Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-10-11

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 1311), October 11, 1997

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

CONTENTS

[01] Interior minister unveils local gov't merger draft bill to KEDKE

[02] Avramopoulos

[03] First exhibition on conference tourism this weekend in Faliro

[04] Bogota to back Greece's bid for UN Security Council

[05] Simitis opens PASOK conference on education reforms

[06] Holbrooke in Ankara on Sunday for talks

[07] State Dept. clarification

[08] Possible US weapons sale to Greece, Turkey reported

[09] Yilmaz: 'Spirit of Madrid dead'

[10] Turkish threats strain relations with Athens, Moscow

[11] Reppas comments on State Department list

[12] Tsohatzopoulos in Cyprus next week to attend military exercise

[13] Kaklamanis on national Parliaments

[14] Proposal to spread knowledge of ancient Greek

[15] Cabinet examines crime issues, metro

[16] Metro

[17] Solana brings Greek, Turkish NATO reps together

[18] Stephanopoulos addresses CoE summit

[19] Stephanopoulos meets Albanian president at CoE summit

[20] Meeting on foreign policy chaired by Kranidiotis

[21] Pangalos presents planned reforms for foreign ministry

[22] Liani-Papandreou book signing marred by incident

[23] New book by Greek professor outlines German crisis

[24] Reppas denies PASOK MPs breaking party ranks

[25] Immigrants to get health care, in new campaign from health ministry

[26] Greece blames contractors for Athens Metro debacle

[27] OTE managing director appointed ATE governor

[28] Greek stocks slump on profit-taking

[29] Greek equities end week flat despite setting new highs

[30] Noted film directors in Athens

[31] Petrified forest reveals 20-million-year history

[01] Interior minister unveils local gov't merger draft bill to KEDKE

Athens, 11/10/1997 (ANA)

The bill - named after modern Greece's first governor, Ioannis Kapodistrias - provides for the creation of 804 new municipal councils, which together with existing ones in the Attica and Thessaloniki prefectures, and the 133 community councils which re main intact, will lower the total number of local government organizations (OTA) to 1,033, from 5,775 today.

The bill ensures the representation in the new municipal councils of communities whose autonomous administration is abolished, by stipulating the presence of at least one councilor for communities of more than 300 residents, which are renamed municipal departments. Each department will continue electing local councils, numbering three councilors for populations up to 300, five for more than 300 and seven for more than 2,500.

The reform will be financially supported with 1.025 trillion drachmas until 2002. The bill retains all tax privileges for the residents of small villages and the existing definition of mountainous and disadvantaged areas.

Mr. Papadopoulos reiterated that there would be no changes in the planned mergers, but promised there would be a full debate on all other aspects of the bill, which, he said, was only the beginning of far-reaching administrative reform.

"This great institutional incision and reform begins, rather than ends today. It will require at least five years of hard work so that we may found a different kind of strong municipalities, for the countryside to be revitalized for life to take root in our declining villages" he emphasized.

Mr. Papadopoulos rejected main opposition New Democracy's claims of unconstitutionality of "Kapodistrias", and said reactions by councils now being abolished, such as the rally in Athens last Thursday, were "non-existent" and "a sorry sight".

[02] Avramopoulos

Athens, 11/10/1997 (ANA)

He also praised the personality of the interior minister, saying "it is fortunate that such an effort is headed by a personality of the authority, courage and sensitivity of Mr. Papadopoulos, who assumes the responsibility for such decisions."

Finally, he cautioned that the promise for financial support for the mergers must be implemented, "because local government continues to be one of the victims of central authority."

[03] First exhibition on conference tourism this weekend in Faliro

Athens, 11/10/1997 (ANA)

[04] Bogota to back Greece's bid for UN Security Council

Athens, 11/10/1997 (ANA)

After the talks, Mr. Pangalos told reporters that Greece would support Colombia's participation in the United Nations Economic and Social Council while Bogota would back Greece in its bid to join the UN Security Council for the period 1999-2000.

Mr. Pangalos said that a framework for bilateral economic and technological co-operation which had recently been ratified had already begun to strengthen economic ties between the two countries.

Within this framework, Mr. Pangalos announced that the Powder and Cartridge Company (PYRKAL) was about to secure a major order from Colombia for materials which, Mr. Simmonds clarified, would be used in the fight against drug-related crime.

Noting that narcotics had become a major problem for Greece, Mr. Pangalos said that an institutional framework was being prepared to pave the way for closer co-operation between the police forces of the two countries. Thanking Mr. Pangalos for the Greek government's assistance in the staging of the Colombian cultural events here, Mr. Simmonds expressed the hope that Bogota could host a similar event featuring Greek culture. Owing to its rich cultural heritage, Mr. Simmonds said, Bogota is oft en regarded as the Athens of Latin America.

[05] Simitis opens PASOK conference on education reforms

Athens, 11/10/1997 (ANA)

The conference is attended by 650 representatives including teachers, parents and deans from all over Greece.

In his opening speech, Mr. Simitis noted that the educational system failed to adapt to changing socioeconomic conditions, despite changes introduced.

"PASOK has accomplished a varied reform program in education during its rule," the prime minister said.

"Despite, however, its serious interventions, Greek education still has serious problems that require the present reform we are trying to do. We should say here that quite a few educational issues had already been ready to be applied by the end of the ' 80s, but we did not proceed to the necessary and socially acceptable institutional interventions, perhaps out of fear for the political cost," he explained.

Following Mr. Simitis on the podium, Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis said the reforms would place the foundations of education policy for the next century.

He said he was not afraid of opposition to the reforms but of cloak-and-dagger resistance.

"The war will be fought between information and misinformation, and this meeting's goal is to inform the Greek family about the content of the reform," he said.

Mr. Arsenis said by 2000 there will be over 40 university programs and the Greek equivalent of the "Open University" is also expected to absorb many students.

The education minister was followed by PASOK secretary Costas Skandalidis, who said that the party's participation in the educational reform "is in harmony with the systematic effort of applying and completing its programs and the systematic promotion of its goals."

[06] Holbrooke in Ankara on Sunday for talks

Istanbul, 11/10/1997 (ANA/A. Kourkoulas)

According to diplomatic sources, Mr. Holbrooke is to meet with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem tomorrow and with Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz on Monday, as well as with Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and the deputy chief of staff General Cevit Dir.

Mr. Holbrooke will then fly on to Nicosia.

[07] State Dept. clarification

Washington, 11/10/1997 (ANA/T. Ellis)

"We are in an active process of discussions on how we can help the parts come to a conclusion. We believe now is the right moment to continue the process with Ankara," he said.

He added that State Department special coordinator for Cyprus, Tom Miller, who would be accompanying Mr. Holbrooke, would also be visiting Athens.

Another State Department official clarified that Mr. Holbrooke's mission was focused on the Cyprus issue, but also concerned Greek-Turkish relations.

Mr. Rubin also noted that "Messrs. Holbrooke and Miller held extensive discussions with Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides in New York and are looking forward to the meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash at the end of the month in the US".

Finally, he clarified that Mr. Holbrooke was not going to negotiate but simply to hold discussions with the Turkish leadership.

Meanwhile, an ANA dispatch from Nicosia said that according to sources, Mr. Holbrooke would meet President Clerides in the Cypriot capital on Tuesday.

[08] Possible US weapons sale to Greece, Turkey reported

Washington, 11/10/1997 (ANA/T. Ellis)

The US Pentagon also announced a possible sale to Turkey of 138 AIM-120 (AVRAAM) advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles, 120 LAU-129 A/A launchers, containers, spare and repair parts, valued at $62 million. Turkey needed the items, the US Pentagon claimed, to improve its F-16 fighters.

Finally, the US Defense Department announced that the Greek government had also requested a possible sale of 90 AIM-120 missiles and support systems, but without the launchers. The value of the purchase is estimated at $42 million, while the missiles will be added to the 150 already in Greece's arsenal, the announcement said.

As is common in such cases, the Pentagon stressed the possible sales would not upset the strategic balance in the area, while also promoting the aims of the foreign and defense policy of the US. It also claimed that it would not hamper US efforts to encourage a solution of the Cyprus problem. The Harpoon is a ship-launched over-the-horizon weapon with a low-level, sea-skimming trajectory.

[09] Yilmaz: 'Spirit of Madrid dead'

Nicosia, 11/10/1997 (ANA/G. Leonidas)

Asked if he believes the spirit of Madrid will be rekindled during an upcoming Balkan summit on Crete and subsequent meeting with Mr. Simitis, he said he held out some hope. Mr. Yilmaz also said he was hopeful that a written agreement may come about.

Earlier yesterday morning, the Turkish premier walked out of the CoE assembly hall during a speech by President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos.

[10] Turkish threats strain relations with Athens, Moscow

Athens, 11/10/1997 (ANA)

Asked to comment on the Russian ambassador's statements, government spokesman Demetris Reppas said "the same holds if a Greek vessel is attacked".

"The aggressive designs and statements of Turkish representatives regarding strikes against the vessels of other countries" were putting a strain on good relations between states, Mr. Reppas said.

He added however that he did not believe such a development was likely "since everything is quite legal" and in line with the interests which any government would want to protect. The Cyprus government has taken a decision to purchase Russian-made S-300 ground-to-air missiles to bolster the defense of the island republic. The decision has drawn threats from Turkey, which has warned Nicosia not to go ahead with the installation.

[11] Reppas comments on State Department list

Athens, 11/10/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Reppas underlined however that Greece had a much better level of security than other countries which "supposedly have more advanced systems and mechanisms for combating such phenomena".

"In Greece we do not have indiscriminate and mass attacks," Mr. Reppas said, adding that terrorist targets here were specific individuals.

[12] Tsohatzopoulos in Cyprus next week to attend military exercise

Athens, 11/10/1997 (ANA)

"Toxotis" is being held in conjunction with the Cypriot armed forces exercise "Nikiforos" which is already in progress in the island republic.

The exercises will be watched by National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos who is scheduled to visit Cyprus on Monday.

During his stay on the island, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos will have talks with Cyprus' political leaders and state officials.

Both exercises will end on October 15.

[13] Kaklamanis on national Parliaments

Athens, 11/10/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Kaklamanis stressed the role which the national Parliaments, as well as that of Europe, can play in the course towards European unification with a social image.

"The peoples of Europe need their more intense presence in processes concerning European unification to enable the European Union to meet the expectations of not only the small countries, but particularly those of the weaker social classes," he said.

[14] Proposal to spread knowledge of ancient Greek

Athens, 11/10/1997 (ANA)

[15] Cabinet examines crime issues, metro

Athens, 11/10/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Reppas said Prime Minister Costas Simitis, who chaired the meeting, had called on his ministers to expand the level of co-operation between ministries so as to meet the government's policy goals. The war against organized crime, narcotics, illegal immigration as well as lessening traffic congestion were discussed at the meeting.

The Cabinet approved Public Order Minister George Romeos' proposals for financing of Greek Police's new procurements program and reorganization of the force to rationalize personnel.

According to reports, the public order ministry is particularly skeptical over the increased presence of foreign criminals in Greece.

This was disclosed by Mr. Romeos at the Cabinet meeting.

However, he pointed out that according to figures provided by the ministry, a decrease appears in serious crimes, such as murders, bank robberies and rapes, in comparison with the two six-month periods in 1996. A small decrease also appeared in thefts, while drug-related crimes increased.

Mr. Romeos stressed that organized crime in Greece, according to characteristics given to organized crime by the European Union, does not exist, and probably the only case which could possibly be included in organized crime is the case of the Russian national Aleksandr Solonik, who was found murdered in Varymbombi.

With regard to foreigners, Greece is facing a special problem primarily due to the great length and nature of its borders. In the first half of 1997, 234,709 Albanian illegal immigrants were sent back to Albania or prevented from illegally entering Greece, as well as 5,417 people other nationalities.

[16] Metro

Athens, 11/10/1997 (ANA)

"Olympic Metro (the consortium building the project) has a contractual obligation that deals with damages arising from the work," Mr. Reppas said. "The government is not discussing any settlement and rests on what was foreseen in the existing contract. "

[17] Solana brings Greek, Turkish NATO reps together

Brussels, 11/10/1997 (ANA/P. Pantelis)

The meeting, held at NATO headquarters in Brussels, aimed at setting certain proposals that could perhaps become a groundwork for further talks, sources said.

The Greek side said after the meeting that "there is nothing worth announcing".

The proposals will be conveyed by each representative to their respective governments for a decision on whether or not to continue with contacts.

[18] Stephanopoulos addresses CoE summit

Strasbourg, 11/10/1997 (ANA/M. Spinthourakis)

Mr. Stephanopoulos said the target of the Council of Europe is safeguarding and strengthening democratic institutions all over Europe, as well as strengthening the concept of democratic security and Parliamentary democracy in particular.

"Greece has made great efforts to strengthen the credibility and effectiveness of the Council of Europe," he said, adding that Greek legislation has been influenced by the directions set by the Council of Europe, primarily by the European treaty on human rights.

President Stephanopoulos said what is of particular importance for Greece is the existence of the same criteria in connection with control for the respect of human rights in the CoE's member-states.

"Greece also attaches particular significance to the struggle against racism and xenophobia," he said and pointed out that the draft agreement on protecting ethnic minorities is also of particular importance for Greece.

President Stephanopoulos said the Council of Europe must take all the necessary measures to protect the citizen from organized crime, as well as for the protection of European societies from drugs.

He stressed the importance of the European social charter, particularly regarding refugees, saying that in past years Greece showed magnanimity to the wave of refugees from neighbouring countries, being aware of the situation prevailing in them.

He concluded that Greece is prepared to contribute positively to every activity of the Council of Europe aimed at safeguarding the multicultural nature of Europe.

"My country will strengthen every effort concerning the maintenance of the historical and cultural monuments of all European peoples," he added.

[19] Stephanopoulos meets Albanian president at CoE summit

Strasbourg, 11/10/1997 (ANA/M. Spinthourakis)

Mr. Stephanopoulos said after the meeting that talks were very friendly and interesting, while both men reviewed bilateral relations.

"Mr. Simitis plans to visit Tirana soon (Oct. 15), and that shows the great significance Greece gives to its relations with Albania. We are expecting the president of Albania, Mr. Mejdani, to visit us this coming March in Greece," Mr. Stephanopoulos said.

The Albanian president also said relations were excellent and noted the importance of Greek assistance to Albania.

Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou was present at the meeting, saying afterwards that special emphasis was placed on the issue of illegal immigrants entering Greece as well as on co-operation on protecting the ethnic Greek minority in Albania.

[20] Meeting on foreign policy chaired by Kranidiotis

Athens, 11/10/1997 (ANA)

Particular issues included the signing of an agreement for the opening of three new border posts, military co-operation, security, a 18-billion-drachma loan to Albania, transport and communications as well as bilateral trade relations.

[21] Pangalos presents planned reforms for foreign ministry

Athens, 11/10/1997 (ANA)

The plan includes a number of institutional changes aimed at restructuring and improving the quality of ministry services, to facilitate the exercise of foreign policy.

The 149 articles provide for reforms including the creation of new institutions such as an analysis and planning centre, a crisis management unit, a diplomatic academy, a general inspectorate, the unification of former legal services into one unit, an experts' council and technical service.

It also creates the framework for regular co-operation with other ministries and the coordination by the ministry of all activities related to foreign policy.

Innovations are to be introduced for diplomatic personnel, such as a reduction in the number of years' service required for promotion to the rank of ambassador.

The "general inspectorate" will consist of a 15-member committee of senior and honorary diplomats to be appointed by the minister, abolishing the post of a sole supervisor with unlimited powers. The committee's role will be to supervise the operation o f diplomatic bureaus abroad.

Meanwhile Mr. Pangalos told the press that a pay rise for ministry staff, whose wages he said were low, was being negotiated with Finance Under-secretary Nikos Christodoulakis.

[22] Liani-Papandreou book signing marred by incident

Athens, 11/10/1997 (ANA)

Up until that point, Ms. Liani-Papandreou was signing copies of her memoir at the publisher's bookstore in downtown Athens.

Ms. Liani-Papandreou's book, "Ten Years and 54 days" has runaway sales of 47,000 up to date, a wild record by Greek standards, where a best-seller edition usually numbers around 15,000 copies.

The woman was identified later as Anastasia Athini, 48, finance ministry employee at the tax evasion control section.

[23] New book by Greek professor outlines German crisis

Bonn, 11/10/1997 (ANA/P. Stangos)

Mathiopoulou's book, written in German, "The closed Society and its Friends", attributes today's crisis to German inability to learn from examples of other countries, and its own stubborn adherence to a motto of "no experimenting".

She warned that Germany's inability to adapt and go ahead with necessary reforms may even threaten democracy, as the current strength of the "German model" is reaching its end, while she proposed that the government follow the example of the United States in developing its economy and fighting unemployment.

What Germany needs, she said, is "a more liberal democracy, more economy of the market, more time spent on the policy of citizens".

[24] Reppas denies PASOK MPs breaking party ranks

Athens, 11/10/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Reppas said that the non-election of the candidate proposed by the party, Yiannis Diamantidis, had not been due to internal party dissent but to personal choices.

He stressed that Mr. Damianidis had reached his decision after discussion with the presidency of the PASOK parliamentary group and leading party cadres Stephanos Manikas and Yiannis Souladakis.

Mr. Reppas denied that Prime Minister Costas Simitis had given Mr. Damianidis an ultimatum, but noted the prime minister's recent statement that deputies should choose between their own conscience and their obligation to participate actively in all the government's efforts.

[25] Immigrants to get health care, in new campaign from health ministry

Athens, 11/10/1997 (ANA)

The program is to be run by the Infectious Disease Control Centre (KEEL) in conjunction with the health ministry.

Mr. Kotsonis referred to the need for prevention and cure campaigns specially designed for people with different cultural and religious traditions.

As immigrants usually came from countries with low standards of health care and were usually from low-income groups, they did not usually come in contact with health care workers, he observed.

Associate professor of psychiatry Dr. K. Balas said that of the approximately 850,000 foreigners living in Greece, only about 50,000 had residence permits.

While stressing the need for an information campaign among these groups and the need to determine their state of health, he stressed that this should be done without violating their human rights. Any programs for Greeks, he added, should be automatic ally available to illegal immigrants.

Representatives of immigrant groups have been invited by KEEL to discuss the problems and to plan prevention measures to begin in the new year.

Associate Professor of Epidemiology Dr. Anastasia Roumeliotis referred to the additional problems presented by the large number of women from eastern European states working in Greece as prostitutes.

[26] Greece blames contractors for Athens Metro debacle

Athens, 11/10/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Laliotis was replying to questions from deputies of the main opposition New Democracy party, the Communist Party of Greece and the Democratic Social Movement.

The deputies had charged the government with failing to take responsibility for tunneling near a central square that caused land subsidence and the collapse of a kiosk. The resulting closure of a main thoroughfare led to severe traffic congestion.

Olympic Metro, an international consortium of more than 20 firms from Greece and abroad, was in possession of engineering surveys that showed the ground was unstable before tunneling began, Mr. Laliotis claimed.

The group was insured, and damage incurred by store owners and residents could be compensated. Surveys by engineers, Olympic Metro and state-appointed supervisor Attiko Metro showed that buildings in the area were in no danger.

Citing high safety standards in the project, Mr. Laliotis said construction of 12 kilometres of tunnels and 20 stations had been problem-free.

The protesting deputies also claimed that the state had to foot a 150-billion drachma bill for additional works in the overall Metro project.

Mr. Laliotis admitted that the original contract signed with the group was lacking and cost overruns stemmed from works not envisaged in the original deal.

The government has repeatedly said it would not foot the bill for any cost overruns linked to the land subsidence in the city centre.

[27] OTE managing director appointed ATE governor

Athens, 11/10/1997 (ANA)

Government spokesman Demetris Reppas said that the position of OTE's managing director would be advertised.

The job was advertised internationally once in the past when the government decided to scrap appointments to managerial posts in key state-run firms and recruit from the market.

Front-runners in the selection for OTE's managing director were eliminated, and Mr. Lambrou temporarily retained the post.

Mr. Reppas dismissed rumours that Mr. Lambrou's replacement was connected to a judicial inquiry being conducted over an OTE procurements deal for digital switches.

[28] Greek stocks slump on profit-taking

Athens, 11/10/1997 (ANA)

Traders said sentiment was hurt by a sharp fall in international stock markets following a wave of interest rate increases by major European central banks. The general index closed 0.72 percent down at 1,777.62 points to show a 0.10 percent loss in the week. Sector indices ended mixed. Banks fell 1.01 percent, Insurance rose 1.49 percent, Leasing dropped 1.91 percent, Investment eased 1.28 percent, Construction ended 0.87 percent down, Industrials rose 0.27 percent, Miscellaneous increased 2.17 percent and Holding fell 1.44 percent.

The parallel market index for small cap companies ended 1.98 percent higher reflecting a move towards smaller stocks.

Trading was heavy and turnover was 26.6 billion drachmas. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 123 to 108 with another 19 issues unchanged.

Fourlis, Parnassos, Inform Lykos, Sarandopoulos, Sanyo, Hellenic Sugar and Ideal scored the biggest percentage gains, while Macedonian Plastics, Papoutsanis and European Credit suffered the heaviest losses.

National Bank of Greece ended at 32,275 drachmas, Ergobank at 19,290, Alpha Credit Bank at 21,100, Delta Dairy at 4,100, Titan Cement at 16,505, Intracom at 15,505 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organization at 6,710.

In the domestic foreign exchange market the US dollar lost substantial ground against the drachma reflecting a sharp drop in its parity in international markets.

The fall followed a decision to implement a stricter monetary policy in Germany.

[29] Greek equities end week flat despite setting new highs

Athens, 11/10/1997 (ANA)

A drop in consumer price inflation to 4.9 percent in September, the lowest in two decades, followed by a cut in interest rates by the central bank and the state-owned National Bank of Greece gave the market new impetus and pushed prices higher.

But then a wave of interest rate increases in Europe, led by a 30 basis point rise in the repo rate by the Bundesbank on Thursday, dampened sentiment.

Traders said that a trend of higher interest rates in Europe would narrow the scope for a rapid relaxation of monetary policy in Greece.

The Athens general share index ended the week 0.10 percent off, and the FTSE/ASE index dropped 0.24 percent.

Trading remained heavy throughout the week and turnover totaled 160.073 billion drachmas at a daily average of 32.01 billion drachmas, up from 29 billion the previous week.

[30] Noted film directors in Athens

Athens, 11/10/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Sautet told reporters yesterday that he is interested in portraying characters, but as a sculptor also, he knows that portraits are never completed, something always goes missing, and so his films never give solutions or answers.

Commenting on his colleague in a joint press conference, Mr. Makavejev said his films "have something of the dance of life you meet in the Mediterranean. When you see them you think that life strokes you," he said.

Reciprocating, Mr. Sautet referred to "the explosive flame of life" which marks Makavejev's work.

The film Panorama ends at the Pallas Cinema tomorrow, with the awarding of prizes to the best films which are shown for the first time in Greece.

[31] Petrified forest reveals 20-million-year history

Athens, 11/10/1997 (ANA)

According to the results of the excavations so far, the petrified forest in the west of the island is about 25 million years old and was formed by coniferous trees which grew in the region at a time when the climate was subtropical before suddenly changing.

The excavations, the first in the petrified forest, are being carried out in the area of Bali Alonia.

Perhaps the most important find to date is the biggest ever "stone" tree trunk still standing, measuring over 7 metres high with a circumference of 8.5 metres. The excavations have also uncovered elements of the region's flora 25 million years ago, including fruit, leaves, branches and roots which have been preserved in the volcanic ground.

A total of five excavations have been carried out this summer in the forest with finance provided by the ministry of culture.

End of English language section.

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