Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-04-08
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1158), April 8, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Greece conveys to Italy its position on troop deployment in
Albania
[02] Gov't on Greek force
[03] Permanent Mediterranean parliamentary forum to be created
[04] Latest arrests heighten fears of arms smuggling from Albania
[05] Greek-controlled businesses in Albania suffer widespread losses
[06] Anastasios officiates at memorial service in Vlore
[07] Greek-Turkish joint parliamentary committee created to study
drug problem
[08] Turkish foreign ministry on 'Greek-Turkish dialogue'
[09] Dutch FM van Mierlo optimistic on progress for Greek-Turkish
relations
[10] G. Papandreou-Kinkel meeting
[11] Kranidiotis at non-aligned conference
[12] G. Papandreou proposes Europe-wide referendums on major issues
[13] Draft presidential decree for establishment of trade office in
Skopje
[14] US says it will work to avoid Greek-Turkish conflict
[15] Pangalos says Ankara's threat to veto NATO expansion not serious
[16] Pangalos stresses that Cyprus' EU accession dialogue not hostage
to Turkey
[17] Papoutsis cautions against 'competition' between EU partners on
Albania
[18] Interior ministry on issuance of numerous laws
[19] Local Gov't reps from Greece, Turkey meet in Cesme
[20] Simitis chairs meeting on PASOK's self-administration sector
[21] Xiosbank share capital increase
[22] Thessaloniki merchants ask for Gov't intervention over reports
on credit card use
[23] Inter-Balkan women's conference
[01] Greece conveys to Italy its position on troop deployment in
Albania
Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 08/04/1997 (ANA - S. Sideris)
Greece's position on the deployment of a multinational peace
force to secure aid to Albania was received positively by
Italian Foreign Under-secretary for European Affairs Piero
Fassino in a meeting yesterday with Alternate Foreign Minister
George Papandreou.
Mr. Papandreou, who met with Mr. Fassino yesterday morning on
the sidelines of a European Union meeting on the Albanian issue,
reiterated Athens' proposal for a "mixed presence" of Greek
troops in various areas of Albania, a view which Mr. Fassino
promised to discuss with his government.
Mr. Fassino told ANA that Athens and Rome were in agreement and
cooperating closely regarding the deployment of the
multinational force. He added that the deployment of the force
will begin on April 14, stressing that the final decision will
be reached by military officials.
According to sources, details of the peace force's deployment
are almost finalized, while troops are expected to be ready to
leave for Albania in about a week's time.
In a related development, Albanian Defense Minister Mr. Vukai
will arrive in Athens today and hold talks with his Greek
counterpart Akis Tsohatzopoulos tomorrow.
Immediately after the finalization of the decision on the
geographical disposition of the multinational force to be
deployed in Albania, the government will decide on the final
composition and manning of the Greek force participating in it,
following a proposal by the defense minister.
Military sources said yesterday that the national defense
ministry has completed processes required to send either a
structured battalion or a force of military volunteers.
The foreign presence in Albania will be under the aegis of the
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE),
which will have a special representative in Tirana. The EU will
confer with the OSCE representative via its current presidency.
In addition, the OSCE will also be in charge of observing
preparations for the June elections in Albania, while the EU
will oversee the distribution of humanitarian aid.
Italy is to head the multinational force.
[02] Gov't on Greek force
Athens, 08/04/1997 (ANA)
Meanwhile in Athens, acting government spokesman Nikos
Athanasakis said there was no question of a crisis in relations
between Greece and Italy with regard to the placement of the
Greek battalion in the security force for Albania.
"A discussion is currently under way in Rome on all related
issues," he added, noting that Mr. Papandreou had clearly set
out Greece's positions in his meeting with Italian
Under-secretary for European Affairs Fassino.
[03] Permanent Mediterranean parliamentary forum to be created
Athens, 08/04/1997 (ANA)
At the end of a two-day conference in Athens yesterday,
presidents from several Mediterranean parliaments announced
their decision to create a permanent Mediterranean parliamentary
forum.
The idea was proposed by Greek Parliament President Apostolos
Kaklamanis.
Speaking to reporters following the end of session, Mr.
Kaklamanis conveyed his counterparts' concern over the situation
in Albania, adding that the conference strongly supported
European Union initiatives to assist Albania to return to
normality as soon as possible.
In summing up the conference's focus, Mr. Kaklamanis stressed
the need for substantial dialogue between the Mediterranean
parliaments, the necessity to adhere to the Barcelona
Declaration for Euromediterranean co-operation, the need to
establish a free trade zone in the Mediterranean and the will to
create a Mediterranean peace, stability and development zone.
He also announced his counterparts' decision to take action in
order to consolidate democratic institutions, human rights
respect, inter-cultural dialogue, and battle against organized
crime, racism and immigration.
Mr. Kaklamanis hailed his Spanish counterpart's proposal to host
a new conference in Madrid in 1998 with the participation of the
countries which had participated in the Barcelona Conference. He
also welcomed a proposal by his Italian counterpart that a new
meeting take place in Palermo before the Madrid Conference with
the participation of the 17 countries which participated in
Athens.
[04] Latest arrests heighten fears of arms smuggling from Albania
Athens, 08/04/1997 (ANA)
Greek authorities are increasingly concerned that weapons looted
during the recent insurgency in southern Albania are finding
their way into the hands of this country's underworld.
The arrest yesterday of two Greek nationals at the Albanian
border in possession of three Kalashnikov assault rifles, three
hand grenades and ammunition, underlined authorities' fears.
According to reports, Christos Makridis, 34, a depot master for
the interstate bus company KTEL, along with 64-year-old farmer
Vasilios Gotsis, have been charged with illegally importing and
possessing arms as well as trading in arms. Their Albanian
accomplice, to whom the two men admitted paying 30,000 drachmas
for each rifle, managed to escape back over the border. An
investigation is under way to ascertain whether they are members
of a larger gang.
An estimated 600,000 military weapons are currently circulating
in Albania after being taken from military camps during the
unrest.
[05] Greek-controlled businesses in Albania suffer widespread losses
Tirana, 08/04/1997 (ANA - S. Tzimas)
One in five Greek enterprises in Albania have been destroyed
during the recent insurrection and after widespread looting.
An inventory being carried out by the Greek embassy's commercial
section has so far recorded damages at 60 of the 250 Greek-owned
businesses in Albania, while an embassy staff member said the
damage to each of these was valued at between 200-400 million
drachmas.
Athens is reportedly considering a special measure providing for
part of a 20-billion-drachma loan to Albania to be set aside for
the restoration of property owned by Greek firms.
However, it is feared that continuing anarchy will make this
task difficult, as well as the fact that business owners are
taking advantage of the situation to declare non-existent losses.
Most enterprises, including Greek-owned ones, remain closed due
to continuing fears of attacks by looters and armed gangs.
[06] Anastasios officiates at memorial service in Vlore
Tirana, 08/04/1997 (ANA)
Archbishop of Tirana and All Albania Anastasios visited Vlore
yesterday, nine days after the sinking in the Adriatic of a ship
loaded with Albanian illegal immigrants by an Italian naval
vessel.
According to an announcement by the Orthodox Church of Albania,
Anastasios officiated at a service held at the Agioi Theodoroi
Cathedral in Vlore, before holding a te deum service for the
victims of the tragedy. He then went to the port of Vlore where
he held a special memorial ceremony in the presence of Albanian
Finance Minister Arben Malei.
[07] Greek-Turkish joint parliamentary committee created to study
drug problem
Athens, 08/04/1997 (ANA)
Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis and visiting Turkish
counterpart Mustafa Kalemli have decided to establish a joint
parliamentary committee to study the problem of illegal drugs.
The two men, who met in the Greek Parliament building yesterday,
described the establishment of such a committee as a first step
towards the restoration of a climate of dialogue and
co-operation between the two houses.
Mr. Kalemli was in Athens to attend a two-day conference of
Mediterranean parliament presidents.
He described the talks as "very important", saying that they
should "perhaps have taken place many years ago," and referring
to the precedent of the friendship initiated by statesmen
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and Eleftherios Venizelos in the late
1920s.
"We know what we have to do, follow the example of these two
great leaders," he said, adding that "the obstacles in the way
of Greek-Turkish friendship will be overcome through debate and
mutual goodwill".
"The Venizelos-Ataturk friendship can be developed again if we
take care to put aside the problems that have been created in
the relations between the two countries," responded Mr.
Kaklamanis.
He described his counterpart as sincere, and that dialogue must
be sincere, like the initiative between the late prime ministers
Andreas Papandreou and Turgut Ozal.
Sources said later that Mr. Kaklamanis also raised with Mr.
Kalemli the issues of the Turkish national assembly's
description of a possible extension of Greek territorial waters
to 12 nautical miles as a casus belli, and the lack of progress
in the Cyprus issue.
[08] Turkish foreign ministry on 'Greek-Turkish dialogue'
Istanbul, 08/04/1997 (ANA)
The Turkish government yesterday said Ankara is open to any
proposal on the development of Greek-Turkish dialogue.
"We are open to all possibilities," Turkish Foreign Ministry
spokesman Omer Akbel said in reply to a question on latest
developments concerning Greek-Turkish issues.
Mr. Akbel said the proposal for creation of a "committee of wise
men", which was turned down by Athens, constitutes one of the
ideas which could help both sides, adding that similar proposals
can appear in the future.
Referring to statements by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos
on the creation of the "committee of wise men", Mr. Akbel said
he read the statements in the press, but refused to comment on
them, saying that "carrying out dialogue on such an important
issue through the press is contrary to the traditions of the
Turkish foreign ministry."
"Turkey's stance on Greek-Turkish issues remains the same," he
said, adding that Ankara is in favor of all Greek-Turkish issues
being tackled at the same time.
"Proposals such as the creation of a committee of wise men or
similar ones which will help in establishing a dialogue of such
a kind will meet with a positive response from Ankara," he said.
According to Turkish press reports, Ankara wants the committee
to be composed of foreign members, while Athens wants the
appointment of one Greek and one Turkish expert.
The reports said that Ankara does not want problems to be
examined one by one, while Athens insists that contacts should
start from the issue of the Imia islets.
[09] Dutch FM van Mierlo optimistic on progress for Greek-Turkish
relations
Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 08/04/1997 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)
EU Council of Ministers president and Dutch Foreign Minister
Hans van Mierlo told a press conference yesterday that he was
optimistic that progress could be made in Greek-Turkish
relations during the current Dutch presidency.
Referring to Greece's objections regarding the establishment of
a "wise men committee" to resolve Greek-Turkish differences, Mr.
van Mierlo said "the problem is more complicated," adding that
"clarifications are necessary."
Meanwhile, Dutch diplomatic sources said the Dutch presidency,
taking into consideration Greece's remarks as expressed during
Mr. van Mierlo's recent visit to Athens, would re-examine the
content and the form of such a committee.
The sources said Ankara had agreed with the idea of a "wise-men
committee."
[10] G. Papandreou-Kinkel meeting
Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 08/04/1997 (ANA - S. Sideris)
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou met on the
sidelines of a European Union meeting with German Foreign
Minister Klaus Kinkel and discussed Turkey's relations with the
EU and Greece.
According to sources, Mr. Kinkel told Mr. Papandreou that Turkey
should be oriented towards Europe, although the improvement of
its relations with Greece and positive developments in the
Cyprus issue would do much to improve Turkey-EU relations.
The Turkey-EU association council is due to meet at the end of
April.
[11] Kranidiotis at non-aligned conference
Athens, 08/04/1997 (ANA)
Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis will represent the
Greek government as observer at a two-day non-aligned countries
conference to begin today in New Delhi.
Mr. Kranidiotis will have meetings with several other countries'
representatives on the sidelines of the conference.
[12] G. Papandreou proposes Europe-wide referendums on major issues
Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 08/04/1997 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou proposed that
Europe-wide referendums be held on major issues, as a heated
debate among European Union Foreign Ministers went on yesterday
over the question of re-shaping European institutions.
Mr. Papandreou said such a move would be a step towards
deepening EU institutions and could become a democratic
procedure "that would go beyond national boundaries and give a
precise indication of the desires of the peoples in EU member
states".
With regard to the number of Commissioners (now 20), on which
there is a plethora of often conflicting views, Greece has
favored equal representation of all member-states. The issue is
to be raised again at a General Affairs Council in Luxembourg at
the end of this month.
Meanwhile, with regard to the question of employment, Mr.
Papandreou reported there is a "conflict between progressive and
conservative forces". The former, he said, fervently support the
introduction of a special chapter in the revised treaty as well
a s the formulation of a "social contract".
Sources say Britain and Spain were against such a move, while
smaller states, including Greece, are in favor.
The current Dutch presidency of the EU council appears resolved
to conclude the sessions of the Intergovernmental Conference by
June, and for this reason The Hague intends to call an ad hoc
meeting on May 23, where it will present the complete draft of
the new treaty.
[13] Draft presidential decree for establishment of trade office in
Skopje
Athens, 08/04/1997 (ANA)
A draft presidential decree anticipating establishment of a
Skopje-based economic and trade attachi's office in the Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) has been submitted to the
Council of State.
The draft was signed by the interior and foreign ministers and
the national economy and finance undersecretaries.
According to the presidential decree, every general or special
clause contrary to the presidential decree's content will be
abolished.
[14] US says it will work to avoid Greek-Turkish conflict
Washington, 08/04/1997 (ANA - T. Ellis)
The United States said it would work to ensure that there would
be no conflict between Greece and Turkey in the Aegean, US State
Department Nicholas Burns said late yesterday.
Mr. Burns was responding to a question on the comments by US
ambassador to Athens Thomas Niles, who said over the weekend
that the US would intervene in case of a military in the Aegean.
"We are convinced with the necessary precautions from both Greek
and Turkish leaderships, there will be no conflict. They will
continue to have differences, but this is far from a conflict,"
he said.
[15] Pangalos says Ankara's threat to veto NATO expansion not serious
Prague, 08/04/1997 (ANA/Reuter)
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said yesterday that he
considers Turkey's threat to veto NATO expansion to former
communist countries if Ankara does not gain European Union
membership as "frivolous".
Speaking at a joint news conference with Czech Foreign Minister
Josef Zieleniec, Mr. Pangalos rejected any connection between
NATO expansion eastwards and Turkey's attempts to join the EU.
"I take everything that Turkey does and says very seriously, but
on this particular point I see that no one takes them
seriously," Mr. Pangalos said.
"I tend also to see no relationship between NATO and the
enlargement of the European Union. That is a separate process."
In January, Turkey threatened to block NATO expansion unless it
obtained membership in the EU.
Leaders of NATO - in which both Greece and Turkey are members -
are expected to invite a group of former communist countries to
join the alliance at a July summit in Madrid.
The Greek minister said it would be a "very original diplomatic
practice" if any state used a veto in one organization from
something it wants in another.
During his talks with Mr. Zieleniec, Mr. Pangalos expressed his
support for the Czech Republic's efforts to join the European
Union and NATO, and at the same time briefed his Czech
counterpart on developments in the Balkans and the Cyprus issue.
Mr. Pangalos held successive meetings with Prime Minister Waclaw
Klaus and the President of the Czech Parliament and leader of
the Social Democrat Party, Milos Zeman, during his official
visit to Prague.
He left for Bratislava late in the afternoon to meet Slovakia's
political leadership today. He will also leave for Yerevan,
Armenia, today and will visit Georgia and Azerbaijan afterwards.
[16] Pangalos stresses that Cyprus' EU accession dialogue not hostage
to Turkey
Prague, 08/04/1997 (ANA)
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said in an interview to the
"Pravo" newspaper here that when the EU and Cyprus signed an
agreement to begin accession dialogue in March 1995, it was
clearly stated that the island republic fulfills all the
conditions for membership, while there was no reference to the
possibility that the continuing occupation of one-third of
Cyprus by Turkey might constitute an obstacle.
"There is no doubt in the text of the agreement that there can
be no linking Cypriot membership with a solution to the Cyprus
problem. And this point has a solid political logic, for if the
opposite was the case, Cyprus' European course would have been a
hostage of Turkey," he said.
"There have been many foreign ministers of EU member-states who
expressed the view that Cyprus cannot enter the Union if the
political problem is not solved. For us this means a clear
violation of the agreement of March 6. It is, therefore,
perfectly natural that Greece is resolved not to accept this
violation of the agreement," Mr. Pangalos added.
[17] Papoutsis cautions against 'competition' between EU partners on
Albania
Athens, 08/04/1997 (ANA)
European Commissioner Christos Papoutsis commented yesterday on
Italy's stance regarding the deployment of the security force in
Albania, an issue which he said did not lend itself to
opposition between member-states of the European Union.
"The crisis in Albania is a dangerous one and is not an
appropriate area of competition between member-states of the
European Union. Italy is trying to play such a role, while the
Greek government has maintained a responsible stance, since it
has neither become involved in such competition, nor has it
become part of the Albanian crisis," said Mr. Papoutsis after a
meeting with main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas
Karamanlis.
"Any intervention or promotion of views by the European Union or
international organizations should be made through institutional
organs, and the initiative should be with the presidency of the
EU Council and the European Commission," he continued, adding:
"If certain governments take their own initiatives, as Italy has
done, that is something which they themselves must judge, as to
whether it is of benefit to the general situation and general
goals." In response to a question regarding the outcome of the
last elections in Albania and the position of President Sali
Berisha, Mr. Papoutsis said:
"It is the Albanian people who will judge the future of the
political situation... any solutions should be political ones,
with a consensus of all political parties, and should be aimed
at promoting careful action on the part of all interested
parties."
[18] Interior ministry on issuance of numerous laws
Athens, 08/04/1997 (ANA)
Interior Under-secretary Tassos Mantelis has sent a letter to
other ministers asking for their co-operation in clearing up the
confusion often arising from the existence of numerous and
overlapping laws.
Interior ministry research has shown that in the period
1975-1993, a total of 35,153 regulatory acts were issued, -
2,178 laws, 14,248 decrees and 17,638 ministerial decisions.
Many of them were conflicting, while others used difficult
language.
The fact that laws constitute just one-fifteenth of all acts, is
considered indicative of a strengthening of executive vis-a-vis
legislative power.
Mr. Mantelis has also asked his colleagues for their views on an
OECD recommendation for the establishment of criteria and
principles regarding the drawing up of regulatory acts.
[19] Local Gov't reps from Greece, Turkey meet in Cesme
Athens, 08/04/1997 (ANA)
Local government representatives from Greece and Turkey
yesterday concluded a five-day meeting in the Turkish coastal
town of Cesme concerning joint environmental concerns and ways
to confront them.
It was the first high-level meeting of its kind, with the
participation of prefects from Lesvos, Hios, Samos and
representatives of local government associations and their
Turkish counterparts.
A joint resolution issued at the close of the sessions
emphasized the need for more meetings of this kind which "create
a good climate in the region, as opposed to tension which
hinders growth, education and infrastructure works in the two
countries".
The resolution calls for an improvement in the political climate
between the two countries based on respect for international law
and conventions and the inviolability of borders as defined at
the end of the Second World War.
Meanwhile, there is to be a meeting in Izmir on May 24-25 of
entrepreneurs from the northeastern Aegean and members of the
Young Businessmen's Association of the Aegean, based in the
Turkish city.
The Izmir meeting, decided on the sidelines of last week's
meeting, aims to promote better co-operation between Greek and
Turkish entrepreneurs within the framework of the
Turkey-European Union customs union, as well as the opening up
of new markets.
[20] Simitis chairs meeting on PASOK's self-administration sector
Athens, 08/04/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister and PASOK leader Costas Simitis yesterday chaired
a meeting on the party's self-administration sector focusing on
the party's strategy in local self-administration.
According to authoritative sources, it was agreed at the meeting
that the bill on mergers of communities into municipalities
should be ratified in Parliament by the end of June.
In another related development, a special session of PASOK's
central committee will be held in early July to examine the
issue of the country's regional structuring as well as PASOK's
co-operations in light of municipal and prefectural elections to
be held in 1998.
The sources said that it was agreed at yesterday's meeting that
co-operations with other parties will not be defined at a
central level but in regions and more specifically in
prefectures. It was also agreed that the candidacies of mayors
and prefectures who will be supported by PASOK will be announced
by the end of 1997.
[21] Xiosbank share capital increase
Athens, 08/04/1997 (ANA)
Xiosbank has announced that public subscription for its equity
capital increase and its listing on the Athens Stock Exchange
will take place between April 15 and 18.
The bank will issue 1,672,060 new registered shares, of which
1,592,450 will be sold to the public, while 79,610 have already
been privately dispensed to its employees.
The total increase in its own capital amounts to more than 4.43
billion drachmas, which will be used to finance an investment
plan in the next three years, involving an expansion of branches
from 25 to 45, and modernization of banking transactions and
services.
Xiosbank recorded a 2.1-billion-drachma pre-tax profit last
year, representing a 20 per cent increase over 1995. The
forecast for 1997 is 2.7 billion drachmas.
The issue will be mainly handled by the National Bank of Greece,
while a large part of it will be handled abroad by HSPC
Investment Bank Plc.
[22] Thessaloniki merchants ask for Gov't intervention over reports
on credit card use
Athens, 08/04/1997 (ANA)
Thessaloniki's Commercial Association has requested intervention
by the development ministry to resolve misunderstandings created
from recent reports referring to deception of consumers using
credit cards by banks and other commercial enterprises.
In a letter to Development Under-secretary Mihalis Chrysohoidis,
the association stresses that "these reports, very often
unsubstantiated, create particular insecurity among the consumer
public and bring about confusion and suspicion for thousands of
commercial transactions carried out with credit cards."
The association called on the ministry to name commercial
enterprises deceiving consumers and to impose penalties set out
by law, but added that these violations do not concern the
entire business world.
[23] Inter-Balkan women's conference
Athens, 08/04/1997 (ANA)
The fifth congress of the inter-Balkan Women's Cooperative
Societies, which brought together 312 delegates from 11 Balkan
countries ended a four-day meeting yesterday with a call for
women farmers to organize.
The conference, entitled "Rural Women's Role in the Development
of the Balkan Countries" agreed that out-dated methods hampered
progress of rural women.
In country reports to the conference, especially from Bulgaria
and Albania, the deteriorating condition of rural women was
emphasized by the representatives of the attending
non-governmental organizations.
Prof. Ana Ananiera from Bulgaria said that the Bulgarian economy
was in a state of collapse and rural women were suffering
particularly. Several women farmers from Greece who attended the
conference complained that they were cut off from useful
information and lived in isolation.
A declaration adopted unanimously by the conference called for
new and innovative measures to reduce the workload of rural
women, power sharing for rural women at all levels and
concentration by women's organizations on healing the past
through increased co-operation.
End of English language section.
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