Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-04-07
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1157), April 7, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Mediterranean parliament presidents begin meeting in Athens
[02] Albania a lesson for the West, Tsohatzopoulos says
[03] Final decisions on deployment in Albania today
[04] Kaklamanis, Kyprianou confer on Cyprus issue
[05] Turkey's parliament president recommends no preconditions for
Greek- Turkish dialogue
[06] US concerned over Aegean developments, envoy says
[07] 'Economist' roundtable with Greek Gov't begins today
[08] European socialists stress central role of EU in regional
stability, security
[09] Laliotis in NY for UN environmental mtg.
[10] Olive oil the key to health, studies on Crete show
[11] Cretan conference to stress benefits of olive oil
[12] ECOFIN agrees on deficit penalties, Greece has some reservations
[13] George Papandreou represents Greece at IGC meeting
[14] Karamanlis briefed on Thessaloniki's problems
[01] Mediterranean parliament presidents begin meeting in Athens
Athens, 07/04/1997 (ANA)
A two-day conference of the parliament presidents of 17
Mediterranean countries opened in Athens yesterday, following an
initiative taken by Greek Parliament President Apostolos
Kaklamanis.
The conference aims to explore ways to upgrade the roles of
national parliaments in the course towards European unification
and the promotion of the Mediterranean region as one of peace
for Europe.
During his opening speech, Mr. Kaklamanis said the Mediterranean
region had felt all the drastic changes that had taken place
over the past decade.
The conference is to explore the possibilities of creating a
body similar to the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly
or that of the Black Sea Economic Co-operation Organization.
[02] Albania a lesson for the West, Tsohatzopoulos says
Paris, 07/04/1997 (ANA - J. Zitouniati)
The international community must be prepared to shoulder the
cost of helping Balkan and former Soviet bloc states' transition
to democracy for the sake of regional stability and security,
National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said in an
interview published in Saturday's issue of Le Monde.
"Albania is not in a position to assume on its own the cost of
the transition (to democracy). If we don't realize that soon,
there will be other Albanias," warned Mr. Tsohatzopoulos, adding
the view that President Sali Berisha "bore most of the
responsibility for the failure" of the democratic process in his
country.
None of the states sending troops to participate in the
multinational force for Albania want to deploy their men in
southern Albania, the stronghold of the insurrection, according
to Mr. Tsohatzopoulos.
"We propose that the Greek forces be deployed in the center,
around Tirana. However, everyone wants to go there," he said,
adding that "no one is in control of the south" of Albania and
no one wanted to go there because of the greater risks involved.
According to the minister, the multinational force, whose
mission will be to safeguard the distribution of humanitarian
aid, will have to confront two "urgent matters".
"(Apart from ensuring delivery of the aid) we will have to
gather the arms (looted during the insurrection) and in my view
we won't be able to avoid paying for them, buying them back in
some way," he said.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos, who was in Paris early last week for talks
with his French counterpart Charles Millon, reiterated Greece's
"political solidarity" to Albania's Prime Minister Bashkim Fino
as well as his government's promised economic assistance to the
country.
Greece has promised a loan of 20 billion drachmas to the Bank of
Albania in order to finance restructuring programs. It has also
pledged to participate in the international protection force to
be deployed in the country with 600 troops.
Asked if Greece would be willing to co-operate with the Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in order to avoid a potential
regional destabilization, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said Athens had
already contacted Skopje as well as its other neighbors "to
stress that stability in the region depends on co-operation from
all of us as well as on EU solidarity."
Asked if the Greek government also counted on co-operation from
Turkey, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said Ankara's willingness to
participate in the multinational force was received positively
but warned that "it should be made clear that the situation in
Albania should not be used as pretext for a hegemonic
intervention, the kind we have grown accustomed to expect from
Ankara."
"The EU should realize," Mr. Tsohatzopoulos stressed, "that
Greece is not willing to allow disputing of its sovereignty or
of its borders from Turkey."
"At the same time," he added, "we have no objection to Turkey's
deepening its ties with the EU, to the extent that it accepts to
acknowledge the territorial status quo and find a solution to
the Cyprus problem."
[03] Final decisions on deployment in Albania today
Athens, 07/04/1997 (ANA)
Speaking in Thessaloniki on Saturday, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said
that final decisions regarding the deployment of the
multinational force in Albania would be made by Monday.
Any differences with regard to tactics should not be blown out
of proportion, he advised, in a reference to a difference of
opinion between Greece and Italy. The minister nevertheless
noted that whatever solution is arrived at should be
satisfactory to all sides.
Also in Thessaloniki, where he and Mr. Tsohatzopoulos were
attending the European Socialist party conference, Foreign
Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis stressed that Greece was not
in competition with any other country involved in the
multinational force, nor was it interested in zones of
influence, but that its goal was close co-operation in order to
resolve problems by means of collective efforts.
Mr. Kranidiotis emphasized that the Greek detachment should be
stationed in Tirana and that it should not be isolated. He added
that one section of it should be stationed in the south as a
"symbolic presence" in helping settle the situation.
Albanian Socialist Party leader Fatos Nano expressed the view
that the composition of the peace forces should be mixed, and
spread over in all areas of the country that were in crisis.
[04] Kaklamanis, Kyprianou confer on Cyprus issue
Athens, 07/04/1997 (ANA)
President of the Greek Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis and
President of the Cypriot House of Representatives Spyros
Kyprianou held a meeting yesterday in Athens, on the sidelines
of the presidents' of Mediterranean parliaments conference being
held in the Greek capital.
After the meeting, Mr. Kaklamanis and Mr. Kyprianou told
reporters they exchanged views on the goals of the two-day
conference as well as on the lack of progress in developments in
the Cyprus issue. Asked to comment on a reported statement by US
Ambassador to Greece Thomas Niles that the United States would
intervene in the case of military conflict in the Aegean, Mr.
Kaklamanis said:
"This is nothing new. What impressed me regarding Mr. Niles'
statement was that he does not seem to consider the prospect of
a positive initiative on the Cyprus issue."
Mr. Niles made the statement to the Greek Sunday newspaper "To
Vima".
Asked whether he foresaw tension in the Aegean, Mr. Kaklamanis
said "nothing has yet changed regarding ... the existence of a
real threat in the Aegean...".
Mr. Kyprianou said a US political decision leading to positive
developments in the Cyprus and the Aegean issues would be
important.
"In other words," Mr. Kyprianou said, "the United States must
feel the need for Turkey to change its attitude."
[05] Turkey's parliament president recommends no preconditions for
Greek-Turkish dialogue
Athens, 07/04/1997 (ANA)
President of the Turkish National Assembly Mustafa Kalemli said
yesterday that there should be no preconditions set for the
beginning of a Greek-Turkish dialogue.
However, he added, this position does not mean he rejected Greek
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos' proposal for talks.
Mr. Pangalos said last week that talks were possible provided
Turkey retracted its threat of war against Greece if Athens
extended its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles and
provided Ankara accepted the status quo in the Aegean.
"The word 'dialogue' is Greek and means that both sides come
together to discuss an issue and this does not presuppose any
type of preconditions. Those who speak of dialogue must not say
things which prevent it," Mr. Kalemli told the Athens News
Agency.
He added that this does not mean he rejects Mr. Pangalos'
proposals. "We are ready to talk with whoever wants to talk with
us... All we want is for Turks and Greeks to come together for
discussions."
Mr. Kalemli said he was not aware of a Greek proposal for the
creation of a Greek-Turkish committee of academics to study ways
to resolve bilateral differences. However, he said the two
countries' parliaments could help create a "friendship group" or
other specialist groups to promote dialogue.
Earlier, in his address to the conference of the presidents of
17 Mediterranean countries, Mr. Kalemli called on the
parliaments of Greece and Turkey to mediate between the two
governments.
"We can, with bravery and mutual good will, be a bridge between
the two governments in order for them to be able to discuss,
without preconditions, the problems which exist between the two
countries and which provoke tension in the Aegean and in the
wider region," he said.
"There is no tension between Greece and Turkey," he said.
Mr. Kalemli called on politicians in both countries to "work in
a climate of mutual understanding and good will" in order to
establish between the two countries the climate which had
prevailed in Greek-Turkish relations during the
Venizelos-Ataturk period.
He also told the ANA that Mr. Pangalos' position on Turkey's
entry into the EU was "the best and the most realistic" of
recent statements and positions taken over the issue. He added
that France, Italy and Britain had also made positive statements
regarding Turkey's entry into the EU.
[06] US concerned over Aegean developments, envoy says
Athens, 07/04/1997 (ANA)
The United States' Ambassador to Athens Thomas Niles yesterday
said that his country would intervene in the case of military
conflict in the Aegean between Greece and Turkey.
In an interview published in yesterday's "To Vima", Mr. Niles
did not rule out the possibility of such an incident in the
Aegean, while saying he was cautiously optimistic about progress
in Greek-Turkish relations at present.
He also said the commencement of direct talks between Cypriot
President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf
Denktash could start by June 1.
Mr. Niles said the US will present an initiative on the Cyprus
issue when the conditions for its successful implementation have
been "maximized".
[07] 'Economist' roundtable with Greek Gov't begins today
Athens, 07/04/1997 (ANA)
A three-day roundtable discussion with the Greek government,
organized by 'The Economist' magazine and sponsored by Greek
telecoms firm Intracom, is to begin today.
The conference will be attended by Prime Minister Costas
Simitis, main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas
Karamanlis, ministers, party leaders and other officials from
Greece's economic and political circles.
The conference will also be opened by Intracom president
Socrates Kokkalis and addressed by former German foreign
minister and vice-chancellor Hans Dietrich Genscher, who will
speak on "internationalization as a challenge for Greece and
Europe."
Mr. Genscher is expected to refer to Greece's relations with
Turkey, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and to
the Cyprus issue.
[08] European socialists stress central role of EU in regional
stability, security
Athens, 07/04/1997 (ANA)
European socialists meeting in Thessaloniki over the weekend on
Saturday confirmed their commitment to regional co-operation and
safeguarding peace and stability in the region.
The European Socialist Party's (ESP) two-day congress ended on
Saturday
"At a crucial time for the political and economic development of
the Balkans, the congress expressed its full support in regional
co-operation based on the avoidance of clashes, which is the
only manner in which to safeguard peace and stability in the
region," the conference's closing statement said.
"Within this framework, the active support by the European Union
will be crucially important to stability and security, both in
the Balkans and in the whole of Europe, and will aid in the
procedure of European unification," it added.
Speaking after the end of the conference, the European Socialist
Party's Vice-President, Akis Tsohatzopoulos, said his proposal
for the creation of a Balkan security council and of an
organization to foresee and deal with crises in the Balkans was
positively received.
The closing statement added that the third ESP congress, due to
be held in Sweden this June, will use the conclusions of this
congress in order to formulate a clear policy and an effective
strategy for the Balkans. This will include a co-operation
network for which the foundation was laid during this two-day
congress.
[09] Laliotis in NY for UN environmental mtg.
U.N. 07/04/1997 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)
Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas
Laliotis was due to arrive in New York yesterday to participate
in a preparatory conference for the UN's "Earth Summit + 5", due
to be held in the UN's head quarters on June 23-27.
The summit will evaluate the achievements of member-countries
and the problems which must be overcome for the protection of
the environment, five years after the Rio de Janeiro Earth
summit.
Mr. Laliotis is scheduled to speak tomorrow afternoon, on the
first day of the preparatory conference, immediately after the
Dutch European Union presidency, which is organizing a series of
meetings between EU environment ministers.
[10] Olive oil the key to health, studies on Crete show
London, 07/04/1997 (ANA/AFP)
Cretans are the healthiest people in Europe, due to their great
consumption of olive oil, according to European specialists
quoted in an article in yesterday's "Sunday Times".
The British paper said residents of Crete have the lowest
percentage rates of heart problems, cancer and obesity in
Europe. The researchers claim this is due to the use of large
amounts of virgin olive oil and mountain herbs in Cretan cooking.
According to the Times, Cretans consume three times more olive
oil than northern Europeans. The article added that the
consumption of olive oil reduces cholesterol levels by 20 per
cent.
The group of European researchers who conducted the study is to
meet in Rome this week in order to complete its circular of
recommendations for doctors in European countries, the paper
said.
"The scientific results are sufficient to justify the launching
of a large campaign," Christine Williams, nutrition specialist
at Read University, was quoted as saying by the Times.
[11] Cretan conference to stress benefits of olive oil
Athens, 07/04/1997 (ANA)
Bad eating habits and the low oil consumption of Western
Europeans and North Americans result in millions of deaths,
causing serious problems for regional health systems, an
international conference being held in Crete will be told.
The conference, entitled "Greece, Crete, Oil and Mediterranean
diets" is due to be held in Iraklion on April 7-11 and is being
funded by the "Elaiourgiki" cooperative, which represents 90 per
cent of Greece's olive producers.
Recent studies have proved that increased rates of illness such
as arterial hypertension, obesity and diabetes would be reduced
by an increase in the consumption of olive oil.
The conference is being organized by the "Oldways Preservation
and Exchange Trust", a non-profit making organization based in
Massachusetts.
Leading dietitians, scientists, journalists, writers and cooks
from the United States and Europe are scheduled to participate.
[12] ECOFIN agrees on deficit penalties, Greece has some reservations
Noordwijk, 07/04/1997 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)
European Union finance ministers agreed that the announcement of
a list of countries to adopt the single European currency will
be made during the first ten days of May 1998, during an
informal two-day meeting in the Dutch town of Noordwijk.
The meeting also agreed on penalties to be imposed on
member-countries of the eurozone that show excessive public
deficits, larger than the 3.0 per cent anticipated by the
Maastricht treaty.
Greek National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou,
speaking to the press after the meeting, said that the Greek
side questioned the legality of the decision relating to the
distribution of incomes made from the imposition of penalties
against member-states with excessive public deficits.
Mr. Papantoniou said the decision undermines the established
integrity of the EU budget and the equal participation of all
member-countries in its implementation. He also said that the
issue will be discussed during the next meeting of the committee
of permanent representatives of EU member states and of the
monetary committee.
The Greek delegation reacted strongly to a French proposal that
funding by the Cohesion Fund to the poorer EU members be linked
to their public deficits. The ECOFIN meeting did not take any
decision on the matter.
Mr. Papantoniou reiterated that Greece's objective is to meet
convergence criteria by 1999 in order to secure participation in
the single European currency in 2001, underlining that fiscal
discipline is a one-way road for the country.
[13] George Papandreou represents Greece at IGC meeting
Noordwijk, 07/04/1997 (ANA)
The European Union's 15 foreign ministers met in the Netherlands
yesterday and discussed the number of European Commissioners to
be appointed after the Inter-governmental Conference (IGC).
Greece was represented at the meeting by Alternate Foreign
Minister George Papandreou.
During the first part of yesterday's meeting, the larger
European countries attempted to overturn the principle under
which each EU member is entitled to have at least one
representative in the European Commission. Representatives of
the more populous E U countries supported a restriction of the
number of commissioners to 10-15 and the provision of an equal
number of portfolios, adding (with the exception of France) that
large countries should definitely have a portfolio.
Greece, along with almost all less-populous EU countries
objected to these proposals, stating each EU member should have
the right to a commissioner with full responsibilities.
[14] Karamanlis briefed on Thessaloniki's problems
Athens, 07/04/1997 (ANA)
New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis yesterday paid a courtesy
call on Thessaloniki mayor Constantine Kosmopoulos.
Mr. Karamanlis paid a two-day visit to the northern city over
the weekend.
Mr. Kosmopoulos said he had briefed the ND leader on problems
facing the second largest Greek municipality.
"Mr. Karamanlis has expressed his interest in the problems
facing the city since the first time he was elected an MP for
Thessaloniki," the mayor said.
Mr. Karamanlis said co-operation with the mayor to resolve the
city's problems was "a given".
End of English language section.
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