Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-06-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Pres. Stephanopoulos voices concern over rise of ultra-Right in Europe

[02] Deputy FM: Greece will seek to enhance EU-Australia ties

[03] Trade ties dominate Simitis' last day in China

[04] Gov't spokesman comments on airspace violations by Turkey

[05] Defense minister attends NATO meeting; meets Armenian counterpart

[06] Karamanlis speaks at NYC's Onassis Center

[07] ND leader discusses education issues with Archbishop of America

[08] Gov't comments on case of police brutality against Albanian

[09] Minister blames delays in processing electoral rolls on local authorities

[10] U.S. State Department says initial agreement on Cyprus issue feasible in June

[11] Communist Party of Greece leader criticizes gov't, opposition parties

[12] Turkish vice-admiral to receive 'Special Ipekci Award'

[13] Event on 'Protection of Nat'l Minorities by their Kin-states' opens in Athens

[14] Christodoulakis supports use of ''golden share'' in privatized companies

[15] Consumer group criticizes Greek banks' aggressive sales policy

[16] Greece to benefit from funding rise in European transport network

[17] Thessaloniki Port Authority implementing major investment plan

[18] Greek weekly economic review

[19] National Bank unveils expansion plan for Yugoslavia

[20] Profit taking reverses two-day rally in ASE

[21] Second issue of ''ATHENS.04'' magazine now available

[22] Inter-Balkan conference on Balkan mass media in digital era

[23] Strong earthquake rocks Crete, no damage or injuries reported

[24] 'Stavros Niarchos' sailing ship arrives in Athens

[25] Clerides and Denktash continue discussion on security

[26] German official says Helsinki decision valid

[27] Bush nominates new US Ambassador to Cyprus

[01] Pres. Stephanopoulos voices concern over rise of ultra-Right in Europe

SYDNEY, 08/06/2002 (ANA - N. Megadoukas)

Stephanopoulos, in Sydney on the third and final stopover of his Australian visit, was warmly received by the parliament of New South Wales and, in a greeting, referred to the "worrying" phenomena of disdainment of politics and politicians on the part of the people in Europe, including Greece.

Stephanopoulos attributed these phenomena to the fact that ideologies have weakened, and to”uniformity" among the political parties that resulted from globalization, and said these were also responsible for the rise in the ultra-Right.

The rise in the ultra-Right's popularity further resulted from the fear and concern existing in the popular strata over the fact that foreign immigrants had not been absorbed and assimilated in the societies in which they lived, the Greek President continued.

He cited the examples of France, Denmark and The Netherlands, where a rise in the ultra-Right, a phenomenon "that is incompatible with the rules of democracy", has been recorded.

Stephanopoulos noted that democracy was functioning smoothly in Australia, but added that democratic ideals were not prevalent everywhere.

"Democracy is lacking from the perspective of geographical extent," Stephanopoulos said, stressing the need for constant efforts to improve the quality of democracy and reviewing the constitutional history of Greece since the restoration of democracy, with the focus on the constitutional revisions made in the country to render the constitution more modern and adapted to the needs of the times.

The Greek President further expressed appreciation for the Australian political world's backing of Athens' campaign for the return of the Parthenon Marbles from Britain.

"These Marbles, which were forcibly removed, constitute an indivisible part of the Parthenon," Stephanopoulos said, adding that Greece was not seeking the return of other monuments of its ancient heritage that were in other countries.

Stephanopoulos also expressed Greece's gratitude to Australia for embracing the Greek immigrants and giving them the opportunity and ability to flourish.

Earlier, during a service at the Evangelismos Church officiated by Archbishop Stylianos of Australia, the President spoke of the progress made in the Greek economy and Greece's leading role in the Balkans, but also the difficulties encountered in its efforts to keep up with the most developed European countries.

He called on the Greeks of Australia no to forget their roots and native language.

The President also met with New South Wales prime minister Marie Bashir, addressed the Greek-Australian business forum, and visited the University of Sydney.

He was due to attend later in the day an official banquet in his honor hosted by Bashir.

[02] Deputy FM: Greece will seek to enhance EU-Australia ties

MELBOURNE, 08/06/2002 (ANA - S. Hatzimanolis)

At the same time as the EU presidency, Greece would also undertake the diplomatic representation of Denmark in Australia, Magriotis added.

During the Greek EU presidency, Athens intended to organize a meeting of EU and Australian foreign ministers to discuss establishing closer EU-Australian relations, Magriotis announced. Bilateral issues between Greece and Australia, as well as initiatives to further improve economic and other relations would also be discussed in the framework of this meeting, he added.

He underlined the mutual benefits of such closer economic ties, saying that Greece could be Australia's gateway into Europe, while Australia could be a gateway for Greece to Southeast Asia.

Magriotis, who has the foreign ministry's expatriate affairs portfolio, then turned to relations between Greece and Australia's expatriate community.

He noted that Greece had made significant efforts to reach out to the Diaspora in recent years, culminating in the creation of the World Council of Overseas Hellenes (SAE). While admitting that the SAE left much to be desired in certain parts of the world, including Australia, he stressed that this would improve after a series of structural and operational changes that had been begun.

Finally, he said he would work toward a reconciliation of expatriate communities that were divided due to religious differences.

[03] Trade ties dominate Simitis' last day in China

SHANGHAI, 08/06/2002 (ANA - V. Mourtis)

The Greek premier participated and briefly addressed a joint Greek-Chinese business in Shanghai before also touring a Greek-owned marble processing plant in the area.

Simitis reiterated that Athens' goal is to balance Greece-China trade, which at present swings distinctly in favor of the latter.

"Greece and China can take steps in the right direction in order to achieve economic prosperity, social cohesion and justice; and they have posted significant successes," he said, adding:

"Political and cultural will bring the two peoples closer together, and it is the duty of political and economic leaderships to unite their forces so we can make the world we live in better."

On his part, Deputy Foreign Minister in charge of overseas trade relations, Andreas Loverdos, said the excellent level of bilateral relations was confirmed during the Greek delegation's contacts in the major Far East country, while noting, that economic relations should keep pace with overall ties.

Simitis is expected to return to Athens in the early morning hours on Saturday.

PM says he'll meet with health minister on Mon.: Prime Minister Costas Simitis announced on Friday from Shanghai, where he concluded an official week-long visit to the People's Republic of China, that he will meet with Health Minister Alekos Papadopoulos at his office at noon Monday.

As previously reported, Papadopoulos unveiled his decision not to seek Parliament re-election in the next general election via a high-profile newspaper interview last weekend, a development that has fueled political speculation in the press and within the government since then.

In the published interview, the Thesprotia-area deputy and veteran PASOK cadre said his decision emanates from clearly personal reasons.

In Athens, meanwhile, the acting government spokesman told reporters that "no de facto decisions" have been taken prior to the meeting, an indirect reference to speculation that Simitis may request Papadopoulos' resignation.

[04] Gov't spokesman comments on airspace violations by Turkey

Athens, 08/06/2002 (ANA)

The violations took place on Wednesday above the island's civilian airport, endangering the flight safety of civilian aircraft.

Chytiris said an equivalent demarche had been lodged with the Turkish foreign ministry in Ankara on Thursday.

The deputy press minister also noted that the demarche had been strongly worded and stressed that interceptions by the Greek side were being carried out normally.

Chytiris is filling in for Press Minister Christos Protopapas while the latter accompanies Prime Minister Costas Simitis on a trip to China.

Asked to comment on the issue raised by Turkey regarding the naming of the Bosphorus Straits, Chytiris said that the specific region had historically been described by four or five different names.

"What matters is that there is no violation of the Montreux Treaty that refers to this issue, and this hasn't happened," the spokesman stressed.

"We should not allow ourselves to get carried away over statements made by the Turkish side for domestic reasons," Chytiris added, while reiterating that there was no question of revising the Montreux Treaty.

[05] Defense minister attends NATO meeting; meets Armenian counterpart

BRUSSELS, 08/06/2002 (ANA - B. Demiris)

The Greek minister was speaking after a NATO defense ministers meeting that decided to upgrade NATO-Ukraine relations by promoting greater military cooperation.

Papantoniou said the NATO member-states had agreed to play a more active role in restructuring the Ukrainian armed forces, providing know-how and training Ukrainian officers.

Commenting on the recently-signed accord between NATO and Russia and Thursday's historic first session in which Russia participated on the NATO Council on an equal basis with NATO member-states for the first time, Papantoniou said that Greece was among the countries that had always been in favor of Russia's effective membership of NATO, while noting that dividing lines created tensions that undermined European safety.

He added that Greece supported the NATO entry of all states in the Balkans and in central and Eastern Europe, so as to create a single defense area without dividing lines and gaps.

On the sidelines of the Council, Papantoniou met his Armenian counterpart Serzhik Sarkisyan, with whom he discussed further boosting ties between Greece and Armenia in the defense sector.

The Greek minister said that defense cooperation between Greece and Armenia was very highly developed - much more than with any other Black Sea country - due to the strong ties of friendship between the Greek and Armenian peoples and their common historical roots.

Asked to comment on an issue whipped up by Turkey regarding the renaming of the Bosphorus Straits, Papantoniou denied that this was being discussed within NATO's military arm, which was monitored by his ministry.

''There is no such issue and all aspects of this are being dealt with by the foreign ministry,'' he said.

[06] Karamanlis speaks at NYC's Onassis Center

NEW YORK, 08/06/2002 (ANA)

"Today, Greece is turning a new page. It remains inspired by the old, but for the first time, it is envisioning the future even more ... New people, in varying sectors, are seeking out new truths ... They are building new horizons, renewing their faith in everything that is Greek, towards Greece itself, in fact," he told a large gathering of expatriate Greeks in the heart of Manhattan, before promising that the Greece they "left behind" will be a far cry from the Greece in the near future.

Karamanlis also praised the center's efforts at disseminating Greek culture and civilization in the United States.

[07] ND leader discusses education issues with Archbishop of America

NEW YORK, 08/06/2002 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

Karamanlis said he had the opportunity of ascertaining once again the very important role the Archdiocese is playing in Greek Orthodox Church affairs and the linking role it is playing between Hellenism and the United States.

''The most interesting issue we discussed today was the prospects of education, the educational issues to which the Greek state should offer greater support and play an even more intense role. We, on our part, have also undertaken to exert pressure in this direction,'' he said.

Archbishop Demetrios said, among others, that ''we had a very interesting discussion. Great interest was expressed on the part of Mr. President on the Church and the expatriates of America and, indeed, with the disposition of being briefed and helping, as much as possible, on his part as well.''

Karamanlis and the delegation accompanying him then visited Ground Zero. It is the place where the Church of Saint Nicholas used to be and where the archbishop held a commemorative service for the victims of the September 11 terrorist attack.

The event was also attended by New York Governor George Pataki who greeted both the archbishop and Karamanlis and embraced the expatriate relatives of victims.

Pataki stressed the importance of rebuilding the Church of Saint Nicholas in the framework of the colossal task of rebuilding the area of the World Trade Center, which has already begun.

Speaking at the location where a monument will be created for the victims of the September 11 terrorist attack, Karamanlis spoke of ''the heinous and hideous crime of the terrorist attack with thousands of human victims, including many of Greek origin.''

''Terrorism has no justification and no pretext and image. Neither religious, nor ideological nor political,'' Karamanlis said, adding that ''we are not forgetting the duty, the duty of all of us, the struggle we must do to have the phenomenon of terrorism eliminated and to have it dealt a decisive and effective blow.''

Karamanlis went on to say that Greece in particular has been harmed by terrorism and should always be in the front line in this struggle.

According to reports, Karamanlis will be having a meeting with UN secretary general Kofi Annan on his return from Washington and before leaving for Athens on June 12.

[08] Gov't comments on case of police brutality against Albanian

Athens, 08/06/2002 (ANA)

The incident was recorded on video that was run by the evening news programs on all television channels. The video showed police officers striking a man with his hands bound behind his back and blood on his face, while another shot showed them force him into the boot and shut him in it.

Chytiris said the blood on the Albanian man's face was caused during a fight he had with his compatriots that the police had been called in to break up.

The specific officers had since been placed on suspension and an inquiry into the incident had been launched, he added.

[09] Minister blames delays in processing electoral rolls on local authorities

Athens, 08/06/2002 (ANA)

He said he would be sending a sternly worded memorandum to all prefectures, asking them to notify the interior ministry of any decisions to remove the Greek nationality from those who were found to have acquired it illegally.

The ministry had already been notified of a large number of such cases, he added. The next step was to notify the Elections Directorate so that they could be removed from the electoral rolls and then the municipality in which they were registered, so that they could be removed from the municipal registers.

Regarding voters that were registered twice or more times in the rolls, Papadimas said that 380,000 such cases had come to light during the transfer of municipal records and predicted that this number would be minimal by the end of July.

He also pointed out that any that remained would be known to the ministry, the parties and court representatives.

[10] U.S. State Department says initial agreement on Cyprus issue feasible in June

WASHINGTON, 08/06/2002 (ANA - T. Ellis)

This assessment, which was also recently voiced to the ANA by State Department special coordinator for the Cyprus issue Thomas Weston, was reiterated on Thursday by State Department spokesman Richard Boucher.

"I think rather than comment on each particular day's discussions, I want to say that we do believe there is a real opportunity here to resolve this long-standing conflict to the benefit of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots. We also agree with Secretary-General Annan's statement during his visit to Cyprus that the two leaders between now and the end of June can resolve all the core issues provided they go about their task decisively and with the necessary political will.

We stand ready to continue our assistance to the U.N. secretary-general and his special advisor in this effort to reach a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue," Boucher said.

[11] Communist Party of Greece leader criticizes gov't, opposition parties

Athens, 08/06/2002 (ANA)

Speaking about the government, she said that ''when it speaks and acts for the benefit of the economy, it means that the super-profits of the rich and powerful have to be increased''.

Papariga accused main opposition New Democracy for ''conducting opposition in a very demagogical way,'' adding that ND ''conducts opposition to the government on the social security issue, while it does not disagree with increases in the age limits for pensioning, nor the making of pensions flexible or that the public health system has to become a subsystem to the private health system''.

Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) was also criticized by Papariga for using what she called ''blank ammunition against the government''.

[12] Turkish vice-admiral to receive 'Special Ipekci Award'

Athens, 08/06/2002 (ANA)

The prize will be given by a three-member Ipekci Peace and Friendship Awards Athens branch delegation, during an annual arts festival being held on June 7-20 in the Turkish town of Kara Deniz Eregli dedicated to Greek-Turkish cooperation and friendship.

The delegation departed on Friday and will comprise veteran left-wing politician Leonidas Kyrkos, Andreas Politakis and V. Zahariadis.

This is the ninth consecutive year that Greek politicians have attended the Eregli festival.

Eregli has been twinned with the municipality of the island of Hydra, while the mayors of both had been awarded the Abdi Ipekci Communication Award.

The awards were created by a Greek initiative following the assassination of the Turkish pacifist journalist Abdi Ipekci, director of the Turkish newspaper "Milliyet" in February, 1979.

[13] Event on 'Protection of Nat'l Minorities by their Kin-states' opens in Athens

Athens, 08/06/2002 (ANA)

The two-day series of discussions are being held at the Greek Ombudsman offices in downtown Athens, with the Athens-based Minority Groups Research Center (KEMO) and the Venice Commission co-organizing the event.

Elsa Stamatopoulou, a deputy director in the office of the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights in New York, as well as George Kaminis, the deputy Ombudsman for human rights in Greece, opened the Friday morning session, with the former outlining what she said were the international obligations "Kin States" have vis-a-vis national minorities' human rights.

Stamatopoulou also referred to several "premises" that should be met with respect to a national minority group, including educational freedom, the right to participate in cultural events, as well as scientific and scholarly freedom, among others.

In his address on the issue of "Exchange of Populations to the Legal Protection of Minorities: A Paradigm of Perversion", University of Thrace Prof. Constantine Tsitselikis detailed the numerous exchanges of populations rampant in the Balkans and Asia Minor during the first quarter of the century, while drawing a parallel with the tragic situation during the '90s following the break-up of Yugoslavia.

Researcher Emma Lantschner, from the European Academy of Bolzano, covered the issue of "Bilateral Approach to the Protection of Kin-Minorities", citing several examples of bilateral and multilateral agreements in Europe.

The afternoon session's speakers covered specific examples detailing the "experience of South-Tyrol", "Hungarian legislation on Hungarians living in neighboring countries" as well as "Romanian legislation on kin-minorities".

Finally, Greek Ombudsman senior investigator Miltos Pavlou briefed participants on differing policies at the state level and varying views amongst Greek society vis-a-vis repatriated Greeks from the former Soviet Union countries, as opposed to ethnic Greeks migrating from neighboring Albania.

KEMO is a non-profit association formed in 1996 to study minority groups and languages and cultural diversity at the general theoretical level, as well as with regard to specific minority groups in Greece and elsewhere in the world.

The Venice Commission was established by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in March 1990.

[14] Christodoulakis supports use of ''golden share'' in privatized companies

Athens, 08/06/2002 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, after a meeting with Deutsche Bank's governor, Josef Ackermann, Mr. Christodoulakis said the ''golden share'' was a tool to support privatized state enterprises' activities.

He was commenting to objections made to the use of the ''golden share'' rule by European Union institutional agencies.

Christodoulakis discussed with Deutsche Bank's governor ways to attract German capital into Greece, mainly in the sectors of tourism and energy, developments in the international economic environment and Greek economic prospects.

Mr. Ackermann congratulated Mr. Christodoulakis for the economic policy followed by the government and for the country's high growth rates.

Christodoulakis told reporters that ''a declining trend in the inflation rate is continuing.''

[15] Consumer group criticizes Greek banks' aggressive sales policy

Athens, 08/06/2002 (ANA)

INKA said that consumer complaints over banking services in the country have increased dramatically in the last few months.

The consumer group said that complaints over banking services ranked first in the table of consumer complaints in Greece, so far this year.

INKA said that official figures showing that household debt totalled 8.5 trillion drachmas, and continued rising, was evidence of lack of adequate consumer protection measures in the country.

The consumer group accused Greek banks of oversupplying the domestic market with credit cards and said that Greek consumers have adopted a living standard that exceeded their financial capabilities, resulting to an overdebted situation.

INKA said it was unfortunate that both the Bank of Greece and the development ministry were unable to put limits to commercial banks' aggressive sales policy.

[16] Greece to benefit from funding rise in European transport network

LUXEMBOURG, 08/06/2002 (ANA - Y. Zitouniati)

The decision was taken at a meeting of EU energy ministers, in which Tsohatzopoulos took part.

Under the terms of the decision, funding for engineering studies is to rise by 10-20 percent and for construction by 30-50 percent, he told reporters after the meeting.

The ministers also approved creation of a natural gas link between Greece and Austria, a decision that has to be endorsed by the European Parliament, and then by a EU summit meeting.

[17] Thessaloniki Port Authority implementing major investment plan

Athens, 08/06/2002 (ANA)

Of the total, 3.8 billion drachmas are to be spent on buying new equipment, the officials told the presentation in Piraeus as part of the Poseidonia 2002 shipping trade fair.

They forecast that cargo transit through the port in 2002 would rise by 4.0 percent against the previous year, with containers up by 1.3 percent.

[18] Greek weekly economic review

Athens, 08/06/2002 (ANA)

President Costis Stephanopoulos met with Australian Prime Minister John Howard and discussed, among other issues, the participation of Australian businesses in the Athens 2004 Olympic Games' projects.

In China, visiting Prime Minister Costas Simitis addressing an economic forum in Beijing stressed that the next two Olympic Games, in Athens and Beijing, in 2004 and 2008 respectively, were paving the way for cooperation between the two countries.

Meanwhile, in the domestic news front, the government on Tuesday submitted to parliament its draft legislation for the reform of the country's social security system. Labor and Social Security Minister Dimitris Reppas said the draft bill would lead to a financially viable and socially adequate system.

The government will unveil its tax reform plans by the end of June, Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis said during the week.

Government authorities approved private investments totalling 745.375 million euros in the country's energy sector, in the framework of the Third Community Support Framework program, accounting for 26 percent of total energy budget.

Hellenic Tourist Real Estate (ETA) will formally submit its application for listing on the Athens Stock Exchange with an initial public offering expected to be completed by September.

Hellenic Telecommunications Organization reiterated its decision to increase its equity stake in Romtelecom, while it will also seek to develop a mobile telephony network in Serbia, OTE's managing director Lefteris Antonakopoulos said. He noted, however, that OTE's investments abroad - totalling around 1.5 billion US dollars - have not yielded the expected returns.

National Bank will pursue its goal to become a large Greek bank competitive in a European and international level, despite its failed merger plan with Alpha Bank, its governor Theodore Karatzas said in a television interview in the week.

The Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" reported a loss 9.64 million euros in 2001, its first year of operation, although the company reported operating profits of 7.74 million euros.

Car sales dropped 20 percent in May to 23,403 vehicles, from 29,365 in April. Hyundai, Opel, Fiat, Toyota and Peugeot topped the first five positions in the Greek market.

[19] National Bank unveils expansion plan for Yugoslavia

Athens, 08/06/2002 (ANA)

The Greek bank already operates a branch in Belgrade since the beginning of the year and its strategy planning envisages a network of at least 15 units in the country, offering - gradually - a wide range of financial product and services in the local market.

Theodore Karatzas, the bank's governor, stressed that National Bank has long-term plans for its investment in the country as part of a strategic plan to become a regional force in the Southeast European market, along with a strong presence in the world's biggest financial centers.

Karatzas said the bank hoped it could achieve a goal of raising the contribution of its international activities to 20 percent of the group's profitability.

[20] Profit taking reverses two-day rally in ASE

Athens, 08/06/2002 (ANA)

Traders said, however, that Greek investors remained generally calm.

The general index fell 1.02 percent to end at 2,295.93 points, with turnover a low 77.6 million euros.

The Retail sector was the only one to score gains (0.13 percent), while the Holding, Textile and Publication sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (2.43 percent, 2.23 percent and 1.59 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 1.07 percent lower, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index fell 0.72 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index eased 1.40 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 268 to 55 with another 31 issues unchanged.

The general index ended the week 0.07 percent lower.

The most heavily traded shares in value were Hygeia, Coca Cola HBC, Alpha Bank, and Hellenic Telecoms.

Equity index futures at discount: Equity index futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Friday ended lower in light to moderate trade, tracking the main market.

Turnover was 65.6 million euros.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips shed 1.06 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks lost 0.72 percent.

Bond prices nose up in brisk trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Friday finished slightly higher in active trade focusing on five-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.43 percent, and the spread over the corresponding German bund was 29 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 2.2 billion euros.

Buy orders accounted for just over half of trade.

[21] Second issue of ''ATHENS.04'' magazine now available

Athens, 08/06/2002 (ANA)

In its new issue, the magazine, which is published in Greek, English and French, has articles by main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Costas Karamanlis and Education Minister Petros Efthymiou, as well as an interview with International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordinating Committee President Denis Oswald.

The purpose of the magazine is to present the progress being made in preparation for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and to project to the world the picture of modern Greece.

The Athens News Agency will carry the major points of the articles by Karamanlis and Efthymiou and the interview with Oswald on Sunday.

[22] Inter-Balkan conference on Balkan mass media in digital era

Athens, 08/06/2002 (ANA)

Voulelis was speaking at the 7th Inter-Balkan Journalism Conference taking place in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, on Friday and Saturday on ''The Balkan mass media in the digital era. The challenge of the Olympic Games.'' The conference is organized by the Macedonian News Agency in cooperation with the ''Athens 2004'' Organizing Committee.

He said the ANA will be in a position to meet the increased requirements of the new digital era with its further technological upgrading which will turn it into an integrated and modern agency.

''Preparation is necessary for us to be able to succeed, while the creation of an integrated and modern Greek News Agency is a target since the unification of forces will produce multiple results,'' he said.

Voulelis said that over the past 20 years the world produced more information than over the past 5,000 years. However, the world remains deeply divided and has enlarged inequalities with hundreds of millions of people being distant from any information and knowledge and, therefore, lacking the possibility of influencing decisions concerning their lives even slightly.

On the question of the Olympic Games, Voulelis said they are a great event and throughout their duration not only will digital systems be put to the test but the abilities of journalists to meet the resulting needs as well.

He further said it is also important to give a substantive meaning to the Olympic Ideal and not let it remain commercialized.

Addresses were also made by the Albanian News Agency's general director Frok Cupi, the Turkish Anadolu news agency's alternate general director Ismael Bezgin, the general director of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's (FYROM) news agency ''MIA'' Zivko Georgievski and the general director of the news agency ''Rompres'' Joan Mihai Roska.

The conference was inaugurated by Minister of Macedonia and Thrace George Paschalidis who stressed that the challenge posed by the 2004 Olympic Games can constitute an opportunity for the entire Balkan peninsula on condition that the Olympic Games will observe measures.

Referring to the mass media, Paschalidis spoke of ''the image of the other'' which is usually presented in a negative way by the press due to ignorance and due to the lack of communication between journalists from different countries, religions and cultures.

Macedonian News Agency President Paraskevas Paraskevopoulos said in his address that after the revolution brought about by new technologies in life, the printed and electronic press, a section of citizens doubts and faces the mass media with skepticism, adding that questions have been created for public opinion such as ''is the press a guard of public interest?''

The Macedonian News Agency's general director Spyros Kouzinopoulos said the targets of the event include the utilization of the technological explosion for peace and cooperation in the Balkans, as well as the utilization of the opportunity provided by the 2004 Olympic Games, to enable it to become an affair of not only Greece but of all the neighboring countries as well.

[23] Strong earthquake rocks Crete, no damage or injuries reported

Athens, 08/06/2002 (ANA)

The quake, which was felt throughout northern Crete, was recorded at 1:36 a.m. at a distance of 350 kilometers southeast of Athens with its epicenter in the sea north of Lassithi, according to the Athens Observatory's Geodynamic Institute.

According to seismologists, the quake had an intermediate epicentral depth of approximately 100 kilometers. They explained that quakes emanating from such a depth were usually isolated, with no aftershocks.

Local residents returned to their normal activities Friday morning after no post-quake activity developed. The tremor initially caused a minor panic and residents took to the streets in fear that another shock would follow

The trembler was felt in Iraklion, Aghios Nikolaos, Lassithi, and on the northeastern shores of Crete.

Seismologists said Friday's earthquake, which was not followed by after-shocks, was of a small duration and was not related to a strong 5.8 Richter quake that struck on May 21 in the sea region between Crete and the island of Milos, again from an intermediate epicentral depth.

The Aristotelion University's Geophysics Lab in Thessaloniki also put the quake's magnitude at 5.4 Richter, with its epicenter at a distance of 630 kilometers southeast of Thessaloniki.

Aristotelion University seismology professor Manolis Skordilis told ANA that although region was currently in a seismic lull, the southeastern section of what is known as the Greek Arc, where both the Crete quakes emanated from, presented some minor activity.

The same section also produced a 6.3 Richter trembler near Karpathos on January 22, while in the past it has produced very strong quakes of 8.2 Richter in 1856 and 7.5 Richter in 1877, emanating from intermediate epicentral depths.

[24] 'Stavros Niarchos' sailing ship arrives in Athens

Athens, 08/06/2002 (ANA)

On board the vessel were 48 young people from various countries, including nine Greeks, who had departed from Malta on a voyage designed to teach them the secrets of seamanship.

The ship has been donated for such training voyages by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, named after the famous Greek shipping magnate who rivaled Aristotle Onassis, to the non-profit organization STA.

Each trip lasts 10-15 days and the young people are under the supervision of an experienced 66-member crew.

[25] Clerides and Denktash continue discussion on security

NICOSIA, 08/06/2002 (CNA/ANA)

CNA has learned that the two leaders have not yet concluded discussions on security, which 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. The other three are governance, territory and properties. President Clerides was accompanied by Attorney General Alecos Markides, Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou and Under-secretary to the President Pantelis Kouros.

The leaders of the two communities in Cyprus launched direct talks in mid-January this year, with a view to negotiate until a comprehensive settlement is achieved.

[26] German official says Helsinki decision valid

NICOSIA, 08/06/2002 (CNA/ANA)

At a gathering on Cyprus, organized on Thursday by the Office of the European Commission's delegation in Berlin, Cyprus' Chief Negotiator with the EU George Vassiliou spoke about the island's EU accession course and the Cyprus problem.

Vassiliou is currently in the German capital holding a series of separate meetings with German officials.

Bunz also reminded that the European Commission is offering an amount of more than 200 million euros for the development of the Turkish occupied areas in case the Cyprus question is solved.

In his speech, Vassiliou said Cyprus expects that the European Commission will recommend Cyprus' accession in its October report to the European Council and that in December the European Council meeting in Copenhagen will reach its final decision.

As regards the direct talks held between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, aimed at reaching a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus question, Vassiliou said they have not shown any positive signs so far because of Turkish intransigence.

He added that the Turkish side had not shown the political will to help solve the Cyprus issue and mentioned several examples of Turkish intransigence. Vassiliou met in Berlin with the President of the Germany-Cyprus Friendship Group, Renate Rennebach, Vice President of the Bundestag, Petra Blaess, and Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Affairs Hans-Ulrich Klose.

He also met with Vice Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for European Affairs Guenther Gloser as well as with the President of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) Wolfgang Gerhardt.

Cyprus opened accession negotiations in April 1998 and has so far provisionally closed 27 out of 30 negotiating chapters.

[27] Bush nominates new US Ambassador to Cyprus

NEW YORK, 08/06/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Bush's nominees to head US embassies in Cyprus, Honduras, Guatemala and Iceland were announced by the White House on Wednesday. They must be confirmed by the US Senate.

All nominees are veteran diplomats of the US senior foreign service.

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