A.N.A. Bulletin, 02/01/96

From: "Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada" <[email protected]>

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 777), January 2, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: [email protected]

CONTENTS

[1] New Year finds premier in stable condition

Ailing Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou saw in the New Year in Athens' Onassion Cardiology Centre in a stable condition, according to a medical bulletin issued by the centre yesterday afternoon.

The bulletin said the premier's condition was unchanged throughout the course of the day. There was no change in his cardiac function.

Mr. Papandreou, who has spent the last six weeks in intensive care, is breathing with the occasional assistance of a respirator, and responded well to dialysis carried out yesterday, according to the bulletin. The results of skin and kidney biopsies carried out Sunday were not yet available, it concluded.

However, doctors told journalists that laboratory and clinical indications were particularly good yesterday.

The prime minister's white blood-cell count and blood pressure were entirely satisfactory, they said. Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, who is deputizing for the prime minister, visited the premier yesterday and expressed optimism over the course of the prime minister's health.

He told journalists that, after a short conversation, he passed on the president and cabinet's best wishes for the New Year, and in turn, the prime minister asked him to convey his thanks to the Greek people for their support.

[2] Kremastinos

Health Minister Dimitris Kremastinos, who is the prime minister's personal physician, was at the centre of attention over the weekend following an attack by PASOK MP Vassilis Kedikoglou, who accused the minister of abusing his position in order to further his own personal ambitions, and that his stance regarding the question of the premier's health had been influenced by political expediencies.

Mr. Kremastinos, who at one stage on Saturday warned he would resign if not supported by the ruling party, issued a statement late Saturday night accusing Mr. Kedikoglou of making false and slanderous assertions. On Saturday the health ministry issued a detailed statement in response to Mr. Kedikoglou's accusations.

Also on Saturday, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos announced his full support, as well as that of the government for the health minister, calling the attack unjust. Similar statements were made by Environment and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis and former minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos.

[3] Opposition

Main opposition leader Miltiades Evert said he called on those involved in the case "to occupy themselves with reason and with the things that the Greek people and Greek society are in need of".

Former premier and honorary president of the New Democracy party Constantine Mitsotakis expressed his concern at the situation prevailing in the country and said he hoped that the new year would be better, saying the Greek people "deserved better".

Referring to the continued hospitalization of the prime minister, Communist Party of Greece Secretary-General Aleka Papariga said "the margins of reasonable tolerance had been reached" and added "an immediate solution should be found".

"The responsibility falls upon the government and the ruling PASOK party," she said.

She noted that if no immediate solution was found, the Greek people had the right to think that "there were vested economic interests hiding under the premier's bed".

[4] President calls for 'responsibility' from political leaders

President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos has called on political leaders to show a "strong sense of responsibility", an apparent reference to Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou's prolonged illness and absence from his duties.

In a New Year's message to the nation, President Stephanopoulos said:

"Domestic developments demand concentration and a high sense of responsibility from everyone, particularly from those who are politically and constitutionally answerable. This is the only way to arrive at correct decisions which will safeguard the smooth functioning of our form of government.

"It has become even more imperative for us to realize our duty to the country, as I am sure everyone understands. Domestic calm, social order and national unity are of prime importance to the country, particularly today."

Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, who is deputizing for the prime minister, said in a message:

"We are welcoming the new year fully aware of our great responsibilities ... for the next two years."

In his new year message, Parliament Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis underlined the need for "vigi-lance in facing national issues."

Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert said that at the end of 1995, Greece was "without a government, with important national issues demanding solutions, as well as new problems."

Mr. Evert also expressed his belief in the "forces of Hellenism" and that the new year would mark the beginning of a new era.

Political Spring party president Antonis Samaras called on political parties to assume their responsibilities instead of putting partisan interests above national ones.

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) in its message attacked both the government and main opposition party, saying their policies in recent years "have created enormous problems for working people and for the country in general."

For the Coalition of the Left and Progress, 1995 had been a "nega-tive" year for Greece. It also accused the government of refusing to face the problem raised by the prime minister's illness.

[5] President receives New Year greetings

President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos received the New Year greetings of the country's political, military and judiciary leaders today at the Presidential Palace. Among those who called on the president were Minister to the Prime Minster Antonis

Livanis and government spokesman and Press Minister Telemahos Hytiris, whom Mr. Stephanopoulos asked to convey his best wishes to Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou.

The president also received main opposition leader Miltiades Evert, Finance Minister Alekos Papadopoulos, General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) President Christos Protopapas, Parliament Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis, acting Prime Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, political party leaders, as well as Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos, among others.

Mr. Stephanopoulos also attended the annual New Year celebration at the Armed Forces Officers' Club yesterday.

Also at the ceremony were Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, who was deputizing for Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, Parliament Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis, along with other political and military officials. In his address, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Admiral Christos Lymberis referred to defense expenditure, which amounted last year to a total of 920 billion drachmas.

[6] Skandalidis: Party bodies aware of responsibilities

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday on the island of Rhodes, PASOK Central Committee Secretary Costas Skandalidis stated the ruling party is on a "new road", and that all the party members are aware of present political difficulties and are conscious of their responsibilities.

"The steps we are following are careful, conscious and decisive and I believe the matter will develop in this way until the end," he said. "Any decisions taken regarding the major political matter created by the prime minister's extended ill-health concern the state and party bodies and no one else."

Mr. Skandalidis stressed that the Executive Bureau's position was "perfectly clear."

"An attempt is being made to create an impression that the Central Committee, by setting January 20 (as the next date for its convention), wants to put a brake on developments. This is unfair and unreasonable. I think it is a very reasonable time span. Holidays end on January 7, a political battle may be pending if (main opposition leader Miltiades) Evert submits a censure motion (in Parliament)... the time up to January 20 is a time for preparation, contacts, so that we are ready to take decisions."

"This does not mean that if there are sudden developments the Central Committee cannot convene at an earlier date," he added. "We are remain true to the statements we made that there would be developments in January."

End of English language section.