A.N.A. Bulletin, 05/08/95

From: "Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada" <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 657), August 05, 1995

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca


CONTENTS

  • [1] Gov't concerned over dramatic situation in Krajina

  • [2] Inflation falls to 8.9 per cent in July

  • [3] EU suspends negotiations after Croatian attack

  • [4] Greece again points to Skopje's intransigence

  • [5] Kozyrev in Athens Monday

  • [6] PASOK internal frictions continue, Spyriounis' to face discipline committee


  • [1] Gov't concerned over dramatic situation in Krajina

    Athens, 5/8/1995 (ANA):

    Greece voiced deep concern yesterday over renewed fighting in Croatia and Northwest Bosnia, calling on warring factions to return to the negotiating table in order to find a peaceful solution for the Yugoslav crisis.

    "It is the government's conviction that there should be a peaceful solution to the problems plaguing the former Yugoslavia and that peace negotiations should continue," Foreign Ministry spokesman Costas Bikas said. "Greece is concerned with the dramatic developments in Krajina but condemns the use of military forces," he told reporters.

    Mr. Bikas said Athens was participating in a meeting of permanent European Union diplomats in Brussels to draft the 15-nation bloc's position on the Croatia's offensive.

    The breakaway Serb enclave of Krajina came under massive Croatian artillery bombardment and tank assaults at dawn, just hours after United Nations calls to Serbs and the Croatian government to draw back from full-scale war. Greece, a traditional ally of the Orthodox Serbs, has led a series of initiatives to help resolve the crisis, raging beyond its northern frontier.

    Mr. Bikas said Russian Foreign Minister Andrei Kozyrev would visit Athens Monday to "review the Balkan situation" with his Greek counterpart Karolos Papoulias. He did not elaborate.

    Meanwhile, main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Vassilis Magginas said the Croatian offensive entailed dangers of an all-out war. "The latest hostilities draw great concern as the danger of an all-out war is obvious," Mr. Magginas said. He called for a cease-fire in a bid to avert the spreading of the conflict in Krajina.

    The Political Spring (Pol.An) party also expressed concern at developments. Pol.An's Parliamentary Group Secretary, Stephanos Stephanopoulos, said "developments proved (Pol.An founder and leader) Antonis Samaras right," who warned of a reunited crisis upon his return last month from Belgrade. Mr. Samaras had called on the Greek government to assume initiatives in the direction of a peaceful settlement through negotiations with the participation of all interested parties.

    The Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) party also made a statement concerning developments, calling for the immediate assumption of political and diplomatic initiatives for the direct cease-fire in former Yugoslavia.

    [2] Inflation falls to 8.9 per cent in July

    Athens, 5/8/1995 (ANA):

    National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou yesterday said deflationary trends in the Greek economy were the result of the government's consistent economic policy. He made the statement following a drop in July's inflation rate to 8.9 per cent from 9.7 per cent in June.

    Mr. Papantoniou said inflation's decrease showed a "consistency" in the government's economic policy. "The anti-inflationary trend has been confirmed and the message is that we have to continue following the same course," Mr. Papantoniou added.

    He said the announced inflation figure for July was in line with government forecasts and proved the consistency of the socialist administration's economic policy. He voiced conviction that a 7 per cent target would be reached by the end of the year.

    Meanwhile, sources attributed the decline to a 2.3 per cent reduction in the cost-of-living index against a 1.6 per cent decline during the same month last year.

    The main opposition New Democracy party later criticised Mr. Papantoniou's statements, saying the trimmed inflation figure was due to deep economic recession highlighted by a "drained" domestic market. New Democracy spokesman Vassilis Magginas said the country was in urgent need of a "consistent growth policy" in order to combat high unemployment.

    [3] EU suspends negotiations after Croatian attack

    Athens, 5/8/1995 (ANA):

    Following dramatic developments in the Serb-held region of Krajina, the European Union decided to immediately suspend negotiations for concluding a trade and economic agreement with Croatia, including the Phare Programme, a Spanish rotating presidency statement said in Brussels yesterday.

    The Community also expressed profound concern at the acts of war committed by Croatian armed forces in Krajina, in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. It also condemns involvement by Croatian Serbs in attacks on the UN-declared "safe area" of Bihac in Bosnia, calling on Serbia to avoid taking part in military operations, the statement concluded.

    [4] Greece again points to Skopje's intransigence

    Athens, 5/8/1995 (ANA):

    Greece reiterated yesterday that the intransigent behaviour of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) was a stumbling block in mediation efforts aimed at resolving the dispute between Athens and Skopje.

    Foreign Ministry spokesman Costas Bikas made the statement referring to a recent visit to Skopje by US mediator and presidential envoy Matthew Nimetz. "Nothing positive came out of the talks Mr. Nimetz had with (Skopje President Kiro) Gligorov. Skopje is continuing with its intransigence," Mr. Bikas said. He said Athens was informed on the results of the envoy's visit through Greece's United Nations representative, Ambassador Christos Zacharakis.

    Athens accuses Skopje of harbouring territorial claims on the northern Greek province of Macedonia and insists the landlocked neophyte Balkan state stop using the Greek province's name; refrain from using a Hellenic symbol (Star of Vergina) on its flag and delete expansionist language from the preamble of its constitution. In a bid to pressure the Skopje government to comply with Greek demands, Athens imposed trade sanctions against FYROM last year.

    In another development, the Skopje weekly newspaper "Pools" commenting on Matthew Nimetz's stated "optimism," described him as "naive."

    Branding the small package a "Greek shrewdness," the newspaper said: "What will Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) win for itself, when other more substantial issues remain open?"

    According to "Pools" and article writer Mirka Velinovski, a journalist reportedly holding excellent relations with FYROM President Kiro Gligorov, the country will merely win "a border agreement toppled with constitutional guarantees on FYROM's part." "Such issues such as passports' recognition, licence plates and the establishment of diplomatic relations will remain open," she added.

    Referring to the flag issue, Ms. Velinovski said it (Macedonia) was "detached" along with the section of "Macedonia of the Aegean" after World War I. Concluding, she said US President Bill Clinton and his envoy's relations with Greece were directly related to presidential elections in the United States.

    Wrapping up a round of discussions in Skopje, Mr. Nimetz told the Skopje Channel A-1, "the purpose of my visit is to facilitate direct talks between Athens and Skopje." Asked whether he was optimistic the problem will be solved soon, Mr. Nimetz replied in the affirmative.

    [5] Kozyrev in Athens Monday

    Athens, 5/8/1995 (ANA):

    Russian Foreign Minister Adrei Kozyrev is expected to visit Athens Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Constantine Bikas said yesterday. Mr. Kozyrev will have talks with his Greek counterpart Karolos Papoulias on bilateral issues and developments in the Balkans.

    [6] PASOK internal frictions continue, Spyriounis' to face discipline committee

    Athens, 5/8/1995 (ANA):

    Internal discord within the ruling PASOK party has erupted after a clash between European Union Energy Commissioner Christos Papoutsis and Industry Minister Costas Simitis, combined with a defiant stance by Thessaloniki Deputy Kyriakos Spyriounis over the party's succession issue.

    Relations between Mr. Papoutsis and Mr. Simitis soured over the EU Commissioner's warning toward the Industry Ministry this past week that EU funds are jeopardised because of delays in Greece's natural gas programme.

    Mr. Spyriounis, a retired general, was called to appear before PASOK's established practice committee because of statements he made against Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, urging the premier to step down from party leadership.

    According to sources, the sudden feud between Mr. Papoutsis and Mr. Simitis, while officially due to the natural gas project, is actually linked to jockeying among contenders for PASOK's leadership.

    Mr. Spyriounis, who according to denied press reports is considering joining the Political Spring party, was one of 25 centrist deputies signing a manifesto recently criticising Mr. Papandreou's wife Dimitra. He reappeared Thursday evening and called on the prime minister to quit PASOK's leadership.

    The PASOK deputy will be referred to the party's disciplinary committee Wednesday, according to an announcement issued by PASOK's press office last night. "Following the formal submission of a report by Central Committee Secretary A. Tsohatzopoulos on Deputy Kyr. Spyriounis to the Established Practice and Charter Observation Committee today, the Committee will examine the issue at a meeting on Wednesday (9.8.95)," the announcement stated. The Thessaloniki deputy last evening said he had not made up his mind on whether he will attend PASOK's disciplinary committee's hearing.

    Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said Thursday that Mr. Spyriounis' attitude "constitutes a complete and final rift both with the principles and values PASOK stood for and conditions of rudimentary democratic decency, parliamentary established practice and party ethics."

    However, Mr. Spyriounis, bounced back yesterday, insisting on his views and stressing that his reference to the party's established practice committee left him indifferent, saying he could not be dismissed by any agency except by the voters who elected him.

    Mr. Spyriounis reiterated that Mr. Papandreou must quit PASOK's leadership, adding that the last page had arrived for him and that he would revoke nothing from what he said Thursday. Denying that he planned a transfer to another political party, he said such reports constituted "Stalinist and Goebbelist methods."

    He also criticised the party's leadership, claiming it was responsible for a decrease in PASOK's political influence and that "if it continues on this course it will be abandoned by the people." The latest developments in the ruling party have drawn a variety of reactions from PASOK members.

    Certain deputies, such as Lefteris and Mr. Athanasopoulos, opposed disciplinary action against Mr. Spyriounis. Mr. Veryvakis said "disciplinary action constituted blows against waves," but did not specify whether he shared the retired general's views.

    On his part, Mr. Athanasopoulos opposed "police measures" in the party. PASOK Thessaloniki deputy Yiannis Mangriotis said "in certain cases disciplinary action provides a solution, but it is not always the best one."

    Minister of Macedonia and Thrace Constantinos Triarides said of the Spyriounis case that "problems are resolved through dialogue. When there's shouting they are handled with processes of another kind. I disagree with both shouts and processes of another kind."

    Interior Under-Secretary Kimon Koulouris said PASOK would overcome this "small crisis," adding that Andreas Papandreou would play his role. Under-Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office Antonis Livanis said the party's unity neither was, nor is in danger.

    Meanwhile, Press Under-Secretary Telemahos Hytiris, currently vacationing on the island of Corfu, said Mr. Spyriounis' statements were "indecent and unacceptable." Mr. Hytiris said the committee was right in taking up the issue since it was the second time in a short period that Mr. Spyriounis had made similar statements. He said Mr. Spyriounis should realise that he is a member and deputy of a political party.

    Replying to questioners on what he believed the Committee would decide, Mr. Hytiris said "I don't know what it will do, but if I were one of its members I would exhaust every margin." Lianis: Mrs. Papandreou won't run Sports Under-Secretary George Lianis told reporters yesterday that the prime minister's wife, Dimitra Liani-Papandreou, would not run for Parliament from the Florina constituency in the next election, saying he wasn't aware if she would run at all. He made the statement during a press conference during "Prespia 95," a cultural and sports festival held between Aug. 23-28 in Florina.

    Mr. Papandreou told reporters late last month that he would support his wife if she chose to vie for elected office. His statement fuelled speculation that Mrs. Liani-Papandreou will become a candidate. "If she wants to run for office, I will support her," Mr. Papandreou said, unleashing further tension within the ruling PASOK party. Following the statement he came under attack by party members who accused him of alleged nepotism.

    "PASOK's president can't proclaim that PASOK cannot be inherited or given away and then practise the exact opposite," former PASOK minister Dimitris Tsovolas said in a statement distributed to the press.

    Another ruling party member, Parliament deputy Lefteris Veryvakis, told an Athens radio station: "Those of us who belong to democratic parties detest royal successions." The political uproar that followed was also seized upon by the conservative press, thrusting Mrs. Liani-Papandreou into the stoplight.

    End of English language section.


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