Antenna: News in English, 96-11-26

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

News in English, of 26/11/1996

TITLES

• A Clinton advisor George Stephanopoulos talks about Greek-Turkish relations.
• Greece defends its views on Turkey in the EU.
• And, Irini Skliva, Miss World 1996.

clinton

"No plans yet. I know he'd like to. The first lady had a wonderful visit last year with Chelsea. The president has always said he'd like to go".

Stephanopoulos declined to say exactly what would be on the agenda during a Clinton visit to Greece. But the US would like to see its two Nato partners try to smoothe out their differences through dialogue.

"We believe dialogue on a number of fronts could acutually be helpful if both parties want to make it work".

Stephanopoulos also told Antenna that the US government is doing what it can to get Greece and Turkey to move closer together.

"National security advisor Lake has been working...other differences beteen Greece and turkey can be resolved".

Stephanopoulos also said that the White House would be open to a meeting between Greek and Turish leaders in Washington.

Asked about another issue of concern to Greeks everywhere, Cyprus, Stephanopoulos wouldn't discuss details of an imminent US initiative to end that island's division at the hands of the Turks. The less talk before the US efforts start, he said, the better.

PANGALOS

There, the Greek foreign minister told his European partners that Turkey must start behaving in a more civil manner toward Greece before it can have closer ties with the EU.

Theodoros Pangalos said after the meeting, "Greece favours Turkey's European orientation. But Turkey must understand that such an orientation cannot co- exist with groundless claims against a member state".

Greece was outraged by Turkey's attempt to use its military muscle to advance its claims on the isle of Imia in January.

On July 15th, Greece got the EU to issue a statement, saying should take any claims against Greece to the international court, and

that Turkey should avoid provocative behaviour.

At issue is Turkey's pending customs union association with the EU.

Because of Greek objections, the council to finalise that association agreement will not take place in December.

Pangalos said after Monday's meeting, @We discussed whether or not the council should take place on December 6th. The Irish chair feels it would be premature. But it will invite the Turkish prime minister to a summit banquet in December, as is customary".

An Irish recommendation that Greece and Turkey start bi-lateral talks on issues separating them was not discussed in Brussels. Even better for Greece, the EU remembered its July 15th statement. Pangalos says it will be included in the ministers' final statement this week in Brussels.

ND

"I expect the congress to elect a leader who can lead us to victory in the next elections", he told reporters. "There will probably be many nominees. That's healthy. The party wants a leader who can lead it to victory".

One man who's already declared his candidacy is MP Giorgos Souflias. He thinks he fits Mitsotakis's bill. "I believe I can unite the party and lead it to victory", he says.

New Democracy MPs re-elected Miltiades Evert party leader over Souflias after the party's election defeat in September. In a Sunday interview, he once again called on Evert to say whether or not he intends to run for the top spot again at the congress.

He got his reply from party spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos, who argued that the Evert candidacy should not be a priority issue right now.

"The congress will make important decisions. But what's before us right NOW is the fact that the government is going to make a lot of economic and foreign policy decisions that will influence the future of the country. We must be vigilant. Some people in the party feel differently, but they're just expressing personal views".

Underscoring his view that party members should focus on opposing the government and not each other, Evert sent a letter to local party leaders, urging them to show solidarity for ordinary people being hit hard by government policies.

Said Pavlopoulos, "We have to prevent the government from immplementing its dead end policies which are based in austerity measures with no forseeable end".

With the leadership on the table at the congress, the upper party echelons are unavoidably taking care to make sure that it comes off smoothely.

MP Iannis Kefaloyiannis, who would back Kostas Karamanlis if he decided to run for leader, says what everyone knows: the congress decisions must be accepted by everyone in the party.

That means the WAY the congress is organised - and how the delegates are chosen - must be accepted by all too.

Party vice president Iannis Varvitsiotis sent his recommendations on how the number of delegates should be expanded to the members of the political council and Giorgos Souflias Monday. He suggests that there be over 3 thousand delegates, with the inclusion of the heads of legal, medical, and commercial guilds, and county councillors mayoral nominees on the delegates lists.

Varvitsiotis says that Souflias's call for the re-election of local officials by all partb members violates the party charter.

Evert has called a political council meeting to discuss the Varvitsiotis report on Wednesday. Evert says his recommendations generally move in the right direction.

HARAMIS

Doctor Iannis Haramis, whose work as an opthalmologist was recognised around the world, was honoured by the erection of his bust.

His name, the name of the doctor and the professor, is synonymous internationally with modernisation in the field of opthalmology.

Now, all those who pass by the Athens Opthalmology Clinic - what Haramis's friends jokingly called his second home - will be reminded of the man who immersed himself in advancing medicine.

Nikolaos Lambrou, chairman of the Society for the Study of the History of Opthalmology, remembered, "In this place, Haramis consumed his life and his abilities day by day. His strong personality guaranteed that his considerable abilities were translated into deeds".

In the deceased doctor's memory, the European Opthalmology Congress established the Haramis Prize for surgical innovations.

Professor Georgios Theodosiades said Haramis, a member of the Athens Academy and the International Academy of Opthalmology, had a noble character. "He always respected his patient, he behaviour always reflected the Hippocratic ideal".

Nikos Matsaniotis agreed with that. He said he has the fondest memories of his mentor that a younger doctor could.

Iannis Haramis was the father of Antenna general manager Spylios Haramis.

SPORTS

Elsewhere, Ofi and Kalamata, that one ends in a draw. Paniliakos gets past Iraklis, no problem. Pasok and Apollon do fine at home, but not Athinaikos.

SKLIVA

For 18-year-old Irini Skliva, hearing the announcement didn't QUITE make it all real.

"I had the feeling it was just another rehearsal - in the rehearsals; in one rehearsal they'd used me as the mock winner".

But it was the real thing, she had been chosen from a field of the women from 82 nations.

Now, she'll travel the world, fulfilling the philanthopical commitments that come with her new crown.

It was a proud moment for Irini's parents, who watched the contest at home in Greece.

"She cried, I cried", said her mother after speaking to her on the phone.

"We miss her", said her father, "because we don't have her here with us at this time of joy she's given us".

Irini will be back in Greece in a month.

Her dad says the first thing he'll do is hug and kiss her.

The world's new beauty queen got her start winning the Miss Hellas award - at the pageant organised by Antenna.

Thrust into the public spotlight, her charm made it easy for her to win the world over.

Irini won characteristically warm applause for her humourous response to talk show host Nikos Mastorakis's question, "What are your 5 best points, and your 5 worst points?"

"Well," she repled, "I'll tell you what other people say: my eyes, my smile...I don't have any bad points".

The world would probably agree with that.

©ANT1-Radio 1996

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