Antenna: News in English, 96-10-29

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

News in English, of 29/10/1996

TITLES

• Greece remembers the day it told the Italians "no".
• Greek prime minister goes to Budapest to meet his European colleagues.
• And, a quiet national holiday exodus for thousands of Athenians.

PARADES

President Stefanopoulos said, "Let the miracle of 1940 be our guide forever and always teach us how necessary national union is, especially today, at a time when Greece is going through a critical period".

The greek government was represented by defence minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos, who also stressed on the country's national union. "We're in a time that readiness, national union and unanimity, as well as peacekeeping willingness, are more than ever demanded", he said.

Children with special needs, who also participated in the parade, were warmly applauded by the people who attended the anniversary celebrations.

Some of the most sophisticated helicopters, the Apache choppers, were also presented at the military parade in Thessaloniki. The crafts were recently bought by the greek army.

OXI day celebrations concluded with the students parade in Athens.

Students from 16 primary schools, 29 high-schools, scouts and army officers paraded downtown Athens, before the city's mayor, Dimitris Avramopoulos and education minister Gerasimos Arsenis. "I believe that the youngs of today will find their own way towards the 21st century, as long as we offer them the education they need and deserve", the education minister said.

Earlier in the day, Greek officials layed a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, after having attended the annual mass, celebrating the historical day, at the Metropolitan Cathedral.

Monday's anniversary was also celebrated by Greeks in Southern Albania, Cyprus and the States.

MESSAGES

For 3 days the Italian march met no resistance. Then the spirited response of Hellenism came, and the Italians were driven out of Greece. That forced Hitler to intervene. It took him 56 days to overrun Greece. Many say the campaign drained away the valuable military resources the Germans needed to defeat Russia.

Greece remembered today with pride how it overcame superior odds to defend its liberty and contribute to the allied cause. That spirit was at the centre of messages form the country's political leaders today. Prime minister Kostas Simitis said, "Today's anniversary is a message of unity, unanimity and faith to high ideals".

New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert stressed, "October 28th is a bright example showing that the Greeks can always prove equal to circumstances and succesfully face any threat".

Left Coalition leader Nikos Konstantopoulos emphasized on the historical rememberance of the day which should be alive, especially in todays times, and the Communist Party said that when the Greek people unite their forces, they can make miracles".

Dimitris Tsovolas, leader of the Democratic movement, expressed his belief that hellenism will overcome any barriers in its fair fight for its rights.

MASS

Saturday was the feast day of the city's patron Saint Dimitrios. It was also the day commemorating the liberation of the city from the Turkish rule in 1912.

Thousands of people attended the commemorative service at the Cathedral of Saint Dimitrios. Among those at the mass was Greek president Kostis Stefanopoulos.

The government was represented by defence minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos.

New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert also attended the mass. After the service, he said that "If Greece wants to move forward, the greek people must be united and follow a unified foreign and defence policy".

SIMITIS

The EU socialists decision on the union's expansion brings no changes to the Cyprus entry in the EU procedures, the Greek premier stressed. Prime minister Kostas Simitis said, "The EU has already made its decision on the issue, as six months after the end of the union's inter- government summit, special talks on the Cyprus entry will start".

After the European Socialists congress, there was a special reference made on the Cyprus issue and the initiatives to be taken to resolve it, after the interventions of the Greek premier, the Cypriot socialist leader Vassos Lyssarides as well as the British Labour party member John Prescott.

Sources say the Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis told his European colleagues that the situation in Cyprus is explosive, after this year's Turkish provocative acts and murders of Cypriot unarmed men. He also warned them that this situation may even lead to a war, if the necessary initiatives are not taken to resolve the Cyprus issue.

On Monday, premier Kostas Simitis met with his Hungarian counterpart, Gkioula Chorn, to discuss the greek-turkish relations and the Cyprus issue. After their meeting, Mr. Simitis said, "Hungary's positions coincide with ours: that any claims made by the Turks, should be resolved through the international law procedures, the recourse to international court of the Hague. As for the Cyprus issue, the greek premier added, Hungary also said it is high time the United Nations decisions' are implemented".

Referring to the role Greece has to play in its surrounding region, the Greek prime minister said, "it must increase its influence to the Central Europe and the Balkans, in order to survive in the modern European structure".

ND

Sources said that Athens mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos may play a decisive role in the situation, but he denied any similar scenario, on Monday.

The name of the party's vice-president Ioannis Varvitsiotis was also heard, as undertaking a unification initiative. But, MP Giorgos Tzitzikostas denied this scenario as well.

On the 28th of October anniversary day, several New Democracy MPs preferred not to make any statements, while the president's leader Miltiades Evert had expressed his optimism over the party's unity this weekend. In Thessaloniki, where he went to attend the anniversary celebrations, Mr. Evert made it clear that he will remain in New Democracy's leadership, until, quote,"his positions are justified and the party moves forward".

© ANT1-Radio 1996

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