Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 98-05-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis underlines common Greek-Spanish ties during meeting with Juan Carlos

[02] Moody's may downgrade Commercial,Ionian Banks due to sale protests

[03] Port workers start 48-hr strike today

[04] Investments to spur development in Magnesia - minister

[05] Greek stocks drop over fears of lower credit rating for state banks

[06] Euro poses challenge for Greek private, public sectors

[07] Development ministry proposes reforms to bank loan services

[08] EU official in Thessaloniki today

[09] British, Scandinavian maritime traditions at Posidonia '98

[10] Britain and Greece festival to be held this winter

[11] Athens dismisses Turkish daily's report of Greek-Turkish military meetings

[12] President to visit Cyprus in June

[13] US Senator Sarbanes meets with Simitis

[14] Canadian leadership welcomes Vartholomeos

[15] Athens hosts 2nd Commonwealth Film Festival

[16] Media's influence the focus of int'l conference

[17] Health ministry decides action on AIDS

[18] More bank strikes called

[19] Aspirin's 100th birthday celebrated on Kos

[20] Bjerregaard reiterates Commission's intent to limit vehicle-generated pollution

[21] Greek under-21 football team in Euro-finals

[22] Major Greek insurance companies eye Bulgarian market

[23] HEPO participation at Australian food, beverage exhibition

[24] EU Farm Ministers focus on CAP, 'Agenda 2000'

[25] High-level meeting to focus on OSE reorganisation

[26] Development undersecretary in Poland

[01] Simitis underlines common Greek-Spanish ties during meeting with Juan Carlos

Athens 27/05/1998 (ANA)

Addressing King Juan Carlos of Spain and Queen Sophia during a luncheon hosted in their honour at the Maximos Mansion, Mr. Simitis also referred to the two countries' common sea, the Mediterranean, which was for both peoples "a source of life and wealth ".

The friendship between Spain and Greece is further strengthened by their participation in the European Union and NATO, Mr. Simitis said.

Greece lays particular emphasis on the maintenance of international legality, particularly on the issue of respecting territorial integrity and existing borders as well as the peaceful resolution of differences in line with the principles of internation al law, Mr. Simitis added.

"Aggression and disdain of these basic principles endangers peace and threatens stability in any region. It is for this reason that our abiding goal is to have these principles firmly established in the European Union which must be prerequisites for our cooperation with any third country," Mr. Simitis said.

Juan Carlos said the aim of his visit was to strengthen ties between the two peoples.

Greece and Spain are linked by their efforts to consolidate the rule of democracy and safeguard the rights and freedoms of their citizens, with the prospect of ensuring prosperity for the coming generations, he said.

Greece, he said, provided an example for the "new democracies" of southeast Europe, showing them the way towards attaining their ambitions for their economies and societies.

He also called the Mediterranean a "crossroad of economic relations" and spoke of the creation of a Greek-Spanish business council as a forum for cooperation and the exchange of experience.

Regarding cooperation in the cultural field, Juan Carlos referred to the prospects of founding a Spanish archaeology society in Athens.

The luncheon was attended by Spanish officials accompanying the royal couple, the Spanish ambassador to Athens Javier Jimenez Ugarte, Parliament President Apo-stolos Kaklamanis, Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, National Economy, Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, National Bank of Greece Governor Theodoros Karatzas and Governor of the Bank of Greece Lucas Papademos, among others.

The royal couple had met privately with the prime minister and his wife shortly before the luncheon.

Earlier in the morning, King Juan Carlos laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The royal couple soon after visited Parliament, where they were taken on a tour by Mr. Kaklamanis.

Meetings with political party leaders : King Juan Carlos also discussed bilateral relations, promotion of Greek-Spanish cooperation in the framework of the EU and the problems of the region with several party leaders.

Main opposition New Democracy president Costas Karamanlis said after their meeting that the visit of the Spanish royal couple was an opportunity for bilateral relations between the two peoples to develop further, noting that both countries, as EU members, could cooperate in the context of the Union's Mediterranean policy and as bridges to Africa.

Ruling PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis said the king had enquired on the political situation, the forthcoming municipal elections and the institution of the president of the republic.

Communist Party of Greece Secretary General Aleka Papariga said she set out KKE's standing views concerning Greece's problems and international positions, adding that "the Greek and Spanish peoples wear the same tight suit of EMU".

Coalition of the Left leader Nikos Constantopoulos said the two countries had common strategic priorities and interests, and stressed the need for quick convergence so that they may play their part in the EU. He also noted the existence of common strate gic bonds for EU enlargement to the east and the Balkans and for the forming of institutions of common foreign policy.

Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas described the meeting as substantive and useful, stressing there was room for closer relations.

Finally, Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras said the visit was long overdue and that the two countries' interests were identical, given their location in the Mediterranean.

Earlier, Juan Carlos also met with representatives of business interests and employers' federations.

Acropolis visit : On her part, Queen Sophia took a stroll down memory lane yesterday morning as she and Juan Carlos visited the Acropolis, with Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos as their "tour guide".

The Spanish royal couple spent an hour combing the sacred hill.

Police took stringent security measures, barring Greek and foreign visitors from the site for the duration of the one-hour royal tour, while a police helicopter hovered above.

The Spanish royals wound up the official side of their visit in Athens with a reception at Zappeion Hall yesterday evening. The event was attended by President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Simitis and his wife, Daphne, Mr. Kaklamanis, political party leaders, Mr. Avramopoulos, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos, as well as US ambassador Nicholas Burns and dozens of representatives of the world of business, the arts and letters.

Sophia's visits : Sophia paid a visit to the Mitera infant care centre, where she met fellow students of the 1956-59 period, and was given a tour of the institution, now hosting about 6,000 parentless infants annually.

Earlier in the day, Sophia, in a slight deviation from protocol, took a stroll around Athens' centre, talked to citizens and had a brief meeting with Archbishop Christodoulos at the Metropolitan Cathedral. Later in the afternoon, she visited the Museum of Cycladic Art, accompanied by the Spanish culture minister. Sophia was received by the museum's founder, Niki Goulandri, and guided by professor of prehistoric archaeology Christos Doumas.

Thessaloniki visit : The royal couple is scheduled to visit Thessaloniki tomorrow, where Juan Carlos will lay a wreath at a memorial commemorating the thousands of Greek Jews exterminated by the Nazis during World War II. These were descendants of about 20,000 Jews who arrived in the city after their eviction from Spain in 1492. The royals are expected to be addressed in Spanish by the president of the city's Jewish community.

According to reports, the Spanish king will respond with an address of his own.

Athens News Agency

[02] Moody's may downgrade Commercial,Ionian Banks due to sale protests

Athens 27/05/1998 (ANA)

The news dampened sentiment on the Athens Stock Exchange, which had jumped in the previous session on the government's determination to sell the bank, and its refusal to bow to pressure from unions.

The bourse ended at 2,621.33 points, shedding 1.81 percent. The news, which came towards the end of the session, helped to reverse an early 2.0 percent rise.

Reuters quoted Moody's as saying it had placed the two banks' financial strength ratings and the long- and short-term deposit ratings under review for a possible downgrade.

The ratings of the banks currently stand at D/Baa2/Prime-2 (Ionian) and D+/Baa1/Prime-2 (Commercial) for bank financial strength, and long- and short-term deposits, respectively, the report said.

According to Moody's, opposition to the government's decision to begin proceedings for the sale of Commercial Bank's majority shareholding in Ionian could have immediate negative repercussions on the ratings of both banks.

A union-led strike by Ionian's employees still underway had disrupted the bank's operations and could seriously harm Ionian's business, franchise value and therefore its future prospects, Reuters quoted Moody's as saying.

In addition, uncertainty over the future of Ionian's shares could indirectly affect Moody's ratings for Commercial Bank, which took into account the realisation of substantial capital gains from the sale of its stake in Ionian.

The realisation of capital gains could, in turn, help to improve Commercial's own asset quality and capitalisation, supporting the bank's modernisation and growth.

Athens News Agency

[03] Port workers start 48-hr strike today

Athens 27/05/1998 (ANA)

The national port workers' federation also decided yesterday to hold two 48- hour strikes in the first half of June, reinforced by a ban on weekend work.

Today's strike is timed to coincide with a 24-hour nationwide stoppage called by the General Confederation of Greek Labour to protest against the government's privatisation plans.

Athens News Agency

[04] Investments to spur development in Magnesia - minister

Athens 27/05/1998 (ANA)

"These projects are a decisive answer to a trend of decline in the Volos area stemming from past policies," Development Minister Vasso Papandreou told the Athens News Agency yesterday.

"We are banking on economic development and combatting unemployment," Ms Papandreou said in an interview. The first project, a plant for the production of PET plastics to make packaging and bottles for soft drinks, will be inaugurated in Volos by Papand reou on Sunday during a three-day tour of the region beginning on Friday.

The plant belonging to VPI SA in the Volos industrial zone is one of the biggest investments in recent years.

It forms part of a programme involving state-owned Hellenic Petroleum SA, Hellenic Bottling, which is a blue chip on the Athens bourse, and an Italian consortium.

Completion of the 60 million dollar investment and operation of the plant coincides with the scheduled listing of a 25 percent stake in Hellenic Petroleum on the Athens Stock Exchange.

The second project underway to boost development in Magnesia is construction of a natural gas supply network for the Volos area.

Three industries were linked to the newly built network between July and October last year. The firms are Levenderis SA, Imas SA, and Thessaly Steelworks SA.

Extensions to the network are to be built following an international tender in order to supply households with natural gas in a phased project starting next year.

The third investment for Magnesia is the forging of long-term contracts by the Public Power Corporation with Metka SA and Imas SA.

The first is a five-year deal worth 850 million drachmas, and the second is worth 35 billion drachmas for the supply to the corporation of conveyor belts for its mines and plants, including a unit planned for Florina in the north of the country.

Athens News Agency

[05] Greek stocks drop over fears of lower credit rating for state banks

Athens 27/05/1998 (ANA)

The general index reversed an early two percent advance to end 1.81 percent lower at 2,621.33 points after talk in the market that Moody's Investors Service was considering lowering its ratings on Commercial Bank of Greece and its subsidiary, Ionian Bank.

Both banks are listed.

Workers at Ionian are staging an indefinite strike to protest the privatisation. Riot police removed strikers from the bank's computer centre on Sunday, ending an occupation that had paralysed on-line transactions and ATM operations.

Sector indices ended lower across the board. Banks fell 1.10 percent, Insurance dropped 3.12 percent, Investment eased 0.29 percent, Leasing fell 0.64 percent, Industrials dropped 2.72 percent, Construction ended 2.14 percent off, Miscellaneous plunged 3.97 percent and Holding fell 2.18 percent.

The parallel market index fell 1.05 percent,and the FTSE/ASE 20 index dropped 1.24 percent to 1,577.38.

Trading was moderate to active with turnover at 71.7 billion drachmas. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 140 to 119 with another 12 issues unchanged.

Etem, Halcor, Vernikos Yachts, Korasidis, Galis, Parnassos, Pouliades, Karelias and Eskimo scored the biggest percentage gains, hitting the day's 8.0 percent limit up.

Folli-Follie, Lambropoulos, Delta Informatics, DIS, Altec, Fourlis, Ionian Bank, Commercial Bank, Mouzakis and Teletypos suffered the heaviest losses at the day's 8.0 percent limit down.

National Bank of Greece ended at 45,450 drachmas, Ergobank at 28,200, Alpha Credit Bank at 32,300, Delta Dairy at 4,605, Titan Cement at 25,590, Intracom at 19,900 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation at 8, 890.

Athens News Agency

[06] Euro poses challenge for Greek private, public sectors

Athens 27/05/1998 (ANA)

Companies and public administration needed to adjust their software systems due to the introduction of economic and monetary union in EU countries, the speakers at Infoworld 1998 said.

Despite the difficulties, the process should lead to a rapid growth in Greece's business consulting market. Companies should start facing the problem now, regardless of when the country joined EMU, the speakers said.

The government's target date for entry is January 1, 2001 at the latest, which is a year before the euro is due to be introduced in physical form.

Panagiotis Georgiadis, secretary general of the finance ministry's information systems department, said that government authorities were fully aware of the urgency of the problem and were already working on the project.

Introduction of the euro will have a direct impact on software for financial management systems, financial planning, purchase and sales, electronic credit and debit, and payrolls. In addition, changes will have to be made to data bases to deal with the new foreign exchange parity between the Greek drachma and the euro. A new symbol will also have to be added to software systems to denote the euro.

Computer analysts said that introduction of the euro was putting Greek and other European businesses under pressure at a time when the computer industry was facing another big problem, the millennium bug, which threatened to inflict severe damage on com puter programmes worldwide.

Athens News Agency

[07] Development ministry proposes reforms to bank loan services

Athens 27/05/1998 (ANA)

Development Undersecretary Michalis Chrysohoidis will send the proposals to the Union of Greek Banks along with instructions on how the changes can be adopted.

The reforms concern clauses allowing banks the exclusive right to change terms on consumer or housing credit contracts. Any future alterations would need the consent of consumers.

In addition, the changes envisage less stringent terms on mortgages and overdue payments.

They also increase the responsibility of banks towards consumers.

Athens News Agency

[08] EU official in Thessaloniki today

Athens 27/05/1998 (ANA)

Mr. Landaburu today will take part in a seminar for members of the Greek regional press organised by the Commission, its representative office in Athens said in a statement.

Speakers including academics and administration officials from Greece and the EU will analyse the implementation of regional policy in Greece and the role of regional media in providing information on the EU. Tomorrow, Mr. Landaburu will award media prizes at an annual meeting of European state- owned regional television stations being held in Thessaloniki.

Taking part in the meeting organised by Greece's ET 3 are 380 TV stations from 38 countries in Europe.

The Circom prizes aim to promote cooperation on a regional level through television programmes.

On the same day, Mr. Landaburu will attend a working lunch held in his honour by the EU Commission's representation in Greece at which he will meet the representatives of political and regional authorities, and officials from trade groups in Thessaloniki.

Athens News Agency

[09] British, Scandinavian maritime traditions at Posidonia '98

Athens 27/05/1998 (ANA)

Posidonia '98 will take place June 1-5 at the Piraeus Port Authority's sea- front exhibition centre in the heart of Piraeus.

Two large groups -- Maritime London and the Scandinavian Shipping Association in Greece -- are also playing host to a number of industry leaders. Maritime London includes names such as Intertanko, representing the owners of nearly 2,000 tankers totalling 169 million dwt, and Bimco, which offers advice and guidance to 1,000 shipowners controlling more than half the world's merchant fleet.

Maritime London possesses centuries of shipping experience with institutions like the 250-year-old Baltic Exchange and the Institute of London Underwriters,which is more than 100 years old; it also has a major legal presence with around 20 leading law firms taking part.

Although only established three years ago, the Scandinavian Shipping Association in Greece has taken off quickly.

Aiming to increase both the Scandinavian influence and cooperation within the Greek shipping industry, the Association received a boost from the last Posidonia trade fair in 1996, attracting 140 people to its presentation.

This year, 18 members representing the Association's companies are on the stand, including Skuld P&I club and The Swedish Club, two of the world's leading agencies, Bargwill Agencies, Gulf Agency Company, Hempel Marine Paints and Jotun Hellas, also a marine paint specialist.

Athens News Agency

[10] Britain and Greece festival to be held this winter

Athens 27/05/1998 (ANA)

British Ambassador in Athens Sir Michael Llewellyn Smith told a news conference yesterday that the festival aimed to highlight a partnership that already existed between the two countries.

"There is a solid record of British and Greek companies working together. To face the challenges of the new millennium, including the 2004 Olympics (hosted by Athens), we need to build on the existing links and exploit the great potential to extend that relationship," Sir Michael said.

"Our aim is to project an up-to-date image of the United Kingdom as a modern, dynamic and reliable partner in Europe," he said.

The British Council will back the embassy in organising the festival, which is to include a trade fair focusing on travel and tourism, information technology, design and the Olympics; and a design exhibition entitled "12 for 2000".

Major British and Greek companies are acting as patrons and sponsors of the Festival.

The patrons are British Airways, Hellenic Bottling SA, and United Distillers.

Sponsors include Alpha Credit Bank SA, Barclays Bank Plc, Biamax S.A., BP Greece Ltd., Panafon S.A., and Shell Company (Hellas) Ltd.

Support has also been provided by the Alexandros S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation.

Among cultural events are concerts by the Orchestra of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields conducted by Sir Neville Marriner, a British Film Week, performances by the Yolande Snaith Contemporary Dance troupe. The Ambassador also said he was writing a book, due to be published this autumn, on the history of the embassy building, which he said symbolised British- Greek ties.

Athens News Agency

[11] Athens dismisses Turkish daily's report of Greek-Turkish military meetings

Athens 27/05/1998 (ANA)

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said issues concerning relations between the two countries were not dicussed at any meetings which took place between officials of the two sides on the sidelines of multilateral meetings.

Citing unnamed Turkish military sources, the Turkish newspaper said measures were related to avoiding any incidents during military exercises in international waters in the Aegean.

The paper said an announcement would be made soon by NATO Secretary General Javier Solana, who was reported to be involved in the talks.

Asked whether Prime Minister Costas Simitis would be having talks with Turkish officials on the sidelines of the forthcoming Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) summit in Yalta, Mr. Reppas said it was not yet known who would be heading the Turkish del egation.

The spokesman, however, did not rule out the possibility of some exchange of views with the Turkish delegation head.

Referring to a Cyprus government decision to deploy the Russian-made S-300 anti-aircraft missiles on the island republic and to opposition criticism, he said the problem was not the deployment or not of the missiles but the presence of foreign troops on the island.

Cem reiterates call for unconditional dialogue : ANKARA (ANA - S. Liarellis) - Turkey has renewed its call for comprehensive dialogue with Greece on all issues.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said he expected to meet Theodoros Pangalos during a scheduled meeting of southeast Europe counterparts in Istanbul early next month, although they would not discuss bilateral issues.

"I do not think that these issues can be discussed on the sidelines of conferences or unofficial talks. We need proper talks, as such," he said.

Mr. Cem appeared pessimistic on the prospects for a solution of the Cyprus issue, saying: "it is a very difficult problem and its solution requires the best policies, the best tactics...but also luck".

By contrast, he appeared more optimistic regarding Greek-Turkish relations, saying that "with the appropriate will, it is not difficult to resolve problems".

The Turkish FM accused Greece of being responsible for the European Union's inconsistency in what he called its economic obligations to his country arising from a customs union agreement. However, he conceded that decisions by last December's Luxembourg summit, imposing terms for Turkey's candidacy for EU accession, were also the work of other European countries.

"It would be unfair to say that Greece was only to blame. But Greece's addition of several points and paragraphs in the basic decision made things more difficult," he said.

State Dept. comments on Albright's cancelled visit to Athens,Ankara: WASHINGTON (ANA - T. Ellis) - US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will visit Greece and Turkey in future, US State Department spokesman James Rubin said here yesterday commenting on her postponed visit.

"I suspect the Secretary will visit Greece and Turkey, but not now," he said.

Responding to other questions, Mr. Rubin said the US continued to regard the planned installation of Russian S-300 missiles on Cyprus as a mistake, but also criticised Turkish threats of military action against them.

NATO foreign ministers to meet in Luxembourg : BRUSSELS (ANA - G. Daratos) - The session of NATO member-states' foreign ministers, as well as their meeting with counterparts from central and eastern European countries, Russia and the former Soviet Republics will be held in Luxembourg tomorrow and on Friday in the framework of the Euro-Atlantic Cooperation Council.

The focal point of this session will be an option chosen from among many proposals by NATO's Military Committee for the imposition of peace in Kosovo and averting a possible "export" of the conflict to neighbouring countries (Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia).

According to diplomatic sources at NATO's headquarters in Brussels, private meetings between Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos with his US counterpart Madeleine Albright, as well as with the FMs of FYROM and Russia cannot be ruled out.

The same sources stated that a private meeting between Mr. Pangalos and his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem on the sidelines of this ministerial session is not known to date, without this meaning that the two ministers cannot discuss during intermissions of the Council meeting they will be attending.

Athens reacts to announced Turkish exercises in the Aegean : Turkey has reserved regions in the Aegean's international waters and two areas south- southeast of Crete for military exercises between June 4-20.

Defence ministry sources said the Turkish actions are provocative and do not follow a de-escalation of tension which has recently prevailed in the Aegean, while exercises south of Crete do not facilitate the training needs of the Turkish armed forces.

The issue is expected to be discussed at today's meeting between the Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos.

Athens News Agency

[12] President to visit Cyprus in June

NICOSIA 27/05/1998 (ANA)

Mr. Radousakis described the visit as the culmination of a number of economic and political events within the framework of cooperation between Greece and Cyprus.

He added that the president of the Greek opposition party Coalition of the Left Nikos Constantopoulos would also be visiting Cyprus June 14-16.

Athens News Agency

[13] US Senator Sarbanes meets with Simitis

Athens 27/05/1998 (ANA)

The Greek-American leader added that he believed Greece has gained ground in the international arena over past years.

Mr. Sarbanes, who has been a Congressman and Senator since 1960, is in Greece on the occasion of celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Fulbright Foundation.

Athens News Agency Athens 27/05/1998 (ANA)

Macedonia-Thrace Minister Philippos Petsalnikos yesterday inaugurated a tele-educational tea-chers' and expatriate Hellenism programme in Munich.

The programme concerns education for teachers and instructors teaching Greek children, as well as communication and information for overseas Greeks.

From now on, Greeks will have the opportunity of being briefed on developments concerning their work and on other issues concerning education with direct linkage with Thessaloniki.

Athens News Agency

[14] Canadian leadership welcomes Vartholomeos

OTTAWA 27/05/1998 (ANA -I. Frangouli)

The Patriarch began an official nine-day visit to Canada on Monday.

The Partiarch also had a meeting with Turkey's ambassador in Ottawa, after which he appeared optimistic over the imminent re-opening of the Halki School of Theology by Turkish authorities.

"The Turkish government has given us good signs on that matter, and we can now be more optimistic than we were in the past", Vartholomeos said.

The Turkish diplomat declined to comment, but stressed that he was pleased at the Patriarch's visit.

Vartholomeos later attended a reception hosted by the Greek ambassador in Ottawa, Yiannis Thomoglou, during which he announced that Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos will visit the Ecumenical Patriarchate in early June.

Mr. Thomogou stressed the historic importance of the first-ever visit of an Ecumenical Patriarch to Canada, with some 380,000 ethnic Greeks and 76 Greek Orthodox communities.

Canadian MP : Ruling Liberal party deputy John Cannis, a Greek-Canadian, hailed the the Patriarch's tour of Canada in a Parliament speech, stressing the historic importance of the event.

He underlined that since his enthronement, the Patriarch had been pursuing a spiritual revival, Orthodoxy's unity, inter-religious dialogue and protection of the environment, among others.

Mr. Cannis stressed Vartholomeos' leading role in the promotion of environment awareness and protection, something he said Ottawa was vigorously supporting.

Athens News Agency

[15] Athens hosts 2nd Commonwealth Film Festival

Athens 27/05/1998 (ANA)

Events, at the Pallas Cinema in downtown Athens, begin with a performance of music from Pakistan - the first time this country participates in the festival - followed by Australian film "Road to Nhill", the winner of the Golden Alexander award at the 19 97 Thessaloniki Film Festival's International Competition.

Films from Britain, Canada, India, Cyprus, New Zealand, and South Africa will be screened during the festival.

The seven Commonwealth countries' embassies in Athens joined forces last year to bring the Greek public the First Commonwealth Festival of Film, presenting feature films from new directors never before seen in Greece.

The aim of the festival, which was the brainchild of the Canadian ambassador Derek Fraser, is give the Greek public a chance to become acquainted with the arts and cultural life of the 53 Commonwealth countries and their 1.6 billion residents, which comprise a quarter of the earth's population.

Admission to the screenings is free. Tickets will be issued on a first come- first served basis.

Athens News Agency

[16] Media's influence the focus of int'l conference

Athens 27/05/1998 (ANA)

The event is organised at an Athens seaside resort by the Institute of Strategic and Development Studies Andreas Papandreou (ISTAME) and the Andreas Papandreou Foundation.

German journalist Michael Operskalski, publisher of the German magazine "Top Secret", spoke on the prospects of alternative media when connected with social movements.

On his part, Mr. Clark criticised his Washington's foreign policy, as well as the dominant mass media operating in the US, saying that everyone perceives things according to the way they had been taught by their culture.

"They (the media) give us false and insufficient information, if any at all. But we have the right to freedom of thought and we should stand up for it..." Mr. Clark said.

Rev. Aristide made a detailed reference to the poorer countries of the southern hemisphere and what he called enforced policies there, stressing that "the adoration of the market...had been declared a universal religion".

On his part, the secretary general of Greece's press and mass media ministry, Nikos Athanasakis, pointed out that media ethics were dominated by market values, as they did not place emphasis on promoting culture and knowledge, but were simply after maxi mising profits.

Athens News Agency

[17] Health ministry decides action on AIDS

Athens 27/05/1998 (ANA)

Mr. Kotsonis said 88 percent of the total number of people afflicted with AIDS were men. Of the 1,766, 25 were children.

He said that health authorities at the Centre for Communicable Diseases (KEEL) were concerned about the high number of cases recorded recently, which may be due to the compulsory reporting of new AIDS cases to the authorities,and that a new information campaign about the disease would soon be announced.

Also being considered was extending AIDS testing to high risk groups such as drug addicts, prostitutes and foreigners.

Athens News Agency

[18] More bank strikes called

Athens 27/05/1998 (ANA)

OTOE called for two consecutive 48-hour strikes at Ionian Bank, planned to begin tomorrow, in order to provide legal cover to the bank's employees in case their continuing strike is ruled illegal by a court today.

OTOE also called for two nationwide and bank-wide 24-hour strikes on June 12 and 19, just before a Commercial Bank general assembly meeting, set to decide on the sale of Ionian Bank.

Athens News Agency

[19] Aspirin's 100th birthday celebrated on Kos

Athens 27/05/1998 (ANA)

Dozens of physicians and reporters from around the world attended the events, as well as a re-enactment of the Hippocratic oath at the ancient temple of the Asclepius.

In addition, several physicians spoke on the issue of headaches, an ailment whose symptoms aspirin has alleviated for decades but has not cured, as the cause is still unknown.

Athens News Agency

[20] Bjerregaard reiterates Commission's intent to limit vehicle-generated pollution

BRUSSELS 27/05/1998 (ANA)

Ms Bjerregaard, in answering Greek Eurodeputy Panayiotis Lambrias' question on the issue, noted that the European Union will submit to the Europarliament and the European Ministerial Council new legislation in the framework of an EU programme to limit s uch pollution. She added that as soon as the legislation passes the aforemetioned hurdles it will be enacted and will prescribe that leaded and unleaded gasoline may not contain more than 1 per cent benzene as of Jan. 1, 2000.

Ms Bjerregaard also noted that additional regulations will be enacted at the same date regarding the total amount of similar compounds in gasoline used in the EU, which they may not exceed 45 per cent of volume, while now in some cases they may exceed 5 0 per cent.

Athens News Agency

[21] Greek under-21 football team in Euro-finals

BUCHAREST 27/05/1998 (ANA)

The goals: Lymberopoulos (20', 86'), Antzas (52'). On Sunday, the Greek side will face the winner of the Spain-Norway semifinal.

Athens News Agency

[22] Major Greek insurance companies eye Bulgarian market

The two largest Greek insurance companies - Interamerican Holding and Ethniki Insurance, a member of the National Bank of Greece Group - and the Allianz company are interested in opening branches in Bulgaria.

Interamerican President Dimitris Kontominas, one of the five richest people in Greece, has expressed interest in the privatization of Post Bank, Hristo Hristov, director of the Insurance Supervision Directorate, told BTA on Monday after a recent visit to Greece.

The Greek insurers are waiting for licensing to be completed in Bulgaria so that it becomes clear "who is who" on the insurance market, Mr. Hristov said.

They are also being held back by the high (7 per cent) corporate income tax.

Interamerican holds 25 percent of the Greek life assurance market and 10 per cent of the property insurance market, Mr. Hristov said.

The Association of Greek Insurers invited representatives of the Insurance Supervision Directorate to visit Greece in two weeks' time to acquaint the Greek companies with insurance law and expected changes.

The Insurance Supervision Directorate has proposed tax concessions in life assurance to the Chief Tax Administration Department at the finance ministry.

Mr. Hristov said he expects the National Insurance Council to meet before the beginning of June to discuss the proposal.

Athens News Agency

[23] HEPO participation at Australian food, beverage exhibition

Athens 27/05/1998 (ANA)

Items on display include dairy products, canned foods, fruit juices, fish products, poultry, cheeses, wines and beverages, frozen foods and vegetables, cereals, pasta, confectionery products, biscuits, bakery goods etc.

According to HEPO, the exhibition is Australia's most important for foodstuffs and beverages.

Athens News Agency

[24] EU Farm Ministers focus on CAP, 'Agenda 2000'

BRUSSELS 27/05/1998 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

EU enlargement, "Agenda 2000", as well as reforming the Common Market Organisation (KOA) in the olive oil sector.

Greece was represented by Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas.

During his address, Mr. Tzoumakas said that objections he had set out in the past concerning the Commission's proposals continue to hold. He said that with these proposals the EU is losing the opportunity to initiate a policy on the agricultural sector having a longterm impetus, treat all farmers with justice and promote the social sensitivities which must characterise the EU's agricultural policy.

Mr. Tzoumakas said that special measures are necessary for small producers, young farmers and regions having considerable problems to tackle such as unfavourable weather conditions and production difficulties.

He added that as far as Greece is concerned there are three main preconditions for supporting reforming proposals for CAP:

Changes to be brought about in existing agricultural policy must be final, offset benefits provided to tackle price decreases must be full and the time scale for the validity of all KOA must be the same.

During yesterday's session, Mr. Tzoumakas met Council's chairman Jack Cunningham and discussed matters concerning the work of the Council due to convene in June and more specifically those regarding the reforming of tobacco and banana KOA.

Athens News Agency

[25] High-level meeting to focus on OSE reorganisation

Athens 27/05/1998 (ANA)

OSE will be soon be followed by the Athens Urban Transport Organisation (OASA), where the plan envisages an upgrading of the capital's transport network in view of the Olympic Games of 2004. Sources said the government intends to set up a holding compan y to coordinate the bus, subway and trolley-bus networks, as the merger option is considcered unfeasible in the immediate future.

The OASA plan is projected to be finalised by the end of June. Rehabilitation plans for Hellenic Postoffice (ELTA) and Olympic Airways have already been completed.

Athens News Agency

[26] Development undersecretary in Poland

Athens 27/05/1998 (ANA)

Athens News Agency

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