Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 98-07-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] Government sees foreign investments rising in years ahead

[02] US chemicals firm carrying out Dr 6.7 bln investment in Greece

[03] Athens metro makes maiden trip carrying Simitis, US ambassador

[04] Greek stocks jump 5.05 pct in blue-chip buying spree

[05] Minister to brief cabinet on energy deregulation bill

[06] Listed Nirefs fish farmer to sell stock abroad

[07] Public works minister awards tunnel project

[08] Gov't releases credits for infrastructure projects

[09] Drachma gains against major currencies in June

[10] Public sector transition to euro

[11] Premier to tour Fthiotida prefecture over weekend

[12] Popular Bank's Lazarides calls for gradual liberalisation of Cyprus' economy

[13] Commission draft directive on tax evasion

[14] DEH calls for reduction in power consumption, outtages in western districts

[15] Karamanlis stresses competitiveness at address to Piraeus Shipping Club

[16] Simitis confident of PASOK election victory in 2000

[17] Greek, Turkish ceramic artists on Lesvos

[18] Greece,Zimbabwe sign military cooperation agreements

[19] G.Papandreou discusses Greek-Slovakian relations

[20] Tsohatzopoulos begins US tour today

[21] Gen. Tzoganis on crises management

[22] Greek military chief in Hungary

[23] Chinese military official in Greece

[24] German army chief

[25] Klima: Luxembourg decisions regarding EU-Cyprus won't change

[26] Conference findings on seismic activity at proposed Turkish nuclear site

[27] 'Nationalities night' on Lesvos

[28] Int;l journalists conderence brings Israelis,Palestinians together on Rhodes

[29] Greek consulate in Nis approved

[30] Roussel charges against Onassis Foundation's board dismissed

[31] Local residents react after missile firing accident

[32] More hospital admissions due to heat reported

[33] G. Papandreou agrees with proposal for decriminalisation of narcotics

[34] 4th Greek book festival in Cyprus

[01] Government sees foreign investments rising in years ahead

Athens 03/07/1998 (ANA)

He was speaking at a news conference called by the Hellenic Investments Centre (ELKE), a one-stop shop for investors run by the state, to present its three-year business plan.

Mr. Papantoniou said that foreign markets were already convinced that Greece would become the 12th member of the European Union's economic and monetary union.

The forecast was confirmed recently by European Central Bank chairman, Wim Duisenberg, in an interview to the Sunday Eleftherotypia newspaper, the minister said.

He underlined that the country had clearly reached the final stage of convergence with the 15-nation bloc, but it had to adhere strictly to the same economic policy in order to meet targets.

Commenting on substantial bids to emerge from a tender on Monday in the sale of state-owned Cretabank, Mr. Papantoniou said: "Investors are buying convergence, they are buying Europe".

Domestic EFG Eurobank offered the highest bid in Cretabank's tender at 93 billion drachmas, delighting markets.

The minister also predicted that the privatisation of other banks would go equally well as a result of progress in the economy and its outlook.

In addition, Greece could repeat Ireland's performance in the next few years by attracting foreign investments and accelerating the GDP growth rate to 6.0-8.0 percent annually, which in turn would help to fund better welfare.

Mr. Papantoniou urged ELKE to contribute to the government's drive to attract investments by launching a publicity campaign that would boost the country's profile abroad.

This would also help to dispel residual qualms still voiced about investing in Greece dating back to mistaken policies in 1974-1994 by previous conservative and socialist governments.

However, Mr. Papantoniou declined to commit the government to retaining the current tax system until 2001 as an incentive to investors.

Although a stable tax system would help to make the country more attractive to foreign investors, Greece had yet to complete fiscal revitalisation, barring the move.

However, a tax regime could remain in place long-term after Greece's entry into economic and monetary union, due by January 1, 2001, he said.

Athens News Agency

[02] US chemicals firm carrying out Dr 6.7 bln investment in Greece

Athens 03/07/1998 (ANA)

He told the news conference that ELKE had attracted a 6.7-billion drachma investment by Polyform, a US chemicals company. It was the only new wholly foreign investment in 1997, and the first new American industrial investment in Greece for the last 20 years.

ELKE expects that the main foreign investments in Greece this year will come from Germany, the United States, Great Britain and France.

The investments centre is working to attract capital mainly in the primary sector, raw materials (minerals), tourism, food processing and software applications.

Athens News Agency

[03] Athens metro makes maiden trip carrying Simitis, US ambassador

Athens 03/07/1998 (ANA)

The three-carriage train set off from the Deliyianni station and completed the trip to Sepolia without a hitch.

Mr. Simitis was accompanied by Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis, National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, Public Order Minister George Romeos and other government officials.

In a brief speech, he said the Athens metro was day by day becoming a reality.

"A technically complex project is proceeding, the results are tangible, the metro is coming to life," the prime minister said.

By the end of 1999 the metro's trunk lines will have begun operations, after which other lines and extensions to Peristeri, Aigaleo and elsewhere would gradually be finished, Mr. Simitis said.

On completion, the metro will provide rapid transportation for 450,000 passengers a day, or approximately 140 million a year.

The number of trips by car will drop by 250,000 per day, resulting in a 30 percent reduction in atmospheric pollution, Mr. Laliotis said.

Around 10,000 infrastructure works are currently being carried out around the country, he added.

Athens News Agency

[04] Greek stocks jump 5.05 pct in blue-chip buying spree

Athens 03/07/1998 (ANA)

The general index ended 5.05 percent, or 121.54 points higher at 2,529.90 points. Trade was active with turnover at 70.9 billion drachmas.

Brokers said the market welcomed the emergence of high bids on Monday in an international tender to sell state-owned Cretabank. It was also following a spectacular recovery in markets abroad.

Analysts said that a 93-billion drachma bid by the Latsis Group via EFG Eurobank to buy Cretabank had ignited the buying spree in banks, and especially in two of the country's largest private banks, Ergobank and Alpha Credit Bank.

Alpha Credit Bank has expressed interest in buying Ionian Bank, which is also slated for privatisation.

The market was also responding to talk that the two banks were considering forging an alliance as an answer to Eurobank's aggressive strategy in the domestic banking sector.

Sector indices scored gains across the board. Banks soared 5.24 percent, Insurance rose 3.62 percent, Investment ended 3.99 percent higher, Leasing increased 1.44 percent, Industrials surged 5.31 percent, Construction was 2.89 percent up, Miscellaneous ended 2.56 percent higher and Holding jumped 4.08 percent.

The parallel market index for small cap companies ended 1.49 percent higher.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 174 to 61 with another 18 issues unchanged.

Hellenic Petroleum, ETEBA, Bank of Athens,Ionian Bank, Mortgage Bank, Intracom, Metka, Bank of Central Greece, European Credit, NEL, Gnomon, Attica Aluminium, Altec and Ideal scored the biggest percentage gains, hitting the daily 8.0 percent limit up.

Papoutsanis, Levenderis, Macedonian Mills, Fourlis, Nematemboriki, Lampsa, Mouriades and Boutaris suffered the heaviest losses.

National Bank of Greece ended at 43,650 drachmas, Ergobank at 28,180, Alpha Credit Bank at 26,250, Ionian Bank at 16,471, Delta Dairy at 3,980, Titan Cement at 21,640, Intracom at 11,178 and Hellenic Petroleum at 2,600 drachmas.

Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation ended at 8,400 drachmas reflecting renewed interest by foreign institutional investors.

Athens News Agency

[05] Minister to brief cabinet on energy deregulation bill

Athens 03/07/1998 (ANA)

At the cabinet meeting scheduled for today, Ms Papandreou is due to outline a national energy programme she has prepared and the main points of a bill on deregulation of the energy sector.

Athens News Agency

[06] Listed Nirefs fish farmer to sell stock abroad

Athens 03/07/1998 (ANA)

Japanese investment firm Nikko will act as underwriter to the issue. Announcement of the deal was made in London yesterday.

Nirefs, a leading company in the fish farming sector in the Mediterranean and in Europe, will also raise its share capital and seek entry into the Athens Stock Exchange's main market in about a month.

Nirefs is currently traded on the bourse's parallel market for small cap companies.

Athens News Agency

[07] Public works minister awards tunnel project

Athens 03/07/1998 (ANA)

The minister's decision ratified the outcome of a tender won by the group for construction of the Rapsomati tunnel, which forms part of a link between Tripoli and Kalamata.

Athens News Agency

[08] Gov't releases credits for infrastructure projects

Athens 03/07/1998 (ANA)

The funds will allow tenders to go ahead for road repair and maintenance projects, flood prevention works and extension of a rainwater conduit.

Athens News Agency

[09] Drachma gains against major currencies in June

Athens 03/07/1998 (ANA)

The German mark's parity decreased by 1.9 per cent, the pound sterling decreased slightly by 0.07 per cent. The ECU parity also decreased by 1.59 per cent.

The drachma increased by 0.91 per cent against the US dollar and by 4.62 per cent against the yen.

Regarding the course of the drachma in the first half of the year, the drachma was devalued by about 7-8 per cent against almost all foreign currencies. The event was due to the devaluation of the drachma last March.

Athens News Agency

[10] Public sector transition to euro

Athens 03/07/1998 (ANA)

He noted that the plan includes fiscal, taxation and internal market issues, while speaking at a one-day seminar organised by the Federation for European Monetary Union, Eurobank and the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE).

Mr. Christodoulakis said that during a transitional period - , considering that Greece is expected to join the euro zone by Jan.1, 2001 - the public sector will prepare all categories of balance sheets and budgets in both the drachma and the euro.

He added that the 2002 national budget will be prepared and executed based on the euro, including taxation and state revenues.

Athens News Agency

[11] Premier to tour Fthiotida prefecture over weekend

Athens 03/07/1998 (ANA)

The premier will also preside at a similar ceremony for new workers' residences in the Anthili area.

During the visit, Mr. Simitis will inaugurate one of three new bridges over the Spercheios River, built in place of those destroyed in floods last year.

According to an itinerary, Mr. Simitis will speak at the municipal theatre in Lamia tomorrow and at an official dinner in the evening.

On Sunday, he will visit the Agathonas Monastery, where he will meet with several World War II resistance fighters, including the monastery's former abbot, Father Germanos Dimakos, who fought occupation forces alongside Mr. Simitis' father.

Athens News Agency

[12] Popular Bank's Lazarides calls for gradual liberalisation of Cyprus' economy

NICOSIA 03/07/1998 (ANA)

Mr. Lazarides added that this model must include the absolute but gradual liberalisation of the economy, a reshaping of the role of the state and the rationalisation of public finances, as well as an increase in productivity, improvement in the tourist product and measures to strengthen the flexibility of products and labour markets. He also placed emphasis on social cohesion, adding that "to this end a dialogue must start between social partners, as well as society in its entirety for a new social cont ract."

In an exclusive interview with ANA, Mr. Lazarides went on to say that market liberalisation in the fiscal sector will not lead to an increase in interest rates, while Cypriot banks will not be threatened by foreign banks when the banking market is liber alised, stressing that European Popular Bank is successfully active in Greece and that its target is to increase its general share of the Greek market to 3 per cent.

Athens News Agency

[13] Commission draft directive on tax evasion

BRUSSELS 03/07/1998 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

The Commission's proposals envisage that member-states will undertake to harmonise their relevant tax practices and provide mutual support for the location and collection of dues from individuals evading taxes in other EU countries.

The Commission enacted legislation in the 1970s for the collection of tariffs and Value Added Tax dues payable in other countries, which however, remained largely inoperative. The present proposal extends legislation to direct taxation and the fines imp osed by national governments.

Athens News Agency

[14] DEH calls for reduction in power consumption, outtages in western districts

Athens 03/07/1998 (ANA)

Due to unprecedented demand for electricity - exceeding 7,340 MW - DEH went ahead at 12:45 p.m. yesterday with a power shutdown in various parts of western Attica - Aigaleo, Peristeri, Haidari, Kamatero and Amphiali.

The resumption of electric power supply to these areas occurred gradually between 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.

In an announcement, DEH called on consumers to decrease electric power consumption.

Athens News Agency

[15] Karamanlis stresses competitiveness at address to Piraeus Shipping Club

Athens 03/07/1998 (ANA)

He accused the PASOK government of "bad policies" and "mistaken options", stressing that the government's references to convergence with other European economies we-re an abstract concept.

He noted that shipping was of top priority for economic development, stressing that beyond economic benefits, it bestowed prestige to the country.

"Development is the key to an increase in jobs and the attainment of high competitiveness," he said, stressing that the liberal creed also had social parametres.

"New Democracy's top priority is to achieve growth rates of more than 4.5 to 5 per cent so as to achi-eve a convergence with the rest of the EU," he said, stressing that development and investment is not achieved through admonitions and wishful thinking .

Mr. Karamanlis said the competitiveness of the Greek merchant fleet had to be improved in order to contribute to growth and employment.

"Increasing competition must not frighten us," he stressed, adding that a specific policy was needed for the improvement of competitiveness.

He said he was also in favour of a revision of an inflexible legal framework regarding licences and the shipping register, stressing the need for incentives to promote a renewal of the fleet, and called on the government to secure terms of equal treatme nt for all nations after the abolition of cabotage.

Athens News Agency BRUSSELS 03/07/1998 (ANA)

The Council of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) to the European Union organised a farewell event for Greek representative Pavlos Apostolidis.

Mr. Apostolidis will take over the gereral secretariat of the foreign ministry after four years of service at the COREPER.

Athens News Agency

[16] Simitis confident of PASOK election victory in 2000

Athens 03/07/1998 (ANA)

Mr. Simitis said that "our message all together is the message of the times. Only being together with the common targets and common efforts, regardless of our differences, will we be able to succeed and create Greece of the 21st century, Greece of the big and open horizons."

"We are sure that at the moment of the new verdict in the elections of 2000, the Greek people will judge and evaluate a positive, rich and creative task. We, being a modern, progressive, patriotic, democratic and socialist movement, having a stable Euro pean orientation, have confidence in our programme and task. We have confidence in our modern proposals and ideas. For this reason we are sure that the Greek people with their great democratic and progressive tradition will once again give the majority to PASOK," he added.

Mr. Simitis said that at the same time the other parties have no work to present, only hypocritical words, vague promises, nihilistic criticism and rhetorical rantings without any reliability and possibility of implementation.

He said in his address that the government's effort for a Greece which will be stronger, more modern, more competitive and more creative is an effort of truth which corresponds really with the lives and the horizons of the Greeks in the 21st century.

Mr. Simitis said that Greece is changing shape by the day, it is acquiring a modern image as a result of projects being carried out all over the country. He said there is no international forum at which the country's resonance is not confirmed, as was the case at the recent summits in Luxembourg, Brussels and Cardiff.

"We are not idolisers of numbers. First of all, we are interested in people and their needs, their dreams and their problems. For this reason we are composing a new comprehensive social policy. For this reason progress which is being registered step by step constitutes the sturdy base of a new prosperity, an upgrading in the quality of life of all Greeks," he said.

Simitis addresses PASOK-affiliated trade unionists : The government will adopt critical decisions in the next few months after dialogue and understading with workers, Prime Minister Costas Simitis told a gathering of ruling PASOK-affiliated trade unionists (PASKE) yesterday.

"The government considers working people and the trade union movement as associates and supporters in the effort to achieve a strong and prosperous Greece," he told the PASKE gathering.

"PASOK relies on the people of labour. However, the vast majority of the people do not want labour union practices and policies leading to economic impasses.

They want policies leading to improvements in living conditions, higher incomes and jobs," he said.

Athens News Agency

[17] Greek, Turkish ceramic artists on Lesvos

Athens 03/07/1998 (ANA)

The symposium's programme allows for the creation of ceramics as well as a video and slide show on the subject from both shores of the Aegean.

Athens News Agency

[18] Greece,Zimbabwe sign military cooperation agreements

Athens 03/07/1998 (ANA)

The agreements, which also provide for the training of senior officers of the Zimbabwean armed forces in matters related to peace-keeping missions, were signed at a meeting in Athens yesterday by National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos and his Zim babwean counterpart Moven Enock Mahachi.

During the meeting, both ministers had the opportunity to exchange views on security problems in their respective regions.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos reiterated that Greece was opposed to "selective" cooperation in the region, such as that between Israel and Turkey, saying it only created security problems and undermined stability.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos noted that Zimbabwe supported all efforts of the United Nations towards a "single, democratic and just solution" of the Cyprus problem.

Regarding the crisis in the Serbian province of Kosovo, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos reiterated that whoever sought a military solution to the problem should be aware that they will be held accountable for the catastrophe which will affect the surrounding region.

While stressing that the ethnic Albanians of the strife-torn province had the right to broad autonomy and self-administration, he said it was unacceptable for minorities to use force in the name of self-determination in order to attempt to change establ ished borders.

Athens News Agency

[19] G.Papandreou discusses Greek-Slovakian relations

Athens 03/07/1998 (ANA)

Mr. Papandreou reminded Mr. Kalman that Greece supported the simultaneous start to negotiations with all EU candidate-countries at last December's Luxembourg summit.

The first major step in the direction of strengthening relations between the EU and Slovakia took place when the European Agreement went into effect on Feb. 1, 1995. Clauses of a commercial nature included in the agreement were applied but in the sectors of state subsidies and protection of copyrights and industrial ownership there are delays.

Slovakia is not pleased with the course of its relations with the EU, because it is not included in the first group of countries to join the EU, and since the "15" believe that the country does not fulfill the political criteria set in Copenhagen.

Mr. Papandreou briefed Mr. Kalman on decisions reached at the recent Cardiff summit. He also took the opportunity of presenting Greek positions to him on the Cyprus issue. He also requested Slovakia's support for Greece's candidacy for the Security Council, which Mr. Kalman accepted.

In the framework of the discussion on Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), Mr. Papandreou informed his interlocutor of progress achieved in the Greek economy, and the evaluation that Athens will fulfill criteria set in the Maastricht Treaty in 1999 to ena ble it to join the third phase of EMU as a full member in 2001.

Athens News Agency

[20] Tsohatzopoulos begins US tour today

Athens 03/07/1998 (ANA)

According to sources, the Greek minister's talks with his US counterpart will include the purchase by Greece of US military equipment, continuation of efforts for a reduction of tension in the Aegean, advancing the process for a settlement of the Cyprus issue and creation of a Balkan multinational force.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos will be in Washington beginning Monday and until Wednesday, where he will be received at the Pentagon and attend a reception in his honour at the US State Department.

The minister will hold talks with US administration officials and senior members of Congress. He is also due to meet with the chief of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and members of the Jewish community.

In New York, he will have contacts with the ethnic Greek community, and is expected to respond to invitations to visit weapons manufacturing plants.

Boston is also on his itinerary.

Athens News Agency

[21] Gen. Tzoganis on crises management

Athens 03/07/1998 (ANA)

Gen. Tzoganis also addressed the issue of a multi-national brigade in southeastern Europe, which will contribute to the management of crises as well as cooperation and stability in the region.

Athens News Agency

[22] Greek military chief in Hungary

Athens 03/07/1998 (ANA)

Issues of bilateral concern will be discussed in meetings with the Hungarian defence ministry's military leadership.

Gen. Tzoganis will also be received by the Hungarian defence minister and the president of the nation's Parliamentary defence committee. He will also lay a wreath at the Monument of Hungarian Heroes, visit the village of Beloyiannis as well as military installations.

Athens News Agency

[23] Chinese military official in Greece

Athens 03/07/1998 (ANA)

Athens News Agency

[24] German army chief

Athens 03/07/1998 (ANA)

The two army general staff leaders will discuss issues of mutual concern. The German general will be received by the defence ministry's civil leadership and the national defence general staff chief, before visiting army training centres, formations and archaeological sites.

Athens News Agency

[25] Klima: Luxembourg decisions regarding EU-Cyprus won't change

VIENNA 03/07/1998 (ANA - D. Dimitrakoudis)

In statements to Turkish reporters, he suggested that representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community be included in the official Cyprus delegation, but noted that there is no such precondition for accession talks.

The Turkish Cypriot leadership rejected last March a proposal by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides for the inclusion of Turkish Cypriots in the island republic's delegation. The proposal was termed at the time "generous" by EU member-states.

The statement came during a press conference where Mr. Klima and European Commission President Jacques Santer presented the Austrian presidency's programme.

The Austrian chancellor added that during his talks with Mr. Santer, both men reiterated Turkey's European prospects, while they noted that they would be pleased if a way could be found to bring Ankara to the European Conference.

Meanwhile, 14 work groups and the 20 European Commissioners discussed with the Austrian leadership issues ranging from EMU to culture and trade policies.

Athens News Agency

[26] Conference findings on seismic activity at proposed Turkish nuclear site

NICOSIA 03/07/1998 (CNA/ANA)

The conference was jointly organised with the Greenpeace organisation.

Findings in a report prepared in 1991 by a group of Turkish marine geophysicists and a British geologist were presented at the conference.

According to results, the region proposed for the construction of Turkey's first nuclear plant lies next to an active geological fault, which extends 20-25 kilometres in an area with increased seismic activity.

"The least that the Turkish government must do is to conduct further research on the gulf region to ascertain the possible dangers posed by the 'Ecemis' fault," Prof. Ulug said.

The warning by Greenpeace and the Turkish professor comes a few days after a devastating earthquake struck the southeastern region of Turkey, above the active Anatolia fault, last Saturday.

The earthquake claimed the lives of at least 144 people and injured 1,500 others in villages and towns.

Athens News Agency

[27] 'Nationalities night' on Lesvos

Athens 03/07/1998 (ANA)

The goal of the group is to allow people from different national backgrounds to better know and understand each other.

People from Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Georgia, Yugoslavia, Denmark, Italy, Britain, Moldova, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Finland will be represented.

Athens News Agency

[28] Int;l journalists conderence brings Israelis,Palestinians together on Rhodes

Athens 03/07/1998 (ANA)

Opening the sessions of the conference, press ministry secretary-general Yiannis Nikolaou stressed the need for a "peace culture" and a strengthening of cultural ties and cooperation in communications in the Middle East. The conference is organised by the Greek press ministry.

The president of UNESCO's Foundation for Free Expression and Democracy, Mondu Derek, stressed that a "culture of peace" is not identified with the attitude of "peace-loving passivity", and required multiple interventions in culture and policies stressing mutual respect and dialogue.

Yesterday's exchanges were characterised by a certain sharpness, due both to the crucial nature of the current phase and a tendency to adopt "barricaded" views.

In general terms, the Palestinian side called on Israeli journalists to exert greater pressure on their public opinion in favour of promoting the peace process and the Oslo agreement, as well as a condemnation of the Netanyahu government. "Palestinia ns believe that the people of Israel are responsible for Netanyahu's election to the premiership," said Palestinian press ministry representative Waleed Avant, who stressed that the Palestinian press could not remain neutral vis-a-vis the deeds of the pre sent Israeli government.

On the other hand, Israeli journalists defended their efforts towards the promotion of the peace process. Hain Niavin proposed the setting up of joint working group to fight for the freedom of movement of journalists across their respective areas and prepare the future steps of convergence between the press functionaries of the two sides.

According to Israeli journalist Ella Heller, however, the overwhelming majority of the Israeli people were "rather against" the Oslo peace accord, considering that Israeli media were not objective and showing undue favour to Palestinian positions.

The journalists' conference is taking place in parallel with a meeting of prominent Palestinian and Israeli personalities.

Athens News Agency

[29] Greek consulate in Nis approved

BELGRADE 03/07/1998 (ANA - M. Mouratidis)

The new consulate will serve the cities of Leskovac, Nis, Pirot and Vranje, as well as the province of Kosovo, according to a government announcement in Belgrade.

The consulate will be operational within the next few days so as to serve Yugoslav citizens wishing to obtain tourist visas for Greece.

The new consulate in Nis is expected to absorb part of the approximately 3, 000 applications for tourist visas submitted every day in Belgrade during the summer months.

Athens News Agency

[30] Roussel charges against Onassis Foundation's board dismissed

Athens 03/07/1998 (ANA)

The Foundation's board, who serve as administrators of the patrimony for Athina Roussel - the daughter of Mr. Roussel and Christina Onassis - said a criminal complaint filed against them by Mr. Roussel for breach of trust and fiduciary obligations regar ding the administration of Athina's patrimony has been dismissed by decision of the Geneva public prosecutor, with the concurring opinion of the investigating magistrate.

A Foundation announcement, signed by its president Stelios Papadimitriou and board members Pavlos Ioannidis, Apostolos Zabelas and Theodoros Gabrielides, said other criminal complaints filed against them by Mr. Roussel for trespassing, recording of conv ersations, violation of private domain and economic espionage, had also been dismissed by decision of the Geneva public prosecutor.

The announcement stated that Mr. Roussel has appealed the above decisions before a pre-trial court in Geneva.

Athens News Agency

[31] Local residents react after missile firing accident

Athens 03/07/1998 (ANA)

The explosion resulted in burning fragments starting several fires throughout an area of about 15 acres of farm and scrubland.

Officials in Akrotiri were scheduled to hold a meeting in Hordaki last night to evaluate the situation and consider reactions.

The commander at the base where the test firing occurred, Lt.-Gen. Ioannis Papadomanolakis, visited Hordaki and claimed that the missile did not explode but that the fire was caused by pieces of the missile carried by the wind.

Another accident alarmed residents in the community of Touronitis, when a small rocket from an A-7 "Corsair" warplane fell in the community. No damage was caused except for a small hole at the point of impact.

Athens News Agency

[32] More hospital admissions due to heat reported

Athens 03/07/1998 (ANA)

A contingency plan may be implemented if necessary with the setting up of special air-conditioned rooms in hospitals and public buildings around Greece.

Athens News Agency

[33] G. Papandreou agrees with proposal for decriminalisation of narcotics

Athens 03/07/1998 (ANA)

Mr. Papandreou said decriminalisation will separate users from drug dealers, decrease criminal activity and increase psychological support for addicts, as well as reduce the death rate of drug users since the state will be able to regulate the quality of the drugs.

Members of the PASOK youth group, in Athens' first prefectural distict, noted that the long-term goal of Greek society should be a change of its structure.

Athens News Agency

[34] 4th Greek book festival in Cyprus

NICOSIA 03/07/1998 (ANA)

Participants will include publishing houses from Greece and Cyprus, which will present their issues in the last two years regarding a wide variety of subjects, ranging from literature to psychology, and from sociology to education to children's books.

Athens News Agency

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