Athens News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-03-13

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

NEWS IN ENGLISH

Athens, Greece, 13/03/1998 (ANA)

MAIN HEADLINES

• Simitis: European Conference participation conditional
• EU British presidency welcomes Clerides accession talks proposal
• Clinton signs declaration on Greek Independence Day
• US ambassador views test flights of two F-15Es
• Greek exports to Balkans, Black Sea region continue to rise
• Polish President to attend bilateral business conference in Athens
• Greek stocks rise on money market sentiment
• Preliminary inquiry in Florina power plant controversy
• Greece fails to meet obligations to non-Greek EU civil servants
• Physics professor details discovery of new 'cosmic force'
• Weather
• Foreign exchange

NEWS IN DETAIL

Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday said a precondition for the participation of a country in the European Conference must be the acceptance of certain basic principles governing the European Union, and expressed at the Luxembourg summit.

Speaking at a press conference at the end of the European Conference in London, Mr. Simitis expressed regret over the absence of Turkey but, as he added, he felt even more regret because Turkey refused to accept what is self-evident - international law, international accords, acceptance of the jurisdiction of the International Court at The Hague and Europe's acquis communautaire.

He said quite a few leaders expressed regret over Turkey's absence (such as France and Italy), but no special reference is made in the joint communique and it is merely noted that the European Conference is open to all countries.

On the question of the Turkish Cypriots' participation in negotiations for Cyprus' accession to the European Union, Mr. Simitis said that proposals by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides correspond to the spirit of decisions taken in Luxembourg and now it is up to the Turkish Cypriots to state their position.

Mr. Simitis said that in talks he had with his British counterpart he ascertained that British PM Tony Blair has a positive approach to the prospect of Cyprus' accession, adding that no pressures were exerted by the French side.

He further said that the decisions taken in Luxembourg still hold (clear reference is made in the communique), stressing that continuous steps are being made and the way is being paved for the new Europe regardless of whether the path is still long. There is a spectacular event in that a new reality is being created in Europe, he said.

On other issues Mr. Simitis stressed the need to combat crime was discussed at the European Conference, as was the issue of drugs and of environmental protection. He said it was self-evident that each country by itself cannot tackle these issues and consequently better coordination is necessary, along with harmonisation of legislation and common policies.

On the issue of organised crime, it was agreed that experts should be appointed to review the situation and submit a report in a year's time on what must be done.

Lastly, it was decided that the issues of foreign policy and security, regional development and competitiveness will be discussed at the next European Conference (a year later).

Referring to this issue, Mr. Simitis said during the press conference that Greece favours the maintenance of the territorial integrity of Yugoslavia but, additionally, requests protection for the rights of the Albanians and the implementation of agreements on Kosovo.

Mr. Simitis added that Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos told Yugoslav authorities during his recent visit to Belgrade that there must be some kind of a move on their part such as the implementation of the educational accord concluded in 1996 and a serious effort for dialogue.

"These moves have not taken place so far," he said, adding that "of course, this leads to ever-increasing pressure on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia by the international community. We hope (Yugoslav President Slobodan) Milosevic realises this and makes some kind of a move."

EU British presidency welcomes Clerides accession talks proposal

Britain yesterday praised a proposal put forward by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, inviting Turkish Cypriots to participate as members of the Cypriot team which will negotiate the country's accession terms with the European Union.

"The proposal-invitation of President Clerides to the Turkish Cypriots is a courageous move and I congratulate him.

Of course, we desire the delegation to be mixed, given that the island's membership of the EU will benefit both communities, and much more so the Turkish Cypriots, who have a much lower standard of living," Mr. Cook said during a British EU presidency news briefing.

EU Commission President Jacques Santer, who was present at the briefing, stressed that procedures already approved should be sticked to.

"We must remain steadfast on the decisions we adopted during the Luxembourg summit regarding Cyprus' accession course. These decisions must in no case be overturned," he said when questioned what would happen if the Turkish Cypriots did not ultimately join the delegation.

Cypriot diplomatic sources told ANA that at a meeting at the Foreign Office yesterday between Messrs. Cook and Clerides, the British side expressed embarrassment and regret over Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's refusal to meet Mr. Cook.

The British side raised again the issue of the deployment of S-300 Russian- made anti-aircraft missile systems on the island, the same sources said. Mr. Clerides reiterated the position that the issue is linked either with a demilitarisation of the island or significant progress on the Cyprus issue.

A Foreign Office spokesman, quoted yesterday by the Cyprus News Agency, welcomed President Clerides' proposal.

"We welcome the proposal put forward by President Clerides regarding the participation of Turkish Cypriots in the delegation which will negotiate the accession," the Foreign Office spokesman said.

Describing Mr. Clerides' proposal as a "positive offer", the spokesman said that Britain attaches "special importance to the specific proposal which says that Turkish Cypriots will nominate representatives as full members of the delegation".

He noted that the first thing the EU Council President will do now is to submit the proposal at the Foreign Ministers meeting in Edinburgh over the weekend and "then if there is an agreement there, they will hand it to the Turkish Cypriots".

Mr. Clerides yesterday made an "honest and solemn" invitation towards Turkish Cypriots to participate as full members of a Cypriot delegation set to negotiate the country's accession terms with the European Union.

Mr. Clerides also assured the Turkish Cypriots that their views will be discussed "freely, seriously and in good faith," and expressed the hope they will accept the invitation.

Clinton signs declaration on Greek Independence Day

US President Bill Clinton yesterday signed a declaration at the White House for Greek Independence Day.

Archbishop of America Spyridon, European Commissioner Christos Papoutsis, Athens' ambassador to Washigton Loukas Tsilas and leaders of the Greek- American community were present at this annual 15-minute ceremony.

Spyridon, after the meeting, said that "we are very satisfied over the meeting with the president of the United States. The discussion was cordial and during (this meeting) we were able to discuss many issues regarding our expatriates in America, but al so of Hellenism in general."

He added that "we talked, of course, about the recent visit of the Ecumenical Patriarch and the problems regarding the Patriarchate."

Mr. Papoutsis expressed his personal satisfaction over the meeting.

The EU Commissioner is visiting the US for a series of meetings with US officials on issues regarding energy, small and medium businesses and tourism.

Mr. Papoutsis was due to meet later in the day with US Energy Secretary Frederico Pena to discuss the deregulation of the EU energy market.

He will also meet with Federal Reserve board member Lawrence Meyer, US Assistant Secretary of State on financial affairs Stuart Eizenstat and Mr. Clinton's adviser on EU matters, as well as Greek-American Senator Paul Sarbanes.

US ambassador views test flights of two F-15Es

US ambassador in Athens Nicholas Burns yesterday visited the headquarters of the 111th Hellenic Air Force fighter wing in Volos in order to observe test flights of two US-made F-15E fighters, currently being evaluated by Greek pilots.

The US ambassador was briefed by the base's commander and a Boeing representative on the operational capabilities of the third-generation fighter.

Greece is currently considering the purchase of F-15Es and additional F-16s, a display of which the US ambassador viewed in February.

Mr. Burns later visited the town of Lamia, where he met with local government officials.

Meanwhile, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) reacted strongly to Mr. Burns' visit to Lamia, also criticising the government for allowing, as it claimed, what it called Mr. Burns' "provocative" tours and contacts around the country.

"Equally provocative is the government's stand, which allows Mr. Burns to inspect police forces and the operation of state enterprises, and to hold direct contacts on economic issues," KKE said in a statement.

"Diplomats' moves are subject to certain limits," a KKE announcement read.

Greek exports to Balkans, Black Sea region continue to rise

A one-day seminar on trade activities in the Balkans and Black Sea region yesterday noted that exports of Greek products towards these areas are steadily rising.

According to results announced at the end of the conference, Greek exports to the Balkans rose by 31 per cent in 1996 compared to 1995, reaching US$1.6 billion.

Exports to the Black Sea region rose to $1.4 billion in 1996, while in 1995 they did not exceed $337 million. Greek exports to Turkey rose from $86 million in 1986 to $354 million in 1996.

Meanwhile, Turkish exports to Greece rose from $21 million to $231 million during the same time period.

The press release also noted that about 30 Greek businesses are active in Turkey today.

Polish President to attend bilateral business conference in Athens

Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski will attend a Greek-Polish business conference on ways of expanding economic relations, scheduled in Athens between April 5 and 7.

The conference is sponsored by the commercial section of the Polish embassy in Athens and the national economy ministry.

National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and his Polish counterpart Janus Steinhof will also attend.

Discussions will focus on possible cooperation in the sectors of energy, telecommunications, defence, agriculture, foodstuffs and metals works.

Greek stocks rise on money market sentiment

Greek equities extended their rally for the third consecutive session on the Athens Stock Exchange.

Traders said market sentiment was boosted by favourable developments in the domestic money market and positive comments on the future of the drachma and the Greek bourse by international financial houses.

The general index ended 0.81 percent up at 1,543.62 points although sector indices were mixed.

Banks rose 0.71 percent, Insurance fell 0.20 percent, Leasing eased 0.45 percent, Investment ended 0.38 percent up, Construction dropped 2.29 percent, Industrials were 0.68 percent higher, Miscellaneous fell 0.42 percent and Holding was 0.11 percent off .

The parallel market index for small cap companies remained unchanged. The FTSE/ASE index rose 1.13 percent to 872.66 points.

Trading was heavy with turnover at 26.1 billion drachmas. Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation's share price shot up 220 drachmas to 6,735 in a heavy volume of 1,200,000 issues after a buy recommendation and a prediction of a 8,000-drachma price by the end of the year by international investment bank JP Morgan.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 106 to 101 with another 32 issues unchanged.

Maxim, Dane, Rilken and Chalyps Cement scored the biggest percentage gains at the day's 8.0 percent upper volatility limit, while Diekat, Mouriadis, Ekter, Sfakianakis and Katselis suffered the heaviest losses.

National Bank of Greece ended at 22,800, Ergobank at 16,065, Alpha Credit Bank at 17,230, Delta Dairy at 3,200, Titan Cement at 14,930 and Intracom at 15,700.

Preliminary inquiry on Florina power plant controversy

An Athens prosecutor has ordered a preliminary inquiry, underway for about 20 days now, to ascertain the truth behind press reports claiming a major scandal over construction of a Public Power Corp. (DEH) power plant in Florina.

The preliminary examination, ordered by Georgios Koliocostas, is being conducted by prosecutor Constantine Tzavelas, who is currently summoning and questioning witnesses.

According to reports, ruling PASOK deputy and former DEH employee trade unionist Dimitris Pipergias has been summoned to testify on Monday.

Development Minister Mrs Vasso Papandreou yesterday charged critics of new Florina power plant with allegedly representing vested interests.

She said that the construction of the power plant will be completed in 55 months and will employ 4,500 workers, while she added that the plant's life expectancy is forecast at more than 40 years, with 2,000 full-time jobs created.

Greece fails to meet obligations to non-Greek EU civil servants

The European Court has convicted Greece for failing to respect the financial rights of non-Greek European Union employees working in the Greek public sector.

Such rights have been guaranteed since 1968 by EU regulations.

According to the EU regulations - Article VII, Paragragh 1 - a citizen of a member-state must be accorded the same treatment in pay, work relations and conditions, severance pay and vocational rehabilitation or re-employment if he becomes unemployed.

Greece was found in violation of EU regulations, since time-bonus and salary classifications for employees in the Greek public sector did not take into account years worked in the public sector of other member- states.

Physics professor details discovery of new 'cosmic force'

Scientists hope that the discovery of a new cosmic force will provide the key to a theory on how the universe was created.

Presenting the discovery at the Athens Academy last night, which he described as "dramatic", theoretical physics professor Dimitris Nanopoulos said it concerned the so-called 'cosmological constant', which US scientists at the University of California a t Berkeley had found to be causing the expansion of the universe at an accelerated rate.

He said the discovery annuls the view that after the "Big Bang" (15 billion years ago) the gravity of celestial objects slows down the expansion of the universe, as indicated by the hitherto four known forces of the universe - (weak, strong, electromagn etic and gravitational.

The cosmological constant (0.7), the fifth force, tends towards 1, and is opposing gravity.

Prof. Nanopoulos said Albert Einstein had made a passing reference to this force in 1916. He added that he and his aides made efforts to study it, after repeatedly encountering the phenomenon during research in 1994-95. However, they did not give the a ppropriate attention until commencement of research by their US colleagues, he added.

WEATHER

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

(C.E.)

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