Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-03-05

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1131), March 5, 1997

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece calls for national unity Gov't in Albania to overcome crisis

[02] Simitis talks with Berisha

[03] KYSEA meeting

[04] Papandreou meets ambassadors

[05] Simitis, Evert meeting on Albania

[06] Ethnic Greek minority

[07] Strife continues

[08] Tsohatzopoulos cites need for higher percentage of domestic arms production

[09] Tsohatzopoulos briefs KYSEA on armaments program

[10] Alternate FM Papandreou in Paris today

[11] Hurriyet: Ciller letter cites Ankara's acquiescence to EU's July 15 decision

[12] Greece, FYROM making progress in relations, FYROM official says

[13] Additional EU aid for Bulgaria

[14] Albright, Pangalos to meet tomorrow in Washington

[15] Venizelos attends inauguration of 'Glory of Byzantium'

[16] Exhibition press preview held

[17] EU meeting on preservation of historic cities

[18] Simitis sends message to expatriate Greeks on Internet

[19] ND leadership candidates to consider amendments to party's charter

[20] Five Iraqi children to be treated in Athens

[21] SPD deputy re-elected president of German-Greek Societies federation

[22] Greek informatics association in Bulgaria

[23] Kavala pupil chosen to participate in EU project

[24] Teachers vote to continue strike

[01] Greece calls for national unity Gov't in Albania to overcome crisis

Athens, 05/03/1997 (ANA)

Expressing concern over recent developments in Albania, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said Athens is making serious efforts to aid in a solution to the violence and political instability sweeping the southern part of that nation.

"This crisis is both political and social, therefore, a political solution is required with the participation of all political forces through dialogue," Mr. Reppas said.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis, on his part, had an urgent meeting last night with main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert at the latter's request, while earlier in the day the premier presided over a meeting of the Government Council for Foreign and Defense Affairs (KYSEA), which focused on the situation in Albania.

Additionally, Foreign Undersecretary Yiannos Kranidiotis held a meeting with Albania's ambassador to Athens, during which time he handed the Albanian envoy a demarche requesting protection for the ethnic Greek minority in that country.

On his part, Foreign Alternate Minister George Papandreou held separate meetings with the ambassadors of Greece's EU partners as well as with the US and Russian ambassadors.

Spokesman Reppas said that the government was concerned about the fate of the imprisoned Albanian Socialist party leader Fatos Nano, adding that Greece's ruling PASOK party has raised the issue of his release.

Stressing that Athens wished for an end to the crisis as soon as possible through democratic procedures, Mr. Reppas called on both Tirana and the ethnic Greek minority in Albania's south to remain calm and cool-headed.

"The government's wish is that members of the Greek minority as well as Greek businessmen active in Albania remain there and help the neighboring country," Mr. Reppas stressed.

Expressing fear that humanitarian aid to Albania may be looted he requested from Albanian authorities to propose ways in which to ensure that humanitarian aid arriving from Greece will reach its destination.

[02] Simitis talks with Berisha

Athens, 05/03/1997 (ANA)

The Greek premier stressed how important the minority issue is for Athens' relations with Tirana.

According to government sources, Mr. Simitis underlined to Mr. Berisha the need for a political solution to the crisis, calling for an Albanian government initiative for dialogue with opposition parties. He also expressed Greece's support for the Albanian people.

[03] KYSEA meeting

Athens, 05/03/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Reppas said the competent committee for southeast Europe would convene today to discuss the crisis, to be followed on Thursday by a meeting of the EU's political committee.

At the same time, the spokesman went on, it has been decided that the issue be discussed at the next informal General Affairs Council meeting on March 15-16 in the Netherlands.

Mr. Reppas said Greece was seeking the reactivation of the initiative which it proposed at the last General Affairs Council in Brussels concerning the extraordinary convening of the foreign ministers of the EU, the Balkans, the United States and Russia .

He added that Dutch Foreign Minister Hans van Mierlo would tour Athens, Rome and Tirana, beginning on Thursday. During his stop in Greece, Mr. van Mierlo will have talks with Mr. Simitis.

Replying to other questions, Mr. Reppas said there was no question of a separate Greek-Italian initiative concerning the situation in Albania, noting that both countries had, within the framework of the EU, expressed their particular interest about developments in the region.

The KYSEA meeting was also attended by Mr. Papandreou and Mr. Kranidiotis.

[04] Papandreou meets ambassadors

Athens, 05/03/1997 (ANA)

Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis also participated in the meetings.

This solution, Mr. Papandreou said, should be supported by economic measures backed by the European Union through international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund.

Mr. Papandreou said he had presented to the ambassadors Athens' positions on the recent developments, including the proposal for a meeting in Athens of EU member-states' representatives and the foreign ministers of the United States, Russia and the Balk an countries.

Referring to his meeting with US ambassador to Athens, Thomas Niles, Mr. Papandreou said they agreed that both countries should contribute to Albania's "normal overcoming of the crisis."

Mr. Papandreou said the issue of the ethnic Greek minority was also raised in the meeting with Mr. Niles.

"The ethnic Greek minority has not been entangled in the developments," Mr. Papandreou said, expressing hope that it will stay out of the crisis.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr. Niles said the United States viewed Sali Berisha as Albania's legally elected President.

In addition, he said the issue of the deployment of a multinational force to Albania was not raised in the meeting.

Russia's ambassador to Athens Valery Nikolayenko said he would convey Greece's initiatives to his government.

Sources said Mr. Kranidiotis expressed the government's concern and increased interest in a political solution due to the presence of the ethnic Greek minority. There was also discussion of Greece's diplomatic efforts in the framework of the European Union.

[05] Simitis, Evert meeting on Albania

Athens, 05/03/1997 (ANA)

"It is possible that we may grieve over the loss of victims tonight, and these may include ethnic Greeks," he said.

Mr. Evert added that the international community should be briefed regarding the events, and reiterated a proposal for the formation of an international force to monitor the situation, noting that "above all, a political solution must be attempted on the issue".

Earlier in the day, the ND leader called for the dispatch of a multi-national peacekeeping force to Albania if political talks came to nothing.

In an announcement, Mr. Evert said the European Union had to immediately call a meeting of the council of foreign ministers.

Mr. Evert said that if Mr. Berisha sent troops to the south, there would be bloodshed, and that the "blameless Greek minority would be endangered."

He also noted that Greece had an abiding interest in developments in Albania, which threatened peace in the region and said that the government's handling of the problem, though correct, should be accelerated.

All sides in parliament last night expressed deep concern over the latest dramatic developments in the neighboring country and the safety of the ethnic Greek minority there.

National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said the country was vigilant in order to protect the peace, human rights and freedoms, and that the government had, from the first moment, been monitoring the situation and undertaken initiatives.

On his part, Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras in a statement yesterday called on the government via the EU to seek "credible assurances" from the Albanian president regarding the safety of the Greek minority.

[06] Ethnic Greek minority

Athens, 05/03/1997 (ANA)

He said the government advised not only the ethnic Greek community but also all Albanians to remain calm and exercise self-restraint "because this is the only way that the crisis can be resolved".

Noting that the ethnic Greeks in Albania were being sorely tried at present, Mr. Reppas stressed that the crisis in the neighboring country was not one which concerned the Greek minority.

Advising caution, the spokesman said "we must not be led into confusion and shift discussion of the crisis in Albania to the minority problem".

Commenting on statements by former ministers and deputies of the PASOK party who called for a "dynamic intervention" by the government to safeguard the Greek minority, Mr. Reppas said Greek interest was at its zenith and aimed primarily at restoring stability. The spokesman, however, avoided criticizing Mr. Berisha, saying that matters concerning the governing of each country are decided by that country's people.

"We are interested in there being transparent and democratic procedures," Mr. Reppas said. Replying to a question on the fate of the leader of the Albanian opposition Socialist Party leader, Fatos Nano, Mr. Reppas said that according to the government's information, he was being held at police station 313 in Tirana.

He added that the issue was of concern to both the government and the ruling PASOK party which had appealed for Mr. Nano's release.

[07] Strife continues

Gjirokaster, 05/03/1997 (ANA - S. Tzimas, P. Barka)

Around 2 a.m. last night, four carloads of unknown suspects attacked the village of Vryssera, Dropoli, a little more than one kilometer from the Greek border, using various weapons and hand grenades. They broke windows and destroyed warehouses owned by ethnic Greek merchants, before moving on to Georgoutsati, five kilometers from the border, where they repeated the destruction and looted two stores.

Additionally, the customs post of Kakavia on the Greek-Albanian border was deserted yesterday morning, indicating that all trade in Albania is at a standstill.

In Sarande, a 32-year-old taxi driver was killed by roving gangs early yesterday, as he was driving two passengers to Kakavia, reports state.

Political parties and local authorities in Sarande yesterday asked President Berisha not to send army units into the town, saying they themselves would restore order. Sarande and Delvino are under the control of demonstrators, while calm appears to have been restored in Gjirokaster yesterday.

The Greek-Albanian border was quiet yesterday morning, with only 94 Albanians being arrested by police for illegally entering Greece within the last 24 hours.

However, fire from automatic weapons was heard throughout the night on the Albanian side of the border. The Albanian government has declared the Kakavia border post a military zone, although it has been kept open, while in Gjirokaster, four tanks have taken up positions around the town, where groups of gunmen drove around firing from automatic rifles. The town's population stayed off the streets after sunset.

In Delvino, rioters broke into two army camps and made off with a large number of weapons, press reports noted.

Another two people were killed Monday night in Vlore, while there have been unconfirmed reports that university students there have called off a hunger strike. The same sources say that tanks and army units are moving towards the town, where the situation remains out of control and tens of thousands of Kalashnikov rifles have found their way into the hands of rioters.

No newspapers were published in Tirana yesterday, as censorship has become extremely tight and the issuance of the special printing licenses required is being deliberately delayed.

State television reported that 20 people had been arrested in army and police raids and many weapons confiscated, although no details were given.

There were frequent blackouts Monday night in Tirana itself, while hundreds of armed, uniformed police patrolled the streets searching vehicles, even those with diplomatic plates. Road blocks have sprung up both inside the city and on roads leading into it.

[08] Tsohatzopoulos cites need for higher percentage of domestic arms production

Athens, 05/03/1997 (ANA)

In addition, the national defense minister urged the public and private sectors to undertake joint ventures.

Speaking at a conference entitled "Armaments Programs and Their Role in Industrial Development", which was organized by the Technical Chamber of Greece and the General Armaments Directorate, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos observed that concentrating on Greek-made equipment had not been as effective as expected.

Within the next few days, he added, a report by a committee set up to study the country's defense industry would be issued.

In a related issue, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said he opposed the uncontrolled arms race between Greece and Turkey, saying it was not the way to meet Greece's special defense needs. He proposed a qualitative improvement of Greece's weapons systems as a means t o secure long-term defense.

"We are beginning to implement a new arms program, and if we plan the next steps carefully we will be able to achieve the results we want," he said.

[09] Tsohatzopoulos briefs KYSEA on armaments program

Athens, 05/03/1997 (ANA)

The first deliveries of the recently ordered weapon systems are scheduled to take place at the end of 1997, while the entire program will be fully implemented between 1998 and 1999.

[10] Alternate FM Papandreou in Paris today

Paris, 05/03/1997 (ANA - J. Zitiounati)

The announcement described the visit as "routine" within the framework of regular contacts between European Union ministers. The ministry said talks would focus on EU enlargement, the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC), the European initiative on Albania currently being shaped, as well as Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus problem.

French diplomatic circles said there was "guarded optimism" concerning agreement among the 15 EU member-states regarding fundamental institutional issues pertaining to the IGC such as the principle of flexibility.

On Greek-Turkish relations, the same circles said the French side would be persisting in its position that Greece should consent to the unblocking of Community funds for Turkey and that relations between Athens and Ankara should be normalized through dialogue.

[11] Hurriyet: Ciller letter cites Ankara's acquiescence to EU's July 15 decision

Istanbul, 05/03/1997 (ANA)

The newspaper claimed that Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller has sent a confidential letter to the EU last week in order to present Ankara's stance on Greek-Turkish relations.

In the letter, reportedly sent to her Dutch counterpart Hans van Mierlo, Ms Ciller provided guarantees to the EU regarding bilateral relations, the newspaper reported.

According to Hurriyet, Ms Ciller's letter said Ankara is open to solutions concerning Greek-Turkish relations worked out with third parties, including the International Court of Justice at The Hague.

[12] Greece, FYROM making progress in relations, FYROM official says

Skopje, 05/03/1997 (ANA - M. Vihou)

Speaking to the state-run radio in Skopje, Mr. Arsovski said that 18 months after the signing between the two countries of an interim accord in New York it was obvious that communication between people, trade and ideas had developed.

Trade between the two countries, he emphasized, surpassed the US$130 million mark in 1996. He added that high-level meetings between officials of the two countries were due to be held this year, including the Thessaloniki-based fourth Balkan conference entitled "Greece and the Balkans", which is scheduled for this month, as well as a meeting of finance ministers in Athens, also in March.

Officials from the two countries are also expected to meet within the framework of the European Union's Phare program, which involves co-operation in border regions.

[13] Additional EU aid for Bulgaria

Brussels, 05/03/1997 (ANA - M. Savva)

The foodstuffs will be distributed primarily to the elderly, the sick, children and other vulnerable social groups.

The initiative follows a recently approved Ecu 20 million Commission grant for Bulgaria.

[14] Albright, Pangalos to meet tomorrow in Washington

Washington, 05/03/1997 (ANA - T. Ellis)

"The secretary looks forward to her meeting with Mr. Pangalos on Thursday. They will discuss a broad range of bilateral and regional issues with an emphasis on the Aegean and Cyprus," Mr. Burns said.

Mr. Pangalos is currently in the United States to attend the inauguration of the "Glory of Byzantium" exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum in New York.

Speaking on current events in Albania, Mr. Burns said "we are sorry that the Albanian authorities are using the situation to shut down the Albanian media and the Voice of America".

"We feel that this speedy recourse to (presidential) elections by the parliament and the government was not the correct move because it did not give the opposition a just opportunity to contest the elections... We are working very closely with the Italian and Greek governments and others in Europe in order to try to see if there can be a joint position, perhaps in the framework of the OSCE, to ensure we are speaking to the Albanian government - all of us in the west - with one voice. Our advice would have been to bring back democracy and the democratic rights of the opposition... No-one wants there to be an exodus (of refugees) either towards Italy or towards Greece. But we must be prepared for every eventuality," Mr. Burns said.

[15] Venizelos attends inauguration of 'Glory of Byzantium'

N. York, 05/03/1997 (ANA)

Earlier in the day, Mr. Venizelos met with Archbishop of America Spyridon and discussed the major contribution made by the Ecumenical Patriarchate to the exhibition. Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos is to visit the United States shortly.

The culture minister also discussed ways to broaden contacts between the ministry, the Archdiocese and the Greek community as well as ways to pass on Greek cultural traditions to the younger generation of the Diaspora.

Mr. Venizelos also referred to one of the ministry's chief goals, which was to support Greek studies at all foreign universities. During his stay in the US, Mr. Venizelos is to have meetings with academics, many of whom are of Greek origin.

[16] Exhibition press preview held

N. York, 05/03/1997 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

The exhibition, scheduled to last from April 11 to July 6, hosts 350 exhibits from 24 countries, and is sponsored by Alpha Credit Bank, Citibank, and the companies Marinopoulos, Papastratos and Halyvourgiki among others. There are also contributions by the Hellenic Culture Foundation, the US National Culture Foundation and the Federal Art and Culture Council.

The preview was attended by Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, the museum's president William Luers, Alpha Credit Bank president Yiannis Kostopoulos and Citibank Vice-President Bill Rose.

[17] EU meeting on preservation of historic cities

Athens, 05/03/1997 (ANA)

Two studies will be prepared in the context of the program, the one concerning the development of cultural tourism in Kalamata and Foca, and the other regarding the possibility of promoting book exhibitions for commercial purposes. The conference will end on Friday, while another two meetings are being planned, in Limerick and Foca.

[18] Simitis sends message to expatriate Greeks on Internet

Athens, 05/03/1997 (ANA)

"This page allows for direct communication, which ensures for the timely and credible briefing on developments in Greece and in the overseas Greek communities globally," his message read.

"The mental bridge that existed with expatriate Greeks is now concrete with multiple advantages for all the parties involved," he added.

Turning to other issues, he noted that both Greece and Cyprus are called upon to play a leading and pioneering role, since they are located on the crossroads of three continents - in the region of the southeast Mediterranean and in the neighborhood of the Balkans.

"We are on the threshold of the year 2000, and we are aware of the fact that Greece has never before been confronted with such great challenges and opportunities, which we must face... decisively," he noted.

"The formulation of a national policy, which is concretely linked with the axis of European unification, economic development, social solidarity, and the active pursuit of our national rights and interests, constitutes our main and essential concern and provides the basis for all initiatives and measures of our government."

Concluding, the premier said the government's aim in the following four years is to place Greece "in a secure orbit of the welfare, development and progress, since this is the best answer to unacceptable disputes and violations of the rules of the inter national law from Turkish provocativeness."

[19] ND leadership candidates to consider amendments to party's charter

Athens, 05/03/1997 (ANA)

The meeting will take place at the initiative of ND leader Miltiades Evert, himself a candidate, with the participation of candidates Costas Karamanlis, George Souflias and Vyron Polydoras.

Meanwhile, commenting on press questions regarding developments in the party, ND honorary president and former prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis said he will elaborate on the issue during the party's congress.

[20] Five Iraqi children to be treated in Athens

Athens, 05/03/1997 (ANA)

The Greek department of the organization has been in Iraq since the end of January within the framework of the "Chain of Hope" program, designed to counter the effects on health care of an international trade blockade on Iraq, which has drained that country's reserves.

Greek physicians have undertaken the transportation and hospitalization of the five young patients who are facing health problems reportedly not easily treated in their country.

The five children will be met at the airport by Baghdad's ambassador in Athens Issam Khalil and representatives of the Greek foreign ministry.

[21] SPD deputy re-elected president of German-Greek Societies federation

Bonn, 05/03/1997 (ANA - P. Stangos)

The federation recently presented an award to former alternate foreign minister George-Alexandros Mangakis in Munich, for his participation in the struggle of democracy in Greece during the colonels' regime.

Ms Skarpeli-Sperk is also president of the Joint German-Greek Parliamentary group.

[22] Greek informatics association in Bulgaria

Athens, 05/03/1997 (ANA)

The visit is to be held in co-operation with the Association of Bulgarian Industries and the European Commission.

[23] Kavala pupil chosen to participate in EU project

Athens, 05/03/1997 (ANA)

Victoria Zyridou won first prize in her category when her school participated in a students' council organized each year by the EU, in which pupils from 25 countries took part.

Her presentation in Strasbourg will be entitled "Open Borders - Triumph or Tragedy?" and will include a videotape presentation depicting scenes of Greek cultural heritage from archaeological sites.

[24] Teachers vote to continue strike

Athens, 05/03/1997 (ANA)

The vote was carried 6-5 in favor, with the five members of ruling-party PASOK-aligned PASK dissenting and calling for another round of negotiations with the education minister.

End of English language section.

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