Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-08-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] Firefighters battle blazes nationwide, FYROM fire heads for border

[02] Peloponnese blazes under partial control

[03] Corfu, Spetses blazes seen subsiding

[04] Arson suspects nabbed

[05] Minister calls for aid

[06] Greece, Albania and FYROM to launch regular ministers' meetings

[07] Culture ministers sign pact

[08] Pashalides inaugurates Prespes festival

[09] ND's Karamanlis visits 'Prespes 2000' cultural events

[10] Albania, FYROM to seek Greek reconstruction aid by Sept. 20

[11] Greek Church prelate continues high-profile tour of the Holy Land

[12] Greek diplomat says Greek-Turkish rapprochement to aid Cyprus

[13] Greeks arrested in giant Venezuelan drugs bust

[14] Russian nationals decry conditions at Lesvos jail

[15] Health minister to meet state hospital bosses on reform

[16] Nineteen traffic-related deaths over the weekend

[17] Athens traffic curbs back in place Monday

[18] Clerides calls on international community to exert influence for Cyprus solution

[01] Firefighters battle blazes nationwide, FYROM fire heads for border

Athens, 28/08/2000 (ANA)

A blaze north of Ioannina that had spilled into Greece from Albania killing seven elderly people last week was under control after winds began to abate, but minor flare-ups kept erupting, firefighters said.

The giant forest fire in FYROM, which has a 25-kilometre-long front, was creeping south towards the border with Greece.

Speaking from the northern town of Florina, Interior Minister Vasso Papandreou told reporters that the government would offer FYROM assistance as soon as firefighting resources were freed from blazes at home. Already on loan from Greece is a firefighting helicopter since early August.

In the fire contained in the northwest, eight water-dropping planes and helicopters were employed to tackle the blaze, and numerous firefighters, conscripts and civilian volunteers.

National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos visited the scene of destruction after Public Order Mihalis Chrysohoidis a day earlier.

On Saturday, funerals were held for the seven dead in the villages of Lavdani and Aghia Marina. The elderly victims, who were found in their homes despite an evacuation order, died from burns or asphyxiation.

Local authorities began payments of 200,000 drachmas in aid to any inhabitants whose homes were damaged in the blaze following the evacuation of entire villages.

According to estimates from 11 devastated villages, 58 homes were burnt to the ground and 20 badly damaged in the fire. Also razed were 35 storehouses, 26 livestock shelters and two country churches.

Under control were blazes around the village of Anilio, near Metsovo, and at Asimohori and Argyrohori, both near Konitsa, authorities said.

[02] Peloponnese blazes under partial control

Athens, 28/08/2000 (ANA)

Assisting in the fire-fighting effort were two Israeli helicopters and 60 personnel, sent by the country's government on Greece's request.

Agriculture Minister George Anomeritis said the inhabitants of fire-stricken Arcadia would receive statutory aid, and fresh measures would be announced following appraisal of the damage.

The town of Tripoli in the southern Peloponnese was swathed in a pall of smoke from the outlying forest fires.

A wildfire was reported in Andritsena (Hlia), while blazes in Ambelona and Leptokarya (Thresprotia) and Koumasia (Parga) were under control.

Elsewhere, fires were seen abating in Ahladohori (Rhodopi), Dilofo (Sperhiada), Theriakisi (Ioannina), and Paramythia (Thresprotia). A blaze was still raging in Ahladohori, Serres.

Also under control but showing bouts of rekindling were fires in Megalopoli, the Menalos mountains, Paramythia (Thresprotia) and Dombroutsi (Karditsa).

The town of Tripoli in the southern Peloponnese was swathed in a pall of smoke from the outlying forest fires.

[03] Corfu, Spetses blazes seen subsiding

Athens, 28/08/2000 (ANA)

Fire Brigade chief Panayotis Fourlas visited Corfu to personally coordinate the effort, in which around 200 firefighters, 40 vehicles, three aircraft and a helicopter took part.

The blaze erupted in high winds on Saturday afternoon.

On the island of Spetses, a wildfire at Prophitis Ilias was abating, along with a blaze on the island of Salamina.

[04] Arson suspects nabbed

Athens, 28/08/2000 (ANA)

Livestock farmer Vassilis Rigopoulos, 45, a resident of Vlahorafti, is believed by firefighting authorities to belong to an organised arson ring.

Liakos Ilias, 58, admitted to starting a camp-fire on Taygetos that spread to surrounding woodland.

On the Ionian island of Cephallonia, a man was caught by fire brigade officials at dawn trying to set fire to Thyramonas, near Argostoli.

Police identified the suspect as Dionysios Tzortzatos, 55, a resident of Argostoli and proprieter of a driving school.

Tzortzatos, who was under surveillance, will be appear before a public prosecutor on Monday to hear charges of wilful arson.

[05] Minister calls for aid

Athens, 28/08/2000 (ANA)

Speaking after a meeting at fire brigade headquarters late on Friday, she described the situation as critical and requested help from any quarter.

Countries other than Israel were unable to help due to widespread forest fires in Europe and elsewhere, she told reporters.

[06] Greece, Albania and FYROM to launch regular ministers' meetings

Athens, 28/08/2000 (ANA)

The decision to hold the Prespes Forum of counterpart ministers was taken on Saturday evening near the lakes area of the same name that spans the three countries by senior government officials.

They were Greek Interior Minister Vasso Papandreou, Albanian Deputy President and Labour Minister Makbule Ceco, and FYROM Deputy President and Public Order Minister Dosta Dimovska.

The three met in Florina's museum of contemporary art on the sidelines of the Prespes 2000 festival.

The talks, which they described as highly constructive, covered security, economic growth, migration policy and political cooperation, taking into account the European Union orientation sought by Greece's two neighbours.

Dimovska described the meeting as historic in tightening relations between the three countries, adding that FYROM's ties with Greece had improved markedly and only "a few minor differences" remained.

Papandreou told reporters after the meeting that agreement had been reached to simplify the movement of persons, goods and ideas within the framework of international conventions and agreements.

According to sources, the Albanian side raised the issue of anti-Albanian attitudes shown by some media and members of society. Ceco later told reporters: "A regrettable minority who commit crimes cannot be identified with the majority of Albanian migrants who work, who have families, and who aid Greece's economy." Papandreou said that the government had submitted a bill to parliament that would protect legal migrants.

[07] Culture ministers sign pact

Athens, 28/08/2000 (ANA)

Greek Culture Minister Theodoros Pangalos said the proposal would be given to the International Olympics Committee and to the organisers of the 2004 Games to be hosted by Athens.

He added that the culture ministers of countries bordering Greece would meet annually in order to forge joint programmes that would help to preserve and promote the Balkans' cultural heritage.

[08] Pashalides inaugurates Prespes festival

Athens, 28/08/2000 (ANA)

Speaking from one of the Prespa lakes, Pashalidis said his ministry backed any initiative that aimed to secure democracy in the troubled region.

He underlined that the Balkans were a part of Europe.

[09] ND's Karamanlis visits 'Prespes 2000' cultural events

Athens, 28/08/2000 (ANA)

Karamanlis, invited by the co-organisers of this year's events, Florina deputies George Lianis (PASOK) and Nikolaos Kortsaris (New Democracy), during a reception in his honour stressed the need for the state to better support border regions.

He also met with the Florina prefect and Metropolitan Theoklitos.

The Lesser Prespes, protected as a unique natural wildlife habitat, lies in extreme northern Greece, with a small portion lying in Albania.

[10] Albania, FYROM to seek Greek reconstruction aid by Sept. 20

Athens, 28/08/2000 (ANA)

Zafiropoulos was speaking after a meeting with the Albanian finance minister and FYROM's deputy finance minister in the northern city of Florina.

The three officials are attending the Prespes 2000 festival.

[11] Greek Church prelate continues high-profile tour of the Holy Land

JERUSALEM, 28/08/2000 (ANA - M. Papoutsaki)

On Saturday, the prelate of the Greek Church visited Nazareth, where he officiated at the Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation. In the Biblical town, he again referred to his meeting on Friday with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, saying the latter reiterated his intention to support and protect the ancient Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Along those lines, the Archbishop is scheduled to hold meetings with Israeli President Ezer Weizman and Israel's minister of religious affairs in the coming days.

Meanwhile, in an indirect reference to the recently soured Church-state developments in Greece proper, Christodoulos told reporters that "the Church retains its views".

"All of the people that see us (high-ranking Greek Church delegation) here have encouraged us in our effort to keep Greece a Christian nation, just as we knew it; one that we want to live in, and one that we want to leave for our children," Christodoulos said.

The Feast of the Assumption, celebrated throughout Greece on Aug. 15, is observed on Aug. 28 by the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which continues to follow the Julian Calendar.

[12] Greek diplomat says Greek-Turkish rapprochement to aid Cyprus

NICOSIA 28/08/2000 (ANA-G.Leonidas)

Speaking on Paphos, Rodousakis said that Greece had achieved three successes at the Helsinki summit: an unhampered path towards European Union entry for the island republic; a link between Turkey's EU prospects and resolution of the Cyprus issue; and referral of differences in the Aegean to the International Court.

[13] Greeks arrested in giant Venezuelan drugs bust

Athens, 28/08/2000 (ANA)

Arrested in Athens were six of the suspects, who were employees or associates of the Kalisti Maritime shipping company based in the port of Piraeus.

Earlier this week, Venezuelan authorities had seized in the Orinoco river a Greek-owned, Maltese-flagged vessel called the Suerte I as it was preparing to take four tonnes of cocaine on board from a speedboat, the statement said.

Warning shots from Venezuelan coast guard police scared off the speedboat, which disappeared without delivering its load.

Acting on a tip-off, authorities found in a warehouse on an islet at the mouth of the river four tonnes of cocaine, believed to have been destined for the Suerte I, which was carrying a legitimate consignment of metal. Another four tonnes were uncovered elsewhere in the region, the ministry said.

The cocaine was believed to belong to a drug smuggling ring that transported the substance by sea from southern and central America to US and European markets.

The seven-month operation involved Greece's financial crimes squad, coast guard and regular police force working with US and Venezuelan authorities. Also taking part were law enforcement agencies from the United Kingdom and Italy.

At least 11 people have been detained in connection with the drug smuggling ring, and seven speedboats impounded by US authorities. Arms and telecommunications equipment have also been found, the statement said.

The seven men arrested in Athens were identified as follows: Angelos Kanakis, Kalisti's president; Filippos Makris, shipping employee; Ioannis Lemos, shipping employee; Theodoros Fatsis, shipping agent; Nikos Mavridoglou, shipping agent; Konstandinos Athanasiou, ship's master at the company; and Ilias Lemos, co-owner of the Suerte I, who was arrested in France.

The finance ministry said that a raid on Kalisti Maritime's office in Piraeus had revealed a wealth of documentary evidence that may be used in the case.

[14] Russian nationals decry conditions at Lesvos jail

Athens, 28/08/2000 (ANA)

A misdemeanor court prosecutor has opened an investigation into the case, while two Communist Party of Greece (KKE) deputies have tabled questions over the issue.

The four include a couple, their daughter and her husband.

[15] Health minister to meet state hospital bosses on reform

Athens, 28/08/2000 (ANA)

Also on the meeting's agenda are the organisation, operation and management of the country's embattled state hospitals.

[16] Nineteen traffic-related deaths over the weekend

Athens, 28/08/2000 (ANA)

Police reported 140 traffic accidents during the last weekend of August, which coincides with the end of many Greeks' summer vacation.

[17] Athens traffic curbs back in place Monday

Athens, 28/08/2000 (ANA)

In place until July 31 next year, the curbs apply from 0700 to 2000 hours on Monday to Thursday, and from 0700 to 1500 on Fridays. Circulation is unrestricted at weekends and on public holidays.

[18] Clerides calls on international community to exert influence for Cyprus solution

PAPHOS, 28/08/2000 (CNA/ANA)

The President, noting the continuing intransigent positions of the Turkish side, stressed that the Greek Cypriot side is determined to carry on working for a settlement, convinced that sooner or later the struggle for freedom and justice will yield results.

"There is no indication that the position of the Turkish Cypriot side is shifting," the President said, replying to press questions barely a week before he leaves for New York to attend the Millennium Summit and participate in another UN round of proximity talks.

Asked what he expects from the fourth round of talks, the President replied "that we shall see when we get to New York."

Speaking in Kato Pyrgos, in the Paphos district, where he unveiled a bust of two freedom fighters of the struggle against British colonial rule in the 1950s, he said freedom, justice, peace and security must be restored in Cyprus, which as part of the big European family would contribute to regional stability, security and cooperation.

He said a peaceful resolution of the Cyprus problem needs the political will of the other side (Turkish), "which unfortunately remains fully intransigent."

"The world community shows increased interest in a Cyprus settlement but this time it should exert effective influence to open the way towards substantive negotiations in the framework of UN resolutions," the President stressed.

Three rounds of UN talks over the past ten months have not produced any tangible results. There was no negotiation as the Turkish Cypriot leader insists on recognition of his self-styled regime in Turkish occupied Cyprus before he engaged in negotiations.

So far the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides outlined and clarified their positions to the UN during proximity talks, due to resume on September 12 in New York.

The President thanked warmly the Greek government for its invaluable contribution in efforts to solve the problem, to help advance the Republic's application for accession to the European Union and to enhance Cyprus' defence capabilities.

He expressed the conviction that sooner or later "our struggle for peace and justice will be vindicated with the help of Greece" and others. The President leaves on 1 September for London and then New York.

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