[01] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS' PRESS CONFERENCE IN THESSALONIKI'S 61ST INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR

[02] THE PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES OF THE GREEK POLITICAL PARTIES

[03] STATEMENTS BY THE GREEK MINISTER OF DEFENCE ON THE ALLEGATIONS OF NATIONAL GUARD INVOLVEMENT IN A SHOOTING INCIDENT IN CYPRUS

[04] THE SHOTS WERE FIRED FROM THE DIRECTION OF THE TURKISH OCCUPIED TERRITORIES, ACCORDING TO THE STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE BRITISH BASES

[05] THE CYPRIOT AUTHORITIES CATEGORICALLY DENIED THE TURKISH AND THE TURKISH-CYPRIOT ALLEGATIONS ON GREEK-CYPRIOT INVOLVEMENT IN THE SHOOTING INCIDENT THAT TOOK PLACE IN THE OCCUPIED NORTHERN CYPRUS

[06] GUNSHOTS WERE FIRED IN THE TURKISH OCCUPIED TERRITORIES IN CYPRUS WHILE EXPLOSIVES WERE FOUND NEAR A TURKISH MILITARY OUTPOST

[07] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER A POSSIBLE TURKISH MILITARY INTERVENTION IN IRAQUI KURDISTAN

[08] THE NEW DEMOCRACY LEADER STATED THAT HE IS READY TO FORM A GOVERNMNET IN AN INTERVIEW TO THE NEWSPAPER "TO VIMA TIS KIRIAKIS"

[09] THE FOREIGN DIGNITARIES OF GREEK ORIGIN COMPLETED THEIR VISIT TO GREECE

[10] THE GREEK BUSINESSMEN SEE WITH SCEPTICISM THE PROSPECT OF BIG INVESTMENTS IN BULGARIA

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS' PRESS CONFERENCE IN THESSALONIKI'S 61ST INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR

Prime Minister, Kostas Simitis in a press conference covering all issues, expressed optimism that PASOK will be the winner in the September 22 elections with a large majority of votes, while he stated that Thessaloniki's International Trade Fair shows that Greece follows the road to economic growth and international cooperation.

Mr.Simitis criticized New Democracy stating that it has launched a sensationalism pre-election campaign offering benefits without taking into account the costs involved. He said that in the 1990 pre-election campaign New Democracy had promised 100 thousand new jobs and instead 120 thousand people were left unemployed, stressing that the government of PASOK has created 150 thousand jobs and in the next 4 years they will be increased to 330 thousand.

To mr.Evert's accusations that he is backed by "big interests", he said that he will not respond to slander and called anyone supporting this allegation to present evidence proving it.

Responding to the question on a possible dialogue with the left, mr.Simitis stated that PASOK is not seeking to rob the left of its votes and said that after the elections the dialogue with the citizens and all the political forces will continue for the solution of the country's problems.

The Prime Minister clarified that if PASOK wins the elections no new taxes will be imposed and will continue the implementation of its economic and development policy.

On the issue of privatizations, the Prime Minister stated that the procedures in the Banks of Crete and Attica must be completed.

Referring to the incident in northern Cyprus, in which a turkish soldier was killed and another one was injured, the Prime Minister stated that he was briefed on the situation by the Minister of Defence, the greek Embassy in Cyprus and representatives of the Cypriot government and pointed out that after the guns of the greek-cypriot National Guardsmen were checked it was evident that there was no shooting from the greek- cypriot side. He also pointed out that the exploitation of the incident by Turkey shows that it seeks to justify its stance in the recent killings of the two greek-cypriots in Derinia.

Mr.Simitis also referred to the continuing turkish aggressiveness and underlined the need to handle the situation with determination. Responding to the question on a possible turkish military intervention in Iraq, mr.Simitis announced that he has sent a letter to US President Clinton pointing out that the observance of international law and treaties is necessary, stressing that any turkish intervention will constitute violation of international treaties. Mr.Simitis said that the so-called "stabilizing" role of Turkey in the region is not a true fact, but on the contrary, this country constitutes a distabilizing factor.

The Prime Minister said that Greece will continue its diplomatic activity in the UN and in other international organizations in order to expose Turkey's role and to promote the greek positions.

On the skopjan issue, mr.Simitis stated that a policy has been formed with the signing of the interim accord and the negotiations in the UN on the issue of FYROM's name.

Earlier, in the meeting the Prime Minister had with President of HELEXPO-Thessaloniki International Trade Fair, mr.Antonis Kourtis and members of its Board of Directors, characterized the exhibition as especially successful, saying that it has fulfiled its goal namely, to promote the achievements of the greek economy and its relations with foreign economies and also, to present all around the world the work taking place in the country.

[02] THE PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES OF THE GREEK POLITICAL PARTIES

PASOK leader and Prime Minister, Kostas Simitis met today with representatives of production sectors in Thessaloniki and in the city of Serres, while tonight he will return to Athens.

New Democracy leader, Miltiadis Evert reiterated yesterday from the city of Larissa, that his party is ready to govern and called the Prime Minister to reveal the names of tax evaders with debts to the state of 15 to 20 billion drachmas.

Political Spring party leader, Antonis Samaras spoke yesterday in the northern prefecture of Evros about "invisible mass media bosses", who determine the political developments in the country. Mr.Samaras toured today the prefectures of Rodopi and Xanthi in northern Greece.

Communist party General Secretary, Aleka Papariga stated from the island of Lesvos that her party does not want Greece's submission to foreign decision-making centers or its isolation but pays special attention to domestic growth.

The party Coalition of the Left in a statement underlined that mr.Simitis "gives out pre-election recipes of happiness and hides from the people the 1997 state budget it keeps in his drawers". The party's leader, Nikos Konstantopoulos, who is touring the cities of Kalabaka, Metsovo, Konitsa and Ioannina launched an attack against the two-party politics.

Leader of the Democratic Social Movement, Dimitris Tsovolas launched an attack against the two main political parties for their economic policy and spoke in an open-air political rally in the city of Agrinio.

[03] STATEMENTS BY THE GREEK MINISTER OF DEFENCE ON THE ALLEGATIONS OF NATIONAL GUARD INVOLVEMENT IN A SHOOTING INCIDENT IN CYPRUS

Greek Minister of Defence, Gerasimos Arsenis, referring to the shooting incident in northern Cyprus in which a turkish soldier was killed and another was injured, stated that the greek government is in contact with the Cypriot authorities and watches the issue closely.

Mr.Arsenis reiterated the statement issued by the Cypriot Ministry of Defence which, after an investigation, categorically stated that there was no National Guard involvement in that incident.

Mr.Arsenis stressed that the distance separating the greek- cypriot from the turkish military outposts is about 700 meters and between them lays a zone that belongs to the British base.

The Defence Minister added that the recent cold-blooded killing of the two greek-cypriots in Derinia has created a very negative climate in the world public opinion toward Turkey and is possible that this country is trying to overturn this climate.

[04] THE SHOTS WERE FIRED FROM THE DIRECTION OF THE TURKISH OCCUPIED TERRITORIES, ACCORDING TO THE STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE BRITISH BASES

In a statement issued by the authorities of the British bases, the shots fired at dawn today against a turkish military outpost came from the direction of the turkish occupied territories.

According to the statement, the british bases police and the Royal Military Police assisted in the preliminary investigation on the conditions of the death of a turkish soldier and the wounding of another from gunshots fired near Agios Kendeas today at dawn. The statement continues, that based on the first opinions presented the shots were fired from a place north of the turkish forces cease-fire line and therefore, the british have no jurisdiction.

The statement concludes that the turkish forces are in charge of the investigation and the british Bases authorities assist in the effort because those responsible probably had passed through british bases territory.

British Bases spokesman, Anthony Warner responding to a question by a reporter, did not rule out the possibility that the shots could have been fired by turks.

Meanwhile, a greek-cypriot eye-witness has stated that he heard the shots and saw a car speeding away toward the turkish occupied territories.

[05] THE CYPRIOT AUTHORITIES CATEGORICALLY DENIED THE TURKISH AND THE TURKISH-CYPRIOT ALLEGATIONS ON GREEK-CYPRIOT INVOLVEMENT IN THE SHOOTING INCIDENT THAT TOOK PLACE IN THE OCCUPIED NORTHERN CYPRUS

The cypriot authorities and the Cypriot Ministry of Defence categorically denied the allegations comming from Turkey and turkish-cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash of greek-cypriot involvement in the shooting incident that took place in the occupied Aheritos in which a turkish soldier was killed while another one was injured.

The greek-cypriot governmnet announced that there was no report on an incident in the region during last night. Also, it has added that no shots were fired by the National Guard and therefore, is not ruling out the possibility of a turkish provocation.

[06] GUNSHOTS WERE FIRED IN THE TURKISH OCCUPIED TERRITORIES IN CYPRUS WHILE EXPLOSIVES WERE FOUND NEAR A TURKISH MILITARY OUTPOST

Gunshots were fired in the turkish occupied territories in northern Cyprus behind the demarcation line in Agios Pavlos, as it was confirmed by a National Guard General Staff officer.

The officer clarified that the National Guard General Staff has begun an investigation on the incident even though the shooting took place behind the turkish military outposts and not against National Guard positions.

Meanwhile, explosives were discovered on the grounds of the turkish military outpost where a turkish soldier was found dead this morning while another one was found seriously injured. The discovery of the explosives led the authorities of the british bases, assisting in the investigation of the case, to close the nearby road.

According to information, in the region have arrived British Bases' vehicles and explosives' experts.

[07] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER A POSSIBLE TURKISH MILITARY INTERVENTION IN IRAQUI KURDISTAN

Reuters news agency reports that the kurds living in northern Iraq are abandoning their homes fearing a turkish invasion.

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Minister of Defence Gerasimos Arsenis and caretaker Minister of Press, Dimitris Konstas expressed the greek government's concern over a possible turkish military intervention in the iraqui Kurdistan.

Mr.Pangalos condemned the distabilizing role played by Turkey in the region and added that the neighbouring country puts in dispute the Treaty of Lausanne both in the Aegean and in its south- eastern borders.

[08] THE NEW DEMOCRACY LEADER STATED THAT HE IS READY TO FORM A GOVERNMNET IN AN INTERVIEW TO THE NEWSPAPER "TO VIMA TIS KIRIAKIS"

New Democracy leader, Miltiadis Evert stated in an interview to Athens newspaper "To Vima tis Kiriakis" that he is ready to form a government.

Mr.Evert revealed that the names appearing on the top of the list of candidates, who will not be elected directly by the people but based on the percentage of votes the party will get, will occupy ministerial positions in the government he will form after the September 22 elections.

Also, the leader of New Democracy mentions that he fears none of his rivals, including PASOK's leader, Kostas Simitis.

[09] THE FOREIGN DIGNITARIES OF GREEK ORIGIN COMPLETED THEIR VISIT TO GREECE

The foreign government Ministers, Senators and Parliament deputies of greek origin who were on a 5-day visit to Greece on the invitation of the greek Foreign Minister, left Thessaloniki this morning and returned to their countries.

The foreign dignitaries of greek origin elected in Thessaloniki yesterday, a 5-member Committee that will coordinate the actions of the Inter-Parliamentary Association of Hellenism established by foreign Parliamentarians of greek origin.

Coordinating Committee President, Dimitris Dollis, who is alternate main opposition party leader in the australian state of Victoria, pointed out that the greek origin members of foreign Parliaments intend to achieve a direct cooperation with the greek Foreign Ministry on the hot issues of the Aegean, the Cyprus problem and Thrace.

[10] THE GREEK BUSINESSMEN SEE WITH SCEPTICISM THE PROSPECT OF BIG INVESTMENTS IN BULGARIA

The greek businessmen see with scepticism the prospect of big investments in Bulgaria due to the instability and the credibility crisis in the neighbouring country's banking system.

The position mentioned above was expressed to Bulgaria's Minister of Commerce, Atanas Paparizov by members of the Exporters Association in Northern Greece during the discussion they had on the course of the trade transactions between the two countries.

Exporters Association of Northern Greece President, mr.Genitsaris pointed out that many positive steps have been made toward the development of bilateral economic relations adding that there is room for further improvement.

Mr.Genitsaris stressed that the economies of the two countries have a lot in common and said that the greek businessmen are concerned over the problems in Bulgaria that prevent new investments.

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