MPA NEWS IN BRIEF (28/06/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency Brief News in English Directory

BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

Thessaloniki, June 28, 1996

TITLES

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] SIMITIS PUTS BID FOR PASOK PRESIDENT, WILL RESIGN IF NOT ELECTED

Beneath the 1gigantic photographs of its founder, the late Andreas Papandreou, amidst frequent and reverential references to his name, PASOK's fourth congress continues today for the second session at the Athens Olympic Stadium with more than 5,000 party delegates participating.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Kostas Simitis announced his bid for the PASOK party presidential post and stressed that if he doesn't become party president, he will resign from the premiership.

"Whoever becomes President will also have to become Premier and replace me," stated Simitis, addressing the 5000 delegates, among whom some jeered "Shame!"

"If I remain, I will give the impression that I hold powers which I cannot exercise," Mr. Simitis explained.

"Multi-headed formations are causes for concern," the Premier said and added that there could be no difference in policy between the government and the party.

"A prerequisite for success is the synchronization and the direction of the government which has the responsibility and the direction of the party. When these persons differ and there is a difference in points of view, no statute or rules can avert antagonism and the resulting impression of uncertainty and division."

Moreover, the Premier added, during the 16 months that lay ahead in the ruling party's term before general elections take place, there are great tasks left to accomplish before a victory is secured.

Mr. Simitis is expected to propose different ways of functioning for PASOK, through the creation of a new political council that wil safeguard a single center of policy for both government and party. Mr. Simitis is opposed to establishing the post of vice-president, since, according to Mr. Simitis, this could lead to dual leadership that would seek the approval of collective functions, instead of collective leadership.

Minister of Environment, City Planning and Public Works Kostas Laliotis, who is also a member of the Executive Bureau, characterized the Congress as a turning point in the party's life, stating that "we are here alone, at this most critical moment, without our founder.

Andreas Papandreou didn't have the chance to finish his message to the congress. But through his absence, he calls on us and challenges us to breath new life and open great horizons for the generations to come."

Mr. Laliotis, in his appeal to the delegates to stay united, stated that "we should give our pledges for unity, the potential and the victorious path of the great democratic movement."

Executive Bureau member Yiannis Souladakis spoke in memory of Papandreou and simply said "here we are again Andreas," bringing about enthusiastic applause from the party's delegates who began chanting in unisom "Andreas you're alive, you're giving us the drive."

Also, extensive references were made during the congress regarding the organization of the Council of Greeks Abroad and the appointment of Thessaloniki as the epicenter of Ecumenical Hellenism.

[02] PANMACEDONIAN ASSOCIATION HOLDS ITS 50TH CONFERENCE IN FLORIDA

The Pan-Macedonian Association of US-Canada's 50th Conference has officially began in Clearwater, Florida with more than 200 representatives of Macedonian unions from North America participating.

The conference's primary targets are to prevent Skopje from acquiring the name "Republic of Macedonia" and to prepare the way for the Union's International Conference that will be held in Thessaloniki in 1997.

The Association's President Athanasios Voulgaropoulos stated to the Macedonian-Press Agency that the main topic of concern is to find a lasting solution to the FYROM name issue, although, he added, there are other national issues that matter equally, such as Cyprus, safeguarding the human rights of the greek minority living in Albania, the turkish threats in the Aegean Sea and Thrace, and the existance of the Patriarchate.

Today's session will brainstrom over the election of a presidium and committee, while various discussions will be held regarding communication between the Association and the various organizations of Greeks Aborad.

Participating at the Conference are the Greek Ambassador to the United States Lukas Tsilas, Macedonia-Thrace Ministry's Secretary General of Repatriation Christos Kamenides, the Director of the Ministry's Cultural Office Gabriel Koptsides and the Director of the Center of Macedonians Abroad Kostas Pyrzas.

[03] ARCHBISHIP IACOVOS PRESIDES THE HOLY SUB-PREFECT SYNOD FOR LAST TIME

Archbishop of North and South America Iacovos presided for the last time the Holy Sub-prefect Synod of the Archbishopry, putting an end to his lengthy presence in the leadership of the Greek Orthodox Church in America. Duirng the Synod, Mr. Iakovos announced his departure and thanked the Metropolite of New Jersey Mr. Sila, who is Mr. Iakovos' successor, as well as the other bishops for their lengthy cooperation.

Mr. Iakovos will fully depart from the Archbishopry on July 29, as was agreed upon with the Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos. His successor has not yet been appointed, although included among the likely candidates are the Archbishop of Italy, the Metropolite of Switzerland and possibly the Archbishop of Australia.

[04] GREEKS ABROAD EMBARK ON CAMPAIGN TO STRAIGHTEN UP TURKEY

The Greek-American organizations based in the United States will inform American officials and various media each time Turkey proceeds to a provocative act against Greece.

According to an announcement issued by the Council of Greeks Abroad, presided by Andrew Athens, these efforts will aim at gaining the Americans' awareness of Turkey's intentions.

Moreover, the President of the World Co-ordinated Committee on the Cypriot Struggle Phillip Christopher pointed out that the Americans who shape public opinion in the United States, as well as the media, are not always fully aware of the turkish acts.

[05] US, BRITAIN COORDINATE EFFORTS ON CYPRIOT PROBLEM

United States President Bill Clinton and British Prime Minister John Major have agreed to coordinate their efforts in order to arrive at a safe settlemenm of the cypriot problem next month.

According to a White House spokesperson, the two leaders, who met in Lyon, France during a summit meeting of the seven major industrial nations, noted that the imminent negotiations between Cyprus and the European Union provide a valuable opportunity to proceed in finding a solution to the issue.

[06] SECURITY COUNCIL TO ISSUE RESOLUTION OF UNFICYP'S STAY RENEWAL

Members of the Security Council have issued a resolution regarding the renewal of the UNFICYP peacekeeping forces' stay in Cyprus, a plan that is expected to be approved today.

Moreover, the resolution refers to the efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem and expresses its support for the UN Secretary- General's services, while also recognizing the European Union's decision to begin accession negotiations with Cyprus, one that is characterized in the resolution as a significant development that can aid the total settlelemt.

Also, the resolution denounces the recent killing of the Greek-Cypriot National Guardsman Stellios Panagis and expresses the Security Council's concern over the turkish militarization and fly-overs in Cyprus' FIR, during military exercises, which end up in increasing tension in the region.

Lastly, the Security Council calls the Turk-Cypriot side to fully respect the basic freedoms of those who live in the occupied territory.

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