BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN (11/01/1996)

From: Macedonian Press Agency <mpa@uranus.ee.auth.gr>

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

Thessaloniki, January 11, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[01] GREEK PREMIER TO MEET WITH GREEK PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC

Greek Prime Minister mr Andreas Papandreou has requested a meeting with greek President of the Republic mr Constantinos Stefanopoulos, announced government spokesman Tylemachos Hytiris.

Responding to a reporter's question about whether the premier's imminent meeting with the president will lead to the prime minister's replacement, the Minister of Interior Affairs, Decentralization and Public Administration Akis Tsohatzopoulos, who is substituting mr Ppaandreou since he was admitted to hospital on November 20th, said that the meeting has to first take place before any speculations can be made.

[02] POLITICAL MOBILITY IN GOVERNMENTAL PASOK

A group of seven members of PASOK's Central Committee announced its plans today for solving the problems stemming from the premier's hospitalization.

According to sources, these party officials support that any given solution must be "honorable, explicit, strong and sound", while they issue stern warnings to those surrounding the Premier not to place obstacles in the process.

The seven men team also suggests what additional steps should be taken after the Parliamentary Group meeting, planned for January 20 and 21. Specifically, they propose: 1. A Parliamentary Group meeting, to take place on January 24 or 25, to decide on the election procedure of a new prime minister who will be elected immediately thereafter. 2. Government re-shuffle "with the participation of the most valued officers and with the guiding principle that no one is excluded from or denied participation in the government." 3. New Session of the Central Committee during the beginning of February, for the election of a new, representative Executive Bureau.

Addressing the possibility that members of the premier's environment might hinder, the Committee's plans, they stated that "any adverse action that may endanger our smooth transition to a new political period will be the crucial historical proof of their intent to prove immensely useful to themselves and provocatively uncaring for the country, the people and PASOK."

[03] OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER SENDS LETTER TO PREMIER, ASKS HIM TO RESIGN

The main opposition party New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert send a letter to the hospitalized Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou today in which, according to sources, he states that in light of the problems that have arisen as a result of the premier's extended illness, mr. Papandreou's resignation would be the best solution "both humanly and politically."

According to the same sources, mr. Evert stresses in his letter that by resigning mr. Papandreou will "guard himself, his party and the country."

In his letter, which does not exceed one page, the President of New Democracy describes the current political situation and mentions that "due to the current vacancy in leadership, dangers surround both national and foreign issues." Mr. Evert has forwarded a copy of his letter to the President of the Republic, Kostis Stefanopoulos, with whom he might meet within the following days.

[04] THE CONDITION OF THE GREEK PRIME MINISTER IS UNCHANGED

The condition of greek Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou remained unchanged in the past 6 hours, according to the latest medical bulletin issued at 8:30 pm. by the Onasion Cardiology Center.

In the medical bulletin is mentioned that mr. Papandreou underwent dialysis treatment and is periodically supported by respirator He has no fever while the kinesitoherapy and physiotherapy continue.

[05] VOTE OF NON-CONFIDENCE STRUCK DOWN BY MAJORITY

The no-confidence motion tabled by main opposition party New Democracy was defeated last night in the greek Parliament with 168 votes cast by PASOK's parliament members. In support of the motion voted 118 Parliament members, among them 107 New Democracy deputies and 11 deputies of the Polotical spring party. Ten parliament members abstained, among them the nine Commiunist Party deputies and the independent deputy mr. Michalis Papakonstantinou.

Absent from the voting were Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, PASOK's deputy Andreas Doutsos and New Democracy parliament members Thomas Seretis and Kostas Sapsalis. Independent parliament member Kiriakos Spyriounis sided with PASOK's deputies by voting against the proposal. Present in the parliamentary voting procedure were 296 of the 300 Parliament members.

After the declaration of the poll, Minister of Interior Affairs, Public Administration and Decentralization, mr. Akis Tsohatzopoulos, made the following statement:

"The united parliamentary majority proved that it supports the government into forming all the necessary prerequisites that will address the political issues and face the country's problems, problems that require a decisive and coordinated course.

"This, I think, is the meaning the greek parliament's vote," mr. Tsohatzopoulos said and added that "of course, the opposition party's inability was manifested and proved that it is incapable to participate in solving the political and institutional issues."

New Democracy party spokesperson and parliament member Vasilis Magginas stated that "the proposal for the non-confidence vote -regardless of the result- has forwarded the issue to the major governmental body, the Parliament and has initiated developments which we hope will lead the country out of the current lack of governance."

Antonis Samaras, leader of the second in power opposition party Political Spring said New Democracy's proposal has achieved its goal.

"New Democracy has united PASOK," mr. Samaras said, "since it further embeded the country into political instability. Soon, the greek people will realize the value of our proposal." Mr. Samaras had stated during yesterday's parliament session that PASOK and New Democracy are "two sides of the same coin."

The proposal, submitted to parliament by main opposition party leader Militades Evert, aimed at the removal and replacement of the hospitalized premier Andreas Papandreou. In order to pass, it would have had to amass at least 151 votes in support, a difficult feat to accomplish since PASOK holds 170 seats in parliament whereas opposition parties hold 130 seats.

[06] ADVERSE WEATHER DELAYS GREEK-SKOPJAN TALKS IN NEW YORK

The greek-skopjan talks posted to take place in New York today has been postponed to the severe weather conditions in the eastern United States.

Aimed at resolving the issue of FYROM's name, the talks will take place under the auspices of the UN, with mr. Cyrus Vance as mediator. Representing Greece is greek Ambassador to the UN Christos Zacharakis, while his skopjan counterpart is Ivan Tosefski.

Greek Foreign minister Karolos Papoulias has stated that Greece will not negotiate the name "Nova Macedonia."

[07] ALBANIA MOVES TO IMPROVE RELATIONS WITH GREECE

Albanian President Sali Berisa lifted today the condition of special permits mandatory for greek citizens entering Albania, in an effort to improve the two-country relations.

The greek Foreign Ministry expressed its satisfaction of the condition lift and stated that this decision will aid the economic relationship between the two countries and constitutes a positive step towards the improvement of bilateral relations.

In the past Greece had repeatedly asked the albanian government to allow greeks' unimpeded flow to and from Albania without entrance permits, as is done with other european citizens.

Mr. Berisa had imposed the entrance permit to greek citizens in September 1994, when Greece closed its albanian borders. Relations between the two countries improved after the greek foreign minister's visit to Albania in March 1995. However, following talks in Athens for the establishment of three greek schools in Albania were not fruitful.

The greek Foreign Ministry expressed satisfaction over the albanian government decision to abolish the visa requirement for the greek citizens entering Albania, a measure that has been imposed since September of 1994.

The above were stated by greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Kostas Bikas adding that this decision ends the discrimination against Greece. He also said that this decision facilitates contacts and especially the economic cooperation between the two countries while it constitutes a positive step toward the creation of the necessary preconditions that will allow the further promotion of the bilateral relations between Athens and Tirana.

[08] ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MET WITH HER GREEK COUNTERPART IN ATHENS

The issue concerning the appointment of a European Union representative who will work for the solution of the Cyprus problem will be discussed in the meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers' Council that will be held on January 29th.

This was stated by greek Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias after his meeting with his italian counterpart and EU Foreign Ministers' Council President Suzanna Anieli. In the meeting also participated and greek alternate Foreign Minister responsible for European Union issues, mr.Giorgos Romeos.

The italian Foreign Minister said to reporters that they discussed the agenda of the italian EU Presidency and the problems that arise, while a special reference was made to Mediterranean issues that the Italian EU Presidency wants to promote.

Regarding the representative, who will be appointed by the European Union in order to deal with the Cyprus problem, mrs.Anieli said that his role will be to strengthen the efforts made by US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke. The italian Foreign Minister said that the EU representative to Cyprus will be a european, and according to information, the italian EU Presidency wants a career diplomat to be appointed to the position.

Also, was discussed and the issue of illegal immigrants from Albania, a problem shared by Greece and Italy.

The italian Foreign Minister left at noon for Vienna and later, she will visit The Hague within the framework of her tour to the capital cities of the EU member- states.

[09] IMPORTANT EVIDENCE ON INVOLVEMENT OF GREEKS IN TERRORIST ATTACKS

Public Order Minister, Siphis Valirakis announced today that important evidence was uncovered concerning the involvement of greeks in two terrorist attacks that took place in Athens in 1983 and in 1985, organised and financed from abroad.

The evidence resulted from the study of former East Germany's secret service archives and from the cooperation with secret services from other countries such as Hungary, France, Germany, Switzerland and Romania.

Mr.Valirakis revealed that a few days before the New Year's day greek police officers managed to get the sworn deposition of chief international terrorist known as "Carlos", stressing that he was very negative and he did not reveal important evidence.

[10] TOURIST COOPERATION BETWEEN GREECE AND MAROCO

Maroco's Tourism Ministry Secretary General Abdel Hamid Bumedien will visit Greece on January 15-18 after an invitation by Greek Tourist Organization Chairman mr.Stephanidis. The visit aims at upgrading the tourist relations between the two countries.

The marocan official will be heading a 5-member delegation of high government officials and representatives of tourist agencies.