Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-07-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] Lausanne hosts meeting on Athens 2004 Olympic Games

[02] Political leaders commemorate 'black' anniversary of Cyprus invasion by Turkey

[03] Britain reiterates interest in Cyprus accession to EU

[04] Turkish warplanes make new infringements of air traffic regulations in Athens FIR

[05] ND spokesman criticizes Turkey for repeated infringements and violations in Cyprus and the Aegean

[06] Apostolakis in Washington: Int'l law, inviolability of borders should frame Balkan cooperation

[07] Claimants of war reparations apply for suspension of German injunction against seizure of property

[08] Interior minister submits draft law in Parliament on public administration issues

[09] Gov't says measures for fire-ravaged areas in the works

[10] Health minister says press reports on health reform create confusion

[11] George Koliris appointed new general director of Defense Ministry's General Armaments Department

[12] EU draft budget for 2001 presented by European Commission ratified after first reading

[13] Papoulias and Russian Ambassador discuss Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline

[14] Minister warns delay in job talks could raise unemployment

[15] Laliotis announces road tolls hike

[16] Hellenic Telecoms expects big profits from Balkan investments

[17] Athens bourse approves Bank of Cyprus IPO prospectus

[18] National Bank of Greece completes buyout of Bulgaria's UBB

[19] Eurobank-led consortium acquires majority stake in Romania's Banc Post

[20] Hygeia Hospital sees bourse entry in mid-October

[21] Premier, Merchant Marine Minister discuss policy issues

[22] OA technicians threaten 24-hour rolling strikes

[23] Gov't to submit new taxation bill in the autumn

[24] Greek stocks end higher in nervous trade

[25] Greek National Theatre opens historic first night at Rome's Colosseum

[26] Bill would set three-child limit for recognizing 'large families'

[27] Greenpeace points to dioxin risk from illegal landfills

[28] European Catholic youth to meet on island of Tinos

[29] Mass violations by Turkish warplanes over Cyprus's airspace

[30] Political party leaders will accompany President Clerides to Geneva talks

[31] Cyprus pays tribute to those who lost their lives in defense of their country

[32] International appeal by relatives of Cyprus missing persons

[33] EU Commissioner issues warning to Turkish Cypriots to have no illusions

[01] Lausanne hosts meeting on Athens 2004 Olympic Games

LAUSANNE, 21/07/2000 (ANA)

In statements afterwards, all sides declared the meeting a success and expressed their confidence in the new team in charge of preparations for the Athens Olympics, while Rogge categorically denied that the IOC had at any time considered changing the host-city of the 2004 Games.

"The Games were assigned to Athens and will take place in Athens," he said.

Samaranch, on his part, described the meeting as an "important step" and expressed support for the chairwoman of "Athens 2004", Gianna Angelopoulou-Daskalaki, and the Greek team.

"The Games were assigned to Athens three years ago and the IOC is absolutely certain that their organization will go very well. We support Mrs. Gianna Angelopoulou-Daskalaki and her team. The meeting with the management of the Athens Organizing Committee was for us a very important step. We discussed the structure of the new committee and we will look at their progress in detail in a few months. We are convinced that the Games will have great success," he said.

Angelopoulou-Daskalaki said the Greek side had briefed the IOC leadership on the structure of the new committee, its collaboration with Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis and of the Greek government's commitment to support the organizing committee in any way possible.

She also hailed the role of the IOC itself, saying that "they are as interested as we are in the success of the Games. They have helped us, they are helping us, we are all on the same side and trying to organize the best possible Games."

In response to reporters' questions, Rogge said that the two sides had had a "constructive" meeting that promised a very good organization and had exchanged information on all issues.

"The IOC now knows the new organizational structure very well. We are happy with all the measures that were taken. We discussed the details that will occupy our next meeting in Athens in August."

Rogge said that he would speak more on the progress that had been made after the August 25 meeting.

Present at the four-hour meeting were the Managing Consultant of "Athens 2004" Petros Synadinos and board members Marton Simicek, Spyros Kapralos and Costas Liaskas.

Commenting on the results of the Greek committee's first contact with the IOC heads, sports minister George Floridis said that he had the sense that "the IOC now supports with all its strength Greece's attempt to organize the best Olympic Games in history," while saying that Samaranch had also expressed an interest in how well the Greek team would do at the 2004 Games.

Avramopoulos and Papandreou discuss improvements for central Athens: Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos and Interior Minister Vasso Papandreou met on Thursday to discuss issues affecting the city of Athens.

Among the issues discussed were those concerning local government, upgrading the city, landscaping programmers for central Athens and cooperation between the Town Hall and the Interior ministry.

Another topic discussed was improving services, so that central Athens operated more efficiently in view of the Olympic Games, while both Papandreou and Avramopoulos stressed in statements after the meeting the very great responsibilities that Athens has both as a major city and as the city that will host the Olympics.

They also talked about the contemporary role of local government in the new European architecture.

[02] Political leaders commemorate 'black' anniversary of Cyprus invasion by Turkey

Athens, 21/07/2000 (ANA)

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, speaking during the regular press briefing, said that the international community, at a time when problems were being solved in various areas, was morally obliged to provide a solution for Cyprus.

"It is shameful for Europe that this situation exists on Cyprus," he said and underlined that Greece would always support and assist Cyprus' struggle for a solution to the Cyprus problem based on the decisions of the United Nations and international agencies.

Reppas also confirmed rumors that Turkish military aircraft had violated Greek airspace recently and that the Greek ambassador in Ankara would be lodging a demarche with the Turkish government.

The spokesman described the incident as "unacceptable, especially since it occurs during the informal summer moratorium (on military exercises in the Aegean)."

Greece, he added, would not follow Turkey down this path of bad behavior but would be on alert to deal with these sort of challenges.

Reppas said that the country's policy regarding Turkey would remain the same as in recent years, adding that it had so far benefited Greece.

Parliament speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis also referred to the Cyprus problem on Thursday, during a meeting with officers of the Greek Airforce's War Academy, saying that the efforts by Greece and Cyprus for Cyprus' accession to the EU would strengthen the island republic's position internationally and create the right conditions for "restoring international legality."

"The decisions of the [UN] Security Council for a unified and undivided Cyprus Republic, relieved of occupation forces and settlers, must be implemented in order to ensure the harmonious co-existence of Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots, who have also had to suffer the consequences of occupation and been forced to abandon their homes," he said.

The anniversary was also commemorated by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) with a press release on Thursday, which questions the direction of attempts toward a solution.

"Twenty-six years after the invasion - with the support of the US and NATO - by Turkish occupation forces on Cyprus, the Cyprus problem is heading toward a final - and institutional - burial, with many-sided and possibly unpredictable negative consequences for peace in the wider region. This is where things have been led by the plans of the US and the leading forces of the EU, and not just Turkish intransigency as the Greek government claims."

Statements to commemorate the anniversary had also been issued on Wednesday by New Democracy, the Coalition of the Left and Progress and the Democratic Social Movement.

[03] Britain reiterates interest in Cyprus accession to EU

LONDON, 21/07/2000 (ANA)

"As the Foreign Secretary and I have already made clear, we would like to see a united Cyprus enter the EU. However, this is not a condition for its accession. Cyprus has made particular progress in its accession negotiations. Turkey cannot exercise a veto on the issue of Cypriot entry. The issue of Turkish entry is different. It must meet all the criteria. As we have said on many occasions, Turkey is very far from entry," he said in reply to a question in the House of Commons.

The debate took place on the occasion of the 26th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

Initiative Committee for Cyprus calls for safeguarding of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity: The Initiative Committee for Cyprus called on Thursday for the safeguarding of the Republic of Cyprus' independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and the immediate withdrawal of Turkish occupation troops and of all settlers.

Proposals made for a solution to the Cyprus issue and the position of the international community were discussed late on Thursday afternoon in a meeting between the Initiative and President Kostis Stephanopoulos.

The body requested President Stephanopoulos' support for all the initiatives it is undertaking to secure the return of refugees to their homes and the clarification of the fate of 1,536 Greek Cypriots and 83 Greeks missing since the Turkish invasion of the island in the summer of 1974.

[04] Turkish warplanes make new infringements of air traffic regulations in Athens FIR

Athens, 21/07/2000 (ANA)

According to reports, two Turkish F-4 Phantom jets entered the Athens FIR east of Rhodes at 9 a.m. without submitting flight plans and left the area immediately afterwards.

In the afternoon, four Turkish F-16 warplanes infringed air traffic regulations in the Athens FIR between Limnos and Lesvos. The Turkish aircraft, which were unarmed, flew in the area between 4.27 p.m. and 5.02 p.m. and were recognized and intercepted by Greek warplanes. No engagements occurred during the interception process.

[05] ND spokesman criticizes Turkey for repeated infringements and violations in Cyprus and the Aegean

Athens, 21/07/2000 (ANA)

"Turkey's latest provocations with repeated infringements and violations, both in Cyprus and the Aegean, constitute tangible proof of its insistence on its unilateral and arbitrary claims against Hellenism. Given that they are taking place at a period during which the moratorium on abstention from such activities is supposedly being applied, it shows the bad faith characterizing the neighboring country's decision-making centers," he said.

"In parallel, it reveals how dangerous the lack of a sustained Greek strategy and the adoption of tactical personal handlings and secret diplomacy is, as well as how deceptive the government's messages after its unilateral concessions in Helsinki were," Spiliotopoulos added.

[06] Apostolakis in Washington: Int'l law, inviolability of borders should frame Balkan cooperation

WASHINGTON, 21/07/2000 (ANA - T. Ellis)

Deputy Defense Minister Dimitris Apostolakis also noted at the annual gathering of the US-Greek High Level Consultative Committee that "more frequent and substantive" contacts between the two countries' defense ministries have been achieved over the last few years.

In touching on the situation in the Balkans, the Greek minister added that both NATO allies agree on the point of strict adherence to principles of international law as well as the need for regional security and stability to comprise the cornerstones of cooperation within the greater area.

"First and second-rate countries don't exist. What exist are countries with given external borders, in which those (individuals) of power must fully realize that they must develop. It's incomprehensible for us to close our ears and, even more so, to incite and consent to changes in countries' external borders through violence or the threat to use violence," Apostolakis told his audience in the US capital.

Greek-Turkish relations: In reference to Greek-Turkish relations, the retired army general reiterated that "Greece faces a clear problem of security emanating from the east -- from a neighbor and ally, Turkey -- due to the latter's revisionist and expansionist policy vis-a-vis Greece.

"This policy creates conditions of supreme destabilization in the entire region," he added.

Conversely, he cited the recent rapprochement between the two countries following the twin earthquakes that hit Greece and Turkey last year, saying both peoples appear "willing to overcome mistrust and rivalries of the past in order to achieve cooperation."

Specifically, the Greek minister referred to the Helsinki decisions of last December, which essentially paved the way for Turkey to be listed as a EU candidate country.

"...Turkey's rulers must comprehend the necessity of charting a different policy towards Greece... in harmony with international law. Otherwise, a policy of peace and dialogue will not be trustworthy," he said.

Armaments program: In reference to Greece's ongoing armaments procurement program, Apostolakis said the country's armed forces are trying to maximize their effectiveness, but always within the resources allocated. Based on this model, he said the Greek government wants to fulfill the operational demands dictated by security concerns in the region, as well as to ensure growth in its local related-related industries.

[07] Claimants of war reparations apply for suspension of German injunction against seizure of property

Athens, 21/07/2000 (ANA)

The injunction concerns three prime Athens properties, housing the Goethe Institut in Athens, the German Archaeological School and a German high school, for which a process of appraisal was initiated earlier this month, on the basis of a 1997 Livadia lower court ruling ordering Germany to pay 9.4 billion drachmas in compensation to 296 descendants of 214 civilians murdered by German occupation forces in the village of Distomo during World War II. Berlin also petitioned the Athens court, which granted the injunction to nullify an order allowing the confiscation of German state properties in Greece. The court suspended the Livadia court ruling until the petition is heard on September 1.

The Athens Supreme Court upheld the ruling, which provided for the seizure and auctioning of German state property in Greece, last April.

The German side also argued that the justice minister's permission was absolutely imperative for the process to continue because the forcible execution was directed against German state property, which served public aims and is not open to negotiation and seizure. Also, that continuing the process would cause irreparable damage to the international image of Germany and its relations with Greece at a time when European Union member-states are obliged to maintain and promote good relations.

In their application for the suspension of the injunction, the claimants argue that the court, which granted it, was not empowered to do so, and that Germany's claim that the process would damage the country's image was impermissible and unacceptable.

"The government of the Federal Republic of Germany is obliged to respect the rules of the European legal order governing both the European Union and the Council of Europe," they said.

The one-member first instance court is to rule on the application on Friday.

On Wednesday, Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the matter was very delicate and required responsible handling.

"We have to deal with it in political terms," he said.

[08] Interior minister submits draft law in Parliament on public administration issues

Athens, 21/07/2000 (ANA)

The main points in the draft law concern the enactment of an advisory body, the National Administrative Reform Council, at the Interior Ministry. It will constitute a forum for social dialogue since the traditional form of pre-Parliamentary dialogue was considered inadequate. The purpose of the body will be to create a modern administration capable of meeting citizens' requirements.

[09] Gov't says measures for fire-ravaged areas in the works

Athens, 21/07/2000 (ANA)

The statement was made by the government spokesman following a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis to focus on the issue of wildfires.

Specifically, ministry leaderships were instructed to calculate how much the measures would cost them.

Meanwhile, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) General Secretary Aleka Papariga toured the fire-ravaged island of Samos on Thursday, where she called for "tailor-made" government programmers to restore damages in various regions of the country affected by the wildfires.

She also called for state subsidies towards small-to-medium enterprises hit by the wildfires, especially tourism-related businesses.

Finally, she cited what she called "amateurism" and "tragic mistakes" during fire-fighting efforts on the verdant eastern Aegean island.

In an unrelated development, a wildfire was reported on a tree-covered expanse bordering on the western port city of Patra. Authorities said a power outage related to the blaze caused the interruption of the state-run radio network's broadcast for several hours, as the fire spread menacingly toward radio transmitters and satellite downlink dishes.

Police are believed to be searching for two youths seen riding through the area on motorcycle just before the blaze began.

[10] Health minister says press reports on health reform create confusion

Athens, 21/07/2000 (ANA)

"Reform will be a proposal to the cabinet which is being processed by the ministry's civil leadership after taking into consideration all the proposals, studies and reports by work groups which have addressed the issue since 1993. What is being leaked or written arbitrarily only causes confusion," Papadopoulos said.

[11] George Koliris appointed new general director of Defense Ministry's General Armaments Department

Athens, 21/07/2000 (ANA)

[12] EU draft budget for 2001 presented by European Commission ratified after first reading

BRUSSELS, 21/07/2000 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

The most important points concerning Greece were related to agricultural and regional expenditures, expenditures for Balkan reconstruction and the recreation of the "special line" contained in the EU's budget in the past to handle natural disasters in member-states.

Addressing the body, Drys expressed disagreement with cutbacks in agricultural expenditures, as proposed in the European Commission's initial plan, and with the reduction in credit payments and credits contained in "Target 1" (underprivileged regions) in particular.

Drys underlined the different views existing in the EU concerning the preparation of "austerity budgets", primarily supported by Germany, despite reactions from the EU's southern countries.

Referring to structural expenditures, Drys said decisions taken at the Berlin summit are binding and should also constitute a reference basis in shaping credits.

On the question of Balkan reconstruction, Drys focused on tough efforts being made by Greece for stability and development in the region, adding that these efforts have a high cost. Consequently, the continuous funding of the EU's activities in this sensitive region of southeastern Europe should be a priority issue in the budget for 2001.

Greece again raised the need to recreate the special line existing in the budget until 1997 for the granting of urgent aid in cases of natural disasters in the EU.

[13] Papoulias and Russian Ambassador discuss Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline

Athens, 21/07/2000 (ANA)

According to a relevant Parliament press release, special reference was made to the expectation of a tripartite agreement being signed between Greece, Russia and Bulgaria on the operation of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, which "will be in the interests of the countries involved."

Other issues discussed were the crisis in Yugoslavia and the continuing policy of the US and NATO, recent developments in Chechnya and the rapprochement between China and Russia following Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to China.

[14] Minister warns delay in job talks could raise unemployment

Athens, 21/07/2000 (ANA)

"If the dialogue lasts four months then the number of un-employed will rise by 20,000 people," Giannitsis said.

The talks are scheduled to begin on August 20.

The General Confederation of Greek Workers, the country's largest trade union umbrella group, said after an internal meeting that it had no blanket objection to dialogue, but had rejected a series of five points on employment that it said the government wanted as the basis for talks.

[15] Laliotis announces road tolls hike

Athens, 21/07/2000 (ANA)

He dismissed, however, press reports over a three or five times rise in road toll prices.

Laliotis said that prices remained stable since 1996 despite the fact that the government has completed works on a further 400 km in the country's national road network.

He reiterated that the decision on toll prices and the duration of road toll operation by private investors would be taken by the government and not by the consortium winning the assignment contract.

Laliotis also said that the operation of road tolls on specific road sections under construction would begin after completion of works, probably in 2005 or 2006. He said that the toll price in the Athens-Thessaloniki national road was five drachmas per km, while prices in the Corinth-Tripoli road were 12-13 drachmas per km. The average price in Europe was 20 drachmas per km.

Laliotis said the construction of Egnatia Road was progressing rapidly with an expected 180 km to be delivered in 2000, another 264 km next year and 173 km by the end of 2002. The work is expected to be completed by 2004.

[16] Hellenic Telecoms expects big profits from Balkan investments

Athens, 21/07/2000 (ANA)

Hellenic Telecoms' board said on Thursday that there no essential differences with the Bulgarian side and attributed any reactions to the takeover deal in the neighboring country to trade unions' policy.

George Skarpelis, Hellenic Telecoms' deputy chief executive, said that the organization was planning to expand in new services, such as cable TV and Internet, in countries where it has already expanded.

He said that the organization would soon begin to see profits from its investments abroad based on positive forecasts made by international banks and consulting firms over the economic prospects of these countries.

Skarpelis said the organization expected its pre-tax profits to exceed 700 million US dollars by 2003 from its Romanian investment in ROM-Telecom. Hellenic Telecoms' investments are expected to total 2.3 billion dollars.

In Armenia, the organization expects profits to exceed 77 million US dollars by 2003 and the number of mobile telephony users to exceed 70,000 in the country. Armetel, reported profits of 4.2 million dollars in the first quarter of 2000 and Hellenic Telecoms has installed 700,000 new telephone lines.

The organization decided to launch a new business plan for its investment in Serbia Telecom.

Hellenic Telecoms said that its expansion in foreign markets would continue beyond the Balkan region into the rest of Europe.

Hellenic Telecoms announces expansion in Turkey: Hellenic Telecommunications Organization on Thursday announced its expansion in Turkey through its subsidiary OTEnet, an Internet service provider.

George Skarpelis, the organizations deputy chief executive, said that OTEnet was in talks with the neighboring country to expand its activities in the Internet market.

[17] Athens bourse approves Bank of Cyprus IPO prospectus

Athens, 21/07/2000 (ANA)

BOC said in a statement that its listing on ASE created new prospects for the group and would have positive repercussions on the economy of Cyprus, as it furthered the internationalization of the Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) and opened the way for the listing of more Cypriot companies on the Greek bourse.

"Listing of the BOC share on the ASE will create new prospects for the Group since new sources of capital will be tapped, enabling it to implement its programmed of rapid expansion," said BOC Chairman Solon Triantafyllides.

He added that it is also expected that a similar interest will be exhibited by Greek companies to obtain listing on CSE.

BOC will float 39 million shares, representing 12 percent of its total share capital, expecting to raise 160-180 billion drachmas. The flotation is expected in September.

The Capital Market Commission will consider BOCs prospectus for approval before the flotation date is set.

According to data of 31.12.1999, BOC had assets of 3.01 trillion drachmas, its stock market value was estimated at 1.5 trillion drachmas and has received an A2 rating by Moody's.

[18] National Bank of Greece completes buyout of Bulgaria's UBB

Athens, 21/07/2000 (ANA)

The sellers were the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Bulbank of Bulgaria, CIBC Oppenheimer Corp. and Jordel Enterprises Limited. EBRD will retain a 10 per-cent stake in UBB for two years, the buyer said in a statement.

State-run National is Greece's largest commercial bank with consolidated assets of over 45 billion US dollars. It has more than 610 branches at home and 200 abroad.

National intends to preserve UBB's current network and retain present personnel levels while modernizing the bank and widening its range of retail services, especially lending.

[19] Eurobank-led consortium acquires majority stake in Romania's Banc Post

Athens, 21/07/2000 (ANA)

Banc Post is a major bank in Romania with a branch network of 128 units, with a workforce of 4,000 and holds the largest ATM network in the country.

Banc Post's association with the Romanian Post office provides its customers with 2,650 additional points of service. Its total as-sets amounted to 7,219 billion leu (334 million USD) last year, while pre-tax profits reached 183 billion leu (8.5 million USD).

EFG Eurobank's decision to participate in the share capital of Bank Post falls within its strategic planning for further expansion in the Balkans.

The BPI group, is the fourth largest private owned bank in Portugal focusing in investment and commercial banking activities. General Electric Capital Corporation is a member of General Electric Corporation.

[20] Hygeia Hospital sees bourse entry in mid-October

Athens, 21/07/2000 (ANA)

For issue are 3,500,000 new common shares in the IPO with 397,462 common shares destined for private placement.

The Hygeia diagnostic and treatment center plans to use the proceeds of the IPO to create new hospital installations, build a pediatric clinic, purchase a helicopter and new ambulances, and build a conference center.

The hospital's turnover in 2000 is estimated at 22.7 billion drachmas from 20.8 billion a year earlier. Profit after tax this year is expected to rise to 2.3 billion drachmas from 1.4 billion.

The Hygeia is among hospitals that will offer health services in the 2004 Olympic Games to be hosted by Athens.

[21] Premier, Merchant Marine Minister discuss policy issues

Athens, 21/07/2000 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, after a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Papoutsis said he briefed the premier on issues regarding the country's coastal shipping, ocean-going shipping and the port police.

The two men agreed to continue talks next Thursday.

Papoutsis said the ministry was making efforts to improve coastal shipping services in the Dodecannese islands through increasing the number of ships servicing the line.

Referring to an illegal immigrant influx in the country, Papoutsis said it was not just a Greek phenomenon, but a European one, and that it needed a more enhanced role by the port police authority to deal with the situation.

[22] OA technicians threaten 24-hour rolling strikes

Athens, 21/07/2000 (ANA)

The start of the strike action will be determined in the next few days.

[23] Gov't to submit new taxation bill in the autumn

Athens, 21/07/2000 (ANA)

The same reports said the bill would provide, among others, for a gradual reduction in the top tax rate from 45 percent to 40 percent, the price indexation of all taxation brackets every two years, and the gradual reduction in the tax rate for non-listed companies from 40 percent to 33 percent until 2003.

[24] Greek stocks end higher in nervous trade

Athens, 21/07/2000 (ANA)

The general index ended at 4,063.05 points, up 0.47 percent, off the day's lows of 3,982.40 points, with turnover a low 64 billion drachmas. Dealers said strong buying interest in blue chip stocks (National Bank, Alpha Bank, Hellenic Telecoms) helped in the reversal of the early downward trend.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 0.46 percent higher at 2,268.23 points and the FTSE/ASE 40 index rose 0.01 percent to 575.21 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 7,782.37 +0.71% Leasing: 797.53 -0.99% Insurance: 2,506.75 -1.46% Investment: 1,679.57 +0.84% Construction: 2,176.26 +0.13% Industrials: 2,507.40 +0.64% Miscellaneous: 4,079.68 -0.15% Holding: 4,436.60 +0.59%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended 0.36 percent higher at 754.52 points.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 167 to 151 with another 29 issues unchanged.

Hellenic Telecoms, Panafon, Datamedia, Daias Plastics, Doudos, Alpha Bank and National Bank were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in Drs): National Bank: 14,500 Titan Cement: 13,700 Alpha Bank: 13,950 Hellenic Telecoms: 8,090 Commercial Bank: 16,160 Panafon: 4,240 Hellenic Petroleum: 3,850 Eurobank: 9,600 Attica Enterprises: 3,780 Intracom: 13,330 Lambrakis Press: 10,240 Minoan Lines: 3,640 Heracles Cement: 7,590 Hellenic Bottling: 5,340

Equity futures rise, tracking Athens bourse: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished higher on Thursday, in line with the indices on which they are based.

The underlying FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 0.46 percent up, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 0.01 percent higher.

Turnover was 9.96 billion drachmas from 11.32 billion drachmas a day earlier.

A total of 977 contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20 with turnover at 4.39 billion drachmas.

On the FTSE/ASE 40 index, 2,462 contracts changed hands on turnover of 5.57 billion drachmas.

Bond prices pick up in light, buy-oriented trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Thursday finished higher in light trade.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 6.107 percent from 6.12 percent for the two previous sessions.

The Greek paper's yield spread over German bunds was 79 basis points for the third consecutive trading day.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 58 billion drachmas from 34 billion drachmas in the session before.

Buy orders accounted for 46 billion drachmas of turnover.

Drachma down vs. euro, dollar: The drachma on Thursday fell against the euro and the US dollar in the domestic foreign exchange market.

At the central bank's daily fixing, the euro was set at 336.840 drachmas from 336.550 drachmas in the previous session.

Also at the fixing, the US dollar was set at 365.770 drachmas from 364.800 drachmas a day earlier.

[25] Greek National Theatre opens historic first night at Rome's Colosseum

ROME, 21/07/2000 (ANA - L. Hatzikyriakos)

Brought to stage by the Greek National Theatre, directed by Vassilis Papavassiliou, the opening night of the play on Wednesday marked the first time that a paying audience returned to the crumbling arches of the Colosseum in 15 centuries.

As befitted the occasion, the audience was similarly august - though a little nonplussed when the actors gushed in highly emotional and incomprehensible modern Greek and the dim light made the slim Italian translations they had been issued with next to useless.

After the performance, Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi described the experience as "unique" and "magical" and said the play allowed the audience to relive classical times.

"Of course, at first it was a surprise to hear the actors talking in Greek in the Colosseum, but then the performance, the actors overcome you and you don't realize they are speaking in Greek," he said.

Also among the audience of 700 were Italian Culture Minister Giovanna Melandri and her Greek counterpart Theodoros Pangalos, as well as other members of the Italian government and Italian high society.

Melandri said it was "an amazing spectacle. It is very moving to inaugurate the Colosseum with a performance and a theatre that form the roots of our culture. I hope that in the future there will be other similar events."

The majority of the Italian press also enthusiastically received the Greek National Theatres performance, though some complaints were heard about the emphasis on foreign companies in the line-up of the festival that it inaugurates.

The play, with Grigoris Valtinos playing the lead and Jenny Gaitanopoulou as Jocasta, will run until Friday night, and kicks off a 19-day festival called "Colosseum 2000 - Sophocles Plan" that celebrates the end of eight years of restoration work. This included the construction of a wooden stage where the actors perform, standing over the ruined floor of the arena where gladiators once fought and died. The floor of the arena no longer exists, having been excavated to reveal the labyrinth of passages that lay underneath.

Appearing next after the Greek National Theatre will be the ancient Greek play "Antigone" performed by an Iranian theatre company from Teheran.

[26] Bill would set three-child limit for recognizing 'large families'

Athens, 21/07/2000 (ANA)

Parents of larger families as well as the children themselves at present enjoy various state-allocated perks, such as deductions on income tax returns, subsidized housing loans, lower fares on public transports, military deferments, civil servants jobs etc.

Under the proposed legislation the three-child limit would include the aggregate number of children from one or more marriages, as well as children born out of wedlock. Additionally, at least one of the children in larger families would practically be guaranteed a state-sector position (owing to a proposed 70 percent curve on entrance exams and/or criteria), whereas additional cutbacks in conscription terms are envisioned for males.

Finally, the bill - tabled by five ruling PASOK deputies - includes a proposal for the creation of a National Center for the Study of Demographics.

[27] Greenpeace points to dioxin risk from illegal landfills

Athens, 21/07/2000 (ANA)

Additionally, the international environmental advocacy group claimed that the burning of rubbish in such landfills accounts for the annual release into the atmosphere of between 47.7 and 920 grams of dioxins, a quantity greater than the one that caused last year's "food scare" in Belgium.

Greenpeace's bureau in Greece released the figures during a news conference in Athens, a few weeks after an unprecedented ruling against the country by the European Court over the operation of an illegal landfill on the island of Crete.

The group's local bureau director reiterated that the primary cause of dioxin dissemination during the burning of garbage comes from the presence of chlorine, especially as those found in PVC-based plastics.

The European Court imposed a daily fine of 20,000 euros (6.7 million drachmas) on Greece earlier this month over the latter's failure to comply with a 1992 European Court decision to stop dumping toxic wastes at the Kouroupito landfill near Hania, Crete.

The action marked the first time that the European Court took such action against an EU member-state for failing to implement one of its previous decisions. The daily fine will be tacked on from the day of the second ruling -- July 4, 2000 -- and until the time the Greek government complies with the previous 1992 decision.

On its part, the Greek government has vociferously blamed local opposition for the delays in cleaning up the site and has repeatedly warned that the fine imposed by the European court would be deducted from funds destined for Hania prefecture.

Greenpeace has called for the abolition of plastic containers and packaging made from PVCs and their replacement with glass or multiple use packaging.

[28] European Catholic youth to meet on island of Tinos

Athens, 21/07/2000 (ANA)

The young people, aged between 15-19 years old, will discuss the issue of "Mass media, communications and training."

About 60 of them will attend the meeting, mostly from the European Union but also from Switzerland, Poland, Lithuania, Slovenia and the Ukraine.

[29] Mass violations by Turkish warplanes over Cyprus's airspace

NICOSIA, 21/07/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Five F16's and an equal number of F4's illegally flew over Cyprus from 1030 to 1140 local time (0730 to 0840 GMT). Six of them flew over the Turkish army military parade in occupied Nicosia while the other four were patrolling the area.

At the same time, a Turkish Air Force display flight, comprising nine F5's, and a transport plane remained landed at the illegal airport built on Greek Cypriot land in the occupied village of Lefkoniko.

The F5's were expected to fly over the northern occupied town of Kyrenia on Thursday afternoon for an air show.

Turkey has gone ahead with unprecedented violations of Cyprus' airspace over the past couple of days, totally ignoring an appeal by the UN Secretary-General, at the start of the Cyprus peace talks in Geneva, on July 5, after his separate meetings with President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

[30] Political party leaders will accompany President Clerides to Geneva talks

NICOSIA, 21/07/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou announced after a two-and-a-half-hour session Thursday afternoon of the National Council, top advisory body to the Cyprus president on the Cyprus question, that four out of five parliamentary parties participating in the Council replied positively to President Clerides' invitation to accompany him to Geneva.

They are the rightwing Democratic Rally, the leftwing AKEL, the Socialdemocrats and the United Democrats. The right-right Democratic Party was due to decide Thursday night.

Speaking to the press after the second meeting of the National Council this week, Papapetrou said the political leaders have concluded their discussion on the views that President Clerides will put forward at the proximity talks in his oral replies to the UN Secretary-General's special adviser for Cyprus Alvaro de Soto.

De Soto, who is conducting the talks, had given President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash some thoughts to reflect upon during the meetings held in Geneva between July 5 - 12, asking them to give their replies when they resume on July 24.

"Our side is going to the Geneva talks fully prepared and strengthened," the spokesman remarked.

Papapetrou said the Greek Cypriot side aims at "substantive negotiations", noting this is what it has always been calling for as it does not believe in talks for the sake of talking.

Invited to comment on the latest Turkish provocations at a time when talks are going on, he said the Turkish side "aims at making our side leave the negotiating table, facilitating its own aims."

The spokesman said foreign government's helping in the Cyprus peace process have an obligation to seriously take the Turkish side's stance into consideration, especially after a request by both the UN Secretary-General and de Soto to the two sides to avoid actions that may hamper the talks during events held to commemorate the 20 July 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of 37 percent of Cyprus' territory that followed.

"Our side has completely complied with this appeal but the Turkish side has increased its provocations with violations of Cyprus' airspace by Turkish military aircraft and Mr. Annan and Mr. de Soto will have to take this into consideration," he added.

Papapetrou said the Greek Cypriot side would set out these facts and underline that they must not be accepted.

"We expect Mr. Annan and the UN to take measures to put an end to this climate that undermines the dialogue," he said.

[31] Cyprus pays tribute to those who lost their lives in defense of their country

NICOSIA, 21/07/2000 (CNA/ANA)

At the same time, in the Turkish-occupied northern part of the island Ankara's puppet regime is organizing military parades and Turkey continues with its provocative violations of the Republic's airspace, despite the fact that UN-led proximity talks aiming at a substantive dialogue to lead to a Cyprus settlement are under way.

Air raid sirens wailed early on Thursday morning at 0530 local time, (0230 GMT) the very time that 26 years ago Turkish troops landed on the shores of the northern coastal town of Kyrenia and flags are flying half-mast.

Commemoration services were held in churches in the free areas of the Republic for those who were killed during the 1974 invasion and prayers were said for those still missing, while at the same time leadership and people stress their determination not to accept the de facto division of the island.

Women refugees started on Wednesday and concluded Thursday a hunger strike demanding justice for Cyprus and the Mayors of all Cypriot towns have signed a petition demanding the re-unification of the island, respect of human rights for all the people of Cyprus, determination of the fate of missing persons and implementation of Vienna 3 Agreement on the protection and safeguard of human rights of those enclaved in the Turkish-occupied areas since 1974.

A delegation of the Greek Parliament arrived here on Wednesday night to attend the commemoration services.

The local media, printed and electronic, altered their programmers on Thursday to suit the bleak occasion with numerous analysis, viewpoints and special TV programmers with eyewitness reports from July-August 1974 and views from a wide spectrum of the Cypriot society.

[32] International appeal by relatives of Cyprus missing persons

NICOSIA, 21/07/2000 (CNA/ANA)

In a letter handed on Thursday to the ambassadors of the five UN permanent member-states here, the committee expresses disappointment with the non-implementation of UN resolutions on the missing persons in Cyprus and the lack of progress in determining their fate, something that "must be a matter of concern to all those who could help and failed to do so."

"We appeal to you once again in order to emphasize the bitterness and the agony of the thousands of relatives of missing persons in Cyprus, due to the standstill, for 26 years, on this purely humanitarian problem, the continuation of which constitutes a flagrant violation of fundamental human rights," the letter reads.

[33] EU Commissioner issues warning to Turkish Cypriots to have no illusions

LONDON, 21/07/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Replying to questions at a press conference in London on Thursday, Verheugen also said he is reasonably optimistic that a solution will be found in Cyprus.

"I think the approach that we now have," he said, "is a very wise approach. We have several options now. We are in a position to accept the Republic of Cyprus together with the rest of Cyprus because the other option, (the Turkish Cypriots) joining the EU together with Turkey, is an illusion. It is not going to happen".

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has turned down an invitation by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides for the Turkish Cypriot side to nominate representatives in the official team negotiating the Republic's accession since 1998, which was hailed by the EU itself

Earlier the EU official had talks with the Lord Mayor of the City of London Clive Martin on business relations with the countries that have opened accession talks with the EU.

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