Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-10-18

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 1318), October 18, 1997

Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: [email protected]

CONTENTS

[01] Greece to fully absorb EU funds in '97, Papantoniou says

[02] Bundesbank's Tietmeyer lauds Greek economic performance, comments on euro

[03] Papoutsis on EU structural funds

[04] Tsohatzopoulos briefs gov't on Turkish air force's midair harassments

[05] Kaklamanis critical of US stance on Turkish provocations

[06] Evert briefed

[07] Yilmaz says he's ready to 'consent to a just solution' in Greek-Turkish relations

[08] CINCSouth says he does not fear Aegean incident

[09] Athens daily warns of new Ankara-inspired 'Greece-PKK ties'

[10] Kranidiotis meets Italian counterpart at conference on Albania

[11] It's a Balkan, not Greek-Turkish summit, Reppas stresses

[12] G. Papandreou sets out gov't positions on EU fiscal prospects

[13] Karamanlis begins Cretan tour

[14] KKE delegation in Cuba

[15] First Greek ambassador to Kazakhstan officially takes up post

[16] Simitis, half of Cabinet begin tour of western Macedonia

[17] Housing for earthquake victims inaugurated

[18] Size of aid to Albania to be decided Oct. 22

[19] OA forced to cancel flights as air traffic controllers walk out

[20] Patriarch leaves Sunday for extensive US visit

[21] Current bank lending, credit practices called 'usury'

[22] EU ministers postpone action on bottled water

[23] Economic News: One in two Greek enterprises guilty of tax crimes

[24] Greek equities remain under pressure, end lower

[25] Athens bourse resisted external pressures in the week

[26] Greek, central and east European railways in cargo agreement

[27] EU action against 13 member-states on waste

[28] New lignite unit to be inaugurated at hydroelectric station

[29] HEPO participation at Brussels seafood exposition

[30] Greek-Venezuelan tourism co-operation conference

[31] Modern-day Ulysses due back in Greece next week

[32] Local authority workers to strike October

[33] Commission rejects casino appeal - sources

[01] Greece to fully absorb EU funds in '97, Papantoniou says

Athens, 18/10/97 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters after a four-hour inner Cabinet meeting, Mr. Papantoniou said 1997 would be a year marked by a significant recovery of Community fund absorption, reflecting the satisfactory course of major infrastructure projects and related programmes.

He noted that the meeting discussed for the first time the issue of linking the second and forthcoming third Community Support Frameworks with the aim of ensuring a continuous inflow of funds until the year 2000.

Mr. Papantoniou declined to comment on the Spraos reports' proposals on overhauling the state's finances.

Government spokesman Demetris Reppas said later that ministers would submit their proposals by Dec. 31 in order for the government to decide its final position on linking the second and third Community Support Framework programmes.

[02] Bundesbank's Tietmeyer lauds Greek economic performance, comments on euro

Athens, 18/10/97 (ANA)

"The country has recorded significant progress since 1985 and one cannot but congratulate Greece," he said.

Earlier, the head of the German central bank paid a visit to Prime Minister Costas Simitis, with whom he held a 45-minute discussion.

In his speech, Mr. Tietmeyer analyzed the repercussions of European Monetary Union (EMU), saying that "the euro is likely to have a broader and deeper market in relation with the deutsche mark".

He also described as "not very accurate" the vision of a tripolar monetary system based on the dollar, the euro and the yen, saying that the Japanese currency would not have the strength in Asia which the euro would have in Europe.

He described the dollar as a "strong currency" and said there were no indications that markets were losing their confidence in it. According to Mr. Tietmeyer, "the euro and the dollar would enter in a constructive and healthy competition, which will benefit the international monetary system".

Regarding the likely level of the euro-dollar parity, he said, "it is an empirical question which will ultimately be answered in the light of monetary union."

[03] Papoutsis on EU structural funds

Athens, 18/10/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Papoutsis, responsible for energy, tourism and small and medium-sized businesses among others, said the EU budget inflation total would reach 500 million drachmas by the next accession round, an increase by 25 per cent, but the GDP for the community would only increase by 5 per cent.

[04] Tsohatzopoulos briefs gov't on Turkish air force's midair harassments

Athens, 18/10/97 (ANA)

National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos yesterday briefed the inner Cabinet about the harassment of the military transport carrying him to and from Cyprus by Turkish warplanes over the past week.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said he would brief his counterparts in the NATO member states and Alliance Secretary General Javier Solana about the harassment in a detailed letter.

He also briefed the inner Cabinet about his visit to Cyprus and the "Nikiforos" military exercise.

Mr. Reppas said the necessary representations had already been made to Ankara regarding the first case of harassment, adding that the necessary steps would also be taken with respect to the second such incident on Thursday.

The relevant evidence related to the two incidents would be placed at the disposal of all parties on the matter, including the United States, Mr. Reppas said.

The spokesman again criticized the stance of the Turkish armed forces, which he described as beyond all principles and rules. He also indirectly criticized the United States, saying it was inconceivable for "someone to whistle away unconcerned" in the f ace of such evidence.

Asked to comment on statements by US mediators for the Cyprus problem who claimed that the holding of recent joint military exercises by Greece and Cyprus complicated the situation in the region, Mr. Reppas replied:

"(The exercises) should not create a problem for anyone."

Responding to claims that Cyprus had violated the moratorium on military flights over the island republic, Mr. Reppas stressed that Nicosia had never stated it was relinquishing its rights.

"It is unacceptable when the full authority and rights of a recognized government, such as Cyprus, are not acknowledged. Turkey is the country which, despite its occasional statements about peace, behaves entirely differently in practice," Mr. Reppas said.

The spokesman called on Washington not to place those with an aggressive policy on an equal footing with those who take certain measures in defense.

[05] Kaklamanis critical of US stance on Turkish provocations

Athens, 18/10/1997 (ANA)

"Whoever pretends, and I am referring to the United States, that they cannot see who is to blame for such tension surely cannot inspire trust while at the same time claiming a major role as mediator in the region," Mr. Kaklamanis said.

Mr. Kaklamanis stressed that Turkey bore sole responsibility for the climate of tension prevailing in relations between Athens and Ankara.

He termed "positive" the election yesterday of former foreign minister Hikmet Cetin as president of the Turkish national assembly.

"Cetin is a politician who is not identified with high tones and aggressiveness," Mr. Kaklamanis said of his newly elected counterpart.

[06] Evert briefed

Athens, 18/10/1997 (ANA)

After concluding a briefing of former New Democracy (ND) leader Miltiadis Evert on Greek-Turkish relations following "Nikiforos", Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that he had also spoken on the phone with his US counterpart, William Cohen.

[07] Yilmaz says he's ready to 'consent to a just solution' in Greek-Turkish relations

Paris, 18/10/97 (ANA/AFP)

Mr. Yilmaz, who made his statement in the French capital, where he arrived on an official visit, reminded that he had proposed that the International Court at The Hague should deal with Greek-Turkish differences in their entirety.

French President Jacques Chirac, who held talks with Mr. Yilmaz yesterday, revealed his intention to observe equal distances between Ankara and Athens on the issue of the Greek-Turkish crisis. The meeting, lasting approximately an hour and a half, was also attended by French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrin.

Referring to the content of the talks, French Presidency spokeswoman Catherine Colonna said "the French President did not take anybody's side but calls on both countries to overcome their passions and resolve their differences with prudence and moderation."

"Relations between the two countries must improve. They are multifaceted and complicated. And for this reason an effort should be made within logic," she added.

Replying to a press question on how the French president views Turkish violations (of Greek airspace), Ms. Colonna said "details of the issue were not discussed. It is not up to us to take a position. However, what we observe is that each country is trying to place responsibilities on the other."

"We want the Europe of tomorrow peaceful and progressive and for this reason these differences must be resolved with prudence and without passions," she added.

On the question of Cyprus and negotiations for its accession to the European Union, Ms Colonna explained that the issue was included in the talks.

"The French position does not differ from that of the partners. The negotiations will start as scheduled. However, the results do not depend solely on us but also to what extent the island's internal problems will be resolved," she said.

Mr. Chirac reiterated that he sees "the linking of Turkey to the EU as an element of stability for the country, the region and consequently for Europe."

The French president assured Mr. Yilmaz of France's desire that "Turkey should have equal treatment with the other candidate countries."

France also "hopes that in December the "15" will agree to the full participation of Turkey in the (continuous) European Conference."

Mr. Yilmaz said afterwards that Turkey is "satisfied" with France's support on the issue of its accession to the EU and denies Greece the right to use its differences with Ankara to prevent this accession.

"Greece is making a mistake in using its differences with us to turn Europe against us," Mr. Yilmaz said, adding that "Turkey's accession to the EU must not depend on the settlement of the Cyprus issue."

[08] CINCSouth says he does not fear Aegean incident

Athens, 18/10/97 (ANA)

Speaking at a press conference at the Officers' Club in Thessaloniki following completion of the evaluation of the large-scale NATO exercise "Dynamic Mix '97", Adm. Lopez said that the information and indications he had received to date did not lead him to the conclusion that a serious incident was imminent in the Aegean.

He added however that irrespective of assessments, NATO was constantly working to secure co-operation and prevent clashes in the region.

"We are cooperating with diplomatic, economic and political organizations and we support political solutions," Adm. Lopez said.

Adm. Lopez several times stressed the importance of dialogue and co-operation between nations, underlining that this was NATO's objective.

He repeated this position when asked about the harassment this week of the aircraft carrying National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos by Turkish warplanes - both on his way to and returning from Cyprus.

Dialogue and co-operation are helpful, Adm. Lopez said, regardless of whether they are conducted at a political or military level, citing as an example the "Dynamic Mix '97" exercise.

Outlining NATO's new role following the political changes of recent years, Adm. Lopez said the enemy now was instability and the aim of the Alliance was to consolidate peace and stability through dialogue and co-operation.

He said "Dynamic Mix" - conducted in Greece and Italy between September 23 and October 13 with the participation of forces from 14 NATO member states - had been a great success.

[09] Athens daily warns of new Ankara-inspired 'Greece-PKK ties'

Athens, 18/10/97 (ANA)

Turkish claims that Greece trains members of the separatist Kurdistan's Workers Party (PKK), active in southeastern Turkey, have been repeatedly formulated in the past.

A relevant article appeared recently in the British newspaper "The Observer", claiming that Kurdish separatists were "trained" at "Greek camps."

Greece sternly rebuffed the paper's allegations, saying the country was prepared to receive independent observers to investigate.

According to the "Eleftherotypia" report, Ankara is again attempting to pass into the pages of a foreign mass circulation publication a "scenario" similar to that of a 30-year-old Kurdish man, whose allegations were published by "The Observer."

"The new Turkish scenario for 'export and sale' is presented slightly amended with regard to persons and gender, but the same with regard to the place where the crime was perpetrated," "Eleftherotypia" stated in the article.

"Specifically, the new Turkish scenario, which is seeking columns to be published, refers to the arrest of a woman by a Turkish army unit in a southeast region of Turkey, who is a permanent resident of Germany and probably of Kurdish origin. The continuation of the 'story' is easy: the woman also admitted under interrogation that before going to Turkey she had been trained at a PKK camp in Greece. To prove the truth of her words, the woman also produced photographs of herself dressed in a Kurdish PKK guerrilla uniform together with other comrades who were also recognized as having trained in Greece.

"Moreover, the witness, after saying she completed her basic training in Greece, perfected her knowledge at the 'Kurdish Academy of War' in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon. The continuation, if given, will appear in the columns of a foreign publication," Eleftherotypia concluded.

The Kurdish man quoted in "The Observer" article was also listed as a permanent resident of Germany.

[10] Kranidiotis meets Italian counterpart at conference on Albania

Rome, 18/10/97 (ANA/L. Hatzikyriakos)

In a statement afterwards, Mr. Fascino said "we are favourably disposed towards Cyprus being among countries with which accession negotiations start. In parallel, we hope that with the negotiations discussions will start between the Nicosia government and the Turkish Cypriot community, which will allow for the admission of Cyprus to the EU, overcoming any danger of a confrontation."

Mr. Fascino went on to say that "Italy believes that Turkey's relation with Europe must be favoured in every way, because this is the rightest way to have the problems which appeared in Turkey resolved."

"The problems we have with Turkey are not dogmatic. They are political problems. Political solutions must be found for these issues. The problem of Cyprus is not only a Greek-Turkish problem, it is a European problem.

"And I had the opportunity to explain this to my colleague Mr. Fascino, with whom I had a very interesting, useful and constructive discussion," Mr. Kranidiotis said on his part.

[11] It's a Balkan, not Greek-Turkish summit, Reppas stresses

Athens, 18/10/1997 (ANA)

As host, Prime Minister Costas Simitis will meet with Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz as he will with the leaders of the other states, Mr. Reppas added.

Mr. Simitis and Mr. Yilmaz will discuss issues of wider co-operation in the Balkans, he added.

[12] G. Papandreou sets out gov't positions on EU fiscal prospects

Brussels, 18/10/1997 (ANA/G. Daratos)

"The European Union has often found itself before the dilemma: To strengthen its course towards its further deepening or to widen its geographical horizon," he said.

"We believe that it must be capable of exceeding present-day geographical divides, incorporate new member-states in such a way as to secure the strengthening of its course and widen its internal policies. The European Union played an important role in stabilizing the economy, the creation of infrastructures and economic development. However, we must not forget that this is not only a gain for Europe but for all the other countries as well, both for the more and less developed ones," he added.

[13] Karamanlis begins Cretan tour

Athens, 18/10/97 (ANA)

Later, along with honorary party leader Constantine Mitsotakis, he laid a wreath at the graves of Venizelos and his son Sophocles at Akrotiri.

Mr. Karamanlis also visited the Hania central market and met with Hania Prefect Aleka Markoyannaki.

Speaking later in the day, Mr. Karamanlis said ND, when it returned to power, would amend the new law on the compulsory merger of municipalities.

"Our position is that we will amend the law wherever the people so desire. We are not destroyers, we are builders. Our gospel is the will of the people. Where they want the mergers, we will make no changes, but wherever there is strong opposition, which I dare say will be in the majority of cases, we will intervene."

Mr. Karamanlis continued his tour of Hania with meetings with local church leaders and Hania Mayor George Tzanakakis.

[14] KKE delegation in Cuba

Athens, 18/10/97 (ANA)

The conference is taking place on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Ernesto "Che" Guevara's death.

During its stay in Havana, the KKE delegation will also hold meetings with the leadership of the Communist Party of Cuba.

[15] First Greek ambassador to Kazakhstan officially takes up post

Almaty, 18/10/97 (ANA)

The official ceremony held at the presidential mansion in the capital of Almaty was attended by Kazakhstan Foreign Minister Kazymzhomart Tokayev, the country's under-secretary to the president and local media representatives.

In a private discussion with the Greek diplomat, Mr. Nazarbayev expressed satisfaction over the opening of the Greek embassy and stressed his desire for development in bilateral relations.

[16] Simitis, half of Cabinet begin tour of western Macedonia

Athens, 18/10/97 (ANA)

Mr. Simitis said the aim of his visit is to hold talks with all local government officials, as well as everyone involved in development efforts in the area.

Upon greeting Mr. Simitis, Kozani Mayor Paris Koukoulopoulos expressed a hope that the visit would help solve problems, especially since these plans had been started when the prime minister had visited the area as industry minister.

The prime minister later asserted that the economic sacrifices of the Greek people have already proven to be an investment for the future and these efforts have already started to pay, giving examples from western Macedonia.

The state had allocated at least 700 billion drachmas for the area's budget, he said, which included projects to strengthen its infrastructure and create more jobs.

Among the projects he cited were the Egnatia motorway spanning the breadth northern Greece, improvements in the Kozani Public Power Corp. (DEH) plant - the country's largest electrical power producer - and projects for water supply and disposal that amounted to 31 billion drachmas.

Projects underway for western Macedonia included the ecosystem of Kastoria lake, a waste disposal system, hospital, a closed swimming pool and sports centre as well as improvements in the farming sector.

[17] Housing for earthquake victims inaugurated

Athens, 18/10/1997 (ANA)

The mayor of Servia presented him with the key of the town, while the prime minister spoke about the whole rehabilitation program for earthquake victims in northern Greece, saying that of 4,000 new houses, 2,500 had been built already and the rest would be ready by next summer.

The development program for four earthquake stricken prefectures of western Macedonia totals 100 billion drachmas, he said.

[18] Size of aid to Albania to be decided Oct. 22

Rome, 18/10/97 (ANA/L. Hatzikyriakos/S. Aravopoulou)

Mr. Kranidiotis stressed that the economic aid given by Greece so far was the largest.

At the conference, Albanian PM Fatos Nano, Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, as well as foreign speakers, such as former Austrian chancellor Franz Vranitzky, praised Greece not only for the provision of aid, but also for the stabilizing role it plays in the region.

Mr. Kranidiotis said Albania was moving ahead satisfactorily.

"It was confirmed today that the new government has gradually managed to establish order, that democratic institutions have begun operating again, and that there is plurality. There are margins for improvement. For this reason a broad mobilization of the international and European community is needed so that Albania may proceed to the necessary economic adjustments and avoid the danger of a new crisis," he said.

The Albanian prime minister told the conference that with international aid his country could reduce inflation from 50 to 18-20 per cent within 1998, the budget deficit from 14 per cent of GDP in 1997 to 10 per cent next year.

"The program we present today for facing the state of emergency requires expenditure of US$100 per capita, which amounts to US$381 million, while medium term programs require an additional US$1.2 billion.

"Only with the implementation of such a program could we hope to extricate Albania from the abyss which Balkan countries sometimes throw themselves in," Mr. Nano said.

[19] OA forced to cancel flights as air traffic controllers walk out

Athens, 18/10/97 (ANA)

The air traffic controllers held a four-hour work stoppage between 2.00 and 4.00 p.m., while the electricians will hold a two-hour stoppage also beginning at 2.00 p.m.

Both groups of workers have called the stoppages in support of demands for a special pay bonus citing job specialization.

At a meeting yesterday morning, the air traffic controllers agreed that pledges given on Thursday by Transport Minister Tassos Mantelis were too vague.

Mr. Mantelis had said that he would act "within the framework of the law".

Olympic Airways has postponed 32 domestic and nine international flights until after the stoppages, and canceled ten domestic flights altogether.

[20] Patriarch leaves Sunday for extensive US visit

Istanbul, 18/10/97 (ANA/A. Kourkoulas)

His agenda includes meetings with US President Bill Clinton, House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, religious leaders and leaders of expatriate Greek organizations.

It will be the first visit to the US after his election to the Ecumenical throne six years ago, and the second of an Ecumenical Patriarch to the country.

The visit is expected to last until Nov. 17 and will include stopovers in Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Pittsburgh.

He will also attend a service held at New York City's Madison Square Garden on Oct. 26.

[21] Current bank lending, credit practices called 'usury'

Athens, 18/10/97 (ANA)

Condemnations followed debate of a question submitted by the main opposition New Democracy party.

Most deputies focused criticism on the practice of levying interest on loans every three months, while interest on deposits is paid every six months.

Former ND minister Giorgos Panagiotopoulos claimed that from the moment a businessman receives a loan he works only for the bank, while Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Demetris Tsovolas said the loan and credit card system amounted to robbery and usury at the expense of the Greek people.

Other ND deputies said they would ask ND leader Costas Karamanlis to request establishment of a special committee of inquiry to probe into possible responsibilities on the part of bank governors.

Replying to charges, National Economy Under-secretary Alekos Baltas said that if banks did not adapt to the new realities they would disappear together with their managements.

He also stressed that "the role of banks was to facilitate the economy of the country and not to create extra obligations to businessmen".

[22] EU ministers postpone action on bottled water

Brussels, 18/10/97 (ANA/G. Daratos)

At a meeting in Luxembourg, the EU ministers agreed on a directive for clean bottled water, but member-states are not bound to do anything for five years following adoption of the directive.

Beyond that time limit, the ceiling set for the maximum bromide ion levels has been set at 10 milligrams per litre of bottled water and at 25 milligrams per litre of tap water.

In real terms, the ceilings will start going into effect no sooner than in year 2008.

[23] Economic News: One in two Greek enterprises guilty of tax crimes

Athens, 18/10/97 (ANA)

Most of the enterprises were in the hotel and entertainment sectors.

The data was based on inspections made by the squad during the summer.

The financial crimes squad made more than 10,000 inspections in September and discovered 3,418 cases of tax infringements, or a 46.78 percent rate, while penalties imposed totaled 5.2 billion drachmas.

Overall, the squad has made 64,510 inspections and reported 282,903 tax and customs infringements since April. Total penalties were 26.7 billion drachmas.

[24] Greek equities remain under pressure, end lower

Athens, 18/10/97 (ANA)

Traders said the market lacked fresh incentives and had entered a mild correction trend ahead of the presentation of 1998's budget by the government, due by the end of November.

The general index closed 0.71 percent lower at 1,768.23 points.

Most sector indices lost ground.

Banks fell 0.32 percent, Leasing dropped 2.94 percent, Investment eased 1.07 percent, Construction ended 0.73 percent off, Industrials fell 1.36 percent, Miscellaneous eased 1.04 percent, Holding was 1.59 percent down, but Insurance bucked the trend to end 0.09 percent up.

The parallel market index for small cap companies eased 0.23 percent.

Trading was moderate and turnover was 20.7 billion drachmas.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 146 to 87 with another 25 issues unchanged.

Mytilineos, Papoutsanis, Alco scored the biggest percentage gains, while Konstantinidis, Eskimo, Demetriades, Interinvest suffered the heaviest losses.

National Bank of Greece ended at 31,470 drachmas, Ergobank at 19,210, Alpha Credit at 21,190, Delta Dairy at 4,085, Titan Cement at 15,800, Intracom at 16,780 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organization at 6,695.

In the domestic foreign exchange market the US dollar ended 0.56 percent up against the drachma.

[25] Athens bourse resisted external pressures in the week

Athens, 18/10/97 (ANA)

Traders said the Greek market has shown ample resistance to external pressures and particularly tension in Greek-Turkish relations.

The general index ended the week 0.53 percent lower after breaking the 1,800 level once again during Wednesday's session.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index lost 0.82 percent in the week to end at 1,032.05 points.

Turnover was heavy - totaling 125.46 billion drachmas - although down from the previous week. Average daily turnover was 25.09 billion from 32.01 billion.

The Miscellaneous index rose a spectacular 4.29 percent in the week, but Leasing plunged 11.61 percent.

[26] Greek, central and east European railways in cargo agreement

Athens, 18/10/97 (ANA)

The agreement was signed during a conference held in Athens between Greek Railways Organization (OSE) and national railways from Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.

Rail authorities also agreed that Greek customers could pay their total fare to OSE, an agreement simplifying procedures on rail freight.

The agreement included a 10 percent cut in current fares on Greek fresh products traveling in refrigerated cars.

[27] EU action against 13 member-states on waste

Athens, 18/10/97 (ANA)

The member states concerned are: Greece, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland, Italy, Ireland, Spain, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Belgium and Denmark.

These decisions reflect the Commission's concern that waste plans, which are a key requirement of the European Union's waste legislation, should be in place to serve as a framework for rational and appropriate waste management.

The purpose of waste plans is to help achieve the objectives of waste prevention or reduction, waste recovery, environmentally safe waste disposal and the establishment of an integrated and adequate network of waste disposal.

[28] New lignite unit to be inaugurated at hydroelectric station

Athens, 18/10/97 (ANA)

According to an announcement by the Public Power Corp. (DEH), construction of the project lasted for four years and involved 3,500 workers from the region.

The new unit, operating since spring, will increase the total capacity of the Agios Demetrios plant to 1,586 MW, making it the country's largest energy centre, and which will produce 25 per cent of DEH's power output.

The project was subsidized by 40 per cent from second Community Support Framework funds since it fulfilled preconditions for environmental protection and has a significant energy output.

[29] HEPO participation at Brussels seafood exposition

Athens, 18/10/97 (ANA)

The exposition will display fishing and fishery products - fresh, frozen, smoked, salted and tinned - as well as technology for their processing, packaging and transport.

In an international exposition held in 1997, 600 enterprises from 24 countries participated, including Greece.

For more information, call HEPO at 99.82.226 by Oct. 29.

[30] Greek-Venezuelan tourism co-operation conference

Athens, 18/10/97 (ANA)

Development Minister Vasso Papandreou will meet with Venezuelan Tourism Minister Herman Louis Soriano during the conference, which is expected to be attended by more than 420 tourist agency representatives.

The participants will also be taken on a cruise of the Aegean, stopping at Mykonos, Rhodes and Patmos, at the end of the conference.

[31] Modern-day Ulysses due back in Greece next week

Athens, 18/10/97 (ANA)

The Kallipygos has already entered Greek territorial waters and is expected to arrive off Voula, on Attica's southeastern coast, on Wednesday afternoon.

There he will be met by a flotilla of about 100 craft which will escort him to Mikrolimano for a hero's welcome at the Panhellenic Offshore Racing Club.

[32] Local authority workers to strike October

Athens, 18/10/97 (ANA)

A rally and protest march will be held in Athens on the same day.

POE-OTA is nevertheless in favour of the mergers, known as the Ioannis Capodistrias plan, tabled in parliament last week.

The law provides for the transfer of all municipal staff to their new central municipality and if these become overstaffed then to other areas. Working hours are to be determined by each mayor.

At a press conference yesterday, the federation's representatives expressed fears of "persecutions" or "favours", since no specific criteria have been established for transfers, while they also maintained that working hours could be abused under current regulations.

The federation proposes voluntary transfers after a transition period of one year.

Meanwhile, citizens of Volaka, in the prefecture of Drama are blocking the Drama-Nevrokopi road for the third day in a row, demanding that their local municipality remain independent or that it be merged with Prosotsani, instead of with Nevrokopi, as provided for in the Capodistrias plan.

Dozens of lorries carrying marble and timber are queued up behind the road blocks.

Citizens' representatives traveled in a convoy to the Drama prefecture yesterday where they handed in a petition to the prefect, Socrates Dimitriadis.

[33] Commission rejects casino appeal - sources

Brussels, 18/10/97 (ANA/G. Daratos)

According to informed sources, at a meeting of the Commission four days ago it was decided to file away the appeal, since the cancellation of the contract by Development Minister Vasso Papandreou was not in contravention of Directive 93/97 on public con tracts.

Also taken into consideration was a previous decision by the Council of State ruling against the contract in the interests of environmental protection.

End of English language section.

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