Antenna: News in English (AM), 97-10-05

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

News in English 05/10/97

TITLES

• The Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch's visit to northern Greece.
• Greece and Cyprus protest a Turkish affront at the United Nations.
• And, Albania's ethnic Greeks try to cope with terror tactics and economic hardship.

PATRIARCH

In his greeting speech in Thessaloniki, President Kostis Stefanopoulos said, "We thank you from deep in our hearts for your visit. We hope your stay will assist in reaching the great goals set by the church".

Returning the thanks, Vartholomeos sent greetings to all of Hellenism, and touched off a wave of emotion in the crowd when he said: "Arriving in the capital of northern Hellenism we bless you. May the lord watch over you all forever".

During his five days in Greece, the Patriarch attended dozens of meetings with religious and political leaders.

After his meeting with the patriarch, New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis said, "The ecumenical patriarch is an eminent figure, who plays two important roles: he works to enhance the radiance of the orthodox church; and he shows how close he and the church are to the problems of modern society".

Vartholomeos also visited a number of exhibitions. None more important than the exhibition of Byzantine treasures from sacred Mount Athos. Visiting it Sunday, Vartholomeos said it's a good chance for people to admire the spiritual and artistic treasures not only of the Orthodox religion, but of the nation. He added that the exhibition in Greece's second city contributes greatly to Thessaloniki's 1997 stint as European cultural capital.

Last Monday, the patriarch met with defence minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos and the Macedonia-Thrace minister, then went on to visit the experimental high school in the city, the international trade fair, and the monastery of VlatAdes.

In the evening, the ecumenical patriarch opened a two-day conference on the natural environment in Mount Athos.

On Tuesday the Patriarch was warmly welcomed at the monastery of Saint Anastasia in Vassilika, where hundreds of people gathered at the St Anastasia Church, hoping to greet the Patriarch and be blessed by him after he said mass.

Later in the day, in a symbolic gesture, Vartholomeos planted a tree in the semi-urban Seich Sou forest, which was more than half-devoured by a fire over the summer.

Thessaloniki last Wednesday. The Patriarch touched on the importance of maintaining close ties between the Orthodox Church and the Greek state saying that, "close cooperation between these two leading institutions is necessary, today more than ever".

Theodoros Pangalos said "We agreed to stay in close contact with each other, so that the Greek state can help the Ecumenical Patriarch in his activities".

Drawing his visit to a close in the city of Xanthi, in north eastern Greece Thursday, Vartholomeos was welcomed by hundreds of people.

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

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

Upon leaving Thessaloniki for Constantinople Vartholomeos, sent greetings and blessings to Greeks around the world, and sent a special message to the inhabitants of Thessaloniki saying that his departure from the radiant city has left his heart brimming with memories.

GROSSMAN REVIEW

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

UN REVIEW

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.

LIANI BOOK REVIEW

The 579-page tome talks about Andreas Papandreou's reaction to political events, and his opinion of top members of Pasok, the party he founded and led until his death.

The book sold like hotcakes. Most of those who bought it did so because they wanted to know more about Andreas Papandreou's life, and because they admired him and his wife, who stood by him for 10 years.

But most of the reactions to it from within Pasok were negative.

The cover of Dimitra Liani Papandreou's book shows Andreas Papandreou standing above a crowd, his hands raised in the victory sign. Behind him, is Liani Papandreou, looking wistfully on.

Andreas Papandreou's widow said the the book was written from the heart and is a testimony of the soul. But there are references in it to just about everything: to central political figures of our day; to Andreas Papandreou in opposition and in high office; to his international contacts; to his difficult times at the end of the 80s, when he was indicted on corruption charges; to his days in the hospital before his death; and personal moments woven throughout with political assessments.

The book relates what Liani Papandreou says were her husband's assessments of leading party members.

She says he was highly critical of his succesor, current prime minister Kostis Simitis, and thought he would never succeed as party leader.

And that he liked Akis Tsochatzopolos - of whom he said, "He will never betray me" - and Gerasimos Arsenis as possible succesors, but placed the late Giorgos Gennimatas above them all.

According to Liani Papandreou, her late husband foresaw that Simitis, Theodoros Panagalos, and Vaso Papandreou would begin their attack on his leadership, when Simitis resigned as industry minister some months before Papandreou became ill.

When emotionally describing her late husband's trying time in the hospital in 1995 and 1996 with serious health problems, Liani Papandreou claims there were clandestine attempts to force her husband from office.

She also recalls the moment of her husband's resignation as prime minister as an emotional event.

The book has touched some sensitive nerves in Pasok. Two close associates of Andreas Papandreau slammed the book. TelE-machos Xe-tEEris called it "an insult to the memory of Pasok's founder". Georgos Katsifaras said, "Writing books is a way for some people to make money".

Health minister Kostas GEE-tonas used a popular saying as his dagger: "You are what you say you are", he quipped. And explained: "Some people like to say they are writers. I don't think this book offers anything to Andreas Papandreou or Pasok".

And Franglinos Papadelis believes that Greek society has more interesting things to deal with than quote, "the follies of a lady", unquote.

ALBANIA REVIEW

In the latest episode giving cause for concern, an explosive was detonated outside the residence of the prefect of Argyrokastro county, Yiannis Dakos, himself an ethnic Greek.

Dakos wasn't at home when the explosion occurred at his home in the village of Dervitsani, and no one was injured in the blast at the front gate.

The men who set it off were seen getting away in a Mercedes with no licence plates.

Dakos's mother, in the house when the explosion happened, rushed outside screaming for help.

Everyone in village rushed to see what had happened.

One woman says, "We christians, live in fear of Turks and Albanians".

Before setting off the blast, the perpetrators created a diversion, setting fire to a farmer's field nearby.

Dakos says "As Greeks, we'll stand and fight. As Albanian citizens, we'll fight to make the Republic of Albania work".

Shortly after the blast, there was an attempt made to blow up a bridge on the highway joining Argyrokastro and Tepeleni.

An explosion Thursday night at the front gate of the residence of the prefect of Argyrokastro, ethnic- Greek Yiannis Dakou, highlighted the problem of violence confronting ethnic-Greeks in southern Albania.

The men who set off the blast in the village of Dervitsani escaped in a Mercedes. They left fear and panic behind them. DAkou's mother and wife were at home at the time of the explosion, which sent them into the yard in terror.

As the other villagers came to see what had happened, one woman said Christians live in fear of the Albanians, who are largely muslim.

Dakos was unphased by the attack. He said, "As Greeks, we'll stand and fight. As Albanian citizens, we'll work to make the Republic of Albania work".

The economic hardship that worsened during the recent political crisis has forced many ethnic- Greeks to leave southern Albania in search of a better life.

Ethnic-Greek schools in the Delvino and Argyrokastro areas have been hit hardest. Overall, enrolments have dropped 20 per cent this year.

At one school, in the remote village of RandAti, there's only one child left, an ethnic-Greek.

Roussel Lugo, Argyrokastro's education director, says the school system isn't giving up on keeping the ethnic-Greek schools going. But the future of the schools, and the size of the Greek minority could well depend on whether the nation's economy can get going or not.

ALBANIAN SCHOOLS REVIEW

The result is evident in the 20 per cent drop in ethnic-Greek enrolments at schools.

The children are well aware of the problems gripping the country.

One girl says, "Many children left with their families during the political crisis". Another girl adds, "They had financial problems, and left in the hope of solving them elsewhere".

Schools in the Delvino and Argyrokastro areas have been hit hardest. In the village of Ran-dAti, there is only one pupil - an ethnic-Greek - left at the primary school. He says that the political crisis so disrupted studies that the schools are still making up for the lost class time.

Roussel Lugo, education director in Argyrokastro, says educators aren't giving up. They're still aware of the need to maintain the positive traditions of the minority schools in the region.

PETROLEUM REVIEW

The government is selling off 20 per cent of the company.

After Friday's cabinet meeting, development minister Vasso Papandreou said the enterprise will be ready for trading on the market at the end of November.

In advance of the sale, the government is restructuring the industry, which includes refineries, chemical companies, and a research outfit.

Papandreou says two subsidiaries are to be formed, one to handle product sales, the other is a consultancy firm.

ANCIENT JEWELLERY REVIEW

A Greek private detective and a Greek-Canadian businessman intended to sell the treasure abroad for nearly 5.5 million dollars.

The heaviest piece of jewellery weighs 2.8 ounces.

MICROSOFT REVIEW

As of last Wednesday, Antenna viewers are able to get all of Antenna's news on their Internet screens with the click of a button.

Antenna consultant and professor Panagaiotis Fotilas, says that in its three years on the net so far, Antenna has had some one million visitors.

Now, Antenna viewers will be getting all of Antenna's news reports courtesy of the new Microsoft programme for the Internet.

That includes subscribers to Antenna Satellite in the US, and Antenna Pacific in Australia.

General director of Microsoft in Greece Leonidas Panzaris says the new Antenna-Microsoft programme will give Greek viewers the world over access to what's happening in Greece.

© ANT1 Radio 1997

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