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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-01-27

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 1099), January 27, 1997

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] 'Grey Wolves' threaten to settle occupied Cypriot town as Turkish warships 'visit'
  • [02] Turkish warships sail to Famagusta
  • [03] Pangalos promises Athens support for EU-Malta co-operation
  • [04] Kaklamanis: Only strong defense can avert war
  • [05] Pangalos to meet Coalition leader
  • [06] Mitsotakis: Turkey must respect Greek borders, sovereignty before talks
  • [07] Tsovolas criticizes Gov't stance on foreign policy
  • [08] Inauguration of Thessaloniki European Cultural Capital on Saturday
  • [09] Arsenis proposals on education welcomed by academics, slammed by opposition
  • [10] Souflias objects
  • [11] Teachers to continue strike action
  • [12] Gov't determined to avert a repeat of December transport disruption by farmers
  • [13] Reactions
  • [14] Rallis coordinates matters for ND party congress
  • [15] 42 illegal immigrants arrested on Pasa islet
  • [16] 22 illegal immigrants deported
  • [17] Kidnapped six-year-old found

  • [01] 'Grey Wolves' threaten to settle occupied Cypriot town as Turkish warships 'visit'

    Nicosia, 27/01/199 (ANA - G. Leonidas/CNA)

    The Turkish 'Grey Wolves' terrorist organization, implicated in the murder of two Greek Cypriots last summer, has threatened to "settle" the town of Famagusta, which has been uninhabited since the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

    The threats were made through a paid advertisement which appeared in Turkish Cypriot newspapers on Saturday, as three Turkish warships sailed on Saturday from Turkey to the port of Famagusta on the eastern coast of Cyprus, ostensibly for a "peaceful" visit.

    The Grey Wolves' leader in the northern occupied part of Cyprus, Mehmet Aslan, who has been accused of murdering Greek-Cypriot Tassos Isaac during protests last summer, also repeated that a large march to Famagusta is being prepared and will take place next month.

    He added that the events being organized by the 'Grey Wolves' to be held at the beginning of February aim to bring the issue of the settling of Famagusta to the forefront.

    A paid advertisement signed by Mehmet Aslan described as "unfortunate" the fact that the joint communiqui issued by Turkish President Suleyman Demirel and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash does not mention the settlement of Famagusta.

    It added that the 'Grey Wolves' will ceaselessly campaign for the town's settlement.

    [02] Turkish warships sail to Famagusta

    Nicosia, 27/01/199 (ANA/CNA)

    Three warships sailed on Saturday from Turkey to the Turkish occupied port of Famagusta on the eastern coast of this Mediterranean island.

    According to the Turkish Cypriot press, Turkish defense minister, Turhan Tayan claimed this is a "peaceful visit", while Turkish Cypriot daily "Kibris" says the visit is an answer to Greek Cypriot armaments.

    The Turkish warships will remain in the occupied Famagusta port until Wednesday, January 29.

    Turkish high ranking officials, including President Suleyman Demirel and Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller have recently expressed threats against Cyprus after the government concluded an agreement for the purchase of Russian anti-aircraft missiles S-300.

    Turkey invaded the island in 1974 and still occupies 37 per cent of its territory.

    [03] Pangalos promises Athens support for EU-Malta co-operation

    Valetta, 27/01/1997 (ANA/DPA)

    Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, in Malta on a two-day visit, said on Saturday that Greece would be "very happy" if Malta were to join the European Union, but had to respect the Maltese people's decision.

    Mr. Pangalos, after talks with Foreign Minister George Vella, was referring to the new Maltese Labor government's decision to put on hold the island's application for EU membership and seek instead a special contractual agreement covering free trade and co-operation, including security.

    Mr. Pangalos, who said Malta and Greece would now be holding regular meetings to discuss bilateral and other issues, added that Greece would do its utmost to help Malta to co-operate more closely with the EU.

    He explained that the Maltese government's decision not to pursue the membership option in no way affected the candidacy of Cyprus, which Greece champions.

    "There has never been a linkage between the two islands' applications," he stressed.

    Questioned about the latest tension on Cyprus, Mr. Pangalos said it was up to the Cyprus government, which was recognized by all countries except Turkey, to react to Turkey's decision to send naval vessels into the northern Cypriot port of Famagusta.

    Mr. Pangalos and Mr. Vella also discussed closer co-operation between the two countries against illegal traffic in arms, drugs and refugees.

    Mr. Pangalos said Olympic Airways would be having talks with Air Malta, which already operates a regular service to Athens, to increase communications between the two countries.

    During his visit, which ended yesterday, Mr. Pangalos also paid courtesy calls on President Ugo Mifsud Bonnici and on Prime Minister Alfred Sant and had an unofficial meeting with Nationalist Opposition deputy leader Guido de Marco.

    [04] Kaklamanis: Only strong defense can avert war

    Athens, 27/01/199 (ANA)

    The President of the Greek Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis said in an interview with Cypriot daily newspaper "Fileleftheros" that unless "we have a strong front we will not be able to avoid war (with Turkey)."

    "What else must happen to Hellenism in order to realize... that only a concrete front, such as the one ensured by the joint defense doctrine, can stop Turkish expansionism," Mr. Kaklamanis was quoted telling the newspaper in an interview published in its yesterday's edition.

    Turning to Greek-Turkish relations, he said that unless the Cyprus problem was solved relations between the neighboring countries could not improve.

    The Greek Parliament's president also referred to the issue of the British sovereign bases in Cyprus, saying that at some point in time this issue should come under discussion.

    Noting that he was not opposed to the idea of a Panhellenic conference, Mr. Kaklamanis said he was not certain it would be able to contribute to the Cyprus issue, while calling on Athens and Nicosia to focus on the essence of problems and stop playing with words and impressions.

    [05] Pangalos to meet Coalition leader

    Athens, 27/01/199 (ANA)

    Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and President of the Coalition of the Left and Progress party Nikos Constantopoulos are due to meet in order to discuss the latest developments in the Cyprus issue and Greek-Turkish relations.

    The meeting is being held in view of Mr. Constantopoulos' forthcoming visit to Cyprus on February 3-5. According to a party announcement, Mr. Constantopoulos is also due to meet with the ambassadors of a number of countries in Athens.

    [06] Mitsotakis: Turkey must respect Greek borders, sovereignty before talks

    Athens, 27/01/199 (ANA)

    Former prime minister and main opposition New Democracy party honorary president Constantine Mitsotakis, speaking on last year's Imia crisis, has said a prerequisite for talks to be held with Turkey is for it to respect Greece's borders and territorial integrity.

    Mr. Mitsotakis, who was speaking on the 'Antenna' television channel, expressed the view that Ankara may back down from its stated positions, and called for Turkey to refer to the International Court of Justice at The Hague.

    The former prime minister said that after a national position was formed on the issue, the government handled it successfully. However, he added that during the days of the Imia crisis, the government's handling was "clumsy", and spoke of a failure in Greek foreign policy.

    Mr. Mitsotakis said the incident was a dangerous moment which arose due to internal developments in Turkey, because "the country's leadership had no sense of responsibility and due to the fact that Ankara began to doubt the Treaty of Lausanne."

    Mr. Mitsotakis said ND leader Miltiades Evert's descriptions of Prime Minister Costas Simitis "regarding treason" were unfair, and that the priority was for unity on a national front at the time of the crisis.

    He reiterated his disagreement with New Democracy's withdrawal from the discussion in Parliament at the time, saying a discussion had to be held in order for a unified position to be taken.

    [07] Tsovolas criticizes Gov't stance on foreign policy

    Athens, 27/01/199 (ANA)

    Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) party leader Dimitris Tsovolas on Saturday accused the government of "lack of national strategy on Greece's foreign policy issues which leads to lack of unity within Hellenism".

    Speaking during a tour of Epirus, in northwestern Greece, Mr. Tsovolas referred to "promotion of US plans which will lead to a shrinkage of Greece and the Hellenism of Cyprus."

    Commenting on a recent wave of labor unrest, Mr. Tsovolas said that the ruling PASOK party "has been transformed into a conservative party that deals serious blows to workers, merchants and craftsmen."

    "The government's policy is giving rise to social storms...," Mr. Tsovolas said.

    Regarding internal strife in the main opposition New Democracy party, the leader of DHKKI forecast that within 1997 the party would split up, while, in ruling PASOK, Prime Minister Costas Simitis will be called on to deal with crucial problems.

    [08] Inauguration of Thessaloniki European Cultural Capital on Saturday

    Athens, 27/01/199 (ANA)

    Greece's president and prime minister will be joined by forty international representations at the official inauguration of Thessaloniki as Cultural Capital of Europe for 1997 this coming Saturday.

    The inauguration will be attended by President of the Republic, Kostis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Costas Simitis, members of the Cabinet, forty international representations and other officials.

    Four days of cultural events beginning Thursday and featuring concerts, plays and symposiums will mark the inauguration.

    "Hellenism has the advantage: It should not be lost as an opportunity and as an ability," Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos told a press conference to announce the inauguration program yesterday afternoon.

    Balkan culture ministers will meet within the framework of events, in Thessaloniki on Thursday, to discuss the creation of an Interbalkan Cultural Network. Black Sea Co-operation culture ministers will also meet on the same day to discuss cultural-related issues.

    On Friday, culture ministers of the Mediterranean countries will come together to discuss Euro-Mediterranean co-operation.

    European cultural ministers meeting on the same day will discuss the introduction of the principle of EU member-states' cultural equality.

    [09] Arsenis proposals on education welcomed by academics, slammed by opposition

    Athens, 27/01/199 (ANA)

    Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis on Saturday proposed wide-reaching changes to the education system to begin as of the next academic year and leading to the abolition of university and further education entrance examinations by the year 2000.

    Mr. Arsenis was speaking after a meeting with university rectors in Delphi on Saturday.

    Under the changes, students will be allowed to follow a series of courses and gain the equivalent of a university degree on their completion. Those over the age of 25 taking these courses may have to pay tuition fees, while scholarships will be available for those under 25.

    An open university is to open in September 1997 for any person who wishes to take courses. Tuition fees will probably have to be paid.

    The most important change concerns the abolition of university entrance examinations, to come into effect in the year 2000. Students will enter universities and higher education institutions based on their grades from the last three years of senior high school, the results of an examination to be held on a regional or national basis and their grades of their national high-school leaving certificate. There will be no tuition fees in universities.

    Mr. Arsenis has suggested that radical changes in high schools should come into effect as of September this year in order to prepare for the new system in 2000.

    The initial reaction of university rectors to the announced changes has been positive. Rector of the Panteion University of Athens Emilios Metaxopoulos said proposals are moving in a positive direction for education, although he said rectors will give m ore precise answers to the changes after they hold an extraordinary meeting.

    Mr. Arsenis said the education ministry wants the proposals to be discussed in order for them to have been fully understood when they come to be implemented.

    [10] Souflias objects

    Athens, 27/01/199 (ANA)

    Main opposition New Democracy party deputy and former education minister George Souflias, however, reacted against the proposals, accusing Mr. Arsenis of being "confused".

    "... With generalizations and in an overly haphazard manner, in the space of a few days, he has withdrawn and adopted - alternately and simultaneously - various methods of entry into universities, creating unprecedented confusion in the sensitive area of education," Mr. Souflias said.

    "Within a week, the education minister has withdrawn his concise and contradictory announcements regarding ... free entry into universities and has adopted the scattered and jumbled thoughts regarding a national high-school leaving certificate, which we re expressed by his predecessor and which, if implemented, convert the school into a permanent examination center," he said

    Mr. Souflias called on the minister to face education issues with seriousness. "I consider it my debt to oppose this irresponsible policy," he said. "My debt towards the work I left at the ministry, my debt to Greek parents and students."

    The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) yesterday described the abolition of university entrance exams as an excuse to break up universities and to create "multi-speed" higher education institutions, which will result in not all degrees being of the same value.

    The KKE also claimed that the introduction of tuition fees for some paves the way for the introduction of tuition fees for all students, adding that the "downgraded" role of technical colleges and higher education institutions will open the floodgates to the gradual privatization of further education.

    The Coalition of the Left and Progress party also reacted against the education minister's announcement, saying that the changes "blur the picture of the public university."

    The Coalition reiterated its proposal for an upgraded secondary school system and for a planned expansion of further education so that all those who have achieved a certain standard can enter universities.

    On the other hand, Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras said he considered it positive that Mr. Arsenis had made proposals for education and not announced unilateral decisions.

    Mr. Samaras said his party considered the proposals to be "forward-looking, and, in some cases, daring and imaginative."

    [11] Teachers to continue strike action

    Athens, 27/01/199 (ANA)

    The country's high school teachers have decided to continue their strike action for another week, even though a meeting between representatives of the teachers' federation, OLME, and Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis is scheduled to take place today.

    Primary school and kindergarten teachers will also go on strike as of February 3.

    [12] Gov't determined to avert a repeat of December transport disruption by farmers

    Athens, 27/01/199 (ANA)

    In view of a fresh round of planned-protest action on the part of the farmers this coming week, Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas has not ruled out the possibility of judicial measures being taken against farmers if they recommence a blockade of national roads.

    "The government's position is clear. The national road network will not be allowed to remain closed," he said, speaking at the end of meetings held over two days in Lamia and Atalanti by the Panhellenic Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives (PASEGES) and farmers' unions in the Fthiotida prefecture.

    Mr. Tzoumakas accused the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) of being behind the mobilizations, saying that "there is a particular group of members in the agricultural sector which wants to exercise specific policies. ... Elections are coming in agricultural unions and cooperatives, there are vested interests but also vested interests which one particular party has in the agricultural sector, KKE."

    "The messages coming in are that the measures (for agriculture) taken by the government have been accepted by the producers of Thessaly as well," Mr. Tzoumakas said.

    Similar action by farmers in December caused serious disruption to transport and the movement of goods, dealing a heavy blow to the national economy.

    Speaking at a meeting of producers in Atalanti, the minister referred extensively to fraud committed concerning subsidies, stressing that "even this year, although to a lesser extent, there has been fraud in cotton," which he set at around 100,000 tones.

    He said the state budget can not pay for such situations.

    PASEGES President Nikos Liolios said the reduction of interest rates and the quadrupling of the return of VAT would give farmers breathing space and bring the state taxation revenue of 1.3 trillion drachmas.

    In Thessaloniki meanwhile, Agriculture Under-secretary Vasilis Geranidis warned that the government may resort to force in order to prevent the blockade of roads.

    "We may probably see riot police in the streets," said Mr. Geranidis yesterday, speaking during a meeting of party officials in the sectors of farming and cooperatives.

    "Some, have chosen the road to blind conflict," the minister said. He added that "if they attempt to abolish every sense of a constitutional state, causing such huge political and economic cost for Greece, with dramatic consequences on the economy, tourism, transport and exports, I do not think they leave much choice to the government but to counterattack on the basis of a constitutional state." In a related development, ruling PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis said government efforts to deal with planned actions would be of a "democratic nature."

    Speaking during the meeting, Mr. Skandalidis said that "PASOK will make every effort to avoid repetition of previous action," and that "such effort will have a strong democratic character."

    The government on Friday toughened its stance prior to an imminent new round of nationwide protests by farmers, scheduled to start at the end of the month.

    "We are determined to confront the protest actions using all means," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said, adding that whoever "exceeds the limits" would find themselves up "against the forces of the state."

    [13] Reactions

    Athens, 27/01/199 (ANA)

    The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) on Saturday accused the government's decision to deal firmly with planned protest actions by farmers as one of "blatant terrorism".

    The KKE in an announcement charged that the government's warning that it will crack down on the farmers was a prelude for a general clampdown on the entire popular movement.

    It said the working people were not only trying to safeguard their incomes but also their right to survive.

    The Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos told a party supporters' gathering in the region of Livadia on Saturday that the government was not focusing on democratic dialogue nor social consensus.

    "With its attitude, the government does not ensure neither democratic dialogue nor social consensus," he said.

    "The provocative statements of the government spokesman as well as those of various ministers regarding the social mobilizations cause heterogeneous and irrational situations," he added.

    Mr. Constantopoulos said such attitude on the part of the government shows that it wants to "trigger social tensions in order to lead them with provocative announcements to extreme forms and thus to be able to isolate them."

    Mr. Constantopoulos said such tactics were "dangerous," adding that "they bear no relation to a responsible policy of democratic and social sensitivity."

    [14] Rallis coordinates matters for ND party congress

    Athens, 27/01/199 (ANA)

    The president of the organizing committee for New Democracy's congress, George Rallis, yesterday met with the three-member regional committee presidiums and called on them to show full objectivity during the party congress.

    Mr. Rallis, a former prime minister, noted that during the election of congress members, a number had expressed views in favor of either party leader Miltiades Evert or contender for the leadership George Souflias, saying that this occurred because the obligation for party members to maintain objective views had not been stressed.

    "You must forget your personal likes and dislikes. Whatever troubles this country has faced occurred because of personal ambitions and conflicts," Mr. Rallis told party members.

    The former prime minister described the congress as being of decisive importance as it is the first one to elect a party leader, stressing that "any decision (taken) will be doubted by no-one."

    Party members asked Mr. Rallis for regional committee Vice-President and secretaries to be present at the congress as observers, as well as asking for the implementation of his circular to deputies, which called for the avoidance of statements which could create a climate of polarization.

    The organizational committee is scheduled to meet today in order to discuss details over the manner in which the congress is to be held.

    [15] 42 illegal immigrants arrested on Pasa islet

    Athens, 27/01/199 (ANA)

    Forty-two Iraqi illegal immigrants of Kurdish origin are being held at Hios island police station after being arrested at dawn on Saturday by the coast guard at the Pasa islet.

    The illegal immigrants (30 men, seven women and five children) said that a Turk had transported them to the Greek islet in his speed boat for the sum of $1,500 each. The Turk has not been located.

    Meanwhile, at least 10 armed coast guard patrol boats have been given orders to be on watch around the clock and to seek the help of the Navy in the event they come across Turkish craft carrying illegal immigrants.

    Greek army posts in the Dodecanese islands have also stepped up security measures, particularly following an incident last week in which a Greek soldier was slightly wounded when shots were traded between the Greek coast guard and Turkish illegal immigrant smugglers.

    [16] 22 illegal immigrants deported

    Athens, 27/01/199 (ANA)

    Twenty-two Indian illegal immigrants, held in detention in Greece after surviving a shipwreck off Malta last month, were put on an Olympic Airways flight for New Delhi late Friday night.

    The 22 had claimed to authorities that two boats carrying illegal immigrants had collided on Christmas Eve, resulting in the loss of 283 people.

    The authenticity of their accounts of the shipwreck has not yet been verified by authorities who are continuing their investigations into the incident.

    A further 37 Pakistanis and 29 Sri Lankans were deported to Karachi on Wednesday last week.

    There are still quite a number of illegal immigrants in the coastal town of Nafplio in the Peloponnese who have not been deported because they have sought political asylum.

    [17] Kidnapped six-year-old found

    Athens, 27/01/199 (ANA)

    Police said yesterday they had found a six-year-old girl kidnapped from her primary school on the island of Crete on Friday.

    At press-time, no details had yet been released of how the girl, Eleni Loulaki, had been recovered.

    Eleni's father, the director of the Ford car dealership in Iraklion, received two telephone calls after the abduction, one demanding a ransom of 120 million drachmas, and the second warning that the child would be killed if anyone was notified.

    A woman claiming she was Eleni's aunt telephoned the girl's school, PanCritiko Ekpedeftiko, at around 12:35 pm on Friday and said she would pick the child up early in order to take it to the doctor.

    A quarter of an hour later, a woman aged around 35 arrived at the school and collected Eleni from the deputy headmistress.

    According to the police officer in charge of the case, the two women "merely smiled at one another" and did not speak. The police officer added that the deputy headmistress did not know the woman.

    At roughly 1:40 pm, Mr. Loulakis was telephoned at work by a woman who spoke broken Greek, demanding the 120 million drachma ransom. According to reports, the same woman, but speaking fluent Greek this time, telephoned the father at home at roughly 4 pm , warning him not to contact anyone about the kidnapping.

    No other contact was made by the abductor, although Mr. Loulakis received six telephone calls where the caller hung up.

    The police were contacted at 3:30 pm, but the incident was initially reported as a disappearance and not as an abduction.

    End of English language section.


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