Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-01-22

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Morgan Stanley upbeat on Greek inflation decline

[02] National Bank of Greece to lower rates on Monday

[03] Unbridled drachma rises again, shrugs off intervention

[04] Stocks end flat, hold just above 3,000-pt barrier

[05] Domestic derivatives market due for launch soon

[06] International wine contest to be held in Thessaloniki

[07] V. Papandreou continues US tour, NYC the next stop

[08] Ports in Greece, Italy the focus of business conference

[09] Athens Foreign Exchange

[10] Raytheon confirms Patriot contract with Greece

[11] Simitis talks with Bonn's Scharping

[12] Papadopoulos concludes wide-ranging talks in Tirana

[13] Kranidiotis: Any Turkish attack on free Cyprus cause for a Greek- Turkish war

[14] Gov't responds to questions on Liani-Papandreou fraud charges

[15] Suriname FM meets with Greek leadership

[16] Manos: New party regardless of Ayramopoulos' decisions

[17] Greek delegation meets with Int'l Atomic Energy Agency

[18] Education crisis continues,gov't firm

[19] ISTAME event focuses on the Internet,citizens' access to information

[20] Agrotica exhibition in Thessaloniki

[21] New treatment for epilepsy detailed

[22] Onassis Foundation trustees demand damages from Roussel

[23] More illegals arrested in '98 than '97

[01] Morgan Stanley upbeat on Greek inflation decline

Athens 22/01/1999 (ANA)

It quoted the international investment house as saying that inflation would fall this year to 2.1 percent under a calculation used domestically; and to 1.9 percent on the basis of a synchronised index.

December's consumer price inflation was 3.9 percent, continuing a long-term decline. The drop was interrupted earlier this year after the drachma was devalued by 13.8 percent in March to aid entry into the European Union's exchange rate mechanism.

Contained in a country report, Morgan Stanley's projection was better than an earlier forecast, which saw inflation falling to 2.4 percent under the domestic calculation and 2.2 percent under the synchronised index.

The investment house was quoted as saying that the government was likely to strengthen its drive to lower inflation in the first few months of the year in order to leave itself leeway to meet the target for alignment with the European Union, and entry into economic and monetary union.

By March, inflation should drop to 2.8 percent against 3.0 percent, which was originally forecast, Morgan Stanley said.

In addition, the central bank was likely to tighten its existing hard drachma policy in order to aid the government's anti-inflation drive, it was quoted as saying.

Deutsche Bank backs drachma investments : Deutsche Bank also sees healthy prospects for Greece's economy.

According to a Reuters news report yesterday, the bank has recommended that investors should opt for drachma placements, especially bonds, which still are attractive.

The spread between domestic 10-year bonds and their German equivalents had fallen to 263 basis points from 275 at the beginning of January, Deutsche Bank was quoted as saying in a report on Greece.

Athens News Agency

[02] National Bank of Greece to lower rates on Monday

THESSALONIKI 22/01/1999 (ANA - Tassos Liolis)

Among other rate declines, he said the savings deposit rate would drop to 8.0 percent from 8.50 percent, the current account rate to 6.5 percent from 7.0 percent, and the business rate for operating capital to 12.50 percent from 13.75 percent. In additi on, the bank will allow customers who have fixed rate housing loans to switch to a floating rate.

"This decision was taken as a result of a sharp decline in interest rates and National Bank's strategy of offering its customers competitive products, " the governor said.

The bank's floating rate on housing loans is to slide one percentage point to 12.75 percent from 13.75 percent.

Mr. Karatzas also announced that two centres for financing small and medium- sized enterprises would open in Thessaloniki, the first the bank will open in the country's north. The scheme was launched in Athens in September.

In reply to a question, Mr. Karatzas said that management still planned to float the bank's share on Wall Street.

The governor of National Bank, a blue chip on the Athens bourse, was speaking in Thessaloniki after the board's first meeting ever in the northern port city.

Athens News Agency

[03] Unbridled drachma rises again, shrugs off intervention

Athens 22/01/1999 (ANA)

The central bank intervened for the second straight day at its daily fix to meet the call for drachmas and curb the currency's ascent.

The Bank of Greece bought 220 million euros when the European Union's currency hit 322.000 drachmas. But the drachma finally was fixed at 322.750 against the euro against 322.850 in the previous session.

In late trade the euro rebounded slightly in international and domestic markets following statements by global financier George Soros on the US economy. In Greece, it traded at 322.874 drachmas.

Bond prices in the secondary market ended higher in moderate to active trade, continuing their ascent in out-of-hours trade.

Late in the day, the 15-year bond was at 103.55, the 10-year bond at 116.00, and the seven-year bond at 111.45. Electronic trade totalled 36 billion drachmas.

Interbank rates were mostly flat against the previous session with a slight downward pressure seen.

Overnight funds were 11.00 percent, one-month funds at 11.75 percent and 12- month funds at 10.60 percent.

Athens News Agency

[04] Stocks end flat, hold just above 3,000-pt barrier

Athens 22/01/1999 (ANA)

The Athens general index finished 0.12 percent higher at 3,005.21 points. Turnover was steady at 95.4 billion drachmas on a volume of 25,246,000 shares.

Anek, a major Crete-based passenger shipper, made its trading debut on the bourse at 3,000 drachmas per share.

The company's common share gained 42.7 percent to end at 4,280 drachmas, and its preferred share rose 48.2 percent to finish at 4,445 drachmas. Another category of preferred shares ended at 4,450 drachmas, up 48.3 percent.

The parallel market for small cap shares plunged, closing 3.53 percent down. The FTSE/ASE-20 index of blue chips and actively traded stocks edged up 0.33 percent to end at 1,911.31 points.

Sector indices finished mixed.

Banks crept up 0.26 percent, Leasing slumped 1.06 percent, Insurance jumped 2.79 percent, Investment surged 3.29 percent, Construction gained 1.42 percent, Industrials lost 0.65 percent, Miscellaneous dropped 1.51 percent and Holding rose 0.53 percent.

The most heavily traded stocks were newly listed Anek, Viosol, Halyvdofylla and Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation.

Of 291 stocks traded, declines led advances at 147 to 130 with another 14 unchanged.

Finishing at the daily 8.0 percent upper volatility limit were Nimatemboriki, Vis, Xifia, Inform Lykos, Elfiko, Britannia and GEK.

Ending at or near the 8.0 percent lower volatility limit were Dimitriadis, Levenderis (common and preferred), Viosol, Macedonian Textiles, Konstandinidis, Technical Olympic, Sato, Agrinio Metals and Plastics and General Trade.

National Bank of Greece ended at 70,150 drachmas, Ergobank at 36,800, Alpha Credit Bank at 31,695, Ionian Bank at 15,650, Titan Cement at 21,900, Hellenic Petroleum at 2,270, Intracom at 13,800, Minoan Lines at 7,880, Panafon at 9,110 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation at 8,350 drachmas.

Athens News Agency

[05] Domestic derivatives market due for launch soon

Athens 22/01/1999 (ANA)

The Athens Derivatives Market now has an operational structure in place and officials are holding presentations for bankers, brokers and institutional investors, the sources said.

Athens News Agency

[06] International wine contest to be held in Thessaloniki

Athens 22/01/1999 (ANA)

Eligible for entry in the contest, which is organised by the Macedonia Wine Producers Union and state trade fair organiser HELEXPO, are wines that meet the production standards of their country of origin and an international code of practice.

The organisers want to promote quality wines to consumers and distributors and publicise the wine culture of the Mediterranean basin, which, in turn will aid the industry's growth.

Judging the entries will be a committee of wine experts and journalists from Greece and abroad.

Athens News Agency

[07] V. Papandreou continues US tour, NYC the next stop

NEW YORK 22/01/1999 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

One of her meetings will be with the New York branch director of the Greek National Tourism Organisation (EOT), Georgios Kouros.

Ms Papandreou is touring the United States for contacts with the managements of major tour agencies as well as cruiseship and tour operators, briefing them on Greece's tourism targets for 2000.

The Greek minister is scheduled to pay a short visit next week to Houston, where she will hold private meetings with the leaderships of several major petroleum multinationals, including Conoco, Amoco, Unocal and Penzoil.

Upon her arrival in Texas' largest metropolis, Ms Papandreou will give an interview to a Business Channel television network and meet with various local leaders and distinguished expatriates.

Athens News Agency

[08] Ports in Greece, Italy the focus of business conference

Athens 22/01/1999 (ANA)

The initial discussion detailed the progress achieved in marine transports on the Adriatic-Ionian corridor, while it also showcased the problems of port facilities both in Greece and Italy.

Merchant Marine Minister Stavros Soumakis noted that "it is really sad to board a ultra-modern ship, to go on a mini-cruise and at the end face the picture presented in these ports."

He also said both countries were not able to follow the changes in shipbuilding and did not estimate correctly the importance of ports.

The minister spoke of new port facilities being constructed in Patra and Igoumenitsa, noting the bureaucratic delays in realising such projects.

Mr. Soumakis stressed that "the era when Piraeus was a monopoly has passed, " touching on moves to privatise both the port of Piraeus and the port of Thessaloniki.

Athens News Agency

[09] Athens Foreign Exchange

Athens 22/01/1999 (ANA)

Parities in Drachmas

Banknotes            Buying  Selling
US Dollar            276.599 283.012
Can.Dollar           181.834 186.049
Australian Dlr       176.512 180.604
Pound Sterling       454.733 465.276
Irish Punt           406.529 415.955
Pound Cyprus         549.667 562.411
Pound Malta          685.867 714.445
Turkish pound (100)    0.072   0.075
French franc          48.809  49.941
Swiss franc          199.566 204.193
Belgian franc          7.937   8.121
German Mark          163.699 167.495
Finnish Mark          53.848  55.097
Dutch Guilder        145.286 148.654
Danish Kr.            43.041  43.039
Swedish Kr.           35.764  36.593
Norwegian Kr.         37.140  38.002
Austrian Sh.          23.268  23.807
Italian lira (100)    16.535  16.979
Yen (100)            245.351 251.040
Spanish Peseta         1.924   1.969
Port. Escudo           1.597   1.634

Foreign Exchange     Buying  Selling
New York             276.599 283.012
Montreal             181.834 186.049
Sydney               176.512 180.604
London               454.733 465.276
Dublin               406.529 415.955
Nicosia              549.667 562.411
Paris                 48.809  49.941
Zurich               199.566 204.193
Brussels               7.937   8.121
Frankfurt            163.699 167.495
Helsinki              53.848  55.097
Amsterdam            145.286 148.654
Copenhagen            43.041  43.039
Stockholm             35.764  36.593
Oslo                  37.140  38.002
Vienna                23.268  23.807
Milan                 16.535  16.979
Tokyo                245.351 251.040
Madrid                 1.924   1.969
Lisbon                 1.597   1.634

Athens News Agency

[10] Raytheon confirms Patriot contract with Greece

US defence contractor Raytheon will supply Greece with four batteries of its "Patriot" anti-missile system as part of a deal worth US$1.1 billion, according to an announcement by the Lexington, Massachusetts-based company.

Greece has signed contracts for the procurement of two types of the missile systems, with the order expected to be completed this year.

The Raytheon Co. will also provide logistic and engineering support to the missile system.

The Patriot systems are currently used by the US, Germany, Israel, Japan, the Netherlands, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, while Turkey has also shown interest.

Athens News Agency

[11] Simitis talks with Bonn's Scharping

Athens 22/01/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Scharping will be in Greece to address a conference of Balkan socialist parties organised by the ESP in Thessaloniki at the weekend.

The meeting will focus on developments in the Balkans in light of the situation in Kosovo.

Other speakers include National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos and Foreign Minister Theodore Pangalos.

The meeting begins today and ends on Sunday.

Athens News Agency

[12] Papadopoulos concludes wide-ranging talks in Tirana

TIRANA 22/01/1999 (ANA - P. Haritos)

Mr. Papadopoulos visited Tirana at the invitation of Albanian Vice- President Ilir Meta.

The Greek minister, who hails from Epirus, also met with Albanian President Rexhep Mejdani and Prime Minister Panteli Majko, among others.

Issues discussed included bilateral relations and closer cooperation in Albania's efforts to re-establish state mechanisms.

During his meeting with Mr. Meta, he said Greece's support for Albania's efforts will become more specific through a protocol of cooperation the two countries will sign in the near future.

On his part, Mr. Mejdani said Albanian-Greek relations were very close, and could be expanded even more.

Athens News Agency

[13] Kranidiotis: Any Turkish attack on free Cyprus cause for a Greek- Turkish war

NICOSIA 22/01/1999 (ANA)

Speaking to a local television station, Mr. Kranidiotis, said the "casus belli (cause for war) is in force," explaining: "Any aggressive action by Turkey against Cyprus is a casus belli for Greece, and a cause for war with not only Cyprus as the field of battle, but also a Greek-Turkish war".

He said this acted as a deterrent not only for Turkey but also for the "major powers that influence things."

Asked to comment on Nicosia's recent decision to cancel the deployment of Russian-made S-300 missiles on its territory and their deployment on the island of Crete instead, Mr. Kranidiotis described the decision as "painful", but stressed that the worst was thus avoided.

"The worst would prospectively have been an incident, which would have led us into an (adverse) adventure and definitely to a freeze of the negotiations for Cyprus' EU accession," Mr. Kranidiotis explained.

He also said it had been a "big mistake" that Cyprus was "given the impression that the S-300 missile system would also solve the Cyprus problem, that it was a panacea, and so the people were disappointed".

Mr. Kranidiotis further denied rumours that on November 1, 1998, Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos had told his Cypriot counterpart Ioannis Kasoulides that in the event the missiles were deployed on Cyprus it would not have Greece's solidarity. "I was present at that meeting, and nothing of the sort was said," he added.

He described the January 1997 order of the missile system by Cyprus as "problematic both diplomatically and militarily".

"Diplomatically because it would complicate the Cyprus issue and Cyprus' prospects for EU accession. Militarily because long-range missiles were not appropriate for Cyprus," Mr. Kranidiotis said.

"Cyprus needs medium-range missiles, in other words a more flexible system than the S-300s," he added.

Athens News Agency

[14] Gov't responds to questions on Liani-Papandreou fraud charges

Athens 22/01/1999 (ANA)

Referring to complaints by the widow of PASOK's founder that PM and current PASOK president Costas Simitis must take some initiative, Mr. Reppas said Costas Simitis expresses his honour for Andreas Papandreou and there is no question about this.

Meanwhile, Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis criticised prosecutor Isidoros Doyiakos for sending the file on the investigation concerning the luxury home of Andreas Papandreou to him instead of the justice minister.

"We did not request the file. It was sent by the prosecutor in question in excess, I think, of his duties as well, because it is directed to the Parliament president and not to the justice minister," Mr. Kaklamanis said.

Athens News Agency

[15] Suriname FM meets with Greek leadership

Athens 22/01/1999 (ANA)

Afterwards, Mr. Pangalos reminded that Suriname will assume the presidency of the Federation of Latin American Countries shortly and consequently will participate in the Europe-Latin America summit to be held in Rio de Janeiro this summer.

Mr. Pangalos referred to economic and trade relations between the two countries, underlining the mutual interest existing for strengthening them even further.

He said that he signed a bilateral cultural and educational contract with Mr. Sniders and as a result Greek scholarships will be given to Surinam for the sectors of shipping professions and tourism.

He also thanked Mr. Sniders because his country voted in favour of Greece at a ballot held at the UN's General Assembly last September for a post of non-permanent member of the Security Council.

On his part, Mr. Sniders said that his country desires to widen and strengthen its bilateral relations with all countries, and European ones in particular.

He also held talks with Deputy National Economy Minister Alexandros Baltas, Deputy Agriculture Minister Dinos Vrettos and Merchant Marine Minister Stavros Soumakis.

Finally, he was also received by President Kostis Stephanopoulos and visited the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Athens News Agency

[16] Manos: New party regardless of Ayramopoulos' decisions

Athens 22/01/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Manos has scheduled a speech for Monday to present his positions.

The former minister was expelled from ND last year.

In an interview with the Athens daily "Eleftheros Typos", the independent deputy said the "fragmen-tation of the progressive faction is now visible",, while he added there may be further divisions in the future. He also accused ND's leadership for this development and noted that before the last ND congress he had submitted proposals for the party's modernisation.

Mr. Manos said he's certain that Mr. Avramopoulos will proceed with the creation of his own political party, stressing that "he (Avramopoulos) has the ability to capitalise on his great popularity."

He also said he is not ruling out the possibility of participating in June's Euro-elections.

Mr. Manos called on neo-liberal voters to choose and cast their ballot based on policies and not persons, who as he said "are the ones which will dismantle the faction."

Finally, he said that he is against any changes to the electoral law, adding it would be dangerous for Greece in light of efforts to achieve entry into EMU should the government call for elections in June along with the Euro-elections.

Athens News Agency

[17] Greek delegation meets with Int'l Atomic Energy Agency

Athens 22/01/1999 (ANA)

The two groups discussed issues of a technical nature, mainly pertaining to security in the Balkans, the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the Bering Sea.

The representatives of the international organisation reiterated that no nuclear energy programmes development is possible in the area unless strict technical security specifications are met, while Mr. Papandreou presented Athens' general policy on nuclear energy, poin-ting out dangers against the environment and security of the region.

The Technical Chamber of Greece organised a conference on the topic of "Restoration of Historic Buildings and Cities of the 18th to 20th Centuries in the Balkans", yesterday in Thessaloniki.

Thessaloniki Technical Chamber President Georgia Kotidou proposed, during yesterday's initial session, that a unit to record all Balkan monuments to be based on Thessaloniki.

Athens News Agency

[18] Education crisis continues,gov't firm

Athens 22/01/1999 (ANA)

Police said that an Ionian Bank branch on the corner of Omirou and Stadiou streets in downtown Athens and a television van were targeted by the masked youths.

One student was injured by stones and a passerby was knocked down during the violence.

Riot police detained 31 people, two carrying fire bombs, after they came under attack. Authorities later announced that 25 out of the 31 individuals were arrested. Four were led before a prosecutor yesterday afternoon, while the rest will appear before a court today. In addition, four were listed as juveniles.

The violence marked the latest clash between young protesters and police in a series of marches held since the beginning of the year to protest the education ministry's reforms.

Police estimated the number of demonstrators in Athens at around 6,000 people. Two banks suffered minor damage from the stone-throwing youths.

At the close of the march, at around 2 p.m., another group of six youths were spotted attacking a municipality vehicle with firebombs.

Similar marches were held simultaneously around the country in major cities and towns.

Reports from the Irakleio march, however, put the number of marchers as lower than previous marches.

Scuffles and violence was also reported from the port city of Patra when a group of youths attacked television crews and journalists with stones and planks of wood. They later threw firebombs at public buildings, breaking windows and causing damage to a neighbouring branch of the National Bank of Greece and the entrance to the prefectural building.

Riot police used tear gas to break up the group and were reported to have arrested nine people.

Students have added the resignation of the education minister to their demand that the contentious law, which introduces sweeping changes to the structure of education and university entrance, be revoked.

The march was preceded by student road blocks on a number of Athenian roads as well as on the Athens-Lamia national road outside the Renault dealership.

The move is calculated to allay fears of entire schools missing out on annual examinations in June due to the loss of class time due to school occupations.

Education ministry circular : The education ministry, meanwhile, issued a circular extending the first quarter of the school year to Feb. 5 from Jan. 20.

The man at the centre of the protests, Education Minister Gerasimos Arsenis met with the Private School Teachers' board yesterday afternoon and after two-hour talks he met with representatives of pupils from schools in the Attica area.

The private school teachers said that applications for registration at private schools have already increased by about 15 per cent, adding that this has repercussions on the reliability of public schools.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Arsenis referred to this issue, saying that "I hope the alarm sounds a few metres away as well" (meaning the federation of state school teachers).

Mr. Arsenis said that he is trying to continue dialogue at all levels in every way. In this context, he called on 15-member councils of schools in the Attica area to hold discussions tomorrow.

Similar events will be taking place all over the country. Education departments located all over Greece will be reaching necessary understandings with the pupils' 15-member councils for discussions over the weekend.

Mr. Arsenis also reiterated the government's position that the new education law would not be withdrawn.

The teachers maintain that no dialogue can be held until the law is recalled.

Pangalos : On his part, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos yesterday attributed responsibility for the present situation in the education sector to previous governments of the ruling PASOK party.

Mr. Pangalos, a member of PASOK's executive bureau, also called on all opposition parties to assume their responsibilities, accusing them of "deviating" from their stated principles.

Asked by reporters to comment in general on the situation, Mr. Pangalos said both high school students and teachers were "working unacceptably little", the main responsibility for which he attributed to previous PASOK governments.

"We must discuss the issue openly," Mr. Pangalos said, charging that students and teachers had forged a relationship "of mutual and continuously growing corruption" with the tolerance of parents.

Mr. Pangalos said that if students "want to remain illiterate" they could continue along the same path, but if they wanted to acquire knowledge, they should intensify their studies.

"Teachers, on their part, must earn the money given to them by the state, something which is not the case today," Mr. Pangalos said.

He expressed full support for the government's education reforms, saying that in effect they constituted a return to state education "which we have abolished".

The foreign minister said only the children of wealthy families were being educated today in Greece, adding that "an oligarchy of wealth and class discrimination" prevailed in the country's education sector.

Reppas : Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas reiterated that there was no question of a change in the composition of the government "of which Mr. Arsenis is a member".

Mr. Reppas made the statement when asked by reporters whether there was any possibility that Mr. Arsenis would tender his resignation at today's Cabinet meeting.

The spokesman criticised opposition parties, particularly the main opposition New Democracy (ND) party, for their stance on the government's education reforms and the student protests.

He accused ND leader Costas Karamanlis of being a "hypocrite", saying that on the one hand he was urging high school students to return to classes, while on the other, ND cadres active in the Federation of Secondary School Teachers (OLME) were maintaini ng a completely different stance in support of school occupations.

Opposition : Speaking to senior high school pupils in Thessaloniki last night, Mr. Karamanlis expressed a wish for the current turbulent situation to "cool down" and a solution to be found through dialogue.

"What has priority today is for the situation to cool down and an educational system having prospects to be found through dialogue which will hold for 20 years," he said, adding that ND will not change such a system when it comes to power.

Mr. Karamanlis clarified to his interlocutors, who were pupils from many high schools in the city, that he disagrees with the sit-ins and made it clear that in raising an issue of Mr. Gerasimos Arsenis resigning, he is not doing so from personal motivat ion but due to the fact that such a thing would help in defusing the situation.

ND spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos also criticised the government for failing to condemn the behaviour of PASOK's prefectural committee secretary in the Dodecanese, who injured a 16-year-old pupil with his car in Rhodes during students' road blocks.

Mr. Spiliotopoulos also criticised Prime Minister Costas Simitis for "not daring" to replace Mr. Arsenis.

"Nobody can possibly expect different things from this government from what it says and does," he said.

Referring to yesterday's rallies, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said that "the students movement is not being subdued despite the fact that so many forces have set upon it to subdue it."

KKE called on parents to stand by the struggling pupils with greater determination.

In a relevant statement, Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos insisted on his party's proposal for a suspension of the law, abolition of examinations for the second grade of the senior high school (lyceum) and a dialogue being carried out on educational reform, adding that "society can no longer stand turmoil and tension."

In an announcement, the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) stressed the need for the controversial clauses contained in Law 2525 to be suspended and an unconditional start to a substantive national dialogue with a specific timetable.

The National Youth Council (comprising most of the country's youth organisations) discerned serious dangers for Greek society in its entirety from the extension of the crisis in education and announces that it will assume an initiative for an "equal dia logue" to be conducted between all the bodies involved.

Athens News Agency

[19] ISTAME event focuses on the Internet,citizens' access to information

Athens 22/01/1999 (ANA)

Athens News Agency

[20] Agrotica exhibition in Thessaloniki

Athens 22/01/1999 (ANA)

The Athens News Agency (ANA) is among them which, in cooperation with the ELYROS company, will present advance information bulletins at a special event. They can be used by companies, organisations and state services for their prompt and authoritative information on issues concerning the European Union.

Athens News Agency

[21] New treatment for epilepsy detailed

Athens 22/01/1999 (ANA)

Athens News Agency

[22] Onassis Foundation trustees demand damages from Roussel

Athens 22/01/1999 (ANA)

The four trustees are requesting five billion drachmas in damages, stemming from Mr. Roussel's conviction by an Athens misdemeanor court recently over slander, perjury and wrongful legal action charges.

Mr. Roussel was convicted and given a five-year suspended sentence on Dec. 10, although he appealed the decision and was released.

Mr. Roussel filed a similar lawsuit requesting the same amount of damages by the trustees.

Athens News Agency

[23] More illegals arrested in '98 than '97

Athens 22/01/1999 (ANA)

Alexandroupoli police director Georgios Kokkinis said 9,236 illegal immigrants were arrested in 1998 compared to 6,560 the year before, while police arrested 40 illegal immigrant smugglers in 1998, compared to 14 in 1997.

Mr. Kokkinis added that criminal activity among illegals is minimal, usually only thefts of food.

Athens News Agency

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