NEWS IN DETAIL

Kranidiotis, Vranitzky attempt Albanian mission; clashes in Tirana

Mr. Kranidiotis will fly to Italy first, where he will meet with Mr. Vranitzky before the two travel by helicopter to an Italian vessel anchored just outside the central Albanian port of Durres.

It was still uncertain late last night whether they would be able to visit Tirana for talks with Albanian President Sali Berisha and political opposition members, due to transportation problems. If the two envoys are unable to visit the capital, talks m ay be held somewhere in southern Albania or on board the Italian ship.

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos postponed his trip to Tirana due to difficulties in securing transportation, since the Albanian capital's airport was closed until yesterday evening.

Earlier, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the possibility was being discussed of Mr. Kranidiotis returning to Greece by road via southern Albania after the talks in Tirana in order to meet with the insurgents' leaders.

Evacuation of Greek citizens discussed

According to reports following the meetings, measures have been taken to deal with any situation which may arise. The Hellenic Navy frigate "Aigaio" is sailing to Corfu, while a C-130 transport plane is on stand-by. In addition, the armed forces on the Greek-Albanian border remain on alert in order to deal with a possible wave of illegal immigrants.

Meanwhile, an ANA dispatch from Tirana said clashes continued unabated in the Albanian capital yesterday, with gunfire being heard throughout the city.

Government sources in Tirana have confirmed reports that the jailed leader of the Socialist Party, Fatos Nano, has escaped from the Krugia Prison, where he was being held and is now safe.

The same sources confirmed reports that former Albanian president Ramiz Alia is also free.

There have been conflicting reports regarding President Berisha, with some diplomats from western countries saying he has requested political asylum from the US embassy, others claiming he has fled to Italy and others stating that he has remained in Tir ana but has sent his family to Italy. Mr. Berisha chaired a meeting with political parties until 5 p.m. yesterday. During the meeting it was decided to call on the WEU to impose constitutional order in the country.

WEU would consider intervention if civil war breaks

"When security in the Balkans is at stake, it is inevitable that the European defence organisation will be activated," WEU Parliamentary Assembly President Luis Maria de Puig and head of the Greek representation to the organisation, Constantinos Vrettos told a press conference yesterday.

They said the WEU had decided for the timely consideration of the issue of taking appropriate measures in the possibility of civil war breaking out in Albania, "especially following strong criticism regarding lack of similar preparations in the case of Bosnia."

Vranitzky statement

Speaking prior to his departure for Tirana, Mr. Vranitzky told ANA that he was in constant telephone contact with Mr. Simitis.

Business community optimistic

Speaking in a press conference on the occasion of the forthcoming fourth conference on business cooperation in southeastern Europe to be held on March 17-18, Nikos Efthymiadis, the president of the Federation of Northern Greece Industries (SETE) elaborated on the issue of doing business in the Balkans.

Prime Minister Simitis is due to address the conference, which will be held with the participation of hundreds of businessmen and politicians. Mr. Pangalos will also address the same subject.

Referring to Greek business interests in Albania, Mr. Efthymiadis called for cool-headedness, adding that Greek investors in Albania have not stated intentions to leave the country.

Appeal for humanitarian aid to Albania

In a press conference yesterday, organisation president Theofilos Rosenberg and his Cypriot counterpart Eleni Theoharous urged all Greeks to respond to the appeal.

"Hunger is the worst counsel to someone with a gun in his hand," said Ms Theoharous.

Doctors of the World have already sent 1.5 tons of medical aid to hospitals in Gjirokaster and Sarande, while in the middle of next week another shipment, this time of 20 tons, is to be sent accompanied by two doctors.

Austria's Fasslabend foresees Albanian crisis to continue in future

Speaking to reporters after his visit to the Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum, Mr. Fasslabend stressed the need for the crisis to be contained within Albania's borders.

Questioned on whether there is a danger of the crisis spreading to the former Yugoslavia, the Austrian minister said there is some danger in the proximity of the two and in that many residents in the former Yugoslavia are of Albanian descent.

During his stay in Thessaloniki, Mr. Fasslabend met with his Greek counterpart, Akis Tsohatzopoulos, and visited facilities of the Greek Vehicle Industry (ELVO).

Mr. Fasslabend returned to Vienna yesterday afternoon.

EU, NATO expansion dominate Greek-Polish talks

Commenting on the European security system, Mr. Papandreou said Greece did not want to create new dividing lines on the continent of Europe, saying Athens' goal was to find a way to ensure the security of Poland and other central European states as well as "good cooperation with Russia". Asked whether Poland's accession to the EU would mean an economic sacrifice for Greece, the Greek minister replied that the economic repercussions of an expanded EU affected all 15 member-states, while the question of resources was a major issue in negotiations.

Athens wants close contacts with Warsaw on the main issues related to EU accession, such as agricultural and transport policy, he added.

Minister threatens striking OA pilots with dismissal

Since the strike began four days ago, two to three flights per day have had to be cancelled for lack of crews.

Greece is currently awaiting the outcome of a European Commission report on reforms for the state-run air carrier.

Mr. Kastanidis said that pilots who caused problems for the airline would be suspended immmediately and called before the dismiss al council. Pilots are refusing to sign the new collective labour agreement, saying they want a salary increase of 12 per cent.

Greek Eurodeputy's report on maritime shipping ratified

The resolution accompanying the report stresses that the maritime shipping industry in Europe and the European-flagged fleet have decreased in size over the past 20 years in relation to other regions in the world. The decrease in the shipbuilding and sh ip repairs activities and the production of equipment amounted to 82.5 per cent between 1985 and 1994. Economic and strategic reasons necessitate a reversal of this decrease.

The resolution further stresses that strengthening the competitiveness of maritime shipping industries does not conflict with the interests of other sectors but, on the contrary, promotes them.

New bond issues

Index-linked bonds of a long duration (five or seven years) will be circulated in April. Their value will be adjusted in accordance with the course of inflation. Lastly, the third case concerns bonds with a foreign exchange clause which will be floated in US dollars or yen.

Tourism SMEs eligible for public funding programme

The purpose of the programme is to improve the quality of tourist services, decrease the seasonal nature of Greek tourism and strengthen the competitiveness of local tourist enterprises.

Proposals to be submitted for funding must not exceed 25 million drachmas for individual enterprises and 50 million drachmas for companies. The subsidisation percentage is 50 per cent and the duration of the project must not exceed one year.

Multinational postal meeting in Thessaloniki tomorrow

A one-day conference on the postal services (ELTA) and their modernisation programme is also scheduled tomorrow, to be attended by the general director of the World Postal Union, Thomas Livi, and the representative of the European Commission's Third Directorate Johann Ritbroek.

Simitis to address major business conference next week

Addresses are expected with considerable interest, given the current climate of political upheaval in Greece's northern neighbours.

The conference, which opens on Monday, is organised by the Federation of Northern Greek Industries, Macedonia-Thrace Bank, and the Greek-American Chamber.

Subjects to be discussed include promotion of a new business environment in the region, creation of mechanisms for support of foreign investment in the Balkan countries, their integration in the European Union.

In addition, businessmen from Turkey and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) are to attend the conference for the first time.

Monument to Greek Jewish victims of WWII to be unveiled

At a press conference attended by Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou and SAE President Andrew Athens in Thessaloniki yesterday, it was stressed that "our society must remember where the extrematies of Nazism led us, and our youth must know the history of their country".

Events will include the unveiling of a monument for the wartime Jewish victims and a concert by composer Mikis Theodorakis. Delegations of Jewish communities worldwide are expected to attend.

An event entitled "Jewish life in Greece" will be held on the same day.

Daylight saving time

WEATHER

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

(C.E.)

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article