Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-04-21

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 1169), April 21, 1997

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

CONTENTS

[01] V. Papandreou stresses Greece's interest in continuation of Middle East peace process

[02] Meeting with Jerusalem Patriarch

[03] Simitis scheduled to meet with Austrian leadership today

[04] Grim anniversary of Armenian genocide commemorated

[05] Proposal on immigration of Greek expatriates to be unveiled

[06] Defense Minister says Gov't working for 'acceptable solution' to FYROM name issue

[07] Paschalides

[08] Second part of Greek contingent to leave today for Albania

[09] Tsohatzopoulos: Cyprus solution necessary for better Greek-Turkish ties

[10] On Dialogue with Turkey

[11] Messages on 30 years since military coup

[12] Conscripts' service at border regions extended by three months

[13] PASOK meeting on developing eastern Macedonia, Thrace

[14] Cultural Capital program of events unveiled

[15] Coast guard speed-boat stolen, then spotted in Albanian waters

[16] Illegal drug trade in Greece estimated at 350 billion drachmas

[01] V. Papandreou stresses Greece's interest in continuation of Middle East peace process

Ramallah, 21/04/1997 (ANA - D. Tsalapatis)

Ms Papandreou stressed that the continuation of a tense situation in the region has negative consequences on the economies of both Israel and the Palestinians, as well as on the wider region of the Middle East.

She also noted that the Greek side will promote the peace process, aimed at mobilizing the European Union in this direction.

On Saturday, Ms Papandreou met with Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat and discussed the course of the peace process and the possibilities of economic co-operation between Greece and the Palestinians.

Speaking after the end of the meeting, Mr. Arafat said "we are very happy to have the Greek delegation here. I can not forget all you have offered us in the past, in the present and in the future.

"Ms Papandreou's presence here greatly promotes Greek-Palestinian relations. As you know, there is a European effort for peace, which began in Malta, which we must reinforce."

Questioned on the course of Israeli-Palestinian relations, Mr. Arafat noted that "the most important thing at present is the respect of what we have agreed on. Without doubt, the European initiative is very important for the promotion of the peace process and the protection of the peace," he said.

On her part, Ms Papandreou said she felt honored to have met with the Palestinian president on behalf of the Greek government.

"We discussed their just struggle. Greece is always by the side of the Palestinians," she said. "They are struggling to find justice and we will support them, as always, on a bilateral level and within the framework of the European Union.

"We believe it is necessary for the peace process to continue for the good of the peoples who live here and for the good of the whole region."

During their meeting, the two discussed the prospects of co-operation between Greek and Palestinian businesses in the tourism and commerce sectors, and the promotion of exports.

They also reached an agreement to provide scholarships for Palestinian students to study in Greek tourism schools and for Palestinian researchers to be trained in various sectors.

There was also an agreement for the establishment of a permanent Greek-Palestinian committee to promote co-operation in specific investment programs.

[02] Meeting with Jerusalem Patriarch

Jerusalem, 21/04/1997 (ANA)

On his part, Patriarch Diodoros stressed that the Patriarchate is fighting to safeguard centuries-old traditions.

During the meeting, the Patriarch briefed Ms Papandreou on the occupation of areas belonging to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem by several groups of local Muslim residents. He said he has been assured by Jordanian authorities that the issue will be resolved shortly.

During Ms Papandreou's meetings with Israeli officials at the beginning of her visit to the region, the Israeli government expressed particular interest in the supply of natural gas from Greece. Discussions on tourism included the possibilities of cooperation between Israel and Greece to attract tourists from the Far East and the United States.

[03] Simitis scheduled to meet with Austrian leadership today

Vienna, 21/04/1997 (ANA - D. Dimitrakoudis)

Mr. Simitis, who is accompanied by Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis and other officials, is to meet today with Austrian Chancellor Viktor Klima, President Thomas Klestil as well as Vice-Chancellor and Foreign Minister Wolfgang Schussel.

Mr. Simitis and Mr. Klima are to hold a press conference this afternoon.

On Tuesday, the Greek premier is to visit the federal Parliament, where he will hold talks with its president, Heinz Fischer. The prime minister is scheduled to leave for an official visit to Germany on Wednesday.

Mr. Simitis' talks in Vienna will concentrate on political developments in the European Union and the wider region, as well as on bilateral relations.

The two sides are expected to discuss the course of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) and the prospects for EU expansion, focusing on the opening of Cyprus' EU accession negotiations six months after the end of the IGC.

Mr. Simitis is expected to also raise the issue of Turkey's relations with Greece and the European Union, as well as EU policy on the Balkans.

[04] Grim anniversary of Armenian genocide commemorated

Athens, 21/04/1997 (ANA)

Representatives of the Armenian community in Greece referred to the Cyprus problem, stressing their willingness to contribute to coordinated actions towards an immediate solution.

The 1915 Armenian genocide was carried out by Ottoman forces in eastern and southeastern Turkey against civilian populations. Approximately 1.5 million ethnic Armenians perished in the pogroms.

[05] Proposal on immigration of Greek expatriates to be unveiled

Athens, 21/04/1997 (ANA)

The proposals include changing the regime governing Greek expatriates currently in the country under tourist visas, which would affect roughly 80,000 people. They also include the restructuring of programs in the prefectures of Kavala, Xanthi, Rodopi and Evros, giving priority to the social integration of repatriated Greeks through vocational training and the reinforcement of ethnic Greek populations of the former Soviet Union, Albania and the Balkans.

[06] Defense Minister says Gov't working for 'acceptable solution' to FYROM name issue

Athens, 21/04/1997 (ANA)

"We shall do whatever is possible for an acceptable solution, regardless of the time required. The crucial issue is the interim agreement and the terms formulated by the two countries, which led to the neutralization of those issues separating us, be it the symbols or irredentism," he added.

The Greek minister stressed the significance of the formation of important economic relations and the need for the two nations to co-exist peacefully.

"This is promoted to an important degree through a strengthening of the freedom of communication, economic co-operation and cultural exchanges," he said.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos added that composer Mikis Theodorakis' recent concert in Skopje confirmed this policy.

[07] Paschalides

Athens, 21/04/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Paschalides made the statement during an event in Thessaloniki entitled "The Necessity for the Redefinement of Foreign Policy," organized by the newly formed group "Front for Logic Against Nationalism for Modern Foreign Policy."

"There must be an end to the perception which is equal to the search for support, based on the fact that we are a country with historical particularities," Mr. Paschalides said.

"When these particularities are used endlessly, they become a disadvantage."

On his part, prominent left-wing politician Leonidas Kyrkos supported the idea of a double name for FYROM, saying that it is in the Greek government's interests to end this issue, particularly at present, with the existing tension in the Balkans.

"We must not endorse, but suggest viable things, such as a dual name... Due to the criminal mistakes and incompetence displayed by the Greek side... we gave up the name to Skopje," Mr. Kyrkos claimed.

[08] Second part of Greek contingent to leave today for Albania

Athens, 21/04/1997 (ANA)

The 520 men will board two Hellenic Navy vessels at the port of Thessaloniki and will land at either Vlore or Durres, depending on security concerns.

The first part of the Greek force, meanwhile, remains at Fieri, awaiting the green light from the Italian command to move to Vlore.

National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos will visit the Greek contingent on April 28.

[09] Tsohatzopoulos: Cyprus solution necessary for better Greek-Turkish ties

Athens, 21/04/1997 (ANA)

He also noted that in addition to the promotion of Cyprus' EU accession, Greece "is also promoting all the procedures that would ensure the participation of the Turkish Cypriot side in the (pre-accession) dialogue, without this, of course, meaning either a recognition of the occupied pseudo-state in northern Cyprus, or any type of special status to the Turkish Cypriot side. They do, however, have the right to be informed on developments that will arise in Cyprus after accession to the EU".

[10] On Dialogue with Turkey

Athens, 21/04/1997 (ANA)

Speaking from Hania airport on Saturday, Mr. Mitsotakis said substantial talks cannot begin if certain basic points are not clarified, these being for Turkey to respect Greece's territorial integrity, international agreements and international law. However, he stressed that any movement towards Turkey cannot ignore the issue of Cyprus, "which is currently in a critical stage".

In another development, the issue of the Dutch European Union's proposal for the formation of an "experts' committee" on Greek-Turkish relations to discuss procedural issues is to be clarified within this week. Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou is scheduled to have a telephone conversation with Dutch Foreign Minister Hans van Mierlo in order to present Greece's positions regarding the committee.

In a related development, 32 PASOK deputies reportedly sent a four-page letter to party leader and Premier Costas Simitis, expressing their reservations and concern over a possible Greek-Turkish dialogue.

[11] Messages on 30 years since military coup

Athens, 21/04/1997 (ANA)

"Democracy is the only form of government suited to free people," he said.

"The 30 years that have passed since the imposition of the military dictatorship provide us with an opportunity to attribute once again the honor owed to those who resisted the oppressive regime with courage and democratic ideals and, of course, to the great majority of the Greek people, who never strayed from their democratic beliefs," he added.

In his message on the occasion, National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said "the great achie-vements of the post-dictatorship era are the restoration of democratic legality, establishment of popular rule, the strengthening of political normality and political stability as well as the effective defense of national sovereign rights."

Main opposition New Democracy stressed in a press release that fortification of democratic institutions and the support of social cohesion, as necessary conditions for a required national renaissance, must be continuous.

On its part, the Communist Party of Greece's (KKE) press office issued an announcement saying that "the memory of those events means popular unity and heightened struggle against the new order..."

The Coalition of the Left and Progress party said in its message: "...today, 23 years after the (fall of the junta), the distance between expectations and reality feeds a climate of mistrust and disappointment and simultaneously the demand for a radical change in the policy and alliances in our political life."

The Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) party described the anniversary as "a day for reflection".

"We do not forget, because nations that forget are condemned to live through the same situation again. Without fanaticism, with the maturity derived through suffering, we know that democracy demands daily struggle for its safeguarding."

Political Spring (Pol.An) noted that there is a delay in "democracy's great leap into the future."

[12] Conscripts' service at border regions extended by three months

Athens, 21/04/1997 (ANA)

He specified that final amendments would be included in a bill to be tabled in Parliament after Easter (April 27). Other changes include a reduction of military service by three months for those who sign up at the age of 18.

[13] PASOK meeting on developing eastern Macedonia, Thrace

Athens, 21/04/1997 (ANA)

Those attending the meeting included leading PASOK party members from Athens, Thessaloniki, Drama, Kavala, Xanthi, Rodopi and Evros.

Speaking on the region's development, Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis said "there are funds from the Community Support Fra-mework, provided the money goes to investments which will have prospects for development."

National Economy Under-secretary Christos Pachtas said the development of eastern Macedonia and Thrace is "a question of national priority for the government and for PASOK."

"Our aim is for this region to become a springboard for the markets of the Balkans, the Black Sea region and the Mediterranean countries. This is the new role the area is called on to play, aided of course, by the government," he said.

[14] Cultural Capital program of events unveiled

Athens, 21/04/1997 (ANA)

Missing from the original schedule are events which have been canceled due to a lack of space as well as funding cuts.

The program, budgeted at 7.2 billion drachmas, includes more than 700 events, featuring an exhibition of relics from Mount Athos, with accompanying publications, concerts and lectures.

Musical performances include concerts by Leonidas Kavakos, Gwyneth Jones, Jenny Drivala, Philip Glass, Joan Baez, B.B. King and Van Morisson. Shakespeare's "King Lear" will be staged by London's National Theater and Aristophanes' "The Birds" by the Athens-based Karolos Koun Theatre.

[15] Coast guard speed-boat stolen, then spotted in Albanian waters

Athens, 21/04/1997 (ANA)

The vessel was later spotted within Albanian territorial waters by the Hellenic Navy minesweeper 'Tyfon' and by another coast guard vessel.

The two vessels were attacked by kalashnikov-wielding hooded gunmen from an abandoned building near the area where the stolen boat was anchored.

A speed-boat with four commandos left Corfu shortly afterwards to retrieve the coast guard vessel.

Merchant Marine Minister Stavros Soumakis suspended the Preveza harbormaster following the incident.

[16] Illegal drug trade in Greece estimated at 350 billion drachmas

Athens, 21/04/1997 (ANA)

Speaking at the same conference, Organization for the Fight Against Drugs (OKANA) president Mary Malliori announced the establishment of prevention centers throughout Greece in the next three years.

End of English language section.

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