Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-06-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Two main political parties agree on economic goal, differ over method

[02] 'Euro Army' issues dominates top gov't meeting

[03] Gov't welcomes EU decision for common border police force

[04] Gov't announces PM's itinerary for China visit

[05] Culture minister meets with Turkish gov't VP Yilmaz

[06] Greek culture minister meets with Turkish sports minister

[07] PASOK secretary and Cyprus Parliament president discuss EU

[08] Turkish DM says important Greece -Turkey issues have not been confronted

[09] ND leader, interior minister clash over policy for local government

[10] ND meeting focuses on Karamanlis' US trip; Euro Army issue

[11] FM Papandreou meets with Athens mayor candidate Papoutsis

[12] Athens int'l airport passes 'security test' with flying colors

[13] Sale contract for Hellenic Shipyard signed

[14] GSEE, divided, rejects government reform plan, calls strike

[15] Greeks say they've got used to the euro – survey

[16] Culture minister inaugurates Greek-Turkish business council

[17] Taxi owners announced 24-hour strike on Monday

[18] Hellenic Stock Exchanges shows Q1 profit drop

[19] 'Balkan media in the Digital Age-The challenge of the Olympic Games' conference

[20] Event held in Swedish Parliament on 2004 Olympic Games

[21] Anti-smoking campaign meets with mixed reception in Greece

[22] Environment ministry figures point to cleanest beaches around Greece

[23] Greek police stop revealing names of suspects due to privacy law case

[24] One-day conference on Diavates, Thessaloniki prison conditions

[25] Illegal immigrants detained on Samos

[26] Clerides discusses security issue with Denktash

[27] Clerides flies to Denmark for consultations with Rasmussen

[01] Two main political parties agree on economic goal, differ over method

Athens, 01/06/2002 (ANA)

Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis of the ruling PASOK party told a panel debate that he backed social consensus in forging economic policy.

But economic affairs spokesman George Alogoskoufis of the main opposition New Democracy (ND) party countered that governments should persuade the public of the rightness of their policies.

''In 1990-1993, the New Democracy party in government did not follow a policy of social consensus, resulting in a failure of its attempts at economic reform,'' Christodoulakis said in the debate pitting him against Alogoskoufis.

The ND spokesman riposted: ''The role of politicians is not to follow in the public's wake but to try and sway public opinion in favor of the policies they want to advance. If the reverse occurs, then we merely become managers.''

The challenge to the two politicians to name their common points and differences was issued by EFG Eurobank Ergasias, the Athens-quoted private sector bank that arranged the debate.

Christodoulakis said the government would continue to lay emphasis on high growth rates and structural changes in the economy including a second wave of privatization - all through confidence-building and consensus.

He added that the government intended to keep a 35 percent stake in key state enterprises in order to better serve the public's interests, a policy Alogoskoufis said he backed.

The ND spokesman charged the government with a widespread use of creative accounting to embellish public finances, allowing unemployment to rise, and bringing problems to competitive-ness.

Both officials agreed on the need for a regional capital market that would include the Athens Stock Exchange; and on the importance of mergers and acquisitions to boost the competitiveness of domestic firms at home and abroad in an increasingly tough business environment.

[02] 'Euro Army' issues dominates top gov't meeting

Athens, 01/06/2002 (ANA)

Afterwards, Foreign Minister George Papandreou referred to a “common strategy and policy regarding our next steps.”

“When the Greek side safeguards the country’s interests within a European framework, then we will be ready to agree to a solution … If we don’t agree we’ll continue our objection ...” Papandreou added.

He also termed the latest proposals by the current Spanish EU presidency to overcome Athens’ standing objections to the so-called “Ankara Text” related to the “Euro Army’s” scope and operation as “productive”, while adding that a solution has not yet been achieved.

Both Papandreou and Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou reiterated that the government is promoting a common stance on the issue.

Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis also participated at the meeting.

Gov't confirms Spanish proposals to avert 'Euro Army' impasse: The Greek government confirmed on Friday that new proposals have been tabled by the current Spanish EU presidency to overcome Athens' standing objections to the so-called "Ankara Text" for the future "Euro Army's" scope and operation.

The government spokesman noted his hope that the impasse will be resolved by upcoming Seville EU summit, or at least during the summit's sessions.

Spokesman Christos Protopapas made the statement as Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis was at the same time meeting with the foreign and defense ministers over foreign policy issues.

[03] Gov't welcomes EU decision for common border police force

Athens, 01/06/2002 (ANA)

The Greek spokesman noted, however, that there were concerns regarding the development of control mechanisms in the interior of third countries, so that the causes of migration and illegal immigration were reduced.

He referred reporters to a letter on this issue sent to Spanish premier Jose Maria Aznar, head of the EU presidency, by Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

Protopapas also stressed the fact that many EU candidate countries were represented at the ministers' council, since many of these were countries from which migrants originated.

EU Interior ministers agreed at a meeting in Rome on Thursday that the EU should set up a common border police force.

As a first step, they decided to create a flexible method of coordination and cooperation between national police forces.

[04] Gov't announces PM's itinerary for China visit

Athens, 01/06/2002 (ANA)

Simitis, at the head of a large delegation of government officials and Greek entrepreneurs, departs for the Far East country on Saturday afternoon.

Both sides will sign a variety of bilateral agreements in light of Greece’s EU presidency in the first half of 2003, as well as the Athens Olympics in 2004 and the subsequent Beijing Games in 2008.

On Tuesday, Simitis will address a joint forum of Chinese and Greek entrepreneurs, before meeting with Li Peng, the chairman of the standing committee of the 9th National People's Congress (NPC).

On Wednesday, he will visit the city of Xian before touring Shanghai on Thursday.

[05] Culture minister meets with Turkish gov't VP Yilmaz

ISTANBUL 01/06/2002 (ANA-A. Kourkoulas)

''We are following Turkey's efforts with great attention,'' he said, adding ''we want a European Turkey, a strong Turkey, a stable and prosperous Turkey, because this Turkey can be an excellent partner for us, both on the political and economic level''.

He also said that he explained to Yilmaz that the accession of Cyprus to the European Union ''which is a precondition for the EU's enlargement, is not an aggressive move regarding Turkey''.

''The accession of Cyprus can be a very great opportunity for the Turkish-Cypriot side and for Turkey itself, it can be a bridge, which would bring Turkey much faster to the EU,'' Venizelos said.

Responding to a question on the possibility of Turkish reactions to Cyprus accession to the EU before a resolution of the Cyprus problem, Venizelos said, ''Turkey will not need to take any measures, because I am certain that Turkey does not want to cause problems to its European course, to its relations with the EU (and also) because the accession of Cyprus to the EU is a very positive development for Turkey itself''.

The Greek minister also called on Turkish Cypriot community leader Rauf Denktash to see the problem from the same vantage point.

''As Turkey struggles to incorporate the acquis communautaire, it should realize that the advancement of the Cyprus problem and a solution to the Cyprus problem cannot be outside the acquis communautaire,'' he added.

''I realize that there may be reservations, I realize that there may be a shortfall of trust, but that is why we are here and for this reason we are ting to give such a great emphasis to the advancement of our bilateral relations,'' Venizelos stressed. The Greek culture minister also said that he also discussed with Yilmaz issues pertaining to the organizing of the Olympic Games and the European Football Championships.

''All these are part of a wider frame of reference, which is that of Greek-Turkish relations and the European prospect,'' he concluded.

[06] Greek culture minister meets with Turkish sports minister

ISTANBUL 01/06/2002 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

They also discussed Greece's preparations for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games organizing.

Venizelos said after the meeting that ''both Mr. Unlu and I expressed our satisfaction over the high level of preparation of the file for our joint candidacy for the 2008 championship and for the fact that our candidacy was officially submitted, which we again welcome and support in every way and we will support until the end both on a political and organizational level''.

''I am also glad because Mr. Unlu spoke with such emphasis of the importance the Athens 2004 Olympic Games have for the athletes of all the world, for the international Olympic movement, which is in immediate need of reinvigoration and will find its reinvigoration through the authenticity of the Olympic Games of Greece in 2004,'' Venizelos said.

Venizelos invited Unlu to visit Greece and see the installations that will be used for the Olympic Games and the 2008 Championship.

On his part, Unlu spoke of the importance of the joint organization of the 2008 championship and wished Venizelos good luck in the Olympic Games.

[07] PASOK secretary and Cyprus Parliament president discuss EU

NICOSIA 01/06/2002 (ANA - G. Leonidas)

Laliotis added that ''readiness, vigilance, accord, unanimity and solidarity is necessary between all political and social forces in Greece and Cyprus for a solution to problems.''

Christofias said that in the event the Cyprus issue is not resolved before Cyprus's accession to the European Union ''the effort to resolve the Cyprus problem should be continued with peaceful means to enable a bizonal bicommunal federation solution based on the principles and specifications of the United Nations.''

Referring to Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides's visit to Athens, the Parliament president said the various eventualities and the possible reactions of Greece and Cyprus were discussed in handling developments and the creation of developments.

Christofias also expressed his appreciation ''for the continuous support of PASOK and the Greek government for the problem of Cyprus.''

PASOK secretary holds talks with DHSY and KISOS leaders: Greece's ruling PASOK party Central Committee secretary Costas Laliotis met Democratic Rally (DHSY) party leader Nikos Anastasiades here on Friday and said afterwards the Cyprus issue is at its ''most crucial phase'', adding that for this reason ''vigilance, alertness, unanimity and solidarity are necessary.''

Laliotis is visiting Cyprus on the occasion of an event to be held on Friday night in honor of Honorary Socialdemocrat Movement (KISOS) President Vassos Lyssarides.

Anastasiades said that with his meeting with Laliotis he ascertained ''once again'' the Greek government's consistency in the effort being made by Cyprus on the ''major national issues.''

Laliotis also met with KISOS President Yiannakis Omirou and said the issue of Cyprus is at a crucial turning point and targets for its solution are common.

Omirou said in a statement after the meeting that direct talks are not advancing and called on all who have the strength to pressure Turkey for a change in its intransigent stance.

Boucher's 'Aegean airspace' statement a mistake, gov't says

Government spokesman Christos Protopapas on Friday attributed a statement by US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher regarding the purpose of talks between Greece and Turkey to "problems in internal communications between US services."

These services had admitted as much themselves, he added.

Boucher had mistakenly let it be understood that Greece and Turkey were in talks over Aegean airspace.

Event held in Nicosia in honor of KISOS honorary president Lyssarides: An impressive event was held at the conference center here on Friday night in honor of Honorary President of Cyprus' Social Democrats Movement (KISOS) Vassos Lyssarides.

Attending and addressing the event were President Glafcos Clerides, House of Representatives President Demetris Christofias, Greece's ruling PASOK Central Committee Secretary Costas Laliotis, ministers, representatives of the Cypriot political parties, Greek Ambassador to Nicosia Christos Panagopoulos and thousands of people.

Messages by Greece's President Kostis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, Foreign Minister George Papandreou and main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis were read. Messages were also sent by Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and European Socialist Party Vice-President George Katiforis.

[08] Turkish DM says important Greece -Turkey issues have not been confronted

ISTANBUL 01/06/2002 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

''It is said that our relations with Greece have improved, while I have always stressed that we have not yet started confronting the matters which concern us,'' Cakmakoglu said.

The Turkish minister added that ''the Greeks still do not give flight clearance to planes of the Turkish Armed forces'' and claimed that this fact is not a move showing that the relations between the two countries have improved.

Concerning the issue of the extension of the "territorial waters" of the pseudo-state of the self-styled ''Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus'' (''TRNC'') to 12 miles, he said that ''the 'TRNC', for its security and interests, is doing what an independent country must do.''

The illegal regime in Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus is only recognized by Turkey.

[09] ND leader, interior minister clash over policy for local government

Athens, 01/06/2002 (ANA)

Karamanlis said the government had shown itself inadequate and negligent where local authority issues were concerned, while he also slammed the critical stance taken toward local government by Prime Minister Costas Simitis during a recent meeting of the National Council for Administrative Reform.

''Such aggression is not fitting from a prime minister,'' the main opposition leader said, while noting that the situation ''touched on the borders of hilarity and party-political nepotism.''

''How is it possible for the prime minister to assert that local government has failed when central government has not provided the necessary funds?'' he asked.

Speaking after Karamanlis, Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis said it was positive that the conservative party had recognized the need for reforms and defended local government, even late in the day.

He said the government would have a new charter for primary and secondary-level local government ready by next March.

Responding to Karamanlis' criticism later on Friday, meanwhile, government spokesman Christos Protopapas challenged the main opposition's record on local government issues, saying that it should admit its mistakes and reconsider before it set itself up as the champion of local authorities.

[10] ND meeting focuses on Karamanlis' US trip; Euro Army issue

Athens, 01/06/2002 (ANA)

Karamanlis, himself, presided over the meeting.

Meanwhile, several ND cadres reiterated that Prime Minister Costas Simitis offered his commitment to the ND leader – during their meeting last week – that the government will convey all new proposals over the “Euro Army” issue to the main op-position.

[11] FM Papandreou meets with Athens mayor candidate Papoutsis

Athens, 01/06/2002 (ANA)

Following their meeting, Papoutsis said that the government believed that Athens can have an upgraded role in important issues, such as the Greek European Union presidency scheduled for the first half of 2003 and of course the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

Papandreou and Papoutsis agreed that Athens can play in important role and can develop significant activity in what is called the diplomacy of local government.

[12] Athens int'l airport passes 'security test' with flying colors

Athens, 01/06/2002 (ANA)

A check of the all the control systems at the airport at Spata by the group of Congressmen two days ago went off without a hitch, the sources said.

According to the sources, a five-member delegation of US Congressmen from the House of Representatives' aviation security sub-committee arrived at the airport on Wednesday morning.

The Congressmen arrived in Europe along with the entourage accompanying US President George Bush on his European trip. Their purpose was to visit three airports in Europe considered among the safest in the world in order to be briefed on the security systems applied and on the training of the airport security officials.

The aim was to collect useful information in the framework of the security systems reform being carried out at US airports.

According to the same sources, the five Congressmen also visited Paris' de Gaul airport and Brussels airport before coming to Athens.

They were given a tour of the entire airport and spoke with the security personnel.

After the tour, the Congressmen said they were impressed by the state-of-the-art and advanced security systems applied at the Eleftherios Venizelos airport, and praised the training of the airport staff.

''We would like to have people with your experience, thoughts and views during the discussion in the Senate on reforming the security framework at the American airports,'' the group's leader, Rep. John Mica, was quoted as saying.

The visit was not made public by the airport's management, nor was a similar informal inspection of the airport's systems by a 10-member committee of the European Civil Aviation Organization, which arrived in Athens on Monday, the sources said.

[13] Sale contract for Hellenic Shipyard signed

Athens, 01/06/2002 (ANA)

The buyer was Greek Naval Shipyard Holdings SA, a subsidiary of the two German firms created to undertake purchase of the formerly state-owned shipyard. Greek Naval has a share capital of 41 million euros.

The sale price comprises 6.1 million euros for the stock in Hellenic, formerly known as Skaramangas Shipyard, and 41 million euros to increase the shipyard's share capital.

The German buyers said during a tour of the yard after the contract was signed that their first modernization plan for the shipyard totalled 15 billion drachmas, and was due for immediate implementation.

New Democracy deputy Nikolaos Tsiartsionis recently claimed that talks with the company's buyer lacked transparency; and that the state was set to lose 200 billion drachmas from the sale.

Rival Elefsina Shipyard in May sought recourse in the European Union over what it called unfair competition from Hellenic Shipyards.

Elefsina said that it had lodged a complaint with the EU's competition committee charging ''major distortion and breaches of competition rules by Hellenic Shipyard.''

In the complaint, Elefsina said that illegitimate state subsidies had been given to Hellenic, and that a privatization tender for the firm contained irregularities. The facts had been made known to authorities but no action was taken.

The European Union's executive Commission has approved the purchase, saying that regulatory approval was given as the acquisition of Hellenic by the two corporations did not breach rules of fair competition.

HDW, the largest shipyard in Germany, was recently acquired by One Equity Partners, a subsidiary of Bank One of the US. Its new owners have said the buyout would not affect plans for Hellenic Shipyards.

Thyssen Krupp, a metals and shipyard company, is now a member of the HDW group, replacing Babcock.

Under its new owner, HDW released a statement on March 12 saying that Hellenic Shipyards was seen as a major factor in the German company's future European strategy.

[14] GSEE, divided, rejects government reform plan, calls strike

Athens, 01/06/2002 (ANA)

The decision, however, divided GSEE as PASKE union members, a PASOK affiliated wing withdrew from the vote saying that they recognized a decision by GSEE's general council, the highest body in the union.

On the other hand, opposition affiliated union members voted to: reject the government's plan and to call for a strike with civil servants' union.

Union sources said this new development could signal the start of a period of internal conflict in the union for the first time since 1985.

Communist party leader and GSEE discuss social security reform: Communist Party of Greece (KKE) secretary Aleka Papariga held talks with the General Confederation of Workers of Greece's (GSEE) board on Friday on social security reform.

Papariga said in a statement that the party ''cannot agree with the measures being prepared by the government because in reality we have to do with the inadequate financing of a fund which will be a poverty fund.''

According to Papariga, the fund will be completely disconnected from the other pylon of social security. Namely, the health and welfare sector.

She said it is even more possible for the struggles of working people to be promoted now, adding that the struggles should be developed to the last moment until the bill comes to Parliament.

Papariga further said that if these struggles are united and massive there is the possibility of the government being prevented and, in any case, the struggles should show that working people are not prepared to bow their heads.

[15] Greeks say they've got used to the euro – survey

BRUSSELS 01/06/2002 (ANA /B.Demiris)

According to the survey conducted in the eurozone's 12 member countries, 69.1 percent of Greeks polled said they very easily or fairly easily comprehended prices in euros.

The eurozone average for the same question was 57.1 percent, the Eurobarometer survey showed.

At the same time, 77.6 percent of Greeks felt that a rounding off of drachma prices into euros was upward, again higher than a eurozone average of 68.5 percent for the former national currencies of each member-state, the survey said.

[16] Culture minister inaugurates Greek-Turkish business council

ISTANBUL 01/06/2002 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

The president of the Greek-Turkish Business Council, Panayiotis Koutsikos, referred to the development of economic relations between the two countries over the past two years.

''Greek and Turkish businesses can invest in EU countries with joint initiatives,'' he said.

The president of the Turkish-Greek Business Council, Sarik Tara, commented on the issue of Cyprus's accession to the EU, saying that ''we want only one Cyprus to join the EU'', adding that ''we want a Cyprus which will not make us skeptical.''

[17] Taxi owners announced 24-hour strike on Monday

Athens, 01/06/2002 (ANA)

Taxi owners reacted to the presentation of a draft legislation's provision to set up taxi companies or cooperatives and to replace cars after eight years in operation in the areas of Attica, Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Patras and Larissa.

Transport and Communications Minister Christos Verelis presented the draft bill after a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

Taxi owners, however, seemed divided in their reactions over the plan to set up companies and cooperatives and their future stance on the issue is expected to be decided on Monday during a general assembly.

[18] Hellenic Stock Exchanges shows Q1 profit drop

Athens, 01/06/2002 (ANA)

Consolidated turnover totalled 12.8 million euros against 19.1 million euros in the first quarter of 2001, the company said in a statement.

Net consolidated earnings before tax and after minorities in the first quarter were 970,000 euros from 6.9 million euros in the first quarter of the previous year, the statement added.

Greek stocks rebound strongly on Friday: Greek stocks rebounded strongly in the last trading session of the week in the Athens Stock Exchange, with news of a sale of Skaramanga Shipyards and rumors over a re-approachement between National Bank and Alpha Bank encouraging sentiment in the Greek market.

The general index jumped 1.52 percent to 2,297.56 points, with turnover an improved 152.9 million euros.

The Publication sector suffered the heaviest percentage losses of 1.14 percent, while the Holdings, Textile and Retail sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (3.75 percent, 3.73 percent and 2.87 percent).

The FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index rose 1.85 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 1.61 percent higher and the FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 1.47 percent up.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 294 to 43 with another 26 issues unchanged.

The general index ended the week 1.37 percent higher.

The most heavily traded shares in value were Public Power Corporation, Alpha Bank, Intracom, Sex Form, and Hellenic Telecommunications Organization.

Equity index futures narrow their discount: Equity index futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Friday ended higher, tracking the main market and narrowing their discount, traders said.

Turnover was 100.3 million euros.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips gained 1.47 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks rose 1.61 percent.

Stock futures in Intracom and Alpha Bank, blue chips on the Athens bourse, were the most heavily traded contracts.

Bond prices mixed in thin trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Friday finished mixed in light trade focusing on five-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.44 percent, and the spread over the corresponding German bund was 29 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system was 1.4 billion euros.

Buy orders accounted for just under half of trade.

[19] 'Balkan media in the Digital Age-The challenge of the Olympic Games' conference

Athens, 01/06/2002 (ANA)

The theme of the conference, to take place June 7-8, is "The Balkan Media in the Digital Age - The Challenge of the Olympic Games", and is being organized by the Macedonia Press Agency (MPA) in cooperation with the Athens 2004 organizing committee (ATHOC).

Among the speakers at the conference will be several Olympics champions from the Balkan countries, including Naim Suleimanoglou, Stefka Constantinova, Niki Bakoyanni, Victor Mitrou and Petros Galaktopoulos.

Delegates will also include senior staff members from newspapers, news agencies, radio and television stations and electronic newspapers from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Romania, FYROM, Turkey, Moldova, Slovenia and Croatia.

Also attending will be the chairman of the FYROM radio and television council, and constitutional experts/professors from Yugoslavia, Romania, Turkey and FYROM, who specialize in media matters.

[20] Event held in Swedish Parliament on 2004 Olympic Games

STOCKHOLM 01/06/2002 (ANA - M. Vichou)

Also participating were members of the Greek-Swedish Parliamentary Friendship Federation in the presence of Greek Ambassador Nikos Kouniniotis and Cyprus Ambassador Costas Papadimas.

Addressing the event, Greek PASOK Deputy Grigoris Niotis, who is also president of the Expatriate Hellenism Committee, outlined the targets of the 2004 Olympic Games.

Among others, the targets are the organizing of technically excellent Games, providing athletes and spectators with a unique Olympic experience, the promotion and implementation of the Olympic Truce and the highlighting and promotion of Greece's cultural and historical heritage.

Niotis also called on the Swedish deputies to meet in Athens in 2003 in a joint Parliamentary session on the values of the Olympic Games in the modern era and the visions of peace and cooperation.

[21] Anti-smoking campaign meets with mixed reception in Greece

Athens, 01/06/2002 (ANA)

Health Minister Alekos Papadopoulos on Thursday announced a ban on all cigarette advertising as of January 2003 and strict rules on smoking in public.

Addressing Parliament on Friday, Parliament Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis said the House gave its consent to the no-smoking campaign ''but without the extremes seen in other countries.''

He called for educational measures that would inform young people of the devastating consequences of smoking ''with the mutual respect of smokers and non-smokers,'' and said Greek society would not go to the lengths seen in the United States ''where smokers feel like the dregs of society.''

The health ministry's announcements have been strongly opposed by the local tobacco industry, meanwhile.

Agriculture Minister George Drys said on Friday that there was a big problem among tobacco farmers.

''I am basically in favor of Greek tobacco growers but I cannot ignore the health considerations cited by supporters of the anti-smoking campaign,'' he told reporters.

After meeting the health minister, Drys said they had decided to follow the European Union's directives on this issue and simultaneously adopt measures to support the income of tobacco farmers.

Local cigarette manufacturers and kiosk owner unions were equally vehemently opposed to the reforms during a meeting with the minister on Thursday.

Local brands warned that their recent recovery might have the wind taken out of its sails by the measures, with more of their market share taken by foreign brands, without a significant impact on smoking levels.

As of October, restaurants and coffee shops must provide at least half their space to non-smokers. Smoking will also be banned on public transport and taxis and public buildings. Bars open late at night and traditional coffee houses will be exempt from the rules.

INKA to organize European anti-smoking campaign in Greece: The consumer group INKA will be in charge of events in Greece for a European campaign for the prevention of smoking among young people, beginning on World No-Smoking Day on Friday.

The group noted that alcohol consumption and smoking levels among Greek youths were the highest in Europe, as were levels for the ''overuse'' of tobacco that is considered a significant cause of disease and premature death.

The campaign will include programs on radio and television, TV messages, competitions among young people, the circulation of printed matter and other events.

Among these will be a football match pitting 'smokers' against 'non-smokers' that will take place at Athens College on Friday evening, with a number of celebrities taking part.

Finally, the group revealed the results of a survey showing that a large amount of pocket money was a key factor in the consumption of cigarettes, alcohol and a bad dietary pattern among children.

Cigarettes and alcohol began to be consumed by children between the ages of seven and nine, increased among children aged 10-12 and peaked at the ages of 13-15 and 16-18.

Up to the age of 12, children devoted 11 per cent of their pocket money to buying cigarettes and alcohol, up to 32 per cent between the ages of 13-15 and 47 per cent from the ages of 16-18.

[22] Environment ministry figures point to cleanest beaches around Greece

Athens, 01/06/2002 (ANA)

Friday’s results follow a mid-May survey by the independent non-profit organization Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), which bestowed 354 of its coveted “Blue Flags” to 354 Greek beaches and seven marinas for 2002.

The ministry’s leadership said slightly more than 23,000 water samples were taken from 1,891 beaches – four at fresh-water sites -- in 40 prefectures around Greece.

Specifically, out of the 1,887 coastal sites checked, 1,875 were judged as clean and safe for swimmers, having met both Greek and EU-wide standards.

In the 12 beaches deemed unsuitable for swimmers, five are sites with recurring problems over the years, whereas the other seven have recorded occasional pollution.

In presenting the figures, Public Works and Environment Minister Vasso Papandreou said more tests would be conducted on those seven beaches in order to gain more accurate readings before the height of the summer season.

Amongst the 1,891 sites inspected, “red flag” spots include the INOA region near the northern Peloponnese town of Aigio, due to detected sewage runoff in the waters; off the Elefsina township, west of Athens, one of Greece’s most industrialized areas, and at the Voula resort, southeast of the Greek capital’s center, due to the outfall of rain waters.

“Orange Flags” have been temporarily given to the Alikanas site on the Ionian island of Zakynthos; at the Mon Repo beach on Corfu; two sites in Ileia prefecture of western Greece, Epitalio and Palaiohori, and at two beaches in eastern Attica, both in the Loutsa area.

The cost of the water-sampling program in 2001 reached the 440,000-euro mark, officials said.

FEE’s 2002 figure includes three more “Blue Flags” given to Greek beaches from last year, with Crete (76) again earning top honors among Greece's numerous tourist attractions.

Eight beaches in the greater Athens area – Vouliagmeni, Asteras, Alimos, the Mavro Lithari site at Anavissos, Edem beach, Varkiza, the Brexiza beach at Nea Makri and both beaches at Lagonissi – also earned “Blue Flags”.

The ‘Blue Flag’ is an exclusive ‘eco-label’ awarded to more than 2,800 beaches and marinas in 23 countries across Europe and South Africa for the coming year.

[23] Greek police stop revealing names of suspects due to privacy law case

Athens, 01/06/2002 (ANA)

The decision began to be implemented on Thursday with the arrest of three more suspects in the Zonas kidnapping, where the press release issued by the police did not mention their names.

It will also apply to all other cases and extends to the publication of photographs of suspects or arrested parties.

In response to questions, Attica police chief George Aggelakos said the public prosecutor's department had effectively imposed a gag on the release of suspects' names after officers in the homicide department were sued by Christoforos Lasithiotakis and Iranian national Albert Norusnia, the first two people arrested in connection with the kidnapping of businessman Yiannis Zonas.

The public prosecutor's office had followed up the suit and pressed charges against the two officers, who will now stand trial for violating personal data protection laws.

There is no similar precedent in Greece and it will have an immediate impact on the media and journalists. The Athens journalists' union ESHEA has been informed and the ESHEA board will meet on Monday to discuss the issue.

Journalists believe the decision will seriously impair their ability to inform the public of things they have a legitimate right to know, such as the identities of serious criminals, so that they can take steps for their own protection.

They intend to lodge protests over the decision with the Supreme Court prosecutor, the justice minister, the public order minister and the government.

[24] One-day conference on Diavates, Thessaloniki prison conditions

Athens, 01/06/2002 (ANA)

According to data announced during the conference, some 600 individuals were imprisoned in the specific facility, which has a capacity of less than 300 individuals, a situation resulted in poor conditions.

The captain of the prison's guard Ilias Christopoulos stressed that the employees of the prison did not have the necessary training, adding ''everything depends on the conscience and good will of the employees''.

Psychologists that participated in the conference stressed that the overcrowding of the prison created a sense of chaos, which was the major cause of mental disorders there.

Whichever the problems, however, the Diavates prison was never the subject of a complaint to the Ombudsman.

[25] Illegal immigrants detained on Samos

Athens, 01/06/2002 (ANA)

Of the 28 men, 23 are Pakistanis and three are Iranians. They told local police that they had been ferried to the island from the Turkish coast on a speedboat with a Turkish crew. They are all young men up to 28 years of age.

No further details were immediately available.

[26] Clerides discusses security issue with Denktash

NICOSIA 01/06/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Clerides and Denktash met for two hours within the framework of the fourth round of UN-led Cyprus peace talks.

Present at the meeting was UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto and aides from both sides.

Security is one of the four core issues of the Cyprus problem as described by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan during his recent visit to Cyprus divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied this east Mediterranean island's northern third. The other three are governance, territory and properties.

President Clerides and Denktash started direct talks in mid January this year. But so far the talks yielded no results because of the intransigent policy followed by the Turkish Cypriot leader.

On Thursday in Ankara the powerful National Security Council announced after a five-hour session its full backing of Denktash's handling of the Cyprus problem.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Ismail Cem was due to arrive on Thursday afternoon in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus. During his illegal visit, which will last until Sunday, he will have talks Denktash.

[27] Clerides flies to Denmark for consultations with Rasmussen

NICOSIA 01/06/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Clerides will fly to Copenhagen on Sunday at the invitation of

Rasmussen, whose country will hold the rotating EU Presidency during the last six months of this year.

Government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou told CNA that the two sides ''will review their bilateral relations and Cyprus' accession course in the light of the crucial decision (enlargement) expected to be taken at the EU Summit in Copenhagen in December.''

On Monday morning, President Clerides will visit the Danish Parliament to brief the Parliamentary Foreign and European Affairs Committees on Cyprus' EU accession course and the Cyprus problem.

He will later have consultations with the Danish premier. Clerides and Rasmussen will give a joint press conference after their talks.

President Clerides will return home June 4.

Cyprus, which has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third, is expected to conclude its accession negotiations for EU membership by the end of this year.

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