A.N.A. Bulletin, 17/05/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 888), May 17, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] Gov't moves to draft 'comprehensive' ways to deal with public procurement

Prime Minister Costas Simitis said yesterday the government aimed at drafting a new law which would establish principles for dealing with issues relating to public procurement in a comprehensive manner, and would successfully tackle questions and problems arising today.

The premier was speaking to reporters after a top level government meeting attended by the ministers of National Economy Yiannos Papantoniou, Finance Alekos Papadopoulos, Development Vasso Papandreou, Environment Costas Laliotis, Justice Evangelos Venizelos, and government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, which discussed the broad issue of transparency in public procurements and projects.

The meeting came in the wake of allegations of wrongdoing in the awarding of a contract to the Intracom-Siemens consortium in 1994 to supply the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) with one million digital switches.

Mr. Simitis stated that the issue of transparency constituted a central political issue in Greece.

"What public opinion desires is transparency in all public procurements and public works, and that there be promotion of the public interest...

"At the same time, there is also a demand for promoting the process of growth, and a demand for effectiveness in any system of control, so that the activity of the public sector is not delayed," he said.

"There is thought of unifying the system existing today in one direction, and the general orientations expressed today will be discussed by the inner cabinet on Friday next week," he added.

Meanwhile, Transport and Communications Minister Haris Kastanidis said yesterday that the government was determined to safeguard the reputation of OTE and take measures to protect its shares. The Athens Appeals Court plenary will convene on May 23 t o assign to an appeals court magistrate the case file containing the allegations. The appeals court prosecutor, Lambros Karabelas, has proposed issuing indictments on four felonies, including fraud and bribery and three misdemeanors.

Mr. Kastanidis said that until discussion of the new draft law on transparency in public contracts has been concluded OTE's procurements - namely the supply of further digital switches - would be subject to a special regime to be decided by the inner cabinet, which will ensure "control, legality and transparency".

Mr. Kastanidis added that OTE would therefore be able to continue its investment programme unimpeded and cover its pressing requirements which are absolutely necessary for the future of the organization.

Meanwhile, sources said that in yesterday's session of the New Democracy party Political Council, leader Miltiades Evert said the party had nothing to fear from the affair, and blamed the PASOK governments for the fact that the way the whole issue was being presented blemished the credibility of political figures.

The Political Council unanimously condemned attacks against party spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos for past professional reports recommending in favor of approving digital telephone deals with Intracom.

Former parliament president Athanasios Tsaldaris said the Political Council had found that "the attacks are unfair, and it fully backs Mr. Pavlopoulos in his task".

Mr. Pavlopoulos also came under fire from former New Democracy trade minister Andreas Andrianopoulos, who, speaking at a Hellenic-American Chamber event at the Hilton hotel, said the fact that Mr. Pavlopoulos had offered his professional services to Intracom in the recent past was "unacceptable", adding that the party's present leadership had rather played down the publicly made charges.

The event was attended, among others, by many deputies considered as leaning towards former premier Constantine Mitsotakis and US ambassador Thomas Niles.

Mr. Andrianopoulos also accused the ND leadership of belated interest in transparency in OTE procurements, and described the party's attitude as "at least odd".

"Ever since 1994, I had been speaking against the ruthless behind-the-scenes sharks who were using the AGET-Heracles Cement Company affair as a diversionary ploy in order to proceed unnoticed with the OTE crime," he said.

Without specifying, he added that "even today, the true substance of the affair is being muddled," adding that "the hard core of the scandal" lay in the Stock Exchange.

[2] GSEE

The General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) said in a statement that it would be criminal if the latest ramifications in the OTE case developed into an obstacle for the future of the country's telecommunications, especially at a time when a competitive environment required a fast pace.

"It is time the government and political parties take initiatives and institute commonly acceptable rules of transparency and control, which will safeguard the public interest and the development of public enterprises...

"OTE and the other public enterprises have repeatedly been at the center of conflicts between economic interests and political conflicts, resulting in a suspension of efforts to promote modernization and development," the statement said.

[3] Island tour for pressmen none of Ankara's business, Greece says

Greece yesterday termed "unjustified" Ankara's protests over a planned sea cruise for a number of reporters from European newspapers to the islands of the Eastern Aegean including the Imia islets.

Foreign ministry spokesman Costas Bikas said there was nothing out of the ordinary about the cruise which, he added, was being organized in consultation with the press and media ministry.

Turkey on Wednesday lodged a protest with Athens' ambassador in Ankara over the Greek government's plans to organize the cruise. A Greek-Turkish crisis erupted in late January after Ankara disputed Athens' sovereignty over the uninhabited islets of Imia .

Turkey's Assistant Foreign Minister Inal Batu called the cruise "a serious provocation", claiming that "a visit by foreign journalists under the protection of warships will change the status quo in the region".

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas responded the same day, saying "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 something we should be criticized for".

Meanwhile, Mr. Bikas was asked to comment on an article in yesterday's edition of the Athens daily "Adesmeftos Typos" claiming that the foreign ministry had not allowed representatives of the North Atlantic Assembly (NAA) currently in Athens to visit Imia. The NAA groups parliamentarians from the 16 members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

"We do not restrict the movements of anyone," Mr. Bikas replied, adding however that each time foreign officials visit Greece, an itinerary is drawn up and adhered to.

Mr. Reppas said later that there had been an incident in the sea area one nautical mile south of Imia at 09:30 local time yesterday morning involving a Greek coast-guard vessel and a Turkish patrol boat.

The spokesman said that the two vessels had collided while in Greek territorial waters without any serious damage to either boats being caused.

No one was injured in the incident, Mr. Reppas added, after which the Turkish vessel, identified by the marking SG 56, headed for the Turkish coast and the Greek boat continued its patrol in the area.

Mr. Reppas said that the incident took place when the Greek vessel spotted the Turkish craft entering Greek territorial waters and while maneuvering to make it leave, the two boats collided.

The spokesman underlined that Athens would make all the necessary diplomatic representations to Ankara, since there had been a violation of national territory.

Replying to questions, Mr. Reppas too strongly denied that the foreign ministry had prohibited US congressmen from visiting Imia.

"There was no prohibition. Anyone who is in Greece and wishes to visit areas of the country is free to do so. In the case of foreign officials and provided they express the desire to visit a particular area, a specific programme is drawn up on which the visit in question is based," Mr. Reppas said.

He added that the visit by foreign journalists to Imia at the invitation of the Greek government would take place tomorrow.

Replying to questions on threats of countermeasures by Ankara, Mr. Reppas stressed that Greece was "not impressed" by Turkey's tactics, adding however that Ankara should expect an immediate and decisive Greek response to any action by Turkey.

Asked to comment on reports from Turkey that Ankara was planning to organize a visit by journalists to Imia, and after noting that it was a good idea for foreigners to visit Turkey to ascertain the conditions prevailing in the neighboring country, Mr.

Reppas stressed that the right of each country to receive visitors did not mean that the rights of other countries, in this case Greece, could be violated.

[4] No Turkish confirmation

The collision between patrol boats announced in Athens yesterday has not been confirmed by Turkish authorities.

Invoking military and diplomatic sources, the Turkish Anatolian news agency said the content of the announcement in Athens was being examined but no incident had been reported so far.

According to the Turkish news agency, the Turkish coast guard reported that two coast guard vessels had approached each other for recognition but did not mention any collision.

In another development, the Turkish foreign ministry will organize an excursion for foreign press correspondents from Bodrum (Alikarnassos), on the coast of Asia Minor, over the weekend.

The trip will start this afternoon with a flight from Ankara, while a small cruise has been planned for tomorrow from the popular summer resort of Bodrum.

The Anatolian news agency said the type of vessel to be used for the cruise had not yet been defined.

Providing hospitality for foreign journalists is customary at this time of the year, but it is clear that the specific excursion constitutes the Turkish reaction to a tour the Greek side is organizing for foreign correspondents today and tomorrow.

The Greek tour has included the islet of Imia located 3.5 miles off Bodrum.

[5] Development ministry decides new guidelines for procurements

The development ministry has decided to take a series of new legislative measures to protect the state's interests in procurement contracts and consolidate the rights of those dealing with the state, by order of Development Minister Vasso Papandreou.

Among others, the measures rule that all procurements valued at over one billion drachmas will have to be referred to the State Audit Council before the agreement is signed.

Moreover, a proposal by Ms Papandreou and a draft agreement on creating a multi-party committee on carrying out procurements of a considerable financial (over five billion drachmas) or technological value will be forwarded to the Cabinet.

Transparency in state procurements will be further safeguarded by a presidential decree promoted in the framework of Community Directive 89/665 which anticipates full judicial protection for those participating in tendering.

[6] New members, Bosnian peace head agenda of North Atlantic Assembly meeting in Athens

Implementation of the Dayton Accord for peace in Bosnia as well as prospects for expanding NATO membership are the top issues on the agenda at the alliance's five-day spring session of the North Atlantic Assembly, which began yesterday in the Athens seaside suburb of Vouliagmeni.

The German president of the assembly, Karsten Voigt, made that announcement at a press conference held in Parliament's senate chambers, along with the head of Greece's delegation to the assembly, PASOK deputy Lefteris Veryvakis.

However, press questions later dealt with Greek-Turkish relations and the issue of arms proliferation to the former Yugoslavia.

Asked about Greek-Turkish relations, Mr. Voigt said that they will not be discussed during the gathering's official sessions, and especially not during the plenary session. He added that both sides (Athens and Ankara) agreed on that fact.

Mr. Veryvakis noted that the 16-member alliance has not exhausted all its abilities to solve Greek-Turkish disputes, adding that Greece would be satisfied if international law was followed without exceptions.

In concluding, Mr. Voigt said that a majority of parliamentarians participating in the assembly, especially European delegates, are in favor of restrictions on the re-arming of the former Yugoslav nations, reiterating the need for implementation of policy that would prevent future crises in the area.

Yesterday's interest is centered on a meeting of the Defense and Security Committee, as well as a meeting of the Social Issues Committee, where National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis and Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, respectively, are scheduled to speak.

Alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos and National Economy Under-secretary Christos Pachtas are speaking tomorrow at the assembly's Political Committee and Economic Committee, respectively, while Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, Mr. Voigt as well as NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana, who will make his first appearance at the assembly, are scheduled to speak at the important Monday session.

The prime minister will meet with Mr. Solana at noon on Monday.

[7] Greece way ahead in implementing Paris treaty on disarmament

The head of the Greek delegation to the international conference reviewing the implementation of the 1990 Paris treaty on conventional disarmament, Ambassador Christos Botzios, stressed yesterday that Greece has not only fully complied with the terms for ceiling armaments provisions, but has also proceeded to further reductions much below set levels in certain categories.

Mr. Botzios stressed that Greece considers the treaty a cornerstone of European security, now and in the future, and hailed the establishment of transparent mechanisms in estimating armament levels and verifying them.

This has created a climate of confidence and prevents the possibility of a sudden war, he said.

[8] Greece, Albania to sign consular, seasonal labor agreements today

Albanian Foreign Minister Alfred Serreqi is expected in Athens on a one-day visit to Greece today, after an invitation extended by his Greek counterpart Theodoros Pangalos.

The foreign ministers are expected to sign two agreements, one regarding the establishment of a Greek consulate in Korce and an Albanian consulate in Thessaloniki, and one on the seasonal hiring of Albanian workers in Greece.

[9] Kastanidis welcomes US decision to lift warning on Athens airport

Transport and Communications Minister Haris Kastanidis yesterday expressed satisfaction over the lifting of a US warning which claimed that Athens international airport had inadequate security measures.

Mr. Kastanidis said that the revocation of a March US Transportation Department report which contained the warning was expected to be issued later in the day.

He added that his US counterpart had adopted in its entirety a subsequent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report which noted that Greece had taken drastic measures to upgrade its services at Athens airport, including the setting up of a training school.

Alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos told reporters last night that the US decision honored Washington's promise to Prime Minister Costas Simitis during his recent visit to the US that the warning would be lifted before President Kostis Stephanopoulos left the United States.

The president concluded a ten-day visit to the US late last night.

[10] Reppas praises results of president's tour of the US

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas yesterday described President Kostis Stephanopoulos' visit to the US as "positive and successful".

The president returned to Greece from Chicago at noon.

"Greece was represented in the best possible way," Mr. Reppas said, adding that both he himself and the deputies who voted Mr. Stephanopoulos into the presidency felt vindicated.

President Stephanopoulos paid a ten-day visit to the US during which he had talks with President Bill Clinton, top US administration officials and contacts with several Greek expatriate communities around the country.

[11] Nominations for Ipekci awards open

Nominations for the eighth Abdi Ipekci awards for the promotion of Greek-Turkish friendship and co-operation were announced open yesterday.

The bi-annual Ipekci Awards, alternately hosted in Athens and Istanbul, were established after a Greek initiative in February 1979, shortly after the assassination of Abdi Ipekci, the editor of Turkey's well-known daily 'Milliyet.'

In announcing the 1996-97 competition, the Athens secretariat of the Ipekci Awards committee praised what it called encouraging indications for the solution of Greek-Turkish disputes, as well as preservation of peace in the area.

Ipekci Award categories include articles, literature and non-fiction, arts as well as student awards. The deadline for submitting nominations is November 31, 1996, while recipients will be announced February 1, 1997, the anniversary of Mr. Ipekci's murder.

An awards ceremony will be held in Istanbul at the end of April next year.

[12] Relations with Moscow Patriarchate restored, Phanar says

An announcement issued by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the Phanar yesterday said that relations with the Moscow Patriarchate have been fully restored and the differences over the Estonian church have been resolved.

Relations between the two patriarchates were disrupted earlier this year after the Ecumenical Patriarchate agreed to demands by the Estonians to place the Orthodox Church of Estonia under its jurisdiction, a move resented by the Moscow Patriarchate.

The announcement said members of the Estonian church are free to choose which Patriarchate they wish to be affiliated with, and said both patriarchates "will co-operate in order to aid to the restoration of ecclesiastical peace in Estonia."

"The Moscow Patriarchate restores all channels of communication with the Ecumenical Patriarchate which it had itself cut off," the announcement said.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate expressed satisfaction with the solution to a problem which it said was poisoning relations between Orthodox churches, while ecclesiastical sources said the conflict could have been avoided altogether.

The solution to the Estonia problem was discussed on May 14 during the Ecumenical Patriarchate's Holy Synod, which had been briefed on meetings between representatives of the two patriarchates in Zurich.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate had not severed communications with the Moscow Patriarchate over the Estonia issue and attempted to play down the rift, continuing to mention the name of Moscow Patriarch Alexios in services despite the Moscow patriarch's omission of Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos' name in a liturgy.

Sources at the Phanar said the Ecumenical Patriarchate did not have the right to ignore the demands of the Estonians for the revival of this small autonomous church and had the moral and historical obligation to listen to their voice and not treat them unjustly because they were fewer in number.

[13] Ceremony honors Greek war dead

A Greek Parliament inter-party delegation yesterday attended a ceremony to honor Greeks who perished at the Neuengamme concentration camp outside Hamburg in Germany during World War II, organized by the town's university and Greek consular authorities.

Addressing the Greek and German participants, head of the parliamentary delegation and PASOK deputy George Mangakis said the German occupation of Greece and the atrocities committed have left deep wounds in the country.

However, he added, Greece was one of the first countries out of those who had been occupied during the war to extend the hand of friendship to Germany a few years after the end of World War II.

The Vice-President of the Hamburg state parliament stressed that "Greece has offered more to the fight for freedom and democracy than any other country."

[14] Arafat-Simitis meeting set for Monday night

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat will arrive in Athens on Monday and have talks with Prime Minister Costas Simitis in the evening.

Mr. Simitis will give a dinner in Mr. Arafat's honor after the talks.

[15] Agreements ratified by Parliament

Three agreements were ratified on Wednesday by the Parliamentary Standing Committee: the agreement for the founding of a consular section in the Greek Embassy in Tblisi, Georgia; an agreement for economic and technical co-operation between Greece and Georgia; and an agreement between the European Union and Belorussia regarding technical and economic co-operation. A recommendation is also expected for the establishment of a consular section in the Greek Embassy in Kiev. Both consular sections are due to begin operating in June.

[16] PASOK 'lieutenants' declare support for Simitis as party Vice-President

The group of so-called 'lieutenants' in the ruling socialist PASOK party, including government members Haris Kastanidis and Dimitris Reppas, has expressed support for the candidacy of Prime Minister Costas Simitis for the post of party Vice-President, while saying at the same time that this solution did not solve the vacuum in PASOK's leadership.

In the run-up to the Central Committee meeting, the 'lieutenants' published a document yesterday supporting the prime minister's candidacy which it considers self-evident and criticizes those supporting so-called dual leadership.

The 'lieutenants' clarified that their position was against the initiation of the post of Vice-President because the vacuum in PASOK's leadership would not be filled in this way.

However, they added that if the post was initiated it was self-evident that the prime minister would seek it and that PASOK's unity, continuation and prospects necessitated his winning it.

The document claims that whoever is elected Vice-President will be PASOK's new leader. It added that he would rise to the post of party president when the need arose without a new election process.

The issue of party leadership, it added, could only be resolved once and for all with the election of a new president which would require the initiative and consent of Andreas Papandreou.

Indirectly criticizing Akis Tsohatzopoulos, the 'lieutenants' said "the only thing PASOK does not need at present is intra-party conflict and polarization around the intentions of certain people to play the role they have chosen for themselves at whatever cost for the party."

They also consider self-evident that PASOK will contest the next elections with Costas Simitis at its head and criticize those using "this self-evident fact" as a "negotiating card at the congress to share roles".

In a statement yesterday, three new members of the Parliamentary Group's presidium expressed support for the election of Nikos Akritidis to the post of Parliamentary Group secretary.

[17] Arsenis stresses need to deal with suicide in armed forces

The international conference entitled "Suicides - biological, psychological and social approaches" was officially opened yesterday by National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis, who said Greece is lucky to have a relatively low suicide rate.

However, Mr. Arsenis noted that an increase has been predicted in the future in the frequency of suicides, particularly amongst young people, and it is possible that this phenomenon will also occur in Greece.

"The phenomenon of suicide is a phenomenon which affects mainly the young between the ages of 18 and 25, a period in their lives during which the majority (of males) are serving in the armed forces," Mr. Arsenis said.

"No matter how much the familiarization with the idea of death constitutes an ingredient of the military idea and ethos, every suicide attempt by a recruit is a challenge to human sensitivity, to our social conscience, to our political responsibility, to the good operation of the armed forces and the scientific readiness of those responsible for these matters," said the defense minister.

Mr. Arsenis stressed the need to "understand the internal world of the young and to shape the military environment accordingly in order to prevent suicides." He also spoke of the co-operation between the ministry and the University Mental Health Research Institute in order to investigate behavior related to suicide in a military environment.

Roughly 700 experts from all over the world are participating in the conference, which is being held under the auspices of the national defense ministry.

[18] Kastanidis announces plans to make Post Office Savings Bank more competitive

A change in the legal status of the Post Office Savings Bank into a credit institution more active in financial markets and under competitive conditions, while remaining under state control, was announced yesterday.

Transport and Communications Minister Haris Kastanidis made the announcement, adding that a relative ministerial decision opening the way for the change is ready.

In addition, the bank's management announced that it is set to proceed with a study eyeing the creation of a management operation plan, as well as a programme for implementing data processing and computer upgrades.

[19] Tourism officials concerned at effects of Sunday's port blockage

Last week's blocking of the port of Piraeus' passenger terminal by a maritime workers' organization, in order to prevent the disembarking and boarding of tourists from a Bahamas-flagged cruise ship has apparently caused concern among the nation's tourism sector.

Maritime workers' representatives claimed that the Orient Lines cruise ship "Marco Polo" was breaking cabotage regulations, whereby only Greek-flagged vessels are allowed to complete round-trip cruises beginning and ending in Greek waters. Workers claimed the Marco Polo also meant unfair competition for Greek cruise operators because it employs low-wage foreign nationals.

Tourism officials and private sector tourism operators, however, called the workers' tactics "confrontational," something they said could have negative repercussions on the nation's tourism industry, especially with the loss of higher-income bracket US visitors, traditionally the backbone of the clientele for cruises through Greek destinations, according to the merchant marine ministry.

The issue was the subject of a meeting yesterday between high-ranking Greek National Tourism Organization (EOT) officials, a merchant marine ministry official, hoteliers, ship owners and tourist agency representatives as well as maritime workers' representatives.

The latter were told that dialogue was far more preferable than dynamic mobilizations, which EOT officials and tourism executives said could embarrass the country and harm the tourism sector.

End of English language section.