Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-11-10
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1336), November 10, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Intense activity begins around protracted Cyprus problem
[02] Turkish warplanes infringe on Athens FIR
[03] Motorcyclists set out on symbolic journey to Cyprus
[04] Drys says Gov't firm in its intent to back the drachma
[05] EOT employees hold meeting on 2004 Olympics
[06] Hellenic Air Force celebrates its patron saints
[07] Anniversary of Mytilini's liberation celebrated
[08] ND leader attends EPP congress in Toulouse
[09] Kaklamanis on five-day visit to Germany
[10] Rhodes court awards compensation to family of AIDS victim
[11] Education conference held in Athens
[12] European study shows baby walkers unsafe
[13] Greece, Serbia prepare tourism co-operation protocol
[14] Demonstrators run wild at gold mining plant in Halkidiki
[01] Intense activity begins around protracted Cyprus problem
Athens, 10/11/1997 (ANA)
A week of intense activity around the protracted Cyprus problem
begins today with US presidential Emissary Richard Holbrooke's
talks in Nicosia with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and
Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.
Mr. Holbrooke, who according to reports was due for talks in
Moscow before arriving in Cyprus today, will fly to Brussels on
Thursday for consultations with EU External Affairs Commissioner
Hans Van den Broek on the issue. US State Department Coordinator
for Cyprus, Thomas Miller, already arrived in Cyprus yesterday
ahead of Mr. Holbrooke, while Turkey's Foreign Minister Ismail
Cem and Minister of State responsible for Cyprus affairs Sukru
Gurel also arrived yesterday in the Turkish-occupied northern
part of Cyprus for talks with Turkish Cypriot leaders.
In Brussels, EU foreign ministers are expected today to debate
Turkey's relations with the Union and particularly a French
proposal for the establishment of a European Conference
including all EU aspirant countries and Turkey, aimed at
preventing new dividing lines in Europe as the bloc opens
membership talks with a number of eastern European states and
Cyprus next year. Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos will
participate in the meeting.
[02] Turkish warplanes infringe on Athens FIR
Athens, 10/11/1997 (ANA)
Turkish air force F-16s and F-4s once again infringed the Athens
Flight Information Region (FIR) and violated Greek national air
space on Saturday, the feast day of the Archangels Michael and
Gabriel, patron saints of the Greek air force.
The incidents took place in the region between the islands of
Chios and Lesvos. All the Turkish aircraft were intercepted by
Greek Mirage-2000 and F-16 fighter planes.
[03] Motorcyclists set out on symbolic journey to Cyprus
Athens, 10/11/1997 (ANA)
A group of 18 motorcyclists from Greece and Cyprus set out
yesterday from Kastanies, Evros, on a symbolic journey across
Greece to Cyprus on their motorbikes, to pay tribute to the
memory of the two young Cypriots, Tasos Isaak and Solomos
Solomou, who were brutally killed by Turkish Cypriot troops
during peaceful demonstrations at the buffer zone last year.
The event is organized by the Cyprus Motorcyclists' Federation
and aims raising funds to build a monument in memory of the two
brave young men.
The journey will end on Nov. 15 in Nicosia. Many Greek cities,
from were the motorcyclists are to pass through, are organizing
events to welcome them, as well as to collect donations.
A member of the Cyprus Motorcyclists' Federation will be riding
along on his bicycle.
Federation president Giorgos Hatzikostas has publicly thanked
President Kostis Stephanopoulos, who was the first to donate
money for the monument.
[04] Drys says Gov't firm in its intent to back the drachma
Athens, 10/11/1997 (ANA)
Finance Under-secretary George Drys said yesterday that he was
satisfied over the course of the economy, but said it was
necessary to take additional measures, especially introducing
special incentives, for the sensitive area of the Aegean.
Speaking at a press conference on Samos where he represented the
government at celebrations marking the 85th anniversary of the
island's incorporation into Greece, Mr. Drys also said the
government was firm in its intent to back the drachma.
He said that it was floating a new bond issue in order to
contain the drachma.
The Finance Ministry has announced a new eurobond issue that
will be floated today.
The one- and three- year ECU/EURO-indexed bonds carry a fixed
interest of 4.6 percent and 5.2 percent respectively, rates
lower than drachma-denominated issues.
Bankers see the eurobond issue as a strategic move by the
government to improve the climate in the domestic markets and
underline its determination to continue its hard-drachma policy.
The announcement on Friday of the new eurobond issue
substantially improved sentiment in the domestic money market,
leading to a firmer drachma and lower interbank rates.
[05] EOT employees hold meeting on 2004 Olympics
Athens, 10/11/1997 (ANA)
The first meeting on the organization by Greece of the Olympic
Games in the year 2004, was held yesterday in Thessaloniki, to
examine the activities required for the successful exploitation
of the event.
The one-day meeting was organized by the Association of
Employees of the Greek Tourism Organization (EOT), on the
sidelines of the international tourism fair "Filoxenia" which
winds up today at the Helexpo installations.
The meeting was attended by deputies, EOT officials and many
representatives of the sector.
A guest speaker, Ignacio de Delas, director of programming of
the Organization for the Promotion of Tourism of Catalonia,
Spain, referred to the 'Spanish experience' from the Barcelona
'92 Olympic Games. The Spanish official stressed the long-term
positive impact of the Games in the region's tourism.
EOT Secretary General Nikos Skoulas expanded on the basic lines
of the government's policy on tourism, which mainly related to
the development of quality tourism and alternative forms of
tourism for high income tourists.
Mr. Skoulas underlined that the country was far behind in luxury
hotels and resorts, and called on investors to take initiatives
in this sector.
[06] Hellenic Air Force celebrates its patron saints
Athens, 10/11/1997 (ANA)
The Hellenic Air Force on Saturday celebrated its patron saints
Archangels Gavriil and Michail, at the Dekeleia air-base,
attended by the military and political leadership of the
National Defense Ministry.
This year's celebration coincides with the 85th anniversary of
the establishment of the Hellenic Air Force.
The chief of the General Air Force Staff, Lt. Gen. Georgios
Antonetsos, who read the Command of the day, referred to the
glorious history of the Air Force and to the country's brave
efforts to defend its sovereign rights.
Formations of F-16 and Mirage 2000 fighter jets flew over the
site of the celebration and the officials' stand.
In a speech after the end of the event, National Defense
Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos underlined the Air Force's immense
contribution to safeguarding peace, freedom and democracy in
Greece.
He said Greek pilots were being tested daily in the Aegean,
exhibiting their utmost devotion and morale. Additionally, he
reassured that the Air Force was very effective in protecting
the country's sovereign rights in the airspace, appeasing
citizens and allowing them to go on with their daily life and
other duties at peace.
When asked to comment on a Turkish oceanographic vessel sailing
for some days now in international waters in the Aegean, Mr.
Tsohatzopoulos said the Aegean Sea was open to everyone, and as
long as international rules were observed, there was no problem.
He added that under such conditions, it was Greece's
responsibility to safeguard free sailing in the Aegean.
The chief of the general army staff, Gen. Athanasios Tzoganis,
on his part, stressed that the Air Force was a sovereign force
in the skies and would not hesitate to deal with any threat.
He added that any attempt to violate or offend Greece's national
rights will be doomed to fail.
The celebration at the Dekeleia air-base was also attended by
opposition deputies, the Mayor of Athens Demetris Avramopoulos,
high-ranking officers of the army and many other officials.
[07] Anniversary of Mytilini's liberation celebrated
Athens, 10/11/1997 (ANA)
President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos yesterday wound
up his official visit to the island of Mytilini, on the occasion
of celebrations marking the 85th anniversary of the island's
liberation from Turkish rule.
It was the first time a president of the republic attended the
celebrations on Mytilini.
In a message on the necessity of peace, Mr. Stephanopoulos said
that "during such celebrations we must think of the supremacy of
peace compared to war. How happy Greece and Turkey would be if
they could achieve peace!".
The celebrations on Mytilini started in the morning with a
special service at the Metropolitan Cathedral, attended by
President Stephanopoulos, Minister of the Aegean Elisabeth
Papazoe, PASOK party deputies Franklinos Papadelis and Nikos
Siphounakis, New Democracy party deputy for Hios Thanasis
Varinos and Communist Party of Greece deputy Stratis Korakas.
Wreaths were later laid at the war memorial, followed by a
students and military parade.
[08] ND leader attends EPP congress in Toulouse
Toulouse, 10/11/1997 (ANA - A. Panagopoulos)
The 12th Congress of the European Peoples' Party (EPP) opened
here yesterday, with discussion mainly focused on unemployment
and policies against it, as well as the European Union's
enlargement.
At yesterday's council of EPP party leaders, attended also by
New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis, many officials
expressed concern in relation to decisions taken at the EU
Amsterdam Summit on the policy to tackle unemployment.
They stressed that apart from the framework of principles, there
must also be funding by the EU.
Mr. Karamanlis said "unemploy-ment could prove an explosive
affair in the foundations of the union".
He further said that there was a need to support especially
small and medium-sized enterprises, which at EU level are
regarded as a medium of boosting economy.
The ND leader also briefed the EPP party leaders on prospects
for Greece's relations with Turkey, as well as the situation in
the Balkans.
EPP officials see the 12th Congress as a historic one, since it
will decide on the merger of European Christian Democrats
participating in center-left parties in central and eastern
Europe.
[09] Kaklamanis on five-day visit to Germany
Athens, 10/11/1997 (ANA)
Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis departed yesterday for
Germany for an official five-day visit at the invitation of his
counterpart Rita Suessmuth and the presidents of local
parliaments.
Mr. Kaklamanis is scheduled to visit Munich, Bonn, Stuttgart and
Berlin and will meet with federal and local government officials.
He is also due to meet representatives of Germany's Greek
communities.
[10] Rhodes court awards compensation to family of AIDS victim
Athens, 10/11/1997 (ANA)
A Rhodes court awarded compensation of 100 million drachmas to
the family of an 11-year-old AIDS victim who died in 1992, for
negligence in the screening of blood supplies in the '80s, which
resulted in the young girl's contraction of the deadly virus.
Constantina, a sufferer of thalassaemia who needed frequent
blood transfusions, was diagnosed in 1986 as having contracted
AIDS. The Appeals Court of Rhodes heard that the local hospital
which administered the transfusions, failed to immediately apply
Health Ministry directives for the compulsory AIDS screening of
all blood supplies, introduced in September 1985. As a result
patients in the Rhodes hospital received unchecked blood until
the end of that year, a fact which the court accepted as having
caused the girl's contracting the disease.
In the court's decision it is stated that Constantina's family
were subsequently isolated in the island community "in a way
reminiscent of the treatment towards lepers in the middle ages
or the people with tuberculosis before the war" and the girl was
barred from attending school until the Ministry of Education
intervened.
The Ministry of Health has appealed the ruling and the case will
now be heard by the Council of State, the highest administrative
court in the country.
[11] Education conference held in Athens
Athens, 10/11/1997 (ANA)
The Federation of Tutorial Teachers organized its second
conference on education, which was held yesterday at the Athens
War Museum.
One of the main speakers, president of the Paedagogical
Institute Theodoros Exarhakos referred extensively to the
objectives of educational reforms.
He said that a number of new text-books, including Mathematics,
Natural Sciences, Modern and Ancient Greek, History and New
Technologies, have already been commissioned and will be ready
for use by students in the next academic year.
Mr. Exarhakos also announced that the institution of tutorial
sessions will also be implemented at high schools for students
who will be assessed to be in need for such additional teaching.
[12] European study shows baby walkers unsafe
Athens, 10/11/1997 (ANA)
An announcement issued yesterday by the consumer organization
EKPOIZO, says various baby walkers have been found unsafe and
their use could even result to injuries.
This was the outcome of a study in Europe carried out by 12
independent consumer organizations on 31 models of such walkers.
The models are sold across Europe, and in Greece, too, and
relate to both cheap and expensive brands.
EKPOIZO, which participated in the study, said that the above
baby walkers do not really help toddlers to walk properly, while
in some cases they could be dangerous, since their speed can go
relatively high for infants and especially in homes with unlevel
floors.
[13] Greece, Serbia prepare tourism co-operation protocol
Athens, 10/11/1997 (ANA)
A protocol providing for closer co-operation between Greece and
Serbia in the sector of tourism is being prepared by both sides,
according to a statement by Serbian Tourism Organization
president Ljubisa Milojevic in Thessaloniki on Saturday.
Speaking at a press conference at the 13th Philoxenia tourism
fair, Ms. Milojevic said the Greek National Tourist Organization
(EOT) and its Serb counterpart were discussing the
simplification of visa requirements for Serbs visiting Greece as
well as various joint programs such as exchange programs for
tourism employees and joint marketing programs in third
countries.
EOT president Yannis Stefanidis confirmed the organization's
desire to sign a tourism protocol with Serbia, although he said
priority would be given to signing a co-operation protocol with
the state tourism board of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
With regard to visas, the Serb official proposed the
introduction of a tourist pass for visitors from Yugoslavia
visiting Greece in groups, noting that the current visa
application procedures were time-consuming.
According to figures released at the press conference, the
number of Greek visitors to Belgrade doubled in the first nine
months of this year to 4,350, although the average stay was only
two days, compared to nine days for the whole of 1996 when the
total number of Greek visitors was 2,080.
The Serb Tourism Organization is also preparing special package
tours for Greek tourists and services for business travelers.
Investments are also a priority, it was noted, with the
privatization of tourism enterprises. The Greek travel agency
Travel Way has already bought 51% of Yugo Tours, it was
announced.
[14] Demonstrators run wild at gold mining plant in Halkidiki
Athens, 10/11/1997 (ANA)
Residents of the Halkidiki communities of Ano and Kato Stavros,
Olympiada, Asprovalta and Varna staged a demonstration yesterday
outside the Canadian company 'TVX Hellas', protesting at the
gold mining activities in the region.
A clash followed when the police intervened and tried to
disperse the crowd, comprising some hundreds of people.
The residents had expressed their opposition to the company's
activities since last year, saying that gold mining in the area
will have a serious impact on the environment, mainly from
wastage.
The protesters entered the plant and caused damage to two
drills, which company officials estimated to about 60 million
drachmas.
Some police and protesters were slightly injured.
No arrests were made.
The Thessaloniki Branch of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE)
issued an announcement yesterday afternoon, in which it charged
that there had been a plan, since last summer, to counteract
objections by the residents. It described an agreement between
the government and the Canadian company on gold mining, as
disgusting, while expressing support to the area's residents.
End of English language section.
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