One in 10 Austrians to spend 1997 vacation in Greece
NEWS IN DETAIL
Ruling socialist PASOK Eurodeputy Yiannis Roubatis yesterday raised the
issue of Turkish involvement in arson attacks on Greek islands, during
questions to the Ministers' Council and the European Commission.
He also asked whether the Union intended to financially reinforce Greece's
forestry services for "the more effective protection of European forests
from the threat they face due to the activities of criminal Turkish
organisations."
"The allegation by Turkish deputy Sedat Bucak that Turkish agents torched
Greek forests is extremely serious," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas
said later.
"The government is carefully examining the entire issue," Mr. Reppas said,
and " intendes to seek explanations from Ankara."
Skandalidis
PASOK Secretary and Dodecanese deputy Costas Skandalidis noted that "the
provocative and cynical revelation by the Turks that they are behind the
arson attacks on the Greek islands, opens a huge issue for the international
community and law and order, particularly when it is done by a Turkish
deputy."
He added: "Greece calls for the clarification of the case and the
denunciation of Turkey as an official source of terrorist activity."
The main opposition New Democracy party also issued an announcement
describing the Turkish deputy's statement as being "particularly serious"
and said it must be examined.
Gov't insists on 'realistic policy', appeals for understanding
"The government was just recently given the popular mandate and has the
responsibility to lead the country to an equal relationship with its
European partners," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said, replying to
questions on the government's economic policy and yesterday's nationwide
strike.
"The government is following a realistic policy while refraining from
taking measures which would simply make it popular," Mr. Reppas said.
The government, Mr. Reppas continued, understands the reactions of workers
and those who are affected by the measures, "but the policy being followed
is the only one which will provide a solution to the country's problems."
The spokesman noted that participation in yesterday's strike and protest
rallies had been small, "and this must be the basis for drawing any
conclusions".
The government later issued an announcement appealing to workers and
particularly the weaker social strata for understanding for its economic
policy.
The announcement explains the government's new economic measures, stressing
that the social state is being strengthened while the new taxes introduced
in the 1997 budget burdened the higher income brackets exclusively.
The government said Greece was waging four major battles -participation in
EMU, development, the fairer distribution of income and efforts to enhance
the deterrent capacity of the armed forces.
It said that workers' real income (nominal remuneration less inflation)
would continue to increase at a rate of 2 per cent.
Total expenditure on social protection would amount to 6.5 trillion
drachmas in 1997, or 20.1 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP),
compared to 3.9 trillion drachmas or 18.5 per cent of GDP in 1993, the
announcement said.
High participation rate, unionists claim
In contrast to Mr. Reppas' assessment, trade union officials spoke in terms
of 60 to 100 per cent participation in the strike. Compared with recent
years, they said, the participation in the protest rally in central Athens
and demonstrations outside Parliament was also very high.
The index-linking of tax brackets to inflation and the raising of the limit
of non-taxable income to two million drachmas were the workers' main
demands.
Meeting to focus on adaptation of Greek legislation to EU laws
Issues of adapting Greek national legislation to Community law are to be
discussed in Athens today between government officials and E.U. representatives.
According to reports, the discussion will include issues concerning
fertilizers, private vehicles and medicines.
Pangalos holds talks with Uzbekistan`s leadership
Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov requested Greece's assistance for his
country's cooperation with European organisations in talks with Foreign
Minister Theodoros Pangalos, who paid the first-ever visit by a Greek
minister to the Central Asian nation.
Apart from meeting President Karimov, Mr. Pangalos met Uzbekistan Foreign
Minister A. Kamilov and Deputy Prime Minister and Petroleum Minister C.
Hakulov.
President Karimov called for the opening of a Greek embassy in Tashkent and
the speeding up of the appointment of a general consul of Uzbekistan in
Athens.
President Karimov expressed his country's wish to cooperate with European
organisations, saying that he considers Greece a natural channel and
interpreter of the views of his country at the European union.
Mr. Pangalos said the Greek embassy in Tashkent will open in 1998.
Talks with Mr. Hakulov, who is responsible for energy issues, focused on
issues of an economic nature and possibilities of cooperation between the
two countries in the natural gas sector.
Duma president Zelezniev reiterates his parliament`s support for Greece
Russia does not consider an act of aggression by Turkey against Greece in
the Aegean likely at present, Russian Duma (parliament) President Gennadi
Seleznyov said yesterday at the end of a three-day official visit to
Greece.
Mr. Seleznyov, who met President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos,
Prime Minister Costas Simitis and political party leaders, said Russia is
categorically opposed to the use or the threat of the use of force on the
international scene.
He stressed that the Duma has unanimously condemned the presence of a
Turkish occupation army in northern Cyprus and has called for the
demilitarisation of the island republic in the most categorical manner.
Referring to Russia's positions on the Cyprus problem, Mr. Seleznyov said a
precondition for its solution, which he called a disgrace for Europe, is
demilitarisation, adding that the UN should be the venue where the problem
is resolved and a peaceful so lution found.
Mr. Seleznyov announced a beginning to common business activities and said
that in January a natural gas pipeline linking Russia with Greece will be
inaugurated. He further said that in his talks with Greek officials he was
pleased to ascertain a willingness by Athens to have a proposed project for
an alumina plant revived.
Onassis Foundation to donate funds for new library at Metropolitan Museum
The Onassis Foundation will fund the establishment of a new library of
Greco-Roman art at New York's Metropolitan Museum.
"This donation ensures the creation of a library that will give scholars,
researchers and the public, the possibility to refer to valuable historical
archives and the amazing collections of Greek and Roman art, which the
Metropolitan has," the museum's curator, Philippe de Montebello, said
during a ceremony announcing the donation.
Internal dissention continues in New Democracy
Former main opposition New Democracy prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis
yesterday accused ND leader Miltiades Evert of "trying to cause a rift that
could lead even to a break up of the party".
In a written statement, Mr. Mitsotakis charged that Wednesday's attack
against him during a political council session by Mr. Evert, who said he
would not be invited to future sessions as his public statements undermined
the authority and history of the party, aimed at two things:
"To cause a rift that could even lead to a break up of the party, and
relegate to secondary place substantial discussion on terms under which an
honest and representative congress would be held" next year.
Vartholomeos concludes tour of Far East
Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos returned to Istanbul yesterday after an
extended visit to Australia, where he toured Perth, Adelaide, Canberra,
Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney.
On his return, he praised what he called the "significant achievements in
all sectors of the clearly ecclesiastical, educational, social and other
activities of the Archbishopry," and noted the contribution of Archbishop
Stylianos in the Orthodox Church's achievements in Australia.
In Canberra, Australian Prime Minister John Howard held an official dinner
in honour of the Patriarch, who met with all prime ministers of the states
he visited.
Patriarch Vartholomeos also visited New Zealand during a tour of the Far
East, while he earlier visited Hong Kong, where he founded the new Orthodox
Metropolis of Southeast Asia.
Archbishop Anastasios meets with premier
Archbishop of Tirana and all Albania Anastasios met with Prime Minister
Costas Simitis yesterday, saying afterwards that the premier is particularly
interested in relations in the Balkans and promotion of cooperation and
friendly communication among Balkan countries.
Anastasios said he has been in Albania for some five and a half years to
restore the Autocephalus Orthodox Church of Albania and to promote
friendship, cooperation and mutual understanding. Consequently, he added,
the exchange of views and opinions in such a climate is always useful.
Greek-Yugoslav investment agreement readied
A joint Yugoslav and Greek committee is scheduled to convene in Athens on
Dec. 5 and 6 in order to discuss the drafting of an agreement for the
mutual promotion and protection of investments as well as avoidance of
double taxation.
According to a Greek embassy official the agreements will be signed during
Prime Minister Costas Simitis' visit to Belgrade, expected early next
year.
He added that a committee of Greek experts will soon be established to
consider details of granting Yugoslavia export credits to the tune of
US$100 million.
Athens has also expressed a willingness to organise seminars for the
briefing of Yugoslav businessmen on EU regulations, so as to make more
effective its cooperation with European firms.
Survey reveals that one in 10 Austrians to spend 1997 vacation in Greece
One in 10 Austrians over the age of 16 intends to spend their holidays next
year in Greece, according to results from a survey.
Greece is second on a list of preferred holiday destinations for Austrians
with 10 per cent, behind Italy with 11 per cent and followed by Spain with
8 per cent.
The survey's results, which were announced yesterday, revealed that 43 per
cent of Austrians intend to spend their vacations in a European country,
while 22 per cent will spend them within Austria itself.
a Greek expatriate businessman.
Last year, roughly 500,000 Austrian tourists visited Greece.
National Bank lowers interests rates for deposits
The National Bank of Greece has announced a significant decrease in
interest rates for deposits by half a percentage point, which fall to 10.75
per cent from 11.25 per cent, while the current accounts interest rate will
be set at 9.25 per cent from 9.75 p er cent.
At the same time lending rates will decrease by 0.25 per cent.
The Ionian Bank will also slash deposit interest rates by half a percentage
point as of Monday, while similar moves by the Credit Bank are expected
with interest.
The National Bank's working capital lending rate will be 17.50 per cent;
for fixed assets 16.25 per cent, and for fluctuating housing loans 15.25
per cent.
Ionian's interest rates for deposits will be 11 per cent.
Motion tabled to confiscate Delta Brokerage's assets
A special judicial investigator is continuing the main investigation over a
2.6 billion drachmas default at the Athens Stock Exchange by the Delta
Brokerage firm, while a motion was submitted to an Athens court yesterday
by the bourse's common and consenting capital insurance.
The motion, to be discussed on Dec. 17, calls for confiscation of Delta's
movable and immovable assets up to the amount of four billion drachmas for
losses sustained.
The main lawsuit on the same issue will be examined in about four months'
time.
WEATHER
Cloudy with rain and local storms in most parts of the country. Same for
Athens where temperatures will range from 12-17C and in Thessaloniki from 5-
13C.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE (Buying)
U.S. dlr 239.270, Can. dlr.177.548, Australian dlr. 194.050, Pound sterling
401.859, Irish punt 402.454, Cyprus pd 516.534, French franc 46.061, Swiss
franc 184.829 Belgian franc 7.587, German mark 156.270, Finnish mark 52.080,
Dutch guilder 139.346, Danish Kr. 40.745, Swedish Kr. 35.797, Norwegian Kr.
37.369, Austrian Sh. 22.221, Italian lira (100) 15.824, Yen (100) 210.979,
Spanish Peseta 1.856, Portuguese Escudo 1.548.
(C.E.)
