Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-01-25
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1098),
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Gov't warns it will 'use all means' to prevent road, rail
blockades
[02] Agrotica
[03] HATTA warns of tourism losses
[04] Simitis meets with Belgian counterpart Dehaene
[05] Simitis: Taxpayers will not have to pay for any special
provisions for floods
[06] Greek-Bulgarian committee
[07] Gov't pleased with Socialist International council views on
Cyprus
[08] French WEU presidency says closer links with Turkey needed
[09] Greek force in Bosnia rotated
[10] Albright expresses optimism on solution for Cyprus
[11] Champagne region delegation on official visit to Crete
[12] Insurance union says traffic accidents eat away 80 per cent of
premiums
[13] Primary school teachers also unhappy with Arsenis, plan
three-day strike
[14] ND urges Gov't to action
[15] Gov't spokesman claims teachers' strike will end soon
[16] Premier chairs meeting on justice ministry issues
[17] Soldier wounded during gunfire exchange with illegal immigrant
smugglers
[18] Two ND deputies sue V. Papandreou for remarks during Floisvos
testimony
[19] Areas designated natural reserves
[20] ECOFIN to meet on Monday
[21] Attica Regional Council points to three sites as most viable for
landfills
[22] ATE governor says interest expressed for Bank of Central Greece
[23] IOBE study on paper industry unveiled
[24] Greek dairy producer petitions Eurocourt not to accept appeals
over feta ruling
[25] Hios products added to EU protected list
[01] Gov't warns it will 'use all means' to prevent road, rail
blockades
Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)
The government yesterday toughened its stance prior to an
expected new round of nationwide protests by farmers, scheduled
to begin at the end of the month.
"We are determined to confront the protest actions using all
means," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said, calling at
the same time on farmers for a "goodwill dialogue".
Mr. Reppas added that whoever "exceeds the limits" would find
themselves up "against the forces of the state."
"We have a plan and the will to avert incidents and road
blockades as happened before," Mr. Reppas said, referring to
farmers' protest actions last December, which caused serious
disruptions to road and rail traffic around the country.
The spokesman said the government considered the protest actions
to be "unjustified and inopportune," adding that "the problems
are known."
The country's main agricultural groups, meanwhile, decided not
to participate in protests announced by the pan-Thessaly
Coordinating Committee and the corresponding committee of
Macedonia-Thrace farmers.
The decision was taken at a meeting in Athens by the
administrative boards of the Panhellenic Confederation of
Agricultural Cooperatives (PASEGES), the General Confederation
of Agricultural Associations (GESASE) and the Democratic
Agricultural Association s of Greece (SYDASE). The meeting was
convened at the initiative of PASEGES.
"We reject the logic of regional movements calling themselves
'coordinating committees' because of the role they play in
misleading farmers and our society in general, with regard to
the real problems facing farmers," the groups said in a
resolution.
The resolution called on all farmers belonging to cooperative
groups to remain united "because the major problems demand
unity, oneness of spirit and common struggles."
[02] Agrotica
Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)
In a related matter, Helexpo president Antonis Kourtis expressed
hope that the farmers' mobilizations will not coincide with this
year's agricultural fair Agrotica, which begins on Jan. 29,
saying that the fair "supports and promotes the agricultural
production."
Stressing that Agrotica is "the creation of the farmers and the
fora representing them," Mr. Kourtis told a press conference on
this year's 13th annual fair that "no one believes the farmers
themselves will proceed in any action which will have
consequences on the operation of the fair"
This year's Agrotica will take place with the participation of
675 Greek and 777 international businesses, local and
international associations, organizations and research
institutes.
Exhibits cover a wide range of farming equipment.
[03] HATTA warns of tourism losses
Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)
The Association of Greek Tourist and Travel Agents (HATTA) has
appealed to Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Development
Minister Vasso Papandreou to exhaust all margins for dialogue so
as to avert a growing wave of nationwide strikes and
mobilizations.
The appeal came in a statement yesterday, which referred to
fears of tourism losses, and points to a British travel
directive issued yesterday, warning travelers to check the local
situation before starting their trip, in view of a planned
blockade of road and rail links by farmers next week.
Reuters quoted the British consul in Athens, Gordon Bernard, as
saying that the directive "is not telling people not to come.
It's making them aware of problems and advising them to check
the situation before they arrive."
The directive said that although the seamen's strike was over,
congestion due to timetable problems was likely to continue for
a few days. The directive comes at a time when the largest part
of bookings are made for the summer.
[04] Simitis meets with Belgian counterpart Dehaene
Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis met in Athens yesterday with his
Belgian counterpart, Jean-Luc Dehaene, discussing developments
in the European Union and in Greek-Turkish relations.
Mr. Simitis said he briefed the Belgian prime minister on
Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue, reiterating that
the decision taken last July 15 by the EU's foreign ministers is
still valid, although he stressed caution should be exercised
regarding any future developments.
He also expressed his satisfaction with the meeting, saying the
discussion focused on EU developments in relation to European
Monetary Union (EMU), the intergovernmental conference and EU
expansion, particularly concerning the form the EU must take
unde r the new conditions.
On his part, Mr. Dehaene noted the usefulness of bilateral
contacts, saying the meeting reconfirmed that Athens and
Brussels share the same positions on most issues regarding the
EU's prospects.
[05] Simitis: Taxpayers will not have to pay for any special
provisions for floods
Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis told Parliament yesterday that the
government was not at the present time considering setting up a
special fund to deal with the problems caused by natural
disasters such as floods.
Mr. Simitis said the Greek taxpayer was already fairly heavily
burdened and the government must exercise self-restraint in
imposing new taxes.
From the moment that no decision has been taken for the setting
up of funds for other priorities such as national defense, such
a fund cannot be established for the repercussions of natural
disasters, he said.
The premier said that the government was placing emphasis on
anti-flood works, many of which have already been incorporated
in European Union and public investment programs.
Greece has contracted a 75 billion drachma loan for such works
from the Council of Europe Reconstruction Fund.
In Athens, works costing about 110 billion drachmas are in
progress, Mr. Simitis said, noting that to fully protect the
capital against floods the total cost of works would be 250
billion drachmas. Mr. Simitis said responsibility for the
problems caused by floods could not be attributed solely to the
state, since Greek society as a whole shared the responsibility.
In Attica alone, he stressed, gullies stretching in total for
hundreds of kilometers had been illegally filled in, which meant
there was no way for the water to escape during heavy rainfall.
[06] Greek-Bulgarian committee
Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)
A joint Greek-Bulgarian committee held a meeting yesterday to
discuss technical details in the construction of a highway to
link the two countries at the customs post in the region of
Drama on the Greek-Bulgarian border.
The members of the committee expressed conviction that the
project will be completed within the set time limits reiterating
their will for "an unhindered co-operation at all levels."
[07] Gov't pleased with Socialist International council views on
Cyprus
Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas yesterday said Prime
Minister Costas Simitis' participation at this past week's
Socialist International council in Rome was "important, useful
and beneficial."
Mr. Reppas said that for the first time during a Socialist
International council, views coincided with the positions of the
Greek and Greek Cypriot sides, adding that the Turkish arguments
regarding the Cyprus problems have been opposed.
Asked to comment on US diplomat Richard Beattie's statement to
CNN defending the purchase of Russian-made S-300 missiles by the
Cypriot government, Mr. Reppas said that "the more determined we
are to defend a choice we've made the more people will
acknowledge that we are right."
Mr. Reppas reiterated Mr. Simitis' statements that Athens fully
supports Nicosia and that decisions are taken jointly by the two
governments.
[08] French WEU presidency says closer links with Turkey needed
Paris, 25/1/1997 (ANA - P. Pantelis)
Turkey must be linked more closely to the Western European Union
(WEU), although a way has to be found for the Turkish demand to
be met without offending Greece, which is a full member of the
organization, a high-ranking French foreign ministry official
told Brussels-based reporters invited here by the French WEU
presidency.
"Essentially, there is no problem regarding Turkey's
participation in the WEU. The French presidency has devised a
formula which has begun being discussed, and believes that it
will be accepted by all sides," he said.
The French presidency, which aims to strengthen the role of the
WEU in the new European defense architecture, considers that the
use of NATO infrastructure is essential, and has given priority
to the issue of Turkish participation.
In private conversations with the reporters, the official argued
that while Turkey knows very well that it cannot be a full WEU
member because it is not a member of the European Union, Greece
also knows that Turkey must participate in the organization one
way or another, because otherwise, Ankara can block the use of
NATO structures by the WEU.
However, he refused to give any details of the formula in
question, claiming it was still in the phase of discussion by
the interested parties and had been sent to all EU capitals.
French Foreign Minister Herve de Charette, who was questioned on
the matter, declined to be drawn, saying: "Greece is a full
member and Greek-Turkish differences are full of passions, the
issue is very annoying."
[09] Greek force in Bosnia rotated
Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)
A change of guard in the Greek peacekeeping force based in
Visoho, Bosnia occurred yesterday within the framework of S-FOR
for observance of the implementation of UN resolutions in Bosnia.
A "Hercules" C-130 transport plane left Macedonia Airport in
Thessaloniki yesterday carrying three officers and 38 soldiers
to Visoho to relieve personnel serving with the Greek force in
Bosnia (ELDYB).
The transport plane was due to land in Thessaloniki last night,
carrying one officer and 38 soldiers.
[10] Albright expresses optimism on solution for Cyprus
Washington, 25/1/1997 (ANA - T. Ellis)
Newly sworn in US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright also
referred to the Cyprus issue in her first press conference.
"We are very much concerned about Cyprus and all the related
issues (Greek-Turkish relations), and believe that this year we
have an opportunity to improve this, unfortunately, protracted
dispute," she said.
[11] Champagne region delegation on official visit to Crete
Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)
A delegation from the French region of Champagne is due to
arrive in Crete today on a four-day visit, within the framework
of bilateral relations between the two regions.
Regional administrator Stavros Kabelis visited Champagne last
July at the head of a delegation of Cretan regional bodies
representatives.
The French delegation consists of the director and members of
the Reims Chamber of Commerce as well as travel agents who are
to scheduled to charter flights to Crete this summer.
The delegation is scheduled to meet with Crete's Chamber of
Commerce within the framework of the organization of an
exhibition in Reims in May 17-25.
[12] Insurance union says traffic accidents eat away 80 per cent of
premiums
Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)
Eighty per cent of insurance premiums in the automobile sector
received by companies are disbursed to pay for damages, although
this amount could be reduced by 15 per cent through a
restriction of damage losses, and another 10 per cent through a
lessening of traffic accidents.
Those figures were released by the president of the research,
prevention and control committee of the Union of Insurance
Companies of Greece, G. Skourtis, at a recent conference of the
committee's members, focusing on the economic and social
repercussions of traffic accidents and ways of restricting them.
Members of the committee said the creation of computerized
support in the accident sector will contribute decisively to
their reduction and to the saving of funds.
Other issues examined concerning the improvement of traffic code
rules.
[13] Primary school teachers also unhappy with Arsenis, plan
three-day strike
Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)
Primary school teachers expressed dissatisfaction yesterday
following their meeting with Education Minister Gerassimos
Arsenis in the morning.
The education minister told the press that one of the Greek
Primary School Teachers' Federation's basic demands regarding
equal status for degree holders and teachers' college graduates
would be met, and that a monthly benefit of 21,000 drachmas for
work done outside school hours would be increased to 35,000
drachmas.
However, the teachers are standing firm on their demand for a
salary increase within 1997 and are planning a three-day strike
for early February.
Meanwhile high school teachers, five days into their own strike,
held a rally outside the education ministry at noon and then
marched on Parliament. They are insisting on a 70,000 drachma
monthly increase to their salaries. The education minister, who
is due to meet with their representatives on Monday, has urged
them to moderate their demands if the meeting is to be fruitful.
[14] ND urges Gov't to action
Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)
The main opposition New Democracy party urged the government to
exhaust all possibilities for finding a solution to the crisis
in the country's schools.
The head of the party's education committee, Vassilis
Kontoyannopoulos, himself a former education minister, called
for a special salary scale for primary and secondary school
teachers in line with that of teaching staff in tertiary
education.
He repeated his party's call for an increase in education's
share of GNP to 5.0 per cent, which he said was feasible if the
state "stops wasting money" and privatizations were expedited.
Mr. Kontoyannopoulos added that if the government was serious
about opening university-level institutions to all, then it must
be prepared to increase funds for education and raise the
standard of secondary education.
Meanwhile, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary-General
Aleka Papariga yesterday sent a letter to Parliament President
Apostolos Kaklamanis requesting that he ask the government to
hold a regular debate on the subject of education at the level
of party leaders.
[15] Gov't spokesman claims teachers' strike will end soon
Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas yesterday said the
government intends to exhaust all limits of dialogue with
striking teachers.
"The lines of communication between Education Minister
Gerassimos Arsenis and the Union of Secondary School Teachers
(OLME) are open," Mr. Reppas said, expressing his belief that
the teachers' strike will end during the next few days.
In another development, the government spokesman said that the
end of the seamen's strike "proved the correctness" of the
government's policy of insisting on dialogue as a means of
communication.
[16] Premier chairs meeting on justice ministry issues
Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday chaired a cabinet
meeting focusing, among others, on legislative initiatives by
the justice ministry, as well as plans for creation of new
prison and court buildings.
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said afterwards that the
law on the criminal responsibilities of ministers was discussed,
as well as the bill on safeguarding personal information. He
expressed the assessment that the Athens Appeals Court will be
transferred to a new building by the end of 1997.
[17] Soldier wounded during gunfire exchange with illegal immigrant
smugglers
Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)
A soldier was slightly wounded early yesterday morning during an
exchange of gunfire between an army patrol and illegal immigrant
smugglers aboard a speedboat after the vessel attempted to land
12 Iraqi illegals off Megisti islet near Kastellorizo.
The speedboat was spotted by the patrol at 2 a.m. as it
approached the northern coast of the islet and landed the
illegal immigrants despite warning shots.
According to the army general staff, the wounded soldier is
infantryman Georgios Karayiannis, 20, a resident of Patras, who
was initially taken to the Megisti health center before being
transferred by helicopter to a Rhodes hospital.
Officials at the Rhodes hospital said the soldier was in no
danger.
[18] Two ND deputies sue V. Papandreou for remarks during Floisvos
testimony
Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)
Two main opposition New Democracy deputies yesterday made good
on their promise to file a lawsuit against Development Minister
Vasso Papandreou for slander.
ND deputies Theodoros Kassimis and Triantafyllos Bellos, both
members of a Parliamentary fact-finding committee probing the
ill-fated Floisvos license affair, sued Ms Papandreou for
comments she made during testimony before the committee on
Tuesday.
Specifically, the minister asked whether the members of the
committee would have agreed to the opening of their own personal
bank accounts.
In statements to the press yesterday, Ms Papandreou stressed
that the probe of the casino affair by the committee touched
upon "major interests" and was rife with expediencies.
The deputies claim that the minister's insinuations are an
insult to their honor and reputation, and divert attention from
the substance of the affair.
A public prosecutor who received the lawsuits will decide on the
further course of action today. He is expected to ask Parliament
President Apostolos Kaklamanis for a lifting of the minister's
Parliamentary immunity.
Meanwhile, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, referring to Ms
Papandreou's claim that the initial decision to grant the casino
license jointly by Environment Minister Costas Laliotis and then
tourism minister Dionysis Livanos was a "glaring illegality",
stres-sed:
"...it is necessary for government officials to project a
picture of consensus, solidarity, decisiveness, and a consistent
stand."
[19] Areas designated natural reserves
Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)
Some 142 areas of northern Greece have been designated nature
reserves by decision of the ministry of the environment, town
planning and public works within the framework of the program
"Natura 2000."
The main aim of the program is to restore and conserve the
natural environment and protect its flora and fauna.
In the area designated as "eco-reserves," development programs
will be implemented to promote eco-tourism and agro-tourism,
while provisions are expected to be introduced reducing the
numbers of species which may be hunted.
[20] ECOFIN to meet on Monday
Brussels, 25/1/1997 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)
The European Union Economic and Monetary Affairs Council
(ECOFIN) will confer on Monday to consider the working plans of
the Dutch presidency.
Regarding the final phase of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU),
the Council is expected to focus on the issues of selecting the
designs and depictions of the two sides of the single currency
(Euro), and multilateral supervision of national economies.
It will also tackle the issue of relations between the EU and
the countries of central and eastern Europe, and in particular,
with the macro-economic strengthening of these countries as well
as renewal of European Investment Bank credits.
National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou will represent
Greece.
[21] Attica Regional Council points to three sites as most viable for
landfills
Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)
The Attica Regional Council has put forth the areas of Avlona,
Grammatiko and Keratea as the most viable sites for creation of
landfills, essentially ratifying results of studies on the issue.
Studies into the environmental consequences of landfills in
these areas will be carried out in order for the final site to
be chosen.
However, the mayors of all three regions have reacted against
the proposal, threatening mobilizations.
Meanwhile, the municipality of Ano Liosia continues to block the
dumping of solid waste from the central sewage treatment plant
of Psittaleia and Metamorphosis, saying the dumping creates
serious problems in the landfill. The waste is estimated to be
in the range of 200 tons.
The Athens Water and Sewerage Company (EYDAP) may refer the
issue to court.
[22] ATE governor says interest expressed for Bank of Central Greece
Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)
Agricultural Bank of Greece (ATE) governor Christos
Papathanasiou announced yesterday that "serious" foreign banking
organizations are showing great interest in buying the Bank of
Central Greece.
In another development, an agreement was signed yesterday
between ATE and the ABN AMRO BANK of New York, and Deloitte and
Touche, by which ATE assigns them with the post of fiscal
adviser for the sale of the package of the Bank of Central
Greece's shares.
After the agreement was signed, ATE's governor said the highest
market price will be sought during the sale of the package of
the Bank of Central Greece's shares (a subsidiary of ATE), while
at the same time the rights of its employees will be safeguarded.
[23] IOBE study on paper industry unveiled
Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)
A report by the Economic and Industrial Research Institute
(IOBE) on the paper industry points to the main problems in the
sector as a lack of local first-stage raw materials, high import
infiltration by certain products (health-toilet paper),
instability in prices, the high cost of energy and a lack of an
institutional framework on managing packaging refuse.
On the question of prospects of development over the next five
years, the report said writing and printing paper had
considerable ground for development, while in the sub-branches
of packaging, health and toilet paper, development rates are
expected to be around 3-4 per cent and 2-3 per cent,
respectively.
Among others, the report says 16 paper industries operate in
Greece at present, producing paper and cardboard. They have 20
plants with a total production capacity of 500,000 tons and
employ about 5,000 employees.
Many units also exist for processing paper and cardboard and
final products, as well as a considerable number of companies
importing paper and ready-made products.
The annual local production of unprocessed paper and cardboard
amounts to 385,000 tons, of which 46 per cent is destined for
the production of packaging products, 32 per cent for health and
toilet paper products, 16 per cent for writing and printing pro
ducts, and the remaining 6 per cent for the production of paper
and cardboard for various uses.
Referring to consumption, the report says it amounts to 340,000
tons a year in the artistic packaging sector, 125,000 tons in
the sector of health and toilet paper products and 220,000 tons
for writing paper.
[24] Greek dairy producer petitions Eurocourt not to accept appeals
over feta ruling
Brussels, 25/1/1997 (ANA - G. Daratos)
The dairy company Pindos, a part of the FAGE-Philippou group,
has resorted to the European Court to prevent acceptance of
appeals by French, Danish and German producers of a white soft
cheese, who claimed that "feta" should not be an exclusively
Greek product and that they have the right to refer to their
product under this name.
Pindos is asking the European Court for it to be allowed to
intervene and express its views within the framework of the
foreign producers' appeals.
The company aims to support Athens' efforts to maintain the
exclusive right to produce white, soft cheese made from sheep's
or goat's milk under the name of "feta".
[25] Hios products added to EU protected list
Brussels, 25/1/1997 (ANA - F. Stangos)
Five traditional Greek products will be added to a list of
agricultural products and foodstuffs whose brand name is
protected in the European Union under community regulations.
The Greek products which have been added following a decision of
the European Commission include Hios chewing gum, Hios masticha
(gum), and Hios masticha oil, bringing the number of EU products
with a protected name of origin or geographical name to 398 .
End of English language section.
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