Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-05-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] Premier accuses Turkish side for intransigence over Cyprus issue

[02] US Secretary of State blames Turkish Cypriot leader for deadlock over Cyprus

[03] Turkish air force violates Greek airspace for third consecutive day

[04] Government critical of reactions to Pope's visit, Reppas says

[05] Foreign ministry comments on Pope's visit, draconian security measures

[06] PASOK's Executive Bureau assumes responsibility for finding solution on social security issue

[07] ND leader attends working lunch with EU ambassadors in Athens

[08] Romanian military chief to visit next week

[09] Thessaloniki TEI council resigns in protest to education bill

[10] Archbishop Christodoulos sends message to visiting Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos

[11] Archbishop Christodoulos to make nine-day official visit to Russia

[12] OECD estimates that GDP will increase 4 percent in Greece in 2001 and 4.5 percent in 2002

[13] National economy minister outlines results of visit to

[14] National economy minister says Greece's participation in euro zone extremely important

[15] Business confidence indicator increases 0.4 percent in Greece in April

[16] Greek and Bulgarian farm ministers discuss cooperation

[17] Greek women more informed about the euro currency

[18] Bank workers to stage nationwide strike May 17-18

[19] Greek stocks slide continues on ASE

[20] IOC delegation continues review of 2004 preparations

[21] British woman dies in mysterious grenade blast in her car

[01] Premier accuses Turkish side for intransigence over Cyprus issue

Athens, 04/05/2001 (ANA)

Simitis said in a statement later that proximity talks under the auspices of the UN's secretary general have reached a deadlock due to Turkish Cypriot intransigence "with support from Turkey as well", adding that despite this the Greek and Greek Cypriot side continue to believe that the dialogue is necessary and it should be continued from the point it had been discontinued last November.

"We hope continuation of the dialogue can lead to a solution to the political problem and the Turkish Cypriot side has an obligation to contribute to a solution to the Cyprus issue, in accordance with UN resolutions," he said.

Simitis expressed satisfaction over Cyprus' European Union accession course and said he hoped that negotiations will continue with a speedy pace and Cyprus will continue to be in the front line of candidate countries.

He said it was ascertained in his talks with Clerides that "as negotiations are developing, on the basis of the Helsinki agreement, the so-called political problem does not come up to whatever contacts have been made", while it was agreed that "we should pressure for a completion of the cycle of negotiations and contacts as soon as possible."

Elaborating on bilateral relations between Athens and Nicosia, Simitis said they are very good, adding that "it was ascertained that on the issue of the joint defense doctrine in particular it is necessary, as always, for us to pay special attention and to upgrade our cooperation."

Simitis reiterated that for Greece the Cyprus issue is the most important problem and its solution "constitutes a national priority for us."

On his part, President Clerides reiterated that "the effort to upgrade our defense capability, in the framework of the joint defense doctrine, is continuing and will be continued until a solution to the Cyprus problem is found."

Commenting on a recent statement by Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem on an "unlimited reaction by Turkey" in the event of Cyprus' accession to the EU without the Cyprus issue having been resolved beforehand, and asked by the press whether Greece intends to raise the issue at the next EU summit, Simitis said "it would be a great mistake if Greece took the occasion of bravado made at times to raise the problem and exaggerate it."

Simitis reiterated that "there is the Helsinki agreement and the partnership relation between Turkey and the EU" which define that Cyprus' accession course should proceed regularly and Turkey has no right to create obstacles to this course.

On the question of whether he intends to visit Ankara in the near future, Simitis reiterated that such a trip "will be expedient when Greek-Turkish issues and issues related to Cyprus have forged ahead to such a degree to enable such a trip to be productive."

Simitis further said, on whether the upgrading of defense cooperation between the two countries, in the framework of the joint defense doctrine, is related to recent Turkish threats in the event of Cyprus' EU accession, Simitis said this decision "is not related to this statement by Turkey" since defense cooperation "is our permanent policy" as "we want Cyprus to be able to defend itself effectively and we shall help in this direction with the means we have at our disposal."

President Clerides said "we should not overstress that we are concerned over Turkish threats", adding that "this does not mean that we should not take all necessary measures."

He further said he believes that "all necessary measures have been taken and we shall continue to take measures to handle threats if they take a course which should lead us to be fully prepared."

Commenting on why Greece "concludes relations of friendship with Turkey while the latter occupies half of Cyprus", Simitis said he does not share "the white and black view that because Turkey has occupied Cyprus we should be in a state of constant tension."

Simitis said that, on the contrary, "we have been following a policy for some time that aims at providing solutions to problems through a peaceful process, which, in its turn, is pressuring Turkey in the right direction."

He went on to say that the greatest and most effective pressure is the pressure coming from peace and goodwill initiatives since they are acceptable on the international scene.

Joint communique: A joint communique issued at the end of the talks between the two leaders said:

"Despite the negative position of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership, the Greek Cypriot side states once again that it is ready to attend the talks, provided the process is continued on the same basis and the talks are continued from the point they were discontinued last November.

"The smooth development of the accession course was ascertained (during the talks) and the fact that Cyprus is steadfastly in the front line of candidate countries. It was also ascertained that Cyprus' accession to the EU constitutes a unique opportunity for the creation of conditions of security and prosperity for all Cypriots in the framework of the greater European family."

The talks between the two sides included Foreign Minister George Papandreou, Alternate Foreign Minister Elizabeth Papazoi, Greece's Ambassador to Nicosia, Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, Deputy Minister to the President Pantelis Kouros, Cyprus government spokesman Mihalis Papapetrou and Cyprus' Ambassador to Athens.

Foreign ministry says Cyprus issue remains central for Greece: The Cyprus issue is still central to Greece's foreign policy, foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis told reporters on Thursday, and naturally affects relations between Greece and Turkey.

In response to reporters' questions regarding the official visit to Athens by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, Beglitis said that the non-resolution of the Cyprus problem unquestionably did nothing to promote Greek-Turkish relations.

"The policy we have followed within the EU may contribute to a good course of the Cyprus issue. It also behooves the Turkish side to reformulate its policy as regards the Cyprus problem, which today seems deadlocked," he added.

At another point in his statements, meanwhile, Beglitis noted that the new climate in Greek-Turkish relations had contributed to a notable reduction of air space violations and infringements over the Aegean by Turkish forces, which had dropped sharply relative to previous years and were constantly becoming less frequent.

The spokesman expressed the view that Greece should continue its current policy, which could only have positive consequences for Cyprus, and said that Athens now awaited an invitation from the UN Secretary General to the two sides to resume negotiations.

Cyprus president meets Greek Parliament speaker in Athens: Parliament Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis met with visiting Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides in Athens on Thursday for talks that centered on the Cyprus problem.

In statements afterward, Kaklamanis confirmed that Greece would not allow any enlargement of the European Union that did not include Cyprus, and reiterated that efforts for Greek-Turkish rapprochement in no way affected Greece's commitment for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

He also accused UN Security Council members of failing to "live up to their commitments" and accused the Turkish side of deliberately procrastinating.

"In my opinion, they will continually stall...until the time approaches for Cyprus to join the EU, whereupon they will announce that they are ready to negotiate and ask that Cyprus' EU accession be postponed."

Clerides, on his part, said that Greece's decision not to allow EU expansion to proceed without Cyprus was the greatest possible contribution to a solution of the Cyprus problem.

During a special ceremony attended by representatives of the political parties, Kaklamanis awarded the Cyprus president Parliament's gold medal in recognition of his contribution and efforts for Cyprus full independence.

Meeting with ND leader: Visiting Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides on Thursday discussed the Cyprus issue with main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis.

The meeting was also attended by foreign affairs and defense sector chief Dora Bakoyianni, Deputy Petros Molyviatis and Karamanlis' international affairs adviser Yiannis Valinakis.

Karamanlis termed his discussion with President Clerides "useful and sincere" and told reporters the Cyprus issue and its accession course to the EU are top priorities.

He also said there can be no EU enlargement without Cyprus, adding that accession is an independent matter from a solution to the Cyprus issue.

Karamanlis said the key to the course of the Cyprus issue and to the substantive improvement in Greek-Turkish relations is a change in policy from Ankara and underlined that there has been no response on the Turkish side to unilateral gestures made by the Greek government.

President Clerides later met with Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga and Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos.

[02] US Secretary of State blames Turkish Cypriot leader for deadlock over Cyprus

WASHINGTON, 04/05/2001 (ANA - T. Ellis)

Testifying before a Senate committee, Powell said "we are in a state of partial stagnation due to the position adopted by Mr. Denktash", adding that Washington supports the efforts by the UN to persuade the Turkish Cypriot leader to return to the Cyprus talks.

Powell also said that he is examining the Cyprus issue and seeking the best way for US involvement and the role the special coordinator on the Cyprus issue should play.

[03] Turkish air force violates Greek airspace for third consecutive day

Athens, 04/05/2001 (ANA)

According to press reports, three formations of 10 Turkish aircraft infringed air traffic regulations in the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR) on four occasions, which then developed into seven violations of national airspace. One north of the island of Limnos and the rest in the region of Kastelorizo.

In all cases, the Turkish aircraft were recognized and intercepted immediately by Greek warplanes.

The Turkish aircraft were unarmed and no engagements occurred during their interception.

[04] Government critical of reactions to Pope's visit, Reppas says

Athens, 04/05/2001 (ANA)

The historic 24-hour pilgrimage by the head of the Roman Catholic Church to Athens, which retraces the steps of the Apostle Paul, is the first by a pope in 13 centuries and begins on Friday.

According to the spokesman, the pontiff represents hundreds of millions of faithful around the world and his visit is to the country's advantage.

Commenting on vociferous protests against the visit, Reppas said that the government respected different views but did not agree with or understand the reactions, while adding that Greece will present the image of a modern country during the pontiff's visit.

As the date of the Pope's visit draws near, a series of small, but determined protest rallies have been staged by Orthodox zealots, monks and die-hard followers of the Julian calendar against the pope's Athens pilgrimage.

Asked about the difficulties that the Catholic Church and the Greek Orthodox Church were having in drafting a joint communique to be signed by Pope John Paul and Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos - problems that appeared to pivot on whether to make any reference to the Cyprus issue or not - Reppas said that the talks between the leadership of the two Churches did not concern the government.

He added, however, that it was a happy coincidence that Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides happened to be in Greece at this time and was meeting with Greece's political leaders.

A spokesman for the local Catholic Archdiocese told reporters on Wednesday that discussions over the content of a joint communique 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.

Gasparakis said that 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.

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 President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, 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 24-hour 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.

President of the Republic Kostis 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 proselytise 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] Foreign ministry comments on Pope's visit, draconian security measures

Athens, 04/05/2001 (ANA)

Foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis said Thursday the visit was "very important", adding that protests planned by "marginal groups" did not express the Greek state and the sentiments of the majority of the Greek people.

After the airport welcome, Papandreou and the Pope would head talks between the Greek government and Vatican delegations covering issues of bilateral interest and international developments, the ministry spokesman said.

Meanwhile, draconian security measures for the Pope's visit started going into effect Thursday, while the recently-opened Attiki Odos motorway leading to Greece's new international airport will be closed off to all traffic as of 10:00 a.m. Friday, nearly two hours before the Pope's airplane was due to arrive.

Police would also close off Messogeion Avenue leading from the northern suburbs to Athens, and the central Vassilisis Sophias Avenue, along which the Pope and his entourage will pass en route to the Presidential Mansion.

Equally stringent measures are being taken at the Vatican's embassy in Paleo Psychico, where the Pope will be staying.

[06] PASOK's Executive Bureau assumes responsibility for finding solution on social security issue

Athens, 04/05/2001 (ANA)

The EB decided that the issue of dialogue on the social security system would be the task of all its members and not of a group of its members alone as Simitis had proposed at the beginning of the meeting.

Simitis had proposed the creation of a management group to handle the crisis, composed of Akis Tsohatzopoulos, Apostolos Kaklamanis, Vasso Papandreou, Costas Laliotis, Costas Skandalidis, National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and Labor Minister Tassos Giannitsis.

However, many members expressed the view that the creation of such a committee would make Yiannitsis a political hostage and for this reason Simitis was called on not to insist with his proposal.

Simitis accepted their position and entrusted Central Committee Secretary Costas Skandalidis and all the members of the Executive Bureau with the task of achieving a rapprochement with the trade union movement to start a dialogue on the social security issue.

Skandalidis said dialogue will take place step-by-step and announced that the social security issue will be discussed by the party's Central Committee during its meeting on June 1-2.

Simitis committed himself during the meeting that in the framework of dialogue with the trade unions, state funding of the social security system will also be discussed and called on members to declare this on every opportunity.

[07] ND leader attends working lunch with EU ambassadors in Athens

Athens, 04/05/2001 (ANA)

ND deputy Dora Bakoyianni and his party’s international relations secretary, Prof. Yiannis Valinakis, accompanied him.

In statements upon arriving at the embassy, Karamanlis said his party believed in a federal vision of Europe, with its own foreign and defense policy and with greater social cohesion and solidarity and institutional changes that would make it more effective.

He said that ND was in favor of EU enlargement and stressed that the first priority for Greece was that Cyprus join the EU.

Commenting on domestic affairs, he noted that ND's primary goal was to achieve true economic convergence, so that the average standard of living among Greeks matched that of Europeans.

The meeting with the ambassadors comes just a few days before Karamanlis begins a tour of Balkan capitals - a task assigned to him by the European People's Party, aimed at the democratization of the western Balkans. Karamanlis is due to leave for Belgrade in the coming week, while there will be a two-day seminar on this issue in Thessaloniki that will be attended by Euro-MPs belonging to the EPP.

[08] Romanian military chief to visit next week

Athens, 04/05/2001 (ANA)

A Greek General Defense General Staff (GEETHA) announcement said that Romania's chief of staff General Michail Popescu was due in Athens on Monday for a five-day official visit at the invitation of GEETHA chief Lt.-Gen. Manoussos Paragioudakis.

During his stay, Gen. Popescu will meet with the defense ministry's civilian and military leadership to discuss issues of mutual military interest.

He will also visit military installations and archaeological sites, the announcement said.

[09] Thessaloniki TEI council resigns in protest to education bill

Athens, 04/05/2001 (ANA)

An announcement released by the council claims that the bill downgrades the role of the institutes. Amid other objections, the council is opposed to the designation of TEI's as "non-university" and articles that forbid the planning and carrying out of post-graduate studies programs and research.

[10] Archbishop Christodoulos sends message to visiting Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos

Athens, 04/05/2001 (ANA)

The Patriarch officiated at a church service in Xanthi, in the presence of 20 Metropolitans, including the Metropolitans of Alexandroupolis Anthimos and Ioannina Theoklitos.

"Some criticize us Orthodox believers as being pagans because we respect the holy relics of the faith. We do not attribute strength to these material objects but we accept that it is the grace of God that acts through them," the Patriarch said in referring to saints and holy relics.

[11] Archbishop Christodoulos to make nine-day official visit to Russia

Athens, 04/05/2001 (ANA)

The Patriarch of All Russia Alexiy and the members of the Holy Synod of the Russian Church will welcome the delegation at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport.

Archbishop Christodoulos will meet Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin, the President of the State Duma Selezhnev, Moscow Mayor Luzhkov, the Greek ambassador to Moscow and many Metropolitans of the Russian Church.

During his stay, Archbishop Christodoulos will be visiting many holy monasteries and shrines, as well as St Petersburg's Academy of Theology, while he will also be attending receptions and commemorative events.

[12] OECD estimates that GDP will increase 4 percent in Greece in 2001 and 4.5 percent in 2002

PARIS, 04/05/2001 (ANA)

The organization predicts that Greece's GDP will increase 4 percent in 2001, while in 2002 it anticipates an acceleration in the growth rate to 4.5 percent.

The report said that, despite the unfavorable international climate, the Greek economy's "current momentum" is such which enables it to maintain these high growth rates.

Low interest rates, tax cuts and the 2004 Athens Olympic Games are expected to contribute to the strengthening of consumption and of private sector investments. The profit making of Greek businesses is also expected to be considerable due to reserved salary increases and the great increase expected in their productivity.

Inflation is expected to reach 3.1 percent in 2001 and 2.8 percent in 2002, primarily due to the decrease in energy prices on the international scene.

The OECD further recommends "bolder reforms in the labor market and a faster implementation of reforms for product markets" to strengthen the Greek economy's competitiveness and to facilitate a medium-term non-inflationary development course.

[13] National economy minister outlines results of visit to

National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, speaking on the outcome of his visit to the US at a press conference for Greek and Greek community media at the New York press office on Thursday, said his visit to the US coincided with the substantive commencement of the new US government, adding that it was the Greek government's first official contact with the new US administration.

"We were given the opportunity here to state our presence, set out our positions and to become better acquainted with the officials of the American government and to better understand the guidelines of American policy in many sectors, not in the economy alone but generally speaking. Consequently, the visit was useful both for setting out Greece's positions and for strengthening relations between Greece and the US," he said.

Commenting on the question of whether or not Greece will benefit from economic support given to Turkey by the IMF (and the US), Papantoniou said "Greece's support for economic aid being given to Turkey was manifested officially with our public intercession at the ECOFIN meeting ten days ago. In essence, it is a security investment. The Greek government believes that a stable Turkish economy leads to a more stable political system and to a foreign policy which is more likely to avoid extremities."

Papantoniou went on to say that "on the contrary, in an unstable Turkish economy on the verge of bankruptcy calm would recede and we might have had Turkish attitudes which do not contribute to the consolidation of stability in the wider region. Therefore, we want a stable Turkey, a Turkey which will be successful economically and we believe that its prosperity and progress is unbreakably linked to an improvement in Greek-Turkish relations."

[14] National economy minister says Greece's participation in euro zone extremely important

WASHINGTON, 04/05/2001 (ANA - T. Ellis)

Papantoniou said participation in the euro zone is extremely important because it means high growth rates in the region of 5 percent, very low inflation close to 2.5 percent, compared to 14 percent a few years ago, and a budget surplus for the first time in the past 35 years.

"We are an attractive destination and we are trying to benefit from our accession to the euro zone as best as we can," he said, adding that fiscal investments have increased, and so have private investments, while unemployment is decreasing for the first time in the past 10 years.

[15] Business confidence indicator increases 0.4 percent in Greece in April

BRUSSELS, 04/05/2001 (ANA - V. Demiris)

The business confidence indicator is a complex one, whose basic parameters are the consumer, industry and building confidence indicators, as well as developments in share prices.

Regarding Greece, the business confidence indicator decreased in industry and among consumers and increased in building and share prices.

[16] Greek and Bulgarian farm ministers discuss cooperation

SOFIA, 04/05/2001 (ANA - B. Borisov)

Greek and Bulgarian experts will be meeting in Sofia soon to develop joint actions in the agricultural credit sector, as well as in the certification and standardization of ecological agricultural products.

Anomeritis told the Athens News Agency (ANA): "We agreed to a series of specific actions including a meeting between senior officials, due to take place in Sofia, on agricultural credit issues and certification as well as training issues, to enable everything to proceed with speedier rates".

[17] Greek women more informed about the euro currency

Athens, 04/05/2001 (ANA)

The survey, conducted on 278 businesses in Thessaloniki, April 1-28, revealed that 82 percent of polled women said they were well informed over the new European currency, compared with a 65 percent rate of men.

A 66 percent of businessmen said their information was based on the media (press, television, radio).

The survey showed that 88 percent of businesses believed they were ready for the transition to a single currency, while 79 percent of them said they would gladly participate to a seminar on the euro.

Larger enterprises were more prepared to adopt a new currency because they were influenced by external factors, while businessmen said they did not show the same attention regarding the euro as private consumers.

The majority of businesses, based on the wider Thessaloniki area, said that both enterprises and consumers would be affected from the transition to a single currency, while 31 percent of them said they already owned a banking account in euros.

A total of 68 percent of businesses said they have already briefed their employees about the new currency.

[18] Bank workers to stage nationwide strike May 17-18

Athens, 04/05/2001 (ANA)

The OTOE union has rejected an offer of a three-year labor pact that would change bank opening times after talks and allow pay rises of 3.8 percent in 2001, 3.5 percent in 2002 and 3.0 percent in 2003, the statement said.

Bank workers are seeking a two-year agreement with rises of 6.5 percent each year, accompanied by a 35-hour working week and pledges that employers will take action over alleged breaches of labor law, it added.

The last separate strike by bank employees was in March in a call for the creation of a unified social insurance fund for the sector.

[19] Greek stocks slide continues on ASE

Athens, 04/05/2001 (ANA)

Traders said smaller capitalization stocks were particularly. Analysts predicted that a fall towards the 3,200-point level could lead to a reappearance of buyers in the Greek bourse.

The general index ended 1.19 percent lower at 3,228.30 points, off the day's lows of 3,221.93 points, with turnover a low 144.20 million euros, or 49.4 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 1.40 percent lower at 1,880.08 points, and the FTSE/ASE 40 index eased 0.90 percent to 373.22 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 6,894.82 -1.18% Telecoms: 1,106.29 -1.03% Insurance: 1,482.21 -0.75% Investment: 1,096.27 -2.00% Construction: 1,520.10 -0.67% Industrials: 1,921.10 -1.49% Holding: 3,777.92 -0.98% Base metals: 993.48 +0.07% Minerals: 1,066.09 -1.89% Publishing: 986.85 -1.25% Textiles: 1,174.24 -1.14% Retailing: 1,199.03 +0.72% IT: 1,034.13 -1.17% IT solutions: 965.63 -1.35% Wholesale: 933.07 -1.02% Food and Beverage: 907.39 -1.66%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 321.05 points, off 1.05 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 269 to 63 with another 27 issues unchanged.

Xylemporia, Alysida, Despec Hellas, Moda Bagno, Nextnet, Pairis, Elais, Balafas, Ideal and Sfakianakis scored the biggest percentage gains, while Unibrain, Viosol, Vardas, Papafilis, Aspis Insurance, Progressive, Korfil, Electra, Lanacam and Klaoudatos suffered the heaviest losses.

National Bank, Hellenic Telecoms, Alpha Bank, Unibrain and Commercial Bank were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in euros): National Bank: 42.86 Alpha Bank: 31.80 Commercial Bank: 53.60 Egnatia Bank: 5.60 Eurobank: 17.36 Piraeus Bank: 14.10 Lambrakis Press: 13.76 Altec: 6.66 Intrasoft: 10.40 Technodomiki: 7.80 Titan Cement: 41.30 Hellenic Telecoms: 16.36 Panafon: 7.16 Hellenic Petroleum: 9.52 Attica Enterprises: 8.50 Intracom: 20.98 Mytilineos: 7.86 Minoan Lines: 4.66 Viohalco: 11.60 Coca Cola HBC: 16.60

Bond prices rise in record-breaking trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Thursday finished higher in record trade with players scooping up paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.52 percent from 5.56 percent a day earlier.

The yield spread over German bunds was 53 basis points, the same as in the previous session.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 1.710 billion euros (582.6 billion drachmas) from 1.5 billion euros (543 billion drachmas) in the trading day before.

Buy orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

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

The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 1.40 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 0.90 percent lower.

Traded were 6,237 contracts on turnover of 47.3 million euros

[20] IOC delegation continues review of 2004 preparations

Athens, 04/05/2001 (ANA)

IOC vice-president Jacques Rogge, who is also a contender to succeed Juan Antonio Samaranch and the head of a coordinating committee reviewing ATHOC's progress, met with the country's culture minister and sports under-secretary on Thursday. He conferred with ATHOC president Yianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki and Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos a day earlier.

Security issues and preparations, as expected, later monopolized Rogge's talks with Public Order Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis.

In terms of Wednesday's highlights, Greek organizers announced that a local joint venture (Aktor-Elliniki Technodomiki) was picked to build the first of five media villages for the 2004 Games at the Pallini site, east of Athens proper, for 19 billion drachmas.

In brief comments to reporters, Rogge emphasized that there should be no complacency but a speeding up of preparations.

He also pointed out that the hospitality sector was the event's biggest concern so far before expressing satisfaction over a recent government decision to lift a ban on new luxury hotel construction in the greater Athens area prior to the Games.

Meeting with Laliotis on projects: He also expressed satisfaction with the progress of construction for five Olympic venues supervised by the public works ministry after a meeting with Minister Costas Laliotis, noting that there will be no problems if construction continues at the same pace as today.

"The deadlines that we have agreed to with the IOC are being strictly observed," Laliotis said on his part, while promising that both the projects and related infrastructure works will be ready by January 2004 or sooner, when pre-Olympic tests are necessary.

A press conference is planned for Friday at a downtown Athens hotel.

Progress regarding the "Cultural Olympics" in the run-up to the Games later dominated Rogge's talks with Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos.

"The IOC's coordinating committee isn’t inspectors, but friends, counselors and associates. The nature of the visit is consultative. The goal of the Olympic Games is common and useful for Greece and its international image. It's also very important that Mr. Rogge is briefed first hand," Venizelos said.

[21] British woman dies in mysterious grenade blast in her car

Athens,04/05/2001 (ANA)

Initial reports pointed to the victim’s alleged involvement with a local protection racket, whereas a search of the woman’s home turned up a veritable bomb-making plant and four hand grenades, including a two Soviet-made “FI” grenades similar to the one that reportedly exploded inside the car.

Police said Susan-Mary Aristidi, 49, was found in her late-model British-plated luxury sedan shortly after an explosion was reported just after midnight.

A detonator was found in a handbag in the backseat, while the woman's dog also died in the blast.

Police initially said a makeshift bomb that detonated by accident caused the explosion. However, later in the day evidence gathered from within the vehicle pointed to a blast from a grenade, possibly altered to discharge an even deadlier form of shrapnel.

Suicide has also not been ruled out.

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