Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-02-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis says one trillion drachmas from Community Support Framework III to boost employment

[02] NATO secretary general in Athens for talks with Greek leadership

[03] Greece, Czech Republic sign memorandum for SE Europe development

[04] US and Greek transport ministers discuss cooperation

[05] British politicians seek clarifications over Cook statements

[06] Cyprus EU negotiator in Brussels

[07] PASOK leads first nationwide opinion poll conducted after announcement of early elections

[08] New Democracy, Liberals Party agree to election cooperation

[09] Draft bill on Olympic Village approved at committee stage

[10] Budget revenues show 57 bln drachmas surplus in January

[11] Petrol prices rise

[12] Reppas: Athens Stock Market's prospects positive

[13] Commercial Bank of Greece shows 200 pct profit rise in 1999

[14] OA manager to visit Melbourne

[15] Greek stocks end lower, market finds support at 5,000

[16] Central bank tightens liquidity to stabilize drachma's decline

[17] Intracom signs contract to supply Finland's Sonera

[18] Greek, Turkish business group meets in Istanbul Feb. 25-27

[19] Izmir Chamber of Commerce delegation visits local Greek consulate

[20] Health care-related Apostolopoulos group considers ventures in Turkey

[21] British Queen to visit Greek antiquities museum on Australian tour

[22] Modern Greek Civilization and Studies Center opens at Kiev University

[01] Simitis says one trillion drachmas from Community Support Framework III to boost employment

Athens, 24/02/2000 (ANA)

Simitis, who was speaking at the private Vocational Training Center "Integration", indicated that this policy would be applied through integrated programming, with reliable and qualitative planning, implementation, evaluation and control mechanisms.

He said that despite problems faced by the government in restructuring the economy, employment increased, while at the end of 2000 there will be about 210,000 more jobs than at the end of 1996.

Investment boost necessary to combat unemployment Karamanlis says: Unemployment was a major problem today, and a boost in investment activity was necessary to tackle it, main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis said Wednesday.

During a visit to the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EBEA) Karamanlis, citing government figures, said that unemployment was running at 11.5 percent.

He said a boost in investment activity and reinforcement of small and medium size enterprises was necessary to combat unemployment, adding that that was the aim of the deep-rooted tax changes to be contained in his party's platform.

Karamanlis visited the EBEA to be briefed on the existing problems as his party was in the process of finalizing its government program with respect to taxation and confronting unemployment and bureaucracy.

The main opposition further said that in order to reduce bureaucracy, his party proposed what was internationally known as a "one-stop" system, meaning "one office, one document".

EBEA president Yannis Papathanassiou -- who it is rumored will run for State Deputy on the ND ticket -- said that bureaucracy and inefficiency were among the problems faced by business concerns in addition to competition and heavy taxation.

He said those daily, practical problems needed to be tackled the government that emerged from the April 9 general elections.

[02] NATO secretary general in Athens for talks with Greek leadership

Athens, 24/02/2000 (ANA)

Robertson attended a working dinner given for him later in the evening by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos.

On Thursday morning, Robertson will be meeting President Kostis Stephanopoulos, while later he will be holding talks with Simitis, Papandreou and Tsohatzopoulos.

Issues to be discussed are the situation in the Balkans, and Kosovo in particular, the European Union's relationship with NATO in the framework of building the European security and defense identity, and Greek-Turkish relations.

According to diplomatic sources, Greece will reiterate its recent position -following a Turkish proposal for the creation of a joint military committee and the adoption of confidence-building measures in the Aegean on a bilateral level- on the resumption of talks in the framework of NATO and under the secretary general's sponsorship and the need to implement the memorandum prepared by former Greek and Turkish foreign ministers Karolos Papoulias and Mesut Yilmaz.

NATO chief: Papandreou and Cem deserve award for rapprochement efforts: The foreign ministers of Greek and Turkey were deserving of an international award in recognition of their efforts for rapprochement between the two countries, NATO secretary general George Robertson said in an exclusive interview appearing in Wednesday's edition of 'Kathimerini' newspaper.

According to Robertson, the Greek-Turkish rapprochement being attempted by Greek foreign minister George Papandreou and his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem was a "long-term and visionary" one.

Robertson added that he was prepared to support the Papandreou-Cem effort if required.

He said that he did not consider it expedient to set out a timetable for agreement on the Aegean between the two countries, in the context of the Confidence Building Measures.

Robertson did, however, underscore the leading role played by both countries in the wider Balkan region.

Replying to a question on the Cyprus problem, Robertson said he did not at this time see a role that could be played by NATO, but did not rule out some role in the future.

[03] Greece, Czech Republic sign memorandum for SE Europe development

Athens, 24/02/2000 (ANA)

The memorandum was signed in the northern Greek port city by the Greek and Czech foreign ministers, George Papandreou and Jan Kavan, respectively.

According to reports, the Czech Republic's representation will open at the Inter-Balkan Center of Black Sea Economic Cooperation (DIPEK) offices, located within the Thessaloniki International Fair's premises, and will be staffed by two employees. The bureau's intent is to provide information to Greek entrepreneurs over the possibilities for joint ventures in the Czech Republic with local firms.

Kavan, who is also a vice-president in the Prague government, highlighted the role that Thessaloniki plays in the area, stressing that the Czech Republic considers the port city a "gateway of the Balkans" and the "metropolitan center of northern Greece and the greater region."

He also cited future bilateral action for the development of the greater region, without going into detail, before inviting Papandreou to officially visit the Czech Republic -- an invitation that was accepted.

[04] US and Greek transport ministers discuss cooperation

Athens, 24/02/2000 (ANA)

The two men agreed to expand US-Greek cooperation in the field of international transportation, including a more liberal air agreement between the two nations, new initiatives in urban mass transit, more professional exchanges and participation of Greece in meetings on marine transit, the release said.

"Secretary Slater was enthusiastic about the dynamism of Greece's transport sector, and had clearly thought about how our two countries can work together most effectively. Both sides are eager to begin negotiations that will lead to the sort of 'open skies' agreement we already have with several countries around the world," said US Ambassador to Greece R. Nicholas Burns.

"His ideas about sharing expertise on urban transit systems, especially those required when large numbers of people need to be moved quickly, will find particular resonance in a city preparing for the 2004 Olympic Games," added the Ambassador.

Secretary Slater took advantage of his day in Greece to ride the new Attica Metro, where he discussed the current extent of the region's urban rail system and its future with Mantelis.

[05] British politicians seek clarifications over Cook statements

LONDON, 24/02/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Relevant statements were made by Labor MP Eddie O' Hara, Conservative EuroMP Theresa Villiers, and Liz Mammatt leader of the Conservative Group in Barnet Council.

Speaking to London Greek Radio (LGR), Eddie O' Hara said he would write to the Foreign Secretary and seek clarifications over the statements he had made.

O' Hara said that Cook's statements did not reflect government policy, something which he is clear about.

"...It is a very confusing statement and I don't think it's an accurate reflection of government policy", he added.

O' Hara said the question of freedom of movement is a detail to be worked out in the settlement.

"It is a fundamental human right and a necessary element of any settlement. And is not a question of Turkey simultaneously joining the EU and I am sure that is government policy and I think it needs clarifying", he stressed.

On her part, Villiers described Cook's statements as "very unfair". She told LGR that "the prospect of Turkey joining the EU, if it ever happens at all, is a long way off, and to link fundamental rights under the EU treaties for Cypriots...with Turkey joining is deeply unfair."

She said the right for a citizen in any member state of the EU to visit and work and travel is really a big part of being a member of the EU and to deprive the Cypriots of that even after their country is joined just because of a long running dispute or the long running negotiations that the EU might have with Turkey "is just unacceptable", adding that she is "deeply concerned about it".

In a letter to Cook, Liz Mammatt said she was "dismayed" to read the Foreign Secretary's statements, noting that they contradict the fact that the talks are under the auspices of the UN which are aiming to achieve a bizonal, bicommunal federation".

She said, "freedom of movement would be a sine qua non of such a solution".

Furthermore, Mammatt said it contradicts the fact that freedom of movement is upheld by the UN and that "Turkey is a candidate for membership of the EU with conditions that problems over human rights in Cyprus and those of the Kurds as well as issues in the Aegean are resolved before accession is granted, which puts the time-scale ahead by years".

She called on Cook to clarify the government's stance, noting that there are many Greek Cypriots living in the London borough of Barnet "and this procrastination is totally unacceptable".

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of the island's territory.

[06] Cyprus EU negotiator in Brussels

NICOSIA, 24/02/2000 (ANA/CNA)

He will meet EU chief negotiator for Cyprus Leopold Maurer, who said, in response to Turkish Cypriot moves for direct contacts with the EU, during his recent visit to the island, that an applicant country cannot speak with two voices to the EU.

Vassiliou, due to return on Friday, will also go to Maastricht to address a meeting of the third conference of the European Institute of Public Administration on "EU Enlargement - Accession negotiations - and ability to apply EU regulations".

The Turkish Cypriots have rejected an invitation by President Glafcos Clerides to nominate their own representatives to the Cypriot negotiating team speaking to the EU.

The EU commissioner for enlargement Gunter Verheugen is scheduled to visit Cyprus from 16-18 of March for talks.

Cyprus opened accession negotiations in November 1998 and has already closed many chapters.

[07] PASOK leads first nationwide opinion poll conducted after announcement of early elections

Athens, 24/02/2000 (ANA)

The poll, conducted by Opinion and appearing on Wednesday's Eleftherotypia newspaper, said PASOK led in voter preference with 36.3 percent, followed by ND with 33.7 percent, the Communist Party of Greece with 5.3 percent, the Democratic Social Movement with 3.4 percent, the Coalition of the Left and Progress with 3.1 percent, the Liberals with 0.6 percent, and Political Spring (which later said it would not contest the elections) with 0.5 percent.

The poll was conducted after the proclamation of early general elections, the inauguration of the Athens Metro, and Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos' announcement that he had turned down a ND invitation to run for parliament on its ticket.

The same poll also showed that, on a localized level, PASOK was leading in voter preference in Athens with 37.1 percent against 25.4 percent for ND, in Thessaloniki and in the other major urban centers with 34.7 percent against 33.1 percent for ND.

New Democracy led voter preference in the rural and semi-urban areas with 40. 4 percent against 37 percent for ND, the poll results showed.

It also showed that nearly 90 percent of New Democracy followers intended to vote for their party, against 84.1 percent for PASOK.

April 9 election a "derby" Reppas: The April 9 elections will be a "derby" between the ruling PASOK and the main opposition New Democracy party, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said on Wednesday.

He was commenting at the daily press briefing on the nationwide opinion poll.

Reppas said opinion polls were advanced tools that could provide useful data and orientation to parties, but were not the real thing.

"Opinion polls are good but the polling booths even better. We are optimistic we shall win the election," he said.

Responding to the results of the poll, New Democracy party spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos said another study, conducted by ALCO - more reliable company- showed that trends were beginning to be reversed even in Athens.

"This means that New Democracy is now ahead throughout Greece and is certain to win the election," he said.

[08] New Democracy, Liberals Party agree to election cooperation

Athens, 24/02/2000 (ANA)

According to sources, Liberals Party cadre George Psaharopoulos will be placed sixth on New Democracy's state deputy election list, a position expected to guarantee entry into the 300-member Parliament. Additionally, Manos announced that his party would suspend activities until after the elections.

An official announcement by Manos, an ardent supporter of neo-liberal economic policies, is expected in a few hours during a Liberals conference at a downtown Athens hotel.

Manos, 61, was first elected as a deputy in the Athens first electoral district with New Democracy in 1977. During his political career, he has held a number of portfolios in ND governments, including environment, industry, and national economy.

In early February 1998, ND's disciplinary council decided to expel him from the party for failing to attend a parliamentary vote on an amendment introduced by the ruling PASOK government on restructuring public utilities and enterprises.

[09] Draft bill on Olympic Village approved at committee stage

Athens, 24/02/2000 (ANA)

The bill also amends provisions regarding construction of Olympic installations on the seaside area of the Athens racehorse track at Faliron.

Culture Minister Elissavet Papazoi told reporters said that after the Games the area would be turned into a 57-hectare recreation park and its use for casinos, housing complexes, golf courses or hotels would be expressly prohibited.

[10] Budget revenues show 57 bln drachmas surplus in January

Athens, 24/02/2000 (ANA)

Presenting official figures over the course of public revenues, Drys predicted that they would remain positive in the coming months and noted that stock market transaction revenues were shrinking due to subdued turnover in the market.

Tax agencies' revenues rose 13.1 percent in January, customs revenues increased 1.5 percent and value added tax revenues rose 8.7 percent.

[11] Petrol prices rise

Athens, 24/02/2000 (ANA)

Specifically, super gasoline rose by 5.1 drachmas per litre, unleaded by 5.2 drachmas and diesel by 3.4 drachmas per litre. In addition, heating oil prices rose by 1.4 drachmas per litre for quantities exceeding 1,000 litres.

In the greater Athens area and Thessaloniki prefecture indicative retail prices for super were listed at 246.7 drachmas per litre and unleaded for 229.7.

[12] Reppas: Athens Stock Market's prospects positive

Athens, 24/02/2000 (ANA)

He was responding to a reporter's question on whether the government is pondering the bourse's course. Reppas said he did not want to say anything that could be interpreted as an effort at political manipulation of the market.

He added that investors should evaluate facts and invest in the market accordingly.

Commenting on a National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantonious comment on Tuesday that the country's participation in EMU was in doubt if the main opposition party ND won the forthcoming general elections, Reppas said one should look at Papantonious comments as a whole.

[13] Commercial Bank of Greece shows 200 pct profit rise in 1999

Athens, 24/02/2000 (ANA)

The state-owned bank's board is to propose to shareholders a 1999 dividend of 300 drachmas per share, Commercial said in a statement released after its board endorsed 1999 results.

The bank's pre-tax earnings would have shown a 915 percent jump to 311.6 billion drachmas if special profits accruing from a 51 percent privatization of Ionian Bank, its former subsidiary, had been added to the total, the statement said.

The banking group's consolidated pre-tax earnings surged to 365 billion drachmas, up 1,304 percent on the previous year.

Commercial attributed its major rise in 1999 profits mainly to a jump in net income from drachma and foreign currency funds, and in commissions. The two categories accounted for 77 percent of gross profits, the statement said.

In 1999, assets rose to 4,544 billion drachmas, up 33.8 percent on 1998.

Loans rose by 19.6 percent and deposits by 28.4 percent, the statement said.

Return on assets rose to 2.0 percent in 1999 from 0.9 percent in 1998, it added

[14] OA manager to visit Melbourne

MELBOURNE, 24/02/2000 (ANA - S. Hadjimanolis)

The visit comes after a flurry of protests sparked by OA's recent decision to discontinue its connection to Melbourne, the Victorian capital -- which hosts one of the largest overseas Greek communities in the world -- citing cost factors.

Melbourne Greek community president George Fountas, who returned to the Victorian capital Tuesday from Athens, expressed "reserved optimism" that the Greek community's mobilization would be successful and that OA would maintain its Melbourne link.

"We want Olympic to fly to Melbourne as well as Sydney," Fountas said.

[15] Greek stocks end lower, market finds support at 5,000

Athens, 24/02/2000 (ANA)

Dealers said selective buying for blue chip stocks pushed the market higher, temporarily, only to ease back later on lack of follow-through orders.

The general index ended at 5,097.90 points, 0.23 percent lower, off the day's lows of 5,069.88 and the day's highs of 5,139.61 points.

Turnover was a low 159 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 0.09 percent higher at 2,778.21 points and the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index fell 1.19 percent to 817.34 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 9,661.77 +0.15% Leasing: 1,154.48 -2.20% Insurance: 3,293.07 -0.53% Investment: 2,447.37 -0.31% Construction: 2,942.62 -2.50% Industrials: 3,008.31

-0.31% Miscellaneous: 6,266.28 -0.76% Holding:

5,646.21 -0.08%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 1,249.38 points, off 3.87 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 248 to 90 with another eight issues unchanged.

Byte Computer saw its share price jump 269.8 percent on the first trading day in the market. Exelixi, Ippotour, Microland, Aktor, Goody's, Attica Publications and Xifias (c) scored the biggest percentage gains.

Xylemporia (p), Galis, Macedonian Spinning (p), Hadzikraniotis, Texapret, Kyriakoulis Yachts, Giannoussis and Alysida ended at the day's 10.0 percent limit down.

Hellenic Telecoms, Byte Computer and Panafon were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in Drs): Alpha Credit: 25,000 National Bank: 23,930 Commercial Bank: 23,110 Ergobank: 28,160 Eurobank: 12,600 Heracles Cement: 9,980 Hellenic Petroleum: 4,210 Intracom: 15,210 Minoan Lines: 7,800 Hellenic Telecoms: 9,565 Panafon: 5,170 Titan Cement: 16,250

Equity futures fall further: Futures contract prices moved lower in low turnover on the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Wednesday.

A total of 1,014 contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20 index worth 5.7 billion drachmas. The March contract ended at 2,813 points, the April at 2,835, the May at 2,858 and the June contract at 2,860 points.

A total of 488 contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 40 index, worth 1.6 billion drachmas. The March contract ended at 848 points and the April contract at 858 points.

Bonds sluggish again in buy-oriented trade: Bond prices ended slightly higher in light turnover on Wednesday with the yield spread over German bunds barely holding below 100 basis points, traders said.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 6.43 percent from 6.44 percent a day earlier, about 6.55 percent in the previous two sessions and 6.52-6.56 percent on Thursday.

The paper's yield spread over German bunds fluctuated between 97 and 100 basis points from 96 to 97 basis points in the last trading days and 98 basis points on Monday. At the end of the session, the yield spread was 99 basis points.

Trade through the central bank's electronic system totalled 36 billion drachmas from 86 billion drachmas a day earlier, 34 billion drachmas in the previous session, and 38 billion drachmas in the two sessions before that.

In Wednesday's trade, buy orders accounted for 28 billion drachmas of turnover and sell orders the remainder.

Analysts said there was little room for the yield spread over bunds to fall further, and that even a central bank rate cut of 75-100 basis points, anticipated in March, would have little impact on the market.

[16] Central bank tightens liquidity to stabilize drachma's decline

Athens, 24/02/2000 (ANA)

The central bank absorbed 350 billion drachmas from commercial banks after 250 billion drachmas returned to the market on expiry of a depo tender two weeks ago.

As a result, short-term interbank rates jumped by about 100 basis points, helping to stave off market pressure for a faster depreciation of the drachma than the central bank is willing to allow.

Finally, the drachma edged down against the euro but rose versus the US dollar.

At the central bank's daily fixing, the euro was set at 333.900 drachmas from 333.800 drachmas a day earlier and 333.600 drachmas on Monday.

The national currency has depreciated by 1.07 percent against the euro since the start of the year.

Also at the fixing, the US dollar was set at 332.150 drachmas from 333.400 drachmas in the previous session and 338.050 drachmas on Monday.

[17] Intracom signs contract to supply Finland's Sonera

Athens, 24/02/2000 (ANA)

The contract was signed following an international tender, which included some of the largest international telecommunications equipment companies.

Intracom hopes the deal will open the door to one of the most advanced telecommunication markets in the European Union. Finland's fixed telephony penetration rate totals 70 percent, while its mobile telephony rate reaches 73 percent.

Intracom has already signed similar contracts with Hungary's Matav and Mexico's Telmex, worth 12 million and 10 million euros, respectively.

Matav's majority shareholders are Ameritech from the United States and Deutsche Telekom.

Intracom plans to create a subsidiary abroad to cover the Latin American continent

[18] Greek, Turkish business group meets in Istanbul Feb. 25-27

Athens, 24/02/2000 (ANA)

The Greek delegation containing more than 120 business executives is the largest to visit the neighboring country.

The sectors represented in the delegation include construction, apparel, shipping, textiles, tourism, insurance, healthcare and financial services.

A key project is for firms in the two countries to create joint ventures for investments in Turkey, central Asia and Black Sea countries.

The Istanbul meeting is expected to ratify an existing decision to set up a joint chamber of trade.

[19] Izmir Chamber of Commerce delegation visits local Greek consulate

Athens, 24/02/2000 (ANA)

A delegation of the Izmir Chamber of Commerce (IZTO), headed by board President Ekrem Demirtash visited the Greek consulate in Izmir on Wednesday.

Greek consul Christina Alexopoulou reminded that IZTO's first presidents were Turkish citizens of Greek origin, adding that the two nations on the two sides of the Aegean have ties based on history.

Demirtash mentioned that in the next few days IZTO representatives would travel to the island of Chios to participate in the Exhibition of Greek-Turkish Cooperation saying that they "attribute importance to improving cultural and economic relations with Greece and the islands."

[20] Health care-related Apostolopoulos group considers ventures in Turkey

Athens, 24/02/2000 (ANA)

Apostolopoulos group chief executive Vassilis Apostolopoulos held the talks on the sidelines of Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos' recent trip to Istanbul, at the head of a Greek business delegation.

According to reports, Apostolopoulos met with representatives of the Istanbul-based American Hospital, Acibalem Health Group and International Hospital, as well as officials from Turkish insurance giant KOC Allianz.

[21] British Queen to visit Greek antiquities museum on Australian tour

MELBOURNE, 24/02/2000 (ANA - S. Hadjimanolis)

Queen Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip, is due to arrive in Sydney on March 17 and will visit nearly all the Australian state's before her departure from Perth on April 2.

According to the official program, the Queen will visit the two museums while in Victoria State on March 23-24.

[22] Modern Greek Civilization and Studies Center opens at Kiev University

Athens, 24/02/2000 (ANA)

Widely respected linguist and Hellenist Professor Nina Klimenko heads the Center, where 45 students are studying Modern Greek.

The Ukrainian Universitys dean, Mr. Skopenko, and Greek ambassador in Kiev D. Kontoumas addressed the inauguration ceremony.

Mr. Kontoumas, who conveyed a message from Greece's foreign undersecretary Grigoris Niotis, affirmed that the Greek state would provide continuous support and assistance to the Center.

The Centers establishment is the culmination of efforts by Ukrainian Hellenists, assisted by the Greek embassy.

Also attending the inauguration were Messrs. Dimitrakopoulos and Gioles from Athens University, which collaborates with the Kiev University.

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