Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-03-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece finalizes deal for 50 F-16s

[02] Premier and main opposition leader agree to face off in televised debate

[03] Gov't, opposition clash over stock market moves

[04] Wire report from Moscow says FM Papandreou expected to meet with Putin this month

[05] Greece's foreign policy a positive security factor in Balkans, says Papandreou

[06] Portuguese FM to visit Greece on Monday

[07] Portuguese ambassador welcomes Greek EMU application

[08] Greek, Turkish foreign ministers to receive award by Atlantic Treaty Union

[09] Gov't calls latest trilateral meeting of Balkan FMs 'useful'

[10] US presidential envoy discusses 'some new ideas' with Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides

[11] President Clerides to pay four-day working visit to Paris

[12] Israeli ambassador says Cyprus solution would help Middle East peace process

[13] President Stephanopoulos to be sworn in Saturday for second consecutive term

[14] ND leader accuses government of propaganda

[15] Parties of the left organise conference in Athens

[16] Annual income limits will increase for beneficiaries of large family benefits

[17] General Confederation of Workers of Greece and employers' organisations fail to agree on new collective labour agreement

[18] Five commercial banks announce interest rates cut

[19] Greek stocks end week sharply lower

[20] Equity futures end mixed in derivatives trade

[21] Bond prices drop in sell-off

[22] Drachma falls vs euro, firms vs dollar

[23] EFG Eurobank appoints head for new investment subsidiary

[24] Halyvdofylla announces Balkan expansion plans

[25] London-based investors attend Greek derivatives seminar

[26] Traffic police alerted to assist holidaymakers and motorists

[27] Victoria State tourism praises OA decision to continue Melbourne route

[28] Olympics

[29] Australian political leader calls on Blair to aid in Parthenon Marbles' return to Greece

[30] Greenpeace refers to illegal import of mutated seeds, while agriculture minister says all seeds to be checked

[31] Four tons of contraband cigarettes seized by Italian customs

[32] The Athens dailies at a glance

[01] Greece finalizes deal for 50 F-16s

Greece finalized a $1.77-billion deal with Washington on Friday for the acquisition of 50 F-16 C/D (Block +50) warplanes to supplement its current fleet of F-16s.

The contract calls for the purchase of 34 one-seater F-16C fighter planes and 16 two-seater F-16Ds, with the option to buy another 10 US-made third generation warplanes if necessary.

However, the agreement doesnt include the final selection for the engine model for the warplanes, as well as the all-important counter-measures system, as relevant procedures will be decided in late April or early May, after the Greek general elections on April 9.

Conversely, the new Lockheed Martin-assembled planes will reportedly field all the weapons systems the Hellenic Air Force had requested from the national defense ministrys leadership -- sans the CDU-87 cluster bomb ordnance dispenser -- which has reportedly been secured from other sources.

A timetable in the contract calls for delivery to begin in 30 months, with completion within 18 months. Additionally, the subcontracting portion of the deal totals some $250 million allocated between 20 Greek firms, or roughly 18 percent of the purchase. Upgrades and spare parts for the Greek air forces other F-16s are also included at no cost.

The contract was signed in the presence of National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos and US ambassador in Athens Nicholas Burns.

[02] Premier and main opposition leader agree to face off in televised debate

Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Friday invited main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis which the latter accepted.

Speaking in Parliament during an off the agenda debate on the "terms and pre-conditions of the pre-election confrontation of the parties", Karamanlis claimed that the TV debate was "lacking, because the leaders of three other, smaller parties represented in the legislature will be excluded.

Simitis said that Karamanlis' call for an open debate with all political leaders was an attempt to hide the fact that he is "dodging the fight of our debate", adding that Karamanlis' argument would have been more believable had he conducted a debate with leaders of other parties.

The debate will be conducted by journalists asking questions to the two leaders who will answer independently and not through a direct dialogue between them, as Karamanlis had requested, but Simitis declined. A similar debate was held before the last general election between Simitis and former ND leader Miltiades Evert in 1996.

Simitis said that Karamanlis called for the Parliament debate just for show, adding that the ND leader was using the parliament "for one or two television sound bites", avoiding dialogue on essential issues.

On his part, Karamanlis called the state run radio and television, ERT, a government "subsidiary", claiming it was led by the government alone, "as it under-promotes the initiatives of opposition parties".

Responding to the accusation, Simitis noted that ERT has overcome the one party control it was subjected to, during the ND rule.

He stressed that ERT has covered events featuring the govern-ment and the premier 24 times, where as it has covered events featuring opposition parties 34 times, since the beginning of the year.

[03] Gov't, opposition clash over stock market moves

The Athens Stock Exchange's (ASE) recent sharp decline was the focus of an off-the-agenda discussion in the Greek Parliament on Friday, with political leaders clashing over the issue.

"We have made clear our position. The stock market is a useful institution for investments, it's a market. Political parties and the government should not intervene..." Prime Minister Costas Simitis said.

He added that the Capital Markets' Committee has the regulatory authority over the ASE and that all findings should be published to better inform Greece's citizens.

Simitis also stressed that the economy was on the right track and predicted that the bourse would move to higher levels in the long term.

Earlier, main opposition ND leader Costas Karamanlis accused the government of "mud-slinging" against his party, claiming leaks from the national economy ministry and the ruling PASOK party pointed to New Democracy as engineering the stock market's slide on Thursday -- the same day that the Greek government submitted a formal application for EMU member-ship.

Karamanlis said this move "would be ludicrous and inconceivable, as ND neither wants, nor can it do such a thing."

Other opposition party leaders

Leaders of the small opposition parties referred to developments at the Athens Stock Exchange during their addresses in an off-the-agenda Parliamentary debate on the election campaign on Friday, with Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga saying that the Stock Exchange can be checked as much as the parties' finances can. Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos said that if the government wished to shield the Stock Exchan-ge's operation and protect the interests of small investors it should have taken measures long ago. On his part, Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas said that the two mainstream parties are preoccupied with the Stock Exchange for petty-partisan reasons.

Papariga said KKE's election percentage is determined primarily by the development of the popular movement, without this meaning that her party closed its eyes before unequal election conditions. Referring to the parties' presentation by the media, Papariga said KKE's election programmes are broadcast after midnight and in this way minority views do not have the opportunity of obtaining greater influence.

Constantopoulos said that the debate should have taken place earlier and stressed that the early elections have not been adequately justified and that the present election law creates artificial Parliamentary majorities.

Tsovolas criticised both Prime Minister Costas Simitis and main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis for being absent from Parliament during his address. He said the election campaign has taken the form of grants, promises and talk of scandals. He further expressed opposition to the election law which gives fewer seats to smaller parties than those corresponding to them and called on the people to reject the logic of lost votes.

[04] Wire report from Moscow says FM Papandreou expected to meet with Putin this month

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou will travel to Moscow on March 19 for a two-day working visit, Russia's Itar-Tass news agency reported on Friday.

Quoting a diplomatic source in the Russian capital, the news agency said Papandreou is expected to meet with acting Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as his counterpart Ivan Ivanov.

Political analysts in Moscow were also quoted as saying that issues related to upgraded regional security and even bilateral military technology cooperation could be on the agenda of talks.

[05] Greece's foreign policy a positive security factor in Balkans, says Papandreou

Greece's foreign policy instills a feeling of security in the Balkans, Foreign Minister George Papandreou said on Friday, during a press conference in Patra, the Peloponnese.

Papandreou visited Patra to address an event entitled "Greece after the Helsinki summit" organised by the Institute of Strategic and Development Studies Andreas Papandreou, in the city's chamber of commerce. Papandreou made special note of the Greek-Turkish rapproche-ment, saying that the agreements between Greece and Turkey will bring about 5 billion euro to the Greek economy. He also said that Greece is a European model in the Balkans, which is the role suited to the Greek people, while historically it falls upon PASOK to act on it.

He said that the government provided proof that it can adjust to international changes, adding that in a few days he will visit Lisbon, along with Prime Minister Costas Simitis, to discuss the problem of unemployment in the European Union.

[06] Portuguese FM to visit Greece on Monday

Portuguese Foreign Minister Jaime Gama will arrive in Athens on Monday to meet with his Greek counterpart Geo-rge Papandreou and discuss issues of European Union concern, as Portugal currently holds the six-month rotating presidency of the Union, a press officer of the Portuguese presidency said on Friday. Following his visit to Athens, Gama will travel to Ankara, where he will discuss Turkey's Union candidacy with the country's political leadership, while discussions on the Cyprus problem and the island republic's Union accession course may also be discussed, the official said.

[07] Portuguese ambassador welcomes Greek EMU application

The Portuguese EU presidency is particularly satisfied with Greece's application for EMU membership, Portugal's ambas-sador in Athens Fernando Neves told a news conference on Friday.

Replying to an ANA question, Neves said: "It is a positive step towards EU integration and reflects the substantial progress of the Greek economy in line with that of the other EU member-states."

"We welcome this development and we are certain that this is the position of the other states. The Portuguese presidency is happy that a final decision will be taken at an EU summit in Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal, in June because both our country and Greece share many common characteristics and they are inspired by the same visions," he said.

[08] Greek, Turkish foreign ministers to receive award by Atlantic Treaty Union

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou and his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem will receive the highest award of the Atlantic Treaty Union plenum, which met in Antalya, Turkey.

The Greek Chapter of the Atlantic Treaty Union President Theodosis Georgiou nominated on Friday two foreign ministers, during the 10th annual International Conference on Security and Cooperation organised by the Atlantic Treaty Union, under the auspices of Turkish President Suleyman Demirel, the Turkish Parliament and the Turkish Chapter of the Atlantic Treaty Union.

The award ceremony will take place in Budapest in October.

The Atlantic Treaty Union was created in NATO member-states to garner popular support for the alliance.

[09] Gov't calls latest trilateral meeting of Balkan FMs 'useful'

Athens on Friday called the weekend trilateral meeting between the foreign ministers of Greece, Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) "useful and positive".

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas also praised the adoption of resolution 1244 by the UN Security Council recently, which maintains that borders in the Balkans must not be altered.

[10] US presidential envoy discusses 'some new ideas' with Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides

US Presidential Emissary for Cyprus Alfred Moses said here on Friday he discussed "some new ideas" with the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides, which take into account their concerns and will hopefully help them bridge their differences.

Speaking at a press conference after three days of talks on the island, Moses appeared hopeful that there will be some movement towards a settlement, noting that things are "moving in the right direction" and stressing the need to intensify the peace process which began with proximity talks under the UN in December last year and will continue in May in New York.

"I did discuss some new ideas, we are still in the early stages, to expose them to the sun would kill them," Moses told the press, and comparing his ideas to a bud, he said if these are exposed, they would become "old and wither" and have no chance to be nurtured.

Asked if his ideas can help bridge the gap between the positions of the two sides, he said "the ideas I have, take into account and respect the fundamental interests of the both sides", pointing out that neither side will reveal at the negotiating table the limits to which it could go.

Replying to questions about the possibility of seeing his ideas put into effect, he said he expects to "have buds but not flowers" adding that " a floral arrangement" is out of the question before May 23 but "you may get a very sweet smell." Moses said he was encouraged by the "commitment of both sides" to the peace process which should be pursued if a comprehensive settlement is to be reached and said he intents to return to Cyprus before the start of the third round of talks on May 23.

"Now we have the two parties engaging intensely on the issues that divide them to see if we can move towards a comprehensive settlement later this year," the American diplomat said.

[11] President Clerides to pay four-day working visit to Paris

Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides will hold meetings with French President Jacques Chirac and members of the French National assembly during his four-day working visit to the French capital. Clerides, who leaves for Paris on Monday morning, will start his meetings on Wednesday with a talk before the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly. On the same day he will meet its president, Laurent Fabius and will attend a luncheon given in his honour by the Foreign Affairs Committee chairman, Jack Lang.

The president will later meet his French counterpart, Chirac.

On Thursday, President Clerides will have a working breakfast with the chairman of the Cyprus - France Friendship Group at the Senate, Jean Faure, and Xavier de Villepin, president of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee of the Senate.

The president, who will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides and government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou, will depart for Larnaca on Thursday.

[12] Israeli ambassador says Cyprus solution would help Middle East peace process

Israeli Ambassador to Cyprus, Shemi Tzur, said on Friday that a solution to the Cyprus problem would help efforts in the Middle East peace process.

Tzur told CNA that it is about time to settle the Cyprus problem to the benefit of Cyprus and the region in general.

Reffering to a meeting he had on Friday with ruling Democratic Rally party leader Nicos Anastasiades, Tzur said they discussed bilateral relations and Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides' official visit to Israel by the end of March.

The Israeli diplomat described it is a "very important visit", during which a cooperation agreement will be signed between the two countries' foreign ministries.

He said he discussed with Anastasiades the Cyprus problem and the Middle East peace process, and that he "expressed our policy of supporting all international efforts, in order to reach a workable solution" to the Cyprus question.

Responding to questions regarding the Cyprus problem, Tzur said "we have to be optimistic and to be encouraged to work at all efforts", adding that "26 years is too long and it is about time a solution was found to the benefit of the Cypriots and for the region."

He added "stability in the eastern Mediterranean is important to the peace process in the Middle East, and it is important to the whole area".

The diplomat replied positively to a question when asked if progress in the Cyprus problem could help the Middle East peace process.

[13] President Stephanopoulos to be sworn in Saturday for second consecutive term

President of the Republic Costis Stephanopoulos, who was recently re-elected by parliament with a sweeping majority, will be sworn in Saturday for a second five-year term during a special ceremony in the House.

Stephanopoulos was last month re-elected by the 300-member House with the largest majority of votes ever (269) in Greece, supported, in another first, by both the ruling PASOK and main opposition New Democracy parties, as well as all seven independent MPs in parliament.

After the swearing-in ceremony, the President will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, from where he will return to the Presidential Mansion to receive congratulations from the country's political leaders, diplomatic corps and judiciary.

Stephanopoulos is the seventh President since the founding of the Greek State, and the fifth individual to occupy the post since the restoration of democracy in Greece after the collapse of the 1967-74 military junta.

The first post-dictatorship President of the Republic was academic Michail Stasinopoulos, followed by Constantine Tsatsos, Constantine Karamanlis (who served from 1980-85 and again from 1990-95), Christos Sartzetakis (1985-1990) and today's Stephanopoulos.

President Stephanopoulos was born in Patras, southern Greece, in 1926. He studied law at Athens University and worked as a lawyer for many years. In 1964 he was elected a member of Parliament for the first time in the Achaia prefecture with the conservative National Radical Union (ERE) party. In 1974 he became a member of the conservative New Democracy party and was later elected a member of the party's Central Committee. He also served as ND's Parliamentary representative. He was also a candidate for ND's leadership twice, in December 1981 and September 1984.

On September 6, 1985, after already having quit the ND party, he founded the Democratic Renewal (DHANA) party. Nine ND deputies joined his new party. He was leader of the DHANA party for about nine years but in 1994, after the party's failure in Euroelections, he dissolved it and withdrew from active politics.

On March 8, 1995, he was elected President of the Republic, following a proposal by the Political Spring party and with support by the PASOK party.

He has served as Deputy Trade Minister (1974), Interior Minister (1974-1976), Social Services Minister (1976-1977) and Minister to the Prime Minister's Office (1977-1981).

He is a widower and has two sons and a daughter.

[14] ND leader accuses government of propaganda

Main opposition New Democracy party (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis on Friday accused the government of "using television advertisements and plans of projects in order to replace reality".

Speaking to a rally of about 5,000 ND supporters in Lamia, central Greece, Karamanlis said that the government "continues to be led by developments, it could not see coming".

"The governmental policies were destructive for the wide groups of the Greek population and unjust to those who are permanently wronged," he said. He also accused the government of propaganda schemes and called on his audience to answer whether there is corruption in Greece.

[15] Parties of the left organise conference in Athens

Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos), the Renewal Movement of the Ecological Left (AKOA), the Ecological Alternative party and the Radical Left Movement (PAK) organised a one-day conference in Athens on Friday on current problems and prospects of the left in light of the recent international economic developments.

In his address, Synaspismos leader Nikos Constantopoulos said that the conference was organised to discuss the ideological and theoretical pursuits of the left, which will continue after the elections as well, aiming at the exchange of opinions, for a more collective initiative of the left.

Constantopoulos questioned the value of the present political scene, where the two major parties dominate the political scene, while at the same time polls show that their credibility has been declining. Other leaders of the left also addressed the conference, agreeing with Constantopoulos' proposal for a continuation of such events, following the elections.

[16] Annual income limits will increase for beneficiaries of large family benefits

More people with large families will be entitled to benefits from now on since the government intends to increase annual income limits for the beneficiaries of such benefits.

Regarding payments of benefits for the third child, the income limits will increase from seven million to eight million drachmas. The amount payable to the mother of many children increases from eight to 10 million drachmas, while the income limits for each child after the fourth one increases by one million drachmas. Moreover, the annual income limits for payment of pension benefits to the mother with many children increases from three million to 3.5 million drachmas.

Addressing a joint press conference on Friday, Deputy Health and Welfare Minister Theodoros Kotsonis and Deputy Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis said that these limits are valid from January 1, 2000 and money due will be paid retroactively.

[17] General Confederation of Workers of Greece and employers' organisations fail to agree on new collective labour agreement

The second meeting between the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) and employers' organisations on the signing of a new national collective labour agreement ended in failure on Friday after employers proposed a 2.5 percent salary increase and GSEE a 5 percent pay hike.

GSEE President Christos Polyzogopoulos said later that a day after the tabling of the country's application for accession to Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), with many positive elements for the economy, the employers are insisting on the policies of low salaries and big profits.

He said that GSEE, despite the fact the country is going through an election period, will pursue the signing of a satisfactory agreement and will convene its Executive Committee immediately to determine the position of labour.

[18] Five commercial banks announce interest rates cut

Five more Greek commercial banks announced on Friday they were cutting the loans and deposits interest rates, following a Bank of Greece decision to cut its intervention rates by 75 basis points on Wednesday.

Alpha Credit Bank, Ionian Bank, Eurobank, Attica Bank and ETBAbank announced lower interest rates, following a similar move by National Bank of Greece, Commercial Bank and Popular Bank.

[19] Greek stocks end week sharply lower

Equity prices ended the last trading session of a turbulent week sharply lower on the Athens Stock Exchange on Friday, hit by pre-election clashes between the government and the main opposition party ND over the stock market's course.

Dealers said news that the Capital Markets' Committee began an official inquiry on charges of stock market manipulation, also depressed sentiment in the market.

Trading was nervous and extremely volatile. The general index ended at 4,863.55 points, losing 0.04 percent, off the day's highs of 4,917.73 and the day's lows of 4,756.71 points. The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended at 2,747.84 points, up 0.20 percent, but the FTSE/ASE 40 index fell 1.14 percent to 705.55 points.

Shares in the parallel market of small capitalisation stocks were particularly hit. The parallel market index for smaller capitalisation stocks ended at 910.33 points, down 5.89 percent. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 232 to 101 with another nine issues unchanged.

Esha, Themeliodomi, Ridenco, Seafarm Ionian, Mohlos, Hera-cles Cement, Coumbas and Atticat scored the biggest percentage gains. Naftemporiki, Athinea, Attica Publications and Klonatex (p) suffered the heaviest percentage losses.

Athens Water, Hellenic Telecoms and ETBAbank were the most heavily traded stocks.

[20] Equity futures end mixed in derivatives trade

Equity futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished flat to lower on Friday, roughly in line with the stock indices on which they are based. On the Athens bourse, the FTSE/ASE 20 index ended 0.20 percent up; and the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index closed 1.14 percent lower. Turnover fell to 9.6 billion drachmas from 11.3 billion drachmas a day earlier. A total of 1,415 contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20, showing turnover of 7.8 billion drachmas. The contracts ended as follows: expiring March at 2,751.95; expiring April at 2,775.50; and expiring May at 2,787.21. Futures traded on the FTSE/ASE MID 40 numbered 636, with turnover at 1.8 billion drachmas. Contracts closed as follows: expiring March at 702.98; expiring April at 712.28; and expiring May at 730.

[21] Bond prices drop in sell-off

Bond prices in the domestic secondary market dropped on Friday in profit-taking by institutional investors, following a sharp rise this week, traders said. In the previous session, a wave of buying had been followed by a sell-off, which continued through Friday.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 6.28 percent from 6.26 percent a day earlier and 6.33 percent on Wednesday. The paper's yield spread over German bunds was 91 basis points for the second straight session from 88-89 basis points in the two trading days before that.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 112 billion drachmas from 85 billion drachmas a day earlier and 56 billion drachmas on Wednesday. Sell orders accounted for around 75 billion drachmas of Friday's turnover. Warburg Dillon said in a market report for customers earlier this week that Greek 15- and 20-year bonds were attractive buys for investors.

[22] Drachma falls vs euro, firms vs dollar

The drachma retreated against the euro and gained on the US dollar in the domestic foreign exchange market on Friday with no major inflows or outflows seen, traders said.

At the central bank's daily fixing, the euro was set at 333.740 drachmas from 333.530 drachmas a day earlier and 333.570 drachmas in the two previous sessions.

Also at the fixing, the US dollar was set at 345.320 to the drachma from 346.720 drachmas in the previous trading day and 348.810 drachmas on Wednesday.

[23] EFG Eurobank appoints head for new investment subsidiary

EFG Eurobank announced on Friday that it had appointed its consultant, Nikolaos Karamouzis, to head a new investment subsidiary it has created jointly with Ergobank.

Karamouzis is to become president and managing director of EFG Finance, which will undertake fund management and investment banking activities. The new firm will work closely with Deutsche Bank, a strategic partner. EFG Eurobank and Ergobank, which are both listed on the Athens bourse, are in the process of merging.

[24] Halyvdofylla announces Balkan expansion plans

Halyvdofylla, a listed steel products manufacturer, on Friday announced plans to expand its activities in the Balkans and the creation of a new company with the aim to exploit the parent's real estate assets.

The company's chairman H.Sotiriou told a general shareholders' meeting that the new company will try to better exploit the parent's real estate assets, which included 41 stremmata in Oinofyta and 27 stremmata in Thiva, north of Attica, 54 stremmata in Serres, Northern Greece, and 31 stremmata at its factory site. Sotiriou said that the purchase of a 30 percent stake in Romania's General Construct opened the door for the company's entry in the wider Balkan region. He said that a new aluminium processing unit in Oinofyta will begin operation in November. The investment is expected to exceed 700 million drachmas.

Sotiriou said that the company's offices will be transported to Oinofyta in order to sell its current property in Rendi, western Athens, to Socrates Kokkalis, Intracom's chairman.

Halyvdofylla reported a spectacular 380 percent rise in its 1999 profits to 85 million drachmas from 17 million the previous year. The company plans a 5-6 billion drachmas share capital increase to fund the acquisition of new companies.

[25] London-based investors attend Greek derivatives seminar

Representatives of major international investment houses operating in London attended a seminar on Greek equity and bond futures held by the Athens Derivatives Exchange (ADEX) in London.

The seminar, which forms part of a publicity campaign by ADEX abroad, focused on the role the newly created market can play in southeastern Europe.

ADEX president Panayotis Alexakis told reporters that participants had shown keen interest in Greek financial markets.

[26] Traffic police alerted to assist holidaymakers and motorists

The traffic police have been alerted to assist holidaymakers during the three-day Carnival exodus into the countryside. If necessary, an extra lane will be provided for motorists on the Athens-Corinth motorway as thousands of holidaymakers are expected to head for the port city of Patras.

From 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday trucks are forbidden to use both the new and old Athens-Corinth motorway. Traffic arrangements are also expected to be made on other motorways as well. Holidaymakers will have good weather on their side which, according to the Meteorological Service, will continue into Monday.

[27] Victoria State tourism praises OA decision to continue Melbourne route

Victoria State's tourism minister expressed his government's satisfaction this week over state-owned Olympic Airway's decision to continue its flights between Greece and southeastern Australia.

"I'm glad that Olympic reconsidered its decision and will continue its Melbourne route," Yiannis Pantazopoulos, the Greek-Australian minister said.

He also said he has asked Victoria's tourism organisation to cooperate with OA to better promote the airline and the state in Europe.

As expected, Melbourne's expatriate Greek community praised news of the decision's reversal, emphasising however, that one flight per week to Greece cannot cover the Australian metropolis' needs.

[28] Olympics

In an unrelated development, it was announced in Sydney this week that a statue of the first modern Olympics marathon winner, Greek athlete Spyros Louis at the 1896 Athens Games, will be placed in a coastal suburb of the city.

Sydney will host the 2000 Olympics in a few months.

Additionally, the Sydney Olympics organising committee announced that a Hellenic-style monument financed by Australia's ethnic Greek communities will be erected outside the Olympic Stadium.

[29] Australian political leader calls on Blair to aid in Parthenon Marbles' return to Greece

The leader of South Australia's labour party sent a letter to British Prime Minister Tony Blair requesting of him to intervene for the Parthenon Marbles' return to Greece.

He noted that he believes that if the return of the Marbles of the Parthenon to Greece coincides with the Olympic Games of 2004 in Athens, Britain and Greece will be given the chance to further improve their relations for the benefit of both.

[30] Greenpeace refers to illegal import of mutated seeds, while agriculture minister says all seeds to be checked

The international environmentalist organisation Greenpeace stressed on Friday that the illegal import of mutated seeds and the Agriculture Ministry's unacceptable inertia are threate-ning thousands of cotton producers.

Activists of the organisation organised a protest outside the Agriculture Ministry, where they brought a ton of cotton and scattered it in the air with two big fans, as a warning for the danger of genetic pollution.

They also placed an effigy of Frankenstein on the ministry's steps to show that cultivations of mutated organisms lead to the creation of "Frankenstein plants" which are dangerous for the environment and public health.

"Regardless of origin, all Greek and imported cotton seeds will be checked for their quality and genetic material, while every new import will also be accompanied from now on, following a relevant decision by the European Union, by a genetic material analysis certificate," Agriculture Minister George Anomeritis said on the issue.

He reiterated the determination of both himself and the government to protect cotton production, its quality, health and the producer himself from familes of seeds and cotton which are genetically mutated

[31] Four tons of contraband cigarettes seized by Italian customs

Italian customs officials on Friday announced the confiscation of some four tons of contraband cigarettes at the port of Venice. According to sources, the cigarettes were hidden in a truck that had disembarked from a ferryboat arriving from Greece, while the lorry's Polish driver was arrested.

The incident marked the second time in a span of two weeks that a significant quantity of contraband cigarettes arriving from Greece has been confiscated in Italy's "Lagoon City". Ten tons were discovered aboard another truck arriving at the port on Feb. 29.

[32] The Athens dailies at a glance

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS(Rizos) published the full list of New Democracy parliamentary candidates under the front-page headline: "50 percent young persons; average age 47-and-a-half years old; 34 women among the candiadates".

AKROPOLIS: "The golden tricks on the Athens Bourse".

APOGEVMATINI qlso published a list of all New Democracy candidates in all prefectures under the front-page title: "A renewal in the N.D. lists", and elsewhere: "Simitis' fiesta caused the Athens Bourse fall".

ATHINAIKI: "Simitis' E.M.U. fiesta has turned into a ....ceremony of tears at the Athens Bourse".

AVGHI: "E.M.U. entry with a ban on books, medieval perceptions under a judicial mantle," a reference to the ban of a controversial novel by author and politician Mimis Androulakis.

AVRIANI: "Who set up the biggest fraud of the century and why; a conspiracy against the country; they are sinking the Athens Bourse and destroying the economy and eating up the people's money".

CHORA: "A wild PASOK provocation sends the Athens Bourse to 'hell'; they throw mud to cover their guilt".

ELEFTHERI ORA: "National Alliance (party), is the voice of truth", a reference to a statement by Machi Papadopoulou (daughter of the late former dictator George Papadopoulos) to the newspaper's publisher Grigoris Michalopoulos.

ELEFTHEROS also published the full list of the N.D. party candidates and elsewhere it headlined: "Quake tremors and a storm of reactions from top ministers in the PASOK and Leftist Coalition parties over the candidacy of Spyros Vougias in PASOK's list of state deputies".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "A provocation at the expense of the investors; Simitis failed to upgrade the Athens Bourse and shifts his responsibilities".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Athens Bourse exploited for electoral reasons; a capital market inquiry into the strange up-and-down course of the shares".

ESTIA: "A candidates list of the 'excellent' ".

ETHNOS: "A dirty game at a momentous time for the country (Greece's E.M.U. entry application) with political targets on the Athens Bourse".

EXOUSIA: "The strong club with 'mines' at the Athens Bourse".

KATHIMERINI: "The elections shift to the Athens Bourse; a sick climate of mutual accusations about political party interventions".

LOGOS: "Costas Simitis: Greece's application for E.M.U. entry a historic moment for the country; the .... difficulties begin now; end of an effort and the beginning of a challenge".

NIKI: "Inquiry into the N.D. party for its behaviour at the Athens Bourse: E.M.U.-onus for the Athens Stock Exchange".

RIZOSPASTIS: "A pre-electoral fiesta at the Zappeion Hall; an orgy of neo-conservative deception".

STO KARFI: "Amazing -- all at the New Democracy party have become prophets of defeat...."

TA NEA: "An attack on the Athens Bourse with four diskettes; the government speaks about a political operation".

TO VIMA: "Political games hit the Athens Bourse; green and blue (N.D. and PASOK) 'parrots' (rumour-spreaders) manipu-lating share prices; the Capital Market Committee yesterday ordered an urgent inquiry".

VRADYNI: " A dirty game; rejoicings for the E.M.U. while the destruction of the small investors (at the Athens Bourse) continued".

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