Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-01-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece to ask for action by EU in dealing with Balkan Syndrome, foreign ministry spokesman says

[02] Foreign ministry spokesman responds to Cem's threat to annex Cyprus territory if it joins EU before Cyprus problem is solved

[03] PM Simitis turns down ND request for Parliament investigation into Falcon air accident

[04] Inner cabinet to meet on Thursday

[05] Premier, culture minister discuss Constitutional amendments, Athens 2004

[06] Greek Parliament website ranks fifth in Dutch university's poll

[07] Environment minister denies Mitsotakis' claims that airport won't be ready on time

[08] Athens mayor to soon establish office, party HQ

[09] Greece's current accounts deficit soars in Sept-Oct

[10] Largest state bank sees robust economy in 2001

[11] Industrials' shares undervalued, union says

[12] French cement giant to buy UK rival, getting Greek firm

[13] Forthnet Group creates internet corporate programming firm

[14] Greek snacks maker launches outlet in Romania

[15] Greek stocks continue moving lower

[16] 2004 head cites Games' regional significance during Athens press seminar

[17] PM Simitis congratulates professor on considerable achievement in genetic engineering sector

[18] Discovery in genetics may lead to cure for two serious types of congenital deafness

[19] Southern hemisphere expatriate Greeks aged 18-25 to visit Greece for 24 days

[20] Parties in Cyprus must move from present situation to a settlement, US emissary says

[21] Spokesman comments on Prodi's statements

[22] Cyprus government does not underestimate Turkish threats, spokesman says

[01] Greece to ask for action by EU in dealing with Balkan Syndrome, foreign ministry spokesman says

Athens, 09/01/2001 (ANA)

According to the announcement, the Greek government intends to make specific proposals and ask for an independent fact-finding committee manned by experts from all 15 EU member-states to carry out on-the-spot research.

In addition, Greece plans to ask that the EU's financial protocol for the Western Balkans (CARDS) provide for a special environmental mechanism and that EU 6th environmental program be used to fund actions to protect the health of the public in the area.

During Monday's regular press briefing, foreign ministry spokesman Panagiotis Beglitis said that the Greek government had been aware of the environmental consequences of the military operations in Kosovo early on and had repeatedly raised this issue at foreign ministers' meetings and environment ministers' meetings that Greek officials had attended.

Beglitis also said that Papandreou, in particular, had repeatedly supported a political resolution to the crisis.

According to the spokesman, the presence of Greek peace-keeping forces in the area was necessary, however, since Greece wished to play a leading role in the region, while adding that the policy being followed served Greece's national interests absolutely. He denied any differences of opinion between the foreign minister and Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos.

Beglitis reported that "Balkan Syndrome" would be discussed on Tuesday at an emergency meeting of NATO representatives, with Greece, Italy and Portugal working together to ask for explanations from NATO's leadership over the revelations regarding depleted uranium missiles.

He also announced that a team of scientists from the Demokritos Research Center and the Special Diseases Center would be visiting Kosovo to examine the sites where Greek forces were stationed.

Reppas says no decisions can be taken until there is firm evidence regarding Balkan Syndrome: The inner Cabinet plans to discuss "Balkan Syndrome" during its next meeting on Thursday, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas told reporters during the Monday press briefing, who added that Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos would be meeting on Wednesday morning.

He said that the government couldnt make any decision about either the soldiers or the students in Yugoslavia until there was definite evidence regarding "Balkan Syndrome".

According to the spokesman, Greece intends to begin a series of initiatives so that there will be a full explanation of this issue. Among these was a request by Foreign Minister George Papandreou to his Swedish counterpart Anna Lindh that investigation into the issue be completed by January 22, when the EU General Affairs Council is scheduled to meet. Reppas also announced that Tsohatzopoulos has sent a letter to his Swedish counterpart Bjorn von Sydow and to the EU foreign and defense policy chief Javier Solana.

The spokesman said that a Greek team of experts would be sent to take new measurements in the areas where Greek forces were stationed. Regarding an incident of leukemia in a soldier that had served in Bosnia, Reppas said that no one could definitely and exclusively link this with "Balkan Syndrome".

In response to questions during the briefing, Reppas confirmed that the decision to send Greek peacekeeping troops to Yugoslavia was unanimous and had been taken by the KYSEA council for security and defense.

These forces, he added, had to be sent to ensure peace in the region. He also stressed that the Greek government had supported a peaceful resolution to the problem from the beginning and had been the first to raise the issue of environmental consequences, but had then only been backed by Russia.

Reppas leveled some criticism at the army health services, which carried out tests and measurements and gave assurances that there were no problems.

Athens, he concluded, considers the problem to be mainly centered in Yugoslavia and for this reason, Foreign Minister George Papandreou plans to raise the question of the additional hazards faced by the local population to the EU.

Five thousand depleted uranium shells belonging to the Navy to be withdrawn: The National Defense General Staff on Monday announced that Greece does not possess depleted uranium ammunition similar to that used in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo, while only the Navy has 10,000 depleted uranium shells, which will be withdrawn and stored.

The announcement said the Navy used 40,000 such shells for training purposes and exercises in the '90s, but they were non-explosive armor piercing that fell into the sea when they were used in combat simulations.

A total of 10,000 such shells currently exist, 5,000 stored on land and another 5,000 are on ships, which will be withdrawn and stored, the press release said.

The fate of the Navy's depleted uranium ammunition will depend on the outcome of investigations taking place both in Greece and abroad, the announcement said.

It added that the army and air force do not possess shells with depleted uranium.

Balkans Syndrome concerns growing: Reactions on the "Balkans Syndrome" are growing in Greece as concern was heightening that exposure to depleted uranium (DU) used in NATO bombs dropped on Yugoslavia last year and in an earlier campaign in Bosnia-Herzegovina was causing leukemia among peacekeepers.

Greece's defense minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos on Sunday called for European policies to protect the populations of the Balkan countries due to "exacerbated environmental conditions" resulting from the conflicts in Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

In a letter to the Swedish chairman of the European Union council of defense ministers, Tsohatzopoulos also called for an investigation into a potential connection between incidents of leukemia diagnosed in troops serving in the multinational force in Kosovo (KFOR) with bombs containing depleted uranium (DU) dropped by NATO during its 78-day bombing campaign in 1999. The low-radiation depleted uranium was also contained in ammunition in NATO bombing campaigns against Serb forces in Bosnia in 1994-5.

Earlier, parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis called the concern "justified", and called for the withdrawal of the Greek contingent in KFOR if a health hazard was confirmed.

Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis voiced a similar demand after talks with Tsohatzopoulos on Sunday, while the defense minister, asked by reporters if the Greek contingents in KFOR and SFOR (the Stabilization Force in Bosnia) would be withdrawn in the event a health hazard was confirmed, said all the measures necessary to confront the problem would be taken, reiterating an earlier statement that the troops from the 47 countries serving in the region were "not on an excursion but there to ensure peace".

Ruling PASOK party secretary Costas Skandalidis, speaking on state television, called for calm, adding that "it appeared after the fact that not only Kosovo was bombed, but all of Europe was also 'bombarded', and the problem will be faced by all" the neighboring countries.

Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras called for an immediate end to "the Greek troops' and students' deadly handshake with radiation in Yugoslavia", while Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas said Monday that the government, "instead of stammering justification of its complicity in the American-NATO crime against humanity and giving lessons in law abidance" should immediately repatriate the Greek troops from Kosovo and the Greek students from Yugoslavia.

Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos said Greece should undertake international initiatives, such as calling an emergency meeting of the 15-nation European Union's council of environment ministers, and an emergency summit of SE European countries with the inclusion of Italy.

The head of the Greek Orthodox Church, Archbishop Christodoulos, blasted the 'Christian' countries that "knowingly" dropped bombs containing depleted uranium (DU) in Yugoslavia, speaking from a church pulpit in Athens on Sunday.

The issue was also raised in Parliament on Monday by Coalition of the Left leader Nikos Constantopoulos. In a question for Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Constantopoulos demanded to know why the Greek public had not been informed of the dangers back in early 1999 and why Simitis had "decided to conceal the truth and send forces into the area." He also called the government to task for ratifying NATO's decision to use weapons harmful to public health.

Similarly, parliamentary deputies from all parties have addressed questions to the competent ministers on the DU-related issues. PASOK deputy Panagiotis Kritikos said that NATO should collect all harmful remains from the bombings, main opposition ND deputy Alexandros Lykourezos has asked that Greek students currently studying in Yugoslavia be allowed to transfer to other universities, while Communist Party (KKE) deputy Orestis Kolozof has asked that all Greek troops serving in Yugoslavia be withdrawn and receive a full medical check-up.

In a letter to Parliament speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis on Monday, former New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert has asked that the defense, environment and foreign ministers be called before Parliament National Defense and Foreign Affairs committee to present their views on the "Balkan Syndrome".

He also suggests that a delegation of MPs visits Greek troops stationed in Yugoslavia and Greek students in that country.

No signs of contamination in students' blood samples, doctor says: The head of Thessaloniki's AHEPA state hospital, Marios Pyrpasopoulos, told reporters on Monday that blood tests carried out on Greek students living in Yugoslavia had shown nothing to be concerned about.

According to Pyrpasopoulos, however, definitive answers could only be obtained through tests only available at the Demokritos nuclear research facility in Athens. He said that most of the students were now considering this option.

Radioactivity levels in Greece unchanged after Kosovo, Greek institute reports: There has been no change to radioactivity levels in Greece in the last 15 years, claimed Prof. Michalis Antonopoulos, director of the Demokritos nuclear energy research facility in Athens, during a Monday press conference.

According to Antonopoulos, northern Greece has not been polluted as a result of the depleted uranium bombs used in Serbia and Kosovo, but he made it clear that pollution in the areas where such bombs fell would be very serious and called what happened in Kosovo "a crime".

Coalition of the Left leader Nikos Constantopoulos was also at Demokritos on Monday, in order to be briefed on the dangers faced by Greece as a result of radioactive residues from these bombs.

During the press conference, Constantopoulos described the use of weapons in Kosovo containing radioactive chemicals that are harmful to humans and the environment as "criminal." He called for measures to be taken to protect the public and the surrounding regions and for Greek troops to be withdrawn from the zones in question.

He added that weapons containing depleted uranium are deployed in Greece, also, and he asked for them to be destroyed.

Greek eurodeputy calls for Solana's dismissal: Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) Eurodeputy Alekos Alavanos on Monday called on the European Union's Council of Ministers to agree to the dismissal of former NATO Secretary General Javier Solana from the post of the EU's Common Foreign Policy and Security Policy representative.

Alavanos, referring to the "Balkan Syndrome" resulting from the use of depleted uranium ammunition by NATO in Kosovo in 1999, pondered in his appeal whether the EU's foreign and security policies can be represented by "a personality bearing grave political responsibilities for the 'green light' in the use of carcinogenic and toxic materials, despite warnings by international scientific centers."

Meanwhile, Coalition party leader Nikos Constantopoulos visited the Democritos research center for a briefing on the repercussions of bombings in the wider Balkan region.

"No expediency necessitates Greeks being exposed to whatever possible negative repercussions, who are being sent as part of decisions of NATO, which created the disastrous consequences," Constantopoulos said.

[02] Foreign ministry spokesman responds to Cem's threat to annex Cyprus territory if it joins EU before Cyprus problem is solved

Athens, 09/01/2001 (ANA)

Beglitis was responding to statements made by Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem on Monday, who told a Turkish television journalists that Turkey would effectively annex occupied territories in northern Cyprus if the Cyprus Republic joined the EU before a solution to the Cyprus problem had been arrived at.

"With the Helsinki decisions and the provisions of the partnership agreement, Turkey has undertaken certain obligations as regards the Cyprus problem. It has no say in Cyprus' accession course and should comply with the commitments arising from these texts, otherwise its own European course will be judged accordingly," Beglitis said.

He announced that Foreign Minister George Papandreou would be meeting with Britain's special envoy for the Cyprus issue Sir David Hannay on Tuesday afternoon.

[03] PM Simitis turns down ND request for Parliament investigation into Falcon air accident

Athens, 09/01/2001 (ANA)

In a letter to Simitis on Thursday, Karamanlis called on the premier to convene a committee noting that if he did not take the initiative to call for the convening of the committee then ND would table a new proposal to that effect.

In his response, on Monday, Simitis said, "I disagree with the substitution of the parliamentary process with letters which are made public before any response could be made".

"According to the Parliament regulations you have the capability to request the convening of a committee. The responsibility and the decision is yours," Simitis said in his response to Karamanlis.

The premier also noted his disagreement with the ND leader on the latter's understanding of justice, as well as his "taking advantage of tragic incidents", stressing that all those Olympic Airways employees that participated in the events leading to the tragic airplane accident were removed from their positions.

He added that the results of all investigations were made public and the process of relegating responsibility was still active.

On his part, ND spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said that the premier did not follow through with his commitments to fully clear up the case, claiming that the premier was afraid to "undertake his responsibilities".

He also said that ND would request that a special parliamentary committee convene to investigate the accident, based on the evidence in the report of the air accident investigative council.

Responding to Roussopoulos, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas accused ND of petty political exploitation of the airplane accident.

[04] Inner cabinet to meet on Thursday

Athens, 09/01/2001 (ANA)

During a press briefing on Monday, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas announced that the prime minister was scheduled to meet Environment Minister Costas Laliotis at his office on Tuesday morning, followed by a meeting with the head of the Athens Olympics Organizing Committee (ATHOC), Yianna Angelopoulou-Daskalaki, at midday.

At 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, meanwhile, he is to meet Justice Minister Michalis Stathopoulos.

On Wednesday morning, Simitis will be Education Minister Petros Efthymiou, who will be followed by a delegation of PASOK MPs.

During Thursday's meeting of the inner cabinet, the spokesman said, the ministers would also discuss the issue of the royal properties and the government's policies for the media.

Finally, on Friday the prime minister will answer questions in Parliament during the customary 'Prime Minister's Question Time'.

Reppas said that the debate on revising the Constitution would begin in Parliament on January 17.

[05] Premier, culture minister discuss Constitutional amendments, Athens 2004

Athens, 09/01/2001 (ANA)

Upon his departure from the Maximos Mansion, Venizelos said to reporters that he briefed the premier on both issues and when asked about government actions regarding the "Balkan Syndrome", he said "there will be a complete investigation of every side of this issue."

He added, however, that such issues were the responsibility of the defense and foreign ministries.

Culture Minister and Athens 2004 Organizing Committee head signal Olympic preparations intensification: Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Athens 2004 Organizing Committee President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki met on Monday night and signaled an intensification of preparation rates for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, also bearing in mind an important visit by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) under Coordinating Committee Deputy President Jacques Rogge on February 15.

Venizelos said that the agreement between his ministry and "Athens 2004", settling all details concerning the Cultural Olympiad, will be signed by January 27, adding that the first half of 2001 will be very crucial for the 2004 Olympic Games.

On her part, Daskalaki signaled an "all-out attack" aimed at the perfect preparation of the 2004 Olympiad and spoke of four years of creation and renaissance for Greece.

[06] Greek Parliament website ranks fifth in Dutch university's poll

Athens, 09/01/2001 (ANA)

The Internet Test was designed and conducted by Politics Online President Phil Noble, Jacques Monasch, a Dutch political consultant, and Bernhard Lehmann von Weyhe of Saarbruecken University, Germany. Students were asked to evaluate the websites of the prime minister, parliament and two governmental ministries for all 15 European Union countries.

Each European Union country's websites were evaluated and scored on a 25 point scale in four website categories. The four website scores were then tallied to establish an overall score for the individual country. The highest possible overall score was 100 points.

The Greek Parliament ranked fifth receiving 18 points, compared with the Swedish that garnered 21 points, while the Greek government's total performance racked in 67 points ranking third, behind Sweden and Britain.

The results of this Internet Intelligence Test provide insight into the availability and amount of information that is provided by the European Union's ministerial websites. The influence of the Internet in European Government is rising. Government ministers are realizing that they must stay in tune with Internet technology in order to best serve their constituents.

[07] Environment minister denies Mitsotakis' claims that airport won't be ready on time

Athens, 09/01/2001 (ANA)

Laliotis was responding to criticism by Mitsotakis, who claimed that the road works connecting the airport had fallen behind schedule and that Olympic Airways would not be able to transfer its fundamental operations to the new airport on time.

According to the Laliotis, the original March 2001 deadline for bringing the airport into operation still stood.

[08] Athens mayor to soon establish office, party HQ

Athens, 09/01/2001 (ANA)

Sources said that the party headquarters and the office of the party-leader-to-be mayor might not be in the same building.

[09] Greece's current accounts deficit soars in Sept-Oct

Athens, 09/01/2001 (ANA)

The central bank said that over the same period the transfer balance's surplus eased significantly while the balance in services showed a bigger surplus.

A widening in the trade deficit reflected a higher cost of imported fuels, electronic goods, cars, machinery, ships and iron and steel products.

The country's services balance improvement reflected increased net revenues from travel and transport services.

Greece's current accounts deficit totalled 6.127 billion euros in the January-October period, sharply up from 3.082 billion euros in the same period in 1999.

The financial transactions' balance showed a net inflow in the September-October period in all three basic investment categories. In the first 10 months of 2000, however, a net outflow was recorded in the direct and other investment categories and a net inflow only in the portfolio investment category.

The general government's net liabilities fell by 300 million euros in the first 10 months of 2000 compared with the corresponding period the previous year.

The central bank's foreign exchange reserves totalled 15.3 billion US dollars at the end of November last year.

[10] Largest state bank sees robust economy in 2001

Athens, 09/01/2001 (ANA)

The English-language market review for customers abroad said that the general government deficit was targeted to be comfortably covered in 2000.

State revenue exceeded forecasts due to fairly high levels of corporate profitability, higher Value Added Tax collection rates, and the government's drive to crack down on tax evasion.

For the first time in recent decades, a surplus would be attained, representing 0.5 percent of gross domestic product, despite a decline in income tax brackets, the report added.

[11] Industrials' shares undervalued, union says

Athens, 09/01/2001 (ANA)

Greek industrial companies ranked third in growth rates among the EU's 15 member-states last October, with a year-on-year production increase of 4.7 percent, sharply up from a 3.6 percent average increase in the European Union, a report said.

The Federation of Listed Companies expects that the activity of Greek industries would be positively affected by a series of factors in the firs six months of 2001, such as a significant increase in the country's gross domestic product growth rate to levels above the EU average, a decline in real interest rates, a fall in world oil prices and a correction in the euro/dollar rate.

It also urged for the implementation of international operation, administration and transparency rules in the Greek stock market and criticized the adopted measures in the country.

The Federation said it would consider a legal battle against stock market operation regulation both in domestic and EU authorities.

[12] French cement giant to buy UK rival, getting Greek firm

Athens, 09/01/2001 (ANA)

Quoted on the Athens Stock Exchange, Aget Heracles is the largest Greek cement industry with a 40 percent stake in the market. Also belonging to the Aget Group is Evia-based Halkis Cement.

Aget's consolidated earnings before tax in January to September 2000 were 10,989 billion drachmas, down 29.5 percent on the same period of last year.

[13] Forthnet Group creates internet corporate programming firm

Athens, 09/01/2001 (ANA)

Named Futureneed, the company belongs to HellasNet, a member of the Forthnet Group.

Futureneed has already gained contracts with Intertrust, Autohellas Hertz, Minoan Lines and the Naftemboriki daily financial newspaper, Athens-quoted Forthnet said in a statement.

[14] Greek snacks maker launches outlet in Romania

Athens, 09/01/2001 (ANA)

The Bucharest outlet, which is named Gregory's, and a production unit in the Romanian capital, are to act as a base for operations in the rest of Romania and elsewhere in the Balkans, Grigoris said in a statement.

A second store is being built in Bucharest, also in conjunction with Grigoris' partner in Romania, the Greek-owned IEBA Group, the statement added.

[15] Greek stocks continue moving lower

Athens, 09/01/2001 (ANA)

Traders said the outlook of the market remained gloomy with analysts unable to predict an end to the market's current sharp decline.

The general index ended 2.27 percent lower at 3,145.02 points, off the day's lows of 3,136.72, to its lowest levels since early April 1999.

Turnover was a low 106.24 million euros, or 36.203 billion drachmas. The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 1.60 percent off at 1,821.01 points, and the FTSE/ASE 40 index plunged 5.36 percent to 357.11 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 6,866.60 -1.36% Leasing: 486.38 -6.52% Insurance: 1,301.61 -4.80% Investment: 1,262.37 -2.59% Construction: 1,157.76 -4.03% Industrials: 1,929.27 -2.51% Miscellaneous: 2,515.02 -6.73% Holding: 3,570.54 -5.36%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 282.07 points, down 3.02 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 332 to 17 with another four issues unchanged.

Eurobank, Hellenic Telecoms, Alpha Bank and National Bank were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in euros): National Bank: 39.02 Alpha Bank: 33.68 Commercial Bank: 47.66 Eurobank: 19.70 Piraeus Bank: 15.46 Lambrakis Press: 12.02 Altec: 6.44 Titan Cement (c): 40.60 Hellenic Telecoms: 14.72 Panafon: 6.96 Hellenic Petroleum: 9.58 Attica Enterprises: 7.72 Intracom: 20.98 Viohalco: 11.02 Hellenic Bottling: 17.36

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

The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 1.60 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 5.36 percent lower.

Turnover was 34.721 billion drachmas.

A total of 3,024 contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20 with turnover at 28.039 billion drachmas.

On the FTSE/ASE 40 index, 1,803 contracts changed hands on turnover of 6.682 billion drachmas.

Bond prices end mixed in brisk trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Monday finished mixed in moderate to heavy trade with players focusing on 10- and 20-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.27 percent, and its yield spread over German bunds was 56 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 580 million euros, or around 197 billion drachmas.

[16] 2004 head cites Games' regional significance during Athens press seminar

Athens, 09/01/2001 (ANA)

"We know the goal - the greatest Olympic Games of all times, set in the historic place of their birth; and having a successful homecoming for the Games that rekindle in the modern era the Olympic ideals of old," ATHOC president Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki said, adding:

"... I envision a team that crosses the borders of Greece to encompass citizens in neighboring states who want the attention of the Olympics to shine more broadly on a region that is at peace and advancing. No region deserves the fruits of peace as does the Balkans in this time of our history," the high-profile 2004 head said.

Angelopoulos-Daskalaki spoke at the first day of a two-day seminar in Athens entitled "Sports and Olympic Games coverage in the Digital Era". The seminar was organized and is being hosted by the Athens News Agency (ANA), which holds the current rotating presidency of the Association of Balkan News Agency (ABNA).

"The world also deserves to see us and know us as we are -- the Olympic Games and the Olympic truce give us that opportunity to shine. We must make the most of it. And we will."

In her initial statements, Angelopoulos-Daskalaki briefed ABNA delegates and guests on the latest developments surrounding preparations for the 2004 Olympics over the past few months, noting among others, signed agreements for accommodations, a media village, broadcasting rights (ISB), the information technology sponsor (SEMA), marketing, licensing, financing, transport and, of course, security.

"Security is a key issue to all Olympic Games. History has shown that cities with impeccable security records faced problems; others that faced such issues delivered Games of complete security," she emphasized before citing expanded cooperation between ATHOC, the Greek government, Greek Police (EL.AS), Sydney 2000 experts and other countries.

On his part, culture ministry special secretary for the 2004 Games, Kostas Kartalis, inaugurated the event.

"Despite any negative characteristics of the digital era, it does provide the platform on which cooperation initiatives may be built. Such cooperation among the Balkan news agencies, within the framework of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and the 2001-2004 Cultural Olympiad, has the preconditions to be productive and effective in linking the people in our countries," Kartalis said.

The first day of the seminar was kicked off by Australian Associated Press (AAP) Editor and that agency's Sydney Olympics chief organizer John Coomber, as well as AFP sports department Chief Jean Pierre Gallois and DPA deputy head Hans-Hermann Madler, while ANA General Director and ABNA President Andreas Christodoulides greeted delegates and guests.

ABNA members, comprising the national news agencies representing all of the southern Balkan states, will hold its general assembly on Tuesday.

[17] PM Simitis congratulates professor on considerable achievement in genetic engineering sector

Athens, 09/01/2001 (ANA)

The method can contribute to the revelation of each gene's separate function, a development considered the greatest challenge after the decodification of the genes of man.

At a later stage, it is expected to be of considerable help for the gene therapy of many illnesses and is one of the most important scientific discoveries worldwide.

"I invited him because I wished to congratulate him and because I also wished to honor Greek researchers in his person. I also wished to show that, even in a limited framework, research is currently taking place in Greece which is competitive with research taking place in developed countries," the prime minister said.

[18] Discovery in genetics may lead to cure for two serious types of congenital deafness

GENEVA, 09/01/2001 (ANA - N. Roben)

Dr. Stylianos Antonarakis said that his team had located a new gene on chromosome 21, which causes this form of deafness when defective.

According to Antonarakis, the gene can become incapacitated when sections of DNA from various part of the genome "slip" inside it so that it can no longer produce a protein found in the inner ear.

The Swiss university's research team is currently investigating the precise role played by this protein and estimate that they will have the results and an effective cure for these forms of deafness in about two years time.

[19] Southern hemisphere expatriate Greeks aged 18-25 to visit Greece for 24 days

Athens, 09/01/2001 (ANA)

The young people are all from the southern hemisphere, residents of Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Brazil and South Africa, and will be staying in Greece for 24 days.

During their stay they will be received by President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and Parliament speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis and will have the opportunity to learn about Greek history and culture.

[20] Parties in Cyprus must move from present situation to a settlement, US emissary says

LARNACA, 09/01/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Replying to a question, Moses said that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has invited the parties to participate in the next round of UN -led proximity talks on the Cyprus issue, adding that "a specific date has not yet been set".

To a question on whether the Bush administration will show the same interest in the Cyprus problem as the Clinton administration, the US official said "US policy regarding Cyprus has always been bipartisan" and pointed out that "the Cyprus issue has not been a domestic political issue in any sense".

He added that previous administrations and the present administration "have not taken different positions with respect to the desirability of bringing about a comprehensive settlement on Cyprus" and expressed hope that "the next administration will decide to implement this policy".

Invited to comment on Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's demands for a change in the basis of the talks, Moses said that he is here to meet with Denktash, "to hear his views, see what his concerns are".

Invited to give advice to Denktash, Moses said that his advice to the parties here, "is, as they have told me, that it's in the interest of both parties on Cyprus to move from the present situation to a comprehensive settlement".

He added that "the parties do not agree as to what the terms of this comprehensive settlement should be" pointing out that "our role is facilitating negotiations that achieve the aims of both parties".

On Tuesday the US officials will have a working breakfast with President Glafcos Clerides.

[21] Spokesman comments on Prodi's statements

NICOSIA, 09/01/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Papapetrou said the government would decide about its reaction to Prodi's views but pointed out that what matters more is the EU summit decisions, such as the Helsinki conclusions that stipulate that a solution would facilitate accession but it is not a precondition.

"We have never been under any illusion that our accession course would be a bed of roses," Papapetrou said, adding that "the government will decide today (Monday) as to how it will react to Prodi's statements."

Prodi told the Athens paper "To Vima" that the EU would find itself in a difficult situation, if the Cyprus question is not resolved and nobody in the EU wants to introduce tension within the Union, reiterating that a solution to the problem prior to accession is desirable.

Papapetrou said the Helsinki decision is crystal clear and binding for the EU, pointing out that Cyprus has to adhere to such decisions in order to counterbalance other views.

"Prodi did not interpret the Helsinki decisions in a different manner and I would like to note that over and above any statements by EU officials there are the unanimous decisions of the European Councils," Papapetrou noted.

Cyprus, he said, will have to continue working towards accession, armed with decisions such as those taken in Helsinki.

Cyprus divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion applied for full EU membership in July 1990. It started official membership talks in 1998.

[22] Cyprus government does not underestimate Turkish threats, spokesman says

NICOSIA, 09/01/2001 (CNA/ANA)

"The government and President Clerides know very well that the exercise of diplomacy does not mean making public every move they make in order to satisfy the domestic front," government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said on Monday, fending off criticism from political parties that the government has reacted in a lukewarm manner.

He said the government does not underestimate the risks from such threats nor does it avoid acting as it should.

"The government and the president will continue to conduct themselves in this responsible manner," he told his daily press briefing.

Papapetrou said statements by Turkey's foreign minister, other Turkish officials and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash express "unacceptable positions and the government is responding with all the means available to it."

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