From: tzarros@ccs.carleton.ca (Theodore Zarros) Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Fri, 25 Nov 1994 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa). Athens News Agency Bulletin, November 25, 1994 ---------------------------------------------- * Papantoniou disagrees with Commission diagnosis of Greek economy * Simitis responds to premier's 'self-evident' principle * Venizelos * Greece places importance on CIS relations * Balkan science, research programmes examined at Athens conference * No substantial policy change in Moscow relations with FYROM, Gov't says * Nimetz postpones FYROM visit * Gov't: Moscow recognises Greek right to extend waters in Aegean * Arsenis to visit Israel, discuss prospects for military co-operation * Thessaloniki, Tel Aviv to become sister cities in honour of Thessaloniki Jews * Greece welcomes any EU move to strengthen relations with Mediterranean * Kranidiotis: Greek veto on EU aid to Albania 'subject to negotiation' * Laliotis says Spata airport to be built, no delay Papantoniou disagrees with Commission diagnosis of Greek economy ---------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 25/11/1994 (ANA): Greece yesterday strongly criticised the European Commission after Economic Affairs Commissioner Henning Christophersen's comments on the course of the Greek economy. "Mr. Christophersen ignored latest National Economy Ministry figures in making his comments," National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said. He said he was "astonished" by the figures cited by the commissioner and questioned the reliability of the Commission's forecasts. Mr. Christophersen said Wednesday that Greece's convergence programme was not expected -- according to Commission forecasts -- to reach its targets and that further measures would be necessary. The Commission forecast Greek inflation in 1995 at 9.5 per cent, against National Economy Ministry forecasts of 7 per cent. The Commission also overshot Greek predictions on the fiscal deficit for this year by one trillion drachmas, predicting a fiscal deficit of 17.9 per cent of GDP against government predictions of 12.5 per cent. Mr. Papantoniou said Greece had managed "without taking any supplementary measures" to drastically cut its fiscal deficit this year. "The Commission is not aware of the details which go into the 1995 budget," Mr. Papantoniou said. "Since the budget has not been tabled in Parliament, (Mr. Christophersen) would not be able to have access to those figures." Meanwhile, main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert yesterday criticised the government's economic policy, saying that "while (Prime Minister Andreas) Papandreou had promised that no new taxes would be imposed, the Commission's report and Mr. Christophersen noted the bad course of the economy and proposed necessary corrections." Simitis responds to premier's 'self-evident' principle ------------------------------------------------------ Athens, 25/11/1994 (ANA): Industry, Energy and Technology Minister Costas Simitis yesterday described as "self-evident" Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou's statement Wednesday that "any public disagreement with government policy will not be tolerated and will be considered a resignation." Mr. Simitis said, however, that in his capacity as a minister he would act on his free judgement to implement government policy. "(Mr. Papandreou) in his statement pointed to a self-evident principle. Who can disagree with such a principle," Mr. Simitis told reporters yesterday. He drew attention to the fact that in the past he had resigned from both the cabinet and the party's executive committee because at the time he disagreed with the government policy or the party line. "In my capacity as minister I have a specific obligation," Mr. Simitis said. "To work with open judgement and opinion (in order) to implement government policy." " I am not obliged to speak, act and express myself in ways determined by others," he added. Mr. Simitis said his strategy was to "confront the problems (facing the) country and respond to citizens' concerns in the best possible way." "Uniformity and silence are not (always) the best way (to confront such problems)," he said. Turning to the ruling Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), Mr. Simitis, a co-founder of the party, said: "For 20 years now, I have contributed to the party's plans, concerns, and successes, through my work and my suggestions. "Through my action, I have made sure and continue to do so that the party stays united," he said. "Some people," he added, "want to draw dividing lines within PASOK. (They want) to create confusion, citing imaginary schemes or threats to its unity, in this way causing bitterness and creating enemies. "Concern, dialogue and communication constitute fundamental guarantees for the unity of PASOK, for the government's work and the rallying of society on public issues." Mr. Papandreou on Wednesday asked for restraint from government members and said that any diverging from government lines would be taken as a statement of resignation, following criticism by ministers and PASOK officials on government economic policy. Recently, Mr. Simitis, PASOK 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. Mr. Pangalos has said that 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. Venizelos --------- Athens, 25/11/1994 (ANA): Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos yesterday clarified that Mr. Papandreou's statement referred only to ministers and under-secretaries. "Mr. Papandreou's statement drew attention to something self-evident and as such (the statement) has been accepted by the ministers and under-secretaries," Mr. Venizelos told the press. Asked to comment on the possibility of including a number of dissenting PASOK members in the Cabinet, Mr. Venizelos said that "as long as there is a disagreement in policy which is clearly stated boldly and publicly, then (even if they are asked to become cabinet members) they would refuse." Greece places importance on CIS relations ----------------------------------------- Athens, 25/11/1994 (ANA): Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias' recent visits to Belarus and Ukraine and Foreign Under-Secretary Grigoris Niotis' tour of former Soviet republic, begun Tuesday, were an indication of the importance Greece placed on developing relations with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), diplomatic sources said yesterday. Greece has long-standing ties of friendship with all the CIS states, many of which have Greek communities, the sources added. They said Greece wanted to develop relations in the commercial, industrial, communications and cultural sectors as well as co-operation at a scientific and technical level. Balkan science, research programmes examined at Athens conference ---------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 25/11/1994 (ANA): The three-day conference on science policy and research management in Balkan countries continued in a central Athens hotel for the second day yesterday, with the participation of representatives of research and technology ministries from Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Armenia, Slovakia, and Moldova, as well as scientists from NATO and OECD countries, specifically the US, Britain, Germany, Canada, Holland and Turkey. The conference is funded by the NATO Scientific Committee and is taking place in the framework of efforts to promote liaison in research programmes between member-states and countries of central, eastern and south-eastern Europe. The initiative belongs to two Greek researchers, Professor Giorgos Parisakis of the Athens Polytechnic, and Nikos Katsaros of the Democritus Atomic Research Centre. Although scientific research in Greece is not as developed as other countries, it has become apparent in the course of the conference that several countries are looking forward to co-operation in this field. No substantial policy change in Moscow relations with FYROM, Gov't says ----------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 25/11/1994 (ANA): Greece said yesterday that Russia's upgrading of its diplomatic relations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia did not indicate any "substantial change" in Moscow's policy. Replying to press questions, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos underlined, however, that "any action which might be misinterpreted by the Skopje government and encourage its intransigence does not help resolve the problem within the framework of UN Security Council resolutions". He was referring to Moscow's move to upgrade diplomatic relations with Skopje to the ambassadorial level Tuesday. Russia was one of the first countries to recognise the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as "Macedonia". Nimetz postpones FYROM visit ---------------------------- Skopje, 24/11/1994 (ANA/M. Vichou): US President Bill Clinton's mediator on the FYROM-Greece dispute Mathew Nimetz has postponed a scheduled visit to Skopje planned for next week, owing to pressure of work in Washington, Skopje radio reported yesterday. In a telephone interview, Mr. Nimetz confirmed he had been invited to Skopje, but it had not been possible to set a date for a visit. He added the hope it would take place in the near future. Mr. Nimetz noted he had been in touch with UN Skopje mediator Cyrus Vance who, however, would not be accompanying him to Skopje. Reports say the reason for the postponement of Mr. Nimetz's visit is due to FYROM President Kiro Gligorov's scheduled absence from Skopje next week, adding no announcement had been made of where he would be. The reports quoted some circles as saying Mr. Gligorov may leave for Budapest to attend the CSCE conference on December 5 and 6. Gov't: Moscow recognises Greek right to extend waters in Aegean --------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 25/11/1994 (ANA): The government said yesterday that Moscow had recognised Greece's right to extend its territorial waters from six to twelve miles following the convention on international maritime law which recently came into force. Foreign Ministry spokesman Costas Bikas said that Moscow had recognised Greece's right in statements by Russian Foreign Ministry Grigori Karasin to the Turkish Anatolian News Agency, when asked to explain Russia's positions on the implementation of the convention in the Aegean Sea. "It is clear that on the basis of international (maritime) law in force, Greece is not going to close the Aegean to international shipping," Mr. Bikas added. Turkey has repeatedly warned Greece that any attempt to exercise its right of extension in the Aegean would be a cause for war. Mr. Karasin also said that if Turkey disagreed with the provisions of the convention, it should make use of the mechanisms provided under the convention to resolve the problem, even though Ankara has refused to sign it. Arsenis to visit Israel, discuss prospects for military co-operation ----------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 25/11/1994 (ANA): Israel and Greece are expected to sign a military co-operation agreement -- the first of its kind -- when National Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis visits Tel Aviv shortly, an Israeli diplomatic source in Athens was quoted as saying yesterday. An accord establishing a framework of co-operation should be concluded, but its "contents should be concretely defined only as a sequel to prior political agreement," the diplomat noted, adding that there was a potential for a large number of projects. Mr. Arsenis' "working visit" -- equally unprecedented -- to a country to which Greece granted 'de jure' recognition in 1990, should take place December 1 through 4. Mr. Arsenis is scheduled to meet with Israeli Premier and Defence Minister Yitzhak Rabin, Deputy Foreign Minister Yossi Beilin and senior military officials. He will also tour bases and defence factories. Last month, Mr. Arsenis said Greece was prepared to take part in a multinational force of observers based at the Golan heights in any Israeli withdrawal, including offering its good offices between Israel and Syria. Thessaloniki, Tel Aviv to become sister cities in honour of Thessaloniki Jews ----------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 25/11/1994 (ANA): Making Thessaloniki the sister city of the Israeli city of Tel Aviv was "a historic obligation in fraternal relations between the people of Thessaloniki and Thessaloniki Jews", Thessaloniki Mayor Costas Kosmopoulos said yesterday. Mr. Kosmopoulos, currently in Israel with a delegation from the Thessaloniki Jewish community, met Tel Aviv's mayor to discuss details of the joining of the two cities. Mr. Kosmopoulos said that relations between the two cities will be based on jointly organising events concerning common historical memory, culture, sports, social solidarity and youth. Greece welcomes any EU move to strengthen relations with Mediterranean --------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 25/11/1994 (ANA): Greece said yesterday that it welcomed the initiatives of the European Union aimed at upgrading the Community's relations with the Mediterranean region. Foreign Ministry spokesman Costas Bikas said that Athens had already submitted a memorandum, in view of the forthcoming EU General Affairs Council, containing Greece's positions and ideas on the further upgrading of the EU's co-operation with Mediterranean countries. The European Commission yesterday adopted a plan outlining the EU's policy to establish a "Euro-Mediterranean partnership" aimed at creating a zone of stability and security in the Mediterranean and securing the necessary conditions for the steady economic development of non-EU Mediterranean countries. Kranidiotis: Greek veto on EU aid to Albania 'subject to negotiation' ----------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 25/11/1994 (ANA): Greece yesterday did not rule out the possibility of lifting its veto of European Union economic aid to Albania if Tirana freed the five leading members of the ethnic Greek organisation Omonia imprisoned in August. "Everything is subject to negotiation. The government's stance will depend on the assessment to be made at the forthcoming EU Council of Ministers meeting. For the time being, our known position continues to apply," Mr. Kranidiotis said in reply to press questions. Mr. Kranidiotis was speaking to reporters during a break in the sessions of a forum on Black Sea co-operation which opened yesterday in Thessaloniki. The aim of the three-day forum is to exchange views in order to accelerate co-operation between the 11-nation Black Sea Co-operation group. In addition to Greece, the group comprises Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine. Addressing the meeting, Mr. Kranidiotis stressed the need for "steps of a more concrete nature", adding that initiatives must be undertaken for the submission and implementation of specific programmes "by all for the benefit of all". He said that Greece, as a member of both the EU and the Black Sea Co-operation group, should serve as a "channel of communication" between the two. Laliotis says Spata airport to be built, no delay ------------------------------------------------- Athens, 25/11/1994 (ANA): Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis yesterday said the government was determined to go ahead with the construction of a new international airport at Spata without further delay. Mr. Laliotis was speaking after meeting Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou on the issue. The meeting was also attended by Alternate Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Geitonas and Alternate National Economy Minister George Romaios. Mr. Laliotis said that Greek legal representatives were on their way to Brussels to reply to a European Union "non paper" which called for renewed negotiations with the two leading candidates for the contract, despite Greece's apparent preference for the German Hochtief bid. The Spata airport -- floated as a proposal in the 70s -- remained on the drawing board until the previous New Democracy government called for tenders. The then-government was set to award the contract to Hochtief, but the contract was cancelled when the PASOK party won elections in October last year and opted to review offers by the group and another major leading contender Aeroports de France. The PASOK government re-negotiated with Hochtief to hammer out more favourable terms. Mr. Romaios is to fly to Brussels tomorrow and is scheduled to confer with EU officials on the Greek position.