Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 98-11-30

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis' letter to Blair detailing 'third road' for European centre- left

[02] Greek-Iranian cooperation agreement signed in Tehran

[03] Educational programme for civil servants discussed

[04] Simitis attack on ND

[05] Santer quoted as saying Greece well-placed to enter EMU by 2001

[06] Customs strike this week

[07] Tsohatzopoulos: No disagreement between Athens,Nicosia

[08] Clerides: Cyprus today's 'Thermopylae'

[09] Human Rights Watch 1998 report details torture situation in Turkey

[10] Gov't unveils new police unit as measure against bank robberies

[11] Teachers warn of strike, rallies in early December

[12] Traffic back to normal on Athens-Thessaloniki highway

[13] Archdiocese of America calls for US support of Patriarchate

[14] Christodoulos touches on Church's role towards EMU

[01] Simitis' letter to Blair detailing 'third road' for European centre- left

Athens 30/11/1998 (ANA)

Mr. Simitis, who responded in a letter, expressed his thoughts on the so- called "third road" for European centre-left governments.

Underlining the current problems posed by the globalised reality, Mr. Simitis indicated that their solutions should correspond with a European demand for the reinforcement of social cohesion and the creation of conditions which "will permanently ward-off the spectre of social exclusion", while safe-guarding economic development.

The Greek PM's letter focused on six points: first, that an effective response to globalisation cannot ignore social cohesion; it should on the contrary safeguard it, while not placing in danger economic development.

Mr. Simitis said societies of northern EU states should be organised on a "more rational basis", while he stressed that the EU's southern states are inadequate concerning basic social services.

Noting the importance of economic stability, which he called "acquis" of the EU for the last decade, he stressed that this stability should become the basic and adequate precondition to achieve social stability and low unemployment.

He added that the incorporation of economic stability in a European centre- left programme "would totally distance (the possibilty of) irresponsible leftist practises of the past."

Mr. Simits also said the international integration of economies is a process which should be welcomed by left-wing thinkers.

Regarding the environment and the quality of life, Mr. Simitis said that for the centre-left "develop-ment is a qualitative and not just an economic process."

He added that the target of development is "to ensure for every citizen the ability to realise his idea of good living".

Mr. SimitisY letter also touched on what he called a new European 'patriotism'.

"European convergence should lead to cultural homogeneity. In the same way, a strong national identity is not incomptible with the idea of a European citizen."

Lastly, Mr. Simitis insisted on the importance of culture in the development of "our personality" and collective identity.

Athens News Agency

[02] Greek-Iranian cooperation agreement signed in Tehran

Greece and Iran yesterday sealed a wide-ranging agreement expected to inaugurate bilateral cooperation in the sectors of research, technology, agriculture, informatics, energy and telecommunications.

Signing the memorandum here were Development Minister Vasso Papandreou and Iran's Higher Education Minister, Mostafa Moin.

The agreement also refers to information exchanges, conferences, talks, seminars and science fairs, while the sectors of food production and cultural heritage are also included.

The two ministers underlined the need to broaden links between Greek and Iranian scientific and technological institutions.

Scientific and technical committees will meet annually in order to arrange seminars and verify that terms of the agreement are being carried out.

Athens News Agency

[03] Educational programme for civil servants discussed

Athens 30/11/1998 (ANA)

He said the programme will be established in cooperation with the Manpower Employment Organisation (OAED) and the European Social Fund.

Mr. Benos said the programme's graduates will staff prefectural and municipal services, since the newly adopted "Kapodistrias" law regarding local governments is expected to deal with 70 per cent of citizens' needs.

He added that part of a restructuring programme is already operational, saying citizens can call the three-digit 177 telephone number to contact public services and the four-digit 1502 to for apply and receive birth certificates by mail.

Mr. Benos also said that in the future citizens will be able to apply to "one-stop" services, where one civil servant will be responsible for their case.

Athens News Agency

[04] Simitis attack on ND

Athens 30/11/1998 (ANA)

Mr. Simitis accused ND of being "stagnant and obstructionist", and of relegating its policy to "attitude-based cafe talk" and its practice to "football pitch antics."

"ND is not a party which contributes to a better functioning of the institutions", Mr. Simitis told a ruling PASOK two-day conference, which ended on Saturday.

He called on ruling party cadres to "expose ND's real face to the people, for this constitutes an obligation and a responsibility of all".

He also invited PASOK to campaign in an effort to inform society on the government's policies, because "without society's rallying the government's objectives will not be achieved".

"It is becoming evident that the New Democracy party has no clear policy, has no propositions," the premier and PASOK president said.

Local government officials of the ruling party on Saturday conducted an analysis on PASOK's weak performance in local elections last month, concluding that grass roots action was sluggish and out-of-touch with reality.

Winding up the two-day conference in Athens, the secretaries of prefectural and departmental committees said that PASOK's contact with social movements and young people had slackened.

The officials also charged that personal interests had come to overshadow collective decision-ma-king, exacerbated by the use of television by dissenters.

In addition, a number of delegates said they were concerned at what they saw as the party's nebulous identity.

ND response : ND spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos later described the prime minister's criticism as "insulting" and stemming from panic due his personal failure in power and that of his party.

Athens News Agency

[05] Santer quoted as saying Greece well-placed to enter EMU by 2001

Athens 30/11/1998 (ANA)

Mr. Santer reportedly told "Ethnos" that he was categorically opposed to reducing cohesion fund monies for Greece and said that economic and not political criteria would determine Greece's accession into EMU .

He added that the Commission would persist with its decision to begin accession negotiations with Cyprus and expressed the hope that accession talks could stimulate a political resolution to the 24-year division of the island.

Mr. Santer called Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides' proposal for Turkish Cypriots' inclusion in the Cyprus delegation negotiating the island republic's EU accession "very fair". He added that it was unfortunate that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash refused the offer.

Finally, in response to EU-Turkey relations, the Commission President that decisions taken at the Luxembourg summit still stand, although he hinted at minor changes during an upcoming EU summit in Vienna.

"There won't be any fundamental changes," he said in relation to the Vienna summit.

Athens News Agency

[06] Customs strike this week

Athens 30/11/1998 (ANA)

Customs officers want their capital-rich pension fund exempted from labour ministry plans to merge a number of public sector pension funds, part of the ministry's "mini-reforms" of the pension and health system.

A warning strike by customs officers earlier this month caused chaos at Greece's borders, with hundreds of lorries stranded at border posts.

Athens News Agency

[07] Tsohatzopoulos: No disagreement between Athens,Nicosia

Athens 30/11/1998 (ANA)

"The Cyprus and Greek government support the policy they have been up to now announcing and applying. Nevertheless, we are obliged to follow developments and, with tactical moves, to adapt ourselves to conditions and problems that arise," Mr.Tsohatzopoulos told reporters before departing for Finland to participate in a European Socialist Party (ESP) conference.

"In a discussion on various possible developments there are undoubtedly different views, but that does not necessarily mean a disagreement," he said.

"We do the best we can to guarantee Cyprus' and Greece's security and defence, and at the same time to support the positive prospect for a settlement to the Cyprus problem through the island republic's EU accession talks," Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said.

The defence minister's statements follow a Cyprus-Greece meeting between government delegations last Friday in Athens presided over by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Prime Minister Costas Simitis. On Saturday from Patra, Mr. Clerides also de nied that there was any breach between Athens and Nicosia and that the joint defence doctrine between the two countries was sound. Mr. Clerides told reporters that reports the Russian S- 300 missiles would be deployed on Crete rather than Cyprus were false and denied that Mr. Simitis had proposed the alternative site.

The proposal that the missiles be deployed on Crete had been made in the past by a number of countries, such as the US and European Union countries, he added.

The Cyprus issue is in the minds of all Greeks and should not be used for internal party political goals, he said.

Mr. Simitis' and Mr. Clerides' talks on the Cyprus problem were also attended by the leaderships of the two countries' foreign and defence ministries.

Nicosia's plans to deploy the Russian missile system have been criticised by some countries, which claim the S-300s will only increase tension. Turkey has openly threatened that it will prevent deployment of the anti- aircraft missiles.

"Any defence measures taken are aimed solely at bolstering the island's defence and ensuring the peaceful settlement of the Cyprus problem. We remain true to the commitments we have undertaken within the framework of the (Greece-Cyprus) joint defence do ctrine," Mr. Simitis said on Friday.

He stressed that "much idle talk" had surfaced regarding the S-300 missiles, noting that their deployment was simply part of Cyprus' efforts to strengthen its defences.

G. Papandreou : On his part, Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou denied yesterday that there was a rift between Athens and Nicosia over deployment of the S-300s.

"There is no difference of opinion between Greece and Cyprus on the issue of the Russian S-300 missiles," Mr. Papandreou told reporters in Patra.

Cooperation between the two governments was systematic and close, aimed at achieving the best for both sides, as Mr. Clerides had pointed out, Mr. Papandreou said.

"This is what we are working on. For the action needed to achieve an actual reinforcement of Cyprus' defence, and to advance the Cyprus issue, which is major," he said.

Tsovolas reaction : Finally, Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas on Saturday condemned the governments of both Greece and Cyprus, saying they "were deceiving the Greek people on the S-300 missile issue."

He claimed that both countries' leaderships are keeping a decision to cancel the deployment of the S-300 missiles on Cyprus "a secret."

"...those who govern are pitiful employees, who do not have the virtue and courage...they do not care to defend the national interests, but rather who will take responsibility and the political cost to tell the people the truth," he said.

Athens News Agency

[08] Clerides: Cyprus today's 'Thermopylae'

Athens 30/11/1998 (ANA)

The Cypriot president arrived in the western Peloponnese port city to honour Greek soldiers Alexis Christopoulos and Georgios Martzaklis, both killed in action during the July 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

Mr. Clerides called the Greek soldiers in Cyprus heroes, noting that Athens and Nicosia have a joint course.

Local leaders and Cypriot representatives also addressed the event.

Mr. Clerides also spoke at the University of Patra on the latest developments regarding the Cyprus problem.

Athens News Agency

[09] Human Rights Watch 1998 report details torture situation in Turkey

NEW YORK 30/11/1998 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

The report, covering the period December 1997 to November 1998, accused Turkey for what it called systematical use of "torture and mistreatment during pre-trial detention by the anti-terror police"; failure to aid those the government forcibly displaced ; state control of womenYs virginity; deaths while in police custody; abuse of the Greek ethnic minority in the country and the torture of children.

According to the report, the "Teror le Mucadele Subesi" (anti-terrorist branch of the Turkish interior ministry) is responsible for torture and mistreatment of detainees.

"TurkeyYs anti-terror police have become infamous both within the country and outside of Turkey for the widespread use of such practices against detainees accused of political crimes, both violent and non-violent," the report states.

It added that "criminal suspects also face the prospect of torture and mistreatment at the hands of the regular police."

"The Council of EuropeYs committee for the Prevention of Torture (CTP) stated that the maltreatment of seven suspects at the Anti-Terror Branch of the Istanbul Police headquarters must rank among the most flagrant examples of torture encountered by CTP delegations in Turkey," the report read.

It added that the extent of the problem is such that "certain departments within the Interior Ministry were becoming a 'State within a State'."

The report also condemned Turkey for its forced displacement of two million people from its southeastern provinces, subsequently failing to aid them resettle properly.

"Some 2,685 villages and hamlets in Turkey's southeastern provinces have been completely or partially depopulated since fighting broke out in the region in August 1984 between government forces and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK)," the report said.

It added that the move intended to "deprive the PKK of logistical support," while in its efforts to root-out PKK sympathisers death-squads killed 2,000 civilians.

HRW also compiled a special report on the state control of females' virginity in Turkey, citing several separate incidents in "the spring of 1992, when young females committed suicide after authorities ordered them to submit to examinations of their hymens."

In terms of Greece, the report stated that human rights abuses in the country focus on "migrants and ethinc minorities", but added that the PASOK government took "some positive steps" since it was elected in 1996.

According to the report, the Greek government has taken steps to legalise the presence of "an estimated 500,000 illegal Albanian migrants" and to increase infrastructure investments in regions of Thrace populated by Muslims.

Finally, the report said that last February "Prime Minister Simitis openly acknowledged the problem of racism in Greece, a first for a Greek prime minister."

Athens News Agency

[10] Gov't unveils new police unit as measure against bank robberies

Athens 30/11/1998 (ANA)

Speaking to cadets at the police academy on Saturday, Public Order Minister Philipos Petsalnikos said 250 police officers would be trained specifically in guarding banks and quickly tracking down robbers.

The new squad will be equipped with 100 motorcycles, some unmarked, he said.

He also told the audience that a police helicopter will patrol Attica skies during banking hours, with a police officer on duty in the helicopter expected to coordinate ground chases of bank robbers.

Special training in disarming and shooting at robbers without harming civilians is also on the agenda of the squad's training. The police hotline will provide more lines to enable prompt communication between services.

Mr. Petsalnikos took office last month in a government mini reshuffle, replacing George Romeos at the helm of a ministry besieged by charges of corruption and ineptitude in police ranks.

Bank robberies have became an almost daily occurrence in Greece, with many smaller bank branches targetted by robbers, most of whom make quick getaways, usually on high-power motorbikes, before police arrive.

In Thessaloniki last month, a young college student waiting in line at a bank was killed by a stray bullet during a robbery, causing a public outcry about security measures.

The issue of bank security has been the focus of concern for some time, with public order ministry officials and bank representatives often meeting on measures to prevent armed robberies and protect both employees and customers, although the situation has considerably worsened.

Athens News Agency

[11] Teachers warn of strike, rallies in early December

Athens 30/11/1998 (ANA)

An exact date for the strike will be decided today, a statement read. Two possible dates are Dec. 7 and 9.

Students have already decided on a rally and protest march to the education ministry on Dec. 9.

The teacher's federation, OLME, has already said it would participate in a strike called for Dec. 15 by the Civil Servants' Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY).

Athens News Agency

[12] Traffic back to normal on Athens-Thessaloniki highway

Athens 30/11/1998 (ANA)

No injuries or damage to vehicles was reported.

Traffic was re-routed through a new overpass near Leptokarya, rushed into service following the collapse of the other bridge.

The highway was closed to traffic when subsidence caused the overpass at Ziliana, between Leptokarya and Skotina, to collapse over both sides of the motorway.

Hundreds of vehicles had been stranded on both sides of the motorway.

Athens News Agency

[13] Archdiocese of America calls for US support of Patriarchate

NEW YORK 30/11/1998 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

"...We ask you to act decisively in support of freedom, basic human rights and free religious expression. We ask you to courageously defend the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople's rights..." the letter, signed by Archbishop of America Spyridon among others, reads.

Athens News Agency

[14] Christodoulos touches on Church's role towards EMU

Athens 30/11/1998 (ANA)

Speaking in Kilkis prefecture, Christodoulos said it would be a mistake to underestimate the spiritual element of the course towards the EMU, "since economic problems cannot be solved without the existence of honest people."

He noted that at the base of every economic programme there lies the human element, adding that attention must be paid "so as to have cultured persons, " otherwise society is transformed into a field of exploitation.

Athens News Agency

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