Antenna: News in English (PM), 97-10-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] Holbrooke

[02] Turkey - Violations

[03] Dynamic Mix

[04] Earth Quake

[05] Obsective Criteria

[06] New Democracy

[07] Two systems - One country

[08] Soccer

[09] Basketball

[01] Holbrooke

(Updated: 14/10/1997, 13:00)

The United States is keenly interested in solving the Cyprus problem.

Richard Holbrooke kept his cards close to his chest in Ankara, and noncommittal.

"We're just here...we're here to learn.

He told reporters he didn't see any change in Turkey's position.

Turkey has been difficult, threatening to stop Cyprus from procuring defensive missiles from Russia next year. And Ankara has opposed the European Union's decision to start talks with Cyprus on EU admission next year.

Before meeting with Turkish prime minister Mesout Gilmaz, Holbrooke said all the issues were on his agenda, including the S-300 missiles.

The Cyprus stalemate goes back to 1974, when Turkey occupied the northern part of the island. There it has sat ever since, causing an intractable problem.

And, in Turkey, Holbrooke found it won't be easy to solve it.

"I'm here to talk to Mr Gilmaz...it's very complicated...history...to hear".

When he goes back to New York he will study the Turkish position in depth, and go from there.

Holbrooke and Washington are also interested in improving Greek-Turkish relations. Sources say his visit to Ankara was partly aimed at reviving the spirit of Madrid, where Greece and Turkey reached a non-aggression agreement at the Nato summit in June.

Since then, though, Turkey has been unappeasing, pushing its agenda of getting Greece to enter bilateral dialogue where Greece's sovereign rights in the Aegean would be on the table.

Sources say Holbrooke is trying to persuade Turkey to take its claim to the Greek isle of Imia to the international court. But so far, Turkey has said its unfounded claims to dozens of Greek islands should go to the court with Imia. Something that Greece cannot sanction for obvious reasons.

In Turkey, Holbrooke met with vice president Bulent Ecevit, foreign minister Ismail Gem, and deputy chief of staff Echevit Peer.

Holbrooke is not stopping in Athens on this trip. But his aide, Thomas Miller, will meet with Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos Tuesday.

[02] Turkey - Violations

The Greek air force has been on alert since Sunday morning, when Turkey unleashed a wave of military air space violations over Greek and Cypriot air space.

Turkish warplanes flew over Greek seas near Rhodes, and Crete, and over Cyprus's terriorial waters.

The flyovers are being seen as an attempt to obstruct Greek and Cypriot exercises underway. There were over 60 Turkish violations of Greek and Cypriot controlled air space Sunday, and over 70 Turkish aircraft made incursions Monday.

The wave of violations put the Greek air force on alert, and Greek jets chased the Turkish planes away in numerous cases.

The Turks even used flying tankers, which can refuel fighter aircraft in the air.

Greek officials anticipate that the incursions

will continue until Wednesday, when the joint Greek and Cypriot exercises Nikiforos and Toxotis, being conducted between Crete and Cyprus, end.

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said that the exercises will continue as scheduled. "Nobody has the right to question Cyprus's right to defend itself", he said.

Defense minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos flew to Cyprus Monday. His plane was harassed by

Turkish planes during his flight. Two Greek warplanes chased them away.

In Cyprus, where he observed the Greek and Cypriot exercises, Tsochatzopoulos said the Turks stand exposed by their actions, because their constant air space violations have been communicated to Nato headquarters since February 6th. Giving the international community a clear picture of what's going on.

Deputy defense minister Dimitris Apostolakis told reporters Monday that Nikiforos and Toxotis have been legally scheduled. The aircraft participating have been given all the necessary information regarding flight path safety. Turkey, he added, has no right to try to obstruct the manoeuvres.

Nonetheless, the Turks have tried to do so. Apostolakis said Greek aircraft will continue to intercept the Turkish intruders when they invade Greek airspace.

There was further cause for concern Monday, as reports broke of a secret military deal between Turkey and Denmark. The agreement allegedly provides for the Danes to provide Turkey with missiles in the event of a crisis.

Deputy Greek foreign miniser Yiannos Kranidiotis says the information is being checked out. If it's true, Greece will protest it.

Kranidiotis adds that Turkey is constantly undermining the spirit of the non-aggression pact it reached with Greece in July. Greece

insists on that spirit, which enshrines all the principles of peace adhered to by civilised nations, being upheld.

In response to the Turkish provocations, New Demoracy MP Stavros Dimas has requested a special parliamentary discussion of foreign policy issues.

And commenting on the latest strong arm moves by Turkey, New Democracy's spokesman said the spirit of the non-aggression agreement has remained void of substance. It's obvious, explains Aris Spiliotopoulos, that Turkey's strategy is to provoke, and continue its displays of intolerance and aggression. The question is, he continues, what Greece intends to do in response. Citing a lack of a purposeful strategy on the part of the Greek government, Spiliotopoulos says he doubts any discussion with Turkey's leaders could be helpful in improving bilateral relations.

[03] Dynamic Mix

The Nato exercise Dynamic Mix in the northeastern Aegean was observed by Greek defence minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos Tuesday.

Turkey did not participate in the Nato manoeuvres, designed to allow the alliance get hands on experience at coordinating their efforts when threatened by an enemy.

[04] Earth Quake

The quake struck Monday afternoon, and was felt as far away as Athens.

Only slight damages were caused in Kalamata, in the southern Peloponese.

Seismologist Gerasimos HouliAras says there's no way of knowing whether there's more to come. He adds there's no cause for alarm, but urged people in old, vulnerable buildings to be take care in the hours following the shaker.

[05] Obsective Criteria

Under the criteria, the government taxed people not according to the income they declared, but accordings to things like the size of their shop or office.

Many people complain that they're being taxed on income they simply haven't made, and are being forced out of business.

Finance minister Giannos Papantioniou acknowledges that the system is unfair at times.

And prime minister Kostas Simitis told small businessmen that the system will be abolished as soon as soon as the tax office is capable of cross- checking tax statements, probably at the end of 1999.

[06] New Democracy

In an interview with the daily "Exousia" Souflias is quoted as saying, ""I'm here, strong and with no intention of leaving. Forever ambitious, I will always express my views, and serve this country and our party.

In the interview Souflias also hints that he did not have the support of former premier Konstantinos Mitsotakis during the congress where

Karamanlis was elected.

People close to Karamanlis say he isn't troubled by the interview.

But many MP's took a dim view of the statements made by Souflias.

Stefanos Manos, a supporter of Souflias in the election run-up, commented harshly, "We have more important things to deal with today".

A number of MPs called on Karamanlis to show he's determined to control the party, and take disciplinary measures. Var-sAmis Yiova-nOUdis said "Karamanlis won 70 per cent of the congress votes.

He should take disciplinary steps if he wants to become prime minister one day".

In a lighter vein, Vassilis Michalo-liAkos said discipline isn't necessary. He jibed, there are different views in the party, and there's always a place for those willing to work, even if they're pessimistic.

[07] Two systems - One country

What he discovered was that the changeover will be a boon for business there.

Fourlis also spoke with orthodox metropolitan bishop Nikitas.

The bishop talked about the problems he's had to deal with, and about democracy, which he says is only now beginning to have meaning for the Chinese.

The inclusion of Hong Kong in China opens a new chapter for capitalism in the People's Republic.

Hong Kong will act as a new dynamo to enterprise in China. The World Bank forecast is that China's growth rate will be an astounding 6.4 per cent per annum on average over the next 25 years.

One of the big reasons is highly-trained cheap labour.

In the province of west Choah in Indonesia, for example, Nike athletics pays its shoe factory workers 3 dollars a day. In China, the same job gets done for a dollar-fifty.

Maning that many multi-national firms are rubbing their hands in anticipation of the possibilities China offers.

They're all thinking of using Hong Kong as a base from which to dive into the People's Republic.

Hong Kong's economy has already been changed by its incorporation into China.

Small businessmen flock to Hong Kong peddling their wares. You want a fresh chicken? No problem, they'll slaughter right before the customer's eyes.

In downtown Hong Kong, one sees a collage of people: yuppies and family people hustle and bustle alongside each other, young Chinese women dressed in the latest European fashion walk alongside poor farmers, who push their barrows along as businessmen drive by in their limos. And, don't forget the elderly Chinese, usually on their way to worship at some temple.

The poorer the Chinese are, it seems, the more religious they are. And there is also a collage of religions: Confucianism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and of course Christianity: Anglicans, Catholics, and Orthodox.

Metropolitan orthodox bishop Nikitas says that there are between 450 and 500 thousand Christians in Hong Kong. Of those, some 120 to 150 are of the Orthodox faith.

Nikitas says he holds Sunday mass at a Catholic nuns' monastery. Daily services are held in a

small chapel at his humble offices. Five or six people attend those masses.

Surprisingly, Nikitas's diocese is the largest in the world. It covers the East Indies, all of China, Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore.

The region takes in billions of people. The bishop hopes that one day, there will be a billion Orthodox Christians in the area.

In China, says Nikitas, things are hard. Churches have been closed, and there has been persecution of catholic priests.

The breath of freedom set to continue blowing for business in Hong Kong hasn't so far convinced everyone that there will be more freedom overall. Young people are afraid of talking to Antonis Fourlis when he approaches them on the street.

And there is a problem teaching older people new, outgoing ways. The elderly generally avoid the camera - their afraid the lens will trap their soul.

Politics is a very distant thing for most people.

After 156 years of colonial status, citizens of Hong Kong have never voted for anything. Democracy sound nice, but means nothing to them.

Enots You, head of the South Morning China Post, the largest English- language paper in south China, tells Fourlis political change may be a long time in coming.

* YOU :"I think that some people of the opposition are waiting for the first elections. But there are many who support the government. And I think that H.K. people themselves want to get a good living in H.K. and that's the most important thing. I would say that many people don't have a strong political feeling.

* FOURLIS : They're not in a hurry actually.

* YOU : They're not in a hurry for democratic movements. We would like to have more democracy in H.K. of course in long term, but I don't think

we're in a hurry for that".

Hong Kong and China are in a new embrace. Together they will chart a new course along a road lined with people from all walks of life and all kinds of cultural and religious backgrounds, and with signposts declaring the benefits of two economic systems. Making the new China a real melting pot.

[08] Soccer

And the Greek team shows from the outset that it deserves it.

It attacks the Danish goal remorselessly on several occasions. The Greeks even have a goalpost shot, but unfortunately, they can't get the goal they need.

The match ends scoreless, meaning Greece ends up third in its qualifying group, and mathematically out of the finals.

The Danish coach said afterwards "We were lucky", adding that his team owes its world cup trip to its goalkeeper, whom he called the world's best.

[09] Basketball

In pro basketball, Panathinaikos continued to show that it is a force to be reckoned with this year, after a disappointing finish in last year's Greek first division.

Pao picks up its third win in three starts this season against Aek. And it does it surprisingly

easily.

Aek big man Victor Alexander gets in early foul trouble, picking up three of those fast, and the team is crippled.

Add to that Pao's stifling defense, led by forward Fanis Christodoulou, and 18 points from guard Byron Scott, and it spells cake walk for the home team, which builds up a twenty point lead in the second half, and wins it 70-58.

Defending European champ Olympiakos is also three and oh, and also an easy winner, against Aris.

Dragan Tarlach shows once again he can fill the gap left by infured centre Panayiotis Fassoulas. Dragan pumps in 25 points on 11 of 14 shooting as Olympiakos rolls to a 75-62 finish.

Running through the rest of the weekend action, Paok is the other undefeated team after its conquest of Apollon.

Four teams have 2 and 1 records: apart from Aris, there are first-division new arrival Iraklio, weekend loser Peristeri, and Panionios.

And in the only other weekend game, Papagou holds off Daphne.

Last Updated: Tuesday, 14-Oct-97 14:34:12

(c) ANT1 Radio 1997

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