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A.N.A. Bulletin, 21/10/96

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 1020), October 21, 1996

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] Clinton. Greek-Turkish disputes should be resolved on basis of international treaties
  • [02] PASOK Central Committee meeting ends with strong endorsement of Simitis's proposals
  • [03] ND leadership problems played out in the Sunday press
  • [04] Evert expected to announce a June ND Congress this week, and to attack 'enemies within the walls'
  • [05] Israeli-Greek naval exercise set for coming months, official says
  • [06] Conference on stability in SE Europe begins in Athens today
  • [07] Vartholomeos to visit Australia in November
  • [08] Police officer suspended
  • [09] News in Brief
  • [10] Major find unearthed at Pella
  • [11] Athens remembers Panayiotis Kanellopoulos
  • [12] News in Brief

  • [01] Clinton. Greek-Turkish disputes should be resolved on basis of international treaties

    Washington, 21/10/1996 (ANA - T. Ellis)

    US President Bill Clinton, in a campaign message to the US Greek community, reiterated on Saturday his country's position that a peaceful resolution of Greek-Turkish disputes should be found based on respect for recognized borders and for international treaties.

    He noted that his personal intervention in the dispute over the Aegean islet of Imia last January had averted a military conflict, which he said would have been catastrophic for the interests of both the USA and NATO. The US, he added, was in favor of this dispute being referred to the International Court at the Hague and above all was strongly opposed to 'superficial' territorial claims, such as Turkey's questioning of Greece's sovereignty over the island of Gavdos a few months ago.

    Mr. Clinton called the continued division of the island of Cyprus unacceptable and condemned the unjustified killing of Greek Cypriots near the buffer zone. US financial aid for Cyprus ($15 million annually), he added, would continue.

    [02] PASOK Central Committee meeting ends with strong endorsement of Simitis's proposals

    Athens, 21/10/1996 (ANA)

    The ruling party PASOK's Central Committee on Saturday almost unanimously endorsed Prime Minister and PASOK leader Costas Simitis's proposals for the party, bringing the two-day session to a close.

    The Central Committee convened on Friday to discuss party reconstruction and assess the results of the September general election which renewed PASOK's four-year mandate on September 22.

    "What is important about the September elections is that PASOK has won and it is now the master of the game for another four years. This is a great victory," the premier said.

    Mr. Simitis said on Saturday that despite a diversity of views at the sessions, the general assessment followed the same direction.

    Endorsing National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos's call to "march on together," the premier hinted that he would try to ease internal party opposition.

    His statement was seen as an effort to normalize internal opposition at the top of the party following a long and, at times, turbulent period before elections.

    Answering to certain statements that PASOK's election win was a "Pyrrhic victory," Mr. Simitis said it would be wrong to base conclusions on numbers.

    "If we only look at the numbers we will be led to wrong conclusions or even conclusions without meaning," he added.

    The prime minister described as "positive" the fact that the traditional right wing voters which voted for PASOK have caused a "shrinkage" in support for the main opposition New Democracy party.

    The prime minister said PASOK would be able to win back the traditional PASOK voters, "who voted for the parties of Left because they were displeased with the government's economic and social policies," if it directed action towards implementation of it s stated program "which responds to the needs of the people."

    Turning to other issues, Mr. Simitis said relations between the party and the government should be characterized by "unity."

    He said the Central Committee would reconvene to discuss the government's economic policy prior to submitting the 1997 budget in Parliament.

    Addressing the sessions on Saturday, Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said the September election win "was a vindication of the choice to proceed with early elections."

    Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the election win provided the starting point for a common effort which is necessary for better administration on the part of the government and "an ideological and political hegemony, necessary to serve the national and social interests," on the part of the party.

    Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said Greece was entering a "critical period regarding national issues, defense ability and the development effort," adding that "we should undertake initiatives and adopt a tough stance," regarding what he termed as "efforts coming from outside."

    Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said "we are the only government in Europe with a one-party strong majority."

    "Economic and technological competition inevitably leads to a need for stabilization and the displeasure of employees and workers," Mr. Pangalos told the sessions on Saturday.

    He said the fact that a sector of PASOK voters supported the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) in recent elections "constitutes a vote of protest which reflects the cost of modernization and the end of the party's clientele-type relations."

    Also taking the floor on Saturday was Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis, who told the sessions that the shifting of ND traditional voters to PASOK greatly contributed to the government's recent election win.

    "This could be seen in a positive light if it was the direct result of PASOK's efforts in this direction. Unfortunately it was the choice of middle to upper class voters aspiring for a macroeconomic policy of right-wing ideologies. This aspiration must be dismissed," Mr. Arsenis said.

    The minister said these voters constitute the first problem of the post-election PASOK "because they bear great influence on the mass media," and warned against any shifts in party ideology in order to meet their aspirations.

    Mr. Arsenis also referred to efforts for a party reconstruction saying that at critical times "we need to take big and not small steps."

    He further stressed the need "to abandon the mentality of the administrator and endorse the mentality of the reformist."

    Turning to other issue, Mr. Arsenis said the convergence progamme should be implemented, adding that wealth should be "impres-sively redistributed throu-gh a four-year-long program" and called for radical reforms in the sectors of health and education .

    He said that cuts in expenditures will not help preserve the social state adding that the introduction of radical tax reforms, "the key to the government's economic policy" will provide the means to solve the deficit problem.

    Concluding, he proposed that the party's Central Committee convene to discuss the 1997 budget prior to its submitting in Parliament.

    [03] ND leadership problems played out in the Sunday press

    Athens, 21/10/1996 (ANA)

    In a series of interviews in the Sunday press, New Democracy (ND) party officials sought to present their views on the main opposition party's leadership issue.

    George Souflias, ND leader Miltiades Evert's rival in the leadership election earlier this month, told "To Vima" he considered Mr. Evert a transitionary leader. He announced he would be a candidate in the next election for the leadership, which he had n o doubt would be raised again at next year's party congress. Mr. Evert is expected to announce that the congress will be held next June on Wednesday.

    Mr. Souflias called for the formation of a committee, acceptable to all, to organize the congress. In addition, he felt that internal party elections were mandatory, since the party's defeat in last month's parliamentary elections showed it was time for a new beginning.

    "... For me it is inconceivable for Mr. Evert to ignore the demand of the (party's electoral) base and that of Greek society in general," Mr. Souflias said. He also stressed that the party could not allow "leftists and so-called leftists" to have a monopoly on sensitivity to social issues.

    In Sunday's "Eleftherotypia", Petros Tatoulis, who is affiliated to Mr. Souflias and his allies, also called for an immediate solution to the leadership issue, calling on Mr. Evert to withdraw voluntarily or for the congress to be held at an earlier date. He also urged the ND leader not to declare his candidacy again. Mr. Tatoulis emphasized that otherwise he would force the issue, either by calling for a vote of confidence (requiring 1/3 of the party's parliamentary group) or by calling an emergency congress. He also called for the voluntary retirement of the old guard.

    Aristides Tsiplakos, in an interview in the Sunday "Adesmeftos Typos", reported that former deputies were working behind the scenes to help get the party out of its current impasse. A group of 15 young deputies, who he maintained did not constitute a fixed group, were preparing proposals regarding opinion polls, private media and party funding.

    [04] Evert expected to announce a June ND Congress this week, and to attack 'enemies within the walls'

    Athens, 21/10/1996 (ANA)

    Sources disclosed on Saturday that main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert will officially announce to the party's Central Committee on Wednesday that the ND congress will be held on June.

    According to the same sources, the ND leader will reiterate his refusal to proceed with new internal party elections and will lash out against those "disputing the 37,000 elected party officials."

    Mr. Evert, the sources said, will note in his speech that "the enemy is within the walls of New Democracy - those aspiring at the perpetuation of party introversion..."

    The ND leader will elaborate on the ten basic ideological differences between New Democracy and PASOK and will attack the government as "a government of hypocrisy and heavy taxes".

    [05] Israeli-Greek naval exercise set for coming months, official says

    Nicosia, 21/10/1996 (ANA)

    An Israeli foreign ministry official has told the Cypriot daily "Fileleftheros" that Greece and Israel are to carry out a joint naval exercise either at the end of this year or early in 1997.

    Michael Pauli, deputy director for Western European affairs at the Israeli foreign ministry, explained that the exercise would be in search and rescue techniques and would not be in any way a combat exercise.

    Meanwhile, Mr. Pauli emphasized that any joint exercise carried out by Israel with Turkey, Greece or Cyprus would not be directed against any third country.

    He also noted that delays in implementing a Greek-Israeli accord signed in December 1994 were due to the Greek side, for which the accord was not a major priority.

    [06] Conference on stability in SE Europe begins in Athens today

    Athens, 21/10/1996 (ANA)

    A conference on the promotion of stability and good neighborly relations in the southeastern Europe is due to open today in Athens with the participation of top foreign ministry officials from EU member states, the Balkan countries, the US, Russia and international organizations.

    Secretary-General of European Affairs Stelios Perrakis will open the conference. Ambassador Dimitris Kypraios is head of the Greek delegation to the meeting.

    The conference aims at "rehabilitation of trust and dialogue between the parties involved, prevention of tension and crises and ensuring stability in the region."

    In particular, the conference will consider measures to facilitate the flow of goods and people, encourage technical and scientific co-operation and eliminate "hostile propaganda."

    [07] Vartholomeos to visit Australia in November

    Melbourne, 21/10/1996 (ANA)

    Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos will make a historic visit to Australia in November which will include officiating at service to be held in Melbourne's indoor stadium, which thousands of Greek Orthodox believers are expected to attend.

    [08] Police officer suspended

    Athens , 21/10/1996 (ANA)

    A police officer was arrested in Ioannina yesterday after he was caught driving a truck carrying 20 illegal immigrants from the border region of Konitsa in northern Greece to Athens.

    After his arrest, Theofanis Makris, 50, was suspended.

    Police said Makris received the sum of 35,000 drachmas from each immigrant.

    Meanwhile, Public Order Minister George Romeos said he would fight those police officers which constitute an offence to the efforts and the work of their colleagues.

    [09] News in Brief

    Athens, 21/10/1996 (ANA)

    Lawyer Yannis Papadoyiannakis has been appointed Secretary-General at the public order ministry.

    Mr. Papadoyiannakis, who in the past held the post of Secretary-General at the justice ministry, is replacing Socrates Kosmidis.

    Mr. Papadoyiannakis is also a member of the committee organizing Athens' bid for the 2004 Olympic Games.

    [10] Major find unearthed at Pella

    Athens, 21/10/1996 (ANA)

    A golden ring depicting the mother of gods was unearthed by archaeologists at digs in the ancient Pella site in Macedonia, an international conference on Ancient Macedonia was told Saturday.

    Archaeologist Maria Akamati told the conference, held in Thessaloniki, that excavations in the same region also revealed two treasures of invaluable coins dating back to Hellenistic times.

    The mother of gods on the golden ring is depicted seated on a throne and holding a sceptre. Next to her, on each side, there is a lion and an incensory.

    [11] Athens remembers Panayiotis Kanellopoulos

    Athens, 21/10/1996 (ANA)

    President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos on Saturday praised the work and character of former member of the Parliament and the Athens Academy, Panayiotis Kanellopoulos, in a seminar marking the tenth anniversary of his death.

    The seminar, held under the auspices of Mr. Stephanopoulos, was held with the participation of many academics, university professors and intellectuals who referred to the work of Kanellopoulos.

    Kanellopoulos, a sociologist, historian, poet and philosopher died in 1986 at the age of 84.

    He was a member of the Parliament and the Academy for 30 years.

    [12] News in Brief

    Athens, 21/10/1996 (ANA)

    Dutch municipal councillor and professor of classical studies Riyen Alink was due to run the 43 kilometers between Athens and Marathon on Saturday to mark the 100th anniversary of the official commencement of the Marathon run in 1896.

    "My intention is to try to run this historic distance from Marathon to Athens," the 50-year-old Dutchman, a member of the political party D66, said, despite admitting that he may be getting just a little bit old for such attempts.

    End of English language section.


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