Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-07-22

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1243), July 22, 1997

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece condemns Ecevit statements in Cyprus' occupied areas

[02] Gov't spokesman

[03] US State Department comments

[04] Gov't to reinforce security along Greek-Albanian border

[05] Border post reopens

[06] Poos recomends Greek-Turkish negotiations by 'experts committees'

[07] Madrid communiqui enables direct Greek-Turkish talks, Pangalos says

[08] Karamanlis receives State Dept. official

[09] Greek troops in Albania prepare return

[10] Vartholomeos arrives in Armenia

[11] 'Athens 2004' committee unveils study on expected benefits

[12] Synaspismos opposed to Athens' bid

[13] FYROM prohibited from using name 'Macedonia' in sports events

[14] Pan-Macadonian Conference begins in Thessaloniki

[15] Simitis-Arsenis meeting focuses on planned educational reforms

[16] ND reaction

[17] Another 27 killed in traffic accidents over weekend

[18] EBEA establishes business data bank for Balkans

[19] Gov't says 10 more state enterprises to enter bourse in next 3 years

[20] Greek equities end flat, seen consolidating

[21] Gov't source denies press report on proposed capital gains tax

[01] Greece condemns Ecevit statements in Cyprus' occupied areas

Athens, 22/07/1997 (ANA)

During the weekend events, Mr. Ecevit, who as prime minister had ordered the 1974 invasion against the island republic, said the self-proclaimed "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus", recognized only by Ankara, would "live forever as an independent state. But its foreign policy and defense will be handled by Turkey".

Responding to a question following a meeting at the Maximos Mansion, Mr. Pangalos said that Mr. Ecevit considered it the "purpose of his life to make wrong moves in Turkish policy on the Cyprus issue, that's why he has returned to the scene of the crime ".

Athens will support the Cyprus issue by its policy, Mr. Pangalos said, criticizing Mr. Ecevit for scoffing at international agreements and repeated United Nations resolutions.

Mr. Pangalos said that Mr. Ecevit's "unfortunate statements" were made as a "fiesta for domestic political consumption".

The Greek government would not follow that method, he said, and ruled out the possibility that any Greek government officials would make statements for domestic consumption on the Cyprus issue.

He also expressed the hope that the Turkish policy on the Cyprus issue would one day cease to follow the logic of domestic political consumption.

[02] Gov't spokesman

Athens, 22/07/1997 (ANA)

"Such behavior compromises Turkey and is seen by the international community as belonging in the past," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said.

In further comments, Mr. Ecevit said the illegal TRNC regime's integration with Turkey was inevitable after the European Union gave the green light last week to the Cyprus Republic for accession negotiations, while excluding Turkey.

Mr. Reppas said the EU had fixed "in the most official and categorical manner" the timetable for accession negotiations with Cyprus.

Asked whether a statement made by Greece in the past that any further Turkish military expansion on Cyprus would be a cause for war still held, Mr. Reppas replied that "any move by Turkey against Cyprus will constitute a cause for war", while stressing that "at the present time, a positive approach to things is preferable."

Greece, he noted, is implementing a policy which is based on international law.

"Athens wants calm and stability in the region but at the same time it is ready to confront any phenomenon and is on alert," he added.

[03] US State Department comments

Washington, 22/07/1997 (ANA - T.Ellis)

Asked to comment on Mr. Ecevit's statements, Mr. Burns said one should not add "fuel to the fire", and reiterated his government's position on the Cyprus problem.

"We would request that negotiations are carried out on a just and constructive basis and public statements follow up on this need for just and sincere negotiations," Mr. Burns said.

He added that Washington prefers to keep tones down and convey its views privately, in order to be able to help behind the scenes.

Mr. Burns also said that charges of airspace violations over Cyprus as well as the presence of Turkish warships were serious. He said these acts created concern.

In a related development, Mr. Burns also said that Greg Craig, who headed a State Department delegation to Greece, Turkey and Cyprus, reported a noticeable "new spirit of peace and reconciliation."

[04] Gov't to reinforce security along Greek-Albanian border

Athens, 22/07/1997 (ANA)

Prime Minister Costas Simitis chaired a meeting of ministers yesterday to also discuss problems associated with the presence of Albanian illegal immigrants in the country and the illegal activities of Albanian crime rings, particularly in northwest Greece near the border with Albania.

According to sources, the government intends to increase the number of joint army and police patrols on the border with Albania.

Mr. Romeos also said that policing measures would be increased inside Greece as well in order to combat the activities of foreign criminals.

Labor Minister Miltiades Papaioannou, who also attended the meeting, said final decisions concerning Albanian illegal immigrants in the country had not yet been taken.

"This problem will be examined within the broader framework for dealing with the issue of foreigners working illegally in Greece which will take the form of corresponding presidential decrees," he said.

The meeting was attended also by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, Interior Minister Alekos Papadopoulos and Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou.

[05] Border post reopens

Athens, 22/07/1997 (ANA)

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the foreign ministry had received information about the movement of "various groups of Albanian nationals" after the arrest of a man suspected of being a major drug dealer. The information led to a decision to shut the Kakavia border post for a few hours Sunday night.

Mr. Reppas said increased security measures had been taken in border areas as a result of the recent illegal activity of Albanian criminals, which recently has included kidnappings and robberies within Greece.

[06] Poos recomends Greek-Turkish negotiations by 'experts committees'

Brussels, 22/07/1997 (ANA - G. Daratos)

Mr. Poos set out this position in reply to a question by the Coalition of the Left and Progress Euro-MP Alekos Alavanos at a meeting of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

Mr. Poos, who announced that he will pay an official visit to Ankara in early September, also replied to a question by the New Democracy Eurodeputy Panayiotis Lambrias, saying that negotiations for the accession of Cyprus to the EU will start as normal in January 1998.

Commenting on a recent letter by Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, who claimed that Cyprus cannot join an international organization in which Turkey does not participate, Mr. Poos said this position of Ankara is known but is absolutely questionable on the basis of international law.

Mr. Poos referred to the letter he addressed to Turkey in his capacity as president of the EU's Council of Ministers, in which he refers explicitly to the territorial integrity and independence of Cyprus, a reference he said constitutes a clear message to the new Turkish government on the EU's position on this issue.

[07] Madrid communiqui enables direct Greek-Turkish talks, Pangalos says

Athens, 22/07/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Pangalos stressed, however, in an interview to the Athens daily 'TA NEA", published yesterday, that there could be no political rapprochement with Turkey or discussion on issues of co-operation before the matter of Ankara's claims on the Imia islets was settled through recourse by the latter to the International Court of Justice at The Hague. He added that at no time during the talks that preceded the Madrid communiqui was the issue of Greece's legal right, under the international Law of the Sea, to extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles mentioned.

The six-point communiqui, issued on July 8 after talks by Premier Costas Simitis and Turkish President Suleyman Demirel on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Madrid and subsequently described by the government as a "declaration of intentions", stated that the two countries would pursue efforts to promote bilateral relations based upon: "A mutual commitment to peace, security and the continuing development of good neighborly relations"; "respect for each other's sovereignty"; "respect for the principles of international law and international agreements"; "respect for each other's legitimate, vital interests and concerns in the Aegean which are of great importance for their security and national sovereignty"; "commitment to refrain from unilateral acts on the basis of mutual respect and willingness to avoid conflicts arising from misunderstanding" and finally, "commitment to settle disputes by peaceful means based on mutual consent and without use of force or threat of force".

Mr. Pangalos said the "declaration of intentions" issued in Madrid had eliminated the threat of war, and was made at the highest possible level, by the Turkish President himself, who also headed that country's national security council, which "makes it clear that Turkey accepts the international treaties as the basis for discussion".

Although this did not mean that Ankara would "...interpret or implement international law and the international treaties in the way it should or in the way they are implemented by the international community", there was nevertheless, a "new situation, qualitatively" in the context of which Greece could "directly discuss with Turkey without the mediation of a third power, such as the United States or the European Union, particularly on matters concerning the two countries".

"This does not mean that we will negotiate rights we consider non-negotiable or will accept a political discussion on matters that require legal handling," he said, adding: "There is no such commitment".

"What it does mean, is that representatives of two mature countries, the representatives that is of Turkey and Greece, will be able to meet and discuss all issues pertaining to the two countries", he added.

Responding to criticism of the Madrid communiqui voiced in Greece, Mr. Pangalos said the idea that the Aegean was a "closed region" which belongs entirely to Greece and where no one else has the right to have interests "is precisely the slander which the Turks use to manipulate their public opinion, (fomenting) aggression against Greece."

"But one coast of the Aegean belongs to Turkey. And this Turkish coast has a coastal zone and obviously some right with respect to the continental shelf. So why all this surprise that Turkey has vital interests in the Aegean, interests which exist de facto," Mr. Pangalos said.

Replying to other questions in the interview, the foreign minister clarified that the commitment to refrain from unilateral actions referred to actions of a military nature which could be taken by the other side as being aggressive and could lead to an escalation, as in the case of Imia.

Referring to the Imia incident, Mr. Pangalos said "from one moment to the next" the politicians lost control of the situation and there was a breakdown in contact between the two governments until then US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke "appeared on the scene and resolved the dispute."

He rejected the view that "unilateral actions" might be taken as meaning Greece abandoning its right to extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles.

"Nobody spoke about the 12 mile issue and nobody referred to it (in Madrid)," he stressed.

"The reason for this was very simple. We had stated that if (Turkey's) lifting of the threat of war appeared as being in exchange for some concession on our part regarding the 12 mile issue, then this would put an immediate halt to the talks," he added.

"The 12 mile issue is one which belongs to the framework of relations between Greece and the neighboring countries; it is an international problem, not a Greek-Turkish problem, if indeed it turns out to be a problem," he said.

Mr. Pangalos underlined that the only real problem in relations between Greece and Turkey was that of the Aegean continental shelf.

"This is the heart of all problems with Turkey. If we could agree or disagree in a legally defined way, so that this dispute can be referred to and resolved by the International Court at The Hague (which Turkey has so far refused), then all the other problems will seem minuscule," he said.

Asked about the possibility of Greek-Turkish meetings in the future at a top level, Mr. Pangalos said the two countries' leadership would meet, for example, in November in Crete on the sidelines of the summit meeting of European countries.

He said, though, that he did not envisage talks with a pre-determined agenda, but rather discussion of a specific issue.

"We now have this possibility and this is the major gain from Madrid," he added.

Although the United States was in continuous contact with Athens and Ankara, Mr. Pangalos said, "I believe that the (next) initiative should come from the two countries themselves."

He also urged Turkey to abandon its past behavior and look to the future, stressing that Greece would follow such an effort with a "sincere desire" to help.

"The idea that Turkey can dominate Greece is one which belongs to the past, one which has no hope of success and which can only create problems in Turkey," Mr. Pangalos said.

[08] Karamanlis receives State Dept. official

Athens, 22/07/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Petrihos, who is in the area for meetings with officials in Athens, Nicosia and Ankara, briefed Mr. Karamanlis on developments and Washington's views.

[09] Greek troops in Albania prepare return

Athens, 22/07/1997 (ANA)

The Hellenic Navy tank landing craft "Hios" is expected to dock at Vlore today to take the armored personnel carriers used by the Greek contingent back to Thessaloniki. The return of the Greek troops is expected to be completed by Aug. 8.

[10] Vartholomeos arrives in Armenia

Yerevan, 22/07/1997 (ANA-A. Kourkoulas)

The Patriarch was welcomed at the Yerevan airport by the entire synod of the Armenian Church, a representative of President Levon Tev-Petrosyan, the minister of culture representing the government and the Greek ambassador to Armenia.

Later on the same day, Vartholomeos met with Mr. Tev-Petrosyan. Today he is expected to meet with the prime minister, the president of the parliament, the president of the Academy of Sciences. A visit to a monastery at Lake Sevan is also scheduled.

[11] 'Athens 2004' committee unveils study on expected benefits

Athens, 22/07/1997 (ANA)

Meanwhile, the findings of the study were presented at a meeting yesterday on the financial aspects of staging the 2004 Games.

Organized yesterday by the "Athens 2004" bid committee, the meeting was addressed by committee president Gianna Angelopoulou-Daskalaki and attended, among others, by Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis and Sports Undersecretary Andreas Fouras.

"The 2004 Olympic Games provide an opportunity for the development of new branches of the Greek economy and the attracting of major investments," Ms Angelopoulou-Daskalaki told the meeting.

The major advantage of the budget for Athens' bid, she claimed, is that it is not burdened with the cost of the major infrastructure, works since they are already in progress, plus the fact that 72 per cent of the sports installations are ready.

The total estimated cost of staging the Games, according to the study, will be US$1.35 billion, plus $215 million as provision for unforeseen expenditures.

According to the "Athens 2004" bid, income from staging the Games will exceed expenditures by $36.7 million.

Some 44 per cent of this income will come from the contracts already signed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) concerning television rights and international sponsorships.

Between 2001 and 2004, the report states, the total increase in the turnover of industry and Greek enterprises in general is expected to reach $550 million, due to increased demand for consumer products, building materials, furniture, sports and technical equipment.

The study also claims that Greek industry will benefit directly from the promotion of Greece's image internationally through the Games.

[12] Synaspismos opposed to Athens' bid

Athens, 22/07/1997 (ANA)

An announcement by Synaspismos yesterday cast doubt on a number of highly optimistic forecasts by the government in relation to the 2004 Olympics, such as the creation of 130,000 jobs and increased business for the industry and the tourist sector.

[13] FYROM prohibited from using name 'Macedonia' in sports events

Athens, 22/07/1997 (ANA)

The union calls for the use of the name FYROM or the initials "MKD" as abbreviation, until a United Nation's final decision on the name.

[14] Pan-Macadonian Conference begins in Thessaloniki

Athens, 22/07/1997 (ANA)

In an address, the general secretary of the Macedonia-Thrace Ministry Chrysa Manolia, said expatriate Greeks were "the ministers of the Greek spirit and culture to the world".

The ministry's director for repatriating Greeks, Christos Karmenidis, referring to developments on the issue of FYROM's name, said "any country is free to be named anything it wishes, unless when stealing a name from another".

The conference was also addressed by the president of the US branch of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad, Christos Tomaras, who told participants that the conference was the result of the unity amongst Macedonian Greeks, and that this unity was based on solidarity and co-operation.

The Pan-Macedonian Conference continues today with issues on the agenda including educational and youth programs, utilization of the Internet and further planning.

[15] Simitis-Arsenis meeting focuses on planned educational reforms

Athens, 22/07/1997 (ANA)

"We had a discussion on the education ministry's work program, on draft laws which will start being debated in Parliament as of tomorrow (today), on the development of DEP members (Tutorial Education Staff), on the salary scale for university professors and other initiatives concerning the reform program in the sector of education," Mr. Arsenis told reporters afterwards.

Replying to a question over the Organization of Secondary Education Teachers (OLME) reaction because such important legislative bills are being submitted to the Parliamentary recess committee without the necessary dialogue previously taking place, Mr. Arsenis said "the bills I mentioned concern tertiary education and not OLME."

"However, a dialogue has taken place with OLME. I have already invited teachers to discuss with me, while the under-secretary already had a meeting with them last week. We will proceed with the implementation of our program," he said.

According to reports, Mr. Arsenis requested from Mr. Simitis to mediate so that priority will be given to the bills and have them debated in Parliament by the end of August.

The bills concern the operation of a free series of studies at universities and the open university at which high school graduates will be able to study without entrance examinations, but will not receive a diploma in four years but in six to eight years.

Additionally, another bill refers to changes which will be brought about in the first grade of the senior high school (lyceum) as of September, since these pupils will be the first to receive the national graduation diploma and will enter universities without entrance examinations but on the basis of their graduation grade after the year 2000.

[16] ND reaction

Athens, 22/07/1997 (ANA)

The ND official called on Mr. Arsenis to consider improving quality for education, both for students and teachers, rather than employing useless recipes of the past.

[17] Another 27 killed in traffic accidents over weekend

Athens, 22/07/1997 (ANA)

Unfortunately, neither extraordinary police measures nor a ban on the circulation of trucks on national motorways on Friday and Sunday afternoon resulted in a decrease in the number of traffic accidents.

[18] EBEA establishes business data bank for Balkans

Athens, 22/07/1997 (ANA)

The data bank will begin by providing information on the business sectors in Romania, Albania and Bulgaria. The countries it covers will be expanded to gradually include all of the Balkans and the Black Sea area.

It will also link up with similar data banks in Greece and beyond.

EBEA president Yiannis Papathanasiou said the information bank would start operating in the coming weeks and cover needs of businesses wishing to expand into southeastern Europe.

Some of the information it will provide on each country will include its economic profile, tenders called in the private and public sector, calls for joint ventures, customs duties and taxation data, investment opportunities, European Union programs, trade facts and an explanation of its banking system.

[19] Gov't says 10 more state enterprises to enter bourse in next 3 years

Athens, 22/07/1997 (ANA)

A small percentage of their share capital will be made available to the investing public, which will be based on the model of the partial privatization of the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE).

The list of 10 state enterprises will not include the Public Petroleum Corp. (DEP), the Hellenic Duty Free shops and the Athens Stock Exchange, whose registration is already being promoted.

National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou issued an order at a meeting held at the ministry for an examination to ascertain which public utilities (DEKO) possess elements rendering their conversion into shares feasible and the registration of their shares on the bourse.

General and special issues concerning public utilities were also discussed at the meeting, as well as the issue of freezing tariffs in the effort to have inflation decrease even further.

[20] Greek equities end flat, seen consolidating

Athens, 22/07/1997 (ANA)

The Athens general index finished at 1,535.69 points, down 0.09 percent, and the parallel market for smaller cap stocks ended 0.35 percent lower.

Trade was thin with turnover sharply down at 8.8 billion drachmas.

Most sector indices fell. Banks slipped 0.43 percent, Insurance slumped 1.10 percent, Investment dropped 0.38 percent, Leasing fell 0.61 percent, Construction edged down 0.45 percent and Miscellaneous lost 0.30 percent. Bucking the trend were Industrials, which closed 0.03 percent up, and Holding, which gained 0.41 percent. State-run Hellenic Telecommunications Organization gained 70 drachmas to finish at 6,215 drachmas. Declines led gains at 112 to 77 with 28 stocks remaining unchanged of 217 traded.

The highest percentage gainers were Imperio, Bank of Attica, Emborikos Desmos (preferred) and Biokarpet (preferred), all of which ended at or near the eight percent upper daily volatility limit.

The day's biggest losers were Keranis (common), Dimitriadis, GEK and Atemke.

Among blue chips National Bank of Greece finished at 35,700 drachmas, Ergobank at 16,900 drachmas, Alpha Credit Bank at 19,100 drachmas, Delta Dairies (common) at 3,395 drachmas, Hellenic Bottling at 9,850 drachmas, Titan Cement (common) at 14,400 drachmas, Intracom at 12,695 drachmas, and Aluminium de Grece (common) at 17,425 drachmas.

[21] Gov't source denies press report on proposed capital gains tax

Athens, 22/07/1997 (ANA)

The same source added that the same applies to state securities (bonds and treasury bills), which are currently exempt from taxation.

The explanation was given in reply to reports in a Sunday newspaper that a proposal is being promoted on the taxation of shares and state titles.

Unnamed sources associated with the bourse claimed yesterday that any such proposal would first have to convert natural titles to computerized simple registrations.

However, this program, which has begun as a pilot program for a certain number of shares, is not expected to be completed in less than two years, according to the same circles.

End of English language section.

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