Antenna: News in English, 97-01-23

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

News in English, 23/01/97

TITLES

• The prime minister warns of Turkey's destabilising influence***.
• The seamen's strike starts to wind down***.
• And, a helping hand to musicians in need***.

SIMITIS

Kostas Simitis spoke to reporters in Rome, Wednesday, at the end of the Socialist International conference.

Simitis repeated that Turkey's aim is to alter the status quo in the Aegean - hence its aggressive attitude to Greece.

The Greek leader said that during the conference meetings, he focussed on the tension in Greek- Turkish relations, and explained that Turkey's provocative behaviour is at the root of all the problems.

Turkey's attempt to alter the map in the Aegean is unacceptable to Greece, said Simitis, underscoring that Greece has proposed that the issues between the two countries be approached in a step- by-step manner.

Simitis also said that Turkey's Deniz Baykal, who represented his country's Popular-Republican party at the conference, made a poor impression in Rome.

The Greek premier explained that Baykal's speech was aggressive, and showed scant regard for the Socialist International's sensitivity on issues of peace and the rule of international law.

CYPRUS

On Friday, Turkish warships are to make port calls in northern Cyprus, under Turkish military occupation. And Ankara warned the Cypriot Republic NOT to enter the European Union.

Despite Turkey's truculent tack, the United States says it doesn't think free Cyprus shold go ahead and buy a defensive missile system.

In what is being seen as an attempt to slow down talks on Cypriot admission to the European Union, Turkish naval vessels prepared to sail for occupied northern Cyprus on Friday.

At the diplomatic level, there was another threat: Turkish president Suliman Demirel and Turkish- Cypriot leader Raouf Denktash warned that the start of Cyprus's EU-entry talks will be the first step to Turkey annexing northern Cyprus, which it has occupied for 22 years.

Tukrey claims that Cypriot entry into the EU would amount to its incorporation into Greece.

The Greek government rejected the latest Turkish threats. Spokesman Dimitris Reppas said, "We're not intimidated by words".

Reppas also said that there will be no change in Cyprus's plans to arm itself against the Turkish threat.

Cypriot plans to buy and deploy a Russian anti- aircraft missile system is part of Cyprus's move to strengthen its deterrent. But US opposes the deployment. State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns would prefer all sides to agree to a moratorium on military flights over Cyprus. A moratorium, he says, would make the missiles unnecessary. But Cyprus says a moratorium could only be a part of a larger plan to solve the Cyprus problem as a whole.

Burns expressed disappointment with the Cypriot decision, which is supported by Greece.

"We're very disappointed that parties were not able to conclude the measure which has been on the table in different forms since July 1996.

We'd been encouraged by some positive statements that we had heard from Nicosia, Ankara and Athens last week, but unfortunately when the Greek and Cypriot leadership met in Athens on Friday, they were unable to finalise, to reach a final agreement on this arrangement. We believe that this approach, the moratorium offers a diplomatic alternative to the deployment of the anti-aircraft system and there is a link between them. And that the agreement on the moratorium perhaps makes unnecessary to deploy the anti- aircraft system in 1998".

Burns added that the US will continue its efforts to find a peaceful solution for Cyprus.

Greece and Cyprus hope progress can be made, but see little cause for optimism in Turkey's behaviour.

SEAMEN

It was another day of frustration for would-be boat passengers, especially truck drivers carrying perishable goods.

In Brindesi, Italy, hundreds of Greek truck drivers expressed their exasperation, saying their perishable cargoes are rotting, their money is running out, and their patience has run out.

Hundreds of Greek truck drivers also spent another day riding out the strike in Ancona, further north.

In Corfu, inter-city bus line employees protested against the strike, which has left the island cut off from the mainland.

Some islands in the Aegean are having problems getting essential goods. On Wednesday, two Greek nabval vessels were standing by, ready to deliver medical supplies to islands if the need arose.

When a ship leaves Piraeus harbour these days, it's an exception. One large ferry boat left for Crete late Tuesday night.

But at the port of Killini in western Greece, the strike slackened Wednesday, as ferry boats started making their runs to the Ionian islands.

The strike is due to end Thursday, but a Piraeus court ordered the seamen to call it off immediately on Wednesday.

Even through the hardship caused by the strike, Greek hospitality showed through: in Patra, Greek truck-drivers laid on a barbecue for foreign truck drivers waiting to go home.

One of the hosts said, "We're celebrating our plight!"

A few moments of enjoyment through a wait too long, and costly for those whose business depends on the ships sailing.

FRIENDS

The money comes in the form of donations from well-known artists with cash to spare.

Composer Stavors Xarchakos, opera singer Agni Baltsa, and Singer Giorgos Dalaras were among the famous performers who kicked in to boost the Poor Artists Fund.

The Fund supports artists unable to work because of health problems. It offers those in need not only financial support, but also moral support.

Association chairman Christos Lambrakis proposed that the state try to find teaching and administrative posts for healthy musicians in need of work.

Culture minister Evangelos Venizelos warmly applauded the idea.

Next month, the ministry is holding an event in honour of veteran musicians, and those who have undertaken to support them.

© ANT1 Radio 1997

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