From: tzarros@ccs.carleton.ca (Theodore Zarros) Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Thu, 17 Nov 1994 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa). Athens News Agency Bulletin, November 17, 1994 ---------------------------------------------- * Greece 'unworried but vigilant' on Aegean issues * Commission no role to play in extension issue * Papoulias to meet Milosevic in Belgrade on 'worrying' Bosnian developments * Greece sees no change in US policy on FYROM * Premier to brief Papariga * Gov't on CSCE reports on Albanian ethnic Greek minority * Athens set to mark 21st anniversary of Polytechnic uprising * Papathemelis discusses terrorism, drug fight with Moldavian official * Russian army religious officials confer with Greek counterparts * Gov't says Sunday dinner not important * 'Bitter' Andrianopoulos resigns from parliament * Vartholomeos hails Belgian clerics' contribution * Commission satisfied with OA programme 'so far' * EU ministers agree 1995 budget Greece 'unworried but vigilant' on Aegean issues ------------------------------------------------ Athens, 17/11/1994 (ANA): National Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis said that Greece was unworried but vigilant yesterday as an international convention giving Greece the right to extend its territorial waters came into effect and Greek and Turkish air and naval forces continued their separate exercises in the Aegean. "Today is a day of tension but there is no danger of the situation worsening in the Aegean," Mr. Arsenis said on returning early yesterday morning from a meeting of Western European Union foreign and defence ministers at the Hague. "I don't think that we should worry but we should be vigilant," he said, adding that Greece had "taken all the necessary measures." Mr. Arsenis reiterated that Greece had every right to extend its territorial waters to twelve miles. "The exercise of that right belongs to the government. The government and no one else will choose the right moment to exercise the right," he said. Turkey has repeatedly threatened that any attempt by Greece to implement its right to extend its waters in the Aegean would be a cause for war. Replying to press questions, Mr. Arsenis expressed satisfaction over his talks in Brussels Tuesday with NATO Secretary-General Willy Claes, with whom he discussed the operation of NATO regional headquarters in Larissa and the stationing of the multinational rapid deployment task force in Thessaloniki. Both issues remain outstanding due to Turkish opposition. Mr. Arsenis expressed the view that Mr. Claes would take up the issues and that there would soon be "a positive reply". Mr. Arsenis later had a 45-minute meeting with President Constantine Karamanlis whom he briefed on the military exercises in the Aegean, the WEU meeting and his talks with Mr. Claes. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr. Arsenis said that the issue which had arisen between Greece and Turkey over the extension of Greek territorial waters "will not have a duration of just one or two days but will probably be protracted". He described as "groundless" fears of an incident in the Aegean. Press reports said the warships participating in the Turkish military exercise Seawolf-94 were sailing in international waters in the northern Aegean. Turkish ships have not engaged in any provocation nor violated Greek territorial waters and Turkish aircraft have not violated Greek air space nor infringed Athens Flight Information Region rules, the reports said. Greek and foreign warships taking part in the multinational military exercise Niriis-94 remained docked in Crete and Rhodes. In Istanbul, meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Ferhat Ataman reiterated that "Turkey will not allow the violation of its legal rights and interests in the Aegean." Mr. Ataman said that Ankara always favours dialogue as a way to solve problems between the two countries. "Naturally, this does not mean that we are prepared to ignore the status quo in the Aegean," the spokesman added. Asked to comment on the role of the United States vis-a-vis Greek-Turkish relations, Mr. Ataman said that "the United States has never had the role of the mediator (in Greek-Turkish relations) nor has pursued it." He said that US President Clinton had sent letters to both sides requesting the resolution of problems through dialogue. "This is something we, too, desire," the Turkish spokesman added. Commission no role to play in extension issue --------------------------------------------- Athens, 17/11/1994 (ANA): Meanwhile, the European Commission said yesterday it would not interfere with Greece's right to extend its territorial waters in the Aegean since this decision was entirely Greece's concern. "Such a decision concerns only the Greek government and the European Commission cannot take a position on this issue," European Commissioner responsible for EU policy in the Mediterranean, Manuel Marin said. In Athens, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said Turkish Prime Minister Tansu Ciller's statement Tuesday that Greece's extension of its territorial waters in the Aegean would trigger war between the two countries, no longer had any meaning and "does not influence Greece's foreign policy". In relation to Ms Ciller's reply to President Clinton that "Turkey is not aggressive and does not wish to expand in the Aegean," Mr. Venizelos said it bore no significance. "What's important," he added, "is the content of the Greek prime minister's reply to the US president." Concerning the presence of the US destroyer Cape St. George in the Aegean and press reports that the vessel has orders to keep apart Greek and Turkish forces in the Aegean, Mr. Venizelos said "that would be curious." He said the two exercises were taking place at the same time but not at the same place. The main opposition New Democracy party yesterday tabled a bill in parliament to ratify the international convention on the Law of the Sea. Leader Miltiades Evert criticised the government for unjustified delay in the ratification of the convention implying that Greece will bear the consequences of such a delay. "It is unacceptable for the government not to proceed with the ratification of the convention in view of Turkish threats," Mr. Evert said. Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias accused ND of "making efforts to take advantage of an issue, which should be left outside party politics, a national issue." The government spokesman also accused Mr. Evert of "petty politics on issues of great national interest, "adding it was a matter of days before the government tabled a bill for the ratification of the convention in parliament. Papoulias to meet Milosevic in Belgrade on 'worrying' Bosnian developments ------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 17/11/1994 (ANA): Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias will fly to Belgrade today for talks with Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic, a Foreign Ministry announcement said yesterday. The two men are expected to discuss developments in the Bosnian conflict, a Athens News Agency report from Belgrade said. Mr. Papoulias told reporters yesterday that he was "worried" by developments in Bosnia. He was speaking in Minsk, Belarus, where he was on a two-day official visit. ANA reports from the Belarus capital said Mr. Papoulias was seeking a meeting with his Russian counterpart Andrei Kozyrev before flying to Belgrade yesterday. Russia has expressed concern over the unilateral US decision to stop enforcing a UN arms embargo on Bosnia. Moscow's concern over the latest Balkan developments was relayed to the government in Athens by Greek Public Order Minister Stelios Papathemelis, who visited Russia last week. Greece sees no change in US policy on FYROM ------------------------------------------- Athens, 17/11/1994 (ANA): Greece said today that it saw no reason why there should be a change in US policy on the issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Replying to questions on Skopje press reports claiming that the US was expected to establish diplomatic relations with FYROM in December, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said: "The US is very familiar with Greece's positions and supports the UN process under Cyrus Vance. Washington has a special envoy (Matthew Nimitz) and it would be contradictory and most peculiar if the US were to change policy while these processes are in progress. "On the basis of the positions expressed by the US on the issue, there is no reason for Washington to change its stance." Premier to brief Papariga ------------------------- Athens, 17/11/1994 (ANA): Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou will brief Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary-General Aleka Papariga on the course of national issues at a meeting at the Maximos Mansion today. The meeting is being held at the request of Ms Papariga. Meanwhile, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos announced yesterday that Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias will brief all political leaders on the content of the premier's reply to US President Clinton's recent letter, shortly after Mr. Papoulias' return from the Ukraine. Gov't on CSCE reports on Albanian ethnic Greek minority ------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 17/11/1994 (ANA): Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said yesterday he hoped Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) Minorities Commissioner Max van der Stoel would take into consideration a report on the rights of ethnic Greeks in Albania prepared by a CSCE observer. According to Greek press reports, Polish Professor Andrei Zeplinski said he was asked to change the content of his report in order not to displease Albania. Relations between Greek and Albania have been at arm's length since a Tirana court convicted five ethnic Greeks of espionage and illegal arms possession. Athens denounced the trial saying it was meant to intimidate the ethnic Greek minority in Albania, estimated at 300,000. Athens set to mark 21st anniversary of Polytechnic uprising ----------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 17/11/1994 (ANA): The three-day events marking the 21st anniversary of the Athens Polytechnic uprising against the military dictatorship will reach a hiatus today with the traditional march to the US embassy at 4 PM. Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou paid tribute to the sacrifices made by the generation of the Polytechnic. "Today we honour the generation of the Polytechnic, a generation which, with its vision, its struggles, its sacrifices and its blood, laid the foundations for a new Greece. "Greece today has not solved its basic problems: dangers from without , a difficult economic period within, which demands the unity of the people and its determination for the young generation to take the baton from the generation of the Polytechnic to forge a new Greece," he said after laying a wreath at the Polytechnic. The anniversary was also celebrated yesterday in all schools of free Cyprus. The Communist Party of Greece, the Coalition of the Left and Progress and the General Confederation of Workers of Greece issued statements on the anniversary. Two people were injured in clashes last night when Greek riot police battled youths armed with petrol bombs during a confrontation in central Athens. Police used tear-gas to disperse the youths, who had gathered to mark the Polytechnic anniversary. A radio and television van were burned in the clashes. Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos condemned the incidents as an affront to the democratic sensitivities of the Greek people. The New Democracy party also described the incident as outrageous, adding that such incidents "blacken the anniversary". Papathemelis discusses terrorism, drug fight with Moldavian official ----------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 17/11/1994 (ANA): Public Order Minister Stelios Papathemelis met yesterday with Moldavian Vice-Chancellor Valerian Verstiuc to discuss bilateral co-operation in combating terrorism and drug trafficking. Mr. Verstiuc, at the head of a five-member delegation, exchanged views with Mr. Papathemelis on the issues at a meeting attended by several high-ranking public order ministry officials. Informed sources said the delegation is also visiting Greece for talks with representatives of Greece's National Centre of Public Administration. Russian army religious officials confer with Greek counterparts --------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 17/11/1994 (ANA) A four-member delegation of the Russian Defence Ministry's newly-established Religion Department yesterday continued its official visit to Greece, aimed at strengthening relations between the Churches of the two countries. Talks have focused on co-operation in matters related to the organisation of the new department of the Russian armed forces. The director of the Religion Department of the Greek National Defence General Staff, Father Timotheos, said that "once again, it is confirmed that the present era is the era of Orthodoxy. Whether its enemies like it or not, the Orthodox Church is being called on to play a leading role for the good of Churches and peace all over the world". Gov't says Sunday dinner not important -------------------------------------- Athens, 17/11/1994 (ANA): The government yesterday said it did not lend any particular significance to a dinner attended by four prominent ruling party members on Sunday. Industry Minister Costas Simitis, Eurodeputy Paraskevas Avgerinos and former ministers Theodoros Pangalos and Vasso Papandreou met for what they called "a perfectly natural and necessary" exchange of views among party members. The meeting, they added, should not have attracted so much attention. Both government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos and Central Committee Secretary General Akis Tsohatzopoulos said they did not attribute any special political significance to the meeting and Mr. Venizelos expressed his disappointment over the "poverty of political life, which elevates a dinner into a major political issue". Former transport minister and failed Athens mayoral candidate Theodoros Pangalos, in reply to questions upon his arrival Tuesday in Cyprus for a private visit, said the meeting did not automatically constitute a political move, but added that the modernisation of ruling party PASOK and Greek society was a dire necessity, adding that the lack of communication between the policy of the party and the demands of citizens and society were discussed at the meeting. Certain other party members reacted critically to the news. Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis said that party members who held differing opinions should bring them forward at party or cabinet meetings, while former finance minister Dimitris Tsovolas spoke of a "faction" bent on promoting an open-ended policy of austerity. 'Bitter' Andrianopoulos resigns from parliament ------------------------------------------------ Athens, 17/11/1994 (ANA): Former New Democracy industry minister and ND deputy Andreas Andrianopoulos yesterday resigned his seat in parliament and withdrew from active politics. "It is a conscious political move denouncing our sick political system," he said in an announcement, expressing the hope that his act "would play its role in a more general awakening of common opinion." Mr. Andrianopoulos was one of the former conservative government ministers sent to a special supreme court after parliament found he had a case to answer for criminal involvement in a major corruption scandal over the sale of the state cement company AGET-Heracles. Mr. Andrianopoulos said he was "bitter" about being sent for trial, saying that it was impossible for him to remain a member of a body which has referred him to trial. New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert said that "it is sad that he handed in his resignation but at the same time honourable that he did not become an independent deputy as is the case with most when they have a disagreement with their party." The New Democracy party expressed "deep regret" over Mr. Andrianopoulos' decision. Also implicated in the scandal is former prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis. Vartholomeos hails Belgian clerics' contribution ------------------------------------------------ Brussels, 17/11/1994 (ANA): Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos, who is continuing his visit to the Holy Metropolis of Belgium, Luxembourg and Holland, yesterday referred to the historical contribution of Belgian clerics to the restoration of relations between the western and eastern churches. At the historic monastery of Sevetone, the Patriarch paid tribute to its founder, Roman Catholic monk Lambert Baudoin, and referred to the "majestic revolution" of his exhortation to the West to draw on the school of the East. The Patriarch met yesterday with Belgian deputy prime minister Melchior Watelet, and had dinner with the Turkish ambassador to Belgium. Tomorrow, he will meet with Queen Beatrix in the Hague, and visit Orthodox and Catholic communities in Utrecht. Commission satisfied with OA programme 'so far' ----------------------------------------------- Strasbourg, 17/11/1994 (ANA/M. Savva, K. Verros): Spanish Transport Commissioner Marcelino Oreja told a press conference in Strasbourg yesterday the European Commission has no cause for concern so far over the restructuring programme for Olympic Airways, Greece's national carrier. Replying to an Athens News Agency (ANA) questioner, Mr. Oreja confirmed that the Commission is conducting a check on the implementation of Olympic's restructuring programme which the Greek government submitted to the Commission in the summer and "there is no cause for concern so far that commitments undertaken are not being honoured." One basic principle for state subsidies is absolute transparency which, Mr. Oreja said, means that both Olympic and the Greek government should be prepared to facilitate every check of the restructuring programme by the Commission. Mr. Oreja said the European Union's policy is for state subsidies to be approved and be granted only once after previously being connected to a specific restructuring plan. "Only in exceptional cases could a second subsidy to a national carrier possibly be approved," he said. He said one such exceptional case would be the devaluation of a currency, but when asked whether Olympic can be subsidised again due to the present depreciation of the drachma, he said such cases constitute "evidence examined by the Commission within the wider framework." The bill on Olympic's restructuring will be tabled in Parliament today. EU ministers agree 1995 budget ------------------------------ Brussels, 17/11/1994 (ANA/V. Demiris/Reuter): The European Union Council of Budget Ministers yesterday agreed to a 75.9 billion ECU budget for 1995 but will have to raise it again to take account of the Union's imminent expansion and higher membership dues. Finance Minister Alexandros Papadopoulos represented Greece. EU resources are expected to rise by 6.2 billion ECU if all four prospective members -- Austria, Finland, Sweden and Norway -- become members, Budget Commissioner Peter Schmidhuber told a news conference. He said he was optimistic about reaching a deal on the enlarged budget with the parliament in December. The decision to increase the Union's resources, taken at the EU Edinburgh summit in December 1992, still has to be ratified by all EU states. Mr. Papadopoulos announced that the Council approved a series of credits directly concerning Greece. These were: 30 million ECU for credits concerning the undertaking of commitments and 12 million ECU for credits of payments for the Thermie II energy programme; 50 million ECU for commitments and 20 million ECU in payments for cross-border co-operation in the structural sector; five million ECU in commitments and 2.7 million ECU in payments for consumer protection; and 80 million ECU in commitments and payments for financing common foreign policy and security policy. In his intervention, Mr. Papadopoulos stressed the need for economic backing for the modernisation and restructuring of the Greek textiles industry as was the case with the Portuguese textiles industry. Mr. Papadopoulos reiterated Greece's absolute opposition to any EU funding for Turkey. Moreover, he supported both the European Parliament's amendments concerning the write-off of credits in the fourth financial protocol and the freezing of credits regarding EU co-operation with Turkey. He said the international community and the European Union in particular had a huge legal, political and moral duty towards Cyprus which has had 40 per cent of its territory under Turkish occupation over the past 20 years. Mr. Papadopoulos tabled a relevant statement by the Greek representation which was entered in Council records.