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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-11-03

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 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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