Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-09-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece, US sign memorandum of cooperation on law enforcement

[02] Simitis, Clerides discuss development of Cyprus issue ahead of proximity talks

[03] Burns concedes State Department official made "unfortunate statement" on Papandreou’s Belgrade visit

[04] Papandreou's visit to Yugoslavia served Greek interests, gov't spokesman says

[05] Papandreou concludes Balkan visit with meeting with Montenegrin PM

[06] Papandreou meets UN administrator, community leaders in Pristina

[07] Reppas speaks on upcoming Cyprus proximity talks

[08] Simitis tells Greek Americans the Greek government is not satisfied with Turkey's stance lately

[09] Simitis meets with Archbishop Demetrios of America

[10] NATO's rotating convention to begin in Greece, Turkey

[11] Efthymiou announces changes to university entrance system

[12] Floridis 'morality bill' for sports to be tabled Tuesday, Kaklamanis says

[13] Papariga criticizes government policy over Yugoslavia

[14] Foreign ministry organizes conference on Cyprus, in memory of late FM Kranidiotis

[15] Trade unions end talks on labor reform

[16] Greek stocks end the week 27.76 percent higher

[17] National Bank of Greece in venture with US, Turkish firms

[18] Draft bill tabled for shipping companies' ASE listing

[19] Oil and the euro dominate informal meeting of EU Council of Economic Affairs

[20] Fuel prices to rise on Saturday

[21] OTE to buy back own stock from Sept. 19

[22] Sixty-five per cent of Greeks dissatisfied with country's national health system, Eurostat says

[23] SAE president winds up Bucharest visit

[24] Gov't says looks forward to substantive dialogue on Cyprus problem

[25] Britain agrees with UN chief's appeal for substantial negotiations

[26] Poll shows large percentage of Turkish Cypriots want federal solution

[01] Greece, US sign memorandum of cooperation on law enforcement

Greek Public Order Minister Michalis Chrysohoidis and US Attorney General Janet Reno on Friday signed a memorandum of cooperation between Greek and US law enforcement agencies.

The memorandum, detailing sectors of cooperation between Greece and the US, focusing on confronting terrorism and organized crime, was made public on Friday.

According to the memorandum, the two countries will cooperate in confronting financial crime, including forms of money laundering via electronic means.

They will also cooperate in locating wanted individuals in either country, as until now wanted persons fled to Greece or the US to avoid prosecution for financial crimes or felonies.

The memorandum includes a clause on confidentiality of information, as it is an important factor in resolving narcotics, terrorism and financial crimes.

Finally, the memorandum includes a clause allowing for any of the two countries to decline requests of the other.

In statements, Reno said "many times throughout history the American and Greek people found themselves faced with problems that they have worked out together. The problems of today's political realities again affect us both. In face of the issues of organized crime and terrorism our people are both able to confront them with common action."

On his part, Chrysohoidis said the signing of the memorandum of cooperation "puts an end to a period of suspicions and at many times misunderstandings which existed between the two countries. I would say that it places more systematically the basis for us to cooperate in the confrontation of international organized crime and terrorism in our country."

US Ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns and Greek Ambassador to Washington Alexandros Philon were was also present at the signing of the memorandum.

Burns said: "I just want to thank Mr. Chrysohoidis for coming to Washington. I think he's had a very successful trip. He is held in great respect here by our Government."

[02] Simitis, Clerides discuss development of Cyprus issue ahead of proximity talks

NEW YORK, 09/09/2000 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

"Some of the issues we discussed with Prime Minister Mr. Simitis are also subject to the embargo and, consequently, they are not for publication. We shall not publicize other tactical issues so as not to show our cards to the other side in advance," Clerides said.

On his part, Simitis said "we discussed the development of the Cyprus problem in its entirety with President Clerides. Our strategy has two poles:

"One is the implementation of UN resolutions. Discussions regarding implementation of the resolutions are underway. They will start again on Tuesday. It is particularly important for Cyprus and Greece that we reconfirm our positions and give the international community the message that decisions taken should lead at last to a solution to the Cyprus problem.

"The second pole is accession negotiating. Cyprus and Greece believe that the accession of Cyprus to the European Union will also contribute considerably to the better handling of all political, economic and social problems Cyprus has, as well as to a better handling of all aspects of the political issue. We also discussed this accession course. We agree on the strategy we should follow and I believe that the coming months are months which will have particular importance. We should be very careful in the handling of issues to enable us to continuously gain ground in negotiating."

Replying to a question by the press that he said in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, that the Greek Cypriot side should stay in the talks whatever happens, Simitis said:

"No, excuse me. I said no such thing. I said the following: We, as I previously mentioned, should promote the accession of Cyprus to the EU. So as to promote the accession of Cyprus to the EU, just as for us to have a very good negotiating position in UN procedures, we should in no way give the other side the alibi that we are not discussing, not participating and being indifferent. On the contrary, it is us who should show that we are willing for dialogue, willing for understanding and willing for the composition because this is the truth.

"Who are those who have been refusing dialogue so far? You are more aware that it is the Turkish Cypriot side and that it is procrastinating here at the UN. We should make this procrastination evident and make it obvious to all UN member-states and to all the EU countries. Consequently, a discussion which is not aimed at strengthening the position of Cyprus internationally, revealing the negative position of the other side in parallel, is a discussion which is not correct."

[03] Burns concedes State Department official made "unfortunate statement" on Papandreous Belgrade visit

WASHINGTON, 09/09/2000 (ANA T. Ellis)

Someone in the State Department made a very unfortunate statement yesterday. I want to correct that statement. I want to give you an official US government statement, Burns said.

A State Department spokesman on Thursday termed Papandreou's meeting the same day with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic as "unfortunate". Papandreou also met with members of the country's opposition. The Greek minister urged Yugoslav authorities to proceed to free and democratic presidential elections and to accept international monitoring observers.

We in the US Government and the members of the European Union had extensive conversations with the Greek Government prior to the trip of Foreign Minister Papandreou to Belgrade," Burns said.

We fully supported his trip and the idea behind his trip, which was to support democracy, to support free and fair elections in Belgrade. We think that Minister Papandreou in going to Belgrade did so with the best wishes of all the governments of Europe and certainly the government of the United States.

He was there to put forward a very important message and that is that there ought to be free and fair elections in Serbia on September 24, that democracy should be returned to Serbia, that the opposition political parties ought to be respected. We think his trip in that sense fulfilled a very important purpose.

"I am very sorry if yesterday there were some statements by the State Department, which I think they were unfortunate. They do not represent our policy and I am giving you our policy today.

"We admire the fact that the trip was made. We know it was a difficult trip. Its difficult to deal with Slobodan Milosevic who is an indicted war criminal, who ought to be out of power, out of Serbia and in The Hague on trial for war crimes in Bosnia and in Kosovo. We admire that Foreign Minister Papandreou and his assistants spoke with such clarity about the need for democracy in the Balkans," Burns concluded.

[04] Papandreou's visit to Yugoslavia served Greek interests, gov't spokesman says

NEW YORK, 09/09/2000 (ANA - G. Papachristos)

Reppas noted that "all sides", including the United States were informed of Papandreou's visit, attributing the condemnation of the visit to "the views of certain diplomatic circles" at the US State Department, adding that Papandreou visited Yugoslavia as a European Union minister.

He also said that US Ambassador to Greece Nicholas Burns ma-de a corrective statement in which he noted that the United States were informed of the Papandreou initiative and approved it.

In Athens, acting government spokesman Telemachos Hytiris on Friday shrugged off US State Department reactions to Foreign Minister George Papandreou's tour of the Balkans - particularly his meeting with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic - saying that Washington had been aware of the visit and that some reactions couldn't be helped.

"Greece must keep the channels of communication [with Yugoslavia] open," he said, adding that the country had to judge for itself what its policy in the Balkans should be.

"We are in favor of restoring a climate of peace and cooperation in the region, in favor of a European course for Balkan countries and of their economic development. This is what we support and put into action at all fora. We know that the way is not easy," he said.

With regard to Papandreou's primary objectives for the tour - to press Yugoslav authorities to hold free and fair elections and allow the presence of independent foreign observers - Hytiris said that the Greek foreign minister had stated his case and his wishes in the belief that this would benefit Yugoslavia itself.

A policy, the spokesman added, has long-term results that are not immediately obvious. "We must stand by our positions. Greece, through its presence, contributes to stability and peace," he concluded.

[05] Papandreou concludes Balkan visit with meeting with Montenegrin PM

PODGORICA, 09/09/2000 (ANA - I. Afentouli)

Vujanovic said constitutional reforms introduced by Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic a few months ago are illegal, interpreting his government's position to abstain from presidential elections called for September 24 in this way. He did not rule out the possibility of a referendum to enable, as he said, the people of Montenegro to decide whether they want it to remain in the Yugoslav Federation.

On his part, Papandreou said that all countries in the region should move in the framework of certain principles which will not jeopardize peace and stability. In this way, Papandreou indirectly opposed, as is the case with other European Union countries, Montenegro's stance in light of the upcoming elections.

He reiterated that he was visiting the region following consultations with his EU counterparts to convey the message that a democratic Yugoslavia will be welcome in the wider European family.

[06] Papandreou meets UN administrator, community leaders in Pristina

PRISTINA, 09/09/2000 (ANA - I. Afendouli)

Shortly after 4:00 p.m. he had already met with the head of the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) Bernard Kouchner, the province's temporary UN-appointed administrator, and the leader of the Albanian community Ibrahim Rugova, while he was due to meet the leader of the Mitrovica Serb community, Oliver Ivanovic, shortly afterward.

Papandreou's visit comes at a particularly tense time for Kosovo, with elections coming up in Yugoslavia on September 24, while local elections have been set for October 28.

Kouchner warned that the KFOR UN peace-keeping troops stationed in the area could face serious problems. "But this is the price of democracy," he concluded.

For his part, the Greek foreign minister said the UN administration's decision to allow Kosovo to hold elections with the rest of Yugoslavia was correct.

Referring to his visit to Belgrade on Thursday, Papandreou reiterated that its goal was to give the message that Europe wants to restore relations with Yugoslavia, provided free and democratic elections are held in that country.

Regarding the situation in Kosovo, the foreign minister said that tolerance and the principles of peaceful coexistence had to prevail.

"We are aware of the problems," he underlined. "We must find a way of overcoming these. This will not happen if everyone insists on their positions, we must rise above the divisions and attempt to bring to the Balkans the pluralistic, European model," he said.

On arriving on Friday morning, Papandreou had also met with the commander of the KFOR UN peace-keeping force and visited the camp where the Greek contingent is stationed, on the outskirts of Pristina.

He also visited a historic monastery in Gracanica and a hospital operating in this Serb enclave with the assistance of the Greek section of "Medecins du Monde".

[07] Reppas speaks on upcoming Cyprus proximity talks

NEW YORK, 09/09/2000 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

He said "the Cyprus problem is at a very good phase" and that it was definitely positive that there was movement on the issue.

He refrained however of expressing optimism on the outcome of the fourth round of UN-led proximity talks on the Cyprus issue which begin in New York on Tuesday.

Reppas underlined that the Cyprus government is facing with great responsibility the procedure of the talks. He said the Cyprus government hopes the dialogue will be fruitful and substantive and proved that it was ready for in-depth discussions on crucial matters.

He noted that the negative stance by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and by Turkey must be revealed to the international community.

Hytiris on Simitis-Sezer meeting: Acting government spokesman Telemachos Hytiris, in response to questions over a possible meeting between Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Turkish President Ahmed Sezer on the side-lines of the UN Millennium Summit in New York, said on Friday that nothing was being done in this direction but did not rule out the possibility.

"A lot of meetings are taking place on the occasion of the summit," he added.

[08] Simitis tells Greek Americans the Greek government is not satisfied with Turkey's stance lately

NEW YORK, 09/09/2000 (ANA - G. Papachristos)

Simitis, who was addressing an event organized here by Greek Americans, said Turkey's European vocation will not go ahead unless this country complies with international law and establishes a state of law.

He said that on the Cyprus issue Greece supports a solution based on UN decisions and resolutions in the framework of a bicommunal and bizonal federation, on a state with a single sovereignty, one nationality and one international identity and without occupation troops and refugees where Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will live in harmony.

Referring to bilateral relations with Turkey, Simitis said it is up to the governments to respond to the desire of the two countries' societies and move further away from the negative stereotypes of the past.

"Our government follows a policy based on principles, international law and observance of international treaties. Turkey, to a certain degree, showed that it is responding to our messages. We will continue with this policy with a spirit of realism and at paces permitted by conditions on each occasion," he said.

Simitis said Greece is different from that of 1996 and the country's international position has been upgraded thanks to the tough efforts of the Greek people in past years.

[09] Simitis meets with Archbishop Demetrios of America

NEW YORK, 09/09/2000 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

After the 40-minute meeting, Simitis said he and the Archbishop had a "very cordial discussion on issues concerning Hellenism and the Church".

He said the Greek Orthodox Church of America contributed substantially to preserving the traditions of Hellenism and to enabling the children of Greek immigrants to receive an education that maintained the links the motherland.

"I wish to thank the prime minister because I saw his love and concern for the issues of the Greeks abroad, and also for the assurance of his willingness to aid the Greek community here in whatever it needs. I further wish to thank him for bringing the sense of unity of Hellenism, which cannot be divided by the Atlantic, but is a uniform element that lives and will continue to live.

[10] NATO's rotating convention to begin in Greece, Turkey

Athens, 09/09/2000 (ANA)

The convention is scheduled to begin in an Athens hotel on Sunday and continue in Istanbul from Wednesday to next Saturday, as this annual event always includes visits, entitled MC Tour, in two to three NATO countries.

All 19 NATO member-states are expected to participate via their National Defense General Staff Chiefs, while the high command of the alliance will be represented by the Supreme Alliance Commander Europe and the Supreme Alliance Commander Atlantic.

The convention was initially scheduled to take place in Greece and Turkey last year but was rescheduled due to the earthquakes that hit Turkey on Aug. 17, 1999 and Greece on Sept. 7, 1999. Last year's convention was moved to Brussels.

[11] Efthymiou announces changes to university entrance system

Athens, 09/09/2000 (ANA)

Under the new system, the number of exams students have to take is reduced from 14 to nine in the second year and from 13 to nine in the third and final year of senior school. Religious education has finally been axed as an exam subject.

Students will be admitted to universities and technical colleges based on their average marks in written and oral examinations, with additional points for their "directional" subjects. The marks in the second year will be taken into account where these are higher than in the third, but the grades of the school-leaver certificate will no longer be taken into account.

Candidates are now allowed unlimited attempts to win a place at university or technical college, but cannot carry over good marks from previous years. School leavers from previous years can either compete in the nine nationwide exams or submit their marks from previous years, but only 10 per cent of applicants will be admitted in this way.

Another innovation is to make the teaching curriculum the same as that on which candidates are tested, so that they know in September which chapters will tested in June. The number of term-time tests is also reduced to one, to be taken in the first trimester.

According to the Education Minister, the changes aim to liberate the Unified Lyceum (senior school) from being solely geared toward the process of entering tertiary education.

[12] Floridis 'morality bill' for sports to be tabled Tuesday, Kaklamanis says

Athens, 09/09/2000 (ANA)

Originally submitted as an amendment in a bill on the introduction of the euro, it would have barred known or suspected felons from holding positions of responsibility within sports agencies, federations and clubs, but it was thrown out by opposition parties on Thursday as being unrelated to the bill under discussion.

The bill was handed into the relevant Parliament department on Friday and will not be classed as urgent, meaning that it is expected to come before the body for discussion in October when Floridis has returned from the Olympic Games in Sydney.

Talking to the press, Kaklamanis noted that procedures had been followed to the letter during Thursday's session and that an amendment that had no conceivable relevance to the bill under discussion could not be discussed without the agreement of the opposition parties.

He also denied press reports that he had received telephone calls or letters regarding the Floridis amendment from parliamentary deputies.

"No MP or any other person apart from the deputy minister in charge contacted me in connection with this matter," he said.

[13] Papariga criticizes government policy over Yugoslavia

Athens, 09/09/2000 (ANA)

Papariga, who was speaking at a press conference on the occasion of her visit to the 65th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), said "today, the government is trying to influence the election result in Yugoslavia" and warned the government with the motto "he who lives by the sword dies by the sword", while predicting that "the risk of a new war in the Balkans cannot be ruled out."

She said the Greek foreign minister should not have visited Yugoslavia and expressed strong opposition to the NATO exercise due to start in western Macedonia on Saturday and last until October 10.

Referring to domestic issues, Papariga said the KKE insists on its proposal on the creation of a united struggle front against government policy and the economic oligarchy.

[14] Foreign ministry organizes conference on Cyprus, in memory of late FM Kranidiotis

Athens, 09/09/2000 (ANA)

The conference, entitled "Cyprus before its accession to the European Union", is part of cooperative efforts of Greece and Cyprus for the unhindered accession of the island republic to the Union and the resolution of the Cyprus problem in a just and viable manner.

It was Kranidiotis, who envisioned and worked hard for the European prospect of Cyprus, is essence being the greatest of contributors to the Helsinki decisions.

Alternate Foreign Minister Elizabeth Papazoi will deliver the opening remarks of the conference.

Religious services in memory or Kranidiotis, and his son Nicholas, who was also killed in the same accident, will take place at 9:30 am at the First Cemetery of Athens on Sunday.

[15] Trade unions end talks on labor reform

Athens, 09/09/2000 (ANA)

"It takes two to tango," Labor Minister Tassos Giannitsis told reporters after a fruitless meeting with GSEE officials on Friday.

GSEE said it would focus its activities in the next few days to prepare for the success of a general strike called for October 10. "Unemployment, a 35-hour week and re-regulating industrial relations, are our flag," Christos Polyzogopoulos, GSEE's chair-man said.

He also said that the union umbrella would seek a round of talks, on its own terms, with the government and political parties to promote its proposals on unemployment.

GSEE also adopted a tougher stance over government's plans for the full privatization of public sector's enterprises. The union called for a three-hour work stoppage in all public sector enterprises next Tuesday, September 12.

Polyzogopoulos said that employers' and employees' proposals on labor relations were totally different and that there were no room for convergence.

Labor Minister Tassos Giannitsis said the ministry's decisions would be achieved before Christmas and did not rule out a unilateral move by the government.

Civil aviation, refuse collectors announce work stoppage, strike: Federation of Civil Aviation Associations (OSPA) on Friday announced its will participate in the three-hour work stoppage called by the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) for Tuesday, in protest of the government's decision to privatize public enterprises.

In an unrelated development, municipal sanitation workers under temporary contracts throughout Greece announced strikes for Sept. 18 and 19, demanding the signing of collective labor agreements and increases in pay to meet the salaries of their counterparts with long term contracts.

[16] Greek stocks end the week 27.76 percent higher

Athens, 09/09/2000 (ANA)

Traders said foreign institutional investors remained active buyers in the Greek market, with buying interest focused on blue chip stocks, particularly in the banking sector.

Market sources said foreign funds, which recently liquidated their positions in other European markets, were aggressively buying in the Greek bourse.

Alpha Bank and National Bank of Greece scored the biggest percentage gains of the day, up 11.79 and 11.03 percent respectively.

The general index ended 7.92 percent higher at 4,381.79 points, its highest close since June. It ended the week with a net gain of 27.76 percent.

Turnover was a massive 322.19 billion drachmas. The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 9.07 percent higher at 2,511.88 points and the FTSE/ASE 40 index rose 6.27 percent to 586.04 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 8,735.06 +11.28% Leasing: 795.37 +8.09% Insurance: 2,457.63 +5.99% Investment: 1,812.57 +8.36% Construction: 2,101.29 +4.73% Industrials: 2,599.01 +5.63% Miscellaneous: 4,517.49 +3.82% Holding: 5,306.31 +7.66%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 722.31 points, up 4.99 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 345 to six. Alpha Bank, National Bank, Panafon, Bank of Piraeus, Commercial Bank and Hellenic Telecoms were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in Drs): National Bank: 16,100 Titan Cement (c): 15,695 Alpha Bank:

15,980 Hellenic Telecoms: 8,300 Commercial Bank:

20,300 Panafon: 4,075 Hellenic Petroleum: 4,300 Eurobank: 10,410 Attica Enterprises: 3,290 Bank of Piraeus: 7,095 Intracom: 14,490 Lambrakis Press: 10,470 Minoan Lines: 3,705 Heracles Cement: 6,500

Hellenic Bottling: 4,615

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

The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 9.07 percent up, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 6.27 percent higher.

Turnover was 40.999 billion drachmas.

A total of 5,527 contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20 with turnover at 26.931 billion drachmas.

On the FTSE/ASE 40 index, 6,017 contracts changed hands on turnover of 14.068 billion drachmas.

Bond prices end down in sell-oriented trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Friday finished lower in thin, lackluster trade.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 6.04 percent, the same as in the last session.

The Greek paper's yield spread over German bunds was 79-80 basis points from 78 basis points a trading day earlier.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 18 billion drachmas from 224 billion drachmas in the session before.

Of the total, sell orders accounted for 16 billion drachmas of trade.

Drachma ends down vs. euro, up vs. dollar: The drachma on Friday ended lower against the euro and higher versus the US dollar in the domestic foreign exchange market.

At the central bank's daily fixing, the euro was set at 338.250 drachmas from 338.160 drachmas in the previous session.

Also at the fix, the dollar was set at 387.760 drachmas from 389.320 drachmas a day earlier.

[17] National Bank of Greece in venture with US, Turkish firms

ISTANBUL, 09/09/2000 (ANA-A.Kourkoulas)

The new firm, called Bosphorus Capital Partners, is an investment fund that will place its cash in Turkey.

"(This initiative) shows the dual nature of the Greek economy - that of a European Union economy which remains in close con-tact with regional developments," National's governor, Theodoros Karatzas, told the signing ceremony.

"Our choice demonstrates our belief in the future orientation of economies in the region and their convergence with the EU," Karatzas added.

Jersey-based Bosphorus Capital Partners has a start-up capital of 45 million US dollars, set to rise another 55 million dollars by spring 2001, JP Morgan Capital Corporation's general director, Pierre Dupont, said.

The new company will effect its transactions through banks of the Dogus Group (Ottoman Bank, Korfezbank and Garanti Bank), Garanti Securities and JP Morgan.

"Creation of the fund is a major opportunity for investments in Turkey, offering a source of external capital for small and medium-sized enterprises," said Ferit Sahenk, chairman of Dogus Holding.

Finally, Karatzas announced that National Bank of Greece would open a representation in Istanbul in the near future.

[18] Draft bill tabled for shipping companies' ASE listing

Athens, 09/09/2000 (ANA)

Port Police Corps' captains, D.Papachristodoulou and C.Delimichalis, presenting the draft bill to reporters said that it was aiming to boost the competitiveness of the Greek flag and to attracting new funds in the shipping sector.

The draft bill envisages that a Shipping Investment Company seeking listing on the Athens bourse should have an equity capital of at least 10 billion drachmas, a "satisfactory sum" for a shipping company seeking to raise capital from the market.

The assessment of a shipping company's equity capital was based on the average size of a Greek shipping company, the particularities of the shipping industry, the protection of investors and the wish to create a climate of confidence for the new sector in the market.

The bill envisages that at least 65 percent of a shipping company's equity capital must be invested in ship owners' shares, and that it holds a minimum of 10 percent and a maximum of 35 percent in cash, bank deposits and securities.

For a sum up to 25 percent of idle assets, the draft bill envisages that it could be invested in operators' shares, in shares of other listed shipping companies and in securities.

Up to 65 percent of a shipping investment company's assets should be invested in shares of six shipowner companies owning a minimum of one ocean-going vessel. Two-thirds of these ships must carry the Greek flag or another other EU member-state flag.

The assessment of a vessel's value will be carried out by two international brokerage firms, with the help of a third party if necessary, the bill said.

[19] Oil and the euro dominate informal meeting of EU Council of Economic Affairs

BRUSSELS, 09/09/2000 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

Ministers are expected to provide political backing for the euro, stating once again that its downward trend is not compatible with the facts and prospects of European economies which, despite the increase in oil prices, will continue to show high rates of growth in the medium term, according to assessments by the European Commission's relevant services.

The euro council is also expected to examine issues concerning the tax policies of eurozone countries and recent tax measures in France and Germany in particular. The discussion has an informal nature both because the Versailles session is informal and because tax issues constitute primarily a national responsibility.

However, the EU's French presidency wants the discussion to send the message that tax issues in member-states should also constitute gradually a topic of examination by the euro council, a view shared by many.

[20] Fuel prices to rise on Saturday

Athens, 09/09/2000 (ANA)

Gasoline is to rise by around 6.0 drachmas a liter and diesel by about 5.0 drachmas a liter.

The development ministry this month switched to daily from weekly indicative prices in order to better represent world price movements.

[21] OTE to buy back own stock from Sept. 19

Athens, 09/09/2000 (ANA)

OTE said in a statement on Friday that it will make partial use of the option to buy its own stock at a price ceiling of 14,000 drachmas per share.

It may repurchase up to 20 million stocks in the next four months, which accounts for up to 4.0 percent of stock, in line with shareholder approval at the company's last annual general meeting, the statement said.

The share buyback will be funded, in part, from cash stemming from the annulment of talks for OTE's acquisition, jointly with KPN of the Netherlands, of the Bulgarian Telecommunications Organization.

[22] Sixty-five per cent of Greeks dissatisfied with country's national health system, Eurostat says

BRUSSELS, 09/09/2000 (ANA - V. Demiris)

Seventy-three per cent of Portuguese, 65 per cent of Greeks and 50 per cent of Italians said they are "dissatisfied" with services provided by their national health systems.

Moreover, 35 per cent of Greek men and 31 per cent of Greek women are overweight. Spanish men come second with 32 per cent, followed by Luxembourg with 31 per cent and Britain with 30 per cent. Portuguese women come second with 31 per cent, followed by Britain with 27.9 per cent and Finland with 25.8 per cent.

Greece has the highest number of specialized doctors per million inhabitants in the EU, with 247 children's doctors, 203 gynecologists, 196 cardiologists, 174 surgeons and 113 psychiatrists.

[23] SAE president winds up Bucharest visit

BUCHAREST, 09/09/2000 (ANA)

Athens, accompanied by SAE president for Eastern Europe, Angelos Aslanidis, met Friday with US ambassador to Bucharest James C. Rosapepe.

The SAE president later briefed the chairman of the Greek parliament's standing community on Diaspora Greeks, Grigoris Niotis -- who arrived in Bucharest on Friday -- on his meetings.

Athens' meetings in the Romanian capital also included Orthodox Patriarch Theoktistos of Romania, minister for national minorities Peter Enestein, and Romanian president Emil Constantinescu's advisor, Prof. Zoe Petre, as Constantinescu was in the US for the UN millennium general assembly.

The SAE chief further met with the presidium of the Federation of Greek Businessmen of Romania for talks on collaborations among Greek, Greek-American and Romanian businessmen and on the prospects for setting up an Eastern Europe Business Center, with its headquarters in Romania.

[24] Gov't says looks forward to substantive dialogue on Cyprus problem

NICOSIA, 09/09/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Papapetrou also said that the government would welcome any move on behalf of the United Nations to submit a document during the forthcoming talks, as long as it is within the defined framework in which they are moving and conducting the talks.

UN-led proximity talks, separate meetings of the UN with President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, began last December and a fourth round is scheduled to start on September 12, in New York, aiming at paving the way for substantive negotiations leading to a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus, divided since Turkey invaded and occupied the northern third of the island in 1974.

The spokesman expressed hope that "various assurances we receive from various sides will at last be materialized and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash will be obliged to become involved in a substantive dialogue, true negotiations on the Cyprus problem".

Papapetrou said that if this did not happen, the National Council (advisory body to the President on the Cyprus problem, comprising parliamentary parties) would evaluate the situation and the government would take its views into consideration, before taking any decisions.

Asked to say who gave the assurances, Papapetrou referred to statements by US President Bill Clinton, who supported the need for substantive negotiations, as well as relevant statements by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, that it is time to get into the

substance for a solution.

Invited to say whether the government would favor a document being submitted by the United Nations at the talks, Papapetrou said "any move by the UN to submit a document, in the defined framework in which they are moving and conducting the talks, is welcome".

Papapetrou also said that the government's policy should strengthen the powers in Turkey which are working for a change in the country's policy on the Cyprus problem.

Referring to reports on the involvement of European Union High Commissioner on the 15-nation bloc's Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, the spokesman welcomed it as very positive and noted that the government wanted a more active involvement on behalf of the Union in the talks.

[25] Britain agrees with UN chief's appeal for substantial negotiations

LONDON, 09/09/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking at a press conference in London, only a few days before the talks begin in New York, Sir David said it would be a mistake to overestimate or underestimate what has been achieved so far, noting that there was a change of gear in the third round of talks and there should be another change of gear during the fourth round.

He noted that neither Britain nor the US have any blueprint for a solution of the Cyprus problem and stressed that it is a continuous process for a comprehensive solution.

The British envoy said that every effort should be made to reach a solution as soon as possible.

UN-led proximity talks, separate meetings of the UN with President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, began last December and a fourth round is scheduled to start on September 12, in New York, aiming at paving the way for substantive negotiations leading to a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus.

[26] Poll shows large percentage of Turkish Cypriots want federal solution

NICOSIA, 09/09/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Commenting on a poll carried out by a Turkish Cypriot news-paper, government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said it indicated that there is a political base to seek a compromise between the two sides.

According to "Kibris" newspaper, 31.7% of those questioned said the best solution for Cyprus would be a federation, while 27.2% supported a confederation, 23.3% two separate states, 7.7% unification with Turkey, and 5.3% a single state.

Papapetrou said that "it is an important fact that despite the propaganda of both Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and Turkey, a significant percentage of Turkish Cypriots continues to support a bizonal, bicommunal federal solution".

He noted that this result satisfies the government and indicates that there is a political base on which to search for a compromise between the two communities on the island, with the precondition that the insistence of Denktash and Ankara on a confederation would be set aside.

UN resolutions and two agreements reached between the two sides in the 1970's stipulate for the establishment of a bizonal, bicommunal federation in Cyprus.

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