Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-07-04

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1228), July 4, 1997

Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis defines center-left objectives

[02] Greece to co-operate with Kazakh oil, gas industry

[03] Kranidiotis meets with Omonia president

[04] KKE's Papariga in Madrid

[05] US awaiting for decision on Aegean, State Dept. says

[06] Turkish reaction over Greek rejection

[07] G. Papandreou confers with Dutch ambassador

[08] Tsohatzopoulos, Ruehe hold talks

[09] Reppas comments on conditions for moratorium with Turkey

[10] Tsatsos rapporteur on IGC report committee

[11] Stoyanov continues contacts in Greece

[12] Gov't

[13] V. Papandreou-Bakardjiev talks

[14] Tempi railway tunnels meet up

[15] No British beef channeled into Greece

[16] Conflict between Ministers denied

[17] Charter arrivals up, but problems remain hoteliers say

[18] Greek, Bulgarian businessmen meet in Athens

[19] Olympic raises prices on domestic routes

[20] Rhodes officials warn OA over air fares

[21] Pharmacists decide on another strike

[22] Papantoniou, ADEDY discuss incomes policy

[23] EOT staff against new bill

[24] Cohesion Fund allocated $2.8 to EU's poorest states in '96

[25] Greek industrial output up 3.1 pct in April

[26] Greek equities slip, finish below 1,500 pts

[27] ECU 1.5 million for drinking-water supply network in Greece

[28] Commission takes Greece to Court for sex discrimination

[29] Greece joins UNESCO group on intellectual property rights

[30] Dolphin observation program

[01] Simitis defines center-left objectives

Athens, 04/07/1997 (ANA)

He was addressing a conference by the Institute of Strategic and Development Studies Andreas Papandreou (ISTAME) on the issue of "The Left in Europe of the 21st Century" at the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Mr. Simitis said that socialism stands for controlled development by man for man and individual initiative containing social responsibility and collectivity.

On the other hand, he said social anarchy means development under conditions of ruthless individualism and political crudeness, and individual initiative without mutual respect, solidarity and social justice.

Mr. Simitis said the center-left means the activation of the forces of society, that is the forces of social responsibility, which should concentrate their action on the restoration of politics and democratic institutions, preservation of a state of justice, protection of social cohesion, prosperity through development, a quality of life that promotes humanity and social justice.

The key for understanding the center-left, the premier said, is the fact that democratic socialism is called on to overcome the walls of a mentality concentrating on a strictly economic conception of society, adding that the center-left offers the opportunity for new political parties to appear in Europe.

Socialist parties do not jeopardize their identity by expanding their scope to cover a greater spectrum, but become stronger, he said.

Referring to Europe, Mr. Simitis said that the center-left is a political challenge that gives the opportunity for new power blocs to form and guarantee development and social cohesion in Europe.

Referring to different opinions prevailing within the left forces, Mr. Simitis criticized a certain faction which "acts in a defensive manner and is unable to understand and interpret developments, calling for national entrenchment and isolationism."

It is not accidental, he said, that this part of the Left has joined in practice the most conservative European right-wing powers, because both were moving towards the same direction, namely, of fearful isolationism and national entrenchment. Referring to the differences between socialism and neo-conservatism, Mr. Simitis said: "We are not all politically the same; we do not resemble in any way the neo-conservative world of oppressive anarchy, freedom for the few and bondage of the many". The Right, he said, resembled an apprentice magician who had unleashed forces beyond his control.

Socialists, faced with the internationalization of capitalism, had to become international themselves by concentrating on the following points - protection of the environment and jobs, development of health and social welfare and the safeguarding of common systems of principles.

[02] Greece to co-operate with Kazakh oil, gas industry

Almaty, Kazakhstan 04/07/1997 (Reuter/ANA)

"We are interested in productive co-operation which will be mutually profitable," Mr. Pangalos told reporters after meeting Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev at the end of a two-day official visit to the Central Asian state.

Kazakhstan - a country five times the size of France and with a population of just 16.7 million people - is attractive because of its huge oil and gas reserves, the minister said. "Greece is buying important volumes of gas from Kazakhstan, and we s hall also buy oil. We are planning a big pipeline from Novorossiisk to (the Black Sea port of) Burgas in Bulgaria and then to the Mediterranean," he said.

Russia's Black Sea port of Novorossiisk is the destination of an oil pipeline due to be built by the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) from Kazakhstan's huge Tengiz oil field, in line with an agreement signed in May this year.

The CPC deal allows full project financing and construction on the $2 billion project to proceed. CPC will build a 1,500 km (940 mile) pipeline from Tengiz to Novorossiisk to transport it later to international markets.

The CPC pipeline - to be built by Russia, Kazakhstan, Oman and eight large oil companies by the end of 1999 - will have an initial capacity of 28 million tons a year (560,000 barrels per day) and a peak of 67 million tons a year (1.34 million barrels per day).

Mr. Pangalos did not specify the size of Greek investment in the project aimed at extending the CPC pipeline, or when it would start and how much oil his country would buy.

Both Kazakhstan and Greece are dissatisfied with the level of their commercial relations, although foreign trade jumped last year to $16.5 million from $4.26 million in 1995.

[03] Kranidiotis meets with Omonia president

Athens, 04/07/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Lambovitiadis thanked Mr. Kranidiotis for Greece's solidarity towards Albania, and the ethnic Greek minority in the country during the difficult times experienced by the neighboring country.

On his part, Mr. Kranidiotis announced the foreign ministry's decision to grant financial support for the family of a murdered guard at the Greek consulate in Gjirokaster.

[04] KKE's Papariga in Madrid

Athens, 04/07/1997 (ANA)

Disbanded". The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) will be represented by its Secretary General Aleka Papariga, who will head a KKE delegation to the meeting. Ms Papariga will also speak against the expansion of NATO at an open meeting in the Spanish capital on Sunday.

[05] US awaiting for decision on Aegean, State Dept. says

Washington, 04/07/1997 (ANA - T. Ellis)

US State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns said "we believe that any measures to reduce tension that can be agreed and applied in the Aegean must be implemented by both sides. But we do not have an agreement yet between Greece and Turkey, in order for us to promote these initiatives."

Mr. Burns added that confidence-building measures (CBMs) in the Aegean were still being discussed under the aegis of NATO, while there was no concluding agreement yet.

"We must await the completion of these talks," he said, adding that "Greece must be given time to evaluate Turkey's public statements". He was referring to Ankara's unilateral decision announced earlier this week to limit its military activity in the Aegean between July 1 and Aug. 15.

Athens responded with reservation to the announcement, insisting for a three-month moratorium on military overflights in the Aegean.

[06] Turkish reaction over Greek rejection

Istanbul, 04/07/1997 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

An announcement by the Turkish foreign ministry said "we express regret and concern" because Greece, invoking "the law, its sovereign rights and its international commitments" rejected the proposals "which the Secretary-General of NATO was processing with patience for two months."

Turkey will unilaterally implement the measures proposed by the Secretary-General from July 1 until Aug. 15 "as an indication of its goodwill", the Turkish announcement said and called on Greece to honor the proposals and contribute to a decrease in tension in the Aegean.

[07] G. Papandreou confers with Dutch ambassador

Athens, 04/07/1997 (ANA)

Another subject of discussion was the Greek and the Turkish committees of experts which have been set up to examine procedural approaches to problems between the two countries.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr. Papandreou said Mr. Wagenmakers had conveyed an invitation from the Dutch government for him to brief the Dutch parliament on Greece's positions regarding the implementation of Schengen.

On the issue of the committees of experts, Mr. Papandreou said the Netherlands was briefing Luxembourg which assumed the EU presidency on July 1.

The reports drawn up by the two committees of experts are being exchanged through the rotating EU presidency which, up until July 1, was held by the Netherlands.

[08] Tsohatzopoulos, Ruehe hold talks

Athens, 04/07/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Ruehe began a three-day visit to Ioannina on Wednesday at the invitation of Mr. Tsohatzopoulos for talks within the framework of regular contacts between the two countries. This morning, the two ministers visited the nearby mountainous region of Zagorohoria, where they trekked through the spectacular Vikos Gorge together for six hours. Neither minister wished to make statements afterwards.

[09] Reppas comments on conditions for moratorium with Turkey

Athens, 04/07/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Reppas made the statement when asked to comment on remarks by National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos in the satirical weekly "To Pontiki."

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos reportedly stated that there could be no moratorium with Turkey.

Mr. Reppas reiterated the Greek proposal for a three-month moratorium on Greek and Turkish military activity in the Aegean during the summer months.

The spokesman said the proposal was in line with international law and "common sense."

"If the Greek proposals are not accepted," he added, "there can be no progress."

[10] Tsatsos rapporteur on IGC report committee

Brussels, 04/07/1997 (ANA)

The report, on the results of the Amsterdam Intergovernmental Conference, will provide the basis for the European Parliament's avis regarding the revised Treaty which was finalized during the Amsterdam summit after long consultations. The report is due for approval by the European Parliament on 19 November.

[11] Stoyanov continues contacts in Greece

Athens, 04/07/1997 (ANA)

The two men also had a "broad exchange of views", according to reports, and ascertained that with the restoration of the spirit of confidence the two countries had "achieved significant results in the area of bilateral co-operation".

They told a press conference afterwards that the constantly rising co-operation between the two countries was confirmed by the fact that their friendly relations were based on "solid and lasting foundations", which were developing at "satisfactory rates" to the benefit of both countries.

Mr. Kaklamanis said Greece would provide every assistance for the materialization of Bulgaria's efforts to be integrated into European Union and NATO structures.

On his part, Mr. Stoyanov said Bulgaria would require the assistance of its friends to realize its target of participation in the EU and NATO.

Both sides agreed to advance bilateral agreements regulating the use of the Nestos River waters and the opening of three new customs posts on the Greek-Bulgarian border.

Mr. Kaklamanis said Parliament would place priority on ratifying all the agreements to be signed between the two countries in both the economic and political sectors.

Regarding the proposed Burgas-Alexandroupoli oil pipeline, they agreed that the relevant procedures should be accelerated as should activity of a group of experts reviewing the pipeline project.

Mr. Stoyanov arrived yesterday afternoon in Thessaloniki and met with Macedonia-Thrace Minister Philippos Petsalnikos. Today he will visit the monastic community of Mount Athos before returning to Sofia in the afternoon.

[12] Gov't

Athens, 04/07/1997 (ANA)

"All bilateral issues have been raised during the meetings, including the Burgas-Alexandroupoli oil pipeline, the opening of three new border posts and the management of the Nestos River waters," Mr. Reppas said.

The spokesman described as an important development Bulgaria's stated intention to return a rare 18th century manuscript stolen from a Mount Athos monastery in the mid 1980s.

The 1762 manuscript "Slavo-Bulgarian History," written by Paisios Hiliendarios at the Agios Zografos Monastery has been on display at the National Historical Museum in Sofia since September 1986.

Asked whether Greece would propose Bulgaria's accession to NATO in the first phase of the alliance's enlargement, Mr. Reppas said that Athens would reiterate its support for the accession of Bulgaria and Romania at the forthcoming NATO summit in Madrid.

Replying to other questions on the presence in Greece of illegal immigrants from Bulgaria, Mr. Reppas said Athens and Sofia would sign a bilateral agreement once a census had been completed regarding foreigners living in Greece.

The census, which primarily concerns Albanian nationals, both legal and illegal, is expected to get underway in September and be completed by the end of the year.

[13] V. Papandreou-Bakardjiev talks

Athens, 04/07/1997 (ANA)

During the meeting, it was agreed that a meeting of experts should be held in Sofia on July 17 and 18 to determine the specifications for the study to be carried out for construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupoli oil pipeline.

It is estimated that all procedural matters will have been completed in September so that tenders may be issued for the study - to be 75 per cent financed by the INTERREG II program, private investors and the Greek side.

Ms Papandreou also stressed that southeast Europe should develop into a region of peace, economic co-operation and development and become part of the inter-European networks.

"The European Union should formulate an overall policy for southeastern Europe, in order to promote economic and political co-operation," she said.

Mr. Bakardjiev agreed with Ms Papandreou on the need to further develop relations between the two countries and promote co-operation between the countries of southeastern Europe.

In particular, the two officials discussed upgrading the link-up of power and natural gas networks, as well as further action aimed at advancing the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupoli oil pipeline. Mr. Bakardjiev accepted an invitation from Ms Papandreou to visit Greece again in order to discuss all bilateral co-operation issues in depth.

[14] Tempi railway tunnels meet up

Athens, 04/07/1997 (ANA)

The event will be held at 10 a.m. by the "Tempi" consortium and will also be attended by National Economy Under-secretary Christos Pachtas and the director of the European Union's Cohesion Fund Jean-Francois Verstrinne.

The Tempi tunnel, at 5,000 meters long, as well as the other projects being carried out along a distance of 12.5 km, constitutes one of the main infrastructure works in the country, being constructed by the Greek Railway Organization (OSE) and with financing by the European Union's Cohesion Fund together with national funding.

[15] No British beef channeled into Greece

Brussels, 04/07/1997 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

This was stated by European Commission representatives in Brussels yesterday, who stressed that on the basis of existing evidence the quantities of British meat, which were illegally exported to other countries despite the embargo imposed due to "mad cow" disease, were channeled primarily to Belgium and the Netherlands, without possessing evidence for other countries.

Greek diplomatic sources noted that they have no evidence concerning the possibility of exports being made to Greece and that on the part of the EU commissioner in charge of consumer affairs, Commissioner Emma Bonino, Greek authorities were not informed in connection with this possibility.

[16] Conflict between Ministers denied

Athens, 04/07/1997 (ANA)

He was responding to questions on press reports alleging a difference of opinion between the two ministers regarding the exploitation of beach areas administered by the National Tourist Organization of Greece (EOT).

"Different points of view between organizations supervised by ministries does not mean differences between ministers," Mr. Reppas said. "The relations between ministers are tried on a daily basis. Wherever there is activity, there can be conflict."

[17] Charter arrivals up, but problems remain hoteliers say

Athens, 04/07/1997 (ANA)

Using figures from arrivals at airports throughout Greece for June, the federation warned that the increases did not preclude a drop in prices offered by tour operators.

According to their data, the largest increase in June was observed at the airport of Irakleio, Crete, where arrivals rose 20 per cent in June, compared to the same month last year.

At other destinations, tourist arrivals seemed to increase for Samos (up 7.5 per cent); decrease in Mytilini (down 0.9 per cent) while an increase of 1 per cent was noted for Corfu.

May also posted increases compared to figures from the same month last year in terms of charter arrivals. Specifically: Athens (9.8 per cent); Thessaloniki (15.9 per cent), Irakleio (6.4 per cent), Corfu (1 per cent), Rhodes (13 per cent), Zakynthos (8.7 per cent), Kos (16.7 per cent) and Samos (1 per cent).

Despite the increases, however, the hoteliers' federation warned that long-term infrastructure deficiencies in tourism policy had led to a drop in prices and an increase in lower-income tourists, while calling on the government to take measures immediately "before we are led to irreversible conditions".

[18] Greek, Bulgarian businessmen meet in Athens

Athens, 04/07/1997 (ANA)

The Bulgarian delegation of 10 included the president of the Sofia chamber and the Bulgarian embassy's trade attachi, who met with the local chamber officials and discussed, among others, the overland transport of goods between the two countries.

The business delegation is visiting Greece on the occasion of an official visit to Greece by Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov.

[19] Olympic raises prices on domestic routes

Athens, 04/07/1997 (ANA)

The state-owned and managed national carrier said it based its decision on a number of trade and commercial factors, such as an increase in fuel costs, which it said rose by 43 per cent, and competition from other forms of transportation.

On the other hand, the OA board also decided to apply a system of discounts for certain categories of passengers. Among others, a 20 per cent discount for children between 2-12 years of age, a 20 per cent discount for young people between 12 and 24, a discount ranging between 25-40 per cent for families with at least three persons and through fares with a discount ranging between 21-47 per cent for each passenger using a combination of domestic flights via Athens.

The new increased prices for some popular destinations are as follows:

Athens-Hania 16,900 drachmas; Athens-Irakleio 18,500; Athens-Thessaloniki 24,000 (business class); Athens-Thessaloniki 18,600 (economic class); Athens-Kos 18,000; Athens-Rhodes 21,500; Athens-Corfu 17,300; Athens-Mykonos 15,700 and Athens-Santorini 18,8 00 drachmas.

[20] Rhodes officials warn OA over air fares

Athens, 04/07/1997 (ANA)

The Rhodes Municipal Council unanimously took the decision after recent announcements that OA will increase its domestic fares by 9.5 per cent, while the increase for the Athens-Rhodes route would be 12.5 per cent. Rhodes Mayor Georgios Yiannopoulos charged that "Olympic Airways is continuing to perpetrate a blatant injustice against the island, which is seriously harming the island's tourism and making the movement of residents too expensive."

Mr. Yiannopoulos said the one-way air fare from Athens to Rhodes is presently 20,000 drachmas, while the corresponding tickets for the Athens-Corfu and Athens-Alexandroupoli routes, which take the same time, cost 16,000 and 14,000 drachmas, respectively .

The municipal council also decided to place itself at the head of protest actions and at the same time lodge appeals with the Council of State and, if necessary, the European Union.

[21] Pharmacists decide on another strike

Athens, 04/07/1997 (ANA)

The decision came after a "fruitless" meeting between representatives and a government committee of ministers responsible for the new measures the pharmacists are protesting against.

The pharmacists are demanding the immediate payment of moneys owed by health funds to pharmacists and at the reduction in profit margins for sales.

Meanwhile, a strike by hospital doctors in Athens and Piraeus will continue until July 9 , to press demands for better wages and changes to a forthcoming health bill.

The Athens Medical Association yesterday called on the health ministry to "change its intransigent stance, to speak to doctors and to not go ahead on voting on the new bill in Parliament's summer session".

[22] Papantoniou, ADEDY discuss incomes policy

Athens, 04/07/1997 (ANA)

The meeting was held to discuss the issue of collective bargaining agreements between the government and ADEDY to define incomes policy as of 1998.

"The main issue between the government and ADEDY is whether wages will be the focus of negotiations. Unfortunately, we see that the government is unprepared and consequently we have the feeling that it is backtracking on its promises," Mr. Koutsoukos said.

He said the minister had promised to have the government's response next week. "We hope by then that the government will have improved its position," Mr. Koutsoukos said.

The ADEDY presidium was also scheduled to meet with the interior minister later in the day on the same issue.

[23] EOT staff against new bill

Athens, 04/07/1997 (ANA)

The employees called on minister Vasso Papandreou to withdraw the bill from Parliament and to begin talks with them, or they would immediately begin industrial action.

"The bill effectively leads to the abolition of the Greek National Tourist Organization," representatives said.

They particularly opposed the planned establishment of two companies: one to handle the organization of the Athens Festival and artistic festivals; and the other to administrate EOT's holdings. They said the latter company would simply be a revenue-collecting venture and of no developmental value and lead to the "sell-off of EOT's property".

They also objected to the failure of the bill to include EOT workers in a projected National Council on Tourism and to the transfer of responsibility for tourism to regions and prefectures, leading to "arbitrary transfers of staff".

The president of the EOT employees' organization Panayiotis Pagios said EOT staff were being treated "like slave labor", with no regard for their rights in case of any privatization of the units in which they are employed.

Workers also criticized the administration of EOT for "experimenting and indecisiveness in the handling of Community resources, resulting in low absorption rates in the tourism sector".

[24] Cohesion Fund allocated $2.8 to EU's poorest states in '96

Brussels, 04/07/1997 (Reuter/ANA)

In its 1996 Cohesion Fund annual report, the European Commission says the EU subsidies given to Spain, Portugal, Greece and Ireland last year led to the creation of approximately 74,100 new jobs.

The ECU 15.15-billion ($16.97 billion), six-year Fund was set up in 1993 to help the so-called cohesion countries catch up with their richer partners in time for the third stage of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) - the introduction of a single currency - in 1999.

The 1996 report indicates that for the first time, EU funds were split almost equally between environmental and transport projects.

This is likely to please the European Parliament, which has consistently complained that too much money is being spent on road schemes, and not enough on urban waste, sewage treatment, conservation and programs to cut industrial pollution.

The EU assembly has yet to give its opinion on the way Cohesion Fund money was spent in 1996.

In a report last week on the use of the 1995 Cohesion Fund, the Europarliament slammed Spain, which receives over half of the Fund's budget every year, for stretching the definition of environment schemes to cover new park benches in the middle of Barcelona.

[25] Greek industrial output up 3.1 pct in April

Athens, 04/07/1997 (ANA)

Industrial output was 3.1 percent higher in April year-on-year against the corresponding month last year.

[26] Greek equities slip, finish below 1,500 pts

Athens, 04/07/1997 (ANA)

The general index closed at 1,493.53 points, down 0.67 percent, in subdued trading. Turnover was a thin 9.8 billion drachmas.

Most sector indices ended lower. Banks fell 1.45 percent, Leasing was 1.85 percent off, Insurance eased 1.14 percent, Investment ended 1.01 percent down, Industrials rose 0.22 percent, Construction fell 1.57 percent, Holding increased 0.86 percent and Miscellaneous dropped 0.95 percent.

Traders said the market would remain on a short-term downward correction on worries over inflation and reports of new financial problems faced by a number of brokerage firms.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 150 to 57 with another 20 issues unchanged.

Remek, Chalyps Cement, Viohalco and Keranis scored the biggest gains, while Lambropoulos, Doudos, Bank of Central Greece and Ergodata suffered the heaviest losses of the day.

National Bank of Greece closed at 33,300 drachmas, Ergobank at 16,500, Alpha Credit Bank at 18,010, Titan Cement at 13,885, Intracom at 11,650 and OTE at 6,385.

[27] ECU 1.5 million for drinking-water supply network in Greece

Athens, 04/07/1997 (ANA)

The project to establish a drinking-water supply system in Veria in the Greek region of Central Macedonia involves in particular a network of pipes stretching 48.8 km.

The project will contribute towards sound management of drinking-water resources, enhance the quality of life and improve the health of the inhabitants by helping to raise the quality and the quantity of water available.

The work is scheduled to be completed by the end of 1997.

[28] Commission takes Greece to Court for sex discrimination

Athens, 04/07/1997 (ANA)

This legislation conflicts with European Union law concerning social security and equal pay. Female employees suffer discrimination compared to their male colleagues with regard to the method of calculation of their pensions.

The infringement specifically concerns discrimination against women employees of the IKA and their right to a marriage allowance from their employer under collective agreements negotiated at both branch and national level.

Although this discrimination was abolished with effect from 1st January 1989, its effect continues to be felt. This is because the marriage allowance is taken into account when calculating the pension payments of IKA employees so that women who qualified for a pension before 1st January 1989 or who took advantage of early retirement before this date continue to suffer discrimination compared to their male counterparts, as they did not qualify for a marriage allowance before this date.

Female employees of DEH suffered the same problem concerning a family allowance until the relevant legislation was amended following a Greek High Court judgment. The discrimination was abolished with effect from 2nd September 1983 but not with retrospective effect to 1st January 1981 as required by Community law.

[29] Greece joins UNESCO group on intellectual property rights

Athens, 04/07/1997 (ANA)

The committee adopted a Greek proposal for a survey to be conducted on the protection of intellectual rights, recognized by the Pact of Rome in 1996.

UNESCO's general director for intellectual property rights welcomed Greece's interest in implementing international agreements on the protection of artists' property rights.

Representing Greece at the meeting were the general director of the Intellectual Property Rights Organization, the country's permanent representative at UNESCO, and a culture ministry adviser.

[30] Dolphin observation program

Athens, 04/07/1997 (ANA)

This year's research program on "Observation and Recording of Cetaceans (marine mammals)", mainly focusing on the rare "delphinus delphis" dolphin, encompasses research voyages for 11-member groups of volunteers from July 26 to August 6, August 19-30, August 31-September 11, and September 12-23, according to oceanographer Emilia Drouga, coordinator of the program.

The Society, a non-profit organization, has chartered a 14-meter wooden sailboat with engine with accommodation for 12 people, and which has been equipped for observing and recording dolphins. The cost per person for a 12-day voyage is 80,000 drachmas, covering docking fees, fuel, boat and passenger insurance and board.

The research program will be based on the island of Lefkada, while the sailboat will dock each night at a different port in the Ionian.

Ms. Drouga told the ANA that most species of dolphins live in the Ionian Sea, and after the training voyages conclusions will be released on the life and behavior of the dolphins.

People interested in the program should contact the Society at 201 Thessalias Street, 13231 Petroupolis, Athens.

End of English language section.

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article