NEWS IN DETAIL

Karamanlis calls for unity and an end to ND's 'introversion'

"An important step has been made in order to put aside all those things that harmed us in the past. If we simply elected a leader only to begin the same things anew, then we shall have lost a unique opportunity," Mr. Karamanlis said in obvious reference to recurrent internal party feuding.

The 41-year-old nephew of ND party founder, former prime minister and president of the republic by the same name, was elected late Friday night - the first day of the party's fourth congress - during a second round of balloting. He won an overwhelming majority (69.10 per cent) of the vote, while his opponent, ND deputy from Larisa and former minister George Souflias, received only 30.84 per cent of the votes cast by party delegates and party deputies.

Mr. Karamanlis' election to ND's leadership has apparently put an end to more than six months of internal party turmoil, following last September's general elections.

New central committee

There were also reports that Mr. Mitsotakis was vexed over the fact that the party's new charter, approved by the congress, did not contain clear provisions for the participation of former party leaders and prime ministers in the central and executive committees.

Other political parties react

"...I wish you all success in your mission, which is so important for the country," the message read.

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) General Secretary Aleka Papariga told reporters that it was of "no concern to her party whom a party's delegates decide to elect as their leader."

Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos also congratulated Mr. Karamanlis on his election, and said the change in the leadership of a party is a significant event, but not always sufficient, as there were also the im portant factors of political programme, profile and policy.

Democratic Social Movement leader (DHKKI) Dimitris Tsovolas stated that it was progressive policies and not changes in persons that could provide solutions to the problems faced by the Greek people today.

Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras sent his "warm and sincere congratulations" to Mr. Karamanlis on his election, wishing him success on his "difficult task".

Greece ready to participate in multinational mission in Albania

Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou said yesterday that Greece will support an Italian proposal for specific action in Albania, to be submitted today to the European Union Foreign Ministers' Council in Brussels.

"Italy and Greece desire the immediate dispatch of humanitarian aid to Albania, in view of the danger of a wave of refugees from that country to Italy, as has already happened, but is also very likely to happen to Greece, " he said.

Mr. Papandreou, who chaired a meeting on the issue in Ioannina yesterday, in the presence of the UN High Commission for Refugees representative Hoffman, said "the transportation of humanitarian aid to Albania is especially difficult under existing condi tions today, while the foreign ministry is in contact with the Tirana government and international organisations so that the mission is carried out safely and the distribution correctly.

"Greek interest is not focused only on these immediate relief measures, but a plan is being prepared for the provision of further substantive support to Albania regarding democratisation and economic development," he added.

Meanwhile, Greece's military attache in Rome was called to the Italian defence ministry on Friday night and handed a request for participation in the multinational force that would accompany and guarantee the safety of the proposed aid mission to Albania.

The Italian proposal envisages a framework of activities for the distribution, mainly of humanitarian aid, but also for the economic and administrative reconstruction of the country.

Details were discussed at a meeting yesterday at the Italian foreign ministry with the participation of military attaches from Greece, France, Portugal, and Spain, while a new meeting is scheduled today to clarify each country's contribution to the miss ion.

Kranidiotis holds talks with Albanian socialist leader Fatos Nano

No statements were made after the talks.

Specifically, Mr. Kranidiotis told reporters that he did not wish to elaborate on the content of his talks with Mr. Nano, adding that the Albanian politician's visit to Thessaloniki was of a private nature. The meeting, which lasted more than an hour, focused on developments in Albania, according to sources.

Mr. Nano also met with National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos on Saturday, as well as with Macedonia-Thrace Minister Philippos Petsalnikos on Friday evening. No statements were made after those meetings, as well.

Mr. Nano entered Greece on Friday in order to visit his two children, who are attending educational institutions in Thessaloniki.

He first escaped from an Albanian prison during the ongoing political turmoil in the neighbouring country, and was later pardoned by Albanian President Sali Berisha.

He is expected to leave Greece early Tuesday.

Humanitarian aid

The supplies were purchased with ministry funds and sent to Albania through the Krystallopygi border post. The aid was met by representatives from the hospital, the orphanage and Korce's municipal government. The Macedonia- Thrace ministry received the request for humanitarian aid on Friday during a visit by a Korce delegation and members of the Epirot Society.

Mr. Petsalnikos added that a donation of medical supplies gathered by all Thessaloniki-area hospitals will be distributed to health care facilities in Albania.

Stephanopoulos on Independence Day

The day marks the 176th anniversary of the declaration of the Greek War of Independence against Ottoman rule.

"The threat is real and the provocations well known," he notes.

The provocations rally the Greeks together and strengthen national consensus, he adds, noting that "Greece, with a steady European orientation, is carving a course demanding of everyone willing contributions, which will give it the potential of consoli dating its position internationally."

EU General Affairs Council to discuss Turkey, Albania

Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou said yesterday that Greece had no objection to the convening of the Association Council with Turkey, scheduled for April 29, but disagreed with the financial protocol with Ankara.

"We expect a move of goodwill and political will from the Turkish side in order to free the financial protocol," he said.

Regarding the structured dialogue with propective new members, Mr. Papandreou pointed out that a common position among member-states had not been stipulated as a precondition, unlike COREPER's decision concerning Cyprus.

He stressed that double standards were impermissible, and that Greece insisted on the equal treatment of all prospective members.

Greek products exhibition in Odessa

The Greek government is represented by Merchant Marine Minister Stavros Soumakis and Cabinet secretary Socrates Kosmidis. The exhibition ends tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the crew of the Hellenic Navy frigate "Ydra", which arrived in the Black Sea port city as part of a NATO squadron yesterday, is to participate in events marking Greek Independence Day tomorrow.

Odessa is the birthplace of the "Society of Friends", a secret organisation that promoted the idea of a revolution against Ottoman rule in the early 19th century.

Greek-Armenian agreement in agriculture sector

The agreement was signed between Agriculture Undersecretary Vassilis Geranidis and his Armenian counterpart during a visit late last week to Yerevan.

The agreement provides for a cooperation between the two countries with exchange of technical know-how, organisation of seminars in the sectors of manufacturing, packaging and marketing of agricultural products as well as encouragement of joint ventures between businesses in both countries.

While in Armenia, Mr. Geranidis met with representatives of the Greek Communities Federation in that country.

Kaklamanis on Greek-Armenian friendship

"The Greek and Armenian nations have centuries-old fraternal bonds, bonds of common culture, but also rivers of blood and tears.

"Armenians living in Greece, but also the entire Armenian nation knows that Greek areas: the Aegean, Thrace and Cyprus, constitute a bastion of civilisation and democracy against Turkish expansionism and the aggressiveness characterising the leadership of the neighbouring country," he said.

WEATHER

SPORTS

Standings-points: Olympiakos 62 AEK 55 Panathinaikos 54 OFI Crete 52 PAOK 44 Kavala 44 Pyrgos 38 Ionikos 36 Veria 34

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

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