BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN (17/01/1996)

From: Macedonian Press Agency <mpa@uranus.ee.auth.gr>

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

Thessaloniki, January 17, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[01] PASOK CENTRAL COMMITTEE PAVES THE WAY FOR PREMIERSHIP ELECTION

The Central Committee of PASOK wholly approved today the ruling party's Executive Buraeu recommendations, through which a new prime minister will be elected, in a session held today.

Following the meeting, the Central Committee's Secretary Costas Skandalides expressed his satisfaction of today's session and said that it would have met Andreas Papandreou's expectations had he been present.

Mr. Skandalides emhasized that the new prime minsiter will be elected to serve the full remainder of the four-year term.

The Central Committee will convene again on February 10 and 11.

[02] CONTENTS OF PAPANDREOU'S RESIGNATION LETTER

In his resignation letter, the greek Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou said:

"Our first responsibility is the governing of the country for the realization of our program, in accordance with the mandate of the greek people. At the same time, it is the responsibility of all of us to safeguard the unity and future of our great Movement.

"I have been briefed exhaustively over the past few days by the doctors about my health problems and their estimates as to how much time will be needed for my recuperation.

"It is obvious that my incapacity during this time should not act as a brake on the country, the government and PASOK. I have put, and we have always put, the interests of the country and the people above all. This is also our duty now.

"It is time for decisions. and it is to thse decisions that the organs of the movement are called to proceed with, each according to their responsibilities. The Central Committee will define the framework and the directions of our coordinated course until the congress which will guarantee the future of a united and strong PASOK. The Parliamentary Group will proceed immediately to the election of a prime minister because the nation's problems cannot wait, and what we have achieved till now must not be endangered.

"I believe that all PASOK's cadres can rise to the occasion, not only because it is my demand as founder and president of the movement, but also because it is the demand of the great popular majority that supports us."

[03] GREECE'S NEW PRIME MINISTER WILL BE ELECTED TOMORROW

PASOK's Parliamentary Group will elect Greece's new Prime Minister tomorrow while the party's Central Committee met this morning in order to discuss the setting of a political framework and the safeguarding of the party's unity.

The candidates for the Premiership are Gerasimos Arsenis, who is currently holding the Defence portofolio, former Industry Minister Kostas Simitis, former Minister and twice vice-President of the government Yiannis Haralambopoulos and Minister of the Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Akis Tsohatzopoulos who is replacing Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou.

Based on yesterday's decision by the party's Executive Bureau, the party's congress on June 6-9 will elect a vice-president who will share responsibilities with the President of PASOK Mr. Andreas Papandreou, provided that he is in a physical condition to allow for it. In any other case, the Congress will elect a president for PASOK.

[04] EX-MINISTER SIMITIS SPEAKS ABOUT HIS PLEDGES TO THE COVETED TITLE

Addressing the PASOK Central Committee convention today, former minister and current Parliament Member Kostas Simitis, who is one among the four candidates for the premiership, said that his primary concern is the party's unity and a composition of common goals that will promote Greece's position in the European Union.

Mr. Simitis stated that he will place emphasis on foreign affairs issues and social policy. Claiming that the greek state today is on the verge of a deadlock, Mr. Simitis said that the government must construct social policies that place limits on provisions.

The 57-year-old Simitis, a professor of economics, was first elected to parliament in 1985 and has served in many ministries. In September 1995 he resigned from the government and the PASOK party's Executive Bureau protesting Mr. Papandreou's criticism of his policy regarding the shipbuilding industry.

[05] MINISTER OF DEFENSE ANNOUNCES HIS CANDIDACY TO PREMIERSHIP

Premiership candidate and Minister of Defense Gerasimos Arsenis called the Committee's attention to six vital points that the state must afford attention to after the election of the new prime minister. First, he said that the government must serve as the golden mean in the historical continuance of PASOK. Second, he suggested a closer relationship between the government and its parliament members, adding that the parliamentary group should be the primary political advisior of the new Prime Minister.

Third, forwarning that the socialist party will be attacked by the right-wing, Mr. Arsenis said that collaboration must exist among the government and the party's organizations. Fourth, the minister stated that the government must reach the people and reminded that "we are, afterall, socialists." Fifth, he urged the government to be one of action and results and not be fazed of any consequencial political cost.

Last, he stated that the government must re- connect with its people and their concerns.

Mr. Arsenis, 65 years old, also a professor of economics, has worked for various international financial corporations and served the greek financial ministries.

[06] MINISTER OF INTERIOR TO RUN FOR PRIME MINISTER

Minister of Interior Affairs, Decentralization and Public Administration Akis Tzohatzopoulos, who has substituted for the ailing Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou since he was admitted to the hospital on November 20, declared today his candidacy for the prime ministerial position during the Central Committee's session.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos, born in 1939, has been a close associate of Mr. Papandreou, served in various ministries and was the first Secretary of the Central Committee from 1990 to 1995.

[07] FORMER VICE-PRESIDENT OF PASOK GOVERNMENTS SEEKS ELECTION

The last candidate claiming the premiership is Mr. Yiannis Haralabopoulos who wants to express all those in the party who believe that the prime minister to be elected should lead the party to its next Congress, scheduled to take place in June 1996.

Mr. Haralambopoulos, 77, an MP since 1963, is an ex-army officer who has served as vice-president during the 1980 term of PASOK undertaking the portfolios of Defense and Foreign Affairs.

[08] THE CONDITION OF THE PRIME MINISTER REMAINS STABLE

The condition of Prime Minister Papandreou remains stable, according to the medical bulletin issued today by the Onasion Cardiology Center.

The medical bulletin mentions that the condition of PASOK's leader mr.Andreas Papandreou remained stable in the past 24 hours.

Is also clarified that the patient's respiratory function is periodically supported by respirator and his renal function by artificial kidney. Is also mentioned that the intensive physiotherapy and the kinesitherapy continue.

[09] PAPANDREOU CONTRIBUTED TO COMPLETE ACCESSION INTO EUROPE

The US State Department issued a statement on the resignation of greek Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou similar to the one issued by the White House.

The US State Department expresses regret for the resignation of the greek Prime Minister and underlines mr.Papandreou's significant contribution to the acceleration of Greece's complete accession into Europe. Also, is stressed that mr.Papandreou still remains the leader of the governing party of PASOK.

The issuing of those two statements by the US State Department and the White House confirm the positive climate in the relations between Washington and Prime Minister Papandreou.

[10] THE LIAISON OFFICES IN ATHENS AND SKOPJE OPENED FORMALLY TODAY

The liaison offices in Athens and Skopje opened formally today within the framework of the interim agreement signed between Greece and FYROM in New York last September.

Head of the greek diplomatic office is Embassy Counsellor mr.Alexandros Mallias, who was head of the regional offices in Sofia responsible for Bulgaria and FYROM in the period of May-December 1994.

Regarding FYROM's liaison office in Athens the decision on who will be heading it has not been made yet and for now in charge is the second in hierarchy mr.Sokofski.

The opening of the liaison offices constitutes one more step toward the normalization of the relations between the two countries. According to diplomatic sources, in about three weeks will start in New York the new round of talks between Greece and FYROM under the mediation of mr. Cyrus Vance, which will exclusivelly deal with the issue of the name that will be used by FYROM.

[11] ANKARA HOLDS THE KEY TO THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM

Ankara holds the key to the solution of the Cyprus problem, according to statements made by mrs.Pauline Green President of the Socialist Group in the European Parliament.

Mrs.Green also announced the Socialist Group's decision to establish an observer group which will monitor Turkey's behaviour regarding the respect of the human rights of the cypriots and the kurds.