From: tzarros@ccs.carleton.ca (Theodore Zarros) Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Thu, 29 Dec 1994 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa). Athens News Agency Bulletin --------------------------- (Apo to Ellnviko Grafeio Tupou kai Plnroforiwv, Ottaba, Kavadas E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca) * Evert invites Tudjman to meet Milosevic in Athens * Papoulias * Athens says no to abolishing Greek as official EU language, * Greece strongly opposed * Papoulias: 1995 a year of resolution for foreign policy issues * Kranidiotis set to meet Juppi January 11 * Further airport delays unlikely, OSYPA set to call off New Year strikes * Tsohatzopoulos: 1995 a definitive year for PASOK policies * Fuel prices decrease Evert invites Tudjman to meet Milosevic in Athens ------------------------------------------------- Zagreb, 29/12/1994 (ANA-A.Podimata): Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert yesterday wound up his visit to Croatia with a proposal that the Croatian and Serbian presidents meet in Athens to resolve differences. "Greece can soon be playing an even more active role in peace efforts and in the resolution of problems in former Yugoslavia," Mr. Evert said after a 45-minute meeting with Croatian President Franjo Tudjman. He said his talks with Mr. Tudjman were "useful and constructive", adding that his proposal for a meeting in Athens between Mr. Tudjman and Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic "could be accomplished, under certain conditions." "Certain ongoing differences must be curbed ... The distance is not great," Mr. Evert said. In Athens, meanwhile, Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias said the opposition leader's proposal was in line with government efforts to assist the peace process in former Yugoslavia. "The Greek government has already covered a great deal of ground in the effort towards peace in the Balkans," Mr. Papoulias told reporters in the northern Greek city of Ioannina. "A meeting between Mr. Tudjman and Mr. Milosevic in Greece is an old idea which we have discussed with President Milosevic at times. It has quite a few difficulties and I hope they are overcome so that this meeting will be held," he said. Mr. Evert arrived in Zagreb yesterday morning, accompanied by Croatian Ambassador to Athens Ivica Mastruco and his foreign affairs adviser Christos Iakovou. He was welcomed at Zagreb airport by Croatia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Sanander and Foreign Under-Secretary Mr. Simanc. Mr. Evert said Mr. Tudjman accepted an ND proposal on the signing of an agreement by all Balkan countries, recognising existing borders. "We had positive reactions to these two issues and we will continue this effort because Greece must play a constructive, peaceful and creative role in the Balkans," he said. An Agence France Presse dispatch from Zagreb quoted Tudjman's office as saying that Mr. Evert had presented a plan to promote "mutual recognition between the countries of former Yugoslavia and their neighbours". Mr. Evert concluded his contacts in Zagreb at noon with one-hour talks with Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic. He said his talks with Mr. Granic were "sincere and constructive" and strengthened his conviction that "possibilities exist for a meeting between Croats and Serbs to resolve differences between them." "The sole way of resolving differences and problems is through dialogue," Mr. Evert said, adding that Greece would make every effort possible in this direction. Mr. Granic stressed the special role Greece could and must play for a rapprochement between Serbia and Croatia and in the effort to resolve the Bosnian issue and problems existing in the Balkans in their entirety. Papoulias --------- Athens, 29/12/1994 (ANA): Commenting on the opposition leader's proposal for an Athens meeting, Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias said that he welcomed efforts to bring it about. "Mr. Evert's trip was made so that he too could contribute something to the general effort under way. The Greek government has already covered a great deal of ground in the effort towards peace in the Balkans. Mr. Milosevic's recent visit to Athens was of considerable importance and a detailed discussion was made of possibilities of resolving the crisis and of progress in the peace process." Mr. Milosevic visited Athens on a one-day working visit December 19 for talks with Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou. Athens says no to abolishing Greek as official EU language, Greece strongly opposed ----------------------------------------------------------- Brussels, 29/12/1994 (ANA - P.Pantelis): Greece yesterday joined the chorus of voices critical of the French EU Presidency's plans to restrict the number of official languages to five. "The official languages of the European Union are established by law, and any change is unthinkable," government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said. The addition of three new EU members on January 1 will bring the number of official EU languages to eleven and the French proposal, citing high labour and translating costs, envisages abolishing the Greek, Dutch, Portuguese, Danish and Swedish languages. "All countries and all languages ... have their own history, richness, and sensitivity. This applies, all the more so, to the Greek language, and to all it has contributed, and is continuing to contribute, at a world level," Mr. Venizelos said. He was supported by Foreign Under-Secretary for European Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis, who is due to take his seat in the European Parliament as of the New Year. "The equality of (the EU's) member-states, extending to the recognition of their individual culture, tradition, and language, is a cornerstone of the European Union," he said. "The Greek government is opposed to any attempt to undermine this principle and will fight for the maintenance of the principle of equal representation of every member-state in the framework of the European Union, and the maintenance of Greek as an official language at all levels." Mr. Venizelos pointed to the notorious sensitivity of the French towards the substitution of English for French in various forms of usage. Coalition of the Left and Progress Eurodeputy Alekos Alavanos called for a campaign to defend the Greek language, involving an immediate official statement by the prime minister and close co-ordination with the other affected countries. The strongest reactions so far have come from Dutch and Flemish-speaking Belgian Euro-MPs, who have launched a counter-offensive. The Euro-MPs describe the French proposal as unacceptable, claiming that it is contrary to the Treaty of Maastricht which stipulates that united Europe must promote the civilisations of its member-states, respect their national and regional diversity, and project the common cultural heritage. The French presidency expects the issue to be settled during the 1996 inter-governmental conference, which will undertake the revision of the Maastricht treaty. In further reactions in Athens, the main opposition party New Democracy called on the government to do everything in its power to avert such a plan. A Political Spring party statement called on the president, the prime minister, political parties and Eurodeputies to stop such a development, "which would make Greece a second-rate country, with tragic consequences for its culture and national identity". Papoulias: 1995 a year of resolution for foreign policy issues -------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 29/12/1994 (ANA): Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias yesterday said he was optimistic that the new year would be constructive for Greece's foreign policy issues. "We will overcome the crisis with Albania, progress will be achieved with Skopje (the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) and Greece will play a leading role in the Balkans," Mr. Papoulias told a press conference in Ioannina last night. Referring to the Albanian government's pardoning of one of five ethnic Greeks jailed on espionage and arms charges, and his possible visit to Albania, Mr. Papoulias said: "My trip to Tirana is dependent on the completion of the first step by the Berisha administration -- which is a step in the right direction -- but must be completed because I consider everything done so far an incomplete agreement. "I also think that President Berisha's meeting with Archbishop Anastasios is also a token of goodwill. We are waiting for the next steps and I am ready, after the inconvenience of the remaining four Omonia members comes to an end, to go to Tirana and meet my counterpart to examine all issues of mutual concern." Kranidiotis set to meet Juppi January 11 ---------------------------------------- Athens, 29/12/1994 (ANA): Foreign Under-Secretary for European Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis is scheduled to meet with French Foreign Minister Alain Juppi in Paris, January 11. Their meeting is scheduled to discuss the French European Union Presidency, and the issue of Cyprus' accession to the Union. Further airport delays unlikely, OSYPA set to call off New Year strikes --------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 29/12/1994 (ANA): Civil aviation personnel yesterday looked set to call off strike action at Greek airports following government assurances on their demands. Representatives of the Federation of Civil Aviation Unions (OSYPA) made the announcement after meeting with Environment Minister Costas Laliotis and Transport Minister Thanassis Tsouras. "Our talks were constructive... and I believe the government will act in favour of the rights of the civil aviation personnel," said OSYPA president Mr. Alevizopoulos. He said he would urge civil aviation staff to cancel additional strike action at an OSYPA general assembly meeting later Wednesday. A 48-hour strike waged by the federation last week left hundreds of people stranded at Greek airports as a result of flight cancellations and long delays. OSYPA is demanding more pay and better working conditions. It also opposes plans to build a new international airport at Spata near Athens, saying it will lead to mass lay-offs. Mr. Laliotis told reporters after the talks that job openings to emerge from the new airport will be filled by OSYPA members. Tsohatzopoulos: 1995 a definitive year for PASOK policies --------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 29/12/1994 (ANA): Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou's refusal to stand for president in April gives Parliament the chance to elect a successor to incumbent Constantine Karamanlis as thus avert a disastrous general election, PASOK Central Committee Secretary General Akis Tsohatzopoulos said in Iraklion, Crete yesterday. Speaking after the swearing in ceremony for the city's new mayor and municipal council, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said PASOK intended to undertake political initiatives within the first weeks of 1995, so that its long-term policies can become the subject of dialogue at all levels and be implemented. "1995 holds special significance because the need for modernisation and overall reorganisation of the country at an institutional and productive level is imperative. It is the year that we hope to push forward with PASOK's great policies," he said. These policies concern the development of the economy, the consolidation of the role of local government at regional level, and social policy, with reference to health, education, welfare, environment, and the quality of life, he added. Referring to the possibility of dropping charges against former prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that was "a political decision and option belonging to the prime minister and the parliamentary party". Fuel prices decrease -------------------- Athens, 29/12/1994 (ANA): The Public Petroleum Corporation (DEP) yesterday announced that VAT-inclusive prices of gasoline will decrease today by 0.50 drachmas per litre and diesel by 0.30 drachmas per litre.