A.N.A. Bulletin, 30/12/95

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 776), December 30, 1995

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] Everything on hold until Central Committee meeting

Political decisions within the ruling PASOK party have been postponed until later in January when both the Central Committee and Parliamentary Group are scheduled to convene.

Meanwhile, main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert, in statements to the state-run ET-1 network yesterday, confirmed that ND would file a censure motion in Parliament immediately after the holidays.

Mr. Evert said a decision to convene PASOK's Central Committee on January 20 "intensifies ND's decision to file the censure motion."

Asked to comment on the PASOK decision, the ND leader said "I cannot concern myself with the internal problems of the ruling party. What I can underline is that the country cannot remain ungoverned. That is something that not only I realize, but the entire Greek nation (realizes). PASOK's own top cadres realize this."

The ND president added: "Thus, what they realize, they should act upon and not delay."

[2] Kremastinos clarifications

Health Minister Dimitris Kremastinos was at the centre of attention yesterday after comments he made Thursday to the Athens daily "Eleftherotypia," where he said he has been pressured to issue false health certificates.

In a written statement, the health minister said his comments were addressed to two parties, "first those who vigorously and coercively pose dilemmas through certain media outlets and newspapers, and secondly, so-called institutional elements, who are t he only responsible parties to decide".

New Democracy called on Mr. Kremastinos to state which 'institutional elements' (constitutional, legal experts and politicians) have threatened and attempted to blackmail him.

Earlier, Press and Media Minister Telemahos Hytiris had been asked by reporters on his opinion of Mr. Kremastinos' statements in Eleftherotypia and yesterday's remarks.

At first, the government spokesman said he was unaware of Mr. Kremastinos' comments yesterday, adding that he believed the health minister's newspaper statements were made "in his capacity as a doctor."

The health minister's written statement, which was distributed at the Onassion Hospital, followed, after he declined to expand on his remarks in Parliament.

[3] Executive committee briefed

PASOK secretary Costas Skandalidis called a briefing yesterday by Mr. Kremastinos to PASOK's Executive Bureau concerning the condition of Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou's health "very detailed."

Mr. Skandalidis said information given during the briefing concurred with medical bulletins issued by a medical team treating the 76-year-old premier.

The PASOK secretary said after the briefing that the executive bureau could now better judge and discuss the political problem and what initiatives it will take in the next few weeks.

Mr. Skandalidis said both he and the delegation supported the efforts of the health minister and the medical team in treating the premier, calling their devotion to duty "moving."

In response to press questions on whether an Executive Bureau delegation will visit the prime minister, Mr. Skandalidis said: "I must say that as long as Mr. Papandreou is in intensive care, with the problem he has and the battle for life he is undergoing, I imagine that any political discussion this moment could cause difficulties which no one can accept."

According to reliable reports, Mr. Kremastinos told the PASOK executive members he considered the next fortnight very important for the further development of the prime minister's health and recommended the Executive Bureau avoid any meeting and discussion of a political nature with the prime minister over this period.

According to the same reports, Mr. Kremastinos said the possibility of the prime minister being able to exercise his duties again depended to a great degree on the functioning of the kidneys.

[4] Health condition

An Onassion Hospital medical bulletin issued last evening on the health of the ailing premier described his condition as unchanged over the last six-hour period.

The prime minister's breathing was not supported by a respirator during the previous 12 hours, the evening bulletin stated. In addition, dialysis was not performed on Mr. Papandreou yesterday.

His cardiac function was listed as unchanged, while an antibiotic treatment was continuing.

An earlier bulletin was accompanied by an announcement denying press reports that physician Dimos Katritsis had resigned from the medical council responsible for Mr. Papandreou's treatment.

"Dimos Katritsis was never a member of the medical council and therefore he cannot have resigned from a council of which he was never a member," the announcement stated.

In a related matter, a physician treating the prime minister said a specialized mobile cat-scan machine ordered from the United States has not yet arrived.

In response to press questions, cardiologist Stathis Heliodromitis said the Onassion's executive director was responsible for answering specifics on the device's arrival.

However, he said a cat-scan examination would reasonably be part of a general clinical examination of the prime minister.

Asked if after 30 kidney dialyses the premier's renal functions can recover or if a kidney biopsy will be performed, Dr. Heliodromitis said he could not say whether there would be an improvement or if a biopsy would be scheduled.

[5] Clinton offer

US President Bill Clinton expressed his personal interest in the health of Mr. Papandreou with an offer for treatment in the United States. The offer was relayed by US Ambassador to Athens Thomas Niles in a phone conversation yesterday with the prime minister's wife, Dimitra.

Government spokesman Telemahos Hytiris called the offer "substantive and symbolic" and demonstrated Andreas Papandreou's "presence, history, contribution and stature."

Asked if the possibility of the premier's transfer to the United States was under consideration or if it is being discussed by doctors, Mr. Hytiris said he had nothing to add.

[6] 1996 a year for tangible results, Tsohatzopoulos says after Cabinet meets

The Cabinet, chaired by Interior Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, held a three-hour meeting yesterday on government policy for the coming year.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said after the meeting that 1996 would be a year for fulfilling the aims of government policies, saying 1995 was a year of stabilization.

He added that the new year would bring tangible results in all sectors. He said the Cabinet agreed to list priorities for each ministry in order to support specific initiatives.

He said the discussion was a guarantee for a dynamic new year that will contribute to the promotion of Greece's national issues and to the success of developmental policies, based on the implementation of the government's economic policy.

Others speaking at the meeting included National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis and Health Minister Dimitris Kremastinos, who referred to the draft health bill.

Press and Media Minister Telemahos Hytiris clarified that the Cabinet did not discuss matters concerning the ailing prime minister's health.

[7] Tsohatzopoulos to visit Evros border troops today

Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos will visit border checkpoints in the Evros prefecture today in light of New Year's Day.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos will visit customs offices at Kipoi and Ormenio, military guard posts and the 12th Infantry Division's headquarters in Alexandroupolis to offer gifts to soldiers.

He will be accompanied by the regional governor of eastern Macedonia and Thrace Haris Tsiokas, the regional governor of Thesally Nikos Zambounidis, local officials and representatives of local agencies.

[8] Evert calls for elections

Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert called for early elections and predicted they would be victorious for his party. Mr. Evert said elections should be held soon for the country to exit from the deadlock created by the lack of government.

Replying to a questioner, Mr. Evert confirmed reports that he will address a letter to the medical council requesting to be informed on whether the prime minister will be able to exercise his duties, adding that the letter will be sent on January 2 or 3.

[9] Evert to meet president over premier's continued hospitalization

Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert will meet President Kostis Stephanopoulos next week, probably on Tuesday or Wednesday, to discuss the issue of Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou's continued hospitalization.

According to reports, Mr. Evert will point out that the reasonable period of time for the prime minister to be replaced has passed and that the government majority had shown no intention of resolving the problem.

He will also discuss with President Stephanopoulos the existing possibilities for the president to undertake specific initiatives.

[10] Italian foreign ministry official due in Athens next week

Italian foreign ministry officials will visit Athens early in the new year to confer on issues the Italian EU presidency, which takes office January 1, will focus on, Alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos said yesterday.

Italian Foreign Under-secretary Emanuele Scammacca is expected in Athens on January 5, he said, with Foreign Minister Susanna Agnelli visiting later on.

A Reuters dispatch from Rome quoted the Italian foreign ministry as saying Mr. Scammacca would be visiting Greece, Turkey and Cyprus from January 4-6 on "a fact-finding mission ahead of the accession of Cyprus to the European Union".

Cyprus is due to start formal accession talks six months after the EU finishes a review of its treaties and institutions.

Italy is taking over the rotating EU presidency from Spain.

Mr. Romeos told a press conference yesterday the major issue during the Italian presidency would be the intergovernmental conference (IGC) to revise the Maastricht treaty. The intergovernmental conference will start in Turin on March 29.

The second major issue to preoccupy the Italian presidency is the enlargement of the EU. The European Council in Madrid has already instructed the European Commission to prepare reports on repercussions stemming from the enlargement on Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the EU's structured policy and fiscal prospects after 1999.

It is understood from Mr. Romeos' statement that the foreign ministry is constantly pondering and shaping its policy towards Turkey on the basis of the new facts created by Turkey's customs union with the EU.

A meeting with relevant ministries is expected in January to assess both the negative and positive aspects concerning the customs union. The meeting will also be attended by business representatives, while initial studies have been made on the negative and positive points in the agreement which concern Greece both by the relevant ministries and the private sector.

[11] Search for missing Turkish airman continues

Greek rescue units yesterday continued sea and air searches for the second airman of a Turkish F-4 Phantom jetfighter that crashed Thursday off Lesvos in the eastern Aegean.

National defense ministry sources said that by 11 a.m. yesterday, no trace of the missing airman had been found. His co-pilot, 35-year-old captain Ogour Kilar, was rescued Thursday by a Hellenic Air Force helicopter some five to six miles west of Lesvos .

The downed Turk underwent medical checks at an island hospital and was to return to Turkey early yesterday afternoon if he was deemed fit, the sources said.

[12] Protesters picket French embassy over renewed nuclear testing

An environmental organization held a demonstration yesterday outside the French Embassy in Athens to protest the resumption of French nuclear testing in the South Pacific.

Among the demonstrators were a gas mask-wearing Santa Claus and a personification of the New Year, who wished passersby a "Happy Nuclear Year."

"What makes us shudder is that the politico-military lobby, which is promoting the nuclear tests, decided to send humanity the most abhorrent message at the present time of the year when love and joy are supposed to prevail," the organization Mediterranean Network SOS stated in a resolution posted on the embassy's door. ANA

[13] Current accounts balance in the red

The balance of current accounts revealed a $296 million deficit in September 1995, compared to a surplus of $514 million during the same month last year, according to figures released yesterday by the Bank of Greece.

The deficit for the period January-September this year totaled $2.752 billion, against a surplus of $233 million in the corresponding nine-month period of 1994.

According to Greece's central bank, the turnaround was due to a 24.8 per cent increase in the trade deficit ($2.498 billion), coupled with a 27.9 per cent drop in European Union inflows as well as a 23 per cent increase in interest payments, dividends and profits. A $366 million reduction in private capital inflows was also cited.

Specifically, some of the basic features in the balance of current accounts for the January-September 1995 period were as follows:

• Imports $16.808 billion (+21.9 per cent)
• Exports $4.249 billion (+13.9 per cent)
• Trade deficit $12.559 billion (+24.8 per cent)
• Tourist exchange $3.367 billion (+10 per cent)
• Shipping exchange $1.621 billion (+16.9 per cent)
• Emigrants' remittances $2.079 billion (+11.3 per cent)
• EU inflows $2.827 billion (-27.9 per cent)
• Current accounts deficit $2.752 billion
• Inflows of business capital $3.873 billion
• Import of exchange by overseas Greeks for the purchase of property in Greece $756.3 million (+15.4 per cent)
• Public sector debt servicing $5.817 billion

[14] Increases slated for fuel, cigarettes and alcohol

An amendment was tabled in Parliament yesterday increasing a special consumption tax on fuel, alcoholic beverages and cigarettes.

The amendment means that as of January 1, gasoline (super) will increase by 9.5 drachmas per litre, unleaded by 8.5 drachmas per litre, diesel by 6 drachmas per litre and heating oil by 3.5 drachmas per litre.

Liquor prices will increase by between 200 and 400 drachmas per bottle.

As of January 8, the price of cigarettes will increase by 20-50 drachmas per packet.

[15] President's New Year's Honors List announced

Klaus Hensch, the speaker of the European Parliament, and Pauline Green, president of the European Parliament Socialist Group, are among those cited by President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos to receive his New Year's honors.

The full list of those honored is as follows:

• Angeliki Laiou, professor, director of Dymbarton Oaks (US)
• Anna Lea, president of the Society for the Preservation of the Greek Heritage (US)
• Harry Psomiades, professor Queens College, City University of New York (US)
• Dimitrios Trihopoulos, professor at Harvard University (US)
• Ilias Gytopoulos, professor at MIT (US)
• Virginia Nick, active member of the US Greek community (US)
• Minos Zombanakis, economist (UK)
• Pavlos Tzermias, Byzantine and Modern Greek scholar at the Friberg and Zurich universities (Switzerland)
• Panayiotis Angelopoulos, businessman and benefactor of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (Switzerland)
• Anastasios Spiliopoulos, surgeon and researcher at the University of Geneva (Switzerland)
• Dimitrios Nanopoulos, nuclear physicist, collaborator with the European Centre for Nuclear Research, CERN (Switzerland)
• Theodoros Kallifatidis, writer (Sweden)
• Carl-Gustav Styrenius, professor of Classical Hellenic Archaeology (Sweden)
• Ingemar Rhedin, writer and translator of Greek philosophy and poetry (Sweden)
• Roland Dumas, former foreign minister of France (France)
• Francisque Perrut, president of Greco-French Friendship Society at the French National Assembly (France)
• Jean-Bernard Raimond, former foreign minister of France and current Vice-President of the Greco-French Friendship Society at the French National Assembly (France)
• Stelios Farandjis, Secretary-General of the Higher Council for Francophony (France)
• Cornelios Kastoriadis, philosopher, professor at the Higher School of Social Sciences (France)
• Kubiak Zygmunt, essayist and translator of Greek, Roman and English fiction (Poland)
• Jurewicz Oktawiusz, professor of Byzantine and Classical Literature at the University of Warsaw (Poland)
• Axer Jerzy, professor of Classical Literature at the University of Warsaw (Poland)
• Johannes Koder, professor of Byzantine studies at the University of Vienna and director of the International Institute of Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies at the Vienna university (Austria)
• John Argiris, professor of aerospace sciences at the university of Stuttgart and Imperial College
• Vassilios Alexakis, writer, winner of the Medicis prize (France)
• Klaus Hensch, speaker of the European Parliament (Germany)
• Pauline Green, president of the Socialist Group at the European Parliament (UK)
• Enrique Baron Crespo, former speaker of the European Parliament (Spain)
• Manuel Medina Ortega, leader of the Spanish delegation (Spain)
• Wilfried Martens, former prime minister of Belgium Guenter Rinsche, president of the European Peoples Party (Germany)
• Gijs de Vries, president of the Liberal Group (the Netherlands)
• Jean-Claude Pasty, president of the United Europe Group (France).

[16] News Brief

The monitoring committee of the Community's Delors II package has approved over 24 billion drachmas for public works in eastern Macedonia and Thrace.

Four billion drachmas will be used for a new building at the Law Faculty in Thrace, 1.4 billion drachmas to build a library on the university campus in Xanthi, 3.5 billion drachmas for anti-flooding works and rural road works in the Vistonida Rodopis region, 740 million drachmas to purchase hotel equipment for the new Xanthi state hospital, 2.1 billion drachmas for irrigation networks in Ferres Evrou and 1.8 billion drachmas for dams in the Evros region.

As part of its modernization effort, the Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE) is ordering six new electric locomotives for commercial and passenger trains.

The value of the procurement will amount to about seven billion drachmas.

The contract will be signed by OSE General Director Aristos Lazaris and the heads of Siemens A.G. on Wednesday.

The electric locomotives will be used initially on the Thessaloniki-Eidomeni route and can reach speeds of up to 200 Km/h.

The Bulletin would like to wish its readers a happy and safe New Year.

The next edition of the Bulletin will be issued on January 2.

End of English language section.