Athens News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-06-04
NEWS IN ENGLISH
Athens, Greece, 04/06/1997 (ANA)
MAIN HEADLINES
- Greece signs a $50 million contract for Dutch Royal Navy frigate
- Talks to be preceded by climate of trust, says Athens
- Youth jumbs off train to avoid arrest
- Albanian arrested for drugs
- Pangalos tells Albanians: Cancelling elections spells 'collective
- suicide'
- Greece enjoys the cleanest beaches in Europe
- ND leader to visit Brussels, Luxenbourg
- Greek election observers leave for Algeria
- China's interest on Cyprus, Greek-Turkish relations noted
- Gov't on centre-left, French elections
- Another alleged transit fuel scam brought before justice
- Weather
- Foreign exchange
NEWS IN DETAIL
Greece signs a $50 million contract for Dutch Royal Navy frigate
Greece yesterday signed a $50 million contract for the purchase of an S-
type frigate from the Dutch Royal Navy, following talks here between
defence ministers Akis Tsohatzopoulos and Joris Voorhoeve.
The frigate is due to be delivered by the end of the year, following
modifications to enable it to join the Greek fleet.
Voorhoeve said the signing of the contract indicated the long-standing
cooperation between the navies of the two countries, adding that there was
also a possibility of further cooperation in regard to weapons sales for
the Greek army.
Tsohatzopoulos described cooperation between the two countries in the
defence sector as ''substantial''.
The talks between the two ministers focused on the enlargement and new
structure of NATO, the role of the Alliance in eastern Europe and the
eastern Mediterranean and issues related to security in Europe.
Voorhoeve praised the role played by Greece in the region, commenting in
particular on its participation in peace efforts in Bosnia and Albania.
Talks to be preceded by climate of trust, says Athens
Greece said yesterday it was necessary for ''a climate of calm and trust''
to be cultivated prior to forthcoming direct talks between Cyprus President
Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.
The talks will be held within the framework of efforts by UN Secretary
General Kofi Annan to find a solution to the Cyprus problem.
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas made the statement when asked to
comment on repeated violations of Cyprus airspace by Turkish military
aircraft.
While condemning what he described as Denktash' ''negative stance'' prior
to the talks, Reppas expressed the hope that they would be fruitful,
''despite what is happening which does not facilitate rapprochement between
the two sides''.
Mr. Reppas noted that the Cyprus government was contacting international
bodies charging that ''certain powers'' were trying to undermine efforts
for a Cyprus solution.
''If this is Turkey's official policy, then the chances of a settlement are
not even one in a million,'' he added.
Youth jumbs off train to avoid arrest
A young American died in Thessaloniki after jumping off a moving train to
avoid arrest after smuggling nearly one kilo of heroin into the country in
his stomach.
Police tentatively identified the 24-year-old man as Damon-Russel Gewin
(phonetic spelling), who jumped out of the window of the Skopje-Thessaloniki
train when customs officers attempted to question him.
At the time of the incident last night, the train was passing through
Menemeni just outside Thessaloniki.
Gewin, who was suspected by customs officers of having a false passport,
jumped from the train when he was asked to sign his name for a comparison
with the signature in his passport.
Thessaloniki police are conducting an investigation to verify the identity
of the man, who had swallowed 55 balls of heroin weighing a total of 850
grams.
Albanian arrested for drugs
A 22-year-old Albanian was arrested in Aiginio, Pieria today when he tried
to sell over 15 kilos of marijuana to an undercover policeman posing as a
dealer.
Alpini Zarisi was arrested by drug squad officers after agreeing to sell
the marijuana, which he had smuggled into the country from neighbouring
Albania, for 2,250,000 drachmas.
Pangalos tells Albanians: Cancelling elections spells 'collective
suicide'
A possible cancellation of Albania's national elections on June 29 would
constitute an "act of collective suicide" and spell disaster for the
neighbouring country, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos warned yesterday.
Speaking at a press conference at the end of his one-day visit to the
Albanian capital, Mr. Pangalos said that "if elections were not held in the
best possible way, we would have an act of collective suicide, we would
have a general catastrophe of Albania for many years".
"All Albanian parties intend to participate in the elections," he explained,
adding that elections were the only way out the country had from its
current severe crisis.
Mr. Pangalos met separately with Albanian President Sali Berisha, Prime
Minister Bashkim Fino, Foreign Minister Arian Starova, opposition Socialist
Party leader Fatos Nano and other Albanian party leaders, including those
of the predominately ethnic Greek party "Omonia".
Informed sources said Mr. Fino and Mr. Starova expressed concern about the
recent flurry of bomb attacks in Albania. Both reportedly asked Mr.
Pangalos for Greece's help in reorganising the police force and customs
authorities.
Mr. Pangalos also held brief talks with the chief of multinational forces
in Albania, Italian Admiral Forlani who assured him that security measures
will be strengthened in the south of the country by detachments of the
multinational force, in light of the upcoming general elections.
Mr. Pangalos called on Adm. Forlani to have patrols increased along the
Kakavia-Gjirokaster-Sarande and Elbasan-Korce motorways, namely, the two
motorways from which the main bulk of Albanians living in Greece are
expected to pass to vote in their country.
He said Greece believed the number of election observers should be expanded,
and would send the largest number.
"For Albanians wishing to travel to Albania to vote, we have decided to
help and will supply them with some document, regardless of their legal
status. This document will allow them to come to Albania to vote and return
to Greece within a month," Mr. Pangalos said.
The Greek minister visited Greek troops stationed in Albania as part of the
multinational protection force later in the day.
Greece enjoys the cleanest beaches in Europe
More than 90,000 tons of garbage were collected in 1996 from approximately
390 beaches in seven prefectures around Greece, while 900 hectares of
coastline were cleaned up, according to Environment, Town Planning and
Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis.
Speaking ahead of the World Environment Day tomorrow, which is dedicated to
the marine environment, Mr. Laliotis said that Greece enjoys the cleanest
waters in the European Union, although he noted that further improvements
could be made.
For this purpose the ministry had earmarked 14 billion drachmas by the end
of 1998 to clean up beaches and to purchase equipment.
Mr. Laliotis said that according to last year's figures, 98 per cent of the
country's beaches met standards of a European Union directive, while Greece
had received 311 "blue flags" designating safe and clean beaches.
ND leader to visit Brussels, Luxembourg
Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis leaves today on a
three-day visit to Brussels and Luxembourg to address the European People's
Party (EPP) plenary session today. He is also expected to meet with
European Commission President Jacques Santer and several EU commissioners
while in Brussels.
On Friday he will visit Luxembourg, which assumes the European Union
presidency on July 1. A visit with Luxembourg's prime minister has not been
confirmed.
The ND leader is due to return to Athens on Saturday.
Greek election observers leave for Algeria
A Greek delegation of deputies and officials from the ministries of the
interior and foreign affairs left for Algeria yesterday to observe the
national elections in the North African country on Thursday.
The group is participating within the United Nations election monitoring
group.
According to a foreign ministry statement, the 15 observers are being sent
to Algeria following a request by that country's government.
"We believe that the Greek observers, along with their colleagues from
other countries, will contribute decisively to the free expression of the
will of the Algerian people and through this to the establishment of
democracy in our friendly country," the statement read.
China's interest on Cyprus, Greek-Turkish relations noted
Foreign Undersecretary Yiannos Kranidiotis was assured yesterday by his
Chinese counterpart Li Zhiaoyang of Beijing's interest on the Cyprus
problem and Greek-Turkish relations.
The Chinese official also reiterated Beijing's support for Greece's bid to
become a member of the United Nations Security Council for the period 1999-
2000, a foreign ministry announcement said.
Mr. Li Zhiaoyang is accompanying the president of the People's Republic of
China's Consultative Conference, Li Ruihuan, on an official visit to
Greece. He discussed bilateral relations with Mr. Kranioditis and agreed
that the two countries should establish regular meetings at a ministerial
level.
Mr. Kranidiotis briefed his counterpart on Greece's objectives and
aspirations in the European Union, the situation in the Balkans, recent
developments in the Middle East.
He also set out Greek positions on the Cyprus issue and Greek-Turkish
relations, requesting more active support from the People's Republic of
China - a permanent Security Council member - in efforts being made by UN
Secretary General Kofi Annan for a settlement of the Cyprus problem.
Gov't on centre-left, French elections
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday that the policy
followed by the government safeguards social cohesion and institutions of
social solidarity in a modern society such as that of Greece.
He was replying to relevant questions also related to assessments being
made on the results of the recent French general elections.
Mr. Reppas said this policy is the most suitable to pursue these targets at
economic and social level, adding that Greece is probably the sole European
Union country which has managed to improve economic indicators and at the
same time secure a level of social prosperity and solidarity.
He expressed the assessment that more friendly conditions will exist in the
international environment (following the victory of centre-left forces in
France) for this policy to be exercised and that Athens has played a
leading role in activities concern ing Europe's social image.
Another alleged transit fuel scam brought before justice
A representative of a Piraeus-based fuel supplier, Star Powell has been
charged with allegedly smuggling transit fuel, with estimated tax and duty
losses for the state totalling 387.9 million drachmas. Some 4.42 million
litres of petroleum were reportedly sold illegally.
The new case of transit fuel smuggling employing the method of mock
deliveries involves 353 fuel receipt vouchers from yachts anchored at the
marinas of Floisvos, Zea and Glyfada over the 1994-1995 period, a scam in
which nine customs officials from the 11th Customs Office have been
implicated.
According to evidence collected to date from similar cases, state coffers
have incurred losses resulting from unpaid dues exceeding 12 billion
drachmas. Investigations are also continuing and targetting cruise ships.
Star Powell representative Nikos Souliotis has been charged in the latest
case.
WEATHER
Fine weather is forcast for most parts of Greece today except for some
local cloudiness, scattered rain and rainstorms in the Thrace, Macedonia
and the eastern Aegean Sea. Winds northwesterly, moderate to strong. Athens
will be sunny with temperatures between 15-28C. Possibility of rain in
Thessaloniki with temperatures from 14-24C.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
Tuesday's closing rates - buying US dlr. 272.959
Pound sterling 445.904 Cyprus pd 531.514
French franc 46.902 Swiss franc 190.717
German mark 158.125 Italian lira (100) 16.066
Yen (100) 235.352 Canadian dlr. 198.400
Australian dlr. 206.445 Irish Punt 405.728
Belgian franc 7.660 Finnish mark 52.655
Dutch guilder 140.537 Danish kr. 41.549
Swedish kr. 34.992 Norwegian kr. 38.321
Austrian sch. 22.466 Spanish peseta 1.871
Port. Escudo 1.565
(M.S.)
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