Athens News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-10-23

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

NEWS IN ENGLISH

Athens, Greece, 23/10/1997 (ANA)

MAIN HEADLINES

• Nation wide strike
• Orthodox Church of Albania clarifies patriarchate visit
• Simitis opens hydroelectric project on Nestos
• Karamanlis attacks government
• Athens satisfied with Holbrooke stance; State Dept. correction
• State Dept. spokesman retracts 'overflight' statement
• Greek-American leader condemns Turkish provocations
• 12 public utilities set for partial bourse flotation
• Greece may bar Kopelouzos Group from Russian natural gas project
• Greek stocks edge up after four-day slump
• Greece won't accept NATO decision encroaching on sovereign rights
• Patriarch received by Clinton, to meet with Albright
• Weather
• Foreign exchange

NEWS IN DETAIL

Workers in Thessaloniki holding red and black banners staged a rally today in front of the city's Labour Centre as part of the nationwide strike called by the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) - the country's largest labour union.

The rally was addressed by Labour Centre president Panagiotis Avramopoulos and the president of the Civil Servants' Organisations of Thessaloniki, Dimitrios Kitsios.

A resolution was passed calling for real wage increases in 1998, a 35-hour working week without pay cuts, an increase in tax-free income, the index- linking of income tax scales to inflation, changes to insurance laws, retirement after 35 years of work irrespective of age and measures to combat unemployment.

After the rally, the workers marched to the Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace where a delegation handed the resolution to ministry general secretary George Lyssarides.

Speaking to reporters, Avramopoulos said the strike was a great success and the rally the biggest in recent years. He added that various forms of labour action would be taken during the winter to protest the state budget and the government's incomes policy.

Kitsios said civil servants would continue their protests with a 24-hour strike called by the Supreme Civil Servants' Administrative Council (ADEDY) for the second fortnight of November.

According to the Thessaloniki Labour Centre, participation in the strike in industrial concerns such as EKO, AMSTEL and MINERVA reached 100 per cent, while in the case of BALKAN EXPORT and SINK about 95 per cent.

The participation of Public Power Corporation (DEH) workers was 94.5 per cent and at the Agricultural Bank of Greece 80 per cent, according to the centre.

Workers in Piraeus also held a protest rally before marching to the Ministry of Merchant Marine.

Hundreds of workers gathered outside the ministry for about 30 minutes before a delegation, headed by Piraeus Labour Centre president Yiannis Michas, handed a resolution to Merchant Marine Minister Stavros Soumakis.

The Panhellenic Seamen's Federation held a four-hour work stoppage this morning but coastal shipping services were not disrupted since no sailings had been scheduled.

The commercial port came to a standstill however as the participation of dockworkers in the 24-hour strike prevented the loading and unloading of vessels.

The picture was much the same in Patras, where striking workers held a rally before marching through the streets of the port city.

In Patras, workers demanded an end to deindustrialisation and measures to combat unemployment. They also demanded the re-opening of several industrial units in the area.

Trade unionists who addressed the rally said they would not budge from their positions concerning labour relations, social security and pensions.

Orthodox Church of Albania clarifies patriarchate visit

The Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania issued an announcement containing clarifications on the visit paid to Tirana by a recent Ecumenical Patriarchate delegation.

The announcement reads as follows:

"Since quite a few inaccuracies have been published in connection with the visit of an Ecumenical Patriarchate delegation to Tirana, we clarify that:

"The Patriarchal delegation composed of the reverend Metropolitans of Pergis, Evangelos, and of Philadelphia, Meliton, as well as the reverend elder Ilias Katre, from the Albanian diaspora of America, met (Oct. 6, 1997) with the member appointed by the Albanian government, Mr. Kastrioti Islami, the Minister to the Presidency of the Albanian government and discussed the issue of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania.

"Mr. Islami stated that he has been assigned with announcing to the delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate that the unanimous decision of the government and presidency of the republic is that the three Greek Metropolitans, who were elected and ordain ed for the Orthodox Church of Albania, will not be accepted in Albania. He clarified that this position is in agreement with the historical tradition of the Albanian state, which insists that the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania will be governed by Albanian citizens, in accordance with the charter of the Church.

"It was finally decided that dialogue should continue between the Ecumenical Patriarchate of the Church of Albania and the Albanian government for the finding of a mutually acceptable solution.

"It is reminded that from the press offices of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania an Announcement was issued (Oct. 8, 1997), which refutes the irresponsible rumours on the ordaining of bishops of a certain natio nal origin for the Metropoli in Albania."

At the same time it stresses that "following a persistent invitation by the reverend Archbishop of Tirana and All Albania Anastasios, the issue of composing the Holy Synod of the Autocephalous Church of Albania was discussed in a friendly atmosphere and between the sole relevant officials, namely, representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, with which it maintains excellent relations, the aforesaid Archbishop Anastasios and representatives of the Albanian government."

Simitis opens hydroelectric project on Nestos

Prime Minister Costas Simitis today officially inaugurated a hydroelectric power project of the Public Power Corporation (DEH) at Thisavros on the Nestos River in northern Greece.

Stressing the importance of the project, Simitis said a number of Greek companies had co-operated to ensure its success, adding that it showed Greece could respond to technological challenges.

"The future of development lies in co-operation," Simitis said, sending a message to the neighbouring peoples, local government and other social agencies.

The premier said northern Greece could "and must" serve as a springboard for development initiatives in the greater region of the Balkans.

Also present at the inauguration were Development Minister Vasso Papandreou and Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas.

The total amount of electicity expected to be generated by the project annually is about 1,400 GWh, while at least 570,000 cubic metres of water will be available for irrigation every year.

Karamanlis attacks government

Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Costas Karamanlis today launched a strong attack on the government, accusing it of "hypocrisy, turpitude and authoritarianism".

Addressing the party's central committee, Karamanlis said "the government is retreating and it won't be long before it finds itself in full retreat".

"The fabricated myths about modernisation are crumbling daily as a result of the impasse in which government policy has found itself," he said.

Karamanlis attacked the government's handling of national issues, saying that it prejudiced the national dignity of the Greeks and created dangers for the country.

The ND leader condemned the government's plans to streamline local government through the compulsory merger of small communities, as contained in the recent tabled "Capodistrias" bill.

He said the bill, which has provoked nationwide protests, constituted "the crowning example of authoritarianism".

Karamanlis called on the central committee members "to march to the people".

"Our mission is to reveal the truth," he said, admitting that although ND may have made mistakes in the past, it had not reason whatsoever to compromise with negative phenomena.

Karamanlis also invited other groups to join his party's efforts.

"We must open our arms to all groups which have the strength and ability to play a role in the course towards the 21st century, such as the productive forces and local government," he said.

Athens satisfied with Holbrooke stance; State Dept. correction

Athens yesterday welcomed statements by US special presidential emissary for Cyprus Richard Holbrooke on Tuesday that Turkish harassment of a plane carrying Greek National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos to and from Cyprus last week was "a reality" a nd said the US State Department was wrong in not outrightly admitting it.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas expressed satisfaction over Mr. Holbrooke's statements, reiterating that the position expressed on Monday by US State Department spokesman James Rubin was "unacceptable and unprecedented."

In a new development yesterday Mr. Rubin retracted his Monday statements, saying top US officials have set the issue before the Turkish government.

Referring to what he called the confusion caused by State Department spokesman James Rubin's statement that the transport plane had violated an agreed moratorium on military flights over Cyprus, Mr. Holbrooke said that Mr. Rubin had not been properly in formed by the State Department bureaucracy.

State Dept. spokesman retracts 'overflight' statement

US State Department spokesman James Rubin yesterday retracted his statement on Monday that the flight of Greek Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos to and from Cyprus constituted an "overflight."

"On Monday I didn't do my job properly," he said. "The last 24 hours top officials of the US administration have set the issue before the Turkish government," he added.

"Our Turkish allies realise the gravity with which we deal with the information we have and the need in the future for Turkish acts not to contribute to creating an atmosphere of tension between Turkey and its neighbours," he said.

Regarding the steps Washington took, he said: "We have expressed directly to the Turkish government our position that we find the act of (their) flying near the aircraft of the Greek defence minister disturbing".

Replying to a Reuters question on the exact location of the harassment, the spokesman replied: "We believe on the basis of public information and data that it (incident) occurred exactly where it is said to have happened. We have no reason to doubt that ".

Mr. Rubin reiterated that both countries should avoid possible friction and tension points, saying "we believe it is important that Greece and Turkey guarantee that the Turkish exercises scheduled early in November will not create new tension...

"We continue to urge both countries to return to the moratorium of flights of fighter planes over Cyprus."

He noted that it was necessary to focus on the future "and that the US remains determined to work with Greece and Turkey to improve relations between the two countries".

Replying to questions on whether Mr. Tsohatzopoulos was on a civilian or fighter aircraft, Mr. Rubin said: "From what I realise from public statements, it was not a fighter aircraft."

Greek-American leader condemns Turkish provocations

The president of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) for North and South America, Christos Tomaras, yesterday condemned Turkey's provocations the past few days and said "the fact the US is making efforts to keep an equal distance (between Greece and Turkey) by attributing part of the responsibility on Greece is a matter of great concern".

He explained that "the State Department should clarify its position and use harsh language with Turkey".

Mr. Tomaras said that the "intense and dangerous harassment" of Turkish aircraft against the plane on which Greek Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos was returning from Cyprus..."is yet more proof that Turkey does not respect international agreements and rules of lawful behaviour".

12 public utilities set for partial bourse flotation

The Greek government will seek a further fall in inflation through a freeze on public utility charges and part-floatations for 12 profitable state firms over the next three years.

"Our target is either no actual rises or a minimum increase (in charges)," National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou told a news conference yesterday.

State-owned companies to be partly privatised in the next three years included Thessaloniki International Trade Fair, Piraeus and Thessaloniki harbours, Olympic Catering, Olympic Travel and Athens water utility. The government intends to float 20-30 pe rcent of their capital on the Athens Stock Exchange.

Mr. Papantoniou said that the government will seek in the next three years a rationalisation of loss-making public sector enterprises, a review of shareholding policy for unlisted public utilities, and a settlement of cross-company debts.

Strategic deals in the high-technology sector would also be pursued, he said.

Greece may bar Kopelouzos Group from Russian natural gas project

Greece may break off cooperation with the Kopelouzos Group in a project underway to supply the country with Russian natural gas, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday.

The move would be made if the Group's interests over supplies failed to coincide with those of the state, Mr. Reppas said.

He was responding to a statement by a representative of the major project's supplier, who did not rule out terminating supplies due to delays in the project cited by Russia.

The government was eager to see the project go ahead but also was seeking alternative supply sources, Mr. Reppas said.

Development Minister Vasso Papandreou also responded:

"Natural liquid gas and its transport by submarine pipelines are competitive, alternate solutions to the land transport of gas. In this way new possibilities are opened up for simultaneous supply from other sources which not only do away with dependence on one source but increase the security of the system," Ms. Papandreou said.

Greek stocks edge up after four-day slump

Greek equities rebounded moderately yesterday ending a four-day decline on the Athens Stock Exchange, helped by technical factors.

The general index closed 0.20 percent higher at 1,735.94 points, but trading slowed further. Turnover was light at 16 billion drachmas.

Sector indices ended mixed. Banks rose 0.27 percent, Insurance fell 0.50 percent, Leasing dropped 1.16 percent, Investment eased 0.20 percent, Construction was 1.07 percent off, Industrials rose 0.67 percent, Miscellaneous dropped 0.73 percent and Holding fell 0.07 percent. The parallel market index for small cap companies eased 0.12 percent. Broadly decliners led advancers by 126 to 100 with another 27 issues unchanged.

Ideal, Keranis, Cambas and Boutaris scored the biggest percentage gains while Alysida, Zamba suffered the heaviest losses.

National Bank of Greece ended at 31,300 drachmas, Ergobank at 18,990, Alpha Credit Bank at 20,520, Delta Dairy at 4,050, Titan Cement at 15,890, Intracom at 15,895 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation at 6, 580.

In the domestic foreign exchange market the US dollar rose substantially against the drachma.

Greece won't accept NATO decision encroaching on sovereign rights

Greece will in no case accept NATO decisions which will encroach upon our sovereign rights, Prime Minister Costas Simitis said in Parliament yesterday in response to a tabled question by PASOK deputy Anastasios Peponis and after press reports alleging establishment of new NATO headquarters in Larisa and Izmir without specific areas of responsibility.

The prime minister said NATO was planning more flexible tactics in view of the prospective enlargement, stressing that certain general orientations and the form of the new regional headquarters were under discussion and that certain informal decisions h ad been reached.

He was categorical that no decisions would be approved without Greece's agreement, and that in no way would the new NATO structure encroach upon the sovereign rights of member-states.

"We shall have a view and it will not be possible for the command or direction of operations to be given to a Turkish commander," he said.

"The peculiarities of each country, and particularly in the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean due to Turkey's tactics, must be taken into account," he added.

He explained that NATO's new military structure will not have the form of the previous one. There will be new regional headquarters which will operate according to the wishes of the member-states.

"In no case are we prepared to let the Turks control, intervene and determine matters," he added.

Patriarch received by Clinton, to meet with Albright

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos was received yesterday by US President Bill Clinton at the White House. Vartholomeos and President Clinton met for approximately 45 minutes, before First Lady Hillary Clinton hosted a reception for the world's pre-eminent Orthodox leader.

The Patriarch was expected later at the US State Department for a meeting with US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. An official dinner hosted by Ms Albright will follow, with Alternate Foreign Minister George Papadreou, currently on a US visit is also scheduled to attend.

The Patriarch is continuing his month-long, 16-city visit to the United States with several high-level meetings.

In a speech to Congress, Vartholomeos extolled religious and spiritual freedom in the US, saying: "Unfortunately, not all peoples have acquired the intelligence of Americans, which is based on the principles of the Holy Scriptures and accepts that spiri tual freedom is more beneficial than the forceful imposition of beliefs.

"The result is that America is progressing through spiritual freedom, while other people are wasting their strength persecuting ideas and obstructing the free expression of religious and other beliefs".

WEATHER

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

(M.P.)

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