Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-05-03
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 1176), May 3, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Inner cabinet meeting discusses developments in Greek-Turkish
relations
[02] Seminar on WEU's future role begins in Athens
[03] Tsohatzopoulos: Greece could contribute to better EU-Turkey
relations
[04] Parthenon Marbles issue to be brought to Blair's attention
[05] Sixth Greek-American advisory committee meeting held in Crete
[06] Synaspismos congratulations to new British PM
[07] Venezuela's IOC rep tours Athens Olympic Stadium
[08] Gov't denies press reports of reshuffle
[09] Simitis visit to Luxembourg
[10] Karamanlis schedules tour of several cities
[11] ESHEA comments on World Press Freedom Day
[12] Gov't spokesman
[13] British Universities Fair in three Greek cities
[14] AHEPA delegation to visit Greece, Turkey and Cyprus
[15] Reserve commandos commence symbolic Dodecanese journey
[16] CoE political groups' leaders in Albania for high-level talks
[17] Two new museums in Thrace region announced
[18] Bulgarian parliamentary delegation to visit Mount Athos
[19] Greek officials to participate in Mauthausen memorial service
[20] Focus turns to public works projects in Epirus
[01] Inner cabinet meeting discusses developments in Greek-Turkish
relations
Athens, 3/5/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis chaired an inner cabinet meeting
yesterday focusing on the course of Greek-Turkish relations in
the wake of meetings held earlier this week between Foreign
Minister Theodoros Pangalos and his Turkish counterpart Tansu
Ciller, as well as the decision to have a bilateral "committee
of experts" created.
According to reports, Mr. Pangalos said his Turkish counterpart
staged an "attack of charm and friendship" on him, adding that
during their meeting in Luxembourg, Ms Ciller gave no specific
reply, despite pressures from (European Union) partners as well,
to questions he put to her.
According to the same reports, National Defense Minister Akis
Tsohatzopoulos said Athens must determine the framework of the
special relationship between Turkey and the European Union,
since Greece's partners in the EU do not desire Turkey's
accession to the EU.
Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis briefed members of
the inner cabinet on developments over the Cyprus issue.
Mr. Kranidiotis told reporters that during the inner cabinet's
meeting no disagreements surfaced, while Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said
that "everything was fine."
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said Greece desires
normalization in relations between the two countries, provided
that all sides work with respect for international law and
treaties and with a spirit based on the principles of friendship
and good neighbourliness.
Mr. Reppas said that provided these preconditions exist, then
progress will be achieved in the committee of experts' work,
reiterating that its results are not binding for the governments
of the two countries.
Describing processes to be followed, Mr. Reppas said that each
side will have the possibility to set out its arguments and the
other side to disprove them, adding that "provided that the
Dutch (EU) presidency ascertains that in certain points there is
common ground then it will request a process of meetings and
discussions to follow between the committee's members and
exclusively on the points where coincidence exists alone."
Mr. Reppas said Greek arguments are strong and added that
Athens' goal "is to at least reveal Turkey's false allegations
and aggressive policy, and at most, to start a process for
normalizing Greek-Turkish relations."
He further said that the path is long, adding that what is
desirable is that the committee of experts will have a report by
mid-June with the common positions and proposals of the two
sides, provided an agreement is reached on certain points.
Replying to a question, Mr. Reppas said that each side will
raise the issues which the experts will be able to examine,
adding that "if for example, Turkey requests an examination of
issues concerning the demilitarization of islands or the issue
of the extension of territorial waters to 12 nautical miles,
then Greece will disagree and such issues will not be discussed."
Mr. Reppas said that Greece is considering the appointment of
two jurists specializing in international law as its
representatives in the committee of experts, but added that no
decision has been taken as to who the two representatives will
be.
According to reports, the government does not want diplomats to
be appointed as yet another indication that the committee will
focus on issues of a procedural nature and that its conclusions
will not be binding for either country.
Replying to a question on whether members of the inner cabinet
disagreed or distanced themselves from the policy, Mr. Reppas
said that "there were no objections or distancing constituting a
different aspect from policy being followed."
According to reports, members of the inner cabinet set out views
on how the process will be safeguarded to achieve positive and
tangible long-term results and stressed that the problem must be
approached with seriousness so that mistaken messages are not
sent.
Commenting on political developments in Turkey, Mr. Reppas said
that fluidity and instability prevailing in the neighbouring
country are aggravating developments because there is no
official who can guarantee the process, but added that whatever
politic al developments should not affect the work of the
committee of experts.
He said the government aims at minimum consensus with the
opposition parties, and stressed that "with careful moves it
will try to avoid national issues being raised in the venue of
party rivalry."
He announced that next week Foreign Minister Pangalos will brief
Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka
Papariga, Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos
Constantopoulos and Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras.
The main opposition New Democracy party reiterated yesterday its
accusations against the government saying that it (the
government) was handling the issue of the committee of experts
with "unacceptable and dangerous duplicity".
[02] Seminar on WEU's future role begins in Athens
Athens, 3/5/1997 (ANA)
National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos referred to
Greece's contribution to a "clear-up" in relations between
permanent and associated members of the West European Union
(WEU), such as Turkey, in an address at the opening of the
European Seminar in Athens yesterday.
Earlier, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos received visiting WEU Secretary
General Jose Cutilheiro at the ministry. Their talks centred on
the situation in Europe, as well as the crisis in Albania.
The seminar was organized in Vouliagmeni yesterday and today by
the Greek presidency of the WEU's Inter-Atlantic Forum. The
seminar was entitled "Future Role of the WEU in the New Enlarged
Security Environment."
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said Greece's contribution concerns the
shaping of a framework safeguarding the operation of the
European organization "with clear conditions" so that the WEU's
activities will have clear preconditions for implementing and
utilizing NATO's possibilities.
He also referred to the demand of European peoples to widen
their defense capacity beyond their national limits and to the
need to consolidate an enlarged collective security, which will
take on the shape of a "common defense sufficiency."
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos referred to the need for security and
stability in parts of Europe such as the Balkans.
"I hope processes for the enlargement of NATO with these regions
will start in July (at the NATO summit in Madrid) and will
continue at a stable pace," he said.
WEU Secretary General Cutilheiro referred to Greece's
contribution to the achievement of an agreement in the ranks of
the WEU on April 15, concerning the possibility of Turkey and
other associate countries participating in the WEU's military
operations using NATO's arsenal.
Mr. Cutilheiro made special reference to the need for mutual
support between WEU member-states and to their commitment for
solidarity.
Referring to the reasons why a strong WEU is necessary, he said
that it will help Europeans to take their defense seriously.
Secondly, it will promote European integration on defense and
security issues and, thirdly, it will constitute a guarantee in
the event of crises.
Mr. Cutilheiro also held a meeting with President of the
Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos.
[03] Tsohatzopoulos: Greece could contribute to better EU-Turkey
relations
Athens, 3/5/1997(ANA)
National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos told the West
European Union's Inter-Atlantic Forum seminar yesterday that
Greece can contribute towards an upgraded relationship between
Turkey and the European Union to the degree that Ankara
satisfies conditions set by Athens concerning the latter's
sovereign rights as well as status quo and stability in the
region. Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said committees of experts on
Greek-Turkish relations pose no threat for Greece to the point
that clear strategic targets exist, which are very clear and
concern the consolidation of Greek sovereign rights and the
development of the Cyprus issue as a precondition for an
improvement in Greek-Turkish relations.
He pointed out at the Vouliagmeni seminar that the continuous
strengthening of Greece's defense capability will guarantee a
successful conclusion to all negotiations and consultations.
[04] Parthenon Marbles issue to be brought to Blair's attention
Athens, 3/5/1997 (ANA)
Britain's new prime minister, Tony Blair, will soon be asked to
deliver on past promises by his Labour Party to Athens regarding
the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece.
Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos said he would again bring
up the issue by sending a letter reminding Mr. Blair of Labour's
past promises.
"We are in communication with the Committee for the Return of
the Marbles," Mr. Venizelos said, adding that he would address
the letter to his British counterpart.
Since the issue was first publicly debated, the Labour Party has
said on many occasions that it would contribute its utmost for
the return of the marbles, exhibited in the British Museum.
The last promise by Labour was made last October via British
Labour Eurodeputy Alfred Lomas, who submitted a relevant request
to the European Parliament, adding his voice with those of 251
Eurodeputies from other European Union member-states and from
all political groupings.
At the time, Mr. Lomas called on the conservative government
under John Major to examine the Greek request positively,
because it "would constitute a major act of international
solidarity."
[05] Sixth Greek-American advisory committee meeting held in Crete
Athens, 3/5/1997 (ANA)
The Greek-American advisory committee is to hold its sixth
congress in Irakleio on May 6-8 in order to discuss the security
situation in the Balkans and the southeastern Mediterranean as
well as bilateral defense co-operation between Greece and the
United States.
The Greek and US delegations will be headed by Defense
Under-secretary Dimitris Apostolakis and his US counterpart, Jan
Lobal, respectively.
The Greek side will present its positions on the safeguarding of
peace and stability in the region, based on the respect of
existing treaties and the status quo.
The two sides will also seek areas for bilateral co-operation
within the framework of the armament program and will examine
the funding of particular programs as well as debts from
previous loans.
Talks will be held on four levels. In the first phase, the heads
of the two delegations will hold discussions. This will be
followed by a meeting of the working groups of the two sides on
policy issues, and then by a meeting of the working group on
security matters.
Lastly, the committee for co-operation in the defense industry
will meet. The main part of the congress will end on May 7.
The previous two congresses were held in Washington in May 1996
and on Rhodes in April 1995.
Based on the Greek-American agreement of mutual defense
co-operation, the meetings are held alternately in the United
States and Greece.
[06] Synaspismos congratulations to new British PM
Athens, 3/5/19977 (ANA)
The president of the Coalition of the Left and Progress
(Synaspismos) party, Nikos Constantopoulos, yesterday sent
congratulations to new British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
In his message, Mr. Constantopoulos expressed hope for the
development of relations between his party and the British
Labour Party.
[07] Venezuela's IOC rep tours Athens Olympic Stadium
Athens, 3/5/1997 (ANA)
The Venezuelan representative of the International Olympic
Committee (IOC), Flor Isava, yesterday described the facilities
of the Athens Olympic Stadium as "works of art".
Ms. Isava was shown around the facilities by members of the
Athens 2004 Committee, and said she was particularly impressed
by the indoor basketball complex and the indoor swimming pool.
"It is the best sporting complex I have seen," she said after
her visit.
The IOC member visited the main stadium, the tennis courts, the
velodrome, the outdoor and indoor swimming pools and the
basketball courts.
Ms. Isava then visited the Acropolis and later planted an olive
tree in the Olympic park's "Olive Forest". Each visiting IOC
member plants a tree in the park. The olive branches will be
used to make wreaths for the 2004 medalists if Athens is
successful in its bid to host the Games.
In another development, the president of the International Field
Hockey Federation, Juan Angel Calcado, yesterday visited the
Olympic Stadium and Karaiskaki stadium facilities.
He inspected the areas where field hockey would be held in the
2004 Games and said the only improvements still needed are in
the internal areas of the facilities.
He also attended a match of the first Southeastern Europe Field
Hockey Championships, and expressed his pleasure at the
development of the sport in Greece.
[08] Gov't denies press reports of reshuffle
Athens, 3/5/1997 (ANA)
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas yesterday refuted recent
press reports that Prime Minister Costas Simitis will carry out
a government reshuffle, and noted the premier's annoyance at
such rumours.
Mr. Reppas, however, confirmed reports that Mr. Simitis sent a
letter to ministers and undersecretaries informing them of the
list of positions in the public sector which are incompatible
with the position of deputy.
In his letter, Mr. Simitis said those ministers who hold such
positions and do not wish to be candidates for deputy posts in
the next elections must submit a written statement to that
effect or to otherwise resign.
Those who wish to be candidates in the next elections must have
submitted their resignations from public sector positions to the
cabinet's general secretariat by June 30, 1997.
The incompatible positions include general and special
secretaries in ministries, prefects, general directors in
organizations and public firms and as heads of public
institutions.
In another development, PASOK's political secretariat and
executive bureau are to meet under the chairmanship of Mr.
Simitis in order to be briefed on developments in Greek-Turkish
relations.
The party's Parliamentary group is to meet on Wednesday and the
cabinet on Thursday, while Mr. Simitis is to meet with the
secretaries of the party's prefectural committees tomorrow.
[09] Simitis visit to Luxembourg
Athens, 3/5/1997 (ANA)
The prime minister is due to visit Luxembourg on May 13, as it
will undertake the rotating EU presidency after the current
Dutch presidency.
On May 25, Mr. Simitis is to participate in the scheduled EU
emergency summit meeting and in the summit meeting in June for
the hand-over of the presidency.
In another development, Mr. Reppas announced yesterday that
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou will meet next week
with his Turkish counterpart Onur Oymen in Strasbourg.
The two are expected to exchange views regarding the Council of
Europe.
He clarified that the meeting will concern issues of
Greek-Turkish relations, adding that there is no particular
agenda.
[10] Karamanlis schedules tour of several cities
Athens, 3/5/1997 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy President Costas Karamanlis
yesterday visited the local ND office in Aigio, telling
supporters that "New Democracy is now entering a course that
does not lead to the left or to the right but only straight
ahead."
"Our moves are neither hasty nor spasmodic," Mr. Karamanlis
said, adding: "We will set our political agenda and drag the
government to the right path."
Mr. Karamanlis is expected to leave today for Halkida, and on
Sunday he will head for Naousa.
On Monday he will have a meeting at ND headquarters in Athens
with the president of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE)
Andrew Athens.
[11] ESHEA comments on World Press Freedom Day
Athens, 3/5/1997 (ANA)
The Athens Journalists Union (ESHEA) on the occasion of World
Press Freedom Day today called on Greek journalists to actively
support their colleagues throughout the world who are being
persecuted or tortured.
ESHEA called on journalists to fight for the basic principles of
freedom of the press, "which is the cornerstone of democracy".
"Hundreds of journalists in dozens of countries are killed,
persecuted, tortured, imprisoned," the ESHEA announcement said.
"Five hundred journalists have been killed while carrying out
their duties over the past 10 years, while in 1996, 58
journalists and other workers in the media were killed on the
job and more than 100 were imprisoned and persecuted.
"This is the tragic toll which coincides with World Press
Freedom Day, which has been determined by the United Nations for
May 3."
[12] Gov't spokesman
Athens, 3/5/1997 (ANA)
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas praised the role played by
reporters in providing objective information for citizens on the
occasion of World Press Freedom Day celebrated today.
"We must recognize the role of journalists who manage an
important part of the daily lives of each of us. Their effort to
provide objective information to citizens constitutes a
commodity of paramount significance," he said, adding that the
standard of press freedom is already high in Greece but there is
always ground for improvement and enrichment.
Referring to the same issue, main opposition New Democracy party
spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos said "freedom of the press
constitutes a paramount individual and social right and
commodity."
Mr. Spiliotopoulos said it is the duty of the state, press
officials and the people to safeguard the freedom of the press.
[13] British Universities Fair in three Greek cities
Athens, 3/5/1997 (ANA)
The British Council in Greece is organizing for the seventh
consecutive year the annual British Universities Fair in Athens,
Thessaloniki and Irakleio.
The fair in Athens will be held on May 17-18 in the Holiday Inn
Hotel from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and will inform prospective
students and their parents on studying in British universities
and colleges in Britain.
Staff members from 72 universities and public and private higher
education establishments will be present to answer questions and
provide information on course content and entrance procedures
and requirements.
In Irakleio, the fair will be held for the second time in the
Atlantis Hotel on May 14, from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., and in the
Macedonia Palace hotel in Thessaloniki on May 20 from 1 p.m. to
9 p.m.
[14] AHEPA delegation to visit Greece, Turkey and Cyprus
Athens, 3/5/1997 (ANA)
A delegation of the national leadership of American Hellenic
Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) for the United
States and Canada will visit Athens, Istanbul, Thessaloniki and
Nicosia this month.
The delegation will meet with leaders of the Greek and Cypriot
governments, US diplomats and Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos.
[15] Reserve commandos commence symbolic Dodecanese journey
Athens, 3/5/199 (ANA)
Fifty reserve commandos left the port of Alexandroupoli in 10
inflatable speedboats yesterday in a symbolic journey towards
the eastern Aegean island of Symi.
The trip, being carried out for the third consecutive year,
covers 706 nautical miles and is part of events to mark the
anniversary of the German surrender in the Dodecanese in 1945.
The route will include stops in Samothrace, Limnos, Moudro,
Agios Efstratios, Lesvos, Psara, Hios, Samos, Agathonisi,
Farmakonisi, Leros, Kalolymno, Kalymno, Pserimo, Nisiro, Tilos,
Halki, Rhodes, Megisti and is scheduled to end in Symi on May 8,
where celebrations will be held to mark the end of the journey.
According to organizers, the event "aims to raise the morale of
our border islands and the awakening of Greeks of large urban
centres, which for so many years have been acting only as
individuals and not as communities."
[16] CoE political groups' leaders in Albania for high-level talks
Strasbourg, 3/5/1997 (ANA)
The presidents of the political groups of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe will arrive in Tirana on
Sunday, where they will spend two days meeting with that
country's senior government officials, political leaders and
deputies regarding preparations in view of forthcoming elections.
The delegation will also have meetings with representatives of
the European Union and the Organization for Security and
Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
[17] Two new museums in Thrace region announced
Athens, 3/5/1997 (ANA)
Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos yesterday made several
announcements concerning the promotion of cultural heritage in
Thrace during his visit to Alexandroupoli, his first stop in a
tour of the region.
Mr. Venizelos chaired a meeting at the town hall with the
participation of deputies from Thrace, prefects, mayors, the
Metropolitan of Alexandroupoli, Anthimos, and other local
officials.
He announced the creation of two museums, one for classical
antiquities in Alexandroupoli and one for Byzantine and
post-Byzantine culture in Didymotiho. He also announced the
extension of the museum in Komotini, budgeted at one billion
drachmas.
Mr. Venizelos was due to continue his tour of the region with
visits to Ferres and Didymotiho.
[18] Bulgarian parliamentary delegation to visit Mount Athos
Athens, 3/5/1997 (ANA)
A 12-member Bulgarian parliamentary delegation, headed by
Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Todor Kovalciev, is to arrive in
Greece on Monday in order to visit the Mount Athos monastic
community.
The delegation will travel to the Zographou Monastery, inhabited
by monks of Bulgarian origin, in order to attend a celebration
and the appointment of Abbot Amvrosios.
However, the visit is being overshadowed by the tension which
has developed between the monastery as well as the monastic
community in general, and Bulgaria, due to the alleged theft
from the monastery's library of an antiquarian book which was
later transported to Sofia.
The book, which concerns the history of the Bulgarian nation,
was written roughly 300 years ago. It was kept in the
monastery's library until it was allegedly stolen in 1984. The
monastery at the time blamed the Bulgarian secret service for
the theft.
Following the fall of communism in the neighbouring country, the
then abbot of the monastery sent two letters to Bulgarian
President Zhelu Zhelev demanding the book's return.
When the issue came to light, the Thessaloniki prosecutor's
office conducted an investigation and brought charges against a
Bulgarian national, Petar Mitanov, who was then director of the
Zographou tax office.
The case was due to come to trial on Jan. 7 this year, but was
postponed.
Last year, the book appeared in a museum in Sofia, where it was
apparently donated by an anonymous donor. The monastery has
since been seeking its return, backed by the Bulgarian Orthodox
Church.
The issue may be brought up with the Bulgarian delegation, which
will meet with Macedonia-Thrace Minister Philippos Petsalnikos,
before departing for Mount Athos.
[19] Greek officials to participate in Mauthausen memorial service
Vienna, 3/5/1997 (ANA/D. Dimitrakoudis)
Greek state representatives and Orthodox Church officials are to
participate tomorrow in an event to honour the memory of the
3,700 Greek nationals who perished in the Nazi concentration
camp Mauthausen.
A memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony will be held.
During World War II, more than 200,000 people from all over
Europe were held at the Mauthausen camp in northern Austria,
with 122,797 dying before its liberation on May 5, 1945.
After the war, the Austrian authorities converted the camp, 160
kilometres west of Vienna, into a museum and memorial.
Each year on the anniversary of the liberation, tens of
thousands of people visit the camp in order to remember the
victims.
[20] Focus turns to public works projects in Epirus
Athens, 3/5/1997 (ANA)
The Rio-Antirrio bridge will be ready for traffic in 2004, while
the Aktio-Preveza underwater tunnel will be completed by the end
of 1999, government officials stated, adding that construction
of the Egnatia Highway is also proceeding at a quick rate.
In a related development, Environment, Town Planning and Public
Works Minister Costas Laliotis will inspect over the weekend all
major projects underway in Epirus - budgeted at 462 billion
drachmas.
Mr. Laliotis will participate in an open meeting of the Epirus
regional council in Ioannina today.
The integrated projects and public works program for Epirus
includes roadways, infrastructure works, environmental
protection networks and works contributing to local development.
End of English language section.
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