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Athens News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-06-04

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

NEWS IN ENGLISH

Athens, Greece, 04/06/1997 (ANA)


MAIN HEADLINES

  • Greece signs a $50 million contract for Dutch Royal Navy frigate
  • Talks to be preceded by climate of trust, says Athens
  • Youth jumbs off train to avoid arrest
  • Albanian arrested for drugs
  • Pangalos tells Albanians: Cancelling elections spells 'collective
  • suicide'
  • Greece enjoys the cleanest beaches in Europe
  • ND leader to visit Brussels, Luxenbourg
  • Greek election observers leave for Algeria
  • China's interest on Cyprus, Greek-Turkish relations noted
  • Gov't on centre-left, French elections
  • Another alleged transit fuel scam brought before justice
  • Weather
  • Foreign exchange

NEWS IN DETAIL

Greece signs a $50 million contract for Dutch Royal Navy frigate

Greece yesterday signed a $50 million contract for the purchase of an S- type frigate from the Dutch Royal Navy, following talks here between defence ministers Akis Tsohatzopoulos and Joris Voorhoeve.

The frigate is due to be delivered by the end of the year, following modifications to enable it to join the Greek fleet.

Voorhoeve said the signing of the contract indicated the long-standing cooperation between the navies of the two countries, adding that there was also a possibility of further cooperation in regard to weapons sales for the Greek army.

Tsohatzopoulos described cooperation between the two countries in the defence sector as ''substantial''.

The talks between the two ministers focused on the enlargement and new structure of NATO, the role of the Alliance in eastern Europe and the eastern Mediterranean and issues related to security in Europe.

Voorhoeve praised the role played by Greece in the region, commenting in particular on its participation in peace efforts in Bosnia and Albania.

Talks to be preceded by climate of trust, says Athens

Greece said yesterday it was necessary for ''a climate of calm and trust'' to be cultivated prior to forthcoming direct talks between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

The talks will be held within the framework of efforts by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to find a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas made the statement when asked to comment on repeated violations of Cyprus airspace by Turkish military aircraft.

While condemning what he described as Denktash' ''negative stance'' prior to the talks, Reppas expressed the hope that they would be fruitful, ''despite what is happening which does not facilitate rapprochement between the two sides''.

Mr. Reppas noted that the Cyprus government was contacting international bodies charging that ''certain powers'' were trying to undermine efforts for a Cyprus solution.

''If this is Turkey's official policy, then the chances of a settlement are not even one in a million,'' he added.

Youth jumbs off train to avoid arrest

A young American died in Thessaloniki after jumping off a moving train to avoid arrest after smuggling nearly one kilo of heroin into the country in his stomach.

Police tentatively identified the 24-year-old man as Damon-Russel Gewin (phonetic spelling), who jumped out of the window of the Skopje-Thessaloniki train when customs officers attempted to question him.

At the time of the incident last night, the train was passing through Menemeni just outside Thessaloniki.

Gewin, who was suspected by customs officers of having a false passport, jumped from the train when he was asked to sign his name for a comparison with the signature in his passport.

Thessaloniki police are conducting an investigation to verify the identity of the man, who had swallowed 55 balls of heroin weighing a total of 850 grams.

Albanian arrested for drugs

A 22-year-old Albanian was arrested in Aiginio, Pieria today when he tried to sell over 15 kilos of marijuana to an undercover policeman posing as a dealer.

Alpini Zarisi was arrested by drug squad officers after agreeing to sell the marijuana, which he had smuggled into the country from neighbouring Albania, for 2,250,000 drachmas.

Pangalos tells Albanians: Cancelling elections spells 'collective suicide'

A possible cancellation of Albania's national elections on June 29 would constitute an "act of collective suicide" and spell disaster for the neighbouring country, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos warned yesterday.

Speaking at a press conference at the end of his one-day visit to the Albanian capital, Mr. Pangalos said that "if elections were not held in the best possible way, we would have an act of collective suicide, we would have a general catastrophe of Albania for many years".

"All Albanian parties intend to participate in the elections," he explained, adding that elections were the only way out the country had from its current severe crisis.

Mr. Pangalos met separately with Albanian President Sali Berisha, Prime Minister Bashkim Fino, Foreign Minister Arian Starova, opposition Socialist Party leader Fatos Nano and other Albanian party leaders, including those of the predominately ethnic Greek party "Omonia".

Informed sources said Mr. Fino and Mr. Starova expressed concern about the recent flurry of bomb attacks in Albania. Both reportedly asked Mr. Pangalos for Greece's help in reorganising the police force and customs authorities.

Mr. Pangalos also held brief talks with the chief of multinational forces in Albania, Italian Admiral Forlani who assured him that security measures will be strengthened in the south of the country by detachments of the multinational force, in light of the upcoming general elections.

Mr. Pangalos called on Adm. Forlani to have patrols increased along the Kakavia-Gjirokaster-Sarande and Elbasan-Korce motorways, namely, the two motorways from which the main bulk of Albanians living in Greece are expected to pass to vote in their country.

He said Greece believed the number of election observers should be expanded, and would send the largest number.

"For Albanians wishing to travel to Albania to vote, we have decided to help and will supply them with some document, regardless of their legal status. This document will allow them to come to Albania to vote and return to Greece within a month," Mr. Pangalos said.

The Greek minister visited Greek troops stationed in Albania as part of the multinational protection force later in the day.

Greece enjoys the cleanest beaches in Europe

More than 90,000 tons of garbage were collected in 1996 from approximately 390 beaches in seven prefectures around Greece, while 900 hectares of coastline were cleaned up, according to Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis.

Speaking ahead of the World Environment Day tomorrow, which is dedicated to the marine environment, Mr. Laliotis said that Greece enjoys the cleanest waters in the European Union, although he noted that further improvements could be made.

For this purpose the ministry had earmarked 14 billion drachmas by the end of 1998 to clean up beaches and to purchase equipment.

Mr. Laliotis said that according to last year's figures, 98 per cent of the country's beaches met standards of a European Union directive, while Greece had received 311 "blue flags" designating safe and clean beaches.

ND leader to visit Brussels, Luxembourg

Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis leaves today on a three-day visit to Brussels and Luxembourg to address the European People's Party (EPP) plenary session today. He is also expected to meet with European Commission President Jacques Santer and several EU commissioners while in Brussels.

On Friday he will visit Luxembourg, which assumes the European Union presidency on July 1. A visit with Luxembourg's prime minister has not been confirmed.

The ND leader is due to return to Athens on Saturday.

Greek election observers leave for Algeria

A Greek delegation of deputies and officials from the ministries of the interior and foreign affairs left for Algeria yesterday to observe the national elections in the North African country on Thursday.

The group is participating within the United Nations election monitoring group.

According to a foreign ministry statement, the 15 observers are being sent to Algeria following a request by that country's government.

"We believe that the Greek observers, along with their colleagues from other countries, will contribute decisively to the free expression of the will of the Algerian people and through this to the establishment of democracy in our friendly country," the statement read.

China's interest on Cyprus, Greek-Turkish relations noted

Foreign Undersecretary Yiannos Kranidiotis was assured yesterday by his Chinese counterpart Li Zhiaoyang of Beijing's interest on the Cyprus problem and Greek-Turkish relations.

The Chinese official also reiterated Beijing's support for Greece's bid to become a member of the United Nations Security Council for the period 1999- 2000, a foreign ministry announcement said.

Mr. Li Zhiaoyang is accompanying the president of the People's Republic of China's Consultative Conference, Li Ruihuan, on an official visit to Greece. He discussed bilateral relations with Mr. Kranioditis and agreed that the two countries should establish regular meetings at a ministerial level.

Mr. Kranidiotis briefed his counterpart on Greece's objectives and aspirations in the European Union, the situation in the Balkans, recent developments in the Middle East.

He also set out Greek positions on the Cyprus issue and Greek-Turkish relations, requesting more active support from the People's Republic of China - a permanent Security Council member - in efforts being made by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan for a settlement of the Cyprus problem.

Gov't on centre-left, French elections

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday that the policy followed by the government safeguards social cohesion and institutions of social solidarity in a modern society such as that of Greece.

He was replying to relevant questions also related to assessments being made on the results of the recent French general elections.

Mr. Reppas said this policy is the most suitable to pursue these targets at economic and social level, adding that Greece is probably the sole European Union country which has managed to improve economic indicators and at the same time secure a level of social prosperity and solidarity.

He expressed the assessment that more friendly conditions will exist in the international environment (following the victory of centre-left forces in France) for this policy to be exercised and that Athens has played a leading role in activities concern ing Europe's social image.

Another alleged transit fuel scam brought before justice

A representative of a Piraeus-based fuel supplier, Star Powell has been charged with allegedly smuggling transit fuel, with estimated tax and duty losses for the state totalling 387.9 million drachmas. Some 4.42 million litres of petroleum were reportedly sold illegally.

The new case of transit fuel smuggling employing the method of mock deliveries involves 353 fuel receipt vouchers from yachts anchored at the marinas of Floisvos, Zea and Glyfada over the 1994-1995 period, a scam in which nine customs officials from the 11th Customs Office have been implicated.

According to evidence collected to date from similar cases, state coffers have incurred losses resulting from unpaid dues exceeding 12 billion drachmas. Investigations are also continuing and targetting cruise ships. Star Powell representative Nikos Souliotis has been charged in the latest case.

WEATHER

Fine weather is forcast for most parts of Greece today except for some local cloudiness, scattered rain and rainstorms in the Thrace, Macedonia and the eastern Aegean Sea. Winds northwesterly, moderate to strong. Athens will be sunny with temperatures between 15-28C. Possibility of rain in Thessaloniki with temperatures from 14-24C.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Tuesday's closing rates - buying US dlr. 272.959 Pound sterling 445.904 Cyprus pd 531.514 French franc 46.902 Swiss franc 190.717 German mark 158.125 Italian lira (100) 16.066 Yen (100) 235.352 Canadian dlr. 198.400 Australian dlr. 206.445 Irish Punt 405.728 Belgian franc 7.660 Finnish mark 52.655 Dutch guilder 140.537 Danish kr. 41.549 Swedish kr. 34.992 Norwegian kr. 38.321 Austrian sch. 22.466 Spanish peseta 1.871 Port. Escudo 1.565

(M.S.)


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