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