Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-09-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] Govt will not follow austerity policies, Prime Minister says

[02] PASOK congress to take place on January 20-23, Papandreou says

[03] Nothing new on Putin's planned weekend visit to Greece, spokesman says

[04] Papandreou condemns hostage-taking in N. Ossetia

[05] Communist Party leader predicts government will take anti-popular measures, after Olympic Games

[06] Gov't says EURO champions to get a 173,000-euro bonus each

[07] Greek MEPs call for EU-level action against doping in sport

[08] Greek ministers wind up two-day visit to Ukraine's Odessa

[09] Kefaloyiannis congratulates coast guard on security measures during the Olympic Games

[10] No decision on Commission regulations for Turkish Cypriots taken at

[11] Beneficial impact of Athens 2004 Olympics may last beyond 2010

[12] Tourism ministry seeks new strategy to improve tourism

[13] U.S. dollar account for Greek residents receiving federal benefits from U.S.

[14] Stocks rise for third straight session

[15] Greek Paralympic team to field 135 athletes

[16] Head of Olympic mission, resigned SEGAS federation coach testify in Kenteris-Thanou case

[17] Coalition party leader visits National Pharmaceuticals Organization

[18] Presentation made of mural to decorate Athens Olympic Stadium

[19] Greek ministries facilitate Russian national to travel to North Ossetia where her child is being held hostage

[20] Deputy culture minister says proposal for Parthenon sculptures on one euro coins remarkable

[21] Overseas Cypriots underline positions on Cyprus in resolutions

[22] Russia committed to a negotiated peaceful solution to the Cyprus problem

[23] Cyprus government expects experts' conclusions on

[01] Govt will not follow austerity policies, Prime Minister says

Athens, 3/9/2004 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, after a meeting with the Premier and GSEE, Labor and Social Protection Minister Panos Panayiotopoulos stressed that the prime minister wanted to hear the positions of trade unions before finalizing his text on economic policy to be delivered at the inauguration of the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair next week. "The meeting," he said "was held in a positive climate with agreements in several issues such as the need to capitalize on the success of the Athens Olympic Games".

The government, Panayiotopoulos noted, would lead a coordinating role between GSEE and employers' unions in an effort to seek consensus in a debate over working hours in the country and reiterated that the government was not discussing changing a current legislation on social insurance.

GSEE president Christos Polyzogopoulos said that trade unions demanded a policy of a wider redistribution of wealth to deal with large income imbalances, giving emphasis in supporting pensioners and unemployed people.

Polyzogopoulos urged the government to disregard calls by Northern Greece Industry Union leading to a downgrading of workers insurance and pension rights. He urged for government measures to fully exploit the success of the Olympic Games, with emphasis given to development.

GSEE, he said, would seek a permanent solution to the problem with contract workers, based on the government's pre-election pledges, and urged for an immediate meeting of a National Employment Commission to discuss proposals to cut working hours in the country.

The union was also promoting the creation of a Centre for Training Policy and was expected to begin consultations with political parties and the government soon.

Civil servants say ready for talks, warn on strikes: The future of relations between the government and ADEDY, civil servants' union, will depend on the context of the Prime Minister's speech at the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair, ADEDY's president Spyros Papaspyros said on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters, after a meeting with the Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, Papaspyros stressed that civil servants were ready to begin a dialogue and negotiations with the government, but at the same time they were ready to begin strike actions if necessary. He said that the union's tactics would be decided during a general assembly scheduled for September 10.

Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas said that the meeting between the premier and ADEDY "opened a new round of talks with social partners aimed to make a quality leap, and to flourish growth and business activity in the country".

[02] PASOK congress to take place on January 20-23, Papandreou says

Athens, 3/9/2004 (ANA)

He said the main proposals for the congress will be ready 15 days from now and that he rejected all thoughts of 'penalizing' different points of view.

Papandreou also announced that he will be the main speaker at a major event that will take place on Friday to celebrate the 30th anniversary of PASOK's foundation. He said this would be held alongside other events throughout Greece, including an exhibition of archive material tracing the history of the party and an international political and academic conference to mark the anniversary.

Asked about his relations with former premier Costas Simitis and his feelings on the achievements of Simitis' governments, Papandreou dismissed rumors of strained relations between him and the former PASOK leader as "mere gossip" and said that the party would "keep" the best parts of the Simitis era.

"I have always noted that in the huge body of work carried out by PASOK there are also some weaknesses. We will keep the best of what we have done and change the things where we did not do so well," Papandreou said.

He also denied seeking to set up a leader-dominated organization with himself permanently at the helm, outlining his vision for a party with the greatest possible participation of both members and non-members, with the right mix of direct and indirect democracy and a decentralized power structure.

Papandreou did not reveal his plans regarding the presidential elections next March - where an inability by Parliament to vote for a candidate can trigger early elections - saying only that consensus will depend on who is proposed as a candidate and that the issue might well be discussed at the party's congress in January.

During the press conference, the main opposition leader was strongly critical of the government and the way it was handling the debate on the post-Olympic use of infrastructure created for the Games, particularly the government emphasis on the high cost of the projects.

"This may create some sympathy among foreigners now, but in the medium-term it will create a huge problem for the country," Papandreou stressed.

According to PASOK's leader, this tactic was a form of "Olympic suicide" that tarnished the image of the Games and the country in general, instead of fostering the image of a stable economy, which the government was using to sidestep pre-election pledges.

He was also bitterly critical of the conflict between the government and main opposition over doping during the Olympics, saying he would demand a Parliamentary investigation if the government continued to attempt to cast aspersions on the morality of his party.

Closing, Papandreou accused the government of not having any plan or program, especially with regard to the post-Olympic use of Olympic facilities, and stressed that PASOK would not allow these to be sold off to cover debts. At the same time, he noted that his party was positively disposed to cooperation with the private sector in their management and proposed that the issued be handled jointly by all the parties.

He stressed the need to keep in the forefront of the news proposals for holding the Olympics permanently in Athens, possibly as one of five cities representing each continent that will alternate in staging the Games, and the one goal not achieved by Greece during the Olympics, the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece.

Gov't spokesman remarks on PASOK leader's statements: Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos, commenting on statements made by main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou on Thursday afternoon, said later in the day that "Mr. Papandreou's effort to exercise opposition is comprehensible. Incomprehensible is that all he described he had not found the time to put in practice in the 20 years when his party was in power and he himself as minister in key sectors."

[03] Nothing new on Putin's planned weekend visit to Greece, spokesman says

Athens, 3/9/2004 (ANA)

Replying to press questions on the prospect of a postponement of Putin's visit due to the urgent events in Russia, the spokesman said that there was nothing new on the intention of the Russian leadership regarding the visit and, consequently, the latest statement by Moscow that Putin would visit Greece on September 4-5 stands.

[04] Papandreou condemns hostage-taking in N. Ossetia

Athens, 3/9/2004 (ANA)

Papandreou also sent PASOK's condolences to the families of the victims killed in a bomb explosion in the center of Moscow, just one week after a terrorist attack on two airplanes, claimed hundreds of lives.

PASOK's president expressed his sincere support and solidarity to the people of Russia during such a difficult time.

[05] Communist Party leader predicts government will take anti-popular measures, after Olympic Games

Athens, 3/9/2004 (ANA)

"The people must not be burdened with the cost of the (Olympic) Games," she said.

"We predict, and we are not at all mistaken, that a new storm is coming, a new package of anti-popular measures on the part of the New Democracy party, which, unfortunately for the people, took over very well from PASOK and which has given tangible samples of an equally anti-popular policy," she added.

Papariga said undoubtedly the high cost of the Olympic Games will aggravate and make the measures even more anti-popular.

"It is not worth the Greek people giving a cent from their pockets, particularly for the institution of the Olympic Games, an institution which we believe has become completely rotten," she said.

"There is no special or conjunctural reason justifying that working people, the Greek people, should show tolerance," she stressed.

Papariga also indicated that her party will be organizing a rally against government policy, underlining that it will be a "dynamic intervention and presence."

The Communist Party leader reiterated her party's position on the removal of the security system from the streets of Athens which, as she said, is being used to watch citizens and stated that the Zeppelin airship is no longer tolerated over the capital.

[06] Gov't says EURO champions to get a 173,000-euro bonus each

Athens, 3/9/2004 (ANA)

Responding to complaints by soccer officials that the government had not given the sums it had initially promised, Antonaros denied this was the case and said the government was actually giving more than it had originally announced.

[07] Greek MEPs call for EU-level action against doping in sport

BRUSSELS 3/9/2004 (ANA - G. Zitouniati)

Main opposition PASOK MEP Nikos Sifounakis, who chairs the Euro-Parliament committee for sport, on Thursday proposed a public hearing with all bodies involved, including the International Olympic Committee, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and representatives of the scientific and sports community. The proposal was accepted and over the next months the committee must decide how deep such a parliamentary investigation should go.

The head of ruling New Democracy MEPs Yiannis Varvitsiotis, meanwhile, on Wednesday asked the European Commission to examine the possibilities for combatting doping offered by EU laws, especially the reference to sport in the new European Constitution, through information and education.

[08] Greek ministers wind up two-day visit to Ukraine's Odessa

Athens, 3/9/2004 (ANA)

The government delegation discussed with the local authorities the possibility of creating a coastal line linking Piraeus, the island of Chios and Odessa, a prospect, which, as was stressed, will operate to the benefit of Greece-Ukraine bilateral relations both on a cultural and tourism level and in the maritime sector.

The two ministers assured the Greek community organizations in Ukraine of the Greek government's support in solving their educational, ecclesiastical and other problems.

Speaking at an event which was organized by the Greek-Ukrainian Chamber Wednesday on the contribution of immigrants from Chios in the development of Odessa, Michaloliakos hailed the contribution of Hellenism both on a cultural and economic level.

The Greek delegation was due to return to Athens on Thursday evening.

[09] Kefaloyiannis congratulates coast guard on security measures during the Olympic Games

Athens, 3/9/2004 (ANA)

Kefaloyiannis emphasized that the coast guard once again proved that the safety of citizens is its top priority and pointed out that dozens of foreign politicians, former US President George Bush among them, praised the coast guard's efforts.

Additionally, the minister indicated that many of the security measures - such as the 50 odd cameras, lighting, etc. - will continue to be in force at Xaveriou Dock, where Greek and foreign cruise ships sail in daily.

The government will continue implementing its program for the upgrade of the commercial part of the port of Piraeus, in order to drastically increase commercial activity, according to the minister and the government will take initiatives to revive the Greek cruise sector.

[10] No decision on Commission regulations for Turkish Cypriots taken at

COREPER BRUSSELS 3/9/2004 (ANA/G. Zitouniati/CNA)

Following the development, the Dutch presidency said COREPER will discuss the issue again on September 9, four days before the meeting of the General Affairs Council.

At the same time, Cyprus Foreign Minister George Iacovou said he doubted any EU regulation could will be ready for approval during the Council meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations, September 13-14, citing lack of time.

Meanwhile Cyprus' MEP Ioannis Kasoulides told the European Parliament that the people of Cyprus do not oppose the financial assistance for Turkish Cypriots and consequently the Commission proposal, provided that it does not oppose the lawful interests of the residents of Cyprus and does not undermine the Republic's existence.

According to community sources, before the discussion at COREPER, the Dutch permanent representative, whose country chairs the EU rotating presidency this term, gave an introduction based on the presidency's document, which outlines the views of all sides.

He pointed out that he would not put pressure on anyone to take a decision and that the presidency's aim was to reach an agreement, in the light of the Council's Legal Department's opinion on direct trade, but also on the presidency's document.

The Commission's representative tried to contest the Legal Department's opinion, claiming that regulation 133, which provides for trade relations with third countries, was correctly chosen for the direct trade proposal and then gave a legal analysis aiming to support the Commission's proposals.

The Greek Permanent Representative Vassilis Kaskarelis firmly questioned the purpose of the direct trade regulation because, he said, the Green Line regulation was already in effect and said that time should be given to that to see its effectiveness.

Kaskarelis referred to the regulation for financial assistance, and analyzed the points which create problems, asking for the elimination of the reference to public authorities in the contacts with the Turkish Cypriots, closer cooperation between the Commission and Nicosia before a project is approved, including an article to protect the property rights of refugees and the equal treatment of the residents of the occupied areas with the rest of the European citizens in tenders not to give rise to any reference that the occupied areas are not part of the community territory.

Britain rejected all points while the Commission, citing technical problems, refuses to satisfy the points to remove the public authorities reference and to include an article to protect the property rights of the refugees.

Cyprus' Permanent Representative Nicos Emiliou remained firm on the four points raised by his Greek colleague and paid emphasis on the proposal on direct trade, calling on the presidency and EU member states to take their responsibilities.

Furthermore, he referred to the Green Line regulation and the Cyprus government's proposal for Famagusta.

Concluding, Emiliou told his counterparts to contemplate the repercussions of adopting with qualified majority the direct trade regulation, to sidestep a country like Cyprus, which has vital interests, and warned that if there is such a development, then Cyprus will resort to the European Court where it is certain it will be vindicated.

[11] Beneficial impact of Athens 2004 Olympics may last beyond 2010

Athens, 3/9/2004 (ANA)

Another advantage for business is the infrastructure that has been built in connection with the games, the Athens-quoted bank said in a market report.

Exports in 2004-2008 are expected to rise by an average annual 4.5-5.5 percent due to the Olympics against an increase of 2.2-2.5 percent if the capital had not hosted the games, the report said.

At the same time, growth in imports of goods and services would rise sparked by the Olympics, but not enough to negate the increase in exports, Alpha's research department noted.

Tourist arrivals could rise to 18-20 million annually towards the end of the decade from 13 million at present as improvements in infrastructure and accommodation triggered by the games could serve their needs, especially in Attica, the report added.

[12] Tourism ministry seeks new strategy to improve tourism

Athens, 3/9/2004 (ANA)

Addressing an international conference on transport, technology and the tourism industry TRANSTEC 2004, held at the Athens Hilton hotel, Liaskos said that the country needed to improve the image and operation of its airports and sea ports and to achieve a combined interconnection between airplane and fast ferries, particularly during the summer months, with the aim to cover the largest tourist destinations in the country possible and to have a balanced tourist development.

The Greek minister said the ministry -in cooperation with other ministries- was drafting a new strategy on transport to facilitate tourism. The new strategy envisages plans to build new airports in new tourist destinations (Naxos, Tripoli, etc), accelerating works to improve a national road network, seeking an EU approval to a plan to have the E 10 road axis (linking Munich with Thessaloniki) turned into a closed road helping to boost tourism in Northern Greece. The new strategy also envisages co-funding of building a series of vertical roads linking Egnatia Road with the capitals of neighboring countries and a series of small-scale projects around the country to improve quality of the country's tourist product.

Institute urges for immediate measures to boost tourism: The success of the Olympic Games is not panacea, nor absolution for past mistakes or a hybrid of the necessary policies to boost the tourism sector, the Institute for Tourist Research and Forecasts (ITEP) said on Thursday.

Commenting on the Olympic Games, ITEP said its success led to dangerous fantasies and urged the government to be more cautious.

"The Games can be an automated pilot -not for high flights- only short-term," ITEP said in a report. The Institute urged for the immediate solution of problems facing the sector and warned that if such an effort failed the country's tourism sector could face another downfall year in 2005. "Other competitor countries are recording record growth rates in tourism because their care for their product quality and they offer it at justified prices," ITEP stressed.

Greece must act as if the Olympic Games had never happened, ITEP said, or else the country could end up losing in tourism, leaving only the shipping sector as the only hope for future development and foreign exchange earner.

[13] U.S. dollar account for Greek residents receiving federal benefits from U.S.

Athens, 3/9/2004 (ANA)

Benefits from the Social Security Administration, the Office of Personnel Management, the Veterans Administration and the Railroad Board now qualify for this dollar account program.

The new service is in addition to the euro direct deposit program for U.S. Social Security checks that has been in effect since January 2004.

Interested individuals should visit one of the banks offering U.S. dollar direct deposit; Bank of Piraeus and Alpha Bank began offering the service as of August 2004. The National Bank of Greece began the program on September 1, 2004. All branches of these three banks are offering this service throughout Greece.

[14] Stocks rise for third straight session

Athens, 3/9/2004 (ANA)

The Athens general share index closed at 2,342.52 points, showing a rise of 0.62 percent. Turnover was 112.0 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.61 percent up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 0.46 percent higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 0.29 percent down.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 138 to 119 with 89 remaining unchanged.

[15] Greek Paralympic team to field 135 athletes

Athens, 3/9/2004 (ANA)

This year's Greek Paralympics team is four times larger than Sydney, the country's political leadership and organizers said during a press conference.

Additionally, the Athens 2004 Paralympics will be the first in history -- the Paralympics debuted in Rome in 1960 -- without athletes' fees, following an initiative by the Athens 2004 Olympic Organizing Committee (ATHOC).

Among others, participants at the news conference included Deputy Sports Minister George Orfanos, Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos (who represented the government), Deputy Culture Minister Fani Palli-Petralia, ATHOC chief Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki and MP Maria Damanaki, representing main opposition PASOK.

The Greek team won 11 medals in Sydney, 33rd in the overall standings.

The 2004 Paralympics begin in Athens on Sept. 17 and conclude on Sept. 29.

[16] Head of Olympic mission, resigned SEGAS federation coach testify in Kenteris-Thanou case

Athens, 3/9/2004 (ANA)

Papatolis had told reporters before the start of the investigation that he was the one who had contacted the two sprinters' coach, Christos Tzekos, by phone on the afternoon of August 12 and informed him that International Olympic Committee (IOC) officials were looking for the two athletes in order to conduct doping control tests.

Kenteris and Thanou went missing from the Olympic village on the same day, missing the doping test, and turned up at an Athens hospital later the same night after an unconfirmed fall from a motorbike that is now also the subject of an investigation.

The pair went up before an IOC disciplinary commission nearly a week later to explain their no-show and voluntarily surrendered their accreditation, saying they would not compete in the Games.

The affair led to further revelations regarding the activities of Christos Tzekos linked to doping and a possible scandal involving state funding of 'dummy' sports clubs.

Also due to arrive at the public prosecutor's office on Thursday is the case file concerning weight-lifter Leonidas Sampanis, whose bronze medal in Athens was removed after a doping test showed him to have abnormally high levels of testosterone.

[17] Coalition party leader visits National Pharmaceuticals Organization

Athens, 3/9/2004 (ANA)

Constantopoulos, after holding talks with EOF President Vagionas, stressed that the problem of doping is serious and that it is a social and political problem.

[18] Presentation made of mural to decorate Athens Olympic Stadium

Athens, 3/9/2004 (ANA)

The Athens Olympic Stadium, the heart of the Olympic Games, was chosen to remind of the love and pride which unites all Greeks. The event was jointly organized by the deputy responsible for Overseas Hellenism issues Panayiotis Skandalakis and Deputy Culture Minister Fani Palli Petralia.

Love for the motherland, respect for all the Greeks and pride for the most successful and safe holding of Olympic Games ever to be held were the main elements underlined by speakers.

Petralia said the "Cycle of Glory" mural is not merely a wonderful work of art but it is also the exclusive symbol of the Olympic ideal, adding that this work will symbolize the revival of the Olympic Games in the country where they were born.

[19] Greek ministries facilitate Russian national to travel to North Ossetia where her child is being held hostage

Athens, 3/9/2004 (ANA)

Pavlopoulos said that his ministry has already begun the necessary process, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so that Todrova can go to Russia and return to Greece without any problems.

Todrova, who has been living and working in Greece for the past few years, spoke on Alpha Radio 98.9 on Thursday, expressing her anxiety about her daughter's fate. She said that she wanted to go to Beslav, but was unable to since she lacked the appropriate documentation and financial resources.

Todrova's son, who is a policeman, is part of the security forces that have surrounded the school building.

Another hostage among those being held captive in the school is 74-year old Ioannis Kanidis, a physical education teacher of Greek descent. While this information has not been officially confirmed, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has asked that an employee of the Greek Consulate in Novorossiysk travel to the region to investigate.

[20] Deputy culture minister says proposal for Parthenon sculptures on one euro coins remarkable

Athens, 3/9/2004 (ANA)

Replying in writing to the relevant proposal, Tatoulis said "it could contribute to the wider promotion of the issue of the sculptures' reunification due to the unified circulation of the coin in so many European countries."

Alavanos had proposed that during the first revision of the coin an image from the Parthenon Marbles kept in the British Museum could be selected as it would "give a permanent dimension of a great caliber to our request for their reunification."

[21] Overseas Cypriots underline positions on Cyprus in resolutions

NICOSIA 3/9/2004 (CNA/ANA)

The resolutions, adopted during the 20th annual meeting of the Central Councils of the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots (POMAK) and the International Coordinating Committee - Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA) held in Cyprus, are addressed to Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos, Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, President-designate of the European Commission Jose Manual Durao Barroso, US President George Bush and the prime ministers of Australia and the UK, John Howard and Tony Blair respectively.

The overseas Cypriots note they consider that the proposals of the fifth version of the Annan plan for a comprehensive settlement, "are on balance detrimental to the Greek Cypriot community, are contrary to fundamental human rights principles, institutionalize a situation of democratic deficit, fall short of Greek Cypriot expectations and clearly serve Turkey's interests and aims in Cyprus to the detriment of Cyprus and its people."

"We believe that serious legitimate concerns of the Greek Cypriot community had not been adequately addressed or were, to a great extent, ignored, in the final Plan of 31 March 2004, a fact which weighted heavily on the results of the referendum held on 24 April 2004," the overseas Cypriots outlined.

They expressed their appreciation for President Papadopoulos' constructive stance as well as his readiness to positively respond to a possible invitation by the UN Secretary-General to resume talks for a Cyprus settlement.

At the same time they reassured of their "strong commitment, constructive cooperation and goodwill for justice and peace in Cyprus.'

POMAK and PSEKA also called on the US president and the British prime minister to reconsider their policy on "direct trade and flights to and from illegal airports in the occupied part of Cyprus, respecting the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus and international and European law."

They also expressed disappointment at the fact that US and British policies have not shown respect for the will of the overwhelming majority of the Greek Cypriots as expressed during the April referendum.

Specifically, in the resolution to Blair, the overseas Cypriots underline that "there is a feeling that British policy towards Cyprus, although in words purports to aim for reunification, in actual terms consolidates the division and the alienation of the two communities, causing disappointment to the Greek Cypriot community."

[22] Russia committed to a negotiated peaceful solution to the Cyprus problem

NICOSIA 3/9/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking to the press after a meeting with Cyprus Foreign Minister George Iacovou on Thursday, Fedotov said his country's position on the Cyprus problem remains unchanged and that Russia will contribute in the UN Security Council to a solution ''which should be fair, just and lead to a real resolution of this long standing problem.''

He pointed out that the issue of Cyprus is important to Russia and referred to the long lasting tradition of friendly relations between the two countries.

Fedotov described the meeting with Iacovou as ''very important'' and added that he was touched by the expression of Iacovou's support and sympathy regarding the recent terrorist attacks in Russia.

''Cyprus has demonstrated its solidarity with Russia as well as international community and now the Russian authorities are going to put this crisis under control,'' he said.

There is a clear need to enhance action, including through the UN and other multi forums, to curb this threat to international peace and security, which is presented by international terrorism, he noted.

Iacovou thanked Russia for its consistent and long-standing support to Cyprus.

''We have the affirmation that this support based on the principles of the Russian Federation will be continued," he concluded.

[23] Cyprus government expects experts' conclusions on

UNFICYP NICOSIA 3/9/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Chrysostomides noted that the government hopes that the demining procedure will begin soon, according to the Cyprus government's proposal.

Replying to questions the spokesman said that the government considers that the irregular situation in Cyprus has not ended and therefore it is not possible to change the role of UNFICYP.

He noted that the UN experts will brief the UN Secretary General.

Kofi Annan will submit to the UN Security Council his recommendations, which will be announced to the Cyprus government.

As regards the demining procedure, Chrysostomides said ''the government has a unilateral scheme to go on with the demining in the government-controlled areas and with the UN cooperation in the buffer zone.''

He also noted that the 2.5 million euros determined by the EU to be granted for the demining are already at the disposal of the UN.

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