NEWS IN DETAIL

Premier calls for social dialogue instead of confrontation

Speaking in the western Attica district of Ano Liosia last night, Mr. Simitis said strengthening the country's defence has a high price, which is imposed by the threats Greece is faced with -- the national defence ministry will spend four trillion drachmas in armaments over the next 10 years.

"Expenditures are high and they are limiting our other possibilities but they are necessary at the moment," he said.

Mr. Simitis said European unification is not a compulsory option for the country.

"Today you only survive when you decide to develop dynamically through competition. And Greece wants and can achieve the target of development; it wants and can have a presence on the international scene; it wants and can achieve prosperity and social justice. This is our plan for the Greece of today and tomorrow," he said.

Mr. Simitis said that Greece is the only EU country where instead of social expenditures being curbed, and instead of salaries and incomes being pinned down, a balance has been achieved between fiscal discipline and the safeguarding of working people 's income in real terms.

He spoke on the government's social policy and then referred at length to a national dialogue proposed by the government to achieve its targets.

On the question of farmers and their recent protests, Mr. Simitis said the government has proposals, measures and directions on restructuring agriculture and developing rural areas.

Mr. Simitis expressed certainty that the government's options enjoy the consensus and agreement of the overwhelming majority of voters, saying that society rejects fruitless confrontation, dissension and polarisation, but wants consensus and creative di alogue.

Papandreou criticises Rifkind's remarks on Cyprus

Mr. Papandreou said it was well-known that for years there had been tension in the region, which, following the Imia incident, became the main issue in the region, but added that "no one can equate the victim and the aggressor, because the problem will not be solved correctly in this manner."

The alternate foreign minister, however, expressed his satifaction for the European Union's support both on the Imia issue and on the Cyprus problem.

urgent plan to deal with expected wave of illegal immigrants

According to the plan, code-named "Balkanio", local coordinating bodies headed by prefects will be established that will include participation of military, police, customs, forestry, port police and intelligence units.

The prefectures covered by the plan are Thesprotia, Ioannina, Kastoria, Florina, Pella, Kilkis, Serres, Drama, Rodopi, Xanthi and Evros.

Meanwhile, a serious incident occurred in the border region near the village of Kastani, Pagonia yesterday morning when a group of Albanian illegal immigrants attacked three Greek soldiers patrolling the area, injuring a corporal.

G. Papandreou

Albanian situation to be raised in Europarliament

Mr. Alavanos is asking the European Commission to find out whether European Union (EU) aid to Albania has found its way into the pyramid investment schemes in which virtually every family in the country has lost money.

He also asks the Commission to initiate contacts with the "Forum for Democracy", a grouping of all Albanian political forces with the exception of the government, as well as the creation of conditions for free elections.

No margin for more pay rises to teachers

"The pay rises awarded to teachers within the framework of the new salary scale have exhausted the limits of the budget," said the announcement.

"The issue of any further increase has closed," it added, urging teachers to appreciate what positive moves the government had made and return to work.

Cyprus to encourage Greek investors

The new policies are part of efforts to harmonise the Cypriot economy with European states and to lure foreign investment to the island-republic.

Many previous restrictions on foreign capital and the activity of foreign investors have been abolished under the new guidelines and specific definitions on where foreign investment is limited, for reasons of national security or social benefit, have be en drafted.

An official document issued by the Cyprus central bank said that Greek businessmen would be dealt with under different terms to encourage joint enterprises with Cypriot firms.

The establishment of banks, insurance firms, airline companies and publishing concerns will be examined on a case-by-case basis.

Joint Greek chamber, US embassy business event in March

The US firms are seeking cooperation with Greek businesses.

The event is organised by the US embassy in Athens and the Greek Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

OPE business mission to accompany Baltas on Australian trip

The delegation will exploit opportunities for trade and investment in the southeast Asian area, in conjunction with funding opportunities offered by the European Union for trade in the region.

The Australian market's interest in Greek products, according to OPE, mainly concerns canned fruit and fish, sweets, vegetables, olive oil, cheese, raisins, tobacco, carpets, pipes and plastic goods.

The interest of a high-income Greek-Australian community in products from Greece is considered an advantage.

Further information: 998-2225.

Athens Concert Hall gets new electronic music library

A total of 50,000 titles are available. Ways are being examined to link up the library with the National Art Gallery and the Benaki Museum. Speaking at the opening, Concert Hall Organisation chairman Christos Lambrakis said that in two and a half years a new three-floor underground area at the Concert Hall will be ready to house the library.

Study on sex-related problems unveiled

The findings were presented prior to the first conference to be held in the country on contemporary sexology issues.

According to the study carried out by Patra University, one in 10 Greek males has a sex-related problem.

For females, it is estimated that one in four fail to attain sexual satisfaction.

According to Thessaloniki University professor of obstetrics and gynaecology Z. Papathanasiou, the cause of most of the problems in both males and females are phychological.

Concerning the low birth rate in Greece, gynaecologist M. Kardamakis said that 20 per cent of men over the age of 35 do not want children, while one out of five couples in cities want but are unable to have children.

Albright: Situation in Cyprus threatens US vital interests

Referring to Cyprus in her written statement before the House Committee of International Relations, she said "the dispute divides more than the two Cypriot communities; it continues to act as a wedge between two NATO allies, Turkey and Greece."

"In so doing," Ms Albright noted, "it threatens European stability and our vital interests."

The Secretary of State added that "accordingly, the US is prepared to play a larger role in promoting a resolution to the conflict."

However, she noted that for efforts to yield results, "the parties must agree to concrete steps that will reduce tensions, build confidence and make productive negotiations possible."

Ms Albright said that "last year's increased violence on the island impeded efforts to restart negotiations, but also dramatised the urgent need for a lasting solution."

Last year, four Greek Cypriots were murdered in cold blood by Turkish forces, occupying part of the island since Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974, and by members of the Turkish ultra-nationalist organisation known as "Grey Wolves".

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