A.N.A. Bulletin, 17/09/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 991), September 17, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: [email protected]

CONTENTS

[1] Simitis to Evert. keep the armed forces out of the election campaign

Prime Minister and PASOK party president Costas Simitis said last night that the Greek armed forces should be kept out of the election campaign, in response to repeated attacks from main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert over the government' s handling of the Imia stand-off between Greece and Turkey in late January.

Speaking during an interview on state-run television ET1 last night, Mr. Simitis said he and Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis were in "total agreement" and that the Imia issue was "closed", following the changes in the military hierarchy and the retirement of then-chief of staff Admiral Christos Lymberis.

Referring to last Friday's televised debate between himself and Mr. Evert, Mr. Simitis said there was no direct exchange between the two because it would not have been about "substantial issues".

Countering criticism that the rules of the debate made the television appearance stilted and ensured nothing of substance was discussed, Mr. Simitis said discussions throughout Europe are held along the same lines.

The prime minister said that even in the structured debate that had been arranged, Mr. Evert attempted to break the rules and ask things directly to Mr. Simitis.

In response to complaints by smaller parties that they had not been involved in the debate, Mr. Simitis said he saw no reason why he should have had a discussion with all parties. "I presented my positions and because New Democracy is the main opposition party, I had a debate with its leader."

"Mr. Evert only wishes for a second such debate because ND failed to destroy PASOK in the first one," Mr. Simitis said.

Mr. Simitis criticized the opposition party's election tactics, saying it should not concentrate on personal attacks, "black propaganda" and a misleading campaign.

"ND presents me more than it presents its own candidates," the prime minister said.

Answering questions in regard to the Imia crisis, Mr. Simitis said that discussions regarding the armed forces in the lead-up to elections have negative effects on both the armed forces and on the country as a whole.

"The government has confidence in the armed forces, the armed forces have high morale ... and they must remain outside the electoral battle," Mr. Simitis said.

Asked about his statement in last Friday's debate that he had given orders during the Imia crisis which were not carried out, and asked why no-one has been punished and why Adm. Lymberis was retired with full honors, Mr. Simitis replied that "judgments were made and decisions were taken, and the matter is closed."

Mr. Simitis said the entire handling of the issue was to the benefit of Greece and that it guaranteed the country's positions, adding that the most important result was that there was no armed conflict. He said ND's claims that Greece backed down in the crisis were "ridiculous".

Replying to whether or not the army could go to the islet at any time, Mr. Simitis said "If the army goes there, what would it go for? There are hundreds of Greek islets to which the army has never been, nor has it been to Imia."

Mr. Simitis said the presence of the army on the islet would create the belief that Greece has doubts as to its sovereignty. He stressed that the islet's status is no different now to its status before the crisis, saying simply that "Imia is a Greek island."

Asked about the controversy over his thanking of the US government for its role in defusing the crisis, Mr. Simitis reiterated that "a prime minister must thank and condemn when necessary for his country. He must move for the benefit of his country."

He said his statements last Friday that he would "do the same again" refer to the political handling of the crisis.

Replying to accusations made by Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas that PASOK is conducting a mud-slinging campaign against him, Mr. Simitis said "no-one has opened a front against Mr. Tsovolas personally or against his party."

"I am tired of hearing 'Mr. Simitis' PASOK' from Mr. Tsovolas," the prime minister added. 'PASOK is not mine - there are many members of the party." He said Mr. Tsovolas left the party when Andreas Papandreou was its president, and said "he was in conflict with Papandreou and not with me."

Asked whether Mr. Tsovolas was a 'threat' to PASOK, the elections or the next Parliament, Mr. Simitis replied that "I never see other parties as a threat; they are competitors and rivals in the political arena".

The prime minister appeared to favor a revision of the current electoral law, which favors large parties, explaining that voters should not be wooed by smaller parties in the hope that a coalition government will be formed. "The law says there must be a dominance by one party. If voters do not wish ND to be dominant, then they must vote for PASOK," he said.

Passing to the economy, and particularly the issue of fiscal policy, the prime minister stressed that the fight against tax evasion and the 'para-ecomomy' was a priority in assuring fiscal justice. He added that the system of objective tax criteria will be strictly maintained until the computerization of finance ministry services, which should be completed within the next four years.

Mr. Simitis acknowledged the existence of certain "distortions" which must be corrected by the finance ministers, and categorically rejected the possibility of new taxes being imposed, whether they be direct or indirect.

Speaking on the drafting of the new budget and the economic policy to be followed during the next few years, Mr. Simitis said the 1997 budget will be constructed along the same lines as those of the previous two years, which he said were executed with relative precision, although he admitted certain difficulties did exist.

He explained that Greece's economy is in line with the economies of other European countries, and that the primary aim is not to ensure certain precise numbers, but to accommodate macro-economic conditions and to continue the process of improving national performance.

[2] ND cancels Athens rally

Main opposition New Democracy party president Miltiades Evert announced that his party will not hold its traditional election rally in Athens next Thursday and said that he will give a press conference instead.

The ruling PASOK party will hold its election rally on Friday at the Pedion tou Areos park in central Athens.

[3] Evert pledges a 'revolution' in political life, if ND wins

Speaking in Elefsina, west of Athens last night, main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert said his party was coming to power "to bring about a revolution whose effects will amount to a re-establishment of the state machine".

"Those who are happy with the present state of affairs, let them remain spectators. The rest, join this struggle. The present state enslaves the Greek citizen because it is flaccid, incapable, miserable, corrupt and has traps set in every phase of life for the Greek in order to keep him a prisoner of old political and party mentality and practice," he added.

He accused Prime Minister Costas Simitis of cowardice for not coming to dialogue (again on television), and for blaming the armed forces, in the televised debate on Friday, for the lack of an adequate Greek response to the landing of Turkish commandos o n the Imia islets during the crisis late January.

"The cowardice reaches the point that he puts the blame over Imia on the armed forces, and having sold out the cause in a few hours, he comes eight months later to place responsibility elsewhere, thereby becoming laughable. It was proved that on the night of the Imia, the rudder of the national vessel was in shaky hands," Mr. Evert said.

He accused the premier and Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis of lying, calling for the resignation of one or the other, so that they may "salvage the honor of their office".

On the Monday after the elections, he added, "people of New Democracy will be in their positions, with strength and resolve, people who know and can keep the Greek borders strong and non-negotiable".

[4] Pangalos: Evert will be 'dangerous as prime minister'

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos yesterday said that main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert did not stand a chance of winning elections on Sunday.

He made the statement in a reply answer to Mr. Evert's call from Thessaloniki on Sunday for Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Mr. Pangalos to resign their posts.

Mr. Pangalos countered that the outcome of Sunday's elections will lead Mr. Evert to resign as New Democracy leader.

Mr. Evert "will be dangerous as prime minister," the minister said, adding that "continuous mention of the Imia crisis will not help him win the elections."

Quizzed regarding Mr. Evert's stated will not to go to dialogue with Turkey on Greece's sovereign rights, the minister said the ND leader had been constantly contradicting himself.

"He made statements and then made the opposite statements. You may judge whether he is dangerous or not," he told reporters.

[5] Varvitsiotis calls for answers to Imia imbroglio

The deputy president of the main opposition party New Democracy yesterday called Prime Minister and PASOK president Costas Simitis to "come clean" following Mr. Simitis' statements on the Imia crisis in late January.

Mr. Simitis, Ioannis Varvitsiotis said, "panic-stricken by the revelations that he will lose the elections, has created a major political issue with the unprecedented statement that his commands to the National Defense General Staff during the Imia crisis were not carried out."

He said that the government's attempt at a "cover-up" had to be dealt with immediately, as "the Greek people cannot go to the polls with crucial questions unanswered".

He called on Mr. Simitis, Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis and former Chief of Staff Admiral Christos Lymberis to "end their guilty silence" and answer who the prime minister's commands were given to, at what time, and what they consisted of. He said they should answer what the consequences of the non-execution of the orders were for the country, which measures were taken in their place and why Adm. Lymberis - if he is responsible for not executing them - was not dishonorably discharged.

Mr. Varvitsiotis also called for Adm. Lymberis to expand on his comments that if he were to speak he would reveal a great deal and why Mr. Arsenis claimed all the orders given were executed.

"Who is telling lies to the Greek people?" he asked. "Where will the irresponsibility of the protagonists... in the Imia fiasco end?"

[6] Coalition courts vote of undecided, youth

Addressing the Coalition of the Left's main pre-election rally at the Pedion tou Areos park last night, leader Nikos Constantopoulos appealed to undecided voters and youth to reject the notion that a vote for his party was a lost one.

"It is perhaps a lost vote for those who want to form all-powerful governments and exercise authority with arrogance and without any particular parliamentary hindrance and controls. We call on you to reject false dilemmas and their inspirers in the most decisive manner," he said.

"I appeal especially to the young. The parliament of the year 2000 will decide mainly for them. Let them conquer with their presence the right to (keep abreast of) developments," he added.

He said that in the event of no absolute majority in parliament, the political scene will inevitably change, and the Coalition will fight for radical changes, will seek to play a decisive role in developments, and will honor the votes it receives.

Mr. Constantopoulos called for radical changes in the domestic scene, and for a reorientation in the country's foreign policy.

He reiterated a call to Prime Minister Costas Simitis to accept a dialogue with the smaller parties.

[7] Yiannopoulos calls for more sensitivity from politicians

Labor Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos yesterday called for politicians to demonstrate social sensitivity and not to harm national issues "lightly" during the period leading up to the elections, as he inaugurated the National Institute of Labor's (EIE) seminar on "Community Initiatives for Employment".

Mr. Yiannopoulos said that main opposition leader Miltiades Evert was "rabble-rousing" on the issue of unemployment and attempting to trade upon sensitivity on national issues.

He said that if PASOK won the Sunday poll, the unemployment benefit would increase by 16 per cent to total 68 per cent of a regular daily wage.

Some 107 programs for the unemployed, totaling 12.5 billion drachmas, has been approved for funding or are already being conducted, the president of the National Institute of Labor Yiannis Tsamourgelis said yesterday at the seminar.

He clarified that the programs related mainly to social groups facing specific problems in the job market, such as women, youth, the disabled and immigrants.

He noted that the long-term unemployed had surpassed the 50 per cent mark, affecting about 250,000 people.

[8] Coalition: Commission cuts funding for unemployed projects

Coalition of the Left and Progress candidate Yiannis Dragasakis yesterday charged that the European Union had cut off all funding for vocational programs for the unemployed on finding a number of irregularities in procedures.

Speaking at a meeting of workers and officials at the Organization for the Employment of Human Resources (OAED), Mr. Dragasakis said that according to Commission figures there were 44 irregularities as well as serious omissions in labor ministry procedures, leading the Commission to cease any further funding of activities from the European Community funds, a loss of 735 million drachmas.

[9] Kranidiotis replies to Evert's charges over IGC

Greece's representative at the Inter-governmental Conference (IGC), Eurodeputy Yiannos Krandidiotis, replied yesterday to statements made by main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert in Thessaloniki, that Greece and the prime minister have accepted a multi-speed Europe.

"Mr. Evert is caught being uninformed once again because he should know that Greece is a defender of the institutional equality of EU member-states, and has, through repeated memoranda in the framework of the IGC, stressed the position that the basic principle of European unification is the institutional balance and equality of member-states which must be protected and reinforced," Mr. Kranidiotis said.

"In this matter Greece is not alone in the negotiations and has allies. Mr. Evert's statement is completely inaccurate and aims to create confusion," the Eurodeputy said.

[10] Police, not soldiers, to guard polling stations

Caretaker Press Minister Dimitris Konstas called on voters to show self-restraint and self-concentration since at the elections of September 22 polling stations will be under police surveillance and will not be guarded by soldiers.

Exceptions will be made for small polling stations in communities which will be guarded by about 8,000 soldiers serving with units close to these communities.

Mr. Konstas noted that in the last Euro-elections 34,000 soldiers were used and expressed the hope that no involvement of soldiers would be made in the next elections.

[11] Health Under-secretary Franklinos Papadellis in critical condition

Health Under-secretary Franklinos Papadellis was in a critical condition yesterday at Athens' George Yennimatas State Hospital after he suffered a massive stroke on Monday night while campaigning on the island of Limnos.

Mr. Papadellis, 50, was moved to Athens early yesterday morning by an air force C-130 transport plane. A nine-member team of leading surgeons and doctors has been assembled to treat Mr. Papadellis, who is himself a doctor.

Doctors said that his situation was critical but that for the time being he was on respiratory support in the intensive care unit and that his life was in no immediate danger.

Surgery last night to remove a blood clot from his brain, the result of the hemorrhage caused by the stroke, was successful and doctors said that the next two or three days will be critical.

"Health Under-secretary Franklinos Papadellis was subjected to a successful operation to remove a blood clot caused by previous hemorrhage and is being treated at the neurosurgical wing's intensive care ward, "a medical announcement read to reporters by the hospital's president said after surgery was completed shortly before 7 p.m.

Neurosurgeon A. Leventis, who headed the operation, told reporters that quantities of blood were removed as well as blood clots accumulated in the brain.

Mr. Leventis said that after the next two or three days doctors will possibly be in a position to say whether the patient was no longer in danger.

He said that for the time being the situation remained grave and both he and his colleagues are reserved, but did not rule out the possibility of a recovery, saying there was always hope.

Health Minister Anastasios Peponis visited the hospital earlier and said while departing that he was leaving with reserved optimism for a valuable colleague.

Doctors also gave a briefing on Mr. Papadellis' state to Development Minister Vasso Papandreou and former Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis also visited Mr. Papadellis yesterday.

[12] Pangalos meets with UN chief's envoy on Cyprus

Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos held a meeting yesterday with the UN secretary-general's envoy on Cyprus, Han Sung Joo, who arrived in Athens yesterday on the second leg of a fresh shuttle tour of the region.

Mr. Han, who arrived in Greece from Nicosia, conveyed to the Greek minister his impressions from his meetings in Cyprus and noted that "at this moment we should concentrate on dealing with two aspects of the Cyprus problem - the return to the status quo prior to the recent sad incidents and to continue to seek a permanent settlement to the issue."

Tension on the island intensified after the brutal killing last month of two young, unarmed Greek-Cypriot protesters by Turkish occupation forces and a mob of extremists on the UN-patrolled demarcation line on the divided island.

Tension remains high following rumors that the Turkish occupation regime is preparing for a new round of provocations designed to bring about a fresh "crisis" between the two communities.

"Despite tension and the feelings of regret that have been caused due to the sad incidents, both communities show a constructive will to prevent such incidents from breaking out in the future," Mr. Han said. Expressing hope for progress in the course of finding a solution to the issue, Mr. Han said he did not have any information regarding a rumored future "hot incident" on the Mediterranean island.

Mr. Pangalos said he had been briefed on this information by his Cypriot counterpart.

"If one has such ideas or is falling into such temptations then one should know that any effort to alter the territorial status quo in Cyprus means war between Greece and Turkey," Mr. Pangalos said.

Noting that this position represented the entire Greek people, the foreign minister said Greece would not enter into dialogue with Turkey unless "a minimum common ground" was defined between the two sides. Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides also shares this view, Mr. Pangalos added.

He dismissed claims that the rumors were associated with the Greek elections on Sunday.

[13] Athens watching developments in Cyprus

Athens is closely following developments on Cyprus, particularly the possibility of a new crisis, caretaker press minister and government spokesman Dimitris Konstas said yesterday.

He was replying to press questions regarding information that the Turkish occupation regime may trigger a wave of fresh provocations on the demarcation line in the divided island.

Last month two unarmed Greek Cypriot protesters were killed by Turkish occupation forces and a Turkish Cypriot mob.

"The possibility of a new crisis in Cyprus is being closely watched by the government in Athens," Mr. Konstas said.

He said patrols of the green line by the UN peacekeeping forces had been stepped up in light of last month's incidents.

Over the weekend, the government in Nicosia informed the ambassadors of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council that Turkey was preparing the ground for new provocative acts along the dividing line.

Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides canceled a scheduled trip to Zimbabwe following news of the reports.

[14] France seeks more active role in major works in Greece

France seeks a more active participation in the construction of major public infrastructure projects in Greece, caretaker press minister and government spokesman, Dimitris Konstas said here yesterday.

He was commenting on French Prime Minister Alain Juppe's round of talks with his Greek counterpart Costas Simitis and the leader of the main opposition New Democracy, Miltiades Evert.

Mr. Juppe had meetings with Mr. Simitis and Mr. Evert on bilateral and European issues during his weekend visit to Greece to attend events marking the 150th anniversary of the French Archaeological School.

Mr. Konstas said France was interested in upgrading economic ties between the two countries and that there was a "coincidence of views" between Greece and France regarding the Inter-governmental Conference and the subsequent commencement of procedures for a Cyprus and Malta accession to the European Union

France's persistence that the rules and regulations of the international law and international agreements are observed by all countries, was also welcomed by Greece, Mr. Konstas said.

[15] Haensch welcomes Romeos proposal for European Culture Academy

A proposal by Greek Alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos for the establishment of a European Culture Academy has gained the approval of the President of the European Parliament, Klaus Haensch, it was announced yesterday.

The two men met recently in Athens and discussed the proposal for closer co-operation between intellectuals and technocrats with the aim of designing the "cultural pattern of United Europe."

According to the proposal, which will be included in the revised Maastricht Treaty, the Academy will be represented by the "European Council of the Wise", comprising internationally renowned intellectuals and prominent figures with the task of promoting the national cultures of the EU member-states.

It will also be represented by the European Culture Committee comprised of technocrats, burdened with "marrying" the Union's economic and cultural policies.

Each member state will have one representative to the Academy.

[16] President officially opens celebrations marking 150 years of French Archaeological School

President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos attended events yesterday morning marking the 150th anniversary of the French Archaeological School in Athens.

In an opening address, President of the Athens Academy Ioannis Pesmazoglou stressed the "cultural ties between the Greek and French peoples," adding that the French enlightenment had been a source of inspiration for the Greek revolutionaries during Greece's independence struggle.

"These ties," he added, "are consolidating a close co-operation (between the two countries and will continue to do so in the wake of) the upcoming great reforms of the 21st century."

The French Archaeological School's director Roland Etienne noted the ties between the two countries as well as the scientific work of the School.

The event was attended by members of the academic and diplomatic circles.

The French Archaeological School's exhibition of its work in Greece over the past 150 years, entitled "Greek Sites", officially opened at the National Archaeological Museum yesterday.

[17] Tzoumakas tries to improve support for farmers at EU

Agriculture Minster Stephanos Tzoumakas yesterday raised the issue of improving support for citrus and cotton farmers with his European Union counterparts.

Speaking at the farm ministers' council, he called for the setting of a minimum price for citrus fruit paid by the manufacturer to the producer, and of a floor production at 1.7 million tons, instead of the 1.209 million tons proposed by the Commission, as well as the inclusion of grapefruit growers for whom nothing is envisaged.

He also called for a thorough re-examination and reform of the system concerning cotton subsidies, proposing the abolition of their payment to shelling units that will make it fairer.

Mr. Tzoumakas asked Agriculture Commissioner Franz Fischler to look into the issue of lost revenue for stockbreeders hit by foot-and-mouth disease last summer, who despite putting their products through the necessary thermal processing, face problems in marketing their products. He rejected a Commission proposal that they be paid through savings in credits for wheat farmers, asking for direct payments from the budget.

[18] Trials begin on central natural gas pipeline

The first consignment of Russian natural gas came through the newly-completed central pipeline yesterday at the border town of Promahonas in the Serres prefecture.

The trials, the Public Natural Gas Enterprise (DEPA) said, will be gradually expanded over the next few weeks to the prefectures of Thessaloniki, Pieria, Larissa, Fthiotida, Viotia and Attica.

The trials are expected to be completed by the end of October.

The 118-km-long central pipeline has been constructed by a Greek-Russian consortium and is estimated to have cost 25.5 billion drachmas.

[19] National Bank coordinating council meets

National Bank of Greece Governor Theodoros Karatzas yesterday chaired the first session of the council coordinating the activities of the bank's branches.

The meeting was also attended by managers of subsidiary banks and the bank's overseas branches, and talks focused on improving co-operation between the National Bank and its units at international level.

Sectors suitable for an increase in joint action between the subsidiary banks and the bank's overseas branches were also identified.

Mr. Karatzas emphasized the important role the bank can play in the Balkans, the Black Sea and the Middle East, and spoke of opportunities provided for the bank to develop in international financial markets in London, Frankfurt, Paris, New York and Canada.

[20] Intracom set to transform Bulgarian lotteries

Greek telecommunications firm Intracom and its affiliate Intralot signed a contract yesterday with the Bulgarian State Organization for sports and lottery games (BST) to modernize lotteries and football pools, and introduce "scratch" lottery games in the country.

The contract, estimated at $40 million, will double employment in BST and involve Bulgarian experts and professionals in the installation and management of the system.

"The project constitutes the biggest investment in the sector in Bulgaria in recent years and will be funded by the Intracom Group," a joint announcement said.

The announcement said Intracom will not proceed to the execution of an International Arbitration Court decision forcing BST to submit $10 million due to the cancellation of a previous agreement by BST's former management.

"The agreements consolidate BST's predominance and full rights over lotteries in Bulgaria," the announcement said, adding that "the contract ensures multiplication of returns for BST".

The agreement, which was signed after long negotiations, will involve the installation of on-line technologies, similar to those in Western Europe and the United States.

[21] Greece to participate in CE-EU-CIS 96

Greece will participate in the first international forum "CE-EU-CIS, 96", the Export Promotion Organization (OPE) said yesterday.

The forum, focusing on trade and investment co-operation between the East and the West, aims at bringing together European Union enterprises with business representatives from Central Europe, the Balkan region and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Business co-operation is noted in the fields of agricultural products, chemicals and petro-chemicals, constructions and building materials, telecommunication equipment, minerals and general equipment.

End of English language section.