NEWS IN DETAIL

Cyprus, Greece seek US guarantees for Cyprus overflights ban

"If indeed there is such an initiative, such a commitment or guarantee which in practice is convincing that it constitutes an effective handling of the problems we have to face, then we can discuss the problem on a different basis. But this does not exist at present," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said.

He added that all those who show an interest in the moratorium should be prepared to gurantee that they will ensure the defence and sovereignty of Cyprus in the case of a Turkish attack.

Clerides on moratorium

Mr. Clerides noted that such an occurrence must include demilitarisation before a solution to the Cyprus problem, although he clarified that the issue has not been officially broached by anyone.

US State Dept. comments

"With all due respect, I would be surprised if that was the correct rendering of the Greek government's proposal, because Greece is an ally of Turkey in NATO, and the US is an ally of both in NATO. Nobody is going to destroy anyone's aircraft. I would bet that this issue will be solved peacefully. And we will continue to work for the moratorium of flights over Cyprus. It is a very important confidence-building measure.

"It is good to see Greece, Turkey and Cyprus being interested in discussing the moratorium and we will continue our efforts in order to help them to reach an agreement. I don't think they are there yet, but we will (continue our efforts) in private, not in public," Mr. Burns added.

Bulgaria ratifies cross-border agreements with Greece

According to the Bulgarian news agency BTA, "the cross-border cooperation programme between Bulgaria and Greece constitutes one of the main mechanisms through which the European Commission exercises free investment policy. To date, and on the basis of t he economic memorandum for 1994, Bulgaria has received Ecu25 million to implement programmes in the sectors of transport, telecommunications and the environment."

The new programme anticipates Ecu23 million annually for the improvement of the transport and communications network in border regions along the Greek- Bulgarian frontier, the water-supply system and the minimisation of environmental pollution.

Among others, the programme anticipates the electrification of the Dubnica- Koulata rail link with Ecu3 million, as well as a contribution to the creation of a digital telecommunications line linking Sofia and Petric as well as the optic fibre link betwe en Kavala and Haskovo with Ecu1.5 million. The amount of Ecu1.3 million is also anticipated for the natural gas pipeline linking Russia to Greece.

A further Ecu1.5 million will be provided to decrease uranium waste in rivers flowing into Greece.

Greece to participate in Ukraine PfP exercise

Greece will join Ukraine, the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Russia, Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania in "Sea Breeze-97", Yuri Glukhov, a Ukrainian naval officer who heads the organising team, told reporters.

The exercise, part of NATO's Partnership for Peace programme, would be a "wonderful opportunity for the navies of different countries to work on cooperation in humanitarian operations", he added. Ukraine would contribute 10 ships, several planes and oth er forces to the exercises, Glukhov said.

He added that Albania and Georgia would take part as observers. The partnership is aimed at forging closer links between eastern and central Europe and NATO members bby organising millitary exercises and joint training projects.

Gov't comments on alleged links between Ciller, drug smugglers

"However, Ms Ciller's acts concern Greece to the extent that the policy she pursues conflicts with our interests and she acts outside the framework of international law and international treaties," Mr. Reppas said.

During the trial in Germany of three convicted drug smugglers on Tuesday, Frankfurt judge Rolf Schwalbe said two Istanbul families dominated the heroin trade emanating from Turkey.

He claimed the families, which he named, had excellent links to the Turkish government and personal contacts with a minister who he subsequently named as Ms Ciller.

Air transport problems discussed prior to summer season

Addressing the seminar on "Tourism and Air transport," Development Minister Vasso Papandreou said an immediate solution to problems in air transport was not feasible but expressed hope the situation would undergo drastic changes in the next few years.

Olympic Airways President Nikos Blessios pledged that OA will make every possible effort to assist in upgrading Greek tourism, adding that the company will purchase new aircraft and attempt to enter strategic alliances with other airline co mpanies in new markets in an effort to become more competitive.

Regarding a new French-made air traffic control system which was due to go into operation in April, the air traffic controllers said the system's operation will be delayed until autumn, due to lack of technical support, adding that problems should be anticipated during the tourism season.

Meanwhile, representatives of international airlines operating in Greece called on the government to proceed with airline deregulation and stressed what they termed "the state's destructive protectionism of OA."

They said high operating costs in Greece have led six international airlines to close down their operation in Greece, while two more have announced plans to leave the country.

Europartenariat Hellas 1997 reps meet in Athens

The representatives were presented with the Europartenariat catalogue, featuring economic figures for Greece as well as the kind of ventures that 400 Greek enterprises which have been selected to participate in the event are seeking with European enterp rises.

In a message to the meeting, EU Commissioner for tourism, energy and small- to-middle-size enterprises, Christos Papoutsis, said that "Greece's advantageous geographical position can be used as a basis for business ventures not only in the Mediterranean but also in central and eastern Europe, and the Balkans."

National Economy Undersecretary Alekos Baltas told a press conference after the meeting that the Europartenariat was a "successful institution which contributes to cooperation among European SMEs on an international level".

Some 200,000 businesses have participated in the Europartenatiat since it was founded in 1988 at the initiative of the European Union.

Two thousand Greek businesses will participate at this year's Europartenariat Hellas 1997.

Mr. Baltas said prospects were good for joint ventures between businesses in Greece, eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the Black Sea region countries.

Gov't to invite tenders for EOT properties development

These would concern the following sites:

- A 118-hectare site in Nea Fokaia, Halkidiki, for the creation of a golf course requiring an investment of at least 4 billion drachmas, and envisaging 100 new positions.

- A 193.5-hectare site in Paliouri, Halkidiki, for the development of new forms of tourism (sea therapy, sports installations, environmental training centre etc.), requiring an investment of more than six billion drachmas and 200 new positions.

- A 157-hectare site in Anavyssos, Attica, for the creation of a golf course, conference centre, sea therapy and sports installations, requiring an investment of more than 12 billion drachmas and 250 new positions.

- A 187-hectare site in Afantou, Rhodes, for upgrading the existing golf course, horseback riding and sports installations, budgeted at more than 11 billion drachmas, and envisaging the creation of 400 new positions.

Ms Papandreou said the total investments could eventually reach twice the amount budgeted, i.e. 66 billion drachmas.

Greek method to fight oil pollution unveiled

"Clean mag" is a special compound of plastic materials containing magnetised particles. Prof. George Nicholaidis said the compound had the property of being able to selectively absorb petroleum products and oils without absorbing water. "This means that when the petroleum products come into contact with the compound, they quickly stick to "clean mag" and remain on the surface of the sea where they can easily be collected with the use of electromagnets," Prof. Nicholaidis said.

According to the professor, present methods of cleaning up oil slicks are extremely costly and are never completely efficient.

Prof. Nicholaidis said that when clean mag went into mass production, he expected great interest on the part of shipping companies and foreign countries.

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