A.N.A. Bulletin, 09/10/96
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <[email protected]>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1010), October 9, 1996
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
CONTENTS
[01] Mass violations by Turkish fighters fail to impede joint
Cyprus-Greece exercises
[02] Turkish fighter plane crashes
[03] US comment
[04] Kaklamanis re-elected Parliament president
[05] Reactions
[06] Greek-Australian scientific conference slated for Thessaloniki
[07] EU's development dominates talks between Stephanopoulos,
Ahtisaari
[08] Ahtisaari emphasizes need for solution to Cyprus problem
[09] Italian navy vessel in Piraeus
[10] Hi-tech exhibition in Thessaloniki judged a success
[11] Papandreou to speak at London School of Economics event
[12] Simitis says the wealthy will bear the brunt of development
effort
[13] European unions express solidarity to laid off Goodyear workers
[14] Pylos tremor no cause for worry
[15] International conference aims to provide answers to Greek
tourist marketing
[16] Sustainable tourism in Xanthi
[17] Berlitz International opens first Athens branch
[18] Papoutsis says SMEs the key to development, less unemployment
[19] Citibank raises short-term loan interest rates
[20] PASEGES against any decrease in EU's grain subsidization
[21] Greek trade exhibit in Beirut
[22] EOT to announce tendering for int'l ad campaign
[23] Russian business delegation tours Evros region
[24] Greece gets its first Spanish magazine
[01] Mass violations by Turkish fighters fail to impede joint
Cyprus-Greece exercises
Athens, 09/10/1996 (ANA)
Large-scale violations of the Athens and Nicosia Flight
Information Regions (FIR) by Turkish warplanes occurred right up
to the conclusion of joint Greek-Cypriot military exercises,
resulting on one occasion in the crash of a Turkish F-16 fighter
yesterday southwest of the eastern Aegean island of Hios.
However, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas rejected claims
that violations had been "continuous" or that the exercise had
been prevented from proceeding as planned, saying press reports
had overestimated the Turkish air force's activity in the region.
"The exercise went ahead with complete success," he noted.
He added that Hellenic Air Force planes had successfully
intercepted Turkish violators, at the same time sending the
proper message to Ankara.
National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said the message
of the joint exercises "Nikiforos" and "Toxotis" was that the
response of the Athens-Nicosia joint defense doctrine to any
foreign threat was a given, effective, and could not be impeded
by anyone.
"With the joint Greek-Cypriot exercises we acquired new
experiences that bolster both the country's defense capability
and all the efforts towards promoting the just cause of the
Cypriot people," he said.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos added that no pressures had been exercised
for a cancellation of the exercises, and that Turkish
diversionary tactics had failed.
[02] Turkish fighter plane crashes
Athens, 09/10/1996 (ANA)
According to Greek defense ministry reports, the Turkish F-16
fighter plane crashed in a sea region some 15 miles off Hios
after being intercepted by two Hellenic Air Force French-made
Mirage 2000 fighters at approximately 3 p.m. yesterday. Hellenic
Navy helicopters and vessels which sped to the area rescued one
of the aircraft's two pilots after he bailed out. The US-made
Turkish plane had earlier violated the Athens FIR when it and
another F-16 accompanied four Turkish F-4 "Phantom" fighters.
Greek authorities said the Turkish pilot was taken to a hospital
on Hios while Greek rescue boats continued to search for the
second pilot on the two-seater training fighter. In a telephone
conversation with Athens' ambassador to Ankara, Dimitris
Nezeritis, Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Inal Batu thanked
Greece for the pilot's rescue, expressing hope that the co-pilot
would also be found. He also claimed the incident had been an
accident.
In statements later in the evening, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the
incident gave cause for concern.
"Today's incident must give cause for concern to all, because
the safeguarding of peace between peoples requires measures for
the avoidance of such events," he said.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos expressed his regret over the incident, and
added that Athens had accepted a Turkish request for
participation in search efforts for the missing co-pilot.
Asked if the two countries could proceed to a military dialogue,
the national defense minister said this was a matter bearing no
relation to the specific event, which did not lend itself to
political interpretations.
[03] US comment
Washington, 09/10/1996 (ANA - T. Ellis)
The crash of the Turkish F-16 near Hios was apparently due to
mechanical failure, according to Washington's estimations.
In response to press questions, State Department spokesman
Nicholas Burns said that based on information the State
Department received from the area, mechanical malfunction was
the probable cause of the aircraft's downing. He said
Washington's information was from direct communication with both
Athens and Ankara.
In addition, he praised Greece's handling of the incident,
adding: "Fortunately, the Greek armed forces rushed to rescue of
the Turkish pilot, who is now safe."
[04] Kaklamanis re-elected Parliament president
Athens, 09/10/1996 (ANA)
Apostolos Kaklamanis was re-elected yesterday as the president
of the new 300-member Parliament that emerged from last month's
general elections. He was chosen in a second round of voting.
Mr. Kaklamanis, a leading member of the ruling PASOK party,
received 154 votes, against 94 votes for main opposition New
Democracy candidate Anna Psarouda-Benaki. Thirty-nine deputies
cast blank ballots.
He failed to win the 151-vote absolute majority required in the
first round of secret voting. A simple majority of the MPs
present was required in the second round.
Mr. Kaklamanis received 150 votes in the first round from 294
deputies present, against 95 for Ms Psarouda-Benaki, 46 blank
and three invalid ballots. Three of PASOK's 162 MPs were absent
from the vote, while four of the 108 ND parliamentarians were
also absent, which means nine PASOK and nine ND deputies did not
vote for their party's candidate during the first round.
PASOK absentees included Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos,
who is accompanying President of the Republic Kostis
Stephanopoulos on a state visit to Finland, Rovertos
Spyropoulos, and former health under-secretary Franklinos
Papadellis, who is recovering from a stroke he suffered while
campaigning prior to the Sept. 22 general elections.
It was only the second time since 1964 that a Parliament
presidential candidate belonging to the majority party has not
been elected in the first round.
The unexpected development caused Parliament members to endorse
a small delay between the two rounds to enable deputies who had
departed to return for a second round.
In the second round, Mr. Kaklamanis received 154 votes from the
159 PASOK MPs present, and Ms Psarouda-Benaki 94 votes from the
98 ND deputies present.
In comments after his re-election, Mr. Kaklamanis expressed his
thanks to those who voted for him and his "complete respect" for
those that did not.
In addition, Mr. Kaklamanis said the beginning of the ninth
Parliament since the fall of the military junta in 1974 will be
decisive for the nation's future course. He also noted that "new
and unchecked centers of power" are rising through an
"information revolution" and telecommunications, adding that new
centers of accumulated economic power are "disputing and
subverting democratic political systems..."
Today, Parliament will elect vice-presidents and other
Parliamentary officials.
[05] Reactions
Athens, 09/10/1996 (ANA)
In statements after the count, ND deputy and former minister
George Souflias said the results of the first round were a
"resounding slap in the face" to the ruling party, which, he
claimed, appears to be "divided".
Recently re-elected main opposition New Democracy leader
Miltiades Evert, meanwhile, said Prime Minister Costas Simitis
should show less concern about the crisis in ND, adding: "It is
certain that on Saturday night Mr. Simitis will gain
Parliament's vote of confidence. He should again ask himself
after the vote, however, the extent of this confidence."
Honorary ND president Constantine Mitsotakis said the election
of a Parliament president was a "clear political declaration.
The government came out of today's procedure wounded."
On his part, Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas lashed out
at those he said have "political disagreements", saying they
should be expressed openly.
[06] Greek-Australian scientific conference slated for Thessaloniki
Melbourne, 09/10/1996 (ANA - S. Hatzimanolis)
The sixth International Hellenic-Australian Legal and Medical
Conference will be held in Thessaloniki in June with the
participation of scores of distinguished scientists from both
countries.
According to an announcement by the conference's organizing
committee president, Evgenia Mitraka, Thessaloniki was chosen
because it will be the cultural capital of Europe over the same
period.
The previous conferences were distinguished for their high level
and this is the reason that the next conference is expected to
achieve a record number of participatants.
[07] EU's development dominates talks between Stephanopoulos,
Ahtisaari
Helsinki, 09/10/1996 (ANA - S. Sideris/DPA)
European Union developments, bilateral relations and prospects
for improving them were the main topics of discussion in
President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos' meeting here
with Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari yesterday.
Mr. Stephanopoulos arrived in Helsinki yesterday on the first
official visit by a Greek head of state to Finland for talks
dominated by the development of European Union structure,
Finnish officials said.
The Greek president is accompanied by Foreign Minister Theodoros
Pangalos.
During his talks with Mr. Ahtisaari, the Greek president brought
up the problems in Greek-Turkish relations, stressing that in
international differences, dialogue and negotiations should
prevail.
He added, however, that it was difficult to commence dialogue
with Ankara, not because Greece did not desire good relations
with neighboring countries but because the differences were due
to groundless claims by Turkey against Greece.
As smaller members of the European Union, Finland and Greece are
united in ensuring that the interests of both large and small
member-states remain balanced in EU decision-making.
Mr. Stephanopoulos was expected to report on Greece's experience
with the EU's Mediterranean programme, while his hosts will
share their views on Baltic area co-operation.
Discussions during the Greek leader's three-day visit will also
concern enlargement of the Union and the timetable for such
developments.
Finland has forcefully advocated extending EU membership to the
new democracies of central and eastern Europe, in particular the
Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.
At a meeting with Hungarian President Arpad Goencz on Friday,
Mr. Ahtisaari said Finland looked forward to the EU growing to
include 20 to 25 nations.
Greece supports EU membership for Cyprus and Malta as well as
the eastern European countries - Romania and Bulgaria in
particular.
The two presidents will also discuss problems in the Middle East.
Mr. Stephanopoulos will meet the leaders of all 10 parties in
the Finnish Parliament and visit major Finnish companies,
including Nokia and the Kvaerner shipyards, which is building
two large, fast car ferries for Adriatic crossings.
The president briefly addressed the Finnish parliament
yesterday, expressing his satisfaction at visiting one of the
oldest parliaments in Europe, which had played such a
significant role in the political history of the country and in
the defense of democratic ideals.
[08] Ahtisaari emphasizes need for solution to Cyprus problem
Helsinki, 09/10/1996 (ANA)
Later, during an official dinner yesterday in honor of his Greek
counterpart, Mr. Ahtisaari stressed the need for a solution to
the Cyprus issue, expressing support for a start to procedures
for Cyprus' EU accession six months after the intergovernmental
conference ends.
President Ahtisaari noted that the division of the island
republic has lasted for many years, while a start to accession
negotiations constitutes an additional reason for a solution to
be found to the 22-year problem.
On his part, President Stephanopoulos referred to Greek foreign
policy targets in Europe and the Balkans, and primarily to
Greece's relations with neighboring countries with which it has
differences, such as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
(FYROM) and Turkey.
Commenting on developments in the European Union, President
Stephanopoulos said "the Europe we envision must be a Europe of
citizens, development and democracy, a Europe of justice, which
must be open to people and capable of protecting the security of
its citizens and the independence of member-states."
He said a new Europe should not constitute a closed club or
remain a privilege for the 15 nations comprising it.
Mr. Stephanopoulos said the issue of European security and
stability must be tackled in an indivisible and comprehensive
way, so as to provide every country with guarantees for its
territorial integrity and its national independence in
accordance with international law, the UN charter, the Helsinki
Final Act and other relevant international documents.
[09] Italian navy vessel in Piraeus
Athens, 09/10/1996 (ANA)
The Italian Navy amphibious vessel "St. George", carrying part
of an Italian marine infantry battalion recently participating
in a multi-national military exercise, will be docked in Piraeus
this week.
The vessel was involved in NATO peacekeeping operations this
year off the coast of the former Yugoslavia.
[10] Hi-tech exhibition in Thessaloniki judged a success
Athens, 09/10/1996 (ANA)
The 10th international informatics and hi-tech products
exhibition "Infosystem Hi-Tech '96" was successfully organized
by the HELEXPO-Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) at its
facilities in Thessaloniki last week.
An announcement by HELEXPO yesterday underlined the upward trend
of this sector exhibition, in which 531 exhibitors from 22
countries participated this year.
The number of visitors to the exhibition increased by 7 per cent
compared to last year's exhibition.
Specifically, 10,244 people visited the exhibition on Saturday,
Oct. 5 and 10,608 on Sunday, Oct. 6, compared to 8,121 and 8,232
on the corresponding days in 1995.
[11] Papandreou to speak at London School of Economics event
Athens, 09/10/1996 (ANA)
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou will give a lecture
on the subject of "Politics as Education" today in London as
part of events marking the 101st anniversary of the London
School of Economics.
The noted school's director, Leslie Hannah, will introduce Mr.
Papandreou, who will be the principal speaker at the event.
In addition, Mr. Papandreou will inaugurate the Greek Section of
the LSE's European Institute, which was founded to promote
research and the teaching of economic and political institutions
in Greece.
[12] Simitis says the wealthy will bear the brunt of development
effort
Athens, 09/10/1996 (ANA)
The more affluent members of society will bear the main burden
of Greece's development effort, which aims at improving the
position of those economically and socially disadvantaged, Prime
Minister Costas Simitis told the inaugural session of his
party's Parliamentary group yesterday.
"Those having and possessing (wealth) will mainly contribute to
a strong Greece, to social justice, the change in the country's
course. They must be those who will bolster the country's
modernization to everyone's benefit," he said in reference to
priorities in the drafting of a new 1997 budget.
The premier emphasized that consistency, reliability and
effectiveness in all options would comprise the government's
doctrine, and that the principle in its functioning would be
"the elimination of the concept of the political cost."
"We shall not hesitate in adopting the correct and necessary
decisions, even if strong groups exercise pressures," he added.
He warned the main opposition New Democracy party "not to
attempt to transform its own permanent and perhaps insoluble
crisis into a crisis of the institutions."
Mr. Simitis described the opposition's pre-election tactics as
"irresponsible, populist and demagogic, denounced by the Greek
people, along with the vulgarity of its advertising campaign."
He expressed the view the result of the Sept. 22 elections had
confirmed the political changes in 1996, which helped form a
majority social current for democratic socialism.
"This current is making inroads into both left and right," he
claimed.
Mr. Simitis said PASOK had won a major victory, managing to turn
around a low popularity among the electoral body within one year.
He described as a positive development the presence of many
parties in Parliament, stressing that the government was seeking
the broadest possible consensus in decision-making, and called
on the parties to make their contribution towards that end.
He also announced the government's intention to legislate on the
inadmissibility of the general secretaries of ministries and
heads of public utilities standing as candidates in general
elections.
"There must be a rule that secures lack of personal interests.
It will be implemented because it constitutes a political
commitment on the part of PASOK," he said.
[13] European unions express solidarity to laid off Goodyear workers
Athens, 09/10/1996 (ANA)
A conference of the Confederation of European Unions has
approved a protest resolution against a decision taken by the
multi-national firm Goodyear to close its tire plant in Greece.
The confederation expressed solidarity with the plant's laid off
350 employees and called on Goodyear to reconsider its decision.
[14] Pylos tremor no cause for worry
Athens, 09/10/1996 (ANA)
Seismologists said yesterday a strong earth tremor off the coast
of Pylos, Messinias yesterday morning was no cause for concern.
The quake registered 4.9 on the Richter scale at 5:56 a.m. and
had its epicenter 450 kms southwest of Thessaloniki.
Professor Vassilis Papazahos, of the Aristotelian University of
Thessaloniki's Geophysical Laboratory, said the tremor was
"nothing out of the ordinary".
"It is just a tremor - a strong one - but one which is a usual
phenomenon in regions of high seismic activity such as that of
Pylos. There is no cause for concern," he told the ANA.
A quake in 1947 in the same region registered 7.0 on the Richter
scale.
[15] International conference aims to provide answers to Greek
tourist marketing
Athens, 09/10/1996 (ANA)
An international conference on "Greek Tourism and Marketing" is
being organized for October 25 by the Center for Vocational
Training of the Association of Greek Tourist Enterprises (SETE)
and the Greek Marketing Institute (EIM).
At a press conference yesterday, SETE President Spyros Kootos
and EIM president Antonis Gortzis stressed that their joint aim
was to bring to Greece the experiences of tourist marketing of
other tourist-developed countries and to promote specific
solutions to problems in Greek tourism.
They said this was necessary at a time when the Greek National
Tourism Organization (EOT) appeared to be unable to draft a
long-term marketing policy for the Greek tourist product abroad,
in an effort to turn around the fall in arrivals to Greece noted
this year and last.
"The problems of Greek tourism, despite efforts made recently,
continue to be dealt with a not-very-technical orientation," Mr.
Kokotas said. He asked the government to immediately implement
SETE's proposal for a five-year marketing plan taking into
account country, region and tourist enterprise.
Mr. Gortzis welcomed the decision of Development Minister Vasso
Papandreou to apply as of next year a complete marketing plan
for Greek tourist in tandem with an overseas advertising
campaign and said he hoped it would be applied immediately.
[16] Sustainable tourism in Xanthi
Athens, 09/10/1996 (ANA)
A seminar on the subject "Sustainable tourism and the region of
Eastern Macedonia-Thrace" will take place in Xanthi on October
11 with the aim of promoting co-operation between British and
Greek tourist enterprises and organizations.
The seminar is being co-organized by the British Hellenic
Chamber of Commerce, the British Embassy, the British Council,
the Xanthi Chamber, and the prefect and mayor of Xanthi, with
the support of EOT and the regional secretary of Eastern
Macedonia-Thrace. The seminar will take place in the lecture
hall of the Polytechnic School of the Demokritos University of
Thrace.
British Ambassador Sir Michael Llewelyn Smith will open the
seminar and there will be presentations by experts in the field
of sustainable tourism from the UK and Greece. A team of
representatives of specialist British tour operators will also
take part .
[17] Berlitz International opens first Athens branch
Athens, 09/10/1996 (ANA)
Berlitz International, the world's biggest foreign language
institute, opened its first branch in Athens yesterday, to help
Greeks and foreigners become acquainted with the European Union
languages.
Apart from the large variety of language programs, Berlitz's
customers may also benefit from the services of translators and
interpreters, as well as audiovisual tapes for self-teaching,
books, CD-Rom and travel guides.
The Athens branch - at Paparigopoulou 3, Platia Klathmonos, in
central Athens - is the newest of Berlitz's network of 324
branches in 36 countries and will be formally inaugurated
tomorrow evening.
[18] Papoutsis says SMEs the key to development, less unemployment
Athens, 09/10/1996 (ANA)
Addressing the opening session of the fourth international
conference of European Chambers of Commerce yesterday in an
Athens seaside resort, European Union Energy, SMEs and Tourism
Commissioner Christos Papoutsis said Europe's hopes for a new
impetus in development and employment are focusing on the
development of enterprises, and small- and medium-sized ones in
particular.
Mr. Papoutsis expressed the wish that "the Community partners
and the ministers of EU member-states will recognize that
creating employment emanates from a plethora of businesses and
not from big complexes and industrial capital groups."
The president of the Central Union of Chambers of Commerce of
Greece and deputy president of the Eurochamber, Andreas
Kyriazis, said Greek and the other Community enterprises must
"incorporate themselves in the society of citizens as deeply as
they can. "
Mr. Kyriazis called on Athens to make decisive interventions and
take corrective measures to enable the country to participate in
the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), even in its second stage.
The conference is taking place in Greece for the first time and
is being attended by many businessmen, as representatives of
regional and national chambers of commerce from many countries.
[19] Citibank raises short-term loan interest rates
Athens, 09/10/1996 (ANA)
Citibank announced a 0.5 per cent increase in its basic interest
rate for short-term loans as of yesterday and for one week.
Specifically, the interest rate rose to 17.25 per cent from
16.75 per cent, while the basic interest rates for other
currency accounts will be 7.97 per cent in US dollars, 3.06 per
cent in Japanese yen, 5.62 per cent in German marks, 6.70 per
cent in ECU's, 8.43 per cent in British pounds sterling, 6.06
per cent in French francs and 5.37 per cent in Dutch guilders.
[20] PASEGES against any decrease in EU's grain subsidization
Athens, 09/10/1996 (ANA)
The Panhellenic Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives
(PASEGES) announced its categorical opposition yesterday to a
proposal by a relevant European Union committee for a 7 to 30
per cent decrease in grain subsidization.
The proposal aims at finding funds to combat a crisis in the
beef sector, due primarily to "mad cow" disease.
The opposition was set out by PASEGES president and EU Economic
and Social Committee member Nikos Liolos.
According to a PASEGES announcement, Mr. Liolos denounced the
committee for handling the issue with what he called
"frivolity", adding that it was unacceptable for grain producers
to have to foot the bill for the mad cow disease. He also
underlined the disastrous consequences Greek stockbreeders will
face if the proposal is accepted.
[21] Greek trade exhibit in Beirut
Athens, 09/10/1996 (ANA)
An exhibition of Greek products will be held in Beirut from Oct.
20-25, as part of the trade mission organized by the
Arab-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Development.
Among others, the exhibition will include aluminum products,
household items, ventilating equipment, plastics,
pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, clothing and footwear. For more
information, call the Arab-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and
Development at 67.11 .210.
[22] EOT to announce tendering for int'l ad campaign
Athens, 09/10/1996 (ANA)
The Greek Tourist Organization (EOT) is expected to proclaim
international tendering for selection of a company to undertake
a comprehensive advertising and public relations campaign for
the organization.
The contract will cover a period of one year from the time it is
awarded, without providing the possibility of extension and with
a budget of six billion drachmas.
The proclamation also contains the term that interested parties
must submit a letter of credit for 25 million drachmas and
anticipates that the contractor must be based in Athens, while
in every other case it is essential that any winning bidder has
or opens an office in Athens with staff and suitable equipment
for the work to be carried out.
Interested firms can submit their proposals at EOT's offices in
Athens, 2 Amerikis St., by Nov. 25 at the latest.
[23] Russian business delegation tours Evros region
Athens, 09/10/1996 (ANA)
A nine-member Russian business delegation is currently on a tour
of the Evros region to consider investments in Thrace.
The Russian investors, from Krasnoyarsk in Siberia, had contacts
with Evros Prefect Giorgos Dolios, local mayors and economic
leaders. According to reports, they concluded an agreement to
purchase a seaside hotel in Maronia, Rodopi.
Additionally, a company headquartered in Alexandroupolis was
established under the name Kras Maronia to support any efforts
for investments in the region.
A first major investment in the Evros area by Russian investors
would concern the creation of an aluminum factory.
[24] Greece gets its first Spanish magazine
Athens, 09/10/1996 (ANA)
The first ever Spanish-language magazine to be published in
Greece was presented to the Greek and foreign press yesterday as
part of an effort to further promote relations between Greece
and the Hispanic-speaking countries.
The 48-page monthly "El Sol de Atenas", with a prologue by the
Spanish Ambassador in Athens Jose Cuenca Anaya, deals with
economic, political cultural and tourist affairs in Greece,
Spain and the countries of Latin America.
The magazine hopes to keep the numerous nationals from
Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Chile, Ecuador,
El Salvador, Spain, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua,
Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Santo Domingo, Uruguay and Venezuela
living and visiting Greece abreast of the local happenings.
"It is an effort to help deeper and better understanding between
Greece and Spain, both members of the European Union, especially
in the cultural sector, which has several common elements," said
Theodoros Benakis, the publisher and editor of the magazine.
Begonia Castiella, a member of the editorial board and Athens
correspondent for the Spanish newspaper ABC, said that the
magazine would also present the activities of the
Spanish-speaking community in Greece and of the Greek
communities in Hispanic countries.
Mr. Benakis said that the magazine was "a necessity due to the
increasing number of Spanish-speaking tourists" to Greece and
the "increasing number of Spanish companies doing business" in
Greece.
End of English language section.
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