A.N.A. Bulletin, 22/05/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 892), May 22, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] Arafat meets with 'old friend and brother' Andreas Papandreou

Visiting Palestinian President Yasser Arafat met with PASOK president Andreas Papandreou at the former premier's Athens home yesterday, the second day of his official visit to Greece.

"I met with an old friend and brother, both of myself and of the Palestinian people," Mr. Arafat told reporters after the 30-minute meeting.

Mr. Arafat described the former premier as a "world leader," adding that he had found him in good health.

Mr. Arafat had talks with Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis after his meeting with Mr. Papandreou.

Mr. Kaklamanis announced that Greece's Parliament would offer all possible assistance to improve the technological infrastructure of the newly-established Palestinian self-rule areas.

On his part, the Palestinian leader accepted a proposal by Mr. Kaklamanis that members of the Palestinian assembly receive an on-the-spot experience in parliamentary workings at the Greek Parliament. Both men also highlighted the ties of friendship between the Greek and Palestinian people, while Mr. Kaklamanis expressed a hope that difficulties in the transitional stage for the establishment of a Palestinian state would soon be overcome.

[2] Patras University honors Arafat

The Palestinian leader received an honorary doctorate from the University of Patras Economic School yesterday.

Mr. Arafat thanked the people of Achaia and the Patras University in particular for the honor bestowed on him and which was an honor for all the Palestinian people. He said hundreds of Palestinians had graduated from Patras University, who were using their knowledge now in rebuilding their own free and independent homeland. Mr. Arafat said the Palestinian people were struggling hard to build a peaceful state with the imposition of law and order, adding that their enemies aimed at resuming violence and terrorism.

Mr. Arafat was accompanied in Patras by Education Minister George Papandreou, who expressed his respect for his struggles and said that the Patras University would contribute to the effort of restructuring the Palestinian state.

Mr. Papandreou announced that the university would increase its scholarships for Palestinian students and their education and technical programs would be improved. Mr. Arafat was welcomed at the university by its dean Stamatis Alahiotis, while professors Christos Katagas and Mihalis Demousis referred to the establishment's work.

[3] Papantoniou finds further encouragement in latest IMF report on Greek economy

National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou yesterday said he was satisfied with recent appraisals of the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of the course of the Greek economy.

Mr. Papantoniou, who was speaking to Greek reporters on the sidelines of the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) conference he is attending with Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and Bank of Greece Governor Lucas Papademos, yesterday received a confidential IMF report on the Greek economy.

He stressed that the Greek government has to date accomplished to a large degree its targets in the economic sector, combining social peace and cohesion with the attainment of comparatively high - in relation to other European countries - rates of growth.

Referring to the convergence programme, Mr. Papantoniou said "it is self-evident it will be observed scrupulously," with certain basic parameters of social justice and cohesion being taken into account.

He stressed that until the end of 1996, Greece will have covered the two-thirds of the distance that separated it from meeting the criteria set in the Maastricht treaty, citing the example of the fiscal deficit which has fallen from 14.2 per cent of GDP to 7.6 per cent. He also described the recent rekindling of inflationary pressures as "temporary".

Mr. Papantoniou stressed that the recession observed over the past few years "had maintained an unacceptable level of unemployment". The national economy minister added that the liberal view, which constantly stresses the need for rehabilitating policies for the economy without taking the social dimension into account, would have negative effects.

"The answer given to these problems by the Greek government, along with other progressive governments," Mr. Papantoniou said, "is that economic policy must be accompanied by a social policy in three main directions:

"Firstly, employment policies through the acceleration of public investments (large infrastructural projects, investments of the Second Community Support Programme etc.).

"Secondly, dealing with social exclusion and the worsening of the worker's condition through support policies of the welfare state; and, thirdly, regarding small and medium-sized enterprises, a stable support policy for these businesses (with low-interest loans, technical help, European funds and so on)."

[4] Thessaloniki to host CoE Parliamentary Assembly next week

The Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly will convene in Thessaloniki for its spring session on May 27-29.

The meeting, which will be attended by roughly 300 deputies from 39 countries, will concentrate on political and environmental issues and on cultural education. The committees which will meet during the session will be the permanent, political, environment, culture and education committees, as well as the presidium.

Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis and Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas are expected to speak at the permanent committee meeting, while Environment Under-secretary Elisabeth Papazoi will speak during the environment committee session.

The visiting deputies will be taken on a cruise around the Mount Athos peninsula and a tour of the archaeological sites at Vergina and Dion.

The Thessaloniki meeting is the second time the CoE will have convened its parliamentary assembly in Greece during the last ten years.

[5] Gov't comments on Solana's statements

The government yesterday appeared displeased over statements Monday by NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana concerning the way in which the 16-member alliance deals with Turkish provocativeness.

Replying to press questions, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said Athens participated in the alliance of its own accord and "exercises its rights."

"However, participation in international organizations is worthwhile when such organizations play a positive role in the shaping of positive relations between countries and in (securing) adherence to international law," Mr. Reppas said.

The spokesman added that NATO should have a much more effective way of dealing with "phenomena, such as one country claiming territory from another."

Mr. Reppas underlined that Athens was not looking for a mediator regarding the issue, which has arisen following recent Turkish claims against Greece, but rather it was seeking respect for certain rules "which international organizations should also respect."

"It is very important for the activities of international organizations to be in line with their declarations," Mr. Reppas said.

Mr. Solana, who was in Athens for the spring session of NATO's North Atlantic Assembly (NAA), which ended yesterday, called on Greece and Turkey to work together to resolve their differences.

[6] Stephanopoulos attends Ionian island union celebrations

Celebrations to mark the 132nd anniversary of the union of the Ionian islands with Greece took place on the island of Corfu yesterday, attended by President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and Alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos, who was representing the government.

Celebrations began at 10am with an official te deum service in the Ayios Georgios church, at the town's old fort and in the throne room of the Saint Michael and George Palace. A memorial service was held at the monument of the union of the Ionian island s, followed by a parade.

[7] Evert calls for Pangalos' removal from foreign ministry

Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Miltiades Evert yesterday called for the removal of Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, following statements by the latter critical of the country's armed forces leadership.

"Mr. Pangalos' presence at the foreign ministry is dangerous," Mr. Evert said, adding that "it is not permissible for the foreign minister to take such positions on such delicate issues. These issues could be discussed behind closed doors, but not in public."

According to press reports, Mr. Pangalos said that Turkish commandos had managed to land on one of the Imia islets during the Greek-Turkish stand-off in the eastern Aegean in late January due to "bureaucratic" tendencies within the armed forces' leadership.

Mr. Evert said he did not believe that the armed forces were at the level referred to by the foreign minister. He also criticized the government of Prime Minister Costas Simitis for publicly questioning "the capability, combat-readiness and effectiveness" of the military "in a period of danger for the security of our country."

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said later that Mr. Pangalos' statements had not caused any disturbance in the armed forces, adding however, that the government "cannot be pleased with the situation that has been created."

Replying to press questions, the spokesman said Mr. Simitis had in the past few days been in touch with Mr. Pangalos, Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis and the chief of the National Defense General Staff, Air Force Gen. Athanasios Tzoganis.

Stressing that the prime minister "honors and has every confidence in the armed forces," Mr. Reppas announced that a postponed meeting between the premier, defense minister, and foreign minister would take place on Friday morning.

Asked whether there was any issue of Mr. Pangalos being removed from his post, the spokesman replied that "Mr. Pangalos remains foreign minister and is satisfactorily exercising foreign policy in accordance with the government's programme."

[8] Ginensay proposes referring all Aegean disputes to arbitration

Turkish Foreign Minister Emre Gonensay proposed referring all disputes between Greece and Turkey in the Aegean Sea to international arbitration, at a press conference in Washington yesterday.

Mr. Gonensay held talks with US Secretary of State Warren Christopher, Defense Secretary William Perry, Assistant Secretary of State John Kornblum and President Bill Clinton's national security adviser Anthony Lake on Monday.

Mr. Gonensay termed the proposal on ultimately referring all disputes to international arbitration "an important step" in the direction of normalizing Greek-Turkish relations, but opposed the recent Greek proposal for a step-by-step settlement process f or whatever differences exist, claiming that "all issues in the Aegean are interrelated and must be resolved as a single package."

"Why do we want to proceed as a package and not step-by-step? Because all the issues in the Aegean are, logically and legally, related to each other, as is the issue of the sovereignty of a few rocks and islets which remained unclarified by the Treaty o f Lausanne, and we need the arbitration of a third party to interpret the Lausanne treaty," he said.

Replying to a question by the ANA on whether Ankara continued to consider Greece's right, emanating from international Law of the Sea convention, to extend its territorial waters in the Aegean to 12 miles as "casus belli", Mr. Gonensay said "you won't make me say these two words. We think it would create a very unfair situation in the Aegean and I want to believe that Greece will not do this. And I think that if we start the peace process, we will move towards a position where Greece will not do it. And at the same time it will not use it as a threat continuously. This is the Greek position now. I hope they will distance themselves from this position."

Responding to an observation by the ANA that the right to implement international law being termed a threat sounded rather odd, Mr. Gonensay said the relevant circular on the Law of the Sea was unfair.

[9] Tsohatzopoulos says Pangalos statements 'insulting'

A statement by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos recently in which he said any candidacy for the position of vice president of the ruling party apart from that of Prime Minister Costas Simitis was laughable, was characterized as being insulting yesterday by Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos.

"I will not comment on statements made by colleagues when they insult the history and the perceptions of PASOK members," Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said.

Replying to a question as to whether Mr. Simitis will lead PASOK in the next elections, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said "It is certain that Mr. Simitis will be the prime minister up to the next elections."

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos refused to comment on the possibility of PASOK leader Andreas Papandreou attending the party congress and on his own possible candidacy for the position of Vice-President, saying that these questions will be answered at the appropriate time.

The interior minister concluded by saying that the position of Vice-President is not a preliminary step to the party presidency, and added that the president will be elected by a new congress.

Referring to statements made on Sunday by Mr. Pangalos regarding the armed forces, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said "no-one can offend ... and insult the armed forces and the effectiveness and reliability of their operation. The leadership of the armed forces en joys the full support of the government."

[10] Communist party cadres gather for KKE's 15th congress today

Sixty-five foreign representations and representatives of Greek political parties, with the exception of the Coalition of the Left and Progress, will attend today's opening of the Communist Party of Greece's (KKE) 15th congress. As of tomorrow and until Sunday about 1,000 delegates will hold exhaustive discussions on the content of the party's policy over the next four years and changes in its charter. KKE Secretary-General Aleka Papariga will read the Central Committee's proclamation today, constituting an analysis of the international situation, the party's state and prospects, the KKE's proposals and criticism of the other political parties.

The main theme of the KKE's policy over the next four years is the proposal for the creation of a "front against monopolies and imperialism and in favor of socialism".

[11] Santer to open European municipalities-regions conference tonight

European Commission president Jacques Santer is due to deliver the opening address at the 20th three-day General Conference of the Council of Municipalities and Regions in Europe in Thessaloniki tonight. The government will be represented by Interior Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, while a speech will also be delivered by New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert. Mr. Santer is expected in Athens tomorrow morning.

[12] Papadopoulos says continuation of strict fiscal policy a necessity

Finance Minister Alekos Papadopoulos said yesterday he considered a continuation of strict fiscal policy absolutely necessary if the convergence programme was to succeed.

"We are attempting to set out new fiscal policy rules through certain innovations. And I am very pleased that we had great first-stage results in the past two or three years which operated positively," the minister told a conference at the Rodos Palace hotel in Rhodes yesterday on the application of Community legislation on combating fraud and the control mechanism for projects funded by the Cohesion Fund.

"The same policy will be continued and we will not let it fall victim to anyone," he added.

Referring to the issue of Community funds, Mr. Papadopoulos said the government placed great importance on their "appropriate use."

"What is necessary is correct planning and continuous monitoring to avoid squandering funds. The smooth flow of funding for the projects will be implemented by the fiscal policy we are following," he added.

[13] New economic crime squad

Appointments are being made to the Economic Crime Squad (SDOE) as foreseen by Presidential Decree in order to fight against all types of economic crimes such as fraud and forgery.

The new squad's duties include preventative controls for the correct implementation of tax, customs and Community legislation, prosecution against tax evasion, locating taxable material and conducting temporary tax controls in matters of tax legislation .

SDOE will also deal with crimes which are currently being handled by other finance ministry services. These will include the smuggling of drugs, weapons, explosives and antiquities, violation of currency regulations and of fish-farming legislation.

SDOE is run directly by the finance ministry and consists of a central and regional offices.

End of English language section.