Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-05-13
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1184), May 13, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Greece, Russia consider economic, political co-operation
[02] No question of Greece negotiating sovereign rights,
Tsohatzopoulos says
[03] State Department
[04] Time is ripe for full examination of FYROM name issue, Athens
says
[05] Simitis visit to Luxembourg
[06] Conference on military law begins in Athens
[07] ECOFIN adopts recommendations on Greek fiscal deficit
[08] 'Unita' report on Greek-Italian co-operation in Balkans
[09] Patriarch cautions against isolation of Orthodox eastern Europe
[10] Greece sends aid to quake-stricken in Iran
[11] WEU Paris conference to be attended by Pangalos, Tsohatzopoulos
[12] Moroccan man charged with illegal immigrant smuggling
[13] IOC delegate
[14] Focus turns to preservation of monuments
[15] One billion drachmas allocated for restoration of mediaeval
village
[16] Brussels event promotes Greek literature
[17] IOBE study on banking points to state-run banks' dominance
[18] Greece-Montenegro agreement the focus of delegation's visit to
Athens
[19] Int'l fur exhibition set to begin today
[01] Greece, Russia consider economic, political co-operation
Moscow, 13/05/1997 (ANA - D. Constantakopoulos)
Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis and his Russian
counterpart Aleksandr Avdeyev held talks in Moscow yesterday
which, among others, examined the assumption of a Greek-Russian
initiative in the framework of the peace process to handle the
crisis in the Balkans and Greek-Russian economic co-operation in
the region.
Other issues discussed were bilateral relations, Greek-Turkish
relations and the Cyprus issue. A protocol anticipating regular
political consultations was also signed.
Mr. Kranidiotis underlined the "excellent" level of relations
between the two countries and their great political
significance, both due to their traditional and historical ties
and their "very many common interests."
Greece especially appreciates the role played by Russia in the
Balkans and the eastern Mediterranean, Mr. Kranidiotis said,
hailing Moscow's activation over the Cyprus issue and thanked it
for its positions and its activation.
On his part, Mr. Avdeyev agreed with the ascertainments made by
his Greek counterpart and said that Greek-Russian relations
constitute a permanent and top priority for Moscow's foreign
policy.
A large part of their talks centered on Greek-Russian
co-operation in the economic sector in the Balkans and primarily
energy and communications networks and infrastructures in the
region, as well as the possible undertaking of a joint
Greek-Russian initiative for peace in the region. In this
framework, the two dignitaries made statements reaffirming the
two countries' interest in the construction of the
Burgas-Alexandroupoli oil pipeline.
Mr. Kranidiotis also invited Russia to participate under an
observer status in the inter-Balkan meeting to be held in
Thessaloniki in June.
He notified his Russian counterpart of the forthcoming operation
of a branch of the Greek Culture foundation in Moscow and
delivered invitations on behalf of Prime Minister Costas Simitis
and Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos to Russian Prime Minister
Viktor Chernomyrdin and Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov to
visit Greece.
[02] No question of Greece negotiating sovereign rights,
Tsohatzopoulos says
Athens, 13/05/1997 (ANA)
National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos reiterated
yesterday after a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis
that Greece would never enter into negotiations concerning its
internationally recognized sovereign rights.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos made the statement when asked by reporters to
comment on a front-page article in Sunday's edition of the
newspaper "To Vima".
The article claimed Greece and Turkey were edging towards an
agreement under which Athens would allow Ankara to use a number
of air corridors over the Aegean between six and 10 nautical
miles for its military exercises.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said Greece was perplexed by Turkey's attempt
to do away with the present status quo determined by
international treaties.
"There is a problem with interceptions, the settlement of which
refers us to the Papoulias-Yilmaz agreement which both sides
have accepted. We have also agreed that the NATO secretary
general should explore ways of implementing the same agreement,"
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said.
He was referring to the memorandum agreement reached in 1988 by
the then Greek and Turkish foreign ministers Karolos Papoulias
and Mesut Yilmaz, respectively.
Mr. Papoulias and Mr. Yilmaz agreed in the Athens seaside resort
of Vouliagmeni to promote confidence-building measures (CBMs)
between the two countries based on the principle of
good-neighborliness.
"The impression given (in the article) that Greece may reduce
the responsibility it has in the Athens Flight Information
Region (FIR) bears no relation to reality," Mr. Tsohatzopoulos
said.
He added that "anyone can enter the Athens FIR" provided they
state their nationality and submit a flight plan "and then the
decision is up to Athens, which is responsible for the safety of
flights in the region in question, just as Turkey has
responsibility for its own FIR." "The message going out to
anyone moving in the Athens FIR is that they should observe the
relevant international rules," Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos and Mr. Simitis discussed issues related to
the Western European Union (WEU) in view of the joint meeting of
WEU defense and foreign ministers which began in Paris
yesterday. The meeting will focus on issues such as the
transformation of the WEU into the European Union's military arm
and the common foreign policy of the EU. According to informed
sources, Mr. Simitis and Mr. Tsohatzopoulos also discussed
NATO's new structure, the armed forces' armaments program and
the draft law on conscription.
Meanwhile, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas also denied the
claims in the article in "To Vima".
He said no discussion was being held concerning the assignment
of rights or air corridors, adding that "there is no basis for
reality in this".
"The government is not considering such an issue nor has such an
issue been raised," the spokesman said. Mr. Reppas also
reiterated that as far as Greece was concerned, the basis for
any CBMs between Athens and Ankara would be the 1988 memorandum
agreement.
[03] State Department
Washington, 13/05/1997 (ANA - T. Ellis)
US State Department Spokesman Nicholas Burns yesterday stated,
when questioned, that he was unaware of any agreement regarding
the use of air corridors over the Aegean by Turkish aircraft,
stating only that the US continuously seeks manners in which to
rebuild confidence between Greece and Turkey.
Replying to another question as to whether the US is supporting
Turkey against Greece "for strategic reasons", as an article in
the "Washington Times" quoted Foreign Minister Theodoros
Pangalos as saying, Mr. Burns stressed "the US does not prefer
one country against the other."
"I am sure Mr. Pangalos did not say something like this or his
statements were misinterpreted," he added, "as Mr. Pangalos
knows well that the US is a friend and ally of Greece as well as
of Turkey, that we are neutral and that we use our good services
to bring Greece and Turkey together without showing preferences.
"Greece is one of the United State's oldest allies and we are
very pleased with the prime minister, Foreign Minister Pangalos
we have an excellent relation with him, and we are sure this
will continue."
[04] Time is ripe for full examination of FYROM name issue, Athens
says
Athens, 13/05/1997 (ANA)
Greece is examining "everything" within the framework of
negotiations under UN auspices on the name of the Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), including the
possibility of a composite name, government spokesman Dimitris
Reppas said yesterday.
The spokesman however, who was replying to reporters' questions,
declined to go into detail, due to the fact that negotiations
were currently in progress.
By 'composite name', Mr. Reppas was referring to the possibility
of a name containing the word 'Macedonia' or some derivative.
Mr. Reppas expressed the view that some agreement might be
reached in the UN-sponsored talks and that the government was
exerting pressure. The spokesman stressed that nothing had
changed which could justify "dramatic tones", adding that "the
time is ripe" for the issue to be addressed.
"Any delaying tactics only harm the other side," Mr. Reppas said.
Replying to other questions, Mr. Reppas reiterated that "there
is no way that a state can exist in our region with just the
name 'Macedonia'."
[05] Simitis visit to Luxembourg
Luxembourg, 13/05/1997 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis arrived here yesterday afternoon
for talks today with his counterpart Jean-Claude Juncker on
policies and economic developments in the European Union and
issues linked to Greek national interests.
The two prime ministers are expected to focus their interest on
EU institutional issues negotiated by the "15" in light of the
extraordinary summit for EU leaders on May 23.
Today's meeting has special importance for Greek foreign policy,
since at the end of June Luxembourg will succeed the Netherlands
at the EU's rotating presidency.
On the occasion of his visit to Luxembourg, Mr. Simitis will
visit the headquarters of three EU bodies this afternoon, the
European Court, the Auditing Council and the European Bank.
[06] Conference on military law begins in Athens
Athens, 13/05/1997 (ANA)
Addressing the inauguration of the 14th conference of the
International Society on Military Law and War Convention
yesterday, National Defense Under-secretary Dimitris Apostolakis
referred to the need for the establishment and operation of a
permanent international court to try charges related to war
crimes.
"The effort must be continuous and uninterrupted if we wish to
consolidate the fundamental international conditions of
humanitarian aspects in the international field," he said.
The ceremony was also addressed by the president of the
conference's organizing committee, Major-Gen. Athanasios
Kosioris and the president of the society. The conference
focuses on "investigating and prosecuting war crimes - national
law and processes. Military and legal co-operation."
The conference is taking place at the War Museum's amphitheater
and will last until Thursday. It will be attended by leading
jurists from Greece, Albania, Algeria, Germany, Austria,
Belgium, Spain, France, Britain, the Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia (FYROM), Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland,
the Czech Republic and the United States.
[07] ECOFIN adopts recommendations on Greek fiscal deficit
Brussels, 13/05/1997 (ANA - G. Daratos)
The Council of European Union finance ministers (ECOFIN)
convened in Brussels yesterday and ratified, without making
amendments, a document containing recommendations adopted by the
European Commission several weeks ago aimed to end the excessive
budget deficit in Greece.
The document contains no new measure and no new settlement,
apart from what is already known, because Greek fiscal deficit,
despite pessimistic predictions, decreased by 0.2 per cent more
than the target set by the Greek Convergence Program. Namely,
instead of a decrease amounting to 7.6 per cent of GDP, the
deficit dropped to 7.4 per cent of GDP.
Participating in the discussion between the 15 economy ministers
on the draft plan for the EU Budget for 1998, National Economy
and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said, among others,
that his government is opposed to any decrease in its resources
in the future and particularly in connection with fiscal
austerity which is supported by the overwhelming majority of EU
countries and is threatening decreases in the resources of
structural funds.
Mr. Papantoniou said an increase in the resources of the EU's
budget, particularly after Economic and Monetary Union, must be
independent from fiscal austerity policies as they are reflected
in the national budgets of member-states, while the EU budget
must also cover financially a series of actions and policies
which are covered at present by national budgets, such as
combating unemployment by creating new jobs.
[08] 'Unita' report on Greek-Italian co-operation in Balkans
Rome, 13/05/1997 (ANA - S. Aravopoulou)
Italy and Greece have every reason to worry even about the
slightest destabilizing factors in the Balkans, the Italian
newspaper "Unita" reported in a front-page article yesterday.
"Italy and Greece, member-states of the European Union and
allies, have every reason to worry about the existence of even
the slightest destabilizing factors in the Balkans," said the
article signed by former deputy, professor Theodoros Kokelidis.
"First of all," the article added, "we must admit that both
countries have the ability to make every effort to guarantee
stability. An effort which must be strong, in the sense that
both EU countries must be the region's protagonists."
In his article, under the general title, "Common goals for Italy
and Greece in the Balkans," Prof. Kokelidis presented a series
of arguments for closer co-operation between Italy and Greece in
the "volatile" Balkan region. Specifically, the professor said
co-operation should focus on the preparation of an EU-backed
program promoting investments in critical sectors for the
development of the Balkan countries.
Presenting the reasons which constitute the Balkan peninsula a
crucial junction, due to the region's geographic location, for
the develop-ment of the broader European region, the professor
stressed the importance of coordination between the two
countries in order to ensure the necessary criteria for legality
through which to inject and develop free-market principles.
"A difficult effort, calling for the contribution of both Italy
and Greece," he said.
"Both Greece and Italy have a duty to help the economic
development of a suffering region on which other European people
depend their prosperity," he said, adding that "both countries
must exert pressure in order to encourage the EU to adopt a
policy aiming at developing the Balkans."
"The management of the Albanian crisis is a substantial example
proving that a common role for Italy and Greece is feasible," he
added.
[09] Patriarch cautions against isolation of Orthodox eastern Europe
Bucharest, 13/05/1997 (ANA/Reuter)
An interview published in the Romanian newspaper "Adevarul"
yesterday quoted Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos as saying
that NATO's expansion towards the former eastern bloc countries
should not create a new division between Catholics and
Protestants in western Europe and Orthodox faithful in eastern
Europe.
The comment was seen as support for predominately Orthodox
Romania's efforts to become a NATO member in the upcoming wave
of expansion.
"The maintenance of unity in Europe is the ultimate duty of all
churches today," the Patriarch said.
"The view prevailing now in certain western circles is for
return to a kind of isolation of the western world, considered
by some as genuine Roman Catholicism or Protestantism,"
according to Vartholomeos, the spiritual leader of approximately
250 million Orthodox Christians around the world.
"This aims at the creation of a new split in Europe, as well as
the entry into NATO of only the countries with a Roman Catholic
or Protestant tradition," he added.
"In this phase, Romania does not have many prospects (of entry),
particularly if it is used as a tool to continue the division of
the Orthodox world," the Patriarch noted.
[10] Greece sends aid to quake-stricken in Iran
Athens, 13/05/1997 (ANA)
The foreign ministry is to send 20 tons of medical and other aid
in the next few days to Iran where an earthquake measuring 7.1
Richter devastated the country's eastern region, killing at
least 2,400 people and leaving thousands homeless.
The aid will be accompanied by a three-member surgical team of
the non-governmental organization "Doctors of the World" which
will provide its services in the quake-stricken area for at
least one month.
Due to the extent of the devastation in eastern Iran, a second
shipment of similar size is already being planned.
The government yesterday expressed its deep regret over the loss
of life in Iran.
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas added that Greece would
express its support in any appropriate way possible.
Humanitarian aid should not be linked to political choices,
government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday when asked
to comment on the refusal of certain countries to send relief to
North Korea. "What is needed is policy with a human face," Mr.
Reppas added. North Korea is facing a major famine after
extensive flooding in 1995 and 1996 destroyed entire crops.
[11] WEU Paris conference to be attended by Pangalos, Tsohatzopoulos
Paris, 13/05/1997 (ANA - Y. Zitouniati)
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and National Defense
Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos arrived here yesterday in order to
participate in the West European Union's three-day foreign and
defense ministers' council, due to end to morrow.
Greece, which is to assume the rotating WEU presidency in
January 1998, is to present the union's "Transatlantic Forum",
which foresees contacts and briefings with the United States and
Canada. An international seminar on the subject was held in
Athens earlier this month.
Issues to be discussed will include implementation of the
Berlin, Birmingham and Brussels Accords regarding the WEU's
capacities and its relations with the European Union and NATO,
as well as its role in the operation and planning of defense.
[12] Moroccan man charged with illegal immigrant smuggling
Athens, 13/05/1997 (ANA)
One man was arrested yesterday and another is being sought by
police on charges of transporting 38 Iraqi illegal immigrants
into the country.
Moroccan national Abdullah Burahi, 27, was arrested near the
Ferres area near the Greek-Turkish border, while a Greek
national believed to be his accomplice evaded arrest after he
abandoned the truck he was using to transport the illegal
immigrants.
Burahi was driving ahead in another car, and police believe he
was acting as a look-out. The Moroccan national told police he
had picked up the 38 Iraqis from the border region of Soufli,
where they had been transported from Turkey by a Pakistani
nation al he identified only as "Ali".
He said the illegal immigrants had paid a total of US$38,000 in
order to be transported to Greece.
Both the car driven by Burahi and the truck used to transport
the Iraqis have been confiscated, while the 38 illegal
immigrants and the suspect are to appear before a prosecutor in
Alexandroupoli.
In another incident, police yesterday apprehended another 50
Iraqi nationals who had paid Turkish illegal immigrant smugglers
to transport them into Greece by rubber dinghies across the
Evros river.
[13] IOC delegate
Athens, 13/05/1997 (ANA)
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) member representing
the Dominican Republic, Munoz Pena, yesterday visited ancient
Olympia, while on Sunday night he watched the first match in the
best-of-five basketball championship series between Olympiakos
and AEK.
Mr. Pena is currently on a three-day visit to Greece, in order
to be briefed on Athens' candidacy for the 2004 Olympic Games.
He is scheduled today to visit the Olympic Stadium facilities
and Zappeio Hall, after which he will visit the National
Archaeological Museum.
[14] Focus turns to preservation of monuments
Athens, 13/05/1997 (ANA)
Greek National Tourist Organization (EOT) Secretary General
Nikos Skoulas said his organization is committed to promoting,
both abroad and in Greece, cultural events and theatrical
activities at archaeological sites at the initiative of the
culture minis try.
Speaking in Rhodes yesterday at the fourth international
conference on "Preserving Monuments of the Mediterranean", Mr.
Skoulas said co-operation between tourism and culture will be
promoted in all sectors to enrich the Greek tourist product in
the frame work of the interministerial coordinating body on
tourism, implemented by Development Minister Vasso Papandreou.
He said such co-operation will give priority to promoting the
country's cultural monuments through appropriate tourist
utilization (exceptions will be made for monuments whose
protection is more important than their utilization).
[15] One billion drachmas allocated for restoration of mediaeval
village
Athens, 13/05/1997 (ANA)
Aegean Minister Elisabeth Papazoi and Culture Minister Evangelos
Venizelos are due to visit the island of Hios today in order to
sign an agreement for the restoration of the mediaeval village
of Anavatos.
The agreement will be signed between the culture ministry and
the municipality of Omiroupolis. One billion drachmas will be
allocated for the restoration of the Anavatos village, built
nine centuries ago.
[16] Brussels event promotes Greek literature
Brussels, 13/05/1997 (ANA - M. Savva)
Greek literature will be represented for the second year in a
row during the Belgitude et Grecite event, focusing on problems
in the translation and promotion of Greek prose in Francophone
countries.
The event will be held in the Brussels Royal Library on June 6
and 7.
Speeches will be made by distinguished translators, including
Jacques Lacarriere, Michel Grodin, Michel Volkovic and professor
of literature in the University of Liege, Jacques Dubois.
The event is being organized by the Fonds Culturel Hellenique
and the Greek embassy's press attachi here, Yiannis Starakis.
[17] IOBE study on banking points to state-run banks' dominance
Athens, 13/05/1997 (ANA)
A new study by the Foundation for Economic and Industrial
Research (IOBE) on Greek banking found that the nation's banking
system is characterized by a high degree of concentration, with
National Bank of Greece and the Commercial Bank being the main
protagonists.
Through these two banks the state controls a considerable part
of all banking activities, IOBE noted.
The concentrating nature of the banking market, resulting from
the development of the banks' shares in the deposits and loans
markets, is shrinking as over the 1985-1995 period concentration
indicators posted a noteworthy decrease.
Increased competition between banks to satisfy their clients, in
conjunction with an expected future decrease in interest rates
due to the Greek economy's convergence with the other EU nations
and the subsequent decrease in uncertainty will force banks to
provide credit with a longer duration and more stable interest
rates.
The study makes special reference to the major state-run banks
and underlines that they must show increased flexibility and a
faster adjustment to new conditions.
[18] Greece-Montenegro agreement the focus of delegation's visit to
Athens
Belgrade, 13/05/1997 (ANA - M. Mouratidis)
A Montenegrin government delegation paid a three-day visit to
Athens for talks with Greece-based bank representatives and
Greek businessmen on the issue of implementation of credit for
the Yugoslav republic, amounting to US$50 million.
The agreement had been worked out during Montenegrin Prime
Minister Milo Djukanovic's recent visit to Athens.
The Montenegrin delegation was comprised of the government's
deputy prime minister, the finance minister and the minister of
commerce.
Speaking in Podgorica, Deputy Prime Minister Slavko Dirlievic
said the draft agreement on the loan for US$50 million was
prepared at the General Bank of Greece. Further talks will be
held on the loan issue in Podgorica on Wednesday, during a visit
by a Greek business and banking delegation.
An agreement for the purchase of goods from Greece worth US$40
million is expected to be signed in Podgorica, while a list will
be composed listing goods currently in short supply on the
Montenegrin market. Podgorica has also agreed with the
Apostolopoulos group on another loan amounting to US$10 million
for the purchase of consumer goods from Greece.
In addition, Serbian press reports have commented on a recent
agreement signed between the Mytilineos company and the Trepca
mines in Kossovo, amounting to US$519 million.
The general director of Trepca, Novak Bielic, told the "Borba"
newspaper yesterday that the mines will honor all the conditions
set out in the agreement because only a third of the mines'
potential will have to be activated for the implementation of
the five-year agreement with the Greek side.
However, an ethnic Albanian leader in Kossovo, Ibrahim Rugova,
once again warned the Greek company not to accept the agreement
with Trepca unless it previously receives consent from "the
Albanian authorities in Kossovo."
Mr. Rugova also called on the Greek authorities not to approve
the agreement because "such actions aggravate the already
difficult situation in Kossovo and deal a blow to good relations
with Greece."
[19] Int'l fur exhibition set to begin today
Athens, 13/05/1997 (ANA)
Development Under-secretary Mihalis Chrysohoidis will inaugurate
the 22nd International Fur Exhibition in Kastoria today.
The fur sector in the region, despite difficulties faced over
the past five years, continues to constitute the primary
activity for local residents, with roughly 2,500 businesses and
an annual turnover of about US$150-180 million. Fur producers in
the Kastoria region have set the target of an annual turnover
amounting to US$600 million.
A total of 125 exhibitors from Greece and abroad will
participate in the exhibition, due to last until May 18.
End of English language section.
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