NEWS IN DETAIL

Resumption of farmers' protests simply blackmail, PM says

Speaking in Parliament during a scheduled debate on agricultural policy, Simitis addressed himself to the opposition parties saying ''no government, no society can tolerate the coercion of the few, coercion which tramples on the rights of other citizens, their freedom and daily struggle for their own income''.

The premier said the opposition parties had a duty to make it quite clear whether it supported or would support the protest action announced by farmers ''which surpass all legitimate limits of our society's democratic functioning''.

The Pan-Thessaly Farmers' Coordinating Committee on Wednesday announced that farmers would begin protest action on 28 January, gradually escalating until 4 February when they would resume the road and rail blockades which caused widespread disruption nationwide in December.

Continuing his criticism of the stance of opposition parties on the farmers' protests, Simitis said ''those who wish to indulge in demagogy must realize that the Greek people is not willing to support a course which leads to the destruction of the agricultural economy and Greek society as a whole''.

During his 50-minute speech, Simitis announced that the government would soon table a draft law introducing special tax measures and additional loan accommodations as incentives for young farmers.

The measures, he said, would be part of a 14-point framework of intervention in the agricultural sector.

Clerides meets ND leaders

Following their meeting this morning, Evert stressed the mutual responsibility on these issues. Greece could not keep passing the responsibility on to the Cypriot government and simply declaring its support. Asked whether he agreed with the manner in which the issue of a moratorium on military flights over Cyprus had been decided on by the Greek and Cypriot governments, Evert replied:

"The Cyprus issue and the Aegean, even though not identical, have a common denominator which is Turkey. These issues should be handled with a sense of shared responsibility despite the fact that they are in no way connected."

He added that the ND's positions were no different from those of the Greek government on the issue, although he believed that the best way to solve problems was for everyone to work out a unified national, foreign and defence policy, on the Cyprus issue as well as on domestic issues.

In his own meeting with Clerides, Mitsotakis agreed with Evert's views regarding the need for a joint Greek and Cypriot policy. He noted that recent moves regarding the Cyprus issue presented the potential for a solution to be found, although reserved optimism was called for. Mitsotakis said he did not feel the Turkish side was displaying the maturity necessary for a serious discussion of the Cyprus issue; its stance, he added, did not inspire much hope for change.

Illegal immigrants picked up near Kalymnos

Bilal Avtzi, 25 and Asrir Nizamith, 31, then pushed the 26 Iraqis overboard and tried to escape. They themselves, however, were forced to abandon their speedboat which began to sink after being fired upon. They were picked up by Greek Navy personnel and are to be transported, along with the 26 illegal immigrants, to the Kalymnos port authority.

Seamen's strike ruled illegal

The Panhellenic Seamen's Union (PNO) decided late Thursday night to extend a four-day strike for another four days until 6:00 a.m. Tuesday.

The strike affects Greek-flag vessels of all categories as well as foreign ships employing Greek seamen.

The seamen are pressing demands for increased insurance and unemployment benefits, an increase in minimum pensions and preservation of tax breaks enjoyed since 1955.

The court, acting on a suit filed by shipowners, ruled that if seamen do not call off their strike action within the day, the 14 trade unionists comprising the PNO administration would be sentenced to two months' detainment and a 100,000 drachma fine for each violation of the court ruling.

Meanwhile, the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) on Thursday announced a nationwide 24-hour strike for next Thursday in support of demands for "democratic fiscal reform".

The labour organisation's main demands consist in the index-linking of tax brackets to inflation and an increase to two million drachmas of the tax- free limit for the minimum wages of an unskilled worker.

According to the GSEE, the government's refusal to index tax brackets will cost workers being paid under the National General Labour Agreement between 25,000 and 130,000 drachmas annually.

Romanian foreign minister to visit Greece

During his stay, Mr. Severin will have talks with President Kostis Stephanopoulos and Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

Bank sale falls through

The committee formed to evaluate purchase offers for Cretabank convened Friday morning after the Bank of Piraeus on Thursday expressed interest.

Quite suddenly however, the Bank of Piraeus at noon yesterday informed the committee that it was withdrawing from the auction, effectively putting an end to the procedure.

Greece, FYROM talks to resume Monday

Meanwhile, diplomatic circles stressed that special UN mediator Cyrus Vance - appointed by former UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali - will continue his mission since new UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has expressed no intention of replacing special representatives appointed by the previous administration.

Diplomatic sources said that the UN Security Council had no jurisdiction on imposing an international name and the only thing it can do in the event that Mr. Vance submits a report, if he ascertains that negotiations are deadlocked, is to replace the name FYROM with some other name, but for exclusive use in the UN.

On another issue, Greece's permanent representative to the UN, Christos Zaharakis, has begun systematic and intensive contacts with the UN's 181 member-states since the beginning of the new year in order to pave the way for support of Greece's candidacy as a Security Council member over the 1999-2000 two-year period.

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(M.S.)

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