Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-01-21
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1094), January 21, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Dutch EU presidency places Cyprus among priorities
[02] EU-Turkey Association Council
[03] Cavanaugh says idea for overflights moratorium 'still valid'
[04] Sea maneuvers announced in central Aegean
[05] Stephanopoulos confident of Clinton's commitment to Cyprus
[06] Turkish patrol boat reported just off Samothrace
[07] Simitis: EU pressure on Ankara imperative for solution to Cyprus
[08] Papariga: Latest US plan aims to 'officially partition' Cyprus
[09] Athens-Skopje talks postponed
[10] Greece restates reservations on proposed 'general flexibility
clause'
[11] Evert reportedly says he'll make 'last-minute' announcement on
ND leadership post
[12] Gov't comments on Arsenis statements concerning Cyprus
[13] Pol.An
[14] Seamen's strike again extended for 48 hours
[15] Gov't's position
[16] Opposition
[17] Teachers begin five-day strike
[18] Cowpox outbreak reported on Samothrace
[19] Anna Karamanou to succeed Kranidiotis at Europarliament
[20] Symposium to focus on Greek-language education in United States
[21] Consumers' group says one in five phone calls 'unnecessary'
[22] AMUE blames past Gov't policies for current economic situation
[23] Cyprus Development Bank looks to expand to Crete
[24] Xenia '97 begins tomorrow
[25] Preparations underway for Europartenariat Hellas
[26] Tsongas to be buried on Thursday
[27] Truck driver confesses in court to murdering three prostitutes
[28] Ivic may be out for the season
[29] New settlement for Black Sea Greeks completed in record time
[30] Municipality's support requested for Elytis statue in central
Athens square
[31] IAAF delegation in Athens today
[32] Archaeological meeting in Thessaloniki
[01] Dutch EU presidency places Cyprus among priorities
Brussels, 21/01/1997 (ANA - P. Pantelis)
The Dutch European Union presidency has listed the Cyprus issue
among its top priorities and will work in two directions,
namely, for a solution to the Cyprus issue and for preparation
of the island republic's accession negotiations.
This is the main conclusion drawn from a discussion held on
Cyprus at the Council of Foreign Ministers, the first during the
Dutch presidency, which included the Cyprus issue in its policy
statements.
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou said the discussion
was positive and referred to positions of the Dutch Council
President and Foreign Minister Hans van Mierlo, who raised the
issue of Cyprus at the luncheon given for ministers at noon. Mr.
Mierlo said the issue of Cyprus is linked to all processes of
European Union relations with third countries and Turkey, as
well as to the new situation facing Europe in relation to its
security, NATO and the West European Union (WEU).
Mr. van Mierlo stressed the need for the EU to activate itself
for a solution to the Cyprus issue and for Cypriot accession,
adding that the Dutch presidency will raise the issue of Cyprus
at one of the upcoming Council of Ministers meetings for an
extensive discussion. He also referred, without stating his own
position, to the issue of Cyprus arming itself with Russian-made
anti-aircraft missiles, which he discussed when he visited
Athens and after tension had been defused, explaining that the
missiles will arrive in Cyprus in 16 months' time.
Addressing the meeting, Mr. Papandreou stressed the need for all
sides handling the Cyprus issue to coordinate themselves: he UN,
Washington, the EU and member-states which have shown particular
interest.
He said the EU will have an important opportunity in the next
few months to utilize activities on Cyprus and use the
pre-accession process for Cyprus for a solution to the issue. He
further briefed the Council of Ministers on recent discussions
held in Athens between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and
Prime Minister Costas Simitis.
Mr. Papandreou's positions received a positive response from all
ministers. However, he said the British and Italian ministers
found the opportunity to refer in general to relations between
the EU and Turkey, and stressed that "we must not constantly
turn our backs on it."
Mr. Papandreou said his private talks with EU Foreign Relations
Commissioner Hans van den Broek were positive. He said a
substantive discussion took place and an exchange of views on
all crucial procedures to follow in connection with Cyprus. Mr.
van de n Broek assured him that he will contribute decisively in
both directions, namely for a solution to the Cyprus issue and
for Cyprus' accession. He will also contact all officials
capable of helping in these two directions.
Replying to a question, Mr. Papandreou said he considers as
positive an initiative on Cyprus announced by US President Bill
Clinton. He said the initiative is underway, adding that it has
started and is expected to be intensified even more as time
passes. He further said the fact the US president says he will
address the Cyprus issue is considered positive.
[02] EU-Turkey Association Council
Brussels, 21/01/1997 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)
Speaking at a press conference in Brussels at the end of the
EU's General Affairs Council, Mr. van Mierlo said the Dutch
presidency intended to convene the EU-Turkey Association Council
by April at the latest, but if possible he would wish to convene
it even earlier.
Referring to the Cyprus issue, Mr. van Mierlo said no
particularly extensive discussion took place, saying that many
discussions on the issue are very often harmful.
However, Dutch presidency sources said the Cyprus issue will be
discussed at a future council meeting, possibly at the informal
General Affairs Council in the Netherlands.
[03] Cavanaugh says idea for overflights moratorium 'still valid'
Brussels, 21/01/1997 (ANA - F. Stangos)
US State Department official Carey Cavanaugh continues to
consider the idea of a moratorium of military overflights of
Cyprus as still valid, despite the proposal's rejection by
Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, after his consultations in
Athens last week.
In his first reaction after the Clerides' rejection, Mr.
Cavanaugh, who is in the Belgian capital to discuss coordination
of US and EU efforts for a solution of the Cyprus issue, said
yesterday that an agreement on a moratorium would be "a positive
alternative solution to the missile system, which the Cypriot
government wants to install, as its aim is to protect the
population from the possibility of an air attack."
He added that Washington would guarantee implementation of the
moratorium, emphasizing that the decision to install the Russian
S-300 missiles sets back its initiative to resolve the problem.
The US official, who is the State Department's bureau chief for
southern Europe, met with EU External Affairs Commissioner Hans
van den Broek, and also touched on the course of EU-Turkey
relations.
[04] Sea maneuvers announced in central Aegean
Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)
The Hellenic Navy yesterday began two small-scale military
exercises, code-named Astrapi (Lightning) and Ormi (Impetus), in
the Cyclades area of the central Aegean, with the participation
of destroyers, frigates, torpedo boats and submarines.
The exercises will be completed on Jan. 24.
[05] Stephanopoulos confident of Clinton's commitment to Cyprus
Washington, 21/01/1997 (ANA - T. Ellis)
Former US presidential adviser George Stephanopoulos stressed on
Sunday that US President Bill Clinton was committed to finding a
solution to the Cyprus problem and would give his full
concentration to problems in the Aegean.
"President Clinton will give the fullest possible attention to
the crisis in the Aegean and the division of Cyprus. We have
seen from the developments in recent years that tension is not
about to abate, that we need a good and just solution and I
believe that the president is determined about this," Mr.
Stephanopoulos said during an event organized in his honor by
the US Greek community.
"I have the feeling that there will be relatively soon a very
high-level initiative, in the course of the second Clinton
administration, which will pressure for a solution. Secretary of
State-designate Ms Albright last year made an important visit to
the Aegean and Cyprus," he said.
The event was also attended by Archbishop of North and South
America Spyridon, World Council of Hellenism president Andrew
Athens, and US Senators Paul Sarbanes, Joe Kennedy and Assistant
Secretary of State John Kornbloom.
[06] Turkish patrol boat reported just off Samothrace
Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)
Fishermen from Alexandroupolis, near the Greek-Turkish border,
yesterday reported a Turkish patrol boat sailing 1.5 to two
miles off the island of Samothrace, on the edge of Greek
territorial waters.
According to reports, they notified Alexandroupolis port
authorities, while the Turkish vessel reportedly made for the
island of Imvros.
Several area fishermen have reported harassment by Turkish
coastguard vessels over the past year.
[07] Simitis: EU pressure on Ankara imperative for solution to Cyprus
Rome, 21/01/1997 (ANA - L. Hatzikyriakos)
The European Union must exert pressure on Turkey to move towards
a solution of the Cyprus issue, Prime Minister Costas Simitis
reiterated here yesterday.
"We want the EU to exert pressure on Turkey, so that, at last,
it will make a move regarding the Cyprus problem. There has been
no development for the last 20 years because Turkey does not
wish its resolution," he told Italian television after arriving
in Rome to attend sessions of the Socialist International
council, which begin today.
"The EU must try to find a solution, because this is only
possible if Turkey realizes that co-operation with the EU
presupposes peace and co-operation in the Mediterranean," he
added.
"If Turkey wants co-operation with the EU, if it wants the
Association Agreement to really work, and have friendly
relations with the EU members, then there must be no tension or
aggressive policy and actions in the eastern Mediterranean. And
one necessary condition is that UN resolutions regarding the
withdrawal of Turkish troops from the island are respected.
"Cyprus must at last become a state with two communities, and
one government that decides for the whole," Mr. Simitis said.
He noted that progress has been made towards recognition of the
borders of EU member-states as external borders of the 15-member
Union.
"Greece considers that the borders of one member-state must also
be those of the EU, as a guarantee for peace and for
co-operation between them. I wish to stress that there have been
several positive steps in this direction. For instance, the EU
recognizes that the borders of member-states are also those of
the Union on issues of law and order.
"When illegal immigrants cross into Greece, they also enter
Italy and Germany, for example. The European Commission and the
Council have decided to undertake joint action on this issue, so
as to also deal with problems regarding weapons smuggling as
well as crime, in general. So, I think that the most important
steps have already been made and when, in the next few years,
there is a common foreign and security policy, the borders of
all member-states will be recognized as political borders of
Europe," h e said.
[08] Papariga: Latest US plan aims to 'officially partition' Cyprus
Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)
"The tour of (US State Department envoy) Carey Cavanaugh to
Athens, Nicosia and Ankara is aimed at promoting a US plan for
the official partition of Cyprus and the Aegean," Communist
Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga claimed
in a published interview with the Athens daily "Ta Nea".
Reiterating her opposition to referring the Imia issue to the
International Court of Justice at the Hague, Ms Papariga said
her party opposed, in general, the recourse of border issues to
international arbitration. The interview was published yesterday.
Turning to domestic issues, Ms Papariga criticized the
government for its economic policy, stressing that "its strategy
is to meet the Maastricht criteria at all costs..."
Forecasting that "new and greater people's struggles will
inevitably break out," Ms Papariga called on the people to
"counter attack" the government's policy, as she put it.
[09] Athens-Skopje talks postponed
New York, 21/01/1997 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)
Talks scheduled between Athens and Skopje on the issue of the
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's name have been
postponed, the office of the Greek permanent representative at
the United Nations announced yesterday.
Well-informed sources said that the meeting, to have been held
under the auspices of UN mediator Cyrus Vance, may have been
postponed because of President Bill Clinton's inauguration or
because it coincided with the Martin Luther King national
holiday in the US.
[10] Greece restates reservations on proposed 'general flexibility
clause'
Brussels, 21/01/1997 (ANA - P. Pantelis)
Athens yesterday reiterated its reservations regarding the
introduction of a general flexibility clause in the reviewed
Maastricht Treaty.
The flexibility clause, as supported by France and Germany,
envisages increased co-operation between two or more
member-states in sectors in which unanimity is required and
where the right of veto can currently block developments.
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou, who set out Greek
positions in yesterday's inter-governmental ministerial meeting,
devoted to the idea of flexibility, said that "institutional
issues of decisive importance are inter-connected and
interwoven," and that "any decision on any one issue must be
accompanied by a respective option in another."
"During negotiations we must examine the basic issues as a
whole," he stressed.
"If we agree, as the Austrian foreign minister correctly pointed
out, that EU action in these sectors is decided by special
majority, there is no need for any provision for flexibility in
the same sectors," he added.
"As regards the future of the Union, this must not be
one-sidedly linked with the introduction of the flexibility
clause, the institutionalization, in other words, of the issues
separating us today - and likely to continue separating us for a
period in future - but must be dealt with through provision for
unifying policies, measures and methods of action, which will
strengthen trends towards convergence and cohesion of the
European integration process...
"Flexibility cannot be applied on issues of the 'First Pylon'
and the internal market, particularly when they are linked to
the implementation of the four freedoms, and social and economic
cohesion," he concluded.
[11] Evert reportedly says he'll make 'last-minute' announcement on
ND leadership post
Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert has said he
has reached a decision as to whether he will be a candidate for
party leadership, but this will be a "last-minute" announcement.
"I am not allowed to proceed with procedures which may help me
on a personal level but will damage the institutional role of
the main opposition leader," Mr. Evert reportedly said in an
interview with monthly magazine "Crash", due to be published in
the next few days.
"Those unable to adjust to the decisions of the new leader,
whoever this may be, will have automatically placed themselves
outside the party," Mr. Evert is reportedly quoted in the
interview as saying.
In a forthright opposition to the views of former premier and ND
honorary president Constantine Mitsotakis, Mr. Evert said
"neo-conservative policies lead to a shrinkage..."
Noting that ND deputy Dora Bakoyianni's "activities cause damage
to the party," Mr. Evert said "I believe that Ms Bakoyianni,
since among other things she is an intelligent person, will
realize that it is to her interest to adjust to the decisions of
the (ND) congress."
A party congress to elect the new party leader is due to take
place towards the end of March.
Regarding his relations with former president of the republic
and founder of New Democracy, Constantine Karamanlis, Mr. Evert
said the two men shared "a specific ideological and political
direction."
Asked whether he believed that Athens Mayor Dimitris
Avramopoulos would make a successful ND leader, Mr. Evert said
"time and Mr. Avramopoulos' deeds will show."
[12] Gov't comments on Arsenis statements concerning Cyprus
Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)
"Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis' statements yesterday in
Nicosia are in tune with the government's position on the
issue," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday in
referring to the Cyprus problem.
Noting that a third party who has interests in the region cannot
be involved in the decision-making process, Mr. Reppas said,
however, that "we must not reject a foreign party's interest" in
view of a need to give a viable solution to the Cyprus problem .
Regarding Mr. Arsenis' position that "the motto of Nicosia
decides and Athens supports, is a recipe for national tragedy,"
Mr. Reppas said the two governments marched together but that
the Cyprus government has its own autonomy.
Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)
Meanwhile, the Political Spring party said Mr. Arsenis "spoke
our own tongue" when he said that the island "is being dragged
to partition and the Aegean to co-exploitation," adding that Mr.
Arsenis "knows what and about whom he is taking about."
The education minister arrived in Cyprus on Sunday for a
three-day visit for talks with his Cypriot counterpart Claire
Angelidou.
Speaking to reporters upon arrival, Mr. Arsenis called on both
Greece and Cyprus to stand firm on their views related to
national issues, reiterating his opposition to a Cyprus
settlement that would racially and geographically divide the
people of the island republic.
Replying to questions, he said that "any kind of federation
which essentially introduces confederation under the guise of
federation, and which would divide people on the basis of their
race and in geographical terms is contrary to our policy and UN
resolutions."
[14] Seamen's strike again extended for 48 hours
Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)
Seamen and dockworkers yesterday decided to extend an eight-day
strike for a further 48 hours, until 6 a.m. Thursday.
The strike was originally scheduled to end early this morning.
Meanwhile, seamen and dockworkers held a protest rally and
marched through the streets of Piraeus yesterday as their
strike, which has caused serious problems at ports in the Aegean
and Crete, entered an eighth consecutive day. According to
reports, the rally had originally been scheduled to take place
in Athens, but was changed and held in Piraeus by the
Panhellenic Seamen's Federation (PNO) after the union said it
received information that some vessels in the port would seize
the opportunity and depart.
Strikers marched to the merchant marine ministry building where
a delegation requested a meeting with minister Stavros Soumakis.
In a letter sent to the PNO late Sunday night, Mr. Soumakis said
that seamen and not the government were solely responsible for
the repercussions from the strike. From now on, Mr. Soumakis
added, the government "would enforce the law."
Dozens of port police officers have been put on duty in Piraeus.
In a related development, an ANA dispatch from Rome reported
that some 600 Greek trucks were stranded at Italian ports on the
Adriatic, waiting for an end to the strike so they could reach
Greece.
On the other hand, the tense situation at the port of Irakleio,
Crete, was somewhat de-escalated yesterday following a decision
by the crews of two ferry boats to sail daily for Piraeus. A
majority of the two crews on the "Nikos Kazantzakis" and the
"Candia" voted to transport perishable produce to the mainland.
The Kazantzakis left Irakleio yesterday evening with 50 trucks,
while the ferry boat "Knosos" departs for Thessaloniki today.
[15] Gov't's position
Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)
"The seamen's labor action has taken on a political dimension,
because certain forces are opposing the government," government
spokesman Dimitris Reppas said in referring to the strike.
He added that seamen's mobilizations had "gone beyond the
framework of trade union protest" and described the extension of
the strike as "unjustified".
Ruling out the possibility of conscripting the striking seamen
and dockworkers, Mr. Reppas nevertheless called on protesters to
respect a decision by a Piraeus court, which on Friday ruled
that the extension of the strike was "illegal and abusive".
"They must consider the responsibilities for the social and
political cost of the strike," Mr. Reppas added.
[16] Opposition
Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy deputy Athanasios Varinos, who is
also president of ND's Parliamentary committee for shipping,
later said that the strike was a result of the government's
"inconsistency and lack of credibility."
He also pointed to recent tax law amendments concerning the
maritime sector as "unsettling" for shipping and seamen.
"We call on the government to withdraw all provisions
overturning the regulations which have been in effect since 1955
and are effective until today," Mr. Varinos said.
"Besides, this is the policy suggested by the Europarliament and
the European Commission for Transport, and which is supported by
the economic and social committee of the European Union," he
added.
Concluding, Mr. Varinos called on the government to give an
immediate solution to the problems facing seamen and dockworkers.
[17] Teachers begin five-day strike
Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)
Education Under-secretary Yiannis Anthopoulos yesterday called
on striking high school teachers to enter into dialogue with the
government "so that solutions might be found and in particular
their institutional demands settled".
Teachers in Greece yesterday began a five-day strike mainly in
support of demands for higher pay. Mr. Anthopoulos acknowledged
that the "social and economic level" of teachers was in need of
improvement, adding that both Education Minister Gerassimos
Arsenis and he himself had called on the teachers' union (OLME)
to enter into a dialogue.
He stressed however that such a dialogue could not focus solely
on the teachers' pay demands.
"The dialogue must begin with institutional matters concerning
education," he said, while clarifying that this would also
include the issue of "the salary structure" in the sector.
Mr. Anthopoulos indicated that the government would be willing
to consider "improvements" in the teachers' pay scale in 1998
and 1999.
Citing figures which he clarified were not the ministry's, Mr.
Anthopoulos said the percentage of participation in the strike
appeared to be quite high.
"But this is not of great concern to us. We are not dealing with
the strike through the prism of degree of success or failure.
The strike is a negative development, mainly for... pupils," Mr.
Anthopoulos said, leaving open the possibility of additional
teaching hours being added to the school year to make up for
those lost.
Mr. Arsenis has asserted that under the new pay scale, teachers
will receive salary increases of between 17,000 and 46,000
drachmas, while teachers maintain it will result in pay
reductions, particularly in the case of teachers being appointed
for the first time.
The strike caused problems at high schools in Thessaloniki
yesterday morning.
According to the Secondary Education Directorate of Thessaloniki
Prefecture, the strike had a 39.75 percentage of participation.
Yesterday morning, teachers participating in the strike held a
meeting at the Thessaloniki Labor Center before marching to the
Macedonia-Thrace Ministry building where they handed a
resolution to minister Philippos Petsalnikos. The resolution
protests the new pay scale which, they said, would result in a
drop in their incomes.
The teachers are also demanding that the public nature of
education be safeguarded, vacant teaching posts be filled and
improvements to school buildings be made.
[18] Cowpox outbreak reported on Samothrace
Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)
Cowpox, which had receded somewhat in Thrace over the past two
weeks, has struck a herd of sheep on the island of Samothrace at
a time when local veterinary services believed the animal
disease had been contained in the Evros, Rodopi, Xanthi and
Kavala prefectures.
Ninety sheep infected with cowpox were slaughtered and buried,
reports state. Meanwhile, tough measures have been taken
throughout the island to protect herds and prevent the disease
from spreading. By decision of the Veterinary Service of Evros
the transport of sheep and fodder crops from the island has been
prohibited, as well as from village to village.
[19] Anna Karamanou to succeed Kranidiotis at Europarliament
Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)
Anna Karamanou, a well-known ruling PASOK party cadre, will
succeed PASOK Eurodeputy Yiannos Kranidiotis, who will be sworn
in as foreign under-secretary at the end of the month. Mr.
Kranidiotis replaces Christos Rozakis, who resigned his post
earlier this month.
[20] Symposium to focus on Greek-language education in United States
New York, 21/01/1997 (ANA- M. Georgiadou)
Archbishop of America Spyridon will inaugurate a symposium
concerning the problems and the future of Greek-language
education in the United States, which is organized by the
Federation of Hellenic Associations of New York.
Issues to be covered will be books used in Greek-American
schools, further training of teachers in Greece, the role of the
Greek state and the Archdiocese in the operation of
Greek-language schools, and finally, the possibility of
establishing a Greek-American university in the city.
[21] Consumers' group says one in five phone calls 'unnecessary'
Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)
One out of five phone calls is unnecessary and as a result,
consumers are increasing their phone bills without reason,
according to research conducted by the Consumers Institute
(INKA).
INKA claims that 23 per cent of phone calls made at home and 27
per cent of calls made in the workplace are "unnecessary", often
"absolutely unnecessary".
Consequently, the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE)
and mobile telephony companies are increasing profits, while
consumers' phone bills swell.
Research showed that extravagance is also noted in the
consumption of electricity, water and fuel.
On its part, INKA has issued a special publication on the issue
for consumers.
The consumers' advocacy group has also proclaimed a nationwide
competition entitled "INKA saving", to assist consumers in
reducing OTE, the Public Power Corp. (DEH) and Athens Water and
Sewerage Co. (EYDAP) bills by 10 per cent, compared to the
corresponding period last year - either for all three bills or
for each case separately.
People wishing to participate in the competition should send
photocopies of bills for 1996 and 1997 to INKA's offices (31,
Poseidonos St. - Athens 175 61), tel.: 98.29.152.
Ten awards will be given in all, totaling four million drachmas.
[22] AMUE blames past Gov't policies for current economic situation
Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)
The Association for European Monetary Union (AMUE) - an
independent union comprising banks, corporations and other EU
fora - stated in its latest manifesto that low rate of growth,
increased unemployment and the need to bring down constantly
increasing debt in Greece are the result of past government
policies and do not stem from current government actions setting
the economy in line with the Maastricht Treaty criteria.
Greece is represented in AMUE by Eurobank.
According to the manifesto, the Economic Monetary Union will
result in increased competitiveness of European enterprises,
higher growth rates and new jobs, as well as improved living
standards for the average European citizen in the next century.
[23] Cyprus Development Bank looks to expand to Crete
Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)
A delegation from the Cyprus Development Bank is in Crete this
week as part of efforts to expand activity by the bank.
The delegation has visited the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute
in Hania, the Development Organization of Western Crete and the
island's Polytechnic.
Members of the delegation said they were trying to bolster
competitiveness and that their visit had left them with the
impression that the island had developed significantly in the
fields of technology and research and that it could support the
presence of more banks.
[24] Xenia '97 begins tomorrow
Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)
The 28th international tourism exhibition "Xenia '97" gets
underway at the Piraeus Port Authority's (OLP) exhibition center
tomorrow with an address by Development Minister Vasso
Papandreou.
Xenia '97 is sponsored by the development ministry and the Greek
Tourist Organization (EOT). It is expected to be attended by
1,300 enterprises in the tourism sector, and with 229 pavilions.
Within the framework of concurrent events being carried out
every year, the exhibition's organizing committee has decided to
honor two personalities this year for their contribution to the
cultural and tourism sectors, namely, Eleni Glykatzi-Ahweiler,
the rector of Sorbonne University; and Christos Papoutsis,
European Union Commissioner for tourism, energy and small- and
medium-size enterprises.
[25] Preparations underway for Europartenariat Hellas
Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)
Businessmen from Europe, the US, the Middle East and Asia will
converge on Athens on January 23-24 to discuss new co-operation
prospects, in preparation of the Europartenariat Hellas to take
place in June.
More than 3,000 businessmen from 77 countries will be in Piraeus
on June 23-24 for the Europartenariat Hellas.
For the first time, Greece, the Greek economy and 400 select
enterprises will be promoted in a systematic and organized way
by local specialized organizations at world level.
Europartenariat organizers will hold a press conference at 11
a.m. on January 23 at the Athens Hilton's "Esperides" hall,
where representatives of the national economy ministry and the
European Commission will present the targets of the
Europartenariat for the Greek economy.
The preparatory meeting is financed one-third by the national
economy ministry and two-thirds by the European Union.
[26] Tsongas to be buried on Thursday
Lowell, Mass, 21/01/1997 (Reuter/ANA)
Former US Senator Paul Tsongas, who died on Saturday after
fighting pneumonia and complications associated with cancer,
will be buried in his hometown of Lowell, Massachusetts on
Thursday, a funeral home spokesman said on Sunday.
Tsongas' family will hold a wake at their home in his memory on
Tuesday and Wednesday and services will be held at the
Transfigural Greek Orthodox Church on Thursday.
The son of a Greek immigrant and an American mother, Tsongas
rose from being a local city councilman to representing
Massachusetts in the US House of Representatives and the Senate
before unsuccessfully running for the Democratic presidential
nomination in 1992.
He was 55.
[27] Truck driver confesses in court to murdering three prostitutes
Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)
A 23-year-old truck driver yesterday surprised a court by
confessing to the murder of three prostitutes and the attempted
murder of a further eight.
It was the first time Antonis Daglis clearly confessed to the
charges since being arrested in January last year.
"I killed the three women and I attempted to kill eight more, I
did everything," Daglis told the court.
The presiding judge remarked that originally he had denied most
of the charges against him and admitted to only one murder.
"Yes," Daglis replied, "I didn't feel well then".
Continuing his testimony, Daglis tried to justify his actions,
saying he had been under the influence of "strange emotions",
hinting that his mother's moral behavior was to blame.
"I saw the same things with the prostitutes... that my mother
did. I was out of control," Daglis told the court.
Attempting to explain why he had dismembered the bodies of his
victims, Daglis said he had acted in rage, "blinded by hate".
"Why did you do it?" the presiding judge persisted.
"Perhaps as a reaction against what I saw my mother doing,"
Daglis said, without elaborating.
"I hated all prostitutes and continue to hate them. I went to
meet them for sex but suddenly other pictures came into my head.
I heard voices which ordered me to kill. I have been hearing
these voices since I did my national service. Once I thought
about strangling my fiancee, but I restrained myself," Daglis
said.
Concluding his testimony, Daglis said:
"I love my mother. I have forgiven her."
Daglis, who has been in and out of the courts since he was 14
for a number of offenses, was arrested after a number of
gruesome discoveries of body parts around the wider Athens area.
The trial is scheduled to resume on Thursday when Daglis'
court-appointed defense counsel will deliver his closing address
and a verdict will be announced.
[28] Ivic may be out for the season
Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)
Olympiakos' Serb striker, Ilia Ivic, will probably miss the rest
of the season after aggravating an old injury in a first
division soccer match in Kavala at the weekend.
The Yugoslav international, formerly with Red Star Belgrade, had
been out of action for 40 days after injuring his knee in a
match between his Piraeus team and arch-rivals Panathinaikos of
Athens.
Both teams currently head the first division with the same
number of points.
The match in Kavala was only the second in which Ivic played
since recovering from that injury.
The results of a tomography scan yesterday revealed the
seriousness of the latest injury.
Informed sources said Ivic should undergo surgery as soon as
possible, but that the player appeared to be reluctant.
[29] New settlement for Black Sea Greeks completed in record time
Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)
The four-month period in which the settlement of Black Sea
Greeks in the village of Pagouria in the Rodopi prefecture was
completed is considered record-time.
The project is part of the Program for the Permanent Housing of
the National Foundation for the Welcoming and Rehabilitation of
Returning Expatriate Greeks (EIYAPOE) and was planned by the
Foundation's Technical Service.
The settlement is composed of 80 homes (60 ground-floor homes
and 20 two-storey homes), whose building was carried out by four
companies specializing in the sector of industrialized building.
The location chosen for the new settlement constitutes the
natural extension of the existing Pagouria community, it is
directly served by the village's community infrastructure
(market, school, church, etc.) and will give a boost to the
region's diminishing population.
[30] Municipality's support requested for Elytis statue in central
Athens square
Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)
Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos has addressed a letter to
Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos, calling for the
municipality's co-operation in placing a statue of Nobel prize
laureate Odysseus Elytis in the Kolonaki-area Dexameni Square.
Mr. Venizelos stressed in his letter that both sculptor Yiannis
Pappas - who created the work with the late poet's consent - and
Elytis' companion, Ioulita Iliopoulou, have requested that the
statue be placed in Dexameni Square, a location the sculptor
considers appropriate. The culture minister also favors the
location.
In addition, Mr. Venizelos called on Mr. Avramopoulos to
accelerate procedures so that an unveiling ceremony can take
place in early March, the first anniversary of the poet's death.
[31] IAAF delegation in Athens today
Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)
A delegation of the International Amateur Athletics Federation
(IAAF) is arriving in Athens today to iron out details
concerning the program of the World Athletics Championship,
scheduled to be held here in early August.
The delegation includes IAAF technical directors Sandro
Giovannelli and Alberto Baronet, and three technical
representatives.
[32] Archaeological meeting in Thessaloniki
Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)
Foreign and Greek archaeologists will meet in the northern port
city of Thessaloniki from February 12-15 to discuss the course
of excavations in the area of northern Greece.
Entitled "Ten years of archaeological work in Macedonia and
Thrace", the symposium is organized by the culture and
Macedonia-Thrace ministries and the Cultural Capital of Europe
1997 organization.
The meeting will be inaugurated by Culture Minister Evangelos
Venizelos and will also be addressed by Macedonia-Thrace
Minister Philippos Petsalnikos.
End of English language section.
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