World Anti-Rcism Day statements
NEWS IN DETAIL
Greece continues Balkan initiative with Premier's visit to Romania
Greece yesterday continued its recent diplomatic initiative in the Balkans
by embarking on an official visit to Romania.
Speaking on his arrival at Bucharest airport, Mr. Simitis said he was happy
to visit Romania as "in the fragmented Balkans, we must find a common
course."
After noting that Greek-Romanian relations are at an excellent level, the
prime minister said his visit aims to aid this common course and contribute
to the broadening of relations between the two countries, which is "the
only manner in which to ensure stability and peace in the region."
The Greek premier is accompanied by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and
government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.
Mr. Simitis was met by his Romanian counterpart, Viktor Corbea, who held an
official dinner in the Greek prime minister's honour last night.
During his speech, Mr. Simitis underlined Greece's full support for
Romania's efforts to become a full member of the European Union, saying
Athens will provide all possible help for Romania to also enter NATO.
The prime minister also spoke of the "exceptional prospects" available for
the expansion of bilateral economic and commercial relations, stressing
that the aim for commercial transactions is to reach at least US$500
million.
Mr. Corbea expressed his country's gratitude for Greece's support of
Romania's efforts to enter the EU and NATO and said bilateral cooperation
in regional organisations is a start which could lead to the founding of a
stable partnership between the two countries based on a joint strategy of
cooperation and information, as well as on regular discussions on all
levels.
The Romanian prime minister stressed the need for both countries to
contribute to the creation of an area of stability and cooperation in
southeastern Europe, which, he said, has been "a true powder keg" many
times in history.
Delegations from the two countries, headed by their prime ministers, are
due to meet this morning in order to discuss issues including the
construction of a highway connecting St. Petersburg with Alexandroupolis
through Bucharest and Balkan cooperation in view of the meeting of
southeastern European countries' foreign ministers, due to be held in
Thessaloniki in June.
After discusssions today, Mr. Simitis and Mr. Corbea will hold a
Prof. Konstas named Greek ambassador to Council of Europe
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou attended a special ceremony at
the foreign ministry yesterday on the occasion of professor Dimitris
Konstas' appointment as Greek ambassador to the Council of Europe.
Mr. Papandreou referred to the upgrading of Greece's role in the Council of
Europe and the promotion of its national issues in Europe through the
council.
He also said the appointment of Mr. Konstas at this EU body will contribute
towards further strengthening Athens' participation in issues concerning
European developments in general.
Mr. Konstas said Greece had an important role to play in shaping the
European identity, in addition to promoting its national issues. He further
said he will maintain permanent cooperation with Greek Eurodeputies to
achieve the best possible results.
FYROM name issue not discussed between Gligorov, Pangalos
Greece said yesterday that the issue of Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia's (FYROM) name was not discussed during Wednesday's lightning
meeting in Skopje between Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and FYROM
President Kiro Gligorov.
Replying to reporters' questions on the issue, government spokesman
Dimitris Reppas underlined that during Wednesday's talks, FYROM officials
never used the term "Macedonia" in reference to their country.
In addition, the spokesman did not share the view that the two countries
were on the verge of resolving the FYROM name issue.
Meanwhile, no "radical developments" are expected from new direct
negotiations between Greece and FYROM, to be begin on April 2 under the
auspices of UN mediator Cyrus Vance, diplomatic sources said here
yesterday.
Greek objections to increased Turkish WEU participation reported
Cooperation between NATO and the West European Union (WEU) is being
obstructed due to Greece's opposition to Turkey's participation in
preparation of WEU operations using NATO means, diplomats said yesterday.
No agreement was arrived at yesterday morning during the WEU council
meeting at an ambassadors' level, a diplomat said.
Within the framework of better cooperation between the two organisations,
NATO and WEU have been discussing the possibility of the former lending
some of its personnel and material, such as communication and advisors, to
the WEU for specific operations.
Before such an agreement is reached, Turkey, which is only a WEU associate
member but a full member of NATO, asked for "a guarantee" that it will
regularly participate in the preparation of WEU operations using NATO means,
a diplomat said.
Greece, which is a full member of both organisations, has objected, despite
increasing pressure from its European counterparts.
During the past few months, Turkey has also asked to become a full member
of the EU, even threatening to oppose NATO's expansion eastwards if it is
not included in any new EU expansion.
Pangalos remarks on Turkey`s Euro-orientation welcomed
Remarks by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos concerning Turkey's European
cultural characteristics, disputed at a meeting earlier this month of
Europe's Christian Democrat parties, have created a deep impression in
Turkey.
A front-page story in the newspaper "Yeni Yuzgil" was entitled "Greece has
opened its arms", terming Mr. Pangalos' comments as "an olive branch" to
Ankara.
The positive response Mr. Pangalos' remarks garnered exceeds by far the
impressions created by his insistence on blocking financial protocols for
Turkey until political issues raised in past decisions taken by the EU
Council of Ministers are met.
This turn in Turkish public opinion apparently leaves German Foreign
Minister Klaus Kinkel somewhat exposed, after the German official lashed
out at his Greek counterpart earlier in the week for insisting on blocking
the financial protocols.
A bold title in the newspaper "Milliyet" read: "A lesson from Pangalos for
Kohl", while Mr. Kinkel, who is expected to arrive in Turkey next week,
does not appear to be enjoying the same sympathy, despite the fact that he
appeared to defend Ankara's interests.
Mr. Pangalos' statement, coming at a crucial time for Turkey, helped in
focusing attention of all on the major strategic issues where the interests
of the two countries are identical and distanced it from short-term
conflicts, which are continuing to cr eate tension.
Some analysts are tempted to explain Mr. Pangalos' statement as "reciprocation"
for secret concessions reportedly made by Turkey, accepting to have the
issue of the Imia islets referred to the International Court of Justice at
The Hague.
This version, however, has already been denied by the Turkish foreign
ministry.
In a related development, Turkey reacted positively to a proposal by Athens
for the holding of a meeting of foreign ministers from Balkan states.
Turkish foreign ministry sources said the proposal, made in Thessaloniki by
Prime Minister Costas Simitis, is welcomed.
Crucial New Democracy congress begins today
The main opposition New Democracy party's fourth congress will open at the
Peace and Friendship Stadium in Faliron at 8:30 this morning in order to
elect a party leader from among four candidates.
According to the programme announced by the organising committee, party
leader Miltiades Evert will announce his resignation to the congress at
9:45 a.m.
The four candidates will address the congress in alphabetical order and
voting for the election of party leader is expected to start at 1
p.m.
The results of the first round of voting are expected to be announced at 8
p.m. and the final results, after a run-off election is held, are expected
in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The four candidates, incumbent leader Miltiades Evert, as well as deputies
Costas Karamanlis, George Souflias and Vyron Polydoras, are confident of
qualifying for the second round of voting and of winning the party's
leadership.
A total of 3,607 delegates are expected to vote at the congress.
Greek-Australian MP to help Blair's campaign
Britain's Labour Party leader Tony Blair has asked Victorian Labor Party MP
Yiannis Pantazopoulos to fly to London to assist on his election campaign.
Mr. Pantazopoulos, who is of Greek descent, said he was "particularly
honoured" by the invitation and would take up Mr. Blair's invitation if his
commitments permit.
Journalists Union opposes court action against two reporters
The Athens Journalists Union (ESHEA) yesterday expressed opposition to two
recent cases of prosecution against reporters on charges of espionage
(publishing a classified state document) and harbouring a criminal.
ESHEA said that the task of authorities is to safeguard documents which
they consider classified, while it is the reporter's task to reveal
information concerning serious issues to have public opinion informed. In
this context, criminalisation of journa listic duty is inconceivable, it
added.
The second case of prosecution for harbouring a criminal concerns a
reporter who published an interview with a wanted man. ESHEA stressed that
taking interviews from wanted individuals is a practice known all over the
world and in this case prosecution constitutes overzealousness.
Baltas heads trade delegation to Australia
A business delegation headed by National Economy Undersecretary Alexandros
Baltas is currently in Australia to promote bilateral economic and trade
relations in a bid to attract the interest of Australian business circles
in joint ventures with firms in Greece, offering opportunities to branch
out over the Balkans and the Mediterranean region.
Mr. Baltas said prospects were "very good", noting that Greek exports to
Australia were on the rise.
First stop is Adelaide, to be followed by Melbourne, where the delegation
will also attend the local Greek community's celebration of Greek
Independence Day on March 25.
World Anti-Racism Day statements
On the occasion of World Anti-Racism Day today, Labour and Social Security
Minsiter Miltiades Papaioannou said yesterday that the day "is not an
excuse to recognise the equal opportunities of all people or to condemn
discrimination against certain groups or nationalities."
"It is the corroboration of all we advocate as concious members of a
democratic society for the respect of the freedom, labour, life and dignity
of all people who have a place on planet earth.
"The recognition of fundemental rights and the respect of the difference in
colour, language or culture of our fellow people is the only prerequisite
for the peaceful cohabitation of peoples."
Public Order Minister George Romeos attributed during an interview with the
Athens News Agency an increase in racism to the presence of a large number
of foreigners in the country and the contribution of some of them to higher
crime rates.
WEATHER
Rainstorms, strong southerly winds, local cloudiness and a further drop in
temperatures is forecast in most parts of Greece, mainly in Thrace, eastern
Macedonia, the Aegean Sea, the Dodecanese islands and Crete. A slight
weather improvement is forecast for later tonight. Athens will be cloudy
and windy with temperatures between 7-12C. Same for Thessaloniki with
temperatures between 4-10C.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
Thursday's closing rates - buying US dlr. 262.741
Pound sterling 418.505 Cyprus pd 521.435
French franc 46.416 Swiss franc 183.074
German mark 156.622 Italian lira (100) 15.592
Yen (100) 213.826 Canadian dlr. 190.623
Australian dlr. 206.713 Irish Punt 411.482
Belgian franc 7.591 Finnish mark 52.110
Dutch guilder 139.093 Danish kr. 41.041
Swedish kr. 34.444 Norwegian kr. 38.932
Austrian sch. 22.259 Spanish peseta 1.844
Portuguese escudo 1.556
(C.E.)
