Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 96-11-14
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 1040), November 14, 1996
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Massive armaments program unveiled after KYSEA meeting
[02] Opposition
[03] Turkish submarine report denied
[04] State Dept. official's talks in Athens 'useful'
[05] Pangalos says Gov't will not call for suspension of military
exercises in Aegean
[06] WEU political committee assembly approves report guaranteeing
member-states' borders
[07] Concern over events in Africa voiced
[08] Kranidiotis criticizes any attempt at instituting weighted
voting power for larger EU members
[09] Papariga requests agenda meeting on Maastricht
[10] Evert expected to announce creation of 'Constantine Karamanlis
Institute'
[11] Andrianopoulos announces new political reform group
[12] Bomb goes off in Polytechnic
[13] News in Brief
[14] Joint Greek-Cypriot training seminar ends
[15] Athens 2004 delegation attends IOC meeting in Mexico
[16] Roussel lawsuit against Onassis Foundation trustees rejected
[17] Tanker gets 150 million drachma fine for sea pollution
[18] British hospital group to open branch in Greece
[19] Olive oil market appears favorable for producers
[20] INKA study shows widespread consumer dissatisfaction
[21] Conference on business possibilities in Croatia organized
[22] Bank of Greece moves to ease brokers' bank transactions
[23] New Democracy calls for inquiry into Gov't handling of bourse
crisis
[24] EOT chief briefs British business leaders on Greek tourism
[25] Events in Athens to mark murders of two unarmed Greek Cypriots
by Turkish forces
[26] News in Brief
[01] Massive armaments program unveiled after KYSEA meeting
Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)
Greece will spend almost two trillion drachmas on defense up to
the year 2000 and a further two trillion by 2007, Prime Minister
Costas Simitis announced yesterday immediately after a meeting
of the Government Council for Foreign Policy and Defense (KYSEA
).
Mr. Simitis and National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos
said the Greek armed forces would purchase an AWACS
early-warning aircraft, 60 new warplanes, training aircraft,
transport helicopters and aircraft as well as modernize its F-4
"Phantom" fighters. In addition, new tanks will be purchased,
while those already in service will be modernized.
The four-trillion drachmas (approximately US$16 billion)
armaments program will also involve the purchase of modern
munitions and the acquisition of new anti-aircraft systems and
warships, including submarines and nine surface vessels - three
torpedo boats, two corvettes and four gunboats.
Replying to reporters' questions, Mr. Simitis said that the
Greek people would have to make sacrifices and stressed that
"there must be no waste."
However, he ruled out the possibility of Greece missing the
economic convergence targets set in the Maastricht Treaty as a
result of the massive defense program.
Noting that the necessary funds for the program would be raised
through foreign borrowing, Mr. Simitis said that a large part of
armaments would be supplied by the Greek defense industry.
Greece's defense strategy is one of deterrence, Mr. Simitis
said, adding that "we do not claim anything, but we shall not
give anything up."
He underlined that the country's armed forces had to be
bolstered in order to face "the threats..." and that emphasis
would be placed on upgrading the military qualitatively in order
to counterbalance the "opponent's" numerical strength.
Mr. Simitis said that the defense program had taken into
consideration the needs of the armed forces without overlooking
the limits of the country's economic endurance. On land, he
continued, the objective of the program is to create flexible,
rapid intervention forces with more lethal firepower.
The aim at sea is to create a naval force capable of securing
control in all Greek seas, repulsing any invasion from the sea
and maintaining a naval presence in the broader region of the
eastern Mediterranean, the premier said.
As far as the air was concerned, he added, the aim was to create
a force capable of securing the air defense of the country,
maintaining the necessary air superiority and providing air
support for army and navy units.
All efforts would be made to increase the participation of the
domestic defense industry in the implementation of the program,
Mr. Simitis said, adding that within this framework there would
be co-operation between the ministries of national defense,
national economy and of development with both private and
state-controlled industrial concerns.
The necessary funds for the program would be secured from FMS
credits, foreign borrowing on the international capital market
and the regular state budget, "the burden on which will be 100
billion drachmas annually."
Asked if new taxes would be imposed in order to implement the
program, Mr. Simitis replied that "there will be taxes within
the framework of economic policy in general, if and when we
decide this."
Mr. Simitis underlined that Greece was facing the major
challenge of securing its equal participation in the EU, but at
the same time was up against a Turkish threat and
provocativeness.
"Our position towards Turkey is steadfast and quite clear.
Greece does not claim anything but will not concede anything.
Greece will never concede or negotiate its sovereign rights,
rights which emanate from historical truth, which have been
consolidate d with the blood of generations of Greeks and have
been acknowledged as being final by virtue of indisputable
international treaties," Mr. Simitis said.
[02] Opposition
Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy party president Miltiades Evert is
expected to request a briefing in two weeks' time by Mr.
Tsohatzopoulos on the armaments program, decided on by the
government yesterday.
It was announced that he will then decide on ND's position
concerning the issue, ND spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos said.
He subsequently accused the government of announcing the program
for the armed forces' fortification "with a delay of three years
and after constant machinations."
"The national importance and gravity of the whole issue obliges
the government to not face implementation of its announcements
as one more pre-election-type evasion..." Mr. Pavlopoulos said.
On his part, the Coalition of the Left and Progress
(Synaspismos) stated its opposition to an armament's program in
an announcement.
Synaspismos said the mammoth armaments program will deal a "coup
de grece" to the Greek economy, adding that the program will be
used as an alibi for what it referred to as "the government's
failed economic policy."
The president of the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) Dimitris
Tsovolas said "DHKKI supports the battle-worthiness of the armed
forces, which must, however, also include, apart from armaments,
the economic, social and moral upgrading of those serving in the
armed forces."
Meanwhile, the Political Spring (Pol.An) party issued an
announcement yesterday calling for the "speedy implementation of
Prime Minister Costas Simitis' statements regarding the armed
forces armament program," stressing the need for "full
transparency and fair distribution of cost."
Pol.An has proposed that a National Defense Fund be established
to receive contributions for Greece's defense.
[03] Turkish submarine report denied
Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)
Sources of the Hellenic Navy General Staff categorically denied
reports yesterday evening that a Turkish submarine was
manoeuvring in the area where the Hellenic Navy missile boat
"Kostakos" had sunk last week after being rammed by a ferry
boat. Sources s aid such reports were untrue.
Meanwhile, a special robot is continuing dives in the area where
the accident occurred, providing information to the navy's
special vessel "Pytheas".
[04] State Dept. official's talks in Athens 'useful'
Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)
The US State Department's southern European representative,
Carey Cavanaugh, yesterday described his talks in Athens as
"fruitful and useful" and said Washington shared the same
targets as Greece with respect to securing peace, stability and
prosperity for Cyprus. Mr. Cavanaugh, who has unofficially
become Washington's coordinator for the Cyprus problem following
the resignation of James Williams, arrived in Athens on Tuesday.
After talks yesterday with Foreign Under-secretary Christos
Rozakis, he told reporters that his meetings on Tuesday and
Wednesday in Athens and those he will be having today in Nicosia
"underline the emphasis which the United States attaches to
efforts for a settlement of the Cyprus problem". US State
Department spokesman Glyn Davis said on Tuesday that Mr.
Cavanaugh's visit to Athens, Ankara and Cyprus was "a diplomatic
mission on a working level and does not constitute the start of
a US initiative on the Cyprus problem".
Asked by reporters here yesterday when such a US initiative
would begin, Mr. Cavanaugh replied that "this depends on the
course of the talks".
Replying to other questions, Mr. Cavanaugh described Greece's
positions as "positive" and reiterated that the US shared the
same targets as Athens.
Earlier, Mr. Cavanaugh had talks with the director of the
foreign ministry political affairs directorate Alexandros Filon
and the secretary general for European affairs Stelios Perrakis
with whom he discussed Cyprus' course towards accession to the
European Union.
Mr. Cavanaugh, who left late yesterday for Nicosia, had the
opportunity to exchange views with foreign ministry officials
during a dinner given in his honor on Tuesday night by US
Ambassador in Athens Thomas Niles.
According to diplomatic sources, the US is placing particular
emphasis on the implementation of previous proposals put forward
by Washington's permanent representative at the United Nations,
Madeleine Albright, aimed at reducing tension and commencing
military dialogue on Cyprus.
[05] Pangalos says Gov't will not call for suspension of military
exercises in Aegean
Athens,14/11/1996 (ANA)
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos told Parliament yesterday
evening that the foreign ministry does not intend to call for a
suspension of military exercises in the Aegean for the remaining
months, other than in the so-called tourism period extending fro
m June to September.
Replying to a question by main opposition New Democracy party
deputy Costas Karamanlis on the government's intentions
concerning an extension of a moratorium on military exercises in
the Aegean, Mr. Pangalos said the proposal existing is for it to
be ex tended throughout the entire tourism period, namely in
June through September, as well and not only in July and August
as was the case this year.
Mr. Karamanlis referred to relevant statements by Foreign
Under-secretary Christos Rozakis, saying there is a question of
disagreements and coordination in the government and it should
be clarified whether Greece's position on the issue has changed.
Mr. Pangalos said Mr. Rozakis was misled and that his position
was misunderstood by the press. He said absolutely no difference
in views exists in the ministry's leadership, which works
collectively, adding that the decision is that a suspension of
armed forces exercises will not be requested with the exception
of the tourism period, namely from June to September.
[06] WEU political committee assembly approves report guaranteeing
member-states' borders
Paris, 14/11/1996 (ANA/Y.Zitouniati)
A report unanimously ratified at a meeting of the West European
Union's (WEU) political committee assembly in Paris yesterday
confirms the guaranteeing of borders of WEU member-states, while
calling for a speedy and just solution to the Cyprus issue.
The report, focusing on the WEU's future role, was proposed by
main opposition New Democracy party deputy Mihalis Liapis and
strongly supported by PASOK deputy Iosif Miheloyiannis. The
meeting was also attended by the assembly secretariat member
Frangiskos Verros.
Article 8 of the report "calls on the Council to impose
implementation of the principle of territorial integrity and the
inviolability of the borders of WEU member-states."
The report terms the status quo prevailing on Cyprus
unacceptable and calls for a speedy and just solution to the
Cyprus issue. It further reiterates as being certain that a
start to Cyprus' accession negotiations to the European Union
will take place s ix months after the end of the
Intergovernmental Conference (IGC).
[07] Concern over events in Africa voiced
Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)
Greece is watching developments in the great lakes region of
Africa and the drama faced by refugees with concern, condemning
all acts of violence and calling for an immediate end to all
hostilities in the region.
This was stressed in an announcement by the foreign ministry,
underlining that every initiative by the UN and the
international community in general to relieve the humanitarian
problem must be supported.
The announcement said that on their part, countries involved
should create suitable conditions for an overall political
solution to the crisis, abstaining from actions which are
harmful for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all the
nations in the region.
[08] Kranidiotis criticizes any attempt at instituting weighted
voting power for larger EU members
Brussels, 14/11/1996 (ANA/M. Spinthourakis)
Larger members of the European Union ostensibly cite reasons of
efficiency in the Union's decision-making as behind their
seeking a greater weighted voting power in the Council of
Ministers, but are in reality aiming a t acquiring greater power
and authority at the expense of smaller countries, Greece's
representative at the two-day session for the Intergovernmental
Conference, PASOK Eurodeputy Yiannos Kranidiotis, said yesterday.
He said this attempt tended to "overturn the rationale,
philosophy, and the principles of the European Union, which are
equality and balance between the member-states".
Other institutional issues discussed by the group of
representatives were the number of commissioners (the total and
per country), extension of the special majority, and the
restriction of unanimity in decision-making procedures, as well
as the role of national and the European parliaments.
Mr. Kranidiotis proposed one commissioner per country, adding
that an increase in representative powers should be sought on
the basis of the population factor and through upgrading the
authority and responsibilities of the Europarliament, rather
than the Council. Referring to the special majority, he said
that Greece could accept it in certain cases, but on issues of
constitutional nature the principle of unanimity should be
maintained.
[09] Papariga requests agenda meeting on Maastricht
Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)
Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga
has sent a letter to Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis
asking him to convey to the government her request for an agenda
meeting on the Maastricht Treaty.
Ms. Papariga stresses in her letter that it is imperative that a
meeting take place in view of the European Council Summit in
Dublin at the beginning of December,
She said the meeting should take place at the initiative of the
government.
[10] Evert expected to announce creation of 'Constantine Karamanlis
Institute'
Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy party Miltiades Evert intends to
shortly announce the creation of a study center entitled
"Institute for Democracy - Constantine Karamanlis", named after
the party's founder and former president of the republic, at the
inauguration of which he will announce his ideological and
political platform, reliable sources said yesterday.
The same sources expressed the view that through the move, the
main opposition leader aimed at creating a rallying point in
order to blunt internal party tension over procedures for next
year's congress, and transpose dissension from the personal to
the ideological and political level.
Meanwhile, Mr. Evert's prominent adversary within the party,
former prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis, yesterday
dismissed the likelihood of expulsions, just one day after the
party's political council decision to back any disciplinary
action Mr. Evert might take against members airing dissenting
views outside party organs.
"Expulsions will not happen..." he told reporters.
[11] Andrianopoulos announces new political reform group
Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)
Former ND minister Andreas Andrianopoulos yesterday announced
the creation of the "Initiative Group for Political Reform,"
comprising scientists, lawyers, businesspeople, university
professors and doctors.
Addressing a press conference at the Foreign Press Association
premises in downtown Athens, Mr. Andrianopoulos said that "the
Initiative Group intends to sensitize Greek public opinion on
the need to build a society on the principles of the free
market, open competition and less taxes."
At a time when "the government is faltering and the main
opposition is falling apart," Mr. Andrianopoulos said the
"Initiative Group will explore in due time the possibilities for
creating a new reformist party."
Mr. Andrianopoulos said the government was "inert and
ineffective," and was resolved only in the cases of "tax raiding
the income of the middle classes of the Greek society."
Regarding the main opposition New Democracy, Mr. Andrianopoulos
said the party was unable to deliver on its institutional role
as main opposition at a time when the society was suffering from
an unresolved economic crisis and increased unemployment.
The former minister however did not rule out the possibility of
returning to New Democracy if the conditions which forced him to
leave in the first place do no longer apply.
"New Democracy was a vehicle of power," Mr. Andrianopoulos said.
"If it achieves in rallying its supporters, even through a
change of leadership, then I could re-examine my position."
[12] Bomb goes off in Polytechnic
Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)
An explosion rocked the Athens Polytechnic shortly before 5 p.m.
yesterday. No injuries were reported. The explosion went off
just as police reached the school's premises in downtown Athens
and shortly after students in the building had been evacuated
from the premises.
The Athens daily "Eleftherotypia" and radio station "SKAI" both
received anonymous calls warning of the bomb and contacted
police.
Authorities said they had received a third anonymous call
warning of the presence of a bomb in the school's other premises
in the Athens suburb of Zographou, but said that it turned out
to be a hoax. The bomb had been placed on the second floor of
the Polytechnic, the site of the November 1973 uprising against
the military junta then ruling Greece.
Anti-terrorist police are combing the site for evidence but
sources say the explosive device was a time-bomb.
[13] News in Brief
Strasbourg, 14/11/1996 (ANA)
A Council of Europe committee on the prevention of torture made
a three-day visit to Athens earlier this month and visited a
state-run psychiatric hospital in the Attica prefecture. The
committee also had meetings with health ministry officials while
in Athens. According to article 11 of the European Convention on
the prevention of torture, the information gathered by the
committee is confidential and will be released first to the
Greek government.
[14] Joint Greek-Cypriot training seminar ends
Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)
A three-day training seminar for senior government press
officers from Nicosia and Athens concluded here yesterday with
Cypriot Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides stressing the "great
importance of this joint seminar in which views have been
exchanged regarding the image of the two states abroad."
Mr. Michaelides said the seminar has been organized within the
framework of the on-going coordination of action between Greece
and Cyprus.
Addressing the seminar earlier, Mr. Michaelides talked of the
"hopes and deadlocks of Cyprus's foreign policy."
Greek National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos also
addressed the seminar on "Greece's involvement in Cyprus's
defense."
[15] Athens 2004 delegation attends IOC meeting in Mexico
Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)
A delegation of the Greek Olympic Committee "Athens 2004" headed
by committee president Yianna Angelopoulou-Daskalaki, held a
series of meetings with representatives of the 197 national
Olympic committees visiting Mexico for the convening of the
International Olympic Committee's (IOC) executive committee
meeting.
The meeting is being held under the chairmanship of IOC
president Antonio Samaranch.
Olympic gold medallist Pyrros Dimas, a member of the Greek
Olympic Committee, said in an interview with Mexico Television
that Athens has the will and ability to organize the 2004
Olympic Games.
He said Athens has experience in organizing large international
events, adding that he will compete at the Sydney Olympics as
well as the 2004 Olympics, if Athens is host.
"I want to end my career with a gold medal," he added.
[16] Roussel lawsuit against Onassis Foundation trustees rejected
Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)
The Athens Council of Misdemeanor Court judges has irrevocably
rejected a lawsuit by Thierry Roussel against the trustees of
the Onassis Foundation, in which he alleged improper management
of the vast fortune bequeathed to it by his late wife, Christina
Onassis.
The council also ruled that Mr. Roussel did not have any lawful
rights on the trust.
The board of trustees of the foundation expressed its full
satisfaction over the ruling.
[17] Tanker gets 150 million drachma fine for sea pollution
Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)
Merchant Marine Minister Stavros Soumakis yesterday imposed a
150 million drachma fine - the highest fine allowed under the
law - on the captain and proprietors of the Greek tanker "Kriti
Sea" for polluting the Saronic Gulf while it was unloading crude
at the Motor Oil installations at Ayioi Theodoroi on August 9
this year.
Mr. Soumakis said the Kriti Sea had been fined to the maximum,
adding "if the law allowed the fine would have been much
greater".
It is expected that Motor Oil will be fined a similar amount,
following consultations with Environment, Town Planning and
Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis.
Activists from the Greenpeace organization last week chained
themselves to tankers and a ship refueling pipe at the Motor Oil
installations demanding stricter safety measures.
The protesters obstructed the loading and unloading of Motor Oil
Ships at the site. The captain of the Greenpeace vessel "Arctic
Sunrise" and 17 activists were arrested after the day-long
blockade.
"We must understand that damage to the environment, particularly
sea damage, is great and that the perpetrators must be made
examples of," Mr. Soumakis said. He added that he was pushing
for the upper limit on fines for sea pollution be raised to 250
million drachmas.
"The 150 million drachma fine is not about people or situations,
but about the pollution of the environment," he added.
The Kriti Sea is owned by the 'Varnima' company, part of the
Vardinoyiannis Group.
[18] British hospital group to open branch in Greece
Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)
The British health organization BUPA Hospitals announced
yesterday that it will open a branch in Greece for local
patients deciding to seek treatment abroad.
There are 29 BUPA hospitals in Britain, covering all major
medical areas such as cardio-thorasic, neurosurgical, vascular,
gynecological and plastic surgery, among others.
The organization also has sports clinics and centers for the
prevention and treatment of back and spinal problems.
[19] Olive oil market appears favorable for producers
Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)
Prospects for olive oil producers are looking particularly
favorable this season, with the product selling at around 1,200
drachmas per kilo.
It is estimated that total production will reach 330,000 tonnes
this season, compared to 367,000 tonnes last year, and it is
considered that most of it will be absorbed by the Italian
market, whose annual consumption needs are expected to fall
about 200 ,000 tonnes short of the country's domestic production.
Consumption of olive oil is following a downward trend in
producing countries, due to the much lower price of seed oils.
Despite this, Greece remains the world's largest olive oil
consuming country per head, almost twice above Italy's level.
[20] INKA study shows widespread consumer dissatisfaction
Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)
Seventy-six per cent of consumers are disappointed with the
market and services offered to them, according to a report by
the Consumers' Institute (INKA).
A 46 per cent increase in complaints made to INKA are indicative
of the problem's magnitude.
According to the report, 81 per cent of consumers are
disappointed with the cost of living, 72 per cent with the
quality of products and services, 67 per cent with health and
insurance, 58 per cent with public transport and 54 per cent
with public administration.
Meanwhile, INKA research on housing in the capital showed that
the number of people living in the city has declined in past
years. Out of 4,135 families charted since 1980 only 1,180
continue to live in the Athens municipality.
[21] Conference on business possibilities in Croatia organized
Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)
The Greek Organization of Foreign Commerce (OPE) will organize a
conference on the subject of "Business Approaches to the
Croatian Market" on Nov. 20 in order to inform Greek businesses
on possibilities for co-operation with Croatian businesses.
Issues will be presented by members of the Croatian Chamber of
Commerce, the Agency for the Promotion of Foreign Investments in
Croatia and the foreign investments department of the
Privatization and Development Ministry of Croatia.
Topics to be discussed will include foreign trade, distribution
networks, joint investments and investment opportunities in
Croatia.
[22] Bank of Greece moves to ease brokers' bank transactions
Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)
The Bank of Greece has decided to extend the capabilities of
brokerage firms to settle their accounts with commercial banks,
in order to facilitate a settlement at the embattled Athens
Stock Exchange.
Specifically, the central bank has extended the period for
settlement of loans granted until Jan. 10, 1997, from five to 30
days, and allowed banks to issue letters of credit for stock
firms so that they may be able to meet their obligations to the
Title Depository for transactions until that date.
[23] New Democracy calls for inquiry into Gov't handling of bourse
crisis
Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Miltiades Evert said
yesterday that the party would next Monday table a motion in
Parliament proposing the formation of a committee of inquiry "to
reveal all the government's peculiar handling with respect to
the institution of the Athens Stock Exchange".
In an announcement, Mr. Evert described as "unprecedented the
fact that the government used state-controlled banks, which also
have responsibility for the scandal, as strike-breakers in order
to force a quick solution and cover up the scandal".
The Athens Stock Exchange resumed operation yesterday after the
Association of Athens Stock Exchange Members (SMEHA) yesterday
accepted a national economy ministry proposal to resolve a deep
crisis which had plagued the bourse since last Friday.
Under the proposal, a Delta Securities default of 2.6 billion
drachmas will be made up from the Joint-Surety Fund and the
Titles Depository. According to a Capital Market Committee
decision, disputed transactions must be cleared by all brokerage
firms b y today, while those firms which do not fulfill their
obligations will be barred from bourse sessions.
The Stock Exchange supervising authority on Tuesday attempted to
operate the bourse with the participation only of brokerage
firms which are subsidiaries of the major state-controlled
banks, sparking protests from other brokerage firms.
Mr. Evert said that the Stock Exchange must regain its
credibility at the earliest, adding he was convinced that the
vast majority of small investors and brokerage firms were in
favor of a clearing up of the situation in order to put the
bourse on a solid footing.
[24] EOT chief briefs British business leaders on Greek tourism
London, 14/11/1996 (ANA/L. Tsirigotakis)
Greek Tourism Organization (EOT) Secretary General Vassilis
Kourtesis briefed 50 British businessmen yesterday on what he
referred to as Greece's new "tourism product."
"I assure you that Greece is strengthening its tourism profile,
reinforcing its infrastructure and enriching (the tourism
product) with new forms of tourism through a new, aggressive
communications and public relations strategy," Mr. Kourtesis
said.
Meanwhile, British tycoon Richard Branson, the owner of Virgin
Atlantic airlines, among others, told the Greek official that he
was planning to make Greece the second headquarters for his
business activities in Europe after Britain.
[25] Events in Athens to mark murders of two unarmed Greek Cypriots
by Turkish forces
Athens, 14/11/1996 (ANA)
Memorial events for Tassos Isaac and Solomos Solomou, the two
unarmed Greek Cypriots killed during occupation protests in
early August along the buffer zone in the island republic by
mainland Turkish extremists and Turkish occupation forces,
respectively, will begin in Athens tomorrow and end on Sunday.
Speaking during a joint press conference with Cypriot government
spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides, Athens Mayor and the president
of the Panhellenic Coordinating Committee for the Cyprus
Struggle (PASEKA) Dimitris Avramopoulos said the events will
include marches and protest rallies outside the Turkish embassy,
a march by Cypriot students and a march by the Motorcyclists
Federation of Greece and Cyprus.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday at the Athens
Metropolitan Cathedral, while a wreath will be laid at the Tomb
of the Unknown Soldier.
Mr. Cassoulides said "the presence of the Athens mayor in the
presidency of PASEKA essentially symbolizes that the whole of
Greece is at the side of Cypriot Hellenism for a common
struggle. We promise we can bring positive results to this trial
that Hellenism is facing in Cyprus."
[26] News in Brief
Brussels, 14/11/1996 (ANA/G.Daratos)
Ruling PASOK Eurodeputy Yiannos Kranidiotis has addressed a
seminar organized by the London School of Economics on Cyprus
and the European Union. According to the Community Bulletin
"Agence Europe," Mr. Kranidiotis proposed that if Ankara
abandoned its intransigent position on Cyprus and the Aegean,
the European Union could institutionalize a special relation
with Turkey providing better co-operation in many sectors.
End of English language section.
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