A.N.A. Bulletin, 13/07/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 936),

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] Greece restates conditions for lifting objections on MEDA financing

Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos reiterated yesterday conditions for the lifting of the Greek objections on European Union funds to Turkey, during talks in Athens with Irish Foreign Minister Dick Spring and before Monday's EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels.

Ireland currently holds the six-month rotating EU presidency.

According to reports, the Greek proposal asks for a joint statement of the 15 EU member-states for respect of human rights, international law and the EU's external borders, as well as the undertaking of an initiative by the EU regarding Greek-Turkish problems.

The proposal also notes the need for the existence of a positive reaction from Ankara, possibly in the form of a statement, while it stresses that the allocation of EU funds must not take place before the completion of the European initiative.

During the two-hour meeting with Mr. Pangalos, Mr. Spring, who later met with Premier Simitis, presented the Irish presidency's priorities which, he said, would focus on the problem of unemployment in Europe and implementation of the third phase of economic and monetary union.

Describing Mr. Spring as a major European figure, Mr. Pangalos expressed certainty that "under his guidance the EU will take important steps forward."

Asked by reporters if he had conveyed a compromise proposal to Athens for the unblocking of MEDA funds to Turkey in view of the General Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, Mr. Spring said he had discussed the issue at length with Mr. Pangalos and that it was only natural as presiding minister for him to be making efforts for the attainment of a jointly acceptable agreement.

The Greek foreign minister said Mr. Spring was too experienced a politician to put forward proposals before the issue had been discussed by the Council.

In March, Greece blocked an ECU 375 million EU aid package to Ankara, designed to help it adjust to a market-opening customs union with the EU that came into effect in January.

Greece and Turkey came close to armed conflict in late January after Turkey disputed Greek sovereignty over the rocky islet of Imia in the eastern Aegean.

EU foreign ministers will also discuss on Monday a separate aid package, the MEDA free-trade agreement between the EU and 12 Mediterranean countries.

Greece objects to Turkey's inclusion in the MEDA programme.

[2] Compromise solution not excluded

The EU General Affairs Council, due to convene on Monday, will discuss the beginning of the EU-Turkey Association Council and the MEDA programme.

During a press conference held here yesterday, the new president of the committee of permanent representatives, Irish Ambassador O' Leary declined to make any predictions regarding whether the Greek objections on the MEDA programme will be lifted.

The Irish diplomat implied that if negotiations being carried out in Athens do not result in the unblocking of MEDA and the creation of favorable conditions for the convening of the EU-Turkey Association Council, negotiations will continue over the weekend with the possible intervention of other states.

Greek diplomatic sources said Athens is not willing to cede anything if Ankara does not make clear steps in reducing tension with Greece.

EU diplomats and circles close to the Irish EU presidency say the possibility of a compromising solution to the MEDA programme must not be ruled out.

They said the text presented to the Greek side by the Irish presidency, which could be the basis for a joint statement by the 15 member-states regarding Turkey, corresponds to the aims of Greece to the extent that an expression of "natural support" towards Greece is included in the text.

At the same time, the text recommends to the Turkish side that it should pursue relations of good neighborliness with Greece, not dispute Greek territorial sovereignty and integrity, refer the Imia issue to the International Court at The Hague and create a mechanism for diffusing crises, among other things.

[3] Wide-ranging programs for gypsies announced

Heath and Welfare Under-secretary Theodoros Kotsonis yesterday announced the creation of a government coordinating and advisory agency to plan national policy for gypsies and propose necessary measures for their social integration.

Mr. Kotsonis, speaking at a press conference in the presence of Health and Welfare Minister Anastasios Peponis and Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis, said the main needs of gypsies living in the country continued to be unmet.

He said a policy with consistency and continuation was required to promote their participation in a unified social entity, adding that it would contribute to their social integration with respect for their traditional way of life, preservation of their identity, their language, habits and customs.

The programme announced by Mr. Kotsonis anticipates measures such as the creation of a coordinating agency and will include representatives at a Secretary-General level from the education, labor, culture, interior and environment, town planning and public works ministries, the popular education general secretariat, the new generation general secretariat and the equality general secretariat.

Among prompt measures the health and welfare undersecretaries intends to take is completion of a programme on five residential locations in regions in the municipalities of Menemeni in Thessaloniki, Messini, Thebes, Karditsa and on Rhodes.

In addition, two programs are anticipated for the creation of residential locations with pre-fabricated houses in the municipalities of Serres and Antirrio. The locations will have water supply, drainage, organized baths, etc.

The programme also anticipates projects to improve and relieve gypsy camping sites, estimated at 20 around the country, budgeted at 50 million drachmas, and to obtain caravans with a view to having 200 families a year acquiring a caravan.

Measures will also be taken for the gypsies' education and as of September a pupil's transfer booklet will be established to facilitate attendance in lessons from one school to another.

Measures are also anticipated for medical treatment for gypsies, including health booklets for children and booklets for the uninsured.

[4] Pangalos urges van den Broek to ensure Diavlos financing

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos has sent a letter to European Commissioner for External Affairs Hans van den Broek asking him to ensure that the DIAVLOS information transfer programme be financed.

In the letter, Mr. Pangalos notes that the DIAVLOS programme was prepared by the Macedonian Press Agency (MPA) "with the consent and participation of all the national news agencies of the Balkan countries".

The aim of the programme, Mr. Pangalos stresses, is to disseminate the European idea in the Balkans, improve the region's relations with the European Union and provide information about the possibilities for joint business activity with EU funding.

"These targets can be attained if the peoples of the Balkans come closer to one another through an ongoing exchange of information among the news agencies of the Balkan countries," Mr. Pangalos points out in the letter.

The DIAVLOS programme, submitted to the European Commission for funding in April 1996 by the MPA, aims at improving the flow of information about the EU to the Balkan countries through a network of satellite connections linking the members of the Association of Balkan News Agencies.

Another objective of the programme is to link the Balkan news agencies with a "Balkan News Bank" which has already begun to be set up at the MPA's facilities in Thessaloniki.

[5] Europarliament to remember Papandreou

The European Parliament General Assembly will hold a minute of silence in the memory of Andreas Papandreou on Monday afternoon, it was announced yesterday.

[6] Athens points to wholesale Turkish violations of Greek airspace

Greece said yesterday that repeated violations of its airspace by Turkish warplanes has added more tension to the already "cold" relations between Athens and Ankara, despite the fact that Greece desires their normalization.

Commenting on figures released Thursday by the Hellenic Air Force general staff, which revealed that Turkish air force planes had violated Greek airspace more than 1,000 times between January and June this year, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stressed that "there is a clear picture and message that the provoker is Turkey." The air force compared the airspace violation figures for the first half of 1996 with those for all of the previous year, when it had recorded 523 violations by Turkish air craft.

"The interceptions (by Greek aircraft) illustrate Greece's determination in responding," Mr. Reppas said, adding that the Hellenic Air Force was capable of confronting any "designs".

He added that it was logical that the figures would draw comments but said these should bear in mind national interests.

[7] Reactions

Meanwhile, the main opposition New Democracy party yesterday said the government's "unacce-ptable inaction" was encouraging Turkish provocations and placing Greece's territorial integrity and sovereign rights in danger.

Referring to figures released Thursday regarding Turkish violations of airspace, a ND announcement said the government was "irresponsible" and had "passed the stage of denial and entered the phase of confessing."

"The significant and worrying aspect which comes from the issue of Greek-Turkish relations is that we have a government of ascertainment, comment, concession and retreat," it said.

[8] Pangalos says full Greek sovereignty over Imia in effect

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos stressed that a disengagement agreement reached last Jan. 31 on the Imia islets reinstated the status quo ante in the region, meaning full Greek sovereignty.

Mr. Pangalos made the clarification in reply to a relevant report tabled in Parliament by Parliament Deputy President Panayiotis Kritikos.

The Greek foreign minister said the return of the Imia region to the previous status meant that Greek citizens, fishermen or stockbreeders, who were active in the region before the events taking place last January, had every right to continue their activities.

He emphasized that there were no "gray zones" in the Aegean, or vague points in relevant agreements that accurately determine the territorial status of the region.

Mr. Pangalos said Ankara was promoting arbitrary claims in violation of international law and international accords, and even the customs union agreement between the European Union and Turkey states that Turkey had to honor rules of good neighborliness.

[9] Turkish columnist foresees continuing Cyprus impasse, turbulence in the Aegean

Turkey's new government will find it hard to solve the Cyprus problem, while there is a possibility of tension in the Aegean escalating, well-known Turkish columnist Mehmet Ali Birant estimates.

In the same article, Mr. Birant claims the "Greek lobby" in the United States will be able to easily cause significant damage to newly sworn-in Islamist Turkish Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan.

"The Erbakan government will insist much more than the DYP-ANAP coalition on the Cyprus issue and will want to show that it has 'once again saved Cyprus'," he wrote yesterday.

"Of course, Ms Ciller (the new Turkish foreign minister and Mr. Erbakan's coalition partner), in order not to fall behind Mr. Erbakan, will abandon the flexible stance she once had on the Cyprus issue," Mr. Birant added.

[10] Premier to meet Albright, Beattie next week

Prime Minister Costas Simitis will have talks here next Wednesday with the US permanent representative at the United Nations, Madeleine Albright, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas announced yesterday.

Ms Albright, accompanied by US presidential envoy for Cyprus, Richard Beattie, are due to arrive in Athens on Monday. They will subsequently visit Nicosia and Ankara.

Replying to questions, Mr. Reppas said that there was no question of Ms Albright's visit being postponed.

Mr. Reppas said yesterday that the government had not yet been informed about the precise nature of Ms Albright's visit, which he attributed to US interest in the region.

[11] Armenia's top military official in Greece next week

Armenian defense under-secretary and Chief of General Staff, Gen. Michel Haroutounian, will conduct an official visit to Greece next week, after an invitation extended by his counterpart, Air Force Gen. Athanasios Tzoganis.

During his visit, the top Armenian military official will meet with the defense ministry's political and military leadership, visit military installations and units as well as military academies.

Gen. Haroutounian will also visit archaeological sites in Athens and Thessaloniki.

[12] Hague tribunal meets with Venizelos

A delegation from The Hague-based international war crimes tribunal met yesterday with Justice Minister Evangelos Venizelos and justice ministry officials.

Discussions focused on implementation of the UN Security Council's decisions on the former Yugoslavia and co-operation of Greek judicial authorities with the international tribunal.

Mr. Venizelos said the essence of Greek policy is respect of international legality and the decisions taken by the UN Security Council and UN General Assembly.

Within the framework of the Greek constitution, the condition for co-operation with the international war crimes tribunal is the voting of a law which is being drawn up by the draft bill committee.

[13] Greece, FYROM meeting on name issue termed 'substantive'

Diplomatic circles here said a meeting between representatives of Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) on Thursday, under the aegis of the UN secretary-general's personal envoy Cyrus Vance, was "substantive."

Sources stressed that the importance of the direct meeting, based on Article 5 of an interim agreement signed between Athens and Skopje on Sept. 13 last year, lay in the fact that "its limit has now been overcome, during the initial stages of talks, an d there was an almost complete specification of positions."

The two sides will now be able to go ahead with assessing existing objective parameters and prospects being presented to take necessary political and "strategic" decisions.

Without ruling out absolutely the possibility of a solution being found to the problem "in a reasonably short period of time", sources said once again that there was no "binding negotiating timetable", neither on the part of the UN or on the part of the two sides.

It was pointed out that all had realized the complexity of the issue and that the object of negotiations was not simply reaching an agreed name, but the width of the use of this name, namely for international use, or for certain sectors of international activity, or solely for bilateral relations.

Diplomatic circles concluded their statements by offering assurances that to date, no relevant specific proposal had been placed on the negotiating table, either on behalf of the UN or on behalf of the two sides.

Late Thursday night, Mr. Vance said he would be meeting the representatives of Greece and FYROM at the end of August.

[14] ND criticism

The main opposition New Democracy party yesterday criticized the government for its treatment of the issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), saying the Simitis government was not able to handle crucial national issues.

Referring to the postponement of talks on the neighboring republic's name to the end of August, a party announcement claimed that Mr. Simitis had "proceeded to retreats and retractions" during his recent visit to the US "without ensuring the slightest concession for a successful handling of this major national issue". The government, it added, has made "unfortunate choices for the country's interests".

"This result in the FYROM issue adds to the government's overall gutless and obstructive policy. In an effort to avoid shouldering its responsibilities, the government follows the deadlocked and primarily dangerous (for the country's interests) tactic o f postponing the problem to the remote future," it said.

[15] Romeos: Greece adamant in its war reparation claims

Greece will exhaust all means provided within the international legal framework to secure satisfaction of its legitimate claims against Germany concerning payment by Germany of war reparations and repayment of a compulsory occupation loan.

This was stressed by Alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos in a report by Parliament Deputy President Panayiotis Kritikos.

Mr. Romeos said in his reply that Greece had never relinquished nor would it relinquish its claims against Germany, adding that the country had already delivered relevant verbal notification to Bonn.

[16] EU opts for 8-day ban on Greek meat exports

The European Union's Permanent Veterinary Committee has placed an eight-day ban on the export of live animals, fresh meat as well as their by-products from Greece. Exported dairy products must also have undergone pasteurization before export.

The decision has an urgent but only temporary effect, during which a delegation of Community experts will visit the isolated region in Evros prefecture that was struck by foot-and-mouth disease.

Incidents of foot-and-mouth disease were ascertained in two villages in the northeastern border prefecture.

If it is ascertained that the disease has not spread outside that region, the decision will be altered and measures will be taken on a regional level.

The Committee's decision was taken with a majority vote: 13 countries in favor, one against (Greece) and one abstention (Luxembourg). It will take effect as soon as it is ratified by the European Commission, a development expected to take place soon through a written process.

The decision anticipates that over the eight-day period the exclusion programme put into effect in Greece in 1994 will be implemented.

Reacting strongly to the prohibitive measures, Agriculture Under-secretary Apostolos Fotiadis said they were "harsh and unjustified."

"I am certain the two Community auditors who will visit Greece on Monday and Tuesday will ascertain that we have already taken stricter measures than those anticipated by Community regulations to protect the animal population," Mr. Fotiadis said.

"The Veterinary Committee's measures will have no other repercussions, other than psychological for consumers, or economic ones because we neither export live animals nor meat," he added.

Foot and mouth disease has no repercussions for humans.

[17] Tighter measures to prevent spread of foot and mouth disease

The northern Greek prefectures of Drama, Kavala and Serres have stepped up measures to prevent any spread of foot-and-mouth disease after two cases appeared recently in the northeastern border region of Evros.

Veterinarians have been scrupulously checking animals one-by-one in the three prefectures since Thursday, with no new cases having been reported.

Stricter checks were also being made at customs posts on Greece's borders with Bulgaria and Turkey to prevent the import of livestock from the two neighboring countries.

Agriculture ministry services have already destroyed more than a thousand animals in Evros for preventive reasons.

European Community veterinary officials are expected to visit Evros on Tuesday in order to examine the measures taken so far by the Greek authorities.

In a related development, blood samples have been taken from about 3,000 animals in Thrace and sent to London for chemical analysis.

[18] Vasso Papandreou calls for dialogue between PASOK and the left

The government is interested in normality and stability and as such pursues contacts and dialogue between political forces, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday, commenting on statements by Development Minister Vasso Papandreou to an Athens daily, where she called for dialogue between PASOK and the left.

Mr. Reppas said Ms Papandreou was expressing a personal view, adding that the institutions and senior PASOK cadres are conducting dialogue, and that it was logical for there to be communication and tighter relations between parties.

He said there was no issue of a discussion on electoral collaboration, and that there was no issue of elections or reshuffles.

Asked about a statement by the premier's press officer Dimitris Pantayias regarding dialogue between PASOK and the left, Mr. Reppas said the prime minister had often spoken in the past about the need to collaborate on major issues with political forces and would do so in the future.

Along those same lines, Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said the possibility of forming coalitions with progressive and leftist parties aimed at a wider electoral majority will be judged in PASOK's institutions. Mr. Tsohatzopoulos made the statement in Thessaloniki yesterday, commenting on remarks by Ms Papandreou. Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said a dialogue is "an interesting issue for discussion" and said it was within "the general problem concerning not only the Greeks but also Europe."

[19] KKE response

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) representative Makis Kopsidis said the statement made by Ms Papandreou concerns the Coalition of the Left and Progress party (Synaspismos) and not KKE. Mr. Kopsidis stressed "the whole discussion is an exploratory procedure concerning terms of co-operation between PASOK and Synaspismos. "Synaspismos wishes for an electoral reinforcement so that - with the best possible terms for itself - it can co-operate with PASOK after the elections.

"The popular movement has nothing to benefit from this co-operation. On the contrary, this co-operation aims to tame the popular movement, to guide it, to subjugate it," he said.

[20] Papantoniou says economy on-course, in response to ND criticism

National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said yesterday the Greek economy was firmly on the path of development and progress, adding that all international organizations without exception recognized this fact. Replying to harsh criticism on economy by main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert on Thursday, Mr. Papantoniou said:

"New Democracy, faced with its intra-party deadlocks and finding itself in absolute perplexity over messages it is receiving from the electorate after the election of Prime Minister Costas Simitis to the post of president of PASOK, is supposedly pre-occupying itself with the economy and is issuing relevant announcements."

Mr. Papantoniou said the state budget for 1996 was being carried out as normal, inflation has returned to its downward trend and investments, both private and public, were increasing at a speedy rate.

[21] Legal protection programme for tourists continues

The Consumer Unionfor Quality of Life (Ekpoizo) is continuing implementation of a European programme for the legal protection of tourists and consumers, with the aim to promote Athens as the most tourist-friendly capital in southern Europe.

In a press conference held yesterday, Ekpoizo stressed that the program's structure is based on the central bureau of legal protection and the regional offices, which operate under the responsibility of the relevant consumer unions in Patras, Kavala, Volos and Iraklio.

Tourists can use these offices to be informed of their rights or to report violations of their rights. In the latter case, a lawyer will undertake the tourist's case free of charge.

Ekpoizo president E. Youilielmou said that for the first time there will be an information service this year in the arrivals area of the International Airport from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

A legal representative of the Athens municipality has also been hired for the first time this year, and an information center will operate in the capital.

[22] Athens' bid for 2004 Olympics presented

Athens' bid to host the 2004 Olympic Games was officially presented yesterday to members of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) executive committee in Atlanta.

The Greek delegation was received by IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch. IOC member Nikolas Filaretos presented the Greek delegation members before the president of the committee for Athens' bid for the Games. Other candidates submitting bids to host the 2004 Olympic Games are Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Istanbul, Lille in France, Puerto Rico, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Seville, Stockholm, and St. Petersburg.

[23] Simitis, Laliotis discuss infrastructure projects

The course of Greece's major infrastructure projects was the focus of a meeting between Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis and Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday.

The two discussed the ministry's initiatives at length, Mr. Laliotis said after the meeting.

The prime minister also met with Public Order Minister Costas Geitonas, who told reporters later that they had discussed issues relating to the ministry's work in the context of accelerating the government's work.

Mr. Geitonas said the recent wage increases granted to security and police forces and the military were "bold in the current economic climate."

[24] Bank of Greece sets lower rates on legal transactions

Unofficial interest rates covering legal transactions and late fee charges will be lower by three percentage points, according to a proposal by the Bank of Greece.

An official announcement issued yesterday said the Bank of Greece proposed that the ministerial council adopts a new method of setting the ceiling of interest rates on legal transactions and on late fee charges.

According to the proposal, these two unofficial interest rates will be connected from now on to the bank lending interest rate on collateral of state securities (Lombard rate).

[25] Major OSE project tendered

An announcement by the Greek Railways Organization (OSE) yesterday said 18 joint ventures have submitted applications for the Kallidromou tunnel project, with eight to be shortlisted for the second phase of tendering.

The project, budgeted at 75 billion drachmas, has been offered to tender for the new double railway line linking Tithorea and Lianokladi.

The project, jointly funded through the second Community Support Framework, includes construction of two parallel nine-kilometer-long tunnels, other major technical projects (railway and highway bridges) as well as works to restore the local road network.

End of English language section.