Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-02-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU calls on Turkey to give Ocalan a fair and open trial

[02] US hopes for fcair Ocalan trial

[03] Simitis speaks with EU counterparts

[04] Justice minister appeals to EU

[05] Greece lashes out at Turkey's fabrications

[06] European lawyers call for fair Ocalan trial

[07] Papandreou calls for 'cool-headedness'

[08] Greece intends to grant asylum to Ocalan aide, sources say

[09] Greeks celebrate first day of Lent

[10] Kranidiotis discusses Kosovo problem with Albanian FM

[11] SE European audiovisual institutes urge cooperation

[12] Political party leaders speak at Ioannina liberation anniversary events

[13] Veteran journalist Mathiopoulos dies

[14] Swiss tourist goes missing in Crete

[01] EU calls on Turkey to give Ocalan a fair and open trial

BRUSSELS 23/02/1999 (ANA/M.Spinthourakis)

"The European Union takes note of the assurance of the Turkish Government that Abdullah Ocalan will have a fair trial. It expects this to mean fair and correct treatment and an open trial according to the rule of law before an independent court, with access to legal counsel of his choice and with international observers admitted to the trial. It underlines once more its strict opposition to the death penalty," the statement said.

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, who insisted on the issuing of a statement concerning Ocalan's capture and transfer to an island prison in Turkey last week, and the long-standing Kurdish problem, expressed his satisfaction over the EU statement.

The EU foreign ministers condemned all forms of terrorism but underlined that the fight against terrorism had to be dealt with through respect of all human rights and democratic rules.

They also expressed their regret at the acts of violence which followed the capture of Ocalan.

The statement noted that there was no issue of Turkey's territorial sovereignty being disputed but added that Turkey was called on to resolve its political problems with respect for human rights and on the basis of the rules of democratic societies.

If Turkey is prepared to satisfactorily meet the above issues, the European Union is prepared to extend all forms of assistance, including financial, the foreign ministers said.

They added that the resolution of the above problems would have an effect on the European Union's relations with Turkey.

In his press statements, Mr. Papandreou said: "This statement gives Turkey the opportunity, if it meets the conditions set out in the statement, to strengthen its ties with the European Union."

Greece, he added, had insisted on the statement because a large number of Kurdish political refugees had found sanctuary in Greece and other European countries and because it believed the statement would contribute to achieving stability in the wider region of the Balkans.

He underlined that Turkey as a member of the Council of Europe would have to satisfy a series of commitments in relation to Ocalan's trial.

He linked the Kurdish issue to the concern over Kosovo, saying that if Serbia had respected human and minority rights in the strife-torn region, today's tension would not be an issue.

Responding to Turkish reporters, the foreign minister said that "if Turkey thinks it can use Greece as a scapegoat for the Ocalan issue it is mistaken."

He said that many Kurds living in Greece were political refugees and engaged in political activity but under no circumstances could they be considered terrorists.

"Greece, like many other European Union countries, could not accept extending political asylum to Abdullah Ocalan but attempted for primarily humanitarian reasons, to assist him in finding refuge," Mr. Papandreou said.

"This attempt failed but Prime Minister Costas Simitis has ordered that any criminal responsibilities in this affair be investigated," he added.

Greece had not informed its EU partners about the fact that Ocalan had requested refuge from Greece for one main reason, he said. The European Union proved not to be in a position to take a joint stand on the issue.

Mr. Papandreou said many "paranoic scenarios" had been published recently about Greece's supposed links to terrorist acts in Turkey but that the main issue was a fair and just trial for Abdullah Ocalan.

On Sunday, the EU foreign ministers indicated backing a proposal by Athens that the 15-nation bloc should adopt a joint approach to the Kurdish question and seek a fair trial for Ocalan, diplomatic sources said earlier yesterday.

The EU ministers were speaking over dinner in Luxembourg on Sunday evening before a meeting yesterday.

Discussion was based on a political analysis of the Ocalan affair by German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, which the sources described as "very balanced."

Greece's newly appointed Foreign Minister George Papandreou told the ministers that the Kurdish question was not a dispute between Greece and Turkey, but an issue that involved the fundamental principles of international law, especially the protection of human rights and the rights of minorities, the sources said.

A solution to the Kurdish problem would not dispute Turkey's territorial integrity, they quoted Mr. Papandreou as saying.

He asked the EU to take a joint, public stand on the Kurdish issue, on humane prison conditions for Ocalan and a fair trial, including access to the lawyers of his choice, which has so far been denied.

Several EU members have privately indicated their annoyance at Turkey's diplomatic offensive to have Greece reprimanded by the EU along with other countries that as Turkey says backed Ocalan's alleged terrorist activities, the sources said.

In private meetings with his counterparts on the sidelines of Sunday's session, Mr. Papandreou acknowledged the government's political responsibility in the outcome of the Ocalan affair, and said that judicial authorities were looking into possible criminal responsibility.

Given the sensitivity shown by Greek public opinion, Greece had the choice between going public with the Ocalan issue or assuming the risk of his flight. It chose the latter, which ended in his capture by Turkey, and the government was still paying for that choice, the sources quoted Mr. Papandreou as saying.

Athens News Agency

[02] US hopes for fcair Ocalan trial

WASHINGTON 23/02/1999 (ANA/T. Ellis)

Echoing an earlier statement by European Union foreign ministers, White House spokesman J. Lockhart said: "We believe that the trial offers a chance to Turkey to show to the European community and the rest of the world that it can provide the legal process in an open and transparent trial. We think that this is an opportunity and our hope is that they (the Turks) will do it."

Dismissing reports on the role of the U.S. in the capture of Ocalan, Mr. Lockhart said he was unaware of attacks by the Turkish press against Greece.

Athens News Agency

[03] Simitis speaks with EU counterparts

Athens 23/02/1999 (ANA)

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said Mr. Simitis had telephone conversations Sunday with premiers Paavo Lipponen of Finland and Poul Rasmussen of Denmark, following similar conversations Saturday with premiers Anto-nio Guterres of Portugal and Goran Persson of Sweden.

Mr. Simitis told his EU counterparts that a just trial and adherence to the rules of justice must be ensured for Ocalan, the Kurdish leader should be represented by lawyers of his own choosing, the presence of international observers at the trial should be ensured, as should Ocalan's physical well- being, while the prospect of a death sentence should be ruled out, Mr. Reppas added.

On Saturday, Mr. Reppas said that the two foreign leaders -- Guterres and Persson -- had agreed that the issue should be discussed and that decisions should be made.

Athens News Agency

[04] Justice minister appeals to EU

Athens 23/02/1999 (ANA)

In a letter addressed to his counterparts concerning Ocalan, Mr. Yiannopoulos underlined the inhuman and barbaric living conditions and degradation of human personality, such as the relevant scenes broadcast worldwide on TV.

Mr. Yiannopoulos called for a fair trial for Ocalan, invoking the UN's Human Rights proclamation, the International Treaty of Rome, the constitutions and penal legislation of countries which honour the functioning of "the democratic principle" and apply in practice the principle of a state of law.

In a related development, the Union of Judges and Prosecutors has addressed a letter to the International Union of Judges, calling for its effective intercession with Turkey's judicial and political authorities to have humane treatment secured for Ocalan and the carrying out of his trial in accordance with rules acceptable worldwide.

The letter said that the International Union of Judges is obliged to demand observance by Turkey of all rules anticipating protection of the rights of every man, both during the runup process and the main trial itself.

The Union of Judges and Prosecutors said that it will participate with a representative in a special mission to attend the Ocalan trial.

Athens News Agency

[05] Greece lashes out at Turkey's fabrications

Athens 23/02/1999 (ANA)

"Using inaccuracy and fabrication Turkey is trying to create a whole intrigue at Greece's expense. It is building up an outside enemy in order to divert international attention away from the basic problem, which is recognition and respect for the rights of the Kurdish people," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said on Sunday evening.

The spokesman was responding to statements on the same day by Tur-kish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem.

Mr. Cem had said he expected the European Union to examine the case of Greece, which he alleged had opposed the bloc's charter, commitments and obligations.

"It is audacious for this country to present itself as a prosecutor when it is illegally occupying half of Cyprus and has to answer to international law and order for systematically violating the law and flagrantly violating human rights. Even today it arrested European journalists," Mr. Reppas said.

He added that Turkey could not avoid its responsibility by hiding behind slander against Greece.

Athens News Agency

[06] European lawyers call for fair Ocalan trial

Athens 23/02/1999 (ANA)

"Through its participation in the Council of Europe, Turkey has obligations that mean guaranteeing a fair and open trial in line with the principles of international law," the CCBE said in a statement.

"It is also obliged to allow Ocalan to choose his own defence lawyers and agree to give them access. European lawyers are seeking a commitment from Ankara that the death penalty will not be imposed," the statement said.

The association's president is Sotirios Yelios, a Greek lawyer.

Athens News Agency

[07] Papandreou calls for 'cool-headedness'

Athens 23/02/1999 (ANA)

Speaking in Luxembourg before a two-day EU Foreign Ministers' meeting on Agenda 2000, the Kosovo crisis and the Kurdish issue, the newly-sworn-in foreign minister also called for "cool-headedness and seriousness", adding that "we must rise up to the cir cumstances".

Mr. Papandreou reiterated that he had demanded full clarification of the Ocalan issue in a "responsible, brave and democratic" manner.

The solution, he warned, would not be found in hasty movements.

Noting that the Ocalan issue had not closed, he reiterated that he would seek during the meeting " for the European Union to shoulder its responsibilities on the Kurdish issue".

Athens News Agency

[08] Greece intends to grant asylum to Ocalan aide, sources say

Athens 23/02/1999 (ANA)

The other two women are said to be in possession of travel documents facilitating their smooth passage.

Greek ambassador Giorgos Kostoulas is to remain in the Kenyan capital until the end of the month, to ensure that all three leave safely, the sources added.

Athens News Agency

[09] Greeks celebrate first day of Lent

Athens 23/02/1999 (ANA)

Bakeries were busy from early morning to bake Lagana loaves, while the Varvakeios market in Athens was thronged with people eager to buy fresh seafood such as octopus, squid, shrimps, crayfish and mussels.

Athenians took advantage of fair weather conditions in the morning and took their children with their kites to hills and open spaces in the capital such as Parnis, Hymettus, Penteli, Thrakomakedones, Kareas, Galatsi and Philopappou.

Local or municipal music and dancing groups and artistic programmes were available, while on the Philopappou hill the Athens municipality's philharmonic group entertained visitors with traditional carnival songs.

Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos also visited Philopappou where he mingled with people and wished them well.

Patras Carnival celebrations : Carnival celebrations in Patras heightened on Sunday night with the burning of the carnival's temporary "King of laughter" at the city's port.

Thousands of visitors from all over the country attended festive events, which started early in the afternoon with the big parade of 40,000 people of all ages who participated in the hidden treasure game.

The big parade lasted over three hours and came to a close with the special floats from which thousands of chocolates were thrown to spectators thronging the city's central streets.

Athens News Agency

[10] Kranidiotis discusses Kosovo problem with Albanian FM

Athens 23/02/1999 (ANA)

The two men stressed the need for progress in the peace talks in France so that agreement could be achieved before the expiry of the new deadline given by the Contact Group, a Foreign Ministry statement said.

Mr. Milo reiterated Albania's positions on the situation in the troubled Yugoslav province, stressing that the Kosovo Albanians were now more prepared to accept the agreement than the Serb side, since they desired the presence of an international peacekeeping force in Kosovo.

Mr. Kranidiotis underscored the critical nature of the situation, warning that the margins were running out and that the two sides needed to make every possible effort to reach agreement.

On Greek-Albanian bilateral relations, the two sides confirmed the excellent level of those relations, which they said was proved by the close contact and cooperation between the two governments.

In that context, Mr. Milo said Tirana was examining in a positive light the renewal of the Greek military force's (ELDAL-2) term in Albania, which ends next month, the ministry announcement said.

Athens News Agency

[11] SE European audiovisual institutes urge cooperation

Athens 23/02/1999 (ANA)

Representatives from 32 organisations in the region related to the audiovisual sector (Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Greece, Croatia, Cyprus, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Slovenia and Turkey) participated in the two-day meeting. European organisations such as the EUREKA programme, the European Audiovisual Observatory, the Eurostatistics Service and the Royaumont Initiative also participated.

The meeting was organised by the Greek Audiovisual Means Institute with the purpose of promoting a constructive and equal cooperation in the wider audiovisual sector (radio, television, cinema, video, multimeans and new technologies).

Cooperation will concern the circulation of institutional information (legislation) and statistics on economic and social factors in the European audiovisual industry.

Athens News Agency

[12] Political party leaders speak at Ioannina liberation anniversary events

Athens 23/02/1999 (ANA)

The government was represented by Minister to the Prime Minister Costas Geitonas, while at the same time main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis, Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas and Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras were also present.

Addressing a banquet of his party's Prefectural Committee in Ioannina on Saturday night, Mr. Karamanlis once again called for the resignation of Prime Minister Costas Simitis over the erroneous handling of the issue concerning Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan.

"Mistakes and omissions occur, but tragic mistakes can rarely occur to such an extent," he said.

Mr. Karamanlis said that all that had happened in past days were degrading and childish, adding that in Parliament the government had lied to the parties, Greek society and international public opinion over the Ocalan affair.

In a statement, Mr. Tsovolas said the people felt ashamed and humiliated over foreign policy and the handling of national issues, primarily taking place over the past three years.

He said that the Turks and their protectors must realise that the Greek people and Hellenism will never permit their further ridiculing.

Mr. Tsovolas said that after the recent events the country needs "elections here and now."

On his part, Mr. Samaras said that the people have withdrawn their confidence in Prime Minister Costas Simitis and that he must realise that his staying in power can no longer continue.

Athens News Agency

[13] Veteran journalist Mathiopoulos dies

Athens 23/02/1999 (ANA)

Mathiopoulos, who was born in Messinia prefecture in 1934, entered journalism in 1960 and worked for the then daily To VIMA newspaper, and the weekly newsmagazine Tachydromos.

A recipient of the Botsis Foundation prize for his contribution to journalism, Mathiopoulos served as president of the Athens Union of Journalists-ESHEA for two terms and as secretary general of the union for eight years before that.

He resigned during his second term as union president to stand for parliament with the Political Spring party, whose press bureau he undertook after his retirement.

Mathiopoulos' funeral will be held today, at 12:30 p.m. at the Athens First Cemetery.

The family of the deceased has requested that money be donated to the "Elpida" Association of Friends of Children with Cancer in lieu of wreaths.

Athens News Agency

[14] Swiss tourist goes missing in Crete

Athens 23/02/1999 (ANA)

The disappearance of the man, identified as Gerard Faton (phonetic spelling), 49, was reported by a Swiss friend, who told police he disappeared on Sunday while they were cycling on the Ano Vianno-Pyrgos road.

The two cyclists were about 150 metres apart when Faton vanished, the friend said. After failing to locate him, she contacted police.

Local residents are also searching for Faton, who was reportedly seen cycling from Pyrgos towards the Rethymno road.

Athens News Agency

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