Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 96-11-02

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1030), November 2, 1996

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis announces public administration reforms

[02] Opposition response

[03] Committee begins study of legalization of illegal immigrants

[04] First Hungarian-Greek dictionary published

[05] Arsenis agrees with committee proposal on salary hikes for university lecturers

[06] Premier meets with national defense ministry's political, military leadership

[07] Mount Athos official denies refuge reports concerning Karadzic, Mladic

[08] Gov't spokesman rejects notion of rift between Tsohatzopoulos, Rozakis

[09] Rozakis in Cyprus next week for working visit

[10] Parliament to fund home purchase for slain Greek Cypriot's family

[11] Lambrinidis appointed secretary general of Expatriate Hellenism Department

[12] PKK leader says Kurds will continue suicide bomb attacks

[13] Mitsotakis: Ankara's stance on Greek-Turkish relations taking their political, economic toll

[14] ND criticizes Gov't policy on defense, foreign policy issues

[15] Contacts continue within ND over leadership issue

[16] Petsalnikos reiterates Athens' position on furthering relations with Balkan neighbors

[17] Parliament approves formation of investigation committee on controversial Floisvos casino license

[18] Greece, FYROM negotiations to resume on Wednesday

[19] Venizelos discusses Greek-Italian cultural issues with Italian counterpart

[20] AGET workers announce strike

[21] National Bank cuts interest rates on deposits

[22] Papazoi says Gov't settling debts by Aegean-based enterprises

[23] Study: Greeks must work more hours than other Europeans to buy same products

[24] Papantoniou says economic policy will be unveiled within timelimits

[25] Olympic holding co-operation talks with other int'l airlines

[26] Greenpeace unveils solar-powered school on Crete

[01] Simitis announces public administration reforms

Athens, 02/11/1996 (ANA)

The transfer of ministerial services and central services to the regions will be completed within the next six months, Mr. Simitis said.

"Our pre-election announcements on Sept. 2 have now become the government's policy statements with the programs we will implement, and we will proceed with commitments within a specified time limit," Mr. Simitis said.

"As of today (yesterday), Nov. 1, we are proceeding with the implementation of our program. The challenges we are faced with as a society and a country render the restructuring of the state, the modernizing of public administration and the upgrading of prefectural and local self-administration a top priority issue," he added.

Legislation defining the regional areas as a unified decentralized administrative unit will be tabled in Parliament in the coming few days. Within the next three months, Mr. Simitis added, major informatics projects for the Social Security Foundation (IKA), the National Health System (ESY) and other state bodies will be approved to ensure the technological modernization of public administration.

Also expected within the next three months is a new code of conduct for civil servants with a new ranking system and simpler disciplinary procedures.

Moves to merge regional communities will begin within the next year in an attempt to change the current situation of the country being divided into "thousands of small communities which are unable to meet the basic needs of citizens", Mr. Simitis said, adding that the process will get underway next year and the next local elections will be held with this map.

Mr. Simitis said that medium-term measures until September 1997 anticipate modernization of public administration, while the modernization of the electoral process is also anticipated. Also included in the government's program for public administratio n are measures to protect citizens' rights, with a planned bill establishing an independent "citizen's advocate" and streamlining of electoral procedures to allow citizens to vote in their place of residence.

Earlier, Mr. Simitis and the interior ministry's civil leadership had a meeting with the country's 13 regional governors at the Maximos Mansion, who were briefed on the new settlements and the radical restructuring of regional administration and were given instructions in light of the new upgraded role they will be playing in regions.

[02] Opposition response

Athens, 02/11/1996 (ANA)

New Democracy spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos described the announcements as being "grandilo-quent, vague and without substance," and noted that his party will closely follow implementation of the announcements.

Synaspismos said the announcements were vague, and stressed that "they do not substitute for the need of a comprehensive policy for modernizing public administration and decentralization with self-administration."

[03] Committee begins study of legalization of illegal immigrants

Athens, 02/11/1996 (ANA)

Mr. Papaioannou was addressing the first meeting of a committee of experts from the labor, public order and foreign ministries as well as representatives of trade unions, employers and merchants, established to study legalization of illegal immigrants in Greece currently.

The committee will complete its task in four months and will propose a draft presidential decree on the issue to the government.

According to Mr. Papaioannou, legalization will erect a barrier against racism and xenophobia "which dynamite to the foundations of society," while at the same time it will serve the needs of the labor market and put an end to the exploitation of illegal immigrants. Under the bill, illegal immigrants will be provided with a temporary residence permit and a temporary working permit, both renewable.

But tackling the problem of illegal immigrants not entered into the legalization process remains a thorn, as does control of the borders to stem the entry of other illegal immigrants.

[04] First Hungarian-Greek dictionary published

Vienna, 02/11/1996 (ANA - D. Dimitrakoudis)

The dictionary, compiled by philosophy lecturer Christophoros Athanasiou, was almost seven years in the making. Mr. Athanasiou, originally from Dodoni, lives permanently in Hungary, where he completed his post-graduate studies.

The dictionary aims to cover the needs arising from the growing cultural, scientific, educational and economic relations between Greece and Hungary. The dictionary also includes a brief guide to Hungarian grammar.

[05] Arsenis agrees with committee proposal on salary hikes for university lecturers

Athens, 02/11/1996 (ANA)

In addition, more mobilizations have been scheduled for other universities.

Mr. Arsenis said he agrees with proposals made by a bi-ministerial committee for a 45 per cent increase in university lecturers' salaries, so long as there is strict control on their number of teaching hours.

The minister did not rule out the possibility of the pay rises being extended to all teaching staff.

He also announced that sufficient funds are being provided for libraries in universities, adding that work on the Athens University campus in Zographou will end in four to five years.

Mr. Arsenis promised that all educational gaps in schools will be covered and stressed that education will have priority in the 1997 budget.

Lecturers and instructors appeared to be in agreement with the announcement, although meetings will have to be held before they decide on a course of action.

[06] Premier meets with national defense ministry's political, military leadership

Athens, 02/11/1996 (ANA)

The meeting took place in the presence of National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou.

The meeting focused on the defense ministry's budget and the armaments program for the armed forces.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that conditions were formed for the ministry budget's compilation, due to be completed in the next days.

Defense Under-secretary Dimitris Apostolakis and Chief of the General Staff, Gen. Athanasios Tzoganis were also present.

[07] Mount Athos official denies refuge reports concerning Karadzic, Mladic

Athens, 02/11/1996 (ANA)

Press reports claimed that Mr. Karadzic and Gen. Mladic would testify through a satellite linkup to an International Court of Justice at The Hague hearing from the Serb monastery located on the monastic community.

In comments to ANA, Mount Athos official Germanos said the press reports "are completely unfounded."

According to sources in Karyes, the capital of Mount Athos, the Holy Community has never granted refuge to individuals accused of criminal acts.

"Karadzic and Mladic are indicted on charges of mass killings," the source added.

According to the sources, even if Mount Athos agreed to grant permission, this would have to be approved by the foreign ministry, since both Mr. Karadzic and Gen. Mladic are foreign nationals. This decision would also have to be approved by the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

The source added that neither the foreign ministry nor the Patriarchate have considered the issue.

In earlier statements in Athens, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the government was not aware of such an issue, adding that no request for refuge had been forwarded.

[08] Gov't spokesman rejects notion of rift between Tsohatzopoulos, Rozakis

Athens, 02/11/1996 (ANA)

Mr. Reppas was responding to press questions regarding Mr. Tsohatzopoulos' response to Mr. Rozakis' reported proposal that a moratorium on military exercises between Greece and Turkey in the Aegean be extended.

Mr. Rozakis' personal opinion on the moratorium, Mr. Reppas said, fell within the boundaries of the government's foreign policy, adding that the foreign under-secretary was appointed to the foreign ministry to contribute ideas to the drafting of a foreign policy within a general position outline. "At this moment there is no issue of a Greek-Turkish moratorium because, although Athens desires the implementation of the (1988) memorandum (signed by the then Greek and Turkish foreign ministers), a prerequisite is that a corresponding desire be shown by Turkey, something which is not happening," Mr. Reppas said.

He said there were "no margins if Ankara did not take the first step", which was to take its dispute over the Greek islet of Imia to the International Court of Justice at The Hague.

"Greece insists on a process of step-by-step rapprochement," Mr. Reppas added.

[09] Rozakis in Cyprus next week for working visit

Athens, 02/11/1996 (ANA)

Mr. Rozakis will be accompanied on his visit to the island republic by foreign ministry secretary general for community affairs, Stelios Perrakis, and Eurodeputy Yiannos Kranidiotis, who is also the foreign minister's representative to the EU Intergovernmental Conference.

[10] Parliament to fund home purchase for slain Greek Cypriot's family

Athens, 02/11/1996 (ANA)

[11] Lambrinidis appointed secretary general of Expatriate Hellenism Department

Athens, 02/11/1996 (ANA)

Since January 1996 and until his appointment to the position, Lambrinidis, 34, a lecturer at acclaimed Yale University in the United States, was the director of Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos' private office.

[12] PKK leader says Kurds will continue suicide bomb attacks

Athens, 02/11/1996 (ANA)

A 17-year-old female PKK guerrilla, dressed to look pregnant, detonated a bomb she carried, killing herself and four others in a suicide bomb attack on an elite police force headquarters in the southeastern Turkish city of Adana last week - the third such attack since July. The Kurdish National Liberation Front's representative for Balkan countries, Chevded Amed, said that the latest three attacks - all by Kurdish women - had taken the Kurdish resistance struggle into a new phase.

"The war our guerrillas are waging is a battle for the survival of our people," he said. "The latest attacks show that the Kurds are in a position to cause great damage even in the areas Turks consider to be the most secure".

"At this new stage of our struggle, actions will intensify," he added. "The message is that we can hit the Turks wherever we want."

[13] Mitsotakis: Ankara's stance on Greek-Turkish relations taking their political, economic toll

Athens, 02/11/1996 (ANA)

He reiterated that dialogue between the two countries should be conducted under certain conditions, urging however, that communication between the two countries continue uninterrupted.

Stressing that during his term in office (1990-93) Greek-Turkish relations were undergoing a period free of tension and crisis, the former premier said Turkey is wrong to believe that Greece is against dialogue with its eastern neighbor.

Dialogue, he noted, can take place under certain conditions.

Mr. Mitsotakis said that those conditions, namely, respect of territorial integrity, international treaties and principles of international law "have always been accepted by the Turkish side."

"Turkey has changed its policy, which it had followed for 70 years, since the beginning of this year when it began to doubt provisions of the Lausanne Treaty."

Turning to the Greek side, Mr. Mitsotakis said Prime Minister Costas Simitis has surpassed the "old positions of (late premier and ruling PASOK founder) Andreas Papandreou on Greek-Turkish relations, even though Papandreou had accepted dialogue with Turkey when he was prime minister."

The fact that official dialogue cannot start between the two countries should not put an end to the channel of communications and consultations on secondary issues, Mr. Mitsotakis said.

"This is also pursued by the present government," he added.

Asked to comment on what the Turkish paper termed a "conviction" of Ankara that Greece supports Kurdish separatists, Mr. Mitsotakis said "this is inaccurate and slanderous."

"We are against terrorist activities and pursue international co-operation on these issues," he said, adding that Athens is clear on this issue.

Turning to other matters, Mr. Mitsotakis stressed that Turkey should undertake "many more important initiatives regarding the Greek Orthodox communities in Istanbul, Imvros and Tenedos, as well as regarding the Ecumenical Patriarchate."

Concluding, Mr. Mitsotakis said he was in favor of a dialogue between the Orthodox Church and the religious leadership of the Moslem community in Greece.

He made that comment regarding a series of meetings between Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos and the Turkish Moslem spiritual leader Fethoullah Gioulen.

[14] ND criticizes Gov't policy on defense, foreign policy issues

Athens, 02/11/1996 (ANA)

The ND committee claimed the government was exposing the country to serious dangers and allowing third parties to take advantage of government incoherence.

The announcement was issued following a proposal by Foreign Under-secretary Christos Rozakis for a Greek-Turkish moratorium in the Aegean and Thursday's expression of opposition by National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, followed by yesterday's op position by the government spokesman.

ND said this image "directly harms the seriousness and trustworthiness of the country, when responsible ministers dispute over current national issues through the media and the prime minister, motionless and with no will, leaves matters to chance."

[15] Contacts continue within ND over leadership issue

Athens, 02/11/1996 (ANA)

ND party president Miltiades Evert told his colleagues that he will concern himself exclusively with opposition to the government.

Meanwhile, top ND cadre George Souflias continued his contacts with deputies yesterday, adding that it is impossible for a petition to be circulated for a no-confidence motion against Mr. Evert, as "developments are not derived from mathematical equations, but from political actions, initiatives"

ND Vice-President Ioannis Varvitsiotis also discussed developments with ND deputies, while reports said he will meet with Mr. Souflias.

Speaking from Thessaloniki yesterday, Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos repeated his statement that he will complete his term, again refuting rumors of his being involved in the ND leadership issue.

"My mission is to complete my term in the Athens municipality," he said.

[16] Petsalnikos reiterates Athens' position on furthering relations with Balkan neighbors

Melbourne, 02/11/1996 (ANA)

Mr. Petsalnikos forecast that negotiations on the Skopje name issue will be difficult "due to the intransigence of the Skopje government."

Stressing the Greek government's economic initiatives in Macedonia and Thrace as well as the region's privileged geographic position after developments in the Balkans, the eastern and central Europe and the Black Sea countries, Mr. Petsalnikos reiterate d the prime minister's statements that Macedonia and Thrace will form the springboard for Greece's economic development.

He further stressed Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos' upcoming visit on Nov. 7.

Mr. Petsalnikos also had meetings with Greek-Australian politicians of the State of Victoria, as well as with Bishop Ezekiel of Melbourne.

Today, he will meet with State Prime Minister Joseph Kenneth as well as with leaders of the Greek-Australian community.

[17] Parliament approves formation of investigation committee on controversial Floisvos casino license

Athens, 02/11/1996 (ANA)

One hundred and fifty deputies voted in favor of the forming of such a committee, while 116 voted against, with 11 blank ballots cast and two abstentions. Twenty-one deputies were absent from the vote.

Earlier in the debate, the government committed itself to having the committee's work brought to a speedy conclusion, while main opposition New Democracy claimed that adequate indications exist on the misconduct of the former tourism minister.

In addition, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) spoke of an effort to disorientate the people, while the Coalition of the Left and Progress referred to a conscientious violation of duties by Mr. Livanos. The Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) agreed with ND's proposal for an investigating committee to be established.

[18] Greece, FYROM negotiations to resume on Wednesday

United Nations, 02/11/1996 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

Diplomatic circles said there is no longer any reason for delay, underlining that all time and procedural limits have narrowed, and that the subject of the talks has almost been exhausted.

The same circles estimate that it will appear in Wednesday's meeting, and on the basis of FYROM's expected answer, whether there are hopes for an agreement on the issue of the republic's international name or whether negotiations will be needed for other possible approaches to be used.

[19] Venizelos discusses Greek-Italian cultural issues with Italian counterpart

Rome, 02/11/1996 (ANA - L. Hatzikyriakou)

Events include an Italian film festival within the framework of the 1997 Thessaloniki film festival and a symposium of Italian and other European intellectuals in Thessaloniki on the subject of "Culture of the Third Millennium."

The two men will meet at a later date in Paris to discuss problems facing the film industry in Greece, Italy, France, Spain and Portugal.

Mr. Veltroni pledged to help find a building in Rome to house a Greek cultural center. He also showed interest in the creation of a Greek Archeological School in Rome.

[20] AGET workers announce strike

Athens, 02/11/1996 (ANA)

Speaking at a joint press conference with the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) and local administration representatives from the prefectures of Magnisia and Evia, labor unionists said the National Bank of Greece's administration is pre paring to sell 12 per cent of the shares of the Kal-Nat consortium to Italy's Calcestruzzi, which is already under the control of Concretum, and as a result, Italian companies will obtain 54 per cent of the group's shares.

The federation believes that this is the first step ultimately leading to the sale of AGET to Italcementi, the powerful company which is reportedly the spearhead of the so-called "cement cartel."

Unionists warned that the cartel has been trying for years to obtain control of AGET to shrink the company and exclude it from markets.

AGET, extremely competitive for European cement companies, produces 14 million tons of cement annually. Six million tons are sold in Greece, with the remaining eight million exported. AGET even exports quantities of cement to the United States, where import criteria are extremely stiff.

Deputies Rodoula Zisi (PASOK, Magnisia), Thanasis Nakos (ND, Magnisia) and Dimitris Pipergias (PASOK, Evia) attended the press conference and offered their support to unions.

Mr. Pipergias said "we are being led to the most savage neo-conservative logic", according to which "bankers will cook and the government will serve."

[21] National Bank cuts interest rates on deposits

Athens, 02/11/1996 (ANA)

[22] Papazoi says Gov't settling debts by Aegean-based enterprises

Athens, 02/11/1996 (ANA)

Ms Papazoi, who was speaking to reporters in Thessaloniki yesterday on the sidelines of an information presentation on Aegean islands within the framework of the 12th "Philoxenia" exhibition, said the program anticipates a freeze on interest for overdue debts and a settlement of debts over a period of 15 years. She said an agreement has already been reached with the "primary bank", while discussions are underway with other banks.

Ms Papazoi made particular reference to the importance attributed by the ministry to the development of tourism on the Aegean islands, adding that on the basis of overnight stays, tourism on Aegean islands accounts for 25 per cent of the tourism traffic for the entire country.

[23] Study: Greeks must work more hours than other Europeans to buy same products

Athens, 02/11/1996 (ANA)

Giving an example, INKA said that to purchase 185 products a worker in Greece must work for almost a year, while a German worker only 179 days.

Specifically, a worker in Greece has to work 95 hours, 46 minutes to buy 100 types of foodstuffs, while 57 hours, 10 minutes are required in Britain, 58 hours in France, 48.5 hours in Germany and 69 hours, 12 minutes in Italy.

To buy 50 household and personal care products, a worker in Greece must work 53 hours, 15 minutes, while the average in the other European countries ranges from 30 to 43 hours.

INKA further points out that a persisting phenomenon is a major difference in prices for standardized goods from one city to another and one store to another.

[24] Papantoniou says economic policy will be unveiled within timelimits

Athens, 02/11/1996 (ANA)

Replying to allegations by main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert that the government leaks decisions and measures of economic content and creates concern in society, Mr. Papantoniou said the government will honor the Constitution and there can be no announcement of economic policy in parts.

Mr. Evert, who has put a relevant question to Prime Minister Costas Simitis, has requested priority for his question so that it can be debated in the coming week, and to allow Mr. Simitis to reply on the content of economic policy to be announced by the government.

Mr. Evert said any delay will create great difficulties for the Greek economy and, giving an example, referred to the sudden outflow of US$500 million last Tuesday.

[25] Olympic holding co-operation talks with other int'l airlines

Athens, 02/11/1996 (ANA)

OA's assistant general director Stavros Daliakos told reporters at the 12th "Philoxenia" exhibition that OA had already begun talks with carriers in North America, Australia, Indonesia and India.

"Olympic is entering the international arena of alliances, albeit belatedly," Mr. Daliakos said, adding: "These agreements will be the central axes of OA's overseas policy, and aim at being able to transfer passengers around the world within Olympic's network as well as with other airlines' craft." OA's general manager Iordanis Karatzas said that similar agreements would be concluded with central and eastern European countries, with Thessaloniki taking on the role of the Balkans' major transit point for these destinations.

Greece's national carrier has already signed co-operation agreements with Hungary's Malev and Bulgaria's Balkan, and is in the process of concluding agreements with airlines in Romania, Yugoslavia, Armenia and Ukraine.

[26] Greenpeace unveils solar-powered school on Crete

Athens, 02/11/1996 (ANA)

Through the solar energy system installed in the school, Greece's Public Power Corp. (DEH) will be able to store energy when there is not enough solar energy.

Greenpeace funded the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment and installation of the system, as part of its campaign to promote alternative sources of energy.

In an unrelated issue, members of Greenpeace scaled the smokestacks of a DEH plant near Irakleion on Thursday to protest the creation of a crude oil-burning power plant on Crete.

Crete, the protesters claimed, could solve its electricity shortage by utilizing its resources and becoming a model of environment-friendly energy sources.

End of English language section.

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