A.N.A. Bulletin, 10/06/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 907), June 10, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] Election of delegates for PASOK congress begins

The ruling PASOK party has entered the last phase before a party congress scheduled for the end of the month.

Procedures have begun for the election of representatives on party prefectural councils - due to end next weekend - for the crucial fourth PASOK congress.

Results of those elections are expected to give clear indications on the chances of the two main contenders for the position of party Vice-President - Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos.

However, many party cadres estimate that the present unclear situation within PASOK will remain even after the congress. One view is that power will be shared, because of a central committee decision that any winner of a Vice-President position should have amassed at least 40 per cent of the vote, which will probably not allow either contender to gain a complete majority.

Meanwhile, many members believe an intervention by the party's founder and president, Andreas Papandreou, could affect developments and reduce tension within the ruling party.

Speaking on the issue of a party Vice-President in an interview with Sunday's "Eleftherotypia" newspaper, PASOK secretary Costas Skandalidis said that "from the moment when there is a repeat on a congress level of the countdown, which occurred in the Parliamentary group for the election of a prime minister, regardless of the responsibilities and the role of the Vice-President, (the congress) takes turns in a total clash of views, which threatens to cancel the agreed course. And no one will accept this."

In an interview in the Sunday "Ethnos" newspaper, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos criticized all those who he said are creating a polarized climate within the party, and insisted on the creation of the post of Vice-President, which he implied he'll be a candidate for.

"The congress will not elect a successor to Andreas Papandreou, but a Vice-President with particular responsibilities, as occurred in the procedure for elections for a prime minister, where a prime minister was elected to exercise governmental responsibilities and, of course, not as a successor to Andreas Papandreou."

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos added that "we have all bound ourselves to support the prime minister in order for him to exhaust his four-year term."

In another development, 21 PASOK deputies have issued a joint statement criticizing government policy on national issues and the economy. In their statement, the 21 deputies stressed the need to improve the country's defense by increasing the armed forces' weaponry and equipment.

They argue that the principle of "we contest nothing" should be replaced by the principle "we contest nothing from those who contest nothing from us. And we contest everything from those who contest everything from us."

The deputies also called on the government to harden its stance regarding the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), and expressed their opposition to the government's economic austerity policy.

PASOK's Parliamentary group is due to convene tomorrow in order to discuss the course to the party congress, the development of governmental programs and national issues. The executive bureau will also meet tomorrow in order to discuss the course to t he congress.

[2] Ano Liosia landfill opened by the municipality

Ano Liosia's municipal council decided yesterday to reopen a landfill in city, which had remained closed since Wednesday in protest over continued delays in relocating the site.

Ano Liosia Mayor Nikos Papadimas proposed yesterday's decision as a goodwill gesture after the intervention of Prime Minister Costas Simitis, while a final decision is sought regarding the creation of new sites for the sanitary burial of the greater Athens area's garbage. Currently, the Ano Liosia landfill is the capital's primary garbage disposal site.

Meanwhile, calm was restored yesterday in both Avlona and Keratea, two Attica sites designated by experts as the most suitable for new landfills, a view that resulted in the closure of the Athens-Lamia highway by angry residents from the Avlona area on Saturday and the arrest of three area may ors at the Schimatari toll gates. All three were subsequently released late Saturday night.

However, Avlona residents have warned they will block the environment, public works and town planning ministry building this morning.

About 500 residents of Avlona had occupied toll gates on the main north-south highway 30 kilometers north of Athens. The protesters took over the Schimatari tolls. However, they allowed drivers headed to and from Athens to pass through without paying.

In a related matter, Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras reiterated his belief that the uninhabited island of Agios Georgios, in the Saronic Gulf, is the "ideal location for a landfill."

Mr. Samaras said the major problem over the landfill issue must not create rivalries and should unite citizens with a commonly accepted initiative. He added that during the next few days, he will examine his proposal regarding the uninhabited island wit h the mayors of the Attica region, saying he will call them to a special open discussion.

In addition, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) deputy Dimitris Koubouris blamed the governments of PASOK and of New Democracy for the problem over the landfills. He stressed that bullying tactics are not the solution and called on the government to undertake its responsibilities and to proceed immediately to finding a solution based on decisions taken by the Unified Association of Municipalities and Communities of the Attica Prefecture.

[3] Mitsotakis emphasizes national unity in his tour of central Peloponnese

Main opposition New Democracy party honorary president and former prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis stressed national unity yesterday, during a visit to Megalopolis in the central Peloponnese.

"A great effort by the entire Greek people must be made in order for us to deal with real and difficult problems. It is no good for parties to oppose each other in an extreme manner. It is necessary for all of us to co-operate on certain central principles," Mr. Mitsotakis said.

"Today we have the great advantage, which I hope the Greek people understand... of agreeing on our national policy. Both on foreign policy and on the economy; as we have common positions in foreign policy as well, and what Greece needs is to be strong an d respected. We have common positions on the economy when we are aiming for equal participation in a united Europe, which is materializing fast," the former prime minister said.

"Consequently, from now on, extreme opposition, demagoguery and populism from any direction do not benefit - neither from one party or from the other. We must agree on the basis of responsibility and truth. When this occurs, when the political leadership tells the Greek people the truth and calls on it to make efforts, I have no doubts the Greek people will respond. Let us hope that this will be the future for our country."

[4] Evert confident ND will win next elections

Main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert expressed his firm belief Saturday that his party will form a government after the next general elections, promising that he will not create a "party state."

The ND leader made the statements at the end of his tour of the island of Lesvos.

Mr. Evert said he intends to look for ways in which to agree with opposition parties after the elections, adding that his government will be strong, decisive and effective. He also appeared pleased with his tenure as head of the main opposition party, saying "there is a climate of success for ND."

Referring to Greek-Turkish relations, Mr. Evert said tension will continue due to internal problems in Turkey, while he said the government is reacting to Ankara in an appeasing manner, which he said could lead to conflict. "For us there are no gray areas, for the Turks and for some of our allies there are," he added.

[5] Stephanopoulos begins official German visit today

President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos begins an official visit to Germany today, the first official trip to the central European nation by a Greek head of state in 13 years.

Mr. Stephanopoulos paid a courtesy visit to the German president in July, 1995.

According to reports, Greek-Turkish relations are bound to influence discussions, both because of a continued Turkish policy of "gray areas", and because of a government crisis in Turkey, which has placed German foreign policy under pressure.

The visit also comes on the heels of the latest incident in worsening Greek-Turkish relations, with Ankara's dispute of the status of the inhabited island of Gavdos, which lies south of Crete.

Priorities for Bonn remain implementation of the EU-Turkey customs union and the lifting of Athens' veto on the MEDA financing programme, which would provide Turkey with EU funding within the framework of its Mediterranean policy - an issue scheduled to be discussed by the EU's general affairs council today and tomorrow.

Mr. Stephanopoulos is due to meet with German President Roman Herzog early this afternoon and will later attend a dinner held in his honor.

In addition, Mr. Stephanopoulos will have a working breakfast with German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel tomorrow morning, before meeting German Chancellor Helmut Kohl.

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos is due to meet with Mr. Kinkel tomorrow morning, on the sidelines of the president's visit.

The Greek president is also due to meet with representatives of the Union of German Chambers of Commerce and Technology (DIHT) and with representatives of expatriate Greek groups tomorrow.

Mr. Stephanopoulos' visit continues with a meeting with the prime minister of the State of Saxony, Kurt Biendenkopf, in Dresden, as well as talks with the prime minister of the State of Bavaria, Edmund Stoiber, in Munich. The Greek president is expected back in Athens on Thursday.

An official visit scheduled for 1993 by then President of the Republic Constantine Karamanlis to Germany following a visit to Athens by then German President Richard von Weizsaecker was canceled.

[6] Romeos to represent Athens at EU general affairs council

Alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos left yesterday for Luxembourg to attend the European Union general affairs council, which will focus on preparations for the EU summit in Florence at the end of the month.

The EU foreign ministers will also examine issues related to Mediterranean policy, the former Yugoslavia, relations between the Community and Latin America, Canada and the United States, as well as recent developments in the Middle East.

Tomorrow, Mr. Romeos will join President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos for the second leg of his official visit to Germany.

On June 17, Mr. Romeos will fly to Rome to participate in the "conclave" of EU foreign ministers who will further discuss preparations for the Florence summit, scheduled for June 21-22.

[7] Protesters again target 'Marco Polo,' this time in Nafplio

A foreign-flagged cruise ship was forced once again to change course to Nafplio Saturday after maritime workers for a third time in recent weeks prevented some 800 passengers from disembarking in Piraeus.

The workers, spearheaded by the Panhellenic Maritime Federation (PNO), are protesting what they view as the violation of cabotage regulations, which protect national coastal shipping.

However, PNO reacted when members of two of the largest affiliated seamen's unions boarded coaches to continue their protests in Nafplio.

PNO General Secretary Yiannis Halas appealed to the "dissident" maritime workers to abide by a recent federation decision stipulating that only Piraeus be the focus of demonstrations.

The appeal fell on deaf ears, however, as hundreds of workers jostled with coast-guard officials during passengers' departure.

The Council of State recently ruled that the "Marco Polo," which is the center of the dispute, could continue its routes until noon today, when an appeal lodged by its owners, Orient Lines, will be discussed.

[8] Haensch reiterates view that Imia islets comprise EU borders

European Parliament President Klaus Haensch reiterated his position on Saturday that "the Imia islets constitute an undisputed part of Greek territory, therefore, they are within the border of the European Union and consequently there's no reason to discuss the matter with Turkey."

Mr. Haensch made the statement during a meeting in Budapest with Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis on the sidelines of a conference of parliament presidents from Council of Europe member-countries.

Mr. Kaklamanis briefed his counterparts on the situation in the eastern Mediterranean, saying that the constant Turkish provocations against Greece threaten security in the region. Mr. Haensch showed understanding of Greek positions, and said he has repeatedly supported Greece's sovereign rights.

Speaking on security issues during the conference on Saturday, Mr. Kaklamanis suggested the implementation of procedures to avert crises and confrontations in areas such as the Balkans.

He also stressed that a creation of a system for Balkan security and stability reinforces the effectiveness of the European security system, which should be unified, without dividing lines or other political limitations.

Mr. Kaklamanis spoke of four criteria regarding European co-operation. These are policies regarding democratic development and the protection of human rights; the socio-economic criterion relating to the development of a market economy based on social protection; ecological policies and security criteria for the creation of a mechanism for solving conflicts and for avoiding the buildup of tensions and crises.

[9] Arsenis: Threat from Turkey visible, immediate

National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis said yesterday that "the Turkish threat is not only visible but also immediate," in comments in made in Larisa.

"For this reason, the unification of the Greek people is necessary, as is the forming of a broad patriotic front in order to get across the message that Greece is determined and can face any threat from wherever it originates." Commenting on the Gavdos issue, Mr. Arsenis said "we will not negotiate our sovereign rights with anyone, neither with Turkey nor with NATO," and characterized the United States' stance on not taking a clear position on the issue as being "unacceptable".

In an unrelated issue, Mr. Arsenis left open the possibility of his candidacy for a PASOK vice-presidency, saying he would examine the matter when the time was right.

The defense minister appeared optimistic, stating that there is no chance of PASOK breaking up. He also added that the day after the congress will be a great challenge, as those participating will be called on to provide answers for important national and economic issues.

[10] Report says Milosevic on holiday in Crete

According to ANA sources in Crete, Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic arrived in Elounda, a resort on the island's north coast, late Friday night for a three-day holiday.

The management of the hotel where Mr. Milosevic is reportedly staying would neither confirm nor deny the report.

[11] Benefactor honored by Iakovos

Businessman Panagiotis Angelopoulos was presented with the Agia Triada Award on Saturday by the Archbishopry of North and South America for services he has offered to the Church, the Greek nation and Greek society.

Archbishop of North and South America Iakovos presented the award as "a token of gratitude of all the Orthodox faithful of the Western Hemisphere."

In a videotaped message, US President Bill Clinton spoke of his admiration for Mr. Angelopoulos' achievements in business and for his actions benefiting society, culture and charities.

End of English language section.