Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-01-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis urges more efforts to adjust to eurozone economy

[02] Greece, Cuba agree to promote closer cooperation

[03] Yugoslavia's Kostunica in Athens on Tuesday for official talks

[04] Greece withdraws candidacy for OSCE Belgrade office

[05] All applications by Greek peacekeepers in Kosovo to cut short their tour will be satisfied, Tsohatzopoulos says

[06] Greek and Cypriot defense ministers discuss preventive measures for depleted uranium shells

[07] Gov't declines to comment on ex-minister's sharp criticism

[08] ND leader accuses government for relations with 'allies having vested interests'

[09] Greece denies that incoming Bush administration refused to accept Papandreou at inauguration ceremony

[10] Communists, Liberals agree on separation of Church from state

[11] Ecumenical Patriarchate and Moscow Patriarchate to discuss Estonian issue

[12] Greek stocks end sharply lower on ASE

[13] Athens bourse restructures in bid for investors

[14] Capital Markets' Committee dismisses talk of speculative moves in ADEX

[15] Gov't to promote fairer tax system, improved services to taxpayers

[16] Greek ship owners own 17.4 percent of world fleet

[17] Sema company to involve itself in accommodation, transport, tickets and medical services for Athens 2004

[18] Petzetakis buys German pipe producer

[19] Development minister discusses cooperation in investments sector with British government officials

[20] Salomon forecasts high yields from Greek bonds

[21] UBS Warburg says Greek bank stocks undervalued

[22] Problems to road and ferry traffic, weather expected to abate in the afternoon

[23] Debris of missing medicopter spotted

[24] Appeals court reduces sentence of self-confessed foiled bomber to five years because he planted faulty bomb

[25] Reputed Italian underworld figure, son charged with attempted murder

[26] INKA Consumer group says Greeks have become discouraged by barrage of reports on 'problem' foods

[27] China supports a Cyprus settlement based on UN resolutions

[01] Simitis urges more efforts to adjust to eurozone economy

Athens, 16/01/2001 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters ahead of a working lunch with National Economy and Finance Minister, Yiannos Papantoniou, Bank of Greece's governor Lucas Papademos and other bank governors, Simitis said he was optimistic over the Greek economy's convergence "which is moving satisfactorily but much more must be done."

"The adjustment of the Greek economy to this new era has already begun with satisfactory rates and will continue at the same rates in the next months. It needs a hard work but we can be optimistic," he said.

His comments contrasted with protests from a group of investors protesting outside the Bank of Greece's building over the course of the Athens Stock Exchange blaming the government's policy on the issue.

Bank of Greece governor says euro signals start of new era for country: Bank of Greece Governor Lucas Papademos on Monday said the adoption of the euro signals the start of a new era for the country with favorable prospects for more permanent monetary stability and faster economic growth.

Papademos, who was addressing a luncheon given by the bank's board in honor of Prime Minister Simitis, added that the euro will decisively affect the economic environment, the operation of markets and the banking system in particular.

On his part, Simitis said the withdrawal of drachma coins and banknotes and the introduction of the corresponding euros is a new major challenge.

"We are entering an era with low inflation and tidy fiscal indicators. We are also entering a new era requiring greater organization, flexibility and adjustiveness both on the part of the state and the private sector. We are entering an era characterized by more intense competition among businesses," Simitis said.

Premier attends reception at Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry: Prime Minister Costas Simitis, arriving at the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry's annual reception on Monday, said Greece must win the wager of development and convergence with European societies in coming years.

"Over the past four years we laid the foundations for modernization in the country's economy and society. What remains to be done is for us to utilize the forces we have due to our participation in Economic and Monetary Union and promote our plan for a more developed Greece," he said.

Chamber President George Kasimatis said the government should follow a policy of developing a favorable climate and stable rules to support business initiatives and the lifting of counterincentives.

The countrys political leadership and representatives of the Church, parties and the diplomatic corps attended the event.

[02] Greece, Cuba agree to promote closer cooperation

Athens, 16/01/2001 (ANA)

Among others, the Greek FM said specific cooperation in the fields of agriculture, tourism, transports and shipping were discussed during talks he had with the Cuban FM, who is also scheduled to visit Nicosia, Ankara and Tehran as part of a regional tour.

Afterwards, during a brief press conference, Roque appeared pessimistic when asked about prospects for improvement in US-Cuba ties in light of a new US administration.

Claiming that a good portion of US media, businessmen, economic refugees and the people support the lifting of Washington embargo on trade with Cuba, Roque added that Havana isn't optimistic because "there's a lobby of far-right Cubans (in the US) and their business allies that funded (George W.) Bush to win in Florida ... and who will block such an improvement (in bilateral ties)."

In terms of the controversial embargo, Roque thanked Athens for what he called its support at the United Nations to lift the regime. On the same subject, Papandreou stressed that Greece has always opposed the US embargo against Cuba, adding that he will bring up the issue of strengthening EU-Cuba ties with the Union's Swedish presidency.

Other topics of conversation reportedly dealt with EU-Cuban relations, regional developments and Greek-Turkish affairs, as well as offering more support for NGOs active in Latin America and Africa.

Finally, Papandreou expressed Athens' gratitude for Havana's support on sports issues, including the "Olympic Truce" initiative being promoted by the Greek foreign ministry.

Bilateral relations between the two countries was termed as "excellent", while a trio of Greek ministers, including Alternate FM Elizabeth Papazoi - a former Greek ambassador to Havana - are scheduled to visit the island nation.

[03] Yugoslavia's Kostunica in Athens on Tuesday for official talks

BELGRADE, 16/01/2001 (ANA - M. Mouratidis)

The situation in strife-torn Kosovo and southern Serbia, plagued recently by raids from ethnic Albanian gunmen, as well as Belgrade's fragile relations with pro-west Montenegro are also on the agenda of talks.

Kostunica, who ended the Milosevic regime's grip on power in Yugoslavia with an unprecedented election victory late last year, will arrive at the invitation of Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos.

The increasingly heated issue of suspected depleted uranium (DU) contamination in the Yugoslav province of Kosovo as well as in Bosnia from NATO's 1999 and 1995 air strikes, respectively, is also expected to be discussed.

The Yugoslav president will be received by Greek leadership in its entirety. Yugoslav FM Goran Svilanovic will also accompany Kostunica.

[04] Greece withdraws candidacy for OSCE Belgrade office

Athens, 16/01/2001 (ANA)

The ministry said it had withdrawn the candidacy for the post of its Balkans troubleshooter Alexandros Rondos, who heads the ministry's international development and cooperation department, following consultations between foreign minister George Papandreou with Yugoslav president Vojislav Kostunica and foreign minister Goran Svilanovic, as well as his Portuguese and Italian counterparts Jaime Gama and Lamberto Dino.

"The Greek side felt it expedient that there be no Greek candidacy for the post because it would be better if we do not become involved in such a process," foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis said.

He added that the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe), a 55-nation security and human rights forum, had a "very limited" mandate in the region in relation to the broader issues of democratic procedures.

"Greece has an important presence in the Balkans. It has close relations with the Yugoslav leadership," Beglitis said, denying press speculation of a difference of opinion between Papandreou and Kostunica, who is due in Athens Tuesday for his first official visit to Greece.

Diplomatic sources told ANA that Greece will back the Portuguese candidacy for the OSCE post in Belgrade, and did not rule out EU backing of a Greek candidacy in "some other Community position in the future".

During his one-day visit to Athens, Kostunica is expected to discuss domestic developments in Yugoslavia, focusing on Kosovo and Montenegro, environmental pollution in the region resulting from NATO bombings, and bilateral economic cooperation with Greece.

[05] All applications by Greek peacekeepers in Kosovo to cut short their tour will be satisfied, Tsohatzopoulos says

Athens, 16/01/2001 (ANA)

In an interview published in Monday's edition of 'TA NEA' afternoon daily, Tsohatzopoulos added that all such applications for cutting short the six-month tours "will be satisfied".

Tsohatzopoulos, who visited the Greek contingent to the international Kosovo peacekeeping force (KFOR) on Friday, also said that a credible and objective picture of the situation in Kosovo -- amid growing concern that depleted uranium (DU) contained in bombs dropped by NATO during its 1999 campaign in the troubled Yugoslav province was causing cancer-related illnesses among peacekeepers -- would be available in about a week to 10 days when the results of studies conducted by Greece's atomic energy research facility Demokritos were ready.

According to figures recently released by the defense ministry, 1,481 men and women serve in the all-volunteer Greek contingent in Kosovo.

He also said in the interview that US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright had recently said that DU weapons were not dangerous and "called on us to contribute to avert exploitation of the issue for political reasons".

The KFOR participating nations were briefed in December 1999 on the use of DU-tipped missiles, and clear instructions were given on protection measures for soldiers, the defense minister said.

He further criticized NATO's decision to escalate the bombings in Yugoslavia, which led to the use of DU ammunition, and called for NATO's "financial participation" in restoring the environment in the region.

[06] Greek and Cypriot defense ministers discuss preventive measures for depleted uranium shells

Athens, 16/01/2001 (ANA)

"Since we do not have the ability of access or of investigating whether or not Turkish occupation forces have shells of such a kind, and with the possibility of Turkey itself having such shells and the ease with which it can take them to Cyprus, we primarily discussed how we can operate preventively against such a risk," Hasikos said, adding that the Cypriot armed forces have never obtained such shells.

On his part, Tsohatzopoulos reiterated the Greek proposal for the temporary storing of such bombs until international organizations clarify their use.

The talks, held in Athens, also included the Cyprus issue, the joint defense doctrine and issues concerning European security and defense policy.

[07] Gov't declines to comment on ex-minister's sharp criticism

Athens, 16/01/2001 (ANA)

In a terse statement, spokesman Dimitris Reppas simply said that the government is neither following nor commenting on Mr. Pangalos' statements, "down the slippery road he is following".

Simitis sacked Pangalos as culture minister in November for criticizing certain government policies. He had also been forced to resign as foreign minister two years ago over the Ocalan affair.

In the interview, published inside a "To Vima" supplement, Pangalos criticizes the premier's decision to fire him as a tactical mistake, "in which he cut off one of his own fingers".

He also makes it clear that he is no longer a "great fan" of the prime minister.

Pangalos also criticized the policy of rapprochement with Turkey, saying it had brought no results.

[08] ND leader accuses government for relations with 'allies having vested interests'

Athens, 16/01/2001 (ANA)

"You are aware that the times are sly and politics are currently faced with a ruthless attempt at manipulation and control by organized economic interests which are moving with money, means and those who shape public opinion as their main weapons," he said.

Karamanlis also said the main problems facing the country are the trend for dissolution of the social fiber, the expansion of poverty, the crushing of the middle classes and under population, as well as problems of security and internal migration.

[09] Greece denies that incoming Bush administration refused to accept Papandreou at inauguration ceremony

Athens, 16/01/2001 (ANA)

Foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis said the US diplomatic services, in a "note verbale", sent to all countries, had explained that it was not US practice to accept such representation at Presidential inaugurations.

He said the US, in the same note, had invited countries wishing to be represented at the inauguration ceremony to do so via their ambassadors in Washington.

[10] Communists, Liberals agree on separation of Church from state

Athens, 16/01/2001 (ANA)

KKE announced the issue of the separation of the Church and the state is a steadfast position of the party, adding that regardless of the revision of the constitution the party believes this process can start now and can be completed in a future constitutional reform.

The Liberals Party raised the issue of formulations being removed from the electoral law concerning cooperation among parties prior to elections, while KKE reiterated its position in favor of a proportional representation electoral system.

[11] Ecumenical Patriarchate and Moscow Patriarchate to discuss Estonian issue

ISTANBUL, 16/01/2001 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Tension created by the Estonian issue led to the Moscow Patriarchate's decision not to attend the meeting of Orthodox Patriarchs organized in Istanbul and Nice to celebrate the end of the second and the start to the third Christian millennium.

Church sources said the participation of all Patriarchs, with the exception of Moscow's, and the meeting's success showed the isolation of the Moscow Patriarchate regarding tactics it is following in its relations with the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

[12] Greek stocks end sharply lower on ASE

Athens, 16/01/2001 (ANA)

Small investors protested outside the market after seeing share prices resume their free-fall pushing the general index below the 3,200 support level.

Traders said institutional investors remained on the sideline after the previous week's concerted intervention.

Blue chip stocks were particularly hit, with Panafon losing 6.36 percent, Alpha Bank 5.63 percent, Hellenic Telecoms 3.89 percent and National Bank 3.56 percent.

The general index ended 4.43 percent lower at 3,167.22 points, with turnover a low 151.27 million euros, or 51.4 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE index fell 4.15 percent to 1,855.44 points, and the FTSE/ASE 40 index dropped 6.07 percent to 336.09 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 6,996.24 -3.83% Leasing: 486.04 -8.63% Insurance: 1,181.80 -6.38% Investment: 1,264.17 -4.74% Construction: 1,142.01 -6.78% Industrials: 1,908.24 -4.00% Miscellaneous: 2,322.38 -7.24% Holding: 3,263.79 -6.52%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended 6.52 percent lower at 261.11 points.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 339 to eight with another six issues unchanged.

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

Leading shares' closing prices (in euros): National Bank: 38.98 Alpha Bank: 34.56 Commercial Bank: 50.06 Eurobank: 20.68 Piraeus Bank: 15.26 Lambrakis Press: 10.68 Altec: 6.18 Titan Cement (c): 41.78 Hellenic Telecoms: 16.32 Panafon: 7.36 Hellenic Petroleum: 9.62 Attica Enterprises: 6.72 Intracom: 19.98 Minoan Lines: 5.18 Viohalco: 10.20 Hellenic Bottling: 18.14

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, traders said.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 4.15 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 6.07 percent lower.

Turnover was 55.573 million euros on 7,302 contracts traded, the traders said.

Bond prices end mixed in light trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Monday finished mixed in light trade with players focusing on 20-year paper.

The US market was closed for a holiday, partly explaining a quiet session in European markets.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.37 percent from 5.30 percent a day earlier.

The yield spread over German bunds was 53 basis points from 54 basis points in the three previous sessions.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 250 million euros (about 85.1 billion drachmas) from 1.1 billion euros (around 375 billion drachmas) the trading day before.

[13] Athens bourse restructures in bid for investors

Athens, 16/01/2001 (ANA)

The changes in structure are modeled on major stock exchanges abroad and will help to give the market more depth, and increase efficiency, the Athens bourse said in statement.

The exchange's operations will be divided into two streams: one will link the departments of transactions and monitoring, and quoted stocks; and the other will focus on spurring growth in transactions and link the departments of sales and marketing with research and development, the statement said.

[14] Capital Markets' Committee dismisses talk of speculative moves in ADEX

Athens, 16/01/2001 (ANA)

In an announcement to the press, the Committee said there were no moves to push the derivatives market lower by speculators.

"The Athens Derivatives Exchange (ADEX) is being monitored closely by the Capital Market's Committee and there are no indications that investors are changing positions both on ASE and ADEX to speculate in the market. Monitoring and inspections are continuous," the Committee said.

ADEX recently presented four factors blocking any speculative moves in the market. These were: introducing five codes for primary dealers in the derivatives market, monitoring of codes, prohibiting of simultaneous lending of shares on ASE and contract selling on ADEX, and introducing an on line monitoring system in the market

The Capital Markets' Committee, however, in its recent report over market moves on the day Greece officially applied for EMU membership, acknowledged that a big international institutional investor actually speculated in the market.

[15] Gov't to promote fairer tax system, improved services to taxpayers

Athens, 16/01/2001 (ANA)

Inaugurating a new tax agency's premises in Glyfada, a southern Attica suburb, Papantoniou said that Greece was no longer an underdeveloped country with underdeveloped public services. "We have a strong economy now and the Greek citizens were entitled to have proper services in a civilized and decent environment".

Papantoniou also announced a 700-billion-drachma investment plan for relocating the finance ministry to a new building, completing an installment of computer systems throughout the ministry's services, and an administrative restructuring of the finance ministry.

[16] Greek ship owners own 17.4 percent of world fleet

Athens, 16/01/2001 (ANA)

The Greek merchant fleet, comprising both Greek-flagged and Greek-owned ships, holds first place in the world with ships having a total capacity of about 153 million tones.

Greek shipping (Greek-owned ships regardless of flag) amounted to 3,584 ships in 2000, of which 909 are Greek-flagged and represent about 25-28 percent of tonnage.

Ships having a total capacity of 43 million tones are currently registered under the Greek flag and hold fourth place in the world. Panama has the biggest fleet and is followed by Liberia, Malta and Greece.

Shipping is developing constantly and 835 shipping offices are operating in Greece at present and provide employment for over 12,000 people. However, infrastructure linked to shipping (agencies, companies providing provisions, shipping experts, shipping brokerage companies and lawyers offices) increases this figure to 80,000 people.

[17] Sema company to involve itself in accommodation, transport, tickets and medical services for Athens 2004

Athens, 16/01/2001 (ANA)

Sema, according to the outcome of the talks, will establish a group of officials in Athens in April 2001, while it will employ about 200 people by the time the Athens Olympic Games will be held.

Company officials also disclosed their intention to cooperate with Greek informatics companies to secure full support for the Olympic Games.

SEMA, which has undertaken coverage for the Olympic Games over the period between 2002 and 2008, will provide services in a series of sectors such as reservations at hotels and Olympic villages, transport, tickets and medical services.

[18] Petzetakis buys German pipe producer

Athens, 16/01/2001 (ANA)

AG Petzetakis Gmbh, a commercial subsidiary, bought 100 percent of stock in Behka Plast Gmbh of Germany for around 340 million drachmas. It will make a further injection of 340 million drachmas in the near future to boost the target firm's capital, the Greek company said in a statement.

Behka manufactures flexible pipes for industrial and home use, and has about 200 customers, the statement said.

AG Petzetakis SA is traded on the Athens Stock Exchange.

[19] Development minister discusses cooperation in investments sector with British government officials

LONDON, 16/01/2001 (ANA)

An agreement was reached in a meeting between Christodoulakis and Britain's major tour operators, who serve over 80 percent of British tourists visiting Greece, for measures to be announced soon to help an extension of the tourist period in the months of May, November and probably April.

Christodoulakis said 75 percent of tourist movement in Greece is limited to four months in contrast to other tourist countries where 75 percent is spread over a period of 6-7 months.

He also discussed participation in the production of electric power, natural gas and alternative forms of energy in Greece, as well as issues concerning cooperation in developing new technologies and venture capitals.

[20] Salomon forecasts high yields from Greek bonds

Athens, 16/01/2001 (ANA)

In addition, Greece's credit rating is to rise to AA- from A- at the end of 2002 as a result of the adoption of proposals by the International Settlements Bank on changing the banking credit risk assessment system, said Miranda Xafa, a consultant to Salomon.

[21] UBS Warburg says Greek bank stocks undervalued

Athens, 16/01/2001 (ANA)

UBS said in a market report for customers that banking shares are also considered to be attractively priced on a European level.

Greek banks are expected to show healthier results in the first quarter of the year despite low revenue from commission on stock market transactions and mutual funds, the report said.

The rise in revenue would stem mainly from growing loan business, including housing and consumer loans, UBS added.

[22] Problems to road and ferry traffic, weather expected to abate in the afternoon

Athens, 16/01/2001 (ANA)

According to the public order ministry, seven villages in the prefecture of Rodopi are still cut off, while snow chains are needed to negotiate roads throughout western and central Macedonia, on the Trikala-Ioannina national road near Katara, on the old Elefsina-Thebes road and in the mountainous regions of Trikala, Evrytania, Biotia and Corinth.

Earlier reports had said that snow chains were needed on the roads between Lamia and Karditsa, Trikala, Karpenissi and north Evros and that snow had disrupted traffic in the mountains of Achaia.

The Rio-Antirrio ferry link between the Athens Patras national highway and western Greece began operating again after 11:15 a.m. but the Kavala-Thassos, Thassos-Keramoti, Preveza-Aktio and Sami-Kefallonia ferry links were still down.

Meanwhile, the merchant marine ministry ordered a sailing ban from the ports of Piraeus and Rafina after midday on Monday because of gale-force winds out at sea. The ferries that had sailed for the islands of the Aegean and Crete earlier this morning were instructed to anchor at the nearest safe harbor if they should experience difficulties while on route.

[23] Debris of missing medicopter spotted

Athens, 16/01/2001 (ANA)

Search and rescue units early Monday resumed a massive operation to locate the Agusta Bell helicopter of the EKAB national emergency assistance center that disappeared from civil aviation radars Sunday evening as it was flying between the island of Kea and Cape Sounion, southeast of Athens, while transporting a 75-year-old man who had suffered a heart attack from the island of Patmos to Athens.

Also on board were two pilots -- including Italian national Antonio Vaccari who was in Greece to train Greek pilots in manning the helicopter -- a doctor, and a nurse.

Scouring the area since dawn for signs of the 'flying ambulance' were a Super Puma all-weather helicopter, an Air Force plane, the navy frigate "Hydra", a Coast Guard rescue vessel, the tug "Matsas Star", fishing boats and nearby merchant and passenger boats.

Authorities said a Greek Coast Guard vessel spotted the debris from the Greek-registered EKAB search and rescue helicopter, operating under certification from the Italian company Helitalia SPA, and the Civil Aviation Authority (YPA) immediately set up a committee to investigate the conditions surrounding the accident, in accordance with Greek and international legislation.

The authorities said the Agusta had taken off from Patmos at 5:45 pm Sunday to transport the patient to Athens, and the Italian pilot was in radio contact with the Athens control tower from 6:14 p.m. to 6:20 p.m., at which time he was briefed on the weather conditions prevailing at Athens Airport and given further flight instructions.

The Agusta disappeared from Athens radars at 6:24 p.m., the authorities said.

[24] Appeals court reduces sentence of self-confessed foiled bomber to five years because he planted faulty bomb

Athens, 16/01/2001 (ANA)

Originally found guilty of attempted bombing for an explosive device planted at the development ministry in December 1997, the charge against Nikos Maziotis, 37, was refilled as an "abortive attempted bombing" after expert testimony ostensibly revealed that the bomb could not have detonated because of improper assembly.

Other charges against Maziotis included the supply and possession of explosives, illegal construction of an explosive device and illegal possession of firearms.

The court also decided to recognize "lack of base motives" - i.e. the fact that he was driven by strong political and ideological convictions - as a mitigating factor in his favor.

On arriving at the courthouse on Monday, the handcuffed Maziotis launched a diatribe against the judges and the lawyers appointed to defend him, calling the trial a parody. He was ordered out of the courtroom until a verdict had been reached.

During an eventful hearing last Tuesday, Maziotis had dismissed his two lawyers and attempted to hurl a microphone at the presiding judge. The court consequently appointed three other lawyers to his defense but he rejected their appointment.

After Monday's verdict was announced, Maziotis' lawyers said they would immediately file a request for his release from prison with restrictive conditions.

The original 15-year sentence was imposed by an Athens court in July 1999, during a trial in which Maziotis confessed to planting a home-made bomb in the development ministry's car park in protest over the presence of Canadian mining firm TVX in Halkidiki prefecture.

The makeshift bomb was armed with half a kilo of dynamite and Maziotis told the court that he used that quantity so that he would "cause material damage, not take lives".

Police had managed to defuse the bomb before it went off, while subsequent lab tests found Maziotis' fingerprint on a tape holding the bomb together.

Maziotis had been one of 18 people arrested in 1998 for terrorist-related offences, in one of the few successful operations by Greek police against a perpetrator. During an early-morning raid on his home in the working class Kamatero district, police discovered 9.5 kilos of explosives.

Maziotis was also thought to be the ringleader of the urban guerrilla group "militant guerrilla formation", which had claimed responsibility for a number of bomb attacks since its appearance in 1996.

[25] Reputed Italian underworld figure, son charged with attempted murder

Athens, 16/01/2001 (ANA)

Albino Prudentino, 50, a reputed member of the Italian underworld organization "Sacra Corona Unita", was arrested near the port city of Patra, western Greece, last week.

On Monday, a magistrate and an Athens prosecutor jointly ruled that Prudentino and his 27-year-old son, Angelo, stand trial for the July 2000 murder attempt against a local entrepreneur in the Kypseli district of central Athens.

According to Greek law, foreign nationals accused of a crime must be investigated, tried and serve a conviction -- in case of a guilty verdict - before a decision is made on another's country's extradition request. Rome has requested that the man be extradited.

Prudentino's arrest in Patra came in the wake of the Dec. 22 arrest of Francesco Prudentino in Thessaloniki, northern Greece. The two men are wanted in connection with a major smuggling ring active in Italy and the Balkans.

[26] INKA Consumer group says Greeks have become discouraged by barrage of reports on 'problem' foods

Athens, 16/01/2001 (ANA)

The group points out that there are problems in every kind of food product, that the system for monitoring the food market has collapsed, that there are no "guaranteed safe" alternatives, that many categories of food are financially prohibitive, while scientific studies and positions often contradict or conflict with one another.

"All the above creates a sense of futility and resignation, so that there is no demand for safer foods, an inadequate search for knowledge and information and a generally lax dietary behavior," INKA notes.

The group said that complaints about food and food safety topped its lists in 1998 and 1999, with 9,104 complaints and 16,017 complaints respectively, while there were 18, 135 complaints in 2000. It said it had received 114,084 complaints about food in total over the past 30 years.

Surveys carried out among Greek consumers, meanwhile, reveal that more than 50 per cent are worried about the following problems associated with foods:

Genetically modified foods (91 per cent), 'mad-cow' disease (81 per cent), dioxins (85 per cent), pesticides (81 per cent), hormones (76 per cent), food additives (63 per cent), irradiated foods (62 per cent), food hygiene (60 per cent). According to the report, 75 per cent also considered snack foods to be a health hazard and 57 per cent are suspicious of fast food.

According to INKA, the 35 per cent of cancers that are linked to poor diet are unconnected neither with the additional problems caused by many of the above food 'hazards' nor with uranium.

[27] China supports a Cyprus settlement based on UN resolutions

NICOSIA, 16/01/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Its Vice President Hu Jintao expressed Beijings position here after official talks with President Glafcos Clerides at the Presidential Palace, expected by both sides to further enhance bilateral relations in the political, economic and other fields.

Hu arrived in Cyprus earlier on Monday for a three-day official visit, accompanied by a multimember delegation, as part of a five-country tour to the region, including Jordan, Iran, Syria and Uganda.

The Chinese Vice President was given head of state honors on his arrival at the Presidential Palace, where Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides welcomed him.

Kasoulides along with Finance Minister Takis Klerides, Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister Nicos Rolandis and other officials were present at the talks.

Asked if China could have a greater role within the UN Security Council for a just settlement to the Cyprus question, Hu said he "fully understands" the importance a settlement has for the people here.

Speaking through an interpreter, he said China is "consistent with its position that the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprus should be respected and UN resolutions implemented faithfully".

Expressing the hope the two communities of Cyprus will work together towards a settlement and for mutual trust, he said China has taken note of the five rounds of proximity talks held so far and hopes they will continue and "will yield positive progress".

Hu assured that, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council China "will, as always, give its support to the UN and the Secretary General's efforts" on the Cyprus issue and underlined the country is willing "to work together with the international community towards a just and equitable settlement on this issue and make our own contribution."

On his part, President Clerides placed "great importance" on the Chinese Vice President's visit and expressed certainty it will improve and strengthen relations, as was the case after he visited China last year.

He said they discussed the importance both countries place on the adherence to foreign policy principles and the respect of the sovereignty of states and the inviolability of borders.

Both officials described their talks in Nicosia as very productive as they covered foreign policy, the Cyprus question, economic and other relations, which are expected to improve considerably with a cooperation agreement also signed on Monday.

Hu and his delegation leave Cyprus on Wednesday.

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