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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 98-07-24Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Athens criticises US policy vis-a-vis Cyprus problemAthens 24/07/1998 (ANA)Greece yesterday expressed its dissatisfaction over statements by a US White House official regarding the Cyprus issue, saying they were "unacceptable"."The Cyprus problem is one of invasion and occupation of a large part of the island republic by the Turkish army," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said. "This is what is being accepted by the international community, and what constitutes the basis of United Nations' resolutions and its framework for a settlement of the problem," he added. Mr. Reppas was commenting on statements by White House spokesman Mike McCurry that the Cyprus issue was a problem of "conflict" between the two communities on the island. In Washington on Wednesday Mr. McCurry was invited to clarify whether the Cyprus problem was one of "invasion" or of "conflict" between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities on the island. He replied that the issue was one of "conflict," underlining that this was the "right definition". "If there is a conflict it is between the rational and irrational, justice and lawlessness, legality and tyranny. It is a conflict between 'Attila' (the codename of the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus) and the international community, in which the United States also belongs," Mr. Reppas said. "The government wants to believe that the United States does not wish to take the place of the United Nations or to monopolise the international community's interest in efforts to settle the Cyprus problem," he said. Replying to a reporter's question, Mr. Reppas said that US State Department special coordinator for Cyprus, Thomas Miller, was not scheduled to meet with Greek government officials in the near future. Mr. Miller arrived in Cyprus yesterday afternoon for talks with the island republic's government. Pangalos : In a related development, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos har-shly criticised the US administration yesterday over its stance regarding the Cyprus problem, according to reports. The Greek FM said that US President Bill Clinton made several promises during his pre-election campaigns regarding a solution to the 24-year Cyprus problem, none of which have today been fulfilled. Reports said Mr. Pangalos referred to a "grand lie" on the part of the US administration, adding that Washington had in the past exercised pressures on Turkey, which however, proved fruitless. He said the US has now switched its pressure towards Greece. Mr. Pangalos was speaking at a seminar attended by some 40 visiting expatriate Greek politicians, all members of the World Hellenic Interparliamentary Union. Mr. Pangalos also referred to a scheduled visit in Athens by Mr. Miller, as well as an interview by the US diplomat with the Athens morning daily "Kathimerini". The Greek foreign minister asked whether there was any reason for him to meet with the visiting US diplomat after reading, as he said, about Mr. Miller's opinions from the paper. He also noted that things have now "reversed", with diplomats now giving i nterviews instead of politicians. Referring to Turkey, Mr. Pangalos emphasised what he described as a lack of democracy in the neighbouring country, while rejecting claims of an Islamic danger and stressing that the Turkish people had nothing to do with Islamic fundamentalism. "It is a form of danger-mongering, particularly maintained by Turkey's military leadership for obvious reasons," he said. He also stressed that Turkey's attitude was not an issue that should only concern Greece and Cyprus, but all the countries of the west and the southeastern Mediterranean. "We shall be led to great ills if the tactic of threats and the use violence is encouraged," he said. Further, in reply to questions, he reiterated that any Turkish action against Cyprus would signal Greece's involvement. Finally, Mr. Pangalos also spoke of US weapons continuing to be sent to Turkish-occupied Cyprus, inspite of US federal law specifically forbidding such exports. He emphasised that the US Congress has been misled for 10 years on the issue. On his part, Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos criticised Washington over its pressure to cancel the deployment of the Russian-made S-300 anti- aircraft missiles by the Republic of Cyprus, as well as the German foreign ministry for its recently issued travel advisory cautioning travellers to Cyprus. He said Bonn was functioning in an auxiliary fashion to a unilateral Turkish action against Cyprus, even before the Russian missiles were installed on the island. He also described the German action as "phenomenal" and reminiscent of an "eastern bazaar". Further, he laid particular stress on the dangers posed by the planned construction of a nuclear power plant near Turkey's southern coast, adding that Ankara was in a situation of a "latent nuclearisation of its arsenal." He pointed out that all countries which have acquired the particular type of nuclear reactor from Canada in the past have since proceeded to produce nuclear weapons. Athens News Agency[02] Simitis announces 100 billion drachmas for young farmersAthens 24/07/1998 (ANA)Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday announced a national policy for young farmers in a visit to Nea Epidavros, citing tax exemptions and discounts, favourable terms for loans and a turn to rural areas with new cultivations.More than 100 billion drachmas a year will be provided by the state budget for the implementation of measures for young farmers, aimed at attracting 50,000 young farmers to rural areas, he said. The announcement was made by Mr. Simitis in a speech in the village of Dimaina, Epidavros last night, where he arrived at the head of a wide- ranging government delegation. Outlining government policy for young farmers, he said that the amount of 100 billion drachmas does not include European Union participation, which corresponds to about 20 per cent of total expenditures, as well as losses for the state budget which will result from the implementation of tax measures and the other benefits. Mr. Simitis said that the measures for young farmers are at the focal point of agricultural policy which, in turn, is part of the framework of the overall restructuring of rural areas. He said that the role played by young farmers is particularly important for the reorientation of Greek agriculture in producing products with a high added value with modern methods of cultivation or raising which will be adjusted to modern consumer needs. Special measures encourage the establishment of young farmers in the framework of implementing common structural policy for agriculture and rural areas. The amount of support for establishment for the first time is increasing and can reach the sum of 4.5 million drachmas for mountainous and underprivileged areas. In such areas, a young farmer having successfully completed a specific training programme will have 5.5 million drachmas. To help them face expenditures prior to their establishment, young farmers will have low- interest loans from banks with interest rate subsidisation of up to 80 per cent. Athens News Agency[03] IOBE report says structural changes proceeding rapidlyAthens 24/07/1998 (ANA)In its third report on the Greek economy, the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE) ascertained that structural changes are proceeding to a large degree according to the government's programme, contributing to economic effectiveness and development.The report said that it is imperative that the budget deficit and public debt be reduced to levels that are far lower than those anticipated by the Maastricht Treaty. Otherwise, it added, the vicious circle of high interest rates might lead to speculati on against the drachma. Once again fiscal policy shoulders the burden of achieving a decrease in inflation to meet Maastricht criteria with stabilisation of the drachma parity, and specifically through the maintenance of high nominal interest rates and a low rate of monetary expansion. However, the report said this policy, which in essence does not differ greatly from the scrapped "hard drachma" policy, entails dangers as progress is not achieved in decreasing the state deficit and the public debt. Among others, some of the ascertainments contained in the report are that there is a relatively high development rate, a small decrease in inflation, an increase in real salaries and fiscal discipline. Athens News Agency[04] Athens business group says EMU entry feasible in 2001Athens 24/07/1998 (ANA)Greece's entry into economic and monetary union in 2001 is feasible if the government avoids backtracking and compromise in its plan to restructure the economy, the Athens Chamber of Trade and Industy (EBEA) said yesterday.In its six-monthly report on the economy, EBEA listed the areas in which the government had to remain consistent with its policy statements. The areas are as follows: EBEA's president Yiannis Papathanasiou told reporters that 1999 would be a critical year for the economy, as its performance would determine if and when the country joined European economic and monetary union. The government has said it wants entry by January 1, 2001. Athens News Agency[05] Gov't gives industrial relations bill to parliamentAthens 24/07/1998 (ANA)Labour Minister Miltiades Papaioannou yesterday submitted a bill to parliament that will overhaul industrial relations by allowing more flexibility in the labour market.The bill contains changes to a draft of the bill circulated weeks ago to employers' and workers' associations for feedback. Unions have staged strikes against the planned legislation. Mr. Papaioannou said that the bill, the end-product of many months of talks, met the government's dual target of achieving greater flexibility in the workplace and safeguarding labour rights. The changes made to the original bill are as follows: Nationwide strike yesterday mostly affects urban transports : Yesterday's 24-hour nationwide strike called by the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE), held to coincide with the government's tabling of a draft bill on new labour regulations, and an accompanying rally in central Athens were described as gene rally subdued, as they were adversely affected by the unexpected deaths of three firemen on Mount Hymettos on Wednesday. The strike was mainly felt in the urban transport sector early in the morning. The rally was followed by a march to Parliament, where a GSEE delegation handed a resolution to party representatives. Participation in the strike was also described as limited in Thessaloniki, with a crowd of 1,000 attending a rally outside the city's labour centre. Athens News Agency[06] Mytilineos buys out Metka - sourcesAthens 24/07/1998 (ANA)Mytilineos, a listed metals trader, yesterday informed the Athens Stock Exchange that it had joined forces with its subsidiary Stanmed Trading Company Ltd. in buying 11.79 percent, or 666,890 shares, in listed Metka.According to market sources, Mytilineos forged an agreement with main shareholders in Metka for the purchase of a large bloc of shares, which, combined with the stock sale through the bourse, would give the metals trader a controlling stake. Neither company confirmed the information. Athens News Agency[07] Gov't concludes management deal with post officeAthens 24/07/1998 (ANA)The government and Hellenic Post Offices (ELTA) yesterday signed a business plan that will help to streamline the state-owned company, making it profitable and improving services.National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou told a news conference that the measures in the contract had already been agreed by management and workers, bypassing the need for the arrangement to be incorporated in law. ELTA's pricing policy would remain unchanged, still falling under the jurisdiction of the national economy ministry, Mr. Papantoniou said. Prices would have to meet the business plan's requirements but the government would show restraint for the next two years in ELTA and other state firms in order to reduce inflation, he said. Also speaking at the news conference, Transport and Communications Minister Tasos Mantelis said ELTA would become profitable in 2000. He forecast that the firm's deficit in 1999 would be 16.5-17 billion drachmas, down from 24-25 billion drachmas estimated for the current year. "The company will enter European markets and seek all kinds of cooperation with public and private organisations, in sectors including speed deliveries and the European parcels market where ELTA is not currently active," Mr. Mantelis said. Athens News Agency[08] Finance ministry to auction 12-month treasury bills on MondayAthens 24/07/1998 (ANA)The finance ministry on Monday will tender 180 billion drachmas of 12-month treasury bills in electronic form.The issue and settlement date in the competitive price auction for primary dealers will be July 29, the ministry said in a statement yesterday. Non-competitive bids will also be accepted by primary and ordinary dealers for up to 20 percent of the amount of T-bills to be auctioned, the statement said. Athens News Agency[09] Greek stocks correct again, slip below 2,800 pointsAthens 24/07/1998 (ANA)Greek equities edged down yesterday in a correction for the second straight session following a surge spanning five trading days, and the market slipped below the 2,800-point barrier.The Athens general share index ended 0.45 percent lower at 2,791.13 points. The FTSE/ASE 20 index lost 0.69 percent to finish at 1,705.01 points. Trade was light to moderate with turnover at 53.7 billion drachmas from 62.1 billion drachmas in the last session. The market had gained 7.10 percent in the previous five trading sessions in a wave of euphoria based on repositioning by banks ahead of European Union economic and monetary union; and by engineering contractors seeking to improve their chances of gainin g projects linked to the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Sector indices mostly finished lower. The heavily weighted banking sector fell 0.63 percent, Leasing dropped 0.47 percent, Insurance slumped 2.40 percent, Investment slipped 0.41 percent, Industrials crept up 0.35 percent, Construction sank 1.67 percent , Holding shed 1.34 percent, and Miscellaneous fell 0.84 percent. The parallel market index for small cap companies finished 0.99 percent down. Of 262 stocks traded, declines led advances at 139 to 100 with 23 shares remaining unchanged. Closing at the daily eight percent upper volatility limit were St. George Mills, Metka, Ideal, Hellenic Sugar Industry, Vioter, Korfil, Athinea, Halyps and Ippotur. Mosholios jumped 17.9 percent due to bourse rules allowing higher volatility for new lis tings. The day's biggest percentage losers were Volos Engineering Contractors, Hellenic Technodomi, Mouzakis, Development Invest, Alysida, Balkan Export, Ergas, General Warehouses and Intrasoft. National Bank of Greece ended at 54,000 drachmas, Ergobank at 32,500, Alpha Credit Bank at 29,795, Ionian Bank at 16,670, Commercial Bank of Greece at 28,150, Delta Dairy (common) at 3,805, Intracom (common) at 13,450, Titan Cement (common) at 24,150, Hellenic Petroleum at 2,765 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation at 8,500 drachmas. Athens News Agency[10] Strintzis Lines to boost share capital through private placementAthens 24/07/1998 (ANA)The Athens Stock Exchange yesterday endorsed a prospectus by Strintzis Lines, a passenger shipper listed on the Athens bourse, to increase its share capital through a private placement to institutional investors at home and abroad.The company will issue 14,800,000 new common shares at 2,000 drachmas each. The new capital will be used to part-fund an expansion and modernisation of Strintzis' fleet and increase the firm's operating capital. Strintzis Lines plies routes to Italy and to the islands. Athens News Agency[11] Post office's board recommends hefty rate increasesAthens 24/07/1998 (ANA)The Hellenic Post Offices' (ELTA) administration is proposing to the government average increases of 6.9 per cent,which in certain categories of tariffs will reach 80 per cent.The tariff increases will be implemented as of Sept. 1,while the administrative council's decision was taken on May 29 and is expected to be ratified by the prices and incomes committee. To date,post office tariffs were estimated in accordance with their weight, but now it is expected to be estimated in accordance with the weight and the dimensions. Concequently,a letter weighing 20 grams will cost 100 drachmas with a smaller envelope,while with a bigger envelope having dimensions of 165x245 mm and 305x381 mm it will now cost 140 drachmas instead of 100. Bigger and more bulky letters will cost 180 drachmas. Athens News Agency[12] Australian opposition leader soundly criticises Turkey,Denktash over Cyprus impasseAthens 24/07/1998 (ANA)South Australia opposition Labor Party leader Mike Rann last Wednesday addressed a letter to the Commonwealth leadership seeking their active support in placing the Cyprus problem as a keynote issue on next year's Commonwealth summit agenda.Specifically, Mr. Rann sent the letter to British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Australian PM John Howard and South African President Nelson Mandela, since the summit will be held in South Africa. The opposition leader noted in his letter that Turkey continues to defy international law and a series of United Nations' resolutions on the Cyprus problem. He added that "it is quite clear that Turkey is determined to frustrate moves by Britain and the United States to negotiate a peaceful and just solution to the Cyprus problem." Furthermore, he said " whenever progress is made the government of Turkey and the Denktash regime take action to torpedo any serious moves toward a resolution of the problem." Finally, Mr. Rann noted that it is important for the Commonwealth to show solidarity toward a member-state, thus asserting its relevance in world affairs, as it did on the apartheid issue. Athens News Agency[13] Messages on 24th anniversary of democracy's restorationAthens 24/07/1998 (ANA)Democracy in Greece is now well-entrenched and out of danger, Prime Minister Costas Simitis and the ruling PASOK executive bureau said in messages on the 24th anniversary of the restoration of democracy in Greece after a seven-year military dictatorship."What is of concern today is for us to be able as a nation and an organised society, not simply to follow, but to participate on an equal footing in all the developments and the phases of European integration," said the prime minister. "Today the country is proceeding speedily to a substantive restructuring of democratic representative institutions and is promoting extensive reforms in the economy and public administration," said the executive bureau in its message. The Communist Party of Greece said that it was becoming increasingly apparent 24 years later that the "7-year military-fascist dictatorship had been replaced by the dictatorship of big capital, masked in a parliamentary face." The Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) said the country required deep incisions and progressive reforms in all sectors that would again give "hope to citizens, cohesion in society and reliability in politics". Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas struck a different note, saying that Greek democracy was portraying "strong signs of fatigue". Athens News Agency[14] Tsohatzopoulos receives Cyprus national guard commanderAthens 24/07/1998 (ANA)National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos yesterday received the commander of the Cypriot National Guard, Lt.-Gen. Dimitris Dimou, who had met earlier with National Defence General Staff Chief Gen. Athanasios Tzoganis.According to reports, military issues concerning the two countries were examined at the meeting, as well as the course of implementation of the joint defence doctrine. Lt.-Gen. Dimou will remain in Greece until Sunday. Athens News Agency[15] SAE's Athens addresses World Hellenic Interparliamentary Union membersAthens 24/07/1998 (ANA)World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) president Andrew Athens yesterday addressed World Hellenic Interparliamentary Union (WHIU) participants, during a one-day conference.Mr. Athens called on the 40 WHIU MPs, representing 16 countries, to "cooperate closely". Furthermore, he noted that there are Greeks who do not speak Greek and need to learn the language, but until that time they must be kept within the fold. Mr. Athens reminded the audience that in the past in Asia Minor, ethnic Greeks were forced to either give up their language or religion, and while language is a unifying factor, it is not the only one. Athens News Agency[16] New Canadian ambassador to Greece announcedAthens 24/07/1998 (ANA)A new Canadian ambassador to Athens has been appointed by Ottawa. According to Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy yesterday, David Hutton was appointed as ambassador-designate and will succeed Derek Frazer, who was transferred to the Ukraine .Mr. Hutton has served in Stockholm, Kingston, with the Canadian mission at the United Nations, London and Jakarta. Athens will be his first post as ambassador. He has also been managing the European Union department at the Canadian foreign ministry since 1994. Mr. Hutton is married and has three children. Athens News Agency[17] Karamanlis warns ND deputies not to discredit partyAthens 24/07/1998 (ANA)Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis warned ND's deputies yesterday that he will be relentless with instances of conduct discrediting the party.Mr. Karamanlis was speaking to deputies and members of an election preparation committee in the wake of decisions taken by ND's disciplinary council regarding two ND deputies earlier this week. He said that no matter how distasteful these decisions might be, one must be steadfast and strict on issues concerning conduct, character and quality. He further said that conduct discrediting the democratic state, public life and the party's character is inconceivable. ND deputy Gerasimos Yiakoumatos was suspended for nine months for brandishing a handgun in Parliament, while Varsamis Yiovanoudas was expelled for allegedly assaulting a former lover in Thessaloniki. Referring to local elections in October, Mr. Karamanlis said that they have a profound political content and political significance. "Our option is to accept their great political significance absolutely, but also to consider them a prelude to strengthening self-administra-tion institutions and not their harming and manipulation, as the ruling party has done in the past," he said. Mr. Karamanlis further warned that elected party cadres opposing the party's choices will forfeit the post to which they have been elected. Mr. Karamanlis said that the government, possibly panic-stricken by the outcry caused by its policy, is using both legal and illicit means, and is proceeding with an operation to deceive the people, advertisng supposed projects with European Union funds . He also cautioned elected prefects to be careful of their attitude, to have self-restraint in light of the elections and not to render services which they are unable to achieve. Athens News Agency[18] Greek-Iraqi scientific,cultural cooperation agreementBAGHDAD 24/07/1998 (AFP/ANA)Iraq and Greece yesterday signed a scientific and cultural cooperation agreement here, during the visit of a Greek diplomat, the official Iraqi INA news agency reported.The three-year agreement was signed by the Iraqi higher education and scientific research ministry's cultural affairs director, Haytham Jassem Mohammad, and Greek foreign ministry cultural affairs director Apostolos Anninos. According to INA, the agre ement includes cooperation between Iraqi and Greek universities regarding degree recognition, the granting of scholarships and the teaching of ancient and modern Greek in Iraq. Iraqi Higher Education Minister Abdel Jabbar Toufiq said "this agreement facilitates the common interests of Iraq and Greece, two countries bonded by close relations of friendship." Athens News Agency[19] Papadopoulos: Convergence linked with effectiveness, quality in public sectorAthens 24/07/1998 (ANA)Interior, Public Administration and Decentralisation Minister Alekos Papadopoulos said yesterday that economic convergence is linked to effectiveness and quality of services.He warned that unless the Greek state changes its way of operation, the country has no hope of survival after its accession to Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). Addressing a conference organised by his ministry on the programme entitled "Quality for the Citizen", Mr. Papadopoulos said that administrative reform is included in the framework of proposed convergence. He said that the new organisation of ministries are being shaped with another conception so far and instead of cutbacks they anticipate more posts, general departments and directors. Addressing the conference, Interior Undersecretary Stavros Benos said that the first quality awards to public services operating effectively and serving the citizen in the best possible way will be given in December. Greece is also participating for the first time in the European quality for the citizen competition, being represented by the region of eastern Macedonia and Thrace. Athens News Agency[20] More greenspaces around Attica on fire yesterdayAthens 24/07/1998 (ANA)Firefighters across Attica were again swamped yesterday as more forest fires broke out at the Neos Voutzas site and in the Nea Makri, Pallini and Mount Penteli areas. According to reports, a total of 17 holiday homes were destroyed at Neos Voutzas, as fire-fighting aircraft were unable to drop water due to the fact that it is a residential area.One front approached the main artery of Marathon Avenue, bringing traffic to a halt and causing bottlenecks in the greater region. The fire threatened to spread further afield in the area towards Pikermi and Koropi. Meanwhile, patients at the hospital for mentally handicapped children on Mount Penteli had to be evacuated as the fire approached the facility. Other fires were in progress in Kymi (Evia), Zakynthos, Neo Erineo (Aegio), Romano (Patra) and Cassandra (Halkidiki). Gov't statements : On his part, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the government was dealing with the problem of the fires, which he said were abetted by weather conditions, in a "cool-headed manner" and rejected opposition criticism as excessive. He said fire-fighting efforts, after the assignment of responsibility for forest fires to the fire brigade, had already borne better results this year than in the past. He added that an inquiry was in progress into the condition under which three fireme n lost their lives while battling fires on Mount Hymmetus on Wednesday, stressing it was unfair to say that they lacked experience, as two of them had a long service record. PM Costas Simitis said the state "would do its duty" to the families of the three lost firemen, whose funerals were due to take place yesterday and today. In reaction, New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis visited the headquarters of the Fire Brigade and was briefed on the latest fires. In statements later, he said the government bore the heaviest of responsibilities for the tragedy, due to an overall lack of equipment and the misguided transfer of responsibility for forest fires to the fire service. He claimed that the government was drafting legislation that would sharpen the appetite of all hopeful "land grabber-arsonists." Former ND prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis, meanwhile, urged the government to revise provisions in the Constitution dealing with the use of land, in a bid to combat forest fires. Mr. Mitsotakis made his appeal the day after three firemen and a volunteer forest-firefighter burned to death while battling a raging fire on the slopes of Mt. Hymmetus overlooking the Greek capital. "If we don't take this step, the greater Athens area will continue to be besieged by fires at a time when the State is completely dissolved," Mr. Mitsotakis told reporters. He also stressed the need for the Greek citizen to "reconcile" with the forest and to protect the burned expanses under a Constitutional provision. Representatives of the forestry rangers' union said they were not reclaiming responsibility for forest fires, but the government was responsible for the particular time it had opted to transfer responsibility to the fire brigade. They added that forest fires had peculiarities which firemen did not know. Two arrests : In another development, police in the prefecture of Ioannina said yesterday they had arrested a second suspected arsonist in the space of just a few days. Dimitrios Mageirias, 40, was arrested Wednesday night as he was about to start a fire in the area of Milia Metsovo. The suspect had been placed under surveillance by the police, who suspected him of starting two fires in the same area in the past. The fires destroyed about 20,000 square metres of black pine forest. At the time of his arrest, the man was carrying a container with four litres of gasoline. Mageirias later told reporters that he had wanted to start the fire to "warm his feet." Just a few days ago, Ioannina police arrested Nicholas Karagiannis, 27, the moment he was starting a fire in Ano Pedina, Zagori. Meanwhile, a 38-year-old farmer from Aegion in the northern Peloponnese was being treated in the intensive care unit at Patra General Hospital for serious burns covering most of his body. He was burned while trying to put out a fire which broke out near his land and then spread to the villages of Neratzies and Selianitika. Firemen posthumusly promoted : The public order ministry yesterday announced that the three firefighters will be given posthumus promotions. Specifically, the families of the three men will be granted two million drachmas, while the widows of the two married firemen will receive full pensions and benefits. The sister of the third fireman will be hired by the ministry. In a related development, authorities were not yet able to identify the fourth victim - a volunteer who lost his life in the same blaze - thus DNA testing will be conducted. Athens News AgencyAthens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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