Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-04-02

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 1153), April 2, 1997

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece, Uzbekistan sign several bilateral agreements

[02] Bilateral relations

[03] Official dinner

[04] Albania's Fino in Athens today

[05] Fino visit to southern Albania

[06] Gunfire at consul's residence

[07] Reaction against Adriatic accident

[08] KKE protest

[09] Vranitzky

[10] Fino: Tirana will foster new climate of relations with Athens

[11] Reppas: Tsohatzopoulos comments on Turkish military chief in line with gov't position

[12] Aegean officials meet with Turkish local gov't counterparts

[13] ND's Karamanlis confident internal party strife will be soon forgotten

[14] ND leader Karamanlis meets with Manos

[15] G. Papandreou: Gov't promoting political solidarity clause in EU

[16] Premier to chair Parliamentary group meeting today

[17] Bulgarian socialist leader meets with ND leader

[18] Ellis Awards to several Greek-Americans

[19] Olympiakos basketball team advances to final four

[20] Social insurance sector in crisis, pension fund employees say

[21] Initial reports cite slight decrease in monthly inflation

[22] Cyprus' advantages as financial center extolled

[23] Gov't insists on meeting 1997 budget targets - Drys

[24] Simitis and former German FM Genscher lead bill at Economic Conference

[25] Athens, Montreal to become sister cities

[26] Another 7.2 billion drachmas for World Athletic Championship, Athens' Olympic bid

[27] Papaioannou meets with Egyptian minister el-Amawi

[28] EU youth issues meeting

[01] Greece, Uzbekistan sign several bilateral agreements

Athens, 02/04/1997 (ANA)

The six agreements provide for co-operation in tourism, education, training, technology, culture and the avoidance of double taxation. Mr. Karimov arrived in Athens Monday afternoon for an official two-day visit at the invitation of President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr. Simitis referred to the long-standing cultural ties linking the two countries.

Stressing the need for the further development and the strengthening of Greece's relations with all the countries of central Asia, Mr. Simitis described the agreements as a "springboard" for closer ties and co-operation between Athens and Tashkent.

The premier said that peace and friendship accord was based on the principles of respect for international law and international treaties as well as the territorial integrity of states.

Describing his talks with Mr. Simitis as "fruitful and constructive", Mr. Karimov referred to the two countries' common cultural ties, noting that archaeological finds had proven the presence of the ancient Hellenistic kingdom of Bactria in the region.

Turning to the two countries' modern history, Mr. Karimov spoke of the tens of thousands of Greek political refugees who settled in Uzbekistan after the Greek civil war.

He said the majority of these refugees had since returned to Greece with fond memories of their life in Uzbekistan, noting that approximately 10,000 ethnic Greeks currently live in that nation.

Mr. Karimov said he had ascertained during his talks in Greece that there was plenty of room for the further strengthening of bilateral relations, since there were no issues on which the views of Athens and Tashkent diverged.

Uzbekistan, he added, was interested in broadening its relations not only with Greece but also with the European Union with which his country had signed a co-operation agreement.

Mr. Karimov said he attached particular importance to his visit to Greece, given that the legal basis had been created for the further development of bilateral relations. With respect to bilateral co-operation, Mr. Karimov stressed the opportunities opening up in the agricultural sector, the processing of farm products, textiles, light industry, electronics, computerization, transport, communications and tourism.

[02] Bilateral relations

Athens, 02/04/1997 (ANA)

The Greek president drew attention to Uzbekistan's 10,000-strong Greek community, whose representative is accompanying Mr. Karimov on his visit.

Mr. Stephanopoulos urged Greek business firms to promote economic relations with the central Asian nation, which he said was a "politically and economically stable" country.

Mr. Stephanopoulos accepted an invitation extended by Mr. Karimov to visit Uzbekistan.

[03] Official dinner

Athens, 02/04/1997 (ANA)

During his speech, Mr. Stephanopoulos spoke of Greek national issues and criticized Turkey's policy in the Aegean and Cyprus, and also referred to the framework of the apparent improvement in Greek relations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

Greece "deeply adheres to the principles of independence, the territorial integrity of states and the respect of existing international borders," the president said. "This adherence of ours to international legality and the principles of the United Nation's charter makes us particularly sensitive to the continued occupation of more than one third of the Cyprus Republic's territory."

"The general policy of neighbouring Turkey, which refuses to accept the Aegean's international legal status and doubts Greece's sovereign rights, causes us concern over the maintenance of peace and stability in our broader region," he continued.

Mr. Stephanopoulos also spoke of the situation in the Balkans, noting that Greece "seeks peace, friendship and co-operation with its neighbours in the Balkans in order for this sensitive region to be a zone of excellent cohabitation, with no sites of tens ion."

He added that within this framework, "we foresee an improvement in our relations with the Republic of Skopje, but we are not prepared to tolerate any falsification of our history or of our cultural heritage."

The Uzbek president also visited the Elais foodstuffs company plant yesterday, in view of a possible agreement for expanding the company's activities in the former Soviet republic.

Mr. Karimov was guided around the facility by officials from the company, who expressed interest in exporting products to Uzbekistan.

He suggested units similar to the Elais plant be constructed in his country, in a project estimated to be worth roughly US$30 million.

As a first step Mr. Karimov suggested an Elais branch of olive oil products, which the company specializes in, be opened in Uzbekistan with a simultaneous publicity campaign for olive oil, as well as the selling of a mixture of cottonseed oil - widely u sed in the country - and olive oil.

On his part, Elais President Spyros Desyllas told the Uzbek president the approval of the Unilever parent company is needed before any deal is finalized.

[04] Albania's Fino in Athens today

Athens, 02/04/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Fino, who is heading a high-level Albanian government delegation, will meet with Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and other government officials.

Meanwhile, special OSCE envoy for Albania, former Austrian chancellor Franz Vranitzky, will also be in Athens today for talks on the forthcoming deployment of the multinational force in the crisis-racked country.

The United Nations on Friday gave the green light for the formation of a 5,000-strong force, half of which will be deployed and half held in reserve to protect humanitarian relief operations in the strife-ridden country. Greece will be participating in the force with about 700 troops. Other countries which will contribute contingents are Italy, France, Spain, Hungary, Romania and Turkey.

Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou said yesterday that the locations in Albania for the stationing of the contingents making up the multinational security force was a matter to be decided by the countries participating in the force.

Replying to reporters' questions, Mr. Papandreou stressed that from the outset, Greece had not set as a condition for participating in the force that Athens would decide where its contingent was to be stationed. He said, however, that Greece had propose d that its force be based in central Albania "where we could make a particularly important contribution". Mr. Papandreou added that this position reflected the responsibility with which Athens was confronting the issue of the ethnic Greek minority - the majority of which lives in southern Albania - and Greek-Albanian relations in general.

Sources later said that three battalions stationed in northern Greece were alerted and prepared to leave for Albania.

The battalions constitute Greece's contribution to the multinational force in the neighbouring country. The details of the operation are currently discussed in Rome.

[05] Fino visit to southern Albania

Gjirokaster, 02/04/1997 (ANA/P. Barkas)

Mr. Fino was expected to stay the night in the town before continuing on to Ioannina, northern Greece, and then Athens for his one-day visit. He met for the first time with leaders of the insurgents in Gjirokaster and Tepelene.

[06] Gunfire at consul's residence

Athens, 02/04/1997 (ANA)

Two masked gunmen opened fire from the neighbouring now-empty students' quarters at the residence. About eight shots were heard, but there were no injuries.

Armed guards fired back but the two gunmen managed to escape.

The consulate resumed business yesterday but was subject to frequent closures due to disruption from the crowds.

[07] Reaction against Adriatic accident

Rome, 02/04/1997 (ANA/L. Hatzikyriakos)

Tirana declared a day of mourning for the deaths on Monday and emotions ran high around the country. Wire dispatches from the port of Vlore reported some Albanians threatening the safety of any Italian soldiers posted there.

Italian military officials have expressed reservations about an imminent deployment, which the Italian government is said to have wanted to see in the next few days.

According to the Italian chief of general staff Adm. Mario Ventoroni, "the situation which has been created now is very difficult and, for this reason, the mission has been delayed. Albania cannot exploit this incident but should create the basic conditions of security if it wants to receive the aid. If the conditions do not improve it will be difficult to immediately begin this operation."

[08] KKE protest

Athens, 02/04/1997 (ANA)

"This act coincides with the decision for open imperialistic intervention by the military forces of the NATO member-states, such as Greece, Italy, Turkey and a number of other countries. A decision which supports a corrupt, terrorist, dictatorial regime and which inter alia violates the fundamental principle of the United Nations concerning the non-dispatch of military forces by neighbouring countries," the protest said.

[09] Vranitzky

Vienna, 02/04/1997 (ANA/D. Dimitrakoudis)

Mr. Vranitzky's talks in Athens will include Dutch president of the EU Council of Ministers Hans van Mierlo, who is also due in Athens. It is envisaged that the former chancellor will coordinate the whole operation from the Austrian capital and will shuttle to Albania whenever required.

OSCE intends to maintain the mission in Albania at least until the holding of general elections, which it will supervise, and for longer if Tirana requests.

[10] Fino: Tirana will foster new climate of relations with Athens

Gjirokaster, 02/04/1997 (ANA/P. Barkas)

He also appeared optimistic as regards the results of his visit to Athens today.

Mr. Fino said there were no preconceptions regarding the distribution of a multinational force in his country, adding that no representative of insurgents had expressed opposition to the deployment of such a force in the south of Albania.

In a related development, it was announced late last night that Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, who arrives in this southern Albanian city on a flash visit, will meet with Mr. Fino early this morning before the latter leaves for Athens.

Reports state that talks will center on the sinking by an Italian warship of a vessel loaded with Albanian refugees.

[11] Reppas: Tsohatzopoulos comments on Turkish military chief in line with gov't position

Athens, 02/04/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos commented on statements made by the Turkish military chief during a visit by the latter to the Greek embassy in Ankara on the occasion of Greek Independence Day. Gen. Karadayi said Turkey's aggression is a political decision taken by the leadership of the neighbouring country. He indirectly rejected Gen. Karadayi's overtones of friendship, stressing that "it is not an issue for dialogue on a military level".

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos had added that "Greece and Turkey have no military problems to discuss. It is an issue of a political decision of strategic nature."

In answering press questions, Mr. Reppas also supported the defense minister's statements regarding "the balance of fear" in the Aegean.

"Wherever there is a great concentration of forces, there is also a balance of fear," he added.

[12] Aegean officials meet with Turkish local gov't counterparts

Athens, 02/04/1997 (ANA)

[13] ND's Karamanlis confident internal party strife will be soon forgotten

Athens, 02/04/1997 (ANA)

"There is a good opportunity for us to enter the phase of healing, and this may be very rapid indeed," he said in an interview with the monthly magazine "Status", the first since assuming ND's leadership.

Referring to Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Mr. Karamanlis said "he is an antagonist to be reckoned with", adding that his own opposition tactics will center not on the premier's person, but on values, principles and policy issues.

He did not rule out inviting Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras to return to New Democracy, adding, "we need to surpass any smaller or greater problems that divided or injured us in the past," but cautioned that "this, of course, is not necessarily guaranteed or a committing forecast".

[14] ND leader Karamanlis meets with Manos

Athens, 02/04/1997 (ANA)

According to sources, Mr. Manos told the new leader that ND had to define its policies on the economy, education and foreign policy as well as create an internal democratic organization that would ensure decentralization of decision-taking.

He also agreed with the need to form a shadow cabinet.

"I wished him the best of success. As you know, we now have a leader and must define the policies which we will follow and how we will organize," he told reporters.

[15] G. Papandreou: Gov't promoting political solidarity clause in EU

Athens, 02/04/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Papandreou said the government was promoting the inclusion of a "political solidarity clause" calling for the safeguarding of "territorial integrity" between the EU member-states and in the framework of the Intergovernmental Conference.

He added said the issue was gaining ground among the "15", adding that the government was also pursuing the inclusion of a clause allowing EU member-states wanting to express a different opinion to claim "vital national interest."

Regarding Greek-Turkish relations, Mr. Papandreou said that Greece agreed with Turkey's European orientation, but said Turkey "must practically adopt European principles on international law and human rights respect, as well as accepting a solution to t he Cyprus problem and to the Aegean problems through peaceful means."

[16] Premier to chair Parliamentary group meeting today

Athens, 02/04/1997 (ANA)

Authoritative party and government sources said the purpose of the meeting is to upgrade both the Parliamentary group and the role of deputies. They said that proposals to be set out by Mr. Simitis, central committee secretary Costas Skandalidis, Parliament President and PASOK executive bureau member Apostolos Kaklamanis and Parliamentary group secretary Paraskevas Fountas will converge in this direction.

A balance will be sought between the government, the Parliamentary group and the party to enable the latter to emerge as a political body. Another aim is to have the Parliamentary group in the front line of political and party activities.

According to the sources, Mr. Simitis will not limit his speech to the Parliamentary group's operation but will also refer to the overall political situation prevailing.

[17] Bulgarian socialist leader meets with ND leader

Athens, 02/04/1997 (ANA)

During the meeting, the two men discussed Greek-Bulgarian relations and Bulgaria's European perspective, agreeing that the two parties should initiate regular contacts in order to promote bilateral, inter-state relations and inter-Balkan co-operation.

Mr. Parvanov later met with Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas in the latter's office in Parliament.

Views were exchanged during the meeting on relations between the two countries and the current situation in the Balkan region.

[18] Ellis Awards to several Greek-Americans

New York, 02/04/1997 (ANA/M. Georgiadou)

The awards are given annually since 1986 by the National Coalition of Nationalities for remembrance of the thousands of immigrants who landed on the island before being admitted to the United States.

This year's Greek-American recipients include Proini publishers Nikos Mougiaris and Panikos Papanikolaou, the first as member of World Association of America, and the second as president of the Cypriot Federation of America. Also to receive awards are businessman Savvas Tsivikos, and the honourary Cypriot Consul in Los Angeles, Andreas Cyprianidis.

[19] Olympiakos basketball team advances to final four

Athens, 02/04/1997 (ANA)

[20] Social insurance sector in crisis, pension fund employees say

Athens, 02/04/1997 (ANA)

Speaking on the second day of the 14th Conference of the Panhellenic Federation of Employees of Social Policy Organizations (POPOKP), fund employees said that the clear drop in pensions in correlation to contributions, which had increased, according to data for the period 1989-1996, together with the operating deficit of social security in 1996, was the result of wide-scale contributions evasion, shoddy administration of fund reserves and reduced state funding of Social Policy Organizations.

POPOKP President Yiannis Koutroumanis told the ANA that any measures taken by the government to tackle the problems of social security should not be in the direction of reducing pensions, raising retirement ages and increasing contributions.

Social dialogue would succeed, he added, only if no measures have been decided beforehand while with regard to social security, it was not acceptable for the insured and pensioners to be continuously called on to pay the price.

General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) Secretary for Social Policy, Stephanos Laimos, told the conference that measures should be taken "to restructure the entire system" in order to tackle the "serious" problems of Social Policy Organizations.

He called on the government to guarantee the benefits granted by social security funds, because the latter were no longer in a position to ensure them, given that the funds' reserves had long since been entirely squandered.

[21] Initial reports cite slight decrease in monthly inflation

Athens, 02/04/1997 (ANA)

Final figures are expected to be publicized in the middle of next week when final assessments will have been made.

The officials also assess that if the downward trend continues, inflation will fall to levels below 6 per cent at the beginning of the summer. The government's target for all of 1997 is 4.5 per cent compared to 7.5 per cent in 1996.

[22] Cyprus' advantages as financial center extolled

Athens, 02/04/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Christoforou made the statements at a conference organized yesterday by the Hellenic Foreign Trade Board (HEPO) and the Cypriot firm Totalserve Management Hellas.

According to a Totalserve announcement, the conference was aimed at briefing HEPO members on the benefits they achieve from using Cypriot offshore companies, combined with the 26 inter-state tax agreements Cyprus provides. Totalserve has been active in Greece for a year.

The event was also addressed by the commercial attache of Cyprus' embassy, Andreas Grigoriou, HEPO President Ioannis Tzen and the president of Totalserve, Petros Economidis.

[23] Gov't insists on meeting 1997 budget targets - Drys

Athens, 02/04/1997 (ANA)

"The government's incomes policy has been precisely determined by the budget," Mr. Drys said in reply to questions.

Asked whether the government was preparing a bill providing for harsher penalties for tax evaders, Mr. Drys replied in the negative, adding however that what the government had was the findings of a finance ministry committee on the subject.

In addition, he did not rule out the tabling of such a bill sometime in the future, explaining that he had not yet studied the committee's findings. "Those who commit financial crimes must be aware that there is a place in prison for them too," Mr. Drys said.

[24] Simitis and former German FM Genscher lead bill at Economic Conference

Athens, 02/04/1997 (ANA)

Prime Minister Costas Simitis, the main opposition New Democracy party's new leader Costas Karamanlis and Germany's former Vice-Chancellor and Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher are to address the conference which is to center on Greece's economic convergence program, trade and industrial policy, major infrastructure projects and privatizations.

Other issues will include investment incentives, the role of the Greek banking system, with emphasis on Greece's foreign policy and its trade and economic relations with the Balkans and Asia. Other participants include former Cypriot President George Vassiliou, former European Economic and Social Committee president Carlos Ferrer, National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos and Bank of Greece Governor Loukas Papadimos.

[25] Athens, Montreal to become sister cities

Montreal, 02/04/1997 (ANA/J. Frangoulis)

Mr. Avramopoulos is visiting the Canadian city to attend celebrations marking the March 25 national holiday, on the invitation of the Montreal Greek community and Mayor Pierre Bourke.

Mr. Avramopoulos said the protocol would refer to cultural and economic exchanges and investment programs, designed to boost ties between the two municipalities and the Canadian city's Greek community.

The Athens mayor said he received "moral support" for Athens 2004 Olympic Games bid from his Montreal counterpart.

Athens is on the short-list for the games; the final decision will be announced in September.

Mr. Avramopoulos left for New York last night where he is to have talks with Greek-American community leaders and, from there, travel to Boston.

[26] Another 7.2 billion drachmas for World Athletic Championship, Athens' Olympic bid

Athens, 02/04/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Fouras said no decision was made, while, according to sources, the two ministers are to discuss the matter with Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

[27] Papaioannou meets with Egyptian minister el-Amawi

Athens, 02/04/1997 (ANA)

During the meeting, which was also attended by Labour Under-secretary Christos Protopapas and his Egyptian counterpart, issues discussed included labour and social security matters concerning ethnic Greeks in Egypt and Egyptian workers in Greece.

[28] EU youth issues meeting

Athens, 02/04/1997 (ANA)

According to an announcement, the meeting is aimed at conducting a wider discussion on policy concerning young people in light of the Intergovernmental Conference. The discussion on the Greek plan on a special clause for youth is already pending at the Intergovernmental Conference.

The meeting will be inaugurated by Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis and addresses will follow by Irish Youth Minister Bernard Allen, Portuguese Youth Minister Antonio Jose Segura and New Generation Secretary-General Petros Sfikakis.

End of English language section.

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