A.N.A. Bulletin, 07/10/96

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1008), October 7, 1996

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

CONTENTS

[01] Acceleration of Maastricht Treaty revision decided in Dublin

[02] Assessments

[03] Simitis at Socialist leaders meeting

[04] Parliament sworn-in today, policy statements unveiled on Thursday

[05] KKE calls for referendum on Maastricht Treaty

[06] Constantopoulos reiterates that Synaspismos' presence will be felt in Parliament

[07] Conference on regional European mass media ends in Hania

[08] Evert, Souflias continue consultations following Friday's election

[09] Rallis

[10] Dissension in Crete

[11] Regional trade exhibition opened in Kavala

[12] Euro conference on silicon carbide begins in Crete today

[13] Illegal immigrant smugglers arrested near border area

[14] Dutch national charged in traffic death of two women

[01] Acceleration of Maastricht Treaty revision decided in Dublin

Dublin, 07/10/1996 (ANA - V. Mourtis)

In addition, all the leaders of the EU member-states expressed a desire for processes to be concluded in order to facilitate a new treaty at an upcoming Amsterdam summit in June 1997.

This position was also supported by Greece, although Prime Minister Costas Simitis, speaking at a press conference after the summit meeting, said he was not optimistic that a revised Maastricht Treaty could be ready in June.

He said the reason for this relates to elections in Britain next May, which he said will not give British Prime Minister John Major much freedom of movement. However, Mr. Major assured EU leaders during discussions that he will make efforts to ensure that the revision of the Maastricht Treaty will proceed promptly.

In addition, Mr. Simitis said that at the session a proposal by certain countries - evidently referring to positions by France and Germany - to have only a few focal points in the new treaty promoted was not approved.

Most countries, including Greece, reacted to this proposal and as a result, the agenda for negotiations on revising the treaty will remain the same, while the right of small countries to express their positions will not be restricted.

On the question concerning the way with which negotiations will be carried out, it was decided that the current Irish EU presidency will present a new draft treaty at the regular summit in December, with further negotiations based on the draft treaty.

Stressing that the extraordinary summit in Dublin was useful, Mr. Simitis said that on the intricate issue of foreign and defense policy, Greece underlined the need for a substantive and effective foreign and security policy, and that the new treaty must cover territorial integrity matters, as well as safeguarding external borders. It must also establish the principle of political solidarity and promote the development of defense co-operation, he added.

Replying to questions, Mr. Simitis said there is a basis for promoting Greek positions and added that the response of EU partners to them is slow but steadfast.

In response to other questions on EU partners' reservations, he said reservations are due to the fear that there could be an involvement in differences or armed conflicts.

Commenting on the principle of "flexibility", which was being promoted by France and Germany, Mr. Simitis said Greece and other countries were opposed to a general flexibility clause. However, they were prepared to discuss special settlements.

Mr. Simitis said the principle of unanimity remains in the sectors of inter-governmental co-operation, while on questions concerning democracy, the majority of member-states maintain that they must be taken through an enlargement of the European Parliament's duties.

During Saturday's session, Mr. Simitis also raised the issues of employment, development of islands, the environment and drug trafficking.

It was also decided that the Council of Ministers president should be assigned with taking initiatives concerning peace in the Middle East.

Mr. Simitis said certain countries initially raised objections to this due to a request by Israel that there should be no further involvement.

However, the session decided that the EU, which contributes to the development of the region in many ways, must be present even if its role will not be one of mediation.

[02] Assessments

Dublin, 07/10/1996 (ANA)

The usefulness of the session can be assessed, in connection with European developments in general, by the fact that the object of the next confrontation in the EU appeared. While, regarding issues of Greek concern, considerable progress was achieved, a t least with regard to their understanding.

According to assessments by members of the Greek delegation, results are positive for Greece, which is gaining ground slowly but steadily, both in connection with its national issues and the positions it supports on European unification issues.

Sources said that the possibilities of the solidarity clause being accepted within the framework of common foreign and defense policy currently stand at 50 per cent, as against almost zero acceptance a short time ago.

On the other hand, leading EU officials reportedly mentioned that Ankara is divided over its policy vis-a-vis Greece and Cyprus

The position observed by the Dutch representation at the Dublin session was positive for Greece, who made overtures towards Athens. Confirmation of this assessment is the premier's intention to visit The Hague at the end of November, before the OSCE's session in Lisbon, to discuss bilateral issues.

According to members of the Greek representation, the next confrontation will take place around the EU's institutional issues, based on observations of a standing German determination that was expressed by German Chancellor Helmut Kohl in Dublin, combined with an evident solidarity from French President Jacques Chirac, as well as support by British Labor leader Tony Blair, who will vie for the prime minister's seat during next spring's elections in Britain.

An axis comprising Germany, France and Britain raises the question of changes concerning the way with which decisions will be taken and selection of EU commissioners, while raising population criteria concerning the strength of each country's vote.

[03] Simitis at Socialist leaders meeting

Dublin, 07/10/1996 (ANA)

"In this respect, there is a proposal from the (rotating EU) Irish presidency, and we discussed ways of furthering it," he said.

The socialist leaders agreed that any new Community treaty should contain provisions on the protection of the environment, transparency in procedures and greater democracy. The meeting also focused on the effectiveness of the European Socialist Party.

"The party will gradually find the way to become more effective," the premier said.

Shortly before the EU summit began, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said the meeting would deal with three major issues.

Questions on if and when the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) will be completed, the relationship between EMU and political union, as well as policies to be adopted during negotiations.

Commenting on issues of particular interest to Greece, Mr. Pangalos said Athens' standing position that the principle of unanimity should be maintained regarding major EU matters and issues relating to the national sovereignty of member-states had recently "gained ground".

Mr. Pangalos also referred to Greece's positions on a common foreign and defense policy, stressing the need for a mechanism to deal with crises in the event that they cannot be resolved by peaceful means.

On reports that France and Germany intended to create an axis of countries constituting the nucleus of monetary union, Mr. Pangalos said Greece would vote against such a proposal if it were raised at the summit.

[04] Parliament sworn-in today, policy statements unveiled on Thursday

Athens, 07/10/1996 (ANA)

Prime Minister Costas Simitis will receive ministers at his office today, while in meetings over the next few days he and his Cabinet will shape the government's finalized policy statements.

According to reports, the government will emphasize efforts to increase revenues by one trillion drachmas in the next year, expected primarily to be obtained through cracking down on tax evasion, reducing public expenditures and curbing tax exemptions.

The government's target for 1997 will be to reduce the public deficit and bring inflation down to 4.5 per cent at the end of next year.

Mr. Simitis will read the government's policy statements in Parliament on Thursday. Opposition party leaders will take the floor on Friday and the debate will be extended afterwards, with speeches by representatives from all parties represented in Parliament.

The three-day debate will be concluded late Saturday evening, followed by the beginning of a process for a vote of confidence for the new government.

[05] KKE calls for referendum on Maastricht Treaty

Athens, 07/10/1996 (ANA)

"It has been proven that the government's much-advertised goal that Greece's borders also become Europe's borders remains within the sphere of wishful thinking, while at the same time constituting a dangerous policy, by leaving the defense of national sovereignty to those who divide nations and peoples, the EU and NATO," a statement in response to the EU summit in Dublin said.

"At Dublin, it was again re-affirmed that the revision of the Maastricht Treaty will form a more reactionary European Union, dominated by the hard core of the major imperialist forces, the Franco-German axis, and with the peoples of Europe as their victims," the statement read.

[06] Constantopoulos reiterates that Synaspismos' presence will be felt in Parliament

Athens, 07/10/1996 (ANA)

Mr. Constantopoulos told the central committee that the percentage gained by Synaspismos in the elections was "the first step towards a change in the political scene" in Greece.

Commenting on the two major political parties, Mr. Constantopoulos said the main opposition New Democracy party was in the throes of a serious identity problem, while the ruling PASOK party was facing enormous outstanding problems because of "a reductio n of its popular base and simmering internal problems."

"It is clear that PASOK, being a government of 41 per cent (of the voters) and facing serious problems, is seeking support and an alibi," Mr. Constantopoulos said, commenting on statements by Prime Minister Costas Simitis shortly after his party's elect ion victory, and seen by many political analysts as an opening to political forces of the center-left.

"But Synaspismos will not be an accomplice to the continuation of political impasses or to ineffective and socially unjust government administration," Mr. Constantopoulos said.

Calling on the government to immediately shape new institutions which would enable the implementation of new policies, Mr. Constantopoulos enumerated the Synaspismos' priorities as being a change in economic policy, changes in the method the government rules, including decentralization, changes in the management and administration of public enterprises and creation of institutions to secure transparency.

In addition, he said Synaspismos is calling for a re-orientation of foreign policy, the upgrading of Parliament's role, changes in the functioning of the Cabinet, changes in the electoral system and revision of the Constitution.

Mr. Constantopoulos said, however, that his party's positions would take their final form according to the new government's policy statements.

"Synaspismos will react vigorously to any attempt by the government to further reduce workers' income and weaken the social state," he warned.

He added that the first examples of the government's practices are not encouraging and forecast that its policy in many sectors would not change.

Synaspismos' central political committee yesterday discussed the results of the recent elections and the party's programme in the forthcoming period. It then approved a political decision text, which will be released in the next few days.

[07] Conference on regional European mass media ends in Hania

Athens, 07/10/1996 (ANA)

Some of the conclusions emanating from the conference stressed the need for globalizing mass media through conditions currently being shaped.

The need to exceed existing stereotypes in the news sector was also underlined, as well as establishing a Mediterranean Center for Journalism in Hania.

Addressing the conference, the representative of the Audiovisual Media Institute, Manolis Hairetakis, said the average annual increase in advertising expenditure in Greece is 25.7 per cent, exceeding by far the European Union average, which is 12.2 per cent. He added that the participation of television in advertising expenditure amounted to 50 per cent in Greece during 1986 and to 67 per cent in 1994.

The representative of the French newspaper "Le Monde", Jean-Pierre Lanselliet said that in his country the regional press is the strongest and has the highest circulation. He said the newspaper with the largest circulation in France is a regional one an d has a daily circulation of some one million copies.

On his part, the managing director of the Athens News Agency (ANA), Nikolas Voulelis, said the condition for the mass media's survival is their participation and development in accordance with conditions being shaped on the international scene, adding t hat press freedom in a proper sense can shape conditions for appropriate information.

Mr. Voulelis said that the ANA supports the proposal by the Hania prefect concerning the establishment of a Mediterranean Center for Journalism in Hania.

[08] Evert, Souflias continue consultations following Friday's election

Athens, 07/10/1996 (ANA)

Sources said yesterday that Mr. Evert had received several recommendations from ND cadres to proceed with a reorganization of the party's structure, to convene party bodies and to begin procedures for a party congress sometime in the spring.

Meanwhile, deputy Costas Karamanlis, the nephew of former president of the republic and ND founder Constantine Karamanlis, clearly indicated in an interview in yesterday's "Eleftherotypia" newspaper that he would be prepared to contest the leadership of the party in the future, but under certain conditions.

"I wish it has," he replied to the question "Has the Karamanlis hour arrived?", only hours after Mr. Evert's re-election on Friday.

"I wish to become the leader if it is certain that the party can be resurrected and governed under favorable terms," he added.

Mr. Karamanlis confirmed in his interview that he had been approached to run for ND's leadership, but had considered it prudent not to be involved, saying the race had taken place on terms more reminiscent of a beauty pageant.

He added that the clash between Mr. Evert and former premier Constantine Mitsotakis was purely personal, stressing that there were no ideological and political differences within the party and that "perhaps the solution would be for both of them to fin d themselves outside the leadership".

[09] Rallis

Athens, 07/10/1996 (ANA)

"If Mr. Evert is civil in his relations with his former adversaries, if he consults them and invites them to meetings, if he exercises reasonable opposition, national opposition, then he will undoubtedly consolidate his position," Mr. Rallis is reported to have said.

Commenting on a statement by Mr. Mitsotakis that a party also needs supporters, Mr. Rallis largely blamed the honorary ND leader for the ND's misfortunes.

"Mr. Mitsotakis would do well not to talk so much, because he bears a great responsibility for the state the party is in," he said.

In addition, Mr. Rallis said he considered that there was no prospect for the party espousing the ideas of former ministers Andreas Andrianopoulos and Stephanos Manos, both ardent supporters of privatizations.

"New parties need leaders. Andrianopoulos and Manos are not personalities capable of leading a new party," he said.

[10] Dissension in Crete

Athens, 07/10/1996 (ANA)

Members of the latter local office said they would reopen when a change in ND's leadership occurred.

[11] Regional trade exhibition opened in Kavala

Athens, 07/10/1996 (ANA)

It is expected that approximately 600 trade representatives from the Balkans, the Middle East, countries of the former Soviet Union and the Black Sea region will attend the exhibition.

The president of Kavala professional chamber, Apostolos Mardyris, noted that large orders were placed during the exhibit's opening day from Russian, Ukrainian, Albanian, and Yugoslavian businessmen.

[12] Euro conference on silicon carbide begins in Crete today

Athens, 07/10/1996 (ANA)

According to organizers, the number of participants has reached 140, and includes noted university, research foundation and hi-tech industry researchers from 14 countries.

Twenty-one companies representing high technology international companies in the sector will also be represented at the conference.

[13] Illegal immigrant smugglers arrested near border area

Athens, 07/10/1996 (ANA)

According to reports, Dimitris Papasymeonidis and Giorgos Aposidis were charged in the incident. Both suspects had their cars and $1,500 allegedly paid by the illegals for the transport confiscated.

The group of illegal immigrants, who said they had crossed into Greece from Turkey, were detained and will appear before a public prosecutor.

In the past week, seven immigrant smugglers and 143 illegal immigrants have been arrested in the Evros border region.

[14] Dutch national charged in traffic death of two women

Athens, 07/10/1996 (ANA)

According to reports, the two victims, Monica Amvrosidou and Nana Poulidou, had just exited an area nightclub.

Police said a breathalyzer test showed that Louisa Okman, a professional dancer, was legally intoxicated at the time of the incident.

End of English language section.

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