From: miltos@nfl2.irc.nrc.ca Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Mon, 18 Oct 1993 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa). Athens News Agency Bulletin, October 18, 1993 ============================================= Athens, 18/10/1993 (ANA): Premier Andreas Papandreou on Saturday had a ninety-minute working meeting with National Economy Minister George Yennimatas on the forthcoming government statement on economic policy. Speaking to the press after the meeting, Mr. Papandreou said Mr. Yennimatas had briefed him on the current state of the economy, decisions had been made and instructions would be given to other ministries. "It was a very useful meeting", Mr. Papandreou said. Mr. Yennimatas said he was briefing the prime minister daily, and it had been agreed that no fragmentary statements should be made prior to the full policy statement in parliament, at which both the House and the people of Greece would be given a responsible and detailed report on the state of the national economy. "Until then, casually flinging about figures would be wrong", he said. Athens, 18/10/1993 (ANA): Under-secretary to the Prime Minister's Office and government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos Saturday made announcements in Thessaloniki concerning the mass media, after meeting with the Macedonia and Thrace Daily Press Association's board. "The government's goal is securing plurality in the mass media without exclusions. We will pursue consenting solutions so as to exit from the present unacceptable situation", Mr. Venizelos said. "There will be institutional changes at the National Radio and Television Council", he said, refusing to elaborate further. However, according to reports, the government is concerned with the issue of reducing members and representation. The law concerning the selection of Hellenic Radio and Television's (ERT) new board will be observed, he said, adding that this will take place soon. Mr. Venizelos said the composition of ERT's board will safeguard seriousness and transparency. He reiterated the government's commitment to the upgrading of ET 3, the television station servicing northern Greece and said the government would also proceed towards the upgrading of the Macedonian Press Agency and strengthen the Balkan Journalists Federation, which has been established in Thessaloniki. Athens, 18/10/1993 (ANA): Russian President Boris Yeltsin yesterday sent Premier Andreas Papandreou a message of congratulations, renewing his recent invitation that Mr. Papandreou visit Russia officially. "I have warm memories of our recent meeting, and I am confident the traditionally friendly Greek-Russian relations will develop favourably in all sectors, benefiting our countries and interests relating to stability and co-operation in the Balkans and the entire European continent. With this opportunity, I would like to confirm my invitation that you pay an official visit to Russia", the Russian president's message said. Mr. Yeltsin and then-main opposition leader Mr. Papandreou met early July this year when the Russian leader paid an official visit to Athens. Mr. Papandreou also received congratulatory messages from Romanian President and Premier Ion Iliescu and Nicolae Vacaroiu, Uruguay President Luis Alberto Lacalle Herrera, Guyana President Cheddi Jagan, Hungarian Premier Jozsef Antall, Czech Premier Vaclas Kiaus, Canadian Premier Kim Campbell, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Miguel Angel Martinez, and president of the Palestine Liberation Organisation Yasser Arafat. Athens, 18/10/1993 (ANA): Sergeant Michalis Soumbouros, the Greek soldier killed Thursday in an ambush on a UN aid convoy distributing food to Somalis, was buried in Veria Saturday. Soumbouros was serving with the Greek contingent participating in the UN peacekeeping force in Somalia when he was killed. Public Order Minister Stelios Papathemelis represented the government at the funeral. Soumbouros' flag-draped coffin arrived in Athens by air and was sent to Veria by road on Friday night. His funeral took place at 2 PM at the city's Metropolitan Cathedral. Two hours earlier, a te deum service was held at Veria's Agios Antonios cathedral and a parade followed in downtown Veria to mark the 81st anniversary of the city's liberation from Turkish rule. National Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis has said the government would review the issue of Greece's participation in the multinational forces in Somalia after Soumbouros' death. Athens, 18/10/1993 (ANA): The environment, Town Planning, and Public Works Ministry has announced special measures to be enforced in Attica today in view of prevailing high smog levels. All private cars and taxis with number plates ending in odd numbers will be barred from entering the inner restricted zone in Athens. Private cars with odd numbers will also be barred from entering the outer restricted zone. Moreover, industries will be expected to reduce consumption by 30 per cent and hospital incinerators will not be allowed to operate. Should similar weather conditions prevail tomorrow as well, the ministry will announce a continuation of the restrictive measures. Athens, 18/10/1993 (ANA): Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Maria Damanaki said Saturday that her decision to resign as leader of the Coalition, following the party's failure to get into parliament, was definite and irrevocable. Speaking at a special two-day meeting of the Central Political Committee of the party, Ms Damanaki reviewed the reasons and problems which had led her to tender her resignation. She acknowledged that she was to blame for the party's failure to gain representation in parliament, but added that there were others, whom she did not name, who also bore responsibility. Ms. Damanaki said she was confident of the party's future, subject, she said, to its thorough reorganisation and the election of a new leadership geared to that purpose. The Committee unanimously agreed to a hold a special congress of the party in December to elect a new president and elaborate the party's new policy. Athens, 18/10/1993 (ANA): Police records contain no elements incriminating Nontas Skyftoulis, while his remand in custody had been decided by the investigating authorities, Public order Minister Stelios Papathemelis said in Thessaloniki yesterday. Mr. Papathemelis added that initial decisions relating to the police would be taken in a few days, but it was too soon to talks about changes that would be taking place. He acknowledged the police was facing an efficiency problem relating to a relationship of confidence between the citizen and the law-enforcement officer. Belgrade, 18/10/1993 (Macedonian Press Agency / ANA): Bishop Athanasios of the Serbian Orthodox Church was prevented by Skopje police from entering the country on Friday night on grounds that clergymen of this church cannot travel via Skopje, according to the Tanjug news agency. Bishop Athanasios asked to see documents prohibiting Serb Orthodox clergymen from passing through Skopje but police refused, adding that police and customs officials have been so instructed by the Skopjan government. Bishop Athanasios was travelling to Thessaloniki to attend religious celebrations, at the invitation of the Greek Orthodox Church, and finally reached his destination via Bulgaria. The Skopjan Orthodox Church has declared itself independent from the Serbian Orthodox Church but has neither been recognised by the Patriarchate of Constantinople nor by any other Orthodox Church. Athens, 18/10/1993 (ANA): Alternate Foreign Minister responsible for EC matters Theodoros Pangalos and National Economy Under-secretary George Romaios are due to have a crucial meeting with European Commission chairman Jacques Delors in Brussels tomorrow. Mr. Pangalos left for Paris yesterday to attend the Schengen Group meeting, concerning the free movement of persons in EC countries, today. Moreover, the Council of Agriculture Ministers will convene in Luxembourg today. Greece will be represented by Agriculture Under-secretary Floros Constantinou.