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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-02-10

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 1111), February 10, 1997

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] Farmers call off protests
  • [02] V. Papandreou: Thessaly farmers no worse off than others
  • [03] Reactions
  • [04] Suspended sentences
  • [05] Decision this week of future of teachers' strike
  • [06] Annan calls for Simitis' support for UN efforts to resolve Cyprus problem
  • [07] Apostolakis: Greece, Cyprus will not concede sovereign rights
  • [08] Housing program for repatriated Greeks a success, outgoing EIYAPOE head says
  • [09] Thessaloniki's sunshine thwarts Angelopoulos
  • [10] Skandalidis optimistic about the country's course
  • [11] Swedish deputy finance minister in Athens today
  • [12] Thessaloniki gets revamped local daily 'Nea Macedonia'
  • [13] Four arrested in bungled kidnap attempt
  • [14] Prison break-out thwarted

  • [01] Farmers call off protests

    Athens, 10/02/1997 (ANA)

    Farmers yesterday decided to call off their latest round of protests, after having the wind taken out of their sails on Friday when police let the air out of the tires of 1,500 tractors parked on national roads in central Greece.

    Farmers' representatives said, however, that they would resume their protests again in March, on the anniversary of the bloody Kileler farmers' uprising in 1910.

    The decision to call off the second round of protests came after a rally at the Mikrothives junction in Thessaly, and following speeches at rallies in major farming towns by members of the government and ruling party PASOK.

    Sources close to the Thessaly Coordinating Committee, which led the decision to resume protests this month, said the farmers had put an end to their protests because they were discouraged by recent developments and lack of coordination by farmers.

    The government, meanwhile, had followed up on its sleight of hand to deflate the farmers' tires by organizing senior government members to speak at rallies in Karditsa and Larissa.

    Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos told a rally in Karditsa that the problems facing farmers had to be dealt with as a whole and with dialogue, saying he was against "the logic of the few" which set one social group against the other.

    His call for dialogue was reiterated by Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis, who was also speaking at the rally. He came out against "party interests which were at the heart of the protests", an indirect reference to the government's belief that the Communist Party of Greece was agitating amongst the farmers.

    Smaller-scale protests, however, continued throughout the weekend, although none came close to disrupting traffic on national roads, the thing that the government was determined to avoid.

    In December, a 25-day blockade of road and rail links virtually cut the country in two, and caused extensive disruption to transport and export and other industries.

    The Thessaly Coordinating Committee on Saturday, meanwhile, demanded the government repair damage to their machinery, saying they would file charges against police for "extensive damage" caused to their tractors.

    "We request that the government stops misinforming (the public) and realize that it is fully responsible for its political and penal actions and will soon be called to pay," a Committee announcement said.

    A day earlier, the group said the farmers would continue their struggle with greater intensity until their demands are finally met and the government's agricultural policy is changed.

    The Committee said in an announcement that it considers "the government's stance a serious political slide to despotism," and invited all political parties and the Greek people to condemn it.

    [02] V. Papandreou: Thessaly farmers no worse off than others

    Athens, 10/02/1997 (ANA)

    In Larissa yesterday, Development Minister Vasso Papandreou said protesting farmers were a minority of the farming community in Greece, adding that the Thessaly farmers were no worse off than farmers in other Greek regions.

    She admitted, however, that ruling party PASOK was in part responsible for the current situation because it should have started dialogue sooner.

    However, she added, the government refused to conduct talks "in a climate of blackmail and national road blockades."

    Ms Papandreou said the government was determined to implement its farming program in the framework of the broader competitive climate in Europe and called on farmers to adjust to the new conditions.

    In Thessaloniki yesterday, Under-secretary to the Prime Minister's Office George Paschalidis said that "farmers' problems cannot be discussed in an atmosphere of tension," adding that "a social dialogue is being organized and should take place with the participation of all farmers."

    National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, meanwhile, said in Thessaloniki on Saturday evening that the government was not willing to deviate from its present economic policy.

    "The new fall in inflation shows that the (existing) economic policy is yielding results and it would be a shame not to keep up this effort," the minister said, adding that "tax exemptions and illegal subsidies do not constitute the solution (to the problems facing the farmers) and will cause immense problems for the remaining farming community."

    Justice Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos said the government will proceed, as promised, with major structural changes to the agricultural economy.

    "We've given farmers everything we could," Mr. Yiannopoulos said.

    [03] Reactions

    Athens, 10/02/1997 (ANA)

    Main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos said the key to the problem was in the hands of the government.

    "The key is dialogue," Mr. Pavlopoulos said pointing to the fact that the government was entering talks with other social groups.

    Following the suspension of farmers' mobilizations yesterday the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said the government was responsible for the damage caused to the farmers' machinery and requested that it immediately repaired the damage.

    According to an announcement, KKE stressed the need for "the creation of a people's front which shall put blockades everywhere against the European Union and the government's policy."

    The announcement said the farmers' protests were "one more gain for the farmers and the popular movement in general," adding that the government "has been defeated".

    [04] Suspended sentences

    Athens, 10/02/1997 (ANA)

    In a related development, a Volos court on Saturday sentenced nine farmers arrested in scuffles with police on Friday morning trying to prevent them from blocking the Athens-Thessaloniki road to six months in prison with three-year suspension.

    [05] Decision this week of future of teachers' strike

    Athens, 10/02/1997 (ANA)

    Federation of Greek Teachers (DOE) President Tasos Papaharalambous said last night that proposals made to teachers by Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis were "positive", adding that results of the six-hour long discussion with the minister and Finance Undersecretary Nikos Christodoulakis will be communicated to the union which will decide on its next steps at general assemblies scheduled for today and tomorrow.

    A final decision on the future of the three-week strike by high school teachers, which is entering its fourth week today, and the two-week strike by primary school teachers will be taken on Wednesday when the general assembly of Greek teachers union presidents will take place in Athens.

    High schools and primary schools will remain closed this week pending any further decisions. The teachers are due to hold another rally in Athens today.

    Teachers' main claims are salary increases for teachers working in first-stage education, a reduction in the working week from 25 to 21 hours and the hiring of more teachers.

    Mr. Arsenis said that salary increases given to teachers corresponded to those given to university professors "at a time of fiscal difficulty".

    He said they were the biggest benefits paid in recent years to teachers and that this showed the priority given to education by the government.

    He added he accepted the claim for a reduction in weekly working hours from 25 to 21 hours, but in three years' time, adding that the placing of replacements at schools will be limited as of September to allow for more hirings.

    The majority of the administrative council saying that the minister's replies were favorable are unionists affiliated to the ruling socialist PASOK party, while the minority of unionists affiliated to the main opposition conservative New Democracy part y and the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said the minister's replies were negative.

    On Saturday, KKE Secretary-General Aleka Papariga said the party fully supported the striking teachers, speaking after talks with the teachers' union OLME.

    [06] Annan calls for Simitis' support for UN efforts to resolve Cyprus problem

    Athens, 10/02/1997 (ANA)

    Sunday newspaper "To Vima" yesterday published a letter UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has addressed to Prime Minister Costas Simitis in which he stresses that an extension of the present status quo in Cyprus entails serious dangers and is creating serious concern at the Security Council.

    Mr. Annan stresses that efforts aimed at achieving a solution to the Cyprus issue can succeed if both leaders (Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash) commit themselves to handling all issues in a collective manner an d on the basis of the mutual will to compromise.

    Mr. Annan requests from Mr. Simitis and Turkish Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan, to whom he has also addressed a letter, to support his efforts to have the Cyprus issue resolved.

    "The data required for us to process a settlement are at our disposal. I am referring in particular to high-level agreements concluded in 1977 and 1979 and by which the two sides agreed to the establishment of a bi-communal and bizonal federation, decisions taken by the Security Council, the package of ideas and to other ideas probed in past years," it said.

    The letter further says that it has also been recognized that an overall settlement can be achieved through mutual concessions with overall negotiations between the leaders of the two communities, which must last as long as is necessary for a solution to be found and that it is vital now for both leaders to commit themselves to such a process.

    "I have also notified the two leaders that I am writing to you and to the Prime Minister of Turkey to request your active support on efforts I and others will make to achieve the targets set out in this letter. I have underlined their great responsibilities to fulfill, as leaders of the two communities, the expectations of all Cypriots for a life of peace and prosperity in their country," it added.

    It went on to say that Mr. Annan has given emphasis to the fact he is ready to make whatever effort to help the two communities achieve an overall settlement, adding that without full co-operation from the two leaders and active support from Greece and Turkey the effort will not succeed.

    "I propose sending my special envoy Mr. Han Sung Joo to Athens on February 10 to proceed with the active support of your government so as to achieve the targets set out in this letter. I particularly appreciate your personal support," the letter concluded.

    [07] Apostolakis: Greece, Cyprus will not concede sovereign rights

    Athens, 10/02/1997 (ANA)

    National Defense Under-secretary Dimitris Apostolakis said yesterday that the Greek-Cypriot joint defense doctrine is a political philosophy, one that shows the determination of the Hellenic nation not to make concessions on national independence and national sovereignty.

    Mr. Apostolakis was speaking in Crete during events marking the 100th year of the Cretan's revolution against Turkish rule of the island.

    "It is the will of both the Greek and Cypriot governments not to give the opportunity to anyone to dispute our sovereign rights," he said.

    [08] Housing program for repatriated Greeks a success, outgoing EIYAPOE head says

    Athens, 10/02/1997 (ANA)

    National Institute for the Reception and Resettlement of Expatriate and Repatriated Greeks (EIYAPOE) President George Iacovou expressed satisfaction over the organization's efforts in Thrace to house Black Sea Greeks, during his farewell tour of the region.

    "The National Institute for the Reception and Resettlement of Expatriate and Repatriated Greeks has developed a very reliable housing plan and produces high-specification homes and at very speedy rates. It has also adopted modern building technologies permitting it to build settlements in record time," he said.

    Accompanied by the deputy president of EIYAPOE's board Costas Michiotis, the foundation's inspector in eastern Macedonia and Thrace Theodoros Papadopoulos and administrative officials, Mr. Iacovou toured the communities of Pagouria, Sykorachi, Aetohori, the Apalou Alexandroupolis community and the municipalities of Sappes and Tycherou where houses are being built to house repatriated ethnic Greeks from the Black Sea region.

    In the evening, Mr. Iacovou attended a farewell event organized by EIYAPOE's Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Department in Sappes. The event was also attended by National Economy Secretary General Apostolos Fotiadis, local organization representatives and the foundation's staff in the region.

    [09] Thessaloniki's sunshine thwarts Angelopoulos

    Athens, 10/02/1997 (ANA)

    Work on renowned Greek film director Theodoros Angelopoulos' 11th film will resume today, after too much sunlight ruined the director's plans to begin filming yesterday on Thessaloniki's coastal road.

    Mr. Angelopoulos was hoping for a dim, gray atmosphere, but Greece's quirky winter weather ruined his plans.

    Work on the film, provisionally titled "An eternity and one day", will officially begin today - weather permitting - and will then move to Italy, Corfu, Syros and Florina, the site of Angelopoulos' last film, the controversial "Ulysses' Gaze".

    [10] Skandalidis optimistic about the country's course

    Athens, 10/02/1997 (ANA)

    Speaking at a joint press conference with Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou yesterday, ruling socialist PASOK party Central Committee Secretary Costas Skandalidis expressed optimism that there would be an improvement in the country's domestic problems and general issues in the coming weeks and months.

    The press conference was held shortly before the start of an open political meeting, "Political briefing and developments", in Patras last night.

    Both Mr. Skandalidis and Mr. Papandreou referred to the claims made by farmers and teachers recently and pointed to great efforts made by the government to tackle the problems of these two social groups in the framework of the state budget's possibilities.

    Referring to the farmers in particular, Mr. Skandalidis focused on interventions by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), pointing out that the government had exhausted the margins in an effort to relieve social classes facing problems and which, in many cases, are justified in claiming a better participation in the production process.

    Mr. Skandalidis also referred to the situation prevailing in ruling party PASOK, saying that proper restructuring must proceed and that PASOK is used to "regrouping itself in the furnace of political struggle".

    "Restructuring should concern all of PASOK without exclusions and exceptions. PASOK must spread everywhere," he said.

    Mr. Skandalidis disclosed that he has a plan ready to activate cadres at all levels and on a dialogue with the Left, which he will present at the next Executive Bureau meeting and discuss with Prime Minister Costas Simitis at the beginning of the week.

    [11] Swedish deputy finance minister in Athens today

    Stockholm, 10/02/1997 (ANA - N. Serveta)

    Swedish Deputy Finance Minister Tomas Estrus will meet with his Greek counterpart George Drys in Athens today.

    Mr. Estrus's visit is being held within the framework of the Swedish government's efforts to clarify certain taxation issues as well as its proposal on a joint system for energy taxes and European policies in the taxation field.

    "Our aim in these contacts is the exchange of information and views on issues which will be discussed at joint meetings of finance ministers of the European Union's member-states," Mr. Estrus told Swedish radio before his departure for Athens.

    The European Commission is promoting a package of measures regarding the harmonization of taxation legislation in EU states to combat tax evasion and to improve revenue-gathering by member-states.

    [12] Thessaloniki gets revamped local daily 'Nea Macedonia'

    Athens, 10/02/1997 (ANA)

    The first edition of Thessaloniki daily "Nea Macedonia" circulated in the northern port city yesterday in the face of opposition of former employees of the Journalists Organization of Northern Greece (DOBE), the company which had published Thessaloniki-based newspapers "Macedonia" and "Thessaloniki", which both folded last June.

    The proprietors of "Nea Macedonia" are George Kouris, who also owns Athens daily "Avriani" and Katerina Vellidis, the proprietor of "Macedonia" and "Thessaloniki".

    An editorial in the newspaper said Nea Macedonia "is a new newspaper but it is also, not only in name but also in essence, the unbreakable continuation of the most historic newspaper of northern Greece 'Macedonia' which was founded by Costas Vellidis and restructured by Yiannis Vellidis."

    "Macedonia" and "Thessaloniki" were forced to close over financial problems suffered by the Vellidis Group. The closure followed strikes by journalists over the Group's failure to pay pension dues.

    Speaking over the weekend, Mr. Kouris announced that he controlled 60 per cent of the new company named K.I. Vellidis S.A. and Ms Vellidis the remainder. He said it has absorbed a number of journalists from DOBE and planned to hire more.

    However, staff dismissed from "Macedonia" and "Thessaloniki" have reacted strongly, publishing a four-page edition of the old newspaper "Macedonia" in which they strongly criticized Mr. Kouris and Ms Vellidis, calling the new newspaper "a fake" with nothing in common with the old one.

    They have taken their case to the law courts and are also seeking money owed to them by DOBE which is in the process of liquidation.

    [13] Four arrested in bungled kidnap attempt

    Athens, 10/02/1997 (ANA)

    Police arrested four gypsies after they allegedly attempted to kidnap the son of a businesswoman from Pallini for a ransom of 20 million drachmas.

    The four were identified as Marios Sainopoulos, 26, Thomas Kamperis, 43, Ioannis Kamperis, 18, and Costas Dalipis, 30.

    They are charged with attempting to kidnap the son of Panayiota Kromba, who, they claim, owes them 20 million drachmas in commercial transactions.

    The child, however, managed to break away from the kidnappers and sought refuge in a local bakery.

    The four were arrested after Ms Kromba and police organized that they receive 1.5 million drachmas in marked notes.

    [14] Prison break-out thwarted

    Athens, 10/02/1997 (ANA)

    Five Albanian inmates were injured on Saturday afternoon, one seriously, when about 70 prisoners tried to escape from Ayios Stephanos prison in Patras.

    Prison sources said the inmates managed to escape from their cells and tried to reach the main entrance when they were noticed by prison guards.

    Riot police who arrived in the scene finally managed to return them all back to their cells.

    End of English language section.


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