[02] Police patrols

Greece's public order ministry plans to release some 820 police from security and bodyguard detail to combat rising crime, according to ministry officials. The 820 police will be assigned to foot patrols to combat criminal activity, a policy which so far has seen crime levels drop significantly. "We want to consolidate a feeling of security among the public," a senior official at the ministry said. The new police resources will be assigned to eastern Athens suburbs and to eastern Attica, both areas subject to greater criminal activity, due in part to the presence of illegal immigrants.

[03] Health-flu

Greek health services are on full alert to deal with any cases of the strain of influenza that has claimed nine lives in Albania and laid low dozens in Serbia. According to Athens daily Ethnos, the Athens-based Pasteur Institute has already detected the first case of this strain of the flu in Athens. The patient has been isolated, according to the paper.The World Health Organisation has documented cases of the particular strain of the flu in at least 14 European countries.

[04] Internet-Stock Market

Greek equities remained under strong pressure for the second consecutive session on Wednesday as investors continued aggressively taking profits after a year-end rally in 1999.

Traders said the market was nervous in the wake of sharp falls in international markets because of worries over interest rate hikes in the US and Europe.

The general index ended 3.92 percent lower at 5,369.38 points, off the day's lows of 5,206 points, in moderate turnover of 272.78 billion drachmas.

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