A.N.A. Bulletin, 07/03/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 831), March 7, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] Athens will not concede any sovereign rights, Simitis reiterates

Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday reiterated that while Greece had no territorial claims against its neighbors, Athens was not prepared to concede anything with respect to its sovereign rights. "Greece will never concede or negotiate its sovereign rights, which emanate from historic truths, were consolidated with the blood of generations of Greeks and have been conclusively recognized by indisputable international treaties," Mr. Simitis told the political and military leadership of the armed forces during a visit to the national defense ministry.

"There never was nor will there ever be a different policy, a different approach, a different perception...," Mr. Simitis stressed.

The prime minister said that the solution to the recent Greek-Turkish stand-off in the Aegean over the islet of Imia had been a success "since we avoided the trap of being forced into negotiations which, above all, we wish to avoid at the level and in the manner sought by Turkey".

He described the Imia incident as "evidence of the escalation of Turkey's adventurist aggressiveness".

Mr. Simitis said the government was working on "a spherical strategic dogma which activates all the country's comparative strategic and diplomatic advantages so that, in the first phase, we are able to render the threat inert, to make its root wither, t hereby depriving Turkey of any international legitimacy or alibi for its actions".

Mr. Simitis said that the reinforcement and battle-readiness of the Hellenic Armed Forces constituted a priority for the government, both now and in the future.

"The government ... believes a strong armed forces will be able to implement our general strategy, for a Greece that will play an important role in our region and in the European Union and will have presence on the international scene," he said.

The prime minister stressed the need for military staff to take any initiatives needed, and to develop activities for the realization of government policy.

"The government is fighting for a strong Greece in the 21st century. In this effort, a decisive role is played by the armed forces, which are the guarantor of the country's integrity and of peace in the region," he said.

Mr. Simitis said his briefing revealed that the Greek military was able to repulse any act against the country.

[2] Pangalos interview to Turkish TV

Meanwhile, in an interview with a Turkish television channel, portions of which appeared in the Turkish daily 'Sabah' yesterday, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos referred to bilateral relations and states certain conditions for the solution of differences between the two countries.

"If you claim that the (Imia) islets do not belong to us but to you, then there is only one thing to do, take recourse to court (the International Court of Justice at The Hague)", he said.

"This looks like you are seeking rights to a house in which we are living. Prove your allegations to the court and we will abide by the decision," Mr. Pangalos said in the interview, to be broadcast next week.

The interview was given to Turkish journalist Mehmet Ali Birant for the popular "32nd Day" program, extracts of which appeared in an article by Mr. Birant in yesterday's Sabah.

"We cannot finance a country that harbors territorial designs on us," Mr. Pangalos said on Greece's veto of financing under the EU-Turkey customs union agreement. He explained that Greece's refusal to allow the financing would continue "as long as Turk ey does not change its attitude".

"Turkey will either abandon this claim (that the Imia islet is Turkish), or it will seek recourse alone to the International Court of Justice at The Hague and Greece will immediately abandon its objection to (Turkey's) customs union with the EU, and thus a problem in its relations with Europe will be lifted," he continued.

He said the issue of delineating the Aegean continental shelf could be tackled if the two countries jointly sought recourse to the International Court at The Hague.

Mr. Pangalos is also reported as saying that if Turkey transferred its army on the Aegean (the Turkish Fourth Army Corps deployed on its Aegean coast) to another region then Greece could demilitarize the islands.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas later indicated that Mr. Pangalos' statements had not been correctly attributed and that he had not spoken of the demilitarization of the islands.

The spokesman advised caution until the interview is broadcast next week.

Commenting on the deployment of Turkey's Fourth Army Corps, Mr. Reppas said that "the so-called Army of the Aegean constitutes a threat and Turkey should either disband or withdraw it".

"This would be a gesture which, when made, Greece would give it appropriate consideration," he said.

Asked whether Greece, in such a case, would be willing to demilitarize the Aegean islands, Mr. Reppas replied that "there are internal security forces on the islands".

"In general," the spokesman said, "Mr. Pangalos' interview puts forward Greece's positions to the other side with convincing arguments".

In his interview, Mr. Pangalos also proposed a series of agreements with Turkey, mainly in the economic sector.

In a statement later, the main opposition New Democracy party called on the foreign minister to release the full text of his interview to the Turkish TV channel, in which he appears to accept the demilitarization of the islands in return for a withdraw al of the Turkish Fourth Army.

"His statement must be personal and clear, and not leave any vacuum, because damage has already been done through the foreign minister appearing to imply that there is such a possibility," the ND statement said.

"It is time for the foreign minister to realize that his interviews to television at the time of the Imia crisis, and yesterday to the Turkish channel, create problems and hurt the country's seriousness," it added.

Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras said yesterday that "the acceptance of this proposal would mean the surrender of our islands, (which would be) unprotected from the Turks' expansionist intentions because ... it equates unacceptably the clearly defensive nature of the Greek Armed Forces with the aggressive nature of Turkish troops."

[3] Commission recognizes Greek convergence efforts but warns still work to be done

The European Commission yesterday recognized Greece's efforts over the past two years towards convergence with the European Union, but warned against slackening policies, saying there was still a long way to go.

The European Commission's annual report on the economic situation in the European Union, based on data for 1995, termed last year "disappointing" for the European economy, with a growth rate limited to about 2.5 per cent, dashing optimistic predictions made at the beginning of the year.

This picture, according to the European Commission, does not signal the beginning of a new period of recession but is attributed to conjunctural factors such as the negative effect of stock fluctuations, inadequate fiscal stabilization in certain member -states, a sharp increase in long-term interest rates during 1994 and fluctuations in currency parities last spring.

The Commission predicts that the rate of the European economy's growth in 1996 will drop below 2 per cent.

The chapter in the report on developments in the Greek economy contains no notable surprises.

"The development of macroeconomic indicators was marked by two phenomena: progress achieved in the sector of combating inflation and the continuation of efforts to absorb fiscal imbalances," it said.

The report predicts that in 1996 "economic growth will be speeded up, primarily due to the strengthening of domestic demand", while in the employment sector it ascertains that "the situation is starting to improve and the unemployment percentage has bee n stabilized."

The European Commission focuses its interest on real interest rates which remain high, having a delaying effect on the effort to reduce state deficits and debts.

"Despite slight easing achieved in 1995, real interest rates remain high," the report said, adding that "due to persistent high inflation and existing questions on the soundness of progress achieved in the sector of inflation and fiscal restructuring, interest rates continue to contain a 'prime de risqui'."

The report predicts that the state deficit will continue to decrease in 1996, whereas the primary surplus will increase.

"However, the margin for maneuvering in exercising fiscal policy remains limited due to the considerable level of loan installments and interest which amounted to 13.4 per cent of GDP last year and absorbed 35 per cent of total state revenues," the report said.

"It is clear that the primary surpluses of past years are not yet sufficient to stabilize the debt ratio (with GDP) and in the best of cases contribute to slow increases," it added.

On the question of fiscal adjustment policy, the report noted that the Greek government has placed priority on increasing tax revenues and that efforts to decrease primary expenditures "have produced more moderate results since in 1995 these expenditure s represented about 31 per cent of GDP compared to only 29.4 per cent in 1992."

[4] Greece maintains positions on FYROM name

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said yesterday that Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) both persisted in their respective positions regarding the name of the one-time Yugoslav republic.

Briefing the parliamentary foreign affairs committee, he announced that delegations of the two countries would meet on April 14 with UN mediator Cyrus Vance for negotiations.

If agreement was not reached, he warned, there was a possibility that Mr. Vance would resign his mandate as mediator and Skopje could be recognized with the name it used in its constitution, and the temporary name of FYROM dropped completely.

Meanwhile, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said that dialogue was still in progress.

He specified that a round of talks had been completed and the submission of conclusions drawn by Mr. Vance was now awaited, adding that there was no time limit within which the UN mediator was obliged to submit his proposals.

Mr. Reppas clarified that no proposal had been put so far to the Greek side concerning the possibility of a composite name.

Replying to questions, he did not rule out the convening of a meeting of political party leaders, but linked it to the final stage of the process, "that is, if a final decision is imminent and if the shaping of a national front is necessary in order to give Greece's reply and not just the reply of the government."

Referring to the issue, Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras said that "according to sources, the government had instructed its competent negotiators to agree with Skopje on a composite name which will include the term Macedonia".

He called on PASOK deputies to adopt a clear stand on the matter, adding that the decision belonged to the people.

In contrast, the Coalition of the Left and Progress said in a statement that "Greece should seek, without delay, a solution based on a composite name".

It added that the escalation of Turkish provocations and the prevention of full international recognition of FYROM as 'Macedonia' required the immediate promotion of a mutually acceptable solution and the normalization of relations with that country.

[5] ND disagrees with statements attributed to Mitsotakis

The leadership of the main opposition New Democracy party expressed a different position yesterday from statements reportedly attributed to honorary ND president Constantine Mitsotakis concerning Greece's veto of European Union funding for Turkey.

According to press reports, Mr. Mitsotakis told Prime Minister Costas Simitis that Athens should not veto an EU funding program for Ankara in order to not provoke reactions against Greece. The two men spoke during a presidential reception Tuesday for judicial officials.

Sources stated that during yesterday morning's meeting between ND leader Miltiades Evert and his closest associates it was voiced that such positions are personal views held by Mr. Mitsotakis. The same sources said ND's leadership believes the nation should not assist Turkey while that country's provocations escalate and while the Cyprus problem remains unsolved.

However, sources close to Mr. Mitsotakis hinted yesterday that his comments were not accurately attributed. The unnamed sources also relayed a message: "He (Mitsotakis) will say what he did or did not say himself... when the time comes."

[6] Turkish envoy returns to Athens

The Turkish Ambassador to Greece Umit Pamir returned to Athens yesterday on a Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul.

The Turkish ambassador had been called to Ankara for "consultations" on the recent crisis in Greek-Turkish relations, in what is thought to have been a show of discontent by Ankara on the intention of Athens to block EU funding for Turkey.

[7] Ankara greets Athens permission for Turkish fly-over

Ankara expressed satisfaction yesterday over Athens' permission to allow two Turkish F-16 jet fighters to transverse Greek air space.

The pair of US-made warplanes were returning from repairs in the United States.

A Turkish foreign ministry official praised the action.

"These crossings between neighbors and allies are a most natural situation. In reality, an abnormal situation occurs when these (fly-overs) do not happen," foreign ministry spokesman Omer Akbel said.

[8] WEU official says Greece, Turkey should resolve disputes on their own

The vice-president of the Western European Union's (WEU) parliamentary assembly yesterday called for a resolution of disputes between Greece and Turkey without a spill-over into Europe.

WEU vice-president Robert Antretter made the comments during his visit to Ankara.

"Past experience has shown that Turkey and Greece solve their problems best between themselves, without a third party's involvement," he told the Anatolian news agency.

Referring to Turkey's relations with the WEU, Mr. Antretter emphasized that he wanted Ankara's full membership in the alliance, adding that a WEU plenary session has decided on a course of allowing associate members to attain full membership.

"For Turkey's full accession into the WEU a pre-condition of full accession into the European Union must first be abolished," he said.

[9] Sfiriou hopes reports of Turkish ban on Greek shipping untrue

Merchant Marine Minister Kosmas Sfiriou expressed the hope yesterday that the official position of the Turkish government on threats to boycott Greek shipping would be in accordance with international legality and consistent with the commitments Ankara has undertaken within the framework of the OECD.

According to Turkish press reports, foreign ministry officials in Ankara are threatening to ban Greek-flagged vessels from transporting freight to and from Turkish ports if Greece continues to veto European Union funding.

"We hope that the official position of the Turkish government, when formed, will be within the framework of international legality and that Ankara does not adopt such threats, which unofficially are reported to have been made and which are not consistent with the commitments which Turkey has signed within the framework of the OECD," Mr. Sfiriou told a press conference.

He added that if the official government in Ankara were to adopt such threats, it would provoke international reactions "and of course the reaction of the Greek side".

Meanwhile, 23 Greek trawlers remained moored for the fourth consecutive day in Alexandroupolis in protest against increasing provocations by Turkish coast guard vessels in the northern Aegean. The president of the union representing the trawler fishermen of Alexandroupolis, Yiannis Kolosentas, said that the work stoppage would continue "until the state gives assurances concerning the permanent presence of a (Greek) coast guard vessel in the port of Alexandroupolis, similar to the Turkish one which has been harassing us for the last two months".

[10] Thessaloniki to host third Balkan business conference next week

More than 200 businessmen from Greece and other Balkan countries will attend the third Balkan Business Conference in Thessaloniki next week, at which Prime Minister Costas Simitis and former Russian foreign minister Andrei Kozyrev are scheduled to speak.

The two-day conference, which opens on Monday, will also be attended by high-ranking government officials and diplomats from the Balkan countries.

Mr. Simitis is due to speak at the close of the conference on Tuesday evening and is expected to outline the government's targets and strategy for peace in the sensitive region of the Balkans.

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos will also address the conference on Greece's foreign policy vis-a-vis the general situation in the Balkan region.

The conference has been organized by the Association of Industries of Northern Greece (SBBE), the Macedonia-Thrace Bank and the Greek-American Chamber.

"Our aim is for the conference to serve as a catalyst with respect to proposals and policies which will contribute to making the Balkans a single economic market which will attract the interest of investors and products from the West," SBBE president Nikos Efthymiadis told a press conference yesterday.

"The purpose of the conference," he added, "is to create a favorable climate both at governmental level and at the level of public agencies and individual undertakings in order to promote new institutions of co-operation either through interstate agreements and joint councils or through the practices and modern means of business co-operation."

Guest speakers at the conference will include the US and Russian ambassadors to Greece Thomas Niles and Valery Nikolayenko respectively, Alternate Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Dontso Konakchiev, Romanian Deputy Prime Minister Mircea Cosea, Albanian Labor Minister Etzal Dagli and Bulgarian Industry Under-secretary Plamen Dimitrov.

Greek speakers will include ministers Tsohatzopoulos, Petsalnikos, Kastanidis, Vasso Papandreou, and main opposition leader Miltiades Evert.

[11] Tsohatzopoulos stresses need for modernization in public administration at OECD meeting

The first ever Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) session dedicated solely to public administration wound up its activities yesterday.

Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos represented Greece at the meeting.

In a press conference, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos noted what he said was a historical need for the public sector's modernization, as well as its survival against competition from the private sector. He called for application of new information and mass media technologies to support public administration.

The Greek minister said the session's conclusions on principles of modernization were approved by every nation participating at the gathering.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos also spoke on what he called new relations between state and citizen within a decentralized system, as well as a "new agreement" proposed by PASOK and the French Socialists for consolidation of the public sector's position within the European Union.

He also announced that within the next few weeks he will discuss with the Civil Servants' Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY) application of an international collective employment agreement allowing for free negotiations. He also said that a new pay scale for civil servants will be instituted within the year.

[12] Greece tells Boutros-Ghali that UN committee must continue work to discover fate of missing

Greek deputy permanent representative to the United Nations Vassilis Kaskarelis has sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali on statements made by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash that those missing in Cyprus since the Turkish invasion of the northern part of the island in 1974 were executed by Turkish militia groups.

In his letter, Mr. Kaskarelis said: "The motives of this provocative confession are for the moment not clear. One may notice, however, that the 'revelations' made by Mr. Denktash coincide with the final and critical period of the activities of the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP), which the United Nations established and you personally managed to reactivate. The Greek Government believes that the work of the Committee on Missing Persons should not be diverted by Mr. Denktash's statement. On the contrary, the Committee should continue its work of investigation, in order to reach final and indisputable conclusions.

"The issue of the missing persons cannot and will not be closed by means of provocative confessions which, among others, attempt in vain to discharge the Turkish occupation forces of their own share of responsibility. The responsibility of Ankara is already enormous because the Turkish army, acting in flagrant violation of the Geneva 1949 Conventions, did not offer protection to its prisoners of war. On the contrary, according to Mr. Denktash, it handed them over to the 'warriors' for execution.

"As far as the Greek Government is concerned, it reserves the right to make use of all means at its disposal aiming at denouncing in all competent fora all those involved directly or indirectly in these crimes, and attributing the corresponding responsibilities arising therefrom."

Mr. Kaskarelis concluded his letter by requesting it to be circulated as an official document of the General Assembly and of the Security Council.

President of the Pan-Hellenic Committee of Parents and Relatives of Undeclared Prisoners of War and Missing Persons of the Cyprus Tragedy Constantinos Anemas said during a press conference yesterday that the committee's position remains that a solution to the problem cannot be found without the full investigation into the fate of those missing after the Turkish invasion.

Committee members said that Mr. Denktash's recent statements create a new reason for the issue to be solved.

Regarding statements made by the UN secretary-general's representative in Cyprus Gustave Feissel, who seemed to accept Mr. Denktash's statements, Mr. Anemas stressed that "the suspicions we had on a possible agreement to close the matter are beginning to worry us considerably."

Mr. Anemas added that "we consider that Mr. Feissel's first debt and responsibility is the implementation and respect of international law and of human rights."

[13] Wave of prison unrest subsides but inmates at 3 prisons continue to hold out

Justice Minister Evangelos Venizelos expressed optimism yesterday that several prison uprisings currently underway around the country will soon be resolved but warned that legislation for prison modernization would not be tabled unless inmates returned to their cells.

Mr. Venizelos did not rule out the possibility of police intervention.

One correctional facility apparently headed for a return to authorities' control was the Alikarnasos unit in Crete, where rioting prisoners agreed to return to their cells and hand over the prison this morning after a three-hour meeting with a justice ministry official.

Meanwhile, it was announced that the warden of the Corfu prison was replaced yesterday, satisfying one of the main demands of prisoners. According to reports, one of the inmates' leaders apparently told a local radio station via a mobile phone that warden Josef Kollas' transfer would have a very positive effect on prisoners' decision to return to their cells.

Inmates at the Corfu unit were expected to announced their intentions last night.

Meanwhile, the situation at the Ayios Stephanos prison in Patras was unchanged, although inmates are no longer holding any hostages. A heavy police presence has encircled the facility, the first uprising during the current wave of prison riots, while authorities were optimistic at press time that they would regain control within a short time.

The situation was also unchanged at press time yesterday evening at the Larissa and Komotini prisons, with inmates at both facilities controlling the prisons and negotiations continuing.

[14] Greek participation in FYROM exercise denied

Greece has not planned participation in a joint military exercise in the territory of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), according to an announcement by the National Defense General Staff. The announcement, replying to press reports yesterday, said Greece would participate in joint military exercises in the current year, in the framework of NATO's Partnership for Peace, in Albania, Bulgaria and Romania and would plan corresponding exercises in Greece. The exercises will start this month an d will be extended to the second half of the year.

[15] US State Dept. report alleges existence of 'Macedonian minority'

The US State Department's annual report on human rights, released yesterday, mentions cases of discrimination by the Greek state against the self-styled 'Macedonian minority', numbering, the report claims between 10,000 to 50, 000 individuals. It also notes the Greek government's view that members of this minority may be harboring secessionist ambitions.

In general, the report adds, the Greek state, under pressure from the media and human rights organizations, protects the human rights of its citizens, with the exception of some cases of individuals of what it calls "Turkish origin".

[16] Police round up 16 for drug-related offenses

Several arrests were announced yesterday for drug possession and distribution around the greater Athens area.

According to authorities, a 32-year-old Athens businessman returning from the Netherlands was stopped at the Athens airport with 528 Ecstasy pills in his luggage.

The man denied knowing how the "designer drugs" were found in his possession. Panayiotis Tontorias was charged in relation to the incident.

Meanwhile, police said they also broke up several gangs of Albanian drug dealers.

Specifically, two Albanian nationals were arrested after an undercover narcotics division operation.

Ilia Thomai, 26, and Leonidas Motskas, 18, were charged with possession of 6.23 kilos of hashish. Police uncovered the narcotics buried in the front yard of a Koropi home belonging to the sister of one of the two men.

Two Albanian juveniles were arrested at the Athens bus station yesterday after police discovered 7.5 kilos of hashish in their handbag. Both youths are to face juvenile prosecutors.

Another three Albanian nationals were apprehended in the posh Ekali district for possession of two kilos of hashish.

Beznik Kouki, 42, Christo Zani, 31, and Spetin Hamsai, 25, were charged in the incident.

Another eight individuals were charged with various narcotics violations, with an additional 11 grams of heroin, two hits of LSD and 210 grams of hashish found. In addition, 3.5 million drachmas, $2,000, three precision scales, a switch blade and two vehicles were also confiscated.

[17] AIDS affecting youth, women, new figures show

Young people and women were the two groups worst hit by the AIDS disease last year, according to figures released yesterday by the Special Infections Control Center (KEEL).

A total of 156 new AIDS cases were registered last year alone, meaning that one AIDS case was coming to light in Greece every two-and-a-half days.

KEEL President Ioannis Stratigos said the majority of new cases concerned people aged between 14 and 40. He added that the total number of AIDS cases appeared stabilized and currently numbered 1,296 (1,142 men and 154 women), but cases were increasing among women who contracted the disease through heterosexual relations.

Twenty-one per cent of AIDS sufferers in Greece either was unaware or refused to disclose the way they had contracted the disease, while 53 per cent of sufferers are homosexuals.

Health and Welfare Under-secretary Theodoros Kotsonis said concern was caused by the fact that no study conducted in past years was able to make an accurate assessment of AIDS sufferers in the country, estimated as numbering between 10,000-14,000.

On the question of the virus being contracted through sperm banks, Mr. Kotsonis called on women undergoing artificial insemination to first undergo a pre-emptive AIDS test, adding that implementation of artificial insemination could not be suspended as was requested by the society established by people wishing to have a child with this method.

[18] 'Melina Mercouri award' established for young artists

Culture Minister Stavros Benos yesterday announced the setting up of a 'Melina Mercouri' award, during an event held yesterday to mark the second anniversary of the former culture minister's death.

Mr. Benos said the award would be an amount of five million drachmas, bestowed on a young artist who is outstanding in a chosen field. The judging committee will also be made up of young artists.

Mr. Benos also announced another two initiatives which have been taken in memory of Melina Mercouri. These are the re-formation of the Greek committee for the return of the Parthenon friezes (the so-called Elgin Marbles) and the release of a CD-ROM, directed by Jules Dassin, on the life and work of Melina Mercouri.

Mr. Dassin, head of the Melina Mercouri Foundation, said the committee of British artists who support the return of the Parthenon friezes, which includes actresses Glenda Jackson and Julie Christie amongst others, is preparing a month-long series of events in Britain on the subject.

[19] Farmers protests aim to cut country in two

Farmers in Thessaly, central Greece, are determined to blockade national motorways today as part of a two-day rally called by their coordinating committee to back their claims.

Farmers in the Larissa region have decided to gather their tractors at the crossing between the national motorway and the old Larissa-Volos national motorway at 11am and from there, according to turnout, they will create two more roadblocks in the regions of Sykourio and the Viokarpet factory. Organizers want to divide the country in two, at least for one night, to exert pressure on the government to satisfy their demands.

Meanwhile, farmers and stockbreeders in northern Greece will organize rallies on main roads leading into the city of Thessaloniki today to demand better prices for their products.

According to an announcement, rallies will be held at 10am on the Thessaloniki-Athens national motorway at the Nea Malgara tollgate, on the Thessaloniki-Kavalla road at Gerakarou and on the Thessaloniki-Halkidiki road at Thermi bridge.

The farmers and stockbreeders will take to the streets with tractors and agricultural machinery and, according to their representatives, they might even blockade Thessaloniki.

[20] Inflation at 8.5 per cent in February

Inflation marked a slight increase in February, running at an annual rate of 8.5 per cent at the end of the month, compared to 8.4 per cent in January, according to figures released yesterday by the National Statistics Service (ESYE).

The slight increase was due to the fact that the Consumer Price Index dropped by just 0.3 per cent in February, against a 0.4 per cent reduction in the same month last year. The picture was better, however, with respect to the adjusted CPI calculated by the European Union for the purpose of making international comparisons, which puts February inflation in Greece at 8.2 per cent.

The ESYE said that the smaller drop in the CPI in February compared to the same month last year was due to the price increases of cigarettes which had just come into effect.

End of English language section.