Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-11-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Athens, Ankara agree to CBMs package; Papandreou says FYROM's territorial integrity 'vital' for Greece

[02] Prime Minister discusses situation in Balkans with British Foreign Secretary

[03] Albanian FM: Himarra election violations have affected ties with Greece

[04] President Stephanopoulos to pay official visit to Czech Republic

[05] US business delegation to visit 2004 headquarters

[06] Foreign Ministry seminar focuses on Hungary's EU accession course

[07] Greek cabinet finalizes 2001 budget

[08] Development Minister presents Greece's new image at US conference

[09] Giannitsis discusses labor relations with employers' organizations

[10] European Commission proposes strict measures on maritime safety

[11] EU Commissioner calls for business labor code of conduct

[12] Bill tabled on deregulation of fixed-line telecoms market

[13] OA to launch ticket auctions

[14] 16th Philoxenia tourism trade fair begins on Thursday

[15] Greek foodstuffs promoted at Paris exhibition

[16] Greek stocks end higher, market sentiment improving

[17] Scientists play down dangers of BSE in Greece from meat consumption, cosmetics use

[18] Commission demands Greece pay up toxic waste dumping fine

[19] Officials of 18 enterprises sentenced for polluting lake

[20] Alexander Onassis Foundation donates vehicles to fire brigade

[21] Non-governmental organizations call for change of Olympic rowing center location

[22] Computers containing medical files of 30,000 patients and research data taken during break-in

[23] President Clerides departs for fifth round of Cyprus proximity talks in Geneva

[24] Cypriot former minister appointed member of Alexander Onassis Foundation board

[01] Athens, Ankara agree to CBMs package; Papandreou says FYROM's territorial integrity 'vital' for Greece

BUDAPEST, 01/11/2000 (ANA D. Konstantakopoulos)

In a largely unexpected move, Greece's George Papandreou and Turkey's Ismail Cem said in a joint communique that certain CBMs would be considered within NATO's framework, whereas the rest will be adopted on a bilateral basis. Both men also said they have instructed their staff to begin studying such CBMs for speedy implementation.

They also said they requested that NATO secretary general George Robertson assist in the process in his capacity as the alliance's chief.

Earlier, both the Greek and Turkish foreign ministers focused on rapprochement, a little more than a week after Athens withdrew in protest from a Turkey-based NATO exercise.

Asked where he based his optimism vis-a-vis Greek-Turkish relations, Turkish FM Ismail Cem laconically responded, from the peoples.

Athens formally withdrew its forces from an alliance exercise, "Destined Glory 2000", earlier this month in protest over Ankara's unprecedented demands that Greek jets refrain from flying over two strategically placed Greek islands in the eastern Aegean. Claims by Turkish leadership that the islands are by treaty "demilitarized" -- and by extension airspace surrounding them is demilitarized as well -- precipitated in Greece's angry response and subsequent protests to NATO.

Additionally, a ceremony organized by the Atlantic Treaty Association (ATA) to honor Papandreou and Cem for their recent efforts towards rapprochement was cancelled after the Greek side said more progress was necessary before any awards were to be bestowed.

Earlier on Tuesday, both Cem and Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou spoke at ATA's general assembly, with the latter emphasizing the need for the two peoples to approach one anther.

"We have our differences, our different approaches ... but our two peoples have sent a clear message that they expect us to work for peace and cooperation," he added.

Cem, conversely, referred to "civil societies", which he said are able to "stabilize the continuing understanding and peace..."

"If politicians don't impede the related developments, then both countries will proceed much better," he said.

Both foreign ministers are expected to meet later in the day on the sidelines of the association's general assembly.

Conclusions of talks on CBMs approved: The two ministers met later on the sidelines of 46th General Assembly of the Atlantic Treaty Association and approved the conclusions of the talks between the Greek Foreign Ministry Political Affairs Director Skopelitis and his Turkish counterpart Alpogan regarding the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs).

The agreement, based on Greece's proposals, included a package of measures regarding the environment and good neighborliness, while measures regarding military issues included in the Yilmaz-Papoulias agreement, will be discussed within NATO under the auspices of the alliance's Secretary General Lord Robertson.

According to press reports, those talks are expected to begin in Brussels next week.

Papandreou expressed his concern over all that transpired during the NATO "Destined Glory 2000" military exercise, as well as over statements on Turkey's part, which do not contribute to the good relations between the two neighboring countries.

The Greek minister discussed the issue with Lord Robertson during their private meeting. Speaking to journalists, Robertson said that the alliance was examining the issue.

Papandreou noted that he and Cem decided to intensify their efforts toward rapprochement and cooperation between the two countries in sectors that such action can be fruitful.

On his part, Cem said that his meeting with Papandreou was positive and good, while he downplayed the recent problems in bilateral relations.

"Every relationship has its ups and downs," he said, adding that there will be problems in the future. However, he noted that there would be progress in most bilateral issues.

Later in the day, Papandreou and Cem met with their Bulgarian counterpart Nadezda Michailova, in the Hungarian Parliament building.

ND reaction: In Athens, main opposition New Democracy (ND) deputy Dora Bakoyianni, charged by her party to deal with foreign affairs issues, said that Papandreou continued his efforts of rapprochement with Turkey as if nothing had happened, without resolving and clearing up the problems created by Turkey during "Destined Glory 2000".

In a press release, she called on the government to make public the details of the CBMs in light of those problems and to clear up what measures would be discussed on a bilateral level.

Bakoyianni also called on Prime Minister Costas Simitis to openly state Greece's policy on Greek-Turkish affairs and said that "the appeasement policy followed by Greece to date allowed for the increased Turkish provocation".

Papandreou on Yugoslavia, FYROM: In other issues, the Greek FM told the ATA general assembly that the breakup of Yugoslavia into smaller national entities is a "constant source for destabilization". He also called on the European Union and NATO to adopt a clear strategy for the specific region.

Papandreou stressed that the constitutional future of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) is a problem solely for the interested parties in that country and should be not be decided through "unilateral actions".

Regarding the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), he cited what he called the "fragile" national balance within the landlocked Balkan state to Greece's immediate north.

Papandreou mentioned demographic changes in FYROM in combination with "energetic" ethnic Albanian communities, the Kosovo crisis and the re-awakening of irredentism as potential destabilizing factors for FYROM.

Finally, he emphasized that FYROM's territorial integrity is of "vital importance to the national security and interests of Greece and the region."

Reppas says Greece will not change its positions on Greek-Turkish relations: Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said on Tuesday Greece will not change its positions on Greek-Turkish relations and that the government does not fear meetings with Turkish officials.

He was replying to a question on whether Prime Minister Costas Simitis would ultimately meet Turkish European Affairs Minister Mesut Yilmaz after statements made by the Turkish official on Monday. Yilmaz had reportedly said that when one shakes hands with Greeks he should count his fingers afterwards.

The Turkish minister arrives in Athens on Thursday.

Reppas said Greece loses no opportunity to make its positions known and to declare directly that it desires friendship, peace and cooperation, but it also demands the same position by other countries. The spokesman also underlined the "responsibilities of those who do not help in this direction".

Questioned on statements by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, Reppas said Denktash has been proved a negative factor in the development of the Cyprus issue and is not legitimized to speak on the issue, but only to give explanations.

[02] Prime Minister discusses situation in Balkans with British Foreign Secretary

Athens, 01/11/2000 (ANA)

According to government sources, Simitis and Cook, who began a working visit to Athens the same day, also had a lengthy discussion on the issue of Turkey's partnership relationship with the EU, while Simitis reiterated Greece's positions on the need for the documentation of conclusions reached at the EU Helsinki summit concerning Greek-Turkish relations and the issue of Cyprus.

The sources said Cook thanked Simitis on behalf of British Prime Minister Tony Blair for efforts being made by the Greek authorities to detect and arrest the perpetrators of British military attache to Athens Stephen Saunders' murder in Athens last June.

Cook will also be holding talks with his Greek counterpart George Papandreou on Wednesday.

Chrysohoidis discusses terrorism with Cook: Public Order Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis on Tuesday discussed the issues of terrorism, drug smuggling and gunrunning with visiting British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook.

The meeting came only days after Chrysohoidis had visited London and had discussed the same issues with Cook.

At the end of the meeting, both ministers noted that their meeting was constructive.

[03] Albanian FM: Himarra election violations have affected ties with Greece

TIRANA, 01/11/2000 (ANA - I. Patso)

Milo, who was referring to Himarra, a coastal town with a sizeable ethnic Greek minority, made the statements during a television interview.

According to press reports, OSCE observers monitoring the election in Himarra last month noted irregularities ranging from intimidation of commission members and destroying ballot boxes to verified evidence of fraud in three other polling stations. Several ethnic Greek voters, meanwhile, charged that they were prevented from traveling to their home districts to vote.

Greece has lodged a demarche over the affair with the Albanian government, describing attempts to prevent members of the minority from voting as "unacceptable and unfriendly," while warning that this could affect bilateral relations. Athens also announced plans to take the matter up within the EU, and warning that Albania's EU prospects would not be fulfilled under such conditions.

The Albanian minister said that "the two governments, and first of all the Greek one, must find the courage to overcome these shadows that are beginning to arise from the Himarra affair."

He also claimed that certain protests in Greece aimed to add legitimacy to calls that Himarra is mainly a Greek-minority region and that most of its residents are ethnic Greeks.

Regarding what he called a "state of war" status between Greece and Albania - a WWII relic from the 1940 Italian invasion of Greece through that country - Milo said that he had spoken to his Greek counterpart four times on this issue.

[04] President Stephanopoulos to pay official visit to Czech Republic

Athens, 01/11/2000 (ANA)

Alternate Foreign Minister Elisavet Papazoi and Deputy National Economy Minister Ioannis Zafeiropoulos will accompany him.

[05] US business delegation to visit 2004 headquarters

Athens, 01/11/2000 (ANA)

Several 2004 sector heads are expected to brief the 36 executives on Olympic projects, marketing, hospitality, technological aspects and telecommunications.

[06] Foreign Ministry seminar focuses on Hungary's EU accession course

Athens, 01/11/2000 (ANA)

Plaskovitis, who was addressing a seminar at the Foreign Ministry on Hungary's EU accession course, referred to issues concerning the Intergovernmental Conference on reshaping EU institutions, a process already underway.

The seminar was organized at the initiative of Hungarian Ambassador to Athens Istvan Pataki, in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry's Diplomatic Academy.

Commenting on EU enlargement, he said Greece is an ardent supporter since it believes that enlargement constitutes a political necessity at this historic moment of European edification.

Plaskovitis also said economic and trade relations between Greece and Hungary have shown a steady improvement over past years.

[07] Greek cabinet finalizes 2001 budget

Athens, 01/11/2000 (ANA)

National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, speaking to reporters after the meeting, said the committee finalized its proposals on an energy subsidy payment to lower incomes and pensioners.

Papantoniou said next year's budget would be the first surplus budget in the country's modern fiscal history. The budget has three targets: first, establishing economic stability with low inflation and low interest rates, second, supporting the government's social policy and third, maintaining and enhancing high growth rates.

He said the country's gross domestic product would growth by 5.0 percent and that public investment program's spending would rise by 10 percent next year.

[08] Development Minister presents Greece's new image at US conference

Athens, 01/11/2000 (ANA)

Christodoulakis said the country's improved image was based on improving economic figures, Greece's participation in EMU, upgrading of the country's geopolitical role in the Balkans and investment opportunities linked with hosting the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

He said that Greece was aiming to become a junction in the wider energy market in cooperation with Italy and Turkey. Christodoulakis said a visibility study on a Greece-Italy energy link was under completion and that a Burgas-Alexandroupoli gas pipeline was progressing steadily. "Greece is seeking and sup-porting efforts to develop alternate energy forms," he said.

Christodoulakis reassured that all scheduled projects would be timely ready for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and urged US investors to take advantage of the investment opportunities offered by the country.

US ambassador to Greece, Nicolas Burns, in his speech said that both the US and Greece were fighting for stability in the Balkans. He said that the Greek economy was rapidly growing, with the country's private sector steadily strengthening, and hailed the government's success in economic reforms.

Burns said that US investments in Greece accounted for one-third of total foreign investment in the country, and predicted that this rate could rise in the near future.

"Greece's participation in EMU, stability in the Balkans and the Athens 2004 Olympic Games were offering significant opportunities to American investors," he noted.

Other speakers included Georg Grodski, a consultant in Credit Suisse First Boston, Commercial Bank of Greece's vice-president George Mihelis, Athens Stock Exchange's chairman Panagiotis Alexakis and Greece's Capital Markets' Committee chairman Stavros Thomadakis.

[09] Giannitsis discusses labor relations with employers' organizations

Athens, 01/11/2000 (ANA)

Giannitsis said dialogue on labor relations can be considered as having been completed, while on employment issues he believes the dynamism of dialogue is underway since an agreement was reached on Tuesday with employers' organizations on creating a working group which will have to complete discussions and deliver a report in 15 days' time.

"We are open to other proposals which can supplement our views," Giannitsis said.

Deadlock continues between GSEE and Labor minister, developments expected after PASOK conference

The differences between the government and trade unions on labor reforms failed to be bridged during Tuesday's meeting between Labor Minister Tassos Giannitsis and GSEE, Greece's largest workers' union.

The two sides have postponed any further action on this issue until after a PASOK party national conference focusing on labor issues on Friday and Saturday, though both reported that the climate in Tuesday's talks had been good.

One of the central axes of the government's policies is to introduce greater flexibility in labor regulations, which they say will make Greek labor more competitive and help increase employment.

Unions counter by saying that the measures will chiefly alleviate wage costs for employers while making the workforce vulnerable, and will have little impact on overall employment.

Among the unions' main demands is a reduction of the working week for the same pay - initially to 38 hours and subsequently to 35 hours. They also totally reject government proposals to abolish quotas for mass lay-offs.

GSEE and the civil servants' union ADEDY staged a nationwide strike with an unusually high turnout on October 10 over this issue, and warned the government that it could expect more industrial action within November if it did not back down from its positions.

The labor minister has so far insisted that the government will proceed with the changes it has planned unilaterally if no agreement with the "social partners" - trade unions and employers - can be reached.

Giannitsis is scheduled to meet with representatives of employer associations later on Tuesday.

[10] European Commission proposes strict measures on maritime safety

BRUSSELS, 01/11/2000 (ANA -V. Demiris)

"It is imperative that member-states and the Europarliament adopt the proposals of the European Commission without weakening them, as it has appeared to be during the recent Councils of Transport Ministers," Prodi said, in light of the "Ievoli Sun" shipwreck off the coast of northern France.

On her part, Commissioner on transport affairs Loyola de Palacio said that the European Commission would not under any circumstances accept any debasement of maritime safety and satisfy the requests of some member-states that claim problems regarding human resources and cost.

The Commission proposed strict measures regarding maritime safety, including stricter controls, high fines to ship assessing companies and abolition of tankers that were not constructed with double hulls.

[11] EU Commissioner calls for business labor code of conduct

BRUSSELS, 01/11/2000 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

Speaking on the "Social Responsibility of Businesses", at the American Chamber of Commerce, the Greek commissioner also called on United States-based businesses to act likewise in protection of their market image, as they have already invested 400 billion dollars in the European Union and it would be to their benefit to plan for long-term profitability.

"We need strong, controllable and visible, codes of conduct, at least in regards to child labor. Those codes should be accompanied by a form of social certification, 'a social label', carried on products," Diamantopoulou said.

[12] Bill tabled on deregulation of fixed-line telecoms market

Athens, 01/11/2000 (ANA)

The bill, "On the organization and operation of telecommunications", stipulates that OTE's monopoly on fixed-line telephony ends on December 31, 2000 and sets out the rules that will govern all telecom activities developed throughout Greece by legal or natural entities.

The bill also stipulates that telecoms policy for national defense is set out by the transport and communications ministry in collaboration with the defense ministry.

It further regulates matters concerning the allocation of general and specialized licenses for the exercise of telecom activities, sets out the rights and obligations of telecom organizations and the rights of users, establishes penal and administration penalties, and stipulates that on December 31, 2000 OTE's exclusive monopoly on the installation, operation and exploitation of the fixed-line telecoms network and provision of voice telephony will be terminated.

OTE denies plan to stage new float: Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE), a heavily traded stock on the Athens bourse, on Tuesday denied market reports that it was planning a fifth flotation.

State-owned OTE said in a statement that it would pursue its search for a strategic investor willing to buy into company stock.

The sale process is expected to end in the first quarter of 2001.

[13] OA to launch ticket auctions

Athens, 01/11/2000 (ANA)

The auctions will be held through the internet and mobile phone links, Katsikas said in the northern city of Thessaloniki.

The news conference was held in advance of the Philoxenia tourism trade fair, which also begins on Thursday.

Prices to emerge in the auctions would be lower than the current cheapest fares. In the first phase, the auctions would cover domestic flights, Katsikas added.

[14] 16th Philoxenia tourism trade fair begins on Thursday

Athens, 01/11/2000 (ANA)

Development Minister Nikos Christodoulakis will inaugurate the trade fair.

The trade fair includes 515 participants, 450 from Greece and 65 from abroad, including the European Tourism Trade Fair Association, which represents 20 members from around the continent and the first ever official participation of Turkey.

[15] Greek foodstuffs promoted at Paris exhibition

Athens, 01/11/2000 (ANA)

The exhibition was visited by 130,000 prospective buyers and 1,260 journalists from all over the world.

The great importance attributed by the government to the promotion of Greek exports was underlined by the presence of Agriculture Minister George Anomeritis and Secretary General Lambros Lambropoulos.

Anomeritis' visit and the successful organization of Greek participation in SIAL 2000 by OPE inaugurates a wider cooperation between the Agriculture Ministry and OPE in an effort to upgrade and promote Greek products in foreign markets.

[16] Greek stocks end higher, market sentiment improving

Athens, 01/11/2000 (ANA)

Traders said several smaller capitalization stocks ended at the day's 12.0 percent upper limit, while Hellenic Telecom's shares came under pressure to end 3.12 percent lower.

The general index ended at 3,762.46 points, up 0.94 percent, with turnover an improved 89.65 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 0.55 percent higher at 2,206.57 points, and the FTSE/ASE 40 index rose 3.53 percent to 444.82 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 8,139.09 +1.04% Leasing: 548.54 +2.75% Insurance: 1,887.59 +0.53% Investment: 1,305.44 +2.03% Construction: 1,593.36 +3.40% Industrials: 2,210.42 +1.52% Miscellaneous: 3,303.00 +3.31% Holding: 4,336.36 +4.31%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended 2.74 percent higher at 420.12 points.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 329 to 22 with another six issues unchanged.

St. George Flour Mills, Hellenic Telecoms, National Bank, Alpha Bank, Germanos and Follie Follie were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in Drs): National Bank: 15,210 Alpha Bank: 14,790 Commercial Bank: 17,895 Eurobank: 10,845 Piraeus Bank: 6,130 Lambrakis Press: 7,010 Heracles Cement: 4,950 Titan Cement (c): 14,400 Hellenic Telecoms: 6,990 Panafon: 3,325 Hellenic Petroleum: 3,750 Attica Enterprises: 3,030 Intracom: 10,420 Minoan Lines: 2,120 Hellenic Bottling: 5,470

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

The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 0.55 percent up, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 0.53 percent higher.

Turnover was 12.9 billion drachmas.

A total of 1,622 contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20 with turnover at 7.19 billion drachmas.

On the FTSE/ASE 40 index, 3,162 contracts changed hands on turnover of 5.67 billion drachmas.

Bond prices nose down in light trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Tuesday finished down in light trade.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.969 percent from 5.952 percent a day earlier.

The Greek paper's yield spread over German bunds was 75 basis points from 73 basis points in the previous session.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 38 billion drachmas from 32 billion drachmas in the trading day before.

Of the total, buy orders accounted for 12 billion drachmas of trade.

Greek bond yields fall to 5.75 percent: Greek bond yields fell substantially during Tuesday's regular auction of state securities by the Public Debt Management Organization.

The average weighed yield of a five-year bond, worth 240 billion drachmas and paying an annual coupon of 5.95 percent, fell to 5.75 percent, off the previous auction's level of 5.99 percent.

Bids submitted totalled 827 billion drachmas, almost four times more than the asked sum. The average weighed price of the issue was 100.751 points.

Drachma down vs. euro, dollar: The drachma on Tuesday ended lower 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 339.660 drachmas from 339.620 drachmas in the previous session.

Also at the fix, the dollar was set at 403.380 drachmas from 398.610 drachmas a trading day earlier.

[17] Scientists play down dangers of BSE in Greece from meat consumption, cosmetics use

Athens, 01/11/2000 (ANA)

According to pharmacology lab director Theodoros Sklaviadis, whose laboratory is part of an EU network of scientists responsible for monitoring the course of BSE throughout Europe, scrapie cannot be transmitted to humans but the entire herd where the incident had occurred had been destroyed as a precautionary measure.

Sklaviadis also commented on the deaths of six people on Crete from a similar disease, saying that these deaths were actually in no way related to meat consumption but of a "sporadic nature". He said the most probable cause was a gene mutation in the Cretan population that increased sensitivity to developing the disease.

Threat from cosmetics EOF: In a separate announcement on Tuesday, meanwhile, the National Organization of Pharmaceuticals (EOF) assured consumers that they ran no risk of catching BSE from cosmetics.

EOF stressed that the WHO had banned the use of animal ingredients from areas where outbreaks of the disease had been re-corded since 1996 in cosmetics manufacture, as well as imposing a blanket ban on ingredients derived from the brain, eyes, tonsils, spleen and bone marrow of cattle and sheep above a year old.

In addition, the announcement said, there were strict processing requirements for cosmetics so that all agents of infection were destroyed.

Ready-made imported cosmetics must all list their ingredients on the packaging and companies must provide dossiers of how they were produced and checked, complete with safety certificates. Likewise, imported raw materials for cosmetics manufacture must be accompanied by special certificates from production units and EU inspection services.

[18] Commission demands Greece pay up toxic waste dumping fine

BRUSSELS, 01/11/2000 (ANA - V. Demiris)

The fine, roughly $1.5 million, represents the initial three-month installment, and follows the east Mediterranean country's conviction by the Eurocourt on July 4, whereby Greece's was slapped with a daily fine of 20,000 euros until it abides by an earlier 1992 ruling.

Two lower court decisions on the Cretan city in late August were expected to pave the way for the closure of the notorious landfill that, among others, provoked the unprecedented Eurocourt decision.

The July 2000 action marked the first time that the Eurocourt passed down such a ruling against a EU member-state for failing to implement one of its previous decisions. The daily fine was to be tacked on from the day of the second ruling -- July 4, 2000 -- and until the time the Greek government complied with the previous ruling.

In August, a Hania first instance court accepted two requests by the prefecture's administration; one for use of a road at the Mesohori site in order to base a temporary refuse management landfill. More importantly, the other decision allowed for the appropriation of land at the "Korakia" site - south of Kouroupitos -- for the establishment of a permanent landfill and recycling plant.

The European Commission in late July had also announced that it was referring Greece to the Eurocourt over the latter's failure to implement Community standards regarding the safe disposal of waste in landfills.

[19] Officials of 18 enterprises sentenced for polluting lake

Athens, 01/11/2000 (ANA)

The court imposed sentences ranging between three to 12 months, with a three year suspension, and found 13 others innocent of the charges.

The court ruled that the officials of the 18 enterprises were responsible for dumping toxic waste into the lake.

[20] Alexander Onassis Foundation donates vehicles to fire brigade

Athens, 01/11/2000 (ANA)

The donation includes two vehicles equipped to save human lives and for the confrontation of natural disasters as well as a bus for the transportation of fire brigade personnel.

The delivery of the vehicles will take place on Thursday.

The total cost of the donation amounts to 140 million drachmas and constitutes part of the foundation's 340,000,000 drachmas donation to the Greek state following the catastrophic consequences of the September 1999 earthquake in the Athens region.

[21] Non-governmental organizations call for change of Olympic rowing center location

Athens, 01/11/2000 (ANA)

In a letter to Angelopoulou-Daskalaki, the non-governmental organization, stressed that the construction of the center in Schinias would upset the local eco-system and would inefficiently use water resources, as it would need two million cubic meters of water to operate.

[22] Computers containing medical files of 30,000 patients and research data taken during break-in

Athens, 01/11/2000 (ANA)

The theft occurred in the offices of Athens University assistant lecturer Antonia Trichopoulou, who told police that the hard drives on her computer contained not only the complete and private biographies of patients but also research data collected since 1991.

[23] President Clerides departs for fifth round of Cyprus proximity talks in Geneva

NICOSIA, 01/11/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied the northern third of the island. UN-led proximity talks, separate meetings of the UN with President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, began last December and a fifth round begins on Wednesday in Geneva.

President Clerides said UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan would be in Geneva during the second day of the talks, which are expected to last ten days, after which the president would fly to Athens to meet Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis on November 14.

Replying to questions, President Clerides said the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto would listen to the views of each side and would submit new documents, expecting feedback from the two leaders.

Referring to the time factor, President Clerides said "it is not only bad for our side, but for both sides", adding that maintaining the de facto situation "benefits neither the Greek nor the Turkish Cypriot community".

He also said it was too early to speak of a "Camp David" method to solve the Cyprus problem, because "the gap between positions of the two sides is too large".

"For a Camp David to be attempted would mean that differences would have been bridged to a great extent, because no president of any country and especially (US President Bill) Clinton, who is preparing to step down, would want to attempt a Camp David and fail", President Clerides pointed out.

Asked if common ground had been found on some aspects of the Cyprus problem, President Clerides said there had not, adding that this was due to the insistence of Denktash on a confederation solution, "which is outside the parameters set out by the UN Security Council resolutions".

"Our position is that we are seeking a solution within the parameters of the Security Council", he said.

Invited to comment on statements made by Denktash on his departure for Geneva regarding National Guard military exercises, President Clerides said maneuvers "will continue to be carried out as long as (Turkish) occupation troops remain on the island".

[24] Cypriot former minister appointed member of Alexander Onassis Foundation board

NICOSIA, 01/11/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Angelidou is the first Cypriot ever to be appointed on the board and the only woman member, something she described as an honor both for herself and the Cyprus Republic.

The Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation was established in 1975 upon the will of the late Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis to honor the memory of his only son who died at the age of 23. It began operating in 1980.

Its principle activities include the annual award of four major international prizes inspired by the human values at the heart of Greek philosophical thought and civilization, providing scholar-ships for Greek students to study abroad and those of Greek origin and foreigners to study at Greek universities and contributions to educational, public health, welfare and cultural projects in Greece and other countries.

Speaking to CNA, Angelidou expressed the view that her presence on the board "increases the opportunities for Cypriot foundations to benefit, even though Cypriot students have already been funded by the Foundation."

The Foundation board has 14 members, five of which were appointed for life by Aristotle Onassis himself, and meets five to six times a year.

Angelidou was appointed during a meeting in New York on October 23, in which she also participated.

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