A.N.A. Bulletin, 27/03/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 847), March 27, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: [email protected]

CONTENTS

[1] Greece calls on Turkey to accept EU text, stresses 'best intentions' regarding bilateral contacts

Greece called on Turkey yesterday to reconsider its rejection of a European Union text on common positions, saying it had the "best of intentions" regarding dialogue between the two nations.

Mr. Simitis told Turkish ambassador to Athens Umit Pamir yesterday that Greece "desires good relations with Turkey", calling on Ankara to "help decisively in this direction" by accepting the text calling for the renunciation of the use of threats of violence or use of violence, respect for the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity, international law and treaties and the relevant international practice.

The Turkish envoy met with Mr. Simitis to convey an invitation from Turkish Premier Mesut Yilmaz that the Greek prime minister visit Ankara.

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, the prime mover behind the final wording of the text, said Greece had "the best of intentions" with respect to proposals for Greek-Turkish dialogue "within the framework of bilateral contacts which will inevitably take place".

The foreign minister, however, rejected a dialogue on issues touching on Greek sovereignty.

The EU-Turkey Association Council meeting, originally set for yesterday, was called off late on Monday night after Ankara rejected a text on basic principles drafted at the EU General Affairs Council session in Brussels, and effectively further delaying the disbursement of EU funds for Turkey in the framework of the customs union agreement.

The Turkish envoy's 25-minute meeting with the prime minister yesterday was a follow-up to statements by Mr. Yilmaz on Sunday, at which he called for a comprehensive peaceful settlement of Greek-Turkish differences and said that his country respected Greece's territorial integrity and desired the application of international agreements in the resolution of disputes.

On his return from Brussels, Foreign Minister Pangalos said "there will be no smooth course for the EU-Turkey customs association as long as Turkey continues to put forward claims and disputes the treaties which establish our sovereignty in the Aegean."

Mr. Pangalos described Greece's stance at Monday's meeting of EU foreign ministers as "determined, moderate and prudent."

He added that Greece had "the best of intentions" with respect to Mr. Yilmaz's proposals for Greek-Turkish dialogue "within the framework of bilateral contacts which will inevitably take place", such as the Black Sea Co-operation meeting in Bucharest next month.

"Apparently there is a possibility that we may meet (with the Turkish foreign minister) there," he said. "As far as I am concerned, it would be a pleasure."

The foreign minister, however, rejected a dialogue on issues touching on Greek sovereignty.

"If Turkey believes that certain borders are not to its liking, it should have recourse to the International Court of Justice and let it decide," Mr. Pangalos said.

Commenting on Mr. Yilmaz's statements, Mr. Pangalos said that "apart from positive points there were also many inaccuracies and remarks aimed at making an impression for the benefit of international public opinion."

Referring in particular to Mr. Yilmaz's statement that "Turkey does not violate any country's territorial sovereignty", Mr. Pangalos pointed out that "Turkish troops had very recently violated the Greek sovereignty of Imia, have been occupying 40 per cent of Cyprus for the past 20 years and cross their border with Iraq every 15-20 days."

On the EU's position in favor of "dialogue along the lines which have emerged in previous bilateral contacts...", cited in the text, Mr. Pangalos recalled the Karamanlis-Demirel agreements on dialogue on the issue of the Aegean continental shelf and the Papoulias-Yilmaz agreement on dialogue at the level of foreign ministry political directors, adding that there already were "dialogues which we can engage in."

Mr. Pangalos also charged "unofficial interventions" and "influence exercised" at Monday's meeting "by certain major powers which create the suspicion that they prefer their own interests to the implementation of international law and solidarity between EU member states."

[2] No meeting under present conditions

Later yesterday, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said that the Greek and Turkish premiers could not meet "under the present conditions."

Mr. Reppas confirmed that the Turkish ambassador had yesterday outlined to the Greek prime minister Mr. Yilmaz's positions and reiterated the Turkish premier's invitation to visit Ankara.

The spokesman said that Mr. Simitis had put forward Greece's positions and the government's desire for the normalization of bilateral relations, on the condition that Turkey accepted and observes certain rules in deed, which at present it did not observe.

Mr. Reppas said that the postponement of the Association Council meeting had been due to Turkey's refusal to agree to the text on "common positions" which Greece considered to be satisfactory.

Expressing regret over the postponement, Mr. Reppas said that the statement with which Turkey disagreed contained "self-evident positions which should be accepted by all, with respect to bilateral relations".

The spokesman said that Greece would continue to veto EU customs union funds to Turkey as long as Ankara continued to be intransigent. "All countries wishing to undertake initiatives in order to find a solution to the problem for which no solution was found yesterday (Monday) in Brussels will come up against this position of Greece," Mr. Reppas said.

[3] Opposition reactions

Main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Vassilis Manginas said the text on common positions included "constructive elements and self-evident principles."

He said two points in the positions needed clarification since "they entail obscurities probably concealing dangerous possibilities for the future."

He said these points were the "relevant international practice" and "another judicial dispute resolution mechanism."

Concluding, Mr. Manginas warned of the eventuality of Turkey accepting a document but not keeping to its provisions, saying that provisions should be made to deal with this possibility.

Political Spring party spokesman Notis Martakis said the text was "positive," despite the need for clarification in certain points.

In an announcement yesterday, Mr. Martakis said that "this is an opportunity for the government to take advantage politically and diplomatically, on an international level, of the hypocrisy of the Yilmaz proposals, as this has been revealed with Turkey' s refusal to sign the document".

"The Turkish government's attitude does not offer at the present time the necessary preconditions for the commencement of a substantive and honest dialogue between the two countries," said the Communist Party of Greece (KKE). It added that dialogue with

Turkey could commence under the condition that "our country's borders and sovereign rights are not disputed."

Regarding developments in Brussels on Monday, the KKE said Greece had gained time regarding the EU-Turkey customs union, adding, however, that optimism for the solution of problems could not be justified.

[4] Ankara 're-evaluating' position

Ankara announced yesterday its intention to "re-evaluate its obligations" towards the EU within the framework of the customs union agreement.

"Considering the aspects which have not been successful in its relations with the EU, Turkey will re-evaluate its obligations towards it, in the framework of the mutual interest agreement," a Turkish foreign ministry announcement said.

It added that "the convening of the Association Council, expected to be held today (yesterday), has been postponed by the European Union, due to the fact that yesterday's (Monday) EU Council had not been able to take the necessary decisions."

According to the announcement, Italy's foreign minister, Susanna Agnelli, called the Turkish foreign minister saying that "14 states firmly supported Turkey's peace offering to Greece, but were forced to postpone today's meeting due to the hindrance of one country."

In Istanbul, Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said he would not abandon efforts for dialogue with Greece, elaborating a broad list of issues which he described as "Greek-Turkish differences."

According to an ANA dispatch, Mr. Yilmaz included the rocky Aegean islets to the list of disputes between Greece and Turkey adding that "we are prepared to discuss (all issues) without preconditions."

"We have stated that the only issue which we cannot negotiate is the status quo of the territorial waters," he said, adding that "if (Greek) territorial waters expand to 12 miles we will not be able to use the Aegean."

Stating that Greek-Turkish disputes should not hinder EU-Turkish relations, he added that "since 1963 Turkey has concluded all its obligations towards the EU."

"It is now the turn of EU," he said.

[5] Cyprus issue

In Cyprus, President Glafcos Clerides said that "if the Turkish premier really wants peace, he should first respect international law and Greece's sovereign rights and Greece will respond to such moves."

Speaking at a Greek embassy reception on the occasion of Greek Independence Day on Monday, Mr. Clerides pointed out that "the Cyprus question must not be embroiled in Greco-Turkish differences."

In Athens, Justice Minister Evangelos Venizelos said yesterday that the sincerity of Ankara's intentions and statements depended on its acceptance of international law for Cyprus.

Speaking on Greece's national issues at a discussion organized by PASP, the student union affiliated with ruling party PASOK, Mr. Venizelos said the "problems in relations between Greece and Turkey are Greece's security problems and not an abstract legal issue."

[6] Papoulias: cause for concern

Former Greek foreign minister Karolos Papoulias yesterday forecast a "hot summer", saying there was cause for concern over developments in relations with Turkey.

"I am not one of those who create a climate of anxiety," Mr. Papoulias said. "We should be concerned, however, as to where and how our relations with Turkey will evolve."

[7] Postponed meeting proof of EU solidarity, Austria says

The postponement of the EU-Turkey Association Council is a form of political solidarity towards Greece, Austrian foreign minister and vice-chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel said here today.

The Austrian vice-chancellor was speaking at a press conference along with Chancellor Franz Vranitzky on Vienna's positions in light of this month's European Union inter-governmental conference (IGC) in Turin.

According to Mr. Schuessel, EU solidarity has already influenced Ankara and marked what he said was its first success, the recent statements by Turkish Premier Yilmaz for peaceful resolution of bilateral problems between the two east Mediterranean neighbors. The Austrian foreign minister called Mr. Yilmaz's remarks a "valuable" message.

"On final analysis, security counts more than just military support," he added.

On his part, Chancellor Vranitzky noted that Austria continues to consider respect for democracy and human rights by Ankara as a condition for further EU-Turkey relations.

In Paris, a French foreign ministry spokesman said France dissociates the relationship between Turkey and the European Union from Greek-Turkish differences, which it considers a bilateral issue, and said it intended to help towards their resolution in the name of the EU.

Replying to questioners yesterday, French Foreign Ministry spokesman Jacques Rummelhardt said the postponement of the Turkey-EU Association Council was an initiative of the Italian presidency and it was up to it to clarify the reasons for the postponement.

"The EU unanimously signed an agreement with Turkey - already being implemented since January and also anticipating economic co-operation - which the 15 member-states should honor," he said.

"Greek-Turkish differences are a different issue and can be resolved between the two countries in the direction of dialogue based on respect for rules of international law and resorting to the International Court without the threat or use of force," he added.

Mr. Rummelhardt said "the EU is trying to help in this spirit and we already have statements by the two countries, but things should become more specific."

Diplomatic sources said a measure of optimism existed for the disengagement of the Greek-Turkish difference, primarily in light of the start to Cyprus' accession negotiations, constituting a powerful means of pressure for Turkey.

[8] Strong showing for OTE launch offer

The public reacted enthusiastically to the call to buy into the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) yesterday, with more than 20,000 subscriptions, or 60 per cent of the issue, being registered on the first day of the offer.

According to preliminary reports, the response fully met the portfolios of certain banks, while domestic institutional investors and social insurance funds have not yet begun to subscribe.

Foreign institutional investors had indicated strong interest in the lead up to the first day, oversubscribing to the offer.

Strong demand is expected to continue until the Friday deadline for subscriptions, and it has been announced that a minimum of 100 shares will be distributed per subscriber in the event of oversubscription.

The issue is expected to increase OTE's share capital by 96 billion drachmas, with each share selling at 4,000 drachmas and each shareholder receiving a 125 drachma dividend.

[9] Arsenis calls for comprehensive national strategy to offset Turkish moves

Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis yesterday proposed a full-scale offensive to counter Turkish propaganda and reveal the true intentions behind Turkey's 'peace overtures', as expressed by Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz on Sunday.

Speaking in Thessaloniki, he called for the formulation of a comprehensive national strategy, involving a consensus across the political spectrum, the signing of alliances with other countries bordering with Turkey which also face problems with it, and t he launching of an ongoing campaign in Europe and America.

"When Turkey faces a strong deterrent force from Greece, a steady and coordinated stand on the part of all neighboring countries, when the councils of international and world organizations understand that Kemalist policy is expansionist, then there will be pressures within Turkey to overthrow this policy, and for Ankara to understand its approach to the modern world and Europe depends on Greece," he said in a speech to students of the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki.

Referring to the Balkans, he said Greece should undertake initiatives promoting collective security, and for the signing of multilateral defense co-operation agreements.

Concerning the FYROM issue in particular, he said he was in favor of hard bargaining on the part of Greece on the basis of a 1992 agreement among political leaders excluding the name Macedonia and its derivatives, and added that domestic debate should be avoided as it sent signals to FYROM President Kiro Gligorov.

The defense minister also referred to economic and social development, saying it was a basic prerequisite for the exercise of a strong foreign policy. He claimed that there was a danger of economic and social explosion, and that there should be a redistribution of wealth and income, as the gap between rich and poor has widened in recent years.

[10] Iakovos to discuss recent developments with Clinton

Orthodox Archbishop of North and South America Iakovos said yesterday he would bring up Greek-Turkish relations, issues of human rights, and recent US Transportation Department statement on Athens airport security standards during his meeting with President Clinton in the White House on Thursday.

The Archbishop will meet with the president on the occasion of Mr. Clinton's signing of a declaration marking the 175th anniversary of the Greek war of independence.

"The whole political behavior (of the US) is rather indifferent, if not irreverent. I will have a ten-minute personal meeting with President Clinton, and it is an opportunity to thank him, of course, for the declaration of March 25 as a Day for the Greek and American Democracy, but also to tell him how the Greeks of America feel. I will do what my conscience and heart dictate," he said after meeting with visiting Cypriot Education Minister Claire Angelidou.

Discussion with Ms Angelidou included the destruction of the Cypriot cultural heritage in the Turkish-occupied north of the island.

[11] Turkish planes violate Athens FIR

Turkish aircraft violated the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR) and international flight regulations in Greek national airspace in the Aegean on two separate occasions yesterday, reports said.

Over seven violations were reported of flight regulations and of the Athens FIR by NATO aircraft participating in the annual NATO 'Distant Thunder' aeronautical exercises being carried out in the Aegean. Greece is not participating in the exercises.

In all cases, the aircraft were recognized and escorted out of Greek national air space by Greek fighter planes. The national defense ministry said yesterday that there had been no infringements of the Athens FIR region by Turkish aircraft on Monday, the 175th anniversary of the Greek revolution against Ottoman rule.

The ministry added in an announcement that "movement" of Turkish naval vessels had been observed in the Dodecanese region, which in some cases had violated the rules of safe passage through Greek territorial waters. The instances of violation had been "confronted" by Greek navy vessels, the announcement said.

[12] Turkish consul says Greek Moslems on Rhodes enjoy full equality

The Turkish consul general in Rhodes has stated that the island's Moslems enjoy the same rights of nationality and freedom as all other Greeks and that their property and personal safety are fully safeguarded by Greek law. Consul Attila Sunai made the statements in a letter to Dodecanese Prefect Yannis Paraskevas following a report by the Turkish embassy in London claiming that "the 'Turkish' community in the Dodecanese is being systematically harassed by the Greek authorities and its members face serious threats against their lives and property."

The report caused widespread displeasure in Rhodes and PASOK deputies for the region Costas Skandalidis and Kosmas Sfiriou asked the Turkish consulate on the island to make a statement.

Mr. Sunai sent the letter to Mr. Paraskevas after the prefect had expressed the displeasure of the people of Rhodes concerning the report.

The Turkish consul told the prefect that "there is absolutely no problem" since "the Moslems enjoy complete freedom and equal rights with the Christians."

[13] Kastanidis chairs meeting on airport issues

Airport security and the legal problem posed in incorporating the Spata airport into the civil aviation service were examined at a four-hour meeting at the transport and communications ministry last night.

The meeting, attended by minister Haris Kastanidis and representatives of the civil aviation service's board, focused on equipping the service with three regional radars and purchasing an aircraft to monitor the airport's control system.

According to reports, civil aviation service officials will put a question to the state legal council on choosing either starting or continuing the equipping process.

On the question of checking arrivals at airports, a decision was taken to improve baggage control on delivery and in parallel to create and operate an academy for training airport security staff.

US Ambassador to Athens Thomas Niles attended the meeting for 15 minutes for talks on the recent "warning" concerning Hellenikon airport in Athens and the US government's intentions to lift it in the future.

[14] Tourism industry worried by US statement

Tourism industry representatives met yesterday at the Federation of Greek Travel and Tourist Agencies (HATTA) headquarters in Athens to consider last week's statement by the US Department of Transportation regarding security at the Athens airport.

Greek tourism industry representatives demanded that the document, signed by US Transportation Secretary Federico Pena, be rescinded. They cited a bulk of evidence for their demand, among others:

- That well-known airlines such as Lufthansa, Swissair and Royal Jordanian Air have abolished their own security checks of luggage at Athens' Hellenikon Airport because of satisfaction with the screening already provided by Greek authorities.

- The fact that the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) -the responsible body for monitoring flight safety and security in Europe - has never expressed any concerns about security at Hellenikon.

- And finally, a World Development Council award to Hellenikon for its security measures. A general sentiment expressed among delegates at the meeting was puzzlement over the transportation department's "warning," noting that a US federal agency for the first time issued such a statement towards a friend and ally. Previously, only a few third world destinations have been slapped with such a warning, most notably Lagos airport in Nigeria.

[15] Burns welcomes Yilmaz's proposals

US State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns said yesterday that Turkey was extending a "hand of friendship" to Greece through Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz's proposals for dialogue between the two countries.

Replying to a question, Mr. Burns said "Prime Minister Yilmaz has done something good. Maybe his proposals do not refer to all matters concerning Greek-Turkish relations but what he said was positive and constructive. It was an offer for a discussion to begin on the differences between Greece and Turkey on an equal basis and in the spirit of reconciliation."

Replying to another question, Mr. Burns added that the US's stance must not be taken to be an indication that Washington "opposes other initiatives that are being discussed around relations between Greece and Turkey."

[16] Arsenis to visit Greek troops in Bosnia today

National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis leaves today for Bosnia to visit the Greek battalion participating in the international peacekeeping force.

During his stay in Bosnia, Mr. Arsenis will have meetings with officers at the peacekeeping force's headquarters in Sarajevo.

He will also have talks with the international community' High Representative in Bosnia, Carl Bildt.

[17] Britain sends Greece best wishes

On the occasion of Greek Independence Day on Monday, HRH Queen Elizabeth II of Britain addressed the following message to President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos: "As you celebrate your national day, I have much pleasure in sending Your Excellency and the people of the Hellenic Republic my warmest greetings together with my best wishes for a happy and prosperous future."

[18] Hillary Clinton due in Athens tomorrow

US First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton arrives in Greece tomorrow on a visit that will include attending the lighting of the Olympic flame at ancient Olympia.

Ms Clinton's visit will end on April 1.

[19] Benos transferred to Athens hospital

Culture Minister Stavros Benos was air-lifted to the Evangelismos hospital in Athens at 4:30pm yesterday from the General Prefectural Hospital of Kalamata, where he has been hospitalized since Saturday.

Mr. Benos fainted while attending an event in Kalamata and was taken to the town's General Hospital. Doctors said he had suffered slight gastric bleeding due to the consumption of aspirin and recommended he be transferred to Athens.

[20] Inner cabinet approves bill on modernizing public firms

Draft legislation on modernization of public corporations passed the initial test yesterday when it was approved during a meeting of the inner cabinet, National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said. The minister said, under the draft bill, large public-run enterprises (power, telephone utilities, state refineries) would submit an operation plan in order to gauge the efficiency of their management. The government will retain responsibility for hiring and rates.

An operation plan will further cover all activities of the public corporation and identify procedures for accomplishing stated targets. Government approval for any operation plan will be necessary, while a management contract that includes specific growth and profit targets should allow the government to fully monitor the public companies' operation, according to government sources.

In addition, several factors will also be monitored in relation to the operation of the public corporations, including efficiency indicators, cost of unit production or services, proper development of personnel and quality of services rendered.

The draft bill also covers the issue of meritocracy for a public corporation's high-ranking management.

One of the new changes incorporated into the draft bill calls for management teams to assume operation of public corporations for five years, adding that senior management can only be replaced under certain circumstances, such as complete dereliction of duties. Previous experience, education and social activity will make up the prerequisites for top public corporation management positions, according to the draft legislation.

Furthermore, board of directors will be chosen from representatives of employees, the government's economic committee and shareholders. A successful managing director candidate will be given a five-year tenure, following a public announcement indicating the vacant position. Basic conditions for a managing director include a university degree from a high-ranking Greek public school or recognized foreign university as well as five years of experience in a position of similar responsibility and related to the public corporation's work.

Other changes cover consumer complaints against a public corporation as well as matters dealing with personnel and employees.

[21] Oil drilling begins in Aegean

The NAPC company has begun pumping in the new Prinos oilfield in the northern Aegean, which will bring the total yield from the field to 11,000-12,000 barrels a day.

Exploitation of the North Prinos II field, with a capacity of 3,000 barrels a day, is expected to begin within the next fortnight.

The contract between NAPC and the Public Petroleum Corporation (DEP), which provides for an increase in the state's participation in the Prinos fields from 20 to 35 per cent, is expected to be signed next week.

[22] Syndicated loan to the Agricultural Bank

A syndicated loan amounting to 250 million ECU (75 billion drachmas) was signed yesterday in London by the Agricultural Bank's deputy governor Fotis Panayiotopoulos.

The loan, which was signed with favorable stipulations, is to be used for the timely payment of EU subsidies to farmers. The loan was organized by the Foreign Banks' Group, in which some of the largest banks in the world are participating.

End of English language section.