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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-07-08

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

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1231), July 8, 1997

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] Thessaloniki forest, other areas plagued by fires
  • [02] Opposition criticism
  • [03] Judicial investigation
  • [04] Other fires
  • [05] IKA draft bill aims to combat negligent employers
  • [06] Medical sector striking
  • [07] Greece offers its support to rebuild Albania
  • [08] Yilmaz cites peaceful dialogue for 'Turkish interests in Aegean'
  • [09] Clerides speaks to the press ahead of New York direct talks
  • [10] Simitis meeting at NATO summit with Turkish leadership not ruled out
  • [11] PASOK executive bureau meeting on Monday
  • [12] Synaspismos delegation met with France's Hue
  • [13] Private school fee increases
  • [14] Group warns of serious pollution to Pagasitikos Gulf
  • [15] Greek hostage released in Albania
  • [16] Monetary union, Italy's convergence program discussed at ECOFIN
  • [17] Greek equities jump on blue chip buying spree
  • [18] EU's May inflation unchanged at 1.5 pct
  • [19] Greece's Citibank launches new housing loan
  • [20] Greek minister calls for polyglot Internet
  • [21] Xiosbank posts 37 pct surge in H1 business credit
  • [22] IOC President in Athens today
  • [23] Large German contingent for athletics championships

  • [01] Thessaloniki forest, other areas plagued by fires

    Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)

    Greece was at the mercy of several forest fires raging throughout the country yesterday, with the most destructive being the blaze that enveloped the Seikh Sou urban forest above Thessaloniki, which was still burning late last night.

    The agriculture ministry announced that a total of 56 fires had broken out in the areas of Ioannina, Lamia, Larisa, Hania, Tripoli, Grevena, Evia, Kozani, Agrinio, Trikala and the Argolida prefecture.

    The Seikh Sou fire broke out on Sunday afternoon at five different spots, and continued after having burned about 40 per cent (more than 1,000 hectares) of the forest's total area. The fire damaged a few residences and threatened other inhabited areas, while reports late yesterday noted that the fire was beginning to subside following firefighting efforts.

    In response to the crisis, the government's Crisis Management Committee will meet this morning at 10:30 to consider the issue of the forest fires, while a government delegation will leave for Thessaloniki afterwards.

    Meanwhile, according to reliable sources, the Greek government yesterday afternoon appealed through the foreign ministry to the European Commission for assistance in extinguishing the dozens of fires currently raging across Greece.

    Athens also asked for both human and technical resources to help save the country's remaining forests.

    On his part, Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas and the heads of forestry services are facing severe criticism over the blaze, which by conservative estimates has already destroyed thousands of hectares of forest land around the country during the past three days.

    The agriculture minister admitted that forest fire-fighting forces were slow in their mobilization, but pointed to the shortage in the appropriate equipment and staff. He said all forces available were utilized.

    Mr. Tzoumakas told state radio in Thessaloniki earlier in the day that the Seikh Sou fire was the work of arsonists.

    Acting government spokesman Nikos Athanasakis attributed the extent of the blaze to "high temperatures" and strong winds, as well as the fact that fires were being fought simultaneously in 13 prefectures throughout the country, while Macedonia-Thrace Minister Philippos Petsalnikos reportedly asked for more fire-fighting aircraft to be sent to the area.

    He also attributed the blaze to arsonists.

    The president of forestry employees' union placed emphasis on the ineffective organization and called for new standards in forest fire-fighting.

    Land operations were supplemented yesterday morning by two Canadair firefighting planes, two Chinook helicopters and two Air Force C-130s carrying fire-retardant liquid.

    [02] Opposition criticism

    Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)

    An announcement by the main opposition New Democracy party accused Mr. Tzoumakas of having disintegrated forestry services, while ND leader Costas Karamanlis spoke of an ineffective and inadequate state apparatus.

    Mr. Karamanlis yesterday visited the region of Seikh Sou while the fire was raging.

    The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) blamed the government for what it called the "catastrophic damage" caused by forest fires.

    In an announcement, KKE said that governments in recent years have abandoned the country's forests to profiteers and land speculators. In particular, KKE stressed that the latest bill on forests put weapons in arsonists' hands, since the bill re-classified thousands of square kilometers of forestland and "gave the green light" to arsonists.

    The Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) has asked from all authorities, political leadership, authorities and local government to publicly apologize for the "lack of protection measures and the weakness of the state apparatus."

    The Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI), in an announcement, spoke of a lack of government policy in the sector of forest protection. DHKKI called on the government to take all necessary measures for the operation of forest protection stations across the country.

    The leader of the Political Spring party, Antonis Samaras, who visited the area of Panorama yesterday, said that "organized interests" were behind the fires.

    [03] Judicial investigation

    Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)

    In reaction to the massive destruction, the chief of Thessaloniki's appeals courts, Anastasios Kapolas, ordered an urgent preliminary inquiry yesterday into widespread allegations of arson as well as delays in dealing with the fires.

    Several individuals also filed lawsuits at the appeals court yesterday against any official responsible, directly pointing to what their motions cited as "state negligence" over dealing with the Seikh Sou blaze.

    Mr. Kapolas assigned the case to prosecutor St. Katsarelis.

    In addition, local residents charged that fire-fighting aircraft were about three and a half hours late in arriving at the fronts of the fire.

    The prosecutor will also investigate whether fire-fighting airplanes were made available at the Macedonia airport on a permanent alert for such emergency cases in northern Greece, as they ought to have been.

    [04] Other fires

    Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)

    While Thessaloniki was mourning the Seikh Sou forest, a fire in Farsala, Larisa prefecture, burned 4,000 hectares of wheat stubble before being put out.

    The fire started accidentally when a farmer's wife tried to burn the wheat stubble in her field.

    Strong winds spread the fire to many fronts close to Farsala, threatening communities and burning down greenhouses, sheep-folds and farm storage areas.

    In the same prefecture, a fire that broke out in Tyrnavos was put out early yesterday after burning dozens of sheep, damaging 14 sheep-folds and torching 80 hectares of mostly pastureland.

    Another fire broke out at the FAGE dairy plant on the Larisa-Farsala roadway but was quickly extinguished.

    Smaller fires broke out in the Larisa area but were also placed under control soon.

    Still burning yesterday was a fire that broke out Sunday afternoon at Dryovouno, Kozani, while a fire in Kilada, Kozani that destroyed forest and farmland was brought under control Sunday morning.

    Four other fires that broke out Sunday in Grevena prefecture were extinguished yesterday.

    A further 1,200 hectares were burnt in the Dionysos area of Livadia, near Thebes, in a fire that was still blazing after all-night firefighting operations, while a fir forest was destroyed at Giona, in Fokida prefecture.

    Farmland near Dervani, Megalopoli, in the Peloponnese, also caught on fire yesterday and efforts to extinguish it were being hampered by high winds.

    Fires were also still blazing in northern Evia, Ioannina, Konitsa, Atalanti, Domokos, Farsala, Samos, Almyros, Argolida and Vyzitsa, near Pelion.

    Meanwhile, a fire was still raging yesterday afternoon on Kaimakcalan mountain range in Kilkis prefecture, and near the border with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

    The fire, which broke out yesterday morning in the village of Kentriko, has spread north, burning a large expanse of forestland.

    [05] IKA draft bill aims to combat negligent employers

    Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)

    The Social Security Foundation (IKA) will stand to gain billions of drachmas owed by state-run agencies and private sector companies under a draft bill expected to be tabled in Parliament this summer.

    Labor and Social Security Minister Miltiadis Papaioannou said yesterday that the draft bill aims at bringing debtors to IKA on par with debtors to the state.

    Mr. Papaioannou said the total contributions owed to IKA exceeded 570 billion drachmas, of which 75 billion drachmas were owed to IKA by the state itself.

    In the case of public utilities and corporations, which owed IKA 25 billion drachmas, they would be allowed to borrow in order to repay their debts to IKA.

    This, he said, had been agreed in co-operation with National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou.

    Another source of repayment will come from privatization of state utilities such as the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) and the Public Power Corp. (DEH).

    The bill will include the following provisions:

    - The formation of a special service to locate uninsured employees that will conduct surprise checks 24 hours a day and level fines amounting to more than half a million drachmas per uninsured employee.

    - Each company will have a special form stamped by IKA to fill out right before an individual is hired.

    - Employers must notify of any change in a company's status, headquarters and the home address of the owner or businessman. - Any dismissal of an uninsured person will be considered invalid. - The insurance payment status of each company will be taken into account for any transaction concerning a company's ownership, making it impossible to proceed if it owes funds to IKA.

    IKA governor Grigoris Solomos said that the technical consultant to staff the new services had been hired already and more hirings would be made.

    In terms of IKA services provided to insured employees, Mr. Papaioannou said an additional 1,900 doctors would be hired to improve them.

    The draft bill will be presented to the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) and the Federation of Greek Industries (SEB) for review and comments.

    [06] Medical sector striking

    Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)

    Pharmacies in Greece will go on strike Thursday and Friday, to protest against the government's revised drug pricelist.

    The doctors working for the Social Security Foundation (IKA) will go on strike July 14 and 15 over financial and organizational demands.

    Doctors working in hospitals have been on strike which ends tomorrow. They are expected to extend their strike, putting more pressure on large hospitals which have only been accepting emergency cases.

    [07] Greece offers its support to rebuild Albania

    Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)

    Athens yesterday pledged to support Albania's Socialists, the officially declared winners of that country's general elections, saying Greece would be willing to offer assistance to assist Europe's poorest country.

    "The premier told (Albania's Socialist leader Fatos) Nano that Greece would be on the side of the neighboring country and offered to provide assistance to restore Albania," acting government spokesman Nikos Athanasakis said yesterday.

    He said Prime Minister Costas Simitis held a telephone conversation with Mr. Nano, whose party won a landslide victory in the elections, informing the Greek premier that his party had won a two-thirds majority in parliament over President Sali Berisha's Democratic Party.

    With final results still to come after Sunday's runoff vote in 34 districts, Albania's Socialist party prepared to form a new government, which is expected to put an end to the chaos and bloodshed that sweeped the country over the past four months.

    Mr. Nano said he will become prime minister, replacing fellow Socialist Bashkim Fino, who was appointed interim prime minister in March when the government resigned and an early election was called following the collapse of five pyramid investment schemes.

    According to Mr. Athanasakis, the Greek contingent, as part of the peacekeeping force to Albania, is set to begin its gradual withdrawal from the country on July 18.

    He said Greek troops may prolong their presence in Albania if the new Albanian government raised the issue and came forward with specific proposals.

    [08] Yilmaz cites peaceful dialogue for 'Turkish interests in Aegean'

    Istanbul, 08/07/1997 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

    New Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said yesterday that his government believed that Turkey's vital interests in the Aegean should be resolved with mutual understanding and constructive, peaceful dialogue.

    Unveiling a government policy statement before the Turkish National Assembly, Mr. Yilmaz also reiterated Ankara's full support to the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus, saying that "Cyprus was vital to Turkey's security."

    "With regard to the Cyprus issue, which is a national issue, we will continue supporting our rights and obligations stemming from agreements, and we will support the 'Turkish Republic in Northern Cyprus'. Our government knows of Cyprus' vital importance not only to the 'TRNC', but directly to Turkey and in terms of its security", Mr. Yilmaz said.

    The illegal pseudo-state, propped up in 1983, is recognized only by Ankara.

    Another of the new coalition Turkish government's priorities will be efforts to join the European Union as soon as possible. Mr. Yilmaz stressed that "our government will seek a balance of mutual benefit in relations with the EU."

    [09] Clerides speaks to the press ahead of New York direct talks

    New York, 08/07/1997 (ANA-M. Georgiadou/CNA)

    President Glafcos Clerides arrived in New York yesterday for UN-led direct talks with Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, scheduled to start tomorrow and last until Sunday, aiming at a settlement of the protracted Cyprus problem.

    Speaking to the press on arrival, President Clerides said that UN resolutions cannot be subject to interpretation, pointing out that the Greek Cypriot side enters the talks "in good will, ready to negotiate a solution that will secure the future of the two communities on the island."

    Answering a relevant question, Mr. Clerides stressed that to reach a solution "we have to accept what is stated in UN resolutions is not subject to interpretation."

    Giving as an example the issue of one indivisible sovereignty, repeated in successive UN resolutions, Mr. Clerides said it is accepted by Mr. Denktash "but according to his own interpretation" of the issue.

    "The definitions should be such, so as to be acceptable by both communities and not be subject to interpretation," he added.

    Responding to another question, Mr. Clerides said Britain and the US have submitted a document to the UN on various points discussed during the visit of former British Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind, to the island.

    "The UN, " Mr. Clerides added, is examining it (the document) but has not committed itself on how to use it."

    Regarding the security issue, Mr. Clerides stressed that it is "one of the basic aspects" of the Cyprus problem, noting that "a solution will be impossible if the Greek and Turkish Cypriots do not feel secure for the future."

    The President of the Republic repeated the proposals made by the Greek Cypriot side on security, that included the demilitarization of the island and the stationing of an international force under a UN Security Council mandate.

    These proposals, he noted, were rejected by the Turkish Cypriot side which insists on the Treaty of Guarantee which became part and parcel of the package deal reached in Zurich in 1959 that established the Republic of Cyprus.

    The Treaty names Greece, Turkey and Britain as the guarantor powers of the Republic of Cyprus, giving them the right of joint or even unilateral action for the purpose of re-establishing the state of affairs.

    The Turkish Cypriot side insists on the maintenance of this Treaty and asks for an increase of Greek and Turkish military presence on the island.

    Mr. Clerides and Mr. Denktash had two informal meetings in Nicosia in October 1994, which reached a deadlock. The two men have not met since.

    Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

    [10] Simitis meeting at NATO summit with Turkish leadership not ruled out

    Madrid, 08/07/1997 (ANA - S. Liarelis)

    The possibility of Prime Minister Costas Simitis meeting Turkey's representative on the sidelines of the NATO summit, due to start here today, cannot be ruled out.

    Diplomatic sources said that no relevant request has been made on the part of Greece, while Ankara's position is the same. However, the same sources stressed that a meeting cannot be ruled out on the sidelines of the NATO conference.

    Until noon yesterday, the Greek side had received no accurate information on the composition of the Turkish delegation at the NATO summit, namely, whether President Suleyman Demirel or new Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz will be present.

    The leaders of the 16 NATO member-states will also discuss the alliance's new military structure, although it is considered absolutely certain that no decisions will be taken and that the whole issue will be referred to the next summit conference in December.

    Dissension prevails on this issue between France and the United States, which concerns the administration of the NATO headquarters in the Mediterranean, while at the same time Turkey has objections over the number of subheadquarters in NATO's southern f lank.

    The alliance's other member-states agree that four subheadquarters must be created in the south (Greece, Turkey, Italy and Spain), but only Turkey disagrees and calls for the creation of two subheadquarters, a prospect meaning that one subheadquarters would have operational control over NATO's southeastern flank, namely, the region covered by Turkey and Greece.

    Serious disagreements also exist on the question of NATO's expansion.

    US President Bill Clinton as well as several northern NATO countries claim that at a first stage enlargement must only include three countries - Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic. But a message must be sent from the Madrid summit to the other countries wishing to join NATO that their accession to the alliance will follow soon but without a specific time commitment being made.

    Greece and the other southern countries maintain that enlargement must include Romania, Slovenia and Bulgaria. However, given the position of Washington and the other northern countries, diplomatic sources said that the southern countries will aim at having NATO's enlargement taking place in two phases, while requesting a time commitment for the second phase of enlargement.

    Greece in particular will request balanced handling for all Balkan countries.

    [11] PASOK executive bureau meeting on Monday

    Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)

    PASOK's executive bureau met yesterday to discuss, among others, preparation of the party's central committee congress, scheduled to be held in Nafplio on July 18-19.

    PASOK secretary Costas Skandalidis said that the executive bureau would meet on Monday to review its activities, especially after Prime Minister Costas Simitis' completion of a year in power.

    Mr. Simitis, who called the next meeting, will examine the party's political strategy and priorities for the near future.

    [12] Synaspismos delegation met with France's Hue

    Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)

    A delegation of the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) met French Communist Party Secretary Robert Hue in Madrid on Saturday for talks on developments in France, Greece and the European Union.

    The meeting was held on the sidelines of a meeting for leftist and progressive parties.

    According to an announcement by Synaspismos, Mr. Hue said the success of the experiment with the coalition government in France is connected to support by the French people.

    "Every time we disagree, we do not topple the government but appeal to the people, explain our positions to them and call on them to pressure to have the government implement the policy which they want," Mr. Hue said.

    On the part of Synaspismos, the interest of Greek public opinion was stressed over developments in France, while a reference was made to the PASOK government's policy. Mr. Hue was also briefed on Synaspismos' prospects in light of municipal elections in Greece next year.

    [13] Private school fee increases

    Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)

    Private and vocational schools will be allowed to increase their fees by 4% as of September, according to an amendment to be tabled in parliament within the next few days by the Development Ministry.

    The new ruling covers all fees including board, transport, foreign languages, music, dance and extra coaching.

    There will be fines ranging from 50,000 to 500,000 drachmas per student for any school owners who overcharge.

    [14] Group warns of serious pollution to Pagasitikos Gulf

    Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)

    The Pagasitikos Gulf receives more than 10 tons of industrial waste every day, according to the environmental organization "Mediterranean Network SOS".

    In a recent decision, the Council of State stressed that "the Pagasitikos Gulf is receiving serious pressures and unless the ecological destruction of the ecosystem is tackled in time there is the risk of the value of the gulf being degraded altogether. "

    The organization said that large quantities of fertilizers and pesticides used all over the plain of Thessaly end up in the gulf.

    [15] Greek hostage released in Albania

    Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)

    A Greek bus driver who had been kidnapped Sunday by Albanian "Mafia" members near the Albanian town of Tepelene while returning to Athens from Fieri, was freed yesterday morning.

    Nikolaos Rodokanakis, a bus driver for the Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE), was freed after the intervention of another group of armed Albanians.

    [16] Monetary union, Italy's convergence program discussed at ECOFIN

    Brussels, 08/07/1997 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

    The European Union's Council of Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECOFIN) concluded its session here last night with the ratification of Italy's convergence program and an exchange of views on issues concerning economic and monetary union that must be promoted during the current six-month presidency by Luxembourg.

    Addressing the session, National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou stressed the significance of implementing two basic commitments undertaken by the "15" at the Amsterdam summit in relation to strengthening employment and coordinating member-states' national economic policies.

    On the question of employment, Mr. Papantoniou said the EU's summit scheduled for November must adopt specific measures to decrease the number of unemployed. He said activating the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund to primarily support investment plans for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as promoting inter-European networks and certain other infrastructure works could be conducive in decreasing unemployment.

    Referring to the coordination of national economic policies, Mr. Papantoniou said that during yesterday's talks at the Council, Greece and many other national delegations expressed support for creating an economic coordination pact in the framework of which the role the EU's Council of Economic and Monetary Affairs will play in connection with the framework for exercising and the targets set for monetary policy will be defined with accuracy.

    The Council expressed satisfaction over efforts made by the Italian government to meet criteria set in the Maastricht Treaty in connection with the program for the convergence of the Italian economy with the economies of the other European countries.

    Commenting on the Italian program, Mr. Papantoniou said it is still early for conclusions to be made, adding that he is certain that if the Italian economy fulfills Maastricht criteria then Italy will not have different treatment from other countries in connection to its accession to the Euro currency.

    [17] Greek equities jump on blue chip buying spree

    Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)

    Strong buying interest in banking and industrial shares pushed the Athens Stock Exchange sharply higher in the first trading session of the week to finish up 2.21 percent. The general index jumped to 1,547.64 points with all sector indices scoring big gains. Trading was scant and turnover was 8.8 billion drachmas. Banks rose 2.48 percent, Leasing was 0.23 percent up, Insurance increased 1.60 percent, Investment ended 1.58 percent higher, Industrials rose 2.48 percent, Construction increased 1.62 percent, Holding rose 2.57 percent and Miscellaneous was 1.60 percent up. The Parallel Market index closed 1.56 percent higher. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 138 to 67 with another 25 issues unchanged.

    Benroubi, Bank of Central Greece, Ergobank and Piraeus Investment scored the biggest percentage gains, while SATO, Xylemporia and Keranis suffered the heaviest losses of the day.

    National Bank of Greece ended at 34,400 drachmas, Ergobank at 17,110, Alpha Credit Bank at 18,800, Titan Cement at 14,700, Intracom at 12,490 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organization at 6,515 drachmas.

    [18] EU's May inflation unchanged at 1.5 pct

    Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)

    The European Union's annual inflation rate was 1.5 percent in May, the same as in April and down from 2.6 percent one year earlier, the EU statistics office Eurostat said.

    Inflation was lowest in France and Finland (both 0.9 percent) while Greece had the highest rate at 5.3 percent.

    The rates are calculated as an average of member states' harmonized indices of consumer prices (HICPs).
    Annual inflation measured by HICP

    May '97April '97May '96
    Belgium 1.50.92.0
    Denmark 1.91.51.6
    Germany 1.41.21.3
    Greece 5.35.78.3
    Spain 1.31.63.8
    France 0.91.02.6
    Ireland 1.4n/a1.9
    Italy 1.71.94.4
    Luxembourg 1.11.11.2
    Netherlands1.71.21.3
    Austria 1.51.21.6
    Portugal 1.91.63.1
    Finland 0.90.91.3
    Sweden 1.21.21.0
    Britain 1.61.6n/a
    EU15 1.51.52.6

    [19] Greece's Citibank launches new housing loan

    Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)

    Greece's Citibank announced a new housing loan without mortgage carrying a five-year duration for amounts ranging from five to 10 million drachmas. Up to now, the bank has used this kind of lending facility for home renovation.

    The base lending rate was set at 14 percent with the beneficiary bearing the cost of insurance.

    [20] Greek minister calls for polyglot Internet

    Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)

    Technical changes should be made to the Internet, currently dominated by English, to allow users to carry information in their own languages, Transport and Communications Minister Haris Kastanidis told a European data networks conference in Bonn.

    "The attempt to impose only one language for communications and data exchange on the networks will have a negative impact on the cultural and language identity of users, as culture and language are the fundamental means of expression of all peoples," Mr. Kastanidis said.

    Information technology specialists and more than 40 ministers mostly from eastern and western Europe are attending the two-day conference, which ends on Tuesday. Also represented are Japan, the United States and Canada.

    [21] Xiosbank posts 37 pct surge in H1 business credit

    Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)

    Xiosbank reported a 37 percent increase in its average balance of business credit lending in the first six months of 1997, totaling 49.8 billion drachmas compared with the corresponding period last year.

    The figure exceeded initial estimates for the whole of 1997. Xiosbank attributed the jump to its new lending policy created to meet special needs of its clientele by offering more flexible credit products.

    [22] IOC President in Athens today

    Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)

    International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Juan Antonio Samaranch arrives in Athens today to attend the commencement of the 37th International Summit of the International Olympic Academy.

    Prior to attending the ceremony, Mr. Samaranch will plant an olive tree in his name in the forest of the "IOC members."

    The ceremony will be attended by members of the Cabinet, Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos, and the President of the Athens 2004 candidacy committee, Ms. Yianna Angelopoulou-Daskalaki.

    The IOC meets on September 5 in Lausanne, Switzerland, to choose the winner from the five-city shortlist.

    The shortlist includes Athens, Rome, Buenos Aires, Cape Town and Stockholm, chosen from eleven candidate cities originally bidding for the Games.

    A winning city must gain more than 50 percent of the votes from the IOC -- voting goes in rounds, with the least popular selection being drummed out each time until a winner is declared.

    [23] Large German contingent for athletics championships

    Athens, 08/07/1997 (ANA)

    Germany will participate in the World Athletics Championships in Athens between Aug. 1-10 with 34 male and 39 female athletes.

    The German team will be headed by discus thrower Lars Riedel and the women's shotput star Astrid Kubernuss.

    End of English language section.


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