Opposition parties yesterday continued to react to the recent landmark accord between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) on normalizing relations.
Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert yesterday requested an urgent parliamentary debate on the interim accord, at a meeting he held with House Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis, while Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras called on the government to hold a referendum on the same issue.
Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias and his Skopje counterpart Stevo Crvenkovski signed the accord last week after years of Balkan rivalry. The agreement binds Athens to end a 19-month trade embargo on the former Yugoslav republic in exchange for amendments to the neighboring state's constitution and removal of ancient Greek emblems from its flag.
Mr. Evert has branded the agreement "a failure", saying it provides no solution to Skopje's persistence in using the term "Macedonia".
Athens says it will never recognize the neighboring Balkan state under a name that includes the word "Macedonia" or any of its derivatives.
Speaking to reporters after his meeting with Mr. Kaklamanis, Mr. Evert said that he asked for "either an early beginning to the new parliamentary session or a holding of an urgent parliamentary session for an extraordinary debate on the Skopje issue."
"It is not possible to let fifteen or twenty crucial days pass, until the scheduled opening of Parliament, without informing the body and the Greek people on what has been decided on the Skopje issue," Mr. Evert said.
Mr. Kaklamanis said the government would give its answer, adding that he told Mr. Evert it was the President of the Republic's prerogative to call an early opening of the House. He added that he would convey Mr. Evert's views to the government and that "a positive or other answer" would be given.
Meanwhile, Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras urged the government to hold a referendum on the New York accord. "The agreement is an unprecedented, humiliating and security-threatening concession," Mr. Samaras said in a letter to Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, calling on the premier to initiate procedures to hold a national referendum.
Meanwhile, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary-General Aleka Papariga said the main focus should be on normalization of relations between the two states, adding that if the name "Macedonia" or its derivative prevails, then this should be associated with the term's geographical dimension. Ms Papariga was speaking after a meeting with the premier yesterday.
She further criticized the separation of the negotiations into a "small" and "large package", saying that the interim accord was "partial and inconclusive." "The accord should not be submitted in Parliament for ratification now, but when it is completed," she added.
She added that convening the Political Leaders' Council would result in a fiasco, since the parties' positions were known. She did say, however, that each party should make its positions on the issue clear, "especially ND which in the past has shown a certain flexibility that seems to be lacking today."
The coordinating committee of mayors of cities in Macedonia and Thrace, which met in Thessaloniki yesterday at the initiative of the Thessaloniki Mayor Constantine Kosmopoulos, reiterated its position that FYROM should not be recognized under the name "Macedonia" or any of its derivatives.
The mayors decided to ask for a meeting with Mr. Papandreou and Mr. Papoulias to put their positions.
"The committee's decision," said Mr. Kosmopoulos after the meeting, ""was unanimous, independent of political expediency, and constituted the expression of local Greek communities wherever they may be."
The committee is also planning to meet political party leaders, and seek a meeting with UN mediator Cyrus Vance, he added.
He said the decisions adopted yesterday were the first "necessary steps", and others would follow if necessary, "depending on developments". The committee will meet again on October 1.
European competition commissioner Karel Van Miert yesterday declined to be immediately drawn on a plan to secure the continued operation of the Skaramangas shipyards submitted by National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou.
The commissioner refused to make any statements after a 45-minute meeting with Mr. Papantoniou, while his spokesman said "Mr. Van Miert is reserving an expression of opinion to his colleagues".
The Greek government on Friday adopted a last-minute plan, in the face of an EU deadline yesterday, to grant workers at the concern 49 per cent of shares, with the controlling stake going to the Hellenic Industrial Development Bank.
Mr. Papantoniou said discussion with the Commission would continue after it studied the file, possibly at its meeting on September 27, and then Mr. Van Miert would handle the matter himself. Community sources said the Commission will need to ask the Greek government for further clarification.
Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary-General Aleka Papariga briefed Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou on her party's positions on the situation in the Balkans and NATO's role in it at a meeting at the premier's residence yesterday.
Ms Papariga said that Greece should resist NATO's designs, "aiming at the formation of a new Balkan map with the dismemberment of certain states and the elimination of others." She also said the government should claim reparations from Germany for losses during the Nazi occupation of Greece during World War II.
Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos and Bulgarian President Zhelyu Zhelev yesterday signed a protocol of co-operation between Athens and Sofia, during Mr. Avramopoulos' visit to Bulgaria.
The protocol provides for joint co-operation and exchange of knowledge in education, tourism, sports and science. It also provides that both sides will encourage co-operation between businessmen and organizations from both capitals and will trade information which will support such co-operation.
National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis and Czech Foreign Under-secretary Pavel Pratinka yesterday examined issues concerning the enlargement of NATO towards the East, conditions in the Balkan region and bilateral relations in the defense sector.
A Russian delegation, headed by Russian Agriculture Under-secretary I. Yousasev, yesterday called for broader co-operation between Greece and Russia in the farming sector, after conferring with officials from the Agriculture Ministry. The contacts are being conducted in the framework of Black Sea co-operation.
Government spokesman Telemahos Hytiris said yesterday Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias would have an "acquaintance" meeting with his Turkish counterpart in New York next week.
Mr. Hytiris said Mr. Papoulias would meet with the new Turkish foreign minister - whose name has not yet been announced - on September 26 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Turkey's Foreign Minister Erdal Inonu resigned last week.
Mr. Hytiris said there was no agenda for the meeting and clarified that the meeting "does not mean the commencement of a Greek-Turkish dialogue". He reiterated recent statements by Premier Andreas Papandreou that Greece would not concede any sovereign rights in the Aegean.
He also said a meeting between Mr. Papoulias and US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke was "possible."
Greek Transport Minister and former press minister Evangelos Venizelos yesterday blamed Turkey's "one-sided demands" for the failure of prime ministerial Greek-Turkish meetings at Davos, Switzerland in the 1980s.
"The failure of the (Greek-Turkish meetings) at Davos is not related to (Greece's) internal policies but with Turkey's stance" Mr. Venizelos told the Turkish daily 'Hurriyet'.
Referring to the Cyprus issue, Mr. Venizelos said the only way to resolve the issue "is the acceptance of the United Nation principles: there is no other solution". "The European Union comprises a new framework concerning the Cyprus problem. The Republic of Cyprus can become member of the EU, along with the Turkish community," he said.
Commenting on accusations by Ankara that Kurdish rebels are receiving training in Greece, he said that "Turkey is trying to export its internal problems at the expense of Greece". "You may tour Greek territories. This is an open society. You may seek proof," Mr. Venizelos said.
He noted that Turkish public opinion believed that Kurdish rebels were being trained in Greece because "that is what they are told by (Turkish Prime Minister Tansu) Ciller and ... by the (Turkish) press".
"I have very friendly feelings towards the Turkish people and Turkish society. But we have historical and political problems," Mr. Venizelos concluded.
Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou will chair the first meeting of the newly-reshuffled Cabinet today.
Mr. Papandreou is expected to focus on the government's priorities in the remaining two years of its mandate and national issues.
Meanwhile, commenting on criticism by certain PASOK deputies over the recent reshuffle, government spokesman Telemahos Hytiris said the dynamism and success of the newly-appointed Cabinet members would be proven by actions and that such comments would not undermine the government.
House Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis yesterday reiterated the objections of the Greek people and Greek deputies to French nuclear tests in the South Pacific during his meeting with a French parliamentary delegation.
The delegation - comprised of Senator Michel Alloncile, deputies Olivier Darrason and Yves Bonnet and Eurodeputy Bernard Stasi - is currently on a two-day visit to Greece within the framework of similar briefing visits of European Union member states on this issue.
The French delegation set out the French view concerning the decision by French President Jacques Chirac to resume nuclear tests in the South Pacific.
In a statement after the meeting, Mr. Kaklamanis said the views and the arguments set out by the French parliamentarians were not enough for there to be a change in the stance on this most vital issue for European public opinion, the environment, ecology and peace.
Mr. Kaklamanis said that the French parliamentarians confirmed Mr. Chirac's commitment that next year France will go ahead with the international agreement for nuclear non-proliferation and that the French government is committed to proposing that there be no nuclear testing in the future.
On September 9, Mr. Kaklamanis sent letters to the French National Assembly and the Senate presidents stressing the sensitivity of the Greek people and their representatives in Parliament over the resumption of French nuclear tests in the South Pacific.
In letters to National Assembly president Philippe Seguin and Senate president Rene Monory, Mr. Kaklamanis underscored the "hazards to the ecosystem and human life itself from the French nuclear tests", as well as "the dangers to the security and peace of the peoples".
Foreign Under-secretary for Overseas Greeks Grigoris Niotis left yesterday for the United States where he will attend a host of events and meet with members of the US-Greek community in Texas and New York.
Today, Mr. Niotis will meet with Archbishop Iakovos of North and South America and then address the opening of the 56th Conference of the Panarcadian Federation.
Meanwhile, an ANA dispatch said leaders of the US-Greek community will gather in Washington on September 26-28 for their 11th annual conference, organized by the United Greek-American Congress, the Pan-Cypriot Federation of America and the International Coordinating Committee for the Cypriot Struggle.
The conference aims at the promotion of Greek national issues and, according to the programme, delegates will meet with officials of the US government, high-ranking members of Congress, as well and candidates for the 1996 presidential nomination.
The Albanian Cabinet yesterday approved the teaching of the Greek language in certain secondary schools, according to a report by the Albanian news agency, ATA. The decision provides for two-hour Greek lessons for younger classes in secondary schools located in regions where the ethnic Greek minority resides. No further details were available.
A new series of stamps issued by the Hellenic Post Offices (ELTA) dedicated to the 1,900th anniversary of the writing of the Book of Revelations on the island of Patmos was presented last night.
Present at the ceremony were Transport Minister Evangelos Venizelos and other government officials. Mrs. Dimitra Liani-Papandreou, the premier's wife, also addressed the ceremony. The main opposition New Democracy party later voiced strong opposition to Mrs. Papandreou's comments.
The Athens Journalists Union (ESHEA) yesterday condemned the defamation of private Greek citizens through the publication of pictures and commentaries, in light of various publications recently by the daily, Avriani.
ESHEA underlined that violation of a civilian's privacy was unacceptable and called on journalists to "resist similar phenomena of crudity and vulgarity".
Government spokesman Telemahos Hytiris yesterday reiterated his comments Sunday hoping that main opposition leader Miltiades Evert would be leader of New Democracy at the next elections.
Mr. Hytiris, responding to press questions regarding Mr. Evert's comments in Thessaloniki on Sunday, added that Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou would certainly be the leader of ruling party PASOK at the next elections.
As to whether Mr. Evert would actually win the elections, Mr. Hytiris said that "that remains to be seen".
Mr. Evert told a press conference in Thessaloniki on Sunday that he would soon lead New Democracy to power since "the party has the solutions to every problem facing the country" and that the Greek economy had stalled under PASOK's guidance.
Mr. Hytiris said the government had succeeded in its economic policy. "The government's economic policy is known," Mr. Hytiris said. "What remains unknown is Mr. Evert's policy."
Former industry and commerce minister Costas Simitis also lashed out at Mr. Evert yesterday, saying that "instead of being insulting to others, he should try to improve his own bad image."
Mr. Simitis, speaking during the handing-over ceremony at the trade ministry, said Mr. Evert, as head of the country's main opposition, should have focused efforts on improving the image of politics, instead of contributing to negative developments. "It seems that in this way, he tries to compensate for his own weaknesses," he added.
Former PASOK minister and deputy Evangelos Yiannopoulos yesterday called on party officials to overcome the internal party crisis, which has been further strained by the recent reshuffle, and ensure party unity.
Maintaining that each division of the ruling party, from its Parliamentary Group to its Executive Bureau was facing a crisis, Mr. Yiannopoulos said he was receiving complaints from PASOK supporters relating "to the provocative life-style of our official s in the public sector, long delays in major works, extravagances in public relations departments of state companies and organizations and many more..."
Mr. Yiannopoulos further suggested that both the government and the party were in need of cool-headedness to "face the difficult problems which surround us, together with the hardships caused in PASOK and the party's Parliamentary Group by the second Cabinet reshuffle."
Mr. Yiannopoulos also hinted that the prime minister's wife, Dimitra Liani-Papandreou, should abandon her political ambitions, saying he disagreed with her possible candidacy in forthcoming elections.
"Calmness will come (to the party) if certain persons who are close to our president (of the party) resign from their irrational, unacceptable and unorthodox desires to go into politics," Mr. Yiannopoulos said.
He said however, that he would support Ms Papandreou as PASOK leader if she was so elected by the party's conference.
President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos yesterday inaugurated the National Art Gallery's exhibition "El Greco in Italy and Italian Art". The ceremony was also attended by Culture Minister Thanos Mikroutsikos.
Mr. Hatzinikolaou, curator of the exhibition and head of the EL Greco Institute on the island of Crete, gave a guided tour of the works. "The exhibition is comprised of works created by El Greco during his ten-year stay in Italy. It is the first effort at a study of his works in the 15th and early 16th century period," Mr. Hatzinikolaou said.
Britain's entry "Love will turn the key" won first prize in the 5th European Union, Cyprus and Malta Song Festival in Thessaloniki on Sunday night.
The music and lyrics of the song, performed by the group "B-Yond", were written by Elliot Kennedy, Mike Ward and Kerry Bayliss.
The five-member international committee of judges awarded second prize to Italy for the song "Ma perche", performed by Lara Martelli, who also wrote the music and lyrics.
Third prize went to Ireland, for the song "Better", performed by Ronan Johnston accompanied by the group "Emmaus." Johnston also wrote the music and lyrics to the song, together with Tony Kelly.
The EU-Cyprus-Malta song festival is traditionally held during the annual Thessaloniki International Trade Fair (TIF). The guest performers this year were Georges Moustaki, Katerina Kouka, Christos Nikolopoulos, Dimitris Mitropanos and Marios Tokas.
The spectacular growth of Greek fish product exports in 1990-93 continued in the first eight months of last year, reaching 67.3 million ECU, while imports continued their steady downward fall to 57.8 million ECU, the latest Association of Exporters of Northern Greece statistical bulletin says.
The main bulk of exports (95 per cent) went to European Union countries in 1993, with Italy absorbing 82 per cent. Other significant markets were provided by Germany, France, Spain, and Japan. Greek fish product exports are rather limited in volume compared to other European Union countries, but their growth rate is much higher.
Agricultural Bank of Greece (ATE) governor Dimitris Kanellopoulos yesterday dismissed reports claiming the bank was on the verge of bankruptcy. He said ATE's creditworthiness indicator was much higher than the threshold specified by EU directives.
Deposits had increased 26.8 per cent in the first half, reaching 2,300 billion drachmas, and the increase represented 57.5 per cent of the total increase in deposits in the banking system. He added that the bank aimed at rationalizing its portfolio and improving relations with agricultural cooperatives, which were its main debtors.
The Hellenic Aircraft Industry (EAB) is to set up and operate a free customs zone at Tanagra, Voiotia, according to the provisions of a draft presidential decree sent to the Council of State for approval yesterday. Goods entering the zone will be able to be forwarded to any customs destination, according to Community regulations.