A.N.A. Bulletin, 06/04/96

From: "Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada" <[email protected]>

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 856), April 6, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: [email protected]

CONTENTS

[1] Gov't committed to steady and prompt development of regions, Simitis says

Athens, 06/04/1996 (ANA):

The government will take rapid and steady steps to complete the regional organization of the state and to bolster the institution of local government at two levels, Prime Minister Costas Simitis told the first nationwide conference on prefectural administration in Alexandroupolis yesterday.

Mr. Simitis said that speeding up economic convergence of regions required an integrated action program aiming at the improvement of infrastructure, functional transport and communications networks, balanced development with new investments and the establishment of new ways of managing resources at regional level.

"Regions with lower living standards should enter into an orbit of faster economic growth than the others, so that the big differences in the average level of prosperity noted in our country today may be gradually eliminated," he said.

"Prefectural administration has convinced even its most disbelieving critics that it threatens neither the state nor the nation," he said.

He noted, however, that "developments in this sector to date are not especially encouraging, as the process of regional convergence is proving very slow".

He cautioned against "the splintering of funds in projects without a developmental dimension, and the construction of similar projects in many regions, resulting in under-utilization at national level".

He added that the upgrading of the regions must in no way lead to the reproduction of a smaller "dynastic state," and that "prefectural administration must acquire economic autonomy, because only then can it really become a really independent tier of authority and development".

He announced the financing of Regional Operational Programs with 2.100 billion drachmas, a sum which is over three times the amount provided under the First Community Support Framework.

[2] Tsohatzopoulos presents draft bill

Athens, 06/04/1996 (ANA):

Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos presented the draft bill on the upgrading of regions, providing for the establishment of single devolved administrative entities, to which authority from the central government will be delegated. The regional Secretary-General, whose role will be upgraded, will, apart from planning competencies, have the potential to implement national and regional programs. A Regional Fund will provide the necessary finance for the realization of projects, including at local level.

President of the Athens-Piraeus Prefectural Authority Evangelos Kouloumbis, voicing the objections of many prefects, stressed that prefectures should in no way cede competencies to the regions, which should only exercise those belonging to the central government today, and should, instead, be delegated increased authority and funds. Rather the opposite has happened since the introduction of prefectural local government a year ago, he added.

PASOK Central Committee Secretary Costas Skandalidis said prefectural administration was a great reform, which will no doubt face great difficulties, and requires integrated strategy and great efforts in order to succeed.

He proposed that Value Added Tax provide the main source of revenue for central government, and that income tax, and all other taxes go to the three tiers of local government. Within five years, this plan could lead to the full economic autonomy of local government, he said.

In his address to the conference, Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos called for the institution of elections in all three tiers of local government before the next general election.

[3] Simitis comments on national issues

Athens, 06/04/1996 (ANA):

We are not in a hurry to close any national issue. When the time comes, we shall adopt the most correct solution," the prime minister said on his arrival in Alexandroupolis yesterday. He was responding to press questions of whether any members of the government believed that Athens should not be hasty in closing national issues such as that of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

Mr. Simitis announced that he would visit Thrace next month "to see firsthand the problems and to try and make this border area a center of development for the country".

Commenting on Mr. Simitis' statement concerning Skopje, Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras criticized the prime minister of "unreliability, lack of seriousness and cohesion in dealing with our national issues," adding that he did not know "whether to laugh or cry."

[4] Greek customs seize 113 kilos of cocaine

Athens, 06/04/1996 (ANA):

Customs officials at Piraeus yesterday discovered 113 kilos of pure cocaine hidden in a container full of jeans, in what is one of the biggest drug hauls in recent years.

The narcotic was found in containers unloaded from the Antiguan-flaged cargo vessel 'K Gertrude' two days ago.

According to sources, the 'K Gertrude' is managed in Greece by the Eri Kaouki shipping agency and for some time has been making round trips with port of departure Malta and destination Bulgaria or Turkey.

It sailed into Piraeus on April 3 and departed the following day after unloading the four containers in which the cocaine was found.

The same sources said that the vessel had a nine-man Filipino crew, while the captain and first engineer were Germans.

They added that the vessel appeared to have picked up the containers in Malta, while according to ship's documents in the hands of customs officers, the containers had been transported by an as yet unidentified vessel from Peru with destination Bulgaria.

Meanwhile, in a joint operation with drug squad officers from the United States and France, Greek authorities recently seized a suitcase containing 14 kilos of cocaine at Athens international airport. According to the police, the suitcase belonged to Briton Frank Nicholson, who is still being sought. The cocaine, they said, was to have been distributed in Greece and other countries of western Europe.

The police said that Nicholson, who used to live in Piraeus, flew from Lima, Peru on February 22 to Paris via Madrid with the same suitcase containing the cocaine.

Due to an error by airport baggage handling staff however, instead of being put on an Air France flight for Paris, the suitcase was loaded onto another flight and ended up in Washington. When informed of the mistake in Paris, Nicholson asked for it to be sent from Washington to Athens.

A week later, he hired a taxi from Ayios Konstantinos in Fthiotida where he was staying at a hotel and traveled to Piraeus.

He asked the taxi driver to go to Athens airport to pick up the suitcase and take it to his hotel in Kammena Vourla.

After police had ascertained that the taxi driver was not implicated in the affair, he was allowed to take the suitcase - without the cocaine - to the hotel.

The suitcase remained at the hotel for 20 days but was not claimed by anybody.

The Greek police are continuing to look for Nicholson with the co-operation of Interpol.

[5] Arsenis visits Skyros air force base

Athens, 06/04/1996 (ANA):

National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis visited the 135 Air Force Command in Skyros yesterday, accompanied by Air Force General Staff Chief Lt.-Gen. Georgios Antonetzis.

Mr. Arsenis congratulated the unit's military and civil staff on their high level of morale, readiness and determination. In parallel, he said he and Lt.-Gen. Antonetzis were discussing giving incentives to officers serving at the unit after ascertaining that living conditions were difficult.

He further said he was watching the activities of the 135 Air-force Command on a daily basis as well as the activities of other advanced units defending Greek sovereign rights in the Aegean.

Replying to a questioner on yesterday's airspace violations, Mr. Arsenis told reporters they had the opportunity of seeing how pilots reacted and defended national airspace.

[6] Kaklamanis meets with Chinese counterpart, urges better bilateral relations

Athens, 06/04/1996 (ANA):

Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis had talks yesterday with his Chinese counterpart Qiao Shi, who arrived here earlier for a four-day visit.

Speaking at a luncheon given in Mr. Shi's honor, Mr. Kaklamanis spoke of further promoting Greek-Chinese relations and strengthening "the mutual understanding and acquaintance of our peoples."

As a full member of the European Union, Mr. Kaklamanis said, Greece is in favor of improving relations between China and Europe. He added that Athens also supported China's reinstatement in major international organizations "in accordance with the rules which govern their policy" and also recognized the existence of a single China.

[7] Greece to participate in Bulgaria's planned defense summit, Arsenis says after talks with Pirinski

Athens, 06/04/1996 (ANA):

National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis had talks yesterday with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georgi Pirinski on developments in the greater region and the initiatives which Bulgaria intends to take concerning security and stability in the Balkans.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr. Arsenis referred to Bulgaria's intention to organize a meeting of foreign ministers of the Balkan countries in Sofia in the summer and a defense ministers meeting in early autumn.

Mr. Arsenis said the meetings would be open to all Balkan countries which are interested in participating as well as to those with historical ties with the region.

"We welcome such a meeting which is within the framework of our own proposal and we shall participate," Mr. Arsenis said.

Mr. Pirinski, who arrived in Athens on Wednesday night for a two-day official visit, said that the planned meetings in the Bulgarian capital would constitute steps "which will bind all the countries of the Balkan region within the framework of the development of initiatives by those countries with regard to stability, co-operation and security as well as a favorable framework which may counteract the negative repercussions from the crisis in former Yugoslavia."

Asked about the first-ever south Balkans meeting on security co-operation in Tirana last week, which Greece did not attend because Romania and Serbia had not been invited to participate, Mr. Pirinski reiterated that Bulgaria's defense minister had clearly stated Sofia's position at the meeting, namely that security issues should be discussed and decisions taken with the participation of all the countries of the region.

'We are pleased that this view was shared by all those taking part in the Tirana meeting," Mr. Pirinski said.

The meeting brought together the defense ministers of Albania, Bulgaria, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Italy and Turkey as well as US Defense Secretary William Perry.

[8] FYROM defense minister

Skopje, 06/04/1996 (ANA):

In exclusive statements to the ANA in Skopje, FYROM Foreign Minister Blagoj Hadzinski said there had been no discussion at the Tirana meeting of the possibility of creating an axis between his country, Albania and Bulgaria.

He said "very serious ideas" were aired at the meeting concerning the establishment of a forum where issues could be openly discussed and confidence-building measures created.

Asked by the ANA why Balkan countries such as Romania, Yugoslavia, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina had not been invited to the meeting, Mr. Hadzinski said that the question should be addressed to the organizers.

He added however that the meeting was for the countries of the southern Balkans and expressed the view that invitations had not been extended to the above countries "not because they do not contribute equally to security and stability in the region, but because there is an issue of mutual recognition between them and they have not established diplomatic relations."

[9] Pirinski outlines opportunities for joint businesses

Athens, 06/04/1996 (ANA):

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georgi Pirinski yesterday presented business prospects for Greek investment in Bulgaria at a meeting with businessmen and state officials.

The Bulgarian minister spoke on "Greek-Bulgarian co-operation within the framework of European policy and economic stability in the Balkans."

[10] Pangalos willing to discuss formula for peace, honor and harmony with Turkish foreign minister

London, 06/04/1996 (ANA)

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos told the British newspaper 'The European' yesterday that he was willing to discuss a formula with his Turkish counterpart to ensure "peace and honor for both sides and harmony within the European Union".

According to the newspaper, Mr. Pangalos said "Greece was shocked by the realization that Turkey has territorial claims against us in the eastern Aegean."

"I look forward to discussing solutions with my Turkish counterpart who I understand is a moderate and reliable man," the Greek minister was quoted as saying.

"But Turkey," he added, "must realize that the absolute minimum it must do first is to withdraw its threats of war, declare that it will take any claims it has against Greece to the International Court at The Hague, and respect the status quo in the interim."

The Greek foreign minister described Turkish prime minister Mesut Yilmaz's proposals for dialogue as "great improvement." He added, however, that "rather than Turkey's proposal for bilateral talks without a legal framework, I would propose to my Turkish counterpart a step-by-step solution."

"We should create a joint committee to discuss the legal terms of an agreement. Next, we can revive the committees on good neighborliness, and promote co-operation in mutually beneficial areas: trade, tourism and drug smuggling.

"Once we reach that level it might facilitate a mutual slackening of the two countries' military presence in the Aegean. Turkey must realize that its course into Europe also passes through good relations with Greece and all its European friends will tell it so," he said.

[11] Vartholomeos meets with Yilmaz in 'friendly' atmosphere

Ankara, 06/04/1996 (ANA-A.Kourkoulas)

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos, escorted by members of the Holy Synod, met with Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz in Ankara yesterday.

The visit is of due political significance, since such visits did not take place during former premier Tansu Ciller's tenure.

Following the meeting, Patriarch Vartholomeos told reporters that "I leave Ankara satisfied."

The Patriarch, who has given the Turkish prime minister a memorandum of the problems facing the Patriarchate, said he hoped the problems would be dealt with.

Prior to the meeting, the Turkish prime minister told reporters that "we will listen to his problems and discuss how we can help."

[12] Karadzic unlikely to seek refuge in Mount Athos

Athens, 06/04/1996 (ANA):

Circles in the monastic community of Mount Athos yesterday dismissed press reports that Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic might take refuge in a monastery if NATO forces attempt to arrest him, saying an individual charged with crimes, even unspecified ones such as in the case of Mr. Karadzic, cannot seek sanctuary in Mount Athos.

They added that any man wishing to become a monk on the Athos Peninsula must also have the permission of the Greek state.

The Serbian Orthodox Church has reportedly proposed to Mr. Karadzic that he seek sanctuary at the Mount Athos monastery of Hiliandariou if he is in danger of being arrested by NATO forces in Bosnia, according to the Montenegrin magazine 'Monitor'.

Serbian monks operate the Hiliandariou Monastery. However, Mr. Karadzic, a trained psychiatrist and the leader of the self-proclaimed Bosnian Serb republic of Srpcka, thanked the Church for its offer, but announced that he is preparing to open a psychiatric clinic with his psychiatrist wife and daughter.

Mr. Karadzic and Bosnian Serb General Ratko Mladic have been charged with war crimes by the International Court at The Hague.

[13] Italian man to be extradited

Athens, 06/04/1996 (ANA):

The Supreme Court rejected an appeal by a 45-year-old Italian national yesterday, paving the way for his extradition to Italy, where he has been charged with racketeering for the purpose of smuggling drugs. The High Court ruled that the Italian extradition request on Angelo-Attilo Leone was not based on political reasons, but for the charges Leone was indicted on, which in Italy carries a one-year prison term.

[14] Samaranch: Greek bid for 2004 'strong'

Athens, 06/04/1996 (ANA):

The executive committee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), led by its president Juan Antonio Samaranch, met for the first time in Ancient Olympia yesterday to honor the 100th anniversary of the revival of the modern Olympics.

Before the meeting, Mr. Samaranch laid a wreath at the statue of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the man who inspired the revival of the modern Games.

Addressing the IOC executive, Mr. Samaranch said that Greece's candidacy to stage the 2004 Olympics was "strong."

"The past is the past. We are in the present and look to the future," Mr. Samaranch said. "The fact that Athens has bid to stage the 2004 Games means that there is no bitterness from the decisions of the past."

Greece's bid to host the 1996 Olympics, to which it believed it had a special right because it was the country in which the Games originated and were revived, was rejected by the IOC, with the Games going to Atlanta in the US.

Mr. Samaranch described relations between the IOC and the Greek Olympic Committee (GOC) as "very good".

He added that from what he had seen so far, the installations and facilities in Greece were better than in previous years.

On Thursday, Mr. Samaranch met with Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos who heads the committee spearheading the city's bid to host the 2004 Games.

[15] Centennial events end today

Athens, 06/04/1996 (ANA):

Events commemorating the centennial of the Olympic Games' revival climax today at the Panathenian stadium in downtown Athens.

A re-enactment of the 1896 Olympics begins at 6pm with most of the track and field events using the 1896 regulations and with participation of athletes from the original countries that competed.

The Olympic flame will arrive at the stadium at 8:30 followed by an international torch procession comprised of veteran Olympic medallists representing each of the 17 cities that have hosted the modern Olympics.

A fireworks display will end the ceremony.

[16] Greek Olympic Committee holds reception

Athens, 06/04/1996 (ANA):

Greece and the City of Athens were the guest of honors yesterday at a ceremony held by the Greek Olympic Committee (EOA) at the Old Parliament Hall, where the organization of the first modern Olympic Games was decided upon 100 years ago.

President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, President of the International Olympic Committee Juan Antonio Samaranch and Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos, who is heading the committee spearheading the city's bid to host the 2004 Games, were honored during the ceremony, also attended by the mayors of the 17 cities that have hosted the Games in the past, the IOC's executive committee, presidents of international federations and Greek political and sports personalities.

"Greece had the chance to organize this year's Olympic Games. Unfortunately they were not given to us. We are not bitter about this fact, as we believe in the Olympic ideals. We have hopes for the 2004 Olympiad, not because we have some debts, but because we want to prove how much we believe in the Olympic Games," Mr. Stephanopoulos said.

[17] Evert: Gov't of 'inaction' lacks courage to take decisions

Athens, 06/04/1996 (ANA):

Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert yesterday accused the government of lacking the courage and determination to take decisions.

"From the non-existent government of Andreas Papandreou we have moved to a Simitis government of inaction," Mr. Evert told a meeting of his party deputies.

Mr. Evert said the government's handling of foreign policy issues like the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia issue were damaging the country.

Publicly accepting a composite name for FYROM, Mr. Evert said, "is a tragic tactical error ... it damages the national issue."

His party's position, he said, was "if and when negotiations matured and the conditions are created for finding a solution, the ND Central Council will come together to decide on the procedure we will pursue through Parliament and the party's official position."

"A firm national front does not necessarily mean the acceptance and support of mistakes and arbitrary actions," he said, adding that he was willing to participate in a political leaders meeting chaired by President Kostis Stephanopoulos.

Wishing Prime Minister Costas Simitis success on his pending visit to the United States, Mr. Evert said "our country should not give in to pressures from external factors."

Turning to domestic issues, Mr. Evert said the economic outlook was bleak and accused the government of lack of coordination, indirect taxation and the inability to protect public health and the environment.

The ND leader did not rule out the possibility of early elections, saying that New Democracy would win.

In an indirect reference to ND honorary president Constantine Mitsotakis, Mr. Evert said that "those looking to weak coalition governments in order to find a position in the political scene will be disappointed".

In his address, the ND deputy president Ioannis Varvitsiotis criticized the party of lack of effective political communication "either as government or main opposition."

[18] Simitis visit bodes well for Greek-Turkish relations, US State Dept. says

Washington, 06/04/1996 (ANA - T. Ellis)

The US State Department said yesterday that Prime Minister Costas Simitis' forthcoming visit could produce positive results for Greek-Turkish relations.

"There are hopeful indications," spokesman Glyn Davis said in response to a question on whether the US expected anything substantial from talks Mr. Simitis and Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos will have with President Clinton and other top members of the US administration next week.

Mr. Davis declined to give any details as to the content of the talks, reiterating the US position that Greek-Turkish differences should be resolved in a peaceful manner, and the proposal for referral of the Imia islets issue to the International Court at The Hague or some other form of arbitration.

"The US is always willing to play any role the interested parties ask them to," he added. In Athens, the government said it felt that the prime minister's visit to the US will be a "success," while government spokesman Dimitris Reppas expressed the hope yesterday that "the Greek positions will be understood since they are the right ones."

[19] Kastanidis apologizes for OA delays, inconvenience

Athens, 06/04/1996 (ANA):

Transport and Communications Minister Haris Kastanidis apologized publicly yesterday to all passengers inconvenienced by delays in Olympic Airways flights over the past few days.

"I would like to apologize publicly to Greek and foreign citizens who have suffered or are experiencing inconvenience these days in trying to travel with our national carrier. Mistakes and omissions, both recent and in the past, have led to present-day problems," he said yesterday.

"We are working hard to resolve them soon in conditions which are not easy, since we are facing either the chronic unacceptable mentalities of certain people or the conscientious effort of others, fortunately a few, to undermine Olympic and channel its transport work elsewhere," he added.

Mr. Kastanidis said he was aware that few in the country were prepared to assume responsibilities attributed to them for problems created and personally requested understanding and leniency from passengers.

[20] GSEE delegation to visit Turkish comrades this weekend

Athens, 06/04/1996 (ANA):

A General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) delegation departs for Turkey this Sunday after an invitation by the Turkish Labor Confederation (Turk-Is).

During contacts with labor groups in the neighboring nation, the GSEE delegation, which is headed by its president Christos Protopapas, is expected to concentrate on the need for co-operation and joint action for peace, development and employment among both peoples.

On Thursday, during the Orthodox holy week, the GSEE delegation will meet with Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos in Istanbul.

In addition, another GSEE delegation will visit the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) on April 21 and 22 in order to meet with labor organizations in that country.

[21] Education ministry measures to aid Moslems' access to further education announced

Athens, 06/04/1996 (ANA):

According to an education ministry decision announced yesterday, Moslem students will be able to enroll free of charge at the Komotini public liberal arts institute (IEK) and will receive a 30,000 monthly benefit from the state.

The preferential treatment is aimed at giving Moslem students a chance to study at the Komotini IEK, the ministry stated.

In a related matter, the Organization of Vocational Training (OEEK), will grant a half-yearly subsidy to private firms or employers who hire IEK students.

Some 800 students currently attend classes at the Komotini IEK, and the government expects to double that amount in 1996-97.

[22] Skandalidis in Nicosia on Monday

Athens, 06/04/1996 (ANA):

PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis is heading a ruling party delegation set to arrive in Nicosia on Monday for talks with the island republic's EDEK party.

The two socialist party sides are expected to discuss the Cyprus problem and promotion of the island's accession to the European Union. On Tuesday, Mr. Skandalidis will meet with Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides.

[23] Easter week garbage strike called off... for now

Athens, 06/04/1996 (ANA):

Athens municipality sanitation workers have decided to postpone a 48-hour strike scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, after a meeting with Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos. "I asked them to postpone the strikes for Easter week, noting that regarding their basic demands, they have my support and I want to say that once again they are right," Mr. Avramopoulos said after the meeting. The mayor said he assured the workers that he would "stand by them" during their talks with the interior ministry, which will take the final decision on their demands. The president of the union of municipality sanitation workers warned that it their demands were not met in 10 days they would proceed to industrial action.

The workers are asking for the implementation of the 1995 collective labor agreement, the hiring of 300 people in the sanitation sector and the renewal of 220 workers' contracts which expired on April 6.

[24] Worker-employer agreement on business hours will be implemented

Athens, 06/04/1996 (ANA):

Labor and Social Security Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos pledged to implement the business hours to be agreed upon by workers and employers organizations, when he met yesterday with representatives of the two groups yesterday. If Mr. Yiannopoulos goes a head with his promise, the deregulation of business hours, which began in 1992, will be a thing of the past.

Mr. Yiannopoulos stressed that Sunday as a holiday is not negotiable, a view with which the workers' and employers' organizations agree. The labor ministry is to issue a circular to all prefects, reminding them that the Sunday holiday is law, and that those covering up illegalities will be dealt with by the ministry.

A joint statement from workers and employers groups has suggested business hours be set at 6am to 8pm during the winter, 6am to 9pm during the summer and 6am to 5pm on Saturdays. GSEE President Christos Protopapas characterized Mr. Yiannopoulos' comments positive.

[25] Firms say they will fight Gov't decision to revoke Flisvos casino license

Athens, 06/04/1996 (ANA):

The four construction firms comprising the majority interest in the Athens Casino Joint Venture yesterday accused the government and Development Minister Vasso Papandreou of "unreliability" following an inner cabinet decision to revoke the license for the casino it was to have built and operated.

Speaking at a press conference, representatives of the four firms - ALTE, Attikat, Technodomi and Proodeftiki - spoke of "interests" which "intervened" to prevent the implementation of the agreement which had been duly signed.

The inner cabinet Thursday decided to reduce the number of planned casinos, saying the number of licenses announced was excessive, and to cancel the tender procedure for the Parnitha casino and revoke the license given to the joint venture for a casino near Athens.

The joint venture called on the government "albeit at the last moment to realize the enormity of its mistake and cancel its decision."

The representatives said that if the inner cabinet's decision to revoke the license was not overturned, they would appeal to the Council of State.

They also declared their determination to block by all legal means any new tender proclaimed for a casino in Attica, invoking their "legal interest."

The joint venture said it would have recourse to the Greek courts initially to claim at least 360 billion drachmas. The sum in question is based on a report by the company Deloitte and Touche, which the joint venture considers to be full compensation for both positive damage and lost profit up to last June.

The government acknowledged Thursday that it had undertaken contractual obligations vis-a-vis the joint venture, but said the latter had committed certain irregularities and had broken the terms of the relevant agreement.

The representatives of the joint venture yesterday denied any irregularities, terming the government's accusations as "pretexts."

They said that the joint venture insisted on building the casino on the Attica coast at Flisvos, near Piraeus, and on the implementation of the relevant agreement.

Commenting on the issue, Press Minister Dimitris Reppas told reporters yesterday that if a casino license would be issued for the region of Attica it would be given for a casino at Parnitha.

Political Spring party spokesman Notis Martakis, meanwhile, called on the government to throw light on the case, hinting at "conflicting interests."

The Coalition of the Left and Progress also called on the government to give sufficient explanation over its sudden change in policy. ANA

[26] Gov't to look at changing housing credit sector

Athens, 06/04/1996 (ANA):

The government is to proceed with restructuring in the housing credit sector, National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said yesterday after meeting with the governors of state-run banks, adding that it would move to make housing loans more attractive through the National Mortgage Bank.

He said the changes would focus on restructuring rather than subsidization by state coffers.

Mr. Papantoniou said there was no question of the Ionian Bank being sold, but that the Bank of Crete would be sold by the end of the year.

He urged bank administrations to compress operational costs and expenditures, restructure their treasuries and reorganize their services.

End of English language section.