A.N.A. Bulletin, 11/12/95

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 763), December 11, 1995

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] Premier breathing without support, condition stabilized, doctors say

The latest Onassion Centre medical bulletin on Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou's health, issued at 8pm last night, said his condition remained stable, with only periodic support to his breathing by an oxygen mask, and the kidney function still being mechanically supported.

"The prime minister has been breathing without the support of a respirator for more than 30 hours constantly," the bulletin said.

"Kidney function is unchanged, supported by kidney machine," it added.

The prime minister, who was rushed to hospital with pneumonia on November 20, was still undergoing dialysis for failing renal function but showed improvement after a tracheotomy operation on Thursday to facilitate his breathing.

Meanwhile, the ruling PASOK's Political Secretariat acknowledged the existence of a problem "which must be dealt with the presence and contribution of Andreas Papandreou," but it did not specify when such a procedure (to deal with the problem) will take place. The Political Secretariat held two meetings over the weekend, the first ever to have not been chaired by the premier.

The party's Secretary Costas Skandalidis said no decisions had been reached during the meetings but the members of the Political Secretariat also agreed that as long as the premier's health was developing positively, no solution could be agreed upon in his absence.

According to sources, the members of the Political Secretariat were concerned with how to initiate procedures to deal with the problem.

Sources said that if there was an urgent need to deal with the issue, it would be immediately referred to the Central Committee which would decide the political framework and procedure to be followed. Subsequently, the Parliamentary Group would make a decision in line with constitutional provisions; a party congress in 3-4 months will give final decisions on issues raised.

[2] Tsohatzopoulos replies to Evert

Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, who is deputizing for the premier, Saturday replied to calls by main opposition leader Miltiades Evert for what he called "a solution to the problem of the country's lack of government" created by Mr. Papandreou's illness.

According to informed sources, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos told Mr. Evert that the government was functioning effectively and responsibly in accordance with the constitution and the law.

He rejected Mr. Evert's claims Friday night that there was an institutional or political vacuum, stressing that "democracy has no impasses."

Mr. Evert on Friday night called on the government and the ruling PASOK party's Parliamentary Group "to provide a solution".

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos stressed that the Greek people had elected Mr. Papandreou for a four-year term, adding that the Parliamentary Group steadfastly supported the government in the implementation of its pre-election positions and pledges.

He thanked Mr. Evert for his interest in the premier's health and called on him to play his role so that the main opposition party could play its role and contribute to the smooth functioning of the institutions of the democratic system of government.

Last night, in an interview with a private television channel, Mr. Evert said the party's Parliamentary Group could assume the initiative, according to the constitution, by withdrawing the vote of confidence on the government.

Mr. Evert said an alternative solution would be for the government or the premier himself to resign.

"It is politically immoral and hypocritical to say that there is no political problem, while at the same time, discussing a replacement and replacement procedures for Andreas Papandreou," he added.

On Saturday, Mr. Evert's deputy, Ioannis Varvitsiotis, called on the government to resign and PASOK deputies to table a vote on censure on the government to force it step down.

"Holding the majority (in Parliament), PASOK should realize its responsibilities and that it is the only party that can provide a solution," Mr. Varvitsiotis said.

[3] Venizelos

In Thessaloniki on Saturday, Transport and Communications Minister Evangelos Venizelos criticized PASOK cadres for "lack of responsibility and sound thought," but also accused the opposition of "being in an 'oppositional vacuum' due to Mr. Evert."

"For as long as Andreas Papandreou is giving the battle for life, we (PASOK officials) are giving the battle for seriousness and political efficiency," Mr. Venizelos said. He called on PASOK officials to show "the Greek people we can handle things on a long term basis, not on the narrow basis of a few days."

Mr. Venizelos said the government was functioning and taking political decisions.

He said that the ND leader "has built its oppositional tactics in the last two years on a personal attack against Andreas Papandreou's physical endurance."

[4] Kremastinos sues

Meanwhile, health minister and the premier's personal physician Dimitris Kremastinos said he would take the Sunday paper "Apogeymatini tis Kyriakis" to court after the newspaper published a story alleging that Mr. Kremastinos was following "aggressive therapy" in treating Mr. Papandreou.

According to the paper, Mr. Kremastinos, with the consent of the premier's wife Dimitra Liani-Papandreou, is installing an intensive unit care in the premier's residence in Ekali.

In a written statement, Mr. Kremastinos accused the newspaper of publishing untrue and unfounded information with the intention of "harming his scientific prestige."

"In these critical moments, the only way left, and one which I am following for the first time in my life, is to pursue the matter through the courts."

Well-informed sources said Mr. Kremastinos would sue specific journalists and not the paper.

PASOK's press office also issued an announcement, saying that certain sections of the media were spreading "various scenaria and unfounded information."

The announcement called on the media to "respect Andreas Papandreou's battle for life, as well as the truth, value and prestige of the scientists whom they should allow to go on with efforts for the rehabilitation of the premier's health".

[5] Coalition, KKE

Coalition of the Left and Progress party leader Nikos Constantopoulos meanwhile called on PASOK "to fulfill its constitutional and political role and bring to Parliament proposals for a solution to the political complication and institutional situation regarding the lack of prime minister."

The Communist Party of Greece also criticized the PASOK leadership for the way it is dealing with the premier's health conditions, saying it was using the prime minister's illness and the succession race to "preoccupy people at a time when the government is introducing anti-populist measures".

[6] ND deputies speak on growth, employment

Main opposition New Democracy deputy Costas Karamanlis focused on Greece and Europe in the 21st century in his address to a seminar on "Development, Technology, Employment" held yesterday.

The seminar was organized by the Lamia branch of the Greek Centre for the Promotion of European Unification.

Mr. Karamanlis called for speedier growth of the Greek economy saying there was economic divergence instead of economic convergence.

ND deputy Marieta Yiannakou-Koutsikou stressed the need for a long-term economic and social strategy, noting the European Union's weakness "to confront the dissolution of the former Yugoslavia and intervene in the Gulf war."

[7] Papoulias optimistic about Bosnian peace after London conference, looks to convening Balkans conference soon

Greek Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias described as "successful" the sessions of the Bosnian conference which ended Saturday night and said he was convinced that "things are moving."

"I've been watching efforts for a peace settlement to the Bosnia-Herzegovina for the past two years, and I am leaving this conference convinced that things are moving," he said.

He noted, however, that the case of the two French pilots missing since August in Bosnia complicate and place obstacles to the implementation of the Dayton agreement.

Mr. Papoulias said he pledged to his French counterpart that Greece will undertake an initiative to persuade the Pale regime to free the French pilots.

The minister said he will inform the regime of the consequences to the establishment of peace in the region if the two pilots are not freed.

Mr. Papoulias expressed concern that the issue of the French pilots may delay or cancel the signing of the Dayton agreement in Paris this week.

"The French side is highly sensitive about the issue and this might lead to negative consequences to the general progress of peacemaking procedures," he said.

Turning to other issues, Mr. Papoulias said the Greek government would undertake the initiative to convene a new Balkan conference.

"Following the Dayton agreement and the normalization of our relations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia conditions are ripe for such a conference," Mr. Papoulias said adding that two Greek ambassadors would soon visit Balkan capitals in an effort to determine intentions for such a conference.

Mr. Papoulias said one of the most discussed issues in the London conference was the reconstruction of Bosnia, adding that Greece's role in this case would be very significant.

"I think Greece has the ability to successfully participate in Bosnia's economic reconstruction," Mr. Papoulias said adding that a number of Greek enterprises have also exhibited interest in investing in the country.

[8] Greek Byzantine Choir accompanies Vartholomeos at Swiss mass

The world-renowned Greek Byzantine Choir performed the chants at Sunday's Holy Liturgy at St. Paul's Cathedral in Chambesy, Geneva, conducted by Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos of Constantinople. The liturgy marks the official vi sit of the Ecumenical Patriarch to Switzerland following his visit to London.

The choir, led by its conductor Lykourgos Angelopoulos, will be back in Athens to sing Christmas Carols at the Nakas Odeum tonight before leaving for Paris on Tuesday for the Festival of Ecclesiastic Art, where it will perform hymns dedicated to Christmas and the Virgin Mary as well as compositions of the famous Byzantine maestro Ioannis Koukouzelis, at St. Stephanos Orthodox Cathedral on the same evening.

The performance will mark the 100th anniversary of the St. Stephanos Cathedral and the circulation of the choir's new recording of hymns dedicated to the Virgin.

The Choir will give a series of recitals in Northern Italy between December 13 and 22, beginning from Pisa and including Perugia, Genoa and Turin.

[9] Stathis says rural economy facing dynamic changes

Agriculture Minister Theodoros Stathis yesterday opened a conference on "Rural Economy and Politics: New orientations and directions," saying agricultural economy had been undergoing constant changes over the last few years.

Mr. Stathis was referring to the review of the Common Agricultural Policy, GATT, the enlargement of the European Union with the accession of central and eastern European markets and the creation of free trade zones.

The three-day conference is organized by the Geotechnical Chamber under the auspices of the agriculture ministry and the Panhellenic Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives (PASEGES).

It aims at reviewing developments in the post-war evolution of the rural sector and pinpointing prospects and weakness in the framework of the globalized market.

Mr. Stathis said the timing for such a conference was just right since it coincided with the formation of a national strategy in the agricultural sector.

[10] Iakovos, Mitsotakis meet on national issues, archbishop hopes for movement soon on FYROM, Cyprus issues

Former prime minister and honorary president of the main opposition New Democracy party Constantine Mitsotakis held a meeting on national issues Saturday with Archbishop Iakovos of North and South America

The Archbishop forecast that a solution will be found to the Skopje issue soon, saying there was increased activity and contacts between UN Skopje mediator Cyrus Vance and the Greek Ambassador to the United Nations, Christos Zacharakis.

Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia signed an interim accord in September to ease tensions between them, but a solution to the name is yet to be found.

Greece strongly objects to the name "Macedonia" or its derivative.

Turning to the Cyprus issue, the Archbishop expressed hope that there would be progress and said he anticipated action by US Assistant Secretary for European Affairs, Richard Holbrooke.

Referring to his meeting with Mr. Mitsotakis, Iakovos said he was happy to meet an old friend who has offered a lot to the country and the nation.

[11] Seismologists concerned about Crete quakes

The second earth tremor in a week was recorded in the south of Crete early yesterday morning, and seismologists are cautious about a new and bigger quake.

The tremor, measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale, was recorded at 5:29am with an epicenter in the sea region between Sfakia and the islet of Gavdo. On Thursday night, seismologists recorded a first tremor of the same magnitude from the same epicenter.

No damage or injuries were reported in either incident.

"We are cautious. We don't know whether the first was a precursor and today's (yesterday's) quake the main one," alternate general director of the Seismological Institute Giorgos Stavrakakis said.

Professor Vassilis Papazahos said the particular area had given readings of up to 7 on the Richter scale in the past.

[12] Aristotelian University get Commission prize for disabled children's project

Greece's Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki won a silver award in the "educational integration" section of the European Commission's Helios II awards to develop public awareness for disabled people.

The university's pilot project designed to integrate disabled children into mainstream education came second to the UK's Suffolk County Council project and was chosen from a total of 300 entries.

The announcement was made on Friday, European Day of Disabled People.

End of English language section.