A.N.A. Bulletin, 05/10/96

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1007), October 5, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: [email protected]

CONTENTS

[01] Miltiades Evert re-elected New Democracy leader

[02] Mitsotakis: 'parties need supporters' as well

[03] Andrianopoulos announces political formation

[04] Gov't reaction

[05] EU external borders on the Greek agenda in Dublin

[06] Simitis, Tsohatzopoulos confer on defense ministry issues

[07] Niles visits Tsohatzopoulos

[08] New Parliament sworn-in on Monday

[09] Large response reported to Kaklamanis' letter condemning latest Turkish barbarity in Cyprus

[10] Inquiries continue into Thursday night's bomb blast

[11] Long queues for Greek visas at Belgrade embassy

[12] Athens, Skopje talks to resume on Monday

[13] Development under-secretary notes Gov't interest in upgrading nation's informatics infrastructure

[14] Tsovolas briefs Stephanopoulos

[15] Replacement of conventional mail with E-mail envisaged for public sector

[16] Conference on mass media in Europe begins in Hania

[17] Environmental conference commences

[18] Agriculture ministry unveils list of companies allegedly involved in olive oil scam

[19] Prosecutor recommends dismissal of charges of spreading false information against Intracom president

[20] Council of State rules '94 law expropriating former royal family's property in Greece constitutional

[21] Gov't announces OGA's transformation into a main insurance fund

[22] Kastanidis warns against unfair treatment of Greek truckers traveling through eastern Europe

[23] September inflation stable at 8.5 per cent

[24] Greek trade mission to Jordan

[25] Helmut Newton photo exhibit slated for Thessaloniki

[26] Clarification

[01] Miltiades Evert re-elected New Democracy leader

Athens, 5/10/1996 (ANA)

Mr. Evert received 103 votes against 84 for Mr. Souflias. There were three blank votes, one invalid, while two electors were absent. The party's 108 recently elected MPs, its nine Eurodeputies and 76 electors selected in polls earlier this week in the party's prefectural committees throughout the country voted in the election.

Mr. Evert, 57, resigned from the leadership immediately after the party's electoral defeat became apparent, saying he took full responsibility.

News of his resignation brought several contenders for the post, including ND deputy Dora Bakoyianni, the daughter of ND honorary president and former prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis, and Stephanos Manos, a former economy minister in the Mitsotakis government.

Following moves from within the party to convince Mr. Evert to re-contest the leadership, Ms Bakoyianni and Mr. Manos dropped out of the race and joined forces with Mr. Mitsotakis in supporting Mr. Souflias in his bid for the party leadership.

In a statement after his re-election, Mr. Evert appealed for party unity and said the party elections had opened a "new prospect and dynamic" for New Democracy.

"There are no losers and winners in these elections," Mr. Evert said, adding that if this was not understood within the party, then it would fail in its mission.

Mr. Evert called on all the party members to "forget the rivalries and turn a new page, so that we may go to a party congress in the first half of 1997."

At the congress, he added, the voice of the citizen who is not a member of New Democracy must be heard.

"The message from the rank and file is that we must abandon introversion and bickering. It is not possible for us to be concerned with what will happen within the party and not concerned with the government and the problems of the country," Mr. Ever t noted.

He stressed that there should be different opinions expressed within the party bodies and that there should be no "dueling between party members on the television networks.

"The battle begins with the government's policy statements (in Parliament next week) where ND will applaud every positive action and will criticize every negative one," he said, calling on cadres "to work together for the unity of New Democracy, to list en to the problems of society and to conclude with joint positions."

In congratulating Mr. Evert, Mr. Souflias said that regaining the essential unity of the party was necessary, and that the target was its victory in the next Parliamentary elections.

Mr. Evert first took over the party's leadership in 1993 when his predecessor, Mr. Mitsotakis, lost Parliamentary elections that year to a PASOK party led by the late Andreas Papandreou.

Mr. Mitsotakis resigned following the defeat to become honorary president of New Democracy.

Mr. Evert held a number of cabinet posts between 1976 and 1991. In 1986 he resigned as a member of Parliament after being elected mayor of Athens on a ND-backed ticket.

[02] Mitsotakis: 'parties need supporters' as well

Athens, 5/10/1996 (ANA)

"I believe that the formal unity of ND at the top is not in danger. I believe, however, that our party must understand that parties need supporters."

Mr. Manos released a written statement following the announcement of the results, saying that the procedure had been "an exercise in decisive opposition, respect for unity, regrouping of the party and the normal course towards a democratic congress."

"Each of us today finds himself face-to-face with his historical responsibilities. There are no margins and excuses for oligarchy and a repetition of the mistakes of the past. We must realize that the only opponent as of tomorrow is PASOK, and ND's sole objective is the defense of the interests of the people and the nation," he said.

[03] Andrianopoulos announces political formation

Athens, 5/10/1996 (ANA)

True to his promise, he called on social forces "to rally towards an effort to form a new reform political initiative for greater freedom and less statism," adding that "before the political arrogance of PASOK's government, New Democracy, providing a picture of a feudal state in disintegration, is completely incapable of putting up even the slightest resistance to PASOK's invasion."

"It is time someone erected a mound against a definite weakening of the brutally taxed middle classes," he said.

On his part, former New Democracy prime minister George Rallis, who on Thursday expressed indirect support for Mr. Souflias in his contest for the party's leadership, called on Mr. Evert's opponents to forget their disagreements and help the party find its former prestige.

Asked whether Mr. Evert is now a leader "on-notice" until the holding of the party congress in March or April, which, according to a proposal by ND Vice-President Ioannis Varvitsiotis, will ratify Mr. Evert's re-election, Mr. Rallis said this would depend on the policy the re-elected ND leader follows until then.

He did not, however, rule out the possibility of the party breaking up.

"Everything is possible, because in Greece the losers always continue protesting, and therefore, I cannot make any predictions."

In a related development, the president of the European Peoples' Party parliamentary group in the Europarliament, Wilfried Martens, congratulated Mr. Evert on his re-election.

"I am confident on the continuation of our fruitful co-operation to date for the attainment of our common and noble goals," he stated in his cable.

Sources at New Democracy party headquarters yesterday welcomed the news of Mr. Evert's re-election and said that it was a victory for the party.

They were also confident that the unity of the party was in no danger.

Deputy Kostas Karamanlis said that ND must proceed united, stressing that all members shared in this opinion.

[04] Gov't reaction

Athens, 5/10/1996 (ANA)

National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, when asked to comment on developments in the main opposition party, said that it was an issue for New Democracy, adding he hoped that the party's democratic procedures would clarify issues, political choice s and the roles of various figures.

Noting that there was a general clash "between the populist right and the neo-conservative right within the party", the minister said he hoped ND would surpass its problems.

In a statement yesterday, PASOK Central Committee Secretary Costas Skandalidis congratulated Mr. Evert on his re-election, expressing a wish that the position and attitude of the wider opposition will contribute positively to the smooth functioning of the democratic form of government and to enhancing the prestige of democratic institutions.

Basing his views on events in recent days and processes following ND's defeat in the general elections, Mr. Skandalidis said the character, unity and strategy crisis in the conservative sector was deepening.

Mr. Skandalidis said ND is entering a transitional period with unforeseen developments and, referring to Mr. Evert's proclamation on a "new page", added that all Greek citizens regardless of party affiliation can judge which side, party and leadership turned a new page and guaranteed prospects for the country and solutions to the problems of the people. He said PASOK did not fear a possible split in ND, adding that the view that a possible split in ND will be transferred to PASOK was historically inaccurate and outside any logic.

The Coalition of the Left and Progress party, meanwhile, said that it believed the "crisis" in the conservative opposition party would continue, despite the election of Mr. Evert as party leader.

ND's crisis, an announcement read, "is a crisis of identity and political proposal, which was underlined in the recent elections and is a part of the crisis of the political system."

[05] EU external borders on the Greek agenda in Dublin

Athens, 5/10/1996 (ANA)

Asked whether Greece intended to block the enlargement of the EU with respect to countries of central and eastern Europe if substantial progress is not made in the procedure for Cyprus' accession to the Community, Mr. Reppas replied:

"Greece in any case has such a weapon in its hands in the event that Cyprus' accession to the EU is undermined."

Mr. Simitis will participate this morning in the EU Socialist leaders' meeting. Sources said that the Greek side will invite European Socialist leaders to a European congress, organized by PASOK next April on the issue "socialism today."

[06] Simitis, Tsohatzopoulos confer on defense ministry issues

Athens, 5/10/1996 (ANA)

The meeting was part of their scheduled contacts and examined issues relating to the government and ruling party's initiatives as well as issues to be discussed at the EU summit in Dublin beginning today.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos stressed that the basic decision on the inter-governmental conference (IGC) will be taken in December at the regular European Council.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos also briefed the prime minister on his meeting on Thursday with his Cypriot counterpart Costas Eliades, which discussed the Greek-Cyprus joint defense doctrine.

He reiterated that there had been no pressure on Greece on the part of the US regarding the holding of joint Greek-Cypriot exercises.

[07] Niles visits Tsohatzopoulos

Athens, 5/10/1996 (ANA)

Earlier, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos had met with the South African alternate defense minister Roni Kassrils.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas later characterized the minister's recent meetings with foreign officials as of "a formal nature".

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos met on Thursday with British Permanent Foreign Under-secretary Sir John Cole and with the ambassadors of Russia and France.

[08] New Parliament sworn-in on Monday

Athens, 5/10/1996 (ANA)

The ceremony is expected to be attended by the current and former presidents of the republic, former prime ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, the mayor of Athens, the armed forces chiefs, ecclesiastical officials and other dignitaries.

On the following day, Parliament will elect its president by secret ballot, and on Wednesday the rest of the 15-member presidium.

The three-day debate on the government's policy statements will begin on Thursday, and will be concluded on Saturday evening with a roll-call confidence vote for the government.

[09] Large response reported to Kaklamanis' letter condemning latest Turkish barbarity in Cyprus

Athens, 5/10/1996 (ANA)

Among the dozens of respondents are the president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Leni Fischer, the president of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Javier Ruperez, the president of the Western European Assembly, Dudley Smith, the speaker of the British House of Commons, Betty Boothroyd as well as the speaker of the Canadian Parliament Gilbert Parent. The respondents expressed their strong concern over developments in Cyprus, and the hope for a speedy and just solution of the Cyprus problem.

[10] Inquiries continue into Thursday night's bomb blast

Athens, 5/10/1996 (ANA)

Reports said that the homemade bomb planted in the car belonging to Colonel Antonis Roussos may have been the work of the shadowy November 17 group.

Col. Roussos had recently left his position at NATO headquarters in Naples and was due to take retirement from active service in a months' time.

Experts said the remnants of the bomb and the timing mechanism were similar to bombs used by November 17 in previous attacks.

Col. Roussos told police that he had not received any threats and could not explain why his car had been targeted.

The car, parked in an underground garage, sustained serious damage.

[11] Long queues for Greek visas at Belgrade embassy

Belgrade, 5/10/1996 (ANA - M. Mouratidis)

The new procedures, applicable as of October 1, involve personal interviews with applicants. Travel agents no longer have the right to apply for visas on behalf of their customers, resulting in complaints from tour operators in Yugoslavia and in northern Greece that the more complicated procedure will lead to a reduction in tourist traffic.

The Greek embassy processes up to 100 visa applications daily and the number of visas issues is far below the number of applicants. It issues more than 200,000 visas annually.

Meanwhile, the Belgrade press reported that the issue of visas was being brought up in official talks, particularly after the abolition of visa requirements for Croats and Slovaks and the granting of visas to residents of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) at border checkpoints.

Talks last year between Greek and Yugoslav foreign ministry officials decided on the granting of a multiple-entry visa for entrepreneurs and business visitors and the abolition of visa requirements for officials.

[12] Athens, Skopje talks to resume on Monday

United Nations, 5/10/1996 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

According to diplomatic circles, discussions between Greece's permanent representative to the UN, Christos Zacharakis, and the representative from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Ivan Tosevski, are scheduled to last for one day only.

The same sources estimate that negotiations will be accelerated following Mr. Vance's return to New York after his 10-day visit to Bosnia.

[13] Development under-secretary notes Gov't interest in upgrading nation's informatics infrastructure

Athens, 5/10/1996 (ANA)

Speaking at a dinner at the end of the first day of sessions of a conference on information system applications, entitled "Development Prospects", she said there was an urgent need to close the gap in telecommunications and informatics between Greece an d its EU partners, as well as to modernize the public and private sectors.

"The creation of information system networks is the necessary condition for the development of Greek society and economy. The state, in co-operation with the private sector, will undertake this major endeavor of creating the infrastructure and guaranteeing the equality and democratic rights of citizens," she said.

Ms Diamantopoulou added that her ministry has already set incentives worth 21.6 billion drachmas in 1995-1996, involving 22 information systems firms, promotion of the EDI programme in computerized trade, as well as drawing up viability studies for small- and medium-sized infomatics enterprises in the northern Greece.

[14] Tsovolas briefs Stephanopoulos

Athens, 5/10/1996 (ANA)

Mr. Tsovolas, who requested the meeting, briefed the president on the party's positions and concerns on national issues, economic policy and "the problems preoccupying the Greek people - economic and social impasses". He said the meeting was "constructive".

[15] Replacement of conventional mail with E-mail envisaged for public sector

Athens, 5/10/1996 (ANA)

A relevant study was made recently by the government's Informatics Development Service (YAP) of the interior, public administration and decentralization ministry in co-operation with the European Commission's Third General Department.

This information was disclosed by YAP senior officials Alexandros Leventidis and Miltiades Housianakos during the second Informatics and Communications Applications Conference, who added that the initial phase of the "Citizen" programme was recently completed in the Evia and Corinth prefectures.

[16] Conference on mass media in Europe begins in Hania

Athens, 5/10/1996 (ANA)

"In a period of development of central national and international media, both printed and electronic, with the continuous expansionism and influence they are showing, the role played by regional mass media is self-evident," the message read.

"Their significance in the economic, social, political and cultural local life, apart from being necessary, is also one of the preconditions for regional societies' survival. The ways unifying them and maintaining their cohesive bonds are primarily common tradition and modern communication," it added.

[17] Environmental conference commences

Athens, 5/10/1996 (ANA)

"Protection of the environment will continue to be one of the absolute priorities of the Greek government and environmental communication, particularly at a local level, constitutes a significant tool for safeguarding consensus over processes in implementing measures for protecting the environment, which very often have unfavorable economic repercussions on social groups," Mr. Koliopanos said.

The meeting is being attended by representatives of all European Union member-states, Eurodeputies, the European Commission and the European Environment Service.

[18] Agriculture ministry unveils list of companies allegedly involved in olive oil scam

Athens, 5/10/1996 (ANA)

After targeting feta cheese adulterers, exposed by Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas 10 days ago, a list was publicized yesterday of 26 olive oil standardizing companies which illegally received Community subsidies amounting to 6.5 billion drachmas over the 1990-1993 period by presenting false numbers of tins containing the product.

The names of the companies were disclosed following an investigation conducted by the finance ministry's economic crime control department and after an Athens prosecutor ordered a preliminary investigation.

[19] Prosecutor recommends dismissal of charges of spreading false information against Intracom president

Athens, 5/10/1996 (ANA)

The statement had been issued after an indictment against Mr. Kokkalis, alleging improprieties in the contract for the provision of 1 million digital telephones to the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) by Intracom and Siemens Hellas in 1993 .

In his recommendation, the prosecutor said the allegations expressed in the Inracom statement did not constitute information, but personal views, which in no case can create fear and concern among citizens, given that such views appear often in recent y ears and on many subjects.

The judicial council to which the recommendation will be submitted will confer in the next few days to issue its decision.

[20] Council of State rules '94 law expropriating former royal family's property in Greece constitutional

Athens, 5/10/1996 (ANA)

CoS argued in its ruling that the issue was resolved in the 1975 Constitution, which established a presidential republic, rendering any legal decision authorizing the return of property automatically unconstitutional.

As the Supreme Court earlier this year ruled that the law expropriating the in question property was unconstitutional, the final decision will now have to be made by a special court, as envisaged by article 100 of the Greek Constitution.

[21] Gov't announces OGA's transformation into a main insurance fund

Athens, 5/10/1996 (ANA)

He was speaking after talks with the leaderships of the Panhellenic Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives (PASEGES), the General Confederation of Agricultural Associations (GESASE) and the Democratic Confederation of Agricultural Associations (SYDASE). The meeting was attended by Labor Undersecretaries Christos Protopapas and Nikos Farmakis, as well.

Mr. Papaioannou said he presented the agricultural associations with the main points of the bill, to enable a necessary social dialogue. He said none of the farmers' insurance benefits will be revoked, but on the contrary, they will be gradually widened .

According to the new bill, as of Jan. 1, 1997, a main insurance branch for farmers will be established at OGA, which will include all farmers insured with OGA.

[22] Kastanidis warns against unfair treatment of Greek truckers traveling through eastern Europe

Brussels, 5/10/1996 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

Greece was represented by Transport and Communications Minister Haris Kastanidis.

The countries discussed were Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania, Lithuania, Estonia, Slovenia and Latvia.

The 15 participating EU ministers agreed to assign the European Commission with negotiating with each central and eastern European country the issue of air transport with a view of creating a "common air zone."

During the discussion, Mr. Kastanidis also raised the issue of land transport. He referred at length to problems faced by Community, and primarily Greek truckers, while driving through eastern European countries.

Mr. Kastanidis underlined discreet treatment against Greek truckers and called on eastern European countries, on behalf of the Community, to facilitate transit drive-throughs and to treat all truckers without discrimination.

He also made it clear that in no way will Athens accept dues or tolls placing Greek truckers in a disadvantageous position or endangering the competitiveness of Greek exports.

[23] September inflation stable at 8.5 per cent

Athens, 5/10/1996 (ANA)

The CPI rise was due to increases in the prices of foodstuffs, rents and fuel, according to figures released today by the National Statistical Service (ESYE).

According to ESYE, inflation is at a point at which a further decrease is considered to be "difficult".

The stability of the rate over the past two months indicates that measures taken to push down the figure are no longer enough by themselves.

The rate is still three times the EU average.

[24] Greek trade mission to Jordan

Athens, 5/10/1996 (ANA)

In particular, the businessmen will be examining ways of placing Greek products on the Jordanian market. The visit has been organized by the foreign trade section of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the national economy ministry.

Meanwhile, National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou yesterday referred Federation of Greek Industries (SEB) President Iason Stratos to the government's forthcoming policy statements in Parliament, when Mr. Stratos resubmitted the federation's memorandum on the economy.

SEB had sent the same memorandum to all political parties before the Sept. 22 election.

[25] Helmut Newton photo exhibit slated for Thessaloniki

Athens, 5/10/1996 (ANA)

Mr. Newton first gained fame in the fashion world in the 1960s through his idiosyncratic photographs in "Vogue" magazine, shortly upon his return to Paris from Australia.

Although his work was initially described by certain critics as a voyeuristic and a pornographic, he subsequently received a number of awards in the United States, Europe and Japan.

The Helmut Newton exhibition, which will include both black-and-white and color photographs, opens daily at the Art Forum Gallery between Oct. 8 and Nov. 11.

[26] Clarification

The exhibition was held under the mission's auspices but was sponsored by the German-Swedish company STORA.

End of English language section.

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