Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-09-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] Gov't downplays rumours over new quake,calls for better preparation

[02] Rampant stocks again post new high

[03] Bonds stay low in light trade

[04] Budget spending meets annual target in Jan-Aug

[05] Brokers raise cash for quake victims

[06] Funds spent under public investments plan

[07] Economic congress in Athens at this weekend

[08] Bank of Cyprus nears Athens bourse application

[09] Miranda Xafa to Salomon Smith Barney/Citibank

[10] Lambrakis to hold Dr 63.25 bln share cap rise

[11] Info-Quest to buy 20 pct of US firm

[12] Athens Foreign Exchange

[13] Fateful Falcon's 'black box' to be analysed by German lab

[14] Condolences from Jospin, Moscovici and South African gov't

[15] Israeli, Palestinian condolences for Kranidiotis

[16] Second round of Greek-Turkish dialogue concluded on an oprimistic note

[17] Ecevit again calls for recognition of T/C pseudo-state

[18] Contraband cigarettes discovered aboard Russian vessel

[19] Simitis briefed by FM Papandreou in light of UN General Assembly

[20] Unofficial NATO meeting in Canada

[21] Greek teams' UEFA matchups

[22] Simitis-V. Papandreou meeting focuses on quake relief

[23] Europarliament endorses resolution on quake relief for Attica residents

[24] Business leaders discuss quake-related damages with Karamanlis

[25] Aftershock from same epicentre as Sept. 7 quake

[26] Amendments to legislation over industries' relocation

[27] Catering firm owner arrested for spoiled portions served to quake- stricken

[01] Gov't downplays rumours over new quake,calls for better preparation

Athens, 17/09/1999 (ANA)

"There is no scientifically proven ability to predict earthquakes," Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis reacted.

"Nowhere and nobody in the world has been able to document with clarity and accuracy the place, time and magnitude of earthquakes. Greek scientists and researchers have a duty to admit to an undeniable truth, which is valid for Greece and the entire world," the minister noted, in reference to a VAN early warning system prediction of an imminent major earthquake in the Lamia area.

Reports of the VAN prediction caused concern in Lamia and most of central Greece and Attica, where residents are still coming to terms with the effects of the destructive Sept. 7 quake, which killed 135 and left about 50,000 people homeless.

Mr. Laliotis was critical of those, as he said, who spread rumours of an impending earthquake, causing panic and worry amongst the public.

"Fifty percent of Europe's total seismic energy is released in our region and for this reason the state and citizens must get used to this fact and learn to live with earthquakes," he said.

It is clear that scientists and researchers are unable to accurately pinpoint an earthquake and this is apparent from the fact that... to date an earthquake has never been (successfully) predicted and the state has not been informed, he said.

He made clear that authorities had never been informed of the eventuality of a quake hitting the Attica region, as it did on Sept. 7. This was why when he received notice from the VAN team of an impending quake, he informed the public of the sub stance of the letter and immediately passed on the findings to a standing experts committee, as he noted.

"We need to be on constant watch and we have a duty to responsibly and honestly inform the public, because timely and credible information is the best response to uncontrollable rumour-mongering which creates concern, misinforms, frightens and panics," he said.

Committee critical of VAN prediction : A committee set up to evaluate the risk of earthquakes said yesterday that it could not make any sort of ruling on a prediction by the VAN system, because the team had failed to present any evidence.

The committee, which includes one of the founders of the system, concluded after an eventful 3.5-hour meeting that the VAN signal from Lamia was not sufficient to be scientifically documented or practically evaluated.

The ruling came after VAN researchers walked out of the meeting to protest the failure by the committee to tape-record the proceedings.

The committee's chair, Prof. Dimitris Papanikolaou, said the committee was unanimous in its conclusions and castigated the VAN team's decision to walk out before the meeting had begun.

"Whatever signals VAN says it has from Lamia, we didn't get them," he said.

He noted that Prof. Varotsos, one of the primary developers of the VAN system, also failed to appear for the meeting. He added that the VAN team had sent warnings of quakes five to six times in the past but had never been found true.

In a statement, the VAN team clarified that the letter sent to the ministry had mentioned an electronic signal picked up by the VAN station in Lamia, which did not mean that a quake would have the particular area as its epicentre.

It also stressed that in the two years the Lamia station has been in operation, it was the first time it had picked up a signal. The VAN team's interpretation was the best possible evaluation of parameters (location, time, magnitude) and took into consi deration existing difficulties such as the fact it was a new station and operating with a sparse network.

The VAN early warning system, first introduced after major earthquakes struck in the eastern Corinth Gulf in February-March l98l, bears the initials of the three Greek scientists who collaborated in devising it - two Athens University physicists, profes sors Varotsos and Alexopoulos, and Dr. Nomikos, an electronics expert.

In 1992, an international research programme based on the VAN method received European community subsidisation.

Some experts say that the VAN method has demonstrated that in precalibrated areas, it can determine with sufficiently great accuracy the time period, the region of the epicentre and the scale of the anticipated seismic activity.

Measurements have determined that a VAN device works best in a precalibrated area, namely, an area in which special measurements and studies had already been carried out. On such sites, the VAN method could provide reliable information to within l00 km of the epicentre, the magnitude within 0.5 unit on the Richter scale, and forecasting period between seven hours to 20 days.

The VAN system is one of several being used in a Japanese government research programme aimed at elaborating methods for predicting earth tremors, a Japanese researcher said in 1997.

But in 1995, a report by a European advisory committee on earthquake predictions said predictions employing the VAN method were "ambiguous".

The report said that it was impossible for a correct scientific conclusion to be garnered by studying only one parameter of seismic activity when the nature of electronic signals is still not understood by researchers.

The committee also referred to what it said was a communication problem between the VAN group and the rest of the scientific community.

Yesterday's meeting of leading seismologists said that post-quake activity in the region of the Mt. Parnes fault which was the epicentre of the Sept. 7 quake was developing normally on the basis of available evidence.

But, it said, given a period of increased seismic activity, the maintenance of additional protective measures such as checking buildings and avoiding residence in damaged buildings was recommended.

Athens News Agency

[02] Rampant stocks again post new high

Athens, 17/09/1999 (ANA)

The general index ended 2.27 percent higher at 6,321.31 points, its 52nd record this year, to stand 130.9 percent higher since the start of 1999.

Turnover was heavy at around 565 billion drachmas.

Dealers noted that the market had yet to show a real correction in its unbridled ascent.

During this period the market has jumped from 5,700 to 6,300 points.

Blue chip stocks remained at the focus of attention.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks (+2.05 pct), Insurance (+3.11 pct), Construction (+4.38 pct), Miscellaneous (+1.47 pct), Leasing (+2.57 pct), Investment (+7.16 pct), Industrials (+2.36 pct) and Holding (+2.73 pct).

The parallel market index for smaller capitalisation stocks ended 4.49 percent higher, while the FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chips and heavily traded stocks rose 1.65 percent to 3,249.68 points.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 264 to 40 with another five issues unchanged.

A total of 110 shares ended at the day's 8.0 percent limit up.

Hellenic Telecoms, Hellenic Petroleum and Bank of Piraeus were the most heavily traded stocks.

National Bank of Greece ended at 26,850 drachmas, Commercial Bank at 30,250, Alpha Credit Bank at 28,706, Titan Cement at 40,500, Hellenic Petroleum at 5,560, Intracom at 29,885, Minoan Lines at 9,650, Panafon at 9,800 and Hellenic Telecoms at 7,850.

Futures trade noses up : Trade on the newly created Athens Derivatives Exchange yesterday edged up to 3.1 billion drachmas from 2.6 billion drachmas in the previous session and 3.3 billion drachmas on Tuesday.

Equity futures on the FTSE/ASE 20 for September ended at 3,208.06 from 3, 174.23 a day earlier; for October at 3,169.50 from 3,131.53; and for November at 3,178.82 from 3,139.76.

Trades in November futures accounted for 1.7 billion drachmas of total turnover.

Athens News Agency

[03] Bonds stay low in light trade

Athens, 17/09/1999 (ANA)

In after-hours trading, institutional investors in London bought into 10- year bonds, traders said.

Electronic trade totalled 16 billion drachmas from 14 billion drachmas in the previous session and 29 billion drachmas on Tuesday.

The benchmark 10-year bond was still trading below par around 97, showing a yield of 6.70-6.74 percent from about 6.72 percent in the previous two sessions.

The 10-year paper's yield spread over German bunds was again around 168 basis points against 167 basis points on Tuesday and 165 basis points on Monday.

At the central bank's daily fix, the euro nosed up against the drachma.

The euro was set at 326.350 drachmas from 326.300 drachmas a day earlier and 326.460 drachmas on Tuesday.

The dollar crept down against the drachma.

At the fix, it was set at 313.980 drachmas from 314.370 drachmas in the previous session and 315.120 drachmas on Tuesday.

Athens News Agency

[04] Budget spending meets annual target in Jan-Aug

Athens, 17/09/1999 (ANA)

Primary spending increased by 4.3 percent in the same period, lower than a budgetary target of 5.5 percent for the year.

The State Accounting Office said, however, that spending on interest exceeded this year's target in the period January-August. It rose by 4.9 percent, sharply up from a 2.4 percent annual target.

"The rate of growth of spending on interest will continue to fall in the next few months, moving towards the 2.4 percent target," it said in a statement.

Athens News Agency

[05] Brokers raise cash for quake victims

Athens, 17/09/1999 (ANA)

The money raised from the association's 71 members is to be allocated to the victims and to the country's emergency rescue unit.

The association plans to collect more donations by widening its appeal to brokerage employees, clients and listed companies.

Athens News Agency

[06] Funds spent under public investments plan

Athens, 17/09/1999 (ANA)

The ministry said in a statement that 50.4 percent of co-financed projects under the programme had been completed.

Deputy National Economy Minister Christos Pahtas said the programme would continue at a faster pace in the next few months.

Athens News Agency

[07] Economic congress in Athens at this weekend

Athens, 17/09/1999 (ANA)

Athens Summit '99 will be inaugurated by President Kostis Stephanopoulos today at a ceremony on the Pnyx Hill.

Topics to be discussed include transport, telecommunications, information technology and environmental protection.

Invited to speak at the congress are the prime minister of Romania and officials from abroad including ministers of finance, transport and communications, development, energy, environment and labour.

Also invited are bank governors, presidents of chambers of commerce and industry, representatives of telecoms and labour confederations in the European Union, and representatives of corporations and research centres in Lithuania, Albania, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Armenia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

For the first time, the summit will feature bilateral and multilateral sideline meetings involving Greek and foreign politicians, businessmen and scientists.

The congress is organised by the Athens University of Economics and Business, the Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation and the General Confederation of Workers of Greece in association with the Greek ministries of environment, town planning and public works, transport and communications, and press and mass media.

Athens News Agency

[08] Bank of Cyprus nears Athens bourse application

Athens, 17/09/1999 (ANA)

Group Chairman Solon Triandafyllidis said yesterday that the percentage of capital destined for Greece was 12 percent of the Bank's entire capital following approval from Cyprus' central bank.

The figure now has be endorsed by shareholders at an extraordinary meeting on October 13 for the issue of 39 million shares.

The main underwriters are National Bank of Greece and Alpha Credit Bank. The adviser for the issue is Alpha Finance.

Athens News Agency

[09] Miranda Xafa to Salomon Smith Barney/Citibank

Athens, 17/09/1999 (ANA)

Ms Xafa, who has worked as an analyst for Salomon Brothers, is to handle Greek investments for the Citi Group spanning fixed-income securities, equities and foreign currency.

She was an economic adviser to former prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis of the New Democracy party, and a candidate in the Euroelections for the Liberals, headed by Stephanos Manos.

Athens News Agency

[10] Lambrakis to hold Dr 63.25 bln share cap rise

Athens, 17/09/1999 (ANA)

DOL Chairman Christos Lambrakis told a shareholders meeting that the company's 2000-2003 investment plan included expanding activities into the Internet through alliances with domestic information technology firms.

Present at the shareholders meeting were senior executives of Pouliades, Info-Quest and Plesio Computers.

The first step in DOL's Internet penetration would be the creation of the country's first major portal, due for launch early next month, Mr. Lambrakis said.

Athens News Agency

[11] Info-Quest to buy 20 pct of US firm

Athens, 17/09/1999 (ANA)

The terms of the acquisition and strategic alliance include the distribution of AremisSoft's products by Info-Quest.

Athens News Agency

[12] Athens Foreign Exchange

Athens, 17/09/1999 (ANA)

Parities in Drachmas

Banknotes             Buying  Selling
US Dollar             311.468 318.690
Can.Dollar            210.403 215.282
Australian Dlr        201.629 206.304
Pound Sterling        503.380 515.052
Irish Punt            411.064 420.595
Pound Cyprus          561.174 574.185
Pound Malta           727.250 757.552
Turkish pound (100)     0.064   0.067
French franc           49.354  50.498
Swiss franc           201.996 206.679
Belgian franc           8.025   8.211
German Mark           165.525 169.363
Finnish Mark           54.449  55.711
Dutch Guilder         146.906 150.312
Danish Kr.             43.559  44.569
Swedish Kr.            37.458  38.326
Norwegian Kr.          39.367  40.279
Austrian Sh.           23.527  24.073
Italian lira (100)     16.720  17.108
Yen (100)             299.376 306.317
Spanish Peseta          1.945   1.990
Port. Escudo            1.615   1.652

Foreign Exchange      Buying  Selling
New York              311.468 318.690
Montreal              210.403 215.282
Sydney                201.629 206.304
London                503.380 515.052
Dublin                411.064 420.595
Nicosia               561.174 574.185
Paris                  49.354  50.498
Zurich                201.996 206.679
Brussels                8.025   8.211
Frankfurt             165.525 169.363
Helsinki               54.449  55.711
Amsterdam             146.906 150.312
Copenhagen             43.559  44.569
Stockholm              37.458  38.326
Oslo                   39.367  40.279
Vienna                 23.527  24.073
Milan                  16.720  17.108
Tokyo                 299.376 306.317
Madrid                  1.945  1.990
Lisbon                  1.615  1.652

Athens News Agency

[13] Fateful Falcon's 'black box' to be analysed by German lab

Athens, 17/09/1999 (ANA)

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the black box was already in the hands of a German laboratory, which was of international standing. Also involved in the investigation into the cause of the accident will be a high- ranking member of the US Civil Aviation Authority.

The spokesman said the German lab was chosen over a French or British one to ensure the highest possible level of objectivity.

The Falcon is a French-made plane while the management of national Olympic Airways, which maintains the aircraft, has recently been taken over by British Airways. Mr. Reppas denied that the prime minister had ever doubted the quality of the plane's technical support and said that each time the plane was used "it was used in the certainty that it was completely safe."

"It is not realistic to assume that we knew there was a problem but that we went ahead and used it," he said, denying press reports yesterday that a similar but less serious incident had occurred when Prime Minister Costas Simitis had travelled to Vienna.

He admitted that there had been a minor incident on a return trip from Austria but said that this had been a routine incident and nothing out of the ordinary.

He also denied that Transport Minister Tassos Mandelis' job was in jeopardy, stressing that ministers could not be held responsible for issues which were the exclusive responsibility of specialised services.

The spokesman also said that discussions on a replacement for Kranidiotis will begin next week.

Mr. Reppas said it would be a mark of disrespect to begin any such talks before the minister's funeral was held. The body of the Nicosia native will lie in state until a funeral service at 1 p.m. today.

Condition of injured : The last and most serious of the three people injured in the accident was brought back to Athens yesterday evening.

Panayiotis Poulos, a cameraman with Greek state television, is listed as being in an extremely critical condition, while doctors said he is suffering from severe bruising of the lungs and other vital organs.

Mr. Poulos' condition was considered too critical to allow for his transfer to Athens from the Romanian hospital he was hospitalised immediately after the accident. The other two injured individuals - brought to Athens on Wednesday with the bodies of the six victims - are currently being treated in Athens hospitals.

Kranidiotis' office director, Grigoris Papadopoulos, 47, is listed as critical but in a stable condition. Doctors said the man was on a respirator and had sustained serious head injuries but no other serious harm to other vital organs.

Stewardess Anna Velissari suffered injuries to her spine but her doctors said that these would have no lasting effect and believe she may be discharged from hospital in the next few days.

Athens News Agency

[14] Condolences from Jospin, Moscovici and South African gov't

Athens, 17/09/1999 (ANA)

A similar message was also sent to Mr. Papandreou from France's Minister Delegate for European Affairs, Pierre Moscovici, expressing his shock at the death of Kranidiotis, his son and four other persons.

"I was due to see Yannos in Paris at the beginning of next month. I am shattered. At this time of mourning for your country, I would like to express my deep sorrow and very warm sympathy. A friend of the Greek people, I share your pain," Mr. Moscovici said.

The government of South Africa also expressed its condolences.

A statement issued by the South African Department of Foreign Affairs extended its "heartfelt sympathy and condolences" to the Greek government, Kranidiotis' family, and the families of the other five victims. It noted that Kranidiotis had recently visi ted South Africa on two occasions "and was personally committed to the promotion of the ties of friendship between our two countries".

In a similar message, the South African ambassador to Greece, David Jacobs, also conveyed his condolences over the "tragic loss of a well-liked and very capable colleague".

"In my personal dealings with him on bilateral matters, I always found him to be very warm and open, well informed and genuinely interested. Your loss is also ours," Mr. Jacobs said.

Athens News Agency

[15] Israeli, Palestinian condolences for Kranidiotis

Athens, 17/09/1999 (ANA)

Kranidiotis spearheaded the effort to bring together Israeli and Palestinian politicians, opinion makers and academics closer together in parallel efforts to the Mideast peace negotiations. "We, Israelis and Palestinians, who have the political responsi bility for decision-making and opinion formulation...bow our heads in sorrow and respect..." a joint press release read.

Athens News Agency

[16] Second round of Greek-Turkish dialogue concluded on an oprimistic note

ISTANBUL, 17/09/1999 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

A joint announcement issued afterwards by the two delegations stated that meetings between the high-level missions from the foreign ministries of Greece and Turkey to continue the dialogue which has got underway will resume in the second fortnight in October.

The two delegations met for about four hours and exchanged views on issues concerning smuggling, the combatting of organised crime and terrorism.

"Pursuant to the first round of talks held in July, senior officials from the foreign ministries of Greece and Turkey met for a second round in Athens (9 and 10 Sept. 1999) and Ankara (15 and 16 Sept. 1999) to discuss issues concerning tourism, the envi ronment, economic and trade relations, culture, cooperation at a multipartite regional level and the struggle against organised crime, illegal immigration, drug trafficking and terrorism," the joint announcement read.

It further noted that the meetings were held in a cordial atmosphere and in a spirit of cooperation. The two delegations referred to the human pain created in Turkey and Greece by the recent earthquakes and noted the spontaneous reactions of the two cou ntry's societies. They also praised the friendly atmosphere created between the two countries following these events.

The two delegations, it went on to say, set out their views and ideas which they had expressed during the first round of the talks and decided to reach agreement frameworks where it will be necessary either to proceed with other actions to facilitate co operation in the aforesaid sectors.

"The two delegations agreed that the agenda of the next round of talks will include all the aforementioned sectors. In addition, they agreed on the methodology for the next round of talks which will take place in the second half of October with the corr esponding delegations being enlarged with participants from relevant services," the announcement concluded.

The Greek delegation was headed by ambassadors Constantinos Gerokostopoulos and Anastasios Skopelitis, while the Turkish side was headed by ambassador Faruk Logoglu.

Athens News Agency

[17] Ecevit again calls for recognition of T/C pseudo-state

ISTANBUL, 17/09/1999 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

"The 'Turkish republic of northern Cyprus' should be recognised as an independent state," Mr. Ecevit said in a statement to Turkish television.

"We are open to dialogue of every kind, but the 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' should be recognised first," Mr. Ecevit further noted and added that "our policy on the Cyprus issue is not a government policy but a national policy."

Referring to Greek-Turkish relations, Mr. Ecevit said that "dialogue appears to be productive and friendly for the time being", and that "the dialogue which has started between the two foreign ministers can help towards a start to a Greek-Turkish dialogue."

Athens News Agency

[18] Contraband cigarettes discovered aboard Russian vessel

Athens, 17/09/1999 (ANA)

Athens News Agency

[19] Simitis briefed by FM Papandreou in light of UN General Assembly

Athens, 17/09/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Papandreou briefed the premier on his meetings he has scheduled in New York, including those with US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem.

Mr. Papandreou said two multipartite meetings will be pursued - the first between EU foreign ministers and the other between corresponding NATO member-states' foreign ministers - while the extraordinary European Council in Tampere, Finland, has already been scheduled for October to focus on interior, public order, Schengen Pact and Human Rights Charter issues.

Athens News Agency

[20] Unofficial NATO meeting in Canada

MONTREAL, 17/09/1999 (ANA - I. Frangouli)

NATO Secretary General Javier Solana is expected to preside over the meeting, which will focus on alliance defence issues but without a set agenda.

Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos will represent Greece at the meeting, where 450 representatives will participate.

Athens News Agency

[21] Greek teams' UEFA matchups

Athens, 17/09/1999 (ANA)

In another game in Georgia, this time in the capital of Tbilisi, PAOK Thessaloniki all but assured its qualification for the next round by overwhelming Locomotiv Tbilisi by 7-0.

Panathinaikos Athens also won by 1-0 away in its UEFA matchup by beating Nova Goritsa of Slovenia. In two matchups held in Greece, Ionikos Piraeus lost at home from Nantes 3-1 in the first game of their UEFA Cup matchup. In the other game played in Greece, Aris Thessaloniki tied at home with Geneva's Servette 1-1. All the return matches will take place in two weeks.

Athens News Agency

[22] Simitis-V. Papandreou meeting focuses on quake relief

Athens, 17/09/1999 (ANA)

Following the meeting, Ms Papandreou stated that it was "a regular meeting with the premier concerning the problems confronted after the destructive earthquake." She added that conditions in camps set up to shelter the homeless of the quake were improving daily, while efforts were underway to satisfy the requests of citizens.

In a related development, a delegation of the Armenian Community of Greece donated a 10-million-drachma check to Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis for the quake relief fund.

The delegation also expressed their condolences over the death of Alternate FM Yannos Kranidiotis and the other five victims of Tuesday's airplane accident.

Athens News Agency

[23] Europarliament endorses resolution on quake relief for Attica residents

STRASBOURG, 17/09/1999 (ANA - C. Haralambopoulos)

The proposal had been jointly made by Greek Eurodeputies Marietta Yiannakou from the main opposition New Democracy party, G. Katiforis from the ruling PASOK party, Mihalis Papayiannakis and Alekos Alavanos from the Coalition of the Left and Progress, Stratis Korakas from the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and Dimitris Koulourianos and Costas Bakopoulos from the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI).

The Parliament assessed that the issue of the creation of a European Research Institute should be urgently examined for the systematic study and implementation of new methods of early warning of seismic activity.

Lastly, the Parliament called on the Commission in its resolution to examine possibilities of improving the effectiveness of aid provided in major humanitarian disasters both within or outside the European Union and submit a report to the Parliament on its findings.

Athens News Agency

[24] Business leaders discuss quake-related damages with Karamanlis

Athens, 17/09/1999 (ANA)

Representatives of the Federation of Greek Industries (SEB), the General Confederation of Small Manufacturers and Professionals (GSEBEE), the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EBEA) and the Chamber of Light Industry met with Mr. Karamanlis. They all expressed concerns over the damages and cost of repairs for businesses.

They also noted the need for immediate and long-term assistance by the state to 35,000 firms directly or indirectly affected by the quake.

Athens News Agency

[25] Aftershock from same epicentre as Sept. 7 quake

Athens, 17/09/1999 (ANA)

Athens News Agency

[26] Amendments to legislation over industries' relocation

Athens, 17/09/1999 (ANA)

Presidential Decree 84/84 will be amended immediately, which defines conditions for relocation, to enable businesses struck by the recent earthquake to undertake relevant initiatives, while a new legislative intervention amending the existing institutio nal framework in its entirety will take place at a second stage.

Development Minister Evangelos Venizelos announced that in making changes in the institutional framework the town planning and environmental study for Attica, being carried out by the Athens Polytechnic, will be taken into consideration, as well as the amendment of Attica town planning based also on new data resulting from the Sept. 7 earthquake in Athens.

Meanwhile, Mr. Venizelos had a meeting with representatives of social partner federations, societies and unions, where the specialisation of measures being taken by the government to support businesses struck by the earthquake was discussed, both for building installations and goods and raw materials.

Athens News Agency

[27] Catering firm owner arrested for spoiled portions served to quake- stricken

Athens, 17/09/1999 (ANA)

Some 290 servings of roast chicken and 662 servings of salad destined to be distributed to quake victims were confiscated by health and sanitation officials.

The name of the suspect was identified as Elisabeth Papadopoulou, while the firm was listed as "Macduck".

She is scheduled to appear before an prosecutor. The ethnic Palestinian community of Athens yesterday called on its members to donate blood for the victims of the Sept. 7 earthquake, during a campaign on Sunday morning at the Palestinian community offices.

Athens News Agency

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