A.N.A. Bulletin, 18/07/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 940), July 18, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: [email protected]

CONTENTS

[1] Overall solution to Cyprus problem tops Albright's agenda

Madeleine Albright, the United States ambassador to the United Nations, said yesterday her two-day visit to Athens aimed to explore possibilities for attaining an overall and lasting settlement of the Cyprus problem.

Speaking after talks with Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, she said US President Bill Clinton was convinced there was an opportunity for a settlement, following recent talks in Washington with Mr. Simitis and Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides.

The diplomatic goal of the United States, Ms Albright said, was to help the parties "seize this opportunity as long as it exists".

Ms Albright, accompanied by US special emissary on Cyprus Richard Beattie, arrived in Athens on Tuesday and had meetings with National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis and main opposition New Democracy party president Miltiades Evert the same day.

She left late yesterday afternoon for Nicosia and is due to fly to Ankara afterwards.

Ms Albright stressed that the time had come for practical solutions and a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem "for the sake of the people who live there and to prevent the outbreak of a wider war".

Referring to the joint defense doctrine between Greece and Cyprus, Ms Albright said she understood the interest of the Greek government in security in the region of Cyprus but expressed concern about the excessive concentration of military forces.

She also expressed gratitude for Greece's support for the US efforts to attain a Cyprus settlement, noting that her talks in Athens had come immediately after the EU decision to release funds to Turkey under the MEDA programme with the consent of Athens .

On Greek-Turkish relations, Ms Albright said Washington's position was that disputes in the Aegean should be referred to the International Court of Justice at The Hague or some other arbitration body or third party for settlement. Ms Albright said she had been encouraged by the recent Greek-Turkish decision to refrain from holding military exercises in the Aegean in July and August, underlining that the US was ready to assist "those who are prepared to take the risks for peace".

Speaking to reporters later after an unrelated meeting with Tunisian Foreign Minister Habib Ben Yahia, Mr. Pangalos said Greece would not be the one to propose the solution to the Cyprus problem.

He made the statement in reply to questions on the possibility of stationing a multinational force on Cyprus, adding that the issue was being discussed in Nicosia.

Mr. Pangalos said he had asked Ms Albright to put forward new proposals, particularly to Ankara "because it is from Ankara that we are awaiting replies".

Commenting on initial Turkish reactions to the EU declaration, which accompanied the decision to release MEDA funds to Turkey, Mr. Pangalos said Ankara should view it in a positive light "because it is not hostile to Turkey, but to certain of its manifestations which make Turkish relations with Greece and the EU difficult".

[2] Gov't adamant on joint defense doctrine

The Greece-Cyprus joint defense doctrine is a political choice of the Greek government which will not change as long as the present status quo is maintained on the island republic, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday.

Mr. Reppas made the statement when asked to comment on remarks by Ms Albright on the defense doctrine and the concern she expressed about the concentration of powerful forces in the region.

"The joint defense doctrine is a continuation of the situation which has come about in Cyprus and Greece will not consider discussing its abandonment if there is no change in the present status quo," Mr. Reppas said.

Replying to questions on scenarios involving the demilitarization of Cyprus, Mr. Reppas said that Greece would be willing to discuss the issue, including the way it could be achieved and the relevant time scale, on the condition that all parties involve d would commit themselves to total demilitarization of the island.

He noted that no such commitment had been undertaken to date.

Mr. Reppas clarified that Ms Albright had not conveyed any specific proposal concerning the demilitarization of Cyprus nor regarding the stationing of a multinational force on the island.

"These issues will be dealt with by the government if and when they arise," the spokesman said. Asked to comment on the concern expressed by Albright about the possibility of increased tension on Cyprus, Mr. Reppas said tension and dangerous incidents could be avoided if the Turkish occupation forces were withdrawn from the island.

He added that Ms Albright's concern emanated precisely from the existence of the occupation force which, he stressed, exacerbated the atmosphere on the island.

On the issue of Imia, over which Athens and Ankara nearly went to war in late January when the latter disputed Greek sovereignty of the Aegean islet, Mr. Reppas said the US position on the matter was crystal clear, namely that any disputes of this kind should be referred to the International Court at The Hague.

[3] Tunisia, Greece sign consular agreement

Tunisian Foreign Minister Habib Ben Yahya continued his talks in Athens yesterday with the signing of a consular agreement and Greek and Tunisian statements in favor of increased Mediterranean co-operation.

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos yesterday briefed Mr. Ben Yahya on developments in Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus problem. The two ministers also discussed the new conditions in the Middle East, following the election of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel, and agreed to take joint action to strengthen Palestine. Mr. Ben Yahya invited Mr. Pangalos to visit Tunisia and thanked Greece for its support during his country's negotiations with the European Union on co-operation in the Mediterranean as well as for the "facility" afforded by Athens vis-a-vis the implementation of the Community MEDA programme.

Earlier, the Tunisian foreign minister, who arrived in Athens on an official visit yesterday, had talks with Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, with whom he discussed ways of strengthening ties between the parliaments of the two countries.

Mr. Ben Yahya conveyed an invitation to Mr. Kaklamanis from his Tunisian counterpart to visit Tunisia.

[4] Albanian election irregularities recognized by all, Reppas says

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday that the irregularities observed in recent general elections in neighboring Albania constituted "a common international experience".

The spokesman made the statement when asked to comment on remarks by Albanian President Sali Berisha who reportedly claimed that the problem with the elections in his country had been due to the activities of the Greek "lobby" in the United States.

Mr. Reppas said that Mr. Berisha must accept the situation and try to deal with it instead of attempting to get round it by hurling accusations at Greeks living in other countries.

[5] Europarliament pays tribute to Andreas Papandreou

A European Parliament plenary session paid tribute yesterday to the late Andreas Papandreou, with an address by European Parliament President Klaus Haensch and observance of one minute's silence.

The event took place before Irish Foreign Minister Dick Spring presented the policy of the Irish EU rotating presidency.

Mr. Haensch said Andreas Papandreou was one of the fathers of democratic Greece, emphasizing on his contribution to the course of European unification.

"For a decade, Andreas Papandreou set out, as prime minister, Greek policy and the position of Greece in Europe and the European Union in this period," he said.

"He was not an easy partner, not even for his friends. But he was not the prime minister of an easy country. His positions were not always met with approval. This was due to his country's difficult neighbors and to a history rife with conflicts and contradictions," Mr. Haensch added.

[6] Officials meet with SAE's Andrew Athens

Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis met with the president of the Council of Overseas Greeks Andrew Athens yesterday morning at Parliament House.

"We discussed all issues affecting expatriates and the support which the Parliament is giving and must continue to give to the work of the Council," Mr. Kaklamanis said after the meeting.

He said he briefed Mr. Athens on the establishment of a standing Parliamentary committee on issues affecting expatriate Greeks.

The Greek abroad are a "great power and want to work for Hellenism", Mr. Athens said.

Referring to the European Union's declaration that cleared the way for Greece to lift its veto on MEDA funds, Mr. Kaklamanis said it was "a significant event".

"It is a positive response in the context of Community solidarity, which must exist and which our country has been seeking... I believe Turkey will be obliged to commit itself to no longer causing problems for international legitimacy and, naturally, against our country," he said.

Mr. Kaklamanis will meet with 200 Greek scholars from 36 countries at the Parliament building today. The scholars are taking part in a University of Athens programme.

National Economy Under-secretary Manolis Beteniotis also met yesterday with the president of the Council of Overseas Hellenism (SAE) Andrew Athens.

During the meeting, Mr. Beteniotis spoke to Mr. Athens on the initiative of an international communication campaign for the promotion of Greek products and businesses. The ministry's programme is to culminate in a conference for expatriate Greek businessmen, expected to be held in Athens in the spring of 1997. Mr. Athens expressed his enthusiasm regarding this initiative and stressed that he will personally support it, as will the SAE and all expatriate Greek organizations.

[7] Economy ministry campaign to promote Greek products to Greeks abroad

The national economy ministry will launch a campaign in co-operation with expatriate Greek businesses to promote Greek products abroad in September.

The campaign will run for nine months and foresees an information campaign directed at expatriate businessmen and consumers, the support of Greek firms planning co-operation with expatriate firms and the creation of conditions which will lead to collaboration between Greek and expatriate companies.

A congress on expatriate investors is scheduled to be held in May next year, in either Athens or Piraeus.

[8] Simitis meets with ministers on range of issues

Prime Minister Costas Simitis had a series of meetings with his ministers yesterday to be briefed on issues and the course of the ministries' work.

The premier met with Labor and Social Security Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos, National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis, Merchant Marine Minister Kosmas Sfiriou and Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas.

Social security issues were discussed at the joint meeting chaired by the prime minister and attended by Mr. Sfiriou, Finance Under-secretary George Drys, Social Security Under-secretary Nikos Farmakis and the governor of the Social Security Foundation (IKA).

Mr. Farmakis said later that it was decided to disburse the "social solidarity" bonus, paid retroactively to July 1, to all IKA pensioners within the month of August, while pensioners from other pension funds will begin receiving the bonus within September.

Some 380,000 pensioners stand to receive the supplementary bonus.

Mr. Farmakis added that there would be specific legislative moves to enforce the payment of benefits to pension funds by employers, operating in tandem with the computerization of the funds themselves, which would assist the better monitoring of payment s.

He said the issue of outstanding debts to IKA and other pension funds would be dealt with in the forthcoming bill on unemployment and training currently being prepared by the Labor and Manpower Organization, OAED.

He ruled out however, increasing the benefits to be paid or raising the retirement age.

Mr. Yiannopoulos said he and the premier had discussed administrative issues as well as the forthcoming Parliament debate on the draft legislation tackling unemployment.

He reiterated that elections would be held in October next year.

Mr. Arsenis and Mr. Simitis discussed issues regarding the defense ministry during their hour-long meeting.

Mr. Arsenis said the meeting had been previously scheduled and also involved a discussion of the armed forces' armaments programme.

He said he did not discuss internal party issues with the premier.

In the premier's meeting with Mr. Tzoumakas, the matter of forest fires and the outbreak of foot and mouth disease were discussed.

Mr. Tzoumakas said the conclusions of the Commission's experts, who visited the Evros region on Tuesday, were being considered by an agriculture ministry meeting, chaired by under-secretary Apostolos Fotiadis.

[9] Simitis meets yesterday evening with Pangalos, Romeos

A meeting on foreign policy was also held last evening between Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and Foreign Under-secretary George Romeos.

No statements were issued after the two-hour meeting.

[10] EU foreign, security policy described as Union's 'great sick man'

The European Union's common foreign and security policy was described yesterday as the "great sick man" of the Union by representatives of most Europarliament political groups during a debate and presentation of a report on the sector for 1995 by Spanish Christian Democrat Eurodeputy Gerardo Fernandez-Albor.

A relevant resolution expected to be unanimously approved today includes the vital for Greece position that "the member-states' external borders must be considered as borders of the European Union, and that solidarity must be expressed in cases of violation of these borders."

PASOK Eurodeputy Yiannos Roubatis drew attention of the Irish EU presidency on this point during the discussion of its programme, which was presented by Irish Foreign Minister Dick Spring.

In addition, PASOK Eurodeputy Yiannos Kranidiotis stressed the need for the EU to formulate its own cohesive foreign policy, noting that the safeguarding of the territorial integrity of the member-states ought to constitute one of its basic components.

Mr. Kranidiotis called for the creation of a "new model" of perception of the Common Foreign Policy, which must be projected in the Union's international relations along with promotion of peace, stability, security, respect for human rights, democracy and a regime of social sensitivity.

The larger EU member-states must realize that "they cannot play a role alone on the international scene, ignoring the rest of their partners, nor can they aim at the formulation of a directorate in order to impose their views," he added.

Drawing attention to delays and omissions in the formulation of a common policy, Mr. Kranidiotis charged that the Council of EU Ministers has ignored the views of the European Parliament in crucial issues of foreign policy.

"The result has been that in the case of Turkey, for instance, the European Union continues not to show the necessary sensitivity on issues of human rights, violations of democracy and international law," he said.

[11] Only partial slaughter of Evros Delta livestock decided

Not all livestock in the Evros Delta will be slaughtered due to several outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease, as had been initially decided, officials announced yesterday.

Agriculture Under-secretary Apostolos Fotiadis has accepted a claim by the association of Ferres stockbreeders and issued instructions for the slaughter of only diseased animals as well as the herds to which they belong.

As previously reported, stockbreeders will be given compensation equaling 100 per cent of the purchase value of each animal, assessed by a special three-member committee.

Meanwhile, two European Community Standing Veterinary Committee experts visited Mr. Fotiadis yesterday for brief talks, before leaving for Brussels.

The two Commission representatives declined comments after conducting strict controls in the marshy delta region bordering Turkey, but their observations were limited to issues such as the preparation of documents.

In addition, a temporary ban on the exports from Greece of live animals, meat and its by-products will be extended beyond the eight-day period, and until a Standing Veterinary Committee meeting is held (not later than Aug. 1).

This meeting is expected to take place next week (Monday or Tuesday), while the Committee will deal with the issue of foot-and-mouth disease in the wider Balkan region at a regular meeting tomorrow.

This development raises fears that the issue of the disease in the Evros Delta region will be treated by the relevant Community bodies within the framework of a policy toward Balkan countries and not as a problem faced by a European Union member-state.

After their tour of the area, the two EU representatives left Alexandroupolis, yesterday.

Their report will be submitted to the EU's Standing Veterinary Committee tomorrow, which will decide whether or not to lift the ban imposed on the whole of Greece, restricting it only to the Evros region, in which case "a regional quarantine" will be in effect.

Meanwhile, agriculture ministry officials will travel to Brussels today in order to propose establishment of an "inoculation zone" in Evros prefecture, a development confirmed by Mr. Fotiadis.

Representatives of veterinary services from the EU and third countries such as Albania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Bulgaria and Turkey will also meet in Brussels today for talks focusing on the problem of foot-and-mouth disease i n the Balkans, paving the way for measures to control and crack down on the disease.

Additionally, economic aid will be requested from the Community to help them implement a programme for combating the disease with substantive and effective interventions.

At the same time, stockbreeders in the delta region have created an action committee to jointly seek enough compensation to replace their herds. Their president said if an agreement was not reached they were determined to prevent their animals from being slaughtered.

Three meetings have taken place so far between representatives of the Evros prefecture and delta stockbreeders, however, no agreement was reached allowing for larger animals (cattle) to be slaughtered.

The Evros Veterinary Service, on its part, has used court bailiffs to relay its decision to stockbreeders refusing to allow the slaughter of their animals, unless they are paid the amount they are demanding.

This was disclosed by the president of the Evros Prefecture's Agricultural Sector Committee, who said "stockbreeders want 350-400,000 drachmas per head for large animals and without escalation."

Conversely, the agriculture ministry announced that compensation would be assessed by the three-member committee, and would be far less than what was being sought by the approximately 500 delta stockbreeders.

In a related story, officials said the slaughter of 1,300 sheep and goats affected by the disease was completed in the Doriskos community yesterday. The herd belonged to a single family, reports state.

However, 850 large animals affected by the disease in the delta region were not slaughtered due to an on-going dispute between the government and stockbreeders over the amount of compensation.

[12] ND comments

The main opposition New Democracy party yesterday called for strict preventative measures to be implemented and expanded in order to avert the spread of the disease.

During a press conference, New Democracy cadres emphasized the need for "immediate payment of compensation, without deductions, for those affected," in order for the number of animals to be brought back to original levels. Compensation, which ND said should also cover losses in animal feed, must be paid mainly from Community funds, ND members said. They added that loans be provided to assist stockbreeders' continued production in the Evros Delta region.

[13] Yiannopoulos says better absorption of EU funds foreseen

Labor Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos said yesterday that a new phase regarding absorption of European Union funds has begun, "with new facts, a new institutional framework and new policies."

Speaking at a press conference, Mr. Yiannopoulos criticized his predecessors in the government for ineffectiveness, but said in 1995, the labor ministry's absorption rate reached 98 per cent. Labor and Social Security Under-secretary Lambros Kanellopoulos added that this year and 1997, approximately 150 billion drachmas will be provided for some 2,800 vocational programs.

Meanwhile, an amendment to a tabled unemployment bill has been submitted, which foresees arrangement of employers' and Local Government Organizations' (OTA) debts to social security funds.

Under the amendment, there is a possibility of debts being paid all at once with a 60 per cent discount on additional charges. Alternatively, debts can be repaid in 13 or 24 installments with a discount of 40 or 25 per cent respectively, while there is no discount if they are repaid in 36 installments.

Employers accepting the amendment will have other benefits, such as suspension of compulsory measures, among others.

However, a report accompanying the amendment and the General Accounting Office report state it is estimated that the loss of income for social security funds will amount to a total of 152 million drachmas. This does not include the 10 billion drachmas which will be granted to OTA if they pay their debts, mainly to the Social Security Foundation (IKA).

[14] ND spokesman condemns Gov't, saying avoids 'decision-making'

Commenting on Prime Minister Costas Simitis' recent meetings with ministers on accelerating government work as well as general policy, main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos yesterday charged the ruling PASOK government with "a voiding decision-making on serious issues."

"In the last six months we have been witnesses to a peculiar and novel phenomenon," he said, adding:

"The prime minister and the government, violating every sense of their political and constitutional role, are happy to go no further than meetings and findings. They systematically avoid taking any decision, especially regarding the resolution of serious , external and internal problems of the country," Mr. Pavlopoulos said.

He went on to charge National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou with "over-optimism" at a time when, as he claimed, economic indicators seem in far discrepancy with the government's initial forecasts. Mr. Pavlopoulos also criticized Development Minister Vasso Papandreou, who as he said simply ascertained a dramatic fall in tourism, as well as Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas for verifying instances of adulteration of farm products and extensive violations of building regulations in areas designated as forestland.

Finally, he criticized Transport and Communications Minister Haris Kastanidis for simply stressing the poor state of Olympic Airways, "for which he is legally and politically responsible."

[15] Gasoline price increase

Retail sales prices of gasoline went up by 0.5 dr. per liter as of last night.

An announcement by the development ministry said the price adjustment was due to an increase in international prices.

The retail sales price of diesel also increased by 0.5 dr. per liter.

[16] Gov't, Commission discussing priorities for project funding

European Commissioner Monika Wulf-Mathies has stated that the Commission is conducting negotiations with the Greek government in order to redetermine the priorities for the funding of major infrastructure works under the Community Support Framework II.

Ms Wulf-Mathies, Commissioner for regional policy, structural funds and the cohesion fund, said the negotiations had been necessitated by a lack of resources and the accumulation of obligations.

She indicated also that the negotiations concerned funds allocated for the Acheloos River diversion project, the Egnatia Highway and the Patras-Athens-Thessaloniki road axis.

The issue was raised before the Europarliament plenary by Coalition of the Left and Progress Eurodeputy Michalis Papayannakis who asked to be informed whether Greece had submitted the necessary studies concerning the environmental impact of the Acheloos project.

When Ms Wulf-Mathies replied that the issue remained pending, Mr. Papayannakis asked whether it would not be better to allocate the funds appropriated for the project for the financing of the other major infrastructure works in Greece.

Ms Wulf-Mathies indirectly adopted this proposal, saying that it was unknown when the relevant environmental study concerning the Acheloos project would be ready and whether its findings would be positive.

"This is why we have asked the Greek government to re-examine its priorities vis-a-vis the Community Support Framework... I believe we must work towards a new hierarchy of priorities and see which works can be funded with success within the time limit of the support framework and which possibly cannot, due to the preliminary studies required... We have already begun this procedure with the Greek government," Ms Wulf-Mathies was quoted as saying.

[17] The Athens dailies at a glance

Wednesday's newspapers focused on the case of a 69-year-old builder who barricaded himself in his home with a rifle and threatened to start shooting, because of debts he owed. (He was overpowered by police posing as journalists.) Other issues included the start of US envoy to the UN Madeleine Albright's visit to Athens, and the continued efforts to contain foot and mouth disease in Evros.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS led with "Laundering dirty money in Greece - Shocking documents" (p.21), "Evert: How we will govern - The government is inept" (p.12).

APOGEVMATINI led with "Scams with appointments -fake 'disabilities' in the public sector" (p.3), "Interest rates destroyed me" (p.14), "Evert: How we will govern and with whom" (pp.6-7).

AVGI led with "Televisual cops! - Police pose as journalists and journalists as police to jointly impose the law - Live arrest of pensioner with the combination of camera and club" (p.1), "Livestock breeders in Evros resist" (pp.6-7), "Albright-Beattie on Cyprus problem - First ideas for demilitarization" (p.3).

AVRIANI led with "Blow to usury - Banks should return stolen moneys - State usury destroyed thousands of small businessmen, closed shops and factories and is a brake on the economic growth of the country" (p.1,4) "Albright to get file on Turkish violation s" (p.3), "Evert starts distributing ministries" (p.3), "Fears of a spread of foot and mouth disease" (p.5).

ELEFTHERI ORA led with "The Americans here to divide the peninsula - the Aegean half and half" (p.11), "M. Evert ready for elections - insists on early elections" (p.11).

ELEFTHEROS led with "Greece a nuclear zone - After Bulgaria and Turkey, Skopje uses nuclear energy in border regions" (p.12), "American trap" (pp.8,12), "We will not slaughter if we don't get compensation" (p.4), "Evert: There are the bases of our policy on national issues" (pp.10-11).

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS led with "Why I took up my gun - Usury kills 10 people annually" (pp.27-30).

ELEFTHEROTYPIA led with "Tele-Police - Police re-enact the Trojan Horse - they captured him during the interview" (pp.16,17,8), "Loans to give buildings a face-lift - with interest of 15.5% from the National Bank" (p.44).

ETHNOS led with "Wages with a bonus - '97 increases on the basis of inflation plus GDP" (p.46), "Handcuffs from yellow TV" (pp.12-13), "The slaughter of the lambs under the eye of the Commission" (p.10), "Strikes and inconvenience at the ports" (p.11).

KATHIMERINI led with "Albright visit - Clinton's emissary meets with Simitis, Pangalos today" (p.5), "Reduced interest rates but only for new loans" (p.17), "Evert's priorities" (p.4).

LOGOS led with "Microphones-cuffs - police with cameras arrest 70-year-old - more than 100 victims of usury suicide in the decade" (pp.6-7).

TA NEA led with "Knife to the interest rates - consumers and markets sigh" (p.35), "233 hours of delays a week" (pp.12-13).

NIKI led with "The Economy raises ballot booths - pre-electoral climate from Papantoniou statements - Green light from Simitis for raises and reduced interest" (pp.6-7), "Evert: Practicing power in a vacuum!" (p.9)_.

RIZOSPASTIS led with "Mocking workers and pensioners - from national economy minister" (p.3), "Proposals for the NATO-isation of Cyprus return" (p.5).

End of English language section.