Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-02-03

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece-Albania-FYROM summit declare cross-border Balkan Prespes Park natural reserve

[02] Papandreou, Pickering discuss developments in Kosovo, Balkans

[03] Athens says Cem comments undermine Cyprus solution efforts

[04] Foreign, defense ministers brief parliament on latest developments

[05] Clerides says aim of proximity talks is not to create a confederate state but to amend Constitution of Cyprus

[06] Solana, Cem meet and discuss EU-Turkish military affairs

[07] Greek Journalists' delegation to visit Ankara

[08] Turkish nat'l assembly establishes friendship committee for Greece

[09] Gov't spokesman on election date announcement by PM

[10] Greek armed forces chief to visit Egypt

[11] Stocks end up in roller-coaster trade

[12] Dollar edges down vs. drachma

[13] OA's Spata airport flights begin March 1, 2001

[14] Gov't soon to detail plan for creation of mutual fund manager

[15] Futures rise in Athens derivatives market

[16] Capital Market Commission issues regulations for New Stock Market

[17] Limited buying interest seen in bonds

[18] Australian politician calls for return of Parthenon Marbles

[19] Laliotis takes initiative in preventing hooligan damage to new Metro

[20] Greek high school students smoke, drink with abandon

[21] Greek antiquities to go on display at Spanish exhibitions

[01] Greece-Albania-FYROM summit declare cross-border Balkan Prespes Park natural reserve

Athens, 03/02/2000 (ANA)

Simitis and his counterparts Ilir Meta of Albania and Ljubco Georgievski of FYROM, made the declaration of the "Balkan Park of Prespes" in the area of Prespes Lakes, one of Greece's most important wetlands, on Wednesday to coincide with the celebration of International Day for Wetlands.

The natural reserve, extending into Albanian and FYROM territory, is part of efforts to protect the quality of the lakes' waters, safeguard wildlife and bio-diversity, develop an integrated and sensitive approach to tourism in the area, and boost maintenance and promotion of traditional architecture and Byzantine and post-Byzantine monuments in the region.

Simitis said after the meeting that Greece today found itself in a special position with respect to both "its developmental course and its position on the wider economic and political map of the Balkans".

The positive course of the Greek economy just before its entry into the European Union's economic and monetary union (EMU) was a "guarantee for a steady and continuous developmental course," he said.

At the same time, he added, Greece's presence "as an EU member state in the southern Balkan region constitutes a point of reference for peace and stability aiming at peaceful coexistence in and reconstruction of the region".

"The proclamation anticipates close cooperation between the three countries aimed at the wise management and protection of the region's natural resources, to safeguard its unique cultural and environmental characteristics," Simitis said.

Simitis said Prespes could constitute an example of cooperation and peaceful coexistence between the countries.

He announced that a multinational educational and research center will be created at Prespes at Greece's initiative to study and monitor the ecosystem and other educational parameters, in the framework of the 3rd Community Support Framework's implementation. The Balkan park's multinational educational and research center will absorb funds amounting to 500 million drachmas.

Simitis said the creation of the center is a "gift to the land", adding that Prespes is a meeting point between three countries and an intersection for cultural exchange.

Meta said the initiative should be considered a rapprochement between the region's peoples and countries. He added that Albania commits itself to contribute, apart from environmental protection, to the achievement of targets set in the stability pact which are related to democratization, economic growth and an increase in security in the region.

Georgievski said it is the duty of the citizens of the world to adopt the "patriotism of the planet" to avert environmental destruction all together through ecological actions. He added that the example of Prespes should constitute an example for the entire planet and that the region was also suitable for the development of economic and tourist activity. He further said that the three countries could create a Balkan green zone, through a momentous agreement, to enable promotion of the principles of ecology and environmental protection.

The three Prime Ministers held brief talks on general issues on the sidelines of the proclamation's signing. The content of the talks was not disclosed.

[02] Papandreou, Pickering discuss developments in Kosovo, Balkans

Athens, 03/02/2000 (ANA)

In statements to the press, the Greek minister referred to common goals for stability in the region and respect for UN resolutions, democratic procedures and human rights. He also emphasized Washington's interest in bilateral cooperation for Balkan reconstruction.

In terms of bilateral relations, Papandreou expressed his satisfaction with negotiations on an agreement regarding the status of employees at a base leased by the United States in Crete. Other agreements in the final stages, Papandreou said, include cooperation among law enforcement agencies and protection of copyright.

On his part, Pickering expressed satisfaction over progress in bilateral negotiations, while in answer to a question over Washington's position regarding sanctions against Yugoslavia, he said the United States considers the maintenance of such measures as significant, "...as long as (Slobodan) Milosevic is in power".

Additionally, Pickering told reporters that he briefed Papandreou on his conclusions following his tour of the region, especially Albania, Slovenia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

He also said Washington supports the current Montenegrin leadership without, however, "believing in Montenegro's independence."

Finally, the Greek minister concluded that he stressed to the US diplomat Greece's position over the "principle of no changes in the borders of the Balkans as a precondition for stability in the greater region."

Pickering meets Tsohatzopoulos and Karamanlis: Visiting US Undersecretary of State Thomas Pickering on Wednesday met Greek Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos and main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Costas Karamanlis.

According to reports, Tsohatzopoulos and Pickering discussed bilateral issues and developments in the region. The two men did not comment on their talks.

US official foresees extended military presence in Kosovo, lauds Greece's role in SE Europe: US Undersecretary of State Thomas Pickering told an audience in Athens on Wednesday that he foresees the presence of foreign troops in the strife-torn Yugoslav-province of Kosovo for "some time".

"We look forward to elections in Kosovo soon and the transfer of power to local authorities," Pickering, on the final leg of an 11-day, eight-nation tour of southeast Europe said in the Greek capital, and in response to a question following an address.

Earlier, the veteran US diplomat held talks with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou and other high-ranking government officials.

"In Kosovo we stood together to defend a new Atlantic community - one that encompasses east as well as west, one that is based on democracy and human rights, market economics and cooperative security...This conflict imposed great hardships on the people of southeastern Europe and their neighbors... During our united campaign, we understood the reasons for the Greek objections and worked to take them into account," Pickering told the audience of government officials - including Alternate Foreign Minister Christos Rokofyllos and Deputy Foreign Minister Grigoris Niotis - diplomats and college students.

"We do not want to have to go to war in this region ever again. Our goal is to address actively the causes of conflict and to transform the region, so that that horrors of the Balkan wars are never repeated," Pickering said, stressing throughout his address Washington's increased interest in promoting SE European stability and progress with Athens' support and cooperation.

"Greek resources, ideas and energy are essential if we are to achieve durable success in the Balkans. Greece's positive role in the SE defense ministerial is helping Balkan militaries advance toward western and civilian authority. As the sole member of NATO and the EU, Greece has a unique position to lead constructive change," he said.

He also described progress on the highly touted SE European Stability Pact as "respectable" while listing the various initiatives and economic efforts made for the Balkan states - sans Yugoslavia, where he referred to "unity against the authoritarian Milosevic regime".

Asked about Washington's view regarding Turkey's European prospects, he emphasized that the United States "believes Turkey has a role to play in Europe, while progress has been made in meeting EU criteria, with more needed."

In his address, he noted: "We are heartened, too, that Greece and Turkey have made tremendous progress over the past year. The EU Helsinki summit added new, positive momentum to Cyprus and to Greece-Turkey relations...The impact of this progress extends far beyond the immediate region. A durable peace in the Aegean and in Cyprus, based on respect for international law and safeguarding democratic rights, will be a powerful force for regional stability and development."

[03] Athens says Cem comments undermine Cyprus solution efforts

Athens, 03/02/2000 (ANA)

"(Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail) Cem's statements... not only do not facilitate the efforts of the international community to resolve the Cypriot problem but, I would say, undermine them," Reppas said.

Cem was reported as saying there could be no resolution of the Cyprus problem without recognition of the occupied territories of Cyprus as a separate state.

Only Turkey recognizes the protectorate in the north, run by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

But, Reppas added, such statements should not stand as a hindrance to efforts to resolve the problem of the division and occupation of the island republic.

"We believe that the prerequisites - more than at any other time - are close for us to reach a final, viable, just and functional solution to the Cyprus issue.

"We are contributing in this direction. It remains to be seen if Turkey does the same," he said.

Cem arrives in Athens on a visit to sign a series of bilateral agreements on Thursday.

[04] Foreign, defense ministers brief parliament on latest developments

Athens, 03/02/2000 (ANA)

Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos briefed the parliamentary foreign affairs and defense committee on the stance taken by the Greek government in recent talks between the Greek and Turkish foreign ministers as well as the new framework created in bilateral relations since the EU summit in Helsinki.

Both Tsohatzopoulos and Papandreou underlined that Athens was not about to discuss with Ankara issues related to Greece's sovereignty and stressed that bilateral issues and the Cyprus issue could be better dealt with through the prism of Turkey's accession to the European Union and its application of Community standards.

Papandreou said his talks with Cem late last month had centered on issues of mutual interest and he expressed the view that the four bilateral agreements signed in Ankara and the five to be signed in Athens when Cem arrived would have a positive effect on bilateral relations.

These agreements, which have arisen out of months-long contacts between foreign ministry officials on non-contentious issues, are "the basis on which we can build on our mutual cooperation", Papandreou said

"We have already contributed to ameliorating the negative climate which existed in relations between our two countries with our initiatives during the quakes while over the past few months more than 180 initiatives have been taken in the same direction by non-governmental organizations," he said.

Turning to the results of the EU Helsinki summit, Papandreou said that "we are poised before an extremely interesting development inside Turkey, where the pros and cons of the prospect of Turkey's EU candidacy and accession are being discussed."

The reform of Turkey's institutions, legislation and other related issues arising from this prospect will be the "wager" that Turkey must win, he said.

The resolution of the Cyprus issue and our bilateral issues will be easier to deal with if Greece can deal with a Turkey that is operating within the framework of international law and guidelines, he said.

Defense Minister Tsohatzopoulos underlined that "nothing was up for negotiation" with Turkey and that any improvement in bilateral relations hinged on a favorable outcome for the Cyprus problem.

He underlined, however, that the Helsinki summit had created a new framework in the pursuit of Greece's goals as well as ensuring Cypriot accession to the European Union and Turkey's commitment to EU standards.

Nevertheless, he added, Turkey is hoping to bring Greek-Turkish relations to its own level and is putting forward issues that go beyond those of the 1988 confidence-building measures contained in the Papoulias-Yilmaz memorandum.

"We have no objection to discussing any issue, but not issues of sovereignty, or issues related to if our airplanes can be armed or not when they fly over the Aegean," he said.

"The entire Aegean, and the Athens FIR (Flight Information Region) is a space of national security and sovereignty," he added.

Tsohatzopoulos said the goal was to consolidate Greece's advantages in a new EU-Turkey relationship so that Ankara could adjust to new standards.

This, he said, would lead to a gradual 'stifling' of incidents such as the violation and infringement of national air space. Infringements and violations continue, he added, but dogfights between Greek and Turkish aircraft have fallen by a quarter.

[05] Clerides says aim of proximity talks is not to create a confederate state but to amend Constitution of Cyprus

GENEVA, 03/02/2000 (CNA/ANA)

After informing the UN on his intention, the President issued a four-page statement in Geneva, where peace talks are taking place, making it abundantly clear that the Greek Cypriot side "is ready to negotiate a settlement within the parameters established by Security Council resolutions".

The president underlined that the situation created by the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus will never be accepted, he says the aim of the negotiations is to amend the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus from a unitary to a federal state and rules out Denktash's demand for the establishment of a confederation.

He also said that a solution in Cyprus must recognize human rights and be in line with the European Union aquis communautaire and rejects as "false" statements made by Denktash that the Security Council has endorsed exchange of property.

Replying to Denktash's statement that he will not discuss other issues before sovereignty is recognized to the Turkish Cypriots and his claims that Clerides is denying a bizonal settlement, the president said that "what we are trying to do is not to create a new state but an amendment of the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus from a unitary state to a federal state. What Mr. Denktash proposes is tantamount to the abolition of the Republic of Cyprus and the creation of two new states which also involves non-existence of the Treaty of Establishment, the Treaty of Guarantee and the Treaty of Alliance," he adds, referring to the three treaties agreed when Cyprus gained its independence.

President Clerides recalled the statement he had made at the start of the talks on January 31, clarifying four general principles guiding the Greek-Cypriots in any proposals or ideas which have been or will be made or submitted.

"The object of the negotiations is not to create a new State of Cyprus but to amend the existing Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus," the first principle reads.

The second principle outlined by the President says "the settlement must be based on a state of Cyprus with a single sovereignty and international personality and a single citizenship, with its independence and territorial integrity safeguarded and comprising two politically equal communities as defined in paragraph 11 of the Secretary-General's report (S/27780) in a bicommunal and bizonal federation."

It adds that "such a settlement must exclude union in whole or in part with any other country or any form of partition or secession" and "consequently confederation is excluded and cannot be accepted".

The fourth and last principle says that in view of Cyprus' application to join the European Union "the new constitution must be compatible with the aquis communautaire nor should it contain provisions which will prevent effective implementations of decisions of the European Union executive or legislative".

In his statement, the president says that on February 1st he wrote to the Secretary-General reiterating these positions and concluding: "Finally I wish to make it absolutely clear that as far as we are concerned the question of sovereignty is not a negotiable issue..."

Rejecting a statement by Denktash that the Security Council has endorsed exchange of property between the two sides in Cyprus, Clerides underlined "there is no resolution of the Security Council to that effect nor any decision of the Security Council".

He added that the Greek Cypriot side would also never accept "the importation of illegal settlers from Turkey which have been installed in the Greek properties, the change of the demographic character of the island contrary to the Security Council and General Assembly resolutions".

Replying to questions, the Cypriot president said he stepped out of the UN-imposed blackout on statements after informing earlier on Wednesday the Secretary-General's special adviser Alvaro de Soto, who is conducting the talks, "in order to reply to Denktash".

Asked if through their statements that the climate in the talks is favorable Kofi Annan and de Soto are defending UN resolutions, Clerides said the Secretary-General must be invited to reply to this question.

"The resolutions are there, the resolutions were not made by Mr. Annan but by the Security Council and nobody except the Security Council can say whether the resolutions should be ignored or not, and no Security Council will say that its resolutions must be ignored," President Clerides added

[06] Solana, Cem meet and discuss EU-Turkish military affairs

BRUSSELS, 03/02/2000 (ANA)

Following the one-hour meeting, Cem expressed his satisfaction over the way Greek-Turkish relations were progressing, while speaking on the Greek-Turkish "Committee of Experts" and Solana's reported initiative in bridging relations between the two countries, he said that those issues were not discussed.

"These are issues we must approach, step by step, and mainly without public discussions. I informed Mr. Solana of my visit to Athens tomorrow and the contacts I will have with the Greek leadership," he said.

Cem said, however, that "a sort of a solution has been found" on the issue of Turkish participation in the European military arm EUROCORPS, while "the issue of Turkey's participation in the New European Identity of Defense and Security, remains open".

In a related development, Turkish Anadolu news agency reported on Wednesday that during his three-day visit in Athens Cem will focus on issues concerning the European Union and Turkey's proposals on creating a joint Greek-Turkish military committee and on confidence-building measures in the Aegean.

The Turkish news agency said that diplomatic sources in Ankara would prefer greater importance to be placed on new proposals on confidence-building measures in the Aegean and believe that the memorandum signed in 1988 by former Greek and Turkish Foreign Ministers Karolos Papoulias and Mesut Yilmaz is outdated.

Anadolu also said that other issues expected to be discussed are the creation of a new Greek consulate in Trabzon and the reopening of the Halki Academy of Theology. This issue had also been raised by Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos at a reception given for Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou during his official visit to Turkey last month.

[07] Greek Journalists' delegation to visit Ankara

Athens, 03/02/2000 (ANA)

The visit will be in response to a visit to Athens by a Turkish Union delegation last December. The meeting in Athens was the result of an initiative by ESHEA in the framework of cooperation, solidarity and understanding with all professional journalistic organizations.

Similar consultations have taken place with the Union of Turkish Journalists, based in Istanbul, while meetings between delegations of the two unions are also being scheduled.

In another development, ESHEA's board will not participate in the Greek-Turkish Conference of Journalists and Media Officials, due to take place in Athens on February 5-6.

[08] Turkish nat'l assembly establishes friendship committee for Greece

ANKARA, 03/02/2000 (ANA - A. Abatzis)

Former Turkish defense minister Turhan Tayan, a True Path (DYP) deputy, has been appointed as the committee's chairman. Other deputies on the committee include Democratic Left MP Hakan Tartan - who a few years ago had promoted the notion of such a group - as well as Motherland Party deputy and author Yilmaz Katakoyuglu.

[09] Gov't spokesman on election date announcement by PM

Athens, 03/02/2000 (ANA)

In response to press questions, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said he does not know whether the premier will make statement regarding elections during a scheduled cabinet meeting on Friday, adding that the agenda for that meeting foresees discussion on tourism-related issues.

Reppas mentioned that the government does not wish to fuel current speculation over elections and also isn't responsible for such speculation. He added that the government couldnt censure those who maintain a climate of 'election-mongering'.

Finally, Reppas declined to respond to a question regarding President Kostis Stephanopoulos' remark on Tuesday, regarding which Parliament body - the current one or a newly elected - will elect the president of the republic, and which will swear-in the new head of state.

The government spokesman did, however, remind of his statement on Tuesday, namely, that the current Parliament will both elect and swear-in the president.

Stephanopoulos is expected to be re-elected as president of the republic during the first round of Parliament voting next Tuesday, as both ruling PASOK and main opposition New Democracy have announced their support for his candidacy.

[10] Greek armed forces chief to visit Egypt

Athens, 03/02/2000 (ANA)

Talks will focus on issues of common military interest.

Gen. Paragioudakis' schedule includes visits to an M1-A1 tank factory, the Almaza airbase and the Raw El Teen naval base

[11] Stocks end up in roller-coaster trade

Athens, 03/02/2000 (ANA)

The general share index held comfortably above the 5,200 level to end at 5,209.24 points, up 1.31 percent, towards the day's high of 5,242.62.

Turnover rose sharply to 381.48 billion drachmas, buoyed by block trading of more than 30 million shares in Hellenic Petroleum worth 152 billion drachmas.

Sentiment remained healthy from the previous session after European Union finance ministers approved Greece's latest economic convergence program, opening the way to euro entry; and the market began to discount early national elections.

Trade on Wednesday was fuelled mainly by demand for smaller capitalization shares. Institutional investors abroad, who have kept out of the market recently, made small-scale purchases, traders said.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks rose by 1.01 percent to close at 2,713.38 points. The FTSE/ASE MID 40 also rose by 1.01 percent to finish at 930.35 points.

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended 1.94 percent higher at 1,543.94 points.

Of 327 shares traded, advancers led decliners at 244 to 76 with another seven issues remaining unchanged.

Among shares to end at the daily 8.0 percent upper volatility limit were Alcatel, Ippotur, Yalco, Texapret, ETBA Leasing, Karamolegos, and Mouriadis.

Among shares to suffer the heaviest percentage losses were Uncle Stathis, Macedonian Textiles and Anek Lines.

The day's most heavily traded stocks were Hellenic Petroleum and the Athens Water Board.

Closing prices of selected leading shares (in Drs) were as follows: National Bank of Greece: 22,100 Alpha Credit Bank: 23,800 Ergobank: 30,210 Eurobank: 13,440 Hellenic Telecommunications Organization: 7,995 Panafon: 4,450 Hellenic Petroleum: 4,550 Titan Cement (c): 17,580 Intracom: 14,190

[12] Dollar edges down vs. drachma

Athens, 03/02/2000 (ANA)

On Tuesday, the drachma had lost 4.31 percent against the dollar since the start of the year.

At the central bank's daily fixing, the dollar was set at 341.870 drachmas from 342.590 drachmas a day earlier and 337.900 drachmas on Monday.

Also at the fixing, the euro ended flat against the drachma.

The euro was set at 332.070 drachmas, the same as the previous session, from 331.900 drachmas at the start of the week and 331.850 drachmas on Friday.

[13] OA's Spata airport flights begin March 1, 2001

Athens, 03/02/2000 (ANA)

The national carriers' chief executive, Rod Lynch, expressed his satisfaction over progress made and said that the new airport would open a new chapter in the company's future growth.

OA's board members were given a tour of Spata airport's facilities and were briefed by the airport's officials over the course of the work in progress.

The Spata airport will have an initial capacity of up to 16 million passengers annually through its 63 gates, cargo terminals and aircraft maintenance and ground support facilities.

A total of 23.45 billion drachmas will be spend for the construction of an aircraft maintenance facility, a project to build ground support facilities will cost 3.26 billion drachmas, while another 4.17 billion drachmas will be spend to build cargo terminal facilities.

Another 12.5 billion drachmas will be spent for the construction of Olympic Catering facilities, administration offices, general warehouses, an information center and an industrial waste-processing site.

All infrastructure projects necessary for OA's operations in the airport were either in a study process or under assignment.

Olympic Airways has taken all necessary precautionary measures to ensure scheduled operations by March 1, 2001, its board said.

[14] Gov't soon to detail plan for creation of mutual fund manager

Athens, 03/02/2000 (ANA)

The funds whose reserves are to be invested are the Social Insurance Foundation, the Agricultural Insurance Organization and TEBE, the country's fund for the self-employed.

Other social insurance funds may also fall under the scheme, Papaioannou added.

He said that the value of securities held by the state funds had risen by 157 percent over the last four years, and the rise was not due to capital gains as only 12 percent of reserves were invested in equities, shortly to rise to 20 percent.

[15] Futures rise in Athens derivatives market

Athens, 03/02/2000 (ANA)

A total of 555 futures were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20 for blue chip and heavily traded stocks, showing turnover of around 3.0 billion drachmas.

The contracts ended as follows: expiring February at 2,730; expiring March at 2,785; expiring April at 2,805; and expiring June at 2,798.

Futures traded on the FTSE/ASE Mid 40 for smaller, high growth companies numbered 268, posting turnover of 1.0 billion drachmas.

Contracts closed as follows: expiring February at 965; and expiring March at 966.

[16] Capital Market Commission issues regulations for New Stock Market

Athens, 03/02/2000 (ANA)

The regulations concern the obligations of listed companies, the terms of distribution of shares during public offerings, the obligations of underwriters, and the obligations of stockbrokers.

More regulations are expected on the terms regarding shareholders' equity and profitability. Sources say a company will be required to have shareholders' equity of at least 200 million drachmas in order to be listed in the new market.

[17] Limited buying interest seen in bonds

Athens, 03/02/2000 (ANA)

The benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 6.48 percent, the same as a day earlier, from 6.61 percent in the previous three sessions.

The paper's yield spread over German bunds was 101 basis points from 102-103 basis points in the last session and 100 basis points on Monday.

Trade through the central bank's electronic system was 74 billion drachmas from 66 billion drachmas a day earlier and 74 billion drachmas on Monday.

Buy orders accounted for 48 billion drachmas of the total, and sell orders the remaining 26 billion drachmas.

Traders said there was little room for the yield spread over German bunds to fall much below 100 basis points, with 98 basis points seen as the furthest it can fall.

[18] Australian politician calls for return of Parthenon Marbles

Athens, 03/02/2000 (ANA)

Jeff Kennett, the former premier of the Australian state of Victoria, home to one of the world's largest Greek cities, said the return of the Parthenon Marbles would be the "cultural discussion of the new millennium".

Kennett is in Greece to appear in a special Australian '60 Minutes' current affairs program on the Parthenon Marbles.

The friezes known as the "Elgin Marbles" were removed from the Parthenon, dedicated to the ancient goddess Athena, by British diplomat Lord Elgin with permission from the local Ottoman administrators.

Speaking to reporters at a news conference on Thursday, held jointly with Culture Minister Elizabeth Papazoi, Kennett outlined the attempts he is involved with in trying to get the Marbles back.

"The issue for the Greeks of Australia is very clear, but public opinion on an international level has to be influenced," he said.

The issue of the return of the Marbles has to be tackled, not on a legal level or through legal threats, but as a moral issue.

"It's like they had removed jewels from the crown of Great Britain," he said, underlining that the removal of the friezes was the removal of a part of a larger whole.

"We should not occupy ourselves with the historical aspects, but with the future of this issue," he added.

Kennett will be in London on Friday to hear, as he said, the British side, which will also be aired on the television show.

The members of an Australian committee formed to lobby for the return of the Marbles arrive in Athens on Thursday and have scheduled meetings with officials of the Greek government, to discuss planned action.

Gough Whitlam, a former Australian Prime Minister honored by the Athens Academy for his services to Hellenism, was invited by Melbourne's Greek community to head the campaign.

Also revealed at Wednesday's news conference were plans to publish a bilingual book on the conclusions of a specially formed committee, which looked into the care afforded to the Marbles from the British Museum.

Papazoi, asked whether there was any likelihood of her meeting with British Heritage Secretary Chris Smith, said that she had received a message from Smith to the effect that he was unable to visit Greece in January.

[19] Laliotis takes initiative in preventing hooligan damage to new Metro

Athens, 03/02/2000 (ANA)

Laliotis has invited representatives from the football and basketball sports federations, as well as leading sports figures, coaches, team presidents and sports writers to the meeting, to be held at 1 p.m. at the Syntagma Square station.

[20] Greek high school students smoke, drink with abandon

Athens, 03/02/2000 (ANA)

The study, on a sample of 4,300 students aged 11, 13, and 15 from across the country, was conducted in the framework of a worldwide study on the health of student populations, sponsored by the World Health Organization and taking in 27 European countries, Canada and the U.S.

[21] Greek antiquities to go on display at Spanish exhibitions

Athens, 03/02/2000 (ANA)

The Central Archaeological Council has approved the request for the antiquities to be sent to Spain.

The first exhibition, entitled "The Greeks in Spain - in the steps of Hercules", will be inaugurated on 15 February at the Madrid Archaeological Museum by Queen Sophia. Greece will send six ivory combs, which are housed, at the Samos Archaeological Museum.

The second archaeological exhibition, which will be inaugurated at the Barcelona Center of Modern Civilization on 6 April, will include antiquities from the Acropolis, Olympia, Thebes, and Eretria

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