NEWS IN DETAIL

Simitis outlines gamut of issues at Socialist International meeting

Simitis stressed that the Cyprus problem had remained unsolved since caused by the 1974 Turkish invasion, despite numerous UN resolutions calling for the withdrawal of all foreign troops from the island, respect for the independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Cyprus Republic.

''Turkey is blatantly violating international law, showing complete contempt for the decisions of the international community and persisting in its aggressive policy aimed at legalizing the faits accomplis of its invasion,'' Simitis said.

''We believe,'' he continued, ''that the time is ripe for a settlement of the problem based on the UN resolutions. Socialist International should contribute in this direction, as underlined in the resolution approved at the organisation's conference in New York last September, and take all possible initiatives in order to illustrate its concern about the lack of progress and the continuing partition of the island.''

Simitis once again accused Turkey of following an aggressive policy towards Greece, using threats to try and overturn the present status quo in the Aegean, with disregard for the rules of international law and international conventions.

Instead of focusing its attention on the serious domestic problems of Turkish society, Simitis continued, such as the lack of democracy, violations of human rights, the Kurdish problem and social inequality, ''Turkish governments follow a nationalistic policy towards Greece so as to mislead public opinion and the citizens of the country''.

Simitis reiterated that Greece had adopted a stance characterized by self- restraint and called on Turkey to engage in a step-by-step approach to resolving problems on the basis of international law.

''We hope that Turkey will respond positively to our initiatives,'' he said.

Turning to the Balkans, Simitis underlined that Greece supported the incoporation of the Balkan countries in ''the new European structures'' in order to further strengthen development and stability in those countries.

''Next April, together with the European Socialist Party, we are organising a meeting in Thessaloniki on the subject of the Balkans, to which all the progressive and socialist parties of all the Balkan countries will be invited,'' Simitis said.

As far as Greece is concerned, he added, peace and stability in the Balkans are elements which are absolutely necessary for development and progress in the region.

''Our policy is guided by the principles of respect for human rights, the consolidation of democratic procedures and the inviolability of international borders,'' Simitis said.

On Middle East peace efforts, the prime minister noted that despite the significant progress attained since 1993, many major issues remained unresolved.

''The Hebron accord signed last week was an important step which had been awaited for some time, and which must be implemented and adhered to with diligence,'' Simitis said.

Cyprus EU membership and resolution different things, Reppas says

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas made the statement when asked if there was a disagreement between Athens and Nicosia about the possibility of accession being discussed at any future meeting between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash -- if and when such a meeting is held.

''This issue was discussed during the recent meeting of the Greek and Cyprus leaderships, at which different views were expressed, as is only to be expected,'' Reppas said.

The spokesman clarified however that eventually, ''there was convergence'' towards the position that a Cyprus settlement was not a prerequisite for EU accession.

Reppas stressed that Cyprus' accession was non-negotiable and was not being discussed with the Turkish Cypriot side. He did not however rule out the possibility of procedural issues being discussed ''since the other side has something to say about the accession of the whole of Cyprus to the EU''.

Premier calls on EU to pressure Ankara for Cyprus solution

"We want the EU to exert pressure on Turkey, so that, at last, it will make a move regarding the Cyprus problem. There has been no development for the last 20 years because Turkey does not wish its resolution," he told Italian television after arriving in Rome to attend sessions of the Socialist International council, which begin today.

"The EU must try to find a solution, because this is only possible if Turkey realises that cooperation with the EU presupposes peace and cooperation in the Mediterranean," he added.

"If Turkey wants cooperation with the EU, if it wants the Association Agreement to really work, and have friendly relations with the EU members, then there must be no tension or aggressive policy and actions in the eastern Mediterranean. And one necessary condition is that UN resolutions regarding the withdrawal of Turkish troops from the island are respected.

"Cyprus must at last become a state with two communities, and one government that decides for the whole," Mr. Simitis said.

He noted that progress has been made towards recognition of the borders of EU member-states as external borders of the 15-member Union.

Dutch EU presidency places Cyprus among priorities

This is the main conclusion drawn from a discussion held on Cyprus at the Council of Foreign Ministers, the first during the Dutch presidency, which included the Cyprus issue in its policy statements.

Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou said the discussion was positive and referred to positions of the Dutch Council President and Foreign Minister Hans van Mierlo, who raised the issue of Cyprus at the luncheon given for ministers at noon.

Mr. van Mierlo stressed the need for the EU to activate itself for a solution to the Cyprus issue and for Cypriot accession, adding that the Dutch presidency will raise the issue of Cyprus at one of the upcoming Council of Ministers meetings for an exte nsive discussion.

Naval exercises in central Aegean

The exercises will be completed on Jan. 24.

Gov't hopes for goodwill from striking seamen

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas expressed the hope that the Panhellenic Seamen's Federation (PNO), which called the strike now in its tenth day, would eventually ''show good will'' so that a solution might be found.

Seamen and dockworkers yesterday decided to extend their strike for a further 48 hours until 6 am Thursday. The strike was originally scheduled to end early this morning.

The striker's main demand is the preservation of the special fiscal regime which has applied to them since 1955. The government has introduced changes to this regime in its tax law.

Replying to questions, Reppas said the government did not need to ask justice to undertake initiatives to resolve problems.

A Piraeus court on Friday ruled that the extension of the strike was ''illegal and abusive''.

At the same time, the spokesman in effect confirmed reports of government meetings yesterday with the participation of ministers, at which alternative ways of dealing with the labour action were examined, according to the nature of the action in each instance.

Medical equipment stuck at airport

The equipment, a gift from overseas Greeks to Grevena Hospital, arrived in Thessaloniki last Friday, accompanied by a delegation from the Panmacedonian Organisations of the USA.

Exemptions from import tax on such items were abolished as of December 31, 1996, to bring duties in line with European Union legislation. Import duty on the equipment, which is valued at 2 million drachmas, has been estimated at about 500,000 drachmas.

A second despatch of similar equipment is expected shortly -- this time for Kozani Hospital, while there are plans for deliveries to other hospitals, mainly in the provinces.

Only the Finance Minister has the power to issue a waiver on taxes and duties.

Crime on the increase

According to the figures, the biggest comparative increase in crime was in Attica, while the percentage of foreigners arrested also increased markedly.

In contrast, there was a decrease in the number of cases of petty theft reported.

The ministry released tables containing detailed figures for each category of criminal activity. Public Order Minister George Romeos said additional policing measures would be taken to combat those crimes which are on the increase.

Athens-Skopje talks postponed

Well-informed sources said that the meeting, to have been held under the auspices of UN mediator Cyrus Vance, may have been postponed because of President Bill Clinton's inauguration or because it coincided with the Martin Luther King national holiday in the US.

Cyprus Development Bank looks to expand to Crete

The delegation has visited the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute in Hania, the Development Organisation of Western Crete and the island's Polytechnic.

Members of the delegation said they were trying to bolster competitiveness and that their visit had left them with the impression that the island had developed significantly in the fields of technology and research and that it could support the presence of more banks.

Xenia '97 begins tomorrow

Xenia '97 is sponsored by the development ministry and the Greek Tourist Organisation (EOT).

It is expected to be attended by 1,300 enterprises in the tourism sector, and with 229 pavilions.

WEATHER

SPORTS

Olympiakos striker

The Yugoslav international, formerly with Red Star Belgrade, had been out of action for 40 days after injuring his knee in a match between his Piraeus team and arch-rivals Panathinaikos of Athens.

Both teams currently head the first division with the same number of points.

IAAF delegation

The delegation includes IAAF technical directors Sandro Giovannelli and Alberto Baronet, and three technical representatives.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

(M.P.)

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article