United Nations Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali and Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias expressed concern yesterday over developments in Bosnia as both men stressed the need for a diplomatic solution to the crisis.
In commenting on the situation yesterday after his arrival from an official visit to Bucharest, Mr. Papoulias said: "the fire is nearing our house."
A scheduled meeting between Mr. Papoulias, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayiati and Bosnian Foreign Minister Mohammad Sacirbey was called off late last night due to the urgent developments in Srebrenica.
"We must do everything we can, because Greece has an obligation to peace and the peace process," Mr. Papoulias said.
The UN chief, leaving Greece after an official two-day visit for meetings with the Greek leadership and to accept the Onassis Award, said he would do everything necessary to maintain UN peacekeepers in the former Yugoslavia despite pressure for a pull-out.
"I will do whatever ought to be done to maintain the presence of UN troops in former Yugoslavia in spite of pressure we receive to pull out the troops," the UN chief said in an airport statement.
Meanwhile, Mr. Papoulias said he would be in close contact with the Spanish EU presidency, so that "we can all do what we can for peace.
"I hope that logic and the great cause of peace will prevail," he stated, adding: "for this to happen some people must understand that nothing can be achieved through military means."
Mr. Boutros-Ghali condemned a Bosnian Serb offensive against the UN-declared "safe area" of Srebrenica, calling for a withdrawal of the Serbian forces.
"But our main problem is the problem of the return of the refugees... I am in contact with our (UN) high commissioner for refugees in this regard to another (safe) zone, and negotiations concerning the different troops which are now on the ground."
The UN chief said negotiations would continue on the "problem of the refugees and on trying to find a solution to the (Yugoslav) problem as a whole.
"We believe that in spite of the aggressions, negotiation is still the only way to find a permanent solution," he added.
Asked if he thought Srebrenica has been lost forever or whether there were realistic chances of re-establishing a safe zone in the region, the UN Chief stressed "our objective is to re-establish a safe area there".
Asked if the international organisation was able to protect other safe areas, such as Zepa and Gorazde, he said: "I don't know technically if you would be able to do this, but our purpose is to continue to fulfil the resolution which has been adopted by the Security Council."
Asked if he thought the "Rapid Reaction Force" comprised of Britain, France and the Netherlands would be sent into Bosnia to attempt to re-establish the Srebrenica safe area, Mr. Boutros-Ghali replied it would be a "difficult option."
"But for the time being, this decision has been taken by the military people on the ground who know better what can be done, what is difficult and what is the risk," he said.
Questioned on whether increased air power should have been used at the start of the offensive against Srebrenica, Mr. Boutros-Ghali explained:
"You have to know what the reality is. The reality is that the Dutch have asked us not to use the airborne force, and we have to take into consideration the point of view of the governments, because they have troops on the ground."
Asked whether he thought pressure would grow for instituting a UN pullout from Bosnia, Mr. Boutros-Ghali noted that pressure "has existed for the past 12 months."
"We are resisting this pressure and say that the situation would be worse if the UN pulled out of former Yugoslavia," he added.
Responding to another question on whether the United Nations or the five-nation "Contact Group" needed to present a modified peace plan to the Bosnian Serbs in order to secure a solution of the crisis, Mr. Boutros-Ghali replied:
"We are in favour of negotiations and more negotiations."
The National Defence Ministry stated yesterday it was closely monitoring developments in Bosnia, although no changes regarding measures taken by the military since the Bosnian crisis erupted were announced.
Former prime minister and New Democracy honorary president Constantine Mitsotakis also expressed concern at developments in Bosnia.
Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos also expressed his anxiety that the war in Bosnia might spread, stressing the need for a diplomatic solution. He said Greece, with its weak international position and a certain friction in relations with Serbia, is not capable of undertaking initiatives and mediation efforts.
National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and Finance Minister Alexandros Papadopoulos dismissed fears yesterday concerning slow rates of absorption of European Union funds in public sector projects.
After briefing Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, Mr. Papantoniou expressed confidence over the course of the economy, saying all indicators were moving within limits set by the government, while public investments would be financed as planned.
Although problems have arisen, he said the government was "vigilant and determined" to face them. Mr. Papantoniou said all investment funds would be absorbed by the end of the year, despite glitches largely attributed to the fact that government departments had a lack of specialised personnel. He said to counter this problem, the government would hire up to 50 qualified employees who'll follow the execution of investments.
Mr. Papantoniou reiterated that Monday's ECOFIN meeting in Brussels added nothing new to its permanent stand which states that if public deficits are not reduced, no further funds would be made available through the Delors II Package.
The meeting also determined that the Commission would evaluate the Greek economy's progress toward attaining convergence targets with other EU countries next March for the purpose of approving further funding. He noted that a hardening in Germany's position on the issue, which was successfully thwarted, was the reason for his reference to a revival of a EU 'directorate,' manifesting itself aggressively not only in a political, but also in an economic sense.
Mr. Papantoniou described as "worthless" charges by New Democracy main opposition party leader Miltiades Evert on Tuesday that the government's inability to absorb EU funds was almost criminal. The national economy minister said he (Evert) was not well-versed on the issue.
The premier was also briefed yesterday by Mr. Papadopoulos, who afterwards described fiscal developments in the first half of 1995 as "most positive," adding he was not worried about the absorption rate of EU funds. He said there would be a positive inflow in the second half of the year.
Commenting on the ministers' statements, main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Vasilis Manginas charged that the government and its ministers refuse to realise that the effective answer to the country's economic problems lay in development. He said this was an "impossible aim for an incompetent government such as the present, which has no development policy."
Political Spring (Pol.An) party spokesman Notis Martakis said "the inability of absorbing Community funds, which he said Mr. Papantoniou admitted, are due to "administrative arrhythmia and partisan policies." The opportunity for an economic recovery is also lost due to the government's insistence on application of an unjust austerity policy and an overvalued drachma, which increase unemployment, reduce living standards and deprive the country of the necessary development prospects, the Pol.An spokesman said.
Effective improvements in the competitiveness of Greek products, Mr. Martakis, can only be achieved through application of an appropriate mixture of monetary and income policy, securing at the same time a de-escalation of inflation.
The "Summer University 1995" will kick-off activities in Thessaloniki Saturday with the participation of 119 students from 19 European countries, all members of the European Democrat Students (EDS) organisation.
The "Summer University" is organised and held under the auspices of the student union affiliated with the New Democracy party (DAP-NDFK). It will be hosted in the Thracian city of Komotini and will officially commence Monday at the Dimokritio University of Thrace.
The event's programme will consist of lectures by politicians, university professors and academics, as well as cultural activities.
Representatives of the New Democracy party Youth Organisation (ONNED) were successful in promoting Greek national issues during a conference of the Union of European Youth Organisations of Centre-Right parties (DEMYC), held in Gratz, Austria last weekend, according to an announcement.
During a press conference, ONNED announced the unanimous adoption of a resolution expressing Greek positions on the Cyprus problem put forth with the Cypriot Youth Organisation. In addition, ONNED noted the unanimous adoption of a resolution put forth by it and the youth of the governing Democratic Party of Albania, which refers to respect of the rights of internationally recognised minorities. The resolution also calls on both the governments of Greece and Albania to upgrade bilateral co-operation.
President of the European Parliament Klaus Haensh will visit Greece between July 17-19 at the invitation of Parliament Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis.
During his stay, Mr. Haensh will have talks with President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, Mr. Kaklamanis and opposition party leaders. He will also participate in a special session of Parliament's European Affairs Committee.
Greek Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias held a meeting with Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Vakaroiou yesterday, concluding two days of talks with the country's political leadership.
"Political relations between the two countries are excellent. The aim is to improve economic relations as well," Mr. Vakaroiou told reporters following the meeting, adding that a meeting would take place in September with the participation of Greek businessmen which will focus on privatisation.
Commenting on a meeting between ministers of the two countries to be held in Bucharest in September, Mr. Vakaroiou said he suggested that the meeting also include agricultural issues. The Romanian prime minister said he was looking forward to an official visit of Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos as well as Greek Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou.
Mr. Papoulias said Greek investments in Romania should exceed the present level of $35 million, adding that Greek investments in the Ukraine range from between $700 to $800 million. Other bilateral issues were also discussed at the meeting with Greece reiterating its pledge to facilitate Romania's accession to the European Union. Romania asked for a more active Greek presence in the four free zones it maintains in the Black Sea and the Danube. Prospects of co-operation in the arms industry and tourism were also discussed.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Papoulias held a meeting with Romanian Parliament President Adrian Nastache, which confirmed once again the will for further development of relations between the Greek and Romanian Parliaments. The Greek foreign minister also held a meeting with Romanian Orthodox Patriarch Neoktistos, where both men expressed concern at developments in the former Yugoslavia.
Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos and main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert yesterday expressed their support for rules concerning the transparency in the operation of radio and television stations.
The mass media bill was voted in principle by the PASOK, ND and the Political Spring (Pol.An) parties, while the Greek Communist Party (KKE) left the parliamentary debate. During discussions, former Prime Minister Constantine Mitsotakis was pessimistic, saying the bill legalises existing conditions.
Commenting on the bill, Mr. Evert referred to the need for transparency and ethics which should characterise the political scene of nations. Mr. Evert analysed initiatives taken by his party in this direction, such as proposals calling for the release of finances of the political parties and politicians. He criticised the government for ignoring these proposals and characterised the delay in the release of deputies' statements on the origins of their wealth as unacceptable.
Referring to the issue of transparency in the mass media, the ND leader called for the implementation of the bill. Mr. Evert concluded by submitting three proposals consisting of the setting up of a national satellite channel, the creation of educational television and the provision of a united establishment of area broadcasters with bordering regions.
Mr. Venizelos said that regarding the bill, "the government decided to clash with private interests in order to change the existing situation in the media." "The bill aims at ensuring transparency rules in the mass media and creating a framework for democratic and liberal attitudes," he added.
A Greek delegation of Muslim teachers paid a visit yesterday to the European Parliament here at the invitation of main opposition New Democracy party Eurodeputy Pavlos Sarlis. The delegation met with Eurodeputies of the large political groups of the Europarliament and were briefed on the principles and aims of the European Union, as well as the operation of the community organs.
The teachers of the bilingual schools in Thrace and students from the Special Pedagogical School in Thessaloniki thanked Mr. Sarlis and all the Greek Eurodeputies on their useful initiative, which they said had a major symbolic meaning, as it "brings the members of the Muslim minority out of their introvercy and makes them conscious of their European nationality and democracy."