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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-01-25

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 1098),

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] Gov't warns it will 'use all means' to prevent road, rail blockades
  • [02] Agrotica
  • [03] HATTA warns of tourism losses
  • [04] Simitis meets with Belgian counterpart Dehaene
  • [05] Simitis: Taxpayers will not have to pay for any special provisions for floods
  • [06] Greek-Bulgarian committee
  • [07] Gov't pleased with Socialist International council views on Cyprus
  • [08] French WEU presidency says closer links with Turkey needed
  • [09] Greek force in Bosnia rotated
  • [10] Albright expresses optimism on solution for Cyprus
  • [11] Champagne region delegation on official visit to Crete
  • [12] Insurance union says traffic accidents eat away 80 per cent of premiums
  • [13] Primary school teachers also unhappy with Arsenis, plan three-day strike
  • [14] ND urges Gov't to action
  • [15] Gov't spokesman claims teachers' strike will end soon
  • [16] Premier chairs meeting on justice ministry issues
  • [17] Soldier wounded during gunfire exchange with illegal immigrant smugglers
  • [18] Two ND deputies sue V. Papandreou for remarks during Floisvos testimony
  • [19] Areas designated natural reserves
  • [20] ECOFIN to meet on Monday
  • [21] Attica Regional Council points to three sites as most viable for landfills
  • [22] ATE governor says interest expressed for Bank of Central Greece
  • [23] IOBE study on paper industry unveiled
  • [24] Greek dairy producer petitions Eurocourt not to accept appeals over feta ruling
  • [25] Hios products added to EU protected list

  • [01] Gov't warns it will 'use all means' to prevent road, rail blockades

    Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)

    The government yesterday toughened its stance prior to an expected new round of nationwide protests by farmers, scheduled to begin at the end of the month.

    "We are determined to confront the protest actions using all means," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said, calling at the same time on farmers for a "goodwill dialogue".

    Mr. Reppas added that whoever "exceeds the limits" would find themselves up "against the forces of the state."

    "We have a plan and the will to avert incidents and road blockades as happened before," Mr. Reppas said, referring to farmers' protest actions last December, which caused serious disruptions to road and rail traffic around the country.

    The spokesman said the government considered the protest actions to be "unjustified and inopportune," adding that "the problems are known."

    The country's main agricultural groups, meanwhile, decided not to participate in protests announced by the pan-Thessaly Coordinating Committee and the corresponding committee of Macedonia-Thrace farmers.

    The decision was taken at a meeting in Athens by the administrative boards of the Panhellenic Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives (PASEGES), the General Confederation of Agricultural Associations (GESASE) and the Democratic Agricultural Association s of Greece (SYDASE). The meeting was convened at the initiative of PASEGES.

    "We reject the logic of regional movements calling themselves 'coordinating committees' because of the role they play in misleading farmers and our society in general, with regard to the real problems facing farmers," the groups said in a resolution.

    The resolution called on all farmers belonging to cooperative groups to remain united "because the major problems demand unity, oneness of spirit and common struggles."

    [02] Agrotica

    Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)

    In a related matter, Helexpo president Antonis Kourtis expressed hope that the farmers' mobilizations will not coincide with this year's agricultural fair Agrotica, which begins on Jan. 29, saying that the fair "supports and promotes the agricultural production."

    Stressing that Agrotica is "the creation of the farmers and the fora representing them," Mr. Kourtis told a press conference on this year's 13th annual fair that "no one believes the farmers themselves will proceed in any action which will have consequences on the operation of the fair"

    This year's Agrotica will take place with the participation of 675 Greek and 777 international businesses, local and international associations, organizations and research institutes.

    Exhibits cover a wide range of farming equipment.

    [03] HATTA warns of tourism losses

    Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)

    The Association of Greek Tourist and Travel Agents (HATTA) has appealed to Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Development Minister Vasso Papandreou to exhaust all margins for dialogue so as to avert a growing wave of nationwide strikes and mobilizations.

    The appeal came in a statement yesterday, which referred to fears of tourism losses, and points to a British travel directive issued yesterday, warning travelers to check the local situation before starting their trip, in view of a planned blockade of road and rail links by farmers next week.

    Reuters quoted the British consul in Athens, Gordon Bernard, as saying that the directive "is not telling people not to come. It's making them aware of problems and advising them to check the situation before they arrive."

    The directive said that although the seamen's strike was over, congestion due to timetable problems was likely to continue for a few days. The directive comes at a time when the largest part of bookings are made for the summer.

    [04] Simitis meets with Belgian counterpart Dehaene

    Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis met in Athens yesterday with his Belgian counterpart, Jean-Luc Dehaene, discussing developments in the European Union and in Greek-Turkish relations.

    Mr. Simitis said he briefed the Belgian prime minister on Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue, reiterating that the decision taken last July 15 by the EU's foreign ministers is still valid, although he stressed caution should be exercised regarding any future developments.

    He also expressed his satisfaction with the meeting, saying the discussion focused on EU developments in relation to European Monetary Union (EMU), the intergovernmental conference and EU expansion, particularly concerning the form the EU must take unde r the new conditions.

    On his part, Mr. Dehaene noted the usefulness of bilateral contacts, saying the meeting reconfirmed that Athens and Brussels share the same positions on most issues regarding the EU's prospects.

    [05] Simitis: Taxpayers will not have to pay for any special provisions for floods

    Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis told Parliament yesterday that the government was not at the present time considering setting up a special fund to deal with the problems caused by natural disasters such as floods.

    Mr. Simitis said the Greek taxpayer was already fairly heavily burdened and the government must exercise self-restraint in imposing new taxes.

    From the moment that no decision has been taken for the setting up of funds for other priorities such as national defense, such a fund cannot be established for the repercussions of natural disasters, he said.

    The premier said that the government was placing emphasis on anti-flood works, many of which have already been incorporated in European Union and public investment programs.

    Greece has contracted a 75 billion drachma loan for such works from the Council of Europe Reconstruction Fund.

    In Athens, works costing about 110 billion drachmas are in progress, Mr. Simitis said, noting that to fully protect the capital against floods the total cost of works would be 250 billion drachmas. Mr. Simitis said responsibility for the problems caused by floods could not be attributed solely to the state, since Greek society as a whole shared the responsibility. In Attica alone, he stressed, gullies stretching in total for hundreds of kilometers had been illegally filled in, which meant there was no way for the water to escape during heavy rainfall.

    [06] Greek-Bulgarian committee

    Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)

    A joint Greek-Bulgarian committee held a meeting yesterday to discuss technical details in the construction of a highway to link the two countries at the customs post in the region of Drama on the Greek-Bulgarian border.

    The members of the committee expressed conviction that the project will be completed within the set time limits reiterating their will for "an unhindered co-operation at all levels."

    [07] Gov't pleased with Socialist International council views on Cyprus

    Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)

    Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas yesterday said Prime Minister Costas Simitis' participation at this past week's Socialist International council in Rome was "important, useful and beneficial."

    Mr. Reppas said that for the first time during a Socialist International council, views coincided with the positions of the Greek and Greek Cypriot sides, adding that the Turkish arguments regarding the Cyprus problems have been opposed.

    Asked to comment on US diplomat Richard Beattie's statement to CNN defending the purchase of Russian-made S-300 missiles by the Cypriot government, Mr. Reppas said that "the more determined we are to defend a choice we've made the more people will acknowledge that we are right."

    Mr. Reppas reiterated Mr. Simitis' statements that Athens fully supports Nicosia and that decisions are taken jointly by the two governments.

    [08] French WEU presidency says closer links with Turkey needed

    Paris, 25/1/1997 (ANA - P. Pantelis)

    Turkey must be linked more closely to the Western European Union (WEU), although a way has to be found for the Turkish demand to be met without offending Greece, which is a full member of the organization, a high-ranking French foreign ministry official told Brussels-based reporters invited here by the French WEU presidency.

    "Essentially, there is no problem regarding Turkey's participation in the WEU. The French presidency has devised a formula which has begun being discussed, and believes that it will be accepted by all sides," he said.

    The French presidency, which aims to strengthen the role of the WEU in the new European defense architecture, considers that the use of NATO infrastructure is essential, and has given priority to the issue of Turkish participation.

    In private conversations with the reporters, the official argued that while Turkey knows very well that it cannot be a full WEU member because it is not a member of the European Union, Greece also knows that Turkey must participate in the organization one way or another, because otherwise, Ankara can block the use of NATO structures by the WEU.

    However, he refused to give any details of the formula in question, claiming it was still in the phase of discussion by the interested parties and had been sent to all EU capitals.

    French Foreign Minister Herve de Charette, who was questioned on the matter, declined to be drawn, saying: "Greece is a full member and Greek-Turkish differences are full of passions, the issue is very annoying."

    [09] Greek force in Bosnia rotated

    Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)

    A change of guard in the Greek peacekeeping force based in Visoho, Bosnia occurred yesterday within the framework of S-FOR for observance of the implementation of UN resolutions in Bosnia.

    A "Hercules" C-130 transport plane left Macedonia Airport in Thessaloniki yesterday carrying three officers and 38 soldiers to Visoho to relieve personnel serving with the Greek force in Bosnia (ELDYB).

    The transport plane was due to land in Thessaloniki last night, carrying one officer and 38 soldiers.

    [10] Albright expresses optimism on solution for Cyprus

    Washington, 25/1/1997 (ANA - T. Ellis)

    Newly sworn in US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright also referred to the Cyprus issue in her first press conference.

    "We are very much concerned about Cyprus and all the related issues (Greek-Turkish relations), and believe that this year we have an opportunity to improve this, unfortunately, protracted dispute," she said.

    [11] Champagne region delegation on official visit to Crete

    Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)

    A delegation from the French region of Champagne is due to arrive in Crete today on a four-day visit, within the framework of bilateral relations between the two regions.

    Regional administrator Stavros Kabelis visited Champagne last July at the head of a delegation of Cretan regional bodies representatives.

    The French delegation consists of the director and members of the Reims Chamber of Commerce as well as travel agents who are to scheduled to charter flights to Crete this summer.

    The delegation is scheduled to meet with Crete's Chamber of Commerce within the framework of the organization of an exhibition in Reims in May 17-25.

    [12] Insurance union says traffic accidents eat away 80 per cent of premiums

    Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)

    Eighty per cent of insurance premiums in the automobile sector received by companies are disbursed to pay for damages, although this amount could be reduced by 15 per cent through a restriction of damage losses, and another 10 per cent through a lessening of traffic accidents.

    Those figures were released by the president of the research, prevention and control committee of the Union of Insurance Companies of Greece, G. Skourtis, at a recent conference of the committee's members, focusing on the economic and social repercussions of traffic accidents and ways of restricting them.

    Members of the committee said the creation of computerized support in the accident sector will contribute decisively to their reduction and to the saving of funds.

    Other issues examined concerning the improvement of traffic code rules.

    [13] Primary school teachers also unhappy with Arsenis, plan three-day strike

    Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)

    Primary school teachers expressed dissatisfaction yesterday following their meeting with Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis in the morning.

    The education minister told the press that one of the Greek Primary School Teachers' Federation's basic demands regarding equal status for degree holders and teachers' college graduates would be met, and that a monthly benefit of 21,000 drachmas for work done outside school hours would be increased to 35,000 drachmas.

    However, the teachers are standing firm on their demand for a salary increase within 1997 and are planning a three-day strike for early February.

    Meanwhile high school teachers, five days into their own strike, held a rally outside the education ministry at noon and then marched on Parliament. They are insisting on a 70,000 drachma monthly increase to their salaries. The education minister, who is due to meet with their representatives on Monday, has urged them to moderate their demands if the meeting is to be fruitful.

    [14] ND urges Gov't to action

    Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)

    The main opposition New Democracy party urged the government to exhaust all possibilities for finding a solution to the crisis in the country's schools.

    The head of the party's education committee, Vassilis Kontoyannopoulos, himself a former education minister, called for a special salary scale for primary and secondary school teachers in line with that of teaching staff in tertiary education.

    He repeated his party's call for an increase in education's share of GNP to 5.0 per cent, which he said was feasible if the state "stops wasting money" and privatizations were expedited.

    Mr. Kontoyannopoulos added that if the government was serious about opening university-level institutions to all, then it must be prepared to increase funds for education and raise the standard of secondary education.

    Meanwhile, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary-General Aleka Papariga yesterday sent a letter to Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis requesting that he ask the government to hold a regular debate on the subject of education at the level of party leaders.

    [15] Gov't spokesman claims teachers' strike will end soon

    Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)

    Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas yesterday said the government intends to exhaust all limits of dialogue with striking teachers.

    "The lines of communication between Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis and the Union of Secondary School Teachers (OLME) are open," Mr. Reppas said, expressing his belief that the teachers' strike will end during the next few days.

    In another development, the government spokesman said that the end of the seamen's strike "proved the correctness" of the government's policy of insisting on dialogue as a means of communication.

    [16] Premier chairs meeting on justice ministry issues

    Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday chaired a cabinet meeting focusing, among others, on legislative initiatives by the justice ministry, as well as plans for creation of new prison and court buildings.

    Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said afterwards that the law on the criminal responsibilities of ministers was discussed, as well as the bill on safeguarding personal information. He expressed the assessment that the Athens Appeals Court will be transferred to a new building by the end of 1997.

    [17] Soldier wounded during gunfire exchange with illegal immigrant smugglers

    Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)

    A soldier was slightly wounded early yesterday morning during an exchange of gunfire between an army patrol and illegal immigrant smugglers aboard a speedboat after the vessel attempted to land 12 Iraqi illegals off Megisti islet near Kastellorizo.

    The speedboat was spotted by the patrol at 2 a.m. as it approached the northern coast of the islet and landed the illegal immigrants despite warning shots.

    According to the army general staff, the wounded soldier is infantryman Georgios Karayiannis, 20, a resident of Patras, who was initially taken to the Megisti health center before being transferred by helicopter to a Rhodes hospital.

    Officials at the Rhodes hospital said the soldier was in no danger.

    [18] Two ND deputies sue V. Papandreou for remarks during Floisvos testimony

    Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)

    Two main opposition New Democracy deputies yesterday made good on their promise to file a lawsuit against Development Minister Vasso Papandreou for slander.

    ND deputies Theodoros Kassimis and Triantafyllos Bellos, both members of a Parliamentary fact-finding committee probing the ill-fated Floisvos license affair, sued Ms Papandreou for comments she made during testimony before the committee on Tuesday.

    Specifically, the minister asked whether the members of the committee would have agreed to the opening of their own personal bank accounts.

    In statements to the press yesterday, Ms Papandreou stressed that the probe of the casino affair by the committee touched upon "major interests" and was rife with expediencies.

    The deputies claim that the minister's insinuations are an insult to their honor and reputation, and divert attention from the substance of the affair.

    A public prosecutor who received the lawsuits will decide on the further course of action today. He is expected to ask Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis for a lifting of the minister's Parliamentary immunity.

    Meanwhile, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, referring to Ms Papandreou's claim that the initial decision to grant the casino license jointly by Environment Minister Costas Laliotis and then tourism minister Dionysis Livanos was a "glaring illegality", stres-sed:

    "...it is necessary for government officials to project a picture of consensus, solidarity, decisiveness, and a consistent stand."

    [19] Areas designated natural reserves

    Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)

    Some 142 areas of northern Greece have been designated nature reserves by decision of the ministry of the environment, town planning and public works within the framework of the program "Natura 2000."

    The main aim of the program is to restore and conserve the natural environment and protect its flora and fauna.

    In the area designated as "eco-reserves," development programs will be implemented to promote eco-tourism and agro-tourism, while provisions are expected to be introduced reducing the numbers of species which may be hunted.

    [20] ECOFIN to meet on Monday

    Brussels, 25/1/1997 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

    The European Union Economic and Monetary Affairs Council (ECOFIN) will confer on Monday to consider the working plans of the Dutch presidency.

    Regarding the final phase of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), the Council is expected to focus on the issues of selecting the designs and depictions of the two sides of the single currency (Euro), and multilateral supervision of national economies.

    It will also tackle the issue of relations between the EU and the countries of central and eastern Europe, and in particular, with the macro-economic strengthening of these countries as well as renewal of European Investment Bank credits.

    National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou will represent Greece.

    [21] Attica Regional Council points to three sites as most viable for landfills

    Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)

    The Attica Regional Council has put forth the areas of Avlona, Grammatiko and Keratea as the most viable sites for creation of landfills, essentially ratifying results of studies on the issue.

    Studies into the environmental consequences of landfills in these areas will be carried out in order for the final site to be chosen.

    However, the mayors of all three regions have reacted against the proposal, threatening mobilizations.

    Meanwhile, the municipality of Ano Liosia continues to block the dumping of solid waste from the central sewage treatment plant of Psittaleia and Metamorphosis, saying the dumping creates serious problems in the landfill. The waste is estimated to be in the range of 200 tons.

    The Athens Water and Sewerage Company (EYDAP) may refer the issue to court.

    [22] ATE governor says interest expressed for Bank of Central Greece

    Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)

    Agricultural Bank of Greece (ATE) governor Christos Papathanasiou announced yesterday that "serious" foreign banking organizations are showing great interest in buying the Bank of Central Greece.

    In another development, an agreement was signed yesterday between ATE and the ABN AMRO BANK of New York, and Deloitte and Touche, by which ATE assigns them with the post of fiscal adviser for the sale of the package of the Bank of Central Greece's shares.

    After the agreement was signed, ATE's governor said the highest market price will be sought during the sale of the package of the Bank of Central Greece's shares (a subsidiary of ATE), while at the same time the rights of its employees will be safeguarded.

    [23] IOBE study on paper industry unveiled

    Athens, 25/1/1997 (ANA)

    A report by the Economic and Industrial Research Institute (IOBE) on the paper industry points to the main problems in the sector as a lack of local first-stage raw materials, high import infiltration by certain products (health-toilet paper), instability in prices, the high cost of energy and a lack of an institutional framework on managing packaging refuse.

    On the question of prospects of development over the next five years, the report said writing and printing paper had considerable ground for development, while in the sub-branches of packaging, health and toilet paper, development rates are expected to be around 3-4 per cent and 2-3 per cent, respectively.

    Among others, the report says 16 paper industries operate in Greece at present, producing paper and cardboard. They have 20 plants with a total production capacity of 500,000 tons and employ about 5,000 employees.

    Many units also exist for processing paper and cardboard and final products, as well as a considerable number of companies importing paper and ready-made products.

    The annual local production of unprocessed paper and cardboard amounts to 385,000 tons, of which 46 per cent is destined for the production of packaging products, 32 per cent for health and toilet paper products, 16 per cent for writing and printing pro ducts, and the remaining 6 per cent for the production of paper and cardboard for various uses.

    Referring to consumption, the report says it amounts to 340,000 tons a year in the artistic packaging sector, 125,000 tons in the sector of health and toilet paper products and 220,000 tons for writing paper.

    [24] Greek dairy producer petitions Eurocourt not to accept appeals over feta ruling

    Brussels, 25/1/1997 (ANA - G. Daratos)

    The dairy company Pindos, a part of the FAGE-Philippou group, has resorted to the European Court to prevent acceptance of appeals by French, Danish and German producers of a white soft cheese, who claimed that "feta" should not be an exclusively Greek product and that they have the right to refer to their product under this name.

    Pindos is asking the European Court for it to be allowed to intervene and express its views within the framework of the foreign producers' appeals.

    The company aims to support Athens' efforts to maintain the exclusive right to produce white, soft cheese made from sheep's or goat's milk under the name of "feta".

    [25] Hios products added to EU protected list

    Brussels, 25/1/1997 (ANA - F. Stangos)

    Five traditional Greek products will be added to a list of agricultural products and foodstuffs whose brand name is protected in the European Union under community regulations.

    The Greek products which have been added following a decision of the European Commission include Hios chewing gum, Hios masticha (gum), and Hios masticha oil, bringing the number of EU products with a protected name of origin or geographical name to 398 .

    End of English language section.


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