A.N.A. Bulletin, 09/03/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN,

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] Time for decisions on FYROM name issue, Pangalos says, Premier confers with president on developments

President Kostis Stephanopoulos met yesterday with Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos in what is seen as the first in a series of consultations on immediate developments in the issue of the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

"We are not nearing a solution concerning the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia but we are close to the moment when decisions must be taken," Mr. Pangalos told reporters yesterday.

Mr. Pangalos said that the issue had been the subject of months-long talks between Greece's permanent representative at the UN, Ambassador Christos Zacharakis, and his FYROM counterpart Ivan Tosevski under the aegis of UN mediator Cyrus Vance.

"We have reached the moment when decisions must be taken, both in Greece and in Skopje which has not made its intentions known. With regard to Greece, the decisions will be taken by the government following consultations between the prime minister and t he other political forces," Mr. Pangalos said.

Mr. Simitis told reporters after the 50-minute meeting he had briefed Mr. Stephanopoulos on all developments in national issues, "the thoughts and directions of the government."

He declined comment when asked whether he would call a council of political party leaders meeting.

Informed sources said Mr. Simitis and Mr. Pangalos briefed the president on the UN special mediator Cyrus Vance's proposals on the dialogue over the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Mr. Simitis has requested meetings with all the leaders of political parties to confer with them on the Greek response when delegations from Greece and FYROM meet with Mr. Vance in New York in April.

Mr. Simitis will meet with Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras and Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos next Thursday and with main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert - who will be in Thessaloniki and Paris next week - the following week.

Asked by reporters if a composite name (i.e. containing the word 'Macedonia') would be acceptable as a solution, Mr. Pangalos replied that it would be premature to predict the result of the premier's talks with "the political forces and competent bodies ."

Asked whether there was a time limit for finding a solution to the issue before the forthcoming visits of the prime minister and president to the US, Mr. Pangalos replied: "We have undertaken no obligation on the issue towards the President o f the United States, but only towards the UN and its mediator, Cyrus Vance."

Mr. Pangalos added that Greece's relations with the US were "very good," expressing the hope that they would improve further following the visits of Mr. Simitis and Mr. Stephanopoulos to Washington.

The foreign minister also noted that Greece's relations with FYROM were "going from good to better."

[2] Reppas

The government today left open the possibility of a meeting of the country's political party leaders under the chairmanship of President Kostis Stephanopoulos.

Asked whether Mr. Simitis had raised the issue at his meeting today with Mr. Stephanopoulos, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas replied that "the discussion concerned all national issues and the handling which is required."

On Mr. Simitis' intention to brief all the political party leaders, Mr. Reppas said that main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert had declined the invitation citing a heavy workload for the next 20 days.

Asked to comment on a statement by Paraskevas Avgerinos, a PASOK Eurodeputy, that the name issue should be solved prior to Mr. Simitis' official visit to the United States, Mr. Reppas said the government paid close attention to all views.

[3] Opposition comments

The main opposition New Democracy party's vice-president, Ioannis Varvitsiotis criticized the prime minister for inconsistency, but said the ND leader would meet with the prime minister, as soon as he returned to Athens.

"From what I heard, the government spokesman has neither ruled out nor accepted the fact that the political leaders' council may convene to discuss the Skopje issue, for this is the basic issue here," Mr. Varvitsiotis said. He added that the prime minister said in an interview published last month that "there is no issue of a composite name for the Skopje Republic."

"How come there was no issue then and in early March there is an issue," Mr. Varvitsiotis said.

Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras yesterday accused the government of having agreed with the Skopje government on a composite name which would include the term "Macedonia."

"Alleged concerns on the name issue constitute a dangerous hypocrisy against the people and its interests," Mr. Samaras said.

Reiterating his party's positions for a referendum on the issue and a political leaders meeting, Mr. Samaras accused the government "not only of rejecting these necessary and democratic procedures over such a serious issue, but also of violating the same decision of the council of leaders, under the chairmanship of former president Constantine Karamanlis."

Mr. Samaras said the main opposition was also responsible for the sell-out of the name issue.

Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said yesterday that there will be no meeting between political leaders on the Skopje issue in the near future. Mr. Tsohatzopoulos made the statements before his departure f or Lisbon, where he is to participate in the convention of the European Socialist Party's presidency.

Answering a question on whether there will be a composite name, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that "this is a matter for discussion." He added that "negotiations are currently in a crucial phase", and said a solution is being sought that will simultaneously protect national interests and have wide support.

[4] Greece, Sweden reaffirm 'excellent ties', after Pangalos meets with Swedish counterpart

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos had talks here yesterday with his Swedish counterpart Lena Hjelm-Wallen focusing on issues concerning the revision of the Maastricht Treaty, the future of the European Union and bilateral relations.

Ms Hjelm-Wallen said that relations between the two countries were at an excellent level, adding that her visit would contribute to a further improvement, particularly with respect to economic co-operation, culture and political understanding.

Mr. Pangalos stressed the "emotional" ties linking the two countries, referring in particular to the fact that a number of Greek political leaders, including PASOK founder Andreas Papandreou, had lived in Stockholm during the seven-year military dictators hip, while Sweden had become a full member of the EU during the Greek presidency.

The two ministers also discussed the situation in Russia and the Balkans, with particular emphasis on Bosnia, where both countries are contributing to the implementation of peace.

Ms Hjelm-Wallen expressed interest in the issues of concern to Greece with respect to its neighbors, particularly Athens' relations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Turkey. She further expressed the hope that peaceful solutions would be found, noting that Sweden would lend its assistance in this direction. Both ministers noted that Sweden supported Greece's positions within the framework of the European Union.

Commenting on the recent Greek-Turkish stand-off in the Aegean over the islet of Imia, Ms Hjelm-Wallen said that the dispute should be resolved in accordance with international law and within the framework of the International Court at the Hague.

She noted also that disputes between two neighboring countries could be resolved through dialogue. Sweden's foreign minister, who arrived in Athens last night on a two-day working visit, was also received by President Kostis Stephanopoulos.

[5] UN talks on FYROM name issue to continue

Negotiations between Greece and Skopje on the name issue are to continue in New York under the auspices of the United Nations as scheduled sometime in mid-April, according to reliable diplomatic sources.

They said that a date has not been set due to the forthcoming Easter holidays, during which UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali's representative, Cyrus Vance, may not be in New York.

The same sources noted that negotiations have reached a stage where it is essential both sides appraise the given facts in order to decide on the further course of the negotiations.

However, the sources denied rumors of a supposed exchange of letters between the two sides, or of certain proposals with a list of possible names that was supposedly presented at the negotiating table. They clarified that the continuous examination of the matter, and the general nature of the negotiations, is such that during the course of the talks, references to certain possible choices of names and terms are inevitable. However, it was stressed, the procedure has not yet reached the phase for the submission of proposals.

The same sources noted that the two sides have been obliged to issue disclaimers due to rumors of presumed faits accomplis obliging both sides to back down, and that this is having a negative effect on the talks.

The United Nations sources also denied claims that there is a time limit to Mr. Vance's mandate as negotiator and that he intends to give up his mandate as negotiations are currently dead-locked.

The sources said that the development of the negotiations to date have shown FYROM's will to conduct talks on the essence of matter, and have also shown the existence of its political will to find a solution to the problem.

[6] Ghali, Simitis meeting

Sources close to the UN Secretary-General have said that Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis is to meet with Mr. Boutros-Ghali on the morning of April 12.

[7] Pangalos clarifies statements to Turkish interviewer

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos denied yesterday that he had proposed the disarmament of Greece's Aegean islands during a recent interview with a Turkish TV channel, stressing that "proposals are not made in interviews."

Mr. Pangalos said that the Turkish reporter had told him during the interview that Greece had fortified the islands.

The minister said that within the framework of a discussion on the subject of normalizing Greek-Turkish relations, he had replied to the interviewer that "if Turkey, which is much stronger with the presence of its Fourth Army (the so-called Army of the Aegean) and thousands of landing craft, removed them, Greece could consider the reduction of pressure in the surrounding area of Turkey".

He added that the present level of armaments and the defense spending which Greece is forced to incur was due to Turkish provocativeness and aggressiveness.

"If we imagine, something which does not emerge from the present situation up to the present time, that there is a reduction of Turkish provocativeness and aggressiveness, I would listen very carefully to someone who put to me other reasons why we should maintain the same level of armaments and (defense) spending," Mr. Pangalos said.

Commenting on a statement Thursday by National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis, who said that the defense of the country was not negotiable, Mr. Pangalos said:

"Mr. Arsenis obviously meant that the defense of the country was not negotiable if the country is attacked. The country's defense policy is constantly the subject of negotiation, since Greece participates in NATO, the OSCE and other defense organizations."

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary-General Aleka Papariga reiterated the party's opposition for the referral of the Imia issue to the International Court, expressing the party's disagreement at the government's intention to transform "the border issue from a political to a legal problem."

Ms Papariga said that even if the International Court supported Greece's position, "something which it must do" the questioning of borders will continue on other pretexts as long as the policy of submission to the commands of the imperialists continues. "

Referring to the FYROM issue, Ms Papariga said the name issue should be solved independently to the form of the name that will be given to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, adding that the time has come "for the development of relations of friendship and good neighborliness."

[8] Reppas

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas yesterday declined to comment on a suggestion by President Kostis Stephanopoulos that Greece should state publicly that it was prepared to go to the International Court at the Hague over the Imia islets issue if Turkey agrees. "The government does not comment on statements by the president of the republic," Mr. Reppas said, adding however that "the government has a specific position on this issue and if Turkey wishes to take recourse to the Hague, we shall respond, also because of the commitments we have undertaken under relevant treaties."

Commenting on statements by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, the spokesman said that "if Mr. Pangalos speaks of 'real enemies of Turkey', he is referring to those parties which Turkey considers to be its enemies or to the areas in which objectively there is instability."

Mr. Reppas underlined that Greece desired stability in the region.

Responding to statements by Turkish Premier Mesut Yilmaz who appealed for a dialogue between Athens and Ankara on all issues, Mr. Reppas said that Greece was in favor of dialogue "but with a specific agenda, since under no circumstances will our country discuss matters such as the redrawing of borders or other issues which are regulated by international law and international treaties."

The spokesman reiterated that the settlement of the Cyprus problem constituted the basis for an improvement in relations between Greece and Turkey.

[9] Commission will request information on Imvros, Tenedos property issue

In a written reply to Greek Eurodeputy Alekos Alavanos, European Union External Relations Commissioner Hans van den Broek said the Commission "intends to ask for information" concerning Greek properties on the Turkish Aegean islands of Imvros and Tenedos.

In his question, Mr. Alavanos referred to the plans to requisition Greek properties on these two islands on the pretext of drawing up land registers, and pointed out that on the basis of the EU-Turkey customs union agreement (article 29, concerning commercial property), the Union is obliged to protect the economic rights and the property of its citizens (Greeks in this case) and, by extension, of those of Greek origin.

[10] Iakovos supports Greek positions on Imia crisis

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with PASOK deputy and former minister Christos Rokofyllos yesterday, Orthodox Archbishop of North and South America Iakovos welcomed the idea that the International Court at The Hague rule on recent Turkish claims in the Aegean. "We have good will, we do not have a quarrelsome disposition on issues where there is a different perception and interpretation of law. As Mr. Simitis has said during his speech on the celebrations for the liberation of the Dodecanese, and as we all say, there is the International Court at The Hague".

Commenting on his contacts with members of Congress, officials of the State Department and the National Security Council, Mr. Rokofyllos said that Americans now appeared to show much more understanding for Greek positions.

"The fact that for the first time, President Clinton has publicly come out in favor of the view that our differences with Turkey must be resolved on the basis of international law, constitutes very significant progress, and, I may add, a distinctive difference in relation with past American positions on this very crucial issue".

[11] Show of support for Alexandroupolis fishermen

Fishermen in Thessaloniki and Kavalla kept their trawlers tied up yesterday in a show of solidarity with colleagues in Alexandroupolis, who have been on strike since Monday to protest the Turkish coast guard's provocations in the northeastern Aegean.

According to the president of the Alexandroupolis fishermen's union, no trawlers will venture into the Aegean until a patrol boat is stationed in Alexandroupolis similar to a Turkish vessel that has harassed Greek fishermen over the past two months.

[12] ND statement

The main opposition New Democracy party accused the government yesterday of not listening to protests by the Alexandroupolis fishermen.

"It is unacceptable for fishing activity in Evros to have frozen over the last period," an ND announcement stated. The main opposition party also called on the government to take measures to protect fishing.

[13] Montreal University changes lecture series title after Greek objections

The title of series of lectures to be offered by Montreal University's School of Continuing Education was changed by the University's dean, Jacques Boucher, after objections were raised by Greece's consul in Montreal.

The lectures were originally entitled "Turkey: two millenniums of art and history". In his letter, the Greek consul stated that the Turkish nation had settled much later in the region, and that most of the findings were in fact Greek.

Mr. Boucher apologized for the mistake and noted that the school did not intend to ignore historical facts in the region, or to ignore Greece's cultural contribution to art, literature and philosophy.

[14] Pangalos says Greek-Albanian ties 'very good', President to visit Tirana March 21-22

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said yesterday that President Kostis Stephanopoulos' visit to Tirana on March 21-22 had been decided long before elections were scheduled in Albania.

He made the statement when asked if he agreed with the view that the president's visit to the neighboring country was "a pre-election gift" to Albanian President Sali Berisha.

"The pre-election period in Albania had not yet begun and the date for the visit remained open, while negotiations were under way between the two sides which had a positive outcome," Mr. Pangalos said.

The foreign minister stressed that the climate in relations between Athens and Tirana was "very good", adding that "against this background, the Greek community in Albania will find the best conditions for the protection of its rights, as well as for it s development and prosperity."

Mr. Pangalos said it was "only natural" that the Greek government was particularly sensitive with regard to the protection of the Greek community in Albania.

He added, however, that "we are friends with the entire Albanian people," pointing out the need for even closer friendship and co-operation between the two countries.

"The peoples of Greece and Albania co-existed and together fought the foreign invader at certain points in their history and it is now time to promote closer co-operation between the two sides," Mr. Pangalos said.

[15] Stephanopoulos attends swearing-in ceremony for new Portuguese president

President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos was expected here last night to represent Greece at the swearing-in ceremony for Portugal's new president, Jorge Fernando Branco de Sampaio.

Mr. Stephanopoulos is accompanied by Alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos.

Sources did not rule out the possibility of contacts between Mr. Stephanopoulos and other foreign leaders.

[16] Kranidiotis touted as Greek representative at IGC

Stephanos Stathatos, the foreign ministry's representative at the Planning Group for the inter-governmental conference (IGC), held talks yesterday with the members of the European Affairs parliamentary committee on issues concerning the IGC, due to begin in Turin, Italy, on March 29.

According to reliable reports, Eurodeputy and former foreign under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis will be appointed Greece's representative at the IGC.

PASOK deputy Yiannis Kapsis, who participated at the meeting, expressed strong opposition to the possibility of Mr. Stathatos being replaced by Mr. Kranidiotis.

[17] Eurodeputy concerned at Greece's exclusion from EMU

Speaking to reporters on IGC issues yesterday, New Democracy party Eurodeputy and former national economy minister Efthymios Christodoulou said Greece's exclusion from the 'hard core' of countries that will participate in the third stage of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) can create significant problems in the Greek economy generally, unless EMU is effected in stages, the first of which will essentially be an 'enlarged Deutschemark zone', and will facilitate the entry of the remaining countries.

Mr. Christodoulou noted that the issues concerning EU enlargement, mainly eastwards, policies and actions for dealing with unemployment, and the tackling of institutional issues in view of European unification, will be the three groups of issues to be discussed.

He expressed the view that Greece's position is especially critical, as EMU's framework and operating terms are being formulated now, and on the basis of the facts to date, Greece does not meet the terms and conditions for participation in the 'hard core'.

Finally, he stressed that enlargement must not take place at the expense of countries that aim at convergence, adding that in the framework of the IGC, Greece must speedily move towards forming alliances with other member states.

[18] Evert in Paris for European conservative parties' congress

Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert will participate in the 17th conference of European Democratic Union (UDE - Union Democratique Europeenne) party leaders in Paris on March 13.

The conference will be attended by about 40 leaders of European conservative parties, many of which are in power, and will focus on the future of Europe, stability and security in Europe, employment and unemployment and the struggle against drug abuse and organized crime.

The conference will be hosted by French Prime Minister Alain Juppe, president of the Gaullist RPR party, but will be presided over by Alois Mock of Austria (UDE President). New Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz will also attend.

Mr. Evert and the members of his entourage will stay in Paris from March 12-14.

[19] Health ministry places restrictions on practice of artificial insemination in public hospitals

Health Under-secretary Franklinos Papadellis banned the use of fresh sperm in artificial insemination at state hospitals throughout the country yesterday, saying that, until necessary legislation was ratified, the ban served as a "strict recommendation" to private clinics and diagnostic centers carrying out the procedure.

The move comes after an Athenian woman contracted HIV while receiving artificial insemination at a private clinic.

The ban relates only to fresh sperm, which will be frozen and then re-tested for signs of the HIV virus before being used.

Health Minister Anastasios Peponis said in an announcement that there was no law on the use, control and cost of fresh sperm in Greece. At the same time, he said, tackling issues created by the use of artificial insemination required studied and integrated legislation as well as safeguarding preconditions for their observance.

The health ministry has already set up a committee of doctors and jurists to draw up necessary legislation regarding the practice of artificial insemination in Greece.

[20] Farmers take protests to Thessaloniki, pledge to continue fight

Hundreds of farmers and stockbreeders yesterday blocked the roads around the Macedonia-Thrace Ministry in Thessaloniki with cars and pick-up trucks as protests reached a climax in farming regions around the country.

Farmers are demanding reduced production costs, income support, intensive government opposition to EU proposals on tobacco, cotton, fresh produce and wine as well as an immediate increase of 150,000 tones in the quota for cow's milk. They are al so pressing for increases in pensions and greater investment in agriculture.

Police had cordoned off the ministry but protesters managed to pour quantities of milk at the entrance. Inside the building, Macedonia-Thrace Minister Philippos Petsalnikos was meeting with Transport and Communications Minister Haris Kastanidis to discuss the traffic chaos in the city.

Meanwhile, farmers continued to blockade the Thessaloniki-Kavalla highway at Gerakarou for the second day.

In Ioannina, stockbreeders and dairy producers marched to the prefecture headquarters where they held a protest rally and spilled milk into the fountain of the town's main square.

Afterwards, they blocked the Ioannina-Athens national road at Kanetta with tractors and other agricultural machinery. The same road remains blocked by farmers from the area of Arta at the Kalogyros bridge.

The stockbreeders of Epirus are demanding higher prices for milk and a ban on the import of cheese products and powdered milk.

There were incidents outside the Ahaia prefecture building in Patras when protesting farmers tried to enter the building en masse. One protester drove a tractor directly at the building and smashed the door at the main entrance.

Farmers and stockbreeders blocked off the center of Patras and poured large quantities of milk in the area.

In central Greece, farmers blocked the Athens-Thessaloniki railway line at the 295th kilometer near Neo Monastiri, forcing eight trains to remain in railway stations in the area.

Protesters said they would continue to block the line until the outcome of a meeting between representatives of Thessaly farmers and Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas was known.

At the same time, the Lamia-Larissa highway and the Lamia-Karditsa-Trikala road remained blocked by farmers from areas in central Greece.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with representatives of the farmers and stockbreeders, Mr. Tzoumakas said that the government would announce a package of measures for farmers and the agricultural economy in general by March 19.

Mr. Tzoumakas described the problems facing the agricultural sector as "extremely serious," adding that "in-depth work" was necessary to confront the situation.

"What is necessary is a broader agreement on how to deal with the situation," he said.

Following the measures taken by the government to prevent adulteration and profiteering with regard to cheese products, Mr. Tzoumakas said, the government would soon announce a package of measures concerning all farmers in general.

He clarified to the farmers' representatives that the government was unable to provide income support and that all their demands would be dealt with "spherically."

The farmers' representatives told reporters after the meeting that the minister's positions did not satisfy them.

The representatives said that they would convey Mr. Tzoumakas' positions to the farmers who would then decide what stance to take.

Main opposition New Democracy party vice-president Ioannis Varvitsiotis described the protests as "a national issue," adding that the party would table a draft bill to Parliament concerning the consolidation of farmers' rights.

Mr. Varvitsiotis criticized the government of a "lack of goodwill" concerning the farmers' issues and called on it to "reduce production costs."

The Political Spring party accused the government of "timidity" and "inability" to give solution to the farmers' problems on a national and European level, describing farmers' protests as "just".

Farmers' organizations said later in the day that the call for a mass participation in the mobilizations had met with a positive response, and said they would continue their struggle until their demands were met.

[21] Inmates return to cells at Diavata prison, situation unchanged at Patra, Komotini and Larissa prisons

One of several prisons and jails around the nation taken over by inmates over the past two weeks was returned to authorities' control yesterday.

Specifically, approximately 30, mostly Albanian, inmates participating in an uprising at the Diavata holding facility in Thessaloniki returned to their cells "without conditions," according to the facility's warden.

The remaining 300 inmates at the facility had not taken part in the uprising.

Meanwhile, inmates at the Corfu prison announced that they would return to their cells this morning. Damage to the British colonial-era prison is enormous, according to authorities.

On the other hand, the situation remained unchanged at correctional facilities in Patra, Komotini and Larissa.

Specifically, Larissa's prefect issued prisoners an ultimatum yesterday to end their uprising today.

[22] Premier meets with civil servants over demands

Prime Minister Costas Simitis held a meeting yesterday with the presidium of the Civil Servants' Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY) within the framework of dialogue to upgrade public administration.

During the meeting, also attended by Interior Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos and Under-secretary George Moraitis, the prime minister called for a systematic dialogue with ADEDY in order to confront the issues. Mr. Simitis and Mr. Tsohatzopoulos assured the presidium that the international work agreements 151 and 154 will be ratified by the government soon, pledging that consultations between the government and the trade union over wages will come to a successful conclusion within 1996. ADEDY's president Yiannis Koutsoukos said the union will respond to the call for dialogue but judge the government by its actions and its results.

[23] GSEE, DEH workers to meet with DEH management

The General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) said yesterday that the Public Power Corporation's (DEH) increased rates dealt a "blow to workers' incomes." After an initiative taken by GSEE, the DEH administration is to meet with the presidency of the Confederation and the leadership of DEH's trade union next Monday.

The unions are demanding the re-examination of DEH's tariff policy and a discussion for an agreement on prices which will defend the consumers' interests as well as the interests of public utilities and corporations. The Athens Labor Center (EKA) called on DEH to immediately change the tariff policy, saying that this change "is needed for reasons of basic social sensitivity."

[24] Investigations into marine fuel scam continuing, Drys says

Finance Under-secretary George Drys yesterday verified the existence of a wide-spread marine transit fuel smuggling ring, but also cautioned that such illegal phenomena exist in other sectors as well. In reference to a string of disclosures over the past few months of a large-scale scam to avoid hundreds of millions of drachmas in marine transit fuel taxes and duties, Mr. Drys said "culprits have been located, justice is taking its course, and investigations are continuing."

Several customs officials, two of whom are already jailed awaiting trial, have been implicated in the scheme, in which fuel was delivered to fake yachts and pleasure craft around Attica.

Mr. Drys said such fraud is also especially prevalent in sectors dealing with cars and alcohol.

In an unrelated matter, the under-secretary said the legal status on a state tax on refineries' stored fuel will be decided by a state legal council.

He added the ministry did not know what charges had been billed to Greece's three largest refineries for stored fuel from 1993 until today. According to some reports, independent of the ministry, the three private refineries owe the government billions of drachmas from such duties. Mr. Drys said the matter has nothing to do with smuggling, and that the measure was instituted to prevent vast quantities of consumer goods from piling up in warehouses.

In terms of fuel, storage of more than 15 days is taxed additionally at 40 drachmas per 50 kilos a day at public tanks and storage facilities, while it drops to one-fourth at amount for private facilities. At the time of the law's passage, refineries protested, saying their storage facilities are privately run property and that the state has no rights on their usage.

[25] DEH signs contract for new Lavrion electricity plant

The Public Power Corporation (DEH) and GECALSTHOM-METKA group of companies yesterday signed a contract for the procurement and installation of a 570 MW natural gas-powered electricity station in Lavrion.

The total degree of the project's net yield is about 51 per cent greater than the corresponding one of conventional petroleum or lignite stations. This fact, and the use of natural gas, will result in a drastic reduction in atmospheric pollution from electric power production.

In addition, the creation of this new and powerful station in Lavrion will considerably increase the stability and reliability of DEH's national network, minimizing the possibility of blackouts in the Attica region.

Construction of the new station will also strengthen the local economy and contribute towards curbing existing unemployment in the Lavrion area.

The contractual cost amounts to 62.5 billion drachmas. The project will gradually start being delivered at the end of 1997, when natural gas is expected to reach Lavrion.

On the question of the station's equipment, a considerable part of it will be manufactured in Greece by the METKA company at its factory in Volos.

[26] Greek tourist sector one of EU's largest but receipts fall short

The European Union's statistical agency released a wide array of figures yesterday on the tourism sector in the 15-member community.

According to the figures, Greece is seventh in the number of beds, has the highest percentage of occupancy (60.6 per cent), but is 10th among the 15 EU nations in terms of tourism receipts.

Greece lists 7,605 hotels with 508,410 beds (5.9 per cent of the EU total) and each year hosts millions of Greek and foreign tourists.

Some 12.8 million overnight stayovers are recorded by Greek tourists and 41.4 million by foreign tourists, with 1994 tourist receipts reaching 990 billion drachmas.

The relatively small number of Greeks traveling abroad also accounts for a close to ECU 2.33 billion surplus in the balance of tourism receipts.

In terms of tourist beds, Italy is first with 20.6 per cent of the EU total, followed by Germany (16 per cent), France (13.8), Spain (12.6), Britain (11.3), Austria (7.8) and Greece.

[27] Swedes prefer Greece above all for holidays

Annual awards by the prestigious Swedish tourist magazine 'Travel News' for best performances in the tourist and travel sectors gave Greece first place in Swedes' preferences, according to an opinion poll. The US came second and Thailand third.

The awards were given at Stockholm's Grand Hotel in the presence of 1,300 people. Greece's honorary award was collected by Haralambos Lianeris, chief of the tourism department of northern Europe.

An estimated 450,000 Swedes visited Greece in 1995, an all-time record.

[28] Papantoniou to attend Monday's ECOFIN meeting

The European Union's council of economy and finance ministers (ECOFIN) will focus primarily on the Auditing Convention's annual report for 1994 at its meeting in Brussels on Monday.

National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou will represent Greece at the council.

Other issues to be discussed are the prospects of EU economies, progress in combating fraud, a capital increase at the European Restructuring and Development Bank, guarantees for the European Investment Bank's loans in Latin America and Asia, while views will be exchanged on the overall economic situation prevailing in the EU.

[29] Gov't decides on full nominalization of shares for firms participating in public works

A meeting chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday decided that companies undertaking public works projects and procurements will have to register 100 per cent of their shares, sources said.

The meeting was attended by the ministers of national economy, Yiannos Papantoniou, development, Vasso Papandreou, and environment and public works, Costas Laliotis.

Earlier this year, a draft presidential decree envisaging the registering of 80 per cent of shares of such companies caused reactions from opposition parties and government members, including Mr. Laliotis.

The amended presidential decree will be issued soon, and companies will have to register their shares within a three-month period.

End of English language section.