Subject: Athens News Agency Bulletin, March 1, 1995 Topic: ana ------------------------------------------ (Apo to Ellnviko Grafeio Tupou kai Plnroforiwv, Ottawa, Canada E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca) CONTENTS ======== [1] Greek demands on customs union 'simple', Venizelos says [2] Greece slams Turkish threats to annex occupied Cyprus [3] Evert meets with Milosevic in further efforts to find peaceful solution to Yugoslav crisis [4] Papantoniou applauds move to lower interest rates, says more banks should follow [5] Post Office Savings Bank time deposit interest rates set [6] Allegations of mismanagement at Bank of Crete will be investigated, Gov't says [7] ND deputies accuse Livanos of impropriety in Floisvos casino licence [8] Livanos meets Livanis [9] Questions on delay of Spata airport raised at Europarliament committee [10] Andrianopoulos voices concern at direction of Greece [11] Premier to brief president today [12] Arsenis in Netherlands for talks [13] Niotis says overseas Greek's council in final stages [14] Papantoniou presents new bill to guarantee private savings [15] Three construction groups bid for Stavros-Elefsis road ================================================================ [1] Greek demands on customs union 'simple', Venizelos says ----------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 01/03/1995 (ANA): Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos yesterday queried the actual degree of interest of certain of its EU partners in efforts to close a customs union deal with Turkey, in light of delays in Brussels on the EU reaching agreement on amendments to a formula worked out early last month. "If our partners have difficulty in accepting the Greek positions which are so simple and moderate, then I do not know if their interest in the customs union is that which they expressed," he said. Greece is currently pressing for a firm date for the commencement of negotiations on Cyprus' accession to the EU as one of its demands to drop its veto against a proposed EU-Turkey customs union. The French presidency of the EU has said an EU-Turkey Association Council meeting planned for March 6 will not take place unless agreement is reached among member states on the customs union deal and has been seeking ways to meet Greece's demands before the meeting. Replying to questions, Mr. Venizelos said that there would be no point in holding the meeting if the 15 member states did not have a common position on the issue. He added, however, that Greece would not request a postponement of the meeting and would not "gloat over" such a postponement. As far as Greece is concerned, he went on, it would be inconceivable for there to be such an upgrading of relations between Europe and Turkey without a specific timetable for Cyprus' accession to the Community. He underlined that Cyprus' accession had been decided at both the Corfu and Essen summit meetings. Meanwhile in Brussels, External Affairs Commissioner Hans van den Broek expressed "reserved optimism" yesterday regarding the finalisation of an EU-Turkey customs union scheduled to take place on March 6, on the sidelines of a regular EU foreign ministers' meeting. Mr. van den Broek was speaking after a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Murat Karayalcin focusing on technical details in the text of the customs union agreement. A meeting between the troika countries -- Germany, France and Spain -- and Turkey was also held in Brussels yesterday to discuss international developments of interest to both the Community and Turkey, as well as Turkey's domestic political issues, the country's democratisation process and its poor human rights record. The meeting was held at foreign under-secretaries level. Turkish Foreign Under-Secretary Ozdem Sanberk said his country has taken great steps towards the establishment of a fully democratic regime. [2] Greece slams Turkish threats to annex occupied Cyprus --------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 01/03/1995 (ANA): Mr. Venizelos also said yesterday that threats by the Turkish National Assembly to annex the occupied northern part of Cyprus if the island republic is admitted to the European Union were a provocation against the international community and the United Nations. He said that the threat had been made repeatedly in the past by Turkish officials and underlined that the EU's relationship with Cyprus was with "the entire Cyprus Republic, the legitimate representative of which is the Cyprus government". Turkish troops have occupied the northern part of Cyprus since invading in 1974. [3] Evert meets with Milosevic in further efforts to find peaceful solution to Yugoslav crisis ------------------------------------------------------------------ Belgrade, 01/03/1995 (ANA - N. Megadoukas): Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Miltiades Evert had one-hour talks in Belgrade yesterday with Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic on latest developments in the crisis in former Yugoslavia. The talks are within the framework of an initiative by ND to find a peaceful settlement to the crisis, which has been encouraged by the French presidency of the European Union. During the meeting, it was ascertained that there were still differences on the ways to find peace in the region as well as "deviations from positions" on which Mr. Evert declined to elaborate. The ND leader said however that "there is will" for peace in the region and expressed the conviction that "the right solutions will be found in order for overall negotiations to be held for a settlement of the problem in former Yugoslavia". Describing his talks with Mr. Milosevic as "useful, cordial and constructive," Mr. Evert said that he would be briefing the French presidency on the results. Mr. Evert, who was due to return to Athens late last night, added that he would be continuing his efforts. He later told reporters he had received assurances from Mr. Milosevic that Serbia would not proceed with recognition of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. "Serbia will not proceed with recognition of Skopje without previous agreement with Greece," he said. It added that Mr. Milosevic was determined to uphold the Serbian stance "regardless of the political cost". [4] Papantoniou applauds move to lower interest rates, says more banks should follow ----------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 01/03/1995 (ANA): National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou yesterday described as "positive" the 2.5 per cent average reduction in interest rates for all categories of loans announced Monday by the Alpha Credit Bank. "Competition is beginning to bite," Mr. Papantoniou said, clarifying that this was a message he was sending to all banks. The bank's new rates, effective today, will range from 19.5 to 23 per cent, depending on the customer's credit standing and the range of the customer's business with the bank. Housing loans will carry the minimum rate of 19.5 per cent. Mr. Papantoniou said that the pressure of competition was making the major banks offer better services at a lower cost. "I hope the other banks correctly interpret the interest rate reduction announced by Alpha Credit," he added. He said that there was room for a reduction in interest rates and that bank administrations were in a position to work towards modernising the sector. Mr. Papantoniou said that the bank's decision also illustrated the confidence of the private sector in the government's policy "since it takes for granted that inflation will fall while at the same time strengthening prospects for the recovery and development of the country's economy." [5] Post Office Savings Bank time deposit interest rates set ------------------------------------------------------------ Athens, 01/03/1995 (ANA): The following interest rates for Post Office Savings Bank time deposits have been set as of today March 1, 1995: The rate for three-month deposits is 17 per cent per year for 1,000,000 dr. or more. The rate for six-month deposits is 17.5 per cent per year for 1,000,000 dr. or more. The rate for 12-month deposits is 18.5 per cent per year for 1,000,000 dr. or more. [6] Allegations of mismanagement at Bank of Crete will be investigated, Gov't says --------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 01/03/1995 (ANA): The accusations made by dismissed Bank of Crete commissioner Costas Kalyvianakis concerning a 43 billion drachma scandal at the bank will be investigated by the competent bodies, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said yesterday. Bank of Greece governor Lucas Papademos Monday appointed former National Bank deputy governor Costas Georgakopoulos as commissioner at the Bank of Crete in place of Mr. Kalyvianakis. Following his dismissal, Mr. Kalyvianakis spoke of a scandal involving 43 billion drachmas in loans extended by the bank between November 1988 and December 1993, the collection of which was doubtful. Denying all responsibility for the bank's indebtedness, he laid the blame with his predecessor, Ioannis Kamaras, and previous Bank of Greece authorities, against whom he is taking legal action. Replying to questions, Mr. Venizelos said that Mr. Kalyvianakis' dismissal was in no way connected with the resignation a few months ago of Bank of Greece governor Ioannis Boutos. National Defence Minister Yiannos Papantoniou refused to comment on the dismissal of Mr. Kalyvianakis, saying that the issue fell under the sole responsibility of the Bank of Greece. He said, however, that the government would consider a bill for the restructuring of the Bank of Crete submitted by the Bank of Greece. In a statement Monday, the main opposition New Democracy party accused Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou of being "morally responsible" for the situation at the Bank of Crete "for having removed Bank of Greece governor Ioannis Boutos... for the sake of now-dismissed Costas Kalyvianakis". The Political Spring party issued an announcement yesterday calling on the government to elaborate on Mr. Kalyvianakis' accusations explaining the situation in the Bank of Crete. The party also called on the government to announce intended measures and procedures for the restructuring of the bank for reasons of privatisation and the safeguarding of the bank's interest and the interest of its employees. The Coalition of the Left and Progress said in an announcement yesterday that transparency and legality are necessary "in order to break the chain of consecutive scandals." The party criticised the government's handling of the issue. [7] ND deputies accuse Livanos of impropriety in Floisvos casino licence ---------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 01/03/1995 (ANA): Yesterday's debate in Parliament on a question by four New Democracy party deputies concerning procedures followed in the granting of the Floisvos casino licence was dominated by charges of impropriety against Tourism Minister Dionysios Livanos. The issue has surfaced in connection with allegations that procedures had been shortened by the minister to facilitate a public relations exercise by the particular winner of the concession, who was also interested in the acquisition of a stake in the private SKAI radio-television network. The minister countered charges that he had personally favoured the particular bidder, and produced evidence showing that the shortening of procedures had been requested by the evaluation committee itself, whose recommendation he was bound by law to ratify. Political Spring party deputy Andreas Lentakis said responsibility lay collectively with the government, while Communist party deputy Gerasimos Aravanis accused it of contradicting its pre-election stand against the privatisation of casinos. At the end of the debate, Mr. Livanos said he would consider submitting his resignation in the following hours. Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said yesterday that the government' s policy on casinos had nothing to do with the problems occurring in the procedures concerning the granting of licences. He added that it was in the Cabinet's competence to intervene only in order to annul invitations to tender, as in the earlier case of the Mont Parnes casino. Regarding an appeal to the Council of State by another contestant for the Floisvos concession, Mr. Venizelos said that if the Council annulled the licence, then it would cease to exist. [8] Livanos meets Livanis ------------------------- Athens, 01/03/1995 (ANA): Following a meeting with Under-Secretary to the Prime Minister Antonis Livanis after the debate in Parliament, Mr. Livanos still left doubt hanging over his future in the ministerial post, saying that in matters of morality no one, including the prime minister, was better suited to judge him than himself. [9] Questions on delay of Spata airport raised at Europarliament committee ---------------------------------------------------------------- Brussels, 01/03/1995 (ANA): Main opposition New Democracy party Eurodeputy Kostis Hatzidakis, a member of the European Parliament's Regional Policy Committee, yesterday asked the European Commission to clarify why there had been a delay in the construction of the new international Athens airport. Mr. Hatzidakis asked who was ultimately to blame for the delay: the Greek government, the European Commission or conflicting Franco-German interests. He requested information on the precise problems that had led to the freezing of consultations between the Greek government and the Commission on signing a building contract for the new airport. Mr. Hatzidakis enquired into the Commission's position on rumours that the delays are due to a "war" between French and German interests and asked which preconditions were necessary to overcome problems and when the Commission thought it would be possible to facilitate the launching of the airport project. The Commission is expected to reply to Mr. Hatzidakis at the next European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg. [10] Andrianopoulos voices concern at direction of Greece --------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 01/03/1995 (ANA): Former New Democracy minister Andreas Andrianopoulos, who retired from politics last year saying he was disaffected by prevailing practice, yesterday staged what appeared to be a prelude to a comeback, at an event held in his honour by the Greek American Chamber at the Hilton Hotel. Mr. Andrianopoulos painted a black picture of contemporary Gre-ece, speaking of a country "entrapped in a tragic vicious circle of corruption, incompetence, social quagmire and decay". He accused political leaderships of wanting only to secure popular favour, thereby mortgaging the country's future, and of consenting to the maintenance of bankrupt and cumbersome state enterprises. He spoke of a reprehensible "meshing of interests" between various levels in public life, and of the "oppression of the country by the bosses of the mainly electronic media", to whom "the law does not apply in the same way as to other Greeks". He said Greek society would seek the new, turning its back on bankrupt political entities, and that a new political majority would push for its reorganisation. "For the time being, we shall leave a big question mark in the place of those who will undertake the initiative for the new beginning. But the future cannot wait... It is near and pressing," he said. His speech was attended by many New Democracy party deputies who have at various times voiced criticism against the present leadership, former Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Maria Damanaki, and US ambassador to Athens Thomas Niles. [11] Premier to brief president today ------------------------------------- Athens, 01/03/1995 (ANA): Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou will brief President Constantine Karamanlis today on foreign policy and domestic issues, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said yesterday. The spokesman said that the meeting would take place at 12:30. [12] Arsenis in Netherlands for talks ------------------------------------ Athens, 01/03/1995 (ANA): National Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis departed for the Netherlands yesterday on a two-day official visit which will include talks on issues of common interest and tour Dutch military installations. Mr. Arsenis is being accompanied on the visit, at the invitation of his Dutch counterpart Goris Voorhoeve, by military officials and experts from the National Defence Ministry. [13] Niotis says overseas Greek's council in final stages --------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 01/03/1995 (ANA): Foreign Affairs Under-Secretary for Overseas Greeks Grigoris Niotis yesterday said that the government's efforts to establish a Council of Overseas Greeks was in its final stages. The Council aims at covering gaps in the relations between Greece and overseas Greeks, Mr. Niotis said at the Hellenic Studies Centre. Mr. Niotis also said the forthcoming World Conference on Hellenism was an exceptional institution to harness the powers of Hellenism and which will be based in Thessaloniki. The conference will be attended by overseas Greek representatives as well as Cypriot organisations. [14] Papantoniou presents new bill to guarantee private savings --------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 01/03/1995 (ANA): The final touches are being put to a draft bill which will guarantee the bank deposits of private savers up to the amount of six million drachmas in the event of a bank's collapse. National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said that the draft bill provides for the creation of a "Guarantee and Savings Fund" to which the Bank of Greece and all other banks would make contributions. In the event of a bank's collapse or other serious problems, the fund would be used to cover the deposits of private savers up to the amount of 20,000 ECU. Mr. Papantoniou said that the draft bill amending legislation governing the operation of the Athens Stock Exchange, the Capital Market Committee and the setting up of the Guarantee and Savings Fund would be tabled in Parliament in the next few days after being signed by the ministers of finance and of commerce and the Minister to the Prime Minister's Office. He said that the new fund would also cover savings deposited with credit cooperatives. [15] Three construction groups bid for Stavros-Elefsis road ----------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 01/03/1995 (ANA): Three construction groups made up of Greek and foreign companies have submitted bids for the Stavros-Elefsis motorway project valued at about 400 billion drachmas. The motorway will be financed by the Hellenic state and the group to be chosen after being granted exploitation rights. Among others, the first joint venture, dubbed "Attiki Odos", includes the Aktor S.A., Alte S.A., Atemke-ATE and Attikat companies. The second joint venture named "Pella" includes the Elliniki Technodomiki and Techniki Etairia Volou companies. The third joint venture named "Concif" includes the Sarantopoulos, Michaniki and Meton S.A. companies as well as the Latsis group. The bids for the project were submitted yesterday.