Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 98-01-07
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1383), January 7, 1998
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Exodus of Kurds, violations of Greek airspace
earn harsh criticism for Ankara
[02] ... More arrests reported, patrols intensified
[03] ... Prodi-Kohl meeting
[04] DHKKI founder Tsovolas undergoes successful heart surgery
[05] Armed Turkish warplanes reported in Greek national airspace
[06] Violation of Papoulias-Yilmaz agreement
[07] Georgian defense minister on official visit
[08] Karamanlis calls for unity amid Turkish provocations
[09] ... Meeting with ND cadres
[10] Kasoulides in Athens
[11] Epiphany celebrated throughout Greece
[12] Tax draft bill tabled in Parliament today
[13] Alternative service for conscientious objectors introduced
[14] Outflows of 200 million ECUs reported by central bank
[15] Greek stocks surge during first session of 1998
[16] Nat'l economy ministry pleased with '97 investments program
[17] Two Albanians charged in connection with seized arms cache
[18] Hundreds line up for 'White Cards'
[19] Ancient tombs discovered on Lesvos
[20] Four men drown when car plunges into stream
[01] Exodus of Kurds, violations of Greek airspace
earn harsh criticism for Ankara
Athens, 07/01/1998 (ANA)
Greece yesterday pointed to Ankara as accountable to the
international community for the mass exodus of Kurds fleeing
from Turkey to Europe as well as the multiple violations of
Greek airspace and the Athens FIR by Turkish warplanes on the
Epiphany religious holiday, a direct violation of the 1988
Papoulias-Yilmaz agreement.
"Turkey is accountable to the international community for its
overall stance, with which it dynamites peace and stability in
the region and consequently it cannot demand that European
countries should turn a blind eye," Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said in
Thessaloniki, while speaking to the Union of Journalists of
Macedonia-Thrace. The Greek defense minister's comments followed
the announcement that a conference will be held in Rome tomorrow
on the issue of the mass exodus of Kurds from Turkey, and
especially on the problems being created for the European Union.
Greece will be represented at the highest possible level,
according to a decision taken on Monday, with Greek police
(ELAS) chief Lt. Gen. Athanasios Vassilopoulos and the director
of state security, Brig. Gen. Georgios Yianes, set to leave for
Rome today.
Furthermore, two Italian police officials are due to arrive in
Athens today to co-operate with the Greek authorities on the
problem of illegal Kurdish emigration from Turkey.
On his part, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said a political solution needed
to be given to the Kurdish issue by the Ankara government.
"It has once again been confirmed how right the EU was when it
placed certain conditions on Turkey, which it must meet in order
to approach the level of Europe. And it has also been confirmed
that those conditions are not being adhered to," he said.
In recent days, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos added, "all of Europe has
been dominated by one problem. The Kurdish problem, which cannot
be solved by military means, requires a political solution," Mr.
Tsohatzopoulos said, adding that "Turkey's inability to solve it
has led to this exodus of thousands of people, who are fleeing
to various countries in Europe."
The Greek minister said Europeans "are taking the initiative to
call on Turkey to solve the issue, and Turkey must realize that
it is not possible to ask European countries to ignore
international law, in effect adopting an attitude similar to
Ankara's.
"On the contrary, Turkey is accountable for proving that it has
finally learned to respect human rights, human freedoms. And
this is why, today, it is the focal point of criticism from all
the European countries, confirming the need for Turkey to adapt
to the conditions set out by the EU for its prospect in relation
to Europe," Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said.
In a statement to the state-run ET-1 television station
yesterday, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said that with
its attitude Turkey is violating international law and the
recently signed Madrid communiqui, adding that with the methods
Ankara is applying it reminds of "its old bad self."
Speaking on the Kurdish problem, Mr. Pangalos criticized the
international community over what he called the indifference it
has been systematically showing for years, and said that he has
received a letter from his Italian counterpart Lamberto Dini
sounding the alarm.
"I had sounded the alarm two years ago, but then the others had
closed their ears," he countered.
Mr. Pangalos added that the problem lies with organized action
by Turkey's military, which is evacuating regions in Turkish and
Iraqi Kurdistan.
Lastly, Mr. Pangalos compared the attitude of the Turkish
authorities towards the Kurds with that shown toward the Jews by
Hitler.
[02] ... More arrests reported, patrols intensified
Athens, 07/01/1998 (ANA)
While the EU's attention turned to the Kurdish immigration
issue, a group of 14 Syrian illegals were being arrested by a
coast-guard patrol shortly after landing on an isolated coast in
Crete early yesterday.
According to reports, the illegals disembarked at the Goudoura
region near Sitia from a 12-meter tugboat, which was unnamed and
not flying a flag.
The Syrians, many of whom spoke Greek, told authorities that
they had sailed from the Syrian port of Tartush and that they
had paid the tugboat's skipper US$2,000 each.
In addition, Samos police arrested a group of 11 Iraqi Kurds
left off at the Galazio region of the eastern Aegean island by
Turkish smugglers, who immediately fled the area and escaped
arrest, reports state.
Police said the illegals told them that there were thousands of
Kurds assembled on the Asia Minor shores waiting to be
transported to Greece and Italy.
On its part, the Greek coast-guard has intensified its patrols
in the regions around the Dodecanese islands opposite the
Turkish coast following tip-offs that Turkish smugglers would
try to again transport hundreds of Kurdish illegals to Greek
islands.
[03] ... Prodi-Kohl meeting
Rome, 07/01/1998 (ANA/AFP)
In a later announcement, Italy said it will continue to observe
a positive stance toward Kurdish political asylum applications,
the prime minister's office said yesterday.
Italian Premier Romano Prodi, in a discussion with German
Chancellor Helmut Kohl yesterday, examined ways in dealing with
the illegal immigration issue.
Mr. Prodi assured Mr. Kohl that Italy has taken all necessary
measures to deal with the problem.
[04] DHKKI founder Tsovolas undergoes successful heart surgery
Athens, 07/01/1998 (ANA)
Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Demetris Tsovolas
underwent heart by-pass surgery yesterday at the Papanicolaou
Hospital in Thessaloniki, with the first medical bulletins
listing his condition as excellent.
The quadruple by-pass operation was conducted by a team of
surgeons headed by Panayiotis Spyrou, a close friend of Mr.
Tsovolas.
Press sources said the 55-year-old Mr. Tsovolas, who was
admitted into the hospital on Monday, had suffered a heart
attack shortly before Christmas.
Dr. Spyrou said that Mr. Tsovolas was in "excellent condition"
after the one hour and 45 minute procedure.
He described the procedure as a "routine operation", adding that
damage to Mr. Tsovolas' coronary arteries had been fully
reversed, while the prognosis called for a full recovery.
The one-time national economy minister under PASOK will remain
in the intensive care unit for monitoring for the next 24-48
hours, and in about 10 days will be ready to return to his
duties, Dr. Spyrou said.
[05] Armed Turkish warplanes reported in Greek national airspace
Athens, 07/01/1998 (ANA)
National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos yesterday deplored
Turkey's repeated infringements of the Athens FIR and violations
of Greek airspace, amid continuing Turkish military maneuvers in
the eastern Aegean.
According to reports, eight Turkish F-16 warplanes that violated
Greek national airspace 14 times in the region of Hios,
Oinouses, Psara and Antipsara islands were also armed.
In certain cases, the Turkish warplanes came as close as one
nautical mile from the island of Antipsara, while the remaining
violations occurred over a distance of three to nine nautical
miles from the coast.
In all cases the Turkish violators, which initially flew in
pairs and later in formations, were recognized and intercepted
by Hellenic Air Force Mirage-2000, F-16 and F-1 fighter planes,
while in two cases engagements were recorded.
On his part, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that "it is not possible
that such an impressive dimension is attempted to be given each
time to the military maneuvers Turkey wishes to carry out in the
Aegean".
"Greece guarantees that the Aegean is a region open to air and
sea navigation, provided international law and the international
treaties are adhered to," he said, adding that "every movement
made in the Aegean must comply with the rules of the
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which are in
effect in Greece's Flight Information Region (FIR)."
He said that "the tension being created, regardless of whether
there were or are maneuvers being held by Turkey, serves no
purpose".
[06] Violation of Papoulias-Yilmaz agreement
Athens, 07/01/1998 (ANA)
"Today (yesterday), on the feast of the Epiphany, several
Turkish aircraft, which were not taking part in exercises, once
again attempted infringements (of the Athens FIR) and violations
(of Greek airspace), an event which, although of an on-going
nature , particularly on a day such as this, do harm to the
mutually agreed stance of respecting major religious holidays,"
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos added.
In 1988, the then foreign ministers of Greece and Turkey,
Karolos Papoulias and Mesut Yilmaz, respectively, during a
meeting in the seaside resort of Vouliagmeni near Athens,
reached a "memorandum agreement" to promote confidence-building
measures between the two countries on the principle of
good-neighborliness.
The agreement included respect of each others' major religious
holidays, which meant that no military maneuvers would be held
on such days near the borders of the two nations.
The Turkish stance, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos added, "confirmed how
justified the European Union was in placing certain conditions
on Turkey, which it must satisfy in order to be able to approach
Europe".
Asked to comment on Turkish exercises, Foreign Minister
Theodoros Pangalos said "we are neither afraid nor concerned, we
are merely celebrating Epiphany."
In a related development, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos will pay a brief
visit to Mytilene and Hios on Jan. 13.
In the wake of the continuing Turkish military exercise,
code-named "Flexible Pliers", Mr. Tsohatzopoulos will observe
training activities by military units on the two islands.
[07] Georgian defense minister on official visit
Athens, 07/01/1998 (ANA)
Georgian National Defense Minister, Lt.-Gen. V. Nadibaize, will
arrive in Athens on Friday on a three-day official visit to
Greece.
He is scheduled to hold talks with his Greek counterpart Akis
Tsohatzopoulos on defense co-operation between the two countries
and developments in the greater region. On the same evening, Mr.
Nadibaize will be received by President of the Republic Kostis
Stephanopoulos.
Mr. Nadibaize will visit, among others, the PYRKAL firm, the
Skaramangas Shipyards, as well as several archaeological sites.
[08] Karamanlis calls for unity amid Turkish provocations
Athens, 07/01/1998 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis
yesterday called for unity and determination in the face of what
he called Turkish provocativeness.
Mr. Karamanlis spoke during his visit to the eastern Aegean
island of Psara, famous for its struggle for liberation from
Ottoman rule during the Greek War of Independence.
Ironically, during his visit, several Turkish warplanes violated
Greek airspace over the same island.
Mr. Karamanlis said that "...from this border island, a symbol
of sacrifice and glory for Hellenism, I want to address a
message: 'We Greeks want to live peacefully with all our
neighbors in co-operation...' This, however, necessitates that
Turkey behaves as a civilized nation and not as an international
terrorist."
He said that on matters of national integrity and dignity there
can be no partisan reaction, rather he added, "we are one nation
ready to defend with all means its integral rights."
The ND leader's visit in the eastern Aegean began on Monday on
the island of Hios, while yesterday he arrived in Psara for
Epiphany celebrations.
[09] ... Meeting with ND cadres
Athens, 07/01/1998 (ANA)
While on Hios, Mr. Karamanlis had a closed-door meeting with
local ND officials.
During the meeting he accused the government of inadequacy on
the national and economic issues, saying that 1998 will be a
difficult year for the national issues since Ankara has already
began to provoke Athens.
Mr. Karamanlis said that the country must become competitive in
order to achieve Economic Monetary Union and overcome existing
problems, for which the government has admitted delays.
He also said that ND will exercise the role of the main
opposition party in a stern and responsible manner.
[10] Kasoulides in Athens
Athens, 07/01/1998 (ANA)
Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides will visit Athens and
Lisbon later this week for talks with his Greek and Portuguese
counterparts on issues related to Cyprus' accession to the
European Union, according to an ANA dispatch from Nicosia.
Mr. Kasoulides will arrive in Athens on Friday and will then
visit Lisbon for talks with Portuguese officials. He is due back
in Cyprus on Jan. 13.
[11] Epiphany celebrated throughout Greece
Athens, 07/01/1998 (ANA)
The Epiphany Holy Day, the 12th day after Christmas, was
celebrated throughout Greece yesterday with the consecration of
the waters.
President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and Prime
Minister Costas Simitis attended the Epiphany liturgy at Holy
Trinity Church in Piraeus, which was officiated by Metropolitan
Kallinikos.
After the service, the congregation headed toward the nearby
Akti Miaouli coastline, from where the Metropolitan tossed a
cross into the waters for the consecration of the waters.
The ceremony was also attended by former president of the
republic Christos Sartzetakis, Coalition of the Left and
Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos, Political Spring leader
Antonis Samaras as well as the country's military leadership and
a group of foreign ambassadors accredited to Athens.
Officials were greeted by Piraeus Mayor Stelios Logothetis and
Prefect Christos Fotiou. Mr. Stephanopoulos was greeted by
Merchant Marine Minister Stavros Soumakis.
In Athens, Bishop Pavlos delivered the Epiphany liturgy at the
Agios Dionysios Cathedral in Kolonaki, before the blessing of
the waters in Dexameni Square.
The service was attended by Public Order Minister George Romeos,
Athens Mayor Demetris Avramopoulos and several Parliament
deputies.
In Thessaloniki, Metropolitan Panteleimon officiated over the
Epiphany liturgy, attended by National Defense Minister Akis
Tsohatzopoulos, Mayor Constantinos Kosmopoulos, Prefect Costas
Papadopoulos and several Thessaloniki-area deputies.
[12] Tax draft bill tabled in Parliament today
Athens, 07/01/1998 (ANA)
The finance ministry on Monday presented a new tax draft bill
aimed at ensuring Greece's economic convergence with the
European Union through a rise in public revenue and drastic cuts
in the fiscal deficit.
A new bill will be submitted for debate to Parliament today.
The finance ministry said that the new tax bill was a natural
continuation of an austere 1998 budget. However, the bill's
proposed measures led to intense reactions from other political
parties in Parliament and social partners.
The bill foresees a price indexation of the tax scale by 5.5 per
cent in 1998, increased withholding taxes for salaries and
professionals, higher tax-free income for children, a 10 per
cent increase on wealth indicators and a 35-40 per cent rise in
taxes for non-listed companies with nominal shares.
The bill also proposes a 0.003 per cent tax on securities sales,
imposing tax on companies' profits and reserves and an increase
on minimum capital for sociiti anonymes and limited companies.
A Parliament committee will begin discussion on the bill on Jan.
12 and a final vote is expected by the end of the month.
[13] Alternative service for conscientious objectors introduced
Athens, 07/01/1998 (ANA)
Greece has introduced alternative and unarmed military
conscription for conscientious objectors, putting an end to a
long-standing issue that had drawn criticism from several human
rights organizations.
Defense ministry sources said on Monday that under the unarmed
military service system, conscientious objectors will serve an
additional 12 months to the regular conscription term in the
three military branches.
According to legislation passed last June, conscientious
objectors will serve 30 months in the army, 32 months in the air
force, and 33 months in the navy.
Under the alternative conscription system, conscientious
objectors will serve an additional 18 months to the regular
conscription term, performing public service duties in
state-owned organizations and local administration entities.
Conscientious objectors opting for public service will serve 36
months in lieu of army duty, 38 months in lieu of air force
duty, and 39 months in lieu of navy duty.
Conscientious objectors choosing either unarmed military service
or alternative conscription will not be able to serve their term
in military units or public service in Athens, Thessaloniki,
Patra, Larisa, Irakleio, Crete, Volos, or in their home town.
[14] Outflows of 200 million ECUs reported by central bank
Athens, 07/01/1998 (ANA)
The Bank of Greece reported outflows of 200 million ECUs at
yesterday's drachma fixing in the domestic foreign exchange
market. Central bank sources said that short-term interest rates
ranged between 16-17 per cent, while the one-month rate was
15.65 per cent and two-month rates 16.20 per cent.
[15] Greek stocks surge during first session of 1998
Athens, 07/01/1998 (ANA)
Greek equities surged during the first serious session of the
new year to break the 1,500-barrier.
The general index closed 2.87 per cent higher at 1,525.02
points. Sector indices scored significant gains. Banks rose 2.27
per cent, Insurance jumped 3.15 per cent, Investment ended 2.14
per cent higher, Constructions were 0.94 per cent up,
Industrials surged 3.99 per cent, Miscellaneous soared 3.79 per
cent, Holding was 3.54 per cent up, but Leasing bucked the trend
to end 0.50 per cent down.
The parallel market index for small cap companies rose 2.78 per
cent, while the FTSE/ASE index ended 2.46 per cent up at 867.82
points.
Trading was moderate with turnover at 11.2 billion drachmas.
Broadly, advancers led decliners by 169 to 46 with another 21
issues unchanged. Intracom, Ideal, Intrasoft, Pairis, Alco and
Lavipharm scored the largest gains at the day's upper limit of
8.0 per cent, while Ermis, Aspis Fund, Kalpinis, Papoutsanis and
Xylemporia suffered the heaviest losses.
National Bank of Greece ended at 25,250 drachmas, Ergobank at
15,000; Alpha Credit Bank at 16,550; Delta Dairy at 3,300; Titan
Cement at 13,110; Intracom at 14,095 and Hellenic
Telecommunications Organization at 6,030.
[16] Nat'l economy ministry pleased with '97 investments program
Athens, 07/01/1998 (ANA)
Greece's national economy ministry expressed its satisfaction
over the implementation of the 1997 public investments program.
According to preliminary figures, payments exceed 1.6 two
trillion drachmas, from which 700 billion were Community fund
subsidies.
The government expects total payment of more than trillion
drachmas for 1998, three times more than 1993 figures.
The ministry also predicts that Community funds will total 840
billion drachmas for the year.
European Union funds to Greek programs on environmental
protection and improving the quality of living more than tripled
over the past two years, while EU funds for health care, public
investments and education more than doubled during the same
period .
The government expects that total EU inflows in 1997 will cover
almost 50 per cent of the sum earmarked for the country until
the year 2001.
[17] Two Albanians charged in connection with seized arms cache
Athens, 07/01/1998 (ANA)
Two Albanian nationals arrested in connection with the discovery
of a huge arms cache in Dion, Pieria on Sunday, were on Monday
charged with importation and possession of weapons, explosives
and narcotic substances.
Skrendi Peirikliou, 20, and Ilir Rogi, 27, from Elbasan told
reporters as they left a prosecutor's office that they had
nothing to do with the weapons and arms found in the home of
41-year-old US national, Donna Wilkins-Kaltsas.
Katerini security police located and seized several anti-tank
rockets and launchers, machine guns, Kalashnikov assault rifles,
hand- grenades, pistols and silencers, ammunition, masks and
bullet-proof vests in a pig-sty behind the American woman's home.
A police spokesman said the weaponry had been smuggled into
Greece from Albania, and was mainly of Russian and Chinese
origin.
He also said 153 sticks of TNT had also been confiscated, as
well as 12 kilos of hashish and a small quantity of heroin.
Police also found two Uzi submachine guns when they raided the
residence, believed to have been stolen from Greek police.
Wilkins-Kaltsas' husband, Georgios, was found dead with 20
gunshot wounds near Lamia last week in what appeared to be a
gangland killing. Police believe the weapons were smuggled into
Greece over the past few months after Georgios Kaltsas' brother,
Vassilis, escaped from Corfu Prison and fled to Albania with the
help of Albanian criminal gangs and Greek accomplices.
Vassilis Kaltsas died in a car crash in Halkidiki, northern
Greece, last month.
Wilkins-Kaltsas' lawyer told reporters that his client was
innocent and had no idea of the presence of the weapons,
explosives and narcotics on her property.
Donna Wilkins-Kaltsas was later charged with possession and
trafficking in weapons, explosive materials and narcotics.
The arms cache has been transported to Athens for ballistics
testing to determine whether any of the weapons have been used
in criminal activities.
[18] Hundreds line up for 'White Cards'
Athens, 07/01/1998 (ANA)
Hundreds of illegal immigrants besieged the Manpower Employment
Organization (OAED) on Monday, eager to register for the
so-called "White Cards" allowing them to live and work in the
country until the end of the year.
Registration of the estimated half a million illegal immigrants
in Greece will last until May 31. At the end of the year, White
Card holders may obtain a "Green Card", which will be valid from
one to three years.
Applicants must present passports or identification cards,
certification from the aliens' bureau that they have not been
designated a "persona non grata", certification from the justice
ministry of an unblemished criminal record and a health
certificate from a Greek public hospital.
In an announcement issued on Monday, the General Confederation
of Workers of Greece (GSEE) expressed support for the
implementation of Presidential decrees on legalizing foreign
workers in Greece.
The announcement said the positive fact must be combined with
the known organization and operation of the Manpower Employment
Organization (OAED) to allow registration to proceed smoothly as
well as the processes anticipated for the issuing of employment
cards.
GSEE also said problems appearing at some of OAED's offices over
the first two days of allocating forms required for the
employment card could have been avoided.
[19] Ancient tombs discovered on Lesvos
Athens, 07/01/1998 (ANA)
Some 10 ancient tombs dating to the Hellenistic period have been
uncovered approximately two kilometers south of Mytilene city,
the capital of the eastern Aegean island of Lesvos.
The tombs, including a monolithic sarcophagus made of local
stone and found next to a monument, were unearthed during road
works to link Mytilene with the town of Panagiouda.
A similar tomb had been uncovered two years ago about 200 meters
to the north. Both are in the vicinity of the ancient Moria
quarry, which dates to the Hellenistic-Roman period.
Archaeologists believe the tombs are connected with several
ancient agricultural communities that existed outside the walls
of Mytilene city during the Hellenistic-Roman period, and whose
way of life was detailed in the 2nd century AD pastoral romance
"Daphnis and Chloe".
[20] Four men drown when car plunges into stream
Athens, 07/01/1998 (ANA)
Four people drowned yesterday when their vehicle fell into a
stream in Xanthi prefecture.
According to reports, a bus driver traveling on the
Xanthi-Kavala highway through the village of Tymbano spotted the
car at noon, as it lay in 1.5 meters of water with its rear
portion submerged.
Police and firefighters rushed to the scene and recovered the
car, which contained the bodies of four men.
Police identified the victims as Ibrahim Ali, 36, the driver of
the car, Stefanos Malakopoulos, 25, Lesman Yighiaoglou, 24, and
Suleyman Lubo Yiaghtsin, 21.
End of English language section.
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