Antenna: News in English (AM), 97-10-03

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

News in English 03/10/97

TITLES

• The Ecumenical Patriarch's message to the Greek people.
• In soccer, Olympiakos is roughed up by Rosenburg.
• And, a concert marking the 37th anniversary of the Cypriot Republic.

PATRIARCH

Vartholomeos spent five days touring northern Greece.

Vartholomeos, who left for Constantinople from Thessaloniki Thursday sent greetings and blessings to Greeks around the world.

He had special words of thanks for Thessaloniki, where his trip began and ended before warm crowds.

The patriarch said he leaves the radiant city with his heart brimming with memories.

Earlier in the day in the city of Xanthi, in north eastern Greece, people turned out in the hundreds to welcome the Patriarch, who was accompanied by Thrace and Macedonia minister Fillipos Pe-kalni-kos.

Greek muslims also greeted Vartholomeos. Muslim mufti Mehmet Emin Sini- goglou welcomed him on behalf of all the Greek-muslims.

Varthlomeos expressed his desire to see the Greek and Turkish people living in a spirit of unity and cooperation.

SIMITIS

Simitis said the national health service has improved in all areas, but acknowledged more needs to be done. "We are aware that people aren't always satisfied with the treatment they receive", he said, "the health ministry will do its best to improve services".

The government is also going to improve provincial hospitals by fortifying them with more specialised personnel and equipment.

The prime minister's meeting with health officials came within the framework of visits to all the ministries, to see how they can improve the quality of the services they provide.

Later in the day, Simitis, met with a number of Pasok officials charged with handling communication matters. They discussed ways the party can improve its public image.

KARAMANLIS - GROSSMAN

In Athens, Mark Grossman met with foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos and New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis.

Undersecretary of state Mark Grossman's visit to Athens comes not two weeks after a meeting between Pangalos and his Turkish opposite number ended with no progress in New York.

In the US, Pangalos offered to lift Greece's veto on EU funds for Turkey, if Turkey agreed to take its claim to the Greek isle of Imia to the international court.

Ismail Gem rejected the deal. Instead, he pushed to get Imia included in a package that needs to be dealt with as a whole, a package that includes Turkish claims to dozens of Greek islands, and Greek waters and airspace over the Aegean.

Now, the US is hoping the Greek and Turkish prime ministers can meet on the sidelines of the Balkan Security Conference in November.

Pangalos says progress in improving relations can only come about if Turkey stops making demands on Greece's rights.

And Grossman says the US agrees with Greece's view, that Turkey should take its Imia claim to the court, or some other mutually acceptable arbiter.

After HIS meeting with Grossman, Karamanlis said American goodwill could prove useful in sorting out Greek-Turkish differences, as long as the US doesn't equate Greece, which stands for legality, with Turkey, which has designs on Greece's sovereign rights.

Karamanlis also believes the Pasok government should stands firm against Turkey's attempt to get a number of Greek rights in the Aegean onto the negotiating table. "A policy of retreat and unilateral conciliatory moves leads nowhere", says the opposition leader, "and has a destabilising effect. Any country that respects itself, he adds, should make it clear it doesn't negotiate where its rights are concerned".

UN

The United Nations security council has officially distributed Greek and Cypriot letters protesting Turkey's recent warning to the UN that it will use all means to prevent Cyprus from installing Russian S-300 missiles next year.

In his letter to the UN secretary general, Greek ambassador to the UN Christos Zacaharakis says "it is self-evident that no country can surrender its right to defend itself and protect its citizens. As an independent state, Cyprus is exercising that fundamental right - recognised by the UN - to enhance its ability to deter aggression".

Zacharakis adds that's especially true given that Cyprus was the victim of Turkey's outrageous 1974 invasion, and Turkey remains in occupation of northern Cyprus to this day.

The Greek diplomat continues, "In a number of resolutions the UN has repeatedly underscored the need for Cyprus's sovereignty and independence to be respected. Turkey has failed to comply.

Instead, it keeps 36 thousand soldiers in the occupied territory. The UN secretary general has described northern Cyprus as one of the most militarised areas in the world. In an attempt to partially restore the huge military imbalance, the Republic of Cyprus has decided to strengthen its defences".

Zacharakis adds that Greece, as one of the guarantor powers under the London and Zurich Agreements of 1960 is bound to support Cyprus in the event Turkey tries to attack it and extend the territory it occupies.

ND

A number of top MPs are calling for an emergency party congress to discuss that and organisational issues.

Initiating the discussion, Stefanos Manos expressed the need to clarify a number of matters pending since the party's last congress back in March. He pinpointed two elements for discussion: organization and the way the party works.

Apostolos Andreoulakos agreed saying, "An extra congress is needed to clarify the ideology of the party. A firm opposition stance is what is required to challenge a government which is burdening the nation with its many mistakes".

Not everyone in the party agrees that a congress is a good idea.

Dimitris Sioufas said "Our party leader need to focus on the nation's serious problems at this time. That should be our focus".

Vassilis Michaloliakos said "New Democracy already had a congress, and gave Kostas Karamanlis a mandate to lead us to rebirth and electoral victory".

And Marieta Yianakou Koutsikou quipped, "People shouldn't bring up things now, that should've been discussed at the March congress".

NATO

Turkey is NOT participating, because it disagrees with the planning of the operations.

On Thursday, the Nato forces staged a mock landing on the beach of Kyparrisia.

For the Greek troops, it's been a great experience, says their commander. While the larger Nato countries have better equipment, the Greek marines are better trained, he adds, so it's a good mix.

The exercises end on October 13th.

OLYMPIAKOS

In the rain, Rosenborg showers its guests with goals, three in the first half, and two after the intermission, crushing its guest 5-1.

Olympiakos coach Dussan Bayevich said after the match he's concerned about the effect the blowout will have on his team mentally. What the team's got to do now, is try to put Norway out of its mind and regroup.

Rosenborg coach Nils Arne Eggen says he didn't expect Olympiakos to play so poorly, but still thinks it's a good team. "They just had the misfortune of running into us on a great day", he adds.

BASKETBALL

And Dominique Wilkins and company maintain the edge on the Greek team throughout the first half, going into the break up by 5. Aek closes to within a point at the ouset of the second half, but Bologna comes on strong, building up a 15 point edge with just four minutes to play.

Aek's not dead though. Guard Paneh PrE-levich leads a late 13-2 run with six points, and Aek closes to within 4 with 58 seconds to go.

But Victor Alexander misses a three-point shot on Aek's next trip down the floor, and Bologna hangs on for a 70-67 triumph. Bologna now leads its 6- team competition group, with a 3 and oh record. Aek is in second at 2 and 1.

Also in Euroleague play, Paok dropped a decision at home to Spanish Estou- diantes. The score there: 76- 72. Paok is 2 and 1 in its group. In corage cup action, it was Aris over Maribor of Slovenia, 71- 53; and Sporting beat Turkish Tuborg 89-87, on a three-point mid-court prayer from Donald Williams at the buzzer.

TOKAS CONCERT

Fans were delighted with the Cypriot Symphony Orchestra performing the melodic songs of Tokas, written especially for Cyprus.

The lyrics, sweetly evoking a longing for freedom and independance were sung by Giorgos Dalaras and a number of other Greek performers.

Cyprus achieved independence from Britain on August thirtieth 1960, but marks the anniversary on October first because this time of the year is cooler, and so better for open-air celebrations.

The event was organized by the foreign ministries of Cyprus and Greece, in cooperation with the Cypriot Embassy and the city of Athens.

© ANT1 Radio 1997

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