BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN (29/01/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

January 29, 1996

NEWS IN BRIEF

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[01] NEW GREEK PRIME MINISTER PRESENTED HIS GOVERNMENT'S PROGRAMME

Mr. Simitis presented his policy outline in te form of six action axes. First aim, is to strengthen the country, the Premier said while emphasizing that Greece will remain a peace-promoting factor. Mr. Simitis stated that the country is able to confront the turkish imperialist tendencies and any nationalist outburst in the neighboring region.

Secondly, the Premier also said that merely an effcient foreign policy is not enough.

"Strength is a result of our ability to compete successfully in a world of inter-dependence," Mr. Simitis said, adding that the cooperation of the various policy-making bodies will compose a strong national strategy.

The government's third aim is to promote development and then proceed into a social policy. According to Mr. Simitis, Social protection is a primary part of the development process, not the crowning of its potential success.

"The nucleus of our work, the work of a socialist party will be the creation of a social protective net in order to secure boundaries of social welfare and care," Mr. simitis said.

Fourth, the Premier also stated that Greece is a country amidst a borderless international economy. He added that Greece participates -both materially and politically- into international systems such as the European Union and the International Trade Organization. He directly lineated Greece's economic development with its inclusion in the international economic progress.

Referring to the government's economic policy, Mr. Simitis said that the ulterior target is to allign Greece with the final phase of the Economic and Monetary European Union, noting that during 1996 the country's GNP is expected to rise at least 2,5%, while inflation is expected to drop at 5%.

Fifth, the Premier conceded that Greece's current political state is a characteristic centralized one, despite the noticeable improvements. He favored the individual's autonomy and the importance of the citizen's inclusion in the social progress.

Sixth, "Europe is our world, and the european embodiment is one of our priorities," stated the greek Premier, noting that his government's aims will promote Greece's position into a leading one in the Southeastern european region.

Mr. Simitis stressed the importance of integrity in the public sector, stating that the country's citiizens demand exemplary behavior from the ruling class.

The greek Prime Minister further outlined a constructive cooperation with the U.S., bilateral economic relations with the balkan region, and the promotion of the Overseas Hellenism Council's efforts to promote Greece throughout the world.

[02] GREECE'S PREMIER ISSUES STERN WARNING TO TURKEY ABOUT IMIA

The greek Prime Minister mentions in his statement that Turkey's nationalist circles are known to create tension with Greece every time Turkey's internal political situation calls for it and this incident is placed within this framework. Mr.Simitis said that the climate expressed by this action is a very serious issue, showing an aggressive nationalism. He said that to this and to any aggressive nationalism Greece's response will be strong, direct and effective.

The greek Prime Minister stated that Greece has the means and will use them with no hesitation. He concluded by stressing that Greece will accept absolutely no dispute regarding its sovereign rights.

[03] INTERNATIONAL JOURNALISTS' FEDERATION ASKED TO DENOUNCE IMIA ACT

In its complaint, the greek journalists' organization, denounces the flag-removal act, which was promoted throughout the turkish media as a "journalistic thriumph", as being contrary to the international journalistic ideology.

According to the Panhellenic Federation of Editors' Unions, "a journalist's duty is to promote, not challenge, the resolving of differences between countries, through the use of peaceful means."

Also, the greek journalists have asked the International Federation to ascertain if turkish journalists were indeed involved in this action and, if so, to denounce it as an act that linearly contradicts basic journalism ethics.

[04] ANKARA PROCEEDS TO OFFICIAL PROTESTATION REGARDING IMIA

According to the turkish state news agency, ANADOLU, the turk Minister has declared that his country will not accept the greek 'fait accompli' in the Aegean, and that "Turkey knows how to protect its rights."

Moreover, the turk Minister of Foreign Affairs has said that the Imia problem is of a legal nature and, as such, Turkey will not accept the greek position that the Paris Peace Accord assigns Imia to Greece.

Specifically, the turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs claims that the agreement between Italy and Turkey signed on January 1932 was not referring to the groups of islets -of which Imia is part- and the following agreement of December 1932 was left incomplete.

In addition, Ankara supports that 14 of the islands granted to Greece in 1947 are itemized by name and that in the particular agreement there was mention of certain islets in which Imia is not included, as it is not considered to be an islet and it stands 5,5 miles away from the nearest greek island.

In the official protestation, Turkey asks Greece to remove its symbols from the islet. A spokesperson of the turkish Foreign Affairs Ministry claimed today "that the Imia island belongs to Turkey."

Speaking to journalists, turk Ambassador Imer Akbel stated that "according to the information that exists and from the aspect of international law, the islet Imia (Kardak, as the turks call it,) belongs to Turkey."

"It is clear," Mr. Akbel said, " that there is a disagreement with Greece, known to Greece since 1950-53, when the turkish government attempted to clarify these issues." The Ambassador added that Greece avoided any negotiations at that time.

When asked if the greek flag will remain in Imia, the turkish diplomat responded that the greek flag can remain but added that "this will not serve any peaceful and constructive means."

Meanwhile, the turkish newspaper which first published the story, "Hurriyet", and whose crew erected the turkish flag on the islet, continued today to publish inflamatory reports.

In its latest article, "Hurriyet" reports that a large number of war ships belonging to both countries have surrounded the island, maintaining dangerously short distances between them.

Also according to "Hurriyet", the turkish ruling class has been stirred by the recent episode. The paper reported that the leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) Bulent Ecevit, accused the government of having shelved Aegean-related issues for far too long and, as such, the recent dispute has arisen from Turkey's inactivity.

In Turkey last evening, all the privately-owned television stations broadcast the video recorded when the newspaper's crew removed the greek flag and erected the turkish one. However, the turkish state-owned television station abstained from broadcasting the video and made no mention of the Imia issue.

[05] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER IN THE EU GENERAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL IN BRUSSELS

According to information, the Council will examine the reconstruction of former Yugoslavia, the issue of EU humanitarian aid, the regulation on Mediterranean policy, the allocation of funds, the prospects of the EU relations with Albania and the situation in former Soviet Union.

Italy, currently holding the rotating EU Presidency, is possible to present a report on its initiative on Cyprus after the recent visit to Athens by its Foreign Minister and Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs.

[06] THE CONDITION OF PASOK'S LEADER IS SATISFACTORY

The medical bulletin, that is being issued daily since mr.Papandreou's hospitalization 71 days ago, also mentions that the physiotherapy is continuing successfully.

[07] GREEK AND YUGOSLAV UNIVERSITIES RECTORS MEET IN THESSALONIKI

The meeting focused on the coordination of scientific activities among the Universities in Balkan and Black Sea countries, specifically, betweenthe universities of Northern Greece and Yugoslavia.

The Rector of the Yugoslav University Nis, Mr. Branimir Giorgevic, has expressed his satisfaction at being in Greece after the lift of the embargo.

Mr. Giorgevic also expressed his interest at looking into the European Union assets provided to the greek universities and in promoting yugoslav student internships in greek universities.

[08] LAWYER ACCUSED OF EMBEZZLING ONE BILLION DRACHMAS

Penelope Kampouraki, 50, is suspected of having sold hundreds of non-existing securities and bonds to various clients, by promising them return interest rates of 24%.

Police discovered in the lawyer's office titles of fraudulent securities and bonds amounting to more than one hundred. In most instances, the unknowing investors were granted the interest money by Kampouraki, who then held the post of legal advisor at the Greek Mortgage Bank.

State officials have been alerted to forbid Kampouraki's exit from the country.

[09] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES REPORT

CURRENCY               FIXING      BUY         SELL
ECU                  302.8700    301.9610   303.7790
U.S. Dollar	     246.8850    246.1440   247.6260
Deutsche Mark	     165.6700 	 165.1730   166.1670
UK Sterling	     371.3900 	 370.2760   372.5040
French Franc	      48.1420 	  47.9980    48.2860
Swedish Crown	      35.3230 	  35.2170    35.4290
Danish Kroner	      42.8250 	  42.6970    42.9530
Norwegian Crown	      37.8090 	  37.6960    37.9220
Italian Lira	      15.3825 	  15.3360    15.4290
Swiss Franc	     203.3160 	 202.7060   203.9260
Spanish Peseta	        1.9526	   1.946 7    1.9585
Finnish Mark	      54.1230 	  53.9610    54.2850
Yen                  231.5850    230.8900   232.2800