Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-05-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis says social security reform imperative; offers unconditional dialogue

[02] Stephanopoulos pledges Athens' unswerving support for Cyprus

[03] Balkan flashpoints at center of Athens by outgoing US military chief

[04] Final details unveiled for Pope's unprecedented Athens pilgrimage

[05] Greek PM to attend European Socialist Party convention in Berlin

[06] Final draft of organized crime/terrorism bill goes to Parliament

[07] Athens mayor says his party will follow independent course

[08] Latest violence in FYROM condemned

[09] Greek economy minister and US counterpart discuss US-Greek cooperation for investments in Balkans

[10] Helexpo announces international metal trade fair

[11] Israel presents awards to 30 Greek businesses

[12] Manufacturing slows in April vs. March

[13] Culture ministry nears final purchase of Fix Brewery building

[14] Greek stocks continue moving lower

[15] Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos starts five-day tour of Xanthi and Serres

[16] Violent incidents as Thassos residents block radar installation

[17] No case of mad cow disease in Greece according to official data

[18] ND deputy's Athens office firebombed

[19] IOC Deputy President satisfied with preparations for 2004 Athens Olympics

[20] FM and Athens 2004 president discuss International Olympic Truce Center

[21] First of five journalists villages to cost 19 billion drachmas

[22] Athens bus lanes to be extended during Olympics

[01] Simitis says social security reform imperative; offers unconditional dialogue

Athens, 03/05/2001 (ANA)

In his address, Simitis referred to an “across-the-board” dialogue “without any preconditions”.

The government’s initial measures to implement social security reform were vehemently attacked by trade unions, the opposition and many cadres within the ruling party last week.

In leaning towards one of the demands made by trade union leaderships over the past weeks, the Greek premier the level of increased financing for the various pension funds will also be on the discussion table.

Conversely, he avoided any mention of another trade union demand focusing on the issue of funds’ “tripartite” financing – i.e. by employees, employers and the state.

Additionally, he emphasized that the only way to guarantee robust pensions is for economic growth to continue, as well as to create a social security system that favor and doesn’t impede such growth.

He cautioned that Greece must not return to the point from where it began "convergence with other European countries", while saying social security reform is mandated by the current conditions.

Finally, he forecast expenditures for pensions will increase by seven trillion drachmas between 2010 and 2020; as much as 40 trillion between 2020 and 2030. (One euro equals 340.75 drachmas)

"If we left the system as is today, someone that began working in the '90s would face a dismal reality when they retired, and that is something we must prevent," he said.

Simitis assures that many resources exist to support social security system: Prime Minister Costas Simitis said many resources exist to support the country's social security system.

Simitis, in his closing statements during his ruling PASOK party's Parliamentary group meeting on Wednesday, said that these resources will come from the state budget's leftovers and predicted that more money will be available next year to enable the government to be in a position to schedule its policy for the coming years.

He said there is state funding for the social security system, adding that "we never said that there should not be", admitting that "mistakes are always made".

Simitis said the government and PASOK will try, following consultations with all agencies, to find a procedure to which all can contribute towards finding the most appropriate solution.

"The social security issue is and will emerge as a crucial parameter of our ability to manage problems. However, I believe that it will also be proof that we can manage such a difficult problem," he said.

Simitis said PASOK is a "living organism" and has proved this many times and said the fact that 90 percent of people participating in demonstrations against the social security system were PASOK-affiliated was a positive element.

"I would say that such a thing has many positive aspects. It shows independence, mobilization and sensitivity," he said, adding that "our path was never easy."

Simitis further said "we will all contribute to the dialogue which will take place. Criticism being exercised made us thoughtful and for this reason we decided to see everything from the beginning. PASOK is the working people's party, the party of the vast majority of production forces."

Addresses made by deputies were low-key with the exceptions of former Transport Minister Tassos Mantelis and deputy Theodoros Katsanevas. The former strongly criticized PASOK's leadership group, while the latter announced he does not wish to be a Parliamentary candidate for PASOK under Simitis' leadership.

Mantelis, in his heated attack, spoke of a "timid leadership" and a "group" which is unable to conclude political struggles and called for its removal.

He also said that the trade union movement, in contrast to PASOK, proved that it has a capable leadership and so working people undertook initiatives and ridiculed certain political practices followed over the past fortnight.

Katsanevas, apart from announcing that he will not run with PASOK in the next elections, said he would vote against a draft bill on the social security system in Parliament, which will reduce minimum and even medium-level pensions.

KKE leader opposes dialogue on social insurance reforms: Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary Aleka Papariga said her party was absolutely opposed to negotiation between the government and workers over the social insurance system, during a press conference held on Wednesday.

According to Papariga, any measures that might ensue should not concern workers and she called for deficits and the viability of social insurance funds to be guaranteed by the government and employers through taxes on profits rather than incomes.

She also blasted main opposition New Democracy for demagoguery, saying that the laws, which passed by Sioufas during their government, had opened the way for the measures now being contemplated.

She stressed that there should be a united front of demands from the trade union movement, which should not be flexible, and said that KKE wanted as few disagreements as possible with the trade union movement.

According to Papariga, there was no such thing as a "zero starting point" for dialogue on the issue of social insurance because there were the de facto starting points of the Sioufas laws, the goals of EMU, the Olympic Games and privatizations - all issues that hurt the interests of workers.

She predicted that the government would use dialogue to stall and gain time, undermine the trade unions and then launch an attack on the workers.

[02] Stephanopoulos pledges Athens' unswerving support for Cyprus

Athens, 03/05/2001 (ANA)

Stephanopoulos was speaking after a meeting with visiting Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, in Athens for a two-day official visit.

The Greek president said that Athens and Nicosia hoped for a solution to the problem in the near future, while stressing that Cyprus proximity talks had been led to an impasse by Turkey's intransigence. He called on the UN Secretary General to undertake an initiative for the continuation of talks.

Stephanopoulos also expressed optimism regarding Cyprus' EU accession course, saying that it was in the lead among candidate countries, and confirmed Greece's standing position to use its veto if Cyprus was not among the first group of countries to join the EU.

Finally, he said that he would raise the Cyprus issue in his talks with Pope John Paul, due in Athens in two days time, if the opportunity arose.

Stephanopoulos hosts official dinner: President Kostis Stephanopoulos on Wednesday night reassured his Cypriot counterpart Glafcos Clerides that the whole of the political leadership in Greece would make every effort to contribute to the struggle for a free and independent Cyprus, noting that after the parliamentary elections of May 27 in Cyprus, the international community is expected to make moves towards a permanent solution.

Speaking at a formal dinner, hosted in honor of President Clerides who is paying an official visit to Greece, Stephanopoulos said that Greece would "continue to provide every contribution and support to Cyprus, fulfilling its moral, political and contractual obligations towards the Republic of Cyprus", adding that the joint defense pact between the two countries was a "top national priority" for Greece.

Stephanopoulos pointed out that Cyprus was already at the doorstep of the European Union and that the island's accession was a "strategic goal" for Greece, regardless of a prior solution to its political problem.

He furthermore said that Greece would continue to seek a solution to the Cyprus problem which would "truly consolidate peace and security in the region", adding that "a solution of the political problem would undoubtedly act as a catalyst which could create a climate of trust between Greece and Turkey, and between the EU and Turkey".

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

The Greek president noted that the period following the parliamentary elections in Cyprus and prior to concluding EU accession negotiations "may prove to be especially significant, as a move on behalf of the international community is expected, at a UN initiative, to give a dynamic impetus to the process for a final solution of the Cyprus problem", adding that for this reason "we must all intensify our efforts in order to secure a solution" within a desirable framework.

On his part, President Clerides expressed hope that "the international community will continue its initiative within the next few months", adding however that "if the states that are in a position to influence Turkey's foreign policy do not exert their influence this time either, to the extent necessary, the deadlock in the Cyprus problem will remain", which would mean that the Cyprus problem would continue "to adversely affect Turkey's European prospect and Greco-Turkish relations".

President Clerides expressed hope that the conclusion of Cyprus' EU accession course would prove to be a catalyst on Turkey's refusal to negotiate a solution of the Cyprus problem within the parameters set out by the UN.

Cyprus president given golden key to Athens by Avramopoulos: Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, in Greece on a two-day official visit, was handed the golden key to the city of Athens on Wednesday by Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos during a ceremony at the city's Town Hall.

Avramopoulos praised Clerides as a politician and a person, noting his unflagging efforts for a solution to the Cyprus problem, with Cypriots now being the only nation in the world forced to live in a divided capital.

Replying, Clerides said that Greece had been a valuable and selfless supporter of Cyprus in diplomacy, EU accession and in defense.

Presidents of Greece and Cyprus unveil statue of Archbishop Makarios III: President Kostis Stephanopoulos and his Cyprus counterpart Glafkos Clerides on Wednesday unveiled the statue of Archbishop Makarios III in Athens, while Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos said in his address that Makarios, the first president of Cyprus, was militant for values and ideals for which he even devoted his life.

The bronze statue was erected in a park at the intersection of Alexandras and Vassilissis Sophias avenues and shows the Archbishop leaning on his scepter with his arms crossed.

The ceremony was attended by scores of Cypriots, representatives of the Holy Kykkos Monastery from Cyprus, as well as representatives from the municipality of Athens and political parties.

Avramopoulos praised the work and political course of Archbishop Makarios, as well as his contribution to the struggles of Cyprus.

The statue is the work of sculptor Memos Makris and the Kykko Monastery contributed to it being placed at this central location in Athens.

[03] Balkan flashpoints at center of Athens by outgoing US military chief

Athens, 03/05/2001 (ANA)

During the meeting, Shelton praised the work of the Greek contingents to the international peace-keeping missions in Bosnia and Kosovo.

The two men also discussed an upcoming agreement between Greece and the US governing the status of US military personnel n Greece, and the U.S. National Missile Defense (NMD) system, which has been dubbed "Son of Star Wars" by critics.

Shelton also paid a courtesy call on national defense minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos.

The US military chief is in Athens on a farewell visit ahead of the completion of his term in autumn.

Karamanlis meets US military chief: Visiting US chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Henry H. Shelton, met Wednesday with main opposition New Democracy leader and discussed the situation in the Balkans, with the focus on Kosovo, as well as Greek-Turkish relations, Greek-US military relations and the U.S. National Missile Defense (NMD) system, which has been dubbed "Son of Star Wars" by critics.

No statements were made after the 35-minute meeting, held at the ND headquarters.

Sources said that Shelton told the main opposition leader that the US considered the climate had improved in Greek-Turkish relations, while Karamanlis replied that despite the improved atmosphere, Turkey still had yet to take any steps to changing its stance.

The same sources said that the two men did not discuss armaments issues.

Shelton was accompanied by US Ambassador in Athens Nicholas Burns, while the meeting was also attended by ND deputies Dora Bakoyianni and Petros Molyviatis, and the party's secretary for international relations Yannis Valinakis

[04] Final details unveiled for Pope's unprecedented Athens pilgrimage

Athens, 03/05/2001 (ANA)

According to a spokesman for the local Catholic Archdiocese, discussions over the content of a joint communique expected to be signed by the pontiff and Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos are being handled directly between the Vatican and the Greek Church's leadership.

However, according to reports, the Vatican has refused to include any mention of the long-standing Cyprus problem in the communique, along with the holding of the 2004 Olympics in Athens or the situation in the Balkans.

Additionally, John Paul II will not be transported in the well-known glass-covered "pope mobile", nor will the pontiff kiss Greek soil upon his arrival - a traditional gesture he performs when visiting a new country - instead, he will be handed an olive branch and flowers at Athens' airport.

The local Catholic Archdiocese's legal representative, Nikos Gasparakis, also cited what he termed disappointment by the country's small Catholic community over a refusal to allow a pope-officiated mass at the 80,000-seat Athens Olympic Stadium. The adjacent 18,000-seat indoor arena will serve that purpose instead, with an invitation-only service scheduled.

In mostly repeating the itinerary as previously unveiled by the Orthodox Church, Gasparakis said both Christodoulos and John Paul II would appear at a spot beneath the Acropolis where the Apostle Paul addressed the ancient Athenians. A joint prayer service has been ruled out, although excerpts of Paul's teachings will be read out.

Wednesday's briefing comes in light of a series of small, but determined protest rallies by Orthodox zealots, monks and die-hard followers of the Julian calendar against the pope's Athens pilgrimage.

The pontiff will arrive in Athens on Friday, following an invitation by President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos.

According to an announcement on Monday, Foreign Minister George Papandreou will greet the head of the Roman Catholic Church at the airport. Immediately afterwards, he will be received by the president, Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Parliament Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis and main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis at the presidential mansion.

He will depart from Athens on Saturday morning for Syria, the next stop on his pilgrimage.

Holy Synod: Christodoulos was formally instructed by the influential Holy Synod last week to outline the Orthodox world's grievances vis-a-vis the Roman Catholic Church during his contacts with John Paul II.

Church officials said Christodoulos will greet John Paul II "by bringing to his attention -- with frankness, clarity as well as with theological and historical documentation -- all of those dogmatic, ecclesiastical and historical issues that provoke sadness, bitterness and intense concern among the Orthodox world, with particular emphasis on the problem of the Uniate."

The Holy Synod has repeatedly stated over the past few weeks that the Greek Church would be represented on three occasions during the pope's historic two-day stay in Athens. Those include a visit by the pope to the Athens Archbishopric, where Christodoulos will receive him; at the Areios Paghos site at the Acropolis, and finally, during a reciprocal visit by the Greek Church Primate to John Paul II at a Vatican-owned residence in the Greek capital.

Stephanopoulos invited the Pope to the predominately Greek Orthodox country after the Vatican had publicly aired the pontiff's long-standing desire to visit the Greek capital as part of a retracing of the Apostle Paul's journeys in Europe.

The Orthodox and Catholic churches split in 1056 after centuries of often contentious relations, whereas the latest point of friction relates to what Orthodox church leaders claim are unfair attempts by the Vatican to proselytize in traditionally Orthodox lands, primarily in the Ukraine, through the Uniate Church.

The Uniate church, with a congregation of approximately one million faithful, follows many rites of the Orthodox Church but owes its allegiance to the Vatican.

[05] Greek PM to attend European Socialist Party convention in Berlin

Athens, 03/05/2001 (ANA)

He said Simitis would be leaving on Sunday at the head of a ruling PASOK party delegation that will also include Central Committee Secretary Costas Skandalidis.

The spokesman said the meeting would discuss a proposal made by German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on making the European Union a federalized entity.

[06] Final draft of organized crime/terrorism bill goes to Parliament

Athens, 03/05/2001 (ANA)

The bill, which has undergone minor modifications but remains the same in principle, will be signed by ministers involved and forwarded to a Parliamentary committee for processing before it is put to the vote.

If passed, the new laws will introduce non-jury criminal trials, a limited right of appeal, DNA testing without consent, broader police powers of surveillance and infiltration, witness protection and amnesty programs and jail terms of up to 10 years for members of serious crime gangs.

The changes made to an initial draft of the bill include aspects of DNA testing and the use of electronic surveillance.

For DNA testing, in particular, the law provides that a positive result is first announced to the subject of the test, who has the right to demand a second analysis.

If a test should prove negative, the genetic material and data derived from it are to be destroyed by order of the court that ordered the test in the presence of a public prosecutor and the individual from which the genetic material was taken, accompanied by a technical advisor and a lawyer.

The new bill also gives defendants the right to request DNA testing to prove their innocence. In this case the genetic material must be destroyed after the end of the trial, whether the accused is found innocent or guilty.

It is possible to retain and preserve the genetic material and data if the accused has been: a) incontrovertibly found guilty; b) if its preservation is ordered by a council of appeals judges through a special reasoned opinion; c) or if its preservation is deemed necessary to solve other criminal acts for which DNA testing is permitted.

The new rules on electronic surveillance, such as videotaping or recording suspects' movements and conversations, is no longer allowed within their home.

Also modified are the laws on the witness protection program, where a court can order the true identity of anonymous witnesses to be revealed, as can the prosecutor on the bench or one of the litigants.

Finally, an additional ruling establishes a minimum sentence of one year's imprisonment for people who use or threaten to use force against judicial officials, interrogators or judicial functionaries, witnesses, expert witnesses and interpreters, or use bribery to prevent the revelation of prosecution of acts related to organized crime.

The bill comes on the heels of growing pressure to track down and convict members of the notorious "November 17" terrorist group, blamed for more than two dozen assassinations and bomb attacks dating back to the mid-70s. The elusive group's last victim was Britain's defense attache in Athens, Brig. Stephen Saunders, who was gunned down in his car while driving to his embassy office in central Athens last June.

The DNA clause could be utilized for investigations into at least one "November 17", a rocket attack against the German ambassador's residence in May 1999. Bloodstains probably belonging to one of the terrorists were discovered inside a stolen vehicle used in the attack along with a woolen cap.

Critics have lambasted the law as infringing on civil liberties, while others say provisions - such as judicially approved wiretaps and police surveillance -- are already covered by existing laws.

[07] Athens mayor says his party will follow independent course

Athens, 03/05/2001 (ANA)

He said cooperation is only necessary when it serves national and social purposes beyond and above party expediencies and personal ambitions. "Necessary cooperation for the country is one thing and altering the expectation and verdict of citizens is another," he said.

Avramopoulos announced a financial campaign because, as he said, the National Bank, invoking the law, refused to give a loan he had requested and the opportunity was lost for the first change in transparency for political money and the encouragement of new political forces to manifest and activate themselves.

He said the contribution for party members will be 5,000 drachmas a year, adding that the party will only accept contributions from businesses which have nothing to do with the public sector and for the amount of five million drachmas as anticipated by law.

[08] Latest violence in FYROM condemned

Athens, 03/05/2001 (ANA)

"We condemn in the strongest manner the attacks against Albanian properties in the city of Bitola," Greece's foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis said, in reference to the torching of a number of ethnic Albanian businesses in FYROM's second largest city early Tuesday following the burial of four FYROM interior ministry policemen killed over the weekend by ethnic Albanian guerrillas.

Beglitis warned that "such actions could undermine the climate of coexistence among the ethnic groups and destabilize the domestic political normality".

It was the obligation of all the political forces in FYROM to condemn the incidents, and at the same time continue efforts to complete a political dialogue aimed at consolidating the political and social stability of the country, Beglitis added.

[09] Greek economy minister and US counterpart discuss US-Greek cooperation for investments in Balkans

WASHINGTON, 03/05/2001 (ANA - T. Ellis)

They also discussed prospects provided by the 2004 Athens Olympic Games for American investments in Greece.

Papantoniou briefed O'Neal on the development of the Greek economy and said the US looks forward to Greece's leading role in the Balkans.

"The discussion covered many issues of bilateral, European and world interest on the course of the economy and its prospects. I referred to developments in the Greek economy, the fact that we have very strong growth in the region of 5 percent both this year and in coming years in a framework of stability and low inflation. I also referred to major investments prospects appearing not only in Greece but in the wider Balkan region as well, due to the development of strong ties between Greece and these countries and to the activation of Greek businessmen in Balkan countries. I also referred to the perspective being formed by the holding of the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004," he said.

"Our overall contribution to issues concerning international tax policy, which also concerns money laundering and the control of various offences taking place on an international scale was also discussed. On this issue, both countries, and the euro zone countries in particular, are making considerable efforts to enable us to avert and deal a blow at such phenomena," he added.

Papantoniou also noted that the US looks forward to Greece as a very strong partner in the entire region of southeastern Europe and in relation to Turkey "because they have ascertained that Greece plays a leading role in the Balkans and in the entire region and exercises a very positive influence also in relation to developments in Turkey."

Papantoniou said O'Neal showed great interest in Greece's active presence and in the role the country is undertaking in the euro zone as well, where it will be assuming its presidency for a period of 12 months from July 2002 to July 2003.

"In this framework, I will certainly be having the opportunity to have further cooperation with Mr. O'Neal. Moreover, we agreed to meet again in Washington in a few months' time," he said.

[10] Helexpo announces international metal trade fair

Athens, 03/05/2001 (ANA)

The trade fair, called "Metallon", is the first exhibition organized by Helexpo at its new facilities in Athens, launched last September.

Helexpo said Metallon would be held every year in May alternately in Athens and Thessaloniki.

More than 50 exhibitors participate in this year's trade fair, including manufacturers of metal processing equipment, raw materials, tools and equipment.

[11] Israel presents awards to 30 Greek businesses

Athens, 03/05/2001 (ANA)

The Israeli ambassador in Athens, Ron Curiel, and the embassy’s commercial attache, Oded Distel, presented the awards to firms including Delta Dairies SA and L’Oreal Hellas.

Trade between the two countries has improved over the last few years to total 300 million dollars, primarily in plastics, building materials, foodstuffs, agricultural products and technology, chemicals, telecommunications, software and medical equipment.

[12] Manufacturing slows in April vs. March

Athens, 03/05/2001 (ANA)

Released on Wednesday, the monthly index is the findings of a survey of 300 companies carried out by NTC Research of the United Kingdom in conjunction with the Greek Procurements Institute.

[13] Culture ministry nears final purchase of Fix Brewery building

Athens, 03/05/2001 (ANA)

Roughly half of the concrete-laden "Fix Brewery" still dominates a vista on a major Athens thoroughfare connecting the Greek capital's downtown with its southern coastal suburbs.

The building is currently owned by a consortium - which includes a major stake by the state - operating the new Athens metro. An underground metro station has been built adjacent to the one-time brewery, which takes its name from a Bavarian expatriate family that once manufactured Greece's best known beer for decades - the "Fix" label. A large portion of the building, in fact, was demolished to make way for metro works.

According to Minister Evangelos Venizelos, the purchase will cost some two billion drachmas (one euro equals 340.75 drachmas), while a 12-billion-drachma renovation is projected through funding expected to be allocated by the Third Community Support Framework (CSF).

The Fix building - characterized by some local experts as an example of unique 20th century industrial architecture and by others as a large, concrete "eyesore" -- currently hosts art exhibitions, with one devoted to Greek artist Giorgos Hatzimihail set to open at the site on Thursday.

[14] Greek stocks continue moving lower

Athens, 03/05/2001 (ANA)

Traders said that a negative climate in other European bourses also discouraged sentiment on ASE.

The general index rose to 3,307.86 points initially to end at 3,267.30 points, down 0.59 percent from Monday's close, but off the day's lows of 3,259.43 points.

Turnover was a moderate 179.918 million euros, or 61.307 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 0.81 percent lower at 1,906.85 points, and the FTSE/ASE 40 index eased 0.67 percent to 376.61 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 6,977.07 -0.83% Telecoms: 1,117.75 +0.50% Insurance: 1,493.48 -1.40% Investment: 1,118.67 -1.47% Construction: 1,530.34 -0.69% Industrials: 1,950.24 -0.82% Holding: 3,815.30 -0.37% Base metals: 992.76 -0.51% Minerals: 1,086.62 -0.10% Publishing: 999.30 -0.92% Textiles: 1,187.81 +1.46% Retailing: 1,190.40 -0.43% IT: 1,046.38 -1.26% IT solutions: 978.89 0% Food and Beverage: 922.71 -0.54% Wholesale: 942.72 +0.37%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 324.70 points, off 0.58 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 187 to 122 with another 44 issues unchanged.

Unibrain, National Bank, Alpha Bank, Hellenic Telecoms and Greek Soccer Pools were the most heavily traded stocks.

Fitco, Olympic Catering, Allatini Ceramics, Doudos, Viosol, Electra, Alco Hellas, Elmec Sport, Tzirakian and Mosholios scored the biggest percentage gains, while Imaco, Progressive, Desmos, Iktinos, Douros, Papafilis, Lambropoulos and Delta Informatics suffered the heaviest losses.

Leading shares' closing prices (in euros): National Bank: 43.46 Alpha Bank: 32.04 Commercial Bank: 54.72 Egnatia Bank: 5.54 Eurobank: 17.46 Piraeus Bank: 14.24 Lambrakis Press: 14.00 Altec: 6.72 Intrasoft: 10.60 Technodomiki: 7.88 Titan Cement: 42.16 Hellenic Telecoms: 16.76 Panafon: 7.10 Hellenic Petroleum: 9.80 Attica Enterprises: 8.54 Intracom: 21.38 Mytilineos: 7.98 Minoan Lines: 4.80 Viohalco: 11.74 Coca Cola HBC: 16.94

Derivatives show volume rise in first quarter: The newly created Athens Derivatives Exchange in the first quarter of 2001 showed an increase in average daily volume to about 8,500 contracts from 7,000 at the end of 2000, authorities told a presentation on Wednesday.

In addition, the number of institutional investors abroad and retail investors playing the market posted a rise, the officials said.

Also increasing was the number of members of the exchange, they added.

In March the Athens Derivatives Exchange posted a 5.65 percent increase against February in the number of contracts traded. Contracts in March totalled 354,690 contracts from 335,714 February.

The rise stemmed mainly from the fact that there were more trading days in the month at 22 against 19 in February.

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

The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 0.81 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 0.67 percent lower.

Traded were 7,146 contracts on turnover of 55.6 million euros

Bond prices drop in heavy trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Wednesday finished lower in heavy trade with players dumping their paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.56 percent.

The yield spread over German bunds was 53 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 1.5 billion euros (543 billion drachmas).

Sell orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

[15] Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos starts five-day tour of Xanthi and Serres

Athens, 03/05/2001 (ANA)

The municipality of Sapes was the Patriarch's first stop where he received a warm welcoming by local authorities and residents, as well as being proclaimed an honorary citizen and being given the Gold Key to the city.

The Patriarch expressed his emotion saying "we shall keep this Gold Key in memory of our visit to the municipality and of the residents who have love, a peaceful disposition and a conciliatory stance towards all."

Vartholomeos later visited the municipality of Aigeiros where he was also proclaimed an honorary citizen and given the Gold Key of the city.

The next stops in his tour will be Xanthi and Serres, while his visit will be concluded on Monday in the city of Komotini and the Dadia Monastery.

[16] Violent incidents as Thassos residents block radar installation

Athens, 03/05/2001 (ANA)

The decision was made after clashes between Thassos islanders and a platoon of riot police brought in to escort CAA engineers in their attempts to complete the installation begun a year ago.

The island's residents were informed of their arrival, however, and headed down to the port in an attempt to prevent them from reaching the area. They also cut down four public power corporation pylons to cut off the electricity supply and make it impossible for the installation work to continue. They then set up roadblocks to cut off access to the mountain and occupied the installation site.

Through the combined efforts of 1,000 islanders, the police and technicians were eventually forced to return to Kavala.

An announcement by the Thassos municipality and the Coordinating Committee for the Struggle claimed that police officers had used tear gas and severely injured two demonstrators, as well as inflicting lighter injuries on scores of others.

They also charge that the CAA technicians had illegally extended their operations into a forested area without receiving permission and had not responded to additional environmental provisos set by the Kavala prefecture in order to issue the installation license.

Stressing that local residents feared detrimental effects on their health from the radiation emitted by the radar, Thassos Mayor Lefteris Meresis noted that the area in question was part of the European Union's Natura program, which protects ecosystems, while expressing fears that it would negatively affect tourism.

Ecological and environmental organizations, tourist agencies, hotel owners and others have also voiced opposition to the planned radar installation on Thassos.

[17] No case of mad cow disease in Greece according to official data

Athens, 03/05/2001 (ANA)

A total of 2,070 checks were conducted in Greece on healthy animals, as well as animals considered likely to be diseased, without any case of BSE (mad cow disease) being ascertained.

The disease appears to be receding, cases of the disease are decreasing in number and the situation is under control.

[18] ND deputy's Athens office firebombed

Athens, 03/05/2001 (ANA)

Damages were recorded but no injuries were reported in the empty downtown Athens offices belonging to ND deputy Dimitris Sioufas.

An anonymous caller to the Athens daily "Eleftherotypia" later claimed responsibility for the attack, recorded at around 4:35 p.m., on behalf of a shadowy group he identified as "Children of November".

Police said the makeshift incendiary device that exploded outside the second-floor offices, near Athens' Panathenian Stadium, was comprised of three camping gas canisters.

The attack comes on the heels of heated debate in the country over the PASOK government's recent unveiling and subsequent "freezing" of several controversial social security reforms aiming to overhaul the system.

The self-style anarchist cell last targeted a parliament deputy's offices in January 1999, the same month that it firebombed the parliament president's political office as well.

[19] IOC Deputy President satisfied with preparations for 2004 Athens Olympics

Athens, 03/05/2001 (ANA)

According to initial assessments and Organizing Committee sources, Rogge appeared satisfied with steps taken by the country to prepare the Olympiad and primarily for the auctioning of many sports projects and the first village for journalists.

At the same time, however, Rogge sends a message in all directions that there should be no complacency but a speedup in all processes concerning the Olympiad's preparation.

Rogge reiterated once again that he is certain of the Olympiad's success and of the timely completion of sports projects and infrastructures by the government, while not concealing his great appreciation for the abilities of Organizing Committee President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki.

Rogge had contacts with Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos and ministers involved in the Olympiad's preparation and expressed satisfaction over the Olympic Village, whose creation will be undertaken by big construction groups.

Rogge pointed out that the hospitality program was the tournament's biggest problem so far and expressed his particular satisfaction for the 9,000 beds added to the program.

On Thursday, Rogge will be meeting Public Order Minister Michalis Chrysohoidis, Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Deputy Sports Minister George Floridis.

[20] FM and Athens 2004 president discuss International Olympic Truce Center

Athens, 03/05/2001 (ANA)

They also discussed issues concerning the cooperation memorandum between the foreign ministry and the Olympiad's Organizing Committee.

Papandreou and Daskalaki will leave for the US on Monday and on the next day Daskalaki will be making an address at the UN's headquarters on the Olympic Truce at Papandreou's initiative.

According to foreign ministry sources, the International Olympic Truce Center will be placed under the auspices of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, as well as of the organization’s two previous secretary-generals Boutros Ghali and Javier Perez de Cuellar.

During her stay in the US, Daskalaki will also be having contacts with the Greek community on volunteerism and the promotion of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games abroad.

[21] First of five journalists villages to cost 19 billion drachmas

Athens, 03/05/2001 (ANA)

The project will be completed with self-financing and 50 percent of the total cost will be covered by the Greek joint venture and the rest by a foreign company. The village will have 1,800 beds and will be granted to the Athens 2004 Olympics Organizing Committee during the period of the Games with a low rent.

[22] Athens bus lanes to be extended during Olympics

Athens, 03/05/2001 (ANA)

Verelis was speaking after a meeting with Jacques Rogge, deputy president of the International Olympic Committee, who is visiting Athens to monitor preparations for the Games.

Rogge told reporters he welcomed a briefing from the minister on a plan to build a suburban railway for Athens.

He also asked the public to try to use public transport during the Games in another move to ease congestion, as more than a million visitors would flood the capital.

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