Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-01-24
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <[email protected]>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1097), January 24, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
CONTENTS
[01] Pangalos calls on US to guarantee Cyprus moratorium, 'whatever
may happen'
[02] Gov't spokesman
[03] Clerides on moratorium
[04] State Dept. comments
[05] Seamen's strike ends, GSEE holds 24-hour mobilization
[06] Gov't to consider workers' demands
[07] Simitis meets with US envoy
[08] Pangalos warns foreign ministry strikers
[09] Greece targets increased trade with Romania
[10] Bulgaria ratifies several cross-border agreements with Greece
[11] Greece to participate in Ukraine PfP exercise
[12] Gov't comments on alleged links between Ciller, drug smugglers
[13] Cyprus solution depends on full demilitarization: Tsohatzopoulos
[14] Arsenis meets with representatives of university lecturers
[15] No end in sight to teachers' strike
[16] Omonoia delegation to meet with Arsenis, Papaioannou
[17] Ethnic Greek released
[18] Group calls for Greek-Turkish dialogue
[19] Two ND deputies threaten lawsuit against V. Papandreou for libel
[20] Problems in air transport prior to crucial summer season
considered
[21] Europartenariat Hellas 1997 reps meet in Athens
[22] Gov't develops programme for redundant Goodyear workers
[23] Papantoniou confident inflation, interest rates will fall
[24] Gov't to invite tenders for several EOT properties
[25] Partial compensation for cotton growers
[26] Farmer gets suspended sentence for accidental death of former
Moslem deputy Sadiq
[27] Method to fight oil pollution using magnetism unveiled
[28] Truck driver gets 13 life sentences for prostitute murders
[01] Pangalos calls on US to guarantee Cyprus moratorium, 'whatever
may happen'
Athens, 24/01/1997 (ANA)
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos yesterday called on the
United States to commit itself to guaranteeing implementation of
a US-proposed moratorium on military flights over the divided
island of Cyprus "whatever may happen". Mr. Pangalos was
commenting on recent statements by US State Department spokesman
Nicholas Burns that Cyprus was in no need of Russian-made S-300
missiles if there was a moratorium on military overflights of
Cyprus.
"If this (Burns's statement) means that the US commits itself to
intervening in case the Turks intensify in any way the tension
on the island and to intercept or destroy Turkish (fighter)
planes, then the US proposal is interesting and we are prepared
t o discuss it again," Mr. Pangalos said.
He clarified that a moratorium on overflights of the island
"could hold under normal conditions" but that Nicosia's decision
to purchase the Russian S-300 missiles was about "dealing with
abnormal conditions".
Mr. Pangalos stressed, however, that these proposals did not
serve to resolve the "larger political issue which arises from
the fact that Turkey does not respect international law for the
Aegean and United Nations resolutions for Cyprus."
"If we solve the political problem, then within the framework of
this solution all efforts to reduce possibilities of military
threat by both sides will fall in line," Mr. Pangalos said.
"Greece has laid out very specific proposals both on the
demilitarization of Cyprus and the creation of good neighborly
relations with Turkey, which some day will have to be
discussed," he said. "We have done our duty. It's time for
Turkey to do its."
"Greece is ready to contribute to any development which will
defuse tension in the Aegean," he added, clarifying that Greece
was not prepared to negotiate over its sovereign rights.
Mr. Pangalos also denied press reports of differences between
Athens and Nicosia over policy, saying that there was "full
identity of views" between Greece and Cyprus during talks held
by Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides and Prime Minister Costas
Simitis in Athens last week.
[02] Gov't spokesman
Athens, 24/01/1997 (ANA)
Commenting on Mr. Pangalos' statements, government spokesman
Dimitris Reppas said:
"Mr. Pangalos said that there is no question of a 'moratorium'
when there exist normal circumstances and friendly relations.
When circumstances become extraordinary; when there are problems
in relations, then such issues arise.
"...Mr. Pangalos went further and said that those who put such
questions to the Greek side should have given a reply to
themselves, undertaking commitments or providing guarantees that
they can safeguard normalcy and calm, without it being necessary
for u s to discuss these particular, regional issues, such as
the moratorium and others.
"The US can therefore, as Mr. Pangalos said, guarantee that they
will confront whatever aggressive effort on the part of Turkey
against Cyprus. If indeed there is such an initiative, such a
commitment or guarantee which in practice is convincing that it
constitutes an effective handling of the problems we have to
face, then we can discuss the problem on a different basis. But
this does not exist at present," he said. He added that all
those who show an interest in the moratorium should be prepared
to guarantee that they will ensure the defense and sovereignty
of Cyprus in the case of a Turkish attack.
[03] Clerides on moratorium
Nicosia, 24/01/1997 (ANA)
Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides said yesterday that the Cyprus
government is prepared to open a "new chapter", and to discuss
the US-proposed moratorium within a framework of efforts to find
a solution to the Cyprus issue, provided the United States is
ready to guarantee the security of all residents of the island.
Mr. Clerides noted that such an occurrence must include
demilitarization before a solution to the Cyprus problem,
although he clarified that the issue has not been officially
broached by anyone.
[04] State Dept. comments
Washington, 24/01/1997 (ANA - T. Ellis)
US State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns, commenting on Mr.
Pangalos' proposals on the prospect of the United States
stopping or even destroying Turkish military aircraft possibly
attacking Cyprus in violation of the proposed moratorium of
overflights, said:
"With all due respect, I would be surprised if that was the
correct rendering of the Greek government's proposal, because
Greece is an ally of Turkey in NATO, and the US is an ally of
both in NATO. Nobody is going to destroy anyone's aircraft. I
would b et that this issue will be solved peacefully. And we
will continue to work for the moratorium of flights over Cyprus.
It is a very important confidence-building measure.
"It is good to see Greece, Turkey and Cyprus being interested in
discussing the moratorium and we will continue our efforts in
order to help them to reach an agreement. I don't think they are
there yet, but we will (continue our efforts) in private, not in
public," Mr. Burns added.
[05] Seamen's strike ends, GSEE holds 24-hour mobilization
Athens, 24/01/1997 (ANA)
Greek seamen and dockworkers yesterday ended a 10-day strike
after intensive all-night negotiations between the government
and the Panhellenic Seamen's Federation (PNO).
But as the seamen ended their stoppage, Greece's labor unions
began a 24-hour strike called by the Confederation of Greek
Workers (GSEE) protesting the government's taxation policies.
The port strike, which paralyzed transport and caused hardships
to the Greek islands, involved all ships with Greek crews and
kept vessels moored at ports, stranding thousands of angry
passengers and hundreds of local and foreign lorries in Greek
and Italian ports.
A federation spokesman said their union has accepted "improved
government proposals submitted to them by a committee headed by
Merchant Marine Minister Stavros Soumakis."
The seamen's main demands was preservation of a special tax
status for them since 1955 which the government changed in its
tax legislation.
A merchant marine ministry spokesman said that routes to the
islands and other destinations resumed normally as the seamen
called off their strike.
In a statement, PNO general secretary Ioannis Halas said that
the government's new proposals "are a positive first step
although they did not fully satisfy all the seamen's problems."
Mr. Halas warned, however, that "if satisfactory solutions are
not given there will be a new round of strikes."
The government's new proposals include the starting of a
dialogue between the employers, the seamen and the state for the
settlement of employment issues on ocean-going vessels, the
seamen's registry, preservation of pensions at 58 per cent of
their basic wages and the taxation of officers' salaries with
8.0 per cent this year, 9.0 per cent from 1998 and on, and 4.0
and 6.0 per cent respectively for lower-ranking crews.
[06] Gov't to consider workers' demands
Athens, 24/01/1997 (ANA)
The government will examine trade union demands concerning the
new tax bill "in a positive spirit", Finance Under-secretary
George Drys told a delegation of General Confederation of Greek
Workers (GSEE) yesterday.
Mr. Drys met the delegation after GSEE held a protest rally and
march to Parliament during the trade unions' 24-hour nationwide
strike.
Commenting on trade unions' main demands, Mr. Drys promised that
the index-linking of tax brackets to inflation and the increase
of tax-free income to two million drachmas would be introduced
as of 1998, which means that it will apply to income earned
during 1997.
He also promised that dialogue would begin with the competent
bodies of mass labor movements in 1997 "in order for measures to
be agreed which will make the taxation system simpler and
fairer." GSEE President Christos Polyzogopoulos welcomed Mr.
Drys' pledges, describing them as "a positive development".
Meanwhile, trade unionists said the level of participation in
today's 24-hour strike and rally had been satisfactory.
The strike was joined by workers and pensioners in the region of
eastern Macedonia and Thrace, with the epicenter of protests the
town of Kavala.
Meanwhile, public servants in the Thessaloniki area indicated
yesterday that they would support the strike called for Feb. 3-4
by the Civil Servants Supreme Administrative Council.
[07] Simitis meets with US envoy
Athens, 24/01/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday had a one-hour meeting
with US Ambassador to Athens, Thomas Niles, which according to
informed sources covered the entire spectrum of Greek-US
relations. The sources added that Greek-Turkish relations and
the Cyprus problem had also been discussed in the light of
recent developments.
Neither Mr. Simitis nor Mr. Niles made statements to reporters
after the meeting.
Earlier, Mr. Simitis received visiting Romanian Foreign Minister
Adrian Severin.
[08] Pangalos warns foreign ministry strikers
Athens, 24/01/1997 (ANA)
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos warned yesterday that he was
determined to implement the law in dealing with a strike called
by Greek foreign ministry employees yesterday and another
scheduled by diplomatic personnel for next Tuesday. He said that
i f the courts declared the strike "illegal and abusive" he
would implement the law in his ministry.
"I don't care what goes on in ports or in the streets, but here
the law will be upheld. There are no Pattakis (a reference to
the leader of hard-line Thessaly farmers) in here," Mr. Pangalos
said.
[09] Greece targets increased trade with Romania
Athens, 24/01/1997 (ANA)
Greece said yesterday that it aimed to increase trade with
Romania to US$500 million annually, exploiting its "excellent"
relations with its Balkan neighbor, Foreign Minister Theodoros
Pangalos said.
Mr. Pangalos was speaking after an hour-long meeting with his
visiting Romanian counterpart Adrian Severin, who arrived in
Athens yesterday. Mr. Pangalos reiterated Greece's support for
Romania's efforts to join the European Union, saying that Athens
considered the inclusion of Balkan countries in the EU to be a
priority.
Commenting on the impending expansion of NATO to include central
and eastern European nations, Mr. Pangalos said he was in favor
of including any countries which desired membership.
Mr. Severin told reporters that all the countries belonging to
the same geo-political area, such as the Balkans, should be
admitted to NATO at the same time.
The foreign ministers also announced that the prime ministers of
both countries would visit one another in the next three months.
[10] Bulgaria ratifies several cross-border agreements with Greece
Sofia, 24/01/1997 (ANA - N. Hios)
The Bulgarian government yesterday ratified projects included in
the cross-border co-operation programme between Greece and
Bulgaria, as well as the economic memorandum on the
implementation of the EU's PHARE programme for 1994-1999 .
According to the Bulgarian news agency BTA, "the cross-border
co-operation programme between Bulgaria and Greece constitutes
one of the main mechanisms through which the European Commission
exercises free investment policy. To date, and on the basis of t
he economic memorandum for 1994, Bulgaria has received ECU 25
million to implement programmes in the sectors of transport,
telecommunications and the environment."
The new programme anticipates ECU 23 million annually for the
improvement of the transport and communications network in
border regions along the Greek-Bulgarian frontier, the
water-supply system and the minimization of environmental
pollution.
Among others, the programme anticipates the electrification of
the Dubnica-Koulata rail link with ECU 3 million, as well as a
contribution to the creation of a digital telecommunications
line linking Sofia and Petric as well as the optic fiber link
between Kavala and Haskovo with ECU 1.5 million. The amount of
ECU 1.3 million is also anticipated for the natural gas pipeline
linking Russia to Greece.
A further ECU 1.5 million will be provided to decrease uranium
waste in rivers flowing into Greece.
[11] Greece to participate in Ukraine PfP exercise
Sevastopol, 24/01/1997 (Reuter/ANA)
Greece will be among the countries participating in an
international peacekeeping and humanitarian exercise in August
in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, an official said on Wednesday.
Greece will join Ukraine, the United States, Britain, Germany,
France, Italy, Russia, Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania in "Sea
Breeze-97", Yuri Glukhov, a Ukrainian naval officer who heads
the organizing team, told reporters.
The exercise, part of NATO's Partnership for Peace programme,
would be a "wonderful opportunity for the navies of different
countries to work on co-operation in humanitarian operations",
he added. Ukraine would contribute 10 ships, several planes and
other forces to the exercises, Glukhov said.
He added that Albania and Georgia would take part as observers.
The partnership is aimed at forging closer links between eastern
and central Europe and NATO members by organizing military
exercises and joint training projects.
[12] Gov't comments on alleged links between Ciller, drug smugglers
Athens, 24/01/1997 (ANA)
The picture presented by Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller
burdens her country as a whole, government spokesman Dimitris
Reppas said yesterday when asked to comment on her alleged links
to organized drug smuggling.
"However, Ms Ciller's acts concern Greece to the extent that the
policy she pursues conflicts with our interests and she acts
outside the framework of international law and international
treaties," Mr. Reppas said.
During the trial in Germany of three convicted drug smugglers on
Tuesday, Frankfurt judge Rolf Schwalbe said two Istanbul
families dominated the heroin trade emanating from Turkey.
He claimed the families, which he named, had excellent links to
the Turkish government and personal contacts with a minister who
he subsequently named as Ms Ciller.
[13] Cyprus solution depends on full demilitarization: Tsohatzopoulos
Athens, 24/01/1997 (ANA)
Solution of the Cyprus problem is conditional upon full
demilitarization of the island republic, National Defense
Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said while on a tour to the
northern Aegean island of Limnos yesterday.
"The intermediate steps are discussed on the basis of conditions
as they arise, and influence this development," he said.
He reiterated, however, that the need for strengthening the
defensive capability of Cyprus arises from the threat
originating in the presence of occupation troops in the northern
part of the island.
"For this reason, the initiatives of the European Union,
Britain, and the US aim, on one hand, to secure the prospects of
Cyprus in the EU, and, on the other, to establish a parallel
process which will lead to a solution, without the one issue
influencing the development of the other," he added.
[14] Arsenis meets with representatives of university lecturers
Athens, 24/01/1997 (ANA)
Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis met last night with
representatives of university lecturers and discussed the
changes which have been announced regarding university entrance
exams.
Speaking after the meeting, the minister said he presented his
positions to the lecturers regarding the gradual phasing out of
university entrance examinations and the increase in the number
of entrants as of this year.
He added that discussions will continue over the next few days
regarding the professional development of university lecturers,
so that a jointly acceptable draft bill can be submitted in
Parliament in February.
According to the president of the Panhellenic Federation of
University Lecturers, Gerassimos Spathis, the lecturers agree on
university entrance exams being abolished through an increase in
entrants into higher education. He added that the lecturers also
agree with minister on many aspects concerning their
professional development, adding that the few issues on which
they disagree will be discussed extensively.
[15] No end in sight to teachers' strike
Athens, 24/01/1997 (ANA)
The outcome of talks between Mr. Arsenis and teachers'
representatives ended without result early yesterday morning as
the teachers' strike entered its fourth day today. Speaking to
reporters after the meeting, teachers' representatives said
their main demands had not been met and they had not been given
specific replies.
Following the talks, attended also by Finance Under-secretary
Nikos Christodoulakis, the teachers' union (OLME) recommended
that its members continue the strike next week also.
Calling late last night on the teachers to end their strike, Mr.
Arsenis said he had told their representatives that he was
willing to discuss the possibility of pay increases for 1998 and
1999.
Teachers' representatives are insisting that the strike will
continue if monthly increases of 70,000 drachmas are not given
in 1997.
In Thessaloniki, meanwhile, officials said the participation
rate for the four-day long strike ranged between 25 and 35
percent.
[16] Omonoia delegation to meet with Arsenis, Papaioannou
Athens, 24/01/1997 (ANA)
Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis and Labor Minister
Miltiades Papaioannou will meet in Athens today with a
three-member delegation of Omonoia, the organization which
promotes ethnic Greek minority issues in neighboring Albania.
During their meeting with Mr. Arsenis, the delegation is
expected to reiterate its requests for advanced training for
teachers, scholarships and improvements to the infrastructures
of ethnic Greek schools in Albania. Another issue expected to be
raised is that of the problems faced by ethnic Greek
schoolchildren relating to incidents of racism.
The delegation is made up of Omonoia President Georgios
Lambovisiadis, a deputy for Sarande, Thomas Mitsios and
Gjirokaster deputy Vangelis Doule.
In talks with Mr. Papaioannou, the three representatives will
most likely express displeasure at the draft presidential decree
aimed at conferring legal status on Albanian illegal immigrants
in Greece. They are expected to express the view that under the
decree, the ethnic Greeks of Albania are treated as aliens,
rather than Greeks enjoying the same rights and obligations as
all Greek citizens.
[17] Ethnic Greek released
Gjirokaster 24/01/1997 (ANA - D. Tsakas)
Albanian authorities undertook yesterday to release an ethnic
Greek from detention and place him under house arrest, following
the intervention of Greece's consul general in Gjirokaster,
Nikos Kanellos, and Omonoia President Lambovisiadis.
The community leader of Droviani, Yiannis Triantafyllou, was
arrested on Tuesday and charged with resisting arrest as he led
a group of villagers to protest against the partial
deforestation of a site near the village, which belongs to the
Orthodox Church of Albania.
[18] Group calls for Greek-Turkish dialogue
Athens, 24/01/1997 (ANA)
The "Rational Front against Nationalism " has launched a
campaign against what it called "over-armament," and also came
out in support of a dialogue between Greece and Turkey.
"The aim of the campaign is to promote the idea of an all issues
dialogue with Turkey," representative of the front, Rihardos
Someritis, said adding that dialogue does mean "defeat."
The "Rational Front against Nationalism " comprises ruling PASOK
Eurodeputy Anna Karamanou, former deputy Leonidas Kyrkos,
Coalition of the Left and Progress official Nikos Bistis and the
publisher of the "Politis" magazine, Angelos Elefantis.
[19] Two ND deputies threaten lawsuit against V. Papandreou for libel
Athens, 24/01/1997 (ANA)
Two main opposition New Democracy deputies that are also members
of a Parliamentary fact-finding committee probing the ill-fated
Floisvos casino license said they will sue Development Minister
Vasso Papandreou for libel and attempted intimidation.
The two deputies, Theodoros Kassimis and Triantafyllos Bellos,
said the lawsuit concerns questions raised by the minister
regarding their integrity.
Their announcement was made yesterday after a meeting chaired by
ND leader Miltiades Evert.
Ms Papandreou's statements, referring to suspect bank accounts
held by members of the committee, drew Mr. Evert's immediate
reaction in Parliament, who accused her of "losing her cool and
attempting to blackmail and threaten" members.
Yesterday, the minister declined to pursue the matter further
when questioned by reporters, saying she was not particularly
anxious about developments in the case. She explained, however,
that when she annulled the license previously granted by a joint
decision of Environment Minister Costas Laliotis and then
tourism minister Dionysis Livanos, she did so "on the basis of
an opinion by the State Legal Council, which is the government's
official advisory body".
In her testimony to the committee on Tuesday, Ms Papandreou
described the decision as "a glaring illegality", but also
praised Mr. Laliotis for not approving the necessary change in
land use for construction of the casino.
Referring to the affair yesterday, government spokesman Dimitris
Reppas said there was no tension in the relations between the
two ministers, and that the prime minister's intervention was
not required.
Replying to other questions, Mr. Reppas said the government did
not possess evidence of corruption on the part of members of the
committee, and added that any such evidence would be examined by
the committee itself.
[20] Problems in air transport prior to crucial summer season
considered
Athens, 24/01/1997 (ANA)
Representatives from the development and transport ministries,
as well as Olympic Airways officials, air traffic controllers
and businessmen in the tourism sector yesterday met to consider
solutions to potential problems in air transport this summer.
Addressing the seminar on "Tourism and Air transport,"
Development Minister Vasso Papandreou said an immediate solution
to problems in air transport was not feasible but expressed hope
the situation would undergo drastic changes in the next few
years.
On his part, Olympic Airways President Nikos Blessios pledged
that OA will make every possible effort to assist in upgrading
Greek tourism, adding that the company will purchase new
aircraft and attempt to enter strategic alliances with other
airline companies in new markets in an effort to become more
competitive.
Regarding a new French-made air traffic control system which was
due to go into operation in April, the air traffic controllers
said the system's operation will be delayed until autumn, due to
lack of technical support, adding that problems should be
anticipated over the tourism season.
Meanwhile, representatives of international airlines operating
in Greece called on the government to proceed with airline
deregulation and stressed what they termed "the state's
destructive protectionism of OA."
They said high operating costs in Greece have led six
international airlines to close down their operation in Greece,
while two more have announced plans to leave the country.
[21] Europartenariat Hellas 1997 reps meet in Athens
Athens, 24/01/1997 (ANA)
Representatives from 77 countries working for promotion of the
"Europartenariat Hellas 1997" to be held in Piraeus on June
23-24, met in Athens yesterday to discuss preparation procedures.
The representatives were presented with the Europartenariat
catalogue, featuring economic figures for Greece as well as the
kind of ventures that 400 Greek enterprises which have been
selected to participate in the event are seeking with European
enterprises.
In a message to the meeting, EU Commissioner for tourism, energy
and small-to-middle-size enterprises, Christos Papoutsis, said
that "Greece's advantageous geographical position can be used as
a basis for business ventures not only in the Mediterranean but
also in central and eastern Europe, and the Balkans."
Mr. Papoutsis also emphasized in his message that the
Europartenariat's special focus will be the young entrepreneur.
National Economy Under-secretary Alekos Baltas told a press
conference after the meeting that the Europartenariat was a
"successful institution which contributes to co-operation among
European SMEs on an international level".
Some 200,000 businesses have participated in the Europartenatiat
since it was founded in 1988 at the initiative of the European
Union.
Two thousand Greek businesses will participate at this year's
Europartenariat Hellas 1997.
Mr. Baltas said prospects were good for joint ventures between
businesses in Greece, eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the Black
Sea region countries.
[22] Gov't develops programme for redundant Goodyear workers
Athens, 24/01/1997 (ANA)
Manpower Employment Organization (OAED) Governor Constantine
Efstratoglu is expected to announce a list of measures aimed at
helping the 300 workers laid off from Thessaloniki's Goodyear
plant last year, to find new jobs at more favorable terms than
those generally applying for the unemployed.
Mr. Efstratoglu will announce the measures at a seminar to be
held on Monday in Thessaloniki.
The seminar, which will be addressed by Labor Minister Miltiades
Papaionnou, constitutes the government's answer to the demands
of the 300 workers for government help. The seminar is expected
to be attended by the city's major industrial representatives.
Mr. Papaionnou announced the outline of the measures during a
conference, in December, at Thessaloniki's Labor Centre.
The measures include financial assistance in the form of special
training grants or the equivalent of 37 months of wages, OAED's
search to find jobs for the workers according to their
qualifications in Thessaloniki, help workers adjust to their new
work environments and meet new job demands through training, as
well as to subsidize companies which agree to create jobs for
the workers.
OAED will give financial assistance to workers who wish to be
self-employed in the form of subsidies over the duration of two
years. The workers' representative Sotiris Ainatzis, however,
expressed reservation at the success of the measures saying that
Thessaloniki industrialists have shown little enthusiasm.
[23] Papantoniou confident inflation, interest rates will fall
Athens, 24/01/1997 (ANA)
National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou yesterday forecast
a rapid drop in inflation and interest rates beginning this
month.
Speaking in Parliament during a debate on the government's new
tax bill, Mr. Papantoniou also predicted that interest rates on
treasury bills and state bonds would have dropped to single
figures by the summer, "thus confirming the good course of the
Greek economy."
Mr. Papantoniou was replying to main opposition New Democracy
party leader Miltiades Evert, who had accused the government of
following an economic policy which led on to an impasse, an
increase in taxes and "perpetuates the wasteful state."
Mr. Evert disputed that the Greek economy was on good course,
saying that the government, "instead of reining in the wasteful
state, is resorting to more tactics in order to preserve it".
The ND leader claimed that in the period 1994-95, the taxes paid
by pensioners and salary-earners had increased by 28 and 30 per
cent respectively.
The corresponding increase in incomes had been 11 per cent, the
main opposition leader said, reflecting what he called "the
bleeding dry of the lower and middle-level economic strata."
Commenting on the criticism leveled at him from opposition
parties for not index-linking tax brackets to inflation, Mr.
Papantoniou acknowledged that the criticism may be partly
justified.
Greece's biggest labor grouping, the General Confederation of
Greek Workers (GSEE), has organized a nationwide 24-hour strike
today to protest the government's economic policy - its main
demand being the index-linking of tax brackets.
Mr. Papantoniou underlined however that such index-linking would
cost the state 100 billion drachmas, of which only 21 billion
would be distributed among the great majority of taxpayers,
while the remaining 79 billion drachmas would be to the benefit
of a very small number of taxpayers who declare the largest
amounts of income.
[24] Gov't to invite tenders for several EOT properties
Athens, 24/01/1997 (ANA)
Development Minister Vasso Papandreou yesterday announced that
the government would soon invite international tenders for the
development of properties belonging to the Greek Tourism
Organization (EOT).
These would concern the following sites:
- A 118-hectare site in Nea Fokaia, Halkidiki, for the creation
of a golf course requiring an investment of at least 4 billion
drachmas, and envisaging 100 new positions.
- A 193.5-hectare site in Paliouri, Halkidiki, for the
development of new forms of tourism (sea therapy, sports
installations, environmental training centre etc.), requiring an
investment of more than six billion drachmas and 200 new
positions.
- A 157-hectare site in Anavyssos, Attica, for the creation of a
golf course, conference centre, sea therapy and sports
installations, requiring an investment of more than 12 billion
drachmas and 250 new positions.
- A 187-hectare site in Afantou, Rhodes, for upgrading the
existing golf course, horseback riding and sports installations,
budgeted at more than 11 billion drachmas, and envisaging the
creation of 400 new positions.
Ms Papandreou said the total investments could eventually reach
twice the amount budgeted, i.e. 66 billion drachmas. She also
announced that the government would invite the expression of
interest for the promotion of Integrated Tourist Development
Areas (POTA), which are privately owned sites measuring more
than 80 hectares, and capable of receiving investment subsidies
from the EU 'Tourism' sub-programme.
She specified that the sites must be in less developed tourist
areas, the projects must have a minimum budget of 20 billion
drachmas, and the architectural intervention must be minimal.
[25] Partial compensation for cotton growers
Athens, 24/01/1997 (ANA)
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Agriculture Minister
Stefanos Tzoumakas announced the government's decisions to
partially compensate farmers suffering losses as a result of
recent poor weather.
He said his ministry will allocate to cotton growers 10,000
drachmas per stremma of cultivated land, out of 90,000 drachmas
requested by farmers.
Farmers concerned must submit applications as of today, while
the submission process will be completed over a period of 10
days.
Special committees set up for this purpose will then make an
immediate assessment of damage caused and the payment of
compensation will start.
[26] Farmer gets suspended sentence for accidental death of former
Moslem deputy Sadiq
Athens, 24/01/1997 (ANA)
A Thessaloniki court yesterday sentenced a 62-year-old farmer to
17 months imprisonment, suspended for three years, for the July
1995 manslaughter of Ahmet Sadiq, a Moslem Greek who had served
as an independent deputy for Rodopi.
Zissis Arabatzis, a resident of Rodopi, was found guilty of
causing the traffic accident on the Komotini-Iasmou secondary
road in which Sadiq died.
Sadiq was driving a car which crashed into a tractor being
driven by Arabatzis. His wife and children, who were in the car
at the time, were injured in the crash.
Police at the time said excessive speed was the cause of the
accident.
Mr. Arabatzis' trial had been attended by a three-member
delegation of the Turkish National Assembly and a number of
Turkish reporters.
The Turkish delegation said that it was "completely satisfied"
by the way in which the trial had been held, describing the
proceedings as "impeccable."
Speaking to reporters after the trial, Sadiq's widow, Isiq said
she thought that the sentence was extremely light, since the
accident had resulted in the death of a political leader.
[27] Method to fight oil pollution using magnetism unveiled
Athens, 24/01/1997 (ANA)
A Greek researcher yesterday presented a new method for cleaning
up oil pollution in the sea using magnetism to separate the oil
from sea water.
"Clean mag" is a special compound of plastic materials
containing magnetized particles. Prof. George Nicholaidis said
the compound had the property of being able to selectively
absorb petroleum products and oils without absorbing water.
"This means that when the petroleum products come into contact
with the compound, they quickly stick to "clean mag" and remain
on the surface of the sea where they can easily be collected
with the use of electromagnets," Prof. Nicholaidis said.
According to the professor, present methods of cleaning up oil
slicks are extremely costly and are never completely efficient.
Prof. Nicholaidis said that when clean mag went into mass
production, he expected great interest on the part of shipping
companies and foreign countries.
[28] Truck driver gets 13 life sentences for prostitute murders
Athens, 24/01/1997 (ANA)
A 23-year-old truck driver was yesterday sentenced to 13 terms
of life imprisonment, plus 25 years, after an Athens court found
him guilty of murdering three prostitutes, attempting to murder
a further six and robbing all nine.
Antonis Daglis committed the murders between 1993 and 1995.
In particularly gruesome testimony, the court heard how he had
used a saw to dismember his victims before disposing of their
body parts in rubbish bins.
Daglis was also found guilty of raping an English prostitute
working in Greece and of the illegal use of a weapon - a piece
of rope which he used to strangle his victims.
Before announcing its verdict, which Daglis listened to
impassively, the accused had prohibited a court-appointed
defense lawyer from making his closing address, saying he did
not consider him to be his defense counsel.
Daglis earlier this week surprised the court by admitting to all
three murders but yesterday retracted his confession, saying he
had killed only one, by accident.
"I hated all prostitutes and continue to hate them. I went to
meet them for sex but suddenly other pictures came into my head.
I heard voices which ordered me to kill. Once I thought about
strangling my fiancee, but I restrained myself," Daglis had told
the court on Tuesday.
End of English language section
|
