From: tzarros@ccs.carleton.ca (Theodore Zarros) Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Wed, 16 Nov 1994 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa). Athens News Agency Bulletin, November 16, 1994 ---------------------------------------------- * Papoulias makes historic visit to Minsk, moves to formalise bilateral relations begin * Lower inflation will force interest rates down by 5%, Papantoniou says * Arsenis meets with Claes, urges movement on Larissa HQ issue * Greece supports efforts for peace in Bosnia, not indirect escalation * Kranidiotis urges EU to move on Cyprus settlement * Continuing occupation of Cyprus 'a crime', Gov't says * Kranidiotis to meet with UK counterpart * Venizelos rejects Pangalos idea on territorial waters * Political Spring * Iakovos meets with Beteniotis * Kranidiotis welcomes Swedes to European bosom * Parliament ratifies EU pact with Bulgaria * Vartholomeos meets with Santer * Coptic, Orthodox church continue talks on unification * Skaramangas call for tenders by December Papoulias makes historic visit to Minsk, moves to formalise bilateral relations begin ----------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 16/11/1994 (ANA): Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias arrived in Minsk yesterday on the first official visit by a Greek foreign minister to Belarus. Mr. Papoulias started his contacts with talks with his Belarus counterpart Mr. Sianko. Today, he will meet Belarus' president, prime minister and the Patriarch of Minsk. In his meeting with Mr. Sianko, Mr. Papoulias proposed a protocol of consultations between the two foreign ministries and the conclusion of economic, technological co-operation, investment protection, double taxation avoidance, cultural, tourism and road transport agreements. The agreements, which will create the legal framework necessary for developing bilateral relations, received a positive response from the Belarus side. Mr. Papoulias also notified Mr. Sianko of the Greek government's decision to open a Greek embassy in Minsk. Mr. Papoulias will leave for Kiev, Ukraine, today for another official visit. He is expected back in Athens tomorrow. Lower inflation will force interest rates down by 5%, Papantoniou says ----------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 16/11/1994 (ANA): National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said yesterday he believed that interest rates would fall by five per cent in 1995 and reiterated that the government would not impose any new taxes. After meeting with the Federation of Greek Industries (SEB) board, Mr. Papantoniou said that the five per cent reduction in interest rates would be achieved through a de-escalation of inflation by four per cent, and a trimming of real interest rates by one per cent. This means that the cost of borrowing for businesses at the end of 1995 will be about 18-19 per cent, compared to 23-24 per cent today, and annual inflation around 7-8 per cent. The new year will also see a speeding up of public investment and large projects, the minister said. In reply to a question concerning the taxing of government bonds and treasury bills, he said "the logic of the new budget is 'No' to new taxes". Meanwhile, Finance Minister Alexandros Papadopoulos said in connection with the draft bill for the reorganisation of Finance Ministry services that "the aims of the budget and the level of tax revenue will be achieved through a cracking down on tax evasion and smuggling". He was speaking after meeting with the Federation of Taxation Department Employees. The SEB board was also briefed by Alternate National Economy Minister George Romaios on the progress of the public investment programme. SEB president Iason Stratos described the meetings as "positive" and said that they had been assured that the economy's stabilisation policy would continue and that the projects in the framework of Delors Package II would be expedited. In reply to questions concerning measures of price control, Mr. Stratos said he believed that the rule of a free market ought to be respected. Arsenis meets with Claes, urges movement on Larissa HQ issue ----------------------------------------------------------- Brussels, 16/11/1994 (ANA/F. Stangos, V. Demiris): Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis and NATO Secretary-General Willy Claes yesterday discussed the issues of the operation of NATO regional headquarters in Larissa and of the installation of the multinational rapid deployment task force in Thessaloniki, issues still outstanding due to Turkish opposition. Their discussion was in the context of preparations for NATO's Ministerial Defence Planning Committee (DPC), scheduled for December 14 and 15 in Brussels. "We have technical (organisational) arguments on our side, plus a very strong political card: when NATO defence ministers stress the need for the modernisation and upgrading of the North Atlantic Alliance, they must be in a position to adopt the require d decisions," Mr. Arsenis said. "The fact that NATO cannot apply the decisions which it adopted in December 1992 for the integration of its military structure in the south-eastern flank, is a problem of credibility," he stressed. His aim, he explained, was to change the view prevailing in the General Secretariat and certain member states, and make it clear that the issue of the activation of the Larissa headquarters does not concern Greece's relations with Turkey, but it is rather, NATO's problem with Turkey. "As a consequence," he continued, "it is not an issue of a NATO mediation initiative between Greece and Turkey, but a matter of NATO responsibility in promoting its broader objectives... In case its decisions are not applied, it will not be to the detriment of Greece, but of NATO itself". Mr. Arsenis said that because of the Turkish objections, centering mainly on the delineation of the area of operational responsibility in Aegean airspace, and making the solution of the issue of the Air Divisional headquarters "politically more difficult", the Greek government would examine the possibility for a successive activation of the two headquarters. On the issue of the rapid deployment task force , Mr. Arsenis said that from meetings he has had in the past with NATO officials and yesterday's meeting, he is coming round to the conclusion that the Greek candidacy for Thessaloniki is the strongest. After the withdrawal of the Italian candidacy, he added, "there are no more substantial arguments against the Greek proposal". A unanimous decision for the multinational force is not necessary. "The issue is within the exclusive competence of the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe (SACEUR), who does not seem to have any objections for the Thessaloniki candidacy, and on the contrary, there is a will for the adoption of a decision on our side," said Mr. Arsenis. "Of course, he must first consult with member states and have political cover." In his meeting with Mr. Claes, the Greek defence minister expressed Greece's anxieties over developments in the former Yugoslavia and the repercussions which it may have on a political and military level, concerning the danger of destabilisation in the broader region. Greece supports efforts for peace in Bosnia, not indirect escalation ----------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 16/11/1994 (ANA): Greece said yesterday it supported efforts aimed at securing a peaceful solution rather than stirring up more trouble in war-torn Bosnia. "The Greek government supports the need for agreed cease-fires to be secured together with the promotion of the peace plan in a bid to achieve a viable solution," government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said. "New moves to war should not be encouraged, either directly or indirectly," he added when asked to comment on a decision by the United States to stop enforcing an arms embargo against Bosnia's Moslem-led government. The US Congress in August required the Clinton administration to take the move by November 15 unless the Bosnian Serbs had agreed to an international peace plan by then. The Bosnian Serbs have not done so. Kranidiotis urges EU to move on Cyprus settlement ------------------------------------------------- Athens, 16/11/1994 (ANA): Foreign Under-Secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis said yesterday that the European Union needed to undertake an initiative to settle the Cyprus issue yesterday, while government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos condemned the continuing Turkish occupation of Cyprus as "an international crime". Yesterday marked the 11th anniversary of the unilateral proclamation by the Turkish Cypriots of the self-styled "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" and was met with protests in Cyprus and Athens. Mr. Kranidiotis made his statements after meeting with Cyprus Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides at the Foreign Ministry on latest developments in the Cyprus problem and the European Union's relations with Cyprus yesterday. "We believe the international illegality in Cyprus must come to an end," Mr. Kranidiotis said at the end of meeting, adding that the EU was responsible for undertaking an initiative to settle the Cyprus issue. "We therefore believe the decision to start negotiations with Cyprus for its accession to the European Union as soon as possible is an initiative, a positive message in the right direction and this is our aim," Mr. Kranidiotis added. Mr. Kranidiotis said a statement at the latest General Affairs Council on the EU's Mediterranean policy contained specific reference to the prospect of Cyprus' accession. He said this will be discussed at the EU Essen summit December 9-10 and early next year when Cyprus' application will be reconsidered together with Malta's. Mr. Kranidiotis and Mr. Michaelides set targets to promote this cause. "Our aim is for a start to negotiations for Cyprus' accession to the EU, when the Cypriot application will be reconsidered early next year, as quickly as possible," Mr. Kranidiotis said. Mr. Kranidiotis announced that he will meet British Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd tomorrow, ending a round of talks with European foreign ministers, the Commission president and commissioners on issues of Greek concern and the Cyprus issue in particular. He said he intends to address a letter to Greece's European partners on its aims, positions and views on the Cyprus issue and Cyprus' application for EU membership. Commenting on the protests yesterday, which left 16 injured in Cyprus, Mr. Michaelides said yesterday was another regrettable anniversary in the recent ordeal experienced by Cypriot Hellenism. "The proclamation of the (Turkish Cypriot) pseudo-state was not merely a manifestation of intransigence but of contempt for the principles of law, the principles of the United Nations and the UN Secretary-General himself, who at the stage when the decision on the pseudo-state was announced was working in the framework of a process seeking a solution to the Cyprus problem," Mr. Michaelides said. He said Cyprus felt that all Hellenism is at its side and an example of this solidarity is the effort to secure Cyprus' accession to the EU. "We believe that Cyprus is justified in wanting to accede to the EU and we believe that Cyprus can look forward to the future with security and confidence in the EU. The best possible conditions will then be created for the Turkish side to be possibly convinced to co-operate on a solution to the Cyprus problem," Mr. Michaelides said. Continuing occupation of Cyprus 'a crime', Gov't says ----------------------------------------------------- Athens, 16/11/1994 (ANA): Greece yesterday described the continuing occupation of the northern part of the Cyprus Republic by Turkish troops as "a provocative violation of international law and an international crime". "No Greek and no member of the international community can remain indifferent to the situation in Cyprus," government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said yesterday. Greece, he added, is working alongside the Cyprus government "to remedy this situation and find a solution based on UN Security Council Resolution 939". The main opposition New Democracy party said the existence of the pseudo-state "continues to be an act of contempt of international law and order, and the value of freedom." The announcement called upon the international community to take immediate action for the just and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem. Sixteen Greek Cypriot pupils were injured, three seriously, during anti-occupation demonstrations in Cyprus yesterday. Political Spring said in an announcement: "What happened in Cyprus today proves that Hellenism will not give up and confirms the urgent need to find an honourable and just solution to the tragedy of Cyprus," the announcement said. Kranidiotis to meet with UK counterpart --------------------------------------- Athens, 16/11/1994 (ANA): Foreign Under-Secretary for European Affairs Yannos Kranidiotis will hold talks tomorrow with British Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd and Minister of State for European Affairs David Davis in London on European issues, a Foreign Ministry announcement said yesterday. The talks will take place in light of the EU summit at Essen. Mr. Kranidiotis will outline Athens' views on issues of particular interest to Greece such as Albania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Yugoslavia, Turkey, and Cyprus. On Friday Mr. Kranidiotis will speak at the London School of Economics on "Greece's European policy in light of the 1996 intergovernmental conference". Venizelos rejects Pangalos idea on territorial waters ----------------------------------------------------- Athens, 16/11/1994 (ANA): The government yesterday rejected a proposal by former Alternate Foreign Minister Theodore Pangalos that Greece extend its territorial waters to twelve miles but not enforce the move in the Aegean. Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said that for Greece to state that it was exercising its right to extend its territorial waters "while at the same time leaving that right unprotected" would not contribute to the defence of the country's sovereign rights. An international convention giving Greece the right to extend its territorial waters from six to twelve miles comes into force today. Turkey has repeatedly warned that any attempt by Greece to implement that right in the Aegean would be a cause for war. "There are two options," Mr. Venizelos said. "You either declare the existence of your inalienable right and leave the decision as to when you might exercise that right at your own discretion, or you state that you are exercising the right but you don't protect it. As to which is the correct position is a matter of common sense." The spokesman said that Greece was following other European Union countries with respect to the ratification of the international convention on the law of the sea. "Now that the other EU countries have begun to ratify the convention, the issue will be raised in the Greek parliament," Mr. Venizelos said, adding however that "ratification is of no particular importance, since it does not alter the legislative framework concerning territorial waters which is already in force". Mr. Venizelos reiterated that Turkey had repeatedly attempted to create "a climate of artificial tension" in relations between the two countries, citing recent statements by Turkish Foreign Minister Mumtaz Soysal admitting this. "Greece is in no way involved in the creation of this climate," the spokesman said. The spokesman confirmed that Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou's reply to a letter from US President Bill Clinton on security problems in the region and Greek-Turkish relations would be sent today. He said that the reply expressed Greece's "known" positions on Greek-Turkish relations, the twelve-mile limit and security issues in general. Meanwhile, Greek and Turkish air and naval exercises taking place at the same time in the Aegean continued yesterday while US destroyer Cape St. George cruised the international waters in the Aegean. Warships participating in the Turkish military exercise Seawolf-94 were sailing towards the northern Aegean while Greek and international warships, among them the US destroyer Peterson, taking part in the Greek exercise Niriis-94, remained docked at the harbours of Rhodes and Crete and are expected to sail at midnight towards the southern Aegean. Meanwhile in Istanbul, Turkish Prime Minister Tansu Ciller yesterday reiterated that Turkey would not accept an extension of Greece's territorial waters to 12 miles in the Aegean. Ms Ciller was addressing the parliamentary group of the ruling True Path Party. Referring to the Greek and Turkish exercises taking place at the same time in the Aegean, Ms Ciller said it caused concern to Turkey's allies, especially the United States. "In a reply to a letter sent to me earlier by US President Bill Clinton, I stressed that Turkey is not aggressive and does not wish to expand in the Aegean," Ms Ciller said, adding that "there is no way we will accept Greece unilaterally changing the status quo in the Aegean." "I have made clear Turkey's position in the international arena," she told the parliamentary group of her party. "Turkey is open to peace and friendship with Greece," Ms. Ciller said, adding that the Turkish government was prepared to "solve all our problems with Greece." Greek Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias, in statements to the press Monday in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, expressed hope that both exercises would end without incident. Political Spring ---------------- Athens, 16/11/1994 (ANA): A Political Spring party announcement yesterday said all political party leaders should be briefed on the content of President Clinton's letter to Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou. Referring to Mr. Pangalos' suggestion, the statement said that "obviously the former minister regards the 12 mile issue, like the Skopje issue, a lost cause." Iakovos meets with Beteniotis ----------------------------- New York, 16/11/94 (ANA/M. Georgiadou): Archbishop Iakovos of North and South America met yesterday with Greek Defence Under-Secretary Manolis Beteniotis. Sources later said the Archbishop told Mr. Beteniotis that the presence of US destroyer Cape St. George in the Aegean "was a strong message to Turkey". Archbishop Iakovos later met with the State Department official responsible for the Cyprus problem James Williams, who briefed him on his recent tour in the region. The meeting was also attended by former US Ambassador to Athens Michael Sotirhos. Kranidiotis welcomes Swedes to European bosom --------------------------------------------- Athens, 16/11/1994 (ANA): Foreign Under-Secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis yesterday said the Greek government was "looking forward to" Sweden's participation in the European Union, after Swedes approved moves to join the EU in a referendum Sunday. "I greet the result of last Sunday's referendum for Swedish entry into the European Union with special satisfaction," an announcement said. "This result, which we hope will be followed by a corresponding positive result in Norway at the end of the month, completes Sweden's arduous but steady course towards the European Union. "The Greek government is looking forward to the active Swedish participation in the workings of the Union, as the negotiations for the entry of the four EFTA countries were completed during the Greek presidency. "We are also looking forward to the Swedish contribution to the European processes, in the belief that this country's rich tradition in a dynamic policy in the sectors of democracy, social welfare, the rule of law, transparency, and ecological conscience will be a positive help in the building of a more democratic and humane Europe". Parliament ratifies EU pact with Bulgaria ----------------------------------------- Athens, 16/11/1994 (ANA): The Greek parliament has ratified a European Union agreement with Bulgaria outlining the framework of co-operation between Sofia and the European Union, a Foreign Ministry announcement said yesterday. The accord was ratified by the Parliament plenary late last night. Addressing the House, Foreign Under-Secretary for European Affairs Yannos Kranidiotis said that the accord was part of a network of EU agreements with central and eastern European countries "that will help promote peace, stability and co-operation in the region". Mr. Kranidiotis stressed that the agreement "also establishes the institutional framework within which Greece's relations with Bulgaria will be further improved and the business and Greek economic activity in general in the neighbouring country will be further promoted". Vartholomeos meets with Santer ------------------------------ Luxembourg, 16/11/1994 (ANA/A. Kourkoulas): Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos yesterday met with Grand Duke Jean and Prime Minister Jacques Santer, on the second stop of his visit to Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. The Patriarch prayed with Catholic Archbishop Jean Frank in the Cathedral of Luxembourg and later visited the European Court of Justice. Mr. Santer held a dinner in honour of the Patriarch's visit later in the evening. Mr. Santer, who is assuming the duties of president of the European Commission on January 1, stated that he will continue the policy of close relations with the Ecumenical Patriarchate initiated by outgoing president Jacques Delors. Coptic, Orthodox church continue talks on unification ----------------------------------------------------- Athens, 16/11/1994 (ANA): Patriarch Shenounda III, the leader of the world's eight million Copts, said yesterday that the dialogue between the Coptic Christian Church and the Greek Orthodox Church was progressing and all obstacles to the unification of the two Churches would soon be removed. Patriarch Shenounda was speaking to reporters at Athens airport after being welcomed by Archbishop Serapheim of Athens and All Greece. Archbishop Serapheim said that the aim of the dialogue and efforts being made to resolve differences was the unification of the two Churches. The Patriarch was on a brief stopover in Athens yesterday morning en route to Cyprus to attend the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) 6th General Assembly, which began yesterday. Skaramangas call for tenders by December ---------------------------------------- Athens, 16/11/1994 (ANA): The government is expected to call for tenders for the Skaramangas shipyards by the end of November while an international auction will be announced in January. Alternate Industry Minister Christos Rokofyllos said yesterday the government hoped the shipyards would continue to operate under private control and safeguard as many jobs as possible. Mr. Rokofyllos said Greece has committed itself to the Community to proclaim tendering for the sale of the shipyards by the end of the present Commission's tenure.