Antenna: News in English (AM), 97-03-22

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

News in English, 22/03/97

TITLES

• New Democracy gets a new leader.
• Prime minister Kostas Simitis's visit to Romania.
• And, Antenna reports: hunger and hardship, the fallout from political crisis in Albania.

NEW DEMOCRACY

In an atmosphere of jubilation, Karmanlis called his election a great moment for the party, in which there were no losers, just winners. It was a victory for the party as a whole he said. Adding, Tomorrow we go forward all together. Paying tribute to Souflias, Karmanlis said that in unity the party will now start its march forward.

Born in September 1956, Kostas Karamanlis grew up with politics. His uncle of the same name was one of the towering political figures of the post- world war II period, and the founder of New Democracy.

In 1979, Karamanlis graduated from AThens law school. Five years later he finished graduate studies in Boston, Massachussetts, receiving a doctorate in diplomatic history, and a masters in political science and economics.

He was first a member of New Democracy's youth organisation and was elected MP for the first time in 1989. He has been reelected in every election since then, and has been a member of the party's central committee since 1993.

Karamanlis is fond of his roots, and frequently visits the family home in Serres in northern Greece.

SIMITIS

Simitis made the comment during a joint press conference with his Romanian counterpart in Bucharest.

After meeting with Emil Konstandineskou, Kostas Simitis announced his intention to visit all the Balkan countries, to pursue his policy of promoting stability and cooperation in the Balkans.

In Bucharest, it was agreed that the foreign ministers of Greece, Romania, and Bulgaria should soon meet.

Simitis aims to foster a personal dialogue with Fyrom president Kiro Gligorov. Greece and Fyrom disagree over what Fyrom's permanent name should be. Fyrom wants to call itself just "Macedonia". Greece objects, saying that using the Greek name is expansionist and theft of Greek history.

Commenting on the Albania crisis, Kostas Simitis said that his government has never raised the issue of president Sali Berisha being removed from office. He added that Greece favours a peaceful solution of the crisis, with the participation of Berisha and the other political parties in the country.

ALBANIA/LATEST

The rebels issued an ultimatum for Berisha to resign this week, but the deadline came and went unheeded Thursday night. Now, the rebels of 13 cities say they may form their own interim presidential council if Berisha doesn't resign.

That's one headache for newly-appointed prime minister Baskim Fino. Another is that thousands of Berisha's organised supporters say they'll rise up against anyone trying to throw Berisha out.

Observers say the opposition betwen the two camps has twice caused Fino to postpone a planned visit to the southern rebel areas.

Fino goes to Rome Tuesday to discuss ways of ending the crisis with the foreign ministers of the European Union.

Another problem being faced by Fino is the uncontrolled activity of armed gangs given over to robbing, looting, violence, and terrorising the population.

Organised criminal groups say the only thing they fear is OTHER groups of criminals.

ALBANIA ANT1

With rebellion comes hardship. In Korytsa, in northeast Albania, there's snow and hunger, and the snow could make the hunger worse.

One man tells Antenna's Giorgos Rodakoglou too much snow could prevent food supplies from getting through. "If the roads close", he explains, "people could start going hungry".

There are few people out in the city centre, but the bad weather hasn't quashed the rebellioius fervour of some.

One man toting his Kalashnikov rifle says, "Berisha should be hanged for what he's done".

And there are still problems of lawlessness. A tank guards the city's central bank.

At night, armed gangs roam the streets looking for booty.

At the armored car unit in nearby Basmia, residents have taken protecting what little order is left, into their own hands.

One man says, "We're guarding the tanks". Only 20 have escaped the rebels' raids. The rebels say the tanks will be returned in four days".

There are economic problems in the southern part of the country too. Antenna's Vassilis Hitos reports from Saranta that 100s of families are facing serious survival problems.

Pensions and wages have dried up. One man pleads, "We need help. People walk by this food but can't buy it. No one's working. People go around without money to buy anything".

All the banks that haven't been robbed are closed - there's no reason for them to open, since all the state reserves are gone.

An the farmers' market in central Saranta, there is a little food about, but know one can buy anthing.

One man explains, "I haven't got anything. My wife came to buy some greens, so the kids can eat. When that's gone, we'll have nothing to eat".

The prices of many imported foods are rising for no apparent reason. And som people say the humanitarian aid sent from Greece has ended up in the hands of organised crime.

One woman complians, "The ship arrived. They took it all and left. We're afraid to go out at night. There's no policemen anywhere. Berisha hangs on to his office, unconcerned about people dying in the street".

BALKANS MED.CENTERS

The Apostolopoulos Group's Inter-Balkan Medical Centre is getting the support of Latsis Enterprises, the Greek Red Cross, and the Eric Dunan Foundation in building five diagnostic clinics in other Balkan countries.

Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Fyrom, and Montenegro will be the health-care beneficiaries. The medical centers will be equipped with sophisticated equipment and will cooperate with each other.

Former orthodox archbishop of the Americas Iakovos is actively supporting this humanitarian initiative, in an organisational capacity.

SOCCER

Aek was optimistic after the first leg of that two- match quarterfinal in Paris ended in a draw.

But St Germain's Patrice Loqeau has other ideas, and the home field proves no advantage to Aek. Loqueau opens his hat-trick with a goal in the 22nd minute, and leads his club to a 3-nil trouncing of Aek.

© ANT1 Radio 1997

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