Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-11-03
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1330), November 3, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Crete hosts summit of southeast European leaders
[02] ... Leaders to discuss region's problems
[03] ... Tight security measures
[04] Simitis: 'anachronistic dispute' with Turkey must be overcome
[05] Crete summit indicates start of new era in the Balkans, Reppas
says
[06] ... Yugoslav press
[07] Milosevic, Nano to meet today on sidelines of summit
[08] Cem says will raise Balkan Plan
[09] Yilmaz to visit Sofia early December
[10] Simitis, Yilmaz to meet today
[11] ND leader accuses Gov't of compliance towards Turkey
[12] Turkish warplanes violate Athens FIR prior to Balkan summit
[13] No real crisis between Greece and Turkey, Holbrooke says
[14] Demonstrators throw stones at Greek consulate in Izmir
[15] Karamanlis accuses Gov't of 'experimenting' on national issues
[16] ... Coalition and Political Spring
[17] Karamanlis on 'Kapodistrias' plan
[18] 'New technologies and free communication'
[19] Bomb explodes at entrance of employment office
[20] President meets trade union officials
[21] European TV 'Prix Niki' awards
[01] Crete hosts summit of southeast European leaders
Athens, 03/11/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday stressed that a meeting
of southeast European heads of state and government on the Greek
island of Crete starting today, should place emphasis on
multilateral co-operation.
"Bilateral contacts are fine but take second place to joint
(contacts)," Mr. Simitis told reporters at the summit's press
center, near Iraklion.
He said he was not awaiting any "surprises" from the summit and
that it had been organized purely to promote Balkan
co-operation, rather than bilateral issues.
"The central issue of the summit is joint co-operation between
the countries of the region," Mr. Simitis said. "We are now on
our way to a Balkan community which requires a wider level of
co-operation."
The fact that the leaders of Balkan states are coming means the
summit is already a success, Mr. Simitis said. "It is our common
aim to discuss the principles of co-operation and achieve a
common perception on closer contacts and co-operation."
The two-day summit, officially starting today, will bring
together leaders and officials from Greece, Turkey, Bosnia,
Albania, Romania, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and the Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).
In a statement on arrival in Crete, Mr. Simitis said that Balkan
co-operation was often fragile due to political crises and
competition. Therefore, he added, a permanent foundation for
co-operation should be laid and conditions created for growth in
order to make the Balkans a region of peace, stability and
creativity.
Greece, he said, would be playing a major role in this effort,
which it considered its duty to carry out. Alternate Foreign
Minister George Papandreou earlier welcomed Turkish Prime
Minister Mesut Yilmaz when he arrived in Crete to attend the
summit.
Also present to receive the Turkish premier were his foreign
minister Ismail Cem, who had arrived in Iraklion on an earlier
flight, accompanied by a 60-strong team of reporters.
Mr. Cem was met at the airport by Foreign Under-secretary
Yiannos Kranidiotis.
[02] ... Leaders to discuss region's problems
Athens, 03/11/1997 (ANA)
All leaders of countries in southeastern Europe will sit at the
same table this morning to discuss the region's problems and
proposals which will be made.
According to reports, issues of an economic interest will be
discussed in the morning, while political issues will be
discussed in the afternoon.
During the afternoon discussion, Greek Prime Minister Costas
Simitis will analyze Greece's plan which anticipates
inter-Balkan co-operation being built on European Union models.
Mr. Simitis will raise the issue of the creation of a
Secretariat headquartered in Athens. The political message
Greece wishes to send is that being the sole EU member-state in
the region it can help in upgrading relations between the other
countries and the EU.
[03] ... Tight security measures
Athens, 03/11/1997 (ANA)
Authorities in the Cretan city of Iraklion were making final
preparations yesterday for the arrival of the Balkan leaders for
today's summit.
A task force has been in Iraklion for the last few days
overseeing preparations, including details of the arrival and
the stay of foreign officials as well as the schedule of the
summit.
Security measures are tight with access to the main foyer of the
"Kapsis" hotel, where the summit will be held, restricted to
accredited diplomatic and security personnel. Guests will be
allocated rooms just before their arrival, so that only a few
people have access to this information.
[04] Simitis: 'anachronistic dispute' with Turkey must be overcome
Bonn, 03/11/1997 (ANA/P. Stangos)
In an interview to German weekly magazine "Der Spiegel" Prime
Minister Costas Simitis commented on Greek-Turkish relations,
the accession of Cyprus to the European Union and other foreign
policy issues. In the interview titled "Our neighbor is
aggressive" to be published in today's issue, the premier speaks
of the need to overcome the "anachronistic dispute" with Turkey,
stating that the fundamental position of the Greek government is
"a desire for co-operation", but attributing to Turkey an
aggressive foreign policy, non-compatible with European
standards.
"Our position is clear: We desire co-operation. We are aware
that close co-operation between the European Union and Turkey is
attainable and we do not wish to bar Ankara from the EU. The
fact is that our neighbor Turkey has an aggressive foreign
policy. Any country that wishes to co-operate with the EU must
accept the European order and the relevant principals", said the
Greek leader.
Mr. Simitis referred to the issues of the islet of Imia and the
island of Gavdos to underline Turkey's policy to question the
status quo in the Aegean Sea by using the so-called "gray areas"
tactic. The premier stressed that any attempt to change the
borders could undermine peace in the region.
Mr. Simitis appeared pessimistic about a possible solution to
the Cyprus problem, saying that Ankara is not prepared to accept
a change of the existing situation that has emerged from the
invasion and occupation of the northern part of the island. He
said that the only way to achieve progress is for the
international community to put pressure on Turkey.
"If the United States desire peace in the Eastern Mediterranean,
they must be prepared to put pressure on Turkey", he said,
stressing the importance of the region as a sea passage for oil
exports from central Asia.
The Greek leader rejected Turkey's proposal for the whole of the
Greek-Turkish differences to be addressed as a package and be
referred to international arbitration saying that there is no
such package but rather new claims that Turkey keeps bringing
forward.
Regarding his upcoming meeting with Turkish counterpart Mesut
Yilmaz on the sidelines of the Balkan summit in Crete, Mr.
Simitis referred to the need for "useful" and "honest
discussions", stressing that in Crete the focus will not be
bilateral relations.
Mr. Simitis also spoke of Greece's role as "a bridge" between
the EU, NATO and Balkan countries. Regarding relations with the
EU itself, he rejected the notion that Greece is the
trouble-maker of the Union, stressing that it has made use of
its right to veto less frequently than other countries.
[05] Crete summit indicates start of new era in the Balkans, Reppas
says
Belgrade, 03/11/1997 (ANA - M. Mouratidis)
The summit of southeast European countries' leaders on the Greek
island of Crete beginning today indicates the start of a new era
in the Balkans, Greek government spokesman and Press Minister
Demetris Reppas told Serbian state television.
Mr. Reppas said that the summit was "the first major step"
towards wider political and economic co-operation in the region
and would provide the foundation stone for "building a better
future".
"Yugoslavia is situated in a crucial area and can play a leading
role in the struggle for the interests of the Balkan nations,"
Mr. Reppas said.
Greece lends great weight to relations with the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia, he added, saying that issues of transport,
communications and the return of Yugoslavia to international
economic organizations was on the agenda of Greek Prime Minister
Costas Simitis and Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic's
meeting in Crete yesterday. "We, like Yugoslavia, want it to
return to European institutions and we believe that Greece's
relations with Yugoslavia can be a model for relations between
Balkan states," he said.
Mr. Reppas said there were plans for Mr. Simitis to visit
Belgrade soon although a final date had not yet been set.
[06] ... Yugoslav press
Belgrade, 03/11/1997 (ANA)
The Yugoslav press, meanwhile, gave front-page coverage to the
summit, saying it was the first time that the heads of state and
governments would have to agree on basic principles for economic
and political co-operation.
"Nasa Borba" said that Greece's initiative gave it a leading
role in the region for peace and co-operation and would bolster
its position in NATO and the European Union.
Commenting on a possible meeting between Mr. Milosevic and
Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano, the leader of the ethnic
Albanians of Kosovo Ibrahim Rugova said that Albania could and
should co-operate with countries of the region but that the
issue of Kosovo had to be discussed by the legitimate leadership
of Kosovo. Mr. Rugova said the Kosovo Albanians should also have
been invited to Crete.
[07] Milosevic, Nano to meet today on sidelines of summit
Athens, 03/11/1997 (ANA)
President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Slobodan
Milosevic and Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano will meet today
in Crete on the sidelines of the southeast European heads of
state and government summit, Greek government sources said last
night, after successive meetings Greek Prime Minister Costas
Simitis held with Mr. Nano and Mr. Milosevic.
But Greek government spokesman Demetris Reppas denied that Mr.
Simitis raised any issue regarding a Milosevic-Nano meeting.
Mr. Reppas also said that the dispute between Albania and
Yugoslavia concerning the Serbian province of Kosovo, could be
discussed, "providing Nano and Milosevic meet tomorrow (today)".
"Greece's position is that within the framework of a dialogue
between Yugoslavia and Albania solutions should be sought in
order for excellent relations to be established between the two
countries," Mr. Reppas added.
Mr. Milosevic told reporters after his talks with Mr. Simitis
that the summit was an important step and that his country was
doing its best for a successful outcome to the summit.
The Crete summit of southeast European heads of state and
government could be a chance for the institutionalization of the
dialogue between Balkan nations, Mr. Nano told reporters after a
30-minute meeting with his Greek counterpart and host of the
summit, Costas Simitis.
Mr. Simitis said the meeting ascertained that the relations
between Balkan countries should acquire a "permanent and solid"
form of co-operation instead of their current "circumstantial"
form.
[08] Cem says will raise Balkan Plan
Ankara, 03/11/1997 (ANA/AA)
Speaking before his departure for the southeast European
countries' summit in Crete yesterday, Turkish Foreign Minister
Ismail Cem said he will bring the Balkan Plan to the agenda of
talks in which all Balkan countries can participate with an
equal right to vote.
Mr. Cem said he has already met with the Foreign Ministers of
Balkan countries, adding that the summit will constitute the
continuation of these meetings.
He said his country will raise the issue of the Balkan Plan for
discussion, aimed at maintaining Balkan unity, adding that all
the Balkan countries will be able to participate in this plan
and have an equal right to vote.
According to Mr. Cem, the plan anticipates economic and
political co-operation between the Balkan countries, as well as
the joint combating of terrorism and organized crime.
Mr. Cem said he will request that the next Balkan summit take
place in his country.
[09] Yilmaz to visit Sofia early December
Athens, 03/11/1997 (ANA)
Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz will visit Sofia on December
4 and 5, a Turkish official said last night, ahead of a
southeast European countries' summit which starts here today.
A Turkish foreign ministry spokesman told reporters, after a
meeting between Mr. Yilmaz and his Bulgarian counterpart Ivan
Kostov, that the two leaders would discuss border and broader
co-operation issues.
[10] Simitis, Yilmaz to meet today
Athens, 03/11/1997 (ANA)
A Greek-Turkish summit is expected to take place today on the
sidelines of the southeastern Europe summit currently taking
place in Crete.
Prime Minister Costas Simitis and his Turkish counterpart Mesut
Yilmaz will be meeting at around 7 in the evening.
According to reports and the atmosphere prevailing on the Greek
side, the Greek government continues to be reserved and to
observe a low key policy.
Mr. Simitis, according to the reports, will turn up for his
meeting with Mr. Yilmaz well-prepared so as to be able to tackle
all eventualities.
The Turkish delegation is also well-prepared which comprises,
apart from Mr. Yilmaz, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Ministers
without Portfolio Cavit Kavak and Rofat Serdaroglu, as well as
many officials.
[11] ND leader accuses Gov't of compliance towards Turkey
Athens, 03/11/1997 (ANA)
The main opposition New Democracy party believes that Greece
should not tolerate any affront to its territorial integrity,
according to party leader Costas Karamanlis, speaking at a press
conference yesterday in view of the Balkan summit.
Mr. Karamanlis accused the government of showing compliance
towards Turkey, adding that its policy was "on slippery ground".
The prime minister, he charged, had signed a joint communiqui
with Turkey in Madrid but had avoided giving answers to
parliament and the Greek people regarding the contents of that
agreement.
This policy had wetted Turkey's appetite for an escalation of
pressure on Greece, the ND leader continued.
Acknowledging that he himself had been criticized for handling
such issues with too much sensitivity, he said:
"I have a duty to do so and I insist on this. On the other hand,
we must take a clear stand, which should be known to and
assimilated by all, that there are certain things which should
be defended at any cost. They are not open to discussion... nor
should they be used to gain time ... All Greeks should know that
gestures of appeasement and compliance, even with the best of
intentions, can only lead to destabilization and increased
pressure."
[12] Turkish warplanes violate Athens FIR prior to Balkan summit
Athens, 03/11/1997 (ANA)
A few hours before the start to the Balkan Summit in Crete, the
Turkish air force went ahead yesterday with new infringements of
air traffic rules in the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR),
which also developed into five violations of national airspace.
The infringements of air traffic rules in the Athens FIR and
national airspace violations were carried out by five pairs of
Turkish F-16s and a pair of Turkish F-4s in the region of Chios,
Limnos and Lesvos.
In all cases, the Greek air force responded quickly and the
Turkish aircraft were recognized and intercepted by Greek F-16
and Mirage 2000 warplanes.
Speaking in Zakinthos, where he attended the te deum service of
Demetris Maroudas, National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos
reiterated that the known aggressiveness of Turkey and its
disposition to question both the status quo in the Aegean and
Greece's sovereign rights is part of the neighbor's strategy to
threaten Greece, restrict its role and facilitate its own demand
for the upgrading of its relations with Europe.
[13] No real crisis between Greece and Turkey, Holbrooke says
Ankara, 03/11/1997 (ANA/AFP)
The tension between Greece and Turkey is not serious enough to
provoke an armed conflict between the two, US presidential
emissary on the Cyprus problem Richard Holbrooke, was cited as
saying in Turkish press reports yesterday.
"I do not believe that there will be clashes between Turkey and
Greece. It is not a real crisis," Mr. Holbrooke was reported as
saying in interviews with Turkish dailies "Yeni Yuzil" and
"Sabah".
"The US does not believe that Greece has any inclination
whatsoever to provoke a conflict. I repeat this is not a real
crisis," Mr. Holbrooke said.
[14] Demonstrators throw stones at Greek consulate in Izmir
Athens, 03/11/1997 (ANA)
About 200 Turkish demonstrators threw stones at the building
housing the Greek consulate in the Turkish city of Izmir
yesterday, causing slight damage.
Witnesses said only a few windows were broken.
Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Constantine Bikas condemned the
incident.
"Incidents of such a kind are regrettable and deplorable," Mr.
Bikas said.
A demonstration also took place outside the Greek consulate in
Istanbul where five motorcyclists laid flowers in protest over
incidents that took place in Thessaloniki last week.
Mr. Bikas announced that the Greek Ambassador to Ankara Demetris
Nezeritis has already been instructed to lodge a demarche with
the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
It is reminded that the Turkish government made a similar
demarche a few days ago over the incidents in Thessaloniki.
[15] Karamanlis accuses Gov't of 'experimenting' on national issues
Athens, 03/11/1997 (ANA)
In an interview with the "Adesmeftos tis Kyriakis" newspaper,
main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis
accused the government and Prime Minister Costas Simitis of
experimenting on the country's national issues.
Mr. Karamanlis said a strategy is necessary which will not
change with the change of party in government and that the
country's foreign policy must acquire explicit, clear and
specific targets.
Former Prime Minister and ND honorary president Constantine
Mitsotakis said in an interview with the newspaper "Apogevmatini
tis Kyriakis" that he does not expect substantive results from
the meeting between Mr. Simitis and his Turkish counterpart
Mesut Yilmaz in Crete, but added that "this meeting must achieve
an improvement in the atmosphere of relations between us."
Mr. Mitsotakis reiterated that 1998 will be a crucial year for
the Cyprus issue and stressed that the path towards
normalization in Greek-Turkish relations passes from Nicosia.
[16] ... Coalition and Political Spring
Athens, 03/11/1997 (ANA)
Coalition of the Left and Progress Party leader Nikos
Constantopoulos said yesterday that the Crete summit was being
organized "after a delay of five years".
In a statement, Mr. Constantopoulos supported the idea of
turning the summit into a permanent institution which would lead
to a Balkan treaty of friendship and co-operation.
In a statement yesterday, Political Spring party leader Antonis
Samaras called on Prime Minister Costas Simitis not to back down
during his meeting with his Turkish counterpart Mesut Yilmaz
"like he did in Madrid."
[17] Karamanlis on 'Kapodistrias' plan
Athens, 03/11/1997 (ANA)
In an interview with the newspaper Typos tis Kyriakis, main
opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis said ND
does not disagree on the principle of the prospect of local
government mergers, known as the 'Kapodistrias' plan but
criticized the government that "an attempt cannot be made with
an arrogant and undemocratic attitude to have a unified suit
worn all over Greece and indeed with the autocratic mentality of
party arbitrariness of the type of we decide and order."
Mr. Karamanlis accused the government of offhandedness and of
attempting to restructure the country's self-administration
charter on the basis of party expediencies.
"Party deceit is obvious and petty political favors are also
obvious. The culmination of all these is cheap party propaganda
which proves the government's depravity," he said.
[18] 'New technologies and free communication'
Athens, 03/11/1997 (ANA)
Shrinking the state with denationalization and the transfer of
resources to the private sector, as well as the deregulation of
working hours and flexibility in the labor market, increase
mobility in the market and constitute necessary preconditions
for the creation of jobs, according to participants in the
meeting titled "New technologies and free communication",
jointly organized in Athens by the International Intervention
Institute and the Atlas Economic Research Foundation with the
co-operation of the main opposition New Democracy party's youth
organization ONNED.
Referring to environmental issues, speakers from 14 countries
denounced ecologists and the media for terrorizing citizens with
exaggerations and swaying governments in their direction such as
that of the US.
On the issue of "paths towards full employment", a speech by
Labor Under-secretary Christos Protopapas was read, stressing
that the European social model requires modernization, while the
American model cannot be transferred to Europe.
[19] Bomb explodes at entrance of employment office
Athens, 03/11/1997 (ANA)
A bomb exploded at the entrance to the offices of the Manpower
Employment Organization (OAED) in Drapetsona near Piraeus at
9.15 last night, causing damage but no casualties.
Shortly before 9 an unidentified caller informed the newspaper
"Eleftherotypia" that a bomb would explode at OAED's offices in
Drapetsona at 9. Police immediately cordoned off the area to
avoid casualties.
After the explosion, the police terrorist squad searched the
premises to find remains of the explosive device and any more
explosives.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.
[20] President meets trade union officials
Athens, 03/11/1997 (ANA)
The presidency of the General Confederation of Greek Trade
Unions (GSEE) met Saturday with President of the Republic Kostis
Stephanopoulos to discuss the final phase of the social dialogue
with government and employers and to present the unions' view on
unemployment, workers' financial position, economic growth and
social security.
Meanwhile, GSEE General Secretary George Mavrikos, of the
Communist Party-affiliated union group, said workers should not
expect any solutions to their problems to come out of talks with
the offices of prime ministers and presidents, but were only to
be had through struggles.
[21] European TV 'Prix Niki' awards
Athens, 03/11/1997 (ANA)
Speaking at the ceremony of the European TV "Prix Niki" awards
in Thessaloniki yesterday, the President of the critics
committee for the best children's TV program Paola de Benedit
from Italy criticized the poor representation of women in
European TV networks.
"If the competition concerned the representation of men in
European TV we would not know what to choose first. Women's
representation in European TV networks is poor, offhand and
quite frequently anachronistic," she said.
The awards were won by a French, a Dutch and a British TV
production.
The "Prix Niki" documentary award was won by the film titled "Au
nom de l'honneur" by the TV channel France II.
The award for the best fiction film was won by the film "Some
kind of life" by the British ITV station.
Lastly, the award for the best children's series was won by the
Dutch film "Madelief."
End of English language section.
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