A.N.A. Bulletin, 20/09/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 994), September 20, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] Evert makes final televised campaign appearance, reiterates ND will implement proposals in 30 days

In his last televised appearance in a press conference before Sunday's election, main opposition leader Miltiades Evert said last night that New Democracy deserved voters' preference as it offered all-round national co-operation, a unitary foreign policy, effectiveness, an increase in funds for education, and, last but not least, his own commitment that he would assume all due responsibilities to the full.

He reiterated his pledge that his party would implement all proposed measures within 30 days of coming to power, and put emphasis on higher absorption rates of European Union funds and privatization as means for revitalizing the economy.

He said that a deregulated economy has the potential of creating more jobs and that the proper absorption of EU funds would have provided a 2 per cent additional growth rate to the economy.

"The government's convergence programme is causing a divergence from United Europe," he said, and charged that the national economy ministry was engaging in "alchemy" with numbers.

Mr. Evert reiterated his proposal for a 10 per cent reduction in the public sector, citing particular examples, and with specific reference to the acceptability of the Power Public Corporation's purchase of electricity from private companies that would be able to produce it at a lower cost.

The ND leader stressed he is consistent with his past statements, claiming he has always been a staunch supporter of development and social justice, and that the people were at the end of their tether with continuous austerity.

He emphasized that he had canceled the major rally originally scheduled for last night in Athens because he respected "citizens' intelligence and in order not to create problems in the center of the city".

Mr. Evert dwelt at length on foreign policy issues, accusing the prime minister of trying to shift his responsibilities to his subordinates over the handling of the Imia crisis late January by claiming during their televised debate last week that he had given orders which were not obeyed.

"There is no precedent in modern Greek history, after the Asia Minor disaster (1922), of Greek territory being abandoned," he said, emphasizing that had he been called by Mr. Simitis to a political leaders' council on the night of the crisis, he would have advised him not to back down.

"Had there been resistance that night, there would be no disputing of more than 100 islets (by Turkey) today," he claimed.

Referring to his statement in Thessaloniki on Tuesday, according to which he was "ready to discuss the (1923) Treaty of Lausanne (with Turkey)," he claimed his statement had been misinterpreted, and that "there cannot be a Greek politician who can claim such a thing".

Noting that he did not intend calling for the amendment of any treaty or bilateral agreement defining border issues, he repeatedly accused the government of willingness to make concessions which made things worse, and added that the basic precondition for any dialogue with Turkey was that it gave up any claims and threats.

"We are not discussing with Turkey our sovereign rights, and if we arrive at some discussion, it will be on the basis of international law and treaties," he stressed.

[2] European Parliament votes to freeze all EU funds to Turkey

The European Parliament yesterday decided to freeze Community funds to Turkey and asked the European Commission to also freeze credit to Turkey as this is provided within the MEDA programme, "except those (funds) regarding the promotion of democracy, human rights and social life" following the successful passage of a resolution supported by nearly all political groupings.

Alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos described as "very important" the endorsement by the European Parliament of a resolution condemning Turkish policies on human rights, the country's democratization process, the Cyprus issue and the Kurdish question .

The resolution calls on Turkey to "report with clarity and sincerity" its positions on the above issues, asking Ankara "to honor its obligations," stemming from the customs union agreement.

"Ongoing violations of human rights," the resolution says, "come in full opposition with the written context and the spirit of the EU-Turkey Custom Union."

Regarding the Cyprus problem, the Europarliament strongly condemns the killing of Tassos Isaac and Solomos Solomou, two Greek Cypriot protesters, "by Turkish soldiers and paramilitary groups" and called on Ankara "to endorse and enforce UN resolutions."

The Europarliament said it "demands Ankara's co-operation in taking all necessary measures for the recognition, arrest and referral to justice of all persons involved in the killings."

It further acknowledged the Turkish occupation troops and the members of the self-styled (Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf) Denktash regime as "responsible" for the killings of the two protesters.

The resolution also condemns the arrival from Turkey to the Turkish occupied regions of Cyprus of members of the extremist group "Grey Wolves."

Stressing the need for an EU initiative in the direction of settlement within the context of the Common Foreign Policy, the resolution supports a proposal for the island's demilitarization and calls on Ankara to withdraw its occupation troops.

It also calls on the Cyprus government and the Turkish Cypriot community "to continue their search for a peaceful and just solution."

The resolution further considers "necessary, now more than ever, for negotiations for an EU-Cyprus accession to start six months after the ending of the inter-governmental conference (IGC)."

Praising all Greek Eurodeputies who worked together to attain endorsement of the resolution, Mr. Romeos said the resolution "comes at a time when Europe, and the whole world, must clearly realize the dangerous, offensive role of the neighboring country in the sensitive region of southeastern Europe and the Balkans as well as its peace-threatening attitude on the Aegean, Cyprus and northern Iraq."

He added that the resolution would force the European Union to face its responsibilities regarding "the moral and political cost of a possible continuation of funding a country with such attitude in the international scene."

"Greece's political forces that you so efficiently represent to the European Parliament are firmly united in a fist, ready, on any occasion, to effectively defend our national rights as well as the values of peace, justice and human rights," Mr. Romeos concluded in his congratulatory telegram to the Eurodeputies.

The Europarliament further "decisively rejected Turkey's plans for the creation of a security zone in northern Iraq, as a serious violation of international law."

The plenary did not endorse the last paragraph of the resolution referring to "the weakness of the European Commission to hold to its commitment regarding submission of a report on the situation of human rights in Turkey."

The plenary also decided not to endorse a proposed amendment by Greek Eurodeputy Alekos Alavanos regarding the conversion of the Ayia Sofia cathedral into a mosque.

[3] Resolution a 'landmark', Athens says

Earlier in the day, the government described as a landmark in the development of relations between the European Union and Turkey the joint resolution aimed at pressing Ankara into promoting democracy and respecting human rights.

The resolution calls on other EU bodies "to review the network of values and principles" on which Turkey's association with the Community could be based, caretaker Press and Media Minister Dimitris Konstas said.

Mr. Konstas added that the moral and political basis for closer relations between the EU and Turkey no longer existed.

The minister stressed that the problem with regard to Turkey was no longer one concerning a member state (Greece) and Ankara, but one concerning the entire EU and a state (Turkey) which systematically circumvented and undermined European principles.

"The Europarliament resolution cannot be disregarded," Mr. Konstas said, adding that this was borne out by the relevant statement of Commissioner Hans van den Broek.

The Dutch Commissioner, who will present a report on the state of human rights in Turkey next month, said yesterday that the further course of Ankara's relations with the EU would depend on Ankara itself.

"Our relations with Turkey must be rekindled at Ankara's initiative. We are expecting Turkey to make a gesture," the Commissioner added.

[4] Bulgaria, Greece exchange state agreements

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and his Bulgarian counterpart Georgui Pirinski yesterday exchanged state agreements ratified by the parliaments of the two countries concerning the use of the waters of the Nestos River and the opening of three new border crossings, according to an ANA dispatch from Smolian.

The official ceremony took place yesterday in the Bulgarian town of Smolian near the border with Greece.

The agreements were signed last December and - following ratification by the two parliaments - went into effect yesterday.

Regarding the Nestos River waters, Greece will be entitled to 29 per cent of the average natural flow annually, under the terms of the relevant agreement which has a duration of 35 years.

The three new border crossings will be set up at Drama-Godze Delcev, Xanthi-Smolian and Komotini-Makaza.

The precise locations of the crossings will be decided by a special joint committee set up for this purpose, while the construction projects entailed will be financed from European Union funds.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Pangalos said it was time that the region became part of Europe proper.

"We must leave behind distrust and the past... and invest in the future, friendship and co-operation...," Mr. Pangalos added, expressing hope that work on the projects would begin within the year.

Mr. Pirinski underlined the beginning of a new opening between the two countries, through mutual exchanges between northern Greece and the greater region of Philipoupoli.

Two of the main trans-European road axes linking the regions of Central Europe and the Baltics with the Eastern Mediterranean will pass through the new border crossings, Mr. Pirinski noted.

[5] Greece calls on IGC for more critical role for European political parties

Greece's representative to the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) Eurodeputy Yiannos Kranidiotis, yesterday submitted a memorandum calling for a more critical role for the European political parties.

The memorandum, the fourth submitted by the Greek government, calls for an amendment to article 138A of the European Union Treaty with the aim of attaining a "reinforced role" for the parties within the European Union.

The memorandum, which has been submitted within the framework of the Group of Personal Representatives of Foreign Ministers to the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC), notes that "better institutional consolidation of the parties on a European level constitutes an important factor for more democracy and pluralism within the framework of the Union."

The memorandum was based on a research paper regarding the operation of the European Parliament, by Greek professor Dimitris Tsatsos.

Greece's past three memorandums regarded island regions of the European Union, the role for the European Parliament and the Common Foreign and Defense Policy.

[6] New American Archbishop to be enthroned tomorrow

The new Archbishop of North and South America Spyridon left Istanbul for New York yesterday together with Metropolitan of Halkidon Ioakeim who will enthrone him at the New York cathedral tomorrow.

Archbishop Spyridon had left Venice earlier, where he held his seat to date, for Istanbul to pay homage at the Halki Academy of Theology and start the trip to his new mission from the Phanar.

The Archbishop, accompanied by the director of his private office Archimandrite Ioannis Hairopoulos, was due to arrive in New York via Athens on an Olympic Airways flight.

[7] Papadellis recovering after brain surgery

Health Under-secretary Franklinos Papadellis, who underwent brain surgery after suffering a stroke while campaigning on Sunday, is recovering steadily, a medical bulletin said yesterday.

According to his doctors, the fact that Mr. Papadellis is able to breath for long periods without mechanical aid and other indications provide optimism that any irreversible damage caused to the brain will be rather limited.

[8] Inter-party committee guidelines to be adhered to, Konstas says

The government said yesterday that the proposals of the inter-party committee on the elections would be "kept to the letter," referring to the committee's decision not to permit the coverage of a televised interview planned for Friday by main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Miltiades Evert.

"The inter-party committee decided that the broadcasting of Mr. Evert's interview on the last day of the election period, following the transmission of (the ruling) PASOK party's rally in Athens and before the scheduled interview of Coalition of the Left leader Nikos Constantopoulos would be unlawful and unethical," caretaker Press and Media Minister Dimitris Konstas said. He added that the state-controlled channels, for which the press and media ministry was responsible, would not broadcast Mr. Evert's interview, just as they did not broadcast yesterday's unscheduled press conference of Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

Commenting on the committee's decision, ND spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos confirmed that Mr. Evert would not go ahead with the interview.

Mr. Pavlopoulos said ND did not apportion blame to the TV channels, saying the main opposition party "did not expect such fear on the part of the committee or such strict adherence to formality."

"Those who caused the commotion are those who fear the truth, for it appears that they were convinced that the positions which Mr. Evert would have put forward would be so important that they would influence the result of the elections," Mr. Pavlopoulos said.

[9] Simitis presents PASOK's health policy proposal

Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday presented his ruling PASOK party's social policy, saying it was radically different from that of the main opposition New Democracy (ND) party which he accused of dismantling social services, cutting health and welfare spending and raising the cost of living for Greeks. Among PASOK's targets for a new four-year term, Mr. Simitis told a press conference, was that there should be a large hospital in every region of the country.

He also pledged to gradually introduce the system of the family doctor within the framework of the National Health Service (ESY) by upgrading and converting the local health centers run by the Social Security Foundation (IKA).

Mr. Simitis said he would not promise the elimination overnight of "condemnable phenomena" such as the use of camp beds in hospital corridors and illicit payments of money to doctors for better and prompter treatment.

But, he added, such phenomena would be drastically curtailed only through the implementation of PASOK's consistent policy.

"Unlike ND, which undermined ESY, the system still remains the central choice for PASOK," Mr. Simitis said, noting, however, that "adjustments" would be made to eliminate the "distortions" of the system.

Mr. Simitis also promised new hirings of doctors and nursing staff - 8,860 in all during the two-year period 1996-97 - beginning immediately after the elections.

The premier also announced a new system of appointing hospital managements based on meritocracy.

Other measures announced by Mr. Simitis included the nationwide development of the Emergency Medical Treatment service, the creation of regional public health services, a special health programme for Thrace similar to the one already announced for the Aegean and the setting up of cross-border health centers for treating the inhabitants of neighboring countries.

ND spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos dismissed Mr. Simitis's pledges as "due cheques", accusing him of doing nothing in the eight months since becoming prime minister.

"In such cases, the figures as presented by Mr. Simitis are healthy but the patients are ill," Mr. Pavlopoulos said.

[10] ND foreign policy a capitulation to Turkish demands, Simitis says

Addressing a rally in the Peloponnesian town of Kalamata yesterday, Prime Minister Costas Simitis reiterated charges of irresponsibility against the New Democracy party and its leader, Miltiades Evert, regarding both economic and national issues.

He said that their foreign policy positions in essence accepted what Turkey has long wanted - dialogue and negotiations on all issues, including the Aegean and the Treaty of Lausanne.

"In the last three years we have followed a policy of peace and security, in contrast to New Democracy which follows a policy of trading on patriotism. On Sunday, the people will be called to decide whether they want stability or adventures," he said.

The premier referred at length to ND's seven main economic proposals, reiterated by Mr. Evert in Kalamata on Tuesday.

"There is no logic in their thoughts," he said. "On the one hand they say the economy has been led to collapse, and on the other, they raise their promises. Mr. Evert speaks of trimming the state, despite describing it as a prop to the citizen. What Mr.

Evert does not say, and what his proposal conceals, is that he is effectively talking about privatizations."

Mr. Simitis provided a reminder that New Democracy passed over 100 taxation measures in the 1990-93 period, and slapped an extra 50 drachmas on petrol tax. He added that workers' income fell by 30 per cent during ND's tenure, in contrast to rising 10 per cent during PASOK's term in office as well as inflation falling from 17 to 8 per cent and exchange reserves at a record $17 billion.

"ND have no programme, they are the lot of recession and economic calamity," he said.

Regarding the farming sector, the premier said the government had ready programmes for the training of 60,000 young farmers, and a plan for the abolition of income tax for them.

He again addressed a call for voters to rally round PASOK and warned against the temptation to vote for small parties.

"There must be no doubt that under the present electoral system there will be only one victor in Sunday's election, and, therefore, there is no room for collaboration, as some say. The people's vote will only realize its full worth with PASOK," he cautioned.

[11] Coalition leader attacks PASOK, ND for using foreign policy issues in election campaign

Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos yesterday accused ruling PASOK and main opposition New Democracy of using foreign policy issues as a means to carry out opposition against each other in view of elections.

Mr. Constantopoulos, who made the accusations on arrival in Iraklion, Crete, said both parties used Greece's foreign policy as an "opposition weapon."

He said that in view of 1997, "a critical year for national issues," both parties" are irresponsible and lack the will for national strategy."

Commenting on former chief of staff Admiral Lymberis's statement to the press, he said the emerging opposition between the political and military leadership of the country, regarding the handlings during the Imia crisis, was "unacceptable."

"This," he said, "is the result of the way they handled the national issues."

Regarding ND leader Miltiades Evert's stated will to have a televised debate on Friday evening, just before electoral campaigns come to an official end, he said:

"Mr. Evert thinks he can formulate the procedures of the electoral struggle as he wishes."

He said this was "unacceptable and anti-democratic," and called on Mr. Evert to recall his stated decision.

Mr. Constantopoulos also lashed out against the prime minister accusing him of holding "anti-democratic views," regarding minor parties.

He said that if both major parties operated as "feudal lords" it would be impossible to have a democracy.

He further accused PASOK and ND of escalating tension thus "perpetuating an unacceptable situation, which everyone disapproved at the beginning but now revive it in a most demagogic way."

[12] Papariga winds up KKE election campaign with rally in Thessaloniki

In her last pre-election speech, Communist Party (KKE) Secretary-General Aleka Papariga in Thessaloniki last night addressed a passionate call to "every left-winger and progressive person to back the KKE, the party expressing the Left's fighting tradition s in our country," as the only means of freeing popular forces from the trap of bipartisanship.

She referred at length to the two major parties' stand on national issues, and particularly the events of the Greek-Turkish stand-off in the Aegean late January.

She accused Prime Minister Costas Simitis of "presenting his subservience as a realistic and peace-loving policy," while ND leader Miltiades Evert, she claimed, "does not say exactly what he would have done that night, whether he would have declared war, but we are sure that he would have done the same as the PASOK government".

She went on to charge both major parties of projecting the tree and hiding the forest: "The forest is one: the American plans for the Aegean and the use of Turkey as a lever to have them passed," she said. She reiterated her rejection of centre-left scenarios.

"Centre-left and centre-right are two sides of the same coin. They represent the effort by the ruling class to set traps around the parties of classical party bipartisanship, designed to catch anyone trying to escape from New Democracy and PASOK," she said.

[13] Tsovolas attacks two major parties

Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas lashed out against the two major parties, ruling PASOK and main opposition New Democracy, accusing them of "conservatism" and "subjugation."

Speaking from Hania, Crete, Mr. Tsovolas yesterday forecast that PASOK, as government, will continue its austerity measures, while adding that both New Democracy and PASOK deal with national issues in a destructive way.

"The issue here is not who will win the elections, but the kind of policy he will follow," he said. He said that former chief of staff Admiral Lymberis was right when he said, Wednesday, that the government should take responsibility for its actions during the Imia crisis instead of trying to pass responsibility to the Armed Forces.

He criticized ND leader Miltiades Evert of insisting in having a televised debate on Friday night, just before election campaigns end, 24 hours before Greece goes to the polls.

He said his persistence "shows the mentality of the conservative party."

Mr. Tsovolas also criticized the smaller parties for refusing public debate. He said they lacked programmes, adding that "the only 'weapon' they have in this election, is advertising spots."

He further forecast that none of the major parties was likely to attain a majority vote on Sunday's elections.

[14] Shipyard subsidies extension favors Greece

An extension of the seventh directive's validity until the end of 1997, concerning support for the European shipbuilding industry, was agreed yesterday at the Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER) with a special majority.

The extension is considered particularly favorable for Greece because it will facilitate the implementation of necessary investments for modernizing Greek shipyards.

It was further agreed that in the event the OECD's agreement on discontinuing state aid to the shipbuilding industry before the end of 1997 is ratified by the US, the clauses of this agreement will be validated immediately.

In an announcement, COREPER called on the US to ratify the OECD agreement.

The 7th directive's extension was preceded by difficult negotiations because certain member-states such as Germany, the Netherlands and Finland claimed that the status of support for the European shipbuilding industry should be abolished.

The agreement on extending the directive will be ratified at the next Council of Ministers due to be held on Tuesday.

[15] Greece is 'fastest developing mobile telephony market in Europe'

The International Mobile Telephony Symposium held in Thessaloniki yesterday was told that 450,000 people in Greece subscribe to mobile telephony, and the figure is expected to rise in the years to come.

Addressing the Symposium, European Mobile Telephony Organization President Nikos Manasis said Greece is the fastest developing mobile telephony market in Europe, attributing this development to special packages offered by mobile telephony companies.

Mr. Manasis said that although initially a mobile telephone was the "privilege" of businessmen, it is used by the average Greek today, regardless of profession.

Representatives of the two companies operating in Greece, PANAFON and TELESTET, provided economic data for 1995 as well as their predictions for 1996.

Representing PANAFON, Mr. Manasis said that 1995 closed for the company with a turnover of 35 billion drachmas and losses amounting to 14.5 billion drachmas, while in 1996 turnover is expected to reach 70 billion drachmas and losses will be balanced.

On the part of TELESTET, Mr. Palamidessi said that 1995 closed with a turnover of 39 billion drachmas and losses amounting to 1.7 billion drachmas while 1996 is expected to produce a turnover of 60 billion drachmas and profits amounting to 100 million drachmas.

Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) representative Costas Liamidis said the Organization's first mobile telephones will operate in 1997, adding that investments to be made in the sector by the year 2000 will amount to 100 billion drachmas.

[16] Olympic signs co-operation agreement with Bulgaria's Balkan Airlines

Representatives of Greece's national carrier "Olympic Airways" and Bulgaria's "Balkan Airlines" yesterday signed a commercial co-operation agreement at a ceremony attended by Transport and Communications Minister Haris Kastanidis.

The agreement provides for the unification of routes between Athens and Sofia, the development of the Thessaloniki-Sofia-Moscow service and the introduction by Balkan Airways of new routes using Athens airport as the main junction.

In addition, the two companies agreed to develop routes to Tunisia and set up joint services for reservations, the issuing of tickets, ground handling etc.

Mr. Kastanidis said other agreements would follow since "the policy of alliances inaugurated by the ministry is taking shape to the benefit of our national carrier."

[17] Thessaloniki International Fair 'ideal starting point for international businesses', political analysts say

The successful organization of the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) this year, shows that both the northern Greek city and the fair are the ideal starting points for business activity by Greek and international businessmen in the Balkans, Eastern Europe and the Black Sea Co-operation, according to political analysts.

According to figures released by organizer HELEXPO, the exhibition was visited this year by businessmen from 44 countries from all five continents, noting a 23 per cent increase in visits as compared to previous years.

HELEXPO officials told the ANA that TIF, which ended Monday, was visited this year by large international missions and organized visits from areas such as Australia and Asia.

They quoted Dean Brown, Prime Minister of the South Australia State and Indonesian Ambassador in Athens, Irawan Abidin, as saying that businessmen in their countries believed that Thessaloniki "is the gate to the emerging markets."

During his visit to TIF, Mr. Brown held meetings with Prime Minister Costas Simitis and National Economy Under-secretary Manolis Beteniotis.

Visiting businessmen from India and Pakistan held meetings with the HELEXPO governing board and members of the Thessaloniki Commerce and Industry Chamber. They reportedly expressed interest for co-operation with Greek companies.

HELEXPO organizers said the largest delegation that visited TIF was the Scientific and Technical Union by Bulgaria's Civil Engineers. The 100-member delegation held meetings with representatives of construction companies.

A delegation comprising 60 members from the Ministry of Agriculture of Romania also visited the exhibition.

End of English language section.