Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-02-01

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1104), February 1, 1997

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece says Turkey again heightening tensions

[02] Human rights

[03] Ciller on EU pressures

[04] Gov't comments on US State Dept.'s report on human rights

[05] Proposed petrochemical plant on Turkish coast raised in Europarliament

[06] Pangalos says settlement on FYROM name dispute may be at hand

[07] Simitis meets British envoy

[08] National defense under-secretary in London for talks

[09] Constantopoulos on Cyprus visit

[10] OTE's strategic goals detailed by telecoms utility's president

[11] OTE, Intracom sign 7.5 billion drachma agreement

[12] Serres chamber president meets with Bulgarian diplomats

[13] State Dept.: linking cancellation of missile deal to Cyprus solution a mistake

[14] Premier reject claim of 'authoritarianism' in relation to farmers' protests

[15] KKE, Synaspismos

[16] PASEGES

[17] Court action

[18] American Farm School

[19] Simitis, Evert arrive in Thessaloniki for Cultural Capital of Europe '97

[20] Multi-national contacts multiply as Thessaloniki-Cultural Capital '97 gets underway

[21] Opposition

[22] Simitis replies to question on absorption of EU funds for tourism, culture

[23] Greek MP to head Europarliament committee on Romania

[24] Premier defends government's policies on education, teachers' wages

[25] Montenegrin delegation in Greece following December agreement with Apostolopoulos group

[26] Economic experts look at market conditions

[27] Unfavorable market conditions expected to reduce EBZ profits

[28] Anastasopoulos book on Euro-justice launched

[29] Parts of Bulgarian road, rail links to Greece continue to be blockaded

[30] Kokkalis to speak at unofficial EU Council of Industry Ministers

[31] Athens to host European Sailing Week

[01] Greece says Turkey again heightening tensions

Athens, 01/02/1997 (ANA)

"Turkey's effort," the spokesman said in an announcement, "to base its claims on unfounded theories which offend international law is ineffectual, especially in view of the continued illegal occupation of a part of the Cyprus Republic as well as provocative violations of Greek airspace in the Aegean, and in general the neighboring country's refusal to respect the existing legal status quo in the region."

Commenting on the Rome meeting, Mr. Bikas said "it was outside the European Union's standard practice", and "certainly it did not contribute to the principle of flexibility that is discussed in the Inter-governmental (conference)."

"The problems emanating from the islands, isles and rocky islets in the Aegean, which are under dispute, maintain their significance and seriousness and are pending solution," Mr. Akbel said in Ankara yesterday, on the occasion of the Imia crisis one year ago, which brought Greece and Turkey to the brink of war.

"We consider it useful to refer once again to our stance on this issue, so that the international public opinion will be briefed correctly on this," he said.

"We don't accept Greece's effort to change the status quo of the islands, isles and rocky islets which have not been given to Greece by international agreements," he added.

On his part, main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos said Mr. Akbel's statements, "which profoundly and provocatively violate international law, confirm a year after the tragic events on Imia, the constantly lurking Turkish expansionism against our country's territorial integrity."

[02] Human rights

Athens, 01/02/1997 (ANA)

A Turkish foreign ministry statement on Thursday alleged "attacks on a mosque and sacred graves," which it linked to "pressure" being exerted on "the Turkish minority of Western Thrace," as it claimed.

According to the statement, unknown assailants on Jan. 16 allegedly destroyed "historical objects" on a Turkish grave on Rhodes, while on Jan. 27 a minor fire was recorded in a mosque on the eastern Aegean island of Kos.

"Turkey is trying to blow out of all proportion isolated incidents which are being investigated by Greek authorities and which took place under as yet unclarified circumstances, in order to maintain a climate of tension in relations between the two countries," a foreign ministry announcement said.

"It is no surprise to us that this latest statement by Ankara comes at a time when Turkey has been accused internationally over the human rights situation in that country, with regard to both Turkish citizens and minorities, as part of an effort for diversion, in order to create an impression among the public opinion using false accusations," the announcement added.

The ministry reminded Ankara of the "most serious and continual violations of human rights in the political and religious sector , which are being committed against the few remaining ethnic Greeks in Istanbul, Imvros and Tenedos."

[03] Ciller on EU pressures

Istanbul, 01/02/1997 (ANA)

Returning from Rome, where she met with a five-member 'contact group' of EU foreign ministers and announced that Turkey will submit a new application for full EU membership, Ms Ciller added:

"Our goals and explanations regarding the issue of relations with Greece were most clear.

"Greece, by interrupting dialogue for no reason and installing Russian missiles in 'southern' Cyprus has made a great mistake," she said.

"Under these circumstances, for Europe to set as a condition the overcoming of disputes with Greece is tantamount to saying to Turkey 'we don't want you'."

"It is impossible for Turkey to accept any of these," she added.

[04] Gov't comments on US State Dept.'s report on human rights

Athens, 01/02/1997 (ANA)

"The reference to Greece is made while noting that our country is a parliamentary republic with an independent judiciary and free press, and with a high level of respect for human rights. It is more positive than past reports," Mr. Reppas said.

He added that it is interesting that the same report sharply criticizes Turkey, making extensive references to torture and systematic violation of human rights in the neighboring country.

[05] Proposed petrochemical plant on Turkish coast raised in Europarliament

Brussels, 01/02/1997 (ANA)

Ms. Kokkola, saying a European Commission response to an earlier question on the issue by EuroMP Yannis Roubatis was "unsatisfactory", asked the European Union (EU) Council of Ministers if it was to undertake any initiative.

She noted that while the EU imposed strict directives on the environment within its own borders, it appeared unable to exercise any influence in protecting its environment from actions of third countries.

[06] Pangalos says settlement on FYROM name dispute may be at hand

Athens, 01/02/1997 (ANA)

"When realizing that a solution is to the benefit of the national interest, a responsible government must endorse it and not surrender to blackmail," he said.

The foreign minister was replying to a main opposition New Democracy question regarding the issue.

Mr. Pangalos said that special United Nations mediator Cyrus Vance was expected to turn in his mandate and that "everything now depends on the UN Security Council."

Describing as "one-sided" the Sept. 13, 1995 New York interim agreement between Greece and FYROM, Mr. Pangalos went on to say that neither Prime Minister Costas Simitis nor himself had any involvement in the course of this issue over recent years.

Elaborating on likely developments over the issue, following Mr. Vance's pending resignation as special mediator, Mr. Pangalos said two possibilities were likely.

He noted that the UN Security Council will either recognize the neighboring country by the name "Macedonia" or, "in the best development for us, it will recognize it (FYROM) under a composite name."

The foreign minister said the issue had reached a point where all political parties, especially the main opposition party, will have to take a clear position.

Former prime minister and main opposition New Democracy party honorary president Constantine Mitsotakis called on the government to take decisions regarding the issue soon.

ND deputy Costas Karamanlis called for a convening of the political leaders' council, while Coalition of the Left and Progress deputy Maria Damanaki said the issue "must be settled here and now with a composite name."

Social Democratic Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas criticized the government of "exercising secret diplomacy."

[07] Simitis meets British envoy

Athens, 01/02/1997 (ANA)

Informed sources said the discussion focused on the prospects for the European Union, the latest developments in Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus problem.

[08] National defense under-secretary in London for talks

Athens, 01/02/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Apostolakis is also scheduled to address a joint Greek-Cypriot meeting in London later in the week on the Greece-Cyprus joint defense doctrine.

Cypriot socialist party leader Vassos Lyssarides and the president of the European Parliament's Socialist Group, Pauline Green, will also address the meeting.

[09] Constantopoulos on Cyprus visit

Athens, 01/02/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Constantopoulos, accompanied by a number of party members, will have meetings with President Glafcos Clerides, the speaker of the Cypriot House of Representatives Spyros Kyprianou, and other leading figures, as well as with delegations from Turkish Cypriot groups. ANA

[10] OTE's strategic goals detailed by telecoms utility's president

Athens, 01/02/1997 (ANA)

"The activities of the organization in this broader region will improve competitiveness and form its international company image in view of the full deregulation of the telecommunications market by 2003," he told an event at the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce on the occasion of the annual AMTECH exhibition.

He added that OTE, with profits of 250 billion drachmas in 1996, expected profits of 304 billion this year, a 30 per cent increase in the value of its share in the last 10 months, and with the modernization and upgrading of services, aims at not only maintaining its share in the domestic market, but also at expanding in selected markets abroad.

Mr. Papoulias made special reference to OTE's investment plan, estimated to involve US$400 million in the 1996-2000 period. Specifically, he referred to OTE's participation in the setting up of a underwater fiber optics network in the Black Sea, connecting Russia, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Georgia, which in co-operation with Cyprus, will promote a broad spectrum of telecommunication services in the Mediterranean.

Further, he stressed the special significance for Greece of OTE's participation in the creation of a worldwide optic fiber network involving 32 countries.

[11] OTE, Intracom sign 7.5 billion drachma agreement

Athens, 01/02/1997 (ANA)

Under the agreement, Intracom also undertakes to upgrade the supervision and maintenance system of the existing card phone network.

The new cards are expected to be delivered during 1998.

Intracom has already supplied OTE with 30,000 phone cards following an international tender in 1992.

The company has already extended its activities in the field of public telephones to other countries such as Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Bosnia, Albania, Georgia, Armenia and Pakistan.

[12] Serres chamber president meets with Bulgarian diplomats

Athens, 01/02/1997 (ANA)

The Bulgarian side stressed that at no time had visas stopped being issued at the Greek-Bulgarian border, describing rumors as malicious.

[13] State Dept.: linking cancellation of missile deal to Cyprus solution a mistake

Washington, 01/02/1997 (ANA-T. Ellis)

"We believe that this statement can complicate diplomatic negotiations, and that it is a mistake to see the purchase as a lever for balancing out other issues in these complex negotiations between Greeks, Turks and Cypriots," Mr. Burns said.

[14] Premier reject claim of 'authoritarianism' in relation to farmers' protests

Athens, 01/02/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Tsovolas, a one-time PASOK minister, had criticized the government for "displaying authoritarianism" in confronting a new round of farmers' protests.

Mr. Simitis retorted saying authoritarianism is to block roads and prevent citizens from moving freely.

"Authoritarianism means road blockades, authoritarianism is to cause damage to the property of others, authoritarianism is to place your own interest above the interest of all others," Mr. Simitis said.

The premier said the government would not accept behavior which was contrary to the provisions of the law and the Constitution.

Mr. Tsovolas charged that the government's "heartless" policy, as he said, would lead society to an impasse. He also accused the government of using "police methods" to frighten farmers and cause social strife.

Instead of engaging in dialogue with the farmers, Mr. Tsovolas said, government ministers were provoking and insulting them.

Mr. Simitis responded that the government had entered into a dialogue with farmers and had taken a series of measures to resolve their problems.

[15] KKE, Synaspismos

Athens, 01/02/1997 (ANA)

Ms Papariga was replying to questions on statements by Justice Minister Evangelos Yannopoulos, who charged that KKE was behind the farmers' protests.

"I would say that we have a pitiful government which communicates with the people in this manner, indeed pitiful and dangerous," Ms Papariga said.

She added that the farmers' problem was particularly acute in Greece, attributing it to "the concentration of the production and trade of agricultural products in the hands of a "few" which had caused "indignation and desperation" among farmers.

Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos called for implementation of government promises, intervention in the sector of inflows, a reduction of interest rates, cheaper fuel, rescheduling of farmers' debts, restructuring of the Greek Agricultural Insurance Organization (ELGA) and abolition of what he called a government tactic to penalize farmers' protests.

[16] PASEGES

Athens, 01/02/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Liolios said that for the problems to be solved, measures must be taken immediately in three areas: growth of fragmented farm holdings, modernization of the market structure so that 50 per cent of agricultural income does not end up in large urban centers, and a reduction in the cost of agricultural products.

He said costs could be reduced more through the reduction of interest rates of the Agricultural Bank of Greece (ATE), and less by the reduction of electricity and fuel prices, saying the latter serves farmers with extensive holdings and not the majority .

Replying to reporters' questions, Mr. Liolios said he disagreed with farmers' mobilizations, saying they did not touch on farmers' main problems, but broached only income issues.

He also criticized the mobilizations because the coordinating committees oppose farmers' records and pension plans, which he said constitute significant gains by the farmers' movement.

[17] Court action

Athens, 01/02/1997 (ANA)

Farmers are also facing civil lawsuits brought by the management of the state-run inter-city bus service (KTEL) for loss of income totaling 150 million drachmas.

[18] American Farm School

Athens, 01/02/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Petsalnikos said priorities for Greek farming were modernization and keeping farmers on their land.

He said the school and its faculty could implement modern technologies in agricultural research and contribute to development.

Professor Costas Mattas stressed the advantages of Greek farming, saying it had easy access to markets and the advantage of mild weather.

[19] Simitis, Evert arrive in Thessaloniki for Cultural Capital of Europe '97

Athens, 01/02/1997 (ANA)

On arrival at Macedonia Airport he was welcomed by ministers, deputies and local authorities.

Mr. Simitis said the second cycle of the Cultural Capital of Europe was starting with Thessaloniki today, with the first cycle beginning in Athens under the late Melina Mercouri.

"Thessaloniki is a city in which many cultures co-existed. It showed that history has continuity and that the synthesis of many cultures can be achieved. It gives the example that we can have many cultural sensitivities in Europe of tomorrow and every country can benefit from the contribution of the other," he said.

Speaking on the same subject, main opposition New Democracy president Miltiades Evert reiterated his proposal for Greece to organize "cultural Olympic games" sometime in the 21st century.

Mr. Evert was speaking on his arrival in Thessaloniki, where he is to attend events for the official opening of the Cultural Capital.

"I believe that Greece can now organize on an international level the cultural Olympic games and, of course, in this effort, Thessaloniki must play a leading role."

[20] Multi-national contacts multiply as Thessaloniki-Cultural Capital '97 gets underway

Athens, 01/02/1997 (ANA)

He also announced that Mediterranean countries will organize joint events to celebrate the beginning of the 21st century.

Mr. Venizelos was speaking after a meeting with his counterparts from Mediterranean countries, who arrived in Thessaloniki in order to attend three days of events marking the opening of the "Thessaloniki-Cultural Capital '97".

President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos is due to arrive in Thessaloniki today for the official opening, which will be attended by 40 ministers of culture from Europe, the Mediterranean, the Balkans and the Black Sea countries.

On Thursday, Mr. Venizelos met with his counterparts from the European Union, the Balkans and the Black Sea region countries.

He has also been authorized by his Mediterranean counterparts to brief his counterparts in European countries on the Euro-Mediterranean co-operation.

Afterwards, Mr. Venizelos met with European counterparts and discussed the continuation of the institution of cultural capitals of Europe, and the proposal for an integrated cultural capital.

Speaking after his meeting, Mr. Venizelos said his European counterparts reacted positively, while the discussion regarding an integrated cultural capital supported by a network of connected cities.

Mr. Venizelos also held separate meetings with his Russian counterpart Sodorov, who is also president of the Russian-Cyprus inter-ministerial co-operation committee as well as his Israeli counterpart Hamer.

The meeting with Mr. Hamer focused on the protection of Byzantine antiquities in Israel.

[21] Opposition

Athens, 01/02/1997 (ANA)

Although invited, she told a press conference, the KKE would not be participating in the events marking Thessaloniki's one-year term as cultural capital of Europe.

"After alternating four artistic directors, the handing over of the program to business-oriented show-business agencies and sponsors, which view culture as a safe deposit box, we are now witnessing the commencement of a program of costly window-dressing," Ms Papariga said.

The KKE leader attributed political responsibility to the leaderships of the culture ministry under the governments of both the ruling PASOK party and the present main opposition New Democracy party, as well as to the Cultural Capital Organization.

She also charged that many of the cultural capital events were extremely costly and of dubious quality, while questioning their necessity, speaking of "a lack of transparency" since there was no citizens' participation in formulating the program.

[22] Simitis replies to question on absorption of EU funds for tourism, culture

Athens, 01/02/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Simitis said funds amounting to 50 billion drachmas have been earmarked for tourist programs, while funds have already been allocated for culture concerning 93 per cent of all funds and 89 per cent of them for projects such as the new Acropolis Museum, the unification of archaeological sites, the Thessaloniki Conference and Culture Center and the restoration of monuments.

He said Greece has raised the issue with the EU and succeeded in having funds approved for culture which the EU did not want to accept.

Mr. Constantopoulos said there is a great delay for which the government is responsible, adding that absorption in 1996 only reached 14 per cent of earmarked funds, while over the 1995-1996 period total absorption amounts to only 3.8 per cent of the programme covering the 1994-1999 period.

Mr. Constantopoulos said institutional confusion reigns at the development ministry, resulting in inertia and stagnation in policies and programs concerning tourism.

[23] Greek MP to head Europarliament committee on Romania

Brussels, 01/02/1997 (ANA - P. Pantelis)

Prof. Trakatellis was previously president of the European Parliament's committee on relations with republics of the Trans-Caucasus.

The joint European Parliament-Romania committee is considered important due to the two parties' 1995 association agreement and attempts to resolve related problems.

For Greece, there is much interest in seeing Romania become a member of the EU, due to Greek investments in the country and traditionally strong ties between the two.

Prof. Trakatellis stressed that Romania, as a European country, had to prepared to be in a strong position to enter the 15-member bloc after the year 2000 and that these efforts should be based on implementing pre-accession strategy drafted at the Essen European Council.

[24] Premier defends government's policies on education, teachers' wages

Athens, 01/02/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Simitis said the new wage scale for teachers was "a significant step towards improving teachers' incomes" and that spending on education would total 3.6 per cent of GDP, compared to 2.9 per cent in 1991. "These are the amounts which the government can give in the framework of its fiscal policy," he concluded.

Meanwhile, high school teachers in the second week of their strike said a meeting with government members yesterday was "fruitless", but did not rule out another meeting with Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis over the weekend.

"Unfortunately, the government has not realized the intensity of the teachers' struggle or the dimensions of the economic problems they are facing," Nikos Tsoulias, president of the teachers' union (OLME) said after meetings with Under-secretary to the Prime Minister's Office George Paschalidis and Education Under-secretary Yiannis Anthopoulos earlier.

OLME had requested a meeting with Prime Minister Simitis after fruitless talks with the education minister. Teachers are demanding a salary increase of 75,000 drachmas and have said they will extend their strike until Feb. 8 if their demands are not met. Primary school teachers will join the strike on Monday.

"Not only will we not back down but we will continue our struggle," Mr. Tsoulias added. He said that OLME would continue to press for a meeting with Mr. Simitis. Earlier, teachers had marched through the city center to the prime minister's office.

[25] Montenegrin delegation in Greece following December agreement with Apostolopoulos group

Athens, 01/02/1997 (ANA)

During the visit, the delegation, which includes the Montenegrin health minister, will meet Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Development Minister Vasso Papandreou, Justice Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos an d Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos.

The Georgios Apostolopoulos group signed an agreement with the government of Montenegro last December covering the creation of a joint venture to establish a diagnostic center in Podgorica, while the Athens-based group of companies will be the country's exclusive representative in Greece concerning the creation of off-shore investment companies headquartered in Montenegro.

In the framework of the agreement, the Apostolopoulos group is authorized to register ships and vessels with the Montenegrin registry, which will fly the Yugoslav flag.

[26] Economic experts look at market conditions

Athens, 01/02/1997 (ANA)

The discussion focused on a study by the Center for Economic Planning and Research (KEPE), titled "Distortions in the market for goods and services and repercussions on the consumer price index".

The report stresses that restriction on production and the trade of goods and services in the private sector did not create any cause for worry for the state of competition.

[27] Unfavorable market conditions expected to reduce EBZ profits

Athens, 01/02/1997 (ANA)

Members of the new EBZ administration made announcements on the course of the industry during a press conference given on the occasion of its participation in the agricultural trade exhibition AGROTICA.

EBZ profits amounted to 10.5 billion drachmas during the 1995-1996 fiscal year, but are expected to decrease this year.

EBZ President Vassilis Papayiannis said "extremely unfavorable conditions resulted in only 265,000 tons being produced, while the Greek quota amounts to 319,000 tons."

It was also announced that EBZ's development program over the 1997-1998 period will amount to eight billion drachmas.

[28] Anastasopoulos book on Euro-justice launched

Athens, 01/02/1997 (ANA)

The book, entitled "Double Threat", concerns the threats being faced by European Union justice over the past few years.

Speaking during the launch, Mr. Anastasopoulos said the double threat appears through the indirect dispute of the principle of Community justice's authority from member-states' courts, and by the political pressures the European Court faces - mainly from Britain - which has resulted in timid and compromise decisions.

"These two great problems lead to uncertainty, instability and confusion and greatly impede the implementation of Community justice," Mr. Anastasopoulos said.

"Besides, Community justice in of itself is unknown and unclear to citizens, lawyers and even to judges who are called on to implement it."

[29] Parts of Bulgarian road, rail links to Greece continue to be blockaded

Sofia, 01/02/1997 (ANA - N. Hios)

According to an announcement issued yesterday by the Bulgarian transport ministry, traffic on the international Sofia-Athens highway has been interrupted by a blockade at the border town of Santanski, while the Radmir-Koulata railway line was blocked at the town of Doupnitsa.

According to a dispatch by the Bulgarian news agency BTA, blockades were being lifted at the Koulata-Promahona and Zlatarevo-Skopje border posts. The road between Blagoevgrad and Koulata was also opened.

BTA said the blockade at Santanski was not creating any particular problems, as drivers were using auxiliary roads.

Bulgarian union and opposition organizations have called on those manning the blockades not to use such forms of protest.

Protests are being held in an effort hinder a new socialist government being formed by prime minister-designate Nikolai Dobrev.

[30] Kokkalis to speak at unofficial EU Council of Industry Ministers

Athens, 01/02/1997 (ANA)

Following a Council invitation, Intracom founder and president Socrates Kokkalis will participate at the Council's meeting, focusing on the operation of the European internal market and its competitiveness in the field of informatics and telecommunications.

An announcement said that ministers will discuss findings of a special survey, commissioned by the European Union, on the position of the European informatics and telecommunications industry in the international market.

The general directors of European telecommunications giants Philips and Nokia, have also been invited to the meeting.

The EU Commissioner responsible for industrial affairs, Martin Bangeman, will also attend the meeting.

[31] Athens to host European Sailing Week

Athens, 01/02/1997 (ANA)

At a meeting yesterday, Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos made all the municipality's services available to the event's organizing committee. It was decided to display Olympic sailing craft in Syntagma Square and in front of the Panathenian Stadium, along with information booths.

Lighting and special effects will be contributed by the city of Athens. The municipal choir and band will be available for the event, while Mr. Avramopoulos will hold a reception for the foreign participants.

End of English language section.

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