Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 96-12-18

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 1069), December 18, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[01] Debate on budget begins in Parliament amid strike actions

[02] High-ranking meeting focuses on national issues

[03] UN spokesman says no proposal on FYROM name submitted so far

[04] Avramopoulos on official Tirana visit

[05] Athens 'stupefied' by Ankara's foreign policy tactics

[06] Comprehensive proposal for Cyprus solution already exists, Athens says

[07] Tsohatzopoulos reiterates Athens' commitment to Bosnia peacekeeping forces

[08] Greece to officially request return of Parthenon Marbles from Britain

[09] Clinton bows to help resolve Cyprus conflict

[10] Farmers' blockades drag on for 20th day, Gov't remains steadfast

[11] Papantoniou

[12] Opposition

[13] Fischler favorable to support for beleaguered Greek farmers

[14] Greek tobacco growers join Brussels protests

[15] Papantoniou, ADEDY talks fail to break impasse

[16] ADEDY Rally

[17] Dockworkers prevent disembarkation of ferry passengers

[18] Magazine reports cite Karamanlis displeasure over recent Mitsotakis comments

[19] Mitsotakis

[20] State Dept. says Washington expects good-neighborly relations from all its allies

[21] Gov't unconcerned by new opinion poll

[22] Diplomats to consider further strike action

[23] Turkeys seized by health officials

[24] Suit filed after priest refuses to perform funeral service

[25] Faikoglou handed suspended sentence for election fracas

[01] Debate on budget begins in Parliament amid strike actions

Athens, 18/12/1996 (ANA)

A vote on the budget will be taken on Saturday evening.

The Parliamentary debate was accompanied by a 24-hour nationwide strike called by the Civil Servants Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY).

A delegation of ADEDY met with National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, who did not rule out the possibility of improvements being made to the unified salary scale.

Elementary school and kindergarten teachers continued their mobilizations, while the Panhellenic Seamen's Federation (PNO) decided to continue the 48-hour strike called on all Greek-flagged vessels.

In another development, farmers from Thessaly in central Greece and their families will hold a rally in Athens tomorrow. The farmers' roadblocks in Kastro, Voiotia and on the road leading to the city of Edessa opened yesterday, while farmers in Thessaloniki will decide today on whether they will maintain their roadblocks.

The government has ruled out the possibility of Prime Minister Costas Simitis meeting the farmers for as long as tractors remain on the streets.

[02] High-ranking meeting focuses on national issues

Athens, 18/12/1996 (ANA)

According to government sources, the meeting focused on the Cyprus issue, Greek-Turkish relations, Greek tactics in light of the upcoming US initiative, as well as proposals made by Washington and the UN on measures aimed at defusing tension on the island republic. An exchange of views also followed on the proposals presented in Nicosia by British Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind, and in light of his meeting in London with Mr. Pangalos and Mr. Kranidiotis today.

[03] UN spokesman says no proposal on FYROM name submitted so far

Skopje, 18/12/1996 (ANA - M. Vihou)

The spokesman said the new round of talks, concerning the finding of a compromise name for FYROM, has not yet started and that consultations are taking place but it is yet unknown when they will get underway.

Meanwhile, after news of the appointment of Kofi Anan as UN secretary general, the media in Skopje presented past statements by Mr. Anan when he had visited Skopje in his capacity as the official responsible for the UN peacekeeping forces in the former Yugoslavia.

[04] Avramopoulos on official Tirana visit

Athens, 18/12/1996 (ANA)

He will also meet with the country's president, Sali Berisha, and visit the town of Sarande, with a sizable ethnic Greek population.

[05] Athens 'stupefied' by Ankara's foreign policy tactics

Athens, 18/12/1996 (ANA)

In statements in Ankara after returning from the EU summit in Dublin, Ms Ciller said "Has Greece pondered on the kind of threat Turkey might pose in the event Turkey remains out of Europe?".

Ms Ciller added that "Greece fears our military might. It is a justified fear...".

Apart from causing perplexity, Mr. Reppas said, Ms Ciller's threats "express fear about the future of Turkey".

If Turkey wishes to come closer to Europe, the spokesman added, "it should take care not to obstruct itself.

[06] Comprehensive proposal for Cyprus solution already exists, Athens says

Athens, 18/12/1996 (ANA)

Mr. Rifkind outlined the ten "elements" at a press conference yesterday at the end of a two-day visit to Cyprus, during which he held talks with President Glafcos Clerides, Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

He said he hoped that Mr. Clerides and Mr. Denktash would turn the "elements" into "the provisions of a detailed settlement."

According to Mr. Rifkind, a solution should be based on "a bizonal, bicommunal federation in conformity with the high level agreements and (UN) Security Council resolutions."

[07] Tsohatzopoulos reiterates Athens' commitment to Bosnia peacekeeping forces

Brussels, 18/12/1996 (ANA - M.Spinthourakis)

Speaking to reporters after a council of NATO's defense ministers in Brussels, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos also referred to aggressive statements recently made by Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller, saying she is slipping from political reality for reasons of domestic consumption in Turkey.

Yesterday's session, attended by France after many years and by Spain for the first time, focused on granting approval for NATO's new mission in Bosnia under the name SFOR, to replace NATO's current force IFOR, and the Alliance's new structure in light of its discussed enlargement eastwards.

On the question of NATO's new structure and operation, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said both NATO and the European Union were going through a transitional phase aimed at finding a new defense and security policy in Europe, which will safeguard peace and cooperation between countries.

Referring to discussions on NATO's internal adjustment and new structure, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said no specific decision was taken yesterday, adding that discussion is difficult due to frequent conflicting interests between member-states and the finding o f an agreement in relation with the role Russia must play in the new European balance.

One of the issues discussed was responsibility for NATO's southern administration, where there are conflicting views between the US and France.

"It appears we are headed for the creation of four regional inter-branch and multinational headquarters - one each in Greece, Spain, Italy and Turkey," he said.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the Turkish side reiterated its proposal for the creation of a branch headquarters (naval or air) in Izmir, which will be responsible for the entire Mediterranean region. He said the Greek side reiterated its disagreement with the Turkish proposal, considering it a significant change in NATO's existing administrative balance.

He further said Greece presented its own six-point proposal on NATO's future structure, saying that in his address at the Council of Ministers he had the opportunity of referring to relations between the West European Union and NATO, adding that despite the need for co-operation between the two organizations each enjoyed its autonomy.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos also held bilateral talks with his Belgian and German counterparts yesterday, while today he will participate in a meeting with the Russian defense minister together with the other NATO defense ministers.

[08] Greece to officially request return of Parthenon Marbles from Britain

Athens, 18/12/1996 (ANA)

"I explained to my British counterpart that in the next few days he will receive a letter with Greece's official demand for return of the marbles," the Agence France Presse (AFP) quoted Mr. Venizelos as saying after the EU Culture Ministers' Council session in Brussels yesterday.

[09] Clinton bows to help resolve Cyprus conflict

US President Bill Clinton on Monday called on Greece and Turkey to re-examine their positions and reach out to one another.

"I intend to do whatever I can in these next four years to try to help work out the situation in Cyprus, and work out the problems generally between Greece and Turkey," President Clinton said at a news conference with European Commission President Jacques Santer and Irish Prime Minister John Bruton.

"I intend to invest an enormous amount of effort in trying to succeed there and I ask them to re-examine their positions and try to reach out to one another," President Clinton said.

"I believe that the future of the European Union and the future of the United States will be much brighter and much less troublesome if these things can be resolved," he said.

"Greece and Turkey," he added, "are two great nations that have an enormous commonality of interests, either in NATO or European unification or the minimization of the chaos in their region, if only they can just solve these long-standing difficulties between them."

"It is clear that they have a lot more in common when facing the future than those separating them. It is the past which continues to poison their relations," President Clinton said, noting that Greece and Turkey are two very important countries for a " stable 21st century."

President Clinton said he has already spent a lot of time trying to end the conflict between the free part of Cyprus and the breakaway Turkish pseudo-state in the North.

Mr. Santer said that Cyprus' accession talks to the European Union were expected to start in 1998.

"The position of the European Union in this is very clear," he said.

President Clinton said he supported the enlargement of the European Union, but recognized that it was for the Europeans to decide the terms, parties and timetable for expansion.

[10] Farmers' blockades drag on for 20th day, Gov't remains steadfast

Athens, 18/12/1996 (ANA)

Two smaller blockades at Akraifnio and Thebes, as well as roadblocks in the area of Domokos and Neo Monastiri, Fthiotida remained in place.

Meanwhile, the old and new highways to Patra continued to remain blocked at Aigio, while farmers in Fthiotida approved the decision of the Pan-Thessaly coordina-ting committee and will participate together with their families in the farmers' protest rally in Athens on Thursday.

On his part, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday that the farmers' protest rally in Athens was an "acceptable" means of pressing their demands since it did not harm the country nor the interests of other social groups. He reiterated, however, that dialogue between protesting farmers and Prime Minister Costas Simitis was impossible as long as the country's highways remained blocked. Expressing a hope that a solution would be found in the next few days, Mr. Reppas described as "encouraging" a reported de-escalation of protests in certain regions.

In a related development, the president of the hoteliers' association of Kavala, Costas Stavropoulos, noted that tourism in eastern Macedonia and Thrace had been badly hit by the farmers' protests. "The damage is enormous. There have been a large number of cancellations by individuals and groups," he said.

Mr. Stavropoulos estimated that the arrival of 3,000-3,500 tourists had been canceled, while there had been numerous cancellations of visitors who had planned to arrive on charter flights.

More than 100 hoteliers are facing serious financial difficulties, Mr. Stavropoulos said.

The Macedonia-Thrace Farmers Coordinating Committee is convening today in order to evaluate the situation and take decisions as to whether to continue the blockades in northern Greece. The meeting is expected to discuss a Thessaloniki prefecture initiative for a meeting between Mr. Simitis and a delegation of the coordinating committee, under the condition that the blockades end.

[11] Papantoniou

Athens, 18/12/1996 (ANA)

"As far as the government is concerned our position is very clear. We shall not give in. There is no room for further concessions to farmers," he said in the interview.

"The consequences are quite substantial... The government is really very, very worried about the situation. Our patience is wearing thin," he added.

Mr. Papantoniou said he hoped that on Thursday there would be a turning point in the confrontation after farmers march to Athens in a protest rally.

Farmers are demanding lower fuel rates, higher price supports, lower Value Added Tax (VAT) on their equipment and re-scheduling of some US $1.3 billion in debts.

Refraining from giving a clear answer as to what action the government could take to get the farmers off the highways, Mr. Papantoniou said "the government has the responsibility for the proper functioning of the country."

After convening in Naoussa earlier in the day, the Central Macedonia Regional Council appealed to farmers to free the road axis ending the blockades, thus conforming to the government's terms for the commencement of dialogue.

[12] Opposition

Athens, 18/12/1996 (ANA)

The Coalition proposal recommends the temporary lifting of the blockades in the event Prime Minister Costas Simitis agrees to a meeting with farmers representatives. The meeting would be attended by representatives of all the major farming groups - GESA SE, SYDASE and PASEGES.

Following the meeting with the prime minister, there would be meetings with farmers to discuss the content of the meeting and the future of the protests.

The third proposal refers to a mass rally of women and children at Parliament and a visit to the president of the republic, the prime minister, the president of Parliament and political party leaders.

The Coalition also proposed daily contact with representatives of other social groups as well as an expansion of the coordinating committee to represent other demands.

Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras also called for an end to the crisis which he said was costing a "high price to the economy and the people."

Mr. Samaras called on the premier to propose a "peace agreement" and commit himself to the commencement of a broader dialogue procedure including the entire farming problem.

[13] Fischler favorable to support for beleaguered Greek farmers

Brussels, 18/12/1996 (ANA- P. Pantelis)

The Commissioner's statement came in response to problems besetting flood- and disease-stricken farmers and cotton growers, as set out in a letter by Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas. He had asked for direct subsidies to cotton farmers, and that penalties imposed for excess production be imposed on the farmers and areas specifically responsible.

Mr. Fischler said during the Farm Ministers' Council that the Commission would examine as soon as possible and in a positive spirit all Greek proposals, so as to amend the Greek Support Community Framework, and support flood-stricken producers directly through the 1996 budget.

He said that community action and budget funds were not envisaged for such cases, but it was possible to draw funds from existing structural actions.

[14] Greek tobacco growers join Brussels protests

Brussels, 18/12/1996 (ANA-P.Pantelis)

Greek protesters from the tobacco-producing regions of Macedonia, who flew to Brussels on Sunday, joined their European Union colleagues in front of the European Commission building.

Shouting slogans, the Greek protesters handed a memorandum to Greek EU Commissioner Christos Papoutsis, disputing anti-smoking arguments and requesting that their demands be met.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas supported the protest, saying that Greek tobacco producers were right to take their demands in Brussels, since "this is the place where all decisions are made for the sensitive farming products."

[15] Papantoniou, ADEDY talks fail to break impasse

Athens, 18/12/1996 (ANA)

During the meeting, however, Mr. Papantoniou left open the possibility of slight improvements being made to the final draft of the new pay scale for civil servants, which will be submitted to ADEDY in January.

A new meeting between ADEDY representatives and ministry officials is expected in the next few days.

Mr. Papantoniou reiterated that the 1997 budget exhausted all margins for further state hand-outs, while the new pay scale proposed by the government gave civil servants increases higher than inflation.

ADEDY President Yiannis Koutsoukos said he hoped the government would "get the message" from yesterday's strike and effect improvements to the pay scale.

Mr. Koutsoukos added that Mr. Papantoniou was insisting on maintaining a "tough stance" towards employees and therefore the trade unions would continue their struggle.

Civil servants held protest rallies and marches in Athens, the northern port city of Thessaloniki, Larisa and Patra yesterday. Workers in a number of other sectors joined the employees in the protests, including doctors, public secondary school teachers and customs officials.

Bank employees also held a three-hour work stoppage from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

[16] ADEDY Rally

Athens, 18/12/1996 (ANA)

The rally was held in view of the beginning of Parliamentary debate on the 1997 budget.

[17] Dockworkers prevent disembarkation of ferry passengers

Athens, 18/12/1996 (ANA)

The ferry-boat operates between Sami on Cephalonia, stopping off at Ithaki before sailing on to Patras.

After the refusal of the dockers to allow disembarkation, the "Cephalonia" was forced to return to Sami.

Minor scuffles broke out on the quay but order was restored by port police and no arrests were reported.

The ferry-boat has a carrying capacity of 100 passengers, six trucks, 15 cars and one coach.

Greek ports have been closed since yesterday due to a 48-hour strike called by the Panhellenic Seamen's Federation (PNO) to press demands for fringe benefits and the continuation of certain tax privileges to be abolished under the government's new fiscal law.

[18] Magazine reports cite Karamanlis displeasure over recent Mitsotakis comments

Athens, 18/12/1996 (ANA)

Mr. Mitsotakis claimed in the interview that Karamanlis first became prime minister in the 1950s on account of being favored by the palace, and criticized him for several nationalizations after assuming power again in 1974.

According to an unidentified source quoted by the magazine, after hearing of Mr. Mitsotakis' comments, Mr. Karamanlis said: "No-one is capable of showing greater ingratitude than someone who has received favors."

According to the same source, the former president seems to be maintaining interest in the current ramifications in the party he founded, and is urging his former close aides to back incumbent leader Miltiades Evert, despite not being wholly satisfied with his performance.

"Miltos (Evert) must be competent both inside and outside Parliament. What annoys me is that at party headquarters they cannot listen to what the people want," Mr. Karamanlis is quoted as saying.

[19] Mitsotakis

Athens, 18/12/1996 (ANA)

"I am deeply concerned for this country's course. The Greek people do not hear the truth from the parties. I have the feeling that Greece is being dissolved," Mr. Mitsotakis said in an interview in Crash.

Stressing that his daughter, former minister and ND deputy Dora Bakoyianni, is "without a doubt, among the three young politicians who are capable to rise high," Mr. Mitsotakis expressed regret over his decision to resign from the ND leadership in 1993.

[20] State Dept. says Washington expects good-neighborly relations from all its allies

Washington, 18/12/1996 (ANA - A. Ellis)

This is a basic principle in relations between allies and all our allies in NATO will agree with us. Secondly, we support absolutely Turkey's inclusion in European mechanisms and we made this known both to the European Union and to European countries at a bilateral level. "We do not support any kind of threats by one NATO ally against another. NATO is an organization of collective defense to safeguard the collective security of all. It is not an organization whose members fought against each other ever, or should fight against each other," he said.

[21] Gov't unconcerned by new opinion poll

Athens, 18/12/1996 (ANA)

Mr. Reppas was responding to questions regarding a new opinion poll showing conservative opposition New Democracy leading PASOK by a slight margin.

The poll, conducted by MRB Hellas, also showed a dip in Prime Minister Costas Simitis' popularity.

"We will let whoever wants to feel joy over this opinion poll feel joy, while we keep the joy we felt over winning the elections, which determined the course of the country," Mr. Reppas said.

[22] Diplomats to consider further strike action

Athens, 18/12/1996 (ANA)

The strike, and primarily that of the diplomatic corps, has created serious problems for the country's diplomatic missions abroad as well as for communication between Greek embassies with Athens.

According to reports, Foreign Under-secretary Christos Rozakis had a meeting with a representation of diplomatic officials on Monday. Mr. Rozakis said the government is examining the demand that an overseas bonus for diplomats should not be taxed, which Finance Under-secretary Nikos Christodoulakis rejected last week.

According to the same sources, the government intends to handle the diplomats' claim through the tax bill. Consequently, a decision might be taken at the general assembly today to suspend the strike since the diplomats' initial aim of having the government address and sensitize itself over their claim was achieved.

[23] Turkeys seized by health officials

Athens, 18/12/1996 (ANA)

According to reports, market checks in view of the holiday season are intensifying.

[24] Suit filed after priest refuses to perform funeral service

Athens, 18/12/1996 (ANA)

Christos Fyssanidis, 48, filed the complaint at the police station in Drama following the death of his wife, Sofia, 43, who had died in Thessaloniki, and the priest's refusal.

The last wish of the deceased was to be buried in her hometown. The priest at the church of Agia Triada (Holy Trinity) in Drama, Theodoros Topalidis, 45, refused to perform the funeral service, saying that "the deceased was married in a civil no t a religious ceremony."

Called by the police to make a deposition, the priest claimed he had simply been carrying out the instructions of the Metropolis (bishopric).

[25] Faikoglou handed suspended sentence for election fracas

Athens, 18/12/1996 (ANA)

During parliamentary elections in 1989, Faikoglou forced his way into a polling station in Kimmeria, Xanthi and caused a commotion when the local polling representative prohibited him from entering, in accordance with existing electoral legislation.

Faikoglou had initially been sentenced to five months in jail by a court in Xanthi.

End of English language section.

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