Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-02-22

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From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1122), February 22, 1997

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

CONTENTS

[01] Schussel stresses that Cyprus' EU accession talks to begin six months after IGC

[02] Greece calls for special measures to aid Balkan countries

[03] Greece rejects proposed EU text on Union's structured with Cyprus

[04] Venizelos, SAE's Athens meet

[05] Simitis responds to criticism at central committee meeting

[06] Simitis on Turkey

[07] Skandalidis

[08] No US involvement in coordination of Aegean exercises, PM says

[09] Turkish violations of Athens FIR reported

[10] Gov't on Turkish officials' statements

[11] Turkish tourist guide unions protest attempt to convert Agia Sofia into mosque

[12] Turkish minister's remarks on Cyprus solution draw fire

[13] Exports outlook good but no room for complacency

[14] Commissioner warns against over-stepping budgets

[15] EU funds for Greece between 1994-99 amounts to ECU 2.54 billion

[16] Gov't will help reduce lending rates, PM says

[17] New international airport to be built at Meteora

[18] Public investment programs for '97

[19] Athens, Rome front-runners for 2004 Olympics

[20] Fishermen net ancient bronze statue

[21] Africa gets a new Orthodox Patriarch

[22] Australian Greek, FYROM communities agree to disagree

[23] Nightclub owner freed from kidnappers in Moscow

[24] Trial of alleged dogfight organizers to resume on Monday

[25] ESHEA

[26] Prison escape foiled

[01] Schussel stresses that Cyprus' EU accession talks to begin six months after IGC

Athens, 22/02/1997 (ANA)

Speaking to the press after a meeting with Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Mr. Schussel said that no decision has ever been taken by the EU Ministers' Council placing as a condition for the island republic's entry into the union, a solution to the protracted Cyprus problem.

"We have not made any such decision in the ministers' council. Cyprus' negotiations with the EU must be restricted to the essence, that is to the contents of the agreement to be signed. We are to discuss a country's accession treaty, and therefore, I do not think that we should load negotiations with something like that. It would not be right. But that is my personal opinion," Mr. Schussel said.

On his part, Mr. Pangalos said that Cyprus' accession talks should not be met with problems. Referring to the Dutch EU presidency's draft text to be presented at the EU-Cyprus Association Council meeting next Tuesday, which refers to an EU wish to see all Cypriots involved in the accession process, Mr. Pangalos said that this was not a common position.

"A common position means that there is unanimity. This is a proposal by Germany and the United Kingdom, which cannot be accepted."

This is the first time since the EU-Cyprus structure dialogue began in 1995 that an attempt is made to include such a phrase in a joint statement by the 15 member-states. The EU-Cyprus Association Council said in June 1995 that the EU's "sole interlocutor " is the government of Cyprus.

Pangalos expressed the hope that the issue will be solved by Tuesday, when the EU-Cyprus Association Council convenes, "otherwise there will not be a common position."

Meanwhile, in Brussels, Greece rejected yesterday a compromise proposal put forth by the Dutch presidency. EU foreign ministers will meet on Monday to discuss the issue in a final effort to reach agreement prior to the convening of the council.

In a clear hint that Greece will use its veto if the structured EU-Cyprus talks meet with problems, Mr. Pangalos said that such a development will create major problems for the European Union's overall enlargement process as well as for the Intergovernmental Conference. Turning to other European Union issues, Mr. Schussel said the principle of flexibility, currently under consideration in the framework of the Intergovernmental Conference, will not create problems if it is implemented under certain conditions.

Questioned on the introduction of a clause of reinforced co-operation in the revised Maastricht Treaty, Mr. Schussel expressed certain misgivings, saying that in his view, it would be preferable for the decisions to be taken by a majority vote. He added, however, that this is unlikely to occur and that solutions are being sought through proposals for the flexibility clause.

Replying to another question, Mr. Schussel said Austria has every interest in Cyprus' entry into the EU, adding that it will support it.

The Austrian vice-chancellor underlined that Turkey must remain a secular state geared towards the west and not towards "Islamism", noting that the respect of human rights is an exceptionally important issue.

Mr. Schussel added that he discussed with Greek officials the issue of development in NATO, and particularly the ways in which "we will rid Russia of the fears it has regarding NATO's imminent expansion."

He said he was briefed on Greek-Turkish problems, stressing that the detailed knowledge of the positions of all sides is important for Austria.

He said it is clear that his government will support a member state, stressing that "we strongly believe that when problems arise, they are not solved with violence but through international law and the International Court of Justice at The Hague."

Speaking on the situation in the Balkans, he said the contribution and role of Greece is important.

Asked by an Austrian reporter if it is possible for a Cyprus-EU accession to be completed without this being considered as a provocation against Turkey, Mr. Pangalos reiterated that talks for a Cyprus-EU accession will proceed six months after the Inter governmental Conference.

"Perhaps you'd rather wish to say that Turkey conquers those who provoke it," the minister said.

"Hitler," he added, "determined Austria's behavior in the past, but that does not mean it is acceptable."

Mr. Schussel also met yesterday with President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Costas Simitis and his Greek counterpart Theodoros Pangalos.

During his meeting with Mr. Stephanopoulos and Mr. Simitis, Mr. Schussel was briefed on the Cyprus issue, Greek-Turkish relations and the problems in the Balkans.

[02] Greece calls for special measures to aid Balkan countries

Sofia, 22/02/1997 (ANA - N.Hios)

"We do not want the Balkan countries to remain behind for their accession to the EU because of their particular problems. A package of special measures is necessary to make these countries achieve the level of other EU candidate countries," he said during a press conference in the Bulgarian capital.

Mr. Papandreou said that on Feb. 11, Greece proposed to coordinate the total of aid destined for Balkan countries facing a crisis. Athens has also proposed that Brussels hold a conference on southeastern Europe, with the participation of Balkan countries, the United States, Russia and central European countries.

Mr. Papandreou was in Sofia to hold meetings with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Stoyan Stalev and Trade and International Economic Relations Minister Daniel Bobeva.

He also co-chaired, along with Bulgarian Foreign Undersecretary Valendin Dobrev, a joint meeting of the two delegations.

Mr. Papandreou is accompanied on the official visit by the Greek Foreign Ministry's director of Balkan Affairs, Dimitirs Kypraios, and the Greek ambassador to Sofia, Panayiotis Karakasis.

"The problems are very intense and, therefore, we take this initiative in the belief that an EU intervention will assist in the normal overcome of the crisis," Mr. Papandreou said.

The measures center on dealing with Bulgaria's immediate economic needs, as well as long-term economic needs through financial assistance and loans.

Mr. Dobrev expressed his government's gratitude for Greece's efforts and humanitarian assistance, in a joint press conference with Mr. Papandreou.

"We do not want to see southeastern Europe lurking behind efforts currently made regarding accession procedures for the countries of the central and eastern Europe into European organizations," Mr. Papandreou said.

"Because there are particular problems in the region this does not mean that there should be a feeling of abandonment by the European Union" he added.

"We are searching for buyers," Mr. Bobeva said while presenting a list of Bulgarian enterprises under privatization to Mr. Papandreou.

Mr. Bobeva said he had discussed with Mr. Papandreou the issue of granting guarantees to Greek enterprises trading in Bulgaria.

[03] Greece rejects proposed EU text on Union's structured with Cyprus

Brussels, 22/02/1997 (ANA/CNA)

As a result of Greece's refusal to accept the proposed text, EU Foreign Ministers will meet on Monday to discuss the issue in a final effort to reach an agreement prior to the EU-Cyprus Association Council meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, when they will meet their Cypriot counterpart Alecos Michaelides.

Greece's permanent representative to the EU, Pavlos Apostolidis, made it clear to the Dutch presidency that he could not accept a certain phrase in the text which referred to an EU wish to see all Cypriots involved, as soon as possible, in the accession process.

Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou is expected to request more clarifications from EU partners at a discussion to be held on Monday during a working lunch for the EU's Council of Foreign Ministers.

This is the first time, since the EU-Cyprus structured dialogue began in 1995, that an attempt is made to include such a phrase in a joint statement by the 15 member-states.

The EU-Cyprus Association Council said in June 1995 that the EU's "sole interlocutor" is the government of Cyprus.

Political observers believe that the possible inclusion of a text, similar to the Dutch proposal, could be interpreted in a way that would mean that Turkish Cypriots join accession process in an independent and non-specified manner. Observers also consider that some member-states may argue that Turkish Cypriot participation should be seen as a precondition for the start of accession talks, scheduled to begin six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference.

Cyprus applied for EU membership in 1990. It signed an association agreement with the European Community in 1972 and a customs union agreement in 1987.

[04] Venizelos, SAE's Athens meet

Athens, 22/02/1997 (ANA)

Co-operation between Mr. Venizelos and Mr. Athens will continue in the United States, where Mr. Venizelos will be going at the end of next week.

[05] Simitis responds to criticism at central committee meeting

Athens, 22/02/1997 (ANA)

Addressing the PASOK central committee, Mr. Simitis said he was convinced that on major and substantial issues PASOK remained united.

The premier rejected what he called the use of "labels", such as "patriots, rightists, leftists" by some PASOK cadres. Such dilemmas, he stressed, were characterized by falsity and conservatism. "The Greek people gave their mandate to PASOK to implement what it promised," Mr. Simitis said, underlining that "all of PASOK is patriotic, social and leftist".

"The danger does not come from different opinions but from the paralysis of functions," Mr. Simitis said, adding that "all the collective organs of the government and party must immediately enter an orbit of efficiency and collective work".

The premier expressed his conviction that PASOK was the only political force with specific proposals and solutions for Greek society, national interests, the development and prosperity of the country.

Referring to mobilizations taken place in past days, Mr. Simitis said they necessitate thought on which are substantive interests, which are the government's substantive obligations and how will the government respond to them.

He said the first issue is the decisive safeguarding of national security and integrity and the second equal participation in the EU, adding that this does not constitute a compulsory option but a need for the country's survival.

Mr. Simitis said that PASOK is not calling for sacrifices of no value, but will successfully overcome difficulties, provided that in the place of blind conflict creative and productive dialogue is placed.

He said Greece is the sole EU country in which social expenditures are not curbed, salaries and incomes are not pinned down and unemployment indicators do not sharply increase.

[06] Simitis on Turkey

Athens, 22/02/1997 (ANA)

underlined that Greece was the only European Union country whose national integrity was being threatened.

He reiterated that Greece's national rights on land, sea and in the air were not open to negotiation "and everyone in Turkey and wherever else must realize this". The main objective of Greece's policy is to deter and weaken Turkish aggressiveness through diplomatic initiatives and the strengthening of the country's defense.

"We want peace, security and stability in our region. We want to help Turkey find its European orientation, but Turkey must first provide concrete examples that it is abandoning expansionism and respects international law," Mr. Simitis said.

[07] Skandalidis

Athens, 22/02/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Skandalidis pointed out that PASOK is a "patriotic movement with social orientation," at the same time criticizing those who "idealize the past and those who try to nullify it."

Calling for substantive co-operation by all party members, Mr. Skandalidis went on to acknowledge the fact that the party has yet to "discover the best possible communication channels." Despite strong criticism regarding certain aspects of the government's work, Mr. Skandalidis said the government shows stability and determination in pursuing its original goals.

[08] No US involvement in coordination of Aegean exercises, PM says

Athens, 22/02/1997 (ANA)

"In cases when the location (for separate Greek and Turkish exercises) is the same, an effort is made by the CAA to find some mutually acceptable solution. In the case in question, there was a coincidence as far as the location was concerned," Mr. Simitis said.

The premier added that it was eventually agreed that the Greek and Turkish exercises should take place at different times "within the framework of what is a common practice".

[09] Turkish violations of Athens FIR reported

Athens, 22/02/1997 (ANA)

In all instances violators were immediately recognized and intercepted by Hellenic Air Force jets, while national airspace was violated on two occasions by the Turkish warplanes, reports stated.

According to the reports, several engagements occurred during the recognition and interception of the Turkish aircraft by Greek F-16 and Mirage 2000 fighters.

[10] Gov't on Turkish officials' statements

Athens, 22/02/1997 (ANA)

"The Turks can say what they like," Mr. Reppas said, adding that "we will defend national interests with words and deeds."

[11] Turkish tourist guide unions protest attempt to convert Agia Sofia into mosque

Istanbul, 22/02/1997 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Friday is the day of weekly prayers for Moslems.

The president of the guides' union in Istanbul, Ahmet Sensilay, said that "apart from reasons put forward by the ministry for the change, both Turkish and international public opinion will consider it the first step towards converting Agia Sofia into a mosque."

"In all civilized countries museums are closed on Monday or Tuesday or Wednesday or Thursday, which are days on which tourist movement is much smaller than on Friday, when there is a large turnout for visitors," he said.

"If Agia Sofia remains closed on Friday, the one million tourists visiting Istanbul will only have the possibility of visiting it on Saturday, thus creating huge problems for the building," he added.

[12] Turkish minister's remarks on Cyprus solution draw fire

Istanbul, 22/02/1997 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Mr. Gyul, a close associate of Turkish Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan, said in Washington that experience before 1974 (the year in which Turkey invaded Cyprus) shows that the two communities have difficulties in coexisting.

He is visiting Washington to attend a US-Turkish business council meeting.

He said "different views on what the solution can be" must be discussed, letting it be understood that both sides would be more satisfied with some kind of a solution which would keep them separate.

The Turkish foreign ministry stated that these views conflict with Turkey's foreign policy while, according to the Turkish press, US diplomacy has also expressed surprise over these views.

"Mr. Gyul's statement is not binding for us," a senior Turkish diplomat reportedly said, while US diplomats reportedly stated that "we are hearing such a view from Turkey for the first time. If such a thing was feasible we would have suggested it earlier. We do not accept this, neither we nor Europe."

[13] Exports outlook good but no room for complacency

Athens, 22/02/1997 (ANA)

The result, according to the council, was that better coordination was needed between state services and Greek businessmen in order to chart a more effective and uniform strategy for promoting Greek products in foreign markets.

The plenary meeting, the first for two years, was held with the participation of dozens of representatives of the producer classes and agencies directly or indirectly involved in the country's foreign trade.

National Economy Under-secretary Alekos Baltas said exports increased by 18 per cent in the first half of 1996, compared to the same period of 1995, thanks to a number of favorable developments such as improvements in the relevant institutional framework and cheaper and easier financing.

Mr. Baltas acknowledged however that disincentives still remained and were impeding export efforts. The government, he added, would do all it could to resolve this problem.

He also announced the simplification and a "different philosophy" concerning the system of export credits to various states "which has not been as effective as we had believed".

At present, he went on, export credit lines have been opened for Romania, Georgia and Moldova, while others, namely for Ukraine, Krasnodar in Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, were being negotiated or, in the case of China, Vietnam and Yugoslavia, at the planning stage.

The aim of the Greek government, Mr. Baltas said, was on the one hand to support the export of Greek capital equipment and technical know-how for the promotion of investment programs abroad, while on the other, facilitating access to these markets for Greek small- and medium-size enterprises.

Presenting the program of the Greek Overseas Trade Organization for 1997, its president, Yiannis Tzen, said 1.5 billion drachmas would be allocated this year for special integrated programs for the promotion of selected Greek products in particular markets.

The corresponding figure for 1996 was one billion drachmas.

Emphasis, he said, would be placed on foodstuffs, with a 900-million drachma campaign in Britain, Russia, Japan and the USA, while Greek marble would be promoted in Japan and southeast Asia in general.

Aquaculture products and clothing will be promoted in Germany and olive oil in the USA and Australia.

Mr. Tzen said the organization would be participating in 65 trade fairs all over the world, at which some 1,500 Greek enterprises are expected to be displaying their products and services.

The president of the Panhellenic Association of Exporters and the Export Credits Insurance Organization, Christina Sakellaridi, said that Greece's most exportable products were facing stiff competition in the markets of western Europe.

In contrast, she pointed out, the Balkan region, which accounted for Greek exports worth one billion dollars in 1995, has become the most important market for Greece after the European Union countries.

Exporters at the meeting expressed criticism of the government's "hard drachma" policy and complaints were heard about the difficulties encountered in road transportation through third countries, including increased transit dues in Serbian and Croatia and transit problems in general in Bulgaria and Austria.

[14] Commissioner warns against over-stepping budgets

Athens, 22/02/1997 (ANA)

Speaking at a press conference at the Commission's offices in Athens, Ms. Wulf-Mathies said the EU's sources of funds were limited because a number of EU member-states were experiencing problems with their public finances.

On the next EU financing package, the Commissioner said raising funds would not be an easy matter, while noting margins for the better application of funds in order to advance regional development.

Ms. Wulf-Mathies also called for greater participation on the part of the private sector in major infrastructure works.

Greece's rate of absorption of EU funds was satisfactory, the commissioner said, noting also that the appropriate legislative framework had been created for the Organization and Administration Unit for the evaluation and advancement of infrastructure works.

Ms. Wulf-Mathies began an official visit to Greece on Tuesday.

[15] EU funds for Greece between 1994-99 amounts to ECU 2.54 billion

Brussels, 22/02/1997 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

The lion's share concerns the sector of education, for which ECU 1.16 billion have been earmarked, while ECU 730 million concern continuous vocational training.

According to data provided by the Commission, ECU 575 million have been disbursed so far, of which 510 million concern the sectors of education and continuous vocational training.

Commitments made by the end of 1996 had amounted to about ECU 800 million.

[16] Gov't will help reduce lending rates, PM says

Athens, 22/02/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Simitis said small- and medium-size enterprises would be bolstered by subsidized interest rates.

He attributed the divergence in deposit and lending interest rates, despite the spectacular fall in lending rates over the past two years, to long-standing administrative problems facing the banks.

Mr. Alevras called the cost of money at banks "unjustified and anti-social", resulting in businesses taking out loans finding themselves in exceptionally difficult circumstances.

[17] New international airport to be built at Meteora

Athens, 22/02/1997 (ANA)

A master plan for the airport, whose 2,450m runway is scheduled to open for air traffic in 2000, is to be presented in Meteora on Sunday by the construction companies Meteora Airport S.A., Daimler-Benz Airport Systems and Faulenbach Da Costa Airport Consulting. The plan includes a modern cargo center for the transport of Thessaly's agricultural produce, a pilot training center, and facilities for international exhibitions, conferences and air-shows.

Companies participating in the project include Dornier GmbH, the Hellenic Aerospace Industry (EAB), AGET Heracles and the International Commerce and Financing Corp.

[18] Public investment programs for '97

Athens, 22/02/1997 (ANA)

Included are expropriations for the "Eftaxia-Rema Giorgou" section (3.4 billion drachmas), part of the new high-speed Athens-Corinth railway line and repair of damage caused in the Xanthi prefecture by recent floods, amounting to 650 million drachmas.

Also, 16 billion drachmas will be provided for industrial, biotechnical, processing, hotel and other enterprises (which fall under development law 1892/90), constituting the first national participation installment for a series of private investments carried out.

[19] Athens, Rome front-runners for 2004 Olympics

Athens' suffocating air pollution is the greatest threat to the Greek capital's bid to stage the 2004 Olympic Games, according to the International Olympic Committee's 350-page evaluation report, released yesterday.

Athens and Rome emerged as front-runners in the race to host the 2004 Olympics, with public support of 96.4 per cent Athens' greatest strength in the bid.

The report also mentioned Athens' high-quality facilities and good sporting venues but was less enthusiastic about transport and budget problems.

Rome, however, appeared to get a more glowing report, with the IOC report extolling professional and excellent plans for venues, high-quality Olympic village plan and a thorough and detailed budget projecting high revenues.

The IOC's shortlist will be announced on March 7 in Lausanne and a final winner on September 5.

[20] Fishermen net ancient bronze statue

Athens, 22/02/1997 (ANA)

The harbor authorities have already informed the competent marine archaeology department about the find.

[21] Africa gets a new Orthodox Patriarch

Athens, 22/02/1997 (ANA)

The Holy Synod of the Alexandria Patriarchate elected the Metropolitan from a short-list of three Metropolitans and from an original list of 17 bishops and archbishops from around Africa.

He was born in the northern Cyprus city of Kyrenia in 1949, speaks English, French and Arabic and has represented the Patriarchate of Alexandria at numerous international and regional Church meetings.

The new Patriarch succeeds Parthenios, who died while on holiday on the island of Amorgos last July at the age of 77.

[22] Australian Greek, FYROM communities agree to disagree

Melbourne, 22/02/1997 (ANA - S. Hatzimanolis)

The two communities agreed on Tuesday to tone down their antagonism and discontinue pending legal action concerning a defamatory letter against ethnic Greeks of the Black Sea region. Representatives of the FYROM community had sent the letter to then Australian premier Paul Keating.

After agreement was reached with representatives of the Greek Council and the Association of Ethnic Greeks of the Black Sea, representatives of the FYROM community in Australia issued an announcement recognizing the sacrifices of the Greek people during World War II.

According to the announcement, the letter was not intended to question the struggle of the Greek people against fascism.

"If our letter unintentionally offended you, then we apologize and sincerely hope that our two communities can co-exist in peace, both in the Balkans and in Australia," the announcement said.

In the letter, the FYROM community had accused the ethnic Greeks of the Black Sea region of collaborating with the Nazis.

[23] Nightclub owner freed from kidnappers in Moscow

Athens, 22/02/1997 (ANA)

After intervention by Interpol, Russian police found and freed the man, who returned to Greece three days ago.

Stephanos Petrou, 27, told police he had provided a man, known only as "Anestis", with 1.5 million drachmas in order to find him Russian dancers for his club. He said that after a few days, "Anestis" telephoned him and told him to travel to Moscow in order to discuss the required procedures for the Russian women to travel to Greece.

According to the club owner's police statement, when he arrived in Moscow, members of a crime ring stole the one million drachmas he had on him and forced him to telephone his father twice to demand money.

He said his father, Ilias Petrou, sent 2.5 million drachmas the first time and $US6,000 the second. However, he was not released, and the kidnappers again demanded more money.

Ilias Petrou informed the police, which in turn contacted Interpol.

Russian police identified the building in which the nightclub owner was being held and managed to free him, arresting one of the kidnappers, 33-year-old Georgia national Anastasios Mastoriadis in the process.

[24] Trial of alleged dogfight organizers to resume on Monday

Athens, 22/02/1997 (ANA)

The four were arrested last Sunday in the prefecture of Imathia for organizing illegal gambling on dogfights, a case that attracted widespread publicity throughout the nation.

Apostolos Baltzis, 45, Efstathios Apostolidis, 27, Georgios Paraschos, 41, and Konstantinos Tsouvalas, 44, were arrested when police raided the scene of a dogfight watched by about 400 people near the Makrohori village.

The arrested suspects issued an apology yesterday, expressing regret for "exposing Imathia prefecture", and to the local self-administration government for their actions.

In the same statement, the alleged organizers attacked the mass media, criticizing the press for the manner in which the dogfight issue was presented.

According to the statement, the four accused men said they are being treated as "monsters with a human form," and are held "in worse conditions than those of their dogs".

[25] ESHEA

Athens, 22/02/1997 (ANA)

The complaint concerns the way the issue was presented (scenes of pit bull dogs tearing at each other), while ESHEA stressed the need for reporters and editors to be particularly careful on ethical matters.

ESHEA addressed a letter to the directors of private television stations on the subject of the dogfight scenes.

The letter also referred to what the group called a phenomenon of insignificant news being "blown out of proportion" purely for the sake of ratings.

ESHEA said journalists should "not to harm the sensitivity of the people" or offend "their religious beliefs, their habits and customs, their family and personal life but to inform them in a responsible manner of news taking place."

[26] Prison escape foiled

Athens, 22/02/1997 (ANA)

Initial reports stated that three prison guards were possibly taken hostage after the escape was prevented.

According to the reports, the attempted escape began in the prison yards of the A and D wings, where there were roughly 380 inmates at the time. Groups of mainly foreign prisoners began to scale the fences in order to reach the outer perimeter wall.

The alarm was raised and prison guards used tear gas against the escaping inmates, who soon returned to the prison building. Unrest was reported in all wings.

Justice ministry sources said riot police had been called in to the prison in order to avert any fresh escape attempts.

End of English language section.

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