Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias said yesterday he expected today's scheduled negotiations for an 'interim' agreement with his Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) counterpart Stevo Crvenkovski to be "long and tough", and that despite a few remaining unclarified points, an agreement would be signed tomorrow.
"I think we are set for an agreement. I told you yesterday there are still a few remaining points. I hope we will overcome them, and sign on Wednesday morning," he said.
The foreign minister praised the role of mediators Cyrus Vance and Matthew Nimetz in promoting a deal. "Mr. Vance has played an important and substantial role. Of course, if it were not for Mr. Vance and Mr. Nimetz, we would not have arrived at an agreement. To me, Mr. Vance's role was dominant," he said.
Asked whether the issue of the name had been discussed during Sunday's meeting with Mr. Vance, he replied negatively. "No, we did not discuss it. We have an agreement before us, and we must sign it. Thirty days must pass for the application of the agreement, and, of course, we have time for negotiations on the name to begin," he said.
He reiterated the position, as expressed by the prime minister, that Greece was not willing to accept the name 'Macedonia' or any of its derivatives for FYROM. "I don't think there is any cause for concern. But it will certainly be a hard negotiation," he added.
Commenting on New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert's statement to the newspaper Eleftherotypia Sunday, that he would accept a composite name for FYROM, he said that although he did not know the exact statement by Mr. Evert, "things would be easier if the main opposition supported the government's national effort".
However, in Athens yesterday, ND spokesman Vassilis Manginas described as an "arbitrary interpretation" by the newspaper that Mr. Evert agreed with the composite name 'which is seemingly promoted by the government'." "ND's position is clear and unwavering," the spokesman said.
Mr. Evert was quoted by Eleftherotypia as saying that "a composite name will create far fewer problems that (the term) 'Macedonia' alone."
Communist Party of Greece Secretary-General Aleka Papariga reiterated the party's position that as long as the term 'Macedonia' is included in the name "this should refer to the geographical region and not to irredentist views." "As long as NATO is in the Balkans," she added, "no matter what the name of the state is, it can still be used (by NATO) against another state."
Trade, Industry, Energy and Technology Minister Costas Simitis resigned yesterday his ministerial posts and his membership in the ruling PASOK's Executive Bureau. In a letter to prime minister and PASOK leader Andreas Papandreou, Mr. Simitis expressed "bitterness" because the premier had not supported him over the Skaramangas Shipyards issue.
A brief announcement from the Press Ministry later said Mr. Simitis' resignation had been accepted.
Speaking at a press conference Sunday in Thessaloniki, Mr. Papandreou expressed his dissatisfaction over the strategy followed in the attempted privatization of Greek shipyards.
Mr. Papandreou said that he and the ministers responsible for privatization "are disturbed because no answers have as yet been forthcoming on the issue". "There was no adequate strategy," Mr. Papandreou said.
Mr. Simitis noted in his resignation letter that "the decisions (on the shipyards' privatization) were collective and joint ones, and the government's policy on the shipbuilding and repair units were examined at a governmental meeting".
Mr. Simitis said that industrial policy had been announced in mid-1994, and "up to now I have not been informed of any disagreement on the part of the prime minister with the ministry's policy, nor were disagreements expressed by those who represent him at the meetings of the government bodies".
He said a "systematic distortion and smear campaign" against his "efforts at the ministry has been in progress for some time now".
Mr. Simitis said the smear campaign was not prompted by his policy but by his "different views" on the function of PASOK and the government. "But the victim of this campaign is the ministry's work," he added.
He also accused PASOK's Executive Bureau for "reinforcing such phenomena," drawing attention to the fact that it examined, when the government did not, Commissioner Christos Papoutsis' statements regarding the Industry Ministry.
In reference to Mr. Papandreou's statements Sunday, Mr. Simitis said that: "...your statements have a very specific message. (They say that) a condition of my remaining in the government and the ending of my public degradation would be my integration with those who permanently agree (with the government and the party)."
Mr. Simitis said he will continue "to work, as a member of the (party's) Central Committee and as a deputy, for a different kind of society, in accordance with the aspirations and principles of PASOK".
He castigated the Inner Cabinet, which, he said, "could have coordinated, supported or even corrected policies", but "does not operate". "The work of the specific ministry and all the other ministries (should be) to serve the interests of the Greek people. It cannot be subject to constant negotiation and compromise with those in power," he added.
PASOK party sources said that Mr. Simitis' resignation from the government and the party's executive would act as a spur to a government reshuffle. They said the prime minister would make his decision within the week and did not rule out changes being announced as early as today.
Meanwhile, other sources said that Mr. Simitis was expected to meet with other high-profile PASOK dissenters - former EU commissioner Vasso Papandreou, former minister Theodoros Pangalos and Eurodeputy Paraskevas Avgerinos - to discuss developments in the ruling party within the week.
Theodoros Pangalos, who last week resigned from the PASOK Central Committee after criticism from both the executive and the party's Disciplinary Council over statements to Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis, issued a statement yesterday expressing his "immeasurable respect" for Mr. Simitis. "His continued political activity is imperative both for the party and the interests of the people," the statement said.
Commenting on Mr. Simitis' resignation, main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Vassilis Manginas said that "PASOK is being dissolved, and the government is collapsing."
Mr. Manginas said the forced resignation of Mr. Simitis, following the "unprecedented (in irresponsibility) statements" of the prime minister, was the beginning of the end. He also criticized Mr. Simitis for not having the courage to react prior to his degradation" Sunday, and urged the government "to immediately give up power."
Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras said that "developments are speeding up and are the results of the vicious circle of crisis nurtured by the two old parties." "There is no government, nor main opposition," Mr. Samaras said.
Communist Party of Greece Secretary-General Aleka Papariga said the government promoted "a specific policy while at the same time it focused efforts on minimizing the political costs by blaming a minister."
In an indirect comment on Mr. Simitis' resignation, the Coalition of the Left and Progress said the "profound government failure and the crisis in PASOK nurture each other and escalate in a climate of Byzantine decay."
Greece yesterday described the ongoing NATO air strikes against Bosnian Serb targets as "absurd" and said it was doing everything possible to find a peaceful, viable solution to the Bosnian crisis.
"We have repeatedly stated and expressed our opposition to all actions of a military nature in Bosnia and naturally to the ongoing air strikes which, quite absurdly, are continuing at the same time as the peace process," government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos told reporters in Thessaloniki.
The spokesman added that it appeared from the recent meeting in Geneva that efforts for peace were bearing fruit.
"This very simple truth must be understood by all. NATO is acting on instructions from the United Nations and within the framework of the relevant Security Council resolutions and any decisions concerning a change of policy must be on this level," Mr. Venizelos said.
In Thessaloniki, Russian Ambassador Valery Nikolayenko echoed Mr. Venizelos' comments that the continuing NATO air strikes in Bosnia were "absurd" and also intimated that they concealed other designs beyond the imposition of peace.
Greece yesterday expressed reservations regarding the continuation of NATO air raids against Bosnian Serb targets at the Council of Permanent Representatives of the Alliance, which met yesterday.
Ambassador Vassilis Zapheiropoulos reiterated the Greek position that the alliance ought to focus efforts on the peace process, stressing that the "air raids are of doubtful effectiveness and can create a vicious circle of violence".
Diplomatic sources said doubts were also expressed by other countries, such as France and Spain, concerning the striking of targets in the Banja Luka region, northwest Bosnia, which is far from the designated safe areas, as well as the use of Tomahawk missiles, which "gives the impression of an escalation in the conflict".
In Brussels, an ANA dispatch reported that Coalition of the Left and Progress Eurodeputy Alekos Alavanos had tabled a question with the EU Council of Ministers regarding the NATO air strikes.
In Athens yesterday, Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras described the continuing raids as a "tragedy." "Unfortunately, either with the (Greek) government's approval or tolerance, the West continues to shell Serb civilians," he added.
Meanwhile, Communist Party of Greece Secretary-General Aleka Papariga yesterday asked the government to exercise its veto over NATO in an effort to put a halt on bombings against the Bosnian Serbs. "Unless our country proceeds with such an action, Greece will be an accessory," Ms Papariga said. She further urged the premier to denounce US intervention and raise the issue in NATO.
The General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) will hold a rally in Athens next week to protest the continuing air strikes. GSEE President Christos Protopapas expressed workers' concern about a possible escalation of the conflict. The rally, he said, would protest the bloodshed in Bosnia and press demands for a peaceful, viable solution and call on the Greek government to intensify its efforts in this direction.
The quest for a framework of peaceful co-existence in the Middle East, the Mediterranean and Central Asia is the theme of the second round of international seminars organized by the Hellenic Foundation for Foreign and Defense Policy (ELIAMEP) in Halkis.
The seminars, which began on Sunday and will run through October 15, have been organized in cooperation with the Washington-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Foundation.
A message from National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis, read by his special advisor Gerassimos Potamianos, opened the round of seminars; the message was followed with a speech by Ilia Klis, director of the Middle East and North Africa Section of the Foreign Ministry.
Mr. Potamianos underlined the view of Athens that a system such as the fledgling European security system should not be confined by geography and that economic cooperation was an important factor.
He underlined that the policy of Greece within such a framework is the creation of a network of bilateral cooperation with the countries of the region, both economically and on issues of security, something which is materializing in stages.
Speaking on the subject of 'Political Prerequisites for the Creation of a Single Balkan Economic Area' at the Hellenic American Economic Chamber of Thessaloniki yesterday, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos painted an optimistic picture of Greek entrepreneurial prospects in the peninsula.
He said Greece was slowly starting to utilize the advantages it possessed in that respect, rediscovering its Balkan side, and establishing contact with the Balkan hinterland.
He warned, however, that "the Balkans is not a makeshift Eldorado," and that a field of entrepreneurial activity cannot be established if the political preconditions do not exist, if the problem of Yugoslavia is not solved, and stability in the region is not secured".
Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary-General Aleka Papariga yesterday characterized the 60th Thessaloniki International Fair as "the mirror of Greek production".
Ms Papariga was briefed by HELEXPO President Vassilis Kourtessis on the Fair. She underlined that her visit was an act of support for the productive basis of the country.
Coalition of the Left and Progress party leader Nikos Constantopoulos and Political Spring president Antonis Samaras will visit the fair today. Mr. Constantopoulos is scheduled to speak at the Macedonia University tonight.
The Hellenic-Russian Chamber is organizing an economic forum for March next year at which bilateral economic relations will be discussed, Moscow's Ambassador to Greece Valery Nikolayenko said yesterday.
Speaking at a business meeting at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Thessaloniki, Mr. Nikolayenko said that representatives and executives of Russian enterprises from St. Petersburg, areas near the Volga and Siberia would be taking part in the forum. "These areas are in need of economic support and are fertile ground for penetration by Greek enterprises, particularly those based in northern Greece," Mr. Nikolayenko said.
Meanwhile, the president of the Hellenic-Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and alternate general manager of the Commercial Bank, Constantine Kanonis, yesterday announced the bank's participation in the International Bank of Kuban which is to be set up next year in the area of Krasnodar, Russia.
Apart from the Commercial Bank, major shareholders will be the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and two Russian banks.
The importance of the Greek participation, Mr. Kanonis said, lies in the fact that the region of Krasnodar has already developed considerable commercial and industrial ties with Greece.
National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou chaired a meeting last night on the issue of the Skaramangas Shipyards at the ministry.
The meeting was attended by Alternate Industry Minister Christos Rokofyllos, Undersecretary to the Prime Minister Antonis Livanis, Finance Undersecretary Nikolaos Kyriazides and the governors of the National Bank George Mirkos, Commercial Bank Panayiotis Poulis and Ioniki Bank Panayiotis Korliras.
The meeting, which ended shortly before 10pm last night, re-examined proposals put forward at an earlier meeting at Mr. Livanis' office, including funding for the shipyards.
The Coalition of the Left and Progress criticized the government over the issue, saying that it "is dragging the impasse (in the shipyards) from meeting to meeting."
Greece's two largest labor groupings yesterday condemned the government's economic policy and said they would call on workers to participate in industrial action.
Reacting to Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou's speech on the economy at the Thessaloniki International Fair on Saturday, the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) and the Civil Servants' Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY) said that efforts to rehabilitate the economy cannot be based solely on the sacrifices of the workers.
GSEE president Christos Protopapas and ADEDY president Yannis Koutsoukos warned that "if the economic policy of the last six years continues for the next two years, there will be serious economic and social problems". They called on the government to set an "expiry date" for its economic austerity policy.
Mr. Protopapas said that GSEE would demand wage increases to safeguard the incomes of workers and pensioners at negotiations on the collective labor agreement in November.
The two unionists said that they would present specific proposals to the competent ministers within the next few days and would try to arrange a meeting with Mr. Papandreou.
The General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) also announced that a GSEE delegation headed by president Christos Protopapas will arrive in Igoumenitsa on Friday for talks with workers and trade unions in the region.
In another development, the General Confederation of Self-Employed Traders and Light Manufacturers (GSEBEE) has also voiced concern over economic prospects set out in the prime minister's speech on Saturday.
In a statement yesterday, GSEBEE said the government's announcements suit the interests of a small group of "big businesses", and those who imposed the tough economic convergence programme with other EU countries.
The announcement said that the premier did not touch on the "burning issues" faced by small-and medium-size enterprises, such as the harsh taxation policy, the lack of incentives and finance, the catastrophic pressure exercised by monopolies and multinationals, high deregulated rents and bankruptcies.
The Monetary Committee of the European Union, scheduled to convene today in Brussels, will also deal with the prospects of the Greek economy, it was announced yesterday.
The Committee's conclusions will be examined in further detail either at the forthcoming Council of Economic and Finance Ministers (ECOFIN), or at the extraordinary ECOFIN Council scheduled to take place on September 29-30.
Today's discussion will be based on a report on the Greek economy, compiled by the Committee's representative during his fact-finding visit to Greece recently.
The Monetary Committee will also discuss the third stage of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU).
Agricultural Bank of Greece (ATE) Governor Demetrios Kanellopoulos announced yesterday in Thessaloniki a reduction in lending rates by two percentage points, effective from October 1.
The new reduction, from 27 to 25 per cent, makes the interest rate for ATE credit cards the lowest on the market.
ATE is planning the phased introduction of its subsidiaries, Agrotiki Asfalistiki and ATE Leasing to the Stock Exchange, as well as the founding of three new companies - ATE Stock Brokers, ATE Factoring and ATE Finance.
Referring to activities abroad, and particularly in the Balkans, Mr. Kanellopoulos told the ANA that ATE is planning to upgrade its representative office in Bulgaria into a fully-fledged branch, to open a similar office in Bucharest, and has signed a protocol of cooperation with Beobanka of Yugoslavia and the newly-founded Agroindustrial Bank of Bulgaria.
ATE subsidiary Dodoni, he added, is planning to set up a small unit for the processing of milk in Albania, through financing from the European Union INTERREG programme.
The Export Promotion Organization (OPE) will participate in the 8th international exhibition of consumer products "CONSUMEX '96, to be held January 15-19 in Moscow. The exhibition is considered to be extremely important as it attracts buyers from all the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and will showcase a wide range of products including clothing, footwear, home appliances and equipment.
Those interested in participating in the exhibition must submit their application to OPE by October 20.
- Greek investments worth 55 million dollars in Hungary are mostly in the form of joint ventures, according to a press conference at the 60th Thessaloniki International Fair. Greece is participating in 60 joint ventures in Hungary. Hungarian Ambassador to Athens Janos Herman, commercial attachi Sandos Szabo and Vice-President of the Budapest Trade and Industry Chamber Gyorgy Vadazx addressed the press conference.
- Greek exports to France totaled 129 billion drachmas last year, an increase of five per cent over 1993 figures, according to a press conference marking the official participation of France in the 60th Thessaloniki International Fair. Greek exports to France include textiles, clothes, alumina and aluminum as well as petroleum products. Exports of petroleum products increased approximately 230 per cent in 1994.
- Trade between Greece and Israel increase 57 per cent in the first six months of the year, according to a press conference marking the official participation of Israel in the 60th Thessaloniki International Fair. Greek exports to Israel (mineral ores, farm produce and perishables) in the first half of 1995 amounted to 74 million dollars, an increase of 38 per cent while Israeli exports to Greece (chemical and agrochemical products, machinery and plastics) in the same period totaled 91 million dollars, an increase of 77 per cent. The press conference was attended by Israel Ambassador to Athens David Sasson, commercial attachi Doron Abrami and the embassy's first secretary Ditla Ofir-Fraoum.
Military exercise including all of the armed forces, dubbed "Parmenion '95", will be held September 16-22. Chief of the National Defense General Staff Christos Lymberis will oversee the exercise, which aims at training staff and units in the holding of joint operations.
Athens, 12/9/1995 (ANA): A team of Russian inspectors arrived in Greece yesterday to inspect the reduction in surplus material, within the framework of the agreement for the reduction of conventional weapons in Europe, CFE.
Athens, 12/9/1995 (ANA): Main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert yesterday held a meeting with Jeff Kennet, state premier of Victoria, Australia, on Greece's national issues and the Australian-Greek community.