A.N.A. Bulletin, 23/10/95

From: "Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada" <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 722), October 23, 1995

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] Souflias says next elections will be inconclusive, 'PASOK, ND should form coalition Gov't

Former New Democracy minister George Souflias yesterday proposed a coalition government between ruling party PASOK and the main opposition New Democracy party in case neither of the two parties garnered an absolute majority in the next general elections.

In an interview with the Sunday newspaper 'Sunday Ethnos', Mr. Souflias said he doubted either PASOK or ND would win the next elections outright.

He said he believed elections would be called before the end of the government's four-year mandate, most probably for spring next year.

He said the next elections would be held with a more representative electoral system which would not allow either of the two main parties to form a government.

He also cast doubt on the results of certain opinion polls showing ND leading PASOK.

Mr. Souflias said he supported the policy followed by Finance Minister Alekos Papadopoulos on suppressing tax fraud.

Referring to the so-called NATO scenario on Thrace, Mr. Souflias said Mr. Evert's and Mr. Arsenis' handling were "unfortunate".

[2] Evert confident ND will govern alone

New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert yesterday told supporters in Germany that he was certain ND would soon come to power.

"We all belong to the party which will soon be chosen to govern Greece," he told supporters in Dusseldorf-Nois. "Together with all Greeks for all Greeks; Together with the average citizen for the citizen."

Referring to comments by Mr. Souflias, Mr. Evert was adamant that "ND will be a strong, self-governing and decisive government".

"Deep changes, going to the root of the problem, are needed," he said. "There is a need for radical reform so that we can put to one side all outdated and anachronistic aspects of public life."

He said he was in favor of a joint party foreign policy. "Enough is enough. Hellenism's concessions can not go any longer. We are resolved to stop this national downhill slide," he said.

He said the government was "incapable and untrustworthy."

In Athens, Political Spring's general director Manolis Kalamidas said anything was possible in order for PASOK and ND to remain in power "forever", including their cooperating in a government.

Coalition of the Left and Progress president Nikos Constantopoulos said that the country's political life had entered a new period in which there would be "rapid developments".

"The political scene is characterized by the non-existence of government," he said. "The parties which have monopolized power are now being rejected."

[3] Stephanopoulos in US: Greece will not accept pressure

President Kostis Stephanopoulos told Greek reporters covering his visit to the US yesterday that he considered recent statements by American officials regarding the resolution of Greek-Turkish relations as sincere, but cautioned that Greece was not prepared to accept pressure.

"America wants normal relations between all allied countries. However, the sincerity of statements is one thing, and the possibilities for intervention by America or anyone else is another. Greece, as you know, accepts mediation, and also advises, I might say, in extreme cases, but in no way does it accept pressure," he said.

He added that Greek - American relations were at very good point. "Greece considers that it has emotional ties with this great power, which, I believe, also harbors feelings of friendship towards Greece. I often realize the difficulties which America f aces when it finds itself between two friends who have differences. One must, in this case, have understanding towards this great power, trying to find solutions which don't always come easily," he said.

Asked if he considered it useful for the Political Leaders' Council to be convened again under his chairmanship, to examine foreign policy issues, Mr. Stephanopoulos said that if the Greek political parties requested such a meeting, he would consider i t, and imagined that he would accept it.

Commenting on the reception by the press of his recent statement that he hoped for a compromise in forthcoming negotiations on the issue of the name for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), he said he welcomed comments, which were all made in good faith, with considerable pleasure, but noted that certain misunderstandings had not been averted.

Pressed further on what might induce FYROM to show a desire for compromise, the president said, "I imagine the obligations they have undertaken in the (recently-signed) interim agreement will lead them to more prudent thoughts".

Speaking at a reception hosted in his honor by the Greek ambassador to the US Friday night, Mr. Stephanopoulos praised the achie-vements of the Greek-American community and its role in promoting national interests.

"We need your help. Our country is facing various problems, which cannot always be solved according to our wishes. But we can achieve the desired aim with your help, with the influence you have acquired in this country, influence which is not doubted by anyone, and which you exercise in the most appropriate and successful manner," he said.

On the sidelines of events marking the 50th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, Mr. Stephanopoulos met with his Azeri counterpart on Saturday, and was due to meet the presidents of Armenia and Lithuania yesterday, as well as the prime minister of Malta.

He was also due to attend President Bill Clinton's speech at the United Nations, as well as the reception and dinner hosted by the US president at New York's Public Library in honor of the foreign heads of state.

[4] US presidential adviser says Cyprus status quo 'unacceptable'

New York, 23/10/1995 (ANA - M. Georgiadou):

US presidential adviser George Stephanopoulos yesterday termed the status quo in Cyprus as unacceptable and said the US was doing everything possible to obtain a resolution of the problem.

"We are making every effort to encourage a settlement of the Cyprus problem. President Clinton believes that the division of Cyprus cannot continue any longer. The status quo is unacceptable," he said after attending an event for Orthodox Archbishop of North and South America Iakovos' nameday.

Mr. Stephanopoulos said US presidential emissary Richard Beattie would be visiting the island in the next few days, and referred to relevant efforts made by Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke over the last two years.

He expressed optimism that a solution would be found on the issue of the name for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), stressing the value of the recently-signed interim accord between Greece and FYROM, and the lifting of the Greek embargo , towards peace and stability in the Balkans.

"Without downplaying the significance of this development, we need to continue working on the issue of the name," he said.

During the event for Archbishop Iakovos' nameday, Mr. Stephanopoulos read a message from President Clinton, which referred to "the spiritual power and wisdom" of the Archbishop, "which means a lot to me, my family, and all Americans, in the entire hemisphere".

During the event, President of Cyprus Glafcos Clerides awarded the Archbishop the Grand Cross of the Order of Value of the Republic of Cyprus for his "incessant efforts" and struggle for justice and freedom for the island.

Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos also thanked the Archbishop for his contribution to cementing the cohesion of the Greek-American community and defending national interests.

[5] Evert, Mitsotakis meet in Munich on ND party issues

The present and the former leaders of the main opposition New Democracy party Miltiades Evert and Constantine Mitsotakis, who are both attending 50th anniversary events on the founding of Bavaria's Christian Social Union party (CSU), held an hour-long meeting at the Bayerische Hoff Hotel Saturday, in the presence of former culture minister Dora Bakoyanni, Mr. Mitsotakis' daughter.

Sources said that meeting of the two men, who by general admission are not always on the best of terms, aimed at presenting a 'united' profile of the party.

Mr. Mitsotakis stated they had discussed "all current issues", and, questioned whether things would go better in the party from now on, he said, "they are going well as they are...". Questioned on whether they had discussed Mr. Evert's handling of the recent issue of alleged NATO autonomy scenaria for Thrace, which earned him a certain degree of disaffection inside the party, the former ND leader said again, "all issues".

Mr. Evert later confirmed that "we discussed all issues concerning our country, national, economic, day-to-day, as well as prospects". He expressed optimism on the latter count.

"One thing is certain, New Democracy is on its way to power. The party is preparing, united, in this direction. We are preparing because our responsibility is now great... the country cannot continue on the same course...".

However, he downplayed the significance of the meeting, saying it was nothing special.

"Meetings take place anywhere, but when we are abroad, it is easier and quieter to exchange views, it would be illogical not to meet," he said.

Upon arrival at Athens airport yesterday, Mr. Mitsotakis refused to comment either on the Munich meeting, or on ND former minister George Souflias' view that "conditions for coalition governments have matured".

[6] Arsenis says succession issue 'untimely'

National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis yesterday said the issue of naming a successor to PASOK president Andreas Papandreou was untimely and that the prime minister was performing his role.

"Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou is indispensable as a symbol of unity," Mr. Arsenis said in an interview to Sunday paper "Kyriakatiki Eleftherotypia".

Mr. Arsenis invited the four PASOK dissidents - former ministers Costas Simitis and Theodoros Pangalos, former EU commissioner Vasso Papandreou and PASOK Eurodeputy Paraskevas Avgerinos - to engage in a dialogue on all issues.

Defending his past actions, Mr. Arsenis said he had never deserted the party and "returned during the difficult period of 1989".

"I was never divorced from PASOK. I was expelled due to the Simitis economic policy at that time," he said, referring to his expulsion, in 1986, from then ruling PASOK after disagreeing with the government's austerity policy, adopted in 1985.

In 1987, Mr. Arsenis founded his own party, the Greek Socialist Party. In 1989, Mr. Arsenis announced his party's collaboration with PASOK during the November 1989 general elections. In 1990, he returned to PASOK and was elected to the party's Central Committee during its second congress.

Commenting on the issue of the alleged existence of a NATO scenario for a partial autonomy for the Greek province of Thrace, Mr. Arsenis said main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert as well as the mass media were responsible for the furor created last week.

"The mass media strongly projected this non-existent scenario, creating a climate of anxiety over Thrace," he said.

The press reports - alleging a NATO scenario involving "partial autonomy" for Thrace and a population exchange - caused the government and the main opposition to cross swords, after ruling PASOK indirectly accused Mr. Evert and his party of leaking the information to the press.

[7] Sifounakis calls for concerted action to support tourism

Tourism Minister Nikos Sifounakis called on the state, bodies and private agencies to formulate and apply an exhaustive plan for the modernization of tourism.

Speaking in Thessaloniki to a meeting held by trade and commerce chambers, Mr. Sifounakis said tourism was a vehicle for economic growth and needed a thorough programme, to be supported by all.

"The issue is modernization ... needed in infrastructure and in services," he said.

He said the picture of tourism infrastructure in Greece (ports, airports, road networks) was "not good" and that his ministry was trying, in coordination with other ministries, to promote works that were "low in cost and delivered immediately".

He noted that Greece had only four golf courses, in comparison to Spain's 160 and Portugal's 47.

[8] EU discusses alternatives to Kozloduy reactor, Papazoi proposal accepted

European Union environment ministers have accepted a proposal by Greek Environment Undersecretary Elisabeth Papazoi that the Union convey to Bulgaria its willingness to provide direct technical and economic assistance meeting its power needs, without the operation of nuclear reactors, such as Kozloduy, which are considered dangerous.

The ministers discussed the issue during their informal meeting over the weekend, in view of their participation in the three-day Pan-European Convention starting today.

Ms Papazoi also spoke at length on the problem of the over-exploitation of surface and underground water resources, which are the basic causes of phenomena such as drought and decertification. She called for a comprehensive Community policy on water, which will also take account of the quality factor, will determine rules for its rational use, and deal with problems such as those of drought and floods affecting, in recent years, southern European countries.

Ms Papazoi also stressed the need for environmental protection to constitute a basic aim of Community policy, and to be taken seriously into account in the formulation of particular policies in agriculture, industry and tourism.

[9] FYROM raises new flag at UN

The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's new flag was raised at the United Nations building here on Saturday.

The ceremony was attended by UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali and UN mediator on the dispute Cyrus Vance as well as acting FYROM president Stojan Andov, Foreign Minister Stevo Crvenkovski, the state's permanent representative to the UN Denko Malevski and Ivan Tosevski, who will lead the Skopje team in negotiations on the name issue, expected to begin this week under the mediation of Mr. Vance.

"Few images command so great a sense of collective strength and solidarity than the flags that line the United Nations," Mr. Boutros-Ghali said. "Today we are proud to have that of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to be one among them. It makes eloquent an association that began on April 8, 1993, when this new yet ancient country joined the United Nations".

"There is a special sense of satisfaction on this occasion, for it was under the auspices of the United Nations that the 'interim accord' was reached and signed on September 13 of this year.

"This represents an important step towards the peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues in the region.

"The raising of the flag today reflects that improved understanding. It symbolizes friendship in the region and within the international community. As its colors fly, along with those of its fellow member-states, may the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia live in peace as a full member of the family of nations."

Mr. Antov, who is standing-in for President Kiro Gligorov, who is still recuperating from an abortive assassination attempt on his life two weeks ago, said it was "a great day" for FYROM.

"I feel very proud. These moments are moments of great joy for 'Macedonia'... to be watching its flag flying amongst the flags of other nations.

"It is a great moment for us. We are again demonstrating our commitment to peace, to the finding of peaceful solutions and to co-existence with our Balkan neighbors."

[10] Tsohatzopoulos speaks of hopes and concerns of future Europeans

Interior and Public Administration Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos told a one-day conference on Saturday of the hopes and concerns of tomorrow's Europe and stressed that Greece needed the evolution of the European Union towards a supranational scheme in order to promote a series of national, developmental and social problems.

"Greece not only supports, but also needs the evolution of the European Union, because it can identify with it the promotion of a series of national, developmental, and social problems that have been plaguing it for decades," he told the conference, organized by PASOK's Europarliamentary group in Mesolongi, western Greece.

He added that the social groups PASOK identified with - wage earners, laborers, pensioners, farmers, small and medium size entrepreneurs - paid the cost and felt the weight of the course towards modernization of the country, and for this reason, the government's current effort for political and economic stabilization gave priority to the developmental and social dimension, so as to give these groups new, brighter prospects.

"We are facing a challenge over and above parties, as a state, as a nation. If we really want this course of the European Union and Greece's role in it, we have no alternative. There can be no dilemma. There is only one way, joint effort in all productive sectors in this direction," he said.

End of English language section.