Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-10-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM says military solution not only response to terrorism

[02] EU leaders adopt measures to combat terrorism

[03] EPP holds meeting of party leaders

[04] Greek FM briefs U.S. counterpart on his visit to Syria

[05] Alternate FM holds talks with Iranian minister in Paris

[06] Tsohatzopoulos: No defeat; PASOK congress the start of a new era

[07] Hytiris: Courts to take over from here in Mitsotakis scandal

[08] Greece gripped by anthrax jitters in wake of hoaxes

[09] Cyprus, Greece in harmony on defense issues, minister says

[10] Communist party leader meets Israeli and Australian envoys

[11] Court clears Israeli tourists arrested for Souda snapshots

[12] Papantoniou, US envoy discuss US terrorist attack's repercussions on world econ

[13] Development minister addresses conference on tourism

[14] Intracom in supply deal with Hellenic Aerospace Industry

[15] Authorities accelerate tourism privatization procedures

[16] Home banks should merge and expand, top banker says

[17] Defense minister inaugurates construction of military hospital

[18] Spanish business delegation to visit Greece

[19] Aircraft landing and parking fees to be reduced at Athens airport, Drys says

[20] Deputy labor minister denies possible employment decrease

[21] Alpha Invest reports lower Q3 profit

[22] International logistics conference opens in Thessaloniki

[23] Credit, debit cards to be valid for tax payments

[24] Enel.Hydro SpA wins Greek tender

[25] EU group calls for tighter Mediterranean links due to terrorism

[26] Greek weekly economic review

[27] Greek stocks end nervous session stable

[28] Sports deputy minister meets chief of Greek Olympic Games sports preparations

[29] Seminar on technology and Olympics to take place in Athens

[30] Culture minister presents Europa Nostra award to stonemason restoring Parthenon

[31] International conference on Greece's role in WW2

[32] Conference to be held in Crete on social policy and welfare

[33] Border patrol picks up 44 Iraqi illegal immigrants

[34] Marble head believed to be Late Roman found in river-bed

[35] Kozani cattle herder diagnosed with anthrax disease

[36] FM says need to solve Cyprus problem is now more pressing than ever before

[37] Afghans in exile to hold consultations in Cyprus this weekend ahead of Rome meeting

[38] International conference on the Cyprus tourism industry in the 21st century

[01] PM says military solution not only response to terrorism

GHENT 20/10/2001 (ANA - Y. Zitouniati)

Simitis said interest in the Balkans and the Palestinian issue should be continued and the role of the UN should be strengthened. He also placed emphasis on cooperation between the EU and the U.S. for the avoidance of "interventions in other countries which are not proved to be necessary."

Replying to reporters, Simitis said the "initial meeting" between France, Germany and Britain on terrorism was not examined by the "15", following assurances by the Belgian prime minister that issues concerning the summit had not been discussed by the three countries.

French President Jacques Chirac said reactions (primarily from Italy) were due to a "misunderstanding" and that the meeting is of interest to all who participated. "It only concerns us," he said.

The "initial meeting", held at France's initiative, has taken on great dimensions in the Belgian press which noted that "it overshadowed the summit", that it is a question of "two summits in one" or of a "two-speed Europe", both due to reactions it caused, even European Commission President Romano Prodi expressed displeasure on Thursday, and the "mystery" concerning its expediency.

Friday's summit also examined the introduction of the euro currency, which Simitis termed a symbol of the common future and the main characteristic of the European course.

Simitis further said processes for its circulation in Greece have forged ahead, without ruling out the existence of differences according to each country's level of development.

The "15" expressed optimism over the short-term repercussions for the European economy stemming from the terrorist attacks in the U.S., underlining that thanks to the euro they were very limited.

"If they had taken place a few years ago, they would have caused crises in many countries," Simitis said.

He added that the economy is the top priority for his government and that Greece is ahead of 30 countries regarding growth rates, according to the latest OECD data.

Simitis briefed the EU on the wave of illegal immigrants Greece is being faced with after September 11, saying that arrests have reached 270,000 and calling for its assistance to overcome the crisis.

[02] EU leaders adopt measures to combat terrorism

GHENT, Belgium 20/10/2001 (ANA/B. Demiris)

The 79-point decision focuses on cooperative efforts in specific sectors and should be implemented "as soon as possible".

It proposed that authorities charged with combating terrorism should increase their cooperation, such authorities include Europol, the Eurojust, the national intelligence services and the national police and judicial authorities. This cooperation, it added, should allow the listing, before the end of the year, of terrorist organizations.

It also proposed that by Dec. 7 regulations instituting a common European arrest and extradition warrant, also mandating the freezing of assets of those involved in terrorist actions should be ratified.

Among other points the decision included the effective combating of funding for terrorism and the ratification of security measures for flights.

"In Afghanistan, the objective (of military operations) remains the elimination of the Al Qaeda terrorist organization which is responsible for the September 11 attacks and whose leaders have not been handed over by the Taliban," the resolution noted.

The resolution says the EU should start working immediately with the United Nations to encourage the "emergence of a stable, legitimate and representative government for all the Afghan people."

It also noted that as soon as that goal is achieved, a "large and ambitious" international program for the reconstruction of Afghanistan will be implemented in order to stabilize the region.

The 15 also called for the immediate and without preconditions re-initiating of efforts to resolve the crisis in the Middle East.

[03] EPP holds meeting of party leaders

GHENT 20/10/2001 (ANA/M. Spinthourakis)

Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis, who attended the meeting, told reporters that under the latest conditions united Europe should guarantee security and democracy for all its citizens.

Karamanlis went on to say that for this to be achieved the shaping of the EU's common foreign policy and security policy should be promoted.

"Initiatives are required now both in the Balkans and the Middle East," he said, adding that the EU should act with determination and support efforts for the resumption of dialogue in the Middle East.

Karamanlis said the creation of an autonomous Palestinian state should be pursued on the one hand and, on the other, the existence of the state of Israel should be safeguarded.

Shortly before the start to the EPP's meeting, groups of demonstrators denounced Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, while police intervention prevented serious incidents from taking place.

[04] Greek FM briefs U.S. counterpart on his visit to Syria

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

The main purpose of Papandreou's visit to Syria, as well as to other countries he will visit in due course, is to convince the Arab and Moslem world to align them with the "World Alliance" against terrorism.

According to diplomatic sources, the Greek foreign minister will also send a letter to Powell briefing him on the contacts he had with Syrian officials. Papandreou has already briefed new U.S. Ambassador to Athens Tom Miller, while Greek Ambassador to Washington Alexandros Philon has also briefed the relevant departments of the U.S. State Department.

[05] Alternate FM holds talks with Iranian minister in Paris

PARIS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

During their meeting, the two ministers discussed issues of bilateral and international cooperation.

Following her meeting with the Iranian minister, Papazoi said "we decided that the two countries should proceed immediately in discussing issues regarding a dialogue between cultures. An initiative, which has already started on the part of Iran, for a particular dialogue between cultures. The minister proposed and we accepted for the discussion to proceed immediately between the universities and for our two countries to spearhead this dialogue between the West and the Islamic countries."

Papazoi was accompanied by Greece's permanent representative to UNESCO, author Vassilis Vassilikos.

[06] Tsohatzopoulos: No defeat; PASOK congress the start of a new era

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

"The commitment by PASOK members to the unanimous decisions of the congress, which determined the political content of our proposal to the Greek people, is I think the guarantee for an effective rallying, mobilization and unity of PASOK's forces in this new period," he said.

Tsohatzopoulos was responding to questions on whether he felt that he had emerged defeated from the PASOK congress.

[07] Hytiris: Courts to take over from here in Mitsotakis scandal

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

The affair would continue in court, Hytiris said, and noted that it was an issue, which concerned main opposition New Democracy, which had to provide convincing answers.

Hytiris was commenting on charges leveled at Mitsotakis by Environment Minister Costas Laliotis, who hinted that an ND government of 1993 had deliberately agreed to pay more for the new airport and implied that Mitsotakis was guilty of graft and linked to a mysterious account belonging to a Liberian company.

Laliotis, meanwhile, renewed his attacks on Mitsotakis during a visit to the northwestern Greek town of Preveza on Friday and said that the former premier had as good as admitted the existence of the account during a televised interview the previous day. He also rejected arguments that a comparative analysis by chartered accountants Ernst and Young of the contracts negotiated by New Democracy in 1993 and PASOK in 1995 had somehow been 'fixed'.

The firm was one of the most reputable worldwide, he said, and would never stake its reputation for the sake of a minister.

Laliotis is currently touring northwestern Greece and touring major public works in various stages of completion, such as the Aktion channel tunnel, Igoumenitsa port and sections of the Egnatia Highway.

Earlier on Friday, a letter from ND MPs was sent to Parliament's transparency committee, to whom Laliotis has sent the report by Ernst & Young, in which they said ND would 'accept the challenge' made by Laliotis and expressed satisfaction with the minister's move, saying it created a precedent for bringing the contracts for other public works to the committee's attention.

The report by Ernst & Young, released this week, concluded that the Greek state had gained 100 billion drachmas as a result of the contract renegotiated and signed by PASOK in 1995.

[08] Greece gripped by anthrax jitters in wake of hoaxes

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

Government spokesman Telemachos Hytiris appealed for a stop to pranks and practical jokes on Friday afternoon, even as a helicopter manned by fire brigade officers was flying down to the Ionian island of Corfu to bring yet another envelope full of unidentified powder back to Athens to be tested for the anthrax bacillus.

Authorities in Corfu have sealed off a post office building on the island after one of the postal workers found an envelope containing a pink-colored powder.

A similar letter sent to the health ministry on Thursday the full-scale mobilization of eight state agencies and services, while the ministry building was quarantined for the rest of the day until tests proved the letter was a hoax.

Hytiris stressed that testing the contents of such letters was costly, while the civil defense secretariat warned that there would be harsh penalties for anyone caught for perpetrating such a hoax.

In an announcement later on Friday, the civil defense secretariat appealed to the public and the media to keep calm and avoid panicking.

It said that many reports made by the public had proved to be false alarms, whether these were deliberate pranks or innocent mistakes.

Misleading state services that dealt with biological and chemical hazards seriously impeded their work, it added.

The rash of hoax letters and calls in the past 48 hours was also commented on by fire brigade chief Panagiotis Fourlas, who castigated those who, as he said, "toyed with the Greek public's sense of security."

He reassured citizens that the government was well equipped to handle these incidents, whether real or fake, but advised people not to open or handle such letters when they received them, to lock the office or room in which the letter was found and to inform the authorities.

Meanwhile, two more letters filled with powder have turned up in the west Peloponnesian city of Patras in the last 24 hours, in post sent to Patras University.

One of these was sealed and had been sent from Egypt, but aroused suspicion because of its strange size and shape. It has been turned over to the authorities for testing.

The other letter, which had been sent from Holland, was open and had no return address.

According to a professor at the university, to whom the open letter had been addressed, it was picked up by a doorman, who on realizing it was full of an unknown powder had it destroyed in a furnace and never delivered it.

[09] Cyprus, Greece in harmony on defense issues, minister says

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

According to a Cyprus News Agency (CNA) dispatch from Nicosia, Cyprus Defense Minister Socratis Hasikos and visiting Greek Deputy Defense Minister Dimitris Apostolakis gave assurances to this effect after a meeting in Nicosia on Friday, stressing that there is no change in the joint defense pact between the two countries, agreed in November 1993.

Apostolakis, who arrived on Friday night to watch the final part of the National Guard's annual military exercises, stressed that the non-participation of the Greek air force and navy in this year's maneuvers is due to purely technical reasons.

"The air space between Greece and Cyprus is saturated with every kind of movement and this is why our military is not taking part in this year's exercises," Apostolakis said, noting that Athens and Nicosia took a joint decision on this specific matter.

Greek naval and air forces have in the recent past participated in

"Nikiforos" exercises, the largest scale exercises the Republic's armed forces conduct on an annual basis.

This year's maneuvers, which started on Tuesday, are scheduled to finish on Sunday.

"There is complete harmony between Athens and Nicosia on all matters, especially on defense issues. We have absolutely no problem, we are in agreement and we shall carry on in this manner," Apostolakis said.

Replying to questions, the Cyprus defense minister said there is no change in policy but as a result of the terrorist attacks in the US in September and the fight against terrorism, the two governments decided to postpone Greek participation in the exercises.

Hasikos pointed out that both Cyprus and Greece have put their air space in the disposal of the US and offer facilities to the US-led coalition of countries fighting terrorism.

On the content of their discussions, Hasikos said they "exchanged some views on the implementation of common objectives and planning in the context of the joint defense pact", which provides for air, land and sea cover for Cyprus from the Greek military in the event of a fresh Turkish offensive.

[10] Communist party leader meets Israeli and Australian envoys

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

Talks between Papariga and the foreign envoys reportedly focused on the international situation after September 11 and the aftermath of the terrorist attacks against the United States.

[11] Court clears Israeli tourists arrested for Souda snapshots

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

The court accepted the argument made by the four defendants, who said they were unaware of the ban on photographs since there was no warning signs in the area.

The four Israelis were part of a group of 150 tourists from Israel holidaying on Crete.

Israeli Embassy denies espionage charges against four Israelis: The consular section of the Israeli Embassy in Athens on Friday denied the charges against four Israelis who were arrested while taking photographs of Souda navy base on Crete, saying they were utterly false.

"The four people arrested were simply tourists taking a holiday on Crete, which was arranged by the company they work for. They were impressed by the beautiful scenery and decided to take a few pictures. It just happened that in the background of one of the photos, one could barely make out the shape of a ship."

All four arrested, the announcement continued, were in low-paid jobs such as drivers and warehouse workers and spoke no foreign languages. The charges made against them, it concluded, had no basis.

[12] Papantoniou, US envoy discuss US terrorist attack's repercussions on world econ

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

Papantoniou told reporters after the meeting that they both believed that the basic economic state of affairs would not change.

The two men further discussed prospects for the establishment and operation of Greek-American joint ventures not only in Greece but also in the entire Balkans.

They further discussed the participation of American enterprises in the construction of projects in view of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

Speaking to reporters, Papantoniou referred to the close cooperation between Greece and the US in fighting terrorism, and also the fact that the EU was advancing a decision to freeze the accounts of individuals suspected of terrorist links.

Also speaking to reporters after the meeting, Miller noted the close cooperation between Greek and American companies in the undertaking of entrepreneurial initiatives in the Balkans, and confirmed the close cooperation between the two countries for the freezing of suspicious accounts and in the effort to crack down on money laundering.

[13] Development minister addresses conference on tourism

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

Speaking at the start of the sessions of the 2nd conference on tourism, organized by the Hellenic-British Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the British Embassy, the minister underlined that "we should not appear fatalists towards the crisis, but instead formulate policies which will prove that Greece is a safe and peaceful country."

During the sessions, held at a central Athens hotel, the general secretary of the development ministry's tourism department, Dimitris Georgakakis, expressed his optimism for the future of tourism in Greece, at the same time underlining the government's actions in this direction.

The shrapnel of the terrorist attacks in the United States naturally touched Greece as well, with tourism receiving the greatest blow. According to Georgakakis, tourism was affected in three sectors. The first concerning the Attica region as a geographic destination, the second being sea tourism and the third the holding of conferences.

The general secretary of the National Tourism Organization of Greece (EOT), Kostas Katsiyannis, said that the Attica region was the most affected as a significant amount of tourists made cancellations following the terrorist attacks in the U.S. He underlined that the American market presented the greatest losses for Greece. Characteristic is the fact that the majority of cancellations were from American tourists, while the general cancellation of bookings exceeded 50 per cent.

The president of the Federation of Greek Tourist Enterprises (SETE), Lambros Andreadis, said there would be a problem in the future in bookings for next year. He noted that bookings were moving at a lower rate in comparison to last year, particularly in tourist destinations appealing to Americans.

For the successful confrontation of the problem, the Greek government has recently set up a special committee to deal with crises related exclusively to tourism.

[14] Intracom in supply deal with Hellenic Aerospace Industry

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

The Celt type Secline Med devices are used to safely transmit data during military actions, they are an Intracom's patent and manufactured according to international military standards.

[15] Authorities accelerate tourism privatization procedures

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

The new measures envisage that Hellenic Tourism Real Estate, a subsidiary of Greek Tourism Organization, will be listed on the Athens Stock Exchange in the second half of 2002. Main underwriters are Alpha Bank, EFG Eurobank and Commercial Bank. Telesis Securities/Fuji Bank will act as consultants to the issue.

Attica's largest marinas (Zea, Alimos and Flisvos) will be privatized by March 2002. An international tender will envisage long-term lease and management of the marinas in return for works to upgrade their facilities.

Also, the sale of a large area in Anavyssos, near Sounio cape, and the area (including facilities) of Afantou Golf course in Rhodes. A tender for the latter will be launched in November 30 with completion expected by June 2002.

The privatization authority also announced a tender - to be launched December 15 - for the creation of a conference centre in the facilities of the former Athens East Airport. Completion of tendering procedures are expected in May 2002.

American Appraisal acts as evaluation consultant to all projects in the privatization program.

[16] Home banks should merge and expand, top banker says

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

"The evolution of Greek banks must take place through more mergers and alliances, creating even larger banks that will be able to meet the tough demands of competition from abroad, but also at home," said Theodoros Karatzas, also governor of the National Bank of Greece.

He said that the country's five largest banking groups held 75 percent of the market on the basis of assets. But the largest domestic groups were small on a global scale, leading to the need for expansion.

At the same time, cross-border mergers and acquisitions were difficult due to different regulatory frameworks and ownership rules, along with cultural and language differences; although introduction of the euro would help, Karatzas said.

Finally, a stronger presence in the Balkans by Greek banks would open new business opportunities, he added.

[17] Defense minister inaugurates construction of military hospital

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

The new hospital will be completed by 2005 and will cost 61 billion drachmas, the minister said.

In response to questions, Tsohatzopoulos stressed that Greece has not yet been requested to supply extra forces for the Balkans, in the event that US and British forces need to be withdrawn and used elsewhere.

[18] Spanish business delegation to visit Greece

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

The business delegation is organized by the Commerce and Industry Chamber of Madrid.

The meetings will be held either in Athens or Thessaloniki, or both cities, depending on the interest shown by the Greek side.

The Spanish delegation consists of Grupo Editorial SM (a Spanish language learning method), Floline Valves, G.C. Wear (clothing), Entex Textil, Leche Pascual (dairy products), Modu-labo, Money Exchange (financial services), Prodevisa (wines and spirits), Saro (baby products), Valeo and Legumbres La Cochura.

[19] Aircraft landing and parking fees to be reduced at Athens airport, Drys says

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

Replying to a question in parliament tabled by main opposition New Democracy MP from Fthiotis prefecture Athanassios Heimaras, Drys said that a program providing incentives to air carriers, aimed at reducing landing and parking fees and reinforcing individual routes, was pending approval before the airport's board of directors. He said a new pricing policy would be announced soon that would render the Eleftherios Venizelos airport more competitive.

[20] Deputy labor minister denies possible employment decrease

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

Protopappas said the Greek economy will not be affected by the unfavorable economic environment, but acknowledged that the situation requires coolness, attention and programming.

General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) President Christos Polyzogopoulos also expressed dissatisfaction with the industrialists' assessments, saying that if the threats are carried out mobilizations will follow. He added that unions will react if the international situation is used as an alibi to exert pressure on working people.

Labor and Social Insurances Minister Tasos Yiannitsis, addressing the inauguration of the employment watch at Agia Paraskevi, expressed satisfaction over the decrease in unemployment in 2000 and assessed that employment will increase in Greece in 2001.

[21] Alpha Invest reports lower Q3 profit

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

The slump in profits was due to a weak performance by the Athens Stock Exchange and by global markets, the company said in a statement.

[22] International logistics conference opens in Thessaloniki

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

Reference was also made of the contribution of logistics to the success of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, the development of agriculture, the better organizing of state procurements and to other sectors of the Greek economy.

Constantine Zaharopoulos, the main adviser of the Athens 2004 Organizing Committee, said, "the Olympic Games constitute a major logistical event" and announced that the Athens 2004 committee will conclude cooperation with Greek and foreign companies specializing logistical services within the year.

Thessaloniki Mayor Vassilis Papageorgopoulos underlined the unique opportunity being presented to Greek businesses, and those, which are active in Thessaloniki in particular, to play a leading role in applying modern logistical techniques.

U.S. embassy commercial attache J. Keller said that, regarding investments opportunities, Thessaloniki is showing impressive progress lately, compared to Athens.

He also said the position of Thessaloniki in the Balkans, as well as the contribution of the port and airport which are constantly being upgraded, provide the city with the necessary comparative advantage to enable it to play a leading role in the world market.

Defense minister addresses int'l conference on logistics: Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos on Friday called for the use of a "common language" between the three branches of the country's Armed Forces, such as the logistics, speaking during an international conference on logistics that took place in Thessaloniki.

He stressed that the "exchange of experiences and the application of logistics in all sectors of society is important for the understanding of the subject and the successful management of all non-durable goods.

"Logistics is a new science which promotes the huge capabilities for effective operation in all sectors and especially in the sector of defense," he said to the participants of the 17th International Conference on Logistics.

[23] Credit, debit cards to be valid for tax payments

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

Fotiadis announced that a pilot scheme had been launched in five tax offices that would later become the norm throughout the country.

Equipment linked to the new means of payment is being installed in 81 tax offices in November, and 200 offices should be connected by the end of the year.

Finally, banking automated teller machines are also to be introduced into tax offices, allowing taxpayers to make withdrawals on the premises, Fotiadis added.

[24] Enel.Hydro SpA wins Greek tender

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

The company will implement quality verification inspections to at least 1,400 projects co-funded by EU funds.

[25] EU group calls for tighter Mediterranean links due to terrorism

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

The decision was relayed in Thessaloniki on Friday by Dimitris Demetriades, representing Greek commerce.

Demetriades is the president of the Thessaloniki Commerce Association and a board member of the National Confederation of Greek Commerce.

[26] Greek weekly economic review

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

Papantoniou said that a draft bill to support business activity in the country would be voted in parliament next week and envisages measures to promote mergers and acquisitions and investments in new economy sectors.

He noted that a development bill could be submitted to parliament in the first two months of 2002 after talks with interested parties.

Papantoniou stressed that Greek economy was maintaining its dynamism despite a global recession.

European Central Bank's president, Wim Duisenberg, speaking in Athens at a seminar on the euro held by the Bank of Greece, reiterated that ECB's main duty was to preserve price stability and to combat inflation "a duty that we have satisfactorily fulfilled so far."

He was responding to criticism by European politicians and bankers over the bank's reluctance to cut interest rates in the eurozone.

The government decided on Thursday to ask for improved offers by the two interested banks (Piraeus Bank, Agricultural Bank) in a tender to sell ETBAbank, and that an initial public offering by Public Power Corporation and a flotation of at least 10 percent of PPC's equity capital could be completed early December.

Greek exports fell 10.0 percent in the first six months of 2001 to 5.3 billion euros, from 5.9 billion in the same period last year, Eurostat figures showed.

Air transport will fall by 10-40 percent in the fourth quarter of 2001, analysts said during the week, while passenger traffic at the new Athens airport at Spata is expected to fall by 20 percent next year and airfares are expected to rise in 2002 due to higher security measures globally.

[27] Greek stocks end nervous session stable

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

Traders said the market was trying to find more stable levels after the previous sessions' sharp ups and downs. Buying interest was once again focused on blue chip stocks like Hellenic Telecoms.

The general index ended 0.05 percent higher at 2,345.51 points, for a net gain of 3.77 percent in the week, with turnover a low 36.5 billion drachmas or 107 million euros.

The Information and IT Solutions sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses (1.52 percent and 1.04 percent respectively), while Textiles and Investments scored the biggest gains (1.27 percent and 0.98 percent).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 0.08 percent lower, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index fell 0.16 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index rose 0.52 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 164 to 155 with another 44 issues unchanged.

The most heavily traded shares were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, National Bank of Greece, Panafon, Teletypos and Sex Form.

Equity futures end flat: Equity futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Friday ended flat in lackluster trade, traders said.

The value of transactions was lower at 31.4 million euros with volume at 4,591 contracts.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips shed 0.08 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks lost 0.16 percent.

Bond prices drop in heavy trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Friday finished lower in heavy trade focusing on five-year paper with players edgy about growth in the eurozone following the release of German economic data.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.06 percent, and the yield spread over German bunds was 45 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 1.4 billion euros.

Sell orders accounted for over half turnover.

[28] Sports deputy minister meets chief of Greek Olympic Games sports preparations

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

"The Olympic Games are a clearly athletic event. And if Greece does not have a good athletic representation the success of the Games will be lessened. The government, the sports deputy minister and the Greek Olympic Committee place great importance on this athletic event," Papadoyiannakis said.

On his part, the minister stressed that all existing problems in infrastructures will be resolved by March and at that time they will be delivered to the sports federations.

[29] Seminar on technology and Olympics to take place in Athens

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

According to an announcement by the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry, it will focus on aspects of technology that have a bearing on the Athens Olympics in 2004 and is addressed to ministry officials, organizations, public bodies and businesses directly involved in these areas.

The seminar will begin at 10:00 hours, with Athens 2004 Olympics Organizing Committee (ATHOC) chairwoman Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki attending, along with Development Minister Nikos Christodoulakis and Transport Minister Christos Verelis.

[30] Culture minister presents Europa Nostra award to stonemason restoring Parthenon

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

"The restoration by Europa Nostra will always be incomplete to the measure that the Marbles of the Parthenon continue to be in the British Museum. The return of the Marbles is an aim Greece will never give up," the minister said.

He also said that the new Acropolis Museum will be constructed and ready for use by 2004.

[31] International conference on Greece's role in WW2

PARIS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

The conference is being organized by the Union of Greek Problems Studies and the Pierre Belon Interscientific Studies Union with financial backing by the Greek foreign ministry's Cultural Affairs Department.

The conference got underway with an address by French Senator Misel Guerry who spoke of the exemplary role played by Greece as an allied force during WW2.

Greek ambassador Ilias Klis referred to the responsible stance and resistance of the Greek people both during the Italian invasion and the Nazi occupation.

Organizing Committee President Eleni Antoniadi-Bimbikou read a message addressed by Greek Foreign Minister George

Papandreou on the occasion of the conference, who underlined the conference's particular interest and referred to the significance of history, which is the guard of memory, an essential factor for the development of humanity.

Bimbikou also read a similar message by Greek Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos stressing the great significance of Greece's contribution to the war.

[32] Conference to be held in Crete on social policy and welfare

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

The conference is organized by the Social Policy Society of Crete, the Confederation of Social Workers of Greece and the National Confederation of Persons with Special Needs.

At a press conference on Friday, the organizers said that the purpose of the conference is to upgrade the role of the state and that of local government and non-governmental organizations in implementing social policy program.

The programs include the care of children and that of the family, persons with special needs and the elderly.

[33] Border patrol picks up 44 Iraqi illegal immigrants

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

The border guards searched the truck driven by 45-year-old Christophoros Karakasidis when a routine check revealed that it had fake number plates, fake registration and was uninsured.

Under questioning, Karakasidis revealed that his fee for taking the immigrants to Athens would have been US$ 110,000.

[34] Marble head believed to be Late Roman found in river-bed

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

They said the head had been turned over by police to the local Antiquities Ephoria, while police were investigating.

According to initial assessments by an archaeologist, the head is believed to date back to the Late Roman period.

[35] Kozani cattle herder diagnosed with anthrax disease

ATHENS 20/10/2001 (ANA)

Authorities did not release the name of the man, but said that he was taken to a Thessaloniki hospital, when he had shown symptoms of the disease that has caused a scare around the world following the September 11 terrorist attacks in the U.S.

Doctors of the hospital said that the case of the man from the small village of Servia, Kozani was probably connected to his animals, as the disease can jump species if vital fluids of the animal find their way in the human body through cuts or scrapes.

[36] FM says need to solve Cyprus problem is now more pressing than ever before

PAPHOS 20/10/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking prior to his departure for Brussels, to attend Saturday's European Conference on terrorism, Kasoulides said that had Cyprus not sided with the coalition of countries fighting terrorism the way it has done, it would have offered no good service to itself or to the values and principles it lives by.

Kasoulides described as "historic" Russia's, Ukraine's and Moldavia’s presence at Saturday's working lunch, in the context of the European Conference, pointing out that "for the first time continental Europe will gather around the table to discuss this important issue, terrorism."

He said this goal unites the people of Europe and almost all people around the world, and this unity could very well lead to a realignment in foreign policy and diplomacy, which Cyprus will have to evaluate and respond to in due course with a view to reap positive results.

Replying to questions, the minister acknowledged that in the short term regional problems could be marginalized, but, as he stressed, everyone agrees that these problems have to be settled because of the existing danger everybody is facing from the scourge of terrorism.

Noting that Cyprus, Greece and Turkey border a sensitive and troubled region, he said that the US and Europe understand now more than at any other time in the past the need to see disputes among these three countries settled, a development that would allow them to devote their efforts to fighting terrorism.

"In the short term, the need to solve the Cyprus problem is now more pressing than ever before," Kasoulides said, adding that Europe understands that it should now accelerate rather than slow down the enlargement process.

The EU is now engaged in accession negotiations with twelve candidate countries, including Cyprus, and is working towards enlargement with a view to having new members vote in the 2004 European Parliament elections.

[37] Afghans in exile to hold consultations in Cyprus this weekend ahead of Rome meeting

PAPHOS 20/10/2001 (CNA/ANA)

"We are aware of the Cyprus meeting and have given our consent to it but it will not encompass all exiled Afghan groups (Cyprus, Bonn, the legal Afghan government based in Tajikistan) as initially requested," the minister said at Paphos' airport, on his way to Brussels for a meeting in the context of Cyprus' accession course into the European Union.

The minister explained that those participating in the Cyprus Afghan initiative, namely the organizing committee, had requested permission to meet on the island this weekend and have consultations before going to Rome for another meeting to discuss forming a government in exile.

"Cyprus is a free country, I do not think we can prevent people who wish to come and meet here from doing so," Kasoulides said.

Commenting on the same issue, government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said some 20 Afghan exiles arrive on the island on Saturday on their way to Rome.

The spokesman recalled a decision by the National Council, the top advisory body to the President of the Republic, that it would not be desirable under the circumstances to host here a meeting of the Afghan opposition.

"This position has been communicated to those concerned," he told CNA, adding that Cyprus is a democratic country and people are free to stay wherever they wish and meet whoever they like.

Asked if security measures will be taken to protect the Afghan visitors, Papapetrou said that "whenever we consider it necessary to take measures for any visitor, we do."

[38] International conference on the Cyprus tourism industry in the 21st century

NICOSIA 20/10/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Addressing a one-day international conference on tourism, entitled "The Cyprus Tourism Industry in the 21st century, Challenges in the new Millennium", he said the tourist industry is still in its primary stages and only seven per cent of the world's population is in a position to travel, adding that Europe ranks first in this respect.

He said in 2000, the number of tourists on a global scale reached 699 million, recording a 7.4 per cent increase.

The WTO predicted that by 2020 China will be the most popular destination, with 8.3 per cent of the tourist market, followed by France, the US and Spain.

De Villiers said the Germans will continue to remain at the top of the list of the most traveled people in 2020. The Japanese will come second best, followed by the Americans and the Chinese.

The main speaker to the conference, Director General of the Cyprus Tourism Organization Phryne Michael, presented the new tourist strategy for Cyprus until 2010 and said the CTO wants to maintain sustainability and quality in the industry and double revenue to reach 1.8 billion. She said in the wake of the terrorist attack in the US Russian tourists do not seem to be worried about coming to Cyprus, adding that the British market is somewhat subdued but retains its confidence in the local market.

In his address to the conference, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Nicos Rolandis, said that tourist figures for 2001 will be similar to those of 2000 but reservations for winter 2002 are "substantially lower".

Rolandis, whose speech was read by Minister of Health Frixos Savvidis, said that figures between January and July 2001 show a 5 per cent increase in tourist arrivals and the income a 12 per cent rise.

"Cyprus is a very safe tourist destination in the Eastern Mediterranean," Rolandis said, adding that "Cyprus has to do its outmost to sustain tourism in the highest level possible".

Speaking to the conference, the head of the European Com-mission delegation to Cyprus Ambassador Donato Chiarini said Cyprus still has a "tremendous potential" in the tourist sector and encouraged the authorities to deal with environmental problems resulting from tourism.

On behalf of Cyprus Airways, General Manager Christos Kyriakides said that in 2000 Cyprus Airways alone carried 1.4 million passengers and had a market share in the total Cyprus air traffic of 23.8 per cent.

In comparison, Cyprus Airways carried in 1980 467,300 passengers and had a market share of 51.2 per cent.

Referring to the liberalization of air travel, Kyriakides noted that "this has not, in other places, and will not in the case of Cyprus bring any significant additional tourist traffic flows".

He said liberalization in Europe has affected airlines and destinations and concluded "liberalization is not a panacea for all evils."

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