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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 98-01-02
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 1380), January 2, 1998
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] PM stresses progress must include boosting social protection
[02] ... Stephanopoulos
[03] ... Karamanlis
[04] ... Papariga
[05] ... Konstantopoulos
[06] ... Tsovolas
[07] ... GSEE
[08] Athens meets New Year, boasting the tallest Christmas tree in
Europe
[09] Civil aviation experts investigate Yakovlev crash
[10] Defense ministry denies Turkish news agency report
[11] Turkey urged to change behavior towards Greece
[12] President to bestow honorary titles
[13] Turkish smugglers disembark Iraqis
[14] Foreign Office documents shed light on 1967 Cyprus turmoil
[15] Fire on Turkish freighter off Skyros
[16] Weapons seized in Ioannina
[17] German found dead in car
[01] PM stresses progress must include boosting social protection
Athens, 02/01/1998 (ANA)
Significant steps of progress in the economy and international
relations, despite continuing tension with Turkey, allow for
optimism that still further possibilities for creativity lie
ahead, Prime Minister Costas Simitis said in his New Year's
message.
"Thanks to the efforts and sacrifices of all, significant steps
were made in the direction of a stronger Greece last year.
Greater stability was achieved in the economy. Inflation was
reduced to levels unknown for decades, and the same is the case
with the public deficit. The rate of growth was one of the
highest in Europe," he said.
"The standard of living of most people improved. We apply modern
policies against unemployment. Step-by-step, we are building a
substantial web of social protection. We shall persist with this
policy," he added.
He cautioned, however, that a lot of work still had to be done.
"We still have a considerable distance to cover to acquire an
economy as strong as those of other European countries. An
economy so competitive that will not be influenced by the
upheavals of the international market," he said.
"Our relations with neighboring Turkey are going through a
period of tension. Turkey is trying to gain ground which it lost
in the European Union. As far as we are concerned, we shall
steadily follow a policy of peace. We refuse the escalation of
tension.
Solutions are available if international treaties and law are
applied. At the same time we shall continue our efforts for a
strong deterrent force," he continued.
"Our role in the Balkans is becoming increasingly important. The
(November) summit on Crete confirmed this. Delegates of
countries with chronic conflicts and disputes agreed on closer
cooperation. The arrangements we achieved in the European Union
will secure the financing of our developmental efforts for years
to come. In the Luxembourg summit, the Greek positions on
relations with Turkey and Cypriot accession negotiations were
accepted. Our voice is being heard more and more, suffice it
that we continue our policy of cooperation and at the same time
improve our economic and social performance," he added.
"The year that passed showed that we can be optimistic. The
assignment of the Olympic Games of 2004 to Athens was proof that
we can succeed in international competition," the prime minister
concluded.
[02] ... Stephanopoulos
Athens, 02/01/1998 (ANA)
President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos in his New
Year's Day address said that there are solutions to the very
real problems of the country.
He explained that these solutions are hard and need
conscientious work to be fulfilled.
The president also commented on the difficulties on the national
issues, but said that careful actions, unanimity and well
prepared military forces with a high moral are adequate
preconditions for Greece to achieve the defense of its national
integrity and to secure peace.
Mr. Stephanopoulos said that the country has achieved its own
momentum, despite the difficulties. Greek entrepreneurship is
increasing fast both in an out of the country, the cultural
affairs are increasing, Greek scientists are noted for their
work here and abroad, Greek universities are becoming better,
but still are in need of work. Greeks are not migrating, rather
Greece has become a pole of immigration and finally the standard
of living, although not yet at the levels of other member states
in the European Union, it has maintained its upward move.
"To our Cypriot brethren I am sending cordial greetings, best
wishes and the reassurance of Greece's continual support toward
their great national problem, which is our problem as well,"
said the president.
[03] ... Karamanlis
Athens, 02/01/1998 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Costas
Karamanlis sent a message of hope and optimism to the nation
yesterday, during his New Year's Day address.
Mr. Karamanlis said that Greece has enormous potential and a
bright future. He added that all these possibilities can and
must be utilized, but the state and the political forces of the
country must be equal to the challenge.
The state must stand by the citizen at moments of creation and
needs instead of being a tyrant... "with national unity and of
one mind, with a stable policy and decisive posture we can
dispel the fog which surrounds us...", he concluded.
[04] ... Papariga
Athens, 02/01/1998 (ANA)
Communist Party of Greece (KKE) leader Aleka Papariga in her New
Year's Day address expressed her certainty that this will be the
year that the existing political situation in the country will
be torn down.
She added that these political blocks of power are responsible
for the insecurity, unemployment, and poverty of the people
while "the plutocracy is becoming fatter."
[05] ... Konstantopoulos
Athens, 02/01/1998 (ANA)
Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) party leader
Nikos Konstantopoulos said in his New Year's Day address that
1998 must become the year which will bring the country closer to
the progressive route Greece needs.
He added that this must become the year of creative struggle so
as to overcome all the difficulties we face.
[06] ... Tsovolas
Athens, 02/01/1998 (ANA)
Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) president Demetris Tsovolas
in his New Year's Day address said that the year which just
ended was characterized by the increase of social inequities, a
further decline of the lower classes income and increased
unemployment.
Mr. Tsovolas said that the negative flow of Greece's national
issues are due to the wrong choices of the government. He added
that DHKKI will continue its struggle for a strong social
progressive front against the barbarity of neo-liberalism.
[07] ... GSEE
Athens, 02/01/1998 (ANA)
General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) in its New
Year's Day message said that "1998 can become a better year for
the workers, the people and the country with our struggle,
efforts and endeavors... the financial forecast for the new year
is creating a cautious optimism for further improvement of the
economic and social conditions for the working classes".
[08] Athens meets New Year, boasting the tallest Christmas tree in
Europe
Athens, 02/01/1998 (ANA)
Season's lights, tallest Christmas tree in Europe, a crowd of
thousands, great popular artists, Athens' municipal music band,
fire works, and thousands of multicolored balloons conspired to
create the best New Year's bash Athenians have seen, according
to the people who visited Syntagma Square for the festivities.
The crowd and television viewers both in Greece and abroad had
the chance to enjoy an endless parade of popular singers, who
'escaped', for a few minutes each from the clubs where they
work, to appear and inspire. One of the highlights of the
evening was the countdown to the New Year. All lights were
turned off one minute before twelve and those gathered counted
down the last minute of 1997. Athens Mayor Demetris Avramopoulos
called out to all including Greeks abroad watching the
festivities via satellite to "celebrate ...tonight with us." He
added that this celebration belongs to the homeless and the
socially disenfranchised.
[09] Civil aviation experts investigate Yakovlev crash
Athens, 02/01/1998 (ANA)
The Civil Aviation Authority (YPA) committee investigating the
Dec. 17 Yakovlev 42 crash flew over the point of impact, on
Wednesday.
Committee president Akrivos Tsolakis said that the flight was an
effort to re-enact the path taken by the Ukrainian Airsuite
airlines plane.
He added that the flight uncovered important facts about the
crash.
Mr. Tsolakis also said that the committee will go to Kiev,
Moscow, and the US in efforts to collect facts and information
about the airplane, since pertinent information on several
aspects of the crash can be found only in those countries.
[10] Defense ministry denies Turkish news agency report
Athens, 02/01/1998 (ANA)
Greek defense ministry sources last night categorically denied a
Turkish Anadolu news agency report according to which two Greek
warships attempted to carry out checks on the particulars of
identity and destination of vessels exiting the Dardanelle
straits on Wednesday night.
The same sources said that a Hellenic Navy gunboat patrolling
the area was in a state of increased vigilance, acting on
information that an unknown vessel was planning to land 2,000
illegal immigrants on Greek coasts.
[11] Turkey urged to change behavior towards Greece
Athens, 02/01/1998 (ANA)
Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos on Wednesday urged Turkey
to change its behavior towards Greece, saying that its
aggressiveness did nothing to help its relations with Europe.
In his new year message, Tsohatzopoulos invited Turkey to
consider the conditions set out by the European Union (for
prospective candidates for EU membership) in order to improve
its relations with the currently 15-nation bloc. "If Ankara
realizes this in future, it will greatly help towards improving
the current climate. Turkey should understand that...
aggressiveness does not help... Above all, Turkey should give
serious consideration to the problems noted by the EU," said the
defense minister. He concluded with wishes for a peaceful new
year, with less tension and more understanding of common
interests and for "common sense" to prevail among the leaders of
the region, which he said was "characterized by instability and
fluidity".
[12] President to bestow honorary titles
Athens, 02/01/1998 (ANA)
President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos decided to
bestow honorary titles to distinguished Greek citizens and
expatriate Greeks in view of the New Year. These yearly titles
will be given to Archbishop of Tirana and all of Albania
Anastasios, Europe an Human Rights Justice Nikolas Valtinos,
University of Toronto professors Spyridonas Phleggas, Demetrios
Oreopoulos and Stephanos Triantis, MIT professors Mihael
Dertouzos and Nikolaos Negreponte, San Diego University
professor Kyriakos Nikolaou, World Council of Hellenes Abroad
president Andrew Athens, writer Geogi Kufov and director of the
institute for the financial support of Greek children at Harvard
Pediatric Hospital Vasso Pappas.
[13] Turkish smugglers disembark Iraqis
Athens, 02/01/1998 (ANA)
Turkish smugglers disembarked 24 Iraqi illegal immigrants at
dawn yesterday on the east coast of the island of Samos, police
said. They said the 20 men and four women were transported to
the Prasso region of Samos in two boat loads.
The illegal immigrants told Samos police they had paid 2,000
dollars each to be brought across to Greece, adding that a large
number of Iraqis were in Turkey waiting to be transported
illegally to Greek islands in the Aegean. The 24 were taken to
the local police precinct pending completion of the process for
the extension of political asylum.
[14] Foreign Office documents shed light on 1967 Cyprus turmoil
Athens, 02/01/1998 (ANA)
Late Cyprus' President Makarios was willing to accept the ceding
of the British Dekelia base in Cyprus to Turkey on condition
that it would belong to NATO.
The British withdrawal from the base was part of a general
framework of the kingdom to save money.
This is one of the obscure moments of Cyprus' recent history
coming to light with the release of the British Cabinet and
Defense Ministry 1967 documents, since the statute of
limitations has run out, a yearly practice in the United
Kingdom.
According to the documents Greece forced the issue of Cyprus'
union with it, giving Turkey land remuterations on the island,
while Turkey was willing to discuss sovereignty rights over the
Dekelia base, asking for a de facto "double union" or
partitioning of the island.
Coming to light was also a secret meeting of the then King
Constantine of the Greeks with British prime minister Harold
Wilson on this subject, on Nov. 9, 1966.
According to the declassified documents Britain was willing to
discuss the total demilitarization of the island and a form of
confederation between Greece and Cyprus, which could have been
acceptable by all parties involved, but Ankara was not willing t
o give up its military rights on Cyprus.
[15] Fire on Turkish freighter off Skyros
Athens, 02/01/1998 (ANA)
Fire broke out aboard a Turkish-flag freighter yesterday as it
was sailing in international waters in the Aegean near the Greek
island of Skyros, Merchant Marine Ministry sources said.
The blazing vessel was spotted at noon by the Skyros military
observation post, since the Turkish captain had not transmitted
an SOS nor requested assistance on the VHF radio frequencies.
The ministry's operations department was told by its counterpart
in Istanbul that all 45 crew members of the freighter "Akoba"
had abandoned ship.
The sources said 40 crew members had been picked up by the
Turkish ship "Tolka Gen" and were all safe, while another five
were in a life raft and in no danger.
Three Greek ships, a Greek coast-guard vessel and a Greek navy
vessel, were on stand-by in the vicinity of the blazing
freighter, while two Air Force helicopters and a military C-130
transport plane were flying over the area for security reasons,
the sources said.
The cause of the fire on the freighter, which was not carrying a
cargo, were as yet undetermined, the sources added.
[16] Weapons seized in Ioannina
Athens, 02/01/1998 (ANA)
A cache of weapons allegedly smuggled into Greece by illegal
immigrants from Albania was found on Wednesday hidden near the
village of Klimatia, Ioannina.
A passing traveling salesman informed Ioannina police that he
had come across bags containing the weapons, which included four
Chinese-made automatic rifles, various types of revolvers and
ammunition.
[17] German found dead in car
Athens, 02/01/1998 (ANA)
A German man was found dead in his car in farmland near the
village of Iliohori, Ioannina on Wednesday.
Police said it appeared that Karlheinz Dielk, 40, who had been
working in Ioannina for the past few years, committed suicide. A
hose was found leading from the exhaust pipe into the car, with
the engine running.
End of English language section.
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