Athens News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-06-07
NEWS IN ENGLISH
Athens, Greece, 07/06/1997 (ANA)
MAIN HEADLINES
- Simitis stresses need to consolidate peace in Europe
- Meeting with Blair, Jospin
- Russian delegation to arrive for CFE inspections
- Dutch PM, FM in Athens on Monday
- Air force exercise
- Athens guarantees return to Greece of Albanians leaving to vote
- Meeting of regional FMs to focus on political, economic cooperation
- Proposal for Constitutional revision to be discussed next week
- Gorbachev arrives in Greece
- Four IOC members in Athens, Coe supports Athens' bid
- Balkan businesses to discuss privatisation
- Helexpo to build Athens trade fair centre
- Four bids for Bank of Crete
- Conscientious objectors unhappy with bill on alternative service
- Weather
- Foreign Exchange
NEWS IN DETAIL
Simitis stresses need to consolidate peace in Europe
Consolidation of peace in Europe requires long-term and viable solutions,
and Greece's policy in the Balkans heads in this direction, Prime Minister
Costas Simitis emphasised in his speech in MALMO, Sweden, yesterday at the
European Socialist leaders' summit.
"International mobilisation for peace must not be limited, as hitherto, to
the cure of symptoms and problems when they arise, or to short-term
solutions which only result in a temporary suspension of conflicts, or the
threat of conflict," he said.
"Greeks have a full knowledge of this problem, given that we are in the
centre of a region where such situations arise with particular intensity...Greece
is among the countries which have felt the consequences of a fragile peace
on our northern and easter n borders, but even to the south, where we only
border on the sea," he stressed.
"We participate in peace missions in Albania and Bosnia, offer economic aid,
and ascribe particular significance to the strengthening of infrastructure
and institutions in the Balkans," he said, calling for the formulation of
policies which will enable peace to acquire roots.
In an indirect reference to Greek-Turkish disputes, the prime minister said
that "in certain cases, the seriousness of these localised problems leads
to aggressiveness on the part of official state authorities against
neighbours, and to the overthrow of the international status quo. Also
indirectly referring to the Albanian problem, he said "in other cases, it
leads to extensive immigration, of the type affecting our country at
present".
He warned that the collapse of the socialist regimes of eastern Europe has
brought about a situation where "behind an excessive nationalist rhetoric,
amounting only to an ideological pretext, they hide many real political,
social and economic problems, which some hope will find their solution
through a desparate operation of national isolation".
Meeting with Blair, Jospin
Speaking to reporters after yesterday's session, Mr. Simitis said one can
infer from the discussions held that "Socialist parties are in a position
to meet the challenges of the new era for the creation of a more modern and
efficient Europe".
On the sidelines of the summit, the Greek premier discussed with his
British counterpart, Tony Blair, and newly elected French counterpart
Lionel Jospin issues concerning the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) and
Europe's social dimension, particularly employment.
Mr. Simitis said a broad convergence of views was established with both
leaders, adding that he was in agreement with the new French government's
positions on European unification, the IGC, EMU as well as EU and NATO
enlargement. He also had a lengthy m eeting with former EU Commission
president Jacques Delors.
In statements to ANA later, a high-ranking Greek official cautioned that
"if there are going to be changes expressing the new centre-left coalition
in Europe, preparation time is needed".
"What is of priority is the stabilisation and competitiveness of the Greek
economy. Greek citizens must see what is to the interest of our country.
When the Greek economy acquires the characteristics of steady prosperity,
then 'the fan will open'," he s aid.
Summing up the results of the summit, National Defence Minister and vice-
president of the ESP, Akis Tsohatzopoulos, stressed the need for socialist
parties to formulate a new economic policy on the basis of "a different
development logic", compatible wi th the terms of the treaty of Maastricht,
but taking into account the peculiarities of each country.
"Beyond the need for reaffirmation of security and stability, it is
necessary to find answers for a different economic policy, which will
expand GDP, fight unemployment, and consolidate the credibility of the EU,"
he said.
At a special meeting parallel to the summit, Socialist EU finance and
economy ministers discussed details of the ECOFIN meeeting on Monday.
Russian delegation to arrive for CFE inspections
A nine-member group of Russian inspectors will visit Greece between June 9-
13 to inspect military units within the framework of the treaty of
Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE).
According to reports, a Bulgarian delegation will pay a similar visit.
Dutch PM, FM in Athens on Monday
Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok and Foreign Minister Hans van Mierlo will
visit Paris and Athens next week as part of a tour of European capitals
before a European Union summit in Amsterdam on June 16-17.
The Dutch government said yesterday that the Dutch officials will travel to
Athens on Monday for talks with Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Foreign
Minister Theodoros Pangalos.
They will travel to Paris on Tuesday to meet French President Jacques
Chirac and new Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine, before holding separate
talks with new Prime Minister Lionel Jospin.
Air force exercise
The Hellenic Air Force exercise "Olympia 97" will be held at the 117th
Fighter Squadron in Andravida Airbase next week within the framework of
military exercises with the framework of NATO's Partnership for Peace
programme.
The exercise anticipates operations with transport aircraft and helicopters,
the dropping of paratroopers as well as search and rescue on land and
sea.
The exercise will include the participation of forces from the Netherlands,
Italy and Bulgaria, while Romania and Georgia, which belong to the PfP
programme, will only participate with staff.
Athens guarantees return to Greece of Albanians leaving to vote
Athens has pledged to allow the safe return to Greece of Albanian nationals
temporarily returning to Albania for the upcoming elections.
Greece's permanent representative to the Council of Europe, Dimitris
Konstas, conveyed Athens' official assurances to the Council of Europe's
permanent representatives committee. Mr. Konstas, who told the committee he
was conveying the assurances of For eign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, said
that Athens quaranteed the safe return to Greece of both legal and illegal
Albanian immigrants.
The statement was received in positive light by many Committee members,
including Albania's permanent representative, who expressed his country's
satisfaction.
Meeting of regional FMs to focus on political, economic cooperation
Promoting cooperation at the political, economic and social levels between
Balkan and southeastern European countries in order to consolidate
stability and peace is the focal point of a foreign ministers' conference
due to be held in Thessaloniki next week.
According to the foreign ministry, issues to be examined during the
conference include encouraging political cooperation, building security and
confidence-building measures in the region, developing economic cooperation
and coordinated action for enviro nmental protection, as well as promoting
humanitarian, social and cultural cooperation.
Moreover, development of cooperation will be sought in the judicial sector
to combat organised crime, terrorism and the trafficking of weapons and
drugs. Countries participating in the conference are expected to discuss
specific action in implementing goals.
Proposal for Constitutional revision to be discussed next week
Parliament next Wednesday will debate a proposal on the revision of the
Constitution, after the motion was tabled by 96 ruling PASOK deputies,
government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday. The 300-member
legislature will decide which articles of the Constitution will be amended
by the next Parliament, Mr. Reppas said, adding that the government
considered i t unacceptable for Parliament to be dissolved as a result of
its inability to elect a president of the republic, something that is
mandatory with the present Constitution. The election of the president of
the republic by Parliament is considered t o be the most important of the
issues pertaining to the revision of the Constitution.
The issue centres on the number of deputies required for election.
Mr. Reppas said PASOK's proposal, tabled on Thursday night, took into
consideration "the experience of history" and was aimed at ensuring
political stability and normality.
He stressed, however, that the government would seek the consent of all
political parties in the proposed revision, noting a "coincidence of views"
on a number of issues.
PASOK's proposal seeks the revision of articles on the appointment of top
judges and proposes the establishment of a National Council for Foreign
Policy with an all-party composition and the participation of experts.
It also provides for the consolidation of constitutional rights, such as
the abolition of the death penalty and protection of citizens from the
recording of information on computers.
Meanwhile, the main opposition New Democracy party yesterday tabled its own
proposal on the revision of the Constitution.
The proposal, along with the one tabled by the PASOK deputies, will be
debated in Parliament on Wednesday.
Gorbachev arrives in Greece
The last general secretary of the former Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev,
arrived in Athens today on a private visit.
Mr. Gorbachev will remain in Greece for 10 days at the invitation of the
Apostolopoulos group of companies.
The former Soviet leader and George Apostolopoulos have been friends for
several years, according to reports. The Apostolopoulos group owns and
operates the Athens Medical Centre, while a Thessaloniki medical centre is
under construction. The group is a lso active in the Balkans and Russia. It
has yet to be clarified if Mr. Gorbachev will have any official contacts.
Four IOC members in Athens, Coe supports Athens' bid
Another four permanent members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
are due to arrive in Greece today to be briefed on the matters relating to
Athens' bid to host the 2004 Olympic Games.
The Danish, Mongolian, Mauritius, and Slovakian IOC representatives will be
briefed by members of the "Athens 2004" bid committee.
The IOC officials will also visit sports facilities in Athens and each will
plant an olive-tree bearing their name at the "IOC Members' Park."
During their five-day stay, the officials will also be taken on a tour of
archaeological sites and watch the end of the Acropolis Rally '97 on
Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Olympic middle-distance gold medallist Sebastian Coe, who held
the post of junior environment minister in the Tory government of John
Major, expressed his full support for Athens' bid to host the 2004
Games.
"The Greeks always had strong arguments for holding the Olympic Games.
Particularly in the case of the 1996 Games, when the historical and
cultural arguments were on their side. I am among those who believe in
tradition, which is why I don't want to see the Olympic Games become just
another commercial world champhionship," Mr. Coe said in statements to the
state-run television channel ET-1.
He also referred to a second resolution by British MPs calling on the new
British parliament to openly support Athens' bid to host the 2004
Games.
Balkan businesses to discuss privatisation
The privatisation of state assets in the Balkans will be the main topic of
discussion among businessmen to meet on the sidelines of a Balkan foreign
ministers' meeting in Thessaloniki on Monday and Tuesday.
The business meeting, to be held on the initiative of the Greek foreign
ministry and supported by the Northern Greek Exporters' Association, will
be attended by privatisation ministers and officials from Balkan states.
They are expected to refer to specific companies, by sector, being offered
for privatisation and to the legal framework of each country and prospects
for their markets' growth.
Representatives of the fifteen largest companies in energy, transportation,
telecommunications, industry, construction and banking from each country
are also expected to attend the meeting, among them more than 50 Greek
businessmen, bank governors and u tility chairmen.
Helexpo to build Athens trade fair centre
Greece's Thessaloniki-based Helexpo signed a contract with Vioter SA for
construction of a 4.5 billion drachma trade fair centre in Athens, due for
completion in May 1999.
The European Union will fund 50 percent of the project through an industry
programme with state-run Helexpo, which holds trade fairs on its Thessaloniki
premises throughout the year, providing 25 percent, and the government the
remaining 25 percent from the public investments programme.
"This (project) is very important for the national economy as there is no
trade fair centre of such a scale in (the prefecture) of Attica," Helexpo's
managing director Andonis Kourtis told the signing ceremony.
The two-storey Athens centre will be housed on 11,250 square metres of land
offered by the state in the northern suburb of Maroussi.
Four bids for Bank of Crete
A total of four tenders have been submitted for the purchase of the Bank of
Crete, according to an announcement issued by the bank yesterday.
The tenders were tabled by the Nanjing Star Co. Ltd and the An Ran
Industrial Group Ltd, which are headquartered in the People's Republic of
China, the Consolidated Eurofinance Holfing S.A. and the Bank of Piraeus.
An evaluation committee for the purchase of the Bank of Crete will convene
on Tuesday to examine tenders.
Conscientious objectors unhappy with bill on alternative service
An association of conscientious objectors yesterday expressed opposition to
what they called the philosophy underlying a new law passed by Parliament
which for the first time provides for an alternative form of mandatory
military service.
Parliament on Thursday night passed the law by a majority vote, enabling
conscientious objectors to work in state hospitals or municipal services
for 36 months, double the normal 18 months of military service.
Representatives of the Association of Conscientious Objectors told a press
conference yesterday that although the introduction of an alternative to
military service was a positive step, "albeit with a delay of 11 years
compared to other European countri es," the new law contained a number of
serious weaknesses.
Association spokesmen Yiannis Chrysovergis and Dimitris Sotiropoulos said
the law's weaknesses constituted violations of "respect for free conscience
and the equality of citizens before the law."
Weather
Unstable weather in most parts of Greece today with rain and scattered
thunderstorms. Winds north-northwesterly, light to moderate. Temperatures
13-26C in the north, 15-28C in the rest of mainland Greece and 17-27C on
the islands.
Foreign Exchange
Friday's closing rates - buying US dlr. 273.356
Pound sterling 444.694 Cyprus pd 530.522
French franc 46.695 Swiss franc 187.647
German mark 157.515 Italian lira (100) 16.037
Yen (100) 236.215 Canadian dlr. 198.102
Australian dlr. 208.072 Irish Punt 404.934
Belgian franc 7.634 Finnish mark 52.461
Dutch guilder 140.021 Danish kr. 41.374
Swedish kr. 35.154 Norwegian kr. 38.049
Austrian sch. 22.381 Spanish peseta 1.866
Port. Escudo 1.562
(M.S.)
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