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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-11-04

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 1331), November 4, 1997

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] Simitis calls for institutionalization of SE European summits
  • [02] Greek proposal
  • [03] Regional co-operation still necessary
  • [04] Yilmaz response
  • [05] Afternoon session
  • [06] Simitis describes meeting with Yilmaz as 'useful'
  • [07] Yilmaz
  • [08] Pangalos stresses interest in rehabilitating relations with Turkey
  • [09] Yilmaz wants mutual understanding - 'Hurriyet'
  • [10] Simitis holds separate talks with Balkan leaders
  • [11] Milosevic-Nano meeting focuses on Kosovo
  • [12] Simitis urges Balkan leaders to leave past behind, look ahead
  • [13] Language a sticking-point in better Bulgarian-FYROM relations
  • [14] Ankara stresses support for Skopje membership in NATO
  • [15] Balkan leaders' spouses tour Irakleion's archaeological museum
  • [16] ND on Simitis-Yilmaz meeting
  • [17] Violations of airspace, Athens FIR by Turkish warplanes reported
  • [18] Turkish military chief: 'We must avoid speaking of war'
  • [19] Two men convicted for last week's protests in Thessaloniki
  • [20] OECD session held in Athens on water resources
  • [21] President receives ESHEA honor
  • [22] Romeos discusses EU program for monitoring ship traffic
  • [23] Greek stocks rebound on stable money market rates
  • [24] Confidence in drachma boosted
  • [25] No new taxes to cure burden of monetary turmoil
  • [26] Social dialogue on employment issues
  • [27] EU urges growth initiative in third countries
  • [28] More than 30 new golf courses to be built in 3 years

  • [01] Simitis calls for institutionalization of SE European summits

    Athens, 04/11/1997 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday proposed the institutionalization of co-operation between countries of southeast Europe along the lines of the European Union, at the morning session during the first day of a summit of Balkan leaders in Crete.

    In addition to further summit meetings, Mr. Simitis proposed the convening of "councils of ministers" to promote separate issues within their competence. At the end of the session, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos announced that the next meeting of southeast Europe foreign ministers would be held in Istanbul in June, while the heads of state and government would meet for the second time in the Turkish port city of Antalya next October.

    During the session, discussion also focused on the creation of a center for the coordination of economic activities.

    Mr. Pangalos said this issue had long been delayed "due to a lack of political impetus".

    He said the coordination of the activities of non-governmental organizations was discussed "in a positive climate".

    Clearly satisfied with the talks so far, Mr. Pangalos said inter-Balkan co-operation was already a fact.

    [02] Greek proposal

    Athens, 04/11/1997 (ANA)

    Presenting the framework of the Greek proposal "for the building of a new reality in southeast Europe", Mr. Simitis said that Balkan ministers competent for commerce and investments should meet regularly, at least once a year, to examine the progress made on decisions taken. "I should like also to propose that we set up in Athens a center to bring legislation of the countries of the region in line with the rules of the European Union.

    "Greece has particular experience in this area and could make a decisive contribution in this respect," Mr. Simitis said.

    Turning to cross-border co-operation, Mr. Simitis proposed that economy and finance ministers of the region should meet at least once a year, and experts from the various countries once every six months, "to examine the financing possibilities available under various EU programs".

    Of decisive importance for the further development of economic co-operation in the region, Mr. Simitis continued, will be the implementation of various decisions taken by the Balkan governments in the sectors of transport, telecommunications and energy.

    Here too, Mr. Simitis proposed meetings of competent ministers at least once a year and of experts every six months.

    "I believe it is necessary to assign to the foreign ministers of our countries the monitoring of the results of these meetings and (for them) to discuss progress on these issues," Mr. Simitis said.

    [03] Regional co-operation still necessary

    Athens, 04/11/1997 (ANA)

    Mr. Simitis said the globalisation of the economy did not eliminate the need for regional co-operation which, he stressed, was of particular importance "in the case of countries like ours which are relatively isolated geographically from the nucleus of the European Union".

    He stressed that the development of economic co-operation in the region at all levels should be an absolute priority.

    "The limited co-operation and economic relations which existed between our countries until recently must now be replaced with a network of initiatives and collaboration, bilateral and multilateral, for the promotion of investments, common infrastructures , technological co-operation, joint business ventures, and the optimum use and improvement of human resources," Mr. Simitis said.

    Mr. Simitis urged efforts for the creation of "a more cohesive area of financial co-operation in our region, characterized by development and the convergence of our economies".

    He said in order to upgrade "our position" in the international distribution of labor and increase the competitiveness of "our products", it was necessary to improve and expand "our productive bases" through new investments, particularly in areas of high added value and technology.

    "Our countries will become attractive for new investments only if they succeed in becoming parts of a broader market, which will allow the proper exploitation of economies of scale," he said.

    Therefore, he continued, it was in the common interest to take all the necessary measures to facilitate the free movement of goods, services and capital, in line with the provisions of the World Trade Organization and EU rules.

    Of strategic importance for the future of the region, Mr. Simitis said, was co-operation in the infrastructures sector.

    "Today, most investments in the infrastructures sector are not effective when they are designed for one country alone," he said.

    Mr. Simitis noted that the systematic monitoring of the implementation of the various economic co-operation decisions taken by the countries of the region would require the operation of a more permanent coordinating body, "for example, an International Secretariat for the Conference of the countries of Southeast Europe," in order to secure the necessary continuity between the various meetings and serve as a point of reference for all the states.

    "Greece would be willing to host such a secretariat," he said.

    [04] Yilmaz response

    Athens, 04/11/1997 (ANA)

    In the discussion following Mr. Simitis' presentation yesterday morning, the other Balkan leaders concentrated on their countries' concern for their future relations with NATO and the European Union, practical measures to promote co-operation among Balkan states and support for the idea of frequent communication between leaders in the region.

    According to informed sources, Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz congratulated Athens for promoting co-operation and friendship in the region in the form of the summit.

    Mr. Yilmaz also reportedly said that nationalism and intolerance were threats that should be overcome. Co-operation, he added, was moving forward, while the accession of the region's countries was of strategic importance.

    The Turkish prime minister also expressed approval of the creation of a free trade zone, proposing that a Regional Trade Center be based in Turkey.

    Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, expressing support for the Greek initiative, emphasized the need to convince the European Union to change its view with regard to the Balkans and to change its policy of selective treatment (of countries in the region).

    Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano emphasized that efforts should be directed toward the adoption of rules of democracy, the protection of human rights and economic growth. Mr. Nano proposed the foundation of a Center for Regional Cultural Communication , based in Albania.

    Bulgarian Prime Minister Ivan Kostov placed particular emphasis on the need to develop regional networks in the sectors of energy, communications and transport. He also expressed the hope that the under-construction Egnatia motorway would reach "as far as Varna".

    Meanwhile, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) President Kiro Gligorov warned against any "hasty regional integration in the creation of new European regions which did not help the process of European integration", although he did not rule out the development of all forms of co-operation in the region.

    With regard to the role of Greece as a member state of the European Union and of NATO, Mr. Gligorov stressed that Greece could help towards speeding up the process of accession to the European Union and the Atlantic Alliance of countries in the region.

    This process, however, "should not benefit one country at the expense of the whole region, nor should new centers of power be created."

    At the same time, the FYROM president proposed the creation of a center, based in Skopje, aimed at assisting in the transition from a planned economy to a market economy.

    On his part, Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ciorbea expressed support for the Greek initiative on the strengthening of relations between countries in the region, stressing the need for their joining Euro-Atlantic structures and called for an acceleration in co-operation in the enterprises sector and promotion of investments.

    [05] Afternoon session

    Athens, 04/11/1997 (ANA)

    Speaking in the afternoon session, Mr. Simitis said the dramatic changes of the last eight years in Europe proved the need for peace, security and co-operation to become the central idea and sole course for the future.

    "The Balkans used to be called the powder-keg of Europe due to the tensions and conflicts caused by the political, religious and cultural diversity and the particularly sensitive geopolitical position. What needs to be determined is the framework for the new course," he said.

    He set as a matter of foremost priority the respect for international law at all decision and action levels, pointing out that previously hostile nations, such as France and Germany, developed on a similar level in the post-war period.

    "A second issue concerns the characteristics of the society that will emerge, given that the foundations of a healthy and fair society are democracy, freedom, the rule of law, human rights, equality before the law, and social justice...

    "A third issue is the promotion of economic co-operation, communication and closer ties between the peoples of the Balkans, through academic, professional, and cultural associations, trade unions, local authorities etc.

    The prime minister assured his counterparts that Greece will do everything possible to promote the new goals, and will undertake joint initiatives with other countries so that Balkan nations will come nearer the new reality, with closer links or members hip of the European Union and/or NATO.

    Summing up the issues raised by the Balkan leaders, government spokesman Demetris Reppas stressed firstly, that the creation of a climate of confidence, that would involve the use of dialogue as a means for solving differences, was a common desire. Secondly, they stressed that co-operation should be intensified as behaviors and mentalities of the past still posed dangers, and thirdly, that ways should be examined for closer co-operation with the European Union.

    Other issues discussed included the problems of crime, drugs and illegal immigration.

    [06] Simitis describes meeting with Yilmaz as 'useful'

    Athens, 04/11/1997 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis last night described as a "useful" step a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Mesut Yilmaz on the sidelines of the southeast European leaders' summit on Crete.

    Mr. Simitis told reporters after the meeting, which lasted one hour and 20 minutes, that both sides had expressed their support for the Madrid declaration of principles to smooth out relations, signed between the two countries last July, and agreed to continue the process of exchanging views through bilateral committees of experts as well as to treat the 1988 Papoulias-Yilmaz memorandum as a basis for overcoming disputes.

    "Mr. Yilmaz believes that problems can be overcome by dialogue on all issues, which however, has taken place in the past, but without results. We insist on a step-by-step approach, and particularly on the steps we have defined for overcoming differences ," the Greek premier said.

    Mr. Simitis said he reminded his counterpart that an answer was still pending to the latest Greek expert committee's letter, adding that the recent climate of conflict was of benefit to no one and that the two countries should co-operate. "Other issues of common interest, such as the fight against drug trafficking and illegal immigration were also discussed. There are issues which unite us and others that separate us. Those uniting us can be treated in the framework of bilateral co-operation," he said .

    Referring to the issue of dialogue in general, he said there are inhibitions, such as "we should not be talking to the other side because it betrays a yielding attitude."

    "The unyielding attitude is not a refusal to talk. Rather, it gives strength to negotiating and the promotion of our positions. We have no hesitation in talking to anyone," Mr. Simitis said.

    Finally, the Greek prime minister said he had accepted an invitation to visit Turkey at a date to be determined through diplomatic channels.

    [07] Yilmaz

    Athens, 04/11/1997 (ANA)

    Turkish press sources later said Mr. Yilmaz described the meeting as useful and positive, saying it had given the opportunity for clearing up many of the misunderstandings between the two countries.

    Questioned on Mr. Simitis' reaction to his proposal for unconditional dialogue, Mr. Yilmaz was reported as saying that he found it "constructive", stressing he had no doubt that if the Greek side continued its positive approach, then Turkey would reciprocate, even in double measure.

    He added that the bilateral experts committees should regain precious time lost in its operation.

    According to the same sources, Mr. Yilmaz said there could also be other mechanisms between the two countries and reiterated that Turkey supported the Solana ideas for confidence-building measures in the Aegean and that his country ruled out no means of peaceful resolution of bilateral differences, including international adjudication or arbitration.

    He reiterated that dialogue under terms and conditions could not take place, adding that what the two countries should do was to find mechanisms for solving their differences.

    "It is not conceivable that only one problem be presented and only one mechanism of resolution be indicated," Mr. Yilmaz said.

    [08] Pangalos stresses interest in rehabilitating relations with Turkey

    Athens, 04/11/1997 (ANA)

    Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos stressed yesterday that Greece was greatly interested in establishing good relations with neighboring Turkey, just a few hours before the talks between the prime ministers of the two countries.

    Mr. Pangalos was speaking to reporters after the first session of the Balkan summit at Agia Pelagia and hours before the Simitis-Yilmaz talks.

    The Greek foreign minister declined to make any forecast about the result of the talks between the two premiers, saying it was something that concerned only them.

    He added that the Balkan leaders who requested bilateral talks with Mr. Simitis were able to choose the manner in which the meeting would be held, noting that both Mr. Yilmaz and Albanian Premier Fatos Nano had asked for one-on-one talks with the Greek premier.

    Asked whether it would be possible for Greece and Turkey, in view of the summit, to postpone the military exercises currently being conducted by both countries, Mr. Pangalos replied that it was not possible to suspend exercises which had already begun.

    "What is important is that the exercises be conducted without creating any problems," he stressed.

    Replying to other questions, Mr. Pangalos noted that the recognition of the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court at the Hague was not a Greek demand but a prerequisite for participation in the European Union.

    He underlined that all European countries had acknowledged the jurisdiction of the International Court.

    Asked to comment on statements on yesterday by Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem concerning the peaceful settlement of disputes in the manner stipulated by article 33 of the UN Charter, Mr. Pangalos said Mr. Cem's position was completely compatible with the need to recognize the compulsory jurisdiction of The Hague court.

    He also expressed satisfaction at the position expressed by his Turkish counterpart.

    Concerning the reservation expressed by Greece with respect to the jurisdiction of the International Court, Mr. Pangalos said it pertained to matters of defense and national security, adding that similar reservations had been expressed by many countries , including the United States.

    "If Turkey too accepts the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court, then it too will be able to express one or more reservations and the two countries (Greece and Turkey) will then be able to see which issues they can resolve at the Hague," Mr. Pangalos said.

    At this point, Mr. Pangalos said that the issue of the delineation of the Aegean continental shelf could be examined by the International Court, expressing his conviction that "in reality, this is the only real problem between the two countries".

    [09] Yilmaz wants mutual understanding - 'Hurriyet'

    Istanbul, 04/11/1997 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

    Turkey's major goal is to avert an accident that could lead to open conflict, Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said in an interview in the Turkish daily "Hurriyet", published yesterday.

    "In my opinion there is nothing which cannot be resolved through mutual understanding," he said with regard to the current Balkan summit and his talks with the Greek prime minister, although his expectations from their meeting last night were reserved.

    "Conditions, as far as both Mr. (Costas) Simitis and his party as well as domestic policy is concerned, are not particularly appropriate," he said.

    Mr. Yilmaz also observed that following the Papandreou-Ozal meeting in Davos in 1988 and the Madrid communiqui signed earlier this year, reactions within Greece had not permitted the implementation of what had been agreed upon.

    He drew attention to international interest in this week's talks, saying that NATO Secretary General Javier Solana had repeatedly telephoned him to assure him that he wished to contribute to the success of the meeting.

    "Both the European Union and the United States are closely following (the talks) and are expecting a positive step," said the Turkish premier, adding that he felt the meeting itself was a positive step.

    "A second positive step is the fact that we are not squabbling like (Greek and Turkish foreign ministers) Pangalos and Cem," he added.

    [10] Simitis holds separate talks with Balkan leaders

    Athens, 04/11/1997 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis met earlier with Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) President Kiro Gligorov. No statements were made after the meeting.

    The Greek premier also held cordial meetings with his Bulgarian and Romanian counterparts, Ivan Kostov and Victor Ciorbea, respectively.

    Regarding his meeting with Mr. Kostov, Mr. Simitis said there was a new climate in bilateral relations, an agreement had been reached on waters of the Nestos River, and the borders are now more open than previously.

    Mr. Kostov also stressed the good relations between the two countries and the need for continuing dialogue on the issues still outstanding.

    Sources said both sides expressed willingness to intensify efforts to make the Burgas-Alexandroupoli oil pipeline project a reality.

    Regarding his meeting with his Romanian counterpart, Mr. Simitis also stressed the good state of relations and the potential for further developing trade relations.

    Mr. Ciorbea expressed his country's desire for EU membership, which Greece supports.

    After his meetings with the participating leaders he said all sides accepted an initiative by Athens to discuss problems in the Balkans.

    In terms of bilateral relations, he said those are developing well, adding that there is a desire among all the region's nations for EU accession, while he stressed the government's political will to assist in the upgrading of relations between Balkan nations and the EU.

    [11] Milosevic-Nano meeting focuses on Kosovo

    Athens, 04/11/1997 (ANA)

    Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano yesterday hailed as "his-toric" a meeting on the sidelines of the southeast European countries' summit on Crete with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, which lasted approximately an hour and a half.

    Speaking to reporters, Mr. Nano said "new foundations are created for the closer co-operation between the two countries", adding that new meetings between the two leaders would take place.

    Yugoslavia and Albania are at odds over the Serbian province of Kosovo, a region inhabited by predominately ethnic Albanians.

    Mr. Milosevic referred to an Albanian "minority", indicating that "their problem will be resolved in the framework of international law" and on the basis of Yugoslavia's policy promoting the equality of ethnic groups.

    Mr. Nano spoke of a an "Albanian community" and underlined that its problem should be dealt with in the same European framework as other communities.

    On his part, Mr. Milosevic said he had asked that the issue of Serbs and Montenegrins living in Albania be discussed, and added that Kosovo was an inseparable part of Serbia and was an internal Yugoslav issue.

    He described his meeting with the Albanian prime minister as "a start to the process for smoothing out relations between Yugoslavia and Albania," and as "very interesting and good for both sides".

    "I hope in our next meeting, we shall be able to say much more," he concluded.

    [12] Simitis urges Balkan leaders to leave past behind, look ahead

    Athens, 04/11/1997 (ANA)

    Greece's Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday called for a "new reality" and a "new page" to be turned in the Balkans in order to avoid a return to "old practices", which he warned would lead the region to "defeat".

    Opening the first-ever Balkan summit, entitled the informal southeastern Europe meeting, at Agia Pelagia near the Cretan capital of Irakleio, Mr. Simitis said that international law, international treaties and international bodies of justice "must comprise the inalienable element of every policy seeking the settlement of differences. It is the only road to consolidating peace and to achieving the development and prosperity of our peoples through co-operation".

    "We all find ourselves at a historic crossroads, and if we persist on old practices would be tantamount to defeat," he told the heads of state or government of Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Romania, Turkey and Yugoslavia.

    "For many, our region is still an area of disputes. They see dangers, keep their distances, hesitate to embrace our region when they draft the major policies that formulate the Europe of tomorrow. This situation must change. We must change it," Mr. Simitis told the two-day summit.

    "The first major development we are all experiencing is the globalisation of the economy, which is being followed, with smaller but decisive steps, by the globalisation of the political system. Economic frontiers of all kinds have already been abolished in large groupings of states, such as those comprising the European Union, or are headed to complete abolition in the framework of even wider international organizations, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO). This momentous development demands adaptation, it demands new policies that open up, with perspicacity, the prospects of our countries for the next century," Mr. Simitis said.

    The Greek premier said "the second major challenge is to seek new perceptions on all crucial issues".

    He said solutions could not be sought "only on the basis of perceptions that were formulated many decades ago. Concepts that once determined the dominant mentality in the international community, such as vital space or sphere of influence, no longer correspond to a new reality of co-operation".

    "The third challenge concerning our region arises from the fact that what other European peoples have achieved continues to be fragile for us: Peace, stability, the certainty that our people will not again face the prospect of a conflagration which would cost lives. To overcome the present uncertainty, international law, international treaties and international bodies of justice must comprise the inalienable element of every policy seeking the settlement of differences. It is the only road to consolidating peace and to achieving the development and prosperity of our peoples through co-operation," he said.

    "The new European reality creates momentum. We can take part in and influence developments. The lonely path of each of us increases the distance from the goals that we all envisage for the interests of our peoples. Our peoples want contact, co-operation, conciliation. It is our duty to give them that prospect," he added.

    Mr. Simitis called for the consolidation of peace, respect of international law, economic co-operation and solidarity in the Balkans, and said: "Our meeting is an indication of the political will of all of us to begin, together, a new effort that will be founded on peace and respect for international law, on the desire for full-scale economic co-operation and solidarity, on the common search for the answers to the problems that have divided us until now. My country has the sincere desire to contribute, with all its abilities, to the creation of a new reality. I call on you to unite our forces so that hope for a better tomorrow will be born in all our peoples."

    [13] Language a sticking-point in better Bulgarian-FYROM relations

    Athens, 04/11/1997 (ANA)

    The "language problem" is the main obstacle to improvement of relations between Bulgaria and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), according to diplomatic observers at the Crete summit of southeast Europe leaders.

    The observations came after a half-hour meeting Sunday night between FYROM President Kiro Gligorov and Bulgarian Prime Minister Ivan Kostov.

    Mr. Gligorov raised the language issue during the sideline meeting with Mr. Kostov, who replied that overall co-operation "can proceed by leaving aside the language problem."

    Mr. Kostov side-stepped a reminder by Mr. Gligorov that there were about 20 economic co-operation agreements between the two countries that were pending signature.

    Sources close to the FYROM delegation believe that Mr. Kostov was not authorized to discuss the issue, and that it fell under the authority of Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov.

    Bulgarian officials have long claimed that the language spoken by most of FYROM's slavophone residents is simply a Bulgarian dialect. Conversely, Skopje's leadership claims that most residents in the landlocked country speak a distinct Slavic language.

    [14] Ankara stresses support for Skopje membership in NATO

    Athens, 04/11/1997 (ANA)

    Turkish Prime Minister Yilmaz expressed his government's active support for the accession of FYROM to NATO, in a meeting with the central Balkan nation's President, Kiro Gligorov, on the sidelines of the Crete summit.

    During the meeting, which lasted more than an hour, the two countries' "excellent" political relations were stressed, while Mr. Yilmaz said his government has decided to give new impetus to economic relations.

    The Turkish premier also said that both he and Turkish President Suleyman Demirel would visit Skopje within 1998.

    [15] Balkan leaders' spouses tour Irakleion's archaeological museum

    Athens, 04/11/1997 (ANA)

    The spouses of the heads of government and state and of foreign ministers attending the summit yesterday were given a guided tour of the Irakleio Archaeological Museum, amidst strict security measures.

    Turkey's first lady, Verna Yilmaz, was absent from the tour due to ill health although Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's wife was present.

    The museum and surrounding area was swept by specially trained sniffer dogs for any possible explosive devices before the visit while anti-terrorist and special forces police were on guard before and during the guided tour by the director of the museum' s curator.

    The coach carrying Daphne Simitis, the wife of the Greek prime minister and the hostess of the events, and the spouses of the Bulgarian and Albanian premiers and of the Yugoslav and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonian (FYROM) presidents was accompanied by motorcycle escorts, three police cars and two security vehicles.

    The wife of Romanian Premier Victor Corbea arrived at the museum separately, having reached Crete only yesterday morning.

    Reporters were barred from the museum during the visit.

    At a ceremony later at the town hall, Mayor Costas Aslanis presented each of the women with the municipality's gold medal.

    Mrs. Yilmaz joined the group at the town hall, where the program included a performance by the municipal string quartet and youth orchestra and was followed by a reception.

    [16] ND on Simitis-Yilmaz meeting

    Athens, 04/11/1997 (ANA)

    The main opposition New Democracy party termed yesterday's meeting between Prime Minister Costas Simitis and his Turkish counterpart Mesut Yilmaz "a failure."

    ND spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos said the failure of the meeting "confirms once again the intransigent and provocative policy of Turkey."

    Mr. Spiliotopoulos also criticized the government, saying "it is insisting in its passive policy which, given the position of Turkey, is leading to deadlocks."

    The announcement was made after a meeting convened at party headquarters by ND leader Costas Karamanlis.

    [17] Violations of airspace, Athens FIR by Turkish warplanes reported

    Athens, 04/11/1997 (ANA)

    Multiple infringements of the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR) regulations as well as several violations of Greek airspace over the Aegean by Turkish warplanes were reported yesterday.

    The violations came as leaders from eight Balkan countries, including Turkey, were holding their first round of summit talks on Crete. National defense ministry sources said 26 Turkish F-16 fighters and four formations of F-4 "Phantoms" infringed Athens FIR regulations over the central Aegean, while one pair of intruders also violated Greek national airspace over Samos.

    Sources at the defense ministry said another three pairs of Turkish F-16s violated Athens FIR regulations in the southeastern Aegean, south of Rhodes.

    In all instances the Turkish warplanes were intercepted by Hellenic Air Force Mirage 2000 and F-16 fighters, while on seven occasions the mid-air interception procedure developed into an engagement, according to reports.

    [18] Turkish military chief: 'We must avoid speaking of war'

    Istanbul, (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

    Replying to questions by the press yesterday, Turkish General Staff Chief Gen. Ismail Hakki Karadayi said "we must avoid speaking of war."

    "It is impossible for these exercises to lead to war," he added.

    Gen. Karadayi made his observations at an art exhibition by former Turkish general and president Kenan Evren, inaugurated in Ankara yesterday.

    "Both sides are facing issues with calm," he said, adding that "both peoples do not feel any hostility for each other."

    The observations come at a time when a climate of tension and conflict is being created in Turkey over exercises being conducted in the Aegean and the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus.

    In another development, the Turkish general staff briefed military attaches of foreign embassies in Ankara yesterday, including the Greek attachi, on the military exercises - codenamed "Determina-tion '97" and "Taurus '97" which are being conducted in the eastern Mediterranean and the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus.

    The Anatolian News Agency reported that the foreign military attaches were given a detailed briefing on the targets of the exercises and their scenarios.

    Earlier, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Kermet Atazali said:

    "Certain friendly and allied countries, as well as NATO's secretary general, made efforts to have the exercises postponed, that Turkey and Greece had announced prior to the inter-Balkan conference, which started on Crete today."

    "Turkey notified the interested parties that the dates of the exercises... had been determined much earlier, while the exercise announced by Greece had not been determined beforehand. Unfortunately, the exercises are being carried out at the moment. The so le reason for the failure of efforts is that a positive reply was not given by Greece," he added.

    [19] Two men convicted for last week's protests in Thessaloniki

    Athens, 04/11/1997 (ANA)

    Two men arrested last week for provoking clashes between police and demonstrators outside the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce, where several Greek and Turkish businessmen were scheduled to hold a joint event, were sentenced yesterday to four-month jail terms each.

    A 24-year-old medical student was convicted of throwing objects at the businessmen as they left the chamber, while a 26-year-old laborer was arrested for verbally abusing a Turkish businessman. Both said they would appeal their sentences and were released on bond.

    [20] OECD session held in Athens on water resources

    Athens, 04/11/1997 (ANA)

    The management of water resources in agriculture will be the main subject for discussion at a three-day working session by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which opened in Athens yesterday.

    The session, attended by scientists from 70 counties, is organized by the agriculture ministry.

    Conclusions are essentially expected to contribute to determining possible policies to be implemented by OECD member-countries in order to secure sustainable water resources.

    Declaring the session open, Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas said the management and protection of water resources was an issue of major concern for the government.

    Even though water quality in Greece is generally good, there is a problem in quantity, owing mainly to unequal rainfall in various regions.

    In the session's first day, participants heard that in a few years' time water may be more expensive even than oil, if measures are not taken.

    Conclusions of the meeting will be announced tomorrow.

    [21] President receives ESHEA honor

    Athens, 04/11/1997 (ANA)

    President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos said yesterday he fully accepted criticism but in silence, as it was not permissible for the president of the republic to respond or to become involved in disputes.

    The president was speaking at a ceremony in which he was presented with an award by the Journalists' Union of Athens (ESHEA).

    Mr. Stephanopoulos was apparently referring to criticism of statements he made on the national holiday of 28 October, to the effect that the Turks "had no civilization".

    Earlier, the president referred to the "symbolic" nature of his post and to the possibilities he had of coming into contact with the people, "contact in which it is not possible for him to remain silent".

    Turning to the role of the press, Mr. Stephanopoulos said journalists were only subject to their own consciences and that they should follow the fundamental rule of democracy which was self-regulation.

    ESHEA president Aristides Manolakos praised Mr. Stephanopoulos saying:

    "(His behavior) is founded in his realization of his duty and his responsibility to society as a whole."

    [22] Romeos discusses EU program for monitoring ship traffic

    Brussels, 04/11/1997 (ANA - G. Daratos)

    Public Order Minister George Romeos held talks with European Commission services here yesterday, focusing on the possibilities for European funding to a system of electronic (video) monitoring of ship traffic in the Aegean and Ionian.

    More specifically, the system has already been installed and operates in Spain. It comprises a chain of coastal stations, which systematically videotape shipping, reaching as far as 200km from the coast.

    The system, called Vessel Traffic Control, is used to facilitate traffic of all types of vessels, irrespective of length, as well as to locate oil leaks and other waste dropped into the sea.

    With an average of 100 illegal immigrants entering the country daily by sailing across the Aegean, Greece wants to install such a system urgently to deal with the serious problem.

    Mr. Romeos was briefed on the problems in going ahead with the project by the director of the Cohesion Fund, which could approve of funding of up to ECU 12 million.

    The Greek minister also discussed with the relevant European Union services the possibilities of funding by the Regional Fund under the Community Support Framework II, for a program to equip traffic police on major motorways with high-speed cars and towing vehicles.

    Greek authorities may soon publish a guide containing tips and advice, with economic assistance by the EU, to be distributed free-of-charge to drivers on national motorways.

    [23] Greek stocks rebound on stable money market rates

    Athens, 04/11/1997 (ANA)

    Greek equities rebounded spectacularly on the Athens Stock Exchange yesterday breaking a six-day sharp fall in prices.

    The general index closed 3.53 percent higher at 1,541.10 points, recovering a small part of its previous week's heavy losses, totaling 14.25 percent.

    Traders said an improvement in the domestic money market climate and a decline in interbank interest rates encouraged buying in stock shares.

    A general recovery in international markets also helped sentiment.

    Trading was extremely heavy with turnover at 30.3 billion drachmas.

    Sector indices scored gains. Banks rose 2.75 per cent, Insurance jumped 5.48 per cent, Leasing increased 1.80 per cent, Investment rose by 5.76 per cent, Construction soared to 6.03 per cent, Industrials rose 5.20 per cent, Miscellaneous increased 5.95 per cent and Holding was 4.18 per cent up.

    The parallel market index for small cap companies was 5.36 per cent higher.

    Broadly, advancing issues led declining ones by 199 to 31, with another 13 issues unchanged.

    Intracom, Mailis, Syswear, Singular and Altec scored the largest percentage gains at the ceiling of 8.0 per cent, while Pairis, Demetriades, Macedonian Mills, Mochlos and Agrinio Metalplastics suffered the heaviest losses.

    National Bank of Greece ended at 29,000, Ergobank at 16,200, Alpha Credit Bank at 18,645, Delta Dairy at 3,700, Titan Cement at 14,185, Intracom at 12,895 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) at 5,680.

    [24] Confidence in drachma boosted

    Athens, 04/11/1997 (ANA)

    The inflow of 250 million ECU in the domestic foreign exchange market, as reported by the Bank of Greece, was seen as a sign of restoring confidence in the Greek drachma.

    The drachma was again stable against the ECU while the US dollar was slightly higher against the Greek currency.

    [25] No new taxes to cure burden of monetary turmoil

    Athens, 04/11/1997 (ANA)

    The finance ministry yesterday rejected press reports that the government has taken final decisions over next year's budget revenues linked to the recent monetary turmoil.

    Finance Under-secretary George Drys, in an interview with the daily newspaper "Ethnos" commented that the Greek economy would suffer serious consequences due to a crisis in the stock market and a speculative attack on the drachma.

    He stressed however that the extra burden would not be linked to new taxes.

    Mr. Drys said the ministry was considering raising living standards taxes on boats and cars to 10 percent, property taxes by 20 to 25 percent and underlined that small and medium sized enterprises would face an increase in taxes of no more than 20 percent in 1998.

    The finance ministry is also examining to implement a 0.3 percent tax on stock share transactions in the Athens Stock Exchange, raising taxes on state securities to 7.5 percent, a rise in tobacco tax and a monthly surcharge on mobile telephones.

    [26] Social dialogue on employment issues

    Athens, 04/11/1997 (ANA)

    The government yesterday discussed with representatives from workers and employers ways to support employment in the European Union and a cutback in weekly working hours ahead of an EU Employment Conference to be held November 20-21 in Luxembourg.

    The meeting, chaired by National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, was attended by Labor Minister Miltiades Papaioannou, Federation of Greek Industries President Jason Stratos and General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) president Christos Polyzogopoulos.

    Mr. Papantoniou said the government would agree on its final positions at a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

    After the meeting, Mr. Polyzogopoulos said that workers asked the government to raise the issues of further community funds to support employment and lower weekly working hours to 35 in the European Union.

    [27] EU urges growth initiative in third countries

    Athens, 04/11/1997 (ANA)

    European Union member-states' growth was linked directly to the development of third countries, a working group of European development representatives was told during a seminar in Hania, Crete, yesterday.

    The issue was of particular interest to Greece which faced large inflows of immigrants from neighboring Balkan countries, mainly from Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, former Yugoslav republics and former Soviet Union republics.

    EU's executive commission argues that if coordinated efforts and specific growth initiatives were taken in these countries their citizens would have no reason to seek a better life abroad.

    [28] More than 30 new golf courses to be built in 3 years

    Athens, 04/11/1997 (ANA)

    Although Greece is far behind most western and tourism-developed countries as far as golf courses are concerned, this trend is hoped to be reversed over the next three-year period, as there will be a gradual effort to build more than 30 courses, according to the Greek Tourism Organization (EOT).

    EOT Secretary General Nikos Skoulas, who is participating in the first international conference on tourism and golf held in Greece, which opened yesterday and winds up today in Halkidiki's Porto Carras resort, said that the effort will be assisted by EOT. He added that "we have now realized the need to differentiate our country's offers in tourism by enhancing tourism products."

    He said that was the reason why "we are consciously preparing the development of golf." The tourism and golf conference is attended by many leading representatives of the sport worldwide, as well as local government officials and businesspeople.

    Development of golf infrastructure, coupled with an extension of the tourism season, is an EOT target.

    End of English language section.


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