Athens News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-03-21
NEWS IN ENGLISH
Athens, Greece, 21/03/1998 (ANA)
MAIN HEADLINES
- Non-aggression pact with Turkey on the table
- Foreign Minister meets US counterpart
- Simitis: drachma devaluation a boost for farmers
- EU Commissioner: Turkey's road to Europe through Athens
- Greece, Cyprus reiterate decision to upgrade joint defence pact
- Balkan multinational force proposal gaining ground
- Opposition leader says drachma devaluation was not planned
- Athens to hosts EU conference on eastern Mediterranean policy
- Greek-American lobby working to abolish visas for Greek citizens
- More police on the beat to fight crime wave
- Greeks drink, smoke and live longer-except behind the wheel: stats
- New five-year salvage plan for Olympic Airways
- Better absorption of EU funds in '97
- Plan for further privatisation of OTE announced
- Police officer killed near border, six detained
- Weather
- Foreign Exchange
NEWS IN DETAIL
Non-aggression pact with Turkey on the table
Greece views a possible non-aggression pact with Turkey "very favourably",
provided that the accord would not contravene international law and
treaties, said government spokesman Dimitris Reppas yesterday.
"The Greek government is very favourable towards the signing of a non-
aggression pact (between the two neighbouring countries) which of course
will not be accompanied by restrictions, commitments or conditions contrary
to international law or be out of step with the rules and international
treaties governing the status quo in the region", said Mr. Reppas.
He was referring to recent statements by Turkish Defence Minister Ismet
Sezgin to a Greek private television station, in which he did not rule out
the possibility of signing such a pact with Greece.
"We are thinking about it," Mr. Sezgin had said.
Mr. Reppas also said that a response to Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail
Cem's proposals was handed to the Turkish ambassador in Athens and
reiterated Greece's standing position on the proposals, in essence a
rejection of Mr. Cem's five-point plan.
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos on Thursday had sent the Greek response
to Mr. Cem's proposal and repeated his invitation to Mr. Cem for a meeting
in Rhodes on the sidelines of the Western European Union foreign ministers
meeting. Greece presently holds the six-month presidency of the Western
European Union (WEU).
Foreign Minister meets US counterpart
The promotion of a solution of the Cyprus problem could start from a phased
de-escalation of the arms race on the island, beginning with the most
advanced weapons, said Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos after a meeting
with the US Secretary of State Madleen Albright in Washington.
"There must be steps to reduce and reverse the escalation of the arms race,
beginning with the most advanced weapons, which are the aircraft. If there
are no aircraft, there will be no anti-aircraft missiles. We can then
reduce tanks and artillery, and be led gradually to a better climate," he
told reporters after yesterday's hour-long meeting with Ms. Albright.
The meeting, which kicked off Mr. Pangalos's 10-day visit to the US,
included discussion of Greek-Turkish relations and the crisis in Kosovo, on
which the two countries agreed to maintain coordination of moves in the
framework of international initiatives.
"Regarding Kosovo, I think there is coincidence of views between the EU and
the US on the need to maintain Yugoslavia's territorial integrity, but also
to reach a political solution safeguarding the freedoms and the human
rights of Kosovans," he said.
"Due to the mistrust that has been created, there is also need for an
intenational presence in the negotiations. Mr. Gonzales, who is the
mediator of both the OSCE and the EU, could, in either of his capacities
meet this need," Mr. Pangalos added.
Asked if there had been any developments regarding the US-sponsored
sanctions against Yugoslavia, he said these were endorsed by the EU,
including Greece, a week ago.
Mr. Pangalos said US Defense Secretary William Cohen would be coming to
Greece in April, and hopefully Ms Albright in the summer.
"We agreed to exchange visits of particular ministers to improve, as much
as possible, the degree of economic exchanges and our cooperation, more
generally, through political action," he said.
The Greek Foreign minister later met with President Clinton's national
security advisor Samuel Berger at the White House.
Simitis: drachma devaluation a boost for farmers
Prime Minister Costas Simitis underlined the positive repercussions
resulting from the adjustment of the Greek currency's exchange value,
saying that subsidies agriculture producers receive in drachmas will
increase.
He added that farm produce will be cheaper in European and international
markets, while funds provided for the improvement of structures and
measures will increase in national currency.
Mr. Simitis was the main speaker at a conference entitled "Agenda 2000 and
Greek Agriculture", organised yesterday by the ruling PASOK party's
cooperative and agricultural sector and the party's Parliamentary group at
the Europarliament.
The conference focused on prospects open to Greek agriculture in connection
with both the implementation in Greece of the European Commission's
proposals (Agenda 2000) and negotiations underway in the framework of the
World Trade Organisation (WTO).
EU Commissioner: Turkey's road to Europe through Athens
No progress can be made in relations between the EU and Turkey unless there
was an improvement in Greek-Turkish relations as well as respect by Ankara
of human rights, said European Union Commissioner for External Affairs Hans
van den Broek yesterday, in response to a question by PASOK Eurodeputy
Yiannis Roubatis.
"Stronger relations between Turkey and the EU will be the product of
respect toward minorities within Turkey as well as that country's relations
with neighbouring Greece," Mr. van den Broek said.
Mr. Roubatis had asked the Commissioner if the 15-member Union plans to
make it clear to Turkish leadership that a "policy of tension" Ankara is
following, as he stated, only leads to further divergence from the
EU.
Greece, Cyprus reiterate decision to upgrade joint defence pact
The Defence ministers of Greece and Cyprus yesterday confirmed their
decision to further strengthen and upgrade a joint defence pact, agreed
between the two countries in 1993, as well as to proceed with Cyprus'
armaments programme in order to boost the island's defences.
Specifically, visiting Cypriot Defence Minister Yiannakis Omirou met
yesterday for lengthy talks with his Greek counterpart Akis Tsohatzopoulos.
"We will do everything in our power to ensure the greatest possible sense
of security on Cyprus," Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said.
"The message we are sending is that Greece and Cyprus will march side-by-
side to safeguard the vital interests of Hellenism, for peace and stability
in the region," Mr. Omirou said.
Against this background, the two ministers agreed that cooperation should
continue at a faster pace on matters of armaments, military exercises and
training. They also agreed to meet more regularly in order to take any
additional measures required to at tain the common objectives.
Both Mr. Tsohatzopoulos and Mr. Omirou expressed the view that Cyprus'
accession to the EU will enhance the island's position in the region, since
it will constitute the Community's "forward post" in the eastern Mediterranean
for the implementation of i ts policy in the region.
Referring to the deployment of Russian-made S-300 anti-aircraft missiles in
Cyprus, Mr. Omirou noted those interested in peace and security should
direct their attention to Turkey, asking it to respect international law
and order as well as UN resolutio ns on Cyprus.
"This would create the conditions for the total demilitarisation of Cyprus,
" the Cypriot minister said.
Balkan multinational force proposal gaining ground
A proposal for a multinational rapid deployment force in the Balkans, mede
by National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, appears to be gaining
ground after recent talks in Sofia on the issue, said government spokesman
Dimitris Reppas yesterday.
The Foreign ministers of Greece, Turkey, Romania, the Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia and Bulgaria, at a meeting in Sofia on March 10,
signed a declaration condemning the ethnic violence in Kosovo and calling
for peaceful dialogue.
Mr. Reppas emphasised that any multinational force would need to have the
agreement of all the countries in the region.
Opposition leader says drachma devaluation was not planned
Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis yesterday dismissed
"as a lie" statements by Prime Minister Costas Simitis claiming that last
weekend's national currency devaluation was planned in advance or that
Greece is now nearer to the European Union.
In his first public appearance before the party's central committee and
after his sports injury, the ND leader said the "glass legs" of the economy
had collapsed and that the government did not have the will and boldness to
proceed with structural chang es in the public sector.
Athens to hosts EU conference on eastern Mediterranean policy
A roundtable conference on "EU policy in the Eastern Mediterranean - Is the
Barcelona Process working?" will be held in Athens April 2-3, it was
announced yesterday.
The controversial issue of the European Union's economic and strategic role
in the Eastern Mediterranean basin as a major player in its development and
political stability will be debated at the conference, a spokesman for the
organisers told the ANA.
Organised jointly by the Lambrakis Research Foundation, the Hellenic
Foundation for Europe and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP) and the Philip Morris
Institute under the auspices of Greece's Foreign Ministry, the conference
will be held at the Athens Concert Hall.
Greek-American lobby working to abolish visas for Greek citizens
United Hellenic American Congress national chairman Andrew Athens yesterday
announced that he was working alond with Greek-American leader Andrew
Manatos to get members of the US House of Representatives to reverse a
recent House subcommittee decision retaining visitor-visa requirements for
Greek nationals.
According to existing regulations, if more than 2 per cent of people
applying for a visa to the US are turned down, then the visa system must
continue in that country. The announcement noted that at present, 2.81 per
cent of applicants from Greece are rejected, while Mr. Athens and Mr.
Manatos' amendment would raise the cut-off level to 3 per cent, thus ending
the requirement for Greek citizens travelling to the United States.
More police on the beat to fight crime wave
Boosting of police patrols in order to combat a recent increase in crime in
Athens, has already born encouraging results, said government spokesman
Dimitris Reppas yesterday.
Public Order Minister George Romeos told an all-party parliamentary
committee yesterday that 400 patrols went out on Wednesday night, 2,000
people were questioned and 40 arrests were made.
Mr. Romeos said earlier this week that street patrols would be stepped up
to include officers normally assigned on desk duties.
Mr. Reppas said that the patrols would be further intensified as of Monday
when 1,000 new officers join the force after completing training.
Greeks drink, smoke and live longer-except behind the wheel: stats
Greeks drink a lot, smoke even more and somehow manage to live longer than
other Europeans, according to this year's Eurostat report.
Greek men have an anerage life span of 75 years while Greek women stay
ahead by living well into their 80th year, on the average. Greek women have
an average birth rate of 1.31 children, with the European average being
1.44.
In terms of smoking, Greeks are well ahead and likely to stay there. Greeks
average 3,012 cigarettes per person per year, while the next nation in line
is Spain with a rate of 2,119 cigarettes per person.
In alcohol consumption, Greeks are on the bottom of the list with only 10.8
lt per person, a position it also has on the subject of suicides.
Finally the Eurostat report says that in Greece traffic accidents claim the
lives of 43 people out of 100,000 every year.
New five-year salvage plan for Olympic Airways
Olympic Airways' board of directors yesterday discussed a new five-year
operational plan for the state-run national airline, which aims to adapt to
the current international environment and turn the loss-making company
profitable.
The plan includes four parts: improving competitiveness, financial
performance, productivity through changes in labour regulations and
reducing operating expenses.
Particular measures include a rationalisation of route schedules, renewal
of the aircraft fleet, strategic cooperation agreements with other airlines
and increasing profitability through development of non-core activities in
ground handling and catering , as well as charter operations.
Transport Minister Tasos Mantelis told a news conference yesterday that the
restructuring programme for 1998-2002 aimed to save 50 billion drachmas a
year.
Better absorption of EU funds in '97
The European Union yesterday announced that Greece absorbed EU funds from
the Delors II structural aid package at a satisfactory rate in 1997.
The announcement stated that Greece had absorbed 8.782 billion Ecu by the
end of 1997, while another 6.985 billion Ecu or 44 per cent of the total
remains to be absorbed. The EU member-state average stands at 41 per
cent.
Plan for further privatisation of OTE announced
The management of the Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE)
yesterday announced plans to further privatise the state-run utility by up
to 15 per cent by the end of the year.
Other plans include expansion of investment in the Balkans, increased
digitalisation of the network from 48 to 70 per cent within 1998 and
gradually reducing rates by 2000.
OTE managing director G. Chrysolouris said investments abroad would be
directed toward Bulgaria and Romania only, where telecom utilities were on
the road to partial privatisation. Consolidation of such ventures would be
sought through cooperation with Greek entrepreneurs who are already active
in these countries, he said.
Police officer killed near border, six detained
Six Albanian nationals were arrested after the fatal shooting of a police
officer early yesterday morning during an exchange of fire between police
and unknown gunmen near the Greek-Albanian border near Kastoria.
The six were apprehended near the scene of the shooting and are being
questioned.
Thirty-year-old police officer Dimitris Zaromytis was fatally injured when
an unidentified suspect opened fire with an assault rifle on the police
vehicle he was driving. The police car, with another two officers inside,
was chasing a truck heading for the border, near a village near Grammos,
when a man inside the truck opened fire before it sped off.
Police later discovered 16 kilos of hashish inside the truck, which was
found abandoned at a short distance from where the victim was killed.
The truck had been stolen from the village of Maniakia near Kastoria on
Wednesday night.
Weather
Overcast skies, sleet, snow and strong westerly winds are forecast for most
of the country for Sunday, excpept southern regions which will have milder
weather with sunny breaks. Athens will be overcast with showers and
snowfalls in mountainous regions, but phenomena are expected to subside
later in the day while the temperature will range between 5 and 10 degrees
centigrade. Similar weather for Thessaloniki with temperatures ranging from
-1 to 4 degrees.
Foreign Exchange
Thursday's closing rates (buying) are as follows: U.S. dollar 321.676
British pound 535.323 Japanese Yen(100) 247.583
French franc 52.350 German mark 175.485
Italian lira (100) 17.807 Irish Punt 440.646
Belgian franc 8.507 Finnish mark 57.840
Dutch guilder 155.684 Danish kr. 46.035
Austrian sch. 24.947 Spanish peseta 2.069
Swedish kr. 40.178 Norwegian kr. 42.184
Swiss franc 215.110 Port. Escudo 1.720
AUS dollar 212.784 Can. dollar 226.573
Cyprus pound 601.648
(K.G.)
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