A.N.A. Bulletin, 18/09/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 992), September 18, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] European Parliament to discuss freeze on all EU credits to Ankara today

The plenum of the European Parliament (EP) today is to consider a resolution submitted jointly by almost all political groupings, calling for the freezing of all EU credits for Ankara, as a result of its deteriorating behavior exhibited on a number of issues, ranging from the Cyprus problem and Greek-Turkish relations to conditions of prison detention and the Kurdish issue.

The assembly will vote on the resolution tomorrow.

The text of the resolution is considered as unprecedented for its harsh language as it is for the direct imposition of economic sanctions against Turkey on the grounds that its continuous violations of human rights has violated "the terms and the spirit of the customs union agreement".

It is also interesting that the text of the draft resolution agreed on by the majority of political groups in EP (Socialists, European Peoples' Party, Union for Europe, Greens, and European Radical Alliance) is inspired by a sense of 'suspicion' on the part of Eurodeputies towards the failure of the Turkish leadership to translate its repeated declarations of intent into deeds.

It is characteristic that the draft resolution "insistently calls on the Turkish government to set out in a most clear manner to the EU its stand on the four sectors with which the European Parliament had linked its positive opinion regarding the custom s union on December 13, 1995, that is, human rights, democratization, and the Kurdish and Cyprus problems".

In another paragraph, it calls on Ankara "to reaffirm its obligations arising from its signing of the customs union agreement".

The EP's show of force is contained in two paragraphs stating respectively that "it decides to initiate the procedure for entering the credits of the European Union - Turkey financial protocol (375 million ECU) in the reserves of the Community budget," and "calls on the Commission to immediately block all credits envisaged in the framework of the MEDA programme for the implementation of plans in Turkey" apart from those concerning the promotion of democracy and human rights.

The EP's censure is also directed towards the Commission, which "has not observed its commitment concerning the monitoring of the human rights situation in Turkey". The draft resolution also condemns the murders of the two Greek Cypriot protesters by the Turkish occupation forces in the buffer zone last month, calling for the arrest and trial of all those implicated in them, and states that "it is more necessary than ever to begin negotiations for Cypriot entry to the EU six months after the completion of the inter-governmental conference".

Finally, "it rejects with the strongest resolve Turkey's plans for the creation of a security zone in northern Iraq," describing it as "a serious violation of international law".

[2] Cypriot presence

Representatives and leaders of Cypriot political parties, including former president George Vassiliou, have been having a series of contacts with prominent members of the various political groupings, briefing them on last month's bloody incidents, and stressing the need to send a clear message to Turkey.

[3] Papariga addresses massive party rally

Addressing a massive party rally at the Pedion tou Areos park in downtown Athens last night, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary-General Aleka Papariga called on the Greek people to weaken the two mainstream parties in Sunday's polls.

"It is imperative that the people should weaken the two parties, PASOK and New Democracy, with their vote, giving a massive vote to KKE," Ms Papariga said.

She called on citizens to be skeptical, stressing that on the day after the elections the people will be faced with a state budget which will destroy the last fortresses of popular and social conquests and that multinationals will launch an attack in the education and health sectors, while the convergence programme anticipated 300,000 more unemployed.

Ms. Papariga expressed certainty that KKE would emerge stronger after the polls and would play a positive role in post-election developments.

"A massive vote for KKE will prove to be even more profitable for the people in the next Parliament," she said.

Ms. Papariga said a big difference existed between the KKE's policy and that of all the other parties, in essence reiterating the slogan of "six parties having two policies."

Referring to foreign policy issues, Ms Papariga called on the government and all the other parties to reveal the US-Turkish plan leading to an overt questioning of Greek sovereign rights.

"If the US and so-called allies wanted to avert a confrontation in the Aegean they could recommend one thing: the restriction of the two countries' (Greece and Turkey) armaments," Ms Papariga stressed.

Senior KKE officials were pleased with yesterday's rally, assessing that it was the largest since 1985 when KKE was at its prime.

The honorary president of the Communist Party of Greece Harilaos Florakis will visit Kavala tomorrow before departing for the island of Thassos, where he will address a party rally.

[4] Proposal for next Greek Gov't to baptize Isaac's newborn child

Greece's political world has offered to baptize the newborn daughter of Tassos Isaac, who was murdered by Turks at the demarcation line in Cyprus last month, after Caretaker Press Minister Dimitris Konstas spoke with political party leaders.

It was agreed to propose to Isaac's wife that the government resulting from Sunday's general elections be the godfather of the child, which reports say will be named Anastasia.

A relevant proposal had been made by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos during his recent visit to Cyprus. However, Mr. Konstas said it was considered that the proposal should take on an inter-party nature due to the present pre-election period.

"All the parties accepted the proposal, proving their human consensus, a move constituting at the same time a 'message' to Cyprus," Mr. Konstas added.

[5] Evert, ND donates money to families of two Greek Cypriot dead

New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert yesterday sent two cheques totaling 30,000 Cyprus pounds to President Glafcos Clerides, to be given to the families of the two Greek Cypriot protesters, Tassos Isaac and Solomos Solomou, murdered by Turkish officials and extremists in the buffer zone last month.

In an accompanying letter, Mr. Evert said that the sacrifice of the two young men was unique and an example for all Greeks, adding that the contribution was a minimum token of solidarity.

He explained that the money represented savings from the party's called-off rally in Athens, which had been scheduled for tomorrow.

[6] Ankara tries to involve Cyprus in 'war of nerves', Konstas says

Caretaker Press and Media Minister Dimitris Konstas said yesterday that the bolstering of Cyprus' defense capability was worrying Ankara which was responding with "a kind of war of nerves."

Mr. Konstas was commenting on reports claiming that Turkey was preparing an act of provocation as a response to Nicosia's procurement of 80 Russian tanks.

Asked how the government would respond in the case of a serious incident provoked by Turkey, Mr. Konstas referred to statements by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos yesterday.

"If one has such ideas or is falling into such temptations then one should know that any effort to alter the territorial status quo in Cyprus means war between Greece and Turkey," Mr. Pangalos said Monday.

Mr. Konstas said that both Nicosia and Athens were aware of the media reports and were ready to respond to any incident.

Referring to US efforts under way to prevent a serious incident on Cyprus, Mr. Konstas said "anything that contributes to the de-escalation of tension in the region and in Cyprus is positive."

[7] Pangalos urges Netanyahu to be 'more realistic' about Mid-East peace process

Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos yesterday expressed the wish that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "propose more realistic ideas" on the Middle East peace process.

Mr. Pangalos conducted a one-day working visit to Damascus yesterday, where he met with his Syrian counterpart Farouq al-Chareh and Syrian President Hafez al-Assad.

During Mr. Pangalos's meeting with his Syrian counterpart, the two foreign ministers discussed issues concerning both countries and the wider region.

They said both countries support the resolution of problems based on the principles of international law and on respect for existing treaties.

During his meeting with President Assad, Mr. Pangalos also discussed problems facing their countries from neighboring countries' behavior which affect stability in the region.

"I hope that the Middle Eastern peace process will begin again and I hope that the Israeli prime minister proposes more realistic ideas," concerning peace with the Arabs, Mr. Pangalos said, commenting on Mr. Netanyahu's refusal to hand back Arab territories occupied in 1967 in the 'land for peace' deal.

Speaking after his arrival in Damascus, Mr. Pangalos stressed that Greece "upholds and respects the commitments undertaken" (during peace negotiations between Syria and Israel) and said he is prepared to uphold their application.

"Greece constantly insists on the Arab point of view concerning the Palestinian cause and the application of international resolutions as the basis for a solution" to the Arab-Israeli conflict, he added.

Negotiations between Syria and Israel, frozen since February, last year resulted in security arrangements for establishment on the future border between the two countries in the event of an Israeli retreat from the Golan Heights, occupied by Israel since 1967.

Mr. Pangalos said he visited Damascus in order to be informed on Syria's position, "whose role is essential," on the Mideast peace process.

Damascus and Athens have traditionally good relations, sharing similar views on the Arab-Israeli peace process and on the Cyprus issue.

During a visit to Athens by Mr. Chareh in November 1995, Syria and Greece had declared their willingness to reinforce their co-operation, including co-operation against "threats by third countries".

Mr. Pangalos completed his official visit to Damascus with a meeting with Patriarch Ignatios of Antioch.

[8] Greece welcomes commencement of Greek classes in Albania

The government yesterday welcomed the commencement of Greek classes in Albanian schools also outside areas heavily populated by the ethnic Greek minority.

Describing the development as "positive," caretaker Press and Media Minister Dimitris Konstas said the commencement of Greek classes was in implementation of an agreement between Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and Albanian President Sali Berisha in Tirana. Mr. Konstas said it had always been the "unswerving position" of Greek governments that education should be provided to the ethnic Greeks of Albania irrespective of where they live in the neighboring country.

He added that "the basic right" to education had been the object of pressure and negotiations with Albania for many years.

[9] News in Brief

- The Greek government has no comment on yesterday's report in the Athens daily "Eleftherotypia" regarding the existence of a United Nations plan for the establishment of a NATO force on Cyprus.

Press Minister Dimitris Konstas said the Greek government has no official information on any such initiative.

- An earthquake registering 4.5 on the Richter scale was recorded at 4:58am yesterday morning in the region between Lefkada and Aitoloakarvaias.

There was no damage reported.

[10] Evert. Simitis avoiding a dialogue

Speaking at a party rally in Kalamata yesterday, main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert accused the government and Prime Minister Costas Simitis of attempting to divide the Greek people, saying "those trying to raise the walls of dissension again are distant from the popular will because dissent has led to the present deadlocks."

Mr. Evert criticized Mr. Simitis for refusing dialogue because "he knows that his arguments will collapse."

"Hollow and false words and weakness appeared in the interview of the so-called modernizer, yesterday, and we call on the (TV) channels to repeat it. Understanding is the course of the present and the future, while division is the choice of the past. We are proceeding with national understanding and actions," he said.

Mr. Evert said "we do not merely want those who used to vote for us in the past only to vote for us. We want support from all those wanting work, security, progress and happiness. At last, we must rid Greece from present distress and disinformation."

He reiterated his party's proposals in support of farmers, small and medium-size enterprises and low pension earners and said "the time has come to remove the incompetent government and for the removal at last of those playing a leading role in the nation's humiliation and the known godfathers of political disinformation, of those involved in interrelated (interests)."

Mr. Evert will address another party rally in Serres, northern Greece, tonight.

[11] ND criticizes Simitis

Main opposition New Democracy party spokesperson Prokopis Pavlopoulos yesterday lashed out against Prime Minister Costas Simitis criticizing him for his handling of the Imia crisis, alleged ignorance regarding the special objective criteria tax policy, an d "obvious intentions" to continue the austerity measures.

He further criticized Mr. Simitis of turning down an ND proposal for three televised debates.

Regarding ND leader Miltiades Evert's decision to cancel a scheduled televised interview last night, Mr. Pavlopoulos said the interview may be broadcast on Friday night after PASOK's major rally in Athens. He said consultations were under way with the major television channels.

[12] PASOK pledges comprehensive, feasible programme for farm sector

Prime Minister Costas Simitis addressed a party rally in Larissa last night, announcing measures for farmers and the development of rural areas.

Mr. Simitis said the proposal by his ruling socialist PASOK party for the development of the agricultural sector was comprehensive, substantiated and feasible, adding that it had also secured the necessary resources.

He said the interest of the democratic side in farmers had been proved and referred to policies applied by Eleftherios Venizelos and George Papandreou and now by PASOK.

Mr. Simitis compared the policy applied by PASOK with that of the New Democracy party which, he said, proved to be undermining the foundations of Greek agriculture.

He referred to farmers' pensions, saying that with the new system PASOK intends to implement, and for which a bill has already been prepared, pensions provided by the Farmers Pension Fund (OGA) will be substantially higher than present ones.

Mr. Simitis said the new system will take effect next year, adding that with the new system a farmer insured for 15 years will receive 33,000 drachmas in the lower scale and 83,000 drachmas in the higher one.

He also referred to measures aimed at upgrading health standards in rural areas, stressing that farmers will have full medical, dental and pharmaceutical coverage.

[13] Laliotis brands Evert 'dangerous' on foreign policy issues

Ruling PASOK socialist party spokesman Costas Laliotis yesterday branded main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Miltiades Evert a "political hooligan," saying he was "irresponsible and dangerous" when speaking about foreign policy.

Mr. Laliotis charged that Mr. Evert had raised the issue of the revision of the Treaty of Lausanne at a recent press conference in Thessaloniki.

He was referring to a statement by Mr. Evert that "we are not at all concerned, we are not afraid of discussing our rights and the treaties which govern the regime of the Dodecanese or any other treaty such as Lausanne...".

Mr. Laliotis accused ND of distributing a copy of Mr. Evert's statements from which the reference to the Treaty of Lausanne had been removed.

Accusing Mr. Evert of having "lit the short fuse of a bomb," Mr. Laliotis called on him to make a statement on the issue within the day.

Continuing his attack on the ND leader, Mr. Laliotis said Mr. Evert's decision not to hold a major election rally in Athens later this week and to cancel a televised question and answer session he was to have given, had been motivated out of panic.

[14] Coalition confident of seats in Parliament

Coalition of the Left and Progress Nikos Constantopoulos yesterday reiterated his optimism that the Coalition would be returned to Parliament after Sunday's elections.

Speaking to reporters in Lesvos, Mr. Constantopoulos lashed out against the political leaderships of the two major parties, ruling PASOK and main opposition New Democracy, saying they are "responsible for the country's current tragic situation," and stressing the importance of economic stabilization, development and welfare state.

Turning to foreign policy issues, Mr. Constantopoulos stressed what he termed "lack of national policy."

On farming issues and the government's agricultural policies, Mr. Constantopoulos pointed to the "lack of planning, initiatives, and interventions to the decision-making centers."

[15] GEA denies press reports of resignations

The Air Force General Staff (GEA) yesterday denied a report in the Athens daily "Adesmeftos Typos" that there air force officers were planning mass resignations.

The paper claimed that the statements by Prime Minister Costas Simitis regarding the Imia crisis and his criticism of the "non-execution" of his orders, had caused some 20 officers and senior personnel to express their intention to resign and that National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis and the leadership of the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense Policy were trying to dissuade them.

[16] Papadellis in stable condition

Health Under-secretary Franklinos Papadellis remained in a critical condition at the George Yennimatas State Hospital yesterday, following his massive stroke while campaigning in Limnos on Sunday.

Doctors said Mr. Papadellis's condition had stabilized overnight, following surgery to remove internal bleeding in the cranial cavity.

They added that the next 24 hours would also be critical but that tests had shown that the damage caused by the stroke was slighter than that originally thought.

Meanwhile, Mr. Papadellis was visited in hospital yesterday afternoon by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, who was briefed by doctors briefed on the health under-secretary's condition.

On leaving the hospital, Mr. Simitis said doctors informed him that the state of Mr. Papadellis' health is satisfactory, adding that he conveyed the wish to him to return to his duties soon.

Mr. Papadellis suffered a stroke while touring the island of Limnos and in the light of Sunday's general elections.

[17] Lambs destroyed after discovery of variola in Evros

Veterinary services in the Evros border region yesterday destroyed 224 lambs for preventative reasons after discovering cases of variola in three villages near the Bulgarian border.

The disease is believed to have been transmitted from the neighboring country.

[18] Athens to get cleaner, cheaper buses

New gas-powered buses will go into circulation in Athens as of 1998. The buses will be manufactured at the factory of the Greek Vehicle Industry (ELBO) in the industrial zone in Thessaloniki.

Their production will start after the signing of an agreement between ELBO and the Urban Transport Organization of Attica (OASA) in November.

Apart from the production of 100 such buses, the agreement anticipates the production of another 650 conventional technology buses of various types (articulated, minibuses and regular buses), 114 trolley-buses and 80 wagons for the Athens-Piraeus Trains (HSAP).

The agreement was announced yesterday by ELBO President Spyros Soukaras and OASA President Andreas Christodoulakis at a press conference at ELBO's administrative offices.

The agreement was decided by the inner cabinet on August 2 and its funding, amounting to 80 billion drachmas, will be carried out by the state budget with the disbursement of 20 billion drachmas a year.

The cost of keeping the buses in circulation will be six times less than that of conventional buses due to the much lower price of fuel. The cost of production, however, will be initially 15 per cent higher since a new technology production line will have to be created at ELBO's factory.

Asked by reporters whether a possible change in government after Sunday's general elections will affect the signing of the agreement, Mr. Christodoulakis said it was not up to him to say.

[19] New Orestiada railway station opened

A new railway station in Orestiada in the border prefecture of Evros was officially opened yesterday by the Greek Railways Organization's (OSE) President Christos Papageorgiou.

Those attending the opening included Agriculture Under-secretary Apostolos Fotiades, OSE General Director Aristos Lazaris and representatives of local bodies.

The total cost of the new station building, which was built in one year, and its equipment amounted to 170 million drachmas.

Speaking during the official opening, Mr. Papageorgiou stressed the economic importance of the rail link between Alexandroupolis and Ormenio, which connects Thrace with businesses in the Balkans.

He said significant restoration work is being carried out on parts of the rail link with the aim of increasing speed and the weight capacity for transported loads.

Mr. Papageorgiou added that work is to begin soon on Alexandroupolis' new engine depot, where 30 'Intercity' trains will be stationed.

End of English language section.