From: tzarros@ccs.carleton.ca (Theodore Zarros) Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Fri, 24 Jun 1994 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa). Athens News Agency Bulletin, PM urges stepping up White Paper implementation on unemployment --------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 24/6/1994 (ANA): Prime Minister and current European Union President Andreas Papandreou yesterday expressed concern at the delay in the implementation of the proposals contained in the White Paper on unemployment. "There are indeed certain countries which are obstructing (implementation)," Mr. Papandreou told a press conference at the close of a two-day meeting of the Party of European Socialists in Corfu, ahead of the European Union Summit today and tomorrow. Summing up the conclusions of the meeting, Mr. Papandreou underlined that "the crucial and immediate problem is that of unemployment". Mr. Papandreou said that racist phenomena, the spread of drug use and the strengthening of the extreme right-wing in certain European countries were "messages which are important for the role of Socialists in Europe". The Premier praised the contribution of European Commission President Jacques Delors who steps down in January after heading the Commission for 10 years. Mr. Papandreou stressed the need for agreement on Mr. Delors' successor at the Corfu summit. Asked whether or not failure to reach an agreement on the new Commission President will be a failure for the presidency, Mr. Papandreou said "it will be a considerable failure for the Council", adding that "it will deliver a negative message outwards" and will be a "retrogression", but it was no issue relating to the presidency. However, despite difficulties, Mr. Papandreou appeared optimistic on the issue of Mr. Delors' succession, basing his optimism on the constructive role and compromise Greece would adopt, as he put it. Referring to the situation prevailing in Greece, Mr. Papandreou said the government's policy was steadfast and developing in the framework of the economy's endurance, adding that it was experiencing the "outrageous side-effects" created by an inflated public debt. He said the situation would improve by the end of summer when construction of a series of projects included in the Delors II package would begin. Party of European Socialists President Willy Klaes referred to the socialists' proposals on employment, social justice, the environment and respect for democratic principles included in the joint declaration. Mr. Klaes said the socialists' strategy on development and the creation of new jobs included action in four sectors. According to the joint declaration, priority is assigned to the human factor in strengthening the economy. Another important issue, it added, is investing in production in the private sector together with necessary public investments in inter-European networks. "Employment should be revived with active and productive policies providing new opportunities for the unemployed," it said. Mention is also made in the declaration of the need to create a new "partnership relation in Europe" by improving "tripartite co-operation." Commenting on the issue of employment, Mr. Klaes said the PES will contact the new Commission President for a briefing on its employment programme and its position will depend greatly on it. In reference to environmental protection, Mr. Klaes said the session upheld a proposal by Danish Prime Minister Poul Rasmussen on creating a special committee to work along the lines of the Larsen Committee and make proposals on the socialists' ecological policy. Moreover, the socialists' position in the joint declaration on the accession of Cyprus to the EU is positive. The socialists want a clear accession prospect for countries associated to the EU, namely Cyprus and Malta. It is worth noting that Cyprus and Malta were the only countries mentioned by name during the discussion on the EU's future enlargement. Speaking at the session, outgoing European Commission President Jacques Delors predicted that the central European countries and the Baltic states will accede by the year 2000. Referring to existing conflicts (Yugoslavia and Rwanda), the declaration said the sole way of resolving problems is by strengthening the role of international organisations and that of the UN in particular. However, Mr. Klaes said the socialists will not accept military solutions to these problems. The question of Rwanda was not discussed at length at the session but Mr. Klaes, evidently expressing the views of other leaders as well, said the French intervention was covered by UN sponsorship, adding that it was taking place for the sake of humanitarian aid and for a limited period of time. The socialists did not support any party in Rwanda and did not want confrontation with the Patriotic Front, he added. Replying to a question on the Kurdish issue, Mr. Klaes said the socialists condemned all acts of terrorism and respected every country's territorial integrity, adding that a military solution was not possible for such problems and interlocutors should be found for a peaceful solution. PES rallies against neo-fascists -------------------------------- Athens, 24/6/1994 (ANA): European Union Socialist leaders also said yesterday they would do all in their power to stop neo-fascists sitting on the European Commission. In a declaration aimed directly at Italy's new government, the leaders of the 16 Socialist parties in the EU said the European Parliament "must be rigorous in the implementation of its new powers over the Commission's appointment." "The PES (Party of European Socialists) will... not accept a nomination of a neo-fascist Commissioner," the declaration said. Mr. Klaes, president of the European Socialist group that strengthened its position as the biggest in the parliament after this month's elections, said: "For us democracy and human rights still really mean something." He said he hoped Italy, which has not yet named its two Commission candidates, "will be wise enough" not to put forward members of the neo-fascist-led National Alliance. Historic signing of EU-Russia agreement today ----------------------------------------------- Athens, 24/6/1994 (ANA): Prime Minister and President of the European Union Andreas Papandreou yesterday stressed the historic importance of the signing of the Agreement for Friendship and Co-operation between the European Union and Russia, at the EU summit on Corfu, which is also host to the four new aspiring additions to the 12 EU members. Addressing Russian President Boris Yeltsin at the official dinner attended by all other leaders participating in the summit, the Prime Minister said the agreement "did not simply mark the end of an era, it also constitutes the historic landmark of the effective widening and qualitative upgrading of our relations in all sectors...". Earlier, President Yeltsin described as "historic" the agreement he is to sign with the European Union today, shortly before the opening of the two-day EU summit. The agreement, establishing closer ties between the two sides provides, among other things, the prospect of free trade between the Union and Russia. The agreement came one day after Russia's accession to Nato's Partnership for Peace plan. Commenting, Mr. Papandreou stressed the two pacts signalled Russia's accession to European institutions. Today's signing of the pact with Russia and that for EU enlargement "will certainly receive due mention from future historians", said Mr Papandreou. The Russian leader, who arrived in Corfu from Moscow at noon yesterday, told the press: "We are now becoming equal partners". President Yeltsin expressed his gratitude to Greek Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias, who greeted him at the airport, for the Greek EU Presidency's efforts, stressing that "the EU is the first to end discrimination made in the past at Russia's expense". Klaus Haensch PES candidate for Europarliament speaker ------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 24/6/1994 (ANA): The Party of European Socialists will propose Klaus Haensch, head of Germany's SPD Europarliamentarians, as its candidate for the post of European Parliament President, to replace Christian Democrat Egon Klepsch, it was announced yesterday at the end of the party's two-day conference on Corfu ahead of the European Union Summit. European Socialists will also propose Britain's Pauline Greene as president of the Socialist Group, replacing outgoing Jean-Pierre Cot, and PASOK Eurodeputy Irini Lambraki as the Group's treasurer. Euro-Speaker cautions on impact of Delors successor delay --------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 24/6/1994 (ANA): European Parliament President Egon Klepsch said yesterday that any delay or postponement of a decision on European Union Commission President Jacques Delors' succession would mean "overturning the timetable for installing the new European Commission on January 7, 1995." Mr. Klepsch was speaking to the press on arrival at Corfu airport for the EU summit. Sources indicated yesterday that Mr. Klepsch has undertaken the task to "warn" EU leaders that the European Parliament was not willing to vote on a new Commission President under extreme pressure of time, as was the case with the accession agreements for the four new member-states (Austria, Finland, Norway and Sweden). "A postponement of the decision could lead to a crisis between the European Union's institutional agencies," an announcement said. Top candidates competing for the post include Belgian Prime Minister Jean-Luc Dehaene, Dutch Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers and EU Trade Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan. EU leaders are reportedly divided on who should get the job, leading to speculation a decision might not be reached at the Summit. Mr. Delors steps down January, after heading the Commission for 10 years. According to the Maastricht Treaty, Mr. Jacques Delors' successor and all members of the new European Commission have to receive a vote of confidence from the European Parliament, meaning an absolute majority of 284 Eurodeputies out of 567. If this is not achieved a new proposal has to be tabled by a special summit and a new vote must be held at the European Parliament. A second issue on which Mr. Klepsch is exerting pressure is the "appropriate participation" of this agency in the "Wisemen's Committee" due to prepare a plan on institutional reforms at the EU by revising the Maastricht Treaty at the inter-governmental conference in 1996. Premier, Delors confer with Cyprus President -------------------------------------------- Athens, 24/6/1994 (ANA): Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides reiterated yesterday at Corfu his intention to accelerate Cyprus' accession to the European Union, after meeting with Greek Prime Minister and current EU President Andreas Papandreou and European Commission President Jacques Delors. In his opening speech to the meeting which marked a top-level political dialogue between the EU and Cyprus, Mr. Papandreou emphasised that the dialogue "is evidence of the importance which the European Union gives to Cyprus, to a country which was among the first to become an associate member of the then-European Community; therefore, it is considered a member of the European family." Also present at the meeting were Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias, EU Commissioner for External Affairs Hans van den Broek, and Cyprus Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides. Mr. Papandreou and Mr. Delors said the talks were "confidential", according to an AFP dispatch. Earlier, European Socialists said they wanted "a clear perspective" for the accession of Cyprus and Malta to the European Union, according to a joint communiqui by the leaders of the Party of European Socialists and an express statement by the party's chairman, Willy Klaes. Speaking at a press conference, Alternate Foreign Minister Theodore Pangalos said that Cyprus has adapted to the economic conditions of the European Union and all prerequisites were present for accession. Cyprus applied for full EU membership in July 1990. President Clerides had earlier a separate meeting with Mr. Papandreou. He also held talks with British Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd. Presidents Klestil, Karamanlis discuss bilateral relations ---------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 24/6/1994 (ANA): President Constantine Karamanlis had talks yesterday with his Austrian counterpart Thomas Klestil on issues of common interest and further development of bilateral relations. During the talks, attended also by Austrian Foreign Minister Alois Mock, Mr. Klestil expressed Austria's satisfaction at the agreement for his country's accession to the European Union during the current Greek presidency. Speaking to reporters after the talks, Mr. Klestil said that as an EU member, Austria would shorten Greece's route to Europe. Austria's aim, he said, was further co-operation with the countries of the Balkans, the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean. Mr. Karamanlis and Mr. Klestil also discussed the Cyprus problem, since Austrian soldiers are serving with the UN peace-keeping force on the island republic. Mr. Klestil said that President Karamanlis had expressed satisfaction over the fact that Austria had not raised its diplomatic relations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to ambassadorial level, maintaining only a Consulate in Skopje. Following the talks, Mr. Klestil and Mr. Mock left for the EU summit in Corfu where they will sign the accord providing for Austria's accession to the EU. Arsenis reaffirms Greek wish to defuse tension with Turkey ---------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 24/6/1994 (ANA): National Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis said yesterday that Greece remained firm in its desire for defusing tension in relations with neighbouring Turkey, but that it would not concede any of its sovereign rights. Speaking to reporters after returning from a three-day visit to Washington, Mr. Arsenis said that Greece's positions on the issue of armed Greek aircraft intercepting Turkish warplanes which violate Greek airspace, had been "understood" by the US government. US Secretary of State Warren Christopher had suggested to Greek Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias, on the sidelines of a NATO Council in Istanbul two weeks ago, that Greek aircraft intercepting Turkish fighter planes violating Greek airspace should be unarmed. Mr. Papoulias had answered that the "cause leading to US concern would not exist, if Turkish aircraft did not violate Greek airspace." Mr. Arsenis underlined that Turkish aircraft which violate Greek airspace are doing so in blatant violation and disregard of NATO directives. The armed Greek aircraft which take off to protect national airspace, Mr. Arsenis added, carry out NATO instructions. "Those who desire a defusion of tension in Greek-Turkish relations should press Turkey to stop the infringements and violations and comply with NATO directives," Mr. Arsenis said. Mr. Arsenis expressed "complete satisfaction" over his visit to the US, adding that Greece's positions had been understood by Washington. "Greece is not the problem. On the contrary, as a member of the European Union and NATO, it constitutes an additional stabilising factor in the Balkans and there is great margin for co-operation with the US for peace in the region," Mr. Arsenis told reporters. Mr. Arsenis will continue his talks with the US when Defence Secretary William Perry visits Athens on July 19. CSCE Commissioner continues tour of Greek ethnic regions in S. Albania -------------------------------------------------------------- Gyrokastr, 24/6/1994 (ANA/O.Bertsis): High Commissioner for Minorities of the Conference for Security and Co-operation in Europe Max Van der Stoel yesterday continued his tour of ethnic Greek populated regions in Southern Albania with visits to Agioi Saranta and Delvino. He met with Greek local government officials and representatives of the Omonia and Union for Human Rights parties, who put to him as a basic issue the restoration of Greek nationality to the members of the Greek minority. Tomorrow, Mr Van der Stoel will complete his round of contacts in Tirana by meeting with Albanian President Sali Berisha, ministers, and Omonia top officials. Ethnic Greek leaders from Albania to meet with US legislators. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 24/6/1994 (ANA): Leaders of ethnic Greeks in Albania are meeting this week with Washington legislators in the US capital to discuss their persecution by Albanian officials, according to a press release by the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA). "We are asking for basic human rights and to co-exist in peace with all our neighbours in Albania," said Sotiris Kyriazatis, president of the Greek ethnic minority party Omonia. Thomas Mitsos, one of the two ethnic Greeks in Albania's parliament and Vassilis Tsakos, the prefect of Sarande in southern Albania, will accompany Mr. Kyriazatis. AHEPA, the American Hellenic Institute and the Panepirotic federation are co-operating on a campaign to "increase awareness of... fear and intimidation in Albania, and recent acts against ethnic Greek human rights and political leaders," according to the release. Ministry releases list of defaulting main state debtors ------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 24/6/1994 (ANA): Finance Under-secretary Dimitris Georgakopoulos yesterday released a list with names of 200 persons owing the state a total of 56.7 billion dr. in taxes and fines. Mr. Georgakopoulos said the list includes persons and enterprises that did not respond to a recent government offer providing special settlement facilities for defaulting state debtors. Selection was based on sums owed, he stressed. The biggest debtors include: Halkida Cement owes 10.9 billion dr., EVPA S.A. 4 billion dr., TECTON S.A. 3.2 billion dr. FYROGENIS AEBE 1.6 billion dr. and Roumbis and Co. S.A. 1.2 billion dr. "The purpose of publishing the list does not relate exclusively to supervision of defaulting payers, but mainly to acts and omissions of the administration in taking timely action through legislative and administrative measures, to secure final settlement ,"Mr. Georgakopoulos added. According to data provided by the Finance Ministry, the total amount of taxes and additional charges owed is 1.07 trillion dr., broken down as follows: public utilities and corporations (DEKO) 270 billion dr., soccer companies 4.5 billion dr., 180 billion dr. was included in recent settlements, 105 billion dr. is owed by needy taxpayers and the balance due immediately. Mr. Georgakopoulos said Ministry services were already processing additional data on debtors whose names would be made public, adding that no more settlement offers would be made for outstanding debts. "Settlement time-limits cannot be set," he said, anticipating 25 per cent of dues listed can be collected. In some cases it was established that necessary action had not be taken to collect outstanding state dues," Mr. Georgakopoulos noted.