A.N.A. Bulletin, 16/05/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 887), May 16, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] Commission confirms progress in Greek economy

[2] German officials stress need for Imia issue to be cleared up by International Court

[3] Thessaloniki in the spotlight as two European meetings scheduled for this month

[4] Britain's military chief to begin Greek visit today

[5] Paschalidis meets with German education minister

[6] Reppas: no Pangalos-Gonensay meeting set for Toronto

[7] Greece to provide tour of Dodecanese for European reporters

[8] Turkey protests

[9] Arafat in Athens for talks with Simitis, Pangalos on Monday

[10] President satisfied with results of contacts as week-long US tour ends

[11] Earlier remarks

[12] Romeos remarks

[13] Sacramento itinerary

[14] US revokes security warning for Athens airport

[15] Kouris meets his US counterpart in Washington

[16] New air traffic control system for Athens airport unveiled

[17] OTE contract to be handed over to investigating magistrate next week

[18] New Democracy

[19] Coalition

[20] Vasso Papandreou files suit against Political Spring MP for defamation

[21] Skandalidis briefs premier on meetings

[22] New PASOK presidium elected

[23] Thessaloniki hosts four-day conference on European women

[24] Bomb scare forces evacuation of Greek minority schools in Istanbul

[25] Greek business mission to Moldova set for late June

[26] Greek products go on display in French supermarkets

[27] Port workers announce industrial action

[28] Premier chairs meeting on public spending

[29] Value of retail sales up, ESYE says

[30] Fouras dismisses furor over FIFA move to bar Greece from international matches

[31] AEK Athens takes cup final in crushing win over Apollon

[32] "Kataigis" Exercise to start next week

[1] Commission confirms progress in Greek economy

The European Commission said yesterday that it recognized the progress achieved by the Greek economy in past years, but stressed that efforts at restructuring should be continued and intensified.

The European Commission yesterday adopted the report on the general orientations of European Union member-states' economic policies for the year 1996 and revealed its predictions on the course of national economies for the rest of 1996 and 1997.

Regarding the Greek economy, the Commission noted that "despite indisputable progress achieved in Greece in past years, it is clear that these efforts should be continued and intensified."

The Commission said efforts should focus on "the continuation of fiscal restructuring started two years ago and the maintenance of prudent monetary policy as it has been applied since the beginning of the decade."

Referring to the control of public finances, the European Commission stresses "the need for considerable efforts to be made in many sectors, placing particular emphasis on continuing the present privatization programme, widening the tax base and reducing public expenditures."

However, the Commission concedes in its report that the tax burden has increased in Greece in past years and as a result public revenues increased from 34.4 per cent of GDP in 1993 to 36.8 per cent in 1995. It should also be noted that Greece achieved t he biggest percentage reduction in the budget's real deficit, from 12.1 per cent of GDP in 1994 to 9.2 per cent last year.

The Commission said that on the question of inflation in Greece "definite progress has been achieved in the past year but its de-escalation process appears to have been problematic in past months, a development due to external factors."

"If more decisive efforts are made, primarily regarding fiscal policy, inflation could fall below the 7 per cent level which is the present prediction for 1997," it added.

More specifically, in its predictions for 1996 and 1997, the Commission believes that inflation will fall to 8.3 per cent and 7 per cent respectively, the public deficit will be 8.1 per cent of GDP in 1996 and 6.9 per cent in 1997, while the public debt will achieve a marginal decrease from 111.8 per cent of GDP in 1996 to 111.4 per cent of GDP in 1997.

The European Commission predicts relatively high increase rates for Greek GDP, in the region of 2 per cent in 1996 and 2.5 per cent in 1997. The increase rate of the European economy over the same period (namely the increase rate of the average Community GDP) is not expected to exceed 1.5 per cent in 1996 and 2.4 per cent in 1997.

The Commission further predicts that unemployment will decrease slightly in Greece in 1997. The unemployment rate will decrease from 9.1 per cent in 1996 to 9 per cent in 1997, while jobs will increase by 1 per cent and 1.2 per cent respectively over the same period.

[2] German officials stress need for Imia issue to be cleared up by International Court

The need for the Imia issue to be referred to the International Court at The Hague was stressed by Christian Democratic Party representative for foreign affairs and Bundestag deputy Karl Lamers during a press conference held at the German Embassy in Athens yesterday.

Mr. Lamers said that Turkey is attempting to change the region's map and should therefore seek recourse to the International Court in order to clear up the issue. He added that he would advise Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz of this during the latter's visit to Bonn tomorrow and Saturday.

According to Mr. Lamer and Vice-President of the German parliament's Greek-German parliamentary committee Friedbert Pflueger, seeking recourse to The Hague over the Imia issue would constitute the basis for a Greek-Turkish discussion.

Mr. Lamers said it is good for Turkey to be a model of a democratic country for the Islamic world. He added that the country has important internal problems which also affect its relations with the EU. Mr. Lamers said a long-term solution to these problem s would have to be found, and added that other countries should help in these efforts, concluding that Turkey may become a strategic partner for Europe in the future.

Mr. Lamers and Mr. Pflueger discussed Greek-Turkish relations with Prime Minister Costas Simitis, National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and main opposition New Democracy partly leader Miltiades Evert, as well as with ND deputy Dora Bakoyianni.

Mr. Lamers said the aim of their contacts was the better understanding of Greek foreign policy within the framework of the formation of a European view "which must be adopted". The German official admitted that problems faced by countries which are not neighbors of Germany are not always understood.

Replying to an ANA question regarding a statement made on Monday by German Alternate Foreign Minister Helmut Schaefer, in which he said that Greece and Turkey "must find common ground between them and must stop arguing over little islands," Mr. Lamers said he does not view Greek-Turkish relations in this manner.

The Bundestag deputy expressed his country's interest in a common European foreign and defense policy, noting that for this to take place, "European institutions will have to be reformed in the direction of the decision-taking process."

Speaking on a question on the modernization of the Greek airforce's Phantom F-4 fighter planes, in which Germany has expressed an interest, Mr. Lamers replied that it is a matter for the Greek side to decide. The German official stressed that a positive decision regarding the German 'Dasa' aircraft factory would reinforce Greek-German economic relations.

[3] Thessaloniki in the spotlight as two European meetings scheduled for this month

Thessaloniki will figure prominently on the European political map in the next few days as European Commission President Jacques Santer is scheduled to attend and speak at a European Municipalities and Regions general assembly in the northern Greek city, May 22-25.

In addition, a Council of Europe (CoE) parliamentary assembly meeting will also convene in Thessaloniki at the end of this month.

Specifically, the CoE parliamentary convention is scheduled for May 27-29 and political, environmental, education and cultural issues concerning the Mediterranean basin and other regional countries are expected to be discussed. However, detailed reports or the recording of political conclusions over national issues are not expected to be taken.

On the other hand, Athens foresees that trends and future plans covering political developments and co-operation among the 39 CoE member-states will emerge.

In a press conference yesterday in Thessaloniki, Macedonia-Thrace Minister Philippos Petsalnikos and the Greek delegation's permanent member to the CoE parliamentary assembly, main opposition New Democracy deputy Aristotelis Pavlidis, announced that during the CoE gathering they will convene the political committee and environmental committee.

CoE Secretary-General Daniel Tarschys is also scheduled to participate in the meeting.

[4] Britain's military chief to begin Greek visit today

The National Defense General Staff (GEETHA) announced yesterday that Field Marshal Sir Peter Inge, the commander of the United Kingdom's joint chiefs of staff, arrives in Greece today for a three-day visit.

Sir Peter has accepted an invitation by National Defense General Staff chief General Athanasios Tzoganis.

He is scheduled to meet with the national defense ministry's political and military leadership and will also visit military bases and archaeological sites in Athens, Thessaloniki and Crete.

[5] Paschalidis meets with German education minister

Education Under-secretary George Paschalidis met with German Education Minister Ingrid Stamer in Berlin on Tuesday, during his visit to Germany.

According to an education ministry announcement issued yesterday, the principles for the establishment of a Greek-German department at the State European School in Berlin was agreed upon during the meeting.

The department is set to open in August 1996, and will provide ten hours per week of Greek language lessons to Greek and German students. Initially, there will be two kindergarten and two junior school classes for 80 children - 40 Greeks and 40 Germans.

Speaking at an event organized by Berlin's Greek community, Mr. Paschalidis spoke of a new education policy which is being promoted by the draft bill entitled "Greek education abroad and cross-cultural education," which is expected to be voted on in Parliament shortly.

Mr. Paschalidis also spoke of political developments in Greece, and said the country's presence has been increasingly felt abroad lately.

The education under-secretary was in Dusseldorf yesterday, where he visited Greek schools and discussed the issues of the education of Greek children abroad with pupils and their parents.

[6] Reppas: no Pangalos-Gonensay meeting set for Toronto

The government said yesterday that there was no meeting scheduled between Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and his Turkish counterpart Emre Gonensay on the sidelines of the Bildenberg Club meeting in Toronto, Canada.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said that although Mr. Pangalos had been invited to attend the meeting, Mr. Gonensay had not.

Mr. Reppas however did not rule out the possibility of the two ministers meeting in Toronto if Mr. Gonensay is eventually invited to the meeting.

Replying to other questions, Mr. Reppas said that no date had yet been fixed for a meeting between the representatives of the two foreign ministers, adding however that it would take place before the two meet in Berlin.

[7] Greece to provide tour of Dodecanese for European reporters

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas announced yesterday that the government has invited several reporters from European newspapers to visit Greece.

In response to a question on whether a cruise for the reporters through the Dodecanese will include a stop on the rocky islet of Imia, Mr. Reppas said:

"Within this framework there will be a tour in the form of a cruise in the Dodecanese islands complex. I do not think that Greece is without the right to host foreign guests, and citizens of the European Union, within its national territory.

"Woe betide, if this is also something we should be criticized for," he said.

Mr. Reppas added that the reporters will be briefed on national issues by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis and himself.

[8] Turkey protests

Turkey lodged a protest yesterday with Athens' ambassador to Ankara over Greek authorities' plan to organize a tour of the rocky Imia islet.

"Necessary measures will be taken for the tour that Athens has scheduled on May 18 and 19," Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Nurettin Nurkan announced yesterday. He added that "Greece continues its provocations" in relation to Imia.

A Greek-Turkish crisis erupted in late January after Ankara disputed Athens' sovereignty over the uninhabited islet.

"Our views regarding the issue were made known to the Greek ambassador in Ankara, Mr. Demetrios Nezeritis, who was called today (yesterday) to the ministry," Mr. Nurkan said.

He declined, however, to state what measures would be taken.

Meanwhile, assistant foreign minister Inal Batu also commented on the issue, in statements published yesterday in the Istanbul daily 'Cumhurriyet.'

Mr. Batu called the tour "a serious provocation," adding that "a visit by foreign journalists under the protection of warships will change the status quo in the region.

"We cannot remain silent over this stance by Greece. Athens' actions could influence discussions by the foreign ministers of the two countries, which will take place on June 2 in Berlin," he added.

[9] Arafat in Athens for talks with Simitis, Pangalos on Monday

Palestinian President Yasser Arafat arrives here on Monday on a two-day official visit and talks with the Greek government leadership on the situation in the Palestinian self-rule area.

The Palestinian leader, who will lead a large delegation, will hold talks with Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, and meet with his Greek counterpart Kostis Stephanopoulos.

Mr. Arafat, who has visited Greece several times in the past, will be on his first visit here as president, and will be accorded full state honors.

Reliable sources said that during his talks, Mr. Arafat will brief the Greek government on the situation in the self-rule area. He will also seek Greece's assistance, in the framework of the European Union, for economic reinforcement of the Palestinian Authority.

The same sources said that Mr. Arafat will also meet with more than 70 Greek businessmen interested in investments in the self-rule area, a meeting brokered by Development Minister Vasso Papandreou.

Soon after his arrival, Mr. Arafat will be the guest of honor at a lunch hosted by President Stephanopoulos, while in the evening Premier Simitis will host a dinner in the Palestinian leader's honor.

On Tuesday, Mr. Arafat will go to Patras, where he will receive an honorary award from the city's university at a special ceremony.

[10] President satisfied with results of contacts as week-long US tour ends

President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos appeared satisfied yesterday at the conclusion of his week-long US trip with the results of his official meetings with US President Bill Clinton, top US administration officials, and contacts with several Greek expatriate communities.

Mr. Stephanopoulos ended his tour of the United States yesterday. His trip included stops in Washington, Atlanta, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Sacramento and Chicago, where he made his final appearances before an audience of Greek expatriates and at a Chicago Council of Foreign Affairs-sponsored speech on the subject of Greece's role in southeastern Europe.

In his speech on Greece's role in southeastern Europe, Mr. Stephanopoulos underlined that Greece wants co-operation with Turkey, because as he said "we understand the importance of that country (Turkey) and its significance as a major market, but a condition for this co-operation is for Ankara to behave according to international law and internationally established rules of behavior, as well as abandoning threats and/or use of violence."

Mr. Stephanopoulos said that if Turkey complies with those conditions, then Greece will be among the first countries to co-operate with it for the benefit of stability and peace in the area.

"Greece is a factor of stability in the region," he said, before describing Athens' relations with Balkan neighbors Bulgaria and Romania as examples of good-neighborliness. He added that Albania has promised to respond to Greek requests regarding the ethnic Greek minority in that country.

In referring to Turkey again, he charged Ankara with launching a massive arms procurement programme in its attempt to become a "powerful regional force and acquire control of half of the Aegean."

The Greek president cited the "out-of-control" arms race as being responsible for the neighboring nation's serious economic and social problems, saying that in his estimation, such conditions favor the rise of the Islamist movement, which he said threatens the entire area's stability.

"Greece is obliged to follow Turkey (in the arms race), thus spending money which could help its Balkan neighbors, while also hindering its attempt to meet its obligations under the Maastricht Treaty."

[11] Earlier remarks

In earlier statements to expatriates in Chicago, Mr. Stephanopoulos maintained that President Clinton should not just stand on his recent comments concerning Greek-Turkish disputes, saying his words must become actions, which are "observed."

However, he told his audience that he did not expect Mr. Clinton to change his views on Greek-Turkish relations, because both nations are US allies and members of the NATO military alliance.

"Greece is in the right and does not need the opinion of legal experts but a simple reading of the texts and international agreements. But the great powers' interests prevail and cover the truth, which is natural.

"...the United States has embraced the great ideals of Greece: truth, justice, legality, the avoidance of war and threats of war... Mr. Clinton - and I thank him for this - essentially guaranteed the territorial integrity, legality and observance of international agreements..."

Mr. Stephanopoulos also called on expatriates to be united and coordinated in their efforts to assist Greece, and, under the aegis of the World Council of Overseas Hellenism, to work for national goals, as well as influencing Washington's leadership to opt for justice and the truth.

In other statements to reporters accompanying him, the Greek president praised the high level of bilateral relations between Athens and Washington, noting however, that the "American factor" does not always favor Greece's national interests.

"I did not observe a difference in this stance, not towards the better, nor towards the worse," he said, adding that he placed "significant weight" on a "general statement" by President Clinton that the United States supports current borders and international agreements.

While in Chicago, the Greek president also inaugurated renovation works in the Midwest city's "Greek Town," saying he would also have a phone conversation with the Archbishop of North and South America Iakovos.

Finally, Mr. Stephanopoulos mentioned that he extended an offer to Mr. Clinton to visit Greece.

[12] Romeos remarks

Meanwhile, Alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos, who is also responsible for expatriates' issues, announced that regional conventions of expatriate Greek representatives will be held around the world at the end of May or early June.

Mr. Romeos is accompanying the president on his US visit.

A second meeting of the World Council of Overseas Hellenism's presidium will be held in July in Thessaloniki in order to develop the organization's long-term action plan, he said.

Mr. Romeos added that contacts with the Cypriot government have also been undertaken for an international convention of overseas Greek organizations, which is scheduled for the early part of next year in Thessaloniki.

[13] Sacramento itinerary

Before arriving in Chicago, Mr. Stephanopoulos and his delegation had spent an eventful day in Sacramento, California, one of three stops on his two-day tour of the state.

Besides holding talks with Californian Governor Pete Wilson, the Greek president also met with several of the state's leading officials at an official reception hosted by the governor and his wife.

Afterwards, at a reception hosted by the Western Policy Center at the home of Greek-American businessman Angelos Tsakopoulos, he met with Orthodox Bishop Anthony of the San Francisco area congregation, numerous Sacramento officials and more than 700 Greek-Americans from the area.

Following the reception, President Stephanopoulos was the guest of honor at a black-tie dinner hosted by the Greek-American community of Sacramento at the city's art museum.

[14] US revokes security warning for Athens airport

Alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos announced to reporters last night that the United States' transportation secretary had contacted him and Greek Ambassador to Washington Loukas Tsilas and told them that the US was to revoke a report issued in March which claimed the Athens International Airport had inadequate security measures.

The US Ambassador to Athens Thomas Niles had also been told of the development, and had in turn informed Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

Mr. Romeos said this decision honors the promise made by Washington to the prime minister during his visit to the US that the report would be revoked before President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos left the United States.

[15] Kouris meets his US counterpart in Washington

National Defense Under-secretary Nikos Kouris held talks with his US counterpart Jan Lodal in Washington yesterday in the framework of an annual bilateral consultative meeting of ministers of defense, which ends today.

Mr. Kouris' meeting with Mr. Lodal follows the corresponding meeting Mr. Kouris had with Mr. Lodal's predecessor Joseph Nye in Rhodes last year and at which the US had presented a plan on implementing confidence-building measures in the Aegean.

Specific results concerning US proposals on confidence-building measures are not expected at these meetings, although US officials continue to believe that the adoption of certain confidence-building measures could contribute to easing tension between the two countries.

Apart from the situation in the Aegean, the two undersecretaries are also discussing issues concerning bilateral defense co-operation.

[16] New air traffic control system for Athens airport unveiled

A new air traffic control system expected to considerably reduce flight delays will go into effect at Hellenikon airport on June 1, it was announced yesterday.

"Greece will acquire one of the most sophisticated air traffic control systems after the 'Pallas' system is installed at Hellenikon airport, which constitutes part of the French Thomson company's Eurocat control center," the Thomson company's director in Greece Mr. L. Romanos said during a presentation of the system at the airport yesterday.

"The 'Pallas' system utilizes the equipment and the latest generation's systems, offering a complete solution which satisfies ICAO's directives absolutely. The Greek system will receive information from five radars, with the possibility of expanding to 14. Each radar can monitor 300 aircraft and 600 flight plans at the same time," he added.

Mr. Romanos said the system was planned to absorb the ever-increasing volume of air traffic into the first decade of the 21st century. It will also be in a position to process data from 14 radars without becoming congested.

The sudden increase in the volume and density of air traffic in Europe in past years as well as the progressive lifting of restrictions in airspace have changed the civil aviation environment to a considerable degree.

"Greece constitutes a characteristic example of the congestion of European airspace. Traffic trebles or quadruples in the summer. With improvements provided by the new system it is assessed that the number of aircraft passing through national airspace at the same time will treble and, at the same time, airline companies will enjoy better services, while the country's revenues will increase from aircraft transit dues," he said.

[17] OTE contract to be handed over to investigating magistrate next week

The Athens Appeals Court announced yesterday that the plenary would convene on May 23 to assign to an appeals court magistrate the file on allegations of wrongdoing in the awarding of a contract to the Intracom-Siemens consortium in 1994 to supply the state-owned Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) with one million digital switches.

The appeals court prosecutor, Lambros Karabelas, has proposed issuing indictments on four felonies (fraud, making a false statement, giving and receiving bribes) and three misdemeanors (dereliction of duty, making false statements and instigating the offenses).

Intracom Tuesday strongly rejected allegations of wrongdoing in the award of the 1994 contract. The company's chairman, Socrates Kokkalis, charged in a statement that Intracom was the target of attack from "foreign interests" bent on destroying the high technology firm. In a related development yesterday, the head of the public prosecutor's office of the First Instance Courts of Athens, Anastasios Kanellopoulos, sent a summons to Mr. Kokkalis to appear as a witness and give a deposition concerning the charges he leveled in Tuesday's statement.

According to the summons, Mr. Kokkalis' statement contained accusations that "ex officio punishable offenses" had been committed, citing the chairman's claims that "politicians, (newspaper) publishers and journalists have for some time been involved in an entirely unlawful web of economic-political transactions, blackmail and interdependence".

The summons orders Mr. Kokkalis to appear at the public prosecutor's office next week on a day and at a time which suits him.

Replying to questions, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said that the decision as to whether a new OTE digital switch supply programme would go ahead as planned or be delayed would be taken by the organization.

"The decision will be taken by the board of administration based on the criteria of OTE's interests, the price of its share and the need to modernize and reorganize the organization," Mr. Reppas said.

He added, however, that OTE's board of directors should take into consideration "the judicial aspect" currently in progress before making any decision.

[18] New Democracy

Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Miltiades Evert reportedly told a meeting of the party's Executive Committee yesterday that ND had nothing to fear from allegations of wrongdoing in the awarding of digital switch contracts and would insist that light be shed on the matter.

"If, in the course of justice, it emerges that any party official has been involved in reproachable procedures, that person will be expelled from the party, irrespective of his or her position," Mr. Evert said according to informed sources.

The reported statement came in the wake of a revelation that party spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos had drafted a recommendation in favor of awarding a digital switches contract to Intracom in 1993.

Reaction inside the New Democracy party was mixed.

Former Under-secretary Sotiris Hatzigakis said: "I consider it unacceptable for the party spokesman to be professionally supporting a company which is in the middle of a judicial investigation, and a lawyer to be supporting the view that the registration of shares of companies undertaking public procurements is unconstitutional, in opposition to the party's position".

[19] Coalition

In a letter to Prime Minister Costas Simitis and party leaders, Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos said "the problem of transparency and public control is a central and chronic problem of political life," and stressed the need for "justice to be left unhindered to investigate the OTE digital phones case without the involvement of the government, political parties and Parliament".

[20] Vasso Papandreou files suit against Political Spring MP for defamation

Development Minister Vasso Papandreou yesterday filed a defamation suit against Political Spring deputy Stephanos Stephanopoulos who charged in a radio interview Tuesday that "there is not a scandal in which Ms Papandreou is not involved".

Ms Papandreou maintains in the lawsuit that she suffered 'moral prejudice' from Mr. Stephanopoulos' allegation and asks for proceedings to be initiated against the deputy.

In the suit, the development minister expresses the belief that Parliament will lift Mr. Stephanopoulos' immunity as deputy "given that the action of the accused degrades the political life of the country...".

Speaking to reporters after filing the lawsuit, Ms Papandreou said she was "disgusted by the climate of decay which certain parties are trying to create. We have the obligation to clear up the scene and for complete transparency to prevail".

Public Prosecutor Grigoris Vavetsis will decide tomorrow whether to initiate proceedings against Mr. Stephanopoulos.

[21] Skandalidis briefs premier on meetings

PASOK Central Committee Secretary Costas Skandalidis yesterday briefed Prime Minister Costas Simitis on his meeting with party president Andreas Papandreou earlier in the week and the content of the Executive Bureau's recommendation to Friday's Central Committee meeting.

In statements later, Mr. Simitis said he was insisting on the need for the congress to provide clear solutions, which were always the best.

Mr. Skandalidis said the discussion was useful and that there was an identity of views regarding the course to the party congress late June.

He noted that the Executive Bureau's recommendation to the Central Committee (which according to sources is proposing the institution of the post of Vice-President) was drafted on the basis of a previous unanimous Central Committee decision, and that the great majority of Bureau members agreed with it.

He expressed the view that on a general level, the prime minister was also in agreement.

Questioned whether the time had come for the prime minister to announce his candidacy for the post of party Vice-President, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said Mr. Simitis would deal with the matter "responsibly" when the time comes.

Asked whether the premier would also invite Interior Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos to a meeting, Mr. Reppas stated the two men had repeatedly met in the past and a new meeting was certain.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos expressed the view that the party did not need a Vice-President.

"I insist that in PASOK we don't need a Vice-President," he said, adding the Central Committee secretary was successfully exercising his duties and that Andreas Papandreou's presidency was sufficient.

[22] New PASOK presidium elected

The new presidium of PASOK's Parliamentary Group was elected last night by party deputies.

Out of 169 PASOK deputies, only nine abstained. There were 159 valid ballots, which elected Thanassis Dimitrakopoulos with 73 votes, Paraskevas Fountas with 66, Nasos Alevras with 50, Maria Thoma with 48, Nikos Akritidis with 43, Lazaros Lotidis with 40 and Andonis Dedidakis with 34.

Mr. Dedinakis was initially tied for joint 7th position with A. Damianidis, and won after a draw.

The new presidium consists of three deputies who are aligned with Prime Minister Costas Simitis, three with Interior, public Administration and Decentralization Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos and one who supports Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis.

[23] Thessaloniki hosts four-day conference on European women

A four-day conference on the participation of women in the shaping of European identity begins today in Thessaloniki, after an initiative taken by Eurodeputy Nana Mouskouri with the support of the city's Cultural Capital '97 Organization.

Subjects to be discussed during the conference will include women and decision-making centers, women and the media, women, culture and the environment and women in the Mediterranean and the Balkans.

Those who have been invited to speak at the conference include members of the European Commission's equal opportunities department, the head of the information center of the French National Committee for Unicef and the president and Vice-President of the European Commission's women's rights committee.

On the Greek side, those participating in the conference will include New Democracy deputy Fany Palli-Petralia, Thessaloniki lecturers Mika Charitou-Fatourou and Anna Panayiotarea, and head of the Athens municipality's 'Citizens for Athens' movement and former leader of the Coalition of the Left and Progress party Maria Damanaki.

[24] Bomb scare forces evacuation of Greek minority schools in Istanbul

Bomb threats led to the evacuation of the two main Greek minority schools in Istanbul yesterday.

The headmasters of the Zappeion Girls School and the Zografeio High School, both in the Beyoglu area of the city, decided to evacuate students after hand-written manifestos were found in the area threatening bomb explosions if the schools did not immediately raise flags of the ultra-right wing MHP party, led by Alpaslan Turkes.

No bombs were found on the premises.

Reliable sources estimate the manifestos were a response to the positive course recently observed in solutions to chronic problems faced by the Greek minority and the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Turkey.

Meanwhile, in Athens, Political Spring spokesman Notis Martakis called on the Greek government to denounce the repeated vandalism of the Greek Orthodox cemetery on the island of Halki, in the Sea of Marmara, to international organizations.

"The desecration of graves in the Greek cemetery which aims to terrorize the Greek minority, indicates the increase of nationalism and of extreme Islamism in Turkey," Mr. Martakis said.

"The government is obliged to denounce, to all international organizations in which our country participates, these repeated acts of vandalism by the Turks - vandalism whose perpetrators remain 'unknown' and have never been brought to justice," the Political Spring party spokesman concluded.

[25] Greek business mission to Moldova set for late June

The Hellenic External Trade Organization is organizing a business delegation of potential Greek investors to visit Moldova from June 24-27, the organization announced yesterday.

According to the organization, the branches of activity of particular interest for investment in Moldova include the construction and fitting out of restaurants, hotels and entertainment facilities, the production of aluminum profile structures, the processing, standardization, and packing of fruit, vegetables, juices, wines, dairy products and other foodstuffs.

In addition, there are believed to be major investment opportunities in areas such as the organization of car and spare part sale outlets and repair shops and the manufacture of clothing, footwear, furniture, agricultural machinery, irrigation systems, water purification systems and other products.

[26] Greek products go on display in French supermarkets

National Economy Under-secretary Manolis Beteniotis underlined the possibility of increasing Greek exports to the French market in a message yesterday on the occasion of the inauguration of a 10-day Greek foodstuffs and beverages exhibition at the 13 Continent supermarkets in Paris.

Forty-three Greek foodstuffs and beverages enterprises seeking a higher profile in the French market are displaying their products at the exhibition, which was organized in co-operation with the national economy ministry.

[27] Port workers announce industrial action

Port workers all over the country are to stage a 48-hour strike starting today and will abstain indefinitely from working on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, after a relevant decision by the Federation of Port Workers of Greece.

The federation is demanding productivity incentives to be granted to port workers, along with an increase in hourly wages and overtime rates, and a solution for the pension funds of the Piraeus and Thessaloniki port authorities.

The demands also include health and insurance fund matters, the modernization and maintenance of the public status of ports, a new wage scale and collective bargaining agreements.

The strike is expected to cause problems in the running of ports nationwide and in the supply of markets and industry.

[28] Premier chairs meeting on public spending

Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday chaired a meeting on the economy focusing on cuts in public spending and reducing waste in the broader public sector.

The meeting was attended by National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, Finance Minister Alekos Papadopoulos and the chairman of the seven-member Committee of Economic Experts (SOE), Yiannis Stournaras.

Mr. Papantoniou told reporters after the meeting that no final decisions had been taken, adding that this would take place at the next Cabinet meeting or, according to informed sources, at the meeting after next.

The committee proposes the following measures:

- Abolition or consolidation of public organizations, services and agencies created in the past that are today judged as unnecessary.

- Creation of conditions for voluntary retirements and transfers.

- A general cutback in hirings.

- Modernization of large public firms' management, and,

- Operation of public hospitals based on a rational foundation as well as curtailment of overconsumption of pharmaceuticals.

[29] Value of retail sales up, ESYE says

The General Retail Sales Value Index increased 9.4 per cent all over the country in February 1996 compared to the corresponding month in 1995, according to data provided by the National Statistics Service of Greece (ESYE).

The increase is primarily due to an increase in the following indices: foodstuffs by 17 per cent, furniture and household equipment by 10.2 per cent and the indicator for other commodities by 8.2 per cent.

In the Athens region, the general indicator increased by 5.9 per cent in February 1996 compared to the corresponding month in 1995.

In the rest of the country, the general indicator increased by 13.5 per cent in February 1996 compared to the corresponding month in 1995.

Inflows of shipping exchange increased by 15.5 per cent in January this year, according to figures released yesterday by the Bank of Greece.

Shipping exchange entering the country in January totaled $199.3 million, compared to $167.1 million in the same month of 1995, when it had increased by 42 per cent over January 1994, the central bank said.

[30] Fouras dismisses furor over FIFA move to bar Greece from international matches

"Much ado about nothing" is how Sports Under-secretary Andreas Fouras yesterday described the commotion caused by FIFA's decision to suspend Greece from all international soccer competition because the statutes of the Greek Football Federation (EPO) have not yet been ratified by Parliament.

FIFA introduced new statutes in November 1994 and although EPO has reportedly adopted them, despite repeated warnings from soccer's international governing body, they have still not been officially ratified.

As a result, FIFA informed EPO on Monday that Greek clubs and the national team had been barred from international competition and transfers.

"The issue of the harmonization of EPO's statutes is in the final phase. The content of the (legislative) amendment will be finalized next Tuesday and tabled in Parliament for approval a few days later," Mr. Fouras said.

[31] AEK Athens takes cup final in crushing win over Apollon

AEK Athens won the ninth soccer cup in its history after crushing Apollon Athens 7-1 in yesterday's Cup Final played at the Athens Olympic stadium before a crowd of 30,000.

Three of AEK's goals were scored by Vassilis Tsartas (22, 47 with a penalty and 76), two by Daniel Batista (11 and 34), one by Timur Ketspaja (60) and one by Christos Kostis two minutes from time. Barniak scored Apollon's solitary goal in the 78th minute.

AEK played with 10 players after Batista was sent off by the referee in the 53rd minute.

[32] "Kataigis" Exercise to start next week

A medium-scale exercise code-named "Kataigis 1/96" will take place in the sea regions of the Saronicos, Cyclades, central and southern Aegean and the Karpathian and Cretan Seas from May 23-29.

The exercise will be under the command of Fleet Chief Vice-Admiral G. Bezerianos.

End of English language section.