Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-10-07
HR-Net News Distribution Manager
[01] Papandreou to meet Kostunica in Belgrade on Saturday
[02] Greek FM addresses European College
[03] Simitis addresses PASOK Committee on foreign and domestic policy
issues
[04] 'Out of context' charge aired in relation to Burns interview
regarding terrorism, 2004
[05] Representatives of EU Intergovernmental Committee visit Simitis,
Papandreou, Kaklamanis
[06] Stathopoulos defends amendment for faster justice in cases that
'disrupt society'
[07] Greek stocks rebound at the end of the week
[08] Money supply growth rise 9.5 pct in June-August, yr/yr
[09] Greek alternate FM announces EU grants for Bulgaria
[10] Spending on media ads up 22.9 pct yr/yr in September
[11] Development Minister says Greek businesses must upgrade their
technology
[12] Development Minister stresses potential for development of
renewable energy sources
[13] Compaq chairman visits Greece
[14] Passenger ship captains abandon their threat to "immobilize" ships
[15] Trial of air-traffic controllers accused of causing Ukrainian
airliner's crash begins
[16] Minoan Lines offices firebombed
[17] Second conference of Greek and Turkish journalists opens
[18] Greece, Cyprus to sign cultural cooperation protocol
[19] Greek National Theatre group stages Oedipus Rex in New York
[20] US embassy organizes three-day events on US-Greek relations
[21] Fulbright holds US university information fair in Athens
[22] Subsidiary center of Onassion Foundation to be inaugurated in New
York
[23] Federation aims at minimizing environmental repercussions from
Olympiad projects
[24] President, Archbishop receive Greek Olympic athletes
[25] Athens 2004 president remains at her post, government spokesman
says
[26] Cyprus regards Kostunica as legal President of Yugoslavia
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[01] Papandreou to meet Kostunica in Belgrade on Saturday
PARIS, 07/10/2000 (ANA/O. Tsipyra)
Foreign Minister George Papandreou said he would visit Belgrade on
Saturday morning in an effort to contribute to a smooth transitional
period for Yugoslavia following the presidential elections there.
Addressing the press after a meeting with French counterpart Hubert
Vedrine, Papandreou said he would meet with the new Yugoslav President
Vojislav Kostunica. He added that he had no intention of meeting
Slobodan Milosevic. A new era begins for Yugoslavia and our relations
as well as for the entire region, Papandreou said.
He said he would convey the European Union French presidencys will to
contribute towards Yugoslavias European course, to help the countrys
reconstruction and include it in the stability pact.
Earlier in Athens, diplomatic sources said the Greek minister's visit
aims to underline Greece's full support in Yugoslavia's efforts to join
the European institutions as soon as possible, a first step being the
gradual lifting of the sanctions against the country. A decision on the
lifting of the sanctions is expected to be taken, following a Greek
proposal, at a European Union General Affairs Council meeting in
Luxembourg on Monday.
Papandreou will fly to Belgrade from Paris: Earlier on Friday,
Papandreou congratulated Kostunica for his presidential victory, during
a telephone conversation with him, an ANA dispatch from Belgrade said.
According to an announcement by his office, Kostunica expressed his
thanks to the Greek government and to the Greek people "for aid given
so far and the understanding shown to the Serb people over the years of
difficult challenges which are now behind us."
Kostunica invited Papandreou to visit Yugoslavia as soon as possible.
The invitation was accepted with satisfaction, Kostunica's office
announced.
Simitis hails change in Yugoslavia, Greece to request lifting of
sanctions: Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Friday said Greece's policy
in Yugoslavia has been vindicated by the recent developments.
Simitis, speaking at his ruling party's central committee meeting in
downtown Athens, said Athens' knowledge of the region and its "prudent
policy" aimed at buttressing peace and security through the Balkans.
In other comments, the Greek PM hailed the Serbian people as "voting
for a democratic change", while noting that coolheadedness and
responsibility by all political forces in Yugoslavia is necessary.
"We will always be on their (people's) side, supporters of their
rapprochement with the European community. The events in Yugoslavia are
proof that peace, development and a democratic course are still the
necessities for the region," Simitis said.
On her part, Alternate Foreign Minister Elizabeth Papazoi said the
situation was "normal, beyond all expectations. Of course, there will
be a fluid situation for some time..."
Papazoi noted that Greece would request the lifting of European Union
sanctions - oil shipments, flights, investments and trade with Yugoslav
companies -- against Belgrade during a Monday session of the General
Affairs Council.
Finally, she said Athens would also call for the re-activation of a
credit line eyeing the reconstruction of Yugoslavia.
Greece warns Milosevic, associates against seeking asylum: The Greek
government on Friday warned deposed Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic
and his close associates not to seek asylum in the country, as
increased security was ordered at border crossings and airports
throughout Greece.
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas added that Athens has no
information on Milosevic's whereabouts or of the rumored takeoff of
three Russian-made jetliners from Belgrade with high-ranking Milosevic
regime officials aboard.
"Greece will not welcome individuals (from the Milosevic regime)
seeking political asylum ... we will act within the framework of
European Union decisions," the spokesman said, before terming the
prospect of Milosevic seeking asylum in Greece as an "undesirable
development".
He also left open the possibility of Greek Foreign Minister George
Papandreou traveling to Belgrade himself for talks with the new
government of Vojislav Kostunica.
"Such a visit would ostensibly take place in consultation with Mr.
Papandreou's counterparts and the new Yugoslav leadership.
Finally, Reppas said no Yugoslav flight had arrived or asked for
permission to land at any Greek airport.
In echoing earlier statements by Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis,
the spokesman spoke of a "vindication of Greece's policy" regarding
Yugoslavia and praised Kostunica as enjoying "the recognition of
European leaders and the president; he's a reliable interlocutor on the
international level and has the people's trust."
[02] Greek FM addresses European College
BRUGES, 07/10/2000 (ANA - G. Zitouniati): Greek Foreign Minister George
Papandreou on Friday addressed an event at the European College here, a
post graduate studies institution focusing on European unification
issues and funded by the Union.
During his address, Papandreou said that the Union's embargo against
Yugoslavia was a policy that reached its limits and can not continue,
adding that the sanctions could not topple Milosevic nor could they
force democratic changes in that country.
Papandreou insisted that the Union should not only lift sanctions, but
it should also provide economic and humanitarian aid to the Serbs,
adding "the people should not be punished for Milosevic's policies".
He also said that Milosevic would not remain in power or in a state of
coexistence with the Yugoslav President elect Vojislav Kostunica.
Political leaders hail historic changes in Yugoslavia - Communists
reserved: Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis
on Friday hailed the "historic changes taking place in Yugoslavia in
the direction of democratization", while Coalition of the Left and
Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos urged the backing of democratic
forces and the stabilization of the situation in Yugoslavia. The
Communist Party of Greece (KKE) however voiced great reservations.
"We hail the historic changes taking place on Yugoslavia's political
scene in the direction of democratization. The will of the Serb people
should be respected immediately by all. There is no ground for the
violent overthrow of the will expressed now for a change in the course
of this country of great suffering," Karamanlis said.
He said the "traditional friend of Greece in the Balkans" should retake
the position it deserves on the European scene, adding that now is the
time for the European Union to prove in practice that it wants and can
help in the difficult path Yugoslavia has before it.
On its part, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said in an
announcement that Thursday night's developments in neighboring
Yugoslavia constitute another step in the western powers' "crude and
overt intervention" in Yugoslavia's domestic affairs.
"The new dramatic developments in Yugoslavia will not lead to the path
of normalcy for the benefit of the people, as it is being claimed by
various sides, and will have wider repercussions since Yugoslavia's
sinking into the imperialist system will be a negative event in the
entire Balkan region. Talk of triumphs on the so-called promotion of
democracy is made to cover up the crime being perpetrated against the
Yugoslav people," KKE said.
KKE accused the Greek government of proving once again that "it is an
accomplice in the crime being carried out in the Balkans".
Proposing the backing of democratic forces and the stabilization of the
situation in Yugoslavia, Coalition of the Left and Progress leader
Nikos Constantopoulos said the embargo should be lifted immediately,
movements capable of causing dissension should be avoided, as well as
movements leading to a change in borders, compensation should be paid
for the bombings and the stability pact should be changed to include
Yugoslavia.
Constantopoulos, making an assessment of the new situation, said that
after the political change the problems of Yugoslavia and the region
remain, "since many of them are due to the intervention by the US and
the European Union which have contributed to destabilization in the
region with bombings, the embargo and the promotion of nationalistic
and secessionist plans".
He called on the Greek government and all European countries to work
towards shaping a pacifist European policy that will treat Yugoslavia
as an equal European country and will include the Balkan countries in a
unified Europe.
[03] Simitis addresses PASOK Committee on foreign and domestic policy
issues
Athens, 07/10/2000 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis addressed Greek-Turkish affairs, the
judicial inquiry into the "Express Samina" shipwreck and other domestic
issues while speaking at the ruling PASOK Central Committee on Friday.
Despite the improving climate in Greek-Turkish relations, Simitis said,
"Ankara hesitates to adopt self-evident steps toward its European
orientation. Turkey seems to be indecisive; she wavers according to
its internal problems. Its maturity is late in coming. We are stable in
the directions that were adopted in Helsinki, and which is the European
course of Turkey".
As for Cyprus, the Greek premier said "we stand by Cyprus with the
clear target of a bi-zonal, bi-communal under one sovereign Cyprus
Republic, for achieving a just and viable solution, according to the
United Nations' resolutions."
With regard to the "Express Samina" shipwreck off the island of Paros,
he reiterated that he wanted "plenty of light" to be shed on the causes
of the tragedy, that claimed the lives of 79 people.
"We are requesting the speeding up of the judicial investigation and we
will achieve it with the special amendment we submitted (in
Parliament). There are no limits in investigating for those
responsible, whether in regards to persons, or shipping companies and
state employees. There is no one in the party (PASOK) that does not
want plenty of light to be shed," Simitis said.
He denounced those in the ruling party that would choose to defend the
shipping company, saying "our behavior sends a message, let's not
forget that".
The premier also addressed the government's success in leading Greece
to the European Monetary Union (EMU), adding, "our strategic aim is to
promote the real convergence in all sectors, to lift the standard of
living and improve living conditions."
Simitis also said that the government's goal for the next four-year
term was to combat unemployment, while he accused main opposition New
Democracy of undermining faith in the political system by constantly
stirring up the issue of graft and vested interests in public life.
[04] 'Out of context' charge aired in relation to Burns interview
regarding terrorism, 2004
Athens, 07/10/2000 (ANA)
The government on Friday said the US envoy to Athens maintains that
statements from an interview he granted to a major US television
network regarding terrorism in Greece and security for the 2004 Games
were broadcast "out of context" and not aired in their entirety.
According to government spokesman and press minister Dimitris Reppas,
US ambassador Nicholas Burns contacted the Greek public order minister,
the prime minister's office, and Reppas himself over the particularly
critical media report.
Reppas said the US envoy noted that his taped interview with an ABC
correspondent, on the whole, painted a positive picture of Greece and
was optimistic vis-a-vis preparations and security for the 2004 Athens
Olympiad.
"Many of the things he (Burns) said were not aired by the network in
question," Reppas said, before referring to a similar statement by the
US State Department.
[05] Representatives of EU Intergovernmental Committee visit Simitis,
Papandreou, Kaklamanis
Athens, 07/10/2000 (ANA)
European Parliament Intergovernmental Committee representatives Elmer
Brock and Dimitris Tsatsos on Friday met with Greek Prime Minister
Costas Simitis, Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Parliament
President Apostolos Kaklamanis.
During a press conference, the representatives said that the positions
of the Greek government were very close to those of the Europarliament
regarding institutional changes in the Union.
They added that the Intergovernmental Committee delayed in completing
its work, due mainly to the differences between larger and smaller
member-states of the Union.
"We hope that the extraordinary Summit in Biarritz, France, next week,
the 15 leaders of the EU will force forward these issues and especially
their political aspect," Tsatsos said.
"Only if the smaller countries secure an equal standing in the EU
architecture, will substantial progress be achieved," Brock said.
[06] Stathopoulos defends amendment for faster justice in cases that
'disrupt society'
Athens, 07/10/2000 (ANA)
Justice Minister Michalis Stathopoulos on Friday rejected press reports
on a proposed amendment for speeding up the judicial process for
certain kinds of cases, saying that the sobriquet "express trials" was
inaccurate and denigrated the quality of justice given.
He said the amendment was aimed at the sort of cases that greatly
disrupted the life of society as a whole, creating insecurity and
shaking people's faith in justice and law and order. As examples, he
mentioned the pending court cases for the collapse of the Ricomex
factory and another 26 buildings in Athens during last year's
earthquake, the crash of a state aircraft that killed alternate foreign
minister Yiannos Kranidiotis, the collapse of a bridge in Paiania, the
Ocalan affair and other highly-publicized cases.
Speaking on the sidelines of a conference on "Biotechnology and Civil
Law," Stathopoulos was quick to point out that the measure would not
concern the process of holding preliminary hearings or the trial but
the judge's leeway for setting a trial date.
At the moment, he said, prosecutors and judges had very limited freedom
to set the time a case would go to trial, and that it was not easy for
a judge or prosecutor to make such a decision without the express
provision of the law.
Regarding the various reactions in Parliament, he said these were
nothing out of the ordinary, while he did not rule out "certain
improvements with respect to certain meanings" provided the essence of
the amendment remained unchanged.
Reppas says government stands firm on decision to table 'speed trial'
amendment: Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas rejected criticism of a
proposed amendment for speeding up trials in certain cases on Friday,
saying that the government would stand by its decision.
The amendment aims to speed up the rate at which cases "of particular
importance to society" are brought to trial.
Commenting, Reppas said that the criticism leveled against the
government's proposal was completely unfair.
"The speed at which justice is dispensed is an important issue for our
country, we stand firm on this position," he said.
[07] Greek stocks rebound at the end of the week
Athens, 07/10/2000 (ANA)
Equity prices rebounded strongly at the end of the week on Athens Stock
Exchange, reversing a three-day decline, which pushed the general index
5.32 percent lower.
Buying interest focused on shares in the construction sector reflecting
investors' optimism ahead of the presentation of a draft bill by the
government over a restructuring of the sector.
Traders said the market moved strongly upward in the last 45 minutes of
trade after a wave of buying orders for Alpha Bank's shares.
The Greek market shrugged off developments in Yugoslavia (analysts said
that the market might have reacted positively to news from the Balkan
state) and the publication of a report on the fair value of the Athens
bourse by Morgan Stanley.
The general index ended at 4,027.09 points, up 1.73 percent, with
turnover an improved 201 billion drachmas, reflecting the block
transfer of CosmOTE's shares, worth 123.4 billion drachmas, to the
underwriters of its initial public offering.
The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 1.29
percent higher at 2,272.23 points and the FTSE/ASE 40 index rose 1.59
percent to 504.29 points.
Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 8,255.79
+1.62% Leasing: 650.55 +0.66% Insurance: 2,186.01 +0.28% Investment:
1,581.59 +0.51% Construction: 1,997.41 +8.67% Industrials: 2,363.87
+1.74% Miscellaneous: 3,986.97 Holding: 4,566.47
-0.67%
The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at
561.08 points, up 3.02 percent.
Broadly, advancers led decliners by 226 to 110 with another 19 issues
unchanged.
Hellenic Telecoms, Alpha Bank, Forthnet, Panafon and National Bank were
the most heavily traded stocks.
Leading shares' closing prices (in Drs): National Bank: 15,005 Titan
Cement (c): 14,100 Alpha Bank: 14,600 Hellenic Telecoms: 7,195
Commercial Bank: 18,650 Panafon: 3,690 Hellenic Petroleum: 3,950
Eurobank: 11,000 Attica Enterprises: 3,140 Piraeus Bank: 6,570
Intracom: 12,000 Lambrakis Press: 8,700 Minoan Lines: 2,430 Heracles
Cement: 6,155
Hellenic Bottling: 5,150
Equity futures rise, tracking Athens bourse: Equity futures traded on
the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished higher on Friday, in line with
the indices on which they are based.
The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 1.29 percent up, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended
1.59 percent higher.
Turnover was 25.9 billion drachmas.
A total of 4,763 contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20 with turnover
at 21.7 billion drachmas.
On the FTSE/ASE 40 index, 2,066 contracts changed hands on turnover of
4.1 billion drachmas.
Bond prices drop in sell-off: Bond prices in the domestic secondary
market on Friday finished lower in light, sell-oriented trade.
The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 6.002 percent from
6.08 percent in the last session.
The Greek paper's yield spread over German bunds was 73 basis points,
the same as in the previous trading day.
Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 54
billion drachmas from 68 billion drachmas in the session before.
Of the total, sell orders accounted for 50 billion drachmas of trade.
Drachma up vs. euro, dollar: The drachma on Friday ended higher against
the euro and the US dollar in the domestic foreign exchange market.
At the central bank's daily fixing, the euro was set at 339.340
drachmas from 339.380 drachmas in the previous session.
Also at the fix, the dollar was set at 388.350 drachmas from 388.990
drachmas a trading day earlier.
Inflation noses up to 3.1 pct yr/yr in September: Consumer price
inflation accelerated slightly to 3.1 percent year on year from 3.0
percent in August, the National Statistics Service (NSS) said on
Friday.
The increase was due mostly to a rise in world oil prices, but was
lower than expected, the NSS said in a statement.
The remaining impact of the rise in international fuel prices is likely
to show more clearly in October, analysts said.
[08] Money supply growth rise 9.5 pct in June-August, yr/yr
Athens, 07/10/2000 (ANA)
The Greek repos market's value rose by more than one trillion drachmas
in August to a total of 5.7 trillion drachmas, reflecting the inflow of
capital fleeing the stock market and the mutual funds market, Bank of
Greece figures showed on Friday.
The central bank's report noted that several investors and companies
that have completed share capital increase plans, preferred to move
their capital in the domestic repos market, which yield a tax-free
annual average of 5-6 percent.
The report also said that credit expansion growth remained at very high
levels, maintaining a higher-than-predicted growth in money supply. The
average 12-month growth rate of the M4N index was 9.5 percent in the
period June-August, up from a 5-7 percent target set by the Bank of
Greece.
Total credit expansion growth was 14.9 percent in July, down from 15.7
percent in June, reflecting slower credits to the public and the
private sectors (11.8 percent and 21.6 percent respectively).
The central bank said that credit expansion figures were also affected
by foreign currency fluctuations, and in particularly a sharp rise in
the yen and the US dollar parities.
Private deposits both in drachmas and in foreign currency fell by 557
billion drachmas.
Consumer and mortgage and trade credits continued rising at very high
levels.
Credit expansion growth in the manufacturing sector slowed to 5.4
percent in the January-July period, from 5.9 percent in the same period
last year, while credit growth in the trade sector soared to 26 percent
in July, sharply up from a 6.5 percent rate at the end of 1999.
Mortgage credit growth fell to 24.8 percent in January-July from 26.9
percent in December 1999. Consumer credit growth slowed to 22.6 percent
in July, on a year-on-year basis, from 31 percent in December last
year.
[09] Greek alternate FM announces EU grants for Bulgaria
Athens, 07/10/2000 (ANA)
The European Union will grant 300 million euro to Bulgaria within 2000,
including 27 million, which will be for the deactivation the nuclear
reactors 1 and 2 of Kozlodui, Greek Alternate Foreign Minister
Elizabeth Papazoi said on Friday.
The nuclear plant has 6 operating reactors.
Papazoi made the announcement in light of the meeting in Luxembourg on
Tuesday of the European Union's association councils Union with
Bulgaria and Poland.
[10] Spending on media ads up 22.9 pct yr/yr in September
Athens, 07/10/2000 (ANA)
Spending on media advertising rose to 35.7 billion drachmas in
September, up 22.9 percent on the same month of last year, Media
Services said in a statement on Friday.
The lion's share of spending went on television commercials to total 14
billion drachmas.
Next came magazines at 10.6 billion drachmas, newspapers at 9.3
billion, and radio at 1.7 billion.
The Mega TV station came top, receiving 4.3 billion drachmas of
revenue, followed by Antenna with 3.4 billion drachmas.
The heaviest spender on advertising was mobile phone operator Cosmote,
followed by Bodyline beauty salons and Bank of Piraeus.
[11] Development Minister says Greek businesses must upgrade their
technology
Athens, 07/10/2000 (ANA)
Development Minister Nikos Christodoulakis stressed the need for Greek
businesses to upgrade themselves technologically to create better
conditions of competitiveness and new jobs, addressing the Technology
and Research Foundation's (ITE) international conference on the issue
of "Investing in human potential for research in Europe" in Irakleio,
Crete, on Friday. European Union Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin
was also present at the conference.
Christodoulakis said specialized human potential should be activated,
adding that "Greece has a rich scientific and research potential, proof
of which is the conference taking place with the participation of new
European Union researchers and Commissioner Busquin. This is
recognition of the great progress achieved."
[12] Development Minister stresses potential for development of
renewable energy sources
Athens, 07/10/2000 (ANA)
Development Minister Nikos Christodoulakis stressed on Friday the great
possibilities of development presented in the country, and Crete in
particular, for renewable energy sources.
Christodoulakis, who was speaking during the inauguration ceremony for
three new wind parks in the Cretan town of Siteia, said this was so for
reasons not only related to difficulties experienced by the country due
to the oil crisis, but also to the reflection of the European Union's
deeper faith in utilizing as much energy as possible without harming
the environment.
Christodoulakis said Crete's way of utilizing renewable energy sources
was a paramount example, adding that the ministry is handling Crete's
energy prospects with all the responsibility required by the issue.
[13] Compaq chairman visits Greece
Athens, 07/10/2000 (ANA)
Michael Capellas, chairman of Compaq Computer Corporation, is visiting
Greece as part of the multinational company's growing operation in the
country.
At a news conference given by Capellas on Thursday, Compaq Hellas
presented a new online service aimed mainly at small and medium-sized
Greek enterprises.
Named CompaqPlus, the service will be launched on October 15. Its
internet site is www.CompaqPlus.gr
It will help customers choose products best tailored to their needs.
In addition Compaq, working with the Fulbright Foundation in Greece, is
funding postgraduate studies in information technology.
The program, which begins in the 2001-2002 academic year, will allow
five Greek students annually to continue their studies in recognized US
universities.
On Friday, the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce hosted a dinner in
honor of Capellas, who is of Greek origin.
[14] Passenger ship captains abandon their threat to "immobilize" ships
Athens, 07/10/2000 (ANA)
Passenger ship captains have not carried out their threat to
"immobilize" passenger ships on Friday and deliver their seamen's
documents, after Merchant Marine Minister Christos Papoutsis had
expressed his views on issues concerning them.
However, in another development concerning the sinking of the ferry
"Express Samina" off the island of Paros last week in which 79 people
lost their lives, a Piraeus prosecutor indicted the vessel's captain
Vassilis Yiannakis for forgery and falsifying documents.
Prosecution was carried out because, after the recent strike, the
captain went to the central harbor authority and registered the
vessel's logbook, while afterwards, according to the prosecutor, he
added that during the strike the engineer Apostolos Sorokos, who had
made revelations concerning the fateful ferry, was absent from it while
he should have been present. According to the prosecutor, the engineer
was on board.
[15] Trial of air-traffic controllers accused of causing Ukrainian
airliner's crash begins
Athens, 07/10/2000 (ANA)
The trial of two air-traffic controllers accused of having caused the
1997 crash of a Ukrainian commercial airliner, in which 73 people lost
their lives, began on Friday in a Thessaloniki Misdemeanors Court.
The Ukrainian airliner had crashed into the Pieria mountain range on
the night of December 17, 1997, after going off course during its
descent onto Thessaloniki's Macedonia Airport.
Yiannis Yiannakopoulos and Adamantios Frangoulis, who were on duty at
the airport's control tower on the night of the accident, are accused
of manslaughter through negligence and disrupting flight safety through
negligence.
Testifying against them are some eighty witnesses, most of them
relatives of the victims, while three colleagues are testifying in
their defense.
At the time of the accident, many press reports had blamed the disaster
on the fact that a new radar system acquired by the airport had not
been installed and put into operation because of the objections of
local residents. Then transport minister Tassos Mantelis, in fact, had
admitted that the system might have helped avert the disaster:
"The assessment is that if the airport had the special LRS radar system
to facilitate approach, we would have had an additional tool at our
disposal. No one can say for sure but it is possible that it would have
helped to avert (the accident)," he had said a few days afterward.
According to a report by the Civil Aviation Authority, the Ukrainian
plane was using the ILS system to land and had already made one failed
attempt before the accident. At some point during its second attempt,
the pilot had requested assistance from the control tower but this had
no way of ascertaining the plane's position. Radio contact was lost a
few minutes later.
Mr. Mantelis had said that it was highly likely that the pilot became
disorientated and from some point onwards was incorrectly reporting his
position.
The Thessaloniki airport has since installed the ILS2 radar approach
system, which was due to go online by April 2000.
[16] Minoan Lines offices firebombed
Athens, 07/10/2000 (ANA)
A makeshift firebomb exploded early Friday morning outside the Piraeus
offices of the parent company tied to the "Express Samina" passenger
ferry, which sank off Paros last week, killing almost 80 people.
The bomb, consisting of a plastic can filled with four liters of
gasoline and a more intricate detonating device than the ones normally
recovered from such attacks, was placed outside the ticketing offices
of Minoan Lines, whose subsidiary -- Minoan Flying Dolphin -- operated
the sunken ferry.
Minor damages but no injuries were reported, police said.
According to reports, an anonymous caller to the Athens daily
"Eleftherotypia" claimed the attack on behalf of the previously unknown
group "social liberation movement".
[17] Second conference of Greek and Turkish journalists opens
ANKARA, 07/10/2000 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)
The role played by the mass media in shaping foreign policy in Greece
and Turkey and improving relations between the two countries will be
examined during the 2nd conference of journalists and mass media
officials from Greece and Turkey, due to open in Istanbul on Saturday.
The conference is being organized by the Turkish Press Council in
cooperation with the permanent contact group between Greek and Turkish
journalists.
The conference will be addressed by the journalists Nicholas Voulelis,
Pavlos Tzimas and Yiannis Tzanetakos, on the part of Greece, and by
former Turkish Foreign Minister Ilter Turkmen and journalists Mithat
Bereket, Semih Indiz and Ali Sirmen on behalf of Turkey.
The conference, to be attended by journalists from Greece and Turkey,
will be concluded on October 8.
[18] Greece, Cyprus to sign cultural cooperation protocol
NICOSIA, 07/10/2000 (ANA-G. Leonidas)
Greece's culture minister Theodoros Pangalos is due in Nicosia Monday
for a two-day visit at the invitation of Cyprus education and culture
minister Ouranios Ioannides.
While in Cyprus, Pangalos, a former foreign minister, will be received
by Cyprus president Glafcos Clerides and speaker of the House of
Representatives Spyros Kyprianou.
Pangalos and Ioannides are expected to sign a bilateral cultural
cooperation protocol covering the years 2001-2003.
On Monday afternoon, Pangalos and the mayor of Nicosia will rename
local Mykali street as "Kranidiotis street" in memory of the
Cyprus-born late Greek alternate foreign minister Yannos Kranidiotis.
Kranidiotis, his son and five other people were killed in a freak air
accident in September 1999 when a government Falcon jet taking them to
Bucharest went into a nosedive before its pilot managed to regain
control of the aircraft.
Pangalos will also address a memorial event for Kranidiotis at a
central Cyprus hotel.
[19] Greek National Theatre group stages Oedipus Rex in New York
NEW YORK, 07/10/2000 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)
The Greek National Theatre group staged Sophocles' ancient tragedy
Oedipus Rex at the City Center Theater of Manhattan, following its
success in Rome's Colosseum in July, getting rave reviews.
Even the difficult critic Ben Brantley, of the New York Times,
described the work of the group with the most positive epithets, urging
US presidential candidates Al Gore and George Bush Jr. to see the play,
noting that "leaders should be very careful when they promise too much
to their people".
His also gave rave reviews of the individual performances of actors in
the ancient play.
[20] US embassy organizes three-day events on US-Greek relations
Athens, 07/10/2000 (ANA)
The United States will host a series of events next week highlighting
the history of US-Greece relationship and to examine the future
relations between the two countries, a US embassy press release noted
on Friday.
The three-day events include a joint press conference by US Ambassador
to Athens Nicholas Burns and American Hellenic Progressive Educational
Association (AHEPA) President Johnny Economy, a conference on Greek
language and culture, historical items' exhibitions.
The focal point of the events, however, will be the unveiling of the
George C. Marshall statue in the US Embassy grounds, commemorating the
efforts of the American statesman to aid Greece and heal its wound,
following the World War II and the three-year Nazi occupation that left
the country in shambles. A great part of the funds for the statue were
donated by AHEPA, as the project was initiated by the Greek-American
non-governmental organization.
[21] Fulbright holds US university information fair in Athens
Athens, 07/10/2000 (ANA)
Representatives of 40 United States colleges and universities will
participate in an information fare on Monday at the Athens Holiday Inn,
to provide information for Greek students interested in studying in the
US, a press release by the US embassy noted on Friday.
The event will take begin at 2 p.m. and conclude at 7 p.m. and is
organized by the Fulbright Foundation in Greece, which offers limited
scholarships annually for Greeks who want to study in the US.
[22] Subsidiary center of Onassion Foundation to be inaugurated in New
York
NEW YORK, 07/10/2000 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)
The Onassion Foundation's subsidiary center here, to be inaugurated on
October 24, will start its ambitious activities with an exhibition of
the Parthenon sculptures' moulds and will be housed at the Olympic
Tower in Manhattan. Until recently, the moulds were being used by
students of the City University's sculpture department.
A painting exhibition by 20th century Greek artists will also be hosted
on the Foundation's premises and will be carried out in cooperation
with the National Gallery and under its supervision.
The promotion of Greek culture in the city, which is the crossroads of
peoples from all over the globe and the entire American continent, is
the main target of the Onassion Foundation in New York, whose executive
director is Ambassador Loukas Tsilas.
[23] Federation aims at minimizing environmental repercussions from
Olympiad projects
Athens, 07/10/2000 (ANA)
The strengthening of a "green policy" to achieve a viable development
and minimize environmental repercussions for Athens due to the Athens
2004 Olympic Games constitute the target of contacts being held with
officials by the Council of the European Green Parties Federation
(EOPK), which is convening in Athens on Friday and Saturday.
Members of the EOPK's presidium gave a press conference on Friday,
saying they will brief the European Parliament and the relevant
commissioner later on the repercussions of specific Olympic
installations for the environment to enable certain pressure to curb
ecological harm.
[24] President, Archbishop receive Greek Olympic athletes
Athens, 07/10/2000 (ANA)
President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos received at the
Presidential Mansion on Friday the entire Greek Olympic team, which
took part in the Sydney Olympic Games.
The president congratulated all the athletes for their efforts,
regardless of whether they won medals or not. Participation is what
counts, he noted.
"Greece will hold the Olympic Games in the best way in 2004. Of course
we will succeed in bringing the new awareness to the Games,"
Stephanopoulos said, adding that "we will give the real meaning of the
Games."
Archbishop Christodoulos also received separately on Friday the Greek
medallists at the Games.
[25] Athens 2004 president remains at her post, government spokesman
says
Athens, 07/10/2000 (ANA)
"Athens 2004" Olympic Games Organizing Committee President Yianna
Angelopoulou-Daskalaki will remain at her post as she did not resign,
government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said on Friday.
He added that Daskalaki had a very constructive conversation with Prime
Minister Costas Simitis on Thursday on all issues.
"The undertaking of the Olympic Games is a national case and all should
help, all this should not be used as a basis for criticism," Reppas
said.
[26] Cyprus regards Kostunica as legal President of Yugoslavia
NICOSIA, 07/10/2000 (CNA/ANA)
Cyprus regards Vojislav Kostunica as the legal President of Yugoslavia
and will seek to convey this to him, government spokesman Michalis
Papapetrou announced here on Friday.
The Cyprus government also announced that, until legality is restored
in Yugoslavia, the Central Bank of Cyprus has taken all necessary
measures to protect capital belonging to the state of Yugoslavia and
its people, stressing this is a purely precautionary step.
Russian foreign minister to pay official visit to Cyprus next week
NICOSIA, 07/10/2000 CNA/ANA)
Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, heading an eleven-member
delegation, will pay a three-day official visit to Cyprus next week
during which he will sign an agreement endorsing the validity of
previous agreements the Republic of Cyprus had signed with the former
Soviet Union.
Ivanov, who arrives on Monday lunchtime, will be received by President
Glafcos Clerides on Wednesday morning and will have official talks with
his Cypriot counterpart Ioannis Kasoulides on Tuesday afternoon.
The Russian FM will have separate meetings with House President Spyros
Kyprianou and the Primate of the Church of Cyprus Archbishop
Chrysostomos.
He will also attend an official dinner hosted by Kasoulides on Tuesday
night and be present at a reception at the Russian embassy to mark 40
years of bilateral diplomatic relations.
During his visit, Ivanov is scheduled to visit Kykko Monastery, lay a
wreath at the tomb of the late Archbishop Makarios, the Republic's
first President, and go on an excursion on board a yacht.
He leaves Wednesday morning after his working breakfast with President
Clerides.