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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-01-13

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

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1087), January 13, 1997

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] Pangalos meets Milozevic, sees solution in OSCE report
  • [02] Three dead and heavy damage in nation-wide flooding
  • [03] US official's visit to Nicosia kicks off a flurry of visits on the Cyprus missiles furor
  • [04] Cyprus defense minister
  • [05] Missiles are purely defensive, Cyprus says
  • [06] Ciller, Karadayi to visit occupied Cyprus
  • [07] US, Russia, UN condemn Ankara statements
  • [08] Turkish smugglers try to land illegal immigrants
  • [09] Russian energy minister arrives to inaugurate natural gas project
  • [10] Concerted effort needed to deal with farming problems
  • [11] Rallis to oversee ND party congress
  • [12] Reforestation efforts
  • [13] GSEE criticizes new guidelines on residency, work permits
  • [14] Greek-Canadian team uncover ancient city of Argilos
  • [15] Cavanaugh arrives in Cyprus
  • [16] Defense minister leaves for Athens
  • [17] Overwhelming majority backs S-300 purchase

  • [01] Pangalos meets Milozevic, sees solution in OSCE report

    Belgrade, 13/01/1997 (ANA/Reuter)

    Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said yesterday that there was a chance of resolving the protracted political crisis in Serbia, provided an OSCE report that upheld opposition victories in disputed elections was accepted.

    Mr. Pangalos was speaking at the end of his one-day visit to the Yugoslav capital of Belgrade, where he had talks with Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic - the Serbian leader's first meeting with a foreign official for three weeks - Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic and leaders of the opposition Zajedno (Together) movement.

    Zajedno has staged mass protests in the streets of Belgrade for the past eight weeks against the government's annulment of the opposition's 14 victories in Serbia's 18 largest cities, including the capital Belgrade.

    A subsequent inquiry by a delegation led by former Spanish prime minister Felipe Gonzalez on behalf of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) declared the elections valid, ratcheting up pressure on Mr. Milosevic to admit defeat.

    Mr. Pangalos said that the opposition was ready to put an end to the protests if the OSCE report was accepted.

    He refused, however, to comment on whether Mr. Milosevic was prepared to accept the report.

    He called the possibility of negotiations between the government and opposition "a new and strong element" and expressed the belief that only in this way would democratic procedures preventing a repeat of such a crisis be established.

    "From what we have discussed up to now, it seems that the Gonzalez report has to be applied totally, including the city council of Belgrade," Mr. Pangalos told reporters.

    "My deep belief is that a solution is possible and those who should take the appropriate steps should take them immediately so as not to have consequences that will be extremely annoying for the economy and the strength and existence of Serbia," Mr. Pangalos said.

    "This (recognition of election results) should happen immediately and after this I believe that the opposition and the government are ready to start discussions," he said. Mr. Pangalos said he stressed to his interlocutors Zoran Djindjic, Vuk Draskovic and Vesna Pesic, the three leaders of Zajedno, that Greece was in need of a strong and democratic Serbia which would not be buffeted by civil wars and which would be in a position, along with Greece, to act as a pole of peaceful co-operation in the Balk ans.

    However, Mr. Draskovic said that Mr. Milosevic did not appear to be ready to accept the electoral win of the opposition in Belgrade and was oriented towards a solution which would see a temporary administration in the municipality of Belgrade.

    In statements on arrival in Belgrade, Mr. Pangalos said that during his talks he would be insisting on the need "for a way to be found to encourage the establishment of smooth democratic life in Serbia". He added that this would "help the friends of Serbia and Yugoslavia to work in the direction of an integration of this country" in the European Union.

    The crisis in Serbia, Mr. Pangalos said, created "great difficulties" for the friends of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

    A later announcement from the Serbian president's office noted that issues related to the joint efforts to strengthen and bolster trust between the peoples and countries of the region were the main focus of talks between Mr. Pangalos and Mr. Milosevic.

    The announcement stressed that both agreed that issues related to the internal development of each country should be resolved by institutional bodies of each country, to the benefit of all who desire stable inter-state and international relations based on the principles of equality and non-involvement in domestic affairs.

    It stressed that the relations between Greece and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia were developing in this direction and that the talks were held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere.

    [02] Three dead and heavy damage in nation-wide flooding

    Athens, 13/01/1997 (ANA)

    Three people died and another three were still missing at press-time after flash flooding hit the country yesterday.

    The regions of Corinth, Argolida, Aigialia and Fthiotida have reported widespread devastation with late reports stating that Fthiotida had been declared in a state of emergency. Dramatic live footage showed the raging waters sweeping away parked cars down the roads of the city of Corinth.

    According to an announcement by Public Order Minister George Romeos, one man was confirmed to have drowned after the long-distance bus in which he was traveling along with another 25 people was swept away by floodwater as it attempted to cross a bridge i n the Solomos village of Corinth.

    Another two people were missing late last night from the same bridge when their car was swept away.

    A 77-year-old woman was also missing in the Corinth region, while a 65-year-old man died of a heart attack in the Aigialia region when he witnessed his car being carried away by the floodwater.

    On the island of Crete, a 68-year-old man was killed after he was swept away by a river which he attempted to cross on his donkey.

    Worse hit was the prefecture of Argolida with unprecedented rainfall which swelled the waters of the Xerias river and flooded 2,500 acres of land as well as the ground floors of houses and shops.

    Thirteen people stranded and in danger of being swept by the rising waters were rescued by units of the local fire brigade.

    The rain has caused extensive damage to power and telecommunications' networks in the region as well as many farm dwellings in the villages of Nea Kios, Dalamanara, Timenio and Myli. Early in the evening, the town of Corinth suffered a general black-out which exacerbated the situation.

    Transport in the whole of the prefecture was impeded, with many roads impassable. At Kyveri, railway lines were swept away by the torrent. Trains from Athens could only travel to Argos, where passengers to the south-east Peloponese were transferred to buses. Traffic on the national highway between Corinth and Tripoli was confined to one lane because of landslides along the road.

    Heavy rain is still falling in the mountainous regions, causing fears of further flooding.

    In the prefecture of Corinth, roads turned to rivers and in Kiato and Lehena many houses were under water, while dozens of people stranded on rooftops and in cars awaited rescue. Local emergency services were inundated with calls as they attempted to free roads from cars that had been swept away. It was reported that a number of vehicles, including two trucks, fell into the port of Corinth.

    A government delegation headed by Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis is due to arrive in Corinth today in order to be briefed on the situation and to give instructions for the relief of those affected by the floods. Prime Minister Costas Simitis was being continuously briefed yesterday.

    Corinth Mayor Mr. Dalaklidis, who said his town had suffered "devastation of Biblical proportions," implied that the problem had been caused by the recent construction work on the Athens-Patras national road by-pass, although any connection was denied by the environment, town planning and public works ministry.

    In Athens, the continuous rainfall caused flooding of many roads and homes as well as two subway stations and the Kifissos bus depot. The Kifissos river overflowed, flooding the intersection of two of the city's main arteries, Leoforos Kifissou and Kavalas, with traffic chaos as a result.

    Worst hit were the suburbs of Nea Philadelphia, Nea Chalkidona, Nea Ionia, Neo Iraklio, Peania, Galatsi, Menidi and Agia Paraskevi.

    The Athens Fire Brigade had received more than 150 calls by 5pm. Problems were compounded by the large amounts of garbage accumulated on the capital's streets due to a municipal strike. The garbage was swept into stormwater drains along the roads, causing serious blockages.

    Police in the Peloponese town of Argos have expressed fears about the lives of an unknown number of illegal immigrants living in farm houses in areas flooded when the Xerias River broke its banks early yesterday morning after heavy rain.

    About 2,500 acres of land under cultivation was flooded adjacent to the Nafplio-Myles coastal road. Local authorities have declared a state of emergency in the prefecture and were using all available manpower and technical means to tackle the problems caused by the heavy rain and gale force winds.

    [03] US official's visit to Nicosia kicks off a flurry of visits on the Cyprus missiles furor

    Athens, 13/01/1997 (ANA)

    This week will see a flurry of activity on the Cyprus issue and the recent furor over Nicosia's decision to purchase Russian-made S-300 anti-aircraft missiles.

    Turkey's increasingly bellicose statements - despite censure from Washington, Moscow and the United Nations - continued over the weekend and latest reports from Ankara stated that Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller will visit the occupied areas of Cyprus this week.

    In Athens, the Cyprus defense minister's visit is expected to be followed by a visit by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and, possibly, by Dutch Foreign Minister Hans van Mierlo, to indicate increasing European Union interest in a solution to the Cyprus issue.

    Greece, however, will maintain its level-headed stance in the face of escalating Turkish provocations, as decided at Thursday's meeting on foreign policy, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday.

    In an unscheduled briefing prior to the visit to Athens today of the US State Department's official responsible for southern Europe, Carey Cavanaugh, Mr. Reppas said Greece's policy was aimed at securing friendship with all the countries of the region and with Turkey in particular.

    He stressed, however, that Turkey, by its actions, was refusing to adhere to international law and order, while Greece was the main factor for security and stability in the region.

    Mr. Cavanaugh arrived in Nicosia yesterday, on the first leg of his tour of the region aimed at smoothing relations following Nicosia's decision to purchase and deploy the Russian missiles.

    Replying to questions on Mr. Cavanaugh's visit, Mr. Reppas said "first we must hear what he has to say and then we shall reply."

    "The century which is coming to an end must take with it the outstanding issues in the region," the spokesman said, adding that the status quo in the region remained unchanged.

    In Belgrade, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos came out strongly against Turkey's reaction to the purchase.

    "Turkey wishes to have the right and the ability to bomb freely and to act unrestrained with its aircraft against Cyprus, without the government of Cyprus having any means to stop this activity," Mr. Pangalos said in reply to a journalist's question.

    "I believe the voices which have been heard by the international community and which advise Turkey to stop using violence or the threat of violence in its international relations simply reflect this unprecedented situation," he added.

    [04] Cyprus defense minister

    Athens, 13/01/1997 (ANA)

    In a related development, Cyprus Defense Minister Costas Eliades, accompanied by the chief of the Cyprus National Guard and members of the parliamentary defense committee, were due in Athens later yesterday for talks with the Greek government on the entire spectrum of issues pertaining to Cyprus' defense.

    An ANA dispatch from Nicosia said Mr. Eliades would be having private talks with his Greek counterpart, Akis Tsohatzopoulos, during which the two men will examine developments relating to the joint Greece-Cyprus defense doctrine and discuss issues regarding the two countries' armaments programs.

    The parliamentary defense committee will also be received by Prime Minister Costas Simitis today before holding talks with Mr. Tsohatzopoulos tomorrow.

    During its stay in Athens, the committee will also meet with Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.

    Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides is also scheduled to visit Athens this week, while there are reports that Dutch Foreign Minister Hans van Mierlo, the current president of the EU Council of Ministers, is also due in Greece during the week in order to b e briefed on the latest developments and to offer his good services for a defusion of the crisis.

    The Dutch European Union presidency has expressed the EU's wish to play an active role in efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus problem, although it has said it considers the UN to be in a better position to undertake the role of mediator.

    According to an ANA dispatch from Nicosia, a spokesman for the Dutch foreign ministry said the problem must be discussed between the EU and all interested members, including Russia and the United States. It added that at the same time, relations between Greece and Turkey must be carefully examined.

    The Cyprus issue and Greek-Turkish relations were discussed in The Hague on Friday by Mr. van Mierlo and US Assistant Secretary of State John Kornblum, who was accompanied by Mr. Cavanaugh.

    [05] Missiles are purely defensive, Cyprus says

    Nicosia, 13/01/1997 (ANA/CNA)

    Cyprus government spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides said on Saturday that Nicosia had purchased Russian-made S-300 anti-aircraft missiles in order to avert, and not to cause, a war.

    In statements to the ANA, Mr. Cassoulides added that it would be some months before the missile system was deployed and there would be plenty of time in the meantime "for us to concentrate our efforts for a peaceful settlement of the Cyprus problem, which will be followed by the total demilitarization of Cyprus."

    Commenting on Turkish threats of military action against Cyprus if the missiles were deployed, Mr. Cassoulides said they were nothing new.

    "The threats have continued for the past 22 years. It was only recently that Turkish President Suleyman Demirel boasted that Adana was just three minutes from Cyprus, implying that Turkey could hit Cyprus in three minutes," Mr. Cassoulides said.

    "It is for precisely this reason," he added, "that Cyprus feels the need to upgrade and strengthen its defensive capability and since we do not have an air-force, the only option for us was to purchase anti-aircraft missiles."

    Meanwhile, Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis stressed the Greek government's firm decision "to stand by Cypriot Hellenism with all means, for the ending of Turkish aggressiveness and of Turkish threats."

    Mr. Simitis gave the assurance during his meeting in Athens on Friday with a delegation of the Cypriot socialist EDEK party, headed by its president Vassos Lyssarides. The meeting focused on the latest developments in the Cyprus issue, with particular attention paid to the recent Turkish threats.

    [06] Ciller, Karadayi to visit occupied Cyprus

    Nicosia, 13/01/1997 (ANA)

    Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller and Chief of the Turkish General Staff Haki Karadayi are due to visit the occupied areas of Cyprus this week, press reports said.

    According to the Turkish press, the visit is directly related to Cyprus's decision to purchase the anti-aircraft missiles.

    In another development, an ANA dispatch from Ankara reported that a close associate of Ms Ciller yesterday accused Greece of "being behind the crisis" with the missiles.

    "We cannot say Greece is not behind the crisis with the Russian missiles," said the Vice-President of the True Path party and former defense minister Mehmet Golhan.

    "Turkey cannot remain indifferent before the fact that 'southern Cyprus' is being converted into an arsenal. ... Turkey will never allow the deployment of these missiles," Mr. Golhan said.

    [07] US, Russia, UN condemn Ankara statements

    Athens, 13/01/1997 (ANA)

    Turkey's increasing belligerent statements were the focus of condemnation by the US, Russia and the United Nations on Saturday.

    All three repudiated Turkey for threatening to take military action against Cyprus if the island republic proceeded with its plan to install an anti-aircraft defense system.

    US State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns described as "unjustified, irresponsible and unwise", a statement made on Friday by Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller saying that Ankara would not hesitate to strike Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles to be deployed in Cyprus.

    The Turkish threats were also condemned by Russia as being "reminiscent of the worst periods of the cold war".

    Russia "cannot ignore such statements from Turkey, including a direct threat against the safety of the sovereign Republic of Cyprus," foreign ministry spokesman Gennady Tarasov said in a written statement.

    "Such a statement seems especially strange considering the evident fact that the S-300 anti-aircraft missile system is of a purely defensive character," Mr. Tarasov said. "The artificial aggravation of tensions can only delay the future settlement of the Cyprus problem, and it does not help stability or improve the atmosphere of trust and co-operation in the region," Mr. Tarasov said.

    Finally, Turkey was criticized by the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who stressed that using or threatening to use force against a member state contravenes the organization's charter.

    In a statement read by a UN spokesman, the Secretary-General expressed his concern over rising tensions in Cyprus and said that last week's events point to the urgent need for co-ordinated efforts to achieve a comprehensive political settlement through negotiations. Turkey on Friday repeated its threat to take military action against Cyprus and said it might occupy an abandoned tourist resort on the island, if Cyprus did not back down on the acquisition of the anti-aircraft weapons.

    Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller said Turkey could knock out the defense system the Cypriot government plans to install under a deal made with Russia last weekend.

    [08] Turkish smugglers try to land illegal immigrants

    Athens, 13/01/1997 (ANA)

    The crew of a Greek coast-guard vessel early Saturday were forced to open fire on a Turkish boat which tried to ram it after unsuccessfully trying to disembark illegal immigrants on the remote Greek island of Ro.

    The first attempt was thwarted when the coast-guard vessel stopped a Turkish boat heading from the Turkish coast to Greek waters without navigation lights. The Turkish captain was arrested as were 13 illegal Kurdish immigrants.

    In the second attempt, Turkish smugglers tried to land an unknown number of illegal immigrants on a remote beach of Ro. When spotted by the same coast-guard vessel, the Turkish boat tried to ram it, forcing the crew of the Greek vessel to fire warning shots in the air and at the boat's motor, resulting in the slight injury of a Turkish smuggler.

    [09] Russian energy minister arrives to inaugurate natural gas project

    Athens, 13/01/1997 (ANA)

    Russia's Energy Minister Mr. Rodionov arrived in Athens yesterday afternoon on a two-day visit on the occasion of the inauguration of the natural gas project on Wednesday.

    "As Prometheus gave the flame to humanity, so we are pleased to bring natural gas to the legendary god's country as a small token of reciprocation," the Russian minister said.

    Mr. Rodionov, who is accompanied on his visit by the president of the Russian State Natural Gas Company "Gazprom", R. Diachirev and a 15-member delegation, was met at the airport by Development Minister Vasso Papandreou and the president of the Public Natural Gas Enterprise (DEPA) Savvas Papafilippou.

    Welcoming the delegation, Ms Papandreou noted the importance of its presence in Greece, which she said "the government intends to turn into an energy hub in the wider geopolitical region."

    Ms Papandreou expressed the wish for co-operation with Russia on the natural gas project to be expanded into the wider energy sector "as energy networks are very important for both countries."

    Mr. Rodionov expressed his pleasure on his presence in "the cradle of world civilization." He spoke of long-term Greek-Russian co-operation, and stressed the importance for both countries of inauguration of the natural gas pipeline.

    "During our two days here, we will have the chance to study a series of co-operations for the future. Apart from natural gas, there are also issues such as oil, the wider energy sector, networks et, while the implementation of these plans will significantly help the people of both countries," he said.

    [10] Concerted effort needed to deal with farming problems

    Athens, 13/01/1997 (ANA)

    The first meeting of the Council of Agricultural Policy concluded on Saturday with the general consensus that the problems Greek agriculture is facing can only be solved with the concerted effort of all interested parties, including farmers, cooperatives, social groups and competent ministries.

    Agriculture minister Stephanos Tzoumakas in his closing speech called for everybody's input in order to achieve "a self-reliant, competitive agriculture with decreases in the cost of production, new methods o f cultivation, appropriate infrastructure and the application of restructuring policies".

    Mr. Tzoumakas said that it is time for a change of attitude on the part of farmers and social groups. However he did not spare government employees of his own ministry, some of whom he accused of operating in a "closed shop" fashion.

    Agricultural Bank of Greece (ATE) chief Thanassis Papageorgiou in his submission to the newly-established council, stressed the need for structural changes and readily available finance. Mr. Papageorgiou said that it was more important for farmers to pay low interest rates than to settle existing debts, which concerns only a minority.

    Opening the meeting on Friday, Prime Minister Costas Simitis confounded expectations that he might announce measures in favor of farmers, whose protests caused widespread disruption to road and rail traffic throughout the country last December.

    The next meeting of the Council of Agricultural Policy is anticipated in about three months' time.

    [11] Rallis to oversee ND party congress

    Athens, 13/01/1997 (ANA)

    Former premier George Rallis on Saturday accepted a proposal from main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Miltiades Evert to preside over the organizing committee of the party's forthcoming congress.

    Accepting the proposal during a 35-minute meeting between the two men on Saturday morning, Mr. Rallis requested that a decision be taken according to which the decisions of the organizing committee will be irrevocable and indisputable.

    Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr. Evert said he believed the congress would upgrade ND from the point of view both of organization and operation.

    Mr. Rallis said the organizing committee would be made up of the parliamentary members of the party's executive committee and an equal number of ND deputies and cadres which he himself would appoint.

    He clarified that Vice President Ioannis Varvitsiotis would not be participating in the committee, unless he declared that he would not be candidate for the leadership of the party at the congress.

    The ND congress will be held from March 28-30, one month later than initially planned.

    [12] Reforestation efforts

    Athens, 13/01/1997 (ANA)

    The Kavalla forestry service and army division began reforestation in two regions of the prefecture, one in Nea Peramo in the Paggeos region where a small fire had occurred last year, and one in the Ofrynios region on the old Kavala-Thessaloniki national road.

    The reforestation began on Saturday morning. On the first day, the army and forestry service planted pines, acacias, cedars and fir trees. Reforestation is to continue over the next few months, with local organizations also becoming involved in planting trees.

    [13] GSEE criticizes new guidelines on residency, work permits

    Athens, 13/01/1997 (ANA)

    The draft presidential decree on residency and work permits for foreign citizens living in Greece, is unclear and ineffective according to the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE).

    Spokeswoman Zoe Sokou, also a member of the government committee formed to draw up the presidential decree, speaking to Filipino migrants at an information session held at the GSEE's offices, said that the decree had a number of "dark points", an indication that the government "has no intention of finding a lasting solution to the problem".

    Ms Sokou referred to the reasons behind mass immigration and stressed that with millions of Greeks living abroad, the country has first-hand experience of the phenomenon "that could be used in a positive way".

    Expanding on the position of the confederation, Ms Sokou said that even if migrants were to depart from Greece tomorrow, small businesses would still close down, salary rises would still trail inflation figures, the taxation system would still be unjust and the education and health sectors would still suffer.

    Regarding the content of the presidential decree, the GSEE spokeswoman said that work and residency permits will still be required for migrants not to be expelled, while citizenship can be claimed only after 15 years of residency. She also said that three-monthly extensions to the six-month permits will be subject to approval by the Organization of Employment of Human Resources (OAED), who will be assessing the needs of the labor market at the time.

    Ms Sokou said that there are no concrete figures on employment since a large part of the labor market operates without knowledge of the government and that many migrants are employed on an hourly basis, which is difficult to document.

    Ms Sokou also said that while migrants not completing the required documentation could be punished by law, the same did not apply for employers. Finally she pointed to the extraordinary powers given to certain ministers who could cancel permits "on grounds of public interest" such as bilateral relations and rising unemployment.

    [14] Greek-Canadian team uncover ancient city of Argilos

    Athens, 13/01/1997 (ANA)

    A joint team of Greek and Canadian archaeologists have discovered the ancient city of Argilos near the Strymonas river in Serres, northern Greece after over four years of excavations.

    Argilos, built circa 654 BC, was a colony of Andros, one of four along with Stageira, Sani and Akanthos which were located between Chalkidiki and the Strymonas river.

    So far, the archaeologists have uncovered a large part of the city of Argilos, including part of a defensive wall and harbor, 6th and 5th century dwellings, coins, a mint and paved roads leading from the city's acropolis to the harbor.

    A large number of graves have also been found containing ancient and classical artifacts, including two Macedonian tombs intact.

    The excavations have also yielded significant ceramic finds which show that Argilos maintained trade, economic and political relations with the rest of the known world at the height of its prosperity.

    The body of a 53-year-old German woman was found on Saturday on a street in the village of Panagia on the island of Thassos in the northern Aegean. The woman was identified as Gerdin Buseit who was staying on the island with her husband.

    [15] Cavanaugh arrives in Cyprus

    Nicosia, 13/01/1997 (ANA)

    The Director of the Office of Southern European Affairs at the US State Department, Carey Cavanaugh, arrived in Cyprus last night.

    Speaking on his arrival at the airport, Mr. Cavanaugh expressed the concern of the United States and of the international community at the current tension in Cyprus following the Cypriot government's decision to purchase Russian-made S300 anti-aircraft missiles. He stressed the need for measures to be taken in order to defuse the tension.

    While Mr. Cavanaugh described the decision over the purchase as "wrong", he also condemned the behavior of Turkey, which has threatened to attack Cyprus if the missiles are deployed.

    The US official stressed that Turkey attacking Cyprus would be inexcusable and would not be accepted, adding that the situation is tense and what is needed is calm and for the parties involved to take steps towards a peaceful resolution of the issue.

    "The purpose of my visit here is to help in the reduction of tension and to encourage these steps," he said.

    Mr. Cavanaugh was scheduled to meet with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash today. His meeting with Mr. Denktash is due to be held in the occupied territories of Cyprus.

    Late on Monday Mr. Cavanaugh will fly to Athens, where he will remain until Wednesday, and will then travel on to Ankara until next Friday.

    According to yesterday's Greek Cypriot press reports, Mr. Cavanaugh is expected to ask the Cyprus government to withhold the purchase of the anti-aircraft missiles and will reiterate a US proposal for a moratorium of Greek and Turkish overflights in Cyprus.

    The proposal was originally put forward by US Secretary of State-designate Madeleine Albright, during a visit here last summer in her capacity then as US representative to the UN.

    According to State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns, during his talks with officials in the region, Mr. Cavanaugh will try to advance "concrete actions to reduce tension" as well as "overall military activities."

    [16] Defense minister leaves for Athens

    Nicosia, 13/01/1997 (CNA/ANA)

    Defense Minister Costas Eliades, accompanied by the National Guard Commander Nicolaos Vorvolakos, as well as the president and members of the House Defense Committee left for Athens yesterday, to discuss defense issues.

    No official announcement of the minister's visit to Athens was made, but it is believed it is related to the joint defense pact, agreed upon by the governments of Cyprus and Greece in November 1993. The latest Turkish threats against Cyprus, after a government decision to purchase Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles S-300, is also expected to be discussed.

    The President of the House Defense Committee Takis Hadjidemetriou told CNA Sunday that the Cypriot delegation will today hold talks with Greek Premier Costas Simitis and meet Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou.

    He added that during their five-day visit in Greece, the eight Cypriot MPs will participate in a meeting at the Greek defense ministry, under Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, who will be accompanied by his political and military advisers.

    According to an official announcement issued here Sunday, the committee is visiting Athens at the invitation of the Greek defense minister and will remain in the Greek capital until January 17.

    Mr. Hadjidemetriou said they will also meet with the Greek Parliament Defense Committee as well as the Speaker of the Greek Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis.

    [17] Overwhelming majority backs S-300 purchase

    Nicosia, 13/01/1997 (CNA/ANA)

    Ninety-four percent of Greek Cypriots agree with the Cyprus government's decision to buy the Russian-made S-300 anti-aircraft missile system and 90 per cent are willing to pay for their security, an opinion poll has shown.

    The Greek Cypriots' opinions and feelings on military issues are revealed in a survey carried out on January 9, by the local AMER market research company, on behalf of the top-selling Cypriot daily newspaper "Fileleftheros".

    According to the survey, published yesterday, the joint defense pact agreed upon by the governments of Cyprus and Greece in November 1993, has increased support compared to previous opinion polls, with 88 per cent backing it and only two per cent against.

    The survey covered all the free areas of Cyprus, with a sample of 308 people aged between 18 and 65, in both the rural and urban areas.

    It was carried out after the latest threats against Cyprus by Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller, and before US State Department Spokesman Nicholas Burns described Turkish officials statement as "uncalled for and most unwise."

    The survey has also shown that Greek Cypriots' choices were based on the feeling of their insecurity, rather than the prospect of their country's defense capability being used as a negotiating factor for a solution to the protracted Cyprus problem.

    Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus northern territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

    According to the survey, 66 per cent believe the S-300 purchase will facilitate efforts towards a Cyprus solution, whereas 23 per cent think it will make things more difficult.

    End of English language section.


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