From: zarros@turing.scs.carleton.ca (Theodoros Sp. Zarros) To: macedonia@husc.harvard.edu Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Wed, 8 Dec 1993 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa). Athens News Agency Bulletin, Dec. 8, 1993 ========================================= Athens, 8/12/1993 (ANA): A bill dissolving the SEP Athens urban transport company and creating a single agency for Athens urban transport was tabled in parliament last night. It is expected to be debated at a parliament plenary session Monday and, will be discussed by the parliamentary committee tomorrow, according to reports. The bill and ways of discussing and ratifying it quickly were discussed at Under-secretary to the Prime Minister Antonis Livanis' office last night by Transport and Communications Minister Ioannis Haralambous, Transport and Communications Under-secretary Thanassis Tsouras, National Defence Under-secretary Nikolaos Kouris and Under-secretary to the Prime Minister's Office Telemahos Hytiris. Mr. Kouris' participation was interpreted as proving the issue of using military buses and trucks in the event bus owners carry out their threat to immobilise buses as of this morning has been discussed. Buses will circulate as normal in the wider Athens area today, Mr. Haralambous said earlier. Mr. Haralambous said after the meeting with representatives of the SEP urban transport companies and General confederation of workers of Greece (GSEE) President Christos Protopappas, that if SEP bus owners carry out their threat to immobilise buses and seal off garages, they will face the consequences of the law. "I am sure bus owners will listen to the voice of reason, and avoid creating problems by forfeiting rights given them under the new labour law", he said. The SEP bus owners' representatives called on Mr. Charalambous to amend the urban transport bill. The bus owners cautioned Mr. Haralambous that if the bill were to be tabled in parliament, buses would remain locked up in the garages. They said they will not hand them over, and were further determined to safeguard their rights using all legal means. Meanwhile main opposition New Democracy party yesterday accused the government of "not wishing dialogue", on the bus transport issue. Political Spring (Pol.A) party leader Antonis Samaras termed confrontation between the government and the opposition on the Athens transport issue, "political vendetta with the people held hostage". Mr. Samaras reiterated his party's proposal for establishing a new agency with 51 per cent of shares going to the state, and 49 per cent to old and new staff. Athens, 8/12/1993 (ANA): Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou leaves today for Brussels to attend the European Union Summit on December 10, 11. The agenda includes the Yugoslav crisis, GATT negotiations and unemployment issues in Europe. Mr. Papandreou will raise the Skopje issue, during discussions on the Yugoslav problem, in an effort to prevent European partners establishing diplomatic relations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). Mr. Papandreou will invoke Community solidarity and principles for a joint (EU) Foreign policy as provided for in the Maastricht Treaty. The Prime Minister is also expected to raise the Skopje issue in private meetings with European leaders. Sources said yesterday Mr. Papandreou was scheduled to hold separate meetings with French President Francois Mitterrand and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl. Tomorrow Mr. Papandreou will take part in a European Socialist Party leaders' meeting to discuss European initiative on unemployment. Athens, 8/12/1993 (ANA): The Joint Inter-Government Greco-Bulgarian Economic and Scientific Technical Co-operation Committee held its 16th session in Sofia December 2-3. The official Greek delegation, headed by Alternate national Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, included representatives of the Organisation for the Promotion of Exports, the Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE), the Agricultural and National Banks, the Federation of Greek Industries and the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Mr. Papantoniou met with Bulgarian Prime Minister Lyuben Berov, Finance Minister Mr. Alexandrov, Industry Minister Mr. Bikov, Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitar Ikonomov and Commerce Under-secretary Mr. Velev for talks on further developing economic co-operation between the two countries in all sectors. The state of the two countries' economies was reviewed, together with trade and industrial relations, and matters concerning agriculture, transport and co-operation in the tourism and banking sectors. Emphasis was laid on relations between the European Union and Bulgaria, as also co-operation between Greece and Bulgaria as part of developing inter-European networks and the role of the European Union's White Paper. The Phare and Interreg II programmes were discussed and, for the first time, Phare funds may be used to finance infrastructure in Balkan countries, while co-operation between Greece and Bulgaria will take place on future joint proposals. Greece supports promotion of an agreement still pending between the European Union and Bulgaria, and possible conclusion of the issue during the Greek presidency. The Xios Bank branch office, licences for Egnatia and Ionian representation offices and talks by other banks (National, Commercial and Agriculture) on their establishment in Bulgaria will decisively support Greek firms which account for 47 per cent of foreign capital. The Greek delegation was accompanied by representatives of about 70 Greek companies covering all the spectrum of the Greek production and services sector. An Economic, Scientific and Technical Co-operation Protocol was signed at the end of the session. Athens, 8/12/1993 (ANA): Alternate National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said yesterday that Greece had not undertaken any commitment on issues concerning the reduction of working hours or pay cuts at the 6th meeting of E.C. economy and finance ministers (ECOFIN). Mr. Papantoniou added that the Greek delegation had succeeded in including three provisions in the final paper drawn up at the ECOFIN talks on general guidelines for Community economic policy in 1994. The issue of reduced working hours could initially be implemented through negotiation on a decentralised basis, that is, at company level, he said. The wording of the text concerning reductions in real wages refers, in general, to certain countries only and was not binding on Greece, Mr. Papandreou added. The original wording on insurance contributions Reduction had been amended by including the phrase "wherever feasible and possible" the minister concluded. Athens, 8/12/1993 (ANA): Greece yesterday denied reports a Greek warplane had violated the airspace of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. "The reports ... are completely groundless and untrue. Fabrication of such news confirms Skopje's provocative tactics", government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said. A radio station in Skopje reported a Greek warplane violated the former Yugoslav republic's airspace Monday, and its Foreign Ministry lodged a written protest with the Greek Consul yesterday. Athens, 8/12/1993 (ANA): It is doubtful whether Bonn will establish diplomatic relations with Skopje by the end of the year, German newspaper "General Antsaiger" reported yesterday. The newspaper quoted sources in Bonn as saying "Greece's emotional attitude is making such a step difficult". Known for privileged access with German Foreign Ministry circles, "General Antsaiger" yesterday wrote it was doubtful Bonn might establish a diplomatic mission in Skopje within 1993. "Bonn believes there is no alternative to establishing diplomatic relations, as a means to further limit the spreading of war. But it is doubtful this step will be realised within the year, as planned", the newspaper wrote. Melbourne, 8/12/1993 (ANA / S. Hatzimanolis): Australia will not, for the time being at least, recognise the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). According to reliable ANA sources, Australia will make a decision after taking into account the stance of the EC. While over the last few days, EC countries have been toying with the idea of recognising Skopje and establishing diplomatic relations with the republic, the issue has also been preoccupying the Australian government, the sources said. The Skopjan issue was discussed by Prime Minister Paul Keating, Foreign Minister Gareth Evans and Immigration Minister Nick Bolkus last week, and it was decided not to make any moves. "Australia will await the actions of the EC before making any final decision", the sources said. It is important to note that after massive Greek Australian rallying early in 1992, the Australian government announced it would not recognise Skopje unless Greek sensitivities were satisfied. Athens, 8/12/1993 (ANA): The government is closely following developments in the Balkans, spokesman Evangelos Venizelos told the press yesterday. The spokesman was commenting on Turkish Foreign Minister Hikmet Cetin's Balkan tour. Meanwhile, speaking at a press conference concluding his visit to Tirana, Mr. Cetin said Turkey believed provoking tension in Greek-Turkish relations would not solve problems between the two countries, and called on the Greek government to continue the dialogue with Turkey. Mr. Cetin also referred to his meeting with his Greek counterpart Carolos Papoulias in Brussels last week as "very useful", noting that "there was convergence of views on continuing the dialogue (between the two countries)". "Turkey avoids provoking tension in Greek-Turkish relations", he stressed, adding, "we expect Greece to do the same". Noting it was natural for problems to exist between neighbouring countries, the Turkish Minister said: "We don't believe provoking public opinion and increasing tension will lead to a solution of these problems". "We believe problems should be solved through dialogue. Anything else will not prove useful to the region or its peoples", he added. Mr. Cetin arrived in Skopje yesterday, the second leg on his Balkan tour, where he met with President Kiro Gligorov. Brussels, 8/12/1993 (ANA - P. Pantelis): The main issue discussed at yesterday's Council of Telecommunications Ministers was community backing for post office and telephone services. Telecommunications Under-secretary Thanassis Tsouras reviewed Greek positions. "With a resolution on post office services, the Greek delegation succeeded in removing a phrase undermining state protection of post offices from free competition. Moreover, it secured community funding for improving ELTA services", he said. On the question of mobile telephony, the Greek delegation said high quality telephone services should be secured. Even in regions where providing telephone services was not profitable (mountain regions and islands) they should be funded under Community programmes, he said. Mr. Tsouras, who chaired the Council of Ministers, said the Greek presidency will give priority to inter-European telecommunications digital networks, data exchange networks and digital TV systems.