A.N.A. Bulletin, 04/12/95

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 757), December 4, 1995

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] Stephanopoulos opens World Council of Overseas Hellenism conference

President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos yesterday officially opened sessions of the inaugural World Council of Overseas Hellenism conference in Thessaloniki.

Addressing 260 delegations from Greek communities from every corner of the earth, Mr. Stephanopoulos called on all Greeks to forge stronger links of unity.

"Today we are called upon to protect our language, consciousness and national rights. Let us unite our efforts," he said.

President Stephanopoulos stressed the importance of the task to be carried out by the council, which was unanimously approved by the Greek Parliament and which is to provide a framework for a discussion of issues.

He underscored the role of the Orthodox Church in preserving the consciousness of the nation in past times, and that its voice would no doubt be heard.

"But together with the Church, it is other factors which are called upon to contribute. The communities of Greeks... those who want schools, who speak Greek at home so as to pass our language on to their children."

Conference delegates watched a recorded message from Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch Vartholomeos, who stressed the role of the Patriarchate in preserving the Greek nation and language in the past when there was no Greek state.

Vartholomeos went on to express a complaint that the Church was not adequately represented at the conference.

Addressing the gathering, Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides said overseas Hellenism "is the vanguard in the struggle for Cyprus' salvation, as well as in the struggle for all of Hellenism's national issues."

Cyprus' security can only be achieved by the withdrawal of Turkish occupation forces and settlers, the implementation of effective guarantees and the complete demilitarization of the island, Mr. Clerides added.

Government and political party representatives highlighted the need for buttressing unity among expatriate Greeks during speeches at the World Council of Overseas Hellenism conference in Thessaloniki yesterday.

[2] Tsohatzopoulos

Addressing delegates on behalf of Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, whom he is replacing, Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said "we assure you that we share in your anxieties, we recognize your problems and your achievements, the roles you fulfill in the countries in which you live as carriers of education, Greek culture and Orthodoxy."

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos characterized the conference as a historical event for the country, stressing that it forges strong links in the unity of overseas Hellenism. He stated that the government recognizes the complex problems faced by expatriates and gave his assurance that "the country will contribute to their solving through constant communication and democratic dialogue.

Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis said the conference is a major event for overseas Greeks, adding that its support is a national duty.

PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis also called the conference a historical event.

Referring to Mr. Papandreou, he noted that the premier had also been an expatriate for several years. Mr. Skandalidis stated that the conference sends messages of unity and sympathy to the party's president, who is fighting another battle at present.

Mr. Skandalidis said Hellenism and Orthodoxy have a strong relationship and characterized the conference as constituting a first step toward solving existing problems. In addition, he suggested that overseas Greeks be represented in Parliament.

Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiadis Evert stressed the need to recognize that the influence of Hellenism transcends boundaries of Greece. He hastened to add that this must not create "nationalistic hysteria, nor should it come into conflict with the European spirit."

Mr. Evert said the condition to achieve this aim is the "indissoluble bond between the homeland with Diaspora Greeks," adding that creation of a unified national strategy was also necessary.

The ND leader asked all political parties to stop intervening and dividing overseas Hellenism.

On his part, Political Spring (Pol.An) leader Antonis Samaras presented a series of proposals for assistance to expatriates, from whom he requested investments toward Greece. Pol. An. 's leaders stressed the need for an immediate national conference on the

Cyprus problem and repeated his party's view on the Skopjan issue, saying no concessions must be made. He also asked for ethnic Greeks in northern Epirus to be given full educational and religious rights.

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) representative and Thessaloniki deputy Yiannis Katsaros characterized expatriate Greeks as an integral part of the Greek people.

He spoke of an "undermining of the conference through the exclusion of living Diaspora communities," and claimed a presidential decree places the Council of Overseas Hellenism under the suffocating custody of the foreign ministry-controlled Secretary General for Overseas Hellenism.

Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos underlined the need for creation of a concrete political strategy for overseas Hellenism, and asked expatriate Greeks to become a collective representative of Greek policy abroad.

Problems of expatriate Greeks were referred to by representatives of family organizations from the United States, Canada, Europe and Africa, who also stressed the need for unity.

[3] Arsenis: Turkey should comply with 'European spirit'

In his speech, National Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis referred to the Greece-Cyprus joint defence doctrine, saying its recent implementation has overwhelmingly changed security conditions in the region.

"We hope this new situation will bring Turkey to the negotiating table," Mr. Arsenis said.

The Greek defence minister said Ankara's behavior toward Greece and Cyprus was "provocative," and called on the neighboring country to comply with the "European spirit."

Cyprus' Foreign Affairs Minister Alecos Michaelides said Turkey, by importing onto Cyprus large numbers of Turkish settlers has already altered the demographic composition of the occupied regions of the island republic.

"The majority of the inhabitants of the Turkish-occupied areas are not Turkish Cypriots any more, but settlers," he said.

"Turkish settlers are now 90,000, while the number of Turkish Cypriots is 80,000," the foreign affairs minister added.

Mr. Michaelides said the key to developments on the Cyprus issue lay in Ankara.

Archbishop of Cyprus Chryssostomos in his address referred to the "dangers of national and religious extermination facing Hellenism in Cyprus" by the on-going Turkish occupation.

[4] KKE calls for new legislation on recognition of overseas Greek organizations

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) in an announcement Saturday said a firm request of expatriate Greek organizations is recognition as official representatives of overseas Greeks, proposing that new legislation be tabled for operation of the World Council of Overseas Hellenism.

According to the announcement, KKE says the existing legislative framework allocates "extreme and authoritarian competencies" to the foreign ministry-controlled Secretary General of Overseas Greeks.

[5] Papandreou's health condition termed 'stable'

An evening bulletin on Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou's health, issued shortly after 8 p.m. yesterday, maintained that his condition remained unchanged during the preceding six hours.

A midday bulletin said his condition had stabilized, adding that the premier was positively reacting to tests designed to ascertain his capacity to be taken off a respirator.

At press time he continued to be hooked up to the respirator.

Onassion deputy director Grigoris Skalkeas told reporters during the midday briefing that it was hoped improved nutrition through para-intestinal feeding would soon enable the prime minister's pulmonary muscles to resume autonomous functions.

He added that while kidney dialysis was also continuing, there was a serious possibility that Mr. Papandreou's renal functions would be restored after a period of between four days to three weeks.

The original lung infection that hospitalized Mr. Papandreou, he added, has receded and that the premier was now receiving only one type of antibiotic for preventative reasons. His blood pressure ranged between 14 and 15, the Onassion official added.

In an unrelated issue, Dr. Skalkeas said he has decided to withdraw from the daily press briefings, saying he has tried to provide in the fullest possible way and within limits of appropriate ethical considerations. Dr. Skalkeas said he was vexed by what he called attempts on the part of certain press and medical quarters to undermine proper relevant procedures.

Dr. Skalkeas' decision is considered a reaction to criticism voiced recently by the Greek Medical Association regarding the adequacy of the briefings.

In a signed statement later, all reporters covering the hospital briefings appealed to Dr. Skalkeas to reconsider his decision.

Referring to the issue, government spokesman Telemahos Hytiris said Dr. Skalkeas' briefings have been fully adequate and that attacks against him caused the latter's personal concern.

"Perhaps he acted correctly in deciding so," Mr. Hytiris added.

Meanwhile, sources said kidney specialist Roy Hakim, who visited the Onassion Saturday at the invitation of Mr. Papandreou's family, expressed the view that the ailing premier's condition was reversible, and that the kidneys would be capable of autonomous function in five days, assuming no other complications arise.

Orthodox Archbishop of North and South America Iakovos visited the Onassion Hospital on Saturday and was briefed on the premier's health.

[6] PASOK

According to the most optimistic prognosis concerning the premier's health, as expressed by top London-based heart surgeon Magdi Yacoub, who operated on Mr. Papandreou in 1988, a recovery would have to be followed by a period of recuperation which will no t be particularly short. Greek doctors appear less optimistic, without conceding hope, however.

The state of Mr. Papandreou's health is fueling debate inside the ruling party concerning its leadership succession, although so far no PASOK or government entity has officially tackled the issue, and no member has submitted a relevant proposal.

Although officially the matter is a non-issue, PASOK Central Committee Secretary Costas Skandalidis stated that contacts and discussions among party cadres do not constitute disrespect to the person of the prime minister.

The key issue centering on which party organ will decide succession has been resolved by tacit general acceptance on the part of most leading members, whereby the matter will be decided by the Parliamentary group, as envisaged by the Constitution.

"All provisions in the party's charter and the Constitution will be adhered to the letter. There is no (power) vacuum... in a procedure which is clear," Mr. Skandalidis said.

Regarding speculation that the party may splinter over the succession issue, he said: "Commitment of all PASOK members that they will accept any decision of the majority, and regarding any person elected, is self-evident. This matter need not even be discussed.

"PASOK is not in any danger of being splintered. If anyone thinks he can carve a separate course, this, of course, will not mean the break up of the party," he added.

[7] Shipping, major projects touted at conference

Merchant Marine Minister George Katsifaras, speaking at a special economic forum on the sidelines of the conference called Greek ship-ping an "international industry," adding it ranks first among European Union countries and third in the world.

The minister said the Greek fleet exceeds a 30-million-register-ton capacity and comprises up to 50 per cent of the EU fleet. If ships controlled by Greek interests, but sailing under a foreign flag are included, then Greece's merchant fleet would rank first internationally, a figure translating into about 16 per cent of the world's ocean-going shipping.

In addition, Mr. Katsifaras said Greek shipping constitutes a vital sector of the country's economy, making up approximately 6 per cent of GDP and employing some 50,000 individuals - or 3 per cent of the nation's work force. He added shipping's foreign exchange revenues this year are expected to exceed $2 billion.

Along those lines, the merchant marine minister said his ministry envisages an even closer connection between shipping and the national economy.

In order to achieve this goal, new legislation has been passed giving shipping firms an opportunity to enter the Athens stock exchange, while plans call for development of Piraeus into a modern shipping centre in order to attract maritime companies currently based in other international ports. He also said specialized schools have been created for tourism-related training.

During his speech at the conference, Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis said he is confident some 6,000 projects currently being underway throughout Greece will modernize the country and accelerate development.

He said two massive motorway projects, the Patra-Athens-Thessaloniki-Evzones highway and the Egnatia Highway, are fully developed.

The first project, entailing a 300 billion drachma budget, will be in full swing by the beginning of next year.

[8] OSE programme

Another speaker at the conference was Greek Railways Organization (OSE) General Director Constantine Yiannakos, who cited an opening for private investors, and particularly expatriate Greeks, to fund large-scale projects scheduled by OSE.

Projects include completion of the Athens-Thessaloniki line, which requires 200 billion drachmas in funding for construction of a 20-kilometer-long tunnel between Lianokladi and Domokos in central Greece.

The rail tunnel would shorten the journey time by one hour. Specifically, a train trip between Athens and Thessaloniki would take three hours and 25 minutes. If 'tilting-type' trains are used, a trip would take only three hours.

Capital totaling 80 billion drachmas is needed for completion of the Athens-Patra line, which entails construction of double electrical train lines. Upon completion of the project, a journey would take just under two hours.

OSE requires 150 billion drachmas for completion of a railway line across the breadth of northern Greece. Funding would be used to connect Florina with the Albanian city of Pogradec and to construct a route to the central Albanian port of Durres.

Capital in the neighborhood of 880 billion drachmas is required for construction of a rail link between the OSE rail juncture in Kalambaka with the Ionian port of Igoumenitsa, a project expected to develop Greece's western routes toward Europe as well as a rail link between Igoumenitsa and Volos. The latter project would be combined with rail ferry boats on routes between the southern Italian port of Brindisi, Igoumenitsa, Volos, Lattakia in Syria and eventually Egypt.

[9] OTE president highlights telecoms investments

During his address at the expatriates' conference in Thessaloniki yesterday, Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) President Stergios Babanasis unveiled a business plan for 1996-2000, which calls for 1.3 trillion drachmas in investment over the next five years.

Roughly 1.2 trillion drachmas will be invested in Greece for creation of telecommunications networks (502 billion), telephone centers (390 billion), mobile telecommunications (122 billion), information systems (103 billion) and investment in foreign markets (89 billion).

Another 51 billion drachmas will go for buildings, while 14 billion will be invested in international satellite companies and 19 billion for various other needs. A remaining 103 billion drachmas will be made available for OTE investments abroad.

Mr. Babanasis said these figures prove OTE and the Public Power Corp. (DEH) are among the largest investors in Greece.

He invited expatriate Greek investors to co-operate with OTE for investments in the nation and abroad, stressing opportunities available through the purchase of OTE shares as well as through investments in the telecoms sectors of central and east European countries.

The percentage of OTE shares that will be made available through the Athens stock exchange will be between 6 and 8 per cent. The OTE chief promised that details will be made available soon.

Mr. Babanasis also highlighted OTE's profits, saying that in 1993, its pre-tax profits reached 130 billion drachmas, rising to 176 billion drachmas in 1994 and expected to total 204 billion drachmas this year.

Anthopoulos announces export, investment credits - National Economy Under-secretary Yiannis Anthopoulos announced yesterday the provision of $120 million in credits for Greek exports and investments to Romania, the Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and the Krasnodar region of southern Russia.

According to the under-secretary, all the above-mentioned areas contain a strong Greek presence, but are facing business difficulties.

Sifounakis promotes tourism investments to expatriates - Tourism Minister Nikos Sifounakis on Saturday called on expatriates to invest in Greek tourism. Addressing an overseas Greek investors council entitled "Investment in Tourism," Mr. Sifounakis lobbied expatriates to invest in tourism "not as a duty to their homeland, but because it is one of the most dynamic sectors internationally."

"Tourism's contribution to the national economy, both within the framework of the European Union and the broader European region, is especially impressive," the tourism minister said.

He said tourism contributed 7 per cent to the country's GDP and employed, both directly and indirectly, some 500,000 individuals. "Today's Greece of 10 million citizens receives more travelers each year than its population," Mr. Sifounakis said. According to the minister, 11.3 million foreign tourists visited Greece in 1994, which marked a 14 per cent increase against tourist arrivals in 1993. Visitors in 1994 contributed more than $6.5 billion in foreign exchange, a 17 per cent increase against 1993 figures.

[10] Papoutsis

Addressing the founding convention of the World Council of Overseas Hellenism, European Union Commissioner Christos Papoutsis stressed the need for Greece to take advantage of the new mesh of European relations and agreements to promote cooperation among Greek communities abroad.

"The carving of a comprehensive strategy for Greeks everywhere, and the establishment of new institutional channels for communication and dialogue is an aim and a necessity at the same time," he said.

He made special mention of the Russian Federation, the republics of the Caucasus, the Balkan and the Mediterranean countries, saying the European edifice could not exist without a new upgraded framework of co-operation with them.

[11] Evert declares he is unconcerned over PASOK succession issue

Main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiadis Evert said more sensitivity ought to be shown by PASOK members concerning the ruling party's succession issue, stating however, "I am honestly not concerned with who Mr. Papandreou's successor will be," during an interview published in the Sunday edition of "Eleftheros Typos."

He said after Mr. Papandreou, PASOK will become poorer as "none of its top cadres are capable of showing its full strength and diversification. For us they are all equally responsible." He added "those who are anxious as to who will be the successor are the public sector's contractors and suppliers, and this is becoming more apparent every day."

The ND leader said it is immoral for his party to raise the subject of a power vacuum at this time.

"We are watching developments closely and if we see the stalemate continuing, we will take up positions of intervention. We respect the Constitution and we will always move within that framework," he said.

In addition, Mr. Evert criticized the government for the policies it is following, stating: "At the present moment, when the prime minister is fighting for his life, we do not find it expedient to repeat something we said a year ago and that continues to be valid, namely, that elections are needed."

End of English language section.