Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-03-01
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1128), March 1, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Greek-Turkish tension, NATO's eastward expansion dominate
Simitis-Solana talks
[02] Opposition on Solana visit
[03] No Pangalos-Albright meeting in US scheduled as yet
[04] Gov't says any Turkish settlement of Famagusta weakens prospects
for Cyprus solution
[05] Greece, South Africa sign defense industry co-operation agreement
[06] Papoutsis stresses need for strengthening of European
institutions along with EMU
[07] Reports cite new OTE share issue
[08] Skandalidis visit to Canada, US
[09] Premier cites added Gov't support for provincial media
[10] ND leadership contenders arrive in Thessaloniki for pre-national
congress
[11] KKE claims extensive US, EU, NATO interference in region
[12] Two Thessaloniki utilities to be converted to sociiti anonyme
companies
[13] AGET Iraklis employees' lawsuit postponed until May 8
[14] Inter-city consumer information network planned
[15] OAED program to subsidize temporary hiring of 5,000 college
graduates
[16] National Bank branch in Bucharest
[17] Finance ministry projects lessening of public debt as percentage
of GDP
[18] EOT forecasts increase in number of Italian tourists this season
[19] Premier disputes claim that Gov't isn't properly absorbing EU
funds
[20] Bourse continues to slide
[01] Greek-Turkish tension, NATO's eastward expansion dominate
Simitis-Solana talks
Athens, 01/03/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis held talks here yesterday with
NATO Secretary General Javier Solana focusing on tensions in
Greek-Turkish relations and efforts to restructure the alliance.
The premier first held private talks with Mr. Solana, while the
meeting was subsequently attended by Foreign Minister Theodoros
Pangalos and National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos.
Mr. Solana's proposals for defusing tensions in Greek-Turkish
relations were discussed at length, although Mr. Simitis said
arrangements already existed to deal with the situation.
Specifically, the premier cited a memorandum agreement reached
in 1988 by then Greek and Turkish foreign ministers Karolos
Papoulias and Mesut Yilmaz, respectively. In 1988, Mr. Papoulias
and Mr. Yilmaz agreed in the Athens seaside resort of
Vouliagmeni to promote confidence-building measures (CBMs)
between the two countries based on the principle of
good-neighborliness.
"In time, discussions can be held," Mr. Simitis added.
Mr. Solana said that what was important was to work on the issue
before the NATO summit on July 8-9.
According to sources, Mr. Solana underlined during yesterday's
talks that in view of NATO's eastward enlargement, the problems
which exist between alliance members must be dealt with.
The same sources said Mr. Solana appeared to insist on his
proposal concerning an extension of a two-month moratorium on
Greek and Turkish military exercises in the Aegean during July
and August.
At the present time, the Greek side does not appear willing to
discuss the issue given Ankara's general stance towards Athens,
reports state.
For this reason, Mr. Solana intends to return to Greece and
Turkey before the July summit, while the sources said the NATO
chief was insisting that a solution be found by July.
When asked by reporters if Ankara was in agreement with his
proposals, Mr. Solana replied that any agreement should be
formulated on the basis of the Vouliagmeni memorandum as well as
on ideas put forward last summer.
"I shall make every effort to secure agreement from both sides
because this is my job," Mr. Solana said.
Asked whether radar pictures of the situation in the Aegean
would continue to be relayed directly to NATO headquarters in
Naples beyond the four-month period agreed, Mr. Simitis said
this would continue if necessary in order to brief the alliance
on developments, "because it is a positive thing if the allies
are better informed."
Mr. Solana described his talks as "extremely constructive" since
he had ascertained that Athens' positions were very positive
concerning the building of a new NATO, in a reference to
proposed new military structures, new missions, new members and
the alliance's new relationship with Russia.
In these sectors, Mr. Simitis underlined, important decisions
must be taken at the Madrid summit in July, adding that talks
would continue.
[02] Opposition on Solana visit
Athens, 01/03/1997 (ANA)
On its part, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) issued an
announcement yesterday stating that Mr. Solana's visit to Athens
expressed "NATO's escalating effort to further consolidate its
domination in the region and resolve outstanding issues
according to its pursuits and those of the United States and the
European Union."
KKE criticizes Mr. Simitis for "consenting" to NATO's eastward
enlargement and his saying that "it is a guarantee for peace and
stability, when at the same time NATO does not recognize borders
in the Aegean and promotes the official partition of Cyprus. "
The Political Spring (Pol.An) party also criticized NATO of
"...allowing Turkey to constantly cause dangerous breaches in
the cohesion of its southeastern wing, at a time it is (NATO)
planning its eastward enlargement.
"Respect of the status quo in the Aegean and Ankara's strict
adherence to the rules of the alliance should precede any
enlargement," a Pol.An announcement read.
[03] No Pangalos-Albright meeting in US scheduled as yet
Washington, 01/03/1997 (ANA)
US State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns left open the
possibility of Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos meeting with
US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright during his visit to the
US.
"The secretary hopes that she will be able to find time for a
meeting with Foreign Minister Pangalos. She has the greatest
respect for him. We understand that he plans to visit New York
for the opening of an exhibition of Byzantine art at the
Metropolitan Museum. When we are able to decide on a time and
place for a meeting, we will," he said.
Asked if Washington understood Turkey's positions on the Aegean,
Mr. Burns said the US understood but did not always agree.
[04] Gov't says any Turkish settlement of Famagusta weakens prospects
for Cyprus solution
Athens, 01/03/1997 (ANA)
Commenting on press reports alleging that hundreds of Turkish
extremist "Gray Wolves" members have been arriving from Turkey
to Cyprus in order to settle in empty Famagusta houses,
government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday that Athens
will denounce this move, "which shows lack of will on the part
of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots to promote initiatives for a
solution to the Cyprus problem."
Famagusta has been uninhabited since 1974 when the island was
invaded by the Turkish army.
[05] Greece, South Africa sign defense industry co-operation agreement
Cape Town, 01/03/1997 (ANA)
Greece and South Africa yesterday signed a memorandum providing
for five-year co-operation in the sectors of defense equipment
and technology.
The memorandum was signed by National Defense Under-secretary
Dimitris Apostolakis and South Africa's Alternate Defense
Minister Ronald Kasrils.
It provides for the joint production of new defense equipment
and the modernization of older equipment, reciprocal
procurements of common interest and the rendering of services
for the repair, maintenance, operation and use of existing
defense equipment and material.
In addition, the memorandum foresees the granting, on a
commercial basis, of the licenses required for the manufacture
of defense equipment, providing technical advisers for
production organization and the construction of military
installations.
The memorandum also provides for exchanges of technological
experience and information in these fields.
A 14-member committee has been set up, each side being
represented by seven members, to ensure implementation of the
memorandum.
Earlier, Mr. Apostolakis invited South African Defense Minister
Joe Modise to pay an official visit to Greece, the precise date
of which will be fixed through diplomatic channels.
Today, Mr. Apostolakis is scheduled to address members of the
Greek community in Cape Town before returning to Athens.
[06] Papoutsis stresses need for strengthening of European
institutions along with EMU
Athens, 01/03/1997 (ANA)
European Commissioner Christos Papoutsis yesterday stressed the
need to give a new impetus to "social Europe" and the need for
the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) to go hand-in-hand with
the strengthening of democracy and European institutions.
Speaking at the Panteion University in Athens, Mr. Papoutsis
said the importance of the challenges Europe is facing at the
eve of the 21st century "makes it necessary for the European
States to choose a common road and identify common responses".
"The rejection of European unification would lead to a deadlock
and to a political and economic marginalization," Mr. Papoutsis
said. "The consolidation of the European institutions is a
guarantee for the smaller countries securing the consolidation
of the European Commission's autonomy, its right of initiative
and the participation of at least one Commissioner from each
member-state," he said.
Mr. Papoutsis, who is commissioner for tourism, small- and
medium-sized enterprises and energy, said "the danger lurking
behind the debate on the flexibility clause is the
institutionalization of a multi-speed Europe".
"This process must not apply to the first pillar which
constitutes the backbone of the Community, the structural
policies and other common policies," he said.
The commissioner emphasized that in view of the importance of
the challenges and the search for Europe's role in the new
international environment, "our aim must be the preservation of
institutional balance and the consolidation of the Community
acquis, a Europe of democracy, as well as the securing of the
equal participation of all member-states in the European
institutional framework (because) we cannot accept arrangements
which open the way to the formalization of a 'directoire', (as
it would be) unfortunate if not disastrous for Europe if we
create the impression or develop the conception that some are
more equal than others".
He said enlargement of the 15-member bloc was necessary for the
stability and development of Europe but emphasized that "this
enlargement should take place in a way which, on the one hand,
does not affect the Community acquis and the functioning of the
Union and, on the other, guarantees smooth adoption of the new
countries to the Community framework."
The important question arising in the context of enlargement is
" who will pay its cost," Mr. Papoutsis said. "The adaptation of
the community budgetary perspectives and the increase of the own
resources are necessary so that the Community budget can face
the new needs without any side effects on the cohesion policies
and the CAP.
"It is now that a political commitment should be undertaken for
the continuity of European structural policies and for the
future budgetary framework as well," he said. Mr. Papoutsis
expressed the view that Europe must develop an autonomous
security and defense policy, without which no real foreign
policy can be envisaged.
"There is no doubt that as long as Europe hesitates to develop
an autonomous security and defense policy, it is difficult to
move forward to the development of a real common foreign policy.
This weakness of Europe decreases its power internationally and
is incompatible with its economic and commercial power," he said.
[07] Reports cite new OTE share issue
Athens, 01/03/1997 (ANA)
A new share issue of Hellenic Telecommunications Organization
(OTE) stocks will be made available in Greece and abroad this
June, sources said.
According to reports, the issue will amount to 12-14 per cent of
OTE's share capital, aimed at raising revenue in the region of
250-300 billion drachmas.
A board meeting on the matter took place at the national economy
ministry yesterday, but it was not decided whether the issue
will involve a new share capital increase, or the government
will sell OTE shares it already holds.
[08] Skandalidis visit to Canada, US
Athens, 01/03/1997 (ANA)
Ruling PASOK party secretary Costas Skandalidis left for Canada
yesterday where he will visit Toronto and afterwards New York,
Philadelphia and Boston in the United States.
In Toronto, Mr. Skandalidis will address a special gathering and
meet with local organizations' coordinating committees. At a
meeting of all of PASOK's organizations in New York, the course
of the party's restructuring will be discussed as well as
political developments in Greece.
Mr. Skandalidis will make a speech at the Drexel University in
Philadelphia on the course of Greek national issues. In Boston,
the last stop in his tour, he will attend events marking the
50th anniversary of the incorporation of the Dodecanese islands
into Greece.
Mr. Skandalidis will return to Athens on March 9.
[09] Premier cites added Gov't support for provincial media
Athens, 01/03/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis said yesterday in reply to a
question by former New Democracy prime minister Constantine
Mitsotakis in Parliament yesterday that state subsidies to the
media could range from 25 per cent in the capital to 65 per cent
in provinces, such as Thrace.
He added that it was the first time state advertising would be
handled on the basis of planning and in transparency.
"The government is promoting all measures that will help and
support the provincial press," he said.
On his part, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said a draft
presidential decree on transparency in the employment of press
offices of public organizations and state advertising is a
radical step forward regarding the relations between the state
and t he media.
According to the decree, all public organizations will have to
submit annually reports to the press ministry and the
Radio-Television Council containing the names and the size of
salaries of the reporters they employ.
They will also have to report the amounts they spent on
advertising. Mr. Reppas said that at least 40 per cent of state
advertising would be allocated to the printed media, and at
least 10 per cent to radio, while 30 per cent of all expenses
allocated to every type of medium will be channeled to the
regions.
[10] ND leadership contenders arrive in Thessaloniki for pre-national
congress
Athens, 01/03/1997 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy leadership contenders began
arriving in Thessaloniki yesterday in order to attend a two-day
pre-national congress session.
The new leader of the party will be elected at full-scale
congress, scheduled for March 21-23.
The Thessaloniki conference will examine the party's charter and
be attended by approximately 2,000 members.
"I am certain that we will not disappoint the Greek people, the
party members and officials," said incumbent leader Miltiades
Evert upon arrival at the city's airport, expressing confidence
that the party would come out united from the conference.
The ND leader refused to comment on the candidacy of
Thessaloniki deputy Costas Karamanlis, a nephew of the former
president of the republic.
Mr. Karamanlis, who announced his candidacy for the party's
leadership on Thursday night, was greeted by more than 500
supporters awaiting at the city's airport in the afternoon under
adverse weather conditions.
"At tomorrow's (today's) pre-congress session, we shall have our
eyes turned to the future, we are beginning a great effort for
the renewal of New Democracy," he said.
Mr. Evert's main adversary, former minister George Souflias, was
enthusiastically greeted by hundreds of supporters in his home
town of Larisa on his way to Thessaloniki, while the last ND
candidate, former government spokesman Vyron Polydoras, arrived
in the city in the evening, stating that "the circle of politics
of the leading groups in which Messrs Evert and Souflias are
included, has closed for good."
Commenting on developments in ND in view of the party's
congress, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the main
opposition was facing problems in its ideological profile and
political strategy.
"New Democracy must first find a ship and then elect a captain,"
Mr. Reppas said.
[11] KKE claims extensive US, EU, NATO interference in region
Athens, 01/03/1997 (ANA)
The central committee of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE)
yesterday issued a statement on the country's foreign policy
with extensive references to the role of the US, the EU and NATO
in the region.
KKE claims that Greek foreign policy in the Balkans is
effectively dictated by the pursuits of the US and NATO, while
regarding Greek-Turkish relations, it considers that following
the Imia crisis in January 1996, the country has come under a
regime of limited sovereignty in the Aegean, and that the aim of
the US is the promotion of the partition of the Aegean, and the
abolition of national borders.
KKE says it supports extension of territorial waters to 12
nautical miles, but notes that the exercise of this right
depends on many factors on which our country must count on.
Regarding the Cyprus problem, KKE says that it is "an obstacle
to the implementation of the present US plans, and for this
reason they are seeking a package solution, providing
simultaneously for the official partition of the island, and the
installation of a NATO force which will play a more general role
in the area."
The KKE central committee also calls for the legalization of all
foreign workers in Greece.
[12] Two Thessaloniki utilities to be converted to sociiti anonyme
companies
Athens, 01/03/1997 (ANA)
Two draft presidential decrees have been submitted to the
Council of State for processing and by which the Thessaloniki
Water Supply Organization and the Thessaloniki Drainage
Organization will be converted into sociiti anonyme companies
and will function on the basis of private economy rules, but
without their public utility nature being altered.
The companies' capital will be the net amounts resulting from
inventories of their assets and for which name shares will be
issued in the name of the Greek state. Lastly, their staff will
be subject to private sector labor contracts.
[13] AGET Iraklis employees' lawsuit postponed until May 8
Athens, 01/03/1997 (ANA)
Adjudication of a lawsuit filed by 1,200 employees of the AGET
Iraklis cement company against the Italian Calcestruzzi
conglomerate, which bought a majority of the company in 1991,
has been postponed until May 8.
Plaintiffs are asking for recognition of their right to 2 per
cent of Iraklis' shares, as stipulated in the sale agreement.
They are arguing that Calcestruzzi is illegally retaining
profits from these shares since 1992, amounting to more than 300
million drachmas. ANA
[14] Inter-city consumer information network planned
Athens, 01/03/1997 (ANA)
The creation of an inter-city information network for consumers
is the goal of a development ministry's pilot program, which
anticipates establishment of consumer bureaus in 34
municipalities throughout the country.
At a meeting Development Minister Vasso Papandreou had yesterday
with the mayors of the 34 municipalities (16 from Attica and 18
from other parts of the country) where the first consumer
bureaus will be created, she announced the start to the program
in March and called on the mayors to designate the official
responsible for each bureau and to maintain co-operation with
the ministry in order to apply the program.
Funding of the program has already been approved by the European
Commission's Consumer Protection Department and amounts to 174.4
million drachmas.
The ministry's aim, in co-operation with the Central Union of
Greek Municipalities and Communities (KEDKE), is to extend the
program to all the capitals of the country's prefectures in 1997
and to the other municipalities as of January 1998.
The program includes the establishment of a network for
transmitting and receiving information concerning the consumer.
[15] OAED program to subsidize temporary hiring of 5,000 college
graduates
Athens, 01/03/1997 (ANA)
A new program of the Manpower Employment Organization (OAED) is
envisaging the hiring of 5,000 college and higher education
graduates in the private sector.
In order to qualify for the program, candidates must be under 30
years old if graduates of higher education institutions and
under 25 years old if graduates of professional training
institutes and technical colleges.
Under the program, graduates will be employed by private firms
for a period of between three and six months, with employers
being given a daily 2,400-drachmas subsidy for each such
employee.
Employers will be obliged to pay the program participants in
accordance with collective labor agreements and provide all due
social security coverage.
Labor Minister Miltiades Papaioannou said the program was aimed
at helping young graduates embark on their professional careers
with some practical experience.
It is hoped that after the period of subsidization, the
companies involved will hire the graduates on a permanent basis.
[16] National Bank branch in Bucharest
Athens, 01/03/1997 (ANA)
The National Bank of Greece opened a new branch in Bucharest
yesterday.
The new National Bank outlet is the third branch to open in the
Balkans, after Sofia and Tirana.
[17] Finance ministry projects lessening of public debt as percentage
of GDP
Athens, 01/03/1997 (ANA)
Finance Under-secretary Nikos Christodoulakis reiterated
yesterday that the government's fiscal policy will not slacken.
He said budget indicators and the public debt remained at
anticipated levels in 1996, with the debt amounting to 33
trillion drachmas in 1996, or 111 per cent of GDP, while it is
expected to decrease to 107 per cent in 1997.
Mr. Christodoulakis said the overall positive macro-economic
climate is the result of fiscal containment and this should not
be interpreted as an indication of slackening, adding that "the
correct fiscal course should be continued and intensified, not
slackened."
Replying to a question on developments at the Athens Stock
Exchange, he said "the statement for calm has nothing to do with
the need for loaning, because it was said that this was done for
loaning needs".
[18] EOT forecasts increase in number of Italian tourists this season
Milan, 01/03/1997 (ANA - L. Hatzykiariakos)
Addressing the opening ceremony of the International Tourism
Exhibition held here on Thursday, Greek Tourism Organization
(EOT) President Yiannis Stephanidis forecast a 5-6 per cent
increase in arrivals of Italian tourist s to Greece in 1997.
Mr. Stephanidis said the increase will bring to about 800,000
the number of Italian tourists expected to visit this year.
Elaborating on changes in both the European and international
tourism industry, Mr. Stephanidis said "mass tourism" will soon
be replaced by quality tourism.
EOT's president noted that Greece's tourism strategy aimed at
the modernization of the country's tourist product, finishing
construction of tourism infrastructure works and placing special
emphasis on cultural tourism.
Presenting the findings of a recent survey on the profile of
Italian tourists visiting Greece, the director of EOT's branch
in Italy said many Italian tourists visited Greece for its
classical monuments and archaeological sites. According to
reports, de spite the fact that 65 per cent of the world's
recorded artistic monuments are located in Italy, 20-35 per cent
of Italian tourists are attracted by Greece's archaeological
sites.
The main bulk of Italian tourists visiting Greece, however,
arrives in the country in order to enjoy what is known as "the
tourism myth", namely, the triptych of "sun, sea and sex."
[19] Premier disputes claim that Gov't isn't properly absorbing EU
funds
Athens, 01/03/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis said yesterday that
"implementation of all (EU funding) programs without exception
will be promoted in 1997, except those requiring a certification
process."
Mr. Simitis was replying to a question by Coalition of the Left
and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos, who accused the
government of delaying in absorbing European Union funds and of
wasting such funds.
He said the picture provided by Mr. Constantopoulos, namely, "of
regional abandonment, a state of emergency and poverty," has
nothing to do with real developments, adding that the largest
program the country has ever known on its regional development
is currently underway with projects exceeding one trillion
drachmas, while programs on combating unemployment are also
underway and the result of this policy is that 150,000 jobs have
been created in past years.
Mr. Constantopoulos insisted that "the problem is in an
explosive situation and for as long as it goes on the cost will
multiply in terms of lost time, money, opportunities and
political credibility."
[20] Bourse continues to slide
Athens, 01/03/1997 (ANA)
Stock prices continued to slide during yesterday's session at
the Athens bourse, with the general price index closing at
1,303.63 points, down 4.68 percent.
Construction stocks suffered the worst decrease, down 7.70 per
cent, and banks were also down 5.51 per cent. Turnover totaled
27.9 billion drachmas.
End of English language section.
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