From: Theodore Zarros Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Sat, 21 May 1994 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa). Athens News Agency Bulletin, Albanian authorities reported set to put six ethnic Greeks on trial - Greek reaction ----------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 21/05/94 (ANA): -Greece yesterday stood firm on its repeated calls to Albania to safeguard the human rights of the ethnic Greek community in the neighbouring Balkan state, reiterating its desire to normalise relations with Tirana. Albanian authorities reported are set to put six ethnic Greeks on trial. Albanian authorities have charged the six ethnic Greeks - all high-ranking members of Omonia, an ethnic political party - with "espionage, fomenting separatism and possessing weapons without a licence." The six, arrested in police raids a month ago, were also charged with "maintaining links with the Greek secret service." Two ethnic Greek deputies sitting in Albania's 140-member parliament, earlier denounced the detentions as "a flagrant violation of human rights". "The question of negotiating the (ethnic Greek) minority's rights does not arise. The Greek government seeks protection for the minority, as provided for in the Albanian Constitution and international law," government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said. "We appreciate the difficulties confronting Albania after 40 years of totalitarian regime, but it must take those principles (human rights) into serious consideration," Mr. Venizelos added. Greece has accused Albania of repressing ethnic Greeks living in the south of the country. Mr. Venizelos also reiterated Athens' support for another round of talks between high-ranking Greek and Albanian officials to ease recently strained relations, but said such an event would have to be preceded by a meeting of specialists from both countries. He did not elaborate. Later yesterday, US Ambassador Thomas Niles met with Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana in Athens to discuss problems facing the 400,000-strong ethnic Greek community in Albania. No statement was made after the meeting, organised by New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert. Parliament votes to probe former Premier on corruption charges -------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 21/05/1994 (ANA): Parliament yesterday approved a motion to set up a special committee to investigate allegations of corruption against former Conservative Prime Minister Constantine Mitsotakis. A total of 174 deputies voted in favour and 102 against. The outcome was anticipated due to the socialists' firm control of the 300-seat Parliament. Allegations concern the 1992 sale of ailing state-owned AGET-Heracles cement company to Italy's Calcestrucci cement producer. Parliament's decision came two-weeks after 42 socialist deputies tabled a motion, supported by the Political Spring (Pol.An) and Communist Party of Greece opposition parties, accusing Mr. Mitsotakis of betraying public confidence and accepting over 22 million dollars in kick-backs to expedite the multi-million dollar sale. In the petition, Mr. Mitsotakis is accused of accepting bribes, receiving proceeds of crime, breach of faith, dereliction of duty and violation of the law on the accountability of ministers. The move paves the way for Parliament to lift the former premier's parliamentary immunity and put him on trial before a 13-member special tribunal. The Parliament also decided to investigate allegations against Andreas Andrianopoulos, former industry minister, with 156 votes for and 109 against, and Ioannis Paleokrassas, former Finance minister and current European Commissioner for Environmental Affairs, with 167 votes for and 102 votes against. In a tense speech, Mr. Mitsotakis branded the House's move an act of revenge by the ruling Socialist party, led by his long-time political rival Andreas Papandreou. "Such persecution will backfire on your heads," Mr. Mitsotakis warned before the vote. It is the second scandal the 74-year-old former premier is accused of involvement in. On Thursday an all-party special investigative committee said Mr. Mitsotakis should stand trial for involvement in a phone-tapping scandal. PASOK rapporteur George Anomeritis said the sale "has caused harm to the company's interests and carries serious criminal responsibilities" apart from the political ones. Stefanos Manos, a New Democracy Deputy and National Economy Minister in the Mitsotakis Cabinet, rejected the charges as "totally absurd". He said an "exceptionally high price" had been secured for the sale, the procedure of which were "exceptionally transparent". Mr. Manos said the tendering process had resulted in a sale price of 107 billion dr., and subsequent negotiations had hiked the price to 129 billion dr. New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert called on the 110 party deputies to vote "according to conscience". Arsenis raises flag on Greek built troop-ship --------------------------------------------- Athens, 21/05/1994 (ANA): National Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis attended the ceremony of raising the Greek flag on the troop-carrier "Samos" at the Elefsina shipyards yesterday. In a short address to mark the event, Mr. Arsenis said he was certain Greek industry could become competitive and carry out modernisation of the armed forces. This should serve as a lever of development, upgrading and acquiring know-how for the nation, he stressed. Mr. Arsenis said constructing the ship, the first of five modern troop carriers being built at the Elefsina shipyards, signalled the end of a successful course of coexistence between productivity, modernisation and industry promotion. The modernisation drive, he said, started in 1984-1985, and its concept was that it should be combined with Greek manufacturing. The ceremony was attended by National Defence Under-secretary Nikos Kouris, the leadership of the Armed Forces leaders and other officials. Clinton asks Ciller for consideration to Ecumenical Patriarchate ----------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 21/05/1994 (ANA): US President Bill Clinton has recommended Turkish Prime Minister Tansu Ciller pay special attention to issues concerning the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. The assurance was conveyed by US Ambassador in Athens Thomas Niles to Culture Minister Thanos Mikroutsikos during a meeting yesterday. Mr. Mikroutsikos asked for US support for the just Greek demand that the St. Sophia Orthodox church in Istanbul be kept as a museum, and not be converted into a mosque. The two men discussed ways to further strengthen Greek-American cultural relations. PM invites Eurosocialists to Corfu meeting ------------------------------------------ Brussels, (ANA-M.Savvas): Leaders of 20 European socialist parties in the European Parliamentary Group of European Socialists, will come together on June 22-23 in Corfu, at the invitation of Premier Andreas Papandreou. The meeting, which precedes the European Union Corfu Summit, scheduled for June 24, will discuss Euroelections results and a spate of issues which will dominate the European Council Summit. France thanks Greece for Frenchmen's release by Bosnian Serbs ------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 21/05/1994 (ANA): -France has thanked Greece for its contribution in securing release of 11 French aid workers held by Bosnian Serbs on arms smuggling charges, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said yesterday. He added that French Foreign Minister Alain Jupe sent a note of thanks to the Athens government, currently holding the presidency of the European Union. Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias had contacted his Serbian counterpart in Belgrade and the foreign minister of Bosnian Serbs to mediate the release. Ghali aide claims no knowledge of Gligorov letter to Council ------------------------------------------------------------ United Nations, (ANA-M.Georgiadou): UN Chief's alternate spokesman Ahmed Fawzi told reporters yesterday he did "not know" whether or not Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) President Kiro Gligorov had sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General requesting a meeting of the Security Council to discuss Greece's trade sanctions against his country. Mr. Gligorov disclosed his intentions to resort to the Security Council if Greece refused to lift sanctions, at a meeting Thursday with Yasushi Akashi, the UN Secretary-General's special envoy in former Yugoslavia. Greece imposed trade sanctions against FYROM as retortion measures against Mr. Gligorov's persistent intransigence. Greece demands that FYROM change its flag and name and amend articles of its Constitution which carry veiled irredentist designs against Greece's northern province of Macedonia. Mr. Akashi told the press he would convey a "message" by Mr. Gligorov to the UN chief. He visited FYROM on Thursday, accompanied by the general commander of the UN peacekeeping forces in former Yugoslavia, General Bertrand de Lapresle, to be briefed on the level of security in the region. Mr. Fawzi told the press yesterday, Mr. Akashi's visit was held in the framework of monitoring and supervising a UN peacekeeping unit in FYROM. New Democracy, KKE Euroelections tickets ready --------------------------------------------- Athens, 21/05/1994 (ANA): Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert yesterday announced his party's ticket of 25 candidates for next month's Euro-elections. It will be headed by former National Economy Minister Efthymios Christodoulou. Thessaloniki University Rector Antonis Trakatellis is second, with singer and UNICEF ambassador Nana Mouschouri third. Mr. Evert stressed he had brought about a renewal in persons, the keynote being on including many technocrats and reflecting all social classes. Another point worth noting was that out of existing ND Eurodeputies (that include independent Yiangos Pesmazoglou), those remaining on the ticket were Mr. Sarlis, Mr. Lambrias and Mr. Anastasopoulos. On the other hand, Messrs. Zavos, Pieros, Saridakis, Stavrou, Lagakos, Hatzigeorgiou and Pesmazoglou had not been selected. Communist Party list --------------------- Athens, 21/05/1994 (ANA): Meanwhile, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) also announced its own Euro-elections ticket which is headed by party veteran Vassilis Efremidis. General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) Secretary-General Yiannis Theonas is in second place. KKE Central Committee approved the ticket after talks with party organisations. The ticket is composed of 12 workers and employees, five agricultural cadres, seven scientists and artists and the President of the Panhellenic Union of National Resistance Fighters. One billion. GRD advance from 1995 budget to fund parties' Euroelections campaign ----------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 21/05/1994 (ANA): The government said yesterday it would opt for a one-billion drachma cash advance from the 1995 state budget to fund seven parties contending in June's European elections. "Our economic situation does not allow any additional burdens on this year's budget," said Interior Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos. He said a special all-party committee for European elections would meet on Tuesday to decide how to allocate the money among old and new parties. Simitis happy with Moscow talks on natural gas ----------------------------------------------- Moscow, (ANA-D.Constantakopoulos): Industry Minister Costas Simitis and Russian Economic Relations Minister Aleg Davidov yesterday discussed the natural gas and alumina plant issues as well as other topics of general interest. Mr. Simitis termed his meeting with Mr. Davidov "very good", adding "the aim of the Greek side was a discussion on natural gas-related issues, as well as examining existing settlements to see whether or not they might be improved or altered to mutual benefit. Agreement was reached on this point. I should say we succeeded in our aim." Referring to the alumina plant, Mr. Simitis said the two sides will examine what should be done in view of international developments in aluminium and alumina prices, adding the Greek side hoped a positive conclusion would be reached on building the plant. Asked by the ANA on the issue of selling gas to third parties, as provided for in the agreement's appendix, Mr. Simitis said "this is one of the issues we will discuss in more detail to see how we can resolve problems." Replying to another question by the ANA on the electric power production plant by the BCO method, Mr. Simitis stressed the Greek side's disagreement over the provision for Russian ownership of the plant and the sale by the Russians of electric power produced, noting the two sides had agreed to examine repercussions which might result from an amendment to the relevant settlements, what the Greek side could offer in return, or what other settlements might be reached at this stage to benefit both sides. Drachma holds firm under fresh speculative attack, Gov't to maintain policy ----------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 21/05/1994 (ANA): The drachma came under a new speculative attack yesterday, driving interbank interest rates up to 500 per cent, and forcing the Bank of Greece to spend 800 million German Marks and 70 million dollars to defend the national currency. The Deutsch mark closed yesterday at 150.7 dr., up by 1.15 per cent over Thursday's closing, while the dollar closed at 247.4. The ECU also increased, closing at 297 dr. Meanwhile, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said the government was satisfied with the course of the Greek currency, a week after a decision to free capital flows with the European Union. He said government measures were effective and the anti-inflationary policy was being strictly adhered to.