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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-01-21

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1094), January 21, 1997

Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca


CONTENTS

  • [01] Dutch EU presidency places Cyprus among priorities
  • [02] EU-Turkey Association Council
  • [03] Cavanaugh says idea for overflights moratorium 'still valid'
  • [04] Sea maneuvers announced in central Aegean
  • [05] Stephanopoulos confident of Clinton's commitment to Cyprus
  • [06] Turkish patrol boat reported just off Samothrace
  • [07] Simitis: EU pressure on Ankara imperative for solution to Cyprus
  • [08] Papariga: Latest US plan aims to 'officially partition' Cyprus
  • [09] Athens-Skopje talks postponed
  • [10] Greece restates reservations on proposed 'general flexibility clause'
  • [11] Evert reportedly says he'll make 'last-minute' announcement on ND leadership post
  • [12] Gov't comments on Arsenis statements concerning Cyprus
  • [13] Pol.An
  • [14] Seamen's strike again extended for 48 hours
  • [15] Gov't's position
  • [16] Opposition
  • [17] Teachers begin five-day strike
  • [18] Cowpox outbreak reported on Samothrace
  • [19] Anna Karamanou to succeed Kranidiotis at Europarliament
  • [20] Symposium to focus on Greek-language education in United States
  • [21] Consumers' group says one in five phone calls 'unnecessary'
  • [22] AMUE blames past Gov't policies for current economic situation
  • [23] Cyprus Development Bank looks to expand to Crete
  • [24] Xenia '97 begins tomorrow
  • [25] Preparations underway for Europartenariat Hellas
  • [26] Tsongas to be buried on Thursday
  • [27] Truck driver confesses in court to murdering three prostitutes
  • [28] Ivic may be out for the season
  • [29] New settlement for Black Sea Greeks completed in record time
  • [30] Municipality's support requested for Elytis statue in central Athens square
  • [31] IAAF delegation in Athens today
  • [32] Archaeological meeting in Thessaloniki

  • [01] Dutch EU presidency places Cyprus among priorities

    Brussels, 21/01/1997 (ANA - P. Pantelis)

    The Dutch European Union presidency has listed the Cyprus issue among its top priorities and will work in two directions, namely, for a solution to the Cyprus issue and for preparation of the island republic's accession negotiations.

    This is the main conclusion drawn from a discussion held on Cyprus at the Council of Foreign Ministers, the first during the Dutch presidency, which included the Cyprus issue in its policy statements.

    Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou said the discussion was positive and referred to positions of the Dutch Council President and Foreign Minister Hans van Mierlo, who raised the issue of Cyprus at the luncheon given for ministers at noon. Mr. Mierlo said the issue of Cyprus is linked to all processes of European Union relations with third countries and Turkey, as well as to the new situation facing Europe in relation to its security, NATO and the West European Union (WEU).

    Mr. van Mierlo stressed the need for the EU to activate itself for a solution to the Cyprus issue and for Cypriot accession, adding that the Dutch presidency will raise the issue of Cyprus at one of the upcoming Council of Ministers meetings for an extensive discussion. He also referred, without stating his own position, to the issue of Cyprus arming itself with Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles, which he discussed when he visited Athens and after tension had been defused, explaining that the missiles will arrive in Cyprus in 16 months' time.

    Addressing the meeting, Mr. Papandreou stressed the need for all sides handling the Cyprus issue to coordinate themselves: he UN, Washington, the EU and member-states which have shown particular interest.

    He said the EU will have an important opportunity in the next few months to utilize activities on Cyprus and use the pre-accession process for Cyprus for a solution to the issue. He further briefed the Council of Ministers on recent discussions held in Athens between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

    Mr. Papandreou's positions received a positive response from all ministers. However, he said the British and Italian ministers found the opportunity to refer in general to relations between the EU and Turkey, and stressed that "we must not constantly turn our backs on it."

    Mr. Papandreou said his private talks with EU Foreign Relations Commissioner Hans van den Broek were positive. He said a substantive discussion took place and an exchange of views on all crucial procedures to follow in connection with Cyprus. Mr. van de n Broek assured him that he will contribute decisively in both directions, namely for a solution to the Cyprus issue and for Cyprus' accession. He will also contact all officials capable of helping in these two directions.

    Replying to a question, Mr. Papandreou said he considers as positive an initiative on Cyprus announced by US President Bill Clinton. He said the initiative is underway, adding that it has started and is expected to be intensified even more as time passes. He further said the fact the US president says he will address the Cyprus issue is considered positive.

    [02] EU-Turkey Association Council

    Brussels, 21/01/1997 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

    Speaking at a press conference in Brussels at the end of the EU's General Affairs Council, Mr. van Mierlo said the Dutch presidency intended to convene the EU-Turkey Association Council by April at the latest, but if possible he would wish to convene it even earlier.

    Referring to the Cyprus issue, Mr. van Mierlo said no particularly extensive discussion took place, saying that many discussions on the issue are very often harmful.

    However, Dutch presidency sources said the Cyprus issue will be discussed at a future council meeting, possibly at the informal General Affairs Council in the Netherlands.

    [03] Cavanaugh says idea for overflights moratorium 'still valid'

    Brussels, 21/01/1997 (ANA - F. Stangos)

    US State Department official Carey Cavanaugh continues to consider the idea of a moratorium of military overflights of Cyprus as still valid, despite the proposal's rejection by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, after his consultations in Athens last week.

    In his first reaction after the Clerides' rejection, Mr. Cavanaugh, who is in the Belgian capital to discuss coordination of US and EU efforts for a solution of the Cyprus issue, said yesterday that an agreement on a moratorium would be "a positive alternative solution to the missile system, which the Cypriot government wants to install, as its aim is to protect the population from the possibility of an air attack."

    He added that Washington would guarantee implementation of the moratorium, emphasizing that the decision to install the Russian S-300 missiles sets back its initiative to resolve the problem.

    The US official, who is the State Department's bureau chief for southern Europe, met with EU External Affairs Commissioner Hans van den Broek, and also touched on the course of EU-Turkey relations.

    [04] Sea maneuvers announced in central Aegean

    Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)

    The Hellenic Navy yesterday began two small-scale military exercises, code-named Astrapi (Lightning) and Ormi (Impetus), in the Cyclades area of the central Aegean, with the participation of destroyers, frigates, torpedo boats and submarines.

    The exercises will be completed on Jan. 24.

    [05] Stephanopoulos confident of Clinton's commitment to Cyprus

    Washington, 21/01/1997 (ANA - T. Ellis)

    Former US presidential adviser George Stephanopoulos stressed on Sunday that US President Bill Clinton was committed to finding a solution to the Cyprus problem and would give his full concentration to problems in the Aegean.

    "President Clinton will give the fullest possible attention to the crisis in the Aegean and the division of Cyprus. We have seen from the developments in recent years that tension is not about to abate, that we need a good and just solution and I believe that the president is determined about this," Mr. Stephanopoulos said during an event organized in his honor by the US Greek community.

    "I have the feeling that there will be relatively soon a very high-level initiative, in the course of the second Clinton administration, which will pressure for a solution. Secretary of State-designate Ms Albright last year made an important visit to the Aegean and Cyprus," he said.

    The event was also attended by Archbishop of North and South America Spyridon, World Council of Hellenism president Andrew Athens, and US Senators Paul Sarbanes, Joe Kennedy and Assistant Secretary of State John Kornbloom.

    [06] Turkish patrol boat reported just off Samothrace

    Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)

    Fishermen from Alexandroupolis, near the Greek-Turkish border, yesterday reported a Turkish patrol boat sailing 1.5 to two miles off the island of Samothrace, on the edge of Greek territorial waters.

    According to reports, they notified Alexandroupolis port authorities, while the Turkish vessel reportedly made for the island of Imvros.

    Several area fishermen have reported harassment by Turkish coastguard vessels over the past year.

    [07] Simitis: EU pressure on Ankara imperative for solution to Cyprus

    Rome, 21/01/1997 (ANA - L. Hatzikyriakos)

    The European Union must exert pressure on Turkey to move towards a solution of the Cyprus issue, Prime Minister Costas Simitis reiterated here yesterday.

    "We want the EU to exert pressure on Turkey, so that, at last, it will make a move regarding the Cyprus problem. There has been no development for the last 20 years because Turkey does not wish its resolution," he told Italian television after arriving in Rome to attend sessions of the Socialist International council, which begin today.

    "The EU must try to find a solution, because this is only possible if Turkey realizes that co-operation with the EU presupposes peace and co-operation in the Mediterranean," he added.

    "If Turkey wants co-operation with the EU, if it wants the Association Agreement to really work, and have friendly relations with the EU members, then there must be no tension or aggressive policy and actions in the eastern Mediterranean. And one necessary condition is that UN resolutions regarding the withdrawal of Turkish troops from the island are respected.

    "Cyprus must at last become a state with two communities, and one government that decides for the whole," Mr. Simitis said.

    He noted that progress has been made towards recognition of the borders of EU member-states as external borders of the 15-member Union.

    "Greece considers that the borders of one member-state must also be those of the EU, as a guarantee for peace and for co-operation between them. I wish to stress that there have been several positive steps in this direction. For instance, the EU recognizes that the borders of member-states are also those of the Union on issues of law and order.

    "When illegal immigrants cross into Greece, they also enter Italy and Germany, for example. The European Commission and the Council have decided to undertake joint action on this issue, so as to also deal with problems regarding weapons smuggling as well as crime, in general. So, I think that the most important steps have already been made and when, in the next few years, there is a common foreign and security policy, the borders of all member-states will be recognized as political borders of Europe," h e said.

    [08] Papariga: Latest US plan aims to 'officially partition' Cyprus

    Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)

    "The tour of (US State Department envoy) Carey Cavanaugh to Athens, Nicosia and Ankara is aimed at promoting a US plan for the official partition of Cyprus and the Aegean," Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga claimed in a published interview with the Athens daily "Ta Nea".

    Reiterating her opposition to referring the Imia issue to the International Court of Justice at the Hague, Ms Papariga said her party opposed, in general, the recourse of border issues to international arbitration. The interview was published yesterday.

    Turning to domestic issues, Ms Papariga criticized the government for its economic policy, stressing that "its strategy is to meet the Maastricht criteria at all costs..."

    Forecasting that "new and greater people's struggles will inevitably break out," Ms Papariga called on the people to "counter attack" the government's policy, as she put it.

    [09] Athens-Skopje talks postponed

    New York, 21/01/1997 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

    Talks scheduled between Athens and Skopje on the issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's name have been postponed, the office of the Greek permanent representative at the United Nations announced yesterday.

    Well-informed sources said that the meeting, to have been held under the auspices of UN mediator Cyrus Vance, may have been postponed because of President Bill Clinton's inauguration or because it coincided with the Martin Luther King national holiday in the US.

    [10] Greece restates reservations on proposed 'general flexibility clause'

    Brussels, 21/01/1997 (ANA - P. Pantelis)

    Athens yesterday reiterated its reservations regarding the introduction of a general flexibility clause in the reviewed Maastricht Treaty.

    The flexibility clause, as supported by France and Germany, envisages increased co-operation between two or more member-states in sectors in which unanimity is required and where the right of veto can currently block developments.

    Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou, who set out Greek positions in yesterday's inter-governmental ministerial meeting, devoted to the idea of flexibility, said that "institutional issues of decisive importance are inter-connected and interwoven," and that "any decision on any one issue must be accompanied by a respective option in another."

    "During negotiations we must examine the basic issues as a whole," he stressed.

    "If we agree, as the Austrian foreign minister correctly pointed out, that EU action in these sectors is decided by special majority, there is no need for any provision for flexibility in the same sectors," he added.

    "As regards the future of the Union, this must not be one-sidedly linked with the introduction of the flexibility clause, the institutionalization, in other words, of the issues separating us today - and likely to continue separating us for a period in future - but must be dealt with through provision for unifying policies, measures and methods of action, which will strengthen trends towards convergence and cohesion of the European integration process...

    "Flexibility cannot be applied on issues of the 'First Pylon' and the internal market, particularly when they are linked to the implementation of the four freedoms, and social and economic cohesion," he concluded.

    [11] Evert reportedly says he'll make 'last-minute' announcement on ND leadership post

    Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)

    Main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert has said he has reached a decision as to whether he will be a candidate for party leadership, but this will be a "last-minute" announcement.

    "I am not allowed to proceed with procedures which may help me on a personal level but will damage the institutional role of the main opposition leader," Mr. Evert reportedly said in an interview with monthly magazine "Crash", due to be published in the next few days.

    "Those unable to adjust to the decisions of the new leader, whoever this may be, will have automatically placed themselves outside the party," Mr. Evert is reportedly quoted in the interview as saying.

    In a forthright opposition to the views of former premier and ND honorary president Constantine Mitsotakis, Mr. Evert said "neo-conservative policies lead to a shrinkage..."

    Noting that ND deputy Dora Bakoyianni's "activities cause damage to the party," Mr. Evert said "I believe that Ms Bakoyianni, since among other things she is an intelligent person, will realize that it is to her interest to adjust to the decisions of the (ND) congress."

    A party congress to elect the new party leader is due to take place towards the end of March.

    Regarding his relations with former president of the republic and founder of New Democracy, Constantine Karamanlis, Mr. Evert said the two men shared "a specific ideological and political direction."

    Asked whether he believed that Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos would make a successful ND leader, Mr. Evert said "time and Mr. Avramopoulos' deeds will show."

    [12] Gov't comments on Arsenis statements concerning Cyprus

    Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)

    "Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis' statements yesterday in Nicosia are in tune with the government's position on the issue," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday in referring to the Cyprus problem.

    Noting that a third party who has interests in the region cannot be involved in the decision-making process, Mr. Reppas said, however, that "we must not reject a foreign party's interest" in view of a need to give a viable solution to the Cyprus problem .

    Regarding Mr. Arsenis' position that "the motto of Nicosia decides and Athens supports, is a recipe for national tragedy," Mr. Reppas said the two governments marched together but that the Cyprus government has its own autonomy.

    [13] Pol.An

    Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)

    Meanwhile, the Political Spring party said Mr. Arsenis "spoke our own tongue" when he said that the island "is being dragged to partition and the Aegean to co-exploitation," adding that Mr. Arsenis "knows what and about whom he is taking about."

    The education minister arrived in Cyprus on Sunday for a three-day visit for talks with his Cypriot counterpart Claire Angelidou.

    Speaking to reporters upon arrival, Mr. Arsenis called on both Greece and Cyprus to stand firm on their views related to national issues, reiterating his opposition to a Cyprus settlement that would racially and geographically divide the people of the island republic.

    Replying to questions, he said that "any kind of federation which essentially introduces confederation under the guise of federation, and which would divide people on the basis of their race and in geographical terms is contrary to our policy and UN resolutions."

    [14] Seamen's strike again extended for 48 hours

    Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)

    Seamen and dockworkers yesterday decided to extend an eight-day strike for a further 48 hours, until 6 a.m. Thursday.

    The strike was originally scheduled to end early this morning.

    Meanwhile, seamen and dockworkers held a protest rally and marched through the streets of Piraeus yesterday as their strike, which has caused serious problems at ports in the Aegean and Crete, entered an eighth consecutive day. According to reports, the rally had originally been scheduled to take place in Athens, but was changed and held in Piraeus by the Panhellenic Seamen's Federation (PNO) after the union said it received information that some vessels in the port would seize the opportunity and depart.

    Strikers marched to the merchant marine ministry building where a delegation requested a meeting with minister Stavros Soumakis. In a letter sent to the PNO late Sunday night, Mr. Soumakis said that seamen and not the government were solely responsible for the repercussions from the strike. From now on, Mr. Soumakis added, the government "would enforce the law."

    Dozens of port police officers have been put on duty in Piraeus.

    In a related development, an ANA dispatch from Rome reported that some 600 Greek trucks were stranded at Italian ports on the Adriatic, waiting for an end to the strike so they could reach Greece.

    On the other hand, the tense situation at the port of Irakleio, Crete, was somewhat de-escalated yesterday following a decision by the crews of two ferry boats to sail daily for Piraeus. A majority of the two crews on the "Nikos Kazantzakis" and the "Candia" voted to transport perishable produce to the mainland. The Kazantzakis left Irakleio yesterday evening with 50 trucks, while the ferry boat "Knosos" departs for Thessaloniki today.

    [15] Gov't's position

    Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)

    "The seamen's labor action has taken on a political dimension, because certain forces are opposing the government," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said in referring to the strike.

    He added that seamen's mobilizations had "gone beyond the framework of trade union protest" and described the extension of the strike as "unjustified".

    Ruling out the possibility of conscripting the striking seamen and dockworkers, Mr. Reppas nevertheless called on protesters to respect a decision by a Piraeus court, which on Friday ruled that the extension of the strike was "illegal and abusive".

    "They must consider the responsibilities for the social and political cost of the strike," Mr. Reppas added.

    [16] Opposition

    Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)

    Main opposition New Democracy deputy Athanasios Varinos, who is also president of ND's Parliamentary committee for shipping, later said that the strike was a result of the government's "inconsistency and lack of credibility."

    He also pointed to recent tax law amendments concerning the maritime sector as "unsettling" for shipping and seamen.

    "We call on the government to withdraw all provisions overturning the regulations which have been in effect since 1955 and are effective until today," Mr. Varinos said.

    "Besides, this is the policy suggested by the Europarliament and the European Commission for Transport, and which is supported by the economic and social committee of the European Union," he added.

    Concluding, Mr. Varinos called on the government to give an immediate solution to the problems facing seamen and dockworkers.

    [17] Teachers begin five-day strike

    Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)

    Education Under-secretary Yiannis Anthopoulos yesterday called on striking high school teachers to enter into dialogue with the government "so that solutions might be found and in particular their institutional demands settled".

    Teachers in Greece yesterday began a five-day strike mainly in support of demands for higher pay. Mr. Anthopoulos acknowledged that the "social and economic level" of teachers was in need of improvement, adding that both Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis and he himself had called on the teachers' union (OLME) to enter into a dialogue.

    He stressed however that such a dialogue could not focus solely on the teachers' pay demands.

    "The dialogue must begin with institutional matters concerning education," he said, while clarifying that this would also include the issue of "the salary structure" in the sector.

    Mr. Anthopoulos indicated that the government would be willing to consider "improvements" in the teachers' pay scale in 1998 and 1999.

    Citing figures which he clarified were not the ministry's, Mr. Anthopoulos said the percentage of participation in the strike appeared to be quite high.

    "But this is not of great concern to us. We are not dealing with the strike through the prism of degree of success or failure. The strike is a negative development, mainly for... pupils," Mr. Anthopoulos said, leaving open the possibility of additional teaching hours being added to the school year to make up for those lost.

    Mr. Arsenis has asserted that under the new pay scale, teachers will receive salary increases of between 17,000 and 46,000 drachmas, while teachers maintain it will result in pay reductions, particularly in the case of teachers being appointed for the first time.

    The strike caused problems at high schools in Thessaloniki yesterday morning.

    According to the Secondary Education Directorate of Thessaloniki Prefecture, the strike had a 39.75 percentage of participation.

    Yesterday morning, teachers participating in the strike held a meeting at the Thessaloniki Labor Center before marching to the Macedonia-Thrace Ministry building where they handed a resolution to minister Philippos Petsalnikos. The resolution protests the new pay scale which, they said, would result in a drop in their incomes.

    The teachers are also demanding that the public nature of education be safeguarded, vacant teaching posts be filled and improvements to school buildings be made.

    [18] Cowpox outbreak reported on Samothrace

    Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)

    Cowpox, which had receded somewhat in Thrace over the past two weeks, has struck a herd of sheep on the island of Samothrace at a time when local veterinary services believed the animal disease had been contained in the Evros, Rodopi, Xanthi and Kavala prefectures.

    Ninety sheep infected with cowpox were slaughtered and buried, reports state. Meanwhile, tough measures have been taken throughout the island to protect herds and prevent the disease from spreading. By decision of the Veterinary Service of Evros the transport of sheep and fodder crops from the island has been prohibited, as well as from village to village.

    [19] Anna Karamanou to succeed Kranidiotis at Europarliament

    Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)

    Anna Karamanou, a well-known ruling PASOK party cadre, will succeed PASOK Eurodeputy Yiannos Kranidiotis, who will be sworn in as foreign under-secretary at the end of the month. Mr. Kranidiotis replaces Christos Rozakis, who resigned his post earlier this month.

    [20] Symposium to focus on Greek-language education in United States

    New York, 21/01/1997 (ANA- M. Georgiadou)

    Archbishop of America Spyridon will inaugurate a symposium concerning the problems and the future of Greek-language education in the United States, which is organized by the Federation of Hellenic Associations of New York.

    Issues to be covered will be books used in Greek-American schools, further training of teachers in Greece, the role of the Greek state and the Archdiocese in the operation of Greek-language schools, and finally, the possibility of establishing a Greek-American university in the city.

    [21] Consumers' group says one in five phone calls 'unnecessary'

    Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)

    One out of five phone calls is unnecessary and as a result, consumers are increasing their phone bills without reason, according to research conducted by the Consumers Institute (INKA).

    INKA claims that 23 per cent of phone calls made at home and 27 per cent of calls made in the workplace are "unnecessary", often "absolutely unnecessary".

    Consequently, the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) and mobile telephony companies are increasing profits, while consumers' phone bills swell.

    Research showed that extravagance is also noted in the consumption of electricity, water and fuel.

    On its part, INKA has issued a special publication on the issue for consumers.

    The consumers' advocacy group has also proclaimed a nationwide competition entitled "INKA saving", to assist consumers in reducing OTE, the Public Power Corp. (DEH) and Athens Water and Sewerage Co. (EYDAP) bills by 10 per cent, compared to the corresponding period last year - either for all three bills or for each case separately.

    People wishing to participate in the competition should send photocopies of bills for 1996 and 1997 to INKA's offices (31, Poseidonos St. - Athens 175 61), tel.: 98.29.152.

    Ten awards will be given in all, totaling four million drachmas.

    [22] AMUE blames past Gov't policies for current economic situation

    Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)

    The Association for European Monetary Union (AMUE) - an independent union comprising banks, corporations and other EU fora - stated in its latest manifesto that low rate of growth, increased unemployment and the need to bring down constantly increasing debt in Greece are the result of past government policies and do not stem from current government actions setting the economy in line with the Maastricht Treaty criteria.

    Greece is represented in AMUE by Eurobank.

    According to the manifesto, the Economic Monetary Union will result in increased competitiveness of European enterprises, higher growth rates and new jobs, as well as improved living standards for the average European citizen in the next century.

    [23] Cyprus Development Bank looks to expand to Crete

    Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)

    A delegation from the Cyprus Development Bank is in Crete this week as part of efforts to expand activity by the bank.

    The delegation has visited the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute in Hania, the Development Organization of Western Crete and the island's Polytechnic.

    Members of the delegation said they were trying to bolster competitiveness and that their visit had left them with the impression that the island had developed significantly in the fields of technology and research and that it could support the presence of more banks.

    [24] Xenia '97 begins tomorrow

    Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)

    The 28th international tourism exhibition "Xenia '97" gets underway at the Piraeus Port Authority's (OLP) exhibition center tomorrow with an address by Development Minister Vasso Papandreou.

    Xenia '97 is sponsored by the development ministry and the Greek Tourist Organization (EOT). It is expected to be attended by 1,300 enterprises in the tourism sector, and with 229 pavilions.

    Within the framework of concurrent events being carried out every year, the exhibition's organizing committee has decided to honor two personalities this year for their contribution to the cultural and tourism sectors, namely, Eleni Glykatzi-Ahweiler, the rector of Sorbonne University; and Christos Papoutsis, European Union Commissioner for tourism, energy and small- and medium-size enterprises.

    [25] Preparations underway for Europartenariat Hellas

    Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)

    Businessmen from Europe, the US, the Middle East and Asia will converge on Athens on January 23-24 to discuss new co-operation prospects, in preparation of the Europartenariat Hellas to take place in June.

    More than 3,000 businessmen from 77 countries will be in Piraeus on June 23-24 for the Europartenariat Hellas.

    For the first time, Greece, the Greek economy and 400 select enterprises will be promoted in a systematic and organized way by local specialized organizations at world level.

    Europartenariat organizers will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. on January 23 at the Athens Hilton's "Esperides" hall, where representatives of the national economy ministry and the European Commission will present the targets of the Europartenariat for the Greek economy.

    The preparatory meeting is financed one-third by the national economy ministry and two-thirds by the European Union.

    [26] Tsongas to be buried on Thursday

    Lowell, Mass, 21/01/1997 (Reuter/ANA)

    Former US Senator Paul Tsongas, who died on Saturday after fighting pneumonia and complications associated with cancer, will be buried in his hometown of Lowell, Massachusetts on Thursday, a funeral home spokesman said on Sunday.

    Tsongas' family will hold a wake at their home in his memory on Tuesday and Wednesday and services will be held at the Transfigural Greek Orthodox Church on Thursday.

    The son of a Greek immigrant and an American mother, Tsongas rose from being a local city councilman to representing Massachusetts in the US House of Representatives and the Senate before unsuccessfully running for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1992.

    He was 55.

    [27] Truck driver confesses in court to murdering three prostitutes

    Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)

    A 23-year-old truck driver yesterday surprised a court by confessing to the murder of three prostitutes and the attempted murder of a further eight.

    It was the first time Antonis Daglis clearly confessed to the charges since being arrested in January last year.

    "I killed the three women and I attempted to kill eight more, I did everything," Daglis told the court.

    The presiding judge remarked that originally he had denied most of the charges against him and admitted to only one murder.

    "Yes," Daglis replied, "I didn't feel well then".

    Continuing his testimony, Daglis tried to justify his actions, saying he had been under the influence of "strange emotions", hinting that his mother's moral behavior was to blame.

    "I saw the same things with the prostitutes... that my mother did. I was out of control," Daglis told the court.

    Attempting to explain why he had dismembered the bodies of his victims, Daglis said he had acted in rage, "blinded by hate".

    "Why did you do it?" the presiding judge persisted.

    "Perhaps as a reaction against what I saw my mother doing," Daglis said, without elaborating.

    "I hated all prostitutes and continue to hate them. I went to meet them for sex but suddenly other pictures came into my head. I heard voices which ordered me to kill. I have been hearing these voices since I did my national service. Once I thought about strangling my fiancee, but I restrained myself," Daglis said.

    Concluding his testimony, Daglis said:

    "I love my mother. I have forgiven her."

    Daglis, who has been in and out of the courts since he was 14 for a number of offenses, was arrested after a number of gruesome discoveries of body parts around the wider Athens area.

    The trial is scheduled to resume on Thursday when Daglis' court-appointed defense counsel will deliver his closing address and a verdict will be announced.

    [28] Ivic may be out for the season

    Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)

    Olympiakos' Serb striker, Ilia Ivic, will probably miss the rest of the season after aggravating an old injury in a first division soccer match in Kavala at the weekend.

    The Yugoslav international, formerly with Red Star Belgrade, had been out of action for 40 days after injuring his knee in a match between his Piraeus team and arch-rivals Panathinaikos of Athens.

    Both teams currently head the first division with the same number of points.

    The match in Kavala was only the second in which Ivic played since recovering from that injury.

    The results of a tomography scan yesterday revealed the seriousness of the latest injury.

    Informed sources said Ivic should undergo surgery as soon as possible, but that the player appeared to be reluctant.

    [29] New settlement for Black Sea Greeks completed in record time

    Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)

    The four-month period in which the settlement of Black Sea Greeks in the village of Pagouria in the Rodopi prefecture was completed is considered record-time.

    The project is part of the Program for the Permanent Housing of the National Foundation for the Welcoming and Rehabilitation of Returning Expatriate Greeks (EIYAPOE) and was planned by the Foundation's Technical Service.

    The settlement is composed of 80 homes (60 ground-floor homes and 20 two-storey homes), whose building was carried out by four companies specializing in the sector of industrialized building.

    The location chosen for the new settlement constitutes the natural extension of the existing Pagouria community, it is directly served by the village's community infrastructure (market, school, church, etc.) and will give a boost to the region's diminishing population.

    [30] Municipality's support requested for Elytis statue in central Athens square

    Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)

    Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos has addressed a letter to Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos, calling for the municipality's co-operation in placing a statue of Nobel prize laureate Odysseus Elytis in the Kolonaki-area Dexameni Square.

    Mr. Venizelos stressed in his letter that both sculptor Yiannis Pappas - who created the work with the late poet's consent - and Elytis' companion, Ioulita Iliopoulou, have requested that the statue be placed in Dexameni Square, a location the sculptor considers appropriate. The culture minister also favors the location.

    In addition, Mr. Venizelos called on Mr. Avramopoulos to accelerate procedures so that an unveiling ceremony can take place in early March, the first anniversary of the poet's death.

    [31] IAAF delegation in Athens today

    Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)

    A delegation of the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) is arriving in Athens today to iron out details concerning the program of the World Athletics Championship, scheduled to be held here in early August.

    The delegation includes IAAF technical directors Sandro Giovannelli and Alberto Baronet, and three technical representatives.

    [32] Archaeological meeting in Thessaloniki

    Athens, 21/01/1997 (ANA)

    Foreign and Greek archaeologists will meet in the northern port city of Thessaloniki from February 12-15 to discuss the course of excavations in the area of northern Greece.

    Entitled "Ten years of archaeological work in Macedonia and Thrace", the symposium is organized by the culture and Macedonia-Thrace ministries and the Cultural Capital of Europe 1997 organization.

    The meeting will be inaugurated by Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos and will also be addressed by Macedonia-Thrace Minister Philippos Petsalnikos.

    End of English language section.


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