From: tzarros@ccs.carleton.ca (Theodore Zarros) Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Wed, 27 Jul 1994 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa). * EU Commission endorses O.A. rescue plan, Pangalos says * Arsenis "very satisfied" with Moscow defence, military talks * Greece will not violate UN Iraq embargo, FM spokesman * House to debate Convergence Plan * German-built warplanes for Greek Air Force * Current accounts deficit shrinks * Neorion shipyard goes to Amber Maritinite * U.S. trade delegation to visit Greece - Papandoniou * Greece to get wide screen TV December * Israel ignores Jerusalem Orthodox See from talks on worship sites ANA bulletin, 27/07/1994 ( ) ============================= EU Commission endorses O.A. rescue plan, Pangalos says ------------------------------------------------------ Athens, 27 July 1994 (ANA).--- Transport Minister Theodoros Pangalos yesterday announced that the European Commission had approved the rescue plan for the national carrier Olympic Airways, and would ratify the approval today. "The decision opens the road for the restructuring of Olympic Airways. It is a great opportunity for Olympic", he told a news conference. The plan envisages an approximate $2 billion debt write-off and calls for a four-year wage freeze at 1993 levels for all company staff, early retirement for over 1,700 personnel and suspension of the loss-making Athens-Tokyo and Athens-Chicago routes. In a second phase, flights to Australia, Canada, Amsterdam and Vienna will be terminated. Mr Pangalos said the plan would be submitted in parliament for approval next month, following ratification by the European Union's executive body. He cautioned survival of the national carrier hinged on strict implementation of the rescue plan. "If we want to maintain OA as our national carrier, no exceptions or adjustments to the plan will be made possible", he said. There was no independent confirmation of the approval in Brussels, but European Transport Commissioner Marcelino Oreja is scheduled to announce the Commission's decision today. ANA Arsenis "very satisfied" with Moscow defence, military talks ------------------------------------------------------------ MOSCOW (ANA - D. Konstantakopoulos) - National Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis said he was "very satisfied" with talks he held in Moscow yesterday with Russian first Vice President Oleg Saskavech, on defence, military cooperation and other topics. Mr. Arsenis also conferred with War Industry Minister Mr. Gluchich on defence industry cooperation prospects, and joint manufacture of defence equipment. The two sides decided to set up a committee of Russian military industry and Industry Ministry officials to examine specific measures to implement cooperation, mainly joint production of weaponry systems. Greece attaches special significance to joint production rather than mere purchase of weaponry systems. Specific discussions initiated with the Russian side allow for expanding overall cooperation, serving also as clear pointers of alternative options to Greece's main weaponry system suppliers . Mr. Arsenis and his Russian counterpart Pavel Grachev held a second unscheduled meeting before Mr. Grachev's departure for former Yugoslavia. According to exclusive ANA reports quoting well-informed diplomatic sources, the two defence ministers held prolonged and in-depth private talks late Monday night, reviewing the situation in former Yugoslavia in light of Mr. Grachev's departure to carry out a special mission assigned to him by Russian President Boris Yeltsin. The sources said other issues discussed included Greece's role in the Bosnia crisis, cooperation between Greece and Russia, and Greece, the U.S. and Russia on possible joint initiatives. Talks between the two ministers, the sources said, have established communication between the Greek and Russian military and political leadership both directly and on a personal level, a development already achieved with the U.S. The development considerably widens Greece's possibilities to play a main role in international consultations on resolving the Bosnia crisis, at the same time confirming considerable convergence of concern and aims between Athens and Moscow in the Balkans. Replying to a press question on the increase in Turkey's military potential, Mr. Arsenis said: "I don't know where this information comes from. A solution in the region will not be brought about with an increase in armaments but with cooperation among peoples. Regarding Turkey, we would say that no move should be made by Turkey, and other countries, possibly helping Turkey overturn the balance of forces in the region. We will not allow the balance of forces to be overturned in the region. And I want to send this message in all directions. I also sent it here in Moscow. ANA Greece will not violate UN Iraq embargo, FM spokesman ------------------------------------------------------ Athens, 27 July 1994 (ANA).-- Greece said yesterday it has no intention of violating the United Nations embargo against Iraq. "Greece, respects its international commitments, and has no intention of violating the embargo the United Nations has imposed against Iraq," Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Costas Bikas said commenting on an article published yesterday in an Athens afternoon daily. The story in the Athens daily, which also quoted foreign news agencies, claimed that Foreign Affairs Minister Karolos Papoulias had pledged his Iraqi counterpart Tariq Aziz, during recent talks in Athens, Greece would support Iraq by supplying modern high technology equipment and other material, for that Middle Eastern country's rehabilitation following the Gulf War in early 1991. When Mr. Aziz visited Athens last Thursday, Mr. Papoulias told the Iraqi minister Greece would lobby for lifting of the sanctions, if Baghdad complied with all U.N. conditions for a return to stability in the region. The UN imposed sanctions on Iraq after President Saddam Hussein's August 1990 invasion of neighbouring Kuwait and subsequent seven-month occupation. A Security Council decision last Monday said sanctions should be maintained, despite a request by members of the 15-seat body to issue a statement saying Iraq had made progress in complying with weapons demands. House to debate Convergence Plan --------------------------------- A government-proposed debate on the Greek EU Convergence Plan will be held in Parliament this afternoon. The debate will be held at party-leader level. ANA German-built warplanes for Greek Air Force ------------------------------------------ National Defense Minister Gerasimos Arsenis will attend the commissioning of German-built RF4 aircraft into the Greek Air Force at the 110 Flight Combat unit in Larissa, tomorrow. The warplanes are part of a military aid package to Greece. The ceremony will also be attended by National Defence Undersecretaries Nikolaos Kouris and Emmanuel Beteniotis, German Ambassador Leopold Bill von Bredow, the leadership of the armed services and local officials. ANA Current accounts deficit shrinks -------------------------------- The current accounts deficit fell to 235 million dollars in April this year, down from 427 million dollars in the same month of 1993, according to central bank figures released yesterday. For the period January-April, the deficit was contained at 91 million dollars, compared with 654 million dollars in the same four-month period of 1993. According to Bank of Greece balance of payments figures for the first four months of 1994, the value of imports totalled 5.877 billion dollars, against 5.746 billion dollars, marking an increase of 2.3 per cent. The value of exports reached 1.556 billion dollars, down 12.4 per cent from the corresponding figure of 1,776 billion dollars in 1993. Tourism exchange amounted to 538 million dollars, compared with 523.4 million dollars, marking a 2.8 per cent increase. Shipping exchange totalled 546 million dollars, against 584.1 million dollars, down by 6.5 per cent. Emigrant remittances amounted to 705 million dollars, compared with 714 million dollars, marking a 1.3 per cent drop. Net EU inflows totalled 2.419 billion dollars, against 1.823 billion dollars in the same period of 1993, marking a 32.7 per cent increase. Inflow of business capital reached 616 million dollars, compared with 800.6 million dollars in 1993, a drop of 23.1 per cent. The import of exchange by Greeks overseas for the purchase of property in Greece totalled 265 million dollars, down 4.3 per cent from the corresponding figure of 277 million dollars in the same four-month period of 1993. Public sector debt repayments amounted to 1.602 billion dollars, compared with 1.780 billion dollars in 1993. These figures resulted in a 608.5 million dollar surplus at the end of April and foreign exchange reserves of 9.302 billion dollars, compared with 5.753 billion dollars in the same four-month period of 1993. ANA Neorion shipyard goes to Amber Maritinite ----------------------------------------- Industry Minister Copstas Simitis yesterday named 'AMBER Maritinite' as the highest bidder for the purchase of the Neorion Shipyard on Syros. AMBER has offered to pay 2.15 billion drachmas in six instalments and ensures 600 posts to be gradually filled over a period of 20 months. Alternate Industry Minister Christos Rokofyllos said the final agreement would be signed within 25 days, after which Amber would begin implementing an 800-million drachma investment programme. However, President of the union of former Neorion workers Costas Raouzaios said former workers disagreed with the terms of sale, adding they would decide on what stance to adopt at a general meeting in a few days. Mr. Simitis cautioned if the sale were not concluded, closing down the shipyard would be inevitable. ANA U.S. trade delegation to visit Greece - Papandoniou ---------------------------------------------------- New York (ANA- M.Georgiadou).- United States Assistant Secretary of Commerce Mr Baratt will head an American trade delegation to Greece, Balkan and other Black Sea countries towards the end of the year or early 1995, National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou told Greek reporters in New York yesterday. Mr Papantoniou's meeting with Mr Baratt,Friday, was the last in a series of contacts in Washington that included Secretary of the Treasury Lloyd Bentsen and head of President Clinton's team of economic experts Laura Dyson. Referring to the Baratt visit, the Minister said it was based "on a coincidence of business and financial interests between Greece and the USA in the broader Balkan peninsula and Black Sea countries". He stressed there are many Greek businessmen who have invested in the Balkans and Black Sea countries, while Americans have not moved very rapidly in the area, in contrast to other countries in Eastern Europe. "It is clear that Greece can play a strategic role in developing broad economic cooperation, not only with America, but also with Europe and perhaps Japan", he said. "We know Balkan peoples, we have great friendship links with them, we know how their societies work, their economies, we have developed many contacts historically and, more recently, with their governments, and we thus have a clear edge in seeking alliances over companies from other countries trying to penetrate the area. "We are already there, and have already conquered a very significant position. In Bulgaria we are the second investment force but, of course, further expansion of our role depends to a large extent on alliances we will conclude with companies from other countries", he continued. Mr Papantoniou mentioned two particular directions in which American businessmen might opt for in the investment field in Greece. Firstly, through participation in major projects which will be carried out with the inflow of about 20 billion dollars in the next five years, under the Delors Package II. Secondly, in tourism, where very keen American interest has been manifested. He also spoke of American interest for participing in acquiring stock in Greek public enterprises, beginning with OTE (Greek Telecommunications Corporation). Another field was the great development potential of the Greek banking sector, and the role it mightplay in the broader Balkan region, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. "Greece", Mr. Papantoniou noted, "is becoming a European country as regards the manner in which its economy operates...this is an important message of stability which is becoming accepted". ANA Greece to get wide screen TV December ------------------------------------ BRUSSELS (ANA/ F. Stangos) - Greece is to enter the new 'wide screen' (16.9 inch) system of television transmission by the end of 1994, along with Belgium and Britain. The Greek company 'Doriforiki Television", based in Serres, has, along with another 10 channels from 8 EU member-states, submitted its participation in the Action Programme for financial assistance towards the adoption of the new system. The programme, worth 220 million ECUs and designed to provide 21,000 hours of transmission, was initiated last year with the participation of 11 channels from 5 countries. The second phase in which Doriforiki is participating covers the July 1994 to December 1995 period. The Greek company will receive 507,500 ECUs for 400 hours. ANA Israel ignores Jerusalem Orthodox See from talks on worship sites ---------------------------------------------------------------- JERUSALEM (ANA - G. Zarkadis) - The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem yesterday expressed grave concern over its exclusion from discussions under way on the status of places of worship. "The Patriarchate expresses grave concern over the future status of places of worship since it has not been invited to attend meetings although it is an issue concerning a mutually-acknowledged most ancient Church. In addition, it is the sole autocephalous Church among Christian Churches in Jerusalem which controls approximately 70 per cent of places of worship," Metropolitan Timotheos, the Patriarch's chief secretary, told ANA. According to reports, Israel, in the framework of settling the future of Jerusalem, appears prepared to grant control of Moslem religious institutions to King Hussein of Jordan, while Crown Prince of Jordan Hasan recently said Jordan and the Vatican should control places of worship in Jerusalem. It is strongly rumoured that Israel is examining an alternative solution allowing for control of the old city of Jerusalem by an inter-state committee comprising Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and the Vatican, which recently established diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate expressed satisfaction over the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and the Vatican, but in no way will it accept a reversal of the existing status which defines the Patriarchate's predominance in relation to the other Christian Churches.