Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-12-13

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From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1366), December 13, 1997

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

CONTENTS

[01] First accession talks for 11 EU hopefuls set for March 30

[02] ... Kranidiotis

[03] ... Gil-Robles

[04] Kaklamanis

[05] CoE ministers agree to joint action plan for better media services

[06] Int'l symposium on Atlantic-European Co-operation begins

[07] Stockholm assumes Cultural Capital title

[08] Tsohatzopoulos: Airspace violations hurt Turkey's chances with EU

[09] ... Gov't spokesman

[10] Greece's support for restructuring of Albanian military

[11] Greek-Bulgarian bilateral issues examined

[12] Investigation into Gjirokaster consulate ordered

[13] PASOK delegation in Albania

[14] Ex-royal property now belongs to state, Council of State recommends

[15] Anti-racism song and drama prizes awarded

[16] Presidential decree to recognize degrees from EU countries

[17] Gravity of illness, age now criteria in separating mental cases

[18] International conference on the environment

[19] EU's economic, social committee meeting in Athens

[20] Skandalidis: '98 budget could do more for less affluent citizens

[21] Commission award for COCO-MAT company

[22] Greek stocks rebound aided by international markets

[23] Citibank ranks top on assets among foreign banks in Greece

[24] Gov't on drachma stability

[01] First accession talks for 11 EU hopefuls set for March 30

Luxembourg, 13/12/1997 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis/S. Liarellis)

The decision was announced to Greek reporters by Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday, who added that accession negotiations would begin with the 11 hopefuls, so as to not give the impression of drawing dividing lines and exclusions among prospective members.

However, due to differences in economic and social levels, the European Council considered it expedient to effect a separation there-after. Six countries - Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia - will form an intergovernmental conference immediately, while the remaining five - Bulgaria, Romania, Latvia, Slovakia and Lithuania - will hold annual meetings with their foreign ministers.

If during negotiations the need is felt for closer contacts among these countries, they will be invited to a future intergovernmental conference. The prime minister clarified that negotiations would take place with each country individually and that they could last for a long time, citing the example of Spain, where negotiations lasted eight years.

Mr. Simitis said that the decision for enlargement was a fact particularly pleasing for Cyprus, and stressed that all leaders expressed the view that accession negotiations should proceed without anyone linking the issue with the island republic's political problem. He added that the decision for enlargement was particularly significant, as it represented the first step towards identifying the European Union with broader Europe, and not simply with the more developed countries. He noted that this was especially important for Greece, due to its particular links with the countries of SE Europe.

Regarding the proposal for establishing an informal council of countries that will participate in the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) from the first phase, the so-called "Euro-X", Mr. Simitis said it was decided that the other countries could meet informally only on specific single currency issues, whereas on issues of common concern, all "15" would meet.

Mr. Simitis stressed that Greece would not accept Turkey's inclusion in a pre-accession regime, and reminded that Turkey itself had stated that it was not interested in participating in the proposed European Conference.

[02] ... Kranidiotis

Luxembourg, 13/12/1997 (ANA)

Earlier, while speaking to the press, Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis clarified that Greece reiterated at the summit that it supports a simultaneous start to negotiations with the 10 central and eastern European countries along with Cyprus.

Mr. Kranidiotis said that the Greek premier stressed that with this decision the message of the new era will be sent to candidate countries, an era without dividing lines and a Europe which will be open to all.

On the question of Turkey, he said Greece insists on its position that Ankara must respond to three main preconditions to strengthen its relations with the EU and to join the European Conference:

It must recognize the general jurisdiction of the International Court at The Hague; contribute positively to efforts by the UN to resolve the Cyprus issue and not to place obstacles in any way of accession negotiations between Cyprus and the EU.

[03] ... Gil-Robles

Luxembourg, 13/12/1997 (ANA)

"Candidate countries must meet certain prerequisites," Mr. Gil-Robles told reporters during a press conference.

He said that Turkey would not receive special consideration or be dealt with different criteria from those candidates from eastern and central Europe.

[04] Kaklamanis

Athens, 13/12/1997 (ANA)

[05] CoE ministers agree to joint action plan for better media services

Council of Europe (CoE) press ministers and other government officials meeting in Thessaloniki have agreed to a joint action plan to educate the public on new technology and to improve services.

The ministers, from 40 countries around Europe, are attending the 5th European Ministerial Conference on Mass Media Policy.

Also agreed on was a "universal collective service" to allow for immediate access to new information services at reasonable prices.

The need was also noted to close the gap between Europe's north and south with regard to technology and information. The fundamental principles of the agreement reached at the conference were announced by general secretary for information, Yiannis Nikolaou, at a press conference yesterday afternoon.

These included the development of training in new technology, right of access to new services, combating the portrayal or expression of violence, intolerance, pornography and organized crime through these services as well as a study of the impact of new technologies on human rights in an information society.

Also emphasized at the conference was the need for respect for freedom of speech and information as well as the absence of any intervention on the part of the authorities apart from those provided for by the European Human Rights Convention. This latter issue was a point of conflict between the European nations and the US, which had observer status at the conference.

CoE Human Rights committee president Pierre-Henri Imbert said there had been conflict over this issue in the past between the two sides.

"The Americans want complete freedom of expression which is limited only by the constitution. On the other hand, European countries consider that there should be other restrictions if we want to respect other values necessary in a modern society," he said.

[06] Int'l symposium on Atlantic-European Co-operation begins

The 7th international symposium of the Greek Union for Atlantic and European Co-operation began yesterday at Athens' Zappeion Hall, focusing on the implications of NATO's enlargement for security and stability in the Balkans and the Mediterranean region.

National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, in his opening address to the symposium, referred to the major changes to the world order in 1994, which he said had resulted in the transformation of NATO from a defense organization to one of collective security to confront crises around the world.

He stressed that central and eastern European states were in need of international support in order to overcome the difficulties arising from the transition to a free market economy.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos also referred to a series of initiatives in this direction, particularly last month's SE European countries' summit in Crete.

Although he did not mention Turkey by name, the defense minister spoke of choices made by countries which questioned the status quo and international treaties, adding that there should be a collective response to the attempt to upset security conditions in the region.

The yesterday morning session was also addressed by Bulgarian Vice-President Todorov Kavaltjiev, Democratic Social Movement leader Demetris Tsovolas and Athens Mayor Demetris Avramopoulos.

[07] Stockholm assumes Cultural Capital title

Greek officials yesterday handed over to the mayor of Stockholm the "Cultural Capital of Europe" title, held by Thessaloniki in 1997, during a special ceremony.

Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos said that this institution will showcase the multi-culturalism of Europe.

On his part, Stockholm Mayor Mats Hulth said that Europe owes Greece much more than this institution.

"My father gave me life, but Aristotle taught me how to live it", he added by paraphrasing Alexander the Great.

Thessaloniki Mayor Constantine Kosmopoulos said that the Cultural Capital of Europe organization worked hard to prove Thessaloniki worthy of Melina Mercouri's idea.

A "great benefit of Thessaloniki is the heritage which is none other than the beautiful buildings and institutions" left behind at the end of the events, Mr. Venizelos said.

[08] Tsohatzopoulos: Airspace violations hurt Turkey's chances with EU

"Ankara has difficulty in adapting itself to policies applied by the European Union and at an international level," National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said yesterday.

He was commenting on 52 recent violations of Greek national airspace by Turkish warplanes this past week, which were criticized as "needlessly provocative" by the US State Department and the Greek government on Thursday.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the violations "are indisputably provocative, and that is why they are intercepted immediately and decisively".

The issue, he said, was "not whether Turkey will continue this practice, but whether it will realize that if it wants the prospect of entering the EU, it must accept the values, principles and terms of operation governing all the European countries".

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos described as positive a similar stance by the European socialist leaders in Luxembourg on Thursday, and reiterated "there can be no EU decision without the corresponding attitude and clear-cut political commitment of Turkey".

Commenting on his meeting yesterday with the new US ambassador in Athens Nicholas Burns, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said there was a clear confirmation by the US that "Turkey's behavior creates problems and does not contribute to creating a climate that Turkey itself claims in desires".

[09] ... Gov't spokesman

Meanwhile, acting government spokesman Nikos Athanasakis, in reference to the violations, said Turkey operates in a destabilizing way in the region.

He added that Turkey does not only violate the Athens FIR, it now violates Greek airspace as well.

This "policy of provocations is a provocation towards the international community and not only against Greece." Mr. Athanasakis said.

[10] Greece's support for restructuring of Albanian military

National Defense Under-secretary Demetris Apostolakis reiterated Athens' decision to provide every possible assistance to Tirana at this phase of the Albanian state's reorganization, after meeting yesterday with his Albanian counterpart Perikli Teta.

The meeting also focused on issues concerning the Balkans and the wider region as well as the course of bilateral defense co-operation.

Mr. Teta, who is paying an official visit to Greece, said Albania is in favor of peace and co-operation in the region.

Replying to a relevant question, Mr. Apostolakis said Greece's aid for the reorganization of the Albanian armed forces concerns the sectors of logistics, organization and construction. In this framework, Greek military officers are in the neighboring country to reorganize the Albanian armed forces.

[11] Greek-Bulgarian bilateral issues examined

Expanding co-operation between Greece and Bulgaria was discussed in a meeting between Bulgarian Vice-President Todorov Kavaldjiev and Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis yesterday.

The visiting Bulgarian official thanked Mr. Kaklamanis for Greece's support in its bid to join European and Atlantic organizations.

He also gave assurances that his country would promote pending bilateral issues such as the Burgas-Alexandroupoli pipeline, new border customs posts, while urging Greek firms to invest in Bulgaria's privatization program.

Mr. Kaklamanis briefed Mr. Kavaldjiev on the latest Greek initiatives for co-operation and security in southeastern Europe, noting Turkey's negative stance towards those initiatives. He also reiterated Greece's support for Bulgaria's participation in the construction of Europe.

[12] Investigation into Gjirokaster consulate ordered

A Greek public prosecutor and three police officers yesterday traveled to Gjirokaster, Albania to investigate allegations of bribery leveled at consulate officials there.

Following allegations in the Athenian press that several Albanians paid middlemen up to 300,000 drachmas for favorable treatment of their visa applications, as well as questions by Parliament deputies on corruption and breach of duty by Gjirokaster consulate employees, presiding prosecutor Georgios Koliokostas requested a preliminary investigation of both the allegations and the validity of the press reports.

[13] PASOK delegation in Albania

A PASOK delegation, including the prime minister's adviser, Theodoros Tsoukatos, and Euro-MP Yiannis Roubatis arrived on a two-day visit here yesterday, and was expected to meet Prime Minister Fatos Nano last night.

Today's schedule includes a visit to Socialist party offices and contacts with leading cadres.

[14] Ex-royal property now belongs to state, Council of State recommends

The ex-royal estate is definitely the property of the Greek state, Council of State councilor Georgios Anemogiannis told the Supreme Review Court yesterday, during a hearing in relation to a previous verdict by the Special Court.

The verdict said that a 1974 referendum not only explicitly resolved the issue over the country's political regime, but also the issue involving the ex-monarch's property in Greece.

[15] Anti-racism song and drama prizes awarded

Prizes in a drama and song competition to commemorate the European Year against Racism, Anti-Semitism and Xenophobia were announced today by the organizers, the Greek state radio ERA and the Central Jewish Council of Greece (KISE).

The prizes, dedicated this year to the "Memory of the Greek Jewish Martyrs of the Holocaust", went to David Nahmia, who received first prize for the song "From the circle of fire", Thomas Siomos, second prize for "Ramona", Vasilis Argyropoulos and Christos Skandalis, first and second prizes for one-act plays.

ERA General Director G. Tzanetakos and KISE General Secretary Moses Konstantinis announced the winners at a press conference yesterday.

"Personally, I am not at all sure that incidents of racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia have abated in our country. Nevertheless, ERA, as a public media organization, has done its utmost to make the public aware and to draw attention to actions committed daily against those who are 'other' or 'different'," said Mr. Tzanetakos.

Mr. Konstantinis said that competitions such as these "contributed not only in a symbolic but in a substantial way to developing awareness of the destructive repercussions racist phenomena have for society as a whole, and in understanding the importance of fighting those phenomena."

[16] Presidential decree to recognize degrees from EU countries

A presidential decree restoring equality between local university-level degrees with diplomas from overseas colleges is being prepared, acting government spokesman Nikos Athanasakis said yesterday.

He was speaking in relation to a 33-million-drachma per day fine imposed by the European Commission on Greece for failing to recognize such degrees.

Mr. Athanasakis said that in the next few days he believes a solution will be found to put an end to the consequences of the fine.

Commenting on the threat by the European Union to propose the referral of Greece to the European Court on the conditions of preparatory schools' operation, Mr. Athanasakis said the relevant presidential decree has been forwarded and will be ratified fairly soon.

[17] Gravity of illness, age now criteria in separating mental cases

Health and Welfare Under-secretary Theodoros Kotsonis said yesterday that the health ministry has begun separating cases treated at welfare institutions for handicapped people based on the gravity of the illness and age.

Speaking at a press conference, he said the target of this effort is the smooth operation of such establishments and a better vocational training and rehabilitation for handicapped people.

Mr. Kotsonis said supervision of these institutions and the assessment of their work will be undertaken henceforth by a new agency to which all welfare institutions will be subject, in accordance with a new bill to be submitted in Parliament soon. He further said that an effort is being made to have 500 new hirings approved for these institutions.

Two welfare institutions in Greece, one in Sidirokastro and one in Karditsa, were the subject of a scathing television report aired last week by Britain's Channel 4 network. Scenes of mentally impaired children and young adults restrained to their beds and cribs caused a furor in Greece and received widespread media attention.

[18] International conference on the environment

Athens, 13/12/1997 (ANA)

During concluding remarks at the "Environment and Society: Education and Sensitization of Citizens and Sustainability" conference, Prof. G. Obazi said the atmosphere's temperature took 100,000 years to increase by five degrees centigrade, while it could increase by two degrees centigrade if the present rate of increase in carbon dioxide pollution continues.

Such a temperature increase will radically change the climate and environment, Prof. Obazi said.

He added that the first to be affected will be those urban populations close to coastal regions, namely, some 16 per cent of the earth's total population, because of the rise in sea levels.

Other results will be drought, a decrease in lake water volume and drinking water, as well as an increase of extreme weather phenomena, such as "el nino," which is believed to be responsible for several natural disasters along the coast of western North

America, Malaysia and other countries of the far east, he argued.

Prof. Obazi said that the only remedy left is a slow-down of the rate of temperature increase, in order to allow plant and animal life to adopt, otherwise, he warned that one-third of all the planet's resources will be destroyed and 50 per cent of the population will suffer from various diseases.

[19] EU's economic, social committee meeting in Athens

The annual meeting of the European Union's economic and social committee with the national economic and social committees of EU member-states was held in Athens yesterday, focusing on the development of social dialogue at a national and European level.

The meeting was attended by the president of the EU Economic and Social Committee Tom Jenkins and was presided over by professor Ioannis Koukiadis, president of the Greek economic and social committee.

The new institutional framework on conducting social dialogue was discussed as it is being shaped after the Amsterdam Treaty. In all countries the main issues registered for dialogue are the duration of work, informal forms of work, mass dismissals and taxation.

Making a brief account of European experience, Mr. Koukiadis spoke of the need for a new big social agreement on problems concerning reforms in labor relations. Two observations made at the meeting are the following:

- In all countries the weight is being transferred from bilateral to tripartite dialogue. The governments undertake a more important role in negotiations between traditional partners, employers' organizations and trade unions.

- In many countries a problem of partner representativeness appears, either due to a decrease in the representativeness of the trade unions or due to indifference on the part of employers to turn up for dialogue processes.

[20] Skandalidis: '98 budget could do more for less affluent citizens

Ruling PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis said more funds could be saved from the new state budget to alleviate the burden borne by society's have-nots and, additionally, there could also be a better allocation of funds.

Mr. Skandalidis, who was speaking at a conference organized by the Economic Chamber of Greece regarding the course of the economy and the budget, said that despite all this, the new budget is making "a considerable effort" to achieve a balance between t he needs of convergence and the social state.

Mr. Skandalidis said no one can say that all is well or all is all bad. He expressed certainty, however, that all the deputies of the ruling party will vote in favor of the budget in Parliament.

Addressing the event, Finance Under-secretary Nikos Christodoulakis said that in 1998 Greece will cease to be last in the EU in the fiscal sector, since it will no longer be the country with the largest debt and largest deficit.

[21] Commission award for COCO-MAT company

The European Commission's General Department V offered an award to the COCO-MAT company at a downtown hotel in Xanthi on Thursday for measures it is implementing over the security and protection of the staff's health.

European Union Commissioner Padraig Flynn said in a videotaped statement that he considers sensitivity and care of responsible administrations for the security and protection of staff's health as being an essential precondition for the appropriate functioning and development of companies.

The event was attended by the city's state, church and military authorities, social bodies and representatives of industries in the region.

[22] Greek stocks rebound aided by international markets

Greek equities managed to rebound during the last trading session of the week yesterday helped by a recovery in international markets and the stabilization of interest rates in the domestic money market.

Interbank rates fell substantially to around 13.4-16.5 percent with the Athibor rate edging down to 17.5 percent from 20.5 percent on Thursday. The Bank of Greece intervened to hold down rates with six-day open bids at 13.75 percent.

The central bank reported inflows totaling 150 million ECU at the drachma's daily fix.

The general index ended 2.07 percent higher at 1,517.18 points, after falling by 3.0 percent during the first hour of transactions. The index showed a 2.20 percent loss on the week but has gained 62.25 percent since January.

Analysts expect the market to remain on an upward course provided that interest rates return to their normal levels.

Sector indices scored gains. Banks rose 1.63 percent, Leasing was 1.04 percent higher, Insurance increased 2.51 percent, Investment rose 2.62 percent, Industrials jumped 2.61 percent, Construction increased 2.44 percent, Holding soared 4.75 percent and Miscellaneous ended 2.88 percent up.

The parallel market index closed 2.06 percent up, while the FTSE/ASE index rose 1.69 percent to 866.49 points for a 2.47 percent drop in a weekly basis.

Trading was heavy with turnover at 21.5 billion drachmas for a weekly total of 129.8 billion drachmas. Average daily turnover was 25.9 billion drachmas, down from 29.6 billion the previous week.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 168 to 51 with another 14 issues unchanged.

Intertyp, Pavlides, Epiphaneia, Rilken and Constandinidis scored the biggest percentage gains at the day's upper limit while Lanakam, Lambropoulos and Xylemporia suffered the heaviest losses at the lower eight percent volatility limit.

National Bank of Greece ended at 25,900 drachmas, Ergobank at 15,270, Alpha Credit Bank at 16,695, Delta Dairy at 3,395, Titan Cement at 12,905, Intracom at 13,900 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organization at 16,434.

[23] Citibank ranks top on assets among foreign banks in Greece

Foreign banks operating in Greece focus on corporate banking, treasury operations, private and investment banking and derivatives, followed by trade in the primary and secondary securities market.

The largest foreign bank in terms of assets is Citibank of the US at 975,127 million drachmas in 1996. It has 23 branches, by far the most among non-Greek banks.

The first foreign bank to set up operations in Greece was American Express, which entered the market in 1921, followed by Citibank in 1964.

Banks from abroad, mostly American, began coming to Greece in the 1960s in the wake of US multinationals. They focused on a handful of major clients including shipping magnates, bypassing retail banking.

[24] Gov't on drachma stability

The drachma's stability is a top priority for the government, which will continue adopting all appropriate measures, acting government spokesman Nikos Athanasakis reiterated yesterday.

He added that the latest upheaval in international stock markets was a reminder of the need to continue efforts for buttressing the Greek economy and to achieve convergence with the other European Union economies. He also said Prime Minister Costas Simitis had forecast that such upheavals would continue.

End of English language section.

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