NEWS IN DETAIL

Kaklamanis says strong front will hold Turkish expansionim

"What else must happen to Hellenism in order to realise, those who dispute it, that only a concrete front, such as the one ensured by the national defence doctrine, can stop Turkish expansionism," Kaklamanis was quoted telling the newspaper in an interview published in its today's edition.

Turning to Greek-Turkish relations he said that unless the Cyprus problem was solved relations between the neighbouring countries could not improve.

The Greek Parliament's President also refered to the issue of the British sovereign bases in Cyprus saying that at some point in time this issue should come under discussion.

Noting that he was not opposed to the idea of a Pananational Conference, Kaklamanis said he was not certain it would be able to contribute to the Cyprus issue, while calling on Athens and Nicosia to focus on the essense of problems and stop playing with words and impressions.

Meanwhile, three Turkish navy ships docked yesterday at a port in occupied northern Cyprus in a show of strength after a row over the planned purchase by the Cyprus government of Russian-made S-300 surface-to-air missiles.

Pangalos visit to Malta

He added that the settlement of the Cyprus problem was not dependent on Cyprus' accession to the European Union.

He also said that Greece would be pleased if Malta joined the EU, but he noted that the decision of its people should be respected above all.

He stressed, however, that Greece will do its utmost to help Malta to cooperate even more closely with the European Union.

Talks between the two ministes also focused on other areas such as the battle against illegal arms trade and drug trafficking, as well as illegal refugee migration.

The issue of a closer cooperation between Air Malta and Olympic Airways for an increase in tourist arrivals in both countries was also discussed.

During his visit, the Greek Minister also met with the Maltese President and Prime Minister as well as a senior main opposition official.

Government warns farmers with force

"We are determined to confront the protest actions using all means," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said, Thursday, calling at the same time on farmers for a "good will" dialogue.

Reppas added that whoever "exceeds the limits" would find themselves up "against the forces of the state."

"We have a plan and the will to avert incidents and road blockades as happened before," Reppas said, referring to farmers' protest actions last December, which caused serious disruptions to road and rail traffic around the country.

The spokesman said the government considered the protest actions to be "unjustified and inopportune," adding that "the problems are known."

The country's main agricultural groups, meanwhile, decided not to participate in protests announced by the pan-Thessaly Coordinating Committee and the corresponding committee of Macedonia-Thrace farmers.

The decision was taken at a meeting in Athens by the administrative boards of the Panhellenic Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives (PASEGES), the General Confederation of Agricultural Associations (GESASE) and the Democratic Agricultural Associations of Greece (SYDASE).

The meeting was convened at the initiative of PASEGES.

"We reject the logic of regional movements calling themselves 'coordinating committees' because of the role they play in misleading farmers and our society in general, with regard to the real problems facing farmers," the groups said in a resolution.

The resolution called on all farmers belonging to cooperative groups to remain united "because the major problems demanded unity, oneness of spirit and common struggles."

In a related matter, HELEXPO president Antonis kourtis, expressed hope that the farmers' mobilisations will not coincide with this year's agricultural fair Agrotica, which begins on Jan.29, saying that the fair "supports and promotes the agricultural production."

Stressing that Agrotica is the "creation of the farmers and the fora representing them," Kourtis told a press conference, Friday, on this year's 13th annual fair that "no one believes the farmers themselves will proceed in any action which will have consequences on the operation of the fair..."

Meanwhile, the Association of the Greek Tourist and Travel Agents (HATTA) has appealed to Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Development Minister Vasso Papandreou to exhaust all margins for dialogue so as to avert a growing wave of nationwide strikes and mobilisations.

The appeal came in a statement Friday, which referred to fears of tourism losses, and points to a British travel directive issued Thursday, warning travellers to check the local situation before starting their trip, in view of planned blockade of road and rail links by farmers next week.

In a related development, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Saturday accused the government's decision to deal firmly with planned protest actions by farmers as one of "blatant terrorism."

The KKE in an announcement charged that the government's warning that it will crack down on the farmers was a prelude for a general clamp down against the entire popular movement.

It said the working people were not only trying to safeguard their incomes but also their right to survive.

Simitis meets with Belgian Counterpart Dehaene

Simitis said he briefed the Belgian prime minister on Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue, reiterating that the decision taken last July 15 by the EU's foreign ministers is still valid, although he stressed caution should be exercised regarding any future developments.

He also expressed his satisfaction with the meeting, saying the discussion focused on EU developments in relation to European Monetary Union (EMU), the intergovernmental conference and the EU expansion, particularly concerning the form of the EU must take under the new conditions.

On his party, Dehaene noted the usefulness of bilateral contacts, saying the meeting reconfirmed that Athens and Brussels share the same positions on most issues regarding the EU's prospects.

SYN leader criticises government tactics

"With its attitude, the government does not ensure neither democratic dialogue nor social consensus," he said.

"The provocative statements of the government spokesman as well as those of various ministers regarding the social mobilisations cause heterogeneous and irrational situations," he added.

Constantopoulos said such attitude on the part of the government shows that it wants to "trigger social tensions in order to lead them with provocative announcements to extreme forms that thus be able to isolate them."

Constantopoulos said such tactics were "dangerous," adding that "they bear no relation to a responsible policy of democratic and social sensitivity."

Tsovolas says government lacks national strategy

Speaking during a tour of Ipiros, Tsovolas refered to "promotion of US plans leading to a shrinkage of Greece and the Hellenism of Cyprus."

Commenting on a recent wave of social mobilisations and protests, Tsovolas said that "PASOK has been transformed into a conservative party that deals serious blows to workers, merchants and crafters."

"The government's policy is giving rise to social storms...," Tsovolas said.

Athinaiki Hartopioia in need of restructuring

In a memorandum to the competent ministries, the Chamber's management called upon the state to take appropriate problems to solve the company's liquidity problem and settle legal disputes against it.

"The industry must undergo reorganisation in order to be able to operate in a competitive manner ...," the memorandum says.

High winds cause ferry rescheduling

Ferry schedules from Kavala to Thasos and vice versa were suspended as of this morning due to high winds.

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