Athens News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-03-22

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

NEWS IN ENGLISH

ATHENS, GREECE, 22/03/1999 (ANA)

MAIN HEADLINES

• Simitis re-elected PASOK president at congress' conclusion
• Karamanlis confident of ND victory, cites 'bankrupt government'
• Araffat addresses PASOK congress
• Simitis in Berlin this week for EU summit
• EU foreign ministers focus on Commission resignation, 'Agenda 2000'
• Latvia's President concludes visit to Greece
• Conference on bioethics
• Tsohatzopoulos: Turkey must change its behaviour vis-a-vis Greece
• Greek First Division soccer results
• Weather
• Foreign exchange

NEWS IN DETAIL

Prime Minister Costas Simitis was re-elected yesterday as ruling PASOK's president at the end of the party's four-day congress, which began in Athens on Thursday.

Mr. Simitis, who was the sole candidate in the vote, was re-elected in a secret ballot - receiving 68.52 per cent of valid votes cast, or 65.68 per cent of the total 5,666 votes cast. Specifically, 1,808 blank vo-tes were cast, while another 235 were in valid and 202 delegates did not vote.

The intra-party election results for the new 180-member PASOK central committee are expected in the early morning hours today.

A total of 321 candidates were running for a post on the central committee, with each delegate able to vote for up to 72 candidates.

After the announcement of the results, Mr. Simitis called for a "new beginning" for the ruling party.

"We are all aware of the responsibility which we have undertaken for Greece and its people and, although there were different views, the slogan is one: a united PASOK," he said.

The Greek PM said there were positive proposals, different views and self- criticism, but the common course constituted the "source of strength and prospect.

"We showed that we have the will to overcome problems, introversion and misery and to give spirit to a powerful PASOK which will bring a powerful Greece."

National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos congratulated Mr. Simitis on his re-election, saying the congress sent an important message that PASOK should move forward united.

In his Saturday address, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos reaffirmed his role in PASOK and reserved a right to express his opinion on political choices of the government, while he stressed that ruling party cadres are "condemned to all win together."

The defence minister also said the ruling party had not gained ground and continued to lose parts of Greek society that had granted victories to PASOK up until 1996. He added that this situation was due to government policies and not because he and other party members expressed concerns over these policies.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos also said that PASOK was "condemned to win because it does not have any other choice", and he proposed measures to reverse what he called "the not so good climate in the party."

Specifically, he called on the new central committee to immediately convene PASOK's national council, which will decide on political, economic and social measures in order to strengthen the ruling party ahead of June's Euro-elections.

Finally, he said a political conference should be held in the autumn by decision of the central committee in order to decide on political measures in light of the national elections next year.

Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis noted that PASOK was the only party in Greece with a programme, priorities and a positive and creative work.

He also attacked the main opposition New Democracy party for what he said was a lack of a programme, solvency and credibility.

"Costas Karamanlis and ND's political cadres lack prudence, experiences and prestige to undertake the government of the country..." he charged.

Education Minister Gerasimos Arsenis stressed that real unity is consolidated through common political struggles having a recognised target.

The target which must unite the party, he said, is PASOK's great victory in national elections, with victory in the June Euroelections "as an intermediate one."

Press and Media Minister Dimitris Reppas was particularly aggressive with PASOK cadres, who he said "bring ideological and political borders here", saying there are no dividing lines in PASOK but between the party and conservative political forces.

Longtime PASOK cadre and former executive bureau member Manolis Daskalakis announced his departure from the ruling party on Saturday while addressing PASOK's 5th congress.

"After 25 years of being on a common path with many of you, the time has come to say goodbye," he said, justifying his action by adding: "We have become the best representatives of the establishment's interests; we do not care about who is served by our policies, just as long as we are in power."

Mr. Daskalakis criticised both the domestic and foreign policies of the PASOK government and called his decision to depart a "painful choice".

Karamanlis confident of ND victory, cites 'bankrupt government'

Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis concluded a tour of the Arcadia and Argolida prefectures on Saturday, pointing in addresses to a "bankrupt government...a government and prime minister below expectations."

Speaking to ND supporters in Nafplio, Mr. Karamanlis appeared certain of ND's victory in both June's Euroelections and in the next national elections.

"The time has come to finally put aside the politicians of lies and misery, " he said, adding that relations of trust must be created between the politicians and citizens.

Mr. Karamanlis also referred to the ruling PASOK party's four-day congress, which came to a close yesterday, terming it a "congress of decline and desperation."

He further spoke of a "party army" being maintained and of the party's nomenclature being served.

Mr. Karamanlis sharply criticised the government's economic policy, blaming it for tragically slow rates of development which are being observed in the country and underlined that "we will join the train of Economic and Monetary Union last and inconvenienced."

Focusing on the agricultural sector, Mr. Karamanlis said "we lost all the battles in the ranks of Europe" and promised that when his party comes to power he will personally negotiate the future of Greek agricultural products.

Speaking in Argos, Mr. Karamanlis accused the government of being unable to rule substantively and of inability in cracking down on cases of corruption.

He appeared determined to have a head-on collision with the phenomenon of corruption, saying that "he who corrupts or is corrupted will be punished in an exemplary manner", adding that "the only thing a government which is unable to do anything about co rruption can do is to leave by itself."

Mr. Karamanlis focused in particular on the need of developing tourism, saying that "instead of Greece selling only sea and sun two months a year, it must create those structures which will allow for the development of more forms of tourism."

Araffat addresses PASOK congress

Palestinian President Yasser Arafat on Saturday addressed PASOK congress delegates, noting the long-time ties between the Palestinians and the Greek people, while he also recalled his attendance at the 1984 PASOK congress.

PM Costas Simitis welcomed Mr. Arafat as "a great student of independence of peoples and freedom" and called him "a great friend of PASOK".

"Following lengthy struggles, the Palestinians succeeded in setting the foundations of a new course. In this course we will be on their side, Greece will offer its support both on our own and as European Union members, " the Greek premier said, adding th at Athens also supported implementation of the agreements between the Palestinian authority and Israel.

Mr. Arafat recalled the PASOK congress of 1984, citing "historical moments which reaffirm the depth of our friendship."

The Palestinian leader also spoke of the traditional bonds between the Greek and the Palestinian people since antiquity.

He added that this friendship was forged during the time of Alexander the Great, while later "Orthodoxy became an integral part of the religious inheritance of the Palestinian people, which it protected and still protects."

Referring to the Palestinian issue, Mr. Arafat said his people aimed at creating an "independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital..."

He also accused the Israeli government of not implementing the accords it signed, thus leading the peace process to "a dark impasse".

Before his address, the Palestinian leader met with Transport and Communications Minister Tassos Mantelis and discussed issues concering transports and infrastructure. The Palestinian authority has included Greece in its planned transports policy as a g ateway to Europe.

Mr. Mantelis, accepted an invitation extended by Mr. Arafat to visit the Palestinian self-rule areas.

Earlier, Mr. Arafat was received by President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos with whom he discussed Greek national issues as well as developments in the peace process in the Middle East.

Simitis in Berlin this week for EU summit

Prime Minister Costas Simitis leaves tomorrow for Berlin to take part in the March 24-25 European Union summit, set to focus on "Agenda 2000" financing and the issue of a new European Commission.

Yesterday, Mr. Simitis told reporters that his government had an idea on who would be the new Commissioner from Greece, but that it was still too early to announce any decisions.

"We have decided, but what will happen depends on the procedures decided by the other EU member-states as well," Mr. Simitis said.

The entire European Commission resigned early last week following the release of an independent report pointing to mismanagement in the EU executive body.

During a brief visit to Athens last week, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder agreed with Athens that the institutional crisis had to be dealt with "immediately".

On the issue of "Agenda 2000" funding, Mr. Simitis said Greece would "do battle to maintain the funds which it needs."

The German EU presidency has recommended funding cutbacks to the EU's southern member-states, the Union's poorest.

EU foreign ministers focus on Commission resignation, 'Agenda 2000'

The Council of European Union Foreign Ministers, due to pave the way for the Berlin summit this week, began sessions in Brussels last night with reference to the European Commission's recent resignation.

The German EU presidency proposed a draft statement which may possibly be amended during discussion to follow at a later dinner, stressing that "a strong Commission is necessary with greater democratic legitimacy that will result from the European Parli ament's strengthened participation."

No agreement is expected on the pending issues contained in the "Agenda 2000", discussed by the Council, since all countries have "toughened" their positions in light of compromise proposals the German presidency has promised for the Berlin summit.

Referring to Greek positions on "Agenda 2000", namely, the reallocation of EU funds, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou said the existing system for own funds is satisfactory and must not change, while the agreement on agriculture must be maintain ed and solutions to be provided for structural funds will be decisive for the acceptance of the overall agreement by Greece.

"Greece is determined to pursue funds which are necessary for its developmental course and create new jobs," Alternate Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis said, while Mr. Papandreou added: "We hope and believe that this package will be better than the previous ones."

Mr. Papandreou will meet NATO Secretary General Javier Solana today and brief him on Greek positions regarding the crisis in Kosovo.

It was revealed that he will also request a postponement of any possible intervention until the Berlin summit is over.

Latvia's President concludes visit to Greece

Latvian President Guntis Ulmanis on Saturday concluded a three-day official visit to Greece.

Mr. Ulmanis departed for Latvia at 4 p.m., following a visit to the Agios Dimitrios Cathedral, a historical and archaeological landmark in Thessaloniki, as well as the northern Greek city's Byzantine Museum.

During his stay, President Ulmanis met with President Kostis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis and opposition party leaders.

While in Thessaloniki he met with Macedonia-Thrace Minister Yiannis Magriotis and Mayor Vassilis Papageorgopoulos.

Conference on bioethics

Rapid developments in biology, genetics and biotechnologies in past years constitute the challenge of the next century, when questions will have to be answered and problems resolved concerning both the patient and his family surroundings, as well as society in general.

The announcement that all the genes of man will have been decodified by 2003 and doctors will be in a position to know diseases man will be faced with in the future from the moment he is born, also paves the way for the intervention by specialists in the human cell, creating economic, social, psychological and moral problems which must be tackled as soon as possible.

In this context, the First Pan-European Conference of Bioethics was held in Greece for the first time on the issue of "molecular diagnosis of individuals faced with a high risk of developing cancer - medical, legal and social problems", at the Athens Concert Hall and was organised by the Athens University.

Tsohatzopoulos: Turkey must change its behaviour vis-a-vis Greece

National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos on Saturday warned Turkey to "change its behaviour toward Greece."

Addressing the 5th PASOK congress in Athens, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos stressed that "neighbours will realise over the next few weeks that they cannot create situations against Greece."

He also repeated that any new Turkish attack against Cyprus would be a cause of war.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos stressed the need for a "consistent implementation" of the Greece-Cyprus joint defence doctrine and the need to support Nicosia's European Union accession process.

The defence minister expressed his concern over conditions in Kosovo and reiterated that for Athens there could not be a military solution to the problem but only a political one, adding that Greece would not participate in any military action in the strife-torn Yugoslav province unless a political solution was agreed upon by both sides.

Greek First Division soccer results

First division soccer Kavala 2 Panathinaikos 1 AEK Athens 1 Proodeftiki Piraeus 0 PAOK Thessaloniki 0 Xanthi 0 Ionikos Piraeus 0 Iraklis Thessaloniki 2 Aris Thessaloniki 4 Ethnikos Piraeus 0 Panelefsiniakos 1 OFI Heraklion 2 Apollon Athens 5 Paniliakos Pyrgos 0 Playing today: Olympiakos-Ethnikos Astir, Veria-Panionios. Standings/points: Olympiakos 56, AEK 55, Panathinaikos 50, PAOK 44, Aris 42, Ionikos, Xanthi 39, Iraklis 36, OFI 35, Ethnikos Astir 32.

WEATHER

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Monday's rates (buying)
U.S. dollar          291.727
Pound sterling       474.672
Japanese yen (100)   248.655
French franc          48.652
German mark          163.172
Italian lira (100)    16.482
Irish Punt           405.219
Belgian franc          7.911
Luxembourg franc       7.911
Finnish mark          53.675
Dutch guilder        144.818
Danish kr.            42.944
Austrian sch.         23.193
Spanish peseta         1.919
Swedish kr.           35.752
Norwegian kr.         37.746
Swiss franc          199.650
Port. Escudo           1.592
Aus. dollar          183.153
Can. dollar          192.091
Cyprus pound         550.560
Euro                 319.136

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