A.N.A. Bulletin, 02/03/96

From: "Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada" <[email protected]>

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 827),

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: [email protected]

CONTENTS

[1] Athens protests Turkish violation of Greek waters

Greece yesterday lodged a demarche with the Turkish embassy in Athens after a Turkish coast-guard vessel collided with a Greek gunboat in Greek waters near the rocky islet of Imia, causing it minor damage.

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos accused Turkey of trying to violate the disengagement agreement envisaging a return to the status quo before the recent Imia crisis.

The head of the foreign ministry's department of Greek-Turkish affairs lodged the demarche against Turkey's violation of Greek waters yesterday morning after the General Navy Staff confirmed the incident, which took place Thursday morning.

On February 29, at about 08:50, during manoeuvres by the gunboat 'Polemistis' aimed at (making) the Turkish coast-guard vessel S4-74 leave Greek territorial waters in the area of the Imia rocks, the fore starboard side of the Turkish vessel, due to inept handling by its captain, came into contact with the stern port end of the gunboat Polemistis. Minor damage was caused to metal plating, which has already been fully repaired," a navy staff announcement said.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas denied charges by main opposition deputy leader Ioannis Varvitsiotis that the government had intentionally delayed making the incident known, saying that it first had to assess the facts.

Mr. Reppas clarified that the Turkish vessel had not rammed the Greek gunboat, attributing the incident to "inadequate handling" by the Turkish captain.

The spokesman said that the foreign ministry Thursday night summoned a representative of the Turkish embassy in Athens to protest the violation of Greek territorial waters.

Turkey, he added, would try to create similar incidents in the future "but Greece is ready to deal with them."

Mr. Reppas accused Mr. Varvitsiotis of being "frivolous" and "acting hastily" by making the incident public. The spokesman said this merely created confusion and "made a mountain out of a molehill."

Following the navy staff announcement, Mr. Varvitsiotis charged that the national defence ministry had been forced to confirm the incident due to his statement.

The government unacceptably delayed informing the Greek people and I doubt if it would have done so if it had not been for my statement. The government was aware of the incident because it was discussed during last night's meeting between the Prime Minister (Costas Simitis) and NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana," Mr. Varvitsiotis said.

Mr. Varvitsiotis added that he had no details of how Thursday's incident in the Aegean happened.

Mr. Reppas confirmed that Mr. Simitis had discussed the incident Thursday night with Mr. Solana, who had expressed interest in occupying himself with the problem.

Mr. Simitis raised the matter of Turkish provocations in general and what is important is that Mr. Solana's political position was that he will undertake normalisation initiatives based on respect for international law," Mr. Reppas said.

National Defence Minister Gerassimos Arsenis, meanwhile, called on New Democracy "to put an end to this comedy" and "stop playing with national issues."

Mr. Varvitsiotis discovered something which did not exist. This was not an incident, nor had there been any Turkish expediency. This was about wrong handlings during manoeuvres which caused minor damage to both vessels," Mr. Arsenis said, accusing Mr. Varvitsiotis of "irresponsible and strange behaviour" and of trying to "exploit the national issue for his own internal party image."

There was no incident. We concealed nothing," Mr. Arsenis said.

[2] Pangalos

In statements after an hour-long meeting with Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos accused Turkey of trying to violate the disengagement agreement which envisaged a return to the status quo before the Imia crisis.

He added that Turkey, as in other issues concerning the Aegean and relations between the two countries in general, aimed at multiplying the points of friction with Greece, hoping that Athens would be led to comprehensive negotiations at some point in time which would bring about a change in the balance of power under the weight of its supposed military superiority.

Turkey's superiority existed only in the hot heads of its military staffs, he said, and Greece was resolved to defend its rightful causes and interests. He added that Greece believed that diplomatic procedures and the form that international relations h ad acquired did not permit such policies any longer.

Mr. Pangalos said he briefed Mr. Samaras on Greece's foreign policy and recent developments, adding that he would take Mr. Samaras' views into consideration.

Mr. Samaras said his meeting with Mr. Pangalos was very "useful," adding that the government "should begin, without further delay, the implementation of a national strategy, the mobilisation of all forces of Hellenism and diplomatic activity to brief more efficiently the international community on Greek positions."

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE), meanwhile, issued an announcement accusing the government of concealing the incident and noting that "the crisis in the Aegean was not over yet.

The danger of a repetition of hot incidents is real," it said.

The Coalition of the Left and Progress also issued an announcement criticising the government for not briefing the public of the incident.

The confrontation on Turkish provocations needs serious, firm and responsible handling," the announcement said.

[3] Turkish response

The Turkish foreign ministry does not attribute any significance to the new Imia incident, according to the Turkish Anatolian news agency.

Citing diplomatic sources, Anatolia said the incident did not cause tension but showed the potential danger if the two parties did not sit on the negotiations table.

According to the agency, the incident is due to wrong handlings by the Greek vessel, maintaining that the incident took place in Turkish territorial waters.

[4] Greece vetoes European aid for Turkey

Greece used its veto yesterday against a proposal by the European Investment Bank (EIB) to grant Turkey approximately 750 million ECU.

National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, in his capacity as member of the EIB's Administrative Council, told his EU counterparts that his government did not accept the granting of these loans to Turkey.

According to diplomatic circles in Brussels, the question of the Greek veto would most probably be raised at the next Council of Economy and Finance Ministers scheduled for March 13.

[5] Former French premier Rocard slams Turkish attitude

French Socialist Eurodeputy and former French prime minister Michel Rocard lashed out at Turkish policy over Cyprus, the legal dimension of the Imia islet issue, the Kurdish issue and human rights in an address at the French Senate on Thursday night on "Turkey and the European Union."

Although he was invited to speak by the Franco-Turkish Friendship Committee, Mr. Rocard told an audience of about 80 people - including Turkish ambassadors and diplomats in Paris, former French prime minister Couve de Murville and former ambassador to Ankara Erik Rouleaux - that "I wonder whether I should be here."

Do not be in a hurry. Those who voted in favour of customs union are not necessarily in favour of Turkey's accession to the European Union. We gave you (Turkey) a chance with customs union. In order to become a full member you must first resolve the Cyprus issue, find solutions to the Kurdish question, fully restore human rights and behave with responsibility and self-criticism towards the historic mistakes perpetrated by your nation in connection with the Armenian issue. You must handle international relations on the basis of international law, without resorting to threats and the use of armed force, as in the case of the islet of Imia in your relations with Greece," he said.

Without a solution to the Cyprus issue, Turkey will never join Europe. The two communities cannot resolve the problem by themselves due to the strong and illegal Turkish military presence on the island. It is very clear to me. The ball is in the Turkish court. When I was prime minister, (Turkish) President Ozal would tell me he was aware that Turkey was the one which had to make a gesture, but he constantly wanted a postponement to win the elections. He ultimately lost them," he added.

Referring to the Kurdish issue, Mr. Rocard said "I cannot say that the handling of the Kurds by the Turks is like Pol Pot, but we are not far off. I advise you not to attempt comparison with the handling of the Basques (ETA) by the Spanish government, because we are speaking of other standards, other civilisations. At least deputies are not imprisoned in Spain as Kurdish deputies are in Turkey for offences concerning opinion."

Commenting on the Armenian question, Mr. Rocard said that "while all civilised peoples recognised their mistakes, Turkey has never admitted the Armenian genocide."

[6] Parliamentary delegation to US winds up visit

The Greek Parliament's five-member inter-party committee completed its week-long visit to the United States yesterday.

The committee met with representatives of the Clinton administration and with members of Congress in Washington, and with representatives of the Greek expatriate community in New York.

The aim of the visit was to present Greek positions on the recent Imia crisis to US officials and to be briefed on the manner in which the US is to deal with the issue.

The committee members said that they were not satisfied by what they heard from US government officials as "they equate the perpetrator with the victim". However, they said the fact that they were given the opportunity to present Greek positions in a concise and unified manner was very positive.

They added that they found greater understanding for the rights of the Greek side from the members of the House of Representatives. ANA

[7] Turkish authorities investigate status of church officials

According to Turkish press reports, the Turkish foreign ministry is investigating whether there are church officials in the Ecumenical Patriarchate who do not have Turkish nationality or a Turkish residency permit.

According to the press reports, police are investigating five deacons who have been working for the Patriarchate in the Phanar for the past two years.

"We examine the information and do the necessary research," Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Nurredin Nurkan said.

[8] Tsohatzopoulos stresses evolving bilateral co-operation at Europe-Asia summit

Interior, Public Administration and Decentralisation Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, representing the prime minister, and Alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos, are attending the Europe-Asia summit meeting (ASEM), which opened here yesterday with the participation of the member states of the European Union, the ASEAN countries, Japan, China, and South Korea.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said co-operation between Europe and Asia could evolve in three sectors, namely political co-operation, the economy, and a policy for peace and security.

Concerning economic co-operation, he said emphasis must be given to the growth of trade, transport and investment, with simultaneous support to cultural and scientific communication and tourism.

Regarding security, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that Europe, through its historical experience and the existence of particular and well-established institutional organs, such as NATO and OCSE, could help Asian countries in security matters and differences t hat may at times arise in the area.

He said that Greece, with its own experience in security problems, holds the steadfast view that "relations between states must be governed by respect for international law and treaties, which constitute effective organs for averting threats and any problems between states".

Finally, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos stressed the need for co-operation between the two continents in the fight against drugs, terrorism, the proliferation of nuclear weapons and environmental pollution.

In his address, Mr. Romeos said that as there were areas like the Mediterranean, which play a significant role in world politics and economy, similar meetings in future should take into account the European Union's new Mediterranean Policy.

He added that the time had come for enlarging European co-operation with the participation of new members from Europe and Asia.

[9] Gov't requests recall of Italian, Dutch military attaches

The government yesterday requested Italy and the Netherlands recall their military attaches in Athens, after the two diplomats were caught collecting military-related information on the east Aegean island of Lesvos three days before the Imia islet crisis.

Responding to a Parliament question tabled by PASOK deputy Dimitris Vounatsos, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said notes were discovered on the two military attaches "that could be related to information on military facilities on Lesvos."

According to Mr. Reppas, the two said they were collecting information in the island's Sigrios area because of "professional interest."

Diplomatic immunity prevented any criminal charges from being filed, however, Athens has insisted on their withdrawal.

In his question, Mr. Vounatsos said the two European Union member-states' attaches had recorded the names and numbers of several Greek warships, ports and airports in the region. Furthermore, the ruling party deputy, who represents the island, claimed the pair were spying for Turkey. Mr. Vounatsos also said the US embassy's military attachG in Athens and the embassy's first secretary had been spotted in the same area on November 8, 1994. In addition, he said Turkey's military and naval attaches, respectively, visited the same region.

[10] Study on Greek foreign policy

Former ambassador Efthymios Stoforopoulos and Athens University Professor Antonis Makridimitris will present their study on Greek foreign policy on Wednesday.

The study, entitled "The system of Greek foreign policy: the institutional dimension, formulation and monitoring, co-ordination and consistency, analysis and political planning", will be introduced by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Eurodeputy Yiannos Kranidiotis, former foreign under-secretary Virginia Tsouderou and the leader of the Coalition of the Left and Progress, Nikos Constantopoulos.

[11] NATO head meets Arsenis for wide-ranging talks

National Defence Minister Gerassimos Arsenis met yesterday with visiting NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana for wide-ranging talks on the recent Greek-Turkish stand-off in the Aegean, NATO enlargement, the situation in Bosnia and Greece's co-operation with the Alliance.

Mr. Arsenis said after the meeting he had briefed Mr. Solana on the recent crisis in the Aegean, adding that "I imagine that other visits by Mr. Solana to Greece will follow so that he will formulate his own opinion on the issue.

Mr. Solana said he and Mr. Arsenis had discussed the NATO force in Bosnia, which "is a major effort on the part of a coalition of NATO member-countries and non-members for peace in Bosnia."

He also thanked the Greek government on behalf of NATO for its participation in the force, adding that "we analysed the ways in which the operation is developing, the future, and its prospects."

Turning to NATO enlargement, Mr. Solana said the Alliance was contemplating this issue and would be doing so in the coming years, while 1996 would be the year in which "the Alliance will enter into dialogue with those countries that desire dialogue with us."

Mr. Solana said NATO shared Greece's views concerning Allied relations with Russia, announcing that in the coming weeks he would visit Moscow to brief the Russian government on the thoughts he had exchanged with Mr. Arsenis.

On internal changes in NATO, Mr. Solana said the world had changed, and the Alliance was undertaking new missions "and we must adapt NATO to those missions." He also pledged that NATO would play the role expected of it, "which will perhaps be even more significant in the future than in the past."

Asked if he advocated NATO intercessions for Greece to avoid holding military manoeuvres in the Aegean while Turkish exercises were in progress, Mr. Solana replied that "the constructive way is the only way to confront all the problems" and it was in that spirit that he would face all problems as NATO secretary-general.

Mr. Arsenis denied such intercessions on the part of NATO or any other country regarding the Greek Armed Forces' programme of manoeuvres in Greek territory.

The programme of manoeuvres is determined only by Greece," he said.

Asked why the Alliance had not taken a position on the Imia islet crisis, Mr. Solana said there were differences in some mechanisms, and that he would try to respond in the best possible manner.

Mr. Solana later held a meeting with main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert focusing on NATO goals in the short term and ways for a peaceful settlement to the Greek-Turkish crisis.

Asked to comment on the incident between the Greek and the Turkish gunboats on Thursday, he said that "NATO should operate as a peace mechanism to solve differences."

I will do everything I can in this direction," he said.

Mr. Evert said he elaborated on Greece's positions against Turkey's threats and "the measures which NATO must undertake in order to confront them."

[12] Cabinet meeting focuses on economic issues

A Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday ascertained that the course of the economy is positive, but that problems exist and that specific priorities and sensitive points should be set out on which the government's attention must concentrate in the coming months for tangible results to be achieved.

The main addresses were made by National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, Finance Minister Alekos Papadopoulos and Development Minister Vasso Papandreou, while Mr. Simitis stressed that the triptych of economic policy always remained the simultaneous promotion of stabilisation, development and social justice.

According to an announcement by the press ministry, the main economic policy priorities over the 1996-1997 period, as set out at yesterday's cabinet meeting, include further reducing inflation, compressing interest rates, attaining the targets of fiscal and monetary policy, increasing the effort to reduce tax evasion, shaping a national social agreement between the state, social partners and working people, strengthening social cohesion and supporting base-level pensioners in particular, tackling developments in the agricultural sector, supporting development and structural initiatives, modernising public utilities (DEKO) and banks, speeding up denationalisation and improving public administration.

The Cabinet has also decided on a series of changes in the operation of government bodies, as well as on the transfer of responsibilities from the Cabinet to the ministries and other bodies.

The decisions taken during yesterday's three-hour meeting included the abolition of the Government Council (KYSYM) and the transfer of its operations to the inner cabinet, and the abolition of the Council for Economic Development and the transfer of its operations to the Committee for Economic and Social Policy.

The creation of a new Committee of Social Responsibility and Quality of Life was also agreed upon, to be presided over by Labour and Social Security Minister Evangelos Yannopoulos. The Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence (KYSEA) will continue to function as before.

A decision was also taken to transfer 68 of the 120 functions of the Cabinet to ministries and other bodies, in order to facilitate the smooth functioning of the government's highest body.

[13] Premier, farmers to discuss problems in sector in Monday meeting

The presidency of the Panhellenic Confederation of Agricultural Co-operatives (PASEGES) is to discuss problems being faced by farmers and stock-breeders with Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Monday.

Requests to be made by PASEGES will include problems faced by the sheep and goat-breeding sector to be dealt with immediately and for measures to be taken for cattle-breeding.

The confederation will also ask for a solution to be found to matters of farmers' insurance and pension funds.

Other matters to be discussed will include the taking of measures for agriculture in the country's mountainous, semi-mountainous and island areas, and the formation of a national strategy for Greek agriculture.

The prime minister is also to meet with the administration of the Democratic Agricultural Associations of Greece (SYDASE) on Monday. The meeting will take place after an initiative taken by the prime minister within the framework of his discussions with production and social sector bodies.

SYDASE President Yiannis Pittas will speak to Mr. Simitis about problems faced by the agricultural sector at present, and will request his personal intervention for a solution to be found.

[14] Party supports present government, Reppas says

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday that all PASOK cadres agreed that the present government would complete the current four-year mandate and that all party members were committed to the success of the present government.

Mr. Reppas added that if PASOK wins the 1997 elections, Costas Simitis will continue as prime minister, as he will have been proved to be successful in the interim.

Answering a question on whether there will be a clash in the future between party president and founder Andreas Papandreou and Mr. Simitis regarding who will become prime minister, Mr. Reppas said that Mr Papandreou is conscious of his responsibility an d will not contest the majority of the Greek people.

He added that given that the government will be successful during the next two years, Costas Simitis, as the successful prime minister, will be the premier who will lead PASOK into the next elections.

[15] Skandalidis comments on Simitis statements

PASOK's Executive Bureau does not confirm the existence of an agreement, cited by Prime Minister Costas Simitis during Thursday's press conference, that the person elected as prime minister would be PASOK's candidate for premiership and the one to lead the party to the next elections.

The matter was discussed yesterday at a meeting of the Executive Bureau.

In statements after the meeting, party Secretary Costas Skandalidis said that PASOK has decided on a course based on the completion of the current four-year term and the renewal of the popular mandate.

Replying to a question on whether there was an agreement on who will be the candidate for the premiership in the next elections, Mr. Skandalidis avoided answering directly, referring instead to official party documents.

Mr. Skandalidis is due to visit Mr. Simitis this morning to discuss, among other things, the date for the prime minister to attend an Executive Bureau meeting.

[16] Supreme Court ruling on former royal property unleashes furore

The government yesterday declined to comment on a Supreme Court ruling that a 1994 law turning the property of former king Constantine over to the Greek state was unconstitutional.

"The government does not comment on court judgements, but it does point out that the Greek people can appraise those judgements which are rendered in its name," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said.

By a vote of 25 to 15, the Supreme Court on Thursday accepted a claim by Constantine for the return of land in three areas of the country.

A bill passed by Parliament in 1994 appropriated all property owned by the former king and deprived the former royal family of their Greek passports.

Mr. Reppas said that "Parliament has long since passed a bill restoring constitutional and historical order and, for the good of the country, all must defend democratic institutions and display some sensitivity with regard to history."

The Supreme Court's decision unleashed a string of harsh criticism yesterday by several political parties.

A press announcement by ruling PASOK's press office stated: "PASOK has a permanent position that the so-called 'property' of Constantine Glycksburg is connected with the institution of the monarchy in the previous decades, and as long as it (monarchy) existed.

"For a number of years this institution has been abolished by a decision of the Greek people, an event which means, beyond any doubt, the loss of this property by the former royal family and its incorporation into the Greek state. PASOK and its cadres again today staunchly support this clear position at all levels."

Earlier, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) described the Supreme Court ruling as a "gross provocation." A KKE announcement said that the former king was "irrevocably condemned" in the conscience of the Greek people and "neither has, nor had any right t o claim any property whatsoever." Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos criticised the law's overturn from Alexandroupolis.

"With legal acrobatics the truth is not changed: Glycksburg owes this land, the Greek people do not owe him, the country has paid enough. The 1974 referendum will not be weakened by any legal contrivance," he said.

[17] Samaras meets with president on national issues

President Kostis Stephanopoulos and Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras held a meeting yesterday on national issues and the recent Greek-Turkish crisis.

Mr. Samaras likened acceptance that every irrational Turkish claim be referred to The Hague to "suicide," adding that "today it is Imia, tomorrow it will be Thrace and the day after it will be the remaining islands."

Commenting on US President Bill Clinton's letter, Mr. Samaras said that "it reveals who instigates Turkish contempt of international law", adding that this is "another link in the chain of pro-Turkish American moves."

Mr. Samaras said it constituted contempt of the UN Security Council's Resolution 939 which clarifies single sovereignty for the island.

[18] Papandreou's health

Doctors treating PASOK president Andreas Papandreou said yesterday that the patient's occasional low fever, which is preventing them from carrying out planned breathing tests, are probably due to minor infections in the trachea or the hand, where a fistula for kidney dialysis has been placed, and are likely to recede.

Yesterday's bulletin on Mr. Papandreou's health said that in other respects, his condition was developing normally, with the patient following an intensive physiotherapy programme, and taking as many short walks outside his room as possible.

[19] Inmates release prison warden, talks to end siege continue

Rebelling inmates at Patras prison yesterday released the warden of Ayios Stephanos prison as negotiations began to end a three-day siege of the penitentiary.

Police were still on a manhunt for five inmates who escaped Wednesday when the rioting broke out.

Sources said the inmates were still holding five prison staff hostage, demanding better food and living conditions and the decongestion of the cells.

The Ayios Stephanos jail, built to house 300 prisoners, now has 750 inmates, approximately 80 per cent of whom are drug offenders, while 260 are foreigners, of whom about 150 are Albanian nationals.

Two prisoners have been injured and five others treated for drug overdoses since Wednesday's outbreak when rioters began smashing their cells and communal rooms and raided the prison pharmacy.

Justice Minister Evangelos Venizelos described the riot and escape as an "organised operation," adding that the prison would soon return to normal and that there was tension in other jails around the country.

In later statements, Mr. Venizelos said the inmates' demands were "mostly legitimate," adding that most of them are met in the draft bill which he will submit in Parliament in the next few days.

"The state's goal is to remove the prisons from inhabited areas," the justice minister said later in reply to a Communist Party of Greece deputy.

Mr. Venizelos yesterday sent a detailed circular to prison wardens around the country with steps to improve conditions at correctional facilities.

Although the minister ruled out the use of force, a strong riot police contingent arrived from nearby Arta and Preveza to back up the local police forces and were prepared to prevent further escapes.

Rioters were still burning various objects in the courtyard, and according to prison sources the fires had totally destroyed the administration offices, kitchens and archives.

[20] Corfu prison

A meeting was underway yesterday evening between justice ministry secretary general George Pavleas and five convicts at the Corfu Prison representing inmates that have taken over the facility.

The five-member committee of prisoners is made up of three Greeks and two Albanian nationals. The inmates met with Mr. Pavleas outside the prison walls in an external office. They were transported over the walls with a crane.

Inmates at the Corfu penitentiary took nine guards hostages on Thursday.

Administration offices and the prison's kitchen facilities were set on fire, while several police units encircled the facility and blocked off the area.

Meanwhile, Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras said "the government had learnt nothing from the past."

"I wonder which forces do not allow the implementation of the relevant decision of the inter-party parliamentary committee," he said.

[21] Greece has lowest crime rate in the EU

According to data provided by Interpol, and presented by Public Order Minister Costas Geitonas in Parliament yesterday, Greece has the lowest crime rate among member countries of the European Union. Greece's crime rate is 2 per cent, with the EU averaging 4.19 per cent, and Germany topping the list, with 14 per cent. Greece has a 2.05 per cent homicide rate, compared to a 4.19 per cent EU average, and a one per cent robbery rate, with the other partners recording rates ranging from 5 to 23 per cent. In d rugs-related crimes, Greece is also lowest, with 2 per cent, while other EU countries' rates ranged from 5 to 20 per cent.

[22] ND calls on UN to investigate Denktash statements

The main opposition New Democracy party yesterday called on the United Nations to conduct an investigation into the 1,691 Cypriots missing since the invasion of Cyprus by Turkey, after Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash said all had been summarily executed by Turkish paramilitaries.

In an interview with Cypriot 'Sigma' private television channel, to be aired last night, Mr. Denktash said that Greek Cypriot prisoners of war were murdered by Turkish Cypriot paramilitary groups instead of being taken to army camps or police stations.

He said there were no missing persons alive today.

Mr. Denktash's statements were characterised by ND as "revealing the violence" of the Turkish invasion and noted that these statements did not put an end to the issue.

"After these cynical statements, the UN now must conduct a full investigation on the fate of each missing individual, in order for the criminals who committed these atrocities to be arrested," the statement said.

The Turkish army, which is the invasion and occupation force, is not absolved of responsibility for the crimes committed, the statement added.

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE), meanwhile, characterised Mr Denktash's statements as "unacceptable".

A high-ranking KKE official said that attempts to prevent the investigation into the fate of the missing have lasted over 20 years and that Mr Denktash's statement were made because he does not want the investigations to continue. The problem can have n o solution unless the fate of each missing individual is uncovered, he said.

[23] Nikos Alexiou passes away

Nikos Alexiou, a veteran journalist, died yesterday at the age of 71.

He started his career in the resistance press, during the wartime occupation. After the war, he worked in a number of newspapers, and became director of Greek Television 2.

PASOK president and former prime minister Andreas Papandreou sent his condolences to Mr. Alexiou's family.

[24] EOT optimistic about tourist numbers this year

The number of tourists visiting Greece this year is expected to equal the numbers for the 1995 season, and may improve, Greek National Tourism Organisation (EOT) President Yiannis Stefanidis told a press conference in Milan on the occasion of the International Tourism Exhibition BIT '96.

Some 10.2 million tourists visited Greece last year.

Mr. Stefanidis said Greece continued to rank among the most popular destinations and Greek tourist "packages" remained competitive, adding that with government support and the participation of all factors included in the tourist "circuit" a generalised effort had been launched to improve services offered to foreign visitors.

He placed special emphasis on important improvement and modernisation projects at airports and ports promoted by the development, merchant marine and transport ministries.

EOT's president also met in Milan with European Commissioner for tourism Christos Papoutsis for talks on issues concerning Greek tourism.

Greece is participating in the exhibition, due to last until tomorrow and including 5,000 exhibitors, with a pavilion representing local hotel unions in Athens, Rhodes, Halkidiki and Crete, Olympic Airways, local administration tourist agencies in Kos,

Corfu and Leros, shipping companies and travel agencies.

[25] Strong Italian interest in Greece this year

More than 700,000 Italian tourists are expected to visit Greece this year, according to the neighbouring country's tourism officials. Most executives at the International Tourism Exhibition BIT '96 in Milan believe that, although Italy has been weathering a political and economic crisis over the past few years, Italians' interest in overseas tourism will increase this season.

Italian tourist interest in Greece appears strong, according to the EOT office in Milan, especially for visits to new areas with private vehicles, campers and yachts, instead of organised tours offered by large tour operators. Out of the 700,000 expected tourists, only 230,000 will arrive as part of package tours, they estimate.

[26] Commission official optimistic about Greece meeting targets

A senior European Commission official said yesterday he was optimistic that Greece would be able to meet targets set by the Community Support Programmes (CSP) and the Cohesion Fund.

Speaking to reporters in Athens, where he is leading a Commission delegation, General Director of the Commission's 16th General Department Enesto Laniaburu said he was quite pessimistic over the implementation of CSP targets and the Cohesion Fund in Greece a year ago, but his talks with ministers "gave him greater hope."

The delegation was given a detailed briefing on progress achieved at an institutional level.

Mr. Laniaburu said he was satisfied that the Greek government had shown it had an unquestionable "European orientation" and that since May he had ascertained improvements in promoting necessary measures.

Mr. Laniaburu and other officials accompanying him visited Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis, Development Minister Vasso Papandreou, National Economy Under-secretary Christos Pachtas and the government's economic adviser Tasos Yiannitsis.

Mr. Laniaburu told reporters the Commission's delegation was not here to check but to facilitate efforts towards the correct use of public money.

He said Greece was not an exception among EU members in finding difficulties on implementing CPSs and, referring to public works, said "courage is required for things to change. There is a need for the rules of the game to change in this country."

[27] Inflows of EU funds

Inflows of European Union funds to Greece totalled 831 billion drachmas in the two-year period 1994-95, National Economy Under-secretary Christos Pachtas said yesterday.

Mr. Pachtas said the figure represented 78 per cent of the amount which Greece could have received if the projects which had been approved for funding had been executed.

For 1996, Mr. Pachtas added, the size of project commitments totalled 1.031 trillion drachmas.

He said that the national economy ministry aimed to fully absorb this amount plus the balance of 180 billion drachmas remaining from the two-year period 1994-95.

[28] Trade mission to Skopje ends visit

The head of Greece's diplomatic liaison office in Skopje, Alexandros Mallias, left for Athens yesterday for consultations with the Greek foreign ministry.

Meanwhile, a five-member delegation of Greek businessmen, accompanied by the director of the foreign ministry's bilateral economic relations department, concluded a two-day visit to Skopje yesterday.

The delegation held meetings with representatives of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's (FYROM) foreign ministry, Finance Minister Bekir Zouta, the Privatisation Organisation and the chamber of commerce.

The Greek businessmen said that the main obstacle to intensified economic co-operation was the political problem and the conclusion of the New York talks on the existing differences concerning the name.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Exporters of Northern Greece (SEBE) is organising a business mission to Skopje with the participation of representatives from 70 enterprises and agricultural co-operatives throughout the country and other bodies.

The delegation, headed by SEBE president Apostolos Genitsaris, will visit Skopje March 18-19.

The mission includes 64 companies from northern Greece and 12 agricultural co-operative unions.

[29] Tzoumakas announces measures for farmers

Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas yesterday announced measures for the protection of the income of stock-breeders and dairy farmers.

These include a number of provisions for the clear distinction of feta from other white cheeses, the promotion of its consumption, and the setting up of a board for the certification of the name and origin of products.

Mr. Tzoumakas also said that debt repayment would be partially rescheduled, and that an effort would be made for Brussels to increase the milk quota by 125,000 tonnes.

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