Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 99-03-01

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] PM rejects allegations against Greece in Ocalan affair

[02] Athens stresses that latest Turkish barrage of claims 'lead nowhere'

[03] Gov't denies that Pangalos visit to Kenya in Nov. linked to Ocalan

[04] Tsohatzopoulos calls for unity to reverse `heavy atmosphere`

[05] US officials deny Ankara claims citing transfer of NATO technology by Greece

[06] Washington disagrees with Athens' decision to grant asylum to 2 Ocalan aides

[07] Judicial inquiry over Ocalan's entry, stay in Greece nears completion

[08] Three Ocalan aides depart Athens hotel

[09] Badouvas expelled from PASOK's Parliament group

[10] ESP conference in Milan today

[11] Results of PASOK delegates election may be released today

[12] Hi-tech passport detection system on Greek-Bulgarian border

[13] Kaklamanis on Ocalan aide's statements

[14] Religious leaders meet with UN chief

[01] PM rejects allegations against Greece in Ocalan affair

Athens, 01/03/1999 (ANA)

"Some people are attempting to blacken the image of Greece," the premier stressed.

Ocalan's aide Semse (Dillan) Kilic openly charged the Greek government with involvement in a conspiracy against Ocalan, although she didn't present any evidence.

"Greece over the years has helped those who are persecuted and suffering. Look around you at the thousands of Kurds, the hundreds of thousands of Albanians and compare Greece to the other countries of the European Union...

"In the case of Ocalan, every possible humanitarian assistance was offered and we had clarified well before, to all, that it would be a tragic and strategic mistake for Greece to accept the 'Kurdisation' of Greek-Turkish relations and foreign policy," he told reporters in Piraeus.

"The government remains unswervingly committed to creating a strong Greece in the face of the swarms of those who slander it for ultra-patriotic reasons and condemn our policies...(people) who nobody knows where they come from and what purposes they serve.

"We will hold high Greece's prospects, which we want to be equal to the procedures of European unification, to have a role in the Balkans and a voice in the world...This is what they do not want, but they will not succeed and we will surely and steadily continue our policies," Mr. Simitis said.

Gov't spokesman : On his part, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas on Saturday said Greece is a democratic country and will always allow the right of free speach to all, however, he added that Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) official Kilic's statements on Saturday "equalled the most obscene Turkish propaganda and cannot be tolerated."

Ms. Kilic, a Belgian passport holder, was one of the three aides of Ocalan, now a prisoner in Turkey. She held a press conference on Saturday afternoon.

Mr. Reppas said "Greece is a democratic country, and because of that we will never stop offering humanitarian assistance to all oppressed peoples.

"Greece, as a democratic country will not stop allowing the right to persons such as Ms Kilic to freely express their opinions. From that point on, however, and exactly because Greece is a democratic country, the anti- Greece raving by Ms Kilic - with the adoptation of the most obscene Turkish propaganda - cannot be tolerated," he added. Mr. Reppas also said there are many "questions left unanswered, (and) for this reason her role must be clarified." Finally, he called on all foreign nationals "to resp ect the country, which hosts them and offers them the conditions for a better life. Furthermore we call them to stop claim for roles, which belong only to the sovereign Greek people."

Press conference : Ms Kilic openly charged the Greek government with involvement in a conspiracy against Ocalan, although she failed to present any evidence.

She also claimed that Mr. Simitis, former FM Theodoros Pangalos, former public order minister Philippos Pestalinikos, former interior minister Alekos Papadopoulos and the head of the Greek intelligence service played an "active role in realising the plans of the United States, Israel and Turkey and Russia" regarding Ocalan's fate.

Ms Kilic did not provide evidence for the collusion accusations levelled against the Greek, US, Israeli, Russian and Kenyan governments. On several occasions she also questioned the reasons for Mr. Pangalos' visit to Kenya last November.

Ms Kilic also noted that Turkish newspaper reports she did not identify reported that the US$50-million reward the Turkish government had posted was paid to various unnamed secret services.

Ms Kilic, one of the three Ocalan aides to be flown to Greece from Kenya, spoke through a translator, while the other two women, Nucan Derya, 23, and Melsa Deniz, 19, who were given political asylum in Greece, were not present.

In statements later on Saturday, after testifying at a court inquiry on the details of the Ocalan affair, Ms Kilic said her comments had been misinterpreted and thanked the Greek people and Foreign Minister George Papandreou for their assistance.

Theodorakis : Finally, Mikis Theodorakis, the noted Greek composer of the musical score for the film "Zorba the Greek", among others, said late on Saturday he and his orchestra would not participate in a planned solidarity concert for the Kurds on Monday evening, follo wing Ms Kilic's claims.

"Greece has never found itself on the side of the oppressors but has always supported the oppressed and the victims," Mr. Theodorakis said.

He also called her comments "slanderous and ungrateful" and that the "unsubstantiated claims heard (from Kilic) are not relevant only to Mr. Simitis and Mr. Pangalos but to the entire Greek people".

Karamanlis calls for resignation : On his part, main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis said yesterday that he did not want to believe the claims by Ms Kilic, namely, that the Greek government had handed him over to Turkey. He stressed, however, that the damage to the country's standing had been done and that the government should resign.

"I refuse to believe that a Greek politician and prime minister of the country, at that, would do such a dishonourable thing for the country and the nation," Mr. Karamanlis said on Crete, during a tour of the island.

ND reiterated its demand that the prime minister resign, with party spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos saying that only this could "save the country's prestige.

Athens News Agency

[02] Athens stresses that latest Turkish barrage of claims 'lead nowhere'

Athens, 01/03/1999 (ANA)

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the "slanderous attacks against Greece are unjustified and aim at cultivating a climate of tension in Greek- Turkish relations."

Turkey, he said, instead of assuming its responsibilities, solving the Kurdish issue and its other problems, attempts to avoid them and shift the responsibility elsewhere.

"That's why it (Turkey) is trying to create a foreign enemy: Greece...in vain. Its (Turkey) stance leads nowhere," the government spokesman added.

Turkey's political and military leadership sharply attacked Greece and raised tension over the past week, mostly regurgitating oft-repeated claims of Athens' alleged involvement with the Kurdish rebel forces active in SE Anatolia.

Athens News Agency

[03] Gov't denies that Pangalos visit to Kenya in Nov. linked to Ocalan

Athens, 01/03/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Pangalos made an official visit to Africa in November 1998 that was organised at the beginning of the year and announced to the press in May, an announcement by a foreign ministry spokesman said.

"The official visit of the former foreign minister, Theodoros Pangalos, to Africa was used in an unacceptable manner during the press conference on Saturday," the statement read.

"It is beyond any sense and imagination that an official visit organised at the beginning of the previous year and announced to reporters in May could have any relationship to the events which followed much later...A search of our records reveals that pre parations for the trip were made well in advance, while the itinerary had been distributed by mid-August. This programme shows that the trip was set for Nov. 16-20 to Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia," the statement added.

In a press conference in Athens, one of Ocalan's aides repeatedly stated that Mr. Pangalos' visit to Kenya in November was linked to an intricate plot between Athens, Washington, Tel Aviv and Ankara to capture the rebel Kurd leader.

Athens News Agency

[04] Tsohatzopoulos calls for unity to reverse `heavy atmosphere`

Athens, 01/03/1999 (ANA)

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos was speaking to reporters as about 215,000 PASOK rank and file went to the polls to elect some 5,500 delegates for the ruling party's congress later this month.

He said the party had to look at "new formations" that would clear the atmosphere in the wake of the capture of the Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan by Turkish forces after being sheltered in the Greek embassy in Nairobi for 12 days.

"European Parliament elections (in June) will be a touchstone for the evaluation of the government's course," he said.

This evaluation, he said, "will not be particularly good and no better result will be forthcoming if there are not changes throughout the party's levels."

He said he was opposed to the party adopting a position that the same government policies continue, even with certain corrective measures.

"We need changes and if we do not lead the country to a positive outcome, we will all fall together," he said.

The handling of the Ocalan affair had been harmful for both people and country, leaving "heavy national and political scars".

Turkey is increasing the level of tension in relations with Greece with verbal attacks, he said, adding that "the defence ministry has taken all the necessary measures to deal with any eventuality."

PASOK Secretary Skandalidis calls for party unity : PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis yesterday issued a call to PASOK cadres "to stop the cries, aphorisms, accusations and seek all that unites us..."

Mr. Skandalidis stressed that yesterday (Sunday) was a very important day for PASOK, while he added that its congress will deal with the real problems of the people as well as the election of a merit-based central committee, which will take up the task of changing and rejuvenating the ruling party.

Venizelos on PASOK congress : Development Minister Evangelos Venizelos yesterday said there is not an issue of leadership in PASOK and stressed the need for "a ideological and political congress."

He added that it would be "tragic" for the Ocalan affair to become an issue of party or intra-party confrontation.

Speaking to reporters in Thessaloniki, where he voted for the PASOK congress delegate elections, he also said the government is obliged to meet the challenge of current conditions...and to display optimism within the country.

KKE demands PM's resignation : The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) yesterday issued a press release demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Costas Simitis and immediate national elections, in light of the Ocalan affair.

The KKE announcement also states that "the press conference of the PKK representative reaffirms KKE's stance, which stressed from the beginning that the PASOK government, in the role of informant and in collusion with the United States and European Union, handed over the leader of the Kurdish people, Abdullah Ocalan, to Turkish authorities."

On his part, Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas said the "tragic outcome of the Ocalan affair", unfortunately, backed up the stance his party has followed, namely, that PASOK is dependent on the major powers.

Athens News Agency

[05] US officials deny Ankara claims citing transfer of NATO technology by Greece

Athens, 01/03/1999 (ANA)

According to a report in the "Washington Post" in its Saturday's edition and citing US State Department officials, "Greece did not transfer technology nor did it intend to." State Department officials also referred to false charges.

According to the Washington paper, the US administration halted arms sales to Greece in early February following allegations by Turkey that Athens was transferring classified NATO codes to Russia. US Pentagon officials, however, concluded that all of Turkey's unsubstantiated claims against Greece "were unfounded".

The Greek defence ministry stated that "Greece promotes its defence policy based on national interest, adhering at the same time to the terms of cooperation with its NATO allies, as every other member-state of the alliance."

Athens News Agency

[06] Washington disagrees with Athens' decision to grant asylum to 2 Ocalan aides

WASHINGTON, 01/03/1999 (ANA - T. Ellis)

The spokesman said "we made it clear that we have an essential disagreement with the recent handling by the Greek government of the Ocalan affair. We are saddened by the decision of the Greek government to grant political asylum to close collaborators of Ocalan."

The statement came in correction of a statement on Friday, which noted US opposition to Greek government's "sympa-thy toward PKK", which it coined as a "terrorist organisation."

Athens News Agency

[07] Judicial inquiry over Ocalan's entry, stay in Greece nears completion

Athens, 01/03/1999 (ANA)

Sources close to the inquiry by three prosecutors said there was a likelihood that Greek intelligence agent Savvas Kalenderidis, dispatched to Nairobi to provide protection for Ocalan, would be asked to make further statements to the inquiry.

The three Ocalan aides evacuated from the Greek embassy last week along with Mr. Kalenderidis and Mr. Costoulas completed several hours of testimony late Saturday evening.

In statements to waiting reporters, Sesme (Dillan) Kilic said her statements during a press conference on Saturday regarding Athens' complicity in Ocalan's capture by Turkey had been misrepresented. "We thank the Greek people and the new foreign minister, George Papandreou, for helping us leave Kenya," she said.

"We did not refer to the whole of the Greek government but to specific members, the three former ministers and the former head of the Greek intelligence service."

She also said the three Kurdish female aides to Ocalan were willing to testify as witnesses at a Parliamentary fact-finding commission to be established to investigate the Ocalan affair.

Mr. Kalenteridis, who accompanied the trio back to Athens from Kenya, was questioned by court investigators early Satuday morning.

According to sources, he will be summoned for further questioning within the next three days.

Athens News Agency

[08] Three Ocalan aides depart Athens hotel

Athens, 01/03/1999 (ANA)

The Kurdish women told reporters they would remain at the residences of acquaintances until further notice.

Semse Kilic thanked those who had stood by them, including reporters and hotel staff, adding that their departure from the hotel was for the best.

The trio undertook responsibility in writing for anything that might happen to them after their departure from the hotel, as the government said it would no longer provide protection.

Athens News Agency

[09] Badouvas expelled from PASOK's Parliament group

Athens, 01/03/1999 (ANA)

The expulsion followed Mr. Badouvas' interview with the Athens morning daily "Akropolis" regarding the Ocalan affair.

The Irakleio area deputy is among the primary figures in the Ocalan affair.

Athens News Agency

[10] ESP conference in Milan today

The European Socialist Party (ESP) is set to open its conference here today to discuss European Union issues and the adoption of a party manifesto in light of the Euroelections.

According to reports, ESP President Rudolf Scharping will be re-elected, while Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos is expected to be re-elected to one of the VP posts.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis is expected to stress that "political and economic conditions today are favourable for a more effective strategy for employment."

He is also expected to stress a need for a coordinated offensive against unemployment" and will speak for the return of the total employment principle."

Mr. Simitis is also expected to critisise conservative governments for "overlooking the problem of unemployment", during their stay in power.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos, Alternate Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis and Deputy Labour Minister Christos Protopapas will also participate at the conference.

Athens News Agency

[11] Results of PASOK delegates election may be released today

Athens, 01/03/1999 (ANA)

Final results will most likely be released today.

This month's PASOK congress has developed into a rather significant display of internal balances of power, following the Ocalan affair and its repercussions on the PASOK government.

Athens News Agency

[12] Hi-tech passport detection system on Greek-Bulgarian border

SOFIA, 01/03/1999 (ANA - B. Borisov)

The Greek-made "Photophon" system is geared at spotting fake or adulterated passports, combining image with an on-line telephone connection between each border post and the Sofia headquarters.

According to Greek officials, Bulgaria is the first country outside the EU to implement the system.

Athens News Agency

[13] Kaklamanis on Ocalan aide's statements

Athens, 01/03/1999 (ANA)

He was referring to statements by close Ocalan aide Sesme (Dillan) Kilic, who was evacuated last week from the Greek embassy in Nairobi.

Mr. Kaklamanis, speaking to reporters following a Church service for Orthodoxy Sunday, also said that "Ankara is cultivating an aggressive strategy, and we need unity as well as a solid front and not light- heartedness when we evaluate events."

Athens News Agency

[14] Religious leaders meet with UN chief

NEW YORK, 01/03/1999 (ANA)

Archbishop of America Spyridon and other religious leaders met with Mr. Annan and discussed the upcoming conference.

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos will be represented by Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Michail.

Athens News Agency

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