A.N.A. Bulletin, 14/10/96
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <[email protected]>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1014), October 14, 1996
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
CONTENTS
[01] Athens, Nicosia condemn yet another Turkish forces murder of
unarmed Greek Cypriot
[02] 'Cold-blooded murder'
[03] Calm urged on Cyprus
[04] EuroMPs denounce murder
[05] British reaction
[06] Government wins confidence vote, Simitis prepares to press ahead
with new program
[07] Simitis response
[08] Ministers' speeches
[09] Papariga warns of US plans to 'carve up' the Aegean
[10] Arsenis pledges solution to university funding this week
[11] Turkish ambassador begins Komotini visit today
[12] Hungarian FM in Athens to seek Greek support for EU bid
[13] British, Greek experts discuss Xanthi tourist development
[14] Byzantine icons exhibition goes on show in NY
[01] Athens, Nicosia condemn yet another Turkish forces murder of
unarmed Greek Cypriot
Athens, 14/10/1996 (ANA)
Athens and Nicosia yesterday condemned what they called "the
cold-blooded murder" by Turkish occupation troops of an unarmed
Greek Cypriot who mistakenly wandered into the occupied northern
sector of Cyprus.
Petros Kakoulis, 58, a retired fireman, was shot and killed
early yesterday morning by Turkish troops. He had been
snail-gathering with his son-in-law Panikos Hatziathanasis, 27,
who lost sight of Kakoulis in fields close to the former police
station of Achna and territory controlled by the British
military base at Dhekelia. Hatziathanasis testified that he saw
Kakoulis about 200m away with his hands raised. He then saw two
soldiers from the occupied zone fire two shots, then move closer
and fire a third shot at close range. Hatziathanasis then ran to
the nearest police station to report the killing.
The incident occurred near the British base at Dhekelia. Base
police and officials of the United Nations peacekeeping force
were not permitted to approach the site of the incident until
Kakoulis' body had been removed by Turkish Cypriot "authorities"
later yesterday morning.
The body was taken to a hospital in Famagusta for a postmortem
and will be handed over to the UN force today.
It was the third murder in as many months of unarmed Greek
Cypriots by Turkish occupation forces. Tassos Isaac, 24, and
Solomos Solomou, 26, were killed in a week of violence at the UN
buffer zone in August.
[02] 'Cold-blooded murder'
Nicosia, 14/10/1996 (ANA)
Cypriot government spokesman Yannakis Cassoulides called the
killing an act of cold-blooded murder, since there had been no
provocation on the part of Kakoulis, who was unarmed. The
Turkish Cypriot authorities, who confirmed the killing to the UN
force, say that Kakoulis had "intruded" into the occupied
territory.
Mr. Cassoulides said the government would protest the -totally
unjustified act by the Turkish occupation troops to the United
Nations, other international organizations and foreign
governments.
Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides did not rule out the
possibility of recourse to the UN Security Council over the
incident, which he called a "cowardly, cold-blooded murder" by
the Turkish troops. This was not the end of the issue, he said.
He added t hat he would be rewriting a letter he had been
intending to sent to Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.
Meanwhile, in Athens, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas
condemned what he called a criminal act, which he said not only
confirmed the criminal and terrorist nature of the regime in
occupied northern Cyprus, but proved that Turkey's preferred
policy w as to create tension in the region.
The Turkish occupation forces in northern Cyprus, he said, acted
like common criminals.
"What else has to happen," he added, "for the international
community to realize that as long as the Cyprus issue remains
unresolved, it remains a source of danger for the region in
general."
The incident was also condemned by Greece's political parties.
The main opposition New Democracy party spokesman called on the
international public "to wake up", particularly those who showed
apathy regarding the behavior of a country that disdained
justice and violated human rights. Similar statements were
issued by Political Spring, the Communist Party of Greece and
the Coalition of the Left and Progress.
[03] Calm urged on Cyprus
Nicosia, 14/10/1996 (ANA)
Speaker of the House of Representatives and former Cypriot
president Spyros Kyprianou urged Greek Cypriots taking part in
an anti-occupation protest march yesterday to stay calm,
following the murder of Kakoulis.
Thousands of refugees took part in a march from Astromeritis
village, west of Nicosia, on the road leading to their hometown
of Morphou, in the northeastern part of the island.
The House speaker took the opportunity to brief foreign MPs and
guests taking part in the Morphou march about the new Turkish
provocation.
Cyprus police and the UNFICYP took strict security measures near
the UN-controlled buffer zone at Astromeritis to prevent
marchers entering no-man's-land.
Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash threatened that his illegal
regime would arrest anybody who tried to cross into the occupied
territory.
[04] EuroMPs denounce murder
Nicosia, 14/10/1996 (ANA)
EuroMPs taking part in the Morphou march strongly condemned the
murder. British Labor EuroMP Pauline Green, leader of the
Socialist group in the European Parliament, said the new murder
"reinforces the horror of an island of this size divided in this
way".
She said it demonstrates that "we have to resolve this problem.
It is now becoming more and more of a flash-point".
The leader of the largest political group in the Europarliament
said the international community "must respond with firmer
pressure on Turkey to solve the dreadful problem".
Dutch EuroMP Jan Willelm Bertens said it was a premeditated
murder, done on purpose to show there is no chance for peace.
But we will fight back peacefully for the reunification of the
island".
Both EuroMPs said the new murder by the Turks strengthens their
determination to refuse all EU funds for Turkey.
Greek EuroMP Alekos Alavanos strongly denounced the new Turkish
provocative act and said the matter would be raised in the
Europarliament.
[05] British reaction
Nicosia, 14/10/1996 (ANA)
A British Foreign Office spokesman told the Cyprus Broadcasting
Corporation (RIK) that Britain strongly condemned the murder of
yet another unarmed Greek Cypriot in the buffer zone. He called
on the two communities on the island to limit violence and
conflict and to exercise restraint.
Britain's special Cyprus envoy Sir David Hannay, who arrived in
Cyprus yesterday afternoon, said the tragic incident showed that
the status quo should not be allowed to continue.
Despite the recent events, Sir David nevertheless expressed the
view that there was more common ground than before and that
there had been some positive developments. The views expressed
by President Clerides at the UN General Assembly had been of
great help to all those involved in the Cyprus issue, he added.
[06] Government wins confidence vote, Simitis prepares to press ahead
with new program
Athens, 14/10/1996 (ANA)
Parliament early Sunday morning returned a vote of confidence to
the new socialist government, giving prime minister Costas
Simitis the green light to press ahead with his policy program.
The confidence motion was returned by 161 socialist deputies but
voted against by 134 opposition deputies from the New Democracy
party conservatives, Communist Party (KKE), the Coalition of the
Left and Progress party and the Social Democratic Movement
(DHKKI).
Prime Minister Costas Simitis closed the debate by responding to
opposition criticism of the government's foreign and economic
policy, and reiterating the need for action on the economic
front. He dismissed the fifteen-point "questionnaire" raised by
main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert earlier in
the evening as nothing more than denunciations. The government's
foreign policy was aimed, he said , at promoting all alliances,
while ND's policy was superficial and improvised.
Mr. Evert said the prime minister had not answered many crucial
issues, or had been vague in others, and addressed a set of 15
questions to the government, including, notably, whether
Turkey's recourse to the International Court at The Hague would
merely concern the Aegean continental shelf, as traditionally
advocated by Greece, or would also include the issue of
sovereignty over the Imia islets, and whether the government
would block EU financing of Turkey through the MEDA program.
He also asked whether there was likelihood of accepting a triple
name, each with a different use, for the Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia, and whether the government accepted a
convening of the political leaders' council and the setting up
of a national foreign policy council.
Regarding domestic policies, Mr. Evert focused on what measures
the government planned to adopt for farmers, what new taxes the
government planned to impose in 1997, whether funding for
education would be increased, and what growth rate the
government forecast for GNP.
[07] Simitis response
Athens, 14/10/1996 (ANA)
With regard to Greece's relations with the Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), the prime minister stressed that
public debate on the pending issue of that country's name would
have a negative effect on Greece's negotiating position. However
, he offered to brief Mr. Evert or any other party leader in
person.
Mr. Simitis clarified that in using the term "differences" in
relation to Turkey he had been referring only to Imia and the
continental shelf, and criticized Mr. Evert for his election
campaign statements on the issue.
In the economic sector, bold decisions were required whatever
the cost, since "political acrobatics" did not serve the
country's interests, continued the prime minister. He accused
the main opposition party of "wasting its energy", emphasizing
that Greece had to keep pace with European unification if it did
not want to be left behind. There could be no fiscal reform
without interventions, he added, since there was no such thing
as a miracle.
Meanwhile, phrases such as "the people were starving" were
examples of cheap populism, he went on, reiterating his
government's position that the "haves" would be called upon to
contribute.
Responding to criticism from the Coalition of the Left and
Progress regarding institutional reform, he drew attention to
achievements such as the introduction of objective criteria for
public service recruitment, as well as the upgraded role for
Parliament and prefectural administration.
Turning to the question over the school leaving certificate
introduced by former education minister George Papandreou, which
his successor Gerassimos Arsenis has decided to review, Mr.
Simitis called the new system a radical innovation which
required further dialogue in order to achieve a broader
consensus.
[08] Ministers' speeches
Athens, 14/10/1996 (ANA)
Taking the floor before the prime minister's and party leaders'
final speeches, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said the
government was exercising a policy of safeguarding national
interests in the framework of a more general perception of
co-operation in Europe.
Referring to Greek-Turkish relations, he asked the neighboring
country to abandon its unacceptable and irrational demands, and
that, being the one raising claims, it should take the
initiative in referring issues to international adjudication.
Mr. Pangalos said the setting up of a national foreign policy
council, as proposed by opposition parties, would be an
international novelty, describing it as "unfeasible and
groundless".
He stressed that despite claims to the contrary, there were
general rules of a national strategy which were being followed
with great respect, and that parliament's external affairs
committee carried out substantial work on national matters.
Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said in his speech that
Greece wished and was indeed in a position to play a stabilizing
role in the Balkans and the eastern Mediterranean, contributing
to the lessening of tension, reductions in armaments, and the
creation of structures of security and co-operation through a
series of bilateral agreements for defense co-operation. In the
framework of this aim, he added, Greece was exercising a dynamic
defense policy, with continuous contacts at all levels with
countries in the Balkans, central Europe, Russia, Armenia,
Egypt, Israel and Syria.
He provided a reminder that Greece was currently participating
in peace missions of the European Union and the United Nations,
and was considering the formation of two further stand-by units
of 100 and 250 men respectively for participation in such
missions.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos added that Greece was actively participating
in all internal procedures in NATO and the Western European
Union.
"We are seeking a command and control structure of operations
which does not undermine the status quo in the Aegean to our
detriment, and does not upset the military balance in the
region," he specified.
[09] Papariga warns of US plans to 'carve up' the Aegean
Athens, 14/10/1996 (ANA)
Speaking at a large youth rally at the Peace and Friendship
stadium in Piraeus, Communist Party (KKE) Secretary-General
Aleka Papariga warned yesterday that the Aegean was in the
process of dismemberment, with the Greek government prepared to
concede everything, and the US set to assume full dominance
while Greek borders being disputed not only by Turkey, but also
by the other allies.
Referring to the murder of a Greek Cypriot citizen by Turkish
occupation forces in the morning, she expressed indignation,
warning it was not an isolated incident.
"It constitutes the escalation of an effort to officially impose
the division of Cyprus, to have UN forces withdrawn and replaced
by a NATO multinational force, so that this dangerous
organization, which terrorizes and murders peoples, may assume
open and undisguised control on the island," she charged, adding
that the rapid reaction force, as referred to by Defense
Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos during discussion of the
government's policy statement in Parliament, would be used for
the implementation of the American-German plan of subjugating
the peoples of the Mediterranean, which included the division of
Cyprus.
Ms Papariga again raised the issue of the formation of a
"struggle front against the monopolies and imperialism," to
challenge the dominance and authority of multinational capital,
and the political consensus prevailing in the country.
[10] Arsenis pledges solution to university funding this week
Athens, 14/10/1996 (ANA)
Commitments regarding the future of tertiary education in Greece
were made by Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis in Patras at
the weekend during a meeting of Greece's university rectors.
With regard to universities' financial difficulties, Mr. Arsenis
announced that a solution to this year's problems would be found
during the coming week in co-operation with the finance minister
and the rectors' council. The 1997 budget would be discussed
with the rectors as part of a long-term program, pending the
announcement of a five-year plan.
Patras University Rector Stamatis Alachiotis referring to the
minister's commitments, said Mr. Arsenis had showed
understanding and decisiveness regarding the university salary
scales.
He had also assured them of his support in finding more funds
for tertiary establishments, adding that there was a possibility
of securing more funding for 1996.
[11] Turkish ambassador begins Komotini visit today
Athens, 14/10/1996 (ANA)
Turkish ambassador to Greece Pamit Umir begins a four-day visit
to the Thracian city of Komotini today.
He will have contacts with members of the Moslem minority, and
pay courtesy calls on public authorities.
Mr. Umir served as deputy consul in the city in the 1975-77
period.
[12] Hungarian FM in Athens to seek Greek support for EU bid
Athens, 14/10/1996 (ANA)
Hungarian Foreign Minister Lazlo Kovacs arrived in Athens
yesterday afternoon heading a delegation seeking Greece's
support for Hungary's bid to join the European Union.
Mr. Kovacs' agenda includes meetings this morning with President
of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and Prime Minister Costas
Simitis.
This afternoon, after a meeting with his Greek counterpart
Theodoros Pangalos, the two ministers will give a joint press
conference.
Tomorrow morning Mr. Kovacs will meet with Defense Minister Akis
Tsohatzopoulos and in the afternoon with Parliament Speaker
Apostolos Kaklamanis, before flying on to Cyprus.
[13] British, Greek experts discuss Xanthi tourist development
Athens, 14/10/1996 (ANA)
British and Greek tourism officials and company representatives
on Saturday attended a one-day conference on sustainable tourist
development in Xanthi, Thrace, organized by the Greek National
Tourism Organization (EOT) and regional authorities at the
Democritian University.
Speakers at the event, which, it is thought, will provide
impetus to the implementation of a pilot program in the region
of eastern Macedonia and Thrace, made special reference to the
possibilities for European Union financing of such programs.
[14] Byzantine icons exhibition goes on show in NY
N. York, 14/10/1996 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)
The Onassion Greek Studies Center of New York University is
holding an exhibition of 15th to 19th century Byzantine icons
between October 17 to 30.
The icons come from many Orthodox and non-Orthodox regions of
the world, including Greece, Russia, Italy, the Middle East and
North Africa, and have already been shown in London and Chicago.
In the framework of the exhibition, entitled "Beyond Byzantium,
Beyond the Dreams", NYU professor of Byzantine History Jean Baun
and gallery curators will give a series of lectures.
End of English language section.
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