Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-07-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] Stephanopoulos calls on expatriates to counter charges that Greece is soft on terrorism

[02] EU justice ministers conclude informal meeting in Marseille

[03] Papazoi refers to EU expansion

[04] Karamanlis briefed in Samos on recent fires on the island

[05] Major forest fire still rages in Grevena prefecture

[06] Turkish migrant trafficker arrested for transporting ten Iranians

[07] New luxury ferryboat to begin Thassos-Kavala route

[08] UN peace talks in Geneva to continue this week

[01] Stephanopoulos calls on expatriates to counter charges that Greece is soft on terrorism

Athens, 31/07/2000 (ANA)

Speaking in Patra at a congress of expatriate Greeks hailing from his native Achaia prefecture in the northwest Peloponnese, Stephanopoulos called on them, especially those from the United States, to counter charges that Greece is allegedly a hub for terrorists, and that it cannot deal with or arrest terrorists of November 17; that it cannot guarantee the safe hosting of the Olympics

Referring to November 17 -- the notorious urban guerrilla group that assassinated Britains military attache in early June, its latest attack Stephanopoulos asked whether Greece is the only country where terrorist acts occur.

Didnt a bomb recently explode at a German train station, with six dead and wounded? Wasnt there a terrorist act in Italy a short time ago? Is it possible for the US Congress to equate Greece with Pakistan or any other country that supposedly participates in destabilizing situations and anarchy, he told an audience that included several national and local political leaders.

In referring to the controversial issue of toughening criminal statutes as part of a stepped up anti-terrorist campaign, a step several countries have called for, the Greek president said laws do not reveal the guilty, they only make their conviction easier.

He emphasized that criminal laws in Greece are strict enough already, whereas we cannot take measures that are against the freedom of Greek citizens. I am not referring to citizens that are criminals. I am referring to citizens that may be considered by anyone as suspicious, without being so. We cannot arrest individuals without evidence. Nor can we jail people without evidence.

In another rhetorical question in his address, Stephanopoulos asked whether US law enforcement agencies, the FBI as well as Scotland Yard were cooperating with Greek authorities to track down the elusive terrorists.

In reference to the shooting of Brig. Stephen Saunders, the slain British military attache, Stephanopoulos said the British officers murder was a source of pain for the entire nation.

"Where was Greece's indifference? Of course, the terrorists remain at large. It's easy for anyone to understand the difficulties present when a small band must be apprehended; a small group of individuals that act in the manner we all know..." he said.

In other topics, Stephanopoulos called on expatriates to actively promote a fair and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, saying a series of unfortunate developments and "our own mistakes" brought about the current situation on the island republic.

Finally, the Greek president detailed Athens' recent stance vis-a-vis the Balkans in general, and Kosovo in particular, which he termed "correct".

"That's why NATO thanked Greece... Greece reacted correctly towards its responsibilities as an allied member-state, and the Greek people reacted correctly towards the war and bloodshed, which in the end was in vain."

[02] EU justice ministers conclude informal meeting in Marseille

PARIS, 31/07/2000 (ANA)

Justice Minister Mihalis Stathopoulos and Ambassador Theodora Grosomanidou represented Greece.

The issue of mutual recognition of civil and criminal rulings among member-states dominated talks.

[03] Papazoi refers to EU expansion

Athens, 31/07/2000 (ANA)

"On the issue of expansion, this great challenge, we are and hope to be decidedly present, with proposals and initiatives," she said.

In terms of Greece's priorities on the issue, she mentioned Cyprus, saying the island republic was at the forefront of accession negotiations, while referring to Romania and Bulgaria as candidates for the second wave of potential members.

[04] Karamanlis briefed in Samos on recent fires on the island

Athens, 31/07/2000 (ANA)

Karamanlis met with the island's prefect and mayors and was briefed on the full extent of the problems following the fires in early July.

The heads of the local government noted that the sum of 200,000 drachmas being given as emergency support to those who lost their homes was not adequate.

Karamanlis visited among others, the community of Mavratzaion, where about 30 houses were totally destroyed.

The ND leader said that what was needed was a comprehensive policy for the restoration of the damages and for the development of Samos.

He noted that the government must take into consideration the proposals of the local government.

[05] Major forest fire still rages in Grevena prefecture

Athens, 31/07/2000 (ANA)

Local officials believe that the fire, which has destroyed a vast area of forestland, was the work of arsonists as it was the second fire to break out in the region in ten days.

The front of the fire on Sunday was three kilometers long. Firefighting efforts were stymied by the rugged terrain in the remote region and repeated blasts from WWII-era shells left abandoned on several slopes.

Meanwhile, a young soldier who was helping firemen battle the flames, was out of danger after having been overcome by the dense smoke.

Kalamos forest fire believed to be the result of arson: A forest fire in the Attica region of Kalamos on Saturday was eventually extinguished on Sunday. According to all indications, the fire was the result of arson.

The fire was raging on four fronts, causing the destruction of an undisclosed number of homes.

Three firemen and three volunteers were injured in the battle to put out the blaze.

[06] Turkish migrant trafficker arrested for transporting ten Iranians

Athens, 31/07/2000 (ANA)

Border guards stopped the truck on the 22nd kilometer of the Alexandroupoli-Komotini highway.

The Turk was identified as Mehmet N. Sevik, 37, who was driving a truck belonging to a Turkish company.

For the transfer of the illegal immigrants he would have received a fee of 20,000 dollars and 680 German marks.

The Turkish driver and the illegal immigrants will be brought before the Alexandroupoli public prosecutor.

[07] New luxury ferryboat to begin Thassos-Kavala route

Athens, 31/07/2000 (ANA)

The ferry belongs to the consortium of Thassos Shipping Company S.A. (ANETH) and the Kavala Shipping Company (NEK). The "THASSOS 6" ferry has been budgeted at 1.2 billion drachmas.

The ferry can carry 600 passengers and 117 cars.

[08] UN peace talks in Geneva to continue this week

There were no planned meetings this weekend as part of the ongoing proximity talks, under United Nations aegis between representatives of the international organization and the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides.

Well informed sources have said the UN are having consultations but it is still unclear what the intentions of the UN Secretary General's Special Adviser for Cyprus Alvaro de Soto are about next week's meetings.

One of the issues at hand concerns the conclusion of this phase of the talks, scheduled for Friday, in a way that would justify the convening of another round of talks in September, in New York, as initially announced by the UN earlier this month.

In the past week de Soto has had separate meetings with President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in a bid to push the peace process forward.

It is expected that next week discussions will begin on the four core issues the UN has identified (constitution, security, territory and refugees-property).

Meanwhile, President Glafcos Clerides has sent a reply letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing appreciation for Moscow's stance during the recent summit of the Group of Eight (G8) in Japan.

The seven most industrialized nations and Russia said in their communique that a just a lasting settlement in Cyprus must protect the fundamental interests of both parties in an undivided Cyprus "giving full consideration to relevant Security Council resolutions."

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