MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (23/09/1996)

From: Macedonian Press Agency <mpa@philippos.mpa.gr>

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki September 23, 1996

TITLES

• [01] PRIME MINISTER ELECT, KOSTAS SIMITIS WILL ANNOUNCE THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT TOMORROW
• [02] THE PROCEDURES FOR THE ELECTION OF A NEW N.D. LEADER WILL BE INITIATED TODAY BY MR.EVERT
• [03] THE HONORARY PRESIDENT OF N.D. DID NOT CLARIFY IF HE WILL BE A CANDIDATE FOR THE PARTY'S LEADERSHIP
• [04] PASOK GOT 41,51% OF THE VOTES IN YESTERDAY'S ELECTIONS BASED ON THE RESULTS COMING FROM OVER 97% OF THE POLLING STATIONS
• [05] THE POLITICAL WORLD IN CYPRUS WELCOMES MR.SIMITIS' ELECTION
• [06] THE CYPRIOT PRESIDENT SENT CONGRATULATORY TELEGRAM TO MR.SIMITIS
• [07] THE GERMAN SPD CHAIRMAN SENT A CONGRATULATORY TELEGRAM TO MR.SIMITIS FOR HIS PARTY'S ELECTION VICTORY
• [08] THE INTERNATIONAL NEWS AGENCIES COVERED EXTENSIVELY PASOK'S VICTORY
• [09] THE TURKISH STATE TELEVISION PRAISED MR.SIMITIS IN ITS REPORTS ON PASOK'S ELECTION VICTORY
• [10] FOREIGN MINISTER PANGALOS WILL ATTEND THE 51ST UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
• [11] THE GREEK NEWSPAPERS ON PASOK'S ELECTION VICTORY AND MR.EVERT'S RESIGNATION

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] PRIME MINISTER ELECT, KOSTAS SIMITIS WILL ANNOUNCE THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT TOMORROW

Athens 23 September (M.P.A.)

Mr.Simitis stayed in his office until the early morning hours today receiving the congratulations of leading PASOK members, while starting today he will begin contacts in order to form a new government.

Meanwhile, President of the Republic, Kostis Stephanopoulos gave at noon today the mandate to form a new government to the winner of yesterday's elections, mr.Kostas Simitis.

[02] THE PROCEDURES FOR THE ELECTION OF A NEW N.D. LEADER WILL BE INITIATED TODAY BY MR.EVERT

Athens 23 September (M.P.A.)

ND leading member, Stephanos Manos has already expressed his intention to be a candidate for the party's leadership, while this option was also left open by mr.Souflias, mr.Varvitsiotis, mr.Kefaloyiannis and ms. Bakoyianni, who will give a press conference today.

Mr.Konstantinos Mitsotakis refused to comment on mr.Evert's decision to resign, while mr.Varvitsiotis characterized the resignation as a brave and honorable decision, stressing that from his part will do everything for the party's reform.

[03] THE HONORARY PRESIDENT OF N.D. DID NOT CLARIFY IF HE WILL BE A CANDIDATE FOR THE PARTY'S LEADERSHIP

Athens 23 September (M.P.A.)

Mr.Mitsotakis stated that he will not make statements concerning the past or the immediate future. He commented that with mr.Simitis' election the greek political problem was not solved, adding that mr.Simitis is now weaker than he was before the elections.

The New Democracy honorary leader stated that mr.Simitis faces the same in-party problems only now he will have to deal and with the opposition coming from the left, namely, mr.Tsovolas the leader of Democratic Social Movement. Mr.Mitsotakis expressed doubts if mr.Simitis will be in a position to make the big decisions necessary for the benefit of the nation.

Also, mr.Mitsotakis refused to make any comments on mr.Evert's resignation from the party leadership.

[04] PASOK GOT 41,51% OF THE VOTES IN YESTERDAY'S ELECTIONS BASED ON THE RESULTS COMING FROM OVER 97% OF THE POLLING STATIONS

Athens 23 September (M.P.A.)

Conservative New Democracy got 38,15% and 108 seats, the Communist party comes third with 5,60% and 11 seats, Coalition of the Left (Sinaspismos) won 5,10% of the vote and 10 seats and Democractic Social Movement got 4,43% and 9 seats. Political Spring got 2,94% and is not represented in Parliament, as it did not manage to win the minimum 3% of the votes needed in order for a political party to enter the greek Parliament.

[05] THE POLITICAL WORLD IN CYPRUS WELCOMES MR.SIMITIS' ELECTION

Nicosia 23 September (M.P.A.)

Democratic Alarm leader, Yiannakis Matsis welcomed the election of a strong government in Greece. Referring to mr.Evert, mr.Matsis congratulated him for his decision to resign from the leadership of ND, pointing out that this decision needed political courage and honesty and if he was in a similar position he would have done the same thing.

AKEL's General Secretary, Dimitris Christofias congratulated the greek Communist party for its success and stressed that Cyprus expects from mr.Simitis to continue to offer Greece's support.

DHKO president, Spiros Kiprianou expressed the belief that the policy followed on the issues of national importance will remain unchanged, adding that Simitis' election will have a positive effect on the Cyprus problem.

EDEK's president, Vasos Lissaridis expressed satisfaction over the results of yesterday's elections, stressing that if the nation in general needed PASOK's victory for the continuation of its constructive policy for Greece, the cypriot hellenism needed it even more.

Commenting on the election results KED president, Giorgos Vasiliou stated that the cooperation between Greece and Cyprus must continue, while the policy followed by mr.Simitis since January must remain unchanged.

[06] THE CYPRIOT PRESIDENT SENT CONGRATULATORY TELEGRAM TO MR.SIMITIS

London 23 September (M.P.A.)

Meanwhile, speaking to BBC, Foreign Minister, Alekos Michailidis stressed that in mr.Kliridis' telegram is pointed out that the cypriot side wants the continuation of the close cooperation with Greece for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Mr.Michailidis characterized mr.Simitis' victory as positive development for the course of the Cyprus problem and expressed the belief that the cooperation between Greece and Cyprus will continue and in the future.

[07] THE GERMAN SPD CHAIRMAN SENT A CONGRATULATORY TELEGRAM TO MR.SIMITIS FOR HIS PARTY'S ELECTION VICTORY

Bonn 23 September (M.P.A.)

The leader of the main german opposition party characterizes the election results as a "great personal victory" of the greek Prime Minister and also, as a confirmation that the greek people support "the course toward renewal".

[08] THE INTERNATIONAL NEWS AGENCIES COVERED EXTENSIVELY PASOK'S VICTORY

London 23 September (M.P.A.)

A Reuters news agency telegram stresses that Simitis' victory did not come as a surprise to the majority of the economic analysts, while the transactions in the Stock Market are expected to show a notable increase. Also, according to speculations, there will be a decrease of interest rates in the market, as well as foreign exchange inflow for the purchase of state bonds.

Also, it mentions that based on the economic analysts, the Ministries of Finance and National Economy will be merged, while they point out that mr.Simitis will start from today to study plans concerning the forming of the new cabinet in which significant changes are expected to take place.

According to statements made to Reuters by a former Simitis government member, mr.Simitis took a big risk and won, while it is also stressed that this success offers him the capability to make sweeping changes. In the same telegram is mentioned that changes are also expected in the Ministries of Defence, Foreign Affairs and Finance.

An Associated Press telegram compares the mild and calm way through which mr.Simitis seeks to win international support concerning the greek-turkish issues and the Cyprus problem, to mr.Evert's hard stance and aggressive style.

The french radio and television stations spoke about a personal victory of mr.Simitis by characteristically mentioning that he decided to turn the Papandreou page and to put Greece on the path to modernization. They mentioned that his pre-election campaign was based on the European idea, to which mr.Simitis believes without any reservations contrary to his predecessor.

The british press inspite of the limited coverage it gave to the greek elections was certain of PASOK's victory.

The US television channels mentioned that Washington was satisfied with mr.Simitis victory as according to diplomatic circles, this victory will give him the chance to deal decisively with the solution of the problems Greece has with neighbouring states.

[09] THE TURKISH STATE TELEVISION PRAISED MR.SIMITIS IN ITS REPORTS ON PASOK'S ELECTION VICTORY

Ankara 23 September (M.P.A.)

According to TRT-1, the most important message of these election results is that the greek people turn toward political understanding. Regarding mr.Simitis she reported that he is not anti-western, does not talk much making big promises and follows a milder position toward Turkey.

The turkish television also mentioned that mr.Simitis' image is that of a western intellectual leader and his message is that Greece must escape from its isolation in Europe and the western world, to which had been driven by Papandreou's scandals. The turkish TV also mentioned that mr.Simitis believes that Greece must become a part of Europe in the economic and political sector.

The correspondent of the turkish television pointed out that mr.Simitis followed a different approach toward Turkey during his pre-election campaign by saying that he will not enter negotiations, while at the same time, clarifying that he wants a peaceful solution to the problems.

It was also mentioned that now remains to be seen who will become Foreign Minister, adding that there are two options open for the post, that of mr.Pangalos, who does not have much support from western diplomatic circles and of Giorgos Papandreou, well-known for his mild attitude and his style of a western politician.

The turkish state television also mentioned mr.Evert's resignation after his election defeat, while characterized the increased representation of the Communist party and Sinaspismos in the greek Parliament, as a revival of the left.

[10] FOREIGN MINISTER PANGALOS WILL ATTEND THE 51ST UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Athens 23 September (M.P.A.)

During his 6-day stay in the United States, the greek Foreign Minister will have contacts with his counterparts from the European Union, Bulgaria, Iraq, Slovenia, New Yugoslavia, Cuba, Australia and Colombia. Also, mr.Pangalos will meet with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Cyprus and Malta, while he will have a meeting with Archbishop of America, Spiridon.

On Friday, mr.Pangalos will address the UN General Assembly, while he will have a meeting with UN Secretary General, Boutros Ghali to discuss the greek-turkish relations and the Cyprus problem.

[11] THE GREEK NEWSPAPERS ON PASOK'S ELECTION VICTORY AND MR.EVERT'S RESIGNATION

Thessaloniki 23 September (M.P.A.)

"Avriani of Macedonia-Thrace" with a front page headline "Triumph of Simitis. New Era for a strong Greece", writes that the greek people gave mr.Simitis the go ahead to make deep changes in the economy and in all levels of public life in order for the country to enter the course toward the european unification. Regarding mr.Evert's resignation, the newspaper writes that it was "expected".

"Apogevmatini" writes that New Democracy has paid the price for the discord within the party and characterized mr.Evert's decision to resign as an act of bravery. In its main article writes that New Democracy yesterday lost a battle and not the war, adding that certain leading party members are responsible for yesterday's defeat.

"Avgi" writes that yesterday's results were a big step forward for the Left, while "Rizospastis" underlines the importance of the fact that the Communist party became the third power in Parliament.

"Angelioforos" writes that reason has won and underlines that it is a triumph of Democracy the fact that the number of parties represented in Parliament has increased.

"Eleftherotypia" writes on its front page: "Double victory for PASOK. Simitis got 42%. Center-Left Parliament", while it underlines that in the new government will participate many new faces. The newspaper also mentions that the developments in New Democracy are dramatic and that the setting is changing.

Today's issue of the newspaper "Adesmeftos Typos" strongly criticizes the New Democracy leadership for the mistakes in the party's argumentation and strategy during the pre-election period, stressing that the party's supporters are certainly not the ones to blame for the defeat.

"Ethnos" writes that the new Parliament is dominated by the powers of democratic socialism and the Left, while referring to the developments in New Democracy writes "Earthquake hits N.D., Evert resigns after the Waterloo".

The newspaper "Ta Nea" writes that PASOK has triumphed and also, mentions that Varvitsiotis, Manos and Bakoyianni are candidates for the leadership of New Democracy.

"Eleftheros Typos" devotes its front page article to the situation inside ND and writes that rapid developments followed after Evert's brave resignation from the party's leadership.

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