Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-02-12
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1113), February 12, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Premier calls for social dialogue instead of confrontation
[02] Rifkind comments of Greek-Turkish conflict 'exaggerated', Athens
notes
[03] Cabinet to discuss 'social dialogue' at Friday meeting
[04] Gov't spokesman on Floisvos casino license
[05] Archaeological sites closed due to strikes
[06] Souflias on the attack: Evert will lose ND the next elections
[07] Missile boat's captain, crew blamed for collision with ferry boat
[08] Gov't announces urgent plan to deal with expected wave of
illegals
[09] G. Papandreou
[10] Policeman charged with killing of young Albanian
[11] Alavanos brings Albanian situation to Europarliament
[12] ATE loans for Evros livestock losses
[13] Civil servants to decide on strike action later this week
[14] No margin for more pay rises to teachers, government says
[15] Simitis confers with development ministry on privatization
program
[16] Cyprus to encourage Greek investors
[17] Joint Greek chamber, US embassy business event in March
[18] OPE business mission to accompany Baltas on Australian trip
[19] Athens Concert Hall gets new electronic music library
[20] Athens conference focuses on Orthodoxy, Hellenism
[21] Study on sex-related problems unveiled
[22] Situation in Cyprus threatens US vital interests, Albright says
[23] News in Brief
[01] Premier calls for social dialogue instead of confrontation
Athens, 12/02/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday called for substantive
social dialogue to meet national goals, before outlining two
significant targets the government will pursue, namely, the
safeguarding of national security and the country's equal
participation in the European Union.
Speaking in the western Attica district of Ano Liosia last
night, Mr. Simitis said strengthening the country's defense has
a high price, which is imposed by the kind of threats Greece is
faced with -the national defense ministry will spend four
trillion drachmas in armaments over the next 10 years.
"Expenditures are high and they are limiting our other
possibilities but they are necessary at the moment," he said.
Mr. Simitis said European unification is not a compulsory option
for the country.
"Today you only survive when you decide to develop dynamically
through competition. And Greece wants and can achieve the target
of development; it wants and can have a presence on the
international scene; it wants and can achieve prosperity and
social justice. This is our plan for the Greece of today and
tomorrow," he said.
Replying to recent criticism aimed at the government for its
handling of strike actions, Mr. Simitis rejected criticism of
"social insensitivity", stressing that "we will overcome
difficulties with success, provided we place creative and
productive dialogue in the place of blind conflict."
Mr. Simitis claimed that Greece is the only EU country where
instead of social expenditures being curbed, and instead of
salaries and incomes being pinned down, a balance has been
achieved between fiscal discipline and the safeguarding of
working people 's income in real terms.
Stressing that Greece is currently faced with two courses, Mr.
Simitis said the first is failing to tackle problems, while the
second course is the one the government has set out and which
has begun producing results.
He spoke on the government's social policy and then referred at
length to a national dialogue proposed by the government to
achieve its targets.
On the question of farmers and their recent protests, Mr.
Simitis said the government has proposals, measures and
directions on restructuring agriculture and developing rural
areas.
"In all the proposals there is an open dialogue for improvements
and readjustments wherever this is considered necessary and the
government is always open to this dialogue," he said.
Mr. Simitis expressed certainty that the government's options
enjoy the consensus and agreement of the overwhelming majority
of voters, saying that society rejects fruitless confrontation,
dissension and polarisation, but wants consensus and creative
dialogue.
"Our society cannot forge ahead on the logic of extortion by
certain trade unions against all the others, namely against the
democratic functioning of our society," he said.
He also referred to projects scheduled for the Ano Liosia area
which in past years has faced problems related to unemployment,
environmental problems and poor infrastructure.
The projects concern a local park, restoration of the Ano Liosia
landfill, flood protection, completion of the regional road
network and the building of 2,500 public housing units.
[02] Rifkind comments of Greek-Turkish conflict 'exaggerated', Athens
notes
Athens, 12/02/1997 (ANA)
The government yesterday expressed displeasure at statements by
British Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind, who in an interview
with BBC Radio said there was a "serious possibility" of
military conflict between Greece and Turkey over Cyprus.
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said it was "exaggerated"
and "unfair" to Greece for any comparison to be made between
Greece and the situation prevailing in other Balkan countries or
in Turkey.
"It is impermissible when analyses and comments by international
officials treat Greece as a country which constitutes part of a
problem in the region," Mr. Reppas stressed. "If there is a
danger of conflict it emanates from the rash and aggressive
policy of Turkey, which is disputing our country's sovereign
rights. They cannot place Greece in the same boat with Turkey,"
he added.
The spokesman called on all parties in any way involved with the
issue "to direct their observations, criticism and even
accusations" towards Ankara.
"If we want peace in the region, we must render unto Caesar that
which is Caesar's, and deal with the crux of the problem,
something which is not evident in Mr. Rifkind's statements," Mr.
Reppas said.
Replying to reporters' questions, Mr. Reppas said that Turkish
policy could, under certain circumstances, indeed lead to
conflict, since the neighboring country was operating as a
destabilizing factor.
On the Cyprus problem, the spokesman underlined that Greece's
positions were in line with UN resolutions, in contrast with
those of Turkey, which he said was obstructing a settlement of
the problem.
Mr. Reppas also reiterated the proposal of the Cyprus government
for a demilitarization of the divided island.
On his part, Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou also
criticized Mr. Rifkind's statements.
Mr. Papandreou said it is well-known that for years there has
been tension in the region, which, following the Imia incident,
became the main issue in the region, but added that "no-one can
equate the victim and the aggressor, because the problem will
not be solved correctly in this manner."
The alternate foreign minister, however, expressed his
satisfaction for the European Union's support both on the Imia
issue and on the Cyprus problem.
Meanwhile, main opposition New Democracy party spokesman
Prokopis Pavlopoulos later said that "those sincerely concerned
with tension in Greek-Turkish relations should not limit
themselves to mere concerns but should fairly attribute
responsibilities in regards to the causes of the existing
crisis."
"It is a known fact that Greece constitutes a force and a peace
and stability factor, in contrast to Turkey, which constantly
threatens peace, since it occupies part of Cyprus' soil and
openly contrives Greece's territorial integrity exhibiting
contempt to the international law in its entirety," he added.
[03] Cabinet to discuss 'social dialogue' at Friday meeting
Athens, 12/02/1997 (ANA)
The Cabinet will convene at noon on Friday to discuss proposals
for social dialogue, during which Prime Minister Costas Simitis
is expected to make relevant announcements, government spokesman
Dimitris Reppas said yesterday. The meeting was originally
scheduled for last Thursday but was postponed due to escalating
protests by farmers in central Greece. Mr. Reppas said that
social dialogue should have a permanent "institutional" nature
and should not be conducted only at times of crisis.
[04] Gov't spokesman on Floisvos casino license
Athens, 12/02/1997 (ANA)
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas yesterday rejected the
possibility of government or ruling PASOK party bodies dealing
with a report on the Floisvos casino license affair, as reported
in yesterday's press.
Mr. Reppas said a decision will be taken by the members of the
Parliamentary Fact-finding Committee, who will issue the
relevant report.
He did not rule out the possibility of the issue being discussed
by government or party bodies, but not for the purpose of taking
decisions.
[05] Archaeological sites closed due to strikes
Athens, 12/02/1997 (ANA)
Culture ministry employees have begun strikes at archaeological
sites across the nation, closing the Acropolis and the museums
in Thessaloniki, which currently holds the title of Cultural
Capital of Europe.
While the ministry employees originally announced 48-hour
rolling strikes, they announced last night that the strikes will
continue without interruption today.
The main demands of strikers include maintenance of a "mutual
help fund" for culture ministry employees and pay raises.
[06] Souflias on the attack: Evert will lose ND the next elections
Athens, 12/02/1997 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy party leadership candidate George
Souflias told the newspaper "Exousia" yesterday that if
incumbent leader Miltiades Evert stayed at the head of the party
it would not win the next elections.
"Party unity is authentic only when there is a prospect of
victory," he said, adding his belief in his ability to unify the
party, to lead it to victory and win over supporters from other
political areas.
If elected, he says he will co-operate with all other cadres,
even those who do not vote for him, including Mr. Evert.
"I will ask Mr. Evert to tell me what sector he would like to be
involved in and what position he would wish to occupy in the
party," added Mr. Souflias.
He does not fully agree with proposals made by Stephanos Manos
for a changes to the party's charter.
Mr. Manos, in an interview in "Apoyevmatini", insists there
should be a change in the party's structure if it is to win the
next parliamentary elections.
"...the sad thing is that the ND has become carried away and is
only concerning itself with personalities," he observed, adding
that no matter who the personalities were, they would not made
any difference if in-depth changes to the existing structure w
ere not made. At the party's upcoming congress, he believes a
discussion of institutional issues should come before the
election of a leader.
"(Otherwise) after being elected, the new leader will do what
everyone has always done - impose his (or her) own views," he
concluded.
[07] Missile boat's captain, crew blamed for collision with ferry boat
Athens, 12/02/1997 (ANA)
A report on the causes of the fatal collision involving the
passenger ferry "Samaina" and the missile boat "Kostakos" early
last November off the island of Samos places responsibility
squarely on the crew of the missile boat.
The maritime accident claimed the lives of four Kostakos
crewmembers, while the state-of-the-art missile boat sank during
the collision.
The report by fire brigade investigation officer Ilias
Stefanakos overturns preliminary findings contained in a
previous Hellenic Navy report, which attributed most of the
responsibilities to the ferry boat's crew. He was appointed by
Samos prosecutor G. Tsoulkas to investigate the causes of the
accident.
The report, published in the press yesterday, places all the
responsibility on Kostakos' captain, Constantinos Lazaris, as
well as on bridge duty officers during the incident, stressing
that no action was taken by the missile boat's crew to avert the
collision.
Referring to the captain and crew of the "Samaina", the
high-ranking fire brigade officer stated: "I cannot attribute
any violation of regulations or laws or any other responsibility
to the captain and the crew of the 'Samaina' related to
omissions or actions to avert the collision between the two
ships and the rescue of the sunken ship's survivors.
"The captain and the crew of the 'Samaina' did everything that
was humanly possible to avert the collision, in contrast to the
missile boat Kostakos, which remained inert and caused it
(accident) with its actions and omissions," the report stated.
[08] Gov't announces urgent plan to deal with expected wave of
illegals
Athens, 12/02/1997 (ANA)
The public order ministry yesterday unveiled an action plan in
11 border prefectures in order to deal with an expected wave of
illegal immigrants from neighboring countries.
According to the plan, code-named "Balkanio", local coordinating
bodies headed by prefects will be established that will include
participation of military, police, customs, forestry, port
police and intelligence units.
The prefectures covered by the plan are Thesprotia, Ioannina,
Kastoria, Florina, Pella, Kilkis, Serres, Drama, Rodopi, Xanthi
and Evros.
Meanwhile, a serious incident occurred in the border region near
the village of Kastani, Pagonia yesterday morning when a group
of Albanian illegal immigrants attacked three Greek soldiers
patrolling the area, injuring a corporal.
However, the other two soldiers succeeded in arresting one of
the illegal immigrants, who was identified as Loukai Fetim, 20,
from the Albanian town of Tepelene.
The injured soldier was taken to a hospital in Ioannina where he
is listed in good condition.
[09] G. Papandreou
Athens, 12/02/1997 (ANA)
In a related development, Alternate Foreign Minister George
Papandreou yesterday expressed the government's concern over
events in Albania, reiterating that Greece will bring up the
issue of developments in the area at the next EU council for
general matters and will submit specific proposals.
Mr. Papandreou made the statements after a farewell event in
honor of Georgios Iakovou, the president of the administrative
council of the National Foundation for the Welcoming and
Rehabilitation of Expatriate Greeks.
[10] Policeman charged with killing of young Albanian
Athens, 12/02/1997 (ANA)
A policeman charged with killing a young Albanian illegal
immigrant three days ago was released on bail of one million
drachmas yesterday. Miltiades Andreopoulos, 31, has been charged
with homicide with the possibility of it being willful.
The victim was a 19-year-old Albanian whose first name is Erion.
No other details were available.
Police said the incident took place three days ago in the area
of Perikopi, Kastoria when Andreopoulos and a colleague tried to
flag down a car with Albanian license plates.
The car headed straight for them however and the policemen shot
at the tires to immobilize it.
An initial report of Kastoria police headquarters said that one
of the bullets went through the boot of the car and hit the
19-year-old Albanian in the head.
The car came to a halt, the driver fled and another three
Albanians gave themselves up to the police.
The injured Albanian died on the way to hospital.
An official investigation into the incident was ordered Monday
and a public prosecutor charged Andreopoulos with homicide.
[11] Alavanos brings Albanian situation to Europarliament
Athens, 12/02/1997 (ANA)
Coalition Eurodeputy Alekos Alavanos has tabled a resolution on
the situation in Albania, to be discussed by the European
Parliament plenum on February 17.
Mr. Alavanos is asking the European Commission to find out
whether European Union (EU) aid to Albania has found its way
into the pyramid investment schemes in which virtually every
family in the country has lost money.
He also asks the Commission to initiate contacts with the "Forum
for Democracy", a grouping of all Albanian political forces with
the exception of the government, as well as the creation of
conditions for free elections.
In the resolution, Mr. Alavanos also asks for EU action to
support employment in Albania in order to avert a further wave
of emigration.
[12] ATE loans for Evros livestock losses
Athens, 12/02/1997 (ANA)
The Agricultural Bank of Greece (ATE) will provide individual
loans of up to 9.6 million drachmas with an interest rate
subsidized up to 38 per cent and favorable development
conditions to stockbreeders for livestock losses due to
foot-and-mouth disease.
The decision was signed yesterday by ATE Governor Christos
Papathanasiou.
The loans will have a five-year duration and will develop in
five annual installments, the first maturing on Dec. 31, 1997,
and the remaining four on Dec. 31 for the next four years.
Recipients of these loans are stockbreeding units (individuals
and legal entities) established and operating, regardless of
their head-quarters, in the Evros prefecture.
[13] Civil servants to decide on strike action later this week
Athens, 12/02/1997 (ANA)
The Civil Servants Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY) is
expected to reach final decisions this Friday with regard to
continued protest action against the new salary scale.
Today there will be a meeting of the Executive Committee, while
yesterday ADEDY met representatives of civil servants'
federations to discuss proposals.
According to reports, it is considered likely that a rally of
civil servants around the country will be held in front of
Parliament during the debate on the relevant bill. Other
unionists are proposing another 48-hour nation-wide strike,
although it was pointed out at yesterday's meeting that last
week's 48-hour strike had not been a great success.
However, strike action by individual sectors are believed to be
exerting pressure on the government. There will be work
stoppages in the coming month by, among others, civilian
employees at the defense ministry and forestry workers.
[14] No margin for more pay rises to teachers, government says
Athens, 12/02/1997 (ANA)
Greece's striking high school teachers have been urged to return
to work "in the interest of education" since the budget did not
allow for anymore pay rises, according to a press ministry
announcement yesterday.
"The pay rises awarded to teachers within the framework of the
new salary scale have exhausted the limits of the budget," said
the announcement.
"The issue of any further increase has closed," it added, urging
teachers to appreciate what positive moves the government had
made and to return to work.
[15] Simitis confers with development ministry on privatization
program
Athens, 12/02/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday chaired a government
meeting on all major issues concerning industry and trade, with
the participation of Development Minister Vasso Papandreou and
undersecretaries Anna Diamantopoulou and Mihalis Chrysohoidis.
In statements after the meeting, Ms Diamantopoulou said that the
time schedule for the government's privatization program would
be adhered to and the streamlining of the problem companies in
the portfolio of the Organization for the Rehabilitation of
Ailing Enterprises (OAE) would go ahead as planned.
Subsequently, she added, the OAE would be dissolved within the
agreed time framework of two years.
Ms Diamantopoulou added that the conversion into shares of part
of the share capital of the Public Gas Corporation (DEP) would
soon be announced.
Replying to questions, Ms Diamantopoulou underlined that the
absorption rates of European Union funds by the development
ministry would be accelerated, adding that the prime minister
was well informed on the matter.
Other issues discussed at the meeting included energy and the
need for structural changes in the market in order to attain a
further reduction in inflation.
Yesterday's meeting was largely preparatory in nature, prior to
a further one tomorrow at the development ministry which will
also be attended by Mr. Simitis.
After the meeting tomorrow, Mr. Simitis is expected to give a
press conference at which he will outline the government's
policy in the sectors of industry, energy and trade.
[16] Cyprus to encourage Greek investors
Nicosia, 12/02/1997 (ANA)
Greek businessmen investing in Cyprus or involved in joint
enterprises will get favorable treatment under new policies for
foreign investors approved recently by the Cypriot government.
The new policies are part of efforts to harmonize the Cypriot
economy with European states and to lure foreign investment to
the island-republic.
Many previous restrictions on foreign capital and the activity
of foreign investors have been abolished under the new
guidelines and specific definitions on where foreign investment
is limited, for reasons of national security or social benefit,
have been drafted.
An official document issued by the Cyprus central bank said that
Greek businessmen would be dealt with under different terms to
encourage joint enterprises with Cypriot firms.
The establishment of banks, insurance firms, airline companies
and publishing concerns will be examined on a case-by-case basis.
[17] Joint Greek chamber, US embassy business event in March
Athens, 12/02/1997 (ANA)
Three hundred small- to medium-size enterprises from the United
States will display products and services through catalogues on
March 27-28 in an event to be held at the Ledra Marriot Hotel.
The US firms are seeking co-operation with Greek businesses.
The event is organized by the US embassy in Athens and the Greek
Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
[18] OPE business mission to accompany Baltas on Australian trip
Athens, 12/02/1997 (ANA)
A business mission organized by the Greek Foreign Trade
Organization (OPE) is to visit Australia from March 18-26, on
the occasion of an official visit to that country by National
Economy Under-secretary Alekos Baltas.
The delegation will be seeking to exploit opportunities for
trade and investment in the southeast Asian area, in conjunction
with funding opportunities offered by the European Union for
trade in the region.
The Australian market's interest in Greek products, according to
OPE, mainly concerns canned fruit and fish, sweets, vegetables,
olive oil, cheese, raisins, tobacco, carpets, pipes and plastic
goods.
The interest of a high-income Greek-Australian community in
products from Greece is considered an advantage.
For further information: 998-2225.
[19] Athens Concert Hall gets new electronic music library
Athens, 12/02/1997 (ANA)
"The Lillian Voudouri Music Library of Greece" was officially
opened yesterday at the Athens Concert Hall. The work of the
Friends of Music society, it is Greece's first electronic music
archive and consists of 30,000 books and musical scores, 8,200
Greek books and recordings, 3,700 foreign recordings, 148
periodicals and 76 CD-ROM. A total of 50,000 titles are
available.
Ways are being examined to link up the library with the National
Art Gallery and the Benaki Museum.
Speaking at the opening, Concert Hall Organization chairman
Christos Lambrakis said that in two and a half years a new
three-floor underground area at the Concert Hall will be ready
to house the library.
[20] Athens conference focuses on Orthodoxy, Hellenism
Athens, 12/02/1997 (ANA)
A two-day conference entitled "The Hour of Hellenism and
Orthodoxy" being organized by the Center of Hellenic American
Relations and Hellenic American Friendship, began at a downtown
Athens hotel yesterday.
An address was sent to delegates by Archbishop of America
Spyridon, stressing the need for coordinating the work of all
the agencies of Orthodoxy, both inside and outside metropolitan
Greece.
Talks focused on Orthodoxy and what role Greek Orthodox
civilization can play at present, as well as the issue of
promoting Hellenic civilization.
[21] Study on sex-related problems unveiled
Athens, 12/02/1997 (ANA)
The contemporary way of life and inadequate or incorrect
information are largely responsible for the sexual problems of
people in Greece, according to the findings of a recent study
presented yesterday by the Greek Sexology Association.
The findings were presented prior to the first conference to be
held in the country on contemporary sexology issues.
According to the study carried out by Patra University, one in
10 Greek males has a sex-related problem.
For females, it is estimated that one in four fail to attain
sexual satisfaction.
According to Thessaloniki University professor of obstetrics and
gynecology Z. Papathanasiou, the cause of most of the problems
in both males and females are physiological.
Concerning the low birth rate in Greece, gynecologist M.
Kardamakis said that 20 per cent of men over the age of 35 do
not want children, while one out of five couples in cities want
but are unable to have children.
[22] Situation in Cyprus threatens US vital interests, Albright says
Washington, 12/02/1997 (ANA/CNA)
US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has reiterated her
country's determination to play a larger role in efforts to
reach a solution on the Cyprus problem and noted the situation
in Cyprus threatens European stability and the United States'
vital interests.
Referring to Cyprus in her written statement before the House
Committee of International Relations, she said "the dispute
divides more than the two Cypriot communities; it continues to
act as a wedge between two NATO allies, Turkey and Greece."
"In so doing," Ms Albright noted, "it threatens European
stability and our vital interests."
The Secretary of State added that "accordingly, the US is
prepared to play a larger role in promoting a resolution to the
conflict."
However, she noted that for efforts to yield results, "the
parties must agree to concrete steps that will reduce tensions,
build confidence and make productive negotiations possible."
Ms Albright said that "last year's increased violence on the
island impeded efforts to restart negotiations, but also
dramatized the urgent need for a lasting solution."
Last year, four Greek Cypriots were murdered in cold blood by
Turkish forces, occupying part of the island since Turkey
invaded Cyprus in 1974, and by members of the Turkish
ultra-nationalist organization known as "Gray Wolves".
In September last year, a Turkish soldier was found dead at his
outpost, but claims by the Turkish side that he was murdered by
Greek Cypriots were never substantiated.
[23] News in Brief
Athens, 12/02/1997 (ANA)
- The commander of NATO's southeastern wing, Admiral Joseph
Lopez, was due to arrive in Greece for a two-day visit yesterday
at the invitation of the Chief of the National Defense General
Staff General Athanasios Tzoganis. Tomorrow, Adm. Lopez will
have talks with the political and military leadership of the
national defense ministry focusing on issues of mutual military
interest and Greece's relations with NATO.
- There is to be a changing of the guard in Greece's
participation in the international peace-keeping force in
Bosnia. A C-130 took off from Macedonia airport carrying two
officers and 77 NCOs to replace those currently serving with
S-FOR in Bosnia.
End of English language section.
|
