The Athens public prosecutor's office has ordered a preliminary enquiry to ascertain whether uranium contaminated vegetables have been imported from Yugoslavia, after scientists from the Athens Polytechnic School warned of the dangers of radioactive contamination through the food chain.

However, the ministers of development and agriculture, have given assurances that following checks up to now, there is no reason for concern.

The national defense minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos also gave assurances that foodstuff destined for the armed forces were thoroughly checked by the competent Health Committee.

In addition, development minister Nikos Christodoulakis stated that the results of the research carried out by the Greek Atomic Energy Committee will be released in 10 days.

For his part, agriculture minister George Anomeritis stated that since last week, orders had been given for all products coming from countries of the former Yugoslavia to be subject to intensive checks, and the results would be released shortly. He added that other tests conducted in various parts of the country indicated that Greece's surface were clear of radioactivity.