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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-01-03
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 1080), January 3, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Rozakis resigns as foreign under-secretary
[02] Opposition
[03] 'Distos' sinks as search for missing 3 seamen continues
[04] Calcestruzzi statement
[05] High-ranking ND meeting expected to cover congress issues
[06] Avramopoulos
[07] Premier to chair Inner Cabinet meeting today
[08] Fog-related problems at Thessaloniki's Macedonia Airport to be
tackled
[09] Flights destined for Thessaloniki shifted to Kavala
[10] Thessaloniki begins 'Cultural Capital' of Europe tenure on a
high note
[11] Samaranch to meet Sports Under-secretary Fouras in Lausanne
[12] Melbourne's Greek community to celebrate anniversaries
[13] Opposition parties react to news of OTE increases
[14] Debt auction begins '97 with success
[15] Petrol price falls, heating fuel increased
[16] Record number of consumer complaints
[17] New Lufthansa fares announced
[18] Egyptian authorities terminate Greek archeologist's excavations
in Siwa
[19] Noted private film collection destroyed in fire
[20] Italian national arrested
[21] 15 illegal immigrants picked up on Symi
[01] Rozakis resigns as foreign under-secretary
Athens, 03/01/1997 (ANA)
Foreign Under-secretary Christos Rozakis yesterday announced his
resignation from the post, citing health reasons.
The US- and British-educated professor of international law
served in the position for slightly more than three months,
having been appointed by Prime Minister Costas Simitis to the
new Cabinet that emerged after the Sept. 22, 1996 general
elections.
The 55-year-old Rozakis, a member of the European Human Rights
Commission, the Council of Europe and the Hellenic Foundation
for Defense and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), submitted his
resignation in a letter to the premier, citing heart problems.
In announcing the resignation, government spokesman Dimitris
Reppas said Mr. Rozakis had suffered a heart attack on Dec. 18
and had been told to rest by his physicians.
The government spokesman said Mr. Rozakis would remain at his
post until Jan. 15 in order to participate in meetings on
foreign policy and that he would be used on occasion to assist
in promoting Greece's positions, if his health allowed. He
clarified that there would be no replacement for Mr. Rozakis'
post as foreign under-secretary, and denied there were
differences of opinion between Mr. Rozakis, Foreign Minister
Theodoros Pangalos and Alternate Foreign Minister George
Papandreou.
On his part, Mr. Simitis yesterday afternoon accepted Mr.
Rozakis' resignation, calling on him to remain in order to
complete all his unfinished assignments and to participate in
all scheduled meetings.
"Your participation in the government has helped us all in
making a better foreign policy analysis and broadening new
orientations," the prime minister said in a reply letter.
Later in the day, Mr. Rozakis issued a press release expressing
regret, as he said, over certain "unfair" attacks made against
him during the three months he was foreign under-secretary.
"I do not believe that the selective use of (certain of) my
scientific texts or opinions in order to prove a reprehensible
political view contributes in any special way to political
dialogue and the finding of truth," he said.
"I am afraid that my critics were hasty in judging me before the
quality of any political action of mine was tested," he said.
In an interview with a daily newspaper a few days after he was
sworn in, Mr. Rozakis had suggested extension of a two-month
summer moratorium on military exercises by both Greece and
Turkey in the Aegean, prompting a series of reactions.
The first to react against the proposal was National Defense
Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, followed a few days later by
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.
In a related development, a meeting between the prime minister
and Mr. Pangalos yesterday was dominated by the Rozakis
resignation.
Mr. Simitis and the foreign minister met in view of a scheduled
conference next Thursday concerning foreign policy issues.
[02] Opposition
Athens, 03/01/1997 (ANA)
Commenting on Mr. Rozakis' resignation, main opposition New
Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert said it reflected the
"oppositions and contradictions in the government's foreign
policy, which has exposed our country on national issues."
Describing Mr. Rozakis' statements that he has suffered heart
problems as "an offense to the people's intelligence," Mr. Evert
called on Prime Minister Simitis to "present with sincerity the
true reasons" leading the foreign under-secretary to resign.
Reiterating what he called the need for a long-term national
strategy, Mr. Evert said "we are determined to support every
positive effort in this direction and it is up to the prime
minister to respond to this call."
The Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) party
issued an announcement saying that Mr. Rozakis' resignation
reflects the "lack of strategic planning," and the need for a
for a "radical re-definition of the country's foreign policy."
Synaspismos further noted that Mr. Rozakis' departure "comes at
a period of intense activity around crucial foreign policy
issues."
The Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) said it believes Mr.
Rozakis' resignation "reveals great internal government problems
and the lack of a cohesive government policy on important
national and economic problems.
"It is unprecedented for such great problems to appear in a
government so soon after the elections," DHKKI's announcement
read.
Additionally, Political Spring (Pol.An) president Antonis
Samaras called on the government and the prime minister to
clarify whether the current foreign policy "is a policy of
people, the government or groups, given the crucial developments
appearing in our national issues."
[03] 'Distos' sinks as search for missing 3 seamen continues
Athens, 03/01/1997 (ANA)
Seventeen bodies have been recovered from the Greek-flagged
cement-carrier "Distos", which sank early yesterday as three
more seamen were still missing and presumed dead.
The Distos, which capsized last Saturday evening off the port of
Kymi in Evia, sank to a depth of 32 meters, harbor officials
said.
The freighter was carrying 5,300 tonnes of cement from the
central port city of Volos to Piraeus when it was reportedly hit
two large waves, causing the vessel to list after its cargo
apparently shifted.
The search for the three missing seamen continued.
In a related development, 18-year-old naval college cadet
Christos Anagnostou, the sole survivor of the accident, is
scheduled to give additional statements to authorities today in
order to cover certain "gaps" in his initial statements,
particularly regarding the exact time the ship capsized.
[04] Calcestruzzi statement
Athens, 03/01/1997 (ANA)
Meanwhile, the president of the Italian cement conglomerate
Calcestruzzi, Massimo Judici, and the company's board of
directors issued an announcement yesterday expressing support
for the management of AGET Heracles' shipping arm, which owns
the vessel.
AGET was bought by the Calcestruzzi group and the National Bank
of Greece in 1992.
According to the announcement, Calcestruzzi expressed "full
support" for the AGET shipping arm's management and regret that
a terrible storm overcame "the ability of the captain and the
experience of the crew", pledging support for the families of
the victims.
AGET also promised to co-operate in every way with authorities
in the investigation into the cause of the tragic maritime
accident, allowing access to all necessary information.
[05] High-ranking ND meeting expected to cover congress issues
Athens, 03/01/1997 (ANA)
Attention in the main opposition New Democracy party is
currently focused on a scheduled meeting between ND leader
Miltiades Evert, deputy leader Ioannis Varvitsiotis, and
prominent leadership contender George Souflias, all of whom are
expected to discus s procedures for the election of delegates at
the party's congress this year.
Mr. Varvitsiotis was expected back in Athens from abroad late
yesterday night, and if the meeting does not take place today,
then it will most likely be held on Monday.
According to reports, Mr. Evert appears determined not to accept
deviations from the party's charter, although other reports note
that he may be prepared to make tactical concessions, such as
the election of delegates from seven-member, rather than
three-member prefectural committees.
On his part, Mr. Souflias appears unwilling to budge from his
position for "an honest and irreproachable congress", but is
said to be willing to accept the "seven-member" proposal.
For the time being, the idea of collecting signatures for a
censure motion against Mr. Evert is becoming increasingly
remote, while Mr. Souflias is coming under pressure to denounce
the procedures followed if there is no agreement on the term
under which the congress will be held.
[06] Avramopoulos
Athens, 03/01/1997 (ANA)
"Congresses sometimes do not come to solve problems but confirm
them," Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos, dubbed by many as the
future leader of the main opposition party, said in a published
interview yesterday with the Athens daily "Ethnos".
"Succession procedures do not elevate leaders. Leaders are
elevated through a harmonious and healthy relationship with
society itself, which takes the initiative to impose them," he
added.
Mr. Avramopoulos said he will exhaust his current term of
office, saying: "I do not belong to the category of leadership
contenders, because I do not believe that it is through these
procedures that the personalities which the people trust are
elevated.
"The view of public opinion will be catalytic for the mission
which will be assigned to political personalities. It will be
public opinion again, which will determine whatever move or
stand I adopt in future," he added.
[07] Premier to chair Inner Cabinet meeting today
Athens, 03/01/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis will chair an Inner Cabinet
meeting at noon today to examine the classification of issues
the government will be facing in the near future.
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday the Inner
Cabinet will examine the economy, development issues,
institutional modernization, educational policy, health policy
and the country's insurance system.
[08] Fog-related problems at Thessaloniki's Macedonia Airport to be
tackled
Athens, 03/01/1997 (ANA)
The government will proceed with measures to battle a series of
problems created by fog at Thessaloniki's Macedonia Airport,
Transport Minister Haris Kastanidis told a press conference
yesterday afternoon.
Morning flights to and from Macedonia Airport have been canceled
due to heavy fog in the past three days.
Mr. Kastanidis told reporters that the government will proceed
with the purchase of the most technologically advanced equipment
to deal with the problem, adding, however, that technology could
not provide a full solution to the problem. He said other
measures should be cited including the expansion of the
airport's "10-28" air corridor to one kilometer into the
Thermaic Gulf. Mr. Kastanidis said fog-related problems reached
an all-time high last year, leading to a record 58 flight
cancellations as against 18 in 1995 and 16 in 1993.
[09] Flights destined for Thessaloniki shifted to Kavala
Athens, 03/01/1997 (ANA)
Since New Year's Eve, Kavala's Alexander the Great International
Airport has been serving all local and international flights
originally destined for Thessaloniki's Macedonia Airport but
canceled due to heavy fog, it was announced yesterday afternoon.
[10] Thessaloniki begins 'Cultural Capital' of Europe tenure on a
high note
Athens, 03/01/1997 (ANA)
Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos expressed satisfaction
yesterday with what he called "the very large, authentic and
spontaneous participation of all the people of Thessaloniki" in
events marking the city's assumption of the 1997 "Cultural
Capital of Europe" title.
"Culture is not a useless and luxury activity. It is the basis
of social cohesion. And this society and people must prove both
their endurance and cohesion, this is my wish for 1997," he said.
Thessaloniki Mayor Costas Kosmopoulos expressed optimism that
the "copious preparation will lead to the best Cultural Capital
of Europe".
"The phenomenal (New Year's Eve) gathering proves the love and
the passion of the ordinary citizen for Thessaloniki. This love
gives us courage and hope to continue united for the success of
the Cultural Capital," he continued.
Turkey's consul general in the city, Erden Testger, extended his
best wishes to all the Greek people, and especially those of
Thessaloniki, saying he was particularly happy to be in the
northern Greek city at this time, and adding that his
compatriots would participate in various aspects of the events.
[11] Samaranch to meet Sports Under-secretary Fouras in Lausanne
Athens, 03/01/1997 (ANA)
Sports Under-secretary Andreas Fouras will meet with the
president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Juan
Antonio Samaranch, in Lausanne on Wednesday.
The meeting had been arranged last summer during the Atlanta
Olympic Games and was officially announced yesterday in order
for the two officials to discuss the issue of the 2004 Olympic
Games, the proposed Olympic Academy in Olympia, and sports
education in general.
[12] Melbourne's Greek community to celebrate anniversaries
Melbourne, 03/01/1997 (ANA/S. Hatzimanolis)
The Greek community in Melbourne is planning a series of events
to celebrate two of its most remembered anniversaries.
1997 marks 170 years of Greek migration to Australia and 100
years since the official establishment of the Greek Community in
Melbourne.
Events to mark the two anniversaries include sports contests,
lectures, concerts, conferences and concerts with the
participation of renowned members of Greece's intellectual and
artistic circles.
Events will last through the year.
[13] Opposition parties react to news of OTE increases
Athens, 03/01/1997 (ANA)
The main opposition New Democracy party yesterday reacted
strongly to reports that the Hellenic Telecommunications
Organization (OTE) was due to increase its tariffs, saying the
move "was a precursor" to increases by other public utilities.
The projected increases, ND spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos said,
were "well above the limits of today's inflation".
This development means that inflation cannot be contained or
that the government has allowed public utilities (DEKO) to
impose increases above inflation, he said.
In either case, the government had been compromised because it
was betraying its promises, he added.
The Communist Party of Greece, meanwhile, said that the Simitis
government's "hello to the workers at the dawn of 1997 was a
barrage of new prices on basic items and services".
[14] Debt auction begins '97 with success
Athens, 03/01/1997 (ANA)
Greek state treasury bills worth 400 billion drachmas were sold
to the public yesterday, compared to expected maturity
disbursements of 335 billion.
The annual bills bore an interest rate of 11.20 per cent, with
interest taxed at 7.5 per cent.
[15] Petrol price falls, heating fuel increased
Athens, 03/01/1997 (ANA)
Retail gasoline prices dropped by 0.30 drachmas a litre
yesterday, while diesel and heating fuel rose to 106.6 drachmas
a litre, increasing by 1.10 drachmas.
According to the development ministry and the Public Petroleum
Corp., the price adjustments are due to a reduction in the
international prices for gasoline by US$1.87 per metric tonne,
and to an increase in the international price for diesel by
$4.20 per metric tonne.
[16] Record number of consumer complaints
Athens, 03/01/1997 (ANA)
Greek consumers scored a record number of complaints in 1996,
Greece's biggest consumer organization, INKA, reported
yesterday. According to INKA, 66,920 complaints were recorded by
the organization in 1996, 11,245 related to the rising cost of
living, and 10,382 about food adulteration.
Complaints relating to the Public Power Organization, the
tourism sector and the entertainment industry were also on the
increase in 1996, while complaints about the Hellenic
Telecommunications Organization (OTE) were less than in previous
years. OTE, however, still ranked third in the 1996 consumer
complaints' list.
Consumer complaints relating to such products as insurance and
bank services as well as local government organizations also
recorded an increase in 1996 compared to previous years.
[17] New Lufthansa fares announced
Athens, 03/01/1997 (ANA)
Lufthansa has announced new fares for certain destinations as of
Jan. 10, and through March 15.
The new fares are applicable for return trips from Athens,
Thessaloniki, and Irakleio to almost all European destinations,
and certain ones in North America.
The fare to all major European cities has been set at 82,900
drachmas, while for New York, Washington, Boston, Miami, and
Toronto the price stands at 109,000 drachmas.
[18] Egyptian authorities terminate Greek archeologist's excavations
in Siwa
Athens, 03/01/1997 (ANA)
Egyptian authorities yesterday officially ended excavations by
Greek archaeologist Liana Soulvatzi, who announced in 1995 that
she had found the long-lost tomb of Alexander the Great near the
Siwa Oasis in the northwestern Egyptian desert, an Agence France
Presse (AFP) dispatch reported.
AFP quoted the secretary general of Egypt's Supreme Council
Antiquities, Ali Hasan, as saying the decision was reached
unanimously, "after evaluation of the mission's works..."
However, the council decided to allow continuation of the
excavations by 32 international and local missions, stressing
the importance of foreign archaeological missions in Egypt.
Alexander the Great died in 323 BC in Babylon at the age of 33.
He is believed by many historians to have been buried in
Alexandria, the Mediterranean port city he founded.
[19] Noted private film collection destroyed in fire
Athens, 03/01/1997 (ANA)
One of the largest private film collections in the country was
destroyed in a fire yesterday at noon when a blaze swept through
a sixth-floor apartment building in central Thessaloniki.
The collection was owned by Thessaloniki-based newspaper and
television film critic Alexis Dermetzoglou.
According to reports, the fire was caused by a short-circuit in
an adjacent apartment before quickly spreading to Mr.
Dermetzoglou's office while he was working with an associate.
Mr. Dermetzoglou wrapped himself in a blanket and fled the fire
unharmed. His associate and three other people were treated for
respiratory problems.
When the fire was extinguished it was ascertained that the
largest part of the film collection was destroyed, not so much
by flames but by the high temperatures caused from the blaze.
[20] Italian national arrested
Athens, 03/01/1997 (ANA)
Police yesterday arrested an Italian national as he was
attempting to leave Greece with a forged stolen passport.
Sergio Isoleta, 39, was arrested as he was trying to leave
Greece for Bulgaria through the Promahonas border post on the
Greek- Bulgarian border.
According to Interpol and the Italian police, Mr. Isoleta had
participated in an armed robbery at a travel agency in Naples
and stolen, among other things, a number of passports which he
and his two accomplices sold to illegal immigrants and members
of the Bulgarian mob.
Mr. Isoleta is a believed to be a member of an international
ring with activities in many European countries.
[21] 15 illegal immigrants picked up on Symi
Athens, 03/01/1997 (ANA)
Fifteen Iraqi illegal immigrants of Kurdish descent - including
three women and two children - were located at dawn on the
deserted islet Diavates near the island of Symi, opposite
Rhodes, by a Coast Guard patrol. The immigrants said they had
set out two weeks ago by bus from Istanbul, and were disembarked
at Diavates on Wednesday by a Turkish speedboat.
They said they paid $1,000 each to the captain of the Turkish
boat.
End of English language section.
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