Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-01-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cabinet approves gov’t policy in telecoms

[02] We're here to produce results, not dramas, PM tells cabinet

[03] Greece backs Cyprus's stance over US Embassy reception

[04] Romania preparing agenda for Greek PM's official visit

[05] Bill on National Council on Foreign Policy to be forwarded to parties soon

[06] FM meets Albanian counterpart ahead of Meta's visit

[07] FM Papandreou briefs ND deputy Bakoyianni

[08] Public order minister visits London

[09] PASOK party committed to viable social security system

[10] Communist party leader comments on technology in education

[11] Harbor corps to acquire 12 patrol boats

[12] Regulators slap fine on Schroder Salomon Smith Barney

[13] Bank of Greece collects over 50pct of drachma notes

[14] 35.6 per cent of Greece's unemployed do not wish to work

[15] EU proposal to move Greece up one category for BSE risk

[16] ECONOMIST Conference to be held in Athens Jan. 30-31

[17] Merchant marine minister on two-day visit to Britain

[18] ND meeting with sector reps focuses on tourism industry's problems

[19] Blue chips lead ASE higher on Thursday

[20] Three top ATHOC officials fired

[21] ATHOC recruits top-notch artists for free concert to attract volunteers

[22] Cyprus not satisfied with explanation for US reception

[23] US congressman welcomes initiative on missing persons in Cyprus

[01] Cabinet approves gov’t policy in telecoms

Athens, 25/01/2002 (ANA)

The report coincided with the completion of one year since the deregulation of the domestic telecommunications market.

Verelis said that during the past year the government had built the base for the development of a healthy competitive environment in Greece and the country was now a telecommunications center for the wider region of southeastern Europe.

He forecast that new investments in the sector would total 2.0 trillion drachmas in the next two year, creating around 20,000 new jobs, and that so far around 250 billion drachmas have entered the state coffers from auctioning of telecoms licenses.

Verelis said that Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) has completed the digitalization of 93 percent of its network, from a European average of 94 percent, and that it managed to resist a recent global crisis in the sector by penetrating new European markets.

OTE also managed to reduce its borrowing and has cut its workforce - through voluntary retirement schemes - without hurting its competitiveness. Verelis said that OTE would hold its annual shareholders' meeting in March to elect its first independent board.

He announced cuts in local and long-distance telephone call rates by the end of the month, a move that was expected to cut inflation by 0.1 percent.

Verelis dismissed talk of a new flotation in OTE.

The transport minister unveiled a restructuring program for Hellenic Post and said the government was seeking to list the organization in the stock market, noting that Hellenic Post currently presented a profit of 5.0 billion drachmas, from a loss of 25 billion drachmas in 1997.

Verelis said the cabinet did not discuss the sale of Olympic Airways awaiting results of negotiations with a candidate buyer.

[02] We're here to produce results, not dramas, PM tells cabinet

Athens, 25/01/2002 (ANA)

Reporting on the meeting, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said the prime minister had emphasized the need to promote and strenuously defend the government's policy goals and to fight a preoccupation with internal party affairs that led to inertia.

"Politics is not about personal confrontations and projecting dramas. The main point of politics is to change the way society works and this is what we must focus our attention on," Simitis said.

The recent PASOK congress had called for clear-cut solutions and a change in attitudes, Simitis told his ministers, and it was the government's duty to meet this demand since it concerned Greek society as well as the government and PASOK.

"We have a specific program, we have a plan and we have goals. We have an obligation to succeed in all of these and not waste our time on issues that do not concern the interests of the public," he stressed.

Asked if the prime minister's statements were prompted by a challenge to the government's policy on the social insurance issue by 45 PASOK MPs on Wednesday, the spokesman said that Simitis was referring to the general climate surrounding the government's efforts and the need to focus on specific actions.

Regarding the social insurance issue, the spokesman said that a new approach was being followed on this issue, based on the decisions made at the PASOK congress. Making these decisions more specific required time and effort, he added, and dialogue on the issue would begin in a short space of time.

PM agrees to call cabinet meeting on health sector reforms: It was normal for those losing privileges to oppose change, Prime Minister Costas Simitis told the Cabinet on Thursday while commenting on reactions to the government's health system reforms.

Government spokesman Christos Protopapas said the prime minister had agreed to a proposal by Health Minister Alekos Papadopoulos to devote a special cabinet meeting to the issue of health sector reforms.

[03] Greece backs Cyprus's stance over US Embassy reception

Athens, 25/01/2002 (ANA)

Cyprus government spokesman Mihalis Papapetrou said on Thursday that the Cypriot government was not satisfied with clarifications given by Washington on the issue, in response to a demarche lodged by Cyprus.

Nicosia objected to not being informed about the guest list for the reception, which included Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and other high-ranking members of the illegal regime occupying northern Cyprus.

The event marked the opening of new premises for US Embassy offices within the occupied territories.

The US like every other UN member state, barring Turkey, does not recognize the self-styled Turkish Cypriot regime unilaterally declared in 1983, nine years after Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island's northern part.

The US ambassador is accredited to the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus.

The European Court of Human Rights has described the Turkish Cypriot regime as "subordinate (to Turkey) local administration" and considers Ankara responsible for what happens in the occupied part of Cyprus.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the northern third of the island.

[04] Romania preparing agenda for Greek PM's official visit

Athens, 25/01/2002 (ANA)

Dragomir also referred to what he called his country's major strides toward the European Union and NATO over the past few months, while underlining the positive developments in the Romanian economy.

He also noted that the agenda of the Romanian government for talks with Simitis will include bilateral issues as well as details on Greek support for Romania's EU and NATO accession.

In closing, the ambassador noted Romania's pride over the abolition of Schengen visas for Romanian citizens since the beginning of the year, adding that more than 50,000 Romanians already made use of their visa-less travel in the Union.

Embassy officials provided specific information on the issues the ambassador outlined, noting that Simitis' visit will also facilitate bilateral talks on the transfer of European Union acquis communautaire know-how from Greece to Romania.

The country has requested the opening of all 29 chapters of accession negotiations with the European Union, a motion that was accepted.

On the agenda of the premier's visit to Romania will also be Greece's initiatives during its EU presidency during the first half of 2003, and the prospects of the first wave of enlargement during that period.

Officials also focused on Romania's participation in NATO's peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan and Kosovo.

In fact, the same officials stressed that the Romanian parliament approved the mission of military support elements to augment the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanis-tan, whereas in Kosovo, Romanian troops replaced units of other countries in the region.

[05] Bill on National Council on Foreign Policy to be forwarded to parties soon

Athens, 25/01/2002 (ANA)

Papandreou, speaking to reporters before entering an in-camera meeting with parliament's standing committee on foreign affairs and defense to brief the committee on all external and defense policy issues, said he believed the ESEP would be set up within 2002.

Papandreou said the briefing would include a regular review of the progress in the Cyprus issue -- including Cyprus' EU membership course and the ongoing talks between Cyprus president Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

Also to be covered was the Greek government's preparations for the International Court at The Hague, Papandreou said, adding that the only issue of a territorial nature was that of the delimitation of the Aegean continental shelf.

A third item was the priorities of Greece's upcoming EU presidency in the first half of 2003, Papandreou added.

[06] FM meets Albanian counterpart ahead of Meta's visit

Athens, 25/01/2002 (ANA)

During his meeting with her, Papandreou discussed bilateral relations, European developments and the strengthening of relations between Albania and the European Union, as well as the situation in the broader Balkan region.

[07] FM Papandreou briefs ND deputy Bakoyianni

Athens, 25/01/2002 (ANA)

Papandreou had asked to brief ND leader Costas Karamanlis but the latter cited as a reason his heavy work load for not being able to meet Papandreou.

After the one-hour-long meeting, Bakoyianni said that ND believes in Greek-Turkish rapprochement but that the dialogue should be conducted with clear prerequisites, which is respect of sovereign rights, international treaties and bilateral agreements.

Bakoyianni said ND wishes to contribute in supporting national issues.

[08] Public order minister visits London

LONDON, 25/01/2002 (ANA)

In a press conference, Chrysohoidis said that the British side did not give him any list of suspects or names of terrorists. He added that neither arrests have been made nor announcements of imminent arrests.

He noted that a serious and organized effort is being made by Greece to combat terrorism and within this framework the cooperation of Britain and that of other countries is very important.

"I believe it is an insult for the country for us to say that the British will give Greece a list of names. No list, no name has been given. Our cooperation with the British is moving on a level of investigation. I must tell you that the investigation is moving on an exceptionally high level," he said.

Chrysohoidis will meet on Friday with junior Foreign Office minister Ben Bradshaw.

[09] PASOK party committed to viable social security system

Athens, 25/01/2002 (ANA)

Referring to the initiative undertaken on the social security issue by 45 PASOK deputies, Laliotis said "it might express a common anxiety and a given responsibility and sensitivity by the PASOK cadres. However, it does not contribute anything important and substantive to PASOK's dialogue with social forces. On the contrary, it might give cause to misunderstandings, confusions and insipid confrontations."

Laliotis further said that the party's sole target is to have a liberating solution given through dialogue and through wide social and political consensuses on this crucial issue.

ND spokesman claims there is 'internal party' within PASOK: The 45 MPs who signed a letter asking for a debate on the social insurance issue were an 'internal party' within PASOK's ranks, main opposition New Democracy spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos asserted on Thursday.

Roussopoulos was referring to letters sent by 45 PASOK MPs to PASOK party organs and the leaders of the party's parliamentary group, asking for a debate within the party and government on the crucial issue of social insurance reform.

The ND spokesman said it was satisfying that there were voices that asked for the problem to be resolved and at the same time raised serious questions on the government's stance.

Roussopoulos said the government did not appear to have arrived at any decisions leading to a resolution of the problem, which would have negative repercussions for the future of the social insurance system and the workforce.

[10] Communist party leader comments on technology in education

Athens, 25/01/2002 (ANA)

She said the issue of education requires a deeper examination to acquire its real political content, not only by agencies involved but through a wide popular movement.

Papariga further said that the overall examination of the issue needs answers to basic questions such as education for whom, for what purpose, for which society, for what person, what should be learnt and knowledge should be placed at whose service.

[11] Harbor corps to acquire 12 patrol boats

Athens, 25/01/2002 (ANA)

The vessels to be obtained are 16.5 meters long, have a maxi-mum speed of 48 knots and are self-sufficient for at least 250 nautical miles.

Tendering, as well as an expected proclamation for the procurement of three big vessels with international tendering, is part of the implementation of the armaments program for which Merchant Marine Minister George Anomeritis said "the overall program for strengthening the harbor corps with human potential and equipment is developing smoothly in the framework of the government's commitments."

[12] Regulators slap fine on Schroder Salomon Smith Barney

Athens, 25/01/2002 (ANA)

The commission said in a statement that SSSB was in possession of a customer order on May 31, 2001 for the sale of a block of shares that would clearly drive down the Athens bourse's general index, which in fact happened. The order was executed in the last 10 minutes of trade.

Before the order was executed and while the general index was rising, SSSB dumped stock that it owned, the statement said.

SSSB sold its own stock on the basis of insider information that at the end of the trading session its customer's bulk sale order would be executed, the commission said.

The statement added that a copy of the commission's report on the transaction and penalty would be sent to UK regulatory authorities.

[13] Bank of Greece collects over 50pct of drachma notes

Athens, 25/01/2002 (ANA)

The ministry said a survey showed that 94.9 percent of the population had acquired euros by January 18, with 89.8 percent of the total having effected transactions in euros.

[14] 35.6 per cent of Greece's unemployed do not wish to work

BRUSSELS, 25/01/2002 (ANA - Y. Zitouniati)

The percentage of the unemployed that do not wish to work stood at 35.6 per cent, the highest in the European Union, with Luxembourg placed second (34 per cent) and Belgium third (32.9 percent).

[15] EU proposal to move Greece up one category for BSE risk

BRUSSELS, 25/01/2002 (ANA - B. Demiris)

The committee's proposal will be formally adopted in the near future, after a report is first submitted to Greek authorities.

This would put Greece in category '3' for BSE-risk, with '4' including countries with a high BSE risk, such as Britain and Portugal. Countries where no case of BSE has been reported so far as classed as category '2' and countries where the incidence of BSE is considered unlikely are classed as category '1'.

Currently, the only EU country in category 2 is Sweden, while no EU country is in category 1.

The EU Commission stressed that the proposal was not a cause for alarm, since the category included countries that fully conformed to EU recommendations on dealing with the disease and met all community regulations on protecting against it.

[16] ECONOMIST Conference to be held in Athens Jan. 30-31

Athens, 25/01/2002 (ANA)

The companies LUKOIL and PETROLA sponsor the event.

Speakers at the event will include, among others, Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, OPEC General Secretary Ali Rodriguez, Iranian Oil Minister B. Zangeneh, former industry minister A. Andrianopoulos, Hellenic Petroleum president G. Moraitis and Public Power Corporation president D. Papoulias.

[17] Merchant marine minister on two-day visit to Britain

Athens, 25/01/2002 (ANA)

During his visit, he will be meeting his British counterpart David Jameson and the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) secretary general, as well as the presiding board of the Greek Shipping Cooperation Committee.

Anomeritis will also visit the British Museum where he will present the claim of Greek seamen and shipping companies for the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece.

[18] ND meeting with sector reps focuses on tourism industry's problems

Athens, 25/01/2002 (ANA)

The travel industry expects a 20 per cent reduction this year in tourist arrivals in Greece from the European Union and a 70 per cent reduction from the United States.

ND MPs also attended the meeting in charge of tourism issues.

ND spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos later said the meeting had highlighted the government's lack of policy and strategy for the tourism sector and deficiencies in communications planning, advertising and promotion.

He also claimed that the situation had become chaotic after the Hellenic Tourism Organization (EOT) was divided up and its services transferred to the regions, and that there were deficiencies in developmental law that prevented solutions to the problems from being found.

According to Roussopoulos, meanwhile, per capital income from tourism in Greece was the lowest in Europe and even lower than in Turkey.

The spokesman announced that ND's program included a commitment to create a tourism ministry, while he said the 2004 Olympics presented a great challenge that could be used to boost the tourism industry.

[19] Blue chips lead ASE higher on Thursday

Athens, 25/01/2002 (ANA)

The index ended 0.91 percent higher at 2,620.92 points, with turnover a substantially improved Dr 73.75 billion, or 216.44 million euros.

The Bank, IT and Metals sectors scored the biggest percentage gains (1.74 percent, 1.52 percent and 1.01 percent, respectively), while the Food-Beverage, Construction and Publishing sectors suffered losses (0.93 percent, 0.68 percent and 0.44 percent).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chips and heavy traded stocks ended 1.10 percent up, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 0.38 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.19 percent higher.

National Bank's shares ended 1.58 percent up and Alpha Bank rose 1.86 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 163 to 153 with another 44 issues unchanged.

The most heavily traded shares were Despec, Klonatex (common), Public Power Corporation, Klonatex (preferred), and Informer.

Bond Market Close: Prices slump in moderate trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Thursday finished lower in moderate trade focusing on 10-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.24 percent, and the spread over German bunds was 35 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 2.0 billion euros.

Sell orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

Derivatives Market Close: Equity futures trade at discount: Equity index futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange traded at discount in a brisk market on Thursday.

Changing hands were 5,903 contracts on turnover of 38.8 million euros.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips gained 1.10 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks rose 0.38 percent.

[20] Three top ATHOC officials fired

Athens, 25/01/2002 (ANA)

Asked if more personnel changes were imminent, ATHOC head Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki merely noted that “whatever happens you’ll be informed”.

The director of the Olympic construction projects department, the director of the facilities and infrastructure department as well as Angelopoulos-Daskalaki’s adviser on construction works all had their employment contracts terminated, reports state.

According to sources, however, the firings were unconnected to a leaked IOC document recently presented by main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Costas Karamanlis in Parliament in an effort to prove delays in several 2004-related projects.

[21] ATHOC recruits top-notch artists for free concert to attract volunteers

Athens, 25/01/2002 (ANA)

The concert, during which ATHOC will present its official volunteer form, will take place at the indoor basketball courts at OAKA, beginning at 8:00 p.m., while entry for the public will be free.

At a press conference on Thursday accompanied by Protopsalti and actor Spyros Papadopoulos who will be the concert presenter, ATHOC head Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki said the message was that the Games were not just for Athens but for the whole of Greece.

According to figures released by ATHOC, some 31,700 individuals and 485 state and non-governmental organizations have so far informally expressed an interest in volunteering their ser-vices for the Games, making a total of roughly 42,000 volunteers.

[22] Cyprus not satisfied with explanation for US reception

NICOSIA, 25/01/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said here on Thursday that "the government had made representations and asked for clarifications" and that the US Embassy's statement "does not satisfy the government".

Papapetrou did not wish to elaborate, noting that diplomacy was linked to the interests of Cyprus and that the government "avoids exploiting an issue related to the interests of the country".

Replying to questions, Papapetrou said the government had not been informed that such a reception was to be organized in the areas of Cyprus Turkey occupies since it invaded the island in 1974.

On Wednesday, the US Embassy said in a statement it had included "a wide spectrum of guests" at the reception, adding that "there should not be any controversy over meeting with anyone who can contribute to a just and durable settlement on Cyprus".

Turkish Cypriot newspapers reported that the guests included Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, the so-called "ambassador" of Turkey in the occupied areas, the military leadership, so-called "ministers", and others.

[23] US congressman welcomes initiative on missing persons in Cyprus

NICOSIA, 25/01/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Congressman Engel, author of the Missing in Cyprus Bill, expressed pleasure that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash spoke favorably earlier this month about the missing persons in Cyprus.

According to a press release issued by the Washington-based National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes, Engel said the resolution of this humanitarian issue will help thousands of Cypriots who cannot rest until they know with certainty the whereabouts of their child, parent or sibling.

Engel's bill, overwhelmingly adopted by the US Congress and enacted into law in October 1994, directed the US President to conduct an investigation into the whereabouts of the US citizens and others who have been missing from Cyprus since 1974.

This investigation resulted in the return to his family in 1998 of the remains of Greek-American Andrew Kassapis of Lavonia, Michigan, who was only 17 years old when he disappeared.

Until this legislation was passed, United Nations and State Department investigations did not turn up evidence of even one case.

Engel stated that until the passage of his legislation, no Cypriot of the thousands missing had been returned to their families in over 17 years.

"This has been the case since 1974 because Denktash refused to cooperate with the purely humanitarian endeavor to find out what happened to the missing Cypriots", the US congressman said.

Denktash's withdrawal from the 1997 UN-brokered agreement to exchange information on the location of graves and return the remains of the missing to their families for proper burial is just such an example, he added.

"Perhaps Denktash's recent favorable statement may signal a renewed effort to discover the fate of those who are still missing and hopefully return remains to their families. It is time that this issue and the pain of loved ones be put to rest", Engel said.

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