Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 96-12-02
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1055), December 2, 1996
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Widespread flooding hits eastern Macedonia, Thrace
[02] Farmers' mobilizations intensify throughout country
[03] Evert's comments
[04] Statesman George Papandreou remembered at Patras University event
[05] Simitis to address OSCE summit today
[06] G. Papandreou raises issue of alleged torching of Greek forests
by Turkish agents
[07] ND calls for more measures to deal with AIDS epidemic
[08] Stephanopoulos cites lack of Gov't information concerning EU
convergence, Maastricht
[09] Gerry Adams says Sinn Fein's primary objective today is a
negotiated peace settlement
[10] Adams on Irish unity
[11] Adams on the Cyprus problem
[12] Constantopoulos outlines Synaspismos' strategy at party
conference
[13] Varvitsiotis offers resignation of both Evert, Mitsotakis as
solution to ND crisis
[14] 3 suspects arrested on drug charges
[15] Farmer sets himself on fire
[01] Widespread flooding hits eastern Macedonia, Thrace
Athens, 02/12/1996 (ANA)
Heavy flooding in the northeastern prefectures of Xanthi and
Kavala over the weekend left three people dead, many injured and
has caused widespread damage.
The province of Xanthi was declared in a state of emergency
yesterday, with the government's "Xenocrates" contingency plan
applied in stricken areas, while authorities said fire brigades
in the regions received hundreds of calls from people trapped in
flooded homes and shops.
In addition, large parts of the island of Thassos remained
without electricity for most of Saturday morning, while numerous
trees were uprooted by strong winds in the center of the city of
Kavala.
Gale force winds in the northwest Aegean resulted in an
interruption of ferry services from Kavala to Thassos and other
islands in the northwest of the country.
The Vistonida lake, as well as several rivers and canals in
eastern Macedonia and Thrace overflowed, causing damage to wheat
and cotton crops. Road connections between Xanthi and Rodopi
prefectures were cut off on Saturday night after a new bridge at
Iasmos, Komotini, subsided.
According to reports, 30-year-old farmer Kiosse Nezit, Aristides
Barbathanasis, 38, and his 14-year-old daughter were killed in
accidents during the flooding.
Meanwhile, heavy flooding was also reported in Patra's streets
late on Saturday.
Macedonia-Thrace Minister Philippos Petsalnikos is in Xanthi to
coordinate efforts to deal with the flooding, believed to be the
worst in the last 50 years.
On his part, Eastern Macedonia-Thrace secretary general
Athanasios Lagos, who also chaired a meeting in Xanthi
yesterday, announced government measures for the support of
flood-stricken victims.
Under the measures, all affected residents in the devastated
areas will be transported to hotels if they so wish and will be
supplied with foodstuffs, while an emergency stipend of 200,000
drachmas per family will be made available in order to cover
basic necessities.
"We apologize to the families of the three victims," Mr. Lagos
said. "The government, through my presence, shows its great
interest in your region, which has been hit by this disaster. It
was unexpected for all..."
Mr. Lagos has asked for the prefectural, municipal and utility
services to submit a detailed report today on damages caused
throughout the prefecture, in order for relevant ministries to
be able to order repair works.
Gale force winds have been predicted to continue around the
country today.
[02] Farmers' mobilizations intensify throughout country
Athens, 02/12/1996 (ANA)
Farmers in the northern prefectures of Thessaloniki, Imathia,
Pella and Pieria cut off western Macedonia from the city of
Thessaloniki yesterday, the third successive day of their
mobilizations, as farmers' groups intensified protest demands
for cheaper fuel for agricultural use and increased subsidies
for cultivated land.
According to reports, a road block of about 50 tractors was set
up on the Thessaloniki-Veria road, while another 40 tractors
were parked across the old national road from Thessaloniki to
Katerini, near the village of Kypseli.
All road communications were cut off at various points on the
road from Lamia to Trikala, Karditsa and Larisa by farmers from
the Domokos region, reports stated.
Earlier yesterday afternoon, farmers with about 100 tractors
gathered at the Malagra bridge in the prefecture of Thessaloniki
and blocked the Thessaloniki-Athens national highway. Traffic
was being diverted to the old national road, although it was
reported that farmers would block that highway as well later.
Stockbreeders from Larissa joined the protests, while
Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas called a meeting with
the "PanThessaly Struggle Committee" for this afternoon in an
effort to end the mobilizations.
However, the committee did not appear flexible during its
contacts with a government delegation which traveled to Larissa.
Their demands included additional benefits, to the tune of
90,000 drachmas per stremma, to be awarded from the budget to
cotton producers, as well as untaxed fuel and a 50 per cent
reduction in electricity bills for agricultural use.
It is estimated that if all demands are met, the budget would be
burdened by another 300-400 billion drachmas.
[03] Evert's comments
Athens, 02/12/1996 (ANA)
On his part, Main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades
Evert called on Prime Minister Costas Simitis to meet with
farmers' representatives as soon as possible, saying he feared
the current situation could only get worse.
However, according to information, the government is examining
the possibility of providing an emergency financial bonus to
farmers whose crops were damaged by adverse weather conditions.
Meanwhile, road blocks set up by farmers in Thessaly are
reportedly being reinforced, while farmers' unions around the
country are due to convene today in order to discuss whether
they will join the mobilizations.
[04] Statesman George Papandreou remembered at Patras University event
Athens, 02/12/1996 (ANA)
Patras University celebrated the 30-year anniversary of its
founding over the weekend with an event honoring former prime
minister and statesman George Papandreou.
President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos as well as
university officials spoke at the event, as did George
Papandreou's granddaughter and Andreas Papandreou's daughter,
Sofia Katsaneva, who is also the president of the George
Papandreou Foundation.
"George Papandreou had a singular, sparkling eloquence, who
impressed the people with his genuine patriotic and social
ideas. He was unswerving in his democratic ideals until his
death..." Mr. Stephanopoulos, who was in Patra to attend events
honoring the city's patron saint, Agios Andreas, said.
Papandreou was born in 1888 in Achaia prefecture and died in
1968.
[05] Simitis to address OSCE summit today
Lisbon, 02/12/1996 (ANA)
A Greek delegation headed by Prime Minister Costas Simitis
arrived in the Portuguese capital yesterday evening to attend a
summit conference of the Organization for Security and
Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which opens in Lisbon today.
The summit's agenda will concentrate on European security
issues, as well as the OSCE's relations with Russia.
Diplomatic sources said the Greek premier, who is due to address
the summit today, is not expected to hold meetings with either
Turkish President Suleyman Demirel or the president of the
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Kiro Gligorov,
although informal social meetings have not been ruled out.
Greek-Turkish relations are not on the summit agenda, although
Mr. Simitis may brief his counterparts during scheduled
bilateral meetings.
Meanwhile, it was reported that the prime minister may have a
short meeting with US Vice-President Al Gore on the sidelines of
the conference.
Mr. Simitis is accompanied by Alternate Foreign Minister George
Papandreou and Press and Media Minister Dimitris Reppas.
[06] G. Papandreou raises issue of alleged torching of Greek forests
by Turkish agents
Istanbul, 02/12/1996 (ANA)
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou, in a meeting here
on Saturday with Turkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Onur
Oymen, raised the issue of reports that the Turkish
ultra-nationalist group "grey wolves" has been involved in the
setting of forest fires on Greek islands.
According to diplomatic sources, Mr. Oymen denied any
involvement in the matter on the part of the Turkish state, and
said he would soon make an announcement on the controversial
issue.
According to the same sources, Mr. Papandreou stressed that a
simple statement would not be suffice, and requested from the
Turkish official an in-depth investigation into the charges.
The alternate foreign minister represented Athens at the
Ecumenical Patriarchate's celebrations of the feast day of Agios
Andreas on Saturday, where he met with Ecumenical Patriarch
Vartholomeos.
[07] ND calls for more measures to deal with AIDS epidemic
Athens, 02/12/1996 (ANA)
The main opposition New Democracy party yesterday marked World
AIDS Day by issuing a statement calling for the full development
of a Center for Control of Special Infections, with necessary
staffing and equipment.
ND also suggested that an information center be established with
a 24-hour telephone hotline, an increase in the number of
hostels for those infected with HIV, and institution of home
care for AIDS sufferers.
Since 1984, when records began being kept on the disease, 25.5
million teenagers and adults and 2.4 million children have been
infected with HIV throughout the world.
In Greece, 1,421 cases of AIDS have been reported, while 726
people have died of the disease.
[08] Stephanopoulos cites lack of Gov't information concerning EU
convergence, Maastricht
Athens, 02/12/1996 (ANA)
President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos on Saturday said
there had been a lack of information on the part of the
government regarding the consequences of economic convergence
with the European Union and the results of Greece's efforts to
meet Maastricht Treaty criteria.
Speaking at events in Patra to celebrate the city's patron
saint, Agios Andreas, the president spoke of the dilemma facing
the Greek people, as well as the other Europeans.
"We are told by the powerful of Europe... that we must fulfill
the conditions, the so-called criteria of convergence..." the
president said, noting that not enough information has been
given on what sacrifices must be made, and for how long the
nation must work toward these goals.
He stressed that in order for the Greek people to become
involved in the government's objectives, it was up to the
government to provide more information than it had already. If
it was able to convince the Greek people of the need for this
effort, then they would be more willing to make the necessary
sacrifices, he added.
"Once again, I am not talking about the measures that need to be
taken to achieve the goal, but whether or not that goal is
acceptable."
Mr. Stephanopoulos was speaking at an official dinner, where he
was welcomed by Patra Mayor Andreas Karavolas.
[09] Gerry Adams says Sinn Fein's primary objective today is a
negotiated peace settlement
Athens, 02/12/1996 (ANA)
Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams spoke to the ANA yesterday on the
nature of the struggle in Northern Ireland, his expectations of
a peace process and his vision of a united Ireland.
The controversial Northern Ireland leader had arrived in Athens
to promote his autobiography.
Asked what he expected from peace negotiations, Mr. Adams
emphasized the importance of "conflict resolution." He added
that although Sinn Fein's ultimate goal was Irish independence
and an end to British rule, its current primary and strategic
objective was a negotiated peace settlement.
The collective challenge for all those trying to build an
alternative to the armed struggle was to persuade the Irish
Republican Army (IRA) that there was an alternative means to
pursue its objectives, he added, stressing the need to tackle
the cause of the conflict, which cited as "injustice".
"My aim and Sinn Fein's aim would be to see an end to all the
armed groups... to achieve a situation where there is no need
for the IRA," he said.
Mr. Adams' view concerning both Catholic and Protestant armed
groups in Northern Ireland is that long-term cycle of violence
exists in the territory that must be broken.
He also said he believed that citizens don't resort to armed
action easily, and that the desire of most people is to seek
peace.
Mr. Adams expressed disappointment with British Prime Minister
John Major's stewardship of the peace process in Northern
Ireland, but feels he still has a chance to help bring about
peace.
Turning to Sinn Fein's relations with the Republic of Ireland,
Mr. Adams said:
"There have been certain tensions but these are almost natural
and understandable. The Irish government at this time is focused
and has made it quite clear this week that it doesn't accept the
British position," he said.
Mr. Adams stressed the importance of the new initiative he has
assumed in co-operation with Social Democratic Labor Party
leader John Hume, with the support of the Irish government.
[10] Adams on Irish unity
Athens, 02/12/1996 (ANA)
Regarding his vision of a united Ireland, Mr. Adams stated that
Ireland should be secular, pluralist and reflect the diversity
of its people.
"I certainly, and most Republicans have no interest in a
(united) Ireland unless it embraces, it has a capacity to
include, all sections of our people. It doesn't matter to me
whether a person is a Catholic, a Protestant, or an agnostic or
a Jew religion should be a matter of personal conscience," he
said, adding the belief that church and state should be separate.
[11] Adams on the Cyprus problem
Athens, 02/12/1996 (ANA)
Asked to comment on the Cyprus issue, Mr. Adams said:
"Sinn Fein's policy supports the right of people to
self-determination and it believes that problems are to be
resolved through negotiations involving all the peoples of the
island and the leadership."
[12] Constantopoulos outlines Synaspismos' strategy at party
conference
Athens, 02/12/1996 (ANA)
The Coalition of the Left and Progress' (Synaspismos) central
committee ended a two-day conference yesterday with party leader
Nikos Constantopoulos outlining his party's opposition strategy.
Mr. Constantopoulos said the Synaspismos' main activities will
center in Parliament and trade unions, with attention being paid
to economic policy issues, the Intergovernmental Conference
(IGC) and foreign policy.
The Synaspismos leader also accused the PASOK government of
proceeding without a plan, while claiming that problems are now
taking on explosive proportions.
Speaking on foreign policy, he said the time is now ripe for the
issues of Imia and the Aegean continental shelf to be taken to
the International Court of Justice at The Hague, stressing that
particular care is needed in procedures to be followed.
The party's position is for a different foreign policy to be
applied, aimed to reduce tension in the region and reinforcing
Greece's role in the Balkans and the eastern Mediterranean.
As regards the issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia (FYROM), he said a Greek initiative must be taken
regarding a composite name, and described the possibility of a
triple name as being "chaotic".
Mr. Constantopoulos said his party advocates a different
economic policy that would concentrate on development of the
economy and on creation of a strong productive base, using the
country's human resources.
[13] Varvitsiotis offers resignation of both Evert, Mitsotakis as
solution to ND crisis
Athens, 02/12/1996 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy party Vice-President Ioannis
Varvitsiotis said in an interview with the "Vima" newspaper on
Sunday that one solution to the party's problems would be for
both ND leader Miltiades Evert and its honorary president,
Constantine Mitsotakis, to withdraw.
"It is a solution for both Evert and Mitsotakis to leave.
Besides, the experiment with younger (leaders) has been tried
elsewhere and has succeeded," Mr. Varvitsiotis said.
The ND Vice-President appeared pessimistic about a solution to
the party's problems being found during a forthcoming party
congress, and said he believes Mr. Mitsotakis is being affected
by ND deputy Dora Bakoyianni, who is also his daughter, due to
her intention to contend the party's leadership.
He also expressed his belief that Mr. Evert and Mr. Mitsotakis
are currently in a gridlock, saying "they can find nothing to
interest them and give them another solution, they are embracing
the seat of power and they can no longer see clearly..."
Mr. Varvitsiotis did not rule out the possibility of other
congress participants being elected to the party leadership, as
has been proposed by George Souflias, so long as there is an
agreement "so that the congress does not begin its sessions in
doubt. "
The ND vice president also commented on Mr. Mitsotakis'
criticism of party founder Constantine Karamanlis last week,
saying Mr. Mitsotakis "attempted to involve him (Karamanlis) in
ND's internal problems. It is not the first time the behavior of
the honorary president is inexplicable."
Speaking in another interview with the Sunday "Eleftheros Typos"
newspaper, Mr. Varvitsiotis also reacted on Mr. Mitsotakis'
statement that his (Mitsotakis) exclusion from the political
council by Mr. Evert was an attempt by the latter to exploit the
party split, saying "a party like ND is not in danger of a
break-up by the fact in itself of (Mitsotakis')
non-participation in the political council. "The danger of a
break-up is derived from the behavior of rival sides, because
some have not realized that vendettas... are not allowed these
days," he added.
He also said a rapprochement between Mr. Evert and Mr.
Mitsotakis was now "difficult", and said the call for union by
party members recently "sounds as the word 'democracy' sounded
on the lips of leading members of communist regimes."
Mr. Varvitsiotis, who is apparently taking no sides in the
dispute, has not ruled out the possibility of running for the
party's leadership at the congress, stressing that he wishes to
solve ND's problems.
In an interview in the Sunday "Ethnos", former ND finance
minister Stephanos Manos described the election of congress
delegates as being "honest, clean and democratic", and stressed
that "the decision of such a congress will be respected by all.
In any other case, we would have the same thing from the very
next day: personal rivalries, doubts and undermining."
"ND must realize that it has to chose between the third and
unifying solution, which is George Souflias, or the continuation
of the crisis which will occur if the mechanisms of the rival
sides prevail," he said.
Although Mr. Manos said he would like to be party leader, he
said that the solution of Mr. Souflias' candidacy is best at
present.
Also in an interview in the Sunday "Ethnos", New Democracy
Parliamentary spokesman Stavros Dimas described Mr. Mitsotakis'
comments concerning Mr. Karamanlis as having been made at the
wrong time.
In addition, he implied that he disagreed with Mr. Evert's
decision to exclude Mr. Mitsotakis from the political council,
saying: "I would have preferred to hear opinions and views even
if they were unpleasant, wrong or even malicious, and I would
evaluate them accordingly."
[14] 3 suspects arrested on drug charges
Athens, 02/12/1996 (ANA)
Serres police said they arrested three members of a
Bulgaria-based international drug smuggling ring operating in
Greece, Cyprus and other countries.
Following a tip-off, police arrested 38-year-old Costas
Karabatzidis on the Serres-Drama national road. A search of his
vehicle revealed roughly 11 kilos of hashish, which he said was
for two musicians he expected to meet on the Serres-Thessaloniki
high way.
The two alleged buyers, Mihalis Euthimiou, 31, from Athens, and
40-year-old Giorgos Tsialas from Halkidiki, were arrested on the
roadway.
The two suspects said they were to transport the hashish to
Athens and deliver it to an unnamed individual in a hotel. No
further details were available.
Police investigations are continuing in Athens, Thessaloniki and
European capitals for the arrests of other suspects.
[15] Farmer sets himself on fire
Athens, 02/12/1996 (ANA)
A 57-year-old farmer doused himself with petrol and set himself
on fire Saturday after being prevented from selling his fruit
and vegetables at a street market in Ierapetra, Crete.
Pavlos Grigoriou was prevented from selling his produce by other
vendors, who said he did not have the necessary license.
The man, originally from Trikala, has lived in Ierapetra for the
past 13 years. According to reports, he went to a nearby
playground to burn himself.
He is in a critical condition in Irakleion University Hospital
with first and second degree burns. An investigation is pending.
End of English language section.
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