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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-07-21

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1242), July 21, 1997

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] Clerides pledges quick solution on Cyprus
  • [02] Tsohatzopoulos calls for regional security in Balkans, Caucasus
  • [03] Premier says '98 municipal elections significant for PASOK
  • [04] Tsohatzopoulos on Greek-Turkish relations
  • [05] Kranidiotis concludes five-day, four-nation Mideast tour
  • [06] Contacts in Syria
  • [07] Karamanlis says boldness needed to improve current situation
  • [08] Abducted men freed without ransom by Albanian kidnappers
  • [09] Athens still adamant on FYROM issue
  • [10] Greek ambassador visits Korce region
  • [11] Angelopoulou-Daskalaki lauds Athens' Olympic bid on CNN
  • [12] IAAF's Gyulay on championships
  • [13] Aegean Rally finishes
  • [14] SAE headquarters inaugurated in Thessaloniki
  • [15] Turkey commemorates invasion of Cyprus
  • [16] Island republic commemorates sad anniversary

  • [01] Clerides pledges quick solution on Cyprus

    Nicosia, 21/07/1997 (ANA/CNA)

    President of the Cyprus Republic Glafcos Clerides reiterated the government's desire for a solution to the long-standing Cyprus problem "the soonest possible" and stressed the need for Greek and Turkish Cypriots to envisage a common future.

    In a message to the people of Cyprus, broadcast on Saturday night on the occasion of a July 15, 1974 coup against the Cypriot government staged by the military junta then ruling Greece and on the occasion of a bloody Turkish invasion that followed five days later, President Clerides described these "tragic events" as "the darkest periods of Cyprus' history".

    Noting the consequences, such as the number of people killed, the missing, the refugees and the violation of fundamental human rights, he stressed that at the same time "the illegal colonization and adverse conditions created" in the Turkish-occupied north forced "many of our Turkish Cypriot compatriots in the occupied area to emigrate".

    "They are quickly disappearing as a community," he pointed out.

    Mr. Clerides stressed that one of the conclusions of these tragic events is that "we must all respect fully our democratic institutions and engage in continuous dialogue and in a spirit of mutual understanding reach consensus."

    He added that a second conclusion concerns the relations between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, calling on all to recall "not only the bitter experiences of the past but also the happy experiences of harmonious co-existence".

    President Clerides stressed that the two communities "must envisage and plan a common future" and noted that "as we enter the 21st century we must abandon the mentality and practices which have brought about so many ills to Cyprus".

    He said a fair solution must be found that "will heal the wounds of the past" and establish "a climate of confidence, mutual understanding and co-operation."

    Noting that the Greek Cypriot side has shown "goodwill and made painful concessions" in these 23 years, he also added that the government showed a positive attitude during the UN-led direct negotiations between himself and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, held in the United States July 9-12. Stressing that it will show the same attitude in the second round of negotiations, scheduled to be held in Switzerland Aug. 11-16, President Clerides said "our fervent desire is to achieve a solution to the Cyprus problem the soonest possible.

    "We all hope that the process that has already started may be the starting point of an unprecedented effort to find a solution," he added.

    Mr. Clerides said government policy has increased international involvement on the Cyprus issue, while its European Union course as well as a joint defense pact agreed with Greece in 1993 have "increased hopes for finding a solution".

    Noting that the efforts for a solution "will be very difficult and complex", he stressed that "our future on the land of our ancestors depends on the outcome of this course".

    Assuring he will devote all his energy "to ensure that this course may have the desirable conclusion to the benefit of the two communities," President Clerides stressed he will not accept a solution "that will not safeguard the future of Greek Cypriots, whatever the price we may have to pay for our stand".

    He also referred to an agreement reached during negotiations in New York to meet with Mr. Denktash in Nicosia, before the second round of talks, in order to discuss the issue of the persons missing since the Turkish invasion as well as living conditions of about 500 Greek Cypriots who have remained in their homes in the occupied areas.

    "I am sure that with the solidarity of the people and Greeks everywhere, with the close co-operation and assistance of the Greek government, the political parties of Greece and the Greek people as well as the solidarity and active support of other states and political figures, our struggle will be successful," he concluded.

    [02] Tsohatzopoulos calls for regional security in Balkans, Caucasus

    Athens, 21/07/1997 (ANA)

    Upon completing a four-day tour of the Caucasus with the visit to Baku on Friday, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos told the ANA that he had set out to his counterparts ideas and proposals for establishing a regional security organization covering the Balkans and the Caucasus.

    In Baku, the Greek defense minister met with Azerbaijan's President Haidar Aliyev and the country's top political and military leadership.

    He reported that the response was positive, and that there would soon be clear and specific agreements for the promotion of such proposals. It had been agreed, he added, that units of the Hellenic armed forces would also participate in exercises in the Black Sea and the Caspian.

    Asked to comment on Turkish criticism over Athens' initiatives in the region, particularly a defense co-operation agreement with Armenia, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos stressed that "Greece has been and will be a force of peace, security, co-operation and stability, both in the Balkans and the Caucasus, and nobody will stop us from implementing this".

    He also said his visit to the region confirmed that both the Balkans and the Caucasus belonged to the same geopolitical region.

    The defense minister also expressed support for the initiatives of the so-called "Minsk group" of countries for the finding of "a just and peaceful solution" to the problem of Nagorno-Karabakh, which would guarantee "Azerbaijan's sovereign rights", and formulate "terms of collective security, co-operation and stability in the region."

    Discussion with the Azeri leaders included bilateral political and economic issues.

    It should also be noted that the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) has submitted proposals for the carrying out of projects in the country.

    [03] Premier says '98 municipal elections significant for PASOK

    Athens, 21/07/1997 (ANA)

    Speaking at the end of his ruling PASOK party's two-day central committee meeting in Nafplion on Saturday, Prime Minister Costas Simitis said next year's municipal elections have an increased significance for the party.

    He emphasized municipal elections' significance by saying their success will be a measure of the government policy's appeal and a criterion of the electorate's support and citizens' confidence, thus enabling PASOK to re-earn a mandate for continuation o f its four-year term.

    Mr. Simitis said this is essential because time is necessary for results to appear on many projects the government has started.

    Referring to the "Ioannis Kapodistrias" program concerning local community mergers, Mr. Simitis said an almost universal coincidence of views resulted, adding that what is required from now on is for this policy to be disseminated to citizens.

    Mr. Simitis called on all PASOK cadres to be present at the time of crisis, stressing that it is up to the government to turn the plan into practice, while he expressed certainty that this will happen.

    He further said that the regional administration of each country is not standardized (referring to the examples of Italy and Britain), noting that efforts aimed at decentralization started in 1981 and that what is necessary is for the new formation to operate effectively and democratically.

    PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis said the party will undertake initiatives at a central and regional level, opening a dialogue with other parties and stressing that worthy cadres must be selected as local election candidates.

    [04] Tsohatzopoulos on Greek-Turkish relations

    Athens, 21/07/1997 (ANA)

    Meanwhile, National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, fresh from a tour of Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, said dialogue is a permanent practice for the resolution of differences at an international level and cannot be ignored in relation to Greek- Turkish differences.

    "On the issue of Greek-Turkish relations, the process of dialogue is an option which Greece must face with realism. It must, therefore, prepare appropriately for it, and the crucial issue is how you prepare, what strategy you follow, what topics you define as non-negotiable, what advantages you have," he said in an address to the party's central committee session on Saturday.

    "On the basis of international experience and practice, whether we want it or not, we shall enter into dialogue with Turkey," he noted, adding that the strengthening of the country through development was of top priority.

    [05] Kranidiotis concludes five-day, four-nation Mideast tour

    Amman, 21/07/1997 (ANA - V. Mourtis)

    Wrapping up a five-day tour of the Middle East yesterday, Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis met here with Jordanian Prime Minister Abdel-Salam al-Majali and Foreign Minister Fayez al-Tarawnah.

    He began his five-day Mideast tour in Egypt, followed by stops in Lebanon, Syria and finally yesterday in Jordan.

    In a statement to the ANA, Mr. Kranidiotis said his tour was "particularly useful" for promoting Greek foreign policy in the region, adding that Athens has an important role to play in contributing towards the peace process in the Middle East, as well as towards the region's economic development.

    The very high level of relations and traditionally close ties between Greece and the Middle East constitute suitable ground for further strengthening relations, he said, adding that Greece must focus its interest on two sectors, namely, culture and commerce.

    In his meeting with Mr. al-Majali, the Jordanian premier called for the convening of the supreme joint Greek-Jordanian committee at a prime ministers' level, which has not convened since 1986. He also proposed the establishment of a Greek-Jordanian friendship federation in Athens, as well as the establishment of a department of modern Greek studies at the University of Jordan.

    Mr. al-Majali assessed that relations between the two countries are very good, but can be improved even further in all sectors and called for Greece's presence in the cultural and tourism sectors.

    Mr. Kranidiotis extended an invitation to Mr. al-Majali on behalf of Prime Minister Costas Simitis to visit Greece, while the under-secretary also renewed an invitation extended by President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos to King Hussein I for an official visit to Greece.

    Referring to peace processes in the region, Mr. al-Majali referred to what he called the "greed of the Israelis" as constituting the main obstacle since, as he said, "(Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu believes that he can do everything without making any concessions."

    On his part, Mr. al-Tarawnah, who attended the meeting after returning from Brussels, said Amman requests additional economic aid from the European Union similar to extraordinary economic aid granted by the United States.

    [06] Contacts in Syria

    Athens, 21/07/1997 (ANA)

    Before arriving in Jordan, Mr. Kranidiotis held talks in Damascus with the leadership of the Syrian foreign ministry on Saturday, which confirmed the very good level of Greek-Syrian relations.

    Mr. Kranidiotis met with Syrian Foreign Minister Faruq al-Charah, whom he invited to officially visit Greece, as well as inviting a Syrian delegation to discuss and promote all bilateral agreements.

    Talks on bilateral relations focused on the prospects of signing an agreement on protecting investments, the signing of a friendship and co-operation agreement and the possibility of a cultural exchange program.

    On the question of the situation currently prevailing in the Middle East, the Syrian side, as the Egyptians and Lebanese previously did, expressed strong concern over the position of the Israeli government on the peace issue as well as over the return o f territory. The Syrians also expressed concern over the military agreement concluded between Turkey and Israel.

    Damascus want the full withdrawal of Israel from the Golan Heights and a continuation of peace negotiations from the point left off by former Israeli prime minister Shimon Peres and not to start again from the beginning, as Mr. Netanyahu's government re quests.

    The Syrians also stressed that problems between Lebanon and Israel must not be resolved beforehand, but all problems must be resolved together at the same time.

    The two sides agreed that relations between Greece and Syria have always remained at a very good level, while efforts will be made to improve them even further.

    [07] Karamanlis says boldness needed to improve current situation

    Athens, 21/07/1997 (ANA)

    Addressing a party event in Delphi on Saturday night, main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis said no "magic wand" is needed to transform today's "miserable reality into a paradise", but what is necessary is boldness, work, resolution and seriousness.

    Mr. Karamanlis said ND has the great obligation to look at tomorrow with seriousness and not to allow intra-party disputes in the future, which it had experienced in the past.

    He said the time has come for ND to make major and serious incisions with the basic priority being an allocation of work with individual responsibility.

    Mr. Karamanlis further referred to what he called the present government's "omissions, failures and incompetence" and expressed a view that an extension of its tenure has nothing more to offer the country. He also said the country has entered an orbit o f decline, while drastic interventions are necessary to reverse this trend.

    [08] Abducted men freed without ransom by Albanian kidnappers

    Athens, 21/07/1997 (ANA)

    Five Greek farmers were released unharmed yesterday evening after being abducted at gunpoint on Saturday afternoon by masked assailants and taken just across the frontier to Albania.

    The group of farmers were kidnapped by Albanian suspects while repairing farm equipment some 200 meters south of the Greek-Albanian border near the village of Dipotamia, Kastoria prefecture.

    Negotiations between authorities in Kastoria prefecture and police with the kidnappers led to the abducted men's release at around 8 p.m. Albanian police also assisted in the negotiations, reports state.

    The armed Albanian kidnappers had earlier demanded a ransom of 2.5 million drachmas in return for releasing four of the abductees, after letting one man escape to inform authorities of their demands.

    According to reports, on Saturday evening the men were awaiting the arrival of mechanics to repair a farm vehicle that had broken down 200-300 meters from the border when the three Albanians, two of whom were armed with Kalasnikov assault rifles, tried to steal the vehicle. When the bandits realized it couldn't be moved they seized the men instead, leading them to an abandoned machine gun pillbox near the Albanian village of Bonzougrad.

    Police identified the released men as Vassilios Arsenopoulos, 50, his son Apostolos Arsenopoulos, 23, Ioannis Prassas, 32, Christos Tasopoulos, 40, and Ioannis Karayannidis, 60.

    [09] Athens still adamant on FYROM issue

    Athens, 21/07/1997 (ANA)

    Macedonia-Thrace Minister Philippos Petsalnikos said yesterday that Greece was still seeking satisfaction of its well-known and permanent positions in UN-sponsored negotiations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) over the latter's name.

    "The international community must understand that we do not accept doubts or confusion regarding our identity," he said in his opening address to the World Conference of Pan-Macedonian Associations in Thessaloniki.

    The minister defended the now defunct embargo imposed by Greece on FYROM.

    "The decision was neither easy nor painless, but it was necessary, and led to the abandonment (on FYROM's part) of irredentist claims, to a change of symbols and the signing of the New York interim accord, which in turn, led to a speedy and substantive improvement of relations between the two countries," he said.

    Mr. Petsalnikos announced that this year's 'Alexander The Great' awards, established by his ministry for philhellene politicians, would go to the chairman of the US House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs Committee, Ben Gilman, former Australian PM Paul Keating and British MP Eddie O'Hara.

    The 'Aristotelis' awards for scientists and researchers would go to Canadian professor Ted McWinney, Australian archaeologist Norman George Aston and his Austrian colleague Hans Swabl.

    Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis, who also spoke at the opening of the conference, said "there is no room for political party games and personal strategies" in the handling of national issues, and that Greece's wish to live in peace, friendship and co-operation with its neighbors "cannot lead to easy solutions and compromises, or make us accept any pressures that are exercised on us".

    [10] Greek ambassador visits Korce region

    Tirana, 21/07/1997 (ANA)

    Athens' ambassador in Albania Costas Prevedourakis completed a tour of the Korce region on Saturday, part of a wider itinerary of visits to Albanian towns in order to underline Greece's support to the neighboring country.

    The tour was also aimed at strengthening ties between Greece and the Vlach community concentrated in the specific region, which recently elected two Parliament deputies on the Union of Human Rights Party (KEAD).

    In addition, Mr. Prevedourakis visited facilities hosting the Greek contingent stationed in Elbasan, where he addressed Greek soldiers participating in the OSCE-mandated multinational force, while he praised their contribution during their stay in Albania.

    Speaking at a press conference, Mr. Prevedourakis stressed Greece's interest in the region's development, which is close to the Greek-Albanian border, and the city's historic past, identified with a long-standing Greek presence.

    Mr. Prevedourakis also attended a te deum service in memory of fallen Greek soldiers during World War II and visited the monument erected at Bobostica in their honor. About 70 graves belonging to Greek soldiers killed during the Greek-Italian war in 19 40 have been discovered in the Korce region.

    [11] Angelopoulou-Daskalaki lauds Athens' Olympic bid on CNN

    Athens, 21/07/1997 (ANA)

    The president of the Athens 2004 Olympic candidacy committee, Gianna Angelopoulou-Daskalaki, told CNN on Friday that the Greek capital holds the prospect of a "virtually new city" as regards public transport, telecoms, the environment, accommodations and sports installations.

    "Most sports installations are already in place, and we have the financial guarantees for completing all additional necessary projects well before 2004," she added.

    Replying to a remark that Athens faces difficult traffic problems, Ms Angelopoulou-Daskalaki said that any existing difficulties will be effectively met with large projects already underway, such as the underground metro, which she claimed will be ready in 1999, the city's new airport at Spata (scheduled for completion by 2000) and a number of circular roads. These projects, she said, will drastically change the situation regarding public transport in Athens.

    Turning to the economic impact of the Olympics, she said: "we expect 130,000 new jobs to be created. The overall benefit will be huge..."

    Regarding security, she said, "Greece is a safe country, as INTERPOL and other independent analyses show. We have one of the lowest crime rates in Europe, and moreover, what is very important is that no incident has taken place during any sports, political, or other event that Greece has organized".

    The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is to select the host city of the Games of 2004 in September.

    [12] IAAF's Gyulay on championships

    Athens, 21/07/1997 (ANA)

    Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, IAAF Secretary General Istvan Gyulay appeared optimistic over the success of the IAAF World Athletics Championships due to take place in Athens from Aug. 1-10.

    "These championships will be excellent," Mr. Gyulay said, adding, "it will be worthy of both the organization and of the country. The organization will go hand-in-hand with Greece's bid for the Olympic Games in 2004. The overall impression we have is very satisfactory."

    [13] Aegean Rally finishes

    Athens, 21/07/1997 (ANA)

    The vessel "Petrogas" in the IMS category and the "Zantino-Telestet" in the EATh category were the winners of the 34th Aegean Rally.

    The around-the-Aegean sailing cup ended yesterday after beginning nine days earlier from Faliro. Forty-four foreign and Greek vessels competed in the race.

    [14] SAE headquarters inaugurated in Thessaloniki

    Athens, 21/07/1997 (ANA)

    The World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) has its own headquarters in Thessaloniki after SAE's offices were inaugurated in the country's second largest city by Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou and SAE's President Andrew Athens last night in the presence of authorities, deputies and expatriate officials.

    Speaking at the event, Mr. Papandreou said yesterday was "a moving moment for every Greek immigrant, who ascertains today that his home is being inaugurated."

    [15] Turkey commemorates invasion of Cyprus

    Nicosia, 21/07/1997 (Reuter/ANA - D. Nicolaou)

    Turkey yesterday marked the 23rd anniversary of its 1974 invasion of the island republic with a call for the integration with Cyprus' occupied north as well as mass violations of the island's airspace.

    Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, who as prime minister ordered the 1974 invasion, said integration of the self-proclaimed "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ('TRNC') - which is only recognized by Ankara - was inevitable after the European

    Union gave its green light last week to the Cyprus Republic for accession negotiations, while excluding Turkey.

    "The 'TRNC' will live forever as an independent state. But its foreign policy and defense will be handled by Turkey," Mr. Ecevit told an invasion anniversary ceremony.

    A joint declaration issued by Turkey and the pseudo-state outlined a proposed series of steps toward integration, including efforts on defense, foreign and economic policies.

    Most of what was in the declaration is already in effect today, while Turkey maintains more than 30,000 troops in the occupied north.

    "Any attack on the 'TRNC' will be considered as an attack on the Republic of Turkey. In this context, a joint defense concept will be established between Turkey and the 'TRNC'," the statement read.

    Six Turkish warships anchored in the occupied port of Kyrenia over the weekend.

    [16] Island republic commemorates sad anniversary

    Nicosia, 21/07/1997 (ANA - D. Nikolaou)

    Cyprus yesterday commemorated the 23rd anniversary of the Turkish invasion of this island republic, a tragic event that led to widespread death and destruction and also turned 200,000 people into refugees in their own land.

    The Turkish invasion, code-named "Attila", also led to the tragedy of the missing persons as well as the enclaved Greek Cypriots and Maronites in Turkish-occupied territory.

    A te deum service in memory of the fallen was held at the Agios Ioannis Cathedral in Nicosia yesterday morning as part of the events organized. The service was officiated by Archbishop Chrysostomos and attended by President Glafcos Clerides.

    Also present on behalf of the Greek government was Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Under-secretary Christos Verelis and on behalf of the Parliament of Greece its second Vice-President Panayiotis Sgouridis, who also headed an inter-party delegation.

    In an address, Finance Minister Christodoulos Christodoulou praised the contribution of all those who resisted the invader and called on Cypriot Hellenism to rise to the occasion and face the future with faith and optimism.

    In the same framework of events, a te deum service was also held for the fallen at the Makedonitissa Monument yesterday morning.

    In a brief speech, President Clerides said "we give a sole promise today, that in no way will we hand over a smaller homeland to the coming generations."

    Speaking after the service, President Clerides said more profound skepticism is required at present on whether a solution will be found which will be a solution which will not have the possibility of a repetition of what has happened in the past.

    End of English language section.


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