From: tzarros@ccs.carleton.ca (Theodore Zarros) Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Wed, 8 Jun 1994 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa). Athens News Agency Bulletin, OECD presents report to tackle unemployment ------------------------------------------- Paris, 8/6/1994 (ANA/Reuter): The OECD, which wants to play "jobs doctor" to its 25 unemployment-plagued member states, unveiled a prescription yesterday that offered something for every taste. Free-marketeering ministers at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's annual meeting in Paris said the think-tank's report was right to stress the need for flexible wages and labour rules and more private enterprise. National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said in his intervention unemployment appeared to be one of the most important problems worldwide. "Nearly half of Europe's unemployed have now been out of work for over a year. It so appears that there is no systematic correlation between levels of unemployment and the wage gap," he said. "The different causes and patterns of unemployment indicate that there cannot be a common recipe to tackle unemployment in all OECD countries or in geographical regions," he added. "It is well established that the reduction of unemployment can only be the result of appropriate macroeconomic policies that will lead to stable real economic growth, as well as of active policies targeted at removing the labour markets' structural problems and at increasing labour mobility," he said, before proposing the following: "The liberalisation of world trade and the removal of all barriers is a necessary step which will boost demand and help in channelling productive resources according to the needs of consumption. "The promotion of stable real growth with low inflation, budget deficits and public debt. "The pursuit of industrial policies in order to remove the rigidities inhibits rapid adaptation to the needs of demand. "The improvement of infrastructure which will facilitate the operation of the liberalised markets and the flexibility of the firms in adjusting to the increasingly competitive economic environment." In reference to the removal of labour market rigidities and the mobilisation of labour, Mr. Papantoniou said special measures were needed in order to improve the matching between unemployed workers and vacancies. He said the implementation of such measures should be accomplished by government intervention in the labour market such as: improvement of administrative services to the unemployed in finding employment, training of the unemployed to enhance the probability of their being re-employed, and direct job creation and subsidies to employers for hiring unemployed workers (especially long-term unemployed and disabled persons). Pangalos meets with French PM, FM --------------------------------- Paris, 8/6/1994 (ANA - O. Tsipiras): Alternate Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos yesterday met with French Prime Minister Edouard Balladur. "My meeting was decisive," Mr. Pangalos said, "because the French play a very important role in European developments." Mr. Pangalos is on a tour of European capitals in preparation of the European Union Summit in Corfu this month. Topics on which there is agreement between Greek and French governments include the need for funding major European public works, increased interest in youth employment, and the implementation of decisions taken during the Paris conference on Stability and Security in Europe. Mr. Pangalos will meet today with French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe. Le Pen's visit within Community norms - Venizelos ------------------------------------------------- Athens, 8/6/1994 (ANA): The government said yesterday that it was "impelled" to treat French extreme right-wing leader Jean Marie Le Pen's visit as falling "within the framework of diplomatic practice and legitimate Community norms." Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos added that "rejection of fascism, xenophobia, racism and all types of totalitarian deflection is not only an inherent element of civilisation but of Community norms as well." He stressed that "the sensitivity of the peoples of Europe and of Greece, especially on such issues, is both deep and consistent." Mr. Le Pen arrived in Athens Monday to attend the opening of the election campaign of the Greek National Party, sparking clashes Monday night between riot police and protesters demonstrating against his visit. Finnish Defence Minister in talks at Papagos GHQ ------------------------------------------------ Athens, 8/6/1994 (ANA): Finnish Defence Minister Elizabeth Rehn arrived in Athens yesterday on a three-day official visit, at the invitation of her Greek counterpart Gerasimos Arsenis. Ms. Rehn will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier this morning, before holding talks with Defence Ministry political and military leadership. Ms. Rehn will meet successively with Mr. Arsenis, Defence Under-secretaries Nikos Kouris and Manolis Benteniotis and National Defence Chief of Staff Admiral Christos Lymberis. Tomorrow, Ms. Rehn will visit the Greek Aerospace Industry (EAB) and the Admiralty. She will also tour the Museum of Cycladic Art and the battleship Averof on Friday before leaving Greece at noon. Clinton envoy has long talks in Skopje, may visit Athens after ------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 8/6/1994 (ANA): President Clinton's special envoy Matthew Nimetz had a long meeting yesterday with Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) Foreign Minister Stevo Crvenkovski as part of preparatory consultations to forthcoming New York discussions between UN Special Mediator Cyrus Vance and the Foreign Ministers of Greece and FYROM. Special negotiator on the Skopje issue in New York, Ivan Tosevski, was also present at the meeting which was held behind closed doors. Mr. Nimetz and Mr. Crvenkovski refused to make statements after the meeting, which was to take place in FYROM's capital Skopje, but was held in Ohris instead, for reasons which have not been explained to the press. FYROM Information Ministry issued an announcement saying a meeting took place between the two men but did not elaborate. Mr. Nimetz is expected to have a meeting today with FYROM President Kiro Gligorov. FYROM newspaper "Nova Makedonia" reported in yesterday's edition that Mr. Nimetz might return to Athens for a new round of talks with Greek officials after his visit in FYROM. According to the newspaper, "it is possible Mr. Nimetz may be bringing new ideas for discussion, as also return to Athens with specific answers." On Monday, Mr. Nimetz arrived in Greece for a meeting with Mr. Papoulias in preparation of scheduled negotiations between the Greek Minister and Mr. Vance in New York next week. Meanwhile Mr. Papoulias told the press developments in the Skopje issue "hinge on Kiro Gligorov's attitude and requests." Mr. Papoulias made the statement before departing for Teheran for a two-day visit, prior to his visit in Istanbul to participate in the NATO Summit. Mr. Nimetz was appointed by United States President Bill Clinton to assist in efforts led by UN special mediator Cyrus Vance to settle the problem between Greece and FYROM. Greece accuses FYROM of harbouring territorial claims against the northern Greek province of Macedonia and has imposed trade sanctions as retortion measures to fight FYROM intransigence. Papoulias flies to Teheran, talks "Very interesting, important" --------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 8/6/1994 (ANA): Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias left yesterday for Teheran for a two-day visit and talks on Iran's relations with the European Union and Greece, current holder of the rotating six-month EU presidency. Mr. Papoulias said his talks with the Iranian government would be "very interesting" and "important". "There are common interests at economic and also political level, and Greek-Iranian relations in recent decades have been considered very good. Mutual interest also exists for further developing such relations," Mr. Papoulias said in an airport statement shortly before his departure. Iran, he said, was "located in an area with regional strength and influence ... and Greece is interested in that wider region." Turning to EU relations with Iran, Mr. Papoulias, who chairs the EU Council of Ministers, said those relations were at the stage of "critical dialogue." Greece, he added, was among the member states that endorsed dialogue between the EU and Iran. "Iran is a significant force in the region, and for the sake of strategic balances the European Union must preserve this 'critical dialogue' and develop its relations with Teheran," Mr. Papoulias said. Papoulias, Turkish FM to discuss Patriarchate security, bilateral relations ----------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 8/6/1994 (ANA): The issue of additional security for the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the latest developments in Greek-Turkish relations will be discussed by Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias and his Turkish counterpart Hikmet Cetin on the sidelines of the June 9-10 meeting of foreign ministers in Istanbul. Mr. Papoulias, who left yesterday morning for Teheran, will fly on to Istanbul today to attend the NATO meeting, on the sidelines of which he will also hold bilateral talks with US Secretary of State Warren Christopher and other NATO and non-NATO foreign ministers. "Greece considers an Ecumenical Patriarchate request for additional security justified," Mr. Papoulias said in response to press questions at the airport. The request came after a recent spate of terrorist attacks against the Patriarchate and discovery of three bombs planted by an Islamic group in the Patriarchate building. The Athens government "reacted strongly after those incidents, and in all directions", he said, recalling his personal letter to US Secretary of Sate Warren Christopher and his protest to the European Union over the situation in regard to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Mr. Papoulias also dismissed as "ludicrous" charges Ankara claims that Kurdish separatist rebels had received training in Greece. The Greek government retorted such claims were both "groundless and slanderous". Meanwhile, government spokesman said President of the Republic Constantine Karamanlis would reply to Turkish President Suleyman Demirel's recent letter on Turkey's Kurdish problem. Mr. Venizelos said President Demirel letter's raised Turkey's "familiar claims" that Kurdish guerrillas were receiving training in Greece. Echoing comments by Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias, the spokesman described the claims as "absurd". "There is nothing hidden in Greek territory," Mr. Venizelos added. The spokesman reiterated that the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) does not even have an office in Athens. Noting the government's general "revul-sion" at all acts of violence, Mr. Venizelos stressed that the Greek government was not willing to become a victim of "Turkey's organised attempt to export its domestic problems". Thessaloniki would-be assassins' molesters charged ----------------------------------------------------- Athens, 8/6/1994 (ANA): A Thessaloniki prosecutor yesterday instigated legal proceedings against unknown persons in connection with the beating up of two men involved in the assassination attempt against three Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Euro-candidates in Thessaloniki last Friday. The charge refers to unintentional grievous bodily harm against Manolis Theodorakis and Evangelos Rados by KKE security officials after the assassination attempt. Meanwhile, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos yesterday indirectly criticised KKE on the manner it handled the issue. Replying to a question by the press on whether or not the government had shown interest in evidence KKE Secretary-General Aleka Paparriga claimed to possess, Mr. Venizelos said it would be inconceivable for the government to do so. "All should realise that in a state of law and order, investigative duties were carried out by competent authorities, and anyone with evidence should advise such authorities accordingly. Gone are the days when a party or parties replaced state agencies, " Mr. Venizelos said. Asked whether he meant KKE, Mr. Venizelos said he did not refer to KKE specifically, but noted KKE officials wanted to attend investigatory work. Mr. Venizelos said the government respects the independence of justice and will wait for its ruling. He said he hoped all political forces would act likewise, renewing an earlier call for moderation during the election period. The Athens Journalists' Union (ESHEA) unreservedly condemned the assassination attempt against KKE's three candidate Eurodeputies in Thessaloniki. EU Council, not summit to deal with Greek-Albanian relations ------------------------------------------------------------ Athens, 8/6/1994 (ANA): The issue of Greek-Albanian relations will be discussed at the European Union General Affairs Council on June 14, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said yesterday. Replying to press questions, the spokesman intimated that the issue would not be discussed at the Corfu summit on 24-25 June. Justice Minister in Bucharest ----------------------------- Athens, 8/6/1994 (ANA): Justice Minister George Kouvelakis leaves today for an official visit to Romania, at the invitation of his Romanian counterpart, for talks on judicial co-operation between the two countries. Mr. Kouvelakis will also be received by Romanian President Ion Iliescu and the presidents of the Romanian Parliament and Supreme Court.