A.N.A. Bulletin, 13/06/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 910), June 13, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] Pangalos adamant: No EU monies for Turkey as long as Ankara doubts status of Imia, Gavdos

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos reiterated yesterday that Turkey would under no circumstances receive European Union funding as long as the issues of Imia and Gavdos remained outstanding.

Mr. Pangalos once again underlined the position of the military in Turkey and the political role it plays, adding "for as long as Turkey refuses to expressly state that Greek sovereignty of Gavdos is indisputable, we will continue to consider that there is an issue, and one which is added to the other problems caused by the neighboring country."

Mr. Pangalos further warned that Turkey would face the consequences of its stance, both in terms of Greek-Turkish relations and in its relations with the EU.

Meanwhile, the foreign minister downplayed the difference of views ascertained Tuesday in talks in Bonn with his German counterpart Klaus Kinkel about ways of resolving tension in Greek-Turkish relations.

"There cannot be any worsening of our bilateral relations as the result of such a visit," Mr. Pangalos said, adding that Athens agreed with Bonn on European issues, while underlining that Germany was Greece's largest partner in economic and commercial relations.

He also referred to the importance of the large Greek community living in Germany.

Mr. Pangalos briefed Prime Minister Costas Simitis on the results of his talks in Bonn yesterday.

In reply to questions on the policy of equal distances adopted by Germany vis-a-vis its relations with Athens and Ankara, Mr. Pangalos described the stance of his German counterpart as "inadequate" and "incorrect."

"The EU cannot keep equal distances between one country which is a member and another which is associated, between the aggressor and the victim of aggression. The Community cannot aspire to a common foreign policy when it fails to take a position on such basic issues as respect for treaties and borders," he said.

As far as third countries were concerned, Mr. Pangalos said, "they simply do not take initiatives with the required intensity."

He expressed the view however that Turkey's provocations had generated "general disapproval" and called on Ankara to realize this.

Mr. Pangalos was particularly critical of the initiative of the Italian presidency of the EU to invite his Turkish counterpart Emre Gonensay to a dinner on the sidelines of the forthcoming EU summit in Florence.

Terming the invitation as "wrong and outside reality" Mr. Pangalos said it was not provided for in any agreement of EU leaders.

Furthermore, in statements after talks yesterday with his Polish counterpart, Darusz Rosati, Mr. Pangalos described as "inadequate" statements yesterday by Mr. Gonensay claiming that the Gavdos affair was "technical" and without any political dimension.

"This remark does not rule out the existence of a problem," Mr. Pangalos said, also citing statements yesterday by the chief of the Turkish fleet, Adm. Selim Dervisoglu, to the newspaper "Cumhurriyet."

According to an ANA dispatch from Istanbul, the admiral was reported to have maintained that "there are islands and islets in the Aegean whose sovereignty is questionable from the point of view of their legal status."

In statements to the newspaper, Adm. Dervisoglu included the Greek islands of Gavdos and Imia among those concerning which there may be "doubts."

The Turkish daily 'Hurriyet' also wrote yesterday about a "contradiction over Gavdos," in reference to the statements made by the Turkish admiral in relation to those issued by Mr. Gonensay.

While the Turkish foreign ministry considers that the Gavdos matter is not a political, but a "technical" issue, the Turkish navy believes the islands' status is unclear, thus bringing the issue to a political level, the paper wrote.

Hurriyet also notes that a similar difference of opinion between the armed forces and the foreign ministry erupted over the Imia issue.

Mr. Gonensay yesterday issued a written statement indirectly proposing that whatever "indiscrepancies" exist in international agreements be solved through an international adjudicating body. It was in the same statement where he presented Ankara's posit ion that the Gavdos issue was a "military-technical" matter.

"Turkey wants clarification, in co-operation with Greece, of ambiguities in international agreements related to the status of islands and islets in the Aegean through the proper methods of resolving differences, including third parties," Mr. Gonensay wrote.

The term "third parties" in Turkish diplomacy usually implies the International Court of Justice at The Hague, something Ankara had up until recently categorically rejected, especially over disputes in the Aegean.

In another matter, Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Nurettin Nurkan denied that a Turkish patrol boat violated Greek territorial waters on Tuesday.

[2] Gov't response

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas later expressed dissatisfaction over Mr. Kinkel's stance on the issue of Turkish provocations against Greece.

In replying to press questions, Mr. Reppas said the government was satisfied when other countries accepted Greece's known positions. The positions put forward by the German foreign minister, the spokesman added, "do not give the identity of Greek-German positions, which the Greek government would like."

Mr. Reppas said Greece would continue to project its positions, certain that they are correct, with the aim of their being accepted by other countries also.

Asked to comment on Mr. Gonensay's remarks on Tuesday, Mr. Reppas said Ankara's practice was contrary to statements made from time to time by Turkish officials.

"It is Turkey which must take an initiative to resolve the problems which Ankara itself has created," the spokesman said.

[3] Opposition statements

Meanwhile, main opposition New Democracy spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos criticized the government's foreign policy yesterday as "lacking in the face of recent events".

"We want to hope that the abandonment of the unacceptable policy of constant retreating is not among the pre-congress procedures of PASOK. Besides, this segment of our national issues requires calm and seriousness," Mr. Pavlopoulos said.

He concluded by saying the Greek people will face Turkish provocativeness with unity.

[4] Greece, Poland sign friendship, co-operation accord

Greece and Poland yesterday signed a friendship and co-operation accord following talks between Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and his Polish counterpart Darusz Rosati on the first day of the latter's two-day official visit.

Addressing his Polish counterpart after their discussions, Mr. Pangalos described Greek-Polish relations as "long-standing and good... with a common history of struggling for freedom and independence against powerful neighbors with expansionist designs."

Mr. Pangalos assured Mr. Rosati of Athens' support for Warsaw's bid to join the European Union and NATO, telling reporters he had accepted an invitation to visit the Polish capital.

He also confirmed that a visit to Poland by President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos was being considered.

Mr. Pangalos also referred to the Polish expatriate community in Greece, underlining its contribution to the development of Greece's economy. He said he had discussed with Mr. Rosati the problems of the region, with an emphasis on Greece's relations wit h neighboring countries, and Turkey in particular.

On his part, Mr. Rosati also confirmed the traditionally good relations between Athens and Warsaw, noting that bilateral political and economic ties were developing well, "although there is even greater room for further co-operation."

[5] Polish community in Greece launches own newspaper

Greece's Polish community newspaper 'Kurier Atenski' yesterday celebrated the launch of its new official edition. The paper has already been circulating unofficially for nine years among the 70,000-strong Polish community in Greece, being distributed by h and.

The new edition of the weekly 'Kurier Atenski' will have 32 pages and a circulation of 5,000, with simultaneous circulation in Poland. "The aim of our newspaper is to inform the Polish public and to promote Greece abroad," publisher Thanasis Benakis said.

Many Greek-Polish companies advertise in the newspaper, as do travel agencies aiming to attract tourists to Greece from Poland. The new first edition includes statements made on its launch by many members of the political world in Greece, including Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos, main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert, the party's honorary president Constantine Mitsotakis and Coalition of the Left and Progress Party President Nikos Constantopoulos.

[6] Stephanopoulos stresses historic ties between Greeks, Germans

President Kostis Stephanopoulos underlined the centuries-old close ties linking Greece and Saxony as he continued his official visit to Germany yesterday.

The Greek president met with the Prime Minister of Saxony Mr. Biedenkopf in Dresden and discussed efforts being made to complete the unification of Germany.

Both in a statement and during a dinner given in his honor, Mr. Stephanopoulos underlined the close ties between Greece and Saxony, beginning from the 17th century when the first Greek communities were created in Dresden, Hemnitz and Leipzig and to the creation of a pro-Greek wave during the 1821 revolution against Ottoman rule.

He expressed satisfaction over the reunification of the two Germanies and said he was certain that very soon Germany would be unified not only geographically but also economically, culturally and socially.

Mr. Biedenkopf said Mr. Stephanopoulos's visit to the capital of Saxony gave him the feeling that "we did not only unite with Germany but all of Europe as well."

Mr. Stephanopoulos said efforts had already started to upgrade the old cultural and economic ties between Greece and Saxony, adding that the recent establishment of a Greek consulate in Leipzig was an important step in this direction. He added that, wit h suitable promotion by Saxony and Greek services in Germany the attraction of Greek, commercial and industrial enterprises would become possible.

He said this development would result in the creation of closer contacts and would ultimately benefit the deepening of bilateral relations in all sectors.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Stephanopoulos was given a guided tour of Dresden's art gallery, accompanied by Alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos and Saxony's Culture Minister Mr. Mayer as well as of the Frauenkirche Cathedral. He later signed the Golden Book of the state of Saxony.

[7] Visit to Bavaria

Mr. Stephanopoulos, accompanied by Mr. Romeos, arrived in Munich last night on the last leg of his official visit to Germany and met with Bavarian Prime Minister Edmondt Steuber.

Welcoming Mr. Stephanopoulos at the Old Palace in Munich, Mr. Steuber underlined the close ties existing between Greece and Bavaria, dating back to the era of King Otto.

He stressed that, due to its geography and history, Greece played an important role in the Mediterranean region for the stability of the entire region and, in this way, for the security of all of Europe as well.

Mr. Steuber said Greece had shown solidarity to Europe in difficult times, such as in the case of the embargo imposed against Yugoslavia, which dealt a serious blow to the Greek economy.

He said solidarity had been one of the fundamental basic principles of the European Union from the very start, adding that "the fact that we sometimes want European solidarity to be distributed more fairly on the shoulders of all the richest European UN ion member-states constitutes another page on the issue. European solidarity and co-operation are necessary more than ever before."

Mr. Steuber underlined Munich's support for the Greek government's position for increased duties for the EU in common foreign policy and security policy as well as for certain sectors of the so-called third pylon on domestic policy and policy on law.

Mr. Stephanopoulos placed particular emphasis on the presence of thousands of Greeks living and working in Bavaria which constituted proof of the high level of relations between Athens and Munich.

Mr. Stephanopoulos referred to the Bavarians' contribution towards building the All Saints holy cathedral in Munich and the building of a Greek school in the Bavarian capital, which the Germans had funded to a considerable degree, and which would play a decisive role in maintaining and strengthening the national and cultural identity of young Greeks living in Bavaria.

Mr. Stephanopoulos will attend a church service at the All Saints holy cathedral today and will meet representatives of the local Greek community.

[8] Greece, Israel to conduct joint naval exercises, Israeli reports say

Greece and Israel will conduct joint naval exercises to allay concern created in Athens in the wake of a military co-operation agreement signed by Israel and Turkey, Israeli radio said. The radio report did not mention the time or the place where the exercises will be held. Israel and Turkey signed an agreement on February 23 anticipating training flights by warplanes of each country in the other's airspace.

Many Arab countries strongly condemned the agreement, including Syria, Egypt, Iraq and Iran.

[9] Arsenis to see NATO counterparts today

National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis and the Chief of the National Defense General Staff, Air Force Gen. Athanasios Tzoganis, were scheduled to leave yesterday for Brussels to attend a meeting of NATO defense ministers.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Mr. Arsenis will have talks with his British, French, US and German counterparts with whom he will raise the issue of Turkish provocations against Greece. According to informed sources, Mr. Arsenis is expected to ask his NATO counterparts to take a position on the issue.

[10] Council of Europe calls for shorter trials, more effective justice

The sessions of the Council of Europe's (CoE) Justice Ministers' Council ended yesterday afternoon with a unanimous decision to take drastic measures to ensure the "impartial and effective serving" of justice in all sectors of justice. Greece was represented at the sessions by Justice Minister Evangelos Venizelos.

The conference resolution spoke of the need to reduce the often unacceptably long time-span of civil and criminal cases, which on occasions drag on for as much as ten or fifteen years.

During his speech at the conference, Mr. Venizelos presented recent initiatives taken by his ministry to speed up trial procedures in Greece and measures being prepared for the speeding up of civil and criminal trials.

Mr. Venizelos asked his counterparts to deal seriously with the question of impartiality and the speed of civil, criminal and administrative trials.

The justice minister said that contradiction between impartiality and the quick resolution of trials is unavoidable, but added that rules governing speed are general, while those concerning the quality of the trial must be confirmed in each individual case.

Mr. Venizelos had a series of meetings on the sidelines of the conference, including meetings with the justice ministers of Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania.

The conference stressed the need to continue legal changes in Central and Eastern European countries and decided on the promotion of education programmes for lawyers from these countries, which have recently joined the Council of Europe.

Speaking after the end of the council session yesterday, CoE Alternate Secretary-General Peter Loiprecht criticized the continued implementation of the death penalty in Russia and the Ukraine. During their entry into the CoE, these two countries had pledged to abolish the death penalty soon and not to execute the sentences which had been passed earlier. However, executions continue to occur in Russia.

[11] Turkish fighter aircraft violate Athens FIR

According to press reports, Turkish fighter aircraft yesterday violated Athens FIR air traffic regulations and Greek national air space on several occasions between the islands of Hios and Lesvos in the eastern Aegean.

In all cases, Greek fighter aircraft intercepted the intruders, resulting in a serious engagement in one case, the same reports said.

[12] Geitonas meets with Arsovski

Public Order Minister Costas Geitonas had a courtesy meeting yesterday morning with head of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's (FYROM) liaison office in Athens Ljupco Arsovski.

Matters of common interest were discussed during the meeting, as were the possibilities of further co-operation on matters for the regulation of residence permits for nationals from the two countries.

The issue of dealing with crime was also discussed, due to incidents where the border between the two countries has been crossed by criminals.

[13] German official deny press reports of Mitsotakis-Kohl 'understanding'

During discussion in the Bundestag yesterday, deputy minister to the Chancellery Bert Schmidtbauer denied a report in the Berliner Zeitung newspaper on June 4, according to which former prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis, attending Willy Brandt's funeral on October 17, 1992, "agreed" with German Chancellor Helmut Kohl to have former East German police (Stasi) official Fogt extradited to Germany, in return for Stasi files concerning terrorism.

Mr. Schmidtbauer denied Mr. Mitsotakis even attended the funeral events. "The discussions in question never took place ... I consider the facts in the report erroneous," he said.

[14] Deporting illegal immigrants costs Greece 3.5 billion drachmas

The problem of illegal immigrants has taken on huge dimensions in Greece and is causing unrectifiable social and financial damage, the public order ministry said yesterday.

During 1995, the Greek state spend over 3.5 billion drachmas to repatriate 239,908 Albanian illegal immigrants.

According to data released by the public order ministry, 1,147,048 Albanian illegal immigrants have been arrested from 1991 until today, while 1,918 illegal immigrants have been arrested on the Greek-Bulgarian borders and 23,846 on the Greek-Turkish border since 1993.

In 1995, 13,612 foreigners were expelled from Greece, while 69,884 remain in the country legally.

The public order ministry said that since 1991, 2,317 illegal immigrant smugglers have been arrested and 1,849 vehicles have been confiscated.

[15] Premier in Crete today

Prime Minister Costas Simitis begins a four-day visit to Crete today to review issues relating to Greece's largest island. During his visit he will also travel to the island of Gavdos, south of Crete, the focal point of Ankara's latest provocation against Greece.

During his stay, Mr. Simitis will be briefed on progress in infrastructure works being carried out on Crete. He will be accompanied by Development Minister Vasso Papandreou, Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis, Finance Minister Alekos Papadopoulos, Education Minister George Papandreou, Public Order Minister Costas Geitonas, Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas, Transport and Communications Minister Haris Kastanidis and several undersecretaries.

[16] NATO official avoids commenting

The commander of the air-force of NATO's south wing, US Lieutenant-General Richard Bedourem followed a policy of equal distances between Greece and Turkey during a courtesy visit to the Larissa Tactical Air Force Headquarters yesterday.

Replying to journalists' questions regarding so-called "grey areas" in the Aegean, he said the matter is a bilateral issue between Greece and Turkey and that NATO is examining it and will take a position on the issue soon.

Lt.-Gen. Bedourem added that NATO regards all its members as equal.

[17] Samaras briefs the Irish on Greek national issues

Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras held talks with Irish Foreign Under-secretary for European Affairs Guy Mitchell on Tuesday night as part of the conference of the European group "Union for Europe".

"I gave a briefing on Greek national issues and was briefed on latest developments concerning the European Union's unification in light of the assumption of the (EU) presidency by Ireland," he said.

Political Spring participates in this group and is represented at the Dublin conference by Mr. Samaras and Eurodeputies Nikos Kaklamanis and Katerini Daskalaki.

"What is important in international relations in our times is correct information and in this respect my contacts here in Dublin are very useful," Mr. Samaras said.

[18] US reiterates: no chance of conflict in the Aegean

State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns yesterday repeated the position he had expressed on Tuesday that there is no prospect of war in the Aegean, and added that attention should be given to official US government statements and not to information leaked from anonymous sources.

"I do not think there are increased prospects for military conflagration between Greece and Turkey and I would not pay much attention to people who talk on background on this. I would pay attention to what is being said authoritatively on the record," Mr. Burns said.

The State Department spokesman went on to say that when the current instability in Turkey is overcome, there will be possibilities for an improvement in Greek-Turkish relations.

"I believe that the new Greek government has expressed its intention for an improvement in relations with Turkey, which, of course, is trying to resolve internal political issues until there is stability in the government there".

Replying to a question on the general tension in the Aegean, Mr. Burns said "it is up to Greece and Turkey to chose the mechanism, a third-party mechanism, to solve problems."

"We are willing to help, they know of our interest, they know we have submitted our proposals for manners in which to solve differences, including that of the International Court," he said.

[19] Clinton 'concerned' over tension in Aegean

US President Bill Clinton expressed his concern over the situation which has evolved between Greece and Turkey over the past few months, during a joint press conference held in the White House last night with European Commission President Jacques Santer and president of the European Council, Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi.

Replying to a relevant question, Mr. Clinton said that the Greek-Turkish crisis was not discussed during the US-European Union meeting. He added that he estimates a solution to the problems between Greece and Turkey will significantly help the region's future. Mr. Clinton characterized a resolution of the problems as definitive for the future of southeastern Europe and the Mediterranean.

[20] Supermarkets mark 23% increase in turnover

The collective turnover of the 10 largest supermarket chains came close to 700 billion drachmas in 1995, marking an increase of 23 per cent over the preceding year, while profits jumped by 27 per cent to 14 billion drachmas.

More specifically, the total collective turnover of the top 10 supermarkets, not including their subsidiaries, reached 672.7 billion drachmas against 546.2 billion drachmas in 1994, while profits reached 13.7 billion from 10.7 billion drachmas the prece ding year. Yield on own-capital broke the 28 per cent mark.

At the top of the list with respect to turnover was Niki S.A., which belongs to the Marinopoulos Group of companies, with a turnover of 139.4 billion drachmas (up by 18 per cent), while Sklavenitis S.A. topped the list with respect to profit with 3.289 billion drachmas (up by 24 per cent).

Of the top 10 supermarket chains, seven enterprises saw increased profits and three saw reductions, while overall profits were proportional to 2.03 per cent of total turnover. The substantial increase in turnover is attributed mainly to the opening of new branches and acquisition of existing ones, particularly in the provinces.

The overall turnover of the top 10 chains including their subsidiaries, encompassing both retail and wholesale trade, reached nearly 800 billion drachmas last year, as the subsidiaries recorded a collective turnover of 130 billion drachmas.

[21] Sfiriou stresses importance of merchant marine for Greece's role in world economy

The government recognizes the paramount importance of the Greek merchant marine not only for the national economy, but also for the country's participation in the global economy, Merchant Marine Minister Kosmas Sfiriou said yesterday.

Speaking at the Piraeus Shipping Club, he also said that the government places special weight on the fact that the Greek-flagged fleet is third worldwide, representing 50 per cent of the EU total, while the Greek- owned fleet is first worldwide, with 16 per cent of the total.

Mr. Sfiriou said the basic aims of the merchant marine policy aimed at attracting more ships to the Greek Shipping Register, improving infrastructure in order to attract a greater number of shipping companies and establishing Piraeus as an international shipping center that meets modern requirements, and attracting more young people to the profession.

[22] Greece will win case at European Court, Sfiriou says

Merchant Marine Minister Kosmas Sfiriou told a press conference yesterday that Greece would indisputably prove to the European Court of Justice that the EU's suit to have Greek legislation stipulating who has the right of entry to the Greek Shipping Register declared illegal, is unjust.

Mr. Sfyriou said the 1958 International Geneva Convention concerning the open sea, and the International Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982) stipulate that there must be a link between the nation of the flag and the nationality of the ship-owner for a ship to be registered.

Secondly, Greece does not forbid other EU nationals from engaging in economic activity in the merchant marine sector, with the exception, naturally, of those who have lawfully expressed reservations regarding Greek-flagged ships. Therefore, ships under any Community flag can engage in those activities carried out by Greek-flagged ships.

Thirdly, he added, due to its special geographical position, Greece is obliged in war time to requisition Greek-flagged ships for defense needs.

End of English language section.