A.N.A. Bulletin, 25/10/96
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 1024), October 25, 1996
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] EP deals heavy blow to Turkey by freezing aid
[02] Simitis-Demirel meeting 'very probable' on sidelines of BSEC
summit
[03] Simitis to meet with Russian PM in Moscow today
[04] Bikas on Burns' statement over Imia issue
[05] Turkish press says US following pro-Greek policy
[06] Next Greece-FYROM meeting expected November 6
[07] Aegean problems caused by Turkish 'undisciplined military
activity', Reppas says
[08] Greek policemen decorated for work in Mostar
[09] Simitis pledges full support for Athens 2004 bid to IOC
evaluation commission
[10] Greece disagrees with EU 'inner circle' proposal
[11] Greek exhibition in Sydney set to promote Athens
[12] Numerous projects to propel Thessaloniki into 21st century
[13] International ecological organization endorses Greek resolution
on protecting Mediterranean
[14] First of three Greek frigates delivered to navy yesterday
[15] Bosnian Serb president to visit Thessaloniki
[16] Pylos struck by another strong quake
[17] News in Brief
[18] Evert-Souflias antagonism continues
[19] No change in ERT leadership, Gov't spokesman announces
[20] Captain and crew charged with smuggling illegal immigrants
[21] Patras Labor Centre organizes strike for November 7
[22] Boston institutional investors show interest in ASE activity
[23] Thessaloniki hosts European conference on information society
[24] Increase in general production index noted
[25] Measure to introduce clamps abandoned
[01] EP deals heavy blow to Turkey by freezing aid
Strasbourg, 25/10/1996 (ANA - F. Stangos)
Turkey received its biggest blow ever yesterday from the
European Parliament (EP) when the latter voted in a number of
resolutions to freeze millions of dollars of aid to Ankara, and
accused it of provocative actions in Cyprus, the Aegean,
aggression in northern Iraq, and violation of human rights.
In a resolution, following the first reading of the 1997 budget,
the European Parliament transferred to the reserves a total of
95 million ECU, originally planned for disbursement in the
framework of Turkey's customs union agreement with the EU, and
de signed to help that country develop its infrastructure and
modernize its agricultural sector. The amount had been part of a
375 million ECUs ($470 million) sum set aside by the EU for the
period between 1996 and 2000, through the special regulation for
financial co-operation.
EP noted in the resolution that the disbursement of these
credits was linked to respect, on the part of Ankara, for
democratic principles and the rules of international law.
"Significant progress in the political resolution of the Kurdish
and Cyprus problems must be recorded," the resolution added.
EP approved the customs union last December after Ankara had
provided explicit guarantees it would take positive action on
human rights, democratization, and the Kurdish and Cyprus
problems.
With an overwhelming majority (423 in favor, 23 against, and 7
abstentions), the EP plenum also adopted in the first budget
reading, the provision relating to credits envisaged through the
Mediterranean Assistance (MEDA) program, stipulating that plans
concerning Turkey will only be executed if approved by the
Parliament.
It determined that during disbursement of MEDA credits, the
European Commission "will submit the programs to the European
Parliament, which must give its approval".
The resolution regarding MEDA elicited a strong reaction from
External Affairs Commissioner Hans van den Broek, who dismissed
it, accusing EP of " abusive" exercise of its rights, and
stressing that MEDA was a comprehensive program that could not
be "customized" for particular purposes, and that
underdevelopment in many parts of Turkey was not unrelated to
human rights abuses.
In another two resolutions, also adopted with an overwhelming
majority, EP condemned the recent killing by Turkish troops of
an unarmed Greek Cypriot near the dividing line on the island,
and the bombing attack against the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch
ate in Istanbul on September 30.
The first of the two resolutions pointed out that "the victim
was the fourth Greek Cypriot murdered without reason (this
year), which reveals the real intentions of certain extremist
circles to create the false impression that the peaceful
coexistence of the two communities on Cyprus is impossible," and
that "this totally unjustifiable act took place in an area
controlled by the British military base of Dekeleia".
It also called on all European Union member states to exert
pressure on Turkey to withdraw its forces from the island.
The second resolution also expressed its concern over the
climate created by recent statements by the Turkish minister to
the prime minister's office, regarding the conversion of the
Byzantine church of Agia Sophia into a mosque, and pointing out
that in Turkey Christian religious monuments and cemeteries very
often become targets of vandalism.
[02] Simitis-Demirel meeting 'very probable' on sidelines of BSEC
summit
Moscow, 25/10/1996 (ANA - P. Dracopoulos)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis did not exclude a meeting with
Turkish President Suleyman Demirel on the sidelines of the Black
Sea Economic Co-operation (BSEC) summit which begins here today.
Speaking to journalists on his arrival yesterday, Mr. Simitis
said a meeting with Mr. Demirel was "very probable" in the
framework of his contacts with all heads of state and prime
ministers of the 11 member-states of the BSEC.
"No substantial discussion can take place in one session, but it
is expedient and appropriate that one should meet other people
with such an opportunity, to exchange views and examine what can
happen in the future," Mr. Simitis said.
Replying to questions from Russian journalists on the prospects
of the BSEC, Mr. Simitis said the BSEC provides the possibility
of better co-operation between member-states, constitutes a way
of understanding between them and an effort to "exchange
information on progress on such issues as the Thessaloniki-based
Black Sea Commercial and Development Bank."
Mr. Simitis said the BSEC is not like the European Union and is
not something "bound" to a specific policy.
"It is an effort by some countries to resolve individual
problems. This is correct and we must continue in this way," Mr.
Simitis said, indirectly expressing Greece's opposition to the
Turkish aim of turning the BSEC into a regular international
organization.
The Greek representation, including Foreign Minister Theodoros
Pangalos and government officials, is staying at the Metropol
Hotel near the Kremlin. Greek Ambassador to Moscow Mr.
Rodousakis was due to give a dinner in honor of the prime
minister and h is wife last night. After his meeting with
Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin today, Mr. Simitis
will go to the President Hotel where the BSEC summit will take
place and on its sidelines he will have the opportunity to hold
talks with other leaders.
At noon, Mr. Simitis will attend a luncheon given by the Russian
prime minister in honor of the heads of state and government of
the BSEC's 11 member-states.
In the afternoon, he will attend a joint press conference by the
11 leaders and in the evening he has been invited to watch a
performance at the famous Bolshoi Theatre.
[03] Simitis to meet with Russian PM in Moscow today
Athens, 25/10/1996 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis is due to meet with his Russian
counterpart Viktor Chernomyrdin this morning in Moscow,
government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday.
Mr. Simitis was due to arrive in Moscow last night in order to
participate in the Black Sea Economic Co-operation Summit. He is
expected to meet with his counterparts of Albania, Georgia, the
Ukraine and Azerbaijan.
Mr. Reppas reiterated that Turkey had not requested a meeting
between Turkish President Suleyman Demirel and the Greek prime
minister.
The government spokesman also said Mr. Simitis will visit
Budapest on October 26-27 to take part in the European Socialist
Party's summit meeting.
During his visit to the Hungarian capital, Mr. Simitis is
expected to have a meeting with his Hungarian counterpart Gyula
Horn.
Yesterday, the prime minister held a meeting with a special
envoy of French President Jacques Chirac to discuss European
social issues.
[04] Bikas on Burns' statement over Imia issue
Athens, 25/10/1996 (ANA)
Greece said yesterday that it was not satisfied by recent US
statements regarding the status of the Aegean islet of Imia and
that they only served to confuse the issue of the sovereignty of
the islets.
"These (new) statements (by US State Department spokesman
Nicholas Burns) bring us back to the previous situation and do
not solve the issue of the sovereignty of the Imia islets,"
foreign ministry spokesman Constantine Bikas told reporters.
He was referring to Mr. Burns's statement Wednesday expressing
his regret at "confusion" over earlier comments that it was "up
to Greece and Turkey to decide to work together amicably,
peacefully without the threat of force, use of force, to decide
the disposition of these disputed islets".
Mr. Burns said that the United States did not "take sides in the
difference between Greece and Turkey over the disputed island
which is called Kardak and Imia."
Mr. Bikas said that Greece would refer to the recent declaration
by US President Bill Clinton calling for a peaceful resolution
of Greek-Turkish disputes based on respect for recognized
borders and international treaties.
The US is in favor of the Imia dispute being referred to the
International Court at The Hague and is strongly opposed to
"superficial" territorial claims such as Turkey's questioning of
Greek sovereignty over the island of Gavdos earlier this year,
President Clinton said in a campaign message to the US Greek
community Saturday.
Referring to a recent proposal by Foreign Under-secretary
Christos Rozakis that the moratorium on military exercises in
the Aegean over the summer be extended, Mr. Bikas reiterated
comments by government spokesman Dimitris Reppas Wednesday that
"it was Turkey which should make the first move and then we will
discuss and examine it".
Mr. Bikas added that a recent US Congress study on the 1932
treaty between Turkey and Italy on sovereignty of the Dodecanese
islands in the main supported "solid" Greek positions.
[05] Turkish press says US following pro-Greek policy
Istanbul, 25/10/1996 (ANA)
The Turkish press yesterday said that the US followed a
pro-Greek policy in the issue of the Moslem minority of Western
Thrace.
Turkish press reports noted US State Department spokesperson
Nicholas Burns's statement that "in Greece there is a Moslem,
not a Turkish minority."
The Turkish press added that when asked to clarify, Mr. Burns
said: "I used the term Moslem minority and I feel very
comfortable with it."
"At a very important issue for Turkey, the US has started to
follow a pro-Greek policy," Turkish daily "Hurriyet," noted.
[06] Next Greece-FYROM meeting expected November 6
United Nations, 25/10/1996 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)
Authoritative sources said the next meeting between Greece and
the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), under the
aegis of UN mediator Cyrus Vance at the UN's headquarters in New
York, has been rescheduled for November 6 due to commitments
undertaken by Mr. Vance.
According to the sources, a clearer picture is expected to be
created at the meeting, since the representative of FYROM, Ivan
Toshevski, will have to make it clear whether his government
sees that there is ground to bypass constitutional difficulties,
which FYROM has been systematically invoking for a long time,
and go ahead with substantive talks on adopting an international
name for the state.
However, diplomatic observers believe that there is a way to
have difficulties overcome if appropriate political will is
shown.
As an example, the observers point to the problem of changing
the state's flag, which FYROM had also presented as being
insuperable from a constitutional point of view, but which was
ultimately achieved in the framework of the interim agreement.
Diplomatic circles say the fact negotiations on the name will be
resumed on the day after the presidential elections in the US is
a mere coincidence, adding that at the moment there is no
possibility of the US undertaking any initiative.
[07] Aegean problems caused by Turkish 'undisciplined military
activity', Reppas says
Athens, 25/10/1996 (ANA)
Problems in the Aegean do not originate from military exercises
but from "undisciplined military activity by Turkey", government
spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday. Mr. Reppas was
responding to press questions on why Greece would not accept a
Turkish proposal to extend the summer moratorium on military
exercises in the Aegean.
"The 1988 Vouliagmeni Memorandum (signed by then-foreign
ministers of Greece and Turkey, Karolos Papoulias and Mesut
Yilmaz) is a good basis for the rapprochement of the two
countries," Mr. Reppas said, adding that the memorandum should
be utilized and developed so as to provide better results.
Asked about Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos' concern over
the possibilities of further Turkish provocation in the Aegean,
Mr. Reppas said the expression of concern by the minister was
equivalent to Greece's readiness to deal with any eventuality.
"Turkish policy on Greece has taken on permanent characteristics
which show that Turkey does not desire friendship and
co-operation," he said.
Mr. Reppas reiterated that if Turkey showed that it respected
international law and adhered to international agreements,
Greece was "ready to accept the message".
[08] Greek policemen decorated for work in Mostar
Athens, 25/10/1996 (ANA)
Five Greek policemen participating in the West European Union
police mission in Mostar have been decorated for their work in
Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The European Union's mediator in Mostar, Ambassador Zepos,
proposed that the Greek state award medals to the policemen in a
letter to Public Order Minister George Romeos.
The policemen - Panayiotis Poniros, Nikos Sarantakos, Dimitris
Patrinakos, Nikos Kelepouris and Christos Lagios - were
decorated by the representative of the European Police Mr.
Labrechek.
They are due to return to the port of Patras on October 30.
[09] Simitis pledges full support for Athens 2004 bid to IOC
evaluation commission
Athens, 25/10/1996 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday told the International
Olympic Committee delegation in Athens to assess the capital's
bid for the 2004 Olympic Games that the Greek government would
do its utmost to support Athens' bid.
"It was a very good beginning. Mr. Simitis guaranteed that the
government would support Athens' bid to host the Olympic Games,"
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou told reporters
after the reception of the committee, which arrived yesterday
morning.
The meeting was also attended by Sports Under-secretary Andreas
Fouras, Sports Secretary-General Yiannis Sgouros, the president
of the Athens 2004 committee Yianna Daskalaki-Angelopoulou and
Greece's members of the International Olympic Committee Nikos
Filaretos and Lambis Nikolaou. Officials were pleased at a
comment by the German president of the committee, Thomas Bach,
that the Olympic Games "did not only refer to the future but to
the past", saying the statement was a "key" to a successful bid.
Ms. Daskalaki-Angelopoulou said that the good relations between
the government and the Athens 2004 committee were an added
advantage in the "difficult effort to host the Games".
Impressions from the first contacts with Athens were
overwhelmingly positive. IOC member Mr. Nikolaou noted "that the
evaluation committee's luggage arrived at the hotel before they
did. And you know what an important role small details play..."
The official reception for the committee members will be held
this morning at the Zappeion Mansion, in the presence of Athens
Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos, the Athens 2004 committee members
and other officials.
The presentation of Athens candidacy will begin immediately
after the reception at Zappeion. Mr. Bach said the 19-member
committee would assess Athens' bid over three days and after
receiving answers to 600 questions.
The committee members are also scheduled to meet Greek President
Kostis Stephanopoulos today at 1.30.
[10] Greece disagrees with EU 'inner circle' proposal
Athens, 25/10/1996 (ANA)
Athens yesterday expressed disagreement at a Franco-German
proposal which brings into the EU treaty--currently under review
in the inter-governmental conference--a clause that some
countries can move ahead of others in areas of European
co-operation.
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the Greek government
opposed the formation of "an inner circle" within the European
Union.
Most EU countries generally favor the proposal, termed in EU
jargon as "flexibility," but many question how far it should go.
One fear is that a small group of countries would form an inner
circle, setting both the rules and agenda for those outside.
The Franco-German proposal says that no one country should be
allowed to stop others from moving ahead if they want, but other
EU members are likely to contest this provision.
Quizzed on the rumored intention of the EU's Irish Presidency
not to include the issue of the Community's external borders
protection in the draft Communique of the December Summit, Mr.
Reppas reiterated Greece's position that all EU members have the
right to veto issues regarding security and territorial
integrity.
[11] Greek exhibition in Sydney set to promote Athens
Melbourne, 25/10/1996 (ANA - S. Hatzimanolis)
A Greek cultural exhibition is to be held in Sydney during the
2000 Olympic Games, according to reports in the city's Greek
community press.
Greek artefacts dating from the times of the ancient Olympics
and from the first modern Olympic Games held in Athens in 1896
are to be displayed during the exhibition, in order to promote
the country and Athens, which organizers hope will be hosting
the 2004 Olympics, Sydney University professor Dr. Emmanuel
Aronis has said.
Dr. Aronis is mediating between Australian officials and the
Greek government for the exhibition's organization.
[12] Numerous projects to propel Thessaloniki into 21st century
Athens, 25/10/1996 (ANA)
Two hundred projects budgeted at 62 billion drachmas are already
underway in Thessaloniki, hoping to pave the way for the city to
enter the 21st century in the wake of Thessaloniki cultural
capital of Europe year in 1997.
Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas
Laliotis gave an account yesterday of the technical program of
the Cultural Capital Organization (OPPE), two and a half months
before events are due to start in Thessaloniki.
The event was attended by Macedonia and Thrace Minister
Philippos Petsalnikos and Thessaloniki Mayor Constantine
Kosmopoulos, who presides over the organization.
Mr. Laliotis said the Public Works Ministry has provided OPPE's
account with 28.11 billion drachmas, of which the organization
has managed to disburse 16.21 billion drachmas.
A further eight billion drachmas have been provided for the
Concert Hall and 10 billion drachmas for access projects in
municipalities in western Thessaloniki, bringing the total cost
of the project budget to about 80 billion drachmas.
[13] International ecological organization endorses Greek resolution
on protecting Mediterranean
Montreal, 25/10/1996 (ANA-J. Frangoulis)
The 20th conference of the International Organization for the
Protection of Nature (IUCN), which convened in Montreal on
Wednesday, endorsed a resolution submitted by Greece on the
protection and ecological development of the Mediterranean
coasts and islands.
In accordance with the provisions of the resolution, the
conference has decided to consider appropriate legislation for
the protection of the Mediterranean coasts. The conference also
decided to link the coastal regions' management to the
administration of urban and regional development projects, and
to amend existing legislation on environmental development based
on the particularities of the regions involved.
IUCN, one of the most important international ecological
organizations, comprises governmental and non-governmental
organizations.
Its 20th conference, held with the participation of some 3,000
ecological organizations from all over the world, endorsed a
series of important resolutions regarding the protection and
rational exploitation of natural resources, with special
emphasis on a project for the protection of the Mediterranean
basin and the creation of an IUCN bureau to coordinate the
organization's various programs in the region.
[14] First of three Greek frigates delivered to navy yesterday
Athens, 25/10/1996 (ANA)
The 'Spetsai' frigate, the first of three currently being
constructed in Greece, was delivered to the navy yesterday in
the presence of National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos.
Speaking during the delivery ceremony for the MEKO 200-type
frigate, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the Greek navy was ready to
face any Turkish threat in the sea region from Cyprus to the
Aegean, adding that the country's arms industry contributes
considerably to the equipping of Greece's armed forces.
The event was attended by the political and military leadership
of the National Defense Ministry and other government and local
officials.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the continuous modernization and renewal
of the Greek navy reaffirmed Greece's "might at sea, at a time
when disputes and provocations against our sovereign rights in
Greek regions of the Aegean are growing."
[15] Bosnian Serb president to visit Thessaloniki
Athens, 25/10/1996 (ANA)
Bosnian Serb President Biljana Plavsic is to visit Thessaloniki
on Sunday at the invitation of the Municipality of Kalamaria, an
ANA dispatch from Belgrade reported yesterday.
Mr. Plavsic will be in Thessaloniki for three days and is
scheduled to attend events commemorating 'Ohi Day' on October 28.
Ohi (No) Day commemorates the day Greece was dragged into World
War II after the then prime minister, Ioannis Metaxas, rejected
an Italian ultimatum to surrender or be invaded.
Mr. Plavsic will be the first Bosnian Serb official to visit
Greece since the Bosnian elections in September.
[16] Pylos struck by another strong quake
Athens, 25/10/1996 (ANA)
A strong earth tremor registering 5.0 on the Richter scale was
recorded at 6:19 yesterday morning.
The tremor's epicenter was located 215 kms southwest of Athens
in the sea region off Pylos, which has seen a number of tremors
registering above 4.0 in recent weeks.
Seismologist Vassilis Papazahos, of the Geophysical Laboratory
at the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, told the ANA the
latest tremor was worrying.
"The new quake does not follow the usual characteristics ... the
strength of the new quake, only 15 days after a similarly strong
quake, is not a normal development of seismic activity in the
region," he said. The region saw a tremor registering 5.1
Richter on October 9 and has a history of seismic activity.
The strongest quake in the region - 7.5 Richter - was recorded
in 1886.
[17] News in Brief
Athens, 25/10/1996 (ANA)
- Newly-appointed Secretary General of the East Macedonia-Thrace
Region, Athanasios Lagos yesterday said he aimed at achieving
the highest possible growth rates and maximum social consistency
through his policies.
Mr. Lagos said he also aimed at including the region in the
inter European networks, currently under planning.
- The Greek-flagged pleasure yacht 'Manita' was rendered
rudderless on Wednesday as it was sailing in the sea region of
the island of Hydra with four US citizens on board.
A coast guard vessel sailed to the yacht's aid and the four
passengers were picked up by the 'Albatros 2' fishing vessel,
which also towed the Manita into the port of Hydra.
[18] Evert-Souflias antagonism continues
Athens, 25/10/1996 (ANA)
Only a few hours after the stormy New Democracy party Central
Committee meeting on Wednesday, the two participants in the
party's recent leadership contest, Miltiades Evert, who was
re-elected, and former minister Giorgos Souflias, clashed again,
with the latter yesterday describing the former as transitional
leader, and asking for internal party elections before the
conference next year.
"At the conference, a final solution must be given to the
problem of the leadership, which has been de facto raised, and
is of a transitional character in everyone's conscience, and
also our political physiognomy must be re-asserted," he said in
a statement.
"In this way, a solution will be given to the internal problems
plaguing the party for years now, and real unity will be
forged," he added.
Mr. Evert, in reply, called on Mr. Souflias to abstain from
expressing his positions outside party organs, and stressed that
he would remain unmoved regarding the procedures to be followed
before the conference.
[19] No change in ERT leadership, Gov't spokesman announces
Athens, 25/10/1996 (ANA)
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday that there
is no question of a change in the leadership of the state-owned
Greek broadcasting network ERT.
Replying to a questioner yesterday, Mr. Reppas said the
government's intention is to proceed with restructuring and
changes in the broadcasting network to enhance its image.
[20] Captain and crew charged with smuggling illegal immigrants
Athens, 25/10/1996 (ANA)
The Greek captain and two Romanian and two Egyptian seamen of a
Honduras-flagged vessel will be brought before a Kalamata
prosecutor yesterday, charged with carrying 33 illegal
immigrants into Greece.
Ignatios Markodoulis, 49, and his four-member crew were arrested
yesterday when port authorities found the 33 Pakistanis hidden
in the "Mona's" hold.
Police are also seeking two members of the vessel's owner
company, as accomplices in the smuggling of the illegal
immigrants.
The Mona has been the focus of police investigation before, when
as the "Patricia V" it was found sailing southeast off Crete
with 23 tonnes of hashish.
[21] Patras Labor Centre organizes strike for November 7
Athens, 25/10/1996 (ANA)
The members of the Patras Labor Centre will go on strike on
November 7, to protest high unemployment in the region, which
has recently been made more acute through a wave of mass
redundancies at the MISKO industry's plant.
The strike, which is taking place ahead of the government's 1997
budget, is organized by the Patras Labor Centre in order to
yield support to the General Confederation of Workers of Greece
(GSEE) presidium's concern at the prospect of continuing
austerity through a stiff incomes policy, employers' demands for
deregulation of the labor market, cutbacks in the social budget,
de-industrialization, indexing of tax scales for inflation and
measures to boost employment.
[22] Boston institutional investors show interest in ASE activity
Boston, 25/10/1996 (ANA-M. Georgiadou)
Some 80 Boston-based institutional investors have shown interest
in the substantial investment opportunities at the Athens Stock
Exchange after being briefed yesterday on Greece's capital
market by President of the Athens Bourse, Manolis Xanthakis,
Deputy Governor of the Bank of Greece, Panayiotis Thomopoulos
and President of the Capital Market Committee, Stavros
Thomadakis.
The representatives of 80 US banks and enterprises have attended
a series of seminars on Greece's capital market and had the
opportunity for dialogue with the heads of 12 Greek companies
participating in the mission.
The members of the Greek delegation met with senior officials of
the "Bear Stearns" company and attended a reception in their
honor by the president of the Boston Stock Exchange.
Today, the members of the Greek delegation will attend an
official lunch organized by the President of the New York Stock
Exchange William Johnston.
[23] Thessaloniki hosts European conference on information society
Athens, 25/10/1996 (ANA)
Macedonia-Thrace Minister Philippos Petsalnikos stressed the
contribution of high technology to the globalization of markets
which, he said, has transformed the various peoples of the earth
into citizens of a universal culture.
He was speaking at the opening of the second two-day annual
inter-European Conference on Community Initiative IRIS
yesterday, in Thessaloniki.
The meeting, organized by the Central Macedonia Region, one of
the six regions of the European Union participating in the
implementation of IRIS, will focus on strategies, policies and
applications in the so-called "Society of Information."
Addressing the conference, newly-appointed Secretary General of
the Central Macedonia Region Haralambos Sofianos said that
implementation of IRIS will enable Greece to become the most
important hub in the field of transport and communications in
the Balkans.
[24] Increase in general production index noted
Athens, 25/10/1996 (ANA)
The general production index for mines, industries, electricity
and gas increased by 0.9 per cent in July 1996 compared to the
corresponding month in 1995, according to data provided by the
National Statistics Service.
The mining production index increased by 7 per cent and the gas
production index rose by 3.9 per cent while the industrial
production index remained unchanged.
[25] Measure to introduce clamps abandoned
Athens, 25/10/1996 (ANA)
Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos yesterday announced the
abandonment of the proposed measure of introducing clamps for
illegally parked vehicles in the city.
"Clamps are paper ones, and will stay paper, to remind,
symbolize, and discourage," he said.
He also announced the suspension of the proposed extension of
parking controls in the city's neighborhoods of Pangrati,
Kallithea and Kypseli.
End of English language section.
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