From: tzarros@ccs.carleton.ca (Theodore Zarros) Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Wed, 12 Oct 1994 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa). Athens News Agency Bulletin, October, 12, 1994 ---------------------------------------------- * Papantoniou forecasts annual inflation rate under 11 per cent * Greece proposes Middle East disarmament agreement * Venizelos: Greek participation in Cyprus exercise part of joint defence agreement * Gov't protests Lisbon relations with FYROM * Greece concerned at Tirana threat to remove head of Albanian Orthodox church * New Democracy * Papoulias meets with Vassiliou on Cyprus, Greek role in region Papantoniou forecasts annual inflation rate under 11 per cent ------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 12/10/1994 (ANA): National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou yesterday forecast that inflation would fall to an annual rate of under 11 per cent by the end of December. He said that the slight increase noted in September had been expected and that figures for October would be lower due to a reduction in the fuel tax, which regularly added 0.6 per cent to the inflation rate. In September 1993, he said, the New Democracy government had frozen private school fees "and increases (in the fees) last month covered a two-year period, thus adding a certain percentage to the rate of inflation". Inflation was further burdened in September, Mr. Papantoniou said, because of a renewed demand for fresh fruit and vegetables, which raised prices. Mr. Papantoniou said that the rate of inflation for any given month was not decisive in determining the annual rate of inflation, adding that on current figures, inflation would be running at 10.8 per cent per annum, in line with targets set by the Convergence Programme. Mr. Papantoniou said the European Union's recommendations on curbing fiscal deficits were identical to those addressed to Greece's European partners. He said the recommendations were in line with the targets set by the Convergence Programme and underlined the need to achieve them. Mr. Papantoniou said the text expressed the need for the strict implementation of the Convergence Programme, while, on the question of incomes policy, mention was made of cracking down on tax evasion, curbing expenditure and promoting the privatisation of state enterprises. Replying to questions on the possibility of Union funds to Greece being curtailed, Mr. Papantoniou said funds already allocated would be absorbed within time limits set by the government, adding that Cohesion Fund moneys Greece is entitled to represent one fourth of the Delors II package. Mr. Papantoniou said that, in his address to the annual International Monetary Fund and World Bank conference in Madrid, he had reiterated Greece's determination to achieve economic targets set for 1994. Commenting on Mr. Papantoniou's statements, the Coalition of the Left and Progress issued an announcement yesterday saying that "reassuring statements and the beatification of the state of the economy are unable to conceal the ruthless and bleak reality". The announcement said the government needed to redefine its economic policy in order to include "equality in taxation, social sensitivities and a drive for development." Greece proposes Middle East disarmament agreement ------------------------------------------------- Athens, 12/10/1994 (ANA): Greece yesterday proposed a Middle East disarmament agreement, to include nuclear, chemical and ballistic weapons, and said it would try to push the proposal through NATO. "I suggest a nuclear and chemical weapons free zone, in which the production and stationing of ballistic missiles will also be prohibited," National Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis told an economic conference on the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean. The two-day conference, which ended yesterday, was entitled "Middle East and Mediterranean: Business and Political Developments" and organised by the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce and the International Herald Tribune. The conference was held with the participation of 200 delegates from 25 countries who explored economic and business prospects in the Middle East in light of the Arab-Israeli peace process. "The deployment of ballistic missiles in this region must be prevented and an arms monitoring system established," Mr. Arsenis said. "This zone," he added, "should be extended as far as possible geographically and take in the region of Mersina in southern Turkey which at present is not included in the areas in which conventional arms are restricted." Mr. Arsenis said Greece would propose multi-lateral talks to prepare the signing of such an agreement during Nato's December meeting in Brussels. The deal should include part of eastern Turkey, which borders Syria and Iraq. "This agreement should have a broader extent and include all the countries of the region and the part of Turkey east of the port of Mersina," Mr. Arsenis said. He said Greece was interested in economic co-operation in the Middle East and could be the Middle East's bridge to Europe. "Greece has the will to participate in any constructive initiative as well as to assume the role of intermediary in peace talks between the interested parties," he added. He also offered Greece's mediation to help the rapprochement between Syria and Israel, and proposed a United Nations peace mission to the Middle East, including Greek troops. Mr. Arsenis stressed that in order to achieve real stability in the region, a permanent, viable and just settlement of the Cyprus problem must be attained, together with Cyprus' accession to the European Union. "We support (Cyprus) President Glafcos Clerides' proposal for the disarmament of the island, because the Cyprus problem can only be resolved through negotiations. In the meantime however, Greece is determined to strengthen Cyprus' defence mechanisms and this obligation emanates from the Zurich Agreement which assigns the role of guarantor power to Greece," Mr. Arsenis told the conference. Mr. Arsenis urged the international community to undertake a co-ordinated programme of economic and regional development for the Middle East, stressing that no country could develop using only its own resources. Addressing the conference, Dr Ziad Fariz, financial consultant to Jordan's King Hussein, proposed the establishment of a Middle East Development and Restoration Bank, based on the respective bank in Eastern Europe. The Arab keynote speakers to the conference joined in efforts to persuade the international community to contribute with funds to assist the development of less developed countries. Venizelos: Greek participation in Cyprus exercise part of joint defence agreement --------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 12/10/1994 (ANA): The participation of Greek aircraft in a Cyprus military exercise was a result of the joint defence policy agreement between Athens and Nicosia, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said yesterday, commenting on the claim of a US official that the flight of Greek aircraft over Cyprus made the settlement of the Cyprus problem more difficult. The Greek aircraft participated Sunday and Monday in a Cypriot military exercise condemned "Nikiforos" within the framework of military co-operation between the two countries. It was the first time Greek military planes have flown over Cyprus in more than thirty years. Mr. Venizelos expressed uncertainty as to whether the statement had been made by an authorised official of the State Department which, he added, was well aware that Greece acted within the framework of its international obligations. Gov't protests Lisbon relations with FYROM ------------------------------------------ Athens, 12/10/1994 (ANA): The government said yesterday that it had expressed its displeasure to Portugal over Lisbon's decision to establish diplomatic relations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said that representations had already been made through the Greek ambassador in Lisbon. The spokesman noted, however, that Portugal was virtually the last country of the European Union to make the move "which comes as a consequence of FYROM's recognition following its entry to the UN". Greece concerned at Tirana threat to remove head of Albanian Orthodox church ------------------------------------------------------------ Athens, 12/10/1994 (ANA): Greece yesterday expressed concern at Albania's draft constitution according to which the head of any religious community in the country must be an Albanian citizen, have been born in Albania and have lived in Albania for the past 20 years. Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said the article was a threat to the head of the Albanian Orthodox Church and would cause problems for the rights of the Greek minority. Mr. Venizelos said the constitution "deviated" from Western standards, adding that Athens was closely following "all these issues which are concerned with respect for human rights and the guarantees (provided by) states ruled by law," and had already in formed all foreign governments and international fora of these issues. Albanian President Sali Berisha yesterday called a referendum for November 6 to submit the country's first post-communist constitution to national approval. In an interview yesterday with the ANA in Tirana, Archbishop Anastasios of Albania said that the final choice as to the leadership of the Albanian Orthodox Church rested with the Orthodox believers of the country and could not be dictated by the state. Anastasios, the head of the Albanian Orthodox Church, was responding to statements by Mr. Berisha Monday intimating that the Archbishop might be forced to leave the country. "The final choice (as to the leadership of the Albanian Orthodox Church) in a state which declares that it fully respects religious freedoms belongs to the Orthodox believers of Albania and cannot be arbitrarily dictated by the state," Anastasios said in an interview with the ANA in Tirana. Anastasios said that on two separate occasions Mr. Berisha had warmly welcomed his election. "There was never any issue of temporary appointment," Anastasios said, reiterating a statement he made last April that "the title of a temporary archbishop does not exist in Orthodox tradition." Mr. Berisha on Monday referred to an article in Albania's draft constitution according to which the head of any religious community in the country must be an Albanian citizen, have been born in Albania and have lived in Albania for the past 20 years. Anastasios has been recognised by all the autocephalous Orthodox Churches, the major churches of the West and international ecclesiastical bodies. Last April, Anastasios stressed that "the election of an archbishop is not like a political election. It is based on different principles and world-wide ecclesiastical acceptance." The prelate told the ANA that his aim was for the Albanian Orthodox Church "to soon acquire the competent officials who will be in a position to assume its leadership", adding that "at the present time no one is ready to shoulder this responsibility". Commenting on Mr. Berisha's statements, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said that the views of the Albanian president were a result of "specific provisions of the Albanian draft constitution and could constitute a threat to the Archbishop." Further, Mr. Venizelos said that the government was "not happy" with the stance of the European Union regarding Greece's problems with Albania. Replying to questions, he said that "the EU, the Council of Ministers and the European Commission could show greater sensitivity and active interest" in the recent conviction of the five members of the ethnic Greek political organisation Omonia. Asked what action Greece had taken following the conviction of the five, Mr. Venizelos said that "all diplomatic and economic pressures continue to remain in force and are being intensified". New Democracy ------------- Athens, 12/10/1994 (ANA): The main opposition New Democracy party issued an announcement yesterday criticising Albania's draft constitution and denouncing President Berisha's insinuations on the "temporary state" of Archbishop Anastasios in Albania, calling on Tirana "to respect he existing status of the heads of autocephalous churches." The Political Spring party, in an announcement, criticised Mr. Berisha's "pseudo-constitution" saying it aimed at "dethroning Anastasios and strangling the Northern Epirots." A Coalition of the Left and Progress announcement said that the Berisha regime's plans to dethrone the head of the Albanian Orthodox Church "constitute a blow to the necessary normalisation of Greek-Albanian relations. Papoulias meets with Vassiliou on Cyprus, Greek role in region ------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 12/10/1994 (ANA): Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias met yesterday with former Cyprus president and leader of the Free Democrats Movement George Vassiliou. Mr. Vassiliou is currently in Greece to address a two-day conference on the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean and also hold meetings with political officials. Mr. Papoulias and Mr. Vassiliou discussed developments in the Cyprus problem, Greece's relations and prospects in the Balkan region and the Black Sea and the effects of the peace process in the Middle East. Mr. Vassiliou described the meeting as "creative," adding that "Greece could and must play a very important role (in the Middle East peace process)." Referring to the Cyprus problem, he stressed Turkey's intransigence, adding that Greece and Cyprus should face the problem "decisively and united" in order to achieve its settlement. Referring to the joint defence policy agreed between Cyprus and Greece with the aim of incorporating the island republic into Greece's defence planning, Mr. Vassiliou said: "Such co-operation is necessary, not because it will resolve the problem, but because it will communicate a message to Turkey that Athens and Nicosia will jointly respond to a possible aggressive move (by Turkey)." "We should not forget," Mr. Vassiliou said, "that (efficient) defence may be effective, but the solution to the Cyprus problem will not be the result of war but (the result) of negotiations." Asked whether the United States had reacted negatively to Greece's participation in the annual Cypriot armed forces exercise condemned "Nikiforos", Mr. Vassiliou said: "What is important is to try to get across to the United States the message that Greece and Cyprus do not desire a tense atmosphere (in the region) but want to put an end to Turkey's strong military presence in Cyprus." "The United States must help reduce Turkey's military presence in the island republic," he added. Mr. Vassiliou also held a meeting yesterday with Akis Tsohatzopoulos, Central Committee Secretary General of the ruling Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK). The two men discussed developments in the Cyprus problem, and Greece's role in developments in the Middle East and the Balkan region.