Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-01-07

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1082), January 7, 1997

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

CONTENTS

[01] Athens stands by Cyprus on arms purchase

[02] Simitis successfully undergoes gallbladder removal

[03] Cyprus verifies missile deal, cites right to defense

[04] BBC

[05] Russian arms exporter denies missile deal will 'disrupt balance'

[06] Turkish reactions

[07] US reaction

[08] Simitis to chair meeting on foreign policy issues

[09] Key facts about S-300 missile system

[10] Kranidiotis: Rozakis resignation won't affect policy on Cyprus

[11] ND leadership to meet today on party's congress issues

[12] National Bank branch firebombed

[13] Epiphany holiday celebrated with waters' consecration

[14] Epiphany in Albania

[15] Bosphorus waters consecrated

[16] Earthquake felt in Halkidiki

[17] Italian group kicks-off national participations at Cultural Capital '97

[18] PNO calls strike for next week

[19] Additional measures announced for protection of Epirus

[20] Drug seizure figures for Kipoi border post revealed

[01] Athens stands by Cyprus on arms purchase

Athens, 07/01/1997 (ANA)

In statements from Thessaloniki, National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos countered a charge by his Turkish counterpart Turhan Tayan, who on Sunday said that the Cypriot government is mounting an arms build up. The Greek minister reiterated that the island republic "is a victim of invasion and has the elementary right of defense against the aggressor."

The multi-million dollar arms deal was signed in Moscow on Saturday.

Turkish troops, currently estimated at 35,000 men, have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus' territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos stressed that Greece, as a guarantor power of Cypriot independence, stands in solidarity and guarantees the island republic's freedom and protection.

"The threats from the invasion and occupation force on Cyprus signify Turkey's destabilizing and expansionist role in the area. It is everyone's responsibility to denounce the military threat emanating from a Turkey of 600,000 soldiers against the sparsely armed Cyprus of 5,000 soldiers, which is the victim of invasion and occupation and has the right to defend itself against the invader."

"Cyprus is not alone in this position. The whole of the international community is with it, and especially with regards the threat, Greece, as a guarantor power and within the framework of the unified defense area, stands by Cyprus and guarantees its freedom and protection," he added. Main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos criticized Turkey yesterday over Ankara's latest threats against Cyprus, saying it demonstrated an absolute lack of respect for international law, and decisions taken by international organizations.

Mr. Pavlopoulos called on the government to confront Turkey's position by defining a long-term national foreign and defense policy, adding that ND is ready to co-operate in this direction.

[02] Simitis successfully undergoes gallbladder removal

Athens, 07/01/1997 (ANA)

[03] Cyprus verifies missile deal, cites right to defense

Nicosia, 07/01/1997 (ANA/CNA)

Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides told a private television network the agreement "is a reality, the process has been concluded and the relevant agreement signed."

The minister, however, pointed out the sophisticated weapons system will be delivered at a later date, without revealing details.

"The agreement in question, as well as other agreements we may conclude, concern the delivery of military hardware not now, but sometime in the future," Mr. Michaelides told the television station. The multi-million dollar arms deal, said to have been signed on Saturday, has generated reservations from Washington and European capitals and vehement protests from Ankara.

"Our ambassador to the US was summoned to the State Department, where the American administration expressed its deep concern about our moves," Mr. Michaelides said.

The US representations, he explained, related American concerns that "these moves may cause difficulties in future steps (towards a settlement) and create tension."

He also stressed that as long as part of Cyprus is occupied by Turkish troops, estimated by the UN at 35,000, tension on the island will persist.

This deal conveys the message that efforts towards a settlement must be intensified and accelerated, he said.

"The missiles will boost our defense capability and are not in any way an act of aggression," he added, noting that President Glafcos Clerides' proposal for the demilitarization of Cyprus is still on the table.

Mr. Michaelides wondered why no representations were made over the continuing illegal presence of some 35,000 Turkish troops in occupied Cyprus, when the UN chief himself has confirmed this massive military presence, and the repeated violations of the island republic's air space by Turkish warplanes.

Mr. Michaelides also stressed the need for countries involved in the protracted Cyprus question to "embark on a process of finding a solution to the Cyprus problem," and reiterated that the purchase of the Russian-made S-300 medium-range surface-to-air missiles is purely for defensive purposes.

[04] BBC

London, 07/01/1997 (ANA)

He explained that there has been "no move in the past 22 years and no pressure exercised on Turkey to withdraw its 35,000 occupation troops from the island."

"Nothing has happened during this period and we feel it is our moral obligation to build our defenses. If there is aggression against us, then we have to defend ourselves, but only in defense," he told the BBC.

He noted that Turkish fighters often fly over Cyprus and added "a few months ago Turkish reconnaissance planes photographed the whole of the island."

President Glafcos Clerides told the press at Larnaca airport yesterday that the Republic of Cyprus maintained the right to arm itself as long as the Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus continued.

[05] Russian arms exporter denies missile deal will 'disrupt balance'

Russia's main arms export agency, Rosvooruzheniye, on Sunday hailed a contract it won to supply missiles to Cyprus, and said the weapons would not disrupt the balance of forces in the region.

Valery Pogrebenkov, a spokesman for the state-controlled company, which has a near monopoly on arms exports from Russia, told Reuters that the company hoped more deals with Cyprus would follow the contract, which was concluded on Saturday.

Diplomats in the region said the decision by Cyprus to buy the surface-to-air S-300 missile system could result in a dramatic shift in the military balance on the island, effectively neutralizing Turkish air superiority in the north of the occupied island.

Mr. Pogrebenkov disagreed: "The delivery to Cyprus of the rocket systems, which are purely defense weapons, does not disrupt the balance of forces in the region," he said by telephone.

He added: "After their installation, Cyprus will have the most reliable anti-aircraft defense system in the region."

Moscow sees the S-300 as its equivalent of the US-made Patriot, effectively used during the Gulf War. The chief difference, the Russians claim, is that the S-300 is quicker and more effective.

Mr. Pogrebenkov dismissed concern expressed by Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller during a visit to Russia last month, saying that Russia has also supplied military hardware to Turkey.

"We consider Turkey a prospective partner in military and technical co-operation," he said. "We think Turkey was guided not by military but by political considerations."

Nikolai Bezborodov, the deputy head of the defense committee in Russia's lower house of parliament, the state Duma, also defended the contract, which he said corresponded to Russian national interests.

"Each country has the right to chose its allies and partners," Mr. Bezborodov told the Itar-Tass news agency.

[06] Turkish reactions

Istanbul, 07/01/1997 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Mr. Akbel said that the "overarming of the Greek Cypriot side is a threat to the climate of peace in Cyprus and will have a negative effect on efforts to find a solution" to the Cyprus problem.

He said Ankara would not accept any development that could endanger the Turkish Cypriot community and that could be a threat to its military power, adding that Turkey "would take all necessary actions."

"We will not tolerate any developments which can change the balance between Turkey and Greece in the eastern Mediterranean," he said.

"If the Greek Cypriot side's attempt to arm itself aims at the Turkish Cypriots then it is excessive, and if it aims at Turkey then it is too little... Instead of the expensive and excessive armaments, what is imperative is the finding of a solution at the negotiation table," Mr. Akbel concluded.

[07] US reaction

Washington, 07/01/1997 (ANA)

"The United States expresses regret over this step... It will complicate efforts of achieving permanent peace in Cyprus and will constitute a new and destabilizing factor on this island," State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns told reporters yesterday .

[08] Simitis to chair meeting on foreign policy issues

Athens, 07/01/1997 (ANA)

According to an ANA dispatch from Nicosia, Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides said that he would travel to Athens in mid-January to discuss with Greece's political leadership developments on the Cyprus issue.

[09] Key facts about S-300 missile system

These are the basic specifications of the S-300 surface-to-air missile system which Cyprus plans to buy from Russia, as reported by Jane's Land-Based Air Defense:

- Maximum effective interception range of aircraft-type targets at 150 km (90 miles). Minimum effective interception altitude 10 meters (yards).

- Engagement of ballistic-type targets successfully at ranges up to 40 km (25 miles).

- Maximum target velocity capability of 2,788 meters (yards) per second (10,000km/h).

- Battery deployment time five minutes. One missile can be fired every three seconds.

- Maximum total of missiles available in the battery is 32 rounds.

[10] Kranidiotis: Rozakis resignation won't affect policy on Cyprus

Nicosia, 07/01/1997 (ANA)

A new strategy proposed by Mr. Kranidiotis and Mr. Rozakis, both of whom held the same post at different times, aims at the assumption of initiatives by Athens and Nicosia to promote an active, rather than passive attitude towards developments and foreign initiatives, the Eurodeputy added.

Completion of deliberations for such a new strategy is expected later this month, after a crucial meeting in Athens on Thursday and a session with Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides on Jan. 17, he noted.

Mr. Kranidiotis considers Cyprus' course towards European Union membership as a catalyst that has begun bearing fruit, as well as a pressure lever on Turkey. Regarding Ankara's special relationship with the EU, the former foreign under-secretary said he favors a "carrot and stick" policy that would act as an incentive for the neighboring country to change what he called its "unacceptable stand" on the Cyprus issue and Greek-Turkish relations.

[11] ND leadership to meet today on party's congress issues

Athens, 07/01/1997 (ANA)

According to reports, all three believe that their is no ground for a convergence of views, since both the Evert and Souflias sides insist on their positions.

Mr. Varvitsiotis let it be understood that he is not optimistic, while his associates said he will aim at a political agreement and will distance himself from other sides.

Sources close to Mr. Souflias said he will turn up at the meeting with a "spirit of understanding", although he believes the meeting lacks substance, since Mr. Evert has termed his proposals in advance as being contrary to the party's charter. Mr. Souflias wants an overall settlement of pending issues in the form of a package and invokes decisions taken by the political council, the sources said.

The meeting will focus on three issues: Who and in what way will participate in the congress; the composition of the organizing committee, as well as who will assume the presidency of this committee.

Mr. Evert disagrees with the election of 771 additional delegates by party members, as requested by Mr. Souflias, and proposes in turn that they should be elected by the three-member presidiums of local committees.

Mr. Souflias insists that cadres from all sides must participate in the organizing committee and Mr. Varvitsiotis agrees with this position. Mr. Evert maintains that the committee will be created on the basis of what is predicted by the charter, while " members of the intraparty opposition" will participate as observers.

Another scenario surfacing is that of Mr. Varvitsiotis taking over as transitional party leader. Former foreign minister and one-time ND deputy Mihalis Papaconstantinou said "the party can be kept united with this solution."

Replying to Mr. Papaconstantinou's proposal, Mr. Varvitsiotis said "I thank Mr. Papaconstantinou for his Honourable proposal but for the time being I will say nothing more."

Many senior party cadres, such as Athanasios Tsaldaris and Ioannis Kefaloyiannis, propose a postponement of the congress until mutually acceptable conditions for conducting it are found.

Be as it may, tension in ND is expected to mount in light of the joint meeting of the Parliamentary group and the central committee on Thursday. The executive committee will also convene tomorrow to prepare its proposal.

[12] National Bank branch firebombed

Athens, 07/01/1997 (ANA)

After the fire was extinguished by the fire brigade, neighbors said the attackers were two youths who made their getaway on a high-powered motorcycle.

[13] Epiphany holiday celebrated with waters' consecration

Athens, 07/01/1997 (ANA)

Crowds of people gathered on a brilliant Monday morning at the port of Piraeus to watch a cross being tossed into the waters, while two white doves fluttered into the air as both merchant vessels and warships sounded their sirens - a scene recreated in many other locales around Greece and the world.

The ceremony was also attended by former president Christos Sartzetakis, Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, Justice Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos, Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis, Merchant Marine Minister Stavros Soumakis, other politicians, shipowners, diplomats and local officials.

At the end of the ceremony, President Stephanopoulos expressed the wish that the new year bring happiness to the people. A reception followed at Piraeus' town hall.

In a related development, Health Minister Costas Geitonas, representing the government, and Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos attended a consecration of the waters ceremony at the Athens reservoir.

That ceremony was attended by representatives of the three branches of the armed forces, Athens Municipality officials, main opposition New Democracy party deputies Dora Bakoyianni, Epaminondas Zafeiropoulos and Marietta Koutsikou.

[14] Epiphany in Albania

Gjirokaster, 07/01/1997 (ANA)

The streets of Berati leading to the bridge on the River Osoumi crossing through the city were lined by the faithful, while 15 youths dived into the water to retrieve the cross tossed by Anastasios.

It has become a custom for Archbishop Anastasios to consecrate the waters in different cities. The consecration of the waters took place with all due splendor in many other cities as well, such as Tirana, Korce, Pogradets, Gjirokaster and Sarande.

[15] Bosphorus waters consecrated

Istanbul, 07/01/1997 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

According to members of the ethnic Greek community, the ceremony of tossing a cross into the waters around Istanbul has turned into a symbol of faith and hope for the faithful over the past few years.

[16] Earthquake felt in Halkidiki

Athens, 07/01/1997 (ANA)

According to scientists at the Aristotelion University in Thessaloniki, the earthquake entails no cause for alarm, adding that similar tremors had occurred in the Arnaia region several times in the past.

[17] Italian group kicks-off national participations at Cultural Capital '97

Athens, 07/01/1997 (ANA)

The group paraded in the White Tower area of the city dressed in traditional costumes, and revived scenes from the social life, customs and political events in medieval and Renaissance Italy. There was also an exhibition of archery and fencing skills, a s well as of dances and games played by the aristocracy of that era. The group will continue performances for the last day today.

The events are organized with the assistance of the Italian foreign ministry and consulate general in Thessaloniki, as well as the Italian Institute in the city.

Meanwhile, two large exhibitions are being inaugurated tonight.

The first includes 62 sculptures, collages, and a large collection of photographs and documents in the city's municipal gallery from the tumultuous life of their creator, dadaist and surrealist sculptor Max Ernst. The exhibition has been organized by the Swedish Malmo Museum, and will last until Feb. 22. The second exhibition is of works by French photographer Robert Doisneau, to be held at the Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE) building on Aristotelous Street, and is scheduled to last until Jan. 28 .

[18] PNO calls strike for next week

Athens, 07/01/1997 (ANA)

The new strike was called after a fruitless meeting was held on Saturday between PNO's administration and Finance Under-secretary George Drys, who refused to commit himself on preserving the special method of taxation for seamen.

Commenting on the under-secretary's negative stance, PNO President Yiannis Halas said the new strike will probably have the form of continuing strike actions.

[19] Additional measures announced for protection of Epirus

Athens, 07/01/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Romeos announced the creation of a special border corps, provision of a helicopter for better border surveillance and the strengthening of police units with equipment and specially trained dogs. The corps will commence operations at the end of 1997.

He also referred to the legalization of illegal immigrants in Greece, adding that a meeting will be held with the appropriate ministers in Athens on Feb. 14 to examine the issue.

On the question of the smuggling of drugs from Albania, Mr. Romeos conceded that it posed a major problem and added that Albania has been denounced at relevant European Union bodies as being a country where hashish is widely cultivated and which has not blocked the wholesale trafficking of hard drugs.

He announced that within the framework of the Schengen agreement, Greece will install computers at all border entrances guard borders and monitor foreign nationals, which will be linked to a central computer in Strasbourg.

[20] Drug seizure figures for Kipoi border post revealed

Athens, 07/01/1997 (ANA)

Specifically, during the 1990-96 period, 78 drug-related arrests were recorded, while 697 kilos of heroin, 2,918 kilos of hashish and nine kilos of opium were confiscated.

Along those lines, customs officials at the Kipoi border post were honored in 1992 as "United Europe's Best Border Post in Terms of Drug Interdiction."

According to customs officials, a significant contribution to the more effective search of vehicles and cargoes entering Greece through Kipoi has been the implementation, some two and half years ago, of the "Nark Control" electronic narcotics detection system.

Officials noted that increased security and vigilance on Greek borders has been responsible for a shift of smugglers' routes elsewhere, namely, along a Turkey-Bulgarian-Romania road axis, and a "Mediterranean" route, using ferry boats from Turkey to Italy.

End of English language section.

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