Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-12-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Simitis chairs high-level government meeting focusing on euro changeover

[02] Greece announces participation in Afghanistan peace mission

[03] Deputy DM in Bosnia, visits Greek contingent

[04] Real estate prices increasing in municipalities on 1/2/2002

[05] Extensions planned for terminals at Hania, Kos airports

[06] New maritime navigational system for N. Ionian region

[07] New building construction increases by 8.4 per cent in first half of 2001

[08] Titan cement producer to acquire Serbian Kosjeric cement company

[09] Greek listed companies to benefit from euro

[10] Credit squeeze indexes eased in November

[11] Hellenic Stock Markets announces share capital increase

[12] Greek stocks end last 2001 session slightly up

[13] Cultural Heritage company president resigns

[14] President Stephanopoulos awards medals for New Year

[15] New Year message from Archbishop Christodoulos

[16] Traffic deaths, accidents down from 2000 figures

[17] Missing persons agreement on Clerides-Denktash dinner agenda

[01] PM Simitis chairs high-level government meeting focusing on euro changeover

Athens, 29/12/2001 (ANA)

A high-level government meeting to discuss preparations for the introduction of the euro on January 1, 2002 was held at the economy and finance ministry and was chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

It was attended by the finance ministers and upper-level ministry staff, as well as Bank of Greece governor Loukas Papademos, Union of Greek Banks president Theodoros Karatzas and a number of other bank governors.

Simitis called for the participation of everyone in this national effort during the meeting that included representatives of both business and trade federations and labor unions, while he urged firms to stand by commitments as far as the euro changeover is concerned, i.e. a “gentlemen's agreement” to keep inflation in check, price listings in both currencies and rounding-out drachma/euro conversions in favor of consumers and retailers.

Simitis warned that “some perturbation” was likely during the euro changeover, advising patience and caution.

On his part, Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis urged citizens for patience and understanding ahead of the introduction of the euro currency in Greece.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Christodoulakis said "the introduction of new currencies is not an easy task." He warned that it would be a mistake to be overoptimistic over the euro transition period.

He said he expected small- and medium-sized enterprises to seek higher supplies in the euro currency by January 2, 2002 to cover a large part of a current supply deficit in the sector.

Greek bankers, who attended the meeting, said that around 50,000 small- and medium-sized enterprises have covered their initial supplies with the euro currency out of a total 300,000 enterprises in the country.

They noted that large banks would be able to meet euro currency demand by 75 percent in the first day of 2002 and said that there was no need for citizens to create queues outside banks' ATMs to withdraw euro banknotes from December 31, since the country will use both drachmas and euros for the first two months of 2002

Premier Simitis praised the banks for their handling of the situation, noting that they had all switched their systems to the euro and that developments throughout the country looked good.

According to Simitis, no serious problems in adapting to the new currency had arisen so far, while preparations were now being made for the first two months of 2002.

One of the labor leaders in attendance, Civil Servants Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY) president Spyros Papaspyros, meanwhile, called for higher wages in light of the euro zone, stressing that Greek consumers have 40 percent less buying power than the average European Union figure. Along with ADEDY, the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) and other trade unions also participated in the meeting.

[02] Greece announces participation in Afghanistan peace mission

Athens, 29/12/2001 (ANA)

The Greek peacekeeping force, made up of volunteer officers and NCOs, is expected to travel to Afghanistan at the end of January for a three-month tour of duty.

According to the national defense general staff, a corps of engineering company, an accompanying security detail as well as the crews of two dispatched C-130 transport planes will comprise the Greek force in Afghanistan - the first soldiers from the east Mediterranean nation to set foot in the rugged Central Asia land since the time of Alexander the Great.

Meanwhile, the highest-ranking army officers expected to command the Greek contingent participated in a conference on Thursday in London, chaired by British Lt.-Gen. John McCall, focusing on operational and logistical matters for the international peacekeeping mission.

[03] Deputy DM in Bosnia, visits Greek contingent

Athens, 29/12/2001 (ANA)

In his talks, Deputy Defense Minister Loukas Apostolidis reiterated that Athens' goal is to contribute to a climate of peace and security for the entire region through both bilateral and multilateral relations.

Among others, Apostolidis repeated Athens' standing position against any change in Balkan borders.

He also met with the leadership of Bosnia Herzegovina's Serbian state (Republika Srpska), whereas meetings with Bosnian Croat-Muslim federation deputy defense minister Ferid Bulzubazic and SFOR commander John Silvester were cancelled.

[04] Real estate prices increasing in municipalities on 1/2/2002

Athens, 29/12/2001 (ANA)

The municipalities disagreeing with the prices will be able to resort within two months from the date on which the new prices take effect, meaning by April 1, 2002.

This was announced by Deputy Finance Minister Apostolos Fotiadis who said that objective prices, as they have been determined following municipalities' objections, are lower by at least 20-50 percent than the real purchase prices of real estate in specific areas.

Fotiadis said that objective prices in very privileged areas were much lower than the real ones. After their adjustment, the minimum price was set at 160,000 drachmas per square meter for the poorest areas in the country and at 1,650,000 drachmas per square meter in the very privileged areas.

In a related development, the main opposition New Democracy party's economic affairs chief George Alogoskoufis said, referring to increases in the value of real estate, that "once again the government is proving its tax collecting mania in proceeding with a sudden and unwarned increase in objective values for the second consecutive year".

The Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) also criticized the policy of the government and called on it to "come to its senses." Party leader Dimitris Tsovolas said that it "even turned the appropriate measure of the objective determination of the value of real estate into a levying and tax-imposing apparatus, disregarding the consequences this considerable increase will have in the real estate market and for the popular classes".

[05] Extensions planned for terminals at Hania, Kos airports

Athens, 29/12/2001 (ANA)

Each project is estimated to cost 350 million drachmas, with an additional 6,000 sq. meters to be added to the terminal building in Hania and 3,700 sq. meters to the terminal at Kos, while Kos airport is also to get a new fire station and vehicle station.

[06] New maritime navigational system for N. Ionian region

Athens, 29/12/2001 (ANA)

The EU's Interreg II cross-border program (Greece and Italy in this case) funded the new navigational system's purchase and set-up.

[07] New building construction increases by 8.4 per cent in first half of 2001

Athens, 29/12/2001 (ANA)

New licenses for buildings reached at 45,858 for a total of 12,089 thousand square meters, a 17.7 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2000.

South mainland Greece recorded the highest increase, by 49.3 per cent, focusing on the Viotia prefecture, due to the construction of large industrial units. The region that recorded the sharpest decline was Western Macedonia were new licenses dropped by 11.6 per cent compared to the same period of 2000.

As expected, Attica led the country with 3,816 new licenses issued.

[08] Titan cement producer to acquire Serbian Kosjeric cement company

Athens, 29/12/2001 (ANA)

Titan, an Greece based international cement producer, will initiate negotiations for the final deal to acquire the Serbian company that owns a production plant with an annual capacity of 500,000 tons and is located near the capital Belgrade.

[09] Greek listed companies to benefit from euro

Athens, 29/12/2001 (ANA)

Steriotis said the euro would have a positive impact on Greek listed companies and predicted that Greek public enterprises' prospects were favorable for 2002 because they have shown flexibility and have adapted rapidly to changing conditions in the international markets.

He said he expected the Athens Stock Exchange to perform better in 2002 helped by its integration with other European markets and by measures to simplify the inflow of foreign private and institutional investors' capital in the Greek bourse.

[10] Credit squeeze indexes eased in November

Athens, 29/12/2001 (ANA)

The number of unpaid bills totaled 18,397 in November, worth Dr 5.2 billion, down 4.56 percent and 0.16 percent over the same month last year, respectively, Teiresias - company monitoring bank transactions - said in its monthly report.

[11] Hellenic Stock Markets announces share capital increase

Athens, 29/12/2001 (ANA)

The plan, approved by a general shareholders' meeting, aims to consolidate the Group's financial results and to support its expansion strategy.

Hellenic Stock Markets SA plans to sign strategic alliances with other European Union markets, its full privatization and the merger between ASE and ADEX.

[12] Greek stocks end last 2001 session slightly up

Athens, 29/12/2001 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.37 percent up at 2,591.56 points for a net loss of 23.53 percent in the year, with turnover a low Dr 41.3 billion or 121 million euros.

The IT Solutions, Retail and IT sectors scored the biggest percentage gains (1.88 percent, 1.56 percent and 1.55 percent, respectively), while the Metals, Investment and Construction sectors suffered the heaviest losses (0.70 percent, 0.38 percent and 0.36 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 0.44 percent higher, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 0.29 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index jumped 1.18 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 202 to 114 with another 40 issues unchanged.

The most heavily traded shares were Daring, Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Chipita, Aktor and Kreka.

Bond Market Close: Prices rise in light trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Friday finished higher in light trade again focusing on ten-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.28 percent, and the yield spread over German bunds was 34 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totaled 350 million euros.

Sell orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

Derivatives Market Close: Equity futures end slightly higher amid slow trade: Equity futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Friday showed a slightly higher premium than in the previous session in a trading day that was marked by very low volume, traders said.

Changing hands were 1,236 contracts lower that the already sharply decreased trade of the previous session that closed with 1,826 contracts changing hands. Turnover was 7.2 million euros.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips rose by 0.44 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks gained 0.29 percent.

[13] Cultural Heritage company president resigns

Athens, 29/12/2001 (ANA)

According to an announcement by the culture ministry, "Titos Patrikios had expressed the wish a long time ago to withdraw from the presidency of the Cultural Heritage Promotion SA, which is also organizing the Cultural Olympiad, at the end of 2001 because he wishes to devote himself absolutely and without distractions to his poetic and literary work in general."

"Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos repeatedly had the opportunity of expressing his love and profound appreciation for the person and work of Titos Patrikios and respects absolutely the substantive reason and noble motive which led Titos Patrikios to this decision. Despite the fact that an organizing vacuum is being created, it will be filled in the early days of 2002," the announcement added.

[14] President Stephanopoulos awards medals for New Year

Athens, 29/12/2001 (ANA)

Commander of the Order of the Phoenix medals were received by Athens Academy member Constantine Vavouskos and architect Emmanuel Korres, while Golden Cross of Honor awards were given to Viktor Sarigiannidis, an archaeologist at the Russian Academy of Science and Leon Benmayor, honorary president of the Israeli community of Thessaloniki.

Medals were also given to Marianna Vardinoyianni, president of the 'Elpis' child cancer foundation, Mary Karella, president of the Greek Society for the Protection and Rehabilitation of Handicapped Children, Semirami Mavropoulou, president of the SOS Children's Villages, Nitsa Economopoulou, President of the Thessaloniki Children's Shelter, Daphne Economou, president of the Society for the Protection of Spastics, Domine Sarri, president of the foundation "Theotokos" and Agapio Toli, founder of the Folklore Museum of Zagori Gardens.

[15] New Year message from Archbishop Christodoulos

Athens, 29/12/2001 (ANA)

He also urged the faithful to work actively for the establishment of good, noting that wishes alone were not enough, and to not become dismayed or discouraged.

"Faced with the extent of evil one wonders how to react. What difference can one person make? The answer to this question is just one. If you want to, you can. You can start with yourself, like lighting a candle in the pitch black. Think how many such candles will light if some people wish to make a start with themselves," he said.

[16] Traffic deaths, accidents down from 2000 figures

Athens, 29/12/2001 (ANA)

Specifically, 16,934 traffic accidents were reported throughout the country between January to October, a 13.4 percent decrease from the corresponding period in 2000.

In the crucial traffic fatalities category, 1,640 deaths were reported for the Jan.-Oct. 2001 period, down 6.5 percent from last year, whereas 2,807 serious traffic-related injuries were posted during the same time - down 23.2 percent from 2000's figures.

Greece, unfortunately, annually posts one of the highest rates of traffic fatalities and injuries among EU member-states.

[17] Missing persons agreement on Clerides-Denktash dinner agenda

NICOSIA, 29/12/2001 (CNA/ANA)

The president is expected to press on with the need to implement the joint agreement he clinched with Denktash in 1997 to solve this problem and he might even invite his interlocutor to make a good will gesture on the matter.

Clerides is hosting a dinner at his residence on Saturday night after he attended a dinner in Turkish occupied Nicosia hosted by Denktash in early December. This will be the first time since the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus that Denktash will cross into the government controlled part of the island and police are stepping up security to ensure his safe passage.

Political analysts believe that Denktash has managed to free himself from the tight corner he had led the Turkish side into, following his refusal to return to the negotiating table in September for UN-led talks. Nonetheless they point out that the attention of the international community continues to be on Denktash because he has to prove that the apparent change of heart he has displayed recently is genuine and not for appearances' sake.

"Initiating a meeting with Clerides and sitting at a dinner or two is not exactly the means to absolve oneself of one's wrongdoings. Denktash is still under the watchful eye of the international

community and he simply has to deliver the goods," diplomatic circles have told CNA.

They also point out that Denktash's real intentions will only become clear at the negotiating table.

The Clerides-Denktash July 31, 1997 agreement notes that the two leaders recognize the right of those families whose missing loved ones are proved to be dead to have their remains for proper burial.

The leaders also agreed to exchange information on the location of graves and appoint a person to prepare the necessary arrangements leading to the return of remains of Greek and Turkish Cypriot missing persons.

Information of the location of graves was exchanged between the two sides but the Turkish Cypriot side, whose general approach to the exhumation of remains is rather negative so far, raised fresh demands of the Greek Cypriot side.

One such demand was to have the number of persons killed in the military coup that preceded the Turkish invasion sorted out. This was done but the Turkish Cypriot side refused to accept the list the Greek Cypriot side had prepared.

More recently the Turkish Cypriot side demanded that the work of the Committee of Missing Persons (CMP) is completed before it proceeds with the implementation of the July agreement.

The government of Cyprus embarked in 1999 on an arduous task of exhumations of remains in two cemeteries in the government controlled areas of the Republic, a process which has so far identified about 115 persons some of whom were listed as missing.

In spite of repeated calls by the government to allow Turkish Cypriots to give blood samples for the identification process through the DNA method, Denktash has steadfastly refused to do so.

President Clerides will raise with Denktash at the dinner the need to improve the living conditions of enclaved Greek Cypriots residing in the occupied northern part of the island, who live under strict regulations imposed by the occupation regime.

Clerides and Denktash agreed a year after the Turkish invasion on various steps to enable the enclaved live under normal conditions, with the provision of freedom of movement in the occupied areas, of the right to education and to free exercise of one's religion as well as free medical care.

Security clampdown to ensure Denktash's safe passage: Cyprus police will take all necessary security measures to ensure Denktash's safe passage into the Republic's southern government controlled areas.

"Precautionary security measures are already in place to prevent any unpleasant situation, we have enough police officers on duty and if we need any more, we shall call them in," Justice and Public Order Minister Nicos Koshis told CNA on Friday.

Koshis refrained from disclosing the exact nature of the security measures the police are taking but said police have set up a special unit to coordinate security.

"We have faith in the maturity of our people," he said.

The minister did not rule out the possibility of sealing off some streets along the route from the Ledra Palace check point, in the UN controlled buffer zone, from where Denktash will cross to the Presidential residence, a distance of approximately two kilometers.

Present at Saturday's dinner will be Acting Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and UNFICYP Chief of Mission Zbigniew Wlosowicz.

The dinner and Denktash's presence in the free areas of Cyprus have attracted immense media interest and some 200 journalists from the electronic and print media will cover the event. Half of them are journalists and cameramen working in occupied Cyprus, the rest live and work in the southern free part of the island and many of them represent foreign media.

TV networks are set to have a very long day and night on Saturday since many will be covering the event live and OB (outside broadcast) facilities will be available near the President's house.

Defense minister says Turkish air violations incompatible with current climate: Violations of the Republic's air space by Turkish military aircraft earlier this week are not conducive to the good climate that should exist these days, Defense Minister Socratis Hasikos has said, only a day before the president plays host to the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community.

He said there were 30 violations of the rules and regulations of Nicosia FIR (Flight Information Region) and 14 violations of the Republic's sovereign air space on three consecutive days (24, 25 and 26 December) by Turkish jet fighters.|

"Such action does not contribute to the good climate that should exist these days," Hasikos said during a visit to National Guard observation posts.

Clerides and Denktash have agreed to begin direct talks in mid January with a view to finding a comprehensive settlement.

The defense minister said that recent statements by Turkish officials on the need for two separate states in Cyprus and no compromises to secure a solution "are not compatible with the spirit of today and they are a provocation in view of tomorrow's dinner and the start of negotiations."

"This climate should not be torpedoed. The Greek Cypriot side has the will and the sincere desire to find a peaceful and lasting settlement in Cyprus," Hasikos said, adding that the government "has noted the provocative action by the Turkish side."

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