A.N.A. Bulletin, 06/12/95

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 759), December 6, 1995

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] Papoulias, Arsenis say still problems to be resolved in Bosnia

Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias and Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis told a joint press conference yesterday that there was still uncertainty in Bosnia, despite the Dayton accord, and that problems remained outstanding.

"The achievement of the Dayton agreement constitutes an important step towards peace in Bosnia, but all the problems have not been resolved. Uncertainty and dangers will continue to exist until the end of the peace process," the ministers said after participating in NATO's joint foreign affairs and defence ministerial session in Brussels.

Mr. Papoulias termed the meeting "historic" as a result of the "cruciality of the period and the challenge facing NATO through the implementation of the Dayton agreement."

He said the Dayton agreement "vindicates the positions of the Greek government which from the start of the Yugoslav crisis had maintained that a solution could not be found on the battlefield, while underlining the important role Belgrade could play."

Mr. Papoulias hailed France's decision to accede gradually to the NATO alliance's military wing which, as he said, "only a Gaullist president could do."

On the occasion of the accession of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) to the NATO programme known as "Partnership for Peace", he said "the second part of the New York agreement is getting underway" and expressed the hope that "it will also have good results for the name."

Mr. Arsenis said "the NATO force to be deployed in Bosnia has a military form but its purpose is peaceful" and that "it will not impose peace terms but will create a suitable environment for the consolidation of peace, democracy and respect for human rights."

He said this operation was linked to the success of the international effort aimed at Bosnia's economic recovery.

Replying to a questioner on the danger of engagement for the Greek military force to participate in NATO's operation, Mr. Arsenis said its orders did not concern "imposing peace by military means", adding that he was not in a position to announce the location it would be deployed.

Referring to France's decision to widen its participation in NATO's military wing, Mr. Arsenis said "NATO will emerge stronger from this development", adding that "the alliance's cohesion will be increased and its European pylon will be strengthened."

On the question of co-operation between NATO and Russia, he said it constituted "a model of co-operation which can also be followed in other initiatives to consolidate security in Europe."

Mr. Papoulias held private talks with his Spanish counterpart Javier Solana, who is expected to assume his new duties as NATO Secretary-General before the end of the year.

[2] Papoulias to outline Greek positions on Bosnia at OSCE summit

Greek Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias will present the Greek positions on the Bosnian issue to the annual foreign ministers summit of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), to be held tomorrow and Friday in Budapest.

The two-day summit will focus on implementation of the Dayton agreement on Bosnia-Herzegovina and endorsement of the organization's "Safety Model," for the 21st century.

The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia will also take part in the summit for the first time ever as a full member of the organization.

[3] Small improvement noted in premier's health, sources say

The Onassion hospital bulletin on Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou's health, read at 8pm last night, the 16th day of his hospitalization, said his condition remained unchanged, and the programme for eventually taking him off the respirator was continuing. His kidney function was in the process of being restored through dialysis and was also planned to continue until full restoration was achieved.

Onassion sources said small signs of improvement in the premier's health, appearing day by day, have begun raising hopes on the part of doctors, who say with certainty that, barring any complications, such as a lung embolism, new infection or hemorrhage, they will soon be able to improve his respiratory function significantly, and withdraw the respirator.

"The government is functioning normally and in accordance with the constitution," government spokesman Telemahos Hytiris said earlier yesterday in reply to reporters' questions.

The spokesman reiterated that there was no question of the prime minister being temporarily replaced.

Asked what was provided for under the constitution in the event of the premier's prolonged absence from his duties, Mr. Hytiris said that the constitution provided nothing more than that someone should stand in for him.

The spokesman clarified that the constitution set no specific time limit for such replacement, stressing that there would be no issue of replacing the prime minister if he returned home.

Mr. Hytiris said that all the ruling PASOK party's deputies were united behind the government, "and particularly these days, they are on the side of Andreas Papandreou, showing a strong sense of responsibility".

PASOK Central Committee Secretary Costas Skandalidis, speaking to reporters, said he did not think there was an issue of division, and that prominent members appeared to be in agreement concerning procedures for a succession to the leadership should the need arise.

Meanwhile, in response to a relevant statement Monday night, the New Democracy party yesterday called on PASOK's Executive Bureau "to reveal to the Greek people which countries or interests of foreign countries and which extra-institutional factors have intervened in favor of which candidate".

The PASOK statement on Monday said that any efforts to influence the unity of the party were doomed to failure.

Speaking in Mytilini, Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos referred to the need for "either effective substitution or replacement" (of the premier), so that the political vacuum may not continue.

[4] Evert confers with constitutional law experts

Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert yesterday headed a two-hour meeting with constitutional law professors Grigoris Kassimatis and Nikos Alivizatos on the relevant provisions regarding the problems resulting from the prime minister's illness.

Sources said afterwards it was ascertained that the possibilities offered by the charter for substitution and replacement of the prime minister were rather limited, although political initiatives were possible on the part of the ruling and the main opposition party.

[5] Zacharakis objects to FYROM representative's statement

In a letter to the UN Secretary-General, dated December 1, Greece's permanent representative at the organization, Christos Zacharakis, expressed his displeasure at the tone and content of an official statement delivered by his counterpart of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Denko Maleski on the previous day, "supposedly on the question of the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (UNPREDEP), which ran counter to the spirit and the letter of the Interim Accord and the new atmosphere prevailing in the relations between Greece and FYROM".

Mr. Zacharakis refers to "many misrepresentations and distortions of history, past and present," contained in Mr. Maleski's letter, and "an incorrect denomination when referring to his country ... contrary not only to the well-known provisions of Security Council resolution 817 (1993), but also to those of the Interim Accord".

Finally, he expresses the hope that the statement was just an unfortunate incident, and that FYROM "will seize the opportunity .. for fully normalizing relations between our two countries, for it is only through a forward-looking approach that we can enhance peace and stability in our area".

"Greece, for its part, is ready to assume its responsibilities in this respect," concluded Mr. Zacharakis.

[6] Greece lodges demarche with Bonn over Petersburg meeting

Greece's Ambassador in Bonn I. Bourlogiannis-Tsagaridis submitted an official demarche to the German foreign ministry concerning the meeting between five European Union countries and Turkey in Petersburg, Germany, on November 22.

According to information, the demarche submitted to head of the ministry's European Affairs Directorate Wilhelm Senfelder concerned two things: the nature of the "six-part" talks from an institutional point of view and the discussion of matters concerning Greece in its absence.

[7] Rokofyllos brings up issue of Greek participation in WEU forces at parliamentary assembly

The Western European Union's 41st regular Parliamentary Assembly session began yesterday.

Greece, a full member, is participating with a parliamentary delegation composed of deputies Christos Rokofyllos, Mihalis Liapis, Vassilis Korahais, Maria Mahaira and Eleftherios Veryvakis (as president of the Greek Parliament's National Defence and Foreign Affairs Committee).

Mr. Rokofyllos underlined Greece's interest and desire to participate, as an exclusively Mediterranean country, in the EUROFOR and EUROMAFOR European land and sea forces to be formed and requested a briefing on the course of a relevant Greek appeal submitted.

Spanish Defence Minister Gustavo Suarez Pertierra replied that the organizing countries (France, Spain, Italy and Portugal) had decided against widening units to be created with other countries (candidate members) at this stage, until they were fully organized and acquired a specific operational structure by the four founder members.

Mr. Pertierra explained that the Greek appeal had not been rejected but remained under consideration, adding that France had undertaken to notify Greece on the issue.

The session continued with a report by British MP Sir Russell Johnston on the "resumption of French nuclear testing in the Pacific", submitted on behalf of the defence committee.

[8] Athens condemns 'aggressive' Turkish statements

The government yesterday described as "aggressive" the tone of recent statements by Turkish officials, particularly those of Ankara's ambassador in Athens and the Turkish foreign ministry.

Government spokesman Telemahos Hytiris said that there were "indisputable facts" illustrating Turkey's aggressive policy, adding that Ankara's stance ran contrary to international norms.

The spokesman cited Turkey's invasion of Cyprus, the continuing occupation of the island republic "by the biggest NATO power occupying a foreign country and with the biggest landing fleet" and the continuous violations of Greek air space. "It would be wise for Turkey to realize that it should not stand out for negative reasons," Mr. Hytiris said.

Replying to questions, the spokesman said that Greece remained firm in its March 6 decision to lift a veto blocking progress on the planned EU-Turkey customs union. Mr. Hytiris declined further comment on the customs union prior to the European Parliament's vote on the issue.

[9] Tsohatzopoulos to head PASOK delegation at SI meeting

Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos will head a ruling PASOK party delegation at the meeting of the Socialist International council to convene in Brussels tomorrow and Friday. The delegation leaves for the Belgian capital today.

Discussions at the meeting will focus on the theme "A new Europe in an independent world" as well as on the progress in the Middle East peace talks, the situation in former Yugoslavia and human rights.

[10] Council of Europe approves 144 billion drachma loan for new school buildings

The Council of Europe has approved a loan of 144 billion drachmas for Greece's education ministry for the purchase and upkeep of school buildings.

The loan, from the Council's Social Development Fund, will be used to purchase school buildings over the next five years in order to solve the problems created by the "shift" system in secondary schools, whereby a building houses two schools, one using it during the morning and another during the evening on a rotation basis.

Education Minister George Papandreou said yesterday problems continue to exist in the availability of property in areas such as Iraklion in Crete. He stressed the new programme and loan aim to intensify attempts at solving the problem. He said intense efforts have already been made regarding this problem over the last seven years, for which increased funds were made available by the education ministry's Public Investment Fund. Governments of the last few years had also secured loans from the European Council fund.

The remaining 60 per cent not covered by the loan will be covered by the education ministry's public investment programme.

[11] Romeos, Solana confer on summit issues

Alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos yesterday met with Spanish Foreign Minister Javier Solana on the sidelines of the foreign ministers' council to discuss issues concerning both countries to be put forward for discussion at the Madrid summit on December 15 and 16.

Spain currently holds the EU presidency and Mr. Solana is to take up the position of NATO Secretary-General after the Madrid summit.

Mr. Romeos congratulated Mr. Solana on behalf of the Greek government, and the Spanish foreign Minster expressed his interest in Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou's health.

Mr. Solana promised to show the necessary concern for Greek matters as NATO Secretary-General.

[12] Elizabeth II receives Vartholomeos

Visiting Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos was received by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace yesterday on the second day of his official visit to Britain.

The Patriarch gave a lecture at Westminster Abbey last night focusing on prospects for unity of the Orthodox Church and the ecumenical movement in the next Christian millennium and the environment, referring to the recent conference on the Aegean island of Patmos to celebrate and focus on St. John the Divine's Apocalypse.

He said the Church focused efforts on protecting the environment, alone and in co-operation with other Churches, foundations and associations.

Vartholomeos arrived in London on Sunday at the official invitation of Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey. On Monday he met with British Foreign Under-secretary for Central and Eastern European issues, Sir Nicholas Bosnor.

[13] World Council of Overseas Hellenism

Macedonian-Thrace Minister Costas Triaridis and Aegean Minister Antonis Kotsakas yesterday called on participants at the World Council of Overseas Hellenism conference in Thessaloniki to financially assist the ethnic Greeks of south Albania and the former Soviet Union to stay in their adopted homelands.

Mr. Triaridis said that more than 100,000 ethnic Greeks in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia were expected to return to Greece following the gradual implementation of an interim accord signed between FYROM and Greece and will need the support of the Greek state.

Mr. Kotsakas said "the realization of a World Council of Overseas Hellenism, which was the firm request of millions of overseas Greeks, has resulted in the appropriate framework for institutional dialogue between the Greek state and the overseas Greeks according to their own views and proposals."

A two-day forum entitled "Scholars of Greece in the World," concluded yesterday in Thessaloniki with the conclusion that all Greek scholars needed further material and moral support to internationally promote Greek civilization.

Secretary General of the Culture Development Department at the Culture Ministry Spyros Repoulis said the ministry had reinforced Greek studies in universities abroad with 300 million drachmas in 1995.

Meanwhile, Greek expatriate journalists taking part in the inaugural conference of the Council for Overseas Hellenism set up an informal body which will constitute their main means of communication with Greece.

The body was set up after the completion of the two-day forum on expatriate media conducted during the conference. Korakas criticizes Communist Party of Greece (KKE) deputy and member of the organizing committee for the World Council of Overseas Hellenism Stratis Korakas yesterday expressed the party's opposition to the organization and preparation procedures.

Mr. Korakas told a press conference in Thessaloniki that the government "altered the meaning and the spirit of the law" with the compilation of a Presidential Decree allowing for the establishment of the Council.

He called for amendments to the decree.

"The KKE regards the Council as a body which will, simultaneously, unite and coordinate the Greeks in confronting common problems and play the role of Greece's 'ambassador' abroad," Mr. Korakas said.

He drew attention to the fact that proposals by overseas Greek representatives had been overshadowed by the addresses of ministers, undersecretaries and government officials.

[14] Iakovos 'bitter'

Archbishop Iakovos of North and South America yesterday expressed "bitterness" at the fact that he was not invited by the Ecumenical Patriarchate to participate in the Council of Overseas Hellenism in Thessaloniki.

The Patriarchate has appointed Metropolitan Damaskinos from Switzerland to participate in the sessions, while Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos openly said he opposed the formation of such a council.

Iakovos, who arrived in Greece on Saturday, told reporters in Thessaloniki yesterday he was optimistic over the future and unity of Hellenism.

Stressing that there is no conflict within the clergy, the archbishop said that "the work of the Archbishop is to unite and not divide."

His comment has been seen by analysts as an indirect answer to criticism that he does not help preserve the unity of the Orthodox Church.

Foreign Ministry Under-secretary Grigoris Niotis, who met earlier in the day with the Archbishop and representatives of US Greek associations, said there was no opposition of views between the government and the Patriarchate over the issue of the Council , while he called Iakovos "the leader of overseas Hellenism."

Meanwhile, Thessaloniki Mayor Constantine Kosmopoulos honored Iakovos in a special ceremony yesterday morning.

Iakovos was also due to receive an award from the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki last night.

[15] Serbs congratulate Council on initiative

The International Serbian Union, a body coordinating expatriate Serbs, has sent a congratulatory message to the Council of Overseas Hellenism conference, it was announced yesterday.

According to the message, the Greek and Serb peoples "have always had close co-operation in the past and now the two organizations bringing together overseas Greeks and overseas Serbs will co-operate for the preservation and implementation of common goals ."

The International Serbian Union was founded in 1989 and has since been cooperating with overseas Greek unions.

The Serbian Union also expressed thanks for the "great humanitarian aid which overseas Greeks have offered to the Serbian people."

[16] Water, phone charges to go up, more increases in other utilities next year

Increases in public utilities - some to be brought in gradually over the second half of next year - were announced yesterday.

The adjustment of tariffs charged by the Athens Water and Sewerage Company (EYDAP) as of December 1 will bring about an average increase of four per cent for consumption exceeding 60 cubic meters of water every quarter while telephone charges will increase 5-6 per cent as of January 1, 1996.

The tariffs of other public utilities, such as the Public Power Corporation (DEH), the Athens Urban Transport Organization (OASA) and the Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE), will be gradually readjusted as of the second half of 1996 within the limits of inflation expected, namely about five per cent.

[17] Papadopoulos: budget 'prudent, attainable'

Finance Minister Alekos Papadopoulos said yesterday the state budget for 1996 was prudent, realistic, workable and attainable.

He was addressing the Parliamentary economic affairs committee on the second day of the debate on the budget yesterday.

Mr. Papadopoulos said fiscal adjustment as part of the Maastricht Treaty was a one-way road for Greece, adding that the country should have a stable policy if it wanted to achieve targets set in the convergence programme.

He said the government looked forward to increasing budget revenues by increasing tax receipts and curbing tax evasion and not by imposing new taxes.

[18] Skandalidis, Evert meet with GSEE on economic issues

Ruling socialist PASOK party Secretary Costas Skandalidis held talks yesterday with the General Confederation of Workers of Greece's (GSEE) presidium with both sides afterwards praising the "excellent climate" at the meeting.

GSEE President Christos Protopapas said PASOK committed itself to free collective bargaining and Mr. Skandalidis expressed his concern over major issues concerning working people such as the economy, employment and development policy. Mr. Protopapas stressed that the government should speed up the preparation of bills on unemployment and the restructuring of public utilities (DEKO).

Mr. Skandalidis said there was political stability in the country and expressed the certainty that the government would complete its four-year term of office.

"We have committed ourselves on our economic programme in the European Union to ensure convergence will succeed," he said.

He said contacts with GSEE would continue after the meetings he would have with the government's economic staff on final proposals.

[19] Evert

Following a meeting with the GSEE board yesterday, main opposition leader Miltiades Evert stated there had been "identity of views on many points," and stressed that collective bargaining "had to be free" with no state intervention.

Mr. Evert said unemployment had taken on explosive dimensions and claimed that the solution lay in investment. He said the government was following a "tax clobbering policy through increases in indirect taxes, instead of effectively tackling tax evasion ". GSEE president Christos Protopapas described the meeting as productive, adding that "such meetings open positive avenues". He said Mr. Evert's proposals were interesting, and added there was a need for dialogue on the "great problems of our economy, such as competitiveness, its European prospects, a steady taxation system, and the role of the public sector in development".

It was agreed to hold a second meeting after discussion of the budget in parliament.

[20] Evert, Samaras call for more support of SMEs

"Small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) are badly off, and closing one after the other," main opposition ND party leader Miltiades Evert said after a meeting with representatives of small manufacturers and artisans (GESEBE) yesterday.

He described SMEs as the spearhead for growth and said there had been full agreement that "even if a stabilization programme for the economy is needed, there must be a parallel policy for development and a steady framework regarding taxation and finance, to enable entrepreneurs to plan ahead".

He promised that his party would make a strong point during the forthcoming discussion of the budget in parliament for support to SMEs.

GESEBE president Dionysis Corfiatis said the 1996 budget did not provide the "requisites for a framework of modernization and development".

He called for income support for low-pension and low-wage earners, as they were the basic clients of SMEs.

Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras, who also held a meeting with the GESEBE board, referred afterwards to both major parties serving large economic interests, adding that their policies would lead to the annihilation of SMEs.

[21] News in Brief

Alternate National Economy Minister George Anomeritis yesterday announced that 307 business proposals concerning the private sector in northern Greece have been ratified as part of the Community RETEX initiative. The total budget for proposals ratified is 4,226 million drachmas, 2,374 million drachmas of which is Community participation. The proposals ratified concern co-operation among enterprises, automation systems in planning and production, modernization of enterprises, production and quality control and the utilization of proposals from experts and advisers. The process for ratifying proposals concerning businesses in southern Greece will be completed in a few days' time.

[22] DEH gets new national control centre

The Public Power Corporation (DEH) has obtained a National Power Control Centre for the safer functioning of the interconnected electrical power system. With this, it will be prepared to deal with basic developments expected in the European energy sector .

The centre, functioning in the Ayios Stephanos area of the prefecture of Attica, was officially opened by Industry, Energy and Technology Minister Anastasios Peponis, in the presence of DEH chairman of the board George Birdimiris and general director Andrianos Papathanassiou.

The new system will replace the Power Distribution Centre which has been functioning until now and consists of one national and two regional electronic control centers. The Energy Control System ensures a constant control of electrical power production and flow on a national level and the control of the interconnected system.

The new system will also enable local or general power cuts to be dealt with faster and more effectively, although it is impossible for them to be completely eradicated as they are caused by weather conditions, material failure or human error.

The project's total cost, taking the price of readjustment into account, will be roughly 12.5 billion drachmas. This includes the two buildings housing electromechanical and computer equipment, the extension of 17 substation buildings, the equipping of 87 of the electrical system's stations and substations and the telecommunications equipping of DEH and the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE).

The project was included in the European Union's First Social Support Framework and was funded by the European Regional Development Fund with roughly 14 million ECU (4.2 billion drachmas) and by a loan from the European Investment Bank amounting to ten million ECU (three billion drachmas).

The whole project was carried out by DEH technical scientists without any need for the services of a foreign special advisor, as is usual in similar cases.

[23] News in Brief

National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou yesterday presented a draft bill aiming at putting an end to illegal practices in stock exchange transactions.

The draft bill is concerned with "electronic" shares and the harmonization of Greek stock exchange legislation to that valid in the European Union.

The draft bill, which aims to modernize the capital market, opens the possibility of competitiveness both between Greek and European companies offering investment services.

Other issues discussed at the economic policy committee were: the conversion of public enterprises into "societe anonymes" in order for them to function on the basis of market criteria; and the implementation of the obligation for management to develop business plans and contracts, with aims for production, income, investments and other action sectors, making the directors answerable to consumers and the state.

[24] Commission ratifies funding for tourism, culture infrastructure projects

Funding amounting to 795.6 million ECU for an extensive programme on developing tourism and cultural infrastructure in Greece was ratified by the European Commission yesterday, following a relevant proposal by German Commissioner Monika Wulf-Mathies.

It was agreed that the Community's Regional Fund will provide 209.1 million ECU for the programme and the social fund another 10 million ECU.

Public funds to be provided for the implementation of the programme amount to 479.3 million ECU, while the private sector's participation will total 316.3 million ECU, to be granted exclusively for the subprogram linked to tourism.

Programme proposals include the construction of marinas, the modernization of existing tourism infrastructure, the development of new forms of tourism, the development of a limited number of new tourist centers and the implementation of professional training programmes in the tourist sector.

The funding of infrastructure of a cultural nature is directly linked to tourism, namely to the financing of museums, the repair and restoration of monuments and the creation of lecture halls.

Those wishing to request financing for initiatives and projects from this programme should contact the Greek National Tourism Organization (EOT) and the Culture Ministry.

End of English language section.