Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 96-11-25
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <[email protected]>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1049), November 25, 1996
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
CONTENTS
[01] Tsohatzopoulos: Joint defense pact deals with Turkish threats
and provides basis for Cyprus settlement
[02] Meeting with foreign minister
[03] Clinton to visit Greece, newspaper reports
[04] President criticizes failure of superpowers to pressure Turkey
[05] Ciller statement
[06] Athens to block EU decision if July conditions not met
[07] Papoulias wary of another incident between Greece, Turkey
[08] Expatriates call for speedy end to occupation of Cyprus
[09] Petsalnikos speaks on Cyprus during NY visit
[10] Vartholomeos continues tour of Australia
[11] Developments on ND party congress expected this week
[12] New base for Evros Cooperative Bank inaugurated in
Alexandroupolis
[13] Week of strikes kicks off today
[14] News in Brief
[01] Tsohatzopoulos: Joint defense pact deals with Turkish threats
and provides basis for Cyprus settlement
Nicosia, 25/11/1996 (ANA/CNA)
Greek Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said in Nicosia
yesterday that the defense pact between Greece and Cyprus
provided the ability to deal with Turkish threats and also
constituted the prerequisite for a peaceful settlement to the
Cyprus issue.
Speaking to reporters at the close of a four-day visit to the
eastern Mediterranean island for talks with the Cyprus political
leadership aiming at reviewing the defense pact with Greece, Mr.
Tsohatzopoulos said the Greek-Cypriot joint defense doctrine
constituted what he termed "a non-negotiable national choice"
and that the materialization and reinforcement of the pact was
Greece's right to defend approximately "one tenth of the
Hellenic nation."
The two countries signed a defense pact in November 1993.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos assured that Greek aircraft would fly to the
defense of Cyprus against a possible Turkish attack in the
minimum time required.
"Both Greece and Cyprus' adequate defense ability against any
external threat or in order to overturn the occupation of a part
of Cyprus, goes through the formulation of the common defense
zone which at the same time forms the condition for the peaceful
settlement of the occupation problem," Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said.
He added that the "strengthening, adequate defense ability,
modernization and upgrading of the armed forces in both Greece
and Cyprus constitute the best possible condition for everyone
to feel the need to support efforts for a peaceful settlement of
the Cyprus issue."
Speaking at a joint press conference with his Cypriot
counterpart Costas Eliades, the Greek defense minister said he
was returning to Athens certain that both Greece and Cyprus were
on the right path concerning the handling of provocations.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos and Mr. Eliades dismissed any talk about a
ban of flyovers by Greek and Turkish aircraft over Cyprus,
saying the former are legal and the latter illegal.
Replying to questions, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said flyovers by Greek
aircraft and Turkish aircraft "are two different things."
Greek fighters fly to Cyprus at the invitation of the
internationally-recognized government but Turkish planes fly
over Cyprus in contravention of international law.
Mr. Eliades noted that Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides had
rejected proposals relating to a ban of flyovers by Greek and
Turkish aircraft, on the basis that the former are legal and the
latter illegal.
The ministers also noted that the defense pact is not "a race to
catch up with Turkey's defense capability," but a defensive pact
to enable Cyprus to boost its defenses and deter any possible
offensive against the island.
"It would be absurd if we were to attempt to enter a race to
compete with Turkey or any other country in terms of arms
acquisition," Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said.
But, he added, one must secure the defense capability of the
Greek and Cypriot armed forces through effective means.
Complementing his reply, Mr. Eliades said that the decisions
taken during Mr. Tsohatzopoulos' visit will result in bolstering
Cyprus's air defenses.
"Our air defense capability will be strengthened significantly
following our talks here," the Cypriot minister said.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that during his contacts in Nicosia it
was agreed that "there are possibilities to improve and conclude
the defense doctrine," through promoting coordination and
planning joint military exercises, training, arms purchases or
technical matters.
"Our defense capability must be complemented by a steady
economic and social development which backs our ability to meet
the cost of arms acquisition programs," he said.
Asked about the possibility of signing a formal bilateral
defense agreement, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that such an issue
did not require urgent attention as there is already a political
agreement between the two governments on the defense front.
"This is not an issue of immediate concern. It is on our agenda
of talks and we are dealing with the essence of the matter," he
explained.
According to Mr. Eliades, Cypriot defense ministry officials
will visit Athens for further talks in a bid to push for
implementation of decisions taken during the visit.
[02] Meeting with foreign minister
Nicosia, 25/11/1996 (ANA/CNA)
On Saturday, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos confirmed Greece's commitment to
the joint defense doctrine in his meeting with Foreign Minister
Alecos Michaelides.
"The common course of action, drafted by Greece and Cyprus to
promote a Cyprus solution, push for Cyprus' accession to the
European Union and boost the island's defenses, shall not be
deterred by any initiative," Mr. Tsohatzopoulos told reporters
after the meeting.
He added that both countries will stick to the agreed strategy,
irrespective of the content of any outside attempt dealing with
the Cyprus problem.
"We reiterated once more that our course of action is firm. Our
efforts rely on formulating all the necessary prerequisites to
enable us to have effective defense capability in the context of
our joint defense doctrine," he added.
Noting that joint efforts are directed towards Cyprus'
membership of the EU, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that "we stand
firm in our objective to find an overall, democratic, acceptable
and viable settlement in Cyprus based on UN principles."
Speaking to the press, Mr. Michaelides said Mr. Tsohatzopoulos'
visit to Cyprus signified the rapid pace at which the joint
defense pact proceeds.
"We are very pleased to see that the political implications of
the joint defense doctrine, as far as our security is concerned,
are positive," he said.
This, he explained, will contribute towards a Cyprus solution.
"Cyprus cannot remain without any defense capability when the
danger comes from within the country itself (the continuing
Turkish occupation of part of the island)," he concluded.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos on Saturday also met with Democratic Rally
president Yiannakis Matsis, communist AKEL party
Secretary-General Dimitris Christofias, socialist EDEK party
president Vassos Lyssarides and leader of the United Democrats
party, former president George Vassiliou.
[03] Clinton to visit Greece, newspaper reports
Athens, 25/11/1996 (ANA)
A visit by US President Bill Clinton to Greece and Turkey in
June signals high-level US intervention in Greek-Turkish issues,
according to a report in the Kathimerini newspaper yesterday.
President Clinton accepted an invitation issued by President
Kostis Stephanopoulos when the Greek president visited the US
last May. The visit is directly linked to the prospect of
developments over Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue
in the next six months.
[04] President criticizes failure of superpowers to pressure Turkey
Athens, 25/11/1996 (ANA)
President Kostis Stephanopoulos yesterday criticized the failure
of "global superpowers" to exert pressure on Turkey to pursue a
solution to the delineation of the Aegean continental shelf,
attributing this failure to "other interests".
"They are aware of Greece's just cause regarding the delineation
of the Aegean continental shelf and are also aware of the ways
which all international issues are resolved; they do not,
however, because of (other) interests, exert appropriate
pressure, advice or suggestion to the neighboring country
(Turkey) in order to find a just settlement to the issue," the
president said at the close of a two-day visit to Thrace.
"Greece's unquestionably just cause will finally prevail,
because, in interpreting the Treaty of Lausanne, no one is able
to change or alter it," Mr. Stephanopoulos said.
In statements on the border island of Samothrace, the president
said Greece was making efforts to peacefully settle existing
differences in Greek-Turkish relations caused by Turkey's
"persistently offensive attitude."
Mr. Stephanopoulos clarified there was only one issue in the
Aegean, that of the delineation of the continental shelf.
Athens reiterated on Friday that it would not treat the
delineation of the Aegean continental shelf and the issue of the
Imia islets as two aspects of a package deal, but would deal
with the two issues separately.
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said, however, that if
Turkey was to seek recourse to the Hague over the Imia issue, he
could not rule out discussion for the drafting of an agreement
for the mutual referral of the continental shelf issue to the
International Court.
According to Mr. Reppas, although the two issues should be dealt
with separately, they could be both considered at the same time.
After his visit to Samothrace, Mr. Stephanopoulos visited the
island of Thassos, and Chrysoupolis, near Nestos, and Kavala
before returning to Athens yesterday evening.
On Saturday, Mr. Stephanopoulos visited the northeastern border
town of Alexandroupolis where he also attended a scheduled
ceremony to honor the "bard of Thracian songs," Chronis Aidonis.
Speaking from Alexandroupolis, the president made special
mention of Thrace's Moslem minority, stressing that Greece was
abiding by and respected provisions on minorities in
international agreements, thus achieving equality amongst its
citizens.
Turning to other issues, Mr. Stephanopoulos referred to what he
termed "optimistic prospects" for Eastern Macedonia and Thrace
in trade with Balkan and Black Sea markets.
According to the president, trade will be further strengthened
between Greece and these countries after completion of the
necessary infrastructure work.
[05] Ciller statement
Athens, 25/11/1996 (ANA)
In an unrelated development on Saturday, Turkish Foreign
Minister Tansu Ciller again accused Greece of impeding the
solution of problems between the two countries.
"We have learned that Greece has rejected the efforts made in
the last few days by certain members of the EU for the
commencement of dialogue between Turkey and Greece.
"The most appropriate way of settling problems are talks, and
Greece is hampering the solution of problems, avoiding talks,
and attempting to involve the EU," a written statement in Ankara
on Saturday said.
[06] Athens to block EU decision if July conditions not met
Athens, 25/11/1996 (ANA)
Athens is determined to block any decision by the European Union
to revive relations with Turkey if the Irish EU presidency's
plan does not meet conditions set by the EU last July.
The Irish plan will be discussed at the Council of Foreign
Ministers in Brussels today. According to reports, the Irish EU
presidency is expected to present a compromise proposal on
Greek-Turkish issues which, however, does not satisfy Athens.
Consequently, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos will block a
decision being issued unless the plan is amended.
[07] Papoulias wary of another incident between Greece, Turkey
Athens, 25/11/1996 (ANA)
Former foreign minister Karolos Papoulias said yesterday that he
could not rule out another "incident" between Greece and Turkey
in statements to the Athens News Agency (ANA).
Mr. Papoulias, who was in Thessaloniki to address an event
organized by "Ipirotiki Estia" marking the 56th anniversary of
the liberation of the town of Korytsa during the Greek-Italian
War, was reserved about the results of US President Bill
Clinton's reported plans to visit Athens and Ankara next year.
"I am very careful. I have seen many US presidencies. What is of
interest to us is the resolution of differences through
satisfying our national claims and our national policy. If Mr.
Clinton wants to observe equal distances this will not help our
national issues," Mr. Papoulias told the ANA.
Speaking on the same issue, he made the evaluation that what Mr.
Clinton will aim at will not be the promotion of a package but a
settlement of many issues both between Greece and Turkey, as
well as the Cyprus issue, and Balkan issues.
Mr. Papoulias said there were no "differences" in the exercise
of Greek foreign policy and that reports in the press to the
contrary were "creations from media pressrooms".
[08] Expatriates call for speedy end to occupation of Cyprus
New York, 25/11/1996 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)
Safeguarding the unity of the expatriate community and defining
a unified action policy for a more effective promotion of Greek
just causes preoccupied Greek expatriate leaders attending the
conference of the Federation of Greek Societies of New York on
Saturday.
Visiting Macedonia and Thrace Minister Philippos Petsalnikos
gave a short address at the meeting. World Council for Overseas
Greeks President (SAE) Andrew Athens urged federation and
association representatives to approve a resolution which will
circulate all over the world and will show the strength and
determination of expatriate Hellenism to demand and achieve the
condemnation of the tactic of continuous threats and
aggressiveness by Turkey. He called for an immediate end to the
illegal occupation of Cyprus and the attainment of a just and
viable solution to the problem, as well as an end to the failed
US policy of generous arming and silent tolerance for the
illegal actions of Turkey.
On his part, Mr. Petsalnikos said international law is
humiliated in Cyprus and Hellenism is bleeding, adding that
Turkey is a troublemaker in the region and is continuously
creating problems for other neighboring countries as well with
its aggressive and expansionist policy.
[09] Petsalnikos speaks on Cyprus during NY visit
New York, 25/11/1996 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)
Minister of Macedonia and Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos said here
on Saturday the start to the process of Cyprus' accession to the
European Union is one of the main reasons that Turkey is trying
to create a climate of tension on the island and torpedo every
initiative of finding a solution to the problem with criminal
acts against unarmed Greek Cypriot citizens.
Speaking in Astoria on Friday night at an event on the 13th
anniversary of the illegal proclamation of the Turkish Cypriot
pseudo-state, Mr. Petsalnikos said co-operation between the
governments of Greece and Cyprus, which is based on the unified
defense doctrine, is "excellent". He said the doctrine is a
defensive "umbrella" covering the entire area from Thrace to
Cyprus and in practice represents the reinforcement of Cyprus's
defense.
Mr. Petsalnikos referred, as did the President of the Council
for Overseas Greeks (SAE) Andrew Athens, to the need for unity
between all Greeks, both at home and abroad, to facilitate
effective support for the struggle of the Cypriot people.
[10] Vartholomeos continues tour of Australia
Melbourne, 25/11/1996 (ANA - S. Hatzimanolis)
Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos arrived in Sydney on Friday on
the last stage of his first historical tour of Australia and New
Zealand.
He was due to visit various expatriate establishments on
Saturday and officiate at a church service yesterday in the
presence of thousands of Orthodox believers.
Patriarch Vartholomeos will wrap up his visit to Sydney on
Wednesday and leave for Istanbul.
[11] Developments on ND party congress expected this week
Athens, 25/11/1996 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy party honorary president
Constantine Mitsotakis said yesterday in Chania that issues
concerning the party's congress will be cleared up this week.
Speaking one day before party Vice-President Ioannis
Varvitsiotis submits a proposal on the enlargement of the
electoral base of the Congress, Mr. Mitsotakis said a solution
to the existing problems in the party can only be given through
a Congress "that will genuinely express the will of the people
who voted and support ND."
"ND must elect a leader who can lead New Democracy to victory in
the next elections. He shall be the next party leader," Mr.
Mitsotakis said.
Meanwhile, former New Democracy party national economy minister
George Souflias on Saturday reiterated that he would again be a
candidate for his party's leadership at next year's congress,
saying he aimed at its rejuvenation, the synthesis of different
views, and the best use of all cadres on the basis of their
abilities.
Speaking in Alexandroupolis while on a tour of northeastern
Greece, he accused the ruling PASOK party of following an
economic policy that was hostage to parochial trade union
interests, of not having a political ideology, of not protecting
the farmers, and of confusion in the crucial issues of foreign
policy.
In an unrelated development yesterday, ND spokesperson Prokopis
Pavlopoulos said "that ND must and will be alerted to pending
government decisions on economic and foreign policy issues."
[12] New base for Evros Cooperative Bank inaugurated in
Alexandroupolis
Athens, 25/11/1996 (ANA)
National Economy Ministry Secretary-General Apostolos Fotiadis
inaugurated the head office of the Evros Cooperative Bank in
Alexandroupolis on Saturday, in the presence of local
authorities, economic officials and about 1,600 bank
shareholders.
The president of the bank's board and Evros Chamber Nicos
Dasteridis said the next step is the opening of a branch office
in Orestiada and then in Didimotiho, Soufli and Feres. Addresses
were also made by the Presidents of the Cooperative Banks of
Greece and Cyprus Mr. Floratos and Mr. Yiannakis.
Evros Bank director Christos Tasioulis said "the shareholders
are 1,600 today and they are expected to double in a year's
time. Every client of the bank is a shareholder and every bank
process or transaction is the same for all."
The Bank of Greece had given the Evros Bank four months from the
approval of its license to organize itself but the board
succeeded in doing this in a month.
[13] Week of strikes kicks off today
Athens, 25/11/1996 (ANA)
A week of strikes will start today in protest at the
government's economic policy, with teachers calling a 48-hour
strike as of Wednesday and a 24-hour strike being called on the
following day by the General Confederation of Workers of Greece
(GSEE) and the Civil Servants Supreme Administrative Council
(ADEDY). Farmers will also start mobilizations.
The cabinet will meet tomorrow to examine the issue of tax
exemptions. Decisions are expected to be taken on the objective
criteria for taxing self-employed professionals, as well as the
new criteria concerning privately-owned cars and pleasure craft.
Main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Prokopis
Pavlopoulos said the government's economic policy is "propaganda
to cover up the tax receipt raid", adding that the Greek people
will be called on to pay the price of their own disinformation.
[14] News in Brief
Athens, 25/11/1996 (ANA)
-- Seven Balkan nations will take part in a two-day Balkan
summit to be held in Tirana, organized by the Balkan Center of
Culture in Thessaloniki. The summit will be attended by
ministers and aims at establishing a Balkan Center of Culture
and Economy.
-- Hundreds of national resistance veterans attended a ceremony
at Gorgopotamos yesterday to celebrate National Resistance Day
and the 54th anniversary of the destruction of the bridge of the
same name. In a brief speech, Justice Minister Evangelos
Yiannopoulos referred to the destruction of the bridge as a
"severe blow which determined the outcome of the allied forces'
effort against the conqueror."
-- A new dining hall at the Athens old people's home was
inaugurated on Saturday by former Archbishop of America Iakovos,
representing Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos. The new hall was
donated by Panayiotis and Eleni Angelopoulos who were proclaimed
great benefactors of the establishment by the charity owning it
as a token of honor and gratitude. The donation consists of a
new dining wing together with necessary equipment, a special
vehicle for distributing food as well as special wards. The
donation is valued at 230 million drachmas.
End of English language section.
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