National Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis accused Turkey yesterday of violating international law by threatening Greece with war if it extended its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles.
"Turkey's threat to declare war against a country in the event it implements clauses of an international law constitutes an action violating the elementary rules of international law and order, particularly Article 2, paragraph 4 of the UN charter, and also constitutes a refusal of Turkey's desire to approach Europe," Mr. Arsenis said in an address at the Western European Union's (WEU) Parliamentary Assembly in Paris.
Commenting on a statement Turkish Prime Minister Tansu Ciller made at the same forum Tuesday that a possible extension of Greek territorial waters would make the Aegean a "closed lake" and would dramatically restrict the passage of Turkish ships, Mr. Arsenis explained that the new law of the sea did not restrict the passage of ships of neighbouring countries but on the contrary rendered such passage easier. "Both merchant ships and warships will have the right of safe passage in peacetime," he added. "It is not true that the Aegean will become a closed sea. It is not right," he added.
Mr. Arsenis said Ms. Ciller's allegation was "mistaken" that Greece's intention to extend, when it wished, its territorial waters from six to 12 nautical miles would constitute a violation of the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne. "The Treaty of Lausanne does not refer to territorial waters. It refers to minorities, and the fate Turkey had in store for the Greek minority is well known, contrary to what is the case with the Moslem minority in Greece," Mr. Arsenis told reporters.
The Greek defence minister said if a certain neighbouring country had technical problems stemming from the extension of Greek territorial waters "it must approach us and tell us about them, not dogmatically reject them as Ms. Ciller does - rights emanating from International Law."
He said he did not mean a "dialogue" could take place on the issue since it concerned exercising a national right. "If technical problems exist they can be handled within the framework of international law," he added.
Speaking at the same session Monday, Ms. Ciller accused Greece of attempting to strike against Turkey's vital interests by upsetting the balance in the Aegean. The Turkish Prime Minister claimed that any extension of Greece's territorial waters to 12 nautical miles, as provided by the Law of the Sea Convention, would hypothetically require a Turkish yacht travelling from one Turkish port to another to request permission from the Greek authorities. "Greece has to realise that the Aegean is a special case," she told the WEU meeting.
Ankara said any extension of Greece's territorial waters from six to 12 nautical miles in the Aegean would be a cause for war. The Turkish National Assembly also ratified a resolution earlier in the month empowering the Ankara government to take all "necessary measures, including military steps" to protect the country's interests. Greece has repeatedly said that it reserves its sovereign right to extend its territorial waters, and would exercise that right when it deemed appropriate.
Mr. Arsenis also said Greece supported the presence of UNPROFOR in Bosnia and believed the rapid reaction force could contribute to peace efforts, on the condition it would remain under the UN's mandate and administration.
Mr. Arsenis was applauded after his speech, while many deputies came forward to congratulate him. He referred to a collective security system in Europe and the roles the WEU and Greece could play with alliance networks "a la carte."
Giving an example of this policy, Mr. Arsenis referred to defence agreements Greece has signed with many Balkan and Middle East countries and the recent multinational exercise held in the Peloponnese in this context.
Meanwhile in Athens, Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias commenting on Ms Ciller's statements, said: "Greece's foreign policy is a matter for our country and we are not interested in what (Turkish Premier Tansu) Ciller has to say."
"Turkey must take many steps in order to approach European targets and Turkish foreign policy must take this into serious consideration," he said. "Instead of criticising Greek foreign policy, Ms. Ciller would be advised to see and correct everything which needs correcting in order (for Turkey) to approach European targets," Mr. Papoulias said.
Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert said yesterday in reference to Ms. Ciller's statements that "Hellenism from north to south is ready to meet any provocation wherever it may come from."
Tourism Minister Dionysis Livanos submitted his resignation yesterday following weeks of corruption allegations stemming from the proposed Floisvos casino license. Mr. Livanos announced his resignation after meeting with Antonis Livanis, the Under-Secretary to the prime minister's office. Premier Andreas Papandreou later accepted Mr. Livanos' resignation, thanking him for his co-operation.
In his letter of resignation, Mr. Livanos said he was "automatically deprived of his ministerial post when it was decided to annul the Floisvos bidding procedure, which awarded a concession to a consortium of Greek and foreign companies."
The decision to build a casino in the seaside Floisvos area of Paleon Faliron had been collective, while Mr. Livanos said he considered criticism against him over the issue to be unfair. The Floisvos project was awarded earlier this year to Athens Casino and Resorts S.A, which includes four Greek construction companies and Sun International, a South African gaming conglomerate. In January, the consortium paid 11.5 billion drachmas for a state license to build and operate the casino.
The multi-billion drachmas project also called for construction of other facilities such as a conference hall, five-star hotel and luxury-yacht marina. The license was authorised before legislation was secured by the government allowing the project's construction at the seaside venue.
Demonstrations by Floisvos-area residents, coupled by opposition from within the ruling Socialist party led the government to retract its legislative decision, saying it would be revised. Athens Casino and Resorts has threatened to take legal action against Greece if the government abandons its decision to go ahead with the Floisvos project. On the other hand, Floisvos residents have taken their case to the State Council, arguing the massive project will damage the environment. The government has so far granted five casino permits, taking in 23 billion drachmas.
New Democracy party spokesman Theodoros Kassimis said Mr. Livanos "did not stand the weight of revelations by New Democracy and was forced into a humiliating resignation." The resignation, he continued, "does not reduce the tremendous responsibilities of other government officials who collaborated in the scandalous Floisvos affair, and of the prime minister's entourage, who have been offering their cover for months."
The Coalition of the Left said in a statement that the government and prime minister had to provide convincing explanations regarding the affair, for which Mr. Livanos was not solely responsible. It also called for a definite suspension of the project in Floisvos and a re-examination of the whole affair.
By a decision of the prime minister, hitherto Culture Under-Secretary Nikos Sifounakis will be sworn in as new tourism minister tomorrow.
National Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis yesterday expressed satisfaction following talks in Paris with his French counterpart, Charles Millon, who termed the talks "fruitful."
France accepted a Greek request to participate in the EUROMARFOR- a joint naval force for security in the Mediterranean within the framework of the Western European Union (WEU) - established at the WEU meeting of ministers in Lisbon. EUROMARFOR includes France, Italy, Spain and Portugal.
The two ministers also discussed the Bosnian crisis and Greece's mediating initiatives. "We believe that Greece, due to its geographical position and history in the region, will use its influence so that all the interested parties come to realise that there can be no absolute conditions and terms in advance of efforts to confront the crisis," Mr. Million told reporters after talks with Mr. Arsenis.
Both defence ministers agreed to maintain constant contact within the framework of a working group, both with regard to Balkan issues and the development of the European security system in view of an intergovernmental conference next year.
The two ministers also agreed to set up a commission for promoting military co-operation between the two countries, particularly in arms industry.
Greek diplomats said yesterday they planned to hold a 24-hour strike tomorrow to demand higher pay and tax exemptions. They said foreign ministry personnel would join the strike. Similar mobilisations are expected to run through next week, they said.
Greece's interest and relations with the Arab World are at a "very high level," Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias said yesterday, adding the Middle East was an area of strategic interest for Athens. Mr. Papoulias, due to visit Lebanon and Jordan soon, spoke to reporters shortly before a luncheon given in his honour by Arab diplomats in Athens.
Mr. Papoulias said Greece had done a great deal for the Middle East peace process and efforts to resolve the Palestinian problem. "Greece firmly believes in the necessity of continuous development in our relations and their strengthening at all levels. However, we should not forget that the basic foundation in our co-operation is the existence of peace and stability in the region, and there will be no peace and stability before its two major problems, the issues of Cyprus and Palestine, are resolved finally and justly," Mr. Papoulias said.
"Regarding the Cyprus issue, an international problem of a UN member-state being under Turkish occupation, we especially appreciate the position of Arab countries. A consistent and continuous position for its just, permanent and viable solution according to the resolutions of the UN and international law," he added.
"Living in the Mediterranean basin, we know of the integration of our economies and mutual benefits stemming from close co-operation in the framework of equality. I wish to reassure you that Greece, as it has done to date, will continue to promote the just claims of the Arab world toward deepening co-operation between the European Union and Arab countries," Mr. Papoulias said.
Attending the luncheon were the ambassadors of Kuwait, Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Tunisia, Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and the representative of the Arab League in Athens.
Addressing the luncheon, Kuwaiti Ambassador to Athens, Ali Al-Zaid, said historic relations of friendship and co-operation between Arab countries and Greece made one feel certain that Greece, being a European Union member, would offer more support to Arab issues and particularly the question of peace in the Middle East, in order to enable security and stability to prevail in the region.
"Islam is innocent of any fanaticism and violence. On the contrary, the principles of Islam are based on peace, security, love, fellowship and respect for human rights and the condemnation of hostility. However, fanaticism is an international phenomenon which is not only condemned by Islam but by all religions," Mr. Al-Zaid said.
He added Greece, in its capacity as an EU member, could play the role of a strong bridge in supporting, promoting and understanding Arab issues in the European Union as well as participating in the lifting of obstacles standing in the path of Arab-European dialogue for co-operation.
After a meeting with Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou yesterday, Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos said the premier would instruct the finance ministry to disburse 40 billion drachmas in grants to the city's municipal authority.
Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias expressed guarded optimism yesterday over developments on the issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). Asked to comment on a New York visit by FYROM Foreign Minister Stevo Crvenkovski, Mr. Papoulias said it was "a new element." He declined, however, to make any further statement. Mr. Papoulias also spoke of Skopje's back-pedalling, saying Athens was waiting "for a final answer."
Meanwhile, main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert told reporters yesterday that "the Greek side has done everything possible (to find a settlement to the Skopje issue)." Mr. Evert said it was now Skopje's turn to realise what was in its best interests.
The lack of "friendly relations" between Greece and FYROM is an anachronism, FYROM President Kiro Gligorov said after talks with French President Jacques Chirac yesterday. "We agreed that it is an anachronism that two neighbouring countries, with nothing in reality standing between them, cannot have good, friendly relations," he said.
Mr. Gligorov expressed his disappointment that because of a Greek veto his country cannot become a member of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OCSE) or sign an agreement with the European Union. "I believe it is to the common interest of Greece and ours to settle all this as soon as possible, and be able to act in common on the European scene," he added.
Earlier, Mr. Gligorov stated that Skopje is ready to discuss these issues with Athens directly, as soon as the latter lifts its trade embargo. He also said his country accepts the UN mediation under Cyrus Vance for discussion of technical details concerning the lifting of the embargo.
Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert said during a tour of the Greek border region of Kilkis yesterday that it was time a united national foreign policy was drafted to face the country's foreign policy problems. "It is inconceivable to face problems as they appear holding each other responsible (for the results)," Mr. Evert said.
He added that "a long-term foreign policy must be drafted for the implementation of which each government shall be responsible." Referring to internal party problems, the ND leader stressed the need for unity within his party, stating: "the time has come for party interests to be subjected to the national interest.
"I will never allow, in order to serve party politics, international forces to take advantages of the mistakes made by parties in Greece," Mr. Evert said, adding that ND "is the party of great choices, namely the country's constitution and its accession to the European Union. "I will lead you to victory," Mr. Evert told his audience.
Turning to foreign policy issues, he stressed the need for an "honourable, national and realistic solution" to the Skopje issue, adding: "we will defend our symbols and history in compliance with our national interests."
Referring to the government's fiscal policy, Mr. Evert said stabilisation programmes would not provide the solution to unemployment, but that this would be achieved only through development.
Despite its good performance, Greece's national basketball team began yesterday's first day of the European basketball championship in Athens with a defeat, losing to Yugoslavia 84-80 in overtime. Regulation time was 72-72, with the Greeks leading 43-34 at half-time. Other results: Russia 126 - Finland 74, Lithuania 96 - Germany 82, France 89 - Slovenia 68 and Italy 73- Israel 71.
Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou yesterday announced that 930 million drachmas in financial aid was headed to five prefectures whose regions were hit by devastating earthquakes in recent months. The announcement was made after the prefects of Kozani, Grevena, Florina, Achaia and Fokida met with the premier at his private residence in Ekali.
Government sources said the aid was compiled from last week's state earnings of football (OPAP) and LOTTO lotteries. "The gesture reflects an initiative by the prime minister to assist quake victims," Sports Under-Secretary George Lianis said.
Government sources said 350 million drachmas of the announced aid package would go toward quake victims in Egion. Thousands of Egion residents remain homeless since last week's 6.1 on the Richter scale quake. A total of 26 people were killed when a hotel and apartment complex collapsed during the violent tremor.
Merchant Marine Ministry sources later said some 1,000 Egion residents would be housed on-board a luxury super-yacht sent to the northern Peloponnese city by shipping tycoon Yannis Latsis. The "Marianna," manned by a 100-member crew, had difficulty docking because of damages at port facilities in Egion.
Merchant Marine ministry sources said Mr. Latsis funded the construction of a floating pier for the Marianna to dock. "Mr. Latsis' assistance is in line with the prime minister's initiative for assistance of quake victims," Merchant Marine Minister Georgios Katsifaras said.
In Brussels, the Commission offered 300 million drachmas in symbolic humanitarian aid for the victims of the Egion quake. Culture Commissioner K.M. Oreha suggested to the Commission that special financial aid should also be given for the restoration of damages at the ancient Delphi site.
Meanwhile, a package of measures for the restoration of the Egialia and Fokida regions and the confrontation of the immediate needs of quake victims are expected to be announced tomorrow. The quake carved a swathe of destruction across the area east of Patras, while civil engineers examining buildings in Egion found 1,657 to be unsuitable, 1,536 repairable and 3,064 safe for occupancy.
Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Kostas Laliotis said the government has endorsed the same measures it had taken for victims of the quakes in the Kozani and Grevena regions last month.
The measures provide for rent subsidies of up to 60,000 drachmas per month for each family for as long as it takes to repair or rebuild badly damaged homes. The amount of 100,000 drachmas will also be given to all unemployed persons not currently receiving any benefit, while those receiving unemployment benefits will get 50,000 drachmas. The amount of 200,000 drachmas will be given to the most needy quake victims to confront their immediate needs.
Meanwhile a delegation headed by Christos Protopapas, Head of the General Confederation of Greek Workers visited Egion yesterday and held meetings with representatives of the Hellenic Arms Industry (EBO), whose installations have been heavily damaged in the quake. The delegation also held meetings with representatives of other industrial units and labour centres in Egion and Patras.
Mr. Protopapas said the earthquakes are expected to cause unemployment in the region to rise, adding he would call on the government to include in its package of measures specific efforts to confront labour problems.
An earthquake registering 4.7 on the Richter scale was recorded at 12:53 p.m. yesterday by the Geodynamic Institute of the Athens National Observatory and the Geophysics Laboratory of the Thessaloniki Aristoteleion University.
The quake was located at a distance of 250 km east-northeast of Athens. The tremor's epicentre was between the islands of Chios and Lesvos, in the sea region near Cesme peninsula. Another tremor, measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale, was recorded at 7:24 p.m. yesterday in the Ileia Prefecture in the western Peloponnese. The centre of the quake was estimated at a depth of 13 kms.
The External Affairs Committee of the European Parliament yesterday unanimously adopted the final text of liberal Dutch Eurodeputy Jan Wilhelm Bertens' report on Cyprus' accession to the EU. The report incorporates amendments proposed by Greek Eurodeputies, expressly stating that a political solution to the Cyprus problem is not a pre-condition for the accession of Cyprus into the European Union.
"Cyprus' accession is an autonomous process," the report states, adding: "only a start to negotiations can have a positive influence on the speedy finding of a peaceful solution to the Cyprus problem." The report will be put to a vote by the plenum of the European Parliament next month.
The visiting Secretary-General of the Cyprus Communist Party (AKEL), Dimitris Christofias, held meetings yesterday with President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, President of the Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis, Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary-General Aleka Papariga and president of the Coalition of the Left and Progress, Nikos Constantopoulos.
Mr. Christofias told reporters that talks with Mr. Stephanopoulos focused on the latest developments on the Cyprus problem, the London confidential talks and the issue of Cyprus' accession to the European Union.
Mr. Christofias stressed the need "to maintain a consistent policy of principles, from our part, as well as exerting influence and pressure on the United States and the United Nations to begin, at last, to materialise some provisions of their resolutions."
Investment proposals worth a total of 576 billion drachmas were submitted to the National Economy Ministry and the Hellenic Organisation for Small- and Medium-Size Enterprises and Handicraft Undertakings (EOMMEX) for the second half of 1995, compared with 525 billion drachmas for the first half.
The figures were announced yesterday by Alternate National Economy Minister George Romaios, who said proposals for the second half of 1995 were contained in 944 investment applications which, if realised, would create up to 12,000 new positions.
For Thrace, a region enjoying special incentives under Greek development law, 172 applications were submitted representing a total investment of approximately 145 billion drachmas. Mr. Romaios attributed the increased investment interest to improvements in the economy's principal indicators, the government's consistent economic policy and a recent drop in interest rates.
A delegation from Romania's Chamber of Commerce and Industry will visit Greece next month for talks with leading Greek businessmen, an announcement of the Hellenic Export Promotion Organisation (HEPO) stated yesterday. The Romanian delegation will arrive July 1.
During yesterday's session of the European Union's Transport Ministers' Council, Greek Transport Minister Thanassis Tsouras submitted Greek positions regarding the deregulation of ground airport services - of direct interest to Olympic Airways - the problem of Greek trucks transversing third countries, the high speed train and Inter-European Networks.
Concerning ground airport services, he said there was a need for improvements, but not complete deregulation. He called for a system of exclusive service without distortions of competition through careful interventions in the present system, which will take into account each country's peculiarities.
Mr. Tsouras said issues relating to national security, airport operational potential as well as a social dimension, which takes into account the positions of thousands of specialised staff, ought to be considered.
Regarding Community truck transit through third countries, mainly eastern European, Mr. Tsouras expressed Greek anxieties over restrictions and distortions of competition which harmed the interests of transport firms.
Concerning the European high speed train, he obtained agreement that there would be contacts with third countries for an effective connection of all European networks, and that Greece would be able to determine infrastructure projects and financing, whether for high speed train networks or conventional ones.
He also made it clear that the 14 European transport networks, which will begin in the next two years, should include the Egnatia Highway, running the length of northern Greece and the Patras- Athens-Thessaloniki-Bulgarian border road axis.
Press and Media Minister Evangelos Venizelos said yesterday that cultural and linguistic diversity was an essential part of a United Europe, only to be ignored at a great cost. "United Europe can only exist through respect for and utilisation of its cultural and linguistic diversity," he told the Audiovisuals Ministers' Council yesterday.
The Council yesterday dealt with the financing of the MEDIA II programme. Britain, Germany and The Netherlands disagreed with the Commission's proposal for a budget of Ecu 400 million. Observers considered that a compromise might be reached at Ecu 310 million.
"Greece is in favour of supporting the least widely spoken languages, those of countries which have a smaller production. When we speak about audio-visual production, we speak about language, culture, social cohesion. Whoever does not respect linguistic and cultural peculiarities does not learn from history, as developments in various parts of the world, such as in the former Yugoslavia show," Mr. Venizelos said.
He called for safeguarding transparency and examining the concentration of capital in the mass media. "We must understand that the basic responsibility belongs to national lawmakers," he said, referring to quotas envisaged both by a relevant Community directive and by national legislation.
"In Greece, it is compulsory for 50 percent of programmes to be of European production. The bill being debated in Parliament tomorrow (today), stipulates that 25 percent (half of that 50 percent) must consist of programmes with the original language in Greek," he added.
The European Commission yesterday adopted a draft directive envisaging full deregulation of the European mobile telephone industry after Jan. 1, 1996. According to the directive, countries not yet in possession of advance technology networks, such as Greece, Spain, Portugal, and Ireland, may make use of a transition period of up to five years before applying it in full. The number of mobile telephone subscribers in Greece increased from 45,000 to 180,000 users within a year, according to the reports.