Boston institutional investors show interest in A.S.E. activity
NEWS IN DETAIL
Turkey received its biggest blow ever yesterday from the European
Parliament (EP) when the latter voted in a number of resolutions to freeze
millions of dollars of aid to Ankara, and accused it of provocative actions
in Cyprus, the Aegean, aggression in northern Iraq, and violation of human
rights.
In a resolution, following the first reading of the 1997 budget, the
European Parliament transferred to the reserves a total of 95 million ECU,
originally planned for disbursement in the framework of TurkeyYs customs
union agreement with the EU, and de signed to help that country develop its
infrastructure and modernise its agricultural sector. The amount had been
part of a 375 million ECUs ($470 million) sum set aside by the EU for the
period between 1996 and 2000, through the special regulation for financial
cooperation.
EP noted in the resolution that the disbursement of these credits was
linked to respect, on the part of Ankara, for democratic principles and the
rules of international law.
"Significant progress in the political resolution of the Kurdish and Cyprus
problems must be recorded," the resolution added.
Cyprus murders, Aghia Sophia
In another two resolutions, also adopted with an overwhelming majority, EP
condemned the recent killing by Turkish troops of an unarmed Greek Cypriot
near the dividing line on the island, and the bombing attack against the
Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch ate in Istanbul on September 30.
The first of the two resolutions pointed out that "the victim was the
fourth Greek Cypriot murdered without reason (this year), which reveals the
real intentions of certain extremist circles to create the false impression
that the peaceful coexistence of the two communities on Cyprus is
impossible," and that "this totally unjustifiable act took place in an area
controlled by the British military base of Dekeleia".
It also called on all European Union member states to exert pressure on
Turkey to withdraw its forces from the island.
The second resolution also expressed its concern over the climate created
by recent statements by the Turkish minister to the prime minister's office,
regarding the conversion of the Byzantine church of Agia Sophia into a
mosque, and pointing out tha t in Turkey Christian religious monuments and
cemeteries very often become targets of vandalism.
Prime Minister Costas Simitis did not exclude a meeting with Turkish
President Suleyman Demirel on the sidelines of the Black Sea Economic
Cooperation (BSEC) summit which begins here today.
Speaking to journalists on his arrival yesterday, Mr. Simitis said a
meeting with Mr. Demirel was "very probable" in the framework of his
contacts with all heads of state and prime ministers of the 11 member-
states of the BSEC.
"No substantial discussion can take place in one session, but it is
expedient and appropriate that one should meet other people with such an
opportunity, to exchange views and examine what can happen in the future,"
Mr. Simitis said.
Replying to questions from Russian journalists on the prospects of the BSEC,
Mr. Simitis said the BSEC provides the possibility of better cooperation
between member-states, constitutes a way of understanding between them and
an effort to "exchange information on progress on such issues as the
Thessaloniki-based Black Sea Commercial and Development Bank."
Mr. Simitis said the BSEC is not like the European Union and is not
something "bound" to a specific policy.
"It is an effort by some countries to resolve individual problems. This is
correct and we must continue in this way," Mr. Simitis said, indirectly
expressing Greece's opposition to the Turkish aim of turning the BSEC into
a regular international organisation.
The Greek representation, includes Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and
government officials.
Simitis to meet with Russian PM in Moscow today
Prime Minister Costas Simitis is due to meet with his Russian counterpart
Viktor Chernomyrdin this morning in Moscow, government spokesman Dimitris
Reppas said yesterday.
The government spokesman also said Mr. Simitis will visit Budapest on
October 26-27 to take part in the European Socialist Party's summit
meeting.
During his visit to the Hungarian capital, Mr. Simitis is expected to have
a meeting with his Hungarian counterpart Gyula Horn.
Authoritative sources said the next meeting between Greece and the Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), under the aegis of UN mediator
Cyrus Vance at the UN's headquarters in New York, has been rescheduled for
November 6 due to commitments undertaken by Mr. Vance.
Diplomatic circles say the fact negotiations on the name will be resumed on
the day after the presidential elections in the US is a mere coincidence,
adding that at the moment there is no possibility of the US undertaking any
initiative.
Problems in the Aegean do not originate from military exercises but from
"undisciplined military activity by Turkey", government spokesman Dimitris
Reppas said yesterday. Mr. Reppas was responding to press questions on why
Greece would not accept a Turkish proposal to extend the summer moratorium
on military exercises in the Aegean.
"The 1988 Vouliagmeni Memorandum (signed by then-foreign ministers of
Greece and Turkey, Karolos Papoulias and Mesut Yilmaz) is a good basis for
the rapprochement of the two countries," Mr. Reppas said, adding that the
memorandum should be utilised and developed so as to provide better
results.
Greek policemen decorated for work in Mostar
Five Greek policemen participating in the West European Union police
mission in Mostar have been decorated for their work in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The European Union's mediator in Mostar, Ambassador Zepos, proposed that
the Greek state award medals to the policemen in a letter to Public Order
Minister George Romeos.
The policemen - Panayiotis Poniros, Nikos Sarantakos, Dimitris Patrinakos,
Nikos Kelepouris and Christos Lagios - were decorated by the representative
of the European Police Mr. Labrechek.
Greece disagrees with EU 'inner circle' proposal
Athens yesterday expressed disagreement at a Franco-German proposal which
brings into the EU treaty -- currently under review in the inter-governmental
conference -- a clause that some countries can move ahead of others in
areas of European cooperation.
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the Greek government opposed the
formation of "an inner circle" within the European Union.
Most EU countries generally favour the proposal, termed in EU jargon as
"flexibility," but many question how far it should go.
One fear is that a small group of countries would form an inner circle,
setting both the rules and agenda for those outside.
Two hundred projects budgeted at 62 billion drachmas are already underway
in Thessaloniki, hoping to pave the way for the city to enter the 21st
century in the wake of Thessaloniki cultural capital of Europe year in
1997.
Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis gave
an account yesterday of the technical programme of the Cultural Capital
Organisation (OPPE), two and a half months before events are due to start
in Thessaloniki.
Mr. Laliotis said the Public Works Ministry has provided OPPE's account
with 28.11 billion drachmas, of which the organisation has managed to
disburse 16.21 billion drachmas.
A further eight billion drachmas have been provided for the Concert Hall
and 10 billion drachmas for access projects in municipalities in western
Thessaloniki, bringing the total cost of the project budget to about 80
billion drachmas.
Greek resolution on protecting Mediterranean endorsed
The 20th conference of the International Organisation for the Protection of
Nature (IUCN), which convened in Montreal on Wednesday, endorsed a
resolution submitted by Greece on the protection and ecological development
of the Mediterranean coasts and islands.
In accordance with the provisions of the resolution, the conference has
decided to consider appropriate legislation for the protection of the
Mediterranean coasts. The conference also decided to link the coastal
regions' management to the administration of urban and regional development
projects, and to amend existing legislation on environmental development
based on the particuliarities of the regions involved.
IUCN, one of the most important international ecological organisations,
comprises governmental and non-governmental organisations.
The first of three frigates currently being built in Greece, was
delivered to the navy yesterday in the presence of National Defence
Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos.
Speaking during the delivery ceremony for the MEKO 200-type frigate, named
"Spetasai", Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the Greek navy was ready to face any
Turkish threat in the sea region from Cyprus to the Aegean, adding that the
country's arms industry contributes considerabl y to the equipping of
Greece's armed forces.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the continuous modernisation and renewal of the
Greek navy reaffirmed Greece's "might at sea, at a time when disputes and
provocations against our sovereign rights in Greek regions of the Aegean
are growing."
Bosnian Serb president to visit Thessaloniki
Bosnian Serb President Biljana Plavsic is to visit Thessaloniki on Sunday
at the invitation of the Municipality of Kalamaria, an ANA dispatch from
Belgrade reported yesterday.
Mr. Plavsic will be in Thessaloniki for three days and is scheduled to
attend events commemorating 'Ohi Day' on October 28.
Ohi (No) Day commemorates the day Greece was dragged into World War II
after the then prime minister, Ioannis Metaxas, rejected an Italian
ultimatum to surrender or be invaded.
Mr. Plavsic will be the first Bosnian Serb official to visit Greece since
the Bosnian elections in September.
Some 80 Boston-based institutional investors have shown interest in the
substantial investment opportunities at the Athens Stock Exchange after
being briefed yesterday on Greece's capital market by President of the
Athens Bours e, Manolis Xanthakis, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Greece,
Panayiotis Thomopoulos and President of the Capital Market Committee,
Stavros Thomadakis.
The representatives of 80 US banks and enterprises have attended a series
of seminars on Greece's capital market and had the opportunity for dialogue
with the heads of 12 Greek companies participating in the mission.
The members of the Greek delegation met with senior officials of the "Bear
Stearns" company and attended a reception in their honour by the president
of the Boston Stock Exchange.
Today, the members of the Greek delegation will attend an official lunch
organised by the President of the New York Stock Exchange William
Johnston.
The general production index for mines, industries, electricity and gas
increased by 0.9 per cent in July 1996 compared to the corresponding month
in 1995, according to data provided by the National Statistics Service.
The mining production index increased by 7 per cent and the gas production
index rose by 3.9 per cent while the industrial production index remained
unchanged.
WEATHER
Partly cloudy with possible drizzle and a further drop in temperatures
ranging from 11-17 in Athens and from 4-19C in Thressaloniki.
SPORTS
A Greek cultural exhibition is to be held in Sydney during the 2000 Olympic
Games, according to reports in the city's Greek community press.
Greek artefacts dating from the times of the ancient Olympics and from the
first modern Olympic Games held in Athens in 1896 are to be displayed
during the exhibition, in order to promote the country and Athens, which
organisers hope will be hosting the
2004 Olympics, Sydney University professor Dr Emmanuel Aronis has
said.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE (Buying)
U.S. dlr 236.562 Can. dlr.176.140, Australian dlr. 187.424 Pound sterling
377.059, Irish punt 381.067, Cyprus pd 511.872, French franc 46.047, Swiss
franc 188.267 Belgian franc 7.554, German mark 155.570 Finnish mark 51.782,
Dutch guilder 138.696 Danish Kr. 40.569, Swedish Kr. 35.986, Norwegian Kr.
36.694, Austrian Sh. 22.107, Italian lira (100) 15.460 Yen (100) 209.798
Spanish Peseta 1.848, Portuguese Escudo 1.542.
(C.E.)
