From: tzarros@ccs.carleton.ca (Theodore Zarros) Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Mon, 17 Oct 1994 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa). Athens News Agency Bulletin, October 17, 1994 --------------------------------------------- * Run-off next Sunday, no clear majority in most areas * Papandreou, Tsohatzopoulos statements * Opposition parties statements * Failure of judiciary officials causes poll shambles in Athens * Kranidiotis on Rome, Paris briefing tour * Young Kurd found dead, police probes case * Venizelos: Any softening in Gligorov intransigence welcome * Gligorov expects "important developments" now Skopje poll over * ERT agreement with Nethold * No Turkish agreement needed for NATO HQ in Thessaloniki Run-off next Sunday, no clear majority in most areas --------------------------------------------------- Athens, 17/10/1994 (ANA): Athens and the port city of Piraeus are set for a run-off election between socialist and conservative mayoral candidates next Sunday. Interior Ministry results showed that none of the candidates for Athens mayor won a clear-cut majority at yesterday 's local elections. Results, last night, showed New Democracy-backed candidate Dimitris Avramopoulos leading against his socialist rival Theodoros Pangalos by a fluctuating percentage of 10 to 12 points. Current mayor of the port city of Piraeus Stelios Logothetis, backed by the socialists and the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos), was ahead of his rivals, but lacked 50 per cent of the vote to secure re-election in the first round. In Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city, mayor Constantine Kosmopoulos, jointly backed by ND and the Political Spring party, won the election from the first round, securing 53 percent of the vote. President of the Republic Constantine Karamanlis told reporters he hoped "the best and most competent (candidates) will be elected." Mr. Karamanlis said the functioning of local government was a serious task and therefore "in need of competent people." "Concurrent elections are important to the country's democratic institutions as a new, modern system is being established for the first time based on popular will and the direct participation of the citizen," Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou said. "A dramatic, historic change, the positive consequences of which we will live in the future, is under way," he added. Greece's 8.5 million voters were called yesterday to elect 434 mayors and, for the first time, 54 government prefects to monitor state funds and policies in their regions. But supplementary elections will be held Wednesday in Athens and Nikaia, near Piraeus, because judiciary officials failed to report at 83 polling stations to oversee voting. A second round will be held next Sunday, for those who failed to win more than 50 percent of the vote. Socialist candidate Theodoros Pangalos yesterday told the press he had sent a letter to his opponents, Political Spring fielded Andreas Lentakis, KKE fielded Leon Avdis, and Maria Damanaki supported by Coalition of the Left and Progress, proposing a meeting to discuss co-operation in light of next Sunday's second round elections. Mr. Pangalos expressed optimism regarding the outcome of the second round "despite the fact that the general political climate is rather favourable" for his opponent Mr. Avramopoulos. "Despite the extraordinary favourable general political climate for our main opponent and the unacceptable phenomena recorded today (yesterday) the great majority of Athenians rejects the present form of municipal authority of which Mr. Avramopoulos is a sequel, and it does not wish the administration which has led Athens to decay to remain in office indefinitely," Mr. Pangalos said in a statement last night. "We should respect this wish of the Athenian people for a change in the manner in which municipal affairs are conducted, a factor stressed in the tickets of all candidates with the exception of that of Mr. Avramopoulos," he added. "Problems facing the Athens Municipality and dim prospects for their solution are calling for co-operation among all forces which will be represented in the new Municipal Council," Mr. Avramopoulos told the press. Answering questions, Mr. Avramopoulos reiterated that if he won the elections next Sunday he would offer deputy mayor seats to the tickets of Ms. Damanaki, Mr. Avdis, and Mr. Lentakis. Papandreou, Tsohatzopoulos statements ------------------------------------- Athens, 17/10/1994 (ANA): In a terse statement, Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou last night expressed satisfaction over yesterday's election results, saying the "progressive forces had emerged significantly stronger". He said the election results for prefects was "a good starting point in making changes and implementing a new structure in local government". Mr. Papandreou declined to further comment until next Sunday's election run-offs. A high-ranking member of the ruling socialist party said last night that PASOK sufficiently increased its strength in yesterday's local government election compared with its showing in European parliament polls in June. "Today's (yesterday) election result recorded a clear increase in PASOK's strength in relation to (its showing in) the European parliament polls," said Akis Tsohatzopoulos, secretary of the socialist party's Central Committee. Mr. Tsohatzopoulos deplored problems created in 83 polling stations in the Greater Athens area and "hardship caused to voters" by the absence of judiciary officials there. He said the government would investigate the issue to determine responsibilities. Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said socialist-backed candidate for Athens mayor, Theodoros Pangalos had won enough votes to challenge his conservative rival Dimitris Avramopoulos in a run-off election next Sunday. "It is a good basis for the second round," he said. In first-ever elections for prefects, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said PASOK appeared as the first round winner in the prefectures of Achaia, Corfu, Heraklion, Lasithi (Crete), the Cycladic islands and Larissa. He said PASOK also appeared the winner of several mayoral posts in the Attica region. Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said elections for local government "are not focused on the municipalities of the three main cities-- Athens, Piraeus and Thessaloniki-- but in others throughout the country where PASOK maintains a clear lead". Opposition parties statements ----------------------------- Athens, 17/10/1994 (ANA): Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert also voiced satisfaction over yesterday's results saying they showed an increase in strength for the New Democracy party. "It was a victory for the local government in which New Democracy increased its strength by between one-and-a-half to two percentage points compared with the party's showing in last October's general elections," Mr. Evert said. "New Democracy today is the first party," the conservative leader said, adding that he would not exploit his party's performance by seeking early parliamentary elections. Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras said that hundreds of thousands of Greek citizens yesterday cast their ballot against the policy of Mr. Papandreou's government which had led to "asphyxia in national problems and the economy." "It is certain, that the Political Spring is taking roots successfully, for the first time, in local government," he said. Coalition of the Left and Progress (SYN) party leader, Nikos Constantopoulos said the power of SYN was "increasing" and "the two big parties did not win in this election." Mr. Constantopoulos said Political Spring was on the road to downfall, while the Communist Party of Greece was faltering. Failure of judiciary officials causes poll shambles in Athens ------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 17/10/1994 (ANA): Interior Minister Constantine Skandalides said yesterday elections would be held again Wednesday at scores of polling stations, which remained closed in the Greater Athens area yesterday, because judiciary officials had failed to report for electoral duty. No voting was held at over 300 out of a total of 1,400 polling stations in Athens. About 40 per cent of Greece's 8.5 million voters permanently reside in Athens. "Special legislation will be enacted tomorrow (today), enabling voters who could not vote to do so on Wednesday," the Interior Minister told a news conference. Greeks went to the polls at sunrise yesterday, in the first round of nation-wide local elections. After strong criticism by the Opposition, Interior Minister Constantine Skandalides and Justice Minister George Kouvelakis tendered their resignations, but Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou refused to accept them, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said. Mr. Papandreou blamed judiciary officials for failing to report at polling stations. He pointed out the Interior Minister, whose resignation had been demanded by main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Miltiades Evert, was not to blame, as responsibility rested exclusively with judiciary officials. Some "failed to carry out their duties, thus undermining democratic institutions," Mr. Papandreou said, adding "especially so, as today's (yesterday) concurrent (municipal and local government) elections are of tremendous significance to Greece's democratic institutions." The absence of judiciary officials from hundreds of polling stations sparked off strong criticism from all candidates vying for the capital's mayoral seat. PASOK-fielded candidate Theodoros Pangalos voiced dismay, saying it undermined the democratic process. His opponent, Dimitris Avramopoulos, who is backed by ND, said the problem was "an unprecedented phenomenon" causing one to wonder "whether or not the state exists at all." Leon Avdis, supported by Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said the problem was "consistent with the general picture of dissolution reflected by the entire state apparatus, public services and society". Maria Damanaki, supported by the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos), branded the "chaotic start of municipal elections as a shameful image of the country". Polling proceeded normally elsewhere in the country, where voters were turned out to elect 4343 mayors and 54 government prefects to monitor state funds and policies in their regions. "Legislation will be enacted tomorrow (today) allowing for elections to take place on Wednesday," Mr. Skandalides told a news conference. He said 68 polling centres in Athens and 15 in Nikaia, near Piraeus, had remained closed because judiciary officials had failed to report. The minister said voting continued in 250 centres after sunset, the time set for polling stations to close, due to late arrival of judiciary officials. Earlier in the day, Justice Minister George Kouvelakis issued an appeal to lawyers to go to polling stations to which they had been assigned, to allow voting to get underway. Early in the day, main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert charged that 377 out of the 1,420 polling stations in the Athens area were not in operation due to the absence of judiciary officials, and called for Mr. Kouvelakis' resignation. Replying to Mr. Evert, Mr. Kouvelakis conceded the leader of the opposition was right in protesting, but he "has no right to add a political note to the issue." Voting is mandatory. An estimated eight million voters were expected to elect 434 mayors together with - for the first time - 54 government prefects to monitor state funds and policies in their regions. Vying for election are a record total of 300,000 candidates or one candidate per seven voters, the Interior Ministry said. Campaigning focused on Greece's three main cities--Athens, Thessaloniki and the port city of Piraeus, where almost half of registered voters live. Supreme court prosecutor Athanasios Sioulas called for an inquiry into the reasons for the absence of judiciary officials and their failure to report for duty at polling stations to which they had been assigned "to perform their duties". Justice Ministry sources said 189 Athens lawyers had failed to report claiming illness, while 500 notifications had not been served to as many attorneys. Kranidiotis on Rome, Paris briefing tour ---------------------------------------- Athens, 17/10/1994 (ANA): Foreign Under-Secretary in charge of European Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis leaves today for Rome, on a two-day round that will also take him to Paris, the next leg of a recently launched tour to brief EU foreign ministers on Athens policy concerning Greek national issues. Talks will include European and institutional matters relating to European Union member states. In Rome, Mr. Kranidiotis will confer with Italian Foreign Affairs Minister L. Caputo. On Wednesday, he will fly to Paris to meet with Foreign Minister Alain Juppe and Minister in charge of European Affairs Alain Lamassoure. Young Kurd found dead, police probes case ----------------------------------------- Athens, 17/10/1994 (ANA): A young Kurd was found dead on Saturday night in his apartment on the ground floor of a two-storey building in Anavyssos area, a Police spokesman said. The victim had multiple wounds in the head, and was probably killed by burglars attempting to break into his apartment, the spokesman added. The victim may have put up a fight with his assassins before succumbing to his wounds. An investigation is in progress, the spokesman concluded. Venizelos: Any softening in Gligorov intransigence welcome ---------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 17/10/1994 (ANA): Commenting on FYROM President Kiro Gligorov statement that there was room for renegotiating various issues, including the name, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos Saturday told a questioner that "any sign of relaxation in Mr. Gligorov's intransigence is positive." Mr. Venizelos added it was difficult though to assess accurately statements that were very often repeated with variations of all kinds, or ignore that elections would be held in Skopje tomorrow (Sunday), especially presidential ones. Referring to a statement by Turkish Defence Minister on Ankara's reaction to the establishment of NATO headquarters in Thessaloniki, Mr. Venizelos replied he did not wish to make any comment, noting Greek views had been made known clearly to NATO. He pointed out, however, that Turkey's attitude sometimes caused obstacles in the functioning of certain Alliance procedures. Gligorov expects "important developments" now Skopje poll over ---------------------------------------------------------------- Skopje, 17/10/1994 (ANA/M.Vichou): Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) President Gligorov yesterday said he expected "important developments" after the elections and "a deal to be reached for the good of both countries". Speaking to the press at a polling station where he voted, Mr. Gligorov said that both countries (Greece and FYROM) ought to "learn to live together", and all Balkan countries should "develop good co-operation relations with one another". Athens imposed trade sanctions as retortion measures on FYROM in February, to curb the neighbouring state's intransigence. Athens insists that FYROM change its name, remove the ancient Greek symbol from its flag, and amend the preamble of its Constitution expressing expansionist designs against Greece's northern province of Macedonia. Parliament President and Liberal Party leader Stoyan Antov said that he was "optimistic that negotiations will soon lead to a solution of the problem with Greece". He added that "the final outcome will depend on Greece too". Nationalist Party (VMRO-DPMNE) leader Louptso Georgievski said that "each new government brings a fresh start", adding Athens and Skopje should begin direct negotiations, underlining that "such negotiations, at this moment, are more favourable to Greece". He expressed optimism that a solution to the problem would be found after the elections. ERT agreement with Nethold -------------------------- Athens, 17/10/1994 (ANA): An agreement was concluded today to broadcast a codified T.V. programme between ERT SA and the company "NETHOLD", under law 1730/87 governing the legal status and rights of ERT SA. The agreement was initialled by the ERT's president and forwarded to the Press and Mass Media Ministry for approval, with copy to the National Radio-Television Council. The agreement will be signed by ERT SA after approval by the Ministry concerned. Meanwhile, a number of test programmes will be broadcast. No Turkish agreement needed for NATO HQ in Thessaloniki ------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 17/10/1994 (ANA): Commenting on press reports that Turkey is opposed to the establishment of the general headquarters of the NATO Rapid Intervention Division at Thessaloniki, National Defence Ministry sources Saturday noted no prior Turkish agreement was required. The sources added it was a matter for the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces Europe to decide, while delay in making a choice related to the broader internal structure of the Alliance. With regard to other Turkish press reports linking the establishment and operation of headquarters at Larissa to the Rapid Intervention Division headquarters (RID-HQ) issue, the sources pointed out the two questions bore no relation to each other, since the Larissa headquarters needed prior Turkish agreement whereas RID-HQ did not. Claims by the Turkish press reports that matters relating to the internal structure of NATO had been discussed at a recent meeting of Alliance defence ministers were untrue, the circles said, since the ministers' informal meeting had been attended by France for the first time after prolonged absence, a fact which did not allow such matters to be raised. The sources concluded by attributing such Turkish press reports to an attempt by Ankara to boost public morale in Turkey, following the shock caused by recent steps to implement the integrated Greece-Cyprus defence space.