Athens News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-05-01
NEWS IN ENGLISH
Athens, Greece, 01/05/1997 (ANA)
MAIN HEADLINES
- Double damper on May Day celebrations
- Pangalos in Istanbul for BSEC summit
- ND criticises government's stance on Greek-Turkish relations
- Torrential rain in Athens causes extensive flooding
- EU Commission President to visit Mt. Athos
- Greek-Italian military coordination in Albania discussed
- Public transport fares, mobile phone dues to increase
- Eurostat service for media professionals
- Men arrested for damaging car
- Weather
- Foreign exchange
NEWS IN DETAIL
Double damper on May Day celebrations
Heavy rain washed out the May Day concert and parade in Athens planned to
follow a rally outside the General Confederation of Trade Unions (GSEE)
headquarters, while a separate rally held by ESAK, the union affiliated to
the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) took place in Syntagma Square, followed
by a march to the Labour Ministry.
The GSEE rally, with the participation of the civil service union (ADEDY)
and the Athens Labour Centre (EKA), was addressed by GSEE President
Christos Polyzogopoulos and PASOK Central Committee Secretary Costas
Skandalidis, who expressed regret over the separate celebrations, as did
Labour Minister Miltiades Papaioannou. The Minister promised the government
would stand by the workers and that it would make good its campaign
promises by means of "social dialogue".
KKE leader Aleka Papariga said the "division" of this year's May Day events
was unavoidable, saying that unions should express the needs of the working
class and not mince their words.
"Workers remain united at grass-roots level and they should repel attacks,
even those aimed at them via social dialogue," said Papariga.
Pangalos in Istanbul for BSEC summit
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos arrived in Istanbul yesterday from
Luxembourg to attend a Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) pact meeting
today, according to a report from the ANA's Istanbul correspondent.
Pangalos told reporters that he had a "substantial" meeting with his
Turkish counterpart Tansu Ciller in Luxembourg, adding however that the
discussion did not result in any progress towards satsifying conditions set
by Pangalos for progress in Greek-Turkish relations.
"While there is life there is hope," added the Greek Minister, with regard
to future prospects of talks with Turkey.
On her return to Istanbul from Luxembourg, the Turkish Foreign Minister
said there was still some leeway for a step by step improvement in Greek-
Turkish relations.
In statements to the Turkish press, Ciller said that Greece's veto
continued to prevent the release of (EU) funds to Turkey, but that Turkey
"could live without" the European aid package.
''We believe that the two countries will find the way to peaceful relations
and cooperation which will be to the benefit of both peoples,'' Pangalos
said after talks with Ciller, according to a later ANA despatch from
Istanbul.
The meeting at an Istanbul hotel was held on the sidelines of the Black Sea
regional cooperation forum.
Pangalos also reiterated Greece's belief that Turkey's place is in
Europe.
The Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) meeting was attended by foreign
ministers or senior ministry officials from the organisation's 11 member-
states, namely Greece, Turkey, Albania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Romania,
Russia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine and Armenia.
ND criticises government's stance on Greek-Turkish relations
The government said yesterday that Turkey's inability to respond to
Greece's proposal for dialogue subject to conditions illustrated the
groundlessness of its claims and the aggressive nature of Ankara's foreign
policy.
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas was replying to criticism from the
main opposition New Democracy (ND) party concerning the government's stance
on Greek-Turkish relations.
Reppas reiterated the prerequisites set by Athens for a Greek-Turkish
dialogue, namely that Ankara rejects the use and threat of force, respects
international law and international treaties and uses the procedures of the
International Court at the Hague for the settlement of any differences.
Turkey's inability to respond to this proposal, Reppas said, illustrated
the groundlessness of Ankara's claims.
Earlier, ND charged that the government was being enticed into a form of
dialogue with Turkey without fulfilment of the prerequisites which the main
opposition party has repeatedly urged.
''Greek reservations concerning the release of EU funds to Turkey are being
neutralised by the formation of the committee of experts,'' ND spokesman
Aris Spiliotopoulos said.
Greece and Turkey have agreed to appoint two non-governmental personalities
each to examine Greek-Turkish relations. The agreement was announced in
Luxembourg at the end of the EU-Turkey Association Council meeting at which
Athens maintained its veto of EU financial aid to Turkey.
''A serious dialogue presupposes a credible interlocutor,'' Spiliotopoulos
said, adding that ''the political instability and manifest confusion in
Turkey evidence the existence of many and conflicting power centres in the
neighbouring country''.
As a result, Spiliotopoulos said, the Greek government did not know which
centre would guarantee Ankara's adherence to any obligations it might
undertake.
Reppas countered saying it was ''ridiculous'' for ND to play the role of
accuser because ''when it was in power (1990-1993), its leadership and
cadres proclaimed the need for Greek-Turkish dialogue without any terms and
prerequisites''.
The spokesman clarified that the ''committee of experts'' to be formed
would deal only with procedural matters and its findings would not be
binding on either side.
''The operation of the committee does not constitute political dialogue,
nor any kind of negotiation whatsoever. On the contary, it constitutes an
effective way to reveal Turkey's policy and confront it in a determined and
substantiated manner,'' Reppas said.
''We hope however that the process will prove to be beneficial for both
countries, provided Turkey adapts itself to the principles of the EU and
international law and order,'' he added.
Torrential rain in Athens causes extensive flooding
Torrential rain in Athens over the past two days caused flooding of
basement flats and stores and put traffic lights out of order on a number
of streets in the capital.
Worst hit yesterday were the suburbs of Glyfada, Voula, Ilioupolis and
Argyroupolis, where the level of water on many streets was over 40
centimetres.
The fire brigade received dozens of calls for assistance, provided by ten
teams of firemen.
In the seaside suburb of Voula, drains quickly became blocked, causing
extensive flooding of roads which immobilized many cars. Traffic chaos in
the district was made worse by the fact that traffic lights at many
junctions malfunctioned.
The rain was also responsible for a pile-up in Kifissos involving three
trucks and three cars. Fortunately no one was injured.
EU Commission President to visit Mt. Athos
European Commission President Jacques Santer is to visit the monastic
community of Mt. Athos at the end of next week. According to sources in
Thessaloniki, Santer is to fly to Karyes by helicopter on 10 May accompanied
by National Economy Undersecretary Christos Pachtas, and possibly by
Parliament Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis.
There are currently three EU-funded programmes in progress at Mt. Athos for
the maintenance and repair of the historic buildings. The provisional
programme for Santer's visit includes a meeting with members of the
community and a tour of the Megisti Lavra and Vatopedi monasteries.
Santer's visit to Greece is scheduled to coincide with events celebrating
"Europe Day", which he will be attending for the first time. On May 9, 1950,
then French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman began the process that led to
the creation of the European Union.
Also on May 9, Santer is to address the general assembly of the Industrialists
Association of Northern Greece.
Greek-Italian military coordination in Albania discussed
National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos on Tuesday discussed
cooperation and coordination in efforts between Greece and Italy in Albania
with his Italian counterpart, Beniamino Andreata.
Speaking at a joint press conference, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the meeting
provided the opportunity for the terms of a successful cooperation to be
discussed regarding the effectiveness of the multinational force in Albania
and, in parallel, confirmation of the good cooperation between the military
forces of Greece and Italy in the common effort in Albania.
"We ascertained the need for closer cooperation to enable us to contribute
to the success of the targets of the European Union and the OSCE,
concerning the successful holding of elections in Albania," he said.
Public transport fares, mobile phone dues to increase
Taxi fares, mobile telephone and postage dues, railway and bus tickets will
increase over the next two months.
Specifically, increases of up to 50 per cent (in summoning radio taxis)
will take effect for taxi fares as of today. The single tariff will
increase to 62 drachmas from 58 and the double tariff to 200 from 113. The
largest increase will concern calls for radio taxis, with an ordinary call
increasing to 300 drachmas from 200, while a pre-arranged appointment rises
to 400 drachmas from 300.
The starting price (200 drachmas), the chronometrical cost (2,000) and
fares from airports and ports (300) remain unchanged.
Additionally, a fare from bus and railway stations will decrease to 150
drachmas from 160 as well as the cost for carrying luggage exceeding 10kg
to 50 drachmas from 55.
As of tomorrow, mobile telephony dues (the average increase will be about 4
per cent) for the mobile telephony supplier Telestet will also increase.
Similar increases will also apply for the mobile telephony dues of the
Panafon firm, as of May 12.
Lastly, at peak hours for the "City" package, local calls will be charged
84 drachmas per minute (from 80); national calls 250 drachmas per minute;
from one mobile phone to a mobile phone 117 drachmas per minute (from 112)
and for non-peak hours 84 drachmas (from 80) per minute.
As of July 1 increases of up to 25 per cent will be implemented for postal
dues, 15 per cent for railway fares and 35 per cent for urban bus tickets
(100 drachmas from 75).
Eurostat service for media professionals
The European Commission has created a statistical information service
through Eurostat, aimed to assist journalists and the media.
The information service will be provided free of charge after an application,
with an Ecu200 limit per application. It will provide information on issues
concerning general statistical data, economic and financial matters,
population and social conditions, energy and industry, commerce, services
and transport, the environment, research and development.
Professionals interested in obtaining such Eurostat statistics can receive
more information at: Eurostat Media Support, Ana Maria Martinez, Tel+ (352)
43.01.33.408, Fax + (352) 43.01.32.649, e-mail: ana.martinez&eurostat.cec.be
Additional information can be obtained through the internet at: http:
//europa.eu.int/en/comm/eurostat/press/index.htm
Men arrested for damaging car
Two men, Ignatius Stasis, 21 and Dimitris Trihos, 20, were arrested today
after having placed rocks on the coast road south of Athens. The rocks
caused damage to a passing car, driven by Dimitris Pitsiouris.
WEATHER
Tomorrow's weather will continue cloudy and wet with scattered downpours,
gradually becoming restricted to the east and south of the country. Winds
will be north to northeasterly, moderate to strong later in the Aegean.
Temperatures in Athens will range from 11 - 21C and in Thessaloniki from 10
- 17C.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
Wednesday's closing rates - buying US dlr. 272.403
Pound sterling 443.761 Cyprus pd 530.720
French franc 46.767 Swiss franc 185.335
German mark 157.629 Italian lira (100) 15.904
Yen (100) 215.125 Canadian dlr. 194.789
Australian dlr. 212.754 Irish Punt 407.117
Belgian franc 7.643 Finnish mark 52.391
Dutch guilder 140.140 Danish kr. 41.412
Swedish kr. 34.819 Norwegian kr. 38.361
Austrian sch. 22.399 Spanish peseta 1.871
Port. Escudo 1.568
(Y.B.)
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