A.N.A. Bulletin, 09/01/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 782), January 9, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] Parliament begins debating ND censure motion

Parliament began hearing a censure motion against the government last night, tabled by main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert.

The motion was unanimously adopted by all of ND's 109 deputies.

Mr. Evert said ND, which he called a political party of "responsibility and promise," was tabling the motion as an initiative of "institutional responsibility, whose goal is to better serve national interests." The ND president said his party's goal was "for the nation to once again acquire a government."

Parliament will vote on the censure motion tomorrow evening.

Specifically, the ND's censure motion states: "The prolonged, since November 20, 1995, hospitalization of the prime minister in an intensive care unit has made it clear, as is commonly admitted, that Andreas Papandreou even under the best circumstances will not be able to exercise the premiership's duties." Further on, the motion reads: "New Democracy... continues to request an immediate recourse to the judgment by the Greek people, because the criticism it has so far exercised on the government's policy retains its value and timeliness." "However, the premier's weakness has already led to a political irregularity which is being transformed into constitutional deviation.

"The timidity and indecision of both the government and PASOK's Parliamentary Group aggravate and intensify the situation. The country, by general admission, is in an unprecedented tragic crisis.

"This institutional crisis has direct and dramatic consequences on the application of the country's general policy, both foreign and domestic... The consequences of this absence of government are very damaging domestically... in all areas, especially the economy."

Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, who is standing in for the prime minister, welcomed the submission of the censure motion by the opposition, saying it was the government's elementary obligation to respond immediately and begin a substantial debate on the content of the political problem.

"The people will understand that you are seeking petty party benefits in vain, while we are trying to solve the country's great problems," he told Mr. Evert.

The first New Democracy rapporteur, deputy Dora Bakoyanni, characterized her party's censure motion against the government as "a constitutionally irreproachable way out of the anomalous situation created by Mr. Papandreou's extended illness".

She noted that "public life is being held hostage to a political situation we must rid ourselves of."

Ms Bakoyanni claimed that a government functioning on the basis of substitution is politically and legally "handicapped" in matters of the national interest.

"Who enjoys democratic legitimacy today to negotiate with (US Assistant Secretary of State Richard) Holbrooke for a solution of the Cyprus problem? Who has democratic legitimacy to answer the Vance proposals on the naming of Skopje? Who will take responsibility of national representation and the Greek people to handle a possible national crisis? How do you imagine we are seen as a country when for months the international community has been looking for an interlocutor on our major international issues and there is no prime minister to answer? And who takes responsibility for the dangers the country is being exposed to and the opportunities that are being lost?" she said.

Costas Karamanlis, New Democracy's second speaker in the motion of censure debate, said the country was experiencing an unprecedented political crisis, adding that the prime minister's substantive and universal inability to assume and exercise his duties had led to political anomaly which was currently being turned into a constitutional deviation.

Mr. Karamanlis said the country remained ungoverned at a time when the escalation of provocations by Turkey was continuing, there was movement on the Cyprus issue, crucial negotiations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) were starting and economic recession was being prolonged.

"Elementary democratic and national sensitivity necessitates the election of a prime minister," he concluded.

In his intervention, ruling PASOK party secretary and deputy Costas Skandalidis stressed there were "contradictions" in the censure motion, saying that there was "no constitutional deviation" and that the legality of the government's actions has been accepted.

The overriding "law" in the resolution of the problem was, for PASOK, first and foremost the interests of the nation.

"The game will be played with the rules of parliamentary democracy. The course of the government is defined and its responsibility proven by the way it is dealing with the problems," he said.

"We are beginning procedures for the resolution of the problem with a heightened sense of responsibility: the leader of the democratic faction will take the decisions which need to be taken for the interests of the nation."

He added that the substitution of the prime minister was operating effectively and PASOK is determined that the political problem "which obviously exists" will be resolved by PASOK's bodies.

Justice Minister Ioannis Pottakis rejected New Democracy's claim that the reasonable time for the prime minister's replacement had elapsed, pointing out that in the case of the president of the republic, that time was stipulated by the constitution was six months. He claimed that the censure motion was due to the fact that New Democracy, and its leader Miltiades Evert, were at a loss.

Transport Minister Evangelos Venizelos thanked the main opposition party for its "gift" to PASOK, stressing that its leader continued to tread on the steps of his predecessor, Constantine Mitsotakis, in adopting the wrong moves. The political problem posed by the premier's illness, he added, will find its constitutionally appropriate solution through PASOK's internal procedures.

Replying to an intervention by former prime minister Mitsotakis, who asked Mr. Venizelos to answer the question whether the issue of the solution of the political problem was "a family affair" for the ruling party, he said that political parties were part of the constitutional framework prescribed by the constitution, and pointed out that when the premier was hospitalized, Mr. Evert himself had stated that there was no issue of him being substituted for.

Political Spring deputy Costas Hatzidimitriou in his speech attacked both ND for its censure motion and the PASOK government, adding however that the party would support the censure motion.

Mr. Hatzidimitriou said the motion helps support the two-party system, while he accused the government of not facing the nation's problems.

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) deputy Stratis Korakas accused the main opposition of hypocrisy and demagoguery during his address to parliament.

Mr. Korakas stressed that the motives behind ND's censure motion did not arise from opposition to government policy, but from within the framework of "constructive criticism and consensus of a policy arising from foreign imperialist centers."

He said there was no problem of absence of government or of a political vacuum because "with or without (Prime Minister Andreas) Papandreou, the government zealously implements the orders of the European Union."

KKE refuses to be an accomplice to ND's censure motion, Mr. Korakas said, and concluded that the only censure required by the Greek people is the censure of the policies of foreign centers and of Maastricht, which are followed by both PASOK and New Democracy.

[2] Coalition

Athens, 09/01/1996 (ANA)

Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos said yesterday that the government would receive a confidence vote at the initiative of the New Democracy party, "glorifying political irrationality".

Mr. Constantopoulos said the main opposition party, with the contribution of the Political Spring party, was weakening Parliament's substantive role and facilitating the government's procrastination and undermining the imperative and urgent need to replace the prime minister.

[3] Greece remembers 'man of vision, friend of Greece' as Mitterrand leaves the stage

The death of former French president Francois Mitterrand yesterday drew messages of condolences from the government and Greek political figures.

Government spokesman Telemahos Hytiris described Mr. Mitterrand as "a great politician, man of vision, friend of Greece... and one of the greatest figures of contemporary political history" while Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister, Akis Tsohatzopoulos, who is deputizing for Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, extended the government's condolences to the French people over "the loss of the great political leader Francois Mitterrand."

"Mitterrand was not merely a French personality but a European one," he said, drawing attention to the French leader's contribution to European affairs.

He added that the former French president had been "a good friend of Greece", a personal friend of Mr. Papandreou and a student of Greek history and civilization.

Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias, in statement made before his departure for Paris yesterday, said that a great historical personality had left the European stage.

Mr. Papoulias characterized Mr. Mitterrand as a "political intellectual and philosopher". He added that he did not know whether he would remain in Paris for the funeral.

In a telegram of condolences to Mr. Mitterrand's family, main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert described him as "undoubtedly one of the greatest personalities of our times."

Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras said: "The whole world is today mourning a leader whose prestige went beyond the borders of his country."

Former prime minister and honorary leader of the main opposition New Democracy party Constantine Mitsotakis said Mr. Mitterrand had been devoted to the concept of freedom. Mr. Mitterrand, he said, was well aware of Greek history and understood both the virtues and weaknesses of the race.

He said Mr. Mitterrand was a true friend of Greece and always offered his help and support, particularly on the issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

Thessaloniki Mayor Constantine Kosmopoulos addressed a message of condolences to the French Ambassador to Athens Bernard Kessedjian on the death of Mr. Mitterrand.

Mr. Kosmopoulos referred to Mr. Mitterrand's contribution towards consolidating the European Union and the decisive role he played in its course, adding that Greece had lost a true friend.

[4] Skandalidis briefs president on recent moves by PASOK executive

Ruling PASOK party secretary Costas Skandalidis yesterday briefed President Kostis Stephanopoulos on the decision of the Executive Bureau and other party organs concerning the steps to find a solution to the problem created by the prolonged illness of Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr. Skandalidis said that he had also discussed current political developments with the president.

Meanwhile, government spokesman Telemahos Hytiris said that there was a "continuous improvement" in Mr. Papandreou's health, expressing certainty that the premier will be in a position to be briefed on the current political situation by January 20.

Mr. Hytiris said it was "humanly and politically correct" that the prime minister be briefed on developments.

Regarding the National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis' meeting with Mr. Papandreou, the spokesman said the minister had briefed the prime minister on developments in Bosnia.

Greece is sending troops to oversee peace in Bosnia under the mandate of the United Nations.

Mr. Hytiris also launched a strong attack on main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Miltiades Evert for tabling a censure motion against the government in Parliament.

The spokesman said that Mr. Evert's opposition policy was characterized by "contradictions and irresponsibility," adding that the ND leader would receive the appropriate answer in Parliament.

Replying to questions, Mr. Hytiris said he did not know whether Mr. Papandreou had been informed about the censure motion.

Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos yesterday chaired a meeting to examine the tactics to be adopted by the government during the censure debate.

The meeting was attended by Minister of State to the Prime Minister, Antonis Livanis, the presidium of PASOK's parliamentary group and the heads of the party's parliamentary sectors.

After the meeting, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos told reporters the government would give a complete and appropriate answer to New Democracy regarding "the censure motion that it has at last dared to submit."

Calling the Central Committee meeting set for January 20 a "landmark", he said "PASOK has proved from day one since the illness of the prime minister began that it had the maturity and the responsibility to meet problems effectively."

"We have ensured the government's effective operation at all levels. Now that the prime minister's prolonged illness has created a political problem, we have the responsibility, in consultation with all institutional figures, to proceed to tackling the problem politically," he said.

[5] ND responds to Hytiris

The main opposition New Democracy president is not at all naive, ND spokesman Vassilis Manginas said yesterday, in response to statements by Mr. Hytiris aimed at the ND leader.

Mr. Manginas said the ND president did have credibility, adding that Mr. Hytiris was the one suffering from naiveti and a lack of credibility.

The ND spokesman said Mr. Hytiris' statements since November 20 (the date Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou entered hospital) on the situation transpiring in the Onassion Hospital's intensive care unit displayed great naiveti.

[6] Premier's condition 'particularly good'

Yesterday's midday bulletin by the Onassion Hospital said that the premier was continuing to undergo physiotherapy and motion therapy while his breathing was periodically supported by a respirator. It added that the patient had undergone dialysis.

The evening bulletin reported no significant change.

According to his doctors, Mr. Papandreou's general clinical condition was "particularly good" yesterday, with no indication of any new infection or other complication.

The main headache for the medical team treating the premier appears to be the concentration of fluid in the premier's chest.

Although 400 cubic centimeters of fluid was removed with the puncture method Sunday, about one and a half liters of fluid remains on the left side of the premier's chest.

The premier's son, Education Minister George Papandreou, and Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis visited Mr. Papandreou yesterday.

[7] Papoulias: Premier must be informed of developments

Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias said yesterday that the prime minister had a role to play in any new developments in ruling party PASOK. "It would be contradictory, when Andrea Papandreou's health is improving, for his involvement in these procedures crucial to PASOK not to be requested," Mr. Papoulias said before departing for the Paris conference on Palestine.

Asked by the ANA whether he would be willing to be a member of a party delegation to brief the prime minister on political developments, he said he definitely agreed with Mr. Papandreou being informed.

"I believe it is fundamental for Andreas Papandreou to be informed and to contribute to these procedures, that are crucial not only to PASOK, but also to the country," the foreign minister added. "I think those who are hurrying are harming themselves an d PASOK."

Meanwhile, 150 PASOK-affiliated trade unionists, including General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) president Christos Protopapas and civil servants' union (ADEDY) leader Yiannis Koutsoukos yesterday called for an end to differences between the party's organs over procedures for the succession.

They are asking that the party's Central Committee, due to convene on January 20, "determine the necessary political framework, on this basis of which, the parliamentary group should then elect the new prime minister of the country...".

The signatories express confidence in what they call the party's "historical leadership," and they call on them to undertake all those initiatives that will lead to "PASOK's regeneration, and to victory in the 1997 elections.

[8] Arafat receives peace prize from Orthodox Church

The Greek Orthodox Church gave PLO leader Yasser Arafat its top prize last Saturday in Bethlehem for his role in promoting Middle East peace.

Mr. Arafat shared the Golden Peace Prize with the late Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, current Prime Minister Shimon Peres, Jordan's King Hussein and Crown Prince Hassan.

Patriarch Diodoros I said in a ceremony at Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity the Greek Orthodox Church had decided "to show our gratitude for your efforts for the sake of peace."

"We warmly congratulate you on the occasion of the expansion of the Palestinian National Authority and liberation of cities and be sure we will support you in order to achieve prosperity for our people," he said.

In response Mr. Arafat said: "I feel proud that you have granted me this golden necklace, the prize of peace, the peace of the braves. I was hoping that Mr. Yitzhak Rabin who made the peace of the braves with me would have been next to me now. Mr. Rabin who ... has paid the price of the peace of the braves."

Mr. Arafat attended Orthodox Christmas midnight mass last Saturday in Bethlehem. The Patriarchate has the largest following among Palestinian Christians.

Mr. Rabin, Mr. Peres and Mr. Arafat shared in the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize for the 1993 Israel-PLO deal which launched Palestinian self-rule. Israel and Jordan signed a peace accord in 1994.

The patriarch decorated Mr. Arafat with a necklace at the ceremony attended by clergymen, foreign diplomats and Palestinian officials.

[9] Carlos' accomplice not in Greek jails, authorities say

Reports that Bruno Brege, a Swiss accomplice of the notorious terrorist "Carlos", is being held in a Greek prison have been proved mistaken.

According to the justice ministry, another Swiss man, Bernard Kesselrin, 62, was held for nine days in November in the Stavrakion prison in Ioannina. The confusion was probably created due to the two men being of the same nationality.

Brege disappeared on November 11, 1995 when he was returning to Igoumenitsa from Athens on board the passenger ship, "Lato". The public order ministry said there was a nationwide search warrant out for Brege, who had been expelled from Greece in 1991.

[10] Cyprus-EU accession 'unacceptable', Turkey says

Turkish Foreign Minister Deniz Baykal reiterated yesterday that Turkey will not accept a Cyprus accession to the EU, adding that the start of the accession talks would be an obstacle to the resumption of negotiations to resolve the Cyprus problem.

"Accession talks will block the way leading the Greek Cypriots to the negotiation table," Mr. Baykal told a television station, adding that "we are not going to accept an EU-Cyprus accession."

"The issue may be considered only if Turkey becomes a full member of the EU," he added.

In the meantime, Turkish foreign ministry representative Omer Akbel said the EU had not undertaken any initiative regarding settlement of the Cyprus problem.

He was speaking after the visit of Italian Foreign Minister Emmanuele Scamacca.

Foreign under-secretary responsible for the Cyprus problem Inal Batu said it "would be absurd for the European Union to make the Cyprus question an internal problem."

Referring to the forthcoming of visit of US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke to Cyprus, Mr. Batu said "it would be useful if this message would come directly from the United States."

"This is exactly what we expect Mr. Holbrooke to do during his visit to Cyprus and his meeting with the Greek Cypriots," he said.

In a related development, a foreign ministry representative, asked to comment on the event of Mr. Holbrooke's postponing his visit to Ankara and Athens, said:

"There has been no news of postponement, since there has never been an official request for a visit or an invitation."

[11] Turkey rejects Greek demarche over Turkish air space infringements

A strong demarche by the Greek government regarding the Turkish plane which crashed into Greek waters on December 28, as well as preceding violations of Greek airspace by Turkish aircraft was rejected by Turkey over the weekend on the grounds that Greece's airspace does not extend to 10 miles over the Aegean.

Greek diplomatic sources said persistent Turkish violations of Greek airspace contained the danger of a repetition of such incidents.

The Greek side wished to point out at the highest possible level that, contrary to Turkish allegations, Turkish aircraft not only do not fly in international airspace over the Aegean, but often fly over Greek islands.

On December 28 the Turkish F-4 Phantom fighter crashed off the island of Lesvos in the eastern Aegean after its two-man crew abandoned the plane during mid-air maneuvering.

According to the National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis, a pair of Turkish phantoms violated Greek airspace without first filing a scheduled flight plan before flying over the Greek island of Hios. The planes were headed in a westerly direction.

Mr. Arsenis said the aircraft were intercepted by two Hellenic Air Force F-16 Falcons.

In Ankara, a Turkish foreign ministry statement said the plane crashed due to "a mechanical malfunction during a course of training flights in the Aegean's international airspace."

Turkey claims that Greece's airspace extends only six miles over the Aegean.

Greek Ambassador to Ankara, Dimitris Nezeritis, who handed the Greek demarche to the Turkish authorities, drew the Turkish foreign ministry's attention to this dangerous tactic.

[12] Arsenis to see off Greek troops for Bosnia today

Another Greek military contingent leaves for Bosnia today to participate in the NATO-led peace implementation force, IFOR.

The Greek army unit will depart from a military base in Alexandria, Imathia. A farewell ceremony is scheduled for 11pm, with National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis and Macedonia-Thrace Minister Constantinos Triarides slated to attend.

End of English language section.