Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-04-12
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1162), April 12, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Pangalos concludes productive three-nation Caucasus tour
[02] Edirne chamber delegation pays visit to Alexandroupolis
[03] Greek-Turkish film production
[04] No Simitis-Erbakan meeting scheduled
[05] FYROM FM: Pangalos' Skopje visit introduced "European
rationalism to Balkans"
[06] Cyprus EU accession could pave the way for a solution of
problem, Kranidiotis says
[07] Greek Parliamentarians set out views on Cyprus at Seoul
convention
[08] Greece examining EU request to recall envoy in Iran
[09] German reaction
[10] News in Brief
[11] G. Papandreou to Euro-Mediterranean Conference in Malta
[12] Greek academic posted to Council of Europe
[13] Arsenis addresses meeting of Balkan youth groups
[14] Ad hoc committee focuses on Albanian turmoil at
interparliamentary conference in Seoul
[15] ND leader Karamanlis attacks Gov't policies
[16] ND executive committee elected
[17] IATA: Athens airport the most improved in the world
[18] Pensioners' groups to rally on Thursday
[19] Gov't says contributions from pensioners to continue until end
of year
[20] Social dialogue to begin after Easter, Reppas says
[21] GSEE on social dialogue
[22] Gov't satisfied with absorption rates
[23] Australian company prepares to mine for gold in Greece
[24] Laliotis warns metro consortium to finish project
[25] Consortium for DEP stock flotation chosen
[26] Greenpeace activists acquitted in Motor Oil blockade
[27] Caretta-Caretta fitted with electronic tracking device
[01] Pangalos concludes productive three-nation Caucasus tour
Athens,12/04/1997 (ANA)
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos completed his tour of
Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan yesterday, with Baku as his last
stop and after holding talks with political and religious
leaders in all three countries.
In Yerevan, Mr. Pangalos met with Armenian President Levon
Ter-Petrosian, Prime Minister Robert Kocarian and Parliament
President B. Arakcian, as well as with the Patriarch of Armenia
Karekin I.
Mr. Pangalos and his Armenian counterpart, Aleksandr Arzumanian,
examined the course of bilateral relations and regional problems
faced in the Caucasus region. They agreed to continue contacts
in the framework of the tripartite co-operation between Greece,
Iran and Armenia. Mr. Pangalos also signed a bilateral agreement
on post office and consular co-operation.
Replying to questions by reporters on relations between the two
countries and Turkey, he said "Turkey's threats against Greece
are unethical and illegal since they are contrary to
international law, agreements and international practice.
Mr. Pangalos said it should be realized in Ankara that the
Ottoman empire is dead once and for all and there is no way to
revive it.
In Tbilisi, Mr. Pangalos met President Eduard Shevardnadze,
Parliament President Z. Zvania and the Patriarch of Georgia
Ilias II.
Mr. Pangalos and his counterpart, Irakli Menagarishvili, signed
seven agreements concerning telecommunications, road transport,
air transport, agriculture, customs, tourism and shipping. They
also initialed a friendship and co-operation pact.
On the sidelines of his visit, a delegation of the Hellenic
Telecommunications Organization (OTE) and the HELLASCOM
subsidiary signed a US$14 million agreement with the Georgian
communications ministry on building an optical network crossing
through all the territory of Georgia and linking up with the
corresponding network of Armenia, and possibly Azerbaijan later
on.
During his stay in Tbilisi, Mr. Pangalos also met with the
presidiums of expatriate Greek societies in Georgia and
discussed problems faced by some 60,000 ethnic Greeks living in
the Black Sea nation.
In Baku he met Azerbaijan President Haidar Alief and Prime
Minister A. Rasizade.
Mr. Pangalos and his counterpart Hasan Hasanov signed three
agreements on consular and cultural co-operation and a
co-operation protocol between the two ministries.
All aspects of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem were also discussed.
The possibility of Greek assistance was discussed in the light
of the good relations Athens maintains with both sides in the
framework of international initiatives to resolve the problem in
the region.
Before his Caucasus tour, he officially visited the Czech
Republic and Slovakia.
[02] Edirne chamber delegation pays visit to Alexandroupolis
Athens,12/04/1997 (ANA)
Members of the Edirne Chamber of Commerce in eastern Thrace
yesterday paid an initial visit to their Greek counterparts in
Alexandroupolis, with a view to exploring potential for
cross-border business co-operation.
Alexandroupolis Chamber President Nikos Dasteridis said good
co-operation between the neighboring cross-border prefectures is
a must. He added that a business delegation from the Greek
border city will soon visit firms in Edirne to study existing
trade possibilities.
Edirne Chamber President Bulent Alamut agreed, stressing that
"with close co-operation as neighbors, we shall press the two
governments towards the development of friendly relations and
mutual confidence, so that they may follow our example."
[03] Greek-Turkish film production
Istanbul, 12/04/1997 (ANA)
Turkish writer Feride Cicekoglu and Greek film producer Fotini
Siskopoulou yesterday presented their plan for a new motion
picture to Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos.
The plans for the film, tentatively entitled "Voyage into the
Blue", were finalized during the current international film
festival in Istanbul.
The film focuses on two women, one from Greece and one from
Turkey, who meet at an international conference in Alexandria. A
part of the history of the past 40 years passes through the two
women's discussions and memories.
[04] No Simitis-Erbakan meeting scheduled
Athens,12/04/1997 (ANA)
The government said yesterday that no meeting between Prime
Minister Costas Simitis and his Turkish counterpart, Necmettin
Erbakan, has been scheduled on the sidelines of the NATO summit
in June.
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas added however that the two
leaders "may exchange greetings or even views, but this does not
constitute a meeting with a planned agenda".
[05] FYROM FM: Pangalos' Skopje visit introduced "European
rationalism to Balkans"
Bonn, 12/04/1997 (ANA - P. Stangos)
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) Prime Minister
Branko Crvenkovski described Foreign Minister Theodoros
Pangalos' recent visit to Skopje as an "introduction of European
rationalism to the Balkans."
Replying to reporters' questions after talks with German Foreign
Minister Klaus Kinkel, he noted that progress in the relations
between the two countries since the signing of the New York
interim accord in September 1995 had been considerable.
"After years of stagnation, very significant progress has been
recorded. We note the very impressive increase in trade
exchanges, the rise in Greek investment, while transportation
and transports are conducted without any problems, and with the
visit of the Greek foreign minister to Skopje something which
was inconceivable a few years ago was realized," he said.
Asked by ANA whether he shared Mr. Pangalos' view that a
solution had to be found to the issue of the name that took
account of both the integrity of the new state and Greece's
concern over possible territorial claims against its northern
province of Macedonia, Mr. Crvenkovski said: "We are
participating in negotiations in goodwill and with constructive
disposition, but there are limits we cannot exceed, and these do
not only concern what you called integrity of our state, but
also the identity of our people and the constitutional
foundations of our state..."
[06] Cyprus EU accession could pave the way for a solution of
problem, Kranidiotis says
Nicosia, 12/04/1997 (ANA)
Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis said yesterday that
Cyprus' European Union accession prospects could act as a
catalyst for the settlement of the political problem on the
divided island.
Referring to the EU decision of March 6, 1995 concerning the
procedure for Cyprus' accession, Mr. Kranidiotis said "the clear
and unequivocal fixing of a time schedule for the commencement
of negotiations can and should serve as a catalyst for a just an
d viable solution of the Cyprus problem".
"This decision means that the course towards accession is a
reality and the Cyprus issue moves out of inaction and takes on
new impetus," he added.
Mr. Kranidiotis, who left for Cyprus yesterday, was speaking at
an event organized by the Union of European Journalists on the
issue of "Cyprus-Turkey-EU".
The foreign under-secretary continued by stressing that the EU
decision showed that Cyprus' accession was a domestic affair of
the Community and could not be vetoed by any third country.
Mr. Kranidiotis described as "arbitrary" the effort by "certain
EU partners" to link the island republic's accession with a
settlement of the Cyprus problem.
"The message being sent to Turkey is quite clear. Its
constructive co-operation in resolving Cyprus' political problem
and improving Greek-Turkish relations will make a positive
contribution to European policy," Mr. Kranidiotis said.
Cyprus' newly-appointed Foreign Minister, Yiannakis Cassoulides
echoed Mr. Kranidiotis' statements, saying "if Turkey really
wants the Turkish Cypriots to fully benefit from accession and
at the same time improve its own relations with the EU and
Greece, then it must display good intentions and co-operate for
the attainment of a mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus
problem".
[07] Greek Parliamentarians set out views on Cyprus at Seoul
convention
Athens,12/04/1997 (ANA)
Greek deputies Nikos Floros and Savvas Tsitouridis set out the
permanent Greek views on the Cyprus issue at the competent
committee of the 97th interparliamentary convention in Seoul
yesterday.
They denounced the violation of human rights by the Turkish
occupation army in northern Cyprus, describing the Turkish stand
on the issue as a factor of destabilization in the eastern
Mediterranean, and called for a full demilitarization of the
island. The four-member Greek delegation met with other deputies
from Yugoslavia, Italy, Britain and FYROM.
[08] Greece examining EU request to recall envoy in Iran
Athens,12/04/1997 (ANA)
The Greek government said yesterday that it was examining the
issue of recalling its ambassador from Tehran, following a
European Union presidency call that EU member-states should do
so and after a German court accused Iranian political leaders of
ordering the assassination of exiled Kurdish dissidents in
Berlin.
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said that Greece expressed
reservations on the "necessity of this measure".
"We are opposed to acts of terrorism. We are opposed to methods
using violence in order to deal with any sort of existing
problem. We believe in this particular case that the isolation
of a country in order to help it be incorporated in an
international system is not the best way. In this sense, we
express reservations over the necessity of this measure. We are
examining the whole issue," Mr. Reppas said.
[09] German reaction
Bonn, 12/04/1997 (ANA - P. Stangos)
Athens' hesitation to recall its ambassador from Tehran together
with the ambassadors of the other EU member-states drew a
reaction from the German foreign ministry.
Replying to a relevant question, the German foreign ministry's
spokesman Martin Erdmann said:
"The fact that Greece, being the sole country of the European
Union not to recall its ambassador from Tehran and in this way
refuse the expression of European solidarity towards Germany has
caused astonishment and surprise at the ministry and for
(Foreign) Minister Klaus Kinkel personally."
[10] News in Brief
Athens,12/04/1997 (ANA)
-- National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos heads for a
working visit to Bulgaria on Monday, at the head of a Greek
delegation. He will meet his counterpart Georgi Ananiev at
Sandanski, near the two countries' border.
-- The government yesterday said that it does not intend to
invite Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan to
Greece, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said. On Thursday,
110 deputies from every political party represented in the Greek
Parliament - except for the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) -
called for the government or a major local government entity,
such as the Athens or Thessaloniki municipalities, to invite the
Kurdish leader.
[11] G. Papandreou to Euro-Mediterranean Conference in Malta
Athens,12/04/1997 (ANA)
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou is to attend the
Euro-Mediterranean Conference in Malta on April 15 and 16, which
is a follow-up to the Barcelona conference.
The gathering aims to further develop links between the EU and
third countries around the Mediterranean.
Within this framework, the EU has approved a "financial
protocol" for such countries, with the exception of Libya, which
is not participating, and Cyprus, Malta, and Israel, due to the
relatively high living standards in these countries.
[12] Greek academic posted to Council of Europe
Strasbourg, 12/04/1997 (ANA)
Professor Dimitris Konstas, former Rector of the Athens
University of Political Sciences (Panteion School), has
officially assumed the post of Greece's representative to the
Council of Europe.
Prof. Konstas presented his credentials to the Secretary-General
of the Council of Europe, Daniel Tarschys, who expressed the
hope that following the improvement in its relations with Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Greece would be able to
contribute effectively towards the resolution of social,
economic and political problems being faced by Balkan nations.
[13] Arsenis addresses meeting of Balkan youth groups
Athens,12/04/1997 (ANA)
Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis yesterday addressed the
first meeting of student unions from Balkan countries, while at
the same event he replied to reporters' questions concerning
Greek soldiers being sent to Albania.
"It is natural for Greece, which is a country neighboring
Albania, to also have a considerable contribution to an
international effort to help Albania to create elementary
security conditions for the inhabitants themselves," he said,
adding:
"Borders are not walls which separate peoples but are bridges
which unite peoples. For this reason the minorities living in
our borders must be elements of association and co-operation
with the neighboring countries and not flashpoints of disputes
and conflicts," he said.
Mr. Arsenis went on to say that Greece, being a member of the
European Union, is in a position and desires to constitute a
link between the common efforts made by Balkan countries in this
direction and their co-operation with the EU.
He said he would positively view an initiative for the formation
of a "Balkan Youth Center", adding that it would be a forum
through which youth in the region will be able to take necessary
initiatives and promote a climate of co-operation.
Youth representatives from all Balkan countries participated in
the meeting.
[14] Ad hoc committee focuses on Albanian turmoil at
interparliamentary conference in Seoul
Athens,12/04/1997 (ANA)
The situation prevailing in Albania was the focus of attention
of an ad hoc committee created on the sidelines of the 97th
Conference of the Interparliamentary Union, being held in Seoul.
Representatives from Greece, Italy, Germany, Canada, the Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Malaysia participated
in the committee. Greece was represented by deputy Spyros
Danellis.
The committee drew up a report which will be presented at a
plenary session tomorrow and which reflects Greek positions on
the Albanian crisis, while a relevant resolution refers to the
countries participating in the effort to resolve the Albanian
crisis.
Addressing the conference, deputy Stratis Korakas expressed the
need for co-operation among countries to establish a collective
security system.
He denounced the policy of military interventions currently
applied by such international organizations as the OSCE and the
UN against countries such as Albania, Cuba, Iraq as well as in
the Palestinian self-rule areas, adding that such a policy
endangers regional and world security and constitutes a flagrant
violation of the countries' right to national sovereignty.
[15] ND leader Karamanlis attacks Gov't policies
Athens,12/04/1997 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis
yesterday launched an attack on the government's policies in a
number of sectors while addressing the party's Central Committee
which was meeting to elect a new Executive Committee.
Mr. Karamanlis said ND was the party which believed in "social
dialogue" which, he added, must be sincere and substantial "not
spasmodic".
Accusing the government of following policies aimed at serving
petty party interests, of being responsible for "waves of
retirements" and "waste which has inflated the problem", Mr.
Karamanlis urged "innovations which are however not at the
expense of low salary earners and those receiving low pensions".
If the country does not enter "an orbit of development", Mr.
Karamanlis said, the government would have to tackle the problem
of unemployment by resorting to "subterfuges".
Mr. Karamanlis expressed the view that due to the shortfall in
state revenue in March, the budget either risked being
"overturned" or there would be "a new tax offensive and new
fiscal measures will be announced".
Turning to Greek-Turkish relations, Mr. Karamanlis asked the
government to clarify its position, speaking of "rumors" that
Athens had already entered into a dialogue with Ankara.
Mr. Karamanlis stressed that ND was not opposed to dialogue with
Turkey in principle, but on the condition that Ankara respected
international treaties and international law.
[16] ND executive committee elected
Athens,12/04/1997 (ANA)
The main opposition New Democracy party's executive committee
was elected during a central committee meeting yesterday.
More specifically, out of the 12 executive committee members
elected, five are affiliated to party leader Costas Karamanlis,
four to former prime minister and honorary ND leader Constantine
Mitsotakis and three to former party leader Miltiades Evert.
The five Parliamentary members elected are Achilleas Karamanlis
with 75 votes; Dora Bakoyianni, 60; Yiannis Kefaloyiannis, 60;
Vassilis Michaloliakos, 59, and Fani-Palli Petralia, 43.
The seven non-Parliamentary members elected are: Lefteris
Zagoritis, 71; Evripidis Stylianidis, 43; Kyriakos Vridaias, 43;
Meropi Spyropoulou, 40; Dimos Katsiyiannis, 40; Thomas Kourtis,
39, and Nikos Melissaris, 33.
At the proposal of Mr. Karamanlis, members entitled to vote had
the right to give up to three crosses of preference for
Parliamentary members and up to four for non-Parliamentary
members.
[17] IATA: Athens airport the most improved in the world
Geneva, 12/04/1997 (ANA)
The Information and Research Service of the International Air
Transport Association (IATA) has evaluated Athens airport as the
most improved airport in the world on the basis security, speed
in processing passengers and staff efficiency.
The Greek capital's airport is followed by those in Inverel and
Melbourne, both in Australia, Bangkok and Hong Kong.
The commendation also praises Greek efforts in improving the
conditions in air traffic through installation of new radars.
[18] Pensioners' groups to rally on Thursday
Athens,12/04/1997 (ANA)
The Coordinating Committee of Pensioners' Organizations called
on pensioners to hold a rally on Thursday to protest government
positions on social dialogue.
Pensioners' organizations of the IKA and TSA funds and ELTA will
address a letter to Prime Minister Costas Simitis announcing
that they will not participate in the dialogue.
Pensioners' representatives said the premier's positions signal
a wider overturning of labor relations and the shrinking of the
public and social character of social insurance.
They will also request meetings with the leaders of all parties,
as well as with the General Confederation of Workers of Greece
(GSEE), the Civil Servants Supreme Administrative Council
(ADEDY) and labor centers.
[19] Gov't says contributions from pensioners to continue until end
of year
Athens,12/04/1997 (ANA)
Social Security Under-secretary Nikos Farmakis told Parliament
yesterday that the 1 per cent contribution will continue to be
deducted from pensioners until the end of the year for pensions
of up to 100,000 drachmas and 2 per cent for pensions from
100-200 ,000 drachmas.
Mr. Farmakis said that the issue will be handled at the end of
the year and that a satisfactory solution will be given, at
least for low pensioners.
On his part, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) deputy Dimitris
Kostopoulos criticized the government that with its stance "it
appears to be sending the issue to the calends."
[20] Social dialogue to begin after Easter, Reppas says
Athens,12/04/1997 (ANA)
Social dialogue between the government, unions and employers
will begin in earnest after the Easter break at the end of the
month and following the receipt by social partners of the text
of the government's positions, to be sent out next week,
government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday.
Mr. Reppas said the prime minister briefed the Cabinet on
Thursday's discussion on the issue at the joint
party-ministerial committee.
The committee will reconvene in two to three weeks' time to
consider the issue of social insurance, he added.
The government is attempting to find a balance between social
partners and is not going in to the dialogue with prejudice or
demands, he said.
On workers' "privileges', Mr. Reppas said there was no decision
to abolish anything and that everything was up for discussion.
Concluding, the spokesman said that the dialogue would once
again demonstrate that ruling PASOK was a socialist party.
[21] GSEE on social dialogue
Athens,12/04/1997 (ANA)
General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) president Christos
Polyzogopoulos yesterday stressed the need for added credibility
in the institution of social dialogue recently announced by the
government, in order to deal with the country's prominent
problems.
"We are awaiting the official proposal of the government in
order to make our own proposals on the topics and the
methodology of dialogue," he said.
[22] Gov't satisfied with absorption rates
Athens,12/04/1997 (ANA)
The government believes the absorption rates for EU funds are at
satisfactory levels, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said
yesterday, following the Cabinet's discussion of the issue.
"1997 will be the year absorption rates take off," Mr. Reppas
said.
National Economy Under-secretary Christos Pahtas said that the
first quarter of 1997 had seen an increase in absorption rates
in the order of 55 per cent, in comparison to the same period
last year. ANA
[23] Australian company prepares to mine for gold in Greece
Melbourne, 12/04/1197 (ANA - S. Hatzimanolis)
The Australian company "Danae" is to carry out extensive gold
mining in Greece and Cyprus. Its general director Andrew Border
told a press conference that funding was being sought from among
the Greek community.
The company recently bought 51 per cent of shares in another
Australian company "Newcrest", which along with the British firm
"Greenwich Resources" owns the rights to prospect for gold in
Greece, particularly in the region around Sappes and
Alexandroupolis in Thrace.
Mr. Border says this will be the first time since Roman times
that significant amounts of gold will be mined in Greece.
[24] Laliotis warns metro consortium to finish project
Athens,12/04/1997 (ANA)
Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas
Laliotis yesterday warned the consortium building the new Athens
underground metro with eviction, telling it "to finish what it
has undertaken on the basis of the contract signed".
"Within the framework of the contract, there is provision not
only for curtailment of the technical object (of the project),
but also eviction. We have stated this to the consortium in
every possible way, both verbally and in writing," Mr. Laliotis
said , replying to a question tabled in Parliament by Coalition
of the Left and Progress deputy Maria Damanaki.
Mr. Laliotis also categorically denied that priority was being
given to the extension of the metro at the expense of Athens'
new airport at Spata or the southwestern districts of Athens.
[25] Consortium for DEP stock flotation chosen
Athens,12/04/1997 (ANA)
A consortium comprising SGB Warburg, Salomon Brothers, Ionian,
and Ernst Young, has been selected among nine bids as financial
adviser in the flotation of 10 per cent of Public Petroleum
Corp. (DEP) equity capital on the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE).
It is envisaged that the consortium will begin work on May 1,
and will complete its task before the end of the year.
[26] Greenpeace activists acquitted in Motor Oil blockade
Athens,12/04/1997 (ANA)
A court in Corinth yesterday acquitted 17 Greenpeace activists
who had participated in the sea blockade of the Motor Oil
refinery at Agioi Theodoroi last November.
The 17 activists were protesting against oil pollution from the
facility following an oil spill last August, caused when
lightning hit a Motor Oil off-shore unloading unit of crude oil
from a tanker.
The eight Greek and nine foreign defendants were found not
guilty of trespassing and obstructing the operation of a public
service company. However, the British captain of the Greenpeace
vessel "Arctic Sunrise", David Enever, that took part in the
protest, was found guilty of disobeying coast-guard orders. Mr.
Enever received a suspended four-month sentence and was set free
following an appeal.
One worker was killed during the August incident, which led to
some 300 tons of crude oil being released into the sea.
Motor Oil, jointly owned by the Saudi-based Aramco and the
Vardinoyiannis group, was fined 150 million drachmas for the
accident.
"The court's decision shows that the activity of Greenpeace for
the protection of the environment can be described as neither
legal or illegal, it is simply necessary," said director of
Greenpeace's Greek bureau, Ilias Efthymiopoulos.
[27] Caretta-Caretta fitted with electronic tracking device
Athens,12/04/1997 (ANA)
A Caretta-Caretta sea turtle fitted with a special electronic
transmitter enabling the monitoring of its movements by
satellite will be released on the Ionian island of Cephalonia
tomorrow.
The turtle's release, together with such sophisticated
technology, will be carried out by the Mediterranean Federation
for the Salvation of Sea Turtles-MEDASSET, in co-operation with
the Zoology and Turtle Treatment Research Center Anton Dohrn in
Naples, with the purpose of collecting information on the
movements of sea turtles, which is essential for their study and
protection.
The Caretta-Caretta, which will reach the port of Sami in
Cephalonia by boat from Naples in a special container, will be
set free on the Mounta beach. The specific region was chosen
because sea turtles lay their eggs on this beach as the
temperature of the Ionian is higher than that of the Adriatic at
this time of the year and because illegal fishing with surf nets
is practiced by many Italian fishing vessels.
End of English language section.
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