A.N.A. Bulletin, 24/10/96

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 1023), October 24, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[01] IOC Evaluation Commission in Athens to examine bid for 2004 Olympic Games

[02] Evert says balance of power in post-election period has changed to ND's benefit

[03] POL.AN's response

[04] Simitis meets with Yugoslav president

[05] Simitis in Moscow today for BSEC summit

[06] Cyprus' accession 'a binding decision by the EU', Reppas says

[07] Port Authority chief leaves for Argentina to attend Coast Guard Day

[08] Simitis urges upgrading of Parliamentary Group

[09] Stephanopoulos visits WWII concentration camps before leaving Poland

[10] Tsohatzopoulos says possibility still exists for Turkey to create new 'Imia incident'

[11] Coalition reaction

[12] Turkey is 'prime source of tension in the Aegean', Reppas says

[13] Spring asks for Turkish reply to EU's statements regarding relations with Greece

[14] Meeting on absorption of EU social funds

[15] GSEE calls for strike in anticipation of budget discussion

[16] Fuel prices increase as of today

[17] Talks on Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline gather momentum

[18] Under-secretary releases details on draft bill for private insurance market

[01] IOC Evaluation Commission in Athens to examine bid for 2004 Olympic Games

Athens, 24/10/1996 (ANA)

The commission will be met at the airport by members of the 'Athens 2004' Candidacy Committee, headed by President Gianna Angelopoulou - Daskalaki, and is to be received by Prime Minister Costas Simitis at midday.

The official reception for the commission is to be held at Zappeion Hall tomorrow morning, and will be followed by a meeting with President Kostis Stephanopoulos and visits to sports facilities, which will continue on Saturday and Sunday.

A joint press conference has been scheduled in Zappeion at 4:30 on Sunday afternoon, to be followed by an official reception held by Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos in the evening.

The Evaluation Commission members are Thomas Bach (Chairman - Germany), Chiharu Igaya (Japan), Major-General Henry Adefope (Nigeria), Fernando Lima Bello (Portugal), Denis Oswald (Switzerland), Hein Verbruggen (Netherlands), Julio Cesar Maglione (Uruguay), Carol Anne Letheren (Canada), Francisco Elizalde (Philippines), Els van Breda Vriesman (Netherlands), Mingde Tu (China), Mark Tewksbury (Canada), Charles Battle (USA), Olav Myrholt (Norway), Pere Miro (Spain), Jacqueline Barrett (UK), Lyanne Millhouse (UK), Anders Ronningen and Petter Ronningen (Norway).

Athens is the sixth candidate city visited by the Evaluation Commission, after St. Petersburg, Stockholm, Lille, Seville, Rome and Istanbul, and is to be followed by San Juan, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires and Cape Town.

Of the 11 candidate cities, four or five will be short-listed in March, with the final selection scheduled for September 5, 1997.

[02] Evert says balance of power in post-election period has changed to ND's benefit

Athens, 24/10/1996 (ANA)

Addressing the party's central committee yesterday, Mr. Evert said that the balance of power in the post-election period had changed to the benefit of New Democracy. He said these changes include the fact that the Political Spring (POL.AN) party lost its parliamentary seats at the September general election.

"Political Spring's downward course creates a new order for the broader centre-right wing," Mr. Evert said.

"This new development," he added, "will allow New Democracy to broaden, without delay, its influence" to include POL.AN's liberal voters.

In a direct call on POL.AN's supporters, Mr. Evert said that "New Democracy keeps its doors open for everyone who accepts its principles and its positions, ... (for everyone) who does not return to partitions of the past, but aspires to convergences of the future."

Describing New Democracy as a "radical," "liberal" and "socially sensitive" party, Mr. Evert said ND will "broaden its social alliances in the middle and working classes."

"We will stand on the side of the Greek citizen. We will support his struggle to survive. ... This is a warning to the government and a promise to the citizen," Mr. Evert said.

"Remaining firm in its ideological principles, New Democracy will march on the side of oppositional parties in sectors where mutual understanding can be confirmed," he said, adding that ND "will formulate a front with the other opposition parties against the government.

"We must create a social axis in order to resist the unscrupulous and non-credible government."

Turning to other issues, Mr. Evert lashed out against the government's economic policy, which he criticized for heavy taxation, new austerity measures and no cuts in public sector waste.

Mr. Evert said that Prime Minister Costas Simitis did not mention the imposition of new taxes in his policy statements, "deliberately, in order to deceive the Greek people."

Elaborating on foreign policy issues, Mr. Evert expressed concern at the course of Greece's national issues.

Expressing desire for a normalization in relations between Greece and Turkey, he said "the problem begins when Greece is called to pay a price for the normalization of Greek-Turkish relations in the form of abandoning its sovereign rights."

On the Skopje issue, Mr. Evert said Greece should never accept that the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia be officially recognized as 'Macedonia.'

He said if new developments arise on the issue, the government should convene a Political Leaders' Council under the chairmanship of the President of Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos to consider the issue.

Turning to internal party issues, the ND leader said "the course to the congress should not restrict the oppositional role of the party."

"... We shall march onto the Congress, a Congress of unity, victory, stability, continuation and perspective," Mr. Evert said.

Members of the Central Committee who took the floor after Mr. Evert voiced strong criticism, considering as inadequate the political analysis and interpretation of the election result contained in his report, and calling for internal party elections and a simultaneous reorganization, beginning from a democratic congress.

Party Vice-President Ioannis Varvitsiotis who spoke later rejected suggestions for the holding of internal party elections, stressing that if "charter procedures are overturned, all hell will break loose. "He called for a return of all those who have left the party on "political terms".

Mr. Evert, who took the floor again later, left open the possibility of seeking a re-confirmation of his election as party leader by the congress in June.

The session lasted nine hours, with a total of 72 Central Committee members out of 110 taking the floor.

Later, reliable sources estimated that convulsions inside the party would continue, with the internal opposition likely to openly raise the leadership issue again.

The new political element arising from yesterday's session was Mr. Evert's reference to the need for the creation of a centre-right force, an apparent reply to Prime Minister Costas Simitis' recent reference to a centre-left scheme.

[03] POL.AN's response

Athens, 24/10/1996 (ANA)

Branding 1997 as "the year of great political change," Mr. Samaras said that during that year, his party's positions will be supported by the working classes and youth.

"Political struggle," he said, "requires time, persistence, stability and faith."

[04] Simitis meets with Yugoslav president

Athens, 24/10/1996 (ANA)

The meeting was held at the request of Mr. Lilic, who stopped over in Athens on his return from a visit to African nations.

Diplomatic sources said Mr. Lilic extended an official invitation for Mr. Simitis to visit Belgrade.

[05] Simitis in Moscow today for BSEC summit

Athens, 24/10/1996 (ANA)

Mr. Simitis is to be accompanied by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.

The summit is due to discuss the possibility of a more in-depth co-operation between members or a possible enlargement of the organization. It will also explore the possibility of turning the BSEC, which was founded in 1992, into an international organization.

Greece believes that BSEC countries should strive towards a more substantial economic co-operation before taking steps in the direction of accepting new members. Greece has proposed the establishment of a special committee to consider the effects of possible enlargement prior to reaching a final decision.

The summit is also expected to issue a declaration reaffirming the members' will to further existing co-operation, particularly in the economic sector.

The Greek delegation is expected to raise the issue of the Thessaloniki-based Black Sea Trade and Development Bank. The bank's operation has been delayed due to the inability of BSEC's smaller states to submit their contribution to the bank's share capital, and the refusal of the national parliaments of Bulgaria, the Ukraine and Georgia to ratify the founding agreement.

The bank is expected to play a leading role in the economic development of Black Sea Economic Co-operation countries, and to be the main source of funding for joint ventures in the region.

The Greek delegation is also due to raise the issue of the International Black Sea Research Centre, which is to be established in Athens.

The Black Sea Economic Co-operation Summit will be held with the participation of prime ministers or presidents from Russia, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, the Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia, Albania and Azerbaijan.

[06] Cyprus' accession 'a binding decision by the EU', Reppas says

Athens, 24/10/1996 (ANA)

Mr. Reppas reiterated that Cyprus' accession constitutes a binding decision by the EU, adding that Greece will contribute towards having all obstacles overcome and have accession completed in the time scheduled.

[07] Port Authority chief leaves for Argentina to attend Coast Guard Day

Athens, 24/10/1996 (ANA)

During his 10-day stay in Argentina, Mr. Ousantzopoulos is to meet with representatives of the Greek community and the Greek-Orthodox Church of South America.

[08] Simitis urges upgrading of Parliamentary Group

Athens, 24/10/1996 (ANA)

In a statement, Mr. Simitis said the presidium must play a new role, adding that it should have the responsibility, initiative and organization of the Parliamentary Group, for its presence in Parliament and for a solution to problems facing it.

Mr. Simitis said the talks concluded that this will occur due to the existence of possibilities for success. The Parliamentary Group, he said, will be unified for a strong Parliament, which is a precondition for a strong government.

Parliamentary Group Secretary Paraskevas Fountas said talks with the prime minister on the Parliamentary Group's operation were fruitful, adding that discussions will continue at the presidium.

[09] Stephanopoulos visits WWII concentration camps before leaving Poland

Katowice, 24/10/1996 (ANA - N. Megadoukas)

Accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister George Papandreou, President Stephanopoulos traveled from Warsaw to Katowice and from there to the concentration camps.

President Stephanopoulos walked through the gate leading to Auschwitz, spanned by a huge board containing the inscription "work liberates" (Arbeit macht frei) which has remained in its place for 56 years.

He was taken on a tour of the premises and installations where thousands of people, mostly Jews, from all over Europe were imprisoned and killed. Ovens were in place as well as the metal containers from which poison gas was pumped into the special execution chambers. Also present were remnants of electric wire and high watchtowers.

President Stephanopoulos laid a wreath at the wall used for executions and signed the visitors' book before leaving for the nearby Birkenau concentration camp.

At Birkenau, he viewed the rail tracks used to transport prisoners as well as big plaques bearing inscriptions in all languages, including Greek.

President Stephanopoulos returned to Athens late last night at the end of his three-day visit to this eastern European country.

[10] Tsohatzopoulos says possibility still exists for Turkey to create new 'Imia incident'

Athens, 24/10/1996 (ANA)

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos, who toured military units in the Evros Prefecture yesterday, expressed satisfaction over the readiness and high morale of the armed forces and said Greece is completely prepared to confront any Turkish design and that Ankara is aware of this message.

Speaking to members of the 12th and 16th Infantry Divisions in Alexandroupolis and Didimotiho, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said Turkey continues to dispute the status quo in the region and international treaties, such as the Lausanne Treaty, adding that the neighboring country has expansionist designs and is promoting the tactic of coercive diplomacy to lead Greece to negotiations.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that despite the fact that in past days a great deal of violations have been ascertained at operational level, Turkey is aware that Greece has military readiness and political will to put an end to all of Ankara's designs.

He said military readiness and political determination must be increased, in conjunction with the modernization of the armed forces in the framework of the new defense doctrine as well.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos, who also visited border military checkpoints in the regions of Gemisti, Nea Vyssa, Kastanies and Ormenio, was accompanied by Army General Staff Chief Manousos Paragioudakis, the Commander of the Fourth Army Corps Dimitris Dimou and local authorities.

Referring to the new modernization program for the armed forces, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the amount required is not yet known, adding that he is in contact with the Prime Minister, the National Economy Minister and the armed forces leadership to decide on the width and depth of armaments which will guarantee the effective deterrent capacity of the armed forces in all directions.

[11] Coalition reaction

Athens, 24/10/1996 (ANA)

Referring to recent discussions on Greece's armaments program yesterday, the Coalition called on the government to activate itself in the direction of "defusing tension" with Turkey through dialogue, assessing that "the program makes every development effort difficult."

[12] Turkey is 'prime source of tension in the Aegean', Reppas says

Athens, 24/10/1996 (ANA)

"It is Turkey which should show in practice that it is interested in a new relation between the two countries and undertake initiatives to prove that its words do not lack substance," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said, adding that "if Turkey proves that its interest is real, Greece will consider it positive and appreciate it accordingly."

Quizzed on a Turkish proposal that "the moratorium" in the Aegean be expanded for the duration of the year, Mr. Reppas said the Greek government did not desire tension in the Aegean.

"This is the reason Greece agreed that both countries should not hold military exercises in the Aegean during summer," he said, adding that "as far as the rest of the year is concerned, the activities in the Aegean should abide by current conditions and international law."

Mr. Reppas said Turkey was "the prime source of tension" in the region since it continuously violates the Greek FIR (flight information region) and air traffic regulations.

Turning to other issues, Mr. Reppas said there would be no summit meeting between the Greek and Turkish delegations on the sidelines of the Black Sea Economic Co-operation Summit beginning in Moscow on Friday.

He did not exclude however the eventuality of a social meeting between the prime ministers of the two countries.

Greek prime minister Costas Simitis is to meet on the conference's sidelines with the delegations of Georgia, The Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Albania and Russia.

Mr. Reppas declined to comment on statements made on Tuesday by US State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns regarding what he called "disputed islets in the Aegean."

Mr. Burns had told reporters that "it's up to Greece and Turkey to decide to work together amicably, peacefully without the threat of force, the use of force, to decide the disposition of these islets, disputed islets."

Mr. Reppas reiterated Greece's positions that the status quo in the Aegean is clear and that the government remains steadfast in its position.

According to an ANA dispatch from Washington late last night, Mr. Burns, during his briefing, expressed his regret over "any confusion" created by his statements Tuesday.

"I regret if there has been any confusion, the United States do not take sides in the difference between Greece and Turkey over the disputed island which is called Kardak and Imia. The United States believe that Greece and Turkey should solve together t heir differences," he said.

Referring to the statements made by Mr. Burns, main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos called on the government "to take a clear position on the issue immediately and at last to brief the Greek people on the extent its consultations with the US government have reached."

"If the representative of the US State Department really expresses American policy in speaking of 'disputed islets' in the Aegean, then we believe that it is impossible for the Greek government to accept an American initiative or mediation on Greek-Turkish relations. And the reason for this is that it is evident that Mr. Burns' statements indicate acceptance of the Turkish positions," Mr. Pavlopoulos said.

[13] Spring asks for Turkish reply to EU's statements regarding relations with Greece

Strasbourg, 24/10/1996 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

"The European Union, on the basis of its July 15 statement, continues to expect a reply from the Turkish government regarding the problem of its relations with Greece, and we hope that this reply will be such that will allow us to improve our relations with it," he said.

He refused to elaborate, apparently in view of today's vote in the European Parliament regarding budgetary provisions for Mediterranean Assistance (MEDA) program credits to Turkey.

[14] Meeting on absorption of EU social funds

Athens, 24/10/1996 (ANA)

According to reliable sources, the labor ministry proposed benefits for those on low pensions to be funded by the budget instead of by social security funds.

The same sources said proposals were made for promoting and accelerating procedures for the legalization of immigrants living in Greece.

Meanwhile, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday that no discussion on the budget and the government's incomes policy was held at the Inner Cabinet's meeting on Tuesday, so categorically denying reports in yesterday's press of tensions during the meeting.

Mr. Reppas said there was an agreement of views during the meeting, which was conducted in an "excellent climate".

Replying to a question as to whether the Development Minister proposed the initiation of a special cohesion and solidarity fund, Mr. Reppas said no specific proposal was made.

He said ministers set out thoughts and views with the intention of providing "social color" to the government's economic policy, which he described as a matter of principle for the government.

Asked to comment on why issues concerning the budget and incomes policy are to be discussed at party bodies, Mr. Reppas said these discussions are being held as part of new collectiveness in PASOK, and explained that they will concern the economic policy framework.

On the question of a possible increase in the rates of public corporations and organizations, Mr. Reppas said that if public organizations are to have a new rate policy, it will be applied as from the new year and added that any increases will be well below the inflation rate.

[15] GSEE calls for strike in anticipation of budget discussion

Athens, 24/10/1996 (ANA)

In setting out trade union concerns yesterday, GSEE president Christos Polyzogopoulos cited the prospect of continuing austerity through a stiff incomes policy, employers' demands for deregulation of the labor market, cutbacks in the social budget, de- industrialization, indexing of tax scales for inflation and measures to boost employment.

Meanwhile, Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) union representatives were saying that the government ought to be cautious about rate increases, although they recognized that they were required by the EU, also noting that the organization's investment program showed a low-absorption rate.

Public Power Corporation (DEH) trade union president Alexis Tsolis stated that the organization was in a good financial situation, and called for increases that did not exceed the inflation rate.

[16] Fuel prices increase as of today

Athens, 24/10/1996 (ANA)

An announcement by the Development Ministry and the Public Petroleum Corporation (DEP) said the new prices were adjusted due to an increase in international fuel prices.

[17] Talks on Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline gather momentum

Sofia, 24/10/1996 (ANA - N. Chios)

A report by the Bulgarian news agency BTA said Mr. Konakchiev disclosed that a tripartite meeting at government level was in the offing for the signing of an agreement to build the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline.

"The three sides have undertaken the commitment to brief the European Union on studies carried out and, in the framework of the section of the project corresponding to them, to submit requests for the funding of the finalized program," Mr. Konakchiev said.

He added that for the time being, there has been no revision in the share of each side's participation in the project which, according to Bulgaria's previous position, amounts to 50 per cent for Russia and 25 per cent each for Bulgaria and Greece.

[18] Under-secretary releases details on draft bill for private insurance market

Athens, 24/10/1996 (ANA)

The bill includes strict provisions regarding the 'small print' in policy contracts, sets a 30-day deadline for payment of compensation following approval and increases the equity capital required for insurance companies to be set up in future to a level at least three times that of the minimum guarantee capital for each insurance branch.

It also provides for the participation of representatives of consumer organizations in the Private Insurance Commission.

Meanwhile, the Development Ministry yesterday revoked the licence of the 'Messogios Zimion AAE' and 'Panelladiki AEGA' insurance companies for failing to meet the obligations of compensation to customers, contributions to the Auxiliary Fund for compensation of motorists and large outstanding dues to the state.

End of English language section.

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