Antenna: News in English, 96-11-12

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

News in English, of 11/11/1996

TITLES

• Ukrania's president officially visits Greece
• Tension gets high once again within New Democracy
• And, a self-taught pilot is making his own choppers.

UKRANIAN

Greek officials reserved an exceptional welcome ceremony for the Ukranian president, for the first time, the official guest was given a reception outside the presidential palace, and not at the airport, after his arrival.

Greek president, prime minister and foreign minister attended the welcome ceremony, before Mr. Koutsma began his meetings with the Greek officials. President Kostis Stefanopoulos said that during his meeting with the Ukranian president it was confirmed that not only was there no problem at all with bilateral relations, but there is also the necessity of an even larger cooperation in all fields.

Greek premier Kostas Simitis, who also met with Mr. Koutsma, said that Greece will stand by Ukrania, in its efforts to find its new course, its new ways of cooperation within the new international framework.

ND

This decision came after one of the main opponents of party leader Miltiades Evert, Dora Bakoyianni called him to withdraw from the party's leadership on his own initiative, before the party congress, which is expected to come in mid-1997. In an interview she gave the daily TA NEA this week-end, Bakoyianni also said that Giorgos Souflias will be supported in his candidacy for the party leadership in the congress. Souflias, Bakoyianni and Stefanos Manos are in the frontline of those opposed to the Evert leadership.

Besides, last Friday, MP Petros Tatoulis was reprimanded for telling Antenna that the party's problems stem from the fact that Evert was re-elected leader after his September resignation. On Monday, Tatoulis gave explanations for his statements, to the party's parliamentary group secretary, and said he was not afraid to be expelled from his party.

After party leader Miltiades Evert announced the emergency meeting of the party's political council for Tuesday, honorary president Constantinos Mitsotakis said he wouldn't participate in the meeting, "since the top party members won't discuss the up-coming congress". He said, "Everybody must be calm and make the way to an honest and representative congress easier. Tuesday's emergency meeting of the political council doesn't contribute to this effort. So, I don't think I should participate in this meeting".

New Democracy spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos replied that the decisions of last week's political council are clear and binding, and that anyone undertakes the responsibility for his acts.

In an interview to daily "Ethnos", MP Kostas Karamanlis didn't exclude the possibility to be a candidate for the party's leadership in the congress.

Another daily, TA NEA, published a poll Monday, carried out by PRC company. In the question "who do you consider to be the most suitable person for New Democracy's leadership, Athens mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos got the first place, with 27.9 per cent; honorary president Mitsotakis got a 18.3 per cent, while party leader Miltiades Evert and one of his opponents, Giorgos Souflias, got 15 per cent each.

MP Stefanos Manos proposed to lower the high tones within the party, in an interview he gave to daily Apogevmatini. And, the president of New Democracy's youth organisation, Panos Sideris also insisted to the need to avoid any extreme solutions.

ECONOMY

Pasok is proposing a minimum civil service wage of 700 dollars a month, to be boosted by bonuses. The union wants a higher minimum entry-level salary.

Union leader Yiannis Koutsoukos says the government's proposals doesn't give essential salary raises. It is estimated that next year's raise will be around 8 or 9 per cent. Inflation is currently running at just over 8 per cent.

SHIP

One of the Penguin missles carried by the warship was detached, after the tragic naval accident occurred last week. The divers team estimated that the missile is located about 30 meters far from the wreckage.

Sources say that the US Navy will help in refloating the warship, an operation which is estimated to cost over ninety million dollars.

A ferry boat leaving the island of Samos rammed into the Greek naval warship, sending it to rest 160 metres beneathe the sea, just a kilometre off the coast of the island.

Four of the 38 crewmembers were lost, as the "Kostakos" sank within 15 minutes of being hit.

SPORTS

Demis Nikolaides was the Greek scorer at the team's fourth game in the preliminary round of the World Soccer Cup 1998. Davor Suker was the the top scorer for Croatia.

Greece leads with first position up to now with 7 points after four games.

©ANT1-Radio 1996

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