A.N.A. Bulletin, 20/03/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 842), March 20, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] Pangalos cautions Europe against isolating Russia

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos yesterday cautioned against NATO enlarging eastwards in a manner that would isolate Russia.

"There must not be a defense organization in Europe which will isolate Russia, and specifically a NATO enlargement that will have a direct or indirect anti-Russian character," he said after meeting Duma president Yennady Selezniov.

Mr. Pangalos met with his Russian counterpart on Monday for talks on bilateral and international issues.

Mr. Pangalos described the results of his visit here as "very positive, mainly at the political level," adding that he committed himself to raising the issue of the ratification of the agreement with Russia at the Corfu summit in June 1994 at the next meeting of the European Union Council of Ministers.

Mr. Selezniov said "the Black Sea unites us all, and we must create a climate of co-operation, understanding and friendship between the peoples in the area".

He said he was looking forward to his Greek counterpart Apostolos Kaklamanis' visit to Moscow.

Mr. Pangalos also met Patriarch of Moscow Alexei and discussed, among other things, the issue of spiritual authority over Estonian Orthodox Christians that has arisen between the patriarchates in Moscow and Istanbul.

"I listened to the Patriarch's view, and I told him that the Ecumenical Patriarchate is not, of course, under the control of the Greek state," he said in statements afterwards.

"I recommended that there should be a mutually acceptable solution, because it is a pity that there should be such technical problems, which acquire political dimensions, and divert Orthodoxy from the great tasks of this century, which include the protection of monuments ... the carrying out of missionary work in areas of the world such as Africa, dealing with the problems of youth (drugs, the emotional agony of certain segments of the population in modern society) and last, but not least, the Church's active stand towards the destruction of the environment," he continued.

Patriarch Alexei expressed his satisfaction over the meeting.

"I believe that when official delegations come from Greece, the first thing that unites us is Orthodoxy, which is the centuries-old link between our two fraternal peoples. For this reason, many efforts are being made to develop our relations in the domain of pilgrimage, and it would not be desirable for the consequences of the snag in relations with the Patriarchate of Constantinople to impede or postpone the implementation of all such plans. We must develop and enhance relations between our two peoples ," he said.

He added that the issue that had arisen had to be resolved through mutual steps towards rapprochement, and that the Moscow Patriarchate would not undertake any unilateral steps.

He said that an unofficial meeting had already taken place, thanks largely to the efforts of the Greek ambassador in Moscow, and that such meetings would have to continue after a session of the Russian Holy Synod on April 21.

Relations between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Church of Moscow were disrupted recently after the Patriarchate decided to put the Church of Estonia under its jurisdiction.

Sources said it was clear the Estonian Church did not wish to be put under the jurisdiction of Moscow, adding that 54 of the 80 Orthodox parishes called on the Ecumenical Patriarchate to request the implementation of a 1923 decision.

[2] Hundreds pay their last respects to Odysseus Elytis

Nobel laureate Odysseus Elytis was buried yesterday at Athens' First Cemetery during a service attended by hundreds of mourners, including the nation's political and academic leadership.

The renowned poet died of heart failure Monday at his Kolonaki apartment at the age of 84.

One of the poet's last wishes was, according to his attorney, that "his death be wrapped in a deep Christian silence," a request that was honored during the funeral service.

Elytis' casket was transferred to the Ayios Lazaros chapel at around 11 in the morning yesterday accompanied by close relatives and his companion, poet Ioulita Eliopoulou. Numerous wreaths, including ones from President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and the Athens Academy, began arriving shortly afterwards, before a funeral service began at the Ayion Theodoron Church at the cemetery.

Among the dignitaries attending the service we re Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis and Interior Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos as well as main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert, former premier Constantine Mitsotakis and Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras.

Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides was represented at the poet's funeral by the island republic's ambassador to Athens, Haralambos Christoforou.

Born Odysseus Alepoudelis in Iraklion, Crete in 1911, Elytis left the Athens University Law School in 1936 to join the military. In 1939, he published his first collection of poems entitled "Prosanatolismoi" (Orientations), marking the beginning of what would be a prolific career, including the monumental "To Axion Esti" (Dignum Est) in 1959. That collection, a lyrical recounting of Hellenism through history, was called "one of the 20th century literature's most concentrated and richly faceted poems" by the Swedish Academy when it awarded him the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1979.

The municipal council in the Nobel laureate's birthplace observed a minute's silence yesterday and said that a street in the island capital of Iraklion be named for Elytis.

[3] Cypriot response

"The death of celebrated Greek poet Odysseas Elytis is a loss for both Greece and Cyprus, as well as for Hellenism in general," Cypriot government spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides told the press here yesterday.

Education and Culture Minister Claire Angelidou also praised the poet, saying "Greece, Cyprus and the world are poorer for Elytis' death."

[4] Athens' proposals

The city of Athens yesterday marked Elytis' passing by establishing a poetry award of five million drachmas and naming a municipal art gallery hall in his honor.

An additional two proposals were made; one to name a downtown street in Elytis' honor and one to name a park off Mesogeion Avenue in his honor.

[5] Mytilini in mourning

Flowers were laid at the residence of the Alepoudelis family in the Aklidiou district at the entrance of Mytilini's capital, where Elytis family hailed from.

A day of mourning was declared on the island, while flags flew at half-mast.

[6] Reppas comments on Greek-Turkish relations

"The crisis in Greek-Turkish relations is not in the acute state it was after the recent events on Imia, but the crisis will exist as long as Turkey fails to respect international law and creates problems in its relations with Greece," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday.

The spokesman was replying to press questions on reports that a Greek shepherd was prevented from landing on the Aegean islet on Saturday by a Turkish coast-guard vessel.

Mr. Reppas said on Monday that the shepherd was not prevented but simply "got scared and returned home," adding that his version of the incident was "contradictory" and of "low credibility."

He reiterated yesterday that the shepherd had not approached the islet "because he was frightened by the nearby (Turkish) navy vessels."

Mr. Reppas added that the presence of Turkish vessels "fills Greek citizens with fear and awe", adding that Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos had informed US Ambassador in Greece Thomas Niles of Turkey's behavior.

Mr. Reppas said that there were no "gray areas" and that the government was doing everything possible to defend Greece's sovereign rights, national interests and the interests of private Greek citizens in the region.

The spokesman said the government would soon announce a series of measures "which will help Greek citizens in the region."

[7] Geitonas says more money needed to protect borders from illegal immigration

Public Order Minister Costas Geitonas called for greater funding for infrastructure and equipment to better guard the European Union's external borders against illegal immigration.

The Greek minister was participating at a conference of EU internal security and public order ministers on the issue of passport-free travel for European Union citizens.

Ministers at the conference, however, failed to settle a problem which is preventing the EU's police agency, Europol, from beginning operation or on a convention which would strengthen the EU's borders with the outside world as well as regulate the pass age of citizens of third countries through the Union, according to officials and diplomats.

Mr. Geitonas said the issue of border security is of particular interest to Greece, because of the Balkan and east Mediterranean nation's extensive borders, which, he added, are also EU borders.

The public order minister emphasized that security of external borders is a necessary condition for creation of a safe region and for the unhindered mobility of a united Europe's citizens.

"Violation of one member's external borders and an uncontrolled and unchecked flow of refugees will impede the application of the convention's provisions," he added.

The EU member-states' ministers also discussed the issue of international organized crime.

[8] Simitis says conditions not ripe for discussion of FYROM issue by PASOK MPs

Prime Minister Costas Simitis told PASOK's Parliamentary Group presidium last night that it was not yet time for the group to discuss the Skopje issue, in reference to a request from 20 PASOK deputies.

The 20 have signed a written statement declaring their opposition to the prospect of Greece recognizing the neighboring Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia under a name containing the word 'Macedonia'.

The deputies request that the name issue should be discussed by PASOK's Parliamentary Group and Central Committee before any initiative is undertaken by the government.

The twenty also underline that they "insist on the joint position of political party leaders of April, 1992, the similar electoral pledge of PASOK and Andreas Papandreou in 1993 and the government's policy statements."

Group presidium president Dimitris Beis agreed with the prime minister's assessment.

The meeting also discussed procedural issues, agreeing that the Group would convene on the matter next month.

[9] Reppas comments

"Greece and Skopje must resolve the issue of the name of that state in order to start developing very good economic co-operation," Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas told a group of Yugoslav journalists from the Tan jug news agency during a recent visit to Greece.

Mr. Reppas reportedly added that Athens wanted negotiations with FYROM to be successfully concluded because it wished to develop good relations with Skopje.

"But if we do not manage to reach agreement, we are ready to co-operate with the former Yugoslav republic, particularly in the economic sector," Mr. Reppas reportedly said.

The spokesman also termed "positive" the fact that the FYROM government was not prepared to receive former Turkish premier Tansu Ciller, who wished to visit the region. "This is an indication that something has changed," Mr. Reppas was quoted as saying.

[10] European Court set to dismiss Commission request for injunction on Greece

The European Court of Justice last night was expected to ratify its decision to write off the injunction brought against Greece by the European Commission, concerning the imposition of an economic and trade embargo on Skopje in February 1994.

The Commission had argued that the embargo was in contravention of Community law and the treaties of the European Community, and had to be withdrawn.

Following the Commission's decision to drop the case against Greece, the European Court has judged that there is no reason to keep the case open.

According to sources, the European Commission would be charged the legal expenses of the case.

[11] Greek entrepreneurs see scope for joint ventures with FYROM

President of Federation of Northern Greek Exporters (SEBE) Apostolos Genitsaris told a press conference yesterday that "the resolution of the political problem will contribute to the promotion of economic co-operation between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM)."

Mr. Genitsaris is heading a delegation from 52 firms on a two-day visit to FYROM. The group is the largest to have visited FYROM since the signing of the New York interim accord.

Mr. Genitsaris said there are significant opportunities for co-operation between the two countries in the sectors of fresh food produce, fossil fuels and asphalt materials. He also stressed that possibilities will have to be examined for co-operation in t he sectors of investment and tourism, distribution networks and the development of transportation towards the Balkan and Central European markets.

[12] Lyssarides meets president, Arsenis

Cypriot Socialist EDEK party leader Vassos Lyssarides, currently in Athens for a round of talks with political figures, met with President Kostis Stephanopoulos and Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis yesterday on bilateral issues and recent developments in the region.

Speaking after his meeting with the president, Mr. Lyssarides called for the more active participation of Greece and Cyprus to the formulation of plans for a Cyprus settlement.

"Hellenism's passive attitude to the formulation of plans in the United States and Europe is a dangerous development," he said.

He called for the exploitation of the Greek-American community in view of the US presidential elections and the recently altered European attitude towards Ankara.

Speaking after his meeting with Mr. Arsenis, Mr. Lyssarides described the joint Greek-Cypriot defense doctrine as having both a political and military nature, bolstering Cyprus' security and its negotiating position.

"One negotiates differently when one feels a sense of security and differently when one feels naked," he said.

Commenting on recent developments in Cyprus and Greece, Mr. Lyssarides noted that "we are both on the same wavelength."

Mr. Arsenis said that he intended to visit Cyprus soon. Mr. Lyssarides also met with main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert at his office in Parliament last night for talks on latest developments on the Cyprus issue as well as the course of Cyprus' accession to the European Union. No statements were made after the meeting.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Lyssarides held similar talks with the secretary of the ruling PASOK party's youth wing, Tonia Antoniou.

[13] Turkish man charged with buying Greek Moslems' passports

A 34-year-old Turkish national was arrested yesterday in the Rodopi prefecture for attempting to purchase passports from Moslem residents in Thrace. Another man was charged with providing the Turk five passports from local Moslems in return for 1,450 deutschmarks. All five passports were returned to their bearers.

Turkish national Namik Tselik, a resident of Leipzig, Germany, and 33-year-old Hasan Sadik were charged in connection with the incident.

[14] News in Brief

A five-mile-long oil slick caused by the sinking of a dredging barge on Monday morning in the eastern Aegean has been contained and there is no danger of it contaminating fish farms on the northern coast of the island of Hios, a merchant marine ministry source said.

The 'Petrola 29' dredger sank while being towed from Eleufsis to the ship scrap-yard in the port of Ali Aga in Turkey. Hios port authorities said that the slick has been contained in the region north of Hios and Oinouses, and is not heading in the direction of the northeastern coast of Hios, where fish farms are located.

Port authority boats are attempting to dissolve the oil slick.

[15] Greece's farmers bring their protests to Athens, more than 2.000 march through city center

Downtown Athens came to a virtual standstill yesterday as more than 2,000 farmers and stockbreeders from around the country heeded the call to march through the capital to press their demands for better prices for their produce.

The protesters gathered outside the agriculture ministry building before marching through the center of the capital to Parliament, causing traffic snarls in the central district.

The farmers attributed what they described as their "dire" position to the policies of the European Union and successive Greek governments. At the same time, Prime Minister Costas Simitis told a meeting of the main farmers group, PASEGES, that the government was working on a national strategy for the farming sector, saying the problem was one that required long-term planning and "new structures, new procedures and new operations".

There have been demonstrations and rallies all over the country during the last few weeks, with farmers spilling large quantities of milk and slaughtering lambs outside public buildings.

Dairy farmers, who have been particularly affected by low prices, are demanding income support.

In a resolution addressed to Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, the protesters said the government must immediately double EU and national funds allocated for infrastructure works and grant interest subsidies for new installations and machinery.

They are also demanding controls on the prices of farm supplies and animal feed machinery, the abolition of special taxes on fuel used in agricultural production, the reduction of VAT on purchases by farmers and the introduction of market police regulations obliging dairy industries to pay dairy farmers a minimum of 215 drachmas per kilo for milk. After the resolution had been submitted, representatives of the farmers warned that "the struggle is beginning now" and threatened to block national roads until their demands were met.

[16] PASEGES, Simitis

The Panhellenic Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives (PASEGES) held its general meeting in Athens yesterday, attended for the first time in 17 years by a prime minister. Mr. Simitis announced that work would begin immediately on the formulation of a national strategy for the agricultural sector.

He acknowledged the problems in the sector but said regardless of what the government gave to cover short-term needs, "if we do not struggle for new structures, new procedures and new operations, the situation of Greek agriculture will not improve."

The prime minister called on farmers to support the government in its effort to draw up a program to adapt Greek agriculture to the new internationally competitive environment.

Ruling PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis stressed the need to modernize Greek farming and offer competitive products.

Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert agreed with Mr. Simitis on the need for long-term planning but said short-term measures must be taken to reduce production costs.

"If the agricultural economy is not supported today," he said, "farmers will begin abandoning the countryside and unemployment will reach 15 per cent."

Mr. Evert called on the government to consider "the 280 solutions" put forward by ND to confront the problems in the agricultural sector.

"Our farmers deserve better," he said.

The Political Spring party also called for measures regarding the problems facing the farmers and stockbreeders while Coalition of the Left and Progress president Nikos Constantopoulos said the farmers had the right to be angry and that it "is the obligation of the parties and the government to implement a modern policy to lead them out of the impasse."

PASEGES President Nikos Liolios called on Mr. Simitis to "take the stand and announce a series of measures of economic relief for farmers".

Mr. Liolios said that since the prime minister did not announce measures, the farmers' organizations PASEGES, GESASE and SYDASE would continue their struggle until their demands were met.

[17] Tzoumakas asks Commission for higher milk quotas

Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas called on the European Commission to propose suitable measures for problems faced by Greek stockbreeders at the council of agriculture ministers yesterday, stressing that the sector was in "an acute state" due to a decrease in the price of sheep and goats' milk by about 100 drachmas a kilo.

He also raised the issue of an increase in the quota of Greek cow's milk by 125.999 tonnes to meet demand and strengthen the stock-breeding sector.

Mr. Tzoumakas told reporters that Agriculture Commissioner Franz Fischler was aware of the Greek claim for an increase in the quota of cow's milk but could not discuss in at the present time, adding that eight member-states had requested changes in quotas and that the commissioner would respond to these by the end of the week.

On the question of sheep and goats' milk, Mr. Fischler said certain measures had already been taken such as the possibility of the private storage of feta and using the surplus for aid.

He also referred to the decision taken by the European Commission recently to safeguard Greek feta, which he assessed would also guarantee protection for the sector in Greece.

Mr. Tzoumakas told Greek reporters that Community financing for Greek sheep and goats is expected to reach 16.4 billion drachmas.

[18] Norwegian minister confers with Greek ship-owners

Norway's Transport and Shipping Minister Grete Knundsen yesterday visited the Union of Greek Shipowners for an exchange of views with Greek shipping representatives on issues of common interest, a union announcement said. The discussion focused on the shipping policy of the two countries and of the European Union, safety at sea and ongoing negotiations on shipping matters within the framework of GATT.

Ms. Knundsen underlined the importance of co-operation between Greece and Norway, noting that both countries had major shipping interests. Present during the talks were Norway's Ambassador to Athens Bjorn Barth, embassy political counsellor Rita Westvik and Norwegian foreign ministry general secretary Aabjorn Nygaard.

[19] Bank of Greece posts profits of 35 billion

The Bank of Greece presented a significant increase in its profits for 1995, net profits up from 29.7 billion in 1994 to 34.9 billion.

Dividends will total 1,200 drachmas compared to 1,000 drachmas in 1994, while the state will receive 30.3 billion according to article 71 of the bank's charter.

The general assembly of shareholders will take place on April 29.

[20] IOBE reports sounds the alarm for smelting sector

The latest Institute of Economic and Industrial Studies Institute (IOBE) sectoral study on smelters in Greece paints a black picture and forecasts that many will soon close or cut back on their production.

The negative climate is additionally burdened by the increasing penetration of foreign products at very low prices.

The sector is plagued by the inadequacy of working capital, the inability of firms to respond to very large orders, and the inability to penetrate foreign markets, the study says.

It stresses that the demand for smelted products in Greece is very limited - due to the non-existence of a domestic car industry or a specialized industry for electrical and mechanical equipment -the result being that the main bulk of production is directed to the construction sector, in contrast to other developed countries, where production is absorbed by high-tech industries.

Imports have been increasing at a 9.5 per cent rate in recent years (mainly from France and Germany), while domestic production has been recording small annual increases in the order of 2 per cent.

It is forecast that the projected shrinkage in the number of small and medium firms in the sector will be counterbalanced by an increase in the production of the few and specialized firms that are noted for their export activity.

[21] Hoteliers call for immediate measures to change 'tragic picture'

Hoteliers yesterday threatened to resort to dynamic mobilizations if their demands were not favorably met by the government.

In the course of a press conference, Greek Hoteliers' Association President Vassilis Plevris referred to a "tragic picture, confirmed during the recent international tourism exhibition in Berlin, where the messages for Greece this year were extremely discouraging".

He asked for the prime minister's immediate intervention and for a special cabinet session on the sector's problems.

Hoteliers' basic demands include a re-scheduling of debts, the abolition of visas for tourists from Russia and other east European countries, and improvements in the policing of tourist areas.

It was claimed at the press conference that only through a dramatic reduction in prices could Greek hoteliers hope to restrict a fall in the number of overnight stays down to approximately 5 to 7 per cent, and that without such a move, the decrease might even be in the order of 30 per cent.

[22] New committee to examine civil servants' wage scale

Finance Minister Alekos Papadopoulos announced yesterday that a special committee will draft a report that will constitute the basis for civil servants' new salary rates.

A member of the Civil Servants' Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY) will stand on the committee, which will be convened during the next few days. Its findings will be submitted to the government in two months, after which the government will take decisions on the matter.

Officials from the ministries of national economy, finance and interior will also be on the committee.

Mr. Papadopoulos made the announcement after a meeting with the ADEDY administration.

The minister said the retroactive payment of the 18,000-drachma bonus will be made in five equal annual installments from August this year until the year 2000.

[23] Inquiry ordered into charges of profiteering by Mega

Supreme Court prosecutor Athanasios Sioulas has ordered a preliminary inquiry following accusations by Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis concerning profiteering by the Mega Channel TV network.

Mr. Kaklamanis claimed that Mega made a profit when it sold shares to unsuspecting investors at an inflated price of 1,900 drachmas when in fact the market value of the shares was 100 drachmas and their book value was 325 drachmas. He said the value of the shares had already fallen to 630 drachmas.

His allegations were carried by the Logos, Eleftheros Typos, Rizospastis and Adesmeftos Typos newspapers.

Mr. Sioulas called on Mr. Massalis to act accordingly to ascertain the possible perpetration of offences and submit a relevant report to him as soon as possible.

End of English language section.