Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-09-23

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1296), September 23, 1997

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou: Athens positively views Turkey's European orientation

[02] Reppas on citizens' right to information

[03] Britain says Cyprus settlement not an EU accession condition

[04] Turkish defense chief on Greek-Turkish relations

[05] Billions spent for Turkish military's upgrade

[06] Expert committees unlikely to meet

[07] Greece receives new, improved F-16 fighters

[08] Tsohatzopoulos on Turkey

[09] Tsohatzopoulos visits army maintenance unit

[10] Greece signs CoE agreement on minorities

[11] Simitis-Angelopoulos-Daskalaki meeting

[12] Greek-Turkish relations, Cyprus included in Clinton's UN address

[13] Pangalos to meet Patriarch in Thessaloniki, visit Mount Athos

[14] Papoutsis tour of Thessaly

[15] Four-member Greek OSCE delegation meets with Milosevic

[16] No EU decision on drinking, bottled water expected soon

[17] Memorial service held in Moschonissi by Lesvos officials

[18] Construction of seven new prisons announced

[19] Gov't happy with performance but still work to be done

[20] Various opinion polls released by Athens media

[21] Youth delegations received by Stephanopoulos

[22] Karamanlis meets with ND's seven regional directors

[23] G. Papandreou meets with representatives of Imvros residents

[24] Exhibition of works with Alexander the Great theme opens

[25] Five early El Grecos on display at Athens Concert Hall

[26] Greece contributes marbles for EU monument in Austria

[27] Five new routes in next year's 'Acropolis Rally'

[28] V. Papandreou on hotel debt settlements

[29] Greek shipowners' representatives discuss sector's issues

[30] Changes to pension system on hold till Greece in EMU

[31] Greek bourse ranks top in Europe on Jan.-Aug. returns

[32] Greek stocks creep up in rangebound trade

[33] Outlook picks up for Greek building materials

[34] Greek consumer watchdog charts 1997 complaints by tourists

[01] Papandreou: Athens positively views Turkey's European orientation

Athens, 23/09/1997 (ANA)

He was speaking at an international two-day conference organized by the Federation of European Journalists on the "Role of the Mediterranean in European Unification".

Athens and Ankara signed a joint communiqui over the summer in Madrid establishing a set of principles governing bilateral relations.

Regarding Nicosia's decision to purchase Russian S-300 anti-air-craft missiles, the Greek alternate foreign minister said it was a response to the continuing military build-up in the Turkish-occupied part of the island republic.

"If Turkey moved towards demilitarization, then Cyprus could withdraw its S-300 missiles," he said. Mr. Papandreou stressed that Cyprus was already on the road to becoming an EU member, and that the development would work positively on efforts t o find a resolution to the Cypriot problem.

When Cyprus is a member of the EU, he continued, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots would benefit both on a economic and institutional level, but also by being able to participate in decision-making.

Referring to the spread of Islamists' influence in Turkey, Mr. Papandreou said Greece would not place cultural or religious issues on the negotiating table.

"The issues that interest us are political. The spreading of fundamentalist Islam is due to economic and social problems," he said, adding that it was a social rather than religious movement.

"We shall support efforts towards reform in Turkey," he continued, "and not the military, which is portrayed as a bulwark factor against (fundamentalist) Islam."

[02] Reppas on citizens' right to information

Athens, 23/09/1997 (ANA)

"Contemporary society needs not only a study of communication technologies, but also a study for finding ways of solving complex conflicts which are becoming increasingly difficult to solve with the operation of new technologies. These conflicts do not just concern a complex of conflicts between interests. They are conflicts between moral claims and values, and chiefly conflicts which must be clearly recorded in a charter," he said.

"The Euro-Arab dialogue, the initiative of the 4+4, the Casablanca summit, and the contacts of third Mediterranean countries with various European institutions gave important results... The aims of policy in the Mediterranean include, among others, the development of computer-linked networks between the public administrations of countries, the upgrading of telecommunications in rural areas, adoption of applications such as 'tele-work' and training, as well as access to the information superhighways, which are in the process of being set up," he concluded.

In a related development, President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos received several members of the European journalists' union yesterday, all participants at the conference.

[03] Britain says Cyprus settlement not an EU accession condition

United Nation, 23/09/1997 (Reuter/ANA)

Asked about Britain's role on the Cyprus question, he told an interviewer on CNN International: "We've got a very big role and a very big interest in the Cyprus issue.

As a matter of fact, a very large number of Greek Cypriots actually live in the London area of Britain. As many Greek Cypriots live in London and Melbourne as actually live in Cyprus," added Mr. Cook, now in New York for the UN General Assembly.

"We've made a commitment that we believe Cyprus should have the opportunity to join the European Union and that should not be dependent on resolving the division of the island.

"Of course, it would be much better if we could resolve the division of the island, and I have had a number of conversations, both in Cyprus and in New York, to support the process of trying to bring the two sides together," Mr. Cook said, referring to differences between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.

Negotiations on EU membership for Cyprus are due to get under way early next year.

Turkey has threatened that it would proceed to the annexation of the Turkish-occupied north of the island republic if accession talks go ahead.

[04] Turkish defense chief on Greek-Turkish relations

Speaking during the opening of a conference on defense systems in Ankara yesterday, Turkish Defense Minister Ismet Sezgin told reporters they should remove from their vocabulary words like "order to strike" or "war."

"We always say we are the children of the two sides of the Aegean, we are neighbors, we want to live in peace," he said.

"We see the huge amounts of money which are spent on armaments by the Greeks and our Greek Cypriot friends, and we consider that they (spent sums) take away from the prosperity of their peoples," the Turkish minister stressed.

In reference to a Turkish armed forces' general staff briefing for the government last week on the purchase of Russian-made anti-aircraft S-300 missiles by Nicosia, the Turkish minister said:

"We are taking the necessary measures, but I do not think this could lead to some sort of attack."

"No country in the world with basic common logic would want the two NATO countries to declare war against each other," Mr. Sezgin said. He also claimed that through certain modifications, the defensive Russian-made missiles could be turned into offensive weapons.

"We are making efforts to take all diplomatic measures regarding this issue. In addition, of course, there are military measures."

[05] Billions spent for Turkish military's upgrade

Athens, 23/09/1997 (ANA)

Turkey, which had a budget deficit of around $11 billion last year, in April announced a 10-year, $31-billion armed forces modernization program, which includes plans to buy new helicopters and armored vehicles as well as to build five frigates.

Ankara had suffered a significant drop in military aid from both NATO and individual member countries in recent years.

Some European countries have withheld arms sales to Ankara because of Turkey's human rights abuses in its fight against Kurdish separatists in the southeast of the country, Reuters reported.

[06] Expert committees unlikely to meet

Athens, 23/09/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Reppas said that the Greek committee was sending its response to a report by its Turkish counterpart body to the Luxembourg European Union presidency yesterday. The two committees were established on an EU initiative earlier in the year and are charged with examining Greek-Turkish relations, under the mediation of the European Union presidency.

[07] Greece receives new, improved F-16 fighters

Athens, 23/09/1997 (ANA)

At an official ceremony, National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said the new US-made warplanes would "significantly upgrade the air force's fighting capability."

He added that the strengthening of the Hellenic Air Force also bolstered the joint defense doctrine between Greece and Cyprus, forged as a response to what he called the "continual threat from the east".

The new aircraft possess greater operational capabilities than previously acquired F-16s, and have an improved engine and avionics. The remaining 32 aircraft will be delivered until the end of next year, after completion of the delivery of anti-radar HARM and air-to-air AVRAAM missiles, which will be fitted to the new planes, in combination with existing air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons.

[08] Tsohatzopoulos on Turkey

Athens, 23/09/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos noted that while other countries primarily aim at their long-term economic development, Greece, as a result of the threat coming from Turkey, must also ensure the strength of its armed forces, which must function as an effective deter rent.

Finally, he said the presence of US ambassador Thomas Niles in the delivery ceremony confirmed the constructive co-operation between the two countries in the armaments sector.

On his part, main opposition New Democracy deputy Ioannis Varvitsiotis, a former defense minister under whose tenure the purchase agreement for the aircraft was concluded, told reporters that the new F-16s would bolster the country's deterrent capability, adding that he would like to see the pace of the country's armaments program stepped up.

Outgoing US ambassador Niles told reporters that Washington would continue its efforts to normalize Greek-Turkish relations, while the meeting between the Greek and Turkish foreign ministers in New York this week was part of such efforts.

[09] Tsohatzopoulos visits army maintenance unit

Athens, 23/09/1997 (ANA)

He was accompanied by the Chief of the Army General Staff Lt.-Gen. Manoussos Parayioudakis and other officials.

AMU, founded in 1972, is the only specialized plant in Greece that can carry out repairs, reconstruction and upgrading of tanks and armored vehicles.

The plant extends over 22.2 hectares, of which 3.9 hectares are covered, and employs 900 people.

Other activities include repairs of wheels for armored personnel carriers, while it has new workshops for visual and electric systems and tire reconditioning units.

In terms of annual production, with no overtime, it can upgrade 300 tanks, 150 tank engines, 50 gear boxes, 1,200 flanges and 8,400 wheels.

[10] Greece signs CoE agreement on minorities

Strasbourg, 23/09/1997 (ANA)

The agreement was signed by the general secretary for community affairs of the Greek foreign ministry, Stelios Perrakis, in the presence of the organization's Secretary General Daniel Tarschys.

The agreement sets out the principles which must be observed by member-states, such as the fight against discrimination, promotion of full equality, promoting the conditions for maintaining and developing the culture and identity of national minorities, granting of the right of assembly, freedom of expression and thought, conscience and religion, as well as the confirmation of the right for free access to and use of the media.

In the domain of freedom of speech:

- Use of a minority language, privately and in public, and in contacts with public authorities.

- Recognition of the right to use one name for the minority language and to replace place-names in that language.

In the sector of education:

- The provision of equal opportunities in the learning of minority languages and the issuing of instructions in that language.

- Recognition of the founding of educational and cultural institutions.

- Non-prohibition of cross-border contacts.

- Facilitation of cross-border and international co-operation.

- Prohibition of the violent assimilation of minorities.

- Promotion of participation in public life.

[11] Simitis-Angelopoulos-Daskalaki meeting

Athens, 23/09/1997 (ANA)

Ms Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, who was president of Athens' successful bid committee to host the 2004 Games, made no statement after the 80-minute talks with Mr. Simitis.

[12] Greek-Turkish relations, Cyprus included in Clinton's UN address

United Nations, 23/09/1997 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

He made the statement upon exiting a dinner given by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan for state leaders, foreign ministers and other officials. "The world fervently hopes for the solution of differences between Greece and Turkey or between the great countries of India and Pakistan, which this year celebrate their 50th independence anniversary," Mr. Clinton said in his speech. "The United Nations continue to avert the threat of bloodshed from many countries. In El Salvador and Mozambique, in Haiti and Namibia and on Cyprus. As in Bosnia, where a lot remains to be done," he added.

[13] Pangalos to meet Patriarch in Thessaloniki, visit Mount Athos

Athens, 23/09/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Pangalos' visit to Karyes is taking place at a time when relations between Athens and Mount Athos monks are good. A protest against the ratification of the Schengen Treaty by Parliament, held in the form of a vigil in Karyes over the weekend, is not considered enough to spoil the good climate.

Mr. Pangalos will be received at Karyes on Tuesday morning and after meetings with the Holy Community and the civil administration, he will visit the Iviron Monastery. In the evening, he will go to the Simonos Patras Monastery where he will spend the night.

On Wednesday morning, after attending mass, he will return to Thessaloniki. At 11 a.m. he will meet Vartholomeos, who will be in Thessaloniki as of Sunday at the invitation of the Cultural Capital Organization.

[14] Papoutsis tour of Thessaly

Athens, 23/09/1997 (ANA)

On Sept. 25, Mr. Papoutsis will visit the regional sugar factory, the university hospital and the European Informatics Center in Larissa.

On the next day, he will continue his tour in the Karditsa and Trikala prefectures, where he will meet with local social and economic bodies.

On Saturday he will visit Magnisia prefecture and visit regions where projects are being carried out with assistance by the European Union.

Mr. Papoutsis will give a press conference for the media on the conference premises in Larissa on Thursday.

[15] Four-member Greek OSCE delegation meets with Milosevic

Belgrade, 23/09/1997 (ANA - M. Mouratidis)

The Yugoslav president said relations between Greece and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia were a strong tool for peace and stability in the Balkan region and an example of developing an open and equal co-operation for all states in the region.

An announcement issued by President Milosevic's office said relations between the two countries were especially friendly and based on trust and a high level mutual interest in further developing co-operation in all sectors.

The Greek delegation is headed by Parliament's second Vice-President Panayiotis Sgouridis.

Talks with Mr. Milosevic were also attended by the Greek ambassador in Belgrade, Panayiotis Vlassopoulos.

[16] No EU decision on drinking, bottled water expected soon

Brussels, 23/09/1997 (ANA - G. Daratos/M. Savva)

European Commission sources said the work group is working on a new directive on the quality of both tap and bottled water. The group will meet again tomorrow.

[17] Memorial service held in Moschonissi by Lesvos officials

Athens, 23/09/1997 (ANA)

The service was held at Moschonissi and at the Agios Georgios Church. It was the first service after the church was closed down in Sept. 14, 1914. Metropolitan Amvrosios was arrested on that date, only to be executed by the Turkish army along with hundreds of other ethnic Greek residents of Moschonissi. A few of the survivors of the massacre that followed in the area were able to attend the service, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Asia Minor disaster.

The event was attended by Greece's consul general in Istanbul, Fotis Xydas, Metropolitan Iakovos of Mytilini, who officiated at the service, Lesvos Prefect Alekos Mathiellis and other local officials.

[18] Construction of seven new prisons announced

Athens, 23/09/1997 (ANA)

He added that the aim was to provide more humane conditions in prisons, along with technical improvements, including electronic security.

[19] Gov't happy with performance but still work to be done

Athens, 23/09/1997 (ANA)

"Greece has become an important factor of stability in international developments, the 'step-by-step' approach to Greek-Turkish relations has brought about some positive connections, the economy has entered into the orbit of convergence...," Mr. Reppas told reporters.

Mr. Reppas said the administration had produced satisfactory results even though PASOK had assumed office at a difficult time and under extremely complex circumstances.

The spokesman said that despite results, Greece was still a long way from becoming a modern society, adding that the government aimed at creating a strong Greece, a society without deficits and debts.

[20] Various opinion polls released by Athens media

Athens, 23/09/1997 (ANA)

A V.PRC poll conducted on behalf of the Athens daily "TA NEA" newspaper, shows 41.4 per cent of respondents preferring Mr. Simitis for the post, as compared with 25.6 per cent for main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis.

In intention to vote, PASOK leads with 30.9 per cent, compared to 28 per cent for ND.

Another poll, conducted by Kappa Research on behalf of the "Exousia" daily, places the two major parties neck-to-neck in electoral strength, while a third one, conducted by Alco, on behalf of "Antenna TV" station, places ND ahead with 30.6 per cent, compared with 27.6 per cent for PASOK.

A fourth, a nationwide poll, conducted by MRB on behalf of the "Mega TV" channel between Sept. 10-17, on a 1,600 strong sample, shows ND leading with 27.7 per cent, compared to 27 per cent for PASOK.

The polls give the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) between 4.5 and 5.6 per cent, the Coalition of the Left between 4.7 and 6.3 per cent, the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) between 3.7 and 4.1 per cent, and Political Spring between 1.5 and 2.5 per cent.

[21] Youth delegations received by Stephanopoulos

Athens, 23/09/1997 (ANA)

The conference is taking place in Athens and is organized by the Youth General Secretariat.

[22] Karamanlis meets with ND's seven regional directors

Athens, 23/09/1997 (ANA)

The meeting also touched on the issue of the party's communication tactics and certain cadres, including Dora Bakoyianni, said ND must take initiatives to improve its public image.

It was also pointed out that there is a need for coordination and greater co-operation between regional directors and the party's Rigillis headquarters.

Stephanos Manos noted, according to reports, that inaccurate information are leaked to certain newspapers "which can only originate in Rigillis."

It was further decided that Yiannis Alogoskoufis will gather evidence to reveal gimmicks used by the government to cover up the divergence in the budget and in light of a Parliamentary debate on the bill on shipyards.

On his part, Prokopis Pavlopoulos said that ND will table a specific proposal on the entire local administration spectrum in Eretria on Saturday, while party spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos said the mergers of municipalities and communities will be part of the discussion.

[23] G. Papandreou meets with representatives of Imvros residents

Athens, 23/09/1997 (ANA)

Representatives said ethnic Greeks' properties were being usurped and the Greek schools shut down, while the continued colonization of the island by Turkish mainland settlers was changing Imvros' population demographics.

According to sources, Mr. Papandreou pledged to support initiatives aimed at settling those issues.

[24] Exhibition of works with Alexander the Great theme opens

Athens, 23/09/1997 (ANA)

The exhibition includes more than 140 art works dating back to the Middle Ages through to the 20th century, taken from museums and private collections in Europe and the United States.

The exhibition is being organized by the Thessaloniki Cultural Capital '97 organization and was founded with 200 million drachmas.

The works include paintings, tapestry, etchings, drawings etc.

[25] Five early El Grecos on display at Athens Concert Hall

Athens, 23/09/1997 (ANA)

The paintings were drawn by El Greco before he left Crete for Venice and Spain, and will be shown along with a private collection of paintings by Greek artists until Nov. 7.

Three of the El Greco paintings are on loan from the Benaki Museum, one from a cathedral in Ermoupolis, Syros and one from the Historical Museum of Irakleio, Crete.

[26] Greece contributes marbles for EU monument in Austria

Vienna, 23/09/1997 (ANA - D. Dimitrakoudis)

The monument commemorates the EU's 40th anniversary. Greece's contribution was meant as a symbol of the Parthenon, as one of the greatest monuments of western civilization.

The initiative for the marble was taken up by Greece's embassy in Austria once the call was announced for contributions.

At the unveiling ceremony on the weekend, a message was read by Austrian President Thomas Klestil. The event was attended by the Austrian Interior Minister Karl Schloegl, as well as the ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions from EU countries.

[27] Five new routes in next year's 'Acropolis Rally'

Athens, 23/09/1997 (ANA)

The final dates are expected to be confirmed next week, but likely dates are June 5 to 9 or June 12 to 16. The race, as always, will set off from the foot of the Acropolis and end at a yet to be determined spot in Athens after having covered a total of 1,186.7 km.

The cost of the race is close to 150 million drachmas, as last year, and is expected to be covered by sponsors.

[28] V. Papandreou on hotel debt settlements

Athens, 23/09/1997 (ANA)

"It is not possible for the government to intervene every time that a hotel requests a settlement of its debts. The precondition for such a thing is the viability of the unit," she added.

Ms Papandreou said a possible settlement would be unfair for the other hotels, saying that "instead of rewarding good businessmen, the state is called on to give favorable treatment to those who do not meet their obligations. This phenomenon must gradually stop."

The issue was raised during the meeting, held at the Dodecanese prefectural office, by hoteliers faced with the problem of debts they owed to banks. Another issue discussed was lengthening the tourist season on the fashionable island.

Tourist agency representatives complained to Ms Papandreou over the implementation of a pilot program in Crete and not in Rhodes. She replied that Rhodes will be the second island on which the pilot program will be applied to lengthen the tourist season.

[29] Greek shipowners' representatives discuss sector's issues

Athens, 23/09/1997 (ANA)

The presidents of the two bodies set out their views on the problems of the merchant fleet, the gist of which is as follows:

- Greek shipowners are continuing efforts to renew their fleets, the largest in terms of tonnage internationally, and maintain first place in terms of vessels in the European Union.

- There is concern regarding the competitiveness of Greek-flagged shipping, following the re-determination of shipping policy in the European Union and the measures recently adopted by the Greek government.

- Development of Piraeus into an international shipping and financial center.

- Relations between shipowners and merchant seamen are considered as satisfactory, despite differing views on the problem of competitiveness.

[30] Changes to pension system on hold till Greece in EMU

Athens, 23/09/1997 (ANA)

Speaking to a local radio station, Mr. Papaioannou said Greece's priority up to the year 2000 was participation in European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU).

He left open the question of raising more revenues for ailing pension funds from the introduction of a "social fund" but stressed:

"Any changes we make will aim at maintaining and improving the welfare state."

Mr. Papaioannou was responding to reports in the Sunday press that a new report from Professor Ioannis Spraos, an advisor to the prime minister, warned that Greece would not be able to make its pension commitments after 2010 if radical structural changes were not made immediately.

The report is expected to be presented to Prime Minister Costas Simitis sometime this week.

[31] Greek bourse ranks top in Europe on Jan.-Aug. returns

Athens, 23/09/1997 (ANA)

The Greek bourse showed a 62.6 percent increase from the start of the year until the end of August, to show a 60.5 percent rise against August 1996.

The Amsterdam and Helsinki stock markets followed in second and third place with total returns of 35.6 and 33.4 percent respectively.

The association noted that all European stock markets showed gains in the first eight months of the year with the lowest score coming from Vienna and Luxembourg at around 14 percent.

The Greek market, however, remained at the bottom of the European league on value with a total capitalization of 30.6 billion ECUs. Only the Portuguese market was smaller with a capitalization of 29.4 billion ECUs.

[32] Greek stocks creep up in rangebound trade

Athens, 23/09/1997 (ANA)

The general index closed 0.22 percent higher at 1,684.29 points.

Most sector indices scored gains. Banks rose 0.19 percent, Insurance jumped 3.40 percent, Investment increased 0.11 percent, Industrials rose 0.23 percent, Construction was 0.84 percent higher, Miscellaneous ended 0.95 percent up, but Leasing and Holding fell by 0.96 and 0.77 percent respectively.

Trading was moderate and turnover was 16.7 billion drachmas.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 134 to 84 with another 26 issues unchanged.

Pouliades, Kekrops, Halyps and Ekter scored the biggest percentage gains, while Piraeus Investment, Athinea, Bank of Athens and Heliofin suffered the heaviest losses.

National Bank of Greece ended at 33,540 drachmas, Ergobank at 18,280, Alpha Credit Bank at 19,895, Delta Dairy at 3,630, Titan Cement at 16,350, Intracom at 14,280 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organization at 6,735.

In the domestic foreign exchange market the US dollar rose by 0.43 percent against the drachma, while the DMark remained stable.

[33] Outlook picks up for Greek building materials

Athens, 23/09/1997 (ANA)

Speaking at the inauguration of the European Association of Building Materials' annual conference in Athens, Mr. Baltas urged foreign businessmen to co-operate with Greek businesses in marble, cement, aluminium products and plastics.

Mr. Baltas stressed that the products had great export potential, citing the success of Greek marble exports to China.

Athens Commerce and Industry Chamber chairman Ioannis Papathanasiou called on Greek firms to forge closer links with building materials producers abroad in order to improve efficiency.

[34] Greek consumer watchdog charts 1997 complaints by tourists

Athens, 23/09/1997 (ANA)

Private EKPIZO said 38 percent of petitions and complaints were lodged by tourists from abroad, and most were directed against transport.

A breakdown of petitions lodged showed the following categories and percentages: transport (33 percent); restaurants, taverns and nightclubs for non-existent menus, poor service and high prices (19 percent); noise pollution including nightclubs, bars, motorcycles and jet skis (12 percent); garbage dumped on beaches (11 percent).

Twenty five percent of petitions cited public services, rented rooms, travel agents, and upsets including theft in ports and on the street.

EKPIZO said figures for 1997 showed a marked decline in petitions filed against hotels in comparison with the program's previous three years of operation, which the group said boded well for the tourist industry.

End of English language section.

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