NEWS IN DETAIL

Talks between Greek premier and NATO chief focus on Greek-Turkish tension

The premier first held private talks with Solana, the meeting subsequently being attended by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos.

Solana's proposals for defusing tension in Greek-Turkish relations were discussed at length but Simitis said arrangements already existed to deal with the situation.

In particular, the premier cited the memorandum agreement reached in 1988 by then Greek and Turkish foreign ministers Karolos Papoulias and Mesut Yilmaz, respectively.

In 1988, Papoulias and Yilmaz agreed in the Athens seaside resort of Vouliagmeni to promote confidence-building measures(CBMs) between the two countries based on the principle of good-neighbourliness.

''In time, discussions can be held,'' Simitis added.

Solana said that what was important was to work on the issue before the NATO summit on July 8-9.

According to informed sources, Solana underlined during today's talks that in view of NATO enlargement, the problems which exist between Alliance members must be dealt with.

The sources said Solana appeared to insist on his proposal concerning an extension of the moratorium on Greek and Turkish military exercises in the Aegean during the summer months.

At the present time, according to the same sources, the Greek side does not appear willing to discuss the issue, given Ankara's general stance towards Athens.

For this reason, Solana intends to return to Greece and Turkey after the July summit, while the sources said the NATO chief was insisting that a solution be found by July.

When asked by reporters if Ankara was in agreement with his proposals, Solana replied that any agreement should be formulated on the basis of the Vouliagmeni memorandum as well as on ideas put forward last summer.

''I shall make every effort to secure agreement from both sides because this is my job,'' Solana said.

Asked whether radar pictures of the situation in the Aegean would continue to be relayed directly to NATO headquarters in Naples beyond the four-month period agreed, Simitis said this would continue if necessary in order to brief the Alliance on developments ''because it is a positive thing if the allies are better informed''.

Solana described his talks as ''extremely constructive'' since he had ascertained that Greece's positions were very positive concerning the building of the new NATO, in a reference to proposed new military structures, new missions, new members and the Alliance's new relationship with Russia.

In these sectors, Simitis underlined, important decisions must be taken at the Madrid summit in July, adding that talks would continue.

Stock prices continue to fall at Athens Bourse

Constructions suffered the most pressure, down 7.70 percent, and banks were also down 5.51 percent.

There were reports that foreign investors were also selling. Turnover totalled 27.9 billion drachmas.

EU says Cyprus-EU accession not incompatible with guarantor agreements

An ANA despatch from Nicosia said the announcement was issued by the EU delegation in the Cyprus capital.

According to the announcement, van den Broek underlined during his talks with the Turkish Cypriot side that Cyprus' accession to the EU was not incompatible with the guarantor agreements.

It said he also impressed upon the Turkish Cypriots the benefits which would derive from the island republic's accession at an economic, social and political level as well as from the point of view of security.

Van den Broek, the announcement said, also expressed the view that Turkey's economic relations with the Turkish Cypriots would not suffer as a result of accession, given the Customs Union agreement between Ankara and Brussels.

The announcement said van den Broek pointed out in his talks on the island that the prospect of Cyprus' accession to the EU provided a historic opportunity for a settlement of the Cyprus problem which should be seized right now.

In statements after arriving on Wednesday, van den Broek assured the Cyprus government that there had been no change in the EU's commitment regarding the commencement of accession negotiations with the island republic.

More violations of Athens FIR reported

The Turkish warplanes were intercepted by Hellenic Air Force F-16, F-1 and Mirage 2000 fighters.

ANA's Internet service gets 'Best of Europe' award

In a letter announcing the award, Europe Online congratulated the ANA on its "excellent web site and for contributing in such a quality way to the overall presence of Europe on the Internet".

The award means that ANA's web site will be featured in the Europe Online Gateway to the Internet in the "News & Weather" section for Greece.

In cooperation with the Greek Internet provider "Forthnet", the ANA provides information to tens of thousands of Greeks and foreigners with two daily news bulletins, one in Greek and one in English.

The English bulletin is updated twice daily and the Greek three times. Both are immediately updated in the case of sudden important events.

Costas Karamanlis announces candidacy for ND`s top post

In announcing his candidacy, Mr. Karamanlis said the party had to rid itself of personal antagonisms plaguing it for a number of years, and make the great leap forward, a leap in quality and effectiveness, without big words, but with certainty, self-con fidence and a sense of responsibility and optimism.

G. Papandreou holds talks with Italian counterpart Fascino

Mr. Papandreou gave an in-depth explanation of Greece's position on Greek- Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue at the General Affairs Council last Monday and Tuesday, and thanked Mr. Fascino on the different position he observed compared to other member-states that proposed a change in phraseology, expressing the conviction that Italy has the intention of contributing constructively in Greek efforts to have the Cyprus issue resolved.

3E subsidiary acquires majority of Yugoslav soft drinks bottler

Balkaninvest purchased the shares for approximately $US15 million.

The company said it has plans to invest another $US24 million for the modernisation of the company's installations, increased production and improving the distrubution network.

WEATHER

SPORTS

Cyclades '97 yacht race in July

Entrants to the competition will be restricted to the captains and crew of the participating yachts. The first stretch of the race, from Phaliro to Milos (81 nautical miles), will be held on July 5, to be followed by Milos- Ios (48 n.m.) on July 7, Ios- Serifos (43 n.m.) on July 10 and Ios-Serifos (55 n.m.) on July 12.

Sports subsidies slide

The total amount of subsidies is 10.46 billion drachmas, compared to 10.62 billion drachmas last year.

He said there will be a separate amount covering international sports events taking place in Greece and a prediction that federations whose athletes have distinguished themselves in Olympic Games will receive bonuses. The largest amounts will be allocated to basketball (1.4 billion), volleyball (1.1 billion), swimming-water polo (1.8 billion), soccer (1.2 billion), athletics (800 million), wrestling (730 million) and weightlifting (600 million).

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

(M.P.)

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