Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-01-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis announces full investigation of DU bomb effects

[02] Karamanlis attends EPP and EDU conferences in Berlin

[03] Kostunica to visit Greece on Tuesday

[04] Gov't spokesman responds to former FM on Ocalan case

[05] New army, navy chiefs announced

[06] Leftists stage protest at Athens EU offices

[07] Greek stocks rebound spectacularly on ASE

[08] Merchant marine minister to meet Passenger Shipping Shipowner Union's new administration

[09] Bulgaria okays award of mobile phone license to OTE

[10] Northern industrialists say economic reform too slow

[11] Trade union membership declines in Greece, survey shows

[12] Promota to become first Greek e-commerce store abroad

[13] Wholesale prices up 9.0% yr/yr

[14] Civil aviation workers again oppose OA's privatization

[15] Council of State set to review TVX requests for expansion

[16] Ecumenical patriarch, Stability Pact chief address Balkan religion conference

[17] Archbishop expresses wish to visit war-torn regions in Yugoslavia

[18] Health minister insists on changes to healthcare system, despite opposition by doctors

[19] Local residents concerned about possible link between Krania missile range and rising cancer rates

[20] Figures on illegal immigrants in 2000 released, more detained in Patras and Thessaloniki

[21] Athens 2004 Olympiad Organizing Committee President to address foreign press luncheon

[22] President tells British envoy he will not accept any change in Cyprus peace process

[23] Cook says British government has requested from Denktash to release abducted Greek Cypriot

[01] Simitis announces full investigation of DU bomb effects

Athens, 12/01/2001 (ANA)

Simitis reassured the public about the risks to Greece from radioactivity after the bombings in Kosovo, saying that measurements were being taken on a daily basis and that no rise in radioactivity had been noted.

He was also openly critical of NATO, saying it had inadequately informed the Greek side.

"We took measures even though NATO had not provided the highly detailed information it ought to have provided," he said.

According to Simitis, the Greek government's believes that there should be a full investigation into the consequences of war operations and that all measures for protection should be taken; unlike NATO which has described and continues to describe the dangers as negligible.

Finally, the prime minister said that Greece disagreed with NATO on whether "weapons that create permanent dangers to human life" should be used at all.

With regard to the Greek troops serving with the peacekeeping forces in Yugoslavia, however, Simitis underlined that their presence was necessary and that it "served the interests of the country and protected against new problems in the Balkans."

He announced that the Greek Atomic Energy Committee, which is currently carrying out measurements in Kosovo at the areas where Greek troops are stationed, would also monitor radioactivity at Greek army camps where large quantities of ammunition are stored.

In addition, all military personnel that have served in Yugoslavia, students at Yugoslav universities, members of non-governmental organizations and Greek business people that are active in the area will undergo special tests.

In all, the prime minister announced nine initiatives by the Greek government in relation to this issue:

1. The Greek Atomic Energy Committee instructed to monitor radioactivity levels at military facilities and missile ranges on land and at sea.

2. The government supports suspending the use of DU ammunition during military exercises until the investigation is concluded.

3. NATO and NATO member-states should make all data regarding the use of these weapons public and cooperate with other international organizations and scientific bodies in investigating the issue.

4. Greece will demand that research by the UN, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the World Health Organization continues.

5. Greece considers it imperative that a committee within a NATO framework is created to collect data and evaluate evidence.

6. The investigation should be extended to the local population and to the environment generally.

7. Athens considers that the issue must be discussed within the European Union, both in the context of the Joint Security and Defense Policy and of EU environmental policy. The problem must be approached as a health and environmental concern and be considered within the context of the stability program. To this end, Simitis said, Greece is now contacting the Swedish EU presidency, the European Commission and joint foreign and defense policy chief Javier Solana.

8. Greece will propose setting up a scientific working team to evaluate the consequences of using the specific weapons in Yugoslavia at the next Balkans Summit in February.

9. The cabinet has decided to create a government committee to monitor the handling of this issue.

Papandreou to contact Balkan counterparts on DU environmental repercussions: Foreign minister George Papandreou plans to contact his counterparts in the Balkan countries in a bid to forge a common position so that actions concerning the environmental repercussions of the depleted uranium contained in munitions dropped by NATO in campaigns on Kosovo and Bosnia would be included in the Stability Pact programs for Balkan reconstruction, it was announced Thursday.

Foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis said Papandreou wants the European Union to undertake an initiative to render the environmental repercussions of DU a central aspect of EU policy on the Balkans.

Papandreou will have the opportunity to discuss the problem in depth with Yugoslav leadership when President Vojislav Kostunica visits Athens on January 15-16.

Greece also plans to table a series of proposals at the Council of EU Foreign Minister's meeting scheduled for January 22, which are currently being drafted by an ad-hoc committee headed by alternate foreign minister Elisavet Papazoi, Beglitis said.

Premier to face DU fallout in parliament on Friday: Prime minister Costas Simitis will on Friday respond to MPs' questions related to the effects of depleted uranium used by NATO in bombs dropped during campaigns on Kosovo and Bosnia, during the "Prime Minister's Hour" in Parliament.

Simitis will be called on to reply to questions tabled by Coalition of Left and Progress (SYN) leader Nikos Constantopoulos and main opposition New Democracy former leader Miltiades Evert on the repercussions of NATO's bombings on Yugoslavia and taking measures to protect the populations, and on press reports of disagreement among government officials on the dispatch of Greek peacekeepers to Kosovo, respectively.

In addition, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) group of MPs has tabled a motion calling on the government, "in an act of solidarity and active apology for its stance (during the Kosovo bombing), to intercede with international organizations to ensure the health of the populations in Yugoslavia and restore the environment in the region".

Three New Democracy MPs have further tabled questions addressed to the appropriate ministers on the effects of NATO bombs dropped in the Adriatic and Ionian seas on the Ionian marine ecosystem, on reports that the northern prefecture of Serres presented higher concentrations of uranium radiation than the rest of Greece, and on the number of DU-tipped bombs dropped at several firing ranges by the Greek Air force.

Also, SYN parliamentarian Maria Damanaki tabled a question asking whether there was truth to a recent announcement by the Greek bureau of the Helsinki Watch that DU-containing mines were in storage in Greece.

Coalition leader asks Defense minister if Greek armed forces use weapons containing toxic substances: Coalition of the Left leader Nikos Constantopoulos formally asked Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos in Parliament on Thursday if the Greek armed forces had or used weapons and ammunition containing or encased in radioactive, biological or chemical substances that were toxic to humans, public health and the environment.

Stability Pact to assist radiation-locating efforts, Hombach tells conference: The Stability Pact, the international organization overseeing Balkan reconstruction, will contribute to efforts to detect harmful radiation with its own scientific personnel and the bomb and landmine de-activation programs it has planned, the Pact's coordinator, Bodo Hombach of Germany, announced late Wednesday in Thessaloniki.

Addressing a dinner in honor of delegates attending a conference on "Promoting understanding among religious communities and the mass media in SE Europe", Hombach expressed his concern over the repercussions on the financial aspect of Balkan reconstruction following the growing concern that depleted uranium (DU) used in ammunition dropped by NATO during campaigns in Kosovo last year and Bosnia in 1994-95 was causing cancer among peacekeepers, a condition dubbed "Balkans Syndrome".

It is a "serious problem" and the region was once again "being connected only with bad news", Hombach said.

Noting that psychology was a "very important incentive" for investors, he warned that "the culture of bad news very much scares investors and other people who want to contribute to the reconstruction of the Balkans".

Hombach said that there was also "good news" in the region, such as the peace in the Balkans, the fact that reconstruction would commence in March with a budget of 2.4 billion euro, and the dialogue initiated among the Churches in the region, which he described as an important factor for stability in the region.

He further called the Greek-Turkish cooperation a "structural element" for security in the region.

Hombach urged politicians, the Churches and the media to "erect a symbol of hope in the Balkans" and to "create those visions that will attract interest" to the region.

Earlier, Hombach visited the Stability Pact office in Thessaloniki on its first day of operation, and praised the office's director, PASOK former Euro-MP Irini Lambraki.

Greece's minister for Macedonia-Thrace, George Paschalidis, called for the Stability Pact to push for restoration of the environment following the destruction caused by the war in Yugoslavia and for acceleration of the reconstruction effort.

Yugoslav Ornithological Society reports increased cancer deaths among birds in Serbia and Kosovo: Yugoslavia's birds have been the first victims of its increasingly toxic environment, the president of the Yugoslav Ornithological Society said on Thursday in Athens, who reported a sharp rise in bird mortality due to tumors and the disappearance of fledglings for many species.

During a joint interview with her Greek counterpart Costas Vassilakis, Alexandra Tadis (phonetic spelling) underlined that birds are one of the best indicators of an environment's health because their small size and life span makes any problems immediately obvious.

She expressed concern over the effects of toxicity on the reproductive system of birds but also on human life, where she said incidents of leukemia were increasing alarmingly without the causes being identified.

She also said that research into the hazards posed by the environment was difficult because many of the areas that were hardest hit during the war were still inaccessible - either because of minorities, or because of the army or for reasons of national security.

According to Tadis, during the war the Milosevic government had played down the environmental damage, while the present government remained silent to avoid a panic. The only official evidence regarding areas with increased radioactivity at the army's disposal, she reported, were Presevo, Bujakovac and Vranic and the surrounding 3-km perimeter.

Vassilakis expressed concern over the effects that the weapons used in Yugoslavia would have on both local populations and the natural environment, and on the populations and environment of neighboring countries, pointing out that uranium has a "life-cycle" of about 4.5 billion years.

He also referred to a seminar organized by the Greek Ornithological Society in 1999 with environmental and non-governmental organizations on the effects these weapons have on the environment.

"We had informed Greek ministers on the results of this seminar," he added, saying that the government's current "surprise" over so-called "Balkans Syndrome" was therefore strange.

He finally outlined programs initiated jointly by the Greek and Yugoslav ornithological societies to protect birds in the streets, mountains and forests of Yugoslavia.

[02] Karamanlis attends EPP and EDU conferences in Berlin

BERLIN, 12/01/2001 (ANA - P. Stangos)

Karamanlis is almost certain to be re-elected as one of the vice-presidents of the EDU, and has a shot at the position of coordinator for this "umbrella-organization" for Christian-Democrat, conservative and other right-wing parties.

ND reluctantly approves Nice EU summit results: Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis on Thursday announced his support of the European Peoples Party (EPP) proposal for the approval of the Nice European Union summit results, saying, however, "we are not happy" with the results.

The EPP, the center-right union of like-minded parties from around Europe, called for the approval of the summit results to avoid blocks or delays in the Union's enlargement.

Karamanlis also said that ND insisted on the adoption of a resolution to ban the use of depleted uranium tipped ammunition, such as anti-tank rounds, by NATO.

Speaking on the party's two main schools of thought, the "Europeanists" and the "Atlantists", Karamanlis said that "we are very clear on the subject, we believe in the European integration, political unification and the federal character of Europe and to a very important role (for Europe) on an international level".

Karamanlis also stressed, regarding integration and enlargement that ND insisted that "the completion of the political enlargement of the European Union has one precondition, that the first group of candidate countries to enter (the Union) would include Cyprus".

[03] Kostunica to visit Greece on Tuesday

Athens, 12/01/2001 (ANA)

The focus of discussions in Athens, between Kostunica and the Greek leadership, is expected to include the so called Balkan Syndrome, thought to be caused by NATO's operations in Kosovo and Bosnia. According to Reppas, Greece awaits to be briefed on data collected by Yugoslavia.

[04] Gov't spokesman responds to former FM on Ocalan case

Athens, 12/01/2001 (ANA)

Pangalos, a ruling PASOK parliament deputy, on Wednesday night recounted his last days at the foreign ministry in 1999, when the arrest of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan in Kenya led to his dismissal.

In response to whether Prime Minister Costas Simitis had any knowledge of the conditions surrounding the dismissal, he said that in every government there are internal processes and all issues are confronted as part of those processes and not with public dialogue.

"Politicians should leave the past to historians and should deal with the future," Reppas said, quoting late Prime Minister George Papandreou.

[05] New army, navy chiefs announced

Athens, 12/01/2001 (ANA)

The new army chief of staff was identified as Lt.-Gen. Georgios Antonakopoulos, until today the commander of the Fourth Army Corps. Lt.-Gen. Antonakopoulos replaces Gen. Konstantinos Panagiotakis.

Vice-Adm. Georgios Theodoroulakis, the current fleet commander, was chosen to head the Hellenic Navy. He replaces Vice-Adm. Georgios Ioannidis. Both Panagiotakis and Ioannidis are due to retire.

Air force chief Lt.-Gen. Dimitrios Litzerakos continues in his post.

[06] Leftists stage protest at Athens EU offices

Athens, 12/01/2001 (ANA)

The Committee of Solidarity for the Political Prisoners in Turkey and Kurdistan squatted outside the offices holding an EU flag with a swastika painted in its center, calling EU's silence on the issue one of agreement with Turkey's policies.

Meanwhile, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) members marched from Kaningos Plaza in central Athens to the American embassy in protest of the use of depleted uranium tipped ammunition in bombings in Bosnia and Kosovo, which are thought to have caused increased cancer occurrences, collectively called the "Balkan Syndrome".

[07] Greek stocks rebound spectacularly on ASE

Athens, 12/01/2001 (ANA)

Traders called the market's recovery excessive noting that fundamentals did not justify a change in investors' sentiment.

They said that state funds continued intervening to support the market and that investors might have reacted positively to a government intention to promote new measures on the Greek bourse. The general index soared 6.98 percent to 3,311.87 points, off the day's highs of 3,329.26 points. Turnover was an improved 270.45 million euros, or 92.15 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 7.54 percent higher at 1,924.53 points, and the FTSE/ASE 40 index jumped 5.80 percent to 367.70 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 7,197.57 +6.59% Leasing: 557.87 +11.21% Insurance: 1,268.96 +5.48% Investment: 1,324.57 +7.35% Construction: 1,271.41 +7.58% Industrials: 2,014.11 +5.70% Miscellaneous: 2,570.24 +7.91% Holding: 3,606.42 +8.93%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks soared 8.19 percent to end at 293.01 points.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 349 to seven with only three issues unchanged.

Alpha Bank, Hellenic Telecoms, National Bank, Panafon and Commercial Bank were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in euros): National Bank: 39.94 Alpha Bank: 35.74 Commercial Bank: 52.02 Eurobank: 20.84 Piraeus Bank: 15.96 Lambrakis Press: 11.94 Altec: 6.98 Titan Cement (c): 42.20 Hellenic Telecoms: 16.88 Panafon: 7.48 Hellenic Petroleum: 10.50 Attica Enterprises: 7.12 Intracom: 21.36 Minoan Lines: 5.46 Viohalco: 11.46 Hellenic Bottling: 18.44

Equity futures jump, tracking Athens bourse: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished sharply higher on Thursday, roughly in line with the bourse indices on which they are based.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 7.08 percent up, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 5.80 percent higher.

Turnover was 93.95 million euros on 11,664 contracts traded.

Bond prices end mixed: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Thursday finished mixed in heavy trade with players focusing on 10-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.30 percent from 5.29 percent a day earlier.

The yield spread over German bunds was 54 basis points, the same as the two previous sessions.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 880 million euros (about 299 billion drachmas) from 785 million euros (around 267 billion drachmas) the trading day before.

Euro and drachma increase against dollar and other leading currencies: The euro's parity with leading currencies, according to the reference rate given on Thursday by the European Central Bank, confirms the upward trend followed by the European currency after three days of slackness.

The parity between the euro and the dollar was set at 95.23 cents as against 94.12 on Wednesday, while the parity between the drachma and the dollar was set at 357.81 drachmas compared to 362.03 on Wednesday.

Regarding the other main currencies, the euro's parity was set as follows: Euro-yen 111.75 (3.04 drachmas), euro-sterling 0.6350 (536.61 drachmas), euro-Swiss franc 1.5324 (222.36 drachmas) and euro-Cyprus pound 0.5770 (590.55 drachmas).

[08] Merchant marine minister to meet Passenger Shipping Shipowner Union's new administration

Athens, 12/01/2001 (ANA)

The board members will again raise the issue of the shipping register which has been pending for over a year. Ship owners involved in passenger shipping have decided, following the return of the ANEK group to the Union, to handle problems facing their sector together.

On the question of the institutional framework, Papoutsis reiterated that discussions with parties are expected to get underway next week, while a discussion on the main principles of the relevant bill might take place at the Production and Trade Committee.

[09] Bulgaria okays award of mobile phone license to OTE

Sofia, 12/01/2001 (ANA / B. Borisov)

In line with the law, OTE will be formally notified of the decision in three days in a move that will ratify a recent Bulgarian cabinet order on award of the GSM technology development and operational license.

Two weeks after notification, OTE must hand over 135 million US dollars, the purchase price it offered in an international tender it won for the license.

An objection by a Turkish consortium to being barred from the tender was overruled by a Bulgarian court, but industry sources told Sofia's 24 Hours newspaper that the group was planning to embark on a new court battle over the decision.

[10] Northern industrialists say economic reform too slow

Athens, 12/01/2001 (ANA)

The government had shown complacency since the country's entry into the euro zone on January 1, failing to take action on fiscal policy, Takas told a news conference in the northern port city of Thessaloniki.

"Due to pass by mostly unexploited if not accompanied by structural changes will be opportunities offered by foreign exchange and monetary stability, fiscal discipline due to entry in the euro zone, major Third Community Support Framework funding, and the Athens 2004 Olympic Games," Takas said.

"Privatization must be completed immediately and markets must be fully deregulated, giving a needed impetus to growth that Greece must have to attain real convergence," he added.

[11] Trade union membership declines in Greece, survey shows

Athens, 12/01/2001 (ANA)

The survey showed that 65.6 percent of workers were not members to any trade union, only 8.2 percent of the workforce were members to workers' syndicates and 22.8 percent were registered to trade unions.

Despite the low participation figures, the majority of Greek workers still believe that union action remained a positive value in the country.

A total of 55 percent of non-union members believes it is necessary to have a workers' syndicate while 48.4 percent of them believe that this move would help to promoting workers' demands.

The survey also shows that foreign workers were keener to the idea of having a workers' syndicate at work.

Greek workers support GSEE's (Greece's largest labor union umbrella) stance on government moves to review labor relations in the country.

A total of 60.6 percent of workers think that syndicates were more reliable, a 7.4 percent prefer political parties and 27.3 percent said they lacked confidence to both syndicates and political parties.

Greeks work 42 hours a week (Monday to Friday), but working hours has increased during the weekend.

Workers in the transport and communication sectors topped the list of "hard workers" in the country, with 48 hours a week, while workers in the education sector were at the bottom with an average 30.5 hours a week.

Part-time employment covered 10.3 percent of the workforce, with only 19.7 percent of part-time workers voluntarily accepting the jobs (mainly youths between 18-24 years employed in tourism or education).

A total of 73 percent of Greek workers believe that a reduction of working hours to 35 hours a week would be a positive step. Only 5.5 percent of workers have a negative opinion on the issue.

The survey also showed that in the previous year 30 percent of Greek businesses implemented restructuring plans and adopted the use of computers, but without the increase in jobs or changes in working hours.

Finally, 49 percent of workers opposed measures proposed by the government on labor reform, while only 25.5 percent believed that they were moving towards the right direction.

[12] Promota to become first Greek e-commerce store abroad

Athens, 12/01/2001 (ANA)

The store - or prom.gr - will have www.promglobal.com as its domain name, selling promotional goods and electronic novelty items, Promota said in a statement.

Promota Hellas has also submitted an application to the Athens Stock Exchange for listing with an initial public offer expected in February.

[13] Wholesale prices up 9.0% yr/yr

Athens, 12/01/2001 (ANA)

The previous November year on year rises were 4.2 percent in 1999 and 3.5 percent in 1998.

Wholesale prices in November were flat month on month from October, the NSS said in a statement.

[14] Civil aviation workers again oppose OA's privatization

Athens, 12/01/2001 (ANA)

External speakers at the seminar, which addressed the ailing airline's past, present and future, claimed that the decision to privatize was political rather than financial.

They also asserted that short-lived management of Olympic by Speedwing, a subsidiary of British Airways, had cost around 20 billion drachmas and brought no benefits.

[15] Council of State set to review TVX requests for expansion

Athens, 12/01/2001 (ANA)

The event comes in light of Friday's hearing at the Council of State over the issue of approving TVX's plans.

TVX wants to expand its gold mining operations in the area and to build a processing metal plant at the Olympiada site.

[16] Ecumenical patriarch, Stability Pact chief address Balkan religion conference

Athens, 12/01/2001 (ANA)

The conference, which took place under the auspices of the Balkan Stability Pact, also included journalists from many European countries and focused on defusing nationalist tensions and the establishment of peace in southeastern Europe.

Vartholomeos also stressed that the war in former Yugoslavia did not have religious motives, adding that "no doubt religious communities are in a position and are obliged to play a leading role in reconstructing peace and promoting stability among Balkan peoples".

On his part, Balkan Stability Pact Chairman Bodo Hombach said that during the wars in former Yugoslavia "people lost their religious faith and the church its material infrastructure."

He added that the image of the Balkans, created by the media in the west, very often does not represent reality, and he called on the media to also cover the good news about the region.

[17] Archbishop expresses wish to visit war-torn regions in Yugoslavia

Athens, 12/01/2001 (ANA)

Meanwhile, the Holy Synod convened on Thursday to examine the activities of certain monks who have become known as "rock priests", as they have published a CD with ecclesiastical music.

The Holy Synod condemned their methods, saying that such activities are not compatible with either the tradition of Orthodoxy or the modesty, which should characterize an Orthodox monk.

[18] Health minister insists on changes to healthcare system, despite opposition by doctors

Athens, 12/01/2001 (ANA)

He insisted on the proposed ban against private practice by university medical doctors who are simultaneously employed by the ESY, despite strong opposition by doctors.

On their part, representatives of university doctors who spoke before the committee said that they would challenge any such legislation at the Council of State, Greece's constitutional court.

[19] Local residents concerned about possible link between Krania missile range and rising cancer rates

Athens, 12/01/2001 (ANA)

Evidence regarding this revelation was submitted to the public prosecutor of the Larissa Court Martial on Thursday so that he could order a preliminary investigation.

Meanwhile, Deskati Mayor Efthymios Papantonis said that he would ask the defense ministry to immediately suspend the operation of the missile range and carry out tests and measurements for radioactivity to determine the extent of the problem.

The mayor also intends to ask that local residents be briefed on the possible effects of the Air Force's activities at Krania on their health, provided that any are detected.

[20] Figures on illegal immigrants in 2000 released, more detained in Patras and Thessaloniki

Athens, 12/01/2001 (ANA)

[21] Athens 2004 Olympiad Organizing Committee President to address foreign press luncheon

Athens, 12/01/2001 (ANA)

People interested to participate in the event are requested to communicate with the Association's secretariat (tel 3637.318) to obtain tickets in time. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

[22] President tells British envoy he will not accept any change in Cyprus peace process

NICOSIA, 12/01/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking after Thursday's meeting the Cypriot president had with Sir David Hannay, currently visiting the island, government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said Britain's envoy believes that the UN process should continue as it is and that he would work in that direction.

"This was a very good and constructive meeting during which the President communicated the crystal clear message that the Greek Cypriot side will not accept any change of the UN process, nor will it accept any attempt to meet (Turkish Cypriot leader) Rauf Denktash's unacceptable positions with anything in exchange", Papapetrou said.

He said Hannay agreed the UN process should carry on as it stands and said he would make every effort in this direction.

The UN has chaired five rounds of proximity talks between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides since December 1999. It is envisaged that a new round will take place early this year.

Denktash has said the proximity talks have served their purpose and have come to an end. He now wants the UN to begin talks on a state-to-state basis in a bid to gain recognition of his puppet regime.

Asked if Hannay has brought anything from Ankara to warrant some kind of optimism, Papapetrou restricted himself in saying "we discussed his impressions from his contacts in Ankara but I cannot go further than that."

Replying to questions, he said he did not get the impression that foreign envoys dealing with Cyprus are trying to lay the responsibility on the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser for Cyprus Alvaro de Soto for breaking the current impasse.

"Mr. de Soto certainly has the leading role in this process because this is a UN process, but my impression is that both the Americans and the British are playing a very substantive role in the effort to resume the talks," the spokesman added.

Papapetrou said there was no information at present to suggest a change in the scheduled talks for the end of January.

Later on Thursday, Hannay was expected to meet Denktash and on Friday he is due to give a press conference.

Present at Thursday's meeting were Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, Attorney General Alecos Markides, Papapetrou, Undersecretary to the President Pantelis Kouros and Minas �adjigavriel, Director of the minister's office.

Hannay was accompanied by British High Commissioner Edward Clay, his deputy Phillip Barton and High Commission spokesman Jonathan Allen.

[23] Cook says British government has requested from Denktash to release abducted Greek Cypriot

BRUSSELS, 12/01/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking in Brussels after a meeting with Deputy President of the Cyprus Movement of Social Democrats Yiannakis Omirou, Cook said the British government was also making efforts in the direction of Turkey, which occupies the northern third of the island since it invaded Cyprus in 1974.

Cook said the British government has made repeated efforts in the direction of Denktash, but noted that so far the Turkish Cypriot leader had not given any indications of good will, maintaining a negative and unacceptable stance.

He added that his government could not, under any conditions, accept this illegal act, which took place within the British Bases in Cyprus.

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