From: tzarros@ccs.carleton.ca () Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Mon, 13 Jun 1994 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa). Athens News Agency Bulletin, Europoll gives PASOK clear lead, raises questions among two main parties --------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 13/6/1994 (ANA): Greece's ruling socialist PASOK party took a clear lead in yesterday's European Parliament elections, according to returns released by the Interior Ministry early today. With 41.14 per cent of the total national vote counted, PASOK won 37.53 per cent (about 9 points down from last October's general elections) trailed by the main opposition New Democracy party, turning out its worst showing in more than a decade, with 33.76 per cent. Political Spring (Pol.An) party scored 8.53 per cent, followed by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) 5.97 per cent and the Coalition of the Left and Progress (SYNASPISMOS) 5.92 per cent. The Democratic Renewal party (DIANA) gained 2.85 per cent. On the strength of these results PASOK is so far allotted 10 out of Greece's 25-seat representation in the European Parliament. New Democracy wins nine seats. Pol.An, Coalition of the Left and KKE receive two seats each and DHANA none. Interior Ministry sources said returns accounted for voting in 7,182 out of 17,456 polling centres. They said voter participation was 69.3 per cent with 3.89 per cent of ballot papers either blank or invalid. Premier: Set to press ahead with policies ----------------------------------------- Athens, 13/6/1994 (ANA): In a televised statement after initial nation-wide returns, Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou said his socialist government was determined to press ahead with its policy programme, regardless of the election outcome. "The election was not a national poll. It concerned the European Parliament only. No one can overestimate, underestimate or misconstrue the results," Mr. Papandreou said, adding that "in these elections the fate of the government was not an issue." "PASOK is again the winning party and the government will continue with its programme, intensifying it pace and efforts to respond to the people's mandate and address the nation's acute problems," Mr. Papandreou said in a televised statement early today. New Democracy leader -------------------- Athens, 13/6/1994 (ANA): Main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert challenged the government's capacity to rule the country after suffering what he described a "disastrous defeat". "It is the first time that a ruling party suffers such a loss after only eight months in power. It has lost one out of every five of its supporters," he said, noting that he was not raising an issue of early general elections. Mr. Evert said he would not change his party's line despite reduced support from conservative voters. "The party line will not change, but there will be certain changes in tactics to achieve the party's modernisation and success in a 'peaceful revolution'," he said. The new conservative leader said he was not worried about party unity, but "we must alter its image". Political Spring leader ----------------------- Athens, 13/6/1994 (ANA): Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras expressed full satisfaction noting that yesterday's elections opened a "new political era" for Greece and "the beginning of the collapse of the two-party domination" of the country's political system. KKE leader Aleka Paparriga said she was satisfied with the results of the elections, saying the people and the working class conveyed an "important message to the two major parties in Greece". Ms Paparriga, whose party strongly opposes European Union, said both New Democracy and PASOK has suffered a great defeat. Coalition of the Left and Progress President Nikos Costantopoulos expressed satisfaction over his party's score saying it reflected the "Greek people's responsibility and maturity". Pangalos: Europoll results no challenge to government stability ---------------------------------------------------------------- Brussels, 13/6/1994 (ANA): "Government stability is not challenged", Alternate Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos stated in Brussels late last night , commenting on the fall in popular support to the government in Euroelections compared to the national elections last autumn as "a problem of communication with the electoral body". "The message returned by the people of Greece by its vote is not that the government should change course, but that it should follow with consistency enunciated policies. The people have rejected lack of effectiveness and transparency in our policy... They expect us to show boldness in handling national issues and apply a recovery programme for the economy", he said. Mr Pangalos referred to a "general phenomenon of European governments being voted down and established institutional parties having doubt cast upon them". The new European Parliament "should grapple with the real problems of Europe, such as unemployment and drugs", he said. Commenting on the emergence of the Political Spring party on the political scene, Mr. Pangalos said it was a transient phenomenon, "a movement of far-right wing nationalist mongering and social demagogy." President, PM, political leaders on Europoll impact ------------------------------------------------- Athens, 13/6/1994 (ANA): President of the Republic Constantine Karamanlis yesterday expressed hope the result of the European elections would strengthen the spirit of solidarity in the European Union. "I hope the result of these elections will enhance the spirit of cohesion and solidarity in the European Union," Mr. Karamanlis told reporters after casting his ballot yesterday. "This spirit which was Europe's greatest strength, has been alarmingly weakened lately," he added. Leaving the polling station, Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou described the Euroelections as "very important" and "decisive" for the future of Greece and Europe. "I wish," Mr. Papandreou said, "all the Greeks will be present at the polls." After casting his vote, main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert expressed optimism at the results of the elections. "I am content that the European elections are conducted in a European spirit, in serenity," he told reporters. Former Prime Minister and ND Honorary President Constantine Mitsotakis described the elections as "purely political" and added that "their political message will have an impact on (domestic) developments." Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras told reporters in Pylos, where he cast his ballot, that he hoped "this night will dawn a new day in the political order of our country." Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary-General Aleca Paparriga said the working masses which form the very foundation of the Greek people will "oppose European Union mandates that put Greece at a disadvantage." KKE Honorary President Harilaos Florakis said the "results of the elections will not determine the relations of our country with the European Union, but they will form a vital springboard for further developments in our country." Coalition of the Left and Progress (SYN) President Nikos Costantopoulos told reporters as soon as he cast his vote that these elections "have their own significance for Greece and Europe." Expressing optimism for the results of the elections he said it would spark a "countdown." Democratic Renewal (DIANA) Kostis Stephanopoulos told reporters in Patras where voted, that the importance of the elections was understood (by the Greek people) since Greece will have 25 seats in the European Parliament from which it will be able to defend its national interests. He added that the (Greek people) also understood the significance of the elections on Greece's domestic affairs. Communities abstain from poll ----------------------------- Athens, 13/6/1994 (ANA): Five communities abstained from yesterday's polls protesting what they called the "state's indifference to their problems". More than 4,000 voters in the Xiromero region of the Aetoloakarnania prefecture refused to vote in protest against problems they suffered from the state in selling this year's tobacco crop. Voters in the northern border community of Melissopetra, Konitsa, cast black ballots to protest a decision by the Agriculture Ministry to hand over exploitation of a local forest to private businessmen. Another 230 residents, in the community of Rakeon, Samos, refused to vote because their region had no road to communicate with urban centres on the island. In the community of Arsenoi, Messinia, 400 voters abstained, protesting the shortage of water in the region. PM Euro-election message ------------------------ Athens, 13/6/1994 (ANA): Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou Saturday issued a statement as President of the European Council: "European citizens are called upon to elect their representatives to the great democratic forum, the European Parliament, for the first time since the Treaty of Maastricht has come into force. "European peoples form by their vote the great European political groupings both for the present and future of Europe, including the course and pace of European integration. "All European citizens taking part in this procedure share in forming the prospect of a United Europe and possess the necessary criteria allowing them to decide and choose. "In the face of such an important moment for Europe, I wholeheartedly believe we can view with optimism prospects of the European Union and look forward to the emergence of a common future full of hope for all European peoples". EU to discus three Greece-related issues ---------------------------------------- Athens, 13/6/1994 (ANA): Three issues of particular importance to Greece will be discussed at European Union level this week: - The Regional Development Plan (RDP) will most probably be approved on Thursday by the European Commission, based on discussions that have already taken place with the Greek Government. The RDP includes all projects, big and small, that will be undertaken from now until 1999, such as the Athens subway, the Rion-Antirrion bridge, Spata airport, the Egnatia highway and road and airport improvements. Total cost is estimated at 7 trillion drachmae. - National Economy Ministry officials will discuss in Brussels the last details of the Convergence Programme, which will be submitted to the European Commission immediately after the Corfu Summit. The plan is expected to be discussed by the EU Monetary Committee on June 29. The Convergence Programme envisages an increase in the primary surplus from 400 billion drachmae this year to 900 billion in 1995, a decrease in public debt from 111% of GNP now to 103% in 1999, guaranteeing workers' real incomes, annual GNP growth 2% until 1999, and an increase in revenue of between 1.5% and 2% annually without imposing new taxes. FYROM ----- Athens, 13/6/1994 (ANA): State plenipotentiaries are due in Luxembourg tomorrow, to support Greek positions on the Commission's application for temporary measures against Greece for imposing retortion measures against the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The text defining Greek positions runs to over 300 pages including appendices. A significant part is devoted to Skopje's provocations in connection with the use of symbols, the flag and the Constitution. In particular, it is mentioned that Skopje adopted the Star of Vergina as the emblem of their flag in August 1992, while FYROM President Kiro Gligorov, in a letter dated March 29, 1993, rejected categorically mediators' proposals and the idea of any change in the name. Another significant part of Greek remarks is devoted to the policy of the Greek Government since the elections of 1993 and efforts made for an end to Skopje's irredentist propaganda. It is also pointed out that US President Clinton has decided not to proceed to an official establishment of diplomatic relations with Skopje. Greece's EU partners, it is noted, had received prior notification of the measures against FYROM and the European Parliament adopted a resolution on March 10, 1993, acknowledging Greek anxieties. Finally, attention is drawn to the fact that the loss of trade to the Community incurred as a result of Greek retortion measures does not exceed 0.067% of total exports. On the basis of the above observations, the Greek government asks that the imposition of temporary measures is rejected and that the European Commission pays for all judicial expenses. Council of State ruling on EU nationals, language schools --------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 13/6/1994 (ANA): The Council of State has ruled that European Union nationals wishing to open and operate private language schools in Greece must possess proficient knowledge and fluent use of the Greek language as well as knowledge of Greek history (Ruling 224/94). The ruling stipulates that citizens of European Union member- states have the right to open, operate, and teach in private language and tuition schools if they meet the above requirements. A certificate is granted after successful examination. George Bush, family on Aegean cruise ----------------------------------- Athens, 13/6/1994 (ANA): Former US president George Bush arrived in Greece yesterday for a week-long cruise of the Aegean islands. Mr. Bush, accompanied by his family and a 40-member entourage, arrived at Athens airport amid stringent security measures. The former president is visiting Greece at the invitation of Greek shipping magnate Yiannis Latsis. Immediately after arrival in Mr. Latsis' private jet, Mr. Bush and his family boarded a helicopter to a nearby marina where they went aboard the shipping tycoon's luxury yacht "Alexander". Police sources said a coast guard vessel manned by commandos and frogmen will be escorting the yacht throughout the cruise. It is the second time the former US president visits Greece. His first visit was three years ago as US president on a tour of NATO allies Greece and Turkey. Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said Mr. Bush is not scheduled to meet with any government officials. But plans have been made for a meeting with former conservative Prime Minister Constantine Mitsotakis, honorary president of the main opposition New Democracy party. The Bush family began its cruise with a first stop at Hydra. They will continue with stops at the jet-set islands of Mykonos and Paros. They fly back to the United States on June 20. Public Order Minister in Israel ------------------------------- Athens, 13/6/1994 (ANA): Public Order Minister Stelios Papathemelis left for Israel yesterday for a two-day visit at the invitation of his Israeli counterpart. Mr. Papathemelis said he will have talks with his Israeli counterpart on issues related to terrorism, organised crime and drug trafficking. He said there was a possibility that bilateral co-operation might be discussed. "We are (also) interested in examining the border protection system in Israel," he added. Explosions rock downtown Athens, no casualties ---------------------------------------------- Athens, 13/6/1994 (ANA): A series of blasts rocked downtown Athens in the early hours of Saturday without causing any casualties, a police spokesman said yesterday. The first of four explosions shook the centre of Athens on midnight Friday. An anonymous informer telephoned "Sky" radio station, saying he represented the Anti-State Struggle terrorist group, claiming responsibility for the explosion. Police said the explosion was caused by a home-made explosive device placed under a private school-bus. The device completely destroyed the bus but there were no injuries, police said. The second explosion occurred 15 minutes later, caused by a home-made device placed at the entrance of the "Dioskouroi" cafeteria in Plaka. A third blast followed almost immediately caused by a time-bomb placed at the entrance of a small factory, behind the Political Spring party's offices in downtown Athens. A fire broke out, but there were no injuries, police said. The fourth explosion by an explosive device placed under a small bus rocked the area around the Hilton Hotel. The bus was destroyed, and four cars parked nearby were damaged. Windows in nearby apar-tments were shattered by the explosion, police said. No terrorist group claimed responsibility for the three explosions. Under-secretary Lianis calls on Orthodox Primate in New York -------------------------------------------------------- New York, 13/6/1994 (ANA/M.Georgiadou): Culture Under-secretary George Lianis visited Orthodox Archbishop of North and South America Iakovos in New York Saturday. After the meeting, the Archbishop stated he had discussed Greek national issues with Mr Lianis "with great care and prudence." He also stressed the importance of Greece's two-pronged presence in the US currently, with the national soccer team participating in the World Soccer Championship and a Culture Ministry-sponsored rich cultural programme for New York expatriates. Italian police arraign two Greeks smuggling artefacts ----------------------------------------------------- Rome, 13/6/1994 (ANA-L.Hatzikyriakou): Police arrested yesterday two Greek nationals driving to Brindizi from Patras for smuggling ancient artefacts into Italy. George Klidonas, 54, and Achilleas Sakas, 41, were arrested when police found them in possession of invaluable artefacts dating back to the 1st, 6th, and 14th century BC. The findings, of which some are Mycenean, are estimated at 150 million drachmas and were hidden in the truck which the two men were driving.