Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-12-04

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1358), December 4, 1997

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

CONTENTS

[01] Grenade attack on Patriarchate widely condemned

[02] ... Patriarchate's reaction

[03] ... US response

[04] ... SAE

[05] Baltas inaugurates Greek business exhibition in FYROM

[06] NATO agreement 'no concession', Gov't says

[07] ... Tsohatzopoulos

[08] ... Opposition

[09] ... French response

[10] Tsohatzopoulos meetings during Euro-Atlantic Pact session

[11] Bulgarian PM meets with Greek delegation at border post

[12] Simitis to inaugurate archaeological exhibition

[13] France: 'Parallel course' to resolve Cyprus problem, EU accession

[14] Reppas comments on EU-Cyprus talks

[15] Gov't snubs ND leader's remarks on the budget

[16] Public transport work stoppage slated for Tuesday

[17] Olive oil producers express deep concern

[18] European Court says states must accept each other's documents

[19] Kaklamanis highlights plight of disabled

[20] Thessaloniki to host UNESCO environment conference

[21] Visiting Albanian official notes warmer relations

[22] Greek merchant fleet down in November

[23] EU backs update to Greek economic alignment plan

[24] Greece says it can meet EU convergence criteria in 1998

[25] Greek equities jump, led by banks

[26] Greek tourism leader calls for better services, longer season

[27] Bulgari to hold world premiere in Athens

[28] Commission opens procedure into aid to Greek co-operatives

[29] ESHEA warns of mobilizations over pay demands, better conditions

[01] Grenade attack on Patriarchate widely condemned

Athens, 04/12/1997 (ANA)

Government spokesman Demetris Reppas said the Greek government was strongly protesting to the competent Turkish authorities, saying they were not taking necessary security measures "therefore, giving the possibility to fanatics to commit such acts".

Mr. Reppas stressed that the Ecumenical Patriarchate was the spiritual heart of hundreds of millions of Orthodox Christians all over the world and should be protected so that it can carry out its mission. The spokesman said no-one had yet claimed responsibility for the grenade attack and that the Greek consulate in Istanbul was in contact with Turkish authorities regarding the issue.

The foreign ministry, meanwhile, summoned the Turkish embassy's charge d'affaires in Athens and handed him a demarche protesting the grenade attack.

At the same time, foreign ministry spokesman Costas Bikas, in a statement, also strongly condemned the attack, saying that it followed a series of similar incidents "which originate from the climate of extreme nationalism and militarism being cultivated in the neighboring country".

He said Greece expresses its deep concern over such incidents and expects that "at least this time, the perpetrators of this cowardly act would be apprehended and that effective measures would at last be taken to protect the Ecumenical Patriarchate."

In a second, more strongly worded statement than the first, the Greek foreign ministry urged Turkey "to carry out an effective search for the discovery of the culprits of the criminal act against the Patriarchate".

The statement came in reply to the Turkish foreign ministry, which Mr. Bikas said "offered unfounded excuses for the perpetrators of the bomb attack with reference to a supposedly planned action against a mosque in the community of Alyki in Thrace."

Mr. Bikas stressed that the particular reference aimed to create confusion in both Turkish and international public opinion, and blunt the negative impressions from the grenade attack. He also called on the Turkish government to note that investigations into acts aimed against either the Ecumenical Patriarchate or the Greek minority in Turkey had never born fruit.

Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou reacted by saying "We are expecting an immediate reaction by the Turkish government... we believe such incidents do not express the Turkish people".

Greek opposition parties also condemned the attack.

[02] ... Patriarchate's reaction

Istanbul, 04/12/1997 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

"This act of violence is not compatible with the general perception concerning tolerance and the protection of the rights, institutions, individuals and freedoms of conscience and religion," the statement said. It added that the Patriarchate had the right to demand the protection by the law and by police of the country in which it was situated and is peacefully conducting its spiritual activities.

The statement expressed satisfaction at the Turkish government's condemnation of the attack and expressed the hope that the perpetrators would soon be arrested.

The Patriarchate has been the target of a similar attack about a year ago, in which the same type of hand-grenade and the same method were used.

According to sources, this indicates that some hard-core group, enjoying some "peculiar sort of asylum", wants to send out its message to the Ecumenical Patriarchate by way of throwing bombs on the building.

Meanwhile, yesterday morning Patriarchate clerks found several fragments of the hand-grenade at the Patriarch's office, who however, was not there at the time of the explosion.

It is worth noting that no security measures had been taken by Turkish police, in spite of the fact that the extremist "Gray Wolves" group had staged a demonstration outside the Patriarchate last Saturday.

An indication of the quality of security measures taken to protect the Patriarchate was the behavior of Turkish Police Director Ohran, who in his attempt to keep away Greek television crews from the scene, told them: "Go away or I'll throw a second bomb at you".

On its part, the Turkish foreign ministry later condemned the attack, saying "we condemn such attacks, in whichever country they occur... and we shall seek the guilty parties and bring them to justice".

The attack was not reported in any Turkish newspaper except for "Milliyet" and only made the evening news on the NTV channel. Milliyet reported that the attack had been carried out by an organization calling itself "Hizbollah", although this claim could not be confirmed by the ANA.

[03] ... US response

Washington, 04/12/1997 (ANA - T. Ellis)

US State Department spokesman James Rubin said "we strongly condemn this action of violence, as we do with every terrorist act. The US acting general consul in Istanbul visited the deacon at the hospital and met with the Patriarch. We realize that the Turkish government condemned this attack. We also realize that an investigation on the subject has begun and we assume that the Turkish government will take all the necessary measures for the protection of the Patriarch."

Finally, Mr. Rubin said that there has been contact between the US and Turkish officials about the incident.

[04] ... SAE

Athens, 04/12/1997 (ANA)

"It is an ugly development which we cannot accept, while we cannot say it is unrelated with the likely re-opening of the Halki School of Theology", Mr. Athens said.

The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) yesterday also expressed its "deep concern" over the attack.

"We deplore this action against the Patriarchate," said AHEPA President Steve Manta, "and given that this is the third such attack since in three years, we insist that the Turkish government take action to insure the safety of the institution of the Patriarchate and its personnel."

"The Ecumenical Patriarch is the spiritual leader of hundreds of millions of Orthodox around the globe, and has direct authority over the two million Greek Orthodox faithful in the United States. This bombing is an attack on the religious freedom of every Greek-American."

Mr. Manta is currently in Thessaloniki with an AHEPA delegation attending a SAE general assembly.

[05] Baltas inaugurates Greek business exhibition in FYROM

Skopje, 04/12/1997 (ANA - S. Theologidis)

Mr. Baltas was accompanied by the personnel who will man the office.

The exhibition is organized by HELEXPO at the exhibition center of the capital of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

The large participation of Greek businesses in the exhibition representing a wide array of products proves both the interest, particularly of enterprises in northern Greece, and the potential contained in economic relations between the two countries, he said.

Mr. Baltas referred to commercial exchanges to date between Greece and FYROM, terming commercial relations particularly close, since Greece constitutes the third largest trade partner for FYROM behind Yugoslavia and Germany.

The total volume of commercial transactions between the two countries in the first nine months of 1997 amounted to 167 million deutschmarks as against 179 million deutschmarks over the entire 12-month period in 1996. The volume of these commercial transactions do not include the procurements of goods, spare parts and raw materials taking place at a retail trade level from northern Greece.

Mr. Baltas said economic development and stability in economic and commercial relations constitute the basis for peaceful and harmonious coexistence and in cases such as the Balkans, with developing economic structures, constitute a necessary precondition for speedier and more effective development of the entire region.

HELEXPO also organized parallel cultural events in the framework of the four-day operation of the exhibition. These events are today's performance of an ancient tragedy by the State Theater of Northern Greece, which will stage Sophocles' "Ajax" at the C enter Theater in Skopje and a fashion show tomorrow at a downtown hotel. FYROM deputy prime minister Zlatka Popovska, Finance Under-secretary Boris Rikalovski and the leadership of the country's economic chamber were expected to visit the exhibition.

A total of 143 Greek businesspeople from all over Greece are participating in the exhibition.

The pavilions will be open until Saturday..

Other exhibitions being planned in Balkan cities including Belgrade, Bucharest, Tirana and possibly in Istanbul.

In a related development, the alternate secretary of the Euro-Atlantic Alliance's FYROM chapter, Saso Tasefski, said during the exhibition's opening that as a member of the EU, Greece must play the logical role of sponsoring efforts by FYROM to also become a member.

"Greece's assistance in FYROM's European orientation will also be to its own benefit," said Mr. Tasefski, who represented the government at the event.

[06] NATO agreement 'no concession', Gov't says

Athens, 04/12/1997 (ANA)

He referred to National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos' detailed answers on issues regarding the operational control of the Aegean and for which he expressed his full support.

Tuesday's agreement, he said, put Greece on an equal footing in NATO, since from the time it withdrew from NATO in 1974 and rejoined in 1980, Greece had never had full responsibilities.

With regard to opposition to agreement by certain PASOK cadres, Mr. Reppas said that different views were welcome, while various government agencies would be debating the issue, where all views could be expressed.

The Turkish foreign ministry, meanwhile, issued a statement yesterday noting that the two (NATO) headquarters in Izmir and Larissa will not have areas of responsibility, according to an ANA dispatch from Ankara.

The statement, which expressed Ankara's "satisfaction", said that the document resulting from the talks held in Brussels this week had not been "the end of the talks but a framework document".

"These two headquarters will not have definite areas of responsibility in peacetime. Therefore, a way has been found to get around the problems with Greece regarding operational control in the Aegean." The statement also referred to alternating important positions of responsibility in all headquarters, including those of Larissa and Izmir.

[07] ... Tsohatzopoulos

Brussels, 04/12/1997 (ANA - G. Daratos)

"We achieved a unanimous decision on the establishment and operation of four regional subheadquarters, of which one will be in our country. What remains is the implementation of all these decisions... they will not come into force if the whole of the NATO command structure is not agreed upon in the next councils of the alliance, and if the rights and responsibilities of each member-state is not determined precisely," he said.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that upon his return to Athens he will brief party leaders in detail on what was achieved in Tuesday's NATO session.

[08] ... Opposition

Athens, 04/12/1997 (ANA)

ND spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos said that questions had arisen with regard to the acceptance by Greece of the establishment of headquarters without limits of operational control.

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) issued an announcement criticizing the government over its recent agreement on NATO's new structure.

The announcement says the government agreed to a shared sovereignty in the Aegean, which is worse even than the rights conceded by the New Democracy government in 1992.

The leader of the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) Demetris Tsovolas said NATO's new structure and Greece's approval of the establishment of a regional headquarters in Larissa without setting the limits of Greece's operational control to the boundaries of the Athens FIR was an unacceptable decision which gave Turkey sovereignty in the Aegean.

[09] ... French response

Paris, 04/12/1997 (ANA/AFP)

[10] Tsohatzopoulos meetings during Euro-Atlantic Pact session

Brussels, 04/12/1997 (ANA- G. Daratos)

With his French counterpart he discussed issues of bilateral interest and relating to security in the broader region, and they agreed to exchange visits in the near future.

With his Bulgarian, Albanian and FYROM counterparts he discussed the content of a four-country meeting in early 1998. He also discussed the schedule of his official visit to Albania during the Christmas holidays, and agreed to visit Skopje in the first three months of next year, while the Bulgarian minister will visit Athens in the same period.

He also met with his counterparts from the US, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Armenia.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that Greek troops will remain in Bosnia, adding that the Greek presence will undergo certain changes aimed at becoming more effective as needs changed over time.

Besides the Euro-Atlantic Pact session, in which the ministers of 44 countries discussed Bosnia and jointly dealing with phenomena of political destabilization in the broader region, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos also attended a session of the Joint Standing NATO- Russia Committee, also focusing on Bosnia and forms of co-operation in dealing with dangers relating to nuclear and chemical weapons, ballistic missiles etc.

[11] Bulgarian PM meets with Greek delegation at border post

Athens, 04/12/1997 (ANA)

"The re-opening of the Exohi customs post will help the re-linking of two wide regions whose interruption had adverse economic and cultural consequences", Mr. Kostov said during the meeting.

He added that he had inspected the project on the Greek side and had witnessed that it was proceeding at a quick pace, while he was going to ask Bulgarian authorities to speed up construction work as well.

The Drama prefect briefed the Bulgarian PM on projects in the region, as well as on the importance of the Greek premier's recent visit to the area.

[12] Simitis to inaugurate archaeological exhibition

Athens, 04/12/1997 (ANA)

Artifacts found as far east as Afghanistan and India, some with strong Greek influences, remind the visitor of Alexander's campaign in the East, the organizer of the event, PASOK parliamentarian and archaeologist Demetris Patermalis said.

The exhibition will be open to the public six days a week from 9 am to 9 pm and on Mondays from 2 pm to 9 pm until Jan. 24, 1998.

[13] France: 'Parallel course' to resolve Cyprus problem, EU accession

Paris, 04/12/1997 (ANA - O. Tsipira)

Spokeswoman Anne Gazeau-Secret was commenting on the content of talks between French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine and his Greek counterpart Theodoros Pangalos in Paris on Tuesday night.

Among others, talks focused on the Cyprus issue and Turkey's participation in the European Conference being promoted by France.

Ms Gazeau-Secret said France supports the initiative undertaken by the UN Secretary-General to resolve the Cyprus issue through negotiations between the two communities. These negotiations must proceed in parallel to negotiations on the accession of Cyprus to the EU, she said.

It was made clear at the Pangalos-Vedrine meeting that the EU's commitment will be observed, according to which negotiations for the accession of Cyprus to the EU will start in 1998. Ms Gazeau-Secret also said that France believes that the Turkish Cypriots must have a real participation in accession negotiations and this is so because, as she said, the accession negotiations must not consolidate the island's division but, on the contrary, lead to the accession of a unified island into the EU.

[14] Reppas comments on EU-Cyprus talks

Athens, 04/12/1997 (ANA)

Prospects for the participation of Turkish Cypriots in the accession talks were being dealt with "in a positive way" by the Cypriot government, he said.

Comments regarding the participation of Turkish Cypriots, made by EU Commissioner Hans van den Broek during a recent visit to Cyprus, in no way constituted recognition of the Turkish Cypriot regime, he stressed. Mr. Van den Broek was expressing certain views but these do not imply recognition of the pseudo-state under any circumstances," he said.

[15] Gov't snubs ND leader's remarks on the budget

Athens, 04/12/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Reppas said that Mr. Karamanlis unjustly blamed the government, since the economy is on the right track according to European Union controls.

Answering to Mr. Karamanlis' statement on rising unemployment, Mr. Reppas said that unemployment in Greece is 10.5 per cent, which is lower than the European Union average.

The pace of development of the Greek economy is faster than the EU average, but inflation remains a problem.

[16] Public transport work stoppage slated for Tuesday

Athens, 04/12/1997 (ANA)

The staff representatives said that although the government had announced the registration of 31.5 billion drachmas for urban transport in the budget for 1998, it only registered 11 billion. The same also occurred with HLPAP where instead of 8 billion drachmas being registered in the budget for 1998 only 2 billion were registered.

Staff will gather at the Peace and Friendship Stadium in Faliro on the day of the work stoppage for decisions to be taken on further mobilization in the sector.

Great importance is attached to today's meeting between National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and Transport and Communications Minister Tasos Mantelis from which the employees expect solutions to their problems.

[17] Olive oil producers express deep concern

Athens, 04/12/1997 (ANA)

Elaiourgiki President George Yiannadakis, the President and Deputy President of the PASEGES farmers' organization Nikos Liolios and Tzanetos Karamihas feel very concerned over developments in the olive oil sector, as well as all the representatives of the organization's member-unions who attended a Panhellenic meeting held at the office of PASEGES.

Their common claim is intervention by the state to shape a national policy on olive oil anticipating a dynamic promotion of the product and control for adulteration.

World production is expected to reach 2,171,000 tons, of which 1,822,000 is the production of EU member-states and 400,000 concern Greek production.

World stocks amount to 750,000 tons of which 510,000 are in EU member-states. Greek stocks total 60-70,000 tons.

World consumption is expected to increase very slightly.

[18] European Court says states must accept each other's documents

Luxembourg, 04/12/1997 (Reuters/ANA)

In this case, a Greek applicant for social security benefits in Germany produced documents from Greece to verify a correction to her original birth certificate. Under German law, the birth certificate issued first would be presumed valid.

The court said the German law could not be used to justify a refusal to recognize a judgment from another member state court.

Only where evidence is presented to demonstrate that foreign documents are not correct may a court or institution require further proof of a worker's civil status to determine eligibility for benefits, the court said.

In this case, Eftalia Dafeki's birth certificate corrected her birth date from 1933 to 1929, making her eligible for social security benefits four years earlier.

[19] Kaklamanis highlights plight of disabled

Athens, 04/12/1997 (ANA)

Federation president, Yiannis Vardakatasanis, drew attention to the fact 64.5 percent of those polled were in favor of establishing special agencies to promote the needs of the handicapped, while 90.7 percent were in favor of increased state funds to meet those needs. Incentives for employers to recruit disabled people were approved by 86 percent of the respondents.

PASOK deputy Panayotis Kouroublis, also a member of the federation, said:

"We claim the right to live in dignity and not to be pitied by our fellow human beings."

He said the political system and parties had not proved themselves capable of taking a stand on the issue, a view shared by 57.4 percent of those surveyed.

Mr. Kaklamanis said it was time for an end to the reactionary views that considered disabilities to be a "punishment for sins".

Since yesterday morning, representatives of associations of the disabled, who are estimated at 10 percent of the population, rallied outside the finance, education and transport ministries demanding a 20 percent increase in welfare spending in 1998.

The Greek Confederation of the Disabled, representing various groups, held a joint press conference yesterday calling for more say in the decision-making process with regard to the needs of the disabled. It was announced that a nation-wide survey would be held on the way disabled people were portrayed in the media.

The confederation has also sent a letter to Prime Minister Costas Simitis, noting the difficulties faced by the disabled due to the government's economic policy.

Other groups issued statements pointing out the difficulties faced by disabled people seeking jobs, despite special training.

The Federation for the Deaf called for a draft law on the education of deaf children. Representatives of parents of the disabled have called for a 20 percent increase in the welfare budget in 1998.

Health Minister Costas Geitonas said that social solidarity in a civil society could be boosted by state intervention and volunteer work. He said that only those parents who had had the opportunity to live abroad could realize the differences, and were struggling to bring about a change in the mentality of those who would marginalize the disabled.

[20] Thessaloniki to host UNESCO environment conference

Athens, 04/12/1997 (ANA)

UNESCO Director General Federico Mayor is to attend the opening session, along with the Ministers for the Environment, Public Works and Town Planning Costas Laliotis, Culture Evangelos Venizelos and Development Vasso Papandreou.

The conference, to take place at HELEXPO's "Ioannis Vellidis" Conference Center, is to be addressed by experts on the environment and education, particularly the contribution of environmental education and the program of the UN committee on sustainable growth.

[21] Visiting Albanian official notes warmer relations

Athens, 04/12/1997 (ANA)

Employment Organization (OAED) and its Albanian counterpart. Mr. Lekka ascertained the new spirit of improvement of relations and co-operation between the two countries. Mr. Lekka will meet today with Labor and Social Security Minister Miltiades Papaioannou and the president of Labor Guild/Workers' Housing Organization (OKE), Thanassis Hanakoulas.

[22] Greek merchant fleet down in November

Athens, 04/12/1997 (ANA)

During November, eight vessels registered with the Hellenic Registry of Shipping, with a total capacity of 274,302 GRT and an average age of 11 years, while in the same month 15 vessels with a total capacity of 985,494 GRT and an average age of 21 years left the registry.

[23] EU backs update to Greek economic alignment plan

Athens, 04/12/1997 (ANA)

The changes to inflation, GDP growth and the general government budget deficit for 1997-1999 were approved at a meeting of the EU's monetary committee on November 5, and announced by the ministry yesterday.

Under the changes, average consumer price inflation is targeted at 5.6 percent in 1997, 3.7 percent in 1998 and 2.5 percent in 1999, the ministry said in a statement.

GDP growth is set at 3.5 percent in 1997, 3.7 percent in 1998 and 4.1 percent in 1999.

Finally, the general government budget deficit is targeted at 4.2 percent of GDP in 1997, 2.4 percent in 1998 and 2.1 percent in 1999.

The changes represent an update to the convergence plan, and not a revision, the ministry said.

[24] Greece says it can meet EU convergence criteria in 1998

Athens, 04/12/1997 (ANA)

The government's budget for 1998, key to meeting convergence criteria for economic and monetary union, received the committee's endorsement. A parliamentary debate begins on December 17 with a final vote set for midnight on December 21.

"The next two years will be difficult but I believe we will win this new battle ... 1998 will be a year of acceleration and structural changes, which means there will be political and social cost, but we will win this battle too," Mr. Papantoniou told the committee.

He said international organizations had acknowledged that Greece had changed the status of its economy and emerged from instability.

But investments in the private and public sector needed a higher rate of growth and structural changes were slow-moving, Mr. Papantoniou said.

An opposition representative, George Alogoskoufis of the New Democracy party, claimed the budget was the most inaccurate in years, failed to boost development and contained too many taxes.

"The budget takes money from the poor and gives it to the rich," he said.

[25] Greek equities jump, led by banks

Athens, 04/12/1997 (ANA)

The Athens general share index finished at 1543.59 points, showing gains of 10.12 percent in seven sessions.

Block trades again boosted turnover to 32.6 billion drachmas from 50.6 billion in the previous session.

Sector indices rose across the board. Banks gained 1.56 percent, Insurance leapt 3.34 percent, Leasing rose 1.75 percent, Investment edged up 0.63 percent, Construction soared 3.96 percent, Industrials increased 1.40 percent, Miscellaneous edged up 0.57 percent and Holding gained 1.15 percent.

Nikos Gallis SA jumped 99 percent in its trading debut on the bourse's parallel market for smaller cap companies to close at 1,293 drachmas on 364,000 shares trades.

The parallel market finished 0.80 percent higher. Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) rose to 5,920 drachmas from 5,886 after finishing at the upper eight percent volatility limit in the session before last.

Of 231 shares traded advances led declines by 139 to 73 with 19 issues remaining unchanged.

Gallis, Lambropoulos, Alte, Macedonian Textile Mills and Mouriadis ended at or near the eight percent upper volatility limit.

Findexport, Ideal, Hellenic Bottling and Kekrops ended at or near limit-down, also at eight percent.

Among blue chips National Bank of Greece ended at 27,100 drachmas, Ergobank at 15,950, Alpha Credit Bank at 17,330, Delta Dairy (common) at 3,450, Titan Cement (common) at 13,470 and Intracom (common) at 14,490.

[26] Greek tourism leader calls for better services, longer season

Athens, 04/12/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Skoulas told a tourism convention in Hania that specialized tourism infrastructures were required to achieve that target, saying that the state was proceeding with a legal revision to achieve this.

[27] Bulgari to hold world premiere in Athens

Athens, 04/12/1997 (ANA)

Rome Mayor Francesco Rutelli will be the guest of honor at the opening of a new Bulgari-Kaissaris shop in Athens to be inaugurated by Athens Mayor Demetris Avramopoulos.

Bulgari House president Paolo Bulgari will also be present at the premiere, organized with well-known Greek jeweler Costas Kaissaris, who said the event was "in the spirit of cultural and economic co-operation between these two historic cities of Europe".

The photographic collection "Fashion against AIDS" will also be on display during the ceremony.

[28] Commission opens procedure into aid to Greek co-operatives

Athens, 04/12/1997 (ANA)

These measures concern:

(1) 1,380 million drachmas (about ECU 4.5 million) granted for compensation of losses due to the Chernobyl nuclear disaster;

(2) loan for debt consolidation amounting to 10,145 million drachmas (about ECU 32.7 million) eventually linked to debt due to an investment project, and

(3) loan for debt consolidation amounting to 1,899 million drachmas (about ECU 6.1 million).

As to the first aid, the Commission has considered that the Greek authorities have not demonstrated that there is no overcompensation of the losses incurred by the co-operative.

Regarding the second and third aids and the aid to co-operatives in the agricultural sector, the Commission considered that they do not seem to respect either the special rules for restructuring of firms in difficulty in the agricultural sector, or the general guidelines for rescue and restructuring.

The Commission notified the Greek government to submit its observations within one month of the notification of the decisions.

Third parties will also be invited to submit their comments.

[29] ESHEA warns of mobilizations over pay demands, better conditions

Athens, 04/12/1997 (ANA)

Journalists are asking for satisfactory improvements in pay and conditions.

"Unfortunately, the attitude of proprietors has left no margins for discussion," an ESHEA statement read.

End of English language section.

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