Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-01-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] President Bush confident Greece will organize excellent Olympic Games

[02] Greek PM, U.S. VP hold teleconference on Cyprus, Balkans, Euro force

[03] Chytiris: PM will raise issue of new US maps of Aegean in Washington

[04] Cyprus, Afghanistan, Balkans, Olympic Truce at focus of PMs talks with UN chief

[05] Greek journalists' union protests CBS's 60-minutes program

[06] Minister defends state services response to recent bad weather

[07] Karamanlis tours snow-battered Evia

[08] EU official urges better implementation of Greek public works

[09] Greece distinguished for ecological dimension products

[10] Ecumenical Patriarch to begin historic visit to Iran on Friday

[11] Albanian Minister of State to arrive in Athens of Friday

[12] Army reorganization plan unveiled

[13] New armed forces' non-conscription regulations to be unveiled, minister says

[14] Education draft bill clears Parliament committee

[15] Minister of Macedonia and Thrace meets Turkish consul

[16] Athens Academy's new president installed

[17] Tempo TV may face penalty for using CNN's Sept. 11 footage

[18] Four PASOK MPs call for Kissinger prosecution

[19] Greek inflation jumps to 3.0 percent in December

[20] 29.4 pct of drachma currency withdrawn, report

[21] Greece to spend Dr 6.5 billion in tourism ads

[22] Greek stocks end up on Thursday

[23] Deal for new horse track, equestrian center signed

[24] Cyprus cultural center operating in Athens

[25] FITCH Ratings' experts say Cyprus meets EU economic criteria

[01] President Bush confident Greece will organize excellent Olympic Games

WASHINGTON, 11/01/2002 (ANA - T. Ellis)

"The fact that the Games are returning to Athens will be a wonderful moment for the sports world and I am convinced that your country will do an excellent job," Bush said.

Responding to an informal invitation extended to him by Simitis to visit Greece during the 2004 Olympic Games, Bush said "I look forward to the Olympic Games in Athens and I thank you for the invitation."

President Bush also referred to the improvement in Greek-Turkish relations, expressing both his personal and his government's appreciation over the fact that Greece is cooperating with Turkey and saying "your relations have improved. I thank you for your vision, for the hard effort by the foreign minister to enable the world to become more peaceful and I wish to thank you for this."

He further said that Greece and the U.S. have "much in common" which he would be discussing with Simitis during their 45-minute meeting.

President Bush said he appreciates "your very strong position in combatting terrorism" and termed Simitis a "friend", adding that Washington and Athens are jointly concerned over the need to crack down on terrorism.

On entering President Bush's office, the Greek prime minister, who is the first European leader to visit the U.S. following the introduction of the euro currency, offered to him two coins of one and two euros, as well as a T-shirt bearing the emblem of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

Bush thanked Simitis and underlined the role of Greek Americans "who are living here in our country and are continuing to love Greece."

On his part, Simitis referred, in a brief statement in the Oval Office in the presence of President Bush, to Greece's determination to cooperate in combatting international terrorism.

"We are absolutely committed to combatting international terrorism and we are taking part in the efforts in Afghanistan, while we believe that we should cooperate to enable terrorism to be eradicated everywhere in the world and to break up terrorist groups which are active in certain Balkan countries," Simitis said.

"Terrorism should be placed under control," Simitis went on to say and thanked President Bush "for your contribution towards the improvement in Greek-Turkish relations" and assured him that on its part Greece is working for peace and stability in the region on the basic principle of the implementation of rules of international law so that "we can have a really peaceful southeastern Europe."

Simitis says meeting with President Bush 'very good and cordial': Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, following his talks with U.S. President George W. Bush and his advisers, told reporters outside the White House on Thursday that his 40-minute meeting with Bush at the Oval Office centered on the combatting of terrorism and the two countries' cooperation in this sector, the Cyprus issue and the prospects being shaped from the meetings between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot community leader Rauf Denktash, developments in the Balkans and U.S.-Greek relations which Simitis termed as "excellent".

"We had a very good, very friendly and cordial meeting with President Bush and we reviewed all the issues of mutual concern to the two countries," Simitis said.

"First of all, of course, we discussed the problem of terrorism. The common conviction that terrorism must be eradicated, to be combated drastically everywhere in the world, because if we do not achieve its complete eradication, then the phenomenon will reappear. I believe that there is decisiveness from all the sides for us to proceed in this direction," he said adding that Greece was committed in combatting terrorism.

"A second important issue are the developments in southeastern Europe, in the Balkans, the continuing need for the presence of the United States. Of course, the role which Greece is playing for stability and cooperation in the region.

"We discussed developments in the European Union, the new European currency, which means an enormous change, which will influence, not only the economic but mainly the political developments and will give an impetus to European integration, a view shared by President Bush.

"We also discussed the issues of the southeastern Mediterranean, the Cyprus issue, of course, which is of particular interest to us, in order for the solution of the political problem to proceed and the necessity for Cyprus' accession to the European Union as well as relations between Greece and Turkey, the effort which Greece is making so as international law to be implemented and for there to be peace.

"We also spoke about our bilateral relations which are extremely good both politically and economically, and also on the military level.

"We further spoke personally and in a friendly way about habits, on how we see progress in relation to life.

"I believe that this meeting confirmed the good climate which exists between the two countries, the need for cooperation and the need to confront problems in such a way as to promote peace, development and cooperation in the world community," the Greek prime minister said.

Speaking to journalists in English as well, the prime minister referred to the 2004 Athens Olympic Games saying: "Although we are a small nation, we have done a lot of work and now things are on track. I am convinced that we will organize excellent and perfect Olympic Games. On this occasion, I have invited President Bush to come to the Games as his favorite sport is baseball, and the U.S. team along with the Greek team will participate, and he should come and throw the ball".

Washington talks 'between friends', Simitis tells Greek reporters: Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, at the end of his contacts with U.S. President George W. Bush and other American officials gave an assessment of his talks here in a press conference he gave on Thursday.

He said that his talks with Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and his telephone communication with Vice-President Dick Cheney were successful.

Simitis said the U.S. officials raised the issue of the security of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games for which he noted there was already complete cooperation with the U.S. and other countries. He stressed that Greek experts and officials of the competent services will be in Salt Lake City for the Winter Olympic Games where they will obtain useful experience in security matters.

Referring to the issue of the sea borders between Greece and Turkey, the prime minister underlined that the Greek borders are not defined neither by maps nor by any other country but they are defined by international law only.

"Greece has right and this right does not cede it to any agency," Simitis emphasized, adding that gone are the times when Greece went to meetings of this nature as "a small country", and henceforth is being regarded as an equal partner and ally.

He said that in none of his meetings a discussion arose on maps concerning the borders between Greece and Turkey, reminding that according to the EU Helsinki summit decisions, Turkey must recourse to the international court at The Hague by 2004 to resolve the only issue existing between the two countries, that is the delineation of the continental shelf.

"It was a discussion among friends," Simitis reiterated, adding that all his meetings were held in a very good climate.

On the Cyprus issue, the premier said that he got the impression that the United States wanted a just and viable solution to the problem and that Washington intended to work towards that direction. He also emphasized that none of his interlocutors at any moment suggested that the solution of the island republic's political problem was a condition its EU accession.

With regard to the Balkans, he noted that Greece's positive role in the region was recognized while he conveyed to the U.S. officials Greece's position that Bulgaria and Romania should join NATO.

The prime minister said his interlocutors agreed that there should be a peaceful settlement of any problems that exist in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and that there should be no change of borders, but agreements should be implemented and that this state has a right to existence.

Simitis underlined that none of his interlocutors raised an issue of a list of suspects in the 17 November terrorist organization affair.

He concluded by saying that he did not intend to go to the Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.

[02] Greek PM, U.S. VP hold teleconference on Cyprus, Balkans, Euro force

WASHINGTON, 11/01/2002 (ANA - T. Ellis)

Simitis and Cheney also discussed developments in the Balkans and the U.S. Vice-president thanked the Greek premier for Greece's role in bringing stability in the region.

Terrorism and Greece's participation in the worldwide confrontation of this phenomenon was also on the agenda of the teleconference, while Cheney spoke of the security measures taken for the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games, when the two men discussed about the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

In regards to Greece's homegrown terrorism and the issue of the shadowy terrorist group "17 November" Cheney expressed the hope that the cooperation between the two countries on the issue will yield results, while he also expressed the hope for a solution to the European security and defense issue.

Cheney and Simitis did not meet face-to-face as the U.S. vice-president was not in Washington for security reasons, thus his meetings with Simitis, the prime ministers of Sweden and the Czech Republic as well as that with NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson had to be postponed.

In fact, Cheney apologized to Simitis for his inability to meet him in the American capital.

U.S. ambassador to Athens explains Simitis-Cheney meeting face-to-face cancellation: U.S. Ambassador to Athens Thomas Miller on Thursday briefed Greek journalists on the reasons for the cancellation of the meeting between Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis and U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney.

During a teleconference, Miller said that "the vice-president is out of town (Washington). Since Sept. 11, and for most of the time, he has been at a secure location. Even I can not tell you where exactly he is," Miller said, adding that throughout the preparations for the Simitis-Cheney meeting "we knew that there was a big chance that he will be outside Washington. When he is outside Washington, while a foreign leader is in the city and a meeting has been arranged with him, then they speak over the phone or they hold a teleconference. It is clearly a technical issue there is not a political expediency. It has nothing to do with the Greek government, its prime minister, his visit or anything else."

Miller stressed that in his discussions with U.S. President George Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld it was made clear that they were looking forward to Simitis' visit.

"He is not just a Greek leader (Simitis), he is a European leader," Miller said noting that Simitis will be the first European leader to meet Bush following the introduction of the euro, and added that the two men will discuss bilateral issues and international affairs.

[03] Chytiris: PM will raise issue of new US maps of Aegean in Washington

Athens, 11/01/2002 (ANA)

The spokesman said that Greece would also take up the issue with all NATO member-state ambassadors.

Chytiris stressed that Athens insisted on the old analog maps, on which the nautical boundaries were recorded, but underlined that the country's borders were not determined by maps.

The spokesman also expressed optimism regarding the outcome of Thursday's meetings between the Greek prime minister and US government officials, saying that these would further strengthen Greek-US bilateral ties.

Earlier on Thursday, while fielding questions in Parliament, Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Giannitsis denied reports that Greek services had assisted US cartographers in creating the new digital maps.

The issue arose when the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) in the US converted topographical maps of the world to a digital format. The analog maps recorded only three borders: those between the US and Russia, between China and Hong Kong and the sea borders in the Aegean between Greece and Turkey. The new digital maps showed only the borders between the US and Russia in Alaska.

A statement by the US State Department in December, reported by an ANA correspondent in Washington, said the non-inclusion of nautical boundaries on topographical maps "is a standing policy of the US" and that NIMA had created the new maps of the Aegean "in a joint production with the corresponding services of Greece and Turkey."

Govt denies Greek role in US maps without nautical boundaries in Aegean: At no time did Greek services work together with US Army cartographers to create digital maps that did not include the nautical boundaries between Greece and Turkey, Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Giannitsis said in Parliament on Thursday.

He was responding to questions put by KKE MP Orestis Kolozoff that referred to press reports quoting US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher.

Giannitsis said the reports were not to be relied on and that Greece had expressed its concerns over this issue since June 2001 when the maps first surfaced and on a technical level through Greece's ambassador in NATO.

The maps in question, he added, had neither been circulated nor accepted, while they should not come to NATO or be circulated there.

The issue arose when US cartographers converted topographical maps of the world to a digital format. The analog maps recorded only three borders: those between the US and Russia, between China and Hong Kong and the sea borders in the Aegean between Greece and Turkey. The new digital maps showed only the borders between the US and Russia in Alaska.

A statement by the US State Department in December, reported by an ANA correspondent in Washington, said the non-inclusion of nautical boundaries on topographical maps "is a standing policy of the US" in a written response to questions regarding the new maps.

The written statement referred interested parties to the Department of Defense for further information, while it also noted that the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) recently created digital maps of the region of the Aegean "in a joint production with the corresponding services of Greece and Turkey", adding that those maps had been presented to "our NATO allies".

[04] Cyprus, Afghanistan, Balkans, Olympic Truce at focus of PMs talks with UN chief

NEW YORK, 11/1/2002 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

According to a statement issued by Annan's office, with respect to Afghanistan they had a lengthy discussion on the leadership of the International Security Assistance Force and its mandate.

Simitis noted that Greece was participating in this Force with engineering troops and transport planes.

It also said that Annan briefed the Greek premier on the costs involved in the reconstruction of Afghanistan and emphasized the importance of member states to meet those costs.

Concerning Cyprus, both men agreed that the chances of real progress are "better now than they have been for a long time", while Annan told Simitis that the UN "remains engaged in this issue", the statement said.

Further, Simitis briefed the UN chief on the preparations for the 2004 Olympic Games to be held in Athens, the statement said, adding that Annan said he was "pleased that the Security Council has taken up the issue of the Olympic Truce".

Speaking to reporters after the meeting Simitis said they had discussed issues of Greek interest, mainly the Cyprus issue, Afghanistan, and the issue of the Balkans, particularly the FYROM name issue.

He said that during their discussion the UN chief "said to me that he believes whe can be led to a solution of the Cyprus problem, that he has placed a deadline for when the prospect of a solution must be clearly evident, and for some basic guidelines to have arisen -- by the end of June".

The UN chief also told Simitis that he had decided that the meetings between the two sides on Cyprus would be intensified, at a frequency of approximately three per week, the Greek premier added.

Simitis said, however, that he had advised caution to Annan, "reminding him of the difficulties that the negotiations have faced all these years, and of the fact that there have been no results".

"I also noted that there is a positive development in itself that old positions of the one refusing to speak with the other have been abandoned, that Mr. Denktash finally took the right step. And the symbolism of the actions is of great importance. At this time, the symbolisms are positive," Simitis added.

[05] Greek journalists' union protests CBS's 60-minutes program

Athens, 11/01/2002 (ANA)

The federation requested of CBS to bring out the truth of the matter and not act in such an "unethical" way, noting that the investigative reporting of the program hid the truth by cutting statements of those interviewed.

[06] Minister defends state services response to recent bad weather

Athens, 11/01/2002 (ANA)

The government was now ready to utilize the valuable experience that had been gained to further improve the institutional framework and the civilian protection services, he added.

Papadimas said that the mobilization by the state had improved but rejected demands that Greece match countries such as Germany, for example, as unfair and excessive.

No more than five villages were currently experiencing problems with their electricity supply, he reported, while food and supplies had been dropped from above for the few remaining villages that were still snowbound.

ND MP Vyron Polydoras said the main opposition did not over-look the efforts made by state services but that the government had failed to adequately prepare or plan ahead. He pointed out that national highways had closed and that requisitioned machinery had neither lights nor snow chains.

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) MP Liana Kanelli said that coordination of state services had been poor and that workers had struggled to cope without adequate relief or food.

[07] Karamanlis tours snow-battered Evia

Athens, 11/01/2002 (ANA)

The ND leader chaired a meeting in the city of Halkida, the prefecture's capital, with several local mayors and the island's elected prefect. He also visited two villages and was briefed on the level of crop damages from the hefty snowfall and frost that have plagued much of Evia.

[08] EU official urges better implementation of Greek public works

BRUSSELS, 11/01/2002 (ANA / M. Spinthourakis)

Internal Market Commissioner Fritz Bolkenstein was responding to a question from Greek eurodeputy Antonis Trakatellis, according to a statement by Eurodeputies of the main opposition New Democracy party.

Released in Brussels, the statement quoted Bolkenstein as saying that the need for improvement was stated in the EU's 1994-1999 Community Support Framework, with the 2000-2006 package seeking a continuation and completion of reform.

Greece had adopted some proposals from the earlier package but others were still at the level of political debate, Bolkenstein was quoted as saying.

In addition, an EU directive on the coordination of procedures for making contracts in the sectors of water, energy, transport and telecommunications had yet to be incorporated into Greek law; and a legislative framework had not yet been devised on concession contracts for public works, which were currently being handled on an ad hoc basis.

[09] Greece distinguished for ecological dimension products

BRUSSELS, 11/02/2002 (ANA - B. Demiris)

During 2001 Greece was given 9 awards with an ecological emblem by the relevant EU service. First place was taken by France with 20 awards, followed by Denmark with 19, Italy 16, Spain 12 and Greece 9.

The last places in the list were occupied by Austria and Luxembourg which

had no distinctions.

[10] Ecumenical Patriarch to begin historic visit to Iran on Friday

ISTANBUL, 11/01/2002 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

During his visit from Jan. 11-14, Patriarch Vartholomeos is to meet Islamic Revolution Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iranian President Mohammad Khatami and other Iranian officials.

Iran is the second Muslim nation, following Bahrain, to issue an official invitation to the Ecumenical Patriarch.

Vartholomeos, the 'first among equals' among Orthodox Patriarchs and representing 250 million Orthodox faithful around the world, will address the Tehran diplomatic corps on "The contribution of religion in establishing peace in the modern world" and also meet a delegation of the Inter-Religious Dialogue Center.

Vartholomeos' visit to predominately Shiite Iran comes three weeks after a high-profile meeting of the three major mono-theistic religions in Brussels - Islam, Christianity and Judaism - that was attended by several well-known clerics from the Muslim world and aimed to increase cooperation and understanding among religious faiths.

During his visit, the Ecumenical Patriarch will hold a liturgy at the Greek Orthodox church in Tehran, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and also visit Isfahan.

Some observers hailed the Patriarch's visit to Iran as coming at an important juncture, in which the country was emerging from its long isolation and pressures for reform were becoming stronger after the events of Sept. 11 and the geopolitical climate these had created.

[11] Albanian Minister of State to arrive in Athens of Friday

Athens, 11/01/2002 (ANA)

The Albanian minister will sign a protocol for the transfer of know-how from the Greek administrative units to their Albanian counterparts, for convergence with the European Union acquis communautaire.

Milo will meet with Greek Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Giannitsis on Friday and the two men will discuss relevant issues.

[12] Army reorganization plan unveiled

Athens, 11/01/2002 (ANA)

Under the plan, active units in the northwestern region of Epirus and western Macedonia, as well as Crete, are expected to decisively shrink or be deactivated.

Conversely, the army general staff listed a requirement for 3,500 new border guards to fill the vacuum expected to be left by military units.

Additionally, the army's leadership emphasized that the trend towards forming rapid and highly mobile "deployment forces" will continue.

Other targets include a reorganization of the logistics and support services.

In terms of the defense ministry leadership's long-standing commitment to reduce conscription terms to 12 months - down from the current 18 months - and its effect on the troop strength in border regions, the army's leadership said another study will come out this month.

Along those lines, a program to recruit 4,700 professional NCOs has so far attracted 2,881 applications.

Finally, between 100 to 120 army bases and camps around the country will be closed, with sale proceeds going to fund various armaments programs.

[13] New armed forces' non-conscription regulations to be unveiled, minister says

Athens, 11/01/2002 (ANA)

He noted that the current limit of 50 years of age that serves as a statute of

limitation for prosecution for non-conscription might be lowered.

[14] Education draft bill clears Parliament committee

Athens, 11/01/2002 (ANA)

Under the revised wording, a private school's administration can now achieve the redundancy of an educator after a three-member committee - comprised of a pedagogic institute member, a representative of the private teachers' union and a representative of the owners' federation - approves the firing.

Under the initially proposed provision, an appeals committee, sans the owners' representative, would have had the final say.

[15] Minister of Macedonia and Thrace meets Turkish consul

Athens, 11/01/2002 (ANA)

Paschalidis and Soysal also discussed the need to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the sector of handling illegal immigration in the framework of the agreement recently signed by the foreign ministers of Greece and Turkey. Another issue discussed was that of a sea or rail link between Thessaloniki and Istanbul and of a sea link between Thessaloniki and Izmir.

[16] Athens Academy's new president installed

Athens, 11/01/2002 (ANA)

Ioannis said in an address that science and theology relations are currently seeking close cooperation more than ever and for this reason it is the Academy's duty to unite the great spiritual powers it has and to intensify its voice.

He also said the problems concerning Greek culture and the identity of the Greeks are linked to Greece's full integration with Europe and are focused on religious life, culture and the Greek language.

However, he added that Europe also entails dangers for the Greek language, explaining that there is the visible risk of us being led to a one-language wilderness, which would be disastrous for Europe itself.

Ioannis said that for this reason the Athens Academy will continue to watch and be interested in the Greek language, adding that the effort to complete the Greek language dictionary will be continued.

[17] Tempo TV may face penalty for using CNN's Sept. 11 footage

Athens, 11/01/2002 (ANA)

The Greek national radio and television (ESR) council will review the case and issue a decision following two complaints submitted by CNN.

ESR is also expected to issue its decision about the granting of 27 radio station licenses for Thessaloniki, the first to be issued to private stations in the northern Greek city, the second in size city of Greece after Athens.

[18] Four PASOK MPs call for Kissinger prosecution

Athens, 11/01/2002 (ANA)

The four MPs - Stelios Papathemelis, Panayiotis Kritikos, Kyriakos Spyriounis and Yiannis Kapsis - charged that Kissinger is guilty of moral complicity in the July 15, 1974 coup against then Cypriot president Makarios; attempts to assassinate the latter as well as in the brutal invasion of Cyprus by Turkey on July 20, 1974.

Roughly one-third of the island republic remains occupied by Turkish troops to this day despite repeated UN resolutions cal-ling for a withdrawal of occupation forces.

[19] Greek inflation jumps to 3.0 percent in December

Athens, 11/01/2002 (ANA)

NSS attributed the sharp rise to a big increase in food and non-alcohol beverage prices (10.1 percent) and a 6.0 percent rise in alcohol and tobacco prices in the month.

The statistics service warned that inflation could soar to 3.5 percent in January if food and beverage prices continued rising.

The report said that the government was trying to contain inflation with massive imports of fresh farm produce from Italy, the Balkans, Egypt and Syria.

The consumer price index rose 0.9 percent in December from the previous month, for an average annual increase of 3.4 percent.

The inflation rate was running at 3.9 percent and 2.7 percent in December 2000 and 1999, respectively.

The average annual harmonized inflation rose by 3.7 percent in December compared with the same month in 2000, while on an average it was running at 3.7 percent.

Harmonized consumer price index figures are used for price stability comparisons in the euro zone.

NSS said that fresh fruit prices jumped 59.9 percent in December, burdening the general consumer price index by 0.80 percent.

The report said that the government's economic staff was puzzled by "the uncontrolled increase in prices, a development not attributed solely to the destruction of a part of the country's farm crop due to recent heavy snowfalls in Greece."

[20] 29.4 pct of drachma currency withdrawn, report

Athens, 11/01/2002 (ANA)

A committee meeting, chaired by Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis with the participation of Bank of Greece governor Lucas Papademos and representatives of employers' unions, noted that price increases were mainly focused in entertainment and recreation services and announced that price increases so far did not justify the fuss created by the media. The meeting also noted a lack in small euro change (of one, two and five cents) in certain bank branches.

[21] Greece to spend Dr 6.5 billion in tourism ads

Athens, 11/01/2002 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters at a news conference, Tsohatzopoulos said the government has earmarked Dr 10.6 billion in advertising budget this year, of which one billion drachmas would be spent in the US market in an effort to "win back" American tourists. Tsohatzopoulos acknowledged that this was not an easy task and it needed stronger diplomatic tourist relations, increased promotion campaign and closer cooperation with public relations sources.

Tsohatzopoulos said that a National Tourism Council would meet again in January 22 to set the new priorities in the Greek tourism policy in the wake of the September 11 tragic events in the US and following the introduction of the euro currency - a move that brings Greece closer to an integrated European tourism market.

Tsohatzopoulos said that seven firms were participating in the final phase of selecting a private consultant in the process of categorizing Greek hotels in a "star system", and that Fuji - financial consultant - would soon present its report evaluating Greek Tourism Organizations assets.

[22] Greek stocks end up on Thursday

Athens, 11/01/2002 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.20 percent up at 2,587.41 points, reversing a three-day decline, with turnover a low Dr 34.6 billion or 101.65 million euros.

The IT, Construction and Telecoms sectors scored the biggest percentage gains (1.56 percent, 1.13 percent and 0.97 percent, respectively), while the Insurance, Banks and Food-Beverage sectors suffered the heaviest losses (0.53 percent, 0.46 percent and 0.08 percent).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 0.06 percent lower, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 0.21 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.56 percent higher.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 196 to 103 with another 51 issues unchanged.

The most heavily traded shares were Public Power Corporation, Folli- Follie, Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Commercial Bank of Greece and Panafon.

Bond Market Close: Prices rise in light trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Thursday finished higher in light trade again focusing on ten-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.20 percent, and the yield spread over German bunds was 35 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 1.6 billion euros.

Buy orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

Derivatives Market Close: Equity futures down in scant trade: Equity futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Thursday showed a discount of up to 0.23 percent for contracts on the high capitalization index and up to 1.09 percent on the medium cap index, traders said.

Changing hands were 2,912 contracts on slim turnover of 17.0 million euros.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips shed 0.06 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks gained 0.21 percent.

[23] Deal for new horse track, equestrian center signed

Athens, 11/01/2002 (ANA)

The construction firms ETETh S.A. and J&P Hellas hold the controlling share (47 percent) of the consortium tapped to build the twin projects and adjacent auxiliary facilities.

The projects will be build on a 21,000-metre expanse, with the new horse track and equestrian center able to stable up to 2,000 and 300 horses, respectively.

Transferring the current horse track - the only pari-mutuel betting facility in Greece - from a mostly dilapidated site located on a choice coastal tract of land south of downtown Athens has long been envisioned by successive governments - although the hosting of the 2004 Olympics in the Greek capital dramatically accelerated developments.

[24] Cyprus cultural center operating in Athens

NICOSIA, 11/01/2002 (ANA)

The purpose of the Center is to promote the culture of Cyprus, as well as its achievements in this sector, both in Greece and on the international scene.

Already on display are replicas of archaeological findings provided by the Cypriot Museum, hundreds of photographs of archaeological sites and the sights of Cyprus, paintings by well-known Cypriot painters, old agricultural tools and traditional furniture.

The Center also has a unique library which includes hundreds of books by Cypriot and foreign writers on issues concerning the culture, traditions, habits and customs and archaeological wealth of Cyprus.

[25] FITCH Ratings' experts say Cyprus meets EU economic criteria

NICOSIA, 11/01/2002 (CNA/ANA)

FITCH Ratings representatives are currently visiting Cyprus at the invitation of Cyprus Central Bank to evaluate Cyprus' economy and its investment attractiveness.

Director of Economic Studies and EU department at the Finance Ministry Andreas Charalambous told CNA on Thursday that FITCH Ratings' experts met on Wednesday with Finance Minister Takis Klerides with whom they reviewed their conclusions on Cyprus' economy.

Charalambous said that their evaluations were positive and FITCH Ratings economic evaluators said it was beneficial for Cyprus economy that in the framework of Cyprus harmonization with the acquis communautaire certain reforms had been rapidly promoted.

"Their position is that Cyprus surely meets all criteria to become an EU member and even the most difficult ones that a country has to meet to enter the Economic Monetary Union," he added. Cyprus opened accession negotiations with the EU in 1998 and has so far provisionally closed 24 out of 29 chapters of the acquis communautaire.

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