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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 96-12-10

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1062), December 10, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca


CONTENTS

  • [01] Greek-Turkish business co-operation meeting opens in Athens
  • [02] Farmers' protests continue, gov't stance unchanged
  • [03] Papantoniou's comments on the farmers' protests
  • [04] Ciller rejects proposal to refer disputes within NATO to The Hague
  • [05] NATO may discuss methods for resolving disputes between members
  • [06] EU unification affected by 'considerable' problems, Simitis says
  • [07] Foreign, defense ministries meet over relations with WEU, EU and NATO
  • [08] New wave of strikes begins this week
  • [09] Engineers hold work stoppage
  • [10] Seamen call 48-hour strike
  • [11] 50,000 new jobs in 1997, labour minister says
  • [12] Landfill closes for two days, possible closure over Christmas
  • [13] Greek delegation to WEU assembly satisfied with outcome
  • [14] Greece participates in WEU exercise
  • [15] Kaklamanis in Georgia for Black Sea meeting
  • [16] Turkey's policy is "continuous shame for international community" Evert says
  • [17] Former intelligence chief testifies in court over allegations into phone tapping
  • [18] KEDKE says budget creates problems for local gov't organisations
  • [19] President briefed on problems facing Black Sea Greeks
  • [20] Homeopath wins Right Livelihood Award
  • [21] Environmental groups turn to courts over Nestos River projects

  • [01] Greek-Turkish business co-operation meeting opens in Athens

    Athens, 10/12/1996 (ANA)

    Greek and Turkish businessmen yesterday engaged in earnest discussion on how to overcome the often seemingly inexorable political obstacles to the development of trade and economic relations between the two countries, at the two-day conference of the Greek-Turkish Business Co-operation Council opened by President of the Association of Young Businessmen of Greece Athanasios Lavidas.

    The Council's sessions are being attended by the one of the largest delegations of Turkish businessmen ever to travel abroad.

    Describing the meeting as "historic", Mr. Lavidas, who is also President of the Greek-American Business Council, said closer ties must gradually be forged between the businessmen of the two countries.

    "We need time to gain mutual respect, continuous communication and increased personal relations. The rest will come on its own," Mr. Lavidas told delegates.

    Greek-Turkish business transactions were worth only 430 million dollars in 1995.

    The President of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry,Yiannis Papathanasiou, said it was important for Greece and Turkey to improve their economic relations. "This is why we must convince our politicians to be realists and to refrain from adding new problems to existing ones," he added.

    Mr. Papathanasiou expressed support for a "step-by-step" rapprochement in the economic sector, through the pursuit of realistic targets which could be attained in a short period of time.

    He also underlined the great importance for Greek companies of the vast Turkish market which could easily absorb Greek products.

    Federation of Greek Industries (SEB) President Iason Stratos noted that there was great potential for Greek-Turkish co-operation through commerce or joint ventures, particularly in the tourism sector.

    He said he would await the outcome of the two-day meeting "to seen what can be done."

    The President of the Panhellenic Association of Exporters, Christina Sakellaridi, stressed that it would be unrealistic to expect any real results "from one day to the next."

    Unfortunately, she said, the business world was forced to act within the framework set by the politicians.

    "The politicians cannot ignore us if our economic relations become stronger," the president of Turkey's biggest business conglomerate, Rahmi Koc, told the meeting.

    Mr. Koc, who is also President of the Turkish-Greek Business Council and heads the 60-member Turkish delegation at the meeting, said "we need time and patience... we must be sincere among ourselves and forget the misunderstandings of the past."

    Hussamedin Kavi, President of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry, appealed for "mutual understanding and good will among businessmen."

    He expressed the hope that the meeting would yield specific results "which afterwards must be explained to our governments and peoples."

    The first aim, Mr. Kavi said, should be to increase the present level of bilateral trade.

    "No more defense spending, with the focus on productive investments. Our children will accuse us if we do not build a new future," he added. The President of the powerful Association of Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen, Halis Komili, said war between the two countries would be "an act of madness."

    "Businessmen must stop the blind march of the two countries. The course followed to date has not been beneficial for either," Mr. Komili said, adding that there were many opportunities for joint action in the tourism, industry and raw materials sectors in the Aegean.

    Stressing that the two countries were joined by a common destiny, Mr. Komili said that current differences could be resolved. "Let us not allow history to punish us. Businessmen can prevent this," he said. During yesterday's session, the Turkish de legation proposed the joint exploitation of oil in the Aegean in co-operation with American multinationals, the signing of an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation, closer co-operation between the two countries at international organisations and mo re Greek transit permits for Turkish trucks.

    They also called on Greek shipowners to carry out the repairs of more vessels in Turkey, noting that 10 Greek ships were currently being repaired in the neighbouring country.

    [02] Farmers' protests continue, gov't stance unchanged

    Athens, 10/12/1996 (ANA)

    While the Cabinet today is to discuss the prospect of serious disruption in traffic and distribution of goods arising from almost two weeks of farmers' roadblocks throughout the country, neither they nor the government appeared to be budging from their stated positions yesterday.

    The government, through its spokesman, Dimitris Reppas, reiterated its readiness to enter into structured dialogue after the farmers removed the roadblocks.

    Other ministers, and most prominently National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, stressed that the government would not yield to blackmail, and it was inconceivable that the hard-won efforts for a drop in inflation would go wasted due to a group of farmers.

    Farmers are demanding higher crop prices, increased subsidies, cheaper fuel for agricultural use, the favourable settlement of outstanding debts and lower fertiliser prices.

    President Kostis Stephanopoulos and main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Miltiades Evert expressed concern over the continuing protests.

    After a 50-minute meeting between the two men, Mr. Evert described what he called the government's refusal to hold a dialogue with the farmers as being "unacceptable".

    "The prime minister has a duty to meet with them, regardless of whether he accepts or rejects their demands," Mr. Evert said.

    "The essence of democracy is dialogue and a democratically elected prime minister cannot reject it," Mr. Evert told reporters.

    The ND leader also accused the government of creating problems for social cohesion, saying "it is inconceivable to try and resolve the (farmers') protest action by bringing one social group into confrontation with another."

    Mr. Evert was referring chiefly to incidents between protesting farmers and truck drivers who have been stranded for days at what are now more than 100 roadblocks throughout the country, while Thessaloniki is now totally blocked by protesting farmers.

    Speaking to reporters in Thessaloniki, Labour and Social Security Minister Miltiades Papaioannou described the farmers' protests as "blackmail against the government, democracy and society."

    "Some people must understand that it is not a case of 'us and them'," Mr. Papaioannou said shortly before a meeting with the administrative board of the Thessaloniki Labour Centre.

    Mr. Papaioannou was met outside the centre by former workers of the Goodyear plant who have been made redundant following the closure of the plant.

    The former workers chanted slogans demanding that they be given jobs, to which Mr. Papaioannou commented:

    "Both farmers and workers have problems, but the unemployed have the biggest problems and that is where we must focus our attention." Labour Under-secretary Christos Protopappas, who was accompanying Mr. Papaioannou, said that the farmers' protests were "a form of struggle" which was however aimed mainly not against the government but against society as a whole.

    He called on the farmers participating in the protests to consider the repercussions of their action on workers, producers and other farmers who were not taking part.

    The government, he added, could not satisfy the farmers' demands. The re-nationa-lisation of agricultural policy in particular would have adverse consequences for the farmers themselves, Mr. Protopappas said.

    Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said later that the government was ready for "an institutional dialogue of a national nature" on the problems of Greek agriculture, but only on the condition that the farmers lift their blockades of the country's roa ds and rail lines.

    Mr. Reppas reiterated that the government had already given its "final" replies to the farmers' demands.

    Expressing some optimism however, the spokesman said that "a spirit of good intentions" had not entirely disappeared on the side of the protesting farmers, adding that he hoped their blockades and protest action would soon end.

    Mr. Reppas said that the Cabinet would meet today, chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, to discuss the new uniform pay scale for civil servants. He clarified that the issue of the farmers' protests would also be examined at the meeting.

    [03] Papantoniou's comments on the farmers' protests

    Athens, 10/12/1996 (ANA)

    "The government cannot and will not give in to blackmail. It is obliged, like any other democratic government, to safeguard the operation of the economy and the operation of the state," Mr. Papantoniou said yesterday. In a written statement, Mr. Papantoniou said it was "inconceivable that a social group should try to impose its will on the whole of society."

    Linking the farmers' protests to the fact that inflation had fallen to 7.7 per cent in November, dipping below the 8 per cent mark for the first time in 25 years, the national economy minister said:

    "This was the result of strenuous efforts by the whole of Greek society -- workers, small- and medium-sized enterprises and the farmers themselves... and it is inconceivable that these efforts should be wasted because of the blocking of roads by a group of farmers."

    Replying to reporters' questions on labour action i n other sectors, Mr. Papantoniou reiterated that there was no margin for further hand-outs, stressing that the government was determined to push ahead with its program on the basis of the popular mandate it received in general elections on September 22.

    [04] Ciller rejects proposal to refer disputes within NATO to The Hague

    Istanbul, 10/12/1996 (ANA)

    Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller has rejected an older proposal by her Greek counterpart Theodoros Pangalos for the creation of a NATO mechanism for the peaceful resolution of disputes between member states.

    "The necessary mechanisms for the peaceful resolution of disagreements between NATO members exist within the alliance," she said in a letter sent on November 29, adding that she shared Greek concerns.

    The Turkish Anatolian News Agency quoted Ms Ciller as saying that for the creation of the mechanism proposed by Mr. Pangalos, the members of the alliance would have to accept the mandatory jurisdiction of the International Court.

    Greece has not accepted this procedure on issues regarding "military measures of a defensive character in the framework of national defense," Ms Ciller was quoted as saying in support of her argument.

    [05] NATO may discuss methods for resolving disputes between members

    Brussels, 10/12/1996 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

    NATO foreign ministers today may discuss the Greek proposal for the setting up of a conventional mechanism within the alliance for the peaceful resolution of disputes between members.

    The issue has been under scrutiny by NATO's legal department for some time, and according to diplomatic circles, it has also been examined by the foreign ministries of many members. Mr. Pangalos will represent Greece at this meeting.

    [06] EU unification affected by 'considerable' problems, Simitis says

    Athens, 10/12/1996 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday spoke of "considerable" differences in views and aims between European Union member-states, speaking at a pre-agenda debate in Parliament on Greece's aims with regard to the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC).

    Mr. Simitis said that when addressing the EU heads of state last week, he referred to major problems facing the course towards European unification, focusing in particular on Turkey's destabilising role in the region and on the threat against Greek sove reign rights.

    He said Greece's targets for revising the Maastricht Treaty included the EU's institutional development, a strong common foreign and security policy and policies for combatting unemployment, social exclusion and ecological protection.

    He said that in this context, the government has submitted a series of proposals and memoranda on the development of the EU, the strengthening common external and defense policy with proposals on the protection of territorial integrity, the inviolabilit y of external borders and the strengthening the European Parliament's role.

    Mr. Simitis said that the EU has not succeeded so far in developing a common foreign policy (Greek-Turkish relations, the Cyprus issue, Yugoslavia and the Middle East), stressing that Greece supports the need for a policy which will consolidate the invi olability of the EU's territorial integrity and borders, the principles of peacefully resolving differences, respect for international law and solidarity between member-states. He added that Greece is promoting these issues at all levels.

    In his address, main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert referred to information that UN special mediator on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) Cyrus Vance will hand in his mediation mandate before the end of the year.

    Mr. Evert said this meant a possible abolition of the name FYROM by the UN Security Council.

    Mr. Evert said the name to be given by the UN cannot bind countries in selecting the name they will use in their relations with FYROM. Consequenty, he added, the danger is great "for Skopje (FYROM) to be recognised as 'Macedonia' without an adjectival definition."

    He called on the Prime Minister to pursue diplomatic activity with foreign leaders and prime ministers who will attend the Dublin summit, so that EU member-states will be obliged to commit themselves to not recognising FYROM as "Macedonia."

    Mr. Evert warned the government that it must safeguard Greece's unimpeded course towards European integration and the unimpeded continuation of the pre-accession process for Cyprus' accession to the EU.

    Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary-General Aleka Papariga expressed her opposition to both the government's policy and to the European Union's choices in their entirety.

    Ms. Papariga said the proposals tabled by the government at the Intergovernmental Conference "fully comply with the interests of European plutocracy" and expressed the view that the security of Greece and Europe under NATO's umbrella are incompatible.

    Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos criticised the government for its refusal to hold a meeting for party leaders to discuss problems related to the course of the Intergovernmental Conference.

    Mr. Constantopoulos said Greece has never been able to acquire a European policy, nor to formulate a view on European problems, and has exhausted itself on registering Greece's claims to the EU, adding that its involvement with Europe ended there.

    Mr. Constantopoulos called on the government to move "boldly and imaginatively" in the direction of redefining problems, "seeking a treaty to substantially promote unification with the social and cultural characteristics desired by the peoples of Europe ."

    In this context, he said, what is necessary is for the government to adopt the idea of a referendum on the ratification of the revised Maastricht treaty.

    Speaking on the Intergovernmental Conference, Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas criticised the government for anti-democratic and anti-parliamentary practices, saying it was "unacceptable" to call a Parliamentary debate only th ree days before the Dublin summit after having already submitted its proposals to the Irish EU presidency.

    [07] Foreign, defense ministries meet over relations with WEU, EU and NATO

    Athens, 10/12/1996 (ANA)

    A meeting between the political leaderships of the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of National Defense yesterday, focused on Greece's relations with the Western European Union, the European Union and NATO.

    The meeting also discussed coordination between the two ministries in the framework of pursuing Greece's foreign policy goals through international organisations in which the country is a member.

    Asked by reporters to comment on a US-proposed suspension of military flights over Cyprus, National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said nothing had changed regarding the issue, adding that Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides had clarified the matter .

    Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said the government's positions on this issue have already been made clear. "The issue has been solved, judged and stated to the appropriate bodies," the minister said.

    Turning to other issues, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos refered to the pending NATO Defense Ministers' Summit focussing on the total restructuring of the Alliance, saying the government aimed to influence developments during the restructuring process in order "to e nsure certain issues, due to the particular conditions in our region."

    [08] New wave of strikes begins this week

    Athens, 10/12/1996 (ANA)

    A new wave of strikes and protests began yesterday against the government's economic policy and its tough new state budget, with small manufacturers and professionals holding protest rallies in Athens and other major cities.

    Pensioners are due to hold rallies around the country, while teachers in both the public and private sectors embark on a three-day strike tomorrow.

    Doctors and hospital workers have also announced a strike for tomorrow, while doctors of the Social Security Foundation (IKA) will begin their strike today until Friday, calling for productivity bonuses to be payed. If their demands are not met, they have said they may extend the strike until December 17.

    Construction workers are to strike on Thursday and dockers on Friday. Teachers and kindergarten staff have announced a 48-hour strike beginning on December 16, while tax officers and finance ministry employees follow suite on December 17-18. Customs officials will hold their own three-day strike on December 17-19.

    Civil aviation unions are to hold four-hour work stoppages at airports begining at noon every day from December 12 to 14, demanding payment of remuneration due in October and November, overtime work and work done on Sundays and holidays.

    A nationwide 24-hour civil servants strike has been called for December 17 by the Civil Servants Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY).

    The General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) is to convene today to decide on its course of action. According to reports, GSEE will hold a rally during the days the budget will be debated in Parliament, a 24-hour strike on tax issues in January and another one protesting unemployment in February.

    [09] Engineers hold work stoppage

    Athens, 10/12/1996 (ANA)

    State-employed engineers staged a three-hour work stoppage yesterday, while their representatives held talks with Finance Under-secretary Nikos Christodoulakis, who assured them that after the new pay scale is tabled in Parliament there will be a possibili ty for dialogue on issues concerning the sector.

    Due to the work stoppage, tendering regarding the building of a swimming pool at Patras National Stadium, budgeted at 1.9 billion drachmas, was postponed.

    [10] Seamen call 48-hour strike

    Athens, 10/12/1996 (ANA)

    The administrative board of the Panhellenic Maritime Federation(PNO) yesterday decided to call a 48-hour strike beginning December 16 which will affect all ports throughout the country and all categories of vessels.

    The PNO said the strike could escalate into a series of successive stoppages if the government does not reconsider its decision to abolish tax exemptions for seamen.

    PNO Secretary-General Yiannis Chalas said last week that under the government's new tax law, the income of officers and lower-rank seamen will be taxed at 15 per cent beginning 1997.

    The federation said it will also be holding a protest rally tomorrow with the participation of the Piraeus Labour Centre.

    [11] 50,000 new jobs in 1997, labour minister says

    Athens, 10/12/1996 (ANA)

    Labour and Social Security Minister Miltiades Papaioannou yesterday forecast the creation of 50,000 new jobs in 1997 through the linking of vocational training programs with employment, significant employment incentives for many businesses and help from the European Social Fund.

    Speaking at the Thessaloniki Labour Centre, he also announced additional measures for 300 workers recently laid off by the Goodyear tyre factory in the city, including financial support with re-training supplements, or trial employment by businesses for varying lengths of time.

    He said that a job information centre would be set up in Thessaloniki for both employers and workers by April 1, 1997, and an Employment Promotion Centre and Regional Monitoring Unit by July 1, 1997.

    [12] Landfill closes for two days, possible closure over Christmas

    Athens, 10/12/1996 (ANA)

    The landfill at Ano Liosia is to remain closed today and tomorrow, while there is a possibility it will also remain shut over the Christmas holiday.

    The municipal council of Ano Liosia, protesting over a delay in the tabling of a study on regions in eastern Attica proposed for the creation of landfills, is expected to reach a final decision on closing the landfill over the holiday tomorrow.

    A committee is to announce the regions where new landfills will be established during the next 10 days, according to a statement by Attica prefect Dimitris Frangos. He said that the prefectural council will accept the committee's proposals whatever they may be.

    Mr. Frangos stressed, however, that unlicenced landfills operating in various regions of Attica must close down until January 17.

    [13] Greek delegation to WEU assembly satisfied with outcome

    Athens, 10/12/1996 (ANA)

    President of the Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis yesterday said the Greek parliamentary delegation had made an effective presentation at the 42nd Western European Union Assembly, "despite the pro-Turkish atmosphere".

    Mr. Kaklamanis was speaking at a press conference also addressed by the head of the parliamentary delegation, Dinos Vrettos.

    Mr. Vrettos elaborated on the unanimous endorsement by the Assembly of main opposition New Democracy party deputy Michalis Liapis's report on the future role of the Union, which notes the inviolability of borders, respect for the territorial integrity o f WEU members and the "unacceptable continuation of the current situation in Cyprus."

    Mr. Vrettos further noted the rejection, after a Greek initiative, of a pro-Turkish report compiled by French Deputy De Lipkowski on safety in the Mediterranean, which endorsed all the Turkish foreign ministry's proposals for dialogue (with Greece) on t he entire range of issues.

    The members of the Greek delegation also put forward a strong resistance to the position of their colleagues for full accession to the Western European Union of all European members of NATO, independent of whether they are members to the European Union.

    [14] Greece participates in WEU exercise

    Athens, 10/12/1996 (ANA)

    The third phase of the map exercise "WEU CRISEX 95/96" begins on Thursday in Spain and France with the participation of Greece within the framework of Western European Union (WEU) activities. The exercise will focus on crisis-handling and in particular, s ecuring the provision of humanitarian aid.

    In the present phase, only full members of the WEU are participating. Associate members will take part only as observers. The first phase of the exercise was conducted from January 15-21 1995 and the second from June 22-28,1996.

    The present third phase will be completed on December 18.

    [15] Kaklamanis in Georgia for Black Sea meeting

    Athens, 10/12/1996 (ANA)

    Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis leaves today for Tbilisi to attend the 8th plenary of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Co-operation (BSEC) organisation which will be held from December 10-12.

    Mr. Kaklamanis will address the assembly and take over the rotating presidency which will be held by Greece for the first half of 1997.

    During his stay in Tbilisi, Mr. Kaklamanis will have the opportunity for talks with Georgia's President Eduard Shevardnadze, Foreign Minister Irakliy Menagarishvili and his own parliamentary counterpart.

    He will also visit Patriarch Ilias II and attend a special event organised by the ethnic Greek community in Tbilisi.

    Greece is the only EU country among the BSCE's 11 member-states. The other countries are Azerbaijan, Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Romania, Russia and Turkey.

    [16] Turkey's policy is "continuous shame for international community" Evert says

    Athens, 10/12/1996 (ANA)

    "Turkey's policy is a continuous shame for the international community, with the flagrant violation of human rights, both in Cyprus and domestically," New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert said in a message yesterday on the occasion of World Day for Human Rights today.

    "Respect and protection of human rights is a basic obligation of all states. It is not sufficient that states merely recognise human rights. They must espouse them and fight energetically for their full implementation and defense..." the ND leader said.

    "Especially for us Greeks, the problem of human rights violation is not a distant one, as we are witnesses of one of its most characteristic cases from neighbouring Turkey," he added.

    [17] Former intelligence chief testifies in court over allegations into phone tapping

    Athens, 10/12/1996 (ANA)

    Former Greek Intelligence (EYP) chief Leonidas Vasilikopoulos testified before an Athens prosecutor yesterday as part of a preliminary investigation into reports which appeared in Nitro magazine alleging that phone tapping had occurred at the residence of former Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou in the Athens suburb of Ekali.

    According to the reports, telephone conversations tapped included discussions between Mr. Papandreou's wife Dimitra Liani-Papandreou and homeopathy doctors during the period of the former prime minister's illness, as well as conversations with a medium.

    Mr. Vasilikopoulos made no statement to the press at the end of his testimony.

    [18] KEDKE says budget creates problems for local gov't organisations

    Athens, 10/12/1996 (ANA)

    Mayors yesterday called for an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis before December 19, when the budget is due to be ratified, following an emergency general assembly held by the Central Union of Municipalities and Communities' (KEDKE) in a d owntown Athens hotel.

    "Otherwise, on the next day, mayors and community leaders will hold a rally at the interior ministry in order for immediate solutions to be given to problems faced by Local Government Organisations (OTA)," the general assembly said.

    The resolution was communicated to Mr Simitis, party leaders, the Interior, Public Administration and Decentralisation Minister, National Economy and Finance Minister, local municipality and community unions.

    The general assembly members said many clauses included in the bills on abolishing tax exemptions and on curbing public expenditure create serious problems in financial programming and reduce the economic potential of OTAs and their legal entities.

    They called on the government not to implement its decisions, but to continue dialogue with KEDKE until a final solution is reached.

    In another development, Interior, Public Administration and Decentralisation Minister Alekos Papadopoulos assured municipalities and communities that a law concerning the economic independence of local administration from the contribution of municipalit ies towards economic convergence, will not be changed.

    [19] President briefed on problems facing Black Sea Greeks

    Athens, 10/12/1996 (ANA)

    President Kostis Stephanopoulos and Dinos Haritopoulos, mayor of the Sappon region in the prefecture of Rodopi, yesterday discussed problems facing ethnic Greek refugees from the Black Sea region, especially unemployment.

    Elaborating on the problems facing the refugees, such as social integration difficulties and lack of work, Mr. Haritpopoulos went on to discuss prospects for the region emanating from changes in the Balkans and the countries of the Black Sea.

    Mr. Stephanopoulos pledged to do everything in his power in the direction of resolve to the problems.

    [20] Homeopath wins Right Livelihood Award

    Stockholm, 10/12/1996 (ANA-N.Serveta)

    George Vythoulkas, a homeopathic practitioner yesterday won the Right Livelihood Award for alternative medicine "for his unique contribution to the development of knowledge regarding homeopathic practice..."

    Swedish Parliament President Brigitta Dal awarded the prize to Mr. Vythoulkas yesterday at a special ceremony held in the Parliament.

    Mr. Vythoulkas said the uncontrolled use of chemical pharmaceuticals and the diseases of the future will influence brain operations and lead to a "society of pshychopaths," adding that "homeopathic practice constitutes hope for renewal and prospect for better health standards."

    Mr. Vythoulkas is due to leave for Brussels and Strasbourg today at the invitation of European Parliament deputies, for talks with the President of the European Parliament and Commissioner Christos Papoutsis.

    [21] Environmental groups turn to courts over Nestos River projects

    Athens, 10/12/1996 (ANA)

    Six ecological organisations have turned to the Council of State to charge legislative violations in the construction and operation of three dams, reservoirs and hydroelectric projects of the Public Power Corporation (DEH) on the Nestos River.

    The organisations are seeking the cancellation of the joint ministerial decision which approved the environmental terms for the construction of the DEH dams on the Nestos.

    They claim that in order for the project to go ahead, an Environmental Impact Study should first have been carried out and published.

    Although such a study was indeed carried out, the organisations maintain that it does not meet the requirements and specifications of Greek legislation in force and European Union directives.

    End of English language section.


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