Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 96-12-12
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1064), December 12, 1996
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Greece, Cyprus reiterate joint defense doctrine stands firm
[02] Meeting with President of the Republic
[03] IOBE urges government to speed up streamlining of public finances
[04] Kaklamanis to address Black Sea Economic Co-operation Council
today
[05] Farmers' blockades continue, country 'held hostage', Gov't says
[06] New Democracy
[07] Evert irresponsible, Reppas says
[08] Northern Greece
[09] Food, accommodation, expenses provided for blockaded foreign
truck drivers
[10] Simitis to discuss Dublin Summit issues with Dutch counterpart
[11] Niles briefed on EU-Cyprus accession procedures by Papandreou
[12] Greece cannot discuss rotating NATO headquarters presidency in
Larissa, Reppas says
[13] Merchant marine minister to attend EU Council on Friday
[14] Greek-Turkish business conference viewed favorably by Turkish
press
[15] Study for landfill sites to be submitted tomorrow
[16] Maritime workers demonstrate against changes to tax regime
[17] Teachers begin three day strike
[18] Pensioners say talk with Papaioannou produced no results
[19] Credits earmarked for road, port, anti-flood projects
[20] Arab interest in Greek products
[21] Consumer groups take action on expected profiteering
[22] No going back on abolition of tax exemptions, Papantoniou says
[23] Basketball match between Greek, Turkish teams degenerates into
brawl
[24] Turkey 'a state of mobsters', Kurdish organization says
[25] Mirage jet fighter runs off runway in Crete
[26] Film festival in Brussels dedicated to Greek cinema
[27] Botsis Foundation presents journalism awards
[28] Stiff measures to protect historical character of Plaka
[29] Woman receives jail sentence for keeping cats
[01] Greece, Cyprus reiterate joint defense doctrine stands firm
Athens, 12/12/1996 (ANA)
Greece yesterday assured Cyprus that all the initiatives and
exercises which began or were planned during 1996 within the
framework of the joint defense doctrine between the two
countries would proceed normally also during 1997.
Speaking to reporters after the conclusion of two-day talks with
his Cypriot counterpart Costas Eliades, National Defense
Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos reiterated that the joint defense
doctrine "constitutes the political reply against any external
threat, specifically against Turkey, which threatens both Greece
and Cyprus."
The talks between the two defense ministers started on Monday
and focused on ways to better coordinate the defense policy of
Greece and Cyprus.
According to informed sources, specific decisions were taken at
the meeting concerning the purchase of defense equipment, the
realization of infrastructure works to boost Cyprus' defense and
the better use of manpower.
"Within the framework of this defense mechanism," Mr.
Tsohatzopoulos added, "we discussed promotion of the defense
policy, issues related to coordination of the armed forces in
both countries, issues related to armaments, co-operation
between the two ministries for the promotion of infrastructure
works reinforcing Cyprus's defense mechanisms, such as the
Paphos Airport, and the better use of manpower through training
of Armed Forces officers in both countries."
Expressing satisfaction regarding co-operation between Greece
and Cyprus, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that "it is contributing to
the defense shielding of the two countries, ensuring peace and
stability in the region as well as the promotion of procedure s
based on the UN Security Council resolutions guaranteeing a
just, democratic, peaceful and accepted solution to the Cyprus
problem."
Mr. Eliades told reporters that there was a total identity of
views on all issues and that programs concerning infrastructure
works, armaments and training would go ahead as planned.
He said that the Cyprus government will implement the armaments
program "since every country has the sacred right of defense
against any threat."
Commenting on the same issue, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that "it
would be absurd to exert pressure on an issue relating to this
sacred right of every country against hostile attack."
Asked to comment on UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali's
report attributing responsibility for the recent bloodshed in
Cyprus to the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot sides, Mr. Eliades
said that the Turkish provocations could not but be recognized
"since there are cold-blooded assassinations of innocent people
in a region which falls under the command of the United Nations."
Four people were killed by Turkish armed forces and a mob in the
buffer zone of the Mediterranean island republic over the
summer. Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 and since then, has
occupied one-third of Cyprus territory.
Asked to comment on the Turkish-Israeli military agreement, Mr.
Tsohatzopoulos said it did not affect the joint defense
doctrine, "our political reply to Turkey's threats."
[02] Meeting with President of the Republic
Athens, 12/12/1996 (ANA)
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos also met yesterday with President Kostis
Stephanopoulos to discuss Greece's defense policy and capability
as well as the efforts being made by the national defense
ministry on a diplomatic level.
Asked by reporters after the meeting to comment on a thinly
veiled threat by Turkey that it would destroy S-300 missiles
which Nicosia is considering purchasing in order to upgrade its
defense capability, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said: "Everyone must
realize that threats and aggressive actions for the attainment
of political targets are not acceptable and do not contribute to
the safeguarding of peace in the region. Whoever exercises a
policy of threatening to use force is acting as a destabilizing
factor in the region and this concerns not only Greece and
Cyprus but all international organizations which must reply that
such threats are unacceptable."
Stressing that Greece's responsibility towards Cyprus was a
given fact, particularly within the framework of the two
countries' joint defense doctrine, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that
any attack against Cyprus would be a cause for war and be dealt
with accordingly.
Meanwhile, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos yesterday also briefed the members
of the ruling PASOK's party National Defense Parliamentary
Control Group on ministry issues.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos informed the members on issues regarding the
Armed Forces armament program, the government's position on
Cyprus, Greek-Turkish relations and the NATO headquarters.
[03] IOBE urges government to speed up streamlining of public finances
Athens, 12/12/1996 (ANA)
The Institute for Economic and Industrial Studies (IOBE)
yesterday advised the government to speed up its streamlining of
public finances and spending cuts and press ahead more
vigorously with structural changes, particularly with regard to
privatization and the liberalization of the labor market.
In its latest four-month report on the Greek economy released
yesterday, IOBE acknowledges that the government has taken a
number of positive steps but comments that "the markets have
received the new budget with mixed feelings."
At the same time, the institute basically echoes the complaints
expressed by the Federation of Greek Industries (SEB) and the
country's business world in general, namely that more could be
done to hasten Greece's entry to European Economic and Monetary
Union (EMU).
The report, which traditionally reflects in academic fashion the
views of private initiative in the country, said that the
slackening of economic policy in 1996 due to general elections
had brought a series of adverse repercussions.
The result, IOBE said, was that "the Greek economy once again
finds itself at the start of a new and tough effort to
adjust...".
Despite the fact that inflation dropped below the 8 per cent
mark in November for the first time in 25 years, to stand at 7.7
per cent, IOBE said "the specific anti-inflationary mix of
exchange and monetary policy has been exhausted to its limits."
The institute warned that if production was not boosted, "the
insistence on this type of anti-inflationary policy will lead to
a continuous increase in unemployment and multiply social
reactions."
Real development could only be achieved, the report said,
through sharp cuts in public spending, a restrictive incomes
policy and more effective structural policy, including more
vigorous privatization and incentives for new hirings.
IOBE said very little progress had been made in 1996 in the area
of structural change, particularly on the privatization front.
The report acknowledges that the 1997 state budget sets
"ambitious and necessary" targets, but expresses the view that
it does not provide for "specific arrangements and mechanisms
which will ensure the attainment of those targets."
It also supports the government's position that wages and
salaries did increase considerably in real terms in 1996
"confounding forecasts of continuing austerity for workers."
On the economy's principal economic indicators, the report said
the anticipated further widening of the trade deficit and
current accounts deficit left no room for complacency, despite
the high level of exchange reserves which totaled some 18
billion dollars in November. The report concludes with the
warning that when the drachma joins the exchange parity
mechanism of the European Monetary System, heavy pressure may be
brought to bear to "correct" the value of the drachma, in effect
that is, devaluation.
[04] Kaklamanis to address Black Sea Economic Co-operation Council
today
Tbilisi, Georgia, 12/12/1996 (ANA)
President of the Greek Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis will
today address the 8th Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea
Economic Co-operation Council which began its sessions yesterday.
Georgia's President Eduard Shevardnadze, who opened the
sessions, stressed the importance of the alliance not as
"competitive with other international organizations but as
complementary and with respect to the particularities of the
region."
On the sidelines of the Tbilisi meeting, Mr. Kaklamanis held a
meeting yesterday with his Georgian counterpart focusing on
strengthening ties and co-operation between the two parliaments.
Both parties noted the historic ties linking the two peoples and
their common will to develop relations in all sectors.
Mr. Kaklamanis renewed his proposal to his counterpart to visit
Greece in the first six months of 1997.
Greece will assume the rotating six-month-long presidency of the
Black Sea Economic Co-operation Parliamentary Assembly Plenary
in January. Mr. Kaklamanis also held a meeting with Georgian
Foreign Minister Mr. Menagarisvili focusing on issues of mutual
interest, especially co-operation between the two countries in
the framework of the Black Sea Economic Co-operation and the
Inter-Orthodox Parliamentary Assembly.
Mr. Menagarisvili praised the positive Greek attitude in
international organizations regarding issues related to Georgian
interests and in turn termed the Cyprus problem "an
international problem pending settlement."
Today, Mr. Kaklamanis is also due to meet with Mr. Shevardnadze.
[05] Farmers' blockades continue, country 'held hostage', Gov't says
Athens, 12/12/1996 (ANA)
Serious traffic and transportation problems continued yesterday
as farmers showed no signs of backing down from their 14-day
blockades of roads throughout the country.
PASOK Central Committee Secretary Costas Skandalidis said after
chairing a broad meeting at party headquarters that although
farmers' and other working peoples' demands for improved income
were legitimate, "the pursuit of a total political confrontation
by some, three months after the election," was not.
"Only naive individuals would wish for a blind confrontation at
this level," he stressed, conceding, however, that it was normal
for opposition parties to be seeking to combine farmers'
mobilizations with those of other working people in view of the
upcoming discussion of the budget in parliament.
Mr. Skandalidis added the government was trying to solve the
admittedly real problem of Thessaly's cotton farmers, and called
again for a lifting of the blockades that would permit the
commencement of a dialogue for a "national agricultural policy".
The topics of this dialogue, he said, would include the setting
of a ceiling for cotton production in 1997, a deadline for the
drafting of a Farmers' Register, a framework for claims in the
European Union and structural changes in the sector.
[06] New Democracy
Athens, 12/12/1996 (ANA)
Meanwhile, main opposition leader Miltiades Evert moved against
the government's flanks by touring farmers' roadblocks in
central Greece, and announcing he would meet with other party
leaders with a view to undertaking a joint mediatory effort to
resolve the crisis.
Mr. Evert called on Prime Minister Costas Simitis to fulfill his
pre-election pledges regarding the protection of farmers'
incomes, and countered charges of populism against him by
government spokesman Dimitris Reppas by retorting that it was
precisely such inconsistency that amounted to populism.
He called for a four to five year grace period for farmers'
debts, and challenged the government's claim that the total cost
of their demands amounted to one trillion drachmas, claiming it
was more in the region of 150-170 billion.
He added that if this was properly established through costing
by experts, the government should be prepared to shoulder it,
and that his party was prepared to accept the result of such
costing if it amounted to less than 200 billion.
[07] Evert irresponsible, Reppas says
Athens, 12/12/1996 (ANA)
Commenting on Mr. Evert's tour, Government Spokesman Dimitris
Reppas accused him of irresponsibility and of "supporting the
mobilizations of groups of farmers in order to immobilize his
internal party dissenters and opponents".
He pointed the accusing fingers at the other party leaders too,
saying that they could not act as accomplices in phenomena which
had side-effects on the nation's economic and social life.
He reiterated that the government did not intend to use force to
end the mobilizations, adding that public institutions and
bodies such as those of farmers' and other professional
organizations, as well as justice institutions "have to act
effectively" for the solution of the problems arising, in cases
where the numbers of those taking part in blockades was small.
He noted "the interest shown on the part of the Community in the
problems arising to citizens of EU member-states who are
affected by the blockades."
Replying to a question as to why the prime minister was not
prepared to meet with the farmers, Mr. Reppas stressed that none
of the other groups Mr. Simitis had met were holding the country
hostage.
[08] Northern Greece
Athens, 12/12/1996 (ANA)
Farmers yesterday moved to block Thessaloniki's last exit to the
east, and access to the city's 'Macedonia' airport could only be
gained with extreme difficulty through small side roads.
However, two minor roadblocks were lifted in the region, one
liberating the old Kavala to Thessaloniki road, and the other
easing traffic around the city of Alexandroupolis near the
Greek-Turkish border.
Nevertheless, traffic from the city to the border, and the town
of Oresteiada and the Greek-Bulgarian border posts to the north
remained cut off. More than 150 TIR vehicles, mostly headed for
Turkey, remained blocked in the Evros district.
Meanwhile, businessmen in northern Greece yesterday called on
the Supreme Court to intervene to end the 14-day farmers
blockade of road and rail links which they say has cost them 150
billion drachmas so far.
The administrative board of the Federation of Northern Greek
Industries (SBBE) said the lack of raw materials would force
many of its members to shut down and would leave them unable to
pay wages and Christmas bonuses to workers and pension
contribution s to the state.
Meanwhile, the Northern Greek Federation of Export Companies
(SEBE) said that on the basis of a survey involving about one
fifth of its 560 members, the blockade had so far cost them an
estimated total of 40 billion drachmas in cancellation of orders
an d non-deliveries and said the sector was being held 'hostage'
to the farmers.
Considering that there were approximately 2,000 export firms
active in the northern Greek area, SEBE calculated the total
cost at 150 billion drachmas for the whole of the region. Of
that amount, direct losses resulting from inability to deliver
goods abroad amounted to about 95 billion, representing 42 per
cent of the country's total exports for December, on the basis
of last year's performance.
Apart from financial damage, SEBE stressed that the blockade's
continuation would have adverse repercussions on the credibility
and viability of the country's export sector.
[09] Food, accommodation, expenses provided for blockaded foreign
truck drivers
Athens, 12/12/1996 (ANA)
The ambassadors of Britain and the Netherlands visited Interior
Minister Alekos Papadopoulos yesterday for talks on the problem
being faced by British and Dutch truck drivers who have been
stranded in Greece due to the blockading of motorways by
protesting farmers.
Mr. Papadopoulos told the ambassadors he instructed regional
governors days ago to take measures for providing food and
accommodation. He added that funds have also been provided for
expenses.
[10] Simitis to discuss Dublin Summit issues with Dutch counterpart
Amsterdam, 12/12/1996 (ANA-G. Aliboutaki)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis and his Dutch counterpart Vim Kok
are scheduled to meet today in order to discuss a range of
issues to be raised during the Dublin Summit on Friday and
Saturday, including the consolidation of security and
territorial integrity of the European Union member-states and
the protection of the Union's external borders.
Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos also arrived at The
Hague yesterday, while the prime Minister, who is accompanied by
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou, leaves for Dublin
today to attend the Summit.
The Dublin Summit is to focus on the Intergovernmental
Conference and the revision of the Maastricht Treaty as well as
on the Economic and Monetary Union and the single currency
process.
[11] Niles briefed on EU-Cyprus accession procedures by Papandreou
Athens, 12/12/1996 (ANA)
US Ambassador in Athens Thomas Niles met yesterday with
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou in order to be
briefed on developments relating to the EU-Cyprus accession
procedures.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Papandreou said a Cyprus-EU accession
was positive since it could potentially help in the direction of
finding a solution to the Cyprus issue. "We would like the
Cyprus issue to be solved even before talks (concerning Cyprus's
accession)," Mr. Papandreou said, ruling out the possibility of
setting the settlement of the Cyprus issue as a pre-condition
for the island's accession to the Union.
Mr. Papandreou said Mr. Niles also agreed that the Cyprus-EU
accession course was a positive factor for the settlement of the
issue and that it should be hindered.
[12] Greece cannot discuss rotating NATO headquarters presidency in
Larissa, Reppas says
Athens, 12/12/1996 (ANA)
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, said that a proposal
by Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller at the NATO Foreign
Ministers Summit on Tuesday for rotating the Presidency of NATO
headquarters in Larissa between Greek and Turkish commanders
cannot be the subject of discussion for us," adding that the
proposal did not draw the support of any other NATO member.
He described the Turkish diplomacy's failed efforts to upgrade
Turkey's membership to the Western European Union to full member
status as being a "success" of the Greek delegation.
[13] Merchant marine minister to attend EU Council on Friday
Athens, 12/12/1996 (ANA)
Merchant Marine Minister Stavros Soumakis will leave for
Brussels today in order to participate in the EU Maritime
Transport Ministers Council to be held on Friday. The Council
will focus on such issues as the European Commission's proposal
to amend an existing directive on sea transportation of
dangerous and toxic cargoes, the safety of more than
24-metre-long fishing vessels and the Community strategy on the
improvement of the EU shipping industry competitiveness.
"We are firm on our positions regarding competitiveness and the
reinforcement of the Greek flag," Mr. Soumakis told a press
conference.
[14] Greek-Turkish business conference viewed favorably by Turkish
press
Istanbul, 12/12/1996 (ANA-A.Kourkoulas)
A Greek-Turkish business conference which ended in Athens on
Tuesday gained positive coverage in the Turkish press, which ran
articles under headlines such as "search for an economic peace
with Greece," and "Slogun: Business not war."
Most press reports consider the conference, organized by the
Business Consultants Company "Kantor," as the "beginning of a
serious rapprochement," noting that "trade will make politicians
more flexible."
President of the Turkish Businessmen and Industrialists
Association, Halis Komili said that businessmen wanted to
improve economic relations between the two countries, believing
that this will also have an effect in politics.
[15] Study for landfill sites to be submitted tomorrow
Athens, 12/12/1996 (ANA)
Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas
Laliotis said the study by the Dimokrition University on
possible sites for landfills will be submitted tomorrow at a
meeting of the Prefectural Council of eastern Attica.
Mr. Laliotis made the announcement yesterday after meeting Ano
Liosia Mayor Nikos Papadimas and representatives of the Unified
Federation of Municipalities and Communities. He added that he
is awaiting a decision by prefectural self-administration to en
able the ministry to proceed.
The issue of unlicensed landfills in eastern Attica, which will
have to close down by December 17, is also to be raised tomorrow.
The Unified Federation accused the prefecture of eastern Attica
of delaying the tabling of the study for three months.
[16] Maritime workers demonstrate against changes to tax regime
Athens, 12/12/1996 (ANA)
Scores of maritime workers held a rally and march through the
streets of Piraeus in torrential rain yesterday to protest the
government's decision to abolish the special tax regime in force
since 1955 for the officers and crew members of Greek ships.
The march to the merchant marine ministry was led by the
administrative boards of the Panhellenic Maritime Federation
(PNO) and the Piraeus Labor Center which, after reading out a
resolution, met with Merchant Marine Minister Stavros Soumakis.
The minister reiterated that "strike action in (Greece's)
overseas shipping is a criminal act" and called on the maritime
workers to reconsider their decision to hold a 48-hour strike
beginning December 16.
The strike, called by the PNO, will affect all ports throughout
the country and all categories of vessels. The PNO said the
strike could escalate into a series of successive stoppages if
the government did not reconsider its decision to abolish tax
exemptions for seamen.
[17] Teachers begin three day strike
Athens, 12/12/1996 (ANA)
Teachers at state secondary schools yesterday began a three-day
strike in support of wage demands with a protest rally and march
to Parliament in Athens and similar protests in the northern
port city of Thessaloniki. They are demanding higher salaries, a
minimum salary of 250,000 drachmas for teachers appointed for
the first time, the appointment of more teachers at schools and
an increase in government spending on education in general.
The administrative board of the Union of Public Secondary School
Teachers (OLME) was scheduled to meet later yesterday to decide
on the dates for strikes of indefinite duration planned for
January.
The final decision will be taken by teachers from all over the
country who will meet in Athens after the Christmas holiday if
by then their demands have not been met.
Private school teachers were also holding a 24-hour strike
yesterday to press for higher salaries.
[18] Pensioners say talk with Papaioannou produced no results
Athens, 12/12/1996 (ANA)
Labor and Social Security Minister Miltiades Papaioannou
described talks held with pensioners' representatives yesterday
as a beginning of discussions on social security.
The pensioners' representatives, however, said they left
empty-handed.
Mr. Papaioannou said the government will not make "fragmentary
interventions", adding that with the social solidarity
supplement for low pension earners (EKAS) a considerable number
of pensions have reached the level of 18.8 per cent of the wage
of an unskilled worker, and promised that injustices in the
system will be remedied.
Mr. Papaioannou mentioned that retirement at a younger age was
an issue worthy of examination and discussion. The pensioners'
representatives said the only solution to their problems is
bringing pensions back in line with 20 daily wages of an
unskilled worker.
[19] Credits earmarked for road, port, anti-flood projects
Athens, 12/12/1996 (ANA)
The Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Ministry has
earmarked credits amounting to 1.63 billion drachmas for
roadworks, anti-flood and port improvement projects.
Of the above amount, 290 million drachmas will go to restore the
Xanthi-Ehinou-Bulgarian border highway, 100 million for lights
and improvements at crossroads in the Attica region, 100 million
for works to contain the Kosynthos River and 1.05 billion for
works at the Kasteli-Kissamou port on the island of Crete.
[20] Arab interest in Greek products
Athens, 12/12/1996 (ANA)
Businessmen in the United Arab Emirates have shown great
interest in importing Greek products, it was announced
yesterday. Representatives from the biggest chain of consumer
goods in the region, "Sultan Center," arrived in Greece on
Monday at the invitation of the Greek Organization for External
Trade, and expressed their interest in importing Greek products.
[21] Consumer groups take action on expected profiteering
Athens, 12/12/1996 (ANA)
Consumers' group INKA and the General Federation of Consumers of
Greece have proposed the drafting of an action plan to combat
profiteering in the market and to ensure the normal operation of
the market.
Among the measures to be discussed by consumer groups is the
publication of a daily briefing on availability and recommended
retail price of items.
At the same time, a delegation from the federation and the Union
of Consumers in Thessaly will meet in Larissa today with a
representation of the protesting farmers to discuss ways to
alleviate the repercussions of the blockade on consumers.
[22] No going back on abolition of tax exemptions, Papantoniou says
Athens, 12/12/1996 (ANA)
National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said
yesterday that the issue of tax exemptions had "closed" as far
as the government was concerned and the relevant bill would be
voted on by Parliament in the form in which it has been tabled.
Mr. Papantoniou was speaking to representatives of finance
ministry employees, including tax officials and customs
officers, who had requested that tax exemptions applicable to
them to date not be abolished.
The government's new fiscal bill provides for the abolition of
scores of tax exemptions.
The employees' representatives told Mr. Papantoniou that the
abolition of tax exemptions and the government's refusal to
index-link tax brackets to inflation would mean they would have
to pay higher taxes of 180,000 drachmas per year on average,
stressing they would not be willing to accept this.
Tax officials have already planned a two-day strike for December
17-18, while customs officers are expected to strike from
December 17-19.
In a related development, the Center for Economic Planning and
Research (KEPE) yesterday released the findings of a study
according to which the present cost of tax exemptions to the
state, (before the new tax law comes into force) is over 2
trillion drachmas annually.
According to KEPE, the loss in revenue for the state from the
tax exemptions presently granted to natural persons alone
amounts to 600 billion drachmas.
[23] Basketball match between Greek, Turkish teams degenerates into
brawl
Athens, 12/12/1996 (ANA)
A basketball match between Aris Thessaloniki of Greece and
Besiktas of Turkey was abandoned yesterday when the game
degenerated into a general brawl during the second half, after a
Turkish player punched a member of the Greek team to the ground
and threw him off the pitch.
Shortly before the second half was due to start, the Turks had
refused to return to the pitch because Aris fans had erected a
banner reading "Constantinople is the capital of Greece."
Aris, playing on home ground in Thessaloniki, was winning 40-31
at the time the scuffle broke out and was tipped to qualify for
the next round of the European Korac Basketball Cup after
beating Besiktas 65-64 in Istanbul a week ago.
The trouble began when one of the Turkish team's American
players, Gary Alexander, punched Aris player Dinos Angelidis
from behind and then threw him off the pitch. Alexander then
punched Angelidis in the face and knocked him to the floor.
All hell broke loose afterwards when players and officials went
for each other and police moved in to stop the fighting. Another
player appearing to play a leading role in the scuffling was
Besiktas' player Eran.
The commissar of the FIBA basketball association took the two
referees to the dressing room where it was decided to abandon
the match. The fate of the match is expected to be decided by
the reports they will make.
[24] Turkey 'a state of mobsters', Kurdish organization says
Athens, 12/12/1996 (ANA)
A National Liberation Front of Kurdistan (NLFK) spokesman
yesterday described Turkey as "a state of mobsters" at a press
conference at which he presented a dossier of information,
mainly from the Turkish press, concerning the involvement of the
Turkish police, army and politicians in criminal activities.
NLFK spokesman Chevded Amet said that "the reality of the
Turkish state of mobsters which is increasingly coming to light
is strongly linked to the barbaric, dirty war being waged
against our people."
Listing Turkey's deep economic problems and Ankara's insistence
on spending approximately 15 billion dollars a year on the war,
Mr. Amet alleged that the military's main source of funding,
apart from tourism, came from drug trafficking and other illegal
activities in which the state was directly involved.
[25] Mirage jet fighter runs off runway in Crete
Athens, 12/12/1996 (ANA)
A Hellenic Air Force Mirage-2000 jet fighter ran into the
protective netting at the Nikos Kazantzakis airport in
Heraklion, Crete after an apparent brake failure, coming to a
halt about 150 metros from a residential area.
Sources said the cause of the accident was not yet known but
suggested it could have been due either to bad weather, low
visibility and a slippery runway, the failure of the pilot to
brake in time or a malfunction in the aircraft's brake system.
The protective netting has been placed 300 metros from the end
of the runway to prevent precisely this type of accident.
The pilot of the Mirage, which was returning from Tanagra air
base in central Greece, was unhurt and only minor damage was
caused to the aircraft's antennas.
According to military sources in Heraklion, such incidents are
common at airports used by a large number of military aircraft.
[26] Film festival in Brussels dedicated to Greek cinema
Brussels, 12/12/1996 (ANA - M. Savva)
The International Film Festival in Brussels, entitled "70 years
of the Greek Cinema: 1926-1996," will present about 30 Greek
films in the Belgian cities of Brussels, Gent and Mons.
The festival is being organized with the co-operation of the
Greek Film Center and the participation of "Fonds Culturel
Hellenique", based in Brussels, as well of Eurodeputies from all
parties.
Films to be screened will include "Stella" by Mihalis
Kakoyiannis, "Maria Pentayiotissa" by Andreas Madras,
"Rembetiko" by Costas Ferris, "Attilas '74" by Mihalis
Kakoyiannis and "Never on Sunday" by Jules Dassin.
[27] Botsis Foundation presents journalism awards
Athens, 12/12/1996 (ANA)
The Athanasios Botsis Foundation for the Promotion of Journalism
presented awards yesterday for the 15th consecutive year to
journalists distinguishing themselves for their work and their
adherence to the codes of established journalistic practice. The
event was attended by President Kostis Stephanopoulos.
Honorary awards were also presented for the first time this year
to veteran journalists Costas Nitsos and Athanasios Semptos, as
well as to photographer Dimitris Triantafylou.
The journalists who were given awards are Panayiotis Bailis for
discovering the issue of illegal adoptions in Thessaloniki,
Theodoros Roussopoulos for his TV program "Seven plus seven",
Pantelis Boukalas for his writings and articles, Fotis
Sioumboura s for being the first for the second consecutive year
to publish the names of candidates succeeding in entering
universities and technical colleges and Yiannis Kaligliatis for
filming the murder by Turks of Solomos Solomou in Cyprus this
summer.
[28] Stiff measures to protect historical character of Plaka
Athens, 12/12/1996 (ANA)
More than 30 business premises are to be closed down in Plaka,
Athens' historical center which lies at the foot of the
Acropolis, and all buildings constructed without a permit will
be demolished as part of efforts to protect the historical
nature of the area.
The decision was announced at a joint press conference yesterday
held by Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister
Costas Laliotis, Public Order Minister George Romeos and Athens
Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos, who said they would implement the
1982 Presidential Decree protecting Plaka "to the letter."
Mr. Laliotis charged that the underworld was "terrorizing" local
residents, municipal workers and town planning department
officials in an effort to circumvent the provisions of the
decree.
"A climate of terror cannot be allowed to prevail in the
neighborhood of the gods," Mr. Laliotis said, using the common
Greek expression for the picturesque district which attracts
hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world every
year.
The Presidential Decree protecting the district has been grossly
violated in recent years, creating a clear threat to its
character and general appearance.
[29] Woman receives jail sentence for keeping cats
Athens, 12/12/1996 (ANA)
An elderly lady was sentenced to 10 days in jail yesterday for
keeping 30 cats in her home and turning the lives of complaining
neighbors into hell.
After hearing the verdict, Sofia Nathanailidou, 65, stunned the
court in Thessaloniki by telling judges she could not afford to
pay off her sentence, amounting to 1,500 drachmas per day, and
preferred to go to prison. A man present in court offered to pay
the amount and the woman was released.
One of her neighbors, fed up with the noise caused by the cats,
found a law allowing for the possession of only two pets in an
apartment and took her to court.
Ms. Nathanailidou, who turned up in court with a white cat for
company, said in her plea "these animals are a secret
consolation for me, they are my entire life."
The court cautioned her that she will have to remove 28 of her
cats to be in line with the law, but the defiant woman said
"this cannot be done. Wherever we go, even into the woods, all
31 of us will be together."
End of English language section.
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