A.N.A. Bulletin, 08/12/95

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 761), December 8, 1995

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] World Council of Overseas Hellenism calls for international pressure for a resolution to Cyprus problem

The inaugural conference of the World Council of Overseas Hellenism (SAE) yesterday condemned Turkey's continuing occupation of a third of Cyprus and called on Ankara to withdraw its troops.

A resolution at the end of the founding conference, attended by some 260 delegations representing expatriate Greek organizations from around the world, said Turkey was violating the principles of international law by maintaining its occupation force on the island, making "absurd claims" against Greece and threatening violence if Greece extended its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles.

The resolution confirmed Greece's role as a factor for peace and stability in the wider Balkan region and called on Greeks around the world to become ambassadors of Greece's policies for peace and co-operation with all countries.

The expatriate Greeks called on Turkey to withdraw its troops from Cyprus and to respect international conventions by halting all actions against the ethnic Greek population of Istanbul and the islands of Imvros and Tenedos.

The resolution called for international pressure to be brought to bear on Turkey to promote a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem and also requested international condemnation for the persecution of Black Sea Greeks.

The expatriate Greeks condemned the attempted misappropriation of the name 'Macedonia' by the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and pledged to make every effort "for the name of 'Macedonia' or any derivative thereof, not to be used" by FYROM, expressing the hope that "finding a permanent solution to this matter will contribute to the co-operation" between Athens and Skopje.

The resolution also asked the Albanian government to grant all educational and religious rights to the ethnic Greek minority in southern Albania.

Other points in the resolution stated the SAE's aim was the "sustainment and reinforcement of Hellenism's national, religious and cultural identity and the utilization of its huge force as a bridge between Greece and the expatriates' new countries" and stressed the need for the continuation of "the co-operation between the Church and the Nation".

It placed great importance on the future of youth and the sustainment of links to the home country and called on Athens to take particular initiatives to upgrade education for expatriate's children with the sending of appropriate educators and the organization of large-scale visits to Greece.

"The dissemination of the Greek language," stated the resolution, "the support of Greek studies in universities and the reinforcement of the work of Hellenists are priorities demanding close co-operation between the Greek state and the expatriate communities."

[2] Andrew Athens elected president of SAE board

In other major developments at the conference, Andrew Athens, the president of the Hellenic-American Congress, was elected president of the nine-member board of the new organization.

"We are here to help Greece. We have a power we had not shown and, in co-operation with the government, we will develop it," Mr. Athens said on winning.

Only one out of the nine members is a woman: Alexandra Prochenko, from the Ukraine, won one of the three secretary-general positions.

Mr. Athens, an industrialist, is considered to have strong connections with the White House and with former US president George Bush.

He was elected with 98 votes, against 77 votes given to his rival Theodoros Spiropoulos, also from the United States. Kostas Papas from Germany was elected alternate president with 94 votes, beating Christos Karipidis from Sweden, who accumulated 68 votes.

The secretaries elected are Alexandra Prochenko from the Ukraine (94 votes), Dimitris Konstantinidis from Australia (79 votes) and Pashalis Papachristopoulos from Belgium (71 votes).

Other positions are held by elected presidents of SAE's peripheral councils: Agathagelos Aslanidis (president of the regional council of Europe), Christos Tomaras (president of the regional council of America), Ilias Rallis (president of the regional council of Australia) and Stephanos Tamvakis (president of the regional council of Africa and Asia).

Earlier, Mr. Athens said that the Hellenic American Congress would seek a meeting US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke in the next few days, in order to discuss the Cyprus issue.

Mr. Athens said the reason for the meeting would be to discuss Mr. Holbrooke's pledge to give priority to the Cyprus problem on resolution of the Bosnian crisis.

[3] Premier 'in good spirits', doctors say, condition stabilized

The Onassion Center's evening bulletin on Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou's health yesterday said his condition remained stabilized, with mechanical support to his respiratory function continuing, but to a lesser degree.

The midday bulletin said the tracheotomy Mr. Papandreou underwent Wednesday afternoon was functioning normally and doctors later reported that he had been able to breathe through it for at least two to three hours, without the help of the respirator.

They said the premier seemed in especially good spirits after the withdrawal of the respirator tube, and was able to sit up and have a light meal.

Doctors appeared especially pleased by the course of the prime minister's health, but remained slightly concerned by the fact that his renal function had suffered a slight setback following steady improvement in the previous days, and could not predict with certainty when it would recover. They expressed hope that this would be possible within the next two weeks, and it would also significantly benefit the respiratory function. This function would also be assisted by a strengthening of the lungs through improved nutrition.

Asked by reporters if Mr. Papandreou had written and handed any brief notes to anyone, government spokesman Telemahos Hytiris referred to one in which the premier wrote "I'll get better."

He added that the prime minister had handed other notes to his wife and doctors, clarifying that their content was not political and did not refer to the issue of his successor.

Asked if the premier's wife had been opposed to the tracheotomy, Mr. Hytiris said that the medical team treating Mr. Papandreou had informed his relatives of their intention prior to the operation.

According to what the doctors had said, Mr. Hytiris added, Mr. Papandreou might be able to converse after a few days following the tracheotomy.

Asked whether this meant he would be able to perform some of his duties, Mr. Hytiris reiterated that the premier might be able to speak after a few days, adding that "this statement has its significance."

On the installation of the prime minister's special three-digit telephone at the Onassion, Mr. Hytiris said that it was customary to install the phone wherever the premier was.

The spokesman added that it had been installed to serve certain communication needs of himself and other associates of Mr. Papandreou, including the premier's wife and his personal physician and Health Minister Dimitris Kremastinos, concerning matters r elated to the prime minister's health.

Mr. Hytiris expressed the hope that Mr. Papandreou himself would soon be able to use the telephone.

The prime minister's daughter Sophia told reporters her father seemed to be well and in good spirits.

[4] Evert to meet president today

In the meantime, sources said main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert intended to pursue further the issue of a "power vacuum" emanating from Mr. Papandreou's health condition.

This morning, Mr. Evert will meet with President Kostis Stephanopoulos, while sources said he would send a letter to Public Administration, Interior and Decentralization Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, who is deputizing for the prime minister, requesting to be informed on the government's action regarding what he called "a political issue."

Yesterday morning, Mr. Evert chaired a meeting of ND officials focusing on party action regarding the issue.

Former ND minister and deputy George Souflias told reporters after the meeting "there is a governmental vacuum and the government must solve the problem instead of letting it drag and be resolved by itself at the expense of the country's interests."

Mr. Evert said during a meeting of the party's parliamentary group yesterday, that ND would not change strategy due to developments in the prime minister's health.

The group met to discuss the 1996 budget, but certain party officials requested an examination of the party's main strategy in light of the premier's illness and in anticipation of internal PASOK developments.

Mr. Evert said ND positions on the issue were clear, and criticized the government's economic policy, saying it would exacerbate the recession.

"ND said a long time ago that the government is non-existent, there is a coordination problem and all PASOK officials are also responsible for the current impasse and crisis in Greece," he said.

Secretary-General of the party's Central Organization, Stavros Dimas, reiterated ND's position for early elections "in order to lead the country out of the impasse and non-administration."

Former minister and ND deputy Sotiris Kouvelas said: "The question is whether there will be a government to discuss the budget, while it is certain that PASOK cannot guarantee for a government that will implement the budget."

[5] PASOK deputies

In the meantime, seven PASOK centrist deputies, commenting on a spate of party members' statements on the prime minister's succession, appealed to all those "harmfully waffling in public, either to shut up, or raise the issue with boldness and courage before the party's appropriate organs".

"At this difficult hour, support for the government acquires special significance and political meaning," said the seven in a joint statement.

[6] Hytiris: EU-Turkey customs union will have no affect on Cyprus accession

"The government has adopted a position on the issue of the European Union-Turkey customs union, bearing in mind what this means and in combination with developments in the Cyprus problem which is the number one national issue for Greece," government spokesman Telemahos Hytiris said yesterday. Mr. Hytiris was replying to questions on the decision of the two biggest factions in the European Parliament to vote in favor of the proposed customs union when the assembly considers the issue next Wednesday.

On the question of the steps being taken for Cyprus' accession to the EU, the spokesman said that decisions had been taken by the European Council "which have not changed."

Meanwhile, Political Spring Eurodeputy Nikitas Kaklamanis charged yesterday that Turkish officials had given no guarantee whatsoever as to how democratization would proceed in Turkey during a recent visit to the country by a six-member committee of the European Parliament.

Presenting the results of the meeting of the Joint Inter parliamentary Committee of the European Parliament and Turkey at a press conference, Mr. Kaklamanis accused the EU representatives of "acting as representatives of Ankara."

"It is the first time in the history of the European Parliament that such an enormous propaganda (campaign) in favor of Turkey has been observed," Mr. Kaklamanis said. He said that Turkish officials had given no guarantees as to how democratization would proceed or how the Cyprus problem would be solved.

Mr. Kaklamanis said Turkish President Suleyman Demirel had made it quite clear that the proposed customs union was a purely commercial relationship with economic benefits for Europe and political benefits for Turkey.

The committee members visited imprisoned Kurdish deputies, Mr. Kaklamanis added, who had stressed their opposition to the customs union since nothing had improved in Turkey with respect to human rights.

Mr. Kaklamanis spoke of "an unprecedented diplomatic effort by the governments of the European Union, the United States and Turkey."

[7] Head of Greek liaison office in Skopje named

Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias has sent a letter to his Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) counterpart Stevo Crvenkovski announcing embassy counsellor Alexandros Malias' appointment as head of Greece's liaison office in Skopje.

Foreign ministry spokesman Costas Bikas said that the letter was sent Wednesday, adding that the departure of the liaison office staff for Skopje has been set for the first ten days in January.

Mr. Bikas said that UN mediator Cyrus Vance was in continuous contact with both Athens and Skopje in order to set a date for the dialogue between the two sides on the name to be used by FYROM.

Government spokesman Telemahos Hytiris said that no date had yet been set for the commencement of negotiations on the name of the neighboring country.

Asked whether the negotiations would be affected by the health of Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, the spokesman replied in the negative, adding that Greece's positions on the issue were well-known "and it is these positions which will be supported du ring the negotiations."

[8] Papoulias in Budapest today for OSCE foreign ministers meeting

Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias said last night that the annual foreign ministers meeting of the 54 member-states of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Budapest and the London conference focusing on the Dayton agreement o n pacification in Bosnia-Herzegovina were of particular importance.

Mr. Papoulias left for the Hungarian capital last night to attend the OSCE session today.

He said the organization's future prospects would be discussed as well as the question of Bosnia, adding that the London conference would take place from this afternoon until noon tomorrow to examine the issue of rebuilding Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Mr. Papoulias said he would pay a second visit to Sarajevo at the invitation of his Bosnian counterpart, because the Bosnians wanted Greece to play a substantive role there.

The majority of OSCE foreign ministers, including Mr. Papoulias, will fly on to London today to participate in the meeting to discuss the political aspects of the Dayton peace agreement.

The London meeting is expected to be concluded at noon tomorrow.

Mr. Papoulias will go to Paris on December 13 to attend the signing of the peace agreement for Bosnia-Herzegovina, foreign ministry spokesman Costas Bikas said.

Mr. Papoulias will then go to Madrid for the December 15-16 European Union summit meeting.

[9] News in Brief

The Social Development Fund of the Council of Europe yesterday approved a Greek request for a 300 million dollar loan for the restoration of the quake-stricken regions of Achaia and Kozani, Alternate National Economy Minister George Anomeritis said yesterday.

[10] Patriarch continues UK visit

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos continued his official visit to the United Kingdom yesterday with visits to Orthodox churches and meetings with the Greek community in England.

The Patriarch met for talks with Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey last week, and also visited Buckingham Palace for a meeting with Queen Elizabeth. His meeting with British Foreign Under-secretary Sir Nicholas Bosnor underlined the interest shown in the Ecumenical Patriarchate by the political leadership.

The second phase of the visit began with the Patriarch's attendance at a service conducted in London's Ayia Sofia Orthodox church. The Greek community has welcomed the Patriarch with various events on what is his first official visit since his election to the throne in 1991.

[11] No human rights abuses in Greece, Cyprus

The annual Helsinki Watch organization report issued from the Washington office and released yesterday contains no mention of human rights abuses in Greece and Cyprus in 1995.

The chapter on Albania, referring to the ethnic Greek minority, says its treatment had only improved to a minor degree in the current year, while the chapter on Turkey deals exclusively with violations of the human rights of the Kurds. There is also extensive reference to the Alawite rebellion on March 12, 1995, putting the number of this religious minority at 30 per cent of Turkey's population.

[12] Pensioners have 'fruitless meeting' with finance, economy ministers, new meeting set for next week

A meeting yesterday between the ministers of finance, Alekos Papadopoulos, and national economy, Yiannos Papantoniou, and pensioners' representatives, who are asking for increases in pensions beyond the two 3.5 per cent increases planned for next year, proved fruitless.

Pensioners' demands were supported by General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) president Christos Protopapas, who accompanied the delegation.

Pensioners are also asking for the lowest pensions to be set at the equivalent of 20 daily wage rates for unskilled workers (an increase from 89,500 a month at present to 106,800) and for tax exemptions for wage earners and pensioners up to the level of two million drachmas annual income.

A new meeting was set for next week.

Later yesterday, Political Spring party spokesman Notis Martakis accused the government of "insisting on turning its back on the permanent victims of its insensitive economic policy, which grants meagre increases and leads pensioners to the fringe and despair".

Mr. Martakis endorsed pensioners' demands concerning minimum levels and parity with current wages, called for a 10 per cent supplement beyond the increases already announced for next year, and the raising of agricultural pensions to 30,000 drachmas a month.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Theodoros Stathis has said that the preconditions and procedures for the early retirement of farmers will be reviewed, as the current scheme in force, envisaging the early retirement of 50,000 farmers who would receive 70,000 drachmas a month, has not been effective.

[13] Skandalidis confers with ADEDY leadership on public service structure

Costas Skandalidis, secretary of the ruling PASOK party's Central Committee, held talks with the presidium of the Civil Servants Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY) yesterday on the structure and organization of public services. The meeting was also at tended by PASOK's Executive Bureau members Yiannis Haralambous and Pantelis Economou as well as Trade Union Department Secretary Lambros Kanellopoulos. Speaking to reporters afterwards, ADEDY President Yiannis Koutsoukos said an overall discussion was held on public administration and employee problems as well as on the state's role in a modern democratic society. Mr. Skandalidis said the meeting was productive and constructive, adding that a second meeting with the ADEDY presidium would follow to create a basic timetable to resolve all problems.

[14] Tsohatzopoulos confers with European partners on Madrid summit

Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, who is standing in for ailing Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou at the Socialist International conference in Brussels, conferred with European counterparts yesterday on the agenda for the forthcoming Madrid summit.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos had a working lunch yesterday with the Italian, Austrian and Spanish representatives on the agenda of the summit, due to take place on December 15-16.

The socialists' main concern is the upcoming enlargement of the Community with the accession of central and eastern European countries.

The socialists fear that the enlargement is taking place too soon and might adversely affect the already overburdened operation of Community institutions.

Commenting on the commencement of consultations for an EU-Cyprus accession, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the European Union was already committed to commencing talks, adding that the structured dialogue between Cyprus, Malta and the EU will begin six months after the end of the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference.

"We will once more support, at the Madrid summit, that commencement of negotiations for the accession of Malta and Cyprus is a solid step of the European Union," he added.

[15] Major Serbian trade delegation expected for talks with northern Greek entrepreneurs

The representatives of the 40 largest businesses in Serbia will pay a two-day visit to Thessaloniki on December 14 for talks with businessmen based in northern Greece.

The visit is to reciprocate a similar one by Greek businessmen to Belgrade last March.

The presidents of trade associations and organizations of Thessaloniki said they were looking forward to the visit, at a press conference in the northern Greek port city yesterday.

The talks between the Serb and Greek businessmen will be held within the framework of a two-day business conference.

President of the Northern Greek Industries Association Nikos Efthymiadis said the visit aimed at the formation of joint ventures between the two sides and promotion of exports to third countries.

"We can take advantage of the Serb entrepreneurs' excellent relations in the Russian market and our excellent relations in the Arab markets in order to promote exports," Mr. Efthymiadis said.

He also referred to the damages sustained by Greece during the embargo against Serbia, which, according to estimates, totals over seven billion dollars.

Serbian trade delegation president Mr. Ristitsh said the Serbian government has deregulated exports and imports and reduced customs and taxes by 50 per cent in order to facilitate investment and business activities.

[16] Transport Council reaches ground handling accord

The European Union Transport Council reached a common position yesterday on a draft directive to liberalize ground handling service provision at airports from the start of 1998, albeit with the possibility of some exemptions until 2003.

Under the text, airlines could run their own in-terminal services such as passenger check-in at all airports from January 1, 1998.

Solutions given for the liberalization of ground handling at Community airports and the passage of Greek trucks through Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary were satisfactory for Greece.

Transport and Communications Minister Evangelos Venizelos, representing Greece at the Council, said it was "a happy day for Greek transport policy in the Community because with today's decisions two long-standing issues of major importance are handled in a way which is particularly satisfactory."

On the question of ground handling, the Council ratified a directive liberalizing services rendered as of 2001 for airports handling over two million passengers a year.

The finalized directive is extremely favorable for Greece since the term defining airports obliged to liberalize ground handling is the transport of passengers for one year and not six months as initially proposed.

A six-month limit would create a sizable burden for tourist countries such as Greece with a peak summer period.

The directive rules that airports having over one million passengers a year are obliged to liberalize "air side" services. However, Mr. Venizelos said such services had been liberalized many years ago.

The term for liberalizing ground handling over the transitional period between 1999 and 2001 is three million passengers a year (and two million every six months).

Mr. Venizelos pointed out that this satisfied Greece since the figure was quite high.

The settlement is expected to cover Athens airport (6.5 million passengers a year) and Iraklion (3.5 million passengers a year), whereas Rhodes airport is a marginal case at present-day figures.

Full implementation of the directive as of 2001 will concern airports having over two million passengers a year.

"We also succeeded in having special public service commitments anticipated, namely special settlements for airports in insular regions having reduced traffic," Mr. Venizelos said.

The directive provides Greece with the opportunity of linking the liberalization of ground handling at big airports to the assumption of the commitment to also serve relatively smaller airports.

On the question of road transport, the Council instructed the Commission to negotiate the status of Greek truckers passing through Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary.

"At last the order has been given to the European Commission to negotiate the problem of Greek road transport through these countries as being a Community problem as well," Mr. Venizelos said.

In principle, the directive anticipates no unfavorable treatment (a greater economic burden) for Greek truckers in relation to treatment provided for truckers from other Community countries.

The European Union will seek an additional number of licences estimated at 9,000 for each Community country the trucker will pass through afterwards. Greece believes the number of additional licences the country will receive in this way will reach approximately 25,000.

[17] Papoutsis to lead discussion on EU tourism future today

A forum on the future of tourism in Europe will be held in Brussels today, at the initiative of EU commissioner for tourism Christos Papoutsis.

The forum signals the end of consultations, which began on April 4 this year with the circulation of the Green Paper "on the role of the Union in the field of tourism," and will agree on Community action for tourism.

Some 350 prominent figures representing 18 European states and from the tourist sector, Community organs and public and private agencies, are expected to participate.

"The broad mobilization caused by the Committee's Green Paper as well as the forum, ensures that European tourism enjoys a central character as an economic, social and cultural activity," Mr. Papoutsis said.

[18] Inflation drops to 8.2 per cent in November

The annual rate of inflation dropped to 8.2 per cent in November compared with 8.3 per cent at the end of October, according to figures released yesterday by the National Statistics Service (ESYE).

The drop was due to a small rise in the consumer price index (CPI) of just 0.2 per cent in November, compared to an increase of 0.3 per cent in the same month last year.

The CPI increase was due to a rise of 1.5 per cent in the foodstuffs index, a 0.5 per cent increase in clothing-footwear and a 0.6 per cent increase in durable goods and household consumer items, coupled with a 2.3 per cent reduction in the housing inde x and a 1.2 per cent drop in education-training-leisure.

[19] Interest rates will continue downward trend, Papantoniou says

National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said yesterday that interest rates would continue to drop in the coming months since "complete calm" was prevailing in the banking market.

Speaking after a meeting at the ministry on interest rates, Mr. Papantoniou said that 1996 would begin with the "best prospects" for the Greek economy, noting the annual rate of inflation had dropped to 8.2 per cent at the end of November.

Asked whether the increases in the prices of consumer goods observed annually in the run-up to the Christmas and New Year holiday would affect inflation, Mr. Papantoniou said that "these tendencies are seen every year and are dealt with."

The Athens Stock Exchange will launch a nationwide information and educational campaign to bolster demand for capital market securities in 1996.

The ASE's board has decided to invite specialized companies to submit relevant proposals to be assessed by a special committee to be set up at the ASE.

End of English language section.