A.N.A. Bulletin, 17/06/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 913), June 17, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] Simitis warns Ankara, stresses Greek resoluteness in visit to Gavdos

Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday became the first Greek premier to officially visit the island of Gavdos, a visit he explained had been on his schedule before a recent incident whereby a Turkish naval officer questioned the island's sovereignty.

Winding up a four-day tour of Crete, Mr. Simitis said Turkey's reservations about the island's status, which is located southwest of Crete, were an example of the "theater of the absurd ... an arrogant and stupid policy," while he also emphasized that Greece's borders were inviolable.

"Greece is unified. No part of the country is any different as far as dangers are concerned. We will fight for the whole of Greece," he stressed to the majority of Gavdos' residents, who turned out in full force to welcome the prime minister's helicopter.

Mr. Simitis also announced a five-year, 520-million-drachmas plan for Gavdos' development, including a environmental and archeological park, funds for excavations and exhibitions, road works, improvements to the electricity and water supply networks, port improvements, construction of a heliport and a bus to serve the island's inhabitants.

Speaking earlier at a ceremony at the tombs of Greek statesmen Eleftherios Venizelos and his son Sophocles, near Hania, Mr. Simitis addressed a warning to Ankara to abandon its designs on Greece's territorial rights.

"Greece is not about to accept changes or adjustments in the region," he said, adding: "We will not discuss any concession. We will resist, using all means possible ... our response to any (such) attempt will be decisive and will give the Turks a lesson they will remember for many years to come."

He criticized Turkish foreign policy, which he said was deadlocked, undermined stability and peace in the region and flew in the face of the values on which post-war Europe had been founded.

He also noted Greece's duty to strengthen its alliances and further develop its armed forces. In addition, he called for a form of patriotism where every citizen could contribute to policies that would make Greece strong and improve its image abroad.

The prime minister arrived in Hania yesterday morning from Rethymno prefecture, which he toured on Saturday.

[2] Kastanidis announcements

Meanwhile, in a related story, Transport and Communications Minister Haris Kastanidis on Saturday underlined the importance of Crete for transport and communications in the region, particularly its role in the planning and implementation of the so-called "Adriatic Route".

Mr. Kastanidis was speaking at the opening session of the Transport Council of Greek chambers at the Lasithi Chamber. He is just one of several ministers who accompanied Premier Simitis on his tour of Crete.

The minister said much progress had been made in the island's telecommunications network, adding however, that Crete's infrastructure must be further improved in order to enable it to play its role as a combined transport center, as envisaged by the government.

Lasithi Chamber President Nikos Tzanopoulos said Crete could develop into a junction for combined marine transport, since its geographical position would allow it to serve as a "forward platform" of international transit trade for Mediterranean and European states as well as for the countries of the Black Sea region.

[3] Papandreou wants to participate at congress, Kaklamanis says

Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis on Saturday announced the desire of ruling PASOK party founder and president Andreas Papandreou to attend the party's fourth congress at the end of the month.

Mr. Papandreou was forced to resign as prime minister earlier in the year due to illness and a prolonged hospitalization.

Speaking to reporters after talks with the PASOK president, Mr. Kaklamanis said he discussed developments within PASOK and had informed the former premier of his recent meetings abroad related to national issues.

The Parliament president said Mr. Papandreou was closely following developments related to the unity of the ruling party and had expressed concern about the course of national issues.

Mr. Kaklamanis added that Mr. Papandreou appeared to be "much better" in his health.

[4] Tsohatzopoulos: 'Simitis and I two different people'

In summing up the current situation in the ruling socialist PASOK party, Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos was quoted in an interview with the Sunday newspaper "To Vima" yesterday as saying "Costas Simitis and I are different people."

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos was quoted as saying he opposed "Mr. Simitis' tendency to accumulate all powers in his hands," adding that the premier "acts more like a group leader rather than a national leader" at a time when the country "has a great need for the national leader Costas Simitis and not the group leader."

In continuing his criticism, the interior minister said Mr. Simitis "is a hostage of his support groups."

Replying to a question on what he would have done if he had been elected prime minister instead of Mr. Simitis, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said he would have created two Vice-President posts in the government, giving them to the other two PASOK candidates for t he premiership. He also said he would utilize members "from all groups," and dedicate himself "to pulling the cart of Greece forward."

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos denied that the government was also being attacked from within, saying that "no one disputed Simitis. We have all supported him to date." He also said he had opposed the appointment of Theodoros Pangalos as foreign minister because "he is dangerous."

Replying to another question, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said he would react in the event the post of Vice-President was not initiated, but did not reveal what such a reaction would entail, saying "I will publicize my views and struggle for them."

In addition, he attributed problems created within PASOK by the controversy for the vice-presidency to the prime minister's insistence "to take all powers in his hands."

He insists on "discreet roles," particularly during the transitional period after Andreas Papandreou, and expressed the view that Mr. Simitis would not resign from the premiership in the event he was not elected Vice-President. He further clarified that if there was a resignation, in his capacity as Vice-President he would not contest the premiership.

[5] EU foreign ministers meet in Rome today to prepare for Florence summit

The "conclave" of European Union foreign ministers will take place in Rome today to pave the way for a European summit in Florence in order to take a "step forward" in negotiations on revising the Maastricht Treaty.

Greece will be represented by Alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos.

However, it is widely believed that leaders of EU member-states will not take important decisions for the 15-member Union's future at the Florence summit.

Negotiations held so far on revising the Maastricht Treaty (three at a foreign ministers' level and 10 at a representatives of foreign ministers level) are characterized by their generalized outlook and lack of a substantive vision on the future of a more comprehensive Community, while the so-called larger or northern EU countries are trying to strengthen their position in the EU's institutional agencies as well as common foreign and security policy.

On the other hand, the so-called smaller or southern countries want to preserve the present balance between large and small countries.

Analysts say wealthier northern countries do not accept additional economic burdens to assist the EU's cohesion at a time when the less developed countries want a more equal distribution of Community funds in their favor.

Another major issue is that of "flexibility" and namely the possibility of certain member-states cooperating with each other regardless of whether the remaining members agree. In practice, this means that countries such as Germany, France or Britain could co-operate on interceding in favor or against a third country, regardless of whether the 12-13 remaining states consent.

However, unemployment remains the Union's greatest problem, threatening its very structure. Despite this, the concept of adding a capital title to any new treaty is apparently rejected by Germany, France and Britain, and consequently, there is little hope of it being accepted.

[6] Raid uncovers 136 illegals on board vessel

The master and two crew members of the Honduran-flagged vessel "Nadine" were arrested late Saturday following the discovery of 136 illegal immigrants, mostly Pakistanis and Indians, during a raid on the ship by Piraeus port authorities off the islet of Agios Georgios in the Saronic Gulf.

Arrested are the Sudanese captain of the vessel, Osama Uysef Bakei, and crew members Antonis Panagopoulos, Sotiris Kasidiaris as well as Ioannis Katelouzos, who allegedly masterminded the transport of the illegals from the Turkish-occupied port city of Famagusta, Cyprus.

[7] Illegals detained

Meanwhile, port authority officials detained eight Iraqi illegal immigrants of Kurdish origin - three men, two women and three children - on the island of Farmakonisi yesterday and delivered them to police on the island of Leros in the eastern Aegean.

The illegal immigrants told authorities they were brought to the small island in a boat from Bodrum, Turkey.

[8] Transportation axis discussed by Greek, Bulgarian delegations

The local union of municipalities and communities in the Evros prefecture, as well as agencies in the region, organized a symbolic meeting in Ormenio yesterday focusing on the creation of a modern double highway and railway axis linking Alexandroupolis with Ormenio and Burgas, Bulgaria.

The event included Evros Prefect George Dolios and mayors, community leaders and residents of the region, while the Bulgarian delegation was headed by the Regional Governor of Haskovo Angel Daidenov.

The two sides stressed their unanimous position on the creation of the highway and rail axis as well as ratifying a relevant resolution. A joint Greek-Bulgarian committee will undertake necessary actions to have the double axis implemented.

[9] Tsovolas' DHKKI holds its first congress

The first nationwide congress of the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI), the party led by former PASOK finance minister Dimitris Tsovolas, got under way Saturday in Peristeri, in western Athens.

The congress was attended by representatives from all the political parties, with the exception of PASOK, as well as ambassadors and diplomats representing several countries.

In his address, Mr. Tsovolas described DHKKI as "a threat to the political and economic establishment" saying the first party congress would provide an alternative ideological and political proposal for the Greek people.

Speaking for more than an hour to an audience of approximately 2,000 supporters, Mr. Tsovolas said Greece was facing a serious security problem "since Turkey is threatening our territorial integrity."

He criticized the government's foreign policy, characterizing it as one of "dependence on and subservience to the major powers" and charged that Greece was being forced into an "unacceptable" dialogue with Turkey on all issues.

On the economy, Mr. Tsovolas said the government's policy since 1990 had "failed miserably and had resulted in widespread economic decline, which has brought great suffering to large segments of the population".

Mr. Tsovolas proposed a radical change in the structure of the government's operation through relocating a number of ministries in the provinces in order to attain some degree of decentralization.

[10] Air force denies report over increased Turkish violations in '96

The air force general staff has denied that violations of Greek airspace by Turkish aircraft had multiplied in 1996, adding that infringements remained at about the same levels as in past years.

A relevant announcement said that a report appearing in a morning daily yesterday on the activities of Turkish aircraft in the Aegean was not based on facts.

The announcement said the air force, maintaining a high degree of readiness, confronted Turkish provocations in the Aegean decisively and prudently.

[11] Rectors warn of potential university close downs

Universities throughout the country will suspend operations as of the next academic year if current deadlocks are not lifted or new ones are created during the summer, rectors warned.

An announcement by the 24th Rectors' Session, which convened in Samothraki over the weekend, also expressed displeasure over the inadequate handling of issues concerning the upgrading of universities.

"The Session of Greek Universities' Rectors and Board Presidents stresses and at the same time denounces the education ministry's failed policy leading to the persecution of state universities and calls on the prime minister to consider the repercussion s of this policy and undertake necessary initiatives," the announcement read.

Moreover, it said that the problems have not been resolved since last October, when rectors had met with then prime minister Andreas Papandreou followed by meetings with current Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

End of English language section.