Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-06-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] Ratification of European Constitution should continue, Greece says

[02] PM Karamanlis stresses crucial nature of EU summit beginning Thursday at EPP

[03] PASOK spokesmen make statements on government policy and EU's basic functions

[04] SYN stages protest outside European Parliament offices in Athens

[05] Head of EU permanent representation in Sofia on Bulgaria's accession course

[06] Greece's UN Ambassador notes extension of UNFICYP mandate

[07] Parliament president receives visiting speaker of Slovakia's nat'l council

[08] Justice minister meets with PM, calls for disciplinary action against supreme court vice president

[09] Message by UN High Commissioner on World Refugees Day

[10] Jerusalem Patriarchate Clerical Court deposes former Jerusalem Patriarch Irineos

[11] UK Chancellor Brown welcomes talks with Greek finmin

[12] Gov't, opposition, farmers support change of farm subsidy status

[13] PASOK criticism continues against decisive gov't plan for bank sector pension reform

[14] Bank employees decide new 48-hour strike

[15] Merchant marine minister to visit China

[16] Avramopoulos announces measures to improve Greek tourism product

[17] Federation of Greek Industries holds event on cost of bureaucracy

[18] Greek-Turkish business conference in Athens June 30-July 1

[19] Gov't supports Greek-African commerce chamber

[20] Athens hotels report improved 2004 results

[21] Greek inflation slowed in May, Eurostat says

[22] Broadband cooperation memorandum for SE Europe to be signed in Thessaloniki

[23] Italian ambassador in Athens meets Greece-Italy Friendship Group

[24] Helexpo in publicity drive for Thessaloniki international trade fair

[25] OTE shareholders approve no dividend for 2004 due to losses

[26] Gov't sends capital market bill to parliament

[27] Stocks rise in late buying

[28] Stolen bronze sculpture returned to Greece

[29] Alternate culture minister and hoteliers discuss fate of Olympic venues

[30] Three patients at institution for mentally disabled have ears cut in mysterious circumstances

[31] Bulgarian customs officials thwart attempt to smuggle anabolic drugs into Greece

[32] Seminar on 'electromagnetic pollution' held in Thessaloniki

[33] UN Security Council renews UNFICYP mandate unanimously

[34] Cypriot president says no hazardous terminology in UN resolution

[35] President says Cyprus and US reach agreement on weapons

[01] Ratification of European Constitution should continue, Greece says

BRUSSELS, 17/06/2005 (ANA/C.Poulidou)

According to the sources, the government cites a relevant constitutional clause which calls for a re-evaluation of the situation in November 2006 by the European Council, in the event that five member-states reject the EU treaty.

Therefore, the Greek government is in favor of continuing the ratification process in order to allow all member-states to voice their opinion.

However, the same sources say that the Greek government will not object to a short 'time-out' in the process as a chance to regroup, if this proposal is generally accepted by the other member states.

So far, European leaders seem to lean towards taking a break from the ratification.

Specifically, Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission said he was in favor of the proposal, while France's President Jacques Chirac said it might prove useful as it is necessary to regain the trust of European citizens.

Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende and his Danish counterpart Anders Fogh Rasmussen also said they were in favor of a break.

The issue will continue to be discussed during the official dinner on Thursday evening.

[02] PM Karamanlis stresses crucial nature of EU summit beginning Thursday at EPP

BRUSSELS, 17/06/2005 (ANA - A. Panagopoulou)

Karamanlis said that European leaders will assess the situation after the French and Dutch rejected the European Constitution Treaty and discuss the repercussions of this rejection on the process of ratifying the Euro-Constitution, as well as the next steps.

"This is a great challenge and all must rise to the occasion so that the European affair can progress," the Greek premier stressed.

Referring to the EU budget for 2007-2013 and the strong disagreements between many of the member-states, Karamanlis said that achieving an agreement will be a very complex and difficult enterprise.

"At the present political conjunction, the EU must send out a clear signal and a message of effectiveness to all its citizens," he added.

The Greek premier is due to meet Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos on Friday.

[03] PASOK spokesmen make statements on government policy and EU's basic functions

Athens, 17/06/2005 (ANA)

Athanassakis accused the government of creating a climate of low expectations, adding that "it is lowering the bar in order to pass over it and say that we have gains, although we will have losses."

The PASOK spokesman said the government has never announced its target and that "the same is also happening now". He also accused the government of being ostentatiously absent from the negotiations in which it was represented by deputy ministers.

On his part, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos attributed the statements made by Athanassakis "only to expediency and willful ignorance of the European Union's basic functions."

Roussopoulos added that "once again the main opposition party, instead of supporting the national effort, is standing opposite with sterile criticism and the distortion of truth."

The government spokesman further stressed that "if the European Commission decided on the issue of the EU's budget the months-long discussion between member-states would not even be necessary, and nor would the European Council which is convening today and tomorrow."

[04] SYN stages protest outside European Parliament offices in Athens

Athens, 17/06/2005 (ANA)

The purpose of the demonstration "is to send the message that a different kind of Europe, geared towards addressing unemployment, supporting the right to work and supporting the social state is feasible," SYN President Alekos Alavanos said.

Additionally, he emphasized that the opinions of Sweden, the UK, Germany and Austria regarding the EU budget for the period 2007-2013, which will be discussed during the two-day EU Summit which began in Brussels on Thursday, should not be adopted since they would result in lower funding for all EU member states, including Greece.

On his part, Panayiotis Lafazanis, member of SYN's Political Bureau said: "With our demonstration today, we are showing solidarity to those Europeans who voted 'no' to the European Constitution. This 'no' creates the conditions for a different kind of Europe, a more social Europe, (...) a Europe of employment, social rights and employee guarantees."

[05] Head of EU permanent representation in Sofia on Bulgaria's accession course

SOFIA, 17/06/2005 (ANA - B. Borisov)

Amid concerns aired by the local press and officials over a possible postponement of Bulgaria's accession past 2007 in light of the recent "no" votes in France and the Netherlands against the draft EU constitution, EU official Dimitris Kourkoulas spoke with local media on the course of Sofia's accession course.

"The important thing is for Bulgaria and Romania to concentrate on meeting the obligations they have assumed. I am certain that if they do this there will not be any surprise," he was quoted as saying.

According to Kourkoulas, necessary judicial reforms with a view to better combating corruption and organized crime as well as passage of a new penal code by the Bulgarian parliament are among the priorities for the Sofia government.

[06] Greece's UN Ambassador notes extension of UNFICYP mandate

NEW YORK, 17/06/2005 (ANA - P. Panagiotou)

In a press release, Ambassador Vassilakis said that, after a period of assessment and evaluation of amendments made to UNFICYP's concept of operations and force levels, foreseen in Resolution 1568 (22/10/2004), "we will be able to determine whether there is need for any more improvements."

He also stressed, however, that the situation on the ground remained unaltered in substance. Turkish occupation forces continued to be present in the north of the island, while a just, viable and functional solution to the Cyprus problem has still not been found.

"I would like to take this opportunity to refer to the upcoming briefing to the Security Council by Under-Secretary-General Kieran Prendergast, regarding his visit to Nicosia, Athens and Ankara. This visit was a positive step, after a long period of reflection that was deemed necessary so that all sides could evaluate the situation.

"Now, our priority should be to look to the future and to search for those elements on which we can achieve progress. Talking about the past would have no meaning and would not serve the goal of finding a just and viable solution to the Cyprus Problem. Let me repeat that what comes first at this stage is to achieve, in a cautious way and with thorough preparation, the next steps forward," the ambassador concluded.

[07] Parliament president receives visiting speaker of Slovakia's nat'l council

Athens, 17/06/2005 (ANA)

Among others, the Greek Parliament president thanked the Slovakian parliament speaker for Bratislava's contribution to a UN peacekeeping force on Cyprus; whereas Hrusovsky reiterated that his country supports a solution to the Cyprus issue based on international law and UN resolutions.

[08] Justice minister meets with PM, calls for disciplinary action against supreme court vice president

Athens, 17/06/2005 (ANA)

Upon leaving Maximos Mansion, Papaligouras said that he has ordered Supreme Court Prosecutor D. Linos to proceed with disciplinary action against the court's Vice President A. Zisis.

He said that the order is in line with the ministry's decision to clean up the judiciary "without any exceptions."

[09] Message by UN High Commissioner on World Refugees Day

Athens, 17/06/2005 (ANA)

"Maybe the story of each refugee is different and the anxieties of each one personal, however, all show the same unusual courage - courage not only to survive but to also rebuild their destroyed life.

"For this reason we chose 'Courage' as the theme of this year's World Refugees Day on June 20, with the aim of honoring the immeasurable spirit of tens of millions of refugees," Guterres said.

[10] Jerusalem Patriarchate Clerical Court deposes former Jerusalem Patriarch Irineos

JERUSALEM, 17/06/2005 (ANA/P. Haritos)

The decision was taken in absentia as Irineos not only failed to appear before the Clerical Court but even refused to receive the summons pinned up outside his residence.

The decision was taken by the 12-member Clerical Court and demotes the former Jerusalem Patriarch to a monk.

The Clerical Court convened twice during the day.

"The Jerusalem Patriarchate announces with regret that the 12-member Clerical Court, set up by the Holy Synod, ruled in absentia, since he was summoned three times and refused to appear, that the former Jerusalem Patriarch be deposed from the Patriarchal and clerical post and demotes him to the ranks of a monk," the Court's announcement said.

[11] UK Chancellor Brown welcomes talks with Greek finmin

LONDON, 17/06/2005 (ANA/L Tsirigotakis)

"It was an especially great pleasure for me to have the Greek minister with me today. I am looking forward to cooperation between us during the UK presidency in coming months, and I believe that what the cooperation between Greece and the UK may achieve will be a success for the European Union in its entirety," Brown said.

Alogoskoufis said that he had informed Brown of matters of interest to Greece during the presidency, chiefly an EU deficit-reduction process that the country is undergoing, which is linked to revision of the stability and growth pact.

He also reported that he had outlined recent initiatives undertaken by the government, involving the banking system, public administration, taxation, investment, growth and job creation.

In addition, Alogoskoufis spoke at a conference arranged by the Hellenic-British Chamber of Commerce that aimed to present to UK-based business the key role Greece could play as a partner in ventures in the Balkans and southeastern Europe.

The minister detailed steps the government had taken to spur growth, corporate activity and investment.

Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas, who accompanied Alogoskoufis to London, noted that the government supported companies and legally obtained earnings in order to aid job creation and tackle unemployment by means of fiscal and development policy.

He also noted that joint ventures were being promoted between the private and public sectors, especially for the use of installations from the Athens 2004 Olympics, tourism real estate and port facilities.

Moves taken by the government would encourage ventures involving investors from Greece and abroad, Sioufas added.

Also outlining the government's plans to spur business was the UK ambassador in Athens, Simon Gass.

[12] Gov't, opposition, farmers support change of farm subsidy status

Athens, 17/06/2005 (ANA)

Addressing a meeting of a national Farm Policy Council, Basiakos stressed that a prevailing view supported a full disconnection of subsidies from production, a position adopted by many other member-states. The Greek minister's remarks were seeing as policy position by the ruling New Democracy party, since the party has not yet published its views on the matter.

Main opposition party PASOK deputy Rovertos Spyropoulos also supported a full disconnection of subsidies from production and asked for a 10 percent ceiling on withdrawal rate for failure to implement environmental-friendly cultivation methods and a 3.0 percent ceiling on withdrawal rights to support new farmers. Coalition of the Left political party deputy Asimina Xyrotiri said the whole CAP policy was problematic and called for maintaining a current subsidy status for certain farm products.

Representatives of major agriculture organizations supported a full disconnection of subsidies from production, and urged for some exemptions in certain products.

The representative of the Greek Industries Union, Mrs. Fotini Legaki, urged for the lowest possible connection of subsidies to production, but warned that a policy of full disconnection could lead to the abandoning of basic farming, a development that could cause problems to industry and manufacturing in Greece.

[13] PASOK criticism continues against decisive gov't plan for bank sector pension reform

Athens, 17/06/2005 (ANA)

MP Evangelos Venizelos, a former top minister in the previous two Simitis governments and the main opposition's current sector head for employment, social policy and health, on Thursday echoed previous PASOK criticism that the plan lacks the acquiescence and support of the bank employees' union (OTOE), among others.

He also charged that the real goal is not to reform and unify the sector's disjointed pension system but to ensure banks' increased profitability and to use the plan as a model for the entire job market.

Communist party opposed to pensions reform in bank sector: Secretary General of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Aleka Papariga on Thursday expressed her party's total opposition to the government's reforms in the banking sector's pensions system.

According to Papariga, KKE proposes the creation of a unified primary pension fund for bank employees and a supplementary fund, noting that this fund should not in any way jeopardize bank employees' current rights and benefits.

Additionally, she said she was completely opposed to incorporating the primary pension fund into the social security fund (IKA).

[14] Bank employees decide new 48-hour strike

Athens, 17/06/2005 (ANA)

OTOE President Dimitris Tsoukalas announced to the crowds that OTOE has unanimously decided to continue the strike for a further 48 hours on Friday and Tuesday (Monday is the holiday of the Holy Spirit).

GSEE President Christos Polyzogopoulos also said that GSEE's Executive Secretariat will convene on Friday to decide on a 24-hour nationwide strike next Friday and warned the government that bank employees "are not alone" in the conflict that has begun.

OTOE President Dimitris Tsoukalas said OTOE's strike action so far "is the beginning and not the end" of the unions' struggle on the banks' social security issue, while also speaking of a great increase in strike participation.

[15] Merchant marine minister to visit China

Athens, 17/06/2005 (ANA)

During a press conference on Thursday, Kefaloyiannis also referred to a statement made by main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou about single-hull tankers, saying that this was tantamount to "criminalizing" seamen.

The minister also referred to a three billion euro loan taken out by his ministry at the European Investment Bank in order to carry out work on ports and harbors, with an equal share of private capital. He said negotiations for this had been completed and an agreement will be signed when he returns from China.

Concerning salaries for dock workers at the Piraeus Port Organization, Kefaloyiannis reiterated his position that these were provocatively high, though not illegal. No agreement was reached at a meeting that took place earlier between the minister and the dock workers union, which will extend its members' strike until June 20.

Asked whether Piraeus port will be privatized, Kefaloyiannis said that this would no longer be an issue after the investments that will be made, since the entire port will operate on a different basis.

He said temporary workers will be hired to cover needs created by the dock workers' strike.

[16] Avramopoulos announces measures to improve Greek tourism product

Athens, 17/06/2005 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, during a news conference, Avramopoulos said that messages sent by National Tourism Organization's offices abroad were optimistic and were showing an increase in tourist arrivals in Greece.

The Greek minister also announced a series of measures aimed to improve the country's tourist product. Avramopoulos announced that Haris Kokkosis would take over as special secretary at the Tourism ministry, responsible for planning, leaving his position as secretary general at National Tourism Organization. He will be replaced by Mr. Fotinopoulos, while Mr Vassilis Rizas will take over as secretary general at the ministry.

Avramopoulos stressed the need for Greek tourism agencies to unite under one umbrella, and announced the creation of a Tourism Chamber of Greece to help towards achieving this goal. He said that the Institute for Tourism Research and Forecasts (ITEP) would be upgraded covering also all statistics related with tourism.

The Greek minister said he would submit to parliament a draft legislation on spa tourism and religious tourism. He reiterated actions taken to combat profiteering during the summer months with widespread inspections currently made around the country. Avramopoulos said the ministry was awaiting the formal recommendation of an expert for the construction of a Formula One race track in Greece.

[17] Federation of Greek Industries holds event on cost of bureaucracy

Athens, 17/06/2005 (ANA)

The event focused on the theme "For more effective legislation and arrangements-Repercussions for competitiveness and for cost."

Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos said that the framework regulating legislative arrangements is now ready and will become law over the next 4-5 months and will be based on the elements of necessity, suitability, clarity, transparency and the assessment of elements and repercussions of the law.

Addressing the event, SEB President Odysseas Kyriakopoulos said that private businesses only produce wealth when they function in well-prepared and effectively regulated markets, adding that inadequate, complicated and vague legislative frameworks and structures allow the abuse of power and corruption to flourish and to undermine the confidence of investors and consumers.

[18] Greek-Turkish business conference in Athens June 30-July 1

Athens, 17/06/2005 (ANA)

Deputy Foreign Minister Euripides Stylianidis will open the meeting arranged by the Greek-Turkish Chamber of Commerce.

Among speakers on the Greek side are Tourism Development Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos, Deputy Finance Minister Adam Rengouzas, and the chairman of Intracom SA, Socrates Kokkalis.

Speaking for Turkey will be Trade and Development Minister Kursed Tuzmen, Deputy External Trade Minister Tuncer Kayalar, and Turkey's ambassador in Athens, Tashin Burcuo-glou.

Six hundred Greek and Turkish representatives of business have so far booked into the conference.

[19] Gov't supports Greek-African commerce chamber

Athens, 17/06/2005 (ANA)

The chamber could also help to resolve outstanding economic problems, with Greek firms in Africa able to contribute to economic growth and modernization of African countries, providing jobs and know-how, Stylianidis said in a message to a presentation of the chamber.

The chamber's president, Sotiris Moustakas, said the objective was to entice Greek firms to Africa by offering information and recommendations, and locating export and investment opportunities.

[20] Athens hotels report improved 2004 results

Athens, 17/06/2005 (ANA)

Average growth rate of the 25 largest Greek hotels' revenues was 12.6 percent last year, almost double the average growth rate in the period 2001-2004 (estimated around 6.4 percent). Last year's profits jumped 76.4 percent, sharply higher compared with a 12.3 percent growth rate in the previous four-year period.

Hellastat said 2004 was another year of big investments for the hotel industry, with an average hotel reporting revenues of 0.36 euros per one euro invested in hotel facilities in 2001, a figure that fell to 0.29 euros in 2004, or 1.7 percent down from 2003.

The back-bone of the industry, a large number of small- and medium sized hotels (792 out of a total sample of 892 in the report) saw their revenues shrink by 2.5 percent annually in the last four years and by 3.7 percent in 2004 from the previous year.

Profitable hotel enterprises faced a 4.2 percent average decline in their profits in the period 2001-2004, and a 4.9 percent drop in 2004. Out of the total 892 hotels in the report, 501 reported losses in 2004, almost double from a figure of 273 in 2001.

Operating profit margins were around 20 percent, but high amortization and financing expenses were reducing the average net profit margin to around 5.0 percent in 2004.

[21] Greek inflation slowed in May, Eurostat says

Athens, 17/06/2005 (ANA)

The EU executive's statistics agency said the inflation rate fell to 1.9 percent in May from 2.1 percent in April in the EU-25, with Sweden (0.2 pct), Finland (0.6 pct), Czech Republic (0.9 pct) and Holland (1.1 pct) recording the lowest inflation rates. Latvia (6.5 pct), Luxembourg (3.7 pct), Hungary (3.5 pct) and Greece (3.2 pct) recorded the highest inflation rates.

The monthly inflation rate rose in Germany, Italy and Malta, it fell in 19 member-states and was unchanged in Ireland, Luxembourg and the UK.

[22] Broadband cooperation memorandum for SE Europe to be signed in Thessaloniki

Athens, 17/06/2005 (ANA)

The memorandum will be signed by Greece, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and Turkey.

The purpose of the cooperation memorandum is to achieve the development of a unified broadband market in the region that will be fully attached to European and world networks.

The immediate targets set by the memorandum include the coordination of countries' policies and the linking of networks for the development of broadband services at regional level in accordance with European Union norms.

[23] Italian ambassador in Athens meets Greece-Italy Friendship Group

Athens, 17/06/2005 (ANA)

Among those attending were MP and OFEI president Panagiotis Adraktas, MP and OFEI general secretary Sofia Voultepsi, New Democracy MPs George Deiktakis and Marios Salmas and main opposition PASOK MPs Tilemachos Hytiris and Antonia Antoniou.

During the meeting, Cavarai stressed the importance of close ties between Greece and Italy on all levels, including trade, and referred to some of the larger Italian firms operating in Greece, such as Alitalia, Impregilo, Gruppo Fiat, Luxottica, Guzzini, Italgas, Ferrero and Edison.

For Edison, in particular, he noted its important contribution to developing bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, both through the exchange of electric power and the prospects emerging through the new under-sea gas pipeline that will link Greece and Italy.

[24] Helexpo in publicity drive for Thessaloniki international trade fair

Athens, 17/06/2005 (ANA)

The road show will visit the country's 13 regions where Helexpo executives are to outline new aspects of the exhibition to trade groups and local government officials.

The company's managing director, Themis Kartsiotis, launched the publicity drive in the northeastern town of Komotini on Thursday.

[25] OTE shareholders approve no dividend for 2004 due to losses

Athens, 17/06/2005 (ANA)

"For the first time in its history, OTE posted losses in 2004, and that is why a dividend will not be given this year," the company's chairman and managing director, Panagis Vourloumis, told the firm's annual general meeting.

"Management's priority has been to tackle the problems and revitalize OTE's subsidiaries to make them profitable, a target that has been achieved," Vourloumis said.

The parent company needed to begin restructuring immediately in order to lower spending and boost productivity. A major step had been achieved to that end through a recent pact between management and staff on the terms of early retirement for over 500 staff, he noted.

In addition, OTE was back in the black in the first quarter of 2005, Vourloumis added.

[26] Gov't sends capital market bill to parliament

Athens, 17/06/2005 (ANA)

Under the terms of the bill, the bourse will have greater legal leeway in creating new markets and setting the criteria for entry.

In addition, the new legislation establishes a clear-cut procedure for brokerages unable to make payment to the Central Share Depository; and modernizes legislation for portfolio investment companies in line with the introduction of international accounting standards.

[27] Stocks rise in late buying

Athens, 17/06/2005 (ANA)

The Athens general share index closed at 3,098.10 points, marking a rise of 0.54%. Turnover was 238.5 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.69% up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 0.26% higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 0.43% up.

Of stocks traded, advances led declines at 148 to 107 with 80 remaining unchanged.

[28] Stolen bronze sculpture returned to Greece

Athens, 17/06/2005 (ANA)

The sculpture had been bought by James Ed, a British antique dealer and president of the international antique dealers' association, who was later informed by a friend that the sculpture belonged to the Museum of Samos.

The dealer contacted the Greek embassy in London and after verifying the information turned it over to the embassy.

The sculpture, which measures 11 cm high and is valued today at 30,000 British pounds, had been stolen from the museum during World War II.

The Cultural Attache of the Greek embassy in London, Victoria Solomonidou gave the sculpture to Alternate Culture Minister Fani Palli-Petralia during a ceremony on Thursday.

Among those present at the ceremony were Ed and Secretary General of the Culture Ministry Christos Zahopoulos.

Solomonidou referred to the continuous efforts the Greek embassy in London is making regarding the return of stolen antiquities.

On her part, Petralia linked the return of the sculpture to the return of the Parthenon marbles, noting that a new museum is under construction which will hopefully showcase the marbles as part of its exhibit.

[29] Alternate culture minister and hoteliers discuss fate of Olympic venues

Athens, 17/06/2005 (ANA)

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the possibility of using the tae-kwon-do facilities in Faliro as a conference centre.

According to the ministry, the government is pleased with the interest the country's institutional authorities are showing in participating in the post-Games use of the venues.

Present at the meeting were President of the Greek Chamber of Hotels Gerassimos Fokas, President of the Athens Hoteliers' Association Yiorgos Tsakiris, First Vice President of the Panhellenic Hoteliers' Federation Spyros Divanis and Secretary General of the Panhellenic Hoteliers' Federation Gerassimos Kaligeros.

[30] Three patients at institution for mentally disabled have ears cut in mysterious circumstances

Athens, 17/06/2005 (ANA)

He said all three victims were suffering from advanced-stage Alzheimer's and were unable to communicate with their surroundings.

The incidents occurred during weekends in March, May and on June 6, when the institute was open for visitors.

They were immediately reported to the police and the Central Macedonia Regional Health and Hygiene Authority, since the institution belongs to the Health Ministry.

According to a medical examiner's report, the missing sections of the patients' ears were removed with a sharp object but there are no further clues as to the identity of the culprit.

Deputy Health Minister George Constantopoulos visited the institution on Thursday and said the ministry was aware of the incidents from the first. He said surveillance cameras have now been installed in all the wards to monitor suspicious activity and that a sworn administrative inquiry into the affair has just been completed.

The institution is housed in a building covering 10,000 square meters that is set within grounds covering four hectares. There are currently 430 patients and 170 members of staff.

[31] Bulgarian customs officials thwart attempt to smuggle anabolic drugs into Greece

SOFIA, 17/06/2005 (ANA - B. Borisov)

According to Bulgarian press, the customs officials intercepted 40,000 tablets of Klenbuterol, Metanabol hidden in a Mercedes car with Sofia number plates on Wednesday, while about 600 ampoules of testosterone were found concealed in one of its tires.

The 30-year-old Bulgarian driving the car admitted that he intended to carry the drugs into Greece in order to sell them.

[32] Seminar on 'electromagnetic pollution' held in Thessaloniki

Athens, 17/06/2005 (ANA)

The seminar was hosted by the municipality of Pylea, in cooperation with the Technical Chamber of Commerce and the Northern Greece Society of Mechanical and Electrical Engineers.

[33] UN Security Council renews UNFICYP mandate unanimously

UNITED NATIONS, 17/06/2005 (CNA/ANA)

Cyprus' Permanent Representative at the UN Ambassador Andreas Mavroyiannis told reporters after the resolution was adopted that ''the government of Cyprus holds the view that the security situation on the island, defined by the continuing presence of the Turkish occupation troops, still requires the presence of UNFICYP.''

''We have therefore given our consent to the extension of the mandate of UNFICYP and we welcome the decision of the Security Council to renew UNFICYP with the same force level and the same concept of operation,'' he said.

Mavroyiannis noted that ''the government of Cyprus takes note of the satisfaction expressed by the Security Council for the lifting of restrictions of movement of UNFICYP by the Turkish forces in Cyprus and we also take note and expect the Turkish side to cooperate with UNFICYP for the restoration of the military status quo ante in Strovilia.''

''We also hope that the Turkish side will cooperate for the ascertainment of the fate of the missing persons in Cyprus, as called upon by the Security Council,'' he added.

In its resolution, the Security Council reaffirms all its relevant resolutions on Cyprus, in particular resolution 1251 and subsequent resolutions.

It also calls on the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkish forces to restore in Strovilia the military status quo, which existed there prior to June 30, 2000.

Welcoming the report of the Secretary General of June 6, 2005 on the UN operation in Cyprus, the Security Council takes note with satisfaction of the lifting of restrictions of movement of UNFICYP by the Turkish Cypriot side and the Turkish forces and takes note in this connection that UNFICYP enjoys good cooperation from both sides.

It welcomes the fact that over seven million crossings by Greek Cypriots to the north and Turkish Cypriots to the south have taken place, and encourages the opening of additional crossing points.

The Security Council expresses concern over the increase in crime across the ceasefire line and urges both sides to increase cooperation in order to address this issue.

Furthermore it welcomes all efforts to promote bicommunal contacts and events, including, inter alia, on the part of the UN, and urges the two sides to promote further bicommunal contacts and to remove any obstacles to such contacts.

The Security Council notes that the government of Cyprus agrees that, in view of the prevailing conditions in the island, it is necessary to keep UNFICYP beyond June 15, 2005 and takes note of the assessment of the Secretary General that the security situation on the island continues to be stable and the situation along the Green Line remains calm and, nonetheless, that there were problems in a few sensitive areas, and welcomes in this context the further decrease in the overall number of incidents involving the two sides.

It reiterates its call to the parties to assess and address the humanitarian issues of missing persons with due urgency and seriousness, and welcomes in this regard the resumption of the

activities of the Committee on Missing Persons since August 2004.

The resolution welcomes the Secretary General's intention to keep UNFICYP operations under close review, continuing to take into account developments on the ground and the views of the parties and to revert to the Council with recommendations for further adjustments as appropriate to UNFICYP' mandate, force levels and concept of the operation once he judges that sufficient time has passed since the implementation of UNFICYP's new concept of operation to make this assessment.

It echoes the Secretary General's gratitude to the government of Cyprus and the government of Greece for their voluntary contributions to the funding of UNFICYP and his request for further voluntary contributions from other countries and organizations.

[34] Cypriot president says no hazardous terminology in UN resolution

LARNACA, 17/06/2005 (CNA/ANA)

He added that ''the cuts in the previous revision of UNFICYP's operation have yielded results because its role changed and from static positions it is more flexible now, its effectiveness has not

decreased, there was no discussion on changing UNFICYP's role, as some countries sought.''

Speaking at Larnaca Airport on departure from Brussels and commenting on the content of the resolution, the president said ''it is generally satisfactory.''

He noted however that one should not forget that ''it is a resolution that must be adopted with a decision of the 15 members of the Security Council, with the consent of the five permanent members and that of the Republic of Cyprus.''

''We judged that the comprehensive provisions of the resolution were quite satisfactory, provisions that may have caused a terminology, not substantive but hazardous, were avoided,'' he noted.

President Papadopoulos thanked the permanent members of the Security Council for backing positions supported by the Republic of Cyprus. He furthermore noted that this Security Council meeting ''was one of those that ended the soonest possible,'' adding that ''other times it lasted 15 to 20 days, this time the text closed in five days.''

[35] President says Cyprus and US reach agreement on weapons

LARNACA, 17/06/2005 (CNA/ANA)

''In our position, our effort is to maintain good relations with all countries, especially a superpower such as the US, and we all know the influence it has on all developments, the Security Council, the

UN and even the Cyprus problem,'' he told reporters at Larnaca Airport before departing for Brussels.|

Commenting on press reports that efforts were being made to iron out relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the US, President Papadopoulos said this effort was ''useful both for us and for the US, especially when one takes into consideration some US actions in the recent past that created bitterness, or even challenge the feelings of the Greek Cypriot people.''

''We have already agreed with the US to sign a bilateral agreement regarding the so-called initiative in preventing the trafficking of mass destruction weapons and we have reached a satisfactory for us bilateral agreement,'' he added.

The president noted that Minister of Foreign Affairs George Iacovou is in contact with the US State Department and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in this regard.

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