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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 96-11-14

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 1040), November 14, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca


CONTENTS

  • [01] Massive armaments program unveiled after KYSEA meeting
  • [02] Opposition
  • [03] Turkish submarine report denied
  • [04] State Dept. official's talks in Athens 'useful'
  • [05] Pangalos says Gov't will not call for suspension of military exercises in Aegean
  • [06] WEU political committee assembly approves report guaranteeing member-states' borders
  • [07] Concern over events in Africa voiced
  • [08] Kranidiotis criticizes any attempt at instituting weighted voting power for larger EU members
  • [09] Papariga requests agenda meeting on Maastricht
  • [10] Evert expected to announce creation of 'Constantine Karamanlis Institute'
  • [11] Andrianopoulos announces new political reform group
  • [12] Bomb goes off in Polytechnic
  • [13] News in Brief
  • [14] Joint Greek-Cypriot training seminar ends
  • [15] Athens 2004 delegation attends IOC meeting in Mexico
  • [16] Roussel lawsuit against Onassis Foundation trustees rejected
  • [17] Tanker gets 150 million drachma fine for sea pollution
  • [18] British hospital group to open branch in Greece
  • [19] Olive oil market appears favorable for producers
  • [20] INKA study shows widespread consumer dissatisfaction
  • [21] Conference on business possibilities in Croatia organized
  • [22] Bank of Greece moves to ease brokers' bank transactions
  • [23] New Democracy calls for inquiry into Gov't handling of bourse crisis
  • [24] EOT chief briefs British business leaders on Greek tourism
  • [25] Events in Athens to mark murders of two unarmed Greek Cypriots by Turkish forces
  • [26] News in Brief

  • [01] Massive armaments program unveiled after KYSEA meeting

    Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)

    Greece will spend almost two trillion drachmas on defense up to the year 2000 and a further two trillion by 2007, Prime Minister Costas Simitis announced yesterday immediately after a meeting of the Government Council for Foreign Policy and Defense (KYSEA ).

    Mr. Simitis and National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said the Greek armed forces would purchase an AWACS early-warning aircraft, 60 new warplanes, training aircraft, transport helicopters and aircraft as well as modernize its F-4 "Phantom" fighters. In addition, new tanks will be purchased, while those already in service will be modernized.

    The four-trillion drachmas (approximately US$16 billion) armaments program will also involve the purchase of modern munitions and the acquisition of new anti-aircraft systems and warships, including submarines and nine surface vessels - three torpedo boats, two corvettes and four gunboats.

    Replying to reporters' questions, Mr. Simitis said that the Greek people would have to make sacrifices and stressed that "there must be no waste."

    However, he ruled out the possibility of Greece missing the economic convergence targets set in the Maastricht Treaty as a result of the massive defense program.

    Noting that the necessary funds for the program would be raised through foreign borrowing, Mr. Simitis said that a large part of armaments would be supplied by the Greek defense industry.

    Greece's defense strategy is one of deterrence, Mr. Simitis said, adding that "we do not claim anything, but we shall not give anything up."

    He underlined that the country's armed forces had to be bolstered in order to face "the threats..." and that emphasis would be placed on upgrading the military qualitatively in order to counterbalance the "opponent's" numerical strength.

    Mr. Simitis said that the defense program had taken into consideration the needs of the armed forces without overlooking the limits of the country's economic endurance. On land, he continued, the objective of the program is to create flexible, rapid intervention forces with more lethal firepower.

    The aim at sea is to create a naval force capable of securing control in all Greek seas, repulsing any invasion from the sea and maintaining a naval presence in the broader region of the eastern Mediterranean, the premier said.

    As far as the air was concerned, he added, the aim was to create a force capable of securing the air defense of the country, maintaining the necessary air superiority and providing air support for army and navy units.

    All efforts would be made to increase the participation of the domestic defense industry in the implementation of the program, Mr. Simitis said, adding that within this framework there would be co-operation between the ministries of national defense, national economy and of development with both private and state-controlled industrial concerns.

    The necessary funds for the program would be secured from FMS credits, foreign borrowing on the international capital market and the regular state budget, "the burden on which will be 100 billion drachmas annually."

    Asked if new taxes would be imposed in order to implement the program, Mr. Simitis replied that "there will be taxes within the framework of economic policy in general, if and when we decide this."

    Mr. Simitis underlined that Greece was facing the major challenge of securing its equal participation in the EU, but at the same time was up against a Turkish threat and provocativeness.

    "Our position towards Turkey is steadfast and quite clear. Greece does not claim anything but will not concede anything. Greece will never concede or negotiate its sovereign rights, rights which emanate from historical truth, which have been consolidate d with the blood of generations of Greeks and have been acknowledged as being final by virtue of indisputable international treaties," Mr. Simitis said.

    [02] Opposition

    Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)

    Main opposition New Democracy party president Miltiades Evert is expected to request a briefing in two weeks' time by Mr. Tsohatzopoulos on the armaments program, decided on by the government yesterday.

    It was announced that he will then decide on ND's position concerning the issue, ND spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos said.

    He subsequently accused the government of announcing the program for the armed forces' fortification "with a delay of three years and after constant machinations."

    "The national importance and gravity of the whole issue obliges the government to not face implementation of its announcements as one more pre-election-type evasion..." Mr. Pavlopoulos said.

    On his part, the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) stated its opposition to an armament's program in an announcement.

    Synaspismos said the mammoth armaments program will deal a "coup de grece" to the Greek economy, adding that the program will be used as an alibi for what it referred to as "the government's failed economic policy."

    The president of the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) Dimitris Tsovolas said "DHKKI supports the battle-worthiness of the armed forces, which must, however, also include, apart from armaments, the economic, social and moral upgrading of those serving in the armed forces."

    Meanwhile, the Political Spring (Pol.An) party issued an announcement yesterday calling for the "speedy implementation of Prime Minister Costas Simitis' statements regarding the armed forces armament program," stressing the need for "full transparency and fair distribution of cost."

    Pol.An has proposed that a National Defense Fund be established to receive contributions for Greece's defense.

    [03] Turkish submarine report denied

    Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)

    Sources of the Hellenic Navy General Staff categorically denied reports yesterday evening that a Turkish submarine was manoeuvring in the area where the Hellenic Navy missile boat "Kostakos" had sunk last week after being rammed by a ferry boat. Sources s aid such reports were untrue.

    Meanwhile, a special robot is continuing dives in the area where the accident occurred, providing information to the navy's special vessel "Pytheas".

    [04] State Dept. official's talks in Athens 'useful'

    Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)

    The US State Department's southern European representative, Carey Cavanaugh, yesterday described his talks in Athens as "fruitful and useful" and said Washington shared the same targets as Greece with respect to securing peace, stability and prosperity for Cyprus. Mr. Cavanaugh, who has unofficially become Washington's coordinator for the Cyprus problem following the resignation of James Williams, arrived in Athens on Tuesday.

    After talks yesterday with Foreign Under-secretary Christos Rozakis, he told reporters that his meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday in Athens and those he will be having today in Nicosia "underline the emphasis which the United States attaches to efforts for a settlement of the Cyprus problem". US State Department spokesman Glyn Davis said on Tuesday that Mr. Cavanaugh's visit to Athens, Ankara and Cyprus was "a diplomatic mission on a working level and does not constitute the start of a US initiative on the Cyprus problem".

    Asked by reporters here yesterday when such a US initiative would begin, Mr. Cavanaugh replied that "this depends on the course of the talks".

    Replying to other questions, Mr. Cavanaugh described Greece's positions as "positive" and reiterated that the US shared the same targets as Athens.

    Earlier, Mr. Cavanaugh had talks with the director of the foreign ministry political affairs directorate Alexandros Filon and the secretary general for European affairs Stelios Perrakis with whom he discussed Cyprus' course towards accession to the European Union.

    Mr. Cavanaugh, who left late yesterday for Nicosia, had the opportunity to exchange views with foreign ministry officials during a dinner given in his honor on Tuesday night by US Ambassador in Athens Thomas Niles.

    According to diplomatic sources, the US is placing particular emphasis on the implementation of previous proposals put forward by Washington's permanent representative at the United Nations, Madeleine Albright, aimed at reducing tension and commencing military dialogue on Cyprus.

    [05] Pangalos says Gov't will not call for suspension of military exercises in Aegean

    Athens,14/11/1996 (ANA)

    Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos told Parliament yesterday evening that the foreign ministry does not intend to call for a suspension of military exercises in the Aegean for the remaining months, other than in the so-called tourism period extending fro m June to September.

    Replying to a question by main opposition New Democracy party deputy Costas Karamanlis on the government's intentions concerning an extension of a moratorium on military exercises in the Aegean, Mr. Pangalos said the proposal existing is for it to be ex tended throughout the entire tourism period, namely in June through September, as well and not only in July and August as was the case this year.

    Mr. Karamanlis referred to relevant statements by Foreign Under-secretary Christos Rozakis, saying there is a question of disagreements and coordination in the government and it should be clarified whether Greece's position on the issue has changed.

    Mr. Pangalos said Mr. Rozakis was misled and that his position was misunderstood by the press. He said absolutely no difference in views exists in the ministry's leadership, which works collectively, adding that the decision is that a suspension of armed forces exercises will not be requested with the exception of the tourism period, namely from June to September.

    [06] WEU political committee assembly approves report guaranteeing member-states' borders

    Paris, 14/11/1996 (ANA/Y.Zitouniati)

    A report unanimously ratified at a meeting of the West European Union's (WEU) political committee assembly in Paris yesterday confirms the guaranteeing of borders of WEU member-states, while calling for a speedy and just solution to the Cyprus issue.

    The report, focusing on the WEU's future role, was proposed by main opposition New Democracy party deputy Mihalis Liapis and strongly supported by PASOK deputy Iosif Miheloyiannis. The meeting was also attended by the assembly secretariat member Frangiskos Verros.

    Article 8 of the report "calls on the Council to impose implementation of the principle of territorial integrity and the inviolability of the borders of WEU member-states."

    The report terms the status quo prevailing on Cyprus unacceptable and calls for a speedy and just solution to the Cyprus issue. It further reiterates as being certain that a start to Cyprus' accession negotiations to the European Union will take place s ix months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC).

    [07] Concern over events in Africa voiced

    Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)

    Greece is watching developments in the great lakes region of Africa and the drama faced by refugees with concern, condemning all acts of violence and calling for an immediate end to all hostilities in the region.

    This was stressed in an announcement by the foreign ministry, underlining that every initiative by the UN and the international community in general to relieve the humanitarian problem must be supported.

    The announcement said that on their part, countries involved should create suitable conditions for an overall political solution to the crisis, abstaining from actions which are harmful for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all the nations in the region.

    [08] Kranidiotis criticizes any attempt at instituting weighted voting power for larger EU members

    Brussels, 14/11/1996 (ANA/M. Spinthourakis)

    Larger members of the European Union ostensibly cite reasons of efficiency in the Union's decision-making as behind their seeking a greater weighted voting power in the Council of Ministers, but are in reality aiming a t acquiring greater power and authority at the expense of smaller countries, Greece's representative at the two-day session for the Intergovernmental Conference, PASOK Eurodeputy Yiannos Kranidiotis, said yesterday.

    He said this attempt tended to "overturn the rationale, philosophy, and the principles of the European Union, which are equality and balance between the member-states".

    Other institutional issues discussed by the group of representatives were the number of commissioners (the total and per country), extension of the special majority, and the restriction of unanimity in decision-making procedures, as well as the role of national and the European parliaments.

    Mr. Kranidiotis proposed one commissioner per country, adding that an increase in representative powers should be sought on the basis of the population factor and through upgrading the authority and responsibilities of the Europarliament, rather than the Council. Referring to the special majority, he said that Greece could accept it in certain cases, but on issues of constitutional nature the principle of unanimity should be maintained.

    [09] Papariga requests agenda meeting on Maastricht

    Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)

    Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga has sent a letter to Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis asking him to convey to the government her request for an agenda meeting on the Maastricht Treaty.

    Ms. Papariga stresses in her letter that it is imperative that a meeting take place in view of the European Council Summit in Dublin at the beginning of December,

    She said the meeting should take place at the initiative of the government.

    [10] Evert expected to announce creation of 'Constantine Karamanlis Institute'

    Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)

    Main opposition New Democracy party Miltiades Evert intends to shortly announce the creation of a study center entitled "Institute for Democracy - Constantine Karamanlis", named after the party's founder and former president of the republic, at the inauguration of which he will announce his ideological and political platform, reliable sources said yesterday.

    The same sources expressed the view that through the move, the main opposition leader aimed at creating a rallying point in order to blunt internal party tension over procedures for next year's congress, and transpose dissension from the personal to the ideological and political level.

    Meanwhile, Mr. Evert's prominent adversary within the party, former prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis, yesterday dismissed the likelihood of expulsions, just one day after the party's political council decision to back any disciplinary action Mr. Evert might take against members airing dissenting views outside party organs.

    "Expulsions will not happen..." he told reporters.

    [11] Andrianopoulos announces new political reform group

    Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)

    Former ND minister Andreas Andrianopoulos yesterday announced the creation of the "Initiative Group for Political Reform," comprising scientists, lawyers, businesspeople, university professors and doctors.

    Addressing a press conference at the Foreign Press Association premises in downtown Athens, Mr. Andrianopoulos said that "the Initiative Group intends to sensitize Greek public opinion on the need to build a society on the principles of the free market, open competition and less taxes."

    At a time when "the government is faltering and the main opposition is falling apart," Mr. Andrianopoulos said the "Initiative Group will explore in due time the possibilities for creating a new reformist party."

    Mr. Andrianopoulos said the government was "inert and ineffective," and was resolved only in the cases of "tax raiding the income of the middle classes of the Greek society."

    Regarding the main opposition New Democracy, Mr. Andrianopoulos said the party was unable to deliver on its institutional role as main opposition at a time when the society was suffering from an unresolved economic crisis and increased unemployment.

    The former minister however did not rule out the possibility of returning to New Democracy if the conditions which forced him to leave in the first place do no longer apply.

    "New Democracy was a vehicle of power," Mr. Andrianopoulos said. "If it achieves in rallying its supporters, even through a change of leadership, then I could re-examine my position."

    [12] Bomb goes off in Polytechnic

    Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)

    An explosion rocked the Athens Polytechnic shortly before 5 p.m. yesterday. No injuries were reported. The explosion went off just as police reached the school's premises in downtown Athens and shortly after students in the building had been evacuated from the premises.

    The Athens daily "Eleftherotypia" and radio station "SKAI" both received anonymous calls warning of the bomb and contacted police.

    Authorities said they had received a third anonymous call warning of the presence of a bomb in the school's other premises in the Athens suburb of Zographou, but said that it turned out to be a hoax. The bomb had been placed on the second floor of the Polytechnic, the site of the November 1973 uprising against the military junta then ruling Greece.

    Anti-terrorist police are combing the site for evidence but sources say the explosive device was a time-bomb.

    [13] News in Brief

    Strasbourg, 14/11/1996 (ANA)

    A Council of Europe committee on the prevention of torture made a three-day visit to Athens earlier this month and visited a state-run psychiatric hospital in the Attica prefecture. The committee also had meetings with health ministry officials while in Athens. According to article 11 of the European Convention on the prevention of torture, the information gathered by the committee is confidential and will be released first to the Greek government.

    [14] Joint Greek-Cypriot training seminar ends

    Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)

    A three-day training seminar for senior government press officers from Nicosia and Athens concluded here yesterday with Cypriot Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides stressing the "great importance of this joint seminar in which views have been exchanged regarding the image of the two states abroad."

    Mr. Michaelides said the seminar has been organized within the framework of the on-going coordination of action between Greece and Cyprus.

    Addressing the seminar earlier, Mr. Michaelides talked of the "hopes and deadlocks of Cyprus's foreign policy."

    Greek National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos also addressed the seminar on "Greece's involvement in Cyprus's defense."

    [15] Athens 2004 delegation attends IOC meeting in Mexico

    Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)

    A delegation of the Greek Olympic Committee "Athens 2004" headed by committee president Yianna Angelopoulou-Daskalaki, held a series of meetings with representatives of the 197 national Olympic committees visiting Mexico for the convening of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) executive committee meeting.

    The meeting is being held under the chairmanship of IOC president Antonio Samaranch.

    Olympic gold medallist Pyrros Dimas, a member of the Greek Olympic Committee, said in an interview with Mexico Television that Athens has the will and ability to organize the 2004 Olympic Games.

    He said Athens has experience in organizing large international events, adding that he will compete at the Sydney Olympics as well as the 2004 Olympics, if Athens is host.

    "I want to end my career with a gold medal," he added.

    [16] Roussel lawsuit against Onassis Foundation trustees rejected

    Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)

    The Athens Council of Misdemeanor Court judges has irrevocably rejected a lawsuit by Thierry Roussel against the trustees of the Onassis Foundation, in which he alleged improper management of the vast fortune bequeathed to it by his late wife, Christina Onassis.

    The council also ruled that Mr. Roussel did not have any lawful rights on the trust.

    The board of trustees of the foundation expressed its full satisfaction over the ruling.

    [17] Tanker gets 150 million drachma fine for sea pollution

    Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)

    Merchant Marine Minister Stavros Soumakis yesterday imposed a 150 million drachma fine - the highest fine allowed under the law - on the captain and proprietors of the Greek tanker "Kriti Sea" for polluting the Saronic Gulf while it was unloading crude at the Motor Oil installations at Ayioi Theodoroi on August 9 this year.

    Mr. Soumakis said the Kriti Sea had been fined to the maximum, adding "if the law allowed the fine would have been much greater".

    It is expected that Motor Oil will be fined a similar amount, following consultations with Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis.

    Activists from the Greenpeace organization last week chained themselves to tankers and a ship refueling pipe at the Motor Oil installations demanding stricter safety measures.

    The protesters obstructed the loading and unloading of Motor Oil Ships at the site. The captain of the Greenpeace vessel "Arctic Sunrise" and 17 activists were arrested after the day-long blockade.

    "We must understand that damage to the environment, particularly sea damage, is great and that the perpetrators must be made examples of," Mr. Soumakis said. He added that he was pushing for the upper limit on fines for sea pollution be raised to 250 million drachmas.

    "The 150 million drachma fine is not about people or situations, but about the pollution of the environment," he added.

    The Kriti Sea is owned by the 'Varnima' company, part of the Vardinoyiannis Group.

    [18] British hospital group to open branch in Greece

    Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)

    The British health organization BUPA Hospitals announced yesterday that it will open a branch in Greece for local patients deciding to seek treatment abroad.

    There are 29 BUPA hospitals in Britain, covering all major medical areas such as cardio-thorasic, neurosurgical, vascular, gynecological and plastic surgery, among others.

    The organization also has sports clinics and centers for the prevention and treatment of back and spinal problems.

    [19] Olive oil market appears favorable for producers

    Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)

    Prospects for olive oil producers are looking particularly favorable this season, with the product selling at around 1,200 drachmas per kilo.

    It is estimated that total production will reach 330,000 tonnes this season, compared to 367,000 tonnes last year, and it is considered that most of it will be absorbed by the Italian market, whose annual consumption needs are expected to fall about 200 ,000 tonnes short of the country's domestic production.

    Consumption of olive oil is following a downward trend in producing countries, due to the much lower price of seed oils. Despite this, Greece remains the world's largest olive oil consuming country per head, almost twice above Italy's level.

    [20] INKA study shows widespread consumer dissatisfaction

    Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)

    Seventy-six per cent of consumers are disappointed with the market and services offered to them, according to a report by the Consumers' Institute (INKA).

    A 46 per cent increase in complaints made to INKA are indicative of the problem's magnitude.

    According to the report, 81 per cent of consumers are disappointed with the cost of living, 72 per cent with the quality of products and services, 67 per cent with health and insurance, 58 per cent with public transport and 54 per cent with public administration.

    Meanwhile, INKA research on housing in the capital showed that the number of people living in the city has declined in past years. Out of 4,135 families charted since 1980 only 1,180 continue to live in the Athens municipality.

    [21] Conference on business possibilities in Croatia organized

    Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)

    The Greek Organization of Foreign Commerce (OPE) will organize a conference on the subject of "Business Approaches to the Croatian Market" on Nov. 20 in order to inform Greek businesses on possibilities for co-operation with Croatian businesses.

    Issues will be presented by members of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, the Agency for the Promotion of Foreign Investments in Croatia and the foreign investments department of the Privatization and Development Ministry of Croatia.

    Topics to be discussed will include foreign trade, distribution networks, joint investments and investment opportunities in Croatia.

    [22] Bank of Greece moves to ease brokers' bank transactions

    Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)

    The Bank of Greece has decided to extend the capabilities of brokerage firms to settle their accounts with commercial banks, in order to facilitate a settlement at the embattled Athens Stock Exchange.

    Specifically, the central bank has extended the period for settlement of loans granted until Jan. 10, 1997, from five to 30 days, and allowed banks to issue letters of credit for stock firms so that they may be able to meet their obligations to the Title Depository for transactions until that date.

    [23] New Democracy calls for inquiry into Gov't handling of bourse crisis

    Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)

    Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Miltiades Evert said yesterday that the party would next Monday table a motion in Parliament proposing the formation of a committee of inquiry "to reveal all the government's peculiar handling with respect to the institution of the Athens Stock Exchange".

    In an announcement, Mr. Evert described as "unprecedented the fact that the government used state-controlled banks, which also have responsibility for the scandal, as strike-breakers in order to force a quick solution and cover up the scandal".

    The Athens Stock Exchange resumed operation yesterday after the Association of Athens Stock Exchange Members (SMEHA) yesterday accepted a national economy ministry proposal to resolve a deep crisis which had plagued the bourse since last Friday.

    Under the proposal, a Delta Securities default of 2.6 billion drachmas will be made up from the Joint-Surety Fund and the Titles Depository. According to a Capital Market Committee decision, disputed transactions must be cleared by all brokerage firms b y today, while those firms which do not fulfill their obligations will be barred from bourse sessions.

    The Stock Exchange supervising authority on Tuesday attempted to operate the bourse with the participation only of brokerage firms which are subsidiaries of the major state-controlled banks, sparking protests from other brokerage firms.

    Mr. Evert said that the Stock Exchange must regain its credibility at the earliest, adding he was convinced that the vast majority of small investors and brokerage firms were in favor of a clearing up of the situation in order to put the bourse on a solid footing.

    [24] EOT chief briefs British business leaders on Greek tourism

    London, 14/11/1996 (ANA/L. Tsirigotakis)

    Greek Tourism Organization (EOT) Secretary General Vassilis Kourtesis briefed 50 British businessmen yesterday on what he referred to as Greece's new "tourism product."

    "I assure you that Greece is strengthening its tourism profile, reinforcing its infrastructure and enriching (the tourism product) with new forms of tourism through a new, aggressive communications and public relations strategy," Mr. Kourtesis said.

    Meanwhile, British tycoon Richard Branson, the owner of Virgin Atlantic airlines, among others, told the Greek official that he was planning to make Greece the second headquarters for his business activities in Europe after Britain.

    [25] Events in Athens to mark murders of two unarmed Greek Cypriots by Turkish forces

    Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)

    Memorial events for Tassos Isaac and Solomos Solomou, the two unarmed Greek Cypriots killed during occupation protests in early August along the buffer zone in the island republic by mainland Turkish extremists and Turkish occupation forces, respectively, will begin in Athens tomorrow and end on Sunday. Speaking during a joint press conference with Cypriot government spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides, Athens Mayor and the president of the Panhellenic Coordinating Committee for the Cyprus Struggle (PASEKA) Dimitris Avramopoulos said the events will include marches and protest rallies outside the Turkish embassy, a march by Cypriot students and a march by the Motorcyclists Federation of Greece and Cyprus.

    A memorial service will be held on Sunday at the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral, while a wreath will be laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

    Mr. Cassoulides said "the presence of the Athens mayor in the presidency of PASEKA essentially symbolizes that the whole of Greece is at the side of Cypriot Hellenism for a common struggle. We promise we can bring positive results to this trial that Hellenism is facing in Cyprus."

    [26] News in Brief

    Brussels, 14/11/1996 (ANA/G.Daratos)

    Ruling PASOK Eurodeputy Yiannos Kranidiotis has addressed a seminar organized by the London School of Economics on Cyprus and the European Union. According to the Community Bulletin "Agence Europe," Mr. Kranidiotis proposed that if Ankara abandoned its intransigent position on Cyprus and the Aegean, the European Union could institutionalize a special relation with Turkey providing better co-operation in many sectors.

    End of English language section.


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