Talks between Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias and National Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis and the Bosnian Serb leadership were continuing here late last night. The two Greek ministers arrived in Pale via Belgrade yesterday in the framework of a new Greek peace initiative for the region.
No details were immediately available, but unconfirmed reports said the two Greek ministers were trying to seek the release of the remaining 257 UN personnel held as hostages by Bosnian-Serb forces. Serbian state security chief Jovica Stanisic, who played a key role in the release of 121 UN peacekeepers held by the Bosnian Serbs last week, was also taking part in the talks. Reuters reported Mr. Stanisic as saying he expected the Bosnian Serbs to release more hostages.
The two Greek ministers said before leaving Athens that they had spoken on the phone Sunday with Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic and would meet with Bosnian Serb military leader General Ratko Mladic in Pale.
"Greece has always been prepared to help efforts to ease the crisis and improve the conditions for peace," Mr. Arsenis said on arriving in Belgrade. "Our trip here and later on to Pale is in this framework and with this objective in mind," he said. The two ministers are tentatively scheduled to return to Athens today after meeting with Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic in Belgrade.
Commenting on Mr. Papoulias and Mr. Arsenis' visit, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said that "the Greek government is hopeful that a solution will be found to the Bosnian crisis". For as long as the initiative is in progress, he added, "we must be sparing in our statements".
Asked if the United States and the European Union had been informed of the Papoulias-Arsenis mission, Mr. Venizelos replied that "everyone who should be informed has been informed". The spokesman underlined that moves by Greece were always "sound" from a diplomatic viewpoint, clarifying also that the initiative was a Greek one "and not the initiative of some international organisation".
A nine-page US State Department report released yesterday says allegations that Greece has violated UN sanctions against rump Yugoslavia cannot be confirmed.
"We cannot confirm that the Greek government has encouraged violations of the sanctions," the report says. "The Greek government believes that UN sanctions reflect a misunderstanding of the causes of the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, aid the extremists in the area and weaken the economies of neighbouring countries," the report continues.
"Nevertheless," it adds, "the Greek government has issued laws and regulations necessary for the strengthening of sanctions (and) a system of prior verification of the transportation of oil has been in use since the summer of 1993, allowing Greek government officials to confirm the final destination of oil cargoes shipped from Greece and enabling them to avert the re-loading of oil to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Albania".
Although the authors of the report say they "would prefer a more energetic approach to the application of sanctions on the part of the Greek government," they, nevertheless, recognise that "from the moment the goods leave Greece, the country of destination, written on the bills of lading, is responsible for ensuring they are not forwarded to Serbia". They also point out that "Greece does not share borders with Serbia". Of the 230 violations reported, Greece has replied to 77 of them so far, the report says.
President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos observed the first phase of a regular naval exercise, called "Storm '95", which began yesterday in the central Aegean.
The government yesterday expressed its concern at the approach taken by a US State Department report on the Cyprus problem, released recently. "The indirect encouragement of Turkish intransigence has never helped towards finding a solution to the Cyprus problem and it is certain that it will not help now," government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said yesterday.
"The problem consists of an international crime of invasion and occupation for twenty years and only if we bear this truth constantly in mind can the Cyprus issue be resolved. All other matters, regardless of how important they may be, take second place ," he said. Any initiative or diplomatic interest was welcome with the prerequisite that they operate within the framework of decisions by the UN Security Council and coincide with the efforts of the UN chief, he added.
The report, entitled "Allegations of human rights abuses by the Turkish military and on the situation in Cyprus," has been submitted to Congress. Cyprus Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides, who said on Friday that the report contained glaring "omissions", said that the Cyprus government was making representations to Washington over the report.
In a statement yesterday, the opposition Political Spring party, rejected the report and accused the Greek government of "a relaxed reaction." Party spokesman Notis Martakis said the report not only did not contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem, but it reinforced Turkey's intransigence.
The New Democracy party's Ethics Council is to convene next week, probably June 14, to look into the issue of charges of undermining party unity levelled against former prime minister Constantinos Mitsotakis by deputy Achilleas Karamanlis, at last week's parliamentary party meeting.
Following a request by deputy Costas Pylarinos that the Council convene to look into "the unprovoked and of a personal nature attack," its chairman, Athanasios Tsaldaris, yesterday asked for a meeting with Mr. Pylarinos, whom he tried, according to sources, to persuade to change his mind. He stated after the meeting that he would convene the Council after contacting its members, most of whom are not presently in Athens.
Six European Communist and left-wing parties yesterday voiced opposition to next year's intergovernmental conference to revise the Maastricht treaty, saying it would cause further problems to the European labour market.
The Communist Party of Greece (KKE), the French Communist Party, the Party of Democratic Socialism in Germany, the Spanish Communist Party, the Portuguese Communist Party and Italy's Party of Communist Refoundation exchanged views on the intergovernmental conference and the possibility of joint action on the issue at a weekend conference in Athens. The conference took place at the initiative of the KKE.
KKE Euro-MPs Vassilis Efraimidis and Yiannis Theonas and KKE deputy Mitsos Kostopoulos yesterday told a press conference that all participant delegations agreed that the revisions of the Maastricht Treaty expected at the 1996 intergovernmental conference would "worsen the job situation in Europe."
The participant parties also issued a joint communiqui expressing deep concern over developments in the Balkans and renouncing military intervention in the region. In the communiqui, the parties condemned recent NATO bombings and called for a peaceful and political settlement of the problems caused by the dissolution of former Yugoslavia. They also expressed concern at the appearance of neo-fascism, racism and xenophobia in Europe.
European Commissioner Christos Papoutsis said yesterday that the Balkans had to be included in the future plans of the European Union in the interests of long-term stability and peace in the wider region.
He warned there should not be a "marginalisation of the Balkans -- as a 'zone of inherent instability' -- from the development of the European course" in the future. Mr. Papoutsis was speaking during a Foreign Press Association luncheon in his honour yesterday.
The peace and development of the wider Balkan region hinged on the peace, security, economic and social reconstruction of the republics of former Yugoslavia, he stressed, and under today's dramatic aggravation of the war in Bosnia, "responsible confrontation and seeking channels to restore dialogue are more necessary than ever".
What was being sought, Mr. Papoutsis underlined, was "not simply a termination of the war but conditions of long-term peace and stability". He noted that two Balkan countries, Bulgaria and Romania, had already signed accords with the EU, while relations with Albania and Croatia were progressing, but the on-going tragedy in Bosnia was acting in a destabilising manner for the wider region.
He added, though, that there could also be no new European Architecture without a new upgraded framework of co-operation with the Russian Federation and the Black Sea republics, and the formulation of a steady framework of overall Mediterranean co-operation. "But this new framework of European co-operation cannot be developed without the parallel development of an effective EU common foreign and security policy with flexible and efficient mechanisms," Mr. Papoutsis pointed out.
Greece, he said, as the only EU member with a simultaneous Balkan and Mediterranean dimension, "has every reason to play an active role in the building of the new European Architecture". For Greece, strengthening of the Balkan area's ties and economic co-operation with the EU would create a secure preferential area of regional co-operation in the prospect of European integration.
Answering reporters' questions after his speech, Mr. Papoutsis said he was opposed to a proposal by French Prime Minister Alain Juppe to reduce the powers of the European Commission and increase those of the European Council.
"Such a proposal will not be well received in the revision of the Maastricht Treaty and, in my opinion, would create numerous contradictions... since the European Council does not legislate in an open manner," he said.
In his speech, Mr. Papoutsis said Greece and the European Union were going through a critical period with respect to choices and decisions that need to be taken. "We are called on to forge a new course for Europe and our peoples, and the decisions we take will determine the future for many decades," Mr. Papoutsis said.
Mr. Papoutsis, who holds the energy, SMEs and tourism portfolio, noted, however, that the European Union appeared inadequate to respond to the new role imposed on it. Revision of the Maastricht Treaty was necessary in order to give a "new breath" to European integration, an institutional framework for the Europe of the 21st century, he said.
The foremost priority, Mr. Papoutsis said, was to strengthen the policies aiming at economic and sustainable development, the creation of jobs and Social Europe. Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) remained a fundamental option, and the Commission had already commenced the dialogue on a single currency. But at this stage, given the economic and social condition of Europe, provisions and policy were necessary for the countries of the periphery, which faced severe difficulties in entering the third stage of EMU.
Consequently, it was necessary to reinforce the policies for economic and social cohesion so that the third stage of EMU would take place on the basis of a real convergence of the levels of development of the member states.
Mr. Papoutsis warned that Greece's alienation from the convergence course would not only bar the country from EMU but would also create serious problems in the inflow of Community resources from the Cohesion Fund.
The commissioner said it was necessary to carry on the policy followed by the government and concentrate Community and national resources in development-oriented sectors, continue efforts for modernisation of the public sector and creation of a network of infrastructure that would help formulate a climate of confidence for investments and innovative initiatives.
The government should intensify its efforts for full and more efficient utilisation of the national and Community funds available in all sectors of economic activity, while the private sector and social partners needed to co-operate for the best possible use of the funds to speed up the development and competitiveness of the Greek economy.
At a time when the major policy choices of the EU on regional development and common agricultural policy were in dispute, Papoutsis continued, it was in Greece's interests that it play a leading role in the European-wide effort for fiscal discipline, rational use of the Community budget and prosecution of fraud wherever it appeared. To this end, he said, the Greek government could take the initiative and co-operate with other member governments and the Commission.
With respect to economic development and employment policy, Mr. Papoutsis said Greece should, during the intergovernmental conference, insist on reinforcement and further development of new policies at European level.
The development of a Community energy policy would decisively contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of the European economy, security of procurements, and environmental protection.
A common energy policy would give Greece the ability of co-decision on European energy policies in a period of development of the inter-European networks, Mr. Papoutsis explained, adding that European policy on SMEs and tourism should also be developed accordingly.
In a period of increasing economic interdependence and internationalisation, he said, nations were concerned as they saw their sovereignty and freedom of choice being limited. But a "re-nationalisation" of policies and revival of inter-governmental co-operation at the expense of Community institutional operation would have serious repercussions, especially on the smaller and weaker countries.
Consequently, the revision of the Maastricht Treaty needed to be oriented towards filling in the present democratic deficit by strengthening the European Parliament and the national parliaments and the collaboration between them, rather than seeing the national parliaments in a position of competition with the Europarliament.
The common course of the member countries had meaning and a future only if it consolidated the conditions for equal participation of all the member countries and safeguarded the cultural identities of the peoples, Mr. Papoutsis added.
Mr. Papoutsis said yesterday that the Commission had information that the Turkish-Cypriot side was "very much interested in developments concerning Cyprus' accession to the European Union". The Commission's assessment, he added, is that "rapprochement will soon be attained for resolving the Cyprus problem".
Greece's European Commissioner Christos Papoutsis yesterday handed over a cheque for one million Ecu (300 million drachmas) in Commission aid for the earthquake-stricken families of Grevena and Kozani.
Mr. Papoutsis delivered the check to Greek Red Cross president Andreas Martinis during a special ceremony at the Commission offices in Athens. The emergency assistance is of a symbolic nature and expresses the EU's "active solidarity with the Greek citizens", the commissioner said.
The money is to be used to meet the immediate needs of the earthquake-stricken in addition to funds provided by the Greek government and private organisations, Mr. Papoutsis said, adding that the Commission was in contact with the Athens government and the regional and prefectural authorities in order to organise a significant long-term intervention, "a comprehensive planning for the reconstruction of the region".
Mr. Martinis said the emergency assistance money would be distributed to the financially weaker families, based on the number of dependants. The ceremony was attended by the prefects of Kozani and Grevena and other local officials.
The Hellenic Cultural Foundation continues to extend its influence abroad with the opening today of a permanent office in New York. The inauguration of the office will be marked by an exhibition dedicated to Greek conductor and composer Dimitris Mitropoulos, conductor and music director of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra in the 50s.
The exhibition will feature memorabilia and archive material connected with the life and work of Mr. Mitropoulos in the United States and his appearances in Europe. The exhibits are on loan from the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and the private collection of Athens University professor Apostolos Kostios.
Within the framework of events marking the inauguration of the Hellenic Cultural Foundation office, a round-table discussion will be held at the Donnell Library Center tomorrow, on the subject of "Human values and ideals in contemporary America", with the participation of US university lecturers and intellectuals. The foundation's New York office, occupying a total area of 232 square metres, has a multi-purpose hall for exhibitions, events and film screenings and a library.
Turkey is preparing to place restrictions on Greek MPs visiting the Ecumenical Patriarchate in response to "treatment" accorded to Turkish Minister to the Prime Minister's Office Yildirim Aktuna during his recent visit to Greece, according to the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet.
The newspaper invoked sources close to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, adding that at least 30 Greek officials had visited the Patriarchate over the past three years. The report has not been confirmed.
Opening events marking World Environment Day yesterday at the Zappeion Mansion, Environment Minister Costas Laliotis said the day should not be celebrated on June 5 only, but on every day of the year and for many years. Events included a concert by popular composer Dionyssis Savvopoulos in Ermou Street, which is now a pedestrian mall.
The Political Spring party said in a statement that there was a need for everyone, "the state, businesses, and ordinary citizens to realise that growth and the protection of the environment do not contradict one another, but go hand-in-hand with a common final aim, an improvement in the quality of life".
The Ecology Committee of the Coalition of the Left warned in a statement that the government was again unprepared to face the expected annual onslaught of summer forest fires. The Athens Labour Centre (EKA) issued a poster with the slogan "Challenge for action", calling on the government to activate a plan entitled "Attiki SOS".
The construction of the Athens Metro will have been completed by October 1998, Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis said yesterday.
Mr. Laliotis said that 30 per cent of the project had so far been completed, adding that the pace of work had accelerated since the government signed a supplementary contract. The project involves the excavation of an area totalling 70,000 square metres, Mr. Laliotis said, adding that thousands of ancient artefacts had been discovered.
The two and a half million cubic metres of earth and debris removed during excavation work on the Metro will be used to fill in old quarries, he said.
The inflow of revenue for the 1995 state budget was proceeding "satisfactorily", according to the latest figures of the General Accounts Office released yesterday. According to the figures, revenue in May this year was 21.91 per cent up on the same month of 1994, totalling 608.2 billion drachmas compared to 498.8 billion drachmas.
Between January and May 1995, revenue marked an increase of 23.59 per cent against the same five-month period last year, totalling 2.478 trillion drachmas compared to 2.005 trillion drachmas in 1994.
Air traffic controllers have suspended a "go-slow" strike after reaching a "long-term agreement" with the government, putting an end to flight delays, it was announced yesterday. Transport and Communications Minister Thanassis Tsouras said the agreement would have immediate and long-term benefits for the national economy, tourism and passenger services.
Mr. Tsouras said solutions had been agreed to a number of outstanding problems. He said a Presidential Decree would be drafted on promotion and salary scales, while other problems would be legislatively resolved during the first summer recess session of Parliament. In addition, financial resources had been found from Eurocontrol, the European air traffic control organisation.
The president of the Air Traffic Controllers Union K. Tsoubelis said the final agreement solved problems that have been outstanding for two decades. A Eurocontrol directive, which air traffic controllers claim will present problems of delays in the southern-southeastern regions and the Iberian peninsula, will affect about 50 per cent of European flights, Mr. Tsoubelis said. He added, however, that Greek air traffic controllers would make "superhuman" efforts to shorten the delays as much as possible within the flight safety margins.
The telecommunications organisations of Greece and Italy signed a contract yesterday for the procurement and installation of an underwater optical fibre cable network linking Greece to Italy. The project is worth about 1.6 billion drachmas and is expected to be completed in seven months. The network will be composed of six pairs of optical fibres and will cover a distance of 170 km between the cities of Corfu and Otranto.