Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-03-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM briefs Stephanopoulos on Stockholm Summit, public works

[02] Greek foreign minister promises aid in support of a multi-ethnic society in FYROM

[03] Greek MPs appeal for EU to shoulder responsibility for peace in Balkans

[04] Gov't firm on decision to shut down unlicensed radio stations

[05] Tsohatzopoulos meets Armenian counterpart in Athens

[06] Greek and Turkish defense ministers to meet during Balkan defense ministers meeting on April 5

[07] Roll call vote on constitutional revision reportedly set for April 6

[08] Parliament ratifies amendment on expanding border corps' jurisdiction

[09] Top gov't committee focuses on preparations for 2004 Games

[10] Retired deputy police chief hired as head of ATHOC security

[11] OTOE meets Chrysohoidis to discuss improving bank security

[12] Fidel Castro accepts invitation to visit Athens

[13] ND Executive Committee decides against change of party's firebrand emblem

[14] 400 flight landings and take-offs scheduled for first 24 hours of operation of Athens' new Eleftherios Venizelos int'l airport

[15] Greece's 2 largest dairy companies collaborate for Olympic sponsorship

[16] Measures on handling drought and managing water resources to be announced on April 12

[17] Boosting trade ties with India debated at forum

[18] Greek, Latvian ministers to discuss bilateral economic relations

[19] Guide for EU programs presented at special event in Nicosia

[20] Retailers in Ermou St set precedent with longer opening hours

[21] ABN AMRO Bank expands network in Greece

[22] Germanos expands in Poland

[23] Hellenic Petroleum seeks to become energy group

[24] Greek stocks end lower in subdued trade

[25] Thassos islanders plan protest to proposed radar installation

[26] Britain should pass bill facilitating 'dignified' return of Marbles to Greece, Australian former premier Whitlam says

[27] Teachers' unions stage protest outside Education ministry

[28] Cyprus foreign minister to meet US counterpart Colin Powell in Washington on April 9

[29] FM Permanent Secretary addresses UN Commission on Human Rights

[01] PM briefs Stephanopoulos on Stockholm Summit, public works

Athens, 29/03/2001 (ANA)

Regarding the public works projects, such as the new Athens airport at Spata inaugurated on Tuesday, Simitis said work to create a undersea tunnel road link at the Aktion-Preveza crossing should be finished by the end of the year, while he also expressed hope that the Rio-Antirrio bridge would be completed ahead of schedule and be ready when the Olympic Games came to Athens in 2004. In addition, he said, sections of the Egnatia Highway should also be ready for use very shortly.

Commenting on worldwide economic trends, Simitis was upbeat in his predictions, and said the Stockholm Summit had decided to implement a policy that promoted social cohesion and solidarity, as well as improving economic indices.

[02] Greek foreign minister promises aid in support of a multi-ethnic society in FYROM

SKOPJE, 29/03/2001 (ANA - M. Vichou)

"Greece is open to providing any kind of aid, on a bilateral basis, in the frameworks of NATO and the EU ... the problem is not between two ethnic group, the problem is the conflict between an ethnically clean society and a multi-ethnic society," Papandreou said, speaking of the conflict between FYROMs government forces and Albanian terrorists.

"In this region, all countries are multi-ethnic. Our aim is not the establishment of new countries with clean ethnic groups, nor the change of borders. The change of borders will create new problems. The experience of Europe is clear: we must accept the existing borders, we must cooperate with each other and communicate with each other," he added.

Papandreou stressed that all those who promote ethnically "clean" societies subscribe to fascist and anti-democratic ideologies.

The European Union clearly "supports the restoring of order, solidarity and respect for the principles of territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders, condemnation of violence and terrorism," the Greek minister said.

During his stay in Skopje, Papandreou met with FYROM's President Boris Trajkovski, former president Kiro Gligorov of the country and the Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski and other political leaders of the country.

[03] Greek MPs appeal for EU to shoulder responsibility for peace in Balkans

Athens, 29/03/2001 (ANA)

Ruling PASOK MP Karolos Papoulias, a former foreign and deputy defense minister and chairman of the joint session, said the Balkans could not enjoy tranquility and progress when "others are playing the dangerous game of nationalism, others incite and support the former, and others still placate our fears".

"We want the international community to take a good look at the situation and take measures for peace. Greece is undertaking initiatives, but it is necessary also for the powerful international organizations to fulfill their duty," he said.

Defense minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos expressed satisfaction over the "clear-cut political stance" of the EU on the problem, which stance comprised "rejection of the prospect of a change of borders, rejection of the use of violence to safeguard human rights, and rejection of the use of violence on the pretext of human rights, aiming at a change of borders".

"That policy should have been affirmed in the previous crises in Yugoslavia and, because it was not, we witnessed the ensuing wars. Now, fortunately, we mobilized more promptly," the minister said.

On the actions of the Albanian extremists, Tsohatzopoulos wondered how it was possible for them to continue despite the general outcry.

"There are latent assessments that they are supported by some quarters. I am happy that Mr. Meta (Albanian prime minister Ilir Meta) said that Albanian condemns the violence and terrorism. But there is the impression that a large section of the Albanian people stand in solidarity with and understanding for the Albanians resorting to violence. This is why Albania's stance is important, but also that of the US and the EU. It is important that we back the rights of the Albanians in Skopje, but also the Skopje government, with the responsibility of that government to go ahead with the necessary reforms," Tsohatzopoulos said.

Coalition of the Left and Progress (SYN) MP Maria Damanaki said the international community should not intervene with military solutions in favor of one or the other side, but work out a political initiatives plan.

She added that the NATO military intervention had created impasses instead of solving problems.

Main opposition New Democracy MP Petros Molyviatis warned that if every minority believed it had the right to become a state and the creation of purely homogenous countries was sought, this would lead to war.

He called for democratic Serbia to be considered as an important player in the region.

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) MP Liana Kanelli opined that the international community did not wish to guarantee Yugoslavia's borders, and said that the weapons used by the UCK (Kosovo Liberation Army) could not have passed unobserved by NATO. "Who is arming the UCK?" she questioned.

PASOK MP Stelios Papathemelis said that Europe appeared to have waived the exercise of its rights and obligations in the region while, just as in the case of Cyprus, the UN resolutions were "checks without collateral".

Former UCK leader stands against border changes in FYROM's case: Former Albanian Liberation Army (UCK) leader Hasim Thaqi stood against border changes in the Balkans and for a united Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), in an interview to the Athens daily "Eleftheros Typos" on Wednesday.

Thaqi, now leading the Democratic Party of Kosovo, said that UCK completed its work and has been transformed into a political party, which does not interfere in the developments in FYROM.

He added that he did not hate the Serbs "rather only those, who committed crimes in Kosovo".

He expressed his belief that former Yugoslavian president Slobodan Milosevic should be tried by the international court at The Hague and said he would submit to an investigation by the court on his own actions, if he was asked to do so.

He asked of Greece "not to make any "strange alliances to the detriment of the Albanians, and to the detriment of peace", adding that he wishes for Kosovo to be a member of the "European family when it becomes an independent country".

[04] Gov't firm on decision to shut down unlicensed radio stations

Athens, 29/03/2001 (ANA)

He stressed that the government will stand by its decision, adding that those attacking the government are in reality calling on it not to apply laws ratified in Parliament.

Speaking during his regular press briefing, Reppas also expressed his deep regret over "absurd, false and groundless allegations" made by various circles that the government attempted to muzzle the stations because they were annoying.

Referring to the studies by which 28 operating licenses were given to radio stations, Reppas said they were studies by the transport and communications ministry, which is responsible for determining frequencies.

In a related development, main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis, addressing his party's Executive Committee on Wednesday, said the government's attitude on the issue of licensing radio stations is unacceptable.

ND's spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos, briefing the members of the Executive Committee, said that two months ago the party had requested that licenses be tendered again, information contained in already submitted tenders to be updated and the process should be completed six months later.

[05] Tsohatzopoulos meets Armenian counterpart in Athens

Athens, 29/03/2001 (ANA)

Sarkisyan, who arrived on Tuesday night, is in Greece for a three-day official visit at Tsohatzopoulos' invitation and will be leaving on Friday.

During their talks on Wednesday, the two ministers discussed the security situation in the Balkans and the Caucasus, and both later made statements in support of a peaceful resolution of differences.

They also announced that the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan would be meeting in New York at the beginning of April for talks on the crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh.

On his part, Tsohatzopoulos pointed out the importance of supporting a just solution to the Cyprus problem and Cyprus' accession to the European Union, while noting that Turkey's EU prospects would force it to make adaptations and changes that would reduce tensions with Greece and help in a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Commenting on policy for regional security in the eastern Mediterranean, the Greek defense minister said the goal was for Israel and Turkey to have a balanced relationship with Syria and the Arab countries in order to promote regional security.

Lastly, in terms of bilateral defense cooperation, Sarkisyan and Tsohatzopoulos agreed that this had had very satisfactory results and should be extended to research and technology programs.

Asked about the statements by a Turkish military officer, who said that Turkey would not be reducing arms expenditure regardless of earlier pledges by the country's defense minister, Tsohatzopoulos said only that decisions to increase or reduce armaments are not made on the basis of one-off statements but require the decision of government bodies.

Regarding a similar Greek pledge to reduce arms expenditure, he said this arose from a decision to reduce the size of the Greek army but that this would occur simultaneously with an increase of new defense technology and power.

[06] Greek and Turkish defense ministers to meet during Balkan defense ministers meeting on April 5

ISTANBUL, 29/03/2001 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

According to an announcement by the Turkish defense ministry, the meeting was agreed after the two ministers communicated with each other.

[07] Roll call vote on constitutional revision reportedly set for April 6

Athens, 29/03/2001 (ANA)

At last word, ruling PASOK is expected to stand by its controversial proposal-disallowing members of Parliament from actively exercising another occupation or profession.

[08] Parliament ratifies amendment on expanding border corps' jurisdiction

Athens, 29/03/2001 (ANA)

The amendment was tacked on to legislation further refining the status of non-EU foreigners in Greece, including provisions detailing procedures for the legalization of certain categories of illegal immigrants. Specifically, the amendment would allow for border guard and immigration corps patrols in other prefectures besides ones in border regions, and if an increase in illegal immigration and employment is observed. Additionally, the border guards corps would be responsible for the location and arrest of illegal immigrants throughout the country, along with individuals aiding the employment of illegals.

Speaking in Parliament, Public Order Minister Michalis Chrysohoidis announced that an additional 1,800 border guards would enter service in the border guard corps over the next two years, in addition to the existing 3,500 border guards, while their training is to begin this summer.

Since the collapse of the Soviet bloc and turmoil in the Balkans and the predominately Kurdish-speaking areas of the Mideast in the early 1990s tens of thousands of mostly Third World nationals have attempted to enter Greece in order to find work or as the first stop towards another EU destination. Figures on the true number of illegal aliens currently in Greece vary.

[09] Top gov't committee focuses on preparations for 2004 Games

Athens, 29/03/2001 (ANA)

The committee, chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis himself, is comprised of several ministers and the top Athens 2004 organizing committee (ATHOC) executives.

Concerning specific matters, the government announced that a contract on holding the Parolympic Games between Greece and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) would be signed on April 5.

Additionally, the sports undersecretary reassured his fellow ministers and ATHOC executives that all the construction projects undertaken by the state-affiliated General Sports Secretariat (GGA) will tender by the end of April - including a weightlifting arena in the working-class district of Nikaia, near the port of Piraeus; the wrestling arena in the Ano Liosia district; a shooting range at the Markopoulo site, east of Athens, as well as the tennis facilities in the Galatsi district -- near the main Olympic Stadium complex.

Additionally, it was announced that a Greek air force base currently housed at the seaside Hellenikon district - adjacent to the recently closed Athens airport - will be transferred, allowing for the construction of several light, prefabricated 2004-related venues on the vacated land.

The government also touched on efforts to open the bid process for a highly touted suburban railroad and a tram network connecting central Athens with the coastal districts.

Finally, asked about results from a recent poll apparently showing a lessening interest among Greeks for the holdings of the 2004 Games, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos said such a reaction is more-or-less common prior to the holding of such major events.

[10] Retired deputy police chief hired as head of ATHOC security

Athens, 29/03/2001 (ANA)

[11] OTOE meets Chrysohoidis to discuss improving bank security

Athens, 29/03/2001 (ANA)

It was decided that a second meeting would be held in order for OTOE to collect more data, whereupon it would come back to the ministry with proposals for the improved guarding of bank branches.

[12] Fidel Castro accepts invitation to visit Athens

Athens, 29/03/2001 (ANA)

President Castro expressed the wish to visit Greece during the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and accepted an invitation extended by Avramopoulos.

The Cuban leader referred during the talks to his country's difficult relations with the US, the consequences of the Americans' continuing embargo on Cuba and mentioned the Greek civilization's contribution to the world.

Avramopoulos and Havana Mayor Conrado Martinez Corona signed a cooperation protocol between the two capitals. The Athens mayor was also honored with the Golden Key to the Cuban capital.

After Cuba, Avramopoulos visited Panama where he met the country's President Mirella Moskoso.

Avramopoulos will arrive in the US on Thursday for contacts with New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and representatives of the Greek community.

[13] ND Executive Committee decides against change of party's firebrand emblem

Athens, 29/03/2001 (ANA)

Karamanlis proposed, and his proposal was accepted, that the emblem should not change because "it refers to the party's history and tradition."

Following another proposal by Karamanlis, the Executive Committee decided to propose to the congress an increase in women's participation in the party's bodies to 30 percent, while the organizing committee's proposal was for 20 percent.

The congress will start at Peace and Friendship stadium with an address by Organizing Committee President Tzannis Tzannetakis, followed by addresses from representatives of Greek and foreign parties and then Karamanlis will be taking the floor.

ND Executive Committee rejects proposal for specific period of office for party leader: The main opposition New Democracy party's Executive Committee on Wednesday rejected a proposal by ND Deputy Dora Bakoyianni for a specific period of office to be set for the party's leader.

Bakoyianni said a specific period should be set for all elected bodies as is the case with all European parties, adding that "the issue is not being personalized and let whatever period be four, six or even 14 years."

Karamanlis said, "I feel no insecurity. It is self-evident that the issue can be raised at the congress (due to start on Friday) by whoever wishes to do so."

[14] 400 flight landings and take-offs scheduled for first 24 hours of operation of Athens' new Eleftherios Venizelos int'l airport

Athens, 29/03/2001 (ANA)

According to airport authorities, a national carrier Olympic Airways flight from Canada will be the first of 58 Greek and foreign airliners to land at the airport between 3:00 p.m. Wednesday and midnight, while 12 additional landings are scheduled between midnight and 6:00 a.m. Thursday.

An Airbus 340 carrying out Olympic Airways flight 424 from Montreal, via Toronto, will be the first arrival at the new airport, due just after 3:00 p.m., while the first domestic flight -- Olympic Aviation flight 053 from Kythera -- is due to land a few minutes later.

The first take-off from the new airport is scheduled for 6:00 a.m. Thursday and will be an Olympic Aviation flight to Santorini.

An estimated 400 aircraft landings and take-offs will be carried out at the new airport between midnight Wednesday and midnight Thursday, airport officials told ANA.

The last take-off from the coastal Hellenikon airport, which is closing after 80 years of operation, will be at 6:10 Wednesday afternoon and will be an OA domestic flight to Mykonos.

Concurrently, a massive relocation of full operations from Hellenikon to Eleftherios Venizelos is due to be completed by 3:00 a.m. Thursday.

The immense relocation operation involves 270 tow-trucks and another 200 trucks, while the transfer of aircraft from Hellenikon is due to begin at 9:00 p.m. Thursday.

First regularly scheduled flight arrives at new Athens airport: Olympic Airways flight 424 from Montreal inaugurated the loudspeaker system of the new Athens airport on its arrival and Environment Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis and Transport Minister Tassos Verelis welcomed the first 70 passengers to enter Greece's newest gateway.

The ministers welcomed the passengers of the first regularly scheduled arrival and accepted their positive comments on Greece's newest gateway to the world, which "does not belong to the government, but to Greece and to the Greeks," as both ministers stressed.

Ruling PASOK deputy Dimitris Alabanos was the first person to exit the plane and enter the new airport, saying that a new era is beginning for our country, while the pilots of the flight opened champaign bottles to celebrate the event.

[15] Greece's 2 largest dairy companies collaborate for Olympic sponsorship

Athens, 29/03/2001 (ANA)

"We achieved another Olympic record in the category of dairy products sponsorship. Two of the largest firms in the sector, Delta and FAGE, have formed a consortium ... with the sponsorship reaching the 6.3-billion-drachma mark," Athens 2004 organizing committee (ATHOC) president Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki said.

The ATHOC head also noted that some 84 percent of the projected figure from national sponsorships has already been met from just four sponsors - the state telecoms company OTE, Athens-based Alpha Bank, Athens Brewery and Bottling, as well as the announced dairy partnership. (1? equals 340.75 drachmas)

[16] Measures on handling drought and managing water resources to be announced on April 12

Athens, 29/03/2001 (ANA)

He added that on this date a meeting will be held at the ministry and the decisions will be announced afterwards.

Anomeritis said the water problem was the first of 22 issues of agricultural interest discussed at a meeting held at the national economy ministry, adding that five billion drachmas will be provided for small urgent projects (drilling operations and dams) in Kopaida and Thessaly.

According to information provided by the agriculture ministry, irrigated land in the country amounts to over three million acres compared to two million acres in 1985.

[17] Boosting trade ties with India debated at forum

Athens, 29/03/2001 (ANA)

They said that India's healthy economic progress and an increasing volume of trade with the European Union were factors that had yet to be exploited.

[18] Greek, Latvian ministers to discuss bilateral economic relations

Athens, 29/03/2001 (ANA)

The Latvian Economics Minister Aigars Kalvitis heads his government's delegation.

[19] Guide for EU programs presented at special event in Nicosia

NICOSIA, 29/03/2001 (ANA)

This was stated here on Wednesday by Athens News Agency (ANA) General Director Andreas Christodoulides and the managing director of the Elyros company George Markatatos who presented the guide of European Union programs and five early briefing bulletins to the media of Cyprus.

The guide and bulletins are issued through cooperation between the two organizations for direct information to be provided for interested parties on EU programs.

Cyprus Finance Minister Takis Clerides, government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou and Greeces Ambassador Christos Panagopoulos attended the presentation.

Christodoulides said quite a few subscribers exist for these bulletins, some of whom are from Cyprus, but more are needed to enable the bulletins to develop without problems.

Markatatos said his company developed this service in cooperation with the ANA to fill a vacuum existing in the full and comprehensive briefing of those interested in EU programs in Greece and Cyprus.

[20] Retailers in Ermou St set precedent with longer opening hours

Athens, 29/03/2001 (ANA)

Shop owners will be free to open when they choose, but all stores are to close at 9 pm on Monday to Friday, and 6 pm on Saturdays.

"A street like Ermou, in a major city and capital like Athens, should not remain dead at any point in the week," the Association of Retail Sales Enterprises of Greece said in a statement on Wednesday.

The move will bring Greece into line with other European capitals and improve services to consumers, especially ahead of the 2004 Olympic Games to be hosted by Athens, the statement said.

Backed by Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos, the initiative is expected to extend to other central shopping streets in the capital.

[21] ABN AMRO Bank expands network in Greece

Athens, 29/03/2001 (ANA)

The branch is the first to be inaugurated in 2001. The Dutch bank has submitted expansion plans to its parent in the Netherlands.

ABN AMRO, Citibank, HSBC and Cyprus Bank are the four foreign banks with strong presence in the domestic retail banking.

[22] Germanos expands in Poland

Athens, 29/03/2001 (ANA)

EKO Contel is a mobile telephone services retailer based in Warsaw with a network of 54 branches. It is also a commercial partner of PTC-ERA, a leader in Poland's mobile telephony market with a market share of 42 percent.

Germanos said it planned to expand EKO Contel's network to 90 by the end of 2001.

[23] Hellenic Petroleum seeks to become energy group

Athens, 29/03/2001 (ANA)

Tzellas told a presentation to the Union of Institutional Investors that the group aimed to become a major player in the energy markets of Greece and southern, central and eastern Europe.

The company's leading position in the Greek market and its robust finances meant that it would be able to implement a wide-ranging investment plan over the next five years worth 600 billion drachmas, he said.

Beyond taking the Hellenic Petroleum Group deeper into Europe, the investments would also improve the efficiency of plants and operations, Tzellas added.

[24] Greek stocks end lower in subdued trade

Athens, 29/03/2001 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.23 percent lower at 3,050.71 points, off the day's lows of 3,046.86 points. Turnover was a moderate 178.58 million euros, or 60.85 billion drachmas.

Traders expressed their satisfaction over the market's ability to hold above the 3,050 technical support level.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 0.43 percent lower at 1,755.58 points, and the FTSE/ASE 40 index rose 0.64 percent to 371.34 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 6,514.90 -0.64% Telecoms: 981.44 -0.54% Insurance: 1,425.59 +0.03% Investment: 1,160.41 -0.40% Construction: 1,466.43 +1.96% Industrials: 1,891.85 -0.18% Holding: 3,474.86 +2.27% Base metals: 988.24 +0.48% Minerals: 1,023.29 -0.03% Publishing: 991.91 Textiles: 1,199.56 +3.83% Retailing: 1,105.20 +0.95% IT: 1,075.09 +0.08% IT solutions: 1,054.09 -0.63% Wholesale: 966.25 +0.30% Food and Beverages: 887.98 -0.75%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 332.60 points, up 0.79 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 245 to 92 with another 23 issues unchanged.

Mesohoritis, Ekter, Mosholios, European Tech. Micromedia, Desmos, Atemke, Progressive and Seafarm Ionian were top percentage gainers, ending more than 11.55 percent up on the day.

Halyps, AS Company, Aspis Invest, Barba Stathis, Alpha Invest, Altec, Panafon, Eurobank Ergasias, Multirama and Informatics suffered the heaviest percentage losses.

Pouliadis, Alpha Bank, Naoussa Spinning, Klonatex and Cosmote were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in euros): National Bank: 39.00 Alpha Bank: 29.82 Commercial Bank: 49.94 Eurobank: 18.32 Piraeus Bank: 12.70 Lambrakis Press: 13.04 Altec: 7.32 Intrasoft: 11.76 Titan Cement (c): 38.32 Hellenic Telecoms: 14.76 Panafon: 6.18 Hellenic Petroleum: 9.04 Attica Enterprises: 7.82 Intracom: 20.04 Mytilineos: 8.16 Minoan Lines: 5.02 Viohalco: 10.16 Coca Cola HBC:

15.78

Bond prices rise in heavy trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Wednesday finished higher in heavy trade.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.24 percent from 5.23 percent a day earlier.

The yield spread over German bunds was 58 basis points from 60 basis points in the session before.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 1.085 billion drachmas (370 billion drachmas) from 1.41 billion euros (480.75 billion drachmas) from 539.5 million euros in the trading day before.

Buy orders accounted for 738 million euros of turnover.

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

The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 0.43 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 0.64 percent higher.

Turnover was 29.8 million euros on 5,184 contracts traded, the dealers said.

Foreign Exchange Rates: U.S. dollar 381.536

[25] Thassos islanders plan protest to proposed radar installation

Athens, 29/03/2001 (ANA)

Islanders strenuously object to the planned installation on health and environmental grounds and say that the peak chosen is the least suitable.

YPA has reiterated that there is no cause for concern and that the radar will not have any negative repercussions on either public health or the environment.

A local organization formed to resist the planned installation, however, insists that it will use all legal means to prevent it.

In October last year, Thassos islanders took over the site where two radar antennae were being installed for six days and forced authorities to remove heavy machinery, as well as dismantling struts, disposing tools and equipment and preventing ships bearing supplies for the project from docking at the island's port.

According to the islanders, radar installations emit large quantities of electromagnetic radiation that are harmful to human and other life and have a negative impact on the environment, while they note that Mt Ypsarios is listed as a protected ecosystem and important natural habitat.

Similar objections by residents of a Thessaloniki suburb had prevented the installation of radar for Thessaloniki's Macedonia airport. The lack of radar was partly blamed for the 1997 airline disaster involving a Ukrainian passenger jet, whose pilot went off course during his approach for landing and crashed into the Pieria mountain range, killing everyone on board.

[26] Britain should pass bill facilitating 'dignified' return of Marbles to Greece, Australian former premier Whitlam says

MELBOURNE, 29/03/2001 (ANA - S. Hatzimanolis)

"The prime minister of Britain has a duty to propose a legislative bill invalidating preceding legislation, and the Marbles must be returned," Whitlam said.

Support for the return of the Marbles was also expressed by Australian labor party leader Kim Beasely and other high-ranking party officials during meetings Tuesday with visiting Greek secretary general for Greeks abroad Dimitris Dollis.

The labor party officials also expressed conviction that the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens would be a success.

Dollis further discussed the Cyprus issue with high-ranking Australian foreign ministry officials and opposition representatives, who expressed their undivided support for the advancement of a solution of the problem.

British MP expresses support for the return of Parthenon Marbles: British Labor Party deputy Eddy O'Hara on Wednesday said that he supported the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece, during his visit to the Greek Parliament.

O' Hara noted that from his post as president of the Greek-British Friendship Committee he worked with Theodoros Pangalos, who was Greek culture minister at the time, to conclude an agreement for the return of the marbles without changing their ownership status, in light of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

He stressed that the placement of the Marbles in the Acropolis Museum would be under the auspices of the British government.

O' Hara visited Greece ahead of the May general elections in Britain, as the labor party is biding for re-election.

[27] Teachers' unions stage protest outside Education ministry

Athens, 29/03/2001 (ANA)

Police cordoned off Mitropoleos Street during the march, while the center of Athens was inaccessible until the march ended at 3:00 p.m.

Since Education Minister Petros Efthymiou was absent, the protestors were forced to simply hand over their resolution to the ministry and depart.

[28] Cyprus foreign minister to meet US counterpart Colin Powell in Washington on April 9

WASHINGTON, 29/03/2001 (ANA - T. Ellis)

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said the main issue on the agenda "will be the Cyprus issue, of course, which is a topic of discussion every time the US Secretary of State meets his Greek, Turkish and Cypriot counterparts".

Boucher added that the US supports the UN's process for a solution to the problem.

[29] FM Permanent Secretary addresses UN Commission on Human Rights

NICOSIA, 29/03/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Michalis Attalides has said in his address at the 57th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights.

With respect to Cyprus, Attalides expressed the government's grave disappointment with a UN report on human rights on the island, whose limited references to human rights issues "conceal more than they reveal."

"We must learn to avoid penalizing, through silence, peoples and governments who rely on the international rule of law and on the UN human rights system and not on the use of force, for safeguarding the human rights of their people," he said before the Commission on Wednesday.

He said, unlike the UN Secretariat report, a report by the European Commission of Human Rights of the Council of Europe was very critical of Turkey, which it found guilty of continuing violations of human rights in Cyprus.

"This year's report by the UN Secretariat regrettably turns a blind eye to these violations," he said, and proceeded to present violations Turkey is responsible for during its invasion of Cyprus in 1974 and the continuing occupation of the northern part of the island.

Attalides said the UN report fails to note the absence of progress in the implementation of an agreement on missing persons for exhumation and identification of remains because the Turkish Cypriot side has stopped all progress on the implementation of the agreement.

The report makes no reference to the inhuman treatment of Greek Cypriots and Maronites in the occupied areas of Cyprus and no mention of the fact that about one third of the Greek Cypriot population is still forcibly prevented by the Turkish occupation forces from returning to their homes.

The Permanent Secretary told the Commission that the UN report makes absolutely no reference to a judgment by the European Court of Human Rights which found Turkey guilty of continuous violation of the right of Greek Cypriot Titina Loizidou to return to her home.

He said that the report give a misleading picture about the restrictions imposed by the self-styled Turkish Cypriot regime and the Turkish occupation forces on the ability of UNFICYP to encourage intercommunal activities.

Attalides also noted the absence in the report to the fact that Turkish Cypriots are a minority in the occupied areas due to Turkey's policy of implanting settlers.

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