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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-02-25

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 1124), February 25, 1997

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] Athens rejects German, British pressure over EU-Cyprus structured dialogue
  • [02] NATO expansion discussed between Greek and Lithuanian Presidents
  • [03] Other meetings
  • [04] Athens strongly reacts to threats by Turkish Cypriot extremists
  • [05] Turkish response
  • [06] Holbrooke: No current plans to mediate Greek-Turkish differences
  • [07] Gov't: Greek policy vis-a-vis Turkey in line with int'l law
  • [08] Papandreou meets Stelev prior to EU-Bulgaria Association Council
  • [09] Evert says he will contest ND leadership
  • [10] Gov't calls on striking teachers to enter into dialogue
  • [11] Tzoumakas attends Paris agricultural exhibition
  • [12] Perama workers to blockade merchant marine ministry
  • [13] Flynn discusses Athens' EU funds absorption rate
  • [14] Pension payments through bank accounts examined
  • [15] Campaign to increase Greek olive oil share of US market under way
  • [16] Development ministry to issue regulations governing telemarketing firms
  • [17] Public works credits
  • [18] Business plan for Bank of Central Greece
  • [19] Greek-Turkish business meeting in Izmir
  • [20] High Court prosecutor to investigate charges of Cultural Capital judicial cover-ups
  • [21] Parts of ancient bronze statues caught in fishing nets brought to Athens
  • [22] Dogfight suspects convicted, freed on appeal

  • [01] Athens rejects German, British pressure over EU-Cyprus structured dialogue

    Brussels, 25/02/1997 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

    Greece yesterday stood its ground against strong pressure from Germany and Britain during a European Union General Affairs Council meeting here, which aimed to overcome objections to the involvement of Turkish Cypriots in the island republic's EU accession negotiations.

    Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou did not accept compromise proposals by the Dutch presidency, and the all-day session ended in a stalemate.

    Following the development, the EU- Cyprus Association Council meeting will convene today without a joint statement by the 15-member Union concerning a structured dialogue between the EU and Cyprus.

    In Athens, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, replying to a question after his meeting with his Lithuanian counterpart yesterday afternoon, said Greece condemns the two countries' "underhanded and hostile" behavior towards Cyprus, which, he said, "we will resist".

    Mr. Pangalos said the British and German governments attempted to include in the text a phrase which renders the Turkish Cypriots as "parallel negotiators" with the European Union.

    "The Community does not belong to anyone," Mr. Pangalos said, adding that "we will not accept masters. If some have misinterpreted our moderation as a sign of weakness or faint-heartedness, the time has come for them to see that they have made a major mistake."

    He said such positions will not be included in the joint statement of the 15 EU member-states and warned that if there is no joint position and a comprehensive Association Council with Cyprus, "it will be difficult for all the remaining association councils (with eastern European countries) which have been scheduled to proceed."

    Mr. Pangalos noted that the participation of the Turkish Cypriots is not an issue, as Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides has already invited them to fully participate in the Cyprus delegation.

    After yesterday's session in Brussels, Mr. Papandreou said the failure of the '15' to arrive at a common political position in view of today's EU-Cyprus Association Council session constitutes a negative political message, leading Greece to a re-examination of its stand on the more general issue of European Union enlargement.

    In his address to the Council, Mr. Papandreou stressed that the effort to involve Turkish Cypriots is a new element, which violates previous Council decisions, sets preconditions non-existent for other countries wishing to join, and renders Cyprus a hostage of Turkey.

    [02] NATO expansion discussed between Greek and Lithuanian Presidents

    Athens, 25/02/1997 (ANA)

    President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos met yesterday with visiting Lithuanian President Algirdas Brazauskas, with NATO's eastward expansion and the country's prospects for joining the European Union dominating discussions.

    Mr. Brazauskas, who is on a two-day official visit, also had talks with Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

    Mr. Stephanopoulos expressed the view that Lithuania and the other Baltic states were an "integral part of Europe" and had every right to join European organizations.

    On his part, Mr. Brazauskas said they had referred to Russia's positions and the role Moscow could play.

    "Greece's experience as a member of the EU and NATO are very useful to Lithuania," he added.

    Lithuanian Foreign Minister Algirdas Saudargas, who is accompanying Mr. Brazauskas on his visit, met with his Greek counterpart Theodoros Pangalos and signed a bilateral educational and cultural agreement, while discussing EU- and NATO-related issues.

    Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Pangalos said that today's Lithuania "can take its fitting place in European institutions.

    "We have informed our friends the Lithuanians on the situation in the southeastern Mediterranean and the Aegean, as well as on Turkey's behavior," Mr. Pangalos said.

    Mr. Saudargas briefed Mr. Pangalos on the situation in Lithuania's region, including Russia and Belarus, and invited his Greek counterpart to visit Vilnius.

    [03] Other meetings

    Athens, 25/02/1997 (ANA)

    Mr. Brazauskas also met with PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis, main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert, the president of the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) party Nikos Constantopoulos, the president of the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) Dimitris Tsovolas and Communist Party of Greece political bureau member Orestis Kolozov.

    Discussions during these meetings mostly concentrated on the need for the further consolidation of bilateral relations, the Baltic states' prospects for entry into European organizations and NATO's expansion eastwards.

    Mr. Kolozov expressed his party's uneasiness regarding "the continued ban on the operation of the Lithuanian communist party and the prolonged imprisonment of its leaders."

    [04] Athens strongly reacts to threats by Turkish Cypriot extremists

    Athens, 25/02/1997 (ANA)

    Threats by the Turkish Cypriot branch of the ultra-nationalist "Gray Wolves" group over the weekend prompted Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos yesterday to stress the responsibilities of the United Nations and countries involved in the search for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

    The Turkish Cypriot Gray Wolves threatened to seize Greek Cypriot property and settle the abandoned town of Famagusta.

    "Appropriate measures must be instituted, not against (Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf) Denktash, who is acting as an intermediary, but against the Gray Wolves, their political mentors and leaders," he specified.

    Earlier, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas also called on the UN Security Council, the United States and the European Union to investigate the matter and to intervene, terming the threat a "crude provocation".

    Turkish Cypriot Gray Wolves leader Mehmet Arslan said on Sunday that his supporters would enter the UN-controlled city of Famagusta on March 2 and lay claim to residences belonging to Greek Cypriots. A rally at a protective fence encircling the abandoned city on Saturday was also attended by members of the Turkish Cypriot occupation regime, who expressed full support for the threatened move.

    Under a UN-brokered agreement, the town remains fenced off and uninhabited, under the control of peacekeeping troops.

    Mr. Reppas said the government in Athens was carefully and closely monitoring the matter and that "there will be a response if need be." In a related development, Prime Minister Costas Simitis will meet with the Speaker of the Cypriot House of Representatives and former president Spyros Kyprianou.

    [05] Turkish response

    Athens, 25/02/1997 (ANA)

    Meanwhile, an ANA dispatch from Istanbul yesterday quoted Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Omer Akbel as saying that Turkey would incorporate Famagusta into the Turkish-occupied sector if Nicosia went ahead with the purchase and installation of the Russian-made S-300 surface-to-air missiles.

    "Turkey supports Denktash's statement, which states that Varosha (Turkish sector) will be united with Famagusta in the case of the installation of the S-300 missiles," he said. Asked if Turkey supports the planned action by the Gray Wolves, he said: "No, definitely no".

    [06] Holbrooke: No current plans to mediate Greek-Turkish differences

    Athens, 25/02/1997 (ANA)

    Former US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke said last night that at the moment he did not have any plans to mediate in Greek-Turkish differences and stressed that tensions in the area were out of all proportions.

    Mr. Holbrooke was here accompanying his wife, Kati Marton, in her capacity as president of the International Committee for the Protection of Journalists, to receive the Costas Kyriazis International Center award.

    The award is accompanied by a one million drachmas prize. Another award went to "The Magazine", the supplement of the London-based "The European" newspaper, and special distinctions to the BBC World Service program broadcast out of Athens and other individuals who helped in promoting national issues.

    The event was attended by Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Press Minister Dimitris Reppas.

    "I don't have any plans right now. I have a book to finish and I have work to do," Mr. Holbrooke said.

    He said he would have liked very much to help, but "right now I can't undertake any other commitments." He was referring to a book he was writing about his experiences as mediator in Bosnia, which led to the Dayton peace accords.

    However, he hastened to add that "I'm very interested in the area."

    Asked to make a prediction about possible escalation of tension in the area, Mr. Holbrooke said: "I think that tensions in the area are out of all proportion on the issues, which are real but do not justify such a high level of tension."

    "This is excessive and the leaders of both sides (Greece and Turkey) have to talk directly to each other to get this cooled down."

    Asked about the possibility of war in the area, Mr. Holbrooke said: "I don't think that war makes any sense at all. I know people like to talk about wars out here, but last year this time with Imia we had a little problem that could have led to a military confrontation. Still, it doesn't make any sense and I just met with the Turkish leaders in Washington last week at the American-Turkish Council and I told them there is no reason at all for people to have a high level of tension."

    Mr. Holbrooke said he was "confident that Mr. Simitis and his government and the Turks will find ways to cool things off, and they really should, because there is no need for this."

    Earlier, Ms. Marton said her group submitted a list of 78 journalists who are in Turkish jails for crimes none other than their writings on the Kurdish situation.

    "We have made our positions very clear to the Turkish authorities and also to the (US) State Department..."

    She said the group also had a commitment from the State Department that "there will be no opportunities missed in high-level exchanges between the US and Turkey where press violations will not be mentioned."

    "We feel that we are making progress there," she said, adding: "It's an uphill road and there isn't the same tradition for a free and active press in Turkey as there is in Greece. We have to work very hard to establish this tradition."

    [07] Gov't: Greek policy vis-a-vis Turkey in line with int'l law

    Athens, 25/02/1997 (ANA)

    Greece's positions on relations with neighboring Turkey are in line with international law and constitute the key to finding solutions, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated yesterday.

    Mr. Reppas was commenting on statements made over the weekend by former US assistant secretary of state Richard Holbrooke, during the latter's acceptance speech in Washington for an award given by the Turkish-American Council.

    Mr. Holbrooke expressed the same views on Greek-Turkish relations that he has expressed in the past, Mr. Reppas said, adding that whoever wanted to help in a positive direction would realize that Greece's positions are in accordance with international law and the key to resolving problems.

    Accepting the prize in Washington, Mr. Holbrooke stressed the importance the US attributed to the role of Turkey and the need for a solution to Greek-Turkish differences.

    Mr. Holbrooke said he believed US policy towards Turkey had dramatically changed by the steadfast promotion it gave to Ankara's new image, while the European Union's decision to proceed with a customs union with Turkey was the result of strong US pressure.

    Mr. Holbrooke said two important allies of Washington's in NATO, Greece and Turkey, must remain allies of the US in NATO, while the alliance is being enlarged towards eastern Europe.

    "A stable and economically powerful Greece is in the interests of Turkey," Mr. Holbrooke said, calling an all businessmen present at the event to use all their contacts "to maintain dialogue and show that mutual benefits for both countries are considerable."

    [08] Papandreou meets Stelev prior to EU-Bulgaria Association Council

    Belgium, 25/02/1997 (ANA - G. Daratos)

    Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou met here yesterday with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Stoyan Stelev, on the sidelines of the EU Council of Ministers meeting, and in view of today's EU-Bulgaria Association Council meeting.

    During the meeting, Mr. Stalev said Mr. Papandreou's recent visit to Sofia was well received, by both the Sofia government and the Bulgarian people. On his part, Mr. Papandreou assured Mr. Stalev that Greece will support Bulgaria with all possible means .

    [09] Evert says he will contest ND leadership

    Athens, 25/02/1997 (ANA)

    Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert officially announced yesterday that he would be a candidate for the party's leadership, to be contested at a party congress next month.

    He has set out his political platform in a six-point plan for the center-right and what he called liberalism with a social conscience.

    Mr. Evert will be facing competition from George Souflias, an experienced ND cadre and former minister, and possibly from Kostas Karamanlis, who has been proposed by a group of 30 ND deputies as a unifying figure representing the "forties" generation.

    Mr. Karamanlis is a nephew of veteran statesman, former President of the Republic Constantine Karamanlis.

    In an interview in yesterday's "Eleftheros Typos", Mr. Souflias commented on the potential candidacy of Mr. Karamanlis for party leader.

    The issue of Mr. Karamanlis' age, he said, was a substitute for real political proposals.

    "The crucial question in politics is not whether someone is 41 or 55 years old, but what their qualifications are and what they can offer," he added, emphasizing the need to do away with the tendency to form groups around personalities and to create conflicts between those groups.

    Mr. Souflias addressed a party gathering last night on his leadership platform and on the ND party charter.

    [10] Gov't calls on striking teachers to enter into dialogue

    Athens, 25/02/1997 (ANA)

    Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas yesterday appealed to striking secondary teachers to "reflect on their responsibilities" and enter into dialogue with the government.

    Secondary teachers have entered into their seventh week of strike actions this week.

    He said the government had exceeded its capability for granting pay rises (ranging from 9 to 16 per cent) in an effort to converge with teachers demands.

    Mr. Reppas also said the political cost factor could not be ignored, but stressed that it was not a criterion in decision-making.

    Meanwhile, teachers yesterday staged rallies in Thessaloniki, Irakleio and Ioannina.

    [11] Tzoumakas attends Paris agricultural exhibition

    Paris, 25/02/1997 (ANA - Y. Zitouniati)

    Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas visited the 34th annual "International Agricultural Salon" yesterday at the invitation of his French counterpart Philip Vasseur, with whom he held private talks.

    The agricultural products exhibition was inaugurated by French President Jacques Chirac on Sunday.

    Additionally, an exhibition of farm and stockbreeding product suppliers (SIMA) is also taking place in Paris between Feb. 23-27.

    The agriculture ministers of the 15 European Union countries and of central and eastern European countries were invited to visit both exhibitions.

    Mr. Tzoumakas was due to attend a dinner given by his French counterpart and will leave France today.

    [12] Perama workers to blockade merchant marine ministry

    Athens, 25/02/1997 (ANA)

    Workers from the Perama shipyard zone will blockade the merchant marine ministry for three hours tomorrow afternoon and for five consecutive days.

    Workers are protesting what they called "the government's inflexible reluctance to take favorable measures for saving the shipyards."

    The ministry will be blockaded from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. from tomorrow until Sunday.

    The protesting workers have vowed to continue their mobilizations if their demands are not met, while a coordinating committee of Piraeus public bodies sent to the development and merchant marine ministries the findings of a study describing Perama as a declining area, and calling on the government to adopt measures.

    [13] Flynn discusses Athens' EU funds absorption rate

    Athens, 25/02/1997 (ANA)

    European Union Employment and Social Affairs Commissioner Pedraig Flynn told a press conference yesterday that his visit to Athens constitutes an expression of concern over the absorption rate of funds for improving human resources.

    Earlier, he had met Prime Minister Costas Simitis and the leaderships of the labor, education and health ministries.

    Mr. Flynn said he was pleased to ascertain a climate of determination during his contacts, adding that this must be converted into actions and indeed immediately, "before it is too late."

    In the framework of the second Community Support Program CSP, ECU 2.5 billion have been earmarked for Greece in the human resources sector. The funds must be absorbed until 1999.

    Mr. Flynn said the fourth year of implementation has been entered with only 23 per cent of the funds having been absorbed, while transitional programs are still being implemented. He said there were positive legislative settlements, but there is a lack of structures to apply decisions.

    He said ministries should improve their operations in order to increase absorption rates. It was agreed for National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou to assume a coordinating role in this direction.

    Replying to questions from the press, Mr. Flynn expressed optimism over economic developments in Europe and stressed the need for small- and medium-size enterprises to be supported.

    Mr. Flynn said that if Greece does not ultimately succeed in absorbing all its share for human resources support, the funds will not be lost but will be conveyed to other programs in the country.

    [14] Pension payments through bank accounts examined

    Athens, 25/02/1997 (ANA)

    Finance Under-secretary George Drys said payment of all pensions through bank accounts is being jointly examined by the finance ministry and the Union of Greek Banks, adding that such a program will be implemented within the year.

    Under such a plan, timely payment of pensions will be secured, while the payment of double or triple pensions to the same pensioner will be avoided.

    Referring to the issue of delays in the payment of pensions, Mr. Drys conceded that problems exist, but so far 265,000 pensions have been sent and another 95,000 will be sent in the next few days.

    [15] Campaign to increase Greek olive oil share of US market under way

    Athens, 25/02/1997 (ANA)

    The Greek Promotions Organization (OPE) has begun its second two-year campaign aimed at increasing Greek olive oil's share of the US and Canadian markets to 15 per cent.

    Greek olive oil currently holds about 3.0-5.0 per cent of the market share and the one billion drachma program hopes to establish new Greek brands as well as increase sales of brands already on the market.

    The US market for olive oil is a major focus for exports as it is both the biggest non-olive oil producing market and holds extensive potential for development.

    The olive oil sector in Greece provides income for some 500,000 Greek farming families and contributes significantly to the gross value of Greece's agricultural production, with production exceeding 300,000 tons annually, the third-largest internationally after Italy and Spain.

    Of that amount, two-thirds is consumed domestically while the remainder is exported, primarily to Italy, with exports to the US totaling only 4,500 tons.

    [16] Development ministry to issue regulations governing telemarketing firms

    Athens, 25/02/1997 (ANA)

    The development ministry announced that it will take measures to combat instances of consumer exploitation through telemarketing sales.

    The ministry has already prepared a relevant amendment and will table it in Parliament in the next few days. Among others, the amendment anticipates creation of a register at the development ministry listing telemarketing companies, in order to enable more effective control to be exercised over such firms.

    It has been ascertained that in many cases products sold through telemarketing are of questionable quality and provide no guarantee and service after sale. Consequently, the ministry's relevant services will take action to ensure imposition of sanctions anticipated by the law in cases of such violations.

    In a related development, a fine of 15 million drachmas was imposed on the Euromarket S.A. company last October for misleading advertising.

    [17] Public works credits

    Athens, 25/02/1997 (ANA)

    Credits of 2.18 billion drachmas have been earmarked for works at the Limnos airport, flood-protection projects in the Thessaloniki and Serres prefectures and a northern detour of the eastern Aegean island of Mytilene.

    [18] Business plan for Bank of Central Greece

    Athens, 25/02/1997 (ANA)

    The Bank of Central Greece's top administration yesterday announced a three-year business plan for the introduction of a full range of banking products and services.

    The president of the bank's board, Christos Papathanasiou, and the bank's general manager, George Zyroyiannis made the announcement. The business plan is part of efforts to reinforce the bank's competitiveness, focusing on the development of new products and services based on market demand.

    [19] Greek-Turkish business meeting in Izmir

    Istanbul, 25/02/1997 (ANA)

    Greek and Turkish businessmen will meet in Izmir to decide on the establishment of a joint federation, press reports state. The meeting will be held in March, while a 50-member Greek business delegation is expected in Turkey in early May for talks with an 80-member Turkish delegation.

    [20] High Court prosecutor to investigate charges of Cultural Capital judicial cover-ups

    Athens, 25/02/1997 (ANA)

    The Supreme Court's deputy prosecutor responsible for the supervision of judicial operations is expected to be in Thessaloniki today following press reports of judicial cover-ups concerning the Cultural Capital '97 organization.

    High Court Deputy Prosecutor Georgios Vellis is scheduled to investigate charges made by appeals prosecutor Dimitris Sideris against his superior, Anastasios Kapolas, concerning the alleged covering-up of cases concerning the Thessaloniki Cultural Capital '97 organization.

    The issue arose following the publication in a Sunday newspaper of a classified report by Mr. Sideris addressed to the Supreme Court charging a cover-up of administrative irregularities within the Cultural Capital Organization (OPPE) and the shelving of investigations.

    The report concerned three cases within the last two years which were investigated and finally shelved.

    Despite the furor created by the press report, OPPE appeared apparently calm yesterday, with its president, Thessaloniki Mayor Constantine Kosmopoulos, claiming it is an "inter-judicial conflict on the back of OPPE and on the city."

    [21] Parts of ancient bronze statues caught in fishing nets brought to Athens

    Athens, 25/02/1997 (ANA)

    Parts of ancient bronze statues recently caught in fishing nets off the eastern Aegean island of Kalymnos were transported to the Marine Antiquities Service (MAS) in Athens.

    MAS head Dimitris Kazianis said the antiquities found in the sea region northwest of the island were a bronze head of natural size and part of a bronze leg which might belong to the same statue.

    MAS also received the bronze leg of a horseman from a statue of supernatural size and part of a bronze dolphin of natural size. The statues date back to Hellenistic times.

    [22] Dogfight suspects convicted, freed on appeal

    Athens, 25/02/1997 (ANA)

    Four suspects were sentenced yesterday to prison terms ranging from six months to a year after being found guilty of gambling and cruelty to animals charges by a Veria court.

    They were also ordered to pay fines ranging from 100,000 to one million drachmas.

    The four men were arrested earlier this month in the Imathia prefecture for organizing illegal gambling on dogfights, a case that attracted widespread publicity throughout the nation.

    Apostolos Baltzis, 25, and Efstathios Apostolidis, 27, whose dogs were used in dogfights, were sentenced to one-year prison terms and fined with one million drachmas each.

    The court sentenced Georgios Paraschos, 41, and Constantinos Tsouvalas, 44, the organizers of the dogfight, to six months in prison and a total of 200,000 drachmas in equal fines. All four have been released pending an appeal.

    Meanwhile, the court acquitted 12 people who were arrested for watching the dogfight.

    End of English language section.


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