Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-03-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] New anti-crime bill to be ready in ten days

[02] Greek and Italian presidents honor Italian and Greek dead in Cephalonia during resistance against Nazism

[03] Papandreou to visit Cyprus March 11-13

[04] NATO Secretary General to visit Athens on March 16-17

[05] National defense minister and Tunisian counterpart discuss security problems in wider region

[06] US-Greek law enforcement collaboration yields results, annual report says

[07] Greek, Armenian, Iranian foreign ministers to meet in Athens, in March

[08] No movement in Yugoslav accounts for purchase of gold

[09] Premier expresses optimism over the future of Greek agriculture

[10] Papandreou to visit Sapes, eastern Thrace in mid-March

[11] Athens mayor criticizes PASOK, main opposition of lagging behind in a changing world

[12] Beglitis denies existence of 'Chamz issue'

[13] Skandalidis sends circular to new party committee secretaries

[14] Gov't denies existence of letters to ministers by PM following meeting with ombudsman

[15] Coalition of the Left party presents four proposals on handling problems in the Balkans

[16] Justice ministry submits bill to speed up civil proceedings

[17] Gov't considering abolition of '74-era military mobilization regime

[18] Foreign ministry dismisses reports of ties to website

[19] Alpha Bank rejects accusations by Social Insurance Foundation governor of having share of responsibility in pensions problem

[20] Greek stocks continue moving lower

[21] Government withdraws amendment for broadcast frequency licenses

[22] Gov't releases draft of passenger shipping deregulation bill

[23] Athens 2004 seeking to forgo bond payments for radio-television rights

[24] Development minister to Moscow for talks

[25] Greece to hold commerce, arts fair in the US

[26] US trade fair to promote Greek products, services

[27] Greek government announces new increased prices on real estate

[28] Labor minister calls on businesses to contribute to government's effort to tackle unemployment

[29] Tender called for overhaul of Attica beaches

[30] Federation of Greek Dairy Products Industries confirms quality of milk and derivatives

[31] Interactive launches trial emission for digital TV

[32] International food and beverage trade fair in Thessaloniki

[33] Gov't names 17 new regional health directors

[34] Growing elderly population forecast for Greece in 50 years

[35] British royal lays wreath where Saunders was killed

[36] Greek Parliament aids program of Council of Hellenes Abroad

[37] AHEPA, US Embassy launch tree-planting initiative on Mt. Hymettus

[38] Humanitarian aid to Georgia

[39] The presence of Greeks in Russia on exhibition in Moscow

[40] Turkish film week organized in Athens

[41] Minister denies there is organized crime by juveniles in Greece

[42] FIFA delegation to visit Athens on March 12

[43] Athens 2004 organizers hire 3 top Sydney Games executives

[44] Government on economic crisis in Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus

[45] Cyprus, Russia sign economic cooperation protocol

[01] New anti-crime bill to be ready in ten days

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

We discussed with the inner cabinet on the plan, that the ministry of justice is preparing, on organized crime. Before the final draft of the plan, we sought this discussion so as to have the guiding directives of the prime minister and the members of the inner cabinet, Justice Minister Michalis Stathopoulos said in statements after a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

According to Reppas, Stathopoulos presented to the premier the basic principles of the policy for the protection of citizens against organized crime.

We are ready now to forge ahead with the final draft, as well as the drafting of the report justifying the introduction of the bill. This will take a week. On March 12 the draft legislation will be made public, Stathopoulos said.

Speaking on the disagreements expressed by law specialists, he said, there are some disagreements among lawyers, this happens very often. It is unavoidable. What I can reassure you on, however, is that this bill aims to protect the citizens from organized crime. It protects the citizen and does not limit the freedoms (of citizens).

All that is written on limitation of the freedoms of the citizen do not reflect reality, he said.

[02] Greek and Italian presidents honor Italian and Greek dead in Cephalonia during resistance against Nazism

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

The event got underway in the morning and was concluded in the afternoon after Ciampi gave a luncheon for Stephanopoulos on board the Italian warship "Garibaldi", which had been anchored off the town of Argostoli over the past two days.

The two presidents had previously laid wreaths to honor the dead at the island's two memorials, both the Greek and the Italian ones, in memory of the courage, self-sacrifice and heroism of the 10,000 Italians belonging to the "Acqui" division and the 200 Greeks who had participated in the resistance struggle against the Germans.

Speaking before the memorial of the Italians killed by the German regular army in September 1943, and over a period of 15 days, Ciampi said "history gave us teachings with its dramas."

"We do not forget the terrible sufferings of the population of Cephalonia and all Greece which was the victim of an aggressive war," Ciampi said and thanked his Greek counterpart for his presence at the memorial of the Italian dead.

Speaking at the municipal theatre in Argostoli later, in the presence of the Mayor Gerasimos Fortes, Stephanopoulos said he was very pleased, particularly with his Italian counterpart's reference to the sacrifice of the people of Cephalonia and their contribution to the Italian struggle.

[03] Papandreou to visit Cyprus March 11-13

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

While in Nicosia, Papandreou will have talks with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, foreign minister Ioannis Kasoulides, and the leaders of the Cypriot political parties.

He will also visit several towns, including Paphos and surrounding villages, the Greek Forces in Cyprus (ELDYK), and the National Guard.

[04] NATO Secretary General to visit Athens on March 16-17

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

While here, the Alliance chief will have separate meetings with President Costis Stephanopoulos, prime minister Costas Simitis, foreign minister George Papandreou and defense minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos.

[05] National defense minister and Tunisian counterpart discuss security problems in wider region

TUNIS, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

Tsohatzopoulos also met with the ruling party's secretary general Ali Chaouch and Deputy Foreign Minister Youssef Mokaddem.

On Friday, Tsohatzopoulos will be holding talks with Tunisian Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi. Later, he will be giving a press conference at the El Aouina airbase and the signing of bilateral protocol agreements by the chairmen of the joint Greek-Tunisian military committee will follow.

[06] US-Greek law enforcement collaboration yields results, annual report says

WASHINGTON, 02/03/2001 (ANA - T. Ellis)

The report called Greece an important viaduct of narcotics trafficking to Western Europe due to its permeable sea borders and extensive land borders with other Balkan countries.

Specifically, the report noted that heroin and hashish enter Greece from Turkey, while marijuana and other drugs enter Greece from Albania, Bulgaria and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

It stressed that the Greek Parliament approved the initiative against international organized crime of SECI and it introduced in its program its participation in the activities of the SECI center planned to be based in Bucharest.

Using reports of Greek officials, the report notes that heroin users number about 40,000 in Greece, while it quotes a University of Athens study that claims that the drug use in the country quadrupled over the past 15 years.

The report underlined the cooperation between US authorities and the Greek police, the Greek economic crime squad and the Greek port authority, which led to the seizure of 9.5 tons of cocaine at sea, near Venezuela and the arrest of 50 people in connection with that case.

Regarding money laundering, however, Greece was downgraded to one of "Primary" money laundering ones, as in 1999 it was graded as one of "Concern", stressing that the Greek economy is vulnerable to such activities, quoting reports of Greek newspapers on the issue.

[07] Greek, Armenian, Iranian foreign ministers to meet in Athens, in March

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, Iran's Kamal Kharrazi and Armenia's Vartan Oskanyan will meet in Athens.

The first meeting of the ministers took place in the Armenian capital of Yerevan, where they discussed the participation of third countries in a natural gas pipeline between Iran and Armenia.

The three, at that time, had also confirmed their interest in the use of renewable energy, and agreed to establish an energy database in their countries.

Welcomed at the meeting were initiatives by Greece to organize training seminars on tourism, transport, industry, technology and the economy.

[08] No movement in Yugoslav accounts for purchase of gold

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

"The necessary checks have been made, and investigations did not turn up anything to that effect," Beglitis said.

Beglitis said that there were "very small amounts" of a few dormant accounts "which remain frozen in accordance with the relevant EU decisions, and the issue is linked to the embargo against Yugoslavia".

Yugoslavia's central bank estimates that some 2.77 billion dollars were smuggled out of the country in the early 1990s after sanctions were imposed on Belgrade for its role in Balkan ethnic violence.

Banking sources said recently that the Bank of Greece had conducted investigations over the past two years from a list of about 40 people provided by the European Commission, which froze the accounts of toppled Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic and his closest associates over the Kosovo crisis and imposed a travel ban on them.

Beglitis said in response to press questions that foreign minister George Papandreou and his Yugoslav counterpart Goran Svilanovic, on the sidelines of the recent Balkan summit in FYROM, agreed on cooperation between the appropriate services of their respective countries aimed at combatting organized crime and money laundering.

"There is good cooperation with the Yugoslav government," Beglitis said, adding that "there will be no ground whatsoever for disinformation".

[09] Premier expresses optimism over the future of Greek agriculture

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

Speaking after the inner cabinet meeting, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said that the premier reiterated Greece's unwavering support for the Common Agricultural Policy of the Union.

Simitis also expressed Greece's opposition to the re-nationalization of agricultural policies of the Union, adding that the recent crises surrounding the food chain showed that the Union should increase its efforts to protect the consumer and emphasize the production of quality products.

He said that one of the sectors of Greek agriculture that should be improved is the bank credit system for farmers, another is the development of policies that would improve the quality of life in rural areas and third is the improvement of the training programs for farmers, especially young farmers.

[10] Papandreou to visit Sapes, eastern Thrace in mid-March

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

Papandreou is also expected to use the opportunity to meet various local officials and bodies and to visit Thrace's Moslem villages.

[11] Athens mayor criticizes PASOK, main opposition of lagging behind in a changing world

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

During his address to an international conference, entitled "Human Resources Management in the era of the new economy", Avramopoulos said that the freedom of man is not only a challenge for the economy, but of the culture and politics as well.

He added that while Greeks have introduced new technologies in their everyday lives the parties have lagged behind and must follow.

[12] Beglitis denies existence of 'Chamz issue'

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

This concerns an Albanian-speaking minority that claims property rights in Greece dating back to World War II, and was reportedly raised by an Albanian lobby in Europe.

Beglitis said there was no such issue and that it was not recognized, and he also advised those who had raised it to be particularly careful, since something like this did nothing to foster good, bilateral relations with a neighboring country.

[13] Skandalidis sends circular to new party committee secretaries

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

Certain references in this circular are expected to inspire debate on the changes being planned to the party itself, such as the statement that this will involve a process of "renewal, expansion and evolution".

[14] Gov't denies existence of letters to ministers by PM following meeting with ombudsman

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

"Such letters have not been sent," spokesman Dimitris Reppas said, while confirming a meeting between Simitis and Nikiforos Diamantouros.

He further said Simitis would examine the content of a report submitted on problems in the public sector by the citizen's advocate.

Reppas said responsibilities exist in the issues contained in the Diamantouros report, which are either political or administrative.

[15] Coalition of the Left party presents four proposals on handling problems in the Balkans

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

The proposal was one of four made by the Coalition on handling problems currently facing the Balkans at a conference on "Developments in the Balkans and Greek foreign policy."

A member of the partys Political Secretariat presented the proposals, since party leader Nikos Constantopoulos did not attend due to illness.

According to the other three proposals made, Greece should propose a start to dialogue on building a system of joint security for Balkan countries and decreasing and gradually withdrawing foreign troops from the region, while NATO's enlargement in the Balkans does not promote peace and stability in the region.

Strengthening the role of Balkan countries and creating conditions for closer cooperation with the EU and the OSCE on the prospect of their accession to the EU should revise the Stability Pact.

Greece should also contribute actively towards shaping institutions strengthening inter-Balkan cooperation, it was added.

[16] Justice ministry submits bill to speed up civil proceedings

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

Entitled 'Speeding up the regular procedure before civil courts and other litigious and related measures', the bill is essentially the long-awaited law for "express trials" that had been announced by the government in October 2000, following the disastrous sinking of the passenger ferry "Express Samina", in which 80 people had drowned.

According to a justice ministry announcement released with the bill, it will make some key alterations to the civil code "to make the settlement of civil law disputes faster, better considered and cheaper without compromise but, on the contrary, with an improvement toward the goal of the quality of justice given as well."

It said the bill also contained related measures that solved certain litigation issues of an urgent nature.

Steps to speed up the process by which cases went through the courts had been first proposed in early October, after the sinking of the "Express Samina" created a public outcry and a demand to find out who was responsible.

According to statements made then by Justice Minister Michalis Stathopoulos, who chided the press for using the term 'express trials', the amendments to the law would chiefly concern the judge's leeway in setting a trial date, leaving it to his or her discretion to bring the date forward in serious cases, especially where there was suspicion of criminal liabilities.

He had then said it would be chiefly aimed at high-profile cases "that disrupted the life of society as a whole, creating insecurity and shook people's faith in justice and law and order." As examples, he had cited the collapse of the Ricomex factory and another 26 buildings during the 1999 earthquake in Athens, the collapse of a bridge on the Attica Highway, the airplane accident that killed foreign minister Yiannos Kranidiotis and the Ocalan affair.

[17] Gov't considering abolition of '74-era military mobilization regime

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

The minister said abolition of the regime would normalize serving officers' status, allowing them to serve as "uniformed citizens", as he put it.

[18] Foreign ministry dismisses reports of ties to website

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

Spokesman Panos Beglitis noted that the ministry's assistance was simply requested, as in other similar cases, and given.

[19] Alpha Bank rejects accusations by Social Insurance Foundation governor of having share of responsibility in pensions problem

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

"Alpha Bank acted in accordance with the process anticipated and delivered necessary data in time and without fail," an announcement by Alpha Bank said.

The governor of IKA had said "problems arising during the initial implementation of the new system of payments are due to the irresponsible and contrary to the contract attitude of some banks (he named the Commercial Bank and Alpha Bank) which failed to update the archives of the DIAS SA company with data concerning 60,000 pensioners, who had opened accounts in time before December 22, 2000, resulting in 60,000 pensioners being considered as not having been registered and being referred for payment to the Agricultural Bank and burdening the bank's work without reason."

In another development, Deputy Finance Minister George Drys held talks on Thursday with the board of the Panhellenic Federation of Civil Pensioners on the economic claims of public sector pensioners.

Consequently, the finance ministry will examine the possibility of retroactive increases being paid to public sector pensioners due to the adjustment of pensions in the public sector's unified salary scale as of January 1, 1997.

The adjustment became effective as of August 1, 1997 but the pensioners want it to go into effect seven months earlier than the date on which the implementation of the new salary scale began.

[20] Greek stocks continue moving lower

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

Traders said foreign funds were liquidating positions in the telecommunications sector in recent days, with Hellenic Telecoms' share price falling below the 15 euros level, losing 1.58 percent on Thursday.

Analysts said, however, that the Greek bourse was resisting pressures from a negative climate in other European stock markets.

The general index fell 0.59 percent to 3,110.59 points, off the day's lows of 3,103.28 points. Turnover was a low 134.06 million euros, or 45.681 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks eased 0.65 percent to 1,776.93 points, and the FTSE/ASE 40 fell 1.15 percent to 361.61 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 6,641.79 -0.58% Leasing: 505.11 -2.07% Insurance: 1,348.45 -2.29% Investment: 1,246.53 -0.86% Construction: 1,392.81 -2.12% Industrials: 1,949.99 -0.20% Miscellaneous: 2,364.34 -1.29% Holding: 3,404.44 +0.32%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks fell 0.30 percent to 317.22 points.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 245 to 90 with another 24 issues unchanged.

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

Leading shares' closing prices (in euros): National Bank: 37.76 Alpha Bank: 30.24 Commercial Bank: 48.86 Eurobank: 20.02 Piraeus Bank: 14.36 Lambrakis Press: 13.14 Titan Cement (c): 38.60 Hellenic Telecoms: 14.94 Panafon: 6.54 Hellenic Petroleum: 9.14 Attica Enterprises: 7.20 Intracom: 20.48 Mytilineos: 8.98 Minoan Lines: 4.84 Viohalco: 10.08 Coca Cola Bottling: 18.54

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

The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 0.65 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 1.15 percent lower.

Turnover was 25.7 million euros on 4,310 contracts traded, the dealers said.

Bond prices drop in selling: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Thursday finished lower in moderate trade with players again focusing on 20-year paper, dealers said.

The new Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.32 percent from 5.33 percent a day earlier.

The yield spread over German bunds was 59 basis points from 57 basis points the session before.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 730 million euros (around 248.7 billion drachmas) from 835 million euros (about 284.5 billion drachmas) a day earlier.

Sell orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

Athens share index get overhaul: Authorities of the Athens Stock Exchange announced on Thursday that they had overhauled the composition of the Athens share index in order to better reflect the market.

About half of the firms listed in the index have changed, with 27 companies making an entry. The new composition comes into effect on Monday.

The firms to join the index are as follows: Hyatt, Technical Olympic, Themeliodomi, Maillis, Elval, Halkor, Sidenor, Tegopoulos, Naoussa Spinning Mills, Doudos, Esha, Alpha Urban Real Estate, Sanyo, Intrasoft, Delta Information Technology, Singular, EYDAP, National Real Estate, Minoan Lines, Cosmote, Astir Pallas, Altec, Hellenic Duty Free Shops, Germanos, Mytilineos, Elmec Sport and Interamerican.

Leaving the general index are the following companies: Hellenic Industrial Development Bank Leasing, Mechaniki (common), Proodeftiki, Alpha Finance, Alpha Leasing, Chipita, Fourlis, Hellas Can, Silver & Baryte Ores, Alte, Attikat, Vassilopoulos, GEK, Strintzis, General, Delta Holdings, National Investment Bank for Industrial Development, Edrassi, Mouzakis, Elais, Etem, Hellenic Biscuits, Hellenic Portfolio Investment Company, Epilektos, Klonatex (common), Parnassus Enterprises and Proodos.

[21] Government withdraws amendment for broadcast frequency licenses

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

The amendment the Press ministry had been inserted into a bill brought by Transport and Telecommunications Minister Christos Verelis on public transport administration in Thessaloniki.

It called for radio and television stations that had gained equal scores in the latest tender for radio and television frequency licenses to opt for either shared use of the frequency or a public draw conducted by the National Television and Radio Council.

The amendment also said that if a new tender were held, those stations participating in the tender that were operating on November 1, 1999 would be considered legal operators until the new licenses were issued, provided that was possible. If the number of participants in the tender was greater than the number of stations that could operate simultaneously, a special process would be decided that would allow the National Television and Radio Council to select which ones would operate during the transition period.

[22] Gov't releases draft of passenger shipping deregulation bill

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

"We are in the final stretch before deregulation on November 1, 2002. The new institutional framework is of national significance, which is why we want a substantive dialogue with all those involved," Merchant Marine Minister Christos Papoutsis told reporters.

The measures to abolish the cabotage system of restrictions that kept operators from abroad out of the Greek domestic passenger shipping market will bring the country into line with European Union directives.

[23] Athens 2004 seeking to forgo bond payments for radio-television rights

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

The decision was taken during a meeting of the committee's plenum, in Athens.

The IOC executive committee had requested the bonds.

Meanwhile, ATHOC approved the 129.7 million dollar budget for the Athens 2004 Paralympics, a cost to be shared by ATHOC to the tune of 50 million and by the Greek state to the tune of 48.5 million, while ticket sales and sponsors will cover the rest.

About 4,000 athletes are expected to participate in the Paralympics, while this will be the first time that the athletes will not be charged fees to participate

[24] Development minister to Moscow for talks

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

The minister will then travel to Upsala, Sweden for an informal meeting of European Union ministers on research, to be held on March 1-3.

On Sunday, Christodoulakis will take part in an international trade fair to be held in Berlin where Hellenic Tourism Real Estate SA is to make a presentation in order to help attract investors from abroad.

[25] Greece to hold commerce, arts fair in the US

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

Details of the event, the first of its kind, were presented at a seminar arranged by the association.

Interest by investors is focused on foodstuffs and beverages, textiles, building materials, technology and tourism, SEB officials said.

[26] US trade fair to promote Greek products, services

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

The Greek-American exhibition organization Hermes Expo and the bilingual Greek-American newspaper Hellenic News of America organize the exhibition.

Pavlos Kotrotsios, Hermes Expo's chairman, said that the trade fair aimed to promote products and services from Greece and Cyprus to the American market and to help in linking Greek businessmen with the international market.

Kotrotsios stressed that this year's trade fair would focus on promoting the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, Greek jewelry and handicrafts.

[27] Greek government announces new increased prices on real estate

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

The biggest price increases were recorded in the Psychico municipality and in Piraeus, with 85 percent and 72 percent, respectively, while in other areas, such as Ano Liosia that was hit by a strong earthquake 1-1/2 years ago, prices remained stable or even fell.

The country's most expensive streets, following prices increases, are Vassilisis Sofias in central Athens (1.5 million drachmas per square meter), Vouliagmeni, a seaside suburb in south Attica (1.5 million drachmas per square meter), Oia in the island of Santorini and the island of Mykonos (1.2 mln and 1.1 mln drachmas respectively).

The finance ministry plans to offset higher prices on real estate with tax breaks on real estate transactions.

[28] Labor minister calls on businesses to contribute to government's effort to tackle unemployment

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

Referring to issues brought to the government's attention by EBEA, Yiannitsis says a settlement cannot be promoted on the exemption from the payment of insurance contributions of the part of profits distributed to wage earners as a productivity bonus and refers the issues of flexibility in working time and the use of overtime work to existing legislation.

Giannitsis says the expectation of businesses for a decrease in employers' contributions beyond the two percentage points anticipated by the labor law is justified, but added that a further decrease would touch on issues of social justice.

[29] Tender called for overhaul of Attica beaches

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

The beaches owned by the Greek National Tourism Organization that slated for overhaul are at Vouliagmeni, Voula, Alimos and Varkiza.

Handling the tender is Hellenic Tourism Real Estate, set up to develop GNTO's property.

[30] Federation of Greek Dairy Products Industries confirms quality of milk and derivatives

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

"Rock fever is a disease affecting animals and it has been known for many years. The microorganism causing it is destroyed completely by heat and as a result pasteurization renders milk and dairy products absolutely safe. Pasteurization is applied to all dairy products in Greece and, indeed, it is compulsory according to existing legislation," an announcement by the Federation said.

It was added that organized milk industries possess effective systems for checking the health of animals and the safety of milk and dairy products and through which they guarantee the health of Greek consumers.

[31] Interactive launches trial emission for digital TV

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

The move marks the start of preparations for the transmission of programs from the Magna platform, the parent company Intersat said in a statement.

Intersat planned to offer high quality programs through Magna, contributing to the development of digital television in Greece, the statement added.

[32] International food and beverage trade fair in Thessaloniki

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

This year's Detrop, organized by Helexpo, focuses on biological products and aims to promote the significance of the Mediterranean nutrition to the human organism.

A total of 1,116 Greek and foreign exhibitors are participating in this year's Detrop, with three countries (Bulgaria, Poland and Italy) having an official participation.

Foreign exhibitors include companies from Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Cyprus, Austria, France, Switzerland, US, Japan, Ireland, Spain, Israel, Croatia, UK, South Africa, New Zealand, Holland, Hungary, Sweden, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Finland and Hong Kong.

[33] Gov't names 17 new regional health directors

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

Parliament must approve the nomination, something expected to occur this month.

According to Health Minister Alekos Papadopoulos, the new directors will earn a monthly salary of around two million drachmas (gross). (One euro equals 340.75 drachmas)

[34] Growing elderly population forecast for Greece in 50 years

NEW YORK, 02/03/2001 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

Additionally, Greece is included in a list of 19 countries where one-tenth of the population by the year 2050 is projected to be more than 80 years old.

In a presentation this week at the UN's headquarters, officials said studies show that the world's population will increase to around 9.3 billion over the next 50 years from 6.1 billion today. Africa and Asia will lead the increase, despite the proliferation of AIDS.

[35] British royal lays wreath where Saunders was killed

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

Accompanied by British Ambassador to Athens Sir David Madden, Princess Alexandra deposited a large wreath from the British Embassy and a smaller wreath of red poppies of her own at 15:30 this afternoon.

She made no statements afterward, which the Ambassador said was standard policy for the British royal family.

Asked whether terrorism could have an impact on the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Madden said that efforts were being made, both on the part of the Greek police force and with the collaboration of foreign agencies so that there would be no problems.

He also said that cooperation between Greece and Britain would bring results as regarded finding and arresting those who murdered Stephen Saunders.

Saunders was a British military attache working at the UK Embassy in Athens, who was killed on June 8, 2000 by the shadowy "November 17" group as a key player in designing NATO's 1999 bombing campaign in Serbia and Kosovo. British authorities later denied the role attributed by the group to Saunders during the 1999 campaign.

Princess Alexandra is carrying out a working visit to Greece that began on Wednesday and will end on Friday, accompanied by her husband Sir Angus Ogilvy.

During the course of her visit the Princess will attend a gala in support of the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) fund.

[36] Greek Parliament aids program of Council of Hellenes Abroad

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

This was stated in Athens on Thursday during a meeting between Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis and the President of the Council of Hellenes Abroad, Andrew Athens.

Athens thanked Kaklamanis for the Greek Parliament's moral and material support of SAE's program.

[37] AHEPA, US Embassy launch tree-planting initiative on Mt. Hymettus

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

AHEPA Supreme President Johnny Economy and US Ambassador Nicholas Burns, joined by Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos, planted the first 30 saplings of several hundred thousand trees which will grace the slopes of Mt. Hymettus under an initiative of the Greek-American advocacy group.

"Forest fires over the last decade have left parts of the historic Attic mountain barren and susceptible to erosion. The saplings planted today not only mean that future generations of Athenians will have a greener landsmake but also mark the first stage of AHEPA's ambitions reforestation effort, which will introduce more than a million new trees all over Greece in the next few years," an AHEPA spokesperson told ANA.

Burns saluted AHEPA "for having the vision and drive to raise the funds for this very important project".

"The money for this valuable effort comes from the generosity of the Greek-American community, which has outdone itself in its commitment to reversing the damage caused by devastating forest fires," the ambassador said, adding that the planting also complements the joint US-Greek fire-fighting training which took place last month.

In addition to making the landscape greener, the new trees will prevent further erosion on the mountainside and encourage the return of birds, which had abandoned those areas ravaged by fire, an embassy spokesman told ANA.

[38] Humanitarian aid to Georgia

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

The Orthodox dioceses of the Volos area collected the aid.

[39] The presence of Greeks in Russia on exhibition in Moscow

MOSCOW, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

The exhibition was inaugurated on Thursday and will last until April 10, at the Russian History Museum on the Red Square of the Russian capital, where a special event will be held in light of the congress of the federation.

The exhibition features artifacts and documents of the presence of Greece in the region from antiquity to the present, while documents of the Greek community in Moscow of the 19th century will be exhibited for the first time ever.

[40] Turkish film week organized in Athens

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

The event follows a similar film week in Turkey last autumn dedicated to Greek cinema, which was organized by an Istanbul-based production company that recently bought the broadcast rights in the Turkish market for five contemporary Greek films.

The Trianon movie house will host the event.

[41] Minister denies there is organized crime by juveniles in Greece

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

According to the minister, the crimes committed by juveniles have so far been isolated events and measures against them are being taken, such as guarding schools and police patrols at school closing and opening times.

Commenting on the Greek Police juvenile crimes department, he said it was staffed by able and well-trained officers so that there was prevention and a proper reception for juvenile offenders.

PASOK MP Andreas Loverdos, who raised the question, countered that offences by juveniles had not been recorded in the statistical charts compiled by police, contrary to claims in preliminary announcement of a survey by the National Research Center.

[42] FIFA delegation to visit Athens on March 12

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

The FIFA representatives will investigate allegations that the government is interfering in the Greek game.

Greek soccer has been hit by accusations of questionable refereeing, crowd trouble and poor conditions at stadiums.

A feud has being going on for some time now between the Greek league and the government, which has pledged to revamp the sport.

[43] Athens 2004 organizers hire 3 top Sydney Games executives

Athens, 02/03/2001 (ANA)

According to an ATHOC press release, the three Australian executives were named as David Richmond, Jim Sloman and John Quayle, billed as among the "Top 10" of Sydney 2000 officials.

Richmond was the general director of Australia's state-run Olympic Coordinating Authority, while Sloman was head of the Games' operations and the Sydney 2000 (SOCOG) deputy general director.

Finally, Quayle was general director of SOCOG's administration and management unit.

[44] Government on economic crisis in Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus

NICOSIA, 02/03/2001 (CNA/ANA)

"Pressure from Turkish Cypriots against the policies of the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Rauf Denktash and his associates is a factor that, in conjunction with other elements, could prove useful in the future towards efforts to achieve a settlement," Papapetrou said at his daily briefing.

He said the fallout of Turkey's economic crisis has reached the occupied areas, which was already facing economic problems.

"It is very important to see Turkish Cypriot trade unionists and others linking for the first time the economic crisis with a solution of the Cyprus problem and saying that social and economic problems would be solved with the solution," the spokesman added.

Expressing the government's agreement with this assessment, he said "we believe that an appropriate resolution of the problem would bring about the solution of problems facing the Turkish Cypriots but also problems the people of Cyprus as a whole are facing."

Replying to questions, he said the government is trying to build bridges with the Turkish Cypriots as it believes this is an important factor in the solution of the problem, but stressed any such moves must and should not allow any room for recognition of Denktash's self-styled regime in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since 1974.

The economic crisis in Turkey, following a very public row between Turkey's president and the country's prime minister, has spilt over in the occupied part of Cyprus, which relies heavily on Ankara.

According to reports in the Turkish Cypriot press, prices of medicine in occupied Cyprus have increased, students in these areas have to pay increased fees because of the exchange rate, retired people could not get their pensions and there were calls for a change of leadership.

Turkish Cypriot party leader Mehmet Ali Talat said Turkish Cypriots have become overnight poorer by 40 per cent and losses in the past week have reached 200 million dollars.

"We have to turn to the road for a solution (to the Cyprus problem), we must return to the negotiating table," he said.

The Turkish Cypriot press was critical of the fallout from the crisis in Turkey and notes that what may be a minor problem in Turkey is a major disaster for occupied Cyprus.

[45] Cyprus, Russia sign economic cooperation protocol

NICOSIA, 02/03/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Cyprus Finance Minister Takis Klerides and First Deputy Minister of Finance of Russia Aleksey Ulyukaev welcomed the prospect of furthering relations through the agreement and said it lays the foundation for increased cooperation through exchange visits and other meetings.

The protocol was signed by Klerides and Ulyukaev, who headed their respective delegations, at the end of the second session of the Cypriot-Russian Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation, which met here. The Commission reviewed recent economic developments in the two countries, discussed the present situation of bilateral trade and economic relations, the potential and methods of their expansion, the promotion of cooperation between the Chambers of Commerce and Industry and cooperation in the fields of investment and construction.

The 46-member Commission (21 Cypriots and 25 Russians) also dealt with cooperation in tourism and transport, reviewed cooperation between Cyprus and the administrative regions of the Russian Federation, the development of scientific and technological cooperation and the settlement of debt of former USSR towards Cypriot companies.

"Our close historic ties, mutual support on the political level and the feelings of friendship we share are reflected in the economic sphere," Klerides said after the meeting, noting that the prevailing conditions in both countries are very favorable for furthering cooperation.

He said relations between Cyprus and Russia are being built gradually by the two governments through agreements regulating relations in secondary sectors, measures to support business cooperation, exchange of scholarships and consultancy services.

Replying to press questions, he said Cypriot business people invested in the past two years 15 million pounds (about 30 m. dollars) in Russia, adding that a 40-member business delegation may visit Moscow in July for investment purposes.

Describing the agreement as "very important", Ulyukaev said "the protocol lays the foundation for further development of our economic relations and we have come to the conclusion that prospects for enhancing bilateral ties are very good."

He said the Cypriot and the Russian governments can contribute towards this direction but the pivotal part of the work is set to be carried out by private business.

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