Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-10-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] Justice minister notes EU authorities may decide to establish list of ‘suspects’

[02] European Commission on anti-terrorism cooperation

[03] Public order minister meets new U.S. ambassador

[04] Athens, Prague promote dialogue between West, Islam

[05] Czech foreign minister received by President Stephanopoulos

[06] PM's victory at PASOK congress was 'triumphant', Reppas says

[07] Coalition party leader meets Israeli ambassador

[08] President receives Black Sea prefects and mayors

[09] Turkish MP tables question over Greek FM's visit to Patriarch

[10] Red Cross denies "terrorists" harbored at refugee camps

[11] Hospital at Souda naval base to be upgraded

[12] Turkish warplanes infringe Athens FIR Athens, 16/10/2001 (ANA)

[13] Greek exporters worried by local impact of world slowdown

[14] Laliotis: 'Land register program will continue'

[15] Two offers made for buyout of ETBA bank

[16] Hellenic Post Offices named a sponsor of Athens Olympics

[17] Greek delegation visits Romania

[18] Air transport in Greece expected to decrease in last quarter

[19] European Investment Fund in Greek venture capital operation

[20] Turkish airline to stop Thessaloniki-Istanbul flight

[21] Travel and hotel unions call for abolition of "spatosimo"

[22] Greece seeks EU directive to curb market manipulation

[23] Greece to take part in Week of Science and Technology

[24] Mutual funds market losses rise in September

[25] Greek stocks end flat in record-low turnover

[26] "Syria and the Byzantine Years" exhibition opens in Athens

[27] European parliamentarians pledge to work for reunification of Cyprus

[01] Justice minister notes EU authorities may decide to establish list of ‘suspects’

Athens, 16/10/2001 (ANA)

Justice Minister Mihalis Stathopoulos clarified, however, that such felonious activity would first have to be certified by responsible judicial officials, whereas no such "lists" have been composed to date.

Stathopoulos spoke at a press conference prior to his scheduled departure on Tuesday for Brussels to attend a meeting of European Union interior, public order and justice ministers.

A definition of terrorism, at the forefront of international public concern over the past month, is expected to dominate deliberations by the EU ministers.

Regarding the issue of a proposed European-wide arrest warrant -- another of the subjects expected to be discussed in Brussels -- the justice minister simply noted that all Union member-states are interested in implementing the principles that comprise the basis of "rule of law". He merely added, "we cannot abandon certain democratic principles."

Finally, when asked to comment on the recent criticism by outgoing Public Works and Town Planning Minister Costas Laliotis against a public prosecutor over the latter's filing of misdemeanor charges against the board of the state-run company overseeing a land registry project in Greece, Stathopoulos said government officials retain the right to publicly, and respectfully answer judicial officials' actions.

[02] European Commission on anti-terrorism cooperation

BRUSSELS, 16/10/2001 (ANA - B. Demiris)

Environment Commissioner Margot Walstrom said that the following decisions were taken at a meeting here of general directors of civil protection services from member-states and candidate countries.

The creation by October 31 of a group of experts from the "15", to operate round-the-clock, with specialization in the sectors of biology, chemistry and nuclear materials.

The improvement of cooperation between the anti-terrorism services of member-states with emphasis on the issue of collecting information on the use of antibiotics, vaccines and serums.

The creation of a "systematic information exchange network" for handling accidents or threats of terrorist attacks.

The strengthening of local information and prevention networks on issues concerning possible terrorist attacks in member-states. To this end, the direct linkage of national services with corresponding EU ones is anticipated with the operation of unified telephone information lines for the public.

It was stressed at the meeting that the issue of handling terrorism remains the responsibility of member-states and it was agreed that urgent national measures already taken should be adjusted to take into consideration the new situation resulting from terrorist threats.

[03] Public order minister meets new U.S. ambassador

Athens, 16/10/2001 (ANA)

A detailed discussion was also held on cooperation between the two countries on issues concerning the handling of terrorism and organized crime.

Chrysohoidis briefed Miller on security measures taken by the Greek police since September 11. He also briefed the U.S. ambassador on issues concerning security at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

[04] Athens, Prague promote dialogue between West, Islam

Athens, 16/10/2001 (ANA)

The statements came one day after Greek FM George Papandreou completed a lightning, one-day visit to Damascus for talks with Syrian leadership, before returning to Athens to meet with his Czech counterpart Jan Kavan.

"We're cooperating within the framework of NATO, but additionally, Greece and the Czech Republic -- especially the latter for many years -- have significant contacts with Arab countries. Therefore, we decided to explore the possibility for initiatives and close cooperation in order to contribute to a substantive dialogue; a dialogue between Arab and Muslim states, on the one hand, and the West," Papandreou said at a press conference in the Greek capital.

On his part, Kavan said an investigation by Czech authorities has confirmed that suspected Sept. 11 "air terror" mastermind Mohammed Atta briefly passed through Prague in June 2000.

"That's all I can confirm. Other information, which has Mohammed Atta coming into contact with a certain Iraqi diplomat ... and cooperating with this diplomat, is only conjecture, it cannot be confirmed. Nor can I confirm another report from US sources, namely, that Mohammed Atta visited Prague on more than one occasion," he stressed.

According to the Czech foreign minister, he personally asked the aforementioned Iraqi diplomat to leave the Visegrad country last year due to "activities unbecoming a diplomat".

Kavan, who also serves as deputy premier, cited what he called very close cooperation between the US and Czech intelligence services as related to past activities of the 19 terrorists blamed for the attacks in the United States last month.

"In fact, when I was in the US recently, Mr. Colin Powell personally thanked me for this cooperation," he said.

Both men also focused on what they called the close-knit Greek-Czech efforts at promoting a diplomatic solution in Kosovo and working for expanded Balkan reconstruction.

"This cooperation, I believe, has solidified our very good bilateral relations, relations based on the Czech Republic's European prospects, which we welcome; that's the framework within which we are closely cooperating," Papandreou said.

In other matters, Greek-Czech relations were praised as excellent by any standard, whereas an agreement to establish a Thessaloniki-based Greek-Czech Chamber of Commerce was signed by the two foreign ministers at a brief ceremony.

"I would like, at the same time, to express my country's gratitude for Greece's efforts at promoting my country's accession into the European Union. Greece's support wasn't just limited to the political level, but also emanated from the very close contact between the two foreign ministries," Kavan said.

[05] Czech foreign minister received by President Stephanopoulos

Athens, 16/10/2001 (ANA)

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou accompanied kavan.

DM meets with Czech deputy prime minister and FM: Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos met with Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Jan Kavan on Monday and, according to reports, discussed issues concerning bilateral relations and the further strengthening of military cooperation between the two countries.

[06] PM's victory at PASOK congress was 'triumphant', Reppas says

Athens, 16/10/2001 (ANA)

The results showed that Simitis had been right to have recourse to the party congress, which had demonstrated PASOK's strength and its will to go forward united, the spokesman added.

Reppas also noted that this was the third time that the prime minister comes away from the party's congress with a decisive victory.

He drew unfavorable comparisons with main opposition New Democracy in this respect, saying that it was 'unused to such democratic procedures' and would not have been able to 'withstand' a similar process.

Sources within the party also commented on the large block (28.8 per cent) of blank ballots cast in the vote for party president, saying that this did not represent a single faction or trend within the party but a sum of different views that were expressed in this way.

The same sources denied that the blank votes represented the supporters of Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos.

Papandreou comments on PASOK congress: Foreign Minister George Papandreou called the conclusion of ruling PASOK's congress over the weekend a "victory for the party", following his meeting in Athens on Monday with Czech Foreign Affairs Minister Jan Kavan.

He also said election of the new PASOK central committee -- to which he was elected second among 282 candidates with 3,453 votes from 6,439 attending delegates -- opens the way for a "new course of unity as well as responsibility".

Laliotis: PM received clear mandate from PASOK congress: The 6th PASOK Congress marked a new start and had given Prime Minister Costas Simitis a clear mandate to proceed with forming a new government, Environment Minister Costas Laliotis said on Monday.

Commenting on his own first-place election to ruling PASOK's new central committee, Laliotis said this gave him a great sense of responsibility and a desire to contribute and be useful to the party's forward momentum in the 21st century.

"It is my ambition and my desire to live up to the expectations of the members of PASOK and millions of Greeks," he said.

Laliotis first among central committee members

Public Works and Town Planning Minister Costas Laliotis will apparently top the list of PASOK cadres elected to its central committee, taking in 3,613 votes out of a total of 5,986 delegates that cast a ballot (6,439 delegates were registered to vote)

"I aspire and want to meet the hopes and expectations of PASOK's members and millions of Greeks," he said after results were announced on Monday morning.

Laliotis, who by all accounts will also become the party's next secretary after Costas Skandalidis steps down, added that his first-place showing increases his personal responsibilities and obligations.

Asked by reporters over a pending government reshuffle, Laliotis simply replied that its scope and specific selections were the domain of the prime minister.

Foreign Minister George Papandreou followed in the inter-party vote, taking in 3,453 votes, with Skandalidis third (3,080 votes).

Coalition leader, Athens mayor comment on PASOK congress: Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos, commenting on the ruling PASOK party's 6th congress, said on Monday "PASOK's congress showed how great the distance is between party staging, government staging and social reality."

"Democracy is not revived in this way and the country's political scene is not renewed," he added.

In a similar statement, Free Citizens Movement leader and Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos believes that Prime Minister and PASOK leader Costas Simitis emerged politically strengthened from the congress.

"From now on he can undertake initiatives which can contribute to many problems being overcome which a government has to handle," he said.

Avramopoulos started a two-day tour of western Macedonia on Monday in the framework of the program "Course towards the citizen" with a visit to the town of Grevena.

Avramopoulos held contacts in both Grevena and Kastoria with members of his party's temporary prefectural initiative commit-tees. He will continue his tour in the prefecture of Kozani on Tuesday.

[07] Coalition party leader meets Israeli ambassador

Athens, 16/10/2001 (ANA)

Sasson said the purpose of the meeting was to open a productive corridor of communication between the embassy and the Coalition. He termed the meeting interesting and briefed Constantopoulos on Israel's views on the situation in the Middle East, adding that despite disagreements at times, relations between the two sides (the embassy and the Coalition) are in a very friendly climate.

Constantopoulos said he had an interesting discussion with the Israeli ambassador, briefing him on the Coalition's views. He reiterated his party's positions on the need for peace in the Middle East, adding that Greece is particularly interested due to the fact it lies between the two regions, which are bleeding, and in flames, the Middle East and the Balkans.

Constantopoulos further said he will be making his tour of the Middle East soon.

[08] President receives Black Sea prefects and mayors

Athens, 16/10/2001 (ANA)

The delegation of the Black Sea Cooperation Pact includes representatives from Greece, Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and Azerbaijan.

[09] Turkish MP tables question over Greek FM's visit to Patriarch

ISTANBUL, 16/10/2001 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Additionally, deputy Osman Yumakoyullari -- now affiliated with the recently formed Saadet (SP) party, a successor to the banned pro-Islamist Virtue Party (FP) that literally means "Enlightening Bliss" or "Happiness" -- also criticized the idea of convening an inter-faith conference under the auspices of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the European Union.

Although it is extremely doubtful whether the tabled question will ever be deliberated on the floor of the Turkish assembly, political circles nevertheless said it stem from an "old style" attitude viewing the Patriarchate with suspicion.

Conversely, the majority of Turkey's press paid particular attention to Papandreou's visit in Istanbul and his meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos, as the issue of holding such an international conference topped their agenda of talks.

[10] Red Cross denies "terrorists" harbored at refugee camps

Athens, 16/10/2001 (ANA)

Responding to recent reports and statements made by foreign officials, the Greek Red Cross said it was its duty to inform that it supervised refugee camps such as those in Lavrio, Nea Makri and elsewhere. It categorically denied what it termed the groundless claims that terrorists were being harbored on trained in these refugee camps.

"Our country and the Greek Red Cross are trying to offer the best possible treatment to persons suffering and who find refuge here, either for economic reasons or to avoid repercussions because they think differently, something unacceptable in the logic of the regimes in their countries," a Greek Red Cross announcement said.

[11] Hospital at Souda naval base to be upgraded

Athens, 16/10/2001 (ANA)

Replying to a question by Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Deputy Liana Kanelli, Tsohatzopoulos said the hospital's upgrading was imperative for the region's modernization and rejected criticism by her that it is taking place to facilitate NATO and U.S. forces.

Tsohatzopoulos also confirmed the construction of a heliport at the Souda naval base, which he termed "a military facility of paramount national significance", adding that there is a cooperation framework with the U.S. but "nothing can be done without the consent of the Greek armed forces."

He reiterated that the handling of international terrorism is now a global effort in which Greece is participating.

[12] Turkish warplanes infringe Athens FIR Athens, 16/10/2001 (ANA)

In all cases, Greek fighter jets intercepted the Turkish planes. According to the same sources, the Turkish planes were un-armed.

[13] Greek exporters worried by local impact of world slowdown

Athens, 16/10/2001 (ANA)

The association's president, Christina Sakellaridi, told a news conference on Monday that domestic exports were mostly in non-essential goods, and therefore more vulnerable to shrinking markets.

Of total Greek exports, 13 percent were in apparel; and agricultural products had been hit by tough competition from countries of the eurozone, which Greece joined this year, Sakellaridi said.

Domestic exports in the first half dropped to 5.3 billion euros in the first half from 5.9 billion euros in the same period of 2000, down 10 percent, the highest rate of decline in the European Union, according to Eurostat, the Community's statistics agency.

"It is obvious that exports should not be abandoned to their fate. A change in exports policy is needed that should aim to support sensitive sectors and back faster execution of growth programs - a policy that would include both immediate and long-term measures," Sakellaridi said.

She added that the association had compiled a study offering practical solutions for corporate promotion of Greek exports abroad using the new technology.

[14] Laliotis: 'Land register program will continue'

Athens, 16/10/2001 (ANA)

Laliotis made the statements after a meeting with the head of the Athens Technical Chamber Costas Liaskas, representatives of the Geotechnical Chamber, the Athens bar, the company in charge of the compiling the land register (Ktimatologio SA) and other agencies.

He said that 85 billion drachmas had been secured from state and EU funds for continuing the project in 2001-2006, which would be used to chart the land register in new areas after a new round of international tenders.

An additional 40 billion drachmas would be needed in 2001-2003, however, to complete the first phase of the land register project, the minister added.

This would be partly funded from the public investment program and partly through a loan on favorable terms from the European Investment Bank and other credit institutions, he said.

He once again reiterated that Greece had not and could not be fined over its handling of the land register project, clarifying that European Commissioner Michel Barnier had referred to the possibility of "recovering" 2nd Community Support Framework funds.

According to Laliotis, the EU had invoked article 24 for the recovery of EU funds 300 times in the past two years and, if it should do so in this case, Greece would have a right and an obligation to take the matter to the European Court.

"I am certain that we would be vindicated," the minister added, "because the position of Greek authorities is fully backed by legal, national, financial and administrative arguments."

He also pointed out that the first stages of the programs had focused on urban areas. This meant that up to 15 per cent of the workload had been covered, even though the expanse registered represented just 7 per cent of Greek territory.

Laliotis said that the committee of experts suggested by Barnier to monitor the project would have a purely advisory rather than regulatory role.

After a visit to Athens to discuss the progress of the land register project, Barnier called for the return of 100 million euros in Community funds on Oct. 5 because of various delays and irregularities. He also ruled out any more funding from Brussels to complete the current land registry phase.

Barnier cited what he called a "lack of transparency" in implementing the project, and said that only one quarter of initial target estimates had been met, with just 8,440 sq. kilometers registered instead of 35,000 sq. kilometers.

He also pointed out that the project had cost 276 million euros so far, more than double initial estimates of 130 million euros.

The Commission's administrative services are expected to submit a final evaluation to Commissioners over the amount of funding the Union wants back, following the conclusion of an ongoing investigation that will consider the Greek government's answers and the information it has supplied.

Greece is one of the very few countries in Europe without a land registry.

[15] Two offers made for buyout of ETBA bank

Athens, 16/10/2001 (ANA)

The offer by the Agricultural Bank of Greece (ATE) is for 113,464,000 ETBA shares (65.56 percent). Cash amounting to 144.9 billion drachmas will cover 41.1 percent (5.98 euros per share) and 86.3 billion drachmas in the form of the compulsory conversion into ATE shares of one-year bonds the remaining 24.46 percent (0.755 ATE shares for each ETBA share), meaning a total of 231.2 billion drachmas.

The Piraeus Bank made an offer for 86.637,000 ETBA shares (50.000078 percent). The offer will be made in cash amounting to 126.5 billion drachmas for the above amount (4.3 euros per share). In the next phase of the merger's completion, the Piraeus Bank will offer 4.17 of its shares for every 10 of ETBA shares for the state's remaining 15.58 percent.

The national economy ministry announced that the state will evaluate the two offers and take its final decisions.

[16] Hellenic Post Offices named a sponsor of Athens Olympics

Athens, 16/10/2001 (ANA)

The company offered 4.0 billion drachmas in a tender for post office sponsors that had no other bidders.

It is now the seventh major national sponsor in the Games.

Under the terms of a preliminary agreement signed with Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki for the event's organizing committee, half of the amount will be paid in cash and the other half in kind.

Angelopoulos-Daskalaki said the committee had so far raised 107 percent of its target of 68 billion drachmas in sponsorships to total 73 billion drachmas, with 33 smaller sponsorship categories still to be tendered.

[17] Greek delegation visits Romania

Athens, 16/10/2001 (ANA)

Experts' commissions from the two countries will discuss in Bucharest a Greek plan for the reconstruction of the Balkans, a bilateral agreement to settle Greek political refugees compensations, a new Greek credit line to Romania and Romanian business participation in Greek public tenders.

The Greek delegation is headed by Minas Stavrakakis, National Economy Ministry's secretary-general for international economic relations.

[18] Air transport in Greece expected to decrease in last quarter

Athens, 16/10/2001 (ANA)

Greek Transport and Communications Minister Christos Verelis will propose a series of measures to bolster the Greek transport market. They are the reconsideration of rules concerning the period of use of EU airports by airline companies currently determined by article 10,95/93 of the EU regulation. Reconsideration of the time schedule and withdrawal and renewal conditions for the air fleet due to problems facing European air transport companies and support by the state which, however, will not be considered subsidization to tackle labor problems arising.

Meanwhile, air transport in Greece is expected to decrease in the region of 10-40 percent in the last quarter of the year, according to destination. In addition, a 20 percent decrease in passenger travel from Eleftherios Venizelos airport in Athens is anticipated in 2002, while an increase in the cost of air transport is expected also due to increased security measures taken.

[19] European Investment Fund in Greek venture capital operation

Athens, 16/10/2001 (ANA)

The EIF is to contribute 20 million euros to NBG Technology LP, with National Bank, a blue chip on the Athens bourse, ploughing in 30 million drachmas as the project's sponsor and General Bank of Greece 10 million euros.

The new venture capital fund will support Greek hi-tech companies, contributing to the creation of quality jobs, EIF said in a statement released after a signing ceremony in Athens.

In addition, companies in the Balkans and other EU countries will also be considered, the statement added.

NBG Technology LP is to invest in innovative early-stage companies that have the potential to become Greek and European leaders in areas including wireless infrastructure and services, software applications, internet infrastructure, hosting and value-added services, information technology consulting and creative content.

National Bank of Greece Venture Capital will manage the company.

Luxembourg-based EIF is the European Union's specialized financial institution for venture capital and guarantees. It was established as a joint venture between the European Investment Bank, the EU's executive Commission and European banks and financial institutions.

[20] Turkish airline to stop Thessaloniki-Istanbul flight

ANKARA, 16/10/2001 (ANA - A. Abatzis)

The airline, which had started up the service in March 2000, said it would officially end as of October 28 when the winter season began.

Along with the Istanbul-Thessaloniki-Istanbul route, the airline plans to scrap two domestic routes.

Olympic Airways had also dropped the Thessaloniki-Istanbul route earlier this month, because of a lack of passengers.

[21] Travel and hotel unions call for abolition of "spatosimo"

Athens, 16/10/2001 (ANA)

In a letter to government ministers, Stavros Andreadis (Travel and Tourism Association chairman), Aristotelis Divanis (Greek Hoteliers' Association chairman), Andreas Potamianos (Passenger Shipping Owners Union chairman) and the leaders from the air transport union and Greek Industries Union, said that a "brave decision" to abolish "spatosimo" could prove the government's interest to support the tourism sector and the country's economy in general.

The cost of relocating the Athens international airport at Spata has led to an increase in domestic airfares of up to 40 percent in several cases, the letter said.

This development, combined with the latest tragic events in the US - leading to a crisis in air transport worldwide - have affected the Greek economy as well. "The cost on air travel was decisive and will hurt directly the country's tourism sector and the wider economy," it added.

[22] Greece seeks EU directive to curb market manipulation

Athens, 16/10/2001 (ANA)

Speaking in Brussels, commission chief Stavros Thomadakis said the measure was imperative in order to protect investors in European stock exchanges, and as a part of a unification process for markets anticipated in the future.

Thomadakis was asked to outline his position on the matter by the Europarliament's financial and monetary affairs committee.

[23] Greece to take part in Week of Science and Technology

Athens, 16/10/2001 (ANA)

In Thessaloniki, as well as in three other southern European cities (Rome, Barcelona and Porto), the INFOPLANET program will be in progress from November 5-16.

INFOPLANET aims at briefing the public on recent developments on issues concerning renewable sources of energy and the scientific progress, which has been achieved in this field.

Various events will be held in the four cities during the European Week of Science and Technology, including exhibitions, daily meetings and a briefing campaign through the mass media.

In Thessaloniki, the events will be held at the installations of CEDEFOP, the European Center for the Development of Professional Training.

[24] Mutual funds market losses rise in September

Athens, 16/10/2001 (ANA)

Market experts said that investors, mainly in equity mutual funds, liquidated more of their holdings in September fearing more losses in the future.

Mutual funds' assets fell 8.0 percent in September to 8.1 trillion drachmas, reflecting outflows in domestic and foreign equity funds.

Domestic equity mutual funds' yields are currently recording losses of up to 45 percent this year, after a -38.42 percent loss in 2000.

Analysts said it was too difficult to forecast the market's next moves because the Athens bourse was not following international markets' course, it was deviating from any technical analysis and was immune to positive news.

[25] Greek stocks end flat in record-low turnover

Athens, 16/10/2001 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.10 percent higher at 2,262.29 points, reversing an initial decline with the help of institutional buying in bank shares 20 minutes from close after a report by Merrill Lynch upgraded Alpha Bank's shares to "neutral" from "down-grade".

Turnover, however, was a disappointing 14.5 billion drachmas or 42.6 million euros, the lowest in the last four years.

The IT solutions and Minerals sectors suffered the heaviest losses (1.30 percent and 0.87 percent respectively), while Construction and Holdings scored the biggest gains (0.92 percent and 0.51 percent respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index rose 0.31 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index was unchanged and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 eased 0.20 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 163 to 136 with another 58 issues unchanged.

Equity futures end down in flaccid trade: Equity futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Monday finished at a discount in thin, lackluster trade, traders said.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips gained 0.31 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks ended flat.

Futures on the FTSE/ASE-20 showed a discount of up to 1.5 percent; and on the FTSE/ASE-40 of up to 2.0 percent, the traders said.

Changing hands were 4,707 contracts.

Bond prices rise in moderate trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Monday finished higher in moderate trade focusing on five-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.11 percent, and the yield spread over German bunds was 45 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 950 million euros.

Buy orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

[26] "Syria and the Byzantine Years" exhibition opens in Athens

Athens, 16/10/2001 (ANA)

The marks which the Byzantine civilization left during the first Christian years (4th to 9th Century A.D.) are apparent in Syria, its position between the Mediterranean and the East making it a center of exchanges of various civilizations.

The exhibits include, among a variety of other items, bronze and stone artifacts as well as jewellery, ceramics, materials and glassware.

[27] European parliamentarians pledge to work for reunification of Cyprus

NICOSIA, 16/10/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Deputies from Greece, Britain, France and Malta conveyed to President Glafcos Clerides on Monday their commitment to work for the reunification of Cyprus and said they rejected the position of the Turkish side for two separate states.

"We believe in one Cyprus, a united Cyprus and we believe in the European entry as early as possible and we expressed our support and gave a commitment to go back to our government and argue that case," British MP Alan Meale said after a meeting with the president.

Describing the meeting "very fruitful", he said the president was "very frank and outlined some of the difficulties" in the UN-led peace effort to find a comprehensive settlement, noting that the president put forward "excellent" arguments.

These arguments, he pointed out, "will help us to achieve what we all want to achieve, which is to unify Cyprus."

Later on Monday the foreign delegation had a meeting with the primate of the church of Cyprus Archbishop Chrysostomos, who invited his interlocutors to help the people of Cyprus to restore justice and freedom.

The foreign dignitaries took part on Sunday in an anti-occupation rally organized by the occupied municipality of Morphou, on the northwest.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

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