Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-02-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] March rate decline seen hinging on inflation

[02] Foreign Minister Papandreou sees maintenance of momentum for resolving Cyprus issue

[03] President says Cyprus problem can only be solved if Denktash changes stance

[03] Apostolakis calls on Turkey to 'revise its aggressive policy'

[04] Turkish foreign ministry reiterates call for joint military committee

[05] Avramopoulos not a candidate in April 9 elections

[06] Simitis voices intent for election law to remain unchanged

[07] Reppas: '96 elections good model for televised debate

[08] ND leader certain of victory, criticizes government

[09] Simitis discusses legislation on election expenditures

[10] Appointments in public sector to be approved following elections in April

[11] Congratulations to President Stephanopoulos on his re-election

[12] Karamanlis briefed by 2004 organizing committee over preparation

[13] Blue chip stocks lead Athens bourse higher

[14] Financial state of Greek households improving

[15] Ministers to launch initiative to develop transport between eastern Mediterranean countries

[16] Fuel prices up from Thursday

[17] OA restructures flight schedule

[18] Cronus Airlines says ready to ply Melbourne route

[19] OTE to expand into e-commerce

[20] Canadian trade delegation to meet northern Greek business leaders

[21] Coastal shipping services are improving, minister says

[22] Red Cross inaugurates new hospital in Athens

[23] Deputy education minister says bill on people with special needs realistic

[24] Archbishop, deputy FM discuss Greek expatriate issues

[25] Greek NGO completes distribution of winter clothes to Golcuk-area quake victims

[26] Bogus CD operation costs state 200 million

[27] Shots heard from Turkish-occupied Dherynia area

[28] De Klerk in Cyprus to give lecture on peace and reconciliation

[01] March rate decline seen hinging on inflation

Athens, 10/02/2000 (ANA)

Any cuts in central bank intervention rates would be decided early in March after the previous month's inflation data was released, and the outlook for price stability assessed, Papademos told reporters in reply to a question.

He was speaking after a meeting with National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou.

In separate statements on Wednesday, Papantoniou told a ministry seminar that he expected headline inflation - currently at 2.6 percent - to fall further in February.

He also said that January figures for tax revenue would show a major rise, posting a surplus from the first month of the year.

Turning to the economy after anticipated euro zone entry on January 1, 2001, Papantoniou said that fiscal policy had to remain disciplined. At the same time, interest rates would have fallen to half of their current levels, including housing, consumer and business loans.

The government would maintain its privatization policy, which includes part-flotations on the Athens Stock Exchange and direct sales. The result would be lower power and telecommunications rates, as well as greater competitiveness, the minister added.

At the same time, investments would rise due to the improvement in competitiveness coupled with expansion by Greek firms into the Balkans and hosting the 2004 Olympic Games. In turn, growth would increase.

Finally, tax brackets would fall further due to budgetary surpluses, aiding wage earners and pensioners. Social spending would rise, Papantoniou said.

Central bank chief Papademos also told journalists that among changes needed before Greece's anticipated entry into the euro zone were a phased reduction in mandatory deposits by commercial banks at the central bank, starting in the second half of the year. The deposits would be replaced by a bond loan.

In addition, part of the country's foreign currency reserves, which are currently managed exclusively by the central bank, would be turned over to the European Central Bank.

[02] Foreign Minister Papandreou sees maintenance of momentum for resolving Cyprus issue

Athens, 10/02/2000 (ANA)

"The new framework of Euro-Turkish relations, the easing of tension in Greek-Turkish relations and the reaffirmation of the Republic of Cyprus' unimpeded accession path and accession to the European Union can be utilized in the direction of finding a just and viable solution to the problem of Cyprus," he said.

Papandreou reaffirmed that for the Greek government, the Cyprus issue continues to be the focal point of its foreign policy, with the solution framework set by the UN in the direction of a bizonal and bicommunal federation being a steadfast basis.

[03] President says Cyprus problem can only be solved if Denktash changes stance

LARNACA, 10/02/2000 (CNA/ANA)

In statements on his return from Geneva where the second round of the UN-led proximity talks took place, the president said they analyzed and concluded discussions on the four fundamental aspects of the Cyprus problem which were raised during the first round last December, namely the distribution of powers, security, property and territory.

The president further said that the third round of the talks, to start on May 23 in New York, would be a reinforced one.

Asked what he had agreed with UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser, Alvaro de Soto, regarding the next round of the proximity talks, Clerides replied that the UN official said "it will be a reinforced round of proximity talks."

Invited to explain what the term "reinforced" involves, Clerides said it could mean that some issues might be raised to both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot side to ascertain their views.

He also said there is another way, for example, negotiations can continue for some time in the proximity format and then will enter a face-to-face procedure.

"But the final decision will be taken by the Secretary-General before the Cypriot delegation goes to New York", the president added.

Clerides clarified that the second round was not expected to be a decisive round and when asked if the third round will be decisive, Clerides replied, "we will see".

During this round both sides analyzed the positions raised during the first round, the president said. "The only thing is that we don't know the positions of the other side", the president added.

Clerides confirmed reports that there has been talk about a fourth round of negotiations.

Asked to comment on Denktash's insistence to hold separate contacts with the European Union, the president stressed that Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides sent letters to all EU governments where he drew their attention to the EU charter that they cannot negotiate with a "state" which is not recognized.

Clerides further said foreign envoys who were on the wings of the second round of the talks did not have any involvement in the negotiations but held meetings with both sides asking for clarifications on the positions raised.

Asked if any confidence building measures were discussed, Clerides said he made it clear to Secretary-General Kofi Annan that the Greek Cypriot side would not discuss such an issue in New York or Geneva because the talks "are aimed at finding a solution and not create measures of good will".

"If they want to discuss such measures, the SG has a representative in Cyprus, we are in Cyprus and if they take place parallel with a solution, we would certainly not rule them out", the president said, adding that the SG did not express such an intention.

[03] Apostolakis calls on Turkey to 'revise its aggressive policy'

Athens, 10/02/2000 (ANA)

"Greek-Turkish relations must be normalized and the two peoples must live peacefully," Deputy Defense Minister Dimitris Apostolakis said.

He also ruled out the possibility of an all-out war between the two countries that would end in the unconditional surrender of one to the other ever occurring.

Apostolakis said that although the military risks appeared reduced today, particularly with respect to the Balkans, this should in no way result in a slackening of efforts to strengthen the country's defense and outlined the efforts made since 1996 to boost Greece's defense system.

Turning to the recent EU Helsinki summit decision to upgrade Turkey to a candidate country for EU membership after Greece lifted its reservations, Apostolakis said that "we succeeded in more or less transferring the Greek-Turkish differences to Europe and rendering them EU-Turkish issues".

Consequently, he added, "if Turkey does not change policy, if it does not respect international law, it will find all that in front of it in 2004".

Apostolakis stressed that the "relationship between defense and foreign policy must comprise the cornerstone of our handling, and this relationship is less a matter of guidelines and directives and more a matter of imagination and choices at each given time".

[04] Turkish foreign ministry reiterates call for joint military committee

ISTANBUL, 10/02/2000 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

The spokesman was replying to questions over reports in the Turkish media alleging that Greek warplanes had harassed Turkish fighter planes on training missions during the past two weeks. The same reports claimed the incidents occurred in international airspace near the northeastern Aegean island of Limnos.

Specifically, the Turkish mass daily "Hurriyet" reported in its Wednesday edition that Hellenic Air Force planes harassed Turkish warplanes in late January and early February near the Greek island. According to the Turkish daily, the "Turkish aircraft didn't respond to this harassment so as not to damage the climate of dtente in Greek-Turkish relations".

On his part, Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Sermet Atacanli told reporters during a customary weekly briefing that "we hope our proposal for a joint Greek-Turkish military committee will be accepted by Greece".

He added that the proposal expresses Ankara's goodwill and political will for the "peaceful settlement of differences between Greece and Turkey...Of course, Turkey will continue to stick up for its rights and interests in the Aegean."

Greek National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos had stated in late January that an official reply from the defense ministry in Athens over Ankara's proposal for the participation of military officials in ongoing Greek-Turkish bilateral contacts would be given following a meeting on the issue between the ministers of defense and foreign affairs.

[05] Avramopoulos not a candidate in April 9 elections

Athens, 10/02/2000 (ANA)

A popular conservative figure and the subject of considerable past speculation that he may found a new political party, Avramopoulos thanked party leader Costas Karamanlis for his invitation to stand, but said he had reached the decision to exhaust his term as mayor after considerable thought.

He reiterated his commitment to New Democracy, "the party which supported me and to which I belong".

The announcement drew an indirect caustic response from Karamanlis.

"Politics needs more light... Lowly tricks and minced words do not befit the new era. They particularly do not befit Greeks... Now is the time of contribution, the time to stand up and be counted," he said in an address to an evening election rally in Athens.

ND press spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos said Avramopoulos would still be useful to the party from his present post.

[06] Simitis voices intent for election law to remain unchanged

Athens, 10/02/2000 (ANA)

Responding to a question by former premier and main opposition New Democracy (ND) deputy Constantine Mitsotakis, Simitis said that the election law might indeed change after the elections, adding that such discussions could not take place during the pre election period.

The current election law "punishes" the second party by allocating more seats in Parliament to the first and third, in voter strength, parties by allocating fewer seats to the second party.

[07] Reppas: '96 elections good model for televised debate

Athens, 10/02/2000 (ANA)

But government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the issue of whether a debate would be held or not and what form it would take was not just up to the ruling party, but was an issue that would be discussed by the inter-party election committee.

"But PASOK believes that the guidelines which prevailed in the elections of 1996 should be adhered to today," he said.

In 1996, Prime Minister and ruling PASOK party president Costas Simitis and his New Democracy party rival Miltiades Evert answered questions put to them by four journalists. The two did not debate one another directly.

The debate was a first for the Greek political scene and was broadcast live by Greek Television and Radio and re-transmitted by virtually all the country's television networks.

Smaller opposition parties criticized the procedure as exclusive and called it undemocratic, as they were not given a chance to air their views in the same forum as the leaders of the two main parties.

Reppas said the government wanted any televised dialogue to be governed by the rules valid in the past and also valid abroad.

"Political dialogue is not promoted by dueling - the country needs workers to solve its problems, not to be crossing swords in public," he said.

In a related development, Reppas referred to a protest lodged with him as press and media minister by Left Coalition Nikos Constantopoulos in relation to unhindered access to electronic media - particularly ERT - by smaller parties.

Reppas said that ERT was being unfairly attacked for being partisan and said the attacks were orchestrated.

"This does a disservice to (ERT's) independence of operation," he said.

He added that when elections are formally declared, the interior ministry's inter-party election committee would decide on the details related to airtime allocated to parties.

[08] ND leader certain of victory, criticizes government

Athens, 10/02/2000 (ANA)

Karamanlis also spoke of the agreement and consensus preceding the election of the President of the Republic noting that ND means just such consensus on important issues, when it speaks of a new beginning.

Karamanlis criticized government policies, regarding Greece's entry to the European Monetary Union (EMU), claiming that a nominal accession has been approved, but the government will have to introduce new measures to maintain economic indicators at low levels and achieve, what he called, the real convergence.

Commenting on Prime Minister Costas Simitis' decision to call early elections, Karamanlis said that the premier was trapped in his efforts to trap others, saying that the call for early elections was expected by ND and was unavoidable for the premier and will prove painful for the government.

[09] Simitis discusses legislation on election expenditures

Athens, 10/02/2000 (ANA)

The talks focused on the change in the institutional framework on the funding of parties and the control of previous expenditures by parties and candidates.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said later only issues, which will preoccupy the Interparty Committee on Thursday, were discussed. It will convene for the third time lately and will take decisions, while party representatives will state their parties' positions.

Ministers attending the meeting included Interior Minister Vasso Papandreou, National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis and National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos. PASOK party Secretary General Costas Skandalidis was also present.

[10] Appointments in public sector to be approved following elections in April

Athens, 10/02/2000 (ANA)

Simitis accused main opposition New Democracy party (ND) for reneging on an initial agreement of granting the appointments, adding that the government did not push the issue, despite the fact that it has the necessary majority, to avoid being accused of petty party political pre-election expediencies.

[11] Congratulations to President Stephanopoulos on his re-election

Athens, 10/02/2000 (ANA)

Stoyanov also expresses certainty that in the person of President Stephanopoulos Bulgaria will have a fellow traveler in its effort for a peaceful settlement to every difference in the region and the further development of inter-Balkan cooperation.

The Speaker of the Cypriot House of Representatives on Wednesday congratulated Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos on his re-election to a second five-year term, saying he was certain the Greek head of state would work for the Cypriot cause.

"In the person of Kostis Stephanopoulos, the Cypriot people have found a steady and conscientious supporter of their struggles," Speaker Spyros Kyprianou's letter read.

"The unprecedented unanimous support of your self by the two largest (Greek) political parties, as well as the love, respect and recognition on the part of almost all the Greek people, reflects the quality, morals, dignity and influence which has characterized your performance throughout your political career."

[12] Karamanlis briefed by 2004 organizing committee over preparation

Athens, 10/02/2000 (ANA)

The ND president made the statement after meeting with the organizing committee's board of directors, and following a briefing on preparations for the 2004 Games.

Karamanlis noted that ND's positions vis-a-vis the Athens Olympics are well known and standing, while he also mentioned "oversights and delays" in terms of preparations. He also said the Games are a national matter necessitating the cooperation of all political forces in Greece.

[13] Blue chip stocks lead Athens bourse higher

Athens, 10/02/2000 (ANA)

Smaller capitalization stocks, however, came under profit taking pressure to end lower leading the market to a mixed appearance.

The general index ended 0.79 percent higher at 5,594.36 points, off the day's highs of 5,690.27 points, in heavy turnover of 429.3 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 1.26 percent to 2,973.25 points, while the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index fell 2.07 percent to 964.96 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 10,325.10 +1.00% Leasing: 1,407.31 +0.51% Insurance: 3,744.65 +1.86% Investment: 2,743.42 -0.63% Construction: 3,623.05 -3.66% Industrials: 3,344.78 +0.77% Miscellaneous: 7,113.78 +1.52% Holding: 6,540.25 -0.12%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 1,662.86 points, off 4.74 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 262 to 64 with another four issues unchanged.

Lyberis Publications saw its shares jump 173.33 percent on the first trading day in the market. Macedonian Spinning, Pairis, ETBA, Kreka and Strintzis Lines topped the list of gainers.

Atermon, Daring, Sanyo, Connection, Mosholios, Ergas, Mouriadis and Dias ended at the day's 10.0 percent limit down.

Panafon and ETBA were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in Drs): National Bank: 24,600 Alpha Credit: 26,600 Commercial Bank: 25,450 Eurobank: 13,700 Hellenic Telecoms: 9,450 Panafon: 5,450 Hellenic Petroleum: 4,705 Titan Cement (c): 17,700 Minoan Lines: 8,760 Intracom: 15,000

Derivatives market ends mixed in heavy turnover: Futures contract prices ended mixed on the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Wednesday following a mixed performance in the two benchmark indices, the FTSE/ASE 20 which ended higher and the FTSE/ASE MID 40 which lost ground.

Trading was nervous with turnover rising to 14.2 billion drachmas.

A total of 2,698 contracts changed hands during the session.

The FTSE/ASE 20 February contract ended at 2,983 points, the March contract at 2,982, the April at 2,990 and the June contract at 2,985 points.

The FTSE/ASE MID 40 February contract ended at 987 points and the March contract at 982 points.

Bonds show fatigue in dull market: Bonds in the secondary market were lackluster on Wednesday, showing fatigue in scant trade.

The only factor that the market had yet to discount was the extent of a rate cut by the central bank, expected in March, analysts said.

The benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of around 6.45 percent from 6.47 percent a day earlier and 6.47 percent to 6.50 percent on Monday.

The paper's yield spread over German bunds was 98 basis points, the same as the previous session, from 100 basis points on Monday.

Analysts said there was little room for the yield spread to drop lower, and that even a central bank rate cut of 75-100 basis points would have little impact on the market.

Trade through the central bank's electronic system totalled 28 billion drachmas from 46 billion drachmas a day earlier and 20 billion drachmas on Monday.

In Wednesday's trade, buy and sell orders were roughly equal.

Drachma up vs. dollar, down vs. euro: The drachma finished sharply higher against the dollar and slightly down on the euro in the domestic foreign exchange market on Wednesday.

The national currency had slumped against the euro a day earlier due to the EU single currency's rebound against the dollar in world markets, prompting the Bank of Greece to intervene when the euro hit 333 to the drachma.

At the central bank's daily fixing on Wednesday, the euro was set at 332.850 drachmas from 332.800 drachmas in the previous session and 332.550 drachmas on Monday.

Also at the fixing, the dollar was set at 335.950 drachmas from 337.300 drachmas a day earlier and 339.670 drachmas on Monday.

[14] Financial state of Greek households improving

Athens, 10/02/2000 (ANA)

The report, which was conducted between October 15 and November 7 last year using a sample of 1,000 households, noted that only 11 percent of households had considered that their financial state had improved in 1998, compared to the previous year, but in 1999 this percentage almost doubled and reached 21.4 percent.

The percentage of households believing that matters worsened in 1999 decreased, from 46.4 percent in 1998 to 31 percent in 1999. However, households believing that their position worsened in 1999 continue to be more than those believing that matters had improved.

The main reasons for the improvement in the financial state of households in 1999 is the existence of new sources of income from work (29.4 pre cent) and an increase in incomes from existing work and other sources (26.2 percent).

Other reasons cited were profits derived from the Athens Stock Exchange (12.1 percent) and a decrease in inflation (8.4 percent).

Households are also optimistic over their financial state this year. For the first time in past years, households expecting an improvement in the financial state (27 percent) are more than those fearing a worsening (19.9 percent).

[15] Ministers to launch initiative to develop transport between eastern Mediterranean countries

Athens, 10/02/2000 (ANA)

The two ministers have addressed letters to their counterparts from Egypt, Libya, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Palestine, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Cyprus, requesting their cooperation to promote the special role of transport in the eastern Mediterranean.

A meeting of representatives of the 12 Mediterranean countries will be held in Irakleio, Crete, on March 16-17, 2000 and its purpose will be to create a transport subsystem.

[16] Fuel prices up from Thursday

Athens, 10/02/2000 (ANA)

Under indicative prices released weekly by the ministry and Hellenic Petroleum, super and lead-free gasoline will rise by 4.2 drachmas a litre; heating oil by 3.3 drachmas a litre (for amounts above 1,000 litres); and diesel by 2.6 drachmas a litre.

In Attica and Thessaloniki, super gasoline will sell for around 237.4 drachmas a litre and lead-free for about 220.2 drachmas a litre, the statement said.

[17] OA restructures flight schedule

Athens, 10/02/2000 (ANA)

The new schedule will include three flights a week from Athens to Tehran and Boston via Manchester, and a reintroduction of the Athens to Benghazi route. There will also be more flights to Alexandria, Paris, Frankfurt, New York, Munich, Milan, Rome and Dubai.

Exclusive flights are introduced from Thessaloniki to London Gatwick daily, Frankfurt, Munich, Stuttgart, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and Berlin.

The summer schedule also introduces morning direct flights from Irakleion to destinations abroad.

OA's managing director Rod Lynch said in statements that the new schedule was designed to increase the number of customers and improve revenue.

[18] Cronus Airlines says ready to ply Melbourne route

Athens, 10/02/2000 (ANA)

The move last week brought immediate objections from the large Greek community in the city.

Cronus Airlines is the largest private airline company in Greece and currently offers domestic routes and flights to eight European destinations.

In a letter addressed to community representatives, Cronus said it shared the opinions of the Greek community and that it would take the legal steps necessary to enable it to acquire the license to begin these flights.

The company proposed the creation of a subsidiary, which could include the participation of the community to undertake the realization of the route.

Up to 80 Greek community bodies have requested Olympic Airways (OA) reconsider its decision to drop Melbourne from its direct flights schedule.

OA said the decision was taken as part of its reorganization its flights to Australia, effective as of March 26.

The company will schedule three flights a week to Sydney, via Bangkok. Passengers headed for Melbourne will board flights scheduled by local carriers Ansett or Qantas, with which Olympic will conclude special agreements. The changes are aimed at an overall attempt at making Olympic's Australian routes profitable.

The discontinuation of the Melbourne-Sydney section will enable the company to decrease expenditures in landing and take-off duties and crew stays, and benefit from the savings on aircraft flight hours and crew duty time, Olympic said.

Cronus Airlines founded in 1994 and a member of IATA, transported almost 500,000 passengers in 1998, an increase of 100 percent compared with 1997. It expects 1999 sales to rise to 15 billion drachmas from eight billion the previous year.

[19] OTE to expand into e-commerce

Athens, 10/02/2000 (ANA)

OTE, which is listed on the Athens Stock Exchange, is to set up electronic stores and auctions through the Internet along with intermediary services.

The firm will also set up an e-commerce payments system by credit card, being devised with Greek banks.

[20] Canadian trade delegation to meet northern Greek business leaders

Athens, 10/02/2000 (ANA)

The visitors, who include representatives of the sectors of construction, advanced technology, transport, software and information systems, will meet northern Greek business leaders at the city's Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday and go on a tour of archaeological sites on Friday.

[21] Coastal shipping services are improving, minister says

Athens, 10/02/2000 (ANA)

"My wish is to have Greek ships offering better services to our islands and ensuring jobs for our sailors," Soumakis said.

He was commenting on talk of a merger between MED Lines and NEL Lines shipping companies.

Soumakis said that his ministry earmarked an extra 1.5 billion drachmas for the construction of two new piers in Lavrio harbor, which are expected to be ready by the end of April.

He declined to comment, however, on a demand by the Union of Coastal Ship-owners to raise the service age of ships, currently 35 years.

[22] Red Cross inaugurates new hospital in Athens

Athens, 10/02/2000 (ANA)

The 455-bed hospital employs 1,000 people, it can serve up to 30,000 patients per year in its in house clinics and another 30,000 in its outpatient clinics.

Hospital officials noted it had arrived at an agreement with the Autocephalus Church of Greece to provide surgical procedures worth up to 200 million drachmas per year for indigent patients at no charge.

This agreement was realized as the Autocephalus Church of Greece donated the land for the hospital facilities.

Officials also said that they contacted the Social Security Foundation (IKA) management and allocated 20 per cent of the hospital beds in the hospital to patients of the foundation, based on a contractual agreement.

[23] Deputy education minister says bill on people with special needs realistic

Athens, 10/02/2000 (ANA)

Deputy Education Minister Yiannis Anthopoulos termed the bill "sensitive, realistic and modernizing", adding that "it is a continuation of the previous legislation and makes, in parallel, deep incisions in problems for people with special needs."

Anthopoulos accused the opposition parties that while agreeing with the essence of the bill, they are seeking an alibi merely to enable them to vote against it. The opposition parties stated from the start that they would vote against the bill because it is an "election" one.

[24] Archbishop, deputy FM discuss Greek expatriate issues

Athens, 10/02/2000 (ANA)

The Church and the ministry have co-sponsored the program, which hosts every year 2,000 Greek children from around the world, here in Greece usually during the summer months.

During the meeting, the Archbishop wished the deputy minister to succeed on his re-election bid in the April 9 elections, saying, "we wish for your re-election, so that we may continue our good cooperation".

Following reactions to the statement, by non-church circles in Athens, Church officials clarified that the Archbishop only wishes the deputy minister's re-election to his parliamentary seat.

[25] Greek NGO completes distribution of winter clothes to Golcuk-area quake victims

ISTANBUL, 10/02/2000 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

The area was severely hit by a massive Aug. 17 that struck northwest Asia Minor, particularly the Sea of Marmara's eastern littoral.

"We're distributing clothing that's been granted by ECHO (the European Community Humanitarian Office) to quake victims who have taken shelter in the villages around Golcuk, as well as to the quake stricken that continue to remain in temporary settlements in the city," said Costas Sklavounos, in charge of the Athens-based Center for Strategic Planning and Development's (Dimitra) activities in Turkey.

He estimated that some 2,000 individuals in the area continue to live in temporary settlements, while about 600 families have taken refuge with relatives in and around Golcuk.

The Dimitra organization is an official ECHO collaborator, and is active in various humanitarian and social assistance programs in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Members of the group arrived in the neighboring Turkey immediately after the Aug. 17 earthquake.

[26] Bogus CD operation costs state 200 million

Athens, 10/02/2000 (ANA)

Police said Lebanese national Samir Farah, 57, was the head of the operation, based in his home in the outer Athens suburb of Egaleo.

The ring has been operating, police said, at least since September 1999 and its activities were uncovered by the finance ministry's economic crimes squad, SDOE.

SDOE said it had had the workshop under surveillance following a tip-off.

A search of the premises, a SDOE statement said, uncovered seven ultra-modern CD rewriters able of producing 300 CDs per hour, about 10,000 pirate CDs of both Greek and foreign artists and 485 CDs of computer games.

The three men are to be charged with violating the law on copyright and intellectual property and on forgery.

The Greek state is believed to be losing astronomical amounts in Value Added Tax revenues from the activity of CD pirates.

In the five months of the ring's operation, SDOE estimates that losses to the state came to more than 200 million drachmas.

[27] Shots heard from Turkish-occupied Dherynia area

NICOSIA, 10/02/2000 (CNA/ANA)

UNFICYP spokesman Charles Gaulkin invited by CNA to comment on the National Guard press release repeated an earlier statement that "we have no indication about the identity of the persons that fired the shots".

The Defense Ministry states in its statement that "from 21: 20 until 21: 30 (local time) yesterday about 8-10 shots were heard on the side of the Turkish-occupied areas in the Dherynia area", east of the island.

It adds that "gunfire by Turkish sentry is almost a usual phenomenon" and that a similar incident occurred on January 31 with shots fired from a Turkish post in the Kampos area".

Gaulkin said UNFICYP is following up the incident to see whether it can find more information about it.

Cyprus has been dived since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of the island's territory.

[28] De Klerk in Cyprus to give lecture on peace and reconciliation

NICOSIA, 10/02/2000 (CNA/ANA)

De Klerk who is in Cyprus at the invitation of the Popular Bank to give a lecture on "Peace and Reconciliation in dived societies: The experience of South Africa" met on Wednesday with Acting President Nicos Anastasiades and former president of the Republic George Vassiliou.

"I am not here to present myself as somebody who can help you to resolve the long-standing problems of Cyprus, but I do think that from our experience some lessons can be drawn which can have universal application," he said.

Pointing out that "all countries have their own unique situations", he said "general lessons must be applied and adapted to fill the needs of a particular country".

Referring to the South African experience de Klerk said, "I will put the lessons on the table. It's for you to decide which ones of those lessons are useful for the situation here".

Anastasiades described his meeting with the former South African President as "extremely useful" and congratulated the Cyprus Popular Bank for inviting de Klerk to speak here.

On his part Vassiliou stressed de Klerk "will have many useful things to tell us during his stay on the island".

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