Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-09-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece, Turkey to promote CBMs, hope to host soccer event

[02] Turkish premier calls for dialogue with Greece, on the Aegean sea

[03] Gov't to tighten law in terrorism crackdown

[04] KKE releases proposals for discussions in light of its 16th congress

[05] The Greek-Canadian Congress to meet in October in Halifax

[06] Merchant marine minister calls for end to seamen's strike

[07] Athens bourse to up trading hours, widen volatility limit

[08] Memorial events in Cretan village for 600 victims of Nazi occupation

[09] Swiss filmmaker wins first foreign-film-section prize

[10] Sabanis takes silver medal in 62kg weightlifting

[11] Floridis meets European counterparts for talks

[12] Government spokesman dismisses Turkish FM's 'unsubstantiated remarks'

[13] FM announces identification of 43 missing or war dead

[01] Greece, Turkey to promote CBMs, hope to host soccer event

NEW YORK, 18/09/2000 (ANA/ M. Georgiadou)

The decisions were taken by Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou and his Turkish counterpart, Ismail Cem, at a meeting in New York late on Saturday (Greek time).

"I believe we had a constructive meeting and would stress that we have recently entered a phase of major attempts to promote between Greece and Turkey new ties of peace, cooperation and respect for our basic principles, and I believe we are making step-by-step progress," Papandreou told reporters.

"This also emerged in today's (Saturday's) meeting when we decided to advance a series of issues including .... a probable candidacy for the 2008 European soccer cup. Maybe among the main points is our agreement in the procedure, the promotion of CBMs," he said.

While details of the proposed CBMs had not been covered, there was much common ground, Papandreou said.

"There are, I believe, many (measures) that have been proposed by both sides that could be adopted, probably with some modification."

The Greek minister noted that agreement had also been reached on bilateral cooperation in applying existing pacts and in working together on European Union matters.

Furthermore, Papandreou and Cem are due to meet in Rhodes, Greece and Marmaris, Turkey next month. The session is tentatively scheduled for October 18-19.

They will talk to local officials, travel agents and the public in order to help ascertain the state of relations between the two sides.

Tourism between the two countries had increased sharply this year, Papandreou added.

Earlier, the Greek minister had hosted a dinner for Cem and the Turkish delegation at a Greek restaurant in New York.

"We had a very good working dinner and discussed all our bilateral issues...overall, it seems that everything is on the right path," Cem told reporters after the meal.

"I am usually very careful in my statements. But I can now say that everything is going well. The friendship between our two peoples is growing, and cooperation is increasing," he added.

Papandreou also said that double taxation between the two countries had been discussed, with some points of disagreement remaining. At the same time, both sides had shown a will to continue the debate.

Other subjects covered were a tripartite pact with Bulgaria to establish cooperation among the three countries' local authorities and businesses. The agreement also covers collaboration on protection of the environment.

Another project the two officials debated was the creation of programs modeled on ones set up by Germany and France after World War II involving exchanges of young people. The scheme aims to pave the way for stronger ties in the future between the two countries.

Friday meeting: The two ministers held a preparatory session on Friday evening (Greek time) for about 90 minutes.

"The Turkish foreign minister and I had a useful meeting - we discussed a series of issues," Papandreou told reporters in New York.

"It was preparation for our official meeting tomorrow (Saturday), the working dinner for the two representations, and tomorrow (Saturday) we'll have some specific announcements to make," he added.

Cem told reporters that Friday's talks had been "a global review of matters that interest us."

He also described the talks as "a very friendly - as always -exchange of views."

Replying to a question, Cem said the Cyprus issue was not on the agenda of Saturday's talks.

[02] Turkish premier calls for dialogue with Greece, on the Aegean sea

ANKARA, 18/09/2000 (ANA- A. Ampatzis)

Speaking in Izmir, at the coast of the Aegean, Ecevit reiterated his demand for dialogue toward a "just settlement regarding the Aegean, which will protect the interests and the economy of Turkey," adding the well know opinion of his country that "the Aegean is the most (politically) complex sea in the world". He also claimed that Turkey "has no claims to the sea or territory of any other country, including Greece".

Greece says only one issue needs settlement, that of the delineation for the Aegean continental shelf, and calls upon its neighbor to take it up with the International Court at The Hague.

[03] Gov't to tighten law in terrorism crackdown

Athens, 18/09/2000 (ANA)

Chrysohoidis told the daily Ethnos newspaper published on Saturday that the venue for hearings involving terrorism and organized crime would in future be the Appeals Court, with no jury. Witness protection programs would also be provided.

Furthermore, a new division to combat organized crime would be created with departments in Athens and Thessaloniki; and specially trained guards would be posted nationwide, the minister said.

[04] KKE releases proposals for discussions in light of its 16th congress

Athens, 18/09/2000 (ANA)

According to the text, the committee proposes the creation of what it calls Anti-imperialistic, Anti-monopoly Democratic Front, (AADF), "as a tool for the collaboration of social and political forces in resisting and confronting monopolies and imperialism".

The five-tear proposal, leading to the creation of AADF, includes assessments of the central committee regarding developments in international and local conditions, the party's progress since its last congress and plans for future action.

The 16th congress is called upon to work on analyzing further these conditions, based on current developments and to come up with the final political proposal for the creation of AADF.

The AADF will be based on the "social alliance of the working class and the lower-middle income strata that have an interest in resisting," setting aside their differences in the "struggle against big capital and international monopolies," the text stated.

According to the assessments of the committee the two major political parties of Greece, ruling PASOK and main opposition New Democracy (ND), represent and serve the interests of the monopolies and those of imperialist unions.

The text, in discussing the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) notes that this party "has leaned toward the policies of PASOK, trapping moderate political forces of the left," while it noted that the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) did not offer alternative solutions.

[05] The Greek-Canadian Congress to meet in October in Halifax

MONTREAL, 18/09/2000 (ANA - I. Frangouli)

The congress will take place at the museum and conference center of the Halifax port Pier 21, being Canada's point of entry for millions of immigrants until after WWII, a common point of entry for many Greeks.

Greek community representatives and Greek-Canadian organizations' representatives will attend the congress.

[06] Merchant marine minister calls for end to seamen's strike

Athens, 18/09/2000 (ANA)

"I call on every one involved to assume their responsibilities. Solutions to the problem can be found, as long as a positive attitude can be maintained, since the victims of intransigence are the citizens and the local communities of the islands," Papoutsis said.

"The merchant marine ministry expended every possible effort to convince both sides to respect their signatures noting their agreement to the Collective Labor Contract and within that framework to find a solution to the problem that has come up. In any case the Collective Labor Contract contains articles necessary for the resolution of such differences," he said.

Seamen employed by Hellas Ferries walked out over non-payment of overtime pay, leaving hundreds of travelers stranded at the ports of Piraeus and Rafina, awaiting other vessels. The seamen have said they will strike until August overtime pay is received but the company claims it owes nothing.

The seamen are also boycotting vessels owned by GA Ferries.

[07] Athens bourse to up trading hours, widen volatility limit

Athens, 18/09/2000 (ANA)

In an interview to the Imerissia daily financial newspaper published on Saturday, Alexakis added that both moves were due to take effect by the end of the year. Under the new measure, the bourse would close at about 3.15 pm.

He also said that a team of experts would monitor the trading session on a daily basis, intervening whenever necessary in order to avert speculative play.

[08] Memorial events in Cretan village for 600 victims of Nazi occupation

Athens, 18/09/2000 (ANA)

Papadopoulos was the central speaker at the events commemorating the execution of some 600 villagers of Vianou, on Sept. 14, 1943, by Nazi forces occupying Greece during World War II, as his municipality also witnessed similar atrocities during the occupation.

Apostolakis, in his address to the event, said that the message of the memorial events was that freedom and democracy are conquered and protected with "our struggles" and that knowledge should be handed down to the new generations.

[09] Swiss filmmaker wins first foreign-film-section prize

Athens, 18/09/2000 (ANA)

Best Balkan production was judged to be that of Mitco Panov of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) for his "Pasture", while the award for the best new filmmaker was given to Konstantina Voulgari for her "Yuppie" and the Drama Prefecture Award was given to Stratoula Theodoratou for her "Muddy River".

[10] Sabanis takes silver medal in 62kg weightlifting

SYDNEY, 18/09/2000 (ANA/ D. Efstathiou, G. Manteos)

Sabanis' score was as follows: snatch, 147.5; clean/jerk, 170.0; total, 317.5.

Taking the gold was Croatian Nicolay Pechalov. The bronze was awarded to Sevdalin Minchev of Bulgaria.

[11] Floridis meets European counterparts for talks

Athens, 18/09/2000 (ANA)

The officials discussed the future of sports in Europe, initiatives to combat doping, and management for sporting-event companies.

They were speaking at a working dinner hosted by France, the European Union's current rotating president, to outline its position on the sector.

Also attending was Jacques Rogge, a deputy president of the International Olympics Committee.

Floridis is due to have a personal meeting with Rogge in coming days.

Olympics anthem in Greek: The Olympics anthem was sung in Greek at the opening ceremony of the Sydney Games on Friday. It was the first time Greek was used for many years.

Performing was the Millennium Choir of the Holy Archbishopric of Australia, which was formed to sing the anthem at the Olympics and other works at millennium celebrations.

[12] Government spokesman dismisses Turkish FM's 'unsubstantiated remarks'

NEW YORK, 18/09/2000(CNA/ANA)

The spokesman, invited to comment on Cem's speech before the UN General Assembly, said the Turkish foreign minister had a "very selective memory" and reminded him that the solution to the Cyprus question has already been defined by the UN decisions as a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

Papapetrou also said, in response to claims by Cem, that Turkey continues to occupy part of Cyprus to serve its own so-called strategic interests and not to protect the Turkish Cypriots and added that many Turkish Cypriots emigrate from Cyprus.

"Cem has shown he has a very selective memory with regard to what UN decisions provide", Papapetrou said, adding that these explicitly determine that the solution in Cyprus should be a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

The so-called realities Cem is citing, the spokesman said, cannot overrule the UN decisions and the principles of international law. "It is preposterous for Cem to allege that the dividing line in Cyprus was drawn by the UN in 1963. It is a distortion of the historic reality and he is trying to beautify and excuse things that are inexcusable", Papapetrou said.

Rejecting Cem's claims that Turkey is in Cyprus to protect the Turkish Cypriots, the Spokesman said constitutional order was restored in Cyprus a few days after the military coup, after those who gained power during the coup were removed.

"The Turkish army is in Cyprus to satisfy the so-called strategic interests of Turkey", he said, adding that "it is totally unacceptable for someone to consider that they have strategic interests in a neighboring country and because they are militarily more powerful, they occupy part of that country's territory".

On Cem's allegations that Turkey averted ethnic cleansing against the Turkish Cypriots, Papapetrou said "the numbers speak for themselves".

He said ethnic cleansing is the removal of people from their homes and that many Turkish Cypriots have emigrated from occupied Cyprus since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied the northern third of the island.

"This is ethnic cleansing and this is the reality and neither Cem nor Turkey can change them or render them beautiful", he concluded.

[13] FM announces identification of 43 missing or war dead

NEW YORK, 18/09/2000 (CNA/ANA)

The Minister appealed to the Turkish side to cooperate for the implementation of a 1997 agreement to help resolve this humanitarian issue and said the government is willing to identify remains of Turkish Cypriots who are said to be missing and may be buried anywhere in Cyprus.

Kasoulides also said President Glafcos Clerides raised the issue of missing persons in Cyprus with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan at a meeting with him in New York and stressed that there can be no settlement to the Cyprus question implemented without a resolution of this humanitarian issue.

The 43 cases are among many remains exhumed in the summer of 1999 in two cemeteries near the capital Nicosia. The list of Greek Cypriot missing persons includes 1.940 persons, and up to now the identity of three missing persons has been established.

He said out of the 43 new cases, four are of Greek Cypriots whose files were submitted to the Committee of Missing Persons (CMP) for investigation and 11 are of Greek Cypriots whose files were not submitted to the CMP.

"The four cases of missing are a classic example of seeking the truth and closing these cases with convincing evidence", he said.

The minister renewed an appeal for the implementation of the July 31 agreement to help the work of the CMP. The agreement, reached between President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash provided for the exchange of information on the location of graves, the identification of remains unearthed through scientific process and the return of the remains to the families concerned for proper burial.

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