Antenna: News in English (AM), 97-05-06

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

News in English, 06/05/97

TITLES

• Breathing problems force Mikis Theodorakis to cut short a concert tour.
• Acrchbishop Spyridon praises Antenna Satellite's Easter broadcast.
• And, Thessaloniki remembers the victims of the Holocaust.

PASOK

Last week, Turkey appointed two men to serve on the committee, which will not have any negotiating power, and the purpose of which will be to list Greek-Turkish differences.

Two international law professors, Argyris FatOUros and KraterOs Ioannou, were named as Greece's representatives.

Greece doesn't want the two Greek and two Turkish committee members to meet, unless it emerges from their reports to the European Union, that enough common ground exists to merit direct contact. Turkey and the mediating European Union want them to meet three times.

Ioannou says he believes that any discussion between the two nation's can be constructive.

Pasok has been criticised by opposition leaders for agreeing to take part in the committee. New Democracy and Political Spring say the apparently benign committee could end in Greece negotiating with Turkey over its sovereign rights.

But the government says it will NOT even accept Turkey listing its claims on Greece's sovereign rights in the Aegean as a bi-lateral issue.

THEODORAKIS

Theodorakis began a tour with Turkish composer Zoulfi Livanelli in Germany last week, determined not to let his health problems stop him from going ahead with the concerts aimed at building a bridge of musical understanding between Greece and Turkey.

Arriving in Athens Monday, Miki Theodorakis said he experienced breathing difficulties after his concert with Turkish composer Zoulfi Livanelli in Berlin Sunday night.

The two musicisans kicked off their tour in Bonn last week, expressing their hope that perhaps their concerts could act as a bridge of friendship between their two countries.

At a banquet held in their honour by the German foreign minister after the Bonn concert, Theodorakis experienced breathing problems. But he was determined to go ahead with the concerts.

But on Sunday, the Berlin concert organiser said the 70-year-0ld Theodorakis could not go on with the tour.

The Greek composer said Monday that tests he's had so far show that he has no heart problems, but will be undergoing further tests to determine the cause of his trouble. He added that he has cancelled all his 1997 dates.

ANTENNA

Spyridon expressed his hope that Antenna will continue its efforts to serve Hellenism around the world, via Satellite.

Greek Easter at the Fanari in Constantinople was shared by orthodox Christians in the US and Australia, thanks to Antenna satellite.

The live transmission of Easter mass was greatly appreciated in the US.

Orthodox archbishop of America Spyridon said, "I think Orthodox Christians have every right to see the patriarchate. We hope that Antenna continues the broadcast in the future. It's an ititiative that does the station proud".

At a ceremony at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts, Spyridon presented Antenna correspondent Alexandrea Spryridaki with an icon in gratitude for the efforts of Minos Kyriakou and those who work at the station.

In his message, Kyrikaou said, "The Antenna remains faithful to the ideals of Hellenism and Orthodoxy".

The award ceremony was organised by the US archdiocese's "Leadership 100" group, sponsored by Greeks living in the United States.

Kyriakou is a member of the group, which has set a number of goals for the Greek-Orthodox church in the States.

In the context of its efforts to promote Orthodoxy, Antenna produced the "Glory of Byzantium" documentary, which looks at how the exhibition of icons of the same name at New York's Metropolitan Musueum, was put together. Antenna has sent the documentary to Greeks in the US.

Leadership 100 members underscore the importance of the documentary; they also stress the significance of the live broadcast of Easter Mass from the Fanari.

One Greek-American said, "When I turned on the TV, I saw our patriarch saying the resurrection mass. I saw A ritual of tremendous import. I also realised the importance of what Antenna has to offer us".

Thanking Antenna, another Greek-American said Antenna is welcome in Boston - which he called the Athens of the US. Wishing the station every success, he added that he watches Antenna Satellite in Florida and Washington.

ELGIN

In opposition, Labour backed Greece's claim for the Parthenon Marbles to be returned to Athens, but one of its ministers now says that isn't feasible.

Lord Elgin whisked the Parthenon Marbles off to Britain in 1801.

Two centuries later, they sit in the British Museum in London, despite repeated efforts by successive Greek governments to get them returned to their rightful place.

There was optimism in Greece when the British Labour Party agreed, while in opposition, that the Marbles should be returned to Greece.

But Labour's new environment minister is singing an old, and unpleasantly familiar, tune just days after his party swept to party.

Chris Smith told the BBC that the return of the Marbles would not be feasible, and that the request is unreasonable. Why? He argues that the return of the Parthenon Marbles to the Acropolis would set off a deluge of requests from other countries, asking that archeological treasures now in Britain ALSO be returned to them.

Greece's culture minister believes there's still room for optimism, despite Smith's statements.

Evangelos Venizelos says there are moral and political obligations, and that his office has already written a letter to the British government, asking for a meeting between the two countries to discuss the issue. Venizelos hope to meet with his British counterpart at the EU's culture ministers' conference on June 30th.

While British government's have stonewalled it on the Marbles issues, it seems that menay ordinary Britons think Greece is right.

In a poll conducted by Britain's Channel Four, nearly 92 per cent of the 106 thousand respondents said the Marbles should be returned to Greece.

The Greek government and the Melina Mercouri Foundation say they will continue the campaign to get the Marbles back. The return of the Marbles was a dream of the late actress Mercouri, who served as Greek culture minister.

HOLOCAUST

On Sunday, Jews in Thessaloniki and Athens remembered those who died in the Nazi concentration camps.

People who lost relatives and friends, and who survived the concentration camps gathered for painful reflexion.

Radio producer Jacques MenahEm said, "Every year we remember our dead, those who were killed by the Nazis. Every year we also honour those who survived camps".

Anna NEgri, president of the Holocaust's Second Generation, said, "We'll never forget what happened to our family members".

She added that it's not just a question of remembering, but of reminding people of the horror, so that it never happens again.

ENERGY

EU commissioner and Greek citizen Christos Papoutsis is organising the Renewable Energy Implementation Congress, which will run until May 7th.

Papoutsis says the main push of the conference will be to inform delegates of ways to conserve energy by using renewable sources.

Papoutsis adds that in some Alpine villages there are buses which run on non-polluting energy. He thinks those buses would be great in large cities with severe smog problems, like Mardrid, Milan, and Paris.

He also thinks electric vehicles could be used on the Greek islands.

Addressing the conference, Greek energy minister Vasso Papandreou said a solar village is being planned for Greece. The settlement will demonstrate the practical uses and possibilities of solar energy.

BASKETBALL

Iannis Ioannides, who coached Olympiakos to the title last year, is hoping to repeat as champion with his new team, Aek.

Aek wons an overtime thriller to sweep Paok in the semis Saturday night. With the home team up by one, Stephano Artrouia hits a three-point bomb at the end of OT to send Aek on a date with Olympiakos.

And it's a three-pointer that's heard all across Europe: with a second- place finish in the Greek league guaranteed, Aek will be playing in the Euroleague next season, for the first time ever.

And European champion Olympiakos also completed a 2- nothing semi-final sweep over the weekend, crushing Peristeri 86-58 Sunday night. David Rivers led the winners with 21 points, on 6 for 7 two-point shooting.

SOCCER

The Piraeus club moved to within a breath of the trophy on the road over the weekend.

Olympiakos uses a hat-trick from Alexandris in crushing Paniliakos 5-nil.

Alexandris scores two of his goals in the first half.

With four games left in the season, Olympiakos has 23 wins, 2 losses, and 6 draws. A draw against Aek, or a victory against any other team, will give it the championship.

Aek fell 9 points behind the league leaders with a surprising loss to Paok over the weekend.

Third-place Ofi wins on the road, as do fourth- place Panathinaikos and Iraklis.

Ionikos, Athinaikos, and Xanthi are triumphant at home. And Kalamata at Panachaiki - no score in that one.

© ANT1 Radio 1997

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