A.N.A. Bulletin, 05/09/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 981), September 5, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] Simitis unveils several proposals for farmers, pensioners, SMEs

Prime Minister Costas Simitis announced a series of measures yesterday - during a pre-election appearance - aimed at supporting farmers, pensioners, small- and medium-size enterprises and the unemployed as part of the ruling PASOK party's programme for the next four years.

Mr. Simitis told a press conference that PASOK had already taken a series of measures in these sectors, unlike the main opposition New Democracy party which, in view of general elections on Sept. 22, had merely released a "barrage of promises" to farmer s, according to the premier.

Mr. Simitis announced the upgrading of the Farmers' Insurance Fund (OGA) into a principal social security fund.

"Farmers must receive the pensions which workers in other sectors enjoy and they must be of the same level as those given to the self-employed," he said.

Clarifying that the relevant draft law had been prepared, Mr. Simitis said it provided for "substantially higher" pensions for farmers, which would be further increased by being connected to the cost-of-living index.

The new system, he continued, would come into effect in 1997 and would provide for pensions of between 33,000 and 83,000 drachmas. Pensions of farmers who have already retired would be adjusted once annually on the basis of the cost-of-living index and a "corrective" amount would be given in January 1997, calculated retroactively from September 1995 to December 1996.

He estimated the first increase at about 4,000 drachmas.

At the same time, Mr. Simitis announced better medical treatment for farmers, saying those insured with OGA would be able to visit clinics run by the Social Security Foundation (IKA) for full medical and dental treatment.

In addition, farmers' children would be eligible to receive medical treatment from school doctors.

Mr. Simitis also announced measures aimed at assisting young farmers and boosting investments in the agricultural economy.

Over the next four years, he said, a total of 40 billion drachmas would be allocated for the training of 60,000 young farmers. Also, a farmer wishing to buy land will be able to do so through a leasing firm, paying for it in installments and eventually acquiring full ownership.

The premier announced a further 60 tax breaks for young farmers effective as of 1997, including a 50 per cent increase in the present level of non-taxable income.

The operation of agricultural organizations would be improved through modernization and restructuring, Mr. Simitis said, so that farmers would be paid for their produce and services without delays.

With respect to other categories of pensioners, Mr. Simitis said the newly introduced "social solidarity allowance" was already being paid, equal to two daily wages of an unskilled laborer.

Paid monthly, the allowance is worth about 160,000 drachmas per year for each pensioner. The allowance applies to 300,000 retired individuals on low pensions, regardless of the social security fund to which they belong.

In addition, a further 80,000 pensioners would receive a "readjustment allowance" of up to 80,000 drachmas annually.

Turning to small- and medium-sized enterprises, Mr. Simitis said that the unpopular system of "objective criteria" being used to calculate tax would eventually be replaced by "modern methods" of determining tax dues once the computerization of the finance ministry has been completed.

In the meantime, however, he did not rule out the possibility of certain corrective steps being taken in cases of blatant injustice and inequality.

Mr. Simitis stressed that tax evasion and the underground economy were responsible for preserving social inequality and the combating of the two was a major priority for any PASOK government.

On the issue of unemployment, Mr. Simitis said that for the first time in many years industrial output was up, the number of persons employed had risen and unemployment figures had dropped.

With PASOK's development policy, he claimed, 180,000 new jobs would be created during the next three years, while the corresponding figure for the period 1993 to 2000 would be 330,000.

The premier underlined that unemployment benefits had increased by 50 per cent between 1994 and 1996, while a further 10 per cent increase was anticipated in 1997.

Gradually, Mr. Simitis said, medical treatment and pharmaceuticals would be made available not only to the unemployed but also to their families.

In all, a total of 1.3 billion drachmas will be spent on creating new jobs, and training workers and the unemployed in new positions of employment, Mr. Simitis added.

[2] New Democracy reaction

In responding, main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert described the prime minister's announcements as "words void of content".

Speaking at an unscheduled press conference, the main opposition leader charged that Mr. Simitis' announcements lacked the four basic parameters that are necessary requirements of specific measures, namely, clarity, a timetable, estimated cost and the source of funds.

Referring to Mr. Simitis' announcement concerning the abolition of the objective criteria taxation system for the self-employed and merchants, Mr. Evert said the prime minister ultimately admitted that the system was unjust, but did not specify exactly when he (Simitis) would completely abolish them.

Replying to press questions, Mr. Evert said that in the event of the abolition of state organizations, his government would institute schemes of early or voluntary retirement, or transfers to other departments.

Regarding illegally employed foreign nationals in Greece, he said that as long as they were occupied in jobs for which there was no Greek labor supply, they should be insured, both for humanitarian reasons and because significant revenues would accrue to social security organizations.

[3] KKE response

Commenting on the prime minister's measures for the farmers, pensioners, small- and middle-sized businesses and the unemployed, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said they were "in line with the EU Convergence Programme."

According to KKE, "the multinationals couldn't be happier."

In addition, the party called for the strengthening of KKE and the weakening of two-party system.

[4] PASOK itinerary

On the campaign trail, Mr. Simitis is expected to visit Serres on Sunday for talks with representatives of local authorities on the problems facing the Macedonia prefecture as well to address a gathering of party followers.

Development Minister Vasso Papandreou will visit Kavala on Sunday to be briefed on progress on all major works that are under construction in the region, including oil drilling near Thassos and tourism.

On Monday, Ms Papandreou is due to meet with local authorities, while in the evening she is due to inaugurate PASOK's new premises in Kavala and address a gathering of party supporters.

[5] Redistribution of seats

The latest issue of the Government Gazette has published the Presidential Decree defining the number of parliamentary seats for each constituency for the Sept. 22 elections.

On the basis of the census of 1991, 10 seats will change prefecture and there will be a redistribution of the number of seats in 13 constituencies.

In comparison to the 1993 elections, the Athens 2nd district will gain six seats, Attica will gain two, Thessaloniki 1st district and Iraklion, Crete, will gain one each.

Athens 1st district loses two seats and Piraeus 1st, Serres, Messinias, Ioannina, Evros, Drama, Lesvos and Grevena each lose one.

[6] Expatriate politicians meet with nation's leadership

Twenty-eight politicians of Greek origin met with Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis and main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert yesterday as they continued their contacts with Greece's top political leadership.

The 28 foreign deputies arrived in Athens this week at the invitation of Alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Romeos in order to be briefed on Greece's national issues and international policy. During a meeting with Mr. Kaklamanis, the Parliament president briefed the politicians on the course of Greece's national issues as well as Ankara's threats and provocations against Athens.

In addition, he stated that "Hellenism would be happy if the United States did not overlook for a second time the Cyprus issue."

Mr. Kaklamanis also referred to the cold-blooded murder by Turkish troops and a mob of extremists of two Greek Cypriots men protesting the continued occupation of 37 per cent of the island republic last month.

Concluding, Mr. Kaklamanis referred to "Skopje's insistence on the name issue," calling on his guests to intensify efforts for the promotion and international understanding of Athens' positions. Afterward, Mr. Kaklamanis hosted a dinner in honor of the 28 expatriate deputies. During his meeting with the foreign parliamentarians, Mr. Evert said "they offer enormous services, affecting international developments in Greece's favor. We owe them a debt of gratitude.".

The main opposition leader said Greece's great vision was Hellenism, and its great strength lay in the expatriates.

"These Greeks," he added, "have never forgotten the homeland and have remained more Greek than we who live here."

The 28 deputies later also visited Education Minister Giorgos Papandreou, with discussions centering on the issues of Greek educational policy, language and culture abroad.

Mr. Papandreou said, among other things, that his ministry has sent teachers to schools in the Balkans and the former Soviet Union to teach Greek. He emphasized the ministry's efforts toward Albania, where new ethnic Greek schools are to open shortly.

He also said that a Dutch presidency of the European Union, which will succeed the current Irish rotating presidency, has placed the project of a European Center for Classical Studies - a Greek initiative - among its priorities, while the Dutch education minister is scheduled to visit Athens for this purpose.

In a related development, the president of the Council of Overseas Greeks (SAE) Andrew Athens met yesterday with Mr. Romeos. The two men exchanged views on the forthcoming US elections and the role of the US-Greek community. Following the meeting Mr. Athens stated:

"We had a very useful and constructive co-operation with Mr. Romeos, as always. We will continue this co-operation with the aim of promoting the interests of Hellenism," he stated.

[7] Mitsotakis interview draws criticism from certain quarters of ND

Main opposition New Democracy honorary president Constantine Mitsotakis' first televised interview since ND hit its campaign trail was seen by certain ND officials as maintaining "distances from the policy of the party."

But party spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos said he did not see any "disagreement on the part of Mr. Mitsotakis" with ND's programme, "which will be implemented in full."

"ND has announced its program also in the sector of denationalizations which will imply no cost, given the investments and increase in productivity," Mr. Pavlopoulos added.

Meanwhile, ND issued the following announcement yesterday, regarding ND leader Miltiades Evert's press conference on Tuesday:

"Despite foreign ministry efforts, no vagueness has been created during the conference regarding the members of the Moslem community.

"During the interview, it was clarified that all Greek citizens enjoy all rights stemming from international law and Greek legislation."

[8] Flash radio poll: most believe PASOK will win

Some 57.2 per cent of those questioned in a poll by the Athens radio station Flash 961 believe that PASOK will win the Sept. 22 election, while 20.1 per cent believe New Democracy will win.

The results of the first poll since Prime Minister Costas Simitis' decision to call snap elections were released on Monday, showing that 29.7 per cent would vote PASOK, 26.2 per cent New Democracy, 3.5 per cent Political Spring, 5.3 per cent Communist Party, 6.0 per cent the Coalition and 5.9 per cent the Democratic Social Movement.

The opinion poll was conducted by the Metron Analysis firm between August 27 and September 1 on 1,230 voters in the Athens and Piraeus 1st and 2nd districts.

[9] 88 per cent of Olympic seats given to voters between Sept. 19-25

Some 88 per cent of seats on Olympic Airways' domestic flights will be allocated to political parties during the period Sept. 19-25 in order to facilitate travel by voters, according to sources in the inter-party committee.

The remaining 12 per cent will be allocated to judicial officials overseeing the voting at election precincts. The same percentages have been allocated to OA flights from Germany and Belgium.

Meanwhile, OA's administrative board said yesterday that it had requested 20-25 per cent of the value of tickets to be allocated to parties as a deposit, with the remainder to be covered by letters of credit.

Regarding old debts by political parties to OA - now amounting to 1.59 billion since 1990 - the board decided for their repayment in 48 monthly installments.

Specifically, New Democracy owes 1.2 billion drachmas, PASOK 300 million and the other parties together some 40 million.

[10] Simitis meets with Dukakis

Prime Minister Costas Simitis met briefly with visiting former Massachusetts governor Michael Dukakis yesterday. The two men discussed developments in the region and US-Greek relations.

[11] Iraqi ambassador in Athens lashes out at US

Iraqi Ambassador to Athens Issam Saud Khalil yesterday described Americans as "the new criminals of the modern age" and "policemen of world disorder" following the second US missile strike on air defense targets in southern Iraq in as many days.

Mr. Khalil told a press conference at the embassy that the political behavior of the US was unlawful and charged Washington with having arbitrarily imposed an economic blockade on his country for the last six years. Washington, the ambassador added, was continuing the same tactics with other countries such as Cuba, Iran and Libya without having secured the consent of the United Nations.

On Tuesday, Washington launched the largest military strike against Iraq since the Gulf War, launching 27 cruise missiles at air defense targets around Iraq in retaliation for Iraqi military attacks on Kurds in northern Iraq.

Yesterday, the United States fired a second wave of missiles at targets in southern Iraq and enforced a wider no-fly zone, pursuing one of its most serious confrontations with President Saddam Hussein.

Iraq said one person was killed and seven were wounded in the second attack. According to Baghdad, the first launch left five people dead and 19 wounded, including civilians.

Mr. Khalil stressed that Iraq was an independent state with its own culture and history which knew how to respect the ethnic groups living on its territory.

He said Iraq was not threatening any other state but, on the contrary, was itself being threatened, attributing the US missile strikes at the present time to an election ruse by President Bill Clinton in order to increase his popularity by displaying "Machiavellian ferocity."

Mr. Khalil also described as illegal yesterday's decision by the US to extend a no-fly zone for Iraqi aircraft in southern Iraq almost to Baghdad, saying that Washington did not have the agreement of the UN.

Expressing his personal opinion, the envoy said he did not believe that the US "assisted by the British" would stop their attacks, "since their aim is not to protect the Kurds but to control the region and espionage."

On Tuesday, Athens joined international condemnation against Washington over the missile strikes, expressing "deep concern."

Caretaker Press and Media Minister Dimitris Konstas said Athens was closely following the situation.

He said the Kurdish problem often created "particular upheaval and tension" in the region but should be confronted by the international community "in accordance with the principles which govern its operation."

The United States used a 1991 UN Security Council resolution to justify its missile attacks but it was questionable if the resolution in fact mandated such action.

In efforts aimed at gaining support over the missile strikes, US President Bill Clinton sent a letter on Tuesday to Prime Minister Costas Simitis, saying that the US "has determined that it must respond strongly and quickly to Saddam's new campaign of violence and repression...

"The President requests and will greatly appreciate your continuing to stand together with us on this critical matter of peace and security, including specifically public support for our actions," the letter stated.

Meanwhile, Alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Romeos, asked to comment on recent developments in Iraq, said: "We are waiting for the President of the United States Bill Clinton to show the same sensitivity and decisiveness for the anxieties we have over the threats of Turkey".

[12] Greek EU deputy submits amendments freezing aid to Ankara

In amendments submitted yesterday, PASOK Eurodeputy Yiannos Kranidiotis proposed the freezing of credits for Turkey envisaged in the EU's draft budget for 1997. The first amendment proposes the transfer of credits envisaged i n the Regulation for financial assistance to Turkey - currently blocked by a Greek veto - totaling ECU 95 million, from the special budget entry to the reserve, on the grounds that Turkey does not observe obligations entered into when signing the customs union agreement.

The second amendment concerns credits allocated through the MEDA programme Regulation for Euro-Mediterrane and co-operation, approved by the Ministers' Council in July. In it, Mr. Kranidiotis introduces a "precondition clause", obliging the European Commission to take into account the particular situation in each of the 12 countries entitled to assistance. If the amendment is approved, the Commission will have to provide an indicative distribution of funds according to each country entitled, and submit a report on the human rights situation in Turkey, its respect for international law and the territorial integrity of states sharing borders with it.

[13] Squatters in Sarande fire shots at Orthodox Church emissary

Archbishop of Tirana and All Albania Anastasios strongly condemned yesterday's incidents at the Agios Georgios Monastery in the Sarande district, in which squatters living in shacks on the monastery's grounds fired shots at an Orthodox Church emissary.

Anastasios linked the shooting with the recent vandalism of a church in Moschopolis.

"What has been happening in the last few months at the historic monastery of Agios Georgios in Tsoukas, Sarande, is as serious as the destruction of the frescoes at the church in Moschopolis," he said.

According to Albanian press reports, the vandalism at the Agios Michail Church in Moschopolis was carried out by a group of youths, but allegedly instigated by foreign religious fundamentalists.

In the case of Agios Georgios, reports state that the 14th century Orthodox monastery is being taken over and systematically destroyed. Up to 40 shacks inhabited by mostly Moslem families from other areas in Albania have been built, while the character of the site is being altered with bulldozers sent with permission, or by order of unnamed state factors.

The monastery ceased to operate in 1967 when the regime of late Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha outlawed all religious worship. However, even after the rights to exercise religious worship were restored in 1990, problems in restoring the monastery and its grounds to the Orthodox Church continued.

Shortly before the May 26 general elections this year, land in the area surrounding the monastery was granted to squatters from other areas. In addition, on the day of the election a polling station was set up within the monastery, with 600 people registered there even though no one lived in the area, sources said.

According to reports, the church emissary that was fired upon had intended to make an inventory of the monastery's property.

So far, the Archdiocese has raised 100 million drachmas for a programme to restore the monastery and build a center for youth and Orthodox culture within its grounds.

"Instead of returning church property, ancient monasteries are being deserted and even church emissaries are being threatened by shots from squatters," Archbishop Anastasios stated yesterday, adding however, that the matter can be resolved if "public opinion is informed and the necessary intervention is made by government bodies."

[14] Incidents at Gjirokaster consulate

There were incidents at the newly-opened Greek consulate general in Gjirokaster yesterday where more than 2,000 people, mainly Albanians, had gathered to apply for entry visas for Greece.

Dozens of people managed to break through a security cordon and enter the building, causing minor damage.

Police, with the assistance of consul Nikos Kanellos, quickly restored calm.

[15] Police charge man with raping some 30 young girls since '86

A 51-year-old man was arrested in Athens yesterday on dozens of felony counts of abusing and raping young girls, following a three-month investigation by authorities.

According to reports, Gerassimos Bilis-Samaras was arrested and confessed to having sexually abused 30 young girls since early 1986.

Police said their investigation revealed that the man enticed his victims away from coffee shops, amusement arcades and schools in the Patisia, Galatsi and Nea Philadelphia districts. Authorities also said an investigation revealed that the alleged pedophile had installed a bed in the back of a van where he raped the victims, while on other occasions he took them to his residence or remote locations on Mount Parnitha.

Reports state that Bilis-Samaras confessed to often abusing two or three girls at the same time, saying he always recorded the acts on a tape recorder. He said he would then play the audio cassette back to his victims and threaten them with distributing the recording to their friends and relatives if they reported him.

A search of the suspect's residence revealed 30 audio cassettes that apparently recorded the sexual abuse and a 30-centimeter-long butcher's knife police said the man used to threaten the minors.

[16] Turkish immigrant smuggler arrested off Kos after high-speed chase

Coast guard personnel arrested a Turkish illegal immigrant smuggler early yesterday after a high-speed chase off the coast of Kos.

The incident took place at 3:40 a.m. when two coast guard patrol boats spotted the launch sailing without navigation lights.

The launch was ordered to stop but instead sped off towards Turkish waters, while patrol boats gave chase, firing warning shots and eventually stopping the vessel.

Forty-nine Iraqi illegal immigrants of Kurdish origin - 37 men, six women and six children - on the launch were detained, while the skipper of the launch, 26-year-old Organ Okan, was arrested.

According to the illegals, a smaller speedboat had also taken part in the smuggling operation, which earlier landed seven compatriots on a deserted beach on Kos. They were later detained.

[17] Simitis to open Thessaloniki International Fair tomorrow

Prime Minister Costas Simitis expressed his view yesterday that the 61st annual Thessaloniki International Fair will be "an exciting, diverse and completely successful event."

Mr. Simitis made the remark in his message on the opening of the exhibition, included in a special brochure issued for the event. The prime minister is to open the exhibition tomorrow evening.

"Because the Thessaloniki International Fair was always a precious barometer of the country's economic policy, we can be sure that this year's fair will be an exciting, diverse and completely successful event.

This year's fair reflects the successful course of the Greek economy during the last few years and the optimistic prospects of development and prosperity," Mr. Simitis said.

He added that the exhibition has proved to be an important institution in the promotion of the country's production and economic activity.

"It offers us the possibility to display Greek products and to show the important role Thessaloniki can play as a commercial and industrial center between the European Union and the Balkan countries," he added.

[18] Infrastructure projects announced

Some 9.94 billion drachmas have been allocated for road, anti-flood projects and general improvement works around the country, it was announced yesterday.

Projects include continuation of road works on a national highway on the island of Corfu, at 250 million drachmas. On the same project, 130 million drachmas have been provided for the installation of traffic lights, while 619 million drachmas will go to surfacing roads on the island of Lesvos.

More than 4.5 billion drachmas have been approved for works on the Achyron Dam in the Aitoloakarnania prefecture, while 462 million drachmas are to be provided for anti-flooding works in streams in the Irakleio prefecture, and more than 38 million drachmas for flood prevention in the Trikala and Magnisia regions.

[19] Simitis to lay foundation stone for new international airport today

Prime Minister Costas Simitis will today lay the foundation stone of Athens' new international airport at Spata, which will be officially named "Eleftherios Venizelos", after one of Greece's most prominent statesmen.

The airport is expected to be operational in 56 months and will give fresh impetus to air communications in Greece and in the Balkans.

When fully operational, the airport will be able to cater to 20 million passengers annually.

Meanwhile, at a press conference yesterday, three Communist Party of Greece (KKE) candidates in general elections later this month described as "colonial" the contract for the construction of the airport.

They said the project was a "scandal" from both a financial and environmental point of view.

In a similar vein, a Coalition of the Left and Progress statement said that the airport would pose the greatest threat to the environment of Attica.

[20] Fuel prices

Fuel prices increased by 0.6 drachmas per liter as of midnight last night, while the retail price of diesel fuel rose by 2.9 drachmas per liter, due to an increase in international fuel prices.

The development ministry announced that despite the international fuel price increases, retail prices remain at low levels in comparison to last month.

"This proves that the government's fuel policy results, even at times of crisis in the world fuel market, in smoothing negative consequences in the internal market," the development ministry said.

The new indicative prices in Attica and the Thessaloniki prefecture are 212.2 drachmas per liter for 'super' and 196.2 drachmas per liter for unleaded fuel.

[21] Laliotis urges Olympic Metro to withdraw redundancy notices

Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis yesterday came out in support of workers' demands that the Olympic Metro company retract redundancy notices for 130 workers.

During a meeting with Metro worker representatives, Mr. Laliotis said he had undertaken every effort possible to speed up the dialogue between the Greek state and the consortium and that within 10 days there would be a final solution to the problems which have arisen in the course of the completion of the project.

Earlier yesterday, some 1,000 workers marched through the city center towards the ministry's offices.

Meanwhile, the New Democracy party claimed that the developments would put back the project to "the 21st century".

[22] Tzoumakas says KKE behind announced farmers' mobilizations

Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas yesterday characterized announced mobilizations for tomorrow by farmers' unions in Thessaly as being the result of instigation by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE).

Mr. Tzoumakas accused KKE of being behind the mobilizations, which he said were being carried out "without reason", saying he had scheduled a meeting to consider solutions to demands of cotton producers, one of the main demands of farmers in the region.

The agriculture minister said the "counter-demonstrations", as he called them, had been organized as soon as he had publicized his decision for a meeting with representatives from all cotton-producing areas.

Problems being faced by cotton producers are scheduled to be discussed this afternoon during a meeting with representatives of the leading farmers' organizations - PASEGES, GESASE and SYDASE - cotton-producers' organizations and agriculture ministry officials.

End of English language section.