Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-07-14
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1236), July 14, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Premier to brief president on communiqui, chair PASOK EB meeting
[02] Clerides says direct talks at 'very preliminary stage'
[03] Youth forum on human rights founded in Athens
[04] Papoutsis calls for more Euro-Mediterranean co-operation
[05] Measures for stricter controls on Greek-Albanian border announced
[06] New Alexandria Patriarch discusses Church's African mission
[07] Greece's tourism model must change, EOT head says
[08] Athens 2004 bid committee briefs ND, IOC members
[09] Taping of phone conversation s legal, High Court rules
[10] Large drug haul on border, suspect arrested
[11] Health sector strikes continue this week
[12] Council of State annuls road project awarded to Italian firm
[13] Xanthi establishes enterprise to improve local services
[14] Turkish consul general leaves Komotini
[01] Premier to brief president on communiqui, chair PASOK EB meeting
Athens, 14/07/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis this morning will brief President
of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos on last week's joint
communiqui between Greece and Turkey.
Later in the day, in his capacity as president of the ruling
PASOK, Mr. Simitis will chair a meeting of the party's Executive
Bureau on the same issue. Before the EB convenes, Mr. Simitis
will have a meeting with PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis.
The Executive Bureau is also expected to discuss the whole
spectrum of Greek-Turkish relations.
The joint communiqui was issued last Tuesday after talks between
Mr. Simitis and Turkish President Suleyman Demirel on the
sidelines of the NATO summit in Madrid. The communiqui calls for
respect for the sovereignty of each country, international law
and treaties as well as resolution of disputes through peaceful
means.
Yesterday, Mr. Skandalidis welcomed the joint communiqui, adding
however, that the possibility of creating a climate of security
in the Aegean depended on Ankara's future actions.
Speaking to reporters in Rhodes, Mr. Skandalidis said "the
possibility to restore a climate of security in the Aegean will
be put to the test by Ankara's policies."
"The Madrid communiqui is merely a declaration of principles,"
Mr. Skandalidis said, repeating statements made by Prime
Minister Costas Simitis.
Meanwhile, in an interview in the "Sunday Eleftherotypia," he
said the communiqui was a "step forward" in Greek-Turkish
relations, "neither a historical step, nor a catastrophe".
Mr. Skandalidis was quoted as saying that Turkey's commitment to
avoid use of violence was also very important.
He avoided directly criticizing any of the 22 PASOK deputies who
expressed their public disapproval over the communiqui, but
added that "the tendency to dramatize everything" leads to
"exaggerated" reactions.
The party's "great sensitivity" to national issues is a "sign of
health" and a tradition in the party.
Mr. Skandalidis recognized the difficulties in combining
different opinions among party cadres, and attributed these
partly to the "exaggerated democratic sensitivity and tolerance"
by Mr. Simitis, who "must occasionally use the whip", he was
quoted as saying in the newspaper interview.
The PASOK secretary said that any reference to early elections
was "a massive foolishness", and supported co-operation with
other parties in local government elections.
In an unrelated issue, he declined to answer whether he would
run for mayor of Athens, and said he did not plan to leave his
post.
[02] Clerides says direct talks at 'very preliminary stage'
Poughkeepsie, NY, 14/07/1997 (ANA/CNA)
Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides has confirmed that UN mediator
Diego Cordovez gave the government side "a second revised paper"
and added that UN-sponsored direct talks are at "a very
preliminary stage."
Speaking here Saturday afternoon at the end of a first round of
direct talks and after briefing Cypriot party leaders, the
president said "the two sides submitted observations on the
paper we were given and today (Saturday) we were given a new
revised paper."
"We shall discuss this paper in Cyprus at a National Council
meeting (top advisory body to the president on Cyprus), on July
24, and respond to it before the next round of talks, in
August," he said, stressing that the paper which was submitted
yesterday "is not yet a proposal."
"This is a non-paper and will become a paper if and when there
is agreement," President Clerides explained.
He added "there have been some amendments made" and points were
modified.
Asked if the UN Secretary-General's special advisor on Cyprus,
Diego Cordovez, set any conditions, the president replied he
"did not set any conditions, we are trying to prepare a paper
and each side has made its observations on the first draft and
now there is a second draft on which we have to make our
observations before meeting in August," scheduled for Aug. 11 to
16, near Geneva.
Asked to say the extent to which Mr. Cordovez took into account
the suggestions of the Greek Cypriot side, President Clerides
said "Cordovez made some amendments we have requested."
Invited to assess the outcome of this first round of talks, the
president said "we are still at a very preliminary stage, we do
not as yet have a joint statement because we have not reached
agreement on a paper."
Replying to questions about lifting any obstacles and
reservations expressed by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash,
President Clerides said "Denktash did not raise anything today
(Saturday)." Mr. Clerides, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides
and t heir entourage returned to New York City late Saturday,
where yesterday Mr. Clerides was due to see Britain's envoy on
Cyprus, Sir David Hannay.
He is also due to meet US Presidential Emissary for Cyprus
Richard Holbrooke today.
Party leaders, except ruling Democratic Rally (DISY) Party
President Nicos Anastasiades, left Poughkeepsie and arrived in
Cyprus last night.
[03] Youth forum on human rights founded in Athens
Athens, 14/07/1997 (ANA)
Youth organizations met in Athens over the past two days to
found a forum to campaign for public awareness on human rights,
racism and discrimination issues.
The newly founded Human Rights Forum was coordinated and is
supported by Greece's General Secretariat of Youth, as part of a
program to promote non-govern-mental networks.
Meetings opened on Saturday and by yesterday, the groups had
voted for a board, presented their action plan and allocated
work, under the motto "all different, all equal".
The forum decided that in order to promote its goals, it will
issue press releases and provide information to the public on
specific examples of human rights violations, hold meetings,
plan information campaigns on educational, cultural and social
issue s as well as decide on an action plan aimed at state and
non-state organizations.
The forum will also co-operate directly with non-governmental
organizations overseas, especially in the European Union.
One of its aims is to use the experience gained by its members
during the anti-racist campaign by the Council of Europe between
1994 and 1996, and that of the four networks established by the
Youth Secretariat. The networks cover the issues of volunteer s
for the environment, cultural organizations, European
unification and youth municipal councils.
Participants included: SOS-Racism, Society of Social Support for
Youth, Greek Homosexual Unity, Union of Solidarity for Ano
Liosia Citizens, Youth Against Racism, Student Movement for the
Unification of Europe, Immigrants' Forum, Organizations Against
A IDS, party youth organizations for PASOK, New Democracy, the
Coalition of Left and Progress and Political Spring, the Caravan
of Solidarity, the Women's Lobby and the Research Center for
Minority Groups.
[04] Papoutsis calls for more Euro-Mediterranean co-operation
Athens, 14/07/1997 (ANA)
The European Union wants to promote more co-operation between
the northern and southern Mediterranean, envisioning a
Euro-Mediterranean free-trade zone by 2010, EU Commissioner
Christos Papoutsis said in Jordan yesterday.
Mr. Papoutsis, a Greek commissioner responsible for energy,
small- and medium-sized enterprises and tourism, concluded an
official two-day visit to the Mideast country, which included
attending the Medpartenariat Jordan.
In his opening speech, the Commissioner said the EU "aims at
promoting a more balanced economic development between the north
and south in the Mediterranean area, and at creating a
Euro-Mediterranean free-trade zone by 2010."
Conditions for investments and economic development are better
today than they used to be for a long time, Mr. Papoutsis said,
expressing the belief that this meeting would result in a large
number of Euro-Mediterranean co-operations.
The congress included 150 companies from Jordan and another 400
from EU members and other European countries. It was inaugurated
Saturday night by Prince El Hasan Bin Talal and Jordanian
Industry Minister Hani El Mulki.
[05] Measures for stricter controls on Greek-Albanian border announced
Athens, 14/07/1997 (ANA)
The government unveiled a series of measures on Saturday
designed to better protect the Greek-Albanian border from armed
gangs and illegal immigrants attempting to enter Greece from the
neighboring country.
Macedonia-Thrace Minister Philippos Petsalnikos unveiled the
measures after a meeting in the border city of Kastoria, held at
the initiative of Kastoria Prefect Georgios Kapaftsis. The
meeting follows an alarmingly high number of raids in the region
b y Albanian armed gangs over recent months.
The minister said measures included reinforced police patrols
and the establishment of permanent observation posts on the
frontier.
Echoing the views of Greek police, Mr. Petsalnikos said that the
recent increase in the number of Albanian nationals illegally
entering Greece was due to a complete lack of border control by
Albanian authorities.
Mr. Petsalnikos also touched on the establishment of a Special
Border Patrol Unit.
A draft bill for the establishment of such a force is to be
submitted in Parliament by the public order ministry.
Albanian armed gangs began to raid and terrorize Greek border
towns and villages after the neighboring country slid into chaos
over the past few months following the collapse of five pyramid
investment schemes.
[06] New Alexandria Patriarch discusses Church's African mission
Athens, 14/07/1997 (ANA)
Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa Petros VII met with
government and Church officials during his first visit to Greece
since his enthronement in March.
Patriarch Petros spoke to ANA extensively about the difficulty
of expanding the Orthodox Church's activities in Africa,
especially due to shortages in staffing and funding.
"Our first and basic problem," he said, "is not just staffing
our center in Alexandria and Cairo, but other areas of our
jurisdiction in Africa with competent priests."
The Alexandria Patriarchate has 350 priests working under its
jurisdiction, with 250 of these being native Africans and the
rest Arabic-speaking Greek nationals.
He said there was a need of at least 20 more priests in Church
centers in Africa, while more staff is needed for the African
headquarters of the Orthodox church in Alexandria.
"As we are now, services at the center in Alexandria and other
metropolitan centers cannot operate at all," he noted.
The Orthodox Church started its missionary activities much later
than the Catholic and Protestant faiths, and had a lot of ground
to cover still, he said.
A continuous problem is the funding of all activities, which has
to rely on parishes from other parts of the world and private
sources.
The Patriarch pointed out that laymen helped the Church in
Africa by offering their services, especially as teachers,
physicians, builders, architects or nurses.
"They help us spread the voice of Orthodoxy throughout Africa,
to people who have never heard of Christ, who are dying from
hunger and sicknesses, where there are no schools. That's where
we reach, trying to relieve them," he explained.
The Patriarch said his requests have met with approval from
officials here.
[07] Greece's tourism model must change, EOT head says
Athens, 14/07/1997 (ANA)
The "Greek light, sun and sea" model of tourism is no longer
adequate for foreign tourists, Greek National Tourism
Organization (EOT) General Secretary Nikos Skoulas said
yesterday.
While inaugurating a new waterpark in Hania, Mr. Skoulas said
that mass holiday tourists now preferred activities and theme
parks.
In northern Greece, tourist arrivals remain at the same levels
as last year, while accommodations show an occupancy rate around
50-65 per cent.
Tourism sector businessmen said that they expected an increase
in arrivals in the second half of July, up to September.
Thassos hoteliers president Alexis Doukas said that this year's
accommodations were booked mostly by Yugoslav, Czech, Polish and
Russian tourists. Arrivals of Germans and British tourists fell
by 20 and 5 per cent, respectively, compared to last year's
figures, he said.
[08] Athens 2004 bid committee briefs ND, IOC members
Athens, 14/07/1997 (ANA)
The Athens 2004 bid committee will begin briefing party leaders
today, beginning with main opposition New Democracy party leader
Costas Karamanlis.
Mr. Karamanlis will visit the committee's Zappeion Hall
headquarters this morning.
Two more members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
visited Greece and were briefed on Athens' bid, before planting
an olive tree each in their name. They are Bulgaria's Ivan
Slavkov and Western Samoa's Paul Walwork.
[09] Taping of phone conversations legal, High Court rules
Athens, 14/07/1997 (ANA)
Taping telephone conversations without approval and the
knowledge of the party on the other end is not illegal, the
Supreme Court decided yesterday.
The High Court said taping could be allowed when it concerned
the safeguarding of lawful or other justified and significant
public interests, such as revealing the perpetrators of a crime.
The court ruled that in such cases it was legal to use a
recorded conversation as proof, without this offending the
accused person's right to be defended in court, or annulling a
case.
The ruling backed an Athens appeals court decision to use taped
conversations between relatives of suspects that were accused
and later convicted in a double murder and rape case.
[10] Large drug haul on border, suspect arrested
Athens, 14/07/1997 (ANA)
An Albanian national was arrested after crossing the border into
Greece on Friday in possession of a large quantity of hashish,
four Kalashnikov assault rifles and a large number of rounds,
police announced on Saturday. Dashmir Ravia, 40, was arrested as
he approached the village of Argyrohori, Ioannina, by police
detachments from Thessaloniki and Ioannina.
Eight armed Albanians accompanying Ravia had turned back just
after crossing the border. According to reports, the suspect was
transporting 225 kilograms of hashish in nine large sacks, which
he said had been packed in his home village of Lazarati for sale
in Greece along with the rifles.
[11] Health sector strikes continue this week
Athens, 14/07/1997 (ANA)
Health sector employees will hold a series of strikes this week.
Specifically:
- Pharmacists in Athens and Piraeus will continue their strike
until Wednesday. Pharmacists in the rest of Greece have ended
their strike. - Pharmacies throughout Greece will stop providing
prescription drugs on credit as of tomorrow. They will not cover
the percentage insurance funds pay per prescription, forcing
customers to pay the full amount. Insurance funds owe them about
20 billion drachmas for prescription drugs, they claim.
- Social Security Foundation (IKA) physicians throughout Greece
will go on a 48-hour strike as of today.
- Doctors in hospitals of Athens and Piraeus will continue their
strike until Wednesday. Hospital doctors throughout Greece will
go on strike on Thursday and Friday.
- Hospital interns in Athens and Piraeus hospitals will hold
work stoppages from today to Wednesday, between 10 a.m. and 2
p.m., as well as striking on Thursday and Friday.
Doctors' strikes relate to disagreements with the government
over the National Health System (ESY) as well as salary demands.
[12] Council of State annuls road project awarded to Italian firm
Athens, 14/07/1997 (ANA)
The Council of State rescinded on Saturday a government decision
to award a 5.5-billion-drachma stretch of the on-going
Grevena-Kozani highway project to the Italian firm Todini
Costruzioni Generali SpA.
The decision follows an appeal by the Greece-based ALTE
construction company, which argued that the Italian company did
not provide a certificate verifying an unblemished criminal
record, as the bid process required.
The court also judged that the public works ministry broke the
law when it accepted the Italian company's application in the
tender process.
The Grevena-Kozani stretch is part of the Egnatia Highway
project, which will span the breadth of northern Greece from the
Ionian port of Igoumenitsa to the Greek-Turkish border when
completed.
[13] Xanthi establishes enterprise to improve local services
Athens, 14/07/1997 (ANA)
Xanthi prefecture approved a plan to establish a
prefecture-controlled and managed enterprise to encourage
business, reduce unemployment, help keep youth from leaving the
area and to upgrade the quality of life.
The enterprise will be staffed with trained personnel and
computer experts, who will be responsible for formulating and
applying social, cultural or other projects in Xanthi.
The company will also try to provide social assistance and
support to the elderly, handicapped people and working mothers.
[14] Turkish consul general leaves Komotini
Athens, 14/07/1997 (ANA)
Turkey's general consul in Komotini, Osman Durak, paid visits to
officials in Thrace prior to assuming a new post in his
country's foreign ministry.
His replacement has not yet been announced by the Turkish
government.
Mr. Durak served in this post for the past two and a half years.
He had previously served in Syria and Italy.
End of English language section.
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