[01] EUROPEAN UNION SUPPORTS THE ROAD EGNATIA

[02] ATHENS CONDEMNS HIJACK

[03] PASOK MPS ASK FOR DEMOCRATIZATION OF PARLIAMENT GROUP

[04] GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF EUROPEAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEES OPENED TODAY

[05] THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH ARRIVED IN THE ISLAND OF CRETE

[06] OVER 2.000 AIDS CASES WERE REPORTED IN CYPRUS

[07] GREECE HONOURED TWO US HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[01] EUROPEAN UNION SUPPORTS THE ROAD EGNATIA

The European Union position that the "via Egnatia", the road which will connect the greek port of Igoumenicha in the Ionian Sea with the Grecoturkish border is included in the European Infrastructire networks and will be financed by the European Union, was reitereated today by the British Union Transport Commissioner mr Neal Kinnock who is on an official visit to Athens.

Mr Kinnock did not exclude the eventuality that the Union finances partly the axis 8 which is the road that will connect the Albanian Adriatic port of Durrache to Constantinople, Turkey, but restricted himself to admitting that this is a very different case from the "via Egnatia" which as stressed is already being constructed.

Greek Transport and Communications Minister mr Evangelos Venizelos noted that the position adopted by mr Kinnock justifies what Athens said after the announcement by Albania, FYROM, Bulgaria and Turkey of their intention to construct the axis which in the European codes is referred to as "axis 8" while they directly interested countries call it the East-West axis.

In Athens apart from mr Venizelos, mr. Kinnock, an ex-president of the British Labour party till 1992 was received the greek alternate Foreign Minister mr. Giorgos Romeos with whom he examined issues of Union interest and especially the issue of the financing of the European Networks.

The greek side supports the Commission in its effort to increase the funds earmarked for the financing of the European Infrastructure Networks aiming at the accelaration on their construction pace.

Mr. Kinnock was also received by the Merchant Marine Minister mr. Giorgos Katsifaras, while in a speech he gave he said that he aknowledges the problems Greece, due to its geographical position has in the transport sector and underscored the role greek merchant marine plays in the international transport.

[02] ATHENS CONDEMNS HIJACK

Greek Press and Media Minister mr Tilemahos Hitiris condemned today the hijack attempt which took place in an Olympic Airways airplane travelling from Melburne to Adis Abbeba via Athens.

The attempt was realised by an ethiopean journalist who claimed persecutions against hoim for political reasons and admitted that he threatened a air hostess because he wanted to be be arrested by Greek authorities and not go back to Ethiopia where he was deported to from Australia.

[03] PASOK MPS ASK FOR DEMOCRATIZATION OF PARLIAMENT GROUP

39 members of the 170 parliamentary group of the governing socialistic PASOK deposited today a memorandum asking for certain rights to be given to the MPs who they claim lack teh chance to play an important role in the political scene.

The 39 who are supposed to be near ex-Industry Minister mr Constantinos Simitis say that the head of the parliamentary gorup shopuld be e;lected and that the group should convene at least every two months.

MP mr Giorgos Pashalidis who spoke on behalf of the "39" noted that PASOK parliamentary group did not even have a statute of function after a 21-year presense in the parliament, while the Secretary of the Central committee mr Constantinos Scandalidis whose election was not supported by those signing the memorandum said "let all flowers blossom".

[04] GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF EUROPEAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEES OPENED TODAY

The greek government appeared today satisfied by yesterday's meeting Prime Minister mr Andreas Papandreou had in Athens with the International Olympic Committee President mr Juan Antonio Samaranch, who is in Athens for the 24th General assembly of the European Olympic Committee.

Greek Press and Media Minister mr Tilemachos Hitiris stated that something good can come out of the meeting adding that the greek government's target is to bring the Olympic Games of the year 2.004 to Athens.

Mr. Hitiris said that the government will move towards this direction and the selection of Athens will be a honorary selection.

The proceedings of the 24th General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees opened in Athens today in the presence of mr Samaranch's and with the participation of 151 representatives from 48 european countries.

In his opening speech mr. Samaranch referred to Greece's contribution to the course of the Olympic movement and to Europe's important role both in setting principles and in the exemplary formation of Olympic Committees.

Mr.Samaranch referring to the preparations for the Olympic Games in Atlanta said that the facilities are excellent and the success of the games will be a general success of the Olympic movement.

He also referred to the candidatures for the hosting of the Olympic Games of the year 2.004. He said that 14 cities have expressed interest in hosting the international event adding that their number is expected to be reduced to 10.

The final decision on the city that will host the Olympic Games in 2.004 will be made in September of 1997 in Lauzanne.

[05] THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH ARRIVED IN THE ISLAND OF CRETE

Ecumenical Patriarch mr Vartholomeos arrived today in the city of Iraklion in the southern Aegean island of Crete after his official visit to Paris.

The Ecumenical Patriarch was welcomed at the city's airport by Education Minister mr Giorgos Papandreou representing the greek government while local authorities, Parliament deputies, members of the Holy Synod of the Church of Crete, headed by Archbishop Timotheos and tens of priests were also present in the reception.

Mr Vartholomeos is visiting Iraklion in order to attend events marking the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Metropolitan Church of St. Minas and during his visit will have meetings with members of the Holy Synod of Crete and local authorities of the island.

[06] OVER 2.000 AIDS CASES WERE REPORTED IN CYPRUS

The AIDS carriers in Cyprus are estimated to be over 2.000, according to cypriot Health Minister Manolis Christoforidis but based on official figures the AIDS carriers in the country are 221.

Mr. Christoforidis said that in reality the number of AIDS carriers is 10 times larger than reported and is possible that most of them haven't been diagnosed with the disease or they are not aware they have the deadly virus.

Mr. Christoforidis said that all the figures on AIDS indicate that the disease develops in Cyprus with the same pace as in other countries.

[07] GREECE HONOURED TWO US HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES

Greece's highest honorary distinction, the Highest Commander of the Order of the Phoenix was awarded to two members of the US House of Representatives Foreign Relations Committee, Lee Hamilton and William Broomfield after a decision by the greek President of the Republic. The two received the honorary distinction for their contribution to the strengthening of relations between Greece and the United States.

The distinction was awarded by greek ambassador to Washigton mr. Tsilas in a ceremony held in the greek Embassy. Also, present in the ceremony was US House of Representatives Foreign Relations Committee Chairman, Ben Gilman.

The greek ambassador praised the excellent US- Greek relations and read messages by Archbishop of North and South America mr Iakovos and greek-american former US House Representative John Brademas addressed to the honorary distinction recipients.