A.N.A. Bulletin 28/4/95

From: "Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa" <[email protected]>

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 574), April 28, 1995

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: [email protected]

CONTENTS

[1] Owen sees little hope for extension of cease-fire in Bosnia

Athens, 28/4/95 (ANA): The United Nations mediator on Bosnia

Lord Owen yesterday held out little hope for an extension of a

four-month cease-fire in Bosnia due to expire on Monday. "It is

unlikely, I'm afraid, that the cease-fire will be extended on

time. The hope is that there will be an extension but until then

this may mean that we may have an uneasy period (in Bosnia) for

a week or so," Lord Owen told reporters before a working

luncheon with Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias. Mr. Papoulias

departs for Tehran today to discuss ways of bringing peace to

war-torn former Yugoslavia with his Iranian and Bosnian

counterparts, Ali Akbar Velayati and Irfan Ljubijankic. The

tripartite meeting is a continuation of similar talks between

the three in Athens on March 8.

The UN mediator said that he would be discussing Mr. Papoulias'

visit to Tehran with the foreign minister. He described Mr.

Papoulias as "the most experienced European Union foreign

minister on the whole Balkan crisis". Lord Owen said that

efforts were continuing to extend the cease-fire, adding that

"prospects are not totally hopeless". "It's not good. Let's face

it, the cease-fire is not operating at the moment. It has been

substantially broken since the government forces started to

fight around Tuzla and continue their fighting in Bihac," the UN

mediator said. Lord Owen left for Belgrade yesterday and is due

to fly to London today.

Speaking to reporters after the luncheon, Mr. Papoulias said

that the "common political target" of the tripartite meeting in

Tehran today is peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Replying to

questions, Mr. Papoulias said he was certain that in Tehran

"certain things can be achieved" which would have a positive

effect on the entire peace process. He added that Mr. Owen

considered the trip "a very important move in the peace process

in the former Yugoslavia".

Asked if a meeting between Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou,

Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic, and Croatian President

Franjo Tudjman was possible, Mr. Papoulias said everything was

possible.

[2] German praise

Bonn, 28/4/95 (ANA/P. Stangos): German parliamentarians

yesterday praised the role Greece is currently playing in the

Bosnian crisis during a session of parliament's Foreign Affairs

Committee held to discuss the impending expiry of the cease-fire

agreement on May 1.

According to sources, Christian Democratic party spokesman Karl

Lamers underlined the importance of efforts made by Mr.

Papoulias for the creation of a "communication channel" between

Serbs and Bosnians.

His Social Democratic counterpart Karsten Vogt made similar

remarks, referring especially to the tripartite meeting held in

Athens on March 8 and due to be repeated in Tehran today.

[3] Eminent economist Angelopoulos dies

Athens, 28/4/95 (ANA): Member of the Athens Academy and former

National Bank of Greece Governor Angelos Angelopoulos, one of

Greece's economic wizards, died of a stroke yesterday at the age

of 91. The Arcadia-born Angelopoulos was a graduate of the

Athens Economic Sciences University (ASOEE) with postgraduate

studies in the universities of Leipzig and Paris. An economist

and university professor, Mr. Angelopoulos served as director of

the Supreme Economic Council from 1931-1945, and was a professor

of Public Finance at Athens University from 1936 to 1947, when

he was dismissed for his political beliefs. He was Finance

Secretary of the partisan government during the Nazi occupation,

and served as Finance Under-Secretary in the first post-war

government under George Papandreou in 1944.

From 1946-67 he published the monthly financial review "Nea

Ekonomia", and in 1969 founded the Hellenic Planning Society,

which he chaired. In 1961 he was elected a professor of Applied

Economics at the Panteion University, resigning from the post in

1967 in protest at the April 21 military dictatorship and at the

same time suspending the publication of his financial monthly.

In 1974, immediately after the collapse of the colonels' junta,

Mr. Angelopoulos took over as governor of the National Bank of

Greece, serving in that post until 1979. Mr. Angelopoulos was

made a full member of the Athens Academy in December 1975, and

served on the editorial board of the Hague-based Public Finance

magazine and the Amsterdam-based Bulletin de Documentation

Fiscale Internationale. He was also a member o f the

International Institutes of Statistics, Public Finances and

Demography and the American Political Sciences Society, and

authored a number of economic studies.

President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos yesterday

expressed his deep sorrow over the death of Mr. Angelopoulos, "a

top economist and intellectual who offered the country during

his whole life great and valuable services".

Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou said "Angelos Angelopoulos

was an eminent personality in the intellectual and social life

of the country and an important member of the international

academic community."

Condolences were also conveyed by former prime minister

Constantine Mitsotakis, main opposition New Democracy leader

Miltiades Evert, Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras,

Secretary-General of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Aleka

Papariga and Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos

Constantopoulos.

[4] Owen, Papoulias see 'slow, steady progress' in FYROM issue

Athens, 28/4/95 (ANA): United Nations mediator Lord Owen and

Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias yesterday expressed the view

that "slow" but "steady" progress was being made in efforts to

solve the dispute between Greece and the Former Yugoslav

Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

Speaking to reporters shortly before a working lunch with Mr.

Papoulias, Lord Owen said that he was in constant contact with

international mediator Cyrus Vance with whom he was exchanging

views on the Skopje issue. "The issue is in the capable h ands

of Mr. Vance," Lord Owen said, with Mr. Papoulias adding that

there was indeed "steady progress" on the matter.

[5] Greek humanitarian aid reaches Belgrade

Belgrade, 28/4/95 (ANA/M. Mouratidis): Nineteen tonnes of

humanitarian aid worth $US100,000 sent to refugees in Serbia by

the Greek government have reached their destination. Aid

reaching Serbia to date has been gathered at the initiative of

local administration authorities and non-governmental

organisations. Commissioner for refugees Bratislava Morina held

talks with official Greek government circles in Athens recently.

[6] Mangakis confers with EFTA head on closer ties

Athens, 28/4/95 (ANA): Alternate Foreign Minister George

Mangakis had talks yesterday with Norway's Minister of Trade and

Shipping Grete Knundsen in her capacity as president of the

European Free Trade Area (EFTA) organisation.

According to informed sources, the talks focused on relations

between the European Union and EFTA and trade between the two

sides, particularly in the sectors of fishing and agricultural

products. Despite the fact that Norwegians had voted against

accession to the EU, Ms. Knundsen said Oslo desired further

co-operation with the members of the Community.

Mr. Mangakis said that the 'no' vote did not prevent Norway

from co-operating with the EU, nor should it be construed in

this light. In a letter on behalf of the EFTA countries

belonging to the European Economic Area (Liechtenstein, Iceland

and Norway), Oslo has requested an upgraded political dialogue

with the EU.

The EU General Affairs Council examined the request on March 6

and accepted it in principle, at least as far as more frequent

meetings between the leaders of the three countries and their EU

counterparts. The EU, however, did not accept the three

countries' request for joint action and positions.

[7] Premier meets with Skandalidis, Tsohatzopoulos

Athens, 28/4/95 (ANA): Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou held

consecutive meetings with Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis

and ruling PASOK party secretary Akis Tsohatzopoulos at his

residence in Ekali yesterday, discussing issues concerning the

work of the government and the party's forthcoming

organisational conference.

Mr. Skandalidis told reporters after the meeting that he did

not believe there would be a reshuffle, reiterating relevant

statements by Mr. Papandreou and government spokesman Evangelos

Venizelos. Mr. Skandalidis also said PASOK's conference would

take place in June according to schedule. Mr. Tsohatzopoulos

made no statement.

[8] Avramopoulos represents Athens at Eurocities Network meeting

Brussels, 28/4/95 (ANA/M. Savva): Mayor of Athens Dimitris

Avramopoulos represented the Greek capital yesterday at a

Eurocities Network meeting which laid the groundwork for the

signing of a "Charter of European Cities" at the European

Parliament building in Brussels.

More than 60 European cities were represented at the meeting.

The text of the Charter stresses the important role played by

cities in the course towards a unified Europe. The Eurocities

Network will meet again in Bilbao, Spain on May 15, while the

final signing of the Charter will take place in Bologna, Italy

in November.

[9] Stephanopoulos arrives in Thessaloniki for two-day visit

Athens, 28/4/95 (ANA): In his first visit to Greece's northern

capital of Thessaloniki, President Kostis Stephanopoulos said

Greece desired peace, security and would work to protect its

national rights.

"Greece is not creating any problem for any other state but of

course it is not prepared to accept problems being created for

it," Mr. Stephanopoulos said on his arrival at Macedonia airport

last night. He was formally greeted by the Mayor of Thessaloniki

Constantine Kosmopoulos.

Referring to the role played by Thessaloniki, he said present

circumstances rendered the city's role even more important

because "there is an absolute need for our relations with our

northern neighbours, and with all the other neighbouring peoples

to the north to develop even more, strengthen contacts between

us, transactions and trade activities. Necessity offers this

reality to Thessaloniki as a principal responsibility."

Macedonia and Thrace Minister Constantine Triarides and Mr.

Kosmopoulos will brief President Stephanopoulos this morning on

issues concerning the city and the region.

The president will then lay a wreath at the memorial at the

Third Army Corps, visit the Archaeological Museum, the

Aristotelion University of Thessaloniki and the University of

Macedonia. President Stephanopoulos will return to Athens

tonight.

[10] Greece, Bulgaria to organise Balkans telecoms, postal services conference

Athens, 28/4/95 (ANA): Greece and Bulgaria decided yesterday to

undertake an initiative for the organisation of a Balkan

conference later this year on telecommunications and postal

issues. The decision was taken during talks between Transport

and Communications Minister Athanasios Tsouras and his Bulgarian

counterpart Lubomir Colarov.

The aim of the conference will be to formulate a common Balkan

policy in the telecommunications and postal sectors and take

concrete decisions for its implementation. The conference will

be attended by competent ministers from Balkan countries and

national telecommunications and postal organisations.

[11] Fewer Greeks happy with EU

Brussels, 28/4/95 (ANA/F. Stangos): The number of Greeks who

support Greece's participation in a united Europe has decreased,

according to the latest opinion poll conducted by the European

Commission.

According to the figures for March, published in the

information bulletin "Europinion", 58 per cent of Greeks think

their participation in Europe is positive, down 11 units from

the previous month's figures. A similar reduction was noted in

the number of those who believe Greece has benefited from its

membership in the EU: 68 per cent said they supported this view,

down from 77 per cent in February.

[12] Bucharest to take delivery of new Greek buses this week

Athens, 28/4/95 (ANA): Twenty buses out of 40 being built at

the Hellenic Vehicles Industry's (ELBO) installations at Sindos

in Thessaloniki for the Bucharest Urban Transport Organisation

will be delivered tomorrow.

The buses will be transported by rail to Bucharest with a Greek

Railways Organisation (OSE) train due to depart from ELBO's

installations at noon. The remaining 20 buses will be delivered

by the end of June, concluding the first export of such vehicles

by ELBO, worth 1.6 billion drachmas.

ELBO chairman of the board Argyris Hatzipetrou said yesterday

this export was the start of a series of similar efforts to sell

urban buses in the wider Balkan region and in Black Sea

countries.

[13] Commission says merger of Greek firms with Saudi Aramco underway

Brussels, 28/4/95 (ANA/P. Pantelis): The European Commission

yesterday announced that procedures were underway for the merger

of Saudi Aramco with two Greek companies, Motor Oil-Corinth

Refineries and Avinoil-Industrial and Maritime Petroleum Company.

According to Regulation 4064/89, the Commission notifies

interested third parties of the Saudi company's intention to

acquire a 50 per cent stake in the two Greek companies, and

invites them to submit any comments within ten days. It also

said that, following a preliminary examination, it found that

the case is in line with Greek legislation.

[14] Simitis gives insurance firms ultimatum: licences to be revoked if reserves remain short

Athens, 28/4/95 (ANA): The Trade and Industry Ministry will

revoke the licences of nine insurance companies if they do not

meet their obligations concerning the level of reserves by May

10, Minister Costas Simitis said yesterday. The ministry has

been conducting extensive checks in the private insurance sector

for some time, and five companies had their licences revoked

last autumn.

The nine recipients of yesterday's warning, issued on the basis

of a recommendation by the Private Insurance Commission, were

among a further group of 23 that had been investigated, and

found not to have fully met their obligations by Wednesday.

Checks would be extended to all other companies, and would also

include the 1994 financial year, Mr. Simitis said. He provided

assurances that even in the event that certain licences are

revoked, those insured for car accident civil liability will

continue to be covered through the insurance companies'

auxiliary fund. He added that a committee set up in December

last year is looking into a reform of the relevant legislation

in the direction of greater protection for the consumer. It is

expected to submit its recommendations in May.

Referring to general matters in the sector, the minister said

that a draft presidential decree on harmonisation with third

generation Community directives was near completion, and that

the ministry wished to promote the presence of reliable and

healthy companies, which would be in a position to respond to an

ever increasing competition in the European single market and

possibly expand their activities abroad.

[15] Conference looks to make inroads in tourism in Black Sea, Central Asia

Athens, 28/4/95 (ANA): Ministers, heads of tourist

organisations and senior state officials from 15 countries

yesterday discussed ways of developing new tourism activities in

the area of the Black Sea and Central Asia on the first day of

an international conference organised by the World Tourist

Organisation (WTO).

Representatives from Greece, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan,

Kirghizia, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Tadzhikstan, Turkey,

Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Georgia and Kazakhstan are

participating in the meeting. The conference, being held in the

seaside resort of Lagonisi near Athens, is the second of its

kind. The first conference was held in Turkey in 1993.

Greek National Tourist Organisation (EOT) president Yiannis

Stefanidis told delegates that Greece had strong ties with

nearly all the countries represented and would do everything

possible to promote their tourist development. For the first

time, Mr. Stefanidis said, Greece as the only member of the

European Union had taken the initiative to raise the issue of

co-operation between the countries of the region and the EU,

including the financing of tourist projects.

EOT General Secretary Evangelos Yiannakopoulos said that

Greece's interest in the tourist development of the region was

reflected by the organisation's plans to shortly open new

offices in the Ukraine, Romania and Georgia. At the same time,

he said, Greece is participating in the Silk Road Project which

is part of a broader WTO plan for the region.

Regional representative of the World Trade Tourism Organisation

Vettor Giusti called on all the participating countries to

attract as many tourists as possible, in this way contributing

in relieving regional tension. Mr. Giusti also criticised the

fact that, as he said, countries other than Greece and Turkey

have not undertaken any governmental policy which really

supports tourism.

[16] Industry confident about economy, ICAP survey shows

Athens, 28/4/95 (ANA): Greek industry is optimistic about

business and economic developments this year, according to a

survey carried out in March by the reputable market research

company ICAP.

The majority of the random sample of 250 industrial companies

used in the survey said they expected an increase in the volume

of sales, higher profits, better financing prospects and were

planning investments. The percentage of industrial firms

planning investments was significantly higher than recorded in a

corresponding survey last year, although it was still too early

to assess the actual value of investments in absolute figures.

There was less optimism about the course of inflation, with

most companies forecasting an annual rate of between 10 and 12

per cent. Many larger industrial concerns however predicted

single digit inflation during 1995.

Also down compared with last year was the number of industrial

companies expressing uncertainty about the government's exchange

policy of allowing the drachma to gradually slide against other

major currencies.

The impression is widespread in industry that interest rates

will continue to fall and that as a result, raising capital will

be easier than last year. This development, combined with higher

profitability of companies last year, appears to have markedly

improved the investment climate, particularly in the sectors of

metal working, foodstuffs, tobacco, drinks, metal objects,

electric and electronic material, plastics, chemicals,

pharmaceuticals and oil.

According to the survey, the same investment enthusiasm does

not appear to be present in the branches of wood, furniture and

means of transport.