Athens News Agency Bulletin --------------------------- (Apo to Ellnviko Grafeio Tupou kai Plnroforiwv, Ottaba, Kavadas E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca) * Greece welcomes US president's interest in Cyprus issue * Papoulias cancels visit to Auschwitz commemoration, cites raising of FYROM flag as reason * 75 Greek Chechens await evacuation * Niles meets with Mangakis * Mitsotakis meets with Milosevic, Kohl on Balkan issues * French military chief to visit Athens * Venizelos on jailing of false Moslem cleric * Evert meets with Constantopoulos * Greece deports 91 Bulgarian illegal immigrants * World economic leaders meet on development issues at Davos * Tsohatzopoulos, Lyssarides begin US tour * Samaras speaks to British MPs on Greek issues * Presidency denies press reports * Papoutsis: Commission must give SMEs more funds * Austrians flocked to Greece in record numbers last year * Simitis: Gov't ready to protect victims of unethical insurance firms Greece welcomes US president's interest in Cyprus issue ------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 27/01/1994 (ANA): Greece yesterday said US President Bill Clinton's strong interest in the Cyprus issue -- illustrated by his dispatch of presidential emissary Richard Beattie and special co-ordinator for Cyprus James Williams to the region -- was "positive". Foreign Ministry spokesman Constantine Bikas said Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias briefed Mr. Beattie Wednesday night on Greece's positions on the Cyprus problem, "a problem which is an international one of invasion, occupation and violation of human rights and rules of international law by Turkey, and a constant source of tension in the eastern Mediterranean". According to the spokesman, Mr. Papoulias reiterated to the American envoy that Greek-Turkish relations "are being poisoned and will continue to be poisoned by the existence of the Cyprus problem". Mr. Papoulias stressed to Mr. Beattie "the need for pressure to be exerted on the Turkish side to change Ankara's intransigent stance on the problem". During the Papoulias-Beattie talks, Greece's stance on directly linking Turkey's customs union with the European Union with the establishment of a timetable for the negotiations for Cyprus' admission as full member of the European Union, were discussed. "The Greek government supports Nicosia's efforts for a just and permanent solution to the Cyprus issue in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions and considers Cyprus' European orientation imperative," the foreign ministry spokesman said, adding that the EU's role would be "catalytic towards resolving the Cyprus problem". Mr. Beattie, who is accompanied by Mr. Williams, is due to fly to Ankara for talks with the Turkish government soon while Cyprus Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides is expected in Athens today for talks with senior government officials. Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said later that Mr. Beattie had delivered a letter from President Clinton addressed to President Constantine Karamanlis, during talks held Wednesday evening with Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou. Commenting on Mr. Beattie's visit, the spokesman said that "there is continuous and strong American interest at the highest level in the Cyprus issue as an international problem". He added that the US viewed the prospect of Cyprus joining the European Union as positive. Papoulias cancels visit to Auschwitz commemoration, cites raising of FYROM flag as reason --------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 27/01/1995 (ANA): Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias yesterday called off a visit to Auschwitz to attend events marking the 50th anniversary of the Nazi death camp's liberation. Foreign Ministry spokesman Constantine Bikas said the visit was cancelled following the Polish government's insistence on raising the flag of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) -- which bears an ancient Greek symbol and is one of the issues in contention between Athens and Skopje -- during the flag-raising ceremony at the events. Mr. Bikas said that the use of the 16-ray Sun of Vergina by FYROM contravened UN Security Council Resolution 817 prohibiting its use. "The symbol is Greek and has been stolen," Mr. Bikas said. Polish Interior Minister Andrzej Milczanowski, who is currently visiting Thessaloniki, later declined to comment on his government's insistence on raising the FYROM flag. When asked by reporters to comment, Poland's Ambassador to Athens Ryszard Zoltaniecki, who was accompanying Mr. Milczanowski, said that "the invitation (to attend commemorative events) was extended to all the states emerging from the dissolution of Yugoslavia". The Greek foreign minister's absence prompted condemnation from the Coalition of the Left and Progress. "The absence of a Greek government representative from manifestations at Auschwitz ... is wrong," an announcement said. 75 Greek Chechens await evacuation ---------------------------------- Moscow, 27/01/1995 (ANA - D. Contstantakopoulos): A group of 75 ethnic Greek refugees from war-torn Chechnya were standing-by for evacuation to Greece in the southern Russian region of Sevastopol yesterday. The report also said two Greek women were being treated for light wounds in Northern Ossetia. Greek Embassy officials who visited the refugees said the Russian authorities were ready to help in their evacuation since the majority said they would like to settle in Greece due to the situation prevailing in the region. So far, no Greek casualties have been reported in Grozny, but the number of Greeks still in the Chechen capital was unknown as the Russians controlled only part of the city. An official told the ANA that the Chechen defenders of the city would not be able to maintain their positions much longer "without this meaning the end of the war, which is feared will turn into guerrilla warfare". The official quoted the "prime minister" of a self-declared "pro-Russian Chechen government in Moscow" as saying there were at least 100,000 inhabitants still in Grozny, of whom 80,000 are Russians. The war has caused an immense refugee problem with an estimated 250,000 inhabitants having moved into inner Chechnya, 142,000 to Ingossetia and Dagestan, and 10,000 to Northern Ossetia and other Russian regions. Niles meets with Mangakis ------------------------- Athens, 27/01/1995 (ANA): US Ambassador in Athens Thomas Niles yesterday paid a courtesy call on the new Alternate Foreign Minister George Mangakis. Diplomatic sources said the American side was examining with interest the idea of seeking a Cyprus solution through the accession talks with the European Union, which would benefit both communities on the island. During the half-hour meeting, the two men also discussed EU-US relations, particularly in the audio-visual sector, and co-operation in the sector of security, as well as matters concerning the priorities of the French presidency of the EU, the sources said. Mitsotakis meets with Milosevic, Kohl on Balkan issues ------------------------------------------------------ Belgrade, 27/01/1995 (ANA - P. Stangos): Former prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis made a lightning one-day visit to Belgrade and Bonn yesterday to discuss problems in the Balkans region. The Bosnian crisis, the issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), the Krajina problem, other problems in former Yugoslavia and bilateral relations between Greece and New Yugoslavia were all examined in talks between Mr. Mitsotakis and Serb President Slobodan Milosevic in Belgrade. "Serbia and New Yugoslavia are playing an important role in restoring peace and I believe the lifting of sanctions is imperative," Mr. Mitsotakis said. He said both Serbia and Mr. Milosevic could prove useful in resolving Greece's problem with FYROM. "During our talks Mr. Milosevic reiterated his country's steadfast position not to recognise Skopje (FYROM) before (FYROM's) problems with Greece are resolved," he added. Mr. Mitsotakis said Croatian President Franjo Tudjman's decision to call on UN peacekeepers to pull out of his country on March 31 was a big mistake, but expressed the hope Mr. Tudjman would not insist on his decision to the end. Mr. Milosevic agreed with his views, he said. Replying to a questioner on whether he would undertake any specific initiative to help resolve the Yugoslav crisis, Mr. Mitsotakis said that from his position he would do all in his power for problems in former Yugoslavia to be resolved, peace be restored and progress achieved in the region. However, he said he would not undertake a specific initiative but would continue offering his offices to the end. In Bonn, Mr. Mitsotakis held 90-minute talks with German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, terming him "a good friend of Greece who is particularly interested in Greek problems" and praising Germany's "positive role" in the Balkans. Speaking to Greek journalists, Mr. Mitsotakis said that in his contacts abroad he did not "speak on behalf of the government", adding that he "does not negotiate but only sounds attitudes." Replying to questioners, he said he was briefing the Greek government on the results of his contacts through Greece's embassies in countries he was visiting and that he would brief all in the New Democracy party. Referring to the substance of his talks with Mr. Kohl, held in the presence of his daughter and ND deputy Dora Bakoyianni, Mr. Mitsotakis merely enumerated issues examined including Turkey's customs union with the European Union in conjunction with the Cyprus issue and Greece's embargo against the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, saying they "cannot wait due to pressing time limitations." Replying to a questioner on the purpose of his contacts with European leaders, Mr. Mitsotakis said "being a Greek politician I am concerned about the country and I want to offer my good offices provided I have the possibility of holding talks with them." Apart from national issues, Mr. Mitsotakis discussed developments in former Yugoslavia with Mr. Kohl and conveyed to him the views of Serb President Slobodan Milosevic. French military chief to visit Athens ------------------------------------ Athens, 27/01/1995 (ANA): French National Defence General Staff Chief Admiral Jacques Lanxade will visit Greece February 1 through 4. Mr. Lanxade will meet the National Defence Ministry's military and political leaderships and visit archaeological sites and Mount Athos. Venizelos on jailing of false Moslem cleric ------------------------------------------- Athens, 27/01/1995 (ANA): "Greece is a well-governed state with an uninterrupted western institutional tradition, in which there is a clear division between the powers," government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said yesterday replying to questions on the jailing of a Moslem cleric. The spokesman made the statement when asked if the government intended to release the self-proclaimed Mufti of Xanthi, who was sentenced to ten months imprisonment Wednesday for unlawfully assuming the title of a Moslem religious leader. "In well-governed states, the government has no competence in matters of justice. Mehmet Emin Aga is self-imprisoned, since he declined to use all the means of appeal at his disposal and did not wish to pay off his sentence as entitled by the judgement of the court which convicted him for impersonating a person in authority," Mr. Venizelos said. Aga was found guilty of signing as Mufti letters he sent to Moslems, in which he accused the authorities of mistreating the minority. Evert meets with Constantopoulos -------------------------------- Athens, 27/01/1995 (ANA): Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert yesterday met with Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos to discuss the course of national issues. Mr. Constantopoulos briefed Mr. Evert on his recent tour of Bulgaria, Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and underlined the need for Greece to lift the embargo against FYROM and to go ahead with direct talks with the neighbouring republic, as well as with Albania. He also underlined the need for redefining Greece's foreign policy and the creation of a foreign policy council. Greece deports 91 Bulgarian illegal immigrants ---------------------------------------------- Athens, 27/01/1995 (ANA): Greek police working with army units detained and deported a group of 91 Bulgarian illegal immigrants who entered the country Wednesday from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). The group of 54 men, 32 women and five children were detained on Wednesday afternoon and sent back to Bulgaria early yesterday morning. According to the police, a gang is responsible for the transportation of illegal immigrants, who pay 250 Deutschemarks per person from Bouyaz in Bulgaria to Gevgeli in FYROM, from where they cross into Greece. They estimate that 70 per cent of the illegal immigrants are detained, while the remainder are taken by Greek accomplices of the gang to central Greece, the Peloponnese and Crete to work as seasonal farm labourers. On Tuesday, a group of 65 Bulgarian illegal immigrants were arrested in the area of Kilkis, northern Greece and deported. World economic leaders meet on development issues at Davos ---------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 27/01/1995 (ANA): The four-day conference, on the theme "An invitation to beyond development", of the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, began yesterday. The agenda for the world's economic leaders includes relations between rich and poor countries, actions to stabilise capital markets in former communist countries, European Union prospects in light of the 1996 intergovernmental conference and the priorities for the new World Trade Organisation. Other issues to be probed will be priorities for restructuring the UN to enable it to secure peace and stability in the world and ways of curbing crime and corruption. Greece will be represented by National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou who has been invited by the organisers to co-ordinate certain discussions at the conference. On the sidelines of the conference, Mr. Papantoniou will hold talks with dignitaries attending the conference and with businessmen interested in investing in Greece. Tsohatzopoulos, Lyssarides begin US tour ---------------------------------------- Chicago, 27/01/1995 (ANA - M. Georgiadou): PASOK Central Committee Secretary-General Akis Tsohatzopoulos begins his tour of the US today with a lecture on the Cyprus problem and the wider developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Balkans, and Greece, at the Foreign Affairs Council. Arriving here Wednesday night with Cypriot Socialist EDEK party leader Vassos Lyssarides, he said his visit aimed at strengthening contact with the Greek community, discussing problems of interest to Greece, and promoting their understanding among Americans. Speaking at the historic 'Socrates' Greek school of Chicago yesterday, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said he hoped that a Greek satellite TV channel, broadcasting on a 24-hour basis to the 8.5 million ethnic Greeks overseas, would be a reality within the year. Mr. Lyssarides was due to speak at the Foreign Affairs Council last night, on the Cyprus problem "as an example of non-application of UN resolutions", and on the need to adopt a different stance. Samaras speaks to British MPs on Greek issues --------------------------------------------- London, 27/01/1995 (ANA - L. Tsirigotakis): Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras yesterday spoke on Greek issues to MPs from across the political board at the House of Lords. Mr. Samaras referred to recent developments in Greek national issues, and Cyprus' accession bid to the European Union, underlining that it was necessary in light of the 1996 intergovernmental conference that a date be decided on for the beginning of negotiation talks for Cyprus' accession. Today Mr. Samaras will hold a press conference for foreign correspondents in London and tomorrow evening he will speak at the Churchill Hotel on the political programme of his party. According to sources, Mr. Samaras is scheduled to meet with representatives of Greek shipowners in London today. Mr. Samaras arrived in London on Wednesday to meet with British politicians and journalists as well as leading members of the Greek community. Presidency denies press reports ------------------------------- Athens, 27/01/1995 (ANA): President of the Republic Constantine Karamanlis is displeased by press reports alleging that he is engaged in an attempt to bring about agreement between the two major parties to elect a new president and avert general elections, an announcement from Mr. Karamanlis' office indicated yesterday. Mr. Karamanlis is also in disagreement with the confrontationary tones of main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert over the sources of income issue. "The President of the Republic Mr. Constantine Karamanlis regrets that meetings which he holds from time to time with political figures are converted into fiction aimed at serving political expediencies or even personal aims," the presidency statement said. Papoutsis: Commission must give SMEs more funds ----------------------------------------------- Brussels, 27/01/1995 (ANA - M. Savva): Greek Commissioner Christos Papoutsis discussed the European Commission's action plan for small and medium-size firms (SMEs) at the Economic and Monetary Commission of the Europarliament, noting that more funds were needed to boost their role in the EU. Discussion focused on the question of more favourable conditions for such enterprises, technology policy, innovations and support to SMEs. "The effort of the Commission in 1995 has a two-fold aim: to facilitate SMEs participation in the process of fulfilment of the internal market, and to offer support to such enterprises, in order that competitive capacity may be boosted in international markets," Mr. Papoutsis said. He added, however, that credits of Ecu 29.2 billion approved for the sector in 1995, were "inadequate" and said more funds were needed in order to promote fresh initiatives. Meanwhile, the Economic and Monetary Committee continued meeting on the "economic expansion of Europe and prospects for 1996". Participants included MPs of EU member countries. Austrians flocked to Greece in record numbers last year ------------------------------------------------------- Vienna, 27/01/1995 (ANA - D. Dimitrakoudis): The number of Austrian tourists visiting Greece has risen steadily from 180,000 in 1988 to a record-breaking figure of over half a million in 1994. Last year's figure is even more impressive bearing in mind that Austria has a population of only 7.8 million and the crisis in former Yugoslavia has effectively blocked road and rail access to Greece. The figures were announced on the occasion of the inauguration of this year's International Tourism Exhibition here, in which the National Tourist Organisation of Greece (EOT) is participating with a large stand. A number of Greek hotel associations and tourist enterprises are participating alongside the EOT, while various regions of the country, including Kastoria, Pieria, Hania, Lassithi and Magnesia have their own stands. The exhibition will remain open until Sunday and is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors. According to the Austrian Statistical Service, Greece was the most preferred destination for Austrians travelling abroad in 1994. Austrian tour operators currently offer direct charter flights to 25 airports in mainland Greece and the islands. Greece is also among the four countries in which Austrians would prefer to live for a long period -- the other three being Switzerland, the United States and Germany. Simitis: Gov't ready to protect victims of unethical insurance firms --------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 27/01/1995 (ANA): Trade and Industry Minister Costas Simitis yesterday warned insurance companies which do not fully meet their obligations towards their clients will be dealt with severely within existing legal provisions. He noted that many companies either do not pay up in time following accidents, or pressure their clients to take out cover which is not compulsory by law. Such phenomena, he said, show that competition in the insurance market is not what it should be, and the government will not remain indifferent, going as far as to close down those which persistently violate the law. Insurance companies are about to announce new increases in car premiums, but the trade ministry has made it clear it will not approve them. Mr. Simitis said representatives of the Union of Insurance Companies had told him they are ready to reorganise the system for the assessment of damages along the lines of those applied in other European countries.