Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-02-10
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1111), February 10, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Farmers call off protests
[02] V. Papandreou: Thessaly farmers no worse off than others
[03] Reactions
[04] Suspended sentences
[05] Decision this week of future of teachers' strike
[06] Annan calls for Simitis' support for UN efforts to resolve
Cyprus problem
[07] Apostolakis: Greece, Cyprus will not concede sovereign rights
[08] Housing program for repatriated Greeks a success, outgoing
EIYAPOE head says
[09] Thessaloniki's sunshine thwarts Angelopoulos
[10] Skandalidis optimistic about the country's course
[11] Swedish deputy finance minister in Athens today
[12] Thessaloniki gets revamped local daily 'Nea Macedonia'
[13] Four arrested in bungled kidnap attempt
[14] Prison break-out thwarted
[01] Farmers call off protests
Athens, 10/02/1997 (ANA)
Farmers yesterday decided to call off their latest round of
protests, after having the wind taken out of their sails on
Friday when police let the air out of the tires of 1,500
tractors parked on national roads in central Greece.
Farmers' representatives said, however, that they would resume
their protests again in March, on the anniversary of the bloody
Kileler farmers' uprising in 1910.
The decision to call off the second round of protests came after
a rally at the Mikrothives junction in Thessaly, and following
speeches at rallies in major farming towns by members of the
government and ruling party PASOK.
Sources close to the Thessaly Coordinating Committee, which led
the decision to resume protests this month, said the farmers had
put an end to their protests because they were discouraged by
recent developments and lack of coordination by farmers.
The government, meanwhile, had followed up on its sleight of
hand to deflate the farmers' tires by organizing senior
government members to speak at rallies in Karditsa and Larissa.
Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos told a rally in Karditsa
that the problems facing farmers had to be dealt with as a whole
and with dialogue, saying he was against "the logic of the few"
which set one social group against the other.
His call for dialogue was reiterated by Environment, Town
Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis, who was also
speaking at the rally. He came out against "party interests
which were at the heart of the protests", an indirect reference
to the government's belief that the Communist Party of Greece
was agitating amongst the farmers.
Smaller-scale protests, however, continued throughout the
weekend, although none came close to disrupting traffic on
national roads, the thing that the government was determined to
avoid.
In December, a 25-day blockade of road and rail links virtually
cut the country in two, and caused extensive disruption to
transport and export and other industries.
The Thessaly Coordinating Committee on Saturday, meanwhile,
demanded the government repair damage to their machinery, saying
they would file charges against police for "extensive damage"
caused to their tractors.
"We request that the government stops misinforming (the public)
and realize that it is fully responsible for its political and
penal actions and will soon be called to pay," a Committee
announcement said.
A day earlier, the group said the farmers would continue their
struggle with greater intensity until their demands are finally
met and the government's agricultural policy is changed.
The Committee said in an announcement that it considers "the
government's stance a serious political slide to despotism," and
invited all political parties and the Greek people to condemn it.
[02] V. Papandreou: Thessaly farmers no worse off than others
Athens, 10/02/1997 (ANA)
In Larissa yesterday, Development Minister Vasso Papandreou said
protesting farmers were a minority of the farming community in
Greece, adding that the Thessaly farmers were no worse off than
farmers in other Greek regions.
She admitted, however, that ruling party PASOK was in part
responsible for the current situation because it should have
started dialogue sooner.
However, she added, the government refused to conduct talks "in
a climate of blackmail and national road blockades."
Ms Papandreou said the government was determined to implement
its farming program in the framework of the broader competitive
climate in Europe and called on farmers to adjust to the new
conditions.
In Thessaloniki yesterday, Under-secretary to the Prime
Minister's Office George Paschalidis said that "farmers'
problems cannot be discussed in an atmosphere of tension,"
adding that "a social dialogue is being organized and should
take place with the participation of all farmers."
National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou,
meanwhile, said in Thessaloniki on Saturday evening that the
government was not willing to deviate from its present economic
policy.
"The new fall in inflation shows that the (existing) economic
policy is yielding results and it would be a shame not to keep
up this effort," the minister said, adding that "tax exemptions
and illegal subsidies do not constitute the solution (to the
problems facing the farmers) and will cause immense problems for
the remaining farming community."
Justice Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos said the government will
proceed, as promised, with major structural changes to the
agricultural economy.
"We've given farmers everything we could," Mr. Yiannopoulos said.
[03] Reactions
Athens, 10/02/1997 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Prokopis
Pavlopoulos said the key to the problem was in the hands of the
government.
"The key is dialogue," Mr. Pavlopoulos said pointing to the fact
that the government was entering talks with other social groups.
Following the suspension of farmers' mobilizations yesterday the
Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said the government was
responsible for the damage caused to the farmers' machinery and
requested that it immediately repaired the damage.
According to an announcement, KKE stressed the need for "the
creation of a people's front which shall put blockades
everywhere against the European Union and the government's
policy."
The announcement said the farmers' protests were "one more gain
for the farmers and the popular movement in general," adding
that the government "has been defeated".
[04] Suspended sentences
Athens, 10/02/1997 (ANA)
In a related development, a Volos court on Saturday sentenced
nine farmers arrested in scuffles with police on Friday morning
trying to prevent them from blocking the Athens-Thessaloniki
road to six months in prison with three-year suspension.
[05] Decision this week of future of teachers' strike
Athens, 10/02/1997 (ANA)
Federation of Greek Teachers (DOE) President Tasos
Papaharalambous said last night that proposals made to teachers
by Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis were "positive", adding
that results of the six-hour long discussion with the minister
and Finance Undersecretary Nikos Christodoulakis will be
communicated to the union which will decide on its next steps at
general assemblies scheduled for today and tomorrow.
A final decision on the future of the three-week strike by high
school teachers, which is entering its fourth week today, and
the two-week strike by primary school teachers will be taken on
Wednesday when the general assembly of Greek teachers union
presidents will take place in Athens.
High schools and primary schools will remain closed this week
pending any further decisions. The teachers are due to hold
another rally in Athens today.
Teachers' main claims are salary increases for teachers working
in first-stage education, a reduction in the working week from
25 to 21 hours and the hiring of more teachers.
Mr. Arsenis said that salary increases given to teachers
corresponded to those given to university professors "at a time
of fiscal difficulty".
He said they were the biggest benefits paid in recent years to
teachers and that this showed the priority given to education by
the government.
He added he accepted the claim for a reduction in weekly working
hours from 25 to 21 hours, but in three years' time, adding that
the placing of replacements at schools will be limited as of
September to allow for more hirings.
The majority of the administrative council saying that the
minister's replies were favorable are unionists affiliated to
the ruling socialist PASOK party, while the minority of
unionists affiliated to the main opposition conservative New
Democracy part y and the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said
the minister's replies were negative.
On Saturday, KKE Secretary-General Aleka Papariga said the party
fully supported the striking teachers, speaking after talks with
the teachers' union OLME.
[06] Annan calls for Simitis' support for UN efforts to resolve
Cyprus problem
Athens, 10/02/1997 (ANA)
Sunday newspaper "To Vima" yesterday published a letter UN
Secretary-General Kofi Annan has addressed to Prime Minister
Costas Simitis in which he stresses that an extension of the
present status quo in Cyprus entails serious dangers and is
creating serious concern at the Security Council.
Mr. Annan stresses that efforts aimed at achieving a solution to
the Cyprus issue can succeed if both leaders (Cyprus President
Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash)
commit themselves to handling all issues in a collective manner
an d on the basis of the mutual will to compromise.
Mr. Annan requests from Mr. Simitis and Turkish Prime Minister
Necmettin Erbakan, to whom he has also addressed a letter, to
support his efforts to have the Cyprus issue resolved.
"The data required for us to process a settlement are at our
disposal. I am referring in particular to high-level agreements
concluded in 1977 and 1979 and by which the two sides agreed to
the establishment of a bi-communal and bizonal federation,
decisions taken by the Security Council, the package of ideas
and to other ideas probed in past years," it said.
The letter further says that it has also been recognized that an
overall settlement can be achieved through mutual concessions
with overall negotiations between the leaders of the two
communities, which must last as long as is necessary for a
solution to be found and that it is vital now for both leaders
to commit themselves to such a process.
"I have also notified the two leaders that I am writing to you
and to the Prime Minister of Turkey to request your active
support on efforts I and others will make to achieve the targets
set out in this letter. I have underlined their great
responsibilities to fulfill, as leaders of the two communities,
the expectations of all Cypriots for a life of peace and
prosperity in their country," it added.
It went on to say that Mr. Annan has given emphasis to the fact
he is ready to make whatever effort to help the two communities
achieve an overall settlement, adding that without full
co-operation from the two leaders and active support from Greece
and Turkey the effort will not succeed.
"I propose sending my special envoy Mr. Han Sung Joo to Athens
on February 10 to proceed with the active support of your
government so as to achieve the targets set out in this letter.
I particularly appreciate your personal support," the letter
concluded.
[07] Apostolakis: Greece, Cyprus will not concede sovereign rights
Athens, 10/02/1997 (ANA)
National Defense Under-secretary Dimitris Apostolakis said
yesterday that the Greek-Cypriot joint defense doctrine is a
political philosophy, one that shows the determination of the
Hellenic nation not to make concessions on national independence
and national sovereignty.
Mr. Apostolakis was speaking in Crete during events marking the
100th year of the Cretan's revolution against Turkish rule of
the island.
"It is the will of both the Greek and Cypriot governments not to
give the opportunity to anyone to dispute our sovereign rights,"
he said.
[08] Housing program for repatriated Greeks a success, outgoing
EIYAPOE head says
Athens, 10/02/1997 (ANA)
National Institute for the Reception and Resettlement of
Expatriate and Repatriated Greeks (EIYAPOE) President George
Iacovou expressed satisfaction over the organization's efforts
in Thrace to house Black Sea Greeks, during his farewell tour of
the region.
"The National Institute for the Reception and Resettlement of
Expatriate and Repatriated Greeks has developed a very reliable
housing plan and produces high-specification homes and at very
speedy rates. It has also adopted modern building technologies
permitting it to build settlements in record time," he said.
Accompanied by the deputy president of EIYAPOE's board Costas
Michiotis, the foundation's inspector in eastern Macedonia and
Thrace Theodoros Papadopoulos and administrative officials, Mr.
Iacovou toured the communities of Pagouria, Sykorachi, Aetohori,
the Apalou Alexandroupolis community and the municipalities of
Sappes and Tycherou where houses are being built to house
repatriated ethnic Greeks from the Black Sea region.
In the evening, Mr. Iacovou attended a farewell event organized
by EIYAPOE's Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Department in Sappes.
The event was also attended by National Economy Secretary
General Apostolos Fotiadis, local organization representatives
and the foundation's staff in the region.
[09] Thessaloniki's sunshine thwarts Angelopoulos
Athens, 10/02/1997 (ANA)
Work on renowned Greek film director Theodoros Angelopoulos'
11th film will resume today, after too much sunlight ruined the
director's plans to begin filming yesterday on Thessaloniki's
coastal road.
Mr. Angelopoulos was hoping for a dim, gray atmosphere, but
Greece's quirky winter weather ruined his plans.
Work on the film, provisionally titled "An eternity and one
day", will officially begin today - weather permitting - and
will then move to Italy, Corfu, Syros and Florina, the site of
Angelopoulos' last film, the controversial "Ulysses' Gaze".
[10] Skandalidis optimistic about the country's course
Athens, 10/02/1997 (ANA)
Speaking at a joint press conference with Alternate Foreign
Minister George Papandreou yesterday, ruling socialist PASOK
party Central Committee Secretary Costas Skandalidis expressed
optimism that there would be an improvement in the country's
domestic problems and general issues in the coming weeks and
months.
The press conference was held shortly before the start of an
open political meeting, "Political briefing and developments",
in Patras last night.
Both Mr. Skandalidis and Mr. Papandreou referred to the claims
made by farmers and teachers recently and pointed to great
efforts made by the government to tackle the problems of these
two social groups in the framework of the state budget's
possibilities.
Referring to the farmers in particular, Mr. Skandalidis focused
on interventions by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE),
pointing out that the government had exhausted the margins in an
effort to relieve social classes facing problems and which, in
many cases, are justified in claiming a better participation in
the production process.
Mr. Skandalidis also referred to the situation prevailing in
ruling party PASOK, saying that proper restructuring must
proceed and that PASOK is used to "regrouping itself in the
furnace of political struggle".
"Restructuring should concern all of PASOK without exclusions
and exceptions. PASOK must spread everywhere," he said.
Mr. Skandalidis disclosed that he has a plan ready to activate
cadres at all levels and on a dialogue with the Left, which he
will present at the next Executive Bureau meeting and discuss
with Prime Minister Costas Simitis at the beginning of the week.
[11] Swedish deputy finance minister in Athens today
Stockholm, 10/02/1997 (ANA - N. Serveta)
Swedish Deputy Finance Minister Tomas Estrus will meet with his
Greek counterpart George Drys in Athens today.
Mr. Estrus's visit is being held within the framework of the
Swedish government's efforts to clarify certain taxation issues
as well as its proposal on a joint system for energy taxes and
European policies in the taxation field.
"Our aim in these contacts is the exchange of information and
views on issues which will be discussed at joint meetings of
finance ministers of the European Union's member-states," Mr.
Estrus told Swedish radio before his departure for Athens.
The European Commission is promoting a package of measures
regarding the harmonization of taxation legislation in EU states
to combat tax evasion and to improve revenue-gathering by
member-states.
[12] Thessaloniki gets revamped local daily 'Nea Macedonia'
Athens, 10/02/1997 (ANA)
The first edition of Thessaloniki daily "Nea Macedonia"
circulated in the northern port city yesterday in the face of
opposition of former employees of the Journalists Organization
of Northern Greece (DOBE), the company which had published
Thessaloniki-based newspapers "Macedonia" and "Thessaloniki",
which both folded last June.
The proprietors of "Nea Macedonia" are George Kouris, who also
owns Athens daily "Avriani" and Katerina Vellidis, the
proprietor of "Macedonia" and "Thessaloniki".
An editorial in the newspaper said Nea Macedonia "is a new
newspaper but it is also, not only in name but also in essence,
the unbreakable continuation of the most historic newspaper of
northern Greece 'Macedonia' which was founded by Costas Vellidis
and restructured by Yiannis Vellidis."
"Macedonia" and "Thessaloniki" were forced to close over
financial problems suffered by the Vellidis Group. The closure
followed strikes by journalists over the Group's failure to pay
pension dues.
Speaking over the weekend, Mr. Kouris announced that he
controlled 60 per cent of the new company named K.I. Vellidis
S.A. and Ms Vellidis the remainder. He said it has absorbed a
number of journalists from DOBE and planned to hire more.
However, staff dismissed from "Macedonia" and "Thessaloniki"
have reacted strongly, publishing a four-page edition of the old
newspaper "Macedonia" in which they strongly criticized Mr.
Kouris and Ms Vellidis, calling the new newspaper "a fake" with
nothing in common with the old one.
They have taken their case to the law courts and are also
seeking money owed to them by DOBE which is in the process of
liquidation.
[13] Four arrested in bungled kidnap attempt
Athens, 10/02/1997 (ANA)
Police arrested four gypsies after they allegedly attempted to
kidnap the son of a businesswoman from Pallini for a ransom of
20 million drachmas.
The four were identified as Marios Sainopoulos, 26, Thomas
Kamperis, 43, Ioannis Kamperis, 18, and Costas Dalipis, 30.
They are charged with attempting to kidnap the son of Panayiota
Kromba, who, they claim, owes them 20 million drachmas in
commercial transactions.
The child, however, managed to break away from the kidnappers
and sought refuge in a local bakery.
The four were arrested after Ms Kromba and police organized that
they receive 1.5 million drachmas in marked notes.
[14] Prison break-out thwarted
Athens, 10/02/1997 (ANA)
Five Albanian inmates were injured on Saturday afternoon, one
seriously, when about 70 prisoners tried to escape from Ayios
Stephanos prison in Patras.
Prison sources said the inmates managed to escape from their
cells and tried to reach the main entrance when they were
noticed by prison guards.
Riot police who arrived in the scene finally managed to return
them all back to their cells.
End of English language section.
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