The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 99-03-19

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <ert.ntua.gr/>

Today's ERA News Online

CONTENTS

[01] Prime minister's opening speech at PASOK congress

In his address, the prime minister issued a plea for party unity and an end to internal party conflict so that PASOK night go ahead and win the Euro- elections in June and next year's general election.

Mr Simitis said the first and most important national goal for a modern and economically independent Greece was the country's participation in European economic and monetary union.

With reference to national issues, the prime minister said Turkey was attempting to transfer its domestic problems on to foreign policy. Greece, he said, would not take part in these "cold war" games and would not become embroiled in the tension being cultivated by Ankara. Greece makes no claims, he reiterated, but it will not negotiate its sovereign rights and is well able to foil any threat against it.

The prime minister said Greece sought peace and security in the region and called on Ankara to abandon its vicious circle of provocations. Turkey's problem, he said, was not Greece but its own policies.

Mr Simitis described those involved in the Ocalan affair as ultra- nationalists. He said these people had formed bizarre alliances and were operating in secret service circles which had nothing whatever to do with PASOK. They constituted a para-state and would be dealt with as such, he said.

Addressing party dissidents, Mr Simitis pointed out that the mentality of defeat did not befit PASOK. He made frequent reference to the PASOK founder, Andreas Papandreou, and called on delegates to work together to ensure that PASOK emerged as the leading party in both the June Euro-elections and the general elections in the year 2000.

The secretary of PASOK's central committee, Kostas Skandalidis, underlined the need for a rebirth and a refounding of PASOK on the basis of a new collectivity. Otherwise, he said, it would not survive the times. In view of the forthcoming Euro-elections and next year's national elections, Mr Skandalidis called on PASOK forces to close ranks through a progressive orientation.

Representatives of Greece's other political parties and delegates from foreign countries also addressed the congress, which resumes this morning.

Several PASOK delegates who took the floor criticized the government's handling of issues and the leadership of the party.

Commenting on Mr Simitis' speech, the New Democracy party accused the government of delaying the country's true development, while the Greek Communist party spoke of an anti-popular policy and false dilemmas.

[02] NATO conference for Alliance's 50th anniversary

[03] Council of Europe permanent representatives on Ocalan case

[04] American vice-president's wife delivers speech in Athens

After making reference to the principles of democracy whose birthplace was Greece, Mrs Gore pointed out that the world was looking forward to the era when peace and equilibrium would be the normal state of affairs.

Earlier, Mrs Gore was received by the president of the Greek republic, Kostis Stefanopoulos, with whom, she said, she had a cordial discussion.

[05] Bad weather throughout Greece

[06] Foreign minister attends inter-Balkan meeting in Bucharest

[07] New Cypriot government spokesman

[08] Justice minister recovering from surgery

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