Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-12-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU leaders agree on Turkey's European prospect

[02] PM Karamanlis cites support for Turkey's EU accession 'if and when it meets criteria'

[03] PM Karamanlis discusses EU's fiscal prospects with Barroso

[04] EPP calls on Turkey to normalize relations with Cyprus

[05] PASOK leader says Greek-Turkish relations will be influenced by the EU Summit decision

[06] Gov't dismisses rumors of 'mini-summit' on Cyprus issue under Annan

[07] Government, main opposition PASOK, express satisfaction over bloodless conclusion of bus hijacking

[08] Albanian foreign ministry expresses regret over bus hijacking

[09] New Coalition party leader meets President of the Republic

[10] Communist Party leader comments on trip to Turkey, Turkish communist party

[11] Athens' ambassador hosts dinner for new US envoy to Greece

[12] Turkish warplanes violate national air space

[13] Parliament president receives presidium of Pan-Macedonian Organization of America

[14] No new economic measures, finmin says

[15] Fitch downgrades Greece's currency ratings

[16] Gov't releases insider trading, share manipulation bill

[17] Industry backs Turkey's shift towards Europe

[18] Thessaloniki loses bid to host Expo 2008

[19] EU awards Tram-Trade Management training program

[20] Stocks rise to hit new record high

[21] Exhibition on Constitution of modern Greece organized by Parliament

[22] Justice minister addresses seminar on education, vocational training in prisons

[23] Turkish-flagged vessel issues distress call off Astypalaia

[24] Police on trail of drug trafficking ring after arrest of woman in Kastoria

[01] EU leaders agree on Turkey's European prospect

BRUSSELS 17/12/2004 (ANA/Ch.Poulidou)

The same sources avoided to refer to the concrete arrangements, saying however that the Ankara protocol, providing for the extension by Turkey of the EU customs union with the ten new union members, including Cyprus, should be signed before October 3, 2005, when Turkey's accession talks are expected to begin. As regards the ''open'' character of Turkey's EU accession talks, the term stands as it has been proposed by the Commission. It is however complemented by the ''objective'' of the talks which is defined as full membership, irrespective of whether this objective is finally attained.

The Dutch EU presidency, on its part, announced that it was due to brief later in the night the Turkish prime minister on this.

[02] PM Karamanlis cites support for Turkey's EU accession 'if and when it meets criteria'

BRUSSELS 17/12/2004 (ANA)

Karamanlis made the statement following the conclusion of a European People's Party (EPP) meeting in the Belgian capital, and only hours before a crucial EU Summit is expected to consider Turkey's bid for a beginning of accession negotiations.

In echoing Greek leadership's standing policy vis-a-vis neighboring Turkey, Karamanlis said Turkey's European orientation was as a lever for guaranteeing stability, security and cooperation in bilateral relations.

"Turkey's European prospect will be long and difficult; a conclusion of this endeavor depends entirely on Turkey itself ... namely, on how long it will take to fully adapt to the European acquis communautaire, international law, and of course, from its overall behavior," he told reporters.

The Greek premier added that Thursday evening's European Council meeting will aim to given a clear-cut message to Turkey that it must fulfill all the conditions and respect the principles and values of the EU in order to become a member.

In indirectly outlining a future "roadmap" for Turkey's EU accession negotiations, Karamanlis said the Union will strictly monitor Turkey's course, adding that "in any case, if Turkey reaches the end then we must be fair".

In a related development, Karamanlis said the prospect of Bulgaria's and Romania's accession in 2007 was also discussed by the EPP leaders, along with the start of negotiations with Croatia and Turkey.

"We want to transform our region, our neighborhood, from Europe's one-time 'powder keg' into a European neighborhood of security and cooperation," he concluded.

Karamanlis meets with Erdogan and Papadopoulos on Thursday: Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis asked that Turkey recognize the Republic of Cyprus beginning with the signing of the Ankara Protocol, during the meeting he had with Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday, sources said.

Erdogan insisted that Turkey cannot proceed with such an action.

Karamanlis responded that Greece cannot accept that the protocol not be extended, since it is not possible for a country wishing to join the EU not to recognize an existing EU member state.

The Greek premier did not make any statements after his meeting with Erdogan, but on the sidelines of the European People's Party (EPP) Summit in Meise, he met privately with Dutch Prime Minister and current EU President Jan Peter Balkenende and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

According to sources, the great majority of member states support the need for the protocol to be extended.

The EPP, in a resolution it issued on Thursday, emphasized that it is considered a given that Turkey will have a certain level of relations with all member-states, that it expects Turkey to sign the Ankara Protocol and to take into consideration that 10 new member states joining the EU. It is also emphasized in the resolution that it goes without saying that Turkey will normalize its relations with Cyprus.

The EPP also mentions in the resolution the need for pending issues and differences with neighboring countries will have to be resolved immediately, based on a spirit of good neighborliness and peaceful resolution.

Earlier on Thursday, Karamanlis also met with Tassos Papadopoulos, President of the Republic of Cyprus. After the meeting, Papadopoulos said that he is "neither optimistic nor pessimistic" with regard to the outcome of the European Summit in Brussels, which opened on Thursday evening. Asked whether he is planning to veto Turkey's EU bid, Papadopoulos replied: "Are you expecting me to tell you from now?"

As for Turkey's immovable stance regarding the recognition of Cyprus, Papadopoulos said that it was to be expected. "It is always like that prior to talks. It is a marathon of statements," he said.

[03] PM Karamanlis discusses EU's fiscal prospects with Barroso

BRUSSELS 17/12/2004 (ANA/Ch. Poulidou)

According to existing reports, in light of the discussion which will start systematically during 2005 in order for there to be a decision at the EU Summit in June, Karamanlis noted to his interlocutor Greece's view that the increase of the EU member-states cannot be at the expense of the available funds and that there should be a logical adjustment of cuts, so that the non-selected regions not to bear an abrupt reduction of funds.

According to the same reports, the Greek prime minister stressed to Barroso his support to the policy of cohesion - an issue on which the Portuguese President of the Commission intends to insist on - and finally he briefed him on Athens' positions with regard Greek-Turkish issues.

[04] EPP calls on Turkey to normalize relations with Cyprus

BRUSSELS 17/12/2004 (ANA/V. Demiris/CNA)

The position is included in a declaration issued at the end of the EPP summit in Brussels on Thursday that took place prior to the start of the European Council on Thursday evening.

Democratic Rally leader Nicos Anastassiades participated in the meeting.

The EPP declaration said it "takes it as a matter of course that a candidate country maintains a standard of relations with all member states which do not harm this process."

"It is therefore expected that Turkey will sign the protocol regarding the adaptation of the Ankara Agreement, taking account of the accession of the ten member states that joined the Union on 1 May 2004," it added.

At the same time "it is presumed that Turkey will normalize its relations with Cyprus," noting that "other open questions and conflicts in Turkey's neighborhood relations, particularly if they could have negative repercussions on negotiations, should be resolved as quickly as possible in the spirit of good neighborliness and in accordance with the principles of the peaceful settlement of disputes."

A statement issued by the Democratic Rally said Anastassiades made a "decisive intervention" during Thursday's meeting, in support of Cyprus' positions. It further said that Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos expressed satisfaction over the EPP declaration with regard to the stand it had adopted on Turkey.

DISY said the response to Anastassiades' intervention was very positive and his views were to a large extent incorporated in the document-framework of EPP on Turkey and is deemed particularly satisfactory.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Anastassiades met EPP Chairman Wilfred Martens, Austria's Chancellor Wolfgang Schussel, EU President Jan Peter Balkenende and other heads of governments and political parties.

Solana calls on Turkey to recognize Cyprus: European Union High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana called on Turkey Thursday to recognize the Republic of Cyprus, noting that otherwise it will be ''difficult'' for Ankara to become part of the European family.

''If you want to be part of a family, you have to recognize all the members of the family .... without that, it's difficult to be part of the family,'' he told reporters shortly before the start of the European Council which will decide whether, when and on what conditions Turkey will start accession negotiations.

Turkey must ''recognize those who are tall, those who are not so tall, those who are heavy, those who are light ... you have to recognize all of them, by their name, by their face and by what they are able to give to the family," Solana said.

''It has to recognize Cyprus,'' the EU High Representative added.

''When you want to be part of a family you have to recognize the existence of all the members of the family.''

''We ask Turkey to comply with the commitments of Copenhagen,'' he said.

Solana stressed that Ankara should be judged by the same criteria as other countries. ''It will be unfair to give (Ankara) less than what Copenhagen has given to others'' if it complies with the criteria, he concluded.

[05] PASOK leader says Greek-Turkish relations will be influenced by the EU Summit decision

BRUSSELS 17/12/2004 (ANA/V. Mourtis)

Papandreou termed as historic the decision of the EU Summit, not only for Greece, but also for Cyprus, Turkey and Europe.

As Papandreou stressed, this decision will be the basis for the moves of Turkey and Europe in the next years. According to which exactly the decision will be, Greece will be facilitated in the solution of the major problems or it will be in difficulty and have many obstacles, the PASOK leader added.

Papandreou said that he briefed the European Socialists both on the Greek positions as well as on the positions of the Republic of Cyprus, on which he was briefed by Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos during a telephone conversation they had on Tuesday.

The PASOK leader stressed that the text of the EU Summit should include the need for the normalization of Turkey-Cyprus relations.

The Socialist leaders, the PASOK leader added, have a clear position on Turkey's EU accession course to which they say yes, but they outline specific terms and prerequisites which concern the Cyprus issue, Greek-Turkish relations, human rights, the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul and other issues which do not only concern Greece and Cyprus but are European matters.

The position of the Socialists is that there should be recognition of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkey, the withdrawal of the occupation troops from the occupied north of the island and a solution of the Cyprus issue. This clear position, Papandreou noted, is the position which PASOK had stated for many months now and also constitutes the clear position of the European Socialists.

US believes Turkey has made process, but membership issue is up to EU to decide

The US believes that Turkey has gone a long way in meeting the requirements requested of it for EU membership, but it is up to the to decide, US state department spokesman Richard Boucher said Wednesday, replying to questions during a regular press briefing on the two-day EU summit that opens on Thursday in Brussels at which the 25 European Union leaders will decide on whether to grant Turkey a commencement date for accession negotiations.

"We believe that Turkey has gone a long way in meeting the requirements of membership and the requests that were asked of Turkey, and it will be for the Europeans to make that judgment themselves," Boucher said.

He noted that the US was "following events in regard to the European Union and Turkey very closely".

"This has been a matter of some interest to us," Boucher said, adding that secretary of state Colin Powell had spoken Wednesday morning with Turkish foreign minister Abdullah Gul "just to kind of check in and see where things are".

"I think foreign minister Gul is already in Brussels working with the European Union there. And we'll continue to keep in touch with Turkish leaders on this subject," Boucher said.

[06] Gov't dismisses rumors of 'mini-summit' on Cyprus issue under Annan

Athens, 17/12/2004 (ANA)

"There is nothing of this kind," Antonaros told reporters when asked about the rumored plan, attributed to a statement made by the Turkish industrialists association.

[07] Government, main opposition PASOK, express satisfaction over bloodless conclusion of bus hijacking

Athens, 17/12/2004 (ANA)

Prime minister Costas Karamanlis' and the government's particular satisfaction was expressed by alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros on Thursday during a regular press briefing.

Antonaros conveyed the government's congratulations to all those who contributed to the successful completion of the operation to end the hostage crisis, and particularly to the Greek Police, which he said had performed their duty in an exemplary fashion.

He also praised the majority of the Greek media for maintaining a "serious and responsible" stance on the incident, thus contributing to the peaceful resolution of the crisis.

PASOK press spokesman Nikos Athanassakis said that the feelings of satisfaction and relief over the auspicious end to the bus hijacking, with the release of all the hostages and surrender of the perpetrators, "are obvious", and praised "the correct operation and action of the police forces, of all those involved in the planning and execution of the operation -- from the political leadership to the men and women of the Greek police and other bodies that participated".

He said that the training and technical equipment that were a legacy of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games "led to the correct planning, and to a truly professional confrontation of a difficult situation".

Athanassakis further said that the "overall better confrontation of the issue by the mass media -- despite any exceptions -- must also be noted. This stance, just as the stance of all of us and our daily attitudes, are decisive for an open, democratic society, for overcoming stereotypes, phenomena of xenophobia and discrimination, which must not have a place in our society".

[08] Albanian foreign ministry expresses regret over bus hijacking

TIRANA 17/12/2004 (ANA/I.Patsos)

Albania's Democratic Party also expressed sadness over the hijacking. The party's International Affairs Secretary Besnik Mustafai asked Greek authorities to proceed with charging the two perpetrators but to avoid generalizing their actions with those of the rest of the Albanian population. Mustafai also expressed certainty that the good relations between Greece and Albania will not be affected as a result.

Bus hijackers appear before public prosecutor, to face criminal and misdemeanors charges: The two gunmen that hijacked a KTEL inter-city bus and took 26 people hostage appeared before a public prosecutor on Thursday, who pressed charges against them for abduction, attempted manslaughter, unprovoked bodily harm, physical damages, illegally use and possession of weapons. Two of the charges are criminal offences and the rest are misdemeanors.

The two hijackers took over the bus early on Wednesday morning and held the passengers almost the entire day, finally released the last of the hostages unharmed shortly after midnight on Thursday.

Authorities have identified them as Muratas Leonard and Dazi Resuzi, both Albanian nationals.

Appearing before the public prosecutor, the two men said they were sorry for what they had done and that they had carried out the hijacking in order to collect money and return to Albania.

The pair is currently working in Greece as house painters and sources said that both have criminal records in Greece.

They have now been taken before the 24th regular examining magistrate, where they are expected to ask for an extension to prepare their testimony.

[09] New Coalition party leader meets President of the Republic

Athens, 17/12/2004 (ANA)

Emerging from the meeting with Stephanopoulos, Alavanos said that he had outlined his party's positions on Turkey's accession to the European Union and the upcoming EU summit and stressed that Greece should not miss the chance to ensure the immediate recognition of the Cyprus Republic by Turkey, the withdrawal of occupation troops from the island and a timeframe for resolving outstanding problems between Greece and Turkey, if necessary by having recourse to the International Court of Justice at The Hague.

[10] Communist Party leader comments on trip to Turkey, Turkish communist party

Athens, 17/12/2004 (ANA)

She noted the European Union's silence on the illegal status of the Turkish communist party but said it had nevertheless succeeded in operating in conditions of 'de facto' legality.

Regarding Turkey's European prospects, Papariga reiterated her party's position against EU entry, saying that the issue was unrelated to the true interests of the Turkish and Kurdish working class.

[11] Athens' ambassador hosts dinner for new US envoy to Greece

WASHINGTON 17/12/2004 (ANA)

Following US Senate confirmation, Ries is expected to present his credential in Athens early next month.

Guests included Archbishop of America Demetrios, US Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D-Md.), US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Marc Grossman, US Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs Alan Larson, the State Department official responsible for the Cyprus issue, Laura Kennedy, the National Security Council (NSC) director for Europe, Daniel Fried, as well as Marcy Ries, Charles Ries' wife, who is also the US ambassador in Albania.

Both Charles Ries and Archbishop Demetrios warmly referred to standing Greek-American ties and bilateral relations.

[12] Turkish warplanes violate national air space

Athens, 17/12/2004 (ANA)

According to press reports, four formations of Turkish warplanes on Thursday entered the Aegean without submitting a flight plan and in eight cases violated the national air space in the region of the central and northern Aegean.

In all cases, the eight Turkish warplanes were recognized and intercepted by corresponding Greek jets while in two cases the process of interception developed in a mock dogfight.

It was reported that none of the Turkish aircraft were armed.

[13] Parliament president receives presidium of Pan-Macedonian Organization of America

Athens, 17/12/2004 (ANA)

[14] No new economic measures, finmin says

Athens, 17/12/2004 (ANA)

"There's no question of emergency measures. We are continuing our policy of mild adaptation, and we hope that with the 2005 budget we have sent to parliament that the public deficit will fall below 3.0%," Alogoskoufis told a parliamentary committee.

He said that he believed the European Union's executive Commission would not impose penalties on Greece at a meeting next Wednesday but would instead make recommendations that further measures were needed to lower the fiscal deficit.

"Even if Greece cannot lower the deficit below 3.0%, there is still leeway of one more year to accomplish this," the minister added.

[15] Fitch downgrades Greece's currency ratings

Athens, 17/12/2004 (ANA)

The Outlook was now Stable, and the short-term rating at 'F1' was affirmed, Fitch said in a report.

As a member of the eurozone, Greece has a country ceiling rating of 'AAA', and the downgrade follows a series of large upward revisions to the general government deficit and debt figures for 1997-2003, the report noted.

It is estimated that the ratios of public debt to GDP and to revenues will be 112% and 260% respectively this year, compared to the prior expectation of 100% and 230%. Consequently, the fiscal consolidation challenge facing Greece is greater than previously assessed, according to Fitch.

A strong and sustained fiscal adjustment is now required just to bring public debt below 100% by the end of the decade. This would have to be maintained over the long run if the fiscal impact of ageing is to be contained, even with further reforms to the pension system.

In the face of the immediate challenge to strengthen controls over public expenditure and bring the budget deficit down, the government has decided to delay further reform of the pension system necessary to place public finances on a sustainable path over the longer term, the report said.

"The revised figures reveal that there has been virtually no progress in fiscal consolidation since Greece joined the euro area, despite economic growth averaging 4% since 1999. Not only is the initial starting point much worse, but the need to bring the budget under control is delaying much needed reform of the pension system, already one of the most expensive in Europe," said Chris Pryce, Director in Fitch's Sovereign Group.

Fitch's assessment of the 2005 budget is that the 2.5 percent of GDP reduction in the deficit to 2.8% next year is achievable, given an almost 1.5 percent of GDP cut in investment expenditure (mostly due to the decline in Olympics-related spending). However, some overshoot is likely if the budget assumption of 3.9% economic growth next year is not realized. Nonetheless, even if the 2.8% deficit target is missed, Fitch does expect the 2005 budget to mark the first step in bringing public finances back under control.

This expectation, along with measures to improve the business environment, supports the Stable Outlook on Greece's sovereign rating, according to the report.

Revised figures published by Eurostat in September for 2000-03 and in November for 1997-99 indicate the general government fiscal deficit averaged 4.3% in the seven years to 2003 rather than 2.1% as previously indicated, mostly due to previous under-recording of military spending.

Fitch warned that where governments materially misreport public finances - a risk that is rising with the increasing resort to "one-off" measures by European governments to meet the Stability and Growth Pact's fiscal targets - sovereign ratings will be at risk to downgrades.

Greece's sovereign rating is underpinned by its relatively high income and diversified economy compared to other single 'A' category sovereigns, as well as membership of the euro area which shelters the economy from external shocks and allows for a gradual adjustment in public finances with little risk of a financial crisis, Fitch noted

Investment is also high and combined with the improving financial health and effectiveness of the banking sector suggests that the Greek economy's growth potential remains above the euro area average, with positive implications for public finances.

Nonetheless, there is greater uncertainty over the medium-term growth potential of the economy given that Greece's out-performance of the rest of the euro area in recent years has in part been driven by fiscal laxity. This reinforces the importance of further structural reforms to raise productivity and the employment rate, Fitch added.

Gov't attributes downgrade to previous government's management

The finance ministry said in a statement that the source of the downgrade was the management of state finances by the previous government, which lost national elections in March, 2004.

"As stated in Fitch's report, this is due to the state's high deficit and debt, which were created by previous governments in 1997-2003. It also underlines that the target of lowering the deficit to 2.8% of GDP in 2005 is feasible, and that the new budget will be the first step in getting the fiscal deficit under control," the statement said.

"Confidence in the government's economic policy is shown by the fact that rates on Greek state bonds did not rise after Fitch's announcement and have remained at low levels," the ministry added.

[16] Gov't releases insider trading, share manipulation bill

Athens, 17/12/2004 (ANA)

Given to the market for feedback, the bill incorporates European Union directives into Greek law, and for the first time defines share manipulation.

It also widens the definition of "privileged information" in order to aid the drive against exploitation of insider knowledge for financial gain.

The bill will be sent to parliament early in 2005 following consultations.

[17] Industry backs Turkey's shift towards Europe

Athens, 17/12/2004 (ANA)

Greek firms had made considerable investments in Turkey, and trade between the two countries had jumped year by year, although the trade balance was strongly in Turkey's favor, the head of the federation, Odysseas Kyriakopoulos, told a news conference.

"Turkey is a large market with a high rate of growth, and Greek firms should make use of the opportunities," Kyriakopoulos said.

"We must overcome the past and the way we grew up with the type of history book that said that we are always saints and the others are bad," he added.

[18] Thessaloniki loses bid to host Expo 2008

PARIS 17/12/2004 (ANA/S.Tzimas)

In the first round of voting held in the French capital, Thessaloniki gained 12 votes against 47 for Saragossa, Spain and 35 for Trieste, Italy.

Shortly after, the two winning cities were pitted in a second round of voting by the event's permanent organizer, the International Bureau of Exhibitions (BIE), with Saragossa named the winner gaining 57 votes versus 37 for Trieste.

[19] EU awards Tram-Trade Management training program

Athens, 17/12/2004 (ANA)

Out of 4,000 proposals for continuous training programs which were submitted to the EU, 32 were awarded. Training is to be conducted on a European level.

[20] Stocks rise to hit new record high

Athens, 17/12/2004 (ANA)

The Athens general share index closed at 2,720.86 points, posting a rise of 0.87%. Turnover was 169.7 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.97% up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 1.09% higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 0.33% up.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 141 to 140 with 73 remaining unchanged.

[21] Exhibition on Constitution of modern Greece organized by Parliament

Athens, 17/12/2004 (ANA)

It is entitled "30 years since the Constitution of 1975 - Greek Constitutions from Rigas to the present day" and will be inaugurated by President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos on December 21, with Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis attending.

The exhibition consists of 272 exhibits that include original copies of Greek Constitutions and other official documents, historical manuscripts and works of art.

According to Parliament President Anna Psarouda-Benaki, the exhibits span a period that begins when the revolutionary Rigas Velestinlis was writing down his dreams for Greek emancipation from Ottoman rule right up to the Constitution of 1975.

The exhibits have been contributed by a variety of bodies and organizations, both public and private and will be on show in the Eleftherios Venizelos Hall.

[22] Justice minister addresses seminar on education, vocational training in prisons

Athens, 17/12/2004 (ANA)

The minister stressed that the justice ministry was in the midst of a radical overhaul of the entire prison system and striving to make prisons a place where prisoners might have a second chance at life rather than dens of crime and corruption and a punishment for offenders.

"If prisons are an indicator of a country's level of civilization, then the situation we took over shames our modern civilization and our country," he said.

The chief proof of the present system's shortcomings was that the majority of prisoners released sooner or later ended back in prison, the minister said.

"We are trying to break this vicious circle," Papaligouras said, stressing that this effort was chiefly focused on education and vocational training for prisoners.

The ministry's plans include a model school at the juvenile prisons in Avlona and a police of support for 'second-chance' schools for adult inmates through incentives such as reduced prison sentences (two days prison time for each day of learning).

In addition, the minister noted plans to build six new prisons and ongoing negotiations with the Albanian government to build a prison in Albania that will house Albanian nationals currently serving prison sentences in Greece.

Finally, the ministry is working on a program to separate prisoners on the basis of age, type of offence and the duration of their sentence.

[23] Turkish-flagged vessel issues distress call off Astypalaia

Athens, 17/12/2004 (ANA)

According to the merchant marine ministry, the vessel will either be repaired or towed from the sea region, as weather conditions are reported as calm.

The vessel is carrying phosphoric acid from Israel to Slovenia.

[24] Police on trail of drug trafficking ring after arrest of woman in Kastoria

Athens, 17/12/2004 (ANA)

Kastoria police said that the woman was spotted in her car in a forest area near Eptachori, Kastoria, by border guards who were on patrol. A search of the car uncovered 3 sacks and two large satchels containing 140 packets of hashish weighing a total 139.47 kilos of the drug.

The woman, whose identity was not released, told police that she was transporting the drugs on behalf of two people, whose identities she did not know.

Police were investigating to locate and arrest the two people.

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