A.N.A. Bulletin, 24/06/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 919), June 24, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] Greece mourns Andreas Papandreou

Greece yesterday woke to the news that statesman and veteran socialist leader Andreas Papandreou had died of a heart attack in his home in the early hours of Sunday morning. He was 77.

"His death is a great loss for Greece. The great leader is no longer, but leaves behind him his work, as a living heritage, since his political life was interwoven with Greece's contemporary history," Prime Minister Costas Simitis said from Florence on hearing the news. Mr. Simitis, who took over the reins of government from Papandreou in January, immediately cut short his visit to Italy for the European Union summit to return to Athens.

The news of Papandreou's death drew an immediate response from leaders around the world.

Thousands of Athenians filed past Papandreou's bier after it was brought to Athens' Metropolitan Cathedral shortly before midday yesterday.

President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and almost all the members of the government, senior PASOK cadres and PASOK MPs were joined by main opposition leader Miltiades Evert and other dignitaries at the cathedral.

Following an emergency cabinet meeting at the Parliament House, Mr. Simitis led the members of his government to pay their respects at the Cathedral, and led his ministers in a symbolic guard of honor at the bier.

The state funeral will be held at 12:30 on Wednesday.

Papandreou defied all odds last March and emerged from hospital after a four-month stay at the threshold of death.

Informed sources said that Papandreou had had breathing difficulties over the past three days following a viral infection, but his situation worsened sharply shortly after midnight on Saturday.

His personal physician and other specialists rushed to his villa in the northern suburb of Ekali and began efforts to revive him, but he finally succumbed at around 2:30am. Papandreou's wife, Dimitra, close aides and senior officials were at his bedside.

"As of 02:30 today Greece is mourning the founder of our Movement, the great Greek patriot-politician, our political leader Andreas Papandreou," an announcement from the Executive Bureau said.

The Executive Bureau's extraordinary meeting yesterday decided the party congress will go ahead as planned, beginning on Thursday, albeit with a slightly-altered agenda. The congress will now have to elect a new president, rather than the previously pro posed position of vice-president.

In a short statement released in Athens before his arrival, Mr. Simitis said he was "shocked by the sad announcement of Andreas Papandreou's death".

PASOK united, he added, "will work towards achieving all that he envisioned."

A book of condolences will be available to the public at the prime minister's office in Parliament from 2-6pm today and from 10am to 12 noon and from 6pm until 8:30pm on Tuesday.

On the day of the funeral, government offices will be closed, although the general university entrance examinations will go ahead as scheduled.

[2] Simitis determined to continue Andreas Papandreou's legacy

"Andreas Papandreou lives on in his achievements and we owe it to him to continue this work," Prime Minister Costas Simitis said after the emergency cabinet meeting called yesterday afternoon.

Mr. Simitis said it is the responsibility of all to continue Papandreou's work and said "we will make PASOK's unity and prospects a fact in order to achieve all he envisioned."

Mr. Simitis noted that "a great leader is no longer with us," and stressed that he himself, and many PASOK members knew him during the 1960s, "when Greece was a country of great inequalities, a country with intense political and social discriminations which reigned since the conflicts of the Civil War."

"The powers of the centre-left (then) were fragmented and without a compass and citizens were ruled by uncertainty with their hopes for a better future being significantly restricted.

"Greece today is a different Greece and to a great extent this work is owed to Andreas Papandreou, who since the 1960s, has formed specific visions for Hellenism," he said.

[3] Skandalidis

At the end of the ruling socialist PASOK party's Executive Bureau meeting yesterday, Central Committee Secretary Costas Skandalidis read a message by PASOK's supreme body and conveyed his last personal testimony.

The Executive Bureau's message said Andreas Papandreou was a leading political leader and visionary who dominated the country's modern-day political life for 35 years. He was termed "a national and popular leader with worldwide acclaim and recognition" who gave "meaning and value to the principles of socialism and made national reconciliation a reality."

Andreas Papandreou united the democratic side for the first time after many decades, gave the country national self-confidence and was loved as no other leader had been, the message added.

It said Andreas Papandreou's contribution constituted for PASOK, which he founded, continuous commitment and a historical investment, underlining the need to preserve the unity of PASOK and its ideological character as well as the great strategies set out and promoted by its founder.

"The unity of PASOK, the preservation of its ideological character, the great strategies set out and promoted by Andreas Papandreou, constitute for all of us unbreakable bonds and historical preconditions for us to continue his work and pro-ve worthy of his contribution to the homeland," the message said.

[4] PASOK Congress to go ahead as scheduled

Prime Minister Costas Simitis met the ruling socialist PASOK party's Central Committee Secretary Costas Skandalidis at the Maximos Mansion last night.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Skandalidis said the prime minister agreed absolutely with holding PASOK's congress as scheduled with the agenda already decided upon.

The issue was examined at noon yesterday at an Executive Bureau meeting which decided unanimously to observe the congress timetable as decided by the Central Committee.

Mr. Skandalidis said he briefed the prime minister on the Central Committee's decisions and on the discussion held at the Executive Bureau at noon.

He said it was natural to meet the prime minister in the framework of processes started with Papandreou's death, adding that his discussion with Mr. Simitis was affected by the feelings of grief and mourning gripping PASOK.

PASOK's Executive Bureau will reconvene at 2pm today without Mr. Simitis.

[5] PASOK Central Committee

The PASOK Central Committee report and its financial report were unanimously approved at the close of the eighth PASOK Central Committee meeting on Saturday, one day earlier than expected.

At the close of the meeting, Central Committee Secretary Costas Skandalidis asked PASOK members to respect the political framework for the course and aims set by the party's supreme body in previous decisions. This framework included the election of a p rime minister in February, changes to the party charter and the completion of the current four year term and victory in the 1997 elections.

"The decisions we have taken must guide our course," Mr. Skandalidis stressed, and added that all must leave the meeting feeling optimistic.

The Central Committee also approved a message to be sent to party congress members. The message stresses that within the framework of pre-congress discussions, "PASOK's patriotic character and its decisive stance before the Turkish threat was resoundingly confirmed."

The message also confirmed the decision "to promote progressive policy with tangible results for the social whole, so shaping political preconditions both for a successful term in government and for the new electoral victory."

The Central Committee's proposal that the government complete the current four-year term was also unanimously approved, and "the contribution of all our efforts" in order to succeed in the aims which have been set.

The PASOK party congress will go ahead as planned, beginning on June 27 and lasting for four days. According to congress operation regulations, the presidium, consisting of 13 to 15 members, will be elected on the first day, followed by the election of the central supervisory committee, which will consist of between seven and nine members. Thirty three-member committees will also be formed, one for each ballot.

Mr. Skandalidis defended the outgoing committee's report, and expressed satisfaction over the "shifting of the center of weight of political decisions to the party's collective bodies".

Referring to the party's congress this week, Mr. Skandalidis said it was "perhaps the most critical process in the history of PASOK", as it will determine its physiognomy, political line, structure, and functioning".

The Central Committee's report, presented by Executive Bureau member Yiannis Souladakis, praised the government's work in a number of sectors, such as the joint defense doctrine with Cyprus, the improvement of relations with Balkan neighbors, the economic stabilization programme and the policy for a stable drachma, and the "effort for democratization of institutions and the state," with the laws concerning public appointments, local government, and party financing. The report paints a black picture of internal party conflict, claiming that "groupings have led internal party life to the lowest possible point".

"This era must be brought to a definite end with the congress," the report says.

[6] World pays tribute to pivotal figure in modern Greek history

The news of the death of Andreas Papandreou drew an immediate response from Europe and around the world with leaders from as far as Australia paying tribute to Greece's first socialist leader.

US President Bill Clinton expressed his sadness at Papandreou's demise, who the White House called "one of the most influential political leaders in modern Greek history," a Reuters dispatch from Washington said.

White House spokesman Mike McCurry said that Mr. Clinton "extends his sincere condolences to the Papandreou family and to the Greek people."

"Andreas Papandreou was one of the most influential political leaders in modern Greek history and was a key figure in assuring the triumph of democracy in the land of its birth," Mr. McCurry said.

"He also had close ties with the United States, having lived in this country for many years. He leaves behind a legacy of accomplishment that will continue to inspire the people of Greece," he said.

Speaking from New York, Senator Paul Sarbanes said "we will remember Andreas Papandreou, as the leader who fought for the restoration of democracy in Greece and the fiery defender of the aims and principles which he supported."

[7] Leaders hail Papandreou's contribution to Europe

In Brussels, European Commission President Jacques Santer made the following announcement:

"It is with great sadness that I learnt of the death of Andreas Papandreou. His presence left a deep imprint on Greek political life of the last 35 years. His struggles for democracy during the military dictatorship in Greece are known to all. His initiatives for peace are of international significance. I greatly regret the loss of such a distinguished statesman. His contribution for the successful participation of Greece in the construction of Europe was definitive."

In Paris, the French news agency AFP said French President Jacques Chirac sent a telegram to his Greek counterpart: "I hail the memory of this statesman whom I met many times and who led the Greek government with authority for more than ten years. I pay homage to his commitment to Europe". Mr. Chirac said he received the news "with deep sadness".

"Greece today has lost one of its great personalities," Mr. Chirac said.

French Prime Minister Alain Juppe, an announcement said, sent his condolences to Prime Minister Costas Simitis. He paid tribute to the memory of an eminent statesman whose strong personality left its mark on Greek democracy and the times and to strength en the ties of friendship and co-operation between France and Greece.

French foreign ministry spokesman Yves Doutriaux said Papandreou played an active role in the restoration of democracy in Greece and within the framework of the European Union.

French Foreign Minister Herve de Charette, in a message to his Greek counterpart Theodoros Pangalos referred to Papandreou's "distinguished" career in working for democracy in his country and his co-operation with his European partners.

Socialist International President and former French prime minister Pierre Mauroy spoke of Papandreou's "extraordinary ability to overcome the great contradictions within his country, even his own personal contradictions."

French Socialist Party Secretary-General Lionel Jospin told the AFP that he would always remember Papandreou "the militant even though at the end of his life he had been criticized by certain people."

Former culture minister Jack Lang said he intended to attend the funeral of "one of the great leaders".

"There is an identity, a communication, a relation between Papandreou and Greece... History will show that Papandreou was the embodiment of contemporary Greece".

In London, British Prime Minister John Major sent a message to Prime Minister Costas Simitis expressing his condolences.

"Andreas Papandreou led his country through great changes and returned in 1993 to deal with the new challenges facing Greece and the world. He will be remembered beyond Greek borders," the message read.

In Rome, the Italian president Oscar Luigi Scalfaro called Andreas Papandreou "the great protagonist in the life of modern Greece, a courageous fighter for freedom and a significant figure on the European and international political scene" in a telegram of condolences to his Greek counterpart, Kostis Stephanopoulos.

"The commitment and actions of Andreas Papandreou will remain a reference point for the Greek people, especially his important contribution to building Europe," Mr. Scalfaro said.

Jean-Luc Dehaene, the Belgian prime minister, said Papandreou had played a "courageous role" in Greece's history. A spokesman said the Belgian premier paid tribute to the "memory of a great political leader and the courageous role of Andreas Papandreou in Greece's political life, as well as his historic contribution to the creation of a modern and democratic Greece".

In Bonn, German TV screened footage of Chancellor Helmut Kohl greeting Papandreou as he arrived for the December '94 EU summit.

According to associates of Mr. Kohl, who is in Berlin to meet with Pope John Paul II, he will issue a formal message of condolences today.

In Vienna, the news of Papandreou's death was the lead item on all news bulletins on state-run television and radio.

Austrian Chancellor and president of the ruling Social Democrat Party Franz Vranitsky called Papandreou "one of the great figures of the social democratic movement" and referred to Papandreou's contribution towards ridding Greece of the military dictatorship and raising the living standard of the Greek people.

In Lisbon, Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio referred to the late PASOK leader as being "a figure inextricably linked" with Greek and European politics over the last few decades.

"His memory will always be respected and recognized by all Europeans," the Portuguese president said, speaking of "(Papandreou's) exemplary self-sacrifice for the cause of freedom and democracy."

Messages of condolence were also sent by former Portuguese president Mario Soares and Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres.

In Brussels, president of the European Parliament's Socialist Group Pauline Green said "we will remember with gratitude the great contribution of Andreas Papandreou to the Greek nation, particularly his resistance to the dictatorship of the colonels and his dedication to the restoration of democracy in Greece.

"European Socialists will remember him as the person who created the alternative socialist solution of PASOK," Ms Green concluded.

[8] UN, NATO

United Nations Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali said that with the death of Papandreou, the UN had lost "one of its most faithful champions, who had worked tirelessly for the well-being of the Greek people." He also referred to Papandreou's efforts towards resolving regional and international problems peacefully, through dialogue.

NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana sent a telegram of condolences to Mr. Simitis.

[9] Papandreou worked for Greeks around the world, Cyprus says

In Cyprus, the news of the death of the first prime minister of Greece to visit the island republic was greeted with great sorrow and emotion.

Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, in a written statement, said that Papandreou "served Greece and world Hellenism having always in mind the interest of the Greek nation. Greece, which today faces national hardship, has been deprived of the services of a distinguished politician."

Government spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides said President Clerides will attend Papandreou's funeral on Wednesday.

The President of the House of Representatives and acting president of the republic Spyros Kyprianou, who will also attend the funeral, made the following comment to ANA correspondent Giorgos Leonidas:

"Andreas Papandreou was one of the greatest figures of international stature in recent Greek history. He offered invaluable services to the Greek nation... Andreas Papandreou made history. I had the honor to collaborate with him for a long time ... I recognized his great love for Cyprus, his belief in the struggle for the restoration of freedom, human rights and the rights of Cypriot Hellenism.

"Hellenism has lost a great man and Cyprus a sincere supporter."

The leaders of all political parties of the island republic issued statements underlining Papandreou's political contribution and efforts to end the Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus.

Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien referred to Papandreou as "a great leader and staunch supporter of democratic principles". (Papandreou had lived in Canada from 1969 to 1974 after being ousted from Greece by the military dictatorship and had taught economics at Toronto's York University.)

In Melbourne, where the news of Papandreou's death made the early morning news, noted philhellene Jeff Kennett, the premier of the state of Victoria, was first to pay tribute.

Mr. Kennett, who had met with Mr. Papandreou in his previous visits to Greece, said he was "unique".

"His death is a national and an international loss," he said.

Many Greek community organizations paid tribute to Papandreou as the first leader to show particular interest in the expatriate community.

[10] Balkan leaders remember efforts for peace

Turkish President Suleyman Demirel, in a message to his Greek counterpart, expressed his sadness over the death of Papandreou and expressed his "sincere condolences" to the former leader's family and to the Greek people.

Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz referred to Papandreou's efforts with Turkish President Turgat Ozal to begin a dialogue between Greece and Turkey.

"I believe Mr. Papandreou wanted in his heart to see peace between the two countries, despite rhetoric. His death is a great loss for the Greek people to whom I express my deepest condolences," he said in Florence.

Asked by a journalist what abiding image he had of Andreas Papandreou, Mr. Yilmaz replied: "The spirit of Davos".

"I hope that with Mr. Simitis we will achieve another period," he added.

He said that he would not be able to attend the funeral but that his foreign minister Emre Gonensay would do so.

In Belgrade, Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic sent a telegram of condolences on behalf of the Serbian people and the Serbian Socialist Party to Papandreou's family, President Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Simitis and PASOK's Central Committee.

Secretary-General of the Serbian Socialist Party Gorica Gajevic, in a condolences message, said "the Greek people and the contemporary socialist movement have lost a great man and socialist, an honest fighter for the promotion of modern socialist ideas and the founding of contemporary socialist thought, while the Serbian people have lost a great and honest friend, a European leader and a founder of Greek-Serbian friendship."

In Tirana, Albanian President Sali Berisha, in a telegram to Mr. Stephanopoulos, called Papandreou a "historic figure of modern Greece".

"The Greek people and generations to come will remember for a long time Prime Minister Papandreou's contribution to the consolidation of democracy and his country's development.

In Bulgaria, Prime Minister Zhan Videnov sent a message of condolence to Mr. Simitis expressing his sadness at the death of Papandreou, whom he referred to as being "one of the greatest men of European states."

"Bulgaria lost a very good friend who will remain in the memory of million of Bulgarians, European politics one of its most outstanding representatives, the socialist and social democratic movements of Europe one of their symbols," Mr. Videnov said.

[11] Ambassadors

Iranian Ambassador to Athens Mohammad Ghasem Mohebali expressed his sorrow on the death of the former prime minister. "When Andreas Papandreou was prime minister, relations between Iran and Greece developed a great deal. He had a very good manner of approaching matters of the Middle East," the Iranian ambassador told the Iranian news agency IRNA.

Speaking on the occasion of Papandreou's death, Indian Ambassador to Athens Aftab Seth said the leader whose presence marked Greek politics for over two decades "was a true friend of India."

[12] Patriarchs

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos expressed his sorrow over the death of Andreas Papandreou in a message of condolence sent to Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

In his message, the Ecumenical Patriarch said "the achievements of the late statesman, both as an academic and as a politician, were impressive."

Archbishop of North and South America Iacovos said "the death of Andreas Papandreou leaves an empty space in the drawing up and implementation of a national course, which would unite all the Greek people in the search for peaceful co-existence and agreement around the handling of the crucial moments being faced by the country."

Jerusalem Patriarch Diodoros expressed his condolences in telegrams to PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis and Papandreou's family.

[13] Papandreou, Greece's first socialist leader

Andreas Papandreou was born on the island of Hios in 1919. He was the son of a future prime minister, George Papandreou, and his wife, Sophia Mineiko. The family settled in Athens in 1923.

A graduate of Athens University Law School, Papandreou was arrested in 1939 for political activities against the Metaxa dictatorship. After being released from prison he left for the United States. In 1943 he was awarded a Ph.D. in Economics at Harvard University and became a US citizen. During World War II he served with the US Navy.

Papandreou lectured at a number of universities in the US between 1946 and 1959 before returning to Greece in 1959 where he headed an economic development research programme. He was also appointed chairman of the board of directors and general director of the Athens Economic Research Center and adviser to the Bank of Greece (1960-1961).

Papandreou was elected deputy for Achaia for the first time in 1964 with the Center Union party and in the two-year period 1964-65 served as Minister to the Prime Minister's Office and, subsequently, Alternate Coordination Minister.

In April 1967 he was arrested by the military junta and released in December the same year under an amnesty.

Papandreou subsequently lived in exile, first in Sweden and later in Canada. He lectured in economic science at Stockholm University (1968-69) and York University in Toronto (1969-1974).

In February 1968 he founded the Panhellenic Liberation Movement (PAK) and organized activities against the "colonels" until the junta fell in July 1974.

Papandreou returned to Greece in August 1974 and founded the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK). In elections the same year, PASOK received only 13.5 per cent of the vote, increasing to 25 per cent three years later and giving Papandreou the title o f main opposition leader.

PASOK won a landslide victory in 1981 general elections and Papandreou became prime minister. The party repeated its success in June 1985 and Papandreou held the post of premier until PASOK lost the June 1989 elections after Greece had been rocked by a series of scandals. Papandreou himself was indicted by Parliament in July 1989 in connection with the $200 million Bank of Crete embezzlement scandal. He was cleared of all wrongdoing in January 1992.

He was also referred to a special court for alleged involvement in the wire-tapping of political opponents, but in May 1992 Parliament voted to put a stay on proceedings. Greece's foreign policy during Papandreou's first term in office focused on upgrading the country's role within the framework of its international commitments, such as the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance, the European Economic Community and US bases agreements. It also aimed at securing the national entity and integrity against outside provocations by Turkey, which continued to illegally occupy a large portion of the Republic of Cyprus. Other foreign policy goals included the upgrading of relations with socialist countries and nations of the third world. During that time, Papandreou led efforts to prevent a nuclear conflict and ensure world peace, participating in consultations for the formation of nuclear-free zones in the Balkans and Scandinavia. He also participated in the "Initiative of the Six" for the protection of peace and humanity. The movement was established in 1982 by Mexican President Miguel de la Madrid, Argentinean President Raul Alfonsin, Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere and the prime ministers of Sweden, Olaf Palme, India, Indira Ghandi, and Greece, Papandreou.

Papandreou's domestic policies in those days centered on equality for all citizens regardless of sex or political conviction. The government's abolition of emergency legislative measures, acknowledgment of the 1941-1944 national resistance and rehabilitation of the resistance fighters, the return of political refugees as well as legal equality between men and women, fell within the framework of such policies. The government's work during that period included the establishment of a national health system , pensions for female farmers, economic support for low wage-earners and economic measures for the support of ailing enterprises and agricultural production.

During the second term in office (1985-1989), PASOK introduced an economic austerity measures programme aimed at avoiding an economic crisis and leading the country into rational development. The programme was not completed due to the 1989 elections. Du ring that time PASOK also aimed foreign policy efforts at easing tensions in Greek-Turkish relations but did not compromise national sovereign rights questioned by Turkey. Papandreou's visit with his Turkish counterpart Turgut Ozal, in Davos, Switzerland fell within these efforts but failed to ease the crisis.

Papandreou's interventions to the European Union created a political framework for the Community's social policy. Papandreou's proposal for a Mediterranean Convention, put forward after 1993, has also been accepted by the European Union and a relative agreement has been signed at the Barcelona summit.

In May 1990, PASOK was granted full membership status to the Socialist International, at the organization's council meeting in Cairo. Papandreou was elected Vice-President of the Socialist International during its 19th congress on September 16, 1992.

His Balkan policies have set the conditions for good neighborly relations with Albania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Romania.

Despite the eruption of difficult situations triggered by conflict, this policy is constantly reinforced.

PASOK's foreign policy, after winning elections a few years ago, was influenced by the wave of great changes in the international scene which led to the abolition of the bipolar system. Despite health problems, Papandreou, during PASOK's third mandate, has also been active in the international arena. His visit to the United States in May 1994 marked a new friendly era between Greece and the United States. The signing of an interim agreement between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) also formed the conditions for the settlement of a problem which limited dangers in the Balkan peninsula and had pre-occupied Greece for a long time.

Papandreou began his third four-year term as prime minister in October 1993 after his party's victory in general elections.

He married air-hostess Dimitra Liani on July 13, 1989. The marriage came only weeks after his divorce from his American-born wife of 38 years, Margaret, with whom he had three sons and a daughter.

Papandreou has suffered from heart and kidney complaints since 1988; top heart surgeon Magdi Yacoub performed seven hours of open-heart surgery on Papandreou in London in September 1988.

Papandreou was also the author of many economic and political books, essays and newspaper articles and gave a series of lectures in universities and cultural institutions. His books include: 'Introduction to Social Science' (1952), 'Competition and its Regulation' (1954), 'Economics as a Science' (1958), 'A Strategy for Greek Economic Development' (1962), 'Fundamentals of Model Construction in Macroeconomics' (1962), 'The Greek Front' (1970), 'Man's Freedom' (1970), 'Democracy at Gunpoint' (1971), 'Paternalistic Capitalism' (1972), 'Project Selection for National Plans' (1974), 'Socialist Transformation' (1977).

[14] A political leader par excellence, Greek leaders pay tribute

On hearing the news of Papandreou's death, President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos said that all Greeks were in deep mourning.

"Andreas Papandreou was a political leader par excellence, with many years at the forefront of the nation's political life; he gave exceptionally to his homeland," the president said.

Mr. Stephanopoulos's office announced that the president's scheduled visit to Strasbourg to address the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly had been called off on the news of Papandreou's death. Papandreou's long-time political rival Constantine Karamanlis, the former prime minister and president considered, along with Papandreou, to be the decisive figures in recent Greek history, expressed his "sincerest regret".

"Andreas Papandreou was a great political leader. His leadership qualities are not denied even by those who question his achievements.

"With his struggles, Andreas Papandreou left the stamp of his powerful personality on a long period in our national existence."

Condolences and other tributes came from Greece's opposition party leaders, including main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert, who said Papandreou's long presence on the political scene and the founding of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement "acted as an essential influence on the life of the country". "The vacant seat the death of Andreas Papandreou leaves in the political life of the country that he himself helped shape is irreplaceable," Mr. Evert said.

Former premier and honorary ND president Constantine Mitsotakis cut short his visit to Paris and spoke of Papandreou on his arrival in Athens last night.

"Andreas Papandreou was a politician who played an important, on many occasions a decisive role, in the country's political affairs during the last decades. History will judge him as it will judge us all. I express my sincerest condolences to his wife, his family and his party."

Replying to a question as to whether he will miss the "political relationship" he had with the former prime minister, Mr. Mitsotakis said "Andreas Papandreou will be missed by Greek political life. His absence will doubtless be felt, because as I said earlier, he played a leading role and continued to play, despite his illness, an important role."

Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras said Papandreou was a leader of international stature and "his charismatic and strong personality left its stamp on a significant chapter in our modern political history." He canceled a rally planned for to day at the outer Athens suburb of Vyrona and the party's executive committee is due to meet today at noon.

Secretary-General of the Communist Party of Greece Aleka Papariga and veteran communist leader Harilaos Florakis sent their condolences.

Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos said Papandreou's death after a 30-year-long presence on the political scene would have "definitive influence and intensify political developments."

Leading leftist Leonidas Kyrkos said "Andreas Papandreou has passed into the realm of history. The man inspired one of the greatest popular movements of the past few years, submitted after a dramatic and long battle for life. I bow with respect at his bier."

"Greece today is in mourning," Mayor of Athens Dimitris Avramopoulos said. "Andreas Papandreou, a political figure of international stature, leaves behind him a chapter of modern Greek history in which he played a leading role. Those who adored him and those who opposed him are united today in paying him tribute."

[15] ND conference decides best thing for Greece is a new government

The main opposition New Democracy party's Executive Committee and Political Council said the confrontation of the crisis facing Greece required a strong and self-sufficient ND government.

A resolution unanimously proposed by the two bodies to delegates of ND's 6th National Conference yesterday stressed the following:

"1. The confrontation of the country's crisis requires a strong and self-sufficient ND government which, having an irreversible political and electoral lead, is proceeding towards an electoral victory.

"2. We are determined to go ahead with breaking with the causes and those responsible, the mentalities, practices and interests leading to present-day deadlocks and we are determined to govern with insistence on our programme.

"3. ND's government programme gives clear and specific solutions to the problems of the Greek people and binds us all with them.

"4. ND is determined to restore the credibility of politics and politicians, which was dealt a blow by the inconsistency, lack of efficiency and populism of those who underestimated the memory and judgment of the people.

"5. The 6th National Conference confirms ND's cohesion which is an essential precondition for electoral victory. We call on all to rally with us for this victory and to participate actively in the course without discriminations, exceptions and condition s. As of today, all of us together, without deviating and disputing, are proceeding towards victory on the basis of binding common principles and decisions.

"6. The Conference is a landmark in our course and we are open to ideas and persons, relentless with pressures from illicit interests, indifferent of the political cost, uncompromising with whatever antiquated. As of today, there is no ground for introversion. Our position and our duty is by the side of the Greek citizen."

In his closing statement at the end of the three-day conference, ND leader Miltiades Evert indirectly expressed opposition to a possible split in the ruling socialist PASOK party, saying "I hope wisdom and calm prevail in PASOK so that existing problems do not develop further."

He said Greece needed political stability and the smooth course and development of parties, and the major ones in particular, was a precondition for such stability.

Summing up positions set out during the conference and outlining his programme's priorities, Mr. Evert said his party would win the elections.

"Elections are coming. PASOK cannot avoid them. They will be led to elections because they cannot provide and we will win them because we can provide the Greek people with ideas, solutions, prospects and effectiveness," he said.

Referring to his intra-party critics, Mr. Evert said "we have no disagreements of substance", while warning them that "systematic differentiation of a personal nature is uncalled for and untimely, exaggerated and an unacceptable luxury."

He called on party cadres to rally together, saying that "in our great struggle, we are all called on to contribute and we are all judged on a daily basis by our behavior and I am certain that we will live up to the occasion."

Referring to national issues, Mr. Evert said "we do not claim territory and border changes. But we claim the rights anticipated by international law and international treaties on our sovereign rights, the possibility of extending our territorial waters to 12 miles and the rights of uprooted Hellenism."

[16] Florence summit satisfactory for Greek positions, Simitis says

Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Saturday expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the Florence summit, stressing that the conclusions reached covered Greek positions to a satisfactory degree and laid the ground for their future support.

Mr. Simitis focused primarily on references made by the text of conclusions to border protection and the need to initiate a political solidarity clause (he said this emanated from a combination of the Italian presidency's interim text on pro-gress achieved at the inter-gover-nmental conference and conclusions reached at Saturday's session) which constitutes progress in relation to Greek pursuits as they were turned into acceptable concepts which had not been raised for discussion in the past (solidarity and borders), and which could lead in the future to the initiation of protection for the EU's external borders.

Referring to Greek-Turkish relations in particular, Mr. Simitis said his purpose was to brief and inform his counterparts, adding that the text of conclusions facilitated the continuation of pressure being exerted on Turkey.

He placed emphasis on the fact that the text of conclusions mentioned a statement made on March 6 by the EU-Turkey Association Council a fact, he said, concerning Turkey primarily, since it had refused to accept the EU's common position at the time.

Mr. Simitis stated categorically that no agreement existed on the MEDA programme. Replying to a questioner on the presence of Alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos at a dinner served by the Italian presidency in honor of Turkish Prime Minister Mesut

Yilmaz on Saturday, he said the Italian presidency had decided not to have representation by any country at a level lower than that of under-secretary.

He said Greece decided to attend and not be absent so as to express its view and for that reason Mr. Romeos attended.

Summing up the results of the summit, Mr. Simitis expressed his particular satisfaction, but in parallel underlined that an additional step was taken, namely that all had acquired the concept of solidarity policy and external borders. He said that if the step was to go further would be seen in the future, but all eventualities were open.

[17] Yilmaz outlines Turkish framework for resolution of differences with Greece

Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz Saturday called on Greece to lift its reservations on the acceptance of the International Court at The Hague's jurisdiction as a precondition for Turkey to accept referring Greek-Turkish differences to the court.

In a statement after a two-hour meeting with European Union leaders in Florence on Saturday, Mr. Yilmaz outlined the framework in which Turkey aimed at resolving its differences with Greece, providing clarifications on the exact nature of disputes put forward by his country in the Aegean Sea.

According to Mr. Yilmaz, the two countries should start a dialogue "to define" existing problems and then Turkey would be ready to accept "solutions from a third party", resorting to the International Court at The Hague if no solution was to be found through international arbitration or mediation.

When asked to clarify under which specific conditions he would accept recourse to The Hague, Mr. Yilmaz said "the Greek government must lift the reservation concerning the acceptance (namely of the jurisdiction) of the International Court. First of all we are ready to try to resolve problems with other type of solutions by a 'third party', such as arbitration or mediation, but in the event (namely no results are produced) we are also ready for the International Court and we will accept this court's final decision."

Greece, in contrast to Turkey, has fully accepted the jurisdiction of the International Court at The Hague, excluding only national defense issues.

Replying to a questioner on the precise regions in the Aegean which Turkey considered "grey zones", Turkish Foreign Minister Emre Gonensay explained that it was not a question of geographical regions but one of "intelle-ctual (grey) regions resulting from the vagueness of treaties."

"We have not yet defined this category and this is what we must do through dialogue in an arbitration process," he said.

"There is no reason to define them beforehand," Mr. Gonensay added.

Mr. Gonensay avoided stating his country's position at present on the island of Gavdos, saying that "what is important is that the island of Gavdos will be included in the NATO exercise."

Speaking to Greek journalists, Mr. Yilmaz attributed Greece's rejection of Turkish proposals to the ruling PASOK party's forthcoming congress.

"Unfortunately we have had no response from the Greek government to date, but we hope that the Greek position will change after PASOK's congress which will be held this week," he said.

Referring to the absence of Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis from the EU's dinner that included Turkey, he said "I would have preferred Mr. Simitis to participate, but I think he is very busy as a result of his party's congress."

Mr. Yilmaz said he was "quite satisfied by the attendance" of foreign leaders, adding that "organizing this dinner at head of state and government level constitutes in itself a success in our relations with the European Union."

"We had the opportunity of exchanging views on various issues and first of all on the dispute between Greece and Turkey," he added.

End of English language section.