Athens News Agency Bulletin --------------------------- (Apo to Ellnviko Grafeio Tupou kai Plnroforiwv, Ottaba, Kavadas E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca) * Premier calls for restoration of credibility in political life in parliamentary debate * Papoulias meets Michaelides on Cyprus entry to EU, Greece will back efforts until Cyprus application satisfied * Tsohatzopoulos tells Greek Americans Parliament can and will elect new president * Karamanlis receives new ambassadors * Gov't refuses comment on Ciller statements * Vasso Papandreou elected Vice-President of Council of Europe parliamentary assembly * Karamanlis to reply to Demirel letter on jailing of Moslem cleric * Culture Ministry in the dark about supposed discovery of Alexander's tomb in Egypt * Greece reaffirms commitment to protecting Caretta Caretta turtle * Social security officials arrive in US for talks with Greek community * Papantoniou tells European Bank to work on Balkans Premier calls for restoration of credibility in political life in parliamentary debate -------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 31/01/1995 (ANA) Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou yesterday told Parliament that political institutions were undergoing a crisis and stressed the need to restore credibility in political life. "This crisis is real, obvious and self-evident, and is happening everywhere and in institutions. It is expressed through the merciless attack against PASOK and all political parties," he said. Mr. Papandreou was addressing Parliament on a debate called by the main opposition party, New Democracy, on the "reform and protection of institutions and political life". Noting that the role of democracy has been enlarged in the past 20 years in Greece, he stressed the need to restore credibility in political life. The prime minister reiterated previous accusations of "multiple centres which have launched a merciless attack against (ruling party) PASOK as well as all the political forces of the country aiming at breaking up the (political parties)..." "Such attempts to break up the parties do not contribute to political modernisation but instead are a contribution to those entrusted to protect various interests," he said. "It aims," Mr. Papandreou said, "at weakening the parties, breaking up the political forces, and forming weak governments." He said that, although today "we do not face the dangers that we did in the past of seeking salvation in the military" the general doubt existing in politics can conceal efforts to look for "puppet parties". Mr. Papandreou criticised the opposition for "refusing to accept the government's achievements" and called on all political parties to engage in "constructive political opposition" and avoid "the creation of artificial crises to serve party political interests". He reiterated that he would not be running for President during elections in spring this year. Mr. Papandreou walked out of the debate during main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert's address after Mr. Evert accused the ruling party of "dictating" the line followed by Athens daily "Avriani" during the 80s. The newspaper followed a pro-government line until recently. In his address, Mr. Evert told parliament that political life and politicians in Greece were tainted by "untrustworthiness". "A credibility gap exists over Greece, its political life and its politicians," Mr. Evert told the assembly. "Politicians should not accuse (other) centres of undermining the political life of the country, when the same politicians with their actions, undermine the moral and political life," he added. Mr. Evert proposed a new law for the accountability of ministers. Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras said the parliament could elect a new president. He accused the two main parties of creating artificial tension as a means of maintaining the two-party system and polarisation, and of regarding power as their "personal property". He accused New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert of not putting forward any proposals for the cleansing of public life, adding that modernisation required specific proposals. He made it clear that his party was not afraid of being drawn into a general election over the election of a new president. Communist Party Secretary-General Aleka Papariga accused the two main parties of following policies that were immoral and contrary to the interests of the people, adding that corruption was rife because of the way decisions were reached. She strongly criticised the particular proposal for probes into party finances, and said the Communist Party would not accept such procedures. Papoulias meets Michaelides on Cyprus entry to EU, Greece will back efforts until Cyprus application satisfied --------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 31/01/1995 (ANA): Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias and his Cypriot counterpart Alecos Michaelides had talks yesterday focusing on the setting of a date for negotiations on Cyprus' accession to the European Union. Mr. Papoulias said that the Greek and Cypriot governments had jointly decided to back efforts until Cyprus' application for accession had been satisfied. Mr. Michaelides said that the setting of a date for the commencement of accession negotiations would not only be decisive for Cyprus' "path to Europe", but could also be decisive for efforts aimed at an immediate solution to the Cyprus problem. "Just how important this development is," Mr. Michaelides said, "is apparent from the reactions of Turkey and Ankara's attempts to obstruct the taking of such a decision (on the commencement of accession negotiations) by the European Council." The fact that there were now good prospects for the setting of a date for the commencement of negotiations, Mr. Michaelides stressed, was due entirely to Greece which had offered "enthusiastic support" and whose voice was heard in the European Council. Mr. Michaelides added that an effort was being made with the Greek side to assess developments and chart the future course of steps aimed at attaining a settlement of the Cyprus problem. Mr. Michaelides later had talks with Alternate Foreign Minister George Alexander Mangakis who noted "a complete identity of views" with the Cypriot side on the issue of the island republic's accession to the EU. Mr. Mangakis said that there had been "real achievements" on the issue in recent talks between the French presidency, (former Greek Foreign Under-Secretary for European Affairs) Yiannos Kranidiotis and Mr. Michaelides. "The various aspects of the issue were discussed so that the targets which have been set can be attained and a further important step taken at the forthcoming meeting of EU foreign ministers on 6 and 7 February," Mr. Mangakis said. For Greece, he added, the issue is "completely interlined" with the promotion of Turkey's customs union with the EU, which Athens has continuously vetoed. "Greece will maintain its veto for as long as no progress is made on the issue of determining the procedure to be followed for Cyprus' entry to the EU," Mr. Mangakis said. Mr. Michaelides said that the Greek and Cypriot sides were seeking "a clear timetable" which was not linked with progress on the Cyprus problem, since such linking provided Turkey with yet another reason for obstructing progress on efforts for a settlement. Mr. Michaelides, who was due to leave later yesterday for Strasbourg, said that Mr. Mangakis had accepted an invitation to visit Cyprus soon. Tsohatzopoulos tells Greek Americans Parliament can and will elect new president ------------------------------------------------------------ New York, 31/01/1995 (ANA - M. Georgiadou): Speaking at a large gathering of Greek Americans Sunday afternoon, before his departure for home, PASOK Central Committee Secretary-General Akis Tsohatzopoulos said the present Greek parliament was in a position to elect a new president of the republic, thus confirming the reliability of the country's institutions. He addressed a call to all parties represented in parliament to rise above party expediencies and participate in an open public debate on the issue. He stressed that, politically, 1995 will be dominated by the presidential election, but once this is behind, and conducted in the best possible terms, 1995 will ultimately be judged on the government's ability to implement the great institutional changes, to effect economic modernisation, and to give substance to a policy of social justice, which will radically alter the educational and health system. Referring to foreign policy issues, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said Greece desired a solution through negotiations on the basis of the principles of international law, which precluded the acceptance of irredentist and chauvinist claims, and the threat to the stability of borders. Concerning Cyprus, he expressed optimism that the Greek government's efforts to have a date set for a start to negotiations for Cyprus' entry to the European Union would soon pay off, and that this offered a realistic prospect for solving the Cyprus problem, while preserving the unity, sovereignty, and independence of the island. Upon his return to Athens yesterday, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos stated that Greek Americans were extremely anxious to establish institutional links with Greece and to contribute to the promotion of national issues. He said that the proposal for the setting up of a World Council of Expatriate Greeks would be promoted within the first months of 1995. Karamanlis receives new ambassadors ----------------------------------- Athens, 31/01/1995 (ANA): President of the Republic Constantine Karamanlis yesterday received the credentials from the new ambassadors to Athens: Amar Amba from Algeria; Martin Grigoyen from Peru; and Aristides Mehia Karrantsa from the Honduras. Foreign Affairs Minister Karolos Papoulias and Secretary-General to the Presidency, Ambassador Petros Moliviatis, attended the ceremony. Gov't refuses comment on Ciller statements ------------------------------------------ Athens, 31/01/1995 (ANA): The government yesterday declined to comment on recent statements by Turkish Premier Tansu Ciller on the Aegean, the Cyprus problem and territorial waters. Replying to press questions, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos simply referred to statements on the issue by Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias Sunday. Mr. Papoulias described Ms Ciller's comments on the Cyprus problem as "exaggerated". "The international community knows who is obstructing a settlement of the problem. We hope that the fresh efforts for Cyprus' accession to the European Union will bring a settlement," he said. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Saturday, Ms Ciller said that the Greek-Cypriot side should "take into serious consideration the positive steps taken by the Turkish-Cypriot leadership for a settlement of the Cyprus problem". Replying to questioners on Ms Ciller's statements, National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, who is attending the Davos meeting, said they reflected Turkey's anxiety over the Greek veto against customs union with the European Union and its diminishing international influence due to huge domestic political and economic problems it was faced with. Vasso Papandreou elected Vice-President of Council of Europe parliamentary assembly ------------------------------------------------------------ Paris, 31/01/1995 (ANA - J. Zitouniati): PASOK deputy and former EU Commissioner Vasso Papandreou, heading the 10-member Greek delegation to the parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe, was yesterday unanimously elected Vice-President of the body. At the start of yesterday's session, the Cypriot representative and president of the House of Representatives Alexis Galanos expressed reservations regarding the presence of the Turkish parliamentary delegation, due to the violation of human rights and the indictment of Kurdish deputies. Karamanlis to reply to Demirel letter on jailing of Moslem cleric ----------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 31/01/1995 (ANA): President Constantine Karamanlis will reply "via diplomatic channels" to a letter from his Turkish counterpart Suleyman Demirel on the issue of the Moslem cleric recently sentenced to jail for unlawfully assuming the title of Mufti, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said yesterday. Mehmet Emin Aga was jailed for ten months last Tuesday after refusing to appeal the conviction or pay off his sentence. He was convicted on charges of signing as Mufti for the north-eastern Greek region of Xanthi letters sent in 1993 to members of the Moslem minority in which he accused Greece of mistreating the minority. In a related development, Mr. Aga yesterday committed the same offence for which he was convicted last week, after issuing a statement referring to his imprisonment, which he again signed as Mufti of Xanthi. Under Greek law, the government has the right to appoint the Moslem minority's two Muftis from a list of candidates submitted by community leaders, in line with prevailing practice in most Moslem countries. Mr. Aga was appointed Deputy Mufti by administrative decision of the-then Prefect of Xanthi when his father, the previous Mufti, died in February 1990, a decision which he accepted. When the position of Mufti was subsequently officially declared vacant by the Prefecture of Xanthi and an invitation to apply for the post announced, Mr. Aga was one of the four candidates who applied, accepting and participating in the procedure laid d own by law. The Education and Religious Affairs Ministry chose Mr. Sinicoglou as Mufti in August 1991, a decision which Mr. Aga refused to accept. Mr. Aga then organised unlawful elections, in which he was the only candidate and in effect declared himself Mufti, and has since then instigated a number of incidents against the legitimate Mufti. Culture Ministry in the dark about supposed discovery of Alexander's tomb in Egypt -------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 31/01/1995 (ANA): The Culture Ministry said yesterday that the State Archaeological Service had nothing to do with the excavations being carried out by Greek archaeologist Liana Soulvatzi in Egypt's Western Desert. It said that Culture Minister Thanos Mikroutsikos had yesterday been informed in a letter from the cultural attachi of the Greek embassy in Cairo, Kostis Moskov, concerning Egyptian press reports of the discovery of ancient tablets confirming Ms Soulvatzi's theory that the monument she has been excavating for some years is the tomb of Alexander the Great. The ministry said that it would seek "official information" on the matter from the Egyptian Antiquities Organisation. Alexander died in 323 BC in Babylon at the age of 33. He is believed by many historians to have been buried in Alexandria, the Mediterranean port city which he founded. Ms Soulvatzi has been excavating a site near the Siwa oasis in the Western Desert, 50 miles east of the Libyan border. Greece reaffirms commitment to protecting Caretta Caretta turtle ---------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 31/01/1995 (ANA): The effective protection of the endangered Caretta Caretta sea turtle species in the Zakynthos region is a top priority for the Greek government, Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Ministry Secretary-General Alekos Voulgaris told visiting Council of Europe representative Eladlo Galiano, who wound up a round of meetings with Greek officials here yesterday. Mr. Voulgaris stressed Greek authorities were doing everything possible to implement all Greece's commitments under the Berne Convention to "preserve European wildlife and natural habitats". Responding to a suggestion by Mr. Galiano to step up work on establishing and operating a sea park in Zakynthos, Mr. Voulgaris said a viability study on the project to establish a body that would administer the park would be completed in 1995. He also said a suitable vessel for shore patrol would be acquired, and co-operation with local authorities, inhabitants and non-government environmental organisations intensified to establish the required consensus. Mr. Voulgaris added his ministry's declared intention was to prevent building or any other activity that jeopardises the turtle's survival. That would be combined with payment of compensation, in case of transfer of various existing installations elsewhere, he said. Social security officials arrive in US for talks with Greek community ----------------------------------------------------------- New York, 31/01/1995 (ANA - M. Georgiadou): A delegation of social security officials arrived in New York Sunday, their first stop on a tour of the United States to brief the Greek community here on the recently-signed bilateral social security agreement. The delegation is composed of Social Security Ministry Secretary-General Constantine Papalexis, Social Security Foundation (IKA) Director Gregoris Solomos, Greek Professionals and Craftsmen Fund Director Constantine Kontos and Farmers Pension Fund Deputy Director Emmanuel Stratakis. The delegation today will meet with the Presidency of the Federation of Greek Unions of Greater New York and tomorrow they will hold a press conference for Greek journalists. The delegation met yesterday with Archbishop Iakovos and tomorrow will address a gathering of overseas Greeks at the Cultural Centre of the Archdiocese. The delegation's next stopovers are Chicago and Boston. Papantoniou tells European Bank to work on Balkans -------------------------------------------------- Davos, Switzerland 31/01/1995 (ANA): Addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos yesterday, National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou called on the European Bank to activate itself in the direction of restructuring and development in the Balkans. Mr. Papantoniou, who attended talks between a group of ministers and central bank governors on reshaping international economic organisations, stressed the need for the bank to likewise activate itself in the Middle East where Greece had justified interest. Greek construction companies and other enterprises have shown interest in participating in construction and development programmes in the autonomous Palestinian regions, Lebanon and the wider Middle East region which is expected to have a positive development and experience a period of recovery through promotion of the peace process.