NEWS IN DETAIL

Reorganised system for higher education

"I referred specifically to the issue of upgrading the function between high school and tertiary education, which must gradually open to all who can follow its programmes," Education Minister Gerasimos Arsenis told reporters afterwards.

He said he would discuss the issue with professors and university authorities. "This will take about 10 days, and we shall then formulate the final proposals, which will be submitted to the inter-party committee in Parliament," he added.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas told reporters afterwards that "certain measures were necessary to stop the 'student revolution' and the financial hemorrhage from the education sector".

According to sources, most university administrations agree with the idea for a gradual shift of responsibility for students' entrance into higher educational institutions, and favour a continuation of the increase in the number of students entering, with a parallel increase of financial support and the establishment of certain criteria for entry.

Romanian foreign minister to visit Greece

During his stay, Mr. Severin will have talks with President Kostis Stephanopoulos and Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

Cavanaugh calls tour of region 'successful'

"This visit has turned out to be a successful diplomatic mission in what the United States was concerned could have been a crisis atmosphere," he told a press conference at the US embassy in Ankara.

Mr. Cavanaugh stressed that Cyprus' decision to buy the advanced anti- aircraft missiles does not serve security and stability, either on Cyprus, or of the Mediterranean. "But the aggressive (Turkish) reaction to the decision is also unacceptable," he added.

"Our efforts aim at preventing a repeat of the crisis," he said, adding: "The problem must be solved through diplomatic means."

He also expressed support for a solution that did not involve the international community.

"The Cyprus problem must be resolved between the two sides, and not a solution imposed by the intenational community. The two sides must talk and find a solution acceptable to both. It is a difficult and sensitive issue. No one expects a quick and easy solution, because it would not be permanent, " he said.

Mr. Cavanaugh said Washington supports both Cypriot and Turkish membership in the European Union, and that regarding Cyprus, the best avenue for accession would be a political solution.

He added that EU officials he had spoken to consider that accession of a bi- zonal and bi-communal Cyprus would improve Turkey's relations with the 15- member Union.

Clerides: S-300 missiles will be installed

Replying to a question concerning a moratorium of military flights over Cyprus, Mr. Clerides said "there is no such issue at the moment, but it has been brought up by the Americans."

The Cypriot president will jointly chair a meeting late this afternoon with Prime Minister Costas Simitis. The meeting will also be attended by National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Alternate Foreign Ministe r George Papandreou and newly appointed Foreign Undersecretary Yiannos Kranidiotis.

In statements at Larnaca airport before departing, Mr. Clerides said there was no agenda for the meeting, but clarified that he would discuss the handling of the Cyprus problem, the Greece-Cyprus joint defence doctrine and the ongoing military dialogue.

Asked to comment on views expressed by the US State Department on Nicosia's decision to purchase and deploy the advanced Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles, Mr. Clerides said the views of the US did not coincide with those of Nicosia, "because they bel ieve that the purchase is a mistake, while we believe that we have acted correctly."

Kranidiotis named new Foreign Undersecretary

Mr. Reppas made the announcement after a cabinet meeting decision.

Mr. Kranidiotis' appointment is effective as of Feb. 1. He will assume the post from Christos Rozakis, who resigned recently.

Mr. Kranidiotis has previously served as foreign undersecretary for European Union affairs from July 8, 1994 until Jan. 20, 1995.

Greece,FYROM talks to resume Monday

Meanwhile, diplomatic circles stressed that special UN mediator Cyrus Vance - appointed by former UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali - will continue his mission since new UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has expressed no intention of replacing special representatives appointed by the previous administration.

Diplomatic sources said that the UN Security Council had no jurisdiction on imposing an international name and the only thing it can do in the event that Mr. Vance submits a report, if he ascertains that negotiations are deadlocked, is to replace the name FYROM with some other name, but for exclusive use in the UN.

On another issue, Greece's permanent representative to the UN, Christos Zaharakis, has begun systematic and intensive contacts with the UN's 181 member-states since the beginning of the new year in order to pave the way for support of Greece's candidacy as a Security Council member over the 1999-2000 two-year period.

Public Order minister to visit Zagreb

Mr. Romeos "gladly accepted the invitation and expressed his hope that the visit would be a further contribution to already existing good relations between the two countries," the announcement added.

"The two delegations initialled the text of the bilateral Agreement on Fighting Against International illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, International Terrorism and Organized Crime," the statement read.

The announcement described the agreement and its implementation as a significant step forward in the continuous development of bilateral relations between Croatia and Greece.

The Croatian delegation was headed by Zdravko Zidovec, the head of cabinet for the Croatian minister of internal affairs.

Black Sea Club to hold annual meeting in Piraeus

Belgrade, Poti, Novorosisk, Skopje and Erevan as well as from the European Union, the Union of Baltic Cities and other international organisations. Representatives from the Greek government, Parliament, political parties and trade unions have also been i nvited.

The Scientists' Union of Piraeus has invited religious heads from the participating cities, both Orthodox Christian as well as Moslem, for an exchange of views on religious and social issues concerning the region.

Striking seamen extend strike

The Panhellenic Seamen's Federation (PNO) declared their intention to continue their stoppage until their demands were met. But Merchant Marine General secretary Diamantis Manos reiterated that the government was not prepared to amend its new tax law. The strike affects Greek-flag vessels of all categories as well as foreign ships employing Greek seamen.

The seamen are pressing demands for increased insurance and unemployment benefits, an increase in minimum pensions and preservation of tax breaks enjoyed since 1955.

Meanwhile, a despatch from Rethymnon said there were scuffles when the "Nicholas I", owned by the Agoudimos line, tried to dock at the city's port to load lorries carrying perishable farm produce.

Gov't terms latest threats of road blockades as 'blackmail'

On Wednesday, the Pan-Thessaly Farmers' Coordinating Committee announced that as of Jan. 28 they will begin mobilisations, which will gradually intensify until Feb. 4.

According to the group, protesting farmers will tour villages to inform local residents of their demands, in addition to placing tractors in village squares. This will be followed by the blockades of public buildings, railway lines and roads at toll booths, although tractors will be placed in such a way so as not to impede traffic.

On Feb. 4, the group says protesting farmers intend to organise a general road blockade around Thessaloniki, with barricades at six central areas, namely, Almyros, Tembi, Aigani, Domokos, Mourgkani and Elassona.

GSEE calls nationwide strike next Thursday

The labour organisation's main demands consist in the index-linking of tax brackets to inflation and an increase to two million drachmas of the tax- free limit for the minimum wages of an unskilled worker.

According to the GSEE, the government's refusal to index tax brackets will cost workers being paid under the National General Labour Agreement between 25,000 and 130,000 drachmas annually. GSEE has criticised the government's new tax law, charging tha t it left intact provocative tax breaks for capital while abolishing breaks which had been given to salary-earners instead of pay increases. "This direction is unjust and cannot be accepted by the trade union movement," GSEE said.

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