A.N.A. Bulletin, 27/05/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 896), May 27, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] Pangalos: Better Greek-Turkish relations depend on Ankara's adherence to int'l law

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos yesterday evening said a prerequisite for any improvement in Greek-Turkish relations is some indication by Turkey that it can exercise foreign policy based on international law.

Mr. Pangalos made the statement at an international conference entitled "Foreign Policy and the Mass Media."

Replying to recent statements by Turkish Foreign Minister Emre Gonensay, who called on Greece to appreciate the fact that Turkey accepted for the first time a recourse to international arbitration over the Imia islets dispute, Pangalos said:

"Mr. Gonensay discovers today the recourse to arbitration and even calls on us to applaud it; it is as if he is admitting that Turkey was exercising its policy until now by resorting to violence."

Mr. Pangalos also commented on an oft-repeated Turkish proposal for unconditional dialogue between Athens and Ankara on all issues, saying that in this way, Turkey is calling on Greece to accept the existence of "gray areas" in the Aegean, which he said includes an unspecified number of islands.

Mr. Pangalos added that the new element in Greek-Turkish relations is a territorial claim by Turkey, and called on the neighboring country once again to take recourse to the International Court of Justice at The Hague on this issue.

Additionally, the Greek foreign minister rejected a Turkish proposal for a demilitarization of the Greek islands, noting that Athens was called upon to accept the measure prior to any discussion and development in relations between the two countries."

"This bait is a bit primitive," Pangalos said, and called on Mr. Gonensay's advisors to find a more ingenious argument.

In the beginning of his speech, the foreign minister referred to the mass media's role in exercising foreign policy, noting that drawn out secret deliberations and meetings that have characterized the exercise of foreign policy until today are continuously made more difficult, adding that he views the mass media's presence and the ability they give the average citizen to ask his government questions as positive.

[2] Holbrooke speech

Former US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs Richard Holbrooke, who also addressed the conference, referred to statements made regarding "gray areas in the Aegean." "

"This question has been put to me by many Greek journalists," Mr. Holbrooke said, adding, "and I would like to tell them that the Aegean is not gray but deep blue." However, he once again refused to take a clear position on the issue, saying that Greece and Turkey must make efforts to solve the problem. Mr. Holbrooke spoke of the situation which has evolved in the Balkans after the end of the Cold War, saying that animosities, frictions and hatred of the past have been rekindled. He added that this situation has not been analyzed as it should have been.

Speaking on the war in the former Yugoslavia, the former US assistant secretary of state said there are at present three scenarios for Bosnia's future. The first is a rekindling of the war in about a year's time, when the peace forces withdraw from the region.

A second scenario is for the full implementation of the Dayton agreement and the third, which Mr. Holbrook said Serb politicians are promoting, involves the partition of Bosnia, which he likened to the creation of a new Cyprus or a new Korea. He said the United States is making every effort to prevent such a development.

Mr. Holbrooke placed particular emphasis on the Cyprus problem, saying the situation on the island republic cannot be perpetuated, as it gives no possibility to Greece and Turkey to improve their relations. He added that the two countries should seek out the things that unite them and not those that divide them.

[3] Gap between right, left narrows in Cyprus Parliamentary elections

Early morning Cyprus election results with 36.9 of the votes cast gave the Democratic Rally Party (DHSY) 34.8 per cent and 20 seats, marking a 1.5 per cent decrease from the previous elections.

The Communist AKEL Party followed with 32.1 per cent and 19 seats for an increase of 2 per cent, and a gain of one seat. The other parties were as follows:

Democratic Party (DHKO): 16.6 per cent, 10 seats, down 2.6 per cent and losing one seat.

EDEK Socialist Party: 8.4 per cent for five seats, a reduction of 3 per cent and loss of two seats.

Movement of Free Democrats (KED): 3.8 per cent, two seats.

New Horizons Party: 1.7 per cent. ADHSOK: 1.5 per cent. Ecologists: 1.1 per cent. Independents: 0.2 per cent.

Voter absenteeism was calculated at 10 per cent.

Projections at press time gave DHSY 33.8 per cent of the total vote with 20 seats, and AKEL close behind with 33 per cent and 19 seats.

[4] Evert: Nation ready for an ND Gov't

Main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiadis Evert told a meeting of party cadres Saturday evening that the nation will vote for the party's programs during the next elections.

However, Mr. Evert said policies will not be implemented by each party member separately.

"The policy we are drawing up from now will be implemented responsibly... by members who will be prepared and who will adopt our policy and our programs," he added.

In referring to Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Mr. Evert said the former's government will be remembered as the one that lowered the Greek flag (during the Imia crisis), adding that the country is facing huge problems, while mistakes made in the foreign policy sector are unacceptable.

Mr. Evert said the Greek people must be convinced that New Democracy is made up of "honest people and is an honest party," and said that for this reason ND will insist on government transparency.

"We are ready for the elections and the day after. I call on all those who understand my anxiety and hopes to join us," the ND leader said.

ND Vice-President Ioannis Varvitsiotis also spoke during the meeting, characterizing the present government as being "paralyzed," and said it is creating huge problems for the country.

Mr. Varvitsiotis said the prime minister is "incapable, weak and lacking."

Referring to recent statements made by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Mr. Varvitsiotis, a former defense minister in the previous ND government, said the foreign minister had contradicted himself with all his comments, adding that Mr. Pangalos is preparing for a "heroic exit from the sinking government ship."

[5] Mitsotakis says his government's policies have all been justified

Main opposition New Democracy honorary leader Constantine Mitsotakis said during the annual reunion of the Sarakatsani clans that policies which were followed by his New Democracy government are now justified on all levels, namely, on foreign policy, domestic policy and on the issue of government transparency.

At the annual gathering of the one-time nomadic Sarakatsani, held in the central Greek city of in Trikala, Mr. Mitsotakis said he believes those policies have been beneficial to ND and to Greece, adding that "there is no room for demagoguery and populism."

The former premier spoke of his departure from the party leadership, saying he resigned voluntarily and that today "the barriers have fallen, divisions have subsided and the people are communicating."

He added that the only way to deal with Greece's difficulties is if the people remain united.

[6] Stephanopoulos: Turkey's Aegean claims 'fabricated, unacceptable'

President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos yesterday called on the country to put aside personal and partisan interests in order to concentrate on foreign policy problems and the country's growth.

Referring to the latest and most recent crisis in Greek-Turkish relations, Mr. Stephanopoulos expressed a view that Ankara found it easy to ignore its responsibilities and deny the validity of international agreements because of its lack of a truly democratic regime.

Speaking in Rethymno, Crete, on the third day of his four-day visit to the island, the Greek president added that certain nations were democracies in name only, recognized as such only because of the interests of major powers.

Mr. Stephanopoulos also said international organizations, whose purpose was to defend democracy everywhere, did not always take strict action against certain countries that violate not only democratic institutions, human and ethnic rights, but also behave toward their neighbors in a less than civilized and democratic manner.

The president, who is visiting Greece's largest island to attend events commemorating the 55th anniversary of the Battle of Crete, was received by Rethymno Prefect Manolis Litinas yesterday morning, before later attending a service at the city's main cathedral. Afterwards, he attended a ceremony at the local police academy.

Today the president will visit Hania.

[7] Stephanopoulos' Iraklio comments

Speaking in Iraklion on Saturday, President Stephanopoulos expressed bitterness and disappointment, noting that Greece's just positions on national issues were not fully appreciated abroad.

Referring to Turkish claims against Greece as "fabricated, groundless and unacceptable," Mr. Stephanopoulos stressed that "we must remain united, unshakable and determined in the face of this exerted pressure, so that we might succeed in securing recognition that right is on our side."

The president added that he ascertained unanimity in Greece on national issues, noting that the Greek people had always been peace-loving and had fought only to protect their rights.

"I should like to express the bitterness and disappointment which we all feel because Greece's just positions are not appreciated... and they think we are battling for some insignificant rock in the Aegean, some small islet; that we get involved in disputes with neighboring Turkey," Mr. Stephanopoulos said.

"They don't understand that as far as Greece is concerned, even one inch of territory is a part of our heart. They don't understand because they cannot understand the feelings of the Greek people," he added.

In a clear reference to Imia, the flashpoint of a Greek-Turkish stand-off in the Aegean earlier this year, Mr. Stephanopoulos said "(Turkey's) designs and claims are not restricted to a small rocky islet."

"By using this rocky islet as a pretext, (Turkey) is trying to challenge the status quo in the Aegean, beginning with the Dodecanese and discovering rocky islets in the Aegean, the sovereignty of which is supposedly disputed," Mr. Stephanopoulos stressed.

"Greece does not want war, but it simply wants to safeguard its rights in the manner provided by the United Nations and international treaties," he said.

[8] European Municipalities and Regions general assembly concludes

The 20th General Assembly of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) ended in Thessaloniki on Saturday with the political framework summarized by Paris Municipal Councilor Elizabeth Gateau, who said "we want a Europe which has a real government, a Parliament with real power and a second 'upper parliament' made up of the governments of member-countries."

Ms. Gateau added: "We want this real Europe with a real government to be in a position to take some decisions and to be in a position to govern in the economic sector with a common currency, as well as with a common position on matters of foreign policy and defense."

Ms. Gateau implied that the final text of the communiqui was a result of compromises, saying it was not possible to form a common view on all matters in a conference attended by representatives from so many different countries.

The most interesting paragraph in the communiqui for the Greek side noted that CERM's elected representatives "repudiated any effort at expansionism and any form of extreme nationalism," adding that they "renewed their devotion to the goals of stability and the peaceful cohabitation of the continent's peoples."

The communiqui states that the Balkans were always a vital part of Europe, and calls for the development of co-operation between the countries of the region.

Reference is also made to the problem of unemployment, which has been called Europe's primary challenge.

CEMR Vice-President Josef Hoffman said many steps must be made in the direction of European enlargement, adding that a large percentage of efforts will have to turn to eastern European countries.

Mr. Hoffman asked for all members to participate in a unified Europe in order for it to provide solutions and prospects concerning the problems which affect its citizens.

Speaking at the meeting, the mayor of Santiago, Chile and President of the International Union of Municipalities and Regions, Mr. de la Fuente, said the results of the 20th general assembly are of international interest.

[9] Yiannopoulos promises legislation to combat unemployment

Labor and Social Security Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos announced on Saturday that a draft law aimed at combating unemployment would be tabled in Parliament this week and put to a vote in June.

Speaking at a discussion organized by the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE), Mr. Yiannopoulos estimated that the draft law would contribute to attainment of a government target to reduce unemployment from its present level of 10.5 per cent t o 8.5 per cent within a year.

On the issue of a 35-hour work week, Mr. Yiannopoulos expressed the view that reducing working hours would certainly create new jobs, but added this could only be introduced by decision at a European Union-wide level.

"Otherwise," he added, "the cost of labor would rise so much that it would render Greek products uncompetitive."

The labor minister also expressed support for pensioners' demands that minimum pensions be made equivalent to 20 daily wages of an unskilled worker, as was the case in the past.

He said he was "aligned" with GSEE in its disagreement with the national economy and finance ministers, who oppose the demand.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis will reply to the pensioners' demands in 20 days.

Walter Reichter, Vice-President of the powerful German IG-Metal trade union also spoke to the GSEE meeting.

He told participants that in the German metals industry as well in printing shops throughout Germany, working hours have been reduced to 35 hours a week without this leading to mass lay-offs.

[10] 'Marco Polo' again prevented from Piraeus. Sails for Nafplio

The Bahamas-flagged cruise ship "Marco Polo" will sail to Nafplio to disembark approximately 1,400 mainly American passengers, instead of Piraeus, where the merchant marine ministry feared protests by Panhellenic Maritime Federation (PNO) workers. The ministry asked the vessel's British-American owners to change the ship's port of destination after PNO members Saturday morning began to gather at the pier where the Marco Polo was scheduled to dock.

Although shipowners initially objected, the firm subsequently instructed the vessel's captain to head for Nafplio, also taking into account that Piraeus pilots are holding a 24-hour strike.

The Council of State ruled on Friday that the ship could not carry out "round trips" to Greek destinations, but could conduct cruises with the same passengers that board in Piraeus, dock at other Greek ports but disembark in Istanbul, thus safeguarding cabotage regulations.

The Marco Polo was recently prevented from docking in Piraeus by PNO members, who claimed it was violating cabotage - which allows only Greek-flagged ships to complete round-trip cruises to Greek ports.

After the Marco Polo sailed for the eastern Peloponnese port of Nafplio, Merchant Marine Minister Kosmas Sfiriou held a meeting with the PNO's leadership.

Although PNO representatives did not accuse the government over the incident, they vowed to continue their protests against what they claimed to be violation of cabotage.

Mr. Sfiriou assured PNO that a presidential decree, which will clearly lay down terms and conditions governing the routes of foreign cruise vessels in Greek waters, would soon be drawn up.

Speaking to reporters on the Council of State judgment, which partly vindicated the Marco Polo, Mr. Sfiriou said "we issued a decision on April 2 specifying which sailings of the vessel violated cabotage regulations and our national legislation, and we shall defend this decision in the Supreme Court (Areios Pagos) in order to prove its correctness."

"Under no circumstances can we speak of a lifting of cabotage regulations, and certainly not by non-European vessels," Mr. Sfiriou said. In a related development, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Eurodeputy Vassilis Ephraimidis has tabled a quest ion to the European Commission, where he charges that the Marco Polo was violating national and Community legislation.

In the question, in which he also accuses the Greek government of "unacceptably tolerating" the violation, Mr. Ephraimidis asks the Commission to determine whether the Marco Polo was indeed infringing on Community legislation and if the Commission intended to take any steps in the matter.

[11] Vasso Papandreou calls for more discreet criticism by PASOK cadres

Development Minister Vasso Papandreou told a Lamia audience Saturday that certain views concerning the government's work and performance could be better expressed within respective government bodies and not in public.

"Different views exist and it's correct that they should be aired. Of course, we could discuss what is said publicly at various government bodies, which could be more effective," she said in reference to different views emanating out of the ruling PASOK party by several of its top cadres and in light of next month's party congress.

Ms. Papandreou was in Lamia to inaugurate the 30th Panhellenic Lamia exhibition and to hold meetings with local government and party leaders.

Asked about publicly aired, and often bitter, differences between certain PASOK cadres, she said: "That policy has repercussions on the economy as well, that's why it is necessary for us to deal with the people's problems not our internal (problems)," s he added.

In commenting on the government's effort so far, Ms. Papandreou noted that in its three-month tenure, the government has provided a significant body of work. The development minister, however, declined to answer if there were margins for "convergence" between the party's top cadres until the congress. Asked if there was a chance the government of Costas Simitis would resign if the premier wasn't elected as Vice-President of PASOK at the upcoming congress, she responded that "what interests us is the effectiveness of the government."

[12] Papariga re-elected secretary general at the end of KKE congress

Aleka Papariga was yesterday unanimously re-elected to the post of secretary general of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE).

Earlier, marking the end of the party's 15th congress, delegates elected the KKE's new central committee, comprised of 75 members and the party's central auditing committee with seven members.

According to reports, during the election of the secretary general, five blank ballots were cast.

In addition, press sources said Ms. Papariga was elected first in the list to the central committee by a large majority.

KKE cadres Koutsoubas, Gontikas and Mailis were also re-elected to the first positions, while Dimitris Kostopoulos was elected in the last positions as expected, as was KKE Eurodeputy Yiannis Theonas.

During speeches to the party congress, Mr. Kostopoulos and Mr. Theonas had voiced doubts on the party's policies regarding political alliances and its stance vis-a-vis the European Union.

On Saturday evening, the congress approved the party charter, its programme and its political decisions with an overwhelming majority.

Neither the names nor the votes received by the central committee members were made public.

According to press sources, KKE honorary president Harilaos Florakis, who spoke at the closed-door congress and declined to make public his speech, said he was in favor of the views expressed by Mr. Kostopoulos, while indirectly criticizing the manner in which Ms. Papariga is handling internal party matters.

According to the same sources, Mr. Florakis allowed for the possibility of future co-operation with other parties, while he contested the party's position on the "dictatorship of the proletariat".

On Saturday, Ms. Papariga categorically excluded any possibility of KKE cooperating with other political forces. However, she added, "we cannot be categorical as well for future political forces," that may appear in the country's political scene.

According to the position developed by Ms. Papariga in her speech, which was publicized on Saturday, KKE's stance is that if alliances with other parties exist in the future they will occur on specific issues and on the condition that the views held will coincide with those of KKE.

Ms. Papariga said that even in the case of co-operation, KKE will not negotiate the party's autonomy.

Subsequent reports late last night stated that Mr. Kostopoulos and Mr. Theonas were not elected to the new KKE central committee.

Reports said the two men were proposed for the candidacy but did not run for a position in the central committee, while conflicting reports said the two were candidates but failed to be elected.

[13] Labor, communist delegations meet in Athens

Delegations representing 66 labor and communist parties from several eastern Mediterranean and North Africa countries on Saturday participated in a meeting of political forces of the region that was organized by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) within the framework of its 15th congress.

Speakers at the gathering concluded that following the Gulf War and the upheavals in the former socialist countries of eastern Europe, a new international correlation had been created with repercussions for all the nations and peoples of the region.

"The consequences of this situation in our region is tension in the Balkans, the shaping of a new order in the Middle East and systematic efforts by NATO and the European Union to extend their roles in order to safeguard their interests in the wider region of the Mediterranean," KKE political bureau member Orestis Kolozov said.

According to delegates at the meeting, poverty, lack of development and major social problems which exist in the countries around the Mediterranean and North Africa create tension and insecurity among the peoples of the region, attributing the situation to "exploitation" by "the imperialistic north." Other issues discussed at the meeting included the Palestinian and Cyprus issues, problems faced by Lebanon and Syria, and the embargoes against Libya and Iraq.

"The only victims of the embargoes are the innocent citizens of those countries," Mr. Kolozov said.

Communist Party of Lebanon representative Hussein Hamdan charged that "this new order of things is aimed at eradicating the region's Arab identity so that the forces of imperialism can retain their colonial form."

Mr. Hamdan also said that the European Union was incapable of offering the world an alternative economic solution to the American model.

End of English language section.