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Athens News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-10-17

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

From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr>

NEWS IN ENGLISH

Athens, Greece, 17/10/1997 (ANA)


MAIN HEADLINES

  • NATO official does not fear Greek-Turkish clash in Aegean
  • Kaklamanis criticises US for stance on Greek-Turkish relations
  • Papoutsis: Cyprus EU entry on track as scheduled
  • OA work stoppages disrupt flight schedules
  • Modern-day Odysseus returns
  • Annan urges reduced tension, military spending
  • Turkish warplanes again buzz Tsohatzopoulos' transport
  • Greece, Slovakia discuss broadening bilateral cooperation
  • Harsh GSEE criticism of latest Spraos report
  • Weather
  • Foreign Exchange

NEWS IN DETAIL

NATO official does not fear Greek-Turkish clash in Aegean

The Commander-in-Chief of Allief Forces Southern Europe, US Admiral Joseph Lopez, said today he did not fear a serious incident between Greece and Turkey in the Aegean.

Speaking at a press conference at the Officers' Club in Thessaloniki following completion of the evaluation of the large-scale NATO exercise "Dynamic Mix '97", Lopez said that the information and indications he had received to date did not lead him to the conclusion that a serious incident was imminent in the Aegean.

He added however that irrespective of assessments, NATO was constantly working to secure co-operation and prevent clashes in the region.

"We are co-operating with diplomatic, economic and political organisations and we support political solutions," Lopez said.

Lopez several times stressed the importance of dialogue and co-operation between nations, underlining that this was NATO's objective.

He repeated this position when asked about the harassment this week of the aircraft carrying National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos by Turkish warplanes - both on his way and returning from Cyprus.

Dialogue and co-operation are helpful, Lopez said, regardless of whether they are conducted at a political or military level, citing as an example the "Dynamic Mix '97" exercise.

Outlining NATO's new role following the political changes of recent years, Lopez said the enemy now was instability and the aim of the Alliance was to consolidate peace and stability through dialogue and co-operation.

He said "Dynamic Mix" - conducted in Greece and Italy between September 23 and October 13 with the participation of forces from 14 NATO member states - had been a great success.

kaklamanis criticises US for stance on Greek-Turkish relations

Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis today sharply criticised the stance adopted by the United States regarding the recent spate of Turkish provocations against Greece and Cyprus.

"Whoever pretends, and I am referring to the United States, that they cannot see who is to blame for such tension surely cannot inspire trust while at the same time claiming a major role as mediator in the region," Kaklamanis said.

Kaklamanis stressed that Turkey bore sole responsibility for the climate of tension prevailing in relations between Athens and Ankara.

He termed "positive" the election yesterday of former foreign minister Hikmet Cetin as president of the Turkish national assembly.

"Cetin is a politician who is not identified with high tones and aggressiveness, " Kaklamanis said of his newly-elected counterpart.

Papoutsis: Cyprus-EU entry on track as scheduled

Greece's European Commissioner Christos Papoutsis said today that the Commission had confirmed its 1993 positive opinion concerning Cyprus' EU membership as well as the time framework for accession negotiations which are scheduled to commence in early 1998.

Speaking at a press conference in Athens on the Commission's proposals within the framework of "Agenda 2000", Papoutsis said the Commission had reiterated that its decision regarding the commencement of negotiations with Nicosia was a positive development which could contribute to the political settlement of the longstanding Cyprus problem.

"It is clear that the accession negotiations could be facilitated if there is sufficient progress in the process begun under UN auspices for the settlement of the Cyprus problem. A development which would allow representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community to participate in the accession process. And here it should be noted that the term 'accession process' is being used and not 'accession negotiations'," Papoutsis told reporters.

Papoutsis added that the Commission would like to clarify that in the absence of any progress, the accession negotiations would commence with the government of the Cyprus Republic "as the only authority recognised by international law and the international community".

OA work stoppages disrupt flight schedules

The work stoppages called today by air traffic controllers and electricians will cause disruption to the schedule of the national carrier Olympic Airways which has had to cancel ten domestic flights.

The air traffic controllers will hold a four-hour work stoppage beginning at 14.00 local time, while the electricians will hold a two-hour stoppage also beginning at 14.00.

Both groups of workers have called the stoppages in support of demands for a special pay bonus citing job specialisation.

At a meeting this morning, the air traffic controllers agreed that pledges given yesterday by Transport Minister Tassos Mantelis were too vague.

Mantelis had said that he would act "within the framework of the law".

Olympic Airways has postponed 32 domestic and nine international flights until after the stoppages, and cancelled ten domestic flights altogether.

Modern-day Odysseus returns

After a five-year odyssey at sea, covering 45,000 nautical miles as he sailed around the world under all kinds of weather conditions in his sailboat, 38-year-old George Gritsis is due to arrive on October 22 at Mikorlimano port in Piraeus, back where it all began.

The modern-day Odysseus set out from Mikrolimano on April 4, 1992 on the nine-metre long "Kallipygos", a Greek-built wooden sailboat of his own design, together with his companian, German sociologist Anne-Marie Biderman,

Gritsas went counter to the usual practice of seafarers, heading due west around the world instead of eastwards.

His journey took him accross the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean to Cape Horn in Chile, the southernmost tip of the American continent and the "Mt. Everest" of sea travellers. Then on through the Cape and across the Pacific Ocean to northern Australia, across the Indian Ocean and, still heading westward, to the Cape of Good Hope on the south of Africa. Back in the Atlantic Ocean, he headed northward, parallel with the African shores, and returned to the Mediterranean through the Straits of Gibraltar.

The Kallipygos has already entered Greek territorial waters, and is expected to be visible off Voula, a seaside residential area east of Athens, on Wednesday afternoon. He will be greeted there by about 100 flag- decorated boats, which will form a cortege an accompany him on to Mikrolimano.

Celebrations have been scheduled at Mikrolimano, including the awarding of distinctions from a number of state agencies, at the Panhellenic Sailing Deep Sea Sailing Club, which will be followed by a press conference by Gritsis.

Annan urges reduced tension, military spending

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan urged Greece, Turkey and Cyprus to "commit themselves to a reduction in defence spending and a reduction in the number of foreign troops on the island", in a statement released yesterday.

The message follows heightening of tenson during and after the carrying out of Cyprus' annual "Nikiforos" military exercise, which prompted protests from Greece over Turkish airforce violations of Greek airspace and denials by Turkey.

Mr. Annan said he was "concerned by reports of increased tension between Greek and Turkish forces in connection withmilitary exercises in and around Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean". He sid tension followed "increasingly belligerent rhetoric in recent weeks emanating from both communities in Cyprus and from Greece and Turkey".

The competition in military exercises "increases tension on theisland, is dangerous, and could provoke a confrontation".

Mr. Annan urged all parties to abide by Security Council resolutions "which specifically express grave concern at the continuing excessive levels of military forces and armaments in Cyprus and at the rate at which they are being expanded".

He called on all parties to "create a climate for reconciliation and genuine mutual confidence on both sides" and to "avoid any actions which might increase tension".

Turkish warplanes again buzz Tsohatzopoulos' transport

Athens accused Ankara yesterday of being hostage to a "Cold War mentality" after Turkish warplanes buzzed a military transport plane bringing National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos back to Greece from Cyprus.

It was the second time this week that a plane carrying Mr. Tsohatzopoulos had been the focus of Turkish fighters' interest,and both times within the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR).

A Hellenic Air Force formation of F-16s accompanying Mr. Tsohatzopoulos' C- 130 "Hercules" military transport plane, which was headed for Souda airbase on Crete, immediately intercepted the Turkish fighters, also F-16s, which approached the C-130 at a distance of one mile, the national defence ministry announced.

Arriving in Souda, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos condemned Turkey as "an international troublemaker which uses Cold War methods".

He called on Ankara to "wake up" to the fact that such methods were not compatible with its efforts to come closer to Europe.

Meanwhile, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas later also attributed yesterday's incident to "Cold War complexes and an attitude on the part of Turkey reminiscent of the past."

Mr. Reppas stressed that the pair of Turkish fighters yesterday "approached" rather than "harassed" the C-130 carrying Mr. Tsohatzopoulos, although he said no danger was involved.

"This action, which nevertheless entailed risks, reveals that Turkey has chosen to play the role of troublemaker in the region," Mr. Reppas added.

The spokesman underlined that such actions inevitably led to a worsening of bilateral relations, noting that Turkey's attempt was doomed to failure since the Turkish armed forces were merely compromising themselves.

Replying to questions, Mr. Reppas said Greece would take all the necessary steps.

Asked when Greece would consider that it would be acting within the bounds of international legality and shoot down a Turkish plane, Mr. Reppas stressed that "this is not in the intentions of the government".

Greece, Slovakia discuss broadening bilateral cooperation

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos had talks here yesterday with his Slovakian counterpart Zdenka Kramplova on the prospects of broadening bilateral co-operation and issues related to European Union enlargement.

After the meeting, Mr. Pangalos said that Greece was supporting Slovakia's efforts to join NATO and was in favour of the simultaneous commencement of negotiations for the accession to the EU of all candidate countries. Mr. Pangalos described as "interesting" his talks with Ms Kramplova which, he said, focused on broadening bilateral co-operation.

He also announced that National Economy Undersecretary Christos Pachtas had yesterday signed an economic and commercial cooperation agreement with his Slovakian counterpart.

Harsh GSEE criticism of latest Spraos report

General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) President Christos Polyzogopoulos yesterday called on the government to immediately state its position on the recent Spraos report on reforming the social insurance system, adding that it had to face a "climate of panic" in social security funds and a wave towards retirement.

He also set out trade union arguments against the report's recommendations.

First, GSEE considers that the report treats the social insurance sector on a revenue-expenditure basis, its aims having an exclusively economic dimension.

Secondly, the proposal for an increase in the retirement age is condemned as arbitrary and unrealistic, underestimating factors such as the average life expectancy, working conditions according to sector etc.

Thirdly, GSEE said the proposal for abolition of early retirement for unhygenic jobs and the restriction in the number of pensions for handicapped people runs counter to current legal trends in Europe, and cannot be considered even for discussion in Gre ece, which has the most unfavourable working conditions in Europe and 100 deadly accidents at work annually.

In addition, the prediction of a collapse of the social insurance system by 2010 is condemned as danger-mongering, and conceals the fact that it can only come about with a general collapse of the budget and the economy.

Finally, the resources that would be saved by the Spraos proposals "are limited and of short duration," GSEE noted, while causing a violent overthrow of the all the "conquests of working people."

WEATHER

Fair weather is expected over most parts of the country today with a further drop in temperatures. Winds will be northerly, light to moderate in the west, becoming very stong in the Aegean Sea in the afternoon. Athens will be partly cloudy with long spells of sunshine and temperatures between 12-19C. Same in Thessaloniki with temperatures from 7-15C.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Thurday's closing rates - buying US dlr. 274.045 Pound sterling 443.266 Cyprus pd 531.461 French franc 46.801 Swiss franc 186.124 German mark 156.913 Italian lira (100) 16.046 Yen (100) 228.134 Canadian dlr. 197.406 Australian dlr. 201.708 Irish Punt 402.489 Belgian franc 7.606 Finnish mark 52.275 Dutch guilder 139.276 Danish kr. 41.196 Swedish kr. 36.159 Norwegian kr. 38.879 Austrian sch. 22.296 Spanish peseta 1.860 Port. Escudo 1.541

(M.S.)


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