Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 96-11-13
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 1039), November 13, 1996
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] ASE resumes normal operation today after settlement reached
[02] Opposition
[03] SMEHA
[04] Kuchma expresses satisfaction over contacts with Greek leadership
[05] Papandreou to meet with German counterpart Heuer
[06] State Dept. says Cavanaugh visit not the beginning of US
initiative on Cyprus
[07] Parliament delegation to visit German state
[08] National issues dominate Greek, Cypriot training seminar
[09] Australian PM lauds role of Orthodox community while addressing
visiting Patriarch
[10] Turkish helicopter crashes during NATO exercise
[11] PASOK executive bureau meeting today
[12] Xanthi mufti office's hearse confiscated after being used to
transport illegal immigrants
[13] Exhibition by Greek, Turkish caricaturists opens in Strasbourg
[14] Pay increases slated for military officers
[15] Self-administration sector plans four-day shutdown to protest
Gov't policy
[16] Greek professor appointed one of 34 UN law committee seats
[17] Europarliament, EU Commission differences on relations with
Turkey surface during joint meeting
[18] Human rights activist says Ankara waging war against Turkish
people
[19] ND political council warns against further dissension
[20] EOT chief says emphasis to focus on infrastructure, airport and
port improvements
[21] European Monetary Institute report on convergence of EU
economies released
[22] Large quantity of grain seed to be shipped to Gjirokaster,
Sarande
[23] Inner cabinet considers '97 budget in marathon session
[01] ASE resumes normal operation today after settlement reached
Athens, 13/11/1996 (ANA)
The Athens Stock Exchange (ASE) is expected to resume operation
today, as the Association of Athens Stock Exchange Members
(SMEHA) accepted a national economy ministry proposal to solve a
severe crisis plaguing the bourse since last Friday.
A Delta Securities default of 2.6 billion drachmas will be
covered by the Joint-Surety Fund and the Titles Depository.
Specifically, under a decision by the Capital Market Committee,
disputed transactions must be cleared by Thursday by all
brokerage fir ms, while all firms that do not fulfill their
obligations will be barred from bourse sessions.
On his part, National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou
yesterday announced that international auditing firms would
conduct special audits in all ASE-affiliated brokerage firms,
following the collapse of Delta Securities - an incident that
led to an unprecedented suspension of trading on the Athens
bourse on Friday and Monday.
He added that the measure aims to fully clear up
responsibilities and to draw conclusions, adding that the
government intends to deal comprehensively with the trading
settlement, giving solutions to both the problem of Delta's
inability to meet obligations and to improvement of clearing
procedures and reducing market risks.
This would involve legislation, he said, according to which the
Titles Depository would immediately pay the National Bank of
Greece the sum of Delta's worthless checks, and would in turn
demand the sum from Delta and the Joint-Surety Fund.
He added that according to a decision of the Capital Market
Commission, all transactions entered up until Nov. 7 had to be
cleared by tomorrow morning, and any firms not complying would
not be allowed to participate in the market.
Any arrears ascertained would be met in the same way as those of
Delta's, he said.
In a related development, it was announced that ASE president
Manolis Xanthakis had been summoned to appear before a Supreme
Court prosecutor to make a deposition in connection with
conditions at the ASE and the Delta affair.
Meanwhile, an Athens first instance prosecuting authority is
already carrying out an investigation into the affair.
[02] Opposition
Athens, 13/11/1996 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert told
Parliament yesterday that he had asked the Supreme Court
prosecutor in a letter for immediate intervention in connection
with irregularities at the ASE.
He accused the government of participating in an attempt to
cover up a major scandal, adding that the competent minister
(Papantoniou) bore a huge moral responsibility over the affair.
The Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) requested a
"radical restructuring of the legislative framework regulating
the operation of the bourse," adding that Delta was not the only
such case.
"The reopening of the Athens Stock Exchange must be combined
with the final clearing of securities of all brokerage firms and
investigation over the legality of all transactions," the
Synaspismos announcement stated.
In a question submitted in Parliament, Democratic Social
Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas accused Mr.
Papantoniou of bearing large responsibilities for the recent
developments at ASE, since he had not adopted any effective
measures for its rationalization and modernization.
He called for sanctions on anyone breaking the law and the
adoption of legislative or other measures.
In another question, PASOK deputy Kimon Koulouris asked to be
informed why the national economy ministry continued watching
developments "like a spectator," with dramatic effects in the
investment environment and confidence in the Greek economy
abroad.
Athens, 13/11/1996 (ANA)
SMEHA discontinued its consultations with the government
yesterday following an effort by the ASE supervising authority
to operate the exchange with the participation only of the
brokerage firms that are subsidiaries of the major
state-controlled banks - National Bank of Greece, Commercial
Bank, Ionian Bank and ErgoBank - an event that sparked protests
from other brokerage firms.
A "mini-session" finally took place, with activity in only seven
shares. The general price index closed up by 0.29 per cent at
920.81 points, while the value of transactions rose to only 3.9
million drachmas.
[04] Kuchma expresses satisfaction over contacts with Greek leadership
Athens, 13/11/1996 (ANA)
Visiting Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma yesterday expressed
satisfaction at the results of his official talks in Greece,
stressing the "great possibility for the development of economic
relations between the two countries."
Speaking during a meeting with Greek businessmen yesterday
morning, the Ukrainian president referred to the signing on
Monday of a friendship and co-operation agreement between the
two countries, saying it formed the basis for further
co-operation.
In relation to the political and economic situation in his
country, Mr. Kuchma said the Ukraine's accession to the European
Union was a "strategic goal of national importance," adding that
the former Soviet republic looked forward to Greece's support to
achieve this goal.
Elaborating on economic developments in the Ukraine, Mr. Kuchma
drew attention to the voting of a new constitution defining the
principles for the country's further development, downward
trends in inflation, completion of a privatization process for
small-to-medium-sized enterprises and initiation of
privatization procedures for larger companies.
The president of the Athens Chamber of Industry and Commerce,
Yiannis Papathanasiou, stressed that the two countries'
"economies, which are complementary, have a mutual interest in
building closer ties of commercial, industrial, tourism and
technological co-operation."
"Mr. Kuchma's visit to our country will undoubtedly have
positive results in this direction," he added.
Mr. Kuchma also held a meeting yesterday with Parliament
President Apostolos Kaklamanis.
At the meeting both men expressed a will for further bilateral
relations.
Speaking to the press after the meeting, both Mr. Kaklamanis and
Mr. Kuchma referred to the traditional Greek-Ukrainian relations.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Kuchma visited the Acropolis,
accompanied by Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos.
Afterwards, Mr. Venizelos briefed Mr. Kuchma on Greece's efforts
to achieve a return of the Parthenon Marbles from the British
Museum in London. Mr. Kuchma supported Greece's demand.
Meanwhile, Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos yesterday
decorated the Ukrainian president with the municipality's gold
medal at a special ceremony held at the Athens City Hall.
Following the ceremony, the Athens mayor and the Kiev mayor, Mr.
Omelechenko, signed a friendship and co-operation agreement
between the two cities.
Mr. Avramopoulos said Athens and Kiev were linked with "strong
ties," adding that co-operation between the two capitals "will
continue and will expand to the point of having a catalytic
effect to further co-operation between the two peoples..."
[05] Papandreou to meet with German counterpart Heuer
Bonn, 13/11/1996 (ANA/P. Stangos)
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou is expected to meet
his German counterpart Werner Heuer in Bonn on Friday,
reportedly at the initiative of Athens for talks on the
Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) to revise the Maastricht
Treaty.
Mr. Heuer is Germany's representative at the IGC and was the
official who met Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash during his
visit to Bonn last month. He also represented Bonn at the recent
debate on the Cyprus issue in Parliament and met with the UN
mediator on Cyprus, Han Sung Joo, last Friday.
An issue of major importance for Greece in the framework of the
IGC is the issue of Greece's borders being guaranteed as the
borders of the European Union. On the part of Germany this could
be covered with a political solidarity clause which could be
incorporated in the new European treaty, without this entailing
the commitment to provide defense assistance.
The latest Franco-German initiative from German Foreign Minister
Klaus Kinkel and his French counterpart Herve de Charette on
institutional reforms in the European Union, which promotes the
total abolition of the right to veto with few exceptions, and
initiation of the possibility of strengthened co-operation
between member-states in various sectors has met with opposition
by Athens, which is concerned that such an initiative could
create a directorate of large EU member-states.
[06] State Dept. says Cavanaugh visit not the beginning of US
initiative on Cyprus
Washington, 13/11/1996 (ANA/T. Ellis)
US State Department spokesman Glyn Davis said a visit by the
State Department's southern European representative, Carey
Cavanaugh, to Athens, Ankara and Cyprus is a diplomatic mission
on a working level and does not constitute the start of a US
initiative on the Cyprus problem.
He added that Mr. Cavanaugh will be informed on regional
developments and will exchange views with interested parties
before returning to Washington, where examination of the US
approach to Cyprus will continue.
Replying to a question, Mr. Davis said that at this stage, the
US mission does not have any new ideas.
[07] Parliament delegation to visit German state
Bonn, 13/11/1996 (ANA/P. Stangos)
A six-member inter-party Parliamentary delegation, headed by its
second deputy president Panayiotis Sgouridis, began a four-day
official visit to Baden-Wuttemberg yesterday.
The Greek MPs will be received by the state's Christian Democrat
prime minister today and will hold talks on all issues with a
corresponding delegation from the local Parliament of Stuttgart.
Their program includes visits to a Mercedes-Benz factory, a
local university, talks with media representatives as well as
with ethnic Greeks.
The delegation also includes deputies Manolis Stratakis (PASOK),
Panayiotis Loukakos (New Democracy), Nikos Gatzis (Communist
Party of Greece), Nikos Loule (Coalition of the Left and
Progress) and Ioannis Arapis (Democratic Social Movement).
[08] National issues dominate Greek, Cypriot training seminar
Athens, 13/11/1996 (ANA)
A training seminar for Greek and Cypriot senior government press
officers, which started in Athens on Monday, focused yesterday
on developments over national issues as well as promotion of
Greece and Cyprus abroad.
Addressing the seminar, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos
referred to the basic axis of Greece's foreign policy.
The issues of "Turkey and its neighbors and (Greece's) national
issues, as these are perceived and approached by the
International Community" were addressed by National Foreign
Under-secretary Christos Rozakis, university professors,
diplomats and journalists.
The seminar, organized by the Coordinating Committee for the
Promotion of National Issues (SEPETH) will conclude today.
According to Cypriot government spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides,
the seminar aimed at discussing co-operation between the press
offices of the Greek and Cypriot governments around the world
for the promotion of national issues.
Speaking to the ANA, Mr. Cassoulides said all national issues
were linked.
The director of foreign services at the press ministry, Yiannis
Petsilas, said the two countries should "unite their efforts
abroad and help each other financially..."
The seminar also focused on modern communication methods, as
well as Greece's orientations, both recent and long-standing, in
the Balkans, the Black Sea Co-operation countries, the
Mediterranean and Europe.
In statements conveyed Monday by government spokesman Dimitris
Reppas, Prime Minister Costas Simitis expressed certainty that
useful conclusions will be derived from the seminar regarding
"the exercise of an effective strategic communication for
Hellenism."
In addressing the seminar today, National Defense Minister Akis
Tsohatzopoulos is expected to elaborate on the issue of Greece's
involvement in Cyprus's defense.
His address will be followed by a discussion on the
"Geostrategic Position of Cyprus," which will be held with the
participation of Cypriot Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides.
[09] Australian PM lauds role of Orthodox community while addressing
visiting Patriarch
Melbourne, 13/11/1996 (ANA/H. Hatzimanolis)
Australian Prime Minister John Howard yesterday stressed what he
called the "dynamic presence" of the Greek Orthodox community in
Australia as well as "the contribution of Orthodoxy to the
Australian nation," at an official lunch in honor of visiting
Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos.
On his part, Vartholomeos expressed his gratitude over
Australian support to Orthodoxy, praising the "multi-cultural"
character and tolerance of Australian society.
The lunch was attended by some 400 guests, including
high-ranking government officials, MPs, foreign diplomats,
members of the Greek-Australian community and reporters.
Today, the Patriarch is scheduled to visit the Greek and Turkish
embassies and have lunch with Australia's general governor.
[10] Turkish helicopter crashes during NATO exercise
Athens, 13/11/1996 (ANA)
A Turkish military helicopter taking part in a NATO exercise
crashed early yesterday morning in international waters south of
the eastern Aegean island of Rhodes, the national defense
ministry announced.
According to reports, the bodies of three crew-members have been
recovered by a US helicopter also taking part in the manoeuvres.
A fourth Turkish crew-member is still missing, as search and
rescue operations are continuing.
The helicopter had taken off from the Turkish frigate
"Barbaros," with the cause of the crash initially attributed to
mechanical failure.
The helicopter crashed into the sea some 35 miles southeast of
Rhodes at 3:15 a.m. local time. The vessel had set sail from
Alexandria on Nov. 9 headed for Italy.
Immediately after the crash, a Hellenic Air Force C-130 aircraft
flew over the area and began sending off flares.
The Hellenic Navy frigate "Adrias," which was nearby, rushed to
the site together with air force helicopters from Rhodes.
According to the national defense ministry, the search and
rescue operation is being coordinated by the commander of the
Adrias, who also heads the NATO exercise.
Along with Greek vessels and aircraft, NATO ships taking part in
the exercise are also continuing search operations.
[11] PASOK executive bureau meeting today
Athens, 13/11/1996 (ANA)
The executive bureau of the ruling PASOK party will convene
today under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Costas Simitis.
The joint meeting between the party's central committee and
Parliamentary group has been moved to Monday from Friday, with
discussions expected to focus on the economy and development
policy.
[12] Xanthi mufti office's hearse confiscated after being used to
transport illegal immigrants
Athens, 13/11/1996 (ANA)
Two men were charged with transporting Iraqi illegal immigrants
from Thrace to Thessaloniki in the Xanthi mufti office's hearse,
authorities said yesterday.
According to reports, Jesair Jemali, 50, and Reya Yiasar, 32,
both residents of Xanthi, charged four Iraqis illegals $200 each
to transport them to Thessaloniki.
Police said the two suspects had been under surveillance for
some time and were finally arrested Monday as they boarded the
four Iraqis into the hearse after receiving $800. The hearse was
driven by Jemali, while Yiasar followed in his private car. Both
vehicles were confiscated, while the suspects and illegal
immigrants were ordered to appear before the Xanthi public
prosecutor. In a related development, Kavala police said that
160 illegal immigrants were deported from Kavala in October.
They said that the illegals, mainly from Albania, Bangladesh,
Bulgaria and Russia, were working illegally in agricultural
regions and stock-breeding units in and around Kavala.
[13] Exhibition by Greek, Turkish caricaturists opens in Strasbourg
Strasbourg, 13/11/1996 (ANA/M. Spinthourakis)
A caricature exhibition with works by Greek and Turkish artists
and entitled "The Neighbours" was inaugurated at the
headquarters of the European Parliament in here yesterday, at
the initiative of Eurodeputies Paraskevas Avgerinos (PASOK) and
Alekos Alavanos (Coalition of the Left and Progress).
Yesterday's opening session was attended by almost all Greek
Eurodeputies and a host of foreign Eurodeputies, as well as by
caricaturists Vassilis Mitropoulos and Stathis from Greece and
Janol and Abaxi from Turkey.
The exhibition will operate throughout the week in Strasbourg
and a similar exhibition is being prepared in Athens, sponsored
by Parliament.
[14] Pay increases slated for military officers
Athens, 13/11/1996 (ANA)
Military officers' salaries have been increased by 2.5 per cent
in relation to the unified pay scale for armed forces personnel,
which had been presented by former defense minister Gerassimos
Arsenis before the September general elections.
However, despite the increases, PASOK deputies criticized the
pay scale during yesterday's meeting of the relevant
Parliamentary committee examining the provisions.
Imathia deputy Moshas Yikonoglou described the salaries as a
pittance, while Evia deputy Vassilis Kedikoglou said it is
unacceptable for a retired chief of general staff to receive the
same pension as a clerk in the Public Power Corp. (DEH).
On his part, National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said
the pay scale is a decisively important intervention for
salaries of armed forces and security forces personnel. He added
that although it may not solve all problems, it is all the
national economy is capable of at the moment, recognizing the
special role the armed forces play in facing external threats
against the country's territorial integrity.
[15] Self-administration sector plans four-day shutdown to protest
Gov't policy
Athens, 13/11/1996 (ANA)
Local Government Organizations (OTA) will shut down from
Thursday to Sunday following a decision by the Local Union of
Municipalities and Communities (TEDKNA) in order to protest
government policy in the self-administration sector and
particularly cuts in already-existing self-administration funds.
The decision is expected to be ratified today in a TEDKNA
meeting, during which mobilizations such as rallies, will be
decided upon.
It was not been made clear, however, whether the Athens
municipality will participate in the mobilizations, and its
position is expected to be clarified today during a meeting
between TEDKNA and Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos.
Pireaus Mayor Stelios Logothetis is supporting TEDKNA and has
announced that his municipality will participate in the
mobilizations.
Meanwhile, Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization
Under-secretary Lambros Papadimas met with a delegation of the
Central Union of Greek Municipalities and Communities (KEDKE)
yesterday and agreed to form joint committees which will study
the contribution of local self-administration to the government
program for convergence of the economy.
[16] Greek professor appointed one of 34 UN law committee seats
United Nations, 13/11/1996 (ANA/M. Georgiadou)
Greek professor Constantine Economidis was voted into one of the
34 international law committee seats following elections held at
Monday's meeting in the UN headquarters here.
UN diplomatic circles stressed the importance of the UN's
International Law Committee, in which those participating
represent cultural trends and legal forms of the international
community and guarantee their safeguarding.
Other countries of the Western European Group winning seats on
the Committee were Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Austria,
as well as the United States and Australia, which are included
in the same group.
[17] Europarliament, EU Commission differences on relations with
Turkey surface during joint meeting
Brussels, 13/11/1996 (ANA/F. Stangos)
The difference in positions of the European Parliament and the
European Commission on the course of relations between the
European Union and Turkey was confirmed in Strasbourg on Monday
evening during a meeting of the Europarliament's foreign affairs
committee.
At the meeting, EU Commissioner Hans van den Broek presented the
first report after the customs union agreement was implemented.
According to reports, Mr. van den Broek referred at length to
all aspects of EU-Turkish relations, without omitting the
unfavorable development in the human rights sector or the
unacceptable, as he said, situation in Cyprus after the murders
of two unarmed Greek Cypriot demonstrators. However, he once
again concluded that dialogue with Ankara must be kept open,
adding that Turkey must not be blocked completely from funding
co-operation sources anticipated by the customs union agreement.
On the question of funding co-operation between the EU and
Turkey, Mr. van den Broek made it clear that he disagrees with
the tactic of sanctions chosen by the Europarliament. He again
expressed his objections to the discontinuation of funding to
Turkey from the so-called MEDA Euro-Mediterranean co-operation
program, the EU's sole funding source remaining active for
Turkey, adding that it is difficult for the Commission to be
limited to plans concerning human rights, which account for 10
per cent of funds earmarked for Turkey.
Mr. van den Broek ascertained a slight improvement on Monday in
Greek-Turkish relations but added that Ankara has not yet
replied to the statement adopted by the EU on July 15, and
stressed that he intends to meet Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu
Ciller a gain on the sidelines of the West European Union's
(WEU) ministerial session on Nov. 18-19.
An overwhelming majority of Eurodeputies taking the floor during
Monday's meeting condemned Turkey's what they called
continuously worsening behavior and stressed that tactics
applied to date produced completely opposite results than those
expected, since they encourage Ankara's intransigence.
[18] Human rights activist says Ankara waging war against Turkish
people
Athens, 13/11/1996 (ANA)
The president of the Human Rights Union of Turkey, Akin Birdal,
strongly criticized Ankara during his speech yesterday at an
event marking Greek-Turkish friendship, organized by the union
and covering political and social rights in the neighboring
country.
Mr. Birdal spoke of "a war which is being waged for the past 14
years against the people of Turkey, an unjust war which has cost
24,000 dead, 35,000 crippled, three million homeless as well as
2,900 villages burnt and destroyed.
He also expressed the concern of Turkish pacifists for the
deterioration of Greek-Turkish relations and the Imia crisis,
suggesting an outlet be found in the form of contacts between
the two peoples on a self-administration level.
In the evening, a group of extremists gathered outside the
stadium in which the event was being held, shouting slogans
against peace between Greece and Turkey.
[19] ND political council warns against further dissension
Athens, 13/11/1996 (ANA)
The main opposition New Democracy party's political council
yesterday condemned the attitude of dissenting deputies, and
warned that it would not tolerate further disputing of adopted
decisions and of the "party's historic contribution to the
country."
In a statement after a session yesterday, it said that "the
behavior of individual deputies who dispute the latest decision
of the political council, for a lowering of tones and diffusion
of tension within the party, and ND's historic contribution is h
armful to the unity and the course towards the congress..."
Leader Miltiades Evert stressed that a stop had to put "to the
party's introversion at a time when the country faces huge
problems," stressing that "decisions adopted must be observed
because otherwise, we are being self-ridiculed. The buck stops
here".
He said he was not annoyed by deputies criticizing him, but it
was not possible "for the party's foundations to be disputed".
Former minister George Souflias, who contested the party's
leadership after the recent general election, maintained a
distance from the rest of the council, stressing that the
pre-congress procedures which had already begun, were not
compatible with disciplinary measures, and that any views had to
be expressed soberly and in terms of political arguments.
The party's secretary of the Parliamentary group, George
Panagiotopoulos said that the political council did not have the
competence to expel members from the party.
Deputy leader Ioannis Varvitsiotis seconded him, advising
moderation and prudence, and adding that "it is not time for
expulsions".
[20] EOT chief says emphasis to focus on infrastructure, airport and
port improvements
London, 13/11/1996 (ANA/L. Tsirigotakis)
In presenting the basis axis of Greece's tourism policy, Greek
Tourism Organization (EOT) Secretary General Vassilis Kourtesis
told a press conference here yesterday that special emphasis
will be given to modernization of basic infrastructure works as
well as improvements in airports and ports.
The press conference was held within the framework of an
international tourism exhibition held with the participation of
152 countries.
"We are enforcing a new dynamic program to enrich our country's
tourism product with new forms of tourism, such as conference
tourism, incentives tourism, cultural tourism, adventure tourism
and sports tourism," Mr. Kourtesis.
He added that despite the fact that overnight stays are expected
to fall by 11.5 per cent by the end of the year, as opposed to
1994, tourism revenues are expected to record a 6 per cent rise.
"This means that Greece was visited by higher income tourists,"
Mr. Kourtesis noted.
[21] European Monetary Institute report on convergence of EU
economies released
Athens, 13/11/1996 (ANA)
The national economy ministry yesterday released a European
Monetary Institute report on the progress recorded in the
convergence of economies in the European Union.
The report says that in 1996, inflation in most member-states is
low and stability of prices has been achieved, while in others
it has slowed down.
By contrast, it notes that as regards fiscal rationalization,
progress has been too slow, as most countries have not reached a
situation likely to be maintained in the long run.
Greece is one of the three countries exceeding the envisaged
minimum of 3 per cent inflation as a criterion for participation
in the third phase of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) on Jan.
1, 1999, the other two being Italy with 4.7 per cent, and Spain,
with 3.8 per cent.
The report also forecasts that Greece will record a slight fall
in the other criterion for EMU participation, that of public
debt/GDP ratio, whose minimum required is set at 60 per cent.
[22] Large quantity of grain seed to be shipped to Gjirokaster,
Sarande
Gjirokaster, 13/11/1996 (ANA/D. Tsakas)
Following a request by two Albanian regional governors in the
Dropolis region and four in the Vourkos region to Greece's
general consulate in Gjirokaster, large quantities of grain seed
have started to arrive in the area for sowing in the Dropolis
and Vourkos valleys.
Direct mediation by General Consul Nikolaos Kanellos with Athens
facilitated in the provision of such a large quantity of grain
seed to ethnic Greek farmers in the area for the first time in
the past six years.
The quantity of grain amounts to 600 tons and is transported
from Greece to Gjirokaster and Sarande with trucks belonging to
residents of Dropolis.
[23] Inner cabinet considers '97 budget in marathon session
Athens, 13/11/1996 (ANA)
The inner cabinet examined in detail yesterday National Economy
Minister Yiannos Papantoniou's basic proposals within the draft
1997 budget, during its marathon five-hour session, government
spokesman Dimitris Reppas said afterwards.
He added that the government would make specific announcements
regarding economic policy and the budget after a cabinet session
scheduled for yesterday evening, during which the final text
will be endorsed.
Mr. Reppas told reporters that the ministers had submitted ideas
and proposals towards an improvement of the basic text of the
budget, which he added, was especially ambitious and constituted
a very serious endeavor, attempting to combine adherence to
terms of the Maastricht Treaty, on one hand, and the
safeguarding of social cohesion on the other.
End of English language section.
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