Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-04-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou, Cem confirm historic joint visit Mideast visit on Wednesday

[02] Local elections will have strong political significance, PM says

[03] Gov't spokesman says ND tactics encourage far-right

[04] DM says new Greek defense strategy meets new environment

[05] Talks on Cyprus problem have a specific deadline; gov't says

[06] Gov't on Srebrenica massacre

[07] Culture minister receives Lithuanian counterpart

[08] Greece, Azerbaijan to work for EU access to natural gas through Turkey

[09] EU funding for rail line electrification project may be in jeopardy

[10] Greek farmers' income up 1.5 pct in 2001

[11] Athens prosecutor charges former OTE president with financial misconduct

[12] Contract signed for Athens transport center

[13] Gov't report on privatization of Agricultural Bank, DEPA

[14] Thessaloniki to become agrologistics center

[15] Gov't to sign new contracts with Hellenic Vehicle Industry

[16] Gov't announces measures to promote agro-tourism in Greece

[17] Public procurement program totals 1.364 bln euros

[18] May 1st strike called by civil servants' trade union

[19] ASE finds support at 2,200 level on Tuesday

[20] Olympic Education books delivered to Alexandria Library

[21] Eurobarometer survey shows Greeks pessimistic and unsatisfied

[22] European Parliament Cultural Committee visiting Greece

[23] Schools close as lethal viral infections raise fears of epidemic

[24] Army camps to be transferred for use by municipalities and communities

[25] Memorial held for late Greek statesman Constantine Karamanlis

[26] Photography exhibition about attitudes to Europe in Athens

[27] Denktash's threats to annex occupied north are provocative, spokesman says

[28] UN chief expects Cyprus progress by June

[29] EU poll: Cyprus among the most preferred to join the EU

[01] Papandreou, Cem confirm historic joint visit Mideast visit on Wednesday

Athens, 24/04/2002 (ANA)

Both Greek and Turkish foreign ministers George Papandreou and Ismail Cem, respectively, are due to meet on Thursday with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in Ramallah, as well as with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres in Tel Aviv, a Greek foreign ministry spokesman said on Tuesday.

On his part, Papandreou referred to the scheduled contacts with both the Israeli and Palestinian leaderships during comments on the sidelines of the 5th Euro-Mediterranean conference in Valencia, Spain.

'We are all aware of the difficulties involved with the Mideast situation. This does not mean we should be absent and that initiatives shouldn't be undertaken,' Papandreou was quoted in an ANA dispatch from the Spanish port city after the conclusion of the Euro-Med conference.

Before his scheduled return to Athens on Tuesday evening, the Greek foreign minister met in Valencia with Israel's Peres, Palestinian minister of planning and international cooperation Nabil Shaa'th, Arab League Secretary-General Amr Mousa, Spanish FM and conference chairman Josep Pique, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw as well as his German counterpart Joschka Fischer.

"The visit that Mr. Cem and I will make marks a new approach from two partners who also have existing problems between them. We will offer our experience and listen to their views," Papandreou said, adding:

"This initiative is a beginning, a first step, and depending on its effect, we'll be able to continue," he concluded.

In earlier statements, a government spokesman in Athens added that the visit is strictly a Greek-Turkish initiative, although Papandreou will, of course, convey his impressions and details of talks to his EU counterparts.

"This is a significant initiative with a particular symbolism, as two countries (Greece and Turkey) well known for their traditional antagonism, are today searching for a common ground and taking up a joint initiative", government spokesman Christos Protopapas said.

Peres statement: Asked from Valencia, Spain about the Greek-Turkish initiative -- first proposed earlier in the month by Athens and Ankara -- Israeli FM and former premier Peres said the fact that Greece and Turkey were teaming on this effort was ''very interesting''.

''... If a few years ago they would have told us that these two ministers would visit our country, we would have considered it a scenario of fantasy. This is yet another new example of mutual understanding, and we welcome their initiative,'' Peres said.

Mideast crisis the focus of Wed. event in Athens: The troubling Mideast situation from the viewpoint of a leading Israeli peace movement activist and a noted Palestinian moderate will be the subject of an event in Athens on Wednesday, entitled "Middle East, Zero Hour: The course from being held hostage by extremists to a peace by the brave".

During a press conference on Tuesday, Israeli professor Yehuda Melcher - among the founders of the "Yesh Gvul" group ("There Are Limits!") -- and Palestinian journalist and political analyst Elias Zananiri reiterated their opposition against all forms of violence now plaguing the area, namely, IDF assaults in the Palestinian areas and the deadly "suicide attacks" against Israeli civilians.

Both men will speak at the event, organized by the recently established Movement for a Modernizing Left (AEKA) group, at a downtown Athens hotel at 7 p.m.

"It is about time for the Palestinians to have their own state with Jerusalem as their capital," Zananiri said, drawing a parallel to last week's commemoration of the 54th anniversary of the founding of Israel. "The sooner the better will mean less bloodshed," he added.

On his part, Melcher even warned of reactions within Israel similar to what occurred during the Greek Civil War, saying that "there are serious disagreements in Israeli society," over Ariel Sharon's policies in the Palestinian areas.

"Yes, we agree that there should be a Palestinian state, the sooner the better," the Tel-Aviv philosophy and medical ethics professor noted, before also condemning what he called a recent wave of anti-Semitism and "primitive racism" across Europe and an often skewed media coverage of the violence in Israel and the Palestinian areas.

"Greek and European media criticism almost never comes with a symmetrical criticism of terrorism," he stressed, saying that this, in turn, often impairs the Israeli peace movement.

Greek humanitarian mission due to depart for Palestinian territories on Wed.: A humanitarian mission to the Palestinian territories, organized by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, is due to depart on Wednesday morning.

The Greek mission, comprised of an unspecified number of rescue workers and firemen, will board a C-130 cargo plane at Elefsina military airport. Two ambulances and two cars will also be aboard the plane.

It has not yet been determined whether the Israeli authorities will allow the firemen to reach the cities of Jenin and Nablus, which have sustained immense destruction from the Israeli attacks.

[02] Local elections will have strong political significance, PM says

Athens, 24/04/2002 (ANA)

Speaking after a meeting with the interior ministry's leadership, the prime minister said the October elections would have to achieve more than place some able people in local government but allow the implementation of policies for decentralization, regional development and modernizing the workings of the state that were central to the government's program.

"We don't want a local government that is driven by old-fashioned, 'client-based' political models. We must strive for the election of local authorities that possess vision, effectiveness and a will to make changes to Greek society and adapt it to new challenges, such as the immigrant situation or creating another form of social development on a local level," he stressed.

Turning to public administration in general, the prime minister noted that this would be much improved at the end of the government's term, after 500 centers for citizens due to be completed by the end of the year were up and running.

Simitis also noted that the people-factor was particularly important in public administration issues and for this reason emphasis would be placed on training and retraining employees, while a new system would be set up to assess their performance.

Other innovations that would help iron out problems in state services were the introduction of a double-copy system in municipalities to check local authority finances and a new local government code for organizing metropolitan areas that was due at the start of 2003.

Regarding regional development, the premier said that regional incomes in Greece had risen and now matched or exceeded the European Union average, but there were still considerable inequalities and imbalances between regions.

He said that local authorities had to exercise their own social policy, while some had already begun programs such as providing help at home, care centers for the elderly or day-care centers and nurseries for young children.

The prime minister also pledged more staff, equipment and greater powers for local authorities that would allow them an enhanced role.

PM Simitis chairs meeting of new PASOK committee: The first official session of ruling PASOK's new committee on the government's political and communications planning was held on Tuesday at the Maximos Mansion under the chairmanship of Prime Minister and PASOK leader Costas Simitis.

According to sources, discussion at the meeting centered on political and communications planning, while it was agreed that emphasis should be given to the implementation of commitments on social policy.

According to the same sources, also discussed at the meeting were issues concerning taxation and the social security system as well as the results of the French presidential elections.

[03] Gov't spokesman says ND tactics encourage far-right

Athens, 24/04/2002 (ANA)

He said the results of the presidential elections in France, where Socialist prime minister Lionel Jospin was knocked into third place by nationalist party leader Jean-Marie Le Pen in what has been widely interpreted as a French protest vote, would be discussed by ruling PASOK's Executive Bureau on Wednesday.

Protopapas also warned the main opposition that ''all those who hope for an end to socialist parties will soon be disappointed,'' and said it should be concerned by the fact that many of its supporters were well-disposed toward a military junta that had usurped power in Greece in 1967-1974.

Europe was now undergoing a crucial transition in which the Left would have to state a modern proposal, and this would be for more Europe, more society and more democracy, he added.

Regarding comments made by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, who said that Jospin's resignation had been the right decision, Protopapas said the election result was also a reflection on Jospin himself.

It would be a mistake to draw parallels between Jospin and Simitis in upcoming local elections in Greece, he added, since very different things were at stake in the one election and in the other.

[04] DM says new Greek defense strategy meets new environment

WASHINGTON, 24/04/2002 (ANA - T. Ellis)

Papantoniou said the threats for Greece are clear: specific Turkish claims against national territory and sovereignty which oblige Greece to spend 5 percent of GDP on defense, the continuing instability on the northern borders which is creating a considerable flow of illegal immigration and the asymmetrical threat by the surge of international terrorism.

Referring to the priorities of the armaments program, Papantoniou said the main weaponry systems interesting Greece are tanks, aircraft, frigates, transport helicopters, electronic warfare and communications systems and intelligence collection systems.

Papantoniou said Greece's participation in NATO is a fact given and considers the presence of the U.S. in the Balkans critical and essential, adding that the American presence should continue to be strong, primarily for political reasons.

[05] Talks on Cyprus problem have a specific deadline; gov't says

Athens, 24/04/2002 (ANA)

The will for a solution based on United Nations resolution existed on the part of the Cypriot government, he added, but the Turkish-Cypriot side had to undertake its responsibilities.

The spokesman also stressed that progress in solving the political problem of the island was combined with but not linked with Cyprus' accession to the European Union.

[06] Gov't on Srebrenica massacre

Athens, 24/04/2002 (ANA)

In a recently published report by a Dutch committee focusing mainly on the failure of Dutch peacekeeping troops sent to the Srebrenica enclave to prevent the massacre, Greece was mentioned as a source of weapons for the warring sides.

[07] Culture minister receives Lithuanian counterpart

Athens, 24/04/2002 (ANA)

Venizelos also briefed Dovydeniene on the Cultural Olympiad institution and on the priorities of the Greek EU presidency that is slated for the first half of 2003 regarding cultural affairs and more specifically programs and actions that Lithuania, as a candidate member state, can participate in.

The Greek minister also invited his Lithuanian counterpart to participate in the informal culture ministers' council in May 2003, along with the rest of the ministers of candidate member-states.

[08] Greece, Azerbaijan to work for EU access to natural gas through Turkey

BAKU, 24/04/2002 (ANA)

The agreement followed talks in the Azerbaijani capital between visiting Greek Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos and Oil and Energy Minister Macid Karimov.

Under the plan, natural gas would eventually be transported from Azerbaijan to the European Union via Turkey and Greece.

''Greece conveyed the political will of the European Union's members for the European energy, natural gas and electricity market to obtain access to the Caspian region, ensuring highways and transit networks,'' Tsohatzopoulos told reporters.

''Today, the objective conditions for implementation of the plan are realistic, and it is feasible for us to attain this target,'' he said.

The minister was indirectly referring to an improvement in relations between Greece and Turkey that could allow the construction of a pipeline through the Dardanelles to link natural gas transport systems through the two countries.

Natural gas from Azerbaijan would flow from the Caspian to Greece and Turkey; and beyond to the Balkans and Europe. In the future, the gas could also come from other countries including Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Iran.

The purpose of the arrangement would be to feed Balkan markets in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo, Yugoslavia, Slovenia and Croatia; and western markets including Germany and France, Tsohatzopoulos said.

In a joint communique, the two ministers urged the two countries' natural gas companies - the Public Gas Company of Greece (DEPA) and Socar of Azerbaijan - to debate the terms and market conditions under which the natural gas could be moved on a competitive basis from Azerbaijan to Greece via Turkey, by DEPA and its affiliates.

The communique also encouraged the two state firms to promote natural gas sales via a transit arrangement from Azerbaijan to Europe and the Balkans via Turkey and Greece, especially through a Greek-Turkish pipeline that is due to be built.

The link would run along 80 kilometers of Greek soil and 200 kilometers in Turkey. DEPA and its Turkish equivalent, BOTAS, have signed a memorandum for the project.

DEPA is due to call a tender in the near future for construction of the Greek section of the pipeline. The Turkish section will receive funding from the European Union.

Tsohatzopoulos has estimated that the entire pipeline can be built in three years.

Greece, Azerbaijan seek to boost tourism ties: Greece and Azerbaijan on Tuesday agreed to advance a protocol on tourism and the arts ahead of the 2004 Olympic Games to be hosted by Athens.

The Greek National Tourism Organization is to send a delegation to Baku at the end of May to discuss a new sector policy between the two countries.

Also taking part will be the representatives of state and private sector bodies involved in tourism.

The visit is timed to coincide with the first international tourism trade fair to held in Azerbaijan, in which Greece will participate.

Announcement of the moves in tourism were made after talks held in Baku by Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, whose portfolio includes tourism, and members of the Azerbaijani government.

[09] EU funding for rail line electrification project may be in jeopardy

BRUSSELS, 24/04/2002 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

The Greek Eurodeputy's press release includes statements made by European Commissioner Michel Barnier, who in response to a relevant question tabled by Folias, said ''it should be noted that payments for the project of electrification (of the rail network) cover the planning and preparatory work for the future development of the project''.

''The payments that were made to date for the project, cover advance payments and when the request for final payment is submitted, the Commission will check if the project has been completed and is in accordance with the regulations,'' Barnier said.

The press release also added that parts of the project have been lagging behind noting the example of the Thriasion-Elefsina-Corinth rail, where only 25 per cent of the first phase and only 20 per cent of the second phase were completed to date, while the Athens-Thessaloniki rail project was completed only by 23 per cent.

Earlier in the day, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said that there was no issue, behind a relevant newspaper report that Greece would have to pay back one billion euros for its mismanagement of funds. Protopapas noted that this was the response on the matter given to him by Deputy National Economy Minister Christos Pachtas.

''Refunds are made only after checks and this process has not been done yet,'' Protopapas added.

[10] Greek farmers' income up 1.5 pct in 2001

BRUSSELS, 24/04/2002 (ANA - B. Demiris)

The average rise in the 15-member bloc was 3.3 percent and in the 12-member eurozone, of which Greece is also a member, by 3.0 percent, Eurostat said in a statement.

The only country to show a decline in farmers' income was Luxembourg, where it fell by 0.6 percent, the statement added.

[11] Athens prosecutor charges former OTE president with financial misconduct

Athens, 24/04/2002 (ANA)

According to the prosecution, OTE paid a much larger amount of money for the buyout of a private Internet service provider than it was worth.

The prosecutor initiated the investigation after two Athens dailies published reports that OTE paid some eight times more than it should in the purchase of 50 per cent of Multicom's shares.

The prosecutor report, however, noted that according to a report compiled by the Arthur Andersen consulting firm the value of the shares purchased by OTE were assessed at about 620 million drachmas (about 1.9 million euros) instead of 720 million drachmas (about 2.2 million euros) that OTE paid.

OTE officials, in their testimonies, said that the value of a company was not estimated only by its assets, but also by its prospects, as well as other parameters.

[12] Contract signed for Athens transport center

Athens, 24/04/2002 (ANA)

The cost of the center to be built by the consortium, which won an international tender for the project in 1999, is 12.457 million euros. Construction will last 25 months.

[13] Gov't report on privatization of Agricultural Bank, DEPA

Athens, 24/04/2002 (ANA)

According to a ministry's statement, procedures for a restructuring and privatization of Agricultural Bank were under way. The bank has hired ETEBAbank and Citibank as financial consultants to find a strategic partner and to sell a further equity stake in the bank. The bank also announced a tender to sell up to a total of AGNO Dairy's equity capital, with 10 investors expressing interest in the tender. Non-binding bids are expected to be submitted by April 25.

Agricultural Bank has also began procedures to sell its equity stake in Duty Free Shops to a strategic investor that will take over the management of the company. Non-binding bids will be submitted by May 13. The bank also prepares for an initial public offering of a 25 percent equity stake in Dodoni SA and listing of its shares in the Athens Stock Exchange.

The ministry said that it would begin soon tender procedures to sell up to a 35 percent equity stake in Public Natural Gas Corporation (DEPA) to a strategic investor.

[14] Thessaloniki to become agrologistics center

Athens, 24/04/2002 (ANA)

Participants in the meeting agreed on a need to draft an advisability survey on the role of Thessaloniki as an agrologistics hub. The survey will be drafted by the Company of Developing Private Infrastructure in Northern Greece in cooperation with the Transport Institute of a National Research and Technological Development Center.

The meeting was presented with the Dutch experience of developing the city of Rotterdam as the country's main agrologistics gate to northwestern Europe.

Nikos Efthymiadis, honorary chairman of SBBE summarizing the results of the meeting said that Thessaloniki, due to its geo-strategic position and prospects "can and must become a logistics services center."

Efthymiadis said that all industrial and trade enterprises in Greece and abroad would be customers of the integrated agrologistics system, aiming at a market with a range of 500 km around Thessaloniki.

The meeting said that a number of new dynamic logistics enterprises have been created in Thessaloniki recently, while the Thessaloniki Port Organization was planning significant investments in improving warehousing and transport facilities.

The meeting also agreed that in order to create a dynamic agrologistics center in Thessaloniki it would need: modernizing a regulatory framework and its adjustment to new services following deregulation of the transport industry, restructuring of inter-border transport, adopting new technology in customs offices, improving transport networks in neighboring Balkan states and training of business executives to acknowledge the benefits of the logistics business.

[15] Gov't to sign new contracts with Hellenic Vehicle Industry

Athens, 24/04/2002 (ANA)

"These agreements, around six or seven, will ensure ELBO's long-term stability and development, both in the benefit of the company and of its workers," Mr. Papantoniou said.

The government has already signed contracts, worth around seven billion drachmas, with ELBO.

[16] Gov't announces measures to promote agro-tourism in Greece

Athens, 24/04/2002 (ANA)

Addressing a meeting, held at Greece's National Tourist Organization's offices, with Agrotourism SA and representatives of 41 companies, Mr. Georgakopoulos noted that the ministry was supporting Agrotourism's aims and that it believed it was essential that it would contribute in efforts to promote agro-tourism in Greece.

He noted, however, that despite a rapid growth in the sector, there were still several shortages and weaknesses that needed to be addressed.

These were: lack of standards to ensure quality of services and infrastructure, a fragmented sector, and lack of the critical mass to allow expansion of agro-tourism.

Mr. Georgakopoulos said the ministry's priority was to draft a new set of quality standards in the sector.

[17] Public procurement program totals 1.364 bln euros

Athens, 24/04/2002 (ANA)

Mrs Xenogiannakopouloou said this year's program did not include Public Power Corporation (PPC), Piraeus Port Organization and Thessaloniki Port Organization and noted that additional inclusions were expected to be made in the next few weeks.

The procurement program also included increased supplies by the Health and Public Order ministries, in the framework of an Olympic preparations program.

[18] May 1st strike called by civil servants' trade union

Athens, 24/04/2002 (ANA)

ADEDY's press release noted that attempts to move the celebrations of May 1st Labor Day to the third day after Easter, an attempt to dilute the message of Labor Day and called on its members to respond with increased participation.

General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) officials also spoke of an attempt to downgrade Labor Day, claiming that the government used market-oriented arguments attempting to transform May Day to a tail end of a religious celebration.

[19] ASE finds support at 2,200 level on Tuesday

Athens, 24/04/2002 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.19 percent lower at 2,200.18 points, with turnover a low 76.57 million euros.

Blue chip stocks suffered the heaviest losses, while traders said that buying focused in medium- and smaller capitalization stocks.

The Retail, Construction and Food-Beverage sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (3.0 percent, 1.32 percent and 1.27 percent, respectively), while the Insurance, Telecommunications and Bank sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses (0.93 percent, 0.83 percent and 0.69 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell 0.44 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 0.74 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.44 percent higher.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 172 to 116 with another 65 issues unchanged.

The most heavily traded shares in value were Hellenic Telecoms, Hellenic Technodomiki, Intracom, and National Bank of Greece.

Equity index futures mixed: Equity index futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished mixed in light trade on Tuesday, with contracts on the high capitalization index showing a discount of up to 1.7 percent.

Contracts on the medium cap index showed a premium, also outperforming the underlying market.

Turnover was 49.8 million euros.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips shed 0.44 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks gained 0.74 percent.

Bond prices slump in scant trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Tuesday finished lower in slim trade focusing on five-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.55 percent, and the spread over the corresponding German bund was 30 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system was 1.1 billion euros.

Sell orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

[20] Olympic Education books delivered to Alexandria Library

Athens, 24/04/2002 (ANA)

The ambassador expressed appreciation for the contribution and said ''the material will be kept in the New Library as well as in our hearts.''

The books were delivered during an event dedicated to Volunteerism and Olympic Education programs, organized in the Bibliotheca Alexandrina's auditorium.

[21] Eurobarometer survey shows Greeks pessimistic and unsatisfied

BRUSSELS, 24/04/2002 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

This is significantly higher than the European Union average, where 16 per cent says they are not satisfied, 62 per cent declare themselves relatively satisfied and 21 per cent very satisfied.

In Greece, 51 per cent are relatively satisfied with their standard of living and only 9 per cent are very satisfied.

The happiest Europeans of all are the Danes, of which only 4 per cent are dissatisfied with the standard of living, 32 per cent are relatively satisfied and 64 per cent are very satisfied.

Regarding the national economy, 45 per cent of Greeks expect a downward turn in 2002, 26 per cent expect it to remain stable and 22 expect it to improve. Expectations among Europeans as a whole also tend to the pessimistic, with 39 per cent expecting their national economies to do worse in 2002, 36 per cent expecting no change and only 16 per cent expecting improved performances.

Half of Greeks, meanwhile, expect unemploy-ment to rise, 26 per cent believe it will stay the same and 18 per cent that it will fall, compared with 42 per cent of Europeans that expect rising unemployment, 32 per cent that expect it to remain stable and 17 per cent that expect it to fall.

The six-monthly Eurobarometer survey is carried out among a sample of 1,000 people in Greece and monitors issues relating to the community and general news. The first question usually relates to the level of satisfaction of European Union citizens to their overall standard of living.

[22] European Parliament Cultural Committee visiting Greece

Athens, 24/04/2002 (ANA)

This was stressed during a press conference given by members of the European Parliament's Culture Committee, headed by PASOK Eurodeputy Myrsini Zorba, who are making a three-day visit to Greece between April 22-24.

In her address, Zorba set out the priorities of the European Union's Greek Presidency in the first half of 2003, which will focus on the further widening of legislation on the European Parliament's cultural issues. The Greek Presidency will also concentrate its efforts on continuing and widening the ''Culture 2000'' program.

The European Parliament's Culture Committee also chose to visit Athens due to the city's great cultural heritage, as well as in light of the 2004 Olympic Games.

[23] Schools close as lethal viral infections raise fears of epidemic

Athens, 24/04/2002 (ANA)

The closing of schools will be extended for another 15 days as Orthodox Easter holidays begin on Monday and last for two weeks.

About ten days ago three lethal cases of viral infections, two in Crete and one in northwestern Greece were reported, while since last Thursday 32 non-lethal cases were reported in around the country. In all cases the viral infections of the respiratory system led to myocarditis, a disease that causes severe heart tissue damage and fluid retention in the heart cavity.

Health minister Papadopoulos, in an unscheduled press conference, also called on citizens to maintain strict personal hygiene and be very careful in preparing their food, adding that the possibility of contracting related viruses by kissing and by droplets in the air in closed spaces.

The minister underlined that 13 of the cases were reported in Athens and another 19 around the country, with Macedonia and Thrace being the only regions where cases were not reported to date.

ND official says gov't measures in the right direction: Main opposition New Democracy party social affairs coordinator Nikitas Kaklamanis on Tuesday praised the measures taken by the government.

'The extraordinary measures announced by Health Minister Mr. Alekos Papadopoulos on the protection of public health are moving in the right direction,'' he said.

Kaklamanis said he hoped that as of Wednesday the health ministry will be issuing a daily epidemic bulletin to inform citizens responsibly and timely.

Referring to the armed forces, he said that apart from measures announced it would be advisable for only the necessary number of soldiers to remain in camp.

''Vigilance is necessary by all of us, particularly on the part of the state, but not panic,'' Kaklamanis added.

Myocarditis cases no cause for concern, government says: There was no cause for concern and the government was taking steps regarding cases of virus-linked myocarditis that have appeared in Greece in the past weeks, government spokesman Christos Protopapas reassured reporters on Tuesday.

The health ministry and the Center for the Control of Special Diseases were on the alert, he added, and all suspect cases were being thoroughly checked out at special scientific laboratories

[24] Army camps to be transferred for use by municipalities and communities

Athens, 24/04/2002 (ANA)

The program got underway in Thessaloniki on Tuesday with four army camps, namely those of Ziakas, Pavlos Melas, Alexander the Great and Karatasos. Their transfer for use by the municipalities and communities will be completed in one year.

The minister said that the revenue, which will be received for the use of the camps, will be allotted for the better living conditions of soldiers.

[25] Memorial held for late Greek statesman Constantine Karamanlis

Athens, 24/04/2002 (ANA)

Several high-ranking cadres of main opposition New Democracy, the party Karamanlis founded in 1974, attended the service, as did numerous friends and relatives.

Karamanlis, credited with safeguarding the restoration of democracy in Greece following the collapse of a seven-year military dictatorship in the summer of 1974 as well as gaining the country's EEC accession in the early 1980s, died on April 23, 1998.

[26] Photography exhibition about attitudes to Europe in Athens

Athens, 24/04/2002 (ANA)

The exhibition was organized by the European network for communication and information Euronem and will be inaugurated at 19:00 by Press and Media Minister Christos Protopapas, while it ends on April 28.

It aims to contribute to the debate that has begun after the European Union summit at Laeken on the future of Europe and precisely what kind of Europe we all want. It presents the views of both public figures such as politicians and artists and also ordinary people, in short texts that frame the photographs.

The exhibition is taking place under the auspices of the European Commission in Greece and is sponsored by Coca Cola.

[27] Denktash's threats to annex occupied north are provocative, spokesman says

Government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said on Tuesday that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's threats that he would annex Cyprus' occupied north to mainland Turkey, should the island accede the European Union are ''extreme, provocative and threatening.''

The spokesman said it was ''peculiar'' that Denktash appears as Turkey's spokesman and added that the Greek Cypriot side's response is its persistence to peace negotiations and to an honest compromise.

Papapetrou said that in a speech in Istanbul, on his way to Strasburg, ''Denktash threatened that he would annex the occupied areas to Turkey, should Cyprus join the EU prior to a solution to the Cyprus problem''.

The spokesman said ''our response to such extreme, provocative and threatening statements is a low profile response, persistence to negotiations and to the idea of an honest compromise.''

''This is the message we sent to Denktash and the Turkish Cypriots and to the international community, which has the duty to listen, see and judge the attitude of each and every one, especially during this crucial time,'' he added.

Papapetrou said Denktash ''often makes references to the Constitutions of Belgium and Switzerland'' and added that ''Denktash's reference to these Constitutions is very very selective, since he isolates some articles which he thinks suit his case.''

He said that ''in these Constitutions there are very basic provisions, which consolidate the unity of these states and which Denktash ignores and does not accept.''

Invited to say whether these two Constitutions could constitute the basis for a solution to the Cyprus problem, Papapetrou said that they could not serve as a basis but ''there are provisions in these Constitutions that could well constitute guidance.''

The spokesman said the Greek Cypriot side participates in the face-to-face talks that began in mid January 2002 ''with patience'', until the international public opinion considers that there is no reason for their continuance.

[28] UN chief expects Cyprus progress by June

UNITED NATIONS, 24/04/2002 (CNA/ANA)

His special adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto will return to New York by the end of April to report to the UN chief and brief the Security Council on May 3.

Speaking at a press conference here on Monday, Annan expressed hope that President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash will work hard to make progress by the end of June.

Replying to a question about prospects for a breakthrough in the Cyprus peace talks, the Secretary-General said he was looking forward to the end of June to see substantial progress in the talks.

''I think both leaders have indicated that they want to end it by June. I hope that they would work as hard as we would expect to make that progress by the end of June. I am in touch with Alvaro de Soto, who is back on the island facilitating the talks. I really hope that by June, we will have made some real, substantial progress'', he said.

[29] EU poll: Cyprus among the most preferred to join the EU

BRUSSELS, 24/04/2002 (CNA/ ANA)

According to a poll conducted last October-November on behalf of European Commission, the EU member states confirm previous polls that the majority is in favor of accession of most candidate countries.

Regarding Cyprus, 46% of those asked are in favor of the island's accession to the EU, while 33% expressed a contrary view and a 21% did not reply. The largest percentage in favor of Cyprus' accession came from Greece, where 88% supports Cyprus' accession to the EU.

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