Antenna News in English 060696

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From: Antenna Radio <http://www.antenna.gr> - email: antenna@compulink.gr

News in English, of 06/06/1996

TITLES

• Greek-Americans take Greek views to the White House.
• Turkey continues its latest Aegean provocation.
• And, Posidonia '96 is underway in Piraeus.

CLINTON/GREEKS

The Greek lobby, which is lending financial support to Mr Clinton's re-election campaign, asked for American support for Greece on a number of major foreign policy issues.

Greece relies on Greeks in America to make Greece's case in Washington. And leading members of the Greek-American lobby did just that during their meeting with US president Bill Clinton.

Mr Clinton didn't make any promises, but listened, and even took notes, as his guests explained Greece's foreign policy postions to him.

One of Greece's biggest worries is Turkey. Mr Clinton also expressed concern about where Turkey is going.

Angelo Tsakopoulos, a member of the Greek lobby said : "He specifically asked questions of how the US can help Turkey remain a democracy become involved in the western world even closer than it is today. And we suggested to him that the way for that to be done is for Turkey to resolve its differences with Cyprus and Greece and the other neighbours".

The leaders of the Greek lobby talked about specific things that should be done on the Cyprus.

And they noted the violation of the human rights of the Greek minority in Albania, asking the American president to press the Albanian government to annul the recent eletions in Albania. The government of Sali Berisha won a landslide victory in those elections, but opposition parties and international observers charged widespread election fraud.

Nicholas Gage, president of the Panipirotic Federation said Mr Clinton expressed concern over the elections in Albania and said that the White House will strongly condemn any irregularities in the balloting, and call for new elections.

The Greek delegation also talked business, askingpresident Clinton to back the construction of an oil pipeline from Russia to Greece via Bulgaria. The Greek lobby underscored that the US as well as Greece would reap economic benefits from the pipeline.

GAVDOS/LATEST

Greece reacted strongly to the Turkish claim that the Greek island of Gavdos is of questionable status.

The claim is so far-fetched that even other Nato members reacted.

And, at the Nato meeting in Naples, the Turkish request was rejected out of hand. Nonetheless, Turkey insists.

Turkey prime minister Messout Yilmaz, in Brussels for Nato talks, insisted that the legal status of Gavdos is disputed by Greece and Turkey, regardless of what the island's Greek population may think.

Yilmaz used the issue Turkey's created as a pretext to repeat a Turkish demand: that all matters outstanding between Greece and Turkey in the Aegean be the subject of negotiations.

Ever since Turkey staged a military landing on one of the Greek rocks of Imia in January, Greece has said it will not negotiate its sovereign rights away. Greece and the European have called on Turkey to drop its bully-boy tactics, and start respecting international law.

But Turkey persists. Backing up the Turkish officer who questioned Greece's rights to Gavdos, Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Omer Akbel went so far as to accuse Greece of colonising the tiny island just off Crete's south coast.

He also appeared to fudge the issue, saying obscurely that Turkey doesn't question Greek sovereignty over Gavdos, but quote just wants the issue examined.

Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos said the Turks have gone to new limits of absurdity by making an issue out of Gavdos, so far away from Turkey, and so clearly Greek.

He also said the Greek government expects Ankara to censure the Turkish officer who brought up Gavdos in Naples, and of course disown his Gavdos comments. Otherwise, Greece will take his views as the official views of Turkey. "Until now", said Pangalos, "Turkey has said it makes no claims on inhabited regions".

Athens is satisfied by Nato's stiff response to Turkey's diplomatic offensive over Gavdos.

But Athens is also angry. Greek defence minister Gerasimos Arsenis said the provocation is "at least outrageous", adding that the climate for Turkey is negative in Nato, which understands Greece's sensitivities.

Arsenis said that Turkey has a general policy of doubting the legal status of the Aegean. He added that Greece will not accept arbitration of its sovereign rights.

MALAMAS

They're also determined not to be bullied by Turkey.

President of the community of Gavdos, Theophilos Tsiridanis, says, "Whether its Gavdos, or Imia that they claim, they won't get what they want".

PENSIONS

The unions, and retirees have been waiting for the government to make an announcement on low pensions - that is, announce that it is going to increase them.

But no announcement came on Wednesday, and the Gerneral Workers' Union said next Thursday, its members will stop working across the country for three hours.

Prime minister Kostas Simitis and his ministers discussed the pension issue Wednesday morning. Sources say they ruled out meeting one of the unions' basic demands: making the lowest pension equal to 20 days' wages of an unskilled worker.

Sources also say that labour minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos disagreed with the government view.

Reports are that retirees whose pension is under 400 dollars amonth will get a 45-dollar raise. People with larger pensions will get about 20 dollars more.

POSIDONIA

It was business and pleasure at Posidonia 1996, held at the Piraeus port authority's exhibition hall.

One of the main events was the reception laid on by the American insurance company P and I Club, in honour of Greek shipowners aboard the "Empire State" ship, anchored in Piraeus.

Joseph Hewses, club spokesman, talked about Posidonia :

"Well, it's obviously a hugely important celebration of the greek shipping world and we're very priviledged to have the opportunity of being here, meeting so many different owners and others involved in maritime industry".

In addition to the P and I Club, Greek and foreign shipowners were also welcomed by the managers of New York's Maritime College, which is attended by many Greek students.

J. Saimon, captain of the Empire State, said :

"I think anyone involved in the world maritime community literally understands this premier international maritime event".

During the reception held by the College, there was a debate about issues - like insurance and commercial contracts - of concern to the Greek and foreign shipping industry.

In another Posidonia event, the Tsakos Shipping and Trading Company held a reception at its new offices in Athens.

The Tsakos group owns 30 ships, including tankers and freighters, and has shipyards in Montevideo, Uruguay, where it has also created a cultural center, thus making the presence of Hellenism felt in South America.

Panagiotis Tsakos, president of the Group, said "Posidonia is the largest international maritime celebration. We always take part in Posidonia. This year we wanted to combine Posidonia with the opening of our new offices". The reception was attended not only by figures from the shipping world, but by bankers and other businessmen.

Another reception was held by the Japanese ambassador to Athens and the Japanese Export and Shipping Industry Organisations.

Japanese businessmen may come from the other side of the world, but they take a special interest in the Posidonia exhibitions, where new technology related to shipping is showcased.

© ANT1-Radio 1996

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