Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-07-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece, Bulgaria press for accelerated Stability Pact action, pipeline discussed

[02] FM Papandreou addresses letter to G-8 counterparts to include Cyprus problem in final communique

[03] Congressman Bilirakis says it is time to demand a solution in Cyprus

[04] Greece-US High-Level Advisory Committee to discuss Balkan issues

[05] Gov't: New IDs will not sever Church-state relations

[06] Defense General Staff Chief to visit NATO's Defense Academy in Rome

[07] Public Order Minister says hiring of border and special guards take place according to merit

[08] Papantoniou urges bold structural changes, sees rapid growth

[09] Trade unions reject government's proposed employment measures

[10] Bond yields fall in Tuesday's regular auction

[11] EOT measures to assist Samos through subsidized tourism programmed

[12] Greece's inflation stood at 2.2 percent in June according to Eurostat's monthly bulletin

[13] Greek household electricity rates drop

[14] Black Sea bank gives Georgia credit line

[15] Merchant Marine Minister tells harbormasters good service, security and quality of services a major concern

[16] Aegean Airlines adds two AVRO

[17] Gov't to subsidies new heliports

[18] Greece to offer road tolls' revenues for road construction

[19] Verelis forecasts rapid growth of telecoms market

[20] Greek business fair in Turkey

[21] Helexpo launches Metallon annual trade fair

[22] Greek stocks continue moving higher

[23] Greek National Theatre to open historic first night at Colosseum after 1,500 years

[24] Pangalos announces stricter penalties for illegal antiquities trade

[25] Kaklamanis and Italian counterpart to attend Symi festival

[26] Anastasios tours southern Albanian districts

[27] EU-funded research programmed on salination to begin in Kavala

[28] Angelopoulou-Daskalaki says Olympic sponsorship programmed is the cornerstone for the development of Olympic Sport

[29] Defense minister confirms Turkish-occupation troop movements and violations of airspace

[01] Greece, Bulgaria press for accelerated Stability Pact action, pipeline discussed

PLOVDIV, 19/07/2000 (ANA G. Papachristou)

Before, however, touching on the two delayed ventures, visiting Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis and his host, Bulgarian Premier Ivan Kostov, covered a host of EU and regional issues, as both emphasized the need for real action and accelerated initiatives under the SE European Stability Pact triumphantly unveiled last year by western countries as a crutch for stability and democratic processes in the Balkans following the Kosovo crisis.

Greece, a firm backer of EU and NATO membership for Bulgaria as well as Romania, will also help Sofia get off the Unions black list of countries whose citizens require visas in order to travel to Union member-states, Simitis promised.

Additionally, he again offered his support towards a federal model for the European Union. We dont believe in a loose partnership based exclusively on economic issues. The (EUs) institutional framework ensure the (political) balances (Greece) and Bulgaria, as well as other countries in the region, have common interests, he said.

In response, Kostov praised Athens persistent policy of favoring NATO and EU expansion in SE Europe, saying Greeces support was essential for his countrys prospects to join the 15-member bloc. He further termed political contacts between Sofia and Athens as excellent and devoid of tension.

Pipeline, BTC sale: Following initial talks with in the southern Bulgarian city of Plovdiv, Kostov told reporters that progress over a final agreement to build and operate an oil pipeline connecting the Black Sea with the Aegean was hampered by Russias failure to guarantee specific quantities of crude oil for the three-nation venture.

To a lesser extent, he said another snag centered on the percentage of participation the various interested parties (both public and private) would have in the project.

The pipeline, designed to transport crude oil from the Bulgarian Black Sea port of Burgas to Greece's NE Aegean outlet of Alexandroupoli, has long been a strategic goal of all three countries, although repeated disagreements over terms have kept the project confined to engineering designs. Russia would have to transport oil to Burgas via tankers disembarking from its eastern Black Sea ports, most notably, Novorossyisk.

On his part, Simitis reiterated that certain items must be cleared up by the Russian side, while he cited several government shuffles and with the Russian energy giant Gazprom's leadership as delaying a final agreement.

"This pipeline must be competitive and viable, and our goal is to ensure all the conditions for its viability," Simitis said, adding the Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos also brought up the issue during his recent official visit to Moscow and talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Asked about the delays plaguing a deal for the majority sale of Bulgaria's state telecoms utility (BTC) to a Dutch-Greek consortium, Kostov said the matter wasn't an internal problem for his government because a majority of parliament agrees with the utility's privatization.

"We'll have the support, but there's still a lot of distance to cover until the end. As you can understand, the price must be satisfactory, and we're waiting for the other side to do the same," he said, before noting that the BTC sale wasn't discussed with the Greek delegation earlier in the day.

Simitis simply noted that although Athens is pleased when bilateral investments are made, the "Greek government does not intervene in formulating proposals or in the discussions. It's a matter for the companies and the country in which they will invest to judge the benefits of the investment.

The Greek prime minister nevertheless reminded that Greece's largest commercial bank and the biggest in the Balkans, National Bank of Greece, has already entered the Bulgarian market, as have scores of other Greek firms, including several telecommunications companies.

"Generally speaking, we're optimistic despite whatever minor problems," the Greek PM said.

Simitis and Kostov held an hour and a half round of talks before visiting a traditional-style residence in Plovdiv, ancient Philippoupolis, before touring the second largest Bulgarian city's old quarter on foot. The two leaders subsequently boarded a helicopter scheduled to transport them to the facilities of that country's state-run television network at a nearby mountaintop.

[02] FM Papandreou addresses letter to G-8 counterparts to include Cyprus problem in final communique

Athens, 19/07/2000 (ANA)

The group of the eight most powerful countries in the world is composed of the US, Canada, Russia, Japan, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy. Their leaders will be meeting in Japan from Friday until Sunday.

[03] Congressman Bilirakis says it is time to demand a solution in Cyprus

WASHINGTON, 19/07/2000 (ANA - T. Ellis)

Indirectly criticizing President Clinton, Bilirakis said "although the government assures that finding a solution in Cyprus is one of its main priorities, Turkish demands have become so inelastic and unacceptable that today, after two decades have passed, we are not closer to a solution."

Bilirakis accused Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash of total intransigence, saying that it is inconceivable that the official and legal government of Cyprus should negotiate territory obtained illegally with an illegal invasion from a regime, which is only recognized by one country all over the world.

Bilirakis and other Congress members taking the floor also expressed their indignation over the Turks' advancement in Strovilia, in the buffer zone in Cyprus, and called on the US government to condemn the threats of force against Cyprus.

"We have the responsibility to use our influence to reunite Cyprus with its heritage. Being Americans, supporters of democracy and correct people we should not and we cannot remain passive as long as Cyprus remains divided," Bilirakis said.

[04] Greece-US High-Level Advisory Committee to discuss Balkan issues

Athens, 19/07/2000 (ANA)

On the question of security, Greece will reiterate its national positions based on the principles of respect for existing international treaties and agreements and respect for the existing status quo.

At the end of the session, Apostolakis will leave for New York for a meeting with the Archbishop of America and will attend a dinner given in his honor by the Greek community.

The Advisory Committee's previous session had taken place on the Greek island of Limnos in June 1999.

[05] Gov't: New IDs will not sever Church-state relations

Athens, 19/07/2000 (ANA)

Acting spokesman Telemahos Hytiris noted that the government can still discuss various issues related to Church-state relations, while he termed the decision as proving the government's 'consistency'.

The government's decision to issue new ID cards without the religion category sparked a firestorm of criticism from the Church of Greece's hierarchy and conservative religious groups, highlighted by two major rallies in Athens and Thessaloniki. Church leaders, led by outspoken Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos, have demanded a referendum over the issue of whether citizens can voluntarily list their religion.

Hytiris also replied that the government believes that the recent flurry of Church mobilizations and maneuvering in the predominately Orthodox Christian nation of 11 million "divides the Greek people and faithful, and do not lead anywhere."

Asked if the government is considering the prospect of opening talks with the Orthodox hierarchy over the separation of the Church and state, the government spokesman said such a development encompasses revisions to the country's constitution, something not foreseen in the current revision processes underway in Parliament.

Finally, in response to a question over what was termed as underused property belonging to various monasteries around Greece, Hytiris said this matter would have to be discussed within "an institutional dialogue, which must occur as soon as possible."

[06] Defense General Staff Chief to visit NATO's Defense Academy in Rome

Athens, 19/07/2000 (ANA)

[07] Public Order Minister says hiring of border and special guards take place according to merit

Athens, 19/07/2000 (ANA)

Earlier, main opposition New Democracy party rapporteur Christos Markoyiannakis said they carry out police duties and, consequently, they should be hired through nationwide examinations.

Chrysohoidis said border and special guards are adequately trained and armed, while 90 percent of them come from the armed forces' special forces. He also agreed with Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Deputy Panayiotis Kossionis that the problem of illegal immigration and imported crime is a social one, but necessary "containing apparatuses" should also be created.

[08] Papantoniou urges bold structural changes, sees rapid growth

Athens, 19/07/2000 (ANA)

"The future of Greek economy lies in the new economy and this develops in an environment of deregulated markets with flexible labor forms," Papantoniou told reporters.

He said that the Greek economy should give "a strong battle to win the future" and noted that the formation of large enterprises was a precondition to achieve a strong economy, to ensure workers' incomes, creating new jobs, creating revenues for state coffers and financing the government's social policy.

In a modern economy, and in some crucial matters workers' interests coincided with that of the company's, he said.

"If Greece decides, under the pressure of conservative forces, to diverge from these developments, then it will lose the band-wagon of growth, employment and social cohesion," Papantoniou noted.

He declined to comment on whether a package of government measures aimed to boost employment would also cover state enterprises.

Papantoniou predicted that economic growth rates would be higher in the years 2000 and 2001, compared with targets included in a convergence programmed.

He said the government was upgrading the convergence programmers growth targets for the gross domestic product to 4.0 percent this year, from 3.8 pct, and to 5.0 percent in 2001 from 4.1 percent.

He said that with these growth rates Greece's real economic convergence with the other EMU states could be achieved in 2010.

Papantoniou predicted that this year's budget would show a deficit smaller than 1.0 percent of GDP, from an initial estimate of 1.2 pct, while next year's budget would envisage a surplus.

"This will make Greece of the of top two or three European countries in fiscal performance," he noted.

[09] Trade unions reject government's proposed employment measures

Athens, 19/07/2000 (ANA)

The government has proposed five measures to reform labor regulations and combat unemployment, and plans to invite trade unions and employers to take part in a three-way discussion of its proposals - dubbed "social dialogue" - that is scheduled to begin soon.

GSEE leader Christos Polyzogopoulos, however, on Tuesday told reporters that the government's proposed measures would do nothing to combat joblessness but simply increase the income of employers, and that GSEE was not prepared to discuss them.

Polyzogopoulos was speaking after a meeting to talk about the measures with main opposition leader Costas Karamanlis at New Democracy's party headquarters, which was also attended by the leadership of the General Confederation of Professionals and Craftsmen (GESEBE).

On Tuesday afternoon, meanwhile, representatives of the civil servant's union ADEDY warned that, should the government insist on these measures, the country was heading toward an extended period of labor disputes after September.

Polyzogopoulos also referred to the proposed 35-hour week, saying it was a central demand of GSEE, but that the union was not prepared to include this in dialogue alongside the other five measures announced by the government.

Nevertheless, he added, there needs to be broad discussion on a social and political level with a view to expanding employment.

GSEE General Secretary Yiannis Manolis, meanwhile, who is also a member of ND's Executive Committee, revised statements he had made on Monday after the meeting with Karamanlis, saying that ND's positions on employment were not the same as the government's.

On Monday, Manolis had reacted to statements by high-ranking ND cadre Dora Bakoyianni that the measures were "moving in the right direction but fragmentary" and had said that if the main opposition agreed to the government's proposed measures there was no reason for it to exist.

Karamanlis accuses gov't of piecemeal approach to unemployment: New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis on Tuesday accused the government of a piecemeal approach to fighting unemployment.

Referring to recently announced measures, he said an effective policy depended above all high growth rates, and required a linking of the labor market with new technologies and general education, emphasis on vocational training, abolition of monopolies, promotion of bold structural changes, supports to small and medium-size enterprises, proper utilization of the Community Support Framework III funds, and measures against unregistered work and illegal immigration.

He said his party was in favor of the deregulation of the labor market through a process of dialogue achieving maximum possible consensus.

Finally, Karamanlis claimed that New Democracy was now proved right when saying before the last election in April that the ruling party had no specific and concrete policy programmed.

Gov't ups pay offer in pay talks with civil servants: The government on Tuesday upped its pay offer to civil servants by 0.2 percent in the fourth round of talks, but the ADEDY union turned down the proposal.

The offer, which was made by Deputy Interior Minister Leonidas Tzanis and Deputy Finance Minister George Drys, includes a rise of 2.2 percent on base pay from January 1, 2001.

The rise would cost the government about 80 billion drachmas.

ADEDY is pressing for a 6.0 percent rise, which the government estimates would cost 600 billion drachmas.

[10] Bond yields fall in Tuesday's regular auction

Athens, 19/07/2000 (ANA)

The average weighed yield of a five-year bond, worth 200 billion drachmas and paying an annual coupon of 5.95 percent, fell to 6.13 percent from 6.35 percent of the previous auction.

Bids submitted totalled 810.6 billion drachmas, 4.05 times more than the asked sum, evidence of persisting demand by foreign investors for Greek securities. The organization finally accepted bids totalling 219.1 billion drachmas.

The average weighed price of the issue was 99.222 with a minimum accepted price of 99.180.

The auction was a re-opening of an earlier issue, dated March 24, 2000, with a maturity date Friday, 21 July 2000.

[11] EOT measures to assist Samos through subsidized tourism programmed

Athens, 19/07/2000 (ANA)

The Social Tourism Programmed, which takes place every year, provides low-income families with coupons for subsidized holidays in tourist destinations throughout the country, except Athens, the Dodecannese islands, Thessaloniki, the Ionian islands, Crete, the Cyclades islands and Halkidiki.

EOT General Secretary Evgenios Giannakopoulos said an exception would be made for Samos, where the programmed would apply for all categories of hotels, camping sites and rented rooms. Subsidies for Samos would be 4,000 drachmas a day for hotels, 3,000 drachmas a day for rented rooms and apartments and 1,000 drachmas a day for camping sites. Subsidies for the rest of the country, by contrast, are 3,000 drachmas, 2000 drachmas and 700 drachmas respectively.

The number of social tourism coupons that will be issued for Samos, meanwhile, will be unlimited.

Meanwhile, yet another small fire broke out on the island on Tuesday near Pythagoreio but was quickly put out by fire-fighting forces.

Samos prefect Thalassinos Thalassinos, who rushed to the scene, said he had also sent two letters to the European Commission, one to Environment commissioner Margot Wallstrom and one to the Greek commissioner for employment, Anna Diamantopoulou, asking for financial help provided by European Union laws in emergencies.

The island's chances of getting immediate relief for fire damage from the EU were also referred to in a press conference on Tuesday by Michalis Angelopoulos, legal consultant to the European Commission's office in Greece.

[12] Greece's inflation stood at 2.2 percent in June according to Eurostat's monthly bulletin

BRUSSELS, 19/07/2000 (ANA - V. Demiris)

Annual inflation for the euro zone's 11 member-states increased from 1.9 percent in May to 2.4 percent in June. A year ago it was 0.9 percent. Inflation for the 15 EU member-states increased from 1.7 percent in May to 2.1 percent in June. Last year it was 1.0 percent.

The highest inflation rates were recorded in Ireland with 5.4 percent, Luxembourg 4.4 percent and Spain 3.5 percent. The lowest percentages occurred in Britain with 0.8 percent, Sweden 1.4 percent and France 1.9 percent.

[13] Greek household electricity rates drop

BRUSSELS, 19/07/2000 (ANA-B.Demiris)

Greek electricity for industry rose by 3.0 percent in the same period, the European Union's statistical agency said in a statement.

The country was the only member of the 15-member EU that showed a rise in industrial rates for electricity in 1998-2000, Eurostat said.

[14] Black Sea bank gives Georgia credit line

Athens, 19/07/2000 (ANA)

The bank, which is headquartered in Thessaloniki, was established in 1998 by the eleven countries of Black Sea Economic Cooperation - Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine.

[15] Merchant Marine Minister tells harbormasters good service, security and quality of services a major concern

Athens, 19/07/2000 (ANA)

"We should all realize that the role of port authorities in the social and economic life of islands and coastal towns is multifaceted and has a decisive significance for local society," he said.

"You and your staff are called on to serve this role to enable citizens to feel that their town's port authority is a service whose aim is to serve them, solve their problems quickly and without bureaucracy and, at the same time, you should prove with the attitude of both yours and your subordinates that there is a human image in this public authority which is entrusted with serving citizens. Our basic concern is the citizen. We should not forget this even for a moment," Papoutsis added.

[16] Aegean Airlines adds two AVRO

Athens, 19/07/2000 (ANA)

The new aircraft, supplied by British Aerospace, raises the airline's fleet to nine aircraft (six AVRO RJ 100s and three fully upgraded ATR-72s).

Aegean Airlines said it invested more than 50 billion drachmas in the last 12 months in an effort to expand activities in the domestic air market.

The company operates 84 scheduled flights in 11 domestic destinations daily. Its seating capacity exceeds 75 percent while the airline has carried one million passengers in its 13 months of operation.

[17] Gov't to subsidies new heliports

Athens, 19/07/2000 (ANA)

The decision will be signed in the near future by Transport and Communications Minister Christos Verelis and Deputy National Economy Minister George Drys.

Requests for 27 new heliports in the Aegean area are currently being processed. The Civil Aviation Authority is awaiting environmental studies before awarding the licenses.

[18] Greece to offer road tolls' revenues for road construction

Athens, 19/07/2000 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister, Costas Laliotis, Papantoniou said that these contracts would build large sectors of a Third Community Support Framework road project, including the Ionian Road, and road networks in Peloponissos and central Greece.

He said that the government would make decisions over the price of the road tolls.

Referring to the government's tax policy, he said that a new tax bill to be submitted in parliament next autumn would envisage a gradual fall in corporate taxes for companies not listed on the Athens Stock Exchange to 40 percent, from 45 percent, and the abolition of a special banking services duty from 2001.

The two measures, along with a planned reduction in employers' contributions, are expected to cut the cost of enterprising.

[19] Verelis forecasts rapid growth of telecoms market

Athens, 19/07/2000 (ANA)

Speaking before Parliament's competent committee, he said competition in the deregulated fixed-line services market --scheduled for next year-- would help the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) which now has a virtual monopoly.

He said 22 companies had already expressed an interest in obtaining operating licenses.

[20] Greek business fair in Turkey

Athens, 19/07/2000 (ANA)

It will be the first official presentation of Greece's dynamic businesses in the economic and trade capital of Turkey, which is the base of more than half of the country's 500 largest enterprises.

The exhibition will cover tourism, transport, food and beverages, dairy products, frozen foods, olive and olive oil, candies, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, bakery equipment, textile machines and plastics.

[21] Helexpo launches Metallon annual trade fair

Athens, 19/07/2000 (ANA)

The first Metallon trade fair will be held at HELEXPO's new trade fair center in Athens, May 9-13 2001.

Metallon will be strictly for business representatives.

[22] Greek stocks continue moving higher

Athens, 19/07/2000 (ANA)

Traders said buying activity for blue chip stocks in banks maintained the market's upward momentum, while Hellenic Telecoms' and Panafon's share prices came under strong pressure to lose ground.

Smaller capitalization stocks bucked the trend to end lower.

The general index ended 0.51 percent lower at 4,102.51 points, with turnover a moderate 102.5 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended at 2,281.25 points, up 0.75 percent, while the FTSE/ASE 40 index fell 0.11 percent to 590.18 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 7,802.65 +1.84% Leasing: 826.52 +2.27% Insurance: 2,547.45 +0.43% Investment: 1,694.28 +0.33% Construction: 2,243.89 +0.29% Industrials: 2,539.11 -0.15% Miscellaneous: 4,178.45 +0.36% Holding: 4,485.05 -1.37%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 788.25 points, off 1.92 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 232 to 98 with another 11 issues unchanged.

Hellenic Telecoms, Fanco, Doudos, Themeliodomi and National Estate were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in Drs): National Bank: 14,440 Alpha Bank: 14,550 Commercial Bank: 16,250 Eurobank: 9,300 Lambrakis Press: 10,360 Heracles Cement: 7,600 Hellenic Telecoms: 8,180 Panafon: 4,185 Hellenic Petroleum: 3,955 Attica Enterprises: 3,795 Intracom: 13,450 Minoan Lines: 3,555 Hellenic Bottling: 5,435

Derivatives end mixed, tracking bourse: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished mixed on Tuesday, in line with the indices on which they are based.

The underlying FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 0.75 percent up, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 0.11 percent lower.

Turnover was 14.32 billion drachmas from 12.72 billion drachmas a day earlier.

A total of 1,797 contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20 with turnover at 8.15 billion drachmas.

On the FTSE/ASE 40 index, 2,621 contracts changed hands on turnover of 6.17 billion drachmas.

Bonds end flat in light trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Tuesday finished mostly flat in light trade.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 6.114 percent from 6.127 percent in the previous session.

The Greek paper's yield spread over German bunds was 79 basis points from 80 basis points for two straight sessions.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 46 billion drachmas from 67 billion drachmas in the previous trading session.

Sell orders accounted for 26 billion drachmas of turnover.

[23] Greek National Theatre to open historic first night at Colosseum after 1,500 years

ROME, 19/07/2000 (ANA - L. Hatzikyriakos)

Though a much tamer spectacle than in the heady days of pitting lions against Christians, the event has captured the imagination of the Italian mass media, who have given it extensive coverage, while tickets for all three nights that the play will run have been sold out.

In fact, in order to satisfy the demand for tickets among members of the media, the company will allow journalists to watch their final rehearsal on Tuesday.

Attending the opening night, which also marks the Colosseum's resurrection as a functioning show venue, will be Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, Italian Premier Juliano Amato, Italian Culture Minister Giovanna Melandri and Greek Culture Minister Theodoros Pangalos.

The return of the Colosseum to "active duty" was made possible by restoration work that was completed last year and by the building of a 1.5-billion-lire wooden stage.

Controversy has flared up in neighboring Italy, however, over the decision of the state-run television channel RAI not to give live coverage of the performance, which will be in modern Greek. The audience at the Colosseum will be supplied with a booklet in Italian.

Appearing next at the Colosseum, on July 27-29, will be the Teheran Center of Dramatic Arts playing "Antigone", while a performance by the highly regarded Theatre of Tel Aviv has been cancelled.

[24] Pangalos announces stricter penalties for illegal antiquities trade

Athens, 19/07/2000 (ANA)

"We believe that such activity is a crime against the nation's collective memory, against future generations, that is, particularly severe crimes," he told reporters in Ermoupolis, on the Aegean island of Syros.

Pangalos inaugurated the town's historic "Apollon" theatre, which has been restored after 10 years' work.

He said 25 billion drachmas would be devoted to restoration work in the Cyclades, involving archaeological cites, museums and Byzantine monuments, particularly churches.

[25] Kaklamanis and Italian counterpart to attend Symi festival

Athens, 19/07/2000 (ANA)

This year's event is taking place under the joint auspices of Kaklamanis and his Italian counterpart Luciano Violante.

The festival is taking place in the framework of a protocol for political and cultural cooperation between the two parliaments, with the participation of artists from both countries.

[26] Anastasios tours southern Albanian districts

TIRANA, 19/07/2000 (ANA)

Besides strictly spiritual comfort for the area's Orthodox faithful, Anastasios also discussed with local residents some of the problems they face, such as phone service, water supply, road works etc.

In Gjirokaster, the prelate of the Albanian Orthodox Church bestowed high school diplomas to the first graduates of a bilingual parochial school in the town, while he also toured new extensions to the facility. Plans for the opening of a new kindergarten were also discussed.

[27] EU-funded research programmed on salination to begin in Kavala

Athens, 19/07/2000 (ANA)

Also participating in the programmed are scientific institutes in six European countries.

The programmed will cost 578 million drachmas and is funded entirely by the EU. Work will begin three months after the relevant contracts are signed.

[28] Angelopoulou-Daskalaki says Olympic sponsorship programmed is the cornerstone for the development of Olympic Sport

Athens, 19/07/2000 (ANA)

Angelopoulou-Daskalaki said prominent Greek firms, which will play a more direct and active role as sponsors for the 2004 Olympic Games are linked to the values of Olympism and are becoming partners in this great effort by Greece.

The Olympic sponsorship programmed, it was added, constitutes the cornerstone for the development of Olympic Sport and allows for the creation of stable and long-term support programmers for the games. It also secures economic independence and the eradication of the Olympic movement's uncontrolled commercialization.

Olympic sponsorship promotes the sponsor as a basic element of the biggest global sporting and social event: the Olympic Games. It provides him with the privilege of linking up with the uniqueness of the games, the moral values of the Olympic movement and the dynamism of sport.

Among others, the targets of the Sponsorship Programmed are securing privileges concerning the sponsors exclusively, securing funds, products, services and know-how which are necessary for the excellent organization of the games and the participation of a limited number of sponsors to achieve better and more effective promotion. Other targets are legal protection and consolidation for Olympic signs and protection for the sponsors from pirate marketing. The programmed provides specific rights and special privileges for each sponsor, which are differentiated according to the category and size of the investment. Among others, the main sponsorship rights include an exclusiveness for sponsorship according to each category of products, a four-year duration of sponsorship privileges lasting from 1/1/2001 until 31/12/2004 and the right to use Athens 2004 signs.

[29] Defense minister confirms Turkish-occupation troop movements and violations of airspace

NICOSIA, 19/07/2000 (CNA/ANA)

"The very moment everybody calls on the Cyprus government to show good-will because of on-going proximity talks, the Turkish occupation force celebrates its invasion of the island," Hasikos said, describing this as an attempt by the illegal entity unilaterally declared in the Turkish-occupied areas of the island to prove their existence.

One F-16 flew over the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus on Monday and six transport planes landed at the illegal Tymbou airport, all violating the Republic's airspace, while one more transport plane landed on Tuesday at the Turkish-occupied village of Lefkoniko.

Meanwhile, UN Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) spokeswoman Sarah Russel told CNA the movement of Turkish military troops near the Turkish-occupied eastern coastal town of Famagusta was possibly "a rehearsal for the July 20 military display", noting that such displays would take place in Nicosia and Morphou as well.

Meanwhile Tuesday morning five Turkish warships arrived illegally at the Turkish-occupied port of Kyrenia, on the island's northern coast, as part of the "celebrations".

The Turkish Navy ships commanded by Admiral Metin Atak will leave on Friday, July 21.

A number of Turkish government and National Assembly officials arrived illegally in the occupied areas to attend various events marking the 26th anniversary of the Turkish invasion.

On the other side of the divide, in the government-controlled areas, political parties and organizations were holding a series of anti-occupation events and gatherings to denounce the continuing Turkish occupation of 37 per cent of the island's territory and demand restoration of human rights.

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