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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-08-04
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1254), August 4, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Greek troops home from Albania, ministerial delegation to Tirana
[02] Greek ministerial delegation to Tirana
[03] Albanian FM on Greek visit
[04] US dominates in track and field
[05] Performance of Greek athletes
[06] Tsohatzopoulos attends ceremony of delivery of modern weapons
system
[07] Greece second safest country in Europe for tourists
[08] Authorities on state of alert due to Evros River contamination
[09] IOC and IAAF presidents impressed by World Athletics ceremony
[10] Athens mayor meets counterparts of 2000 Olympic Games candidate
cities
[11] Premier begins summer vacations
[12] Two managers at PYRKAL charged following blast at plant
[13] Song writer, accused of killing, to appear before public
prosecutor
[01] Greek troops home from Albania, ministerial delegation to Tirana
Athens, 4/8/1997 (ANA)
The largest part of the Greek contingent which participated in
the multinational peace force in Albania returned home
yesterday, while a seven-member Greek government delegation,
headed by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos leaves tomorrow
for an official visit to Tirana.
National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos yesterday morning
welcomed, during a special ceremony in the port of Thessaloniki,
278 officers and non-commissioned officers of the Greek army
ELDAL (Greek Force for Albania) unit who arrived at 9.30 am,
aboard Navy transport ships "Samos" and "Hios".
About seventy troops are still in Albania and are expected to
return home by August 10. The first company of the Greek force
arrived in the neighboring country in mid-April. The
multinational force's task was to help restore normality in
Albania and assist towards the holding of democratic elections.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos conveyed the government's congratulations for
successfully carrying out their mission, stressing that "the
fact that you have all returned, is the greatest joy for us".
In reference to the mission, the defense minister said that "the
presence and initiatives of the Greek force made possible the
holding of free and democratic elections in Albania, justifying
the (soldiers') choice for taking part in the mission and the
Greek people's support for it and thus opening the way for Greek
armed forces to assume a role of 'ambassador of peace' in
countries faced with long crises, instability and anomaly, and
confirming Greece's role as a factor of peace, stability and
cooperation in the Balkans".
The minister made reference to the human dimension of the
mission, saying that the men of ELDAL offered more than just
protection with "the unique and spontaneous connection" they
made with the Albanian people, through the solidarity developed
between Greek soldiers, Albanian citizens and the local military.
[02] Greek ministerial delegation to Tirana
Athens, 4/8/1997 (ANA)
The Greek positions concerning all pending issues between Greece
and Albania are expected to be the focus of a series of meetings
with the new government in Tirana, during an official visit to
Albania by a seven-member Greek government delegation starting
tomorrow. The Greek delegation will be headed by Foreign
Minister Theodoros Pangalos.
The foreign minister will be accompanied by Public Order
Minister George Romeos, as well as undersecretaries of foreign
affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis, defense Dimitris Apostolakis,
national economy Alexandros Baltas, public works Christos
Verelis and labor Christos Protopappas. The top issue in the
agenda of discussions is believed to be the issue of illegal
Albanian immigrants in Greece, who are currently estimated at
200 to 300 thousand.
The discussion of the issue seems to be timely, as an interstate
agreement on seasonal work by Albanians in Greece is expected to
be put into effect. It is also expected that Greece's Labor
Ministry will soon announce regulations, contained in
Presidential Decrees, regarding the granting of six- to
nine-month visas to foreigners.
Another issue to be examined during the Greek delegation's
meetings with Albania's new government is the need to reorganize
the country's police, as well as the need for co-operation
between the two countries' police forces in order to effectively
deal with crimes committed in Greece by Albanians, both in the
inland and in border regions. The Greek delegation will ask
Albanian officials to provide them with a list of escapees from
Albanian prisons in the past months.
As far as the issue of education is concerned, which mainly
affects the Greek minority living in the neighboring country,
Greece will put forward a demand relating to the establishment
of private Greek schools, which in turn requires an overall
modernization of the Albanian educational system.
Finally, the Greek delegation will discuss the terms under which
Greece will go ahead with the granting of a loan to Albania
reaching $ 20 billion.
[03] Albanian FM on Greek visit
Gjirokaster, Albania, 4/8/1997 (ANA - P. Barkas)
Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo said that he considers his
Greek counterpart's visit to Tirana as the expression of the
will and desire of the Greek government to support Albania and
its people.
He said that the visit is within the "spirit" of the new
government's policy statement voted by the Albanian Parliament
last week, which refers to relations with neighboring countries
as a cornerstone of Albanian foreign policy. "We evaluate these
relations based on a variety of factors, not just geographical
and historical".
Mr. Milo refrained from revealing the agenda of the talks with
Mr. Pangalos, however he did point to the issue of Albanian
illegal immigrants' legal status in Greece, as a priority in
talks between the two countries.
Asked if Mr. Pangalos' visit could be considered equally
important with the Albania-Italy Rome summit meeting last week,
Mr. Milo replied that "the importance of visits is judged by
their results. Therefore, it is too early to make comparisons".
He also said that the Rome meeting was the first high level
meeting for the new government and that it was very successful
as it affirmed the mutual trust and understanding between the
two countries.
In statements on Saturday, Mr. Milo said that "Italy was and
remains one of Albania's most important partners in all levels,
political, economic and military. As a neighboring country it
has won, by nature and by virtue, the position of a liked and
worthy partner among Albanians. From this point of view and form
the point of view of Albanian-Italian relations, we believe that
Italy will continue to lead the drive for international aid to
Albania".
[04] US dominates in track and field
Athens, 4/8/1997 (ANA)
The United States dominated in yesterday's track and field
events, collecting two gold medals during the second day of the
Athens '97 World Athletics Championships.
American Maurice Greene last night upset favorites Ato Bolton
and defending champion Donovan Bailey to win the men's 100
meters gold medal in 9.86 seconds.
Donovan Bailey of Canada took the silver in 9.91 seconds and
American Tim Montgomery the bronze with 9.94.
American Marion Jones won the women's 100 meters gold medal in
10.83 seconds. Zhanna Pintussevich of the Ukraine took the
silver in 10.85 and Bahamian Sevatheda Fynes took the bronze
medal in 11.03 seconds.
German Heinz Weis won the hammer gold medal with 81.78 meters
yesterday. Before his final attempt, Weis was second to
Ukrainian Andrei Skvaruk.
Skvaruk had been seemingly out of medal contention but in his
final throw took the lead with 81.46 meters, winning the silver
medal.
Russian Vasiliy Sidorenko took the bronze with 80.76 meters
In the shot put finals, on Saturday, Ukrainian veteran Aleksandr
Bagach won his first world title with 21.47 meters, after a
close battle with defending champion Jonh Godina.
American Godina took the silver with 21.44 meters and
Oliver-Sven Buder of Germany won bronze with 21.24 meters.
Mexican Daniel Garcia won the men's 20 kms walk gold medal on
Saturday, while Russian Mikhail Shchennikov took the silver and
Mikhail Khmelnitsky of Belarus the bronze. Medals table after
yesterday's second day of competition: United States: 2 gold, 1
silver, 1 bronze; Ukraine: 1 gold, 2 silver; Germany: 1 gold, 1
bronze; Mexico: 1 gold; Russia: 1 silver, 1 bronze; Canada: 1
silver; Belarus: 1 bronze; Bahamas: 1 bronze.
Russia's double Olympic champion Svetlana Masterkova left the
world championships area on a stretcher yesterday after pulling
up with a leg injury in the women's 1,500 meters semifinals.
Masterkova, who dominated the 800 and 1,500 meters at last
year's Atlanta Olympics, pulled up in the last 100 meters of the
heat and hobbled over the line in last place.
The Russian, who looked far from her best in the first round on
Saturday, was carried away on a stretcher.
[05] Performance of Greek athletes
Athens, 4/8/1997 (ANA)
Greece's sprinters Angelos Pavlakakis and Katerina Thanou made a
brave effort but failed to reach the finals of the 100 m. race.
Pavlakakis came sixth in the semi-finals, clocking 10.29
seconds. Thanou, who also failed to be among the fist four
places which would have given her the ticket for the finals,
timed 11.34 seconds.
Greece's athletes did not perform well in the morning events,
except for javelin thrower Kostas Gatzioudis, who in his first
attempt threw the javelin 83 meters and 32 centimeters and
qualified for today's final.
In the long jump, Kostas Koukodimos and Dimitris Hatzopoulos did
not meet the required standard set for entry into the finals.
Costas Mamoulides failed to go beyond the preliminary stage of
the 400 meters.
[06] Tsohatzopoulos attends ceremony of delivery of modern weapons
system
Athens, 4/8/1997 (ANA)
National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos yesterday attended
a ceremony in the port of Thessaloniki, to mark the delivery of
a modern weapons system.
Addressing military and civil officials at the delivery of nine
US-made MLRS missile launchers, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that
reinforcing Greece's defense capability ensures that no-one will
dare dispute the nation's sovereignty.
The defense minister stressed that with the modern weaponry its
military is acquiring, Greece is sending out the message that it
is a force of security and stability in the region. Yesterday's
delivery concludes the formation of the MLRS Multiple Launchers
Battalion, originally established in 1995 after the delivery of
the first nine launchers. The procurement contract with the US
was signed in 1995 and their total cost rises to 27 billion
drachmas. Army Chief of Staff Manousos Paragioudakis said that
the MLRS is considered one of the most advanced weapon systems
in the world and is widely used in NATO defense forces.
The mobile launchers are based on all-terrain vehicles and
feature fully automated launching procedures. Their capability
to launch 12 missiles simultaneously, is equivalent to the fire
power of 90, 155 mm artillery guns. Their range at the moment is
32 kilometers but it will increase to 165 and later to 300 with
ammunition upgrades.
In statements to the press, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos also commented on
the government's new defense policy saying that it foreshadows
Greece's presence, contribution and active involvement in
regions where peace, stability and security are under threat. In
this way, he said, the government aims to attest the country's
role as a force of peace, security and stability and
co-operation in the wider geopolitical region it forms part of,
be that the Balkans or Caucasus.
Asked whether the conscription of women was considered, Mr.
Tsohatzopoulos denied such a move. He further commented on
decisions last week by the Government Council of Foreign and
Defense Policy (KYSEA). He said that the policy decided upon,
attests the country's defense dogma as established by (the late
former PM) Andreas Papandreou, though extending and reinforcing
it.
"This is achieved with the armed forces' ability to defend the
country's integrity", he said "while developing a flexible,
retributive capability and effective low- intensity crisis
handling ability on political and military levels".
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos stressed that although he didn't expect any
new crises in the Aegean, "we have made clear the framework on
which we operate strategically and from a defense point of view".
"Statements of good intent and the acceptance and adherence to
principles are positive elements, that remain to be tested in
deeds. Beyond that, the country's National Defense policy has
much wider scope and therefore is based on the objective
assessment of our region", he said.
[07] Greece second safest country in Europe for tourists
Paris, 4/8/1997 (ANA/AFP)
Greece is the second safest country in Europe for tourists,
according to a research carried out by the French insurers'
Center of Documentation and Information.
Portugal was the first country among European states, with two
reports for theft per 1,000 residents. Greece has an average of
four thefts per 1,000 residents, while Spain and France ranked
third and fourth with six and eight thefts respectively.
Apart from Italy which is not contained in the report by the
French center, Belgium and Sweden have an average of 16 thefts
reported per 1,000 residents, while Germany has 18, Finland 19,
Denmark 20, Britain 27, and finally, Holland 37.
[08] Authorities on state of alert due to Evros River contamination
Athens, 4/8/1997 (ANA)
Authorities in the prefecture of Evros remained on a state of
alert for the third day yesterday due to the contamination of
the Evros River waters. The waters were contaminated after
chemical substances leaked from the Bulgarian plant NEOCHEM in
Dimitrovgrant.
Teams of specialists are examining the waters of the river just
in case the contamination rises over the limits and measures
need to be taken. Authorities said, however, that for the time
being there was no danger for animals drinking water from Evros,
neither for irrigation and fishing.
[09] IOC and IAAF presidents impressed by World Athletics ceremony
Athens, 4/8/1997 (ANA)
The opening ceremony of the 6th IAAF World Athletics
Championships in Athens' Panathenian Stadium, last Friday, seems
to have impressed the presidents of the International Olympic
Committee (IOC) Juan Antonio Samaranch and of the IAAF, Dr.
Primo Nebiolo, as they both made complimentary comments.
"It was the best ceremony I have ever attended in my life", said
Mr. Samaranch adding that "the ceremony fully represented the
Olympic ideals, as well as the culture and history of the Greek
people". The IOC president also stressed that the Greek people
"will give the world championships the shape it deserved".
From his side, IAAF president Primo Nebiolo noted that he
trusted Vangelis for the organization of the ceremony and he was
sure of the event's success.
[10] Athens mayor meets counterparts of 2000 Olympic Games candidate
cities
Athens, 4/8/1997 (ANA)
Mayor of Athens Dimitris Avramopoulos yesterday met at his
office his counterparts of Rome, Stockholm and Cape Town, which
are candidate cities -- along with Athens and Buenos Aires --
for the 2004 Olympic Games.
During the meeting, which was also attended by the president of
the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Juan Antonio
Samaranch, the four mayors exchanged views on the progress of
the bidding process for the 2004 Games.
Mr. Avramopoulos had another meeting on Saturday with Mr.
Samaranch, after which the IOC president told reporters that the
opening ceremony of the "6th IAAF World Athletics Championships"
in Athens, was one of the best he had ever attended.
The IOC president also referred to recent changes in the city of
Athens, saying "I can now see a different city. I believe it
will become even better in future. The Athens Metro, the Spata
airport and other major projects currently underway will turn
Athens into an ancient - modern city".
[11] Premier begins summer vacations
Athens, 4/8/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis left Athens yesterday for his
summer vacations on the Cyclades island of Sifnos. Although on
holidays, Mr. Simitis has taken with him the "files" containing
the countries serious problems in the areas of domestic and
foreign policy. In the past few days, the prime minister has had
successive deliberations with government ministers and his
aides, in order to have a fuller picture of the country's course
and future prospects.
Among the issues Mr. Simitis will consider during his vacation
are also those relating to likely changes in the government --
although such changes have been denied -- as well as the
function of the PASOK party.
[12] Two managers at PYRKAL charged following blast at plant
Athens, 4/8/1997 (ANA)
Two managers at a Greek munitions factory were charged on
Saturday with manslaughter and causing bodily harm through
negligence following a blast at the plant in which one worker
died and 14 were injured.
The explosion on Friday at the Gunpowder and Cartridge Company
(PYRKAL) in Lavrio, southeast Attica was apparently caused by
flammable gas leaking from a denitrification tower.
Charged by a public prosecutor in connection with the blast were
PYRKAL's plant manager Panayotis Floros and safety manager Ilias
Kokkinovasilis, who were later released.
Maintenance worker Vassilis Hatzidimas, 52, died instantly in
the explosion.
Six workers, one of whom lost a leg, are being treated at the
General State Hospital in Athens, and another eight were
discharged on Friday from Lavrio medical center after treatment
for light injuries.
Lavrio Mayor Stavros Papastavropoulos has charged negligence at
the denitrification tower, the scene of another blast on May 5.
Papastavropoulos on Friday claimed PYRKAL's management had
promised to decommission the tower after the first accident, but
operations had continued.
The General Confederation of Greek Labor has called for stricter
implementation of worker health and safety measures. According
to the Communist Party of Greece, the country has the highest
rate of industrial accidents in Europe.
National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, whose ministry
supervises the company, visited the scene of the explosion on
Friday.
[13] Song writer, accused of killing, to appear before public
prosecutor
Athens, 4/8/1997 (ANA)
Akis Panou, a well-known song writer and composer, is to appear
before a Xanthi public prosecutor today for the killing of his
20-year-old daughter's boyfriend Sotiris Yalamas, 31. On
Saturday, Panou had asked for two days to prepare for answering
for his crime. Panou, who faces charges of manslaughter with
intention and possession and use of a weapon, gave a detailed
account on Saturday during the reconstruction of the crime.
While in custody, his wife, Anna, visited him but his daughter,
Eleftheria has refused to meet him. He has pleaded guilty of
killing Yalamas.
End of English language section.
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