From: "Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa" Subject: A.N.A. Bulletin 26/1/95 Athens News Agency Bulletin --------------------------- (Apo to Ellnviko Grafeio Tupou kai Plnroforiwv, Ottaba, Kavadas E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca) * Beattie confers with Papoulias, premier on Cyprus talks, Nicosia says negotiations 'deadlocked' * Leading Greek industrialist says 1995 shows signs of recovery for economy * Major projects c'tee confers with Hochtief reps on Spata * Lamassoure French presidency expects constructive moves from Turkey * Evert sends letter to troika on Cyprus admission * US ambassador Niles opens AMTECH exhibition * Gov't admits embargo on Skopje harms Greek trade, but insists it will stay * Pangalos, Manos concur on foreign policy 'mistakes' * ND tables motion for investigation into leader' finances * Rumours of Iakovos candidacy for president denied * GSEE proposes initiative on legalising illegal immigrants in bid to normalise labour market, avoid racist hatred * Greece, Poland sign agreement on illegal immigrants * Moslem cleric jailed for impersonating religious leader * Greece, Korea sign aviation, investment agreements * Figures show 8 per cent unemployed Beattie confers with Papoulias, premier on Cyprus talks, Nicosia says negotiations 'deadlocked' ----------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 26/01/1995 (ANA): US special presidential emissary for Cyprus Richard Beattie yesterday conferred with Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias on his talks in Nicosia with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash. Mr. Beattie arrived in Athens from Nicosia yesterday afternoon to meet Mr. Papoulias and then Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou to seek Greek support in efforts to resolve the Cyprus dispute. "I wanted to talk... and seek the support and help of the Greek foreign minister in assisting efforts in Cyprus," Mr. Beattie said after his talks with Mr. Papoulias. In Nicosia, Cyprus government spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides, commenting on the results of the US initiative, said there was a deadlock and reiterated his government's position that it will not agree to any confidence-building measures unless common ground is reached between the two sides. Greek diplomatic sources termed the meeting between Mr. Papoulias and Mr. Beattie an "acquaintance meeting", stressing that the will of the US to contribute to promoting Cyprus' bid for European Union membership was confirmed. The sources reiterated that, in the Greek government's view, "the effort to resolve the Cyprus problem will also be supported through this process." The US emissary met with Mr. Papandreou late yesterday for 45-minute talks on the Cyprus issue. No statements were made afterwards. Mr. Beattie's scheduled trip to Ankara was postponed after Turkish Prime Minister Tansu Ciller's departure for Davos, Switzerland. He told reporters he planned to meet Ms Ciller "as soon as possible" in Turkey to seek her support in the Cyprus dispute. Leading Greek industrialist says 1995 shows signs of recovery for economy ------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 26/01/1995 (ANA): 1995 looks set to be a better year for the economy after the signs of economic recovery noted last year, Federation of Greek Industries president Jason Stratos said yesterday. Business was sending the message that the crisis in production had ended, he told reporters. He said the budget's targets were not unrealistic or unfeasible and that inflation would be reduced if the budget were strictly adhered to. In other comments, he said state securities (bonds and treasury bills) should be taxed, both because they deprived the economy of funds for economic development, and on the grounds of justice. Major projects c'tee confers with Hochtief reps on Spata -------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 26/01/1995 (ANA): Negotiations started yesterday between the major projects committee and representatives of the Hochtief joint venture on the Spata airport project. The meeting focused on setting a final price and conditions under which the Greek state will participate in public liability companies to be established. According to officials of the Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Ministry, necessary procedures for the signing of the contract will be completed in February to enable its submission in Parliament for ratification. Lamassoure French presidency expects constructive moves from Turkey ------------------------------------------------------------ Brussels, 26/01/1995 (ANA - M. Savva): French European Affairs Minister Alain Lamassoure said yesterday that the French presidency expected Turkey to make moves that would facilitate the signing of the customs union with the European Union and none that would impede Cyprus joining the 15-member bloc. "The French presidency would like Turkey to make the necessary efforts for the achievement of the customs union (with the EU), and for the promotion of Cyprus-EU relations, so as to show that it is not using a political problem, that of Cyprus, to impede that country's entry to the Union", Mr. Lamassoure told the European Parliament's External Affairs Committee. He said he had informed Turkey that the EU "would accept the customs union with it, if it proceeded to certain moves, concerning mainly respect for human rights". He cited the jailing of lawfully-elected Kurdish deputies in Turkey for freely expressing their views. Replying to a question by Greek Euro-MP Yiannis Roubatis on whether the French presidency would respect a November European Parliament resolution, calling for the freezing of relations with Turkey and the suspension of the Association Council, he said he had mentioned the resolution to the Turkish delegation to the Council, without result. Concerning the issue of the specific timetable for Cypriot entry to the EU, on which he was insistently questioned by his, until recently, Greek counterpart (and now Euro-MP) Yiannos Kranidiotis, he was not specific, saying only that "in parallel with efforts made by Turkish authorities to achieve the customs union, Cyprus' suitability as a member must also be ascertained, without, of course, Turkey's lack of goodwill being able to impede the talks on the island's entry". Finally, he added that since the relevant negotiations will start after the intergovernmental conference of 1996, which will revise the treaty of Maastricht, they will take place in the context of the new treaty thereof. During the Human Rights Subcommittee session earlier, many Euro-MPs referred to human rights violations in Turkey. British Conservative deputy James Moorehouse stated his surprise at "recently hearing Commissioner (Hans) van den Broek say he expected the conclusion of negotiations with Turkey in March or April, with Kurdish deputies still in prison". Evert sends letter to troika on Cyprus admission ------------------------------------------------ Athens, 26/01/1995 (ANA): Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert has sent a letter to European Union troika members France, Germany and Spain, invoking the European Union's commitment for Cyprus and Malta's admission to the Community Mr. Evert considers the opening of talks as a significant step which should take place immediately after the intergovernmental conference of 1996, but certainly not later than 1997. The full text of the opposition leader's letter is as follows: "The European Council at Essen (December 9-10) has clearly reiterated earlier decisions it has taken to the effect that EU expansion should include Cyprus and Malta. "It has been stressed repeatedly that the Mediterranean constitutes a priority region of strategic significance to the European Union. "We believe that the European Union should focus its efforts on enhancing Mediterranean policy by further stepping up the procedure for admitting Cyprus and Malta to the European Union. "It would be a significant step in that direction, if the General Affairs Council were to conclude that negotiations for admitting Cyprus and Malta to the European Union began immediately after the end of the intergovernmental conference of 1996, but not later than 1997." US ambassador Niles opens AMTECH exhibition ------------------------------------------- Athens, 26/01/1995 (ANA): US Ambassador to Athens Thomas Niles opened the eighth exhibition of American high technology products, AMTECH, at a central Athens hotel yesterday. The exhibition is organised by the Greek American Chamber of Commerce. Transport and Communications Minister Thanassis Tsouras was also present. About 150 American firms -- the largest in the field of information science -- are presenting their latest products in 61 pavilions. A series of seminars on specialised topics in the fields of information science and telecommunications will be held on the sidelines of the exhibition, which will run until January 29. Gov't admits embargo on Skopje harms Greek trade, but insists it will stay ---------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 26/1/95 (ANA): The government acknowledged yesterday that the trade sanctions imposed as retortion measures against the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) had harmed Greece's trade and economic interests but stressed that there was no question of the embargo being lifted. "It is a measures of a political nature, and for that reason the criteria applied in implementing it were political", government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said. Replying to press questions, Mr. Venizelos said that Greece had "a broad diplomatic front", with Skopje, "the main element of which is not the hearing of the embargo issue at the European Court" on February 1. "Greece believes that the main issue at the hearing is not the Skopje issue, nor the Greek retortion measures against FYROM, but rather the limits of each (EU) member-state's national sovereignty", Mr. Venizelos added. Greece imposed trade sanctions against the neighbouring country as retortion measures to the continuing Skopje intransigence in February last year. Athens insists that the use by FYROM of the name 'Macedonia', as well as the use of ancient Greek symbols and certain articles in the preamble to the FYROM constitution, indicate irredentist designs against Greece's northern province of Macedonia and has demanded that FYROM change its name, remove the ancient Greek symbols from its flag and change the preamble of its constitution. Pangalos, Manos concur on foreign policy 'mistakes' --------------------------------------------------- Athens, 26/01/1995 (ANA): Former PASOK minister Theodoros Pangalos and former New Democracy national economy minister Stephanos Manos yesterday found common ground on foreign policy issues, during a debate organised by the Athens Chamber of Commerce and industry on the appropriate policy for Greece to become an equal member of the European Union. Mr Pangalos called on the government to immediately lift the trade embargo against the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, if possible by February 1 when the European Court begins hearing the case, and for negotiations to begin without conditions by either side. He also called for negotiations to begin with Albania - even at a low level - describing their suspension by Greece "a mistake". Mr Manos concurred, saying that, so far, time has been working against Greece. ND tables motion for investigation into leader' finances -------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 26/1/95 (ANA): The main opposition New Democracy party yesterday tabled a motion in Parliament calling for the establishment of an investigative committee to carry out thorough checks of the source of income statements submitted by political party leaders. The motion requests an investigation into the financial status of the leaders of political parties currently represented in Parliament, during the five-year period 1990-1994. It was signed by 67 ND deputies, led by party leader Miltiades Evert. The text of the motion refers to allegations appearing in the press concerning the financial situation of Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou. ND tabled the motion after Parliament's second Deputy Speaker Pausanias Zakolikos yesterday rejected the party's request for an examination of the source of income statements submitted by political party leaders. Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said that the motion was "devoid of all institutional and political interest" and accused Mr Evert of adopting "low-level political tactics", adding that this was "harmful for the system of government and the political system". Political Spring yesterday said that the party disagreed with the creation of an investigative committee as well as the stance held by the government concerning the motion, in announcement by party representative Akis Gerontopoulos. Mr Gerontopoulos also called on PASOK and New Democracy to respond to the proposal made by Political Spring that a tax check be made of income statements of current and former political leaders and ministers. Rumours of Iakovos candidacy for president denied ------------------------------------------------- Athens, 26/01/1995 (ANA): Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) Central Committee Secretary-General Akis Tsohatzopoulos yesterday denied press reports that PASOK was considering proposing Archbishop Iakovos for President of the Republic. Speaking before leaving for the United States where he will meet with members of the Greek community in Chicago and New York, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said the rumours were groundless. GSEE proposes initiative on legalising illegal immigrants in bid to normalise labour market, avoid racist hatred ---------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 26/01/1995 (ANA): The General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) yesterday urged the granting of legal status to illegal immigrants in the country as the only way to "normalise" the labour market and avoid racism. Presenting its positions, the GSEE presidium called for the setting up of a committee made up of representatives of the labour, public order and foreign ministries, as well as of trade unions, to prepare a report on the problem of illegal immigration. GSEE would then use the report as a basis for seeking ministerial decisions and, where necessary, legislation. According to GSEE estimates, 51,000 foreigners are currently working legally in Greece, of whom 50 per cent are from European countries. In 1994, the number of illegal immigrants exceeded 400,000, of whom about half were Albanians before the mass expulsions in October last year. The estimates do not differ greatly from Public Order Ministry figures which put the number of foreigners legally working in Greece at 76,200 and illegal immigrants at 395,000. GSEE proposed a campaign for the registration of all illegal immigrants, either on a voluntary basis or by obliging employers to declare the foreigners working for them. All illegal immigrants so registering should then be granted legal status along with provisional work and residence permits. According to GSEE, strict measures should then be implemented to ensure that employers hire only legal aliens, who would enjoy full equality with Greek workers. Employers who disregard the law, GSEE said, should be liable to heavy fines and even prison terms of up to five years. The Confederation recognised that special measures should be taken for political refugees, including Kurds, Greeks from the Black Sea region, ethnic Greeks from Albania and Albanians. In the case of the Albanians, GSEE said that one solution might be the signing of bilateral agreements with reciprocal clauses and commitments safeguarding the individual, political and religious rights of Albanians in Greece and ethnic Greeks in Albania. Athens estimates that illegal immigrants from Albania working in Greece send approximately 300 million dollars in remittances to Albania. Labour Minister Ioannis Skoularikis said that he was examining the positions voiced by the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE). He said that on January 31 a meeting would be held on the issue with officials from the labour, foreign, public order and social security ministries. Greece, Poland sign agreement on illegal immigrants --------------------------------------------------- Athens, 26/01/1995 (ANA): Greece and Poland today signed an accord which would speed up procedures to repatriate Polish illegal immigrants. The accord was signed by Public Order Minister Stelios Papathemelis and Polish Interior Minister Andrzej Milczanowski. According to the Public Order Ministry, thousands of Polish economic refugees are currently in Greece without valid residence permits. Moslem cleric jailed for impersonating religious leader ------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 26/01/1995 (ANA): A Larissa court yesterday sentenced a Moslem cleric to 10 months imprisonment for unlawfully assuming the title of mufti (religious leader) in Xanthi, in the north-eastern region of Thrace. Mehmet Emin Aga was jailed after refusing to pay a fine. He was convicted on charges of signing as Mufti letters he sent to the Muslim minority, in which he accused authorities of mistreatment of the minority. Under Greek law, the government has the right to choose the Moslem minority's two muftis from a list of candidates submitted by community leaders, in line with prevailing practice in most Moslem countries. Aga's father was the mufti of Xanthi until his death in February 1990. Aga, his father's deputy, refused to allow his name to be included on the list of candidates, saying he was elected to the post and that the state had no right to be involved in the process. The Education and Religious Affairs Ministry chose Mehmet Emin Sinicoglou as new Mufti in August 1991. A Turkish Foreign Ministry statement yesterday said that the Greek ambassador to Ankara had been summoned and asked Aga be immediately released, stressing that the affair would have negative repercussions on bilateral relations, and that the sentence "was in contradiction with modern democratic procedures and the concept of human rights". Greece, Korea sign aviation, investment agreements -------------------------------------------------- Athens, 26/01/1995 (ANA): Greece and the Republic of Korea today signed aviation and investment guarantee accords to promote mutual investment and pave the way for the opening of an air route between the two countries. The accords were signed by Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias and the Republic of Korea's Ambassador to Greece Lee Seung Hwan. Speaking to reporters after the signing, Mr. Papoulias stressed that the Republic of Korea played a very important role in Asia. "Greece and the (ruling) PASOK government appreciated the role of this country from the outset and set up an embassy in Seoul," he said. "Today's accords consolidate co-operation in all sectors," Mr. Papoulias said, renewing an invitation to his Korean counterpart to visit Greece. The Korean envoy underlined the prospects for the further development of relations in the sectors of tourism and industry. Figures show 8 per cent unemployed ---------------------------------- Athens, 26/01/1995 (ANA): According to data provided by the Organisation for the Employment of Human Resources (OAED) yesterday, the number of those registered unemployed amounted to 8 per cent of the labour force in December 1994. Labour Minister Ioannis Skoularikis said yesterday his ministry was examining a 10 per cent increase in unemployment benefits. The increase, expected to be announced in February, follows a 30 per cent increase granted six months ago and shows the government's intention to support unemployment benefits, which were at 1988 levels before the increase.