A.N.A. Bulletin, 30/10/96

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou dismisses chance of EU-Turkey Association Council meeting next month

[02] Athens comment on blocking of aid to Ankara

[03] Olympic slashes domestic, int'l fares

[04] EIB loan granted to DEPA

[05] Road taxes hiked

[06] Washington reiterates that Imia's status must be resolved peacefully

[07] Bosnian Serb president says Karadzic, Mladic will not be handed over for trial

[08] Positive verdict on Simitis' Russia, Hungary visits

[09] Crucial ND meeting scheduled for tomorrow

[10] Political Spring party bodies meet

[11] Reppas comments on president's statements

[12] Evert statement

[13] Parliament discussion on Flisvos casino license moved to Friday

[14] Coalition, KKE

[15] Seamen charged in ferry boat accident

[16] Conference told desertification a problem on Crete, Spain

[17] Greek actress wins film festival award

[18] Distinctions in Informatics Olympiad

[19] KKE condemns arrest of Chilean communist

[20] Social security minister presents Gov't social budget to Kaklamanis

[21] Reduction in number of seasonal workers in public sector decided

[22] Overnight stay figures fall but hopes of a recovery for 1997

[23] EOT begins spa tourism promotion for Russian market

[01] Papandreou dismisses chance of EU-Turkey Association Council meeting next month

Luxembourg, 30/10/1996 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

He added, however, that Greece has no reason to oppose the convening of the Association Council, if both the Council of Ministers and Ankara agree with a proposal put forth by certain countries, mainly Scandinavian, that the sole issue of discussion be the human rights situation in Turkey.

Mr. Papandreou stressed that Ms Ciller's letter cannot be considered an answer expected by the European Union, based on the Council's July 15 decision.

It is almost certain that EU-Turkish relations will be discussed during the next EU General Affairs Council meeting scheduled for Nov. 25 in Brussels. The 15 EU foreign ministers are to discuss the report that will be prepared by ambassadors comprising the EU's political committee.

The alternate foreign minister concluded that during the meeting in Luxembourg, funding to Turkey through the MEDA program was not particularly discussed. European Commissioner Hans van den Broek briefly informed the 15 EU ministers on relevant decisions taken by Europarliament last week within the framework of the first phase of an examination of the Union's 1997 budget.

Reliable EU sources in Luxembourg said yesterday that there is a general view within the Council and the EU Commission that recent decisions taken by the Europarliament, which set agreement by the Europarliament as a condition for the provision of funding to Turkey, are within informal procedures between EU bodies and are not of a binding nature.

The issue is expected to be re-examined following the Council's adoption of an official position and the beginning of a second reading for the 1997 budget in the Europarliament.

Meanwhile, PASOK Eurodeputy Yiannos Kranidiotis, who is representing Greece in the preparation committee for the Intergovernmental Conference, said Ms Ciller cannot mislead the EU, as Turkish policies concerning respect of human rights, the Aegean and Cyprus are well-known.

Mr. Kranidiotis stressed that Ms Ciller's reaction in her letter proves to what extent Turkey has been displeased by the recent EU decisions concerning Ankara.

[02] Athens comment on blocking of aid to Ankara

Athens, 30/10/1996 (ANA)

However, he declined to comment on Ms Ciller's letter to the Council of Ministers, saying only that her letter did not respond to the joint text sent by the Union's 15 foreign ministers last July 15.

Mr. Reppas also denied reports that Ankara warned vessels participating in UNESCO cultural events not to approach the Greek rocky isle of Imia.

"There is absolutely no truth in these reports," Mr. Reppas said, adding that the program was carried out as scheduled.

[03] Olympic slashes domestic, int'l fares

Athens, 30/10/1996 (ANA)

An OA official said the state-run company's "aggressive sales policy" had increased sales by 8 per cent for international flights and 4 per cent for domestic flights.

OA also announced it was inaugurating two new routes this year: to Belgrade, Bucharest, and to Johannesburg next year, as well as pursuing co-operation with other airlines.

Among others, tickets for one-way flights to New York from all Greek airports servicing the route will cost 129,000 drachmas. Similar decreases were announced on most international routes.

[04] EIB loan granted to DEPA

Brussels, 30/10/1996 (ANA - G. Daratos)

The loan will be used to build a network for transporting and distributing natural gas through high pressure pipelines.

On the part of DEPA, the agreement document was signed by its general director S. Paleoyiannis. Construction of the new natural gas distribution network is expected to be completed by 1999.

[05] Road taxes hiked

Athens, 30/10/1996 (ANA)

The report accompanied a draft bill on customs offices, which includes the decision for an increase in road tax.

The draft bill submitted to Parliament yesterday included clauses on the regulation of debts to the state and submission of income tax statements.

[06] Washington reiterates that Imia's status must be resolved peacefully

Washington, 30/10/1996 (ANA - T. Ellis)

"If one looks at the past eight, nine months they will see that in connection with the issue of the disputed islets, the US has a stable position which it has not changed. It is the correct position and it is known to the governments of Greece and Turkey. We agree with Greece and Turkey that the status of Imia/Kardak must be resolved peacefully between Greece and Turkey," he said.

"I don't think it helps if one isolates specific words and attaches a wider diplomatic significance to them," he added.

Meanwhile, prosecution has been initiated against four Turkish reporters who disembarked on the Greek isle last February.

The four Turkish nationals are Nedim Demirey, Munir Kogarslan, Mehmet Demirpolat and Cezur Sert, who landed on Imia on Feb. 19. The charges filed against them are illegal entry of aliens into the country and abuse of authority and symbols. All four late r fled to Turkey.

[07] Bosnian Serb president says Karadzic, Mladic will not be handed over for trial

Athens, 30/10/1996 (ANA)

"They're trying to corner us but we will overcome these pressures just like we did earlier," she said. Ms Plavsic said that the Dayton accord "if it is applied to the letter" was "a good medium-term solution which satisfies many of the national interests and dreams of the Bosnian Serbs".

Asked about the economic reconstruction of the "Serbian Republic of Bosnia", Ms Plavsic said the war had left a "a tragic situation but that the doors are open to investors from all nations." "But Greece has the most advantageous position," she added.

[08] Positive verdict on Simitis' Russia, Hungary visits

Athens, 30/10/1996 (ANA)

Mr. Reppas noted that during the prime minister's visit to Moscow to attend the Black Sea Economic Co-operation Summit, Mr. Simitis had a series of meetings with heads of national representations during which the basis of a long-term co-operation was form ed.

The spokesman also drew attention to Mr. Simitis' meeting with his Russian counterpart, Viktor Chernomyrdin, focusing on political and economic co-operation between the two countries.

Regarding Mr. Simitis' trip to Budapest, Mr. Reppas noted "a coincidence of views" between the two countries on certain issues, including Cyprus-EU accession.

[09] Crucial ND meeting scheduled for tomorrow

Athens, 30/10/1996 (ANA)

Party leader Miltiades Evert is not expected to refer to intra-party conflicts, but his close associates say that if the issue is raised he will state that "if you want to dispute me, the relevant bodies exist. But I will not have the party fail to exercise its constitutional role. Otherwise, you will have to keep silent until the (party) congress."

Leading ND members and one-time contenders for the top ND post, George Souflias, Stephanos Manos and Dora Bakoyianni, met yesterday afternoon to define their tactics at the meeting. According to reports, they will insist on their claim for "an honest an d fair congress with intra-party elections and creation of a mutually acceptable congress organizing committee."

Mr. Manos, reports state, will repeat his proposal for a series of talks between leading members to have problems resolved, while Ms Bakoyianni does not intend to take the floor since, according to her close associates, she shouldered the burden of intra-party opposition at last week's central committee meeting. However, if provoked she will respond accordingly, reports claim.

[10] Political Spring party bodies meet

Athens, 30/10/1996 (ANA)

The meeting concluded that the country "does not have a credible government or an opposition which is prepared to struggle," adding that 1997 "will be a year of dramatic change."

The members of the two party bodies also concluded that the government's current economic policies will inevitably lead to social upheaval.

[11] Reppas comments on president's statements

Athens, 30/10/1996 (ANA)

Stressing that the president of the republic was not involved in policy making, he noted that he nevertheless was at the "peak of the pyramid" and symbolized the "unity of the nation."

Mr. Reppas was responding to the president's statement over the weekend that he was not following developments, but was simply informed on developments "just like everybody else."

He said the president was executing his duties with "absolute success," adding that the president's working relationship with Prime Minister Costas Simitis was "excellent."

[12] Evert statement

Athens, 30/10/1996 (ANA)

"It is not allowed and I will not comment on statements made by the president of the republic," Mr. Evert said, adding: "so following the slippery road the government has chosen via its representative."

"But I am worried for good reason, as I had repeatedly noted during the past, for all that the government could be plotting in the sidelines regarding our national issues," he added.

Mr. Stephanopoulos, replying to a question on the Skopjan issue, had said that he is following events and being informed of them like the rest of the population.

[13] Parliament discussion on Flisvos casino license moved to Friday

Athens, 30/10/1996 (ANA)

Mr. Reppas said the decision to postpone the debate was taken in agreement with opposition parties.

The debate was moved to Friday in order to be held in relation to a proposal, submitted by oppositional parties, for establishment of a pre-investigating committee.

The government has already stated opposition to the establishment of such committee. Stressing the government's "sensitivity" on the issue, Mr. Reppas reminded reporters of "a decision taken in the past by the inner cabinet recalling the licenses which had been granted."

Meanwhile, the main opposition New Democracy party's political council and Parliamentary control committee for legal issues, met yesterday to discuss the issue of the Flisvos casino license.

Both party organs agreed that ND should persist in demanding that a pre-investigating committee be established.

Earlier this year the inner cabinet revoked a license granted for construction of the Flisvos casino.

[14] Coalition, KKE

Athens, 30/10/1996 (ANA)

Mr. Constantopoulos said the categorical content of an announcement by an Athens prosecutor on "a conscientious violation of the law and the constitution" by the then Tourism Minister Dionysis Livanos necessitates a prompt and comprehensive investigation of the issue.

He said the deputies of the ruling PASOK party should agree to the creation of an investigatory committee.

Meanwhile, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Parliamentary Representative Orestis Kolozov announced his party's agreement with a proposal by Parliament to have PASOK's proposal for an examining committee and a proposal by the main opposition New Democracy party on an investigatory committee concerning the Floisvos casino discussed on Friday.

"The way things are, we are not ultimately opposed to the proposal by the president of parliament," he said.

[15] Seamen charged in ferry boat accident

Athens, 30/10/1996 (ANA)

The three officers of the "Pegasus" ferry boat stand accused of causing a shipwreck and of causing multiple injuries to passengers. After their hearing, all three were all released on a bail of five million drachmas each, while they have been barred fro m leaving the country.

According to reports, each officer denied being responsible for the accident.

[16] Conference told desertification a problem on Crete, Spain

Athens, 30/10/1996 (ANA)

The southeastern part of the island is particularly prone to desertifiacation, due to overcultivation and irrigation using brackish water, which destroys fertile soil.

In order to combat this problem, a proposal was put forth for the European Union to reinforce cultivation, irrespective of if the areas are large or small.

The conference also stated that continuous ploughing on sloped fields has negative consequences on productivity.

[17] Greek actress wins film festival award

Athens, 30/10/1996 (ANA)

"A Drop in the Ocean," was directed by Eleni Alexandraki.

The movie has been screened at 11 international festivals, including the Montreal and Berlin film festivals. It has been awarded three international prizes as well as the Greek state award for quality.

[18] Distinctions in Informatics Olympiad

Athens, 30/10/1996 (ANA)

It is the first time Greece won honors in the international informatics games. 28 young people from six Balkan countries took part in the finals of this year's Olympiad.

[19] KKE condemns arrest of Chilean communist

Athens, 30/10/1996 (ANA)

"Her arrest constitutes an insult of the anti-dictatorship struggle of the Chilean people and an open attack against the free activities of the Communist Party of Chile," the KKE's statement read.

"The KKE expresses its support and solidarity towards the communists of Chile and demands the immediate freeing of comrade Gladys Marin," it concluded.

According to a Reuters dispatch, Ms Marin was taken to a detention center by plainclothes police yesterday, after she called former military ruler Augusto Pinochet "a blackmailer and a psychopath, who came to power through deceit, treason and murder."

[20] Social security minister presents Gov't social budget to Kaklamanis

Athens, 30/10/1996 (ANA)

Mr. Papaioannou told Mr. Kaklamanis that as of next year an effort will be made to have the social budget tabled in the first half of the year and called on him to have an off the agenda debate in Parliament on the social budget every year as of 1997.

The revenues contained in the social budget amount to 5.99 trillion drachmas and expenditures to 5.76 trillion drachmas. Social insurance will account for 5.185 trillion drachmas of the social budget's revenues, health for 568 billion and welfare 245 billion.

Participation of the regular state budget and social resources in the social budget's expenditures for 1996 will amount to 962 billion drachmas, compared to 827.4 billion drachmas in 1995.

According to the labor and social insurance ministry, the increase in the state budget's participation proves "an increase in social protection expenditures and as a result coverage for the Greek population is universal."

Mr. Papaioannou said "the reform of the social insurance system constitutes the government's major wager for the present four-year term."

[21] Reduction in number of seasonal workers in public sector decided

Athens, 30/10/1996 (ANA)

According to official statistics, 42,000 seasonal workers were employed during 1996.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Papantoniou said the hiring of seasonal workers will be limited to only the bare essential.

The government has decided to drastically reduce appointments to the public sector, with only one employee being hired for every five leaving.

Mr. Papantoniou also met with Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis and discussed the ministry's funding needs. According to reports, the education ministry is seeking 18 billion drachmas in order to cover vacancies in teaching staff, but the funds have not yet been approved by Mr. Papantoniou.

[22] Overnight stay figures fall but hopes of a recovery for 1997

Athens, 30/10/1996 (ANA)

The association's president Andreas Andreadis said the number of overnight stays throughout the country had shown a 20 per cent drop over the last two years, while in the northern Greek resort of Halkidiki, the drop had been contained at 15 per cent, fueling hopes for a better performance in the near future.

This year's smaller fall in visits was due to double the number of Russian and Yugoslav tourists visiting Greece this year.

Of the 700,000 foreign tourists visiting Halkidiki this year, 100,000 were from Eastern Europe, with 80,000 of that number from Russia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, against 40,000 in 1995.

The association said, however, it was hopeful of an increase for the next season, saying pre-bookings with Britain (which comprise 5-10 percent of the whole) were up by 50 per cent.

It said that the fall in visits was due to the continuing "hard drachma" policy, a lack of infrastructure, marketing and long-term tourist planning.

[23] EOT begins spa tourism promotion for Russian market

Athens, 30/10/1996 (ANA)

For this purpose, EOT has invited the deputy president of Moscow's Medical University, S. Morozova, and spa expert M. Gavrilova to visit the most well-known spas and hydrotherapy centers in Greece.

Moscow University has already started a subsidized program for spa tourism, while interest on the part of Russian tourists for spa tourism in Greece is reported as significant, given that there are many sources of hydrotherapy around the Black Sea, many of which are forced to close due to a lack of maintenance.

EOT wants to cover this gap in Russian demand for organized spa tourism packages and by promoting the comparative advantages of Greek sources of hydrotherapy as part of a general effort to promote alternate forms of tourism and to extend the tourism period.

End of English language section.

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