Athens News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-03-23

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr>

NEWS IN ENGLISH

Athens, Greece, 23/03/1998 (ANA)

MAIN HEADLINES

• Pangalos, Albright discuss Cyprus problem, Kosovo situation
• Measures to upgrade Greek-language education abroad
• UN special envoy for Cyprus in Athens for talks
• Papantoniou says drachma well-received into ERM
• Olympic work stoppage on Tuesday in light of gov't measures
• One-day conference on 'Agenda 2000'
• Tsovolas says new tax raids planned by gov't
• Cocaine traffickers arrested in Kolonaki
• Verdict in songwriter's murder trial expected today
• Greek First Division soccer results
• Weather
• Foreign exchange

NEWS IN DETAIL

Greek-Turkish relations and efforts to settle the Cyprus problem were among issues discussed here late Friday by US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.

Afterwards,Mr.Pangalos told reporters they discussed the situation in Kosovo and developments in the former Yugoslavia, as well as initiatives to solve the Cyprus problem and Greek-Turkish relations. The meeting kicked off Mr. Pangalos' official visit to the US, schedul ed to last several days.

"We discussed the Cyprus issue and we analysed our view that steps should be taken to decrease, stop or rather reverse the military build-up (on the island republic)," he said.

However, the Greek minister pointed out that this should begin "with aircraft, which are the most advanced weapons."

"If there are no aircraft, there would be no anti-aircraft systems and then there could be a reduction in tanks which could slowly lead to a better climate," he said.

Mr. Pangalos said that matters relating to the island republic's defence were the Cypriots' responsibility.

"I do not want to go into technical terms. I am not a specialist nor a Cypriot. These issues will be discussed by the Cypriots," he said.

Referring to Greek-Turkish relations, Mr. Pangalos said he reiterated Athens' views that they cannot be improved while Turkey insists on its intransigent positions on the Aegean and the Cyprus question.

"We agreed to stay in touch and try to find a solution to the problem through our close cooperation," he added.

Discussion also included Greek-Turkish relations and the current crisis in Kosovo, on which the two countries agreed to maintain coordination of moves in the framework of international initiatives.

"Regarding Kosovo, I think there is a coincidence of views between the EU and the United States on the need to maintain Yugoslavia's territorial integrity, but also to reach a political solution safeguarding the freedoms and the human rights of Kosovans ," he said. "Due to the mistrust that has been created, there is also a need for an intenational presence in the negotiations. Mr. (Felipe) Gonzales (the former Spanish premier), who is a representative of both the OSCE and the EU, could, in eithe r of his capacities, meet this need," Mr. Pangalos added.

Asked if there had been any developments regarding US-sponsored sanctions against Yugoslavia, he said these were endorsed by the EU, including Greece, a week ago.

Mr. Pangalos said US Defense Secretary William Cohen would visit Greece in April, while Ms Albright may visit in the summer.

The Greek foreign minister later met with US President Bill Clinton's national security advisor, Samuel Berger, at the White House.

Measures to upgrade Greek-language education abroad

Education Undersecretary Ioannis Anthopoulos visiting Canada, on Saturday presented several new measures to improve Greek language education overseas.

The undersecretary announced the measures during an official dinner at Montreal's Greek Community Centre, on the occasion of celebrations marking Greek Independence Day on March 25.

The event was attended by a number of local officials, deputies and representatives of Greek-Canadian organisations.

According to Mr. Anthopoulos, measures include new courses, text books and seminars for Greek-language teachers.

During the same event, Greece's consul general announced that the General Secretariat for Hellenes Abroad offered $40,000 to Montreal's Greek- language day schools.

Events marking Greek Independence Day were also attended by a three-member delegation from the Greek Parliament, headed by deputy Grigoris Niotis.

UN special envoy for Cyprus in Athens for talks

The UN's special envoy for Cyprus, Diego Cordovez, arrives in Athens later today for contacts, after failing to revive talks between the Cyprus government and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

The UN Secretary General's envoy told reporters in Nicosia yesterday that Mr. Denktash insisted on equal status of the two in talks.

Only Ankara, which Mr. Cordovez will visit after Athens, recognises the Denktash regime.

Papantoniou says drachma well-received into ERM

National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said on Saturday that he was satisfied with the reception the drachma had received since being incorporated into the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) a week ago.

Mr. Papantoniou was speaking to his European Union counterparts during their ECOFIN meeting in York, England on Saturday.

In comments to the press, both Mr. Papantoniou and Bank of Greece Governor Lucas Papademos said that their European Union counterparts had congratulated Greece not only for its decision to forge ahead towards the final phase of Economic and Monetary Un ion (EMU) but also for the "exceptional" handling of incorporating the drachma in ERM.

He told reporters that Greece planned to reveal plans on the convergence programme for the Greek economy within the next month. Athens' goal, he said, remained adoption of the euro on Jan. 1, 2001. The eastern orientation of the EU's expansion and t he introduction of the euro were two important decisions which would result in the need for new financing, to enable the achievement of economic and social cohesion in the European Union, Mr. Papantoniou said.

Financing of less-developed regions had to increase, in order to allow these regions to achieve high growth rates, he added.

Olympic work stoppage on Tuesday in light of gov't measures

Employees at state-owned Olympic Airways (OA) will hold a three-hour work stoppage on Tuesday to protest several recently announc ed government measures to revitalise the loss-making national carrier.

The decision was taken at yesterday's general assembly of representatives of several OA employee unions, which examined the proposals handed to them by Olympic's management. Proposals include a freeze on wages, a 45-hour work week, abolition of various bonuses, cutbacks in the number of cabin crew and a reduction of routes.

Employees' representatives and OA's management will meet on Tuesday to examine the alternate pr oposals put forth by the employees.

On Saturday, OA's management unveiled a new five-year operational plan to the unions. The plan, which aims to save the national carrier from outright closure, envisages improved competitiveness, financial performance and productivity through a tightenin g of labour regulations, abolition of unprofitable routes, fleet renewal, strategic cooperation agreements with other airlines and development of non-core activities in ground handling and catering, as well as upgraded charter operations.

One-day conference on 'Agenda 2000'

"The European Union Ahead of New Challenges - Agenda 2000" was the title of a one-day seminar in Irakleio, Crete yesterday, attended by several PASOK Eurodeputies and Foreign Undersecretary Yiannos Kranidiotis.

In his address to participants, Mr. Kranidiotis referred to what he called the EU's "political and democratic deficit", which he said existed in spite of significant steps over the recent period.

He further underlined that Greece could not afford to remain outside the Union's core, namely, Economic and Monetary Union (EMU).

Paraskevas Avgerinos, the head of PASOK's Europarliament group, said the current period was very decisive as far as the Union's course was concerned, and very crucial for Greece.

Tsovolas says new tax raids planned by gov't

The leader of the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI), Dimitris Tsovolas, charged yesterday that the government is preparing a new tax raid, as well as restrictions on workers' personal and collective rights.

Mr. Tsovolas was addressing a one-day DHKKI meeting entitled "Trade Union Movement, Labour Relations, Development and Unemployment".

"The economy's globalisation aggravates social problems, instead of reducing them", he said, adding that modern technology was being used to reduce manpower.

Regarding the recent drachma devaluation, Mr. Tsovolas claimed that over the past few days profiteers were making a fortune at the expense of the state treasury, while the working classes have witnessed a further reduction in their living standards.

Cocaine traffickers arrested in Kolonaki

Seven individuals were arrested Saturday in Athens' upscale Kolonaki district on drug trafficking and possession charges.

Among the suspects detained are 38-year-old Italian national Rafael Saripoli, Simeon Papastratos, 25, Vanessa Servietiadou, 20, and 20-year-old Francescos Xydakis.

According to police, more than 300 grams of cocaine and small quantities of hashish were found in two of the suspects' residences, as well as precision scales and cash in Greek and foreign currency.

The suspects appeared before a public prosecutor, who is expected to file charges.

On Sunday, the Papastratos cigarette-maker released a press statement stressing that Simeon Papastratos is a distant relative to the founders and current owners of the company, and not an heir, as several news outlets had reported.

Verdict in songwriter's murder trial expected today

A verdict is expected today by a Kavala court in the murder trial of a well- known Greek popular songwriter.

Akis Panou is on trial for the fatal shooting of his daughter's married boyfriend last August. His daugther is currently carrying the victim's unborn child.

Defence attorneys have argued that the killing of Sotiris Yialamas was not premedidated, but was committed during the "heat of the moment" and under "emotional duress".

Public prosecutor Dimitris Papageorgiou on Friday requested that Mr. Panou be convicted on the murder charge without extenuating circumstances being recognised.

Greek First Division soccer results

Ionikos-Proodeftiki 1-0 Kalamata-Kavala 0-2 Ethnikos-Veria 0-1 Iraklis-Olympiakos 0-2 Athinaikos-Panahaiki 3-2 Panathinaikos-PAOK 3-1 OFI-Panionios 3-0 Xanthi-Paniliakos 2-0 AEK-Apollon play today Standings-points: Olympiakos 70, Panathinaikos 67, AEK 59, PAOK, Ionikos 54, Iraklis 46, OFI 36, Paniliakos, Xanthi 35, Apollon, Veria 32, Panionios 30.

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