A.N.A. Bulletin, 16/10/96

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1016), October 16, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: [email protected]

CONTENTS

[01] Athens lodges demarche over murdered Greek Cypriot

[02] Tsohatzopoulos meets with Hungarian FM Kovacs

[03] Kaklamanis meeting

[04] Murdered Greek Cypriot laid to rest

[05] Greek minister appeals for joint efforts in dealing with Cyprus situation

[06] Tsovolas says situation in Cyprus an offense to international legal order

[07] UN Security Council expresses 'profound sorrow'

[08] Simitis-Rozakis meeting on developments in Cyprus

[09] US urges 'all the sides in Cyprus' to avoid force

[10] Pangalos begins tour of former Yugoslavia

[11] Greek Eurodeputy calls for heeding EP resolution on Turkey

[12] EDEK delegation to brief German officials on prevailing situation in Cyprus

[13] Russia, Greece look at defense co-operation issues

[14] Thessaloniki Cultural Capital events discussed at Simitis-Venizelos meeting

[15] Simitis, Arsenis meet

[16] All but three regional secretary-generals replaced following Cabinet decision

[17] Greek and FYROM contacts on ecological and cultural matters

[18] Turkish ambassador holds talks in Komotini with Moslem officials

[19] Lesbos denounces operation of petrochemical factory on Asia Minor coast

[20] Greece expresses reservations on fast change of EU quality standards for fuels

[21] Alpha Credit announces new loans

[22] National Bank interest rates on overdue debts

[23] Further steps needed on economy and convergence says EBEA

[24] Athens to host conference on Greek-Romanian economic relations

[25] Greek firms invited to US embassy 'group visit' program to major trade fairs

[26] Playboy gets contract for Rhodes casino

[27] Academic challenges prevailing theories about Minoan Crete

[28] Kos hosts conference on history of nephrology

[29] Authorities arrest second Italian wanted by Interpol

[01] Athens lodges demarche over murdered Greek Cypriot

Athens, 16/10/1996 (ANA)

The demarche was lodged with the ambassadors of the 13 Security Council member-states to Athens.

Head of the Greek-Turkish relations department at the foreign ministry, Ilias Klis, lodged the demarche to the ambassadors.

Referring to the conditions surrounding Kakoullis' murder, the demarche points to a policy of murder and violence by the Turkish occupation forces which aims at showing that the two communities cannot live together and eliminate hope for a just and viable solution to the problem.

In the demarche Athens is calling on all Security Council member-states to condemn this latest killing.

[02] Tsohatzopoulos meets with Hungarian FM Kovacs

Athens, 16/10/1996 (ANA)

The two men ascertained their countries' common interest in contributing to the consolidation of security and co-operation institutional bodies more widely in Europe.

They also ascertained that the prospect of co-operation among the European states was "very feasible" now.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos anticipated that NATO and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), in their meetings in December "will take the correct decisions regarding the prospects of expansion of co-operation with Eastern Europe".

He briefed Mr. Kovacs on developments in the eastern Mediterranean and the Cyprus issue, as well as on Turkey's aggressiveness which "creates prospects of destabilization in the region".

Mr. Kovacs reiterated his country's desire for accession to NATO in the context of the alliance's enlargement, as well as for Hungary's participation in the European security structures.

He also stressed the importance of Russia-NATO rapprochement but without Russia having a say in the alliance decisions as to which countries would take part in its expansion.

Mr. Kovacs further said the countries that would not become members of NATO in the first stage of its enlargement should not be isolated from the international community, as this would create a threat to their unity.

[03] Kaklamanis meeting

Athens, 16/10/1996 (ANA)

Cyprus must have immediate priority in the expansion of the European Union because its accession will aid in the resolution of the Cyprus problem, Mr. Kaklamanis said.

Mr. Kovacs said he felt regret at the "terrible events" in Cyprus.

Both discussed Hungary's accession bid for the European Union, NATO and the Western European Union, bids which Mr. Kaklamanis said Greece would support.

The parliament speaker added that it was not conceivable to construct a European-wide security system without the participation of Russia.

Both sides stressed the great prospects which were opening for bilateral relations while Mr. Kaklamanis expressed his satisfaction at the positive stance taken by Hungary in Greece's national issues.

Meanwhile, it was announced that Hungarian Parliament President Zoltan Gal is due to visit Greece.

[04] Murdered Greek Cypriot laid to rest

Nicosia, 16/10/1996 (ANA/CNA)

In an obituary at the funeral, Finance Minister Christodoulos Christodoulou said "the message Ankara and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash wish to send the world, by brutally murdering Kakoullis and Tassos Isaac and Solomos Solomou last August, is that there is tension in Cyprus and that Greek and Turkish Cypriots cannot live together."

"This is why we have to remain calm and united," Mr. Christodoulou stressed, calling for unity in Cyprus' struggle for freedom and justice.

Rest assured, the minister said, that freedom and justice will prevail soon.

Kakoullis, unarmed, was shot by Turkish troops when he strayed into the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus while collecting snails.

Regret over the murder was also expressed in a message sent by the mayor of the Polish town of Auschwitz, who, noting the recent signing of the Acropolis Charter in the hope of peace, democracy and freedom for all peoples, expressed the hope its provisions will be respected.

Wreaths were laid by Mr. Christodoulou on behalf of President Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Ambassador to Cyprus Alexandros Sandis on behalf of Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos and Ms. Papazoi on behalf of Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis as well as on behalf of Greek National Defense Minister Akis Tzohatzopoulos and the Commander of the National Guard, Lieutenant General Nikolaos Vorvolakos.

Leaders and representatives of Cypriot and Greek political parties as well as MPs, mayors and other officials also laid wreaths.

Kakoullis' coffin, draped in the Greek flag, was carried by members of the Fire Brigade which he had served until his retirement a few years ago.

[05] Greek minister appeals for joint efforts in dealing with Cyprus situation

Nicosia, 16/10/1996 (ANA/CNA)

Ms. Papazoi arrived in Cyprus yesterday to attend the funeral of Petros Kakoullis, who was brutally murdered by Turkish occupation forces on Sunday morning.

She said that with fascist groups organized by the occupation regime, as well as with armed settlers, the Turkish side is trying to prove that there is no future for unified Cyprus.

Ms. Papazoi assured that Greece stands by Cyprus, not only because it is an issue of morality and justice, but also because "we feel fraternal bonds with the people of Cyprus."

She said the international community, which had distanced itself so far, has started being sensitized lately over the reality existing in Cyprus.

[06] Tsovolas says situation in Cyprus an offense to international legal order

Nicosia, 16/10/1996 (ANA)

Kakoullis, a 58-year-old fireman, was killed by Turkish armed forces on Sunday when he accidentally entered the occupied parts.

Mr. Tsovolas said that the Greek people and political parties should support a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, "one which will in no case lead to partition of the island, or recognition and consolidation of the status quo."

The funeral was attended by representatives of the main opposition New Democracy party, the Communist Party of Greece and the Coalition of the Left and Progress.

[07] UN Security Council expresses 'profound sorrow'

United Nations, 16/10/1996 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

Before receiving a letter of protest from Cyprus' representative Nicos Agathocleous, the Council's presiding official made the following statement:

"The Security Council called on me to make the following statement to the press:

The Security Council expresses its profound sorrow over the serious incident in Cyprus, which resulted in the death of an unarmed Cypriot citizen. The Council denounces this unwarranted act in the strongest way, which only contributes to an increase in tension on the island.

The Council calls on the parties in Cyprus to denounce such acts and invites them to resume dialogue and urgently negotiate the extension of the agreement concerning the positions of the observers on the dividing line.

Lastly, the Council calls on the parties in Cyprus to avoid confrontations on every occasion."

[08] Simitis-Rozakis meeting on developments in Cyprus

Athens, 16/10/1996 (ANA)

Mr. Rozakis briefed the prime minister on the content of his recent meeting with Sir David Hannay, special mediator of the British Foreign Office on Cyprus.

Mr. Rozakis is due to visit Cyprus on 3-5 November. He will be accompanied by Secretary General of European Affairs Stelios Perrakis and Eurodeputy Yannos Kranidiotis.

[09] US urges 'all the sides in Cyprus' to avoid force

Washington, 16/10/1996 (ANA - A. Ellis)

State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns termed the murder "unjustified and unnecessary use of deadly force" and expressed the sorrow of the US over the incident.

"A Greek Cypriot was killed by Turkish Cypriot soldiers in the region controlled by the Turkish Cypriots when he passed the 1974 cease-fire line. The US expresses its profound sorrow and condemns the use of deadly force in this incident," Mr. Burns said.

Mr. Burns reiterated the US position over the need for a peaceful solution to differences, saying that "the US urges all the sides in Cyprus to avoid force and work closely with the UN forces on the island to create mechanisms for a peaceful handling of events along the buffer zone."

Replying to a questioner, Mr. Burns said "political violence has taken place by both sides" and let it be understood that the Greek Cypriot side has responsibilities over the killing of a Turkish Cypriot soldier, saying "another young Greek Cypriot was killed recently and a Turkish soldier was killed. We think that the killings must stop on both sides. We are sorry over the loss of life on both sides. And we urged both sides to try to find the killer of the Turkish soldier. And this is the responsibility of the authorities in Cyprus."

[10] Pangalos begins tour of former Yugoslavia

Athens, 16/10/1996 (ANA)

[11] Greek Eurodeputy calls for heeding EP resolution on Turkey

Brussels, 16/10/1996 (ANA - F. Stangos)

[12] EDEK delegation to brief German officials on prevailing situation in Cyprus

Bonn, 16/10/1996 (ANA - P. Stangos)

Social Democrat Deputy Eckart Kuhlwein, a member of the SPD's presidium and President of the Friendship Group with Cyprus in the German Parliament, had extended the invitation to the Cypriot politicians some time ago.

He said the time the visit is taking place "is, despite the regrettable events and precisely due to them, a fortunate conjuncture."

EDEK's delegation will hold talks tomorrow and on Friday with the Deputy President of the SPD's Parliamentary Group Guenter Verheugen, one of the party's Deputy Presidents who is responsible for European issues Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul and other party officials.

A meeting is also expected with the head of the German Foreign Ministry's Mediterranean Policy Department Friedrich Groening.

[13] Russia, Greece look at defense co-operation issues

Athens, 16/10/1996 (ANA)

[14] Thessaloniki Cultural Capital events discussed at Simitis-Venizelos meeting

Athens, 16/10/1996 (ANA)

Mr. Venizelos, who has already stated his intention to introduce political events in the Thessaloniki Cultural Capital next year, said that politicians and intellectuals from all over the world will be invited to participate in the events and discuss Europe's contribution to world civilization and culture at the dawn of the 21st century as well as culture as an element of social cohesion.

Mr. Venizelos said a major conference will also be organized by the ministry in Thessaloniki.

[15] Simitis, Arsenis meet

Athens, 16/10/1996 (ANA)

"We discussed the budget's basic outlines as well as pending issues regarding the 1996 budget," Mr. Arsenis told reporters after the meeting.

Stressing that pending issues concerned additional funds to cover high school education needs, Mr. Arsenis said he was negotiating for the additional funds with the finance ministry.

[16] All but three regional secretary-generals replaced following Cabinet decision

Athens, 16/10/1996 (ANA)

The decisions were taken following proposals made by Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Alekos Papadopoulos.

Referring to the changes, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the choice of the new regional secretary-generals was based on three criteria:

1. Knowledge and experience of the specific persons in issues concerning regional development and the promotion of programs.

2. Political adequacy, capability and perspicacity at political level.

3. Organizing and administrative capabilities.

Mr. Reppas said a bill on the country's regional structure will be tabled in Parliament soon. He added that proposals were also made to women cadres to assume regional posts but "there was unwillingness to move far from home."

[17] Greek and FYROM contacts on ecological and cultural matters

Athens, 16/10/1996 (ANA)

"Arktouros", possessing considerable experience, and enjoying the support of the European Union, is aiming at the development of an inter-Balkan network for the protection of the brown bear and the wolf, whose numbers have been dwindling dangerously in recent years, largely due to illegal hunting.

It is estimated that about 3,000 brown bears have been left in the Balkans, the largest number anywhere.

Meanwhile, a large Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE) delegation from central Macedonia is leaving for Skopje today, for exploratory discussions in the field of the protection of monuments, archaeological sites and museums.

Primarily due to the lack of funds, hundreds of Hellenistic and Byzantine monuments of great archaeological value in FYROM are in urgent need of restoration.

[18] Turkish ambassador holds talks in Komotini with Moslem officials

Athens, 16/10/1996 (ANA)

Emerging from the consulate, the two Moslem deputies were called on to comment on Mr. Pamir's statement on Monday about the presence of "Turks" in Thrace.

Mr. Galip said "we are Greek citizens, we have Greek nationality and we live in Greece." Mr. Birol said "whatever problems exist should be resolved in the Greek Parliament."

Mr. Pamir visited the market in Komotini yesterday and will visit Xanthi today. Rodopi Prefect Stergios Stavropoulos, who met Mr. Pamir on Monday, said "the conclusion from the meeting with the Turkish ambassador is that the minority in Thrace can become a bridge of friendship between Greece and Turkey and not the bone of contention between the two countries."

[19] Lesbos denounces operation of petrochemical factory on Asia Minor coast

Athens, 16/10/1996 (ANA)

More specifically, the Local Union of Municipalities and Communities of Lesbos said in an announcement "given that environmental problems know no boundaries and expressing our strong concern through local government, as well as that of the entire population of our islands, we hope for the timely taking of measures to restrict pollution or the relocation, in the best of cases, of such pollutant activities."

In parallel, it requests the intervention of the government and calls on it to denounce Turkey at international organizations.

The ecological organization Greenpeace had recently denounced the operation of the petrochemical factory, located in the Ali Aga region, after an analysis was made of the unit's sewage and made ominous predictions over the future of the wider sea environment in the Aegean.

[20] Greece expresses reservations on fast change of EU quality standards for fuels

Brussels, 16/10/1996 (ANA - M. Savva)

Environment Under-secretary Theodoros Koliopanos, who represented Greece, stressed the application of strict standards for the control of vehicle exhaust emissions, but expressed reservations regarding the fast change of quality standards for fuels, stressing the need to give refineries the possibility of turning to the production of better fuels with more realistic time-schedules and stable investment conditions.

He provided a reminder that Greece has already planned a $100 million investment for the reduction of sulfur in diesel fuel, and that any proposals for further reductions must be documented and based on a balanced relation between cost and effectiveness.

Finally, he asked for an extension of the proposed exemption from the use of lead-free petrol, for the application of a realistic timetable for the withdrawal of cars, 65 per cent of which today are still based on conventional technology.

Referring to other matters, Mr. Koliopanos stressed the need for reducing the volume of waste through recovery and recycling, and drew attention to the fact that the burning of waste in Greece is not effective due to its high humidity, in combination with particular climatic and dietary conditions.

He emphasized the need for flexibility, to allow individual member-states to adopt the most suitable waste management methods.

[21] Alpha Credit announces new loans

Athens, 16/10/1996 (ANA)

The "Alpha 620" for fluid capital for industry and "Alpha 810" for business premises will be available as of November.

The bank said the incentive to drop interest rates on the new loans was based on its conviction that inflation and interest rates were on a downward trend.

Alpha 620 is geared to small and medium size enterprises and has an upper limit of 100 million drachmas and must be of a minimum of three million drachmas. Alpha 810 has no upper limit and a minimum borrowing level of five million drachmas. Both loans w ill be tenable for a period of between three and nine years.

The bank plans to grant loans worth a total of 100 billion drachmas by the end of the next year.

[22] National Bank interest rates on overdue debts

Athens, 16/10/1996 (ANA)

The National Bank decided that the interest rate for overdue debts applied by banks for amounts due for loans in drachmas or exchange to be concluded or renewed as of August 1, 1996, onwards will not exceed the interest rate anticipated by the relevant contract by more than two and a half percentage points.

This decision will also apply to overdue debts concerning loan contracts or credits.

[23] Further steps needed on economy and convergence says EBEA

Athens, 16/10/1996 (ANA)

Mr. Papathanasiou said the government's commitment to abolish tax breaks and to reduce state spending were positive moves and that Prime Minister Costas Simitis' appraisal of the current situation of the economy and the dangers facing it if it did not participate in Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) were right.

However, he said the government's policy statement on the measures to bring down inflation, its privatization policy and the abolition of state monopolies were general and vague.

He stressed that EBEA was opposed to the imposition of new taxes as well as increasing existing taxes and said it considered "disappointing" the fact that there were delays in the operation of the finance ministry's computerized services.

He said EBEA stressed the need to reduce the cost of servicing the public debt and especially spending on interest on the public deficit which will result in the fall of inflation and nominal interest rates as well as the gradual reduction of state subsidies in the state budget (which presently stands at 4.4 per cent of GDP) to 3.5 per cent of GDP in 1998 and 2.0 per cent of GDP in the year 2000.

He also stressed the need to maintain wage and pension increases to one percentage point above inflation for a period of four years so that state spending can be contained at 9.0 per cent of GDP in the year 2000.

He added that if the government was to proceed with the taxation of state titles it would have negative repercussions at the present time as it was not accompanied by a fall in interest rates or inflation.

[24] Athens to host conference on Greek-Romanian economic relations

Athens, 16/10/1996 (ANA)

The conference, organized by the International Economic Relations Institute and the Greek-Romanian Business Association, aims at attracting more investment activity to Romania.

The conference will take place with the participation of Romanian government officials, scientists and businessmen.

It will consider the course of the Romanian economy and the country's political situation as well as the legal status of foreign investment and a host of other issues regulating foreign business activity in the country.

[25] Greek firms invited to US embassy 'group visit' program to major trade fairs

Athens, 16/10/1996 (ANA)

According to Patrick Santillo, commercial counsellor at the embassy, US exports to Greece, including defense sales, were approximately $1.5 billion in 1995, while Greek exports to the US were about $400 million.

"The commercial section sees its primary role as assisting in increase the trade volume on both sides. It is devoted to the active promotion of US companies wishing to expand their activities abroad, and also to support Greek companies by providing information to enable them come into direct contact with US suppliers," Mr. Santillo said Tuesday at a presentation of the program of group visits.

By inviting Greek companies to international trade fairs in the US in group visits set up by the commercial section, the specialists accompanying them will be instrumental in bringing them in touch with US companies interested in exporting to Europe an d to Greece in particular.

Under the International Buyers Program (IBP) the commercial section is organizing five group visits to six major trade expositions in the US in November and December.

The first such group visit is November 4-11 to the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week-96 (AAIW) to be held November 5-8 in Las Vegas, Nevada and the International Autobody Congress and exposition (NACE) running November 7-10 in Orlando, Florida.

These two major international exhibitions on the automobile sector cover the latest achievements in American and world technology (AAIW) and the newest in car parts and accessories as well as car repair materials (NACE).

The second group visit is from November 12-19 to Medtrade 1996, to be held November 13-16 in Atlanta, Georgia. Considered the biggest exhibition in medical products in the world, Medtrade will have more than 1,200 exhibitors from all over the world representing 2,500 manufacturers and exhibiting 250,000 products. It also includes 300 seminars covering a wide variety of branch issues.

A group visit will take place November 16-23 to Pack Expo 96 in Chicago, Illinois, which will take place November 17-21. Pack Expo is the largest international trade exhibition in the packaging sector, and will have 1,500 exhibitors from all over the world presenting the latest developments in all areas of industrial packaging, as well as related international seminars.

The next scheduled group visit will be to Comdex '96 to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada November 18-22, which will have 3,000 exhibitors covering computer hardware and peripherals, software, multimedia and CAD CAM products, and the Internet. Considered the world's premiere information technology marketplace for resellers and corporate decision makers, COMDEX presents the most modern solutions to imformatics problems, with special emphasis on communications, multimedia, on-line services, OEM sources, and information highways (Internet), with more than 500 exhibitors in the information highways field alone.

Finally, a group visit will take place December 3-8 to Power Gen. 96 in Orlando Florida from November 4-6. The largest international exhibition and conference on electricity production, Power Gen. will have 937 exhibitors from all over the world presenting their achievements and the most modern solutions that have been successfully applied in the field of electricity generation from all sources of energy, machinery, equipment, material and new technology systems, as well as products and services geared to environmental protection. In addition, 350 seminars will cover a wide range of related themes.

A sector specialist from the commercial section will accompany each group visit to help facilitate visitor contact with the organizers and exhibitors.

[26] Playboy gets contract for Rhodes casino

Athens, 16/10/1996 (ANA)

A company spokesman in Athens said that the agreement was signed by Development Minister Vasso Papandreou and representatives from the consortium in which Playboy Enterprises is participating.

Playboy's consortium will renovate the hotel into a multiple-use facility that will include retail stores, restaurants, hotel suites and an approximately 25,000-square foot casino.

The consortium paid the Greek government 2.38 billion drachmas for the license. It will invest another seven billion drachmas to renovate the hotel. The project will create permanent jobs for 400 people.

The spokesman said that the company anticipates that the Rhodes casino will open in summer 1997.

[27] Academic challenges prevailing theories about Minoan Crete

Athens, 16/10/1996 (ANA)

Prof. Doumas, who is also director of excavations on the island of Santorini, said during a lecture that he was basing his arguments on research he had done over the years.

He was speaking in Iraklion, Crete, on the subject of Minoan sea rule and the Cyclades.

Prof. Doumas claimed that Crete was self-sufficient and given this fact it would never risk building its own fleet of vessels to transport its products along the sea routes, but used foreign ships to carry out trade. Thus, he added, Crete never became a maritime power.

According to Prof. Doumas, Crete's major economic and productive strength lay primarily on land.

The Greek archaeologist also challenged existing theories that Crete during the Minoan years was ruled by kings, saying that rule was exerted collectively and that power did not lay in the hands of one person. He said Minos was not a king but a high priest at Knossos and pointing to the fact that archaeologists have so far been unable to locate royal tombs in Crete.

[28] Kos hosts conference on history of nephrology

Athens, 16/10/1996 (ANA)

The conference was opened by Health Minister Costas Geitonas who also inaugurated an artificial kidney unit on the island's hospital.

Mr. Geitonas also elaborated on the government's health policy in the Aegean.

Secretary General of ruling PASOK's Central Committee, Costas Skandalidis, also attended the inauguration.

Mr. Geitonas said the government had taken steps to improve health conditions in the Aegean, admitting however, that the situation at times was really bad.

Mr. Geitonas said that in order to improve health conditions in the region, the government would proceed with the implementation of the health plan "Ippokratis".

The project includes the upgrading of regional medical centers on the islands, the modernization of hospitals in Rhodes and Lesbos to serve as regional hospitals for the northern and southern Aegean islands, the purchase of medical equipment, the installation of a wireless communication network, the purchase of mobile units and the linking of regional hospitals to the major health centers and hospitals.

[29] Authorities arrest second Italian wanted by Interpol

Athens, 16/10/1996 (ANA)

Palermo told police he had nothing to do with either the robbery or the passports theft. He claimed he bought his fake passport in Modena, Italy from a person he did not know.

Last Thursday, another Italian, 47-year-old Tarcisio Tenchini, was arrested at Promahonas with a forged passport he, too, claimed he bought from an unknown person in Modena.

Tenchini is also wanted by Interpol for the same robberies.

End of English language section.

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