Antenna: News in English (AM), 97-09-04

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

News in English, 04/09/97

TITLES

• The Greek government is downplaying its role in Athen's bid to host the 2004 olympics
• Yesterday marks the 23 anniversary of the official launch of Pasok
• And, a brave postman in Larissa gives some thieves a thing are two to think about

OLYMPICS

Bid committee members of the five finalist cities are working overtime in the hopes that their city will be chosen as the next organizers of the games.

But as we hear in this report, as members of the Athens bid committee arrived in Lausanne, the Greek government tried to downplay its role and interest in the process in an effort to curb public expectation.

Dimitris Reppas, the government spokesman said, "The prime minister and the government deem that it is not necessary to be present in Lausanne." Adding that, "The Olympic bid is not a government issue or decision. Government support does not ride on the premier's presence at the IOC meeting."

When asked to comment on the IOC vice president's allegations about attempts to bribe IOC members Reppas said, "Greece is, I believe, in an advantageous position because the activities of the bid committee have been laudable and not at all exposed to criticisms that could engender such problems".

Over the last couple of months, the government has been deliberately moderate regarding their statements about Athen's chances to host the 2004 Olympics, trying to avoid the bitterness and recriminations that followed its unsuccessful bid for the centennial Games in 1996, which the IOC awarded to Atlanta.

The government's careful position on the upcoming bid also has political overtones. Despite opinion polls showing overwhelming public support for the Olympic bid, there has been growing scepticism in recent weeks about whether the costs of hosting the Games might outweigh the benefits.

Sources say some analysts also believe that the IOC vote on Friday could affect the construction schedules of large infrastructure projects such as the Greek capital's metro, and the new international airport in Spata.

The Greek government may take that stance, but that isn't stopping the continuous verbal support Athens' candidacy for the 2004 Olympics keeps receiving.

Wednesday, Prince Albert of Monaco spoke about Athens in a positive manner saying, "After seeing all of the candidate cities, I'm rather pleased with Athens".

When asked to elaborate on the subject he said, "The Greek capitol fulfills the necessary standards. I am referring to the athletic facilities as well as the general infrastructure of the city and its ability to organize the 2004 Olympics".

And Lambis Nikolaou, one of the two Greek IOC members, added that the general atompshere is positive for Greece, saying,"I believe everything will go well".

BRIBERY

One day later, officials from both cities held special press conferences in an effort to clarify the issues and clear up what they considered possible misunderstandings.

The Swedish bid committee was warned for organising a recent visit to the furniture store IKEA in Stockholm for IOC members.

Cape Town was scolded for allegedly offering to pay for spouses of African IOC members to travel by air to Lausanne.

During their visit to Stockholm, IOC members were treated to a tour of the Stockholm sponsor IKEA outlet, with members permitted to buy what they like and have it shipped home.

Offers of "facilitating the transport home" soon led to allegations of bribery.

Finn Persson, Stockholm bid spokesman said, "We'd said if anyone wanted to buy anything we would gladly facilitate the transport home". Insisting that all items had to be paid for along with the shipping he added, "But someone from within the IOC misinterpreted what we were trying to say, suggesting we were trying to give something for free. That was not the case".

Stockholm bid chief, Olaf Stenhammar continued the support saying, "There was never any question of free furniture or getting discounts". Adding that, "If we'd thought it would lead to any kind of misintrepretation we'd have said: let's not do it".

Francois Carrard, director general of the IOC was not impressed and responded by faxing Stockholm bid officials three paragraphs from the IOC code book, reminding them of IOC rules, no allowing gifts to IOC members.

Gunilla Lindberg, general secretary of the Sweden's Olympic Committee and a member of the IOC defended the Swede's moves by saying, "In 1996, Sweden was one of the IOC members supporting tougher anti- bribery rules. Why would we go and break them?"

Stockholm continued to receive further reprimands after it was realized they were organizing special social events for the spouses of the IOC members in Lausanne.

On Wednesday, during Cape Town's press conference backers of the bid to host the 2004 Olympics insisted they had done nothing wrong in offering free flights to Switzerland for the spouses of African IOC members.

Kurt Hipper, treasurer of the national Olympic Committee of South Africa or the NOCSA exclaimed, "This was not a secret". Adding that, "We see this as our reiteration of the African bid, working together as a team. It was just part of our intention to confirm African solidarity within the bid".

Hipper said NOCSA sent letters to all 19 African IOC members offering to pay first-class air tickets for spouses to travel to Switzerland. He said only three or four accepted the offer.

The South Africans went out of their way to stress that the offer was made by NOCSA and not the Cape Town bid committee.

At the end of the South African press conference, a chief executive of Cape Town's bid committee added that the rufus over the offer of free flights should not ultimately hurt Cape Town's chances of becoming the first African city to host the Olympics.

Asked to comment on the allegations yesterday, a spokesman for the Athenian Olympic bid committee, Yiannis Yiannakis said, "Athens has always adhered to the precepts of fair play, and the IOC code book".

SIMITIS

In a special meeting of Pasok's Executive Bureau, Prime minister Kostis Simitis called it a day of celebration, remembrance and perspectives for Pasok members and supporters.

Reminiscing on the historical events of Pasok, the premier said, "Pasok had met an historic challenge in 1974, following a course of difficult battles and of great success as well". Adding that, "We, meaning all of us in Pasok, managed to create a political movement uniting all of the progressive political powers in Greece".

Simitis further added that a stable democracy was formed in Greece thanks to Pasok. Saying that "Issues like social sensitivity, as well as social solidarity were brought to light, fulfilling a void that existed.

In closing the press conference, the Prime minister said,"Based on our past, we can plan reforms for the future, outlining the new challenges facing us and the nation as we move toward the 21st century".

VASSO PAPANDREOU

Papandreou spoke on the economy in an interview with the daily, "Ta Nea" on Wednesday, just two days before the 62d International Trade Fair to be held in Thessaloniki.

The fair is regarded as the biggest and the single most important business event in Greece.

In the interview Papandreou says, "The country needs a stronger social agreement, a new kind of social contract between the government and the people. Adding that, "If Kostas Simitis fails, we have all failed".

She said, "inflation has essentially reached the bottom. It has hit the core becoming completely structural. Adding that, "the tax paying ability of most Greek citizens has reached its limit".

Reducing state spendings and better allocation of EU funds are the two major issues currently being discussed by the government.

Prime minister Kostas Simitis is expected to outline the government's economic policy for the next year at the upcoming fair.

EDUCATION/OPEN UNIVERSITY

The bill submitted Tuesday in parliament, suggests the university's seat to be founded in Patra in the Peloponese.

Thirty-one different subjects will be introduced completing the academic roster by the year 2000. The open university will offer thirteen pre- graduate studies programmes and eighteen post- graduate.

Sixty thousand students are expected to attend. The proposed university budget is estimated to be around the neighborhood of ten million dollars.

EDUCATION

The government wants to see teachers hired on merit. It also is interested in including a system by which to assess a teacher's performance by conducting general national exams.

Other political parties are also in favor of the new bill.

Vassilis Kondoyianopoulos New Democracy parliamentary spokesman backed the new bill. But expressed reservations as to whether or not the proposed system by the government will be transparent.

New Democracy honorary president Konstantinos Mitsotakis also lended his support calling for an end to the waiting lists. He also requested special care for teachers who have worked on a temporary basis in remote areas.

Mitsotakis further proposed equal time obligatory military service for both men and women reaching the age of eighteen. Adding that they could continue their university studies after serving in the armed forces.

The Communist Party and Democratic Movement are agianst the abolishment of waiting lists. Nikos Konstantopoulos, Left Coalition leader requested that the government discuss the issue with the other political parties.

In protest, teachers' unions will hold a three-hour stoppage of work on Thursday, asking for a withdrawal of the bill.

TRANSPLANT

The parents of the 8-year-old schoolboy in Ioannina, donated his liver and kidneys to the hospital after he fell from a sky light. Suffering cranial lesions doctors prognosed him as clinically dead.

On Wednesday morning, his liver and kidneys were transferred to Ippokratio hospital in Thessaloniki. Hospital doctors say the liver transplant to the little girl was a success. She is listed in stable condition.

His kidneys will be given to two boys ages four and eight. The operation are set to take place later in the day.

POSTMAN

50-year-old postman Dimitris Delis was quietly drinking a cup of coffee in a cafe Tuesday, when two masked gunmen attacked him in an effort to grab his post bag.

He quickly reacted, causing the thieves to hit him on the head with a chair. He bravely fought back, throwing another chair at them.

All the commotion in the cafe prompted onlookers to call for help. Hearing their cries, the thieves made a quick get away with the third accomplice driving a stolen car....and without the postbag.

© ANT1 Radio 1997

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