Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-05-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] Ministers paint bleak picture of Greek drivers and road safety

[02] Church prepares to do battle over identity-card affair; this only concerns citizens and state, says government

[03] Simitis says proposal by German Foreign Minister Fischer on federalisation of Europe premature

[04] Papazoi calls for emphasis on specific sectors of Euro-Med cooperation

[05] German chancellor's defence adviser says European defence supplements EMU

[06] Tsohatzopoulos watches test firing of OSA-AKM missile system

[07] Albania's course to democracy and Europe irreversible, Former Albanian PM Nano says

[08] Stephanopoulos to depart for Canada on Saturday

[09] Parliament speaker meets with Czech premier

[10] ND spokesman criticizes governmental foreign policy handling

[11] Hearing set for slander suit brought against journalists by ND's press spokesman

[12] Parliamentary delegation to participate in Lisbon EU meeting

[13] Israel's envoy calls Stephanopoulos' visit to Tel Aviv "an event of historical significance"

[14] Tax squad uncovers VAT fraud through olive oil invoices

[15] Greek stocks end up in last-minute rebound

[16] Bonds pick up steam in heavy trade

[17] Drachma drops vs euro, rises vs dollar

[18] Greek stocks end week sharply lower

[19] Commercial Bank's net profits jump 69 pct in 1st quarter

[20] State procurements to total 794 billion drachmas in year 2000

[21] Capital Markets' Committee signs cooperation deal with Brazilian authorities

[22] OA pilots blast management

[23] Quake causes damage no injuries

[24] Second, smaller quake hits Preveza

[25] Two Albanians arrested for heroin trafficking in separate incidents

[26] Albanian police nab drug trafficker at border with Greece

[27] Rhodes court acquits gang of deaf mutes accused of blackmail and begging

[28] Sierra Leone teenager arrested for selling pirate CDs

[29] Two German sisters missing

[30] 35 Albanian agricultural experts to be trained in Greece

[31] Bakouris presents priorities of Athens 2004 committee to IOC

[32] Cyprus lead in EU accession negotiations confirmed during Intergovernmental Conference

[33] Verheugen refers to EU next enlargement target dates

[01] Ministers paint bleak picture of Greek drivers and road safety

Deaths on Greek roads annually cause a reduction in the population the size of a large village, while those injured equal the number of the inhabitants of a small town, Public Order Minister Michalis Chrysohoidis told a Cabinet meeting on Friday.

The causes of the carnage are attributed to aggressive and drunken driving, speeding, violation of safety requirements, such as non-use of helmets and seat belts, inadequate policing and the bad state of many roads.

Striking a hopeful note, Transport Minister Christos Verelis told the meeting on improving road safety that the number of road accident deaths fell by five percent in 1999, while those injured were two percent less. Particular features of the problem were that 40 percent of those killed were either motorcyclists or pedestrians, while the number of cars had doubled to 4.1 million and the number of motorcyclists trebled to 730,000 in the last 12 years.

The Cabinet debated a series of proposals for incorporation to a national road safety programme, including measures designed to improve technical control of vehicles, random re-testing of drivers, the creation of 200 traffic education parks, use of better technology in detecting violators of the traffic code and information campaigns.

Verelis also said his ministry would create more technical control stations at border posts, as a large number of cars crossing the border from other Balkan countries did not meet safety specifications. He added there would also be a review of driving licences from Albania, Bulgaria and Romania.

[02] Church prepares to do battle over identity-card affair; this only concerns citizens and state, says government

The Church will "use every legal means" at its disposal in a "relentless struggle" to convince the government to change its mind on the identity card issue, Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece said on Friday, after a meeting of the Holy Synod.

Christodoulos was referring to a decision by Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Wednesday to ignore Church objections and omit indication of citizens' religious beliefs on new identity cards.

Saying that the struggle "foreign to all forms of marginal behaviour fanaticism or bigotry," Christodoulos announced that the Holy Synod had decided to call an emergency meeting of the Church Hierarchy on June 6, at which time a final decision would be announced.

Talking about "surprise tactics" and "deception" on behalf of the government, the archbishop speculated about what lay behind these and talked about "internal and external agents" and a "small circle of non-parliamentary factors" that was misleading the premier.

The Church's position is that the religious denomination recorded on identity cards is a matter of self-definition for the Greek Orthodox faithful, and that its inclusion should be voluntary.

Reppas

Asked to comment on the Archbishop's statements, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas on Friday seemed anxious to avoid further escalating the tone of the dispute.

He limited himself to repeating that the government's position was clear, namely that the decision did not concern just identity cards and religion but every state document and all sensitive personal information.

Congratulating Christodoulos for his "condemnation [of the] bigotry and obscurantism triggered within the Church by the identity card affair," Reppas said the Church's role was "constructive" and avoided commenting on the threatened reactions, saying only that everyone was entitled to their opinions, provided they did not break the law.

The government's decision does not conceal any hidden desire for conflict with the Church, he said. The roles of the Church and the State are absolutely discrete and respected and this matter simply regulates relations between the citizens and the State. The decision, he continued, would be implemented as soon as the necessary procedures had been completed, and he made an appeal to avoid making this a central theme of public debate.

Reppas declined to comment, as is his custom, on the meeting between the Archbishop and President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and said there were no present plans for a meeting between Christodoulos and the prime minister.

Simitis

Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Friday, Prime Minister Costas Simitis said that on the issue of identity cards the government is applying a law ratified in Parliament on an issue concerning the citizen's relations with the state.

"We are obliged to preoccupy ourselves with issues on which the country's future will depend and not issues such as the referrence (in the identity cards) to religious affiliations and which is not an issue which can preoccupy society. An issue which the government will address in the near future is employment ," he said.

[03] Simitis says proposal by German Foreign Minister Fischer on federalisation of Europe premature

Prime Minister Costas Simitis said on Friday the proposal by German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer on the federalisation of Europe is very premature.

"It is very premature to reply to such a question," he said, addressing a cabinet meeting, and referred at length to the increase in the dollar's parity with the euro, saying that one should be very careful not to be distanced from targets which have been set.

Simitis expressed hope that the crisis created with the increase in the dollar's parity will complete its cycle soon.

[04] Papazoi calls for emphasis on specific sectors of Euro-Med cooperation

Alternate Foreign Minister Elisavet Papazoi said on Friday Euro-Mediterranean cooperation should focus on specific sectors in order to determine the conditions which will allow the speedier resolution of open conflicts.

Speaking at the informal two-day Euro-Mediterranean conference which ended yesterday, Papazoi also called for a speeding up of the drafting of a security charter for the region --which should be ready before the end of the year-- and of the remaining EU Association Agreements needed to promote a climate of prosperity among as many Mediterranean countries as possible.

The agenda of the conference included the ratification of the work carried out by the representatives of 27 countries for the "Charter for Peace and Stability in the Mediterranean", and exchange of views on the Common European Security and Defence Policy, EU policy for the basin and developments in the Middle East.

Papazoi said the Charter should aim to create better conditions for the resolution of problems in the area and include all the fundamental principles of international charters, particularly that of the United Nations.

Both days of the conference were dominated by the issue of the Israeli withdrawal from Southern Lebanon. Greece maintained the position that the security of the area is not promoted by military occupation, and that Lebanon and Cyprus were similar cases. Turkey's citing of reasons of security for the Turkish Cypriot population in no way justified ignoring UN resolutions and the presence of Turkish troops on the island-republic, Papazoi said.

[05] German chancellor's defence adviser says European defence supplements EMU

The European defence system is the necessary supplement for Europe's Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), Mikael Steiner, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's defence adviser, said in Athens on Friday.

Steiner, who was giving a lecture at an event organised by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, said that 1999 can be considered the birth-year of the European defence system, due to the "impetus" obtained by relevant processes and the fact that never since 1954 have European countries come so close to the idea of a common defence.

Steiner attributed these developments to the crisis in Kosovo, the introduction of the euro and the change in Britain's position, since British Prime Minister Tony Blair saw in defence issues the leading role he wanted Britain to play.

He said the crises of the past decade, such as that in Bosnia, showed the need for the creation of suitable structures for quick decisions to be taken on managing crises. He also referred to progress achieved in the sector of European defence and predicted the creation of a force of 50-60,000 men, which would be available in 2003.

Steiner expressed the Europeans' gratitude to Athens for selecting the Eurofighter warplane despite the powerful lobby of the United States in this sector. He said European defence will not be anti-American since NATO will maintain collective defence.

[06] Tsohatzopoulos watches test firing of OSA-AKM missile system

National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos watched test firings of the air defence OSA-AKM missile system and TOR shells at the firing range in Hania, Crete, on Friday.

"The firing range in Crete is now known to all Greeks. It is the only place in Europe, where test firings of high technology weaponry systems can take place, under real conditions and this provides us with the possibility to ascertain the capacity of weaponry for the armed forces, the capacity of the anti-aircraft weapons we have at our disposal," he said.

On the question of Greek-Turkish relations, he said "our country's relations with Turkey are indeed at an impressively positive point", adding that "the prospect of Turkey's accession to the European Union as a candidate member by the decision taken at the Helsinki summit has shaped a new situation, different factors which affect Turkey's position, attitude and prospect in the wider geopolitical region we are in."

"We are neighbours, we shall remain neighbours and the existence of relations of good neighbourliness, friendship and cooperation is of great importance," he said.

"Consequently, it is natural for us to utilise the new prospect of Turkey's convergence with Europe and the compulsory process of Europeanisation being imposed on Turkey to enable us to handle whatever problems exist between Greece and Turkey," he added.

Tsohatzopoulos said the country's anti-aircraft umbrella is already in full operation with the deployment of the Hawk and S-300 missiles and announced that the new "Patriot 3" systems which have already been purchased will be delivered to the country in the coming months.

[07] Albania's course to democracy and Europe irreversible, Former Albanian PM Nano says

The Albanian Socialist Party's relations with Greece's ruling socialist PASOK party, the creation of a Forum for Albanians and the coming local elections dominated an interview of Albanian Socialist Party President and former prime minister Fatos Nano, to the Athens News Agency.

Nano began by stressing that Greece, led by PASOK, has been a good neighbor and an "effective partner", adding that Greece's European Union membership aided toward the creation of such a relationship.

He added that the Greek government along with private companies and other agencies played an important and effective role in assisting Albania in its transition from the past regime to a stable and functional democracy, via the creation of the necessary institutions.

This cooperation, Nano said, will further improve relations between the two countries once the assistance programmes, investments and resources made available to Albania's administration begin to bear fruit.

During the interview Nano also outlined his idea for the creation of a Forum for Albanians regardless of their current country of residence, which will aim at facilitating the cohabitation of Albanian nationals with other peoples.

"The Forum was conceived as a political 'investment'. Its aim will be to create the necessary conditions for the cohabitation, democratization, peaceful coexistence and cooperation of Albanians with other ethnic communities, no matter where they reside," Nano said.

"This idea does not aim to create larger communities of Albanians through the change of borders," he said, adding "it is not a pan-Albanian forum, it is an Albanian Forum. The concept is to overcome artificial obstacles created by borders in an era that integration is the key, rendering borders irrelevant".

Nano also discussed the upcoming local elections in Albania, commenting on his arch-rival former prime minister Sali Berisha's accusations against Greece.

"Everyone knows Berisha's mistakes and his role, while he was in power. Everyone is aware that politicians like Berisha are only able to create problems, conflicts and conditions that destabilize the relations of Albania with its neighbouring countries," Nano said.

He added that Berisha and politicians like him "are not able to implement the necessary policies for the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of the country".

"Politicians like Berisha have no future and this should be the message of the Albanian electorate to the international community," he said, adding "I do not believe that Berisha will win these elections, but regardless of the winner, I believe that no one can destabilize this country again or block its democratic development".

"The process towards reform, stability and European integration is irreversible from this point onward," Nano concluded.

[08] Stephanopoulos to depart for Canada on Saturday

President Kostis Stephanopoulos will depart for Canada on Saturday on an eight-day official visit at the invitation of the country's General Governor A. Clarkson.

President Stephanopoulos, who will be accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Angeliki Laiou and Deputy National Economy Minister Yiannis Zapheiropoulos, will be visiting the Greek community's major centres.

Meanwhile, President Stephanopoulos received the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic M. Zeman on Thursday, who was on an official visit to Greece.

[09] Parliament speaker meets with Czech premier

Visiting Czech Prime Minister Milos Zeman, currently in Athens on an official visit, on Friday had talks with Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis. The two men confirmed the warm and friendly relations existing between Greece and the Czech Republic, exchanged views on parliamentary operation in their two countries and discussed matters of mutual interest.

Kaklamanis assured Zeman that the Greek parliament supports the Czech Republic's efforts to join the European Union and ratifies all relevant agreements. The Greek parliamentary speaker also expressed gratitude on behalf of Greece's representatives for the Czech Republic's stance on the Cyprus problem and on implementing international law and the decision's of the UN Security Council for Cyprus.

Zeman handed Kaklamanis an invitation to visit Prague, sent by the Czech parliament speaker, and thanked him for Greece's support of the Czech Republic's European orientation. He also assured the Kaklamanis that the Czech Republic's stance on Cyprus would remain unchanged.

Finally, Zeman asked to be briefed on details of the Greek election system, in view of changes to Czech electoral law being discussed at this time.

[10] ND spokesman criticizes governmental foreign policy handling

Main opposition New Democracy (ND) spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos on Friday claimed that over the past few days there has been movements of secret diplomacy and personal handling of Greek foreign policy issues.

"What's been happening over the past few days in the sensitive foreign policy sector is unprecedent," Spiliotopoulos said, adding that "concern increases even more so, following the distances taken by the defence minister (Akis Tsohatzopoulos), regarding the kind and the content of the Greek-Turkish dialogue".

He said that the government "continues to declare that the only Greek-Turkish issue is the delineation of the (Aegean) continental shelf, but if that is really the case, it should first be proven by actions taken by the ministers handling our national issues".

Spiliotopoulos also said that in such an event, the prime minister is obliged to request explanations from the responsible ministers and then to explain himself to the Greek people over the latest handling, the positions and the intentions of the government.

[11] Hearing set for slander suit brought against journalists by ND's press spokesman

The press spokesman for main opposition New Democracy (ND), 'shadow' minister of state Aris Spiliotopoulos, on Friday filed a suit against three journalists and the owner of the private 'FLASH' radio station, accusing them of slander and of orchestrating a "mud-slinging" campaign against him. Spiliotopoulos asked for one billion drachmas compensation.

Spiliotopoulos' lawyer, Haris Economopoulos, pressed charges against journalists Nikos Kakaounakis, Themos Anastasiadis and Vangelis Peris and against "the legal representative of FLASH radio station" for comments made on the journalists' programmes about Spiliotopoulos before and after the general elections in April.

A hearing was set for September 27, 2001.

Reppas

Commenting on Spiliotopoulos' decision to go to court, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said simply that "this isn't the best way to solve problems relating to the freedom of the press and the protection of character," and urged all sides to be particularly careful in dealing with these sensitive issues.

[12] Parliamentary delegation to participate in Lisbon EU meeting

A six-member parliamentary delegation leaves Saturday for Lisbon, Portugal, to participate in the 22nd meeting of parliamentary European Affairs committees of European Union members, candidate countries and European Parliament.

During the three-day meeting which starts on Sunday, delegates will discuss matters relating to the Intergovernmental Conference, enlargement and employment as well as relations between the European Parliament and national parliaments.

The all-party delegation is headed by Third Vice-President and European Affairs President Constantine Vrettos.

[13] Israel's envoy calls Stephanopoulos' visit to Tel Aviv "an event of historical significance"

Israeli Ambassador to Athens Ran Curiel said in an interview that President Kostis Stephanopoulos' recent visit to Tel Aviv was "very successful in all aspects" and "an event of historical significance."

He said that with his visit the Greek president conveyed a very positive message to the government and people of Israel that Greece and Israel can cooperate in all sectors.

Curiel attributed great importance to the successful business meeting between Greek and Israeli businessmen aimed at developing economic cooperation.

He added that with every opportunity during the meeting the Greek side expressed support for the peace process, while it appeared that the Greeks extremely appreciate Israel's positions on the Cyprus problem.

"The two peoples are compatible with regard to both the geographic and economic criterion," Curiel said.

[14] Tax squad uncovers VAT fraud through olive oil invoices

The government's financial crimes squad announced on Friday that it had uncovered a scam involving olive oil producers in Crete to fraudulently secure Value Added Tax (VAT) rebates, and possibly agricultural subsidies.

Issued were 1,500 bogus invoices worth 2.5 billion drachmas for the purchase of olive oil by farming businesses in the town of Hania, the financial crimes squad said in a statement.

The invoices were issued in the name of Stamatios Roussakis, a resident of Nikea, near Piraeus, who allegedly agreed to the use of his name by George Mellos of Athens, who was responsible for circulating the invoices, said the tax squad, which belongs to the finance ministry.

The bogus invoices were given by Mellos to olive oil pressing businesses and intermediaries for the purchase of oil from producers, and then passed on to associations of agricultural cooperatives to be listed as eligible for VAT rebates and sent to the tax office. The VAT cited on the invoices totalled 150 million drachmas.

The financial crimes squad is now investigating the possibility that the same and other invoices were used to secure farm subsidies, the statement said.

[15] Greek stocks end up in last-minute rebound

Equity prices staged a surprise rebound on the Athens Stock Exchange on Friday as a wave of buying orders for blue chip stocks during the last couple of minutes of the session reversed an earlier downward trend in the market.

Trading conditions were subdued on the last session of the week with the market finding support at the 4,550 level.

The general index ended at 4,596.70 points, up 0.79 percent, off its day's lows of 4,514 points. Turnover was a low 160 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended at 2,547.10 points, up 1.06 percent and the FTSE/ASE 40 index dropped 0.45 percent to 666.47 points.

The paralllel market index for smaller capitalisation stocks ended 0.38 percent lower at 955.91 points.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 170 to 159 with another 17 issues unchanged. Informer, Hellenic Telecoms, Lambrakis Press and Intralot were the most heavily traded stocks.

A total of 1,777 futures contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 40 index, with a turnover of 4.5 billion drachmas. The June expiring contract ended at 657.75 points, the July at 648 and the August at 637 points.

[16] Bonds pick up steam in heavy trade

Bond prices in the domestic secondary market ended higher in heavy trade on Friday, tracking European markets that welcomed a rebound by the slumping euro.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 6.109 percent from 6.22 percent in the previous session; and the yield on the equivalent German bund was 5.201 percent.

The Greek paper's yield spread over German bunds was 88 basis points from 91 basis points a session earlier.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 143 billion drachmas from 44 billion drachmas in the previous session.

Buy orders accounted for much of trade and sell orders the remainder. After early selling, buyers elbowed into the market.

[17] Drachma drops vs euro, rises vs dollar

The drachma on Friday fell against the euro and rose versus the US dollar in the domestic foreign exchange market.

At the central bank's daily fixing, the euro was set at 337.070 drachmas from 336.990 drachmas in the previous session.

Also at the fixing, the US dollar was set at 369.400 drachmas from 373.540 drachmas a day earlier.

The central bank intervened at the fix, selling more than 200 million euros to meet robust demand for foreign currency.

[18] Greek stocks end week sharply lower

Equity prices suffered sharp losses during the week under review on the Athens Stock Exchange with the market correcting itself after its spectacular rebound from the 4,250 to the 4,800 levels the previous weeks.

Dealers said the market was taking contradictory messages lately with corporate results higher than expected, but with the outlook in international markets turning negative due to a threat of higher interest rates in the US and the oil prices flirting with the 30 US dollars a barrel again.

Analysts said that any predictions on the Greek market's short-term course would be risky despite positive expectations in the second half of the year (lower interest rates, market upgrade, low P/E of the market).

They said the market would find support at the 4,550 and 4,450 points currently.

The general index ended the week 4.29 percent lower, while the week's turnover totalled 1.032 trillion drachmas to a daily average of 206.599 billion, down from 250.986 billion drachmas the previous week.

[19] Commercial Bank's net profits jump 69 pct in 1st quarter

Commercial Bank of Greece on Friday reported that its net profits rose 69 percent to 18.2 billion drachmas in the first quarter of 2000, compared with the same period last year.

Net interest income increased 32 percent to 38.9 billion drachmas over the same period.

The bank's assets were 21.4 percent higher while lending was 17.6 percent up in the period January-March compared with 1999.

[20] State procurements to total 794 billion drachmas in year 2000

State procurements will amount to 794 billion drachmas this year compared to 694 billion in 1999, according to the General Secretariat of the State Procurement Agency.

The total number of agencies in this year's National Procurements Programme is 215 (44 agencies in the state sector, 60 in the organisations' sector and 111 in that of hospitals).

About 1,600 items cover the entire phase of procurements, which are divided into 28 categories, including vehicles, medical machinery, chemical products, electric machines, factory machinery and scientific implements account for about 70 percent of the state procurements programme.

Procurements concerning the Public Power Corporation (DEH) amounting to 226 billion drachmas and local administration organisations amounting to 115 billion drachmas are carried out directly by the agencies themselves, while procurements concerning hospitals amount to 91 billion drachmas.

[21] Capital Markets' Committee signs cooperation deal with Brazilian authorities

Greece's Capital Markets' Committee has signed a partnership protocol with its Brazilian counterpart during the 25th annual conference of the International Organisation of Securities Committees (IOSCO), held in Sydney, Australia.

This year's conference was titled "International Markets-International Supervision" and discussed measures to improve supervision mechanisms in global capital markets.

The Committee, headed by its chairman Stavros Thomadakis, held talks with its counterparts from Greece's neighbouring countries with the aim to sign similar partnership protocols. IOSCO has accepted the Athens Stock Exchange as a collaborate member.

[22] OA pilots blast management

The Union of Olympic Airways Pilots on Friday called on management to take action over what the union called a decline in the company's operations that could lead to dissolution of the national carrier.

"There is an urgent need for Olympic Airways' management to take decisions immediately, with no further delay, in order to halt the decline that is leading to full-scale catastrophe for what was once a powerful national carrier," the union said in a statement. Olympic is temporarily being managed by Speedwing of the UK, a subsidiary of British Airways, whose brief is to revitalise the ailing airline and restore it to profitability.

[23] Quake causes damage no injuries

A strong eathquake jolted northwestern Greece in the Ionian seabed early on Friday causing damage to houses but no injuries. The quake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale was recorded at 04.25 local time and according to the Geodynamic Institute its epicentre was the Ionian sea.

It was strongly felt in Preveza and the prefectures of Arta, Ioannina and Thesprotia causing panic among local inhabitants. Police said several houses were damaged and three local inhabitants were taken to hospital for shock treatment. Initial police reports said the quake caused minor cracks to several houses in Preveza and nearby villages.

It was the second strong earthquake in 48 hours. An earthquake mesuring 6.0 degrees on the Richter scale also struck the seabed in the southern port city of Kalamata in the Peloponnese on Wednesday, but without damage or injuries

[24] Second, smaller quake hits Preveza

An aftershock shook the town of Preveza on Friday afternoon, 3:00 p.m.

According to Preveza prefect Dimitris Tsoumanis, residents remained calm. The second quake had the same epicentre are the stronger quake this morning.

Tsoumanis said the six families whose houses were judged unsafe would be provided with tents temporarily.

[25] Two Albanians arrested for heroin trafficking in separate incidents

A 34-year-old Albanian national was arrested in Athens for trafficking in large quantities of heroin, police said Friday.

They said they arrested Lawrence Gazoli after a tip-off, and confiscated one kilo of heroin and 4.98 million dr. in cash found in his apartment, as well as a motorcycle and a mobile phone.

They said Gazoli lived in the Pangrati district of Athens, and sold large quantities of heroin throughout the greater Athens region to other Albanians and drug dealers.

A second Albanian national was also arrested for heroin trafficking. Police said they arrested 26-year-old Buzar Arikou and confiscated 208 grams of heroin, 150,000 dr., a precision scale and two mobile phones found in his posession. In a third incident, police arrested three Pakistani nationals in central Omonia Square after 53 grams of heroin were found in their posession.

[26] Albanian police nab drug trafficker at border with Greece

A 29-year-old Albanian was arrested a few kilometres from the Albanian-Greek border carrying hashish destined for the Greek market, Albanian police announced Friday.

They said Alexander Menliki, from Tepeleni, was arrested Thursday in the town of Erseka, just a few kilometres from the Albanian-Greek border, with 133 packets of hashish in his posession.

They said Menliki had confessed to an Albanian magistrate that the narcotics were destined for the Greek market.

The Albanian police said Menliko's three accomplices were known to them and their arrest was just a matter of time.

The hashish came from southern Albania.

[27] Rhodes court acquits gang of deaf mutes accused of blackmail and begging

A Rhodes court on Friday acquitted three deaf and dumb defendants accused of blackmailing other deaf and dumb people to beg for them. The court also acquitted a further seven deaf and dumb people on charges of begging.

Rami Fayouk, 33, from Syria, Elian Fayez, 33, from Lebanon and 41-year-old Greek native Sofia Spetsieri were accused of luring deaf and dumb people from Bulgaria and Hungary to Greece on false pretexts and of coercing them into selling trinkets and begging on their behalf.

The court acquitted them after finding that there was no evidence that the three were blackmailing the other seven in the ring, nor that they were withholding their passports or beating them.

In their testimony, the other seven deaf and dumb people denied they were victims of exploitation by the three and said they had been properly paid for the goods they sold.

[28] Sierra Leone teenager arrested for selling pirate CDs

A teenager from Sierra Leone was arrested in Athens while trying to sell pirated CDs, police said Friday.

They said a 16-year-old boy -- identified only by his initials F.O. because he is a minor -- was arrested outside the ISAP train station in the Athens residential district of Kato Patissia as he was trying to sell 181 unlicenced CDs to passersby.

Police said the compact discs had been reproduced illegally, from geniuine digital discs, without the approval of the recording companies that owned the copyrights.

The boy was to be taken before an Athens minors' prosecutor on charges of fraud, accepting and selling the products of a crime, and for violating the law on foreigners, as he had no residence permit.

[29] Two German sisters missing

Two German sisters holidaying in Greece were reported missing by police on Friday after setting out to cross the Rindomo gorge in Messinia, southern Peloponnese.

The two women tourists identified as Henneore Horbaschk, 48 and Inge Backof, 49, of Erlangen, Germany, arrived at Pigadia in Messinia and on Thursday morning they set out to cross the gorge, but have been reported missing ever since.

Special army units, the local police and the local fire department began searching the area last night, but so far they have been unable to find traces of the two women.

[30] 35 Albanian agricultural experts to be trained in Greece

Thirty five agricultural experts of the Albanian agriculture ministry will depart for Greece to attend a two- week training seminar.

The training is part of the Greek-Albanian bilateral cooperation programme between the two ministries, under which 20 other agricultural experts and 15 officials of the Albanian agriculture ministry were trained in Greece.

[31] Bakouris presents priorities of Athens 2004 committee to IOC

Athens 2004 Olympic Games Organising Committee (OEOA) Managing Director Costas Bakouris presented the priorities of OEOA and the basic preparation sectors to the international Olympic Committee (IOC) in Rio de Janeiro.

During the meeting, IOC coordinating committee president Jacques Rogge noted that there has been great progress of late regarding the Games in Athens.

On his part, IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch said that the 2004 Olympic Games would gain the success, worthy of them in the city in which they are organised for the second time and in the country that gave them birth.

Samaranch said that the coordinating committee will visit Greece to be briefed, before the Sydney Games

[32] Cyprus lead in EU accession negotiations confirmed during Intergovernmental Conference

Cyprus' clear lead in the European Union (EU) accession negotiations was confirmed at Friday's Intergovernmental Conference during which negotiators met in Brussels.

At the meeting, three new chapters opened concerning freedom of movement of persons, cooperation in the sectors of Justice and Home Affairs and provisions of economic and fiscal nature. The chapter of agriculture will possibly open on June 13, on a ministerial level.

Planning Bureau General Director Panicos Pouros informed EU officials on the progress achieved by Cyprus on the three chapters and promised to reply to questions and clarifications asked during the meeting.

The EU will examine the reports submitted by Cyprus and other EU applicant countries concerning the purchase of labour and the repercussions of freedom of movement.

EU officials pointed out Cyprus' readiness and impressive progress in adjusting with the acquis communautaire. Cyprus has already closed provisionally 15 chapters, out of 29, and is in the lead among candidate states.

[33] Verheugen refers to EU next enlargement target dates

European Union Commissioner Guenter Verheugen has said that enlargement of the EU with the accession of the first new members is expected to take place during the period from 2003 to 2005.

Speaking in Brussels on Wednesday to journalists from most of the 12 candidate states, including CNA Director Themis Themistocleous, the German Commissioner, who is responsible for enlargement, said "the window for accession for those countries that are absolutely ready is 2003 at the earliest and 2005 at the latest."

Verheugen said press reports according to which Commission President Romano Prodi had declared that enlargement was due to begin after 2005 were wrong.

What was said, he explained, was that "the current Commission would like to see the results of its work on enlargement before its term of office ends in 2005. This gives you the time slot for accession of the first new members."

In his statements to the journalists, who were on a press trip to EU headquarters organised by Price Waterhouse Coopers, Verheugen recalled that the 15 member states are in the process of institutional reform of the EU, "which will allow an enlarged Community to function effectively with an increased number of members."

In his view, the reform which is being debated within the framework of an Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) should be concluded by the end of the French presidency of the EU in December 2000, in spite of what he called "serious" disagreements among the 15 members on the size and composition of the Commission, the weighting of votes and the possible extension of qualified majority voting in the Council of Ministers, and the re-allocation of seats in the European Parliament. Cyprus opened accession negotiations in November 1998.

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