Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-02-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papantoniou: Greece hopes to become EMU's 12th member in June

[02] Greek interest rates to converge with EU by euro zone entry

[03] Athens: Greek planes' flights governed by int'l rules, as opposed to Turkish air force

[04] Turkey lodges demarche to Greece over alleged harassment of Turkish warplanes

[05] NATO general secretary Robertson in Athens on Thursday, Guterres on Monday

[06] Burns notes progress on joint technological initiative for Balkans

[07] Greek Communist Party MP Mitsos Kostopoulos will not seek re-election

[08] Venizelos confident of PASOK election victory

[09] Greek stocks under pressure, end sharply lower

[10] Equity futures drop in higher turnover

[11] Bonds flaccid in scant trade

[12] Drachma under pressure from euro demand

[13] Economic forum on Balkan markets to be held in Thessaloniki

[14] Bulgarian government denies report of crisis in sale of national telecoms utility

[15] Kyriakoulis buys six new hydrofoils worth 448 million drs

[16] New firm launches Greek Internet auctions

[17] Epiphania becomes rep for Liberty Channels

[18] Greek, Cypriot state broadcasters discuss heightened cooperation

[19] Europa conference on natural disasters held in Athens

[20] German firm to publish complete works of composer Theodorakis

[21] Seven people in critical condition one day after bus-wrecker truck collision

[22] Four suspects in teen's abduction to provide testimony this week

[23] National Bank branch in Thessaloniki robbed

[24] Six-year-old boy accidentally shoots and kills his mother

[25] Arson attack on radio antennas container

[26] Preliminary enquiry continuing on Greek hackers breaking codes of US military services

[27] Cyprus doing well in its EU accession course, Rothe says

[28] Israeli business officials in Cyprus

[29] Lyssarides chairman of new Socialdemocrats Movement

[30] Syrian-flag ship sinks, crew safe

[31] 87th anniversary of Ioannina's liberation from Ottoman rule celebrated

[32] Greek-Australians are big gamblers, survey says

[33] IKA doctors begin three-day nationwide strike

[34] Hellenic Railways provide new offers in cooperation with Superfast Ferry

[35] Greek Popular Art Museum organises carnival festivities

[01] Papantoniou: Greece hopes to become EMU's 12th member in June

Greece has fulfilled all five convergence criteria necessary in order to become the 12th European Monetary Union (EMU) member this June, National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou told his British counterpart Gordon Brown during a meeting here on Monday.

Papantoniou is in the British capital to attend a conference entitled "Developments and Prospects of the Greek Capital Market", organized by the "Economist" and the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE).

The two men also discussed the course of the European economy and Greece's participation in the 'euro-zone'.

"Our first subject was Greece's participation in EMU with the submission of our application in early March and the prospect of a decision at an EU summit in Portugal, on June 20," Papantoniou said after the meeting.

He said that, following fulfillment of all five convergence criteria, there should be no problems in the country's entry procedure, while he appeared optimistic that Greece would become a member of the euro-zone in June.

Treasury Minister Gordon Brown said that the British government would not decide on the country's participation in EMU before the next general elections, due in 2002. He also said that the government would then assess all economic factors to call for a poll on the issue in Britain.

Papantoniou said that Brown acknowledged the "huge progress" that the Greek economy has made in the last few years and noted that there were prospects of significant British investments in Greece, both in the stock market and through direct investments, focusing on an effort to restructure the Balkans.

Promoting business activity was another issue discussed in the meeting, Papantoniou said.

"We share common views in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises. We believe that SMEs have a huge growth potential and create new jobs. We firmly believe that we have to support small and medium-sized enterprises to help them develop stronger through tax cuts, easier access to bank lending and creation of special guarantee funds to cover risks," Papantoniou said.

He noted that the opening of the Greek capital market to SMEs with the creation of a new stock market.

Papantoniou: Greece hopes to become EMU's 12th member in June due to begin next month, Greece would be fully accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises in raising new capital.

"This market already operates in the UK and we decided to follow this model to support the sector. Promoting young businesses is the key for the European economy's steady growth," he said.

Business activity is very strong in Greece, Papantoniou said.

The two men also discussed a discrepancy between demand and offer in the European labor market.

Papantoniou and Brown agreed to common policy platforms on many of the issues included for an EU summit agenda in Lisbon next month, such as economic reforms, market operation and liberalization, strong competition, business activity and employment.

"We agreed that all decisions should be more binding than in the past. If Europe does not move quicker to structural changes the euro would remain weak against the US dollar and the European economy will not be able to achieve the US economic performance, which managed to move with a 4.0 percent annual growth and an inflation of 2.0 percent in the last seven years. Greece has achieved this combination, with growth rates of 4.0 percent and inflation of 2.0 percent, but to maintain this performance Europe would have to improve also," he said.

The Greek minister said he did not expect a common statement on the Greek economy in next month's EU summit in Lisbon, but he expected other EU officials to express positive opinions because of a very positive climate prevailing over the last few months.

Greece's economic achievements towards EU convergence are undisputed, he stressed.

[02] Greek interest rates to converge with EU by euro zone entry

Greek interest rates will drop sharply to European Union levels by January 2001 when the country is expected to join the 11-member euro zone, National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said on Monday.

Papantoniou was the keynote speaker at a conference on the Greek economy and stock market that was attended by officials from international investment houses.

In turn, falling rates would help to attract more foreign investments and boost competitiveness, the minister told the conference.

"An acceleration in structural changes (to the economy) and major investments being rapidly implemented are reinforcing the economy's competitiveness," he said.

"As a result, new business activities in dynamic sectors are emerging, and international investors are carrying out major initiatives in Greece."

Also aiding the economy would be funding from the EU's Third Community Support Framework, reconstruction of the Balkans and the 2004 Olympic Games that Athens will host, Papantoniou said.

The improvement in Greece's economic indicators was sustainable due to the policy mix employed, and would see the country through the era after euro zone entry, Papantoniou said.

After a meeting with the chairman of the London Stock Exchange, the minister said the two countries' bourses were planning to boost cooperation as part of a wider effort by European stock markets to link their operations.

Participation by Greece would ease the movement of investment funds into the Athens Stock Exchange, Papantoniou said.

[03] Athens: Greek planes' flights governed by int'l rules, as opposed to Turkish air force

Athens stressed on Monday that flights by Greek warplanes over the Aegean are governed by international rules, whereas the Turkish air force "systematically infringes on FIR rules and Greece's national air space".

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas made the statement in response to recent comments on the issue by Turkish President Suleyman Demirel.

Regarding the Turkish head of state's remarks over Cyprus, the Greek spokesman said all interested parties active in the Cyprus issue have recorded a positive participation, "sans one: Turkey, which does whatever it can to torpedo prospects for a solution to the Cyprus problem."

Additionally, Reppas said differences between Ankara and Athens remain, while issues of sovereignty are definitely not part of ongoing bilateral talks.

[04] Turkey lodges demarche to Greece over alleged harassment of Turkish warplanes

Turkey lodged a demarche to Greece on Monday over the alleged harassment of Turkish warplanes by Greek aircraft in international airspace over the Aegean. The demarche was delivered to a Greek Embassy aid at the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

Greece on its part also protested violations of Greek airspace by Turkish warplanes.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry had notified the Greek Embassy in Ankara on Thursday about the demarche. The Turkish newspaper "Hurriyet" had published a report on "harassment" on the same day, while the newspaper had also made a similar report on February 9.

'Hurriyet': Turkey's EU accession application won't be finalised before October

One of Turkey's largest mass circulation dailies on Monday dismissed recent statements by Turkish PM Bulent Ecevit regarding Ankara's goal to begin accession negotiations with the European Union in 2002 -- followed by full membership in 2004.

"Mr. Bulent Ecevit's goal for the beginning of Turkey's accession negotiations in 2002 and full membership in 2004 is impossible to implement," the daily "Hurriyet" stated.

According to the newspaper report, which cites sources in the Turkish foreign ministry, the application for membership - a procedure directly related to the commencement of preparations for accession talks - will not be ready prior to October 2000.

The Hurriyet article adds: "The application for membership comprises a 'road map' with which the priorities of preparations for Turkey's EU entry are determined, based on political and economic criteria."

[05] NATO general secretary Robertson in Athens on Thursday, Guterres on Monday

The government announced on Monday that NATO Secretary General George Robertson will arrive in Greece on Thursday, as a meeting with Greek Premier Costas Simitis is scheduled for the same day.

Additionally, Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres, the current head of the rotating EU presidency, will arrive in Athens next Monday, Feb. 28.

[06] Burns notes progress on joint technological initiative for Balkans

United States ambassador Nicholas Burns said on Monday his country and Greece were making progress on the promotion of joint initiatives for the transfer of technological knowhow in the Balkans through the private sector.

"Ten years ago we spent our time quarrelling about the Balkans. Although we had some disagreements again last year, we are now spending most of our time thinking how we can cooperate in the most productive and positive way so as to produce in the Balkans what Greece and the US can offer, that is a measure of political stability," he said in an address to the first meeting of a six-member joint council responsible for the implementation of a 1998 bilateral agreement.

The council comprises Greek and American business leaders and academics, and today's first session was also attended by Macedonia- Thrace Minister Yiannis Magriotis and Develop-ment Minister Evangelos Venizelos.

"The year 2000 will be one of closer cooperation between Greece and the US. The existence of this agency symbolises something very important, a closer partnership between the two countries," said Burns, urging the council "to move speedily and resolutely, and in a business spirit".

The United States will be the honoured nation in this September's Thessaloniki International Trade Fair.

National Economy Ministry officials said the government had earmarked 70 billion drachmas to kickstart the initiative

[07] Greek Communist Party MP Mitsos Kostopoulos will not seek re-election

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Deputy Mitsos Kostopoulos announced on Monday that he will not be a candidate in the April 9 election in Greece.

He added that he delivered a notice to KKE's Central Committee on February 8, mentioning the reasons why he does not wish to be a candidate.

According to reports, Kostopoulos' refusal to run in the elections is due to the fact that KKE proposed to him to be a candidate in the Magnisia prefecture, in central Greece, while he had been elected for a number of years in the 2nd Athens constituency.

[08] Venizelos confident of PASOK election victory

Development Minister Evangelos Venizelos appeared confident in statements on Monday from Thessaloniki that ruling PASOK will win the upcoming April 9 elections.

In addition, Venizelos -- whose election district is in the northern Greek port city -- commented on recent press state-ments by National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos.

The latter was quoted by a local newspaper as saying that a PASOK defeat would result in a leadership issue being tabled. On his part, Venizelos said "PASOK isn't pre-occupying itself with defeatist scenaria."

[09] Greek stocks under pressure, end sharply lower

Equity prices came under pressure on Monday pushing the general index below the 5,200 level on the Athens Stock Exchange.

Traders said the market suffered from lack of fresh capital with turnover falling to its lowest level since last July.

The general index ended 1.72 percent lower at 5,186.30 points, off the day's lows of 5,164.51 points, with all sector indices suffering losses despite some buying support from institutional investors in the last half-hour of trading. Turnover was a low 148.9 billion drachmas.

[10] Equity futures drop in higher turnover

Equity futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished lower on Monday in line with the stock indices on which they are based.

On the Athens bourse, the FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 1.53 percent lower; and the FTSE/ASE Mid 40 for medium capitalisation stocks closed 2.24 percent down.

Turnover from equity futures rose to 10.4 billion drachmas from 6.7 billion drachmas a session earlier and 9.4 billion drachmas on Thursday.

A total of 1,520 contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20, showing turnover of 8.6 billion drachmas.

The contracts ended as follows: expiring March at 2,801; expiring April at 2,859; expiring May at 2,880; and expiring June at 2,880.

Futures traded on the FTSE/ASE Mid 40 numbered 546, posting turnover of 1.8 billion drachmas.

Contracts closed as follows: expiring March at 875; and expiring April at 894.

[11] Bonds flaccid in scant trade

Bonds in the domestic secondary market traded thin on Monday with players focusing on the state's 20-year paper and shunning 10-year bonds.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of about 6.55 percent, the same as in the previous session, from 6.52-6.56 percent on Thursday.

The paper's yield spread over German bunds was 98 basis points from between 97 and 99 basis points a session earlier and 95-98 basis points on Thursday.

Trade through the central bank's electronic system totalled 34 billion drachmas from 38 billion drachmas in the two previous sessions and 36 billion drachmas on Wednesday.

In Monday's trade, buy orders accounted for 16 billion drachmas of turnover and the remainder sell orders.

Of the total, the 20-year bond accounted for 12 billion drachmas of turnover, and 10-year paper 2.0 billion drachmas. Analysts said there was little room for the yield spread over bunds to fall further, and that even a central bank rate cut of 75-100 basis points, anticipated in March, would have little impact on the market. The only factor that the market had yet to discount was the extent of the rate cut, the analysts said.

[12] Drachma under pressure from euro demand

The drachma came under pressure in the domestic foreign exchange market on Monday following heavy demand for the euro, prompting the central bank to sell around 190 million euros to nudge up the national currency, which still ended lower. At the central bank's daily fixing, the euro was set at 333.600 drachmas from 333.360 drachmas a session earlier and 333.500 drachmas on Thursday. Also at the fixing, the US dollar was set at 338.050 drachmas from 338.220 drachmas in the previous session and 336.060 drachmas on Thursday.

In last Thursday's trade, heavy demand for the European single currency had also prompted the Bank of Greece to intervene, selling more than 200 million euros. The EU currency had hit 334.21 to the drachma when the central bank stepped in and demand eased.

[13] Economic forum on Balkan markets to be held in Thessaloniki

The Balkan Partnership 2000 economic forum, aimed at creating business cooperation between Greek, Balkan and European firms, will be held at the installations of the Thessaloniki International Fair on November 9-10.

Companies interested in participating should apply to the Federation of Northern Greece Exporters by the end of February at the latest. A selection will be made among them since only 40 Greek firms will be included.

[14] Bulgarian government denies report of crisis in sale of national telecoms utility

The Bulgarian government on Monday denied a report in the Greek Sunday newspaper "To Vima" claiming that a crisis had broken out lately in Greek-Bulgarian relations due to problems arising in negotiations concerning the sale of the Bulgarian telecommunications organisation BOT to a joint venture composed of the Hellenic Telecommunications Orga-nisation (OTE) and the Dutch KPN firm.

The report said the crisis had developed following a letter addressed to the Greek premier from his Bulgarian counterpart. A statement by the Bulgarian government said that no reference was made to negotiations for BOT's sale during the private meeting Bulgarian Prime Minister Ivan Kostov had with his Greek counterpart Costas Simitis on the sidelines of the recent Balkan summit in Bucharest.

[15] Kyriakoulis buys six new hydrofoils worth 448 million drs

Kyriakoulis Mediterranean Cruises on Monday announced it was buying six hydrofoils in a deal worth 448 million drachmas.

Fanis Kyriakoulis, chairman and chief executive of the company, said Kyriakoulis was buying a 80 percent stake in six maritime companies operating in the east Aegean Sea. He said the new company will be based in Athens to transform into a Holding company under the name Kyriakoulis Maritime, with Kyriakoulis holding a 90 percent stake. The six hydrofoil companies' turnover totalled 530 million drachmas last year. Kyriakoulis aims to renew and raise its hydrofoil fleet.

Kyriakoulis Mediterranean Cruises' profits totalled 470 million drachmas in 1999 on turnover of 815 million. The company seeks to raise 3.8 billion drachmas through share capital increase and a 10-for-two offer at 1,500 drachmas per share.

[16] New firm launches Greek Internet auctions

Fleamarket, a newly created company, has begun offering auctions on the Internet to the Greek market.

"We believe that electronic auctions is the process through which the market will always arrive at the fairest prices for goods on sale," said Panayotis Dimitropoulos, Fleamarket's financial director.

The company aims to attract 100,000 users by the end of the year, and make its site - www.fleamarket.gr - the country's first integrated e-commerce hub.

[17] Epiphania becomes rep for Liberty Channels

The Epiphania Group has become the Greek representative of Liberty Channels, the first European satellite tourism sales network.

Handling the arrangement is TV Net SA, which is 40 percent owned by Epiphania. The firm specialises in media marketing.

Epiphania officials told a presentation on Monday that Liberty Channels could act as a key communications tool for the promotion of Greece abroad.

Liberty provides the suppliers of tourism products and services with a low-cost, wide-ranging forum for communication with European tourists.

The channel, which began broadcasting in December 1999, is accessible to 100 million households throughout the European Union.

It carries an hourly news bulletin that announces the latest tourism offers and promotion campaigns, including hotels, airlines, car rental firms and cruise operators.

[18] Greek, Cypriot state broadcasters discuss heightened cooperation

Heightened cooperation between the state-run broadcasting networks of Greece and Cyprus were the focus of talks in Athens on Monday by top officials from the two sides.

Among the issues discussed was upgrading the networks' satellite programming as well as the provision of productions from Greek Radio-Television (ERT) to the Cyprus Broadcasting Corp. (RIK) for the simultaneous transmission over both countries' airwaves. ERT was represented by its president, Panayiotis Panayiotou, while deputy RIK general director Mihalis Stylianou represented the Cypriot broadcaster.

[19] Europa conference on natural disasters held in Athens

Interior and Public Administration Minister Vaso Papandreou on Monday chaired the Council of Europe's eighth Europa conference on issues of natural and technological disasters.

In her address to the conference, Papandreou said the 24 members of the organisation had to ensure that the pact acquired greater depth.

"We all have the obligation to give a greater depth to the agreement. Our target is always the minimisation, if not the elimination, of the consequences of disasters through mutual complementation, solidarity and assistance," she said.

The conference endorsed a Greek proposal to set up a European centre for the prevention and handling of forest fires, to be based in Athens.

On the sidelines of the conference, Papandreou signed bilateral agreements for mutual assistance and cooperation on issues of natural disasters with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Soigou and Ukraine's Minister for Emergencies, Mr. Diurdinets.

[20] German firm to publish complete works of composer Theodorakis

The German music publishing firm Schott, the biggest of its kind in Europe, will publish and distribute Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis' "complete music works", namely his partitures, after the composer signed a relevant agreement with representatives of the firm on Monday.

Theodorakis is the first Greek composer achieving the substantive reproduction of his work in this way, which will be made available, among others, through the Internet, libraries, conservatories and universities.

A total of 155 titles are included in the first list and efforts are being made to include works belonging to other publishers from Britain and Germany.

The "Intuition" recording company, a subsidiary of Schott, has distributed 10 of Theodorakis' symphonic works since 1991. It will also start a new period of cooperation by publishing his three operas "Electra", "Medea" and "Antigone" in May 2000.

"We believe that Mikis Theodorakis is the greatest living classical composer. His work is internationally renowned and we want to publish all his symphonic work," Schott's directors said on Monday.

The firm was established in Mainz, Germany, in 1770 and Beethoven himself entrusted the manuscripts of his 9th Symphony and his last quartettes with them.

Theodorakis said on Monday that he set out with symphonic music abroad in the '50s, but returned to Greece after becoming disappointed with Europe's music. He added that his disappointment with Greek politics was so great after 1981 that he confined himself to his home in Paris and completed such works as Canto General and Zorba's Ballet.

[21] Seven people in critical condition one day after bus-wrecker truck collision

Seven people remained hospitalised with severe injuries on Monday following the Sunday afternoon collision between a tourist coach and two cars with a 'jack-knifed' wrecker truck on the Athens-Lamia national highway.

Seven people were killed in the accident, while the bodies of two victims remained unidentified one day after the crash. Four of the seven victims were in the two cars that collided into the wrecker-bus entanglement.

Police said the wrecker truck, loaded with another vehicle and headed towards Athens, had overturned outside the central Greek city of Lamia, leaving its carriage protruding into the opposite lane - the portion that was struck by the Thessaloniki-bound coach.

The bus was reportedly carrying about 50 National Bank employees returning to the northern Greek city from Athens.

Police said a slippery roadway due to incessant rainfall contributed to the accident.

[22] Four suspects in teen's abduction to provide testimony this week

The four suspects arrested in connection with the kidnapping of an 18-year-old Thessaloniki teen last week will face a local magistrate on Wednesday, following their request for a standard 48-hour extension to prepare a defence.

The suspects in custody were identified as Christos Retzepis, a one-time business associate of the abducted teen's contractor father; Athanasios Kesisiklis; Stavros Galanis, and Yiannis Mihailidis, the alleged 'lookout/guard' in the kidnapping operation. According to police, all four have confessed to the kidnapping of Giorgos Peristeris.

Police said roughly half of the 44 million drachmas paid as ransom by the teen's affluent parents have been recovered, while authorities claim the rest was gambled away at the Thessaloniki-area casino and used to payoff previous debts.

[23] National Bank branch in Thessaloniki robbed

Two armed suspects made off with some 12 million drachmas yesterday morning after robbing a National Bank of Greece branch in downtown Thessaloniki.

The two masked men fled the scene atop a motorcycle, reports state.

[24] Six-year-old boy accidentally shoots and kills his mother

A six-year-old boy on Monday accidentally shot dead his mother with a pistol while she was helping a neighbour to get her car started.

Xenia Dermintzoglou-Iosifidou, 30, was at her home in Nea Karvali, in the northern prefecture of Kavala, when her Russian neighbour Regina Nasivalieva, 40, called out to her to help her start her car because her husband was away.

Xenia took her son George and sat him in the back seat of the car, next to the Russian woman, but while she was starting the vehicle a pistol her child found fired and seriously wounded her in the neck.

Regina called out for help and neighbours called an ambulance, but Xenia died before reaching Kavala hospital. The Russian woman, shocked by the accident, fled the scene and was being sought by police until late at night.

[25] Arson attack on radio antennas container

Three unidentified persons set fire to a container on Mt. Parnitha housing the transmitters of two private radio stations early Monday, police said.

They said the arsonists tied up the 60-year-old watchman, Thomas Kouroumbesoglou, and put a hood over his head, then doused the container -- containing the transmitters for Armonia and Groovy FM radio stations -- with flammable liquid and set fire to it, causing extensive damage.

[26] Preliminary enquiry continuing on Greek hackers breaking codes of US military services

Greek police are continuing a preliminary enquiry oredered by a public prosecutor last November on Greek hackers breaking the codes of US military electronic systems.

The enquiry will include a report in the Athens daily "Ta Nea" on Monday, entitled "Greek hackers struck at the heart of the US army." The report said that Greek hackers broke into the electronic computer codes of military services in Arizona, in the US, and caused the mobilisation of responsible authorities as to the type of information being sought.

The report also said that US services have ascertained that the breaking of the codes was caused by electronic computers installed at the universities of Athens, Thessaloniki and Crete. The US Embassy, it added, called on the Foreign Ministry to have Greek justice act immediately to detect the hackers.

[27] Cyprus doing well in its EU accession course, Rothe says

Cyprus is doing well in its course to join the European Union but the more accession negotiations advance, the more difficult things will get, co-chairwoman of the Joint EU-Cyprus Parliamentary Committee Mechtild Rothe said here Monday.

She further added preparations are well under way for a Committee meeting in April and stressed the need for Euro MPs to be kept informed about Cyprus' membership talks.

"It is very important for us in the European Parliament to know how the accession negotiations develop, hear about the chapters that have closed and see what is being discussed now", she told CNA after a meeting here with Cyprus' top negotiator with the EU George Vassiliou.

Noting that in most chapters Cyprus is doing very well and is ahead of other countries, she said "it is clear that there are some problems and Cyprus has to change in some sectors."

"The further the negotiations are, the more difficult this will become," she warned.

On the issue of Turkish Cypriot participation in the Cyprus' EU negotiating team, Rothe said it would be difficult for the committee to help persuade the Turkish Cypriots join the accession process as the Committee has no ties with the Turkish Cypriots.

On this issue, Vassiliou stressed that the EU negotiates with governments and not communities and added "the EU cannot talk to two voices within one country."

He said the matter was touched upon but at present there is no specific progress. The Turkish Cypriots have so far rejected an invitation from President Glafcos Clerides to nominate their representatives to be included as full members of the Cypriot negotiating team.

Describing the meeting as useful, he said it focused on the chapters already closed and those still pending and said he also discussed items which could be included in the agenda of the Committee meeting, due to take place from 17-19 April.

[28] Israeli business officials in Cyprus

Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister Nicos Rolandis on Monday outlined to Israeli businesspersons Cyprus' advantages in view of its European Union accession and said there is more scope for cooperation.

On their part, Israeli business officials, who arrived here for meetings to promote cooperation with their local counterparts, called for the signing of a free trade agreement between the two countries and acknowledged the benefits of Cyprus' geographical position and its relations with Arab countries.

Welcoming members of the Israeli delegation, comprising representatives of some 10 companies, association presidents and the relevant ministry, President of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vasilis Rologis described the promotion of business relations with neighbouring countries a "high priority".

[29] Lyssarides chairman of new Socialdemocrats Movement

Vassos Lyssarides is the president of a new political movement, the Socialdemocrats Movement, for an indefinite period of time, the inaugural conference of the movement decided here on Monday, in a lengthy and at times acrimonious debate.

In his speech to the meeting, Lyssarides criticized strongly members of the Socialist EDEK party for demanding that he set a deadline to his tenure of office at the helm of the new movement.

The veteran politician said he would lead the new movement for as long as necessary, but believes this will not be for too long.

The movement is set to have its electoral conference not later than 10 June to elect its leadership, comprising the president, deputy president and two vice presidents who will be elected by the party congress.

The general secretary of the movement will be elected by the party central committee.

"I am not and have never been a caretaker prime minister. Some of you have paid the worst service to the start of this new movement," he told a packed audience, and wondered why thoughts about his proposed presidency were not aired on the first day of the meeting (Saturday).

Responding to calls for him to assume the leadership of the movement, he said he would "for as long as necessary, but my goal is to see a new leadership emerging to take over."

The Charter of the Socialdemocrats Movement adopted a rose as its logo.

It provides for 25 per cent participation of women in the political bureau of the movement, and 10 per cent to members under 35 years of age in all collective bodies of the movement.

Party officials can serve for three three-year terms of office and deputies for three five-year terms.

The new political movement was created after lengthy consultations between the former Socialist EDEK party and the Movement for Restructury of the Centre.

[30] Syrian-flag ship sinks, crew safe

A Syrian-flag cargo ship sank early Monday as it was anchored in Vatika Bay in Neapoli, Laconia prefecture, but its eight-member crew were all safe, local harbour authority sources said.

They said the "Lina Star" sank at dawn after it took on water in its engine room as it was anchored in Vatika Bay about 1.5 miles from shore.

The crew -- one Egyptian and seven Syrian seamen -- had been picked up by a coastguard boat that rushed to the freighter's assistance.

The Lina Star had set sail from Sevastopol port in the Ukraine, loaded with sodium, for Algeria.

The sources said southwesterly winds were blowing in the region at a velocity of six beaufort at the time of the incident.

[31] 87th anniversary of Ioannina's liberation from Ottoman rule celebrated

President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos reviewed a military and students' parade on Monday in Ioannina, northwest Greece, commemorating the 87th anniversary of the city's liberation from centuries of Ottoman rule.

National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos and main opposition leader Costas Karamanlis also attended the ceremonies.

[32] Greek-Australians are big gamblers, survey says

A large percentage of the Greeks of Australia are gamblers, according to the results of a survey released by the Victorian Casino and Gaming Authority.

The study showed that nine percent of Australian Greeks are compulsive gambers and need professional help to kick the habit, while the most surprising result was that the majority of Greek-Australian gamblers were senior citizens, many of whom spend their pensions gambling and live in miserable conditions.

The Chinese of Australia were the biggest gamblers, according to the survey, with a proportion of 10.7 percent considered compulsive gamblers, followed by the Vietnamese with 10.5 percent, the Greeks in third place with 9.0 percent, and the Arabs with 7.2 percent.

According to the survey, an estimated 1.5 percent of all Australians are compulsive gamblers.

[33] IKA doctors begin three-day nationwide strike

Medical staff at Greece's largest health and pension provider, the state-run Social Security Foundation (IKA), began a three-day strike on Monday over several pay- and job-related demands.

Specifically, IKA doctors are demanding the permanent hiring of contract-staff and salaries equalling those of public hospital physicians.

[34] Hellenic Railways provide new offers in cooperation with Superfast Ferry

The Hellenic Railways Organisation (OSE) announced on Monday that its new package of offers for passengers wishing to travel to Greece and Italy by train, in cooperation with the Superfast Ferry company, applies as of January 1 this year.

On the Patras-Bari and Patras-Ancona routes and vice versa, passengers with railway tickets or Superfast Ferry tickets will be able to travel on specific routes, starting from whichever OSE railway station and with destinations in Italy - such as Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan - through Patras-Bari or Patras-Ancona and vice versa.

OSE also offers travel with a special railway coupon allowing passengers to make an unlimited number of railway trips in Italy over a period of 3-8 days, through Patras-Bari or Patras-Ancona.

[35] Greek Popular Art Museum organises carnival festivities

The Greek Popular Art Museum will organise carnival festivities in the old Athens district of Plaka over the weekend for the fifth consecutive year.

A museum official said carnival is a period of happiness and entertainment for the Greek people, adding that the specific event gives one the opportunity of watching some of Greeks' traditional customs. More than 150 volunteers will participate in the event.

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