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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-12-09

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1362), December 9, 1997

Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca


CONTENTS

  • [01] Greece reiterates reservations for European Conference
  • [02] UNESCO's Mayor urges world awareness for environment
  • [03] ... Mayor presents book
  • [04] Kranidiotis off to Bonn today
  • [05] Karamanlis confers with cadres
  • [06] Tsohatzopoulos: Greece's position upgraded in NATO's new structure
  • [07] ... Opposition parties
  • [08] ... Gov't spokesman on Arsenis, NATO
  • [09] US to allow F-15 demonstration flights in Greece
  • [10] ... Tsohatzopoulos
  • [11] Cultural Capital of Europe Organization concludes work
  • [12] No classified report on Cyprus
  • [13] Greece to help negotiate Albanian media participation in EU program
  • [14] Thessaloniki to host CoE conference on mass media policy
  • [15] PASOK's executive bureau meets
  • [16] Journalists receive Botsis awards at special ceremony
  • [17] Iraqi ambassador briefs Kaklamanis on trade sanctions
  • [18] European literature, translation prizes awarded
  • [19] EU energy ministers approve natural gas deregulation draft directive
  • [20] EU ministers adopt renewable energy sources program
  • [21] Egnatia Highway proceeding well, Laliotis says
  • [22] Greece needs to take more measures for EMU
  • [23] Greek stocks rise again driven by construction, investment
  • [24] Government rejects civil servants pay claim
  • [25] Trilateral meeting on Bourgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline ends
  • [26] OTE approves shares purchase
  • [27] Athens 'witchcraft' trial
  • [28] Turk sentenced
  • [29] Dialogue on church-state relations
  • [30] Health care system inadequate, study shows

  • [01] Greece reiterates reservations for European Conference

    Brussels, 09/12/1997 (ANA- M. Spinthourakis)

    Greece yesterday reiterated its general reservation regarding the setting up of a European Conference with the participation of the EU members, the 10 prospective members of central and eastern Europe, Turkey and Cyprus - as proposed in a report by the Luxembourg presidency presented to the EU Council of Ministers.

    "Greece continues not to understand the meaning of a European Conference, apart from the desire of certain countries to satisfy Turkey's demands," Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said during a press conference, adding that despite this, Greece proposed certain ways out which could make the holding of the conference feasible.

    "If certain rules of behavior for countries wishing to join the European Conference are adopted, similar to those applying to the 15 EU member-states, including the peaceful resolution of differences on the basis of international law and the recognition of the general jurisdiction of the International Court at The Hague, then the matter could be discussed," he said.

    He also stressed that the Council of Ministers should establish means of controlling whether the member-countries of the conference complied with such rules, as well as certain other conditions, such as the basic principles of democracy, respect for human and minority rights.

    "Turkey must proceed to specific steps towards democratization and respect for human rights, being the only country wishing to join the EU which does not fulfill any of the criteria set at the Copenhagen summit," he said. He added that Turkey should stop raising any obstacles to other countries' EU accession course such as Cyprus.

    He said he had stressed to the Council that it was clear negotiations with Cyprus would begin in April 1998, and that the legal and internationally recognized government of Cyprus would be sitting at the negotiations, which did not require a prior solution of the island's political problem.

    Regarding the participation of Turkish Cypriots, he said it was desirable provided it was also their aim for Cyprus to join the EU.

    Turning to Greek-Turkish issues, Mr. Pangalos said that Turkey was still seeking a resolution at a political rather than a legal level, and that Greece was not prepared to negotiate on its sovereign rights.

    "The problem is that Turkey does not accept the rules of the game. It's like wanting to play football with hands, when all agree that the game is played with feet," he said characteristically, adding that Greece proposed referring certain issues to The Hague not knowing in advance the outcome, but respecting the "rules of the game".

    He also reported that Greece had sent a fourth letter to the Turkish experts' committee established in common with their Greek counterparts about a year ago, but noted that the Turkish side did not appear willing to budge from the insistence for an over all discussion of differences, which Greece does not accept.

    "Besides, Turkey refuses to tell us which these differences are," he said. Regarding the resolution of Greek-Turkish differences, Mr. Pangalos said "one does not talk on his sovereign rights," stressing that Turkey was the only country in Europe today that continues changes in borders.

    [02] UNESCO's Mayor urges world awareness for environment

    Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)

    UNESCO General Director Federico Mayor yesterday called on people around the world to send a message to their governments that development must be in balance with the protection of the environment, both now and in the future.

    Speaking at an international conference entitled "Environment and Society: Education and public awareness for sustainability" in Thessaloniki, Mr. Mayor said that two years after the Rio conference, "which brought results only at the level of increasing public awareness", the time had now come for action.

    "Society must exert pressure on those who govern us in order for them to take measures to tackle not only the destruction of the environment, but also poverty and ignorance," he said.

    The solution to these problems, he added, was "to invest in dignity, education - which begins at home and continues at school - and ongoing training throughout life.

    Environment Minister Costas Laliotis told the conference that sustainable development dictated new socio-economic models in production, the movement and consumption of goods, products, services and know-how, which would lead to a just distribution and use of the planet's resources among nations, regions and peoples all over the world.

    He too called on citizens, agencies and governments to take action along the lines of "one must think globally and act locally".

    Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis described the dangers facing the environment as "a challenge for humanity".

    Noting that many initiatives were in the hands of citizens, Mr. Arsenis said that the role of education was precisely to promote this message. He proposed mobilizing citizens in a "world movement of consumers" with the objective of changing people's lifestyles to a "more alternative" way of life.

    Mr. Arsenis stressed also that scientists had a great responsibility to change the direction of technological research towards more "environment-friendly" products while governments should invest in research.

    Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos said that the problem of the environment was a political one which was connected to the "crisis" of the social state and social cohesion. The conference, which opened today and will end on December 12, has been organized by UNESCO in co-operation with the Greek government and under the auspices of President Kostis Stephanopoulos.

    [03] ... Mayor presents book

    Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)

    Speaking at a press conference in Thessaloniki yesterday, while presenting his book titled "The new page", Mr. Mayor appeared optimistic over the future of mankind.

    He said that having assimilated as a writer the anxiety of modern man and of post-industrial society, he is optimistic over where humanity is headed.

    "Fate has not yet been written. It is up to us to write this new page," he said, adding that he has confidence in human beings.

    Mr. Venizelos termed Mr. Mayor's book "a gospel of a young man who is preoccupied with the existential problems of the citizen, the culture of peace, the culture of social cohesion and democracy. It is the deposition of anxiety and responsibility by a man who looks at things with an ecumenical gaze."

    On his part, the writer Vassilis Vassilikos, who presented the book, said he discerns "a breeze of optimism" in its pages.

    [04] Kranidiotis off to Bonn today

    Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)

    Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis leaves for Bonn today to take part in a conference on the implementation of the Dayton peace accord for Bosnia-Herzegovina and bilateral talks with his counterparts.

    Among the issues on the agenda are developments in Bosnia, the issue of Kosovo, and prospects for the continuation of the presence of NATO-led peacekeeping troops in Bosnia after their current mandate expires in June 1998.

    [05] Karamanlis confers with cadres

    Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)

    Main opposition New Democracy party leader chaired a meeting of his shadow cabinet yesterday to discuss issues including last week's dispute within the government, today's off-the-agenda debate in parliament and party organizational issues.

    The shadow ministers had commented on what party spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos later referred to as the "image of dissolution" presented by the government particularly after last week's Cabinet meeting, both with regard to national issues and economic policy.

    Referring to what he said was "secret diplomacy", he criticized the prime minister and the government for not briefing the other party leaders, parliament and the people with regard to the new structure of NATO.

    Mr. Karamanlis reportedly asked his shadow ministers to make proposals regarding tomorrow's debate on the Amsterdam agreement.

    He warned that if the prime minister attempted to discuss NATO without giving further information, he would ask for a separate debate on the issue.

    [06] Tsohatzopoulos: Greece's position upgraded in NATO's new structure

    Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)

    Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said yesterday that Greece had for the first time acquired the right of veto in NATO following the agreement on the alliance's new structure last week.

    Mr. Tsohatzopoulos told a press conference that Greece's position in NATO had been upgraded and reiterated that the country's interests were fully safeguarded.

    "For 17 years, our country's participation in NATO was formal and unequal compared to that of Turkey, which had three regional headquarters, compared to one of ours," he said.

    Greece now acquired equal participation in all the functions of the alliance, and retained the right of veto in all functions if the NATO commander's proposals were not in line with national interests, he said. All arrangements would remain in full force until their revision, despite Turkey's contrary view.

    Nevertheless, he noted that there will be many difficulties in the revision of these arrangements, but Greece would make sure to avert any claims, privileges or advantages for other countries at the expense of Greece.

    "NATO has to accept our country's structure, regarding the 10 nautical miles of our national airspace. Also, the terms of operation within the Athens FIR are in the exclusive competence of Greece, being dictated and emanating from international law," he said.

    "With the new NATO structure, we acquire additional rights for promoting our national aims, and there is no case of joint responsibility of Greece and Turkey in the Aegean," he added.

    Commenting on disagreement expressed within the ruling PASOK party on the government's decision to sign the agreement, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that "some people" continued to think with criteria of the past which, however, had changed.

    Referring specifically to the disagreement expressed by Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the former defense minister's position led nowhere since "if we adopt it, we would either have to remain outside NATO or be forced to retreat after six months."

    He said that Greece's participation in the new NATO structure would promote the desired policies of security, stability and co-operation in the greater region of the Balkans, Trans-Caucasia and the Black Sea.

    [07] ... Opposition parties

    Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)

    Commenting on Mr. Tsohatzopoulos' press conference, main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos said what was imperative was an immediate, responsible and full briefing of parliament and the Greek people on the exact content of the agreement the government had endorsed in Brussels.

    The spokesman said the defense minister's one-way talk on NATO's new structure was entirely unnecessary.

    A Communist Party (KKE) statement said "the defense minister once again carefully covered up the essence and the aims that NATO's new structure serves".

    It added that "Mr. Tsohatzopoulos presented the Greek government's right of veto as a government success... without saying what the value of such veto would be at a time when a shared sovereignty with Turkey was established in the Aegean with the government's endorsement".

    Coalition of Left and Progress (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos asked to be briefed in a concise manner by the government on the new NATO structure and the repercussions it will have on Greece.

    Mr. Konstantopoulos accused the government of conducting secret diplomacy and for the lack of strategic planning.

    Synaspismos' leader also said that the important national issues should not be used for in-party exercises.

    In any case, he said, PASOK has the responsibility for the impasses on the national issues, since it did not just come to power but has already been in power for three terms.

    Mr. Konstantopoulos' made the demand during his visit at the 1st Army airforce tactical headquarters in Larissa, where he served his military tour of duty.

    Commenting on the defense minister's interview, the leader of the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) Demetris Tsovolas said he believed the Brussels agreement was part of a submissive foreign policy, as was the Madrid agreement, that gradually lead to a reform of the current status quo in the Aegean, harming Greece's interests.

    Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras observed that the right of veto could not save Greece from dangers, since as the government knew very well, it could not be used in every case nor unlimitedly.

    [08] ... Gov't spokesman on Arsenis, NATO

    Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)

    Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis is an eminent figure and indeed supports the government, government spokesman Demetris Reppas said yesterday during a briefing of the press.

    However, referring to the latest differentiations by PASOK and government members, he said they affected the government's work.

    Mr. Reppas stressed that the PASOK party was not divided into those supporting the government and those opposing it.

    He further denied that a reshuffle was imminent in the government, which was standing up to its commitments and enjoyed the support of the parliament's majority.

    Speaking on the issue of NATO's new operational structure, the spokesman said the government had a firm position and its policy was followed by the ministers of national defense and foreign affairs.

    [09] US to allow F-15 demonstration flights in Greece

    Washington, 09/12/1997 (ANA - T. Ellis)

    Replying to questions regarding the US decision to allow the demonstration of the F-15 fighter jet in Greece, State Department Spokesman Jim Foley said here yesterday that the decision was not related to a final decision to the selling of the ultra-modern jets to Greece, but was simply a preliminary phase of the procedure.

    The American official said, "It is only a preliminary decision. The State Department gave permission last week to the F-15 manufacturing company to go ahead with demonstration flights in Greece, as part of its effort to compete in the proposed purchasing by Greece of advanced fighter jets".

    Mr. Foley said it was understood that other European-made aircraft were to be also considered by Greece, and that the decision was carefully examined by top State Department officials wishing to make sure that "such a decision would be in line with the

    US interests in supporting a legitimate modernization of NATO allies, promoting the US industry and securing stability in southern Europe".

    He further observed that "should the Greek government decide to purchase the American-made fi-ghter jets, then the State Department should have to decide whether it will grant permission for the sale", adding that "we have to weigh the consequences in the Aegean, to contribute to stability, not the opposite".

    Meanwhile, reports from Washington said the delay in releasing the US-built F-15 aircraft was due to a difference in views between relevant US State Department officials.

    The F-15 will now be one of the candidate aircraft whose purchase Athens will decide in the framework of modernizing the Greek Air Force. According to indications, the candidate aircraft will be five: the US-built F-15 and F-16s, the French Mirage-2000, the Russian Sukhoi-27 and the Eurofighter built by a consortium composed of Germany, France, Spain and Italy.

    According to US diplomatic sources, the release on the part of the United States was the result of coordinated action by Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Mark Grossman and the new US Ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns. The same diploma tic sources termed Washington's final decision as being "symbolic" of the intentions of the US concerning the equipping of the Greek Armed Forces and bilateral defense co-operation in the future.

    In the event Greece chooses to purchase the F-15 aircraft, it will be one of few countries in the world in possession of these ultra-modern US warplanes. According to relevant officials in Washington, apart from the US, the F-15 is only possessed by Saudi Arabia, Israel and Japan. The Turkish Air Force does not possess such aircraft.

    An important factor contributing to this is the high economic cost of the specific fighter. The F-15 costs about 50 million dollars compared to the much cheaper F-16 (costing about 35 million dollars).

    The difference in price has its explanation. According to military sources in the US capital, the F-15 is superior to the F-16 in that it has a longer radius of action, a much more advanced electronic system and its radar is almost double the radius.

    [10] ... Tsohatzopoulos

    Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)

    In Athens, Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said during a press conference yesterday that within the next three weeks the Hellenic Air Force will conduct an evaluation of the F-15 fighter jet.

    The list of aircraft which will be evaluated also includes the US F-16 fighter, the Russian Sukhoi, the European EF-2000 and the French Mirage 2000-5. The decision on which type will be picked is expected next year.

    [11] Cultural Capital of Europe Organization concludes work

    Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)

    The Cultural Capital of Europe Organization will cease to exist as a legal entity after December 31, 1997 and will be placed under liquidation, while a coordinating body will be created for the monitoring and completion of projects which have been planned.

    The statements were made by the two supervising ministers, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis, who attended the organization's board meeting in Thessaloniki yesterday.

    "Thessaloniki will always be a cultural capital of Europe. Only in this way can the big deposit of new cultural institutions and important cultural buildings the 1997 event is leaving behind can be utilized," Mr. Venizelos said afterwards.

    He said liquidation necessitates a full inventory and account and of all controls anticipated by the law to secure complete transparency.

    On his part, Mr. Laliotis referred to the funding of projects and to amounts disbursed to date, saying that it is a foregone conclusion that the need to coordinate all activities will be created in the city by the very nature of the projects and the institutions.

    He said it was logical for a body to be created in the future which will possibly include private persons or legal entities in the city which will be in a position to operate in a coordinating fashion.

    Mr. Laliotis said 128 projects have been completed so far, budgeted at about 34 billion drachmas. He added that 76 projects are under construction, whose budget amounts to about 30 billion drachmas. Lastly, another 56 projects budgeted at 11 billion drachmas are in the process of being studied and awarded.

    [12] No classified report on Cyprus

    Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)

    Government spokesman Demetris Reppas categorically denied reports yesterday claiming that Prime Minister Costas Simitis is in possession of a classified report on the possibility of a provocation being manifested in Cyprus.

    "There is no classified report," Mr. Reppas stressed.

    [13] Greece to help negotiate Albanian media participation in EU program

    Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)

    Greece will mediate in the European Union, aiming to involve the Albanian mass media in the EU program "Eureka," Albanian news agency ATA said following a visit to Athens by the Albanian parliamentary commission on media December 3-6.

    Attention in talks with officials from Greek radio and television focused on the electronic media. The delegation met with Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Press and Media Minister Demetris Reppas as well as the chairman of the Albanian friendship group in the Greek Parliament.

    This was the first visit held by a parliamentary commission in Greece. A foreign policy commission will also visit Athens soon.

    [14] Thessaloniki to host CoE conference on mass media policy

    Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)

    Forty ministers responsible for communications and information from the Council of Europe member-states will meet in Thessaloniki December 11-12 for the 5th European Ministerial Conference on Mass Media Policy.

    Press and Media Minister Demetris Reppas and Council of Europe Alternate Secretary General Hans Christian Kruger will open the conference, which is taking place in Greece for the first time and is organized by the Press and Media Ministry.

    Mr. Reppas will introduce the Greek delegation's paper "The society of information: a challenge for Europe."

    [15] PASOK's executive bureau meets

    Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)

    The ruling PASOK's executive bureau met last night and discussed rules of behavior by high-ranking party cadres.

    Party secretary Costas Skandalidis told reporters after the meeting that the government's image is not what it should be as the ruling party's political positions were the only credible in the country.

    He said that Prime Minister and PASOK President Costas Simitis during the meeting referred to the prevailing political situation as well as issues concerning municipal and prefectural elections.

    [16] Journalists receive Botsis awards at special ceremony

    Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)

    The Botsis Foundation yesterday awarded ten journalists for "their work and their focus on the journalism code of ethics."

    The 500,000-drachma awards were given at a special ceremony to:

    - Alkis Kourkoulas "for his well researched reports from Turkey, where he is a permanent corespondent of Greek media, which cover the entire spectrum of Greek-Turkish relations."

    - Christos Michailedis "for his approach on subjects of daily interest, his analysis and his excellent writing."

    - Yiannis Theodorakopoulos "for his successful service in athletic reporting and the advancing and upgrading of sports coverage through his many years of work as the Union of Sports Journalists' president."

    - Aristotelis Sarrikostas "for his successful missions for 30 years as Associated Press photojournalist in all the wars around the world and reporting with great sensitivity of the refugees' plea."

    - Christina Poulidou "for her objective coverage of foreign affairs and her interviews with European dignitaries.

    - George Diamantidis "for his long time service in financial reporting and his on target analysis."

    Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis presented to Yiannis Diakoyiannis the award "for the successful coverage and promotion of parliamentary reporting and his journalistic missions in Asia and South America."

    Finally, three honorary awards were given to George Karagiorgas for all he offered to journalism, to Yiannis Yaredakis for his work in upgrading the provincial press and to Stelios Anemodouras for the volume of his work in the weekly and monthly press.

    [17] Iraqi ambassador briefs Kaklamanis on trade sanctions

    Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)

    Iraqi Ambassador in Athens Issam Khalil briefed Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis on the latest developments in the issue of trade sanctions against Iraq and called for Greece's support in having them lifted, as well as the full implementation of the terms of the agreements with the United Nations on humanitarian aid to the Iraqi people.

    Mr. Kaklamanis, noting that Greece could not exempt itself from the trade embargo imposed by the international community, said that it should nevertheless not be implemented in a way that it affected civilians.

    He drew attention to the fact that Greece had maintained its diplomatic representation in Baghdad and underlined the need for the UN to facilitate the unobstructed dispatch to Iraq of humanitarian aid.

    Mr. Kaklamanis thanked the ambassador for an invitation to visit Iraq extended by his Iraqi counterpart and said he would brief the Greek government on their talks.

    [18] European literature, translation prizes awarded

    Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)

    The European Commission's "Aristeion" prizes for literature and translation were presented on Sunday night in Thessaloniki.

    The competition, established following a proposal by the late Greek actress and former Culture Minister Melina Mercouri, is held every year by the current Cultural Capital of Europe.

    The literature prize went to Italy's Antonio Tabucchi for his book "... according to Pereira", while Hans-Christian Oeser received the translation prize for his German translation of "The Butcher's Son" by Ireland's Patrick McCabe.

    The literature prize was awarded by UNESCO Director General Federico Mayor and the translation prize by Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos.

    [19] EU energy ministers approve natural gas deregulation draft directive

    Brussels, 09/12/1997 (ANA - P. Pantelis)

    The European Union's energy ministers council which met here yesterday, unanimously approved after lengthy deliberations a draft directive on deregulation of the natural gas market.

    The draft directive had been proposed by Commissioner of Energy Christos Papoutsis.

    Participating, Development Minister Vasso Papandreou said Greece had managed to get an exemption from the directive for a period of ten years, which will allow a smooth growth of the specific emerging market, meaning also that certain areas in Greece to be supplied with natural gas in future, will be exempt from deregulation for ten years starting from the supply date.

    [20] EU ministers adopt renewable energy sources program

    Brussels, 09/12/1997 (ANA - G. Daratos)

    The 15 European Union energy ministers yesterday adopted "ALTENER-2", a 22-million-ECU renewable energy sources program.

    "ALTENER-2" will begin on Jan 1, 1998 and will extend and reinforce an earlier program, which targets the increase of environment friendly energy forms and uses.

    This program is part of the EU effort to limit the CO2 emissions, which increased by 1.7 per cent in 1995 in the EU member states, according to the EU official statistics service (EUROSTAT).

    ALTENER-2 is designed to aid the incorporation of renewable energy resources in the EU market, the briefing of consumers and the re-education of those who work on energy problems.

    The 15 ministers, with Development Minister Vasso Papandreou representing Greece, also struck a political agreement concerning SYNERGY, a 5 million-ECU program, which targets a broader international co-operation in the energy sector and more specifically in increasing the safety of the fuel supply and environmental protection.

    [21] Egnatia Highway proceeding well, Laliotis says

    Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)

    The construction of the Egnatia Highway is proceeding according to plan and its completion will be within the scheduled time, Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis told representatives of the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE) and its local branches in Epirus, Macedonia and Thrace yesterday.

    Speaking at a one-day meeting organized by "Egnatia Highway SA", the minister emphasized that the European Union viewed the highway as an important part of the Intereuropean Road Network, and that was the reason why it agreed on its completion.

    The president of TEE Costas Liaskas, however, expressed reservations as to whether the project would be actually completed by the year 2000, owing to organizational and administrative inefficiencies.

    Nevertheless, Mr. Laliotis added that calls for tenders will be issued for all remaining parts of the project within the first half of next year, while he said he was certain that funding will eventually be secured for the final 60 km of the highway that are not part of a funding program at the moment.

    The minister also assured TEE representatives that no Egnatia Highway funding will be transferred for use in other projects.

    He stressed that by the end of the year about 45 billion drachmas will have been absorbed in the project, and this amount may even rise to 60 or 62 billion if additional funding was secured.

    [22] Greece needs to take more measures for EMU

    Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)

    Greece may not become a founding member of the single European currency on January 1, 1999 but the country needs to take urgent measures to adjust to European economic and monetary union (EMU), a Federation of Greek Industry (SEB) survey released yesterday said. The survey on preparations for the euro urged Greek businesses to take steps to adjust to systems and operations ahead of the implementation of the single currency despite the fact that Greece will not participate in EMU until 2001.

    The survey was conducted in the European Union on the initiative of the Association on European Monetary Union, and its Greek edition was sponsored by EFG Eurobank, a bank representing AMUE in Greece.

    The survey includes practical information and guidelines to support local enterprises in supply, sales, competition, funding, accounting and tax, manpower and information systems.

    SEB chairman Iason Stratos stressed that Greek businesses would live with the euro from the moment of its launch in 1999 because of their transactions with other European firms.

    He urged the immediate operation of a national euro coordination committee in Greece.

    Finance Under-secretary Nikos Christodoulakis agreed that procedures to adjust public administration to the single currency should be accelerated.

    [23] Greek stocks rise again driven by construction, investment

    Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)

    Greek equities remained on a rebound for the 10th consecutive session on the Athens Stock Exchange yesterday with interest focusing on construction and investment issues.

    The general index closed 1.0 percent higher at 1,566.81 points, to show an 11.78 percent gain over the last ten sessions.

    Trading, however, remained moderate with turnover at 16.1 billion drachmas.

    Sector indices scored gains. Banks rose 0.72 percent, Insurance increased 1.53 percent, Investment ended 3.0 percent up, Construction soared 5.5 percent, Industrials rose 0.56 percent, Miscellaneous ended 1.66 percent higher, Holding was 1.08 percent up but Leasing bucked the trend to end 2.30 percent off.

    The parallel market index for small cap companies rose 0.23 percent, while the FTSE/ASE index rose 0.87 percent to end at 896.18 points.

    Broadly, advancers led decliners by 147 to 76 with another 20 issues unchanged.

    Alysida, Heliofin, Cambas scored the biggest percentage gains at the daily upper 8.0 percent limit, while N. Galis, Hellenic Sugar, Bank of Athens and Radio Athina suffered the heaviest losses. National Bank of Greece ended at 27,200 drachmas, Ergobank at 16,000, Alpha Credit Bank at 17,330, Delta Dairy at 3,530, Titan Cement at 13,295, Intracom at 15,050 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organization at 6,105.

    [24] Government rejects civil servants pay claim

    Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)

    National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou yesterday rejected civil servants' demands for 1998 pay rises and an increase in their tax-free income.

    Civil servants' union leaders told reporters after a meeting with Mr. Papantoniou that the minister had rejected their demands.

    Mr. Papantoniou remained firm on the government's proposal of a 3.9 percent pay rise for the public sector in 1998.

    [25] Trilateral meeting on Bourgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline ends

    Sofia, 09/12/1997 (BTA/ANA)

    A meeting among Bulgarian, Greek and Russian representatives on a project for an oil pipeline linking Bourgas and Alexandroupolis ended in Athens, regional development and public works ministry sources told BTA.

    A memorandum on trilateral technical co-operation in the design of the oil pipeline was reportedly signed and an engineering committee which will be instrumental in designing the project and consisting of three representatives of each country was set up.

    The meeting also agreed on a tender dossier prior to inviting tenders from prospective consultants on the project.

    The Bulgarian participants set out a course of the oil pipeline in the country's territory, approved by an expert council. The Greek side is expected to do so by the end of December.

    The sides exchanged views on the setting up of a Trans-Balkan oil company which will operate the pipeline.

    [26] OTE approves shares purchase

    Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)

    The Hellenic Telecommunications Organization's (OTE) board approved the purchase of Athens Stock Exchange shares yesterday amounting to 1,470 million drachmas. It also ratified a contract to buy off the Armenian Telecommunications Organization, but expressed reservations over the issue of program agreements for which, according to indications, it will reach a decision today.

    [27] Athens 'witchcraft' trial

    Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)

    The Athens Appeals court held a hearing yesterday at the women's section of the Korydalos prison to examine an appeal by three young members of a witchcraft ring, accused of a series of crimes, including the murder of 14-year-old Dora Spyropoulou and Garoufalia Giourga, 28.

    Asimakis Katsoulas, group leader, and Manos Dimitrokalis had been sentenced to twice life and a further 20 and 15 years each for the murders, while accessory Dimitra Margeti had received 18 years and four months.

    Margeti's sentence had been regarded as "small" and that is the reason why a counter appeal was lodged by a public prosecutor, meaning that she will face the court again.

    At the first trial the defendants had pleaded repentance and asked judges for leniency. However, bench public prosecutor Monolis Rasidakis had described them as "dangerous satans with an angel's face and a wrinkled heart".

    The relatives of the two victims were examined during yesterday's secondary hearing. They said the crimes involved no witchcraft but were entirely sexually motivated.

    All the witnesses examined said Margeti's sentence was too small, since she was fully aware of the criminal activity of her friends but did nothing to stop them.

    The trial was adjourned for this morning in the Appeals Court room in Athens.

    [28] Turk sentenced

    Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)

    A Samos court yesterday sentenced Turkish citizen Polat Houssein, 25, to 10 years imprisonment and fined him 14 million drachmas for transporting 13 Iraqi illegal immigrants to the island on December 6.

    [29] Dialogue on church-state relations

    Brussels, 09/12/1997 (ANA - G. Daratos)

    The second dialogue meeting between the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Presidium of the European Peoples Party's (EPP) Parliamentary Group and the Presidium of the European Christian Democrat Union (ECDU) will take place in Thessaloniki on December 11-13, at the invitation of Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos.

    The focal point of the dialogue will be "Relations between the church and the state. Man and his environment in Europe of the third millennium."

    [30] Health care system inadequate, study shows

    Athens, 09/12/1997 (ANA)

    Eighty per cent of respondents to a recent research study "consider the Greek health care system inadequate, not at all satisfactory, or even unacceptable".

    The results of the study, released yesterday by the Union of Consumers for Quality of Life (EKPOIZO), also says that 25 of respondents, "consider they have fallen victims of discrimination in the sector of health care, chiefly due to financial inability , while few think that the level of information and training provided to citizens on the subject of health is adequate".

    The study was conducted in a sample of 2,000 people by eight different consumer organizations in different parts of the country.

    Thessaloniki EKPOIZO representative, Dr. A. Stavrakis, said during yesterday's press conference that relevant legislation in Greece had weaknesses, and presented a leaflet setting out patients' rights and obligations.

    The organization will also accept relevant complaints.

    End of English language section.


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