Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-09-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] Karamanlis criticises gov't over quake aftermath, bourse

[02] Tsohatzopoulos: Prospects positive now for Cyprus problem

[03] Karamanlis: ND decision on President in January

[04] Turk defence minister cites decrease of military exercises in Aegean

[05] Reppas on Greek stance vis-a-vis Turkey's EU prospects

[06] Papantoniou to speak at Washington conference

[07] Papandreou-Jovanovic centre squarely on Kosovo

[08] Memorial held for Bakoyiannis

[09] Official Vartholomeos visit on Leros

[10] Komotini mufti terms Christodoulos' visit 'historic'

[11] Third SAE conference in Thessaloniki

[12] Drama Short Film Festival concludes

[13] Germany's Lukas wins 246-km Spartathlon

[01] Karamanlis criticises gov't over quake aftermath, bourse

Athens, 27/09/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Karamanlis, who was addressing local business, labour and political officials in Thessaloniki, set out his own proposal over the "opportunities and needs of the 21st century and the possibilities and problems of the post-Economic Monetary Union (EMU ) era."

Mr. Karamanlis called for a "new leap of development", stressing that he considers two preconditions necessary for its success - a competitive economy with private initiative playing a pioneering role, and the carrying out of necessary incisions with the state apparatus.

He said that for as long as incisions are not made in the public sector and the wasteful state is not curbed the more a competitive society will constitute an elusive vision.

Mr. Karamanlis said ND's proposal is based on 10 axes, including:

Fiscal restructuring with a decrease in expenditures for interest, which will result from the decline in interest rates and will yield about 350 billion drachmas annually, as well as the restriction of first stage expenditures to the level of annual inflation.

Tax system reform, whose main elements will be the restriction of the public sector and the imposition of fewer taxes. In addition, measures aimed at strengthening small and medium-size enterprises, measures to improve the absorption of the 3rd Community Support Framework and deregulation of the economy with the denationalisation of Olympic Airways, Commercial Bank, National Bank and urban transports in Athens, as well as deregulation of markets, and of the energy market, in particular.

The remaining axes are measures for tourism and for the development of shipping, an integrated intervention in the farming sector, a package of measures for the stock exchange and the reform of public administration.

Referring to the Athens Stock Exchange, Mr. Karamanlis said ND has a specific package of measures aimed at strengthening it and for the protection of investors.

These measures include the accelerated computerised listing of titles, the upgrading and modernisation of the electronic transactions system, the enlargement of transactions time, greater flexibility in settlement conditions and the upgrading of the cap ital market committee's supervisory role.

Mr. Karamanlis accused the government of an unprecedented effort to manipulate the Athens bourse, saying interventions do not only show irresponsibility but are also unacceptable actions and adding that statements, leaks and anonymous press reports have created intense insecurity among investors and great losses for the investing public.

Mr. Karamanlis also distanced himself on the issue of Greek-Turkish dialogue, saying that the earthquake faults in Turkey and Greece showed the need as well as the desire of the two peoples for relations of cooperation and friendship, but added that Ankara's decision-making centres are unable to respond.

He said that nobody is justified in backing down and making concessions on the pretext or as the result of sentimental outbursts.

Mr. Karamanlis repeated the precondition for a dialogue which is respect for international law and international treaties and ND's position on the formation of a national foreign policy council.

Gov't response : Replying to Mr. Karamanlis' spech later, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said it was another step towards returning to the past.

"In the framework of ND's new start which Mr. Karamanlis has been promising over the past months, he made another step towards returning to the past with his speech tonight. Without responsibility, without measure, without arguments, without a trace of a programme and an alternative proposal, he restricted himself to repeating threadbare words lacking any substantive content," Mr. Reppas said. He said the 10 axes presented by Mr. Karamanlis are, in essence, 10 "small titles" with which an "effort is being made to cover up one major truth, the non-existence of ND's programme."

Athens News Agency

[02] Tsohatzopoulos: Prospects positive now for Cyprus problem

Athens, 27/09/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos wrapped up his visit to the United States and visited Los Angeles on Saturday, where he met with the California Gov G. Davis, and Sacramento afterwards where, among others, he addressed a conference organised by ethnic Greeks living in the area.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos expressed a view that now we are at "a good moment to try for a positive development over the prospect of the Cyprus issue" and called on Turkey to realise that the prospect of Cyprus' accession to the European Union is the sole path for a new possibility to open for a solution to our national issue. He said that the possibility of its own path opening for closer association with the EU in the future will depend on its position on the specific issue.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos referred to the stabilising role Greece is playing in the wider Balkan and eastern Mediterranean region, adding that it was the first time that it succeeded, after five years of hard effort, to restructure the Greek economy and proved that the country has now found a new path of restructuring and strengthening not only the economy but of society as well and, above all, its strategic role in the wider region to which it belongs.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the earthquakes in Greece and Turkey brought the two peoples closer to each other and said that every effort should be made to normalise Greek-Turkish relations "with Greece, of course, maintaining its given and inalienable rights, as they result from international treaties and agreements and refusing any concession on them."

He said refugees from the northern part of Cyprus have the same right to return to their homes as the Albanian refugees from Kosovo have.

"The Serbs from Kosovo have the same right. It is not possible for them to accept persecutions and a policy of ethnic cleansing against them by the Albanians now," he said.

Mr. Karamanlis said the same applies to the peoples of the Middle East, adding that in the same way in Turkey the Kurdish people have the right to have the principles of human rights being respected for them, to be able to speak their language and live on an equal basis with all the other Turkish citizens.

Athens News Agency

[03] Karamanlis: ND decision on President in January

Athens, 27/09/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Karamanlis brushed off numerous questions on the presidential question, saying the matter was untimely.

He also declined to say whether he would use the presidential elections in order to provoke the dissolution of Parliament - something that will lead to general elections - by declining to back incumbent President Kostis Stephanopoulos, who has the support of the ruling PASOK party.

Mr. Karamanlis countered by saying that only Prime Minister Costas Simitis had the right to call early elections.

He added that his party would welcome elections, regardless of when they occurred.

Turning to the economy, Mr. Karamanlis said the Athens bourse required a tighter regulatory system. He again criticised the government for what he called leaks about the market that had hurt retail investors when the bourse plunged last week.

The ND leader also said ND had no intention of introducing capital gains tax on stocks if it won the next general election.

In another development, Mr. Karamanlis said he saw no change in Ankara's policy despite a recent rapprochement with Athens. As a result, Athens should not change its basic position of the inviolability of borders and respect for international treaties.

"As a matter of principle we would prefer a Turkey made European. The burden of proof, however, lies with Ankara," he added.

Gov't spokesman : Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas charged the main opposition leader with trying to cover up his party's lack of respect for the country's institutions and for the person of the president of the republic.

Mr. Reppas charged Mr. Karamanlis with using a constitutionally ordained system of consensus to serve narrow party political objectives.

Athens News Agency

[04] Turk defence minister cites decrease of military exercises in Aegean

ANKARA, 27/09/1999 (ANA/AFP)

"If there are exercises which we conduct for political reasons which are linked to our neighbours, we can change position in the framework of a process of a more favourable change in our policy," Mr. Cakmakoglou said in a press statement.

"Repeated exercises constitute an additional cost for the economy," he said.

Mr. Cakmakoglou clarified that he discussed the issue of exercises in the Aegean with his Greek counterpart Akis Tsohatzopoulos at NATO's ministerial meeting in Toronto last week.

"Mr. Tsohatzopoulos told me that we should not conduct an excessive number of military exercises," Mr. Cakmakoglou said.

Deputy National Defence Minister Dimitris Apostolakis said yesterday that Athens saw no threat in cooperation between Turkey and Israel.

"Assurances exist that there is no intention of creating an axis that could threaten another country in any way whatsoever," Mr. Apostolakis told Cyprus' 'Alithia'.

"I hope that nothing like this will cross anyone's mind. It would also be unjust. Chiefly, how ever, I believe that Israel would not want anything like this," he added.

Athens News Agency

[05] Reppas on Greek stance vis-a-vis Turkey's EU prospects

Athens, 27/09/1999 (ANA)

In an interview to the Cyprus daily 'Phileleftheros', Mr. Mr. Reppas said Turkey had to change in order to win eligibility for EU membership.

"We believe that the normalisation of relations between Greece and Turkey will create a new climate in the wider region. This is in the interests of all, including Cyprus," he said.

"We wish for a Turkey that will be committed to the EU's rules and function on that basis," the government spokesman said.

He added that Athens had told countries in the first wave of states being considered for EU enlargement at the same time as Cyprus that their entry was fully linked to that of the island republic.

Regarding the Cyprus issue, Mr. Reppas said he believed Turkey was unlikely to show a positive attitude in attempts to find a solution, either for tactical reasons or as a strategic choice.

"If the negative stance is due to tactical reasons, we can hope that with appropriate handling we could see some results in the foreseeable future," he added.

Athens News Agency

[06] Papantoniou to speak at Washington conference

Athens, 27/09/1999 (ANA)

The address will be on the sidelines of an annual session of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

The minister is also to address US business leaders in New York on the Greek economy and investment opportunities in the country.

Mr. Papantoniou will leave for Washington on Sunday.

Athens News Agency

[07] Papandreou-Jovanovic centre squarely on Kosovo

BELGRADE, 27/09/1999 (ANA - M. Mouratidis)

The newspaper 'Politika' and the Tanjug news agency said Mr. Papandreou stressed that since the beginning of the crisis Greece had favoured and favours the strict implementation of Security Council resolution 1244 and of the other resolutions concerning

Kosovo, supports the peaceful and political solution of problems and condemns the ethnic cleansing of the Serbs as well as of the remaining non- Albanian population.

Mr. Jovanovic pointed out to Mr. Papandreou the unacceptable, as he termed it, decision by UN representative Bernard Kouchner and British Gen. Michael Jackson to transform the so-called "Kosovo Liberation Army" into a force for the protection of the troubled Yugoslav province Kosovo, underlining that Yugoslavia will not accept decisions which are contrary to Security Council resolution 1244, warning that efforts to revise this decision are underway and which Yugoslavia will decisively resist.

The talks also focused on promoting bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries, as well as Yugoslavia's relations with European Union countries.

Athens News Agency

[08] Memorial held for Bakoyiannis

Athens, 27/09/1999 (ANA)

The religious service was held at the church in the village of Velota, Evrytania prefecture, where Bakoyiannis hailed from - while associates, friends and relatives spoke of the man and the politician at a solemn ceremony.

Several ND deputies were present as well as Bakoyiannis' mother Irene, his children Pavlos and Alexia, his widow Dora Bakoyianni, his father-in-law Constantine Mitsotakis and former ministers.

ND leader Costas Karamanlis sent a message, noting that the least which can be done in his memory is to pledge a crack down on all kinds of terrorist activities.

A bust dedicated to Bakoyiannis was also unveiled.

Athens News Agency

[09] Official Vartholomeos visit on Leros

Athens, 27/09/1999 (ANA)

At the service, the Patriarch said the Fanar, assisted by Greeks living abroad, will offer $100,000 for the earthquake stricken of the Sept. 7 Athens tremor.

"In the face of pain there are no religions, races and nations. There is only love for man. For this reason all of us should aim at the globalisation of love and not mistakenly of the economy which we have at present," he said.

Afterwards, the Patriarch attended at ceremony dedicating a monument to those who died aboard the destroyer 'Vassilissa Olga' during WWII, where he was accompanied by clergymen, dignitaries and crowds of faithful.

Vartholomeos then visited the Isidoreio Ecclesiastical retirement home .

At 1 p.m. the Ecumenical Patriarch went to the English cemetery of Alinda to honour the British forces killed on Leros during the war.

Today, the Patriarch will inaugurate the first international conference held at the local convention centre on the issue of "The Orthodox World and the European Union Before the Third Millennium."

Vartholomeos had arrived on the island on Saturday. He was accompanied by the Metropolitans of Imvros, Philadelphia and Myron. The government, local authorities and the island's clergy, headed by the Metropolitan Nektarios, greeted him at the Leros airport.

Shortly before leaving the island for Istanbul this afternoon, the Patriarch will address a message to Dodecanese residents.

Athens News Agency

[10] Komotini mufti terms Christodoulos' visit 'historic'

Athens, 27/09/1999 (ANA)

Christodoulos stressed, among others, that the efforts of all should aim at the harmonious cohabitation of the Christian and Moslem residents of the region, which the Church believes in, since "the Christian religion teaches that all people are the chil dren of the same God."

Thanking the mufti for the welcome bestowed upon him, Christodoulos emphasised that "our efforts should aim at the strengthening of the good elements from both the one side and the other. We should isolate the fanatical elements and the elements of the extremes which drag or try to drag people into confrontations which are sterile and serve no purpose so as to reduce the effects and results of a bad policy which aims at creating problems between the two communities, both the Christian and the moslem, fo r the benefit and promotion of other kinds of interests which are alien both to our religions and the motherland of which we are all citizens."

Replying to a question on the recent earthquakes which struck Turkey and Greece and on solidarity shown by the two peoples, Christodoulos said the earthquakes revealed that the peoples have nothing which separates them.

Mr. Cemali offered Archbishop Christodoulos a Koran in memory of his visit.

Athens News Agency

[11] Third SAE conference in Thessaloniki

Athens, 27/09/1999 (ANA)

President Kostis Stephanopoulos, Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, Prime Minister Costas Simitis and several party representatives will attend the conference.

The world conference of Greek youth abroad will also be held in Thessaloniki on Dec. 1-2, while regional SAE will be taking place between Dec. 3- 5.

An 11-member presidium is expected to be elected by the 3rd council while, according to press reports, Andrew Athens will seek his re-election as president for the third time.

SAE's special organising committee convened in Thessaloniki over the weekend to pave the way for the 3rd council, which convened in the presence of President Andrew Athens, Deputy Foreign Minister for overseas Greek affairs Grigoris Niotis and members of Parliament's inter-party committee for Greeks living abroad.

US aid for quake victims to arrive this week : A shipment of US medical aid worth $800,000 for earthquake victims in Attica is to arrive this week, the president of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE), Andrew Athens, said yesterday.

Speaking in Thessaloniki, he said funding for the supplies was given by the US government following a request by the SAE.

The drive to collect other supplies for victims of the Sept. 7 earthquake would continue, Mr. Athens added.

Athens News Agency

[12] Drama Short Film Festival concludes

Athens, 27/09/1999 (ANA)

The Grand Prix award for best foreign entry went to the film "The Zone", by Dutch director Ben Van Lieshout, along with a prize of one million drachmas. Second place went to the film "To Speak", by Belgian Erik Lamens. Best Balkan Film Award was won by Achilleas Kyriakidis' "Continuity fo Parks", along with a prize of 800,000 drachmas.

The first place non-documentary prize, worth a million drachmas, went to director Stratis Vougioukas' "An Additional Step". Second place went to 30- year-old Christos Dimas' "The American".

The Greek-language film "Exodus" won a few kudos from critics, although most local productions utterly failed to meet expectations this year, according to most film aficionados at the festival.

Athens News Agency

[13] Germany's Lukas wins 246-km Spartathlon

Athens, 27/09/1999 (ANA)

"I dare not believe I have won the race. When I started from Athens my only aim was to finish. It is a very difficult race, an overwhelming experience, " he said.

"Several times I felt aching all over and believed I would abandon. But people encouraged me and I lasted until the end," he added. Mr. Lukas, who covered the distance in 25 hours, 38 minutes and three seconds, took the lead at the 172nd kilometre and a rrived in Sparta at 8:30 a.m.

France's Jean Pierre Guillomars came second with 27:8:27, and Yun Onoki of Japan third with 27:16:36.

Participants in this year's Spartathlon, which has been held for 17 consecutive years, were adversely affected by relatively high temperatures and humidity.

Blind French runner Jean Claude Peronet abandoned the race at the 192nd kilometre.

Athens News Agency

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