Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-12-11

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN, (No 1364), December 11, 1997

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU presidency to take Greece's legitimate concerns into account

[02] No Simitis-Yilmaz meeting scheduled

[03] Santer outlines EU-Cyprus-Turkey ties

[04] Papandreou says Turkey's attitude to EU membership must change

[05] Bomb explosion damages V. Papandreou's political office

[06] .. Reactions

[07] Simitis defends agreement on new NATO structure

[08] Athens FIR regulations again violated by Turkish warplanes

[09] Reppas-Burns meeting

[10] Reppas welcomes Burns statements

[11] Macedonia-Thrace minister visits US

[12] UNESCO incorporates several Greek manuscripts

[13] Gov't unconcerned by new opinion poll

[14] Clerides receives ANA's Christodoulides

[15] Northrop Grumman defense industry seeks partner in Greece

[16] Tsohatzopoulos on change of military's structure

[17] G. Papandreou to attend meeting on legalization of narcotics

[18] Gov't will consider Article 19, spokesman says

[19] Karamanlis briefed by Venizelos on 2004 Olympics

[20] Synaspismos conference on prospects for Cyprus solution begins

[21] KKE, AKEL delegations confer

[22] Christmas bonus by IKA will be paid, Papaioannou says

[23] DEP changes name to Hellenic Petroleum

[24] Hellenic Steel changes

[25] Charm series for Xenophon Monastery

[26] Greeks flock to sit for public service examinations

[27] National Bank of Greece names board for London subsidiary

[28] Greek interbank rates return to pre-crisis levels

[29] Greek stocks end flat in edgy budget trade

[30] Thessaloniki's Hyatt casino projects hefty '97 turnover

[31] Prosecutor: No charges be filed in digital phone contract case

[32] Laliotis on bill concerning transparency in public works contracts

[33] EU funds for archaeological sites in eastern Macedonia, Thrace

[34] Conference focuses on 7-year military junta

[01] EU presidency to take Greece's legitimate concerns into account

Athens, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

Greece has objected to the conference as being unnecessary. The Paris-backed body would include countries wishing to join the EU. Mr. Simitis reiterated that as ma-ny countries as possible should be able to join the EU, as long as certain rules were observed with regard to safeguarding European principles.

Mr. Juncker, who was due to meet with Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz yesterday night in Ankara, said after yesterday's meeting that the EU presidency would take Greece's legitimate concerns into account.

"We will take Greece's views into account as far as possible," Mr. Juncker said.

He added that all European countries could become members of the EU if they fulfilled the conditions established in Copenhagen, particularly those concerning respect for human rights and good neighborly relations.

At the same time, he pointed out that the enlargement of the EU to include central and eastern European states and Cyprus was a different issue to EU-Turkey relations. Mr. Simitis stressed that accession talks between Cyprus and the EU should begin as scheduled in April. Mr. Juncker agreed that negotiations with all eleven prospective members should begin at once, but that each country should be dealt with separately according to its degree of readiness, adding that these negotiations would not be concluded simultaneously.

Much of yesterday's meeting was taken up with discussion of European Economic and Monetary Union, particularly with regard to the coordination of economic policies and support for the political aspect vis-a-vis the independence of the European Central Bank.

The Luxembourg prime minister said he hoped for agreement between the 15 member states on the question of an informal monetary council. He also pointed out that the states not included in the euro currency must realize that those states which are included would wish to discuss certain issues between themselves.

The Luxembourg presidency, he stressed, wished to contribute to building a bridge between the two groups.

Mr. Juncker proposed that ECOFIN remained the cornerstone of the European Union's economic policy and that relevant decisions would be taken by all 15 member states.

[02] No Simitis-Yilmaz meeting scheduled

Athens, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

However, the spokesman said a meeting had not been ruled out.

He added that one might take place Saturday evening if the EU presidency held a reception and depending on whether Mr. Simitis had not already returned to Athens. The summit is due to end on Friday night.

[03] Santer outlines EU-Cyprus-Turkey ties

Brussels, 11/12/1997 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis/CNA)

He also urged Turkey to show a constructive attitude towards Cyprus' EU accession.

Speaking at a press conference two days before tomorrow's EU Council, Mr. Santer said the EU should "seize the opportunity" to clinch a package deal with Turkey, if that country meet certain terms.

He identified these as establishing good-neighborly relations with Greece, full support to international efforts to settle the Cyprus question and a constructive attitude with regard to Cyprus' membership course.

Turkey, Mr. Santer said, must also accept that bilateral territorial disputes must be submitted to the International Court in The Hague.

"We have to avoid the actual risk of an impasse which would weigh on Cyprus' accession negotiations, as well as our relations with Turkey", Mr. Santer said.

He said Turkey has asked the EU for an unequivocal reconfirmation of its European orientation and its eligibility for accession, a place in the proposed European Conference and implementation of the customs union, including the accompanying financial protocol.

The Commission, he added, has already put forward "a certain number of other ideas to enhance its relations with Turkey".

"I am of the opinion that if such a package appears feasible, the opportunity must be seized", he pointed out.

Mr. Santer said relations with Turkey are important in economic and geopolitical terms for the Union and expressed the hope that the EU Council would make progress on this score.

[04] Papandreou says Turkey's attitude to EU membership must change

Brussels, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Papandreou was speaking during the off-the-agenda debate on Greece's course in the European Union. He said that Cyprus was the only candidate country which met all Maastricht criteria and could immediately join the EU and noted Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides's invitation to Turkish-Cypriots to participate in accession procedures through the legitimate Cypriot government.

For the first time, Mr. Papandreou said, Turkish Cypriots can see for themselves that the Turkish occupation regime is a hindrance to their equal participation in the European Union.

Greece is interested in seeing a European orientation in Turkey, the minister said.

"Turkey's participation in the EU does not pass through Brussels or through Athens, but through Turkey itself: it is clearly an issue for Turkey to deal with," he said.

[05] Bomb explosion damages V. Papandreou's political office

Athens, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

The blast occurred at the building's - 15, Omirou street - sixth floor, where Development Minister Vasso Papandreou has her political office. The explosion was reportedly detonated after the mistaken handling of bomb disposal expert Pieros Xanthakos, who was trying to de-activate the homemade device, according to reports.

A caller later claimed that the terrorist group "Fighting Guerrilla Formation" was behind the bombing attack at Ms Papandreou's offices, with a telephone call to the SKAI radio and television stations.

According to the unidentified individual the attack was prompted from the government's decision to give a gold mining contract to the Canadian firm TVX. The caller claimed that the time of the explosion was intentionally misstated so police would at least be wounded.

Before the blast, an anonymous caller had phoned the "Eleftherotypia" newspaper and warned of the explosive device, which led police to cordon-off the area surrounding the building. However, the explosion did not detonate at the time the caller had warned.

The police officer attempting to dispose of the bomb was then taken to hospital with minor wounds in his hands and legs.

A second call by the same person, according to the newspaper switchboard operator, was received at the newspaper a few minutes after the first call, warning of a second bomb at the Canadian TVX company's offices in Kolonaki.

Police searched the building but no explosive device was found.

Another explosive device at the development ministry building (Mihalakopoulou street) was successfully de-activated last week.

[06] .. Reactions

Athens, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

She added that such activities were aimed against society, not against a minister or the government.

Government spokesman Demetris Reppas also strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a "cowardly criminal act".

PASOK, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) yesterday condemned the bomb attack as well.

"...PASOK and its cadres cannot be terrorized. We will continue without deviations the realization of our policies, targeting a better future for the citizens and the country," a PASOK statement read.

[07] Simitis defends agreement on new NATO structure

Athens, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Simitis underlined that until now Greece was a mere observer of NATO-sponsored military maneuvers in international waters in the Aegean, which were held with Turkey and other countries' participation.

He stressed that the country's national sovereignty was not in any way limited by the establishment of the four NATO regional headquarters in southeast Europe, saying that the alliance's new structure was not a treaty/agreement that could be ratified by the Greek Parliament, but an internal, administrative arrangement.

The PM further said that if Greece wanted to secure international support, this could neither be achieved by a "nationalistic isolationism", or by staying away from developments. He stressed Greece must be present in developments and negotiate any difficulties and questions to arise.

The leader of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Aleka Papariga accused the premier of acquitting NATO for the role it will play in the Aegean and Cyprus, asking that the issue over the alliance's new structure should be examined in Parliament again.

Nikos Constantopoulos, the leader of the Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos), underlined the need for guarantees to eliminate the eventuality of Turkish demands against Greece. Such guarantees, he said, should be based on the texts of NATO's new structure and on a provision to deal with one member-country attacking another.

Demetris Tsovolas, the leader of the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) wondered whether Greece's right to extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles had been taken into account in NATO's new structure.

In a related development, National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos last night briefed Parliament's foreign affairs committee on the issue.

[08] Athens FIR regulations again violated by Turkish warplanes

Athens, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

The same sources said the six pairs of Turkish warplanes flew near the islands of Lesvos, the northern Sporades as well as 25 miles south of Kassandra peninsula, all without previously submitting flight plans.

In all instances, the Turkish jet-fighters were intercepted by Hellenic Air Force fighters.

Earlier, the Turkish fighter planes had violated Greek national airspace twice over Agios Efstratios island, the sources said.

On its part, Turkey's general staff yesterday denied that Turkish warplanes violated Greek airspace, especially over Thessaloniki, Larissa and Skyros.

[09] Reppas-Burns meeting

Athens, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

The meeting was held at Mr. Reppas' office and after a request by Mr. Burns, as part a framework of his contacts with Greek government officials. According to reports, Mr. Reppas briefed Mr. Burns on several issues of Greek concern and, additionally, referred to issues regarding the situation prevailing in the Greek press.

Mr. Burns said his briefing by the Greek minister was positive, adding that contacts with Greek government members will continue.

[10] Reppas welcomes Burns statements

Athens, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Burns said the US "fully supported Greece's efforts to modernize its economy".

"There is nothing reprehensible about praising the government's economic policy even if that praise comes from a foreign government. No political conclusions should be drawn from such statements," he said.

[11] Macedonia-Thrace minister visits US

Washington, 11/12/1997 (ANA - T. Ellis)

Mr. Petsalnikos discussed northern Greece's and Thessaloniki's role as a link between the EU and the west with the developing economies of the Balkans.

[12] UNESCO incorporates several Greek manuscripts

Vienna, 11/12/1997 (ANA - D. Dimitrakoudis)

These manuscripts were termed as a "unique cultural heritage".

Among the 1,000 manuscripts are the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament, and "Dioscourides", a Greek copy of a Roman doctor's work, dated 512 A.D.

[13] Gov't unconcerned by new opinion poll

Athens, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

Support for Prime Minister Costas Simitis himself had dropped to 36.5 percent. The highest approval rating was for Athens Mayor Demetris Avramopoulos at 72.3%.

Mr. Reppas said the only thing that concerned the government was to resolve the problems of the Greek people and that is why it had been voted into power in 1996. He noted that Mr. Simitis had been elected prime minister when PASOK had been trailing ND in the opinion polls by 10 points.

[14] Clerides receives ANA's Christodoulides

Nicosia, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Christodoulides is currently paying an official visit to the island republic at the invitation of CNA.

On his part, President Clerides briefed the ANA general director on developments regarding the Cyprus issue. At noon, Mr. Christodoulides attended a luncheon given in his honor by Greece's ambassador to Nicosia Kyriakos Rodousakis.

In a brief address, Mr. Rodousakis referred to the progress and development of ANA and stressed that its information bulletins were an assistance to the work of diplomats in various countries.

Last night, Mr. Christodoulides was due to attend an official dinner given in his honor by CNA board chairman Anthos Lykavgis.

[15] Northrop Grumman defense industry seeks partner in Greece

Athens, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

According to US embassy officials in Athens, Northrop Grumman is one of many American defense firms that are interested in securing a foothold in Greece, which invests actively in the region.

Also luring US companies is a high-technology defense procurement plan over the next decade, budgeted at roughly four trillion drachmas, unveiled last year by the socialist government.

A member of NATO and the European Union, Greece is also strategically placed to act as a base for firms abroad to enter markets in the Balkans, eastern Europe and the Black Sea region.

"Interest shown by many American firms is focused not only on the sale of a weapons system but also the quest for a Greek partner," Patrick Santillo, the US embassy's counselor for commercial affairs, said.

Mr. Santillo was speaking at a presentation held in Athens last week by Northrop Grumman International Inc., a subsidiary of the Los Angeles-based corporation.

"An equally important issue is that when an allied country such as Greece acquires a US system, Americans always offer generous training and information on all the equipment's capabilities, with no secrecy," Mr. Santillo said.

In addition, US firms seeking Greek partners are eyeing the whole country, and not just the Athens area. New jobs could be created in the regions, where unemployment is high.

Representing Northrop Grumman at the presentation was William James, president of Northrop Grumman International Inc. of Virginia. The corporation is a leading designer, systems integrator and manufacturer of bomber, fighter and surveillance aircraft, commercial and military aerostructures, precision weapons, space systems, electronic countermeasures and information systems.

It is prime contractor for the US Air Force's B-2 stealth bomber, and principal subcontractor to prime contractor McDonnell Douglas for part of the US navy and marine corps F/A-18 Hornet strike fighter. Posting 1996 sales of over eight billion dollars, Northrop Grumman, has manufactured more than 400 electronic air defense systems for 12 countries. It has around 52,000 employees.

In July, the group launched co-operation with Lockheed Martin Corporation, which will lead to creation of the largest high technology defense systems company in the world.

On Monday, the US State Department gave McDonnell Douglas, which is owned by Boeing, the go-ahead to compete with its F-15 jet fighter in a tender for the Greek government's arms procurement plan.

It has already issued a similar decision for Lockheed to take part with its F-16 jet fighter.

A rival in the same tender is the EF-2000 Eurofighter jet, which is manufactured in four European Union countries.

[16] Tsohatzopoulos on change of military's structure

Athens, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos earlier commented on Turkish violations of Greek air space.

He said that it is not a matter of violations of Greek air space, but concerns infringements of the Athens FIR's region of responsibility.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos also touched on a meeting with National Defense General Staff Chief Gen. Athanasios Tzoganis and other top military commanders, saying "the study for changing the armed forces' structure is at an advanced stage, and in this way we will find out how effectively Greece reacts to new demands..."

The closed-door meeting took place at the Third Army Corps headquarters.

[17] G. Papandreou to attend meeting on legalization of narcotics

Brussels, 11/12/1997 (ANA - G. Daratos)

Apart from the Greek minister, the event is attended by many European and EU officials.

During the sessions today, discussion will focus on a special recommendation contained in a report by president of the European Commission's committee for narcotics, Hendi d' Ancona.

The report, which has been adopted by the Europarliament's civil freedoms committee, deals with legalization of the use of all drugs - legalization of hashish and its byproducts, generalization of policies on reduction of dangers involved in the use of drugs and reform of international treaties banning or regulating the use of narcotics.

Ways and methods to reform the European strategy on drugs will be debated during the second day tomorrow.

[18] Gov't will consider Article 19, spokesman says

Athens, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

According to the provisions of Article 19, citizens belonging to ethnic minorities are stripped of their citizenship when they emigrate with the intention of not returning to Greece.

Mr. Reppas said that in Greece everyone was equal before the law and the state, with the situation to be envied by many countries, although he admitted that there was room for improvement. He said he shared many individuals' concern over the issue and t hat the government felt there should be no second-class citizens.

[19] Karamanlis briefed by Venizelos on 2004 Olympics

Athens, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

"The success of the 2004 Olympic Games is not only an issue for the government but for the entire country," Mr. Venizelos said afterwards.

Mr. Karamanlis was briefed by Mr. Venizelos and Sports Under-secretary Andreas Fouras at a meeting held in a friendly atmosphere at ND's offices in Rigillis Street.

The meeting was also attended by Stavros Dimas and Tzannis Tzannetakis, on the part of ND.

[20] Synaspismos conference on prospects for Cyprus solution begins

Athens, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

Synaspismos President Nikos Constantopoulos opened the two-day conference, entitled "The Cyprus problem: A Prospect for Solution?", which is being attended by political personalities, representatives of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot parties and academics.

Mr. Constantopoulos said that the new developments - Cyprus' course towards EU accession and the new NATO structure - created new opportunities, but he also expressed hope that they would not also create new tension that could prospectively lead to partition of the island republic.

He said 1998, after the presidential elections in Cyprus, would be a critical year for the Cyprus issue and, in the time remaining, the two communities on the island republic should try to create conditions for dialogue aiming at a solution of the problem.

Cyprus ambassador in Athens Haralambos Christoforou agreed that 1998 would be a crucial year for the Cyprus issue, and expressed the Nicosia government's desire to collaborate for a solution to the political problem, calling on the Turkish side to follow suit. He also said the US initiative was expected to intensify after the Cypriot elections.

Cyprus MP Nikos Katsourides, a member of the AKEL political bureau and director of the "Haravghi" newspaper, endorsed a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation founded on the basis of sovereignty, and ensuring refugees the right to return to their homes as well as respect for human rights. He said the present system of guarantees would not work in the future, and proposed its expansion.

Mr. Katsourides expressed reservations on the EU policy on Cyprus, saying the European Union was not interested so much in whether Cyprus became a member or in what solution was given to the Cyprus problem but was primarily concerned for reasons of stability in the region. He also observed a turnabout in the EU stance towards the Turkish Cypriots, whom he said it recognized in essence as a second state entity.

Mehmet Ali Talat, the leader of the Republican Turkish Party of Cyprus rejected the idea of unification of the Turkish Cypriot community with Turkey and of the Greek Cypriot community with Greece as a solution.

He also rejected partition as a solution to the political problem, and implied that he favored Cyprus' European orientation, but with the equal participation of the Turkish Cypriots, with the reasoning that "it is not easy for the one (Greek Cypriots) to represent the other (Turkish Cypriots)".

Mr. Talat warned that the present status quo was dangerous for Cyprus, and endorsed a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, adding that the issue of sovereignty was open to discussion.

He further supported the inclusion of Turkey in the proposed European Conference.

[21] KKE, AKEL delegations confer

Athens, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

[22] Christmas bonus by IKA will be paid, Papaioannou says

Athens, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Papaioannou was speaking at a conference on the "European employment strategy and the importance of training", jointly organized with the European Center for the Development of Professional Training (CEDEFOP).

Mr. Papaioannou referred to the creation of four pilot centers for the promotion of employment, due to start immediately in Athens, Thessaloniki, Kallithea and Patissia and will soon spread all over the country.

He said young people and the longtime unemployed constitute a priority for the government and by the end of May a program on the overall policy on employment will be delivered to the European Commission.

Commenting on government policy on unemployment, Labor Under-secretary Christos Protopapas said decisions taken at the Amsterdam summit were important, where the EU's social policy deficit was ascertained and the foundations were laid for a collective course towards strengthening employment.

[23] DEP changes name to Hellenic Petroleum

Athens, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

DEP Managing Director Eleftherios Tzellas said that the name-change is connected to the company's planned public offering.

DEP's 1997 profits to date are 19.2 billion drachmas, according to available figures.

[24] Hellenic Steel changes

Athens, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

A general assembly meeting last month approved the sale of 51.3 per cent of the shares owned by the Japanese company Itochuto Sowestra. Sowestra is managed by the Italian company ILVA, of the Riva Group.

At the same time it was announced that an investment of three billion drachmas in the company's new galvanizing line had been completed. The unit produces high quality and advanced technology products for the Greek market and exports to western Europe.

[25] Charm series for Xenophon Monastery

Athens, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

Jeweler Makis Michalas said that he had been assisted in his selection by the monastery's abbot, Archimandrite Alexios, and other monks at the monastery. Other items in the 1998 charm series include pendants, broaches, earrings, cufflinks, cups, bookmarkers, frames and other desk accessories in a combination of gold, silver, bronze and plexiglass.

[26] Greeks flock to sit for public service examinations

Athens, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

The number is approximately 10,000 more than the number applied for the last public service examination in 1995.

The overwhelming response for the 2,353 positions were centered mainly on the 769 positions in secondary education, for which 96,325 people have applied. Only one in 125 candidates will succeed in getting the much-coveted position. Some 13,291 applications were submitted for 1,022 positions in tertiary education and 7,700 for 562 openings in technical education. Overall, the ratio of candidates to openings is about 1:50. However, more than 50 percent of those eligible to sit the exam failed to turn up in 1995.

According to figures from Thessaloniki, three in four candidates for the 104 positions in the Thessaloniki prefecture are women.

Meanwhile, main opposition New Democracy criticized the government for not practicing what it preached, saying the government's commitment to replacing every five departing civil servants with one new appointment was not being followed.

ND spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos said figures showed that appointments in the second half of 1997 had totaled 3,228 and departures 4,776 - in other words, a ratio of 1:1.47 and 1:5.

"With this irresponsible and unscrupulous policy, the Greek economy will not converge with the European Union," Mr. Spiliotopoulos said.

[27] National Bank of Greece names board for London subsidiary

Athens, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

NGB International will focus on international investment banking with the aim of bringing its parent company closer to international capital markets.

Nikos Karamouzis, National Bank's deputy governor, was appointed as chairman of the board whose members include Panagiotis Stellakis, Demetrios Pavlakis, Ioannis Makris and Panagiotis Venetis, all senior executives in other subsidiaries in the National Bank of Greece Group.

[28] Greek interbank rates return to pre-crisis levels

Athens, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

The overnight rate was set at 9.80 percent and the one-month rate at 11 percent at the end of the day.

The one-month Athibor rate fell by 1.0 percent to 12.5 percent.

According to bankers, Athibor is likely to edge down to around 11 percent on Thursday.

[29] Greek stocks end flat in edgy budget trade

Athens, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

Traders said the move by major Greek banks to lower interest rates, signaling the end of a period of higher-cost money in the aftermath of last month's monetary turmoil, had yet to boost market sentiment.

The general index closed 0.18 percent higher at 1,566.62 points.

Trading was heavy with turnover at 26.1 billion drachmas representing heavy arbitrage trading.

Sector indices were mixed. Banks fell 0.20 percent, Leasing rose 0.33 percent, Insurance increased 0.04 percent, Investment ended 0.06 percent down, Industrials rose 0.34 percent, Construction fell 0.36 percent, Holding was 0.29 percent off and Miscellaneous dropped 2.28 percent.

The parallel market index for small cap companies rose 1.23 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 119 to 95 with another 24 issues unchanged.

Radio Athina, Intertyp, Parnassos and Selonda scored the biggest percentage gains at the day's upper limit, while Fintexport, Mochlos, Halyps Cement and Balkan Export suffered the heaviest losses.

National Bank of Greece ended at 27,000 drachmas, Ergobank at 15,995, Alpha Credit Bank at 17,390, Delta Dairy at 3,550, Titan Cement at 13,250, Intracom at 14,500 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organization at 6,350.

[30] Thessaloniki's Hyatt casino projects hefty '97 turnover

Athens, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

It is also estimated that by the end of the year, the number of visitors to the casino will reach about 1.25 million people, or an average of 3,500 visitors daily. Profits this year are estimated to be between three and 3.5 billion drachmas, as compared to last year's recorded loss of three billion. In the four years of the casino's operation, the Greek state has received a total of about 315 billion drachmas.

Hyatt is also building a new hotel near the casino, which will be ready in 1999 - expected to cost 40 billion drachmas.

[31] Prosecutor: No charges be filed in digital phone contract case

Athens, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

It is reminded that tendering for the procurement of the above digital phones had taken place in March 1994 and had been awarded to the two aforesaid companies. However, following relevant accusations by the then deputy Andreas Andrianopoulos and reports in the press, a preliminary inquiry was ordered in 1994 by prosecutor Georgios Zorbas. The investigation lasted for several months, while prosecutor Christoforos Tzanakakis ordered further inquiries which he assigned to the current prosecutor, Lambros Karambelas.

Afterwards, a plenary of Athens appeals court judges, which convened on the specific case, ordered prosecution against anyone responsible and the carrying out of a main investigation by two special investigators.

[32] Laliotis on bill concerning transparency in public works contracts

Athens, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

"With the implementation of the previous law 2229 discounts had been drastically reduced by 15-20 units. We have discounts of 45-55 per cent. With this bill they will jointly assess how the system works..." he said.

[33] EU funds for archaeological sites in eastern Macedonia, Thrace

Athens, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

[34] Conference focuses on 7-year military junta

Athens, 11/12/1997 (ANA)

Pantion Rector Emilios Metaxopoulos pointed out the need for a review of the 7-year junta.

EEPE President Nikiforos Diamantouros said that there are certain "established orthodoxies" about the reasons the junta came to power and about the role of the colonels' regime. He also said that the studies on that period understated the role of the pre-dictatorship political leadership, while the post-civil war state structures have been overstated.

Mr. Diamantouros also said that "the fact that the United States supported the regime, does not entail that it (Washington) created it."

End of English language section.

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