A.N.A. Bulletin, 16/03/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 839), March 16, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] Recent Yilmaz statements bring cautious response from Pangalos

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said yesterday that recent statements by the new Turkish prime minister regarding a reciprocal withdrawal of forces from the Aegean were "interesting" but added that he was skeptical about their intent.

"It is not the first time that Turkey has made general statements indicating a desire for mutual understanding just to attain a specific aim within the framework of the European Union," he told reporters at a press conference.

He underlined that as soon as Greece had given way and accepted Turkey's custom union with the EU - overlooking, in the process, the human rights situation in the neighboring country and the Cyprus problem, as well as Ankara's threats against Greece - the Imia incident occurred.

Mr. Pangalos said that, within the framework of Turkey's relations with the EU, Greece sought a clear commitment with regard to the political issue which had arisen.

He nevertheless welcomed the statements:

"The general climate is good and can become even more positive. And Mr. Yilmaz's statements are certainly better than those of his predecessor," he said.

The foreign minister said that the Turkish delegation in Brussels would face difficulties if, following the statements by Mr. Yilmaz, it continued to refuse "to give the EU assurances that it will stop using force, or the threat of force, that it will accept international law and the International Court at the Hague and organizations and the procedure for the settlement of disputes."

"If Turkey does assure the '15', then Yilmaz's statements would be a continuation and create a prospect, a basis and a possibility," he said.

Mr. Pangalos said that the next step which could be jointly taken by Athens and Ankara was to hold a discussion on an agreement for the eventual referral of the continental shelf issue to the International Court at the Hague, or, the commencement of negotiations begun following the (1988) Papoulias-Yilmaz agreement (which were continued with the subsequent Papaconstantinou-Cetin agreement) in order for there to be bilateral co-operation in various sectors.

Mr. Pangalos said that if Turkey were to enter into such negotiations without putting forward claims pertaining to Greece's sovereignty in the Aegean, as had so far been the case, "we might sometime reach a very agreeable point."

"We must identify, take the edge off or eliminate the differences, and the lack of trust originating from the existence of differences," Mr. Pangalos said.

Answering a press question as to whether Greece was willing to withdraw its reservations on certain defense issues if Turkey referred all disputed issues to the International Court at The Hague, he said that the issue of the delineation of the Aegean continental shelf was purely a legal issue.

"At first, we must see, which of these issues are defense issues," Mr. Pangalos said, adding that the islets issue was not a defense issue.

"Greece maintains that the 1932 agreement is in force, while Turkey disagrees with this view," he said. "This is clearly a legal issue. The issue of the continental shelf is also legal."

"In any case let Turkey state first that it will accept the general verdict of the Court," he said.

Mr. Pangalos clarified he had never used the words "disarmament" and "islands" in a recent interview he granted to Turkish journalist Mehmet Ali Birant for a television programme. He added that although two weeks had passed since he gave the interview, it had still not been broadcast in Turkey, and expressed the view that "Mr. Birant is not at liberty to broadcast it."

Press reports claimed that Mr. Pangalos had said that Greece could consider disarming the Aegean islands if Turkey re-deployed its (Aegean) Fourth Army.

"At some point, the interview will be broadcast, perhaps not in Turkey as would be expected," Mr. Pangalos said, adding that "some others who have (the interview) will be forced to broadcast it."

Mr. Pangalos said it was necessary to broadcast the entire interview, clarifying that the phrase "Greece could consider reducing the pressure around Turkey" constituted a series of thoughts he had expressed to Mr. Birant, the Turkish people and Turkish public opinion concerning the political and diplomatic pressure exerted by Ankara on Greece.

Replying to this observation, Mr. Birant argued that Greece "illegally maintains military forces on the Aegean islands", the foreign minister said.

Mr. Pangalos said he retorted by mentioning the (Turkish) Fourth Army, stressing to Mr. Birant that the prospect of the withdrawal of the Fourth Army, that is, the re-deployment of the Turkish mechanism of aggression, could bring about a re-alignment of Greece's defense mechanism.

Stressing that Greece was not a war-mongerer, Mr. Pangalos said that the country's defense existed in order to respond to existing aggressiveness.

If there was no aggressiveness and threat, he added, Greece would obviously have other defense arrangements, obligations and expenditures.

[2] Danish foreign minister says recent Turkish threats 'unacceptable'

Danish Foreign Minister Nils Petersen yesterday described as "unacceptable" the threat to use force or the use of force in the latest Greek-Turkish crisis, when Ankara disputed Greece's sovereignty of the Aegean islet of Imia. Mr. Petersen, who is here on an official visit, stressed that this was also the position of the European Union.

He was speaking to reporters after meeting with Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis who briefed the Danish foreign minister on the problems faced by Greece in the region.

Commenting on the recent Greek-Turkish stand-off in the Aegean, Mr. Petersen said that "all should contribute to the awareness of these problems", stressing that he was willing to help in this direction. He said he had discussed with Mr. Kaklamanis the greater role of national assemblies in the course towards European integration.

Mr. Kaklamanis said he had briefed Mr. Petersen on Athens' positions regarding Greek-Turkish relations and had asked him to convey an invitation to his Danish counterpart to visit Greece.

[3] Cyprus ready for EU membership, Papantoniou says

Greek National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou believes Cyprus is more than ready for membership of the European Union but it needs to liberalize its monetary system.

Speaking at a joint press conference here yesterday with his Cypriot counterpart Christodoulos Christodoulou, Mr. Papantoniou said "Cyprus has everything to gain to embark on a harmonization process with the acquis communautaire in the economic sphere."

Competition as a result of liberalization, he added, would not affect Cyprus adversely even though some businesses are bound to feel the impact.

"The flow of foreign capital will give Cyprus a boost and in a few years' time a stronger and more competitive structure will emerge here," the minister said.

He noted that a common economic effort is just as important as a joint defense policy, agreed by the two governments.

He announced that Greece intends to set up a trade center in Cyprus to help bilateral trade links and a common business council.

Mr. Christodoulou described his discussions with Mr. Papantoniou as "excellent" and backed Mr. Papantoniou's view for a joint economic policy in anticipation of Cyprus' accession talks with the EU.

Earlier yesterday, Mr. Papantoniou met Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides and stressed afterwards that "Greece considers the Cyprus problem, the top priority issue of Hellenism, as a precondition for the promotion of any initiatives in any direction."

Mr. Michaelides said talks focused on EU matters relating to Cyprus and added "the results we have today in our efforts to join the EU would not have been achieved without close co-operation and coordination with the Greek government."

[4] Premier meets with FYROM liaison head

Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday received the head of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's liaison office in Greece, Ljupco Arsovski.

Government sources described the meeting as being informal in nature. No statements were made afterwards.

It is the FYROM official's second high-level contact with Greek leaders this week. On Wednesday, he paid a courtesy call on President Kostis Stephanopoulos.

The government said Thursday that Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos had invited his FYROM counterpart, Ljubomir Frckovski, to Athens for talks on bilateral issues. No date has yet been set for the visit but Mr. Pangalos told a press conference yesterday that the issue of the FYROM's name would not be a topic for discussion when Mr. Frckovski visits.

He said that the issue was being handled by United Nations mediator Cyrus Vance, under whose aegis talks have been going on in New York for the past few months.

He added that he and Mr. Frckovski would discuss the entire range of relations between Athens and Skopje as well as international issues of mutual interest.

Apart from the name issue, which was the sole impediment to the establishment of normal diplomatic relations, Mr. Pangalos said relations with FYROM were normal at all levels.

Mr. Pangalos said that, although Greece had good relations with Yugoslavia, Belgrade was considering recognizing Skopje before the conclusion of negotiations on the name issue in New York.

Greece, too, is in favor of recognizing the neighboring state, he said, but with the name resulting from the negotiations.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday that the Cabinet has not discussed the matter of relations between Greece and FYROM.

Mr. Reppas reiterated that Greece is aiming for improvements in relations between the two countries and said that the meetings between Mr. Arsovski and the president, the prime minister and the foreign minister were conducted within the framework of courtesy calls.

[5] Papathemelis calls for refusal to recognize FYROM as 'Macedonia'

In Thessaloniki meanwhile, the "Mace-donian Committee" reiterated its "firm position of non-recognition by Greece of a FYROM state with the name of 'Macedonia' or its derivative. "We Macedonians do not negotiate our name," former minister, PASOK deputy an d Macedonian Committee President Stelios Papathemelis said. He added that the committee has endorsed a resolution asking deputies from northern Greece to vote against an agreement for a composite name, if the issue comes to Parliament.

[6] Milosevic expected in Skopje next week

FYROM foreign ministry sources said yesterday that Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic is likely to visit Skopje next week, in the framework of the process of normalizing relations between the two countries. The same sources said the initiative for the visit belonged to President Milosevic, who spoke with his FYROM counterpart Kiro Gligorov this week.

Meanwhile, the FYROM foreign ministry announced yesterday that "the last hurdle for the signing of an agreement for normalizing relations between the two countries has been lifted".

[7] Pangalos warns those leaking confidential documents will be punished

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said yesterday that laws regarding the leaking of confidential and 'special handling' documents would be enforced in full in the case of the leak of documents concerning the Skopje issue to a Sunday newspaper last week.

According to an article in the "Sunday Typos", the documents referred to communication between the foreign ministry and Greece's diplomatic representation in Skopje, in which Athens asks the latter to convey to the FYROM leadership that Greece "aspires to full normalization of relations between the two countries, which presupposes a compromise on the name issue."

"The view of Mr. (Alexandros) Mallias (the head of the Greek liaison office in Skopje and the document's author) that a compromise solution to the Skopje issue must be found, is identical to article five of the interim agreement that a mutually acceptable solution should be found. A mutually acceptable solution is a compromise solution," said Mr. Pangalos, who added that the publication of the document did not constitute a revelation.

[8] Efforts to arm Bosnian forces of little use to peace process, Pangalos says

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said yesterday that the majority of European Union member states were opposed to the further arming of Bosnia's Moslem-Croat federation.

Referring to the international conference in Ankara to raise money for the Bosnian army, Mr. Pangalos said that the peace effort in Bosnia entailed an enormous cost which was being covered almost wholly by the EU, while the United States had not paid in its share.

He said that while the US was playing the role of key peace-maker in the region, it did not pay the costs of this; the European Union did.

"I cannot understand how you secure peace by arming a country, and I do not believe that giving more arms to the Bosnians -something which can lead the Bosnian Serbs to feel the need to acquire arms from elsewhere - you ensure stability and the ability for these two peoples to co-exist and co-operate," Mr. Pangalos said.

Europe and the United States failed to agree on a project to boost the Bosnian armed forces, Reuters reported from Ankara yesterday, following a conference in the Turkish capital to discuss funding to boost the Bosnian armed forces.

Potential donor countries offered little more than 100 million dollars, well short of the 1 billion dollars the Bosnian government said it need to turn its army into a small but more effective fighting force.

Most of the money for the 'train and equip' program came from the US while no European Union country made any immediate pledge, with several of them voicing unease over the plan, saying it conflicts with the aim of reducing arms levels in the region.

An ANA dispatch from Paris said the French government thought the conference "untimely."

"France, like all other European Union countries, will not participate on political level at the conference, but will limit its participation to the status of observer," a French foreign ministry spokesman said.

[9] Cabinet examines draft bill for party funding

Prime Minister Costas Simitis announced yesterday that state funding for political parties would not be increased.

He was speaking after a Cabinet meeting yesterday, which met to discuss the draft of an interior ministry bill on funding and the finances of political parties.

Mr. Simitis said the draft bill will concern all public and private funding and that it aimed at transparency and at establishing guidelines and effective control.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said that the framework and the directions of the bill were decided upon during the Cabinet meeting, while final decisions will be taken by the government after the bill is discussed at the appropriate inter-party committee.

Mr. Reppas added that certain ministers have decided to submit written proposals on the matter and a detailed discussion will be held on the issue's political dimension.

The draft bill foresees political parties to be funded with 0.13 per cent of the regular budget's income; only parties that manage to win at least 1.5 per cent of valid votes in elections will be eligible for (state) funding; parties will have an income- expenses book and will publish their balance sheets each year, and that the obligatory "source of wealth" statements will be extended to ministry secretary-generals, mayors, publishers, owners of broadcasting stations and presidents of organizations.

[10] Coalition leader proposes Balkans co-operation be the focus for 1997

Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos yesterday outlined his party's proposals on co-operation and security in Europe, the Balkans and the eastern Mediterranean as well as the idea of shaping a new peace movement.

Mr. Constantopoulos was addressing a discussion entitled "Europe - problems, conceptions and prospects for peace and security" at the Zappeion Hall, part of the Coalition's second Congress.

Speaking to 40 representations of European and Middle East leftist parties, Mr. Constantopoulos proposed one Balkan and one European Co-operation and Security Conference, adding that next year could be set as a year for inter-Balkan co-operation.

Mr. Constantopoulos suggested a European referendum with a common question put to all the peoples of Europe and ascertained the need for a peace movement based on the inviolability of borders and minority rights and aimed at nuclear disarmament and the creation of a new ecological and social charter.

He expressed support for a European Union for peoples and citizens which will include all European countries and will not be guided by the values of speculation and the plundering of nature.

Mr. Constantopoulos sided with movements wanting a revision of the Maastricht treaty, stressing the need to promote the social priorities of EU peoples.

He said the European Parliament should be strengthened and supported the idea of a federal form for the EU and the decentralization of the world security system as part of multifaceted co-operation and peace.

FYROM Socialist party deputy Jovan Lazaref, who is attending the Coalition of the Left and Progress party congress in Athens told the ANA yesterday that following the New York interim accord, signed last September, "the misunderstanding between Greece and 'Macedonia' is now on the right road".

Referring to the issue of the name, he noted that "we need more time to understand each other," adding, "it would be better to look to the future and not to the past".

He praised the Coalition for being the only Greek party which, during the period relations between the two countries were frozen, visited Skopje and maintained contacts with his party.

[11] Papandreou expected to leave hospital next week, doctors say

PASOK president and founder Andreas Papandreou is expected to return to his Ekali home some time next week, physicians treating the 77-year-old former premier at the Onassion Cardiosurgical Center said yesterday. The exact date of his discharge from hospital will be announced when "physicians are certain that the former prime minister is in position to return to his home," it was stated. According to reports, Mr. Papandreou's children and attending doctors believe his departure from the Onassion, after f our months in the hospital's intensive care unit and then a private suite, will benefit his further recuperation.

Doctors announced that a procedure to close a tracheotomy on the PASOK leader is not necessary, because a complete stabilization of his respiratory function has not yet been achieved. However, the medical staff has now judged his overall condition as very good, adding that it will continue improving when he returns to his residence.

They also stated that Mr. Papandreou will continue to undergo dialysis once every 48 hours from a catheter in his hand.

[12] President to inaugurate stamp exhibition marking Olympics centenary

President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos is to officially open the International Exhibition of Olympic Sports Stamps in Zappeion Hall on March 25, one hundred years to the day since the opening of the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896.

Apart from the philatelic part of the exhibition, there will also be a section dedicated to exhibits regarding the postal history of cities which have hosted the Games, including those scheduled Olympic Games that did not take place in 1914, 1940 and 19 44, sports certificates and medals and Olympic posters, badges and postcards among other items.

One hundred and ten collectors from 25 countries will participate in the exhibition.

[13] Pangalos to meet Romanian, Bulgarian counterparts this weekend on regional infrastructure issue

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos will meet with Bulgarian prime minister Zhan Videnov in Sofia today to discuss bilateral issues before leaving for the Bulgarian city of Varna for a weekend summit with his Bulgarian and Romanian counterparts on transport, energy and infrastructure projects.

The two-day meeting will be the second held by the three countries, following a meeting in the northern Greek town of Ioannina last August.

The ministers will discuss economic co-operation and infrastructural projects as well as foreign policy and regional stability issues.

On Sunday, the ministers will hold a meeting with businessmen from the three countries to discuss major infrastructural projects including natural gas, oil, road axes and telecommunications.

On a political level the ministers are expected to invite the countries of former Yugoslavia to join in efforts for the development of the region, "an initiative strongly supported by Greece," according to Mr. Pangalos.

On Sunday night, Mr. Pangalos will leave for Moscow for talks with his Russian counterpart, the president of the Duma, the Russian prime minister and the Orthodox Patriarch.

Mr. Pangalos will be in Turin at the end of the month to participate in the European Union's inter-governmental conference (IGC), before leaving for the United States to accompany President Kostis Stephanopoulos on his official visit to Washington.

Following his US visit, he will visit Bolivia to participate in an EU foreign ministers' meeting with the Rio Group of South America.

Mr. Pangalos is also scheduled to participate in the Black Sea foreign ministers summit in Bucharest and will visit Toronto, Canada, for a meeting of the Bildenberg Club.

Mr. Pangalos also announced that Ecumenical Patriarchate Vartholomeos and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat are due to visit Athens some time in May.

[14] President, Pangalos to visit Tirana next week

President Kostis Stephanopoulos and Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos will visit Tirana on Thursday to sign a host of peace, friendship and co-operation agreements.

Talks will also include promotion of relations in the education, communication and transport sectors.

"Our country has assumed an effort to upgrade relations with Albania, at the same time implementing a policy for the protection of the Greek minority in the neighboring country," Mr. Pangalos said yesterday.

"We have achieved agreements, after many efforts, which ensure all our goals," he added.

[15] Kouris announces plans for domestic shipbuilding program

National Defense Under-secretary Nikos Kouris yesterday announced a long-term shipbuilding program using domestic manufacturers, during the launching of a third Greek-made MEKO 200 frigate.

Several high-ranking government and military officials as well as Skaramanga shipyard management and employees attended the ceremony. The latest Hellenic Navy frigate, which is based on a German shipyard's design, was christened 'Salamis'.

In statements during the ceremony, Mr. Kouris referred to Turkish provocations and the need to improve the nation's naval and air forces in order to deflect the threat, adding that Ankara's "military regime does not understand goodwill gestures."

[16] Turkish Islamists calls for Ayia Sophia to be turned into mosque

The Turkish Islamic Welfare Party headed by Necmettin Erbakan is once again demanding the Ayia Sophia Cathedral be converted into a mosque.

Deputy Veysel Cadan said his party would table a draft law to have Ayia Sophia operate again as a mosque.

"The operation of Ayia Sophia as a mosque constitutes a symbol of honor for Islam and a right acquired with the might of the sword," he said.

Similar efforts made in the past to have Ayia Sophia, currently used as a museum, turned into a mosque had led to heated debates in the Turkish National Assembly.

Representatives of Islamic and nationalist parties argue that using Ayia Sophia as a museum is "disrespectful" to history.

Members of the Motherland Party have also requested turning Ayia Sophia into a mosque in the past.

The Yildirim Akbulut government had decided to have calls for prayers made from the four minarets added to Ayia Sophia during the Ottoman period, while a small building added to its outside wall during the Ottoman period started operating as a mosque.

This policy was abandoned after Mesut Yilmaz was elected leader of the Motherland Party.

The imposing Byzantine church - the pre-eminent symbol for the Orthodox faithful - was turned into a mosque immediately after Constantinople was captured in 1453. It became a museum in 1934 by order of the founder of the present-day Turkish state Kemal Ataturk.

That decision is linked to the "secular" and western nature of the state Kemal Ataturk wanted to establish.

[17] Norwegian shipping minister to begin Greek visit tomorrow

Norwegian Commerce and Shipping Minister Grette Knudsen will pay a three-day visit to Greece starting tomorrow, on the occasion of the inauguration of the Den Norske Bank's office in Piraeus and to address a shipping conference organized by the Norwegian Embassy.

Ms. Knudsen is expected to meet Merchant Marine Minister Kosmas Sfiriou, Development Minister Vasso Papandreou and Alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos.

Her schedule also includes a visit to the Union of Greek Shipowners.

Ms. Knudsen's visit to Greece will take place as part of widening co-operation between the two countries in all sectors and particularly in the shipping sector.

[18] Reinstatement of dismissed DEH workers will cost 20 billion, minister says

Development Minister Vasso Papandreou said yesterday that the reinstatement of 6,000 dismissed contract workers at the Public Power Corporation (DEH) would cost the utility 20 billion drachmas and scuttle efforts to keep a lid on further rates increases.

Laid off contract workers were ordered reinstated Wednesday by a Supreme Court ruling, which declared the firings invalid.

The Supreme Court's plenary session reached a majority decision that all the dismissals were illegal.

"We do not need the 6,000. Until yesterday we could have had a smaller increase in DEH's power bills for next year, now we will have to take into account the strain of 20 billion drachmas for the 6,000," Ms Papandreou said in response to Parliament questions tabled by deputies from every opposition party.

In an unrelated matter, the development minister said credit, but no refunds, would be given to consumers overcharged in previous bills, after a new bill system is instituted on July 1.

"It (refunds) would cause immense problems, and it is not technically feasible," she added.

[19] Avramopoulos announces new consumers service for Athens

The 25th meeting of the Panhellenic Consumer Conference, organized by the General Consumer Organizations Federation, began its sessions yesterday morning at the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos opened the conference by announcing the establishment of a Municipal Consumer Service which will co-operate with consumer organizations.

In his address, Mr. Avramopoulos referred to efforts on a European level to protect the consumer and called on the state and society to adopt this European orientation on consumer issues.

Interior Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, who represented the government at the conference, stressed the importance of consumer activism to run in tandem with state activities to ensure consumer interests.

Main opposition New Democracy official Mr. Sideris said consumer protection was a priority for his party, adding that when ND assumed office the government would confer with consumer representatives before taking measures regulating consumer concerns.

Development Under-secretary Michalis Chrysohoidis referred to the importance of Law 2251 which also provides for class action lawsuits, and Development Minister Vasso Papandreou's decision to establish a Consumer Secretariat General at the ministry.

[20] News in Brief

The education ministry has allocated approximately 30 million drachmas (Dol.A170,000) for a Modern Greek History and Culture studies program at La Trobe University in Melbourne. The program, which has also been supported by the Cypriot education ministry, was inaugurated this year.

A cheque for the amount was presented to the university's rector on Thursday by Greece's consul general to Australia during a special ceremony attended by Australian academics and expatriate representatives.

Athens, 16/03/96 (ANA)

--- Parliament deputies, academics, various ministry and local government officials will attend the United Nations HABITAT II conference, scheduled to take place in Istanbul between April 3 and 14.

Information about the activities of the Greek national HABITAT committee may be obtained by calling 691-4275.

--- Telephone services, tourist services, and the cost of living are the major reasons for consumers' complaints, according to data presented at the General Federation of Consumers conference in Athens yesterday.

The total number of complaints in 1995 was 44,144, and also concerned dangerous foodstuffs, the press, slimming products, electricity and water utilities, and the environment.

[21] European farming representatives meet in Ioannina

The European Agricultural Federation's Administrative Council convened in Ioannina, northern Greece, yesterday with the participation of representatives from 37 European countries, to prepare the agenda for the September general assembly in Prague.

Also present were representatives of leading EU trade unions, Copa and Cozeca.

Vice-president of the Greek European Agriculture Federation Evangelos Argyris briefed his colleagues on problems faced by Greek farmers and primarily on blows suffered by the Greek stock-breeding sector by uncontrolled cheese imports, primarily from Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey.

He also referred to the issue of exceeding quotas, and for which Greek stockbreeders paid 1.5 billion drachmas in joint fines last year. The amount this year is expected to reach five billion drachmas.

End of English language section.