Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 98-01-08
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <[email protected]>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1384), January 8, 1998
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
CONTENTS
[01] Athens: Turkish violations render previous agreements useless
[02] ... Tsohatzopoulos
[03] ... Greece flatly rejects latest Turkish claims over Aegean
islets
[04] Turkey wants direct 'committee of experts' talks, sans EU
[05] Simitis-Skandalidis meeting today
[06] Simitis underlines role of private enterprise in economic
progress
[07] Tax bill tabled in Parliament, harsh opposition reaction
[08] Award to Samarakis
[09] Focus turns to life and works of Feraios, Solomos
[10] PASOK to launch campaign for social policy
[11] Euro-socialist conference on Mideast issues
[12] Georgian defense minister in Athens today
[13] Greece looking after Knossos - Venizelos
[14] PASOK Euro-MPs propose resolution on Chiapas massacre
[15] Greece ready to help EU on Kurdish immigration problem
[16] Armed Corfu residents foil raid by Albanian gangs
[17] Syrian embassy cars torched
[18] Commission starts infringement proceedings on directives
[19] Wulf-Mathies: Certain CSF-funded projects in Greece in jeopardy
[20] Soumakis on tabled merchant shipping bill
[21] Greek aid to Djibouti
[22] Chrysolouris named OTE's new managing director
[23] Fines levied for illegal fishing
[24] Greek interbank market hit by turbulence
[25] Greek stocks resist pressure, end fractionally lower
[26] Xiosbank opens two new branches
[27] European Commission sends opinion to four countries on trade
[28] Greece boosts port authority fleet
[29] Greece to develop Aegean islands
[30] Intracom enters defense equipment market
[31] Police confiscate 11 kilos of heroin
[01] Athens: Turkish violations render previous agreements useless
Athens, 08/01/1998 (ANA)
Government spokesman Demetris Reppas said yesterday that recent
Turkish violations of Greek airspace during military exercises
in the eastern Aegean on Tuesday essentially made a communiqui
agreed to in Madrid last July as well as a 1988 bilateral
agreement useless.
Mr. Reppas was speaking after a formation of eight Turkish
warplanes violated Greek airspace over the island of Lesvos
early Tuesday as Greece celebrated the religious holiday of
Epiphany. The violations followed similar violations on
Christmas Day.
Meanwhile, in a statement to the ANA yesterday, a US embassy
official said there was no question that the tiny Kalogeri
islets, situated in an area which initially was to be included
in the Turkish aeronautical exercise, were under Greek
sovereignty.
Greece and Turkey have signed an agreement not to carry out
military exercises on religious or national holidays. Turkey is
currently carrying out military exercises in the eastern Aegean,
as well as a joint naval exercise with the US and Israel in the
eastern Mediterranean.
Calling Turkish policy "self-destructive", Mr. Reppas said
Turkey's behavior only isolated it even further from Europe, as
Ankara continually creates problems in the eastern Mediterranean
region. Asked to comment on the joint Turkey-US-Israel exercise,
the spokesman expressed the view that the "policy of axes" did
not contribute to consolidating continued stability, peace and
good neighborly relations.
"As a country, we have no problem (with Turkey's participation
in this exercise) as long as all procedures determined by
international law are observed. However, we are against the
creation of axes," he said.
The government spokesman added that Athens was monitoring the
joint maneuver and that it had accepted the explanation -
announced by the US and Israel - that the military exercises
were not specifically aimed against any country, nor against
Greece.
Mr. Reppas announced that the French Foreign Minister, Hubert
Vedrine, who is to pay a visit to Athens, will be received by
Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Friday.
Cypriot Foreign Minister Yiannakis Kasoulidis will also be in
Athens on Friday for contacts with the Greek foreign ministry's
political leadership.
[02] ... Tsohatzopoulos
Athens, 08/01/1998 (ANA)
Military prepared for violations : On his part, National Defense
Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said Greece would follow standard
procedures if Turkey violated Greece's airspace during today's
phase of their military exercises.
"Any Turkish aircraft that violates Greece's airspace will be
intercepted immediately," said Mr. Tsohatzopoulos.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos was speaking after a meeting with Prime
Minister Costas Simitis yesterday, which examined the latest
developments in Greek-Turkish relations.
The Greek defense minister added that "Turkey is in a difficult
position. It has become the epicenter of criticism for all
European countries because, finally, its inability to give an
acceptable solution to the Kurdish issue is revealed, the result
being this mass exodus and illegal immigration with all the
dangers involved.
"We in Greece have lived through these (circumstances)
repeatedly. In any case, we want to hope that the pressure of
international public opinion will produce results. At least,
Turkey will realize that the illegal immigration issue is an
issue that fully concerns it. And, of course, it is an issue
which is not resolved by military means, it needs a political
solution."
He added that "now from this point forward, we want to hope that
at some point the other side will realize that their is no
meaning in continuing toward this direction. And thus, maturity
will prevail, which will provide the possibility for a
realization of specific rules and values that are necessary to
avoid such tensions to prevail."
[03] ... Greece flatly rejects latest Turkish claims over Aegean
islets
Athens, 08/01/1998 (ANA)
Meanwhile, Athens yesterday fir-mly rejected the views expressed
by Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Nezati Utkan regarding the
status of several Aegean islets and Greece's national airspace.
The Greek foreign ministry, in a laconic announcement by
spokesman Costas Bikas, called Mr. Utkan's statements "the known
Turkish views", which attempt to cast doubt on the status of the
Aegean.
Mr. Bikas added that the Turkish views are presented by Ankara
in different ways, according to its interlocutors and are part
of a tactic of friction and tension adopted by the neighboring
country. These views, he added, have been substantiatedly and
repeatedly rejected by Greece.
Earlier, Mr. Utkan had stated that "one of the important
problems between Turkey and Greece is the one concerning the
issue of the small islands and islets, whose ownership has not
been given to Greece through international agreements,"
according to an announcement by the Turkish foreign ministry.
He added that "this issue, which has been continuing to exist
for many years between the two countries" was the focus of
international attention following the Imia crisis.
In terms of Greek airspace, the Turkish official said that "the
fact that Greece is continuing to implement a 10-mile national
airspace is a clear violation of international law."
He added that "the width of Greece's territorial waters has been
determined and announced by a law on Oct. 8, 1936 as six
nautical miles."
[04] Turkey wants direct 'committee of experts' talks, sans EU
Ankara, 08/01/1998 (ANA - A. Abatzis)
In a related development, Turkey repeated its proposal for a
continuation of dialogue between Turkish and Greek experts,
however, by bypassing the European Union presidency.
An informational note issued by the Turkish foreign ministry
yesterday refers to this position by Ankara and describes the
course of deliberations by the committee of experts between the
two countries.
The announcement stresses that "the Turkish side desires
continuation of the committee of experts process directly with
their Greek counterparts. In essence, this rapprochement is also
in line with the Commission's directives.
"It has been mentioned in these directives that the EU only has
a facilitating role in the process of the experts committee.
There is no obligation in that the process will definitely
develop under the EU's auspices. In addition, the EU's
contri-bution to date was nothing more than conveying the
letters of the two sides," the Turkish foreign ministry stated.
The note stresses that "the Turkish experts, with a letter they
sent to their Greek counterparts on Dec. 25, in the framework of
the decision announced by the Turkish government on Dec. 14,
1997, calling for political dialogue on the issue of
Greek-Turkish affairs not to continue with the EU, requested
from the Greek experts to send their letter of reply directly to
them instead of the EU Presidency, or through the embassies of
Turkey and Greece in Athens and Ankara."
[05] Simitis-Skandalidis meeting today
Athens, 08/01/1998 (ANA)
Government spokesman Demetris Reppas yesterday announced that
Prime Minister and PASOK president Costas Simitis will meet
today with PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis.
Mr. Simitis has also called a meeting on Friday of the
government's economic council, headed by National Economy
Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, in order to discuss and examine
the course of the Greek economy, Mr. Reppas said.
[06] Simitis underlines role of private enterprise in economic
progress
Athens, 08/01/1998 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis defended his government's economic
policy in a statement on arrival at the Athens Chamber of
Commerce and Industry's (EBEA) annual reception yesterday.
Mr. Simitis said the Greek economy has made considerable steps
of progress lately, which is also proved by the fact that
inflation has dropped to the lowest levels in past decades,
deficits have been decreased considerably and growth rates are
among the highest in Europe.
He said this policy must be continued and will be continued
because the target of equal participation in economic and
monetary union will be achieved in this way.
Mr. Simitis also referred to the businessmen's' contribution to
this effort through the development of new technology, carrying
out new investments and better organizing the production process.
On the part of the main opposition New Democracy party, party
leader Costas Karamanlis strongly criticized the prime minister,
whom he termed "the premier of taxes who lacks the boldness to
proceed with necessary structural incisions indicated to him by
ND."
Mr. Karamanlis said the taxation bill tabled in Parliament is
tangible proof of decline imposed on public life by the
government. He also accused the government of lying
systematically since while committing itself not to impose new
taxes it established 13 taxes with the new budget and 25 with
the taxation bill. He further said that with this taxation bill
every effort for development and carrying out investments is
abolished, while unemployment is also given an impetus.
Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) leader Nikos
Constantopoulos said economic policy must secure structural
interventions in the economy's operation, place emphasis on
investments, production restructuring and secure healthy rules
of competition. He also spoke of the wasting of public money and
untransparent management, while calling for new institutions of
transparency and control.
Development Minister Vasso Papandreou said the taxation bill is
just and called on social partners to support the government's
economic policy for the materialization of common targets.
[07] Tax bill tabled in Parliament, harsh opposition reaction
Athens, 08/01/1998 (ANA)
A taxation bill was tabled in Parliament last night, which is
expected to be discussed at the relevant Parliamentary committee
next week and where the date of a debate at a Parliamentary
plenary session will be set. The bill anticipates significant
changes concerning incomes, the way of taxing them and
exemptions.
Referring to the bill, main opposition New Democracy
Parliamentary spokesman Demetris Sioufas said "the new and
increased taxes are not ultimately 13, but 35", adding that the
government has lost all control and is attacking citizens in
every way.
"The country now needs the economic policy of New Democracy
which is summed up in fewer taxes, drastically fewer state
expenditures and extensive structural changes everywhere," he
said.
Commenting on the same issue, an announcement by the Communist
Party of Greece (KKE) spoke of "a policy of savage tax raiding
against the small- and medium-size strata" which, combined with
the incomes policy, "crushes the living standards of the large
majority of the people."
KKE stated that it considers as being indicative of anti-popular
measures an increase to 20 per cent in withholding tax on the
revenues of self-employed professionals, a 5 per cent increase
in withholding tax on the pensions of various funds and the
increase in the tax on retail merchants.
In its own announcement, the Coalition of the Left and Progress
(Synaspismos) spoke of "blatant injustices" in the tax system
and of "the lack of effectiveness of the relevant mechanism."
[08] Award to Samarakis
Athens, 08/01/1998 (ANA)
Athens Mayor Demetris Avramopoulos will award noted writer
Antonis Samarakis with the municipality's Gold Merit Medal for
his contribution to Greek letters, his social and political
struggles and his unwavering focus on humanistic values.
[09] Focus turns to life and works of Feraios, Solomos
Athens, 08/01/1998 (ANA)
The culture ministry is planning to emphasize the life and works
of pre-revolutionary figures Rigas Feraios and Dionysios Solomos
to expatriate Greeks, as 1998 marks the bicentennial anniversary
of the former's death and the latter's birth.
The historical message of Feraios and Solomos led to the
emancipation of all Balkan peoples over the last two centuries,
according to the ministry.
Two international conferences on the influence of Feraios on
Balkan liberation movements from Ottoman rule will be organized
next fall, one in Paris and the other in Naples, with
presentations by Greek and foreign scholars.
[10] PASOK to launch campaign for social policy
Athens, 08/01/1998 (ANA)
The ruling PASOK party is preparing to embark on a campaign to
present its "social awareness policy", which will involve both
domestic and European initiatives.
PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis announced yesterday that in
the context of the party's initiative for a social Europe, he
has already addressed letters to several European socialist
parties and governments.
According to PASOK's proposal, the initiative will reach a peak
with a meeting of all socialist parties in Athens, in June or
July 1998, which will be aimed at issuing a "joint text
containing principles, actions and initiatives that will signal
a coordinated activity by European socialists and the European
Socialist Party on issues relating to employment and social
policy".
In order to prepare for the Athens meeting, a PASOK delegation
will travel in Europe between Feb. 1 and March 31 for meetings
with all invited socialist parties.
In the domestic front now, according to Mr. Skandalidis, PASOK
will make efforts to "embrace" the citizens.
Nevertheless, Mr. Skandalidis stressed the need for PASOK to
broaden its social awareness driven not by necessity to ease off
reactions sparked by its economic policy, but because as a
socialist party it should always be sensitive on such issues.
[11] Euro-socialist conference on Mideast issues
Athens, 08/01/1998 (ANA)
PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis yesterday announced that the
ruling party will initiate an all-European socialist party
conference which will examine Middle East issues and develop a
common stance at the European Union level.
Mr. Skandalidis said that in the framework of this initiative,
PASOK is in a position to organize a conference on Rhodes.
He also said that all socialist parties of Europe and the
Europarliament socialist group will meet during this conference
to discuss Middle East issues.
[12] Georgian defense minister in Athens today
Athens, 08/01/1998 (ANA)
Georgian Defense Minister, Lt.-Gen. V. Nadibaidze, arrives in
Athens today for an official three-day visit at the invitation
of his Greek counterpart Akis Tsohatzopoulos.
Apart from talks with the Greek defense minister, the Georgian
minister will visit the state-run PYRKAL ammunition plant and
the Skaramangas Shipyards.
He is also scheduled to meet Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos
and will be received by President of the Republic Kostis
Stephanopoulos.
[13] Greece looking after Knossos - Venizelos
Athens, 08/01/1998 (ANA)
Reports in the British newspaper The Guardian of damage to the
palace of Knossos drew a response yesterday from Culture
Minister Evangelos Venizelos that measures planned to improve
security on the site would soon be completed.
"We are aware of the British Archaeological Society's
sensitivity (to the issue) but we ourselves, as well as our
experts, are just as, if not more sensitive," he said.
According to the Guardian, the home of the legendary Minotaur
was in danger of collapsing.
Mr. Venizelos said the main problem was the large number of
visitors to the site. Work to create special walkways for
visitors was almost completed, he added.
"While Knossos is an international cultural heritage monument,
it is on Greek territory. Responsibility for the site rests with
Greece," Mr. Venizelos stressed.
[14] PASOK Euro-MPs propose resolution on Chiapas massacre
Brussels, 08/01/1998 (ANA)
PASOK's Euro-deputies introduced a resolution to the
Europarliament's plenum condemning the murder of 45 Indians in
Mexico's Chiapas region by para-military forces.
The proposed resolution, which will be discussed next week,
calls for the Mexican government to take drastic measures
against such terrorist actions and to work for peace in the
region.
The proposed resolution also demands that the European
Commission halt all financial assistance to Mexico until peace
is restored in the Chiapas state.
[15] Greece ready to help EU on Kurdish immigration problem
Athens, 08/01/1998 (ANA)
Greece said yesterday it was determined to work with its
European Union partners to find a way to deal with the problem
of illegal immigration from Turkey, as Greek police
representatives met in Rome with EU experts.
"This is a major humanitarian problem," government spokesman
Demetris Reppas said. "The Greek government believes that the
European Union must have a uniform and specific policy to deal
with the problem."
"Greece is prepared to participate in any procedure which will
assist in dealing with the problem."
Mr. Reppas said Turkey was obliged to resolve its domestic
Kurdish problem "by economic and political means".
"Athens has for some time now stressed the problem to its
partners," he said, adding that the phenomenon of illegal
immigration was one that hurt, primarily, Greece.
Authorities yesterday began moving 250 Kurdish refugees from
refugee accommodation in the port city of Patras to Corinth, on
the order of Public Order Minister George Romeos.
The 250 Kurds, who had been placed in a disused Greek railways
machine shop, had been opposed to the move, and had threatened
to go on hunger strike.
They agreed to be moved after a series of talks and meeting
between their representatives and Greek authorities who assured
them that the new accommodation was more satisfactory.
[16] Armed Corfu residents foil raid by Albanian gangs
Athens, 08/01/1998 (ANA)
Several armed Albanian criminals in two speedboats who landed in
Corfu's seaside resort of Paleokastritsa yesterday morning were
greeted by armed local residents firing warning shots over their
heads, according to reports.
The suspects, who were attempting to sack several seaside shops,
fled to their boats and made off towards Albanian territorial
waters, returning the fire.
Three coast guard patrol boats gave chase but were unable to
catch the suspects
No one was injured in the exchange of fire.
[17] Syrian embassy cars torched
Athens, 08/01/1998 (ANA)
Unidentified persons set fire at dawn yesterday to two cars
belonging to the Syrian Embassy, causing damage but no injuries,
police said.
One of the cars, which was parked on the corner of Kifissias and
Panormou streets in central Athens, was totally destroyed and
the other was slightly damaged.
Police said the arson attacks were caused by a fire bomb, adding
that a canister with remains of gasoline was found near the
destroyed car.
Eyewitnesses told police that they saw "two young men near the
cars who sped off on a large motorcycle after the fire".
[18] Commission starts infringement proceedings on directives
Athens, 08/01/1998 (ANA)
The European Commission has decided to institute infringement
proceedings against Greece and Spain for failing to notify it of
measures to transpose into national law certain directives
relating to public procurement, according to European Commission
press release yesterday.
As regards Greece, the Commission has decided to issue a
reasoned opinion (the second stage of infringement proceedings
under Article 171 of the EC Treaty) for failure to comply with
the judgment of 2 May 1996 by the Court of Justice on the
non-transposition into national law of Directive 92/50/EEC on
the procedures for the award of public service contracts.
Under Article 171 of the EC Treaty, the Commission calls on
Greece to take all the necessary measures to comply with the
reasoned opinion and to forward to it the texts adopted with a
view to incorporating the Directive on public service contracts
into national law. The Directive should have been transposed by
1 July 1993 at the latest.
If Greece does not respond in a satisfactory manner within two
months of receiving the reasoned opinion, the Commission may
decide to bring the matter before the Court of Justice for the
second time, with the request that the Court impose financial
penalties commensurate with the seriousness and duration of the
infringement.
[19] Wulf-Mathies: Certain CSF-funded projects in Greece in jeopardy
Brussels, 08/01/1998 (ANA - G. Daratos)
The European Union Commission conceded that a danger exists of
certain second Community Support Framework (CSF)-funded projects
in Greece not being completed, and that the rate of EU fund
absorption at the end of 1997, namely , after four years of CSF,
was only 42 per cent.
EU Commissioner Monika Wulf-Mathies, responsible for regional
policy, structural funds and cohesion fund, provided several
figures in reply to a question by New Democracy Eurodeputies A.
Trakatellis, C. Hatzidakis and G. Dimitrakopoulos:
Ms Wulf-Mathies said he average percentage of Community Support
Framework implementation at the end of 1997, compared to the
period of the 1994-1999 program, was 42 per cent.
She also noted that the Commission believes that every effort
must be undertaken with the purpose of achieving the main
targets set in the present CSF and, in particular, achieving the
ambitious targets of such major projects as the Egnatia
motorway, the natural gas pipe line and a land registry.
Finally, she said certain projects might not be completed during
the present CSF. However, the Commission insists that all
efforts must be made for these projects to proceed as much as
possible by the end of the CSF's five-year period.
[20] Soumakis on tabled merchant shipping bill
Athens, 08/01/1998 (ANA)
Merchant Marine Minister Stavros Soumakis yesterday called on
Greek shipowners to retain a minimum of Greek merchant seamen on
their vessels and to invest in domestic shipping lines.
He also called on the seamen's federation to "not close their
eyes" to international competition, during the first day of
debate in Parliament on a tabled bill regarding merchant
shipping.
[21] Greek aid to Djibouti
Djibouti, 08/01/1998 (AFP)
The Greek government has agreed to give Djibouti 3,000 tons of
wheat in aid, worth US$1.3 million, Radio Djibouti announced
yesterday.
The agreement was signed by the two countries' ambassadors in
Addis Ababa, the announcement said.
[22] Chrysolouris named OTE's new managing director
Athens, 08/01/1998 (ANA)
The top managing director position at the Hellenic
Telecommunications Organization (OTE) has been assigned to
Georgios Chrysolouris, an electrical engineer with an impressive
academic and business background.
Mr. Chrisolouris graduated from the Athens Polytechnic and
acquired a Ph.D from Hanover University in Germany, while he has
also served as a professor and researcher at the famed
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) from 1980 to 1993.
Mr. Chrisolouris has worked for several US and European firms
active in the infomatics and technology fields.
OTE's new managing director has been a member of the telecoms'
board since 1996 and has headed a team which presented OTE to
international investors during share floatations.
[23] Fines levied for illegal fishing
Athens, 08/01/1998 (ANA)
Harbor authorities levied fines of more than 221 million
drachmas for 1,008 violations, mainly involving illegal fishing
violations from Jan. 1, 1997 to Nov. 30 1997.
Of those, 323 violations concerned professional fishermen, 658
amateur fishermen and 27 violations were for illegal possession
of explosives and toxic substances.
[24] Greek interbank market hit by turbulence
Athens, 08/01/1998 (ANA)
Greece's interbank market remained unstable yesterday under the
influence of persistent turmoil in east Asian markets to suffer
new foreign exchange outflows.
The Bank of Greece, the country's central bank, reported
outflows totaling 550 million ECUs at yesterday's drachma's
fixing, following outflows of 200 million ECUs on Monday.
Banking sources said the interbank market was also depressed by
news of a worsening current accounts deficit in the first nine
months of 1997, showing a shortfall of 4.1 billion US dollars
from a 3.5 billion gap in the corresponding period in 1996.
The drachma was weaker against the ECU at 312.98 drachmas, while
the Greek currency lost substantial ground against the US dollar
due to a sharp appreciation of the greenback in international
markets.
Domestic interest rates moved higher with the overnight rate
increasing to 10-11 percent.
[25] Greek stocks resist pressure, end fractionally lower
Athens, 08/01/1998 (ANA)
Greek equities came under pressure yesterday on worries of a
worsening current accounts deficit and an unstable domestic
interbank market to end lower on the Athens Stock Exchange.
The general index ended 0.10 percent down at 1,523.47 points,
sharply off the day's lows.
Sector indices lost ground with the exception of Industrials and
Miscellaneous which rose by 1.34 and 1.38 percent respectively
on speculative demand.
Banks fell 1.01 percent, Insurance eased 0.46 percent, Leasing
dropped 1.48 percent, Investment fell 0.21 percent,
Constructions ended 1.72 percent off and Holding dropped 0.71
percent.
The parallel market index for small cap companies ended 0.22
percent down, while the FTSE/ASE index fell 0.40 percent to end
at 864.31 points.
Trading was moderate with turnover at 14.8 billion drachmas.
Broadly, decliners led advancers by 116 to 89 with another 24
issues unchanged.
Levenderis, Desmos, Pairis, Flexopack and Babyland scored the
biggest percentage gains at the day's upper limit of 8.0
percent, while Fintexport, Etma, Balkan Export, Vernikos Yachts
and Ellatex suffered the heaviest losses.
National Bank of Greece ended at 24,900 drachmas, Ergobank at
15,000, Alpha Credit Bank at 16,495, Delta Dairy at 3,250, Titan
Cement at 13,350, Intracom at 14,250 and Hellenic
Telecommunications Organization at 6,000.
[26] Xiosbank opens two new branches
Athens, 08/01/1998 (ANA)
Xiosbank, a listed Greek private bank, yesterday inaugurated two
new branches, one in Athens and another in Chania, Crete.
The bank operates 34 branch units in the country of which 28 are
branch offices and six automated transaction machines.
[27] European Commission sends opinion to four countries on trade
Athens, 08/01/1998 (ANA)
Following complaints, the Commission has decided to send
reasoned opinions to France, Belgium, Italy and Greece
concerning barriers to the free movement of goods that are in
breach of Article 30 of the EC Treaty.
The barriers in question concern processing aids used in the
production of certain foodstuffs (France), ultra-light
engine-driven aircraft (Belgium), weighing devices (Italy) and
pesticides (Greece).
In the absence of a satisfactory response on the part of the
member state in question within a period of not more than two
months following receipt of the reasoned opinion, the Commission
may bring the case to the European Court of Justice.
The Commission has decided to issue a reasoned opinion in
respect of the Greek rules on the marketing of pesticides
because they have the effect of restricting imports from other
member states.
The authorization procedure imposes high charges for licensing
the marketing of such products, and this places a de facto limit
on the number of licence-holders.
What is more, the considerable costs involved in launching new
products make it difficult to introduce new products onto the
market.
Lastly, the Commission emphasizes that, since loans are made
available only to agricultural cooperatives that agree to
purchase fertilizer from the Greek Union of Cooperatives rather
than on the open market.
[28] Greece boosts port authority fleet
Athens, 08/01/1998 (ANA)
Greece is awaiting delivery of 47 new ships in the first quarter
of this year as part of a plan to modernize the port authority
nationwide, Merchant Marine Minister Stavros Soumakis said
yesterday.
New staff will be hired for the vessels, which include 10
lifeboats, two ships equipped to combat oil slicks and patrol
boats, Mr. Soumakis told a news conference.
The ministry had requested approval from the government to
recruit 500 port police and 30 officers to staff the new vessels
and increase port personnel, he said.
Mr. Soumakis is waiting to receive a proposal from the port
authority for a total restructuring in order to better meet
international regulations and market conditions.
The ministry spent 39.557 billion drachmas in 1997 on
modernizing the port authority, and received 486 million
drachmas in payments on contracts from previous years.
Mr. Soumakis said an exodus from the Greek shipping registry was
due to changes in international marine transport, and not to a
shift in the composition of crews.
"We will not allow the Greek flag to become a flag of
convenience," he said.
[29] Greece to develop Aegean islands
Athens, 08/01/1998 (ANA)
Greece plans to step up development in the Aegean islands this
year in order to help offset adverse economic repercussions
expected from European Union policies, Aegean Minister Elizabeth
Papazoi said yesterday.
In order to better monitor EU polices, the ministry will set up
a body comprising ministers, experts and administrators in
January, Ms Papazoi said.
In addition, development planning will be undertaken island by
island on the basis of EU structural funds for 2000-2006.
The ministry, which is planning an administrative restructuring,
also wants to implement the following measures to curb natural
disasters in the Aegean islands:
Firefighting equipment and infrastructure
Earthquake action plans for Kos, Nisyros, Chios and the
formulation of similar plans for other islands
Also on the ministry's agenda for 1998 are water management
schemes especially for arid islands, research into environmental
hazards, participation in Euroisles, an international island
network, and backing for a program linking Thrace, the Aegean
and Cyprus.
[30] Intracom enters defense equipment market
Athens, 08/01/1998 (ANA)
The Intracom telecoms firm has announced that it will enter the
domestic defense equipment market.
Specifically, a contract estimated at 14 billion drachmas is
expected to be announced and signed in the next few weeks
between the Hellenic armed forces and Intracom, relating to the
construction of 4,000 wireless sets.
Meanwhile, Intracom is expected to announce an increase in its
share capital, a major portion of which has already been covered
by foreign investors.
Finally, the company's gross revenue in the first nine months of
1997 rose by 20 per cent compared with the corresponding period
last year, reaching 35.3 billion drachmas.
[31] Police confiscate 11 kilos of heroin
Athens, 08/01/1998 (ANA)
Police said yesterday that they had broken up a five-member drug
ring operating out of Albania and confiscated 11 kilos of heroin.
Among those arrested are one woman and an Albanian actor, Victor
Zousi. Police are also seeking the alleged head of the ring,
known only as "Tani".
Experts said the heroin originated from Turkey and say that the
drug trade from the neighboring country was using Albania as a
transit stop en route to Greece and other European countries.
In a related development, police said yesterday they had found
21 kilos of hashish in the rural region of Tagaradon in
Thessaloniki.
They found one kilo and 350 grams of hashish in a jacket
abandoned at a shack. A further search uncovered another 20
kilos and 50 grams of the drug in 18 packets stashed in a metal
barrel buried in the ground.
Police believe the hashish had been smuggled into Greece by
Albanians from the neighboring country and was destined for sale
on the streets.
Meanwhile, a 30-year-old livestock breeder from Thessaloniki was
arrested for drugs possession at the northern Greek capital's
Macedonia Airport.
Emmanuel Adamopoulos was arrested with 4.5 grams of cocaine and
half a gram of hashish in his possession on arrival from
Amsterdam.
End of English language section.
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