Subject: Athens News Agency Bulletin, March 3, 1995 Topic: ana ------------------------------------------ (Apo to Ellnviko Grafeio Tupou kai Plnroforiwv, Ottawa, Canada E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca) CONTENTS ======== [1] Turkey expels Greek journalist, interpreter, arrested in raid on human rights group [2] Second round of voting for president falls short again, Parliament gears up for final and crucial round [3] EU official hopes obstacles to customs union will be overcome by March 6 [4] Ionian Bank announces drop in loan interest rates [5] Odessa to host Greek products fair [6] Iranian foreign minister to visit Athens [7] Cabinet to discuss ERA finances [8] Venizelos says Spata airport contract will go ahead [9] Culture Ministry remembers Mercouri [10] Lorry drivers allow fuel into a 'dry' Thessaloniki [11] Moraitis says French proposal on animal transportation 'positive' [12] SEBE signs co-operation accord with Serb employers group [13] Piraeus begins co-operating with Russian port ========================================================= [1] Turkey expels Greek journalist, interpreter, arrested in raid on human rights group ------------------------------------------------------------- Istanbul, 03/03/1995 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas): Turkey yesterday released and expelled a Greek journalist and his interpreter, arrested in a swoop by Turkish security police on Kurdish activists in south-eastern Turkey on Monday. The two -- Ioannis Kokkinidis, of the 'Adesmeftos Typos' newspaper, and Mihalis Yirmis, a Greek citizen born in the Turkish town of Antakya -- were expected back in Athens today. Diplomats here said the two Greeks appeared before a court yesterday which ruled there was no reason to detain them further but declared them persona non grata and deported them on the first flight back to Greece. The two were arrested during an interview with officials from the Human Rights Federation on Monday in Diyarbakir in the mainly Kurdish Southeast. Greek embassy officials said up to 30 human rights activists and members of the Kurdish People's Democracy Party were also detained. Greece said earlier yesterday that it was following "with particular interest and sensitivity" developments in the arrest of the two. Foreign Ministry spokesman Costas Bikas also expressed puzzlement over the fact that although the two Greeks had been arrested on Monday, the Greek Embassy in Ankara had not been informed. The Foreign Ministry was informed of the arrests of the two Greeks at noon Wednesday. A few hours later, the Greek Ambassador in Ankara, Alexandros Philonas, lodged a protest with the Turkish Foreign Ministry. According to the Turkish authorities, Mr. Bikas said, following the arrest of the two men, they were detained on the basis of a judicial decision, without the Greek authorities being informed of the reasons. The Greek Foreign Ministry had asked Turkey for details concerning the reason why the two men were arrested and detained and has called for their immediate release. "The issue is particularly serious and is connected with human rights," Mr. Bikas said, adding that the Foreign Ministry would be lodging a further protest with the Turkish Embassy in Athens over the incident. The arrests of the two prompted the Foreign Press Association in Athens to make representations to the corresponding organisation and journalists' union in Ankara, protesting the "unacceptable" arrest and detention of the two Greeks and demanding their immediate release. Eurodeputies Katerina Daskalakis and Nikitas Kaklamanis also raised the issue at the Europarliament, asking for its intervention in the release of the two men. In a letter to House President Klaus Hansch, the two Eurodeputies say the arrests constituted a human rights violation and a fresh Turkish provocation of the international community. Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos later criticised Ankara's delay in informing Athens on the arrest of the Greek journalist and his interpreter. [2] Second round of voting for president falls short again, Parliament gears up for final and crucial round ----------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 03/03/1995 (ANA): Greece's parliament yesterday struck out in its second bid to elect a new President of the Republic to replace Constantine Karamanlis, whose term expires in May. In a repeat performance of the first round, none of the two candidates vying for the mainly ceremonial post managed to win a two-thirds majority in Greece's 300-seat parliament. Kostis Stephanopoulos, backed by the ruling socialists and Political Spring party, won 181 votes against 108 mustered by conservative candidate Athanassios Tsaldaris. The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) abstained from the roll-call vote. Independent deputy Michalis Papaconstantinou voted 'present.' Short of any surprises, analysts says Mr. Stephanopoulos' winning streak will carry on into the third inning of the presidential race set for March 8, which requires a candidate to muster 180 votes rather than the 200 needed in the first two rounds. Under the constitution, if no candidate receives 180 votes in the final round, Parliament must be dissolved and general elections held. Commenting on the result of the second round, Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou said the outcome was anticipated but hinted at a possible surprise in the third and final round. "I anticipate a pleasant surprise," he told reporters at the end of the vote. He did not elaborate. Conservative main opposition leader Miltiades Evert said the result was "expected" but added the most decisive vote would be in third round. Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras voiced satisfaction at the result but noted that he expected the government to stick by its firm "commitments" on a provisional plan allowing for closer trade relations between the European Union and Turkey. Asked how his party would respond if the government did not stand by its positions, he said: "We will see". [3] EU official hopes obstacles to customs union will be overcome by March 6 -------------------------------------------------------- Brussels, 03/03/1995 (ANA - G. Daratos): A European Union spokesman yesterday expressed the hope that a lucrative EU-Turkey customs union would be finalised on the sidelines of an EU foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels on Monday. The spokesman said efforts were being made to overcome the obstacles, especially on the textiles issue, in order to reach an agreement which would allow Greece to lift its veto. France has said that a Turkey-EU Association Council meeting planned for March 6 will not take place unless agreement is reached among EU member-states on the customs union deal and has been seeking ways to meet Greece's new demands before the meeting. Athens has set four conditions to lift its veto, including an EU commitment for a specific date for the beginning of Cyprus membership talks, less aid for Turkey, and more funds for the Greek textile industry, likely to be threatened by Turkish exports. France offered Greece a counter-proposal to its four demands providing for a clear EU commitment to start membership talks with Cyprus within six months of the 1996 intergovernmental conference as well as a definite structured dialogue between now and t he start of accession talks, along the lines of the structured dialogue offered to aspiring EU members from east and central Europe. The French proposal also provided that the European Commission make recommendations during this year on aid for the Greek textile industry which is expected to suffer greatly from competition with Turkey once the customs union comes into effect. The proposal relating to the Greek textile industry did not incorporate the Greek request for reduced funding to Turkey. All EU member states have expressed reservations about France's counter-proposal and certain nations, led by Germany, rejected all the amendments requested by France. A meeting in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss the issue failed to reach an agreement allowing Greece to drop its objections. On textiles, the Committee of the Permanent Diplomatic Representatives of the European Union Member States (COREPER) stymied over money, wanting to exclude the possibility of extra cash to Greece. On the Cyprus membership talks, EU ambassadors reiterated their reservations as to the setting of a specific date, saying the structured dialogue should not begin with Cyprus as is the case with the countries of central and eastern Europe. Reuters reported, however, that the member states had generally agreed with Greek demands that member negotiations with Cyprus begin six months after the end of the EU's review of its Maastricht treaty, and that discussions begin beforehand. Sources said yesterday Spain retained its objections on the textiles issue. Spain, itself a major textile producer, objects to the possibility of extra cash to Greece unless it enjoys the same benefits. The European Commission proposed the use of existing Community funds, which Greece has not yet absorbed, to compensate Greece for losses in the textiles sector. The Commission said compensations to Greece should be made according to estimated losses and having taken into account Community interests. Greece has rejected the Commission's proposal. Sources said the French presidency was now focusing efforts on persuading European partners to drop the proposal. French circles in Brussels yesterday were optimistic that an agreement was still possible. In the event of progress on the issue, the French presidency will call an extraordinary COREPER meeting today. If there is no progress, France will call for an EU Foreign Ministers Council on May 5, a day before its scheduled meeting, to adopt a common position on the issue before convening the Association Council to sign the EU-Turkey customs union agreement. In Athens, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said Greece remained firm that the text to be presented at a COREPER meeting should be the one drafted by the French Presidency in consultation with the Greek government. Mr. Venizelos said Greece's position remained "modest, firm and simple," adding that Athens has shown "good faith" and "has exhausted its will for compromise." [4] Ionian Bank announces drop in loan interest rates ----------------------------------------------------- Athens, 03/03/1995 (ANA): The Ionian Bank announced yesterday that as of March 31 it will reduce the interest rate for loans of all kinds by two percentage points from 23.5 per cent to 21.5 per cent. At the same time, it will establish a minimum "privileged" 19 per cent interest rate for loans of all kinds to enterprises for working capital and medium and long-term loans. The interest rate for housing loans will be set at 20 per cent. Other banks are expected to follow suit soon, creating favourable conditions for development in general. [5] Odessa to host Greek products fair -------------------------------------- Athens, 03/03/1995 (ANA): An exhibition of Greek products will be held in the port of Odessa, Ukraine, from May 19 through 27. 'ODESSA '95' is a modern commercial and cultural institution which as of this year will function under the sponsorship of the Exports Promotion Organisation (OPE) and with the support of the municipality of Odessa. The pavilions of over 200 Greek firms will be housed on specially-adapted cruise ships in the port city during the week-long exhibition. [6] Iranian foreign minister to visit Athens -------------------------------------------- Athens, 03/03/1995 (ANA): Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati will begin a two-day official visit to Greece on March 8 at the invitation of his Greek counterpart Karolos Papoulias, the Foreign Ministry announced yesterday. [7] Cabinet to discuss ERA finances ----------------------------------- Athens, 03/03/1995 (ANA): Cabinet is to discuss a five-year economic and management plan for Greek State Radio (ERA), president of Greek Radio and Television Evgenios Yiannakopoulos told a press conference yesterday. He said that he was awaiting a report from the general management of the body on the restructuring of the five directorates. ERA's staff budget is 1.8 billion drachmas for correspondents and approximately 5 billion drachmas for permanent employees, which includes staff at 19 regional stations as well as the five Athenian channels. Mr. Yiannakopoulos said voluntary retirement would assist ERA's economic situation to a significant degree, adding that he had already received 800 applications for early retirement. He also announced that ERA had signed a co-operation agreement with the BBC. [8] Venizelos says Spata airport contract will go ahead ------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 03/03/1995 (ANA): Greece said yesterday it was not planning to re-negotiate a contract for the construction of a new international airport at Spata. Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said the issue has not been discussed by the cabinet and stressed the government would press ahead with the construction of major infrastructure projects in the country. [9] Culture Ministry remembers Mercouri --------------------------------------- Athens, 03/03/1995 (ANA): In honour of the memory of late culture minister Melina Mercouri, the Culture Ministry has announced that March 6 will be a day of free admittance to all museums and archaeological sites in Greece. The proposal, developed by ministry Secretary-General George Thomas, was approved by the Central Archaeological Council on Tuesday. Ms Mercouri, Greece's best-loved actress, died in office on March 6 last year. Ministry employees will honour her memory at a ceremony tomorrow morning at which Culture Minister Thanos Mikroutsikos and Under-Secretary Nikos Sifounakis will speak. A memorial service will be held on March 9 at 12 noon at Zappeion. The Post Office has issued a series of stamps entitled "One year without Melina Mercouri" to commemorate the death of the late culture minister. The stamps will be available at all post office branches from March 7. The series is made up of four stamps which portray the course of Ms. Mercouri's life as an actress, a resistance fighter and a politician. A new biography of Ms Mercouri, entitled "Melina Mercouri - The Biography of a Universal Star", written by Austrian journalist Gabriela Elias, will be on the stands in a few weeks. Former French culture minister Jack Lang has written the prologue to the biography and former German deputy chancellor and foreign affairs minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher the epilogue. Mr. Genscher will also attend the official launch of the book in Vienna in April. [10] Lorry drivers allow fuel into a 'dry' Thessaloniki ------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 03/03/1995 (ANA): The northern Greek city of Thessaloniki was running out of fuel yesterday as a strike by lorry drivers entered its sixth day. But strikers meeting in Thessaloniki said they would allow the loading and transportation of fuel by private tankers. The striking tanker owners also promised to continue the uninterrupted supply of fuel to hospital and police vehicles as well as urban transport. Thessaloniki Prefect Costas Papadopoulos said that police would be deployed to ensure that there were no incidents. The strike has also caused serious disruption to the movement of market garden produce on Crete. Many petrol stations on the island are also facing serious problems because of the strike. There were scuffles at the port of Iraklion yesterday when lorry owners tried to prevent vehicles arriving from Piraeus carrying dairy products from leaving the port. The Commerce Ministry later asked the Transport Ministry to issue a decision allowing private lorries, tankers and refrigerator trucks to distribute fuel and fresh produce. According to the Commerce Ministry, there has been no disruption to the supply of market garden produce in Attica. Meanwhile, Commerce Minister Costas Simitis gave instructions for checks to be carried out to ensure that there are no instances of profiteering in the sale of fuel. The decision came as a result of allegations received by the ministry that a large number of petrol stations in Attica were yesterday selling fuel at much higher prices. [11] Moraitis says French proposal on animal transportation 'positive' --------------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 03/03/1995 (ANA): The issue of the transportation of animals for slaughter dominated yesterday's talks in Athens between Greek and French agriculture ministers George Moraitis and Jean Puech. Mr. Moraitis described the French compromise proposal on the issue -- which led the last EU farm ministers' council to deadlock -- for varying durations in the transportation of animals depending on species and age, as very positive. The two ministers also examined the difficulties arising in the reform of the Community's vine and wine policy, the problems in the reform of agricultural prices, and imports from eastern and central European countries. [12] SEBE signs co-operation accord with Serb employers group ------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 03/03/1995 (ANA): The Northern Greece Exporters' Association (SEBE) signed a protocol of co-operation with the Serbian Employers Union in Thessaloniki yesterday. The protocol was signed by SEBE president Apostolos Genitsaris and the union's deputy president Zarko Milisavijevic. Mr. Milisavijevic said that his organisation has already opened two offices abroad, in Kiev, Ukraine, and Timisoara, Romania. [13] Piraeus begins co-operating with Russian port -------------------------------------------------- Athens, 03/03/1995 (ANA): The ports of Piraeus and Archangelsk, eastern Russia, launched co-operation on Wednesday. A Russian delegation headed by the port's governor and its mayor visited the president and general director of the Piraeus Port Authority (OLP), George Prasianakis and Spyros Stalias respectively, for talks on issues of mutual interest. OLP's administration briefed the Russians on the possibilities of Piraeus to serve Russian trade while they in turn outlined advantages provided by Archangelsk, adding that the port enjoyed prospects for quicker development than the rest of Russia. Both sides stressed the need to co-ordinate necessary action to enable the mutual exploitation of existing potential. The Russian officials also visited the containers depot in Piraeus and were briefed on its operation and plans for its further development.