Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 98-11-02

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM pledges continuation of gov't policy ahead of confidence vote

[02] State telecom third flotation

[03] Tsohatzopoulos says from London confidence vote valid

[04] Tsovolas addresses party meeting

[05] Kranidiotis sends Cook PASOK's views on ESP manifesto

[06] Tsohatzopoulos interview

[07] SYN seeks change in election system

[08] Police seek operators of phone scam

[09] Finance ministry issues two-year bonds

[10] PASOK members' offices bombed in Athens

[11] European journalists' conference ends in Athens

[12] Turkish gunboat fires warning shots against Greek fishing boat

[13] Gov't to examine asylum request by Kurds in Crete

[14] Film director Gavras welcomes Pinochet's arrest

[15] Archbishop Christodoulos meets FYROM church delegation

[16] Greek soccer match called off after violence

[17] Teenager kills two Albanian burglars

[01] PM pledges continuation of gov't policy ahead of confidence vote

Athens 02/11/1998 (ANA)

"The government will continue firmly and without setbacks, hesitations or experimentations its work and this decision must be supported by PASOK in its entrirety," Mr. Simitis told Parliament at the opening of a debate which will culminate in a confiden ce vote on his government tomorrow at midnight. Mr. Simitis asked for a confidence vote last Thursday after proceeding to a minor cabinet reshuffle following a PASOK setback in local elections last month.

He said the government and the ruling PASOK party should send a message that "the current situation of the country does not allow for games or manoeuvres".

Explaining the reasons why he called for a confidence vote, Mr. Simitis said:

"First to give an answer to all those who dispute the government's political legitimacy, that is, vested interests, certain unionist groups and the main opposition New Democracy (ND) party; secondly, to give a reply to populism and thirdly, to confirm with the confidence vote PASOK's conceptions for the country's prospects".

Mr. Simitis also expressed certainty over Greece's entry into the European Economic Monetary Union (EMU) by the year 2000.

Mr. Simitis said that the government "is not going to toy, not even for a moment, with the interests of the people and the country and is not willing to waste the sacrifices and efforts of the Greek people, so as to become pleasant and benefit PASOK".

Accusing ND party of "opportunism", the premier addressed vested interests, which, as he said, attempt to stop the course of the country to the EMU. He added that these interests have the same aims with ND.

He also asked the ruling PASOK party to shoulder the weight of the governmentYs policy.

Mr. Simitis said that PASOK "is not a party, which aims at power only. PASOK is legitimate only when it governs with the aim of improving the economic and social status of the citizen".

He accused opposition parties of distorting the meaning of the recent local elections results with claims that they meant a dissaproval for the government.

The prime minister accused ND as well as the rest of the opposition parties for showing an anti-government front, "without positions or principles", adding that "their common aim is to damage and neutralise the government policy, damage PASOK, overturn its policies and undermine the leading role of the party".

Mr. Simitis addressing the issue of the EMU said that the countryYs accession is not a goal in itself. "The goal of the government is the continually increasing prosperity of the Greek citizens," he said.

The premier also said that the government has achieved the safeguarding of social expenditure, unlike other European countries, thus proving that its social concern is real and not theoretical.

He accused ND of aiming to curtail the social sector and assign it to the forces of the free market. He also accused the main opposition of aiming at curtailing the state and social solidarity in contrast to the government, which is fighting for an effe ctive state able to plan policies, which will regulate and confront the effects of the market.

Karamanlis : Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis in his address to the Parliament said the PASOK government and the prime minister were "weaker than ever".

"The government is weaker than ever and more so the prime minister is weaker than ever and with spasmodic moves he is asking for a confidence vote under pressure from his party's internal opposition," Mr. Karamanlis said in a frontal attack against the government.

Accusing the government for what he termed the country's current "weakness", Mr. Karamanlis referred to a "dissolution of the state", of a state "which instead of being a friend to the citizen has become its enemy".

"The dissolution of the state is the greatest proof of the government's failure," Mr. Karamanlis said reffering to recent criminal incidents involving police and the increased crime all over the country.

He also accused the government of not accelerating privatisations, an increase in unemployment and of not "containig public expenditure".

Mr. Karamanlis termed Greece's failure to enter the EMU in 1999 as a "national demotion", adding that his party insisted on the nation's European orientation.

Referring to foreign policy issues, he said his party's fears were "confirmed" that "the policies of appeasement has led to Turkey's audacity and increased provocations".

Other parties : Communist Party of Greece (KKE) leader Aleka Papariga said that the prime minister raised the issue of the confidence vote "in order to reassure the Greek and European plutocracy that the popular protest, which was expressed clearly by the municipal and prefectural elections, will not lead the government to evasions, which might relax the rythms of the wild neo-liberal policy, which it follows with consistency."

Ms. Papariga added that the people are not willing to make more sacrifices for the European Union and the " fake aim of the EMU."

The Coalition for the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos said that "the prime minster, instead of studying the messages of the municipal elections, is requesting by blackmail, of its deputies to ignore the message of the popular decision and give cover with their vote to his incomprehensible persistence on the same policy."

He said that the premier's address is a bad omen for the political developments and what is in store for the Greek people over the next period.

Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas said that the prime minster called for the confidence vote to "settle in-party (PASOK) accounts".

He also said that Mr. Simitis misunderstood the meaning of the elections and "instead of overturning the anti-popular and unfair government economic policy, is attempting to overturn the so called in-party opposition."

Athens News Agency

[02] State telecom third flotation

Athens 02/11/1998 (ANA)

The third flotation for the state telecom, which was roughly twice oversubscribed, will bring the government around 302 billion drachmas, the bank said in a statement. The offer's coordinators and main underwriters were National Bank of Greece, Credit Suisse First Boston and Salomon Smith Barney.

National Bank said that the offer was the first successful secondary issue to take place in Europe since a financial crisis erupted this year that battered stock markets around the continent.

Around 30 percent of OTE's shares will be sold in Greece with around nine million shares available to retail investors, covering 63 percent of demand. Priority will given to purchases of up to 100 shares.

Domestic institutional investors will soak up around six million shares, representing an average 73 percent of demand.

Total sales to investors abroad will account for about 92 billion drachmas of funds tapped from the market.

Stock sold on New York's bourse totalled 122 billion drachmas, with remaining funds coming from investors in Europe. Around 75 percent of stock sold abroad was in the form of Athens bourse depository receipts and 25 percent as American Depository Receipts.

Athens News Agency

[03] Tsohatzopoulos says from London confidence vote valid

LONDON 02/11/1998 (ANA - L. Tsirigotakis)

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos, who is in London for an event in honour of CyprusY EDEK socialist party leader Vassos Lyssaridis, said "the Parliamentary procedure is valid and complete and at the same time an effective tactical move".

He added, however, that this procedure can not and should not resolve other issues of political and ideological issues concering ruling PASOK party.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos also said that "after the results and the messages for PASOK, of the last municipal and prefectural elections, by in-party interventions and within the framework of its internal operations, the party must give the feeling to public opinion that it is aware of the sensitivities and reactions of citizens."

He added that PASOK must also "reaffirm to its popular base, outside the party and to the other sides of parliament, that it has the ability and the necessary political initiatives" which will once again form common ground with social, workers' unions a nd other political forces.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that the citizens expect the government of PASOK to "give them a new prospect and benefits from the accession to the European Union Economic Monetary Union (EMU), for unemployment, development, the environment and quality of life ."

Athens News Agency

[04] Tsovolas addresses party meeting

Athens 02/11/1998 (ANA)

He also accused Prime Minister Costas Simitis of arrogance toward the voters as well as toward the ruling PASOK party, while downgrading the democratic institutions and Parliament.

Athens News Agency

[05] Kranidiotis sends Cook PASOK's views on ESP manifesto

Athens 02/11/1998 (ANA)

The memorandum is based on positions set out by Prime Minister Costas Simitis on the political and social future of Europe at the recent informal EU summit in Poertschach, Austria.

It stresses the need for accelerating the procedure for political unification in the EU, securing political control of Economic and Monetary Union, and strengthening the "society of citizens" and the democratic character of European institutions.

The committee will first tackle the draft document in Brussels on November 12 and 13, and is expected to adopt the finalised text in Milan in March 1999, during the European Socialist Party's congress.

Athens News Agency

[06] Tsohatzopoulos interview

Athens 02/11/1998 (ANA)

Asked by the Sunday Vima newspaper if he would again seek the party's leadership, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said he was not interested in discussing the matter at present, but that there was no leadership issue in the party today.

The minister also denied that PASOK was split, but acknowledged that unity and cohesion were issues.

Asked whether a cabinet reshuffle last week was a fit response to the message from October's local elections in which the ruling party's performance was weak, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said cryptically:

"The government appears to be pursuing its course."

Athens News Agency

[07] SYN seeks change in election system

Athens 02/11/1998 (ANA)

Only two of the 120 members of the committee voted against the decision, which remained unchanged as far as its cooperation prerequisites with ruling PASOK party.

According to the text, Synaspismos requested the change of the election system to one of simple proportional, where every party will receive the percentage of representatives in parliament in accordance to popular vote.

The text also noted the need for policy changes as well as changes of the political scene.

Synaspismos leader Nikos Constantopoulos expressed his satisfaction over the results of the talks, while he noted the operational and organisational problems of the party.

Former party leader, and Athens mayoral candidate supported by PASOK and Synaspismos, Maria Damanaki, said she, her colleagues, PASOK and Synaspismos are all responsible for the failure to win the election.

Intra-party discussion are expected to continue during the December Synaspismos conference on local government institutions.

Athens News Agency

[08] Police seek operators of phone scam

Athens 02/11/1998 (ANA)

Officers of Attica police's financial crimes department discovered the scheme on Friday after breaking into three apartments in Athens suburbs that were equipped with digital phone lines acquired from Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE).

Ten Pakistanis and two Indians were arrested while using lines in the apartments in Kallithea and Nea Ionia as part of the scam that involved non- Greek nationals paying unknown persons, and not OTE, a cheap rate for calls abroad.

Police have launched a hunt for two individuals believed to have masterminded and run the scheme. They have ordered phone lines for homes and offices from OTE outlets under the false names of Ioannis Serseliadis and Suleiman Mohammed.

After receiving payment from customers for calls made on the lines, which were used on a 24-hour basis, the two would disappear when payment of the phone bill was due, shifting the operation to other apartments.

The system employed three-party lines, a service offered by OTE that enables callers in different countries to communicate with charges appearing on the Greek bill.

The twelve arrested have appeared before a public prosector.

Athens News Agency

[09] Finance ministry issues two-year bonds

Athens 02/11/1998 (ANA)

The bonds are freely transferrable, and tax-free if retained until maturity.

An auction of 150 billion drachmas worth of five-year bonds through primary dealers, at a fixed annual rate of 8.9 percent, is also scheduled for tomorrow. The ministry may also accept non-competitive bids totalling 30 billion drachmas.

Sources say the government is now considering a return to issuing long-term securities, as the money market appears to be back on the way to normalisation.

Meanwhile, according to the Bank of Greece, the economy's total liquidity, as measured by the benchmark M3 indicator, increased by 1.3 per cent in September, down from 2.8 per cent in August.

Athens News Agency

[10] PASOK members' offices bombed in Athens

Athens 02/11/1998 (ANA)

According to reports, the office building was rented by PASOK to be used as office space by party deputies elected in the provinces outside Athens.

Newly appointed Public Order Minister Philippos PetsalnikosY Athens office occupied one of the offices on the third floor of the building where the explosion took place.

Fire fighters extinguished the blaze in time to avert further damages.

Athens News Agency

[11] European journalists' conference ends in Athens

Athens 02/11/1998 (ANA)

The confenrence was organised in Athens to mark the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Council of Europe, which was established on May 5, 1949.

Athens News Agency

[12] Turkish gunboat fires warning shots against Greek fishing boat

Athens 02/11/1998 (ANA)

In their efforts, the crew of the Turkish gunboat fired warning shots against the Greek boat and used the firefighting hoses to douse it with hot water, according to Yiannis Kolosendas, the captain of the Greek boat.

The captain of the Greek fishing boat notified via VHF radio other boats in the area as well as the Alexandroupolis port authority of the Turkish actions,authorities said.

The Trukish gunboat gave up its pursuit when Greek gunboats left port to confront it. Immediately afterwards the fishing boat reached Alexandroupolis where the captain reported the incident.

For its part the Alexandroupolis Fishing Cooperative requested that the Greek government assign a gunboat similar to the Trukish one at the port city, thus increasing the sentiment of security among the fishermen in the area.

Athens News Agency

[13] Gov't to examine asylum request by Kurds in Crete

Athens 02/11/1998 (ANA)

The deputy minister, who is visiting the immigrants at Hania, said that the applications will be processed and those considered political refugees will be granted residence permits.

He expressed his satisfaction over the hospitality granted to the Kurds by the Hania community. The immigrants are housed at the state owned Xenia Hotel of Hania.

A Hania court on Friday acquitted two Syrian nationals charged with transporting illegal immigrants to Greece, accepting their defence that they had in fact rescued the illegals at sea, but ordered their deportation.

On Wednesday, the coastguard detained the immigrants who were found crammed into the hold of a Lebanese-flagged wooden fishing boat.

Athens News Agency

[14] Film director Gavras welcomes Pinochet's arrest

Athens 02/11/1998 (ANA)

Mr. Gavras directed "Missing", a film about brutality during Pinochet's 1973-1990 dictatorship.

He was speaking in Iraklio, on the island of Crete, after receiving an award from the city's Technological Education Institute.

Pinochet, 82, was arrested on October 16 after an extradition request from Spain to face charges of genocide and torture.

Mr. Gavras said that he and his friends in Chile welcomed the arrest although Pinochet may not finally have to face trial.

The activity surrounding Pinochet at least showed that Europe was acquiring a conscience, and was unwilling to let dictators roam freely, he said.

Athens News Agency

[15] Archbishop Christodoulos meets FYROM church delegation

Athens 02/11/1998 (ANA)

According to a FYROM church spokesman, Archbishop Christodoulos reassured the delegation that he was willing to mediate between the breakaway church and the Serbian Orthodox Patriarchate in efforts to re-unify them.

Athens News Agency

[16] Greek soccer match called off after violence

Athens 02/11/1998 (ANA)

The incidents started when the guest team took a 2-1 lead with a penalty kick in 79th minute,and acquired explosive dimensions when the hosts were disallowed a goad a minute later. Fans invaded the pitch and caused extensive damage to the stands.

About 3,000 Olympiakos fans had to be escorted out of the city under strong police protection several hours later.

Sixteen fans from both teams were arrested and will appear before a Thessaloniki court today on charges of damaging private property,and for possession of weapons and drugs.

Athens News Agency

[17] Teenager kills two Albanian burglars

Athens 02/11/1998 (ANA)

The two burglars, Dede Tushaj, 48, and Artan Geta, 23, were returning to collect from a nearby spot a booty of mainly food and clothes, which they had siphoned off late Friday night and was found in their stolen truck, along with two barrels of petrol, a shotgun and an axe.

Mariannis gave himself up to police several hours later and is to appear before a public prosecutor today.

Athens News Agency

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article