Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-02-03
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1105), February 3, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Thessaloniki officially assumes European Cultural Capital of '97
title
[02] Stephanopoulos
[03] Simitis reiterates Gov't position not to satisfy protesting
farmers' demands
[04] Gov't warning
[05] Previously unknown El Greco painting displayed in Thessaloniki
[06] Premier tours Thessaloniki care institution
[07] Tsohatzopoulos: Dispute of Aegean status quo remains unwavering
Turkish goal
[08] Pangalos, Milutinovic meet in Thessaloniki
[09] G. Papandreou meets with UN chief in Davos
[10] Constantopoulos on official visit to Cyprus
[11] Evert says subsidies policy for agriculture not the long-term
solution
[12] Agrotica ends
[13] Teachers' strike continues despite latest meeting with Arsenis
[14] Monetary stability through lower inflation the goal for '97
[15] High level of hepatitis infection in Greece cited during
symposium
[16] Humanitarian aid slated for Haskovo region in Bulgaria
[17] Construction on 2 new workers' complexes inaugurated
[18] Russian fugitive found dead
[19] Another 2 Turkish illegal immigrant smugglers arrested
[20] Rally held outside Albanian embassy over collapsed pyramid
schemes
[01] Thessaloniki officially assumes European Cultural Capital of '97
title
Athens, 03/02/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis challenged the peoples of Europe
and the broader region to seek a better future based on their
common cultural elements, during a speech to mark the official
opening of Thessaloniki as Cultural Capital of Europe 1997.
Addressing an official dinner Saturday evening in Thessaloniki,
Mr. Simitis said the task facing Europe was to harmonize the
demand for respect for each country's cultural traditions with
the need for solidarity and creative co-operation.
The premier urged culture ministers from 40 European, Balkan,
Mediterranean and Black Sea region countries to take advantage
of all opportunities offered by regional co-operation agreements
in order to implement their common goals.
In a veiled reference to foreign policy, he emphasized that "the
foundation of culture is respect for and co-operation with
others, thus adherence for rules of international law and
promoting peace, stability and co-operation between peoples."
"Culture is not a secondary aspect of international relations,
but a comprehensive and inclusive world view," he said, adding
that Europe's strength was its culture, therefore, a choice had
to be made between letting Europe's multi-cultural reality be
determined by the wounds of its past, or letting it act as a
life-giving source of continual inspiration and co-operation.
The institution of European cultural capital, inspired by the
late Greek actress and politician Melina Mercouri, should be
seen as a confirmation of European peoples' trust in the
principles, philosophy and laws governing European society, he
said.
Thessaloniki itself, he observed, had been host to many
different peoples and traditions during its 23 centuries of
history, yet its Hellenic character had not been dulled.
Mr. Simitis concluded by referring to the 233 cultural
infrastructure projects currently underway in the city, at a
cost of 80 billion drachmas.
[02] Stephanopoulos
Athens, 03/02/1997 (ANA)
President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos earlier in the
evening officially opened the Cultural Capital of Europe '97
during a ceremony held at the Society for Macedonian Studies'
theater, attended by Greek and foreign guests. An artistic
programme followed, depicting Thessaloniki's course through
antiquity, Byzantium, Ottoman times and the 20th century. Those
attending the event included Mr. Simitis, the Cabinet, main
opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert and
representatives of all political parties - except from the
Communist Party of Greece (KKE), which has refused to
participate.
However, due to lack of space in the under-renovation theater,
which opened especially for the event and will close again in
May for work to continue, reporters and Thessaloniki residents
were unable to attend. Reporters covered the opening ceremony in
the neighboring Thessaloniki Officers' Club, through the use of
a closed-circuit television linkup.
Saturday evening's ceremony began with a speech by the president
of the Cultural Capital Organization, Thessaloniki Mayor
Constantinos Kosmopoulos, who spoke of the importance of the
event being organized by the northern Greek city.
"It was obvious that our city could not follow the example of
Athens, nor did it possess the infrastructure of Paris. But it
was time for us to determine our own separate role through our
existing abilities," Mr. Kosmopoulos said.
The mayor of Copenhagen, Vibeke Storm Rasmussen, handed over the
title of Cultural Capital of Europe to Thessaloniki during the
ceremony.
Ms Rasmussen spoke of her city's experiences during 1996, when
it held the title, noting that culture became part of everyday
life, with 65 per cent of Copenhagen's population participating
in the events.
In his speech, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos stressed the
importance of culture as "the most crucial fiber for the
safeguarding of social cohesion."
He stressed that Thessaloniki converted its nomination as
Cultural Capital of Europe into "an operation to improve its
infrastructure as far as buildings and institutions were
concerned."
"Thessaloniki this year is unearthing its historical past, its
cosmopolitan character and it is discovering the materials with
which it is constructing its modern appearance with Balkan,
Mediterranean and Black Sea characteristics," he said.
During the opening ceremony, a message was read from Ecumenical
Patriarch Vartholomeos, who praised the organizers and
congratulated those who approved the choice of Thessaloniki as
Cultural Capital of Europe.
[03] Simitis reiterates Gov't position not to satisfy protesting
farmers' demands
Athens, 03/02/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday reiterated the
government's decision not to yield to protesting farmers'
demands, during a meeting with leaders of the Panhellenic
Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives (PASEGES) in
Thessaloniki.
According to reports, the premier said Greek agriculture is
faced with the task of adjusting to a world market before it
even has the chance to adjust to a common European agricultural
policy.
He stressed that the government will not consent to
"beautifications and cover-ups that will make things worse,"
adding that farmers' mobilizations were "extreme forms of
struggle" that lead nowhere except to temporary measures.
Regarding the agricultural cooperatives movement, he said it had
much to offer especially in the field of training farmers.
On Friday, PASEGES president Nikos Liolios said that the
agriculture problems could be solved if measures are taken in
three areas, namely, growth of fragmented farm holdings;
modernization of the market structure so that 50 per cent of
agricultural income does not end up in large urban centers, as
well as a reduction in the cost of agricultural products.
[04] Gov't warning
Athens, 03/02/1997 (ANA)
The government's stern warnings against protesting farmers, who
have threatened to again blockade the national road and rail
network, were also repeated by Justice Minister Evangelos
Yiannopoulos, who said that "if they try to violate the laws of
the state, then the state, in defense, will take the necessary
measures," adding that it was all about "ethical, legal and
constitutional defense".
Mr. Yiannopoulos, speaking at a PASOK party meeting on Corfu on
Saturday, directly accused the Communist Party of Greece (KKE)
of inciting the farmers' mobilizations.
[05] Previously unknown El Greco painting displayed in Thessaloniki
Athens, 03/02/1997 (ANA)
A previously unknown painting by renowned 16th century artist El
Greco was the main attraction at an art exhibition at the
Byzantine Museum of Thessaloniki, which was visited yesterday by
President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos.
"The Passion of Christ-Pieta", which depicts three angels, was
part of the Velimezis collection and is thought to have been
painted before 1567, the year El Greco, whose real name was
Dominikos Theotokopoulos, departed his birthplace of Crete for
Italy and then Spain.
[06] Premier tours Thessaloniki care institution
Athens, 03/02/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Saturday visited the Agios
Pandeleimon institution in Thessaloniki, which cares for spastic
children, handicapped individuals and the elderly. The prime
minister said the institution offers some of the best facilities
in Greece, and pledged the government's help whenever needed.
Mr. Simitis also noted the importance with which his government
regards "human issues".
"One particular issue is that related to health, destitution and
poverty," he said, adding that "the government wishes to stress
to our society that these problems exist (and) we must turn our
attention to them.
"The government turns its attention where others will not turn
their gaze, and that is why it has raised taxes for the welfare
and health sectors," he said.
However, he noted that funds must be used wisely in order to
achieve results, adding that "the money must not be spent
lavishly with the thought that it comes from the state."
Mr. Simitis was accompanied on his visit to the institution by
Merchant Marine Minister Stavros Soumakis and Welfare
Under-secretary Theodoros Kotsonis.
[07] Tsohatzopoulos: Dispute of Aegean status quo remains unwavering
Turkish goal
Athens, 03/02/1997 (ANA)
National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, speaking during
an interview yesterday with a private Athens television channel,
reiterated his position that Turkey's steady goal remains the
dispute of the status quo in the Aegean.
During the interview, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos underlined that the
Greek armed forces are in a position to decisively deal with the
disputing of the country's sovereign rights.
The defense minister also referred to what he called "equal
strike" policy, stressing that the armed forces can defend the
country against any attack, and can return any military strike
with equal force.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos reiterated his position regarding the
proposed moratorium of military flights over Cyprus and
criticized the policy followed by the 1990-93 Mitsotakis
government as regards Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus
issue, estimating that this policy "worsened" Greece's positions.
He told Antenna television that a Greek-Turkish moratorium is
possible "and for this, as we said in the summer, we have two
months, and then four months when we avoid exercises and
maneuvers - this is agreed - but we cannot speak of a moratorium
in Cyprus, a country under occupation, where the airplanes of
the occupation powers at any moment can circulate undisturbed
over the island."
Speaking during another interview with the state-run ET-3
television station, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos distanced himself from
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos regarding prospects for the
solution of the issue over the name of the Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).
"Mr. Pangalos expresses concerns of a personal nature for the
possibility of a successful outcome of the discussion and
negotiations for the name (issue)," the defense minister said,
referring to statements Mr. Pangalos made in Parliament.
He added that the official Greek policy is known, has been
expressed and exists in the government's policy statements.
"I do not doubt what he said. But there is no decision on the
issue for his handling, nor did these concerns enter into the
recent meeting of (PASOK's) executive bureau," Mr.
Tsohatzopoulos said.
The government's and PASOK's official stance on the issue,
designated a few years ago, is that Greece demands that FYROM
have a name without the term "Macedonia" or any derivatives, the
defense minister said.
[08] Pangalos, Milutinovic meet in Thessaloniki
Athens, 03/02/1997 (ANA)
The foreign minister of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia,
Milan Milutinovic, met yesterday with his Greek counterpart
Theodoros Pangalos and other government officials in
Thessaloniki.
Mr. Milutinovic attended the official opening of the Cultural
Capital '97, and upon departing told a private Athens television
channel that he discussed bilateral issues with Mr. Pangalos.
In statements, Mr. Milutinovic appeared optimistic for a
defusion of tension in Yugoslavia.
The Yugoslav minister also said discussions with Mr. Pangalos
did not include the FYROM name issue.
[09] G. Papandreou meets with UN chief in Davos
Davos, 03/02/1997 (ANA)
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou met late Friday
night and again here on Saturday with United Nations Secretary
General Kofi Annan.
According to reliable sources, during the meeting, held on the
sidelines of the World Economic Forum, Mr. Papandreou stressed
Greece's continued interest in finding a solution to the Cyprus
issue, acceleration of procedures needed on the issue, the
necessity for UN resolutions on Cyprus to be implemented as well
as for the coordination of initiatives on the issue.
Mr. Papandreou also met with other officials attending the
forum, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,
while he presented Greece's positions on basic foreign policy
issues in contacts with other world leaders.
[10] Constantopoulos on official visit to Cyprus
Athens, 03/02/1997 (ANA)
Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos
yesterday left for Cyprus, where he is to hold talks with
President Glafcos Clerides and political party leaders on latest
developments concerning the Cyprus issue.
In an interview in a Cypriot daily "Phileleftheros", Mr.
Constantopoulos expressed his party's reservations regarding the
Greece-Cyprus joint defense doctrine. He explained that a
Synaspismos analysis indicated that the policy weakened the
perception of the Cyprus problem as an international issue and
only made Cyprus' defense more difficult.
A bilateral friendship, co-operation and defense accord would be
far more effective, he went on, stressing the need for the two
countries to take advantage of current conditions and insist on
the maintenance of international legality and resolutions on t
he Cyprus issue by international organizations.
[11] Evert says subsidies policy for agriculture not the long-term
solution
Athens, 03/02/1997 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy president Miltiades Evert on
Saturday stressed the need for development of a national policy
"based on a wide-ranging dialogue between political parties and
social groups" in order to solve problems in the nation's
agriculture sector.
He made the comments during a visit to the state-run Helexpo
trade exhibition organization's offices in Thessaloniki.
Mr. Evert made reference to the current situation in the
agriculture sector, following the latest developments in Greece
and international markets, reiterating that "a policy of
subsidies" was incorrect.
He also claimed that if immediate measures are not implemented,
some 250,000 Greek farmers will abandon their land and head for
major urban areas without work or health insurance.
As a short-term solution, he favored measures for reducing the
costs of cultivation followed in four to five years by what he
called the building of "necessary infrastructure" to increase
competition.
Referring to the 13th annual Agrotica exhibition that took place
in Thessaloniki over the weekend, the main opposition leader
praised the role of Helexpo in organizing such trade exhibitions
for several economic and professional sectors.
[12] Agrotica ends
Athens, 03/02/1997 (ANA)
The 13th annual Agrotica international exhibition of
agricultural machinery, equipment and supplies ended in
Thessaloniki yesterday.
Tens of thousands of people from both Greece and 29 foreign
countries visited the exhibition in Helexpo's international
exhibition and conference center, where roughly 1,500 exhibitors
were displayed.
Following a Helexpo initiative, awards were given to the best
exhibitors.
[13] Teachers' strike continues despite latest meeting with Arsenis
Athens, 03/02/1997 (ANA)
Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis and Finance
Under-secretary Nikos Christodoulakis yesterday met with
representatives of striking teachers.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Arsenis said all issues were
discussed, adding that he accepted a proposal by president of
the Union of Public Secondary School Teachers (OLME), N.
Tsoulias, that an increase granted to teachers by the government
be given in March, earlier than scheduled.
On its part, OLME's administrative board said no comprehensive
proposal was made to the minister, adding that striking teachers
remain firm on their financial demands for substantial increases
and will continue their strikes.
Meanwhile, primary and kindergarten teachers begin a five-day
strike today, while private school teachers have also announced
a 24-hour strike tomorrow.
[14] Monetary stability through lower inflation the goal for '97
Athens, 03/02/1997 (ANA)
Creating conditions for monetary stability through lower
inflation is the chief goal of Greece's monetary program for
1997, according to a statement by Bank of Greece Governor Lukas
Papadimos on Friday.
Only under such conditions can Greece hope to achieve a high
growth rate and participation in the European Monetary Union
(EMU), Mr. Papadimos noted.
The goal is to get inflation down to 4.5 per cent by the end of
this year and below 3 per cent by the end of 1998. The central
bank's strategy in containing inflationary pressures will be the
same as that followed over the past two years, namely, a stable
drachma exchange rate and keeping monetary expansion within
boundaries consistent with the desired fall in inflation.
The announcement stresses that while the course of the exchange
rate will remain anti-inflationary, it will be managed more
flexibly than in the past.
With regards to the rate of increase of the money supply in the
broadest sense (M3), it is noted that this must be consistent
with the desired fall in inflation, therefore, the intermediate
target for the M3's rate of increase during 1997 is expected to
be between 6 per cent and 9 per cent. M3 consists of cash in
circulation, private deposits, savings and long-term deposits,
repos and bank bonds.
The Bank of Greece will shortly begin adjusting intervention
measures in the money market, aimed at a more efficient exercise
of monetary policy as well as bringing these measures in line
with the operational framework expected to be used in the EMU.
Thus, the Greek banking system will have enough time to adjust
and gain the necessary experience to function competitively
within the single European market, fully exploiting all
opportunities offered by the exercise of a common monetary
policy by a European central banking system, the announcement
concludes.
[15] High level of hepatitis infection in Greece cited during
symposium
Athens, 03/02/1997 (ANA)
More than half a million Greeks have been infected with the
three hepatitis B and C viruses and are currently suffering from
chronic infection even though many may not have exhibited
symptoms, a symposium on hepatitis in Athens revealed on
Saturday.
According to the latest epidemiological evidence, in certain
regions in Greece, such as Crete, 20 per cent of people over the
age of 60 suffer from hepatitis C, with most of them probably
having been infected many years ago.
Pathology professor S. Hatziyiannis attributed this figure to
past out-dated medical practices.
"They boiled the syringes, they vaccinated with the same vaccine
guns and the same needle, and that is why on an international
scale there was spreading of hepatitis which we did not know
about, "he said.
Although single-use medical equipment has considerably
restricted the infection, hepatitis has not been wiped out
completely.
"We don't know why, but world-wide, a previous stay in a
hospital increases the chances of hepatitis. For this reason,
Greece must also study the issue and co-operate on a European
level for finding a solution," Dr. Hatziyiannis said.
[16] Humanitarian aid slated for Haskovo region in Bulgaria
Sofia, 03/02/1997 (ANA - N. Hios)
Greece is sending humanitarian aid to the Haskovo region during
the next few days, a Bulgarian radio station announced yesterday.
The aid consists of 700 tons of flour and 1,000 tons of maize
from the Evros prefecture. The flour is to be distributed to 16
institutions caring for orphans, sick children and the elderly.
The humanitarian aid is to ensure the provision of free bread
until the end of the year, while maize will be distributed to
three large farms in the area.
The first part of the aid is expected to reach southeastern
Bulgaria next week, and will be accompanied by Evros prefect
George Dolios.
The neighboring areas of Evros and Haskovo signed an agreement
for regional co-operation last year, which provides for the
creation of a free trade zone for development of unhindered
economic activities.
[17] Construction on 2 new workers' complexes inaugurated
Athens, 03/02/1997 (ANA)
The Workers' Housing Organization (OEK) yesterday laid the
foundation stones for two new workers' housing complexes in the
Drama prefecture. One complex, in the Agios Athanasios area,
will contain 170 residences and has a construction budget of 4.5
billion drachmas, while the second, to be built in the city of
Drama on land donated by the municipality, will include 113
residences. The latter's construction budget has a budget of
three billion drachmas. Both complexes will also include green
areas, playgrounds, sports grounds and youth centers.
OEK president Thanasis Hanakoulas also held a draw for 26 modern
residences, which will cost OEK 620 million drachmas. The
residences were donated to 26 workers' families in Drama.
Meanwhile, 60 to 80 residences, with a budget of 1.8 billion
drachmas, are to be built in the Kato Nevrokopi municipality in
Drama prefecture, according to an announcement by the
municipality.
[18] Russian fugitive found dead
Athens, 03/02/1997 (ANA)
The body of a 35-year-old Russian fugitive was discovered
yesterday in the northern Athens suburb of Variboby, near the
Athens-Lamia national highway.
According to police, Alesandr Solonik, from the city of Kurgal
in the Urals, had reportedly escaped from a Moscow prison in
1995. He is suspected of running a Russian criminal gang in
Greece, as well as being a hired killer.
The dead man was wanted by Russian authorities in connection to
the killing of four Russian police officers and the wounding of
another.
Solonik's body, which displayed signs of strangulation, was
found fully clothed but without any identification. According to
a coroner, the time of death was established as having been
roughly 24 hours before the body was discovered.
[19] Another 2 Turkish illegal immigrant smugglers arrested
Athens, 03/02/1997 (ANA)
Two Turkish nationals were arrested off the tiny Panagia islet
in the Inousses chain on Saturday morning, on charges of
smuggling illegal immigrants into Greece.
Mehmet Berberoglu, 50, and Abdulerak Balat, 21, were apprehended
while attempting to smuggle 15 Iraqis of Kurdish origin,
including three children, by boat from the Turkish coast.
The same suspects reportedly transported 42 illegal immigrants
to Greece on Jan. 25.
The pair is due to appear before a Hios prosecutor.
During the past 45 days, 11 Turkish nationals have been arrested
on various eastern Aegean islands and islets on charges of
smuggling illegal immigrants into Greece.
[20] Rally held outside Albanian embassy over collapsed pyramid
schemes
Athens, 03/02/1997 (ANA)
Roughly 150 Albanian nationals marched to the Albanian embassy
yesterday, shouting slogans against Albanian President Sali
Berisha and protesting the collapse of pyramid-style investment
schemes in the neighboring country.
Press reports say thousands of families lost their savings in
the collapse of the pyramid-style investment schemes.
According to reports, Albanian businessmen were operating
branches for such investment schemes in Athens and Thessaloniki,
which were used by both Albanian nationals and Greeks.
End of English language section.
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