Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-03-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU foreign ministers express solidarity to Greece over Turkish claims

[02] Simitis terms PASOK congress a 'political milestone' for party

[03] Karamanlis-Annan talks in NY

[04] Tsohatzopoulos talks with Egyptian counterpart Tantawi in Cairo

[05] PM: Turkish claims over Athens-PKK connection a 'verbal delirium'

[06] Tipper Gore in Thessaloniki this week

[07] More NATO troops head for FYROM via Thessaloniki

[08] Iridium satellite system licensed in Greece

[09] Apostolakis: S-300s in Grete by end of March

[10] Cancellation of charter flights to Turkey reported

[11] Sunken wreckage of missing trawler found

[12] Mountain climbing accident

[13] OA unions to attempt to block decision for management contractor

[14] Turkish ship replaces buoys on eastern sea

[01] EU foreign ministers express solidarity to Greece over Turkish claims

WIESBADEN, 15/03/1999 (ANA - P. Stangos)

Bonn currently holds the six-month presidency of the European Union.

Mr. Fischer made the statement after the first round of deliberations on Saturday, focusing on the situation in the Balkans, especially Kosovo.

He also said the claims did not take into account Turkey's future interests, which included the promotion of a solution to the Kurdish problem.

"We hope that the opportunity will now be seized to promote a comprehensive and viable solution to the Kurdish problem, in the interests of Turkey itself...We expect that self-restraint and prudence will prevail, and that the potential for peace can be secured, based on respect for human rights, Turkey's territorial integrity and a fair trial for Mr. Ocalan," he said.

Earlier, Foreign Minister George Papandreou briefed his counterparts on the Turkish claims and results of his recent tour of Balkan capitals to promote a peace deal for Kosovo.

Speaking to reporters after the informal summit, Mr. Papandreou stressed the "common view" of the 15 is that the situation in Turkey following Ocalan's capture as well as increased sensitivity in several governments and public opinion regarding issues of democratisation, the Kurdish problem, human rights and Turkey's policy towards Greece provided an opportunity for "a fresh start".

"Turkey is at a crossroads...Either its distance from Europe will grow and it will be led to isolation, or it will revise its policy on the Kurdish problem and the issue of democratic liberties, proceeding to the necessary reforms based on the criteria of respect for legality both at home and in its international relations," he said, adding:

"Greece has every reason to contribute to a democratisation of Turkish society, and is in favour of a political dialogue between Brussels and Ankara, on condition that it contains all the issues raised at various times, such as the Kurdish problem, Cyprus, and referring disputes to the International Court at The Hague."

Mr. Papandreou also lauded the EU foreign ministers' show of solidarity towards Greece and the recongnition for the need for a coordinated and comprehensive European policy in the Balkans.

Kosovo : He told Greek reporters that the initiative for the convening of an inter-Balkan conference on Kosovo remained on the table.

He added that no decision had been made regarding his possible visit to Ankara, but Greece was always willing to enter into dialogue with Ankara but not on conditions that affect national interests.

"Greece has entered into dialogue with Turkey many times in the past...but this dialogue cannot amount to a negotiation of our national interests. It presupposes specific criteria, values, and principles, which are well-known, " he said.

The Greek FM added that "a foreign minister should be ready to make any move, which can help the national interest of the country. However, there has not been a specific decision for a visit to Ankara."

Speaking on Saturday's statements by Mr. Fischer on Turkey's EU accession, Mr. Papandreou said the German FM used the expression that Turkey wants to be a candidate country and has specific obligations.

"There are decisions of the Council, decisions of the European Union, of the Summit Council and are still in force, there will be no change on this issue...A country which wants to be in this family, which considers itself a candidate country, can not but adhere to the principles set by the European Union," he said.

Athens News Agency

[02] Simitis terms PASOK congress a 'political milestone' for party

Athens, 15/03/1999 (ANA)

He again reiterated that the government's major goals are the upcoming June Euroelections, national elections next year and Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) entry in 2001.

"We need the greatest possible rallying of forces. The country is in the final phase of EMU entry; we are precisely at the point where the struggle begins to yield results and new prospects emerge," he told a conference of PASOK's central committee at a downtown Athens hotel.

"The Euroelections are not a national opinion poll, but a political contest for the present and future of Europe and Greece...The government's work will be judged in the national elections of 2000," he stressed.

He said that the party was more united than "some liked to think, but needed to explore new avenues if it wished to respond to the demands of the new era, introducing radical changes in its mode of functioning, positions and attitudes. "The c ongress must be a deeply ideological and political one. The recent one-sided image of internal friction and confrontations, which some tried to project, does injustice to the party..." he stressed.

At one point, more than 40 ruling PASOK party cadres, including several former ministers, walked out in protest on Saturday, claiming the election of delegates at the congress had been preceded by insufficient debate, while they also hinted election irregularities.

The central committee members walked out before the body, holding its last session, was to take a vote on its report to the congress, and after Mr. Skandalidis had announced that it would be attended by 5,168 elected and 635 appointed delegates - 400 more than previously estimated.

Commenting on the walk-out, Mr. Skandalidis accused critics of "adopting negative attitudes", and stressed that the procedures followed had been exactly the same as in previous congresses.

Six members of the central committee later voted against a report on its work, with one abstention.

In addition, six of the cadres that walked out later tabled a text to the session's presidium. The same group after the session circulated a list of 42 members they said had walked-out, claiming that another five were absent but agreed with the text.

The text, tabled by former Aegean minister Antonis Kotsakas, refers at some points to the course followed by the government and the party, often using negative characterisations. Mr. Kotsakas also said dialogue among the local PASOK organisations did not take place, while the congress was taking place in order to "cover-up insecurities some have with their role..."

On his part, Development Minister Evangelos Venizelos, speaking from his election district in Thessaloniki, said "there was no leadership question" within the ruling party, while he said the defence minister's published statements were a "positive omen. "

Regarding the departure of the more than 40 cadres from the central committee meeting, he said it was a "relatively mild move, of a symbolic character...that doesn't endanger PASOK's unity..."

Athens News Agency

[03] Karamanlis-Annan talks in NY

NEW YORK, 15/03/1999 (ANA - E. Nikolaou)

Following a half-hour meeting, Mr. Karamanlis said he and Mr. Annan also discussed the Kosovo question and Cyprus.

The ND leader noted that he told Mr. Annan that it was "unthinkable that the 25-year occupation of Cyprus is continuing", while there was a lack of mobilisation on the issue that was entirely due to the Turkish Cypriot side.

He also stressed that there is a need for new initiatives and pressure from the international community on the Turkish side.

"One country should not block international legality, because it considers that such action serves its interests," he said.

Mr. Karamanlis said that they also discussed Greek-Turkish relations.

Regarding th possibility of conflict between Greece and Turkey, he said there was no such issue.

Later in the day, Mr. Karamanlis met with Archbishop of America Spyridon and US envoy in the Greece-FYROM talks, Matthew Nimits.

Finally, the ND leader visited the Greek Orthodox College in Brookline, Mass.

Speaking at the Maliotis Cultural Centre at the Hellenic College-Holy Cross School of Theology, he noted that there is need for better coordination with the Greek-American community.

Athens News Agency

[04] Tsohatzopoulos talks with Egyptian counterpart Tantawi in Cairo

Athens, 15/03/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos also inaugurated the "Alexander 2000" exhibition, which opened in the Egyptian capital.

He also met with Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa Petros for discussions focusing on the prospects of economic, social and cultural developments in the region.

Athens News Agency

[05] PM: Turkish claims over Athens-PKK connection a 'verbal delirium'

Athens, 15/03/1999 (ANA)

"The Turkish claims belong to the sphere of the imaginary and illogicalITurkey is going through a pre-election period and such tactics attract votes," he said in an interview to published in the Athens "Ta Nea" on Saturday. Referring to the fort hcoming trial of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, Mr. Simitis said "it will be staged, in support of the Turkish claims". "Turkey is losing ground in Europe and is seeking to obstruct Greece's drive to join EMU as an equal member," he added.

Athens News Agency

[06] Tipper Gore in Thessaloniki this week

Athens, 15/03/1999 (ANA)

A subsequent dinner will be attended by several ministers, including Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, local and prefecture officials, as well as the US ambassador in Greece.

Ms Gore will tour the city and travel to the nearby ancient Macedonian archaeological site in Vergina before briefs visits to Athens and Crete.

Athens News Agency

[07] More NATO troops head for FYROM via Thessaloniki

Athens, 15/03/1999 (ANA)

According to the press office of the Greek general staff, a German navy vessel arrived at 6:20 a.m. on Saturday, carrying 79 vehicles and 27 containers with military equipment.

In addition, a British C-130 transport plane, carrying spare parts, and a similar French aircraft with 56 soldiers were expected in the afternoon.

A further 1,355 NATO troops and 394 vehicles left for Skopje on Friday.

Athens News Agency

[08] Iridium satellite system licensed in Greece

Athens, 15/03/1999 (ANA)

Iridium is an international mobile phone provider and personal data communications system with 66 low-altitude satellites around Earth's orbit. The system reportedly allows a subscriber to communicate everywhere on the Earth's surface with any other point around the world, regardless of distance, climate conditions or terrain, even in mid ocean.

Iridium is also compatible with the MPCS mobile phone system and can provide voice, data, facsimile and paging services.

The system is represented in Greece by the Rome-based firm Iridium Italia SpA.

Athens News Agency

[09] Apostolakis: S-300s in Grete by end of March

Athens, 15/03/1999 (ANA)

In statements to a Cyprus TV station, Mr. Apostolakis added that deployment would be in the framework of the joint defence doctrine between Greece and Cyprus.

The Cyprus government cancelled plans to deploy the S-300s at the end of last year, and decided to enter into negotiations with Russia and Greece for their transfer to Crete instead.

Responsing to questions, Mr. Apostolakis said the idea for the provision of other missile systems to Cyprus by Greece was part of a general operational planning, with a view to finding the weapons suitable for the island's defence and its capabilities.

Further, he expressed certainty that Greece and Turkey would not reach the point of armed conflict.

"It would be unfair for the peoples and the entire region. I believe we shall not reach that point," he said.

Athens News Agency

[10] Cancellation of charter flights to Turkey reported

STOCKHOLM, 15/03/1999 (ANA - N. Servetas)

Five flights scheduled for March and April were cancelled, according to the agency.

The general director of the agency, Bo Estenious, blamed recent "bad press" among Sweden's media aimed at Turkey following the Ocalan arrest and a recent spate of bombings in various Turkish cities.

Athens News Agency

[11] Sunken wreckage of missing trawler found

Athens, 15/03/1999 (ANA)

The trawler, found at a depth of some 350 metres, had been missing since Jan. 23. The bodies of the skipper and first mate were recovered in immediate region last month, while five Egyptian workers are still missing and believed dead.

Athens News Agency

[12] Mountain climbing accident

Athens, 15/03/1999 (ANA)

A helicopter pilot spotted the bodies of the two alpinists in a 900-metre gorge, and reported that they are either dead or seriously injured.

The accident occurred at an altitude of about 2,500 metres between the villages of Vrontou and Barmala in the Xerolaki region.

Search and rescue teams are expected to continue their efforts early today.

Athens News Agency

[13] OA unions to attempt to block decision for management contractor

Athens, 15/03/1999 (ANA)

The OA unions claim the decision for the state-run company's privatisation was unconstitutional.

Finally, they charged that any appointment of a management contractor would override the OA board's authority.

Athens News Agency

[14] Turkish ship replaces buoys on eastern sea

NICOSIA, 15/03/1999 (CNA/ANA)

Ms Russell said that on Saturday morning "three buoys were replaced", and added that "the UN is monitoring the situation, the observation posts up there are watching to see what happens."

The regime in the areas of Cyprus occupied by the Turkish forces since 1974 supported it was maintenance work.

UNFICYP spokeswoman told CNA that the occupation forces "say that it was maintenance work and that they were exchanging old buoys for new buoys."

She added that the buoys placed by the Turkish occupation forces have nothing to do with the UN markers in the region, on which UNFICYP has done improvements to render them more visible and to warn people to stay away.

Replying to a question, she said she did not know of any complaints by the Cyprus government, but "that doesn't say we haven't received one. I can only confirm that tomorrow." She also said she did not know if the ship belonged to the Turkish naval forces.

However, TV channels on Saturday night screened footage showing a naval vessel with Turkish flags and sailors on board replacing the buoys.

A Cypriot MP and a cameramen were on board a dinghy that approached the Turkish vessel. Local fishermen expressed concern and fear with this new provocative Turkish move.

On a number of occasions, Turkish vessels opened fire against Greek Cypriot fishermen, some of whom had been abducted and taken to the occupied areas.

Some 1.200 peacekeepers control the 180-kilometre long buffer zone across this east Mediterranean island, drawn after the Turkish invasion.

Athens News Agency

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