Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-09-22
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <[email protected]>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1295), September 22, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
CONTENTS
[01] Premier again warns Ankara against aggressive action on Cyprus
[02] ... Greek policy in the Balkans
[03] ... Tsohatzopoulos
[04] ... Pangalos
[05] ... Arsenis
[06] ... Papoutsis
[07] ... Simitis' final address
[08] Press report on S-300s
[09] Karamanlis visits Lavrio
[10] Albanian defense minister in Athens next week
[11] Int'l conference on protection of Black Sea moves on to Batumi
[12] Reaction by Turkish extremists
[13] Bomb blast hits Rethymno prefect's home
[14] New Rhodes power units inaugurated
[15] Papariga calls for concerted front against government
[16] Direct foreign investments increase worldwide and in Greece
[17] Clerides stresses importance of direct security talks
[18] Holbrooke reiterates support for Cyprus' EU accession course
[19] American library divided into two sections
[20] Archimandrite attacked in Thessaloniki
[21] Catholic priest still missing in Samos
[22] Double-digit death toll again reported on roadways
[23] Man stabbed to death with bayonet
[24] Metro work closes two lanes on Panepistimiou
[01] Premier again warns Ankara against aggressive action on Cyprus
Athens, 22/09/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis has sent a new warning to Turkey,
saying Athens would back Cyprus in the event of any aggressive
action by Ankara against the island republic.
Addressing a second-day meeting of the ruling PASOK party
central committee on Saturday, Mr. Simitis, who is also the
president of the ruling party, said "Greece will come to Cyprus'
aid in the event of any aggressive action by Ankara".
Later in the evening, the central committee gave its stamp of
approval with an overwhelming majority to the party's executive
program on foreign policy issues.
Mr. Simitis stressed that Greek-Turkish relations "cannot be
normalized without a just solution to the Cyprus problem",
adding that Cyprus' European Union accession course was a top
priority for Greece.
He said Greece supported the UN Secretary General's initiatives
for a Cyprus solution, and expressed disappointment over Turkish
intransigence and Turkish threats.
He further called on the international community, particularly
the EU and Washington, to exercise their influence so that
Turkey would co-operate in the search for a Cyprus solution in
accordance with international law and international
organizations' resolutions.
In addition, the premier said the government was "firmly
defending the country's national rights, dynamically and
decisively," adding that the Madrid communiqui over the summer
"fully responded" to the conditions outlined by Athens regarding
Greek-Turkish relations.
However, he pointed out that its reconfirmation needed acts (not
words), saying that the "only realistic and effective policy was
that of a step-by-step rapprochement for the improvement of
relations between the two countries".
The premier reiterated that those steps comprised, first of all,
Turkey's fulfillment of three conditions, namely, excluding the
threat of war or use of violence; acceptance of the
institutional framework on the basis of international law and
international treaties, and recourse to the International Court
of Justice at The Hague for differences that Ankara considers as
pertaining to implementation or interpretation of international
accords.
The next step, he said, would be the drafting of a bilateral
compromise for referral of the Aegean continental shelf issue to
the international court.
He said this approach was in the interests of both Greece and
Turkey, adding that the Madrid communiqui was an important
effort for Greece to strengthen its standing with international
public opinion, since "the paths of peace are forged along the
way and with the taking of initiatives".
After Madrid, he continued, Greece's role had been strengthened
internationally because of the policy it followed, while Turkey
was being led to isolation.
Mr. Simitis noted that even the most recent statements by
high-ranking Turkish officials proved to third parties that it
was Ankara that must comply with the spirit of the Madrid
communiqui.
[02] ... Greek policy in the Balkans
Athens, 22/09/1997 (ANA)
In terms of the Balkans, Mr. Simitis referred to Greece's policy
in the region as well as how Athens reacted to the recent crisis
in Albania, the government's initiatives in the former
Yugoslavia, the strengthening of relations with Romania and
Bulgaria, and Greece's support in the reconstruction of Bosnia,
while he said Athens insisted on the implementation of the Sept.
13, 1995 New York interim agreement with the Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) as negotiations over that state's
name are still continuing.
Mr. Simitis described as "significant" the Balkan countries
summit to be held on Crete in early November as a way of further
"consolidating good neighborliness, stability and security in
order to promote multifaceted regional co-operation between
countries in the region."
With regards to the 15-nation Union, he said Greece's goal was
for more active participation in EU developments and efforts
being made for Europe's integration. Winding up his Saturday
speech, he said Greece supported and advanced its positions in
the NATO alliance in order to confirm its role as a "guarantor
of peace and security in the region".
[03] ... Tsohatzopoulos
Athens, 22/09/1997 (ANA)
On his part, National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos spoke
on security and defense policy, which he said must supplement
foreign policy.
He said it would be wrong to limit discussion to the Madrid
communiqui, which "does not solve any issues, but was simply an
initiative for a peaceful approach to some matters and a correct
move on the part of Greece".
He noted that Turkey had made the same move at a time of
domestic crisis, when the then new government was facing serious
problems.
Turning to the security issues in the region, he attributed them
to "the aggressive policy of Turkey, which is attempting to
alter the status quo", and which "today has placed the threat of
use of violence on the table".
He noted, however, that the security issue was a broader one,
since Greece and Turkey were not the only countries in the
region. He stressed the need for security systems in the wider
region of the Balkans, Black Sea and Middle East.
Greece, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said, must have the strengthening of
its deterrent ability as its primary target, as this was
necessary in order to achieve its targets.
"This will be a steady course for as long as Turkey persists in
its policy of altering the status quo. And this deterrent
capability must be everywhere - in the Aegean, Thrace, Cyprus,"
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said, adding that the response must be
immediate in the event of a Turkish threat in any of these
fronts.
He further said that national security was a serious matter of
the country, and no one else could guarantee it.
[04] ... Pangalos
Athens, 22/09/1997 (ANA)
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos defended the government's
foreign policy, adding that for the first time it had the
consensus of the overwhelming majority of the Greek people.
He said it was "in bad taste" for some to consider that PASOK's
strategy had changed, adding that in recent years the hallmarks
of Greek-Turkish relations were 1985, when the observation that
the Cyprus issue influenced Turkey-EU relations was included in
EU resolutions as well as Greece's veto over the fourth
Financial Protocol for support to Turkey. In 1994, he added,
Greece agreed to EU economic support for the neighboring country
along with approval of the EU-Turkey customs union.
But the government, Mr. Pangalos added, again froze the protocol
once again after the Imia issue arose in late January 1996.
Mr. Pangalos said the Madrid communiqui had changed the
political climate, explaining that a country's territorial size
was not the issue - underlining that Greece would not concede an
inch of its territory - but rather, a country became great if it
had wealth and knowledge.
He said Turkey's leadership had hastened to dispute the Madrid
communiqui in action, but added the communiqui had not gone
"bankrupt", but remained a success of Greek foreign policy and
should be defended internationally, particularly against those
in Turkey who wished to undermine and nullify it.
Regarding FYROM, he said the interim agreement had been a "bold
and decisive step", although he criticized the manner in which
it had been announced at the time.
Today, he said, a step forward must be taken, adding that Greece
could not accept a name that would create confusion. He noted,
however, that PASOK should, since 1993, have stated that it
would seek a name acceptable to both countries.
[05] ... Arsenis
Athens, 22/09/1997 (ANA)
Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis, a former national defense
minister, said "a transitional liquidity" was prevalent in the
international environment today, as the old system had been
replaced by a new one, and noted the lack of a global system for
security and peace or one for peaceful resolution of differences.
He said the United States' clout in the region was apparent, but
added it was not absolutely prevalent.
On Turkey, he predicted it would face substantial problems in
the near future, adding that time was working against Ankara,
whose geostrategic position he predicted would be reduced, while
it would face problems domestically.
With respect to Greek-Turkish relations, he said the future
appeared more positive for Greece, for which time could work in
Athens' favor.
He called for an increased defense of Hellenism and support for
the Greece-Cyprus joint defense doctrine, as well as the
national vigilance of the Greek people.
Greece, he said, must show that Turkey creates destabilization
in the region, and that there could be no fruitful dialogue
because the prerequisites did not exist due to Turkey's stance.
[06] ... Papoutsis
Athens, 22/09/1997 (ANA)
At the same meeting, EU Commissioner Christos Papoutsis said the
Union was firmly oriented towards Cyprus' EU accession, and this
decision was not reversible.
He said the Madrid communiqui had been neither good nor bad,
adding that improvement in Greek-Turkish relations should have
been linked with the withdrawal of the Turkish occupation troops
from Cyprus and the need for a serious effort on Turkey's part
towards a substantive solution to the Cyprus problem.
Greece, he added, should guarantee the European path for the
other Balkan countries, which should be financed to approach the
Community standards.
[07] ... Simitis' final address
Athens, 22/09/1997 (ANA)
In his final address at the close of the conference on Saturday,
Mr. Simitis said that the two-day discussion had revealed that
the majority was in agreement on strategic choices but differed
on their handling.
He noted, however, that there was consensus on the need for
Greece to enact a multi-faceted foreign policy and to become
stronger in many areas.
"Nobody believes that the Turkish stance has changed, but we
call on it to prove that it wants peace and co-operation. It is
Greece's duty to reveal Turkey's expansionist policy and to
strengthen our just position with the development of
initiatives," Mr. Simitis said, adding that it was Athens which
"must provide the answers to the problems."
[08] Press report on S-300s
Athens, 22/09/1997 (ANA)
In a related development, the Sunday newspaper "To Vima"
reported yesterday that Foreign Minister Pangalos had directed
Greece's ambassador in Ankara to lodge a demarche "at the
highest level" over Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz's
comments on Friday over the deployment of S-300 anti-aircraft
missiles on Cyprus.
Mr. Yilmaz said on Friday that his government had asked the
Turkish military to take all appropriate measures to "deal with
the issues created by the deployment of the S-300 missiles on
Cyprus".
His comments also drew the displeasure of the US State
Department, which issued a statement saying it was "firmly
opposed to threats to address the missile question militarily."
[09] Karamanlis visits Lavrio
Athens, 22/09/1997 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis visited
the town of Lavrio, Attica prefecture, on Saturday afternoon and
was briefed by the mayor and local officials on problems faced
in the region.
In a statement, Mr. Karamanlis said the scene of
de-industrialization and the specter of unemployment can leave
no one unmoved and criticized the government and the state for
not having implemented, as he said, serious interventions in the
region to al low for increased growth.
[10] Albanian defense minister in Athens next week
Tirana, 22/09/1997 (ANA - P. Haritos)
Albanian Defense Minister Sabit Brokaj is to visit Greece Sept.
24-26 at the invitation of his Greek counterpart Akis
Tsohatzopoulos.
He will be accompanied by the defense under-secretary and the
chief of the Albanian armed forces.
Military sources said the two sides would sign a new
co-operation protocol, based on a bilateral co-operation accord
signed in early August during a visit by Foreign Minister
Theodoros Pangalos to Tirana.
The sources said the new protocol would finalize the specific
areas of co-operation between a Greek army company in the
neighboring country and the Albanian armed forces for
reorganization of the Albanian military.
The company of Greek troops remained in Albania at Mr. Brokaj's
request after the pullout of the eight-nation multinational
protection force that was deployed in mid April to protect
humanitarian assistance and help OSCE observers monitor last
June's general elections.
[11] Int'l conference on protection of Black Sea moves on to Batumi
Istanbul, 22/09/1997 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)
An international religious and ecological conference on the
protection of the Black Sea was continued in the Georgian port
of Batumi yesterday.
The conference, organized under the auspices of Ecumenical
Patriarch Vartholomeos and European Commission President Jacques
Santer, started in the Turkish city of Trabzon on Saturday and
after Batumi will visit six more ports in the Black Sea before
ending up in Thessaloniki, the Cultural Capital of Europe 1997.
The Patriarch of Georgia Ilias boarded the vessel "Eleftherios
Venizelos", on which the conference is taking place, and was
received by Vartholomeos.
Both Patriarchs later officiated at a church service in Batumi.
Georgian Parliament President Zourab Zhvania, the president of
the ministerial council for the autonomous government of
Akbazhia, Georgi Ilatse, and members of the Georgian church's
Synod also greeted the Ecumenical Patriarch.
[12] Reaction by Turkish extremists
Istanbul, 22/09/1997 (ANA)
Meanwhile, the international conference drew hostility from
several Turkish nationalist organizations in Trabzon on
Saturday, members of which stoned buses carrying delegates from
the city's airport to the anchored ship.
About 50 people shouted slogans against Patriarch Vartholomeos
and clerics participating in the conference, accusing them of
"coming to Trabzon to make it Greek" and shouting "the Black Sea
is Turkish."
The organizing committee of the conference was forced to cancel
a scheduled visit to the renown Panagia Soumela Monastery after
local authorities refused to guarantee the safety of delegates.
Most of them visited the monastery with their own means without
any incident taking place.
The conference is part of initiatives undertaken by the
Ecumenical Patriarchate in support of the protection of creation
by threats caused by unbridled "consumption."
Conversely, the conference, attended by 400 delegates, received
a warm message from Turkish President Suleyman Demirel.
Only the ultra-nationalist and Islamist newspaper "Turkiye"
termed the conference a "Dirty Game in the Black Sea", while the
Islamist newspaper "Milli Gazete" headlined its report on the
conference with "What audacity!"
[13] Bomb blast hits Rethymno prefect's home
Athens, 22/09/1997 (ANA)
A dynamite-ladden bomb caused severe damage to an apartment
block in Rethymno, Crete on Saturday after it exploded outside
the home of the local prefect.
No injuries were reported.
The device, which was left outside the home of Rethymno Prefect
Manolis Litinas, exploded at 4:30 a.m., rocking the three-story
building, police said. Army munitions experts also arrived at
the scene.
Public Order Minister George Romeos called Mr. Litinas to
express his full support, and called a meeting in Athens to
decide additional policing measures for Rethymno prefecture.
Ministry sources said the attack was believed to have been the
work of animal rustling rings, after Mr. Litinas recently
ordered investigations aimed at breaking up such gangs.
Several deputies and local officials also condemned the attack.
[14] New Rhodes power units inaugurated
Athens, 22/09/1997 (ANA)
Development Minister Vasso Papandreou yesterday inaugurated four
new power production units on Rhodes, which are expected to
solve the island's energy supply problem for at least the next
five years.
The 25-billion-drachma, 90-MW-project, is one of 10 major energy
projects by the Public Power Corp. (DEH) slated to begin
operation in the period 1997-1998, which are designed to ensure
the country's full energy adequacy.
The new units, replacing older technology units, are located at
Rhodes' Soroni power station and have been constructed with the
latest in anti-pollution technology.
DEH also plans to install a 5W wind energy park on Rhodes to
replace oil-generated plants.
Next month, Prime Minister Costas Simitis will inaugurate DEH's
new lignite unit in Agios Demetrios, Kozani, and a major
hydroelectric unit on the Nestos River.
Next year, operation has been slated for natural gas-powered
plants in Keratsini, Lavrio and Komotini.
[15] Papariga calls for concerted front against government
Athens, 22/09/1997 (ANA)
Speaking at the 23rd festival of the Communist Youth
Organization KNE - the youth wing of the Communist Party of
Greece (KKE) - and the youth organization's newspaper "Odigitis"
yesterday, KKE Secretary General Aleka Papariga announced an
intensification of efforts to create a front to force "this
government to take immediate measures aimed at relieving the
people from both burdensome internal and international
commitments."
"It (a united force) will do all it can so that this government
will not constitute an intermission but will become one of the
important factors which will give an impetus to the
confrontation with the multinationals' power," she added.
"It is not our fault if the prime ministers of this country
first have to pass from the office of the American president
before undertaking their duties in their party and the
government," she said.
[16] Direct foreign investments increase worldwide and in Greece
Athens, 22/09/1997 (ANA)
Direct foreign investments carried out by bi-national companies
are following an upward trend throughout the world, including
Greece, resulting in an intensification of competition among all
countries, primarily developing ones, to attract this capital
with the prospect of strengthening their growth productively.
This trend was confirmed by this year's annual report on world
investments of the UN Conference on Commerce and Development
(UNCTAD), which was presented by the UN Bureau in Athens - a
special analysis of its main points was made by Athens
University professor Vassilis Droukopoulos.
The report, entitled "World Investment Report 1997:
Transnational Corporations, Market Structure and Competition
Policy", the seventh to date, constitutes one of the most
authoritative reports in the world on the activities of
multinational and bi-national companies (the former are those
belonging to shareholders from at least two different
nationalities, while the latter those active in more than one
countries).
According to assessments made in the report (there are no
precise figures), one billion dollars flowed into the country in
1990 as foreign direct investments (1 per cent of total capital
to the European Union) compared to inflows amounting to 1.05
billion dollars in 1995, $981 million in 1994, $977 million in
1993, 1,14 billion in 1992 and 1.13 billion in 1991. On average,
over the 1985-90 period investment capital of bi-national
companies totaling 711 billion flowed into Greece.
Total foreign capital invested in Greece in 1996 was estimated
at $20.3 billion as against $4.5 billion in 1980. These
investments correspond to about 4.5 per cent of the total gross
fixed capital invested in Greece and 17 per cent of GDP. At
European Union level, Greece appears third from bottom on the
list of foreign capital absorption, above only Denmark and
Portugal.
With regard to investment capital outflows, in 1996 Greece made
productive investments outside its borders amounting to six
million dollars, the lowest of any other EU country. In 1996,
Greece appeared as having invested $26 million in other
countries, as against only one million in 1990.
[17] Clerides stresses importance of direct security talks
Nicosia, 22//09/1997 (CNA/ANA)
Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides said Sunday that the Greek
Cypriot side will enter a dialogue on security issues with the
Turkish Cypriot side with good will.
Referring to an agreement between the two sides announced last
Monday by the US Secretary of State during a stopover in Cyprus,
the president expressed hope the Turkish Cypriots will also show
good will.
President Clerides described security as "one of the fundamental
issues" of the Cyprus problem and said he expects an initiative
for an overall settlement after the 1998 Cyprus presidential
elections.
He reiterated that his "ultimate aim is the reunification of the
island, removal of Turkish troops occupying 37 per cent of its
territory since they invaded in 1974, the safeguarding of human
rights and the peaceful co-existence of all communities."
President Clerides expressed optimism that a peaceful settlement
of the Cyprus problem will be reached and said there is
increased international interest for a solution.
He said this could be achieved with the help of Greece and a
joint defense pact between the two countries decided in 1993, as
well as the efforts of overseas Greeks as well as foreign
countries and personalities.
Mr. Clerides added that his government's policy has brought the
Cyprus question into the limelight and revealed Turkish
intransigence in efforts for a settlement.
[18] Holbrooke reiterates support for Cyprus' EU accession course
Chicago, 22/09/1997 (ANA)
US special presidential emissary on the Cyprus problem Richard
Holbrooke said on Saturday that Cyprus' accession course towards
the European Union must proceed, without reactions interfering.
Mr. Holbrooke was speaking after meeting with Andrew Athens, the
president of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE).
"The procedures to include Cyprus in the European Union are not
going to stop. Cyprus will become a member of the European
Community," Mr. Holbrooke was reported as telling the SAE
president during their meeting.
Mr. Athens told Cyprus Radio that Mr. Holbrooke was pleased and
optimistic by the "active daily interest" of US State Department
special coordinator on the Cyprus issue Thomas Miller, and
believes an agreement between the two sides to directly meet and
discuss security issues was a step forward.
[19] American library divided into two sections
Athens, 22/09/1997 (ANA)
The US Information Service (USIS) announced that the 52-year-old
American Library has been divided into two sections, to better
meet the needs of the Athens public.
The first section, the USIS-supported Information Resource
Center (IRC), provides information on topics having to do with
the US through the use of modern technology. The IRC staff has
access to a large volume of information, much of it in
electronic format, which will meet the needs of serious research.
The second section of the library, the circulating collection,
has been donated to and will function under the auspices of the
Hellenic American Union. The library is now undergoing
renovations.
HAU will notify the public when they are completed and the
library reopen its doors.
[20] Archimandrite attacked in Thessaloniki
Athens, 22/09/1997 (ANA)
Unknown assailants attacked and seriously wounded an
Archimandrite in his home in Thessaloniki on Friday.
Archimandrite Pavlos-Iakovos Iliadis, 43, managed to leave his
apartment in the Harilaou district on Friday night and call for
help while severely injured.
Mr. Iliadis, who officiates at a church in the town of Argos
Orestikon, Kastoria prefecture, had rented the small apartment
in Thessaloniki. He was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Due to the seriousness of his condition, the Archimandrite has
not yet been able to tell police who his assailants were.
[21] Catholic priest still missing in Samos
Athens, 22/09/1997 (ANA)
A massive search for a Catholic priest from the Netherlands who
went missing on the island of Samos 11 days ago has proved
fruitless so far.
Authorities suspect the 55-year-old man may be suffering from
amnesia caused by a fall or might have fallen prey to jackals,
police said on Sunday.
Father Francis Klein, was on holiday in Marathokambos, Samos,
when last he left with two women on Thursday for a trek to the
Evangelistrias Monastery, perched high on Mount Kerkis.
About 15 minutes before reaching the monastery, the two women
stopped to rest, while the priest continued on his own. However,
he never reached the monastery, the women told local police, who
immediately launched a search of the area, aided by the fire
brigade and army commandos.
Trained dogs from the Netherlands and their handlers arrived on
Samos on Saturday to join in the search.
An Athenian woman on holiday in Marathokambos, when shown the
priest's picture on Saturday, said she had seen the man
"wandering on the beach in poor condition" a few days earlier.
Police believe the priest may have tripped and fallen on the
narrow path winding up the monastery and either suffered amnesia
as a result or, after injury, was attacked by jackals that
abound in the area, although they do not rule out the likelihood
of his having fallen victim to criminal activity.
[22] Double-digit death toll again reported on roadways
Athens, 22/09/1997 (ANA)
Sixteen people, including one foreign national, were killed on
national roads over the weekend, traffic police said yesterday.
An Armenian man was killed in a road accident on Saturday.
Police identified the man as Gevork Gevorkian, who was struck by
a car driven by a German national on the Tripoli-Kalamata
highway.
The weekend's 153 accidents since Friday afternoon also resulted
in 190 injuries, 38 of them seriously.
[23] Man stabbed to death with bayonet
Athens, 22/09/1997 (ANA)
A 22-year-old man stabbed and killed his friend with a bayonet
during a quarrel in the north Athens district of Halandri on
Friday afternoon.
According to reports, Xenofon Tsaparas fled the scene after
stabbing Alexandros Athanasopoulos, 21, in the stomach. The
victim was taken to a nearby hospital by neighbors, where he
died on Saturday morning.
The suspect was arrested shortly afterwards and admitted to the
stabbing, police said, but claimed it had been accidental. He
also took police to a building site where he had thrown away the
bayonet after the incident.
[24] Metro work closes two lanes on Panepistimiou
Athens, 22/09/1997 (ANA)
Panepistimiou Street in central Athens was partially closed
again on Saturday, when underground drilling for the
under-construction metro caused problems at the corner of
Panepistimiou and Arsakis streets.
Two lanes were closed on the major roadway, while
representatives of Attiko Metro said the problem was not very
serious, although they could not specify when the lanes would be
reopened.
End of English language section.
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