NEWS IN DETAIL

Respect of UN resolutions before any initiative on Cyprus problem

"The basic framework for the Cyprus problem is the UN. Greece does not disapprove of any international initiative, wherever it may come from," he told reporters after the first-ever discussion of foreign policy issues by a PASOK executive bureau session .

"There was general agreement that the issue remains an international one," he added.

"Greece includes Cyprus in its total national planning. Nothing that concerns Cyprus is alien to Greece," he stressed.

Regarding a US-proposed moratorium of military flights over Cyprus, the foreign minister said the issue was not discussed at the session, but was a tactical matter and was being considered by the competent ministries.

"We have a full identity of views between the defence and foreign ministries, and of course, the Cypriot leadership is also in agreement," he said, adding that he disliked the term "moratorium", preferring "suspension of (military) flights" over Cyprus.

Meeting in Larisa to focus on PfP exercise in Ukraine

The purpose of the exercise is to develop cooperation between NATO member- states and the countries included in the programme.

As of today and until Jan. 30, meetings will be held at the headquarters of the 1st Army Corps in Larisa on the planning of the exercise,, with the participation of representatives from the US, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Georgia, Estonia, Moldova, the Former Yu goslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), the Czech Republic, Romania and Slovakia as well as officers from the NATO headquarters in Brussels and in Naples.

The exercise is being planned by the commander of NATO's southern wing, and will be coordinated and directed by the commander of the 1st Army Corps.

Turkish minister: Claims on Greek islands contrary to int`l accords

Mr. Gyul, dubbed the "shadow foreign minister", gave the interview to the Turkish magazine "GORUS", a publication of the union of Turkish industries (TUSIAD).

"One can swim to the Dodecanese from Turkey, while from Greece transport is carried out through the air," according to Mr. Gyul, a leading member of the Welfare Party and a close associate of Islamist Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan.

"This situation is due to mistakes by Turkish governments in the '40s. However, there is no question of claims being made again today, something which is contrary to international agreements," he added.

"Despite the fact that we see the historical mistake concerning the islands under our noses, we say they are Greek islands," he said.

Mitsotakis, Papandreou awarded Ipekci Awards

The awards committee said Mr. Mitsotakis, Mr. Papandreou and Mr. Papayiannakis should receive an Ipekci Award for their work regarding Greek-Turkish rapproachement, friendship and cooperation.

The awards were set up on a Greek initiative immediately after the murder of Ipekci, a prominent Turkish reporter on Feb. 1, 1979, and are awarded for contributions to promoting Greek-Turkish friendship.

Mr. Mitsotakis will receive the highest "Award for Peace and Friendship Abdi Ipekci" for his work over the past two decades regarding Greek-Turkish rapproachment.

Mr. Papandreou will receive the "Special Ipekci Award" for his proposal to extend the awards to include nominations from students at Greece's elementary and high schools. He made the proposal as education minister in the previous PASOK government.

Mr. Papayiannakis will also receive a special award for "the cool-headed and objective way that he deals with Greek-Turkish relations."

Europol report points to Turkey as primary transit route for heroin

According to a public order ministry announcement, more than 1,100 Turkish nationals were arrested in the EU for heroin smuggling in 1995.

The report states that Turkey-based smuggling rings have full control over the trafficking of heroin through the Balkans to the countries of the west, cooperating closely with other groups with which they have political or religious ties, adding that sm uggling rings fully utilise Turkish minorities in EU countries, while their operations also function along family ties.

As Turkey does not have legislation regarding money laundering, income from the drug trade is also invested in legitimate businesses in that country, the announcement reads.

Additionally, chemicals and raw materials needed for the production of synthetic narcotics are shipped to Turkey from the west.

Gov't response

"Greece will continue to inform international communities, it will contribute to the break up of the rings attempting to smuggle heroin, while it has significant successes in the arrest of smugglersIwhich has forced Turkish smugglers to change their her oin routes to the north of our country."

Mr. Romeos added that "the European Union member-countries, with great delay, finally realised the severity of the problem."

The remarks by the French judge come just one week after similar allegations by a Frankfurt judge.

Gov`t reiterates intention to prevent new farmers` blockades

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas reiterated that the plan-ned protest action was both "inopportune and unjustified".

Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas has said that the government will not allow national roads to be blocked.

Farmers' coordinating committees decided on Sunday in Larisa to begin their renewed protests in Karditsa today with a farmers' rally, to coincide with the trial of farmers who participated in a previous protest action. At the same time, tractors are to gather in village squares over four prefectures.

On Wednesday morning, rallies will be held in Larisa and Trikala, culminating in a blockade of public buildings. There are plans to block the Athens-Thessaloniki railway line on Thursday, and the Tempe and Monohori tollposts on Friday.

Macedonian farmers are to close off the entrance to the Thessaloniki International Fair ground on Wednesday, when the agricultural exhibition "Agrotica '97" is to open.

Greece expresses objecctions to EU funding for FYROM

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Mr. Papantoniou said Athens' reservations concern both the technical aspects of the issue as well as the political issues, since "the development of economic relations between the EU and FYROM is unavoidably linked to the political relationship between Greece and FYROM."

Athens also said an explanation is necessary concerning the issue of paying off previous debts owed to the EU by FYROM (US$34 million), before any decision is taken on granting a new loan.

The loan FYROM is seeking from the EU is in the range of about US$50 million.

China flatly denies missile deal with Turkey

Mr. Chian made the statement during a meeting with the members of a visiting Greek delegation headed by former PASOK minister Karolos Papoulias.

According to a Turkish press report earlier this month, Turkey and China have signed an agreement for construction of Chinese-made WS-1 missiles.

The president of China's Peoples National Assembly, Chou Lang, also dismissed the report, published in the Turkish daily "Milliet," on Jan. 20 describing it as "unfounded," and "serving other purposes."

Earlier in the day the two committees met to discuss issues related to the development of Greek-Chinese relations.

The Greek representation is visiting Beiging at the invitation of the Standing Committee of the Chinese Peoples Congress (NPC). The representation members will stay in China for a week.

Slight improvement in trade deficit with Austria

The trade balance continues to show a deficit against Greece, but Greek exports to Austria are increasing at a faster rate than Greek imports from Austria.

During the committee's discussions in Vienna, the Greek side stressed the comparative advantages Greece has in the wider region, on the one hand due to its geographical position and on the other because it is the sole EU member-state in the Balkan region. It was agreed that a trade mission composed of Austrian businessmen and representatives of construction companies visit Greece in order to make investments both in Greece and with joint Greek-Austrian enterprises in third countries in the Balkans, the Black Sea region and the Mediterranean.

On the other hand, it was agreed that a Greek mission composed of businessmen will visit Austria.

A timetable already exists for implementing these agreements, while an Austrian mission is expected to visit Greece in the framework of Europartenariat, due to be organised in Piraeus in June with the participation of more than 4,000 small- and medium-size enterprises from across Europe.

Cultural Capital '97 to officially open on Saturday

The three-day events begin Thursday evening with a concert by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and solist Agnes Baltsa. On Friday, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, conducted by D. R. Davis, will play a Schubert symphony.

On Saturday, an oratorio is to be presented, conducted by Mr. Mikroutsikos, on the life and works of Nikos Gavrieil Pendziki, with the participation of a Byzantine music choir.

The Cultural Capital will be officially opened during a ceremony on Satruday, which will include speeches and a show describing the city's history.

Papandreou calls for cuts in EU staff in Brussels

Mr. Papandreou sent the letter to the ministers of national economy and finance, interior, development, environment, town planning and public works, labour, culture, merchant marine, public order and transport.

WEATHER

SPORTS

Torch for Special Winter Olympics

A message from IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch was read out during the ceremony.

The Toronto Special Winter Olympics are to be held from Feb. 1-9, with the participation of 94 countries. Greece is sending a team of 35 athletes.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

(C.E.)

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