Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou voiced concern yesterday over Turkey's intimate relations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). He also ruled out the lifting a trade embargo on Skopje until Athens' demands are met.
"The greatest danger is Turkey. Its siding with Skopje is a matter of concern," said Mr. Papandreou. Turkey signed a friendship pact with FYROM this month, urging world recognition of the name Skopje's leadership chose, "Macedonia" a name vehemently disputed by Greece.
Athens imposed a trade embargo against the landlocked former Yugoslav republic last year in a bid to pressure the Skopje government to change its name, flag and constitution. Greece argues the use of the name "Macedonia" by the one-time Yugoslav territory on its own implies a claim by Skopje to the northern Greek province of Macedonia.
Also, Greece wants the FYROM government to stop using a Hellenic symbol (the star of Vergina) of ancient Macedonia on its flag, and to delete language in the preamble of its constitution implying territorial ambitions.
Mr. Papandreou, who issued the embargo four months after returning to power in October 1993, said he would not lift the trade embargo until gaining concessions from Skopje. "There is no possibility of lifting the embargo without (getting) anything in return from Skopje," said Mr. Papandreou.
Speaking at a news conference, he ruled out early elections but hinted at significant changes for his ruling PASOK party and the government come autumn. "The government's outward appearance is not good," he conceded, attributing responsibility to both the government itself and the media.
He also lashed out at Socialist dissidents aspiring to become future leaders of the party. "It is their right to enjoy whatever future ambitions they may have, but they do harm by preoccupying themselves with tomorrow rather than today," said Mr. Papandreou, the founder of the 21-year-old PASOK party. He added the issue of his succession was not worth discussing, because he alone would decide when to retire.
Asked if he would lead the party at the next election, he replied, "Why not?" However, he warned of a danger of PASOK losing the next elections if it did not display a greater degree of unity. In addition, he said he'd support his wife, Dimitra, if she decided to run for Parliament on the PASOK ticket.
In a separate statement on the 21st anniversary of the restoration of democracy in Greece, the premier said 21 years of normal, uninterrupted political life was no mean feat, mainly attributable to the Greek people, but also to the sense of responsibility shown by the country's political figures. However, he added, phenomena of "vulgarisation in the mass media" on a large scale posed a danger and undermined democracy.
Speaking to reporters before yesterday evening's reception at the Presidential Mansion on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of democracy's restoration in Greece, President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos called for a greater emphasis on democratic principles. "For the celebration to have a more meaningful content, we have to put forward ideas for implementation of the principles of democracy," he said.
President Stephanopoulos said there are citizen rights protected by the constitution which do not enjoy recognition. "Public services exist for the benefit of citizens, and they (public services) must respect their rights and serve them. Let them realise this and contribute to the idea of democracy," he said.
Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert also briefly attended the reception for about 15 minutes. "I came here to honour the 'day of democracy,' to honour the institution of the presidency and Mr. Kostis Stephanopoulos, whom we all respect. But I believe that at a time when we have a national tragedy (forest fires) on our hands, it is not becoming for me to entertain myself," he added.
Asked to comment on Mr. Evert's statement, Mr. Stephanopoulos said: "I was informed of it and I was very saddened."
Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou described Mr. Evert's action as "unacceptable, dangerous and insulting to the President."
Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras said he did not think the ND leader had greater sensitivities than the other guests, and wondered whether Mr. Evert would have done the same if former president Constantinos Karamanlis was still head of state.
Communist Party of Greece (KKE) honorary president Harilaos Florakis described Mr. Evert's action as "incorrect."
Meanwhile, former New Democracy Premier Constantinos Mitsotakis said democracy today was threatened by a network of economic and publishing interests.
President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos yesterday decorated a host of Greek poets, authors, sculptors and composers for their contribution to the arts and civilisation. The event was attended by Culture Minister Thanos Mikroutsikos and Alternate Foreign Minister for European Affairs Georgios Alexandros Mangakis.
Agriculture Minister George Moraitis was scheduled to hold a meeting yesterday afternoon to deal with problems arising from a huge fire which scorched one of Attica's last remaining "green spaces" and damaged hundreds of houses. The planned meeting would include participation of the ministry's political leadership, regional authorities of Attica and forestry officials.
Meanwhile, main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert accused the government of lacking preparedness to confront forest fires. He also called for the resignation of Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou. "Mr. Papandreou should accept responsibility by resigning, because he is unable to assist the country," Mr. Evert said.
The ND leader made the statement after chairing a meeting of mayors and local officials from residential districts affected by the weekend blaze. Mr. Evert blasted the government for displaying "lack of co-ordination" in the fire-fighting operation, but praised the efforts of fire-fighters and volunteers who battled the blaze for three days. He also called on the government to take measures to avert further environmental disasters.
On Sunday, authorities said they extinguished the unprecedented conflagration that engulfed about 10,000 acres of forest land in Northeast Athens. Some 2,000 fire-fighters and soldiers battled to control the blaze that sprung up on Mount Penteli Friday.
Fuelled by strong winds, the fire spread quickly to nearby residential areas, forcing hundreds of people to flee. In another development yesterday, Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos chaired a meeting of the board of directors of the Central Union of Greek Municipalities and Communities (KEDKE), which proposed the establishment of a rapid intervention national network for the prevention and minimisation of the effects of natural disasters.
Meanwhile, the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) yesterday made a series of proposals for prevention and extinguishing of forest fires and restoration of damages. Proposals included the mapping of Greece's wooded areas and completion of a forest real estate registry as well as establishment of strict counter-measures for damaging activities in stricken regions. GSEE also advocated forced expropriation by the state of privately owned forest areas in danger of burning in the future.
The Athens Labour Centre (EKA) also called on its members to contribute to initiatives for the reforestation and rehabilitation of damages. Meanwhile, officials in Egion, located some 145 kilometres west of Athens, said fire-fighters continued to battle a raging forest fire. They said the blaze was located across a 10-km front and was approaching the village of Ziria.
PASOK's Eurodeputies yesterday submitted a draft resolution to the plenum of the European Parliament calling for direct material and economic assistance to victims of the Penteli fire and the Greek government.
Interior Under-Secretary Kimon Koulouris sent a congratulatory message yesterday to the members of Greece's national junior basketball team, which won the world championship Saturday. "In days of hardship, you've allowed us to feel joy and pride for Greece," Mr. Koulouris said.
The junior team (under 19) claimed the nation's first international first-place trophy in a team sport by beating Australia 91-73 during the Fifth World Basketball Championship final in Athens. Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis also extended his warmest congratulations to the team.
The former Moslem Greek deputy for Rodopi, 48-year-old Ahmet Sadik, was killed in a traffic accident last night 10 km from the Thracian city of Komotini. The accident occurred when Mr. Sadik's car collided with a farm tractor. Police said excessive speed was the cause of the accident. His wife and two children were taken to Komotini Hospital with injuries. Mr. Sadik, a University of Thessaloniki-trained surgeon, was twice elected deputy, in 1989 and 1990, as a Moslem minority-backed independent candidate.
Greece and Jordan yesterday re-affirmed close bilateral relations, pledging further co-operation in several fields, according to an ANA report from Amman. The will to forge closer trade, cultural, shipping and defence co-operation was voiced during a meeting between Jordanian leader King Hussein and Greek Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias.
During their talks, the two men also discussed the latest developments in Middle East peace talks and Greece's contribution to Bosnian peace efforts. The meeting marked the end of Mr. Papoulias' three-day tour to Lebanon and Jordan.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Papoulias held a meeting with Jordanian Prime Minister Sahrif Zeid Bin Shaker. The 45-minute meeting focused on regional and international issues, including the Bosnian crisis, Middle East peace efforts and the 21-year-old Cyprus problem.
The meeting included an invitation extended by Mr. Papoulias on behalf of Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou for the Jordanian PM to visit Athens. During the first day of his visit to Amman, Mr. Papoulias signed a protocol of co-operation between the foreign ministries of Greece and Jordan.
The Hellenic Exports Promotion Organisation (OPE) announced yesterday it will organise Greece's participation in the international trade fair "Lifestyle" slated for Jedda, Saudi Arabia, between Nov. 25 and Dec. 1. OPE also announced Greece's participation in the international general trade fair in Zagreb on Sept. 11-17.
Eleven foreign nationals were arrested for illegal employment at coffee shops and bars in the northern Greek city of Katerini, police said yesterday. All 11 suspects were women, of which nine were Russian. The other two were Bulgarian. Police said all 11 lacked necessary residence and working permits. In addition, their Greek employers were also arrested. The arrests are part of an on-going police operation aimed at clamping down on illegal employment in Greece.