Antenna: News in English (AM), 97-06-10

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

News in English, 10/06/97

TITLES

• Balkan leaders discuss regional cooperation and development in Thessaloniki.
• Europe's socialists calls for a quick end to the Cyprus problem.
• And, celebrating Greek independence day in Chi- town.

INTERBALKANS MEETING

As we hear in this report, the Balkan nations are focussing on ways of promoting regional economic development, and bolstering regional security.

Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos said at the outset of the 2-day conference that closer cooperation between the Balkan countries is vital to security.

He and his Balkan counterparts will be looking to strengthen commitment to respecting regional borders, and respect for international law and principles of peace, like non-violence, and non- intervention in the affairs of other countries.

The White House's National Council advisor, Richard Shifter said the US is behind the conference all the way.

"As far as the US....of the world".

Balkogia Hatziski, foreign minister of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, agreed with the spirit of the conference. Noting that UN talks are underway to resolve the difference between between his country and Greece over Fyrom's name, he said the two neighbours should get closer.

Pangalos also said that closer political cooperation presupposes better economic infrastructure: better roads, better telecommuications systems, and cheaper energy supplies.

The presence of business interests at the conference is marked: with many of the former communist countries pushing ahead with privatisations, representatives of the Greek phone company, OTE, arrived while their organisation was signing an agreement in Belgrade to purchase 20 per cent of the Serbian telecommunications company.

All those at the Thessaloniki conference hope that economic and political coopeation will forge ahead. Pangalos says Greece, as the only country in the area that is a member of both the European Union and Nato has a unique role to play in those plans.

Greek alternate foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou said that a Balkan security system and economic cooperation are a stepping stone toward bringing the countries of eastern Europe toward the European Union.

Turkey is the only country that sent a relatively low-ranking offical to represent it in Thessaloniki, a fact criticised in the Turkish press, which says Turkey risks isolating itself fro the rest of the Balkans.

SIMITIS/SWEDEN

Prime minister Kostas Simitis was one of 9 heads of state in Sweden over the weekend, for a meeting of European Union socialists.

One of the issues discussed was Cyprus. The United States is launching a major mediating initiative to end the division of the island quickly. The US has named Richard Holbrooke special envoy on the Cyprus issue. The Financial Times of London quotes Holbrooke as saying that the Cyprus dispute could lead to a Greek-Turkish conflagration.

The Euro-socialists are also calling for a solution to be found soon.

But in Sweden, the main focus was on the EU's future. Many socialist leaders doubt that the EU nations will be able to agree on issues related to monetary union at the upcoming intergovernmental summit. What's being debated is whether or not the inflation and deficit targets set for EU members are too harsh.

Some socialist leaders even believe that a new summit will have to be called to resolve the issues.

Greek defence minister Akis Tzochatzopoulos, re- elected European socialist party vice president, believes the EU needs to look at more than just economic and monetary union; a common economic policy is needed to battle raging unemployment.

ÊÁRAMANLIS

Kostas Karamanlis addressed a party gathering in Thessaloniki over the weekend.

The New Democracy leader says that despite Pasok's promises, the government hasn't proceeded with any changes in the state-run economy since winning the elections nine months ago.

Karamanlis cites a lack of privatisations and public sector waste as two problems Pasok hasn't tackled.

MITSOTAKIS

After his high-level contacts in Turkey, Constantinos Mitsotakis believes Turkey will soon lift its threat of war against Greece over the Aegean. Turkey says that it will go to war if Greece exercises its right to extend its Aegean borders.

Mitsotakis, still a New Democracy MP, says that within the next few days he'll brief the foreign minister on his talks in Turkey.

Back in Greece, Mitsotakis turned his attention to domestic politics.

He told reporters over the weekend that Pasok's plan to make it easier for parliament to elect the nation's president is a bad idea.

Currently, a presidential candidate needs the votes of 180 of the 300 MPs to be elected. If no one can muster that number, parliamen is dissolved and national elections are called.

Mitsotakis says Pasok's idea is just a trick to make it easier for the sitting governemnt to get through a presidential contest more easily.

The former premier told journalists that he himself would be interested in the presidency, if the law were changed so the people elected him.

Some New Democracy MPs agree with Mitsotakis. Thanasis Nakos says no one should be above the Greek people when it comes to choosing leaders.

Other MPs disagree however, and it is an issue the party will have to discuss.

PAPANDREOU

Pasok is organising the main tributes, which will include a memorial service, and a concert at the Athens Symphony Hall featuring composer Mikis Theodorakis.

Andreas Papandreou will be remembered as the man who founded the Panhellenic Socialist Movement, and carried it to three national election victories in the 1980s and 90s.

Pasok secretary Kostas Skandalides says everyone is invited to attend the commemoration events. Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis and former French culture minister Jacques Langue will dedicate speeches to the late leader at the symphony hall.

GORBATSEV

The former Soviet leader restated that view when he arrived in Greece on a private visit, at the invitation of an old friend, Dr Giorgos Apostolopoulos.

With Gorbachev are his wife, daughter, and granddaughter.

Gorbachev also speculated about the ambitions of Russian president Boris Yeltsin, saying he intends to be president forever.

CHICAGO

The long winter delayed the annual expats parade for two months, but that didn't dampen the determination of Greeks and Greek-Americans to march for the homeland.

This year was the first time the annual parade was held in the Windy City.

Chicago is well-known for its architecture. Part of its flavour comes from the Greek architectural rhythms, and the uniqueness of Greek Town.

With the Greek flag hanging from windows everywhere, the parade began at mid-day.

Two Greek MPs, Pasok's Alabanos and New Democracy's Papadopoulos, were on hand for the festivities, along with city officials. White House representative Charles Santangelo sent out a warm greeting from Pennsylvania Avenue.

"Yia sas Ellines. We're very happy, we're very pleased with the tremendous event here. We're here to express our appreciation to the greek community for all their contribution throughout the years to America".

The parade took in thirty eight Greek-American associations, schools, organisations and 37 floats.

National Council of Hellenism president Theodoros Sypropoulos hailed it as "an achievement of the entire Greek-American community", he said. "Here, in a Greek neighbourhood, we've intervened on behalf of Greeks and our children".

This year's master of ceremony was Yiannis Christakis, a doctor who's provided Greeks in Chicago with invaluable assistance, treating them for years free of charge.

"I've always tried to offer my services to everybody, but especially to Greeks", he said.

LAMBRINIDIS

Lambrinides held a fifteen-day training seminar for Greek journalists abroad, informing them as to the ease with which the site can be used.

"HELLENISM exists everywhere, Greece is no longer the center", Lambrinides said, adding: "Through the web sites one can find a multitude of information concerning Greeks living abroad, data on laws in Greece and their host country that concern them".

Lambrinides says that Greek journalists living abroad can communicate with one another and get in touch with the General Secretariat if need be.

Web sites on the internet were established last February.

If you are interested in taping into the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad, you can, using these addresses.

http://www.hri.org/ggae/ http://www.mfa.gr/ggae/

OCEANOGRAPHIC

No marine research project is too big or too difficult for the "Aegean".

The boat was built in Halkida in 1985, and has covered 200 thousand miles of seas since then.

A year ago, the ship was given an overhaul: it was enlarged, and equipped with better laboratories and instruments. Soon it is to get a Vathyscope, a craft that enables scientists to stay under the sea for two days.

Geologist Dimitris Sakellariou says it will be a great boon to research, since it can plunge to a depth of 600 metres, and is fitted out with cameras and mechanical arms.

Ship's captain Konstantinos HandrAs calls the "Aegean" Greece's ambassador to the world: wherever it goes, the Greek flag flies.

SPORTS

The Lithuanian forward, who plaed college ball at Seton Hall, and has played for Racing Paris and Barcelona, will cost Olympiakos an estimated 2.5 million dollars.

The Greek team is also trying to re-sign American David Rivers, the speedy guard who was instrumental in leading the club to the European and Greek titles this year.

Rivers has until Thursday to respond to the team's offer, believed to be in the neighbourhood of 2 million dollars for one year.

CELEBRATION

World War II fighters, balloons, choppers, and parachutists graced the skies, as organisers tried to give spectators a view of all manner of acrobatics.

There was a rare hydroplane - built in 1941, there are only nine of its kind left in the world. It could sink German U-boats and carry out rescue operatons at sea.

There were even airborne mororcycles, para- gliders fortified with two- stroke engines and a special seat.

Among the displays that impressed spectators were two old planes from the collection of Antenna president Minos Kyriakou, who wants to set up an aircraft museum.

© ANT1 Radio 1997

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