Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 98-02-23
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1423), February 23, 1998
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Pangalos says willing to meet but not negotiate with Turkey's Cem
[02] Socialist women call for peaceful solution to Gulf crisis
[03] Kranidiotis voices optimism on course of Greek-Turkish relations
[04] 'Alexander the Great' university to be founded in Alexandria
[05] US gov't 'more pro-Greek than ever', SAE president tells Clerides
[06] Stricter measures urged for protection of private enterprises in
Bulgaria
[07] Stephanopoulos attends Ioannina liberation festivities
[08] NATO exercises get underway in the Mediterranean
[09] 15th INFACOMA exhibition
[10] Prof. Tsatsos winds up visit to Tirana
[11] Greek trade delegation visits Tirana
[12] PASOK youth congress ends
[13] Construction of Florina power plant to go ahead
[14] KKE holds debate on formation of anti-imperialist front
[01] Pangalos says willing to meet but not negotiate with Turkey's Cem
Athens, 23/02/1998 (ANA)
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said he was willing to meet with
Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem but that negotiations were out of the
question.
"I say to Mr. Cem that I am ready to meet with him, not however, to
negotiate. I see our next opportunity (to meet) as being the forthcoming
meeting in Rhodes of foreign ministers of Western European Union member and
associated states. It will be an opp ortunity for us to sit down and talk,"
Mr. Pangalos said in an interview published in the Sunday newspaper "To
Vima", given last Thursday.
Mr. Pangalos defined the possible content of such talks as being an "open
discussion in which each minister, as is natural, can say whatever he wants
and will not be restricted by agendas, by colleagues or by the press,but
will be able to speak as he wishes".
He ruled out however, the idea of negotiations.
"The Turks want political negotiations on what they see as problems in the
Aegean, which in reality are Turkish claims against Greece," said
Mr. Pangalos.
He reiterated Greece's position that the only bilateral issue requiring
resolution was that of the continental shelf, adding that Turkey was free
to refer any other claims it might have to the International Court of
Justice. Asked whether Greece's rejection of a five-point proposal by
Turkey on bilateral relations meant that these rel ations would be frozen
in the immediate future, Mr. Pangalos replied:
"First of all I wouldn't use the term 'rejection' so easily. In reality we
gave a response characterised by a different view of Greek-Turkish
relations, more in line with what we have often maintained and also in line
with international practice. I did not reject the idea of a meeting with
Mr. Cem."
The foreign minister emphasised the terms of a declaration signed in Madrid
last July between Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Turkish President
Suleyman Demirel as being a "condemnation of the thre-ats of war made on
various occasions by Turkey agains t Greece".
"Before the Madrid declaration, our position, at least, was that we could
not meet with the Turks while the threats and the threat of use of violence
still held," he said. Mr. Pangalos also criticised dissidence within the
ruling PASOK party's yout h group, saying the party should ignore internal
opposition and concentrate on broadening PASOK's electoral base.
He said that a complete absence of discord only existed in an "arti-ficial
paradise".
Emphasising that his relations with Prime Minister Costas Simitis were and
had always been "excellent", he described it as natural for relations
within a government to include "an expansion of views" and "questioning" of
issues. Anything else, he said, happened only in an "artificial paradise",
such as that which existed during the leadership of the party's late
founder, Andreas Papandreou.
"Andreas Papandreou had a charisma that proved to be fatal for a great
number of the nation's problems. He could make you forget what was
unpleasant ... and to feel happy simply by the fact that you were close to
him."
It was these personal attributes of Papandreou, he said, which had
condemned him to an "indescri-bable loneliness", particularly during the
latter part of his life.
"(Simitis) and I ... are not like that... There is a new type of
politician, oriented towards the open society that will develop within the
21st century, although not without opposition from Greek society because we
are not used to democracy,we are only now learning about it," he concluded.
Calling the dissent within the leadership of PASOK's youth "an unpleasant
and disappointing phenomenon", he dismissed what he said were the "antics"
of youth leader Tonia Antoniou as being of little concern to citizens.
[02] Socialist women call for peaceful solution to Gulf crisis
Athens, 23/02/1998 (ANA)
The regional conference of women from socialist parties of southeastern
Europe was concluded in Athens on Saturday with the ratification of a
proclamation focusing on the mobilisation of women and the strengthening of
their role in implementing a new policy in the Balkans and a message by the
Socialist International of Women to the women of Iraq and UN
Secretary-General Kofi Annan for a peaceful solution to the Gulf crisis.
The conference was organised by the Socialist International of Wo-men in
cooperation with the ruling PASOK party's Women's Department and was
presided over by Socialist International of Women President and Canadian
Deputy Audrey McLaughlin. The main speaker was Development Minister Vasso
Papandreou.
Referring to multiple upheavals being experienced in countries of
southeastern Europe and the quest for new strategies and policies,
Ms. Papandreou said these developments affect the wider region either
directly or indirectly. She said that for this rea son dialogue is
important and cooperation is necessary for joint action.
Ms. Papandreou announced that a meeting will take place in Athens in autumn
at government level to promote favourable strategies more effectively for
an equal representation of women in decision-making centres.
Addressing the conference, Foreign Undersecretary Yiannos Kranidiotis
congratulated the organisers of the conference, saying it corresponded to
the initiative taken by Prime Minister Costas Simitis for the Crete summit
and referred to the country's geop olitical coordinates and sensitivity it
is showing on issues concerning social protection and peace.
[03] Kranidiotis voices optimism on course of Greek-Turkish relations
Athens, 23/02/1998 (ANA)
Foreign Undersecretary Yiannos Kranidiotis expressed optimism that issues
concerning Greek-Turki-sh relations will enter a course which will
normalise relations between the two countries. Mr. Kranidiotis was speaking
in Tripolis on Saturday where he arrived to address an event organised by
PASOK's Prefectural Committee.
Mr. Kranidiotis reiterated that Greece has made proposals with which issues
must be tackled on the basis of international law and international
agreements. Greece has accepted the compulsory jurisdiction of the
International Court at The Hague and calls on Turkey to do likewise.
Referring to the crisis in the Persian Gulf, he said a possible showdown in
Iraq will be a negative development for the entire region, adding that
Greece's position is that all diplomatic possibilities must be exhausted
for peace to prevail in the region.
[04] 'Alexander the Great' university to be founded in Alexandria
Alexandria, 23/02/1998 (ANA)
A protocol on utilising the schools of the Greek community in Alexandria
for the establishment of the "Alexander the Great" university was signed in
Alexandria yesterday between the Greek Foreign Ministry and the city's
Greek community.
The signing ceremony was held in the "Ioulia Salvagou" hall located in the
Satby region of Alexandria. On the part of the Foreign Ministry, the
protocol was signed by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and on the part
of the Greek community by its Presi dent and Regional President of the
Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) of Asia and Africa Stephanos Tamvakis.
The Greek community schools in Alexandria will be used to house the
"Alexander the Great" university which the Greek government is planning to
establish in this Egyptian city.
Mr. Pangalos inaugurated a photography exhibition and cultural events
organised on the occasion of his official visit to Egypt. He also visited
the Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa Petros.
[05] US gov't 'more pro-Greek than ever', SAE president tells Clerides
Athens, 23/02/1998 (ANA)
Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) President Andrew Athens addressed a letter
to Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides congratulating him on his re-election
to the Presidency.
"The situation on the Cyprus issue is not ideal but the American government
is more pro-Greek than ever today," Mr. Athens said in his letter, further
adding that "Greece and Cyprus must be in a position to fully exploit such
opportunities."
Mr. Athens referred at length to what has taken place over the past 23
years following the invasion and occupation by Turkey of 40 per cent of the
island. He said that in most of these years the attitude of the
U.S. government was flagrantly anti-Greek in the worst of cases and in the
best it was as if it was prepared to be as pro-Greek as it was pro-Turkish
and not to criticise Turkish threats against Greece and Cyprus.
According to Mr. Athens, a change has been observed following the
involvement of Richard Holbrooke. He said the change has been sporadically
positive in past years and more stable in past months.
[06] Stricter measures urged for protection of private enterprises in
Bulgaria
Athens, 23/02/1998 (ANA)
Members of the board of the Federation of Industries of Northern Greece
(SBBE) called on Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister
Aleksandr Boskov, who concluded a two-day visit to Thessaloniki
yesterday,to have stricter measures to be taken for the protection and
security of private enterprises and businessmen exercising business
activities in Bulgaria.
Mr. Boskov arrived in Thessaloniki on Saturday accompanied by Alternate
Industry Minister Vladimir Kisiov, the manageress of the International
Investments Department Olga Stoyianova and 20 representatives from
enterprises which are active in the communi cations, tourism, textiles and
foodstuffs sectors.
On their part, the Bulgarian officials spoke of the course of the
privatisation programme and of the new law governing investments in force
in their country.
[07] Stephanopoulos attends Ioannina liberation festivities
Athens, 23/02/1998 (ANA)
Festivities marking the 85th anniversary of Ioannina's liberation from
Turkish rule culminated in the city on Saturday with an impressive parade
of pupils, students, boy scouts, invalids of war and units of the armed
forces and security services in the presence of President Kostis
Stephanopoulos.
The government was represented by National Defence Minister Akis
Tsohatzopoulos. Also present were Democratic Social Movement party (DHKKI)
leader Dimitris Tsovolas, Environment, Town Planning and Public Works
Undersecretary Theodoros Koliopanos, deputies, senior officers of the armed
forces and security services and foreign diplomats.
In a brief address, President Stephanopoulos congratulated officers for the
armed forces' performance in the parade, stressing that the higher the
spirit of the armed forces the more safe the Greek people feel both in
wartime and peacetime.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said there is nothing to negotiate in the Aegean and
neither are there any "grey' nor any zones of a different kind.
"These are illusions and fantasies of the Turkish side," he said.
Former foreign minister Karolos Papoulias said that "Turkish provocations
will continue and will intensify because they also reflect Turkey's
domestic problems."
Mr. Tsovolas attributed Turkish provocations to the government's
submissiveness which, as he said, must stop this policy and must primarily
revise its position on resorting to the International Court at The Hague.
[08] NATO exercises get underway in the Mediterranean
Rome, 23/02/1998 (ANA/New China)
Joint military NATO exercises got underway in the Mediterranean on Friday
and will last for two weeks. A representative of the NATO alliance said
they were routine exercises.
The exercises, codenamed "Dog Fish 98", include units from Canada, France,
Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, Britain and the
United States equipped with submarines, warships, helicopters and
warplanes.
The purpose of the exercises is to improve cooperation and coordination
between the military in the above countries.
[09] 15th INFACOMA exhibition
Athens, 23/02/1998 (ANA)
The German Koemmerling company intends to set up a synthetic door and
window frame plant in Greece.
This was revealed in Thessaloniki on Saturday by the company's general
manager Zeigfried Prais (phonetic spelling), who visited the 15th INFACOMA
exhibition, and expressed his satisfaction with Koemmerling's collaboration
with its Greek representatives going back 10 years.
Koemmerling currently holds a 60 per cent share in the Greek market,
representing a turnover of 7.5 million DM annually.
[10] Prof. Tsatsos winds up visit to Tirana
Athens, 23/02/1998 (ANA)
"Europe is closer to Albania, but Albania, too, is one step closer to
Europe," Europarliamentarian and Greek constitutional expert Dimitris
Tsatsos told a press conference in Tirana yesterday.
Mr. Tsatsos, a constitutional law professor and member of the European
Parliament's committee on institutional reforms, also praised the members
of the Albanian parliamentary commission drafting the country's new
constitution after the overthrow of the communist regime.
He said the commission's work so far had been "exemplary", and its members'
manner of operation "praiseworthy", adding that "the democratic nature of
the constitution is a condition for the country's accession to the European
Union".
Mr. Tsatsos yesterday concluded his Tirana visit, in an advisory capacity,
that also included talks with President Rexhep Meidani, Mr. Nano, the
Albanian parliament's foreign affairs committee president, the reforms
minister, the minister of State, the parliament president, and
representatives of the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security
and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Prof. Tsatsos is due to visit Tirana again in mid-April.
[11] Greek trade delegation visits Tirana
TIRANA, 23/02/1998 (ANA - P. Haritos)
An inter-ministerial committee headed by National Economy Undersecretary
Alexandros Baltas left for Tirana yesterday for talks with the Albanian
government and to attend the 6th meeting of the Greek-Albanian joint
inter-ministe rial committee on economic cooperation.
The 30-member Greek delegation is due to meet with Albanian prime minister
Fatos Nano and several ministers during its visit, which is to run through
Wednesday.
The meeting aims at upgrading and developing trade relations between the
two countries, while the details of a pending Greek loan to Albania and its
management will also be examined.
Greece has pledged 18 billion drachmas in loans to Albania to aid in the
implementation of public works projects.
Last September, it also allocated two billion drachmas (7 million dollars)
to Albania in urgent financial aid.
Mr. Baltas will further meet with Archbishop Anastasios of Albania while in
Tirana.
[12] PASOK youth congress ends
Athens, 23/02/1998 (ANA)
The 3rd Congress of the ruling socialist PASOK party's youth wing was due
to come to a close late last night with the creation of its new Central
Council.
Addresses were concluded during yesterday's last day of the congress, a
series of changes to the charter were endorsed, as well as a series of
resolutions, and the political resolution of the congress was ratified.
In her last speech, outgoing PASOK Youth Organisation Secretary Tonia
Antoniou appealed to the group of "modernisers", who abstained from the
congress, to return to the PASOK youth's active service by the side of its
new leadership.
Lastly, the congress decided to establish an Institute of Studies and
Political Communication of Young Socialists in which the PASOK Youth
Organisation's Central Council will participate.
According to sources, Prime Minister Costas Simitis and his close
associates termed the situation as disagreeable and recognised that a
problem was created for the cohesion image of both the government and the
party, regardless of whether the policy of moderate tones was selected on
Friday.
Nearly all leading PASOK personalities, including Secretary Costas
Skandalidis, declined to attend the congress.
Addressing the congress on Saturday, PASOK Deputy Anastasios Peponis
congratulated the party's Youth Organisation members "for their strength
and their position since they refused submission and false dilemmas."
"We are in the European Union and it is a mistake if we are outside of its
framework. However, the issue is how we realise it. We desire the union of
peoples and nations and we refuse the idea of a faceless and levelled
population. Greece must be in Eur ope but it must not constitute one of its
regions. Even those who through our lines speak of the demise of the
state-nation must tell us which is the other unit which will replace it,"
Mr. Peponis said.
[13] Construction of Florina power plant to go ahead
Athens, 23/02/1998 (ANA)
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas has dismissed claims of improprieties
in the procedures followed in approving the construction of a Public Power
Corporation (DEH) plant in Greece's northwestern town of Florina.
"The government ensured terms of transparency and objectivity by promoting
the selection, through international tender, of an independent assessor in
order to check whether the price agreed by DEH was reasonable and
competitive. The independent assessor concluded that the price was 5-6 per
cent lower than the internationally acceptable level, and therefore
competitive"," the spokesman said on Saturday.
The spokesman stressed the importance of the investment, part of a
Russian-Greek agreement, both to the development of a border area and the
tapping of domestic energy sources.
"Critics also ignore the political importance of respecting the agreement
with Russia," he added.
[14] KKE holds debate on formation of anti-imperialist front
Athens, 23/02/1998 (ANA)
The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) held its first public debate on the
formation of an "Anti-imperialist Anti-monopolistic Democratic Front" on
Saturday, with guests political figures and mainly trade unionists who
belong to other political camps,or are former KKE members, or are no longer
active in politics.
Sources said KKE aims to form alliances in particular strata of the
country's public life, which would be open to participation to anyone
provided they agreed on the need for coordinated action against the
policies of the government, the EU and NATO.
The party recently approved a policy of selective support for candidates in
the municipal elections later in the year that do not necessarily belong to
it.
Disagreements were acceptable, but in due course it is expected that the
need for a minimum of common position will be understood, the party sources
said.
Politburo member Dimitris Koutsoubas said that "the formation of the front
is not based on an agreement on socialism".
"Activity in trade unions, local organisations, and all sorts of movements
is necessary for the formation of this front, and would include issues of
foreign policy, NATO and the EU, and, of course, the fields of education,
privatisations, the fight agai nst drugs, and local government," said
Mr. Koutsoubas.
PASOK Central Committee member and former health minister Dimitris
Kremastinos, who was among the attendants, said the debate was timely, and
that a serious effort should be undertaken for a better and more efficient
welfare state.
End of English language section.
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