Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-10-20
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 1319), October 20, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Simitis stresses gov't resolve to proceed with 'Kapodistrias'
plan
[02] Guarding the borders
[03] Karamanlis calls on ND cadres to rally, criticizes gov't policies
[04] Stephanopoulos appeals for intensified effort on economic front
[05] Premier says gov't to stand firm on pharmaceutical prices
[06] Health
[07] Synaspismos' central committee ratifies proposal on
'Kapodistrias' plan
[08] KKE, Synaspismos criticize Simitis, gov't
[09] 'European Masters '99' gymnastics competition slated for Greece
[10] Tsohatzopoulos: C-130's harassment will be raised at NATO meeting
[11] Turkey says defense minister's presence was unknown
[12] Series of Greek-Turkish business meetings scheduled
[13] Bomb blast at Alitalia office
[14] TV program to focus on Orthodoxy as Patriarch begins US tour
[15] Large group of illegals detained on Rhodes
[01] Simitis stresses gov't resolve to proceed with 'Kapodistrias'
plan
Athens, 20/10/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis concluded his tour of western
Macedonia yesterday, emphasizing in practically every stop that
the government is determined to proceed with the "Ioannis
Kapodistrias" plan for compulsory municipality and community
mergers around the country.
Speaking in Kastoria and Florina on Saturday at the head of a
large government delegation, he attributed reactions to "petty
expediencies and interests." Mr. Simitis, who spoke in Florina
at noon, was met by a crowd of about 200 people protesting the
plan and waving black flags.
He again supported the government's policy on mergers during his
next stop in Kastoria. Illustrating his arguments, he said
European countries with a population similar to that of Greece,
such as Belgium and the Netherlands, have 800 and 600 local
administration bodies, respectively.
Mr. Simitis also reiterated his government's resolve to achieve
Greece's equal participation in the European Union.
"We must continue efforts for our equal participation in the
EU," he said in a speech in Florina, stressing the importance of
observing timetables set to achieve convergence.
"We have come very near European reality with the efforts we
have made so far. It is in our interest to be in the centre of
decisions in the EU," he added.
Speaking on the same issue in Kastoria, Mr. Simitis stressed the
imperative need for Greece's participation in Economic and
Monetary Union (EMU), saying that "if we do not want to be on
the sidelines and want to participate in the decision-making
nucleus, we must participate in EMU."
Mr. Simitis said although great steps have been taken,
particularly over the past two years, such as a GDP growth rate
of 3.5 per cent, efforts must be intensified.
Meanwhile, on Saturday morning he inaugurated a new 366MW power
generating unit at Agios Demetrios, Kozani, which will boost the
plant's capacity to 1,586MW, approximately 25 per cent of the
country's current energy needs. The total investment in the
project amounted to 115 billion drachmas.
Speaking during the inauguration, Mr. Simitis said that western
Macedonia must escape isolation, with one of the means to
achieve this end being the Kozani-Ptolemaida energy complex.
"The energy complex can become a Balkan energy complex," he
noted.
Mr. Simitis also visited works being carried out on the Egnatia
motorway, where Environment, Town Planning and Public Works
Minister Costas Laliotis outlined progress achieved on the
project so far.
Commenting on the project, Mr. Simitis said the Egnatia will
become an economic corridor between east and west and creates
prospects for dynamic and multifaceted development in four
regions and 16 prefectures in the country.
[02] Guarding the borders
Athens, 20/10/1997 (ANA)
Continuing his tour yesterday in the border town of Nestorio,
Kastoria prefecture, the premier said the government is working
on legislation that will reform the structure of police services
in the border regions to avert the unhindered entry of illegal
immigrants into the country.
The aim of the government, Mr. Simitis said, was the effective
guarding of borders and an increased feeling of security for
residents of border regions.
"This has been achieved to a great degree," he said, thanks to
the bolstering of police forces and to the dispatch of military
forces to the borders with Albania".
Mr. Simitis later arrived in Grevena, where he laid the
foundation stone for a new community hospital.
The premier wrapped up his tour with a visit to Deskati, where
he was welcomed by a large crowd in the town's central square.
In a speech, Mr. Simitis thanked the citizens for their
presence, saying that he was leaving with a message of optimism
that the Greek provinces are forging ahead to obtain strength, a
presence, a voice and a role.
Mr. Simitis said the conclusion drawn from his tour of western
Macedonia is that things are changing at present, optimism
exists and the region is not isolated as in the past, when there
were tendencies to leave... there was a lack of investments and
a low standard of living.
He referred to projects being carried out by the government in
the region, such as interventions to restore damage caused by
earthquakes, construction of the Egnatia and the inauguration of
the Agios Demetrios hydroelectric plant.
Referring to the agricultural sector, Mr. Simitis said all must
be aware that Greece is a participant in the EU and consequently
exercises a policy which is compatible to its mandates, adding
that maintenance of Community policy and not nationalization is
in the country's interests.
He reminded that a third of the agricultural sector's resources
comes from the EU. Commenting in particular on the problems
concerning quotas for milk and tobacco (an issue of particular
interest in the area), Mr. Simitis said Greece has stated its
position and is negotiating a change in terms at the EU's
Council of Ministers.
Mr. Simitis and the government delegation returned to Athens
late yesterday afternoon.
[03] Karamanlis calls on ND cadres to rally, criticizes gov't policies
Athens, 20/10/1997 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis
appealed to voters from other parties for support in a tour of
the Rethimno prefecture, Crete yesterday, calling on ND
supporters to rally.
At every stop of his tour of villages in the Psiloritis region,
Mr. Karamanlis said that all Greeks, regardless of political
affiliations, must rally together to enable the country to get
off to a new, major start.
He criticized the government for a difference in words and
actions, adding that "ND is uncompromising, has no dependencies
and commitments, and will forge ahead."
Mr. Karamanlis said the country's problems cannot be handled
with demagoguery, populism and a petty partisan conception.
Referring to Prime Minister Costas Simitis' visit to Florina,
Mr. Karamanlis said that with its autocracy and arrogance on the
issue of compulsory community mergers, the government is
provoking reaction from society which it is leading to deadlock.
"The time has come to choose what kind of a Greece we want. We
must decide if we will compromise with Greece in decline,
misery, transaction and corruption or if we desire to turn our
vision into reality for a Greece of development and of
opportunities for young people," he said.
Mr. Karamanlis said the government is creating artificial
euphoria over the course of the economy, adding that the
situation is particularly serious and there is no ground for
waiting because Greece is in danger of losing another decade
such as the decade of the '80s.
Referring to intraparty affairs, Mr. Karamanlis said the period
of quarrels and disputes "has closed without return", adding
that all are mobilized in a common direction and towards a
common target.
"All the Greek people want this and all must serve this orbit.
Whoever fails to do this will find himself in disharmony with
the national duty and the party duty," he said.
The Lasithi prefecture in the eastern part of Crete will be the
last stage of Mr. Karamanlis' tour of the island.
[04] Stephanopoulos appeals for intensified effort on economic front
Athens, 20/10/1997 (ANA)
President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos appealed to
chambers of commerce and their members to intensify their
efforts so that Greece will no longer be first to last in the
European Union, as he said, from an economic point of view.
President Stephanopoulos made his appeal in a brief address
during an event commemorating the 160th anniversary of the
Achaia Chamber of Commerce in Patra.
He also called on businesspeople to make an effort to have
serious social problems tackled such as unemployment.
The commerce, one of the first to be established in the country
together with those in Nafplio and Syros, made Mr.
Stephanopoulos an honorary member.
The event was attended by Sports Under-secretary Andreas Fouras,
deputies, local government officials, agency representatives and
businesspeople from western Greece.
[05] Premier says gov't to stand firm on pharmaceutical prices
Athens, 20/10/1997 (ANA)
The government will not back-pedal on its pricing policy for
medicines, calculated to rationalize health spending and ensure
better and cheaper health care for Greeks, Prime Minister Costas
Simitis said yesterday. "We will not yield on our
pharmaceuticals policy, because we want cheap medicines and only
in this way can we ensure the health of the people," he said in
Grevena, on the final day of his three-day tour of western
Macedonia.
The prime minister said the decisions that had been taken to
adjust prices on medicines were "important and calculated to
save money and contain the phenomenon of excessive use of
medication, all of which are to the benefit of the Greek
citizen."
Opposition to the policy, he added, came from those thinking
only of "vast profits". Fair business practice and the interests
of the Greek people were not foremost in their minds, he added.
Pharmacists have declared an indefinite strike for Oct. 31 to
protest the measures, which they say will reduce their profit
margins while Boehringer Ingellheim Hellas, the Greek subsidiary
of the German pharmaceuticals company, announced last Monday
that it would withdraw eight of its products, accusing the
government of undermining the future of the company's activities
in Greece.
The eight products to be withdrawn by Boehringer - including
cough suppressants, multivitamins and analgesics - account for
80 percent of the company's turnover and 176 percent of its
annual profits, a spokesman said.
The government announced in early October that the price of
4,075 drugs will be reduced by an average of 19 per cent, while
another 1,934 drugs' prices would increase by an average of 14
per cent.
According to Development Under-secretary Michalis Chrysohoidis,
the new pricing policy was calculated to benefit both consumers
and social security funds, as well as the domestic
pharmaceutical industry.
In June, Health Minister Costas Geitonas s aid that Greece was
among the top consumers of pharmaceuticals, especially
antibiotics.
Spending had shot up to 584 billion drachmas from 87 billion
drachmas in 1987.
Athens, 20/10/1997 (ANA)
Turning to other health-related issues, the prime minister said
the government's pledge to create a uniform health services
network was being implemented.
The government has increased resources, despite fiscal problems,
he said, and has created 10,000 new positions in the 1993-97
period and advanced 340 billion drachmas for projects.
The new legislation on the National Health System (ESY)
introduces the institution of general practitioner and the
government is working on getting hospitals to operate more
efficiently, he added.
"Daily, the social face of (ruling) PASOK is being illustrated,
not with words, but with deeds," Mr. Simitis said.
He said the Grevena Hospital, for which he laid the foundation
stone yesterday, had a budget of five billion drachmas and would
be completed in 3.5 years.
"Our aim is to open new roads and bring an end to isolation,"
the prime minister said in relation to the government's policy
on the European Union and the Balkans.
[07] Synaspismos' central committee ratifies proposal on
'Kapodistrias' plan
Athens, 20/10/1997 (ANA)
The central committee of the Coalition of the Left and Progress
(Synaspismos) ratified a proposal by the party's political
secretariat on the stance to be observed by Synaspismos'
Parliamentary group regarding the government's "Kapodistrias"
plan concerning community mergers.
The proposal was ratified yesterday with 69 votes to 40.
The political secretariat had proposed support for the draft law
in principle, while Synaspismos should submit a series of
proposals and amendments to articles in the draft law. If the
specific proposals are not accepted then the specific articles
in the draft law will be opposed. Synaspismos is also proposing
amendments to the town planning plan, the electoral law and
local administration finances.
Addressing the central committee, Synaspismos leader Nikos
Constantopoulos stressed the need for the party to propose
changes in the "Kapodistrias" draft law and called on the
government to agree to a substantive debate in Parliament on the
issue.
He said mergers are necessary, but expressed disagreement over
the way with which the government is scheduling these changes.
However, disagreement was expressed by Nikos Hountis on behalf
of the party's leftist wing. Mr. Hountis said the process
applied by the government on mergers is autocratic and
concentratory, adding that what is necessary is a town planning
plan based on a study, principles and criteria.
[08] KKE, Synaspismos criticize Simitis, gov't
Athens, 20/10/1997 (ANA)
A Communist Party of Greece (KKE) announcement last night
sharply criticized Prime Minister Costas Simitis' statements
while he headed a government delegation on a tour of western
Macedonia.
"The announcements by the premier, Mr. Simitis, in western
Macedonia are nothing more than a new effort at mocking the
Greek people," KKE stated, adding:
"The prime minister, in a show of incredible hypocrisy, reached
the point of mocking working people in a cruel and provocative
manner, claiming that there is no austerity and that working
people's incomes are rising."
KKE also charged that Mr. Simitis repeated praise of works
already underway in western Macedonia within the second Delors
package of structural aid, while re-terming national projects
into regional ones in order to create positive impressions.
On his part, the Coalition of the Left and Progress
(Synaspismos) President Nikos Constantopoulos, in reference to
the premier's speech in Kastoria on the economy, called the
government's economic policy "dangerous."
He also criticized the government for what he said was tension
over the release of the recent Spraos reports on the economy and
social insurances.
[09] 'European Masters '99' gymnastics competition slated for Greece
Athens, 20/10/1997 (ANA)
Greece will host the "European Masters '99" gymnastics
competition, it was announced yesterday.
The decision was taken after a meeting of the European
Federation of Gymnastics (UEG) in Turkey.
The "European Masters" tournament is considered the pre-eminent
event in European gymnastics, gathering European champions in
rhythmic and all-round gymnastics.
Also at the UEG meeting, Greek gymnastics federation president
Demetris Dimitropoulos received the highest number of votes of
all candidates for election to the UEG executive committee.
[10] Tsohatzopoulos: C-130's harassment will be raised at NATO meeting
Athens, 20/10/1997 (ANA)
The harassment of a military transport plane carrying National
Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos on two separate occasions
by Turkish fighters will be raised at the next meeting of NATO
defense ministers, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said on Saturday.
The C-130 "Hercules" military transport was approached by
Turkish F-16 fighters both on its way to Cyprus and on the
return trip, with Mr. Tsohatzopoulos on board. In the second
instance on Thursday, one Turkish aircraft came close enough to
cause turbulence for the Greek transport.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos, who spoke during a tour of northern Greece,
said that the Turkish air force carried out a planned mission to
harass the Greek aircraft, adding that there was specific
evidence to this effect.
"We will not let this matter go unchallenged, we will raise it
during the next meeting of NATO defense ministers... This is the
kind of behaviour that signals the undermining of security and
co-operation in the wider region", he added.
Finally, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos rejected Turkish military claims
that they were not aware of the fact that the C-130 was carrying
the Greek defense minister.
[11] Turkey says defense minister's presence was unknown
Istanbul, 20/10/1997 (ANA/A. Kourkoulas)
The Turkish air force was not aware that a C-130 flying in the
Nicosia FIR and approached by two of its warplanes was carrying
the Greek defense minister, Turkey's air force chief was
reported as saying on Saturday.
The official was speaking to a US diplomat at a reception in
Ankara, according to reports.
Meanwhile, Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, in Paris for an
official visit, claimed that Turkey was not to blame for the
tension in relations with Greece and that Greece was provoking
"false tension" on the eve of discussions on the expansion of
the European Union.
[12] Series of Greek-Turkish business meetings scheduled
Istanbul, 20/10/1997 (ANA/A. Kourkoulas)
A series of Greek-Turkish meetings of local government officials
and businessmen are scheduled to take place by the end of the
month.
Yesterday, Turkish mayors from Aegean coastal towns were to meet
their Greek counterparts in Mytilini to discuss pollution of the
coasts and the adoption of appropriate measures.
A delegation of 24 Turkish businessmen, headed by industrialist
Rahmi Koc is coming to Athens on Wednesday at the invitation of
the Association of Young Businessmen. Another 150 members of the
Union of Turkish Industrialists are planning to celebrate their
country's national day (Oct. 29) in Thessaloniki.
[13] Bomb blast at Alitalia office
Athens, 20/10/1997 (ANA)
A bomb explosion damaged the Athens branch office of the Italian
state-owned airlines Alitalia yesterday evening just after 10
p.m.
According to police, no injuries were reported.
Authorities said the blast near Athens' airport, on Vouliagmeni
Avenue, broke windows and caused some interior damage. No one
had claimed responsibility for the explosion by presstime, while
investigators rushed to the scene.
In addition, police said no warning call had been received.
[14] TV program to focus on Orthodoxy as Patriarch begins US tour
New York, 20/10/1997 (ANA/M. Georgiadou)
Public television stations (PBS) in the United States announced
that they will air a 30-minute program on the meaning,
importance and the role of Christian Orthodoxy in the everyday
life of Orthodox Americans.
The screening coincides with a month-long visit by the head of
the Orthodox Church, Patriarch Vartholomeos, who will be
visiting 16 US cities. The Patriarch, who begins his official
visit today in Washington, departed yesterday.
The television program is part of a new weekly religious affairs
series entitled "Religion and Morality".
The Patriarch is scheduled to visit New York on Oct. 23, where
he will officiate at a mass at Madison Square Garden, expected
to be attended by thousands of faithful. Later he will be the
guest of honour at a dinner hosted by the governor of the state
of New York, while the following day he is scheduled to meet New
York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.
[15] Large group of illegals detained on Rhodes
Athens, 20/10/1997 (ANA)
A group of 111 Iraqi illegal immigrants, including 53 children,
were detained early yesterday by a military patrol in the
isolated area of Agios Georgios near the village of Kattavias,
the southernmost point of Rhodes.
The Iraqi Kurd adults - 31 men and 27 women - were reported to
be in "poor condition, mentally and physically" and were
immediately provided with medical aid and food.
The illegals told authorities that they had been left on a
nearby islet by a cargo vessel initially disembarking from Iran
and traveling through the Suez Canal - a 13-day trip. Upon
sailing past Rhodes, they were put on boats and landed on the
island, they told police.
It was unclear where the unidentified vessel was destined.
Authorities on Rhodes were reported to be struggling to deal
with the medical care and accommodation needs of such a large
number of illegal immigrants, including the particular needs of
a group of women and children.
All were being treated at local hospitals and are being
temporarily accommodated at the former gendarmes barracks on the
island before being transferred to Athens.
End of English language section.
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