Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-11-24
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <[email protected]>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1348), November 24, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
CONTENTS
[01] President unveils monument honoring the Thessaloniki Jews
[02] Papandreou discusses Romania's EU prospects
[03] Pangalos, Cordovez discuss Cyprus
[04] Greek, Jewish Diaspora committee to be set up
[05] Tsohatzopoulos, Hauer examine NATO's new structure
[06] US supports Greece's prominent role in the Balkans, Burns says
[07] Italian fugitive arrested on yacht
[08] Left Forum focuses on Euromediterranean co-operation
[09] Tsohatzopoulos says Aegean tension deliberate
[10] Former PMs critical of constitutional revision proposals
[11] Eleven dead in traffic accidents
[12] Tsohatzopoulos begins five-day visit to China
[13] Local Gov't to press for increased funds
[14] Resistance fighters celebrate Gorgopotamos anniversary
[15] Greek cinema to receive 'generous support'
[16] Gov't to keep drachma's parity steady
[17] Greece must tighten economy, Economist report says
[18] KKE calls EU's employment plans a 'mockery'
[19] Police officers charged with drug trafficking
[01] President unveils monument honoring the Thessaloniki Jews
Athens, 24/11/1997 (ANA)
President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos yesterday
unvei-led a monument in Thessaloniki dedicated to the nearly
50,000 Jews from the northern Greek capital, about 96 percent of
the Jewish population of the city at the time, who perished in
the Nazi concentration camps.
President Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Costas Simitis in a
message to the ceremony delivered by Alternate Foreign Minister
George Papandreou, and Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos spoke
of the new Europe being built, far removed from the barbarity of
the past, in which racism and the ideology of fascism had no
place, while a message from US President Bill Clinton said the
Thessaloniki monument would stand as a reminder of the past evil
but also as an inspiration for future good.
The ceremony was attended by a large Israeli delegation headed
by Health Minister Yehoshua Matsa, who hails from a historic
Jewish family that has roots in the Greek city of Ioannina,
German Deputy Foreign Minister Werner Hauer, Greek Foreign
Minister Theodoros Pangalos and Alternate Foreign Minister
George Papandreou, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos,
Macedonia-Thrace Minister Philippos Petsalnikos, a US
Congressional delegation headed by House of Representatives
Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Benjamin Gilman, the
president of the Jewish community of Thessaloniki Andreas
Seficha, president of the Central Jewish Council of Greece
Nissim Mais, Thessaloniki Jew survivors of the Holocaust and
other dignitaries.
The monument shows a tangle of human skeletons beneath a burning
menorah -- the candelabra used in Jewish worship. It was crafted
by Yugoslav Jew sculptor Nador Gild, who created similar
Holocaust memorials in Jerusalem, Belgrade and the Nazi
concentration camp Dachau. It stands at the crossroads of Nea
Egnatia and Alexandros Papanastasiou streets in central
Thessaloniki.
Mr. Stephanopulos spoke of the "unfulfilled debt of the Greek
people towards the Holocaust victims, the memory of whom weighed
down all of our hearts".
He said the Greek people had not, in all these years, forgotten
the victims of the Nazi barbarity, adding that, for the Greek
people, the memory of the genocide of the Jews would always
hurt, and called on everyone to never again allow evil to take
root in the world.
In his message, Premier Simitis said that, with the monument,
Greece was fulfilling a moral debt to those who perished in the
barbarity and irrationality of Auschwitz and Birkenau.
"Today we are creating a different Europe, far removed from the
barbarity of the past. A Europe of democracy, of cultural
diversity and of respect of human rights," Mr. Simitis said,
adding that "as we build this Europe of the future, our memory
of the Holocaust must be strong, because the past is at the
antipodes of the Europe we are building today."
"In honoring the memory of the Jews of Thessaloniki and once
again condemning the Nazi atrocities, we may hope that the
present and future generations will learn from this bitter
lesson," the premier said.
Foreign Minister Pangalos called the Holocaust a huge crime
against Thessaloniki and all of Greece, adding that genocides
and fascism should not be faced with social, political and
ideological tolerance.
He said genocides were still taking place today, "some of them
very close to Greece, and the civilized world pretends not to
hear because of various interests".
"Whenever we see the head of the fascist snake rising up, we
must crush it daily so that it will not contaminate the youth
and society and so as to never again provide the opportunity for
other Holocausts," Mr. Pangalos said.
In a message to the ceremony, President Clinton said the
Thessaloniki monument would stand as a reminder of the "past
evil" but also as an inspiration for the "future good".
He said the young people gazing at it would learn the sad
lessons of history and those who visited it would reaffirm the
importance of human life.
But for everyone, he added, it would be a reminder of the
obligation to keep the memory of the Thessaloniki Jew victims
and also those of the millions of others from all of Europe who
perished in the Holocaust.
Israeli Health Minister Yehoshua Matsa briefly outlined the
journey of the sons of Israel from the land of their fathers to
Thessaloniki, often called the "Mother of Israel" and the
"Jerusalem of the Balkans" by the tens of thousands of Jews who
fled there from the Holy Inquisition in Spain.
He said the story of the 50,000 Thessaloniki Jews who perished
in the Holocaust was "not only one of destruction but also a
story of courage and rebirth, that of the brave Greeks who
risked their lives to hide and offer refuge to their Jewish
compatriots and the struggle of those who survived the Nazi
death camps to put their lives back together".
The ceremony was also addressed by Culture Minister Evangelos
Venizelos, Macedonia-Thrace Minister Philippos Petsalnikos and
Thessaloniki Mayor Constantine Kosmopoulos.
President of the Jewish community of Thessaloniki Andreas
Seficha later expressed his community's gratitude to the Greek
government for satisfying a long-standing demand.
On Saturday evening, Mr. Petsalnikos bestowed an honorary plaque
to Benjamin Gilman, chairman of the House of Representatives
Foreign Affairs Committee.
[02] Papandreou discusses Romania's EU prospects
Bucharest, 24/11/1997 (ANA- D. Stamboglis)
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou on Saturday
discussed issues related to Romania's prospects of accession to
the European Union with the country's Minister for European
Affairs, Alexandru Herlea, and Foreign Minister Adrian Severin.
Sources said Mr. Papandreou told his hosts the number of EU
countries accepting a simultaneous start to negotiations with
all prospective members was increasing.
The Romanian ministers thanked their guest for Greece's stand on
the issue, and said the two sides had agreed to set up a joint
committee so that the Romanian side might be more fully informed
on what it should do to improve its preparation for EU
membership.
"We are seeking to become full members of the EU, and,
therefore, participate as of now, in the negotiations for the
attainment of this aim," Mr. Severin told a press conference
after the talks.
Greece supports the simultaneous start to negotiations with all
11 of EU candidate members, holding the view that, among other
factors, any discrimination might discourage prospective
investors in the countries that will not be included in the
first round of negotiations.
Sources said that Mr. Papandreou told Mr. Severin that the
number of EU members favoring a simultaneous start to
negotiations was on the rise.
Greece ranks 13th in foreign investment in Romania, and 7th in
both exports to and imports from the country. More than 1,700
Greek businesses are active on Romanian soil, as well as many
other Greek subsidiaries of multinationals.
Greece and France head the list of EU countries in the number of
visas granted to Romanian citizens.
[03] Pangalos, Cordovez discuss Cyprus
Athens, 24/11/1997 (ANA)
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos met on Saturday with UN
Secretary General's special advisor on Cyprus Diego Cordovez.
Recent developments in the protracted Cyprus problem were
examined during the meeting. Diplomatic sources said that Mr.
Cordovez, who earlier last week held talks in Nicosia,discussed
with Mr. Pangalos possibilities of achieving progress in
specific issues on the basis of a step by step approach.
Mr. Cordovez is due in Ankara today.
[04] Greek, Jewish Diaspora committee to be set up
Athens, 24/11/1997 (ANA)
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou yesterday announced
that a mixed committee of representatives of the overseas
Greeks' organizations and the Jewish communities abroad would be
set up to promote issues of mutual interest.
Speaking after the unveiling of a Holocaust Monument in the
northern Greek capital dedicated to the 50,000 Thessaloniki Jews
who perished in Nazi concentration camps, Mr. Papandreou said
that overseas Greeks' representatives and Jewish communities
were advancing the establishment of the joint committee.
[05] Tsohatzopoulos, Hauer examine NATO's new structure
Athens, 24/11/1997 (ANA)
Greece sees no threat to its national security or sovereign
rights under a new structure and mode of operation being planned
for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Defense
Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said on Saturday.
"NATO's new structure and its prospects for operation have no
bearing on the country's national security and sovereign rights.
This is clear and warrants no confusion," Mr. Tsohatzopoulos
told reporters after a meeting in Athens with Germany's Deputy
Foreign Minister Werner Hauer, who described the talks on
defense and security as frank.
The planned abolition of NATO's areas of operational control
would not impinge on Greek sovereign rights as the Alliance,
which had acquired a multinational status spanning Europe and
the Atlantic, was no longer responsible for a specific area, Mr.
Tsohatzopoulos said. Its mission was to handle trouble spots
that were a source of international destabilization.
Greece's government on Friday set its policy on the plans for
change in NATO, which are due for debate at a meeting of the
Alliance defense ministers on December 1-3 in Brussels.
The government has made it clear that it maintains the right of
veto on the planning, design and enactment of military exercises.
It backs the development of NATO into a collective security
organization, and agrees in principle with the establishment of
headquarters for the organization's southeast European flank in
Italy with secondary headquarters in Greece, Italy, Spain and
Turkey.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos and Mr. Hauer discussed relations between
Greece and Turkey, the Cyprus issue, bilateral relations and
developments in Europe. No further details were given.
Mr. Hauer represented Germany at a Thessaloniki ceremony
yesterday in which a monument to Jewish victims of the Nazi
occupation of Thessaloniki was unveiled.
Mr. Hauer also held talks with Foreign Minister Theodoros
Pangalos and Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou.
[06] US supports Greece's prominent role in the Balkans, Burns says
Washington, 24/11/1997 (ANA- T.Ellis)
New US ambassador to Athens, Nicholas Burns, who is expected in
the Greek capital on November 30, has praised Greece's prominent
role in the Balkans, and stressed his country's support for the
reforms promoted by the Simitis government.
"We think that the reorientation of Greek foreign policy to the
north, towards Albania, FYROM, Bulgaria and Romania is positive.
Greece can be a stabilizing force in the Balkans that need this.
We very much approve of the Simitis government reforms and fully
support the efforts towards economic modernization," he told the
Antenna Greek television channel in an interview aired yesterday.
Mr. Burns also reiterated the readiness of the US to play a
prominent role in promoting solutions to Greek-Turkish
differences and the Cyprus problem.
Athens, Ankara, and the two communities on the island "may know
that the US is an active partner on whom they can rely," he
stressed, adding that his aim was to work "on a basis of
co-operation and respect with the Greek government on all
issues".
Regarding US-Greek bilateral relations, Mr. Burns said his aims
included increasing trade above the current 1.5 billion dollar a
year level, and reiterated the importance his government
attributed to co-operation with Greece in fighting terrorism.
[07] Italian fugitive arrested on yacht
Athens, 24/11/1997 (ANA)
The Greek anti-terrorism squad arrested Italian Enrico Bianco,
45, a suspected Red Brigades terrorist, police said yesterday.
Bianco was arrested on a yacht docked at Aktion, Western Greece.
Anti-terrorist police said he was with four other people at the
time, including one woman, who were also taken into custody.
Police were investigating whether they had ties with Bianco's
terrorist activities in Italy or elsewhere in Europe. Police are
also investigating whether Bianco had been involved in terrorist
activities in Greece or had terrorist connections here.
Senior Greek Police (ELAS) and anti-terrorist squad officers
were in constant contact with INTERPOL and senior Italian police
authorities, exchanging information on Bianco's possible
terrorist activities in Greece.
Police said Bianco had traveled frequently in and out of Greece,
mostly to France, and they were investigating whether he was
accompanied by others on those trips.
They were also investigating fingerprints taken from the yacht
and from Bianco's flat in the Athens residential district of
Pangrati.
The anti-terrorist squad were acting on a tip-off that the
fugitive was in Greece and usually stayed on yachts. They
located Bianco's flat and, after discrete surveillance of the
people entering and exiting the building, they found him on the
yacht at Aktio.
An ANA dispatch from Rome quoted Italian anti-terrorist police
as saying that Bianco was not involved in the 1978 abduction and
murder of former prime minister Aldo Moro, noting that he was
acquitted of the charges in January 1981. Red Brigades members
also said they had no knowledge of any involvement by Bianco.
[08] Left Forum focuses on Euromediterranean co-operation
Athens, 24/11/1997 (ANA)
The issue of Euromediterranean co-operation was the focus of a
session of the New European Left Forum, held in Zappeion Hall in
Athens this morning, at the initiative of the Coalition of the
Left, and with the participation of 25 parties from various
countries.
In their addresses, Coalition leader Nikos Constantopoulos and
Greek EU Energy Commissioner Christos Papoutsis referred to the
conditions for the formulation of a comprehensive plan for
development and security in the Mediterranean, which will
include settlements of the Cyprus and Middle East issues.
Mr. Constantopoulos said the basic elements comprising such an
endeavor were given: Peaceful conflict resolution, respect for
the right of every nation to adopt its own development model,
protection of the environment, respect for international law,
equality between the sexes, bridging inequalities, democracy,
and protection of human rights.
He proposed the assumption of initiatives for bridging the gap
between North and South in the basin, treating the region as "a
common security area, in the political, social, ecological,
economic, and human sense of the term," and promoting forms of
sub -regional co-operation.
The Coalition leader announced the holding of a two-day
conference on the Cyprus issue on December 10 and 11, with the
participation of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot parties
"believing in the rapprochement between the two communities".
Mr. Papoutsis said in his address that the issues of
Euromediterranean co-operation were currently "at a crucial
turn".
"The relationship between Europe and the Mediterranean is of
strategic importance, particularly in view of European Union
enlargement," he stressed, adding, however, that factors such as
the rise of internal tension in the countries of northern Africa
and southeast Europe, religious fanaticism and economic problems
hindered the progress of this relationship.
"For rapprochement to proceed, there must be political reforms
and democratization in the area, along with adjustment to a
common development framework with Europe, and creation of a free
trade area through a cautious and balanced approach," he said.
He expressed the view that the EU must boost its bilateral
transactions with individual Mediterranean countries, and assist
in the "internationalization" of the very small and medium size
enterprises which are a distinguishing feature of their
economies.
Referring to other concerns regarding the European Union,
representatives of left-wing and socialist parties taking part
in the forum stressed that its main pursuits should be the
safeguarding of its social phase and the developmental strategy
and policy on employment issues. Without these two conditions,
the necessary monetary unification would not achieve its aims,
they said, and this was the point where the forces of the Left
were called upon to play a catalytic role.
The Forum called for the power to be given to the EU to levy the
minimum of common environmental taxes -dubbed "green" taxes-, by
decisions of increased majority, in order to enable the Union to
apply the recommendations of the Rio Earth Summit regarding a
stabilization of carbon dioxide emissions.
Women taking part in the Forum, who have formed a network,
called for a boosting of women's participation in decisions
regarding the strengthening of relations between states.
Apart from Greece, the countries represented at the conference
were Britain, France, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria,
Esthonia, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Norway, Holland, Sweden,
Finland, Egypt, Cyprus, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Turkey,
Bulgaria, Israel, USA and Russia.
[09] Tsohatzopoulos says Aegean tension deliberate
Athens, 24/11/1997 (ANA)
Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos has accused Turkey of
deliberately maintaining tension in the Aegean in pursuit of a
change in the status quo.
"The tension in the Aegean exists because it is Turkey's
political option to deliberately challenge stability, dispute
our territorial rights, and seek a change in the status quo in
the Aegean. It is a purely political issue and primarily concern
Turkey ," he said in an interview with the newspaper Ethnos
yesterday.
He also expressed the view that Turkey's proposals for dialogue
on all issues aimed to create false impressions, and that its
aggressive policy was confirmed by the armaments program it is
implementing.
"Vis-a-vis these attempts, Greece is formulating a defense
strategy guaranteeing its defense sufficiency and the deterrent
capability of its armed forces, including that of immediate
response in the case of practical challenge to our rights or any
aggressive act on the part of Turkey," he added.
He reiterated that Greece will not stand idle in case Turkey
attempted to use violence against Cyprus, and expressed the view
that, despite threats to the contrary, Turkey would not
undertake any offensive action against Russian vessels
transporting the ordered S-300 surface-to-air missiles to Cyprus.
He attributed Turkey's milder stance currently to the fact that
focus will now be shifted to confidence building measures in the
Aegean.
[10] Former PMs critical of constitutional revision proposals
Athens, 24/11/1997 (ANA)
Prominent ND party members on Saturday criticized various
aspects of the party's proposal on constitutional revision,
which was adopted at a joint session of the parliamentary group
and the Central Committee.
Former prime minister Constantinos Mitsotakis described the
proposal as "timid" and "hesitant", and called for the election
of the president of the republic by the people rather than by
parliament.
Also former PM Georgios Rallis agreed with former deputy leader
Ioannis Varvitsiotis's proposal for the introduction of a new
elected collective state organ, the Council of the Republic.
Former minister Stephanos Manos called for constitutional
provisions setting ceilings on the number of public servants and
a limit on public deficits at 3 per cent of GDP.
Closing the session, party leader Costas Karamanlis called on
all party members to rally to the effort that will take the
country off its declining course, and towards achieving
efficiency, quality and security.
[11] Eleven dead in traffic accidents
Athens, 24/11/1997 (ANA)
Eleven people died and 153 were injured, of which 45 seriously,
in a total 136 traffic accidents throughout Greece between
Friday afternoon and yesterday noon, the Public Order Ministry
announced.
The Ministry said that 127 of the accidents had taken place on
rural roads, where policing is less rigid.
Traffic police attributed the accidents mainly to speeding, cars
entering the opposite lane to pass other vehicles, and driving
under the influence of alcohol.
[12] Tsohatzopoulos begins five-day visit to China
Athens, 24/11/1997 (ANA)
Defense minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos left for a five-day
official visit to China yesterday, at the invitation of his
counterpart Chi Haotian. Tomorrow, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos will visit
the Great Wall, the headquarters of the Third Army Division and
the installations of the China North Industry Corporation, a
manufacturer of military equipment.
On Wednesday, the Greek defense minister is scheduled to meet
Chinese Prime Minister Li Peng, while on Thursday he will be
hosted to dinner by the Chairman of the Science and Technology
Council of China's defense industry, Lt.Gen Kao Gan Chuan.
[13] Local Gov't to press for increased funds
Athens, 24/11/1997 (ANA)
The Central Union of Municipalities and Communities (KEDKE)
yesterday described in a resolution the recently approved bill
on the merger of the country's multitude of municipalities,
named 'Kapodistrias', as a historic step of progress in local
government.
The resolution was issued at the end of KEDKE's three-day
conference in Thessaloniki.
The Union decided to set up a national committee for monitoring
the course of the reform, and take corrective action if
necessary.
It was also decided to press for measures to increase the
financial resources of local government, through higher
percentages of the taxes on income, car circulation dues, and
government bonds that are earmarked for municipalities, and a
reallocation of the Second Support Community Framework funds
that have not been absorbed elsewhere.
[14] Resistance fighters celebrate Gorgopotamos anniversary
Athens, 24/11/1997 (ANA)
Hundreds of national resistance fighters yesterday braved the
cold and rain to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the blowing
up of the Gorgopotamos bridge by Greek resistance fighters and
Allied saboteurs, disrupting the flow of supplies to Rommel's
Afrika Korps in World War II.
The November 26, 1942, demolition of the bridge, jointly planned
and carried out by Greek and British soldiers, put this vital
supply route for the Axis forces out of action for three months.
Representing the government, Justice Minister Evangelos
Yannopoulos stressed the need for national unity, which he said
was a "message to all those who have designs on Greece's
(territorial) integrity", indirectly referring to Turkey.
British Ambassador to Greece Michael Llewellyn Smith, spoke of
the importance of the British saboteurs' participation.
Fthiotis prefect Thymios Papavassiliou announced that a monument
would be set up near the site of the historic bridge, work on
which would begin soon.
[15] Greek cinema to receive 'generous support'
Athens, 24/11/1997 (ANA)
Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos yesterday announced that
Greek cinema production would receive generous support, and that
the Thessaloniki Film Festival would be upgraded, and would
feature a foreign films competitive section as of next year.
Speaking at a press conference in the northern port city on the
occasion of the ongoing festival, he also specified that the
event would also feature the entire Greek cinema production.
Referring to the envisaged increased support measures for Greek
cinema, he said that theaters screening Greek films would
receive tax rebates ranging from 30 to 50 per cent.
[16] Gov't to keep drachma's parity steady
Athens, 24/11/1997 (ANA)
The government will keep the drachma's parity steady until the
country joins European economic and monetary union, Deputy
Finance Minister George Drys said.
Addressing a ruling PASOK party economy seminar in Crete late on
Saturday, Mr. Drys was apparently trying to quell market rumors
of a one-off devaluation of the drachma this year or in the
first half of 1998.
He outlined the success of monetary authorities in warding off
speculative attacks on the drachma in a recent round of market
turmoil, mainly by hiking interbank rates and intervening in the
foreign exchange market.
[17] Greece must tighten economy, Economist report says
Athens, 24/11/1997 (ANA)
Greece has to tighten its economy further in order to enter
European economic and monetary union, the Economist business
magazine said in an annual report on 61 countries.
Consumer price inflation should hold around 5.0 percent in 1998
against 5.8 percent in 1997, still double the European Union
average, the report said.
The fiscal deficit is falling but next year may still exceed 3.0
percent of gross domestic product, which is the criterion for
EMU entry under the Maastricht Treaty.
The deficit is likely to drop to 4.0 percent of GDP in 1998
against 5.0 percent in 1997, the Economist said.
Growth is forecast to remain steady at a 3.0 percent rate of
increase in 1998 from 3.1 in 1997 and 2.6 percent in 1996.
According to the Economist, exports are likely to suffer next
year due to the drachma's parity.
Forecast for 1998 are 169 drachmas to the mark and 280 drachmas
to the dollar.
Construction projects are expected to accelerate next year,
spurred by the 2004 Olympics, which Athens will host.
Both the socialist government and private sector will be eager
to speed up infrastructure projects needed for the Games, the
report said.
[18] KKE calls EU's employment plans a 'mockery'
Athens, 24/11/1997 (ANA)
The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) has condemned plans by the
European Union to boost employment as a "sop to appease"
millions of jobless in the 15-nation bloc.
EU leaders decided at a summit in Luxembourg last week to focus
on diverting the young, long-term unemployed into high-demand
sectors of the economy through retraining, and spurring
investments.
In a statement released on Saturday, KKE said the EU and its
member governments were unable or unwilling to tackle
unemployment because it would entail curbing the profits and
power of multinational corporations.
Calling the EU's plans a "mockery", KKE urged workers to join
forces in order to extend their rights in a step towards
attaining radical political change.
[19] Police officers charged with drug trafficking
Athens, 24/11/1997 (ANA)
A Piraeus public prosecutor late on Saturday brought criminal
charges against two police officers for drug trafficking,
possession and use after the men were caught allegedly trying to
carry out street sales of hashish.
The police officers were suspended from duty following separate
arrests within minutes by the Attica drugs squad in the same
part of Piraeus earlier on Saturday. Public Order Minister
George Romeos called the suspension.
The officers, who were believed by police to be working together
on the drug sales, were identified as Nikea station sergeant
Yannis Kouvatsos and constable Vassilis Moutsakos, currently
serving in Greece's embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Six other men arrested in the same operation as customers were
charged with buying and using drugs. Among them were two
Hellenic Navy petty officers identified as Thodoros Avgouleas
and Manolis Piliouras.
All eight were remanded in custody and will appear before an
investigating magistrate tomorrow.
The six reportedly confessed to buying hashish from Kouvatsos,
who claimed during interrogation the substance was for his own
use, police sources said.
Arresting officers found Kouvatsos in possession of precision
scales and 24 grams of hashish during a search, which the
sergeant had initially resisted requesting solidarity from
colleagues. He was restrained after allegedly trying to dump
seven grams of the substance, the sources said.
The police force will conduct an internal inquiry under oath to
see if the two should be charged in connection with any other
crimes.
End of English language section.
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