Antenna: News in English (AM), 97-07-24

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

News in English, 24/07/97

TITLES

• US State department spokesman Nicholas Burns speaks positively and candidly about Greece
• Greece remembers its legendary cinema star, Aliki Vouyouklaki
• And, KaklamanAkis's ambitious goal in support of the 2004 Olympics.

BURNS

During his last news conference, Burns reflected saying, "There is a new relationship between the US and Greece which ought to mean we can move ahead in a way we never have before. We have great respect for Prime minister Simitis and Foreign minister Pangalos. We think we can work with them constructively. And we think especially we can work with them on Cyprus.

Adding that, "This is a time of great opportunity and promise in the eastern Mediterranean", suggesting that a new century of Peace may be possible in the region.

The prospects for a Cyprus settlement may be better now than at any time in more than 30 years, Spokesman Burns said from the State Department Tuesday night.

Burns estimated that the combination of a powerful premier in Greece and a stable secular government in Turkey will create the right framework for the promotion of a resolution to the Cyprus issue.

"You have an exceedingly strong prime minister in Greece, with a clear view of what he wants to do to preserve stability in the eastern Mediterranean", he said.

He then commented about the situation in Turkey, saying that the period of political instability appears to be over. Adding that the US is looking forward to better relations with Turkey, especially after the appointment of Turkey's new prime minister, Messout Yilmaz.

"I think this is a time of great opportunity for all of us who wish to help Greece and Turkey and CYPRUS create a new century of peace in the eastern Mediterranean. That would be a great achievement for the Greek and Turkish and Cypriot peoples", he added.

Burns added that the administration is looking to the Greek, Cypriot and Turkish governments to move ahead on the Cyprus dispute, working with the United Nations and with US special envoy Richard Holbrooke. Adding that, "there may not be a better opportunity, since the troubles began in Cyprus in the 1960's, for Cyprus to be resolved".

ALBANIA

Over the past two months, police in KaterEEni, close to the border have managed to dismantle five Albanian drug smuggling gangs.

While in a village near KaterEEni, two police officers tried to arrest two Albanian drug smugglers. During the arrest, one of the Albanians threw a hand grenade at the officers, managing to escape. Fortunately, the grenade didn't explode.

Special army and police forces have been deployed in remote areas near the Greek-Albanian border, at the insistence of the Greek government after a series of raids in villages by armed albanian gangs.

In downtown Athens, 500 Albanian and Kurdish illegal immigrants were arrested on Tuesday night and deported. Similar arrest and expulsions are scheduled to continue in the downtown area and along the border, over the next couple of days.

SWISS BANKS

The unprecedented three page list is being published in newspapers in 28 countries and on the Internet, breaking with a tradition of secrecy after two years of criticism by the World Jewish congress.

In a special amendment on bank secrecy by the Swiss government, the law allows for the lifting of secrecy in accounts of the nazi period. Bank secrecy remains for all accounts opened after World War II.

On Wednesday, the Greek daily, "Ta Nea" published the following names of Greeks mentioned on the list:
* - Antoniadi, Efimia
* - Yianagkas, Efstathios
* - Nikolopoulos, Giorgos
* - Nikolopoulos, Nikos
* - Papadopoulos, Konstantinos
* - Tavoularis, Kyriakos
* - Xenakis, Nikolas

The lists will also be accompanied by local telephone numbers for potential heirs to enter claims for the money, a procedure that will be run by auditing firm ATAG Ernst-And-Young.

Bankers said the total amount found in dormant accounts by foreigners before the end of World War two was around 60 million Swiss francs, about 40.5 million dollars, held in a total of 67 banks.

ÁLIKI

The vivacious screen and stage star that brought joy to the hearts of millions for over 42 years, died one year ago, succumbing to a months long battle against what began as a liver ailment.

Aliki was aware of her health problems last December. But it was only in April of 96 that they took a dramatic turn, forcing her to cancel her theatre performance dates. She passed away last July 23rd at 10:15am, but her memory and image live on.

After many successful stage appearances, Aliki Vouyouklaki began her acting career in 1953, making her debut in the movie, "The little mouse". It was the beginning of her 42 year romance with the silver screen. That same year, she starred in Moliere's "The Imaginary Patient" at the National Theatre.

The beginning of the sixties was synonymous with the name of Aliki Vouyouklaki. It was the birth of HER legend. The star left her impressive mark on what became known later as the golden age of Greek cinema, which produced movies that remain household favourites even to this day.

In film after film, she only worked with the best Greek directors : Sakellarios, Tzavellas, Grigoriou, Dimopoulos, Dalianides.

Comic writer, Alekos Sakellarios wrote the biggest comedy hits in Greek cinema in which Aliki acted, singing unforgetable songs by well-known composer Manos Hatzidakis.

Her exceptional performance in the film "Madalena" won her professional distinction, securing for her the Thessaloniki film festival award for interpretation.

But, for Aliki the greatest reward for her hard work was in the hearts of her fans. The movie houses were packed as people went to see the blonde idol. She stared in such films as

"MoussEEtsa", or the saucy woman, "AstEro", "Holiday in Egina", "Spanking from Heaven", "School Desk Heart Throb", "Aliki in the Navy", "Carnival Girl", "The teacher with blond hair", "Oh my wife"...just to list a few. The total number exceeded over 40 movies.

Now, it's on the big screen that Aliki will continue to share her zest for life with people of all ages, living forever in the hearts of her fans.

PANGALOS

The EU foreign ministers council focused on matters of the Union's enlargement and on the Middle-East issue.

On the occasion of the EU council, the Greek and Turkish foreign ministers were seen meeting for a couple of minutes.

This meeting comes after recent reports compiled by Greek and Turkish expert committees, who were, at the time mediated by Holland, the EU's last chair. During the meeting, the two committees submitted separate reports listing problem areas between the two countries.

The first reports are already in EU hands. Sources say the Turks have replied to the Greek report. Pangalos has said that the Turkish report was given to Greece by Luxembourg and will be examined by the Greek foreign ministry officials.

Sources now say that the possibility of a meeting between the Greek and Turkish committees can take place in the fall providing there is common ground found during the the exchange-of-views procedure.

KARAMANLIS

Karamanlis made this statement after visiting the Bank of Greece, and meeting with bank manager Loukas Papa-dEEmos who informed him on the present course of Greece's economy.

"I believe we're in an economic dead-end", Karamanlis told reporters after the meeting. "The government has not lived up to its goals regarding inflation and the public deficit". Adding that, "Problems, such as a deep recession, increase in unemployment and the heavy burden placed on Greek tax payers are just going to get worse."

The New Democracy leader supported his view in favour of privatizations, cuts in state spendings, promotion of the country's large public works and the gradual reduction of imposed taxes. Adding that the Pasok government is unable to implement THIS policy.

Responding to Karamanlis's statements, economy minister Yiannos Pa-pan-to- nEEou said that the New Democracy leader chose the wrong topic to pursue following its opposition policy. "Greece's economy is in a much better situation than in the past", adding, "The government's goals WILL be achieved and the nation's economy will grow by 3.5 percent this year".

FOURAS

Fouras, who heads the organisation committee, presented the expenses and expected profits of the upcoming event in a press conference on Wednesday.

The tabulation of expenses will include, hotel rooms, transportation, food expenses for athlets and crews, and all the scheduled ceremonies.

The sports minister added that the organisation committee expects to receive around 10 million dollars in ticket revenues. Adding that, "I believe that Greeks will show a strong interest in this event".

The government has made a series of investments serving not only the World Track-And-Field Championships, but also future goals, such as modernising the Greek state television, improving Olympic Stadium facilities as well as contributing to the field of sports medicine.

KAKLAMANAKIS

KaklamanAkis's ambitious goal is to cover a distance of 200 nautical miles. His trip is supported by the Development ministry, the Greek Tourism Organisation and the Athens' bid committee.

Commenting on the upcoming trip, KaklamanAkis says, "I don't feel that I'm Nikos KaklamanAkis who will accomplish this mission. I feel I'm one of you. I'm the Greek Olympic medal winner who continues to contribute to Greece's image in his own way".

Development minister Vasso Papandreou said that the trip will be an excellent occasion to show that Greece doesn't only have beautiful seas, but also people courageous people with exceptional abilities.

KaklamanAkis will be making only one stop in- between, on the island of Santorini.

SGOUROS

The young man, nick-named the "prodigy child" performed pre-classic and classic works of such masters as Handel, Hayden and Mozart.

SgOUros was accompanied by the Soloist Orchestra of Patra.

© ANT1 Radio 1997

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