Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-04-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] All efforts to resolve Mideast crisis should be combined, Greek FM says

[02] Turkish FM criticized for pending Mideast visit with Greek counterpart

[03] PM to meet NATO's Lord Robertson, EU's Solana this week

[04] Prodi tells Yilmaz EU won't backtrack on Helsinki decision on Cyprus

[05] EU expresses satisfaction over progress in Greek-Turkish relations

[06] Gov't on latest comments by Turkish FM; date pending for joint visit to Israel

[07] Greek Parliament President meets Cypriot counterpart in

[08] Protopapas: a 'crucial time' for the Euro-army issue

[09] FYROM premier to arrive in Athens for ''Economist'' conference

[10] Court to examine confiscation of German properties this week

[11] Conference on BSEC cooperation in research, technology

[12] PM meets local residents in Nikaia; gov't spokesman comments

[13] PM to spend Easter on the island of Rhodes

[14] ND leader again makes surprise clinic inspection; Gov't reaction

[15] Macedonia-Thrace minister to begin visit to Germany on Tuesday

[16] PASOK deputy calls for terrorism to top agenda of Parliament committee

[17] Airforce to buy three aircraft from Poland's PZL Athens, 16/04/2002 (ANA)

[18] Budget revenue up 1.1 pct in Jan-Feb, spending jumps 13.6 pct

[19] Christodoulakis on tax reform

[20] New Bank of Greece governor "should enjoy broader acceptance", ND says

[21] Workers, employers agree to a two-year pay deal

[22] Noted Turkish minister arrives in Thessaloniki for one-day seminar

[23] Greek presidency of EU to back links with Black Sea region

[24] Ferry fares to rise 8.0 pct, free travel to be scrapped

[25] Cyclades islands unveil new tourist strategy

[26] Greek stocks end sharply lower, turnover hits 4-year lows

[27] IOC press committee visits Greece, lauds ATHOC efforts to date

[28] Greek travel firms charge delay in Olympics tourism policy

[29] UNESCO's ICOMOS scientific council to meet in Corfu

[30] Procedures for construction of Acropolis Museum to be stepped up

[31] Greenpeace activists seize ship carrying tropical timber

[32] Spokesman says Cem's remarks confirm intransigent stance

[33] Vassiliou: We must respond calmly to Turkish threats

[01] All efforts to resolve Mideast crisis should be combined, Greek FM says

LUXEMBOURG, 16/04/2002 (ANA - Õ. Zitou-niati)

The ''15'' ministers decided to stress that the German, the French, the Greek and the Saudi Arabian proposals for ways out the crisis and for resolving the problem should be connected with each other.

''Developments in the Middle East are of immediate concern to us. We are not only there to fund efforts,'' the ministers said, speaking of the EU's funding in rebuilding areas of the Palestinian territories.

The ministers also agreed that in support to the efforts of U.S. Secretary of State Collin Powell, an international conference should be organized on the issue, with the participation of the United States, the United Nations, Russia, the European Union, and the interested parties.

During their meeting, the ''15'' expressed their support for Powell's efforts in the Middle East, within the framework of the recent decision of Madrid, where Powell began his tour of the region and the so called ''quartet'' was assembled, including the EU Spanish presidency, UN Secretary General Kofi Anan, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and of course Powell.

This decision calls for a truce, immediate withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the Palestinian territories, refraining from all terrorist actions and the beginning of a dialogue.

In evaluating Powell's efforts, the ''15'' recognized the ''difficulty of the task underway'' and stated that they were "expecting more".

Also, in an effort to exert ''symbolic pressure'' on Israel, the ''15'' decided to follow Germany in freezing all weapons' sales to Israel, calling on the EU's regulations about the relations of member-states with undemocratic states.

The ''15'' also called on the representatives of the Palestinians and Israel to a common conference with them in Valencia, Spain next week and depending on the results of that meeting, they noted that they might speed up the date of the meeting of the EU-Israel association council.

On his part, Papandreou reiterated his availability to visit, with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem, the region, as soon as developments allowed it, stressing the EU's and Greece's intervention on the humanitarian sector of the problem.

Greek, Turkish FMs hold brief meeting in Luxembourg: Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou met briefly here on Monday evening with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem who will attend Tuesday's meeting of the EU-Turkey Association Council.

According to diplomatic sources, the two foreign ministers discussed developments in the Middle East and Papandreou briefed Cem on the discussions held earlier in the day within the framework of the EU General Affairs Council.

The two men reiterated their will to jointly visit Israel and the Palestinian territories and providing there are the prerequisites, to meet Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

Early last week Papandreou and Cem agreed to jointly visit Israel and the Palestinian territory this week to mediate in efforts to end the crisis.

[02] Turkish FM criticized for pending Mideast visit with Greek counterpart

ISTANBUL, 16/04/2002 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

''It's a mistake, mistake and again a mistake,'' wrote Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's adviser Hasan Unal and called on Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit ''to stop the initiative immediately.''

''If Mr. Cem wants to do something for reasons of sensationalism he should have done this with the European Union's president, Spain and relevant EU officials such as Mr. Solana. The initiative with Greece should be prevented and Turkey's interests should be protected. It is imperative that Prime Minister Ecevit stops this initiative immediately,'' Unal said.

However, Turkish public opinion was clearly satisfied with the initiative by Papandreou and Cem on their possible visit to the Middle East.

Deeply concerned by the development of the Israeli incursion into Palestinian territory, Turkish public opinion immediately embraced the initiative which appears to respond to the demand ''we should do something.''

Diplomats are reserved over what the visit can achieve, but they also accepted the initiative.

Foreign policy hawks were opposed to the initiative from the very start, who wanted to ''utilize'' the Middle East crisis and every other opportunity to claim that two ethnic groups cannot live in peace in a unified political structure and in this way to promote the recognition of a separate ''state'' for the Turkish Cypriots.

[03] PM to meet NATO's Lord Robertson, EU's Solana this week

Athens, 16/04/2002 (ANA)

On Tuesday, Simitis will meet Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Vasso Papandreou, Aegean Minister Nikos Sifounakis and Deputy Town Planning Minister Rodoula Zisi on Tuesday at 10:00 to discuss town planning issues related to the Greek islands.

The prime minister will then meet Communist Party of Greece (KKE) General Secretary Aleka Papariga at 13:00, following her request for a meeting to discuss the crisis in the Middle East.

At 13:30, Simitis is scheduled to meet PASOK Central Committee Secretary Costas Laliotis, while at 19:00 in the evening he will hold talks with Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis in view of a cabinet meeting to review the performance of the Greek economy.

On Wednesday morning at 10:00, the prime minister will hold a meeting with the top echelons of the labor, health, finance and education ministries before an engagement to inaugurate the new administrative courts at 13:00. On Wednesday evening, meanwhile, he is to meet his Romanian counterpart Adrian Nastase, Albanian Prime Minister Pandeli Majko and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) premier Ljubco Georgievski in three successive meetings at 19:00, 19:30 and 20:00 respectively.

The following day, on Thursday, the prime minister will meet NATO's Lord Robertson in the morning before chairing a meeting of the cabinet beginning at 10:00.

At 14:00 on Thursday he will receive Solana before departing on a two-day visit to Romania.

[04] Prodi tells Yilmaz EU won't backtrack on Helsinki decision on Cyprus

BRUSSELS, 16/04/2002 (ANA - G. Daratos)

Prodi made the statement during a meeting in Brussels with Turkish Vice President in charge of European affairs Mesut Yilmaz.

EU sources said the Cyprus problem was one of the main issues discussed during Monday's meeting and that Prodi conveyed the message that the EU would in no case deflect from the Helsinki conclusions and that it wanted Ankara to actively support talks between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to solve the Cyprus problem.

Cyprus, which began accession negotiations with the EU in 1998, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. The Helsinki conclusions note, among other things, that a Cyprus settlement would not be a precondition for the island's accession to the EU.

Regarding Turkey's partnership relation with the EU, Prodi welcomed steps taken so far but urged Ankara to intensify its efforts towards the country's democratization.

Yilmaz requested that a date be set for the opening of Turkey's EU accession negotiations. Prodi refrained from any commitment on the matter.

[05] EU expresses satisfaction over progress in Greek-Turkish relations

BRUSSELS, 16/04/2002 (ANA-G. Daratos)

Regarding Greek-Turkish relations, the 15 on Monday expressed satisfaction over progress achieved, while it is ascertained that agreements signed to date have led to an increase in trade between the two countries.

The 15 state officially to the Turkish side that they expect a further improvement in Greek-Turkish relations based on the peaceful solution to their differences in the framework of international law.

They also hail the new process of exploratory meetings at diplomatic and technical level between Greece and Turkey whose ulterior aim is to achieve an overall solution to all differences between them.

Efforts made by Turkey in the direction of its democratization are also hailed, but specific reference is made to sectors in which real progress has not been achieved.

Such sectors are the restriction of freedom of expression and of religious freedoms, prosecution of the Kurdish HADEP party and the preservation of a state of emergency in certain eastern provinces.

The 15 make no reference to a specific date for a start to accession negotiations with Turkey, despite systematic and intense pressure exerted on EU countries by Ankara lately.

Speaking on the issue in Luxembourg on Monday, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou said that during Tuesday's meeting he intends to raise the issue of the need for Turkey to do all it can to enable the Cyprus issue to be resolved in a specific period of time which the European Commission has determined at the end of June to mid-July based on the new compromise proposals to be submitted by the UN secretary general.

It was also disclosed, and will probably be announced on Tues-day, that European Commission President Romano Prodi will make an official visit to Turkey at the end of May to mid-June.

[06] Gov't on latest comments by Turkish FM; date pending for joint visit to Israel

Athens, 16/04/2002 (ANA)

In an interview published by the "Ependytis" economic weekly, Cem reportedly termed a resolution of differences in the Aegean between Greece and Turkey as "easy", whereas he stressed that the protracted Cyprus problem is "very, very difficult".

Additionally, the Turkish FM was quoted as saying that Cyprus' pending EU accession could trigger a crisis if a political solution is not achieved on the divided island republic beforehand. He also warned that that Ankara would "act strongly" if Nicosia joins the 15-member bloc, without elaborating, however.

Athens recognizes only one difference in the Aegean, namely, delineation of the Aegean's continental shelf, while at the same time proposing recourse to the international court of justice at The Hague.

"Greece is establishing international relations in order to promote its national interests. In this way we're able to achieve several goals, and that is why we'll continue the same policy," government spokesman Christos Protopapas said during his daily press briefing.

Regarding a proposed joint visit by Cem and Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou to Israel and an accompanying visit to Yasser Arafat in Ramallah, the spokesman clarified that an itinerary has not been finalized, while a date for such a visit will be set by the Israeli side.

[07] Greek Parliament President meets Cypriot counterpart in

Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis met here on Monday with his Cypriot counterpart Demetris Christofias to whom he expressed the Greek Parliament's commitment not to ratify the European Union's enlargement if Cyprus is not included in it.

Following their 40-minute meeting, Kaklamanis said ''we ascertain that we are on a good path, but we must be on the alert until the time comes for Cyprus to become a member of the EU.''

He noted that Cyprus fulfils all the prerequisites to become the EU's 16th member,

On his part, the Cypriot Parliament President expressed his satisfaction over Greece's and the Greek Parliament's steadfast support. Christofias expressed the hope that ''no problem will be created,'' noting that ''we are obliged to defend ourselves and our country from the designs of a larger neighboring country (Turkey), which unfortunately insists on violating international law and wanting to impose its will even on the EU with regards to Cyprus' accession to it.''

[08] Protopapas: a 'crucial time' for the Euro-army issue

Athens, 16/04/2002 (ANA)

[09] FYROM premier to arrive in Athens for ''Economist'' conference

SKOPJE, 16/04/2002 (ANA - N. Frangopoulos)

The conference is entitled ''Strategy for the international recovery and the regional cooperation'', which will begin on Wednesday and end on Friday.

Georgievski will address the conference on Thursday and will speak on the recent developments in the Balkans, while he will meet with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou at the sidelines of the conference.

Sources also said that he may meet with Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis and National Economy Minister Nikos Christodoulakis.

During the meetings, Georgievski is expected to request from Greece to undertake initiatives within NATO and the European Union, which could contribute to the development and stability of the Balkans.

Georgievski is also expected to request from Greece to speed up the process for the implementation of the Greek plan for the reconstruction of Southeastern Europe, which was recently ratified by the Greek Parliament and has a budget of 550 million euros.

That Greek plan foresees some 95 million euros for FYROM, of which 15 million will be sent in 2002.

[10] Court to examine confiscation of German properties this week

Athens, 16/04/2002 (ANA)

The press conference comes before a Supreme Court hearing on the controversial confiscation of two German state properties in Athens (the Goethe Institute and the German Archaeological School) by relatives of victims executed by Nazi forces during World War II in the central Greek town of Distomo.

Plaintiffs have petitioned for a reversal of appeals court rulings preventing the confiscation and subsequent auctioning-off of German state properties in Greece.

An Athens Appeals Court ruled last year that a necessary condition for any legal action against a foreign state is approval by the justice minister.

Representatives of the group also stressed that the issue of war reparations is being undermined by what they called "blatant violations of the law", while noting that similar court cases took place in the United States over German war reparations.

[11] Conference on BSEC cooperation in research, technology

Athens, 16/04/2002 (ANA)

The conference was organized by the International Black Sea Studies Center and will look at ways boosting regional cooperation and establishing closer ties between BSEC countries' scientific and academic communities and ways in which these can help the organization achieve its goals.

Venizelos also asked the academics present for their assistance in conveying a message to the culture ministers of their countries regarding the appointment of national committees to attend a meeting on organizing the Cultural Olympiad next September at Ancient Olympia.

This was the first conference attended by the heads of scientific and academic establishments in BSEC countries (Albania, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Ukraine, Romania, Russia and Turkey) and was sponsored by the European Commission's General Research Directorate.

[12] PM meets local residents in Nikaia; gov't spokesman comments

Athens, 16/04/2002 (ANA)

During the two-hour visit, the prime minister met craftspeople, owners of light manufacturing workshops, representatives of special population groups and all social classes.

In statements afterward, Simitis said the problems they had stressed related to traffic congestion, education, health, unemployment and economic activity and that they had shown a desire to ''make a constructive contribution''.

He said he would be making further visits to municipalities and working areas and that Monday's visit had been very helpful.

The prime minister stressed that action to address all the problems mentioned was being undertaken but that ''we have to be fast and effective to achieve the goal of convergence with other European Union countries''.

Commenting on the visit later on Monday, government spokes-man Christos Protopapas said the prime minister's aim was not to play ''communications games'' but to seriously deal with the essence of problems.

Asked why Simitis was not accompanied by MPs on his visit, Protopapas said the prime minister's aim was to pinpoint the best possible solutions and this would have been difficult with a large delegation of MPs in tow.

''If he planned to visit Aegaleo or Agia Varvara he would have to be accompanied by 18 parliamentary deputies. But this would not allow any discussion to take place - it is natural for some people to be put out of joint,'' he said.

The spokesman was also asked why the premier chose not to be accompanied by television crews on his visit, to which he responded by referring to the televised visits to hospitals and public services made by main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis, which Protopapas described as ''not serious''.

[13] PM to spend Easter on the island of Rhodes

Athens, 16/04/2002 (ANA)

During his holiday, Simitis is planning brief visits to the islands of Kastellorizo and Symi and possibly Halki. The inauguration of the new ''Andreas Papandreou'' hospital on Rhodes is also being planned.

[14] ND leader again makes surprise clinic inspection; Gov't reaction

Athens, 16/04/2002 (ANA)

In statements to reporters afterwards, he referred to both a "problematic infrastructure" and personnel shortages at the two clinics for patients with chronic ailments.

"The government's sensitivity vis-a-vis social issues is rated on a daily basis from specific actions and with its performance, not of course, with grand statements and worthless promises that remain only on paper," Karamanlis charged.

In a later reaction to the ND leader's latest unannounced hospital inspection, government spokesman Christos Protopapas referred to a "hypocritical stance that emanates from purely public relations reasons".

He also charged that the ND leader only tours older facilities or units, and likewise fails to visit new clinics or wards, before again referring to a "media relations trick".

[15] Macedonia-Thrace minister to begin visit to Germany on Tuesday

BERLIN, 16/04/2002 (ANA - P. Stangos)

During his visit, Paschalidis will meet a number of ministers and address a meeting on Thursday evening at the Society for Southeastern Europe on the theme ''The new role of Greece in the Balkans''.

[16] PASOK deputy calls for terrorism to top agenda of Parliament committee

Athens, 16/04/2002 (ANA)

In his letter to the committee's chairman Karolos Papoulias he noted, that ''the latest developments in the Middle East and the unfavorable prospects for the security of the wider region, directly influence the interests of our country and form an unfavorable climate for the security of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games''.

According to the Parliament's schedule the committee will meet on Wednesday, to discuss the ratification of the International Convention for the combatting of funding for terrorism and to also discuss the ratification of the European Union decision regarding privileges given to the institute for the study of security issues and the satellite center of the Union.

[17] Airforce to buy three aircraft from Poland's PZL Athens, 16/04/2002 (ANA)

The three airplanes will mainly be used to train pilots to operate fire-fighting and crop-dusting planes, as well as in Greek Airforce operations, and will assist state services involved in fighting and preventing forest fires during the summer months.

The deadline for the planes' delivery is July 2002 and the total cost of the contract is 1.2 million euros.

[18] Budget revenue up 1.1 pct in Jan-Feb, spending jumps 13.6 pct

Athens, 16/04/2002 (ANA)

The target set in the budget is growth in revenue of 6.1 percent on an annual basis accompanied by an acceleration in spending of 5.4 percent, the statement said.

The ministry attributed to the jump in expenditure to the abolition of a budget extension arrangement in 2001; compensation awarded to farmers who incurred crop loss in bad weather; monies given to social insurance funds for a pension supplement to the poor; and cash for an income supplement to large families.

The budget's borrowing needs rose by 59.4 percent against a targeted 425.5 percent decline on an annual basis, the statement added.

[19] Christodoulakis on tax reform

Athens, 16/04/2002 (ANA)

He also announced that the government's dialogue with various "social partners" on the issue would begin on Wednesday, while adding that any tax reforms will take effect after Jan. 1, 2003.

Finally, Christodoulakis forecast that the inflation rate will again begin dropping over the next few months.

[20] New Bank of Greece governor "should enjoy broader acceptance", ND says

Athens, 16/04/2002 (ANA)

"We believe it is obvious that the selection of the new governor will not be a unilateral action by the government. The Bank of Greece's independence is not only a matter of legislative regulations but also of policy practices followed in selecting the bank's executives," George Alogoskoufis, ND's deputy in charge of economic affairs.

"The government has an increased responsibility in selecting Mr. Papademos' replacement. The new governor should enjoy broa-0der acceptance and trust," Mr. Alogoskoufis said.

[21] Workers, employers agree to a two-year pay deal

Athens, 16/04/2002 (ANA)

The deal envisages that this year's pay increase will be given in two tranches; 3.6 percent from January 1, 2002 and the remaining 1.8 percent from July 1, 2002. The deal also envisages paying an additional 1.0 percent increase in case that inflation exceeded budget targets for the year.

Pay rises for 2003 does not envisage paying an additional increase, although the two sides agreed that to leave the door open to negotiations depending on the course of the inflation rate.

GSEE, the country's largest trade union umbrella, also agreed in principle with employers' union to implement a 39-hour working week. The matter will be discussed by a negotiating commission, which is expected to deliver its report by the end of May.

The two-year deal also includes a 0.2 percent increase in employers' contributions with the Workers' Housing Organization.

Both sides expect the deal to ensure social and labor peace for the next two years.

[22] Noted Turkish minister arrives in Thessaloniki for one-day seminar

Athens, 16/04/2002 (ANA)

The well-known Turkish minister and former to World Bank executive, currently in charge of the economic affairs portfolio in the neighboring country, arrived in Thessaloniki to participate at a one-day seminar organized by the Black Sea Development Bank.

In the Greek city, Dervis held talks with Macedonia-Thrace Minister George Paschalidis, as contacts revolved around recently invigorated bilateral trade and political relations.

Along those lines, the Greek minister is expected to visit Turkey next June. "Truly, a peaceful cooperation between Greece and Turkey exists in the economic sector. This development is for the good of both countries.

Amongst the entrepreneurs of Greece and Turkey there are many common plans that must be exploited; and we should, as countries, make their implementation easier," Dervis told reporters.

On his part, Paschalidis noted that better and more transportation links between the two neighbors positively influence bilateral trade and communication.

Finally, in referring to the troubling situation in the Middle East, the Turkish minister said:

"At this difficult time for humanity there are regions where we are witnessing some very saddening incidents ... Greece and Turkey are proceeding together, amid a climate of friendship and solidarity. This is truly significant, not just for the two peoples, but for all the peoples of the region".

Dervis meets Thessaloniki businessmen: The leaders of Thessaloniki business world met, behind closed doors, with Turkey's Economy Minister Kemal Dervis on the sidelines of the Turkish minister's visit to a seminar organized by the Black Sea Bank on Monday.

The delegation included the chairmen of the Thessaloniki Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Dimitris Bakatselos, of the Union of Northern Greece's Industries (SBEE), Dimitris Symeonidis, of the Union of Northern Greece's Exporters, Thomas Algianakoglou, of Northeastern Europe Telecommunications Institute (INA), Vassilis Takas, and SBEE's honorary chairman Nikos Efthymiadis.

[23] Greek presidency of EU to back links with Black Sea region

Athens, 16/04/2002 (ANA)

The government was working to arrange a summit meeting involving the two sides during the presidency, Paschalidis told a seminar held by an offshoot bank of the cooperation group, which was held in Thessaloniki.

Gov't urges domestic firms to use funding from Black Sea bank: Macedonia-Thrace Minister George Paschalidis on Monday urged domestic firms to make greater use of investment financing available from the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank.

Addressing the bank's annual general meeting in the northern port city of Thessaloniki, Paschalidis said it was important for the financing on offer to be used for reconstruction projects in the Balkans in coming years, through arrangement such as the European stability pact and Greek national reconstruction plan for the region.

Earlier this month, the bank announced that it had approved 38 projects worth 290 million US dollars, with 10 percent of the total accounting for Greek projects.

The projects, 60 percent of which are in infrastructure financing and 40 percent in trade and exports funding, cover the bank's 11 shareholding countries.

Turkey is the largest beneficiary, with its projects totalling 25 percent of the total, followed by Russia and Ukraine at 20 percent, and Bulgaria and Romania at 15-20 percent.

Paschalidis said that most projects of the total were investments by private sector firms, mainly in energy, telecoms, and transport, as well as ports infrastructure and the environment.

The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank, based in Thessaloniki, launched operations in June 1999 in order to aid growth in the Balkans and Black Sea region and boost economic ties among shareholding countries.

The bank's share capital of 1.2 billion US dollars is distributed among Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine.

[24] Ferry fares to rise 8.0 pct, free travel to be scrapped

Athens, 16/04/2002 (ANA)

The decision was taken after a lengthy meeting of Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis and Merchant Marine Minister George Anomeritis, the sources said.

They added that the government was considering abolishing free travel aboard ferries currently awarded to categories including parliamentary deputies and staff of the merchant marine and Aegean ministries.

Free travel for the poor, people with special needs and children under 10 years of age would be retained, the sources added.

[25] Cyclades islands unveil new tourist strategy

Athens, 16/04/2002 (ANA)

Using the phrase "We will develop by promoting what we love", Panagiotis Rigas, the prefect of Cyclades, presented a new tourist strategy, which envisaged supporting conventional tourism by seeking an extension of the tourist season and a wider geographical spread of visitors.

Mr. Rigas urged all those who loved sea activities, natural beau-ties and good food to visit the Cyclades islands this year.

Mr. Rigas presented a "cultural travel program" covering several Cyclades' islands, a program offering visitors a chance to see and learn some of the historic routes of the past

He expressed his optimism over progress in infrastructure projects in his prefect (Milos airport, harbor facilities in Paros and Santorini, and the Naxos hospital).

[26] Greek stocks end sharply lower, turnover hits 4-year lows

Athens, 16/04/2002 (ANA)

The general index ended 1.63 percent lower at 2,167.45 points, with turnover a low 58.1 million euros.

The Holding, Insurance, Publication and Banks sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses (4.08 percent, 3.90 percent, 3.58 percent and 2.91 percent, respectively), while the Metals and Cement sectors recorded the smallest losses (0.36 percent and 0.25 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 2.05 percent lower, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index dropped 1.25 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index fell 2.13 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 302 to 31 with another 24 issues unchanged.

The most heavily traded shares in value were Hellenic Telecoms, Commercial Bank of Greece, Despec, Alpha Bank, and National Bank of Greece.

Derivatives Market Close: Equity index futures at discount: Equity index futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange rose to gain a premium on Monday and then fell, tracking the main market, which failed to hold onto early gains. Discounts were 1.0 percent or over at the close.

Turnover was 68.6 million euros.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips shed 2.05 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks lost 1.25 percent.

Bond Market Close: Prices mixed in light trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Monday finished mixed in light to moderate trade focusing on 20-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.47 percent, and the spread over the corresponding German bund was 32 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system was 1.5 billion euros.

Buy orders accounted for around half of turnover.

[27] IOC press committee visits Greece, lauds ATHOC efforts to date

Athens, 16/04/2002 (ANA)

Gosper and the other members of the IOC's press committee expressed their belief that ATHOC has both the strength and the will to provide the best possible working conditions for both the press and photographers during the Games.

He also noted that there must be continued effort and vigilance to ensure success in organizing the Games.

[28] Greek travel firms charge delay in Olympics tourism policy

Athens, 16/04/2002 (ANA)

Speakers told a seminar held by HATTA, that the charge of severe delays was made on the basis of experience by other countries that had forged tourism policies linked to Olympics they hosted.

Examples of projects that speakers said had should have been completed but had yet to be launched were design of tourism promotion campaign linked to the games; implementation of an approach called the ''Olympics package'', which the government had pledged but failed to produce; and hazy planning for the Cultural Olympics.

HATTA also said that no coordination body existed, and the roles of the Olympics organizers, Greek National Tourism Organization, ministries, local bodies and private sector had yet to be determined, leading to rifts.

[29] UNESCO's ICOMOS scientific council to meet in Corfu

Athens, 16/04/2002 (ANA)

More than 40 members of the scientific council and ICOMOS national committees' representatives from all over the world will attend the meeting.

[30] Procedures for construction of Acropolis Museum to be stepped up

Athens, 16/04/2002 (ANA)

Venizelos was speaking at the inauguration of a two-day film festival in Athens dedicated to late culture minister Melina Mercouri.

Present at the inauguration at the ''Athinais'' were, among others, Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Vasso Papandreou, Deputy Culture Minister Nasos Alevras and Mercouri's husband Jules Dassin.

The dedication was held under the auspices of the Culture Ministry in cooperation with the Thessaloniki Film Festival, the Melina Mercouri Foundation and the U.S. Embassy in Athens.

[31] Greenpeace activists seize ship carrying tropical timber

Athens, 16/04/2002 (ANA)

Members of the radical environmental group boarded the ship at the port town of Kalamaki in Corinth on the same day that an international convention to decide the fate of the world's primeval forests is taking place at The Hague under the auspices of the United Nations.

The head of the Greek branch of Greenpeace, Nikos Haralambidis, appealed to the Greek government to ''stop the catastrophic trade in tropical timber and undertake an effective initiative for the protection of primeval forests at the conference in The Hague,'' in which Greece is participating alongside 180 other countries.

[32] Spokesman says Cem's remarks confirm intransigent stance

NICOSIA, 16/04/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Papapetrou said on Monday that the thinly veiled threats which Cem leveled at Cyprus, in the event of joining the European Union prior to a political settlement, are counterproductive and pointed out that the philosophy of two states is contrary to EU wishes as well.

The spokesman called on the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to ''take great strides'' if a solution is to be found.

''Cem's remarks confirm the intransigent position of the Turkish side which is based on the philosophy of two separate states in Cyprus,'' the spokesman said, stressing that such a philosophy is ''totally unacceptable.''

This, he said, offers no possibility for progress at the peace talks and even less chance of a settlement.

''It is interesting to note that Cem outlines these views at a time when others, either in Ankara or elsewhere, are attempting to indicate to third countries or foreign envoys that there are fresh or different thoughts on the part of the Turkish side,'' Papapetrou said.

He pointed out that Cem is essentially reiterating previous threats against Cyprus that Ankara would annex the island's Turkish occupied part.

''I must admit however that on this occasion the threats are aired in a more careful and more subtle manner than in the past but they are threats nonetheless,'' the spokesman said.

Cem told the Greek newspaper ''Ependitis'' that a mutually acceptable solution must be based on two component states, with separate sovereignty, which will create a partnership state.

He also warned that should Cyprus join the EU without a prior solution, Turkey will move ''very intensely and this will create problems to all of us.''

Papapetrou said that Turkey should have realized by now that neither Nicosia nor Brussels operate under threats and that such policy is counterproductive. Replying to questions, he said that the difference between the position of the Turkish side (for two separate sovereign states) and that of the Greek Cypriot side (one state with a single sovereignty) is not ''simply a difference'' between the two interlocutors, engaged in direct talks under UN auspices for the past four months.

''Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash needs to take great strides if we are to get a solution,'' Papapetrou said, noting that the EU rejects the idea of two states in Cyprus as well.

The spokesman said that there is no indication that Turkish intransigence is being encouraged by third parties.

He said that foreign envoys continue to operate on the reasoning set out in UN resolutions.

Replying to other questions, he said the Greek Cypriot side wishes to see a comprehensive settlement in place and there is no indication that the international community wants to do otherwise.

[33] Vassiliou: We must respond calmly to Turkish threats

NICOSIA, 16/04/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Vassiliou, received here on Monday by President Glafcos Clerides, said Cyprus must continue its course towards the EU and call on the Turkish side to abandon its negative stance towards the solution of the Cyprus problem and agree with the accession of a united Cyprus to the EU.

He noted that whatever Turkey says the EU will not change its position for the accession of Cyprus as one state in its ranks because, as he said, the EU ''cannot change the principles on which it was founded''.

Vassiliou expressed hope that Cyprus will have closed by next Monday another two chapters of the acquis communautaire, those for the regional policy and taxation. He noted that the European Commission has also agreed with the closing of the competition chapter.

''We will close these three chapters and then there will be one remaining, that of agriculture, for which we have made a lot of progress'', Vassiliou said, adding that ''we are proceeding with the conclusion of the negotiations during the Spanish Presidency and we will leave budgetary issues for the beginning of the Danish Presidency.''

At Monday's Presidential Palace meeting Vassiliou briefed President Clerides on his recent visits to the United States and France.

''The message from Washington is that Cyprus is on the track to join the EU and the US don't only agree with this course but also support it, he said.

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