Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-03-26

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 1147), March 26, 1997

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece announces intent to participate in any protection force headed for Albania

[02] Council of Foreign Ministers

[03] KKE reaction

[04] Nation commemorates 176th anniversary of Greek Independence Day

[05] Tsohatzopoulos

[06] Fino says Tirana satisfied with Athens' contribution

[07] Foreign ministry statement

[08] Uzbek president due in Athens

[09] New ND leader meets with party founder Constantine Karamanlis

[10] KEDKE conference to open in Crete

[11] Communist, labour parties discuss idea of 'Arab Common Market'

[12] Event to feature more than 250 US state trade directors

[13] German-language information on Greece available on InterNet

[14] Relations with eastern, central Europe discussed by General Affairs Council

[15] EPP conference supports Athens' positions vis-a-vis Ankara

[16] 'Who's Who in Journalism' publication released

[17] Dutch reporter shot in Albania

[01] Greece announces intent to participate in any protection force headed for Albania

Rome, 26/03/1997 (ANA/L. Hatzikyriakos)

The four nations were the only EU countries willing to participate in such a force, although all EU members approve of the sending of humanitarian aid, Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini said after an EU foreign ministers' meeting in Rome yesterday, in which Albanian Prime Minister Bashkim Fino participated.

On his part, French Foreign Minister Herve de Charette said the sending of troops is a very sensitive issue and needs further discussion, while Austria announced it will only send military observers.

However, a protection force from only two countries is judged as being unable to escort humanitarian aid to Albania. Thus, a delegation comprised of a representative of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and military advisers of certain EU countries has left for Tirana in order to examine developments and inform their respective organizations. Within the OSCE's legal framework, a protection force is expected to be formed.

Mr. Fino at the meeting thanked Greece for its support and help.

Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou said after the meeting that "we had the opportunity, both Italy and Greece, to stress our support to Mr. Fino. I also had the opportunity to underline the friendly relations between Greece and Albania and our unlimited support in all help and long-term co-operation for the reorganization of Albania.

"I stressed common ties, which (stem) from common borders and the (Greek) minority and the mutual interest for security in the region," he said.

Mr. Papandreou added that Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis and himself had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Fino personally, inviting him to visit Greece.

[02] Council of Foreign Ministers

Brussels, 26/03/1997 (ANA/M. Spinthourakis)

Speaking to Greek reporters, Mr. Papandreou, who represented Greece at the meeting, said the 15 foreign ministers agreed on the dispatch of an "advance team" to Albania which would pave the way for the arrival of a large "advisory committee" to draw up a plan for Albania's transition into political, social and economic normality.

[03] KKE reaction

Athens, 26/03/1997 (ANA)

The dispatch of humanitarian aid is nothing more than the "Trojan Horse" of military intervention in Albania, the KKE said in an announcement yesterday.

It added that the PASOK government is undertaking huge responsibilities, saying its intended participation in the multinational force... "shows it (government) does not care about the consequences which the intervention will have on Albania...".

[04] Nation commemorates 176th anniversary of Greek Independence Day

Athens, 26/03/1997 (ANA)

The parade was attended by President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Costas Simitis, several ministers and political party leaders. In addition, a special service at the Athens Cathedral preceded the parade.

"Our country faces conditions that if correctly exploited, could lead Greece and its people to a better future, (giving it) a more important role in the broader region," President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos said after the service. In a message to the nation on Monday, Prime Minister Costas Simitis observed that Greece's independence could be secured not only by means of a strong deterrent force, but by the country's equal participation in all phases of European integration, as well as its participation in the Economic and Monetary Union.

In order to be strong and proud, he added, Greece should play a major role in setting a common course in the strife-torn Balkans.

"Today, patriotism is what renders Greece strong and modern ... is what gives to our country a voice and prestige, whatever makes our economy competitive, whatever promotes the broadest social consensus," Mr. Simitis said.

In his message, the new leader of the main opposition New Democracy party, Costas Karamanlis, said Greece and Hellenism had achieved astounding successes under conditions of national consensus, calm public dialogue and a sense of moderation.

"The traumatic experiences of the past," he added, "should act as lessons, particularly when the people are demanding a way out of the decline of recent years."

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) in its message underlined that "enormous dangers are surrounding Greece and the Balkans in general, due to the implementation of criminal plans" by imperialism, NATO and the EU.

The message also called on the Greek people to "condemn an intervention in Albania".

A statement from the Coalition of the Left and Progress said that it was in Greece's power to overcome the crisis in which it found itself. Foreign policy, a party statement read, was trapped in impasses created by wrong moves, adding that a far-sighted strategy was needed in order to deal with Turkish hostility.

Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) President Dimitris Tsovolas accused the government of applying "secret diplomacy" in the country's national issues and called for a national foreign policy strategy.

Foreign heads of state, including Turkish President Suleyman Demirel, sent congratulatory messages to the president of the republic.

[05] Tsohatzopoulos

Athens, 26/03/1997 (ANA)

"A display of determination is the only way to block Ankara's expansionist plans and provocations," he said.

"That is why it has to be made clear to Ankara, the United States and Europe, that Greece will respond instantly and with all the appropriate means to any provocation against its territorial integrity ... that is why we have created a new defense policy aimed at securing the country's strategic sufficiency," he added.

"Greece does not want to provoke crises and conflicts. We must emphasize that the containment of Turkish aggression and the removal of any state of vulnerability in the Aegean and Cyprus create the objective conditions for peaceful relations in the region," he stressed.

[06] Fino says Tirana satisfied with Athens' contribution

Athens, 26/03/1997 (ANA)

Speaking to Thessaloniki's ET-3 state-run television station, Mr. Fino attributed Tirana's reactions to a visit to Gjirokaster last week by Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis to "a diplomatic technicality which has since been resolved".

The Albanian premier also expressed satisfaction with humanitarian aid sent by Greece to Albania, stressing the need for Greek economic aid, including investments in the near future.

With regard to Socialist leader Fatos Nano, who recently visited Greece on a private visit, the prime minister said Mr. Nano supported his government.

[07] Foreign ministry statement

Athens, 26/03/1997 (ANA)

"It seems that there is a gap of communication between the Albanian government and the embassy in Athens," the announcement stated.

The foreign ministry expressed the hope that the positive co-operation between the two countries will continue, and reiterated that Mr. Kranidiotis' visit to Albania "was made known in advance to the Albanian government and was carried out with its consent and in accordance with established practice.

"The consulate general of Greece in Gjirokaster and the consul general carry out their duties under particularly difficult circumstances, aiming at cooperating with the local Albanian authorities, at encouraging the suffering Greek minority and at securing the effective distribution of Greek humanitarian aid," the announcement continued.

"All missions of Greek vessels, military or civilian, in Albanian territorial waters was carried out in full knowledge of Albanian authorities and after the granting of permission.

"The Greek government undertook from the outset of the Albanian crisis concrete measures both at bilateral and multilateral levels for a peaceful solution," the foreign ministry said.

"The Greek government has expressed its support to the government of national reconciliation led by Prime Minister Fino and its determination to assist its efforts, and ... will continue this policy," the statement concluded.

[08] Uzbek president due in Athens

Athens, 26/03/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Karimov will have talks with Greece's leadership and is to visit the Athens Chamber of Trade and Industry on April 2.

The delegation includes finance and economy ministers, as well as representatives of the former Soviet republic's business and financial circles, including the Uzbekistan Airways general director, who is to meet with officials of Olympic Airways and the Civil Aviation Authority.

The Uzbek official is expected to raise the issue of a possible second weekly flight from Tashkent to Thessaloniki via Larnaca. Uzbekistan is also interested in making Greece a transit point for air cargo between Tashkent and European countries.

In addition, discussion is expected to focus on a previous proposal by that country's national carrier for an agreement with OA, giving the latter access to Asian nations as well as access to new destinations for Uzbekistan Airways.

[09] New ND leader meets with party founder Constantine Karamanlis

Athens, 26/03/1997 (ANA)

"I visited, as I had a duty to, the founder of the party, who congratulated me on my election," he said after the meeting.

The new ND leader is also due to meet with President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos early this afternoon. After moving into his office, he is scheduled to meet with George Souflias, who also ran for the party leader position, and ND deputy Dora Bakoyianni.

Over the next few days, he will also hold meetings with former party presidents George Rallis, Miltiades Evert and Constantine Mitsotakis, and will discuss with the latter his participation in the central committee.

[10] KEDKE conference to open in Crete

Athens, 26/03/1997 (ANA)

During the conference, proposals and conclusions will be presented regarding the merging of local government organizations (OTA), economic and institutional issues of local self-administration as well as the organization, operation and development of employees in municipalities and communities.

[11] Communist, labour parties discuss idea of 'Arab Common Market'

Athens, 26/03/1997 (ANA)

The two-day conference was attended by delegations from Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Cyprus, Bahrain, the Palestinian Authority, Syria and Sudan. According to KKE public relations director Babis Aggourakis, participating delegates claimed that "organizations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Union and even the World Bank aimed at keeping countries in the eastern Mediterranean and Middle East in an underdeveloped state", in order to strike at "every breeding ground of resistance, particularly the communist labour parties and workers."

The purpose of the conference, according to Mr. Aggourakis, was to make a joint assessment of the situation following recent developments in Albania as well as the stance of the Israeli and US governments regarding adherence to the terms of the Palestinian peace accord. The conference delegates also condemned any NATO intention of expanding towards the east and south.

[12] Event to feature more than 250 US state trade directors

Athens, 26/03/1997 (ANA)

The event, sponsored by the commercial section of the US embassy in Athens, will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The US firms are seeking commercial co-operation and/or representation in Greece. Visitors to the exhibition will also be able to obtain information on the products and services of an additional 100 US companies through their catalogs, which will be available during the event.

Those interested in discussing co-operation ventures with the state trade directors can make arrangements through the commercial section of the US embassy, 91, Vassilissis Sofias Ave., Athens 10 160 - Fax: 72.18.660.

[13] German-language information on Greece available on InterNet

Bonn, 26/03/1997 (ANA/P. Stangos)

The office aims to provide information on Greece in several sectors, including the economy, media, tourism, culture and politics.

This program marks the first German-language access to a web site of an official Greek service. Its address is:

http://www.griechenlandinformation.de

An official of the Hamburg office, Pantelis Pantelouris, said the InterNet site is aimed mainly at German speakers interested in Greece, while a significant percentage of the information is geared towards expatriate Greeks living in Germany, particularly the second and third-generation ethnic Greeks.

[14] Relations with eastern, central Europe discussed by General Affairs Council

Brussels, 26/03/1997 (ANA/M. Spinthourakis)

Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou expressed Greece's reservations over the procedure followed regarding structured dialogue with Cyprus, stressing that the EU has exercised a "two-speed, two-tier" policy in relation to the procedure implemented for central and eastern European countries.

The 15 EU foreign ministers did not discuss relations with Turkey during Monday's meeting. The council's president, Dutch Foreign Minister Hans van Mierlo, reiterated that he will attempt to create conditions for realization of a productive EU-Turkey Association Council on April 30.

"I was asked to mediate between Greece and Turkey and I will continue my efforts, but steps must be made both by the Greek and by the Turkish side," Mr. van Mierlo said.

The Dutch EU presidency clarified that accession candidates will not attend the Amsterdam summit meeting, adding that it intends to invite these countries 10 days after the June summit to inform them on the course and results of the Intergovernmental Conference.

Sources within the Dutch presidency said Turkey will be among those invited, and that this procedure is within the framework of a French proposal.

The 15 foreign ministers also adopted a decision for the provision of economic aid to Serbia.

[15] EPP conference supports Athens' positions vis-a-vis Ankara

Athens, 26/03/1997 (ANA)

The council approved a resolution proposed by Cypriot Democratic Rally Party (DHSY) President Yiannakis Matsis under which the EPP supports Cyprus' application to become a member of the EU and the beginning of accession negotiations six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference.

The resolution condemns all external pressures to the EU aiming to prevent Cyprus' entry, and also condemns any escalation of clashes on the island, rejects the use of violence and calls on the two sides to work for the peaceful and democratic re-unification of Cyprus.

The resolution also supports United Nations efforts to solve the Cyprus problem based on UN resolutions.

[16] 'Who's Who in Journalism' publication released

Athens, 26/03/1997 (ANA)

"The role of the journalists as creators and administrators of the archives of information ... places them among the people who prepare the new century," according to Press Minister and government spokesman Dimitris Reppas at the presentation of the publication.

"Who's Who in Journalism" contains information on some 3,847 journalists who are members of recognized unions and press associations, a full list of the country's publications, newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations, historical details of all recognized journalists' associations in alphabetical order and a brief history of the Greek press up until the end of the 19th century.

[17] Dutch reporter shot in Albania

Athens, 26/03/1997 (ANA)

Vilma Gundabel, 32, whose condition was described as critical, was operated on at Corfu General Hospital.

According to a companion, she was shot by an unidentified individual while speaking on the telephone. He said Ms Gundabel's reports over the past month had been critical of Albanian President Sali Berisha. The Dutch reporter has been working in Albania for the past five years as correspondent for a number of international media outlets.

End of English language section.

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