Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-04-14
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 1163), April 14, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Greek peacekeeping battalion poised to leave for Albania
[02] Archbishop's Gjirokaster visit
[03] Theodorakis concert in Skopje receives warm response
[04] Weapons, drug shipment confiscated near Greek-Albanian border
[05] New Cyprus FM Cassoulides in Athens on Friday
[06] Cyprus defense minister in Athens
[07] Tsohatzopoulos on issue of Greek-Turkish dialogue
[08] Statement by Papandreou children, widow on monument issue
[09] V. Papandreou on SMEs' development
[10] Thessaloniki roundtable discussion on civilization
[01] Greek peacekeeping battalion poised to leave for Albania
Athens, 14/04/1997 (ANA)
The largest peacekeeping contingent ever sent abroad by Greece
departs for strife-ridden Albania tomorrow or on Wednesday,
depending on weather conditions.
The bulk of the Greek force, roughly 720 troops, set out from
the Nea Sanda, Kilkis army base yesterday to participate in the
UN-mandated multinational operation, code-named "Alba" (dawn).
Greece's mission officially began with an inspection yesterday
by the chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff, Lt.-Gen.
Manousos Paragioudakis, of the 71st infantry brigade
headquarters at Nea Sanda, where the battalion headed for
Albania was stationed .
Mr. Paragioudakis was initially briefed by the commander of the
71st brigade, Brigadier Gen. Athanasios Galinos, and then
inspected the troops composing the Greek peacekeeping battalion,
together with the battalion's commander, infantry Lt.-Col.
Constantinos Katsikoyiannis.
"Today is a special day. We feel proud of you who compose the
largest peacekeeping force which has ever left Greece for
abroad. As in Bosnia, where we had no accident, I hope we will
not face any problem in Albania as well. You should feel proud
because you have manned the best part of the Greek army. Greece
is basing its international image on you," the army general
staff chief told the troops.
Gen. Paragioudakis also referred to the dangers the Greek
battalion may be faced with and provided them with a pamphlet
containing basic instructions on details of the mission and the
method of defense in various dangerous situations, as well as
the leg al status governing military presence in a foreign
country.
Approximately 600 officers and NCOs will be stationed in Tirana,
while the remaining 120 in Vlore. Another 80 officers and NCOs
are in full readiness at the Nea Sanda base.
As already defined, the Greek battalion will stay in Albania for
three months, namely, until elections are held in that country.
On the other hand, if the situation is not normalized its stay
will be extended for another three months. The troops will be
decorated immediately after the end of the peacekeeping mission.
Gen. Paragioudakis expressed the conviction that the Greek
battalion is the best in the entire multinational force in
Albania. He said that both he and National Defense Minister Akis
Tsohatzopoulos will soon be visiting the locations where the
Greek battalion will be stationed.
[02] Archbishop's Gjirokaster visit
Gjirokaster, 14/04/1997 (ANA/P. Barkas)
Archbishop of Tirana and All Albania Anastasios visited
Gjirokaster yesterday and referred to the work done by the
Autocephalus Orthodox Church of Albania at a crucial time
experienced by Albania, the Orthodox community and ethnic Greeks
living in Albania.
He said that "we are offering resistance to the wave of fear,
flight and desperation and we are continuing ... with faith,
love and hope."
Anastasios laid the foundation stone of a new cathedral in the
ethnic Greek village of Kakavia in the Pano Dropoli region on
Saturday.
[03] Theodorakis concert in Skopje receives warm response
Skopje, 14/04/1997 (ANA)
World famous composer Mikis Theodorakis received an enthusiastic
ovation at the Popular Theatre here on Saturday night, repeating
two parts from his symphony "Zorba the Greek" after prolonged
applause from the audience.
The concert was attended by Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia (FYROM) President Kiro Gligorov, top members of
Skopje's government, representatives of the diplomatic corps and
200 guests from Greece.
The concert, broadcast live by FYROM's state radio and state
television network, as well as by Greek state radio, included
participation by the Philharmonic Orchestra of Skopje, the
Popular Theatre's Orchestra, a choir, mezzo-soprano Sofia
Mihailidou and bouzouki player Grigoris Tsistoudis.
Before the concert began, addresses were made by FYROM writer
Meto Jovanovski, president of a friendship society between the
two countries, and by Paraskevas Paraskevopoulos, a state deputy
from the ruling PASOK party, who termed the event "an evening of
friendship, peace and mutual understanding."
"We must start from common points uniting us, a climate of
confidence and mutual understanding must be created and the
governments must find solutions which are mutually beneficial
for both peoples," he said.
[04] Weapons, drug shipment confiscated near Greek-Albanian border
Athens, 14/04/1997 (ANA)
Police arrested an Albanian national in northern Greece
yesterday attempting to smuggle a large shipment of weapons,
ammunition and drugs into the country.
Behar Fusfku, 24, was arrested near the seaside region of
Syvoton, Thesprotia, in possession of a cache of arms including
59 automatic pistols with 56 clips, 11 Kalashnikov assault
rifles with 14 clips and 568 rounds, one hand grenade and 10
sacks containing a total of 173kg of dried hashish.
Police said the suspect had smuggled the weapons and the drugs
into Greece with a speedboat on Friday, together with two
accomplices from the coastal Examili, Sarande district in
Albania. The two other suspects returned to Albania with the
speedboat and left him to guard the weapons. However, until late
in the afternoon they had failed to reappear, reports state.
Thesprotia authorities are investigating the case while
increased security measures have been taken at the border in the
wake of reports that more illegal shipments of weapons and drugs
are destined for Greece.
[05] New Cyprus FM Cassoulides in Athens on Friday
Nicosia, 14/04/1997 (ANA/G. Leonidas/CNA)
New Cypriot Foreign Minister Yiannakis Cassoulides will visit
Athens on Friday at the invitation of Foreign Minister Theodoros
Pangalos for talks with the Greek government.
Visiting Greek Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis
extended the invitation at his meeting on Saturday with the
Cypriot foreign minister, during which they discussed Cyprus'
prospects for accession to the European Union and the ongoing
UN-sponsored proximity talks.
Mr. Kranidiotis told the press after the meeting, that the next
two to three years will be crucial to the Cyprus problem in
relation to the island's EU accession course, reiterating that
this course is progressing normally.
"We don't foresee an easy road, there will be difficulties, but
I believe that there will also be opportunities," Mr.
Kranidiotis said, stressing that those opportunities must be
taken advantage of through a long-term strategy.
"What matters is a long-term strategy dealing with the Cyprus
problem that is methodical and has potential," he said.
Mr. Kranidiotis also said a Cyprus solution must be based on the
1977 and 1979 High Level Agreements the Greek and Turkish
Cypriot sides have signed, and relevant UN Security Council
resolutions, adding that ideas discussed in the past affect
discussions for a solution.
The High Level Agreements provide for a bi-zonal, bi-communal
federation in Cyprus.
"Everything is subject to the terms of the final settlement," he
explained.
Mr. Kranidiotis said the Greek Cypriot side was right to reject
the "set of ideas" on the Cyprus problem, proposed by former UN
Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali in their entirety,
because they do not serve its interests.
Mr. Kranidiotis added, however, that this does not mean there
are no positive aspects to the "set of ideas", and that the
ideas could not affect future talks.
Concerning this issue, Mr. Cassoulides pointed out that the
government has rejected the "set of ideas" as a framework for an
overall settlement.
"This, however, does not mean we are throwing them in the waste
basket. We need to modify them to allow the state to function
and ensure they are in line with Cyprus' EU accession course,"
he said.
Mr. Cassoulides also noted that these ideas should not create
any problems during a transitional period in relation to the
international recognition of the Republic of Cyprus.
As far as common ground on the views of the Greek and Turkish
Cypriot sides is concerned, Mr. Kranidiotis said both Greece and
Cyprus will assess whether there is any when the proximity talks
conclude, adding that it is too early at this stage to make that
assessment.
Mr. Kranidiotis revealed that he discussed on Friday with
Cyprus' Attorney-General, Alecos Markides, the possibility of
setting up a team of legal experts to work on ironing out legal
difficulties that may arise from Cyprus' accession to the EU.
Mr. Kranidiotis furthermore denied press speculation that he
would announce his candidacy for the upcoming presidential
elections in Cyprus early next year. Mr. Kranidiotis is of
Cypriot origin.
In fresh statements yesterday at Larnaca Airport before
departing for Athens , Mr. Kranidiotis said no duplicity exists
over the Cyprus issue between Athens and Nicosia. He said the
policy on Cyprus is unified between Greece and Cyprus, close
cooperation exists and targets and visions are common.
He also said the Greek and the Cypriot sides are bound by UN
resolutions and summit agreements adding that Mr.
Boutros-Ghali's Set of Ideas are not binding since they have
been rejected by both Athens and Nicosia.
[06] Cyprus defense minister in Athens
Athens, 14/04/1997 (ANA)
Cypriot Defense Minister Costas Eliades arrived in Athens
yesterday for talks with his Greek counterpart Akis
Tsohatzopoulos on issues related to the island republic's
defense and in particular the joint defense doctrine.
Speaking to the press before departing from Cyprus, Mr. Eliades
said military exercises in the framework of the joint defense
doctrine between Cyprus and Greece will be conducted as planned
this year.
He said that all infrastructure projects and plans related to
the Greece-Cyprus joint defense space are being carried out
according to schedule.
[07] Tsohatzopoulos on issue of Greek-Turkish dialogue
Athens, 14/04/1997 (ANA)
"I am not aware of any Greek-Turkish dialogue", said National
Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos in response to a relevant
question yesterday.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos, while touring a nursing home, clarified that
talks with NATO conducted by the two sides are "to inform of the
terms under which the existing Papoulias-Yilmaz agreement and
treaty can be implemented or otherwise."
Asked if he supports dialogue with Turkey at a prime ministerial
level, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos replied that if Ankara decides to
identify itself with Europe, it will have to respect
international law, recognize the existing status quo and Greek
borders as well as contribute in a remedy to the 23-year-old
injustice in Cyprus.
[08] Statement by Papandreou children, widow on monument issue
Athens, 14/04/1997 (ANA)
The children of the late premier Andreas Papandreou, George,
Nikos, Andreas and Sofia, as well as his widow, Dimitra
Liani-Papandreou, issued a joint announcement on Saturday
concerning the creation of a monument on his grave-site at the
Athens First Cemetery.
The announcement stated that they had decided to request from
the Athens municipality's relevant monument committee to place a
plain and ordinary tombstone as soon as possible, while the same
committee should assess plans or proposals by noted sculptors
who have offered to create a monument for Andreas Papandreou.
The Papandreou children thanked the sculptor Rokos for work he
has already done and requested that his work be included in
works to be assessed by the relevant municipal committee.
They further said that in order to have their common decisions
implemented they co-operated with Athens Mayor Dimitris
Avramopoulos, who agreed to promote necessary processes. They
also thanked the ruling PASOK party for shouldering relevant
expenses.
Commenting on speculation over the issue, the Papandreou family
members said that, contrary to what was being reported, they
have close co-operation among themselves both concerning the
monument for Andreas Papandreou and a memorial service on the
first anniversary of his death which will be held on Sunday June
22.
[09] V. Papandreou on SMEs' development
Athens, 14/04/1997 (ANA)
Speaking at a meeting of the Union of Chambers of Commerce and
Industry of Greece in Argos on Saturday, Development Minister
Vasso Papandreou said "the field of small and medium-sized
enterprises is particularly sensitive, many of them close down
and many open."
She added: "There is great mobility in this sector. All must be
aware that we need enterprises which will not have a
circumstantial nature, they must not be antiquated and above all
they must not expect to be supported and operate solely with
subsidies."
Ms. Papandreou said that in no way can SMEs base their survival
on the state. She said we must support SMEs but the state can
never play the role of the father who takes care of and protects
his "invalid" children.
[10] Thessaloniki roundtable discussion on civilization
Athens, 14/04/1997 (ANA)
Speaking at a roundtable discussion at the Byzantine Museum in
Thessaloniki on Saturday on the sidelines of a meeting of
intellectuals from around the world entitled "Civilization on
the Threshold of the Third Millennium", Culture Minister
Evangelos Venizelos stressed the need for the principle of
cultural equality among European Union countries to be included
in Article 128 of the Maastricht Treaty.
Speaking during another discussion, the former president of the
European Parliament, Simone Veil, expressed a conviction that
cultural unification can be achieved in Europe.
Former UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar said culture
is of particular importance for the development of peoples.
He said co-operation at an inter-state and local level is an
imperative need for the development of the "culture of peace",
adding that one cannot speak of development in regions where
wars are underway.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the meeting, the
president of the University of Europe Eleni Ahrweiler-Glykatzi,
who directs the event, said "civilization is not a question of
borders but an issue of equality", adding that "the last word of
civilization in Europe is a dialogue with goodwill, namely that
you must not only listen to what you say but also to what the
person next to you says."
The meeting was due to end yesterday with the adoption of the
"Charter of Thessaloniki", which will contain 10 basic points.
End of English language section.
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