Religious and political leaders, scientists and environmentalists yesterday wound up a wide-ranging discussion on the relevance of the 1,900-year-old Book of Revelations to the crisis in the world environment today, with ecologists and policy makers split over how to protect the environment.
"The solution to ecological problems is not a technical management problem but a question of changing our spiritual positions, changing our philosophy," the Metropolitan of Pergamos Ioannis said in the closing address to the "Apocalypse and Environment" symposium on the island of Patmos yesterday, in the presence of Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos and Orthodox Church primates.
The closing session was also attended by Education Minister George Papandreou, Tourism Minister Nikos Sifounakis, Health Minister Dimitris Kremastinos, Merchant Marine Minister George Katsifaras, Environment Undersecretary Elizabeth Papazoi and the prim e minister's wife, Dimitra Liani-Papandreou.
US Undersecretary of State for Global Affairs Timothy Wirth told the meeting "healthy" and robust business activities could increase research and investment of environmental protection. His argument was backed by Rahmis Koc, founder of Turkey's Marine Protection Association. But their position was strongly opposed by Indian Professor Siva Vandan who said "the growth of the global market" economy in developed states exacerbated ecological imbalances.
Greek Bank Union President George Mirkos said the Union's financial support for the Symposium "was the least we could do" and proposed the creation of an international ecological centre on Patmos to operate under the aegis of the Ecumenical Patriarchate .
A resolution was also ratified condemning French nuclear testing in the Pacific Ocean.
Departing from the closing ceremony, Mrs. Liani-Papandreou wished success for the Ecumenical Patriarchate's initiatives to have a solution found to the ecological problem.
The symposium was a continuation of efforts by the Orthodox Church to include the problem of ecology and environmental protection in the ecclesiastical life of Orthodox Christians.
In 1988, at the initiative of the late Patriarch Demetrios on Patmos September 1 was again proclaimed Environment Day, while in 1992 the Inter-Orthodox Meeting of Crete was convened on the same issue.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate's initiatives were endorsed at the first meeting of Orthodox Patriarchs at the Phanar in March 1992. They were continued by the Patmos cycle through the organization of yesterday's symposium under the chairmanship of the Pergamos Metropolitan.
The symposium's work was carried out in seven consecutive sessions and focused on problems linked to the interpretation of the book on the Apocalypse, ecological problems, economic development problems and the international institutional framework on these problems.
The heads of the Orthodox Churches currently in Patmos entered the second day of roundtable discussions on Church-related issues. Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and All Albania raised the problems faced by the Church of Albania.
Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou said yesterday that the recently-signed interim accord between Greece and FYROM was a "good start", with the name dispute being the sole outstanding issue. Speaking to the daily Ta Nea, Mr. Papandreou described the accord as "a significant development".
"There remains the important difference over the name, but I believe that a solution can be found," he said. He said his government was entering the negotiation process on the name "with our positions as we have stipulated them." "By normalizing our relations with the North, we are strengthening Greece's overall movement in the Balkan hinterland, a potential region for cooperation and development of particular importance for Greece," he said. "This is better understood by the producer classes in northern Greece."
Replying to questions on Greek-Turkish relations, Mr. Papandreou reiterated that the only difference between the two countries was that of the Aegean continental shelf. "There is no 'Aegean issue'. There is no package of issues in the Aegean. There is only the question of the continental shelf, which must be taken before (the International Court of Justice at) The Hague and Turkey refuses," Mr. Papandreou stressed.
Greece, he said, was in favor of peace and cooperation, "but the Turkish threat exists, and no Greek government can ignore it". Mr. Papandreou went on to say that "there is also the open wound of the Cyprus problem, which is our primary national issue", asking "what signs has Turkey given in practice, and not only in words?"
Asked to comment on the course of the economy, Mr. Papandreou expressed optimism and said he was aware that the working people, particularly public servants, were struggling because of the tight incomes policy. He also said 220 billion drachmas had been allocated this year to combat unemployment.
Mr. Papandreou said the low pension-earners were also facing problems "but we are trying to do everything possible within the framework of economic policy and the country's fiscal situation".
Problems were also being faced in the agricultural sector, on specific products, that affected the incomes of those producers, "despite the fact that overall agricultural income rose by 11 per cent in 1994 in real terms".
Asked whether the dangers in the economic sector had been overcome, Mr. Papandreou replied that "dangers always exist". "The balances are delicate and international competition very tough. But we are in a much better position today to tackle the problems," he added.
Mr. Papandreou said his government had passed its examinations in the economic sector with flying colors, and singled out its handling of the monetary crisis of May-June 1994, the inflation rate that was falling towards 8 per cent, the continuing decline in interest rates and an increase in investments.
He said the first year of his government's economic policy, after its return to office, had been critical because "a brake needed to be put on the course towards full collapse of the economy and the country". The second year, 1995, is "a year of stabilization, and we have already opened a window to development and now speak with greater optimism".
Concerning the September 14 reshuffle, he said there had been no intention to exclude anybody, in an apparent reference to party dissidents. "Nobody can force someone to remain in the government if that person decides to resign," he said. "(Neither) can one include someone in the government if that person is not certain they want to participate."
Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias arrived in New York yesterday, at the end of an arduous flight that included a 12-hour delay in Italy after a bomb hoax forced the plane carrying him and 400 passengers to land in Naples at noon on Sunday. Mr. Papoulias praised the leadership, staff and crew of Olympic Airways and its "efficiency and organization" in limiting the waiting time and passengers' discomfort.
Replying to questioners, Mr. Papoulias said that, due to the situation prevailing in Turkey, he did not expect that substantive issues would be discussed during his meeting with his Turkish counterpart on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Erdal Inonu is expected to be renamed Turkish foreign minister.
Replying to another question on his meeting with Albanian Foreign Minister Alfred Serreqi and whether he expected anything important since "relations between Greece and Albania are again experiencing a period of tension", Mr. Papoulias said:
"I would not say we are entering a period of tension. Certainly there are problems. However, the climate is not such that would allow us to speak of a period of tension. We said we will meet in New York and we will discuss what we had left without having agreed in Athens."
"The Greek government's standing demands are known. And the Albanian government knows very well that many things concerning it depend on the Greek government's support and positive stance," he added.
On the question of Bosnia and meetings he will have with his Yugoslav counterpart today and the Bosnian Foreign Minister on Thursday, Mr. Papoulias said: "Let's hope that this peace process effort will produce good results."
Mr. Papoulias did not rule out the possibility of meeting US presidential envoy Richard Holbrooke and US Secretary of State Warren Christopher.
He was due to attend a dinner given by UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali for heads of state or governments and foreign ministers later yesterday.
The UN General Assembly session started yesterday morning with addresses by the Brazilian foreign minister and the US secretary of state.
Greece has sent a memorandum to UN special envoy Cyrus Vance protesting the use of the name "Macedonia" by Skopje, particularly in a series of letters from Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) President Kiro Gligorov to Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou.
Press Undersecretary Nikos Athanassakis said that the government had set out Greece's positions to Mr. Vance, underlining that a name was being used by Skopje which Athens did not accept.
Commenting on an appeal by Mr. Papandreou to European leaders not to undertake initiatives such as recognition of FYROM with the name "Macedonia" until the recently-signed interim agreement between Greece and FYROM has come into effect, Mr. Athanassakis said that the premier had made the appeal because in the first phase of implementation of the accord "the handling is very delicate and must not be influenced by any decision of an EU member-state".
An Austrian European Parliament deputy said yesterday the European Parliament should scrap Turkey's customs union accord with the 15-nation bloc because of repeated human rights violations by Ankara. "It would be irresponsible to back Turkey's customs union pact given the Turkish government's continuation of its present policy," Austrian Social-Democrat Carl Schramek said. "Ankara has made no serious and honest steps to improve its human rights record," he was quoted as saying.
The Eurodeputy called on the European Parliament to reject Turkey's customs union pact, which needs the body's endorsement to take effect.
Government officials, local government representatives and scores of nature lovers attended the official inauguration of a reserve for brown bears on Sunday.
Opened by Macedonia-Thrace Minister Costas Triarides, the reserve in Nymphaio, Florina covers an area of 12,000 sq.m., with a current bear population of three, at an altitude of 1,400 meters.
The entire reserve has been fenced off to prevent the bears wandering off into nearby villages and to protect them from illegal hunting.
The installations, together with a veterinary centre at nearby Phano, have been built under the "Arktos" programme with the aim of saving the last brown bears in Greece from extinction.
The brown bear came to Europe from western China about 200,000 years ago. Widespread destruction of its natural habitat and hunting has decimated bear populations to the point of extinction.
It is estimated that there only 150 brown bears living in the wilds in Greece, which is nevertheless one of the highest populations in Europe, since not more than 50 have survived in Italy and Spain and not more than 10 in France.
In Greece, the brown bear survives today only in remote areas of Rodopi and the northern Pindos mountain range, where the Arktos programme is currently underway.
The programme is being financed by the European Union (75 per cent) and by the Ministry of Agriculture (25 per cent), the "Arktouros" Nature Society and WWF-2 Hellas. "Arktouros" is responsible for the coordination of the programme which is expected to cost 1.33 million ECU.
The ruling socialist PASOK party will win general elections in 1997, according to the political analysis department of the Economist group.
The prediction was contained in a report distributed to its subscribers in London, Hong Kong and New York on September 21.
The report stresses reserved optimism over the issue of an improvement in relations between Greece and its neighbors, a recent example being the settlement of part of its differences with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).
It said Greece had much to gain from this positive development, adding that a possible worsening of its relations with its Balkan neighbors would have unfavorable repercussions.
The policy applied by the government on the domestic front is in the right direction concerning targets set in the 1994 convergence programme.
The report expresses fears that the prevalence of populists over pro-European pragmatists in PASOK could block expected progress concerning a decrease in the state deficit and inflation and progress in the investment sector.
GDP will increase, it added, despite the fact tight fiscal policy and an increase in taxes will result in the restriction of private consumption.
The report said the hard drachma policy will continue in 1997 but will ease in 1998-1999.
Lastly, it predicted that inflation will reach 9.3 per cent in 1995 and drop to 7.7 per cent in 1996.
The Foreign Ministry has sent a circular to local prefectural authorities in northern Greece clarifying that the state does not recognize the right of citizens to seek war reparations from Bulgaria arising from its brief occupation of parts of the region during the Second World War.
The clarification follows moves by inhabitants of northern Greece to seek reparations from Bulgaria for the loss of relatives and damage to property.
In the circular, the ministry underlines that "it is standard international practice that claims for compensation or reparations are settled at a state level with the concluding of a relevant bilateral or multilateral agreement". "Greece's claims against Bulgaria were settled by virtue of articles 21 and 22 the Peace Treaty between Greece and Bulgaria," the circular said.
Following the signing of the agreement, the circular adds, Greek citizens have no right to lodge claims against Bulgaria for war reparations.
Greece yesterday welcomed the agreement between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) expanding Palestinian rule in the West Bank.
Government spokesman Nikos Athanassakis described the agreement, initialed in Egypt on Sunday, as "an important step on the road towards peace".
The spokesman expressed hope that further steps will be taken "so that a lasting and just peace prevails in the region".
Press Undersecretary Nikos Athanassakis yesterday reiterated the government's position on the Bosnian crisis, saying a solution in the region should be pursued through peace procedures. Mr. Athanassakis was answering press questions related to National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis' earlier statements on the likelihood of sending Greek troops to the former Yugoslavia to contribute to the promotion of peace.
The National Defense General Staff yesterday announced that the "Toxotis III '95" exercise is being currently held in the south Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean with the participation of naval and air forces. The exercise is due to end on Wednesday.
In some stages, the participating forces will join forces with the Cypriot National Defense General Staff.
Agriculture Minister Theodoros Stathis put up a 'hard' fight on behalf of Greek cotton producers here at yesterday's meeting of EU farm ministers.
Mr. Stathis objected to the EU Cotton Management Committee's recent decisions on cotton and, specifically, to a down-payment to gin operators.
The Committee's September 19 decision, which has not yet been approved by the Commission, is based on the cotton regime approved last June. It anticipates the down-payment of 42 ECU per 100 kgs in Spain but only 29 ECU for Greece. The difference is due t o the fact that there are no penalties for Spain as there is for Greece.
Also in Brussels, Coalition of the Left and Progress Eurodeputy Alekos Alavanos yesterday condemned the decisions and called on the Commission to revise it.
In an announcement yesterday, the Panhellenic Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives (PASEGES) called on agriculture commissioner Franz Fischler and commissioner Christos Papoutsis to intervene to overturn the "unfair and unacceptable" decision.
Farmers from Trikala and Magnisia yesterday held protests for better cotton prices as well as promised cheaper fuel.
Thessaly farmers will hold a meeting today in Larissa in order to decide on further mobilizations.
The main opposition New Democracy party agriculture secretariat blamed the government for the situation yesterday.
ND also condemned Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou for not yet delivering on his promise of cheaper fuel for farmers, but stalling on this issue by saying that the Farmers Register must be completed first.
ND said the adjustments accepted by the government in the cotton prices issue would lead to the drastic dwindling of farmers' income over the next six years.
Workers at the Skaramangas shipyard yesterday approved a plan that would give them a 49 per cent stake in the Mediterranean's largest yards.
Representatives of the Triena workers union, which groups the three major unions at the yards, said the plan was approved by 75.1 per cent of the employees. They said 24.8 per cent opposed the deal, which was formulated at the eleventh hour by the government in an effort to spare Greece hefty European Union fines.
The Hellenic Industrial Development Bank (ETBA) will hold a majority 51 per cent share of Skaramangas. National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou has submitted the plan to the European Commission for review.
Under European Union directives, the shipyards must be privatized by the end of the year.
Failure to win Commission approval could lead Greece to the European Court which may impose penalties of up to $333 million.
The Commission has been pressing Greece to privatize Skaramangas since March 1993.
Ninety per cent of the workers, or 2,666 employees, participated in the secret ballot.
Meanwhile, government officials said Mr. Papantoniou would chair a meeting of top-ranking ministers today to clarify various points of the shipyard deal.
Mr. Papantoniou will meet with Finance Minister Alekos Papadopoulos, Industry Minister Anastasios Peponis and Alternate Industry Minister Dinos Vrettos.
They plan to draft Greece's response to a set of 11 queries and clarifications requested by the Commission after its review of the Skaramangas deal, officials said.