Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 98-12-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Wide-ranging Simitis-Schroeder talks in Bonn today

[02] Culture ministry buys book on Alexander

[03] Santer,Simitis letters focus on differences over EU funding of Turkey

[04] Reppas heads gov't delegation to Cyprus

[05] Tsohatzopoulos talks with Indian leadership

[06] Draft bill on NGOs

[07] Australian deputy presses Greek probe into death of 2 Greek-Australians

[08] Three arrested on antiquities smuggling charges

[09] Gov't: Crop damage compensation checks by Dec. 18

[10] Gas shortages evaporate as customs officers return to work

[11] Last-ditch attempt to keep Prinos site operating

[12] Soccer violence

[13] Abducted businessman found alive in car trunk

[14] WWII-era anti-tank mines discovered, removed

[15] Athens Foreign Exchange

[01] Wide-ranging Simitis-Schroeder talks in Bonn today

BONN 07/12/1998 (ANA - P. Stangos)

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos also arrived in Bonn from Brussels last night to attend today's meeting between Mr. Simitis and Mr. Schroeder. Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis will attend the meeting between Mr. Simitis and Mr. Lafontaine .

Mr. Simitis landed in Frankfurt on Friday night where he held a private meeting with new German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer.

Talks between Mr. Simitis and Mr. Schroeder are expected to focus primarily on European issues, in light of the Vienna summit on Dec. 11-12 and Germany's assumption of the EU's rotating six-month presidency as of Jan. 1 - expected to focus on crucial issues, such as "Agenda 2000", Union resources and the future of funds (cohesion and structural funds, and Common Agricultural Policy), all of direct concern for Athens.

The aforementioned issues and Bonn's determination to decrease its contributions to the overall EU budget will constitute a special topic of discussion at a scheduled meeting between Mr. Simitis and Mr. Lafontaine, as the latter is also the new German finance minister.

According to reports from the Greek delegation, Mr. Simitis will initially place emphasis on the EU's future, such as the issue of maintaining the target of economic and social convergence between EU member-states after the introduction of the single 'euro' currency, as well as the importance of continuing Europe's political unification.

According to the same reports, the assumption by the EU of an "integrated policy in the Balkans" will be among the issues the Greek premier also intends to raise in his talks with Mr. Schroeder.

On matters of particular Greek concern, such as progress in accession negotiations between Cyprus and the EU and EU-Turkey relations, Mr. Simitis is expected to request from the new German leadership a disassociation of successful EU-Cyprus accession talks from the thorny issue of resolving the island republic's political problem, as Nicosia is blameless for the existing impasse and in light of its 'positive contribution' on the Cyprus issue.

Apart from this, Mr. Simitis is also expected to insist on the need for pressuring Ankara to accept the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice at The Hague as a framework for resolving its whatever differences with Athens.

According to the same sources, Mr. Simitis will reiterate that Greece, "despite the fact it desires the stabilisation of Turkey's European prospects, cannot accept the upgrading of its relations with the EU, namely, that it (Turkey) becomes an equal can didate-country just like the other 11 candidate-countries, unless there are necessary concessions that emanate from the preconditions set in Luxembourg (summit)."

Finally, another 'sensitive' topic includes the issue of a compulsory Nazi occupation loan and compensation for victims of the World War II occupation of Greece.

Athens News Agency Athens adamant on 'Agenda 2000',CAP issues at latest Conclave session BRUSSELS 07/12/1998 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

The issue of "Agenda 2000" and the European Union's fiscal prospects in light of EU enlargement, in particular, constitute the focal point of discussions held at the EU's Council of Foreign Ministers (Conclave) yesterday.

Greece was represented by Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou.

Mr. Papandreou said that yesterday's negotiating was substantive which, however, did not reach any specific conclusions since Greece, Spain and Portugal made it clear that they will not accept whatever idea, either of stabilising EU expenditures over the next five years or a partial renationalisation of the EU's common agricultural policy.

He said that the sole official proposal on the negotiating table is the "Agenda 2000" and that all the other proposals which have been publicised at times cannot constitute a basis for negotiations. The Greek side supports the Commission's proposals and will not accept any decrease in funds anticipated by the "Agenda 2000."

On the question of the Cohesion Fund, Mr. Papandreou said that Greece, as is also the case with the other countries benefitting from the Cohesion Fund, rejects any idea of abolishing the possibility of funding in the event that a country becomes a member of the euro zone.

Mr. Papandreou said that the issue of enlargement will be discussed today and added that, on the issue of Turkey in particular, believes that Turkey's position and status must be clarified in the process of EU enlargement to avoid misunderstandings which would create the image that Turkey is a candidate country on equal terms with the other candidate countries of eastern Europe and Cyprus. According to certain reports, Italy might also raise the Ocalan case for discussion today.

Replying to a question by the press on Mr. Santer's letter on the issue of EU funding to Turkey, Mr. Papandreou said that this letter came as a reply to a letter by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, there is no new element and Greece has repeatedly set out its positions on the issue of Turkey's financing by EU funds.

Athens News Agency

[02] Culture ministry buys book on Alexander

Athens 07/12/1998 (ANA)

The ministry bought a first or second edition of Curtius Rufus' (Quintus) "Historia Alexandri Magni", published in Rome in 1471.

To date, there was no copy of Curtius' 150-page "Historia Alexandri Magni" in Greek libraries, nor any other early Curtius publication.

The book was written in the 1st century AD in 10 tomes, the first two of which have been completely lost, as have sections from the remaining tomes.

The previous owner of the "Historia" had bought it at a 1994 Christie's auction in London.

Athens News Agency

[03] Santer,Simitis letters focus on differences over EU funding of Turkey

Athens 07/12/1998 (ANA)

Union strategy decided at the Luxembourg and Cardiff summits is revealed in a letter sent to PM Costas Simitis, dated Nov. 26.

In an earlier address, dated Oct. 20, Mr. Simitis sets out his strong reservations concerning the legality of the Commission's proposals regarding Turkey's funding, while he warned that in the event that these proposals are ratified they will create a very serious precedent and could be contested at the European Court.

Both letters were published yesterday in the Sunday newspaper "To Vima".

On his part, Mr. Santer defends the European Commission's proposals and claims that "the option of legal bases has been planned to reflect, accurately and specially, the situations which exist."

The issue of Turkey's funding, as well as the future of its relations with the EU, will be raised both at the General Affairs Council, to be held in Brussels today, and tomorrow, and at the Vienna EU summit on Dec. 11-12. What the Union's major powers will pursue at the summit is to "transform" Turkey into a candidate-country for EU accession. Conversely, Athens will pursue a reformulation of conditions put to Turkey at the Luxembourg summit, which many of Greece's EU partners are not viewing positively at present.

Athens News Agency

[04] Reppas heads gov't delegation to Cyprus

NICOSIA 07/12/1998 (ANA)

Upon arrival, Mr. Reppas said nothing has changed regarding the issue of the S-300 missiles' deployment on the island republic. He added that there is an on-going debate that is necessary "to re-adapt our tactics", as he said.

Reiterating that Athens' position is identical to Nicosia's decisions, he said the Cyprus issue should not be limited to the missiles issue.

The committee comprises officials and high-ranking members of the mass media ministry, the press and information office and representatives of the foreign ministries of Greece and Cyprus.

Delegations from both sides will hold talks today to coordinate cooperation in the field of informing public opinion on national issues.

The talks will be chaired by Mr. Reppas and Cyprus government spokesman Christos Stylianides.

Mr. Reppas will be received by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides this morning. He will also meet the President of the House of Representatives, Spyros Kyprianou.

Athens News Agency Athens 07/12/1998 (ANA)

Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos said on Saturday that an international committee being set up for a "Cultural Olympiad" to be hosted by Greece between 2000-2004 will include Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze, veteran film director Jules Dassin and well-known composer Mikis Theodorakis.

Other members would be announced later, he told a meeting of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE), held in Thessaloniki.

Athens News Agency

[05] Tsohatzopoulos talks with Indian leadership

NEW DELHI 07/12/1998 (ANA)

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos also met one-time Indian leader Rajiv Gandhi's widow, Sonia, who along with Mr. Vajpayee stressed New Delhi's lengthy relations with Cyprus within the non-aligned movement, calling for a "united future for the island republic."

Mr. Vajpayee said his country, although a nuclear power, is willing to contribute to stability and world peace by signing the treaty for a comprehensive ban of nuclear tests.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos stressed the need for collective assessments about the power and the time to use such weapons.

Athens News Agency

[06] Draft bill on NGOs

Athens 07/12/1998 (ANA)

This was stressed in a message by Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou on Saturday on the occasion of "World Volunteers Day".

The active participation of citizens, as volunteers, will allow new opportunities for peace to be promoted in regions in which outbreaks of violence are commonplace, a message by Mr. Papandreou read.

Athens News Agency

[07] Australian deputy presses Greek probe into death of 2 Greek-Australians

MELBOURNE 07/12/1998 (ANA)

Labor Party deputy Bob Surcomb said he would table a parliamentary question next week, asking the government to exert pressure through its foreign ministry to seek a rapid completion of enquiries.

"I realise that Greece has its own judicial system but police investigations have been unjustifiably slow, despite the fact that there is a request by an Australian court to receive the Greek police findings," the deputy said.

The "Sunday Herald Sun" newspspaper alleged the existence of a fresh judicial enquiry revealing that cousins George Karalis and George Loizos were murdered but the findings of the investigation were not released.

The families of the two men have rejected the findings of an earlier enquiry that claimed Karalis had murdered Loizos and then committed suicide.

Australian media have for some time alleged that a cover-up by authorities is involved in the case.

Athens News Agency

[08] Three arrested on antiquities smuggling charges

Athens 07/12/1998 (ANA)

According to reports, police followed taxi driver Nikolaos Nanos and butcher Emmanouil Petsagourakis to a meeting in the Nea Philadelplia district where they intended to sell a marble sculpture head, dated between 500 AD and the 1500s.

A third suspect, surveyor Georgios Panakis, was arrested later in a Vathis square coffee shop.

Police reportedly received information about the trio's alleged activities three months ago.

Nanos is wanted for illegal gambling and health insurance fraud. His taxi was a stolen car with an altered chassis number, while its documents were issued under a false name.

Athens News Agency

[09] Gov't: Crop damage compensation checks by Dec. 18

Athens 07/12/1998 (ANA)

The farm minister was speaking to the agricultural organisation representatives from central Macedonia in Thessaloniki.

Mr. Anomeritis said that total compensation will total around 340 billion drachmas, with the first 100 billion drachmas already sent to cotton growers.

In an apparent effort to stem farmers' mobilisations and roadblocks, which over the past two years created numerous transportation problems, especially in central Greece, Mr. Anomeritis called on farmers' representatives to engage in a "realistic dialog ue to handle structural issues".

On their part, several farmers requested, among others, that a state compensation agency for farmers be created, a farmers' register be fully applied, cooperatives' restructuring; for projects to go ahead in the farm sector and for agricultural organisa tions' to participate in the shaping of the 3rd Community Support Framework.

They warned that unless their problems are tackled immediately, they are determined to proceed with dynamic mobilisations again.

In contacts with local business, labour and farm leaders in Larissa, Mr. Anomeritis did not exchange views at length on major issues, such as the "Agenda 2000", reformation of Common Agricultural Policy, the Santer package and other major issues concern ing Greek agriculture, but received dozens of memos on various issues.

Referring to farmers' trials, he reiterated that a justice ministry bill to be tabled in Parliament will write-off farmers' offences.

Mr. Anomeritis did not meet with the members of protesting farmers' "Panthessaly Coordinating Committee", despite the fact that representatives of the PASE union, as they had said, had requested a meeting,

He said that no one from the group had requested a meeting with him, something denied by the members of the committee, who said that a phone request for a meeting with him had been made last Thursday.

Athens News Agency

[10] Gas shortages evaporate as customs officers return to work

Athens 07/12/1998 (ANA)

Customs officers were forced back to work after the government on Friday enacted special labour law provisions banning industrial action by state employees during national emergencies.

The decision was announced by National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, saying the government had exhausted all margins of dialogue.

Customs officers were protesting against a plan to merge their financially robust pension fund with other, weaker funds.

Mr. Papantoniou said this week's rolling 24-hour strikes had considerably damaged the national economy and that the government had taken into consideration all parameters before enacting "civil mobilisation" provisions.

The enactment is effectively an order to striking public servants to return to work or face dismissal.

Athens News Agency

[11] Last-ditch attempt to keep Prinos site operating

Athens 07/12/1998 (ANA)

Citing financial woes, NAPC has said it will close its installations, located off the northern Aegean island of Thassos and southeast of the town of Kavala, if workers persist in rejecting the plan to lower operating costs by 30 per cent.

NAPC's latest deadline for closure is today after attempts by the labour ministry to mediate between management and workers.

Labour Minister Miltiades Papaioannou said on Friday afternoon that the government was willing to contribute 700 million drachmas to help fund voluntary retirement for around 70 workers.

Any staff who opted for retirement would be eligible for three-year labour ministry retraining schemes, also receiving a monthly payment of 150,000 drachmas and social insurance stamps until normal retirement age.

Staff unwilling to accept voluntary retirement would be offered 2.5 million drachmas in order to start their own businesses.

Putting the government proposals to NAPC's management and union was Deputy Labour Minister Christos Protopapas, who held talks with both sides in Athens on Friday.

Workers are due to meet in Kavala on Monday to debate the ministry's proposals.

The government has asked NAPC, which employs 400 workers, to refrain from action until Thursday to allow time for discussion of the offer.

Athens News Agency

[12] Soccer violence

Athens 07/12/1998 (ANA)

Specifically, one police motorcycle was firebombed and its rider slighty injured, while several coaches and cars were stoned and three electric train wagons damaged by hooligans, police said.

A group of about 20 motorcyclists threw stones at a coach carrying Panathinaikos fans from Volos, slightly injuring the driver and a fan. Other hooligans damaged a vehicle belonging to a private television station in a parking lot outside the stadium. In another incident, a 20-year-old Panathinaikos fan was attacked and slightly injured outside a maternity clinic near the stadium.

Hooligans also tore up hundreds of plastic seats in the stadium and hurled them at riot police attempting to restore order. The fire brigade also extinguished numerous small fires which broke out in the stands. Olympiakos won the match 4-2.

Athens News Agency

[13] Abducted businessman found alive in car trunk

Athens 07/12/1998 (ANA)

The car was parked outside the Leventis motel just north of the seaside town of Agios Constantinos, central Greece, during the night.

Police said businessman Georgios Leonidopoulos was taken to police headquarters in Athens following his release from the vehicle's trunk. According to reports, he told police that he had been kidnapped by three Albanians and a Greek.

Athens News Agency

[14] WWII-era anti-tank mines discovered, removed

Athens 07/12/1998 (ANA)

The mines were removed by military bomb disposal experts, while work at the site stopped to allow bomb disposal experts to ascertain whether a minefield existed in the area during WWII. Before being turned into lots, the mountainous Depos area was mostly inaccessible.

Athens News Agency

[15] Athens Foreign Exchange

Athens 07/12/1998 (ANA)

Parities in Drachmas

Banknotes            Buying  Selling
US Dollar            279.407 285.885
Can.Dollar           181.496 185.704
Australian Dlr       173.292 177.310
Pound Sterling       465.486 476.279
Irish Punt           414.656 424.270
Pound Cyprus         561.968 574.997
Pound Malta          692.827 721.695
Turkish pound (100)    0.081   0.084
French franc          49.767  50.921
Swiss franc          204.183 208.917
Belgian franc          8.091   8.278
German Mark          166.859 170.728
Finnish Mark          54.895  56.168
Dutch Guilder        148.071 151.504
Danish Kr.            43.894  44.912
Swedish Kr.           34.849  35.657
Norwegian Kr.         37.654  38.527
Austrian Sh.          23.719  24.269
Italian lira (100)    16.859  17.250
Yen (100)            235.154 240.606
Spanish Peseta         1.961   2.007
Port. Escudo           1.622   1.660

Foreign Exchange     Buying  Selling
New York             279.407 285.885
Montreal             181.496 185.704
Sydney               173.292 177.310
London               465.486 476.279
Dublin               414.656 424.270
Nicosia              561.968 574.997
Paris                 49.767  50.921
Zurich               204.183 208.917
Brussels               8.091   8.278
Frankfurt            166.859 170.728
Helsinki              54.895  56.168
Amsterdam            148.071 151.504
Copenhagen            43.894  44.912
Stockholm             34.849  35.657
Oslo                  37.654  38.527
Vienna                23.719  24.269
Milan                 16.859  17.250
Tokyo                235.154 240.606
Madrid                 1.961   2.007
Lisbon                 1.622   1.660

Athens News Agency

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