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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 98-07-13Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Clerides: Any stationing of Turkish missiles in occupied territories illegalLARNACA 13/07/1998 (CNA/ANA)Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides on Saturday stressed that Cyprus does not forget the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island or the occupation of 37 per cent of its territory.Meanwhile, responding to threats from Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, that Ankara would bring missiles to the occupied areas if the Cyprus government went ahead with the deployment of the Russian-made S-300 anti- aircraft missiles, the Cypriot presi dent said such a development "would constitute an illegal act". Mr. Clerides was speaking on his departure for Russia, where at the invitation of Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, he will be a guest of honour at the opening of the World Youth Games, to be held in the Russian capital. Referring to his reply letter to US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright concerning the S-300 missiles, Mr. Clerides said he proposed that "if talks on the Cyprus issue begin and there is substantive progress,we could delay their arrival because we do not want to be blamed for blowing up the negotiations". Foreign governments, including the US administration, have raised opposition to the deployment of the Russian-made S-300s - ordered by Nicosia in January 1997. They are expected to be deployed later this year. The Cyprus government confirmed this week that there was an exchange of letters between Mr. Clerides and Ms Albright on the issue. "If we see that there is progress towards a solution, then within the framework of Cyprus' demilitarisation we could discuss this (S-300) issue," Mr. Clerides said. Asked how the US responds to his proposal, he pointed out that "nobody can describe it as illogical" and said it is considered "positive". "There has been no development on this proposal because its first part (for the creation of a no-fly zone) was accepted but not the second," he said in response to a question on the issue of the creation of a no-fly zone over Cyprus with guarantees, similar to that enforced in Iraq. "We do not accept the creation of a no-fly zone unless there are guarantees, " he underlined. The Cypriot president also said that Ms Albright's letter focuses on her briefing by Richard Holbrooke, now the US permanent representative to the UN, about his visits here, in a bid to bring the two sides back to the negotiating table. Mr. Holbrooke, who was appointed US presidential emissary for Cyprus last year, visited Cyprus twice but did not manage to break the deadlock because of the Turkish side's intransigence. Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has said he will not negotiate unless his illegal regime in the Turkish-occupied areas is recognised and Cyprus withdraws its application for European Union membership. The president said Ms Albright did not dispute the Cyprus Republic's right to decide on its defences and added she reconfirmed the US would continue its efforts to settle the Cyprus question. Referring to his four-day visit to Moscow, President Clerides described it as both "a courtesy visit and substantive". He said he would hold talks with Russian President Boris Yeltsin today, focusing on issues "of common interest". The Cypriot president added he would exchange views on the Cyprus problem, its current status and issues of interest to both countries with Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov on the same day. Mr. Clerides is accompanied by Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides and Undersecretary to the President Pantelis Kouros. On the same day, Mr. Clerides will meet the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Alexy II and will attend the start of the youth games. He returns to Cyprus tomorrow afternoon. Athens News Agency[02] Political leaders' vacation scheduleAthens 13/07/1998 (ANA)Most of Greece's political leaders will take vacations in the early part of August, according to reports. Specifically, President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos will vacation at his holiday home in Rio, Achaia prefecture.PM Costas Simitis plans to take his holiday, as he has for the last 20 years, on the island of Sifnos. Main opposition ND leader Costas Karamanlis, who will wed this month, is scheduled to spend a few days in Ios during the first 15 days of August. Communist Party of Greece (KKE) leader Aleka Papariga will reportedly head to Cephalonia, while Coalition of the Left and Progress president Nikos Constantopoulos expects to spend vacation time in Ileia prefecture and at his vacation home in the Schinia region district of Attica. DHKKI leader Dimitris Tsovolas will be spending time between Naxos and Aetoloarkanania prefecture. ND honorary leader Costas Mitsotakis will be at his home district in Hania, Crete. Finally, Pol.An leader Antonis Samaras will vacation in his hometown of Pylos, Messinia prefecture. Athens News Agency[03] Papandreou at EU General Affairs CouncilAthens 13/07/1998 (ANA)Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou left for Brussels yesterday to attend the European Union General Affairs Council.Among the issues to be discussed, which will convene today and tomorrow, are priorities of the Austrian EU presidency, "Agenda 2000" and a time schedule for its implementation. EU ministers will also discuss the situation in the western Balkans, especially the crisis in the Serbian province of Kosovo. Athens News Agency[04] Mantelis briefed on latest problems in OA domestic flightsAthens 13/07/1998 (ANA)Transport Minister Tassos Mantelis met with Olympic Airways officials upon his return to Athens Saturday night.Mr. Mantelis was reportedly briefed on widespread delays and flight cancellations that have plagued operations at Athens airport over the weekend. Meanwhile, delays of up to an hour were reported in Olympic Airways' domestic flights on Saturday, although no flights were cancelled, OA officials said. OA officials attributed the delays to a rise in air traffic throughout Europe and particularly in the Mediterranean, as the tourist season has swung into high gear. On Friday, six of the debt-plagued national carrier's domestic flights were cancelled. According to sources, both the delays and cancellations were due to a dispute between pilots and OA management over work schedules. Pilots have suddenly decided to work-to-rule over low-altitude flights in order to improve their negotiating position before management formulates a new operations code, the same sources claimed. Athens News Agency[05] Laliotis favours PASOK congress next springAthens 13/07/1998 (ANA)Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis reiterated his full support for the government's choices and Prime Minister Costas Simitis' re-election as the party's leader at the next PASOK congress.In an interview with yesterday's "Sunday Elefterotypia",Mr. Laliotis placed himself in favour of a party congress taking place in spring next year, contrary to other projections, saying that it may be held by the end of the year. To provide further backing to his own support for the prime minister, Mr. Laliotis said that both the ruling PASOK party and Mr. Simitis were judged in 1996, something that will be repeated in 2000. "The party and Greece's future were not determined by internal party mechanisms, but by the people's mandate," he said. Asked about the government's economic policy, he replied that latest developments have vindicated PASOK's policy as this is reflected in the party's theme: "Stability - Development - Social Protection". "This policy bears Andreas Papandreou's seal and Georgios Gennimatas' signature," he added. Meanwhile, in another interview with yesterday's "Kathi-merini", PASOK ececutive bureau member Manolis Daskalakis spoke of the need to overthrow the "Simitis policy", saying that this could not be possible without overthrowing Mr. Simitis himself. The government's current policy was paving the way in office for main opposition ND leader Costas Karamanlis, he added. Athens News Agency[06] Tsohatzopoulos concludes US tour with speech in NYCNEW YORK 13/07/1998 (ANA-M. Savva)National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos yesterday wound up his US tour with a speech here during a meeting with expatriate Greeks, organised by the Federation of Greek Associations of the Greater New York City area.The meeting was also attended by Archbishop of America Spyridon, who in short address, assured the Greek defence minister that expatriate Greeks will actively support Athens' efforts in all respects. The defence minister's speech covered a wide variety of issues, including recent developments with regard to national issues and defence matters. He also spoke on the outcome of his visit to the US, while he also presented the Greek government's position on security and stability in the wider region of Europe and the Balkans. Mr. Tsohatzopoulos left New York yesterday for Munich, where he is scheduled to deliver a speech at a meeting of the Social-Democratic Party (SPD). Athens News Agency[07] Turkish press report cites increase in tourist flow from Turkey to GreeceANKARA 13/07/1998 (ANA - A. Abatzis)An article in yesterday's issue of the "Yeni Yuzyil" newspaper claimed that the drachma's devaluation as well as new measures by Athens in the tourism sector are behind an increase in the number of Turkish tourists visiting Greece.According to figures quoted in the article, even though last year the number of Turkish holiday-makers visiting Greek islands totalled around 16, 000, in the first six months of 1998 alone, the number was up to 10,000 and is expected to reach 20,000 by the end of 1998. The paper said if other types of travel, excluding organised tours, was to be taken into account, then the number could rise to 50,000. Vacations on the Greek islands now cost less than in Turkey's Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, while Greece is preferred "because it is close and offers high quality vacations," the Turkish paper claimed. Athens News Agency[08] Greek diplomat on ImvrosANKARA 13/07/1998 (ANA - A. Abatzis)Greece's Consul in Istanbul began a two-day visit to the northern Aegean island of Imvros on Saturday, for contacts with local Turkish authorities and members of the ethnic Greek community on the island.While on the island, consul Fotios Xydas attended an inaugural session of a cultural association in the village of Agridion. Imvros today has a population of only 300 ethnic Greeks. In 1922, the island had a predominately Greek population, while in 1927 the Greek community numbered around 6,700. Athens News Agency[09] Stephanopoulos ends tour of CycladesAthens 13/07/1998 (ANA)President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos yesterday afternoon ended a three-day tour of several Cyclades islands, with his last stop on the island of Ios.The president, who was warmly received in all five of the islands he visited - Amorgos, Anafi, Santorini, Thirasia and Ios - used the opportunity to meet local residents. It was the first-ever visit by a president of the republic to these islands. Mr. Stephanopoulos was declared an honorary citizen in all the islands he visited, while he was invited to several cultural events, visited various museums and had brief chats with local officials. Athens News Agency[10] Canadian official in Athens for signing of bilateral judicial agreementMONTREAL 13/07/1998 (ANA)The parliamentary secretary of Canada's justice ministry, Eleni Bakopanos, will arrive in Athens today for an official visit.She is scheduled to sign a bilateral agreement providing for cooperation between judicial authorities of the two countries in criminal cases. Ms Bakopanos will hold talks with Justice Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos, expected to focus on cooperation within the framework of efforts to combat international crime. The purpose of the agreement to be signed is to facilitate the efforts of the two countries in investigating crimes and combatting crime in general. It also provides for cooperation between the police forces of the two countries and allows evidence origi nating in either country to be admitted in the other's courts. During her stay, M. Bakopanos is also expected to have talks with Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou, Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos and Secretary General for Overseas Greeks, Stavros Lambrinidis. She will also meet with Piraeus Mayor Stelios Logothetis to discuss the possible twinning of the port city with Halifax, the first Canadian port of arrival for Greek immigrants. Athens News Agency[11] Constantopoulos says voters will disapprove of gov't policy in upcoming electionsAthens 13/07/1998 (ANA)Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos told a meeting of the party's central committee on Saturday that in the forthcoming municipal and prefectural elections voters should disapprove of the government's current poli cy.He added that citizens, by their vote, should make it clear that government policies have neither social approval or political legitimacy. The target set by Synaspismos, he further stressed, is to create the appropriate conditions for the government policy's defeat and promote a progressive alternative. The party's central political committee meeting wound up yesterday, after approving a draft political decision proposed by the political secretariat. According to this decision, due to be released today, the party will cooperate in the municipal elections with the "Greens" in Thessaloniki, with the party ticket headed by Michalis Tremopoulos. The political secretariat was authorised to decide on a nomination for the Piraeus municipality in cooperation with Synaspismos' Piraeus prefectural committee. Athens News Agency[12] Royaumont-related meeting of NGOs concludes in ThessalonikiAthens 13/07/1998 (ANA)A meeting of non-governmental bodies' (NGOs) representatives from Europe, the US, the Balkans and Russia within the Royaumont initiative for SE Europe wound up in Thessaloniki yesterday.According to the initiative's coordinator, Panayiotis Roumeliotis, as many as 55 programmes for countries in SE Europe have been submitted and put into operation in the three years that Royaumont has been launched. Participants approved a declaration of principles and an action plan, stressing the role of NGOs in southeastern Europe's security and cooperation. Royaumont was launched in 1995 to cover the states of the former Yugoslavia, in order to establish commun ication channels among warring factions. It was later extended to cover the entire region of southeastern Europe. Athens News Agency[13] Police cite attempt at major scam targetting IonianAthens 13/07/1998 (ANA)Authorities are investigating an alleged multi-billion-drachma fraud targetting Ionian Bank.Police said a 65-year-old man has been arrested in relation to the case on charges of forgery and major fraud. National Bank of Greece also filed a lawsuit against the same man, charging that he attempted to deposit a bogus check of US$4.5 million. In addition, police charge that Gerasimos Theotokatos tried to credit an account held at an Ionian Bank branch in Kallithea, Halkidiki prefecture with 67 billion drachmas. According to reports, he also produced documents issued by the Ionian branch as well as forged documents listing a New York and an Australian bank that would forward US$4.5 million. Authorities are also examining the likelihood of involvement by the Ionian branch's personnel. The issue was first uncovered by Attica Police's economic crime squad. Athens News Agency[14] Ferry boats collide off CorfuAthens 13/07/1998 (ANA)Two ferry boats collided off the coast of Corfu early yesterday morning, the merchant marine ministry said, adding that no injuries among passengers were reported.The Cypriot-flagged "Valentino" was en route to the Italian port of Brindisi from the western Greek port city of Patra, while the Turkish- registered "Iskenderun" was heading in the opposite direction, from Brindisi to the port of Cesme on the western Asia Minor coast. Both vessels sailed into the port of Igoumenitsa for evaluation of damages, which sources said was extensive. The local port authority is conducting an investigation into the accident, although initial reports said the collision occurred because of impaired visibility due to heavy fog in the area. All 752 passengers and 86 crewmembers of the Valentino, as well as the 98 passengers and 45 crewmembers of the Iskenderun were safe, sources said. The collision was reported in international waters some 15 miles west of the Ionian island. Athens News AgencyAthens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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