From: "Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa" Subject: A.N.A. Bulletin 18/1/95 Athens News Agency Bulletin --------------------------- (Apo to Ellnviko Grafeio Tupou kai Plnroforiwv, Ottaba, Kavadas E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca) * New Commission president underlines importance of Cyprus, Malta in EU Mediterranean dimension * Latest balance of current accounts figures show surplus * Mitterrand says EU must protect its diversity, soul and culture Canadian Greeks protest * Dissenting PASOK deputies pose no problems, Venizelos, Hytiris say * Coalition on Parliament decision to drop charges * Election procedure for president will remain the same, Venizelos says * Greek-Turkish meetings dependent on Ankara's stance, Venizelos says * Mangakis takes over from Kranidiotis * Simitis: OECD report on economy positive but further efforts needed * Culture Ministry receives Community support for construction of Acropolis Museum * Professional, craft industry chambers seek war reparations from Germany * Greek, US environment officials agree to co-operate in efforts to battle Athenian smog * Mitsotakis lashes out at handling of FYROM issue, says emphasis on name issue 'tragically wrong' * Greek experts say Japanese quake was expected New Commission president underlines importance of Cyprus, Malta in EU Mediterranean dimension --------------------------------------------------------------- Strasbourg, 18/1/95 (ANA): Incoming European Commission president Jacques Santer said yesterday the admission of Cyprus and Malta to the European Union would strengthen the Mediterranean arm of the Union. Speaking at the European Parliament, he also said that the EU's relations with Turkey required "careful study". Mr. Santer said the Commission would draft the report requested by the Council for 1995, with respect to Cyprus and Malta, while "the development of relations with Turkey, which is a significant partner to the Union, will be the subject of careful study". Mr. Santer spoke in favour of EU enlargement towards the south, for reasons of balancing EU relations following its enlargement to the north and its gradual opening towards the east. He stressed the importance of the EU's Mediterranean policy, calling for an "ambitious policy of rapprochement" aiming at the Mediterranean becoming a zone of prosperity and trade. Mr. Santer said this would be a difficult venture and placed his hopes for taking advantage of this opportunity of "vital importance" in the Europe-Mediterranean conference to be organised by the Spanish EU presidency in the second half of 1995. Voicing a series of concerns regarding the future of Europe, the problem of unemployment, social justice, and the quality of life for Europeans, he proposed a re-examination of the code of conduct and its adaptation to the Treaty of Maastricht. He said his top priority would be "a strong economy that would create new jobs", referred to the need to create a modern and effective infrastructure in the sectors of transport, energy and the environment, to adopt a dynamic research and development policy, and an effective education and training system. A strong common currency, without dangerous exchange fluctuations, would offer significant advantages to citizens, he said, so the course towards economic and monetary union (EMU) had to be followed without deviations. The Commission, he added, would monitor the situation regarding employment in the member-states, and proposed "a multilateral overseeing of employment systems". He came out in favour of strengthening co-operation in the fields of internal affairs and justice which would offset the abolition of internal borders, and stressed that the Union must continue playing a leading role in the field of co-operation for development, without neglecting efforts towards a concerted approach for the carving out of a common external and security policy. Latest balance of current accounts figures show surplus ------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 18/1/95 (ANA): The balance of current accounts showed a 141 million dollar surplus in October 1994, compared with a deficit of 334 million dollars in the same month of 1993, according to figures released yesterday by the Bank of Greece. According to the figures, the balance of current accounts also showed a surplus of 351 million dollars in the period January-October 1994, compared with a surplus of 333 million dollars in the corresponding ten-month period of 1993. The central bank said that the favourable development was due to a reduction in the trade deficit and an increase in the invisibles surplus. The principal magnitudes of the balance of payments in the period January-October 1994 were as follows: - Imports 15.251 billion dollars (6 per cent increase) - Exports 4.220 billion dollars (1.2 per cent increase) - Trade deficit 11.031 billion dollars (8 per cent increase) - Tourist exchange 3.450 billion dollars (13.2 per cent increase) - Shipping exchange 1.559 billion dollars (2 per cent decrease) - Remittances from Greek workers overseas 2.049 billion dollars (1.5 per cent increase) - Net inflows from the EU 4.140 billion dollars (same as last year) - Inflows of business capital 1.965 billion dollars (18.7 per cent increase) - Inflows of foreign exchange from overseas Greeks for the purchase of property 760.8 million dollars (4.1 per cent decrease) - Public sector debt repayments 4.776 billion dollars - Foreign exchange reserves 13.365 billion dollars (compared with 6.9 billion dollars in the same period of 1993). In the month of October 1994, the figures were as follows: - Imports 1.487 billion dollars (0.1 per cent decrease) - Exports 487 million dollars (40 per cent increase) - Trade deficit 1 billion dollars (12.3 per cent decrease) - Tourist exchange 339 million dollars (34.7 per cent increase) - Shipping exchange 175 million dollars (6.7 per cent decrease) - Emigrants' remittances 240 million dollars (22 per cent increase) - EU inflows 220 million dollars - Business capital 236 million dollars - Exchange from overseas Greeks 104 million dollars (38.1 per cent increase) - Public sector debt repayments 273 million dollars - Foreign exchange reserves 13.365 billion dollars. According to the Bank of Greece announcement, the trade deficit in October dropped by 12.3 per cent due to the fact that import spending remained at virtually the same levels as 1993 while the value of exports rose sharply. At the same time, there was a sizeable inflow of invisible receipts coupled with a drop in invisible payments, resulting in a 41.4 per cent increase in the invisibles surplus. Mitterrand says EU must protect its diversity, soul and culture --------------------------------------------------------------- Strasbourg, 18/1/95 (ANA - M. Savva / P. Stangos): French President Francois Mitterrand came out in support of the diversity of the European Union in his speech on the French Presidency's priorities for the next six months at the European Parliament yesterday, placing emphasis on consolidating the EU's social dimension and defending and supporting the culture of the peoples of Europe. Referring to the recent uproar over reports the French were planning to cut back the number of working languages in the EU in an effort to reduce logistical and translating costs, he said that all languages were in some way "threatened" by the domination of the English language. "French is also threatened by the domination of English. Only the English, the Americans and possibly the Spaniards can meet the challenge," he said. "I do not mean by this to isolate the weaker (languages)... although I may have friendly sentiments towards these countries, I prefer to speak my language, not theirs." Foreign Minister Alain Juppi rejected claims from deputies later that the French Presidency planned to restrict the number of working languages in the EU, saying that it had never had any such intention. Canadian Greeks protest ----------------------- Montreal, 18/1/95 (ANA - I. Frangouli): The Greek Research Centre in Canada has addressed a letter to the French General Consulate in Montreal and to the other consulates of EU member-states, condemning reports of the French proposal to remove Greek from the list of working languages and stressing the need for support for peoples and their non-cultural assimilation. The letter also stressed the need for the Greek language to be supported as being a cultural agency for thousands of years. Dissenting PASOK deputies pose no problems, Venizelos, Hytiris say -------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 18/1/95 (ANA): In statements shortly after the announcement of the final count of Parliament's vote on the suspension of criminal proceedings in connection with the AGET-Heracles and phone-tapping scandals early yesterday morning, Press Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Under-Secretary Telemahos Hytiris dismissed suggestions that the fact that 14 ruling party deputies had not voted in favour of the motion presented the government with a political problem. Certain deputies had, expectedly, differentiated themselves, but the main political conclusion drawn was that the proposal for suspension of criminal proceedings had been accepted by the Greek Parliament, said Mr Venizelos. In reply to other questions, he said the government would continue its work unimpeded, and press forward with the important institutional changes announced by the prime minister in his New Year message, in view, especially, of the upcoming election of a new President of the Republic, which will have a positive outcome. He added it had become common awareness that the present parliament was in a position to elect a president. He agreed with reporter's estimates that there will be no early elections. Mr. Hytiris said the outlook for the country was better without political figures in the dock. Coalition on Parliament decision to drop charges ------------------------------------------------ Athens, 18/1/95 (ANA): The political secretariat of the Coalition of the Left and Progress said yesterday that parliament's decision to drop charges against former prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis and two of his former ministers was characterised by inconsistencies and double talk. The Coalition said it believed the political parties represented in parliament -- particularly the two major parties -- has increased the disappointment felt by the Greek people and extended the "crisis of trust" in the political system. Election procedure for president will remain the same, Venizelos says ----------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 18/1/95 (ANA): The government does not intend to change the process for electing a president of the republic, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said yesterday, commenting on a statement by former premier Constantine Mitsotakis in Parliament Monday. He added that Mr. Mitsotakis' differentiation of his stand from the official line of the main opposition New Democracy party was an internal party matter. Mr. Venizelos recalled the government had already announced that the debate relating to the revision of the constitution would not include clauses which had been debated in the previous revision in 1985-1986. He added, however, the government was open to discussion of any established proposal. Mr. Venizelos said also that the debate would be held in accordance with Article 110 of the Constitution. He told questioners the present House could and should elect a president. Greek-Turkish meetings dependent on Ankara's stance, Venizelos says -------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 18/1/95 (ANA): The timing of any high-level meeting between Greece and Turkey will depend on the stance of Ankara, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said yesterday. The spokesman was replying to questions on an interview given Sunday by Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou in which the premier left open the possibility of a meeting between the foreign ministers or premiers of Greece and Turkey at some time in the future when conditions were "ripe". Replying to other questions on talks between Foreign Under-Secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis and French Foreign Minister Alain Juppi in Paris, the spokesman said that the European Union was seeking solutions in order to re-examine in March the outstanding is sues of the EU-Turkey customs union, which Greece vetoed at the recent EU summit in Essen, and the Fourth Financial Protocol of EU aid to Ankara, on which there is also a Greek veto. Greece, he added, would wait to see if there are "satisfactory solutions and prerequisites". Asked to comment on statements by the Turkish foreign ministry, according to which Cyprus' accession to the EU would result in the de facto partitioning of the island republic, Mr. Venizelos replied that the EU was associated with the Cyprus Republic and was conducting "the relevant negotiations" with its government. Mangakis takes over from Kranidiotis ------------------------------------- Athens, 18/1/95 (ANA): George Mangakis, PASOK deputy and a former minister, has been appointed Alternate Foreign Minister to replace outgoing Under-Secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis, who is taking his seat in the European Parliament. Mr. Papantoniou is taking new Commissioner Christos Papoutsis' seat in the chamber. Mr. Mangakis will be sworn in by President Karamanlis in a few days. Simitis: OECD report on economy positive but further efforts needed ------------------------------------------------------------ Athens, 18/1/95 (ANA): Industry Minister Costas Simitis said yesterday that the positive OECD report on the course of the Greek economy was proof of the government's significant efforts to stabilise the economy. "The government has made a significant effort to stabilise the economic situation," Mr. Simitis told reporters after meeting with Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou. "We have achieved a great deal, but I want to stress that (we need) still greater efforts. As the OECD stressed, the achievements are fragile and depend on political developments and primarily on achieving the goals set by the state budget." Mr. Simitis' meeting with Mr. Papandreou covered issues concerning Greek industry and "our positions regarding developments in the Community", he said. Culture Ministry receives Community support for construction of Acropolis Museum --------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 18/1/95 (ANA): Culture Ministry Secretary-General Giorgos Thomas and National Economy Ministry Investment Secretary-General Ilias Plaskovitis yesterday visited Brussels to discuss a Culture Ministry proposal concerning the Community Support Framework. According to the Commission's 16th Directorate, which accepted the proposal with minor changes, the major projects in Attica should be the construction of a new Acropolis Museum and the unification of the archaeological areas in Athens. The directorate also pointed out the need for modernisation and expansion of Greek museums. Professional, craft industry chambers seek war reparations from Germany --------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 18/1/95 (ANA): The Professional and Craft Industry Chambers of Thessaloniki yesterday announced their intention to set up a body to seek war reparations from Germany for damages incurred during the Nazi occupation of Greece. The announcement was made at a press conference given by the presidents of the two chambers, Themistocles Nikolaidis and Athanassios Koulousios respectively. Citing data collected by Professor Angelos Angelopoulos and resistance fighter and former deputy Manolis Glezos, Mr. Nikolaidis estimated reparations at 30 billion dollars. This sum, he said, was equivalent to double Greece's current foreign exchange reserves and one quarter of the country's total public debt. The first step to be taken by the two chambers will be to set up a committee with the participation of eminent legal experts, representatives from bar associations and state officials in order to document available data and help the government seek reparations from Germany. Professional Chamber legal adviser and Thessaloniki Bar Association General Secretary Dimitris Vergoulis said that efforts would be made to establish whether the claim for war reparations could be pursued through the courts, and which courts would be competent to hear the case. Greek, US environment officials agree to co-operate in efforts to battle Athenian smog -------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 18/1/95 (ANA): Greek and US environment officials agreed yesterday to co-operate in efforts to fight pollution in Athens. Environment Minister Costas Laliotis made the announcement after talks with Yannis Kourtris, director of California's Environmental Protection Programme Association. Mr. Laliotis said the co-operation protocol aimed at joint efforts and research on how to combat pollution in the Greek capital. Mitsotakis lashes out at handling of FYROM issue, says emphasis on name issue 'tragically wrong' ---------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 18/1/95 (ANA): In a speech at the Athens Rotary Club last night, former New Democracy prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis directed severe criticism across the spectrum of the Greek political leadership for its handling of the country's relations with its Balkan neighbours, and in particular of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) issue, including the time when he was in office. He accepted responsibility for not dismissing sooner then-foreign minister (and now Political Spring party leader) Antonis Samaras, whom he accused of responsibility for instigating what he called the great error in Greek policy towards FYROM, namely the giving of priority to the issue of the name and relegating FYROM claims about the existence of a Slav minority in Greece to second place. In April 1992, he said, when public opinion had already been emotionally charged on the issue of the name, it was impossible for him, from the position of prime minister, to establish a different course. "Because, unfortunately, the rest of the political leadership, including the President of the Republic who privately believed the issue of the name was not of high priority, refused to support the policy of a direct solution through the so-called 'Pinheiro packet'", he said. Now, he claimed, Greece's position is tragically difficult, and called for the present government to leave office. A solution of the FYROM issue ought to be followed by a normalisation of relations with Albania through dialogue. The closing of the two open fronts to the north will allow us to effectively seek the strategic targets of our national policy, which are the solution of the Cyprus issue, the settlement of our differences with Turkey, and the economic and cultural penetration in the new vital space which Greece has acquired since the fall of communism in the Balkans and the Black Sea region. Greek experts say Japanese quake was expected --------------------------------------------- Athens, 18/1/95 (ANA): Greek seismologists said yesterday that they had predicted the devastating earthquake which struck Japan yesterday morning killing at least 1,700 people, injuring thousands more and causing extensive material damage. Professor Vassilis Papazachos of the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki and his associates claim to have predicted an 81 per cent possibility of a major quake in the next ten years in the area hit yesterday in Japan, using a method producing long-term forecasts. Their predictions are contained in a study due to be published in an international scientific journal. Mr. Papazachos said that the method used to predict the quake was based on the study of statistical data and had yielded positive results, clarifying however that it was not precise as to when a quake would hit a particular area. At the present time, he added, there is no reliable scientific method for predicting quakes in the short term. The professor's associates however expressed fears that there was a high possibility that a new, even stronger quake, measuring up to 8 on the open-ended Richter scale, would follow in the same region in Japan. Greece's leading seismologist yesterday also warned that more quakes could strike Japan. "The situation is alarming because the aftershocks to follow may range between 6.5 and 6.7 on the Richter scale," said Professor of Seismology Ioannis Drakopoulos. He said the powerful aftershocks could lead to additional losses because of the effect they would have on partially damaged buildings. --------------------------------------------------------------- The Bulletin would like to clarify that the European Court will begin to hear the case on Greece's imposition of trade measures against the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on February 1 and not announce the decision as reported in the January 16 edition. ---------------------------------------------------------------