A.N.A. Bulletin, 24/01/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 795), January 24, 1995

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] Greek entrepreneurs promise to be FYROM's 'best neighbor'

Businessmen and experts from Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) came together in Athens yesterday to examine broadening economic co-operation between the two newly-reconciled neighbors.

Dozens of Greek business representatives, including representatives of some of the largest firms in the country, received a first-hand briefing on the state of FYROM's economy, the business environment and possibilities of co-operation in the trade and investment sector on the sidelines of a conference organized by the International Economic Relations Institute.

The institute is an agency created recently by the Federation of Societe Anonyme and Limited Liability companies (SAEEPE) to promote Greek entrepreneurs' knowledge of neighboring countries and investment opportunities.

The officials attending and addressing the event on the part of FYROM were V. Vasileva-Markovska, director of the State Enterprise Privatization Organization, T. Nenovsky, deputy governor of Skopje's central bank and two economists who are professors at the Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje.

International economic relations Secretary-General at the national economy ministry, Nikos Zahariadis, told the participants that Greece looked forward to strengthening economic exchange between the two countries since such a development would bolster wider mutual understanding between them.

In the Balkans, he said, all could and should benefit economically from the peace process. The national economy ministry would actively support Greek businessmen's efforts for a more active presence in FYROM.

He called on the neighboring country to shape a suitable institutional co-operation framework.

SAEEPE president and well-known businessman P. Kyriakopoulos said that after the mutual establishment of diplomatic missions it would be proved that Greece was FYROM's best neighbor. He said FYROM could justifiably expect Greek investments soon.

Geographical, cultural and religious links meant businessmen from the two countries could come to excellent understandings with each other, he said, adding that a Greek business mission to visit FYROM and an exhibition of Greek products were in the pipe line.

Speaking on behalf of the Greek business community, he expressed the intention of soon making Greece the top trade and investment partner for FYROM.

The most important sectors of co-operation with FYROM, as far as Greece is concerned, are foodstuffs, beverages, footwear, clothing, building and construction materials, fuel, chemical fertilizers, household and office equipment and transport and banking . It was added that strengthening relations with Greece would drastically reduce the present thriving black market and smuggling in FYROM.

Greek businessmen called on the Greek government to shape a specific package of incentives for FYROM and to place priority on the issue of effective insurance coverage for their private investments.

Three Greek banks (the National, Commercial and Ionian) have already shown interest in expanding to FYROM, while the conviction was stressed that the port of Thessaloniki will soon develop into an economic centre for the import and export trade of FYROM .

The experts from FYROM said they were relieved at both the lifting of Greek retorsion measures and of economic sanctions against Serbia, following the Dayton agreement, saying these developments at last allowed their country's economy to resume the necessary contact with the international economy to revert an alarming decline in its industrial and agricultural production.

[2] European leaders, White House welcome Simitis administration

French ambassador Bernard Kessedjan yesterday handed Prime Minister Costas Simitis a message from President Jacques Chirac congratulating the Greek premier on his election win and wishing him success in his task.

Mr. Chirac expressed his pleasure in being able to work with the Greek premier towards the progress of the European Union, and the strengthening of the two countries' historical ties.

German Chancellor Helmut Kohl also sent a congratulatory telegram to Mr. Simitis, expressing certainty that the Greek prime minister will promote Greek-German friendship "with all his strength", an ANA dispatch from Bonn reported yesterday.

"You are assuming a very responsible post at a time which is decisive for the future development of your country and Europe.

"Within the next few years we have to lay the foundations for the further construction of the European house.

"I am certain that you will promote this goal with all your strength, as well as the deepening of the Greek-German friendship," the telegram said.

Mr. Simitis also received a telegram from Italy's caretaker premier Alberto Dini congratulating him on his election.

In the telegram sent Monday, Mr. Dini said he was "certain that in the course of your mission, the excellent relations of deep friendship and great cordiality which have traditionally existed between Italy and Greece will have new opportunities to be further strengthened and developed, particularly within the framework of European integration, where there has always been mutually constructive co-operation."

In Washington, White House spokesperson David Johnson told a foreign press briefing that the US "looks forward to a co-operation with the new Greek government, since we believe that it is possible to continue the kind of relations that we have forged wit h Greece".

State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns told reporters that the United States was satisfied with the election of the new prime minister.

"We are very satisfied that the prime minister, Costas Simitis, has assumed his duties," he said. "Greece is an important ally of NATO and we look forward to cooperating with the new government."

[3] Kinkel congratulates Pangalos

German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel sent a telegram on Monday night to new Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and outgoing foreign minister Karolos Papoulias.

In his telegram to Mr. Papoulias, the German minister thanked the Greek minister "for the good and utterly confident co-operation", urging him to "continue to fight for the good of Greece and the good relations between our countries."

In his message to Mr. Pangalos, Mr. Kinkel said he was pleased at the prospect of "our co-operation once more."

"The duties which lie ahead of us regarding the enlargement of the European Union require all our efforts. The same applies to the consolidation of the deep and multi-faceted relations between our countries," he said.

[4] Tsohatzopoulos to attend EU socialist leaders meeting

Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos will represent Prime Minister Costas Simitis at the meeting of socialist prime ministers of the European Union member states on January 25-27 in Vienna, it was announced yesterday.

Mr. Simitis will be unable to attend the meeting due to obligations related to the drafting and presentation of his government's policy statements in Parliament next Monday.

[5] No change in Gov't policy on FYROM name, Reppas says

The government's positions on the issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) are known and it is with these positions that Athens has entered into talks in New York on the matter of the neighboring country's name, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday.

The spokesman made the statement when asked whether there would be any change in the government's positions on the FYROM issue in light of statements by newly-appointed Foreign Minister Theodore Pangalos expressing disagreement with the policy followed to date.

Mr. Reppas said that the government's positions remained the same, clarifying that Mr. Pangalos was "bound" by the government's position. The spokesman also announced that the next meeting of the Greek and FYROM delegations in New York would take place either on February 12 or February 26. Replying to similar questions concerning views expressed by Mr. Pangalos on the Greece-Cyprus joint defense doctrine, Mr. Reppas said that government policy was a "single" policy, intimating that there would be no change in policy on this issue. Commenting on criticism of Mr. Pangalos' appointment as foreign minister by foreign news agencies and diplomats, Mr. Reppas said that the government "listens carefully to the various views," adding however that "both as a country and a party, we are autonomous and whatever we decide... that will be done."

[6] Foreign ministry replies to Turkish protests over visa refusal

In a written statement released yesterday, the foreign ministry rejected a Turkish demarche last week concerning Athens' refusal to grant entry visas to three Turkish theologians wanting to visit Greece for the upcoming Moslem religious festival of Ramadan.

The statement pointed out that a number of Moslem clerics are invited from other countries by their colleagues in Greece every year during this period and are granted visas.

The foreign ministry also dismissed the charge that Turkish clerics have not been allowed to visit Thrace over the past four years.

The three individuals in question had not been so invited, and the refusal to grant them visas was designed to demonstrate that Greece is resolved to safeguard public order and the authority of public officials, muftis included, from actions of individuals who are provenly directed by the Turkish side, the statement added.

The Turkish government, it said further, attempts to create issues in the affairs of the Moslem minority every year.

"The Greek government sincerely desires the improvement of bilateral relations. However, actions which do not respect the internal public order of the Greek state surely do not contribute to such an improvement," the statement concluded.

[7] Premier confers with Pangalos, Geitonas on 'national issue'

An urgent meeting was held late last night between Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and Public Order Minister Costas Geitonas concerning a "serious national issue."

According to press reports, the meeting, held in the premier's office, dealt with information that a series of provocations are planned by certain elements in Thrace, with the intention of disturbing Greek-Turkish relations. Officially, no statement was made concerning the meeting's content as none of the participants made statements after the meeting.

Greece has rejected a demarche issued last week by Ankara over the former's decision not to issue travel visas to three Turkish theologians.

Athens said the three Turkish muftis were not invited by their Greek colleagues.

[8] Seminar series to look at problems of Mediterranean peoples

In an effort to make the problems of the Mediterranean more widely known, the Greek Committee for International Democratic Solidarity (EEDDA) has decided to launch a programme entitled 'Social and Economic Development - A Common Future for All the Peoples of the Mediterranean'.

In the five planned one-day conferences, speakers from all countries in the basin will negotiate issues such as the promotion of socio-economic development of those countries which are not members of the EU, unemployment and the problem of mass migration, environmental protection, and the role of women in development.

In the context of sensitizing public opinion, phenomena such as the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in the South, racism and xenophobia in the North, will also be tackled.

[9] Stephanopoulos to visit Washington in May

The White House press secretary said last night that President Bill Clinton had invited Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos to Washington for a state visit on May 9.

President Stephanopoulos has accepted the invitation.

"The visit provides an opportunity for the two leaders to reaffirm the close relations between the United States and Greece and to celebrate the warm friendship and ties of kinship that exist between our two peoples," the White House statement said.

"The two leaders will discuss a number of bilateral issues, including US-Greek economic relations, and exchange views on a range of international issues, including Cyprus and the situation in the Balkans," the statement concluded.

[10] Stephanopoulos congratulates Arafat

President Kostis Stephanopoulos yesterday sent a telegram to PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat congratulating him on his election Saturday as president in the newly-autonomous territories.

Mr. Stephanopoulos said Mr. Arafat's election "at this critical point in the Middle East peace process" vindicated the Palestinian leader's "long struggle for the restoration of peace, freedom and democracy" for his people.

[11] No change in Papandreou's health

A medical bulletin issued by the Onassion Hospital yesterday said that there had been no change in the condition of ruling PASOK party leader Andreas Papandreou during the past 24 hours.

"The patient does not have a temperature and his breathing and renal function continue to be periodically supported by technical means," the bulletin said.

[12] Albanian prisoners in Greece to be sent home, reports say

Some 790 Albanians imprisoned in Greek jails will be deported to Albania where they will serve out their terms in Albanian prisons, Albanian press reports quoted official sources as saying yesterday.

The first group of Albanian prisoners to be sent to their homeland, includes 14 women and 140 youths between the ages of 14 and 20.

According to the DPA, their deportation follows an agreement between the two countries, signed by the Albanian and Greek justice ministers in August.

The agreement has been prompted by a series of violent incidents in Greek prisons in which Albanians have also been involved.

The European Commission has recently allocated the amount of $1.3 million for the improvement of conditions in Albanian prisons.

[13] Gov't spokesman comments on Haralambopoulos statements

New Press and Media Minister Dimitris Reppas, who is also the government spokesman, touched on several issues concerning the newly sworn-in government at a press conference yesterday.

Mr. Reppas said the government disagreed with a statement by PASOK deputy and former deputy prime minister Yiannis Haralambopoulos which claimed he had spoken with Prime Minister Costas Simitis over the composition of a new government after it was announced on Sunday night.

Mr. Reppas said the conversation between the prime minister and Mr. Haralambopoulos was held before the announcement of the new government and covered the course of the government's work, and the government's profile, ethos and prospects.

In response to press questions, Mr. Reppas said Mr. Haralambopoulos has his own opinion, adding: "Mr. Haralambopoulos is a (party) cadre whom we honor and respect."

In an unrelated matter, concerning a statement by National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis that the new government is a "Simitis government," he said the national defense minister was participating in a government of which Costas Simitis is the premier.

In response to a visit by Health Minister Anastasios Peponis to PASOK leader Andreas Papandreou at the Onassion Hospital, where the former justice minister reportedly asked the ailing former premier's consent before accepting the post, Mr. Reppas said it was a "considerate move" and displayed Mr. Peponis' character and declined to further comment. He did add such consent was not legally required.

Concerning criticism that the government was formed by various factions within the ruling PASOK party and whether the new government would attempt to disband such unofficial internal movements, the government spokesman said that "no one agrees with the existence of such groups...."

Meanwhile, former public order minister Stelios Papathemelis said the government "belonged to Simitis and not PASOK."

"The president of PASOK Andreas Papandreou in every government formation called on me to assume some ministerial position, independent of whether I was sworn in or not as a minister. Mr. Simitis did not do me this honor," Mr. Papathemelis said.

He also expressed concern over the stance new Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos will take on foreign policy issues.

[14] 'Centrists' group meets

PASOK deputies from the so-called centrist group, including Mr. Haralambopoulos and deputies Panayiotis Kritikos, Lefteris Veryvakis, Dimitris Glavinas, Antonis Drosoyiannis and Yiannis Papaspyrou met yesterday to discuss the latest political developments .

According to reports, Mr. Haralambopoulos, one of four candidates for premiership during a vote last week by PASOK's Parliamentary Group, again expressed his dissatisfaction because of "the absence of centrists from the government formation."

PASOK's executive bureau met for three hours last evening regarding the preparation of a Central Committee meeting scheduled for February 10 and 11.

The central committee meeting, PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis said, will deal with a party summit in June, according to an executive bureau proposal.

[15] Samaras lashes out against Simitis

Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras yesterday lashed out against new prime minister Costas Simitis, describing him as "a party-bred prime minister who cannot turn the page in our political history."

He was speaking after a meeting of the party's Political Planning Council which focused on political developments following the election of Mr. Simitis.

Mr. Samaras said that Andreas Papandreou's resignation as prime minister may have signaled the end of an era, but the election of the new prime minister did not mean the country would enter a new age.

"The country continues to be in a fluid and transitional stage," he said, stressing the fact that Mr. Simitis has not been elected by the people but by PASOK MPs.

"Great historic achievements are the products of leaders who have been elected by the people and not of party-bred prime ministers," he added.

[16] Florakis convinced Gov't will not veer from austerity policy

Honorary president of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), Harilaos Florakis, expressed his certainty yesterday that the new government would continue with a policy of austerity. Mr. Florakis stressed the modernization called for by Prime Minister Costas Simitis "will cost something."

"The policies that make the poor poorer and the rich richer have not been changed. ... There must be no illusions through the declarations of modernization on the ethos and character of power," he said.

"Let us not forget that the government is a government of the ruling class, tied and submissive to large capitals, to NATO and to Brussels." Mr. Florakis departed yesterday for Vietnam.

[17] Papadopoulos assigns duties to undersecretaries

Finance Minister Alekos Papadopoulos outlined the responsibilities of his two new undersecretaries yesterday, saying he would be responsible for matters of general fiscal policies, such as spending, deficits, loans and public debt.

George Anomeritis has been assigned with the verification and receipt of taxes, audits and supervision of tax control for the Data Processing Centre (KEPYO) and the Service for the Movement and Control of Goods (YPEDA).

Mr. Anomeritis will also be responsible for the promotion of data processing in the ministry and in tax offices, as well as the handling of EU Community programmes related to the ministry. He will also take over the ministry's management.

George Drys will handle all customs matters, public property and national heritage.

[18] GSEE to take its case to Simitis

The executive council of the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) voted yesterday to request a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis, in order to brief the prime minister on the confederation's main demands.

The executive council also unanimously rejected proposals by employers' organizations, presented at talks on Monday, saying the confederation would stick to its demands, including real wage increases and the institution of a 35-hour working week.

Concerning a pending tabling of a draft bill for large state-controlled corporations, GSEE decided to send a letter to National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, requesting that relative procedures be put off until a "dialogue with labor groups is completed."

Finally, GSEE announced that its leadership will request a meeting with new Labor Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos and undersecretaries Lambros Kanellopoulos and Nikos Farmakis, in order to consider issues related to unemployment, pensions, foreign workers and workplace inspections.

[19] Decision on treasury bill interest rates expected today

Finance ministry sources said yesterday minister Alekos Papadopoulos would decide today on the interest rates of treasury bills to be issued at the end of the month.

It is considered that the rates will fall from the 14.20 per cent for yearly bills issued last week to below the 13.90 rate, the lowest at the end of 1995.

National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and Bank of Greece Governor Lucas Papademos yesterday agreed that there was margin for further interest rate cuts, at their first meeting following the swearing-in of the new government. Mr. Papademos is reported to be favoring a small reduction, to the tune of 0.25 per cent.

The central bank governor declined to predict the size of bank interest rate cuts which largely depends on the course of inflation and the balance of payments.

[20] Astir insurance sees 30 per cent increase in premiums

The Astir insurance company enjoyed a very productive year in 1995 with a 30 per cent increase in insurance premiums.

The company's general director Triantafylos Lysimahos said the figures were one of the biggest increases, and probably the biggest, among the top five insurance companies.

More specifically, general insurance increased 33 per cent and life insurance 24 per cent. Premiums will total about 22 billion drachmas.

Mr. Lysimahos said profits would increase 20 per cent, while it was estimated that Astir achieved a 20 per cent increase in new clients and contracts.

End of English language section.