A.N.A. Bulletin, 19/01/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 791), January 19, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] Premier-designate Simitis to get mandate to form Gov't today

Costas Simitis, the premier-designate, is expected to receive a mandate to form a government when he meets with President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos at 10am this morning, following his election yesterday as Greece's new prime minister to replace ailing PASOK leader Andreas Papandreou.

Mr. Simitis received 86 votes to the 75 garnered by his main rival Akis Tsohatzopoulos in the run-off round at the ruling socialist party's Parliamentary Group. Six deputies cast blank votes.

National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis and former deputy prime minister Yiannis Haralambopoulos were eliminated in the first round of voting.

Mr. Simitis has three days to put together a new cabinet, after which he will have two weeks to prepare and present his government's policy statements and seek a vote of confidence from the 300-seat Parliament.

PASOK has 169 seats in the House, but in yesterday's in camera ballot, only 167 deputies voted, as Mr. Papandreou remains hospitalized and Argolis deputy Andreas Doutsos died Wednesday and was not replaced in time.

In the first round of voting, Mr. Simitis received 53 votes, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos 53 votes, Mr. Arsenis 50 votes and Mr. Haralambopoulos 11 votes.

[2] 'A new era begins,' Simitis says

In his first statement to the Parliamentary Group after his election as prime minister, Mr. Simitis said his win signaled the beginning of a new era, adding that the new government he will form will be effective, hard-working and fast.

"Today we are living through great historic moments. The election of the prime minister, in the 21 years PASOK has been functioning, was a process experienced for the first time. It was a paramount moment for the prospects and future of the great democratic lineup," he said.

Mr. Simitis said PASOK's deputies and all its cadres had shown responsibility, seriousness and resolution, adding that at the present moment the thoughts of all were with Andreas Papandreou, who was giving a tough battle for life. He said he would visit him for a briefing afterwards.

He thanked all of PASOK's deputies, and not only those who voted for him, because, he said, all had contributed towards achieving impeccable and irreproachable processes which were conducted in a climate of fellowship. He added that all showed consensus and will to proceed together in the new era and that all would continue the effort together without anybody being superfluous. "I want to make it absolutely clear that today's result is not a personal victory for me. It is a victory for PASOK. It is a victory for unity. It is a victory for the prospects and the future of the centre-left. It is also confirmation of the need for criticism and free thought, a reward for insistence in values, expression of will for new ideas and a new way of exercising power," he said.

Mr. Simitis reassured the Greek people his government would be a government of continuation and a government of collective effort and functioning.

"The country's problems require a tough effort, swiftness, coordinated operation, social sensitivity, meritocracy and effectiveness," he said.

Mr. Simitis said citizens wanted moral behavior from public figures, adding that they wanted the ethics and stature of power to safeguard credibility and confidence.

He said he believed his government could live up to these demands and expectations. He said he was aware of great difficulties but would overcome them on the condition all forces the party possessed would be utilized creatively.

"Our task will be judged in the elections in '97 which will give PASOK a new four-year term of creation, stability and calm. Unity, renewal and victory is the slogan for the course we are starting today. We will succeed," Mr. Simitis concluded.

The prime minister-designate visited the Onassion Hospital at around 9pm last night to see Mr. Papandreou, who remains PASOK party leader. "I met president Andreas Papandreou and briefed him on developments. I assured him we shall continue his task and follow the course he formulated. We will be in frequent contact with him in future. The Parliamentary Group is showing solidarity in the battle for life he is waging. I wished him a quick recovery on behalf of all," Mr. Simitis said after the meeting.

Questioned on what the outgoing premier told him, he said: "He congratulated me on my election".

EU Commissioner Christos Papoutsis, who visited Mr. Papandreou earlier, said he had received the result of the election with "particular satisfaction... and especially the fact that there were no problems in the procedure, which was impeccable".

[3] Speeches

All three remaining contenders addressed the PASOK deputies at the end of the eight-hour meeting.

Runner-up Akis Tsohatzopoulos thanked those who voted for him, and said that "today, in unity, the party can turn a page in the country's political history."

Also in unity, he added, we shall support PASOK's collective effort, as we bear a heavy responsibility towards the people and party president Andreas Papandreou.

Mr. Arsenis, who came third in the first round, stressed that PASOK had proved it could function democratically and come out strong.

He added he had no doubt that his fellow candidates and the whole of the party would support the new prime minister, and that the next general elections would be won. The last of the four contenders, former deputy prime minister Yiannis Haralambopoulos, spoke of a new beginning for the party and the country's political life, and expressed certainty that the negative climate experienced in recent days could be overturned.

The new government will exhaust the four-year term, he ended, and he promised to stand by the new premier with all his strength.

All four candidates addressed the Parliamentary Group before voting.

Mr. Simitis told the assembled deputies that his overriding concern was the unity of the party although he supported "a pluralism of views."

"We must succeed and guarantee a united PASOK - renewed - the winner in the next (general) elections for a new and creative four-year term. Unity, renewal and victory is the triptych of the course we are embarking on today," Mr. Simitis said.

On foreign policy, Mr. Simitis said that the European Union, the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean should be the focal point of "a policy of positive presence and creative initiative."

He said that Turkish expansionism would constitute a growing danger as long as social tension and nationalism was on the increase in the neighboring country.

Turning to economic policy, Mr. Simitis said that "the road to stability and self-sustained development is a long one." The key word, he added, is 'development'.

Mr. Simitis said that the old system of social provisions had reached a stalemate, and for this reason "from the outset we must conceive and build the new welfare state on the ruins of the state of handouts."

He also attacked the mass media, saying they were "not controlled by the operation of the market, justice, or politics," and accused them of "privatizing public places" and "dictating developments."

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the election of a new prime minister to replace Andreas Papandreou was "a historic moment for PASOK," and called on the ruling party's deputies not to elect an interim premier but "a prime minister who will finish the government' s four-year term."

"We have to ensure that the government's economic policy of convergence will be applied," he said, adding that the social cost of this adjustment should be fairly distributed among Greece's citizens.

Focusing on Greece's national issues, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the party aimed at reinforcing Greece's position in the European Union, the Balkans and the Mediterranean "by putting to good use Greece's heritage and spirit."

"Whatever the results of today's election may be, we will all proceed united to ensure the body of work, the prospect and PASOK's victorious course in the new era which is dawning," he concluded. Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis said "the new premier should finish the government's four-year term while creating the necessary conditions for a new electoral win."

Mr. Arsenis said the party should promote a new development policy and expressed optimism that "the current atmosphere in Greek society could be changed and give PASOK victory in the next elections."

Mr. Arsenis called on the deputies to "vote for the best candidate," and promised that in the event that he would be elected prime minister, he would "pursue closer co-operation between the government and the Parliamentary Group."

Mr. Haralambopoulos stressed that he did not intend to contest the leadership of PASOK and that his role was restricted to safeguarding the unity of the party.

Mr. Haralambopoulos stressed that PASOK must show a new, more socially sensitive profile due to the fact that "for a while, the image of the party and the government was tarnished by various factors."

He also underlined the need for PASOK and Greece to play an important role in the Balkans.

[4] Simitis - the lawyer who planted bombs against the dictatorship

Born in Piraeus in 1936, Mr. Simitis followed the family law tradition by studying law in Germany. He went on to study economics at the London School of Economics before returning to Greece in 1965, and was one of the founders of the Papanastasiou Group, a political research group.

Following the military take-over in 1967, Mr. Simitis and others quickly founded the "Democratic Defense" organization to fight the colonels.

He was persecuted by the junta for, among other things, planting bombs, and escaped abroad where he joined Andreas Papandreou's Panhellenic Liberation Movement (PAK) as a member of its National Council. He subsequently followed another family tradition in becoming a university lecturer in Germany. He returned to Athens in 1974 and was a co-founder of PASOK.

In 1979, in a row over a poster "in favor of a Europe of the peoples", he resigned from the executive bureau, which he had been a member of since PASOK's founding.

In 1977, Mr. Simitis took up a lecturer's post at the Panteion University.

In 1981, in the first PASOK government, he was appointed agriculture minister, a post which he retained until 1985. Immediately afterwards, he became national economy minister, resigning his post in 1987 because he claimed his policies were being undermined. In 1993 he took over the commerce and industry portfolio, only to resign from the ministry and from PASOK's executive bureau following a clash with the prime minister.

Mr. Simitis is renowned for his cool-headedness. He is married to Daphne Arcadiou and has two daughters.

[5] Kohl praises Papandreou's contribution

German Chancellor Helmut Kohl sent a telegram Wednesday evening to PASOK leader Andreas Papandreou, praising the former three-time prime minister's political career.

A congratulatory message from the German leader to new prime minister-designate Costas Simitis is expected to be delivered today.

The telegram's contents, which were released yesterday by the German chancellery in Bonn, read:

"Honorable Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou.

"Dear colleague, it is with great sadness that I was informed you have resigned as a result of your serious illness.

"In your person Greek politics have lost a political personality of the highest level. In your long political career you have experienced the tribulations of imprisonment and exile during the dictatorship, as well as outstanding political successes.

"With a stout devotion to democratic principles and human rights as Greece's premier, you have gained respect and recognition in Europe and the world. You helped decisively shape the history of Greece during the second half of the century. The deepening of German-Greek relations was always especially significant for you."

Mr. Kohl adds: "However, you were successfully active in stabilizing the European edifice and Greece's complete incorporation into the European Union.

"I would like to greatly thank you for the previous years' of good co-operation and to wish you a quick recuperation.

"Best wishes, Helmut Kohl." Papandreou's health remains stable

[6] Papandreou's health remains stable

A medical bulletin issued yesterday by the Onassion Hospital said that the condition of PASOK leader Andreas Papandreou's health remained stable while efforts were continuing to prevent the accumulation of pleuritic fluid in the patient's lungs.

Mr. Papandreou's breathing and renal function continue to be periodically supported by a respirator and kidney machine respectively, the bulletin said.

Doctors treating Mr. Papandreou yesterday injected him with antibiotic tetracycline which mixes with normal chest fluid, creating a reaction which helps prevent excess fluid in the lungs.

The same procedure was repeated yesterday. The patient underwent a CAT-scan late yesterday afternoon so physicians could ascertain whether pleuritic fluid remained in his left lung.

According to the medical team at the Onassion Hospital, CAT-scan results did not show anything out of the ordinary.

In addition, Dr. Richard Light, an American pneumologist treating the former three-time prime minister said excess pleuritic fluid in the lungs is a product of fluid and urine retention and not of poor cardiac function.

[7] Mixed reactions from opposition to new prime minister

The leader of the main opposition party, Miltiades Evert, congratulated Mr. Simitis on his win and wished him the best of luck in his task, "for the good of the country".

"This election bestows greater responsibilities on me to not permit the repetition of the mistakes of the last two years," he added.

"I hope that for the good of the parliamentary system, PASOK will proceed to its modernization, putting aside any outdated and anachronistic element in public life," he said.

He said he would await the formation of the new government and its policy statement to comment further.

Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras also congratulated Mr. Simitis on his election.

He added, however, that "the Greek people see the architect of the harshest austerity programme on his (Mr. Simitis') face".

"Mr. Simitis cannot speak of development and social sensitivity. The Greek people will speak instead, and I hope soon," he said.

The Communist Party of Greece's (KKE) Central Committee Press Officer Makis Kopsidis greeted last night's election by saying: "Mr. Simitis, as new prime minister, receives the baton of anti-popular policies and the obligation to 'cash its chips' both regarding submission to Brussels and Washington, as well as helping the interests of oligarchy."

"PASOK's leadership is following as one the orders of multi-nationals and of local capital," he said. "The anti-popular policy of austerity, unemployment, the selling off of public wealth will continue with the same intensity," he said.

Mr. Kopsidis concluded that a "new leaf can only be turned by a united popular movement and by the fight against the crushing policies that have been implemented in our country to this day."

Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos said "the new era must be sealed with radical initiatives such as social justice and the development of the economy, with democratization and transparency in the political system and the state, strategy and initiatives in foreign policy and quality of life and care in the citizen's daily life."

He went on to say that the Coalition will fight for those changes, as for "proportional representation and an end to single-party governments, for new correlations capable of supporting progressive policies." He added the left-wing party would exercise programmed opposition to the new PASOK government, in contrast to the present "quagmire" and "the forces of political and social backwardness."

[8] Clinton welcomes election of Simitis

US President Bill Clinton congratulated Costas Simitis on his election as Greece's new prime minister late last night, an announcement from the White House said.

"Greece and the United States are close friends and allies; we also share special ties of kinship.

"The United States looks forward to working closely with Prime Minister Simitis," the statement by the White House Press Secretary said.

[9] Clerides hopes for close co-operation with Simitis Gov't

Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides expressed his conviction yesterday that the close co-operation he had enjoyed with Andreas Papandreou during his time as prime minister would continue with the new Greek premier.

All the Cypriot political parties welcomed the election of Simitis last night.

Political Rally Party (DISY) President Yiannis Matsis expressed his satisfaction at the filling of the power vacuum created by the extended illness of former prime minister Andreas Papandreou, and said DISY stands by the decision taken by PASOK's parliamentary group.

Cypriot Communist Party (AKEL) parliamentary representative Andreas Christou expressed his belief that Mr. Simitis' policies on the Cyprus problem and on other national matters will be PASOK's policy, which is a democratic one.

Democratic Party (DIKO) parliamentary representative Tassos Papadopoulos expressed his expectations for the continuation of Greece's full support of Cyprus, and particularly the continuation of the joint defense doctrine.

Socialist Party (EDEK) president Vassos Lyssarides said the most important message produced by the whole procedure was that PASOK's unity remained unbroken, based on the policies created by Andreas Papandreou and on which Cyprus places its hopes.

[10] Baykal: Ankara hopes for 'new start' with new Greek premier

Turkish Foreign Minister Deniz Baykal said Ankara wanted a "new start" in Greco-Turkish relations with the election of a new prime minister in Greece, adding that "Turkey is ready to start a new period with the new prime minister of Greece."

Mr. Baykal made his statement yesterday before news of Costas Simitis' election was received. He said "whoever the prime minister may be, Turkey wants to have good relations with Greece."

The Turkish minister stressed the "importance" of Greco-Turkish co-operation.

"There is no major problem preventing co-operation," Mr. Baykal said. "The Aegean should be considered a sea uniting Turkey and Greece and not a sea separating them."

"I hope political dialogue between the two countries will improve in the next period and an atmosphere of peace will prevail in the region," he added.

Mr. Baykal said the two countries could co-operate in the tourist sector and requested that Turkey and Greece should proclaim all over the world that 1996 would be "the year of the Aegean."

[11] Public order ministry starts campaign to put a brake on the rising road toll

The public order ministry has declared 1996 as the "Year for the Prevention of Road Accidents", while yesterday marked the beginning of the nationwide implementation of existing regulations, with an emphasis on serious violations of the traffic code.

The ministry revealed all statistics on traffic accidents in Greece, which has the highest number of road accident victims in the European Union.

According to police statistics, 23,893 traffic accidents occurred in Greece during 1994, resulting in the death of 2,076 people and injury of another 32,059. By October 1995, 2,136 people had lost their lives and 31,240 had been injured in 23,098 accidents.

The public order ministry has formulated a detailed programme for educating young drivers on driving behavior and the prevention of accidents. In order to ensure the programme's success, the ministry is holding discussions with the ministries of transport, education and environment, town planning and public works.

The central idea behind the programme "is the provision of a specialized form of education for youth, which always constitutes the cornerstone for dealing with a problem successfully, which is none other than the reduction of road accidents in our country," said a public order ministry announcement.

An inter-party parliamentary committee is studying the problem and has reached "important conclusions" on the improvement of road safety in Greece. The conclusion of the committee's deliberations and the submission of an action plan is expected in April.

However, the Committee announced that there is a need for strict and immediate implementation of laws within existing legislation in matters such as the use of safety belts, the use of helmets by motorcyclists, the use of child safety seats in cars and the avoidance of alcohol use by drivers.

The announcement added that using safety belts reduces driver and front-seat passenger deaths or injuries by 20 to 25 per cent, while reducing the total of serious injuries by 50 per cent. Death is six times less likely in the event of helmets being worn by motorcyclists, while head injuries are three times less likely.

Drivers with levels of alcohol in their blood over 0.5/1000 cause 7.5 per cent of accidents, 43 per cent of which prove to be fatal, the committee announcement added.

[12] Romanian naval chief visits Athens

Chief of Staff of the Romanian Navy, Vice-Admiral G.A. Gelesku, visiting Greece on a five-day official visit, yesterday held a meeting with Greek Armed Forces General Staff Chief Admiral Christos Lymberis and later visited the facilities of the east Mediterranean military command.

The Romanian chief also held talks with his Greek counterpart, Vice-Admiral I. Stangas.

End of English language section.