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