The government denied press reports yesterday claiming existence of an opinion supposedly issued by the legal committee of the European Commission concerning Greece's right to extend its territorial waters from six to 12 nautical miles in accordance with the Law of the Sea Convention. The reports were denied by Alternate Foreign Minister Georgios Alexandros Mangakis and government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos.
The issue is non-existent," Mr. Mangakis told a press conference where he outlined Greece's reaction to a June 8 decision by the Turkish National Assembly which authorised the Turkish government to exercise all options, including war, if Athens exercised its sovereign right and extended territorial waters.
Following the Turkish decision, Mr. Mangakis said Greece lodged a strong protest with the United Nations on June 10, condemning Turkish provocations. On June 12, during a Council of Ministers meeting, Mr. Mangakis said he once again presented Greece's positions on the Turkish provocation.
He said he told his EU counterparts that Greece would exercise its right whenever it wished and that the Turkish threats constituted a violation of international treaties and charters. Immediately following the decision of the Turkish National Assembly, Turkey's accredited representative in Brussels informed the EU accordingly, Mr. Mangakis said.
On June 19, during the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) meeting, the committee chairman asked the legal Commission's service for information both about Greek charges of a Turkish provocation, and about the new law of the sea, Mr. Mangakis added. The Greek representative, he continued, set out in detail Greece's positions on its right to extend the country's territorial waters to nautical 12 miles, saying the issue was political and not open to legal interpretation.
Mr. Mangakis said "the note, and not the opinion (avis)" of the Commission's legal service referred to the law of the sea convention, adding: "the positions set forth are positive for Greece and in addition, it is noted that prior to ratification of the convention, and in particular with respect to bays and coastlines of adjacent states which are close to each other, the Treaty of Lausanne would be in force.
The note makes an expressed reference to the fact the convention on the law of the sea has been signed by 170 countries but not Turkey, which refused to initial it. "The note has no legal significance or importance and there is no need for a reply from the Greek side, and moreover, it is in favour of the Greek positions," Mr. Mangakis said, attributing the press reports to "incorrect information."
Mr. Venizelos described the supposed "opinion" referred to in press reports as an "unofficial note," adding it was "of no value." He said, however, that the "note," which refers to secondary issues of the new Law of the Sea Convention "does not satisfy Greece." "Legal texts are drawn up with care, are substantiated and are comprehensive. They are not slipshod, cursory and selective," Mr. Venizelos said. The government spokesman said if it was necessary for the government to reply, it would do so "at the appropriate level."
The issue, however, caused fierce reaction from the opposition, with main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert calling on the government to "relieve the responsible minister of his duties." Mr. Evert also criticised the government "of letting third parties act as referees in affairs concerning our national sovereign rights."
The Political Spring party issued an announcement accusing the government of handling "with inexplicable frivolity and negligence an issue which concerns our national rights."
The Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) party criticised Mr. Mangakis on his handling of the territorial waters issue in a statement yesterday. "Lack of strategy, co-ordination, political readiness and systematic observation convert Greek-Turkish issues into problems, even those already resolved for Greece according to international law," the statement read.
Europarliament President Klaus Haensch said yesterday that Turkey did not at the present time meet requirements for a customs union with the European Union.
If, hypothetically speaking, the European Parliament is called upon today to ratify the association agreement between Turkey and the European Union, the decision would be negative," Mr. Haensch said after talks with Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias.
Mr. Haensch also assured Mr. Papoulias that the issue of Cyprus' accession to the EU could not become hostage to Turkey. "Cyprus' accession to the EU cannot be dependent on Turkey's good intentions," Mr. Haensch said, adding that this position was in conformity with the most recent resolution unanimously adopted by the European Parliament plenary.
On the issue of the proposed Turkey-EU customs union, Mr. Haensch said Eurodeputies would vote in September "according to their conscience" and could not be influenced by their national governments. "Turkey must meet all the requirements in accordance with European principles, in order for the customs union to be realised," he said.
Mr. Haensch's talks with Mr. Papoulias focused on Greece's positions on the intergovernmental conference next year and on issues related to the revision of the Maastricht Treaty. The views of both men coincided on the issue of enlargement and the need to strengthen democracy within the EU. "The European Organisation can only proceed with cohesion and solidarity," Mr. Haensch said. Mr. Papoulias assured Mr. Haensch that Greece would support these positions at the intergovernmental conference.
Another issue discussed was the Bosnian crisis, which both Mr. Haensch and Mr. Papoulias agreed could not be solved by military intervention. "Maximum use must be made of all the diplomatic possibilities, and Greece can play a major role in a diplomatic settlement of the problem," Mr. Haensch said.
Asked what the position of the Europarliament would be on defence issues, particularly as such issues will be raised at the intergovernmental conference, Mr. Haensch replied that on major issues, the principle of unanimity would "and must" continue to apply. "There are, however, within the framework of unanimity, issues which may be decided by majority. States must be safeguarded in such a way that they are not forced to implement some decision which they voted against," Mr. Haensch said.
Earlier yesterday, Mr. Haensch also held a meeting with Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) party leader Nikos Constantopoulos, which focused on the course of the European Union.
National Defence Under-Secretary Manolis Beteniotis yesterday said the Aigion-based Hellenic Arms Industry (EBO) would meet its schedules and deliver its products on time this year, noting an increase in 1995 contracts and production. Mr. Beteniotis said the defence ministry assisted Greece's public arms industries only in areas of defining prospects for their continued competitiveness and development.
Parliament Vice-President Pafsanias Zakolikos released official statements yesterday of all 300 deputies on the origins of their wealth and income - 'pothen esches.'
Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou's statement mentions a gift of 50 million drachmas to his wife, who also received a 30 million drachmas interest-free loan from a businessman. The premier's statement also mentions Ecu-denominated bonds valued at 20 million drachmas and deposits in various banks.
Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert's statement contains no significant changes from last year and includes declaration of two private cars and an annual income of 19.4 million drachmas. Mr. Evert's wife owns parts of three real estate pieces with bank deposits and securities totalling 45 million drachmas as well as a share in family property in the United States, worth $2.6 million.
Political Spring (Pol.An) party leader Antonis Samaras and his wife declared ownership of several real estate holdings and a small number of shares.
Communist Party (KKE) Secretary-General Aleka Papariga declared ownership of two houses, of 90 and 60 sq. metres respectively, and an annual income of 15 million drachmas from her Parliamentary compensation.
Former Prime Minister Constantinos Mitsotakis emerges as one of the richest deputies, with numerous real estate holdings in various parts of Greece.
Commenting on the prime minister's statement, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said it was exceptionally specific, containing a "description of the sources of all funds in every detail."
Credit expansion accelerated during the first five months of the year, resulting in an annual (May 1994 to May '95) increase of 9.8 per cent, according to a Bank of Greece statement yesterday.
The government's monetary target for 1995 was expansion in the order of 6 to 8 per cent. Bank of Greece said "consumer credit expansion remains more accelerated than in most other categories of loans" and requires closer scrutiny.
Consumers obtained 47.7 billion drachmas in loans during the January to May period this year, showing a decline in preference for credit cards. Total loans granted by commercial banks over the same period amounted to 243 billion drachmas.
According to the statement, credit expansion growth in the private sector stemmed mainly from loans obtained by companies in foreign exchange. Public sector borrowing requirements also showed an increase due to interest payments on past loans, amounting to 200 billion drachmas.
The government yesterday condem-ned an article in the weekly newspaper "Stohos" (target) accusing a correspondent for Turkish newspapers of acting against Greece's interests. Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said "such phenomena remain on the fringe, having nothing to do with the way Greece receives foreign correspondents." Mr. Venizelos said "further action falls under the responsibility of judicial officials."
Greece backs Australia's response for preventing resumption of French nuclear testing in the South Pacific, visiting Australian Defence Minister Gary Panch said yesterday. "Greece expresses solidarity with Australia's reaction to the French decision," he said after extensive talks with Greek Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias.
During his stay Mr. Panch will hold a series of meetings with government officials, including National Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis. The two ministers said relations between the two nations were "at a very good level," dating back to the first Greek immigrants to Australia.
Mr. Papoulias and Mr. Panch also discussed developments in the Balkans and the Skopje issue. France's decision last month to renew nuclear testing in the South Pacific caused a storm of protest in the region and anti-French demonstrations around the world.
On Sunday, Australia, New Zealand and several Pacific Island unions promised more protests outside French embassies and consulates as well as interference with French shipping and air services in the region. Paris says it plans to conduct eight nuclear tests on Mururoa Atoll between September and next May.