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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-01-30

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 1102), January 30, 1997

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] Pangalos notes importance of Moscow's Cyprus initiative after meeting Russian officials
  • [02] Reppas
  • [03] CoE's Parliamentary Assembly approves resolution on Cyprus
  • [04] Greek engineering firms unveil pioneering energy project for Moldova
  • [05] Austrian foreign secretary highlights close ties between Athens, Vienna
  • [06] Tourism prospects
  • [07] Contact group tells Ciller 'good will' steps necessary for EU entry
  • [08] State Department
  • [09] G. Papandreou to rep resent Greece at Davos forum
  • [10] Turkish trade unionists on official visit to Greece
  • [11] ND council discusses foreign policy issues
  • [12] Gov't denies reports of reshuffle
  • [13] Conference focuses on environment, inter-Balkan co-operation
  • [14] Greek-American group organizes to support Clinton
  • [15] New Greek rep to European Communities Court appointed
  • [16] ADAPT program
  • [17] Protesting farmers' rally in Larisa
  • [18] ND remarks
  • [19] Tzoumakas points to political forces as behind farmers' protests
  • [20] Papadopoulos silent on ADEDY demands
  • [21] Arsenis categorically rules out teachers' salary demands
  • [22] Thrace cotton farmers to be compensated
  • [23] Baltsa concert in Thessaloniki tonight
  • [24] El Greco icon goes on show in Thessaloniki
  • [25] Manginas elected deputy president for EPP group
  • [26] New institute to advise Gov't on road safety
  • [27] Drunk driving crackdown announced
  • [28] Two sacked for negligence over capsize of Dystos
  • [29] New machinery installed in Thessaloniki area valued at 17 billion
  • [30] Another seven kilometers of Egnatia construction awarded
  • [31] Treasury bill rates fall below 10 per cent
  • [32] Finance ministry reaffirms need to keep tight rein on moneys
  • [33] Sexual exploitation of children in Greece reportedly rises
  • [34] Terrorist suspect extradited to Germany

  • [01] Pangalos notes importance of Moscow's Cyprus initiative after meeting Russian officials

    Athens, 30/01/1997 (ANA)

    Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos yesterday noted a "wide-ranging coincidence of views" during talks here yesterday with two envoys of Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov, both of whom are currently visiting the region. After the meeting,

    Mr. Pangalos said the two sides shared the view that the United Nations should be the primary body in efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem.

    The director of the third directorate for European affairs at the Russian foreign ministry, Vladimir Tchizhov, and the deputy director of the ministry's international organizations' department, Aleksandr Orlov, are visiting Athens, Nicosia and Ankara in order to highlight Moscow's interest in playing an active role in finding a solution to problems in the southeast Mediterranean, and particularly the Cyprus problem.

    Underlining that all separate initiatives aimed at finding a Cyprus settlement were welcome, the Greek foreign minister also said that the Russian initiative was one of the most important.

    Mr. Pangalos said the discussion had also revolved around the basic principles which must govern international relations and the operation of the UN, which he added, must be respected by all.

    In addition, he thanked the Russian officials for Moscow's assistance in bolstering Cyprus' defense - a clear reference to the anti-aircraft missile system recently ordered by Nicosia. Asked whether Moscow was concerned about the reaction to the missile purchase from Turkey and the United States, Mr. Tchizhov replied that "Russia is concerned about the lack of progress in the Cyprus problem".

    Commenting on the missile deal, Mr. Tchizhov said that Moscow's positions were already known. He reiterated that Cyprus, like any other sovereign state, had every right to conclude defense agreements. He also launched a thinly veiled attack on those he claimed "want to leave Russia out of the arms market".

    [02] Reppas

    Athens, 30/01/1997 (ANA)

    Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said "nobody is selected in advance and nobody is rejected in advance" and within the framework of Greece's armaments program decisions will be taken on the basis of the country's interest.

    Mr. Reppas made the statement yesterday in reply to a question on how Greece views the purchase of weaponry systems from Russia.

    [03] CoE's Parliamentary Assembly approves resolution on Cyprus

    Strasbourg, 30/01/1997 (ANA - G. Zarkadis)

    A plenary of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly yesterday approved a resolution on Cyprus as well as a report by the special rapporteur on issue, Hungarian socialist Andras Barsony.

    The resolution calls for an extra Cypriot deputy to be added to the one Cypriot representative already in the body, as well as a Turkish Cypriot deputy to attend sessions when discussions focus on Cyprus-related issues.

    The resolution was amended prior to the vote by Cypriot, Greek and British deputies.

    The report also calls for the demilitarization of Cyprus, requesting that both sides resume dialogue and accept the measures proposed by the UN Security Council for de-escalation of tensions across the island's dividing line.

    Afterwards, the Turkish delegation called a press conference to express regret over the resolution, saying that "it constitutes a lost opportunity for the Council of Europe to promote a uniting solution for Cyprus."

    The Turkish delegation further accused the Council of Europe of bias against the Turkish positions, again warning that in the event of a Cyprus-EU accession, without a prior solution to the Cyprus problem, Turkey will annex the Turkish-occupied parts of Cyprus.

    On its part, the Greek inter-party delegation failed to vote unanimously.

    Main opposition New Democracy deputies Mihalis Liapis and Vassilis Manginas as well as ruling PASOK deputy Sifis Mihelogianis voted for the resolution. The remaining PASOK deputies, Dinos Vrettos, Yiannis Skoularikis, Nora Katseli and Rodoula Zisi, voted against. Communist Party of Greece (KKE) deputy Stratis Korakas and Coalition of the Left and Progress deputy Nitsa Loule said that if they had the right to vote they would have opted against the resolution.

    Explaining the Greek deputies' opposition to the resolution, Mr. Vrettos said it did not refer to the "Republic of Cyprus," but to "Cyprus," and did not mention the problem of occupation on the island, while referring to "authorities" on the two sides.

    According to Mr. Vrettos this constitutes an indirect recognition of the Turkish-occupied parts of Cyprus.

    [04] Greek engineering firms unveil pioneering energy project for Moldova

    Athens, 30/01/1997 (ANA)

    Two Greek engineering companies and their bankers yesterday presented a $38 million project aimed at securing for Moldova liquid fuel supplies by sea for the first time in the country's history.

    The two companies - Elliniki Technodomiki and Avax - have undertaken the study, construction and operation of a port terminal, eight fuel storage tanks and auxiliary facilities in the area of Giurgiulesti on the banks of the Danube river.

    Giurgiulesti provides Moldova's only access to the sea.

    In addition to the construction and project management, the Greek companies will also operate the venture for 25 years on a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) basis.

    The project will be financed 33 per cent from own funds, 42 per cent from European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) loans and 25 per cent from the three Greek banks cooperating in the project - the National Bank, Commercial Bank and General Bank.

    It will be the first time that the EBRD funds an investment with the participation of agencies of both the public and private sectors.

    Also considered an innovation is the participation of the Greek banks in the syndicated loan which will be lead managed by the EBRD. The project is expected to be completed within 20 months, although it is hoped partial operation will be possible after just 14 months.

    By securing fuel supplies by sea, in tankers with a 10,000 DWT capacity, the Moldovan government hopes to save hundreds of millions of dollars. Up to now, Moldova has been supplied with liquid fuel only by road and rail, at a high cost.

    The terminal and other facilities to be built at Giurgiulesti will have an annual capacity for moving 2.1 metric tons of liquid fuel.

    The Moldovan government has guaranteed the movement of at least one million tons annually at an agreed price.

    The project in effect inaugurates a major Greek presence in Moldova which is expected to grow with bilateral economic co-operation in other sectors also.

    The initial agreement was signed by the Moldovan government and the consortium which will implement it - Terminal S.A. - in 1995, shortly after which it was ratified by the Moldovan parliament.

    The final agreement was signed last December.

    [05] Austrian foreign secretary highlights close ties between Athens, Vienna

    Vienna, 30/01/1997 (ANA - D. Dimitrakoudis)

    Austrian Foreign Secretary of State Benita Ferrero-Waldner stressed the new dimension of "especially friendly relations" with Greece in a speech yesterday highlighting her country's contribution to European security policy.

    She made the remarks at a Hellenic-Austrian Association event in the Austrian capital.

    Ms Ferrero-Waldner said this new dimension was indicated by a forthcoming series of reciprocal official visits. Specifically, Austrian Foreign Minister Wolfgang Schuessel is coming to Athens next month, while Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou is expected in Vienna in May.

    Federal Parliament President Heinz Fischer is scheduled to visit Athens in April at the invitation of his Greek counterpart. In the meantime, the setting of the date for the official visit to Austria by Prime Minister Costas Simitis is being discussed at a diplomatic level.

    Ms Ferrero-Waldner stressed in her speech that due to Austria's friendly relations with Greece, Vienna will continue recognizing Skopje only as the "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia", despite planning to open an embassy there in 1997.

    The event was attended, among others, by Greek ambassador to Vienna Yiannis Gennimatas and Austrian foreign ministry officials.

    [06] Tourism prospects

    Athens, 30/01/1997 (ANA)

    Greece's presence in the four-day "Holidays '97" international tourism exhibition (Jan. 23-26) was described as especially successful, attracting almost 50,000 visitors.

    According to official figures released by the organizers, the Greek pavilion attracted the largest number of visitors, while a recent poll showed that one in 10 Austrians over the age of 16 intends to spend their holidays in Greece - second only to Italy (11 per cent).

    [07] Contact group tells Ciller 'good will' steps necessary for EU entry

    Rome, 30/01/1997 (ANA - L. Hatzikyriakos)

    The foreign ministers of Italy, France, Spain, Britain and Germany yesterday asked their Turkish counterpart Tansu Ciller to initiate steps of goodwill in order to facilitate her country's entry to the European Union.

    It was apparent that effectively no progress was recorded in yesterday's meeting of the informal five-member contact group with Turkey, which focused on EU-Turkey relations.

    Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini pointed out that the problem of human rights, Greek-Turkish relations, the Cyprus and Kurdish problems remain serious obstacles to the acceleration of Turkey's entry.

    Mr. Dini dwelled in particular on the importance of Turkey's relations with Greece.

    "Greece exercises, and can exercise up to a point, the right of veto. We don' t believe that the right of veto can be extended on issues of negotiations or dialogue. Every member of the EU has the right of veto only on the issue of full accession by another country," he said.

    Mr. Dini provided a reminder of the July 15, 1996 statement by the Council of Ministers, calling on Turkey to respect the principles of international law in relations to other nations and their sovereignty and territorial integrity; to avoid the use or threat of using violence, and to seek recourse at the International Court of Justice at The Hague on issues of territorial disputes.

    "Turkey is now ready to provide a more complete answer (than in the past) regarding the July 15th statement, underlining these principles and, in particular, adopting a more constructive position concerning the last point. So, I can say that regarding this obstacle (Greece), we had a particularly useful exchange of views," he said.

    Regarding the recently announced purchase of Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles by Cyprus, he stressed that they were long-range missiles, and that their deployment would exacerbate the situation.

    "I believe that Cyprus needs many things, but not long-range missiles. We hope there will be an agreement for solution in Cyprus in the next few months, or in the next year, so that the purchase of these missiles will not be necessary," he stated.

    French Foreign Minister Herve de Charette stated: "There are no obstacles to Turkey's possible entry in the EU to begin with, but certain difficulties remain and we must solve them."

    His German counterpart Klaus Kinkel agreed, but added that there are also difficulties to Cyprus' entry as long as the Cyprus problem is not solved.

    Ciller After the meeting, Ms Ciller announced that Ankara would submit a new application for entry into the EU at the Amsterdam summit.

    "I asked the five ministers to support our application," she said.

    She stated the meeting was positive and productive and thanked Italy for hosting it.

    "Turkey cannot stay outside the map in a Europe that is continuously expanding. In comparison to the 11 other countries which wish to enter Europe, Turkey has the most important economic and political weight. My counterparts seemed to agree that we must be given the same possibilities with the others that want to enter Europe," she said.

    [08] State Department

    Washington, 30/01/1997 (ANA - T. Ellis)

    The United States is opposed to the imposition of new conditions regarding Turkey's accession to the European Union, US State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns said yesterday.

    He added that US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright told her Dutch counterpart presiding over the EU, Hans van Mierlo, and European Commission Vice President Sir Leon Brittan that the US attributes great strategic importance to Turkey.

    Asked whether this course must go ahead before progress is achieved in human rights and the Kurdish issue as well as the question of Cyprus, Mr. Burns said:

    "It is our position that one needs to look at the full scope of our relationship with Turkey. And on balance, there is a strong case to be made by the United States that Turkey should be more fully integrated into Europe, despite the fact that there are problems on human rights.

    "The United States would not favor creating any artificial or any new conditions that might prevent Turkey from playing a full role in Europe," he said, adding "we are in favor of full inclusion by Turkey in western institutions."

    [09] G. Papandreou to rep resent Greece at Davos forum

    Athens, 30/01/1997 (ANA)

    More than 1,700 internationally known personalities, including some 400 politicians and 1,000 business tycoons, are expected to come together at the Davos international forum in Switzerland, starting today. Greece will be represented to the forum, which will run through Feb. 4, by Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou.

    The focus of the noted forum will be on closed meetings where some 60 national leaders, presidents, general directors of regional and international organizations are expected to formulate this year's common geopolitical and economic priorities.

    The agenda of the four separate meetings will focus on the international funding system, social welfare networks for the 21st century, the effect of the genetic revolution on society, the effect of technological changes on private enterprises as well as politics and society in general.

    Special emphasis will be given to the globalized economy as well as trade and its effects on social cohesion.

    The selected 60 personalities include the presidents of Cyprus, Switzerland, Romania, Hungary, Poland, Egypt, Ukraine, Ecuador and South Africa as well as the prime ministers of Belgium, Russia, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Lebanon, Israel and India.

    [10] Turkish trade unionists on official visit to Greece

    Athens, 30/01/1997 (ANA)

    The Turkish Trade Union Federation (DISC) is paying a visit to Greece at the invitation of the General Confederation of Workers of Greece GSEE) and the Civil Servants Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY) for talks on issues of mutual concern.

    The two countries' trade union organizations referred to ties of friendship and co-operation, expressing a conviction that the consolidation of a climate of friendship and co-operation between the two countries would contribute decisively to their development.

    In this context they said peaceful investments would be given a great impetus if capital spent on armaments was channeled to them. The two organizations wish for a speedy and peaceful solution to the Cyprus issue and committed themselves to work for Balkan trade union co-operation.

    They will work together in the framework of the European Trade Union Confederation (SES) and are expected to promote initiatives such as events against the violation of human rights, training seminars and general activities aimed at peace and cooperation in the Balkans.

    [11] ND council discusses foreign policy issues

    Athens, 30/01/1997 (ANA)

    Main opposition New Democracy's political council held a meeting yesterday focusing on Greek-Turkish relations. The meeting concluded that Greece's international position has been dramatically diminished, also stressing the lack of what it called an integrated national front to deal with critical problems.

    ND leader Miltiades Evert told the meeting that the party did not link the Cyprus problem to Greek-Turkish relations, adding that the government was "frivolous about handling problems".

    Party spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos later reiterated ND's position for a political leaders' council meeting, stressing the "non-existence of a government line." Mr. Pavlopoulos said the party will undertake initiatives to defend national interests but did not elaborate .

    [12] Gov't denies reports of reshuffle

    Athens, 30/01/1997 (ANA)

    Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday that the government is considering neither a reshuffle nor a change in the current electoral system. Replying to other press questions, he also said the government is not considering abolition of Article 19 in the Greek citizenship code, and denounced threats against two foreign correspondents by the far right wing weekly "Stohos", saying such unacceptable threats should not deter anyone.

    [13] Conference focuses on environment, inter-Balkan co-operation

    Athens, 30/01/1997 (ANA)

    Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Under-secretary Theodoros Koliopanos yesterday said that Greece, as an European Union member-state, has proved its interest to co-operate in a common policy for cross-border environmental problems. He was speaking at the opening of a conference entitled "Environment and Inter-Balkan Co-operation," organized by the Greek Women Scientists Association.

    He also noted the lack of coordination, legislation and administrative support for the planning and implementation of a substantive environmental and town planning policy in the Balkan countries.

    [14] Greek-American group organizes to support Clinton

    New York, 30/01/1997 (ANA - M.Georgiadou)

    The Hellenic American Friends of Clinton Organization has completed its contacts on the sidelines of the swearing in of US President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore in Washington. The organization's president, Nikos Revezoulis, personally congratulated Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Defense Secretary William Cohen on the assumption of their duties.

    In another development, the organization's representative in the state of Massachusetts, Stella Gogou-Papadopoulou, attended the funeral of former US senator Paul Tsongas.

    [15] New Greek rep to European Communities Court appointed

    Athens, 30/01/1997 (ANA)

    Krateros Ioannou, the director of the International and Economic Law Center in Thessaloniki, has been appointed to the Court of the European Communities by decision of Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.

    Prof. Ioannou, who replaces K. Kakouris, is also an honorary legal adviser to the foreign ministry and has repeatedly represented Greece before the Court.

    [16] ADAPT program

    Athens, 30/01/1997 (ANA)

    A 25-member delegation from the Rodopi prefecture left yesterday for Denmark to participate in a program for application of technology in small-to-medium-sized enterprises.

    The program is held within the framework of interstate co-operation for the implementation of the ADAPT community programs.

    [17] Protesting farmers' rally in Larisa

    Athens, 30/01/1997 (ANA)

    Farmers held a protest rally yesterday morning in the center of Larisa under as a strong police force watched nearby. Police had earlier guarded approaches to the central Greek city to prevent the protesters from bringing tractors with them.

    The rally was addressed by representatives of the pan-Thessaly Coordinating Committee, which organized the protest, who called on the government to satisfy their demands, while underlining that they did not wish to enter into a confrontation with police.

    The farmers later marched to the Larisa courthouse to express their support for 19 colleagues on trial, charged with obstructing traffic during previous protests. The protesters were later scheduled to head for the Larisa prefectural building, where they were expected to request a meeting with the local prefect in order to put forth their demands.

    [18] ND remarks

    Athens, 30/01/1997 (ANA)

    On his part, main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos lashed out against the government, accusing it of "holding an irresponsible stance" on the farmers' issue. Mr. Pavlopoulos called on the government to immediately enter into dialogue with protesting farmers.

    Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos, said "the income of farmers will be increased only through corrective interventions and re-negotiation of terms with the European Union. "Threats do not solve the farmers' issue," he added, noting the "lack of democratic dialogue."

    [19] Tzoumakas points to political forces as behind farmers' protests

    Athens, 30/01/1997 (ANA)

    Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas yesterday accused protesting farmers of holding "conservative views" and being ignorant of the impact of international competition, although he blamed political influences.

    "Their demands have no relation to the need for reforms in agriculture, but arise from expediencies of political forces and parties that seek to create tension in the country's political and social life," he said, addressing the opening of the Agrotica '97 exhibition in Thessaloniki.

    Citing figures, he said while one tractor corresponds to 50 hectares in the rest of the European Union, in Greece the ratio is one to eight, and that while 20 to 22 per cent of the population is engaged in agriculture, their contribution to GDP is only 12 per cent.

    [20] Papadopoulos silent on ADEDY demands

    Athens, 30/01/1997 (ANA)

    Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Alekos Papadopoulos could not be drawn on union demands to abolish a provision allowing department heads to decide on the amount of performance-related bonuses.

    Members of the Civil Servants Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY) who met with the minister yesterday said that he left the issue open. The amendment, contained in the new wage scale for public servants, allows department heads to curtail bonuses pa id to employees, on the basis of a quantitative and qualitative evaluation of their work performance.

    ADEDY has warned the government that the provision was "casus belli" for the unions, but it is feared that its removal from the draft bill - which is due to be tabled in Parliament in the next few days - could set a precedent.

    ADEDY President Yannis Koutsoukos said that the government appeared to be unbending on the union's financial demands and called on all public servants to participate in the 48-hour strike called for February 3-4.

    [21] Arsenis categorically rules out teachers' salary demands

    Athens, 30/01/1997 (ANA)

    Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis said yesterday that possibilities existed for substantial dialogue on teachers' institutional demands, but not on the issue of pay increases. Speaking to reporters after talks with the presidium of the teachers union

    (OLME), Mr. Arsenis said the issue of salary increases had "closed" with the tabling of the relevant draft law in Parliament. High school teachers are presently in the middle of a second successive five-day strike in support of pay and other demands.

    OLME President Nikos Tsoulias said that teachers remained firm in their demands, which include a net monthly starting salary of 250,000 drachmas, a branch collective labor agreement, 6,000 new hirings and a 15 per cent share of the budget for education. "We cannot return to our schools with heads bowed, which is why we are requesting a continuation of the dialogue with the ministry, because there is still margin for changes to the draft law...," Mr. Tsoulias said.

    Earlier, more than 3,500 teachers held a protest rally in central Athens before marching to the education ministry chanting slogans to the effect that they were able to hold out. They remained outside the ministry for more than one hour. A further rally has been scheduled for Friday at 12 noon.

    In Thessaloniki, striking teachers, who rallied in the region of Kamara, marched towards the Macedonia-Thrace ministry yesterday.

    Entering the eighth day of strike action, Thessaloniki Teachers Union (ELME) representatives told reporters that "the key to end protest action is in the hands of the education minister."

    [22] Thrace cotton farmers to be compensated

    Athens, 30/01/1997 (ANA)

    The prefectures of Rodopi and Evros will be included along with those of Xanthi and Kavala in measures to compensate cotton farmers who suffered crop damages due to bad weather, according to an announcement by Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Regional General Secretary Athanasios Lagos on behalf of Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas.

    Mr. Lagos was speaking at a joint press conference held in Alexandroupolis today together with the Prefect for Evros George Dolios, for Rhodopi Stergios Stavropoulos and Rhodopi Agricultural Cooperatives Union President Damianos Maroufidis.

    Amounts of 10,000 dr. per quarter acre will be awarded as for other regions.

    [23] Baltsa concert in Thessaloniki tonight

    Athens, 30/01/1997 (ANA)

    Noted Greek mezzo-soprano Agnes Baltsa is to appear at a concert tonight marking Thessaloniki's inauguration as Cultural Capital of Europe for 1997.

    Ms Baltsa, who arrived in the northern city yesterday, will perform arias by Rossini, Verdi, Bizet, Saint-Saens and Maschanini, accompanied by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra conducted by D. R. Davis. The orchestra will give another concert tomorrow night featuring works by Schubert.

    Tickets for tonight's concert have already been sold out.

    Both performances are being held in the 1,000-seat auditorium of the Aristotelion University, the largest in Thessaloniki, since none of the larger cultural infrastructure projects have been completed. Of the total number of seats, 650 were put on sale and were sold within two hours, while the remaining 350 are reserved for invitations for officials attending the three-day events to mark the official opening of the Cultural Capital.

    [24] El Greco icon goes on show in Thessaloniki

    Athens, 30/01/1997 (ANA)

    A previously non-exhibited work by Domenicos Theotokopoulos (better known as El Greco) went on show in Thessaloniki last night, part of an exhibition of 59 15th century paintings from the Benaki Museum's Velimezis collection.

    The painting, representing the Passion of Christ, was completed in 1566 before Theotokopoulos left Crete. It was sold the same year in Handakas (now Iraklio) and taken to the Ionian island of Zakynthos. In 1938 it was bought by Emilios Velimezis.

    The exhibition, marking the inauguration of Thessaloniki as Cultural Capital of Europe for 1997, will be open at the Museum of Byzantine Culture until April 15 and will then be taken on a tour of cities in Europe and the US.

    [25] Manginas elected deputy president for EPP group

    Strasbourg, 30/01/1997 (ANA)

    Main opposition New Democracy deputy Vassilis Manginas was elected deputy president of the European People's Party group at the Council of Europe.

    Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Deputy Stratis Korakas was elected deputy president of the immigration committee of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly.

    [26] New institute to advise Gov't on road safety

    Athens, 30/01/1997 (ANA)

    An independent institute is to be set up by the transport ministry to advise the government on the implementation of a comprehensive policy on road safety, Transport and Communications Minister Haris Kastanidis told a press conference yesterday.

    The decision follows deliberations by an all-party committee and is aimed at reducing the number of road deaths and injuries.

    The committee stressed the need earlier this year for the stricter implementation of existing road safety legislation, including the compulsory use of seat belts and child safety seats in cars, crash helmets for motorcyclists and more frequent random alcohol tests for drivers.

    Approximately 2,000 people die and a further 30,000 are injured on Greek roads every year, while the annual toll for Europe as a whole is 50,000 fatalities and 500,000 injured.

    [27] Drunk driving crackdown announced

    Athens, 30/01/1997 (ANA)

    Individuals suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol will be brought to court within 24 hours of their arrest, following a directive yesterday toward appeals prosecutors by the vice prosecutor of the Supreme Court, Ilias Spyropoulos.

    Mr. Spyropoulos noted that police evidence has revealed that a large percentage of criminal traffic offenses are due to drunk driving.

    In Attica, misdemeanor traffic violations between April to October 1996 reached 17,244 - with 2,329 of these being for drunk driving.

    Appeals court prosecutors have been asked to provide directions for immediate court appearances to be implemented in these cases, and for prosecutors to suggest that penalties be imposed according to the degree of the violation and conditions of each case.

    Prosecutors have also been asked to examine not-guilty decisions and to conduct appeals where necessary.

    [28] Two sacked for negligence over capsize of Dystos

    Athens, 30/01/1997 (ANA)

    Six coast guard officials have been disciplined for negligence on the night of December 28, 1996 when the dry bulk carrier "Dystos" sank off the island of Evia, according to an announcement yesterday by Merchant Marine Minister Stavros Soumakis.

    Two officers in charge of the ministry's operations' room on the night of the shipwreck have been dismissed, while four coast guard officials from the Kimi port authority have been suspended without pay for two to six months, for negligence in carrying out a search and rescue mission.

    The minister also announced that to avert repetitions of such occurrences, the operations room would be upgraded with permanent staff who have been specially trained in search and rescue missions.

    [29] New machinery installed in Thessaloniki area valued at 17 billion

    Athens, 30/01/1997 (ANA)

    The value of equipment and machinery for 191 industries given licenses by Thessaloniki prefecture for installation or expansion in 1996 exceeds 17 billion drachmas.

    Specifically, 50 licenses for the establishment of industries were given with mechanical equipment valued at 3.03 billion drachmas; 30 licenses for the operation of industries with mechanical equipment valued at 412 million drachmas; 50 licenses for the operation of new industries with mechanical equipment valued at 2.27 billion drachmas and 6 1 licenses for the operation of expanded industries with equipment valued at 11.57 billion drachmas.

    [30] Another seven kilometers of Egnatia construction awarded

    Athens, 30/01/1997 (ANA)

    A section of the Egnatia Highway from Lykopodi to Ladohori in the Thesprotia prefecture has been approved after a decision signed by Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis.

    The decision followed a tender for the project. The seven-kilometre-long section, budgeted at 10.62 billion drachmas, will be undertaken by the Techniki Loymbiaki-Mohlos consortium. A contract is expected to be signed soon between the consortium and the Egnatia S.A. company, which is responsible for the highway's construction.

    In an unrelated event, a contract will be signed on Monday for construction of the "Thessaloniki western entrance" outside the city's limits. The three-kilometre-long project, with a budget of 5.5 billion drachmas, has been awarded to the Ergas-Altek consortium, and is expected to be completed in 27 months.

    [31] Treasury bill rates fall below 10 per cent

    Athens, 30/01/1997 (ANA)

    The finance ministry announced last night that as of today Jan. 30, 1997 the following new interest rates will be applied for state treasury bills:

    Specifically, 9.8 per cent for three months (from 10 per cent), 10.1 per cent for six months (from 10.30 per cent) and 10.9 per cent for one year (from 11.10 per cent).

    It is the first time that interest rates on treasury bills fell below the psychological barrier of 10 per cent and paves the way for a new fall in bank interest rates.

    [32] Finance ministry reaffirms need to keep tight rein on moneys

    Athens, 30/01/1997 (ANA)

    A meeting at the national economy and finance ministries chaired by minister Yiannos Papantoniou yesterday reaffirmed that it would speed up procedures for the collection of revenues and tighten controls on spending to keep levels to those foreseen in the 1997 budget.

    Also attending the meeting were finance undersecretaries George Drys and Nikos Christodoulakis.

    Meanwhile, the Trade Association of Thessaloniki has sent a strong letter of protest to Mr. Drys regarding the exclusion of commercial firms from reduced taxation status.

    The letter stresses that "it is the state's duty to assist as many businesses which can survive, be saved and develop".

    The letter stressed that the state's treatment of companies was "unfair and unequal" in relation to other sectors and that incentives for investment in modernization were in fact "disincentives for the growth of commercial activity".

    [33] Sexual exploitation of children in Greece reportedly rises

    Athens, 30/01/1997 (ANA)

    Reported incidents of children under 16 being sexually abused have tripled in Greece over the past five years, according to evidence compiled by prosecutors and police, researchers told a press conference yesterday.

    The incidents concern child prostitution, pornography, rape, incest and indecent assault.

    Ioannis Tsiantis, professor of child psychiatry, and psychologist Eleni Agathonos said every "civilized and organized society must take necessary measures in order to protect children from all forms of abuse."

    During the press conference, held in view of a meeting on Friday concerning "the sexual exploitation of children", the researchers stressed that the figures do not, however, reflect the actual extent of the problem, as most cases of child sexual abuse go unreported.

    The two specialists provided a typical profile of both a perpetrator and victim in such cases. According to the profile, in most cases the assailant was also abused at a young age, while victims are usually children from lower-income or broken families.

    According to the data, 138 new cases of child abuse were reported in Greece in 1995, 92 of these concerning girls and 46 concerning boys.

    A previous investigation carried out by the Institute of Child Health revealed that in 75 per cent of the cases, the abuse was carried out by family members. It also noted that paedophiles usually choose professions which bring them into close contact with children, such as teaching or coaching sports.

    Researchers dealing with the problem yesterday called for legislative measures to be taken immediately, saying that existing laws are anachronistic.

    [34] Terrorist suspect extradited to Germany

    Athens, 30/01/1997 (ANA)

    Andrea Hausler, a 31-year-old German woman wanted in connection with a deadly 1986 bombing a disco in then West Berlin, was extradited to Germany yesterday afternoon.

    Hausler left on a Lufthansa flight from Thessaloniki to Munich. She was escorted by German police who had arrived in Thessaloniki at noon yesterday to take her into custody.

    She was arrested last October while vacationing with her two-year-old son and boyfriend in Halkidiki, northern Greece. Hausler was sought in connection with the disco bombing, in which three people were killed - two US soldiers and a Turkish woman - while 200 were wounded, most of them US military personnel.

    She was being held at Diavata prison on Thessaloniki pending extradition.

    Two other people were arrested in Germany in October in connection with the attack, which Washington blamed on Libya and retaliated by bombing the North African state.

    End of English language section.


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