From: tzarros@ccs.carleton.ca (Theodore Zarros) Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Thu, 15 Dec 1994 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa). Athens News Agency Bulletin, December 15, 1994 ---------------------------------------------- (Apo to Ellnviko Grafeio Tupou kai Plnroforiwv, Ottaba, Kavadas E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca) * Arsenis: prospects for NATO Larissa HQs, Thessaloniki multinational force 'better' after NATO defence ministers meet * Europarliament fails to adopt resolution on Essen results FYROM, Albania * Nimetz to meet with Papoulias today * Armenian foreign minister in Athens to sign co-operation pacts * Le Monde claims of increased human rights violations 'untrue', Venizelos says * Greece, Turkey discuss illegal immigration * Greek delegation confers with French on new EU presidency priorities * Salayiannis new Interior Ministry Secretary-General * EBZ records 10.8 billion drachma profit * Greeks favour imported beer over wine, IOBE study reveals * National Bank opens new office * GSEE strike disrupts transport, telecoms, banks * Papadopoulos attends monthly SEB meeting * Fishing conference ends with agreement to safeguard Mediterranean resources Arsenis: prospects for NATO Larissa HQs, Thessaloniki multinational force 'better' after NATO defence ministers meet -------------------------------------------------------------- Brussels, 15/12/1994 (ANA-P.Pantelis,V.Demiris): National Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis yesterday said prospects for establishing two NATO headquarters in Larissa and the NATO multinational division in Thessaloniki, both of which Turkey has until now vetoed, are looking better. Mr. Arsenis discussed the issues with NATO Secretary-General Willy Claes and raised them during his intervention at yesterday's NATO Defence Ministers' session. "I hope the issue of the NATO headquarters has entered a better path," he said, adding that on the question of the multinational division's headquarters, the climate had changed in Greece's favour. Mr. Arsenis said Nato's enlargement eastwards should be careful, gradual and balanced and should not increase uncertainty in Europe. It should also take into consideration Nato's relations with third countries such as Russia and Ukraine. On the question of former Yugoslavia, he said UN peacekeepers should remain in Bosnia, but in the event of a withdrawal Greece would be prepared to assist. He said that at present, despite latest incidents, better prospects existed for a political solution to the problem with Belgrade's co-operation. Mr. Arsenis chaired Tuesday's Eurodinner for European defence ministers which discussed two main issues: Nato's enlargement eastwards and Nato's relations with the Western European Union. He said an open and substantive discussion was held on the Europeans' differences with the trans-Atlantic allies. He also outlined these positions at yesterday's session in the capacity of president. Europarliament fails to adopt resolution on Essen results --------------------------------------------------------- Strasbourg, 15/12/1994 (ANA-M.Savva, P.Stangos): The plenum of the European Parliament yesterday failed, after six successive attempts, to adopt a resolution on the results of the recent European Council summit in Essen. The failure, the first of its kind following a European Council summit and considered a condemnation of the German presidency, came after German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel's account of the results at Essen. The European Parliament appeared divided over the evaluation of the results, making it impossible to adopt the traditional joint compromise resolution between the two biggest political formations, the European Socialist Party (ESP) and the European Peoples' Party (EPP). Greek Eurodeputies expressed their disappointment over the poor results of the German presidency. Socialist deputy Christos Papoutsis said this may have been the outcome of setting overly ambitious targets. He underscored the complete lack of programmes for dealing with unemployment and poverty, while expressing satisfaction over the commitment of the Essen Council to include Cyprus and Malta in the next EU enlargement. He asked that the funding of the Union's Mediterranean policy be on a par with that of the countries of central and eastern Europe, and stressed that respect for human rights must be the required criterion for countries signing agreements with it. Referring to Turkey, he asked that the Council commit itself that any possible customs union with Turkey be accompanied by a date for its discussion in the European Parliament. New Democracy Eurodeputy Giorgos Anastassopoulos said the Essen summit failed to provide the optimistic message which Chancellor Kohl wished to give a Europe still in quest of its future. He claimed that the Union was not yet in a position to deal with its internal difficulties. Referring to Turkey, he stressed that it was not sufficient to ask that country to learn and change its behaviour, be it with regard to human rights, the maltreatment of Kurdish deputies, or the occupation of Cyprus. Political Spring party Eurodeputy Nikitas Kaklamanis attributed the German presidency's failure to provide solutions to the Balkan crisis to its one-sided stand. In Brussels meanwhile, the German Presidency yesterday turned down a Greek request calling for the European Union-Turkey Association Council, scheduled to convene on Monday in Brussels, to be postponed. The Council is expected to discuss the customs union agreement between the European Union and Turkey. The German presidency is insisting the council meeting go ahead, hoping the undertaking will be successful but at the same time recognising its difficulties. Speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel said he wanted a decision to be taken on the customs union since this was in the interests of both sides. He conceded, however, without referring to the Greek veto, that "this will be a difficult affair." Mr. Kinkel called Turkey "an important partner in the midst of an unstable political environment" and called on it to make a "contribution." Mr. Kinkel said the EU wanted a customs union agreement with Turkey but Ankara must first improve its human rights record. A customs agreement will give Turkey closer links with the Union than any other non-member countries. "Turkey has to give its contribution to the process, I'm thinking of human rights in particular ... about the sentences on Kurdish politicians. That has not really improved the situation, I must admit," Mr. Kinkel said. However, Mr. Kinkel indicated Turkey's geopolitical position and its role in the region was the major criterion, saying that "in no way must we underestimate the radius and importance of this country." Mr. Kinkel did not refer to the Cyprus issue, despite the fact he spoke at length on the EU's Mediterranean policy and talks held by the troika on the sidelines of the Essen summit. The German Presidency, and Mr. Kinkel personally, had promised Turkish former foreign minister Mumtaz Soysal, when he visited Bonn a month ago, that the Association Council would be definitely convened even in the event there were no prospects of its success, as an indication of the German Presidency's "political will." The European Parliament is expected to adopt today a resolution condemning Turkey for the recent jail sentences it passed on the six Kurdish MPs. A joint draft resolution, signed by all groups in the European Parliament, protests the procedure Turkey followed during the trial. Meanwhile in Ankara, Turkish Prime Minister Tansu Ciller met European ambassadors yesterday as part of a diplomatic drive to persuade the Union not to let concerns over Ankara's human rights record delay a customs union. Ms Ciller invited the ambassadors of most of the EU countries to lunch at her residence yesterday, her office said in a statement. It gave no other details. FYROM, Albania -------------- Strasbourg, 15/12/1994 (ANA): Mr. Kinkel said in his account he had made every possible effort to improve relations between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), pointing to talks he had with FYROM President Kiro Gligorov in Budapest and the troika meeting in Essen. "We made certain steps but we did not manage to achieve an actual ditente in relations with Greece, some kind of a solution," he said. Mr. Kinkel said the German Presidency managed to dissociate Community economic aid to FYROM and Albania. Addressing the European Parliament on the Essen summit, German Chancellor Helmut Kohl said "we will do everything in our power to have the Kurdish deputies released", adding that he had been in touch with Ms Ciller, but gave no details of their discussion. Nimetz to meet with Papoulias today ----------------------------------- Athens, 15/12/1994 (ANA): The US president's special envoy on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) issue Matthew Nimetz arrived here yesterday to begin a new round of talks with Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias. Mr. Nimetz may also have talks with Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou before flying on to Skopje tomorrow. He will also meet with main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert. Armenian foreign minister in Athens to sign co-operation pacts ------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 15/12/1994 (ANA): Armenian Foreign Minister Vahan Papazian arrived here yesterday to sign a string of co-operation accords which will bolster ties between Greece and Armenia. Greek Foreign Ministry sources said the signing would take place today after talks between Mr. Papazian and his Greek counterpart Karolos Papoulias. The Armenian official is also scheduled for talks with National Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis and Foreign Under-secretaries Yiannos Kranidiotis and Grigoris Niotis, the sources said. Mr. Papazian will fly back to Armenia tomorrow. Meanwhile, senior officials in Armenia's private and public sector concluded a three-week training course here yesterday, organised by the Interstate Economic Affairs General Secretariat at Greece's National Economy Ministry. The Armenian officials were trained on privatisations and development of SMEs in free market conditions. Le Monde claims of increased human rights violations 'untrue', Venizelos says ------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 15/12/1994 (ANA): Greece said yesterday that respect for human rights in the country was fully safeguarded. "The level of protection (accorded) human rights in Greece is much higher than the European average," government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said in response to an article in French newspaper Le Monde claiming that human rights violations were on the increase in Greece. Terming the article "most unfortunate", Mr. Venizelos said it presented a picture of the country and a level of protection of human rights "which bears absolutely no relation to reality". The spokesman said that anyone accusing Greece of anti-Semitism would be well advised to read contemporary history to see how Greeks treated the Jews during the German occupation and compare it with the treatment they received in other countries. Rejecting allegations in the article of violations of religious rights, Mr. Venizelos stressed that freedom of worship was fully safeguarded in Greece. Greece, Turkey discuss illegal immigration ------------------------------------------ Athens, 15/12/1994 (ANA): Greek and Turkish officials met here yesterday to exchange views on efforts to curb illegal immigration between and through the two countries. The delegations' talks were the continuation of two previous meetings that took place in Athens in October 1992 and Ankara in August 1993. A joint announcement issued after the meeting said the talks were conducted in a "friendly and constructive manner." The announcement added the delegations agreed to continue talks in an other round of talks in Ankara, Turkey. Greek delegation confers with French on new EU presidency priorities ---------------------------------------------------------- Paris, 15/12/1994 (ANA-G.Zitouniati): A Greek delegation, headed by the Foreign Ministry's Secretary for Community Affairs Athanasios Theodorakis, conferred with French foreign ministry officials on issues relating to the priorities for the incoming French presidency of the EU. Discussion centred on the axes of the new Mediterranean policy, the White Paper on employment, the intergovernmental conference of 1996, Europol, external relations and security. Mr. Theodorakis stated that Greece intends to make maximum use of the French presidency's emphasis on a new Mediterranean policy, as well as its special interest in the domain of audio-visual means. Salayiannis new Interior Ministry Secretary-General --------------------------------------------------- Athens, 15/12/1994 (ANA): Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou has appointed Yiannis Salayiannis Interior Ministry Secretary-General. Mr. Salayiannis was previously Secretary-General of the Ministry to the Aegean. EBZ records 10.8 billion drachma profit --------------------------------------- Athens, 15/12/1994 (ANA): The Hellenic Sugar Industry (EBZ) recorded net profits of 10.8 billion drachmas in the period July 1, 1993 to June 30, 1994, up 16.43 percent from the previous yearly period, the company's general shareholders meeting was told in Thessaloniki yesterday. Total production amounted to 306,512,988 kgs. The Hellenic Sugar Industry is planning to expand to the Balkans in 1995, through the setting up of joint commercial and industrial ventures. In the internal market, it intends to follow an aggressive trade policy through the growth of the sales network and promotion of new products. Greeks favour imported beer over wine, IOBE study reveals --------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 15/12/1994 (ANA): More Greeks have switched to beer, relegating their traditional wine drinking to second place, an Institute of Economic and Industrial Studies (IOBE) study has shown. 'Brewing industry in Greece' reports that beer represented 52 per cent of all alcohol consumed in Greece and 23 per cent of all beverages. The study concludes that the Greek brewing industry is one of the strongest manufacturing sectors, developing in collaboration with foreign multinationals. Domestic production today is dominated by three companies, all multinational subsidiaries, with s even factories. Exports represent two percent of production and imports 75 percent of domestic consumption. National Bank opens new office ------------------------------ Montreal, 15/12/1994 (ANA - J. Frangoulis): The National Bank of Greece has opened a new branch in Montreal in its drive to penetrate the Canadian banking market. The branch was inaugurated yesterday by National Bank of Greece General Manager Constantine Zissis who told the press that the bank's activities would focus on financing imports and exports, including granting foreign exchange and other forms of specialised banking facilities. GSEE strike disrupts transport, telecoms, banks ---------------------------------------------- Athens, 15/12/1994 (ANA): A 24-hour nation-wide general strike yesterday to protest the 1995 budget and press demands for higher wages culminated in a rally in downtown Athens and protests outside the Parliament building and the National Economy Ministry. The strike, called by the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE), affected state banks and schools and disrupted transport, telecommunications, the postal service and hospitals. It was accompanied by a four-hour work stoppage called by the Civil Servants Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY). GSEE President Christos Protopappas handed National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou a list of demands urging a development policy to combat unemployment, fiscal reform to secure funds, an increase in social spending, changes in the government's incomes policy, an increase in minimum-level pensions and "realistic forecasts" for inflation in 1995. Mr. Papantoniou predicted inflation of 10.6-10.7 per cent at the end of 1994, stressing that the government's forecast of 7 per cent inflation in 1995 was "realistic". He said that the wage increases planned for 1995 protected workers' standard of living and promised to begin a dialogue soon to work out a new salary scale for civil servants. On the issue of pensions and social benefits, Mr. Papantoniou said that the government "can go no further in the economy's present conditions". Papadopoulos attends monthly SEB meeting ---------------------------------------- Athens, 15/12/1994 (ANA): The regular monthly meeting of the Federation of Greek Industries' (SEB) General Council was held yesterday in the presence of Finance Minister Alexandros Papadopoulos. An announcement by SEB said the meeting provided the opportunity for a lengthy discussion on industrial issues falling under the jurisdiction of the Finance Ministry. In a brief address, SEB President Jason Stratos outlined industry and the private sector's concerns on the economy and the government's economic policy. Mr. Papadopoulos referred to the 1995 budget, the success of the 1994 budget and planned modernisation at the Finance Ministry which has already started to bear fruit. He said the 1995 budget will be strictly adhered to, that direct taxes would not be imposed and that tax evasion was being dealt with. Fishing conference ends with agreement to safeguard Mediterranean resources --------------------------------------------------- Athens, 15/12/1994 (ANA): A conference on fishing resources management in the Mediterranean ended in Crete yesterday with all participating countries agreeing that regional co-operation should be strengthened and that resources in the Mediterranean should be effectively safeguarded and rationally exploited. A joint announcement by the 26 participants said "existing forms of international co-operation in the Mediterranean should be strengthened to enable all interested parties to participate and without the social and economic repercussions of effective action on Mediterranean resources being omitted." "All countries exploiting the biological wealth of the Mediterranean Sea's environment in any capacity join in the task of protecting and developing its fish resources," it said, adding that "the aim of this co-operation, which will cover resources, the environment and apply the principles of justice, will be the implementation of a harmonised Mediterranean preservation and management system." Speaking at the end of the conference, Agriculture Under-Secretary Floros Constantinou said the first diplomatic conference on managing fish resources in the Mediterranean had been successful. Mr. Constantinou said that the regulation on harmonising fishing means was ratified during the European Union's Greek Presidency, adding that holding such a conference was necessary in an effort to harmonise technical means in the Mediterranean. "A work group will be created to study fishing problems and the creation of a Research Centre whose headquarters Greece has proposed and insists should be based in Crete," he said. "Greece, which took the initiative on the proposal in co-operation with the European Commission, will host the work group's first meeting on Crete soon and we will have visible results of this proposal before spring," he added.