Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-01-14

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1088), January 14, 1997

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis rejects 'climate of tension' emanating from Ankara

[02] Ciller visit illegal, Athens states

[03] Opposition

[04] Archaeologists say they've found Aristotle's Lyceum

[05] Greek dig pinpoints cave of Euripides

[06] State Dept. official in Athens to discuss Cyprus issue

[07] Ankara says Ciller to visit Turkish-occupied Cyprus, although no date fixed

[08] Six dead in wake of destructive flooding, measures announced

[09] Cleanup operations continue

[10] Opposition

[11] Sanitation workers back to work

[12] Simitis to address PASOK MPs tomorrow

[13] Cypriot delegation briefs Greek leadership on island republic's defense program

[14] Cypriot ambassador briefs Evert

[15] State Dept. comments on Pangalos visit to Belgrade

[16] Yugoslav press gives extensive coverage to visit

[17] Pangalos, van Mierlo meeting today

[18] Epidemiological survey of Thrace unveiled

[19] WEU examines expanded role for Europe's defense

[20] Turkish national sentenced to 15 years jail for immigrant smuggling

[21] Ships at anchor as seamen strike

[22] KKE comments on agriculture policy

[23] Russian energy minister in Greece for gas network's inauguration

[24] Bourse discusses Thessaloniki stock market expansion

[25] Greek products go on show in Nicosia

[01] Simitis rejects 'climate of tension' emanating from Ankara

Athens, 14/01/1997 (ANA)

"Greece will not allow itself to be dragged into a climate of threats, as Ankara desires... We apply our policy with coolheadedness and take all necessary initiatives for peace and stability in the region. Greece is and will remain a force of peace," Mr. Simitis told reporters after a meeting with Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos to focus on preparations for the visit of Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides on Friday.

The meeting was held amidst continued Turkish threats of military strikes against Cyprus, after the island republic announced in the first week of the year a purchase agreement for the advanced Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles S-300. During Mr. Clerides' visit the two sides will jointly examine developments in the Cyprus problem and "review scenarios and positions", Mr. Simitis said.

The premier reiterated that Cyprus was a sovereign and free state, which decided issues relating to its defense and the means to make such a defense effective.

"Those who are concerned have only to contribute to ending Turkey's illegal occupation of Cypriot territory, or contribute to the realization of the Cyprus Republic's proposal for demilitarization of the island," he added.

Asked whether yesterday's meeting dealt with information available to the national defense ministry about Ankara's military plans, Mr. Simitis underlined that "we discussed and examined all information."

[02] Ciller visit illegal, Athens states

Athens, 14/01/1997 (ANA)

Ms Ciller is due to visit the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus this week, according to press reports.

Meanwhile, the chief of the Turkish General Staff, Gen. Hakki Karadayi, began a visit of the occupied areas yesterday.

"The government strongly condemns the action of Ms Ciller, who is not offering good services to the already exacerbated relations between the two countries (Greece and Turkey)," Mr. Reppas said.

[03] Opposition

Athens, 14/01/1997 (ANA)

Ms Papariga, who was commenting on the US initiative on Cyprus and visits to Athens, Nicosia and Ankara by State Department official Carey Cavanaugh, said "the calm of Mr. Simitis expresses a conscientious choice to give a helping hand to these American plans."

On the question of whether the advanced Russian-made S-300 anti-aircraft missiles scheduled for deployment in Cyprus is a positive development, Ms Papariga said that provided the weapons system is of a defensive nature, then it contributes to the buttressing of the island's defense, an island located in a very sensitive region.

Political Spring (Pol.An) leader Antonis Samaras noted that "Cyprus' right to defense isn't given up and isn't negotiated... Let those, who for 22 years have tolerated the occupation of the martyred island, understand this."

[04] Archaeologists say they've found Aristotle's Lyceum

Athens, 14/01/1997 (ANA)

Archaeologists have been trying to locate the lost Lyceum of Athens - considered one of the three greatest academies of philosophy of ancient Greece - for the past 150 years. The other two renowned such ancient Athenian schools were the academy of Plato and the academy of Kynosargous.

Excavations in the central Athens area started last May and were completed a few days ago. A study by the archaeologist conducting the excavations has not yet been published, which according to the necessary procedures, will have to be first presented t o the Central Archaeological Council.

However, historical sources have not completely agreed on the location of the lyceum, since some arguments place the lyceum in the wider region of Syntagma Square (in front of Parliament) or the national garden.

The culture ministry has not yet made any official announcement on the find.

[05] Greek dig pinpoints cave of Euripides

Athens, 14/01/1997 (ANA)

A thin clay pot partly intact, with the first six letters of the name 'Euripides' inscribed on its external surface was found last Friday at Peristeria bay on the southern coast of Salamis by a 15-member team headed by Yiannis Lolos, an assistant profess or of prehistoric archaeology at Ioannina University.

According to Prof. Lolos, the find points to the cave retreat of Euripides (485/480-406 B.C.)

The partly intact pot is an excellent specimen of delicate Attic pottery, bearing an admirable engraved decoration on its bottom section, while the dramatist's name, which is inscribed on the external surface, is partly visible. All the finds have been taken to the Piraeus Museum, where they are being preserved.

Historical evidence has long indicated that Euripides, the latest of three great Athenian dramatists, sought solitude to work in a cave on the island of Salamis.

"The pot with Euripides' name is a unique find which adds to our knowledge of intellectual life in the fifth century BC," Mr. Lolos said.

Among the works of the reclusive Euripides are Medea, Hecuba and the Trojan Women.

"I can picture him sitting at the terrace at the entry of the cave, looking out at the Saronic Gulf and composing his plays," Mr. Lolos said.

Euripides was considered eccentric for his love of solitude at a time when company was greatly valued. Ancient biographers described him as stern, strict and unsmiling.

He was parodied in Aristophanes' comedy, The Frogs, and was criticized by contemporaries for his innovations in tragedy.

Disappointed, he left Athens for the court of King Archaelaus in Macedonia, where he wrote one of his most often-performed plays - the Bacchae.

The culture ministry said the hardest evidence tying Euripides to the cave was the clay pot inscribed with the first six letters of his name.

The pot dates to 440-430 BC and graphologists say the inscription was applied later, around the second century BC, most probably as a votive offer by an admirer of the writer.

[06] State Dept. official in Athens to discuss Cyprus issue

Athens, 14/01/1997 (ANA)

During his stay, Mr. Cavanaugh is scheduled to meet with the political director of the foreign ministry, Alexandros Filon, and ambassadors Elias Klis and Nikos Ladopoulos.

According to diplomatic sources, discussions will center on US proposals for adoption of measures to reduce tension in Cyprus, particularly on the issue of the moratorium on military overflights of Cyprus.

The same sources noted that Athens will receive the US official's proposals with "an open mind", without, however, binding itself on any decision, as Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides is expected in Athens on Friday in order for the Cypriot and Greek governments to examine their positions and to coordinate their actions.

In a related development, according to an ANA dispatch from Nicosia, Mr. Cavanaugh told the press after meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash last night that he was satisfied because, as he said, "there was support and agreement on military dialogue and particularly on the issue of terms of engagement and of unmanning."

He also said that there would be meetings within the week to discuss implementation of these measures.

In Washington, US State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns said that "both President Clerides and Mr. Denktash agreed to give their full support to immediate implementation of the package of measures proposed by the United Nations."

Mr. Burns said that while the Clinton administration considered the tentative agreement to be progress, "full support means they said they're going to give their full support to it. It doesn't mean they've signed on the dotted line yet."

[07] Ankara says Ciller to visit Turkish-occupied Cyprus, although no date fixed

Istanbul, 14/01/1997 (ANA)

He added that Turkish President Suleyman Demirel was also planning to invite Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to Ankara in the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, Turkish party leaders and prominent newspaper columnists have offered varying degrees of criticism of the government's handling of developments over the Cyprus issue.

"Our party will not permit any development which will endanger Turkey's security," said Motherland Party (ANAP) party leader Mesut Yilmaz, "despite our criticism of the way the government exercises foreign policy."

Prominent columnist Mehmet Ali Birant wrote in the daily "Sabah": "I fear the present government, and particularly Ciller. She is even capable of ordering an attack against Cyprus in order to change the agenda and rise on the scene.

"The Erbakan-Ciller pair is bracing up, and estimates that in this way it will be able to go through the whole of 1997 doing whatever it wants with the support of the media and public opinion, which craves for 'heroic words'," he wrote.

[08] Six dead in wake of destructive flooding, measures announced

Athens, 14/01/1997 (ANA)

Another three people died in a car accident outside Tripoli when their vehicle collided due to heavy rain and poor visibility. A further road fatality was also registered.

Meanwhile, cleanup operations began in the hardest-hit regions yesterday.

The storms caused extensive damage to homes, shops and other buildings throughout the country, with power and telephone interruptions in many towns and villages. In addition, traffic was almost brought to a standstill in the provinces.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis said the government would "stand by" flood victims and implement the same framework as on similar past occasions.

Mr. Simitis also praised public officials who he said had "shown courage and self-sacrifice" in confronting the disaster.

On his part, Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis announced measures in Corinth for the immediate relief of the victims.

Fifty million drachmas will be available for the Corinth prefecture as of this morning to help meet pressing needs faced by flood victims, while authorities will conduct checks to ascertain damage caused. Individuals entitled to aid will receive stipend s of 200,000 drachmas each to cover immediate needs.

Additionally, Mr. Laliotis said three hotels in Corinth, Loutraki and the community of Kehries were ready to accommodate local residents made homeless by Sunday's flooding. All expenses for their accommodation and feeding would be assumed by the health and welfare ministry.

After the assessment of damage caused to Corinth and other cities is completed, the government will pay compensation for the value of households destroyed up to the amount of two million drachmas.

Mr. Laliotis made the announcements following a meeting at the prefectural headquarters in Corinth in the presence of local and prefectural self-administration representatives and other agencies in the city.

Among others, the measures include compensation for professional vehicles swept away by the floods, a tax-free loan amounting up to 30 per cent of the total damage sustained by whatever commercial, handicraft or other professional activity, low-interest loans for overall repairs, a transfer of the economic commitments of professionals concerning insurance funds, banks and the tax authorities, as well as subsidization for rent up to the amount of 60,000 drachmas a month.

Farming and stockbreeding activities harmed by the floods will also be compensated. At the same time associated ministries will complete programs which have had funds amounting to 800 million drachmas secured since 1995 by the European Union's mutual aid fund for flood protection works in rural areas and major cities. At the same time, teams of inspectors are being formed to record the damage caused to water supply, irrigation and drainage networks, not only in Corinth but also in other areas such as Kiato, Aigio and Xylokastro.

Mr. Laliotis said more specific measures would be announced early next week once the damage has been recorded and appraised.

[09] Cleanup operations continue

Athens, 14/01/1997 (ANA)

The worst-hit was the prefecture of Fthiotida, where five river bridges collapsed after being engulfed by the waters of the swollen Sperhios River.

The area has been flooded by massive amounts of water and mud, while extensive damage has also been caused to crops in Fthiotida, Trikala, Karditsa, Corinth, Achaia, Arcadia, and Argolida.

Interior Under-secretary Lambros Papadimas told ANA that Fthiotida had literally been cut in two as a result of the collapse or serious damage to the five bridges connecting the prefecture.

He said dozens of villages on one side of Fthiotida had been cut off, while the national road network in the prefecture could not be used due to severe damage.

Mr. Papadimas said the armed forces were assisting, with marines and a battalion of engineers trying to build a floating bridge to enable communication with the villages which have been cut off.

Emergency cases in the prefecture are currently being served by army helicopters, which yesterday morning transferred three patients with kidney problems and one pregnant woman to hospital.

In a related development, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the way that the state machinery had responded to the heavy rains and floods had been "more than satisfactory".

After the forecast on Friday of a worsening of weather conditions, he said, instructions had been sent to all prefectural authorities, the army and fire service to be prepared.

However, he added, the weather was much harsher than expected "and, fortunately, the victims were few, but there has been enormous material damage". The government team in Corinth headed by Mr. Laliotis, he added, would travel by helicopter to Lamia.

[10] Opposition

Athens, 14/01/1997 (ANA)

"From the moment that the state is not in a position to protect the property of citizens, it is obliged to compensate them immediately for the damage they have incurred from the floods. And we expect the government to do precisely this without delay," Mr. Evert said.

Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos will head a party delegation to Corinth today, while Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas left yesterday for Corinth to visit the areas hit by the floods and be briefed by local authorities on the situation.

[11] Sanitation workers back to work

Athens, 14/01/1997 (ANA)

The Sanitation Workers' Federation announced after an emergency meeting that it was suspending the strike action until Feb. 20 "due to the situation in the streets following yesterday's (Sunday's) floods". It also said it had taken into consideratio n a pledge by Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Alekos Papadopoulos that their demands for permanent work contracts for temporary personnel and higher bonuses would be settled with the tabling of a relevant amendment in Parliament.

[12] Simitis to address PASOK MPs tomorrow

Athens, 14/01/1997 (ANA)

According to government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, then Cabinet will convene on the following day on the issue of education, youth and vocational training.

On Friday, Mr. Reppas added, the prime minister will address Parliament on the issue of agriculture and will meet later in the day with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides. That meeting will be attended by Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and his Cypriot counterpart Alecos Michaelides.

[13] Cypriot delegation briefs Greek leadership on island republic's defense program

Athens, 14/01/1997 (ANA)

Cyprus Defense Minister Costas Eliades, accompanied by the commander of the Cyprus National Guard and members of the defense committee arrived in Athens on Sunday for talks with the Greek government on the entire range of issues pertaining to Cyprus' de fence.

Mr. Papandreou reaffirmed Athens' support for the Greece-Cyprus joint defense doctrine, stressing that "we are in a transitional phase which requires delicate diplomatic handling". Earlier, the members of the defense committee were received by Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Eliades said there had been "a briefing concerning the broader sector of defense and there was an identity of views regarding support for the political decisions taken by Greece and Cyprus."

Asked to comment on reactions by several countries to Nicosia's decision to purchase and deploy Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles, Mr. Eliades replied:

"We propose the demilitarization of Cyprus as a confidence-building measure in the first phase, so that an acceptable and fair basis can be found concerning the Cyprus issue." Mr. Kaklamanis said Nicosia's decision to purchase the S-300 system had been absolutely necessary, given that it faced a direct threat from the Turkish occupation forces, "to which (Nicosia) does not have the required defense."

[14] Cypriot ambassador briefs Evert

Athens, 14/01/1997 (ANA)

[15] State Dept. comments on Pangalos visit to Belgrade

The Clinton administration expressed its gratitude yesterday for Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos' weekend mission to Belgrade, which aimed to resolve the protracted political crisis in the Yugoslav capital.

"We are grateful for Foreign Minister Pangalos' actions over the weekend, which help a lot, and are in line with the will of the OSCE and the international community. We are grateful for the effective way in which he represented all of us," State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns said.

Replying to a question by ANA, he added that Athens had previously informed Washington of its intentions regarding the mission, and there was also a briefing after Mr. Pangalos' return to Athens.

[16] Yugoslav press gives extensive coverage to visit

Meanwhile, the Yugoslav press yesterday gave wide coverage to the lightning visit by Mr. Pangalos to Belgrade and his meeting with Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic and members of the opposition. Pro-government papers gave the Pangalos visit front-page coverage, with emphasis on the official announcement issued by Mr. Milosevic's office.

"Peace without involvement in domestic issues," trumpeted "Politika Express".

The independent press, however, consigned Mr. Pangalos' visit to the inside pages, giving emphasis to statements by the Greek minister on how the opposition's electoral win had to be recognized.

[17] Pangalos, van Mierlo meeting today

Athens, 14/01/1997 (ANA)

[18] Epidemiological survey of Thrace unveiled

Athens, 14/01/1997 (ANA)

The research has been carried out by the Alexandroupolis Unit of Preventative Medicine - Center for Control of Special Infections over the last few years on Thrace residents regarding sexually transmitted diseases (AIDS, hepatitis B, C and D).

According to research figures, the spread of the deadly HIV virus is minimal. However, while optimistic, this finding shouldn't cause complacency, as the number of people examined (35,000 people out of the general population of the region) cannot be considered satisfactory to reflect the true extent of the virus' spread, reports state.

The spread of hepatitis C appears to be no different from that of other European countries, although the danger of contracting the C strain of the virus increases in Thrace through the frequent movement of people from neighboring Bulgaria.

Center director Costas Papoutselis said that for this reason measures will be taken, including an public information campaign with lectures and printed material. Check-ups will also be conducted for high-risk groups in each community in order to locate possible sources of infection.

Both municipalities and health centers are to be informed of the results so that measures such as vaccinations can be taken.

The program will first be implemented in Komotini, where a total of 2,000 people will be tested for the hepatitis virus.

The Center for the Control of Special Infections will cover the cost of AIDS tests, while the cost for the hepatitis C virus will be met by the health ministry and the Institut Pasteur, while those for hepatitis B by the Social Security Foundation (IKA) or by the municipalities for individuals not insured by IKA.

[19] WEU examines expanded role for Europe's defense

Brussels, 14/01/1997 (ANA - P. Pantelis)

This prospect, it seems, will continue with the German presidency, who will succeed the French. Both presidencies present particular interest for Greece, which supports WEU's incorporation in a united Europe.

WEU secretary general Jose Cutilheiro said in a press conference yesterday that a clearer role for the organization will be emerge in the near future. It is envisaged that this will include the undertaking of small-scale operations in many parts of the world, and not just in pre-determined operational zones, such as NATO.

Important decisions regarding this future role for the WEU, with undoubted implications for Greece's acute national problems, are expected to be adopted during the WEU foreign and defense ministers' council session in Paris on March 12-13.

[20] Turkish national sentenced to 15 years jail for immigrant smuggling

Athens, 14/01/1997 (ANA)

The court also imposed a seven million drachma fine on Aydin and has ordered his speedboat confiscated.

Aydin told the court he did not receive money for transporting the illegal immigrants, but was to be paid on his return to Turkey after he had taken the Iraqis to Rhodes.

In a separate development, another two Turkish nationals were arrested in the early hours of Saturday morning while attempting to transport 27 illegal immigrants to Ro. According to reports, one illegal immigrant is being treated for hand injuries in an Athens hospital after port police officers fired at the boat.

[21] Ships at anchor as seamen strike

Athens, 14/01/1997 (ANA)

The strike will affect Greek-flag vessels of all categories as well as foreign ships employing Greek seamen.

The seamen are also demanding measures to combat unemployment, the absorption of unemployed colleagues and a minimum pension equal to 80 per cent of the present basic salary. The labor action may develop into a rolling strike following talks between the seamen and Finance Under-secretary George Drys which the seamen described as unsatisfactory.

[22] KKE comments on agriculture policy

Athens, 14/01/1997 (ANA)

She referred to two approaches in agricultural policy, namely, one set by the European Union and international agreements, which she said envisages a shrinkage in the number of farming households by 50 per cent, and the other, supported by KKE, which she said has the interests of farmers and the economy in mind.

Ms Papariga described as false the argument that 40 per cent of farmers' incomes comes from European Union funds, and claimed that a large part of these funds was wasted for the purchase of equipment that remains idle.

Setting out her party's positions, she stressed the need for safeguarding the average farmer's income through a system of prices and subsidies, and the differentiation of support mechanisms in favor of those in greater need.

She also referred to the positive role that can be played by producers' cooperatives, but not in their present form, and to the need in dealing with the problems of rising costs and farm fragmentation.

[23] Russian energy minister in Greece for gas network's inauguration

Athens, 14/01/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Rodionov arrived in Athens on Sunday on the occasion of the inauguration of a natural gas project this week.

Speaking later at a joint press conference, Mr. Rodionov and Ms Papandreou announced that the two countries would also sign an energy co-operation protocol.

The protocol provides for the formation of a working group to discuss issues related to the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline and the extension of the natural gas network to the Greek-Albanian border.

Asked to comment on Nicosia's decision to purchase and deploy Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles, Mr. Rodionov replied:

"This is an issue purely of competition and if the purchase was made by some other western country it would not taken on such dimensions in the press."

Asked on the same issue, Ms Papandreou noted: "Cyprus is an independent state and as such, takes its own decisions about armaments."

[24] Bourse discusses Thessaloniki stock market expansion

Athens, 14/01/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Xanthakis attended the first 1997 board meeting of the Stock Exchange Center of Thessaloniki.

It was stressed during the meeting that the Thessaloniki bourse aims at increasing the Stock Exchange's daily volume of transactions, which has stabilized at 7 per cent currently. Informational seminars will be organized to attain this target.

Additionally, a study to determine enterprises in Macedonia and Thrace considered suitable to enter the parallel market is moving in the same direction. The procedural part of the study has already been completed but finalized decisions have not yet bee n taken.

The possibility of buying the building in Katouni Street in which it is housed was also discussed during the board meeting. The building belongs to the Bank of Macedonia and Thrace and its value amounts to 800 million drachmas.

[25] Greek products go on show in Nicosia

Athens, 14/01/1997 (ANA)

Organized by Helexpo-TIF, this year's fair will be attended by Macedonia-Thrace Minister Philippos Petsalnikos and National Economy Under-secretary Alekos Baltas.

Some 30 firms from Thessaloniki and other parts of Greece will be participating in the trade fair and representatives are expected to hold a series of meetings with Cypriot entrepreneurs in the hope of joint ventures as well as exploiting Cyprus's good relation with the Arab world and Greece's proximity to the emerging markets of the Balkans, eastern Europe and the Black Sea region.

End of English language section.

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