Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-12-17

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1369), December 17, 1997

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis: Greece doesn't want Turkey's exclusion from EU

[02] ... Statements

[03] ... Athens cautions against Turkish threat to annex occupied Cyprus

[04] ... Appointed to experts' committee

[05] NATO expansion signed at foreign ministers' meeting

[06] ... NATO Expansion

[07] Burns to present credentials on Monday

[08] Turkish freeze won't hold up Cyprus-EU talks, the UK says

[09] Mitsotakis cites successes in Gov't foreign policy

[10] Europarliament report on human rights

[11] Room for joint Ukraine-Greek ventures, Stephanopoulos says

[12] Gligorov now brings up issue of 'minorities'

[13] Mitsotakis accuses Gov't of massive 'hidden deficit'

[14] Europarliaments debates Union's '98 budget

[15] Greece is safe base for investors in Balkans-minister

[16] Tourism industry asks Gov't to resolve E. Europe visa block

[17] Greek EU fisheries monitoring committee begins meeting

[18] Greek stocks slip in dull trade

[19] Greece to join EU energy networks

[20] Greece calls for revision of export subsidy system for oranges

[21] KEDKE-finance ministry agreement

[22] 400 million in loans to Valkan Export

[23] HEPO participation at German exhibition

[24] GSEE-ADEDY strike tomorrow

[25] Transport to be affected by 24-hour strike

[26] Measures announced to combat sports violence

[01] Simitis: Greece doesn't want Turkey's exclusion from EU

Athens, 17/12/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Simitis was speaking after briefing opposition party leaders on the outcome of the Luxembourg EU summit over the weekend, in which Turkey failed to make the list of candidates for entry due to its poor human rights record, difficult relations with Greece and its stance on the Cyprus issue, apart from economic considerations.

What Greece does want, and what was accepted by EU leaders in Luxembourg, Mr. Simitis said, was that this co-operation should be based on "rules of the game" which are accepted by all countries and pertain to "the terms, arrangements, values, rule of law and in general all those principles which consolidate peaceful co-operation".

The decisions of the EU, he added, in effect are asking Turkey and the other countries to consolidate their co-operation with the EU "so that in the future, problems are not created either with the EU or with member states".

The premier reiterated that Greece was not opposed to Turkey's European vocation and on the contrary would support it if Ankara "played by the rules".

Mr. Simitis said that Turkey would intensify its pressure throughout the long process of negotiations for Cyprus' accession to the EU "in order to secure favorable decisions for itself".

"Throughout this process what is needed is cool-headedness and co-operation with the EU. We must stress that we want peace and co-operation in the region and are opposed to the escalation of confrontation. If need be however, we shall take all the necessary steps," he said.

Mr. Simitis called for unanimity in Greece, rather than exploitation of issues for petty political purposes, and urged all political forces in the country to back this policy.

Replying to questions concerning Turkish threats to escalate tension in the Aegean, create a serious incident, or even annex the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus, Mr. Simitis said that if Ankara was to take such a step, it would be "illegal, contrary to UN Resolutions and would harm its own prospects".

"Turkey would only be harming itself and would most likely make its participation in the EU impossible," he said.

Any serious incident in the Aegean, he added, would be extremely negative for Turkey and for this reason Ankara may choose to avoid it.

Mr. Simitis said however that it still remained a possibility which could not be ruled out.

Asked about Turkey's position concerning a possible re-examination of its relationship with the EU, Mr. Simitis said that the door to the EU was open for Turkey, since its decisions made it possible for Ankara to participate in the European Conference for EU hopefuls, provided certain rules were adhered to. Saying that Ankara's reaction was unjustified, he added that the neighboring country should accept the "rules of the game" for peace and a state of law, "because no country can demand exemption from these rules."

Ankara's reaction, Mr. Simitis said, was a result of a lack of cool-headedness, while he predicted pressures by Turkey. "The EU should stand firm on its decisions," he added.

Mr. Simitis said there had been agreement with main opposition New Democracy president Costas Karamanlis as well as the other party leaders on a number of issues, such as that Greece should pursue a policy of peace and maintain good relations with EU member states. "There are different assessments as to tactics, but a common view was ascertained regarding the handling of the issue with Turkey," he added.

[02] ... Statements

Athens, 17/12/1997 (ANA)

The first to be briefed was main opposition leader Mr. Karamanlis, who told reporters later that such meetings were useful.

"We had a positive development in Luxembourg, because our European partners showed that they perceive and realize Turkey's bad faith and provocativeness and, at least at this stage, they appeared determined to repel this attitude," Mr. Karamanlis said.

"Greece should be vigilant and ready to defend our national rights and interests," he said, adding that "this requires national understanding and such an attitude on the part of the political parties and politicians that will place the national issues above and beyond party disputes and formulate a strategy that is cohesive, consistent, firm, serious and effective."

Second in line was Communist Party of Greece (KKE) secretary general Aleka Papariga, who later said that "the interests of the hard-core of the EU member states triumphed at the Luxembourg summit and not the principles of justice".

"The Luxembourg decision was a tactical maneuver vis-a-vis Turkey because the strong member-states want to better negotiate their economic and commercial interests with Turkey in view of enlargement," she said.

Ms Papariga expressed concern because, as she said, the European Union "does not speak clearly and unreservedly about a single sovereignty of Cyprus in the context of the accession process, and consequently we fear that this procedure may be used to consolidate dual sovereignty".

She said the Luxembourg developments also had another side, as "they give Turkey and the US the opportunity to intensify their demands for an overall settlement of the Aegean and Cyprus problems". After his briefing by the premier, Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos put forward three suggestions for the avoidance of friction in the Aegean and Cyprus, which he described as the "sensitive and delicate points".

First of all, he said, it needed to be determined "which political conditions would ensure that the European Union would consider as its own issue a dispute of Greece's sovereign rights or threats aimed at Greece's expense".

Second, the planning needed to be determined "with which the Greek government would confront possible antagonistic and conflicting American and NATO initiatives in the region, given that their focus differed".

Third, the procedure and tactics needed to be determined with which the government would ensure the conditions so that "the present period of mobility would not end without the formulation of positive political results of de-escalation of the tension."

Mr. Constantopoulos said the EU summit decisions formulated a new framework that demanded vigilance and caution, as a wide field of tough negotiations, dangers and problems was opening up for the country.

Consequently, he said, Greece needed to have an in-depth strategy and stress that EU-Turkish rapprochement was necessary and that Greece's strategic goal was not for Turkey to be cut off and isolated from Europe. At the same time, he added, Turkey needed to realize that the framework of conditions put forward regarding human rights, guarantees and respect of international law were in effect for everyone wishing EU membership.

The leader of the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) Demetris Tsovolas proposed to Mr. Simitis the holding of a political party leaders' meeting, to be chaired by the premier.

He later said that this was a way to ascertain whether a national, unified strategy could be designed.

[03] ... Athens cautions against Turkish threat to annex occupied Cyprus

Athens, 17/12/1997 (ANA)

"This would bring Turkey into confrontation with the European Union," government spokesman Demetris Reppas said in response to statements by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

Mr. Denktash said on Monday that the EU's decision to begin accession talks with Cyprus spelled the end of UN-sponsored intercommunal talks on the divided island republic.

Turkish premier Mesut Yilmaz warned earlier that Ankara would start taking steps to integrate the occupied part of Cyprus into Turkey if accession talks between the EU and Nicosia began.

Mr. Reppas said that Turkey's relations with the occupied part of Cyprus were already very advanced, both in the economic and military sectors and stressed that Greece was ready to confront any further Turkish initiative in this direction.

Commenting on statements by Mr. Denktash that the EU decision on Cyprus' accession "discharged" him from the obligation to hold talks for the settlement of the Cyprus problem, Mr. Reppas said this statement was illustrative of the true intentions of Turkey "which was never ready to contribute to a settlement of the Cyprus problem".

[04] ... Appointed to experts' committee

Athens, 17/12/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Reppas reiterated that the procedure under the auspices of the EU presidency was effectively "frozen".

[05] NATO expansion signed at foreign ministers' meeting

Brussels, 17/12/1997 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

Greece was represented by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.

Commenting on the outcome of the session, Mr. Pangalos said that with the signing of the three protocols NATO's enlargement is ratified. On the question of the alliance's new structure, he said that with it, and following a long period of problems starting from the period of exiting from the alliance's framework, Greece is reincorporated into its mechanisms on an equal footing.

Mr. Pangalos held a meeting at NATO's headquarters yesterday with US State Department Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Marc Grossman. He said it was a brief meeting and that they agreed to meet again in Washington in March which Mr. Pangalos will be visiting at the invitation of US universities.

Mr. Pangalos also met Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, saying Mr. Cem presented him with Turkey's standing views on the issue of decisions taken at the European Union's summit in Luxembourg and that he presented Greece's positions. On the question of Cyprus, Mr. Pangalos said he had no discussion with Mr. Cem given that the Cyprus issue does not constitute, as he said, a Greek-Turkish problem but an issue for the international community. Referring to the proposal by Mr. Cem yesterday morning that meetings of the experts' committees be resumed in the framework of the EU, Mr. Pangalos said Greece has no objection but that certain problems exist.

Mr. Pangalos said that in essence Turkey proposes a discussion in the framework of these committees of confidence building measures. However, confidence building measures are being discussed in the framework of NATO and there is no reason whatsoever to have them conveyed to EU level.

He further said that the Greek experts are jurists, not political personalities and, consequently, they have no possibility of discussing confidence building measures.

Mr. Pangalos said that he had the opportunity to meet quite a few of his European counterparts on the sidelines of the NATO session and discuss the issue of Turkey's reactions in the wake of the decisions taken at the Luxembourg summit.

He said the prevailing climate is that Turkey must face developments with greater calm, adding that Turkey ought to have known which the Luxembourg summit's decisions would be and, consequently, should not have expressed bitterness, given that the EU's code of conduct is "to do what it says and to say what it does."

[06] ... NATO Expansion

Athens, 17/12/1997 (ANA)

"Regarding enlargement, the policy of the alliance was confirmed, and we have the first act of implementation, with the signing of these protocols of accession by the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. We also agreed that the policy of the alliance will be one of open doors for the accession of new members in future," he said.

He also referred to the debate on Bosnia, and NATO's relations with Ukraine.

"Regarding Bosnia, which we also discussed, we ratified the continuation of SFOR's presence at the current level for the first half of 1998, while the possibilities for extending NATO's presence beyond June 1998. All countries expressed their readiness to continue their participation. Of course, it is not clear whether this participation will be at today's level or will be reduced... In the framework of our relations with the Ukraine, we signed a memorandum on issues of emergency political planning in the event of natural or other disasters," he added.

[07] Burns to present credentials on Monday

Athens, 17/12/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Burns, who arrived in Greece to take up his new post last week, said he and his family wanted to travel throughout the country to get to know Greece and its people as much as possible.

[08] Turkish freeze won't hold up Cyprus-EU talks, the UK says

Brussels, 17/12/1997 (AFP/REUTERS/ANA)

"Any attempt by Turkey to annex the northern part of Cyprus will be in opposition to international law," said Mr. Cook during a press conference on the sidelines of a NATO ministerial meeting.

"If Turkey wishes to become a member of the EU, it cannot do so by blocking the admission of another country," he added.

Yesterday, Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem threatened that Ankara would proceed with the annexation if the EU began admission talks with the Cypriot government next March.

At last week's EU Luxembourg summit, the Union's 15 leaders rejected Turkey's membership application but, however, invited Ankara to attend the European Conference, to be held in Britain next year.

"We left the door open, we advise Turkey to walk in," Mr. Cook said last night. He was later scheduled to meet his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem.

In London, Foreign Office Minister Doug Henderson told reporters that Turkish objections should not be allowed to hold up negotiations on the admission of Cyprus into the EU. He said that on that issue, "no other nation has a say", adding that he hoped the Turkish government will realize the benefit it will have in taking part in the European Conference.

[09] Mitsotakis cites successes in Gov't foreign policy

Athens, 17/12/1997 (ANA)

Referring to the recent EU Luxembourg summit, the former ND premier and the main opposition's honorary president, spoke of an achievement in the government's foreign policy, but warned that "we should not celebrate at the fact that Turkey was left out of the EU, we should rather celebrate when Turkey accepts the EU's terms because that is our national interest".

Mr. Mitsotakis also expressed his view that the Cyprus problem was likely to be resolved, noting that he viewed Britain's involvement in the issue as positive.

[10] Europarliament report on human rights

Athens, 17/12/1997 (ANA)

The fact that Greek ID cards include information on the religion of a person is also mentioned in the draft report, "since this is an infringement on the private life of persons and could lead to discrimination."

Greece is among other countries mentioned in the draft report, which will be tabled for approval on Jan. 26 by the committee and will reach the Europarliament for approval in February.

[11] Room for joint Ukraine-Greek ventures, Stephanopoulos says

Kiev, 17/12/1997 (ANA - N. Megadoukas)

Mr. Stephanopoulos met in Kiev yesterday with Mr. Kuchma and prominent businessmen of both countries as part of the Greek president's official three-day visit to Ukraine, which began on Monday. He is accompanied by Alternate Foreign Minister George

Papandreou and a group of Greek businessmen who have invested in Ukraine.

Mr. Stephanopoulos said that Ukraine held a place of special economic importance among the countries of central and eastern Europe since it had "enormous economic potential".

"Ukraine has vast natural resources, a strong productive base and has shown in practice that it wants to develop a free market economy," he said.

At the same time, he said, Ukraine has very highly trained manpower which enables it to become, in the immediate future, "one of the most interesting and attractive economies for Greece".

Mr. Stephanopoulos underlined that Greece desired the forging of closer ties between the two countries, particularly in the economic sector, noting that the know-how and experience of Greek companies served as a guarantee for closer bilateral economic relations.

Earlier, Mr. Stephanopoulos met with the Ukrainian Parliament President Olexander Moroz and addressed the country's national assembly on bilateral relations and Greek foreign policy.

He observed that the presence of thousands of ethnic Greeks in Ukraine would continue to constitute a strong bridge of friendship and co-operation between the two peoples, both at a bilateral level and within the framework of European developments in general.

Mr. Stephanopoulos reiterated Greece's support for Ukraine's efforts to adapt to European and Atlantic structures and said both countries agreed that all disputes between states should be resolved in accordance with the principles of international law, respect for existing borders and sincere efforts for peace and co-operation.

Greece's adherence to international legality and the principles of the UN Charter, he said, had made the country particularly sensitive towards the continuing Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus and Turkey's persistent refusal to respect international treaties governing the status quo in the Aegean. He said Ankara had even reached the point of disputing Greece's sovereign rights, creating tension in the region and thus not leaving room for the development of a network of harmonious relations and peaceful co-operation in the sensitive region of southeastern Europe. Mr. Stephanopoulos' departure from Kiev to Odessa was postponed after extremely low temperatures froze the oil in one of the aircraft's engines, causing damage to its oil pump.

The president and his entourage returned from the airport to Kiev and are expected to land in Odessa and Mariupol today, after spare parts are flown in from Athens.

[12] Gligorov now brings up issue of 'minorities'

Skopje, 17/12/1997 (ANA - M. Vihou)

Mr. Gligorov, who was addressing his country's Parliament, referred to relations between FYROM and Greece.

On the question of the landlocked, former Yugoslav republic's name, he maintained that FYROM proposes to the UN that its constitutional name be used internationally, while in consultation with Greece the latter can refer to FYROM with the name it considers most suitable.

He clarified that FYROM cannot oblige Greece to call it in the way it desires and claimed that in this way Greece was given the opportunity to find a different, mutually acceptable solution, despite the fact that this would not be accepted very well in his own country.

However, he said Athens has reacted negatively towards the proposal so far, but conceded that the extension of talks on the name has a negative influence, particularly on an international scale, and more specifically, on relations between FYROM and the European Union.

He attributed to Greece the delay in the implementation of the co-operation agreement between his country and Europe, which FYROM expects will start implementation as of Jan. 1, 1998.

Mr. Gligorov said, however, that the extension of talks and the continuation of the disagreement "can fuel unrealistic expectations, that it is possible for us to succumb to certain pressures resulting in us losing our national identity and renouncing vital national interests."

[13] Mitsotakis accuses Gov't of massive 'hidden deficit'

Athens, 17/12/1997 (ANA)

In a press conference at ND headquarters earlier, Mr. Mitsotakis charged that the government had transferred the deficit to the public debt account in order to expedite the country's participation in the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU).

Mr. Papantoniou added that such economic indicators were under the scrutiny of the European Commission, and discounted further charges by the former prime minister that the government's economic policy was a non-starter, as it was unable and unwilling t o promote structural changes, being trapped by its commitments to the PASOK party mechanism.

"The policy of Mr. Mitsotakis' government left the economy in ruins, while PASOK has brought about significant improvements," he said, stressing that the European Commission had confirmed that the deficit this year had fallen to 4.2 per cent of GDP, representing one-quarter of what is used be then. He added that inflation was now at 4.8 per cent, down to one-third, and the growth rate was now positive rather than negative.

In addition, Mr. Papantoniou had a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis in view of today's Parliamentary debate on the budget.

In his press conference, the ND honorary president and former prime minister said he could theoretically endorse Mr. Simitis' words, but found it unethical that he should follow a policy akin to his own ND government, against which he (Mr. Simitis) had been slanderous.

Commenting on new US ambassador Nicholas Burns' statement that his administration supported the efforts of the Simitis government, he said he "not surprised", noting that "certain Greeks and foreigners may believe that Mr. Simitis will implement what he says, but he does not believe it.

"The Americans now doubt it," he said, referring to his recent trip to the United States.

[14] Europarliaments debates Union's '98 budget

Strasbourg, 17/12/1997 (ANA - C. Charalambopoulos)

In its negotiations with the Council, the European Parliament managed to avert a reduction in the entries for the structural funds, and for this reason, it was forced to accept the Council's proposal for a reduction in the order of 550 million ECUs in internal (energy, environment) and external policies.

The amendment regarding the freezing of funds to Turkey, endorsed by the Parliament in October, remains after the second reading of the budget. These funds concern the financial co-operation program (worth 53 million ECUs) and the MEDA program (10 per cent of which funds go towards the consolidation of democracy and improvements in human rights conditions). The vote will take place tomorrow.

[15] Greece is safe base for investors in Balkans-minister

New York, 17/12/1997 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

Thessaloniki, which is often visited by government leaders, has been recognized as a key economic center for the Balkans and for its artistic activities, which gained momentum in 1997 when the city was named cultural capital of Europe, Mr. Petsalnikos said.

Invited by the US State Department and US Information Agency (USIA), Mr. Petsalnikos held talks in Washington with State Department officials on co-operation in southeastern Europe focusing on trade and transport. His ministry has set up a transport secretariat in Thessaloniki.

Mr. Petsalnikos also discussed Greece's ties with its neighbors as part of a new political and economic map emerging in the Balkans during talks with Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Marc Grossman.

Mr. Grossman agreed that Greece had an important role to play in the region, including helping Balkan countries to work together.

"(It is time) Turkey realizes that bilateral problems, such as the Imia issue, should be referred to the International Court of Justice at The Hague," he said.

Mr. Petsalnikos also met World Bank officials on economic prospects afforded by northern Greece, and delivered a lecture at Harvard University on Balkan economic relations.

[16] Tourism industry asks Gov't to resolve E. Europe visa block

Athens, 17/12/1997 (ANA)

"In the former east European countries the visa problem is permanent as Greek consular authorities are not in a position to assist people," the Greek Association of Tourism and Travel Agencies (HATTA) said in a statement.

In a call to Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and Development Minister Vasso Papandreou, HATTA claimed that the consulate in Bulgaria had cited uncertainty over new visa rules under the terms of the Schengen Agreement as the reason for non-issue.

Many visitors had canceled trips to Greece for the holiday season and travel bureaus may have to pay hotels for reservations already made, the statement said. "A permanent solution has to be found unless we decide we do not want east European tourists , which is something the state has to tell us," it said.

According to HATTA, a temporary solution would be to allow visas to be issued at the border.

[17] Greek EU fisheries monitoring committee begins meeting

Athens, 17/12/1997 (ANA)

The meeting, attended by the agriculture ministry's secretary general, will also visit a fisheries' standardization unit and watch a display of fishing methods.

[18] Greek stocks slip in dull trade

Athens, 17/12/1997 (ANA)

Investors remained on the sidelines awaiting fresh incentives and a final debate on next year's budget in parliament.

The general index closed 0.53 percent lower at 1,515.19 points.

Trade was thin with turnover at 10.2 billion drachmas.

Sector indices lost ground. Banks fell 0.82 percent, Insurance eased 0.46 percent, Leasing was 0.43 percent down, Construction fell 1.05 percent, Industrials were 0.42 percent off, Miscellaneous dropped 0.87 percent and Holding fell 0.05 percent. Investment bucked the trend to end 0.35 percent higher.

The parallel market index for small cap companies fell 0.89 percent, while the FTSE/ASE index eased 0.65 percent to 866.83 points.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 125 to 78 with another 29 issues unchanged.

Bank of Athens, Elve, Keranis and Demetriadis scored the biggest percentage gains at the upper 8.0 percent volatility limit while Lampropoulos, Athinea, Viosol and Nafpaktos Mills suffered the heaviest losses.

National Bank of Greece ended at 26,000 drachmas, Ergobank at 15,090, Alpha Credit Bank at 16,700, Delta Dairy at 3,330, Titan Cement at 13,000, Intracom at 13,950 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organization at 6,080.

[19] Greece to join EU energy networks

Brussels, 17/12/1997 (ANA - G. Daratos)

According to sources in the European Commission's energy directorate, Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi has personally taken an initiative to solve a number of environmental problems faced by the Greek government.

Italy recently informed the European Commission, the EU's executive, that it was ready to link its energy distribution network to the Greek network.

The European Union has earmarked 214 million ECUs to fund a project linking the two countries' energy systems in the Adriatic Sea as part of the EU's trans-European infrastructure networks.

[20] Greece calls for revision of export subsidy system for oranges

Brussels, 17/12/1997 (ANA - P. Pantelis)

Speaking at the EU farm ministers' council, Greek Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas described the system as "inefficient" and hindering the Greek export effort.

EU Agriculture Commissioner Franz Fischler acknowledged the difficult situation in the market, noting in particular the record crops in the US and Brazil, while promising to review the system.

The three countries, along with France and Italy, also expressed strong opposition to a Commission report regarding the effects of trade concessions to third countries in the Mediterranean basin.

Mr. Tzoumakas stressed that at best, the report could be considered as an inadequate comment on statistical figures, and of doubtful value.

The ministers' council ultimately accepted that the report constituted a first step in assessing the impact of agreements with third countries.

Mr. Tzoumakas also said that certain provisions of existing regulations regarding the fresh milk market were not in line with consumer demands.

[21] KEDKE-finance ministry agreement

Athens, 17/12/1997 (ANA)

Consequently, mayors decided not to proceed with the suspension of the operation of municipal and community services. This means garbage will not accumulate in the streets of Athens and other cities in the country over the Christmas holidays.

Finance Ministry Secretary-General Ioannis Kousoulakos agreed to give 10 billion drachmas to the mayors in the next few days for the payment of employees' salaries and Christmas bonuses.

A joint KEDKE-finance ministry committee will be created and will submit a report according to which in early 1998 economic issues concerning local administration bodies and the finance ministry will be settled.

[22] 400 million in loans to Valkan Export

Athens, 17/12/1997 (ANA)

National, Commercial, Ionian, General, Attika, Macedonia-Thrace, Egnatia and Crete banks agreed to fund the enterprise.

Each bank will provide 50 million drachmas and disbursements, started as of yesterday.

Some 23 banks have received from Valkan about 11.3 billion drachmas from January 1995 to June 1996, an amount accounting for 47 per cent of its debts.

[23] HEPO participation at German exhibition

Athens, 17/12/1997 (ANA)

[24] GSEE-ADEDY strike tomorrow

Athens, 17/12/1997 (ANA)

For the first time in recent years, the transport sector will be the focus of the strike, with employees in public transportation, the Piraeus-Kifissia metro and OSE trains all set to strike, while employees at various sectors of Olympic Airways are to stage from 24-hour strikes to four-hour work stoppages. Merchant seamen in Piraeus will stop work for four hours from 10 in the morning.

The industrial action is taken in protest against the government's incomes' policy and the 1998 collective labor contract. GSEE President Christos Polyzogopoulos has said that trade unions have rejected the incomes' policy contained in the 1998 state budget, and that the strike also raises demands for an increase in the non-taxable income brackets and measures against unemployment.

ADEDY president Yiannis Koutsoukos said it was expected that a large number of civil servants will join the strike, mainly from the sectors of education, local government, etc.

[25] Transport to be affected by 24-hour strike

Athens, 17/12/1997 (ANA)

Athens' blue and green buses as well as the trolley buses are to be off the roads for the entire 24-hours. The respective unions are demanding the purchase of new vehicles and the recruitment of more staff.

[26] Measures announced to combat sports violence

Athens, 17/12/1997 (ANA)

Speaking at a press conference, Mr. Romeos said the measures require co-operation of the League of Professional Soccer Teams (EPAE), the general secretariat of sports and the for-profit companies owning the professional football and basketball teams.

Among others, EPAE is called upon to appoint a security official who will assess the security risk of each match and will co-operate with police for the specific match; printed material advising against violence, which will be distributed before and during matches as well as artistic and musical events before, during and after matches.

Pro teams' management is advised to restrict the number of persons having access to the court or pitch and to ensure that passes bear the number of the seat and the name of the bearer, while passes must not be issued in cases of repeated offenses.

Lastly, the general secretariat of sport will appoint a prosecutor for every high risk match who will issue relevant instructions after consulting officials, while any team punished will be obliged to play without fans. Finally, electronic control doors will be installed in all stadiums as well as cameras.

End of English language section.

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