Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-12-08

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1361),

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

CONTENTS

[01] Diaspora Greeks emerge 'more united than ever'

[02] ... Tsohatzopoulos address

[03] ... Other ministers

[04] ... Overseas youth

[05] US gives green light to Greece for F-15 fighters

[06] Tsohatzopoulos answers critics of NATO agreement

[07] ... President briefed on new NATO structure

[08] Tsovolas attacks Gov't on NATO

[09] President hosts reception for journalists

[10] EU General Affairs Council to meet in Brussels

[11] On Turkish Cypriot participation in Cyprus' EU accession talks

[12] Cyprus parliamentary delegation in Athens

[13] Thessaloniki hosts Cypriot exhibition

[14] Major investments in Komotini to create new jobs

[15] Bad weather sweeps Greece, disrupts transport

[16] Youths go on the rampage in downtown Athens

[17] Turk arrested on Samos for transporting illegals

[01] Diaspora Greeks emerge 'more united than ever'

Athens, 08/12/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Athens, who was re-elected to the SAE presidency on Friday, said the new presidium's efforts during its two-year term would focus on effective promotion of Greece's national issues, with Cyprus as the top priority, through intercessions at the international decision-taking centers.

In that framework, the SAE president would meet with US presidential emissary on the Cyprus issue, Richard Holbrooke, in a few weeks, while he would also discuss the problem with the new US Ambassador in Athens, Nicholas Burns, at a reception the latter was due to host last night at the Embassy in Athens for the Greek-American representatives who took part in the SAE convention.

The new presidium's priorities also included providing assistance to the Greek communities in the former Soviet Union with the establishment of health centers in the Ukraine, initially, followed by Kazakhstan.

Mr. Athens, who is to tour the Caucasus early next month in order to pinpoint the problems of the Greek communities there, said a special SAE secretariat for the eastern countries would be set up to deal with the Greek communities' problems.

The SAE presidium will also visit, at the end of January, the countries of Africa with Greek communities, which are facing acute problems, Mr. Athens said.

Both the SAE and the Greek government will also deal with the issue of education of the overseas Greeks. The SAE presidium called on the Athens government to commit itself to implementation of Law 2413/1996 concerning the education of Greeks abroad.

"On the education issue, there was no progress. Although the law was passed (in 1996), it was in force only on the books, as not even the school consultants have been appointed yet," SAE president for Europe, Angelos Aslanidis, told the press conference .

Questioned on the possibility of the establishment of an Undersecretariat for overseas Greeks, Mr. Athens said he would take the matter up again with the government, adding "we would prefer that such a Ministry should be set up".

Turning to the target of SAE becoming financially autonomous, Mr. Athens said the goal was to render the Council self-financing. "We shall find our own funds. In addition to private initiatives, we will also seek the assistance of the Greek organizations throughout the world," he said.

The new SAE presidium is expected to meet early this week with Prime Minister Costas Simitis and main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis.

The new SAE presidium is scheduled to meet in Thessaloniki in early February.

The SAE convention was attended by 340 elected delegates representing an estimated 7 million Greeks of the Diaspora around the world.

The World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) was founded in 1995 with the aim of uniting the millions of Greeks living abroad and forging closer ties with the motherland.

SAE is a non-profit, non-governmental organization with regional councils representing North and South America, Africa-Asia, Oceania and Europe. It is supported by the Foreign Ministry's General Secretariat for Overseas Greeks, and serves as an advisory body to the Greek State on all issues pertaining to Greeks abroad. The SAE's activities further aim at strengthening existing networks and organizations serving Greeks worldwide and Greece.

Chicago-born Andrew Athens was elected in 1995 as the Council's first president.

Addressing the final session of SAE, Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou said it was an assembly "of particular significance for Greece as well as Hellenism around the world".

Mr. Papandreou thanked the inter-party organizing committee and underlined the importance of carrying out the decisions taken during the week-long forum "so that SAE can truly respond to the demands and expectations of all Greeks".

The minister also stressed the need for SAE to become autonomous and self-funding.

[02] ... Tsohatzopoulos address

Athens, 08/12/1997 (ANA)

The defense minister remarked, however, that this effort by Greece was obstructed by Turkey's competitive activity, which was attempting to gain advantages.

He further made it clear once again that the nation could in no way accept a downgrading of its sovereign rights, underlining that Greece will seek to play the role of a power in the region to safeguard security, peace and development.

[03] ... Other ministers

Athens, 08/12/1997 (ANA)

Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou said the 2004 Olympiad was an opportunity for Greece to offer something different, without "resting on ancient laurels".

"Greek culture... and the deeper meaning of the Olympic ideal can be exploited as channels of understanding, rapprochement and co-operation between modern Greece and Diaspora Greeks and with all the peoples of the world," said Mr. Papandreou.

Greece, he said, should invest in those values, basic traditions and memories that are able to rally not only Greeks but all citizens in the world society who consider those values to be positive, important and eternal.

Greece's initiative to revive the Olympic truce, he said, had been well-received by the international community, as evident in a recent unanimous resolution by the United Nations General Assembly.

Referring to Greece's ambitious plan for a "cultural Olympiad" to run parallel with the 2004 Games, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos said that although a small country, Greece continued to maintain all the characteristics of a "cultural superpower".

"(The program) will not simply be a cultural embellishment for the Olympiad, but an autonomous institution to begin at the Olympic Games in Sydney at the dawn of the third millennium, in 2000," he said, adding that Sydney had shown a strong interest in the plan and an agreement had been signed with the premier of New South Wales.

[04] ... Overseas youth

Athens, 08/12/1997 (ANA)

The use of the Internet as a means for communication among young Greeks around the world was proposed by several speakers including Secretary General for Overseas Greeks Stavros Lambrinidis, and as way of preserving and learning the Greek language.

Mr. Lambrinidis announced a series of measures including Greek language programs on the Internet to link schools abroad where Greek is taught. He referred to current support for university libraries and announced scholarships for Greek schools in Georgia as well as financial support for Greek teachers of the Diaspora.

A further program is being planned for Ukraine and South Africa in the form of cultural events and student exchanges.

Greek-Australian cancer researcher Vasso Apostolopoulos said the Internet should be used to show young Diaspora Greeks what life in Greece was really like, since her own experience had shown her that it was completely different from that described by her parents. She also suggested cultural exchanges, including a proposal that various Greek exhibitions be taken to Australia.

Academic Eleni Glykatzi-Ahrweiler observed that true culture was to be achieved through a sound foundation in one's native language and culture, as well as a deep knowledge of a foreign language in order to appreciate the achievements of others.

"It is a privilege to have been born Greek," she said, "and it is first of all up to the family and then the school to encourage children of Greek parents to love their language."

[05] US gives green light to Greece for F-15 fighters

Athens, 08/12/1997 (ANA)

He made the announcement during a Hellenic Navy celebration.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos added that the EF-2000 Eurofighter jet, manufactured in four EU countries, will also be among the fighter jets to be considered for purchasing by the Air Force.

The Hellenic Navy Saturday celebrated the day of its patron saint, St. Nicholas, at a special event organized at the Piraeus School of Navy Cadets, attended by President Kostis Stephanopoulos, the defense ministry's military and political leadership, religious and political parties' representatives and local authorities.

This year's celebration coincided with the 85th anniversary of captain Kountouriotis' great victories against the Turkish fleet in the Aegean.

Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said that today, as in 1912, the country can rely on its Navy to safeguard Greece's sovereign rights and security in the Aegean.

[06] Tsohatzopoulos answers critics of NATO agreement

Athens, 08/12/1997 (ANA)

In an interview in Saturday's issue of the newspaper "Ta Nea", Mr. Tsohatzopoulos expressed annoyance that his critics had voiced their opposition without first being briefed on the issue.

However, he avoided throwing down the gauntlet and declined to comment on statements by Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis at Friday's Cabinet meeting opposing the government's decision to consent to the new structure.

He conceded, however, that Mr. Arsenis' criticism had hurt the government's image.

He said developments in Greek-Turkish relations would not be affected by the operation of the new NATO. Emphasizing that under the new agreement, Greece would be able to "intervene politically in issues of security" he added that there were guarantees against misinterpretation of the agreement.

He said that the agreement was a defeat for Turkey and that Greece's position in NATO was now better than ever.

"(Turkey) tried to impose a joint Greek-Turkish headquarters for land or airspace... the 15 other countries took a different view ... (and Turkey) was obliged to accept the proposal," he explained.

"Our participation in the new NATO today is what Andreas Papandreou would have done," he said, stressing that the government's decision came within the framework of the national strategy consolidated by PASOK during its 23 years' history.

This strategy, he said, had been "expressed in a decisive way by Andreas Papandreou, and many of us honored that strategy by contributing substantially to it".

[07] ... President briefed on new NATO structure

Athens, 08/12/1997 (ANA)

The new structure strengthened Greece's role in supporting neighboring countries through its new position in NATO, which was developing into an organization of collective security, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said.

[08] Tsovolas attacks Gov't on NATO

Athens, 08/12/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Tsovolas accused the government of having conceded the country's sovereign rights in the Aegean to NATO, Turkey and the US, which if continued would lead to what he called 'a loose confederation in Cyprus'.

Commenting on the new state budget, whose discussion in parliament is about to begin, the DHKKI leader described it as "inhumane and socially unjust".

He added the 1998 budget proved that the conservative economic policies followed by both PASOK and New Democracy governments since 1990 had blatantly failed.

Referring to DHKKI's policy on local government, which was the subject of the two-day conference, Mr. Tsovolas said his party will define its tactic with regard to next year's local elections in spring 1998, and adjust it according to each municipality, community and prefecture, "aiming at creating a wide social front against neo-liberalism".

[09] President hosts reception for journalists

Athens, 08/12/1997 (ANA)

The event was also attended by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, who, responding in a lighthearted way to a question on the latest confrontations over the issue of NATO's new structure, said "they are of no harm".

Nevertheless, the issue of reactions within the ruling party over the Atlantic Alliance's new operational structure, was the dominant issue in informal discussions between ministers and reporters.

[10] EU General Affairs Council to meet in Brussels

Brussels, 08/12/1997 (ANA)

Issues to be examined at today's meeting include issues in the "Agenda 2000" and the union's enlargement, while it is very likely that discussion will also touch upon the proposed European Conference which has preoccupied the EU in recent months.

The Greek side is expected to be firm on its position on this issue, namely that a European Conference is not regarded necessary at the present phase, since no aims and objectives have been determined as yet.

Another point to be pushed ahead by the Greek ministers is the opening of negotiations with candidate member countries.

It is probable that today's meeting will also examine the union's economic affairs.

The issue of establishing a European Conference was the focus of a meeting between representatives of EU member states' prime ministers yesterday. Premier Costas Simitis' advisor Nikos Themelis, who represented Mr. Simitis at the meeting, reiterated Greece's steadfast positions on the issue.

[11] On Turkish Cypriot participation in Cyprus' EU accession talks

Nicosia, 08/12/1997 (ANA - G. Leonidas)

The undersecretary further stressed that Turkey was attempting to push ahead explicit Turkish concerns which were not related to the Turkish Cypriots' interests.

He underlined that three out of the four conditions set by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for participation in Cyprus-EU accession talks, were clearly targeted at promoting Ankara's European ambitions.

The Turkish Cypriots, according to Mr. Kranidiotis, were used as a means by Ankara to serve Turkish interests.

[12] Cyprus parliamentary delegation in Athens

Athens, 08/12/1997 (ANA)

The meeting will review developments in the Cyprus problem and other national issues, while views will also be exchanged on matters under discussion in the various parliamentary associations. The talks will also focus on Cyprus' European course in light of the imminent commencement of its accession talks with the European Union on April 2, 1998.

[13] Thessaloniki hosts Cypriot exhibition

Athens, 08/12/1997 (ANA)

The exhibition, hosted at the Alatza Imaret, one of the renovated Moslem monuments in Thessaloniki, is held within the framework of the Thessaloniki '97 Cultural Capital of Europe events.

[14] Major investments in Komotini to create new jobs

Athens, 08/12/1997 (ANA)

The investments are to be made by the Atlantic EEL co. CA, an eel breeding and processing unit, the Groogeman-Palaiologou, a packaging and storage plastics company and the Vita Hellas SA, a dialysis filter production company.

All job positions to be created will be filled by the local labor market.

[15] Bad weather sweeps Greece, disrupts transport

Athens, 08/12/1997 (ANA)

Snow is falling since yesterday morning in northern Greece, while in a large part of the road network, especially in Western Macedonia, vehicles must be equipped with snow chains.

Due to strong winds and rough seas in the Aegean, flights have been canceled and passenger ships were instructed not to sail to southeast Aegean islands, the southeast Cretan sea and Karpathos.

[16] Youths go on the rampage in downtown Athens

Athens, 08/12/1997 (ANA)

Four of those arrested appeared before the public prosecutor Saturday morning on charges of using explosive devices, arson, damage to property and disturbing the peace.

One store was completely destroyed by fire while a National Bank branch was severely damaged as were other nearby shops, some of which were looted, and vehicles parked in the area.

It took 40 firemen in 15 fire trucks to extinguish the fires. Riot police (MAT) used tear-gas to disperse the gang of youths.

The Communist Party of Greece condemned the incident, and accused the government and riot police of exploiting "such base incidents caused by specific gangs" to "strike a blow against and defame the youth movement".

[17] Turk arrested on Samos for transporting illegals

Athens, 08/12/1997 (ANA)

A coast guard patrol boat came upon Polat Hussein, 25, as he was putting the Iraqis ashore on the coast at Aghia Paraskevi in the early hours of the morning.

He was taken to Samos coast guard headquarters along with the illegal immigrants -- six men, six women and one child -- to appear before the public prosecutor.

A few hours earlier, another Turk escaped after dropping off 21 Iraqis (five men, seven women and nine children) on the beach at Prasso, Samos.

End of English language section.

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