[01] CONDITION OF THE PRIME MINISTER'S HEALTH REMAINS UNCHANGED

[02] 1996 BUDGET TO BE VOTED FOR TONIGHT

[03] COMMENTS BY THE GREEK DEFENCE MINISTER ON THE GREEK PARTICIPATION IN THE NATO FORCES DEPLOYED IN BOSNIA

[04] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER ARRIVED IN SOFIA TODAY

[05] OLYMPIC AIRWAYS WILL OFFER A THIRD WEEKLY FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA

[06] THE US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE WILL VISIT NICOSIA ON JANUARY 22 AND 23

[07] THE ISRAELI AMBASSADOR TO CYPRUS DENIED ALLEGATIONS CONCERNING ISRAELI GOVERNMENT INVESTMENTS IN THE TURKISH OCCUPIED TERRITORIES

[08] MESSAGE BY THE GREEK PRESIDENT TO THE OVERSEAS HELLENISM ON THE OCCASION OF CHRISTMAS NEWS IN ENGLISH

[01] CONDITION OF THE PRIME MINISTER'S HEALTH REMAINS UNCHANGED

The infection which hit the greek prime minister mr Andreas Papandreou is under control according to the second report issued today by the board of doctors observing him since he was admitted on November 20th in the Onassion Cardiology Centre, one of the best equipped in Europe.

According to the report, the respiration of the Prime Minister's is periodically supported by a respirator while it is stressed that his heart functioning has not been changed and remains unaffected. The doctors said that mr Papandreou has not developed a fever and that his blood circulation is stable.

Earlier in the first report of the day for the first time since mr Papandreou was admitted to hospital, the members of the medical council had avoided to use a "term" to characterize the condition of his health, in the medical bulletin they issue.

In the medical bulletin issued at noon today is only mentioned that the new infection, this time in the patient's blood, was being treated with antibiotics for the past 24 hours.

Also, it mentioned that the Prime Minister's respiratory function was periodically supported by a respirator and that the renal fuction by artificial kidney.

The attendant doctors mention that the function of the patient's heart is satisfactory despite the infections.

Mr Papandreou, born in February 1919 has been elected Prime Minister with absolute pareliamentary majorities three times, the first two being succesive in 1981 and 1985 and the third in 1993 in a mandate which ends in October 1997.

He has been married to ms Demetra LIani Papandreou since 1989 and from a previous marriage he has four children, one of whom is the Minister of Education mr Giorgos Papandreou.

[02] 1996 BUDGET TO BE VOTED FOR TONIGHT

Greek Parliamen is expected to vote late tonight for the 1996 budget, a vote which is regarded as a vote of confidence for the government which supported it under the first in order minister mr Akis Tsohadjopoulos who, according to the law for government is substituting the Prime Minister mr Andreas Papandeou since he was admitted in hospital on November 20th.

No important leaks are expected for the governmenta; majority which supported its achievements in the fight against the inflation which for the first time since 1972 fell under 10% (8.2% in November)

The president of the main opposition party of New Democracy mr Miltiades Evert asked that the government solves the political problem created by mr Papandreou's illness. Mr Evert asked that a new prime minister be elected immediately.

According to the greek constitution the prime minister is elected by the parliamentary group of the gpoverning party which has 169 seats in the 300-member parliament.The two major prospective successors of mr Papandreou's are the National Defense Minister mr Yerassimos Arsenis and the ex-trade minister mr Constantinos Simitis.

[03] COMMENTS BY THE GREEK DEFENCE MINISTER ON THE GREEK PARTICIPATION IN THE NATO FORCES DEPLOYED IN BOSNIA

Greek Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis clarified today that there is no immediate danger for the security of the greek soldiers who will participate in the NATO forces that will help in the implementation of the Dayton peace agreement in Bosnia.

Mr.Arsenis stated that the region of operations for the greek transport battalion has been determined by the greek government.

Meanwhile, the greek frigate "YDRA" and the two minesweepers as well as the the two C-130 transport planes departed this morning for Ankona and Rimini in Italy in order to participate in the NATO forces that will be deployed in Bosnia to help in the implementation of the Dayton peace agreement.

[04] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER ARRIVED IN SOFIA TODAY

Greek Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias arrived in Sofia today in order to sign with his bulgarian counterpart mr.Pirinski agreements concerning the waters of River Nestos and the opening of three new border crossings at the greek-bulgarian borders.

According to the accord already initialled, Greece will receive 29% of the waters of River Nestos and the agreement will be in effect for 35 years.

The second accord provides for the opening of three border crossings in the regions Drama - Gotse Deltchev, Xanthi - Rundozem through Exinos and Komotini - Markaza with an extension to the bulgarian cities Kertzali and Haskovo.

After the signing of the accords, mr.Papoulias was scheduled to be received by bulgarian Prime Minister Jan Videnov who was going to give a formal dinner to the greek Foreign Minister's honour.

Mr.Papoulias is expected to return to Athens this afternoon.

[05] OLYMPIC AIRWAYS WILL OFFER A THIRD WEEKLY FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA

Olympic Airways will offer a third weekly flight to Australia in order to be able to handle the increased number of passengers during the summer months.

The third weekly flight will be inaugurated in March and will continue until the end of October. The flight will depart from Athens every Sunday morning and will arrive in Sidney and Melbourne on Monday morning.

The other two flights will depart from Athens every Tuesday and Friday morning with destination Melbourne and Sidney respectively and with a stop over in Bangong.

[06] THE US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE WILL VISIT NICOSIA ON JANUARY 22 AND 23

US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Halbrook accompanied by US Presidential envoy Richard Beattie and special coordinator James Williams will visit Nicosia on January 22nd and 23rd for consultations on the Cyprus problem.

The above were announced by a reliable government source which mentioned that the Cypriot government was formally informed on mr.Halbrook's visit to Nicosia. The same source mentioned that the US officials will also visit Athens and Ankara for contacts on the Cyprus problem.

The US officials will have talks in Nicosia with Cypriot President Kliridis with Foreign Minister Alekos Michailidis and with turkish-cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

Cypriot government spokesman Yiannakis Kasoulidis reiterated the Cypriot government's position that the United States can and should help the UN Secretary General to complete his good offices. He also added that the undertaking of any joint or individual efforts on behalf of the UN Security Council permanent members will be welcomed.

[07] THE ISRAELI AMBASSADOR TO CYPRUS DENIED ALLEGATIONS CONCERNING ISRAELI GOVERNMENT INVESTMENTS IN THE TURKISH OCCUPIED TERRITORIES

Israeli Ambassador to Cyprus Semi Jur categorically stated that the israeli government has no intention to make investments in the turkish occupied territories in Cyprus.

The israeli Ambassador made those statements when he was asked to comment on an article published by the turkish newspaper "Hurriyet" according to which a group of israeli companies is planning to build a hotel in the turkish occupied region of Famagusta in Cyprus.

The israeli Ambassador stated that the jewish state owns no property in the occupied territories and therefore has no intention to develop those territories or to invest there as it has been mentioned in recent newspaper publications. The israeli Ambassador reiterated that Israel's policy is clear adding that Israel recognizes only the Cypriot government as the legal government on the island.

[08] MESSAGE BY THE GREEK PRESIDENT TO THE OVERSEAS HELLENISM ON THE OCCASION OF CHRISTMAS

Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos in a message to the overseas Hellenism on the occasion of Christmas and the New Year underlined the contribution of the greeks living abroad to the handling of the issues of national importance and pointed out that the establishment of the Council of Overseas Hellenism is an event of great importance.

The greek President stressed that the teaching of the greek language must intesify for the younger generations of greeks living abroad with the help of the greek state.

Also, in his message the greek President pointed out that in the past year many developments and changes took place in the region adding that the problems concerning Greece continue to exist. Greek President Stephanopoulos also said that without overlooking the difficulties he believes that they can be overcomed with success.