A.N.A. Bulletin, 08/01/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 781), January 8, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] ND to table censure motion today

The main opposition party New Democracy is to table a censure motion against the government in Parliament this afternoon, in an effort, a party announcement said yesterday, "to enable the country to acquire a legitimate government".

Party leader Miltiades Evert noted that the long illness and inability of Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou to carry out his duties created great dangers, adding that the mere mention by ND earlier of plans to table a censure motion had prompted the ruling PASOK party to announce moves to deal with the problem on January 20, although PASOK officials had not committed themselves as to how or when the crisis would be resolved.

In his announcement, Mr. Evert urged the ruling party to make use of all the possibilities afforded by the constitution and Parliament regulations, and to allow the censure motion debate to begin today, and not avail itself of the customary 48-hour waiting period, "unless leading PASOK officials were ready to convene the party's parliamentary group in the meantime".

The Cabinet examined strategies to deal with the censure motion at a meeting on Saturday after a Friday meeting between the PASOK parliamentary group presidium and party Executive Bureau decided that a meeting of PASOK MPs was "not necessary" on the issue of ND's censure motion.

Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, who is deputizing for the prime minister, said he hoped the opposition would finally have the nerve to table the motion so "it could get the answer it deserved".

According to reports, if the government agrees to an immediate debate, the censure motion will be tabled by the New Democracy leader himself. The same sources say that Mr. Evert does not wish to provoke a political crisis but to enable the country to ac quire a legitimate government.

On Friday, Mr. Evert spoke of a "major political crisis" created by the prolonged illness of the prime minister, saying that it was "an unprecedented (political) crisis... which verges on an institutional crisis", after a 40-minute meeting with President Kostis Stephanopoulos.

He added he was convinced Mr. Stephanopoulos would assume "the regulatory role which he has under the Constitution". "The issue concerns him greatly," he said.

PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis reiterated yesterday that the political problem caused by Mr. Papandreou's long illness would be resolved by the end of January.

He emphasized that the relevant party organs were the appropriate agencies to decide on the proper course of action, while the country's highest institutions would be responsible for implementing what the party decided.

Regarding the issue of whether Mr. Papandreou would resign, Mr. Skandalidis said it was self-evident that the prime minister could neither be ignored nor removed from office. Every effort would be made to reach an agreement with him, he added.

Asked what would happen if Mr. Papandreou were to refuse to resign, Mr. Skandalidis replied: "It would be doing the prime minister an injustice if we thought that at this crucial time he would act under any kind of pressure that would prevent him from dealing responsibly with the problem."

He noted that while the opinion of both Mr. Papandreou's doctors and of constitutional experts would be considered, they could not dictate decisions by the party.

Mr. Skandalidis said the answer to the question of whether the prime minister was able to carry out his duties was self-evident, while adding that Mr. Papandreou would remain president of PASOK, at least until the next party congress.

He also did not rule out the possibility that Executive Bureau members would meet with possible contenders for the premiership, but appealed to the latter to show restraint and trust in the party organs.

He accused the main opposition New Democracy party of using the censure motion against the government to further its own partisan interests, and dismissed Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras' proposal for the resignation of President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos as not worthy of serious consideration.

Mr. Skandalidis is due to meet with Mr. Stephanopoulos today.

After meeting Mr. Skandalidis on Friday, former deputy prime minister Yiannis Haralambopoulos, who has said he will be a candidate for the post of prime minister, said he was satisfied by the secretary's assurance that January 20, when the Central Committee will meet, would be the furthest time limit for the initiation of the succession procedures.

He said his view was that the prime minister to be elected will be by definition an interim one, as a party congress would follow.

He added that the party's organs should seriously take into account that Mr. Papandreou was not in a position to exercise its duties, and that the country needed to acquire a new premier.

Meanwhile, main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Vassilis Manginas yesterday accused Mr. Skandalidis of holding his party's MPs in contempt by declaring that they would simply carry out the party's decisions.

In addition, Mr. Manginas noted that while Mr. Papandreou would remain party leader, the succession process would only take place if he resigned as prime minister. It was a mentality such as this which had led to the current situation and perpetuated the crisis, concluded Mr. Manginas.

Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos Friday discussed for one hour with Education Minister George Papandreou, the premier's son, the best way to brief the prime minister about the current political situation.

Asked what would happen if his father refused to resign, George Papandreou declined to reply, saying only that such questions were "theoretical and hypothetical".

Mr. Papandreou said that he was in favor of a "definitive solution", adding that the premier's doctors would determine the best time for a meeting with the prime minister.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that there was no cause for concern about the political situation, since the various bodies of the ruling PASOK party had already set in motion the procedure for a solution.

He would not clarify whether he was in favor of a "final" or "provisional" solution to the question of the premier's replacement, saying that the issue would be dealt with by the party's Central Committee on January 20.

After a meeting with George Papandreou and the presidium of the PASOK parliamentary group on Friday, parliamentary group secretary Dimitris Beis said "the big initiative which George Papandreou is undertaking finds the full moral and political support of the parliamentary group and its presidium".

He added that about 100 deputies had submitted answers to his call for their views on when the group should be convened, and the procedure should be considered complete.

He said that those who requested that the group be convened immediately were fewer than those who were in favor of the date being decided jointly with the party's Executive Bureau.

[2] Doctors see slight improvement in premier's health

Yesterday's medical bulletin issued by the Onassion Cardiology Centre described Mr. Papandreou's condition as stabilized, adding that his breathing had been supported with a respirator only during the night, while blood dialysis and physiotherapy were being continued.

It said that pleuritic fluid was removed from the right side of Mr. Papandreou's chest yesterday morning. The reappearance of a small amount of fluid on the left side, which had been cleared three days ago, was not considered to be a matter of concern b y the prime minister's doctors, who had differing opinions as to its cause.

Health Minister Dimitris Kremastinos attributed it to the condition of Mr. Papandreou's kidneys, while cardiology professors Toutouzas and Kokkinos believe it is due to cardiological problems. The premier, nevertheless, is said to be in good spirits, while his medical team expressed the view that there appeared to be a slight but steady improvement in Mr. Papandreou's health.

Meanwhile, it was announced that two American physical therapists yesterday begun an intensive programme of occupational therapy and psychological support for the prime minister.

On Saturday, a number of the premier's doctors told him that if all goes well and there were no further complications, he would be in a position to leave the hospital in the next few weeks.

With regard to the health of the prime minister's wife, Dimitra Liani-Papandreou, who is suffering from acute serum hepatitis, doctors said yesterday that her symptoms appeared to be easing following medication. She has been advised to rest and follow a strict diet.

Doctors confirmed on Friday that the prime minister's wife was suffering from serum hepatitis but said there was no risk of transmission through simple contact and that she could continue to visit her husband who has been hospitalized for over six weeks .

A medical announcement issued by Mrs. Papandreou's doctor said that the disease was in the initial stages, adding that the first symptoms had appeared four days ago.

It added that recovery usually takes place in four to eight weeks after symptomatic treatment under medical observation. Noting that there was no cause for concern, the announcement said that Ms. Papandreou would be in need of "complete rest" until recovery.

[3] Arsenis speaks to premier

Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis had a brief meeting with Mr. Papandreou in the premier's hospital room on Friday.

Mr. Arsenis told reporters he discussed developments in Bosnia with the prime minister and referred briefly to domestic political developments. He also said that he was willing to brief the prime minister on developments within the ruling PASOK party.

Present at the meeting were Mr. Papandreou's wife, government spokesman Telemahos Hytiris and Greece's EU commissioner Christos Papoutsis.

[4] Italian official confers with foreign ministry leadership, Greece welcomes Italy's speedy initiative on Cyprus

Italy's junior foreign affairs minister Emanuele Scammacca had successive talks here on Friday with Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias and Alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos as part of a fact-finding mission to Cyprus, Greece and Turkey.

"Just a few days after Italy assumed the EU presidency, Italian Foreign Minister Susanna Agnelli strongly desires an exploratory initiative with respect to the governments of Cyprus, Athens and Ankara and the northern (occupied) part of Cyprus concerning the Cyprus problem at the present time," Mr. Scammacca told reporters after over one hour of talks with Mr. Romeos.

"Cyprus, a friendly country situated in the Mediterranean - which unites Greece, Italy and other countries - is in a difficult position and we wish to help strengthen the peace processes," he added, thanking the political leadership of the Greek foreign ministry for welcoming the Italian initiative.

Mr. Scammacca's fact-finding mission began in Nicosia and was to have ended in Ankara on Saturday. "The mission will provide the up-to-date framework... to Ms. Agnelli in order to set in motion at a European level the procedures for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem," Mr. Scammacca said.

Mr. Romeos expressed the Greek government's "complete satisfaction" at the fact that just five days after assuming the EU presidency, Italy had undertaken the initiative on the Cyprus problem.

"We are in agreement that the EU, should, must assume a leading decisive role, in co-operation with the United Nations and within the framework of the UN resolutions and in co-operation with other countries, aimed at finding a solution to the Cyprus problem," Mr. Romeos said.

Mr. Romeos said that "final proposals" could be formulated when Ms. Agnelli visits Athens on January 11 "which could then be put to the General Affairs Council on January 29," he added.

Mr. Scammacca later had 30 minutes of talks with Mr. Papoulias, after which no statements were made.

[5] GSEE, employers begin 'tough' talks on wage increases

Negotiations between representatives of the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) and employer unions on the new national collective labor agreement will start at GSEE's offices this afternoon.

Negotiations are expected to be tough since employers are insisting on salary increases in the region of 5-6 per cent for 1996, while GSEE is seeking increases of at least 10 per cent.

Another request by working people meeting with disapproval from industrialists and merchants is a 35-hour working week without any pay reductions. GSEE claims such a development would combat unemployment through the creation of new jobs.

[6] Kurds attack Turkish airline office

A group of about 30 Kurds attacked the offices of the Turkish national carrier in central Athens with rocks and cans of paint on Friday.

According to initial sources, the Kurds were protesting the murders of compatriots in Turkey.

Police arrested 14 Kurds in the streets around the airline offices.

There were no reports of injuries.

[7] Greek plane comes under fire in Bosnia

According to press reports, a Greek Hercules C-130 transport plane approaching Sarajevo airport shortly after 8pm on Saturday received small arms fire from the ground.

The plane, on a mission in the framework of Greek participation in the NATO peacekeeping force in Bosnia, avoided Sarajevo and touched down at the next planned stop in Tuzla.

Officials at Tuzla airport ascertained that the C-130 transport had sustained no damage. The plane was carrying medical and other supplies. It flew back to its base in Rimini, Italy, late on Saturday night.

[8] Greek exports up 72 per cent over last seven years

Greek exports have increased 72 per cent in the past seven years, amounting in value to eight billion ECU. More specifically, Greek exports totaled 4.6 billion ECU in 1988 and 7.9 billion ECU at the end of 1994.

Greek imports amounted to 10.48 billion ECU in 1988 and 18 billion ECU in 1994. The trend noted between 1993 and 1994 was a 9.66 per cent increase in exports and a 3.82 per cent decrease in imports.

The data is included in the latest statistical bulletin by the Federation of Exporters of Northern Greece's (SEBE) Exports Research and Studies Institute (IEES).

Most Greek exports are destined for European Union countries, followed by countries in north Africa and the Middle East.

In 1994 Greek exports to EU countries amounted to 4.3 billion ECU, while exports to countries in north Africa and the Middle East to 1.08 billion ECU.

Another interesting factor is that exports to Balkan countries increased six-fold between 1988 and 1994 and from 112 million ECU amounted to 632 million ECU.

Greek products having the greatest demand are, according to data for 1994, unprocessed foodstuffs (1.27 billion ECU), minerals-asphalt (1.17 billion ECU) and processed foodstuffs and beverages (1.07 billion ECU).

Other products following are woolen clothes, iron and aluminum, machinery and mechanical equipment, textiles, chemicals, plastics and other items of clothing and footwear.

[9] Ankara rejects Greek protest

A Greek protest on the violation of Greek airspace by a Turkish fighter aircraft which crashed near the island of Lesvos on December 29 has been rejected by Ankara, diplomatic sources said. The protest, delivered to Ankara by Greek ambassador Dimitrios Nezeritis, was rejected because Ankara considers Greek airspace to extend to only six miles, the sources said.

[10] FYROM name talks set to begin on Thursday, sources say

Authoritative sources have confirmed that talks between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), under the auspices of UN representative Cyrus Vance, on the issue of the former Yugoslav republic' s name will be held on Thursday, January 11 "without being affected by other situations."

Diplomatic sources foresee that negotiations will proceed smoothly and the possibility of them being speeded up cannot be ruled out as long as the representative of FYROM, expected to return to UN headquarters on Wednesday, will stay in New York through out their entire duration.

Sources close to Mr. Vance, who had two telephone conversations during the holidays and a meeting with Greek permanent representative at the UN Christos Zacharakis last night, spoke of a certain problem concerning the lack of direct communication with FYROM.

The sources said it was "encouraging" that during the first meeting before the holidays FYROM's representative Ivan Tosevski "kept a very moderate stance and an open mind and indeed in an atmosphere which in many ways appeared not to compromise with the officially proclaimed policy of FYROM."

Diplomatic sources expect that the meeting on January 11 will not go ahead with examining individual positions or a discussion on specific terms but will focus on a final general approach, namely setting out the framework of discussions and more specifically whether the solution to be sought will be "that of the common name for all purposes" or the double or triple name.

Stressing Greece's steadfast position that it would not accept a name containing the word Macedonia, the sources anticipate that both sides will orientate themselves towards the more difficult but preferable radical solution to the problem, meaning the exclusion of the double or triple name.

They said it was believed that the attainment of the more difficult solution was worthwhile so as to avoid possible complications in the future.

"Negotiations can reach a certain point, since from then on the final solution to the problem will be purely the result of political decisions," it was added.

On the other hand, diplomatic sources ruled out the possibility of a solution being imposed and subsequent sanctions by the Security Council in the event of a deadlock.

End of English language section.