Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 96-11-18
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 1043), November 18, 1996
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Polytechnic uprising commemorated in relative calm
[02] Tributes
[03] In Brief
[04] Macedonia-Thrace minister on official visit to Canada
[05] Tsohatzopoulos reiterates Turkey's destabilizing role through
its policies in Cyprus, Aegean
[06] Budget expected to be tabled soon
[07] Conference focuses on human rights policies in EU
[08] Event focuses on Greece's trade relations with Germany, Austria,
Switzerland
[09] Papadopoulos announces civil servants' code changes
[10] Gov't economic measures will be definitely implemented, interior
under-secretary notes
[11] Christodoulakis cites attainment of Maastricht criteria as basic
aim of 1997 budget
[12] ND political council to cover contentious issues this week
[13] Athens' candidacy file for 2004 Olympic Games garners widespread
praise
[01] Polytechnic uprising commemorated in relative calm
Athens, 18/11/1996 (ANA)
The 23rd anniversary of a 1973 student uprising in the Athens
Polytechnic against the military junta then ruling Greece took
place yesterday with the traditional march to the US embassy.
Only minor incidents had been reported by press-time.
The incidents took place in the vicinity of the Polytechnic
after groups of youths attempted to break through the gates of
the institution at about 5 p.m. They were pushed back by
students guarding the premises, reports state.
Police who had cordoned-off the area later dispersed several of
stone-throwing youths about one hour later.
Meanwhile, the anniversary march was attended by a few thousand
people, although it was generally subdued compared to past
years. It was estimated that increased vigilance on the part of
authorities and students contributed to the peaceful march.
Some 5,000 police officers were on duty and another 10,000 on
stand-by to prevent a re-occurrence of violence, which has
marred anniversary events over the past years. According to
reports, all roads surrounding the march route were cordoned off
by police.
After the end of the march, a considerable number of students
returned to the Polytechnic to reinforce the groups still
guarding the central Athens institution.
People of all ages flocked to the cite for the third consecutive
day yesterday to pay tribute to those who struggled against the
military junta, while the gates closed at 3 p.m.
On Saturday, police had evacuated the adjacent Archaeological
Museum and cordoned off the surrounding area after an anonymous
caller claimed a bomb had been planted in the museum.
Bomb disposal experts and police searched the museum and the
nearby vicinity but found nothing.
[02] Tributes
Athens, 18/11/1996 (ANA)
After laying a wreath at the Polytechnic on Saturday, Prime
Minister Costas Simitis said democracy must be broadened and
become the property of each and every citizen.
"This is why the struggle of the students on Nov. 17, 1973 is a
struggle which must be waged continuously. Only if we try, shall
we have a state which respects the citizen and a society of
citizens with social sensitivity and social responsibility.
These are our targets," Mr. Simitis said.
Replying to reporters' questions, Mr. Simitis said the
government had taken all the necessary security measures to
maintain order during the anniversary events.
In its message, PASOK's executive committee said "the
Polytechnic continues even today to affect the conscience of all
Greeks."
Speaking in Kavala, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary
General Aleka Papariga noted that the "Polytechnic is threatened
by propaganda aimed at abandoning it as a memory and as a
current struggle by those not benefiting from people remembering
and for youth to be taught."
In its announcement, the Coalition of the Left and Progress
(Synaspismos) party said that "despite the passage of time and
the attempts to exploit it, the Polytechnic always maintains its
liberating, fighting and radical message."
Synaspismos called on citizens to participate in the events so
that the anniversary can be transformed into "a great peaceful
celebration of youth and democracy", and to stop "the vicious
circle of attrition, exploitation and violence, and to
essentially protect the institution of university asylum."
The Communist Party of the Interior - Renovative Left criticized
all those who "are attempting to permanently bury the
Polytechnic's fighting messages," and concentrated its criticism
on "the government with its 'modernizing' policy, the mass
media, which makes a spectacle of the events, organizations and
parties which do not intervene in the process of corroding the
memory of the Polytechnic and all types of provocators."
In its message, the General Confederation of Workers of Greece
(GSEE) said the Polytechnic's messages of unity and struggle
inspire and lead workers today in a critical period in Greece's
political history.
GSEE "supports the radical youth demands for the upgrading and
democratic modernization of education," the confederation said.
The media union representatives' executive council said the
uprising of students and Greek youth against the junta
"continues to be a message of responsibility, virtue and
vigilance for peace and democracy."
Meanwhile, a group of citizens were joined at the intersection
of Alexandras and Patission avenues by roughly 2-3,000 people
who participated in the march yesterday, demanding to be allowed
a peaceful march to the gates of the Polytechnic, and for the
institution itself to remain open throughout the night for those
who wish to remember the 1973 uprising.
The area in front of the Polytechnic had been cordoned-off by
riot police.
[03] In Brief
Athens, 18/11/1996 (ANA)
Late last night, authorities decided to leave the Polytechnic
open to the public. About 700 students gathered outside the
building subsequently dispersed peacefully.
Public Order Minister George Romeos in a message to police
forces, thanked them for their efforts at keeping order during
events.
[04] Macedonia-Thrace minister on official visit to Canada
Toronto, 18/11/1996 (ANA/Y. Georgiou)
Macedonia-Thrace Minister Philippos Petsalnikos traveled to
Canada on Saturday night, with his first stop in Ontario's
capital.
Toronto is home to roughly 120,000 Greek expatriates, half of
whom hail from Macedonia and Thrace.
Yesterday afternoon, Mr. Petsalnikos officially opened the
Cultural Union of the Pan-Macedonian Union of Ontario, while he
was due to make a speech there last night.
The minister is scheduled to meet with Ontario Province Finance
Minister David Johnson and expatriate Greek deputies today,
while he is to leave for Montreal in the early afternoon.
[05] Tsohatzopoulos reiterates Turkey's destabilizing role through
its policies in Cyprus, Aegean
Athens, 18/11/1996 (ANA)
National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said on Saturday
that Ankara's attempts to unilaterally annul the 1923 Treaty of
Lausanne - the basis of the status quo between the two countries
today - through its policy in Cyprus and provocations in the
Aegean, posed a problem not only for Greece but for all of
Europe, as Turk ey is acting as a destabilizing force in the
region. He made the statement during his address at a seminar
organized by the Institute for Strategic and Developmental
Studies and the Athens bureau of the Friedrich Ebert Institute.
According to the minister, the European Union's Mediterranean
policy faces two serious issues - the Palestinian and Cyprus
problems. Regarding the former, he said the delay noted in the
last few months must not be allowed to carry on, otherwise a
historical opportunity will be lost.
Concerning Cyprus, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos reiterated that the
problem was one of invasion and occupation by the Turkish army,
and that the EU had set the start to negotiations for entry of
Cyprus and Malta as members six months after the end of the
Inter-Governmental Conference (IGC).
Regarding Ankara's accession, he referred to that country's
well-documented problems in the realm of human rights, which the
EU had to deal with, noting that there were many countries in
Europe which did not want Ankara's entry.
"The European Union must adopt a stand on this matter also,
because Greece has been used as the naughty child for too long,"
he said.
Foreign Under-secretary Christos Rozakis, who subsequently
addressed the seminar, said there has never been an issue of
half of Cyprus being admitted into the EU, but as a single
entity whose part is under occupation.
"The only problem is implementation of arrangements, but this is
mainly a technical, not a political problem," he said.
Questioned whether Cyprus should wait until eastern European
countries were ready to join, Mr. Rozakis said there was no
decision by the EU for creation of two tiers in the accession
process and, expressing his personal opinion, said it was not a
question of a race to join, noting that Cyprus already fulfilled
the criteria set by the Maastricht Treaty.
Regarding Turkish accession, he said the issue was not being
discussed and has almost been ruled out.
[06] Budget expected to be tabled soon
Athens, 18/11/1996 (ANA)
The PASOK government's economic policy is expected to be
unveiled within the next few days by Prime Minister Costas
Simitis with his administration's tabling in Parliament of the
1997 budget.
Compilation of the 1997 budget was estimated as especially
difficult for National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos
Papantoniou, given the dual considerations of meeting Maastricht
Treaty criteria for European Monetary Union (EMU) and preserving
the governing socialist party's "social profile."
Along those lines, PASOK's central committee and its
Parliamentary group will hold a joint meeting today to focus on
the government's economic policy. On Tuesday, the Cabinet is
expected to convene in order to approve the budget, with the
premier to out line its basic points afterwards.
[07] Conference focuses on human rights policies in EU
Athens, 18/11/1996 (ANA)
A two-day conference on the subject of "The European Union and
External Views of Human Rights Policies" organized after an
initiative by PASOK Eurodeputy Yiannis Roubatis, ended yesterday
afternoon in Athens.
The conference's conclusions, presented by the rector of the
Academy of Lyon III, Christian Philip, included the need to
broaden the existing legal basis for promotion of human rights
in the EU.
However, he added, this legal basis allows the community to act
so long as there is necessary political will, such as an
insistence of human rights charters in agreements between the EU
and third countries being followed. Mr. Philip expressed the
hope t hat these legal loopholes will be covered by the
Intergovernmental Conference (IGC).
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, who also spoke at the
conference on Saturday, stressed the need for equal criteria
with which the EU functions and noted weaknesses in the
protection of human rights within the EU or in countries which
blatantly viol ate these rights, such as Turkey.
Replying to these statements, Mr. Philip stressed that such
criticism should not be used as an alibi for inaction in the
human rights sector.
British Tory Eurodeputy Edward Macmillan Scott said conditions
for the EU to act are an ability of prevention and analysis, an
ability to intervene, promotion of financial reforms and ability
to undertake the Community's military role.
Cathrine Lalumiere, a French Eurodeputy and president of the
European Radical Alliance, spoke of a need of basic co-operation
between the United Nations, the OECD, the Council of Europe and
the EU, concerning the issue of human rights.
Ms. Lalumiere noted that the UN has reports and that the OECD is
bound politically (e.g. through the Helsinki Act) on human
rights, but control mechanisms they both possess are restricted.
[08] Event focuses on Greece's trade relations with Germany, Austria,
Switzerland
Athens, 18/11/1996 (ANA)
Greece's economic and trade ties with Germany, Austria and
Switzerland were the subject of a one-day seminar yesterday on
the sidelines of the weekend "Money Show '96" conference in
Athens.
The event was organized by the German-language weekly "Athener
Zeitung," which is published in Athens and circulated throughout
Greece and abroad.
The national economy ministry's general director for foreign
economic and trade relations, Theodoros Vlassopoulos, summarized
Greece's economic relations with each of the three countries,
stressing also the advantages Greece has as a trading partner
with Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
He said Greece's geographic location - in the crossroads of the
Balkans, eastern Europe and the Middle East - is an ideal
location from where joint enterprises can expand their
activities in various regions.
In a short address to kickoff the event, Athener Zeitung
publisher and editor Costas Tsatsaronis discussed the
significance of trade relations with the three central European
nations, noting that more than one-fourth of Greece's foreign
trade is conducted with Germany, Austria and Switzerland. He
added that roughly 250 firms from those three countries operate
in Greece, employing approximately 25,000 individuals.
Additionally, Mr. Tsatsaronis said Greece is a tourist
destination for some 2.5 million vacationers from Germany,
Austria and Switzerland every year - about 30 per cent of the
total number of tourist arrivals.
[09] Papadopoulos announces civil servants' code changes
Athens, 18/11/1996 (ANA)
Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister
Alekos Papadopoulos announced on Saturday a comprehensive change
in the civil servants' code, mainly regarding disciplinary
regulations.
The minister made the announcement during the "Money Show '96"
multi-conference being held in an Athens seaside resort.
Mr. Papadopoulos added that qualities required for appointment
of new civil servants will also change, with knowledge of
foreign languages and computer skills becoming obligatory.
Meanwhile, a draft bill for conversion of the country's 13
regions into autonomous administrative units will be submitted
in Parliament in a few days, the minister said. Departments from
ministries are to be transferred to these administrative units,
thus allowing a restructuring of ministries.
Mr. Papadopoulos said mergers between regions are necessary due
to their large number, and also spoke of the need to reduce
costs in the public sector with the merging of public
organizations and businesses, which may be handled better by the
private sector.
[10] Gov't economic measures will be definitely implemented, interior
under-secretary notes
Athens, 18/11/1996 (ANA)
The government is determined to implement economic measures
without consideration of political cost, Interior, Public
Administration and Decentralization Under-secretary Tassos
Mantelis said on Saturday.
He added that the government's 1997 measures for the public
sector and the so-called privileged economic strata will be
harsh.
Replying to a question as to which taxpayers are considered as
belonging to a "privileged category", Mr. Mantelis said he
considers taxpayers whose income exceeds the average salary and
pension levels to belong to such a category.
The under-secretary said there is no possibility for the
government to back down from the measures it has announced
because of the pressures it is under. He said this program was
known before the elections and was approved by a vote of the
Greek people .
Mr. Mantelis also referred to the energy sector, saying Crete
could become an international prototype for the use of renewable
energy resources.
The under-secretary spoke during a conference examining results
of the implementation of a law on renewable energy sources.
Mr. Mantelis said the law had brought major changes to the
country's energy situation and had mobilized social powers
wishing to invest in renewable energy sources for the region's
development.
[11] Christodoulakis cites attainment of Maastricht criteria as basic
aim of 1997 budget
Athens, 18/11/1996 (ANA)
Attainment of Maastricht Treaty criteria, modernization of the
economy, effective functioning of the state as well as
continuation of the Greek economy's developmental course
constitute the basic goals of the new 1997 budget, Finance
Under-secretary Nikos Christodoulakis said on Saturday at the
"Money Show '96" multi-conference.
Mr. Christodoulakis underlined that a series of institutional
interventions, designed to rationalize expenses and save
resources for productive investments, were required to attain
convergence targets.
SEB president Iason Stratos said in his address that Greece's
equal participation in the European Union was an utmost national
priority - shared by the vast majority of Greek businesses - and
stressed that the budget currently being drafted had to provide
answers in fulfilling this pursuit.
The event was organized by the Association of Greek Industries
(SEB) at the Astir Vouliagmeni resort.
Mr. Stratos reiterated his support for the gradual privatization
of state-controlled banks, or at least, reduction of state
control in their operation, calling for tax credits to firms
achieving their financing through other sources and without
resorting to borrowing. He also insisted that for reasons of
fairness, state securities, such as treasury bills, should be
taxed on an equal basis, with privately issued bonds. He added
that the government should not artificially prop up ailing
enterprises, which increases the burden on banks, forcing them
in turn to maintain lending rates at high levels.
On his part, Bank of Greece deputy governor Panayiotis
Thomopoulos said there were outdated provisions preventing the
central monetary authority from exercising the necessary control
over the banking system. He stressed that state banks had
expanded into sectors of high credit risk due to their
inadequacy in an appropriate system of internal auditing and
risk management.
Bundesbank Vice-President Johann Wilhelm Gaddum, who spoke at
the conference and gave a press conference on the topic of
Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), was mostly reassuring in his
comments about Greece's prospects of participation, saying that
the question of when a country would be integrated in EMU was
not significant and that there would not be a lessening of
Community solidarity for those countries left in a "second
speed".
Former OECD secretary general and a current member of the French
Council of State, Jean-Claud Paye, also addressed the
conference, saying he did not rule out the possibility that
pressures would be exercised to various member-states from below
for adopt ion of protectionist measures, which he described as
potentially "catastrophic".
He insisted on the need for the European Union to maintain
social solidarity - "so that society does not collapse" -
describing it as also important for Greece.
[12] ND political council to cover contentious issues this week
Athens, 18/11/1996 (ANA)
The main opposition New Democracy party's political council will
convene on Wednesday or Thursday in order to discuss a proposal
by ND Vice-President Ioannis Varvitsiotis on the manner in which
next year's party congress will be held.
Mr. Varvitsiotis said he hoped that roughly 3,200 party members
participate at the congress, while ND honorary president
Constantine Mitsotakis said he would like to see more than 4,000
members attend.
Apart from the different methods for holding the congress,
another three differences are expected to cause tension during
the political council meeting.
ND leader Miltiades Evert's rivals insist on regional
organization representatives being elected by ND's grass roots,
while some deputies have suggested as an intermediary solution
for
representatives to be elected by seven-member local committee
administrations and not by the three members foreseen by the
party charter.
The composition of the congress' organizing committee is also a
contentious issue, although Mr. Evert has said he is open to
suggestions on this matter.
Mr. Evert said he is determined to exercise all his rights as
party leader, although he had earlier told associates he is
prepared to allow his rivals to participate equally in
pre-congress procedures and to limit his appearances to party
bodies in order to avoid problems.
Another point of friction is expected to be discussion over the
causes of ND's electoral defeat in September, during a joint
meeting of the Parliamentary group and ND's central committee.
[13] Athens' candidacy file for 2004 Olympic Games garners widespread
praise
Cancun, Mexico 18/11/1996 (ANA/AFP)
Observers at the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) general
assembly session here have described Athens' candidacy for the
2004 Olympic Games as the best of all 11 cities contesting the
world's largest sporting event, followed by those of Istanbul
and Seville.
The Lille candidacy was described as a pleasant surprise, as was
that of Buenos Aires, while those of Rio de Janeiro and
Stockholm were described as "without mistakes".
By contrast, the presentations of St. Petersburg, San Juan, and
especially Rome, which is considered one of the favorites, were
viewed as disappointing, while that of Cape Town was considered
to have excessively relied on the personality of South African
President Nelson Mandela.
It was also announced that the 11 cities will have a second
chance to present their candidacies at an IOC hearing in
Lausanne on March 5 and 6.
Members of the 197 national delegations present in this Mexican
resort drew attention to the fact that the winning candidate
city will not essentially be chosen by them, as they wield only
one vote each, but by the permanent IOC members.
End of English language section.
|