Greece said yesterday that a "strategy of tension" Turkey follows in its relations with Athens was a blatant violation of international law, warning it distanced Ankara even further from Europe, and the west in general.
Responding to earlier statements by Turkish Prime Minister Tansu Ciller, who accused Greece of supporting Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) guerrillas fighting a separatist campaign in Southeast Turkey, Government Spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said:
"Ms. Ciller unfortunately reiterated again today the well-known Turkish threats and formulated again, the well-known, unproved and slanderous claims against Greece.
"Turkey should know that this strategy of tension and transference of its internal problems to Greece is by itself a blatant violation of international law and distances it (Turkey) further from Europe, and the west in general," Mr. Venizelos added.
"The responsibility, of course, also rests with those who tolerate or even encourage this behaviour on the part of Turkey against the sensitivity shown by all European peoples concerning the respect for human rights and international law," he said.
"These Greek positions," Mr. Venizelos added, "have already been made known and will, of course, be reiterated before all international organisations, especially the United Nations and the European Union and all foreign governments."
Ms. Ciller's statements also drew a sharp reaction from main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert, who said the Turkish premier in her attempt to ward off her country's major impasses, she was making unacceptable statements which proved once again that Turkey was still a long way from Europe and the developed world.
"Ms. Ciller has not been able to solve the Kurdish problem through the gun, and is now seeking excuses for her failure. She is welcome to release any evidence proving her unacceptable claims," he said.
Mr. Evert added it was the Turkish premier herself who posed "obstacles to the development of relations between the two countries," and called on the foreign ministry to "lodge protest notes and inform the United Nations and the European Union about her new provocative statements."
According to an ANA dispatch from Istanbul, Ms. Ciller yesterday accused Greece of supporting the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). "Greece aids the terrorist organisation PKK in an effort to wrap Turkey in shrouds," Ms. Ciller said in an address to her party's parliamentary group.
Claiming that evidence and documents exist proving that Greece supports the PKK, Ms. Ciller accused Greece of "indignity." "Greece has fallen into a historic delusion, not being able to realise Turkey's struggle against the PKK," said Ms. Ciller. She added that "history has written the end of those who tried to wrap Turkey in shrouds."
Greece has categorically denied frequent Turkish accusations that it harbours the PKK and allows the separatists to train on its soil. Turkish officials have complained that six Greek MPs met PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan last month. Greece rebuked Turkey's accusations, saying a climate of "nervousness" prevailed in the Turkish press and among government officials concerning the meeting.
"There is an unjustified climate of nervousness in the Turkish press which emanates from equally nervous and unfounded statements by Turkish officials," Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos told reporters Monday. "Greece is accessible to both Greeks and foreigners and anyone may search Greek territory inch by inch, something that doesn't occur in other countries that have serious restrictions to the admission of foreigners in areas under a 'state of siege'," Mr. Venizelos added.
More than 17,000 people have been killed in the PKK's 11-year-old fight for independence or autonomy in Southeast Turkey.
A letter by Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis to the parliamentary assembly of the Western European Union (WEU) condemning Ankara's threats that expansion of Greece's territorial waters to 12 nautical miles in the Aegean would be casus belli, has been classified as a WEU "official document."
According to a Greek Parliament announcement yesterday, the president of the WEU Assembly, Dudley Smith, classified Mr. Kaklamanis' letter as an official document and distributed it to delegations of the WEU's member-states.
Ankara has threatened that expansion of Greece's territorial waters to 12 nautical miles in the Aegean would be considered a threat to its national interests and a cause for war. Greece, accorded the right to expand its territorial waters under international law, has repeatedly stated that it retains its right for use whenever it deems necessary.
Greece and Albania agreed to boost bilateral defence co-operation to even higher levels, saying firm ties and neighbourly relations were key factors for peace and stability in the region.
Following a two-day official visit by Greek National Defence Minister Yerassimos Arsenis to Albania, both countries agreed on a co-operation programme which promises closer military contacts to be discussed in detail by a group of military specialists from Albania and Greece.
Mr. Arsenis, who is the second Greek senior cabinet minister to visit Albania this year, told reporters Monday that both governments entered a new chapter in defence co-operation. In another development, Albanian Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi said there were no open issues between the two nations, adding both sides should continue efforts in the direction of good relations.
A joint communiqui released yesterday after the completion of Mr. Arsenis' visit, stressed the significance of good bilateral relations for peace and stability in the region. It was also agreed during talks to set up working groups with the participation of officials from both countries for the compilation of a detailed co-operation report between each nation's armed forces.
Commenting on the results of his talks Monday evening, Mr. Arsenis said: "I believe we have opened a new chapter for co-operation between Greece and Albania in the field of defence. "We covered the whole spectrum, from issues regarding joint military exercises within the 'Partnership for Peace' framework to establishing regular contacts and settling training and defence industry co-operation issues." Athens also pledged to help improve Albania's military health services, arms industry and increase military contacts. The two sides also agreed to hold joint military exercises.
Referring to his talks with Albanian President Sali Berisha and his Albanian counterpart, he said: "There is the political will to proceed quickly to the materialisation of a co-operation programme in the sector of defence."
Albanian Defence Minister Safet Zhulali said "we found common language (with Mr. Arsenis) and now we must promote relations. "We must upgrade Greek-Albanian relations to the level of relations between Balkan countries," he added.
It was also agreed during Mr. Arsenis' contacts with Albanian leaders that the crisis in the region should be settled through diplomatic means in an effort to ease tensions and avert a spreading of the instability south.
The Albanian leadership expressed its thanks to Greece for its support at the Council of Europe and its efforts for Albania's incorporation into Nato's military structures. "We worked very hard at the joint Greek-Albanian committee," Albanian Foreign Minister Alfred Serreqi told reporters.
The two defence ministers also agreed to keep an open line between them. While in Tirana, Mr. Arsenis also held a meeting with Archbishop Anastasios, focusing on activities of the Orthodox community in Albania.
Tensions between the two countries increased last year after a border incident at an Albanian conscript centre left two Albanian soldiers dead. Albania accused Greece for the attack, but Athens categorically denied involvement. The subsequent arrest and sentencing of five ethnic Greek leaders by an Albanian court further soured ties between the two nations. Tirana later released the ethnic Greeks, while Athens arrested nine men in connection with the border incursion.
Relations between the Balkan neighbours only recently began to warn up after a visit to Albania by Greek Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias in March. Economic relations have also been discussed as Luka Katseli, the economic advisor to Greek Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, held a meeting with the economic advisors of the Albanian prime minister focusing on the need to strengthen Albania's credit system. Such a development would contribute to speedier co-operation between the two nations and would increase bilateral business activities between as well as deepen ties between the two peoples.
A Turkish magazine yesterday called on Ankara to remove Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos, claiming his activities exceed religious duties. "The activities of Patriarch Vartholomeos exceed his religious duties and aim at the acquisition of political power," the weekly magazine "Aksiyon" wrote in its latest edition's cover story, entitled "The Patriarch has gone over the limit."
The magazine criticises Ankara for indifference and calls for the government to remove Vartholomeos in order "to prevent future religious leaders from dreaming of universality (ecumenism)." "Patriarch Vartholomeos is no different from Iakovos (the present Orthodox archbishop of North and South America), whose entry into Turkey has been forbidden due to his anti-Turkish activities," the magazine writes, referring to Vartholomeos' tours abroad.
"Under the tolerance of the Turkish authorities, Vartholomeos is unofficially using the term ecumenical, while in three and a half years he has visited 23 countries in an effort to promote the Fanar Patriarchate as the religious centre of world Orthodoxy," Aksiyon writes.
The magazine also criticises Vartholomeos' idea to launch a private television station, "Cross TV," which would broadcast from Alexandria to Moscow. "Where from does the Patriarchate finds the money to finance these activities," the magazine asks, adding that "the Turkish authorities do not have the necessary political will and determination to conduct an investigation of the Patriarchate out of fear that it might cause reactions in international public opinion."
"Turkey has appointed (Vartholomeos) in office and according to the Lausanne Treaty, Turkey has the right to remove him in case of treachery," the magazine concludes.
Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou expressed his regret yesterday over incidents during Sunday's European basketball championship final, where several hundred Greek fans jeered the Yugoslav national team.
"I very much regret that the incidents during Sunday's final, which were caused by a number of Greek supporters, tarnished Greece's image as a host country. The Greek people condemn the incidents, which do not represent their own stance and sentiments," Mr. Papandreou said.
Meanwhile, Sports Under-Secretary George Lianis said yesterday that he would visit Belgrade in an effort to restore traditionally good relations between the two countries after the European Championship final.
In announcing his trip, Mr. Lianis said the government condemned the incidents, adding they did not reflect the feelings of the Greek people. Mr. Lianis described the fans' behaviour as "isolated" and stressed that they would not upset the good relations between Athens and Belgrade.
In later statements, Mr. Lianis said Greek fans had not jeered Yugoslavia but the international basketball federation (FIBA) and the referees in the championship. He also apologised publicly for the behaviour.
Yugoslavia beat Lithuania 96-90 in the final to seal its first major international athletic victory since the country was re-admitted to competition last year after a three-year United Nations-backed ban.
Meanwhile, former premier and honorary president of the main opposition New Democracy party, Constantine Mitsotakis, strongly criticised the behaviour of what he called "a handful of mindless fanatics." "The Serbs are our true friends and (the jeering) should never have happened," Mr. Mitsotakis said, criticising Mr. Lianis for "not having the courage to intervene in time" and for "watching the outrages with apathy."
ND spokesman Vassilis Manginas said his party condemned all forms of incidents during sporting events, noting that what happened in Athens and Belgrade should have been avoided. He also criticised the government for not sending Mr. Lianis "right away" to Belgrade. "We wonder what can Mr. Lianis do now," Mr. Manginas added.
Political Spring spokesman Notis Martakis also criticised what he called "the reactions of certain idiots" which he said could not damage "the long-standing Greek-Serbian friendship which has been forged with common struggles."
Meanwhile in Belgrade, angry incidents continued outside the Greek Embassy for a second consecutive day yesterday. Angered by the booing and jeering of the Yugoslav national basketball team by Greek fans during the final, a large crowd shouting anti-Greek slogans on Monday destroyed two cars belonging to Greek diplomatic staff and threw stones and bottles at the building, causing extensive material damage. They dispersed after a strong police force appeared on the scene but reassembled again yesterday.
The embassy remained closed for the second day, due to a Serb national holiday, while Greek diplomats told the Yugoslav press that "groups of fanatic fans in Greece and Serbia should not influence people because they do not express the feelings of the two peoples who enjoy historic and traditional ties." Other incidents were also reported in Novi Sad, where Serb fans shattered the glass entrance of a Greek restaurant and injured its owner.
Despite the incidents, long lines of people seeking visas formed outside the embassy. However, the building remained closed. In another development, the Greek-Serbian Friendship Society issued an announcement condemning the jeering by Greek fans, stating: "they (fans) poisoned relations between the brother Greek and Serbian people." The announcement also criticised a small number of Serb players for "unbecoming conduct," as well as incidents outside the Greek Embassy in Belgrade. According to the announcement "this sad parenthesis will soon be forgotten."
Spanish Foreign Minister Javier Solana arrives in Greece tomorrow to set out priorities of the Spanish presidency of the European Union. Mr. Solana, due to visit Athens as part of a tour of EU capitals, will also take part in a meeting tomorrow at the foreign ministry with Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias, Alternate Foreign Minister George Mangakis, the Secretary General for Community Affairs Athanasios Theodorakis and other officials.
According to previous reports, the Spanish presidency will concentrate its efforts on ensuring the success of the Euro-Mediterranean Conference in Barcelona slated for 27-28 Nov., preparations for the Intergovernmental Conference in 1996 (with the holding of a special European Council meeting on 22-23 Sept.) and clarification of mechanisms which will lead to a third stage of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU).
Athens, 05/07/1995 (ANA):
The Greek Parliament will host a conference entitled "The Council of Europe's contribution in consolidating peace in the Middle East," slated for July 9-11 on the island of Rhodes. The conference, held under the auspices of the Council of Europe, will be attended by delegations from Israel, the Palestinian self-rule regions and the North-South Centre. Main opposition New Democracy party deputy Aristotelis Pavlides will represent t he Greek Parliament.
PASOK Central Committee secretary Akis Tsohatzopoulos yesterday dismissed speculation concerning a successor to Prime Minister and PASOK leader Andreas Papandreou. Upon arrival at a PASOK committee session for procedural matters prior to the party's three-day organisational conference, which opens tomorrow, he described all discussion concerning succession as "reheated food," adding that PASOK faced no such issue.
Referring to proposals submitted for the conference by local party organisations, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said there was a general agreement that the party ought to maintain its radical character. He also stated that proposals rejected the "old type of political mentality, the existence of mechanisms, a party dominated by careerists and the logic of managerialism in power."
After the end of the session, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said points which the central committee wished to emphasise were "the synthesis of views, unity, joint action and political initiatives at all levels". The party, united, would continue playing a leading role and providing answers to the country's problems, he said.
Police in Thessaloniki are conducting an investigation into the theft of an ancient marble head from the city's museum that turned up for auction at Sotheby's of London. The theft became known Sunday after Interpol informed Thessaloniki police that Sotheby's notified authorities the artefact would be auctioned off Thursday.
An initial investigation by police in the northern Greece's capital revealed that the marble head was from a statue of a child, dated to the early Christian period. It had been unearthed in Thessaloniki's ancient Roman forum and was kept in a storeroom of the city's archaeological museum. Museum authorities have as yet made no official statement. The marble head was given to Sotheby's for sale by a German art dealer, with an initial bid price of 12-15,000 pounds.
Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos accused main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert yesterday of backtracking on an earlier demand for the setting up of an interparty national foreign policy council. Premier Andreas Papandreou announced Monday he had instructed the Minister to the Prime Minister Ioannis Pottakis to table a relevant bill before Parliament.
At a press conference later, Mr. Evert set three conditions for voting in favour of the bill, namely appointment of a permanent foreign Under-Secretary to monitor implementation of the council's decisions; that the council be formed through legislation and that it be responsible for the charting Greece's 15-year foreign and defence policy. "We shall not participate in efforts aimed at finding procedures to misinform the Greek people," he warned.
Mr. Venizelos said during a recent discussion on the issue in Parliament, the prime minister accepted Mr. Evert's proposal for appropriate legislative cover for such interparty councils. He said, however, the opposition leader has now set new terms. Mr. Venizelos said Mr. Evert was backtracking because he either had no proposal to submit or he was afraid of assuming responsibilities, being tied down by problems within his own party.
Sources yesterday said that Mr. Evert holds a view that the relevant bill has been drafted on a makeshift basis and that the government does not intend to set up an effective body, but is merely aiming to create positive impressions.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) approved a 10 billion drachmas loan Monday to STET (Hellas) AE for development of mobile telecommunications in Greece. EIB Vice-President Panagiotis Gennimatas, who signed the agreement with STET's director Massimo Degano in Luxembourg, said the bank favours development of telecommunications because they promote economic growth.
The particular investment, he said, will allow extension of the mobile telecommunications network to most parts of Greece. STET's long-term plan calls for installation of more than 400 transmission-reception stations until the year 2000 that will be capable of serving about 400,000 users.
The latest loan is EIB's second to STET, whose major shareholders are STET International S.p.A., the American NYNEX Network Systems Co., and the Greek Interamerican insurance group. A five billion drachmas loan was granted last year.
Data released by the private firm ICAP yesterday shows a dramatic 414.88 per cent increase in overall profitability of banks operating in Greece last year. The increase is largely attributed to National Bank, which is back in the black after an unprofitable 1993 and the dramatic growth of private banks.
The increase was accompanied by a reduction in the rate of increase in deposits, from 21.62 per cent in 1993 to 7.55 last year. Loans increased by 10.89 per cent, compared to 3.11 the year before. There was a noticeable increase in foreign exchange loans, with Agricultural Bank leading the way with 26.95 per cent and Alpha Credit Bank following with 7.24.
National Bank took the lion's share of deposits, with 37.02 per cent, compared to 40.21 in 1993 and followed by Alpha with 7.13 per cent. The rate of return on capital among Greek banks ranged from 0.46 to 68.94 per cent (Ergobank).
The government will announce a package of measures today at the National Economy Ministry to combat unemployment, Labour Minister Ioannis Skoularikis said.
Mr. Skoularikis said the measures would be given by himself and National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou after a meeting of the government's economic committee. Without providing any details about the measures, Mr. Skoularikis said "directions" would be announced, which would then be transformed into specific initiatives by each ministry.
According to trade union sources, the government is not expected to announce any reduction in the number of working hours per week or increases in unemployment benefits. The period of time unemployed individuals are entitled to receive benefits is also expected to remain the same.
Mr. Papantoniou said Monday the package of measures would be the government's most important and ambitious initiative for combating unemployment.
Allocation of six billion drachmas from the Public Investment Programme to cover part of Greece's participation in the share capital of the Black Sea Bank for Co-operation and Development, was announced yesterday. Eleven countries are participating in the bank which will be headquartered in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki.
Participating countries are Greece, Turkey, Russia, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Moldova. Greece will have a 16.5 per cent holding (approximately 60 billion drachmas) in the bank's total share capital of about 360 billion drachmas.