A.N.A. Bulletin, 17/10/96

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From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1017), October 17, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[01] Greece expresses willingness to play more active role in Dayton peace accord

[02] 'Politika' interview

[03] EU strongly condemns killing of Greek Cypriot

[04] Burns remarks on Cyprus murder draws Athens reaction

[05] Chirac expresses desire to visit Greece

[06] Greece expected to join Schengen Agreement on Jan. 1, 1997

[07] Simitis receives US ambassador for wide-ranging talks

[08] Committee to probe Floisvos casino to be requested

[09] Simitis-Erbakan meeting not in sight

[10] World Athletics Championship to take place in Athens next year as scheduled

[11] PASOK Parliamentary Group elects its presidium and spokesmen

[12] Simitis address

[13] EKEM urges increased EU support for Balkan economies

[14] Patriot missile tested

[15] Quake rocks Argolida

[16] Captain of Turkish tanker arrested

[17] Greek Studies Institute set up in Sweden

[18] 200 drachma note in November

[19] 'Kassandra Mines' investment to be honored, minister says

[20] Gasoline price increase

[21] Aid for quake-stricken Konitsa regions

[22] Merger approval gives rise to Europe's biggest metal mining company

[23] HELEXPO makes inroads into promising Russian market

[24] Credits earmarked for flood-protection projects

[25] Schindler to establish subsidiary in Athens

[01] Greece expresses willingness to play more active role in Dayton peace accord

Belgrade, 17/10/1996 (ANA - M. Mouratidis)

"Greece wishes to increase the number of its peace force in Bosnia, if this is asked by the government of Bosnia-Herzegovina, and if the other countries participating in NATO's peace force agree," Mr. Pangalos was quoted as saying, adding that Greece was willing to contribute $7 million to the reconstruction effort. Sarajevo was Mr. Pangalos' first stop on a tour of capitals in the former Yugoslavia, which began yesterday.

The Greek foreign minister also announced that Greece would open an embassy in the Bosnian capital later this month, adding that he had received assurances that the Bosnian side would reciprocate as soon as possible.

International news agencies reported Mr. Pangalos as saying that President Izetbegovic in person, and Bosnian Croat member of the collective presidium, Krezimir Zubak by telephone, had confirmed to him that they would be meeting with their Bosnian Serb counterpart Momcilo Krajisnik in Sarajevo next week. "We bring you great news. I believe that this will be very satisfactory for everyone in the international community," he said.

He justified the fact that he did not meet with representatives of the Bosnian Serbs by stressing that if collective organs were to function successfully, there was no need of separate meetings.

Mr. Pangalos' Bosnian counterpart, Jadranko Pirlic expressed satisfaction at the strengthening of relations with Greece, and stressed that he had received an assurance from his guest that Greece would help Bosnia become a member of the Council of Europe.

He also met with international mediator Carl Bildt.

Mr. Pangalos arrived in Belgrade last night, for talks with Yugoslav officials and Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic today.

He is due in Zagreb tomorrow.

[02] 'Politika' interview

Belgrade, 17/10/1996 (ANA)

"Greece desires the strengthening of both inter-Balkan and bilateral co-operation, and is seeking the broadest possible co-operation of Balkan countries with the European Union," he says.

Regarding bilateral relations with Yugoslavia, Mr. Pangalos emphasizes the two countries are connected with traditional links of friendship and co-operation, tested under difficult conditions, and holding scope for further broadening.

"Bilateral relations are very good and have margins for development in issues of economic co-operation," he says, stressing that one of the basic goals of his visit is the determination of sectors in which co-operation can be developed.

"We are at the beginning of a new historical era, and it is in our hand for this period to be sealed in peace and progress," he adds.

Referring to recent dramatic events in Cyprus, Mr. Pangalos stresses that the continuation of the island's division and occupation of its northern part by Turkey constituted a major issue of violation of the most basic rules of international law to which the international community ought to have paid more attention.

"The latest criminal actions of occupation forces show that this situation cannot be continued," he says.

Regarding the situation in the Aegean, the foreign minister stresses that Turkey must respect international law and treaties.

"Turkey's provocative behavior at Imia shows that it does not desire the improvement of its relations with Greece in practice," he said.

[03] EU strongly condemns killing of Greek Cypriot

Brussels, 17/10/1996 (ANA)

A declaration by the EU Irish Presidency said the EU "strongly condemns the killing by the forces on the north of Cyprus." It also said that the EU "deplores this latest tragic death, as it does all the violent deaths which have occurred recently in Cyprus."

"The European Union fully endorses the principle stated by the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) that deadly force must not be used by either side against persons who cross the respective cease-fire lines, or enter the UN buffer zone. The European Union calls on both sides to look urgently at measures aimed at removing live ammunition from front line posts and increasing the area of demanning as called for in UN Security Council resolutions," the declaration said.

"The European Union would repeat its call for restraint on all sides in order to avert further such tragic deaths. It believes that these events only underline the need to redouble efforts to seek progress on dialogue between both communities, with the objective of achieving a comprehensive political settlement to the Cyprus question, under the aegis of the United Nations.

"The European Union, for its part, will seek to encourage and promote efforts aimed at an early resumption of dialogue between both communities, on the basis of UN Security Council resolutions," the declaration concluded.

[04] Burns remarks on Cyprus murder draws Athens reaction

Athens, 17/10/1996 (ANA)

Mr. Burns said political violence had taken place by both sides in Cyprus and let it be understood that the Greek side had responsibilities over the killing of a Turkish Cypriot soldier.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas criticized the US government of keeping equal distances towards both the victimizer and the victim.

"It is wrong that the victimizer and the victim are kept on equal distances," Mr. Reppas said.

"Here we are dealing with a murderous act against an unarmed citizen who had no intention to cause tension or an act of violence in the region where he was killed," he added.

Petros Kakoullis, 58, was murdered in cold-blood on Sunday when he accidentally entered the occupied parts in divided Cyprus. His murder brought to four the number of successive killings of Greek Cypriots by Turkish occupation forces over the summer.

Athens lodged a demarche with Security Council members on Tuesday, accusing Turkey of trying to show that the two communities on the island cannot live in peace and therefore eliminate hope of success for fresh international initiatives on Cyprus.

Speaking to reporters in Washington, Mr. Burns said that "political violence has taken place by both sides."

"Another young Greek Cypriot was killed recently and a Turkish soldier was killed. We think that the killings must stop on both sides. And we urged both sides to try to find the killer of the Turkish soldier. And this is the responsibility of the authorities in Cyprus," he added.

The government spokesman was also questioned on a statement by the Turkish ambassador to Athens Umit Pamir during his on-going tour of Thrace that the Greek Moslems in Thrace constituted a "Turkish minority."

Noting that Turkish officials had a habit of referring to the Thracian Greek Moslems as a "Turkish minority", Mr. Reppas noted that the Greek Moslem citizens in the region enjoy the same rights with the remaining Greek citizens.

"The prudent and cool-headed reactions of local citizens to the Turkish ambassador's statement showed that the Greek Moslems have no intention of being used in the designs of any ambassador, of any country that pursues or wishes to use them in order to promote its own interests," Mr. Reppas said.

Asked whether the Turkish ambassador will be summoned by the foreign ministry regarding his statement, Mr. Reppas said the government intended to wait until the conclusion of Mr. Pamir's tour of the region before drawing its conclusions.

[05] Chirac expresses desire to visit Greece

Paris, 17/10/1996 (ANA - G. Zitouniati)

During a reception at the Presidential Mansion at the end of the Euro-Asian forum, which attracted the most important businessmen from Europe and Asia, President Chirac had a long and cordial conversation with the Foreign Ministry's European Affairs Secretary-General Stelios Perakis, the head of the Greek representation, in the presence of the Greek Ambassador to Paris Haralambos Korakas.

During their meeting, President Chirac praised the constructive working meeting he had with the Greek prime minister in Dublin, as well as excellent Franco-Greek co-operation during the recent visit paid to Athens by French Prime Minister Alain Juppe.

Lastly, President Chirac called on Mr. Perakis to convey his warm greetings to Mr. Simitis and expressed his satisfaction over Greek interest and participation in the Euro-Asian forum on which France places great emphasis.

[06] Greece expected to join Schengen Agreement on Jan. 1, 1997

Athens, 17/10/1996 (ANA)

Mr. Perrakis said the Greek Parliament is expected to ratify, by the end of the year, a law on protecting privacy and individual liberties, which is a condition for participating in the Schengen Agreement. Greece is one of the few members of the European Union who has yet to ratify the agreement, despite its stated political will for participation.

In the event the relevant law is not ratified in Parliament by the end of December, Greece runs the risk of being deprived of the right to membership. In this case, Greece will be granted the status of observer.

[07] Simitis receives US ambassador for wide-ranging talks

Athens, 17/10/1996 (ANA)

The meeting, which took place at the request of Mr. Niles, centered on a wide range of issues of mutual interest.

Diplomatic sources said there was no agenda and that the two men exchanged views on various issues ranging from developments in Greek-Turkish relations to Greek initiatives in the Balkans on the occasion of Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos' tour to the countries of former Yugoslavia.

[08] Committee to probe Floisvos casino to be requested

Athens, 17/10/1996 (ANA)

The government announcement was issued after a report by prosecutor N. Sigouras was communicated to Parliament by Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, concerning the awarding of the Floisvos casino.

According to the report, publicized by Mr. Kaklamanis, responsibilities are located with former Tourism Minister, during the Andreas Papandreou government, Dionysis Livanos as well as with officials of the Tourism Ministry and the Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Ministry.

[09] Simitis-Erbakan meeting not in sight

Athens, 17/10/1996 (ANA)

Asked to comment on the composition of the inner cabinet, Mr. Reppas referred to a statement made by Mr. Simitis on Tuesday that Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis will participate in it, adding that its entire composition will be made known later on.

[10] World Athletics Championship to take place in Athens next year as scheduled

Athens, 17/10/1996 (ANA)

He made the statement after the Greek Athletics Federation (SEGAS), which had signed the contract with the International Athletics Federation to run the championships, yesterday withdrew from the games organizing committee, saying it had been marginalized by the state.

He specified that the organizing committee of 'Athens 97' will have the responsibility for all administrative decisions, while the technical committee will be responsible for the games side of the event.

Mr. Fouras said expected revenue from ticket sales was expected to be in the region of 2.5 to 3 billion drachmas.

[11] PASOK Parliamentary Group elects its presidium and spokesmen

Athens, 17/10/1996 (ANA)

Out of nine candidates for the presidium, those elected are Paraskevas Fountas with 91 votes (he appears to be the favorite for the post of Presidium Secretary), Vangelis Malesios 61, Yiannis Yiannakis 58, Lazaros Lotidis 56, Anestis Saatsoglou 50, George Adamopoulos 44 and Nora Katseli 33.

Ilias Vlachopoulos with 31 votes and Theodoros Katsanevas with 24 were not elected. Four spoilt votes were cast and two blank ones.

There were three candidates in voting for parliamentary spokesmen and all three were elected. A stir was caused by the big number of spoilt and blank votes which amounted to 42 (24 blank and 18 spoilt ones).

Most of the votes were received by Kosmas Sfyriou (69), who was followed by Foivos Ioannidis (33) and Dimitris Georgakopoulos (14).

[12] Simitis address

Athens, 17/10/1996 (ANA)

Mr. Simitis also referred to the role played by deputies and the Parliamentary Group's operation during the new Parliamentary period.

He said that in the framework of PASOK's new collectiveness, there are roles for all. "Nobody is immovable and we are all judged by the results of our work," he added.

Mr. Simitis said PASOK will operate from now on in the framework of a new collectiveness, it will have a unified political orientation, specific roles will exist as well as specific responsibilities, adding that his intention is to have an assessment of the governmental and Parliamentary presence of all.

He also focused on the need to upgrade the role played by deputies in the framework of the Parliamentary Group's new operational regulation and on the restoration of a new balance between the party, the Parliamentary Group, Parliament, the government an d the Prime Minister to enable PASOK to be a productive entity and not a disjointed sum of individual policies.

Mr. Simitis further stressed the need for a regular and substantive presence of deputies in Parliament.

[13] EKEM urges increased EU support for Balkan economies

Athens, 17/10/1996 (ANA)

The report, assessing institutional, political and economic developments in the region during the first six months of the year, shows that the Balkan economies are still struggling for survival.

According to the EKEM report, Greece, as the only European partner which belongs geographically to the Balkan peninsula, can play a leading role in the process of EU-Balkan co-operation.

[14] Patriot missile tested

Athens, 17/10/1996 (ANA)

The announcement said the firing process lasted for about an hour, adding that no plans have been made to fire another Patriot missile.

[15] Quake rocks Argolida

Athens, 17/10/1996 (ANA)

The epicenter of the quake was located near the city of Nafplion.

[16] Captain of Turkish tanker arrested

Athens, 17/10/1996 (ANA)

Turkish Ozgyang Omder, 55, is charged with ignoring orders to present the Isthmia Port Authorities with a certificate of sail. The vessel, which was headed from the Elefsina port, was on its way to Thessaloniki when it ran aground off Omvrios.

Port authorities at the Isthmia port requested Omder to present a certificate proving that the vessel was in a condition to sail but the Turkish captain ignored the orders. The vessel, which shortly after running aground managed to refloat, set sail but a Greek coastguard vessel which had drawn alongside it forced it to dock at Lavrion.

Port authorities said the vessel was damaged and in no condition to sail.

[17] Greek Studies Institute set up in Sweden

Stockholm, 17/10/1996 (ANA - N. Servetas)

The Institute has been set up at the initiative of the Hellenic Culture Foundation and the 'Greek Library and Archive of Sweden' foundation.

President of the provisional governing board is Upsala University Hellenistic Professor Sture Liner, who has written many books on Greece and its culture.

[18] 200 drachma note in November

Athens, 17/10/1996 (ANA)

The new note bears on one side the figure of Rigas Feraios, an 18th century Greek champion of a Balkan federation, independent of Ottoman rule.

Mr. Papadimas said this will be one of the last Greek notes to be printed.

"Our aim is for the country to join EMU by the year 2000 or 2001, when notes will be printed in Euro denominations thereafter," he said.

[19] 'Kassandra Mines' investment to be honored, minister says

Athens, 17/10/1996 (ANA)

Ms. Papandreou was referring to an announcement by the HELLAS S.A. company, announcing the suspension of work at the plant due to its illegal disruption by residents over the past 10 months.

The gold processing plant in Chalkidiki, northern Greece, has been prevented from starting work for the past 10 months by residents fearing the plant will harm the area's tourism business and the environment.

[20] Gasoline price increase

Athens, 17/10/1996 (ANA)

According to an announcement by the Development Ministry, the new prices resulted from an increase in the international prices of gasoline and the new parities between the dollar and the drachma.

Meanwhile, owners of conventional cars in Greece are skeptical over the possibility of super gasoline being abolished by the year 2002, in accordance with European community directives.

PERPA scientists stress that the adjustment of cars and motorcycles is feasible. According to automobiles repairs shop owners, the conversion of a conventional car into a catalytic one will cost about 200,000 drachmas if it has been made after 1980, while for past technology cars the cost will amount to 500,000 drachmas.

The Greek government, through Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Under-secretary Mr. Theodoros Koliopanos, requested at Tuesday's EU Council of Ministers' session an exemption of Greece from the measure until at least 2005.

[21] Aid for quake-stricken Konitsa regions

Athens, 17/10/1996 (ANA)

Moreover, in 90 cases of people in the Konitsa municipality, supporting documents are being re-examined, while people in nearby villages will receive the bonus next week.

The announcement was made by the Health and Welfare Ministry in light of a visit Under-secretary Theodoros Kotsonis will be making to stricken areas today.

According to the announcement, 834 families are being housed in tents and another 185 in special containers, while problems faced by 10 handicapped people were tackled by the elderly people's home in Konitsa.

Mr. Kotsonis will hold talks with representatives of local administration, societies and agencies, as well as with governors and directors of welfare foundations.

[22] Merger approval gives rise to Europe's biggest metal mining company

Athens, 17/10/1996 (ANA)

Both companies belong to the Iliopoulos - Kyriakopoulos group, and their merger was approved by both companies' general assemblies yesterday, along with a decision to increase AEEAV's equity capital by 1.7 billion drachmas with the floatation of 2,660 ,650 new shares.

Parnassos, founded in 1933, is today the biggest bauxite producer in Europe, with exploitable reserves of 120 million tons estimated to last about 100 years, and it exports more than 60 per cent of its production. AEEAV, founded in 1934, has mines on the island of Milos, and is the biggest exporter of perlite and betonite in the world.

The merger is expected to allow the two companies to expand to new products, through resulting economies of scale. Their joint sales are estimated at 19 billion drachmas in 1996 and profits at 3.7 billion, with projected corresponding figures for 199 7, 25 and 4.5 billion drachmas.

[23] HELEXPO makes inroads into promising Russian market

Athens, 17/10/1996 (ANA)

The latest such one, the 5th since last August, took place between September 28 and October 7 on the occasion of the participation of PHILOXENIA, the international tourist exhibition organized by HELEXPO-TIF, in the INWETEX international tourist exhibit ion organized by the Russian RESTEC in St. Petersburg.

The mission's general targets were to promote the 12th PHILOXENIA, organized by HELEXPO between October 31 and November 3, in Thessaloniki and carry out contacts, at the highest possible level, to promote events organized by the Greek national exhibition agency at exhibition and convention level and conclude agreements such as the one already signed with INWETEX.

The mission was a success since meetings took place with Russian Tourism Minister Sergei Shilko, the deputy mayors of Moscow and St. Petersburg Boris Averianov and Liodmila Botkina, Archimandrite Theophanis, Deputy President of the Foreign Affairs Department of the Russian Church, and with directors of exhibition organizations.

Talks were also held with other economic officials and new forms of alternate tourism offered by Greece were promoted.

As far as results of the mission are concerned, the participation of the Russian Tourism Ministry and the Moscow municipality in the 12th PHILOXENIA was finalized and the foundations were laid for co-operation with the big exhibition organization EXPO CENTER.

[24] Credits earmarked for flood-protection projects

Athens, 17/10/1996 (ANA)

A total of 750,000,000 dr. were provided for flood-protection projects on rivers and rapids in Ano Messinia. Fifty-five million dr. were approved for repairs at the Tsakona dam in Messinia.

Forty-five million dr. will go to flood-protection projects on the Loxida River and the Sidariou, Magouladon and Agiou Stefanou streams in the Corfu prefecture. Lastly, 365,000,000 dr. will be used for flood-protection projects in Kasos (Dodecanese).

[25] Schindler to establish subsidiary in Athens

Athens, 17/10/1996 (ANA)

Its President Alfred N. Schindler outlined the activities of the company, which is the biggest manufacturer of mobile staircases in the world, the second in size in manufacturing elevators and the biggest producer of train wagons in Switzerland.

The Schindler company has 60 subsidiaries in the world, employs 44,000 people and has an annual turnover amounting to five billion Swiss francs.

Schindler aims at participating in all major projects in Greece (Athens Metro, Spata airport, etc.), attributing importance to the Greek market.

End of English language section.

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