A.N.A. Bulletin, 18/06/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 914), June 18, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] US says Ankara doesn't dispute Gavdos' sovereignty

US State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns expressed his satisfaction late yesterday evening (local time) on "assurances" by Turkish authorities who said a dispute of Gavdos' status had been raised due to "technical problem s" regarding an upcoming NATO exercise scheduled for the area.

"The Turkish government has assured us that the objection it raised for naval exercises, which will take place south of Crete, concerned only technical questions and had nothing to do with the sovereignty of Gavdos, this island which is south of Crete and there can be no issue regarding its sovereignty," Mr. Burns said.

He commented on the Gavdos issue during a Washington press conference.

Earlier, after a meeting between US President Bill Clinton with Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides, the White House expressed for the first time a view on the Gavdos issue and its inclusion in a NATO exercise over which a Turkish naval officer recently raised Ankara's objections, saying it (Gavdos) was a "disputed area".

National Security Council official Alexander Versbau, responsible for European affairs, said: "We have said that it was not useful that this issue was raised. It has never been disputed before," adding that it should be resolved "in a friendly manner between two NATO members".

The State Department spokesman Burns went on to say that Gavdos "...is a Greek island.

"Gavdos is Greek and Greece has sovereignty there. The people living on the island are Greek citizens. We are very satisfied that the Turkish government has clarified the situation.

"Last week we did not want to make a public statement. We spoke with the Greeks and the Turks privately and the matter has been clarified now to the satisfaction, I think, of the Greek government."

Replying to a relevant question, Mr. Burns adopted a neutral stance regarding events over Imia and relations between Greece and Turkey in the Aegean, saying that "sovereignty issues must be discussed between Greece and Turkey, not between the United States and Turkey or the United States and Greece. We are satisfied that this problem of bad communication (Gavdos) has been solved, but I can not state that all complex issues in the Aegean have been solved. They will continue to affect the political situation in the region."

[2] Clinton: Gov't instability in Ankara a stumbling block to improving relations with Athens

As long as government instability continues in Turkey, it is difficult for Turkey to proceed on any action or agreement for normalization of relations with Greece, President Clinton stated before his meeting with Mr. Clerides at the White House.

Referring to the Imia sovereignty issue, National Security Council official Versbau said: "It is a complex legal matter, concerning many different treaties and we think it can be referred to the International Court at The Hague to be resolved once and for all."

[3] Former Turkish ambassador criticizes Ankara's military

A former Turkish ambassador to Washington is convinced that the "Gavdos affair" has caused great damage to Turkish interests, saying the military is to blame.

"Our stance on the Gavdos issue is wrong and has cost Turkey dearly because not only have we handed our rival a significant advantage but we have created a situation which can harm our positions on the issue of the Aegean and cast a shadow over Turkey's image," Surku Eledak wrote in the "Milliyet" newspaper.

Mr. Eledak, who is considered to have good relations with the military, added that "the least we could do is recall our representative at the NATO headquarters in Naples, saying that he had 'exceeded his brief' and give (the issue) a definitive end."

Meanwhile, a columnist for "Milliyet", Yalcin Dojan wrote that "when the issue of the Aegean flared anew with the "idiotic" discussion about Gavdos, Turkey was "cornered" for good in the international arena.

He said all the protagonists in the Imia crisis are now in complete confusion as well as those who "acted as protagonists in putting Turkish troops on the Aegean islet, which belong to others."

[4] Ankara silent on Simitis' tough statements

Ankara yesterday declined to comment on statements by Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Sunday.

"Turkey prefers not to react to this issue," Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Nurretin Nurkan told reporters yesterday.

Responding to questions on the issue of the Imia islet, the spokesman claimed the December 1932 agreement which Greece refers to "has not been ratified by Turkey, by the Turkish Parliament and has not been tabled with the United Nations."

"Subsequently, there is no official document in existence which proves the sovereignty of Imia has been transferred to Greece," he added.

He was commenting on weekend reports by certain Turkish columnists who support that the crisis of the Imia islets, which they believe belongs to Greece, has harmed Turkish interests.

[5] Pol.An statement

Turkish provocativeness has exceeded all limits, Political Spring party spokesman Notis Martakis said yesterday in response to the Turkish foreign ministry statement concerning Imia islets.

"We are dealing with a country that casts doubt on every sense of international law and behaves as an international terrorist. The government must make it clear that this country can have nothing to do with the European Union and that Greece will in no case accept the hypocrisy and policy of 'equal distances' of our partners and allies," he said.

[6] Greece keeping an eye on Turkish naval exercise

The Hellenic Armed Forces were 'discreetly monitoring' with all means, as always, the Turkish exercise "Seawolf '96" off the Turkish coast near Cyprus, press sources said here today.

National defense ministry sources said that there was no question of Greek aircraft being stationed in the Cypriot city of Paphos.

Turkish warships are expected to call in at ports in the occupied parts of Cyprus today, the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday.

The Turkish vessels are to anchor in the Turkish occupied ports of Kyrenia and Famagusta until Friday.

The exercise began on June 6 in Turkish and international waters in the Aegean and Mediterranean and will end on June 28.

[7] US reiterates wish to work for Cyprus settlement

US President Bill Clinton has reiterated his commitment to work in the months ahead towards a resolution of the Cyprus problem.

President Clinton has requested guidance from Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides about future US moves in this regard and, indirectly albeit clearly, appealed to all the parties concerned with the Cyprus question to make concessions that would lead to a Cyprus settlement.

Speaking at a photo opportunity session prior to yesterday's meeting here with President Clerides at the White House, President Clinton said "we will use the months remaining in 1996 to do what we can to help resolve the Cyprus issue and to help resolve tensions between the two countries (Greece and Turkey)."

Asked if he would keep his promise to make 1996 the year for Cyprus, the US president replied "we are doing what we can but the US cannot control all the events in the region. If it were up to us, we would have a peace and resolution of this a long time ago. We will do what we can to be a positive force there."

Mr. Clinton said he was "anxious" to see if there was anything else the US can do to support a settlement of the matters in Cyprus in a way that is fair to all concerned.

He said he would be sending his special emissary Richard Beattie to the region in the next few weeks and went on "I want the president (Clerides) to give me some guidance about what he thinks we can do in this regard."

Replying to questions, Mr. Clinton said the political instability in Turkey makes things difficult for Turkey to reach agreement on Cyprus. "It is difficult for any government that is not settled to make agreements because agreements normally require so me concessions by all concerned," Mr. Clinton said.

He expressed the hope that Turkey would soon establish a strong government "that can effectively enter into agreement with its neighbors."

Asked if tension between NATO allies Greece and Turkey posed an obstacle toward a Cyprus solution, President Clinton said "I think it is a problem toward the Cyprus solution."

"We think there would be enormous benefits not only for the Greeks and the Turks but to the solution of other problems in the area and we will continue to do all we can in that regard," the US president added.

In his remarks, President Clerides expressed "appreciation and thanks for the interest the (US) president is showing in helping to promote a solution to the Cyprus problem."

No statements were made after the White House meeting.

Those attending the half-hour White House meeting included White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta, Secretary of State Warren Christopher, President Clinton's national security advisor Anthony Lake, the outgoing US Ambassador to Nicosia Richard Boucher,

Mr. Clinton's special envoy to Cyprus Richard Beattie and US presidential advisor George Stephanopoulos. On the Cypriot side, the meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides, government spokesman Yiannakis Casoulides and Cypriot Ambassador to Washington Andreas Iakovides.

President Clerides is due to have a working breakfast today with Mr. Christopher.

He then flies on to London for a meeting tomorrow with British Prime Minister John Major.

[8] Greece, Armenia sign friendship and co-operation agreement

Armenia and Greece signed a friendship and co-operation accord yesterday, immediately following one-hour talks between visiting Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrosyan and Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

"Today we have carved out the legal framework for the deepening of the relations between the two countries," Mr. Ter-Petrosyan said.

Mr. Ter-Petrosyan arrived yesterday on a two-day official visit at the invitation of Greek counterpart Kostis Stephanopoulos.

He was greeted at the airport by President Stephanopoulos, and the two men held talks at the Presidential Mansion shortly after Mr. Ter-Petrosyan's arrival followed by talks with the prime minister which focused on issues related to the wider region.

In statements to reporters after the signing of the accord, Mr. Simitis said Armenia could serve as a basis for Greece's increased activity in the Caucasus.

Earlier, Mr. Ter-Petrosyan met his Greek counterpart for "warm talks", at which Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos was also present, on how to further strengthen the strong ties between the two nations in all sectors.

According to an announcement from the president's office, Mr. Stephanopoulos accepted an invitation from the Armenian president to visit Yerevan.

Mr. Stephanopoulos extended the heartfelt greetings of the Greek people towards the Armenian people, saying the two peoples were bound "by common struggles and common history".

Mr. Ter-Petrosyan replied that his meeting with the Greek president was a "turning point" in bilateral relations, and requested Greece's assistance in incorporating Armenia into Europe.

Greece and Armenia established diplomatic ties five years ago, while a Greek embassy was opened in Yerevan in 1994.

The two countries have already signed political, trade and economic agreements.

Mr. Ter-Petrosyan and his wife will pay an informal visit to Thessaloniki on Wednesday.

[9] Bilateral defense agreement

Armenian Defense Minister Vargen Sargisian, who is accompanying Mr. Ter-Petrosyan, is due to meet with Greek counterpart Gerassimos Arsenis today, after which the two ministers are expected to announce a defense co-operation agreement between the two countries.

[10] Tourism accord

Development Minister Vasso Papandreou and Armenian Commerce, Services and Tourism Minister Vahan Melkonian signed an agreement at the offices of the National Tourism Organization (EOT) yesterday on developing tourist co-operation between Greece and Armenia . The agreement anticipates establishment of national tourist information bureaus in both countries, mutual tourist promotion through the exchange of information and advertising material as well as know-how.

Businessmen in both countries will be encouraged to make tourist investments and creating joint businesses.

Both Greece and Armenia will try to simplify bureaucratic formalities obstructing tourist travel between them, which is very low at present, and will strengthen bilateral co-operation at the tourist bureau level to jointly attract tourists from third countries.

[11] Arsenis meets with Chinese defense minister

National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis held talks in Athens yesterday with his Chinese counterpart Chi Hao Tian on issues of mutual interest.

[12] Romeos cautions counterparts to deal with EU citizens' problems

Alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Romeos yesterday called on his European Union counterparts to place more emphasis on the visible problems concerning European Union citizens, and to reach conclusions on the issue of employment so that a special clause may be decided upon at the Florence summit for the new treaty.

During a Council of Ministers' session here yesterday, Mr. Romeos said the Union should ensure that it is not led to a result that is an artificial construction, that doesn't meet the requirements of EU citizens and is ineffective.

"For this reason, we must give emphasis on issues which concern the citizens of the European Union, such as issues regarding internal security, environmental protection, and justice," he said.

He also referred to the need for simplifying decision-making procedures in the Europarliament and for "joint" decision-making.

Greece has already submitted a memorandum to its EU partners concerning the role of the Europarliament in the post-Maastricht era.

Finally, Mr. Romeos also called on his counterparts to position themselves regarding issues of foreign and security policy, following decisions adopted at the recent NATO summit in Berlin.

[13] MEDA financing expected to remain blocked

The issue of funding Mediterranean countries (MEDA) will apparently remain blocked as the rotating Italian European Union presidency sees a deadlock due to a negative response from Greece, contained in a message Prime Minister Costas Simitis addressed to the Italian presidency clarifying reasons why Athens exercised a veto and denounced Turkish aggression.

Mr. Simitis was replying to a letter addressed to him by Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi requesting that the veto against MEDA financing be lifted.

A last-ditch effort was made at noon yesterday when Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini referred to MEDA during yesterday's "Conclave", saying that "we must satisfy Turkey."

However, he did not insist further and no other foreign minister expressed support for his proposal.

Mr. Dini tried to probe whether possibilities existed to salvage the issue, proposing that a statement be made similar to one made last February and composed of six points, but the remaining partners showed no willingness and the discussion went no further.

However, it has not been clarified whether Mr. Dini will raise the issue at the Florence summit.

Greek Alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Romeos outlined Greece's position as set out in Mr. Simitis' letter, adding that Greece could lift the veto for the other Mediterranean countries but not for Turkey, which continued to exercise an aggressive policy and threaten a neighboring country.

At the present moment, however, remaining EU member-states are showing "inertia", while the Italian presidency ultimately canceled yesterday's dinner between EU and MEDA countries as well as the afternoon meeting during which the funding issue would have been discussed.

Mr. Romeos observed that the dinner between the EU presidency and Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz appeared to be downgraded, since in essence it would constitute a dinner between the Italian presidency and the 12 MEDA countries.

He expressed satisfaction over the fact that the Italian report on the intergovernmental conference, to be delivered to the Irish presidency, includes positions put forward by Greece with three memorandums concerning the EU's borders, common foreign and security policy, the inviolability of member-states' borders and political solidarity.

Mr. Romeos said the "Conclave" discussed the "mad cows" problem for at least two hours, saying that a degree of rapprochement had been reached with London but a solution would depend on a scientific reply and not on political desire.

[14] Tzoumakas meets with Irish Agriculture Minister Yates

Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas met his Irish counterpart Ivan Yates in Arhanes, Crete Sunday evening, saying afterwards that the only thing Greece could do within the European Union was to create alliances and seek satisfaction of its claims together with other countries.

Referring to a timetable on regulating agricultural debts, Mr. Tzoumakas said his ministry made the proposal, however, the issue was now in the hands of the finance minister, who is set to decide.

Mr. Yates, currently on a visit to Crete, said he was prepared to contribute toward resolving problems concerning wine, olive oil and raisins. Dublin assumes the EU's rotating six-month presidency on July 1.

[15] Irish minister tours Mesara

Mr. Yates visited Arhanes on Sunday and toured Mesara yesterday for meetings with local agricultural cooperatives, who briefed him on problems they faced.

He was also briefed on the high transport costs for products and diminishing production of table and wine grapes.

[16] Greece to raise defense spending, Arsenis says

National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis reportedly said annual military spending over the next five years will rise well above the current 4.6 per cent of gross domestic product due to increased costs from the purchasing of new weapons systems, according to an interview published yesterday by the London-based paper "Financial Times."

New weapons are necessary to "keep the relative balance of power (in the Aegean) the same as in the past few years, taking into account Turkey's armament's programme," which covers acquisition of naval vessels, fighter planes and new missile systems fro m the United States, the paper quoted Mr. Arsenis as saying.

Mr. Arsenis apparently admitted that a large increase in defense spending will hamper Greece's efforts to converge on Maastricht Treaty criteria for European Monetary Union, however, Turkey's questioning of Greek sovereignty over the rocky Imia islets i n the eastern Aegean and, more recently, of the island of Gavdos, located south of Crete, forced the government to abandon its policy of cutting the defense budget by postponing weapons purchases.

"The theater of threat is the Aegean. We haven't pushed the panic button, but we've got to be ready for any eventuality," he was quoted as saying.

[17] Turkish politician on 'friendship visit' to Athens

The leader of Turkey's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Mesim Tibuk, is currently on a friendship visit to Athens, accompanied by a delegation of LDP members.

An announcement issued by the Turkish party said Mr. Tibuk will have discussions with Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos and other politicians.

"The aim of the visit is for it to contribute to a reduction in the lack of trust existing between Greece and Turkey," the announcement read.

[18] Simitis aide: Premier will resign if he's not elected PASOK Vice-President

If Prime Minister Costas Simitis is not elected to the post of party Vice-President at the forthcoming PASOK party congress, he will resign, close aide Theodoros Tsoukatos claimed in an interview with the Athens daily "Ethnos" yesterday.

"Assumption of the premiership by the comrade that is elected (as vice-president at the congress) then becomes inevitable," he said, adding however, that Mr. Simitis' failure to win the post was only a theoretical possibility.

Mr. Tsoukatos also rejected the option of dual leadership, stressing that it "means conflict, mutual undermining, paralysis, and at any rate, defeat at the polls."

He said the PASOK congress must elect a vice-president with full responsibilities, in effect a successor, this being a solution that will provide answers to all issues of a constitutional nature that have begun being discussed.

He added that election of Mr. Simitis as vice-president will ensure that the ruling party has a strong leadership, which he said it needs.

Mr. Tsoukatos rejected fears of the party breaking up, saying such a possibility "exists only in the minds of some who are searching for a personal role, as supposed guardians of unity."

Finally, he ruled out the possibility of early elections, despite stressing that the government was not supported by the party as much as it should.

"There is no common course of government and party ... no critical support by the party to the government, but there are continuous problems," he said.

[19] Gov't spokesman's comments

Meanwhile, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday that Costas Simitis is indisputably prime minister of a government supported by a wide Parliamentary majority. Mr. Reppas made the statements in response to an interview by Interior, Public Ad ministration and Decentralization Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos in the Sunday edition of "To Vima".

In the newspaper interview, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said he was opposed to "Mr. Simitis's tendency to accumulate all powers in his hands" and that the premier acted more "like a group leader than a national leader." He added the prime minister was "hostage to his support groups."

Asked whether Mr. Simitis intended to call Mr. Tsohatzopoulos in for clarifications, Mr. Reppas said: "The prime minister has the most regular co-operation with all his ministers and whoever wants to can call on either the premier or the government bodies."

In response to a question on whether the premier agreed with Mr. Tsohatzopoulos' assessment that Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos was "dangerous", Mr. Reppas replied: "The prime minister does not believe Mr. Pangalos is dangerous and that is why he remains at the foreign ministry. Pangalos and Tsohatzopoulos are in the same government and enjoy the confidence of the prime minister."

[20] News in Brief

A special Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE) train will take children from Belgrade who have been holidaying in Greece for the past six months back to their homes.

The children, and their teachers, were guests of the Central Union of Greek Municipalities and Communities (KEDKE).

[21] Captain, crew charged with smuggling illegal immigrants

A Piraeus prosecutor today indicted the Sudanese captain and two Greek sailors of a Honduran-flagged vessel after they were arrested Saturday for trying to smuggle 136 illegal immigrants into Greece.

Osama Yusef Bakei, captain of the 'Nadine', crew members Sotiris Kasidiaris, 42, Antonis Panagopoulos, 50, and shipping agent Yannis Kapelouzos, 49, were indicted by Piraeus Prosecutor Antonis Liolas and will be tried in the Piraeus magistrate's court together with the other seven foreign crew members of the Nadine.

The 'Nadine' was boarded by harbor authorities late Saturday off Cape Sounion in the Saronic Gulf, near the islet of Ayios Georgios. They found 136 illegal immigrants, mostly Pakistanis and Indians.

Mr. Kapelouzos, who allegedly masterminded the transport of the immigrants from the Turkish-occupied Cypriot port city of Famagusta, denied the charges, claiming he was a 'victim' of a set-up by the harbor authorities, while Mr. Kasidiaris admitted the transport, and claimed he had been sent to the Nadine by Kapelouzos.

[22] New anti-narcotics squads on the cards for border towns

The northern border towns of Serres, Kastoria and Ioannina are to receive new anti-narcotics police forces, in line with a decision signed by Public Order Minister Costas Geitonas yesterday.

The new task forces will be charged with choking off the supply of narcotics flooding in from neighboring Albania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey.

The new departments, in collaboration with existing services in Orestiada, Alexandroupolis, Corfu and Rhodes, are expected to significantly upgrade the policing of the country's borders and contribute to the fight against drug trafficking.

Meanwhile, four young men were arrested in the Athens suburb of Peristeri yesterday for possession of 2.1 kilos of hashish, thought to have come from Albania.

[23] Simitis meets with Papantoniou

Prime Minister Costas Simitis and National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou held talks yesterday focusing primarily on the promotion and implementation of major projects as well as the implementation of the Community Support Framework (CSF).

They also discussed matters concerning promotion of regional programmes, road projects, programmes for the labor and education ministries as well as other ministries in relation to the CSF.

Mr. Papantoniou told reporters afterwards that the target for 1996 was to completely absorb Community funds from the CSF.

He said that to this end measures and processes securing the achievement of this target would be decided during the inner cabinet meeting today.

Referring to the meeting held at his ministry concerning the National Bank of Greece yesterday, he said decisions taken would be announced by the finance minister.

[24] Labor conference commences in Geneva

Summing up the climate at the International Labor Bureau's (ILB) 83rd session taking place in Geneva, members of the union delegation said "each past year was better."

It was ascertained this year that the implementation of the ILB's agreements and recommendations has been left literally to the employers' goodwill. Moreover, the ILB's regulating role is now being disputed.

French President Jacques Chirac summed up conservative directions "inspiring" employers' unions in many countries, saying "we need an economy at the service of people," but also referred to decreasing non-payroll labor costs and curbing the welfare state and tax exemptions for profits.

Also addressing the session, Greek Labor Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos placed emphasis on the great problem posed by unemployment, stressing that 800 million people on the planet were unemployed and more than 20 million in Europe.

He said conditions prevailing in the labor market had changed on the international scene to the benefit of employers.

"The duty of all working people is to co-operate with employers to preserve jobs and of course defend their vested interests," he added.

Seventy-three million children all over the world, namely 13 per cent of children aged between 10 and 14, are obliged to work.

However, these figures do not depict reality since hundreds of millions of children engaged in household work should also be consi-dered.

According to the ILB, child labor is one of the most barbaric and disastrous forms of employment, while it is known that it is combined even with child prostitution.

End of English language section.