Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-01-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM says milestones in Greece's foreign affairs are approaching

[02] Papandreou to brief opposition on results of PM's trip to US

[03] Letter to CBS is "brave move" by former U.S. ambass. Keeley , ND deputy says

[04] Athens rejects Turkish press allegations regarding terrorism in Greece

[05] Greek ambassador to Cyprus holds talks with socialdemocrat leader

[06] Ecevit calls for 'compromise' with Greece over Aegean after meeting Bush

[07] ANA correspondent evaluates Washington visits to Turkish media

[08] Senior officials to undergo training for Greek EU presidency

[09] Greek contingent now in training for Afghanistan mission

[10] Christodoulakis holds talks with Ukrainian vice-president in Athens

[11] Chinese envoy and agriculture minister discuss cooperation

[12] Labor minister presents 'Equal' job opportunity initiative

[13] Parliament ratifies teacher evaluation system bill

[14] Greek Euro-MP elected head of EU Parliament's women's rights committee

[15] FM receives new Turkish ambassador on courtesy call

[16] PASOK secretary calls "progressive" political forces to dialogue

[17] KKE pledges support for POESY journalists union's action

[18] Archbishop of America visits Thessaloniki

[19] Adriatic mayors discuss issue of illegal immigrants

[20] US embassies, consulate closed next Monday

[21] Finance minister sees inflation decelerating from spring

[22] Gov't says National Bank head not about to resign over merger

[23] Alpha Bank's staff union says merger plan in doubt

[24] General Bank, GEK in real estate joint venture

[25] Travel firms ask gov't for aid in Sept 11 market crisis

[26] Comdex Greece 2002 opens its gates

[27] Info-Quest to absorb subsidiary

[28] Average turnover shrinks worldwide, ASE report

[29] ASE scraps plan for extended session

[30] Athens bourse announces marketing budget for 2002

[31] Greek stocks rebound strongly on ASE

[32] ATHOC president calls on Crete to join the Olympic effort

[33] Greece to assist in preservation of Afghanistan's cultural heritage

[34] Border guard shot and injured in Ioannina region

[35] Fine Arts school to host exhibition on loan from Van Abbe Museum

[36] Russia ready to contribute to efforts for Cyprus settlement

[37] Britain supports new effort to solve Cyprus problem

[38] France says beginning of direct talks is very encouraging

[39] President Clerides' special envoy to visit Egypt

[01] PM says milestones in Greece's foreign affairs are approaching

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

The more than four-hour cabinet meeting focused on foreign affairs and the premier briefed the body on his visit to the United States, while Foreign Minister George Papandreou also addressed the cabinet members.

The upcoming milestones, according to the prime minister, are Cyprus's European Union accession, talks for the resolution of the Cyprus problem and Turkey's accession course to the European Union.

He stressed that all three issues were tabled by Greece in 1994 and 1998, while all this time it has been working for a resolution to the Cyprus problem.

He added that over the next two years all these issues will have to be provided with answers and so Greece should undertake specific initiatives.

Simitis also said that during the same period Greece would take its turn in the EU's rotating six-month presidency and the country aims at running a presidency that would in itself be a milestone for the European Union.

He stressed that the priority of the Greek presidency will be the EU's enlargement and Cyprus's accession to the EU, which is Greece's top priority.

He added that Greece has both the political will and the institutional capability to promote decisively the accession of Cyprus.

Simitis also said that Greece supports the efforts of the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan toward a resolution of the Cyprus problem, based on U.N. resolutions.

He added that a just solution to the Cyprus problem would establish relations of trust between Greece and Turkey.

The Greek premier also disclosed that he spoke with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and they agreed that Clerides would visit Athens soon for a better understanding of conditions in the course of negotiations on the problem.

Speaking on Greek-Turkish relations, Simitis said that the Greek stance on the issue is based on the EU's Helsinki summit decisions and was not influenced by changing circumstances. He added that Greece was awaiting moves by Turkey in the spirit of Helsinki.

The premier noted that 2004 was approaching, saying that this was a critical date as Turkey would have to take its disagreements with Greece to the International Court at The Hague as was determined by the EU Helsinki summit, in the event those outstanding issues were not resolved by then.

Speaking on conditions in the Balkans, Simitis said that although calm was ruling the region, conditions continue to be difficult, adding that the Greek government stood by its policy that called for unity and stability in the troubled region.

Specifically, regarding the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and the name of the small landlocked republic, Simitis said that Greece desires the continuation and completion of negotiations with FYROM under the auspices of the United Nations so as to arrive at a mutually accepted name for the republic and called on all the political forces of FYROM to show responsibility and realism.

Simitis concluded by saying that the ambiguous new international environment obliges Greece to strengthen its relations with international organizations and, of course, with the United States, and reiterated Greece's resolve to participate in the struggle against terrorism.

Gov't spokesman : Commenting on Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's statements in Washington D.C. about the ability of Turkey and Greece to come to terms over the Aegean, Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas said that if Ecevit wants to raise any issue, he can take it to The Hague, adding that "for us no issue exists".

[02] Papandreou to brief opposition on results of PM's trip to US

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

First to be briefed was Communist Party of Greece (KKE) General Secretary Aleka Papariga on Thursday morning, while Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos is to meet with Papandreou on Friday morning at 9:30 a.m.

Papandreou will next meet with Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras and Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas on Monday.

Foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis said that the foreign minister had requested a meeting with main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis but had not yet heard from ND.

Papariga: Foreign Minister George Papandreou met with Communist Party of Greece (KKE) leader Aleka Papariga and briefed her on issues relevant to his portfolio.

Following the meeting, Papariga stressed that she was concerned over the possibility that the problems of the Aegean may be swept under the carpet, adding that the problems of the Aegean Sea are connected with the Greek-Turkish relations, the Cyprus problem and the Euroforce issue.

She also noted that the Cyprus problem is not a bilateral Greek-Turkish affair, rather it is an international problem and it should be confronted in this manner.

[03] Letter to CBS is "brave move" by former U.S. ambass. Keeley , ND deputy says

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

"We owe the Greek government a retraction of the libelous program you broadcast, and an apology to those of us who have worked assiduously on this problem over many years without any publicity, for the obvious reason that terrorism is best dealt with out of sight of the media," Keeley said in a letter to CBS.

CBS 60-minutes investigative reporting television program broadcast just before Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis' arrival to the United States for a visit, claimed that there was connection between the Greek government and terrorism in the country.

Spiliotopoulos noted that "the statement of former ambassador of the USA B. Keeley, which condemns the provocative for Greece program of CBS, was a brave move, which showed what we have been saying all along: that the offending bits and pieces that were presented did not express the will and the opinions of the American government, but were guided by anti-Greek lobbies".

"This event further strengthens our proposal to the Greek government to develop relevant initiatives, via the funding and other moves so as to reconstitute the channels of communication with similar lobbies that will defend the Greek interests through the mass media in the American public opinion," Spiliotopoulos concluded.

[04] Athens rejects Turkish press allegations regarding terrorism in Greece

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

He rejected the reports as unacceptable and said they had a negative impact on Greek-Turkish cooperation.

Beglitis was commenting on Turkish press articles that reproduced a list first published in the Sunday issue of the Greek newspaper 'Sto Karfi', in which members of the ruling PASOK party were linked to terrorism, but also revived earlier claims that Greece supported the militant Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) operating in Turkey.

The spokesman reiterated that Greece had nothing to do with terrorist organizations, while he described the PKK as a terrorist group that had never been recognized by either the European Union or by Greece.

[05] Greek ambassador to Cyprus holds talks with socialdemocrat leader

NICOSIA 18/01/2002 (ANA)

However, he added that the burdened record resulting from the stance of the Turkish side does not allow for much ground for optimism.

Panagopoulos met with Socialdemocrat Movement leader Yiannakis Omirou in the morning in the framework of his informative contacts with the political leadership on Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis' recent visit to the United States.

Omirou said talks are at an early stage, adding that the Greek Cypriot side wants to be optimistic but positions by Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash do not help.

Omirou expressed the wish that Turkey will follow the path of Europeanization and will open a new era in its relations with Greece and Cyprus. However, he pointed out that it is premature to make assessments.

Panagopoulos held a similar meeting with Democratic Rally party leader Nikos Anastasiades on Wednesday.

[06] Ecevit calls for 'compromise' with Greece over Aegean after meeting Bush

WASHINGTON 18/01/2002 (ANA - A. Ellis)

In brief statements outside the White House with Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Ecevit said he was satisfied with the "very friendly" talks he had with the US president, which had focused chiefly on economic cooperation between their two countries.

The talks had also touched on other issues that concerned Ankara, such as Iraq, where Ecevit said he had Washington's assurance that Turkey would first be consulted if further action against Baghdad was decided on.

Asked if he had raised the issue of the Aegean during the meeting, the Turkish premier told reporters that he had "expressed hope that it would be possible to reach a compromise between Turkey and Greece in the Aegean. It is in the interests of both countries to solve the problem of the Aegean and I am sure it can be solved."

Asked about the Cyprus problem, he said only that it had come up during his talks with the US president.

Previously, in statements made as he arrived for the meeting with Bush, Ecevit had welcomed the start of direct talks between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

The Turkish premier had said it was good news that "the leaders of the two communities are now having face-to-face dialogue."

"They may not attain concrete results immediately but the very fact they are in the process of dialogue may lead to very satisfactory agreements between the two communities," he said.

Clerides and Denktash agreed at their first meeting in Nicosia to meet three times a week, beginning Monday, with a view to finding a negotiated settlement.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

[07] ANA correspondent evaluates Washington visits to Turkish media

NEW YORK 18/01/2002 (ANA)

Ellis also analyzed U.S.-Turkish and U.S.-Greek relations, apart from evaluating the two premiers' visits, in interviews with CNN Turk, NTV and STAR, which are covering Ecevit's visit to the United States.

He pointed out to Turkish reporters that Simitis held a 45-minute meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush, met with Secretary of State Colin Powell and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and had a 15-minute telephone conversation with Vice President Dick Cheney who was in an unknown location for security reasons.

Ellis said that on his part Ecevit had a 45-minute meeting with President Bush and saw Cheney (he had public contacts because President Bush was away from Washington) and Rumsfeld but not Powell who was not in the United States.

He further said that Simitis's agenda focused on the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and the issue of security, Greece's role in the Balkans, Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue, while much emphasis was not placed on bilateral economic and trade relations.

He said that, on the contrary, the need to support the problematic Turkish economy was the dominant issue in Ecevit's case and for this reason Ecevit also met with the U.S. treasury and trade secretaries, as well as with the administrations of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Ellis added that an important position in talks was held by the Cyprus issue and the latest positive, as characterized by all, developments following the beginning of direct negotiations on the island and cooperation on combatting international terrorism, while both Simitis and Ecevit provided military forces to participate in the multinational peacekeeping force in Afghanistan.

[08] Senior officials to undergo training for Greek EU presidency

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

The program, concerning officials from all ministries who have been selected to chair work groups, is the first in a series of activities aimed at the timely and excellent preparation of officials who will be having chairing duties during the Greek presidency.

About 70 public administration officials will be participating in the program, while the speakers will be distinguished cadres of EU and Greek public administration services.

[09] Greek contingent now in training for Afghanistan mission

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

The announcement said that the troops participating in the Greek force had passed all necessary medical examinations and were now undergoing training as a team, in preparation for their departure in February.

Greece will also contribute two C-130 transport planes manned by a crew of 40 to the multinational force in Afghanistan.

[10] Christodoulakis holds talks with Ukrainian vice-president in Athens

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

Christodoulakis said there were serious prospects for cooperation between the European Union and the Ukraine, which was currently experiencing extremely high growth rates, as well as the possibility of cooperation between Greece and the Ukraine in the energy sector and in joint or mixed investments.

The meeting also touched on the prospects of cooperation in natural gas issues.

Dubyna described the meeting as constructive and announced that Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis was expected to visit the Ukraine, while Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma was due to visit Greece in the Autumn.

[11] Chinese envoy and agriculture minister discuss cooperation

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

The Greek side also proposed the transfer of the country's expertise to enable the formation, for the first time, of a national security system for agricultural production in China.

Reference was made to the further development of trade relations between the two countries, primarily due to the considerable demand for standardized Greek agricultural products such as olive oil and tobacco.

[12] Labor minister presents 'Equal' job opportunity initiative

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

The objective of the initiative "Equal" is to promote equal opportunities in the labor market, the confrontation of xenophobia, the strengthening of the social economy and of entrepreneurship.

The groups which the initiative's actions are directed at are women, the unemployed, people with special needs expatriates, inhabitants of isolated regions, citizens belonging to cultural and religious minorities, the homeless and refugees seeking asylum in Greece.

For the implementation of the programs of the "Equal" initiative, a total of 47 billion drachmas will be allotted by 2006. The programs will be implemented in two stages. The first will be completed in 2003 and the 40 programs chosen for implementation and for which 23 billion drachmas will be allocated will be included in it. The second stage will be completed in 2006.

Reppas, presenting the initiative, said the proposals will be implemented by 28 per cent from coordinators from the private sector, 21 per cent from the broader public sector, 15 per cent from local government organizations, 13 per cent from social partners, 10 per cent from the municipalities and 13 per cent from non-governmental organizations.

[13] Parliament ratifies teacher evaluation system bill

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

Parliament, however, did not ratify article 13 of the bill which calls for limited firings of teachers hired by private schools. This article will be discussed and voted on Tuesday.

Main opposition New Democracy parliamentary group spokes-man Prokopis Pavlopoulos stressed that "when ND comes to power" it will abolish all articles of this bill.

[14] Greek Euro-MP elected head of EU Parliament's women's rights committee

BRUSSELS 18/01/2002 (ANA - V. Demiris)

The European Parliament's Socialist Group decided to give the post to Karamanou in recognition of her total contribution to the women's movement and her activity as an ordinary member of the women's rights committee since 1997.

[15] FM receives new Turkish ambassador on courtesy call

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

Until recently, Alpogan was the Turkish foreign ministry's civil director and had an active involvement in the process of Greek-Turkish rapprochement, given that he was the man who handled the issue of adopting confidence-building political measures with his Greek counterpart ambassador Anastasios Skopelitis.

[16] PASOK secretary calls "progressive" political forces to dialogue

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

Laliotis stressed a "fertile and reliable, meaningful dialogue with content and prospects, is a must for PASOK and is based on his wish and ambition for an open party".

He added that it is necessary for PASOK to be in constant dialogue with the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos), the Democratic Social Movement (DIKKI) and the Movement of Free Citizens (KEP).

[17] KKE pledges support for POESY journalists union's action

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

Commenting on the journalists' struggle, Papariga said there was a general framework of labor relations and social insurance that allowed business people to dominate the media sector and become ever more uncontrolled.

[18] Archbishop of America visits Thessaloniki

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

Dimitrios, who was welcomed with special honors, recalled the bombings of Thessaloniki by German occupation forces during WW2 while referring to the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington on September 11.

Thessaloniki Prefect Costas Papadopoulos honored Dimitrios during an official prefectural council meeting in the morning, while in the afternoon it was the turn of Thessaloniki Mayor Vassilis Papageorgopoulos to honor him at an event held at the town hall.

Dimitrios, expected to leave for the U.S. on Friday, also met earlier with the Metropolitan of Thessaloniki Panteleimon.

[19] Adriatic mayors discuss issue of illegal immigrants

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

Taking part in the meeting were the mayors of Patra, Evangelos Floratos, of Ancona, Fabio Turani, and of Igoumenitsa, A. Dais.

The mayor of the Italian city submitted specific proposals not only regarding the illegal immigrants, but also the trafficking of smuggled goods and narcotics.

Turani called for more intensive checks to be stepped up at ports and also economic support and material and technical equipment by the governments of Greece and Italy.

The resolution also calls for immediate legislative intervention by the European Union on the issue of economic refugees and support for dealing with their temporary residence.

[20] US embassies, consulate closed next Monday

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

[21] Finance minister sees inflation decelerating from spring

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

On Friday, Christodoulakis is to brief Prime Minister Costas Simitis on inflation, structural changes in the economy and privatization.

[22] Gov't says National Bank head not about to resign over merger

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

He was replying to a reporter's question following market talk that Theodoros Karatzas may resign in connection with problems stalling a planned merger with Alpha Bank.

[23] Alpha Bank's staff union says merger plan in doubt

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

An intensifying struggle between union members in both banks is further undermining efforts and all hope is now placed with a forthcoming meeting between the two banks' heads, Theodore Karatzas and Yiannis Costopoulos, although it is still unsure when such a meeting will be held.

It is doubtful, also, if such a meeting could result in offering a new vision for the creation of a powerful Greek bank, or it would confirm the end of an ambitious plan.

Alpha Bank's staff association on Thursday accused the National Bank Staff Association (OTOE) that with its stance it was sustaining unmeritocracy, heralding the end of the merger plan with National Bank of Greece.

Tasos Giatis, chairman of Alpha Bank's staff association said OTOE's decision to oppose a renegotiation "from zero and equal base" of the deal was proof that OTOE was accepting the idea of banks run by appointed political party members.

Giatis said Alpha Bank's staff shared the bank's chairman's vision of a merger between equals that would operate strictly on private-financial criteria.

"Efforts made by known groups of interests to impose a merger that will not operate on meritocracy criteria and clear orientation, puts a brake on efforts to overcome problems and bank staff fear they would put a gravestone on the merger plan. We can do better on our own," a union statement said.

Meanwhile, former ND party leader Miltiadis Evert on Thursday called for the immediate resignation of National Bank's board, or its removal, accusing it of wrong and hasty handling of the merger plan with Alpha Bank.

[24] General Bank, GEK in real estate joint venture

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

The new company will act as a real estate consultant in the Greek market, offer management services and participate in other joint ventures both in the domestic or foreign markets.

The company's new board will have five members, of which three will be covered by General Bank and the other two by GEK.

[25] Travel firms ask gov't for aid in Sept 11 market crisis

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

"Instead of reacting immediately with measures, the government has, in practice, been indifferent," the Association of Tourism and Travel Bureaus in Greece (HATTA) said in a statement.

HATTA said that many of its 4,500 members would be forced to order redundancies and resort to seasonal hiring; some firms had already been forced to cease operations; and others were on the brink of bankruptcy.

Among measures that would aid the sector were government-subsidized recruitment and tax relief, which had been implemented elsewhere in Europe, the statement said.

[26] Comdex Greece 2002 opens its gates

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

The exhibition, organized for the third year by the Hellenic-American Chamber and Key3Media Events, will host more than 60 companies from the United States and Europe and will run until January 20.

Multinational companies in the computer and telecommunications sectors have a significant presence in this year's Comdex, represented through their subsidiaries and branches in Greece.

Comdex 2002 has organized special events, like Interop Greece - focusing on telecommunications issues - and Comdex Digital World, focusing on electronic business.

[27] Info-Quest to absorb subsidiary

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

The move will centralize management of the group's fixed-line and mobile telecommunications services in order to create synergies and economies of scale, Info-Quest said in a statement.

[28] Average turnover shrinks worldwide, ASE report

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

An ASE survey said that an analysis of the ratio between the average daily turnover and the average capitalization in 14 major markets in Europe, US and Japan in the period 1998-2001 revealed that: -the ratio was steadily falling in all markets with the exception of the New York, Tokyo and Finnish markets. For most markets the fall is significant and frequently sharp. -the Greek bourse is recording a steady decline following the year 1999 (when the ratio was among the highest internationally) and -for most European stock markets a decline in the average daily turnover has fallen to unusually low levels.

Average Daily Turnover/average capitalization ratio

1998 1999 2000 2001

Greece 0,35% 0,55% 0,25% 0,18%

UK 0,52% 0,52% 0,66% 0,18%

Portugal 0,38% 0,25% 0,35% 0,20%

US (NYSE) 0,30% 0,32% 0,38% 0,34%

US (NASDAQ) 1,03% 1,07% 1,79% 1,25%

France 1,28% 1,16% 1,36% 0,71%

Germany 0,62% 0,48% 0,62% 0,32%

Italy 0,42% 0,33% 1,58% 0,41%

Spain 0,75% 0,77% 0,85% 0,36%

Japan 0,13% 0,19% 0,24% 0,22%

[29] ASE scraps plan for extended session

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

ASE was forced to abandon its plan because of flaccid trade in the market in the last few months.

It had originally planned to extend trading hours to 17.15 in the afternoon.

[30] Athens bourse announces marketing budget for 2002

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

Of the total, a third will be spent on free information for investors at home and the remaining two thirds on promotion of the market in Greece and abroad in order to attract new retail and institutional players, authorities said in a statement.

[31] Greek stocks rebound strongly on ASE

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

Traders said institutional investors reappeared in the market buying blue chip stocks and noted that investors have overcome developments in a merger plan between National Bank and Alpha Bank discounting new moves in the domestic banking market.

The general index ended 2.38 percent higher at 2,561.67 points, with turnover an improved Dr 66 billion, or 189.78 million euros.

The Wholesale, Textile and Bank sectors scored the biggest percentage gains (3.43 percent, 3.40 percent and 3.10 percent, respectively), while the Retail sector was the only one to suffer losses (0.02 percent).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 2.76 percent higher, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 1.92 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 2.56 percent higher.

National Bank's shares ended 2.62 percent higher and Alpha Bank rose 4.83 percent. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 316 to 32 with another 13 issues unchanged.

The most heavily traded shares were Commercial Bank of Greece, Sex Form, Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, EFG Eurobank Ergasias, and Alpha Bank.

Bond Market Close: Prices drop in moderate trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Thursday finished lower in moderate trade focusing on 20-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.18 percent, and the spread over German bunds was 38 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 1.9 billion euros.

Sell orders accounted for over half of turnover.

Derivatives Market Close: Equity futures remain at discount: Equity index futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange traded at a discount on Thursday in higher turnover, shrugging off a rise in the main market.

Changing hands were 9,387 contracts on turnover of 60.5 million euros.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips gained 2.76 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks rose 1.92 percent.

[32] ATHOC president calls on Crete to join the Olympic effort

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

Speaking at the Orthodox Church Academy of Crete in Hania, she said "we are expecting a great deal. We are expecting Crete to work with us. In any case, Crete has been at the forefront of many struggles our country has undertaken. The issue of volunteerism exists and of course the issue of the Olympic region".

"Crete will play an important role before and during the Games and we want to give an impetus to this region that is giving so much to this country," she said.

According to reports, the Olympic medalists of Athens will be given wreaths made of olive branches from Crete. A relevant proposal has already been submitted to ATHOC.

New campaign in Britain for return to Athens of Parthenon Marbles LONDON 18/01/2002 ( L. Tsirigotakis)

Three world-renowned actresses, including Vanessa Redgrave, academics, journalists and ordinary British citizens have become the first members of a new campaign for the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Athens from the British Museum.

The new campaign officially began on Wednesday night, headed by British MP Richard Allan.

The event was held at the House of Commons and the British speakers said that it was apparent that the arguments in favor of the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece ware overwhelming.

The British MP said "the Greek government on its part has recently made important moves which facilitate the British Museum and the British government to return the Parthenon Marbles." These moves, he said, include the construction of the new Acropolis Museum.

[33] Greece to assist in preservation of Afghanistan's cultural heritage

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

The announcement said that the letter had been sent by Foreign Minister George Papandreou to UNESCO's general director in Greece on Wednesday.

[34] Border guard shot and injured in Ioannina region

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

Dimitris Kouros, 30, was patrolling in the area with colleagues when they spotted a group of Albanians who, according to initial reports, were carrying drugs. They called on them to surrender but they replied with shots, resulting in the border guard being injured in the legs.

Kouros was hospitalized in the city of Ioannina but, according to latest reports, his condition is not considered very serious. The Albanians managed to escape but a manhunt has been launched for their arrest.

[35] Fine Arts school to host exhibition on loan from Van Abbe Museum

Athens, 18/01/2002 (ANA)

The works in the exhibition are on loan from the Van Abbe Museum in Eindhoven, southern Netherlands, and are a comprehensive presentation of artistic trends in recent years through a more general historical approach to 20th century art.

Entitled "Conversation: Latest acquisitions of the Van Abbe Museum", the exhibition will be inaugurated on Friday by Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Dutch State Secretary for Culture Rick van der Ploeg.

[36] Russia ready to contribute to efforts for Cyprus settlement

NICOSIA 18/01/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking to the press after a meeting he had here on Thursday with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, Prygin said Russia supports the continuation of UN Secretary General's good offices mission for Cyprus and expressed the view that this is a crucial period for the Cyprus question, mainly due to the fight against international terrorism, the European integration, the 1999 Helsinki Summit conclusions on Cyprus' accession to the EU and the developments in the eastern Mediterranean.

All these require the intensification of efforts to solve the Cyprus problem, he added and described the current opportunity as "a great one" noting that it should not be perished.

Prygin said that direct talks, that started here on Wednesday between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, contribute to the understanding between the two sides and the diminishment of their differences, serve as a communication bridge between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and are "a vital tool to decrease tension in Cyprus and in the region."

He noted that Russia supports substantive talks on Cyprus and the discussion of basic aspects of the Cyprus problem.

Earlier Prygin met with House President Demetris Christofias.

[37] Britain supports new effort to solve Cyprus problem

LONDON 18/01/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash embarked here on Wednesday direct talks and agreed to meet here three times a week beginning Monday, with a view to find a negotiated settlement.

"We support the new effort and we do hope that it will be successful," the spokesman told CNA.

The British spokesman also recalled statements by British Minister of State for European Affairs Peter Hain on Tuesday who said direct talks on the Cyprus question, "represent a real opportunity for all Cypriots and all of us" and urged the leaders of the two communities on the island "to exert every effort to achieve a just and lasting settlement."

Hain had also expressed the British government's "continued strong support for the efforts to secure a just and lasting settlement in Cyprus" and the hope that "all concerned would participate in a constructive and flexible manner."

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

[38] France says beginning of direct talks is very encouraging

NICOSIA 18/01/2002 (CNA/ANA)

The French spokesman said Paris would make further statements on the issue once it became aware of the outcome of Wednesday's meeting, between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash who agreed at their first meeting held on Wednesday in Nicosia to meet three times a week, beginning Monday, with a view to find a negotiated settlement.

[39] President Clerides' special envoy to visit Egypt

NICOSIA 18/01/2002 (CNA/ANA)

A press release of the Egyptian Embassy in Nicosia said the during his stay in Egypt, Lyssarides will meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt Ahmed Maher, Speaker of the Egyptian Parliament Ahmed Fathi Serrour and Secretary General of the National Democratic party and Deputy Prime Minister Youssef Wali.

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