A.N.A. Bulletin, 04/01/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 779), January 4, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] PASOK executive calls on Central Committee to solve political problem

The ruling PASOK party's Executive Bureau said yesterday that the January 20 meeting of the Central Committee would give "a definitive solution" to the problem created by Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou's continued hospitalization.

PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis said the Central Committee meeting, which had been announced earlier, would be called to find a "definitive solution" to what a statement issued after the meeting called "the acute political problem caused by the prime minister's prolonged absence".

This problem, the statement added, would be dealt with by PASOK. "Political decisions and initiatives which must be taken are being taken," the statement stressed.

The statement came after a six-hour meeting of the party's Executive Bureau.

It was also announced that a date for the holding of a special PASOK congress will be decided in co-operation with the Parliamentary Group presidium. According to reports, however, the latest such a congress can be held, based on the ruling party's bylaws, is sometime in May.

Another decision arising from last night's meeting called for "regular communication with high-ranking party cadres," including former ministers Yiannis Haralambopoulos and Costas Simitis, who are not members of the Executive Bureau.

Earlier in the day, the presidium of the party's parliamentary group briefed the Executive Bureau for over two hours on its decision Tuesday to invite PASOK deputies to submit in writing their views on when the group should be convened. Commenting on the meeting, Parliamentary Group Secretary Dimitris Beis stated that the two bodies ascertained an identity of views "in a common purpose and a common future and the common confrontation of all problems," and that the Executive Bureau had found Tuesday's decision to be positive.

Asked if the Executive Bureau agreed with government spokesman Telemahos Hytiris' view that any attempt to replace the prime minister would be a constitutional aberration, Mr. Beis replied that the bureau was not responsible for Mr. Hytiris' views, which, he added, were not the best possible. "There is error in these statements," he said.

Commenting on whether a joint meeting between the party's Central Committee and the Parliamentary Group, which would adopt decisions, was feasible, he said everything was possible regarding the time such a meeting could take place.

Noting that the meetings would continue, Mr. Beis said that the date on which the Parliamentary Group would meet depended on the written proposals to be submitted by deputies to the presidium.

By press time last night, Mr. Beis had received 35 responses from deputies regarding whether to immediately call a meeting of the Parliamentary Group to examine the issue of the premier's health.

During the session, Transport and Communications Minister Evangelos Venizelos called on the executive to move forward the Central Committee meeting to next Monday, adding that the presidium of the Parliamentary Group should convene immediately afterwards to examine the situation as it developed.

Mr. Venizelos, who is also a professor of constitutional law, said he was aware of the existence of an 'acute' problem which had to be dealt with by the party.

The minister said the duties of the Parliamentary Group were indisputable and that article 38, paragraph 2 of the constitution set as conditions the resignation or death of an acting prime minister: Death, he said, can only be equated with the definitive incapacity of the prime minister to exercise his duties, an incapacity which must ultimately be mental.

Mr. Venizelos stressed that the election of a prime minister by a parliamentary group is not a usual or simple procedure: a simple majority of deputies is not sufficient as the constitution sets as a condition the creation of unanimity among party deputies or, at the least, a wider consensus which would support a government, noting that the new prime minister must go through a confidence vote in Parliament.

He proposed that an Executive Bureau delegation meet with non-Executive Bureau members, former deputy prime minister Yiannis Haralambopoulos and former minister Costas Simitis and that a delegation also meet with doctors treating the premier and the premier's family to discuss specific issues and questions regarding the situation.

Mr. Venizelos met with Mr. Haralambopoulos and Mr. Simitis separately earlier yesterday, saying after his meeting with Mr. Haralambopoulos that a solution to the problem had to provide answers to the concern and interest of public opinion, respect the constitution and ensure the unity of PASOK.

Mr. Haralambopoulos said that he took it for granted that "the prime minister could not carry out his duties" and that, according to the constitution, PASOK's Parliamentary Group was the only body that can discuss the matter of Mr. Papandreou's illness.

He noted that the Parliamentary Group should convene before its meeting with the party's Central Committee.

Commenting on Mr. Haralambopoulos' statements, Interior, Decentralization and Public Administration Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, who is deputizing for the prime minister during his illness, said the Central Committee meeting would adopt answers that have to be provided.

Meanwhile, Mr. Hytiris yesterday reiterated his view regarding the unconstitutionality of the prime minister's replacement without his consent, saying his statement earlier in the week was not meant as a threat to anyone. "It was an objective truth," he said.

Questioned whether Mr. Tsohatzopoulos had consented to his statement, he replied in the affirmative. He added that the statements also applied in the event that the party's Parliamentary Group unanimously adopted such a decision, noting that in order t hat there might not be a constitutional aberration, the normalcy of political life had to be safeguarded.

Meanwhile, Alternate Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Haris Kastanidis said that no decision concerning the future of PASOK could be taken unilaterally by a single body.

"All the institutional representations of PASOK must contribute, that is, the Parliamentary Group, the Central Committee and the Executive Bureau, so that the unity of the party can be proposed and safeguarded at an institutional level also," Mr. Kastanidis said. He said that the Parliamentary Group had both the right and the obligation to convene immediately in order to ascertain the situation created by the premier's prolonged illness.

"Any decision taken by all of PASOK's institutional bodies cannot disregard the necessity at the earliest of consultation with Andreas Papandreou," Mr. Kastanidis said, adding that Tuesday's initiative by the presidium of the Parliamentary Group was perfectly clear.

He clarified that the group had not decided to replace Mr. Papandreou but, to convene in order to discuss the matter, if requested by the majority of deputies.

[2] ND examines options today

Main opposition leader Miltiades Evert will chair a meeting today of the opposition party's Political Council and Executive Committee that will examine New Democracy's moves following the tabling of a censure motion in Parliament next week.

According to sources, Mr. Evert and his close associates have decided that the motion should deal exclusively with the situation regarding the prolonged hospitalization of the prime minister and his ability to exercise his duties.

One of the measures being considered is the withdrawal of all ND deputies from the Parliament until the problem is resolved or asking the president to convene a meeting of political leaders.

"New Democracy is proceeding in its actions with great caution and respect for the institutions and interests of the nation," an ND spokesman said.

Other opposition parties were unanimous in calling for an immediate resolution to the problem, with Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras saying that his party's deputies were quitting parliament until the present political anomaly caused by the prime minister's illness was resolved.

He said Political Spring deputies would only attend a parliamentary debate in which a censure motion would be discussed, and implied that he would support such a motion.

Mr. Samaras urged the remaining opposition parties to support his proposal, unless, he said, they had reasons to fear elections.

He called on the president of the republic to resign, when he considered that preconditions for the smooth exercising of his constitutional duties no longer existed, so that the country can proceed to elections. He said he was aware that in the event the president resigned, the constitution barred his re-election over the next five years.

Mr. Samaras criticized PASOK and the main opposition New Democracy party of failing to take any substantive initiative and of lacking the courage demanded by the crucial circumstances.

Responding to Mr. Samaras' statement that the president consider resignation, ND parliamentary spokesman Dimitris Sioufas said "if this outrageous thought was accepted the immediate result would be that the country would not only be without a prime minister and government but without a president of the republic as well. Political theatrics have their limits even for Mr. Samaras. The Greek people have understood him and he cannot fool them."

"Mr. Samaras' frivolity can only be compared to PASOK's irresponsibility," Mr. Sioufas said.

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE), meanwhile, called on the government to immediately start procedures to replace the prime minister.

An announcement said the outstanding issue was not linked so much to procedural and constitutional problems as to a "strong intra-party struggle reflecting savage competition primarily between economic interests".

The KKE underlined the responsibilities of both the government and the leadership of the ruling socialist PASOK party "which have ostentatiously snubbed the official and regular briefing of political parties on the state of the prime minister's health all this time."

The party also accused the government of exploiting the prime minister's grave illness to divert attention from crucial problems facing the country.

Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos also called on the government and PASOK to provide an immediate solution, adding that the government majority was holding parliamentary democratic procedures hostage and turning the internal succession problem into a problem for the people and the country.

On the possibility of New Democracy tabling a motion of censure, Mr. Constantopoulos said such a move would provide an alibi and an extension to the deadlock and facilitate the government majority.

[3] Premier's health unchanged

According to the medical bulletin issued by the Onassion Hospital last night, the prime minister's health remained stable, with his breathing being periodically supported by a respirator, and his cardiac function remaining unchanged. The premier had responded well to dialysis treatment.

The midday bulletin said that the premier had been undergoing intensive breathing physiotherapy and movement therapy since the morning.

The bulletin was accompanied by a brief description of the results of the kidney and skin biopsies carried out on Sunday.

The premier's physicians explained to reporters that there was some hope that renal function would resume during the next 20 days, particularly when the antibiotics being administered cease having an effect on the patient.

The kidney biopsy also revealed no sign of any particular inflammation or cancer, while the skin biopsy showed some deterioration possibly resulting from an allergic reaction to medicines or toxins created by infections.

[4] Contract for Rio-Antirrio bridge signed

The contract for one of the most technically difficult construction projects in the world, the Rio-Antirrio cable bridge, was signed yesterday by the Greek state and the "Gefyra" consortium comprising Greek and foreign companies.

The bridge, which will link the Peloponnese with northwestern and central Greece, will be built at a cost of 210 billion drachmas over a period of seven years.

The contractor will have the right to operate it for a period of 35 years.

The Greek state will be putting up 65 billion drachmas, the consortium 15 billion drachmas and the remainder will be raised by a loan from the European Investment Bank.

The contract will be presented in Parliament next week for ratification.

[5] Laliotis replies to Evert

Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis replied yesterday to main opposition New Democracy party president Miltiades Evert's comments that when his party comes to power it will not recognize any public works contract signed while "the country is without a prime minister".

"Mr. Evert ought to think and consult his legal advisors first before making such a statement," Mr. Laliotis said.

"The state has continuity in its decisions and the assigning contract for the Rio-Antirrio project is an example, as the international invitation to tenders took place in 1991 under (ND) minister Achilleas Karamanlis, and the procedure is being completed today," added Mr. Laliotis.

He suggested Mr. Evert find "different grounds on which to excuse his opposition."

Coalition of the Left and Progress Eurodeputy Alekos Alavanos also leveled criticism at Mr. Evert for his statement, saying that the ND leader was exacerbating an already "pathological" situation created by long delays and failure to execute Community projects. He added that the statement is a bad contribution to the efforts of all Eurodeputies to cover large gaps in the promotion of Community projects.

[6] Kinnock reaffirms importance of Egnatia highway

European Commissioner for inter-European networks Neil Kinnock said the Egnatia motorway would be a Community axis without border controls.

Mr. Kinnock, who was replying to Coalition of the Left and Progress Eurodeputy Alekos Alavanos on the interrelation and viability of both the Egnatia and so-called "para-Egnatia" highways, said the Egnatia highway would extend up to the Community's eastern border (namely up to Turkey), while at the same time it would have branches extending towards three more Balkan countries, Albania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Bulgaria.

He said it would also considerably improve the possibility of access to the Greek regions of Epirus, Macedonia and Thrace.

Mr. Kinnock said feasibility studies on the Egnatia highway had either been prepared or were underway, while considerable Community subsidies amounting to 70 per cent of the cost of building the project had been secured.

Referring to the para-Egnatia highway or 'corridor no. 8' in official documents (an initiative by a number of Balkan nations to build a road shadowing the Egnatia route), Mr. Kinnock said the process was at an initial stage. He said that because the cap abilities would be relatively limited, it was rather improbable that a large part of traffic on the Egnatia highway would be directed towards it.

[7] Albanians rush to change names to Greek

A total of 45,000 Albanians officially changed their names during the first six months of 1995, the official Albanian new agency ATA said yesterday, adding that this number is expected to double when the figure for the whole year is calculated.

Most of the names are being changed by Albanian Moslems and Catholics - and the new names they are choosing are Greek. Their main motive is to travel to Greece in order to work on the black market.

The Greek embassy in Tirana and the Greek consulate in the southern Albanian town of Gjirokaster are more willing to issue visas to people with Greek names. Although the visas issued are usually valid for one month, once a holder has crossed into Greece , he or she often remain there illegally to work.

Seventy per cent of Albania's population is Moslem, 20 per cent Greek Orthodox and 10 per cent Roman Catholic. Over 70 per cent of those changing names are Moslems, while the rest are Catholics from the north of the country.

Over 400,000 Albanians have emigrated in the past five years to escape the miserable economic conditions. About 250,000 are reportedly in Greece, most without regular papers and almost all with new Greek names on their passports.

[8] Greek troops leave for Bosnia

The first full-scale Greek contingent left for Bosnia yesterday afternoon.

The unit, comprising 53 Hellenic Army officers and infantrymen with 26 vehicles, was to sail for the port of Ploce, Croatia aboard the armored vehicle carrier Samos before traveling overland to the Vissovo region in Bosnia, some 30 kilometers northwest of Sarajevo.

A Greek transport company will operate out of the area as part of Athens' participation in a NATO peace implementation force, dubbed 'IFOR'.

A 16-member Greek reconnaissance detail left for Bosnia at the end of December as the first part of the 250-man transport company. Greece is also contributing three warships and helicopters.

According to reports, the Vissovo region was chosen after consultation with other NATO members, while Ploce is the disembarking point for other nations' military contingents as well.

The main Greek transport company, an all-volunteer force patched together from several army units, is expected to depart for Vissovo on January 10.

Meanwhile, the frigate Hydra and mine-sweepers Avra and Cleio continued patrols with other allied vessels between Rijeka, Split and Ploce. The Hydra has already conducted 14 searches of ships sailing in the area, without however, encountering any problem .

Two C-130 Hercules transport planes aiding in the transfer of men and materiel to Bosnia round out Greece's participation. The aircraft will operate out of Rimini in Italy.

[9] Interior ministry bill nearing completion

Alternate Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Haris Kastanidis said preparation of a bill entitled "legal counsel and the protection of citizens" was in the final stages of completion.

Mr. Kastanidis said yesterday dialogue was currently taking place on the bill with experts and details would be announced after the talks were completed.

In parallel, the ministry is preparing a bill reshaping law 2190, concerning the modernization of public administration and its linking with law 1648 regarding handicapped persons and their selection for appointment in the public sector.

Mr. Kastanidis said the nationwide test for hirings in the public sector in 1996 would take place within defined timetables and with existing clauses, adding that about a third of hiring needs in the public sector had been approved so far.

[10] Mitsotakis meets with Papadopoulos

Former prime minister and main opposition New Democracy party honorary leader Constantine Mitsotakis yesterday held 45-minute talks in Parliament with Finance Minister Alekos Papadopoulos, who briefed him on developments in the Greek economy, the 1996 budget and the successful implementation of the 1995 budget.

[11] Work officially begins on municipal gas network

Piraeus Mayor Stelios Logothetis yesterday inaugurated the first natural gas link project in the presence of Athens Municipal Natural Gas Enterprise (DEFA) President Christos Verelis as well as mayors participating in inter-municipal natural gas distribution enterprises.

The project, due to start initially from the Hatzikyriakeio district and cost 830 million drachmas, will cover Tambouria, Kallipoli, Kastela and Kaminia by the end of 1996. It will also be extended to neighboring municipalities next year.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr. Logothetis said the import and use of natural gas in Greece was of great economic and ecological significance, while its advantages compared to other energy sources were considerable.

Mr. Verelis said the first project starting from Piraeus would change its structure completely since its development would be rapid.

[12] Eastern Macedonia-Thrace receives Delors II infrastructure funding

The Community's committee for monitoring the Delors II Package has approved 24.270 billion drachmas for eastern Macedonia and Thrace.

Of the amount, four billion drachmas will be used for a new building for the Law Faculty in Thrace, 1.4 billion drachmas for a library on the university campus in Xanthi, 3.5 billion for flood-prevention works and rural road works in Vistonida Rodopis, 740 million to buy equipment for the new Xanthi state hospital, 2.1 billion for irrigation networks in Ferres Evrou and 1.8 billion drachmas for dams on the Evros River.

Many of the projects to be funded concern road works, irrigation, flood prevention, asphalting of national networks, drainage and sewage treatment.

Prefectures are already preparing tendering for the projects.

[13] ND deputy files lawsuit against Commercial's buyout of Metrolife

Main opposition New Democracy deputy Dimitris Kostopoulos filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court's prosecutor yesterday over the circumstances of Commercial Bank's absorption of the Metrolife and Ioniki insurance companies.

In his suit, Mr. Kostopoulos notes that Commercial's director went forth with the buyout even after the public disagreement voiced by the two companies' employees and small investors, while refusing to appraise the already absorbed insurance companies.

In addition, Mr. Kostopoulos said the bank did not inform the Athens stock exchange on changes in Metrolife's share composition. The ND deputy also claimed Commercial bought Metrolife stock blocks outside the bourse.

In response to Mr. Kostopoulos' criticism and widespread press reports, Commercial Bank governor Panayiotis Poulis yesterday called the state-controlled bank's purchase a business initiative "that is extremely profitable for the Commercial Bank.

"We have constantly stated that in every instance money paid for the purchase of stock went to the Metrolife Group and not certain private individuals," he said.

A chartered accountants' report is expected soon on the purchase.

[14] Dimas attacks Gov't economic policies

Main opposition New Democracy Parliamentary Group Secretary-General Stavros Dimas castigated the government yesterday for a "lack of policy and democratic legitimacy".

"The composition of the current government is characterized by a lack of policy and democratic legitimacy, and a weakness in the practicing of politics," he said.

Mr. Dimas claimed the government's only present political actions were tax clobbering, public sector appointments and the approval of various "strange works contracts and procurements".

The Greek economy is in a generalized recession, and this - and not an increase in production and productivity - is what had caused a reduction in inflation, Mr. Dimas charged.

The former minister accused the government of following "the same wrong policy of the 80s" on growth and development, and added that "the containment of the public sector deficit is not being attempted with the reduction of consumer spending, but with t he increase of taxation."

Due to the public utilities pricing policy followed by the government during 1995 in order to contain inflation, today "it is forced to increase prices of the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE), the Public Power Corporation (DEH), rents and car insurance premiums and to impose new taxes on fuel, alcoholic beverages and cigarettes", while also predicting more price and tax increases during 1996, he said.

This "tax clobbering, with non-price indexation, completes the picture for the economic situation of salaried workers." There is a real reduction in incomes that will be felt more acutely by those on smaller salaries and by pensioners, he ended.

End of English language section.