BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN (19/01/1996)

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 19, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

NEWS IN BRIEF

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[01] NEW PREMIER RECEIVES PRESIDENT'S ORDER TO FORM NEW GOVERNMENT

The country's new Prime Minister Mr. Kostas Simitis received today the order to form a new government from the President of the Republic, Mr. Kostis Stefanopoulos.

Today, the morning after the election, the new premier arrived at the Presidential Mansion and met briefly with Mr. Stefanopoulos. As he told reporters, Mr. Simitis was given the government formation order during this meeting and would proceed to meet with the ministerial congress where its ministers-members would submit their resignations.

The new government, with Mr. Simitis leading the way, will be sworn-in on Monday morning.

The President of the Republic, mr. Stefanopoulos, said that he believes that a new era is beginning with new expectations and hopes for the people. He congratulated Mr. Simitis and wished him strength.

In turn, the New Prime Minister thanked the President and said that he hopes to be able to meet these expectations.

"We have the strength, we have the co-workers and the ideas to accomplish this," Mr. Simitis said.

[02] NEW PREMIER KOSTAS SIMITIS MET WITH PASOK EXECUTIVE BUREAU

Greece's new Prime Minister, Kostas Simitis reiterated once again his election motto "unity, revival, victory" when he addressed the members of the Party's Executive Buraeu.

Mr.Simitis made a brief reference to PASOK's history and said that he is confident the country will soon overcome the hardships it faces.

Stating that not he, but PASOK was the winner during yesterday evening's elections, Mr. Simitis said that the message is to unify all the party members into making coordinated efforts, work hard, be credible and prove productive.

Mr. Simitis concluded that the socialist movement must and can guarantee that it will be stay united in order to be the "sure winner of the next elections."

Also during this meeting, the new Prime Minister met with the Central Committee's Secretary Mr. kostas Skandalides, who said that PASOK, throughout these difficult moments, proved that it is mature and responsible, having concrete understanding of its duties towards the country's and the people's problems.

Mr. Skandalides emphasized that Greece has an able, and strong prime minister who can embody this unity, revival and victory and give answers from this honorable spot.

Furthermore, Mr. Skandalides guaranteed to Mr. Simitis that he will be granted the utmost support from all party members and added that they are all near him to promote cooperation and produce results.

Mr. Skandalides concluded that PASOK President Andreas Papandreou continues to be present and near to his party's members.

[03] PREMIER'S ELECTION RIVAL LIKELY TO BE PART OF NEW GOVERNMENT

Minister of Interior Affairs, Public Administration and Decentralization Akis Tsohatzopoulos, who also was a close first runner-up at yesterday's elections by gathering 75 votes (Mr. Simitis won with 86 votes), did not rule out the possibility of participating in the new government to be formed on Monday.

The Minister said that during today's meeting with the new Premier Mr. Simitis, there was no mention of the new government's formation. Instead, he said, they spoke about the interior policy issues and foreign affairs problems that the country's has been facing duirng the previous two months, while the former prime minister Andreas Papandreou was incapacitated in the hospital.

Regarding Monday's appointment of the new government's members, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos emphasized that there is little room for negotiations and bargaining, as the new government formation is solely the Prime Minister's responsibility.

[04] FOREIGN PRESS APPEARS FAVORABLE TO SIMITIS ELECTION

The international media has afforded favorable coverage to last evening's election of the new greek Prime Minister, Mr. Kostas Simitis. Most of the foreign press consider the 59-year-old Simitis to be a modest, yet modern man, close to Europe, although many newspapers have already began to compare him to his predecessor, by noting that he lacks Andreas Papandreou's charisma.

Apparently, that's OK, for Mr. Simitis, the newspapers mention, is bound to be more cooperative with the European Union country-members.

In the United States, the primary concern is whether or not the new premier will proceed with Papandreou's cooperative line, something of crucial importance during this era of Balkan turmoil with Washington military deployments placed throughout the region.

Specifically, the "New York Times" write that "the thirst for renewal and radical changes, his popularity among opinion polls and mainly the need to secure PASOK's victory in the 1997 elections," were the primary reasons the Parliamentary Group voted Andreas Papandreou rival, Kostas Simitis.

The british paper "Independent" supports that Simitis will allign the socialist party into a left- centrist movement, comparing himj to Toni Blair.

Meanwhile, the greek premier's photo adorned the front pages of most yugoslav papers, with "Politika" affording him with a frnot-page article as well.

In Italy, the press accepted the election with especially positive remarks, albeit humorous articles. Specifically, Corriere della Sera's title is " Simitis in Papandreou's throne, the rival who doesn't love Dimitra."

[05] POSITIVE COMMENTS FROM THE EU MEMBERS ON THE ELECTION OF SIMITIS

The European Commission made positive comments on the election of Kostas Simitis as Greece's new Prime Minister.

Mr.Simitis is known in the European Union since 1981 as Agriculture Minister and especially since 1985 when as Minister of National Economy negotiated with former EU Commission President, Jacques Delors the first austerity program and the terms for the first EU loan to Greece. Mr.Simitis is regarded as very serious-minded political personality and also as a politician of recognized value and mr.Delors expressed satisfaction for his election to the post of the Prime Minister.

Satisfaction for his election was also expressed and by the leaders of the two belgian Socialist parties and by french Socialist party leader mr.Jospen with whom mr.Simitis has friendly relations.

With special interest is expected mr.Simitis' first formal presence as Prime Minister of Greece during the extraordinary Summit meeting organized by the italian EU Presidency which will be held in Torino on March 29.

Also, with great interest is expected in Brussels the appointment of the new greek Foreign Minister.

[06] US PRESIDENT CLINTON CONGRATULATED THE NEW GREEK PRIME MINISTER

The US White House issued a statement on the election of mr.Kostas Simitis as Greece's new Prime Minister.

According to the statement, US President Clinton congratulated mr.Simitis for his election adding that Greece and the United States are close friends and allies and share special ties of kinship. Also, is mentioned that the United States are looking forward to a close cooperation with greek Prime Minister Simitis.

[07] THE CONDITION OF THE FORMER GREEK PRIME MINISTER REMAINS STABLE

The condition of PASOK's leader and former greek Prime Minister, Andreas Papandreou remains stable after the special method used by his attendant doctors in order to stop the accumulation of fluid in his lungs, according to the medical bulletin issued today by the Onasion Cardiology Center.

The medical bulletin mentions that the patient's respiratory function is periodically supported by respirator and he undergoes dialysis treatment, while the physiotherapy and kinesitherapy continue.

[08] US DETERMINED TO CONTINUE INITIATIVE FOR SOLUTION IN CYPRUS

US Secretary of State Warren Christopher stated that his country is determined to continue the initiative for the solution of the Cyprus problem. The head of the US diplomacy referred to the Cyprus problem speaking yesterday in Harvard University.

Mr.Christopher said that the United States will continue their efforts for the settlement of the disputes and for the strengthening of security in many parts of the world. He said that the american peace initiatives will continue in different countries such as Northern Ireland, Haiti, Cyprus, Angola, Peru and Burundi.

UN Secretary General's Alternate Special Representative, Gustav Feisel updated cypriot President Kliridis today on the contacts he had in New York with US Presidential envoy Richard Beattie and members of the United Nations General Secretariat.

Mr.Feisel said that nothing new came up adding that the only thing missing is the political will necessary for the solution of the problem.

[09] TRIBUTE TO THE GREEK CINEMA IN MADRID AND BARCELONA

A tribute to the greek cinema will be made by the film libraries in Madrid and Barcelona and will take place on January 22nd to February 29th, according to greek Culture Ministry cinematography adviser, Yiannis Bakoyiannopoulos.

He said that the greek film festival in Madrid and in other cities of the world show that the greek cinema has a past, present and future inspite of the crisis it goes through.

It should also be noted that in Canada, the cultural center "Cine Imperial" and the Ottawa film library in cooperation with the Greek Cinema Center will make a tribute to the greek cinema that will be held on March 15th to May 15th.