Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-02-27
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <[email protected]>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1126), February 27, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
CONTENTS
[01] Greece angrily dismisses Turkish military claims over Greek
islands
[02] Several pairs of Turkish warplanes violate Athens FIR
[03] Opposition calls for political leadership meeting
[04] US unaware of latest claims
[05] Anti-racism event held at old Parliament
[06] Greece says stance on EU enlargement shaped by Cyprus accession
talks
[07] Opposition reactions
[08] Turkish reactions
[09] Tsohatzopoulos holds talks with Kyprianou on Cyprus issue
[10] Greece, FYROM negotiations on name issue resume
[11] G. Papandreou in Rome
[12] New building law tabled in Parliament
[13] PASOK's political secretariat to meet today
[14] Farmers finally meet with Simitis
[15] Evert meets with ADEDY leadership
[16] Interior ministry plan would merge several municipal entities
[17] Arsenis again meets with striking secondary teachers
[18] Hellenic Investment Center aims to meet foreign investors' needs
[19] Greek participation at two major US exhibitions
[20] Municipal enterprise employees on Rhodes decline... pay raises
[21] Fishermen blockade Thessaloniki's port
[22] Go-ahead for Coastguard helicopters
[23] Athens bourse continues to perform well
[24] Commission approves Greek shipbuilding aid scheme extension
[25] Museums, sites remain shut
[26] Alexandroupolis aid to Burgas
[27] Thessaloniki's Cultural Capital Organization takes measures to
improve image
[01] Greece angrily dismisses Turkish military claims over Greek
islands
Athens, 27/02/1997 (ANA)
Greece yesterday reacted strongly to reports that Turkish
military leaders are disputing "scores" of Greek islands in the
Aegean and as far as Crete, saying the claims were "too wild for
words and ludicrous."
Specifically, a Wall Street Journal article referring to a
briefing of US correspondents in Ankara by the Turkish general
staff wrote on Tuesday "On a map, Turkish strategists appeared
to have pinpointed scores of islands, several of them as far
away from Turkey as the Mediterranean island of Crete and
beyond. Briefers said Athens was appropriating these islands as
part of an 'expansionist policy' that had 'a great potential for
conflict'."
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos in a press conference
yesterday dismissed these Turkish claims as being "too wild for
words" and "ludicrous".
He said, however, that the matter was important because Greece
had always believed that real power in Turkey was wielded by the
military.
"We have repeatedly said that there is a plan for disputing
Greek sovereignty in the entire region, from the mouth of the
Evros River, east to (the island of) Skyros and as far as the
region of Crete," he said.
These claims, Mr. Pangalos went on, demand a firm reply...
"namely to those who are exerting pressure for unconditional
dialogue with Turkey..."
Mr. Pangalos said that these claims of Ankara proved that Greece
was telling the truth and that Ankara was lying to the
international community "and whoever supports Turkey is entirely
in the wrong."
Turkey, he added, is ruled by a "sui generis oligarchy" which
had sprung up from the economic and diplomatic establishment,
which is uncontrollable and does not change its views "either
with the passage of time or with changes of government".
He said the January 1996 Imia incident was part of a Turkish
plan, recalling that after the incident Ankara disputed Greece's
sovereignty over several islets referring to "gray zones" in the
Aegean and disputed Gavdos' status, an island located south of
Crete.
The foreign minister also said that after the Imia crisis Turkey
announced that it does not recognize any international
agreements it has not signed and stated that it doesn't
recognize Greek sovereignty over islands not specifically
mentioned in international agreements or treaties.
Concluding, Mr. Pangalos reiterated that Greece was in favor of
Turkey's European orientation and its special relationship with
the EU "provided of course that Turkey abandons its expansionist
designs and begins behaving in accordance with the rules an d
principles of international law".
In a related development, National Defense Minister Akis
Tsohatzopoulos said that "the more official representatives of
the Turkish state slide towards nonsense concerning sovereign
rights in the Aegean, the more Turkey emerges as the number one
destabilizing factor for peace, co-operation and security in the
region, thus assuming full responsibility."
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos reiterated that Turkey "is emerging as a
destabilizing factor because it is questioning the status quo in
the Aegean, it is questioning borders, it is questioning the
Lausanne Treaty..."
He called on the countries of Europe to realize Turkey's
attitude and coordinate themselves in promoting measures to
impose on Turkey... respect for international law and
international treaties and agreements...
[02] Several pairs of Turkish warplanes violate Athens FIR
Athens, 27/02/1997 (ANA)
As the political reaction from the reports was materializing in
Athens, three pairs of Turkish RF-4 (reconnaissance), F-4 and
F-16 warplanes violated air traffic rules in the Athens Flight
Information Region (FIR) yesterday, according to reports.
The Turkish violators entered the Athens FIR east of the eastern
Aegean island of Rhodes and reached the region north of Crete.
At the same time two pairs of Turkish F-4 and F-16 warplanes
infringed on Greek airspace to the northwest of Rhodes over the
island of Kasos.
In all instances, the Turkish planes were recognized and
intercepted by Hellenic Air Force F-1, F-16 and Mirage 2000
fighters.
[03] Opposition calls for political leadership meeting
Athens, 27/02/1997 (ANA)
On his part, main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades
Evert later called for a meeting of political party leaders, to
be chaired by President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos,
in order to formulate a uniform national policy to confront what
he called Turkish provocativeness.
"After a one-year delay, the government has acknowledged
Turkey's aggressive and expansionist policy. This delay has
nurtured Turkish provocativeness," Mr. Evert said.
The ND leader called on Mr. Pangalos to confront the latest
provocation on the part of Turkey with cool-headed statements in
order for Greece's positions to be vindicated.
Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) President Nikos
Constantopoulos, speaking from Patra, referred to the
government's reactions to Turkish threats and the stance of the
European Union.
"It is necessary for the government to comprehend at last that
the strategy gap and the lack of serious analysis of the
dynamics of events and of developments cannot be covered by
verbal sabre-rattling, nor by threats which do not change facts,
but on t he contrary are used to increase pressures against our
country," he said.
In addition, the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) and the
Political Spring party (Pol.An) also vehemently criticized the
latest Turkish claims.
DHKKI leader Dimitris Tsovolas also called for the convening of
the political leaders' council under the president of the
republic, a proposal echoed by Pol.An leader Antonis Samaras.
[04] US unaware of latest claims
Washington, 27/01/1997 (ANA-T.Ellis)
US State Department Spokesman Nicholas Burns said yesterday that
Washington was not aware of any Turkish claims in the Aegean
apart from that on Imia.
"As far as I know there is no concrete Turkish claim in the
Aegean apart from Imia/Kardak. The only issue (concerning the
Aegean islands) on which the US has talked with the Turks in the
past year is Imia/Kardak and no other island or islet," Mr.
Burns said.
[05] Anti-racism event held at old Parliament
Athens, 27/02/1997 (ANA)
An event to mark the "European Year against Racism, Xenophobia
and Anti-Semitism" was held in the old Parliament building
yesterday, organized by a 50-member national coordinating
committee.
Speaking during the event, Prime Minister Costas Simitis noted
that although in Greece racism may not have taken on the same
dimensions as in other European countries, "it would be
hypocritical to say that, in our country as well, positions and
attitude s are not expressed that insult our civilization.
"Incidents such as the demonstrations of residents in the
Corinth prefecture protesting the attendance of gypsy children
of the same schools as their children, but also the tabled
question by a deputy regarding the religion and descent of a
minister (former foreign under-secretary Christos Rozakis), are
inexcusable."
Greece has now been converted into a country of receiving
immigrants, he said, and the mass influx of labor has caused
xenophobic reactions and reduced tolerance regarding foreigners,
who many consider as either a burden or as a source of cheap
labor.
"The crux of the problem is now transferred from race to
culture," Mr. Simitis said.
The prime minister said that in order for the problem to be
dealt with, a "multi-faceted, aggressive policy" will be needed,
which will prevent racist actions. "An intervention on an
institutional level is needed in order for the human rights of
immigrants to be protected," he said.
The event ended with the children's choir of Polish workers in
Greece.
Meanwhile, Kurds, mainly immigrants and political refugees, had
gathered outside the old Parliament building protesting what
they called the racist law 1975/91, Article 19, regarding
nationalities.
The event was attended by President of the Republic Kostis
Stephanopoulos, Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis,
ministers and deputies.
[06] Greece says stance on EU enlargement shaped by Cyprus accession
talks
Athens, 27/02/1997 (ANA)
Greece's stance concerning procedures for the enlargement of the
European Union will be shaped according to the stance adopted by
its EU partners on Cyprus, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos
said yesterday.
Referring to Monday's General Affairs Council in Brussels, Mr.
Pangalos charged that an attempt had been made to violate the
Community decision of March 6, 1995 "to serve the interests of
the more powerful countries".
Athens on Monday stood its ground in the face of strong pressure
from Germany, Britain and France at the Brussels meeting which
aimed at overcoming objections to the involvement of Turkish
Cypriots in Cyprus' negotiations for accession to the EU.
The decision of March 6, 1995 reconfirmed Cyprus' suitability to
become a member and the EU's will that the island republic
should join during the next stage of enlargement.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Alternate Foreign
Minister George Papandreou, Mr. Pangalos underlined that on the
question of EU enlargement, Greece had set as an "express and
inviolable" condition that Cyprus would be the first country to
become an EU member. The Cyprus Republic has no legal or moral
disadvantage, he said, adding that it was the only country,
together with Luxembourg, which satisfied the Maastricht terms
if Economic and Monetary Union were to be realized at the
present moment.
"We accepted that Cyprus' accession negotiations should take
place simultaneously with the other countries of central and
eastern Europe, but this is the last concession we can make. It
would be inconceivable for Greece if negotiations began with
other countries and not with Cyprus," Mr. Pangalos said.
Noting that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has repeatedly
stated his opposition to Cyprus' accession if Turkey also was
not accepted, Mr. Pangalos also described as "somewhat
incomprehensible and criminal" the behavior of "certain
partners" on the Cyprus issue since it was devoid of any
perspective.
"It is clear that (German Foreign Minister Klaus) Mr. Kinkel and
certain others wanted to present a gift to Turkey. Now they must
pay the bill," Mr. Pangalos said.
Mr. Papandreou reiterated that the major European powers had
tried to introduce a new element into Cyprus' negotiations by
involving the Turkish Cypriots in accession talks.
He said Greece had asked for clarifications about the wording of
the reference in the proposed (General Affairs Council) text
concerning "the participation of all Cypriots" in the
negotiations.
"Did this mean that they (the Turkish Cypriots) would
participate as a minority? Would representatives of the Turkish
Cypriot 'assembly' participate? Would a referendum be held?
Would parallel negotiations be held or would there be a
political solution of the Cyprus problem beforehand?" Mr.
Papandreou said.
To all these questions, he added, nobody was willing to make any
clarifications.
Mr. Papandreou said he had, therefore, requested the deletion of
the reference to "the participation of all Cypriots" from the
text, but this was not accepted by the foreign ministers of
Germany, Britain and France "and this led to a stalemate".
[07] Opposition reactions
Athens, 27/02/1997 (ANA)
The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said in a statement that it
is not the intention of the government to clash with the
European Union, despite its belated admission of the
responsibilities of the powerful countries within it on the
Cyprus problem.
According to the KKE statement, the government elevated the US
and the EU into guarantors of Greek national sovereignty and of
a solution of the Cyprus issue, despite knowing "the American
plan for a partition of the Aegean and Cyprus".
Coalition of the Left Eurodeputy Alekos Alavanos expressed the
view that "we are reaping the fruits of the historical mistake
of March 6, 1995," when Greece gave the green light to Turkey's
customs union with the EU without asking for the slightest
concession from Ankara.
"The big three of the EU are exploiting the great mistakes of
Greek foreign policy," he said, calling for a clear statement by
the prime minister to the effect that EU enlargement "depends on
the promotion of Cypriot membership and recognition of Greek
borders as European."
[08] Turkish reactions
Istanbul, 27/02/1997 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)
Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Omer Akbel
described as a "positive step" the EU Council of Ministers'
decision concerning the EU-Cyprus Association Council.
"The stand of EU member-states, excluding Greece, is a positive
step in the direction of recognizing the fact that Cyprus does
not only comprise the 'southern' Greek Cypriot side and its
administration," he said.
"It is not fair for Turkey - in the context of EU accession - to
pay the consequences of Greece's stand," he added.
[09] Tsohatzopoulos holds talks with Kyprianou on Cyprus issue
Athens, 27/02/1997 (ANA)
National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos held discussions
in Athens yesterday with visiting Cyprus House of
Representatives Speaker Spyros Kyprianou concerning the
prospects for a resolution to the Cyprus problem and steps which
should be taken in that direction.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said he welcomed any initiative aimed at a
settlement based on "the objective facts" which, he explained,
was the prospect of Cyprus' accession to the European Union,
safeguarding of the island republic's defense capability and a
need to implement international law and UN resolutions.
Reconfirming an identity of views concerning the handling of the
Cyprus problem, Mr. Kyprianou said "we are willing to discuss
any initiative from wherever it might come, which is based on UN
resolutions and aims at securing a reasonable, just and viable
solution to the Cyprus problem".
Mr. Kyprianou, the leader of the Democratic Party (DHKO) and a
former president of Cyprus, began an official visit to Greece
yesterday, holding separate meetings with Prime Minister Costas
Simitis and ruling PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis.
[10] Greece, FYROM negotiations on name issue resume
N. York, 27/02/1997 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)
Negotiations between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia (FYROM) on the issue of the neighboring state's name
resumed yesterday under the sponsorship of UN mediator Cyrus
Vance.
Speaking to reporters at the end of the 90-minute talks, Mr.
Vance said the next meeting will take place at the end of March.
Replying to a question on whether any new development has taken
place, Mr. Vance said that he did not wish to make any statement
at the moment.
Responding to another question if he is beginning to lose his
patience, he said: "I always have patience."
[11] G. Papandreou in Rome
Athens, 27/02/1997 (ANA)
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou is scheduled to
visit Rome today, where he will discus the course of the
Intergovernmental Conference and bilateral issues.
Mr. Papandreou is to meet with Italian Foreign Under-secretary
P. Fasino, and is expected back in Athens tonight.
[12] New building law tabled in Parliament
Athens, 27/02/1997 (ANA)
Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas
Laliotis tabled a new building law in Parliament yesterday,
anticipating large increases in contributions in money and in
land in certain cases for building sites, due to be included in
town planning.
Mr. Laliotis said the bill aims at integrating, improving and
adjusting the building and town planning institutional framework
in place since the early '80s to modern requirements. He said
that in the regions of the first and second home, only the
contribution in money will increase, while the contribution in
land will remain the same, namely as it is set out at present by
the law 1337/83. The increase in the money contribution will
escalate.
For example, for ownership of 500 square meters for the first
home, the owner will provide 75 square meters for common space
and will pay the price for 42.5 square meters.
For ownership of 300 square meters for a second home, the
contribution in land is at present 17.5 square meters and will
remain the same with the new law, while the money contribution
will increase from 14.4 square meters to 30 square meters,
meaning an increase of 15.6 square meters.
Mr. Laliotis said the increase in contributions in land and
money in settlements with less than 2,000 inhabitants will only
concern the new extensions of the town plan (and not the old
ones or those underway), after the new law is ratified.
[13] PASOK's political secretariat to meet today
Athens, 27/02/1997 (ANA)
The ruling PASOK party's political secretariat is due to meet
this afternoon in order to discuss social dialogue, under the
chairmanship of Prime Minister and Party President Costas
Simitis.
The party's executive secretariat is also scheduled to convene
earlier today, chaired by party secretary Costas Skandalidis, in
order to discuss the party's reorganization and the evaluation
of the results of the recent party congress.
Mr. Skandalidis is also holding meetings with leading party
members in order to discuss these subjects, and may meet with
Mr. Simitis today.
[14] Farmers finally meet with Simitis
Athens, 27/02/1997 (ANA)
A committee representing farmers in Thessaly met yesterday with
Prime Minister Costas Simitis to discuss their grievances which
led to widespread disruption of road and rail services last
December and renewed protests last month.
Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas described the meeting
with the Pan-Thessaly farmers' coordinating committee as
"positive" but Communist Party of Greece (KKE) deputy and
committee member Vassilis Boutas said it had been "fruitless".
To the six demands put to Mr. Simitis, Mr. Boutas said, the
committee had received six negative replies.
Mr. Tzoumakas reiterated the government's position that demands
of a financial nature could not be satisfied, while on
institutional issues, the government was awaiting the
committee's proposals since there was a difference of opinion on
matters such as the drawing up of a Register of Farmers.
He added that the government was currently preparing a program
of structural changes to improve farmers' incomes and the
quality of life in country areas.
"Every proposal which makes Greece more productive in the
agricultural sector will be accepted," Mr. Tzoumakas said.
Committee member Yiannis Pattakis said the dialogue remained
open and the committee would reconvene to decide its next moves.
[15] Evert meets with ADEDY leadership
Athens, 27/02/1997 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy party president Miltiades Evert
met yesterday with representatives of the Civil Servants Supreme
Administrative Council (ADEDY) and discussed the uniform salary
scale.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Evert said the budget does not
provide sufficient funds for a correct salary scale to be formed.
He accused the government of making mistakes and oversights when
drawing up the new salary scale, stressing that if "the waste of
the pubic sector" could be contained, the necessary funds could
be found in order to meet the demands of civil servants.
"It is necessary to understand that the public sector does not
have the ability to proceed with excessive spending and wastes,
but this in no case can occur through the curbing of payments to
civil servants and pensioners.
"There are other areas in which there truly is waste, and it is
in these areas which the waste must be identified and curbed,"
he said.
Mr. Evert also met with representatives of the Pan-Thessaly
farmers' coordinating committee yesterday.
ND party member George Souflias also met with the delegation,
saying that "Mr. Simitis, for personal and party reasons, has
denied even costless demands (made by) farmers and has converted
their problems into an area of blind confrontation with them."
[16] Interior ministry plan would merge several municipal entities
Athens, 27/02/1997 (ANA)
A n Interior ministry plan envisages the compulsory merger of
many municipal authorities and communities, particularly those
in rural declining regions, into new ones.
The plan includes an option for the reduction of the existing
number of local government organizations (5,775) by 1/12.
Interior Minister Alekos Papadopoulos, who presented the plan,
described it as a fundamental reform, aiming "to create new
viable and functional local government organizations (OTA) which
will have the potential of contributing to local development.
"We must put an end to the phenomenon - unique in Europe - of
having 12,500 communities," he added.
[17] Arsenis again meets with striking secondary teachers
Athens, 27/02/1997 (ANA)
Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis and Education
Under-secretary Yiannis Anthopoulos held talks with
representatives of striking teachers for two and a half hours
yesterday, with Mr. Arsenis saying afterwards that the talks
were held in a climate of mutual understanding.
He added that he once again made it clear to striking teachers
that the "economic issue" is closed and the new salary scale is
being ratified in Parliament.
Mr. Arsenis said he proposed to the teachers to agree to the
setting up of a committee to examine their salary demands.
On his part, the president of the Federation of Secondary School
Teachers (OLME) Nikos Tsoulias said striking teachers wanted the
dialogue to continue this morning after an administrative board
meeting.
Earlier yesterday the striking teachers called for a new meeting
with Mr. Arsenis, stressing that they were ready for "mutual
compromises" in an effort to resolve the six-week strike that
has kept thousands of students at home.
At noon yesterday, teachers and students demonstrated outside
the ministry in support of salary increases for teachers.
Shortly afterwards, presidents of local teachers' unions were
due to meet and make a final decision on whether they would
continue their strike for a seventh week.
[18] Hellenic Investment Center aims to meet foreign investors' needs
Athens, 27/02/1997 (ANA)
The importance of the Hellenic Investment Center (ELKE) in
supporting foreign investment was outlined by its chairman Nikos
Skoulas yesterday at a business luncheon.
Despite generous investment incentives, Greece has not managed
to bring sizable investment proposals to fruition, he said.
ELKE, formed in 1996 with funds from the European Union and the
Greek government, is aimed at meeting investors' needs with
regard to opportunities for development and profit, a stable
macro-economic environment, efficient infrastructure, clear
long-term policy guidelines and a public administration
supportive of investment.
Mr. Skoulas, a former alternate national economy minister and
tourism affairs under-secretary, observed that while these areas
had been sadly lacking in Greece, over the past few years there
had been a marked improvement in many areas.
"Certainly the pressure for monetary union convergence has had a
positive effect. Consensus for legislative and administrative
streamlining is another positive development," he said, adding:
"The macro-economic indicators show significant improvement, the
modernized financial credit system is no longer an obstacle to
growth, and substantial gains have been made in the improvement
of the overall infrastructure with massive projects underway
through the second Community Support Framework."
Indicative results included a drop in inflation from 22 per cent
in 1991 to 6.8 per cent in January 1997, with a further decrease
to 4.5 per cent expected by the end of the year and a similar
drop in the public deficit as a percentage of GDP (from 14 per
cent in 1993 to 7.6 per cent in 1996). On the other hand there
has been an increase in investment of 8.3 per cent in 1996,
compared to the European average of 1.5 per cent. There has also
been a stable increase in the GDP from 2.0 per cent in 1995 to 2
.6 per cent in 1996.
Other favorable factors were the massive infrastructure projects
currently under construction, such as Spata airport and the
Attica underground, as well as positive developments in Thrace
and Macedonia, with emphasis on Thessa-loniki as the financial
metropolis of the greater Balkan and Black Sea areas, continued
Mr. Skoulas, who spoke at a business luncheon at the 20th Delos
business luncheon.
He also observed that the privatization program was proceeding
apace, as well as the liberalization of capital movements and
the development of capital markets and new financial
institutions.
Another incentive, he said, was the fact that Greece offered the
second lowest industrial labor costs in the European Union,
along with a well-educated and multilingual workforce.
However, the public sector, which Mr. Skoulas described as
"still inflexible and anachronistic", remained a stumbling block
for potential investors.
[19] Greek participation at two major US exhibitions
Athens, 27/02/1997 (ANA)
Greece is to participate in two large international exhibitions
in the United States for food and beverages as well as for
jewelry sectors.
The former is the International Fancy Food Exhibition, to be
held in New York from June 29 to July 2. Greece is to
participate in this twice-yearly exhibition for the fifth
consecutive year. Roughly 2,000 exhibitors participate, and it
is visited by more than 37,000 wholesalers, importers and US
department store representatives.
Greece will also set up a national stall at the sixth
International Jewelry Exhibition, to be held in Las Vegas
between May 30 and June 6.
Businesses interested in participating in the two exhibitions
can obtain further information from the Hellenic Foreign Trade
Council (OPE).
[20] Municipal enterprise employees on Rhodes decline... pay raises
Athens, 27/02/1997 (ANA)
At a time when strikes throughout the country are following each
other in close succession and demands for salary increases are
at a zenith, employees at a municipal enterprise on the island
of Rhodes are refusing to accept raises.
More than 100 employees at the "Roda" municipal transport
service will "freeze" their demands for this year (25 million
drachmas) stemming from increases based on a national collective
agreement. They will also return five million drachmas to the
enterprise related to their uniform bonuses for 1997.
"The enterprise must stand on its feet and the employees should
contribute to this by making sacrifices," said the president of
the employees' union G. Panageas.
"We know that such an act is unprecedented by Greek standards,
but now that the enterprise is improving its course and is
overcoming its problems we are obliged to stand by its side," he
added.
Roda is the only purely municipal enterprise in Greece and
covers the transport needs of the city of Rhodes and a
considerable part of transport on the island.
[21] Fishermen blockade Thessaloniki's port
Athens, 27/02/1997 (ANA)
Fishermen protesting government plans to abolish untaxed fuel
yesterday prevented the ferryboat "Ariadne" from docking at
Thessaloniki's port, forcing it to anchor at pier 6.
A number of fishing boats remain anchored at the eastern
entrance to Thessaloniki's port yesterday, telling reporters
they were determined to continue their protest if their demand
was not immediately met.
Fishermen's representatives who had gone to the Macedonia and
Thrace ministry failed to reach Finance Under-secretary George
Drys by telephone as the under-secretary was in a Cabinet
meeting, but he gave a written assurance on Tuesday night that
the tax already paid would be returned within a few days.
[22] Go-ahead for Coastguard helicopters
Athens, 27/02/1997 (ANA)
An inter-party committee agreed yesterday that the merchant
marine ministry should be the agency responsible for organizing
a tender for the procurement of search and rescue helicopters
for the Coastguard.
The committee, which was chaired by Merchant Marine Minister
Stavros Soumakis, will reconvene on March 17 to decide on and
approve the final technical specifications for the helicopters
which will cost an estimated 18 billion drachmas.
[23] Athens bourse continues to perform well
Athens, 27/02/1997 (ANA)
Prices on the Athens bourse scored another record yesterday with
turnover totaling 45.2 billion drachmas and the general price
index closing at 1,453.60 points, up by 3.26 percent.
Investor interest was again centered on banks (+4.90%) as well
as leasing (+5.04%).
[24] Commission approves Greek shipbuilding aid scheme extension
Athens, 27/02/1997 (ANA)
The European Commission has decided to approve the prolongation
of the Greek shipbuilding aid scheme until December 31, 1997,
with some amendments introduced by Greece in order to allow for
aid to be paid to the shipowners.
The possibility for the shipowners to split the order for the
vessel into several contracts, with either a number of shipyards
or shipyards and ancillary suppliers which otherwise would be
suppliers of the shipyard, is also foreseen.
This aid scheme is, as regards direct aid to the shipyard, a
straightforward prolongation of arrangements previously approved
by the commission. The main objective of the scheme is the
support of the Greek shipyards and provides direct grants to the
shipyards for shipbuilding or ship conversion.
The new amendment introduced for 1997 provides for the
possibility of aid to be granted to shipowners, regardless of
nationality, who want to build in Greek shipyards.
According to information provided by the Greek authorities, the
aid percentage applicable to various contract values respect the
Directive and the levels approved by the Commission for 1997 -
9.0 percent for the construction of large vessels and 4.5 per
cent for vessels with a contract value below 10 MECU, account
being taken of the special derogation in favor of Greece for
vessels used in the domestic market.
[25] Museums, sites remain shut
Athens, 27/02/1997 (ANA)
Culture ministry employees and guards at archeological sites in
Attica who have been on strike for the past ten days will hold a
rally today outside the offices of the labor federation in
Athens.
The board of administration of the Panhellenic federation which
represents culture ministry employees put forward their demands
at a meeting yesterday morning with Culture Minister Evangelos
Venizelos.
On his part, Mr. Venizelos promised that he would discuss the
demands with the competent general director of the finance
ministry.
Meanwhile, owing to the strike, the Acropolis and archaeological
museums in Athens and the Archaeological and Byzantine museums
in Thessaloniki remained closed yesterday, as too were all the
services of the culture ministry in the prefecture of Attica.
[26] Alexandroupolis aid to Burgas
Athens, 27/02/1997 (ANA)
The municipality of Alexandroupolis is continuing its collection
of food and money for social institutions in Bulgaria, which
have been suffering from shortages of basic foodstuffs during
the last few months.
Alexandroupolis Mayor Ilias Evangelidis said the humanitarian
aid will be most probably sent to the municipality of Burgas,
which is expected to become its sister city in the near future.
The municipality of Komotini is acting as the central
coordinator for the region of Thrace. During a press conference
yesterday, the city's mayor, George Papadriellis, called on the
residents and bodies of Komotini to donate food, which will be
sent to Bulgaria shortly.
[27] Thessaloniki's Cultural Capital Organization takes measures to
improve image
Athens, 27/02/1997 (ANA)
Thessaloniki's Cultural Capital Organization (OPPE), which has
been beleaguered by reports of scandals recently, has issued
decisions to improve OPPE's image, following a six-hour meeting
which finished early yesterday morning.
The measures include the ensuring of financial transparency,
with the introduction of additional guarantees not usually
implemented for other Sociiti Anonyme companies, and the timely
and precise scheduling of cultural events.
The decisions also concern the effective coordination of sectors
of the artistic program, communications, public relations and
hospitality with the creation of a joint administrative center;
the re-evaluation of personnel and of OPPE's associates, wit h a
restriction in their number and in the amount of their payment
and operational costs, and the more substantial projection of
the project.
OPPE's administrative council announcement, and its president,
Thessaloniki Mayor Constantine Kosmopoulos, have called for the
timely completion and publication of the results of the
investigation into rumored financial and administrative scandals
in the organization.
End of English language section.
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