Athens News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-05-14

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

NEWS IN ENGLISH

Athens, Greece, 14/05/1998 (ANA)

MAIN HEADLINES

• Greece reacts to Turkish comments
• Ankara trying to distract attention
• Greece supports Polish NATO bid
• Banks latest target of arson attacks
• Anarchist group claims attacks
• Foreigner killed in Crete
• Palestinians demonstrate in Athens
• Parliament approves NATO expansion
• Gov't sets timescale for privatisation
• Athens condemns attack on Turkish human rights activist
• Young MPs from SE Europe meet in Thessaloniki
• Greece criticises India's resumption of nuclear testing
• Budget revenue rises 14.91 pct in January-April
• Weather
• Foreign exchange

NEWS IN DETAIL

"Whoever chooses the road of threat of use of violence reveals and confirms himself to be the main destabilising factor to peace, stability and security in our region, and should be absolutely certain that he will come up against a decisive stance not only from Greece but also the international public opinion, which cannot allow nations to regress into such political attitudes," National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said today, commenting on a statement by Turkish president Suleiman Demirel on Wednesday that Ankara "will use its strength at the appropriate time".

Ankara trying to distract attention

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas later attributed the provocative behaviour of Turkish officials such as Demirel's "outburst" to the neighbouring country's serious domestic problems. "Turkey is facing enormous domestic problems and the artifice of trying to distract public opinion with foreign policy issues is all too familiar," Reppas said. The spokesman accused Turkey of having made Greece its "permanent target" and its aggressiveness "a rule of conduct".

Greece supports Polish NATO bid

Visiting Polish Defence Minister Janusz Onyskiewicz today reiterated Warsaw's desire to soon become a member of both NATO and the European Union, after talks with his Greek counterpart Akis Tsohatzopoulos. The men met today to discuss developments in the Balkans, particularly the crisis in Kosovo, Poland's prospects for NATO accession and bilateral relations. Tsohatzopoulos said he reiterated Greece's position that Poland and the five other candidate countries and Cyprus should all become members of NATO and the European Union.

Banks latest target of arson attacks

Three banks were the targets of home-made bomb attacks in Athens and Thessaloniki early today, police said, causing damages but no injuries. An explosive device made of small liquid gas cannisters went off about 1:00 a.m. outside the Aspis Bank branch o Vouliagmenis in the Argyroupolis municipality southeast of Athens. An hour later, a similar device exploded outside the Bank of Athens Branch also on Vouliagmenis Avenue, at Aghios Dimitrios municipality. A similar attack was also made against a General Bank branch in Thessaloniki, causing only material damage to the bank's entrance.

Anarchist group claims attacks

An anonymous caller today phoned the Athens daily "Athinaiki" and claimed responsibility for the two blasts in the capital on behalf of the organization "Autonomous Cells of Rebel Action". The caller said the firebomb attacks were in memory of Christos Tsoutsouvis and to press demands for the release of Nikos Maziotis. Tsoutsouvis, suspected of terrorist activities, was shot dead in the Athens district of Gizi on May 15, 1985 in an exchange of fire with the police, three of whom were also killed. Maziotis, a self-proclaimed anarchist, was arrested earlier this year and charged with involvement in several bomb attacks in the Athens area.

Foreigner killed in Crete

Rethymno police today arrested a 42-year-old Cretan man after he shot and killed one person, wounded another and then barricaded himself into his house in a shoot-out with police. Zacharias Diamantakis, 42, shot a Romanian man in the head twice and tried to shoot a Bulgarian woman before he locked himself into the house. Diamantakis shot at police twice during the stand-off, hitting a police car but causing no other injuries. Police ended the siege by using tear gas.

Palestinians demonstrate in Athens

Members of the Palestinian community in Athens today staged a demonstration outside the United Nations office to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the state of Israel in British-mandate Palestine. A resolution handed to UN representatives said May 15, 1948 was "a black day in the history of the Palestinian people, whose land was grabbed" to enable the foundation of the Israeli state "whose splendid celebrations are presently being followed by the international community".

Parliament approves NATO expansion

The Greek Parliament plenary today ratified the enlargement of NATO with the accession of Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic in a majority vote. The membership of the three former eastern bloc countries, which were invited to join the 16-nation Alliance last year, must be ratified by all current member countries. National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said that the collapse of theWarsaw Pact had left a security void in eastern Europe, while the need for joint security made necessary the expansion of NATO with the incorporation of those countries.

Gov't sets timescale for privatisation

The government will forge ahead with its privatisation plan in order to gain entry into the European Union's economic and monetary union despite protests by unions, National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said yesterday. Speaking after a ministerial meeting, Mr. Papantoniou said the government had set a timescale for the sale of 12 enterprises, with the sale process beginning this month and ending in September 1999. "Under no circumstances will the government change its policy and sacrifice targets set for Greece's entry into economic and monetary union," he told reporters.

Athens condemns attack on Turkish human rights activist

The government stressed yesterday that the attempted assassination of Turkey's leading human rights activist, Akin Birdal, was "a blemish on the present era". "The murder attempt shows that mechanisms operate in Turkey which keep it captive, illiberal and undemocratic," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said. Mr. Birdal was critically wounded in a gun attack on Tuesday, attributed by his colleagues to ultra-rightist groups. Although he regained consciousness yesterday, the Turkish lawyer remained in critical condition.

Young MPs from SE Europe meet in Thessaloniki

The conference of young parliamentarians from southeast European countries, sponsored by the Council of Europe, the International Institute for Democracy and the Greek Parliament, opens in Thessaloniki today. The meeting is a follow-up to last year's conference of young parliamentarians from the southeast Mediterranean on the island of Rhodes, April 13- 15.

Greece criticises India's resumption of nuclear testing

The Greek government yesterday expressed its complete disagreement with the resumption of nuclear testing this week by India, ending a 24-year self- imposed moratorium. India carried out five underground nuclear tests in the western state of Rajasthan. It was the first time India has carried out nuclear tests since the first one conducted by New Delhi in 1974.

Budget revenue rises 14.91 pct in January-April

Budgetary revenue rose 14.91 percent in January-April compared to the corresponding four-month period of 1997, according to government figures released yesterday. Despite a dip in revenue recorded in April, ministry officials consider the overall figure for the four-month period to be satisfactory. The target set for an increase in budgetary revenue in 1998 is 11.2 percent compared to last year.

WEATHER

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

(L.G.)

(M.P.)

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