Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 96-12-09
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 961), December 9, 1996
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Pangalos reiterates Greek positions on relations with Turkey in
letter to Ciller
[02] Farmers threaten escalation of 11-day protest
[03] President speaks to protesting farmers en route to flooded Xanthi
[04] Britain plays 'worst role' in Cyprus says Greek FM
[05] Leading Turkish businessman urges better commercial relations
with Greece
[06] 68 illegal immigrants arrested on Greek isles
[07] Cypriot defense minister in Athens
[08] Large families demonstrate against government cutbacks
[09] Further EIB support for energy sector
[01] Pangalos reiterates Greek positions on relations with Turkey in
letter to Ciller
Athens, 09/12/1996 (ANA)
Greece would welcome Turkey's inclusion in Europe, Foreign
Minister Theodoros Pangalos said, if Ankara were more consistent
before its obligations on human rights and international law and
conventions.
In a letter to his Turkish counterpart Tansu Ciller delivered on
November 28, Mr. Pangalos outlined his views on the entire
spectrum of Greek-Turkish relations and Ankara's relations with
the European Union (EU).
The full text of the letter was published in yesterday's
newspaper "To Vima".
Mr. Pangalos reminded Ms Ciller of Greece's repeated expressions
of support for Turkey's orientation towards Europe, in
particular, Greece's signing of the EU-Turkey customs union
agreement.
However, he noted that Turkey had not given a positive reply to
the principles contained in the EU's "Turkey declaration" of
July 15, 1996, principles which chiefly concerned (respect for)
international law. This, he noted, should be the foundation for
EU-Turkey relations and (its acceptance) was mandatory in order
that difficulties in those relations, as well as bilateral
relations, be ironed out.
With regard to Turkey's human rights record, Mr. Pangalos said:
"If these measures (proposed by the European Union) are not
adhered to by your government fully and consistently, then
Turkey's human rights record will deteriorate, potentially
leading to further criticism by public opinion in many nations
as well as by international organizations."
Greece had repeatedly shown, said the foreign minister, that it
wanted bilateral relations to be based on respect for
international law and treaties, yet "successive Turkish
governments had called for comprehensive negotiations between
Athens and Ankara 'in order to settle their differences'
without, however ... referring to a specific legal framework".
"...In addition, Greece has stated that negotiations on issues
concerning its sovereignty are inconceivable and a dialogue on
those issues is unacceptable," he stressed, adding his concern
at what he called Turkey's "selective approach" to the principle
s of international law and to its own responsibilities as laid
down in international treaties.
Mr. Pangalos went on to note violations of Greek air space by
Turkish air force planes, Turkey's repeated claims on Greek
territory and its refusal to refer the question of the Aegean
continental shelf to the International Court at The Hague.
"It is therefore clear," he continued, "that while Greece is
making no claims on the sovereign rights or territory of Turkey,
those issues which Turkey describes as bilateral are in fact
solely concerned with Greece's own sovereign rights and
territory. "
Turning to recent events in Cyprus in which four Greek Cypriots
had been killed by Turks in the buffer zone dividing the two
communities, the foreign minister considered it deplorable that
such an effort had been made to bring in to the Turkish Cypriot
areas what he called "extremist elements" from Turkey.
Nevertheless, he expressed agreement with his Turkish
counterpart that the will of all the sides involved was
necessary to resolve the Cyprus issue, particularly the side
"which the UN Secretary General had said was lacking in the
necessary political will. This should be translated into
preparing the groundwork for substantial negotiations between
the two communities on the island."
"... if Turkey could become more approachable with regard to
the... Cyprus issue, it would greatly assist the international
community's efforts and would have beneficial repercussions on
future relations between the EU and Turkey as well as between
Turkey and Greece," he said.
[02] Farmers threaten escalation of 11-day protest
Athens, 09/12/1996 (ANA)
Greek farmers protesting the government's agricultural policy
kept main highways closed across the country for the eleventh
day yesterday, with more than 100 roadblocks.
Representatives of the farmers, who decided to escalate their
protest after a meeting in Larissa on Saturday, have maintained
the roadblocks will stay in place until the government decides
to satisfy their demands.
Today, mainland farmers will be joined by members of 17
agricultural associations in the Cretan prefecture of Iraklion,
who have said they will close the highway between the island's
two main cities of Iraklion and Hania.
However, Iraklion Federation of Agricultural Associations
President Aristidis Schinarakis stated yesterday that the
federation did not support the move.
On Saturday night, farmers in Thessaloniki warned they would be
escalating their protests. The president of the Union of
Democratic Agricultural Cooperatives of Thessaloniki, Sotiris
Parlapanis, told the ANA on Saturday that the
Thessaloniki-Serres road would be blocked within the next two
days at Derveni.
If this happens, Thessaloniki will be completely cut off both
from eastern Macedonia and from the Evzones, Kilkis border post,
Greece's main "gate" to central Europe.
Meanwhile, a counter-protest was made by frustrated foreign
truck drivers trapped on Greece's roads, in the form of a
roadblock of their own near Aigani, north of Larissa yesterday.
The Greek farmers' protest committee was reportedly negotiating
with the foreign drivers.
Transport and Communications Minister Haris Kastanidis, speaking
from Thessaloniki yesterday, said the blockades are costing the
transport sector two to 2.5 billion drachmas daily.
Mr. Kastanidis said there are sectors of the Greek economy which
are being threatened with financial ruin.
Over the 11 days that the blockade has lasted, the farmers'
mobilization has cost the railways, long-distance bus services,
tourist buses and truck drivers a total of 22 billion drachmas,
the minister said.
Mr. Kastanidis appealed to the farmers' "logic and sensitivity"
in order for there to be an agreement that "the manner in which
they are seeking to satisfy their own demands can not be equated
to the financial ruin of other social classes."
"If this occurs," he said "then ... the blockading of the roads
will be equated with the blockading of democracy."
Replying to a journalist's question as to how the government
will react if the farmers do not respond to the appeal to open
the roads, Mr. Kastanidis said "the government wants to avoid in
every way the problem being solved in a manner which does not be
long to the sphere of politics."
"I base my appeal on the possibility for some very simple
principles being understood. If this does not happen, then I
think the cabinet, which is to meet on Tuesday, will have very
important decisions to take."
Agriculture Under-secretary Dimitris Sotirlis, speaking on
'Flash' radio station yesterday, said the government will take
initiatives in Brussels for better prices for cotton and larger
quantities of the crop.
[03] President speaks to protesting farmers en route to flooded Xanthi
Athens, 09/12/1996 (ANA)
President Kostis Stephanopoulos told protesting farmers at a
blockade near Kavala airport on Saturday that he was aware of
their problems but could do nothing.
"I am aware of your problems but I can do nothing. I shall
submit my views to the government and I believe the best
possible solution will be found," Mr. Stephanopoulos said.
He was speaking to farmers while on his way to Xanthi to be
briefed at first hand on the widespread damage caused by heavy
flooding in the region last weekend.
Mr. Stephanopoulos is being accompanied by Macedonia-Thrace
Minister Philippos Petsalnikos.
[04] Britain plays 'worst role' in Cyprus says Greek FM
Nicosia, 09/12/1996 (ANA/CNA)
The British play the "worst role" in efforts to solve the Cyprus
problem and wish the perpetuation of the status quo on the
island, Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos was quoted
as saying in an interview published yesterday with Cyprus'
leading daily newspaper "Phileleftheros".
Mr. Pangalos is quoted as saying "the UK plays, unfortunately,
as regards the Cyprus problem, the worst possible role, for a
long time."
He said the British policy aimed at "the perpetuation of the
situation in Cyprus. It is against any solution."
The Greek minister said he would raise this issue at a meeting
with Britain's Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind, during his
forthcoming visit to London.
Mr. Rifkind is scheduled to visit Cyprus on December 16-17 to
meet Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, Foreign Minister Alecos
Michaelides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.
His plan to meet Mr. Denktash in the occupied part of Cyprus has
provoked anger in Cyprus.
House President and former Cyprus President Spyros Kyprianou has
asked Mr. Rifkind's visit to Cyprus to be postponed until London
clarifies its true intentions on Cyprus.
The issue will be discussed during a session of the National
Council, the top advisory body to the President on the handling
of the Cyprus problem, on Wednesday.
In his interview with "Phileleftheros", Mr. Pangalos strongly
criticized Mr. Rifkind's scheduled meeting with Mr. Denktash,
the head of the illegal regime in the areas occupied by Turkish
troops since 1974.
Mr. Rifkind is the first foreign minister of a country who wants
to meet Mr. Denktash in the occupied areas.
When former British Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd visited
Cyprus, on the occasion of the Commonwealth Summit in October
1993, he had a joint meeting with Mr. Clerides and Mr. Denktash
at the Ledra Palace Hotel, situated in the UN-controlled buffer
zone in Nicosia.
Meanwhile, Mr. Pangalos rejected Mr. Rifkind's position that a
solution to the Cyprus problem must be found before the start of
membership talks with the European Union.
However, he said progress towards a Cyprus settlement would
facilitate Cyprus' entry into the EU, "something that Nicosia
and Athens wish fervently."
[05] Leading Turkish businessman urges better commercial relations
with Greece
Athens, 09/12/1996 (ANA)
A delegation of prominent Turkish businessmen arrived in Athens
yesterday to attend a meeting of the Greek-Turkish Business
Co-operation Council.
"We can't have bad relations with all the countries neighboring
Turkey... we can't go on like this. We must make a strategic
decision and decide to solve the problems," Rahmi Koc, president
of Turkey's biggest business conglomerate, told the Athens daily
"Kathimerini".
"I believe that we must improve our relations with Greece and
that is why I believe we must begin commercial relations," he
added.
Accompanying the business delegation are the publishers of
newspapers such as "Hurriyet", "Millyet" and "Sabah", as well as
the leaders of the Liberal Party and the TURK-IS union.
Greek-Turkish business transactions are currently valued at $400
million.
"If they reach the two billion dollar mark, then politicians
will find it difficult to upset bilateral relations," added Mr.
Koc.
Mr. Koc is to be guest speaker at the "presidents' dinner" on
December 10 organized by the Kantor business consultants' firm.
The annual dinner has become an institution for communication
between business circles from both countries.
[06] 68 illegal immigrants arrested on Greek isles
Athens, 09/12/1996 (ANA)
Some 68 illegal immigrants were rounded up on Greece's islands
over the weekend, all of them ferried over by Turkish middlemen
who evaded arrest.
It is estimated that thousands of Iraqi nationals have gathered
on Turkey's shores seeking ways to enter Greece.
Sixteen Iraqi illegal immigrants discovered by a fishermen on
the islet of Marmara off the coast of Symi on Friday night were
being treated in the Symi medical center last night after being
left without food or water for four days by a Turkish migrant
smuggler, whom they had paid $1,500 each.
In another incident on Friday night, a further 10 Iraqi illegal
immigrants were taken to the area of Aghios Aimilianos on Symi.
The person who had transported the five men, two women and three
children sped off towards the Turkish coast.
The illegal immigrants told coastguard officers that they had
each paid $3,000 to the owners of the Turkish speedboat.
They were due to appear before the public prosecutor on Saturday.
[07] Cypriot defense minister in Athens
Nicosia, 09/12/1996 (ANA/CNA)
Cypriot Defense Minister Costas Iliades, accompanied by National
Guard Chief General Vorvolakos, flew to Athens yesterday to
participate in a meeting at the Pentagon today.
The meeting's agenda includes the US proposal for a moratorium
on flights by Greek and Turkish planes over the Republic of
Cyprus.
[08] Large families demonstrate against government cutbacks
Athens, 09/12/1996 (ANA)
Over 5,000 members of large families participated in a rally and
march to Parliament in Athens on Saturday to protest the
government's decision to abolish the life pension given to
mothers with more than three children. The protestors and
representatives from 111 associations all over the country were
also protesting cuts in allowances for large families and the
reduction of state funds allocated to improve the country's
demographic position.
Deputies from all the political parties represented in
Parliament, as well as former deputies of the Political Spring
party, joined the protesters to express support for their
demands.
Ruling PASOK party deputies Stelios Papathemelis and Anastasios
Peponis said that they would vote against the relevant
legislative provision cutting allowances to large families.
[09] Further EIB support for energy sector
Athens, 09/12/1996 (ANA)
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing 33 million ECU
to the Public Power Corporation (DEH), for the expansion of the
Aghios Demetrios thermal power station in Western Macedonia and
for the extension and reinforcement of the electricity
transmission and distribution networks.
Of that amount, 26.4 million ECU goes for the construction of a
fifth thermal unit, with a net capacity of 335 MW at the Aghios
Demetrios power station, bringing total installed capacity there
to some 1,550 Mwe. Aghios Demetrios, in the Ptolemais region, is
already the largest power station in Greece. It is predominantly
supplied with lignite by the Southfield mine, with sufficient
reserves to meet the power station's needs for the next 50
years. The new unit helps protect the environment by producing
heat for the district heating network of the nearby town of
Kozani.
End of English language section.
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