Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-03-31
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <[email protected]>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 1151), March 31, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
CONTENTS
[01] Albanian PM Fino due in Athens this week as Greece prepares to
participate in multinational force
[02] Athens visit confirms support for Tirana
[03] Greek battalion
[04] Communist Party objects to force
[05] Uzbekistan president begins official visit today
[06] Gligorov satisfied with FYROM's relations with Greece
[07] Greece to take over handling of BELLUGA Bosnia transport unit
[08] Bulgarian socialist leader in Athens
[09] Fundraising campaign for Bulgaria
[10] Coalition of the Left and Progress defines its position on
centre-left talks with ruling PASOK
[11] Unionists warn of labour unrest if gov't continues
'interference' in wage settlements
[12] Bodies of missing Kostakos crewmen retrieved
[13] Greek MPs meet with Australian colleagues
[14] Greece and Cyprus examine ways to boost business in the Balkans
[01] Albanian PM Fino due in Athens this week as Greece prepares to
participate in multinational force
Athens, 31/03/1997 (ANA)
Albanian Prime Minister Bashkim Fino's visit to Athens on
Wednesday is an indication of the good relations existing
between the two governments and signals the beginning of renewed
attempts by Tirana to secure humanitarian and financial aid in
an effort t o bring calm to the strife-ridden country.
"By making contacts and presenting the chaotic situation which
exists in my country, I hope to secure more humanitarian and
financial aid and, at the same time, as (the leader of) a
national reconciliation government, to stress what I have
already said to the Greek ambassador in Tirana, that we are open
and prepared to co-operate with the (Greek Prime Minister's
Costas) Simitis government", the Albanian premier said in an
exclusive interview with the ANA.
Mr. Fino's comments came after the UN Security Council gave the
green light early Saturday for a multinational protection force
to restore order and guarantee distribution of aid.
Greek Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said yesterday in
Thessaloniki that Greece would be ready by the end of the week
to contribute an army battalion to the multinational force that
will oversee aid distribution in Albania.
[02] Athens visit confirms support for Tirana
Athens, 31/03/1997 (ANA)
Asked if he would seek political support from Greece for his
government's mission, Mr. Fino said that the Greek government
had already expressed its support for the Albanian national
reconciliation government along with many other European
governments and the USA. "My visit to Greece once again confirms
this support," he added.
Mr. Fino said that his visit, the second to a foreign country
since his assumption of duties, was the result of Greek Prime
Minister Costas Simitis's invitation to him, extended by
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Foreign
Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis.
Mr. Fino will cross the Greek-Albanian border by road at the
Kakavia border post after meeting local authorities at
Gjirokaster.
Referring to recent charges in the Albanian parliament regarding
Greek "backing" for the insurgency in the south, the Albanian
prime minister reiterated the position of his government
regarding the "good" state of Greek-Albanian relations.
Mr. Fino added that MPs can say whatever they please within the
freedom offered by the institution of parliament and noted that
the MPs in question had voted against national reconciliation
government legislation.
However, such statements, he qualified, cannot influence the
Greek and Albanian governments.
Mr. Fino said he was pleased at the response of the Greek people
to the Albanian crisis.
"In these difficult moments the Albanian people are facing, the
people of Greece must help them. I feel satisfaction that
special programs for Albania were broadcast on Greek TV
channels, through which both the Greek people and Albanians
working in Greece showed interest in economic and humanitarian
aid to Albania for its people," he said.
On Saturday, a Hellenic Air Force transport plane delivered the
second batch of food and medical aid to the Albanian army, after
direct consultations between the defense ministries of the two
countries.
[03] Greek battalion
Athens, 31/03/1997 (ANA)
Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said yesterday that the
dispatch of an Italian-led multinational protection force would
be "a dangerous mission, operating under adverse circumstances"
and will call for "preparedness, discipline and coordination".
The 600-800 men Greece is contributing to the force will be
permanent members of the armed forces. The Italian participation
will exceed, according to reports, 1,000 men out of a total of
about 2,500.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos had a telephone conversation with his Italian
counterpart on Friday and Saturday over the details of the
force. Asked if Turkey would participate in the multinational
force, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that Turkey had offered to take
part and probably would. Final decisions regarding the
multinational force expedition would be made in Rome in the next
few days and a representative of the Greek Armed Forces will be
in the Italian capital for that purpose, he said.
Three Greek defense experts were already in Albania assisting in
efforts for the re-organization of the Albanian Armed Forces,
the minister added.
[04] Communist Party objects to force
Athens, 31/03/1997 (ANA)
An announcement by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) on
Saturday said the UN's decision to send a multinational force to
the neighbouring country is a "criminal act against the people
of Albania and a crude provocation against the peoples suffering
from the incursion of the new world order."
KKE criticized the UN that it has a role that "starts and ends
in covering up and legalizing imperialist interventions and more
specifically NATO's new role."
KKE also criticized the government that "it did and is doing
what it can to participate in the multinational force,
supporting (Albanian President Sali) Berisha and being
indifferent to the general consequences stemming from
participation in the crime."
Commenting on developments in Albania, Coalition of the Left and
Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos said tragic and inhuman
events are taking place in the neighbouring country which show
the historic responsibility and guilt of the international
community.
[05] Uzbekistan president begins official visit today
Athens, 31/03/1997 (ANA)
Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov will start an official visit
to Greece today, at the invitation of President Kostis
Stephanopoulos.
Mr. Karimov will meet the Greek President tomorrow morning and
will be guest of honour at an official reception in the evening.
Mr. Karimov will also meet Prime Minister Costas Simitis and
visit the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday
for talks with Greek businessmen.
President Karimov will be accompanied by economic ministers and
businessmen from his country who will hold talks with economic
officials aimed at developing commercial and economic relations
between the two countries.
Mr. Karimov became finance minister in 1983 and deputy prime
minister in 1986 and at the same time president of the state
Programming Committee. On March 24, 1990, he was elected
President of the Republic by Uzbekistan's Supreme Soviet and on
December 2 9, 1991, he polled over 86 per cent of the vote in
the first national presidential elections. In 1995 his period of
office was renewed with a referendum until the year 2000.
Over 21 per cent of the economically active population is
employed in industry and in the sector of mineral wealth. The
country has considerable deposits of oil, natural gas, gold,
copper, tungsten, lead, coal and uranium. It is the world's
seventh gold producer with 40 gold mines in operation and
deposits estimated at four million tonnes. Uzbekistan is
self-sufficient in the energy sector and is ranked among the 10
top countries in the world in relation to the natural gas
deposits it possesses.
About 40 per cent of the population lives off agriculture. The
main products produced include cotton, citrus fruit, tobacco,
fruit and vegetables. It is the fourth biggest cotton-producing
country in the world and the second in cotton exports. However,
it continues to import 75 per cent of its needs in foodstuffs.
It also imports consumer goods and machinery and exports cotton,
textile products, natural gas, electricity, iron ore, raw
materials, fertilizers, agricultural machinery and aeronautical
materials.
[06] Gligorov satisfied with FYROM's relations with Greece
Paris, 31/03/1997 (ANA/AFP)
The President of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
(FYROM) Kiro Gligorov has told the French 'Le Monde' newspaper
that he is satisfied with his country's relations with Greece.
"We are satisfied with the development of our relations with
Greece. Contacts in New York with mediator Cyrus Vance on the
issue of our constitutional name are continuing," Mr. Gligorov
was quoted as saying.
[07] Greece to take over handling of BELLUGA Bosnia transport unit
Athens, 31/03/1997 (ANA)
Greece will take over from Belgium as of April 1 the
administration of BELLUGA, the unit responsible for transport in
Bosnia to supervise implementation of UN resolutions.
The assumption of the Greek mission's new duties will take place
at a special ceremony in Visoko tomorrow and will be attended by
Army General Staff Chief Lieutenant-General Manousos
Paragioudakis, as well as by his counterparts from Belgium,
Austria an d Luxembourg, namely the countries composing BELLUGA.
The Greek mission will be strengthened with about 50 additional
permanent members to enable it to meet its new commitments. Mr.
Paragioudakis will leave for Bosnia at noon today.
[08] Bulgarian socialist leader in Athens
Sofia, 31/03/1997 (ANA/N. Hios)
Bulgarian Socialist Party leader Georgi Parvanov, who arrived in
Athens yesterday on a four-day visit at the invitation of the
ruling socialist PASOK party, will have talks with Greek party
leaders and a series of meetings with PASOK Central Committee
secretary Costas Skandalidis and other senior party officials.
Mr. Parvanov is scheduled to meet main opposition New Democracy
party leader Costas Karamanlis, Communist Party of Greece
Secretary-General Aleka Papariga, Coalition of the Left and
Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos and Democratic Social
Movement President Dimitris Tsovolas.
[09] Fundraising campaign for Bulgaria
Athens, 31/03/1997 (ANA)
The Greek Radio Network (ERA), its 19 regional stations, the
international non-governmental organization "Doctors of the
world" and the Greek Radio and TV (ERT) Staff Society will
undertake a major fundraising campaign for Bulgaria.
An on-the-spot survey revealed that sensitive sectors of the
population such as orphans, elderly people, handicapped people
and hospital patients are living below poverty levels in the
troubled Balkan country.
The situation has become dramatic in the wider region of Plovdiv
where thousands of Bulgarians of Greek origin still live.
[10] Coalition of the Left and Progress defines its position on
centre-left talks with ruling PASOK
Athens, 31/03/1997 (ANA)
The Central Committee of the Coalition of the Left and Progress
agreed yesterday on the framework of possible dialogue it could
have with the government and the ruling PASOK party, at the end
of a two-day discussion.
The dialogue framework, according to the Coalition, constitutes
a package of preconditions with the common denominator the need
for the country's progressive modernization. The first aspect of
the dialogue already taking place in Parliament, as well as
between social forces, is the handling of the country's major
problems, it said.
Party leader Nikos Constantopoulos said the Coalition has
undertaken initiatives in the past as well and will do likewise
in the future.
The second aspect and the most delicate is the discussion on
co-operation amongst the centre-left. The Coalition accepts
dialogue and is ready to discuss the issue on condition that
there will be a specific agenda and, above all, the issue of the
centre-left will in no way have the sense that the Coalition
supports government policy.
For example, this dialogue must include the issue of the
proportional representation system and the need for radical
changes in political and social life aimed at progressive
modernization.
These positions will be included in the Central Committee's
political decision which was ratified with an overwhelming
majority (five votes were cast against and five more were blank)
and will be publicized in the next few days.
Summing up the Central Committee's work, Mr. Constantopoulos
expressed the view that Greece and the political forces are
going through a transitional period and it is necessary for the
Coalition to seek new strategies in light of a new period.
[11] Unionists warn of labour unrest if gov't continues
'interference' in wage settlements
Athens, 31/03/1997 (ANA)
Trade unionists in public utilities and the General
Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) have scheduled a press
conference on Thursday, April 3, regarding what they view as
government interference in the institution of free collective
bargaining.
They consider that the current impasse in ongoing negotiations
with the management of several large state-run enterprises is
due to government pressure, particularly by National Economy and
Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, for pay increases not to
exceed seven per cent, including remuneration for night shifts
and overtime work. They claim that real increases amount to
three to four per cent, and that the government's interference
raises a political issue.
Other outstanding issues are also currently fueling a climate of
confrontation with the government, such as the status of the
social insurance fund for bank employees, deregulation in the
power and telecommunications sectors according to EU directives,
and modernization programs in the railways and the post office.
The most militant trade unionists are threatening strike action,
but particularly in view of the recent fruitless eight-week-long
teachers' strike, the adoption of more 'flexible' forms of
protest, which swell the financial cost for the utilities
without causing a loss in wages, is considered more likely.
[12] Bodies of missing Kostakos crewmen retrieved
Athens, 31/03/1997 (ANA)
The bodies of four Greek seamen trapped in the missile boat
Kostakos when it sank off Samos after colliding with the
passenger ferry Samaina late last year were retrieved from the
ship's wreckage on Saturday afternoon. The wreckage was brought
to the surf ace last week and taken to the Salamis naval station.
The bodies of the officers Kokkinis, Anadranisiakis,
Asprogerakas and Mavrogiorgos, recognized by their relatives,
were taken to the Athens morgue. The funerals of the four seamen
will take place this afternoon.
[13] Greek MPs meet with Australian colleagues
Melbourne, 31/03/1997 (ANA)
An inter-party Parliamentary Committee arriving from Greece to
participate in festivities marking the March 25 national holiday
with the Australian-Greek community has held important contacts
in Canberra.
Greek deputies Avgerinos Petralias and Anestis Saatsoglou of
PASOK and Evangelos Boutas of the Communist Party of Greece
(KKE) met with Australian colleagues who are members of the
Australian Parliamentary Friendship Committee with Greece at the
initiative of expatriate federal deputy of the ruling Liberal
Party Petros Georgiou.
They discussed the prospect of undertaking initiatives to
improve relations between the two countries, particularly in the
sectors of trade and finance, given that relations between
Greece and Australia are excellent in all the other sectors.
Australian deputies are expected to be invited by Greek
Parliament to visit Greece soon.
[14] Greece and Cyprus examine ways to boost business in the Balkans
Athens, 31/03/1997 (ANA)
Cypriot Finance Minister Christodoulos Christodoulou arrived in
Athens over the weekend at the head of a large delegation to
participate in the third meeting of the special Greece-Cyprus
coordinating committee for economic, industrial and
technological cooperation.
Mr. Christodoulou will co-chair the meeting with his Greek
counterpart, Yiannos Papantoniou.
The symposium, organized by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and
Industry and the Union of Chambers in Greece, will examine the
entire spectrum of bilateral co-operation and review progress in
a number of areas in which joint action has already been agreed
and is being implemented.
The meeting will also be addressed by Cyprus Minister of
Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Kyriakos Christofi who will
speak on "Cyprus as a business center in the Middle East and as
a transit point for trade transactions."
During the meeting, proposals and recommendations concerning new
forms of co-operation to be put forward by the two sides will
also be discussed.
About 400 delegates from Greece and Cyprus will study ways of
boosting co-operation with Black Sea, Balkan and Middle Eastern
countries.
In Nicosia, Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry President,
Vasilis Rologis, said Greek and Cypriot companies can penetrate
the Balkan markets and can avoid double taxation as a result of
agreements signed between Cyprus and numerous eastern European
countries.
Mr. Rologis said agreements signed with countries, including
Russia, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, the Czech Republic and
Serbia, will allow Greek and Cypriot-owned companies to avoid
double taxation once they have entered the Balkan market.
End of English language section.
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