Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias departs for Moscow tomorrow before flying to the Black Sea resort of Sochi for talks with his Russian counterpart Andrei Kozyrev on the Bosnian crisis. Greece supports the initiative of Russian President Boris Yeltsin to invite the presidents of Serbia and Croatia, Slobodan Milosevic and Franjo Tudjman, to Moscow for talks. Both Athens and Moscow agree a settlement of the crisis cannot be attained by military means, but only through internationally agreed initiatives.
Mr. Papoulias and Mr. Kozyrev will review recent developments in former Yugoslavia and exchange views on steps needed to alleviate the situation. The Greek and Russian foreign ministers have been in constant contact recently over the situation in Croatia. Last Tuesday, the two men had a long telephone conversation. Mr. Kozyrev is scheduled to visit Athens Sept. 8.
President Boris Yeltsin called yesterday for the leaders of Bosnia, Croatia and Serbia to hold a summit under Russian auspices to pave the way for an international conference on former Yugoslavia. Yeltsin unveiled a five-point peace plan after talks with Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic and signalled his frustration with international peace efforts by saying Russia might consider breaking global sanctions against Belgrade.
"I renew my offer to hold a summit of leading states with the participation of the warring sides, leaders of the Union Republic of Yugoslavia, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina," Yeltsin said, reading a statement to reporters in the Kremlin. "Russia is ready to organise direct dialogue between the leaders of the three states, Milosevic, Tudjman and Izetbegovic, which would be an important stage in preparing for such a meeting."
The plan called for:
-- the Contact Group to force Croatia to respect human rights and stop fighting spreading to Eastern Slovonia or Bosnia
-- urgent measures to be taken to ensure all refugees can return home safely under the eyes of international observers
-- the security of UN peacekeepers to be guaranteed -- all hostilities in former Yugoslavia to stop
-- no delay in carrying out a peace deal on Bosnia offered by the international community. Mladic appeals to Greeks
Bosnian Serb military chief Ratko Mladic yesterday appealed to his "Orthodox Greek brothers" for humanitarian aid and medical personnel for Krajina Serb refugees fleeing a Croatian offensive. The appeal was conveyed at a press conference given by Alexandros Lykourezos, a prominent Greek criminal lawyer retained by Gen. Mladic to defend him after the Bosnian Serb military chief was indicted last month by an "International Criminal Tribunal" for the former Yugoslavia.
Also speaking at the press conference was Dr. Aris Mousionis who, together with Mr. Lykourezos, recently visited Bihac and Petrovac and met with Gen. Mladic. Mr. Mousionis spoke of the "dire position" of the Krajina Serb refugees, describing their exodus as the largest in Europe since World War II.
Meanwhile, the foreign ministry issued a list of items badly needed by the refugees. The items include bread, children's food, cooking utensils, plastic plates, knives and forks, tents and medicines for psychological and skin disorders.
Three more Hellenic Air Force C-130 military transport planes carrying humanitarian aid to refugees from Krajina arrived in Belgrade yesterday. Six Greek transport planes have arrived in Belgrade so far, carrying 100 tonne s of medicines, foodstuffs and clothing. One flight has been scheduled for today. The Greek humanitarian mission includes military doctors who'll visit refugee camps and document requirements to ensure future aid will include specific items in short supply.
Serbian doctors called on their Greek colleagues to give priority to medicines for psychological disorders as many refugees, particularly men from the warfront, may face serious psychological problems. The Athens Labour Centre (EKA) called on Athens trade unions to mobilise themselves promptly to collect and send humanitarian aid to Krajina Serbs.
The latest report by Oxford University's "Oxford Analytica" group of experts announced positive assessments and predictions for the Greek economy. Single-digit inflation for the first time in 22 years is strongly emphasised in the report, as are other economic indicators which improved compared to past years.
A 1.4 per cent increase in industrial production in 1994 after several years of negative performance; a reduction in the deficit and an increase in national reserves are cited. However, the report said the Greek economy's recovery remained fragile and vulnerable to developments abroad, underlining in particular that the alarming situation in the Balkans could upset a climate of confidence now shown for the Greek economy.
Tourism Minister Nikos Sifounakis held talks yesterday with Russian Ambassador Valery Nikolayenko on methods to expand co-operation between the two countries in the tourism sector. During the meeting, both sides confirmed interest of tourist sector businesses to participate in exhibitions both in Greece and Russia.
Mr. Sifounakis conveyed Greece's particular interest in the Russian tourist market and announced he would visit the exhibitions "Anapafsi (relaxation) '95" and "Invetex '95", to be held October in Moscow and St. Petersburg respectively. Other issues discussed included the National Tourist Organisation's (EOT) advertising campaign in Russia and issues related to various package vacations available.
Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou yesterday officially removed deputy Kyriakos Spyriounis from the ruling PASOK party's parliamentary group, following a unanimous decision by the party's disciplinary committee.
In a letter to Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, Mr. Papandreou states: "By decision of the disciplinary committee, pursuant to the statutes of the central committee of PASOK, the capacity of PASOK member is suspended forthwith with regard to deputy for Thessaloniki Kyriakos Spyriounis. Consequently, I request that he not be included in PASOK's parliamentary group."
PASOK's disciplinary committee Wednesday unanimously recommended the dismissal of Mr. Spyriounis for recent criticism of Prime Minister Papandreou and his wife, Dimitra. Mr. Spyriounis last week called on the 75-year-old premier to resign from PASOK's leadership. His suggestion was coupled with caustic remarks about Dimitra Liani-Papandreou.
Commenting on the disciplinary committee's decision, Mr. Spyriounis said he would hand over his party membership card only if this was decided by the party's central committee.
In new statements in Thessaloniki yesterday, Mr. Spyriounis predicted intra-party changes were pending, which may lead to PASOK's break up. Mr. Spyriounis reiterated he did not attack Mr. Papandreou, and said he would again run as a candidate for PASOK in the next elections. "I will again be a party candidate either with others or with many," he said without elaborating.
Several PASOK deputies expressed disagreement yesterday over the disciplinary committee's decision, while in Heraklion, Crete, Press Under-Secretary Telemahos Hytiris last night said the committee was an official organ of PASOK and its decisions should be respected. Mr. Hytiris was due to visit Mr. Papandreou in Elounta, where the premier is vacationing.
In another development, Political Spring party representative Notis Martakis said acceptance of Pol.An's principles and ideas were the main precondition for someone to join the party. He replied to questions on the possibility of Mr. Spyriounis joining Pol.An. Mr. Martakis said Pol.An did not interfere in the internal affairs of other parties, stressing that someone's accession was considered by the relevant agencies not on the basis of his disagreements with the party he belongs to, but on the basis of acceptance of Political Spring's principles and ideas.
A bill prepared by the Interior Ministry and tabled in Parliament yesterday anticipates establishment of a new agency to handle emergencies in the country, including natural and technological disasters as well as civil defence.
Interior Minister Costas Skandalides, Alternate Interior Minister George Daskalakis and Interior Under-Secretary Kimon Koulouris told a press conference the agency, the "General Civil Protection Secretariat," will co-ordinate all pertinent agencies.
Overall government policy and strategy will be defined by a civil protection council, while decisions will be implemented by the general civil protection secretariat, which will function at the Interior Ministry.
Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin invited Thessaloniki Mayor Costas Kosmopoulos to attend a tourism summit in Israel next month, an announcement stated yesterday. The two-day summit is scheduled to begin Sept. 5. Mr. Rabin's invitation said tourism would become a "leading financial activity" in the region after finalisation of Middle East peace negotiations.
Public services, corporations and organisations will be closed Monday, following a government decision yesterday. The decision was taken jointly by the Minister to the Prime Minister's Office Ioannis Pottakis, National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and Labour Minister Ioannis Skoularikis. Banks, however, will open during normal hours as will super markets and bakeries. Shop owners are free to decide if they'll open.
The government measure is in line with European Union legislation, which states a working day can be designated a holiday if it falls between two legal holidays. Greece celebrates the feast of the Virgin Mary every year on Aug. 15, which falls on Tuesday.
Finance Minister Alekos Papadopoulos tabled a bill in Parliament on reshaping public accounting methods in anticipation of new rules for stricter control of public expenditures and transparency in managing public funds.
The legislation provides for the first time the possibility of Parliament ratifying a supplementary budget in the event initial predictions in the regular budget are altered. Control is initiated in managing funds for financing various programmes by the European Union, and an extension of the fiscal year is abolished for receipts of confirmed revenues and expenditure payments.
A bill settling pending tax issues outside the objective criteria system will be made public by Mr. Papadopoulos next week. Taxpayers accepting the ministry's settlements will have a tax discount of up to 45 per cent. The cases concern the 1985-1995 period.
Agriculture Under-Secretary Floros Konstantinou said yesterday 16.4 billion drachmas was approved for six new irrigation projects to be built nation-wide. About 3.3 billion drachmas will be allocated in 1995, with projects expected to be completed in about two years.
According to studies, 20-22,500 acres of land will be irrigated. Contracts for the projects were signed yesterday, while construction agreements for another four irrigation works in Naxos, Paros, Kalymnos and Paxoi will be signed in the next few days.
Thessaloniki Prefect Constantine Papadopoulos yesterday met the Turkish general consul in Thessaloniki Targay Koray for talks on prospects of an air link between Thessaloniki and Izmir.
According to an announcement by the Thessaloniki Prefecture, the Turkish consul visited Mr. Papadopoulos and proposed linking the two cities by air. The prefect told Mr. Koray he would convey the proposal to the government. Issues concerning co-operation between Greece and Turkey in the prefectural self-administration sector were also discussed during the meeting.
A small home-made bomb exploded in the early morning hours yesterday at an American Express Bank branch in the Athens suburb of Marousi. The devise was planted outside the building and caused material damages, according to police reports. Twenty minutes earlier, an unidentified caller telephoned the private Flash radio station and warned of the explosion.
The caller claiming responsibility on behalf of a group identified as the "Anti-Regime Cells." The caller said the group also claimed a similar attack on a City Bank branch on Panormou St. Aug. 5, to protest the conviction of former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal. The Pennsylvania inmate on Monday was granted an indefinite stay of execution, but remains on death row for the 1981 killing of a Philadelphia policeman.
Police on the Aegean island of Kalymnos said yesterday they rounded up 43 illegal aliens, some carrying large quantities of heroin. Authorities said four of the detainees - mostly Iraqis, Pakistanis and Rwandans carried large amounts of heroin.
The island, located near the Turkish coast, has witnessed an unprecedented influx of illegal aliens this week. Authorities have called on the Hellenic Navy to increase patrols in the region. Police said the refugees are crossing into the country from Turkey.