter visited antiquities at Knosos. Gonzalez departed from Irakleio airport later in the day.

[12] Giannitsis says labor negotiations should be concluded by mid-October

Athens, 19/09/2000 (ANA)

The three organizations, following discussions held at GSEE's initiative, are calling on the government not to proceed with a unilateral settlement on labor issues, while GSEE said it would react with strike action in such an event.

During Monday's discussions, social partners agreed to jointly claim three measures: pensioning for employees having 10,500 work stamps or 35 years of work, regardless of age limit, funding of pensioning for the long-term unemployed over 50 and the pensioning of small merchants who have gone bankrupt and are unable to pay contributions.

GSEE President Christos Polyzogopoulos warned that if the government goes to Parliament for legislative settlements trade unions will have no other choice than the field of social struggles.

Labor Minister Tassos Giannitsis accepted the proposal for labor issues to be left to negotiations between social partners, but set mid-October as the time limit. He said if there is no result afterwards the government will be obliged to proceed with settlements, adding that the reason is that a considerable increase in the number of unemployed will constitute a great political responsibility.

Giannitsis' tactical move provides the government and GSEE with valuable time since it transfers crucial decisions and options to after the 24-hour strike called by GSEE and the civil servants' union ADEDY on October 10.

[13] Papoutsis asks two sides in seamen's strike to 'assume their responsibilities'

Athens, 19/09/2000 (ANA)

"Greece is a democratic country and the seamen have a right to ask for their rights, but only within the limits of the law," the minister warned.

Papoutsis explained that the seamen's strike, which has entered its fifth consecutive day, began as a civil dispute between the Minoan Flying Dolphins company and seamen demanding arrears in August overtime pay.

"We proclaimed from the very outset that pay due for work carried out by seamen should be given without delay," Papoutsis pointed out, while noting that the victims of such intransigent and inflexible behavior were the public and local island communities.

"The public is being held hostage and the islands are in danger of becoming isolated, with multiple costs," the minister said, "no one has a right to choose as a means of pressure the inconvenience of passengers and the isolation of the islands."

Efforts to resolve deadlock between Maritime Federation and Minoan Flying Dolphins fail: Strikes by seamen employed on ships owned by the Minoan Flying Dolphins (MFD) company and its subsidiary Hellas Ferries, claiming payment of overtime work, will continue for the sixth day on Tuesday after efforts by harbor chief Andreas Syrigos to lift the deadlock between the Panhellenic Maritime Federation (PMF) and MFD to enable the company's ships and ferries to sail ended in deadlock on Monday night.

Meanwhile, the seamens' side will not attend an arbitration committee due to convene on Tuesday to examine the dispute between PMF and ship owners.

MFD announced that labor peace should prevail to enable ships to continue their sailings unimpeded to serve passengers and the transport of goods.

PMF Secretary General Yiannis Halas said PMF will not attend the discussion with a representative since, on its part, the interpretation of an article contained in the collective labor agreement is clear and their is no question of doubt.

[14] Papoutsis meets Greek shippers in London

Athens, 19/09/2000 (ANA)

Á range of domestic and world shipping issues were discussed.

Papoutsis is to visit London in the near future, invited by the committee.

[15] Municipality and community employees suspend 48-hour strike

Athens, 19/09/2000 (ANA)

Kaiserlis requested a 10-day time limit from employees to examine their claims, while POP-OTA President Zafeiris Perros said "if our claims are not accepted, strike action will start on October 2."

[16] Greece, Israel to hold conference on telecoms

Athens, 19/09/2000 (ANA)

The conference will be held at the Holiday Inn Hotel on Thursday from 1830-2130.

The keynote speaker will be the secretary general of the Israeli telecoms ministry, Danny Rosenne.

Also addressing the conference are Israeli Ambassador in Athens Ran Curiel and Rosenne's Greek counterpart in the transport and communications ministry, Konstantinos Rovlias.

In addition, Oded Peres, president of an Israeli start-up company called Cell Vibes, will present the latest technological breakthroughs in live TV broadcasting through cell phones.

Organizer of the conference is the Israeli embassy in Athens. It is taking place in the framework of a recently created joint Greek-Israeli ministerial committee for telecommunications.

[17] Building activity up 7.3 percent in June, yr/yr

Athens, 19/09/2000 (ANA)

Building activity rose 12 percent in the Attica region and by 5.4 percent in the rest of the country.

The NSS said that the building materials price index was unchanged in August from the previous month.

The index, however, was 2.1 percent, higher on a year-on-year basis from the same month last year.

[18] Car sales continue rising in August

Athens, 19/09/2000 (ANA)

From the 33,579 units, 26.616 were vehicles and the remaining 7,143 motorcycles.

[19] EU Commission gives go ahead to Nova Bank project

Athens, 19/09/2000 (ANA)

A Commission announcement said that the creation of the new bank "does not provoke worries over free competition in the Greek market."

BCP is the largest banking and financial services group in Portugal while Interamerican is one of the largest insurance groups in Greece.

The Commission noted that the two partners' main activities were in Portugal and Greece, respectively, and that there was no case of overlapping each others businesses.

[20] High oil prices push Greek stocks lower

Athens, 19/09/2000 (ANA)

The general index ended at 4,146.38 points, down 1.38 percent, but off the day's lows of 4,079.89 points.

Banks' shares resisted pressures while shares in the construction sector ended higher ahead of the announcement of a draft bill by the government on the restructuring of the sector.

Turnover was a low 73.55 billion drachmas. The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 1.38 percent lower at 2,366.35 points and the FTSE/ASE 40 index fell 2.7 percent to 547.73 points.

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended 0.73 percent lower at 661.09 points.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 281 to 61 with another seven issues unchanged.

Alpha Bank, Hellenic Telecoms, National Bank, Aktor and Panafon were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in Drs): National Bank: 15,510 Titan Cement (c): 14,445 Alpha Bank: 14,700 Hellenic Telecoms: 7,945 Commercial Bank: 19,490 Panafon: 3,770 Hellenic Petroleum: 4,150 Eurobank: 9,900 Attica Enterprises: 3,050 Piraeus Bank: 6,640 Intracom: 13,370 Lambrakis Press: 9,750 Minoan Lines: 3,545 Heracles Cement: 6,500 Hellenic Bottling: 4,380

Equity futures end down, tracking Athens bourse: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished lower on Monday, in line with the indices on which they are based.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 1.28 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 2.72 percent lower.

Turnover was 19.38 billion drachmas.

A total of 3,031 contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20 with turnover at 14.3 billion drachmas.

On the FTSE/ASE 40 index, 2,270 contracts changed hands on turnover of 5.0 billion drachmas.

Bond prices mixed in moderate trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Monday finished mixed in moderate trade with players buying into medium-term paper and selling 20-year securities.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 6.114 percent from 6.078 percent in the last session.

The Greek paper's yield spread over German bunds was 76 basis points from 80 basis points in the two previous trading days.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 114 billion drachmas from 82 billion drachmas in the session before.

Of the total, sell orders accounted for 52.0 billion drachmas of trade.

Drachma down vs. euro, dollar: The drachma on Monday ended lower against the euro and the rampant US dollar in the domestic foreign exchange market.

At the central bank's daily fixing, the euro was set at 338.880 drachmas from 338.650 drachmas in the previous session.

Also at the fix, the dollar was set at 396.230 drachmas from 391.890 drachmas a trading day earlier.

[21] Free public transportation on Friday, says minister

Athens, 19/09/2000 (ANA)

The "European day without cars - in a city without cars" is scheduled for Sept. 22 and was a joint initiative of environment ministers from all 15 member-states of the Union.

Sixty municipalities from around the country are participating under the auspices of the ministry of environment.

[22] University entrance examination results due on Wednesday

Athens, 19/09/2000 (ANA)

On his part, Education Ministry Secretary General Athanassios Tsouroplis said that in most faculties there would be a great increase in the minimum level of results required for entry.

Meanwhile, Efthymiou inaugurated the 3rd and 19th elementary school at Korydallos on Monday, praising the role played by teachers in striving to provide children with knowledge and character and inspire them with European ideals.

[23] UNESCO organizes events for women artists in Thessaloniki

Athens, 19/09/2000 (ANA)

The "Women Creators from two Seas: Mediterranean and Black Sea" will open on Friday and will last for a week, and will include a series of theatrical plays, screenings of films directed by women, concerts, ballet, opera, painting and photographic exhibitions among other events.

[24] Drama Short Length Film Festival to screen films in Turkey

Athens, 19/09/2000 (ANA)

The screenings will include only Greek entries to the Drama film festival on the sidelines of Turkey's National Film Festival, on Monday and Tuesday.

[25] Interior minister sends message to conference on equality of genders

Athens, 19/09/2000 (ANA)

The ministry of interior, public administration and decentralization and the General Secretariat on Equality also sponsored the conference.

Interior Minister Vasso Papandreou, who was unable to address the conference, sent a written statement noting that the media promoted models of inequality between men and women.

"The media promote a suspicious feminism which considers totally natural the confrontation between men and women. A confrontation on which the facade of the modern woman is based, in contrast to the traditional woman," Papandreou's statement read.

[26] Simitis congratulates Sambanis for winning silver medal in Olympic weightlifting contest

Athens, 19/09/2000 (ANA)

"Warm congratulations for your success and splendid effort. Our country has distinguished itself in your person from the early days of the Sydney Olympic Games, as was the case in Atlanta four years ago.

"I wish you and your fellow athletes in the Greek mission to continue with the same zeal and persistence and give our country more great distinctions," the message said.

[27] Floridis urges Greek-Australians to help in organizing Athens Olympics

MELBOURNE, 19/09/2000 (ANA S. Hatzimanolis)

Australias Orthodox Archbishop Stylianos, members of the Athens 2004 Olympics Organizing Committee, the media and representatives of Greek-Australian associations, also attended the reception.

In his address, Floridis stressed that Australian Greeks' involvement in organizing the Sydney Olympics was a very positive event.

"Greece," he added, "needs experienced and specialized human resources to organize the Olympic Games of 2004, who can transfer the necessary know-how and make the organization of the Athens Games more complete."

[28] Clerides says had 'very good' meeting with UN's de Soto

NEW YORK, 19/09/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking to reporters after the 70-minute meeting at UN headquarters in New York, President Clerides said "an exchange of views took place" and left for his hotel, where he was due to brief the members of the National Council, the top advisory body to the president on the Cyprus question comprising parliamentary party leaders, on his talks with de Soto.

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash was scheduled to meet de Soto later on Monday night, within the framework of the talks that opened here on September 12.

Meanwhile, in Athens, Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas expressed support to the Cyprus government in its handling of the new UN-led effort for a settlement on the island, that opened last December.

Reppas told his daily press briefing that "the Cyprus problem will be settled only when UN resolutions are implemented."

"This is our position and it will not change," he underlined.

The Turkish Cypriot side has been refusing to negotiate unless the illegal regime in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since 1974 is recognized, despite the fact that no other country but Turkey recognized it, ignoring numerous UN resolutions calling on all states not to recognize or facilitate it in any way.

Denktash has also been demanding that the talks aim at establishing a "confederation of two states", contrary to UN resolutions and two agreements signed between the two sides in the 1970s stipulating for a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

[29] Tourism to Cyprus on the increase

NICOSIA, 19/09/2000 (CNA/ANA)

According to the 1999 annual report "Tourism Migration and Travel Statistics" released on Monday, total arrivals of travelers (including excursionists) reached 3,142,293 recording an increase of 9.4 percent, while departures totalled 3,145,956, representing an increase of 9.6 percent compared to 1998.

Visitors arriving in Cyprus increased by 9.4 percent to 2,577,541 persons in 1999 compared to 2,356,949 in 1998. Tourists increased by 9.5 percent and reached 2,434,285 in 1999 of whom 47.2 percent were males and 52.8 percent were females. Europe has as usual been the traditional tourist market for Cyprus.

In 1999 European countries provided the island with 92.5 percent of the total tourist arrivals and the European Union countries 78.1 percent.

The United Kingdom remained the major source of tourism to the island with a share of 47.5 percent in the tourist traffic, while Germany came second with 9.8 percent followed by Sweden with 5.2 percent,

Russia with 4.7 percent, Switzerland with 3.6 percent, Greece with 3.4 percent, Israel with 2.5 percent, Norway with 2.2 percent, the Netherlands with 2.2 percent and Finland with 1.9 percent.

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