Antenna: News in English (AM), 97-09-17

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

News in English 17/09/97

TITLES

• Edward Shevardnadze hails the end of the Cold War as he accepts the Onassis Prize.
• The American secretary of state takes the initiative on Cyprus and Greek- Turkish relations.
• And, learning the laws of the road made fun.

ONASSIS AWARDS

Shevardnadze was one of a number of people who were awarded for outstanding contributions to humanity through their efforts in their particular fields of endeavor.

Receiving the Onassis Foundation Prize for International Understanding and Social Achievement, Edward Shevardnadze, the man who, as Soviet foreign minister, did so much to bring east and west together toward the end of the Cold War, hailed the end of the period when uncompromising ideology divided the world in two.

And he praised the legacy of the ancient Greeks, which pointed the way forward.

"Who could have foreseen ten years ago the flourishing of a culture of dialogue that began with the ancient Greeks centuries ago?" he asked rhetorically.

"The descendents of Medea", Shevardnadze continued to applause at the Athens Symphony Hall, have received from the heirs of Jason a priceless piece of the golden fleece, and I thank you for this".

With the bi-annual Onassis prize, the Georgian president receives 250 thousand dollars.

The Onassis prizes were established by the estate of late Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, in the name of his son Alexander, killed in a plane crash in 1973. They are given are given to outstanding achievers in a number of fields.

This year, under the gaze of Greek president Kostis Stephanopoulos, prime minister Kostas Simitis and a number of other public figures, Sir Steven Runciman was awarded for his work as a Byzantine historian. Dolly GouloandrEE, curator of the Cycladic Art Museum, also received the prize. She expressed gratitude to the foundation for considering the museum worthy of such high distinction.

The 250 thousand dollar prize for environmental protection went to the International Maritime Organisation, a United Nations agency. William O'Neal, IMO secretary general, called the award a great honour for his organisation.

Playwright Manjula Padmanabhan won the 250- thousand dollar first prize in her category for her play "Harvest", about rural life in India.

Playwrights Anton Huan of the Philippines and Nigel Jackson of the US were also singled out.

Commendation went to four other playwrights: American Gabriel Ancia, Greek Panagiotis Mendis, Hungarian Peter Mulan, and Brazilian Maria Pereira Dezevero.

On Monday night, the prize recipients had a chance to mingle at a reception to which politicians, businesspeople, intellectuals, and the media were also invited. Antenna president Minos Kyriakou was among the guests.

CYPRUS

That announcement followed news that the US has succeeded in getting the Cypriot president and the leader of the Turkish-Cypriots to meet soon in Nicosia.

For US Cyprus envoy Richard Holbrooke, the agreement by Cypriot president Glavcos Clirides and Turkish-Cypriot leader Raouf Denktash to meet soon in Nicosia may not amount to a solution to the Cyprus problem. But, he told CNN, it does pave the way for positive developments on the issue.

US secretary of state Madeleine Albright stopped in Cyprus herself Monday to announce the talks. Holbrooke says that alone is an indication of the importance the US attaches to solving the Cyprus problem. Just as the fact that Albright wants to meet personally with the Greek and Turkish foreign ministers in New York is an indication of the determination of the US to help solve the regions problems. The American government, said Holbrooke, considers instability in the region a direct threat to US interests.

The Cyprus talks will deal with security issues on the island. In his comments on CNN, Holbrooke called the talks between the Cypriot leaders - coming just weeks after UN talks ran aground because of Denktash's intransigence - a significant step toward reducing tensions.

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas called the Cyprus talks a "ray of hope". He also said that Cyprus's intention to deploy Russian land to air missiles to ward off a possible Turkish attack in the future will NOT be one of the security items on the agenda.

Asked about Albright's invitation to the Greek and Turkish foreign ministers, Reppas was non-committal, leaving open the possibility of such a meeting taking place.

Greek deputy foreign minister Yiannos Kranidiotis called the meeting between Clirides and Denktash positive, but added that Turkey has yet to show it has good intentions.

"Demilitarisation of Cyprus is one of Greece's basic aims", Kranidiotis explained. "We hope that talks on disarmament will be a positive first step". He added that during his recent meeting with US envoy Thomas Miller, he had said that getting the foreign - that is, Turkish - troops out of Cyprus should be a priority.

KALLAS

On Tuesday morning, family, friends and associates gathered to pay homage to the woman who gave so much to those around her and to her art.

Stelios Galatopoulos, her biographer, remembered said "Callas' first and undying love was for her talent. She sacraficed everything for her art".

The series of cultural events commemorating the 20th anniversary of her death ended with a performance of Verdi's Requiem at the Herod Atticus theatre Tuesday night. The Orchestra was composed of musicians from all over the world.

President Kostis Stephanopoulos and other Greek leaders attended the Requiem.

KOKKALIS

Harvard announced that Kokkalis is going to offer scholarships to students to conduct post-graduate studies at the prestigious American university.

Kokkalis's aim is to create a layer of well- edcucated technocrats who, after a stint at Harvard, will be better-equipped to forge the future of their nations.

The scholarship awards will cover all educational and living expenses incurred by students while at Harvard, where they will study public administration, political science, and new technologies.

A programme of research, public discussions, and educational seminars centred on the importance of Greece to Balkan stability will parallel the scholarship initiative.

SLEEP-WALKER

Sources say that at the time of the fall Goodwin was in the grips of an epileptic seizure.

He was rushed to the hospital, where doctors say he suffered only some minor fractures in his backbone, which will heal. Other than that, he's in good health and out of danger.

AVRAMOPOULOS

Dimitris Avramopoulos officially opened the park just outside the capital.

Kids will be able to learn how to move safely about the city, and will be taught how to obey the rules.

"In other words", explains Avramopoulos, "we're teaching them how to become good drivers one day".

The capital hopes to see its pilot programme adopted by cities around the nation.

PANELLINIOS

With the new school year ready to begin, and the Panellinios athletic academies opening their doors, playing fields, and swimming pools to aspiring champions, coaches and trainers say there are more comers than ever.

An Athens Olympiade without Greek Olympic winners is something no one at Panellinios, with its long tradition of turning out great athletes, wants to think about.

And what these young teens are thinking about as they go through their drills, is future glory, an Olympic medal.

One young boy tells Antenna he hopes to carve a future for himself in track and field.

Another youngster says he hopes he's good enough to make the Greek Olympic swimming team in 2004.

ECLIPSE

The phenomenon resulting from the earth passing between the sun and the moon began at 7:20 and ended just after midnight.

Between 9:15 and and 10:10 the moon was completely cut off from the sun's rays. All that was visible to earthlings was its outline in the night sky.

© ANT1 Radio 1997

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