Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-01-29

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1101), January 29, 1997

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papantoniou says farmers' protests won't affect 'course of economy'

[02] Lukewarm response from farmers to resumption of protests

[03] Trade fair disruptions

[04] Gov't spokesman

[05] Thessaloniki area farmers divided

[06] Exporters call for measures to prevent farmers' blockades

[07] Russian envoy denies reports of further missiles purchase

[08] Russian envoys to tour Athens, Nicosia and Ankara

[09] Santer reiterates that negotiations for Cyprus EU accession to start 6 months after IGC

[10] Europarliament committee adopts resolution on Cypriot EU accession talks

[11] Ciller threatens to block NATO expansion if closer EU-Turkey relations don't materialize

[12] Italian reactions

[13] Turkish aircraft violate Greek airspace

[14] Arsenis meets with teachers, strike continues

[15] Cyprus on Euro-Mediterranean conference agenda

[16] Draft legislation on protection from 'electronic filing' ratified

[17] World Council of Churches protests jailing of Orthodox bishop in Turkey

[18] Culture ministers begin arriving in Thessaloniki

[19] Museum won't be built over recently discovered Lyceum

[20] 1997 proclaimed 'Capodistrias Year' by president

[21] Leading political figures receive Ipekci peace awards

[22] Water pipeline inaugurated in Georgia

[23] Hellenic American Chamber conference

[24] OTE satellite station inaugurated

[25] Domestic wines more popular abroad than at home

[26] Packaging '97 exhibition to be held

[27] Technical chamber delegation in Romania

[28] Helexpo to organize trade exhibition in Odessa

[29] Improved economic climate leads to new state bill issues

[30] Public works credits allocated

[31] Greece to extradite woman for German disco bomb

[32] Tzoganis speaks on continued problem of illegal immigration

[33] Bomb at Athens courthouse defused

[01] Papantoniou says farmers' protests won't affect 'course of economy'

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

Speaking to the press after a 70 minute meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis focusing on issues concerning the government's economic policy, Mr. Papantoniou described as "satisfactory" the course of the economy, stressing that the government was determined to stick to its policy.

"When the protests were widespread, inflation was not affected adversely at all," he said, adding that reduced mobilizations shouldn't affect it either.

Mr. Papantoniou said he also discussed with the premier the absorption of European Union funds and implementation of the budget. Meanwhile, a high-ranking government meeting was held yesterday in the premier's office in Parliament to focus on the farmers' threatened mobilizations.

Both Under-secretary to the Prime Minister's Office George Paschalidis and Justice Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos stressed that whatever decision is taken will be realized through the government's policy and with dialogue with farmers, but as well as on application of laws.

[02] Lukewarm response from farmers to resumption of protests

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

The low-key atmosphere is also due to the postponement of a trial of several farmers for their participation in a previous demonstrations.

Meanwhile, a rally scheduled to take place in the town's main square will go ahead as planned. Tractors expected to gather there had not yet made their appearance, although some have begun to move into the prefecture's village squares. On the other hand, five detachments of riot squad arrived in Thessaly yesterday as part of a joint plan by the public order ministry and Greek police (ELAS) to deal with demonstrations.

[03] Trade fair disruptions

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

Some 1,500 exhibitors from around Greece and 37 countries are to display their products at Agrotica. Agriculture Under-secretary Vassilis Geranidis described as "a mistake" a decision of the Macedonia-Thrace farmers' coordinating committee to hold a protest rally near the exhibition venue during the inauguration ceremony.

Mr. Geranidis told ANA that Agrotica was a major event in the agricultural sector and that the protest would present a distorted picture of the exhibition and problems, "for an institution which is solely at the service of farmers."

Replying to reporters' questions, Mr. Geranidis did not rule out the possibility of "preventive" measures being taken in view of the protest. He underlined that measures would most certainly be taken to prevent farmers blocking the country's road network.

[04] Gov't spokesman

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

"The farmers will not be allowed to exceed the limits of legality," Mr. Reppas said, adding that "if they attempt to occupy public buildings will be countered by the forces of order."

Mr. Reppas further expressed disapproval at a movement to blockade the Agrotica trade fair, accusing the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) of triggering the movement.

Regarding recent statements by Mr. Yiannopoulos that the government will not remain passive before protesting farmers' blockades, Mr. Reppas said they reflected the government's positions.

[05] Thessaloniki area farmers divided

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

The Federation of Agricultural Associations of Thessaloniki yesterday called on its members not to take part in the rally, describing such types of protest as "inappropriate," particularly "at a time when the competent minister has committed himself to examining all the issues of concern to farmers."

In an announcement, the federation points out that the rally cannot be legitimized because the farmers' coordinating committee is not an officially recognized body.

According to a coordinating committee decision, farmers from Thessaloniki and surrounding prefectures will be asked to gather for the rally at noon today at the entrance of the Thessaloniki International Fair.

A delegation will seek a meeting with Mr. Tzoumakas, who will visit the facilities at 7 p.m. to inaugurate the Agrotica exhibition.

Originally, the farmers had planned to block the entrance to the facilities in order to prevent the inauguration ceremony, but coordinating committee member Yiannis Vogiatzis told ANA yesterday that there would be no blockade, only a protest rally.

The rally was also condemned yesterday by the Association of Exporters of Northern Greece (SEBE), who called it "untimely and out of place."

According to SEBE, the new round of farmers' protests would create "serious problems for the functioning of the state, the collapse of the fragile national economy and, as a consequence, the ruin of export undertakings".

[06] Exporters call for measures to prevent farmers' blockades

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

In a letter to Mr. Papantoniou, association representatives requested that the minister, in his capacity as "head of the Greek economy," should take all necessary measures in order to avert a new blow to export activity.

"A new blockade of ground transport will not just cause severe consequences on export activity, but much more, it will crucially traumatize the country's export credibility," the letter stated.

"International importers are beginning to wonder whether they can count on their Greek supplies led to cancel specific exports and thus undermine export activity," it added.

Some 600,000 people are employed in the export sector in Greece, which records annual revenues of some $12 billion (2.6 trillion drachmas).

[07] Russian envoy denies reports of further missiles purchase

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

The French news agency AFP, quoting Itar-Tass, reported on Monday that Cyprus was planning to buy the Russian-made anti-missile, anti-aircraft system Tor-M1. The report was immediately denied by Cypriot Defense Minister Costas Eliades.

The ambassador, in a meeting yesterday with Coalition of the Left leader Nikos Constantopoulos, said there was no need to create more tension in the area and called on Turkey to keep calm and attempt to approach matters in a way that would lead to a beginning of negotiations to resolve the Cyprus problem.

He added that an earlier order for S-300 missiles from Russia was of a commercial nature, but could act as a negotiating card in the balance of power.

Mr. Nikolayenko said he was in favor of an international conference to be held on the Cyprus issue, under the initiative of the Security Council's permanent members, while the Russian side has also suggested the creation of a "contact group" for Cyprus .

[08] Russian envoys to tour Athens, Nicosia and Ankara

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

The director of the third directorate for European Affairs at the Russian foreign ministry, Vladimir Tchizov, and deputy director of the ministry's international organization's department, Aleksandr Orlov, arrived in Athens yesterday and are scheduled t o meet with Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos this morning.

The two Russian officials are scheduled to fly to Nicosia after Athens, where they are scheduled to meet with President Glafcos Clerides, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and the United Nations Secretary General's special envoy on the Cyprus issue H an Sung Joo, who is also visiting the island at present.

According to diplomatic sources, Russia aims to promote an active involvement of the five permanent members of the UN's Security Council, in co-operation with the European Union's representative, in finding a solution to the Cyprus issue, saying that the experience of Bosnia has shown the need for collective action in order for problems to be faced effectively.

The same sources said Moscow is also aiming for a plan for the solution of the Cyprus issue to be worked out by the Security Council's five permanent members, in co-operation with the European Union's representative.

Moscow is also proposing the establishment of a permanent "contact group" for the issue, to be comprised of representatives of the Security Council, who will reinforce efforts by the UN Secretary General.

Apart from the Cyprus issue, Athens is expecting to hear the Russian officials' proposals regarding possibilities for expanding Greek-Russian co-operation in the Balkans.

[09] Santer reiterates that negotiations for Cyprus EU accession to start 6 months after IGC

Strasbourg, 29/01/1997 (ANA- G. Zarkadis)

"We arrived at a total agreement regarding enlargement with Cyprus on March 6, 1995. We remain put on this agreement with Cyprus, for negotiations to begin six months after the completion of the IGC," he said in answer to a question in the parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe.

Referring to Greek-Turkish relations, he expressed hope that problems will be solved, and said that the Council of Ministers had dealt with this issue.

"I hope this situation is not one of those that can have an impact on EU enlargement, and more especially the accession of Cyprus," he said.

The plenum of the assembly will discuss today the report on the Cyprus issue drawn up by Lord Finsberg, who has died in the meantime, and which was submitted by his replacement, Hungarian Socialist Andras Barsoni, together with a draft resolution.

The Greek and Cypriot delegations have made strong efforts to have a number of amendments making the draft resolution more favorable to their interests adopted.

During discussion of the IGC, New Democracy party Euro-MP Vassilis Manginas pointed out that many European countries are facing significant economic and social problems because they cannot easily meet Maastricht requirements.

"Irrespective of the stability of the goal of Maastricht, one must not overlook everyday reality and endanger - beyond a certain point- established rights. It is an issue which must be preserved, without excesses and waste," he said.

[10] Europarliament committee adopts resolution on Cypriot EU accession talks

Brussels, 29/01/1997 (ANA - M. Savva)

The decision comes in the wake of increasingly frequent statements by German officials, including Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel, warning that Cypriot membership is not possible if the Cyprus problem is not solved beforehand.

The debate in the plenum will take place on the basis of a question to the representatives of the Commission and the Council of Ministers, formulated by Dutch Euro-MP Jan Wilhelm Bertens, asking them what they intend to do to promote a permanent solution to the problem on the basis of UN resolutions, as well as to confirm that Cyprus will take part in the first round of negotiations for enlargement, irrespective of the state of EU-Turkey relations.

The committee, whose session yesterday was attended by External Affairs Commissioner Hans van den Broek, also decided that the debate in the plenum, probably in February or March, will be followed by a resolution providing a reminder of the decisions al ready adopted by the EU regarding a start to negotiations for Cypriot entry six months after the end of the IGC.

Mr. van den Broek, despite reiterating that "Cyprus cannot be held hostage by Turkey," tried to justify the German foreign minister by saying that "he did not dispute the commencement of Cyprus-EU negotiations, but their completion, which will prove difficult if the Cyprus problem is not solved..."

[11] Ciller threatens to block NATO expansion if closer EU-Turkey relations don't materialize

Rome, 29/01/199 (Reuter/ANA - L. Hatzikyriakos)

"We have no territorial claims whatsoever at all," she said on the eve of a meeting with an informal "contact group" with Turkey - otherwise known as 5+1 - comprised of the foreign ministers from Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Britain.

"Whatever disputes we have should be solved on an individual basis with dialogue. Turkey is large enough. We don't want anything that belongs to Greece at all. We only want what is ours as justified in international terms," she added.

Ms Ciller also stressed that Ankara could veto NATO expansion eastwards, unless the European Union decided to forge closer links with Turkey.

"How do you think that NATO will expand without Turkey's permission? European and NATO enlargement are directly linked," she said.

The Italian foreign ministry has officially stated that discussion will center on relations between the "five" and Turkey. However, according to well-informed diplomatic sources, it will certainly be broader, touching on association with the EU, Greek-Turkish relations and Cyprus, as well as Turkey's internal situation, human rights and the Kurdish issue.

Ms Ciller said that if Turkey is not considered eligible for full membership "it will be one of the greatest mistakes of history, because it will hurt the feelings of the Turkish people irreversibly".

"We do not want any special relationship (with the EU). Turkey is either a full member or it will not hang on as a second-rate member," she added. Referring to the Cyprus issue, she said "Turkey will never initiate a crisis."

[12] Italian reactions

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

[13] Turkish aircraft violate Greek airspace

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

[14] Arsenis meets with teachers, strike continues

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

During the meeting last night, attended also by Finance Under-secretary Nikos Christodoulakis, the government proposed an increase of 15,000 drachmas in the allowance given to teachers for work outside school hours which currently stands at 35,000 drachmas.

It also proposed that the lump sum payment of 90,000 drachmas owed since last December should be given to teachers.

Mr. Arsenis said the government had exhausted all possible margins for satisfying the teachers' demands and called for a continuation of dialogue to resolve the problems in the sector of education.

Teachers Union, OLME, representatives told a press conference later in the day that they did not persist on the 70,000 drachma increase but on the other hand they would not agree to the 8,500 drachmas essentially proposed by the government.

Seeking another meeting with the minister, the OLME representatives said strike action would continue. Striking teachers are meeting this evening to decide whether to extend strike action for a third week.

Meanwhile, main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert yesterday held a meeting with university rectors to exchange views on Mr. Arsenis' proposals regarding admission of students to Greek universities without exams.

Mr. Evert expressed reservations and opposition to certain aspects of the minister's proposals adding that these were not yet very specific.

Noting that state expenditure for education should be increased to 6 per cent of the GDP, Mr. Evert added that higher education should not be vocationally oriented.

Turning to the open university institution to start operating in September, Mr. Evert said that in part it abolished the institution of free education also causing institutional problems.

Mr. Arsenis proposed wide reaching changes to the education system to begin as of the next academic year and leading to the abolition of university and further education entrance examinations by the year 2000.

Mr. Arsenis presented the proposals in a meeting with university rectors on Saturday in Delphi.

[15] Cyprus on Euro-Mediterranean conference agenda

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

Originally it was agreed that the Euro-Mediterranean conference would be held in Tunis but plans might change since Syria and Lebanon refuse to meet with the Israeli delegation on Arab soil outside the framework of the United Nations.

It is possible, according to diplomatic sources, that Malta may host the conference.

Apart from peace procedures in the Middle East, the Cyprus question is also high on the conference's agenda and diplomatic sources in Brussels maintain that after Nicosia's stated decision to purchase Russian-made anti-aircraft S-300 missiles and Ankara's strong opposition, "Euro-Turkish relations are not going through their best period ever."

[16] Draft legislation on protection from 'electronic filing' ratified

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

Justice Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos said the bill is a good start, adding that Greece is the only country in the European Union which has not yet heeded a relevant EU directive.

The bill was ratified by the ruling PASOK party and the main opposition New Democracy party. However, former minister Anastasios Peponis expressed reservations over a clause contained in the bill which excludes reporters from collecting information on public figures. He said the clause should be redefined because, as he said, it contains dangerous generalities.

Speaking on behalf of ND, spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos said his party would vote in favor of the bill, adding that the government should be aware that the development of technology is so great that each law is quickly overcome.

Representatives of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Leon Avdis, the Coalition of the Left and Progress, Fotis Kouvelis, and the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI), Yiannis Karacostas, expressed their parties' objections to the bill's content, claiming that it does not effectively protect citizens either from authorities or from private persons.

[17] World Council of Churches protests jailing of Orthodox bishop in Turkey

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

The court handed the suspended sentence on Metropolitan Iakovos of Laodikeai for officiating at a service at a Bulgarian Orthodox Church near Fener, ruling that it was an attempt to "Hellenize" the Bulgarian community living in Istanbul.

In the letter to Mr. Kazan, the World Council of Churches points out that the Metropolitan was officiating at the invitation of the parish council and his presence was in keeping with an agreement between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Patriarchate of Sofia.

"According to this agreement," the letter says, "the Bulgarian parishes in Istanbul are under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, as the Greek parishes in Bulgaria are under the Bulgarian Patriarchate".

The World Council underlines that relations between the two Churches "operate in adherence to... centuries of ecclesiastical tradition and are not governed by any national or political criteria".

Describing the court decision as "unwarranted and unlawful", the council said it constituted "a serious breach of the internationally accepted norms and principles of religious freedom, liberty and belief, and violates church, state relations."

The letter calls on Mr. Kazan "to take immediately the necessary steps in view of rescinding the decision of the Court."

[18] Culture ministers begin arriving in Thessaloniki

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

As official guests of the Cultural Capital of Europe organization, the ministers will also attend a three-day opening ceremony for the Cultural Capital.

The culture ministers of Armenia, Georgia and Jordan arrived in Thessaloniki yesterday, while the rest are scheduled to have arrived by Friday.

Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos is scheduled to meet his counterparts from Balkan and Black Sea countries today.

[19] Museum won't be built over recently discovered Lyceum

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

Following a meeting he had with Eliza Goulandri, the minister announced that they had arrived at the decision that a museum could not exist over the site of the recently uncovered ancient ruins believed to be Aristotle's Lyceum.

"Co-existence is not the solution which favors the double aim: the display of the findings on one hand, with the parallel presence of modern Greece on the other," Mr. Venizelos said.

[20] 1997 proclaimed 'Capodistrias Year' by president

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos referred to the political thought of Capodistrias, who early on, envisaged the future of a united Europe, where small and large countries would be included in a single organization without directorates. The event was also addressed by the mayors of Corfu, where Capodistrias hailed from, and Nafplio, the first capital of independent Greece.

The Russian ambassador to Greece, Valery Nikolayenko, referred to Capodistrias as foreign minister of Russia before his assumption of office in Greece, and his significant contribution to the promotion of Russia's relations with other European countries, as well as the forging of close links between Russia and Greece.

[21] Leading political figures receive Ipekci peace awards

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

An announcement by the Greek section of the awards organization said yesterday that the three politicians had worked for Greek-Turkish rapprochement, friendship and co-operation.

The bi-annual Ipekci Awards, alternately hosted in Athens and Istanbul, were established following a Greek initiative in February 1979, shortly after the assassination of Abdi Ipekci, an editor who worked for the Turkish daily "Milliyet".

The awards are given in recognition of efforts to promote Greek-Turkish friendship and co-operation.

Mr. Mitsotakis will be given the organization's main "Peace and Friendship" award for "his efforts during the past 20 years to promote Greek-Turkish rapprochement and his support for the (Moslem) minority of Western Thrace."

Special prizes will be awarded to Mr. Papandreou for his work as education minister in the previous PASOK government and Mr. Papayiannakis for the "cool-headed, objective and conciliatory way in which he deals with Greek-Turkish relations," the announcement of the Greek section said.

Others who received awards include Nahmi Koc, a Turkish businessmen, for his "constructive" stance on Greek-Turkish relations, to Olympic medallists Naim Suleymanoglou and Valerios Leonidas for "their statements in favor of Greek-Turkish friendship".

The committee also said the visit of 65 Turkish businessmen to Athens last year was "a positive event".

[22] Water pipeline inaugurated in Georgia

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

The ceremony was attended by Greece's ambassador to Georgia Tasos Kriekoukis, and World Council of Hellenes Abroad president Andrew Athens.

The pipeline, whose construction was funded by EIYAPOE, has a length of more than 20km.

EIYAPOE is implementing commitments assumed by the Greek state for support of expatriate Greeks continuing to live in these regions.

Mr. Iakovou described the effort as a "project of love for Hellenism," as well as for the entire population in the region. He also said it is a project to thank Georgia, which over the decades has offered hospitality on its territory to persecuted Black Sea region Greeks.

During his visit, the president of EIYAPOE held separate meetings with Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze and Foreign Minister Menagarishvili.

[23] Hellenic American Chamber conference

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

Among others, the event will be addressed by Development Under-secretary Mihalis Chrysohoidis, Transport and Communications Under-secretary Emmanuel Loukakis as well as the president of the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) Dimitris Papoulias .

[24] OTE satellite station inaugurated

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

The station will cover telephone, telex, telefax and computer data for Inmarsat-A terminals in the east Atlantic ocean region.

The estimated investment for the satellite station is 730 million drachmas.

[25] Domestic wines more popular abroad than at home

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

In view of the figures, IOBE said, exports had become a "one-way street" for wine producers.

Per capita consumption of wine in Greece is 30 liters annually, one of the highest figures worldwide but lower than the European Union average of 37 liters and about half the corresponding consumption in other Mediterranean countries of Europe such as Italy and France.

IOBE noted a gradual turn towards the so-called "quality" wines of small producers.

White wine accounts for 75 per cent of total domestic consumption, red 15 per cent and rose 10 per cent.

Wine consumption in general accounts for 20 per cent of total consumption of alcoholic drinks in Greece, compared to 34 per cent in 1982. Due to its comparatively low price, house wine remains the favorite of Greeks, accounting for 60 per cent of consumption, compared to 40 per cent for bottled wine.

With exports about 10 times the volume of imports, the wine trade with foreign countries showed an 11.5 billion drachma surplus in 1994. Two countries - Germany and France - absorb 68 per cent of Greek wine exports.

Roughly 18 per cent of Greece' wine production in exported, although these exports account for just 1.5-2.0 per cent of total EU exports. In 1994, the value of Greek wine exports amounted to 15.1 billion drachmas.

Foreign imported wines account for only 2.0 per cent of domestic consumption. Of these wines, the majority originate from Italy (36 per cent) and France (21 per cent).

[26] Packaging '97 exhibition to be held

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

The exhibition will be sponsored by the Greek Packaging Institute and the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry. More than 260 companies will participate in the exhibition and will come from the sectors of machinery and packaging systems, agricultural, industrial and consumer packaging, storage room equipment, automation and recycling as well as printing machinery and systems.

In another development, exhibitors from countries in Europe, the Americas and Asia will participate in the 10th international foodstuffs and beverages exhibition at the Peace and Friendship Stadium from Feb. 13-17. Apart from Greek companies in the sector, embassies, ministries and foreign chambers of commerce will participate in the exhibition with national pavilions.

[27] Technical chamber delegation in Romania

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

The delegation, due to stay in Romania for five days, is comprised of members of TEE/TKM's board, the dean and professors of the Aristotelion University in Thessaloniki's polytechnic school and representatives of five construction companies from Athens and Thessaloniki.

The delegation will meet the Romanian public works and reforms ministers, representatives of state agencies and university professors, while a co-operation protocol will also be signed between TEE/TKM and the Romanian Union of Architects.

[28] Helexpo to organize trade exhibition in Odessa

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

The deadline for declaring participation in the exhibition expires on Feb. 10.

[29] Improved economic climate leads to new state bill issues

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

The ministry will obtain 300 billion drachmas through the tendering, whose conditions and base interest rate for one-year bills will be announced today.

The ministry announced that Moody's, the US credit rating agency, ranks Greece in the A2 position on the basis of its assessment concerning the country's internal debt. A short while ago, the same organization had improved Greece's rating regarding its overseas debt from Baa 3 to Baa 1.

The ministry considers this rating as being of particular importance and announced that "according to Moody's, the upgrading is due to an improvement in the economic indicators of recent years, as well as to the strong political will which remains orientated on the Greek economy's convergence with those of the EU member-states."

In the first month of the year, considerable inflows from abroad were noted for state securities and for shares of the Athens Stock Exchange, resulting in a noteworthy increase in the general price indicator.

[30] Public works credits allocated

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

A further 112 million drachmas is earmarked for construction of a sewage treatment plant and water supply for the Ikaria airport.

[31] Greece to extradite woman for German disco bomb

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

The attack killed three people and wounded 200, mostly US military personnel.

"She will be on a flight to Germany on Wednesday (today)," one official told Reuters. "All documents have been signed by the justice minister and she did not appeal the extradition order."

The woman, 31-year-old Andrea Hausler, was arrested last October in Halkidiki near the northern port city of Thessaloniki at the request of German authorities.

She was on vacation with her two-year-old son and boyfriend when arrested. Police have said only that the woman was sought by the German authorities in connection with the disco bombing.

Two US soldiers and a Turkish woman were killed in the 1986 attack on the "La Belle" disco in Berlin's Schoeneberg district, and scores of off-duty US military personnel were wounded.

The United States blamed Libya for the blast and responded by bombing the Arab state, killing at least 15 people and wounding more than 100.

Two other people were arrested in Germany in October in connection with the attack.

[32] Tzoganis speaks on continued problem of illegal immigration

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

He said illegal immigration waves originally came from Albania towards Greece, adding that today Greece is a destination for illegal immigrants from Asian and Middle East countries.

"Our country, faced with an intense problem of illegal immigration, undertakes measures to combat it through the public order ministry."

The seminar was held within the framework of a training program for the armed forces officers and took place with the participation of university professors and other researchers.

[33] Bomb at Athens courthouse defused

Athens, 29/01/1997 (ANA)

The bomb was later found and defused.

A forensic examination of the bomb revealed that it was similar to the type used by two terrorist groups - the Revolutionary Popular Struggle (ELA) and May 1 - when they first appeared in 1991.

The device consisted of a clock and two kilos of powerful explosive. Police said it would have flattened the court building if it had gone off.

Set to explode at 8 p.m. on Monday night, the device failed to detonate for reasons as yet unknown. The police are now investigating whether Monday night's search was conducted with due diligence.

End of English language section.

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