NEWS IN DETAIL

Thessaloniki assumes European Cultural Capital of '97 title

Addressing an official dinner in Thessaloniki, Mr.Simitis said the task facing Europe was to harmonise the demand for respect for each country's cultural traditions with the need for solidarity and creative cooperation.

The premier urged culture ministers from 40 European, Balkan, Mediterranean and Black Sea region countries to take advantage of all opportunities offered by regional cooperation agreements in order to implement their common goals.

"Culture is not a secondary aspect of international relations, but a comprehensive and inclusive world view," he said, adding that Europe's strength was its culture, therefore, a choice had to be made between letting Europe's multi-cultural reality be determined by the wounds of its past, or letting it act as a life-giving source of continual inspiration and cooperation.

The institution of European cultural capital, inspired by the late Greek actress and politician Melina Mercouri, should be seen as a confirmation of European peoples' trust in the principles, philosophy and laws governing European society, he said.

Thessaloniki itself, he observed, had been host to many different peoples and traditions during its 23 centuries of history, yet its Hellenic character had not been altered.

Mr. Simitis referred to the 233 cultural infrastructure projects currently underway inthe city, at a cost of 80 billion drachmas.

The mayor of Copenhagen, Vibeke Storm Rasmussen, handed over the title of Cultural Capital of Europe to Thessaloniki during the ceremony.

Ms Rasmussen spoke of her city's experiences during 1996, when it held the title, noting that culture became part of everyday life, with 65 per cent of Copenhagen's population participating in the events.

Simitis reiterates gov't position not to bow to farmers' demands

The premier said Greek agriculture is faced with the task of adjusting to a world market before it even has the chance to adjust to a common European agricultural policy.

He stressed that the government will not consent to "beautifications and cover-ups that will make things worse," adding that farmers' mobilisations were "extreme forms of struggle" that lead nowhere except to temporary measures.

Regarding the agricultural cooperatives movement, he said it had much to offer especially in the field of training farmers.

On Friday, PASEGES president Nikos Liolios said that the agriculture problems could be solved if measures are taken in three areas, namely, growth of fragmented farm holdings; modernisation of the market structure so that 50 per cent of agricultural inc ome does not end up in large urban centres, as well as a reduction in the cost of agricultural products.

The government's stern warnings against protesting farmers, who have threatened to again blockade the national road and rail network, were also reiterated by Justice Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos, who said that "if they try to violate the laws of the state, then the state defending itself, will take the necessary measures."

Mr. Yiannopoulos directly accused the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) of inciting the farmers' mobilisations.

Previously unknown El Greco painting displayed in Thessaloniki

"The Passion of Christ-Pieta", which depicts three angels, was part of the Velimezis collection and is thought to have been painted before 1567, the year El Greco, whose real name was Dominikos Theotokopoulos, departed his birthplace of Crete for Italy and then Spain.

Tsohatzopoulos: Dispute of Aegean status quo remains unwavering

During the interview, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos underlined that the Greek armed forces are in a position to decisively deal with the disputing of the country's sovereign rights.

The defence minister also referred to what he called "equal strike" policy, stressing that the armed forces can defend the country against any attack, and can return any military strike with equal force.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos reiterated his position regarding the proposed moratorium of military flights over Cyprus and criticised the policy followed by the 1990-93 Mitsotakis government as regards Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue, estimating that this policy "worsened" Greece's positions.

Pangalos, Milutinovic meet in Thessaloniki

Mr. Milutinovic attended the official opening of the Cultural Capital '97, and upon departing told a private Athens television channel that he discussed bilateral issues with Mr. Pangalos.

In statements, Mr. Milutinovic appeared optimistic for a defusion of tension in Yugoslavia.

G. Papadreou meets with UN chief in Davos

Mr. Papandreou also met with other officials attending the forum, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while he presented Greece's positions on basic foreign policy issues in contacts with other world

leaders. Agrotica exhibition ends

Tens of thousands of people from both Greece and 29 foreign countries visited the exhibition in Helexpo's international exhibition and conference centre, where roughly 1,500 exhibitors were displayed.

Following a Helexpo initiative, awards were given to the best exhibitors.

Teachers' strike continues

Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Arsenis said all issues were discussed, adding that he accepted a proposal by president of the Union of Public Secondary School Teachers (OLME), N. Tsoulias, that an increase granted to teachers by the government be given in March, earlier than scheduled.

OLME's administrative board said no comprehensive proposal was made to the minister, adding that striking teachers remain firm on their financial demands for substantial increases and will continue their strikes.

Meanwhile, primary and kindergarten teachers begin a five-day strike today, while private school teachers have also announced a 24-hour strike today.

High level of hepatitis infection in Greece

According to the latest epidemiological evidence, in certain regions in Greece, such as Crete, 20 per cent of people over the age of 60 suffer from hepatitis C, with most of them probably having been infected many years ago.

Pathology professor S. Hatziyiannis attributed this figure to past out- dated medical practices.

Humanitarian aid to Bulgaria

The aid consists of 700 tons of flour and 1,000 tons of maize from the Evros prefecture. The flour is to be distributed to 16 institutions caring for orphans, sick children and the elderly. The humanitarian aid is to ensure the provision of free bread u ntil the end of the year, while maize will be distributed to three large farms in the area.

The neigbouring areas of Evros and Haskovo signed an agreement for regional cooperation last year, which provides for the creation of a free trade zone for development of unhindered economic activities.

Russian mafia man found dead

According to police, Alesandr Solonik, from the city of Kurgal in the Urals, had reportedly escaped from a Moscow prison in 1995. He is suspected of running a Russian criminal gang in Greece, as well as being a hired killer.

The dead man was sought in connection to the killing of four Russian police officers and the wounding of another. Solonik's body, which displayed signs of strangulation, was found fully clothed but without any identification. According to a coroner, the time of death was established as having been roughly 24 hours before the body was discovered.

Another 2 Turkish illegal immigrant smugglers arrested

Mehmet Berberoglu, 50, and Abdulerak Balat, 21, were apprehended while attempting to smuggle 15 Iraqis of Kurdish origin, including three children, by boat from the Turkish coast.

The same suspects reportedly transported 42 illegal immigrants to Greece on Jan. 25.

During the past 45 days, 11 Turkish nationals have been arrested on various eastern Aegean islands and islets on charges of smuggling illegal immigrants into Greece.

Rally held outside Albanian embassy over collapsed pyramid schemes

Press reports say thousands of families lost their savings in the collapse of the pyramid-style investment schemes.

According to reports, Albanian businessmen were operating branches for such investment schemes in Athens and Thessaloniki, which were used by both Albanian nationals and Greeks.

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