Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-07-17

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Wildfires abate, leave behind three victims

[02] Church service held in Athens on 26th anniversary of Turkish invasion of Cyprus

[03] New York Greeks commemorate anniversary of Cyprus invasion NEW

[04] ISTAME holds event dedicated to Papandreou's memory

[05] EU's Verheugen calls for change in Ankara's policy towards Cyprus, Aegean issues

[06] EU environment ministers discuss policy on GMOs, global warming

[07] Coast guard picks up 222 illegal immigrants off Kythera; border patrol picks up 38 Iraqis

[08] Greek-Australian news media must use English to survive; symposium concludes

[09] Ancient Olympics featured at upcoming Sydney exhibition

[10] Coup and Turkish invasion anniversary commemorated

[11] IFJ official investigates in occupied areas

[12] Turkey must be more flexible, EPP secretary general says

[01] Wildfires abate, leave behind three victims

Athens, 17/07/2000 (ANA)

Two fires one in the western Peloponnese prefecture of Achaia and the other farther to the east in Corinth prefecture -- were extinguished on Sunday afternoon.

Two victims of the firestorm, the pilot and co-pilot of a downed firefighting plane, were buried on Sunday in their hometowns.

Air force pilots Ioannis Mylonas, 41, and Ioannis Karasavvas, 25, died early Saturday morning when their propeller-driver Canadair aircraft crashed into a rugged hillside on the Mt Pelion mountain range, in central Greece.

Meanwhile, in a related development, the countrys public order minister was quoted by an Athens newspaper on Sunday as blaming last weeks conflagration on the eastern Aegean island of Samos on arsonists, among others.

Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis, in an interview published the Eleftheros Typos daily, said the multiple fronts of the devastating blaze pointed to carelessness by local residents, while he also blamed landfills as a source of many wildfires around Greece.

Additionally, he pointed to the extreme weather conditions over the past month throughout the Mediterranean basin as another contributing factor for the numerous fires.

Finally, he was quoted as dismissing criticism that the government was unprepared the oft-dreaded forest fire season, saying more personnel had been commissioned this year than last, while no problems in coordination were evidenced.

Pilots buried: The pilot and co-pilot of the downed firefighting plane, were buried on Sunday in their hometowns.

An initial report notes that dense smoke in the area significantly reduced aviators' visibility, apparently leading to the accident.

On his part, President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos expressed his condolences to the families of the two servicemen. The prime minister, several ministers and political parties also expressed their condolences.

A 92-year-old woman was found burned in her home on Samos last week after one of the massive fire's fronts gutted her village.

President of the Republic, premier: President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos on Saturday expressed his deepest grief, on behalf of the Greek people and himself, over the terrible fires of the past week, which ended in the tragic deaths of the two Hellenic Air force pilots.

Stephanopoulos made the statements during the inauguration of a conference center at Patras University.

Saying the two pilots had pushed themselves beyond their limits in the line of duty, the president also expressed his support for the families whose homes and property had been destroyed by the fires and his regret for the destruction of the natural environment.

He expressed certainty that the State would do everything it must to restore the damages and reforest the burnt land.

The Greek people, Stephanopoulos added, stand beside the families of the victims and "we assure them that they are in our thoughts".

On his part, Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Saturday expressed his sorrow over the tragic accident in a statement and extended his condolences to the pilots' families.

"I express my profound sorrow over the loss of the two Air Force pilots in the line of duty in their effort to extinguish a fire in the Pelion area early this morning.

"It is the first toll in blood we are paying this year, and these days, in the superhuman efforts we are making as a country and as citizens to tackle the firestorm threatening our country from one end to the other," Simitis said in his statement.

On his part, main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis said "the unfair loss of the pilots Yiannis Mylonas and Yiannis Karasavvas creates profound sorrow and grief for all of us. Their superhuman effort led to self-sacrifice. They fell indeed in the line of duty in a struggle to offer to our country and to Greek society."

Similar statements were made by all political parties and by Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis.

Israeli assistance: Finally, an Israeli contingent- comprised of a C-130 transport plane, two helicopters and 50 air force servicemen - departed on Sunday after participating in two days worth of firefighting efforts in the northern Peloponnese.

Both Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos and the public order ministry's leadership thanked the Israeli government for its assistance.

On his part, Israeli ambassador to Athens Ran Curiel expressed his condolences for the loss of the two airmen.

According to an announcement by the fire brigade, both sides are also looking at efforts to upgrade and broaden cooperation in the field of coping with natural disasters.

Hellenic American National Council donates $10,000 for reforestation of Samos: The Hellenic American National Council announced on Sunday that it would be donating the symbolic sum of US$10,000 for the reforestation of Samos, as an act of support. The money will be given through the "Plant Your Roots in Greece" Committee.

"Plants Your Roots in Greece" began reforestation efforts in the country last year, planting trees in Sounio, Attica. This happened on the occasion of a visit to Greece by US First Lady Hillary Clinton.

The Hellenic American National Council, headed by its president Theodoros Spyropoulos, has also made an appeal to the federations in its membership and the entire Greek-American community, asking for their help in reforestation efforts in Greece and noting that this is a huge national issue for the country.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can send cheques to "Plant Your Roots in Greece" at 2155 W. 80th Street, Chicago, IL 60620, USA, Phone: 773-994-2222, Fax: 773-994-4682, http://www.hellasusa.com/hanc/ email: [email protected].

[02] Church service held in Athens on 26th anniversary of Turkish invasion of Cyprus

Athens, 17/07/2000 (ANA)

Deputy Foreign Minister Elizabeth Papazoi, representing Prime Minister Costas Simitis, said: "Greece and Cyprus are cooperating closely to achieve their aims. A just solution to the Cyprus issue. Namely, a bizonal, bicommunal federation and the speedy accession of Cyprus to the European Union."

Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos termed the situation prevailing in Cyprus "unacceptable", adding that it offends international law and the contemporary civilization of mankind.

"We are honoring today the victims and those who fell heroically in the Battle of Cyprus and at the same time we are sending a message to the neighboring country that it should assume its responsibilities now. The key to the future of Greek-Turkish relations passes from Cyprus," he said.

Members of the government, party representatives, relatives of the victims and Deputy Parliament President Anna Psarouda-Benaki attended the church service. The

Ambassador of Cyprus in Greece Christodoulos Pasiardis represented the government of Cyprus.

Communist Party of Greece says issue of Cyprus "caught in trap of imperialist planning of the US and leading powers of EU: The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) accused the US and the leading powers of the European Union for the present state of the Cyprus issue on the occasion of the 26th anniversary of the coup in Cyprus in July 1974.

The case of Cyprus "is caught in the trap of the imperialist planning of the US and the leading powers of the European Union and is headed for a final burial," an announcement by KKE said on Saturday.

KKE criticizes the UN for "provocative indifference" on the issue and adds that "a just and viable solution to the Cyprus issue can only be found on the basis of an independent, federal, non-aligned and demilitarized Cyprus, which will guarantee a state with one sovereignty, one nationality and one international identity."

[03] New York Greeks commemorate anniversary of Cyprus invasion NEW

YORK, 17/07/2000 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

Among those present was the Cypriot Ambassador to the US, Erato Kozakou-Markoulli, who urged the gathering to be steadfast in seeking a solution to the Cyprus problem and not be dismayed by Turkey's continued intransigency and provocativeness.

Saying that the Cyprus problem was again at a crucial and difficult phase, she urged America's Greek community to intensify their efforts so that US pressure on Turkey could finally bring results.

Also present was the president of the Cypriot Federation of America Savvas Tsivikos, PSEKA president Philip Christopher, the General Consul of Greece Dimitris Platis, Cyprus Permanent Representative to the UN Sotos Zachaios, the Cypriot General Consul Vassilis Philippou and Bishop of Meloes representing Archbishop Dimitrios.

Speeches were also made by Tsivikos and Christopher, who both urged the expatriates to continue fighting to keep the Cyprus issue in the spotlight in the US, while they expressed disappointment that neither of the candidates for the US presidency had so far taken a stand on this issue.

[04] ISTAME holds event dedicated to Papandreou's memory

Athens, 17/07/2000 (ANA)

Among the speakers, who painted the picture of Papandreou as a politician, thinker and as a man, were Merchant Marine Minister Christos Papoutsis, former ministers Yiannis Haralambopoulos and Antonis Livanis, ISTAME president and Euro-MP Yiannis Souladakis, Patras University dean Stamatis Alahiotis, the Kalentzi ISTAME president Apostolos Katsifaras and the community president George Petropoulos.

[05] EU's Verheugen calls for change in Ankara's policy towards Cyprus, Aegean issues

ISTANBUL, 17/07/2000 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Commissioner Guenter Verheugen, during a meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit as part of his official visit to the country, requested a more "conciliatory" stance by Turkey in regards to Cyprus and Greek-Turkish relations, particularly issues dealing with the Aegean.

According to Turkish press reports, Verheugen told Ecevit that Ankara should cease "reacting based on emotion".

"I don't understand why you're in such an impasse... Greece is an EU member-state, Turkey and Cyprus are candidate countries, and no is going to leave out the Turkish Cypriots side," he added.

On his part, the Turkish PM reportedly countered that the "EU should leave us alone", adding that such intervention delays solutions.

[06] EU environment ministers discuss policy on GMOs, global warming

PARIS, 17/07/2000 (ANA - O. Tsipira)

Representing Greece at the meeting was Deputy Environment Minister Ilias Efthymiopoulos.

At present there is a moratorium on licensing GMOs in Europe until tighter legislation is drawn up establishing the liability of producers for any damage they may cause to the environment. The new directive will also seek to ensure that GMO seeds and crops are fully labeled and completely traceable.

European Commissioner for the environment Margot Wallstrom told the ministers she would have a package of measures for labeling and trace ability ready by October.

On the question of making companies and businesses liable under the existing framework, the Greek minister noted the "weakness" of the present system as regards the import, trade or cultivation of GMOs, describing it as "time-consuming and ineffective".

Measures, Efthymiopoulos said, had to be taken immediately and reparations for damage should concern the companies themselves as in oil spills, where ships are responsible for restoring the damage and pay a fine without court intervention.

The Commission is currently working on draft legislation for all environmental damage, including that from GMOs.

The Greek minister also called for setting up "GMO-free zones" in certain areas of the EU to protect regional biodiversity.

Another proposal discussed was the creation of a body to handle environmental issues, along the lines of the WTO. Ministers seemed mostly to favor upgrading the environmental department of the United Nations, making it into a coordinating body for environmental organizations throughout the world.

With regard to global warming, all the 15 agreed that this was the most serious environmental issue facing the planet. Many now attribute the great climatic disasters of recent years to the "greenhouse effect" while emissions are expected to rise by 40 per cent by the year 2010. The European ministers chiefly discussed ways of funding a huge operation for dealing with this problem, in view of an international meeting next November in The Hague, where the decisions made at Kyoto are to be made more specific.

Greece, Efthymiopoulos said, could not contribute to this great effort financially but with programmers for the transfer of technology, experience, training and skills to developing countries.

[07] Coast guard picks up 222 illegal immigrants off Kythera; border patrol picks up 38 Iraqis

Athens, 17/07/2000 (ANA)

The fishing boat, which had neither name nor any documents when it was located south of Kythera, was immediately placed under observation.

Despite the strong, gale-force winds, the small boat attempted to sail away, ignoring the warnings of the coast guard vessels, but soon suffered engine failure and was towed back to safety.

Coast guard vessels had earlier picked up one Kurdish man who fell overboard and one pregnant Iraqi woman who was taken to the Gythion health center.

More than 2,000 illegal immigrants have been arrested by harbor police alone since the start of the year, while 27 ships have been confiscated and 77 traffickers brought to justice.

Meanwhile, in a related development, 38 Iraqi illegal immigrants were picked up by a border patrol on the Alexandroupolis- Komotini national highway, stowed away in a refrigerator truck driven by 49-year-old Michail E. Efstathiadis from Thessaloniki.

The illegal immigrants had entered Greece by crossing the river Evros by boat, paying a Pakistani trafficker US$ 7,000 for their passage. They were then picked up by Efstathiadis at Gemistis, who agreed to take them to Athens for $57,000. The truck belonged to the Bulgarian company Valik Trans.

[08] Greek-Australian news media must use English to survive; symposium concludes

MELBOURNE, 17/07/2000 (ANA)

Among the speakers was Media General Secretary Yiannis Nikolaou, who said that the Greek State would support the expatriate mass media where possible but "cannot and should not be the basic factor keeping them alive."

Referring to prizes introduced by the press ministry in Greece for the expatriate mass media, he said that prizes for the best web page would be introduced as of next year.

The main speaker was George Kanarakis, a professor at Charles Sturt University.

[09] Ancient Olympics featured at upcoming Sydney exhibition

SYDNEY, 17/07/2000 (ANA)

The exhibition, entitled "1,000 Years of Olympic Games: Treasures of Ancient Greece", is comprised of some 50 collections, all featuring an Olympics theme.

The event is Greece's "official offering" for the Sydney Olympiad.

New South Wales Prime Minister Bob Carr is scheduled to inaugurate the exhibition.

[10] Coup and Turkish invasion anniversary commemorated

NICOSIA, 17/07/2000 (CNA/ANA)

The wailing of sirens was heard at 8.20 local time, the very time when the coup occurred and special commemoration services were held in all churches in the free areas of the Republic, while the House of Representatives held a special session to honor those who sacrificed their life for democracy and in defense of the motherland.

Protests against the continuing division of the island took place on Sunday as well. Protests will be organized this week both in Cyprus and abroad where Cypriots live.

In London a march was organized on Sunday, which ended up at Trafalgar Square, while a delegation of the protesters handed a petition at 10 Downing street.

Addressing the special session of the House on Saturday, its President Spyros Kyprianou called upon foreign powers to exercise their pressure against the Turkish side in order to abandon its intransigent positions on Cyprus and to agree to a comprehensive settlement of the island's political problem, based on UN resolutions and high-level agreements reached between the two sides.

Kyprianou warned that if this is not done Turkey will be here to stay, and pointed out that the Greek Cypriot side has repeatedly shown signs of good will for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Political party leaders and representatives also addressing the House's special session called for unity and for the re-unification of the island and a solution which would secure the rights of all communities on the island.

[11] IFJ official investigates in occupied areas

NICOSIA, 17/07/2000 (CNA/ANA)

According to CNA sources, De Jung, who is visiting Cyprus responding to a plea by the Cyprus Union of Journalists, on Saturday went to the occupied areas where she was to seek to meet "Avrupa" newspaper chief editor Sener Levent and the other journalists who are detained accused of "spying".

In the occupied areas De Jung met with other "Avrupa" journalists, Turkish Cypriot party leaders and other representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community, conveying IFJ's demand for the release of the detained journalists and the end of the newspaper's persecution, the sources said.

The IFJ membership numbers 450.000 worldwide.

[12] Turkey must be more flexible, EPP secretary general says

NICOSIA, 17/07/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Logo, who visited Cyprus at the invitation of ruling rightwing party Democratic Rally (DISI) said the EPP is willing to do everything in its power to press Turkey for a constructive stance on Cyprus and pointed out the situation on the island has to be considered as a violation of human rights.

He also stressed that the resolution of the Cyprus problem should not be an obstacle to Cyprus' accession to the European Union (EU), noting the island is on a "good track" for membership.

Speaking at a press conference, Logo described his visit as "extremely useful and interesting" as its objectives have been met.

"The first was to show the support of the EPP to DISI, which is a very active member of our political family" and the second was to show "the very clear position of support of the EPP, as the largest force in the European Parliament, to Cyprus, and the clear position of the EPP for a solution to the Cyprus problem", he noted.

"The resolution of the Cyprus problem should not be an obstacle to the membership of Cyprus in the EU", Logo said, adding that "Cyprus is on a good track for its accession to the EU".

The political will of the politicians and the people of Cyprus to achieve EU membership "is clear", something the EPP welcomes, he said, adding "there is a high consensus amongst all the parties in this target of becoming member of the EU".

"The process of membership in the EU could help also to make Turkey understand that they need to have a more and constructive approach towards a solution to the Cyprus problem", EPP Secretary General pointed out, noting "the membership of Cyprus to the EU will help the solution of the Cyprus problem and we will do all we can to help to solve this problem".

Asked whether the EU is willing to press Turkey for a constructive stance on Cyprus, he said "we are willing to do everything that is in our hand, but the capacity of pressure to Turkey of a group in the European Parliament is not so concrete".

"It can be influential, but it is not so concrete" he said, pointing out "those who can influence Turkey are the governments and especially the Council of the EU".

"What we can do, and will do, is to express our views to the Council", Logo noted, adding "the fact that Turkey became a candidate country in Helsinki is a positive element in order to be able to put some pressure through this process of negotiation".

"We expect Cyprus to be a member of the EU as soon as possible", the Spanish MEP noted, adding "this is not the case for a country like Turkey".

Asked whether he had any contacts with Turkish Cypriots during his visit to the island, he responded in the negative.

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