Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-09-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] Judicial process begins as death toll rises at the wake of the Express Samina disaster

[02] European Commission requests clarifications over cause of "Express Samina" shipwreck

[03] Foreign Minister: Europe wants democratic Yugoslavia

[04] Yugoslav opposition calls on Greece to aid recount ballots from last Sunday's elections

[05] Greece stands by Cyprus, Simitis says to Clerides in telephone conversation

[06] French defense minister to head delegation at Defendory 2000 exhibition

[07] Greek defense ministry participating in 14th Infosystem exhibition

[08] Papazoi says future of Balkan countries cannot be separated from course of European unification

[09] Papazoi meets Portuguese Foreign Ministry delegation

[10] Papantoniou regrets Denmark's rejection of euro

[11] Greek Commissioner says decision by Danish citizens on euro respected absolutely

[12] Cabinet to decide on lifting of cabotage on Thursday, gov't spokesman says

[13] Greece, Germany seek closer business relations

[14] Two bids for Greek telecoms satellite deal

[15] Blue chips lead ASE to higher close

[16] Victims of fascism remembered in Drama, Doxato

[17] Over 60,000 people in Greece suffer from Alzheimer disease

[18] Gianna Angelopoulou-Daskalaki interviewed on the prospects of the Athens Olympics in 2004

[19] President Clerides says 'a very serious effort is underway' towards Cyprus settlement

[20] Turkey's refusal to comply with decision on Loizidou case raised at CoE

[21] Clerides receives credentials of Greek Ambassador

[01] Judicial process begins as death toll rises at the wake of the Express Samina disaster

Athens, 30/09/2000 (ANA)

The nine bodies were recovered from the shipwreck site since 11:00 a.m. and were transported by a Coast Guard vessel to the port of Paros, an ANA correspondent at the scene of the tragedy reported.

The "Express Samina", owned by Minoan Flying Dolphin subsidiary Hellas Ferries, sank late Tuesday after it scraped a rocky outcropping some two nautical miles off Paros in stormy seas, developed a sharp list and rapidly took on water.

Late on Friday the ministry announced that according to its latest information, Lois Tsamoro Bravo, 25 from Spain and Skantera Akis from Albania were the foreign nationals on its list of those still missing, following the shipwreck.

On a more positive note, however, Australians Jonas Clayton, Ruth Jackman, Marsel van dor Schoot and Moana Weir were among those rescued, as they themselves informed the Australian Embassy in Athens that they were safe and sound.

By Friday evening the merchant marine ministry said that 456 people have been rescued of the 463 passengers and 61 crewmembers aboard the 103-metre 4,407-ton car/passenger ferry.

Meanwhile, the skipper of the ferry and three members of the crew that are being held in custody on the island of Syros will be appearing before the Syros Public Prosecutor on Sunday.

Criminal charges were brought against ship's captain Vassilios Yiannakis, second-in-command Anastasios Psychogios, seaman Panagiotis Kasdaglis, who was steering the vessel at the time of the shipwreck, and cadet George Patilas for their role in the tragic accident.

In a related development, Athens appeals court prosecutor Lambros Karambelas has ordered an emergency inspection for all passenger ships to ensure that they fulfill all necessary safety requirements. He said that charges would be pressed if any shortcomings were discovered.

On his part, Prime Minister Costas Simitis, in a meeting with supreme court public prosecutor Panagiotis Dimopoulos at midday, asked that justice be swiftly executed with regard to the shipwreck, while both he and Dimopoulos agreed that judicial procedures and investigations should be processed as quickly as possible.

Efforts continue in Paros: Costas Nizamis, the owner of a private salvage company helping in the recovery operations, told ANA on Friday that the sunken vessel was lying on the sandy seabed about one nautical mile from where it's starboard scraped the Dyo Portes rocky islet causing a rift. The ferry was lying on its starboard, at a depth of 38 meters, he said.

Nizamis said there had been no leak of fuel from the ferry's tanks, and there was only some gasoline that had leaked from the tanks of the cars and trucks that were in the Express Samina's garage area.

He said there was a shoal some 100 meters from where the Express Samina went down, adding that if luck and the strong winds had pushed the ferry in a slightly different direction it would have just run aground on the shoal instead of sinking.

There are 15 divers from the Harbor Corps' Underwater Operations Unit and four divers from the Hellenic Divers Center taking part in the operations.

On Friday morning, pupils from the nearby towns' kindergartens, grade schools and high schools threw flowers into the waters of the port in memory of the shipwreck victims.

Merchant marine ministry reports omissions in passenger list: The Merchant Marine Ministry announced on Friday that it had discovered serious discrepancies and omissions in the passenger and crew list supplied by Minoan Flying Dolphins for the shipwrecked 'Express Samina' passenger ferry and would be forwarding all the information at its disposal to the Syros public prosecutor.

The ministry also spoke about other types of transgressions related to the passenger/car ferry, without elaborating.

Merchant Marine Minister Christos Papoutsis has ordered that Syros Public Prosecutor Dimitris Dadinopoulos be informed. Dadinopoulos had earlier ordered the Piraeus Port Authority to carry out a preliminary inquiry and convey the results to the Syros Public Prosecutor's office for assessment and the imposition of the appropriate legal penalties.

At the same time, the Piraeus Port Authority has initiated the imposition of administrative penalties on those responsible, in accordance with regulations.

[02] European Commission requests clarifications over cause of "Express Samina" shipwreck

BRUSSELS, 30/09/2000 (ANA - B. Demiris)

In a letter by Commission Director General on Energy and Transport Francois Lamoureux, addressed to the Greek Permanent Representative Ambassador Aristidis Agathoklis, dated Sept. 28, the Commission also requested clarifications on the observance of safety regulations.

"The European Commission is obliged to certify the strict adherence to the community directives regarding the safety of sea transport," Lamoureux said.

Lamoureux requested of the Greek government to provide, within October, certificates of safety inspections for "Express Samina", a copy of the certificate of the ship's seaworthiness according to relevant Union regulations, the exact number of passengers aboard the ship as well as information relevant to the search and rescue operations, all pursuant to relevant regulations issued from 1994 to 1999.

The director also requested information on the checks made by Greek authorities to verify the correct operation of the central electronic ticketing system and measures Greek authorities took to secure the observance of all other relevant articles of Union regulations.

HATTA blames Minoan Flying Dolphins 'virtual monopoly' of Aegean ferry routes for shipwreck: The Hellenic Association of Tourist and Travel Agents (HATTA) said on Friday that it had long expressed its concern over Minoan Flying Dolphins virtual monopoly of the coastal ferry routes in the Aegean, while it accused the state of "merely standing and watching a monopoly develop without acting."

Minoan Flying Dolphins are the owners of the fatal "Express Samina" passenger/car ferry.

HATTA's announcement concluded by saying that "in a shipwreck there are not only the physical perpetrators but also the moral instigators...We hope that this time the latter will also be found and made to bear the consequences." It also questions the fact that no one in a position of responsibility has thought fit to resign over the terrible accident.

Karamanlis to table question to PM in Parliament on shipwreck: Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Costas Karamanlis will table a question to Prime Minister Costas Simitis in Parliament on Monday regarding the "Express Samina" ferry which sank off the Aegean island of Paros late Tuesday night and cost the lives of at least 74 people - a question in which he will attribute responsibilities to the government.

In his question, Karamanlis notes "the well-founded indications as to the existence of enormous responsibilities by the shipping company which, through favoritism by the government, has almost a monopoly in our coastal shipping." He also raises "enormous questions as to the readiness and the manner with which the state machinery reacted."

Constantopoulos says responsibilities of shipwreck tragedy should not be covered up: Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos said in a written statement on Friday the seeking of penal responsibilities by justice on the tragedy of the ferry "Express Samina" should not become an alibi for covering up the overall problems and deeper causes concerning the present unacceptable condition of coastal shipping.

"The people have had their fill of categorical assurances at the time of tragic events which are forgotten afterwards and impunity, unaccountability and covering up triumph. Words are more than enough afterwards, while the political will to handle the distortions and morbid situations which are dominant in public life is absent beforehand," he said.

French president, prime minister express condolences: French President Jacques Chirac on Thursday sent a message to the Greek government expressing his condolences for the tragedy of the "Express Samina" shipwreck, which "shocked the French authorities and the public opinion", a press release issued by the embassy of France on Friday noted.

French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin spoke on the telephone with Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Wednesday expressing the condolences of the French government for the tragedy, the press release added.

Ferry runs aground off Naxos, passengers all safe: A ferry ran aground in shallows off the eastern Aegean island of Naxos in gale winds late Thursday, just 48 hours after another ferry belonging to the same company scraped a rocky outcrop-ping off nearby Paros island in a gale and sank, killing at least 69 people. All 1,086 passengers and crewmembers of the "Express Artemis" were safe, Naxos port officials said Friday.

The car/passenger ferry "Express Artemis" developed a general blackout at 11:45 Thursday night just inside the Paros harbor, and lighting supplied by the ship's auxiliary generator, which automatically kicked in. The ship was dragged some 300 meters by 9-beaufort gale-force winds and ran aground in the shallows inside the harbor.

Eyewitness accounts said the ship's captain Dimitris Pouris immediately lowered the anchor to steady the ship, which was just 100 meters from a pier, and the merchant marine ministry's Operations Room and the Harbor Corps were immediately alerted.

The Express Artemis, which belongs to the Minoan Flying Dolphins subsidiary Hellas Ferries -- owners of the shipwrecked Express Samina -- was carrying out a route encompassing Santorini, Anafi, Folegandros, Ios, Naxos, Paros and Piraeus with 1,086 passengers and crewmembers on board.

"We saw the ship go dead and all the lights go off...The wind was tossing it about like and those of us on the pier were terrified. We would have had another shipwreck if the ferry hadn't run aground and the captain hadn't lowered the anchor," eyewitness Elias Dendrinos, a former captain and local ticket agent told ANA.

About two hours later the grounded ferry was pulled to shore with the assistance of the ferry Poseidon Express.

The passengers of the grounded vessel were transferred to the "Blue Star Ithaki" and "Marina", which had been ordered by the merchant marine ministry to change course and head for Naxos to take on the "Express Artemis'" passengers.

[03] Foreign Minister: Europe wants democratic Yugoslavia

Europe was waiting to welcome a democratic and European Yugoslavia among its ranks, but this required certain changes to be made in that country, Greece's foreign minister George Papandreou said in an interview on Australian television on Friday.

Papandreou, in Sydney for the final days of the 2000 Olympics, gave two exclusive interviews to the Australian daily "Sydney Morning Herald" and to journalist Mark Bannerman of state television network ABC's "Lateline" program, focusing on the Yugoslav crisis and Greece's role in the region.

Introducing the Greek FM, Bannerman said Papandreou was part of a team of world leaders trying to convince Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic to accept the outcome of the September 24 presidential election in Serbia.

Papandreou, he continued, who was also the first Western official to visit Belgrade (earlier this month) since the war and was in regular contact with Milosevic, was a "dynamic mediator" in working out a formula for Milosevic's withdrawal from the Yugoslav leadership "so that peace may prevail in the region".

Asked by Bannerman whether Greece desired to play an important role as negotiator and mediator for the restoration of peace and good cooperation in Europe and particularly the Balkans, Papandreou said that Greece, as the only EU member-state in the Balkans, was assisting so that the entire region would become a member of the wider European family, "which basically means the adoption of practices and values such as democracy, a pluralistic society, a market economy, peaceful relations with neighboring countries, etc".

"Consequently, we are interested particularly in Yugoslavia, and are in contact with the Serbian people and the country's leadership, the government and the opposition, to convey the message that Europe awaits among its ranks a democratic and European Yugoslavia, but naturally there must be changes in that country," Papandreou said.

Asked what the changes in Serbia must be, Papandreou replied that "the democratic procedures must be absolutely respected and accepted by all sides concerned" while, referring to the recent election results, he said a recounting of the votes, in the presence of international observers, would be objective and clear up the impasse, as it would confirm which side was right in the dispute over the electoral result and ascertain whether run-off elections needed to be held.

To another question, he said "anything that can reinforce transparency and the democratic processes would have our backing,' adding that he had personally given the same message to Milosevic himself recently.

"This is why the role of the international observers is very important, since both the government and the opposition would benefit from a new count of the votes," the foreign minister said.

Asked to comment on instability in the region, Papandreou reiterated Greece's position that "democracy is an element of stability, since the more democratic the countries are, the more the democratic institutions represent the people's will and ensure stability in our region, something which unfortunately was not the case in the last century".

To a question whether Greece's mediation effort aimed at a compromise -- since Papandreou was in contact with both Milosevic and the US -- so that Milosevic could withdraw with dignity, Papandreou said he did not involve himself in such exchanges, and recalled that Greece has recognized the authority of the International Court of Justice at The Hague and respected its decisions.

But, he added, Milosevic's branding as a war criminal (by the Hague war crimes tribunal and the UN) "did not help our efforts to seek a solution, either during the conflict or later during the transition towards a political change".

Asked whether Greece would give refuge to Milosevic in the event the Yugoslav leader departed peacefully, Papandreou said that no such issue had been raised either by Milosevic or third parties.

Asked if it would be difficult for Greece to reach such a decision given that the UN had declared Milosevic a war criminal, Papandreou said that would be a difficult issue not only for Greece but also for any other country. "I don't know if the international community would accept the Yugoslav opposition's proposal that the country itself deal with the affair as a domestic matter," he added.

Greece, he continued, had always maintained that the "isolation and vilification of Yugoslavia would have a negative result and lead the developments to greater polarization, nationalistic tendencies and general bitterness towards the international community, since the Serbs consider there is widespread prejudice against them".

To another question, Papandreou said that "if the democratic processes are followed, we will have an important, historical change for Europe and more particularly for southeast Europe and the region".

"This is why we have become so actively involved and are directly concerned with the developments in our region," the Greek foreign minister said.

The "Sydney Morning Herald" article also focused on the Yugoslav crisis, noting that Milosevic had found himself in a very dire position Thursday night after the opposition democratic party's leader said he would appeal to the Yugoslav people to declare a general strike in order to force Milosevic to step down from power.

Milosevic's efforts to remain in power also suffered a serious blow when its only western ally, Greece, backed the opposition position in questioning the results of the elections, and appealed to Milosevic to accept a recounting of the vote in the presence of independent international observers, the newspaper said.

Papandreou said during an address in Sydney that "Athens is in contact with Milosevic and opposition leader Vojislav Kostunica to back the general demand for a new count of the votes".

He said the election results "indicated the desire for a democratic change" in Yugoslavia.

"It is important that any future developments (that arise) will be democratic and without violence, that they take place in a calm, stable and democratic manner. I believe that this is the message for the government of Yugoslavia and all those in power," he said.

Foreign Ministry spokesman says Greece closely watching post-election developments in Yugoslavia: The Greek government said on Friday it is closely watching post-election developments in neighboring Yugoslavia and remains steadfast on its position for the will of the Serbian people to be respected.

"We are watching closely and with particular attention post-election developments in Yugoslavia," Foreign Ministry spokesman Panayiotis Beglitis said.

"We remain steadfast in our position regarding respect for the will of the Serbian people, as it was expressed in the first round of elections whose results should reflect this will and be accepted by all the country's political forces," he said.

"Our sensitivity on democratic developments in Yugoslavia is known, as well as the initiatives we have undertaken in this direction. We are ready to undertake again similar initiatives in cooperation with all the interested parties in Yugoslavia, with our European partners and the international community," Beglitis added.

According to an AFP dispatch, the French Foreign Ministry denied on Friday that a common initiative by France, Greece and Russia announced in Athens was in the making on finding a solution to the crisis brewing in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Rumors of the existence of the plan are attributed to a "Greek diplomatic source" which reportedly told AFP that "the foreign Ministries of France, Greece and Russia are processing a solution to the crisis" in Federal Yugoslavia.

[04] Yugoslav opposition calls on Greece to aid recount ballots from last Sunday's elections

BELGRADE, 30/09/2000 (ANA)

"I call on all those having positive motives to contribute in easing tensions that could destabilize not only the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, but all the Balkan region. To contribute to the recount of the ballots of the Sept. 24 elections," said a letter by Kostunica read to a crowd of about 15,000 in the center of Belgrade.

"This appeal refers particularly to friendly Greece, the cradle of democracy," the letter concluded.

Meanwhile, an aid of the Serbian Democratic Party, Kostunica's party, declined the proposal of Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou to consider taking part in a second round.

"Greece is a friendly country, however I think that this interference in our internal affairs has nothing to do with the truth," the aid said.

On Thursday Papandreou had a telephone conversation from Sydney with Kostunica. Papandreou will be returning to Athens two days earlier than initially planned due to the uncertain situation prevailing in the neighboring country.

[05] Greece stands by Cyprus, Simitis says to Clerides in telephone conversation

Athens, 30/09/2000 (ANA)

Reppas added that Simitis said to Clerides that Greece stood by Cyprus in its course toward a just and viable solution of the Cyprus problem.

Karamanlis to depart on Saturday for Cyprus: New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis will be leaving for Cyprus on Saturday to take part in celebrations for the Cyprus Republic's 40th independence day anniversary, on October 1st.

While there, Karamanlis will meet with Cypriot president Glafcos Clerides and the leaders of the Cypriot political parties to discuss developments in the Cyprus problem.

He is due to return to Athens on Monday.

[06] French defense minister to head delegation at Defendory 2000 exhibition

Athens, 30/09/2000 (ANA)

The French defense ministry will participate for the first time in an exhibition with a special pavilion dedicated to armaments program management, the press release noted.

About 20 French companies will be participating in the country's national pavilion, exhibiting a complete set of French defense armaments. France ranks among the top three countries in armaments' sales in the world.

[07] Greek defense ministry participating in 14th Infosystem exhibition

Athens, 30/09/2000 (ANA)

The ministry has its own pavilion at the exhibition in an effort to create a "permanent communication channel" with the private and public sector of the Greek economy, in relation to computer systems and telecommunications.

[08] Papazoi says future of Balkan countries cannot be separated from course of European unification

Athens, 30/09/2000 (ANA)

"Greece, participating in the EU's bodies, stresses and defends the particularity of the Balkans, the European prospect of Balkan countries and their significance for the future of Europe," she said.

Papazoi said Greece is not only participating in EU initiatives on the Balkans but, in parallel, is promoting a national program for Balkan reconstruction on bilateral level amounting to 100 billion drachmas over a five-year period.

[09] Papazoi meets Portuguese Foreign Ministry delegation

Athens, 30/09/2000 (ANA)

The meeting also noted the importance of success of Greece's EU presidency in the first half of 2003.

[10] Papantoniou regrets Denmark's rejection of euro

BRUSSELS, 30/09/2000 (ANA/M.Spinthourakis)

At the same time, the outcome of Denmark's referendum would have no major impact on the single currency or on the European economy's performance, Papantoniou said.

In addition, the minister told reporters that he welcomed the US Federal Reserve's joint intervention with European central banks in propping up the flagging euro in recent trading sessions.

The euro zone's other ministers, who held a separate meeting earlier in the day, were satisfied with the effect of the intervention, he added.

Papantoniou also said that problems within the EU stemming from the rise in world oil prices were more political than economic as the hike was not expected to have a major impact on the growth rate of European economies.

The EU had yet to forge a policy on the oil price hikes, and its finance ministers would ask the executive Commission to write a report on the issue, he added.

Led by Greece and Spain, many countries supported a limited release of European oil stocks in order to nudge down prices if it appeared that the move would bring immediate results.

No country opposed the idea, but the move to release strategic stocks should not be taken unilaterally by individual countries, Papantoniou said.

Replying to a reporter's question, the minister estimated that the oil price that could satisfy both consumers and producers was 30 dollars per barrel.

Finally, Papantoniou said that Greece had backed a hard-line version of a compromise decision finally issued by the ministers on money laundering.

He described the new directive to step up measures to curb the phenomenon as a decisive step in the right direction.

[11] Greek Commissioner says decision by Danish citizens on euro respected absolutely

BRUSSELS, 30/09/2000 (ANA - Y. Zitouniati)

The outcome of Thursday's referendum in Denmark was 53.1 per cent against participation in the euro and 46.9 per cent in favor.

Diamantopoulou said it is also self-evident that this decision (despite its limited economic repercussions since Denmark only represents 2 per cent of the European economy) sheds light on public dialogue in all EU countries with new data, both for the euro and economic policy, as well as for its overall political repercussions on the course of European unification.

"However, developments are proceeding. Europe is growing and deepening and soon all of us, and the citizens of Denmark, of course, will find ourselves before new crucial decisions," she said.

[12] Cabinet to decide on lifting of cabotage on Thursday, gov't spokesman says

Athens, 30/09/2000 (ANA)

He added that Prime Minister Costas Simitis has taken a stance in public, stressing that this announcement was not intended to force decisions by the cabinet.

Merchant Marine Minister Christos Papoutsis would table his proposals, on Thursday, for the new legal framework of passenger and cargo shipping to the cabinet, which would then decide on the issue, Reppas said.

He said that the timing of the accident tragically coincided with the completion of work on the proposals for Greek shipping by relevant committees.

Reppas noted that the premier and the government extended their full confidence in Papoutsis, who had undertaken initiatives to set in place a legal framework up to par to the demands of society.

[13] Greece, Germany seek closer business relations

Athens, 30/09/2000 (ANA)

The chairman of the Federation of Greek Industries, Odysseas Kyriakopoulos, addressing the seminar urged the German delegation, led by the employers' union and the Federation of Metal and Electric Products' Manufacturers of Northern Rhine-Westfall, to invest in Greece.

The German ambassador to Greece, H. Kuhna, said that 150 German companies were operating in Greece, attracted by a heal-thy economic environment (reflected in a low inflation, rapid growth rates and low interest rates), the basis for attracting foreign investments.

Greek-German trade transactions have a great significance and were constantly expanding, officials said. Germany is the main buyer of Greek products and the country's most important economic partner in the European Union, followed by Italy and the UK.

Greek exports to Germany totalled 1.664 billion US dollars in 1999, while imports from Germany totalled 4.272 billion dollars.

The bilateral trade balance rose from 1990 to 1993, followed by a decline until 1996, only to resume its upward trend the following year, reflecting increased German exports to Greece.

German exports totalled 4.5 billion German marks in the first six months of 2000, up more than 30 percent compared with the same period last year, while Greek exports to Germany totalled 1.7 billion DMarks, up 6.2 percent, over the same period.

Electronics, cars and engines accounted for 65 percent of German exports (final products). Greek exports comprised of clothing, textiles and food.

German direct investments in Greece totalled 2.16 billion marks in 1998, 0.4 percent of the German direct investments abroad, ranking Greece ahead of Finland in the bottom of EU member-states receiving German investments.

Five Greek banks and two insurance groups currently operate in Germany, with Greek direct investments in Europe's largest economy totalling 164 million DMarks in the first three quarters of 1999.

[14] Two bids for Greek telecoms satellite deal

Athens, 30/09/2000 (ANA)

Bids to operate the satellite station will be evaluated by the transport and communications ministry's evaluation committee.

Friday was the deadline for bids.

[15] Blue chips lead ASE to higher close

Athens, 30/09/2000 (ANA)

The general index ended at 4,178.96 points, up 0.87 percent, for a net gain of 2.15 percent in the week.

Turnover was an improved 104.31 billion drachmas for a daily average of 88.56 billion in the week, down from 124.91 billion the previous week.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 1.06 percent higher at 2,371.64 points, and the FTSE/ASE 40 index rose 0.49 percent to end at 535.54 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 8,520.63 +1.20% Leasing: 673.06 +0.74% Insurance: 2,267.09 -0.12% Investment: 1,652.41 +0.50% Construction: 2,008.22 +1.13% Industrials: 2,473.60 +0.25% Miscellaneous: 4,281.71 +0.78% Holding: 5,043.85 +2.65%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 596.36 points, off 0.62 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 228 to 100 with another 25 issues unchanged.

Hellenic Telecoms, Viohalco, Follie-Follie, Hellenic Stock Markets, Dionik and Alpha Bank were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in Drs): National Bank: 15,830 Titan Cement (c): 14,640 Alpha Bank: 15,155 Hellenic Telecoms: 7,240 Commercial Bank: 19,605 Panafon: 3,680 Hellenic Petroleum: 4,190 Eurobank: 11,140 Attica Enterprises: 3,190 Piraeus Bank: 6,595 Intracom: 13,080 Lambrakis Press: 9,150 Minoan Lines: 2,825 Heracles Cement: 6,455 Hellenic Bottling: 4,985

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

The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 1.06 percent up, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 0.49 percent higher.

Turnover was 15.8 billion drachmas.

A total of 2,339 contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20 with turnover at 11.18 billion drachmas.

On the FTSE/ASE 40 index, 2,153 contracts changed hands on turnover of 4.6 billion drachmas.

Bond prices end mixed in brisk trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Friday finished mixed in moderate to heavy trade.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 6.039 percent, the same as in the last session.

The Greek paper's yield spread over German bunds was 79 basis points from 77 basis points in the previous trading day.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 112 billion drachmas from 20 billion drachmas in the session before.

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

Drachma down vs. euro, dollar: The drachma on Friday 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 339.320 drachmas from 339.300 drachmas in the previous session.

Also at the fix, the dollar was set at 385.560 drachmas from 383.320 drachmas a trading day earlier.

The central bank intervened in the market, selling around 70 million euros to meet heavy demand.

[16] Victims of fascism remembered in Drama, Doxato

Athens, 30/09/2000 (ANA)

Unlike the rest of Greece, eastern Macedonian and Thrace were under Bulgarian occupation following Axis' victory over Greek armed forces, which waged a three-front war, defending against the Nazi's, Italians and Bulgarians.

As Bulgarian fascist forces occupied the prefecture of Drama they executed more than 500 civilians in Doxato and hundreds of others around the prefecture in efforts of ethnic cleansing.

[17] Over 60,000 people in Greece suffer from Alzheimer disease

Athens, 30/09/2000 (ANA)

The disease develops over a period of time ranging between five to 20 years. The patient is taken care of by members of his family over this period, since there are no institutions or day centers in Greece treating Alzheimer patients.

More than 10,000 people also suffer from the Parkinson disease in Greece, 2,000 of whom are in northern Greece.

[18] Gianna Angelopoulou-Daskalaki interviewed on the prospects of the Athens Olympics in 2004

Athens, 30/09/2000 (ANA)

During a live interview on Friday with US television network NBC, which has exclusive North American rights for the Sydney Olympics and has also bought the exclusive rights for the Athens Games in 2004, Angelopoulou-Daskalaki said that Greece will "seek to give the world Games that are good for the athletes and for the audience, for everyone, combining the Olympic heritage with ultra-modern installations."

Asked whether Sydney's success was daunting, she replied that, on the contrary, it was "an inspiration and a support."

The Sydney Games, she continued, had reintroduced the human factor through the friendliness of the public, the very good volunteers and their warm welcome.

"That's what we want to do in Athens," she added, stressing that Greece was the country where the Olympic Games had originated and were also resurrected 104 years ago, so that Greek people feel that the Games are very much their own.

Asked how she felt at having only recently been placed at the head of the Olympics Organizing Committee following serious delays in the preparations, even though she had helped Athens get the Games, the "Athens 2004" head replied that the only thing that mattered now was that "Yianna and the team" were back and working hard to face the challenge of the Athens Olympics.

Regarding the rumors that Athens may lose the Games because of delays in the construction of infrastructure and security concerns, Angelopoulou-Daskalaki stressed that everyone had been working hard for the past three months, including Prime Minister Costas Simitis and the government, to ensure that Athens would be great for the Games. She also pointed out that the International Olympic Committee had also said that Athens was back on track and had achieved a great deal in the past three months.

[19] President Clerides says 'a very serious effort is underway' towards Cyprus settlement

LARNACA, 30/09/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking on his return to Cyprus from New York, where he participated in two weeks of UN-led proximity talks, President Clerides also said "a very serious effort is underway" to help the two communities move towards a settlement and noted it is his political duty to work to this end.

In an extraordinary move, the president read out a six-page statement to the press fending off criticism on his handling of the talks and outlining where he stands.

President Clerides referred to a statement made by Secretary General Kofi Annan on the first day of the talks, on September 12, to which he had reacted immediately as the Turkish side could have taken advantage of it to promote its own unacceptable positions on a Cyprus settlement.

The UN chief had said that at the talks each party represents only its side and no one else, as the political equal of the other, and the aim is a comprehensive settlement enshrining a new partnership.

While staying away from the talks for two days, the president sent Annan a letter asking for clarifications followed by a second letter codifying explanations given by the UN chief's special advisor for Cyprus Alvaro de Soto, who is conducting the proximity talks that opened last December.

"A meeting with the UN Secretary General followed, in the presence of our delegation, and we were given assurances by the Secretary General both on the clarifications and on the fact that a solution must take full account of Security Council resolutions," President Clerides said in his statement on his return.

The Cyprus president noted that following the clarifications, he decided to return to the negotiating table.

"We have repeatedly stated, and following the Secretary General's statement, we underline that we will not accept a solution that is not within Security Council resolutions," he said, adding: "We also insist that an overall settlement must by fully in line with international conventions on human rights, the UN charter and the European acquis communautaire."

President Clerides said "we are at a very crucial phase for the future of our country. Nobody can seriously dispute that the UN, the Security Council and the permanent members of the Security Council have taken up a serious effort to try help the two communities of Cyprus reach a mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus problem."

He expressed the view that "we have a political obligation, and this is my line, to exhaust all possibilities to establish whether it is possible for a settlement to be found in line with UN resolutions."

The president made it abundantly clear he is not participating in the talks "with a negative attitude or an aim to find an excuse to break them off".

Asked if proposals were given by de Soto during his separate meetings with the Cyprus president and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in New York, he clarified that the UN envoy only gave certain ideas to get their reaction and formulate views, a procedure he described as "very useful". President Clerides said this procedure offers the possibility to reject ideas one does not agree with, and added he does not expect what has been rejected to come up again in another round of talks.

In his statement, he also rejected criticism expressed by some parties against the Greek government, stressing that Athens is steady and honest in its support of a settlement in Cyprus based on UN resolutions and described Greece's support as "precious".

Another round of proximity talks is scheduled to be held in Geneva in November, aiming at reaching a settlement in Cyprus divided since Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 percent of its territory in 1974.

[20] Turkey's refusal to comply with decision on Loizidou case raised at CoE

STRASBOURG, 30/09/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Asked by MPs what measures the Council will take so that the decision is implemented, Italian State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Umberto Ranieri said it is yet early to say, but noted the Ministers are relying on the Turkish government's cooperation.

He acknowledged Ankara's refusal to comply with the decision in the Loizidou case creates a problem for the CoE, as the acceptance of the European convention and the Court's jurisdiction is considered as given since the end of the 1980's.

The Council had set specific conditions so that Turkey complies with the European Court decision and pays compensation to Loizidou, he added.

Greek Cypriot Titina Loizidou challenged Turkey's continuing occupation of Cyprus' northern part since 1974 prohibiting her from peacefully enjoying and using her property there, which contravenes the European Convention on Human Rights.

Taking the floor Greek Cypriot MP Doros Christodoulides expressed dissatisfaction noting that Ranieri "is the fourth Council Minister who is giving the same reply". What we want to learn, he said, are the practical measures the Council of Ministers will take or whether in six months time the same replies will be given. Ranieri said he could not be more specific.

[21] Clerides receives credentials of Greek Ambassador

NICOSIA, 30/09/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Referring to efforts to achieve a solution to the Cyprus problem, President Clerides said that "this can only be achieved within the framework of the high level agreements of 1977 and 1979 and the relevant UN resolutions and be in line with Human Rights Treaties, International Law and the acquis communautaire".

He expressed hope that the international community would exert all its influence on the Turkish side, so that a just and viable solution to the Cyprus question would be achieved.

Ambassador Panagopoulos noted that Greece would live up to its contractual obligations to the Republic of Cyprus.

The Greek Ambassador referred to the "development of defense infrastructure" as well as the development of cooperation between Cyprus and Greece "in all areas of defense".

Regarding Cyprus' accession to the European Union, Panagopoulos said it has become a "basic priority" for his country, noting that Greece would use all means in its disposal for the advancement of Cyprus' accession.

He expressed certainty that Europe offers the best possible prospect to all the people of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, to live in a safe environment and enjoy democracy, peace and security, and pointed out that "a solution to the Cyprus question must comply with the acquis communautaire".

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