Athens News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-11-07
NEWS IN ENGLISH
Athens, Greece, 07/11/1997 (ANA)
MAIN HEADLINES
- Greek foreign policy initiatives bear fruit, Premier says
- Karamanlis fully disagrees with gov't's foreign policy
- Papandreou signs European Agreement on Citizenship
- Russia voices concern over Turkish military exercise in Cyprus
- Turkish colonel killed during manoeuvres in Cyprus
- Mantelis announces new measures for public transport
- Development minister opens 'Philoxenia '97' exhibition
- Hoteliers call for gov't aid for tourism promotion
- Greek bourse ends lower pressured by high interbank rates
- Maillis concludes bonds loan for $ 35 mln
- Promotion of Greek products in the Japanese market
- Weather
- Foreign exchange
NEWS IN DETAIL
Greek foreign policy initiatives bear fruit, Premier says
Prime Minister Costas Simitis said last night his government's policy of
active initiatives in foreign relations was not only in tune with the
demands of the times, but was also bearing fruit.
"The new era demands overcoming the traumas of the past, it demands new
perceptions and ways of approaching the major political issues, adjustment
to the messages of the new international reality, and initiatives in order
to determine ourselves our new identity and developments in the area," he
said during parliament's special debate on foreign policy issues.
"The policy of active initiatives which we apply is already bearing fruit
in our relations with the European Union. It is bearing fruit in the
Balkans. And it will bear even more fruit in the sum total of the country's
international relations," he added .
Pre-empting critics who might wonder why tension with Turkey is still high,
the prime minister said the neighbouring country's reaction was the result
of Greece's pressure. "The reaction originates from our moves, which have
resulted in a freezing of issues related to the EU's protocol of financial
assistance to Turkey,the prospects for EU Cypriot membership negotiations
... EU's urging of Turkey to contribute to a solution of the Cyprus problem,
the settlement of Greek-Turkish issues, the violation of human rights,
and a solution of the Kurdish issue," he said.
The prime minister described as necessary, useful and positive his meeting
with his Turkish counterpart Mesut Yilmaz on Crete, where he directly and
clearly set out the sum total of Greek positions.
The prime minister said he opposed Mr. Yilmaz's position for dialogue on
all issues, describing the step-by-step approach as the only realistic and
productive.
"The next step would be the drafting of a joint agreement to refer the
issue of the continental shelf to The Hague, while the two countries could
start cooperation in sectors of mutual benefit such as tourism and trade,"
he said.
He stressed that this proposal was beneficial for Greece, Turkey and the
whole region, and that Greece weakened Turkey's charges that it was
refusing rapprochement.
"The two countries could talk without the mediation of third parties, whose
good offices may prove useful, but we ought to render them unecessary. We
shall therefore pursue a continuation of contacts through the most
appropriate means.
Referring to the Cyprus issue, Mr. Simitis said the prospect for the island-
republic's EU membership could constitue a catalyst for finding a political
solution, and was an independent process without terms and pre-conditions.
"The defence of Cyprus is an inalienable right and duty. Greece will stand
by Cyprus in any aggressive move by Turkey...
He described the southeast European leaders' summit on Crete, last Monday
and Tuesday, as a paramount event in the development of relations between
Balkan countries in the last few decades.
"Greece is determined to play a prominent role in the efforts for the
creation of a cohesive area of political and economic cooperation, which
will have common political orientations, will seek development and
convergence of economies, and will increas ingly reduce the distance from
Western Europe," he said.
Karamanlis fully disagrees with gov't's foreign policy
Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis, who had
originally asked for last night's debate, expressed his full disagreement
with the government's handling of foreign policy issues.
He stressed the need for a national understanding on such issues, adding
that this required a briefing of political leaders which, however, had not
been forthcoming, and wondered why this was so, and whether the prime
minister was afraid to do so. Two other conditions, also lacking, were
dialogue in parliament and the setting up of a national council of foreign
and defence policy.
Referring to Greek-Turkish relations, Mr. Karamanlis charged that Turkish
policy was hegemonic and expansionist, aiming to a revision of the status
quo, and particularly, a division of the Aegean.
"It is a policy of the gunboat," he said.
"With the government's ineffective and inadequate policy, the situation is
continuously deteriorating," he warned.
"A most clear-cut policy is needed and the clearest of messages must be
sent to Turkey. Greece is continuously sending the wrong messages to the
other side. This is proved by the fact that Turkish provocations and
infringments have multiplied in number and intensity. It is the first time
that we have references to 'grey areas' and claims on 131 rocky islets, the
first time that an issue of territorial integrity is raised," he said.
Papandreou signs European Agreement on Citizenship
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou signed the European Agreement
on Citizenship in Strasbourg yesterday on behalf of the Greek government.
The agreement was promoted by the members of the Council of Europe with the
purpose of developing legal principles concerning citizenship and their
adoption by international law.
The agreement also anticipates the avoidance of discriminations in issues
related to citizenship and the right to defend family life in accordance
with the human rights code.
Addressing the 101st Ministerial Session of the Council of Europe, in the
framework of which the agreement was signed, Mr. Papandreou stressed
Greece's support for the Council's institution, pointing out that its
signing and the implementation of treati es is one of the most effective
ways to strengthen its role.
Russia voices concern over Turkish military exercise in Cyprus
Russia yesterday expressed concern over a Turkish military exercise in the
Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus saying that the character of the exercise
raised doubts over its "defensive nature".
"Such demonstrations of military force create some doubts over the
defensive character of the exercises," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman
Gennadi Tarasov said, according to the "Interfax" agency.
Turkish aircraft made mock bomb attacks on a supposed Russian-made anti-
aircraft S-300 missile site. Cyprus has signed an agreement to buy the
Russian missiles, which are expected to arrive on the island republic in
mid-1998. Turkey strongly opposes the deployment of the missiles,
threatening to prevent with military means their trasportation to Cyprus.
The Turkish demonstration "prevents the search of a negotiated settlement
of the Cyprus problem," Mr. Tarasov added.
Turkish colonel killed during manoeuvres in Cyprus
Suspicious circumstances surround the death of a Turkish colonel who was
killed Wednesday during a Turkish manoeuvre in the occupied north of Cyprus,
according to Turkish press reports yesterday.
Colonel Vural Berkai, in charge of the operations department of the Turkish
General Staff, was in a tent watching the Taurus-2/97 military exercise
when a bullet ricocheted off a rock and hit him, private television ATV
reported. The newspaper "Sabah" maintained yesterday that the tent was two
kilometres away from the site of the exercises, and added that there were
suspicions that the shot had been aimed at Turkish army chief General
Hussein Kivrikoglu, who was standing in front of the colonel.
The newspaper Milliyet also headlined its account of the issue "Colonel's
suspicious death". The accident came on the last day of the exercise, a
full-scale live-fire military exercise during which Turkish soldiers
practiced defending the Turkish-held part of Cyprus from an invasion.
Mantelis announces new measures for public transport
Transport and Communications Minister Tassos Mantelis yesterday announced a
series of measures to upgrade public transport in Athens and the wider
area.
Mr. Mantelis said he had ordered public transport bodies to make immediate
investments that would serve the needs of citizens, including the purchase
of 100 mini-buses, the upgrading of inter-municipal transport, lighting at
bus and trolley stops and t he creation of more routes, particularly
express routes.
Mr. Mantelis said the ministry was looking into finding a suitable location
for a KTEL terminal in western Athens, calling the present KTEL terminals
on Kifissos Avenue "unacceptable".
"Until we abolish them we will make the necessary interventions," he
said.
The operation of the new inter-city bus terminal, he said, would be self-
financed, and would include post offices, restaurants and banks.
Development minister opens 'Philoxenia '97' exhibition
Speaking at a press conference after inaugurating the exhibition "Philoxenia
'97" in Thessaloniki yesterday, Development Minister Vasso Papandreou
announced the creation of a committee to study the possibilities of the
country's tourist promotion on the o ccasion of the Athens 2004 Olympiad
and the hosting of other major sports events undertaken by Greece.
The committee will include personalities and representatives from agencies.
Ms. Papandreou pointed out that the target is not to promote Athens alone
but the entire country.
Referring to this year's tourist period, Ms. Papandreou said a small
increase occurred in all indicators and expressed "reserved optimism" for a
similar increase in 1998.
Hoteliers call for gov't aid for tourism promotion
The Panhellenic Hoteliers' Federation has asked the government to
contribute at least 10 billion drachmas to the federation's budget for the
promotion of tourism in Greece.
The request was made in Thessaloniki yesterday, the first day of the annual
Philoxenia Tourism Fair at a meeting of the federation's board, which has
been expanded this year to include the heads of local hotel unions.
Otherwise, Greek hoteliers fear that no improved returns can be expected.
They also urged the government to support the provinces in their efforts to
attract tourism.
This year's increase in tourism was estimated at around 10 percent,
although financial returns were down from the previous year as prices had
been kept down, a trend which they said they could not be expected to
maintain.
Greek bourse ends lower pressured by high interbank rates
The interest rate barrier according to the market's description of recent
high interest rates in the domestic money market discouraged trading on the
Athens Stock Exchange for one more session yesterday.
Greek equities lost further substantial ground to end sharply lower.
Traders said the market ignored news of a new fall in inflation at 4.7
percent in October. The Greek market was closely following events in the
domestic money market where interbank rates remained steady at 70 percent
in a central bank's effort to defend the national currency.
The general index closed 4.23 percent down at 1,513.66 points with all
sector indices losing ground. Banks fell 3.88 percent, Insurance dropped
4.47 percent, Leasing eased 6.99 percent, Investment fell 3.50 percent,
Construction was 6.95 percent off, In dustrials fell 5.37 percent,
Miscellaneous eased 4.10 percent and Holding dropped 3.91 percent.
The parallel market index for small cap companies ended 4.76 percent
down.
Trading was extremely heavy reflecting the transaction of large block of
shares in Elval, Viochalco and Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation.
Turnover was 43.7 billion drachmas.
Broadly, decliners led advancers by 209 to 19 with another eight issues
unchanged.
Macedonian Mills and Kekrops scored the biggest percentage gains with 7.7
and 7.4 percent respectively, while Chalyps Cement, Pairis, Benrubi,
Shelman and Heracles Cement suffered the heaviest losses.
National Bank of Greece ended at 28,400 drachmas, Ergobank at 16,400, Alpha
Credit Bank at 18,030, Delta Dairy at 3,610, Titan Cement at 13,895,
Intracom at 12,450 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation at 5,
750.
Maillis concludes bonds loan for $ 35 mln
The Maillis company has concluded a bonds loan for 35 million dollars. The
loan has been covered in full by private investments in the London capital
market.
The duration of the bonds loan is seven years with a three-year period of
grace. The capital obtained will be used to eliminate the company's short-
term liabilities which will considerably improve its liquidity.
Profits after taxes will amount to 1.49 billion drachmas this year compared
to 1.039 billion in 1996, while the prediction for 1998 is profits
totalling 2.1 billion.
Sales in 1997 are expected to reach 14.6 billion drachmas as against 10.74
billion, while the figure anticipated for 1998 is 19.8 billion drachmas due
to an increase in the production capacity.
Promotion of Greek products in the Japanese market
The presence of Greek products in the Japanese market, currently the second
in size in the world, is considered extremely limited.
According to data provided by Eurostat and processed by the Research
Institute (IEES) of the Federation of Exporters of Northern Greece (SEBE),
Greek exports to the Japanese market in 1996 amounted to 65 million
ECU.
A decrease in tobacco exports is visible although it remains in first place
among products exported to Japan by Greece. Other products exported are
tinned food, cotton, aluminium products, marble and fresh fish.
According to Eurostat, 70 per cent of Greek exports to the market in
question come from northern Greece.
Greece's imports from Japan are very high and in 1996 they totalled 712
million ECU. They concern the import into the Greek market primarily of
cars and other vehicles, ships, machines and electrical appliances.
In an effort to promote Greek products in the Japanese market, the National
Economy Ministry is implementing the plan "Ermis" which anticipates the
development of commercial and tourist transactions with Japan. In parallel,
it is implementing a programme for the promotion of Greek clothes in the
Japanese market.
WEATHER
Mostly fine weather for western Greece, eastern Macedonia, Thrace, and the
islands of the eastern Aegean. Local clouds for the rest of the country.
Fine weather in Athens with temperatures ranging from 9-20 C. Partly cloudy
for Thessaloniki, with temperatures from 9-15 C.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
Thursday's closing rates - buying US dlr. 270.666
Pound sterling 453.136 Cyprus pd 533.794
French franc 46.967 Swiss franc 192.002
German mark 156.694 Italian lira (100) 15.998
Yen (100) 220.088 Canadian dlr. 193.398
Australian dlr. 189.121 Irish Punt 406.975
Belgian franc 7.595 Finnish mark 52.033
Dutch guilder 139.037 Danish kr. 41.174
Swedish kr. 35.868 Norwegian kr. 38.404
Austrian sch. 22.263 Spanish peseta 1.855
Port. Escudo 1.533
(C.E.)
|
