Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 98-05-04

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis expresses satisfaction over EU summit results on euro

[02] EU taken to task over clumsy ECB deal

[03] No resumption of talks after Holbrooke's consultations in Cyprus

[04] Greece, Egypt to sign cooperation protocol today

[05] Tsohatzopoulos to attend WEU meeting in Madrid

[06] Inter-Orthodox conference ends

[07] Group claims torching embassy car

[08] London to host event on Dodecanese anniversary

[09] Greek climber falls to his death in Himalayas

[10] Writer Fakinos dies in Paris

[11] Skandalidis says Greece moving in right direction

[12] Greek-Bulgarian conference in Drama

[13] Archbishop Christodulos receives enthusiastic welcome in Magnisia

[14] New leftist movement in October municipal elections

[15] Police arrest foreign drug traffickers in Crete

[01] Simitis expresses satisfaction over EU summit results on euro

BRUSSELS, 4/5/1998 (ANA)

"It is a historic day because the creation of the unified European currency was decided with the participation of 11 countries," he said, adding that the EU summit results were "extremely positive" for Greece since a special statement was adopted for th e Greek economy confirming the steps of progress it has achieved to date, as well as prospects of its accession to the final phase of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) as the 12th member.

"This decision constitutes recognition of the efforts made in past years and for this reason I feel the need to congratulate all the staff of the National Economy Ministry for the work they performed," he said, underlining the special importance of refe rence to the fact that Greece will be judged in the same way in which the 11 countries which will participate in the euro as of January 1, 1999 were judged.

Referring to repercussions for the Greek economy and society stemming from the adoption of the unified European currency, Mr. Simitis said that conditions will be created for stability and development, as well as better conditions for exercising monetary policy to the degree that all member- stat es will jointly tend to the stability of their economies.

"These new conditions provide additional possibilities for exercising social policy for the benefit of the citizen," he said, adding that with the adoption of the euro Greece will belong to a wider market, resulting in the creation of better conditions for investments to be carried out.

Mr. Simitis stressed that the course towards the adoption of the unified currency will not be free of problems since it constitutes an unprecedented experience, namely the the existence of a unified currency without, however, a unified government and a unified tax and fiscal policy.

"We must exploit the positive aspects of this experience to enable us to overcome difficulties," he said.

Referring specifically to the Greek economy, Mr. Simitis said that the government will move within the framework it has already determined and that additional measures will not be required but only the accurate implementation of the economic policy set out, underlining the need for promoting restructuring, the flotation and denationalisation of certain enterprises.

Mr. Simitis said that he will meet the President of the Republic in the next few days, as well as party leaders, to brief them and to discuss the results of the Brussels summit. He also categorically denied rumours appearing in a section of the press cl aiming an impending government reshuffle.

Replying to questions from the press, Mr. Simitis expressed disagreement over positions set out by main opposition New Democracy party Eurodeputies during a press conference in Brussels yesterday, stressing that yesterday was not a regrettable day, as i t was termed by Panayiotis Lambrias due to Greece not joining the euro.

"If we see what the facts concerning the Greek economy were in 1993 and compare them with those of today then we will ascertain the progress achieved," Mr. Simitis said, stressing that the fact that certain countries which were behind Greece succeeded i n joining the unified currency should constitute both a lesson and an example for the political leadership and the citizens of Greece.

In connection with the claim made by ND Eurodeputy Timos Christodoulou that Greece should have pursued from now its automatic accession to the euro later on, Mr. Simitis said that no such automations exist and that it is not possible for Greece to seek treatment which no other member-state had, namely securing accession to the unified currency without the fulfilment of criteria set out in the Maastricht Treaty.

"I regret that Eurodeputies put forward similar arguments," he said.

Mr. Simitis said that he is not concerned over developments in the "internal front", while on the question of intraparty problems in his PASOK party, he said that the existence of disagreements in a living party is natural. In parallel, Mr. Simitis said that there is no question of correlating the country's foreign policy issues with the accession of Greece to the euro because there are dividing lines in the European Union which do not allow for correlations.

Commenting on problems faced by the Franco-German axis, Mr. Simitis said that since 1981 when he has been participating in ministerial councils, the Franco-German axis has passed through many phases. However, the course towards the unification of Europe is developing smoothly. Mr. Simitis further said that the issue of relations between the EU and Turkey was not discussed during the summit and neither was any discussion made on the Cyprus issue. Opposition reactions: Referring to the decisions taken on the euro and the participation of Greece in EMU as of 2001, main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos made the following statement:

"Europe is galloping. It is forging ahead. And at this moment our country, despite its will and despite the profound sacrifices of all, is staying behind developments. It is last in Europe.

"At this moment, instead of feeling regret, the government is speaking of triumphs. It is boasting instead of making its self-criticism. But, of course, it cannot baptise the national failure as a success. All can see, know and judge. And they know that the government of Mr. Simitis is responsible for this big national failure."

In a similar announcement, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said that the surest criterion over who benefits from the unified currency is the fact that the European plutocracy is speaking of triumphs, which believes that it will succeed in breaking a way from the dollar's cordon with the euro.

KKE said that the jubilations of the Greek government have no positive result for the people, adding that the creation of the euro will limit the purchasing capacity of the popular strata and will increase unemployment, the exploitation of working peopl e and poverty zones.

Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos criticised the government and Prime Minister Costas Simitis personally of trying to use arguments which are distant from reality in order to present Greece's degradation and segregation from the first phase of EMU as a national success, invoking the "promissory statement of consolation which has no binding value."

Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) party leader Dimitris Tsovolas said the decision taken by the "15" in Brussels confirmed the failure of the economic policy applied by governments in the country over the past nine years.

Mr. Tsovolas said that the political statement made by the "15" concerning the future accession of Greece to EMU has no substantive value since it only serves political expediencies.

Athens News Agency

[02] EU taken to task over clumsy ECB deal

BRUSSELS, 4/5/1998 (Reuters)

Tense diplomatic wrangling to resolve a dispute between France and its 14 EU partners over the top monetary job took much of the gloss off a special summit called to formally launch Europe's single currency next year. Economists warned that Europe's f inancial markets could give the thumbs- down today.

"The market may pick out the negatives," said Mary Pieterse-Bloem, a strategist at Paribas.

The original purpose of the summit, to sanction 11 countries to found the single currency in 1999, appeared to be tacked on almost as an afterthought to 11-1/2 hours of gruelling negotiation over the ECB issue. A deal eventually emerged, with Duisenbe rg appointed for an eight-year term but agreeing verbally to stand down after four years and be replaced by France's Jean-Claude Trichet on a fresh eight-year mandate. Newspapers, politicians and economists attacked the deal as paying only lip-servi ce to the Maastricht Treaty which governs Europe's economic integration and states clearly that the first president should be appointed for eight years.

The Dutch opposition seized on its government's climbdown from a fixed demand for an eight-year Duisenberg term as a gift just three days before a general election.

Calling for an emergency debate over Labour Prime Minister Wim Kok's handling of the talks, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, leader of the opposition Christian Democrats, said: "This is a defeat. The deal lacks all credibility."

In Bonn, the opposition Social Democrats said the agreement was in breach of the Treaty.

"It's bad for all of us who have to defend the euro across the country," SPD general manager Franz Muentefering said.

Athens News Agency

[03] No resumption of talks after Holbrooke's consultations in Cyprus

NICOSIA, 4/5/1998 (ANA-G. Leonidas/CNA)

Sources said that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's insistence on recognition of his illegal regime as a condition for resuming intercommunal talks, was the cause for the breakdown of the talks.

"We do not have a resumption of a dialogue to settle the Cyprus problem," reliable sources have said, noting "Holbrooke's talks have ended."

The outcome of Mr. Holbrooke's discussions was announced earlier yesterday afternoon by Mr. Denktash himself who said the American official's current mission is over and he will not be returning next week as originally reported.

The Cyprus government, in keeping with the prescribed agreement not to disclose anything about the content of these confidential talks, has not made any statement.

President Glafcos Clerides intends to brief party leaders about his discussions with the US presidential emissary, who arrived here Friday and has had repeated meetings on both sides of the divided island republic.

The Athens government has been kept updated on the talks held over the past few days.

Early yesterday evening Mr. Holbrooke had a second 60-minute meeting with President Glafcos Clerides after talks with Mr. Denktash earlier in the afternoon. No statements were made after the meeting with the president and Mr. Holbrooke referred jou rnalists to his press conference yesterday morning.

According to the French News Agency (AFP), Mr. Denktash told the press after his last meeting in Turkish-occupied Nicosia "this series of shuttles by Mr. Holbrooke is over. He will leave Cyprus tomorrow (today) and won't come back on Saturday."

Mr. Denktash also said that US State Department Coordinator for Cyprus, Thomas Miller, will also be leaving today.

Mr. Miller was scheduled to remain on the island to continue consultations until Mr. Holbrooke's return.

Athens News Agency

[04] Greece, Egypt to sign cooperation protocol today

CAIRO, 4/5/1998 (ANA - D. Tsalapatis)

Ms. Papandreou, who carried out a five-day visit accompanied by Development Secretary-General Antonis Papathanasopoulos and other officials, held talks with Egyptian Prime Minister Kamal El Ganzouri, to whom he conveyed greetings from Greek Prime Minist er Costas Simitis.

Ms. Papandreou briefed the Egyptian prime minister on the development of Greek national issues, placing particular emphasis on Greek-Turkish relations and the Greek government's position on observance of international treaties. Egypt agrees absolutely with this position.

On his part, Mr. Ganzouri referred to initiatives by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on a rapprochement between the Palestinians and Israel aimed at the prevalence of peace in the Middle East.

"Greece hopes peace will prevail in the Middle East and supports the efforts of the Egyptian government on the continuation of negotiations and the solution to problems in the wider region," she said.

Ms. Papandreou visited Alexandria and the Patriarch Petros of Alexandria and All Africa. She also visited Greek industries in Cairo's industrial zone.

Athens News Agency

[05] Tsohatzopoulos to attend WEU meeting in Madrid

Athens, 4/5/1998 (ANA)

In parallel, he will make a working visit at the invitation of his Spanish counterpart Eduardo Sera. Mr. Tsohatzopoulos will be making an address in the framework of the WEU's Parliamentary Assembly tomorrow.

Afterwards, he will meet Mr. Sera at the Spanish Defence Ministry and will also visit Spanish defence industries, as well as the Military Museum in Madrid.

Athens News Agency

[06] Inter-Orthodox conference ends

Athens, 4/5/1998 (ANA)

The conference opened on Thursday morning and was conducted in camera. It focused on problems faced by certain Orthodox Churches with the World Council of Churches, which have led to the Churches of Jerusalem and Georgia pulling out of the Council.

Over the two-day period, the hierarchs participating in the conference paid courtesy calls on the Minister of Macedonia and Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos and Thessaloniki Mayor Constantine Kosmopoulos.

The conference, organised by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, was chaired by the Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Efesos. He and the Metropolitans of Ilioupolis and Theiron Athanassios, Philadelphia Meliton and Sassimon Yennadios constituted the Patriarchate's delegation.

The Church of Greece was represented by the Metropolitan of Corfu and Paxoi Timotheos and the elder Ioannis Romanidis.

Athens News Agency

[07] Group claims torching embassy car

Athens, 4/5/1998 (ANA)

The claim for setting fire to the car, which was parked in the suburb of Ambelokipi, was made by an anonymous caller to Flash, a private radio station.

Firemen put out the blaze, which occurred at 0215 local time.

Athens News Agency

[08] London to host event on Dodecanese anniversary

Athens, 4/5/1998 (ANA)

The event, due to take place at the Hellenic Centre in London, is expected to start with a 45-minute talk by the director of the Historical Archives service Foteini Tomai-Constantopoulou. She will present historical data concerning the incorporation of the Dodecanese islands according to documents contained in the book "Dodecanese: The long course towards incorporation."

The event will be attended by about 200 personalities from the British political, business and diplomatic sectors, as well as journalists.

Athens News Agency

[09] Greek climber falls to his death in Himalayas

KATHMANDU, 4/5/1998 (Reuters/ANA)

Nikos Papandreou, 44, a businessman from Athens, died while climbing the 8, 167 metre Dhaulagiri I peak in west Nepal, it said.

Papandreou had reached 7,500 metres when he fell 1,500 metres to his death, the ministry said in a statement.

His six team mates have abandoned their bid, it added.

Papandreou was married and had a son and a daughter.

The Greek team led by Antonis Sikaris from Athens was scaling Dhaulagiri I by the standard climbing route through its northeast ridge.

A total of 268 climbers have reached the top since it was first scaled in 1960. Forty-four climbers have died while trying to climb the mountain.

Athens News Agency

[10] Writer Fakinos dies in Paris

Athens, 4/5/1998 (ANA)

Aris Fakinos was born in Marousi in 1935 and studied in Athens, Switzerland and France. His books include "The last barbarians", "Zone under surveillance", "The outlaws", "The man who fed the pigeons", "The ancestor" and "The story of a lost land". His last work was a trilogy titled "The castle of memory."

Athens News Agency

[11] Skandalidis says Greece moving in right direction

Commenting on the European Union's decision over the weekend for euro and Greece's accession as a 12th member to the common European currency, Mr. Skandalidis said the decision confirmed that Greece has made important steps, that "our policy is in the r ight direction" and that every effort should be made to accelerate developments for Greece's entry into the European Monetary Union (EMU).

"What is important beyond economic targets is to have a development structure which will give to Greece's efforts a perspective," Mr. Skandalidis said, addressing a party meeting in Thessaloniki.

Athens News Agency

[12] Greek-Bulgarian conference in Drama

Athens, 4/5/1998 (ANA)

Greek and Bulgarian special scientists, university professors and researchers outlined their scientific experiences concerning human communication, day-to-day attitudes, clothing, poetry, literature, music, painting and sculptures.

The purpose of the conference was to further rally Balkan semiotics experts and to promote their research.

Athens News Agency

[13] Archbishop Christodulos receives enthusiastic welcome in Magnisia

Athens, 4/5/1998 (ANA)

Hundreds of people from Magnisia had gathered at many locations along the national motorway since early noon. The Archbishop's car stopped repeatedly along the way and a trip normally lasting a few minutes lasted hours.

The Archbishop, visibly moved, got out of the car and people embraced him and asked him for his blessing. A few kilometres away, nuns from the Panagia tis Xenias monastery waited for him with the icon of the Virgin Mary. Archbishop Christodoulos got out of the car again and embraced it while the nuns threw rose petals in his path.

Archbishop Christodoulos was the Metropolitan of Dimitrias for 24 years and was elected Archbishop of Athens and All Greece last week. He succeeded Archbishop Serapheim who died recently following a prolonged illness. Archbishop Christodoulos is 59.

Athens News Agency

[14] New leftist movement in October municipal elections

Athens, 4/5/1998 (ANA)

The announcement stresses that it is a municipal movement composed of socially active citizens from Athens who belong to the sector of the renewal radical left.

The proclamation underlines that the new movement lies on the other side of the neoliberal strategy for Athens which aims at turning the capital into a business and profiteering centre. It believes that the assumption of the Olympic Games in 2004 consti tutes a focal point in this effort which, in addition, will degrade the quality of life in the Attica basin even further.

The "Leftist Radical Initiative for Athens", it added, supports the need for the creation of a wider front of leftist and radical ecologist forces for the Athens municipality based on the above policy principles.

Athens News Agency

[15] Police arrest foreign drug traffickers in Crete

Athens, 4/5/1998 (ANA)

A search of the home of Albanian national Vana Isafe, 30, where Albanian national Guyup Bekai, 27, was also staying, revealed two suitcases containing 24 packets of unprocessed cannabis of a total weight of 45 kilos and 325 grams. Bekai was also found i n possession of 200,000 drachmas and 32 dollars believed to be proceeds from drug trafficking. The couple was arrested. British national Luise Touse, 25, and a 16-year-old Albanian girl were also arrested for participation in the ring.

Athens News Agency

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