Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-06-30
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1224), June 30, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] EU socialist ministers propose Economic Coordination Pact
[02] Communiqui
[03] Simitis
[04] Delors
[05] One employee killed in attack on Greek consulate in Gjirokaster
[06] ND leader on Albanian elections
[07] Greece says only commonly accepted name applicable for FYROM
[08] Samaras criticism
[09] Venizelos to again address issue of Parthenon Marbles' return
[10] Stephanopoulos wraps up visit to Serres
[11] ND leader speaks on local Gov't restructure
[12] Papantoniou says too early to talks about '98 budget
[13] Interest rates to stay on downward trend, Drys says
[14] Agreement between IKA Alexandroupoli, Bulgarian med schools
[15] Turkish businessmen on Rhodes for trade talks
[16] Clerides in Athens today for talks with Greek leadership
[17] Consulate in Melbourne looks to purchase building
[18] Avramopoulos mum on re-election bid
[19] Anthony Quinn honored in Rethymno
[01] EU socialist ministers propose Economic Coordination Pact
Athens, 30/06/1997 (ANA)
European Union socialist finance ministers and other European
Socialist officials yesterday announced plans for the signing of
an Economic Coordination Pact, designed to coordinate efforts
related to EU economic policy and to counterbalance the
Bonn-inspired Stability and Development Pact.
The socialist ministers and officials gathered over the weekend
in Athens for a two-day conference on economic and social
developments, organized by National Economy and Finance Minister
Yiannos Papantoniou.
In addition, they discussed proposals for the strengthening of
the social state, accelerating growth and boosting employment in
the 15-member EU.
Mr. Papantoniou, at the end of the meeting, held at the Athens
seaside resort of Vouliagmeni, told a press conference yesterday
that the proposed Economic Coordination Pact was intended to
cover the current "democratic deficit," which is noted in the
making of European Union economic policy.
"It is aimed at abolishing the political vacuum that the
European Central Bank will operate in with the current
institutional framework, along with the attached risk of its
following an 'autonomous monetarist policy'," Mr. Papantoniou
said.
The EU socialist finance ministers want to upgrade the Council
of National Economy and Finance Ministers (ECOFIN) so that
politicians, and not the bankers and technocrats, will make the
final decisions regarding the Union's economic policy.
Mr. Papantoniou said that this proposal was put together with
the decisive contribution of the former European Commission
President Jacques Delors, currently the head of the research
group "Our Europe", who also attended the meeting.
The Greek minister said that Mr. Delors would be willing to
"exercise his influence with German Chancellor Helmut Kohl," in
an effort to convince him to accept the Pact. Germany's
Bundesbank and Mr. Kohl's Christian Democrat Union constitute
the strongest opposition to plans by the EU's socialist finance
ministers to place the European Central Bank under political
control.
Mr. Papantoniou, however, expressed a hope that Germany would
finally accept the Economic Coordination Pact, adding that
efforts would be made to put the issue on the agenda of the
Luxembourg summit at the of the year.
On Saturday afternoon, during a midday joint press conference
with Mr. Delors, Mr. Papantoniou told reporters that after
achieving majority in Europe, the European socialist finance
ministers could now focus on the development of growth-oriented
economic policies with emphasis on the creation of jobs and on
social protection.
He appeared cautious, however, when he said that "we should not
nurture extreme expectations from the rise of the socialist
parties in Europe."
"We have made a start and we can see positive prospects but a
lot of work needs to be done," he added.
[02] Communiqui
Athens, 30/06/1997 (ANA)
According to the conference's communiqui, which was presented by
Mr. Papantoniou during the press conference, the socialist
finance ministers agree to finding more resources in order to
finance major infrastructure projects as well as the Union's
small- to middle-sized businesses, which employ more than
two-thirds of Europe's labor force.
The communiqui also points to the need for "more active policies
to boost employment," and "fresh motives" to help the unemployed
find jobs.
The participating ministers also agreed to strengthen the social
state and to create a "renewed Social Contract", combining
economic adjustment and social protection. Stressing that hopes
should not fly high after the Athens conference, Mr. Papantoniou
went on to say that the fresh European social agenda was merely
the start of a difficult, political struggle towards the making
of a European Union on the basis of growth, stability and social
cohesion.
Athens, 30/06/1997 (ANA)
Addressing the meeting on Saturday, Prime Minister Costas
Simitis said that the new European architecture should be
re-examined, taking seriously into consideration the union's
pending expansion.
Mr. Simitis said the course towards a federal Europe should not
ignore the particularities of the smaller states.
Stressing that "flexibility" should not constitute the main
focus, Mr. Simitis warned that this would lead to "a
concentration of power in the hands of the larger states." In
short, flexibility would allow some countries to forge ahead of
others, adopting specific policies and integrating more closely,
without the threat of a veto from an unwilling partner.
The other, more reluctant, partners would be allowed to join in
and catch up when they felt ready.
Turning to economic policy issues, Mr. Simitis emphasized the
need for social cohesion, adding that the European socialists
should focus economic policy on combating unemployment.
He said economic policy should also take into serious
consideration the "particularities and sensitivities of the
various member-states of the European Union."
Mr. Simitis further forecast that Greece would fulfill the
criteria for participation in the Economic and Monetary Union in
1998 and would be in a position to participate in the EMU's
third phase in 2001.
He stressed, however, that criteria should be the same for all
EU member-states.
Athens, 30/06/1997 (ANA)
Former European Commission president Jacques Delors told
reporters on Saturday that Mr. Papantoniou's initiative to
organize the meeting was "significant."
"European public opinion expects a lot from the socialists, who
are now the majority in Europe," Mr. Delors said.
He added that in conditions of a globalized economy to which the
welfare state needs to be adjusted, European socialists should
constantly exchange views and proposals on both national and
European levels.
"We had a fruitful discussion but it needs to be followed up,"
Mr. Delors said, adding that "further analysis is necessary in
order to make a correct assessment of the situation."
"The great challenge for socialists," he noted, "is to make the
necessary adjustments to the system, without losing the values
of freedom, solidarity and personal responsibility."
British Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown and French
Finance Minister Dominique Strauss-Kahn did not attend the
meeting due to other obligations.
[05] One employee killed in attack on Greek consulate in Gjirokaster
Athens, 30/06/1997 (ANA)
Greece yesterday expressed its abhorrence at the shooting death
of an employee at the Greek consulate in Gjirokaster after an
armed gang attacked the building.
Athens also demanded more effective protection for the consulate
in the southern Albanian town.
The shooting took place on the eve of crucial elections in the
neighboring country, at the end of which both major rivals, the
Socialist and Democratic parties, immediately said they had done
well.
According to an ANA dispatch from Gjirokaster, Christos Kolas,
30, an ethnic Greek from Delvine, was fatally wounded on
Saturday when he emerged from the building after hearing
gunshots. Colleagues who tried to pursue the attackers were met
with a hail of gunfire.
"The Greek government cannot but express its abhorrence over
such cowardly acts, which beyond their criminal nature, oppose
efforts by the international community in Albania, in which
Greece plays a leading part," a foreign ministry statement said.
According to the statement, the Greek government has lodged a
number of demarches with authorities in the neighboring country
over the past four months requesting effective protection
measures for the consulate, in order to ensure its normal
function and put an end to a series of assaults by armed gangs.
Also on Saturday, a former official of the Omonia party, which
represents ethnic Greeks in Albania, was released by kidnappers.
Theodoros Bezianis, the ex-president of Omonia's Gjirokaster
branch, was abducted last week. No details of his release were
available.
Meanwhile, no violence was reported by midday in Albania's
national elections, being held on Sunday.
At least 1,500 people have been killed in four months of unrest
after hundreds of thousands of Albanians lost their life savings
when five pyramid investment funds collapsed.
The south remains largely outside government control as armed
gangs and youths roam the streets freely. A 7,000-man strong
international protection force dispatched to help restore order
across the country has made little difference, residents say.
[06] ND leader on Albanian elections
Athens, 30/06/1997 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis also
expressed his concern over events in Albania.
In statements to the press following celebrations in Serres for
the city's liberation, Mr. Karamanlis called on the world
community and all political factors of Albania to "realize that
the road towards normalcy and progress goes through the
guaranteeing of democracy, fair elections and respect of ethnic
Greeks, against whom violent acts have been perpetrated in the
past few days".
The ND leader expressed the hope that all leaders in the
neighboring country would stand up to the challenges in order
that "Albania enters the path of normalcy and not that of
adventures".
[07] Greece says only commonly accepted name applicable for FYROM
Athens, 30/06/1997 (ANA)
Greece reiterated yesterday that the issue of the Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's (FYROM) name is based on the
search for a commonly accepted solution through negotiations, as
foreseen in Article 5 of an interim agreement signed by the two
countries.
The foreign ministry responded with an announcement to published
statements by FYROM president Kiro Gligorov, who stated that
FYROM has applied to the United Nations for recognition of its
name as the "Republic of Macedonia".
In an interview published with the Sunday weekly "To Vima",
yesterday, Mr. Gligorov said "I believe that on our side we have
proposed a compromise, which helps both sides. It helps us to
retain our dignity and the Greek government and Greek Parliament
t o demonstrate that up until the end they kept their promise
not to recognize FYROM under a name that includes the term
'Macedonia'."
Mr. Gligorov added, "We took recourse to this proposal by
thinking realistically that we cannot force Greece to recognize
us under the name 'Republic of Macedonia', if it does not wish
to do so, neither can any other country (do so).
"Therefore, you can call our country by any name you wish," he
concluded.
The interim agreement was signed by Greece and FYROM in New York
on Sept. 13, 1995.
[08] Samaras criticism
Athens, 30/06/1997 (ANA)
Responding to the Gligorov interview, Political Spring (Pol.An)
leader Antonis Samaras charged that "the secret and shameful
agreement between Athens and Skopje seems to have gone into
effect".
Mr. Samaras claimed that Prime Minister Costas Simitis was
attempting to relieve himself of the responsibility of bringing
the issue to Parliament, thus circumventing the outcry that
would be raised by opponents within his party.
He also said that dissenters within the two largest parties
(PASOK and ND) as well as those in other parties who disagreed
with the compromise bore a great responsibility.
Mr. Samaras also charged that if they allowed this "sly and
disastrous development for Greece," the issue would become the
second greatest national defeat after Imia within a year and a
half.
[09] Venizelos to again address issue of Parthenon Marbles' return
Rome, 30/06/1997 (L. Hatzikyriakos)
Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos will discuss the issue of
the return of the Parthernon marbles today when he meets his
British counterpart.
Mr. Venizelos had a get-acquainted meeting with the British
minister during the sidelines of ceremonies for the reopening of
the Galleria Borghese Museum in Rome yesterday. He said he
expects to raise the issue officially before the start of the
European Union (EU) culture ministers' meeting in Luxembourg
today.
"I will explain the Greek position on the issue and present him
with a text detailing the positions," he added.
He noted the importance of Britain's return to the status of
full membership in the United Nations Educational and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) as of July 1.
Meanwhile, the Greek minister attended a meeting of his
counterparts from Mediterranean members of the EU - France,
Italy, Portugal and Spain - who had been invited to Rome by
Italian Vice-President and Culture Minister Walter Veltroni.
The five EU culture ministers agreed to co-operate on cultural
issues and signed a joint agreement calling, among others, for
an increase in the EU budget allocated to culture, which they
said currently stands at 0.0018 per cent of the total community
budget.
Mr. Venizelos said he had proposed to his counterparts the
establishment of a network of museums, one per country, to
represent the unity of European culture.
He also extended an invitation to his counterparts to visit the
Treasures of Mount Athos" exhibition currently on display in
Thessaloniki.
[10] Stephanopoulos wraps up visit to Serres
Athens, 30/06/1997 (ANA)
President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos wrapped up his
two-day visit to Serres yesterday, after attending celebrations
for the 84th anniversary since the city's liberation.
Commemorative events included a parade through Serres yesterday
morning and a visit to Fort Rupel.
The parade was attended by main opposition New Democracy party
leader Costas Karamanlis, Macedonia-Thrace Minister Philippos
Petsalnikos, Education Under-secretary Yiannis Anthopoulos and
others.
On Saturday evening, Mr. Stephanopoulos was given the city's key
and named an honorary citizen in a ceremony before the Serres
Town Hall.
In his speech, the president said that Greece was the only
Balkan country which was member to the European Union (EU) and
NATO, and was at the forefront of the efforts to develop Balkan
countries.
This is something we must take advantage of, he said, both in
the interests of other countries and in the interests of
Bulgaria, with which Greece has excellent and brotherly
relations.
The success of Balkan countries will benefit Greece as well and
this includes Bulgaria's development, he said, expressing
satisfaction over the official visit of the Bulgarian president
this coming week.
Speaking following a meeting with the Serres prefect yesterday,
Mr. Stephanopoulos said that Greece has been making constant
political progress and has been improving its stable economy.
Mr. Stephanopoulos said that Greece could become an example of a
well-governed state and could improve further by the expected
Constitutional revision.
The president said that from his overseas visits he observed
that other countries expressed respect and appreciation for
Greece. Balkan countries and others see a future colleague in
Greece, which could serve as an example to be followed, he said.
[11] ND leader speaks on local Gov't restructure
Athens, 30/06/1997 (ANA)
The main opposition New Democracy party believes that the
country's administration should be decentralized and local
government strengthened, ND leader Costas Karamanlis said on
Saturday.
"ND believes in a system of government that combines two
factors: the decentralized state, from an administrative point
of view, and strong local government," Mr. Karamanlis said.
Addressing the party's central committee for local government,
Mr. Karamanlis said that "nobody in ND has expressed
disagreement with local government administration (at the medium
level)".
The ND leader added that the principles his party would stress
on the issue were that of the state's unity, that of support (by
the state to local government) and the principle of financial
self-reliance.
He also criticized the ruling PASOK party for its restructuring
of regional areas and what he called "forceful unification" of
communities, saying the government should not link this
restructuring with municipal elections in October 1998.
That would indicate its plan was to serve political motives, Mr.
Karamanlis said.
[12] Papantoniou says too early to talks about '98 budget
Athens, 30/06/1997 (ANA)
National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou yesterday said
that the debate on 1998 economic policy would begin in the
autumn, stressing his role in the compilation of the '98 budget.
The minister was commenting on the proposals of an economic
committee's report released earlier this month, recommending
wage increases of 4 per cent in 1998 and 3.5 per cent in 1999 in
order to bring inflation down to 2.5 and 2 per cent,
respectively.
The report, which was prepared by a committee headed by
Professor Yiannis Spraos and commissioned by Prime Minister
Costas Simitis also calls for the levying of a "one-off" 10 per
cent tax on company incomes or, alternatively, a lump sum
contribution at the same rate to a fund dealing with labor
issues.
The report had created a sensation in the press, but Mr.
Papantoniou said it was nothing more than a "tempest in a
teacup."
He said that "the relevant debate regarding the 1998 economic
policy will begin in the autumn, in the framework of the
compilation of the 1998 budget," adding that economic policy was
formulated by the government and especially the national economy
and finance minister.
"It is not rational to begin the debate on economic policy now,"
Mr. Papantoniou said.
[13] Interest rates to stay on downward trend, Drys says
Athens, 30/06/1997 (ANA)
The downward trend of interest rates will continue, Finance
Under-secretary George Drys said on Saturday.
Mr. Drys also noted that the government would proceed to wholly
or partially privatize several state-run enterprises, such as
the Hellenic Duty-Free Shops (offering up to 25 per cent of
shares), the Public Petroleum Corp. and small state-owned banks.
Responding to press claims that there was a divergence from the
budget, the finance under-secretary said that the budget did not
set a monthly target, but only an annual one.
Mr. Drys said that according to current figures, divergence from
the budget was calculated at 150 billion drachmas for 1997,
which would be covered by privatization and restriction of
public sector expenditures.
[14] Agreement between IKA Alexandroupoli, Bulgarian med schools
Athens, 30/06/1997 (ANA)
Greece and Bulgaria have signed an agreement on co-operation
between the Alexandroupoli Social Security Foundation (IKA) with
four Bulgarian medical schools and the neighboring country's
center for infectious diseases in Sofia.
IKA governor Grigoris Solomos signed the agreement with
Bulgarian Health Under-secretary Ivan Zlatarov in Alexandroupoli.
The agreement, implemented within the EU Interreg II program,
aims at preventing and dealing with diseases such as hepatitis B
and C, AIDS and syphilis.
The meeting was also attended by Turkish representatives from
nearby Edirne, who expressed an interest in participating in the
program.
Both Greek and Bulgarian officials expressed the hope that the
program is extended to other countries, especially other Balkan
states and Turkey.
The director of the preventative medicine unit for IKA in
Alexandroupoli, Dr. Costas Papoutselis, said IKA hoped to name
the program in memory of late health minister George Gennimatas
and extend it to other Balkan countries.
On his part, National Economy Secretary General Apostolos
Fotiadis, who attended the meeting, said the government hoped to
improve relations with neighboring countries through similar
agreements.
Mr. Zlatarov accepted an invitation by Mr. Solomos to visit
Athens for talks on expanding the program.
[15] Turkish businessmen on Rhodes for trade talks
Athens, 30/06/1997 (ANA)
A delegation of 83 Turkish businessmen are in Rhodes to discuss
several co-operation prospects with local businesses regarding
the tourism, trade and transport sectors.
The delegation, accompanied by 13 reporters, arrived on the
island Saturday morning following an invitation by the
Dodecanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Chamber President G. Karagiannis said the meeting was "a first
step in bringing the two peoples together and taking the edge
off tense relations".
The businessmen, who are based in the Izmir area, have come with
specific proposals.
"We want to co-operate on building marinas and luxury tourism
hotels on Greek islands," the president of the Izmir Chamber
Ekrem Demirtas said yesterday.
Mr. Demirtas also proposed that the Rhodes and Izmir chambers
found chapters in each other's regions for trade exchanges.
The Turkish delegation members noted, however, the problem
Turkish citizens face in receiving travel visas to Greece.
"More than three million Turks travel overseas every year," he
said, adding, "Greece could absorb a significant number of them."
In a meeting Saturday evening between Greek and Turkish
businessmen, areas of possible co-operation included tourism,
farm products, leather goods, jewelry, clothes and the
construction sector.
[16] Clerides in Athens today for talks with Greek leadership
Nicosia, 30/06/1997 (ANA - G. Leonidas)
Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides arrives in Athens today for
talks with the Greece's political leadership in view of the
start next month of the UN-sponsored direct talks between
himself and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.
Today, Mr. Clerides will meet with President of the Republic
Kostis Stephanopoulos, while tomorrow he will have a meeting
with Prime Minister Costas Simitis.
He is also due to meet with main opposition New Democracy leader
Costas Karamanlis and former premier and honorary New Democracy
president Constantine Mitsotakis.
The UN-sponsored direct talks are scheduled for July 9-13
outside New York City.
[17] Consulate in Melbourne looks to purchase building
Melbourne, 30/06/1997 (ANA - S. Hatzimanolis)
The Greek consulate in Melbourne will move into its own
premises, the Greek general consul in Melbourne announced
yesterday.
Consul Georgios Veis said the foreign ministry had approved the
move for the consulate to purchase its own premises, while a
search for a building has already begun.
[18] Avramopoulos mum on re-election bid
Athens, 30/06/1997 (ANA)
Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos gave a fifty-fifty chance to
his running for mayor again during municipal elections in
October 1998.
Replying to questions on Saturday, Mr. Avramopoulos said that
press reports claiming he would not run for mayor again were 50
per cent true and 50 per cent entirely fictitious.
He said his final decision would be announced officially in May
1998, before the start of the campaign period in September of
the same year.
"Things are preset until that time. Athens has a mayor, a
specific program that must be applied. Under no circumstances
should we enter a campaign period, because the only one that
stands to lose is the Athenian public, who expects its city
leaders to complete their program in order to judge (its
success)," Mr. Avramopoulos added.
The mayor was speaking in Thessaloniki at the sidelines of a
Central Union of Greek Municipalities and Communities meeting of
mayors (KEDKE).
[19] Anthony Quinn honored in Rethymno
Athens, 30/06/1997 (ANA)
Legendary actor Anthony Quinn received an arts and letters award
from the city of Rethymno in a ceremony organized by the
municipality and the hoteliers' chamber on Saturday.
The award is presented by the Cretan city every two years to
individuals who have promoted Greece internationally through
their work.
The veteran Hollywood star is accompanied by his wife and his
three children.
The ceremony was broadcast live on the German channel SAT 1,
which has regular two-hour broadcasts from Crete, as part of a
campaign to attract more German tourists to Greece's largest
island.
End of English language section.
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