Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-05-15
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1186), May 15, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Simitis inaugurates 'social dialogue', opposition critical
[02] Dialogue framework
[03] Opposition
[04] Gov't spokesman
[05] Tsohatzopoulos cautions against latest Turkish 'friendship'
offensive
[06] Gov't on 'committee of experts'
[07] Simitis to meet with Pangalos, Tsohatzopoulos
[08] Parades mark 77th anniversary of Thrace's liberation
[09] ANA hosts meeting of national news agencies
[10] Bank account to support SAE
[11] Kaklamanis greets large delegation of expatriate Greeks
[12] Karamanlis' archives rekindle historical controversies
[13] First-ever Euro-Mediterranean Energy Forum begins in Brussels
[14] Contract for Private Infrastructures Program in northern Greece
signed
[15] Promotion of Greece within CoE
[16] Soumakis announces rescue chopper tender
[17] IOC delegate from Dominican Republic says Athens as host city
would promote Olympic spirit
[18] Simitis: Gov't displeased with quality of private TV
[19] First Commonwealth Festival of Film to be held
[20] Coalition leader speaks in London on how to change Greece
[21] Che Guevara's daughter to visit Athens
[22] Kakavia border post re-opens
[23] Hellenic Societies in 30 British universities form union
[24] Benefits of olive oil focus of Thessaloniki meeting
[25] Iranian trade exhibition
[26] Petrol prices increase
[27] First outlet by Greek supermarket chain opens in Skopje
[28] Petsalnikos urges fur producers to help stamp out protection
rackets
[29] Greeks investors interested in Cypriot capital market
[30] Greek firms receive gold medals at Bulgarian trade fair
[31] 14th DETROP food and drinks fair begins today
[01] Simitis inaugurates 'social dialogue', opposition critical
Athens, 15/05/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday officially opened the
process of "social dialogue" which, he said, was aimed at
shaping "a new social balance which will generate major
structural interventions in turn accelerating the developmental
course of the economy."
"We want a substantial and frank dialogue to develop and I
assure you that as far as the government is concerned, no
decisions will be taken in advance and merely imposed during the
process of dialogue," Mr. Simitis said.
Stabilization of the economy, improvement of growth rates and
the upgrading of the country's production infrastructure may
constitute "messages of hope", but they do not suffice, he said.
At this point, Mr. Simitis warned of the "serious consequences"
if Greece failed to meet EMU convergence targets.
"The drachma will be devalued, inflation will rise, borrowing
from abroad will increase, unemployment will grow and prosperity
will take a nose-dive," the premier said. Mr. Simitis indicated
that unemployment would feature prominently in the social
dialogue.
"We are not interested in attaining a better standard of living
for just a few at the expense of employment. The government will
make every effort to ensure that not only the incomes of those
in employment improve, but also that conditions are created
which afford access to the labor market for those currently out
of work," Mr. Simitis said.
The social dialogue, he stressed, will not have succeeded if it
merely ends in "compromise agreements" for the preservation of
vested interests.
"To succeed, it must bring to the forefront the new forces of
the country and establish new ways for these forces to
communicate with each other and ensure creative co-operation,"
the premier added.
[02] Dialogue framework
Athens, 15/05/1997 (ANA)
Speaking at the same event, National Economy and Finance
Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and Labor and Social Security
Minister Miltiades Papaioannou outlined the specific issues to
be discussed, the time framework and the procedure to be adopted
for dialogue.
The link between the plenary and the various discussion groups,
Mr. Papantoniou said, will be a coordinating secretariat.
He added that the government was open to a broadening of the
topics of dialogue, having already accepted a request by trade
unions for a discussion of fiscal matters, at least to the
extent that such matters pertain to workers' income.
General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) President
Christos Polyzogopoulos welcomed the commencement of social
dialogue, pledging that GSEE would contribute decisively to the
process.
Mr. Polyzogopoulos indicated that other trade union groups,
affiliated to opposition parties, would eventually join in the
dialogue, despite the fact that they were absent from today's
official opening.
The GSEE leader stressed that "the main burden of dialogue" must
be lifted by the representatives of the three main parties,
namely, the government, workers and employers - with other
organizations playing a auxiliary role with respect to specific
issues .
Civil Servants' Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY) President
Yiannis Koutsoukos said the dialogue should have begun earlier
and warned against "surprises" appearing during the course of
the dialogue in the form of "unilateral government decisions".
On his part, Federation of Greek Industries (SEB) President
Iason Stratos said procedures for dialogue should be treated as
"a forum for an exchange of views".
Addressing the opening session, Mr. Stratos said "we are coming
to this dialogue which is inaugurated today because we believe
unshakably in the importance of rapprochement and composition as
a means of overcoming the problems of our society which could
take on a confrontational character."
Mr. Stratos said part of this overall effort is reforming labor
relations, namely, their adjustment to the conditions which are
rapidly changing, leaving behind organization forms which
correspond to other data, and when this happens antiquated
practices operate as obstacles which must be lifted for the
benefit of all.
Mr. Stratos expressed the view that the 19 topics for discussion
were not clear enough and required broadening with regard to
aspects of interest to industry, such as privatization, the
liberalization of markets and the modernization of public
enterprises and organizations.
[03] Opposition
Athens, 15/05/1997 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos
called on Mr. Simitis to make publicly known his positions on
social dialogue-related issues.
He further called on the government to "realize that it does not
play the role of arbitrator between social partners but the
partner with the basic political responsibility."
The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) also issued an announcement,
describing social dialogue as a "feast" which takes place in the
"absence of the great majority of the workers."
"The prime minister's address was the political voice of
oligarchy," the announcement said, adding that the premier
"announced the overturn of workers' vested rights on the altar
of multinationals' interests."
KKE Secretary General Aleka Papariga later likened the social
dialogue to a "sharp sword which takes back established
rights..."
The Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) accused the
government of not making its positions known on issues related
to the social dialogue. The party issued an announcement saying
that "through the policy of not submitting specific proposals ,
the government undermines social dialogue."
Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) president Dimitris Tsovolas
accused the government of attempting a "redistribution of
underemployment and unemployment among workers."
Mr. Tsovolas added that the social dialogue aimed at "the
continuation, in the harshest way, of the government's
anti-popular policies."
[04] Gov't spokesman
Athens, 15/05/1997 (ANA)
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas on his part said that
social dialogue was the only way and means to face problems.
He criticized those refusing to take part in the social
dialogue, accusing them of "rearguard action."
Mr. Reppas said those entering dialogue did not have to give up
their views but instead to promote and support them.
Concluding, he expressed certainty that the social partners in
the dialogue would work side by side with the government in
order to find solution to problems.
[05] Tsohatzopoulos cautions against latest Turkish 'friendship'
offensive
Athens, 15/05/1997 (ANA)
National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos yesterday advised
caution over what he called "Ankara's love and friendship
offensive" towards Athens.
Speaking at a meeting at Thessaloniki University, Mr.
Tsohatzopoulos attributed the apparent change in Turkey's stance
to "the climate of the times" which, he said, was influenced by
domestic developments in Turkey. Although Turkish aggressiveness
may have ups and downs, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said, it remained "an
inherent feature of the Turkish socio-economic make-up".
"Turkish expansionism constitutes the number one threat, and
confrontation of this threat is a top national priority," he
stressed.
Commenting on the conditions Greece would set for any political
dialogue with Turkey, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the objective,
framework and prospects of such a dialogue would first have to
be clarified.
Turning to what he referred to as "third parties", Mr.
Tsohatzopoulos underlined that Greece would not be drawn into a
political dialogue if the conditions it set were not satisfied.
"A greater danger for Athens is to be drawn into a dialogue, the
outcome of which is prejudicial to Greece," he said.
At several points in his address, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos described
Turkey as a destabilizing factor in the region, stressing that
"irrespective of Turkey's European course, Greece will alone
face the brunt of Turkish aggression and shoulder responsibility
for stability in the region". Greece is in an advantageous
position, he added, because it believes that the political and
legal status in the Aegean constitutes the basis for peaceful
co-existence and rejects the escalation of tension and threats
of force.
"We, therefore, call on international organizations to
discourage Turkey from the tactic which will inevitably lead at
some point to the destabilization of the region," Mr.
Tsohatzopoulos said.
In other statements, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos called for the
preparation of a "national prospects plan" for survival, to lead
Greece to real convergence with the European economy.
He further said Greece must succeed in its course towards
Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and, referring to Greece's
stance towards the European Union, pointed out that "it must
neither be a position of unreserved acceptance nor a stance of
populist rejection."
[06] Gov't on 'committee of experts'
Athens, 15/05/1997 (ANA)
In a related development, the government confirmed yesterday
that the Greek and Turkish "committees of experts" formed to
examine procedural matters relating to problems dividing the two
neighbors would operate by exchanging views in writing.
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said that this process,
with the exchange taking place via the Dutch EU presidency,
would enable each side to clearly set out its positions. "In
this way, it will become clear whether there is common ground,"
Mr. Reppas added.
The spokesman underlined, however, that Greece was interested in
rapprochement and coming to an understanding with Turkey, but
only within the framework of the three conditions set by Athens,
namely, that Ankara respects international law, international
treaties and acts in a spirit of good-neighborliness.
In another development, Alternate Foreign Minister George
Papandreou met the Dutch ambassador to Athens yesterday morning
and discussed European issues and the issue of the "committee of
experts".
[07] Simitis to meet with Pangalos, Tsohatzopoulos
Athens, 15/05/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis will chair a meeting this morning
with the participation of Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos
and Mr. Tsohatzopoulos, press reports said.
The conference is expected to focus on latest developments on
national issues, such as Greek-Turkish relations and relations
between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
(FYROM).
[08] Parades mark 77th anniversary of Thrace's liberation
Athens, 15/05/1997 (ANA)
Celebrations in Thrace to mark the 77th anniversary of its
liberation wound up yesterday with parades in Alexandroupoli and
Komotini.
President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos reviewed the
Alexandroupoli parade.
"This was an interesting two-day visit to Thrace," he said
afterwards.
"It was a great anniversary we were celebrating, the liberation
of Thrace... I had the opportunity to meet with officers and
soldiers of the armed forces and with the people of Thrace, a
very likable section of which is the Moslem minority.
"Thrace doubtlessly continues to have many problems. But there
is also an indication of its significant development... and of
important projects which are being implemented, and I am certain
that the continuation of progress is ensured," he said.
Mr. Stephanopoulos noted that the large projects being carried
out in the prefecture will promote Thrace, "where Christians and
Moslems, united, will do whatever possible to achieve
prosperity."
Yesterday morning, before traveling to Alexandroupoli, Mr.
Stephanopoulos visited the Sapes municipality in Rodopi
prefecture and met with Mayor Dinos Haritopoulos and other local
officials.
Commenting on the multicultural school in Sappes, which is
attended by Christians, Moslems and children from the former
Soviet Union, the president said it "constitutes an example
which proves that people, regardless of any differences - which
I don't want to call differences - can co-operate and live
together."
[09] ANA hosts meeting of national news agencies
Athens, 15/05/1997 (ANA)
The Athens News Agency is holding a seminar entitled "National
news agencies in the new era of communications" on May 31 and
June 1, within the framework of the Alliance of Mediterranean
News Agencies.
The seminar will be attended by executives and other senior
staff of national news agencies from Mediterranean nations -
Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Cyprus, Syria,
Turkey, Albania, Italy, Spain, Portugal and France, as well as
Greece.
To be held at the Divani Caravel Hotel, it will also be attended
by representatives of the Athens Journalists' Union, the Athens'
Newspaper Publishers' Union and ten students from Athens'
University's Communications School.
The seminar is to be sponsored by the Hellenic
Telecommunications Organization (OTE) and its subsidiary OTEnet.
Andreas Christodoulides, general director of the ANA, will
introduce the seminar while Press and Media Minister Dimitris
Reppas will officially inaugurate the meeting.
[10] Bank account to support SAE
Athens, 15/05/1997 (ANA)
The Macedonia and Thrace Bank has opened an account in support
of targets pursued by the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE).
As has already been announced, the bank has provided space
covering 540 square meters at its new administration building in
Thessaloniki for SAE offices to be established. The account
number is 107001210353179-1.
[11] Kaklamanis greets large delegation of expatriate Greeks
Athens, 15/05/1997 (ANA)
Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis yesterday briefed 170
expatriate Greeks on Greek national issues. The expatriates are
being hosted in Greece by the Expatriate Hellenism Secretariat.
Mr. Kaklamanis called on the overseas Greeks, who visited
Parliament yesterday, to intensify their efforts to inform
public opinion in the countries in which they live, in order to
aid the better understanding of Greek positions.
He stressed that Greece is currently in "an extremely privileged
position in the Balkans and the eastern Mediterranean" and can
be a force for peace and security in the region, as well as
within the Black Sea Co-operation countries.
Mr. Kaklamanis praised the improvement of economic and cultural
relations and the strengthening of friendship with neighboring
countries, excepting Turkey. He said relations with the latter
remain bad due to the continued occupation of the northern part
of Cyprus.
"Nevertheless," he said, "Greece is a powerful country, a member
of the European Union, and can face any threat from the other
side," he concluded.
[12] Karamanlis' archives rekindle historical controversies
Athens, 15/05/1997 (ANA)
The archives of New Democracy founder, former prime minister and
president of the republic Constantine Karamanlis were officially
presented last night in a ceremony in the Athens Concert Hall.
In the archives, the 90-year-old Karamanlis describes events
during the years 1965-1995, while also passing certain judgments
on political situations and individuals.
The 12th and last volume, covering the period between 1985-95,
has proved to be the most controversial, as Mr. Karamanlis
accuses the late PASOK founder Andreas Papandreou of deceiving
him. In the 12th volume, Mr. Karamanlis claims that despite
Papandreou's assurances, the three-time socialist premier did
not nominate him for president in 1985, nominating Christos
Sartzetakis at the last minute.
Mr. Karamanlis also describes Papandreou as being "a common
cheat, a demagogue and a hypocrite", and as being "dangerous for
the country".
No government members were due to attend the presentation, while
ND honorary president Constantine Mitsotakis had also said he
would not attend.
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas yesterday criticized Mr.
Karamanlis over his comments in the archives concerning
Papandreou.
"The PASOK president was not anxious to better his political
course and was honored as no-one else in the period after the
junta, elected prime minister three times," Mr. Reppas said.
He added that the nomination of Mr. Sartzetakis as president was
correct at the time and was approved by the people, as shown
through the 1985 elections.
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou, son of the late
prime minister, also criticized Mr. Karamanlis' observations on
his father and grandfather, also named George Papandreou, one of
Greece's most significant politicians after World War II.
"The views published, both concerning the 'old man of democracy'
(his grandfather) and the founder of PASOK, aim to distort
history and to erase the struggles and ideals of the brave who
fought for democracy," he said.
The alternate foreign minister stressed both his father and
grandfather "fought with passion for democracy and freedom for
the people. They inspired and united the democratic front."
"Andreas Papandreou managed to realize a dream of the Greek
people in the 1980s: the great project of reconciliation and
democracy."
All PASOK members made similar statements. The party's
Secretary, Costas Skandalidis, said "the people have memory and
judgment and they will not accept history to be re-written."
He added that no-one can "encroach upon Andreas Papandreou's
legacy with petty party and opportunist criteria."
New Democracy president and the nephew of the ND founder, Costas
Karamanlis, said the contribution of Constantine Karamanlis to
politics was "great, invaluable and undoubted".
"Our mission is to turn the page over, to look forward and to
work for a better tomorrow for our homeland," he said.
Coalition of the Left and Progress party leader Nikos
Constantopoulos called for an end to "historical vendettas and
para-political explosions".
"The past and its leading characters belong to history," he
said, adding that "the endless talking of the past is one of the
basic causes of the political crisis which has eroded political
life and has tired the Greek people."
Democratic Social Movement leader Dimitris Tsovolas said the
Karamanlis archives "aim to disorientate the people".
He claimed their publication was "orchestrated by the architects
of the decline of the last 30 years".
[13] First-ever Euro-Mediterranean Energy Forum begins in Brussels
Brussels, 15/05/1997 (ANA)
Addressing the first official conference of the
Euro-Mediterranean Energy Forum here, EU Energy Commissioner
Christos Papoutsis said the forum can serve "as an important
body for promoting and implementing co-operation in the energy
sector ".
Mr. Papoutsis said the European Union's concept and volition is
that through this flexible body "we must secure continuation of
dialogue and promote energy co-operation" with non-Community
countries in the Mediterranean.
The Euro-Mediterranean Energy Forum was created through a
proposal by Mr. Papoutsis and on the basis of the conclusions of
the Euro-Mediterranean energy ministers' session held in
Trieste, Italy, in June 1996. Its aim is to contribute to the
organization and monitoring of Euro-Mediterranean co-operation
in the energy sector.
On the question of a permanent dialogue, the forum agreed to the
creation of a database for information to be provided for its
members, industry and banks concerning the energy sector, the
organization of a communications network on the Internet and,
lastly, the organization of special conferences to facilitate a
better understanding of the situation in non-EU Mediterranean
countries.
Mr. Papoutsis expressed satisfaction over the results of this
first official conference and said the Forum "can certainly
provide the means for an agreement to be reached on energy
policy, an agreement which can serve as the basis for
negotiations at a regional and bilateral level in the framework
of the MEDA program."
[14] Contract for Private Infrastructures Program in northern Greece
signed
Athens, 15/05/1997 (ANA)
A contract on granting overall subsidization for the management
of the Private Infrastructures Program in Northern Greece was
signed in Thessaloniki last night by representatives of the
European Commission's XVI General Department and the company for
Developing Private Infrastructures of Northern Greece.
Development Under-secretary Anna Diamantopoulou attended the
signing of the agreement.
The program's planning started three years ago in the framework
of the Operational Program for Industry.
The target of the Program of Private Infrastructures in Northern
Greece is to activate private initiative in the sector of
developing and creating industrial infrastructures which will
cover the needs of the business world of Macedonia and Thrace.
A press conference was held afterwards during which it was
announced that the program has a pilot character, it concerns
the 1997-2001 period and the total amount to be provided amounts
to ECU 30 million, about nine billion drachmas.
Referring to the program, Ms Diamantopoulou said the key for
both its preparation and further operation is the confidence
which, she said, constitutes "the belt on which relevant duties
passed from the state sector to the Company for the Development
of Private Infrastructures."
She called on the representatives of the company to show in turn
confidence to the private sector, which will take this effort in
their hands in undertaking programs.
The company's president, Nikos Efthymiadis, announced that so
far interest has been primarily shown by businesses in the
prefectural and local self-administration sector from many
regions in northern Greece.
[15] Promotion of Greece within CoE
Strasbourg, 15/05/1997 (ANA)
A few weeks after assuming his duties as Greece's permanent
representative to the Council of Europe, former Panteios
University rector Dimitris Konstas has begun preparations to
promote Greece at the CoE.
Within this framework, he held a dinner yesterday for Greek
Eurodeputies and European Commissioner Christos Papoutsis.
Noting that Greece will assume the CoE presidency in May 1998,
he said "it is self-evident that we must unite all our powers in
order for that to be an important political and cultural event."
[16] Soumakis announces rescue chopper tender
Athens, 15/05/1997 (ANA)
Merchant Marine Minister Stavros Soumakis yesterday announced
that a tender for the purchase by the ministry of six
all-weather search and rescue helicopters would take place on
June 10.
Mr. Soumakis said the procedures for the purchase were
proceeding with "complete openness" and the unanimous agreement
of all the members of the evaluation committee.
The only criterion for awarding the contract, Soumakis said,
would be the selection of that offer which is in the best
interests of the state. The estimated cost of the helicopters is
18 billion drachmas, 75 per cent of which will be paid from
European Union funds.
The helicopters to be purchased must have a capacity for 12
passengers, a range of 360 miles and be able to fly in winds of
45 knots.
[17] IOC delegate from Dominican Republic says Athens as host city
would promote Olympic spirit
Athens, 15/05/1997 (ANA)
International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Napoleon Munoz
Pena, from the Dominican Republic, yesterday concluded his visit
to Athens and planted the fourth olive tree at the Athens
Olympic Park.
Each visiting IOC member plants an olive tree, the branches of
which will be used to make wreaths for the winners of the 2004
Olympic Games if Athens hosts the event.
"I am deeply moved and I cannot hide it, because what you are
doing here at the Olympic Park upgrades the Olympic movement,"
he said. "The Olympic movement at this time is seeking to
upgrade itself and I believe that Greece, through organizing the
Olympic Games, can bring it back to its roots."
[18] Simitis: Gov't displeased with quality of private TV
Athens, 15/05/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis said yesterday that the government
is waiting for the co-operation of the state-run broadcasting
network (ERT) in order to improve regulations for the operation
of broadcast television. The government is displeased with the
quality of programs and the services offered by television, he
said, but is unable to intervene in any way. For this reason,
Mr. Simitis noted, it is calling on society to push for an
improvement in private television channels.
[19] First Commonwealth Festival of Film to be held
Athens, 15/05/1997 (ANA)
Seven British Commonwealth country embassies in Athens have
joined forces to bring the Greek public the First Commonwealth
Festival of Film, to be held May 26-30 at the Pallas Cinema. All
seven countries will present feature films from new directors
never before seen in Greece.
Among the films to be featured are "Margaret's Museum" by Mort
Russen (Canada), "The Gods Must Be Crazy 2" by Jamie Ice (South
Africa), "Malcolm" by Nadia Tass and David Parker (Australia)
and "Mammo" by Sam Benegal (India). Cyprus, Britain and New
Zealand will also be represented.
The aim of the festival, which was the brainchild of the
Canadian ambassador Derek Fraser, is give the Greek public a
chance to become acquainted with the arts and cultural life of
the 53 Commonwealth countries and its 1.6 billion residents
which comprise a quarter of the earth's population.
[20] Coalition leader speaks in London on how to change Greece
London, 15/05/1997 (ANA - L. Tsirigotakis)
Coalition of the Left and Progress President Nikos
Constantopoulos stressed the need for institutional reforms in
the Greek political scene in an address headlined "Changing
Greece in a changing world" at the London School of Economics.
Mr. Constantopoulos urged "important institutional changes in
Greece's political scene" which would prepare the country for
the 21st century. On the sidelines of his visit to London, Mr.
Constantopoulos met with Labor Party deputies, the new president
of the British Committee for the Return of the Parthenon Marbles
and representatives from the Research Institute, which works
closely with the Labor Party.
[21] Che Guevara's daughter to visit Athens
Athens, 15/05/1997 (ANA)
Aleida Guevara, the daughter of the late Bolivian revolutionary
Che Guevara, is to visit Athens from May 16-25 at the invitation
of the Telefilm Hellas Entertainment Group.
Ms. Guevara will be presenting a collection of eight video
cassettes on the life of Che, as well as a CD and audio cassette
with 19 songs from all over the world written for him.
While in Athens, she will also have meetings with political
leaders, local government authorities, women's groups, students,
prominent members of the medical profession, and will visit
schools and hospitals. Ms. Guevara will also be holding a press
conference.
[22] Kakavia border post re-opens
Athens, 15/05/1997 (ANA)
The Kakavia customs post on the border with Albania re-opened
yesterday afternoon.
Greek authorities were forced to close the border post after a
shoot-out between two rival gangs occurred at a close distance
on the Albanian side of the border. The reasons for the
shoot-out, which resulted to the injury of one Albanian
policeman, are unknown.
Greek police and customs officials warned that they would close
down the customs post if gunfire was recorded.
[23] Hellenic Societies in 30 British universities form union
London, 15/05/1997 (ANA - L. Tsirigotakis)
The first conference of Greek and Greek Cypriot students in
British universities throughout the country took place in the
students' union of De Montford University's Scraptoft Campus in
Leicester last weekend.
The participating Hellenic Societies, from 30 universities
across Britain, discussed and voted on the union's constitution,
and decided on its name: Union of Hellenic Societies in Britain.
A debate on the mapping of Greek foreign policy was held on the
second day of the conference.
Speakers included Andreas Psyharis from the Greek embassy in
London, who elaborated on Greek foreign policy in the Aegean and
Richard Clogg from Oxford University, who spoke on Greek-Turkish
relations.
The official web site for the union, which includes a members'
list, its charter, aims and objectives as well as an overview on
the conference is: http://www.webleicester.co.uk/customer/mexas
[24] Benefits of olive oil focus of Thessaloniki meeting
Athens, 15/05/1997 (ANA)
A survey of the beneficial effects of olive oil will be the
focus of a symposium in Thessaloniki tomorrow to be addressed by
the director of the G. Papanikolaou Hospital's Cardiology
Clinic, Dr. Panayotis Spyrou.
The survey was held in the prefecture of Messinia in the
framework of the program "Europe against cancer in 200". The
results will be presented at the symposium by its director, Ms.
Antonia Trihopoulou, professor of nutrition and food sciences at
Athens' University's School of Public Health.
[25] Iranian trade exhibition
Athens, 15/05/1997 (ANA)
Iran is to hold its first commercial exhibition in Greece
between May 16-25, at the Athens Exhibition Center.
The trade fair, entitled "Iran Solo Exhibition", will contain
hand-made articles, wool and silk carpets, household items, as
well as food and silver jewelry.
The exhibition is due to be officially opened today at the
exhibition center, 124, Kifissias Ave.
[26] Petrol prices increase
Athens, 15/05/1997 (ANA)
The retail sales prices of gasoline will increase for at least
one week by 0.50 drachmas per liter, while the price of diesel
will decrease by 1.20 drachmas per liter.
In the Attica region and the Thessaloniki prefecture, super
gasoline will cost 222.80 drachmas per liter and unleaded
gasoline 206.80 drachmas per liter.
[27] First outlet by Greek supermarket chain opens in Skopje
Skopje, 15/05/1997 (ANA - M. Vihou)
The first Greece-based supermarket opened in the Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) on Tuesday in the presence of the
head of the Greece's liaison office in FYROM, Alexandros
Mallias, and the mayor of Skopje Risto Penov.
The supermarket is the 137th branch of the Veropoulos chain of
supermarkets and the company's first outside Greece.
Expenditure to date has amounted to 3.7 million deutschmarks,
the largest part of which was provided for the purchase of the
building, with a capacity of 2,000 square meters and parking
space for 200 cars.
Forty per cent of products available in the supermarket are
domestic and 60 per cent are imported from Greece. The staff is
comprised of 65 employees, of whom only three administrative
employees are Greek nationals.
[28] Petsalnikos urges fur producers to help stamp out protection
rackets
Athens, 15/05/1997 (ANA)
Macedonia and Thrace Minister Philippos Petsalnikos yesterday
urged northern Greek fur producers to make use of state export
credit facilities in order to help stamp out protection rackets
that are damaging the industry. "No (fur) producers in Kastoria
have used the Insurance Organization for Export Credits, which
safeguards businesses from such problems," Mr. Petsalnikos told
a news conference.
He was speaking after the opening of a trade fair in Kastoria, a
major fur producing center in northern Greece.
"If there was a different form of organization there would be no
need for touts, no opportunities for this (customer) importing
mafia, no phenomena involving people promoting or blocking
access to sellers," he said.
The middlemen, who are believed to be linked to the Russian
mafia, charge producers in northern Greece around two billion
drachmas for finding customers in CIS countries, Mr. Petsalnikos
said.
According to police, producers who fail to comply with the
demand are threatened, deprived of custom and sometimes attacked.
The government plans to aid fur producers by introducing
informatics for the sector, setting up a quality assurance
mechanism, establishing workshops for fashionwear and publicity,
and building a livestock feed factory. It has indicated it will
not write off the industry's unpaid loans.
[29] Greeks investors interested in Cypriot capital market
Nicosia, 15/05/1997 (ANA)
Greek companies, stockbroking firms and investors are showing
great interest in participating in the capital market of Cyprus,
a Stock Market Forum held in Athens for the presentation of the
Cyprus stock market concluded.
Cypriot stockbrokers attending the forum had numerous contacts
with their Greek colleagues and discussed the prospects of
future co-operation.
Participants in the forum said that during the next few months
Greek companies are expected to announce their expansion into
the Cyprus market through co-operation with stockbroking firms
in the island and vice versa. Greek companies also expressed
inter est in joining the Cyprus bourse.
[30] Greek firms receive gold medals at Bulgarian trade fair
Sofia, 15/05/1997 (ANA - N. Hiou)
Two Greek companies were awarded gold medals during an
international exhibition of consumer products in the Bulgarian
city of Plovdiv. The two companies were "Yiotis Baby Foods" and
"ELDONS-industrial oils".
Fourteen Greek companies took part in the exhibition, a number
substantially smaller in comparison with previous years. The
lack of interest by both Greek and foreign firms is attributed
to the financial crisis facing Bulgaria and the drastic fall in
the living standard of Bulgarians.
[31] 14th DETROP food and drinks fair begins today
Athens, 15/05/1997 (ANA)
More than 1,000 Greek and foreign companies are participating in
the annual International Exhibition of Food and Drinks (DETROP)
to be held May 15-19 in Thessaloniki.
Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas will inaugurate the
14th DETROP exhibition at the facilities of the organizer
HELLEXPO-DETH today at 11 a.m. The total number of exhibitors is
1,031, up from last year's 632 exhibitors.
Greek exhibitors-producers increased by 38 per cent, while
foreign exhibitors from 30 different countries more than doubled
from 199 in 1996 to 466 this year.
The DETROP trade fair is also organizing a series of cultural
events in the framework of Thessaloniki as the Cultural Capital
of Europe, with the aim of promoting health foods and foodstuffs
particular to the
Mediterranean such as fruits, olive oil, beans, vegetables and
wine. The importance of those foods will be discussed during
seminars and symposiums.
The events start today with the 2nd Festival of Food and Wine,
which will include a contest for best label and presentation of
wine with the participation of 70 Greek producers.
End of English language section.
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