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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-04-07

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1157), April 7, 1997

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] Mediterranean parliament presidents begin meeting in Athens
  • [02] Albania a lesson for the West, Tsohatzopoulos says
  • [03] Final decisions on deployment in Albania today
  • [04] Kaklamanis, Kyprianou confer on Cyprus issue
  • [05] Turkey's parliament president recommends no preconditions for Greek- Turkish dialogue
  • [06] US concerned over Aegean developments, envoy says
  • [07] 'Economist' roundtable with Greek Gov't begins today
  • [08] European socialists stress central role of EU in regional stability, security
  • [09] Laliotis in NY for UN environmental mtg.
  • [10] Olive oil the key to health, studies on Crete show
  • [11] Cretan conference to stress benefits of olive oil
  • [12] ECOFIN agrees on deficit penalties, Greece has some reservations
  • [13] George Papandreou represents Greece at IGC meeting
  • [14] Karamanlis briefed on Thessaloniki's problems

  • [01] Mediterranean parliament presidents begin meeting in Athens

    Athens, 07/04/1997 (ANA)

    A two-day conference of the parliament presidents of 17 Mediterranean countries opened in Athens yesterday, following an initiative taken by Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis.

    The conference aims to explore ways to upgrade the roles of national parliaments in the course towards European unification and the promotion of the Mediterranean region as one of peace for Europe.

    During his opening speech, Mr. Kaklamanis said the Mediterranean region had felt all the drastic changes that had taken place over the past decade.

    The conference is to explore the possibilities of creating a body similar to the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly or that of the Black Sea Economic Co-operation Organization.

    [02] Albania a lesson for the West, Tsohatzopoulos says

    Paris, 07/04/1997 (ANA - J. Zitouniati)

    The international community must be prepared to shoulder the cost of helping Balkan and former Soviet bloc states' transition to democracy for the sake of regional stability and security, National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said in an interview published in Saturday's issue of Le Monde.

    "Albania is not in a position to assume on its own the cost of the transition (to democracy). If we don't realize that soon, there will be other Albanias," warned Mr. Tsohatzopoulos, adding the view that President Sali Berisha "bore most of the responsibility for the failure" of the democratic process in his country.

    None of the states sending troops to participate in the multinational force for Albania want to deploy their men in southern Albania, the stronghold of the insurrection, according to Mr. Tsohatzopoulos.

    "We propose that the Greek forces be deployed in the center, around Tirana. However, everyone wants to go there," he said, adding that "no one is in control of the south" of Albania and no one wanted to go there because of the greater risks involved.

    According to the minister, the multinational force, whose mission will be to safeguard the distribution of humanitarian aid, will have to confront two "urgent matters".

    "(Apart from ensuring delivery of the aid) we will have to gather the arms (looted during the insurrection) and in my view we won't be able to avoid paying for them, buying them back in some way," he said.

    Mr. Tsohatzopoulos, who was in Paris early last week for talks with his French counterpart Charles Millon, reiterated Greece's "political solidarity" to Albania's Prime Minister Bashkim Fino as well as his government's promised economic assistance to the country.

    Greece has promised a loan of 20 billion drachmas to the Bank of Albania in order to finance restructuring programs. It has also pledged to participate in the international protection force to be deployed in the country with 600 troops.

    Asked if Greece would be willing to co-operate with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in order to avoid a potential regional destabilization, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said Athens had already contacted Skopje as well as its other neighbors "to stress that stability in the region depends on co-operation from all of us as well as on EU solidarity."

    Asked if the Greek government also counted on co-operation from Turkey, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said Ankara's willingness to participate in the multinational force was received positively but warned that "it should be made clear that the situation in Albania should not be used as pretext for a hegemonic intervention, the kind we have grown accustomed to expect from Ankara."

    "The EU should realize," Mr. Tsohatzopoulos stressed, "that Greece is not willing to allow disputing of its sovereignty or of its borders from Turkey."

    "At the same time," he added, "we have no objection to Turkey's deepening its ties with the EU, to the extent that it accepts to acknowledge the territorial status quo and find a solution to the Cyprus problem."

    [03] Final decisions on deployment in Albania today

    Athens, 07/04/1997 (ANA)

    Speaking in Thessaloniki on Saturday, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that final decisions regarding the deployment of the multinational force in Albania would be made by Monday.

    Any differences with regard to tactics should not be blown out of proportion, he advised, in a reference to a difference of opinion between Greece and Italy. The minister nevertheless noted that whatever solution is arrived at should be satisfactory to all sides.

    Also in Thessaloniki, where he and Mr. Tsohatzopoulos were attending the European Socialist party conference, Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis stressed that Greece was not in competition with any other country involved in the multinational force, nor was it interested in zones of influence, but that its goal was close co-operation in order to resolve problems by means of collective efforts.

    Mr. Kranidiotis emphasized that the Greek detachment should be stationed in Tirana and that it should not be isolated. He added that one section of it should be stationed in the south as a "symbolic presence" in helping settle the situation.

    Albanian Socialist Party leader Fatos Nano expressed the view that the composition of the peace forces should be mixed, and spread over in all areas of the country that were in crisis.

    [04] Kaklamanis, Kyprianou confer on Cyprus issue

    Athens, 07/04/1997 (ANA)

    President of the Greek Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis and President of the Cypriot House of Representatives Spyros Kyprianou held a meeting yesterday in Athens, on the sidelines of the presidents' of Mediterranean parliaments conference being held in the Greek capital.

    After the meeting, Mr. Kaklamanis and Mr. Kyprianou told reporters they exchanged views on the goals of the two-day conference as well as on the lack of progress in developments in the Cyprus issue. Asked to comment on a reported statement by US Ambassador to Greece Thomas Niles that the United States would intervene in the case of military conflict in the Aegean, Mr. Kaklamanis said:

    "This is nothing new. What impressed me regarding Mr. Niles' statement was that he does not seem to consider the prospect of a positive initiative on the Cyprus issue."

    Mr. Niles made the statement to the Greek Sunday newspaper "To Vima".

    Asked whether he foresaw tension in the Aegean, Mr. Kaklamanis said "nothing has yet changed regarding ... the existence of a real threat in the Aegean...".

    Mr. Kyprianou said a US political decision leading to positive developments in the Cyprus and the Aegean issues would be important.

    "In other words," Mr. Kyprianou said, "the United States must feel the need for Turkey to change its attitude."

    [05] Turkey's parliament president recommends no preconditions for Greek-Turkish dialogue

    Athens, 07/04/1997 (ANA)

    President of the Turkish National Assembly Mustafa Kalemli said yesterday that there should be no preconditions set for the beginning of a Greek-Turkish dialogue.

    However, he added, this position does not mean he rejected Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos' proposal for talks.

    Mr. Pangalos said last week that talks were possible provided Turkey retracted its threat of war against Greece if Athens extended its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles and provided Ankara accepted the status quo in the Aegean.

    "The word 'dialogue' is Greek and means that both sides come together to discuss an issue and this does not presuppose any type of preconditions. Those who speak of dialogue must not say things which prevent it," Mr. Kalemli told the Athens News Agency.

    He added that this does not mean he rejects Mr. Pangalos' proposals. "We are ready to talk with whoever wants to talk with us... All we want is for Turks and Greeks to come together for discussions."

    Mr. Kalemli said he was not aware of a Greek proposal for the creation of a Greek-Turkish committee of academics to study ways to resolve bilateral differences. However, he said the two countries' parliaments could help create a "friendship group" or other specialist groups to promote dialogue.

    Earlier, in his address to the conference of the presidents of 17 Mediterranean countries, Mr. Kalemli called on the parliaments of Greece and Turkey to mediate between the two governments.

    "We can, with bravery and mutual good will, be a bridge between the two governments in order for them to be able to discuss, without preconditions, the problems which exist between the two countries and which provoke tension in the Aegean and in the wider region," he said.

    "There is no tension between Greece and Turkey," he said.

    Mr. Kalemli called on politicians in both countries to "work in a climate of mutual understanding and good will" in order to establish between the two countries the climate which had prevailed in Greek-Turkish relations during the Venizelos-Ataturk period.

    He also told the ANA that Mr. Pangalos' position on Turkey's entry into the EU was "the best and the most realistic" of recent statements and positions taken over the issue. He added that France, Italy and Britain had also made positive statements regarding Turkey's entry into the EU.

    [06] US concerned over Aegean developments, envoy says

    Athens, 07/04/1997 (ANA)

    The United States' Ambassador to Athens Thomas Niles yesterday said that his country would intervene in the case of military conflict in the Aegean between Greece and Turkey.

    In an interview published in yesterday's "To Vima", Mr. Niles did not rule out the possibility of such an incident in the Aegean, while saying he was cautiously optimistic about progress in Greek-Turkish relations at present.

    He also said the commencement of direct talks between Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash could start by June 1.

    Mr. Niles said the US will present an initiative on the Cyprus issue when the conditions for its successful implementation have been "maximized".

    [07] 'Economist' roundtable with Greek Gov't begins today

    Athens, 07/04/1997 (ANA)

    A three-day roundtable discussion with the Greek government, organized by 'The Economist' magazine and sponsored by Greek telecoms firm Intracom, is to begin today.

    The conference will be attended by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis, ministers, party leaders and other officials from Greece's economic and political circles.

    The conference will also be opened by Intracom president Socrates Kokkalis and addressed by former German foreign minister and vice-chancellor Hans Dietrich Genscher, who will speak on "internationalization as a challenge for Greece and Europe."

    Mr. Genscher is expected to refer to Greece's relations with Turkey, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and to the Cyprus issue.

    [08] European socialists stress central role of EU in regional stability, security

    Athens, 07/04/1997 (ANA)

    European socialists meeting in Thessaloniki over the weekend on Saturday confirmed their commitment to regional co-operation and safeguarding peace and stability in the region.

    The European Socialist Party's (ESP) two-day congress ended on Saturday

    "At a crucial time for the political and economic development of the Balkans, the congress expressed its full support in regional co-operation based on the avoidance of clashes, which is the only manner in which to safeguard peace and stability in the region," the conference's closing statement said.

    "Within this framework, the active support by the European Union will be crucially important to stability and security, both in the Balkans and in the whole of Europe, and will aid in the procedure of European unification," it added.

    Speaking after the end of the conference, the European Socialist Party's Vice-President, Akis Tsohatzopoulos, said his proposal for the creation of a Balkan security council and of an organization to foresee and deal with crises in the Balkans was positively received.

    The closing statement added that the third ESP congress, due to be held in Sweden this June, will use the conclusions of this congress in order to formulate a clear policy and an effective strategy for the Balkans. This will include a co-operation network for which the foundation was laid during this two-day congress.

    [09] Laliotis in NY for UN environmental mtg.

    U.N. 07/04/1997 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

    Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis was due to arrive in New York yesterday to participate in a preparatory conference for the UN's "Earth Summit + 5", due to be held in the UN's head quarters on June 23-27.

    The summit will evaluate the achievements of member-countries and the problems which must be overcome for the protection of the environment, five years after the Rio de Janeiro Earth summit.

    Mr. Laliotis is scheduled to speak tomorrow afternoon, on the first day of the preparatory conference, immediately after the Dutch European Union presidency, which is organizing a series of meetings between EU environment ministers.

    [10] Olive oil the key to health, studies on Crete show

    London, 07/04/1997 (ANA/AFP)

    Cretans are the healthiest people in Europe, due to their great consumption of olive oil, according to European specialists quoted in an article in yesterday's "Sunday Times".

    The British paper said residents of Crete have the lowest percentage rates of heart problems, cancer and obesity in Europe. The researchers claim this is due to the use of large amounts of virgin olive oil and mountain herbs in Cretan cooking.

    According to the Times, Cretans consume three times more olive oil than northern Europeans. The article added that the consumption of olive oil reduces cholesterol levels by 20 per cent.

    The group of European researchers who conducted the study is to meet in Rome this week in order to complete its circular of recommendations for doctors in European countries, the paper said.

    "The scientific results are sufficient to justify the launching of a large campaign," Christine Williams, nutrition specialist at Read University, was quoted as saying by the Times.

    [11] Cretan conference to stress benefits of olive oil

    Athens, 07/04/1997 (ANA)

    Bad eating habits and the low oil consumption of Western Europeans and North Americans result in millions of deaths, causing serious problems for regional health systems, an international conference being held in Crete will be told.

    The conference, entitled "Greece, Crete, Oil and Mediterranean diets" is due to be held in Iraklion on April 7-11 and is being funded by the "Elaiourgiki" cooperative, which represents 90 per cent of Greece's olive producers.

    Recent studies have proved that increased rates of illness such as arterial hypertension, obesity and diabetes would be reduced by an increase in the consumption of olive oil.

    The conference is being organized by the "Oldways Preservation and Exchange Trust", a non-profit making organization based in Massachusetts.

    Leading dietitians, scientists, journalists, writers and cooks from the United States and Europe are scheduled to participate.

    [12] ECOFIN agrees on deficit penalties, Greece has some reservations

    Noordwijk, 07/04/1997 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

    European Union finance ministers agreed that the announcement of a list of countries to adopt the single European currency will be made during the first ten days of May 1998, during an informal two-day meeting in the Dutch town of Noordwijk.

    The meeting also agreed on penalties to be imposed on member-countries of the eurozone that show excessive public deficits, larger than the 3.0 per cent anticipated by the Maastricht treaty.

    Greek National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, speaking to the press after the meeting, said that the Greek side questioned the legality of the decision relating to the distribution of incomes made from the imposition of penalties against member-states with excessive public deficits.

    Mr. Papantoniou said the decision undermines the established integrity of the EU budget and the equal participation of all member-countries in its implementation. He also said that the issue will be discussed during the next meeting of the committee of permanent representatives of EU member states and of the monetary committee.

    The Greek delegation reacted strongly to a French proposal that funding by the Cohesion Fund to the poorer EU members be linked to their public deficits. The ECOFIN meeting did not take any decision on the matter.

    Mr. Papantoniou reiterated that Greece's objective is to meet convergence criteria by 1999 in order to secure participation in the single European currency in 2001, underlining that fiscal discipline is a one-way road for the country.

    [13] George Papandreou represents Greece at IGC meeting

    Noordwijk, 07/04/1997 (ANA)

    The European Union's 15 foreign ministers met in the Netherlands yesterday and discussed the number of European Commissioners to be appointed after the Inter-governmental Conference (IGC).

    Greece was represented at the meeting by Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou.

    During the first part of yesterday's meeting, the larger European countries attempted to overturn the principle under which each EU member is entitled to have at least one representative in the European Commission. Representatives of the more populous E U countries supported a restriction of the number of commissioners to 10-15 and the provision of an equal number of portfolios, adding (with the exception of France) that large countries should definitely have a portfolio.

    Greece, along with almost all less-populous EU countries objected to these proposals, stating each EU member should have the right to a commissioner with full responsibilities.

    [14] Karamanlis briefed on Thessaloniki's problems

    Athens, 07/04/1997 (ANA)

    New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis yesterday paid a courtesy call on Thessaloniki mayor Constantine Kosmopoulos.

    Mr. Karamanlis paid a two-day visit to the northern city over the weekend.

    Mr. Kosmopoulos said he had briefed the ND leader on problems facing the second largest Greek municipality.

    "Mr. Karamanlis has expressed his interest in the problems facing the city since the first time he was elected an MP for Thessaloniki," the mayor said.

    Mr. Karamanlis said co-operation with the mayor to resolve the city's problems was "a given".

    End of English language section.


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