NEWS IN DETAIL

EU's stance on Cyprus entry will determine Greece's on expansion

Referring to Monday's General Affairs Council in Brussels, Pangalos charged that an attempt had been made to violate the Community decision of 6 March, 1995 ''to serve the interests of the more powerful countries''.

Athens on Monday stood its ground in the face of strong pressure from Germany, Britain and France at the Brussels meeting which aimed at overcoming objections to the involvement of Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus's negotiations for accession to the EU.

The decision of 6 March 1995 reconfirmed Cyprus' suitability to become a member and the EU's will that the island republic should join during the next stage of enlargement.

Speaking at a press conference, Pangalos underlined that on the question of EU enlargement, Greece had set as an ''express and inviolable'' condition that Cyprus would be the first country to become an EU member.

The Cyprus Republic has no legal or moral disadvantage, he said, adding that it was the only country, together with Luxembourg which satisfied the Maastricht terms if Economic and Monetary Union were to be realized at the present moment.

''We accepted that Cyprus' accession negotiations should take place simultaneously with the other countries of central and eastern Europe, but this is the last concession we can make. It would be inconceivable for Greece if negotiations began with other countries and not with Cyprus,'' Pangalos said.

Noting that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has repeatedly stated his opposition to Cyprus' accession if Turkey also was not accepted, Pangalos also described as ''incomprehensible and somewhat criminal'' the behaviour of ''certain partners'' on the Cyprus issue since it was devoid of any perspective.

''It is clear that (German Foreign Minister) Mr. Kinkel and certain others wanted to present a gift to Turkey. Now they must pay the bill,'' Pangalos said.

Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou reiterated that the major European powers had tried to introduce a new element into Cyprus' negotiations by involving also the Turkish Cypriots in accession talks.

He said Greece had asked for clarifications about the wording of the reference in the proposed (General Affairs Council) text concerning ''the participation of all Cypriots'' in the negotiations.

''Did this mean that they (the Turkish Cypriots) would participate as a minority? Would representatives of the Turkish Cypriot 'assembly' participate? Would a referendum be held? Would parallel negotiations be held or would there be a political solution of the Cyprus problem beforehand?'' Papandreou said.

To all these questions, he added, nobody was willing to make any clarifications.

Papandreou said he had therefore requested the deletion of the reference to ''the participation of all Cypriots'' from the text, but this was not accepted by the foreign ministers of Germany, Britain and France ''and this led to a stalemate''.

Pangalos also referred to an article in the Wall Street Journal pointing out that Turkish military maps included Crete as part of Turkey, dismissing the Turkish claim as being ''too wild for words'' and ''ludicrous''.

He said though that the matter was of some importance because Greece had always believed that real power in Turkey was wielded by the military.

''We have repeatedly said that there is a plan for disputing Greek sovereignty in the entire region, from the mouth of the River Evros, east to Skyros and as far as the region of Crete,'' he said.

These claims, Pangalos went on, demand a firm reply abroad also, ''namely to those who are exerting pressure for unconditional dialogue with Turkey...''.

Pangalos said that these claims of Ankara proved that Greece was telling the truth and Turkey was lying to the international community ''and whoever supports Turkey are entirely in the wrong''.

Turkey, he added, is ruled by a ''sui generis oligarchy'' which had sprung up from the economic and diplomatic establishment which is uncontrollable and does not change its views ''either with the passage of time or with changes of government''.

Pangalos reiterated that Greece was in favour of Turkey's European orientation and its special relationship with the EU ''provided of course that Turkey abandons its expansionist designs and begins behaving in accordance with the rules and principles of international law''.

Main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert later called for a meeting of political party leaders, to be chaired by President Kostis Stephanopoulos, in order to formulate a uniform national policy to confront Turkish provocativeness.

''After a one-year delay, the government has acknowledged Turkey's aggressive and expansionist policy. This delay has nurtured Turkish provocativeness,'' Evert said.

The ND leader called on Pangalos to confront the latest provocation on the part of Turkey with cool-headed statements in order for Greece's positions to be vindicated.

Cypriot response

He said the proposed text could have multiple interpretations, some of which were contrarty to the EU decision of March 6, 1995, providing for Cyprus' membership negotiations to begin six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference.

Mr. Cassoulides also noted that it could complicate Cyprus accession process and make efforts for a Cyprus solution more difficult, adding it could complicate EU enlargement as well.

Athens bourse continues to perform well, low interest signals changes

The rapid decline in interest rates is apparently signalling important implications for the Greek economy. The beneficial effects of lower interest rates have already been apparent in the stock market, which has enjoyed a boom for the last two months. Company dividends have reached the level of the net return of a savings account.

Lower rates of return will induce banks to diversify their products, with deposit rates varying according to sum and duration. Also, the closing of the gap between rates for deposits in drachmas and foreign currencies is considered likely to induce monetary authorities to lift restrictions on the opening of accounts in foreign currencies by Greek residents.

The downward trend is also estimated to lead to cheaper consumer and housing loans, thereby contributing to a recovery of the economy through the real estate and building sectors.

The development will also mean a lower cost of borrowing for businesses and a consequent boost in the competitiveness of Greek firms.

PM meets with farmers

Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas described the meeting with the Panthessaly Farmers' Committee as ''positive'' but Communist Party of Greece (KKE) deputy and committee member Vassilis Boutas said it had been ''fruitless''.

To the six demands put to Simitis, Boutas said, the committee had received six negative replies.

Tzoumakas reiterated the government's position that demands of a financial nature could not be satisfied, while on institutional issues, the government was awaiting the committee's proposals since there was a difference of opinion on matters such as the drawing up of a Register of Farmers.

He added that the government was currently preparing a programme of structural changes to improve farmers' incomes and the quality of life in country areas.

''Every proposal which makes Greece more productive in the agricultural sector will be accepted,'' Tzoumakas said.

Committee member Yiannis Pattakis said the dialogue remained open and the committee would reconvene to decide its next moves.

Fishermen block Thessaloniki port

Fishermen's representatives who had gone to the Macedonia and Thrace Ministry failed to reach Finance Undersecretary George Drys by telephone as the Undersecretary was in a Cabinet meeting, but he gave a written assurance last night that the tax already paid would be returned within a few days.

Shortly after 2pm, the fishermen prevented the ferryboat "Ariadne" from docking at the northern city's port, forcing it to anchor at pier 6.

The fishermen told reporters they were determined to continue their blockade of the port if their demand was not immediately met.

Museums, sites remain shut

The board of administration of the panhellenic federation which represents Culture Ministry employees put forward their demands at a meeting this morning with Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos.

On his part, Venizelos promised that he would discuss the demands with the competent general director of the Finance Ministry.

Meanwhile, owing to the strike, the Acropolis and archaeological museums in Athens and the Archaeological and Byzantine museums in Thessaloniki remained closed today, as too were all the services of the Culture Ministry in the prefecture of Attica.

Greece submits its initiative on EU aid to the Balkans

Mr. Papandreou told his EU counterparts that "the recent phenomena of acute crisis in the economies of certain Balkan countries in transition are causing serious concern in Greece...I am certain that you share our concern.

"The Balkans should not be left, at this crucial time, at the mercy of an uncontrolled economic crisis, which, as is seen in the cases of Bulgaria and Albania, can easily be converted into a very acute social crisis with direct destabilising effects," Mr. Papandreou said.

He said that "the financial aid decided on for Bulgaria, amounting to 20 MECU, must be sent as soon as possible, as all delays will render it ineffective." Mr. Papandreou visited Bulgaria last week.

Go-ahead given for Coastguard helicopters

The committee, which was chaired by Merchant Marine Minister Stavros Soumakis, will reconvene on 17 March to decide on and approve the final technical specifications for the helicopters which will cost an estimated 18 billion drachmas.

Opposition MPs call for release of ailing former dictator

The 38 deputies cite irreparable damage to the health of the leader of the notorious junta of colonels who ruled Greece for six years of the seven- year dictatorship (1967-74).

The ND deputies maintain that Papadopoulos' chronic illness, coupled with the country's strong democratic institutions, meant that the 78-year-old former dictator posed no threat to democracy in Greece.

Overthrown in 1973, one year before the collapse of the junta, Papadopoulos was found guilty of high treason and sentenced to life imprisonment.

WEATHER

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

(M.P.)

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