Athens News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-10-27
NEWS IN ENGLISH
Athens, Greece, 27/10/1997 (ANA)
MAIN HEADLINES
- Greece celebrates Ochi Day
- Patras begins mopping up after floods
- Pangalos: EU recognises Turkey lacks requirements to join
- Van den Broek: EU not enthusiastic with Turkey's policy
- President calls on Turkey to play by international rules
- President inaugurates two exhibitions in Thessaloniki
- Greek-Russian trade committee makes headway
- Court rules Kaoil free to launch operations
- Greek First Division soccer results
- Weather
- Foreign exchange
NEWS IN DETAIL
Greece celebrates Ochi Day
National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said today that Greece's
recent history "calls on us today to vigilance and inspire our efforts for
safeguarding national sovereignty against any foreign designs, for a free
and peaceful Cyprus, and in general for the advancement of security and
cooperation among the peoples of our region".
In an Order of the Day marking the celebration of the October 28, 1940,
'Ochi' (No) Day when Greece was dragged into World War II after refusing
Mussolini's utimatum to surrender or be invaded, Tsohatzopoulos said "no
complacency, indifference or apathy is forgivable regarding our democratic
form of government, or the intergrity, independence and sovereign rights of
our country".
"When, for so many years, international law, principles and values have not
being respected," he added, "we are obliged to comprehend that we ourselves
must put forward a deterrent strategy that constantly strengthens Greece
militarily, economically and diplomatically, so as to successfully confront
any designs."
Earlier, speaking at the end of the students' parade marking Ochi Day in
Thessaloniki, Tsohatzopoulos referred indirectly to Greek-Turkish issues,
saying "our responsibllity must be to mobilise and formulate the necessary
conditions for creating the most effective solutions to serve our sovereign
rights and well as the country's economy, progress and prosperity".
He said the message of the 1940 events was that "we, too, are able, and the
resonsibility falls on us, to combine and materialise our targets, to
succeed".
The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said in a message that only the
overturning of the overall government policy could pave the way for radical
changes, adding that present-day dilemma was between a clash with
imperialism or subjugation to imperialism and monopolies.
The KKE repeated its proposal for the establishment of an anti-imperialism,
anti-monopoly democratic front for the people's counterattack against
imperlialism and monopolies.
It further blamed U.S.-NATO designs for the problems in the region, and
criticised the PASOK government on its policy in all sectors.
The Coalition of Left and Progress said in its message that the country
today needed to come out of crisis and stagnation, adding that the
confrontation of national issues required well-thought-out strategy, a
steady line and a minimum of national coperation through the establishment
of a national council on foreign policy.
It further stressed the "huge dangers" entailed in the aggravation of
nationalistic sentiments and "divide and conquer" policies in the Balkans,
and said war reparations and the return of the occupation loan should be
sought from Germany.
At a period of crisis of values, it said, the awakening of the collective
historical memory could inspire the younger generations on the values of
freedom and independence and on collective resistance to safeguard
them.
Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas said in his
message that this year's Ochi Day anniversary had a two-fold meaning: 'No'
to the plans and 'solutions' of the strong centres of the West that aim at
shrivelling Greece and Hellenism, and the people's 'no' to the neo-liberal
"modernising" raid, wretchedness and debasement.
Patras begins mopping up after floods
Residents of the Peloponnese city of Patras began mopping up and taking
stock today after heavy weekend rains flooded homes and stores.
The floods were caused when a small stream broke its banks, sending a
torrent of water into an estimated 200 premises.
Local authorities were expected to have an initial report of the extent of
the damage later today while a regional official said a report on
responsibility for the flooding would be ready by November 6.
Victims of the floods would receive immediate aid of 200,000 drachmas and
up to two million drachmas for destroyed homes.
Businessmen in the city with premises damaged by the flooding would have 30
percent of the value of their stocks compensated with the remainder covered
by subsidised loan.
Pangalos: EU recognises Turkey lacks requirements to join
The European Union (EU) members are beginning to realise that Turkey does
not have the requirements necessary to gain accession to the union, Greek
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said yesterday.
Speaking at an informal meeting of the EU Council of (Foreign) Ministers in
Luxembourg, Mr. Pangalos said, "The governments of member-states have begun
to gradually understand that Turkey does not have the economic or political
requirements to enter,at present, the process of accesion to the EU, nor
(is it able now) to be strengthened by the community's pre-accession
strategy".
Greece supports a special Turkish relation ship with the EU, but this
should be based on the joint stance of all member-states at the Council of
Customs Link between the EU-Turkey, in April, which contains certain terms
towards Turkey.
One of these terms is for Turkey to show a contructive stance on the Cyprus
issue and the solution of its problems with Greece, Mr. Pangalos said.
All EU members agree that Turkey should not set obstacles to negotiations
for Cyprus' accession to the EU.
He said Greece supports the union's expansion but negotiations should start
simultaneously for all prospective members, rather than setting different
dates for each.
On other issues, Mr. Pangalos proposed that the EU express its support to
Algeria's attempts to reform, and said the EU should also assume certain
projects in the Middle East related to security, like the port and the
airport.
Van den Broek: EU not enthusiastic with Turkey's policy
EU Commissioner Hans Van den Broek told a press conference in Luxembourg
yesterday, said that recent developments in Turkey in terms of respecting
human rights and in foreign policy have not met with great enthusiasm from
those interested in the country's improved ties with the EU.
Mr. Van den Broek, who will visit Ankara on Wednesday, said that Turkey had
to change its stance on the Cyprus issue.
"The climate must change and the threats of war must change," he said,
adding that Turkey must stop placing obstacles in Cyprus' accession
process.
Besides Mr. Van den Broek's meeting in Turkey, other meetings related to
the issue include a meeting of the Council of Customs Link between the EU
and Turkey on November 24 in Brussels.
Council chairman Jacques Poos is also expected to visit Ankara by the end
of November.
The main points to be touched in these discussions is that the strengthening
of Turkey's ties with the EU are related to the improvement of Greek-
Turkish relations, solving differences on the basis of international law,
achieving progress in the Cyprus issue and others.
President calls on Turkey to play by international rules
Greek President Costis Stephanopoulos has called on international
organisations to urge Turkey to play by the rules instead of using bravado
and threats.
"International threats cannot be resolved by boasting or creating incidents,
but only through an adherence to international rules," Mr. Stephanopoulos
said.
The President of the Republic was speaking on arrival in Thessaloniki on
Saturday night.
Yesterday he took part in religious celebrations for Saint Dimitrios, the
city's patron saint. The holiday coincides with Thessaloniki's liberation
from Turkey.
Mr. Stephanopoulos said Greek foreign policy was peaceful and steady,
allowing no backtracking on national and sovereign rights.
President inaugurates two exhibitions in Thessaloniki
President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos yesterday inaugurated two
exhibitions at separate museums during his visit to Thessaloniki, to
celebrate the city's patron St. Dimitrios and tomorrow's "Ohi" day.
"Byzantine Medieval Cyprus" is running at the Museum of Byzantine Culture
and "Flags of Liberation" at the Art gallery of the Society of Macedonian
Studies.
The first exhibition relates to artifacts, manuscripts, maps and memoirs of
travellers and researchers that visited Cyprus during its Byzantine and
Medieval periods.
The second exhibition includes flags used by Greek resistance fighters,
from the 19th century to modern times. It also includes a flag from the
famed 'Averof' battleship.
In his speeches, Mr. Stephanopoulos noted the cultural traits that linked
Greece with Cyprus, saying that both countries "are direct descendants and
inheritors of Byzantium".
The inaugurations were attended by the ministers of Culture and Macedonia-
Thrace, and by the defence minister as representative of the prime
minister.
Greek-Russian trade committee makes headway
A Greek delegation headed by National Economy Undersecretary Alekos Baltas
attended the first conference of t he Joint Interministerial Committee of
Greece-Russia in Moscow yesterday, after months of delays and problems
establishing the procedures to be followed.
The Greek delegation signed a joint statement for cooperation in small and
medium-sized businesses, and a cooperation agreement between the Hellenic
Organisation of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises and Craftsmen (EOMMEX)
and the Russian state committee for small businesses. The agreement
includes provisions of Greek businesses training Russian former military
officials who have been dismissed due to sharp cuts in defence.
Both sides agreed on the importance of accelerating the agreement on the
Burgas-Alexandropouli oil pipe agreement and discussed Greek investments in
Russia, with the Russian side submitting a list of sectors they are
interested in.
Court rules Kaoil free to launch operations
Kaoil, a new Greek petroleum products firm, is free to launch operations
after a court rejected a petition by competitors to have its licence
revoked for jeopardising their turnover.
The State Council, the country's highest adminstrative court, ruled that
any loss of clientele or turnover incurred by Texaco, Shell Hellas, Evroil
and Elinoil due to Kaoil's entry into the market could be rectified.
The four had claimed that Kaoil, which aims to operate nationwide and whose
launch was endorsed by the development ministry, would result in a loss of
income due to a shrinking market stake.
Its operation would also act as a stumbling block to investment plans
already made by the four companies, the petition said.
Greek First Division soccer results
Olympiakos-Proodeftiki 3 - 0 Ionikos-OFI 5 - 0
Veria-Apollon 1 - 1 Athinaikos-Pyrgos 4 - 3
Kalamata-Panahaiki 0 - 1 Heraklis-Xanthi 2 - 0
Ethnikos-Panionios 1 - 0 Kavala-PAOK 0 - 1
AEK-Panathinaikos play today Standings-points:
Ionikos 21, Panathinaikos 18 Olympiakos 15, AEK, Apollon, Heraklis 13,
PAOK 12, Xanthi 11, Pyrgos 9, OFI, Proodeftiki 8, Veria, Panionios
7 Ethnikos, Panahaiki 6
WEATHER
Cloudiness and scattered showers are expected for most parts of Greece.
Northerly moderate winds. Good weather for Athens with sunshine and
temperatures between 7-17C. Similar weather in Thessaloniki where
temperatures will be 2C-13C.
On Tuesday, the weather around the country will be cloudy with occasional
rain in the central and north of the country with light snowfalls in the
central and northern border regions. In Athens, the weather will be cloudy,
gradually increasing. The temperature in Athens will range from 9-16
degrees Celsius. In Thessaloniki, light rains are forecast with the
temperature ranging from 6-10 degrees Celsius.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
Monday's closing rates - buying
US dlr. 275.974 Pound sterling 454.197
Cyprus pd 530.879 French franc 46.543
Swiss franc 189.140 German mark 155.903
Italian lira (100) 15.971 Yen (100) 226.226
Canadian dlr. 198.102 Australian dlr. 190.528
Irish Punt 406.284 Belgian franc 7.563
Finnish mark 52.090 Dutch guilder 138.409
Danish kr. 40.999 Swedish kr. 36.329
Norwegian kr. 38.782 Austrian sch. 22.176
Spanish peseta 1.852 Port. Escudo 1.532
(M.P.)
|
