A.N.A. Bulletin, 02/05/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 875), May 2, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] Greece celebrates May Day

Workers marked the May 1 Labor Day holiday yesterday with rallies, work stoppages and speeches, with events in Athens climaxing with a rally and concert at the entrance to the Pedion tou Areos park by the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) , the Civil Servants' Supreme Administration Council (ADEDY) and the Athens Labor Center (EKA).

Addressing the rally, GSEE President Christos Protopapas demanded an end to austerity measures, adding that the country's workers would not accept a reduction of their income or deprivation of their vested rights.

The rally was attended by Labor and Social Security Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos, Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, Communist Party of Greece Secretary-General Aleka Papariga, Coalition of the Left an d Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos, Mayor of Athens Dimitris Avramopoulos, many deputies and other figures.

Mr. Protopapas also criticized the report released on Monday by the governor of the Bank of Greece, saying that implementation of his suggestions would have "unpleasant effects." He made the statement as he handed a resolution to Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis who said he agreed with "all, or most of the demands."

He took the opportunity, however, to stress that the country was threatened by external dangers, and was therefore in need "of an economy which could be burdened with efforts for an efficient defense."

"If all of us do not realize that there are two fronts - the internal front which is dominated by developments in the economy, and the external front on which the Aegean threat is prevalent - then there is danger that worse times lie ahead," Mr. Kaklamanis said.

In Thessaloniki, trade union representatives focused their speeches on the need to combat unemployment.

Thessaloniki Labor Center (EKTH) president Ilias Kontopoulos told a rally marching to the Monument of the Tobacco Workers who died during riots in May 1936 that "the workers will strengthen the struggle for the solution to the problems, the rebirth and progress of our country, and a more just society..."

"The labor movement," he added, "will defend the peace and co-operation of the peoples in our region and ensure our national rights and the inviolability of our borders."

[2] Party messages

PASOK's Executive Bureau said in its May Day message that the "period we are going through is marked by the collective effort of the vital creative, productive, and social forces of our country...

"Today, with the completion of two-and-a-half years of PASOK in office, the positive macroeconomic results of government policy confirm the possibility for the country to be led successfully to a steady course of development in the new competitive environment, in the framework of a new national social contract".

In his message, New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert called for greater social justice, stressing the state's responsibility.

"We all realize the problems of working people, and especially those of pensioners and low salary earners. There are, among us, working people on 'wages of hunger', and still worse, the unemployed are multiplying dramatically," he said.

"New Democracy is convinced it can turn back the course to bankruptcy and social insensitivity," he added.

The Political Spring party said the country's workers were "sinking deep into the problems loaded on them by the governments of the past ten years."

The announcement added that there was no ray of hope for the workers "since the present government continues to burden them with taxes..."

The Communist Party of Greece accused both major parties of "serving the interests of big capital, and giving the green light to the uncontrollable activity of multinationals, the acquisition of businesses, and the policy of austerity".

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) honorary president Harilaos Florakis said May Day "must become a starting point for development and workers' struggles, because there are vital problems".

The Coalition of the Left and Progress called on working people to develop an autonomous, mass, unitary, democratic and militant trade union movement, able to face the new problems appearing as a result of the globalization, liberalization, and the rapid growth of technologies. It also said there was a need for a radical change in government policy, "democratization of the political system which is in decline, and a radical reform of the Treaty of Maastricht".

[3] Commission withholds second tranche of aid to OA pending clarifications

The European Commission on Tuesday decided to freeze payment of a second tranche of state aid to Olympic Airways, pending further information and explanations by Athens.

The government said on Tuesday that it would co-operate with the Commission to ensure a positive outcome and that the reform program would continue.

"Although the company's recapitalization plan is successfully meeting its targets," the Commission announcement states, "the Commission is concerned that certain conditions stipulated as part of the original decision in October 1994 have not been fulfilled. In particular, the requirements that there be no further state aid and that the Greek government should not be involved with the management of the airline beyond its role as a company shareholder."

According to the statement, the October 1994 decision authorized certain loan guarantees, debt write-offs and debt-to-equity conversions, as well as the payment by the Greek government of 54 billion drachmas capital injection to state-run Olympic. The funds, allocated as part of a restructuring and recapitalization plan designed to return Olympic to commercial viability, were granted in three annual tranches of 19, 23 and 12 billion drachmas, respectively.

Based on the EU Commission's bylaws, when state aid is allocated in installments, the Commission is obliged before each disbursement to verify a beneficiary company's progress against the outlined goals in the initial decision, in order to ensure that the agreed upon timetable is being closely followed. In Olympic's case, the Commission took into account significant progress towards profitability, while the recapitalization program was also judged successful. In addition, a vigorous cost-cutting campaign contributed to the company's first net profit in 20 years, the Commission noted.

However, it stated its concern that certain of the stipulated conditions have not been met, especially requirements that the government no longer be involved in the carrier's management beyond the usual obligations as a shareholder and, of course, that no further state aid be granted.

Athens is requested to furnish information on the nature and payment of state aid since October 1994, particularly in regard to a decision by the government to write-off 11 billion drachmas in social expenditures (early retirement packages, severance pay, payment of qualifying employees' military tenure, etc..) for the 1995-97 period.

Upon publication of the decision, the government, other EU member-states and interested third parties have a month to reply.

[4] Gov't response

"In terms of this deadline, I wish to highlight the fact that the Greek government, in co-operation with the EU departments, will provide a completely justified response, so that a positive decision occurs and that the applied reform program continues unhindered," Transport Minister Haris Kastanidis said on Tuesday.

He said added expenses for the early retirement program were based on legislation passed by Parliament, and which was proposed by deputies from almost the entire political spectrum, a law he said "the government was obliged to fulfill." In addition, M r. Kastanidis said the Commission knew of that decision in early 1995.

He also claimed that the transportation ministry had answered all the Community's queries 13 days ago in a letter composed after continuous consultation with Commission officials.

However, he expressed a hope that a final decision by the Commission will be beneficial for Olympic's future.

[5] Opposition reactions

Commenting on the European Commission's decision to block the second installment of financial aid to Greece's national carrier, main opposition New Democracy Parliamentary Group Secretary Stavros Dimas issued an announcement yesterday, criticizing the government and Prime Minister Costas Simitis of "only being concerned with settling internal party accounts."

"The way Olympic Airways is being managed is additional proof of the government's weakness to manage," Mr. Dimas said.

He added that "the constant changes in the administration of Olympic Airways... the constant and suspicious party interventions by the government ...lead with mathematical certainty to its dissolution."

Political Spring party spokesman Notis Martakis called on the government to clarify the reasons which led to such a development.

Mr. Martakis criticized ruling PASOK and main opposition New Democracy of "using Olympic Airways as a means to serve party interests" and of "leading our national carrier to dissolution."

[6] Premier begins tour of eastern Macedonia, Thrace today

Prime Minister Costas Simitis embarks on a three-day tour of the five prefectures in the eastern Macedonia and Thrace region today, at the head of an 11-member ministerial delegation.

After his arrival at the 'Dimocritos' airport in Alexandroupolis today, the prime minister is scheduled to visit the prefecture of Komotini, where he will chair a conference of local bodies at the University of Thrace. Later today, he is to speak on the government's new development program for the region.

Tomorrow, Mr. Simitis is to visit the prefectures of Xanthi and Kavalla, and is to meet with representatives of local self-administration bodies.

On Saturday morning, Mr. Simitis and the ministerial delegation is expected to visit the prefecture of Drama, after which he will fly to the Ormenios area in Evros, on the Greek-Bulgarian border. In Evros, the prime minister is to speak in an event on t he regional prospects being created in Balkan and Black Sea markets, before returning to Athens.

In an open regional conference in the Xanthi Chamber on Sunday, Development Minister Vasso Papandreou will announce the government's new intervention program for tourism and the area's small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs).

Eastern Macedonia-Thrace Regional Secretary-General Haris Tsiokas said that the presence of the prime minister and the government delegation "proves the government's interest in the border region and contributes to the speeding up of the implementation and realization of infrastructure".

[7] Orthodoxy has role to play in united Europe, EPP head says after talks with Vartholomeos

The president of the European Peoples' Party (EPP) Wilfried Martens briefed EPP delegates yesterday morning on his meeting last weekend with Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos and other Phanar officials in Istanbul.

Mr. Martens said a dialogue has been inaugurated between Orthodoxy, the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the EPP, saying Orthodoxy can play a significant role in an expanded Europe, supporting human values and rights in the Balkans.

"During our meeting Vartholomeos spoke in general about human rights, which caused an intense reaction over the issue by the Turkish press," he said, indirectly referring to the human rights situation in the neighboring country.

The former Belgian prime minister noted that the Orthodox Church "does not interfere like the Catholic Church, and has other views on social policy, as opposed to Catholics and Protestants."

The EPP leader also said he was invited by Vartholomeos to attend a conference on the environment, organized by the Patriarchate in June. In a related matter, EPP Vice-President and main opposition New Democracy Eurodeputy George Anastasopoulos said t he "European Peoples' Party has assumed a commitment to struggle so that the Halki Theological School, which has been closed for 25 years, operates as soon as possible."

Meanwhile, Mr. Martens bestowed the Robert Schumann award on ND president Miltiades Evert and ND Eurodeputies Timos Christodoulou and Panayiotis Lambrias Tuesday evening, for their efforts towards European unification.

[8] Younger EPP deputies meet

Initiatives by a group of young EPP Eurodeputies were announced yesterday at a seaside Athens hotel during the framework of meetings by EPP officials.

The seven-member group said its goal was for promotion of youth issues in the Europarliament, announcing the holding of a seminar on unemployment and education this summer in Brussels.

In addition, the young EPP Eurodeputies also adopted the Greek island of Gavdos, south of Crete, as the southernmost EU spot, adding that they will propose to EU Energy Commissioner Christos Papoutsis that a center for renewable energy sources research be created on the island.

[9] Bildt to speak in Thessaloniki today on Balkan developments

International mediator on the Bosnian issue and former Swedish prime minister Carl Bildt and main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert will speak on developments in the Balkans in Thessaloniki today in the framework of an executive secretariats session of the International Democratic Union and the European Democratic Union, gathering center-right parties from all over the world.

Mr. Bildt, who is also president of the IDU, will come to Thessaloniki from Athens where he will have meetings with Greek government members in the morning. After his address he will leave for Belgrade to meet Serb President Slobodan Milosevic. On his p art, Mr. Evert will brief members of the international center-right on Greek positions on the situation prevailing in the Balkans.

The work of the two unions' executive secretariats will last until Saturday, while the agenda includes organizing issues concerning Christian Democrat and conservative parties, co-operation between these parties, the enlargement of the European Union and democratization in eastern Europe.

[10] Romeos to attend CoE's foreign ministers meeting today

Alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos will leave for Strasbourg today to participate in a ministerial conference of the Council of Europe's 39 member-state foreign ministers today and tomorrow.

Issues to be discussed will be the Council of Europe's adjustment to requirements resulting from its enlargement with new member-states, finding funds and ways of controlling commitments undertaken by members.

Apart from issues to be discussed at the official meeting tomorrow, the following will be endorsed:

A proclamation on protection for journalists in war zones and a relevant recommendation to governments and a statement on the continuation of the European youth campaign against racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia.

Mr. Romeos will sign, on behalf of Greece, the revised European Social Charter, consolidating labor rights and regulating relations between employers and working people.

[11] Premier briefed on health ministry issues

Prime Minister Costas Simitis was briefed on health issues on Tuesday by Health Minister Anastasios Peponis.

Speaking after his meeting with the prime minister, Mr. Peponis said he briefed Mr. Simitis on the demands of workers in the health sector and that they discussed the draft bill for protection of public health, which is to be released to the public today or tomorrow.

According to reports, the draft bill foresees an upgrading of the central public health laboratory (which carries out random checks on food, beverages and mineral waters), the reorganization of existing laboratories and the creation of new laboratories in areas in which there are none.

Great emphasis is also being put on the immunization program, as well as on the prevention of infectious diseases which have been reappearing with increasing frequency over the past few years.

[12] Greece says it will pull out all stops to halt construction of nuclear plant on the Mediterranean

Greece called a decision by its neighbor Turkey to build a nuclear power plant on the coast of Asia Minor "dangerous and annoying", adding that the government would oppose its construction with all its means.

The comments were made by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos on Tuesday at a general discussion on nuclear energy organized by the Tritsis Foundation.

Mr. Pangalos said, however, Greece's efforts to halt the construction of the plant would not influence the general climate in Greek-Turkish relations.

Mr. Pangalos said the plant would not serve the interests of the Turkish people and that Ankara simply wished to use the nuclear plant as a tool to exert influence.

Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Under-secretary Elisabeth Papazoi said the nuclear plant would contribute nothing to Turkey's energy sector since the energy needs of the neighboring country were covered.

"Turkey exports energy," Ms Papazoi said.

According to Professor Geranios, Ankara was in a hurry to build the nuclear plant - in the region of Mersina, across the coast from Cyprus - and would award the contract in May.

Ms Papazoi added that Bulgaria on Tuesday agreed to temporarily shut down the Kozloduy nuclear plant's first reactor "in order to evaluate its danger factor."

Political Spring Eurodeputy Nikitas Kaklamanis said a powerful lobby within the European Union and the European Commission promoted the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

The director of Greenpeace's Greek branch Ilias Efthymiopoulos said Germany, following unification, shut down two nuclear plants of the same technology used to build Kozloduy in East Germany.

He added that Germany sold spare parts from these plants to Bulgaria, in the framework of an intergovernmental agreement, for 19 million marks, in the form of uranium quantities.

[13] Clerides in Athens next week for talks on new US initiative on Cyprus

Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides is due to visit Athens for talks with President Kostis Stephanopoulos on Monday, a day before the Greek president leaves for his visit to the United States, with a view to formulating a common strategy regarding a new American initiative on the Cyprus problem expected to take form in the coming months.

Mr. Stephanopoulos will fly to the United States on Tuesday for a meeting with his US counterpart Bill Clinton, focusing on Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus problem.

President Clerides will meet with Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis on May 9, in Athens, to review developments following the latter's visit to the US for talks with President Clinton, as well as US Assistant Secretary of State John Kornblum's recent consultations in Athens, Ankara and Nicosia.

President Clerides is expected to visit Washington in June for talks with President Clinton.

[14] Stephanopoulos in US next week

President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos is to visit the United States next week, in what will be the first visit of an elected Greek head of state to the US.

The last official visit to America by a leader of the Greek state was the visit of then King Paul in the 1950s.

During his visit, Mr. Stephanopoulos is scheduled to meet with his US counterpart Bill Clinton, Vice-President Al Gore, Secretary of State Warren Christopher and other leading members of the US government.

Mr. Stephanopoulos will be accompanied on his visit by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and Education Minister George Papandreou, as well as his advisors on foreign policy matters.

The Greek president's visit to the US is taking place soon after the visits to the White House by Turkish President Suleyman Demirel and Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, while Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz is expected to embark upon a similar visit soon. Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides is due to visit Washington on June 18.

The two presidents are to deliver speeches during an official ceremony which is scheduled to be held in the forecourt of the White House, on the morning of May 9.

A 15-minute meeting is to follow between the two presidents and another three delegates from each side, after which a more general meeting will take place.

A joint press conference for Mr. Stephanopoulos and Mr. Clinton will occur after the meeting, and will be followed by a formal dinner in the State Department and a reception in the White House.

The Greek president will leave for Atlanta on May 10 in order to attend a series of events on the occasion of the centenary of the first modern Olympic Games. Mr. Stephanopoulos is scheduled to meet with former US president Jimmy Carter during his stay in Atlanta.

Mr. Stephanopoulos is to also visit San Francisco, Los Angeles, Sacramento and Chicago over four days.

Within the framework of the president's meetings in Washington, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos is to meet with leading members of the US Senate and the House of Representatives in order to discuss developments in Greek national issues, particularly concerning Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue.

Mr. Stephanopoulos and the Greek delegation are due to return to Athens on May 15.

[15] Greece satisfied with outcome of Black Sea foreign ministers meeting

The operation of a trade and development bank catering to the greater Black Sea region countries and further expansion of the Black Sea Economic Co-operation conference (BS EC) were two of the issues which dominated the seventh mee-ting of foreign ministers from the group.

The BSEC foreign ministers met in Bucharest last Saturday.

Decisions taken during the meetings were considered satisfactory for both Greece and the organization and further supported Athens' role as a communication channel for between the BSEC and the European Union, something Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos noted at the conference.

According to the foreign ministry, BSEC foreign ministers reiterated their interest in a speedy start to the development bank's operation, which will be based in Thessaloniki. In addition, BSEC member-states were called upon to ratify a relative agreement creating the development bank. So far, only Albania, Moldova, Armenia and Greece have ratified the pact.

In terms of further expansion, a lack of consensus among members prevented any developments, as in the case of Cyprus, in which Ankara expressed opposition. Thus, requests for full membership by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) as well as requests by Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Jordan and Cyprus for observer status were referred to the next BSEC foreign ministers' meeting this October in Moscow. According to the foreign ministry, Athens' position o n the matter is that expansion should proceed without exclusions.

Conversely, approval of inter-European highway and train maps as well as upgraded port accommodations, agreed upon during a BSEC transport group meeting in Athens last February, were judged satisfactory for the Greek side.

Of particular importance to Athens was a unanimous decision by the 11 BSEC foreign ministers to hold an "academic conference" attended by BSEC member-states' delegates in Athens at the end of the year, foreign ministry sources said. As previously reported, Athens will also host the organization's International Black Sea Studies Center.

[16] Rally commemorates 55th anniversary of German invasion of Greece

Organizations representing World War II-era resistance groups and the National Council for German War Reparation Claims held a rally yesterday in Athens to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the Wehrmacht's march into Greece's capital, as well as to high light the issue of war reparations.

Nazi forces entered Athens on April 27 after invading the country from Bulgaria and through the Vardar Pass.

Only days after the Nazis were met by the Athens and Piraeus mayors, the area's military commandant and the Attica prefect, resistance slogans and graffiti appeared on the streets, Panteios University professor Alkis Rigos said at the event.

He added that in the following month two Athens youths, Manolis Glezos and Apostolos Santas, removed the swastika from Acropolis, essentially marking the beginning of the wartime resistance.

[17] Alekos Panagoulis remembered on the 20th anniversary of his death

A memorial service took place yesterday for Alekos Panagoulis, the man best remembered for his failed attempt to assassinate George Papadopoulos, the leader of the military junta which ruled Greece 1967-1974.

Panagoulis was killed in a car crash on May 1, 20 years ago.

An army officer, Panagoulis was arrested, imprisoned and tortured following his failed attempt to murder Papadopoulos in August 1968. He was sentenced to death twice, but escaped execution after protests by Pope Paul V and the United Nations Secretary-General. After the fall of the dictatorship, and his release, he was elected to Parliament.

Those attending yesterday's memorial service included his relatives and friends, those who fought against the dictatorship with him, Political Spring President Antonis Samaras, Parliament Vice-President Panayiotis Kritikos and PASOK deputies Nikos Sifounakis, Lefteris Veryvakis and Dimitris Beis.

Following a decision taken by the transport and communications ministry, a commemorative series of stamps dedicated to Alekos Panagoulis is to be issued over the next few months to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his death.

[18] Yiannopoulos comments on Papademos recommendations

Labor Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos said on Tuesday recommendations made by the governor of the Bank of Greece, Lucas Papademos, were strict but added that social policy had to be implemented.

Mr. Yiannopoulos said Mr. Papademos saw things from the banks' point of view, while the government "has its own view."

He reiterated that the ministries exercising social policy were the labor, health, education and environment, town planning and public works ministries.

[19] Northern Greek industrialists worried over 'slackening economic policy'

Responding to Governor of the Bank of Greece Lucas Papademos' report on the Greek economy Monday, the Federation of Greek Industries of Northern Greece (SEBBE) issued an announcement on Tuesday expressing "strong concern over the observed relaxation of the economic policy."

SEBBE added that the government's policy had also "loosened" in the fields of development and the promotion of inter-Balkan co-operation.

It said the nominal convergence of the Greek economy seemed to have no prospects, while "the foreseen growth rate of 2.5 per cent for 1996 does not allow for optimistic conclusions, since the absorption of the Community Funds alone would correspond to a 4 per cent increase in the Gross Domestic Product."

[20] News in Brief

- An incendiary device comprised of three gas canisters and a plastic container filled with gasoline exploded outside the Civil Servants' Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY) offices in downtown Athens yesterday evening. Minor damage and no injuries were reported. An anonymous caller to the SKAI radio station claimed responsibility by the shadowy group "Revolutionary Front."

- A parliamentary committee has unanimously ratified an agreement between Greece and Bulgaria concerning the waters of the river Nestos. According to the agreement, Greece will receive 29 per cent of Nestos waters over the next 35 years. The agreement will be debated and ratified at a Parliamentary plenary session soon.

End of English language section.