Visit our Document Archive Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923) Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923)
HR-Net - Hellenic Resources Network Compact version
Today's Suggestion
Read The "Macedonian Question" (by Maria Nystazopoulou-Pelekidou)
HomeAbout HR-NetNewsWeb SitesDocumentsOnline HelpUsage InformationContact us
Thursday, 28 March 2024
 
News
  Latest News (All)
     From Greece
     From Cyprus
     From Europe
     From Balkans
     From Turkey
     From USA
  Announcements
  World Press
  News Archives
Web Sites
  Hosted
  Mirrored
  Interesting Nodes
Documents
  Special Topics
  Treaties, Conventions
  Constitutions
  U.S. Agencies
  Cyprus Problem
  Other
Services
  Personal NewsPaper
  Greek Fonts
  Tools
  F.A.Q.
 

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-11-10

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 1336), November 10, 1997

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] Intense activity begins around protracted Cyprus problem
  • [02] Turkish warplanes infringe on Athens FIR
  • [03] Motorcyclists set out on symbolic journey to Cyprus
  • [04] Drys says Gov't firm in its intent to back the drachma
  • [05] EOT employees hold meeting on 2004 Olympics
  • [06] Hellenic Air Force celebrates its patron saints
  • [07] Anniversary of Mytilini's liberation celebrated
  • [08] ND leader attends EPP congress in Toulouse
  • [09] Kaklamanis on five-day visit to Germany
  • [10] Rhodes court awards compensation to family of AIDS victim
  • [11] Education conference held in Athens
  • [12] European study shows baby walkers unsafe
  • [13] Greece, Serbia prepare tourism co-operation protocol
  • [14] Demonstrators run wild at gold mining plant in Halkidiki

  • [01] Intense activity begins around protracted Cyprus problem

    Athens, 10/11/1997 (ANA)

    A week of intense activity around the protracted Cyprus problem begins today with US presidential Emissary Richard Holbrooke's talks in Nicosia with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

    Mr. Holbrooke, who according to reports was due for talks in Moscow before arriving in Cyprus today, will fly to Brussels on Thursday for consultations with EU External Affairs Commissioner Hans Van den Broek on the issue. US State Department Coordinator for Cyprus, Thomas Miller, already arrived in Cyprus yesterday ahead of Mr. Holbrooke, while Turkey's Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and Minister of State responsible for Cyprus affairs Sukru Gurel also arrived yesterday in the Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus for talks with Turkish Cypriot leaders.

    In Brussels, EU foreign ministers are expected today to debate Turkey's relations with the Union and particularly a French proposal for the establishment of a European Conference including all EU aspirant countries and Turkey, aimed at preventing new dividing lines in Europe as the bloc opens membership talks with a number of eastern European states and Cyprus next year. Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos will participate in the meeting.

    [02] Turkish warplanes infringe on Athens FIR

    Athens, 10/11/1997 (ANA)

    Turkish air force F-16s and F-4s once again infringed the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR) and violated Greek national air space on Saturday, the feast day of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, patron saints of the Greek air force.

    The incidents took place in the region between the islands of Chios and Lesvos. All the Turkish aircraft were intercepted by Greek Mirage-2000 and F-16 fighter planes.

    [03] Motorcyclists set out on symbolic journey to Cyprus

    Athens, 10/11/1997 (ANA)

    A group of 18 motorcyclists from Greece and Cyprus set out yesterday from Kastanies, Evros, on a symbolic journey across Greece to Cyprus on their motorbikes, to pay tribute to the memory of the two young Cypriots, Tasos Isaak and Solomos Solomou, who were brutally killed by Turkish Cypriot troops during peaceful demonstrations at the buffer zone last year.

    The event is organized by the Cyprus Motorcyclists' Federation and aims raising funds to build a monument in memory of the two brave young men.

    The journey will end on Nov. 15 in Nicosia. Many Greek cities, from were the motorcyclists are to pass through, are organizing events to welcome them, as well as to collect donations.

    A member of the Cyprus Motorcyclists' Federation will be riding along on his bicycle.

    Federation president Giorgos Hatzikostas has publicly thanked President Kostis Stephanopoulos, who was the first to donate money for the monument.

    [04] Drys says Gov't firm in its intent to back the drachma

    Athens, 10/11/1997 (ANA)

    Finance Under-secretary George Drys said yesterday that he was satisfied over the course of the economy, but said it was necessary to take additional measures, especially introducing special incentives, for the sensitive area of the Aegean.

    Speaking at a press conference on Samos where he represented the government at celebrations marking the 85th anniversary of the island's incorporation into Greece, Mr. Drys also said the government was firm in its intent to back the drachma.

    He said that it was floating a new bond issue in order to contain the drachma.

    The Finance Ministry has announced a new eurobond issue that will be floated today.

    The one- and three- year ECU/EURO-indexed bonds carry a fixed interest of 4.6 percent and 5.2 percent respectively, rates lower than drachma-denominated issues.

    Bankers see the eurobond issue as a strategic move by the government to improve the climate in the domestic markets and underline its determination to continue its hard-drachma policy.

    The announcement on Friday of the new eurobond issue substantially improved sentiment in the domestic money market, leading to a firmer drachma and lower interbank rates.

    [05] EOT employees hold meeting on 2004 Olympics

    Athens, 10/11/1997 (ANA)

    The first meeting on the organization by Greece of the Olympic Games in the year 2004, was held yesterday in Thessaloniki, to examine the activities required for the successful exploitation of the event.

    The one-day meeting was organized by the Association of Employees of the Greek Tourism Organization (EOT), on the sidelines of the international tourism fair "Filoxenia" which winds up today at the Helexpo installations.

    The meeting was attended by deputies, EOT officials and many representatives of the sector.

    A guest speaker, Ignacio de Delas, director of programming of the Organization for the Promotion of Tourism of Catalonia, Spain, referred to the 'Spanish experience' from the Barcelona '92 Olympic Games. The Spanish official stressed the long-term positive impact of the Games in the region's tourism.

    EOT Secretary General Nikos Skoulas expanded on the basic lines of the government's policy on tourism, which mainly related to the development of quality tourism and alternative forms of tourism for high income tourists.

    Mr. Skoulas underlined that the country was far behind in luxury hotels and resorts, and called on investors to take initiatives in this sector.

    [06] Hellenic Air Force celebrates its patron saints

    Athens, 10/11/1997 (ANA)

    The Hellenic Air Force on Saturday celebrated its patron saints Archangels Gavriil and Michail, at the Dekeleia air-base, attended by the military and political leadership of the National Defense Ministry.

    This year's celebration coincides with the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Hellenic Air Force.

    The chief of the General Air Force Staff, Lt. Gen. Georgios Antonetsos, who read the Command of the day, referred to the glorious history of the Air Force and to the country's brave efforts to defend its sovereign rights.

    Formations of F-16 and Mirage 2000 fighter jets flew over the site of the celebration and the officials' stand.

    In a speech after the end of the event, National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos underlined the Air Force's immense contribution to safeguarding peace, freedom and democracy in Greece.

    He said Greek pilots were being tested daily in the Aegean, exhibiting their utmost devotion and morale. Additionally, he reassured that the Air Force was very effective in protecting the country's sovereign rights in the airspace, appeasing citizens and allowing them to go on with their daily life and other duties at peace.

    When asked to comment on a Turkish oceanographic vessel sailing for some days now in international waters in the Aegean, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the Aegean Sea was open to everyone, and as long as international rules were observed, there was no problem.

    He added that under such conditions, it was Greece's responsibility to safeguard free sailing in the Aegean.

    The chief of the general army staff, Gen. Athanasios Tzoganis, on his part, stressed that the Air Force was a sovereign force in the skies and would not hesitate to deal with any threat.

    He added that any attempt to violate or offend Greece's national rights will be doomed to fail.

    The celebration at the Dekeleia air-base was also attended by opposition deputies, the Mayor of Athens Demetris Avramopoulos, high-ranking officers of the army and many other officials.

    [07] Anniversary of Mytilini's liberation celebrated

    Athens, 10/11/1997 (ANA)

    President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos yesterday wound up his official visit to the island of Mytilini, on the occasion of celebrations marking the 85th anniversary of the island's liberation from Turkish rule.

    It was the first time a president of the republic attended the celebrations on Mytilini.

    In a message on the necessity of peace, Mr. Stephanopoulos said that "during such celebrations we must think of the supremacy of peace compared to war. How happy Greece and Turkey would be if they could achieve peace!".

    The celebrations on Mytilini started in the morning with a special service at the Metropolitan Cathedral, attended by President Stephanopoulos, Minister of the Aegean Elisabeth Papazoe, PASOK party deputies Franklinos Papadelis and Nikos Siphounakis, New Democracy party deputy for Hios Thanasis Varinos and Communist Party of Greece deputy Stratis Korakas.

    Wreaths were later laid at the war memorial, followed by a students and military parade.

    [08] ND leader attends EPP congress in Toulouse

    Toulouse, 10/11/1997 (ANA - A. Panagopoulos)

    The 12th Congress of the European Peoples' Party (EPP) opened here yesterday, with discussion mainly focused on unemployment and policies against it, as well as the European Union's enlargement.

    At yesterday's council of EPP party leaders, attended also by New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis, many officials expressed concern in relation to decisions taken at the EU Amsterdam Summit on the policy to tackle unemployment.

    They stressed that apart from the framework of principles, there must also be funding by the EU.

    Mr. Karamanlis said "unemploy-ment could prove an explosive affair in the foundations of the union".

    He further said that there was a need to support especially small and medium-sized enterprises, which at EU level are regarded as a medium of boosting economy.

    The ND leader also briefed the EPP party leaders on prospects for Greece's relations with Turkey, as well as the situation in the Balkans.

    EPP officials see the 12th Congress as a historic one, since it will decide on the merger of European Christian Democrats participating in center-left parties in central and eastern Europe.

    [09] Kaklamanis on five-day visit to Germany

    Athens, 10/11/1997 (ANA)

    Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis departed yesterday for Germany for an official five-day visit at the invitation of his counterpart Rita Suessmuth and the presidents of local parliaments.

    Mr. Kaklamanis is scheduled to visit Munich, Bonn, Stuttgart and Berlin and will meet with federal and local government officials.

    He is also due to meet representatives of Germany's Greek communities.

    [10] Rhodes court awards compensation to family of AIDS victim

    Athens, 10/11/1997 (ANA)

    A Rhodes court awarded compensation of 100 million drachmas to the family of an 11-year-old AIDS victim who died in 1992, for negligence in the screening of blood supplies in the '80s, which resulted in the young girl's contraction of the deadly virus.

    Constantina, a sufferer of thalassaemia who needed frequent blood transfusions, was diagnosed in 1986 as having contracted AIDS. The Appeals Court of Rhodes heard that the local hospital which administered the transfusions, failed to immediately apply Health Ministry directives for the compulsory AIDS screening of all blood supplies, introduced in September 1985. As a result patients in the Rhodes hospital received unchecked blood until the end of that year, a fact which the court accepted as having caused the girl's contracting the disease.

    In the court's decision it is stated that Constantina's family were subsequently isolated in the island community "in a way reminiscent of the treatment towards lepers in the middle ages or the people with tuberculosis before the war" and the girl was barred from attending school until the Ministry of Education intervened.

    The Ministry of Health has appealed the ruling and the case will now be heard by the Council of State, the highest administrative court in the country.

    [11] Education conference held in Athens

    Athens, 10/11/1997 (ANA)

    The Federation of Tutorial Teachers organized its second conference on education, which was held yesterday at the Athens War Museum.

    One of the main speakers, president of the Paedagogical Institute Theodoros Exarhakos referred extensively to the objectives of educational reforms.

    He said that a number of new text-books, including Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Modern and Ancient Greek, History and New Technologies, have already been commissioned and will be ready for use by students in the next academic year.

    Mr. Exarhakos also announced that the institution of tutorial sessions will also be implemented at high schools for students who will be assessed to be in need for such additional teaching.

    [12] European study shows baby walkers unsafe

    Athens, 10/11/1997 (ANA)

    An announcement issued yesterday by the consumer organization EKPOIZO, says various baby walkers have been found unsafe and their use could even result to injuries.

    This was the outcome of a study in Europe carried out by 12 independent consumer organizations on 31 models of such walkers.

    The models are sold across Europe, and in Greece, too, and relate to both cheap and expensive brands.

    EKPOIZO, which participated in the study, said that the above baby walkers do not really help toddlers to walk properly, while in some cases they could be dangerous, since their speed can go relatively high for infants and especially in homes with unlevel floors.

    [13] Greece, Serbia prepare tourism co-operation protocol

    Athens, 10/11/1997 (ANA)

    A protocol providing for closer co-operation between Greece and Serbia in the sector of tourism is being prepared by both sides, according to a statement by Serbian Tourism Organization president Ljubisa Milojevic in Thessaloniki on Saturday.

    Speaking at a press conference at the 13th Philoxenia tourism fair, Ms. Milojevic said the Greek National Tourist Organization (EOT) and its Serb counterpart were discussing the simplification of visa requirements for Serbs visiting Greece as well as various joint programs such as exchange programs for tourism employees and joint marketing programs in third countries.

    EOT president Yannis Stefanidis confirmed the organization's desire to sign a tourism protocol with Serbia, although he said priority would be given to signing a co-operation protocol with the state tourism board of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

    With regard to visas, the Serb official proposed the introduction of a tourist pass for visitors from Yugoslavia visiting Greece in groups, noting that the current visa application procedures were time-consuming.

    According to figures released at the press conference, the number of Greek visitors to Belgrade doubled in the first nine months of this year to 4,350, although the average stay was only two days, compared to nine days for the whole of 1996 when the total number of Greek visitors was 2,080.

    The Serb Tourism Organization is also preparing special package tours for Greek tourists and services for business travelers.

    Investments are also a priority, it was noted, with the privatization of tourism enterprises. The Greek travel agency Travel Way has already bought 51% of Yugo Tours, it was announced.

    [14] Demonstrators run wild at gold mining plant in Halkidiki

    Athens, 10/11/1997 (ANA)

    Residents of the Halkidiki communities of Ano and Kato Stavros, Olympiada, Asprovalta and Varna staged a demonstration yesterday outside the Canadian company 'TVX Hellas', protesting at the gold mining activities in the region.

    A clash followed when the police intervened and tried to disperse the crowd, comprising some hundreds of people.

    The residents had expressed their opposition to the company's activities since last year, saying that gold mining in the area will have a serious impact on the environment, mainly from wastage.

    The protesters entered the plant and caused damage to two drills, which company officials estimated to about 60 million drachmas.

    Some police and protesters were slightly injured.

    No arrests were made.

    The Thessaloniki Branch of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) issued an announcement yesterday afternoon, in which it charged that there had been a plan, since last summer, to counteract objections by the residents. It described an agreement between the government and the Canadian company on gold mining, as disgusting, while expressing support to the area's residents.

    End of English language section.


    Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article
    Back to Top
    Copyright © 1995-2023 HR-Net (Hellenic Resources Network). An HRI Project.
    All Rights Reserved.

    HTML by the HR-Net Group / Hellenic Resources Institute, Inc.
    ana2html v1.01f run on Monday, 10 November 1997 - 14:54:07 UTC