Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-10-21

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 1320), October 21, 1997

Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[01] Vartholomeos arrives in US for month-long tour

[02] 'Washington Post' interview

[03] White House on Patriarch's visit

[04] Greece to sign international ban on landmines

[05] Kranidiotis to attend BSEC forum in Kiev

[06] Reppas: Ankara wants tension

[07] Tsohatzopoulos, Greenstock confer on developments

[08] Gov't condemns US official's comments regarding Tsohatzopoulos flight

[09] Turkish official: Yilmaz still considering participation at Crete summit

[10] Ecevit on Greek-Turkish relations

[11] NATO chief intervened over latest Greek-Turkish tension

[12] Athens lodges protest

[13] Pangalos leaves for Maghreb visit today

[14] Israel reaffirms support of stability in eastern Mediterranean

[15] Work on Constitutional revision begins today

[16] Bundestag's Greek-German Friendship Group tours Macedonia

[17] Kaklamanis meets new envoys

[18] New civil defense bill to be tabled soon

[19] ND leader concludes tour of Crete

[20] Karamanlis slams gov't economic policy

[21] OTE hikes local phonecall rates

[22] ADEDY rejects gov't proposal on salary scale

[23] Common Agricultural Policy again debated by EU farm council

[24] Greek state telecom to get new satellite station

[25] Greece's Eurobank plans to expand in Balkans, eastern Europe

[26] Greek stocks slump 1.26 pct

[27] Greek civil servants to strike on October 23

[28] Greece-Venezuelan co-operation on tourism sector

[29] HEPO participation at Toronto foodstuffs exhibition

[30] Police detain another 40 Iraqi Kurds, search on for missing smuggler

[31] Self-styled revolutionaries claim responsibility for Alitalia bomb

[32] Athens court hears appeals over Niarchos fortune

[33] Panama to get Greek cultural centre

[01] Vartholomeos arrives in US for month-long tour

Washington, 21/10/1997 (ANA/T. Ellis/A. Kourkoulas)

Several US media outlets covered the Orthodox Patriarch's arrival extensively, noting the visit coincides with the 75th anniversary since the founding of the Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

The Ecumenical Patriarch yesterday paid a visit to the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, a that was hailed by several Jewish-American leaders as a step of great importance as well as by the museum's director as "a significant step in averting the repetition of the tragedy this museum is devoted to".

Rabbi James Rudin was also present.

Ms. Yolanda Willis, a Greek Jew and survivor of the Holocaust, in an address for the occasion, noted the special role that the Greek Orthodox Church played in helping many Jews escape from the Nazis during the occupation of Greece (1941-44).

"You not only saved our lives, you saved our belief in mankind, you saved the honour of our homeland," she said, addressing both Vartholomeos and Archbishop of America Spyridon and speaking about the Greek Orthodox leaders and faithful who jeopardized their safety to save members of Greece's Sephardic Jewish community.

[02] 'Washington Post' interview

Washington, 21/10/1997 (ANA)

The article said Vartholomeos began his visit "by reasserting the Church's authority over the American laity who want a leading administrative role in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America".

It also quoted him as saying that "the services of lay persons are well described in holy canons of our church" and that those did not include a say in the selection of bishops or an archbishop."

The article focused on dissatisfaction of the Clergy-Laity Congress of representatives of the US Greek Orthodox, numbering 1.5 million, in not having a say in selecting the current archbishop.

"What rankled them more was (Vartholomeos') decision to divide the previous diocese into four parts - Canada, the United States, Central America and South America - without consulting the congress, as required by its charter. Earlier this year, rumours of a 'secret charter' that would break up the US church with bishops answering directly to Istanbul incensed Greek Orthodox Americans committed to greater, not less, autonomy," the article stated.

In a closing quote that enclosed the issue of the Church's role in the US, the paper quoted US Senator Paul Sarbanes as saying: "You will meet Orthodox Americans faithful to their ancient traditions but increasingly reflecting a dynamic and challenging reality of a New World".

Vartholomeos' visit includes meetings with US President Bill Clinton, Hillary Rodham Clinton and House Speaker Newt Gingrich tomorrow, a dinner in his honour by US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright the same evening.

[03] White House on Patriarch's visit

Washington, 21/10/1997 (ANA/AFP)

"I believe that it will be a very productive visit," White House spokesman Michael McCurry said during a press briefing.

He said the visit will allow the Patriarch "to promote the interests for which he expressed himself so openly and defended so vigorously during his travels all over the world."

The spokesman reminded that US President Bill Clinton and other US officials will meet the Patriarch tomorrow.

[04] Greece to sign international ban on landmines

Athens, 21/10/1997 (ANA)

The convention, drafted within the framework of international humanitarian law, bans the use, production, storage and transport of anti-personnel landmines.

A conference is scheduled to be held in the Canadian capital, Ottawa, in December at which a number of countries are expected to sign the convention.

Mr. Kranidiotis stressed that Greece, "as a country which ardently supports respect for and the strengthening of humanitarian law, and as a member of the European Union, must participate in these developments and oppose the argument based on the military usefulness of landmines by promoting the humanitarian need to abolish them".

Bulgaria last week announced that it had begun clearing landmines on its southern border with Greece within the framework of the ban which was agreed by about 100 countries in Oslo in September. It has been estimated that landmines are responsible for killing or maiming 26,000 people annually.

[05] Kranidiotis to attend BSEC forum in Kiev

Athens, 21/10/1997 (ANA)

Issues on the agenda include the signing of a charter to convert the BSEC into a regional economic organization, organizational matters, dealing with emergency needs and alleviating the consequences of natural disasters. The meeting will also discuss matters related to transport in the Black Sea, combating drugs trafficking in the region, improving customs arrangements between BSEC member-states, as well as with the rights and social protection of refugees in the region of the Black Sea.

With regard to issues of particular interest to Greece, Kranidiotis will refer to the completion of procedures for the opening of the BSEC Trade and Development Bank in Thessaloniki and the internationalization of the Black Sea Centre for International Studies.

In addition, Mr. Kranidiotis will have bilateral talks with BSEC member-state counterparts.

The BSEC groups Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine.

[06] Reppas: Ankara wants tension

Athens, 21/10/1997 (ANA)

Government spokesman Demetris Reppas reiterated the standing Greek position concerning adherence to international treaties and international law and, when asked if there was a possibility of a serious incident in the Aegean, replied: "Given Turkey's policy, when one examines all the facts, one cannot but consider all the possibilities." Commenting on press reports and rumours about "the dividing up" of the Aegean, Mr. Reppas said it was not possible to talk about such things.

"The issue is what Greece is doing and not what Turkey's intentions may be. In the end, Greece will remain with and persist in its policy while others will remain with their wishful thinking," the spokesman said.

[07] Tsohatzopoulos, Greenstock confer on developments

Athens, 21/10/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos called the meeting "useful" in light of Britain's imminent assumption of the rotating European Union presidency.

Mr. Greenstock stressed his country's interest in progress in Greek-Turkish relations.

Replying to questions, Mr. Greenstock reiterated that Britain was interested in a de-escalation of the situation in Cyprus and that there be no more weapons deployed on the island republic, although, he added, this was up to the political leadership handling defense issues.

[08] Gov't condemns US official's comments regarding Tsohatzopoulos flight

Athens, 21/10/1997 (ANA)

The same sources expressed the view that confusing military flights over Cyprus with the flight which carried the Greek defense minister within the Athens FIR is "irresponsible and dangerous."

"Unless there is ignorance of reality or it is sought to underestimate the intelligence of and misinform public opinion, which is also unacceptable," the same sources added.

According to an ANA dispatch from Washington, Mr. Rubin said Mr. Tsohatzopoulos' flight to the island republic for military exercises last week was an overflight that violated an agreed upon moratorium.

Replying to questions, he added: "You're speaking about aircraft and the defense minister's aircraft. Why did it have nothing to do with overflights? It was above Cyprus as an overflight. It doesn't stop being an overflight that we believe should not have happened."

"We would like both sides to carry out their (military) exercises in a manner that would restrict tension," he said.

[09] Turkish official: Yilmaz still considering participation at Crete summit

Lisbon, 21/10/1997 (ANA/I.Vergitsis)

The Turkish official made the statements to the ANA on the sidelines of the 35th International Conference of the Union of European Journalists.

Speaking on his country's relations with the EU, Mr. Gurel described as unacceptable the Union's stance towards Turkey, saying that with the opening of negotiations for Cyprus' membership, it closed the other door to negotiations between the two communities of the island, which now become useless.

He dismissed the observation that Athens has repeatedly stated that Turkey's accession to the EU is in own interest, saying that Greece is doing everything it can to influence its EU partners negatively, while he accused the Nicosia of spending two mill ion dollars daily on armaments, saying that with "the purchase of the S-300 missiles its superiority in arms is given.

He stated three points which determined Turkey's position on the issue:

- Firstly, the installation of the missiles pose a threat to Turkey's territorial integrity.

- Secondly, Turkey will adopt additional and urgent military measures to avert the installation.

- Finally, Turkey will never allow Greece and the Greek Cypriots to use the S-300s as a negotiating card in talks for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

[10] Ecevit on Greek-Turkish relations

Ankara, 21/10/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Ecevit, who spoke on foreign policy issues, said the Madrid communique of principles to govern relations between Greece and Turkey was a positive development. However, he blamed Greece for the lack of progress and constructive dialogue to date.

The communique was signed on the sidelines of the NATO summit by Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Turkish President Suleyman Demirel.

Mr. Ecevit reiterated that issues regarding the Aegean were inter-connected and should be examined as a whole.

"Our government has made it known to all interested parties that the problems of the Aegean must be examined simultaneously and ways of resolution must be sought, beginning with negotiations.

If one of these issues were dealt with in isolation, this would not facilitate the resolution from the aspect of the entirety of problems, but would be a step hampering the situation, he said.

[11] NATO chief intervened over latest Greek-Turkish tension

London, 21/10/1997 (ANA/Reuters)

Mr. Solana telephoned the Greek and Turkish defense ministers from Tokyo, where he was giving a lecture, in order to urge them to ease tensions and respect an agreement to suspend military flights over Cyprus, they said.

"Passions are very high, particularly over Cyprus," one NATO source said. "Even from Tokyo, the secretary general was on the phone to the two defense ministers telling them to please lower the temperature."

"Anything like this has the ability to degenerate into a crisis," the NATO source said. "It makes incidents much, much more likely," it added, referring to the buzzing by Turkish F-16 fighters of a military transport plane taking the Greek National Defence Minister to Cyprus. The Turkish F-16 fighters also repeatedly violated Greek airspace.

The source said Mr. Solana urged Athens and Ankara to implement a series of confidence-building measures on military exercises, airspace and reform of NATO's east Aegean command structure.

But he acknowledged that both sides had taken a step backwards by breaching a moratorium on military flights over Cyprus.

"That incident over the rocky islets (Imia) showed that even 'grand guignol' can rapidly turn into a dangerous crisis," the NATO source said. Diplomats say the background to the latest flare-up was Turkish anger over the European Union's expected decision in December to open accession negotiation with the Cyprus government next year, and at Cyprus' purchase of S-300 anti-aircraft missiles from Russia.

International pressure for a settlement in Cyprus is mounting. However, the NATO sources said both Greece and Turkey now had prime ministers who were widely seen as more amenable to a negotiated solution than their predecessors.

"Both know there's going to be a diplomatic push pretty soon, so maybe both have to strike bellicose poses," one source said. "The Turks see Cyprus as their one bargaining chip to get concessions out of Athens and Brussels."

[12] Athens lodges protest

Athens, 21/10/1997 (ANA)

Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Sermet Atacanli told the Anatolian news agency that the Greek protest was rejected as "groundless."

Mr. Atacanli claimed that the Turkish aircraft did not violate Greek airspace but had only carried out "recognition flights."

[13] Pangalos leaves for Maghreb visit today

Athens, 21/10/1997 (ANA)

The officials said Mr. Pangalos's visit to the region aimed at sending a message to Greek businessmen to encourage them to strengthen economic activity with the three countries.

In the case of Algeria, they stressed the importance of the liquid natural gas agreement signed in 1988, implementation of which is expected to commence in 1999, when Algeria will convey the first natural gas to Greece.

With regard to the three countries' relations with the European Union, the officials noted that Tunisia and Morocco were already parties to Euro-Mediterranean co-operation, while a decision had been taken for the commencement of negotiations with Algeria in this direction.

[14] Israel reaffirms support of stability in eastern Mediterranean

Athens, 21/10/1997 (ANA)

Replying to rumours on Israeli involvement in relations between Greece, Turkey and Cyprus, the spokesman said that Israel supports the increase of stability in the eastern Mediterranean and all current international efforts towards this aim, he added.

[15] Work on Constitutional revision begins today

Athens, 21/10/1997 (ANA)

Yesterday, Prime Minister Costas Simitis held a meeting at the Maximos Mansion that included the ministers of justice and culture in order to discuss the procedures.

The ruling PASOK party's rapporteur on the revision is Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos.

Both PASOK and main opposition New Democracy party have also tabled proposals for the revision.

One of the main issues being considered under the overall revision is the procedure of electing the president of the republic, especially changing the clause under which failure to gain majority by the third round leads to dissolution of Parliament.

[16] Bundestag's Greek-German Friendship Group tours Macedonia

Athens, 21/10/1997 (ANA)

The German members of the Bundestag met Macedonia-Thrace Minister Philippos Petsalnikos in Thessaloniki yesterday, and were briefed on the major infrastructure projects currently underway in northern Greece, such as the Egnatia motorway and telecommunications projects.

The Greek-German Friendship Group also expressed interest on the issue of illegal immigrants in Greece.

Mr. Petsalnikos responded: "We are trying to find solutions that are as humane as possible, since apart from criminals, illegal immigrants are people seeking a better future".

[17] Kaklamanis meets new envoys

Athens, 21/10/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Kaklamanis assured Mrs. Gouarrubias that the Greek parliament would ratify Chile's association accord with the European Union without delay.

In his meeting with Mr. Pribicevic, Mr. Kaklamanis stressed that Croatia was welcome to participate in regional conferences such as the southeastern European parliament presidents' conference in Athens.

[18] New civil defense bill to be tabled soon

Athens, 21/10/1997 (ANA)

The bill introducing civil defense has been drafted after consultations with the prefectural councils of the areas involved and the relevant parliamentary committees.

National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said yesterday the bill was designed to structure the border regions into a civil force to provide support in emergency situations either in times of peace or war.

Government spokesman Demetris Reppas said later that the government's civil defense proposal had been a long-standing policy of the ruling PASOK party and that only citizens in border areas would be participating.

"Apart from this satisfying the needs of the country, it also satisfies the personal desire of the inhabitants of border areas," Mr. Reppas said.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said there was no question of mandatory conscription for women.

Ministry sources said civil defense (PAM) units would be set up in each municipality, community or group of neighbouring small communities, in accordance with the available local manpower, in addition to the national guard units.

The prefectural governments of the country's border regions (eastern Aegean, Dodecanese, Thrace, Macedonia and Epirus) would be enabled, under the bill, to provide arms to the PAM divisions or units in times of war, mobilization or tension, following approval by the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA).

The KYSEA would be the top body, setting out the guidelines on civil defense issues. The national defense ministry would propose the taking of decisions on PAM-related issues, be responsible for decisions affecting the Armed Forces, and would coordinate the other ministries regarding their contribution to civil defense.

The interior ministry would coordinate, direct and reinforce the prefectural and local governments for their active contribution to civil defense.

The public order ministry would be responsible for organizing civil defense units and drafting, in co-operation with the national defense ministry, plans for utilization of the units in civil defense.

Participation in the PAM was voluntary for young men and women aged 16-18, and for men and women above 65 and 50 respectively.

Participation was mandatory for men aged 18-65 except those serving in the Armed Forces, National Guard and Security Corps and those registered in reserve forces, and for women aged 18-50, except women who were pregnant, and mothers of children up to 12 years old or mothers of large families.

Also excluded were people taking care of individuals with special needs, ailing individuals or elderly unable to take care of themselves. Initially, participation in the PAM would be unpaid.

The sources also said the bill contained penalties for those who did not take delivery of their individual call-up papers or did not show up for induction at the PAM divisions.

They said the sanctions would be used as the final means to ensure the success of the institution of civil defense.

[19] ND leader concludes tour of Crete

Athens, 21/10/1997 (ANA)

Speaking in Agios Nikolaos, Mr. Karamanlis criticized the government for what he called "an oxymoron" of being uncompromising, impervious and absolute in domestic issues and yielding in national ones.

"A dignified government should do the reverse. When you defend national issues, you don't proceed on the premise of garnering praise from third parties, but you apply your policy without exaggerations and nationalistic announcements, and you defend national rights to the last," the ND leader said.

He added that one must take risks and pay the cost of defending national issues.

In general, Mr. Karamanlis said that his policy was not just winning national elections, but give Greece a vision.

[20] Karamanlis slams gov't economic policy

Athens, 21/10/1997 (ANA)

Addressing a party gathering in Rethymno, he said the root of evil in the Greek economy lay in "warped minds that behaved in an undemocratic, authoritarian and arrogant manner".

"I can't promise handouts, but before we impose austerity on the people we will impose it on the state," he said.

He criticized the government's readiness to spend 800 million drachmas on public transport when it was unable to find 20 million drachmas for pay rises for the police force, although crime had become rampant.

Mr. Karamanlis also accused the government of settling cooperatives' debts selectively based on party criteria, although he hinted that he did not approve of the tactics used by some ND deputies in parliament regarding this issue.

The ND leader, stopping later at a road block set up by residents of the Irakleio and Lasithi prefectures in protest over the merger of their municipalities under the "Ioannis Kapodistrias" plan, said that his party would amend the law where necessary if it returned to power.

[21] OTE hikes local phonecall rates

Athens, 21/10/1997 (ANA)

Local phonecalls will cost 13 drachmas each, rising from 11.5 drachmas.

Also to be increased are a number of other OTE services. Phonecards will rise by 200 drachmas to 1,700 drachmas each. Basic rates will also be raised from 1,850 drachmas to 2,050 drachmas per month.

At the same time, however, OTE did announce some decreases in the cost of long-distance calls, specifically:

- Domestic long-distance calls, by 8.14 percent per minute.

- international calls to Europe, by 2.9 percent per min., and to the US, Canada and Australia, by 15 percent per min.

- new connection fees will drop by a further 10,000 drachmas, at 30,000 drachmas.

In a separate development, OTE has signed a contract with the VERTEX house (represented in Greece by ATOMON AE), for the supply and installation of a new satellite station, of a cost of 135 million drachmas. The new station will be connected to the Nemea Satellite Communications Centre.

[22] ADEDY rejects gov't proposal on salary scale

Athens, 21/10/1997 (ANA)

The proposal anticipates a monthly increase of about 7,000 drachmas to be given in two installments (3,500 drachmas on Jan. 1, 1998 and another 3,500 drachmas on July 1, 1998).

ADEDY's leadership believes that the proposal does not constitute a base for negotiations and rejects it.

ADEDY called on civil servants to observe a four-hour work stoppage on Oct. 23, the day on which the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) will call a nationwide strike, adding that it will call a 24-hour strike in the public sector the second fortnight in November.

[23] Common Agricultural Policy again debated by EU farm council

Brussels, 21/10/1997 (ANA/P. Pantelis)

The issue was examined on the basis of proposals made by the Commission in the "Agenda 2000" on the union's expansion.

Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas responded positively to the questions by the Luxembourg presidency in relation to reforms in the agricultural policy and in view of EU expansion.

Mr. Tzoumakas stressed, however, that any reforms should expand to cover all the organizations of the union, treat all agricultural products in an equal way and safeguard a just income for all EU producers. In today's discussion, the council will examine reforms on issues relating to hard wheat. The agricultural reforms will also be on the agenda of November's meeting of the Agriculture Ministers Council.

[24] Greek state telecom to get new satellite station

Athens, 21/10/1997 (ANA)

The station at Nemea in the Peloponnese, which is to be equipped with the latest satellite communications technology, will be used to transmit digital television programs, OTE said in a statement.

[25] Greece's Eurobank plans to expand in Balkans, eastern Europe

Athens, 21/10/1997 (ANA)

Senior officials of Greece's third largest private bank announced its goals at a news conference yesterday after completing a merger on October 10 with Interbank, another private financial institution.

EFG Eurobank plans to set up four venture capital funds with Global Finance that will operate in the near East, and a broader region extending to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Armenia.

The bank wants to launch operations abroad by Alico Eurobank, a mutual fund management arrangement between EFG Eurobank and the Alico insurance company.

In another venture, the bank will extend its co-operation with Interamerican, an insurance firm, to credit cards.

Eurobank has 42 branches, shareholders equity of 48 billion drachmas and assets of 730 billion drachmas. Its deposits total 600 billion drachmas and loans 250 billion.

The Latsis Banking Group operates in 11 countries and has shareholders equity of one billion Swiss francs.

[26] Greek stocks slump 1.26 pct

Athens, 21/10/1997 (ANA)

Most sector indices slumped. Banks dropped 1.33 pct, Insurance plunged 2.62 percent, Investment fell 1.19 percent, Construction plummeted 2.50 percent, Industrials were 1.25 percent off, Miscellaneous slipped 1.04 percent and Holding dropped 1.76 percent.

Bucking the trend was Leasing, which jumped 4.38 percent.

Also brighter than the rest of the bourse was the parallel market for smaller cap stocks, which finished up 0.97 percent.

Broadly, declining issues led advancing ones by 164 to 65 with another 20 issues unchanged.

Kambas, Sfakianakis, Yalco and Demetriades scored the biggest percentage gains, while Parnassos, Atemke, Etma, Bank of Athens and Mouzakis suffered the heaviest losses.

National Bank of Greece ended at 31,150 drachmas, Ergobank at 18,990, Alpha Credit at 20,850, Delta Dairy at 4,010, Titan Cement at 15,745, Intracom at 16,300 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organization at 6,650.

The dollar recovered against the drachma, and the pound sterling soared around six drachmas against the Greek currency.

[27] Greek civil servants to strike on October 23

Athens, 21/10/1997 (ANA)

The union has threatened to call a 24-hour strike in the second half of November.

Civil servants have rejected a pay offer for 1998 by the government.

[28] Greece-Venezuelan co-operation on tourism sector

Athens, 21/10/1997 (ANA)

The conference opened at the Asteras Hotel in Vouliagmeni yesterday and will be concluded on Oct. 23.

The conference is being attended by about 420 tourist agents from this South American country, the Venezuelan Tourism Minister Herman Louis Soriano, journalists, deputies (the presidents of the tourism committees of Venezuela's senate and parliament) an d Greek professionals from the tourism sector.

Addressing the opening session yesterday, Greek Tourist Organization (EOT) Secretary General Nikos Skoulas said the conference contributes towards greater familiarization between tourism business owners from the two countries.

Mr. Soriano said tourism can constitute the base for further commercial co-operation between the two countries. He also called on Greece to send a delegation to the celebration marking the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the Americas, to be held in Venezuela on Oct. 12, 1998.

[29] HEPO participation at Toronto foodstuffs exhibition

Athens, 21/10/1997 (ANA)

Products to be displayed at the exhibition include canned fruit, frozen vegetables, olives, olive oil, spices, ready-to-serve traditional foodstuffs, dairy products, mineral water, biscuits, marmalade, confectionery products, pasta products, wines and ouzo.

For more information, call HEPO at 99.82.204 until Oct. 31.

[30] Police detain another 40 Iraqi Kurds, search on for missing smuggler

Athens, 21/10/1997 (ANA)

"They were brought in on a small wooden boat by a Turkish smuggler who, despite the adverse weather conditions, dropped them off in the water off of Samos," a coast guard official said.

He said the group managed to swim to shore throughout the night, reaching the coast at the Krounteri region at 5:30 yesterday morning.

The Turkish smuggler, who fell overboard and has been declared missing, has still not been found, despite searches by the Turkish coast guard.

A group of 111 Iraqi Kurd illegal immigrants, including 53 children, were dropped off Sunday on the island of Rhodes. The group, which was in "poor physical and mental condition", was immediately provided with medical assistance, food and lodgings by Rhodes local authorities.

Meanwhile, an Iraqi Kurd was arrested in Patras yesterday as he was attempting to hide four of his compatriots in a shipping container after forcing it open.

Halil Baktia, 25, an illegal immigrant living at the city's refugee camp, had charged each of the others $200 to help smuggle them abroad.

He later confessed to police that since arriving in Patras two weeks ago he had helped others in the same way, earning $4,050, which police found in his possession.

[31] Self-styled revolutionaries claim responsibility for Alitalia bomb

Athens, 21/10/1997 (ANA)

An unidentified caller telephoned the newspaper "Eleftherotypia" and the private radio and television network SKAI, saying the group was responsible for the bombing.

An anti-terrorist police spokesman said the home-made time bomb, with a slow-burning fuse, had been placed in a biscuit tin left near the entrance of the airline's offices on Vouliagmenis avenue. The blast smashed windows and caused interior damage, but no injuries.

The same office was the target of another fringe group in April this year, when the "Militant Guerrilla Group" claimed responsibility for a bomb placed near the entrance.

That bomb was successfully defused by police.

[32] Athens court hears appeals over Niarchos fortune

Athens, 21/10/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Drakopoulos demands that Ms Ford be barred from receiving 10 percent of the massive Niarchos fortune, estimated at $10 billion. However, Ms Ford petitioned that since her father was a permanent resident of Switzerland for the last 25 years of his life, the appeal should be examined there. She also claimed that Swiss courts have issued two decisions, recognizing her right to receive part of her father's will.

[33] Panama to get Greek cultural centre

Athens, 21/10/1997 (ANA)

The building is situated in the Canal Zone in Amador, on the Pacific Ocean, where there is already a Paleontology and Tropical Archaeology Centre belonging to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute of the US.

Archaeology Professor Demetris Pantermalis, member of the Foundation's board, is to leave for the Central American republic later this week heading a team of experts to set up the Centre.

A major contribution to establishing the Centre was made by Panamanian Education Minister Pavlos Thalassinos, who is of Greek origin.

End of English language section.

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