Antenna: News in English, 96-10-23

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From: Antenna Radio <http://www.antenna.gr> - email: antenna@compulink.gr

News in English, of 23/10/1996

TITLES

• Two views on economic policy in the government.
• Greek concerns over Turkish military moves in the Aegean.

ECONOMY

Government members have differing opinions over just how tough the next round of economic austerity should be.

Papantoniou is in favour of the short shock treatment - tough policies now that will ensure Greece's entry into the European Monetary Unit in 1999.

Other ministers, like Kostas Laliotis, are said to favour easing into the belt-tightening measures over the next four years, to avoid sparking protest and resentment of the government.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said Tuesday's governmental committee meeting discussed the chief elements of the government's programme: strengthening Greece in the face of Turkish provocations; the country's relationship with the European Union; measures designed to protect economically weakest groups in society; and measures to enhance the quality of life.

It may well be that for people on modest incomes, buying the quality of life will become more difficult next year. The government is freezing real wages - giving inflation-pegged raises to public sector workers.

But the state-owned phone company isn't pegging its rate increases to inflation. Plans are in the works to raise phone rates by over 12 per cent in 1997, with inflation currently standing at 8.4 per cent.

ARM/AEGEANS

After meeting with prime minister Simitis, defence minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos gave nothing away to reporters.

But one of the things they probably talked about is the defence minister's worry that Turkey may be about to provoke another Aegean incident.

As Antenna has learned, 14 Turkish submarines will hold two-week exercises soon, blocking parts of the Aegean. Much Turkish submarine activity is expected in the northern and northeastern Aegean, and south of Rhodes.

Greek leaders are particularly concerned because Turkey held similar exercises just a few days before it landed troops on the Greek isle of Imia in January, blocking off parts of the Aegean then.

Whatever happens next month, Tsochatzopoulos says that Greek-Turkish relations are quote in a fragile" state.

He believes Turkey's unwavering goal is to overturn the international treaties which form the basis of Greek sovereignty in the Aegean. Turkey wants to puch Greece into making concessions in the Aegean by flexing its military muscle.

Tsochatzopoulos predicts that tension will stepped up by Turkey in coming months, and adds that things could take a dangerous turn, if Greece proves unable to stand up to Turkish provocations in the Aegean, and contain the Turkish threat.

Which is why the Greek government is determined to invest in strenthening the nation's defences.

N.D.

Evert outlined his tactics to his party's political council Tuesday.

That meeting was a warm-up to Wednesday's central committee meeting, which comes at a time when Evert's leadership is being questioned.

His main rival, Giorgos Souflias, wants the next party congress to elect a new leader. Evert is expected to announce that the congress will be held in June. But he has so far said he's not putting his leadership on the line there.

Evert is also expected to make an opening to Political Spring, the party that emerged from New Democracy when it was last in power.

Asked whether there's a place in New Democracy for Spring founder Antonis Samras, New Democracy vice president Iannis Varvitsiotis said there's room for anyone who accepts the party's principles and ideas.

But another leading New Democracy was caustic when asked about Samaras. "Who's he?", was his reply.

STEPHANOPOULOS

Stephanopoulos told his host that Greece will back efforts to get Poland into Nato and the European Union.

The Greek president briefed Kvasnievski on the state of Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue.

Stephanopoulos said, "I took the opportunity to outline Greece's views on Turkey, which is that it should respect international law".

The Polish president said his country condemns all acts of provocation and aggression in international relations.

He also talked about Greek-Polish relations, saying Poland is ready to discuss what to do about the large number of Polish immigrant workers in Greece.

The Stephanopoulos trip ends Wednesday.

© ANT1-Radio 1996

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