Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-12-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Gov't offers tax breaks to boost mergers

[02] PM discusses European defense with Dutch counterpart

[03] Simitis to visit US in January

[04] European Union initiates social dialogue in Brussels

[05] Germany's ARD dedicates program on Greek

[06] Defense minister concludes two-day visit to Albania

[07] FM and PASOK's Parliamentary Control Group discuss Euroarmy

[08] 14 'plane spotters' released on bail

[09] Karamanlis: Balkan stability impossible without Yugoslavia

[10] EU ministers decide to ratify Kyoto protocol

[11] Direct talks on Cyprus problem to begin on Jan. 16

[12] Retired general says CIA wanted to help ND win elections

[13] Athens charges airspace violations by Turkish warplanes

[14] Probe clears prosecutor who filed land register charges

[15] Amnesty International calls on Bush to oppose death penalty

[16] Gov't to keep minimum 35 pct in Agricultural Bank of Greece

[17] Gov't urges smaller firms to get euro supplies quickly

[18] Farmers' call-off Christmas protests

[19] Credit Agricole eyes new stake in Commercial Bank of Greece

[20] FM Papandreou addresses conference on Greek exports

[21] Evaluation of airport train bids expected by Monday

[22] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks slump in glum trade, PPC drops

[23] Public order ministry unveils draft bill to combat sexual exploitation

[24] Europarliament approves five-year action program for public health

[25] Court vindicates passive smoker

[26] Local gov'ts reach out to US and Afghan children in the spirit of Christmas

[27] Andrew Athens re-elected SAE president

[28] Cyprus closes one more chapter in EU accession talks

[29] Foreign minister expects Laeken to promote accession negotiations

[30] Cypriots vote in local elections on Sunday

[01] Gov't offers tax breaks to boost mergers

Athens, 13/12/2001 (ANA)

The measures, which come into effect on January 1, include a drop in tax on corporate profits of companies that merge by 10 percentage points for the year following the merger.

In the second year after the merger, the drop in tax on corporate earnings will be five percentage points.

The tax relief applies to mergers carried out between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2005, and does not apply to affiliates, Christodoulakis said.

The country's two largest banks - state run National Bank of Greece and private Alpha Bank - have announced that they plan to merge. The two blue chip banks expect the legal side of the merger to be completed next year.

Also eligible for the tax relief are farming cooperatives that merge.

In addition, domestic SA and limited liability companies that are formed from mergers may set up from undistributed earnings between 2002 and 2005 a tax-exempt investment reserve to be used for new investments launched in 2003, 2004 and 2005, Christodoulakis said.

The bill also allows the creation of closed-end mutual funds in business holdings that will invest exclusively in holdings in firms based in Greece, and that are not quoted on the Athens Stock Exchange. Liable for tax will be those taking part in the funds, and not the mutual funds themselves.

The bill also contains tax measures announced recently by the government for income earned in 2002.

The moves include a rise in the tax-exempt bracket to 2,870,000 drachmas, or 8,400 euros, for wage earners and pensioners; the abolition of stamp tax on salaries; and a drop in tax of 2.5 percentage points on the profits of companies that recruit new staff, the minister said.

[02] PM discusses European defense with Dutch counterpart

THE HAGUE, 13/12/2001 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

Simitis arrived in The Hague, following his private visit to Germany and before traveling to Brussels on the next day, to participate in the EU summit in Laeken on Friday and Saturday.

The Greek premier also met with Queen Beatrix and later in the day with Kok and discussed issues related to the Laeken summit during a dinner hosted in his honor. Simitis' visit to The Netherlands was in response to a visit to Athens by his Dutch counterpart.

Speaking to the press, Simitis said that both he and Kok agreed that the relations between the two countries are at an excellent level.

On his part, Kok said that bilateral relations have marked a speedy progress over the past few years, both on a political and economic level, and called Simitis an "old and good friend".

Kok also spoke of the importance of the Greek presidency due in the first half of 2003.

The Greek premier noted that the coming years will be very important for the process of the EU's integration, due mainly to the introduction of the euro as the new currency in most EU member-states and due to the EU's enlargement to 25 member-states from the present 15.

He stressed that at present the aims of the enlarged EU are not clear and noted that the Laeken summit should arrive at specific decisions on that subject and so clear the landscape.

Speaking on the European defense issue, Kok underlined the importance of the EU's common foreign and defense policy and noted that the operational readiness of the European military force should be secured within 2003. He added that certain problems exist, but are being discussed between the Greek side and the Belgian presidency.

On his part, Simitis said that at present "there are some problems" and expressed the hope that a compromise solution will be reached during the Laeken summit.

[03] Simitis to visit US in January

Athens, 13/12/2001 (ANA)

According to a government spokesman in Athens, the exact dates for the visit and an agenda of talks will be determined via diplomatic channels.

Spokesman Christos Protopappas said US President George W. Bush has extended an invitation to Simitis to visit Washington, while talks are expected to focus on both bilateral relations and issues of international concern.

Asked if Jan. 9 and 10 are envisioned as the most likely dates for Simitis' visit, Protopappas said those dates were proposed by the US side.

[04] European Union initiates social dialogue in Brussels

BRUSSELS, 13/12/2001 (ANA - B. Demiris)

Greek Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou, who is responsible for employment affairs, lauded the efforts of the social partners to draft a multi-year program of work and welcomed the promotion of continuing education and tele-employment.

The President of the European Commission Romano Prodi recognized the important role of the social partners in promoting a competitive and cohesive European Union.

[05] Germany's ARD dedicates program on Greek

FM BERLIN, 13/12/2001 (ANA - P. Stangos)

The program, shown last Saturday, noted that over the past two years, Papandreou has made significant efforts to drastically change relations between Greece and Turkey, promoting a climate of mutual trust.

Papandreou was quoted as saying that "we have overcome the taboos which existed in the societies of our two countries. There is cooperation and this is important."

On Papandreou's future political prospects, the program said "the 49-year-old Greek foreign minister is the most popular socialist in the country and is the most likely candidate to succeed Prime Minister Costas Simitis."

[06] Defense minister concludes two-day visit to Albania

GJIROKASTER, 13/12/2001 (ANA - P. Barkas)

In Gjirokaster, he visited the military hospital, a donation by the Greek defense ministry for the Albanian army and the Albanian citizens living in the south of the country.

The one billion-drachma hospital is expected to be fully operational soon and will be on line with the Greek Army Hospital in Athens, while it will be staffed by both Greeks and Albanians and a special provision in the bilateral agreements will allow Albanian citizens and ethnic Greeks to use facilities.

[07] FM and PASOK's Parliamentary Control Group discuss Euroarmy

Athens, 13/12/2001 (ANA)

Speaking during a closed-door meeting of the body, Papandreou clarified that the target of Greek diplomacy is that there should be no "shadow of exceptions" in the regions of the European army's action (full consolidation of Greece's sovereign rights), there should be the possibility of decisions being taken on behalf of the European Union, independently from NATO and, of course, without the suspicion of a "veto" by countries outside the EU, a right being sought by Turkey.

In this framework, the Greek delegation at the EU Laeken summit will not negotiate the U.S.-British document itself but an upcoming proposal by the Belgian presidency, and will be prepared to vote against if necessary if Greek reservations are not accepted and referring the issue to the Spanish presidency.

PASOK's deputies agreed in general during the discussion that what is necessary is that the spirit of the Nice summit should remain and the avoidance of bowing to Turkish pressures at all cost.

Former defense minister Gerasimos Arsenis reportedly called for an end to the dialogue on the "unacceptable", as he termed it, document.

The Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee will convene on the same issue on Thursday.

[08] 14 'plane spotters' released on bail

Athens, 13/12/2001 (ANA)

Bail for each member of the group- 12 British nationals and two Dutchmen - was set at five million drachmas (roughly US$ 13,000), while charges were reduced.

A Kalamata investigating magistrate and a public prosecutor late last month decided to refer to the case to the panel of judges after Greek intelligence officials pointed to espionage in their report to court officials.

Conversely, the 14 foreign nationals - 13 men and one woman -- have continued to maintain throughout that they were on a "plane spotting" vacation when arrested outside a military airbase near Kalamata.

Photographing military installations is prohibited in Greece, although the 14 say they had an invitation to attend an air show in Kalamata.

They were arrested on Nov. 8 in the port city, three days after being briefly detained at an airbase north of Athens for photographing the site.

[09] Karamanlis: Balkan stability impossible without Yugoslavia

BELGRADE, 13/12/2001 (ANA - A. Panagopoulos)

Afterwards, the Greek political leader stressed that stability and normalization will elude the entire Balkan region if Yugoslavia remains ostracized.

Karamanlis also told reporters that both sides reiterated their commitment on three basic principles, namely, no changes in regional borders; no new states in the Balkans, as well as respect for human and minority rights by all parties.

The Yugoslav leader reportedly called on Karamanlis to assist Belgrade's European course, as Yugoslavia expects to submit an application for EU accession in 2004.

The Yugoslav government is also seeking financial assistance to overcome economic recession and a high unemployment rate - upwards of 36 percent. In terms of the latter problem, the Yugoslav side requested that Greece absorb Serbian workers in ongoing construction projects in the east Mediterranean.

Other topics discussed during the meeting included constitutional developments in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, particularly relations between Serbia and Montenegro as well as Kosovo.

Kosovo stop: In Pristina, the Kosovo province's capital, Karamanlis held a half-hour meeting with ethnic Albanian leader Ibrahim Rugova, while noting afterwards that peace and stability in the strife-ridden region depends on what transpires in Kosovo.

He again reiterated his opposition to any change of regional borders, while emphasizing respect for minority and human rights.

"The moderate presence of Mr. Rugova contributes to this effect," he added.

Earlier, the ND leader had visited a military camp in the Kosovo Polie Township that hosts a Greek peacekeeping contingent in the province.

Karamanlis subsequently departed for Brussels to attend an EPP meeting and brief the grouping's presidium on the results of his contacts in Yugoslavia.

[10] EU ministers decide to ratify Kyoto protocol

BRUSSELS, 13/12/2001 (ANA - Y. Zitouniati)

The ministers discussed the EU's commitments as they are set out in the Kyoto protocol, regarding reductions in greenhouse gases by 8 per cent over the 2008-2012 period, and spoke of the allocation of these rights between EU member-states already agreed.

Greece was represented by Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Vasso Papandreou who argued that the trade in emission rights should be established in two phases. She noted that during the first phase, from 2005 to 1008 the implementation of such trade should be conducted on a voluntary basis, while after that it should be mandatory.

She also spoke of the need for time for markets to adjust and new regulations to be put in place that would secure transparency.

The ministers also reached an agreement on a draft EU directive that would include regulations on the importation of fuel in the Union that have a zero content in sulphur, thus improving the quality of air in the Union.

The 15 ministers also decided on a draft EU directive calling for participation of the public in the drafting of plans and programs related to the environment.

[11] Direct talks on Cyprus problem to begin on Jan. 16

NEW YORK, 13/12/2001 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

According to the letter that was sent to the president of the Security Council on Monday, Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish-Cypriot Community leader Rauf Denktash agreed to begin direct talks at the invitation of Annan on Jan. 16.

"I have the pleasure in informing you that Mr. Clerides and Mr. Denktash have agreed to begin talks at my invitation in the exercise of my mission of good offices. These talks will start on 16 January 2002," Annan's letter said.

"The agreement is a positive development and I would like to hope that, as they have agreed they will negotiate in good faith until they achieve a comprehensive settlement," he concluded.

President Clerides had a face-to-face meeting on Dec. 4, at the residence of the United Nations Chief of Mission and in the presence of Alvaro de Soto, Special Adviser to the Secretary General on Cyprus.

[12] Retired general says CIA wanted to help ND win elections

Athens, 13/12/2001 (ANA)

Evert, ND leader before Costas Karamanlis became party leader, said the allegations by Gryllakis on the role of U.S. intelligence in Greece in 1989 and his own (Evert's) position on the issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and the fall of the Mitsotakis government in 1993 are not serious things.

In an interview with the "Planet 104.5" radio station, Evert spoke of "agent talk" on the part of general Gryllakis, while commenting on CIA's role in 1989, he said that Mitsotakis' former adviser "evidently cooperates with the CIA to know these things."

Meanwhile, ND spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos, replying to an "invitation" by government spokesman Christos Protopappas for Karamanlis and Mitsotakis to state their position on the issue and clarify whether there was an understanding between the ND party and its president with secret services of foreign countries in 1989 for the overthrow of the country's legal government, said "we propose to the government spokesman instead of reading ... Gryllakis to prefer John Le Carre."

In addition, an announcement issued by Mitsotakis' office said "Mr. Mitsotakis regrets the level of the government spokesman, while he himself (Mitsotakis) will not preoccupy himself with issues lacking seriousness."

Mitsotakis also said in a personal statement later that what Gryllakis said lacks seriousness and he will not preoccupy himself with the issue.

Responding to Roussopoulos, Protopappas said "according to ND's spokesman the honorary president's (Mitsotakis) official associate is a pathological liar. He wants us to believe that such people were confidants of Mr. Mitsotakis and ND."

Protopappas further said that Mitsotakis and ND must provide specific replies to Gryllakis' "unprecedented accusations", adding that the questions "are crystal-clear and cannot be overcome with subterfuge of such a kind and with poor quality humor".

In another development, Political Spring party secretary (the party headed by Antonis Samaras) Dimitris Stamatis said that in essence all that Gryllakis said about Evert, on his position on the issue of FYROM, confirms that Mitsotakis had decided beforehand to resort to elections in 1993, due to pressing intraparty opposition by Evert.

According to Stamatis, Mitsotakis had confided his views to then U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher and, from then on, he used the feud between himself and Samaras as a pretext for early elections.

Stamatis further said that Gryllakis fully confirmed Samaras' reports that two policies existed in ND on the FYROM issue. One supported by the then foreign minister Samaras, according to the decision taken by the Council of Party leaders, and the one being promoted secretly by the prime minister's office (Gryllakis stated that he himself had mediated and an agreement had been reached in principle on the name of 'Slav Macedonia').

PASOK secretary Costas Laliotis said that what has been revealed by Gryllakis shows the character and attitude of ND's policy and constitutes an example of its present-day promises.

[13] Athens charges airspace violations by Turkish warplanes

Athens, 13/12/2001 (ANA)

In answer to a relevant question during his regular press briefing in Athens, government spokesman Christos Protopappas said Greek air force planes intercepted intruders in all instances, while all "procedures have been set in motion via diplomatic channels."

Touching on another issue, the spokesman said developments regarding Cyprus' European Union prospects are particularly positive.

Meanwhile, an ANA dispatch from Ankara reported that the Turkish military chief referred to the thorny issue of establishing a "Euro-force" among EU member-states, saying, "the fact that Greece is opposed shows that Turkey has done a good job."

According to Turkish general staff chief Gen. Hussein Kivrikoglu, "the issue has been solved between Turkey and the EU. Now, the matter must be solved between the EU and Greece".

[14] Probe clears prosecutor who filed land register charges

Athens, 13/12/2001 (ANA)

Laliotis, who currently serves as ruling PASOK party's secretary, alleged dereliction of duty by Gerakis, following charges the latter filed against board members of the troubled national land register (Ktimatologio S.A.).

An initial probe by supreme court prosecutor Dionysios Katsireas ruled that Gerakis acted appropriately and did not commit any disciplinary infractions.

All of the Ktimatologio board members resigned last month, shortly after Vasso Papandreou assumed the town planning and public works portfolio in the wake of a government reshuffle.

[15] Amnesty International calls on Bush to oppose death penalty

Athens, 13/12/2001 (ANA)

Amnesty international said that given that Bush dedicated this week to human rights, "Human Rights Week" should constitute a "good moment" for the American president to re-examine his support of the death penalty.

The international organization also called on Bush to admit that the insistence of the U.S. to impose the death penalty "seriously undermines the country's claims that it is a force of progress for human rights".

The organization noted that while more than 100 countries have abolished the death penalty, there were at present more than 3,700 people on death row in the United States.

[16] Gov't to keep minimum 35 pct in Agricultural Bank of Greece

Athens, 13/12/2001 (ANA)

Keeping a sizeable stake in the bank meant that the state could direct its strategic options, especially growth of the farm sector, Christodoulakis told a news conference.

He said that a 100 billion-drachma bond would be issued, convertible into Agricultural stock owned by the government.

In addition, 8.0 percent of government-owned stock in the bank would be sold to institutional investors, farm cooperatives and unions through block trades.

Another 10 percent of shares would be sold in a public offer in the second half of 2002; and an alliance for Agricultural with a major credit institution would be sought in Greece and in Europe, the minister said.

Also destined for a strategic investor are stakes in Agricultural subsidiaries including Hellenic Duty Free Shops and Hellenic Sugar Industry.

In the first half of 2002, subsidiaries Dodoni, Sekap and Agricultural Leasing will be floated on the Athens Stock Exchange, Christodoulakis said.

Finally, Agricultural Bank had introduced a new risk management system in order to lower the level of non-performing loans, the minister added.

[17] Gov't urges smaller firms to get euro supplies quickly

Athens, 13/12/2001 (ANA)

The minister told reporters that most large enterprises were ready for the euro's launch, but that smaller firms would be the main channel of distribution to business and the public for the new currency.

Drachma deposits in banks will automatically be converted into euros on December 31, he added.

[18] Farmers' call-off Christmas protests

Athens, 13/12/2001 (ANA)

After the decision to postpone protest activities was taken, farmers throughout the country started gradually leaving the points of congregation and dispersing roadblocks.

Representatives of farmers' unions are to meet in the next few days, however, to decide whether to return to the streets after the New Year since, as they say, no solution has been given to any of their demands.

Earlier Wednesday, farmers gathered in the central square of the town of Yannitsa, in Pella prefecture, setting fire to tobacco and cotton and spilling tins of milk in protest, while local shop-owners rolled down their shutters for two hours in a display of support for the farmers.

In Nea Halkidona, farmers blocked off the Thessaloniki-Edessa highway for a half hour.

In Larissa, farmers culminated three days of mobilizations with a major rally in the center of the city, protesting against the government's policy in the agricultural sector.

The Larissa-area farmers rode their tractors in a convoy into the town center, where the unionists decided to call a meeting on December 19 in Tarsal to discuss further action, intimating at renewed mobilizations on January 10 that include taking their tractors into Athens.

Finally, about 200 farmers on the eastern Aegean island of Lesvos took over the prefectural building, bypassing a police force guarding the site.

[19] Credit Agricole eyes new stake in Commercial Bank of Greece

Athens, 13/12/2001 (ANA)

The new share purchase would be sought after Credit Agricole, which has owned a 6.7 percent stake in Commercial since the middle of 2000, completes its entry into the Paris bourse, Stournaras said.

Commercial Bank's majority shareholder is the state, with a chunk of shares floated on the Athens Stock Exchange. The government has not said whether it would be willing to lower its holding in Commercial.

In addition, a new consumer credit company is expected to begin operations in the domestic market at the end of the first half of 2002, owned by the two banks, Stournaras added.

[20] FM Papandreou addresses conference on Greek exports

Athens, 13/12/2001 (ANA)

Papandreou, who made the statement during the opening of the 3rd Panhellenic Conference on Exports, noted that Greece in 2000 was in 49th place internationally with regard to commerce.

He said the government's policy will further strengthen exports.

[21] Evaluation of airport train bids expected by Monday

Athens, 13/12/2001 (ANA)

The stretch of railway, which is budgeted at 30 billion drachmas, will help to deal with passenger movement linked to the 2004 Athens Olympics beyond easing travel for commuters.

The five short listed engineering contractors are Hochtief, which built the airport, Terna, GEK, Impregilo with Astaldi, and a consortium led by Aktor.

[22] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks slump in glum trade, PPC drops

Athens, 13/12/2001 (ANA)

The general share index shed 1.52 percent to end at 2,605.30 points. Turnover was 381.38 million euros, including a large chunk of turnover from transactions in the PPC.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 1.64 percent down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization paper 2.15 percent lower; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities 2.64 percent down.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 323 to 23 with nine issues remaining unchanged.

The most heavily traded shares were Public Power Corporation, Hellenic Tele-communications Organization, Kreka, National Bank of Greece, and Hellenic Bottling HBC.

Derivatives show 36 pct volume rise in Nov vs. Oct: The Athens Derivatives Exchange in November posted a 36.0 percent increase in the number of contracts traded against October, authorities said in a statement on Wednesday.

Contracts in November totalled 460,790 from 338,146 deals in the previous month, the statement said.

Market players responded well to the introduction of futures on individual stocks, in addition to existing products on the underlying FTSE/ASE-20 and -40 indices.

In the first ten days of trade in individual equity futures, 9,102 contracts were reported with deals in Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, National Bank of Greece, Panafon and Hellenic Bottling HBC, authorities said.

Equity futures drop, tracking main market: Equity futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Wednesday finished lower in volatile trade, tracking a decline in the main market.

Changing hands were 5,914 contracts on turnover of 37.0 million euros.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips shed 1.64 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks lost 2.15 percent.

Bond prices mixed in moderate trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Wednesday finished mixed in moderate trade again focusing on ten-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.12 percent, and the yield spread over German bunds was 39 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 1.5 billion euros.

Sell orders accounted for just under half of turnover.

[23] Public order ministry unveils draft bill to combat sexual exploitation

Athens, 13/12/2001 (ANA)

These crimes will also be included in the list of crimes of the trafficking and money laundering legislation now in force.

This draft bill establishes the witness protection institution, it institutes special penalties for the "clients" of children's sexual exploitation, it raises the age limit of protection for minors to 18 years of age and provides for the social support of victims.

Public Order Minister Michalis Chrysohoidis said that this bill is a necessary step in Greece's course to harmonization with the international practice, as the country is not just a path of immigrants to other countries but one of permanent residence for them.

Event on illegal trafficking of women: Macedonia and Thrace Minister George Paschalidis said on Wednesday girls aged between 12 and 15 from southeastern European countries are primarily the victims of the illegal trafficking of women in Greece. He further said that 60 percent of prostitutes in the country are foreign women lacking residence permits.

Paschalidis was speaking at an event on the illegal trafficking of women organized by his ministry in cooperation with the U.S. General Consulate in Thessaloniki and the Center for Democracy in the Balkans.

He further said that last year 300,000 women from eastern and central Europe were led to brothels in western Europe, adding that the illegal trafficking of women is a phenomenon developing in countries where poverty exists and is "imported" into countries having a high standard of living.

[24] Europarliament approves five-year action program for public health

STRASBOURG, 13/12/2001 (ANA - O. Tsipira)

The report was presented by Greek New Democracy party Eurodeputy Antonis Trakatellis on behalf of the Environment and Public Health Committee.

The action program will include such health issues as AIDS, cancer, infectious diseases, chemical threats, smoking, alcohol, pollution of the environment, stress and psychological problems caused by unemployment.

Trakatellis said the European Parliament approved a budget amounting to 380 million euro for the implementation of the public health action program.

[25] Court vindicates passive smoker

Athens, 13/12/2001 (ANA)

Employed by OEEK, she had made repeated appeals to her superior and to the education minister, who supervises the organization, requesting a change of workplace and observance of health and security conditions in the workplace, but to no avail.

She then took her case to the law courts and, invoking legislation on health and security in workplaces and a relevant ministerial decision forbidding smoking in indoor public places, requested measures for her protection.

In support of her appeal, she had produced certificates and medical confirmations in court revealing that she suffered, among others, of allergic asthma, permanent headaches, loss of senses and coughing.

[26] Local gov'ts reach out to US and Afghan children in the spirit of Christmas

Athens, 13/12/2001 (ANA)

The program was organized by KEDKE in cooperation with UNICEF and the part that regards children from the United States will take place next summer in cooperation with the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE).

KEDKE President Paris Koukoulopoulos also announced that three dialysis machines will be donated to an equal number of hospitals in Athens and computers will be donated to all single teacher schools of Greece.

As for the Afghani children, he said that KEDKE aims to initially host 500 students and their teachers from the war torn country, but noted the difficulties in accomplishing this task.

[27] Andrew Athens re-elected SAE president

Athens, 13/12/2001 (ANA)

[28] Cyprus closes one more chapter in EU accession talks

BRUSSELS, 13/12/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides welcomed this development, noting that the closing of the Justice and Home Affairs chapters disproves allegations against Cyprus for money laundering.

"The EU has the control mechanisms and is in a position to see if progress towards combating money laundering is being made. Cyprus has a lot of experience in this field which it can share with other countries," the minister said from Brussels where he addressed earlier in the day the 8th meeting of the Intergovernmental Conference.

He said Cyprus should expect to close the chapters on taxation and competition by March 2002 and Agriculture by the summer of next year.

[29] Foreign minister expects Laeken to promote accession negotiations

BRUSSELS, 13/12/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking at the eighth meeting of the Intergovernmental Conference for Cyprus' accession to the EU, held at ministerial level, Kasoulides noted that this can be achieved, inter alia, by respecting the road map and the timetables adopted at Nice and Goteborg EU summits and by member states adopting relevant common positions on the remaining open chapters in due time.

He said that with the aim of signing the accession treaty and its annexes by the end of next year "we expect that soon, during the Spanish Presidency, the member states should be able to define their positions on the chapters of 'institutions' and 'other matters' and that the drafting of the treaty should begin without delay."

Referring to Cyprus' progress in the accession negotiations, Kasoulides expressed the conviction that it will "allow us to provisionally close early in 2002 the chapters of competition, taxation and regional policy."

He referred to efforts by Cyprus' competent authorities to achieve harmonization pertaining the chapters of environment and home affairs and justice, that were officially provisionally closed on Wednesday as well as to Cyprus' harmonization course with regard to the chapters of competition policy and agriculture.

[30] Cypriots vote in local elections on Sunday

NICOSIA, 13/12/2001 (CNA/ANA)

An overall 170,955 voters go to the polls on Sunday to elect the mayors of 30 municipalities, 21 of which are in the government-controlled areas of Cyprus and nine in the areas occupied by Turkish troops since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. The mayors of three more municipalities, those of Paphos, Lefkoniko and Lysi, have already been elected uncontested. Elections for municipal councils will be held for 32 towns, excluding Lefkoniko.

Some 1,200 polling centers will operate throughout the free areas of Cyprus.

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