A.N.A. Bulletin, 10/01/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 783), January 10, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] Premier's involvement in developments imperative, Hytiris says

Government spokesman Telemahos Hytiris said yesterday there would be no impasse in efforts to resolve the political problem caused by the premier's prolonged illness and that it was "only right and proper" that Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou be given the opportunity to express his opinion on current developments.

According to reports, doctors treating the premier may allow him to discuss political issues this week, in which case it may become apparent whether he intends to submit his resignation.

Asked who would be participating in the ruling PASOK party delegation which will visit the premier, Mr. Hytiris replied that the composition of the delegation was a matter for the party's Executive Bureau and Mr. Papandreou himself.

The spokesman replied to a barrage of questions by saying that the Central Committee would meet on January 20 "when everything will be examined."

"Any questions which there might be at that time will be answered by the Central Committee," he added.

Asked what the Executive Bureau's use of the phrase "definitive solution in January" implied, Mr. Hytiris replied that it meant "a smooth course."

Replying to other questions, Mr. Hytiris said that there was no difference of opinion between Transport Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Justice Minister Ioannis Pottakis regarding the issue of Mr. Papandreou's succession.

"There are two dimensions to the issue - the constitutional and the political and it is only natural that both are being aired," he said, adding that Mr. Pottakis spoke of the former and Mr. Venizelos the latter during Monday night's debate in Parliament of the main opposition New Democracy party's censure motion against the government.

Replying to reporters' questions in Alexandria, in northern Greece, concerning the conversation he had at the weekend with Mr. Papandreou, National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis said he could not understand "the difficulty which some people have differentiating between the human dimension and the political dimension."

Mr. Arsenis said that his conversation had the nature of briefing the premier on ministry issues "which I think he absorbed with interest. The briefing was of a purely human nature."

Asked whether the premier was in a position to engage in political discussion, Mr. Arsenis replied that "this is a matter for the doctors."

According to the doctors, he continued, Mr. Papandreou will be able to engage in political discussion with representatives of PASOK party organs within the next few days.

Labor and Social Security Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas said that a solution would be given to the problem of the premier's succession "at all events" by January 20. If the premier resigns, he said, the Central Committee of PASOK would determine the political framework and the parliamentary group will be called on to elect the new prime minister.

"If for any reason the premier does not resign, the Central Committee will examine the issue of how the premier's duties will be covered and will put forward, politically and constitutionally, the solution," Mr. Tzoumakas said.

In Paris, Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias told ANA that "the date of January the 20th (which has been fixed for the discussion of) succession procedures for the replacement of Mr. Papandreou could be superseded by improvements in the prime minister's health as these are expressed in the medical communiquis."

Mr. Papoulias, visiting Paris to participate in the international conference of foreign ministers for the financial support of the Palestinians, said he would support the same position even if succession procedures continued according to schedule.

On his return from Paris last night, Mr. Papoulias made it clear to reporters that he would not ask for a postponement of the January 20 meeting, but would support the view that as long as the prime minister was in a position to participate in the succession procedures, he could not be excluded from them.

Last night, Transport Minister Evangelos Venizelos said any decision by the party's parliamentary group concerning the prime minister's definitive incapacity had to be accepted by the dissenting minority, and that what was of first priority was to avoid any possibility of a break in the party, and, at the same time, provide an immediate and clear solution to the political problem.

[2] Parliament debate

In the second day of debate in Parliament yesterday of main opposition New Democracy's censure motion, National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou told Parliament no constitutional vacuums or deadlocks existed in the political problem arising from the prime minister's illness.

Mr. Papantoniou said the government had to forge ahead "in the time-frames set out by the party's Executive Bureau."

"The Greek economy is maturing and is distancing itself from political problems. Businessmen and working people are not influenced by (ND leader) Mr. Evert's superficial and unfortunate statements" about the lack of government, he said.

He said the market was recovering, contracts were being signed and the stock exchange was picking up.

Former PASOK minister Costas Simitis described the submission of the censure motion as a theatrical move, designed by Mr. Evert only to prevail over his internal party critics. PASOK, he added, had initiated the procedures for the prime minister's replacement, and committed itself to completing it within January.

Regarding New Democracy's demand for early elections, he said such an event would jeopardize the implementation of the government's convergence programme with other European economies, while other important national, social and administrative issues needed solutions.

Former national economy minister and main opposition New Democracy party deputy Stephanos Manos told parliament that "no constitution prevents the majority of PASOK's Parliamentary Group of ridding itself of Mr. Papandreou. No invocation of any illness is necessary. What will be enough will be for this majority to decide that Mr. Papandreou is no longer useful for it."

"Strange that it may seem, I desire not the dissolution but the rallying of PASOK and the preservation of its unity. I would like a better PASOK as a rival because it is certain that a better PASOK will also push ND and make it even better," Mr. Manos s aid.

ND deputy Dimitris Sioufas said that, with its censure motion, ND was providing PASOK with a last chance to disentangle itself from involvement, adding that if the opportunity was not used there would be new and bigger deadlocks tomorrow.

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) deputy Antonis Skyllakos said the censure motion lacked substance and content and that KKE called on PASOK to immediately resolve the lesser problem of who would have the prime minister's chair which has been presented as a major problem for two months.

The debate was continuing until late last night and will be completed at midnight tonight with a roll call vote.

[3] Premier's health

A medical bulletin issued last night by the Onassion Hospital said the condition of Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou's health remained stable.

It added that the patient had undergone kidney dialysis, that his breathing was periodically supported by a respirator and the physical therapy programme to assist the premier's mobility was continuing.

There appeared to be some disagreement among the premier's doctors as to the cause of fluid in his chest, with some asserting that it is the result of kidney dysfunction and others that it is caused by cardiac insufficiency.

According to informed sources, the premier required chest physiotherapy due to lower oxygen levels in the blood, while he remained on the respirator throughout the night.

The favorable results yesterday of laboratory tests allayed doctors' fears that the premier's slight temperature yesterday was not the signal for a new infection.

Characteristic of the tests is that the premier's white blood cell count did not surpass 8,500, a figure which is considered perfectly normal.

[4] Greek presence in Bosnia an 'active contribution to peace', Arsenis says

The main body of the Greek transport company will leave for Bosnia today to deploy with the NATO peace implementation force, IFOR.

A special ceremony was held yesterday in Alexandria, Imathia to mark the occasion, attended by National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis, Macedonia and Thrace Minister Costas Triarides, the Chief of the National Defense General Staff Admiral Christos

Lymberis, the Chief of the Army General Staff Lieutenant General Constantine Voulgaris, local authorities and other officials.

In a brief address, Mr. Arsenis referred to the Greek contingent as "diplomats of the nation," saying that Greece's participation in the peace force allowed the country to actively take part in the economic initiatives for the reconstruction of Bosnia and the political consultations for the consolidation of peace in the region.

"It also gives our country a chance to play its historic role again, as a peace factor and as centre for the development of cultural, economic and defense initiatives," he added. Mr. Arsenis expressed the view that the NATO force would face serious difficulties in the initial stages of its deployment which would be gradually overcome.

Asked how the ministry dealt with the risk of Greek soldiers being killed or injured during their mission, Mr. Arsenis said the risk factor was taken into consideration and that the soldiers had been trained to deal with this and know exactly when to make use of their weapons. He further added that the Greek mission was not faced with particular danger, outside certain isolated incidents which might occur and which the men are trained to deal with. "There is minimum risk," Mr. Arsenis said.

Mr. Triarides said the ministry, in co-operation with the foreign ministry, has undertaken initiatives to support and facilitate the mission.

The 180 men and 90 vehicles will leave from Thessaloniki today on the passenger vessel "Phaedra" for Plotse in Croatia from where they will travel to Vissovo in Bosnia where the Greek company will deploy with a Belgian detachment. They will join 70 Greek soldiers who have already arrived in the region. All the troops are volunteers.

The main task of the Greek contingent will be to transport materials, a task which Mr. Arsenis described as "difficult."

Mr. Arsenis said that he would soon visit Bosnia and assured that the national defense ministry would daily monitor the progress of the Greek contingent and provide all material and moral support. Greece is also contributing three warships and helicopters to IFOR.

In another development, the Thessaloniki Committee for International Ditente (EDYETH) and the Thessaloniki branch of the Communist Party of Greece protested the mission and opposed the government's decision to send Greek soldiers to Bosnia.

KKE's Thessaloniki party group (KOTH) said in an announcement that the mission "creates danger of greater problems amongst the Balkan states," and is a reminder of "similar missions, like that of Korea where Greek youths had been dragged to serve and materialize the interests of the imperialists."

In its announcement, EDYETH said the mission "is one more step towards our country's dependence on US and EU decisions," adding that "the mission is the official participation of the Greek state in expeditionary occupation force."

[5] Pledges of economic aid surpass Palestinian expectations, Papoulias says Athens will be active in region

Greek Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias yesterday welcomed a commitment by donor nations to give the newly-created Palestinian Authority $1.37 billion in aid.

"We are pleased with the economic aid for the Palestinians as Greece was the first country to support the need of this initiative from the start," Mr. Papoulias told reporters after the day-long conference in Paris, which, Reuters reported, drew so many participants that there was difficulty seating them all.

French Foreign Minister Herve de Charette told a news conference that some 50 donor countries and organizations had pledged the total sum of $1.365 billion for new development projects.

The amount pledged was beyond the Palestinians' own expectations. They received $865 million against a request for $550 million. The rest of the funds, $500 million, were previously committed but not yet disbursed.

The European Union remained the most generous donor, with $120 million. The World Bank pledged $90 million and the United States $71 million.

Greece will grant the Palestinian Authority $1 million in economic aid, Mr. Papoulias said, adding that Athens is examining the prospect of participating in the planned regional bank with a stake of 2 per cent as well as donating $500,000 to stock-breeding projects.

Mr. Papoulias noted that Greece has granted the Palestinians a low-interest loan in 1993, when donor nations pledged $2.4 billion in aid to the Palestinians over five years, and that this was an opportunity for Greek entrepreneurs to "spread their wings " and transfer their activities to the region.

The international community's plans to promote 200 projects at a total value of $5 billion presented openings for Greek businessmen in the area, Mr. Papoulias added.

He stressed the willingness of all countries taking part in the conference to support the efforts as a necessary stage in the Middle East peace process.

The foreign minister concluded by saying that the loss of former French President Francois Mitterrand was particularly felt at the conference.

[6] President to attend Mitterrand's funeral

President Kostis Stephanopoulos will attend the funeral of former French president Francois Mitterrand tomorrow in Paris, a presidential office announcement said yesterday.

[7] Vartholomeos to visit Australia this year

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos will visit Australia between November 10 and 26 this year, according to an official announcement.

Meanwhile, the Greek Orthodox Church in Australia and New Zealand may one day allow women to vie for retrieval of the Holy Cross, Archbishop of Australia Stylianos reportedly told a local newspaper.

The ceremony, in which a cross is thrown into the water, is enacted every Epiphany (January 6).

Stylianos added that for this to happen "fanatical believers would have to retreat."

[8] Australian-Greek community reacts to arrival of Skopjan bishop

The Greek Orthodox Church and the Pan-Macedonian Union of Melbourne and Victoria have reacted strongly to the arrival here of Skopjan Bishop Petros to undertake the duties of the prelate of the Skopjan "Macedonian Orthodox Church" of Australia.

The Skopjan bishop was greeted at the airport by supporters holding flags depicting the Vergina Star, thus causing the strong reaction of Australian Greeks.

According to the union's president, Mr. Iassonidis, "the bishop arrived in Australia for reasons of propaganda as this was shown by his welcome at the airport."

The Skopjan bishop said he came to Australia as the "bishop of all Macedonians," which caused a strong reaction from Bishop Iezekiel of Dervi who is originally from northern Greece.

"I'm the only bishop in Australia," he said, adding that Petros "is the pseudo-bishop of a schismatic church."

[9] Greece funds Hellenic Studies in Australia

The Greek education ministry has announced the allocation of $A169,821 to cover the needs of the Modern Greek History Department at Melbourne's La Trobe University.

The department has also received financial assistance from the Cypriot government.

[10] Archaeologists dive deeper to examine new finds

Marine excavations are due to begin during the next few months at the islands of Samos and Corfu in order to uncover ancient shipwrecks already located.

Director of the Marine Archaeological Service Dimitris Kazianis told the ANA that the service had been particularly active recently with the discovery of the Kalymnos statue last year.

Another major archaeological find is the discovery of a shipwreck near the island of Fagrou in the northern Sporades. The find is considered to have been the most important of 1995, both from a scientific and from an archaeological point of view, as it contains many articles dating from the fifth century BC, including a rarely-seen leaden anchor.

Projects scheduled for 1996 include investigative marine excavations in the Alimnia region of Rhodes, excavations of a shipwreck thought to date from the Crimean War of 1854-1856, or as far back as 1770 in Lemnos, and a marine archaeological investigation of a Roman vessel in Zakynthos.

[11] Regional energy planning meeting slated for end January

The European Commission's 17th General Energy Directorate will sponsor a working meeting on regional energy planning as part of the ALTENER programme's activities.

The event will take place at the Divani Palace Acropolis hotel on January 29.

The purpose of the meeting is to create a forum for regional energy planning to contribute towards exchanging experiences between agencies involved in such issues.

Some of the issues on the agenda are the presentation of the ALTENER programme and its targets in the framework of a developing European energy policy, the experience of local self-administration in energy planning as well as methods of implementing energy plans.

[12] Rhodes pays tribute to Mitterrand

Rhodes municipal authorities announced a decision yesterday to name a central Rhodes city avenue after former French president Francois Mitterrand, who died Monday.

Mitterrand was an honorary citizen of Rhodes.

A Dodecaneese Scholarships Fund will also name one of its funds, a scholarship for postgraduate work in Community Law, after the French president.

In a ceremony to honor the late French president, Rhodes Mayor George Yiannopoulos hailed his contribution to his vision of a united Europe and his special regard for Greece.

Mayor Yiannopoulos will also attend Mitterrand's memorial service at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

[13] Athens to host European construction industry conference

James R. Knowles, the leading international firm of Construction Contracts Consultants and the British Hellenic Chamber of Commerce are organizing a conference of special importance for the European construction industry entitled "Build Operate and Transfer Contracts - How to make BOT a success".

The conference will be held on Tuesday, January 16 at the Athenaeum Intercontinental, and will last a full day covering a series of lectures and case studies.

The conference will cover, among other topics, the concept of BOT, Contractual Structure and Arrangements, Risk and Risk Allocation, Insurance, Incentives, Funding, the Loan Agreement, the Shareholders Agreement, the Concession Agreement and typical problems and solutions.

It is anticipated that this event will also prove to be an excellent venue for discussion and exchange of views and experiences on the subject of BOT contracts; not alone within the context of forthcoming and existing projects in Greece but also on a wider European level.

British Ambassador Oliver Miles will officially open the Conference. The keynote address will be presented by Professor Vassilios Skouris, president of IKTINOS and a noted and experienced lecturer, and Messrs. Paul Antony Tateos and Evangelos Papageorgiou of Euro-Consultants (attorneys-counselors at law) will co-chair the conference and also participate on the panel for discussion.

Representing James R. Knowles will be Roger Knowles, chairman of the James R. Knowles group, with Reg Thomas and David Price, executive directors of James R. Knowles and acknowledged authorities on the subject of BOT. Nick Longworth, managing director of James R. Knowles Overseas and James R. Knowles (Cyprus) Ltd. and David Hvass, resident senior consultant and manager of James R. Knowles (Cyprus) Ltd - both with considerable experience in International Contracts, Project Management and Dispute Avoidance - will also participate on the panel.

End of English language section.