A.N.A. Bulletin, 18/03/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 840), March 18, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] Bulgarian, Romanian and Greek FMs decry threats of violence in int'l relations

The Foreign Ministers of Greece, Bulgaria and Romania concluded a two-day meeting here yesterday with a joint communique confirming the three countries' condemnation of the threat of violence and their commitment to settling differences between nations in accordance to the principles and framework of international law, friendly relations, the inviolability of borders and non-interference in other countries' internal affairs.

The indirect reference to Turkish aggressiveness in the region was accompanied in the joint communique by an emphasis on promoting infrastructure projects in the Balkans.

At the Varna tripartite summit, a follow-up to one held in Ioannina, Greece last August, the three foreign ministers decided to establish an information center in Sofia for the exchange of data on specific projects, while a meeting of transport and town planning ministers is to be held in Thessaloniki in the autumn to examine technical issues. Greece's Theodoros Pangalos expressed support for Sofia's and Bucharest's bid to join the European Union, adding that this process should coincide with negotiations between the EU and central European states. Bulgaria's Georgi Pirinksi noted that both Athens and Bucharest approved in principle a Bulgarian proposal for a Balkan foreign ministers' summit in Sofia after appropriate preparations have been made. An informal meeting of officials will take place before the end of the month in the Bulgarian capital for an initial exchange of views. Mr. Pangalos stressed that both Athens and Sofia had reservations as to a defense ministers' meeting in Tirana.

"We feel that rearming the region and facing it in purely defense terms will not help the peace process, which we believe will come about through economic and political co-operation," he said.

Regarding a proposal to expand their group to include Austria, Hungary and Slovakia, the three foreign ministers decided to maintain relations at the level of closer contacts between the two forums.

Mr. Pangalos announced that he had noted Bulgaria's views regarding the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, adding that he would raise the issue with his Russian counterpart Yevgeny Primakov in Moscow, where he begun an official visit yesterday.

"Petroleum is the most important issue. We must first have an agreement with those who have it -in this case, the Russians- before we move on to details," he concluded.

[2] FYROM's foreign minister accepts invitation to visit Athens

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) Foreign Minister Lyubomir Frckovski has accepted an invitation from his Greek counterpart Theodoros Pangalos to visit Athens. According to an announcement yesterday by the FYROM Foreign Ministry, Mr. Frckovski, in his response letter to Mr. Pangalos, accepted the latter's invitation expressing his "belief that the talks would contribute to the reinforcement of bilateral relations, which were inaugurated by the signing of the New York interim agreement."

Mr. Frckovski's visit will take place towards the end of this month or in early April, the announcement added.

On Thursday, the government confirmed that Mr. Pangalos had invited his FYROM counterpart to Athens for talks on bilateral issues.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas at the time said the talks would not touch on the issue of the neighboring state's name, on which there have been months-long negotiations in New York between representatives of the two countries under the aegis of UN mediator Cyrus Vance, and would focus on economic and trade relations.

[3] Varvitsiotis queries whether gov't has entered into secret deal over Imia

A Turkish coast guard vessel prevented a Greek stock-breeder from landing on the Aegean islet of Imia on Saturday, prompting main opposition New Democracy party vice-president Ioannis Varvitsiotis on Saturday to ask whether the government has entered into a secret agreement with Ankara during a crisis over the islet in late January.

Stock-breeders from neighboring Greek islands had previously grazed their animals on the islet before the crisis.

Saturday's incident, Mr. Varvitsiotis said, created a suspicion that "a secret agreement had been reached between Greece and Turkey, which annuls public assurances that during the night of the crisis it had been agreed that forces should be withdrawn an d a return to the status quo ante."

He called on Prime Minister Costas Simitis to clarify the issue.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas strongly denied the existence of any such agreement, charging that the main opposition party was trying to find problems to further its own purposes.

"The government's policy is aimed at defending national interests with actions, not gratuitous speeches," he added.

[4] Pangalos says Athens, Sofia want Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline constructed

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos on Saturday said both Greece and Bulgaria "desire progress toward the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, which is of enormous strategic and economic importance."

Mr. Pangalos made the statement after one hour of talks with Bulgarian Premier Jean Videnov.

"However, we must see precisely what role is to be played by private capital," Mr. Pangalos added.

As far as Greece is concerned, he continued, "we are in favor of the greatest possible participation of private capital for financial reasons, because the Greek state is trying to save money and because this is the way things are done these days, and also we will thus secure the greatest possible support from the European Union."

In statements while returning from Moscow on Friday night, Mr. Videnov insisted on a 25 per cent share for Bulgaria in a joint company that will carry out and run the pipeline construction project.

Mr. Videnov, who previously had talks in Moscow on the pipeline project with Russian President Boris Yeltsin, said it had been decided to establish a Russian-Greek-Bulgarian working group, which would soon convene to decide whether the pipeline project proceed or not.

"After Sofia, Mr. Pangalos will visit Moscow, where I presume he will be able to drink water from the spring," Mr. Videnov characteristically added.

According to an ANA dispatch from Moscow, Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin categorically ruled out the possibility of warfare in Chechnia influencing plans for the Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline.

Mr. Chernomyrdin made the statement in reply to reporters' questions after his meeting on Saturday with Mr. Videnov.

Mr. Pangalos was due to arrive in Moscow last night for talks with his Russian counterpart as well as the president of the Duma, the Russian prime minister and the Russian Orthodox Patriarch.

Bilateral relations

Mr. Pangalos described Greek-Bulgarian relations as "exceptional," but said there was room for further improvement.

He also said his talks focused on the development of joint infrastructure plans and the furthering of the two peoples' economic prosperity.

Mr. Pangalos said he had discussed prospects for closer ties between Bulgaria and Europe, which Greece has systematically supported. "We believe that in the near future negotiations should commence on Bulgaria's accession to the European Union,"

Mr. Pangalos added. Other issues discussed were the situation in the Balkans, possibilities for co-operation between the Balkan nations as well as the peace process in the former Yugoslavia, a matter on which Mr. Pangalos said there was an identity of views between Greece and Bulgaria.

[5] Samaras blasts Gov't, ND over FYROM name issue

Political Spring (Pol.An) leader Antonis Samaras yesterday harshly criticized the prime minister, the main opposition leader and the media for their stance on the dispute with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia over the latter's name.

Speaking in Thessaloniki at a meeting of the party's central council, Mr. Samaras accused the PASOK government and main opposition New Democracy of having agreed to give in on the name issue. He also reiterated past accusations against the government of secret diplomacy.

He appealed to deputies of both the major parties to exhibit what he said was courage to say yes or no, and called once again for a referendum and a meeting of party leaders' on the issue.

Mr. Samaras characterized Prime Minister Costas Simitis as a "representative of Greece's political-economic establishment and of the cruelest economic policy."

He called main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert "incompetent," adding that Mr. Evert was made insecure by the presence of former party leader Constantine Mitsotakis.

The mass media, he continued, was handling the new prime minister with preferential treatment. He questioned the results of recent and past opinion polls and called for stricter control and ethical standards in compiling polls.

Meanwhile, Mr. Samaras announced that Pol.An's first congress will take place on Nov. 29-30.

[6] Papariga disputes notion of 'compromising solution' to FYROM name issue

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga said during a radio interview on Saturday that she does not agree with the term "compromising solution" or "conciliatory solution" for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) name issue.

Ms. Papariga said her party believes the name of the neighboring country is not an issue in bilateral relations if Skopje removes articles with irredentist language from its constitution, although she added that compromises have a place in international politics.

"The point is for these compromises not to be humiliating compromises at the expense of national independence and the country's integrity," she said.

Speaking on Greek-Turkish relations, the KKE leader said that "unfortunately, the problem is not mainly Greece and Turkey. It is the 'new order of things' in the area," and characterized Turkey as being "the front-line bastion of American and NATO politics."

Ms. Papariga said KKE objects to Greece applying to the International Court in The Hague in order to solve its border disputes with Turkey, and said KKE stands on the principle that post-war borders are inviolable. She also said judges "are not objective.

[7] Tsohatzopoulos comments on FYROM name issue

Internal, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos expressed the hope yesterday that talks on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) issue on the basis of United Nations initiatives will conclude in a widely acceptable agreement.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos, who spoke from Thessaloniki, added: "The procedure must be promoted without us feeling that anyone is pressuring us, without being influenced, however long it takes."

In response a question on whether the discharge of 77-year-old PASOK president Andreas Papandreou from the Onassion Hospital will produce further developments, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said that Mr. Papandreou's departure from the facility will give him the ability to intervene in certain things as party president. The minister added that "I do not think anyone in PASOK will have any objections to this."

Speaking from Sparta on Saturday, PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis said "the government has not made any agreements regarding the name of Skopje."

Mr. Skandalidis referred to a poll on FYROM's name published yesterday by the "Sunday Eleftherotypia," adding that "we are trying to find solutions which are beneficial to Greece," which will "reinstate calm in the Balkans."

He stressed that PASOK would be led into the next general elections in 1997 by Prime Minister Costas Simitis. "With the situation in the opposition, there is no question of who will win," Mr. Skandalidis concluded.

Meanwhile, Labor and Social Security Under-secretary Lambros Kanellopoulos spoke of the need for Greece's strategy on the Skopje issue to be reassessed, in statements yesterday from Thessaloniki.

Replying to press questions, Mr. Kanellopoulos stressed that "above all, a strategy must be formed that will diffuse polarity ... which in one way or another has triumphed during the whole of the previous period."

[8] Gov't positions for Intergovernmental Conference slated for Parliament discussion

The Greek government's proposals for the European Union's Intergovernmental Conference (IGC), scheduled to be held in Turin, at the end of the month, will be presented to Parliament today.

Meanwhile, Alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos noted yesterday that the government was under no illusions as to the difficulties it might encounter in promoting its goals.

Greece will be concentrating on a more democratic functioning of the EU's institutions, the ratification of citizens' rights as members of the Union, as well as the development of social and employment policy.

Among its other proposals, Greece will seek measures to ensure a balance between larger and smaller member-states, while it will resist any move to limit the number of EU commissioners. It is also in favor of upgrading the role of the European Parliament and of maintaining the principle of unanimity on issues affecting vital national interests of member-states.

[9] Synaspismpos congress concludes

The Coalition for the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) was concluding its party congress in Athens at press time last night with the expected re-election of party leader Nikos Constantopoulos and a new central committee.

Meanwhile, Synaspismos Eurodeputy Alekos Alavanos criticized aspects of the party's domestic and foreign policies, prompting responses from Mr. Constantopoulos. In addition, the congress approved a proposal that the party's president be elected by the congress itself, rather than the central committee.

Four conditions were decided on as the cornerstone of party policy regarding co-operation with other parties, the most significant being the Synaspismos' willingness to consider all possibilities, based on the principles of autonomy, equality and the party's declared programme.

Kyrkos' comments

Former party leader Leonidas Kyrkos made several proposals regarding Greek foreign policy during the congress. He suggested that Greece could agree not to exercise its legal right to extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles if Turkey agreed to contribute to a solution to the Cyprus problem within the framework of UN and EU resolutions; to abandon pressure on Thrace and accord Turkey's Greek minority its rights.

He also proposed the formulation of a joint venture with the participation of Greece, Turkey, the United States, the EU and Russia, to exploit the Aegean's continental shelf.

Finally, Mr. Kyrkos said Greece could propose a mutual de-escalation of armaments and military spending, while Greece could change its policy with regard to the EU-Turkey customs union and work toward Turkey's accession to the EU.

With regard to the possibility of a future center-left force, Mr. Kyrkos expressed a view that the reformist left could act as a brake on PASOK's ambitions, creating possibilities for Synaspismos to play a leading role in a new correlation of forces.

Alavanos

Synaspismos EuroMP Alekos Alavanos expressed opposition to any co-operation with PASOK, and accused the party leadership of double-talk, saying that seeds of autocratic leadership were being sown.

Mr. Alavanos charged that the party leaders had not laid their cards on the table regarding the EU-Turkey customs union, which in his opinion Synaspismos should have been against. He disagreed with Mr. Kyrkos' views on Greek-Turkish relations, particularly regarding the 12-mile limit.

Constantopoulos

In his summation, the Synaspismos leader spoke of a need for a new correlation of political forces.

"We are not looking for a recipe for co-operation... for substitutes for centre-right or centre-left models, but for progressive modernization," he added.

He noted that the premiership of Costas Simitis confirmed that this period would be decisive, urging the party to make use of the current situation to increase its influence.

Finally, the congress passed a resolution withdrawing its support from Piraeus Mayor Stelios Logothetis, following recent developments in the port municipality.

[10] Moraitis cites need for PASOK vice-president

Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Under-secretary George Moralitis yesterday spoke of the need for a vice-president in PASOK, who will exercise basic duties for the good of the party as long as Andreas Papandreou remains party president.

Mr. Moralitis made the statements in Ioannina during a preliminary meeting for the local PASOK party congress.

Former press minister Telemahos Hytiris, who also attended the meeting, said: "Mr. Papandreou is likely to leave hospital this week. ... He himself will determine his political role."

Mr. Hytiris added that the possibility of a vice-president being elected for PASOK will be discussed, as it is a matter that has not yet been decided upon.

After the meeting, PASOK Eurodeputy Paraskevas Avgerinos said that "if Andreas Papandreou considers that he can exercise the duties of PASOK president, he will be unanimously voted in at the (party) congress. Regarding the PASOK vice-presidency, nothing has been discussed until now."

The same view was also expressed by former foreign minister Karolos Papoulias.

[11] Papantoniou: Greece will strongly back joint defense doctrine

Greek National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou on Saturday pledged that Greece was prepared to spare no expense in financially strengthening the joint Greek-Cyprus defense doctrine.

Replying to questions during a visit to Greek Army battalion's base in Cyprus (ELDYK), Mr. Papantoniou said that Athens was prepared to place all means at its disposal at the service of Cypriot Hellenism in order to bolster its defense capability and power "in view of the forthcoming difficult negotiations." Mr. Papantoniou said he had been impressed by the readiness, morale and fighting capability of the ELDYK contingent, adding: "those who would have designs against the destiny of Hellenism on Cyprus would be well advised to bear this in mind."

The joint Greek-Cyprus defense doctrine, Mr. Papantoniou said, was developing and would continue to develop.

The national economy minister added that "the defense and foreign policy of the present (Greek) government constitutes the total and absolute continuation of the policy of the previous government, in accordance with the principles laid down by Andreas Papandreou in October 1993."

Speaking earlier, Mr. Papantoniou said there was no question as to whether Cyprus would become a member of the European Union, since accession negotiations would definitely begin six months after the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) in Turin.

"Greece will do its utmost to help Cyprus in this respect," he stressed.

Mr. Papantoniou and Cyprus' Minister of Labor and Social Security Andreas Moushiouttas signed the renewal of a co-operation protocol between the Cypriot and Greek Productivity Centers on Saturday.

The aim of the agreement is to establish general terms and conditions which will constitute the basis for the completion, continuation and evaluation of projects which began under the last protocol, as well as promotion and completion of new projects for the mutual benefit of both organizations.

End of English language section