Antenna: News in English (PM), 97-10-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] Patriarch

[02] Parade-Military

[03] South Albania

[04] Students parade

[05] Ctete's meeting

[06] Medical

[07] Soccer

[08] Basketball

[09] Coropi - parade

[01] Patriarch

Vartholomeos then discussed with UN secretary general Koffi Annan the role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Orthodox religion.

Meeting New York's mayor Rudolf Juliani, the Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch, in the presence of the Greek community, was declared an honorary citizen of New York City.

The mayor praised the patriarch's ability to bring peoples of all races and creeds together.

"In your unique role as the spiritual leader of three hundred million orthodox christians around the world, you've used your position and your authority to bring together people of all nations and bridge the gaps of understanding between many different groups of people. Regardless of their faith, or background, you've managed to reach millions and millons with your inspired message of peace, tolerance and love".

Vartholomeos then expressed the all-encompassing role of the Church. <P "Our church stands ever ready to be of assistance in the identification of the spiritual, ethical, civic and moral fabric of this heaven of many cultures, peoples, languages and faiths. The Ecumenical Patriarchate is the spiritual lighthouse between east and west, a beacon, the "Fanar", of the whole world for all to find their way to Him, who is the light of the world, the Jesus Christ".

Later in the day Vartholomeos met with UN secretary general Koffi Annan. The two men discussed the role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in orthodox

religion on an international level as well as the importance of religious freedom. They also touched on the living conditions of Patriarchate's seat in Constantinople in the region of Fanari.

The ecumenical patriarch then stopped off for an emotional visit at the Elderly Home of Saint Michael, a convalescent home to many elderly Greeks.

[02] Parade-Military

In a traditional military parade, the armed forces joined together to celebrate the significance of this day in Thessaloniki.

Angeliki Malatesta tells us about the celebration and how today's leaders reflect on the Greek values of freedom and individualism and Greece's courageous defiance of the Axis powers in 1940.

Despite the slight rainfall, thousands gathered in the seaside city of Thessaloniki to cheer on the military parade, celebrating the 57th anniversary of October 28th or "OXI" day. The day the Greeks said "NO" to the Italians on the outset of World War II.

The impressive parade consisted of Greece's finest. Divisions from the army...the navy... the airforce...the police force were accompanied by the latest high-tech military machinery and some of the most sophisticated helicopters...Apache choppers.

President Kostis Stefanopoulos, New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis, government ministers, party MPs, delegations from various Greek cultural associations all over the world and local city officials all gathered together to praise the Greek spirit and the strong bond of national unity.

Speaking about the anniversary, Stephanopoulos said, "The military parade is the best way possible to express the patriotic feelings of Greeks everywhere. It is important for the youth of today to know about the events that took place in October of 1940. Knowledge is power, they should feel the enthousiasm and emotion felt by the Greek people at that time. They accomplished their highest duty.. defending their country.

Defense minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos said,

"Today, the armed forces of Greece gave, with their presence the message of decisiveness, security and calm the Greek people should feel. They are strong and able to face any threat, offering Greece and the entire neighbouring region today what is needed: prosperity, peace and progress".

Speaking of national unity, New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis said, "Today's anniversary reminds us that the Greek nation is united and determined, capable of achieving all national aims.

[03] South Albania

Hundreds of ethnic Greeks gathered at the military cemetery of 63 Greek soldiers who fought against the fascist powers of Mussolini and Hitler in the mountain regions of Argyrokastro.

In 1940, Greek soldiers fought hard to liberate Greek cities in southern Albania : on November 22d they liberated Korytsa, on December 8th Argyrokastro and on January 10th 1941 the city of Agii Saranta.

Nazi forces in southern Albania managed to burn 6

thousand Greek houses executing 2 thousand Greek civilians.

Archbishop of Albania Anastasios held a memorial service at the gravesites of the soldiers who bravely died defending their country.

Anastasios then said mass at the Saint Athanassios church. He said, "Other battles await us. We must have faith, unity, sacrifice, hope and strength of character".

[04] Students parade

Adolescents from 16 primary schools and 26 high- schools paraded in downtown Athens, before the city's mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos and Education minister Gerasimos Arsenis.

The education minister said, "I'm sure that the youth of today will respond to the great challenges and opportunities offered to them, continuing the glorious history of our country".

Athens mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos said, "We, all have the responsibility of preparing a better society for the youth of today. The road to progress should be accessible, accompanied by high principles and noble ideals.

The parade was followed by the annual mass said by the archbishop of Greece, Serafim, at the Metropolitan Cathedral.

[05] Ctete's meeting

Greek and Turkish prime ministers will meet on the sidelines of the conference to discuss bilateral issues.

But, Greek government officials and opposition MPs don't seem very optimistic about the meeting between the Greek and the Turkish premiers next week.

Turkish Prime Minister Messout, Yilmaz spoke with Turkish reporters as he was flying from Ankara to Diyarbakir on Monday. He said he will go to the upcoming Balkan Nations Security Conference with a positive outlook.

During the interview, Yilmaz also insinuated that two Turkish businessman who met with premier Kostis Simits last week in Athens, symbolically represented the good intentions of Turkey.

Despite Yilmaz's comments, violations of Greek territorial waters by Turkish naval ships continued in the Aegean. The war ships violated Greek territorial waters eight times between the islands of Limnos, Lesvos and Chios.

And Turkish Chief of Staff Ismael Karadayi sent a letter to Nato asking for special measures to be taken against, quote, an alliance between Greece and Russia which will be headed against Turkey, unquote.

General Karadayi said that proof of such a cooperation is clearly visible by the sale of Russian S-300 missiles from Russia to Cyprus as well as the planning of common Russian-Greek military exercises in the Aegean. He then asked NATO to protect Turkey from this alliance.

Reactions in Athens to the upcoming conference in Crete were not very optimistic.

Education minister Gerasimos Arsenis said, "We shouldn't have illusions. We know that Turkey's expansionist policy continues, therefore we should continue to build up Greece's shield of defense.".

And Justice minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos said,

"The greek people should be united in order to face the new provocations which are today more evident than ever".

Commenting on the Turkish Generals's letter to NATO, Greek defense minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos said such a letter reflects Turkey's feeling of guilt for creating a climate of tension and crisis in the region.

New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis said that Turkey misunderstands the Greek attitude taking it for weakness and compliance. He then called on the Greek government to show decisiveness...by enforcing those to respect Greece's sovereignty rights.

And New Democracy MP Alexandros Papadongonas said that he doesn't expect a positive outcome adding,

"It is just another high or low phase in Turkey's policy. Their main goal is the division of the Aegean. But this is something that Greece will never accept".

[06] Medical

Andreas Koupas, plastic surgeon and president of the Greek Aesthetics Society of Laser Surgery talked about the benefits of the technique over the weekend.

Koupas pointed out that the use of lasers in getting rid of old scars is a bloodless procedure.

With lasers, he continued, surgeons can get rid of old, unwanted scars.

Mario Trelles, president of the European Society of Aesthetic Surgery, talked about the problems posed by skin problems prior to laser surgery, as well as the unlimited possibilities the method has opened up.

"All these problems have disappeared with the laser. Simply because according to the type of machine we use...according to the patient's problem, and according to the situation we want to reach, we can program the machine".

Doctors say post-operative care on areas that have been operated on are minimal. After laser surgery, the patient will experience slight reddening of the skin at the site of the operation.

Depending on skin type, the discoloration can last anywhere from two to six weeks. But after the eleventh day, the patient can use cosmetics to cover the reddened area.

[07] Soccer

In a stadium packed with twenty thousand fans, Aek crushed Panathinaikos 2 to 1. The home crowd got its first opportunity to cheer in the 42d minute of the game as Tony Savefski scored for Aek.

Ten minutes later, Giorgos Georgiadis shot back with a 1 to 1 for Panathinaikos, but Aek's Demis Nicolaidis made it 2 to 1 in the 74th minute.

[08] Basketball

Panathinaikos strong man Dino Radja helped his team crush Panionios 81 to 68.

In a strong show Panionios managed to hold a tie until the game's 35th minute.

[09] Coropi - parade

A very special and different parade commemorating the 57th anniversary of October 28th consisted of military vehicles used by the Greek army during World War Two.

The antiques where paraded through the streets of Koropi, a suburb outside Athens on Tuesday.

The military vehicles transported Greek soldiers to heroic battles against the Nazi powers fifty seven years ago. Most of them were brought by English officers to Greece during the war, now kept in good condition by the Historical Vehicles Maintenance Association.

Christos Nikolaidis, a member of the Association spoke proudly of his motorcyle saying that it was built in September of 1941. He has lovingly kept up repairs to make sure it is tip top shape.

This is the first time ever military vehicles have been paraded in Greece and clearly brought tears to the eyes of those who lived through the war, remembering how bravely the Greeks fought.

The parade was sponsored by the mayor of Koropi and the Historical Vehicles' Maintenance Association.

Last Updated: Wednesday, 29-Oct-97 13:14:14

(c) ANT1 Radio 1997

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