From: miltos@nfl2.irc.nrc.ca Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Thursday, Oct.7, 1993 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa). Athens News Agency bulletin, October 7, 1993 Athens,7/10/93 (ANA) - Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Maria Damanaki yesterday urged voters to choose "the high ground" and support her party in the October 10 elections to "purge" Greek political life. "We are appealing to the hearts and minds not only of leftists and progressive but of all citizens ... to put an end to the conservative policies and the vicious cycle of aged bipolarism, of lost opportunities... We want to change our lives", she told a campaign rally at Athens' central Pedio tou Areos park. Decrying the "mud-slinging match" between Greece's two largest parties and the fledgling Political Spring, led by former conservative foreign minister Antonis Samaras, Ms Damanaki said their "20-bilion-drachma propaganda terrorism" had obscured the issue. "Greece can move forward... for this to occur, we need a binding programme, credibility, popular support and contact with the social classes", she said. "Our programme foresees the democratic, progressive modernisation of our country. It is a programme with four guiding lines: the broadening of democracy, the reduction of social inequalities, viable growth and purging of political life", she added. Ms Damanaki said the Left Coalition was part of the European left "struggling today with all its forces to intervene in the process of European union so that it can be led towards democratic political co-operation, social solidarity and respect for citizens and nature". She also called for a review of Greece's foreign policy goals, adding that priority should be given "to the existing dangers beyond the eastern borders" and greater emphasis placed on the Cyprus issue. "We should seek, through the dialogue in the framework of the United Nations, a just and viable solution (on Cyprus), with the positive precedent of the historic agreement between the Palestinians and Israel", she said. In a thinly-veiled criticism of the Communist Party of Greece, Ms Damanaki said the Left could not afford to adopt "perspectives of national isolation" or "view everyone else as barbarians". She also reiterated the Left Coalition's rejection of PASOK's overtures for post-election co-operation. A PASOK victory in Sunday's elections would not herald a newer or brighter era "because there is nothing that indicates that PASOK has broken with its past", Ms Damanaki said. Athens, 7/10/93 (ANA) - "Specific, objective and realistic" are the Federation of Commercial Associations of Greece's proposals on economy and trade submitted to leaders of all political parties contesting the October 10 elections, a press conference was told yesterday. A spokesman for the federation said the main proposals included: the continuation of the economic stabilisation programme and the fight to keep down inflation; lower bank rates on loans; implementation of the Delors II package of aid with the maximum participation of Greek firms; establishment of the conditions for sound and healthy competition; reconsideration of the taxation status of personal companies; and a prohibition on Sunday trading. Athens, 7/10/93 (ANA) - National Economy and Finance Minister Stephanos Manos is scheduled to fly to Brussels Saturday to attend an informal meeting of European Community economy and finance ministers. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Prime Minister Constantine Mitsotakis, Mr Manos said the purpose of his trip was to discuss issues related to Greece's assumption of the EC's rotating presidency on January 1. Asked to comment on the course of the economy, the minister said annual inflation was running at 11.5 per cent "although this is not the level we desired". "We've waited for 240 months (for inflation to fall), let's wait another quarter", he added. Athens, 7/10/93 (ANA) - Greece is the largest foreign investor in Bulgaria and accounts for 77 per cent of all foreign investment in that former communist country, according to a report published yesterday by the Greek Centre for European Studies (EKEM). The report also said Greece was Bulgaria's third largest trading partner, after Russia and Germany. According to EKEM data, Greece has consolidated its economic penetration of the Balkans, rising from the tenth to the eight biggest foreign investor in Romania. The centre also reported a "satisfactory" Greek economic presence in Albania but said prospects for Greek investments and exports would have been stronger in the absence of tensions in bilateral relations. EKEM added that the experience gained over the last three "difficult" years by Greek firms conducting business in the Balkans would be "strong capital" for further Greek economic penetration of the region once the crisis in former Yugoslavia is resolved. Athens, 7/10/93 (ANA) - National Economy and Finance Minister Stephanos Manos yesterday described as "the usual nonsense" press reports that Greece would not receive 50 billion drachmas in Community funds due to an alleged delay in the construction of the Athens Metro. A six-year project is bound to have some delays", he said, adding that the funds were not being lost because they were being absorbed by other projects. He said 90 per cent of the funds required for the construction of the Metro had already been secured. In his former capacity as Environment, Town Planning and Public Works minister, Mr Manos had negotiated and signed the agreement for the construction of the Metro. Representing the premier, Mr Manos yesterday visited the Larissa station construction site to inspect progress and the beginning of operations to assemble the giant TBM excavator, previously used to construct the "Channel". The excavator takes some three months to assemble. According to the management of the Attica Metro Company, the excavator will begin operating in December. A similar machine, currently under construction in France, will be delivered to Greece later this year. New York, 7/10/93 (ANA) - Archbishop Iakovos of North and South America has recovered satisfactorily from his illness and has already begun working, an announcement from the Holy Diocese said yesterday. It is expected that Archbishop Iakovos will return to his office by next week and that he will have completely recovered by the second fortnight in October, the archbishop's physician said in an announcement. Consequently, the Holy Synod's autumn session and the convocation of the Diocese Council will go ahead as planned. The Archbishop expressed his thanks for the interest, wishes and prayers of expatriate Greeks during his illness.