Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 98-02-02
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1405), February 2, 1998
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Unions, farmers open difficult week for government
[02] ... Farmers on the move
[03] Kranidiotis tours southern, eastern African countries
[04] US armed forces chief on Greece-Turkey visit
[05] EOA president attends Winter Olympics in Japan
[06] Archbishop Anastasios receives honor
[07] 'Sailing through Time to the Aegean Islands' essay contest
[08] Iraqi Illegal immigrants arrested on Samos
[09] Protests meet USS La Salle
[10] Casino strives for annulment of fine
[11] Pangalos slams former armed forces chief
[12] ... Praise on Pangalos by Rallis
[13] SAE initiative to re-open the Halki School of Theology
[14] Basketball Cup goes to Aris
[01] Unions, farmers open difficult week for government
Athens, 02/02/1998 (ANA)
The conflict between trade unions and the government over a
controversial provision on labor relations in public utilities
(DEKO) is coming to a peak today, with a rally organized by the
General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSSE) outside
Parliament, to coincide with the debate of the provision.
The vote on the provision has more trouble in stock for the
leadership of both major parties, PASOK and New Democracy, with
many PASOK deputies having voiced objections to the contents and
usefulness of the provision.
Some main opposition ND deputies are also opposed to the party's
negative stance.
According to sources, the opposition is likely to require a
roll-call vote.
Prime Minister Costas Simitis and PASOK Secretary Costas
Skandalidis have scheduled a meeting with a loaded agenda a few
hours before the debate on the crucial amendment, and they are
considered certain to discuss the stand of ruling party deputies
who disagree with the manner in which the issue has been handed
by the National Economy Ministry.
Addressing a party meeting yesterday, Mr. Skandalidis charged
internal party opposition with a disposition to create tension
regarding certain issues, resulting in the ruling party showing
a situation of "not positive development and functioning".
Government sources said in spite of objections, PASOK deputies
will vote in favor of the amendment.
On Friday, government spokesman Demetris Reppas said that
structural problems in DEKO needed to be immediately fixed,
otherwise these public utilities and enterprises would not be
able to face up to upcoming challenges.
Meanwhile, a survey on DEKO published in yesterday's newspaper
Kyriakatiki Eleftherotypia, found that as many as 78.4 percent
of those asked were dissatisfied with services rendered by
public corporations, with public transportation among the worst.
Today's schedule of industrial action in public transportation
includes work stoppages by the Athens-Piraeus railway (HSAP)
from 3 pm, trolley bus service and OASA from 5 pm, all until the
end of the evening shift.
Disruptions are also expected to both international and domestic
flight schedules by the national air carrier, Olympic Airways.
Unionists are further considering to take action, such as
24-hour rolling strikes, as each of the changes in the provision
is debated in Parliament.
GSEE has said that unions are in doubt as to whether they will
continue the "social dialogue" with the government and employers
during the next six months.
[02] ... Farmers on the move
Athens, 02/02/1998 (ANA)
Farmers from Thessaly are taking action in their tractors as of
today, to follow up the escalation of action in the past month.
Hundreds of tractors are expected to line up on both sides of
the Athens-Thessaloniki national highway, from Tempi to
Mikrothives, in protest against the government's agricultural
policy.
Members of the Panthessaliki Coordinating Committee of Struggle
have given reassurances that, at least at the present phase,
they will not block the highway or disrupt traffic.
It is not unlikely, however, that blockades may be set up, since
farmers are awaiting the government's response.
A demand by farmers to meet Prime Minister Costas Simitis has
already failed, while a meeting with Agriculture Minister
Stefanos Tzoumakas seems to be out of the question, as farmers
say there is no understanding between them and the minister.
Tractors will start arriving on the national highway after 11 am
this morning.
[03] Kranidiotis tours southern, eastern African countries
Johannesburg, 02/02/1998 (ANA - N. Voulelis)
Foreign Under-secretary Yannos Kranidiotis is currently on a
six-day tour of southern and eastern African countries to
promote Greece's candidacy for a non-permanent member seat on
the UN Security Council for the period 1 999-2000 and to boost
bilateral relations.
Mr. Kranidiotis was in Johannesburg yesterday, in a visit that
coincided with the arrival of Patriarch Petros of Alexandria and
All Africa and president of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad
(SAE) for the installation of the new Metropolitan of
Johannesburg and Pretoria, Ioannis. It is recalled that the
Patriarchate of Alexandria announced in September 1997 the
establishment of four new bishoprics, including one in Tanzania.
Addressing the Greek Chamber of Commerce of S. Africa last
night, Mr. Kranidiotis confirmed Greece's interest in the
overseas Greeks and their "invaluable role" as a bridge with
other peoples and their contribution to strengthening Greece's
positions internationally.
Earlier, Mr. Kranidiotis visited Swaziland, the first by a Greek
minister, and had talks with Swazi Foreign Minister Arthur Koza
on prospects for development of relations between the two
countries. He pledged Greece's assistance in financing several
development programs in Swaziland in such sectors as animal
breeding and tourism.
He also invited Mr. Koza to visit Greece, while the latter said
his country would favorably examine Greece's candidacy for a
non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
On Friday Mr. Kranidiotis was in Dar-es-Salaam where he met with
Tanzanian Foreign Minister Jakaya Kikuete for talks on bilateral
relations and international developments. He recalled the
"Initiative of the Six" for peace launched in 1982 by the late
Andreas Papandreou, then prime minister of Greece, together with
then Tanzanian president Julius Nyerere, the presidents of
Mexico and Argentina and the prime ministers of Sweden and
India, and described relations between the two countries as
excellent, with margins for investment collaboration among Greek
and Tanzanian businessmen.
Mr. Kranidiotis also conveyed an invitation to Tanzanian
President Benjamin Mgapa to visit Greece from his Greek
counterpart Kostis Stephanopoulos.
The foreign under-secretary began his African tour last Thursday
with a meeting in Nairobi with newly re-elected Kenyan president
Daniel arap Moi, whom he briefed on Greek foreign policy issues
including Greek-Turkish relations, the Cyprus issue, Greece's
course in the context of the European Union and its bid for a
seat on the UN Security Council.
They also discussed prospects for developing bilateral
relations, while Mr. Kranidiotis further held talks with the
Kenyan foreign minister and under-secretary, the minister for
industrial development and the health minister.
He presented President Daniel arap Moi with a check for 50,000
dollars as symbolic Greek assistance to the victims of the
recent floods, and promised food aid.
Greece plans to help finance several developmental projects in
Kenya through non-governmental organizations, while the Kenyan
government has expressed strong interest in Greek investments.
Mr. Kranidiotis also delivered two letters to the Kenyan
president from Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos and Prime
Minister Costas Simitis inviting him to visit Greece.
The Greek foreign under-secretary is scheduled to visit Namibia,
Mozambique and Ethiopia before departing tomorrow for his return
to Greece.
[04] US armed forces chief on Greece-Turkey visit
Washington, 02/02/1998 (ANA/ AFP)
The Pentagon announced on Friday that the Chairman of the US
Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. (Air) Joseph Ralston would begin a
three-day visit to Greece and Turkey yesterday.
The announcement said Gen. Ralston would discuss "bilateral and
multilateral defense and security issues of mutual interest".
Details of his itinerary were not given for security reasons.
[05] EOA president attends Winter Olympics in Japan
Nagano, Japan, 02/02/1998 (ANA - Reuters)
The ancient myth of Icarus is likely to come to life again
during the Athens Olympics in 2004, according to the president
of the Greek Olympic Committee (EOA) Lambis Nikolaou.
Mr. Nikolaou, who is currently here to attend the Winter
Olympics, said that there has been an application for the
inclusion of a glider flight in Athens in 2004.
"I believe the proposal has been made by the Greek federation of
the sport. In Greece, there is quite an interest in the sport
because it is spectacular", said Mr. Nikolaou.
The EOA president also disclosed that an application was
received for the inclusion of sea skiing in Athens 2004 in the
official program.
According to sources, circles by the International Olympic
Committee (IOC) have said that in the six years to the Athens
Olympics many things could change.
Many new sports have already been included in the official
program of the Games, such as the Triathlon which will be
inaugurated in Sydney 2000.
[06] Archbishop Anastasios receives honor
Tirana, 02/02/1998 (ANA- P. Haritos)
Albanian political leaders and government ministers on Saturday
attended a plain ceremony in the residence of the Greek
ambassador during which Orthodox Archbishop of Albania
Anastasios was awarded the Greek Cross of the Legion of Honor.
The event was attended by President Rexhep Mejdani, Foreign
Minister Paskal Milo, Minister to the Prime Minister Kastriot
Islami, and many foreign diplomats.
The medal was awarded on behalf of Greek President Kostis
Stephanopoulos by ambassador K. Prevedourakis.
[07] 'Sailing through Time to the Aegean Islands' essay contest
Athens, 02/02/1998 (ANA)
The National Tourism Organization of Greece (EOT) and the
Federation of the Aegean Islands Associations in the United
States, are sponsoring an essay context for 10th and 11th grade
students, an EOT representative has told the ANA.
The contest, taking place in collaboration with the Board of
Education of New York City, carries a prize of a cruise to the
Aegean islands in Greece in the spring of 1998 for four student
winners and two teacher chaperones.
The contestants must submit essays of between 750 and 1,000
words on the historical achievements of the Aegean islands in
Greece and how they affect life today.
Information is available from Ms. Ronnie Solow, Director of
Special Projects, School Programs and Support Services at (718)
935-3475 in New York.
[08] Iraqi Illegal immigrants arrested on Samos
Athens, 02/02/1998 (ANA)
A group of 13 Iraqi illegal immigrants were arrested at dawn
yesterday on the island of Samos, police said.
A police spokesman told the ANA that the 10 men and three women
had been dropped off at Cape Prasso on the eastern coast of the
island.
The illegal immigrants told police they had been conveyed to
Samos by a Turkish captain in a white, seven-meter long
speedboat, police said.
They said the same smuggler "has been described by several
groups" of illegal immigrants as having brought them over from
the Turkish coast.
[09] Protests meet USS La Salle
Athens, 02/02/1998 (ANA)
As the US Sixth Fleet flagship "USS La Salle" docked in
Thessaloniki's harbor yesterday, a crowd of around 200 people
from peace groups and the Communist Party of Greece (KKE)
gathered in the docks to protest against the US policy in the
region.
The demonstrators, holding candles in their hands, shouted
anti-American slogans, and later marched outside the US
Consulate where they stayed for half an hour before dispersing.
The flagship's captain and Sixth Fleet commander, Vice Admiral
Charles Abbot, told reporters that the US and Greece's military
leaderships were working together for peace in the region.
Earlier, the vice admiral visited the city's Archaeological
Museum and the church of Aghios Demetrios, while he met
Thessaloniki mayor Constantinos Kosmopoulos and the commander of
the Third Army Corps, Lt. Gen. Panagiotakos.
In the five days of their stay, the vessel's crew of 25 officers
and 420 sailors will be shown the sights around the city, while
classical and jazz concerts have been organized on the occasion.
Yesterday evening, Vice Admiral Abbot hosted a reception in
honor of the city's authorities. The event was also attended by
US ambassador in Athens Nicholas Burns.
[10] Casino strives for annulment of fine
Athens, 02/02/1998 (ANA)
The "Porto Karras Halkidiki Casino" has taken recourse to the
Council of State, requesting that a decision by the Casino
Operation Committee to fine the casino company with 170 million
dr. be annulled.
The fine relates to various infringements, including non-payment
of ticket dues to the state, delayed payment of arrears to the
N. Marmaras community and assigning the casino's management to
persons of inappropriate skills.
The company argues that the management has been changed and all
debts, amounting to 4 billion dr., have been paid.
[11] Pangalos slams former armed forces chief
Athens, 02/02/1998 (ANA)
"There was no proposal by anyone for a violent confrontation
with the initiation of hostilities on our part," Foreign
Minister Theodoros Pangalos said in an interview with the Sunday
edition of the newspaper Ethnos, in reference to the night of
the serious Greek-Turkish stand-off in the eastern Aegean two
years ago.
In the interview, which marked the second anniversary of the
Imia crisis, Mr. Pangalos launched a strong attack on the then
Greek armed forces chief Admiral Christos Lymberis.
Replying to a question on the criticism of the government's
handling of the crisis, the foreign minister said the chief of
staff showed a most undignified attitude in the days that
followed, in his particularly humiliating effort to avoid
resignation.
"I do not wish to describe Mr. Lymberis' deplorable behavior and
obvious inefficiency during the incidents", said Mr. Pangalos.
"However, I wish to say that apart of all moral shortcomings the
chief of our armed forces showed that night, he has now proved
to be a shameful liar", he added.
The minister said that he had cross-checked information that
Admiral Lymberis "did not make the proposals he is now saying he
was ready to make".
In a reply to the accusations, Admiral Lymberis attributed them
to Mr. Pangalos' emotionally unstable reactions and
inaccuracies, and announced he would give a press conference on
the issue today.
[12] ... Praise on Pangalos by Rallis
Athens, 02/02/1998 (ANA)
Former New Democracy prime minister George Rallis, in an article
published in yesterday's Kathimerini, praised the foreign policy
followed by minister Theodoros Pangalos.
The former PM further accused those who disagreed with the
current foreign policy that they were acting on an "opposition
drive".
Mr. Rallis, who has also served as a foreign minister, said in
his article that the "turn" in the Greek foreign policy, brought
about by Mr. Pangalos, "has a favorable development in the EU".
He said Mr. Pangalos' tactic proved that it was not merely
Greece that hampered Turkey's EU course, but rather a series of
Turkey's own problems.
[13] SAE initiative to re-open the Halki School of Theology
Chicago, 02/02/1998 (ANA)
The World Council of Hellenes (SAE) is embarking on an
international campaign aimed at having the Halki Scholl of
Theology re-opened.
The campaign will be officially launched on March 12 in
Washington, and the ceremony will be attended by US officials
and international dignitaries.
Last Saturday, SAE president Andrew Athens visited Ecumenical
Patriarch Vartholomeos and they made a joint visit to the Halki
School of Theology.
Mr. Athens told Patriarch Vartholomeos that all SAE bodies will
participate in the international campaign, while he pledged that
SAE will do everything in its power to assist the Patriarchate
in attaining economic independence.
The historic school was shut down in 1973 after a Turkish
government decision.
[14] Basketball Cup goes to Aris
Athens, 02/02/1998 (ANA)
Aris Thessaloniki yesterday won the men's Greek Basketball Cup,
beating AEK Athens 71-68 (34-36 at half time).
End of English language section.
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