NEWS IN DETAIL

Seamen's strike continues amid scuffles

Meanwhile, calm returned to the port of Irakleio, Crete last night, although tension had mounted in the afternoon when local farmers from Ierapetra gathered in an effort to exert pressure for the transport of their perishable produce. Farmers were expe cting two ferry boats to sail which, according to reports, the Panhellenic Maritime Federation (PNO) decided to let sail for Athens on the condition that no dismissals follow.

The ferry "Aptera" sailed from Hania in the afternoon with 70 trucks loaded with perishable farm products, while some quantities of vegetables were carried by C-130 "Hercules" military transport planes.

Merchant Marine Minister Stavros Soumakis accused dock workers of "dogmatic insistence", and of leading producers and island residents to desperation as well as compounding problems for the country.

He said the government's margins (of compromise) have been exhausted, adding that if their intransigence continues the government has the "duty to protect the interests of society".

PNO decided on late Thursday night to extend a four-day strike for another four days until 6 a.m. Tuesday. The strike affects Greek-flagged vessels of all categories as well as foreign ships employing Greek seamen.

A Piraeus court on Friday ruled the extension of the ongoing seamen's strike "illegal and an abuse (of their right to strike)". The court, acting on a lawsuit 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-drachmas fine for each violation of the court ruling.

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

Cyprus issue to be raised at EU meeting

US State Department envoy Carey Cavanaugh was also due to arrive in Brussels.

Meanwhile, the president of the European Parliament`s socialist group, Pauline Green, said the Cyprus issue is the greatest threat to security in the Mediterranean and called on the European Union to exercise discreet diplomacy for the resumption of the peace process.

In another development, according to a report in the British newspaper "Observer", weapons which the British government has sold to Turkey are being used in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus. The development is contrary to BritainYs public position on arms sales.

Arsenis opposed to racial division of Cyprus

He also expressed opposition to a Cyprus settlement that would racially and geographically divide the people of the island republic.

Speaking on arrival here at the start of a three-day visit, Mr. Arsenis said he will sign a memorandum of cooperation on educational matters with his Cypriot counterpart, Claire Angelidou.

"I am particularly pleased to be here..." the former national defence minister and one of the architects of a joint defence pact between Greece and Cyprus said.

Mr. Arsenis has visited Cyprus in the past in his previous capacity as defence minister.

"Hellenism is called upon to play its historic and cultural role in the wider region, the Balkans and the eastern Mediterranean," he said, adding that the younger generation must be properly equipped to meet this challenge.

Replying to questions, he said "any kind of federation which essentially introduces confederation under the guise of federation, and which would divide people on the basis of their race and in geographical terms is contrary to our policy and UN resoluti ons."

Speaking later during a memorial ceremony in honour of late Cyprus president Archbishop Makarios, Mr. Arsenis said Cyprus' future was common with Greece's and no Greek foreign policy and national strategy could be established without including the Cyprus issue.

Underlining the "need for a common national strategy against a common threat", Mr. Arsenis said that "two separate strategies is a recipe for disaster".

"Behind Cyprus` tragedy there is not only Turkish expansionism but the policy of the major powers in the region, which aim at controlling Greece`s foreign policy, Greek political and military absence from the region and Cyprus' partition," he said, add ing that it would be "unforgivable national naivety to let a third power, with interests in the region, to mediate for a solution to the Greek-Turkish problem".

Simitis to attend Socialist International meeting

He will be accompanied by PASOK`s foreign policy secretary and recently namede foreign undersecretary, Yiannos Kranidiotis, central committee Secretary Costas Skandalidis and executive bureau member and Eurodeputy Paraskevas Avgerinos.

The council's agenda will focus on the Middle East and support for the peace process, the Dayton agreement, Zaire, Rwanda and Burundi and the reform and renewal of the Socialist International.

The agenda does not include Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue. However, according to press reports, Mr. Simitis will refer in his address to the two issues.

Reference will also be made, according to reports, to the installation of Russian-made S-300 anti-aircraft missiles in Cyprus by Erdal Inonu who, together with Deniz Baykal, will represent the Turkish Republican People`s Party.

Cypriot socialist EDEK party leader Vassos Lyssarides will outline the situation created in Cyprus. The council will be attended by 350 representatives of 139 socialist parties from 120 countries.

New entity to promote culture

The meeting was organised by the culture ministry and the Local Union of Municipalities and Communities of the Thessaloniki prefecture ,within the framework of events marking Thessaloniki as Cultural Capital of Europe. Mayors from around Greece, local s elf-administration representatives, directors and representatives of cultural agencies and culture ministry cadres were invited to attend.

The meeting was aimed at coordinating all regional cultural institutions and efforts supported and financed by the culture ministry and local administration.

"The 'cultural territory' is the convergence of all individual existing cultural networks and operating in our country in a single national culture network. All the networks are placed in motion, are extended to other sectors and converge on a single cu ltural path, which will help our self- consciousness and the promotion of Greek culture abroad over the years," Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos said.

The official inauguration of events, within the framework of the cultural capital, will take place in the presence of the president of the republic on Jan. 30-31 and Feb. 1. Culture ministers from about 50 countries have been invited.

Contract for new Patras port signed

The contract concerns the first phase of building the new port of Patras and anticipates works amounting to 13 billion drachmas.

In a statement, Port Fund President Yiannis Dimaras stressed the great significance of the contract for the construction of the new port, which will enable the Port Fund to continue competition with the other two ports in the region (Igoumenitsa, Astako s) with much better means.

Greek-Italian trade symposium in Athens

"1997 is a crucial year for all European economies. However, it is particularly crucial for the Greek economy, since it is called on to accelerate its step more than all, both on the course of development and the course of the adjustment of fiscal imbal ances," she said.

Finance Undersecretary George Drys said "attainment of high targets, such as coverage of health and social insurance needs, support for employment and equal opportunities, care for the environment and the avoidance of phenomena of social marginalisation requires a strong economy with high development rates.

"However, development means planning and controlling the contribution of each project in a chain aimed at increasing the total product. Development means choices and classifications," he said.

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