A.N.A. Bulletin, 27/04/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 872), April 27, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] New bill on tackling unemployment gets approval from Cabinet

The government yesterday examined a draft bill designed to combat unemployment with better training.

Speaking after chairing a Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Costas Simitis said unemployment was one of the main problems facing the country.

He said that the draft law focused its attention on combating unemployment arising from lack of education and professional skills. The premier predicted that it would be passed and implemented within the year and considerably improve the situation in the labor market.

Labor Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos said the draft law would be put to the Economic and Social Committee (OKE), the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) and the political parties for discussion before being tabled in Parliament in about two weeks.

The draft law, entitled "Policy measures on employment, education and training," provides for the establishment of an 'Employment and Vocational Training Fund' (LAEK) at the Manpower Employment Organization (OAED)

The scheme will require funds totaling approximately 220 billion drachmas which will be secured from the State budget (10 billion), European Union funds (50-60 billion) and the remainder from OAED and the Public Investment Programme.

The new legislation will also gradually introduce the so-called 'Employment Card' for all workers in Greece. The aim of the card will be to "map" and modernize the labor market.

Under the new law, the unemployed will be given 'Monthly Work Coupons' which they will be able to either cash in for unemployment benefits or deposit with employees as an incentive for hiring them for a minimum period of nine months.

Another innovation is a scheme which will provide financial incentives to large companies wishing to implement training programs for the unemployed, with the obligation to hire at least 30 per cent of those so trained.

Incentives will also be given to employers to provide jobs and practical training to young, unemployed graduates.

A particularly interesting point in the draft law is the provision for the formation of an inter-ministerial "Special Studies Committee" to examine the problem of immigrant workers. At the same time, an 'Aliens' Temporary Residence Card' (valid for between two and six months) and a 'Limited Residence Card' (valid for between one and three years) will be introduced in an attempt to legalize foreign workers.

Labor and Social Security Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos said the draft law would be tabled in Parliament in fifteen days' time.

In statements later in the day, main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos said that unemployment is the country's primary economic and social problem, and that it cannot be combated by piecemeal measures.

Political Spring party spokesman Notis Martakis said the party would consider the draft bill but stressed that the government had been promising to take measures against unemployment since July 1995.

He further said the draft bill was rather giving solutions to today's unemployed but made no provision for the unemployed of tomorrow.

The Coalition of the Left and Progress issued an announcement saying that unless the country's economic course was put on a development orbit then the measures would always be limited.

"You cannot deal with unemployment with aspirin," the announcement said.

The Communist Party said the government "has chosen the eve of May Day to announce new anti-labor measures, under the misleading title of tackling unemployment". It added that the measures in effect aimed at financing employers through the "trick" of t he employment card.

[2] Pangalos, Gonensay to meet in Bucharest today

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said yesterday that a simple statement by Turkey that it would seek recourse to the International Court at the Hague over the Imia issue would suffice for Greece to lift its objections to European Union funding for the neighboring country.

Mr. Pangalos was speaking to reporters regarding his meeting with his Turkish counterpart Emre Gonensay today on the sidelines of the Black Sea Co-operation Conference in Bucharest.

Mr. Pangalos stressed that Greece sincerely wanted a settlement of Greek-Turkish problems and peace in general.

Their acquaintance meeting will be the first face-to-face meeting between Greek and Turkish government officials since late January's stand-off over the Aegean islet of Imia, which brought the two close to war.

"By asking Turkey to declare its intention to have recourse to the Hague and at the same time state that it respects the 'status quo ante' in the region, we are providing Ankara with a way out (of the impasse), if it decides in the end that its claims a re groundless," Mr. Pangalos said.

He said that if Ankara were to take these steps, Greek-Turkish relations would revert to their previous level, which he described as "bad, but tolerable."

The foreign minister said he had often stated this position and strongly attacked the "demagogues and jingoists" in Greece who have accused him of retreating from earlier positions.

He said he would expect to hear clarifications from his Turkish counterpart concerning Ankara's claims against Greece when he meets him.

Turkey's claims against Greece are unclear, Mr. Pangalos said. "One minute they are claiming Imia as theirs and the next minute they are laying claim to more islands than those given to us by mother nature." He reiterated that Greece refuses to enter into a comprehensive dialogue on all issues raised from time to time by Turkey, adding that there could be no discussion between the two countries as long as the Imia issue remained outstanding.

Explaining what Greece meant by its proposal for a "step-by-step" rapprochement, Mr. Pangalos said Athens was prepared to discuss two issues with Turkey - that of the continental shelf in the Aegean and that of "normal relations," particularly with respect to border matters.

He added that other issues could also be discussed and dealt with, such as the problems of illegal immigration and smuggling which, he said, belonged to the framework of good-neighborly relations.

Turning to talks in Athens earlier this week with his Egyptian counterpart, Amr Moussa, Mr. Pangalos said both had agreed that the funds allocated to Turkey under the European Union MEDA program were disproportionately high while those earmarked for Egypt were disproportionately low.

"The EU is funding Turkey in a scandalous manner for reasons which it has not explained to us," Mr. Pangalos said, restating Greece's position that EU foreign ministers should be able to decide by special majority for Community funding to be suspended f or any country which violates human rights.

"Turkey will receive the share to which it is entitled and nothing more," Mr. Pangalos said.

[3] Ankara reiterates desire for unconditional dialogue

Ankara yesterday reiterated that it wished to begin an unconditional dialogue with Athens on all aspects of Greek-Turkish differences in the Aegean.

Speaking to Agence France Presse, Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Nurettin Nurkan said:

"We hope that this meeting (between the foreign ministers) will allow the beginning of a new process of dialogue on all aspects of the Greek-Turkish conflict in the Aegean."

The Aegean FIR, the delineation of the continental shelf, the delineation of territorial waters and the demilitarization of the Greek islands across the Turkish coast are the most important differences between the two countries, according to the spokesman.

"All these problems are interlinked and should be discussed in a constructive way in the framework of an unconditional dialogue for the preservation of the status quo and the defusion of tensions in the Aegean," he added.

[4] Political Spring reaction

The Political Spring party attacked Mr. Pangalos for his statements yesterday, accusing him of using "unacceptable characterizations" in attempting to "enforce the law of silence for the transfer of our foreign policy to foreign decision centers."

Political Spring spokesman Notis Martakis said the foreign minister is "deluded" if he believes he can silence the voice of his party, and called on Prime Minister Costas Simitis to directly state if he agrees with the view of Mr. Pangalos.

[5] Turkish displeasure

Ankara reacted bitterly to a decision by Greece's Parliament on Thursday declaring April 24 a day of remembrance for the 1915 Armenian genocide.

"We view the decision with sadness," a Turkish foreign ministry announcement read, adding: "It is certain that such actions do not contribute to the efforts taking place for the beginning of a new period in bilateral relations, which hopes to decrease current tensions between the two countries."

Parliament unanimously decided to designate April 24 as a remembrance day for the Armenian victims of the massive Ottoman pogrom in 1915.

[6] Van den Broek: Ankara's good relations with the EU depend on relations with Greece

European Commissioner for external relations Hans van den Broek said good neighborly relations between Greece and Turkey constituted a necessity for Turkey's good relations with the European Union.

Mr. van den Broek made the statement yesterday, prior to his departure from Ankara.

Hailing Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz's statements on Greek-Turkish relations, Mr. van den Broek said the customs union was "proceeding well" and expressed the hope that the remaining problems will also be resolved.

His statements confirm the European Commission's position which resists the disassociation of Greek-Turkish problems from the development of relations between Turkey and the European Union, a sought-after goal of the Turkish diplomacy.

[7] Greece following US congressional discussion on Moslems

"The Greek government is following the course of the US Congressional discussion on human rights in Western Thrace and will respond according to how it develops," Alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos told Parliament yesterday.

Mr. Romeos underlined that the group which would discuss the issue was an informal committee of 15 senators and congressmen. He said that Greece had reacted "in a variety of ways"" when it had learned of the discussion and had intervened "wherever appropriate."

He clarified that the Greek government was not participating in the discussion but that two Greek legal experts would be monitoring the sessions.

"We have nothing to answer to with respect to the issue being discussed. Depending on the results, there will be a response," Mr. Romeos said.

He was replying in Parliament to a question put by Political Spring deputy Antonis Lentakis, who claimed that the government was participating in the discussion and, by virtue of the participation of the two legal experts, was "legitimizing an illegitimate committee."

Asked in Athens Thursday to comment on the discussion, US Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs John Kornblum downplayed its importance, saying that "the group is an advisory commission which investigates issues," adding that he was not fully informed on the matter.

[8] Discussion begins

The open debate on the human rights situation of the Moslem minority in Thrace took place in low tones in the US Congress yesterday, under the aegis of the Helsinki Commission for security and co-operation in Europe.

The debate, which took place at an academic level, without the presence of senators or representatives, was attended by about 80 people, including University of Indiana professor Van Koufoudakis, Dimokritian University of Thrace professor Irini Lagaki, Turkish Cypriot professor of King's College Tozun Bahceli, and Komotini lawyer, and leading member of the minority Adam Bekiroglu.

Mr. Bekiroglu said he was proud to be a Greek citizen of Turkish origin, and publicly thanked the New Democracy party deputies who came to Washington to promote Greek positions on the issue, saying that with their presence they "gave additional emphasis to the existence of the problem of violation of the rights of the Moslems in Western Thrace".

He criticized the existence of a 3 per cent minimum share of the poll required for party representation in the Greek parliament, saying that it was designed to exclude Moslem representation.

Mr. Koufoudakis pointed out in reply that a minimum 5 per cent requirement applied in Germany and a minimum 10 per cent in Turkey itself. He spoke of a provocative intervention by Turkey in Greece's internal affairs, promoted mainly through the Turkish consul in Komotini.

Ms Lagaki said the United States should stop using Western Thrace as a lever of pressure on Greece in its relations with Turkey. She pointed out that 10 local newspapers were published in the Turkish language, and that Greece was the only country where the mufti could decide on the basis of the Islamic Sharia law.

[9] Papandreou denies rumors of deteriorating health

PASOK President Andreas Papandreou yesterday denied rumors about a deterioration of his health, and said he was recovering steadily, the MEGA television channel reported.

According to MEGA, one of its reporters had the following telephone dialogue with Mr. Papandreou:

-"How are you Mr. President?".

-"I am better... My recovery is continuing normally. We shall soon have a closer chat... What's new?".

-"Everything is going well. What do you attribute rumors about a deterioration of your health to?".

-"I don't know their origin..."

Meanwhile, PASOK Central Committee secretary Costas Skandalidis yesterday denied an Ethnos newspaper report according to which he was planning to hand Prime Minister Costas Simitis an ultimatum from the party's Executive Bureau, asking him not to contest the vice-presidency of the party in the next party congress in July.

Mr. Skandalidis said the Executive Bureau had made "no decision on such a matter," having not completed its proposals concerning the party leadership, which it planned to discuss with the prime minister, and not issue an ultimatum to him.

He said his collaboration with Mr. Simitis was "permanent, regular, and impeccable," and that he was on "a common course with him, which cannot not be disturbed by any sources or circles they may originate in".

Commenting on the report, Interior Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said "none of this is true".

[10] Evert proceeds with changes in ND

Despite strong reaction from party members to the reorganization of a nine-member Political Council presented last Saturday as part of restructuring measures in the party, main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Ever t proceeded with new appoin-tments in other party sectors yesterday.

Mr. Evert appointed technocrats, university professors and party members to the positions of alternate secretaries.

Sources close to Mr. Evert, however, said yesterday that the ND leader was not involved in internal party strife but was focusing his interest on the promotion of the Greek positions to the joint European Peoples Party and International Democratic Union meeting to be held next week.

Meanwhile, party deputy and former minister Dora Bakoyianni, whom Mr. Evert excluded from the Political Council, told a television interview on Thursday night that Mr. Evert's organizational changes "showed there were 'our people' and 'others'."

Ms Bakoyianni called for internal dialogue in the party, adding that the party leadership had the responsibility to keep the party united.

"Only if it keeps its forces united, will ND be able to win the elections," she said.

[11] Thessaloniki to host International Democratic Union conference

A International Democratic Union (IDU) and European Democratic Union (EDU) conference gets underway next week in Thessaloniki with the participation of both organizations' presidents, Carl Bildt and Alois Mock respectively, as well as main opposition New Democracy president Miltiades Evert.

The conference's sessions will last four days, May 1-4, with speakers and discussions expected to focus on issues dealing with the organizational development of Europe and the world's conservative and liberal parties. A joint press conference by the three leaders will be held on May 3.

[12] Vartholomeos to meet with EPP presidium

The presidium of the European Peoples' Party was expected to be received yesterday by Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos in Istanbul for talks on the role of the Orthodox Church in Europe and issues related to the environment. This is the first time that a European Parliament political group is holding a meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch.

[13] Internet valuable tool for foreign ministry, Pangalos says

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos yesterday said that the Internet was an important foreign policy tool for Greece.

Speaking to the press Mr. Pangalos elaborated on the array of possibilities which the Internet provides to the Greek foreign ministry for the promotion of Greece's foreign policy positions as well as for the ministry's internal use.

Far from being addicted to technology himself, Mr. Pangalos said a network was created through the Internet for the flow of all Greek positions on foreign policy issues, while adding that the Internet helped the ministry cut the costs of sending the Greek press to diplomats around the world.

[14] Finance ministry determined to stamp out fuel scams

Finance Under-secretary George Drys told Parliament yesterday that the finance ministry was determined to take all necessary measures in order to wipe out fuel smuggling, as a further case of evasion of fuel taxes came to light.

A new case of transit fuel smuggling amounting to 131 million drachmas in evaded taxes was revealed yesterday, following an investigation conducted by the Piraeus prosecutor into smuggling rings active in the Flisvos and Zea marinas.

Fuel merchant Lambros Repoulias and eight Piraeus customs officials are accused of having transported 1,526,000 liters of fuel in 132 bogus deliveries to boats between October 1992 and November 1993. All have appeared before a judicial investigator.

Responding to a question by the main opposition New Democracy party, Mr. Drys said that "the (finance) ministry will hit fuel smuggling and the large smuggling rings in which well-known members of Greek society are involved."

Replying to a call by ND deputies for more measures to be taken for the transportation and sale of fuel, Mr. Drys said that the measures already taken by the government have been fruitful as in the first three months of 1996, income from the special tax on fuel and natural gas increased by 21.3 per cent in comparison to the same time period of 1995.

During the discussion, PASOK deputy Dimitris Georgakopoulos accused the government of delaying the implementation of cash registers in petrol stations which would be connected to the petrol pumps. Mr. Drys replied that the government was currently discussing the matter with petrol station owners in order for the measure to be implemented smoothly.

[15] Romania, Greece agree on additional free transit permits

An increase in the number of free-of-charge transit licenses for Greek shippers was decided here yesterday during a meeting between Transport Under-secretary George Daskalakis and his Romanian counterpart, Alternate Transport Minister Tudor Florescu.

Currently, 8,500 such licenses have been issued to Greek shippers.

Mr. Florescu also referred to the need for more construction projects to improve his nation's transportation infrastructure as well as the modernization of Constanta's port in order to upgrade its commercial importance in the Black Sea.

Other issues discussed during the meeting dealt with Turkey's dispute of Greece's sovereign rights as well as the situation in the former Yugoslavia.

In term of bilateral issues, Mr. Daskalakis expressed Athens' volition for a new road transport agreement between the two Balkan nations. He also proposed to his Romanian counterpart that bilateral transport and economic development issues be discussed during a joint Greek-Romanian committee meeting planned for July.

[16] Papoutsis urges Europe to learn from Chernobyl disaster

Greek Energy Commissioner Christos Papoutsis said yesterday that "we must do everything possible to ensure that the Chernobyl accident is the last one of its kind."

Speaking on the occasion of the accident, which is considered one the worst in the world, Mr. Papoutsis said:

"We are grieved at the Chernobyl accident's destructive consequences but (on the other hand) we are pleased at the progress which has been achieved in the field of preventing nuclear accidents."

"The European Commission has taken measures to restrict the consequences of the destruction and learn for the future," the commissioner said.

[17] Athens appeals to EU to close Kozloduy plant

Athens has called on the European Union to shut down the nuclear plant of Kozloduy, Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Under-secretary Elisabeth Papazoi told Parliament yesterday.

She stressed that Bulgaria may oppose plans for the shutting down of the plant which covers 40 per cent of the country's energy needs.

"But the dangers emanating from radiation are enormous," Ms Papazoi said, adding that Greece was leading the region's "anti-nuclear" lobby.

The Kozloduy issue was originally raised by PASOK deputy Theodoros Kokkinidis on the occasion of the Chernobyl nuclear accident ten years ago.

[18] Experts stress importance of Lesvos petrified forest

Speaking during the opening of the first symposium on the Petrified Forest of Lesvos on the island of Mytilini, Athens University paleontology and paleobotany professor Evangelos Venitzelos said that the petrified forest is a national heritage whose protection and promotion is everyone's obligation.

"The petrified forest of Lesvos is considered today to be a unique geological monument of nature, of incalculable scientific value," said Prof. Venitzelos, who gave information on the formation of the petrified forest in the island's Siyrios area 20 million years ago.

[19] Taiwanese trade mission due in Athens to attract more exports

15-member trade mission from Taiwan arrives here next week to promote trade relations with Greece and attract increased Greek exports there.

"Two-way trade is rapidly increasing between the two countries," Michael Huang, acting director of the economic division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, told Greek and foreign reporters on Thursday.

He said the mission would stage a major trade exhibition, representing a total of 47 companies, in an effort to facilitate direct contact between Greek businessmen and Taiwan manufacturers and to give the former the opportunity to discuss practical matters, see the products and sign agreements.

Two-way trade, Mr. Huang said, has jumped by staggering 400 per cent since 1994, reaching $190.4 million last year, of which $32.2 million were in Greek exports to Taiwan.

"There is ample room for increasing Greek exports to Taiwan," Mr. Huang said.

Greece exports a wide range of products to Taiwan, including cotton, tobacco, textiles, aluminum products, marble, metal and copper products, ready-made garments, olive oil, medical supplies and electric appliances.

Taiwan exports electronics, auto parts, garments, sewing machines, tools , sportswear, computers, toys, hardware, industrial safety equipment, accessories, leather, furniture fittings, stationery, and gift items to Greece.

Speaking at the same press conference, the director general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Hsing-Chiang Huang, called for Greece's support for Taipei's admission as a full member of the United Nations.

[20] Xanthakis outlines a year of accomplishments for ASE

Last year was a productive one for the Greek capital mark et and the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE), as it marked the beginning of a series of institutional changes, ASE president Professor Emmanuel Xanthakis said yesterday.

The starting point, Prof. Xanthakis told a Delos Communications-organized business luncheon, was the issue of Law 2324 that transformed the legal status of the ASE into a limited company, and also supplemented listing regulations, allowed off exchange transactions (OTC) and short selling, broadened the scope of activities of brokerage companies, liberalized their fees and provided the legal basis for remote brooking operations.

In addition, a further upgrading of the Automated Exchange Trade Systems was already in progress, aiming at doubling the system's efficiency and capacity so as to speed up the trading procedure in block trades and make possible remote brooking operations .

At the same time, Mr. Xanthakis added, the ASE has been connected to the Internet, "with the prospect of improving the dissemination of information to investors and promoting the Greek capital market."

The ASE web site currently provides information on the operation of the Greek capital market as well as statistical annual and quarterly data, while the next step will be the supply of real time information, Mr. Xanthakis explained.

The Professor further underscored that the dematerialization of shares was a top priority for the Greek capital market, since "the electronic movement of shares is expected to minimize settlement time and improve the transparency and liquidity of the market.'

He said the settlement of international trades will also be facilitated as the Greek Depository would enter into bilateral agreements with international depository organizations, including the European depositories.

Professor Xanthakis also said that derivative products were expected to be introduced into the Greek market this year, while bonds would start to be traded electronically within the second half of the year. The system, he noted, was being developed in cooperation with the Madrid Stock Exchange and would be adjusted to the needs of the domestic market.

He further noted the establishment last month of the Thessaloniki Stock Exchange Center, which is expected to start operating in the immediate future after the establishment of an electronic link with the ASE, and will facilitate access to the Greek capital market for high-growth companies operating in Northern Greece.

The Center's ultimate goal, Professor Xanthakis added, was the trading of Global Depository Receipts (GDRs) issued by companies operating in the Balkans.

[21] Papoutsis urges SMEs to develop their competitive edge

Greek European Commissioner Christos Papoutsis yesterday urged small and middle sized firms (SMEs) to find a competitive edge in order to be able to survive in the 21st century.

Mr. Papoutsis was addressing the Trade and Distribution Committee during a scheduled debate yesterday on "Commerce before the Challenge of the 21st Century."

Mr. Papoutsis said jobs in commerce amounted to 15 per cent of total EU employment, employing the second greatest number of EU citizens after industry, and constituted one third of EU enterprises.

"Commerce,' he added, "is the link between industry and the European consumer."

The Trade and Distribution Committee was established by the European Union in order to reinforce relations with commerce aiming at the formation of the Common Trade Policy.

[22] OA announces discounted flights

Olympic Airways announced a series of discounts for domestic and international flights yesterday lasting until at least the end of June.

The discounts were announced during an exhibition for development of domestic tourism being held in Athens.

An Olympic official also left open the possibility that the discounts, ranging from 25 to 40 per cent, would be continued after June.

Specifically, for groups of five or more passengers, the price for the Athens-Rome-Athens flight will drop to 64,000 drachmas per person, from 94,000. The Athens-London-Athens round-trip falls to 86,000 from 109,000 drachmas.

Meanwhile, a "family package" will be established for internal flights. For instance, one spouse will pay the regular 32,200 drachmas ticket price, the other spouse 26,400, a 25 per cent discount, while children from two to 20 will pay 17,600 drachmas, a 50 per cent discount.

[23] Sofia meeting examines inter-Balkan trade co-operation

The General Assembly of the Union of Balkan Chambers of Commerce convened in Sofia, Bulgaria, recently and proposed a series of measures to the governments of Balkan countries on facilitating inter-Balkan trade co-operation between businessmen.

An effort by the Turkish side to bar Cyprus or have the Turkish Cypriot pseudo-state participate in the Union of Balkan Chambers of Commerce was countered through intercession by Central Union of Chambers of Greece President Andreas Kyriazis.

An effort by the Turkish delegation to introduce a Turkish organization named "Chambers of Commerce of the Aegean" in the Union of Balkan Chambers of Commerce also failed.

Proposals by the Union of Balkan Chambers of Commerce to the governments of the countries (Greece, Albania, New Yugoslavia, Romania, Bulgaria, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey and Cyprus) include speeding up border formalities for members o f Balkan Chambers of Commerce, building modern customs control centers, creating free trade zones and simplifying customs formalities for the transfer of goods.

[24] Beteniotis meets with Eastern European officials

National Economy Under-secretary Manolis Beteniotis held a meeting yesterday with his Moldovan counterpart Andres Septin and Ukraine's Transport Under-secretary Valery Tsimbouh on the issue of export credit to the two countries, within the framework of Greece's legal provisions for supporting the economies of central and eastern Europe.

Mr. Beteniotis discussed the establishment of a line of export credit for 10 million dollars to Moldova and 40 million dollars to Ukraine.

End of English language section.