A.N.A. Bulletin, 26/07/96

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

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 947), July 26, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[1] Simitis defines Gov't, party priorities in solving nation's problems

Prime Minister and PASOK president Costas Simitis yesterday defined what he said were Greece's main challenges, calling on his party "to dare" to resolve the country's economic and social problems. Addressing a PASOK central committee meeting, Mr. Simitis did not speak of possible early general elections and announced implementation of a "realistic utopia" to resolve the everyday problems faced by citizens.

"Greece today is facing three main challenges - its participation in the European Union as an equal partner, its new role in the Balkans and the threat from Turkey," he added.

On the first challenge, Mr. Simitis said Greece must immediately join the "hard core" of countries in the process of European integration. In the Balkans, he continued, Greece must promote stability and overall co-operation in order to strengthen its role in the region.

With respect to the Turkish threat, the prime minister said:

"The aim, through a combination of intense and determined diplomatic activity and pressure, rehabilitation and strengthening of the economy and the strengthening of the armed forces, is to deter any thoughts of disputing even the slightest of the country's sovereign rights and to ensure behavior which will result in the neutralization of threats as well as secure peace in the region."

Turning to the economy, Mr. Simitis said Greece was faced with a number of difficult options which would determine whether the country would maintain and improve its position in the EU or "bring it to a slow walk."

The first priority, he went on, was to rehabilitate public finances "which constitute the starting point for all substantial intervention in society".

The margins for exercising policy in the economy are minimal, he added, due to the high dependence of the public sector and the economy in general on lenders.

Stressing, however, that it was necessary to exercise policy, Mr. Simitis said that the rehabilitation of public finances, the balancing of economic indicators and the reduction of the state's dependence on borrowing constituted "primary prerequisites" for the implementation of the government's economic policy. "It is the only way we will have freedom to move," the premier said.

Mr. Simitis noted that the second pole of the government's economic policy was development. The major infrastructure works in progress or about to begin, he underlined, would change the face of the country.

He acknowledged, though, that in this sector too, there have been unjustifiable delays "which will have to be overcome immediately after the summer".

The government's development efforts also focused on improving education, combating unemployment, increasing competitiveness of companies and strengthening small and medium-size enterprises.

The prime minister also referred to the need for the organizational and functional modernization of the state.

"The changes which we will introduce," he said, "will combat waste and support meritocracy in public administration, with the aim of restructuring public administration in order to better serve the citizen and more effectively meet the needs of Greek society."

The present social security systems, Mr. Simitis said, have led to financial and social impasses.

"Now, a new web of social security must be created, with funds being channeled to where they are really needed," he added.

In order to put the country on a new course, Mr. Simitis said, PASOK must show daring.

"There will be resistance from organized interests and from those who have become accustomed to the underground economy or have become dependent on state handouts, indifferent as to whether this is at the expense of society as a whole," Mr. Simitis said.

Regarding speculation about early elections, the prime minister said decisions already adopted about the future course remain valid. "We shall continue our work as announced," he said.

[2] Party reorganization

Central committee secretary Costas Skandalidis in his speech referred to the long-standing problem of the party's restructuring and rejuvenation, saying what was required was the establishment of new ideological, political and strategic terms, as well as radical changes in the way government functioned and in the relation between the party organization on one hand, and society and citizens on the other.

He rejected the complete identification of government and party, which would essentially lead the latter to its marginalization, and incorporate members in a process of exploitation and management of power.

"For the good functioning of the movement in modern conditions, the presence of consolidated, specialized, and technocratic mechanism is required, both in the center, and at regional level," he said, adding that this mechanism should be fully separated from political decisions.

Finally, he said that the aim of doubling the number of active members of the movement and multiplying the number of local party organizations until the 1997 elections was feasible.

Interior Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos agreed that the party's restructuring was no doubt useful, but a defining of directions of its ideological identity and political strategy had to receive priority.

He called for the party not to lose the potential for political initiatives regained after its recent congress, which marked the transition from "the era of the charismatic leader to the charisma of collective functions".

He described 1997 as a very critical year, because of the elections and the end of the EU intergovernmental conference, and said the party had to begin an internal dialogue regarding its political and social alliances.

[3] Gov't spokesman

Asked later by reporters why the prime minister had not referred to the issue of general elections, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said "it is not possible 15 months before the elections for us to discuss anything connected with elections."

Replying to questions on the premier's reference to "organized interests", Mr. Reppas said he was referring to the resistance in society to reform, modernization and the changes being introduced by the government. "The prime minister was referring to all the phenomena and factors which do not want transparency and those groups which are opposed to the interests of society as a whole," the spokesman said.

He added that "such perceptions" were expressed by the entire political spectrum.

[4] Opposition

Main opposition New Democracy party Vice-President Ioannis Varvitsiotis strongly attacked the prime minister, saying "Mr. Simitis has given another example of the way in which he perceives modernization and a new morality in political life".

He said Mr. Simitis had "tried in vain to conceal what we all know, namely that he will call early elections, with an as yet unknown electoral system, as soon as he gets the green light from the big interests which he represents".

Mr. Varvitsiotis accused Mr. Simitis of deluding the Greek people "on an issue of great importance for the operation of the democratic system of government".

Accusing Mr. Simitis of serving petty party interests, Mr. Varvitsiotis said that general elections at the earliest were the solution for the country to exit the impasses in which it now found itself.

ND press spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos accused Mr. Simitis of indulging in generalities and platitudes.

"It would appear Mr. Simitis has not realized that he is the prime minister and that he should be dealing with the problems facing the country," Mr. Pavlopoulos said. In addition, Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras strongly criticized the prime minister's speech, but also ND party leader Miltiades Evert for certain of his positions.

He accused Mr. Simitis of following a "Thatcherite socialism", and Mr. Evert of "social-liberalism", stressing that their options served the political and economic establishment.

He said the country needed development with social justice, a foreign policy with national dignity, and a new, reform constitution that would prepare it for the year 2000.

[5] Greece harshly criticizes Turkey's human rights situation

Greece yesterday harshly criticized the human rights situation in Turkey and called on the European Union to take initiatives following the deaths of six political prisoners on hunger strikes in Turkish jails over the past week.

A Greek foreign ministry spokesman described the situation in the neighboring country as "distressing".

Foreign Ministry spokesman Costas Bikas, in reply to press questions, attributed the situation to Turkey's "relationship with human rights."

On his part, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the deaths of the six hunger strikers refuted every possible argument in favor of Turkey being a modern democratic state, and called on the EU to act.

"We desire the democratization and European orientation of Turkey, as well as respect of human rights by that country," Mr. Bikas said.

In a related development, 34 MPs representing all political parties yesterday appealed to the international community over Ankara's "inhuman stance" towards hunger strikers in Turkish prisons.

The deputies stressed that "more dead are being added to the list" and demanded that "this crime against political prisoners in Turkey should stop."

They called on the international community to do whatever is necessary to put an end to the flagrant violation of human rights in Turkey, adding "we express our indignation over this situation, which must arouse every democratic conscience."

[6] PASOK resolution

Meanwhile, the ruling PASOK party's central committee unanimously adopted a resolution condemning "the ongoing unacceptable human rights situation in Turkey". The resolution also refers to the plight of legally elected Kurdish deputies who continue to be held in Turkish prisons.

"Citizens are murdered and journalists are beaten because they dare to practice their profession," the resolution read, adding that Greek and international public opinion had been shattered by the recent deaths of the hunger strikers.

Expressing solidarity with the "Turkish activists for freedom and progress", the resolution demands the immediate release of political prisoners in the neighboring country.

It called on European and international organizations to intervene to prevent further deaths of the activists in Turkey.

The resolution also condemned the "torture, murders and disappearances" of citizens in Turkey, praising journalists and intellectuals, who it said, were risking their lives to defend freedom of expression.

"The domestic authoritarianism of the Turkish regime is linked to the international behavior of Ankara, which insists on operating outside international law and order," the resolution stressed.

In a statement, Political Spring party spokesman Notis Martakis said "the fact that in Turkey, which is trying to join Europe, there are political prisoners who also live under known inhuman conditions, reveals the real face of a country which some others want to include in the civilized world."

The Coalition of the Left and Progress called for pressure to be exerted on the Islamist Erbakan government "with all the mechanisms available to customs union" so that "the living and detention conditions of political prisoners are improved and an end is put to the macabre dance of death."

An announcement by the Coalition said complacency was tantamount to complicity and called on the EU and international organizations "to prove in practice whether they mean their proclamations about a state of law, democracy and human rights."

Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas called on the government to denounce "to all international organizations immediately, and primarily to the European Union, the undemocratic and contrary to elementary human rights behavior of the Turkish regime against political prisoners, which has resulted in the deaths of six hunger strikers to date."

Mr. Tsovolas said the EU and international organizations cannot remain impassive and support "such a reactionary regime even economically."

[7] Protest rally

In a related issue, the Solidarity Committee and members of the Communist Youth Organization (KNE) staged a protest rally at 7:30 p.m. yesterday and delivered a resolution to the Turkish embassy regarding political prisoners in Turkey and denouncing Ankara, which according to the announcement, "has murdered and jailed Turkish activists and which persecuted those standing by them."

Protesters also denounced the Turkish government for its intransigence and for what they called its intent to eliminate Turkish communists and other activists.

An announcement by KNE stressed that the international community had great responsibilities for apathetically watching the dramatic events and letting the Ankara government insist in its provocative and intransigent stance, "refusing to discuss the just claims of the imprisoned hunger strikers."

An announcement by the Solidarity Committee for Political Prisoners in Turkey said it would prove in practice its solidarity to Turkish political prisoners and the Turkish popular movement, whose every success is a contribution to the struggle of the peoples in the region against the "new world order" and nationalism.

[8] Romeos to represent government in funeral of Patriarch Parthenios

Alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos is to represent the Greek government at the funeral of Patriarch Parthenios of Alexandria and All Africa in Cairo July 30, it was announced yesterday.

Parthenios died of a heart attack Tuesday while vacationing on the island of Amorgos. His body will lie in state in an Athens church until Friday morning, when it will be taken to the Athens Cathedral for a memorial service.

The funeral is to be held next Tuesday at the Agios Nikolaos Cathedral in Cairo, while the Patriarch will be buried at the Agios Georgios monastery in the Egyptian capital, according to tradition.

Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert visited the Petraki Monastery in Athens at noon yesterday to pay his respects to the late Patriarch.

"Parthenios was a great personality for Orthodoxy and at the same time he was the Greek who struggled for the concept of Ecumenical Hellenism. In this way, he linked Ecumenical Hellenism to Orthodoxy which constitutes the history and the future of our homeland," he said.

[9] Foreign ministry applauds agreement between Yugoslavia, Bosnia

The Greek foreign ministry yesterday described as a "very positive step" the agreement reached between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Bosnia to restore telephone, railway, bus and air links between the two countries for the first time since the Bosnian war erupted four years ago.

"We believe that these closer relations will contribute to consolidation of the Dayton agreement as well as to the security, stability and economic development of the region," Foreign Ministry spokesman Constantine Bikas told a press briefing.

[10] Talks continue between Greek, Russian foreign ministries

Talks between the Greek and Russian foreign ministries are continuing with a visit to Moscow by a Greek foreign ministry delegation, headed by its Secretary General Constantine Georgiou.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Costas Bikas said the two sides are discussing the situation in the Balkans, former Yugoslavia, the new European security system, the Cyprus issue, developments in the Middle East and the situation in the Caucasus.

[11] Party reps briefed on intergovernmental conference

Political party representatives were briefed yesterday during a conference at the foreign ministry on issues regarding the intergovernmental conference by Alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos, PASOK Eurodeputy Yiannos Kranidiotis and other officials.

[12] EU finance ministers fail to compromise on Union's '97 budget

European Union Finance Ministers examining the European Union's budget for 1997 began talks yesterday morning, without however, reaching a compromise solution by late in the evening on the amount of credit for common agricultural policy and structural funds.

Greece, Portugal and Spain, and to a lesser degree Italy, refused to accept expenditure cuts proposed by other member-states.

According to diplomatic sources, Finance Minister Alekos Papadopoulos held talks with his Irish counterpart and the council president, telling him that Athens considers expenditure cuts proposed by the majority of Council members, and compared to the Commission's draft plan, as "unacceptable."

The main argument of countries pressing for cuts of up to one billion ECU in structural funds and another one billion ECU in agricultural policy is that in 1997 national economic policies will be restrictive anyway, due to convergence programs having to be adhered to and, therefore, the Community should "set the good example" and reduce the expenditures in its own budget.

On the other hand, Greece, Spain and Portugal believe that absorption of Community funds will follow an upward trend as time goes by, particularly that of the structural funds.

[13] Agricultural groups criticize EU-set farm prices

The national Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives (PASEGES) yesterday described the prices for farm produce set Wednesday by the EU Agriculture Minister's Council for the 1996-97 period as "inadequate and unacceptable."

A relevant statement pointed out that prices were frozen for the eighth successive year, advance payments for cotton wool were lower this year than last, that prices for fresh farm produce are set to fall to 40 per cent from their present level and that domestic demand for an increased milk quota was not met.

The General Confederation of Agricultural Associations (GESASE) described the prices set as "damning" of Greek agriculture.

[14] SYDASE calls for resignation of agriculture minister

Democratic Agricultural Associations of Greece (SYDASE) President Yiannis Pittas called for the resignation of Agriculture Minister Stefanos Tzoumakas yesterday, saying the presence of the Greek delegation at the Council of Agriculture Ministers in Brussels was "tragic."

Mr. Pittas criticized the freezing of institutional prices, or their increase below inflation levels for farm products, and the revision of common market organization for fruit and vegetables among others as being "without any compensation for the loss of farmers' income and without any Community aid, as was the case during the revision of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in 1992."

[15] ND Parliamentary committee cites 'poor economic indicators'

Main opposition New Democracy party's Parliamentary control team on economic affairs yesterday cited what it called "a complete overturning of the government's economic targets, with most unfavorable consequences for the future of the country."

The head of the group, Anastasis Papaligouras, drew attention to the following points:

- The government's insistence on closing state deficits through increases in tax revenues without a credible development policy is the basic reason for the deterioration.

- Fiscal policy has become ineffective, resulting only in an increase in tax revenues, and the cost being passed on to the consumer, thereby maintaining inflation at high levels.

- The volume of retail sales has shown zero growth in the first quarter of 1996, as opposed to a 3.4 per cent increase in the last quarter of 1995.

- The so-called "objective taxation criteria" in combination with high interest rates and the government's refusal to enforce the law on consumer protection lead thousands of small businesses to closure.

- Industrial production showed only a 0.7 per cent increase in the first quarter, compared to 2.7 per cent in the last quarter of 1995, despite an appreciable increase in the building materials indicator, boosted by European Union financed projects.

Finally, Mr. Papaligouras noted that these developments, in combination with the reduced tourism revenues and inadequate absorption of European Union funds will negatively affect the de-escalation of inflation, national income and the country's convergence programme for participation in EU economic and monetary union.

[16] Parliament approves bill's amendment settling IKA debts

A labor ministry bill on education and vocational training for the unemployed was ratified in Parliament last night at the end of a marathon eight-hour debate.

The debate was concluded with ratification of amendments proposed by the government. They included an amendment anticipating the settlement of debts from insurance contributions to the Social Insurance Foundation (IKA) and other funds.

According to the amendment, debtors have the possibility of paying off a debt with a lump-sum and with a 60 per cent discount on additional charges, or pay in 12 monthly installments with a 40 per cent discount. Another option is for 24 installments with a 25 per cent discount.

Lastly, if employers pay the amount of the debt in 36 installments they will be given no discount. The installments will be interest-free, while Labor Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos said that 93 per cent of debtors owe to funds amounts which are less than five million drachmas.

An amendment on the social solidarity benefit for low pension earners was also ratified, which will begin payment as of August 15, while its payment will take effect retroactively as of July 1.

Greece, compared to the other European Union member-states, provides the lowest expenditures for each unemployed person, which range around ECU 2,000 per year.

This total amounts to 35 per cent of the average EU expenditures for each unemployed person. This means that the living standards of the unemployed in Greece deviate considerably from the living standards of the unemployed in the EU.

The information was publicized yesterday by National Labor Institute (NLI) President Yiannis Tsamourgelis. He presented a six-point proposal which the NLI has submitted to the foreign, national economy and labor ministries on tackling unemployment, an d in light of discussions on Economic and Monetary Union in relation to combating unemployment at European level.

[17] Beloved Greek actress buried

Greece bade a tearful farewell yesterday to screen and stage actress Aliki Vougiouklaki, for decades considered the nation's most popular and beloved star.

Vougiouklaki died Tuesday morning at the age of 63 after a three-month battle with cancer. She was buried at the Athens First Cemetery as thousands of fans, most of the country's political leadership and, of course, her family looked on.

Culture Minister Stavros Benos was the first to give a eulogy at the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral, where the funeral service was held.

"Aliki, I ask your forgiveness, but I cannot bid you farewell. It would be like saying good-bye to the right of all of us to joy. It would be like saying good-bye to the ability within each of us to become happy, and spread happiness Aliki, you are here, you haven't left. You simply slipped into an eternal youth from the multitude of people who loved you," Mr. Benos concluded.

Speeches by actress Katia Dandoulaki and a high-ranking cleric representing Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Serapheim followed.

After the church service, a funeral procession wound through the streets of central Athens before reaching the cemetery.

[18] New variola cases reported in Evros

New cases of variola were confirmed in the Evros prefecture yesterday in a 120-sheep herd in the village of Sterna in Orestiada district, following last week's appearance of the disease in another village.

The herd was destroyed, while the village in question was placed in an immediate quarantine.

Veterinary services believe the disease was transmitted from the nearby Kapitan Andreevo district in Bulgaria, which is also near the border with Turkey.

Meanwhile, about 2,000 cattle and 1,400 sheep and goats afflicted with foot-and-mouth disease have been destroyed in the Evros Delta region so far.

The slaughter of diseased animals is continuing, officials said.

[19] Authorities link Marinos to attack on guard outside PASOK offices

A controversial Athens man found dead in a ferry boat's cabin Tuesday evening by police prior to his imminent arrest was identified by the public order ministry yesterday as one of two assailants in the shooting of a police guard outside PASOK's Athens headquarters earlier this month.

In a much publicized affair over the past few years, Christophoros Marinos had been accused by authorities at various times of involvement in numerous armed robberies and anarchist-related violence, capped off last year with his arrest on charges of murdering a Nikaia hospital cashier during a vicious daylight robbery on June 1, 1995.

Marinos was discovered dead in a cabin of the passenger ferry "Pegasus" with a one gunshot wound to the head. Police said a .357 Magnum handgun was located beside him. An investigation on the incident is still pending.

The ministry announcement said Panayiotis Drimylis, 27, was the other attacker involved in the incident, in which the police officer was severely injured after being hit by gunfire in the stomach.

The ministry added that the preliminary investigation into the attack has been completed and that the case file is being read by a prosecutor.

According to police, Mr. Drimylis has made a statement giving the details of the July 6 attack outside PASOK's offices at 50, Harilaou Trikoupi St.

End of English language section.