Contacts on Cyprus issue heat up prior to expected initiative

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said that Mr. Rozakis, who arrived in Cyprus on Sunday at the head of a delegation, will have talks with the Nicosia government and opposition parties in order to gain a "comprehensive view" of the problem.

The Greek government delegation will be discussing a common stance between Athens and Nicosia regarding latest developments on the Cyprus problem in view of a US initiative expected to be taken within the next few months.

"There is a new period before us in view of US elections and also because the time is approaching for commencement of negotiations on Cyprus' accession to the European Union. There is also talk of initiatives being taken, and besides, there is increased movement (on the Cyprus problem)," Mr. Reppas said.

"For this reason and in order that there be no surprises, and in order for there to be better coordination, all these efforts are being made, including the foreign undersecretary's visit to Nicosia," Mr. Reppas said.

On his part, Mr. Rozakis described as his meeting yesterday with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides as productive. The Greek official was briefed on Nicosia's positions on the Cyprus problem, according to an ANA dispatch from the island republic's capita l.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr. Rozakis said that the purpose of the Greek delegation's contacts with the Cyprus government was "to gather the material which is necessary in order to finalise positions in view of the new phase into which the Cyprus problem is entering."

Mr. Rozakis said the delegation would have further contacts later yesterday and today, "in order to gain a comprehensive picture and work out its views when it returns to Athens".

Modern Greek chair at University of Venice

The agreement provides for a permanent instructor's position, which will be paid for by the Greek culture ministry's budget over the next five years.

During the signing of the agreement, Mr. Venizelos spoke of the historical and cultural ties connecting Greece and Venice, which for a significant period was the centre of Greek language printing and literature.

Mr. Venizelos visited an exhibition on the subject of "Greeks in the West" during his stay in Venice.

Numerous Turkish violations of Greek airspace reported

According to reports, Hellenic Air Force F-16s and F-4s along with French- made Mirage 2000 fighters intercepted the intruders in every instance.

Navy ship sinks after collision with ferry boat, 4 missing

In addition, according to a merchant marine ministry announcement, no injuries were reported aboard the Greek-flagged "Samaina" ferry boat.

No details were as yet available concerning the causes of the accident. The warship had a crew of 38.

Commenting on the accident, Premier Costas Simitis expressed last night his regret for the likely loss of human life and said he had given instructions for "the examplary punishment of those who were criminally negligent of their duties".

Mount Athos monastery denies reports of Karadzic, Mladic asylum requests

The denial was made by a representative of the monastery, who categorically denied that any such request had ever been made by anyone.

Premier to endorse package of economic measures

These measures include taxes on large real estate holdings, interest on treasury bills and government bonds, financial derivatives, abolition of tax exemptions, an increase in taxation criteria for conspicuous consumption, cutbacks in state expenses and a slashing of waste in the public sector.

The estimated fiduciary yield of the new measures has been included in the new budget, which envisages an increase in revenue in the region of one trillion drachmas.

Yesterday, National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, after successive meetings with colleagues and top officials, put the final touches on a package of measures which also includes proposals for incomes policy.

In another development, Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas said after a meeting with the prime minister yesterday that he had submitted a four- year programme with specific priorities for his ministry's sector and the cost of its application.

The plan includes three draft bills tabled in Parliament in September, which deal, among others, with the establishment of appropriate bodies for the management of European Union subsidies and for quality control of agricultural products, leasing in the agricultural sector and farmers' insurance.

Mr. Tzoumakas also mentioned that in a meeting with Mr. Papantoniou, it was agreed that a tax added to general commercial activities and distribution of agricultural products could be necessary to support an autonomous pension fund for farmers. He added that the possibility of such funds being sought from EU coffers and Structural Programmes would also be examined, saying farmers' social insurance is a structural issue in Greece.

Referring to farmers' demands for budget subsidies on certain products, he reiterated the prime minister's position that this was not possible.

After another meeting with the prime minister, Labour Minister Miltiades Papaioannou said the government's final positions regarding farmers' insurance and the supplementary social solidarity benefit for pensioners would be made known a few days after t he release of the new budget.

Moody's to upgrade Greece's int'l credit rating

According to a Reuters dispatch, Moody's sees an improvement of the Greek economy in its basic figures, particularly a decline in inflation to single- digit levels, and believes that the country poses fewer risks to foreign investors, both in their short - and in their long-term investments.

Greece, Czech Republic agree on exports cooperation

The agreement, signed in Prague, provides for the organisation of a symposium in Greece, training of employees of the two organisations, a visit by a Czech trade mission to Greece, and Greece's assistance regarding promotion of Czech programmes through existing EU programmes.

OPE President John Gen said the new prospects for cooperation between the two countries in the direction of developing trade relations looked promising.

Unified strategy between Greece, Cyprus on earthquake response proposed by scientists

A scientific "scan" of the subsoils in Cyprus, undertaken after a strong earthquake on the island recently, and its results, were presented at a conference of seismologists and other officials in Cyprus last week.

It was shown that the island republic's seismic arc is surprisingly similar to that of Greece, which begins from the islands in the Ionian and extends to Rhodes.

"The rift in Cyprus is identical to the Greek seismic arc, with which it has surprising resemblance, as research has shown," Prof. Vassilis Papazahos of the Aristotelion University's geophysics laboratory told ANA.

"This means that it gives us the possibility to implement results of plans and research, which we have on the Greek seismic area and on anti-seismic protection of Cyprus, as well as to derive experiences," he added.

Athens Mayor, basketball federation discuss '98 World Basketball Championship in Athens

"This tournament will certainly play a very important role in promoting Greek basketball, as well as the city of Athens, in light of the Olympic Games of 2004," Mr. Avramopoulos said after the meeting.

"Therefore, we must support the World Basketball Championship of 1998 from now, we must encourage it and facilitate it in every way to secure its success," he added.

Bertolucci to be honoured at Thessaloniki Film Festival

One hundred and thirty movies will be screened at this year's 37th Thessaloniki Film Festival.

Fourteen of Mr. Bertolucci's movies will be screened at the festival in a special tribute to the director.

The international part of the festival also includes seven French movies and another seven films directed by Balkan directors.

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