A.N.A. Bulletin, 19/09/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 993), September 19, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: [email protected]

CONTENTS

[1] Election campaign heads into home stretch

Greece's ruling PASOK party and main opposition New Democracy continued to trade volleys over relations between Greece and Turkey, as the election campaign headed into the home stretch yesterday.

The inter-party committee on the elections said ND leader Miltiades Evert's decision to hold a televised interview late on Friday night after ruling party PASOK's Athens rally was not permissible, with the Radio and Television Council saying that fines may be imposed if the interview went ahead.

Premier and PASOK leader Costas Simitis, speaking in Volos, told supporters that Sunday's election was "an invitation" to choose between stability and adventurism, and called on Greeks to rally round the ruling party in order to turn the vision of a strong Greece into a reality.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Vasilis Skouris released details of the voting procedure for Sunday's election, saying that the first estimate of the final results will be possible at about 9pm.

The number of voters is about 8.5 million, of whom 51 per cent are women, and 492, 874 first-time voters.

[2] Athens welcomes elections in Bosnia as 'significant step in peace process'

The Greek government has welcomed the holding of elections on September 14 in Bosnia-Herzegovina as a significant step in the peace process.

"The holding of these elections constitutes the first step towards the setting up of the common institutions and organs of the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina that are envisaged in the Peace Agreement.

"Efforts must now be centered on the reparation of the ills of war, reconstruction, and the re-integration of the area in full normality. Co-operation among the (constituent) parts is an obvious precondition for the attainment of this goal," a foreign ministry statement said last night.

[3] Department on Mediterranean policies to be founded in foreign ministry

A new department focusing on Greece's Mediterranean policies, as these are drafted within the broader EuroMediterranean policies, is to be established at the foreign ministry, reliable sources revealed yesterday.

The sources said the department will coordinate efforts related to Mediterranean policies, promote Greece's involvement in the economic aspects of EuroMediterranean co-operation and inform both the public and private sectors of the potential and opportunities for EuroMediterranean policies.

A second department, the "Bureau of technical co-operation with third European countries," will also be established at the ministry with the aim of assisting non-member European countries in efforts to gain EU accession.

The department will define its focus in relation to prospects for EU enlargement and in view of negotiations for fresh accessions, estimated to start next September or October, six months after the ending of the 1996 Inter-governmental Conference, and also in view of the fact that Cyprus will be included in procedures for the first wave of enlargement.

[4] Pangalos, Pirinski to sign bilateral agreements on Nestos river today

Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and his Bulgarian counterpart Georgui Pirinski will meet in the border city of Smolian today to attend the formal ratification of state agreements regarding the use of the Nestos river and the new three border routes linking the two countries.

The agreements have been ratified by the parliaments of the two countries.

Meanwhile, President Zhelyu Zhelev honored Greek Ambassador to Sofia An. Sideri with the "Stara Planina" medal, considered the highest state honor.

Mr. Sideris, whose term as ambassador recently ended, was honored for his "personal contribution to the development of Greek-Bulgarian relations."

"Bulgaria and Greece have mutual interests," Mr. Sideris said during the ceremony.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by Prime Minister Zhan Videnov's press office said that "bilateral relations rely on a healthy and stable basis and have a wide scope for development especially in the wake of the agreements."

[5] UN chief's envoy says Ankara wants a return to Cyprus bi-communal talks

The secretary- general's envoy on Cyprus Han Sung Joo said yesterday that Ankara wished to return to bi-communal negotiations.

He made the statement after meeting with Assistant Foreign Under-secretary Inal Batu, on the third leg of his shuttle visit in the region.

Mr. Han arrived in Turkey from Athens where he had a meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.

"We all wish that the appropriate conditions permitting such dialogue will emerge but this will be a long process," Mr. Han forecast.

He said the Cyprus problem could not be solved immediately or directly but that a settlement involves "long preparations and decisiveness."

"The latest incidents on the island have negatively affected settlement efforts," he said.

Two young Greek Cypriot protesters were brutally killed last month in the divided island by a mob of Turkish extremists and Turkish occupation troops.

Mr. Han further pointed out to what he termed "differences between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash regarding methods employed to solve the problem."

"Nevertheless, we will find a way to bring the two sides closer," he said.

According to Mr. Han the Cypriot president wants to consider the issues one by one, while Mr. Denktash wants to have a more global consideration of the issues.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Han met with Foreign Under-secretary Onur Oumen. He is also due to meet with Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller.

Meanwhile, Mr. Batu said before meeting with Mr. Han that "everyone is upset because of escalated tension in Cyprus," which he attributed to "lack of dialogue."

"We will repeat our request to Mr. Han regarding the commencement of negotiations," Mr. Batu said adding that "until the US presidential elections (in November), the United States will not undertake any initiative (on the issue)."

He drew attention to what he termed "the great influence exerted by the Greek-Cypriot lobby" on US politics during this period.

[6] European Parliament sends stern message to Ankara and Ciller

All the political groupings of Europe without exception sent a strong message to Turkey from the European Parliament yesterday, warning it that with its behavior it has exceeded the European Union's limits of tolerance and voicing stern criticism of the Turkish government and its Deputy Prime Minister Tansu Ciller personally.

The more than 30 speakers taking the floor made caustic remarks on the inconsistency between promises and actions by Ankara, stressing that its behavior has worsened precisely from the moment it secured consent from the European Parliament for the EU-Turkey customs union agreement.

The discussion was held on a resolution tabled by almost all political groupings calling for the freezing of all EU credits for Ankara as a result of its deteriorating behavior on a number of issues, from the Cyprus problem and Greek-Turkish relations t o the treatment of Kurds.

The assembly will vote on the resolution today.

The sole "discordant voice" came from the Irish Presidency's representative, European Affairs Under-secretary Guy Mitchel, who merely described Community strategy towards Turkey and turned a blind eye to issues the European Parliament had deplored in its resolution.

The presidency indirectly expressed its opposition to discontinuing Community funding to Turkey and, in essence, backed Ankara, claiming that "we must see customs union as the focal element in the EU's strategy in supporting the process of democratization and domestic reform in Turkey."

In fact, Mr. Mitchel's reference to Ms Ciller's promises that she will continue democratic reforms, made during her visit to Dublin, drew strong reaction from Eurodeputies who obliged him to interrupt his address and call on the President to call them t o order.

Moreover, diplomatic sources said the statement by the Irish Presidency to the European Parliament was not the subject of consultations with the capitals of the remaining EU member-states as is customary.

In his address, Commissioner Hans van den Broek appealed to Turkey "to put an end to territorial claims and its military provocations against Greece and refer whatever difference with it to the International Court at The Hague."

The Dutch Commissioner, who will present a report on the state of human rights in Turkey next month, said the further course of this country's relations with the EU depended on Ankara itself.

"Our relations with Turkey must be rekindled at Ankara's initiative. We are expecting Turkey to make a gesture," he said.

However, on the issue of freezing credits to Turkey, Mr. van den Broek adopted a position corresponding to that of the presidency's, warning that this move will have the completely opposite effect of what the European Parliament sought since it will strengthen the anti-European positions of its Islamist Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan.

[7] Exhibition on 1955 pogrom goes on show in Istanbul

A visual record of the events of September, 1955, when Turks led a pogrom against the Greek minority in the city of Istanbul has been organized by the Turkish Council for the Protection of Human Rights.

The exhibition includes Turkish newspapers of the time, photographs of the damage and events as they were recorded by Turkish journalists, as well as articles held to be responsible for inciting the pogrom in which sixteen people were killed, churches and cemeteries desecrated and burned and shops and houses looted.

At a later trial of then-prime minister Adnan Menderes, it was alleged that the Turkish government of the time was involved in inciting the riots.

The exhibition is on show at the Union of New Journalists in Pera, a few meters from the roads that in 1955 were littered with the property of Greek shops and houses, resembling, in the words of one eyewitness, London after the Nazi bombing.

The organizers are not afraid to conceal their concern at the reaction to such an exhibition, in light of the current political conditions in Turkey and the increase in tension in Cyprus.

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos was among the first visitors to the exhibition.

[8] Former chief of staff says he will speak out on Imia after the elections

Former Chief of Staff Admiral (Ret.) Christos Lymberis said yesterday that only political responsibility "which cannot be passed on" existed for the handling of the Imia crisis at the end of January which nearly resulted in war between Greece and Turkey.

In a written statement, Adm. Lymberis also undertook the commitment to speak publicly about the Imia crisis after general elections which will be held on Sunday.

In a televised debate last Friday, Prime Minister Costas Simitis said that he had given orders to the military on the night of the crisis which had not been carried out.

"Political figures who aspire to playing the role of leader in the country and to expressing democratic institutions do not resort - and particularly prior to general elections - and in this manner, to easy alibis in order to disclaim responsibility," A dm. Lymberis said in the statement.

Adm. Lymberis was replaced as chief of staff shortly after the Imia crisis, after the government described as "unethical" a statement in which he made public a conversation he had with Mr. Simitis during the critical hours of the Greek-Turkish stand-off in the Aegean.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis, when questioned last night, refused to be drawn on Adm. Lymberis' statement.

"I have made a written statement on the issue. Mr. Laliotis has made an additional statement on behalf of PASOK. I have nothing more to add," he said.

[9] ND comments

Commenting on Adm. Lymberis's statement, main opposition New Democracy deputy president Ioannis Varvitsiotis said later that the admiral "held Mr. Simitis as the main and sole person responsible for the country's national humiliation during the Imia crisis."

He said the Lymberis statement "is causing a major political issue for Mr. Simitis."

"It is inconceivable for a prime minister to seek the vote of the Greek people while refusing to answer to critical questions regarding the tragic events at Imia," he said. "At last, let him reply to our own questions and the grave accusations stemming from the Lymberis statement."

"Mr. Simitis's silence is tantamount to guilt," he added.

[10] Ministry confirms Samaras claim

In a related development, the foreign ministry confirmed yesterday that it had learned last March of the existence of a US map failing to present the Aegean islet of Imia as Greek and had received assurances from Washington that the next edition would redress the error.

The ministry made the statement in response to remarks about the map by Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras at an election rally Tuesday night.

"As soon as we learned about the existence of the map, the Greek government, last March, immediately took the necessary steps. The US government gave the assurance that in the new edition of the map which has already replaced the previous one, the correct data would be restored as it existed previously, that is, showing (Imia) under Greek sovereignty," the ministry said in a written statement.

Greece and Turkey nearly went to war at the end of January this year when Ankara openly disputed Greek sovereignty of the Imia islet. "It is clear that owing to the nature of the matter, it was not possible to allow it to take on greater dimension s and steps were taken with discretion so that their untimely announcement would not make more difficult the solution which eventually satisfies Greece," the ministry said.

"Mr. Samaras acts as though he discovered the Acropolis," the ministry added.

Meanwhile, caretaker press minister and government spokesman Dimitris Konstas, quizzed by reporters as to why the government did not bring the issue of the map to public awareness, said that making issues of foreign policy public can sometimes cause implications in their settlement.

Mr. Konstas clarified that this was his personal opinion.

Turning to other issues, Mr. Konstas said UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali pledged to contribute in the direction of progress regarding the current situation in Cyprus, but said there was no fresh UN initiative on the issue.

He said Athens would welcome fresh initiatives by any country in the direction of de-escalation of tension in Cyprus and Greek-Turkish relations.

[11] Simitis calls on Greeks to rally round PASOK for the sake of a strong Greece

Speaking at a rally in the city of Volos last night, Prime Minister Costas Simitis said voters in Sunday's election were being invited to choose between stability and adventurism, and called on Greeks to rally round the ruling party in order to turn the vision of a strong Greece into a reality.

"Any other option today means adventure and this must be made clear to the Greek people. The citizens who want progress, social solidarity and a non-negotiable Greece vote for PASOK," he said, claiming that a big majority current, that will enable the ruling party to lead the country into the 21st century, was already in place.

He described the New Democracy party's proposed foreign policy as dangerous, and accused Miltiades Evert of accepting without changes, in statements in Thessaloniki earlier this week, Turkish positions on the Aegean and endorsing discussions for a revision of the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne which established Greek sovereignty over the eastern islands.

He emphasized that Greece had to insist on the application of international treaties and law.

"No step backwards," he said, calling on Mr. Evert to clarify which changes in the Treaty of Lausanne he intended to accept.

The prime minister also criticized the main opposition party for its economic policy when in power, which, he said, reduced real incomes by between 6 and 8 per cent, and accusing it of applying taxation measures which it rejects today.

"Mr. Evert, on one hand, promises a state which provides help to the citizen, and on the other, also promises a reduction of the state from 40 to 32 per cent," he added.

[12] Simitis reiterates PASOK's programme for farmers

Prime Minister Costas Simitis spoke of the government's work for farmers and of new measures PASOK intends to take immediately after the September 22 elections, during yesterday's speeches in Volos and Lamia.

Mr. Simitis spoke of his party's 12 pledges regarding agricultural issues, and stressed farmers know "that only PASOK can guarantee a better life in the country."

The prime minister outlined measures to be adopted by a new PASOK government, including an increase in farmer's pensions; an increase by 50 per cent in untaxed income for new farmers; the creation of a payment organization for the speedy delivery of subsidies; the implementation of a continued vocational training programme for the training of 60,000 new farmers in modern agricultural methods, and full medical, dental and pharmaceutical care for all farmers.

Mr. Simitis referred to his party's achievements in the agricultural sector, stressing that "PASOK, in the three years between 1993 and 1996, replied with actions and not with hollow words, with projects and not with worthless promises."

He said the PASOK government had increased farmers' pensions, reduced fuel prices and interest, and had increased agricultural income by 19.2 per cent in 1994 and 1995.

The prime minister said that this, compared to the measures proposed by New Democracy, "cancels Mr. Evert's worthless promises and empty cheques."

[13] Evert attacks Simitis over Lymberis statement

Speaking in Serres last night, New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert again attacked the prime minister over statements by the former chief of staff Admiral Lymberis concerning events during the Imia crisis.

"By rejecting responsibility regarding events that night, he (Mr. Simitis) divides the government and the members of the armed forces," he said, and called for the Greek people to be fully informed before the elections.

He called on voters to "elect a government that does not obey to the overlapping interests in the public works sector".

"Let there be an end to fraud. Either public works or newspapers and channels," he said.

He reiterated his announcements for farmers, adding that if his party won the election, "the farmer's voice will be heard loud and clear in Brussels".

[14] News in Brief

Interior Minister Vassilis Skouris yesterday released details of the voting process on Sunday and the announcement of the results.

Voting will begin at sunrise, 7.13 am, and end at sunset, at 19.22,

It is believed that the first estimate of the final results will be possible about two hours later. The results, as they come in, will be available on the Internet, and the final count for each electoral district and the votes received by candidates in

Athens and Piraeus will be available on telephone numbers 3315508-9 on Monday.

The number of voters is about 8.5 million, of whom 51 per cent is women, and 492, 874 go to the polls for the first time.

[15] Tsovolas says DHKKI to play major role in changed political scene

Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas forecast yesterday that instead of producing a one-party government, general elections on Sunday would result in a rearrangement of the country's political scene in which his party would be a sign ificant force. Speaking at a press conference, Mr. Tsovolas accused the country's mass media of treating his party shabbily and accused the Athens daily "Avriani" of launching a systematic campaign of defamation against him.

Earlier yesterday, Mr. Tsovolas filed a lawsuit against the newspaper over a front-page article accusing the DHKKI leader of violations of building regulations with regard to a villa owned by his wife in a seaside resort outside Athens. "DHKKI will not follow its political opponents and adopt these tactics of anti-democratic attacks," said Mr. Tsovolas, a former finance minister in a ruling PASOK party government.

Mr. Tsovolas described his party's programme as "patriotic, genuinely grassroots, but nonetheless compatible with the European Union."

On national issues, Mr. Tsovolas said Greece should not recognize the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) under any name containing the word 'Macedonia' or a derivative.

He criticized the government for foregoing its right to veto European Union funds to Turkey as well as its position that Ankara should have recourse to the International Court at The Hague if it disputes Greek sovereignty of the Aegean islet of Imia.

Mr. Tsovolas rejected the solution of a confederation for Cyprus and accused the government of not correctly exploiting the outcry over the recent killings of two Greek Cypriot protesters by Turks and Turkish Cypriots on the divided island.

[16] Samaras attacks Gov't over role of US in foreign policy

Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras targeted the undecided voters in his last pre-election rally in Kalamata yesterday, while also strongly criticizing the government over a map issued by the United States which he said doubts Greece's sovereign rights.

Mr. Samaras accused the government of allowing the US to doubt Greek sovereignty over Imia and another 20 islets for months. "Why did Mr. Simitis and Mr. Pangalos hide from the (other) political leaders and the Greek people an unprecedented extent of involvement of the US in the Aegean, and at a very sensitive time?" Mr. Samaras asked.

He accused Prime Minister Costas Simitis of not having done anything over the issue during his visit to Washington earlier this year, and added "after that, how can we believe that that night in Imia was the final night of bad agreements for our country ?"

Mr. Samaras directly addressed the undecided among the electorate, attacking the two main parties' argument regarding majority votes and saying that "with their majorities, were you not poorer?".

"The undecided and those who enter blank or spoilt ballots, you must know that if you do not vote, it will be like voting in the same people again," he said.

The Political Spring leader also referred to the economy, accusing the leaders of the two main parties of planning to continue austerity after the elections.

"Both talk about development, but they are mocking. Their development goes hand-in-hand with austerity. For eleven years, instead of stabilizing the economy, they have stabilized austerity," he said.

[17] Laliotis resumes attack on Evert's foreign policy positions

Environment Minister Costas Laliotis, who is head of PASOK's election campaign, yesterday called on New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert to clarify his position and answer whether he is willing to discuss the international treaties governing the status of the Dodecannese islands and the Treaty of Lausanne, as recently stated in Thessaloniki.

"Our position has been, and will be categorical, that no government and no politician can open a discussion that casts doubt on the treaties governing the status quo in the Aegean and the Dodecannese. Any such attempt will constitute a grave mistake and a national concession," he said, and described Mr. Evert as irresponsible and dangerous when referring to foreign policy issues.

Mr. Laliotis also referred to Mr. Evert's calling off of his party's main pre-election rally, that had been scheduled for tonight in Athens, saying that it betrayed defeatism and an attempt to conceal the problems of disunity prevailing in New Democracy .

He added that ND leader's insistence that his televised interview be broadcast at a time and date that he determines himself showed provocative and anti-democratic behavior.

[18] New Democracy insists on televised Evert interview on Friday night

Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert is proceeding with preparations for his televised press interview scheduled for Friday night, following the ruling party PASOK's main election rally in Athens.

Mr. Evert has already sent letters to the directors of the five national television networks which will broadcast the interview at 9:30 pm - before an interview with Coalition leader Nikos Constantopoulos - asking them to name the journalists to attend the interview.

ND spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos said that ND had requested the interview be conducted under the same terms as those for Prime Minister Costas Simitis's interview on state-run ET1 on Monday.

He added that the interview was moved from its prior slot, Tuesday, to Friday, due to Mr. Evert's attendance at an election rally in Kalamata.

"Each political leader is free to give interviews whenever he desires," the spokesman said. "Mr. Evert's aim is the fullest briefing of the Greek people".

Responding to PASOK party spokesman Costas Laliotis's charges regarding Mr. Evert's comments on Greek-Turkish elections, Mr. Pavlopoulos said ND was not conducting a dialogue with Mr. Laliotis and that the "decline of the level of political dialogue is due to PASOK".

ND's positions are clear, he added. Present treaties are not an issue for discussion with Turkey, only with regard to the delineation of the Aegean continental shelf. The spokesman said Mr. Laliotis had distorted Mr. Evert's comments and used them out o f context.

[19] Coalition complains

The Coalition of the Left and Progress complained yesterday of "activities and methods which are attempting to alter the promotion of parties by radio and television".

In an announcement yesterday, the Coalition called on the head of the Radio and Television Council "to give a severe precautionary briefing to those responsible at state and private television channels to not surrender to pressure enacted a few days before the elections to transform party leaders into television clowns, harming the pluralistic briefing of the citizens four days before the elections."

[20] Evert's Friday press conference moved to tonight by inter-party committee

Following an emergency meeting, the inter-party committee ruled yesterday that a press conference to be held by main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert will be broadcast by state television tonight.

However, New Democracy insists on its leader holding the press conference tomorrow night, and is currently discussing the issue with private television channels.

The Radio and Television Council has warned that if the agreements are not upheld, heavy penalties will be imposed, possibly reaching 500 million drachmas.

ND's insistence on the press conference to be held tomorrow, on the day on which PASOK is to hold its main rally in Athens, has caused scathing attacks by opposition parties, mainly PASOK and the Coalition of the Left and Progress.

The press conference was decided on at the last minute to be held instead of ND's scheduled rally in Athens.

ND spokesman Kyriakos Stefanakos said an attempt to "gag" his party had taken place, adding that ERT is now responsible for the implementation of the joint ministerial decision.

The inter-party committee unanimously agreed to ban the broadcasting of political advertisements and programmes after midnight tomorrow.

[21] National Bank signs final contract for factory transfer

The National Bank of Greece yesterday announced the signing of a finalized contract transferring the factory of the former "Metallourghia Halyps S.A." in the city of Almyros Volou to the "Sovel S.A." company.

The National Bank will have a 15 per cent holding in the new S.A. company and the 'Viohalo' group will have the remaining 85 per cent.

The factory, which was closed for five years, will provide jobs for a considerable number of workers, so having a positive impact on grave employment problems faced in the region.

[22] EU member-states' representatives launch efforts to increase fishing benefits

Government representatives from European Union member-states have launched a joint effort in Kavala, northern Greece, to increase various benefits stemming from fishing.

The meeting, held at the Fishing Research Center in Kavala, focused on world fishing programmes.

The need for long-term planning was stressed to ensure that research will meet the ever increasing need for permanent management for fishing resources.

The policy of combined investments was recognized as constituting a priority for the better utilization of human potential.

Priority will also be given to strengthening the institutional co-operation framework.

[23] Fourth Eurochambers conference to be held in Athens

The fourth Eurochambers' (EBE) conference is to be held in Athens in October to discuss the "Enterprise in the 21st century and technical assistance and support from EBE."

The conference, due to be held on 7-9 October, has been organized at the initiative of the Central Union of Chambers.

[24] Euromontana conference opens today

The three-day founding conference of the Euromontana organization, which has existed since 1974 as an integral part of the European Farmers' Confederation, opens in Thessaloniki today.

The Brussels-based organization, which aims at the development of the continent's mountainous regions, will now exist as an autonomous entity. It is to be supported by the sixth General Directorate of the European Union, and will include all the countries of the EU and central and eastern Europe.

[25] Diana in Greece for funeral of young lawyer

Britain's Princess Diana arrived in Greece yesterday to attend the funeral of a young lawyer whom she had befriended when he was being treated at a London hospital for cystic fibrosis.

Soon after arriving at Athens airport, Diana left by car for the funeral in the village of Limni on the island of Evia.

Dressed in black, Diana arrived in Greece by private jet belonging to the Lemos shipping family and is expected to leave the country shortly after the funeral of 27-year-old Yannis Kalyviotis.

She made no statement to reporters. Princess Diana arrived in Limni after a three-hour drive from Athens airport, accompanied by Mrs. Lemos and another friend, and went straight to the simple two-story stucco house belonging to the Kalyviotis family.

She entered the room where Yannis Kalyviotis was lying in his coffin and paid her condolences to the family. She hugged the young lawyer's mother and both women wept. She stayed in the house for 20 minutes before going to the Church of the Holy Virgin to await the funeral cortege.

The young lawyer was the eldest of the four Kalyviotis children: Stathis, 22, and twins Nikos and Vicky, 21. After the death of Kalyviotis's father nine years ago, the family moved to Athens.

According to a member of the family, Yannis spent 20 months in London's Brompton Hospital. A graduate from Athens University, he was practicing law in Halkis before he went to London in February 1995 for treatment.

The family member said he met Diana six months ago while being treated by prominent London surgeon Sir Maghdi Yacoub.

The relative said they became such close friends that Princess Diana invited Yannis to the palace for dinner.

Princess Diana sat patiently in the Church of the Holy Virgin until the arrival of the funeral cortege. When they brought in the coffin, she sat in a pew next to the young lawyer's mother, his two brothers and sister and other relatives. Next to her sat an English nurse who looked after Kalyviotis during his treatment in the London hospital. In his funeral oration, the local parish priest, Dionisios, said "the Lord sent her to you at a difficult time to give you strength and courage with her frequent visits." Then turning to the princess, he said "may God give you peace and happiness in your life and help you in your humanitarian mission."

Father Dionisios said that with her arrival for the funeral, the princess made a sacrifice, thus "demonstrating her love for humanity." He also thanked the nurse and expressed the hope that the princess will come again to Limni, next time for a happier occasion.

After the funeral service, Princess Diana drove to Edypsos, where she boarded the local ferry boat returning to Athens, where she will spend the night on the yacht belonging to the Lemos family, and probably leave Athens after Thursday.

[26] Greece optimistic UNESCO committee will give green 11ight for return of Parthenon friezes

The culture ministry is optimistic that late culture minister Melina Mercouri's dream of the Parthenon friezes returning to Greece will be a reality within the next two years, and is confident that a UNESCO decision, expected today, will further that aim.

The issue is currently under consideration by the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee, which is responsible for the return of cultural objects and items to their countries of origin, at its meeting in Paris this week.

The committee is expected to return a positive response to Greece's demand for the return of the friezes - better known as Elgin's Marbles and currently housed in the British Museum - to Greece.

The British side argued that Lord Elgin's actions were made within the law of the time and that the British Museum's purchase of the friezes was above board. The only new element, according to the culture ministry, was a statement that if the British government changes the law to enable the return of the marbles, the British Museum, as an independent organization, would take its case to the European Court of Human Rights.

The Greek side countered that "truly independent and autonomous organizations are represented at international organizations by their own representatives and not the representatives of a country which threatens them with legal action." It was added that in independent organizations "the administration is elected, not appointed by the government, as is the case with the British Museum".

Greece has already tabled a proposal for a decision with the UNESCO's committee's secretariat, which, the culture ministry added, has essential differences from previous congresses.

Work currently under way on the restoration of the Parthenon, considered the most important maintenance project on the country's ancient monuments, will be the focus of an exhibition organized by the Foundation for Hellenic Culture in Osaka in Japan.

The exhibition, scheduled to run from September 25 to October 15 at the Osaka Museum, will present a full picture on work on the western side of the Parthenon with the aid of designs, photographs, molds and casts.

The exhibition will be held at the same time as an international symposium entitled "The restoration of cultural heritage in Osaka and Athens", from October 6-8.

[27] Thessaloniki to host European IVF conference

The 'fathers' of in-vitro fertilization, or test tube babies, will meet in this northern Greek capital of Thessaloniki on Friday and Saturday for a two-day conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.

The scientists who pioneered in-vitro fertilization (IVF), including British Professor Robert Edwards -- 'father' of the first test-tube baby, Louisa Brown, who is 18 years old today -- and Belgian Professor Andre van Stairtegem, the first to apply the method of micro-fertilization, will be attending the conference.

According to statistics, approximately 40 per cent of sub-fertility today is due to the female, another 40 per cent to the male, and the remaining 20 per cent to both partners.

Male subfertility, attributed by specialists to stress, lack of exercise, dietary habits and infection by sexually transmitted diseases, has been successfully treated in recent years by a revolutionary method of micro-fertilization that gives solutions even in cases of severe oligospermy.

The new method, called ICSI (Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection), an egg fertilization method, uses only one spermatozoon, isolated under a high-definition microscope. The spermatozoon is aspirated into a specially-designed micro-needle, and is then driven into the center of the egg after piercing its outer layer.

The ICSI method is more commonly used in Belgium, while it has also been successfully attempted in Britain, Cyprus and Greece.

This method has a conception success proportion of 30-35 per cent, close to the success rate for IVF, while also reducing the need to use donor sperm, thus avoiding the transmission of a variety of diseases, including AIDS.

End of English language section.