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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-07-01

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 1225), July 1, 1997

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] Greece expresses satisfaction with smooth elections in Albania
  • [02] Europarliament delegation monitors Albanian vote
  • [03] Consulate employee buried yesterday
  • [04] Abducted businessman still missing in Albania
  • [05] Delors confers with Simitis, political leaders on future of Europe
  • [06] Unified socialist policy discussed earlier
  • [07] Kranidiotis meets with US official regarding SECI
  • [08] Greek 'committee of experts' replies to Turkish memo
  • [09] Kranidiotis on developments in Turkey
  • [10] US says it has no evidence on Turkish claims of Greek help to Kurds
  • [11] EU culture ministers unable to agree on several issues
  • [12] Parthenon Marbles' return discussed between Venizelos, Fisher
  • [13] Military chief Tzoganis on official Polish visit
  • [14] Greek navy chief to visit Bulgaria
  • [15] Bulgarian president in Athens tomorrow
  • [16] Bridge agreement
  • [17] Stephanopoulos stresses Greek support for Bulgaria's accession to NATO
  • [18] Clerides begins consultations with Greek leadership today
  • [19] Karamanlis speaks in Kavala and Serres
  • [20] Kranidiotis to represent Athens at NATO socialist FMs' meeting
  • [21] Civil aviation authority work stoppages
  • [22] Greek team wins fifth straight game at Eurobasket
  • [23] New super-catamaran to provide coastal tours of Mount Athos
  • [24] 364 fishing investment programs ratified
  • [25] Health sector beset by problems
  • [26] Helexpo employees threaten strike during Thessaloniki fair
  • [27] Macedonian Press Agency holds southeast Europe media conference
  • [28] Greek equities edge up, driven by state telecom
  • [29] Apostolopoulos Group acquires majority in Apollonion
  • [30] Greece's Gnomon to build new hospital
  • [31] EU holds traffic control conference in Thessaloniki
  • [32] EP committee adopts EU-wide transport policy declaration
  • [33] Commission takes action against member states
  • [34] Commission acts against Greece to curb water pollution

  • [01] Greece expresses satisfaction with smooth elections in Albania

    Athens, 01/07/1997 (ANA)

    Greece said yesterday that it hoped the completion of the electoral process in neighboring Albania next Sunday would result in a government of the widest possible consensus to undertake the work of restoring order in the country.

    According to a Reuters dispatch from Tirana yesterday, Albanian President Sali Berisha conceded yesterday that his ruling Democratic Party had lost the elections, which international polling monitors had termed "adequate and acceptable."

    Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou expressed his satisfaction that the elections had gone "relatively well".

    "(Sunday's poll) was the first step towards restoring normality in Albania through a legal and democratically-elected government which will lead the country to economic and democratic restoration," Mr. Papandreou said as he arrived to attend a working luncheon for visiting former European Commission president Jacques Delors.

    Relative calm prevailed, he said, apart from the "unfortunate and tragic incident at the Greek consulate at Gjirokaster, which however, was unrelated to the electoral process". He was referring to the death of a local employee on Saturday, after an attack on the building by an armed gang.

    "There appears to be a healthy participation in the new Parliament of ethnic Greek-Albanians, whom I believe will deservedly respond to the new challenge of Albania for a democratic course, and respect for human rights," Mr. Papandreou said.

    Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis told reporters that the international community and Greece hoped that the elections would signal the beginning of the normalization of political life in Albania and of the process of economic restructuring, development and prosperity.

    The latest reports from Albania said the socialists had claimed to have won a resounding victory but no official results had so far been announced.

    There was relative calm in the country both before and during the elections, called after weeks of violence had been sparked by the collapse of five pyramid investment schemes.

    Greece, Mr. Kranidiotis said, was pleased with the election process, to which it had contributed decisively with important and continual diplomatic initiatives both on a bilateral and international level. He added that he considered the ethnic Greek minority in the south of the country to be a bridge of friendship that would lead to closer bilateral relations, noting that the extension of the minority's rights would bolster the ties between the two countries.

    His comments were echoed later by acting government spokesman Yiannis Nikolaou, who said Athens was concerned about the restoration of normality in neighboring Albania and that it was significant to Greece that the national poll had been conducted as normal as possible.

    Mr. Nikolaou told reporters that Athens wanted to see the restoration and proper functioning of institutions in the neighboring country, which would aid both bilateral relations and stability in the wider region.

    "A strong government, supported by as many parties as possible, creates the conditions for the restoration of normality," he said.

    National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos told reporters that the outcome had vindicated Gre-ece's decision to participate in the multinational protection force. Asked whether there was still a need for the deployment of forces in Albania, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said this would be examined by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

    On his part, main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis said all the Albanian political parties should make efforts to lead the country to order and real democracy and establish respect for ethnic Greeks living there. Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos, meanwhile, sent a message of congratulations to Albanian Socialist Party leader Fatos Nano, calling the result "a significant step for democratic normalization and the development of Albania".

    [02] Europarliament delegation monitors Albanian vote

    Brussels, (ANA - G.Daratos)

    A European Parliament delegation which had arrived in Albania to monitor general elections met with political party representatives, including Socialist leader Fatos Nano and Jene Polo of the Democratic Party.

    The EU delegation including four Greek Euro-MPs - Yiannis Roubatis of PASOK, Costas Hatzidakis of New Democracy, Katerina Daskalaki of Political Spring and Yiannis Theonas of the Communist Party of Greece. They visited a total of 30 polling stations in Tirana, the city's outskirts and Durres.

    According to an announcement by the European Parliament's secretariat in Brussels, the delegation ascertained that voting was conducted in a satisfactory way and without noteworthy incidents. The European Parliament's representatives also noted that very good co-operation was brought about between election representatives from all political parties.

    Strengthening Parliamentary dialogue between the Europarliament and the Albanian Parliament will constitute an important factor in Albania's transitional democratic course, the announcement by the European Parliament's Committee read.

    [03] Consulate employee buried yesterday

    Athens, 01/07/1997 (ANA)

    Christos Kolas, 28, an employee of the Greek consulate in Gjirokaster who was shot dead by an armed gang on Saturday, was buried in his home town of Delvine yesterday in a Greek flag-draped coffin.

    The funeral was attended by a few thousands of ethnic Greeks and Albanians, local government authorities and the consulate staff.

    Meanwhile, a special Greek-Albanian committee investigating the crime is continuing its collection of evidence.

    [04] Abducted businessman still missing in Albania

    Gjirokaster, 01/07/1997 (ANA - P.Barkas)

    An ethnic Greek from the Sarande area that was abducted a week ago is still missing.

    Kidnappers of Vassilis Kromidas, a businessman and council member from the village of Xamylia who is also the president of the local ethnic Greek Omonia party, demanded 40 million drachmas as ransom.

    His abductors, however, have not communicated since his abduction.

    [05] Delors confers with Simitis, political leaders on future of Europe

    Athens, 01/07/1997 (ANA)

    Representatives from three out of five parties in Parliament met yesterday for talks with former European Commission president Jacques Delors about the future of Europe.

    The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Marietta Yiannakou-Koutsikou from the main opposition New Democracy, and Coalition of Left and Progress (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos.

    The event was organized by PASOK secretary Costas Skandalidis at a central Athens hotel.

    All speakers at the event concluded that development and progress cannot be achieved through uncontrolled forces of the market.

    Mr. Delors, the main speaker at the event, noted that under present conditions "we are able to safeguard the principles of democratic socialism", adding that today's socialists want change, but also a sense of security.

    The changes that have been completed or are under way today have created three challenges that require answers, Mr. Delors said, naming globalization, acceleration of technological advances and the serious crisis facing the welfare state.

    The former EC president defended the expansion of the European Union by accession of less developed countries. He expressed reservations about whether this would be achieved, since the idea was meeting with resistance by certain EU members.

    Mr. Simitis said that the liberalization of productive powers was no longer enough to create a more humane society, because the economy's independence had led to a new wave of productivity that tore down social relationships. This, however, did offer the groundwork for social relationships of a higher quality. Whether productivity would prevail or new relationships was a matter of political process and struggles that had to be made, he said.

    Mr. Simitis made special note of the social sector, stressing that the systems of social welfare should be adapted to demographic changes, and funds be funneled to those who had real need of them. Social funding should not lead to social discrimination, he said.

    Ms Yiannakou-Koutsikou said that European unification posed a challenge which belonged neither to socialism nor to liberalism, but could proceed only with the co-operation of all forces.

    Synaspismos leader Constantopoulos said that the fact that at the end of the 20th century there are so many talks about Europe's future is a sign of history lagging behind.

    He also said that unemployment, poverty, the downgrading of the quality of life and ecological destruction pointed to the fact that one could not start building a united Europe from the top.

    [06] Unified socialist policy discussed earlier

    Athens, 01/07/1997 (ANA)

    Earlier in the day, Mr. Simitis met Mr. Delors to discuss the creation of a unified socialist policy ahead of European Union economic and monetary union.

    During a working luncheon at a central Athens hotel, the two men also discussed Greece's problems in joining a single European Union currency.

    Attending the meeting were members of the ruling PASOK party's executive bureau and senior government economy officials, headed by National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou.

    The meeting followed a weekend conference in Athens of European Union socialist ministers that called for creation of an Economic Coordination Pact, designed to link efforts in forging EU economic policy, and to counter-balance the Bonn-inspired Stability and Development Pact.

    [07] Kranidiotis meets with US official regarding SECI

    Athens, 01/07/1997 (ANA)

    Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis held talks yesterday with US ambassador Richard Shifter, President Bill Clinton's special adviser on the Initiative for Co-operation in Southeastern Europe (SECI), which focuses on improving and developing cooperation between Balkan countries. An extensive review was made of activities being developed in the framework of the initiative, aimed at strengthening regional co-operation between countries in southeastern Europe through the development of economic, technical and environmental co-operation.

    On his part, Mr. Shifter stressed the importance of Greece's participation in the SECI initiative, inter-border co-operation programs aimed at rendering technical assistance and improving infrastructure at border crossings of member-states which are part of this initiative.

    Mr. Kranidiotis said Greece participates actively in all initiatives strengthening co-operation in the Balkans and will offer all support possible for activities developing in the framework of the initiative. According to reports, the US attributes particular significance to Greece's active participation in the success of the SECI initiative and assesses that the leading role it can play in the region will help substantially in consolidating peace, stability and development in the Balkans.

    [08] Greek 'committee of experts' replies to Turkish memo

    Athens, 01/07/1997 (ANA)

    The Greek committee of experts sent its reply regarding the Turkish committee memo to the Dutch presidency of the European Union yesterday.

    Both Greek and Turkish committees of experts were set up following an initiative by the outgoing Dutch presidency to present their differences through the EU in an effort to solve them. The Greek committee, comprised of professors Krateros Ioannou and Dimitris Fatouros, had been the first to respond with a memo.

    Turkey's committee followed with its own later, to which the Greek experts replied yesterday.

    The Turkish memo, according to sources, does not refer to the process leading to solving problems, b ut proposes a Greek-Turkish dialogue on all issues, a position Athens rejects. In its reply, the Greek committee referred to existing international laws and treaties and said Turkey should take recourse to the international court at The Hague if it wishes to solve certain issues such as the status of Imia islet in the Aegean. Turkey's response will indicate how earnest it is in its intent to deal in a positive spirit with Greek proposals, the sources said.

    The Turkish committee had proposed earlier that both committees meet directly without EU mediation, a position the Greek government has rejected outright.

    [09] Kranidiotis on developments in Turkey

    Athens, 01/07/1997 (ANA)

    Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis said yesterday that he was not aware if the new government being formed in Turkey was "permanent or temporary".

    Talking to reporters, Mr. Kranidiotis expressed his hope that there would a strong government in Turkey which could talk to the international community, the European Union and to Greece and would be guided by democratic principles and respect for human rights and international agreements.

    [10] US says it has no evidence on Turkish claims of Greek help to Kurds

    Washington, 01/07/1997 (ANA - T. Ellis)

    Acting US State Department spokesman John Dinger said yesterday that the United States does not have any indications to confirm Turkish allegations that a Greek military officer was training Kurdish separatists.

    Replying to a Turkish reporter, who also quoted Turkish sources as saying that the officer had been killed, Mr. Dinger referred to a recent statement by the Greek government spokesman that these charges were "unfounded".

    [11] EU culture ministers unable to agree on several issues

    Brussels, 01/07/1997 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

    EU culture ministers failed to agree on a number of pending issues yesterday, such as the prospects of the union's cultural activities, establishment of a single finance body for culture, the future of the "Rafael" program and prospects of the "European cultural capital" institution.

    They met in Luxembourg for the summit.

    The EU culture ministers could not take any decision on the establishment of a Fund for European audio-visual productions, which was to receive ECU 50 million, owing to objections by Germany, Britain and the Netherlands. Similarly, no agreement was reached with regard to the "Rafael" program on the protection of the union's cultural heritage. A compromise solution on this issue will be attempted by the 15 EU culture ministers at a special meeting in July.

    Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, in a speech during the meeting, placed emphasis on the fact that allocations on culture were subordinate in the union's budget when compared with culture allocations in national budgets.

    The Greek minister told his European counterparts that it was primarily culture that safeguarded social cohesion within the union.

    Mr. Venizelos also told the meeting that Greece backed the Italian proposal for the setting up of a single finance body for culture, while he submitted another proposal relating to the establishment of a European museums network in all member-states of the Union.

    [12] Parthenon Marbles' return discussed between Venizelos, Fisher

    Luxembourg, 01/07/1997 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

    Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos raised the issue of the Parthenon Marbles' return to Greece from the British Museum during a meeting with British National Heritage Under-secretary for the Arts Mark Fisher, on the sidelines of the EU culture ministers' summit here.

    Mr. Venizelos, who told Mr. Fisher that Athens was willing to discuss the issue on bilateral level, told reporters that the meeting was "especially cordial."

    "The discussion has been clear and creative," he said.

    Mr. Venizelos handed a text to Mr. Fisher containing Athens' positions on the issue.

    "I told Mr. Fisher that we raise the issue not in the name of the Greek government and history but in the name of the world's cultural heritage, international cultural sensitivity and mainly in the name of the monument's whole entity."

    The two men also discussed cultural co-operation between the two countries.

    [13] Military chief Tzoganis on official Polish visit

    Athens, 01/07/1997 (ANA)

    The chief of the National Defense General Staff, Lt.-Gen. Athanasios Tzoganis, is to pay a visit to Poland at the invitation of his Polish counterpart, Gen. Zumsky.

    The Greek official, who is leaving tomorrow for Warsaw, is scheduled to meet Poland's political and military leadership, as well as the Polish parliament's defense committee.

    During talks with Lt.-Gen. Tzoganis, Polish officials are likely to repeat their proposals in relation to the purchase by Greece of Polish-made transport helicopters, aircraft and AWACS-type radars.

    National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos was briefed on the Polish proposals during a recent visit to Warsaw.

    Talks are also expected to focus on NATO expansion and issues of mutual military concern.

    [14] Greek navy chief to visit Bulgaria

    Athens, 01/07/1997 (ANA)

    The Navy General Staff announced that Hellenic Navy chief Vice-Adm. L. Paliogiorgos has accepted an invitation by his Bulgarian counterpart, Adm. Kristov Kontrov, and will leave for Varna tomorrow to observe military activities exercises.

    Officials from NATO have also been invited to observe aeronautical exercises in the sea region of Varna.

    [15] Bulgarian president in Athens tomorrow

    Athens, 01/07/1997 (ANA)

    Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov arrives in Athens tomorrow at the head of a ministerial delegation for talks with the Greek government and the signing of an agreement for construction of a new bridge at the Promahonas-Kulata border post.

    Mr. Stoyanov will meet with President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos shortly before noon tomorrow, which will be followed by talks between the Greek and Bulgarian delegations at midday. He will meet Prime Minister Costas Simitis one hour later.

    Mr. Stoyanov will meet with political party leaders in the afternoon, while Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister Stefan Tafrov will hold talks with Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou, followed by the signing of the bridge agreement.

    The Bulgarian government in April approved a proposal by Greece to construct a new bridge in the area of the Kulata-Promaho-nas border post between the two countries.

    President Stephanopoulos will host an official dinner for his Bulgarian counterpart on Wednesday night.

    On Thursday, Mr. Stoyanov will visit the Acropolis and lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

    He will later meet with Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis and attend an official function at the Athens City Hall, winding up the official leg of his visit before flying to Thessaloniki, where Macedonia-Thrace Minister Philippos Petsalnikos will host a dinner in honor of the Bulgarian delegation.

    Mr. Stoyanov will fly by helicopter for a brief visit to the Mount Athos monastic community Friday morning, before flying back to Sofia in the early afternoon.

    Mr. Stoyanov recently pledged that a rare 18th century manuscript stolen from a Mount Athos monastery in the 1980s and recently located in Bulgaria would be returned to the holy community.

    The 1762 manuscript "Slavo-Bulgarian History", written by Paissios Hiliendarios at the Agios Georgios Zografos Monastery on Mount Athos has been on display at the National Historical Museum of Sofia since September 1996.

    [16] Bridge agreement

    Athens, 01/07/1997 (ANA)

    The new bridge at the Promahonas-Kulata border checkpoint will improve transport at the point where the largest part of land transport is conducted between the two countries.

    Due to the importance of the checkpoint, it was agreed that a new and bigger bridge should be built, while the Greek side, taking financial and technical problems into consideration, has undertaken to fully fund the entire project, including it in the EU cross-border co-operation program INTERREG II.

    [17] Stephanopoulos stresses Greek support for Bulgaria's accession to NATO

    Sofia, 01/07/1997 (ANA - N. Hios)

    President Kostis Stephanopoulos told a Bulgarian newspaper that NATO's enlargement towards central and eastern Europe should not proceed on a selective basis, but should also include Balkan countries such as Bulgaria and Romania.

    "Greece is without reservation supporting Bulgaria's Euro-Atlantic orientation," President Stephanopoulos was quoted as saying in an interview, published yesterday in the Bulgarian newspaper "Truud."

    Athens has strengthened efforts to support Bulgaria's NATO membership talks in the first wave of the alliance enlargement, in view of the July 8-9 summit in Madrid.

    According to analysts, however, the Madrid summit is expected to invite only Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic - a smaller expansion favored by the US - to begin negotiations for NATO membership.

    France, on the other hand, has argued strenuously in favor of Romania; Italy on behalf of Slovenia and Greece in support of Bulgaria.

    Mr. Stephanopoulos said that "the objective of NATO's enlargement to the Balkans, this sensitive European region, is to consolidate stability and provide a sense of security," he said, adding that Bulgaria's NATO membership should be deemed necessary no t just for Greece but for the remaining European states.

    Even if Bulgaria fails to be included in the first wave of NATO enlargement, Mr. Stephanopoulos said Athens would continue to raise the issue in an effort to include the country in NATO's second wave of expansion.

    Mr. Stephanopoulos also touched on what he called the excellent Greek-Bulgarian co-operation as a model for the region and enhanced stability in the Balkans.

    "Greek-Bulgarian co-operation is of primary importance for the stability in the Balkans and for positive developments in the region," President Stephanopoulos told the newspaper.

    "I believe that the Bulgarian president's visit will give us the opportunity to reaffirm our shared desire for those decisions which will serve our mutual interests," he said. Turning to other issues, the Greek president said that Athens had no anxieties regarding the upgrade of Bulgarian-Turkish relations, adding however, that "Turkey's conduct towards Greece endangers peace not just in the Aegean, but in the entire region."

    [18] Clerides begins consultations with Greek leadership today

    Athens, 01/07/1997 (ANA)

    President Kostis Stephanopoulos met yesterday with his visiting Cypriot counterpart Glafcos Clerides, who is in Athens for consultations ahead of his scheduled meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Ruaf Denktash in the US on July 9.

    Mr. Clerides and Prime Minister Costas Simitis today will jointly chair a meeting of the Greek and Cypriot delegations on the stance to be taken at the talks.

    Mr. Clerides has previously said his talks in Athens aim at better coordination and not at any change in positions.

    Mr. Clerides will meet tomorrow former prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis and the present leader of the main opposition party New Democracy, Costas Karamanlis.

    Meanwhile, Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis told reporters that Mr. Clerides' contacts today were an opportunity for Greece and Cyprus to confer on strategies and tactics.

    Mr. Kranidiotis said he hoped for a positive outcome from the New York talks and confirmed that Greece's ambassador to Cyprus, Alexandros Sandis, would be heading the Greek diplomatic delegation to New York.

    He left open the possibility of attending the talks himself, whether in New York or Geneva, if need be.

    [19] Karamanlis speaks in Kavala and Serres

    Athens, 01/07/1997 (ANA)

    Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis yesterday visited Kavala, where he met local officials and ND party members.

    Addressing a public gathering, Mr. Karamanlis told a crowd of supporters that his visit was aimed at exerting the necessary pressure in order to speed up work in infrastructure projects, both in Kavala prefecture and in the wider area of eastern Macedonia .

    He said "such projects will allow the region play an important role and contribute to improving living standards, both in Greece and in the wider region of the Balkans".

    After Kavala, the New Democracy leader traveled to the island of Thasos, where he was welcomed by local officials, party members and residents.

    Later, main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis lashed out against the government yesterday during a party dinner at Serres late on Sunday evening.

    "Those who govern us see everything through party blinkers," Mr. Karamanlis said, accusing the government of "lack of seriousness and coordination."

    Criticizing government policy in nearly every field, Mr. Karamanlis emphasized that the economic and growth policy of the Simitis administration was not even in a position to create a tax-collecting mechanism, while adding that it failed to address the issue of rising unemployment.

    On the issue of decentralization, Mr. Karamanlis accused the government of "experimenting, through applying piecemeal, conflicting institutions."

    "This government cannot address the issue, which is to put the state in order," the ND leader said, calling on his party's supporters to make "a leap forward."

    [20] Kranidiotis to represent Athens at NATO socialist FMs' meeting

    Athens, 01/07/1997 (ANA)

    Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis will represent Greece at a NATO socialist foreign ministers' meeting to be held on Wednesday in London, at the initiative of new Labor Foreign Secretary Robin Cook.

    The meeting, organized in view of the July 8-9 NATO summit in Madrid, is aimed at mapping out common strategies between the socialist governments regarding NATO enlargement to the central and eastern Europe as well as the new structure of the alliance - the main focus of the summit.

    Mr. Kranidiotis will also travel to the Middle East between July 14-19, a trip aimed at presenting the Greek government's positions on regional problems.

    His tour entails visits to Egypt, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon.

    Mr. Kranidiotis will also discuss the strengthening of bilateral relations with these countries.

    [21] Civil aviation authority work stoppages

    Athens, 01/07/1997 (ANA)

    Operations at the country's airports will face problems due to strike actions called by employees at the Civil Aviation Authority (YPA).

    The federation of employees announced yesterday that it will go ahead with a series of work stoppages, starting tonight from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. tomorrow morning.

    The work stoppage will be repeated during the same hours on Thursday and Friday nights, while on Saturday night employees will stop work at 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. Monday morning.

    However, the YPA employees decision was depending on last night's meeting between the president of the YPA employees' unions and Transport Minister Haris Kastanidis.

    The employees said they will go ahead with the work stoppages on demands of unpaid overtime, night-time and holiday-time, in spite of the fact they had been promised to receive back-pay by June 1.

    [22] Greek team wins fifth straight game at Eurobasket

    Girona, 01/07/1997 (ANA - D.Efstathiou)

    Greece posted its second victory yesterday in the second round of action at the Eurobasket championship here, beating France 80-71 for its fifth straight victory.

    The undefeated Greek basketball team beat Lithuania 73-66 in the first match of the second round on Sunday. Today, it will face the national team of Israel.

    [23] New super-catamaran to provide coastal tours of Mount Athos

    Athens, 01/07/1997 (ANA)

    Women, traditionally barred from entering the Mount Athos all-male monastic community in northern Greece, will now be able to get a closer glimpse aboard a super catamaran to be launched in late August.

    The 45-meter 'Platytera ton Ouranon', named after the famous Byzantine icon of the Virgin Mother, to whom Mt. Athos is dedicated, will be making coastal tours around Mt. Athos throughout the summer months, starting from Ouranoupolis, the last point for women visitors. The 950 million dr. vessel was built wholly in Greece, at the Macedonia shipyards in Thessaloniki, and is the first catamaran to be employed in routes in northern Greece.

    The ultra-modern vessel, which develops a speed of 25 knots per hour enabling it to cover large distances in day-cruises, is also designed as a floating congress center and floating bar and can accommodate up to 1,300 passengers.

    According to Lazaros Makridis, public relations officer for the catamaran's owners, "Athos Cruises Shipping Co.", during the winter months the vessel will serve Thessaloniki's needs , hosting conferences, concerts and other cultural events.

    He said the catamaran was wholly financed by private capital, four-fifths of the cost being put up by the company's four shareholders and the remainder through bank lending.

    [24] 364 fishing investment programs ratified

    Athens, 01/07/1997 (ANA)

    The investment plan approval committee for the Fishing Operation Program (EPAL) has ratified 364 investment plans amounting to 16.9 billion drachmas.

    The Sea Fishing subprogram had 325 plans ratified, valued at 6.5 billion drachmas. Exactly 291 of them concerned the modernization and renewal of the fishing fleet and the rest concerned the withdrawal of 34 fishing boats. A further 30 plans were ratified for the Fisheries subprogram valued at 7.2 billion drachmas. Lastly, nine plans valued at 3.2 billion drachmas were ratified for the Utilization of the Fishing Production subprogram.

    Approvals for EPAL's investment plans amounted to 25.8 billion drachmas in the first half of 1997 as against 31.8 billion drachmas over the 1994-1996 three-year period. According to an announcement by the agriculture ministry, the upward trend is due to the program leaving the preparation stage and entering the progress stage and to the efforts made by the ministry.

    [25] Health sector beset by problems

    Athens, 01/07/1997 (ANA)

    Hospital doctors in Athens and Piraeus continued their strike for a third day yesterday with representatives noting that participation in the strike was close to total.

    Hospital presidents however disputed the figure, saying participation was much lower.

    Skeleton staff were on duty to deal with emergencies at all state-run hospitals.

    The doctors are on strike to protest a new bill to reorganize the national health system. Today they will rally outside the health ministry before meeting with Health Minister Costas Geitonas at 5pm.

    Pharmacists meanwhile said they would go ahead with a 48-hour strike beginning today.

    They are protesting the over-pricing of medicines in Greece and want the government to revise recent changes reducing profit margins from sales, which they fear will put small pharmacies out of business and lead to the creation of pharmaceutical retail outlet "giants".

    [26] Helexpo employees threaten strike during Thessaloniki fair

    Athens, 01/07/1997 (ANA)

    Employees of the Helexpo-Thessaloniki International Fair went on a 24-hour warning strike yesterday, demanding that profits for 1996 should be given to them instead of being turned over to the state.

    In a press conference, the union said that it would also go on strike during the annual Helexpo fair in the fall unless two more demands were met, namely, concerning pay rises and the appointment of a new board for the organization.

    The annual Thessaloniki exhibition is a major economic event, at which time the prime minister presents the economic policy for the year to come.

    [27] Macedonian Press Agency holds southeast Europe media conference

    Athens, 01/07/1997 (ANA)

    A two-day conference entitled "Peace and growth in southeast Europe: the role of the mass media" was launched in Thessaloniki by Macedonia-Thrace Minister Filippos Petsalnikos.

    In his opening address, Mr. Petsalnikos outlined the role which the media could play to help promote political, economic and social co-operation among Balkan states.

    The conference is organized by the Macedonian Press Agency with the Thessaloniki Cultural Capital of Europe 1997 Organization.

    Transport and Communications Minister Haris Kastanidis told delegates that the media could act as a model for co-operation although the sector often equated news with disaster.

    During a session focusing on Balkan media, the general directors of state-run Greek Radio (ERA) Yiannis Tzanetakos and private Flash 961 radio Panos Koliopanos suggested drafting a Balkan journalists charter. The conference's executive committee accepted the proposal.

    The basic principles of the charter would ensure that journalists served the interests of the public, defended peace, promoted co-operation and understanding, and respected the region's existing borders.

    [28] Greek equities edge up, driven by state telecom

    Athens, 01/07/1997 (ANA)

    Stock prices resumed their upward trend to end moderately higher on the Athens Stock Exchange led by a rebound in Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) after a two-week decline.

    The general index closed 0.72 percent higher at 1,518.51 points, showing a 62.67 percent rise in the first half of 1997. Trade was moderate with turnover at 18.1 billion drachmas.

    Most indices scored gains. Banks fell 0.20 percent, Leasing was 0.76 percent higher, Insurance rose 0.12 percent, Investment was 0.02 percent off, Industrials increased 0.73 percent, Construction eased 0.48 percent, Holding jumped 3.46 percent and Miscellaneous rose 0.74 percent.

    The parallel market for smaller capitalization stocks fell 0.28 percent. OTE's share price ended at 6,450 drachmas, up 3.9 percent from Friday. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 116 to 90 with another 30 issues unchanged.

    Metka, Titan Cement, Faliro Medical Center, Parnassos and Atemke were top gainers, while Xylemporia, Macedonian Mills and Bank of Central Greece suffered the heaviest losses.

    National Bank of Greece ended at 33,600 drachmas, Ergobank at 16,500, Alpha Credit Bank at 18,900, Titan at 13,550 and Intracom at 12,510.

    [29] Apostolopoulos Group acquires majority in Apollonion

    Athens, 01/07/1997 (ANA)

    The George Apostolopoulos Group, owners of the Athens and Paleo Faliro Medical Centers, has acquired majority interest in the Apollonion Clinic, it was announced yesterday.

    The Apollonion Clinic, which opened in 1981, has a 130-bed capacity and a fully-equipped intensive care unit. Last year it recorded a turnover of 2.7 billion dr. and profits of 500 million dr.

    The new management plans expansion of the Apollonion building facilities on a 1,500 sq.m. connected lot, and a 50% increase in turnover and profits over 1996.

    [30] Greece's Gnomon to build new hospital

    Athens, 01/07/1997 (ANA)

    Greek engineering contractor Gnomon on June 27 signed a turnkey contract for design and construction of a general hospital in the Peloponnese town of Pyrgos.

    Gnomon will handle construction of the hospital, budgeted at five billion drachmas, and Germany's IMEC GmbH is to provide 1.5 billion drachmas of basic medical equipment. Completion is scheduled in three years.

    Contracts on Gnomon's order book total 20 billion drachmas, double last year's figure. The firm sees profits of 1.165 billion drachmas in 1997 on turnover of nine billion drachmas.

    [31] EU holds traffic control conference in Thessaloniki

    Athens, 01/07/1997 (ANA)

    The use of electronic systems and telematics tools in directing traffic in major European cities is the topic of a two-day conference being held in Thessaloniki under the European Union's Concert research program.

    Delegates announced the implementation of a pilot project in Thessaloniki that will provide drivers with information appearing on electronic panels.

    The system supplies data on emergencies leading to traffic problems, road accidents and faulty traffic lights. It also provides information on parking availability, public transportation schedules and environmental information.

    Attending the conference are representatives from European cities participating in the Concert program.

    [32] EP committee adopts EU-wide transport policy declaration

    Athens, 01/07/1997 (ANA)

    The Third Pan-European Transport Conference has unanimously adopted the Helsinki declaration "Towards a European Wide Transport Policy - a set of common principles". The conference, organized by the European Parliament and the European Commission, hosted 1,200 participants from 51 countries, with a strong representation from the Central and Eastern European countries.

    Despite financing problems, an agreement was achieved on the priorities in transport corridors in Middle and Eastern Europe.

    The conference therefore pleaded for a Europe Wide Transport Network Partnership to be initiated to bring together all the parties concerned in order to coordinate investment schemes.

    High on the agenda was the situation at the EU borders and combating crime.

    Progress in traffic management, research and development, telematics and other technical applications in the various modes of transport as well as transport means of the future were also shown in an exhibition.

    Finally, the conference emphasized the need to promote public transport, in order to reduce congestion and pollution.

    [33] Commission takes action against member states

    Athens, 01/07/1997 (ANA)

    The European Commission has decided to take action against Portugal, Italy, Germany, Greece and Spain for non-respect of the directive on access to environmental information.

    European Union environmental policy recognizes that citizen information and citizen participation are crucial to raising environmental awareness and to promoting best environmental practice.

    The directive reflects this recognition by creating a general right of access to environmental information held by public authorities.

    Member states reports were due by the end of 1996. The Commission has accordingly decided to notify letters of formal notice to all of them.

    [34] Commission acts against Greece to curb water pollution

    Athens, 01/07/1997 (ANA)

    The European Commission has decided to take further steps in legal actions against Spain, Portugal, Greece and the Netherlands for non-respect of European Union (EU) water legislation.

    In the case of Greece and the Netherlands, the Commission decided to make applications to the Court for failures to give proper effect to a directive aimed at reducing water pollution by certain dangerous substances (Council Directive 76/464/EEC on pollution caused by certain dangerous substances discharged into the aquatic environment of the Community).

    The directive requires member-states to put in place pollution reduction programs for these substances with binding quality objectives.

    Greece and the Netherlands have failed to fix such quality objectives.

    End of English language section.


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