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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-09-16

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 1290), September 16, 1997

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] Shevardnadze begins visit, friendship and co-operation pact signed
  • [02] ... Meeting with Stephanopoulos
  • [03] ... Parliament president
  • [04] ... V. Papandreou
  • [05] Albright says Clerides and Denktash to discuss security
  • [06] FM says Clerides to enter dialogue in 'constructive spirit'
  • [07] Denktash on demilitarization
  • [08] EU Council says Cyprus accession not linked with island's problem
  • [09] Paris proposal on Turkish attendance
  • [10] US-Greece-Turkey meeting not ruled out for next week
  • [11] Greek-Russian exercise aimed at reinforcing bilateral ties
  • [12] Greek military exercises
  • [13] PASOK says it won't support Avramopoulos for Athens mayor
  • [14] Gov't on Albright visit to Cyprus
  • [15] Turkey will always threaten Greece, Tsohatzopoulos says
  • [16] Synaspismos leader meets with Turkish party officials
  • [17] Greek, Bavarian police to co-operate on several sectors
  • [18] Bonn's reparations stance 'morally unacceptable'
  • [19] OA changes regular flight schedule to avoid delays
  • [20] Onassis Foundation awards int'l prizes
  • [21] Events in memory of Maria Callas conclude today
  • [22] Metropolitan Museum officials visit 'Treasures of Mount Athos'
  • [23] School year begins for ethnic Greeks in Albania
  • [24] Former president dismisses 'ramblings' of Spain's Sophia
  • [25] Small business owners to begin mobilizations
  • [26] Brussels to host Greek-Turkish-Cypriot meeting
  • [27] Three Iraqi Kurds killed in border minefield incident
  • [28] Several groups form anti-racism forum
  • [29] Greece sees Dr 11 trillion of projects in 2000-2006
  • [30] Greek retail sales volume up 2.2 percent in June
  • [31] Greek stocks end higher fueled by banks and construction
  • [32] Greece renews pledge to crack down on tax evaders
  • [33] Debtors owe Greece Dr 1.25 trillion
  • [34] EU jobless rate falls for first time in a year
  • [35] 62nd Thessaloniki International Fair comes to a close
  • [36] ATE plan to rescue ailing Mimikos poultry producer
  • [37] National Bank insurance firms merge under Ethniki Asfalistiki name

  • [01] Shevardnadze begins visit, friendship and co-operation pact signed

    Athens, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    Greece and Georgia yesterday signed a friendship and co-operation agreement during talks here between visiting Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze and Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

    Mr. Shevardnadze, who began a three-day official visit to Greece yesterday, met earlier with his Greek counterpart Kostis Stephanopoulos.

    The Georgian president will be awarded today the Onassis Foundation's prize for International Understanding and Social Achievement. He is also to visit the monastic community of Mount Athos.

    Signing the friendship and co-operation agreement with Mr. Simitis, Mr. Shevardnadze said the pact signaled the beginning of a "new era in relations between the two countries and their peoples."

    Mr. Simitis said after the meeting that Mr. Shevardnadze's visit to Greece was an indication that Greek foreign policy had yet another "pole", that of the Black Sea and the Caucasus.

    He said that over the past five years relations between Greece and Georgia had become steadily stronger, noting the centuries-old links between the two peoples, such as the Iviron Monastery on Mount Athos and the sizable ethnic Greek community in Georgia.

    Stressing the activity of Greek businesses in telecommunications, banking and construction in Georgia, Mr. Simitis said Greece aimed at expanding bilateral ties and trade. He said he had briefed Mr. Shevardnadze on Balkan issues, Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus problem and that there had been agreement on the need for relations between neighboring countries to be governed by international law, international treaties be applied and the resolution of problems be guided by United Nations resolutions.

    Noting Georgia's recent problems with the secessionist Abkhazia movement, Mr. Simitis stressed: "In all these things, solutions should not be found through force but should be the result of mutual understanding and be pursued on the basis of international law."

    Mr. Shevardnadze's receipt of the Onassis Foundation prize, Mr. Simitis continued, is an indication of Greece's esteem for his peace efforts and his contribution to efforts to "foster a climate of friendship and peace in Europe."

    The Georgian president said the main focus of his talks with Mr. Simitis and Mr. Stephanopoulos were the efforts being undertaken by the two countries to secure peace and stability in their regions and beyond.

    "The essential principle is that of territorial integrity of states," he said.

    He said his talks in Athens had focused on sectors which held promise for future co-operation between the two countries and spoke specifically of the telecommunications and transport sectors, as well as possibilities of co-operation in ship-building, farming and banking.

    Georgia has surpassed its economic problems, he noted, and has created "very favorable conditions to attract Greek investors which would undoubtedly help our country's economy".

    [02] ... Meeting with Stephanopoulos

    Athens, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    In his meeting with Mr. Stephanopoulos, Mr. Shevardnadze extended an invitation to his Greek counterpart to visit Tbilisi.

    The Georgian president's visit, Mr. Stephanopoulos said, "is the opportunity for the greater expansion of ties in the economic and cultural fields.

    He said the discussion - also attended by National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis and National Economy Under-secretary Alekos Baltas - focused on bilateral relations.

    Mr. Shevardnadze said his Athens visit afforded him the opportunity to "establish new principles for effective co-operation in the future".

    The two presidents discussed stability and security issues in the wider region, given the leading role played by Georgia in the Caucasus. Mr. Shevardnadze said that he "was aware of the Cyprus problem" and that in his meeting with Mr. Stephanopoulos " attention was focused on how existing problems can be resolved peacefully".

    "We agreed on more systematic contacts," he said, adding that he believed that Greece and Georgia could play a significant role in the peaceful settlement of problems in the region.

    Mr. Shevardnadze is accompanied by a ministerial delegation and businessmen, as well as representatives of the 80,000-strong ethnic Greek community in Georgia, which he called the "flesh and blood of the country".

    Mr. Stephanopoulos applauded Mr. Shevardnadze's role in ending the Cold War as well as in the stabilization of Georgia and the wider region, thanking him for declaring Greek an official language to be taught in Georgian schools.

    Within the framework of President Shevardnadze's visit to Greece, four co-operation agreements are expected to be signed between Georgian Foreign Minister Iraklis Menagarisvili and Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis, in the sectors of environment al development and protection, sports, state archives and statistics.

    [03] ... Parliament president

    Athens, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis also met with Mr. Shevardnadze, whom he assured that upon the opening of its sessions next month the Greek Parliament will ratify an agreement signed between the European Union (EU) and Georgia.

    Mr. Kaklamanis promised the Georgian president that Parliament will provide scientific and technical assistance to support Georgia's parliament.

    Issues examined during the meeting, which lasted for one hour, included bilateral relations, the Cyprus problem and peace and security concerns in the Aegean.

    Mr. Kaklamanis also expressed his pleasure at a recently announced decision for the teaching of Greek in Georgian schools.

    Earlier, Mr. Shevardnadze met representatives of Greece's political parties. During the meetings it was ascertained that Greece and Georgia had many common interests in the area of geostrategic concerns.

    The leader of the main opposition New Democracy party, Costas Karamanlis, who also had a meeting with Mr. Shevardnadze declined to comment.

    Ruling PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis described the president of the former Soviet republic as "a man of great knowledge and sensitivity in the hard times we live in", while Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos said "he is an historical person symbolizing the struggle for dialogue and peace, with an obvious perseverance on democratic development and stability, not only in Georgia but in the wider Caucasus and Black Sea regions".

    The Georgian president extended an invitation to Mr. Skandalidis and Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Demetris Tsovolas to visit his country.

    Last night President Stephanopoulos hosted an official dinner in honor of Mr. Shevardnadze at the Presidential Mansion.

    [04] ... V. Papandreou

    Athens, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    President Shevardnadze also had a meeting with Development Minister Vasso Papandreou, during which discussion focused on forms of co-operation in the sectors of electric power, renewable energy resources and oil exploration.

    Mr. Shevardnandze extended an invitation to Ms Papandreou to visit Georgia.

    He described a meeting he had late yesterday evening with repatriated nationals from Georgia to Greece, as utterly moving and sentimental.

    "I have the feeling I'm meeting my closest friends", he said.

    He stressed that the repatriated people were conceived a "bridge" towards a further development in relations between the two peoples.

    [05] Albright says Clerides and Denktash to discuss security

    Larnaca, 16/09/1997 (ANA/CNA)

    President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash will meet soon to discuss security issues, US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright announced here yesterday.

    Congratulating both leaders for "their wisdom and foresight", Ms. Albright described the development as "a substantial step", that would help "reduce tensions and improve the overall atmosphere for serious negotiations to tackle the core issues of the Cyprus problem".

    Ms. Albright, on a quick stop-over from Lebanon, returning to Washington, said both President Clerides and Mr. Denktash have informed State Department special coordinator for Cyprus Thomas Miller and US Ambassador to Cyprus Kenneth Brill of "their willingness to meet soon to discuss security issues".

    Mr. Miller left yesterday evening after a four-day visit to the island during which he discussed the Cyprus problem with President Clerides and Mr. Denktash. He also had meetings with UN resident representative Gustave Feissel and other foreign diplomats. Prior to his visit here, he held talks in Greece and Turkey.

    "Today's agreement represents a significant step in the right direction", Ms. Albright said, adding that it "symbolizes the same spirit to settle differences peacefully and not through the threat of force", citing as a similar example the agreement reached between the leaderships of Greece and Turkey in Madrid earlier this year.

    She reaffirmed the commitment of President Bill Clinton to a resolution of the Cyprus problem, pointing to the appointment of Richard Holbrooke as presidential envoy for Cyprus as "concrete manifestation of the American commitment to use all resources a t our disposal to help the people of Cyprus help themselves".

    The date of the Clerides-Denktash meeting has not been set yet.

    Ms. Albright said the US looks forward to the further reduction of tensions through the talks that herself, Ambassador Holbrooke, Assistant Secretary Marc Grossman, and Mr. Miller will be conducting next week in New York with officials from the region.

    Both Ms. Albright and Mr. Miller departed yesterday evening for the US.

    [06] FM says Clerides to enter dialogue in 'constructive spirit'

    Nicosia, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    President Clerides will enter the dialogue with Mr. Denktash on security issues in a "constructive spirit", Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said later.

    In a written statement, Mr. Kasoulides said "President Clerides has today (yesterday) accepted the proposal by US State Department special coordinator for Cyprus, Thomas Miller, to start a dialogue with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in Nicosia under the auspices of UN resident representative Gustave Feissel, to discuss all issues concerning security, without any pre-conditions or a set agenda".

    Mr. Kasoulides makes note of President Clerides' proposal, during last month's second round of UN-sponsored direct talks in Switzerland to enter a dialogue in Nicosia on security issues.

    "It was proposed that all issues mentioned in recent UN resolutions on Cyprus that concern, armed forces, armaments and measures to reduce tension on the demarcation line, should as a first step, be discussed within the framework of a program for the complete demilitarization of Cyprus", he said.

    Finally, Mr. Kasoulides stressed that Mr. Clerides will enter the dialogue with "a constructive spirit and willingness to promote the aforesaid goals".

    [07] Denktash on demilitarization

    Nicosia, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    On his part, Mr. Denktash said yesterday that President Clerides' proposal regarding demilitarization of the island could only be taken up after a solution to the Cyprus problem, according to an Anadolu dispatch from the Turkish-occupied part of Nicosia.

    Mr. Denktash made the statement before meeting with Mr. Miller.

    "Clerides' demilitarization proposal could only be negotiated after a solution based on the equality of the two communities living in Cyprus," Mr. Denktash was reported as saying.

    [08] EU Council says Cyprus accession not linked with island's problem

    Brussels, 16/09/1997 (ANA - M. Savva)

    Cyprus' accession talks to the EU will start six months after the conclusion of the Intergovernmental Conference and are connected with the Cyprus problem.

    This was stressed here yesterday in a joint statement adopted by the foreign ministers of the 15 EU states after a discussion regarding Cyprus' accession process. The IGC is expected to conclude on October 2 with the signing of the Amsterdam Treaty.

    Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou are attending the EU General Affairs Council.

    In the statement, the council said that the accession talks are definitely not linked with efforts to solve the Cyprus issue and expressed its regrets that the two rounds of direct talks held over the summer between the two sides did not meet with success.

    The schedule for opening accession talks had been decided by the European Council in 1995.

    EU member-states expressed satisfaction over the stance of the Cyprus government, which has invited representatives of the Turkish Cypriot side to attend in the accession negotiating group.

    They also noted they are awaiting from all sides to work in a constructive manner and in good faith.

    In the statement, the 15 council members condemned any actions that could endanger Cyprus' territorial integrity, and any statement that could harm efforts by the United Nations secretary general in trying to solve the issue.

    All proposals to include in the statement a positive statement on Turkey's prospects of joining the EU met with strong resistance from the presidency of the council.

    [09] Paris proposal on Turkish attendance

    Brussels, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    Meanwhile, a proposal by France for a European conference that will include nations being considered for accession and Turkey will not be decided on until October, according to sources yesterday.

    The proposal will be voted on after the October 2 signing of the Amsterdam Treaty, the revised Maastricht treaty agreement by the 15 EU members.

    The issue of the conference came up yesterday on the occasion of discussion for negotiations to expand EU membership, due to begin for the first wave of nominees early in 1998.

    The first wave of expansion includes Cyprus, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Estonia and Slovenia.

    According to an AFP dispatch from Brussels, French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine said at the sidelines of the EU Council of Ministers that the majority of the EU members favors the participation of Turkey in the European conference together with the six prospective member-states.

    No country vetoed that proposal, he was quoted as saying, but Germany expressed reservations.

    [10] US-Greece-Turkey meeting not ruled out for next week

    Washington, 16/09/1997 (ANA - T. Ellis)

    US State Department spokesman James Foley did not rule out yesterday the possibility of a meeting between the foreign ministers of Greece and Turkey along with US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright at the sidelines of next week's United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York.

    Ms Albright "had a very constructive meeting with her counterparts of Turkey and Greece in Madrid. If the leaders are willing to return to the Madrid spirit, then such a meeting could become constructive," the spokesman said. It was necessary to have "a return to an atmosphere that is indicative of the intention of both sides to approach one another as colleagues looking for common solutions to the differences keeping them apart," he added.

    [11] Greek-Russian exercise aimed at reinforcing bilateral ties

    Athens, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    A joint Greek-Russian military exercise due to begin today is not directed against any third party, government spokesman Demetris Reppas said yesterday.

    He noted that following the major changes that had taken place in the world, "military accords between countries have been made which would not have been considered permissible in the past".

    The exercise due to begin today, he said, was aimed at "bilateral friendship and co-operation".

    Meanwhile, he added in response to a question that no final decisions had been made with regard to the country's armaments program. "(These decisions) will be reached based on the country's requirements, and not on the country of origin (of the armaments)," he said.

    [12] Greek military exercises

    Athens, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    The Hellenic Navy exercises "Kataigida '97" (Storm) started in the Saronic gulf, the Cyclades, and the Aegean yesterday.

    They will end on Sept. 19.

    The annual "Filippos '97" is taking place at the same time in western Macedonia, with the participation of army and air force units.

    [13] PASOK says it won't support Avramopoulos for Athens mayor

    Athens, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    Ruling PASOK will definitely not support current Athens Mayor Demetris Avramopoulos as a candidate of common acceptance for the same position, government spokesman Demetris Reppas said yesterday.

    Mr. Reppas said PASOK members had started proposing candidates that might be supported by more than one party, but the official process of deciding had not begun.

    Mr. Avramopoulos was elected on the party ticket of New Democracy, the main opposition. During the last elections, PASOK had supported Theodoros Pangalos, currently foreign minister.

    The spokesman said that before specific individuals could be nominated, platforms had to be worked out.

    [14] Gov't on Albright visit to Cyprus

    Athens, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    Government spokesman Demetris Reppas yesterday expressed the certainty that US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who made a brief stop over in Cyprus yesterday, would be briefed on the positions of all sides and that she would realize that all the Cypriot government's views on the issue were just.

    Mr. Reppas noted that Ms Albright had shown interest in the Cyprus problem even before assuming her current post, and had raised the idea of a military dialogue.

    Meanwhile, with regard to statements by European Union Council of Ministers president, Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jacques Poos on Cyprus' accession to the EU, Mr. Reppas recalled Mr. Poos' categorical declaration that accession procedures would begin as scheduled.

    The purchase of S-300 missiles from Russia would have no bearing on this process, he said, since the EU would come to a decision based on socio-economic criteria.

    Commenting on reports that Russia would not be able to meet its commitments regarding the missiles, Mr. Reppas said Russia had given guarantees, and had confirmed its commitment in a telephone call yesterday between representatives of both governments.

    Referring to Mr. Poos' statement regarding a crisis in Greek- Turkish relations, the government spokesman said that Greece would assume initiatives so that its proposal that member-states' borders be viewed as the borders of the EU itself, a proposal which had been accepted by the EU, would be respected.

    [15] Turkey will always threaten Greece, Tsohatzopoulos says

    Athens, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    Turkey constitutes a permanent steady threat of strategic nature for Greece, and nobody can expect that negotiations, improvements and regulations of specific topics will put an end to the threat, National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said yesterday.

    Addressing the opening of the National Defense School, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that it was necessary to upgrade defense for that reason and to improve the quality of the training in personnel.

    He added that Greece could also play a special role in regional security, and towards that means it had already taken initiatives in promoting regional security in the Balkans, southeastern Europe, the Black Sea and the Caucasus region.

    [16] Synaspismos leader meets with Turkish party officials

    Istanbul, 16/09/1997 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

    The Ecumenical Patriarchate is of historical importance and can provide historic opportunities in today's world, Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos said here yesterday.

    On the sidelines of an official visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Mr. Constantopoulos met with officials from the Turkish Popular Republican Party (CHP).

    Following the meeting, the Synaspismos leader said "the Patriarchate can generate ties" between Greece and Turkey, adding that it "is a presence of historical importance and (provides) historic opportunities in today's world".

    Mr. Constantopoulos also met with deputy and former minister of state Algan Hadjaloglu, as well as the president of the CHP Istanbul branch, with whom he discussed his October official visit to Ankara. In Turkey, he also paid a visit to the Phanar district and the Halki Theology School on the Sea of Marmara island.

    [17] Greek, Bavarian police to co-operate on several sectors

    Bonn, 16/09/1997 (ANA - P. Stangos)

    Public Order Minister George Romeos and the interior minister of Bavaria, Gunther Beckstein, have agreed to co-operation between Greek Police (EL.AS) and Bavarian police in several special sectors, such as policing land borders and electronic controls to ascertain the genuine nature of travel documents and identity cards.

    Mr. Romeos, who is in Munich at the invitation of Mr. Beckstein, told the Greek program of Bavarian Radio that in light of the ambitious, as he said, modernization program for EL.AS in the sectors of organization, training, technical and material infrastructure, he looks forward to an exchange of experiences on ways to combat organized crime.

    A leading issue in talks he held with Mr. Beckstein was also that of illegal immigration and of technical means to police borders, where the special German police BGS and the Bavarian police, in particular, have experience, both in connection with illegal immigration and smuggling.

    On his part, Mr. Beckstein expressed his interest on how the US-based quasi-religious Scientology group (known as "KEFE" in Greece) was banned from operating and recruiting members in Greece, since the German minister had repeatedly sought the same in Bavaria. Mr. Beckstein was opposed by German courts on the issue, accepting only the request to have the multinational organization placed under surveillance.

    [18] Bonn's reparations stance 'morally unacceptable'

    Athens, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    The vice-president of Germany's Party of Democratic Socialism, Silvi-Yvon Kauffman, yesterday condemned Bonn's refusal to respond to demands regarding war reparations, raised over the past few years by Greece. During an event organized by the international relations department of the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) party in Athens, Ms Kaufman said the fact that Germany was reluctant to respond to Greece's demands was "politically and morally unacceptable".

    An announcement by Synaspismos said the party had adopted a proposal by former PASOK minister George Mangakis on the establishment of a Greek-German team to work on the issue.

    [19] OA changes regular flight schedule to avoid delays

    Athens, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    Olympic Airways (OA) yesterday decided to make changes to its regular schedule of flights in order to avoid further problems caused by flight attendants' work-to-rule actions.

    OA's managing director and general director were given authority by the state-owned company's board to take all necessary measures to minimize trouble both to passengers and OA, resulting from further action by flight attendants.

    The Association of Flight Attendants, whose work-to-rule action last week caused serious delays in OA flights, had earlier given OA a 48-hour deadline to change the schedule of flights to avert further problems.

    The decision was taken during last night's meeting of the association, following OA's refusal to accept a demand by flight attendants to regard newly employed staff as cadets, rather than seasonal personnel coming under Law 2140.

    [20] Onassis Foundation awards int'l prizes

    Athens, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    The Alexander S. Onassis Foundation is presenting its biennial awards at the Megaron Concert Hall this morning.

    The awards cover three areas and carry a prize of US$250,000 each.

    Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze, on an official visit to Greece, will be presented with the Onassis Prize for International Understanding and Social Achievement.

    Byzantine historian and scholar Sir Steven Runciman and Dolly Goulandris, founder of the pioneering Goulandris Museum of Natural History, will share the prize in the category for Culture.

    The Onassis Prize for the Environment will be awarded to the International Maritime Organization, the United Nations agency responsible for maritime safety and protection from pollution by ships.

    The awards, which were announced months ahead of the ceremony, will be handed out by President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos.

    [21] Events in memory of Maria Callas conclude today

    Athens, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    Events commemorating the 20th anniversary of the death of Maria Callas conclude throughout Europe today with a concert by winners of an international competition in her name. The concert, organized by city of Athens, will be conducted by Louli Psychouli. Musicians invited from orchestras in Europe will form an orchestra in Callas' memory.

    State Television ET-1 has scheduled extensive features on Callas for the next three days. EMI-classics, the only company Callas recorded for, has completed the re-release of her performances, which have been technically processed to improve sound.

    Callas recorded 32 complete operas, 11 recitals in studios, 2 albums with rare gravures and a double compact disc, all of which have been included in a commemorative edition by EMI. European events honoring Callas conclude today with a concert at the ancient theater of Ostia, Italy. The concert will be transmitted live.

    [22] Metropolitan Museum officials visit 'Treasures of Mount Athos'

    Athens, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    Representatives from the Metropolitan Museum in New York yesterday visited the exhibition "Treasures of Mount Athos", currently on display at Thessaloniki's Byzantine Museum.

    The Metropolitan Museum hosted an extensive exhibition this year entitled "The Glory of Byzantium", which ended a few months ago.

    That exhibition focused on presenting the life of an entire empire, in the boundaries of which the monastic community of Mount Athos was established.

    Metropolitan curator of medieval and Byzantine antiquities, Helen Evans, described 1997 as a great year for the Byzantine civilization, underlining that "both exhibitions supplemented each other and succeeded in uniquely presenting Byzantium's intense activity."

    [23] School year begins for ethnic Greeks in Albania

    Gjirokaster, 16/09/1997 (ANA - D. Tsaka)

    The new school year began yesterday for the ethnic Greeks of Albania, with students beginning their first year of primary school in Gjirokaster, Delvine and Sarande.

    Eleven new students enrolled for school in Gjirokaster, seven in Delvine and two entire classes in Sarande.

    Greece's consul general Costas Kakiousis toured the schools in the region in the morning.

    [24] Former president dismisses 'ramblings' of Spain's Sophia

    Athens, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    Former president of the republic Constantine Karamanlis issued a statement yesterday commenting on what he said were "inaccurate ramblings" in references to himself in a book by Queen Sophia of Spain, sister of Greece's ex-king Constantine.

    Queen Sophia's book was recently published in Greek.

    The statement noted that the form of regime in Greece had been decided in a referendum in 1974 that abolished the monarchy.

    Mr. Karamanlis pointed out that in July 1973 (during the military dictatorship in Greece) both he and ex-king Constantine had committed themselves to holding a referendum once the Greek people had regained their sovereign rights, in order that they them selves could decide as to the type of regime they wanted.

    [25] Small business owners to begin mobilizations

    Athens, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    Small and medium-size enterprise owners will start mobilizing following a decision by their confederation (GSEBEE) in Thessaloniki yesterday.

    The decision was made to protest the rapidly deteriorating status of their sector, they said, charging that the government was ignoring their problems.

    [26] Brussels to host Greek-Turkish-Cypriot meeting

    Athens, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    Businessmen and scholars from Greece, Turkey and Cyprus will discuss the benefits arising from a Cyprus accession to the European Union at a special meeting in Brussels in November, according to reports.

    The meeting has been organized on the initiative of the United States in co-operation with the European Commission.

    [27] Three Iraqi Kurds killed in border minefield incident

    Athens, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    Three Iraqi illegal immigrants of Kurdish descent were killed and 11 injured early yesterday when they stepped into a marked minefield near the Evros River on the Greek-Turkish border.

    Military bomb-disposal experts worked into the early morning hours to extricate the injured, six of them in critical condition.

    According to reports, the incident occurred at 2:30 a.m. when the illegals attempted to cross into Greek territory and wandered into the minefield near the region of Nea Vissa, Orestiada.

    Another 48 Kurdish would-be immigrants who were outside the minefield were detained for illegal entry. The injured were taken to nearby Didimotiho hospital.

    "It would have been a greater tragedy if the other illegal immigrants had entered the field, which is clearly marked with reinforced barbed wire fences," a police spokesman said.

    Government spokesman Demetris Reppas later expressed regrets at the deaths of the three and told reporters that the 11 injured were not in a critical condition.

    "Illegal immigration is a major problem poisoning Greek-Turkish relations. The international community must concern itself and, in view of this terrible incident, the need for Turkey to assume its responsibilities has once again been highlighted," Mr. Reppas said.

    The illegal immigrants who survived and are being held at the Orestiada police station laid the blame for the incident on the Turkish slave-traders, who they said received a close to US$50,000 for the entire group.

    They told police they had agreed to be transported to the Greek-Turkish border, where another slave-trader would take them by truck to Athens.

    When nobody appeared for two hours, the 62 illegal immigrants decided to walk across, believing the wire fence marked the borders between the two countries, and not knowing it contained a minefield.

    The fenced off area has been reinforced with wire that is 1.70 meters in height to prevent such incidents.

    [28] Several groups form anti-racism forum

    Athens, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    A Forum of Social and Youth Organizations for Human Rights has been founded by some 53 groups representing minorities, immigrants, humanitarian groups and youth groups of all political parties, except from the Communist Youth of Greece (KNE).

    The forum, operating under the auspices of the General Secretariat for Youth, has branches throughout Greece. Its immediate goals are creation of a hot-line for reporting discrimination and an anti-racism conference in November.

    At a press conference yesterday, the Forum's president, representing homosexuals, drew attention to article six of the revised Maastricht treaty which prohibits any discrimination on the basis of color, sex, ideology or sexual orientation.

    Forum vice-president Halim Abdul Dede, representing minorities of Thrace, charged that the state's efforts to create conditions of equality for all the province's citizens were being undermined.

    [29] Greece sees Dr 11 trillion of projects in 2000-2006

    Athens, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    Greece hopes to carry out infrastructure projects worth 11 trillion drachmas between 2000 and 2006 under a new package of European Union funds.

    Funds from the newly created 3rd Community Framework, which is currently being discussed by the EU, are expected to total eight trillion drachmas for Greece. The government would contribute another three trillion drachmas.

    The figures emerged from statements by National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou yesterday following an informal weekend meeting in Luxembourg of the EU's economy and finance ministers.

    The new funds, also known as the Santer package, are to replace the expiring second support framework.

    [30] Greek retail sales volume up 2.2 percent in June

    Athens, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    Greek retail sales volume increased by 2.1 percent in the first six months of the year compared with the corresponding period in 1996, the National Statistics Service (NSS) said yesterday.

    In its monthly release of retail sales data, NSS said that the volume of sales rose by 2.2 percent in June.

    [31] Greek stocks end higher fueled by banks and construction

    Athens, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    Greek equities ended the first trading session of the week substantially higher reflecting renewed buying interest in banking and construction issues.

    The general index closed 1.64 percent higher at 1,681.81 points with all sector indices scoring gains.

    Banks rose 2.17 percent, Leasing was 0.34 percent higher, Insurance ended 1.36 percent up, Investments increased 0.64 percent, Industrials rose 1.82 percent, Construction jumped 2.30 percent, Holding was 2.97 percent up and Miscellaneous ended 2.10 percent higher.

    The parallel market index ended 0.77 percent higher.

    Trading was heavy and turnover was 27.5 billion drachmas.

    Broadly, advancers led decliners by 142 to 62 with another 25 issues unchanged.

    Intrasoft, Altec, Sysware, Vis, Bank of Attica, Pouliades and Petzetakis scored the biggest percentage gains, while Nafpaktos Mills, Klonatex and Elve Clothing suffered the heaviest losses.

    National Bank of Greece ended at 34,630 drachmas, Ergobank at 18,300, Alpha Credit Bank at 19,890, Delta Dairy at 4,290, Titan Cement at 16,390 and Intracom at 14,140. Hellenic Telecommunications Organization ended at 6,765, off 65 drachmas, in heavy volume of 284,510 shares.

    [32] Greece renews pledge to crack down on tax evaders

    Athens, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    Greece will pursue its drive against tax dodgers, giving offenders sleepless nights, National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said yesterday.

    The crackdown already underway has focused on large-scale evaders.

    "They'll be losing their sleep in coming years," Mr. Papantoniou said after an informal weekend meeting of European Union economy and finance ministers in Luxembourg.

    The socialist government's main weapons in the fight against rampant tax evasion are its financial crimes squad, which carries out lightning checks on suspect enterprises, and a computer system still being phased in.

    The EU ministers discussed a proposal by the Commission, the EU's executive arm, to adopt a code of conduct in taxation on compensation and companies in order to reduce violations.

    [33] Debtors owe Greece Dr 1.25 trillion

    Athens, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    Major debtors to the Greek state total 4,462 with money owed exceeding 1.25 trillion drachmas, Finance Under-secretary George Drys said yesterday.

    Mr. Drys said that a list of debtors who owe more than five million drachmas each to the state would be published by the end of October.

    The data on moneys owed came from a survey by the informatics department of Athens University, he said.

    According to the survey, 98.5 percent of debtors were from the private sector and 1.5 percent from the public sector. However, public sector debtors owed 59 percent of the total.

    Mr. Drys said that 91.9 percent of debtors owed more than 100 million drachmas, while another 57 percent owed between 10 and 50 million.

    The commerce sector included the largest number of debtors to the state.

    Out of the total debt of 1.25 trillion drachmas, six percent resulted from direct taxes, 10 percent from indirect taxes and 44 percent from loans.

    [34] EU jobless rate falls for first time in a year

    Athens, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    European Union unemployment fell in June to 10.7 percent and again in July to 10.6 percent for the first time since October 1996, since when it had stood at 10.8 percent, Eurostat, the EU's statistics office, said.

    The good summer results were due mainly to a drop in jobless rates in Britain, the Scandinavian countries, Portugal and Spain, where the rate fell below 20 percent for the first time since October 1992, Eurostat said.

    But the "encouraging trend" did not extend to Germany where unemployment rose to 9.7 percent in June from 9.6 percent in May.

    The EU's current unemployment rate of 10.6 percent means 18.0 million people are out of work in the 15-nation bloc. It compares with 5.0 percent in the United States and 3.4 percent in Japan, both in June.

    Following are the June and July jobless rates for the EU compared with July 96. Eurostat's latest figures were for May.

    		June	July	July 1996
    Belgium		9.6	9.6	9.7
    Denmark		6.1	na	7.3
    Germany		9.7	9.7	8.8
    Greece		na	na	na
    Spain		20.2	19.9	22.0
    France		12.6	12.6	12.5
    Ireland		10.8	10.8	11.9
    Italy		na	na	12.0
    Luxembourg	3.7	3.8	3.3
    Netherlands	5.7	na	6.4
    Austria		4.5	4.5	4.4
    Portugal	6.4	6.3	7.3
    Finland		14.3	12.5	15.3
    Sweden		10.8	10.5	10.1
    Britain		7.0	6.9	8.2
    EU 15		10.7	10.6	10.9
    
    na = not available
    

    [35] 62nd Thessaloniki International Fair comes to a close

    Athens, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    The 62nd Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) came to a close last night, with figures pointing to increased attendance.

    An announcement issued by the state-run exhibition's (HELEXPO) organizers shortly before it closed its doors to the public said that although the number of commercial agreements signed during TIF could not as yet be accurately assessed, the high number of visitors throughout the fair was noted.

    According to HELEXPO, the number of entrance tickets sold recorded an increase of 9.42 per cent in comparison to last year's figures.

    [36] ATE plan to rescue ailing Mimikos poultry producer

    Athens, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    Agricultural Bank of Greece (ATE) approved a plan yesterday to rescue and restructure the ailing poultry producer Mimikos Bros. S.A.

    An announcement by ATE's leadership said the state bank's intervention was aimed, firstly, at safeguarding the institution's own economic interests, since it owed a little more than 15 billion drachmas, and secondly, at preventing the firm's closure.

    The ATE decision provides for a new managing director to be assigned by the bank, as well as granting controllable funding to meet the company's immediate financial obligations, as well as a number of measures aimed at selling the entire or part of Mimikos.

    [37] National Bank insurance firms merge under Ethniki Asfalistiki name

    Athens, 16/09/1997 (ANA)

    The Ethniki Asfalistiki insurance company has become a major insurance player in the Greek market after merging with the firms Astir, Panellinios and ETEBA Asfalistiki, with a primary goal of expanding into the Balkans and eastern Europe.

    Development Minister Vasso Papandreou expressed satisfaction over the development, while inaugurating an Ethniki Asfalistiki sales conference.

    Addressing the conference, National Bank Governor Theodoros Karatzas said the merging of the four insurance companies of the National Bank's group is part of the group's wider strategic restructuring.

    The president of the new Ethniki Asfalistiki and current National Bank deputy governor Costas Stamoulis said the new firm already covers more than 20 per cent of the local market, while by the year 1999 it will control about a quarter of the insurance market and more specifically 23 per cent of life insurance, 28 per cent of automobile insurance and 26 per cent of the remaining sectors. Expansion of Ethniki Asfalistiki into neighboring countries will start in a few months' time from Romania, while the new company will possess 100 branch offices, 185 production offices, 900 insurance agents and 4.500 insurance and financial advisers.

    Five hundred National Bank branches and 100 belonging to the National Mortgage Bank must be added to them.

    The Athens Stock Exchange has also approved the merging of Astir and Ethniki Asfalistiki.

    End of English language section.


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