Antenna: News in English (AM), 97-11-15

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

Last Updated: Saturday, 15-Nov-97 10:14:02

CONTENTS

[01] Pangalos

[02] Cypriot students

[03] Damanaki

[04] Polytechnic University-Anniversary

[05] Mitsotakis-Athos

[06] Soccer

[01] Pangalos

Pangalos spoke after meeting with the Greek president Friday.

As we hear in this report, the foreign minister knows of a way the US could make Ankara change its tune.

The European Union and the United States are putting simultaneous pressure on Greece and Turkey to improve their relations.

The US is trying to get Greece to open the door to Turkey joining the EU, by letting Turkey take part in the European Conference as the 12th candidate for EU membership.

But Greece believes that what the US is offering in return is precious little. What he is offering hasn't been made public knowledge, but diplomatic sources say it's very vague.

And, after meeting with the Greek president Friday, Theodoros Pangalos said: "The US must put pressure on Turkey. We're told the Turks left some military equipment made in the USA behind after their recent manoeuvres in Cyprus.

"As a means of putting pressure on Ankara over Cyprus and its Aegean provocations", he added, "the US could cut back on arms to Turkey or make them agree not to use them on the Aegean coast or in Cyprus".

EU foreign relations commissioner Hans van den Broek also wants to see Turkey make moves toward improving the climate in the region.

"During my recent visit to Ankara I brought the message that progress in Cyprus would greatly facilitate a development of the relations between the EU and Turkey".

Some observers say the new US dogma for the region is simple: We create new economic interests in the region, supporting understanding and cooperation. That, in turn, can lead to pressure being put on political leaders to lessen tensions and restore a climate of trust, even without problems between nations in the region being solved.

Addressing a conference of businessmen from Greece, Turkey, free Cyprus, and occupied Cyprus, Holbrooke used Greece's relations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, or Fyrom, as an example of how business can show the way for politicians. Greece objects to Fyrom trying to win recognition as just "Macedonia", a name of historical and geographical importance to Greece. But, says Holbrooke,

"Skopje and Athens still maintain differences over the name of the country. But there is 40 million dollars of trade a month. Greece is the number 2 investor and rising to number 1".

[02] Cypriot students

On the anniversary of the declaration, recognised by no one in the world but Turkey, some three thousand students launched three days of protest events.

On Friday, the students staged a sit-in and hunger strike outside the Turkish consulate.

"We remember everything, we haven't forgotten. Man can't live without hope, that's why we fight", says Kostas Kostaras, vice-president of the Cypriot students Union.

Union president Theoklis Laktos adds: "Our message is that we will continue to fight for a free country".

The protests end with a march to the Turkish consulate Saturday.

[03] Damanaki

The former leader of the Coalition announced her candidacy Friday.

It's possible that Maria Damanaki could run as a Left Coalition-Pasok candidate.

In announcing her candidacy, she hoped to speed up an agreement between her party and Pasok to support her for mayor together.

Earlier this week, Pasok secretary Kostas Skandalides and Left Coalition leader Nikos Konstantopoulos were unable to reach an agreement.

But Pasok MPs are reacting positively to Damanaki's announcement.

Skandalides calls it a very positive development.

"It's important", he adds, "that someone has taken the initiative to run for mayor against Dimitris Avramopoulos". Avramopoulos is backed by New Democracy.

Justice minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos thinks Damanaki would be the best solution for Pasok. "We'll back her", he says.

And, commenting on the prospect of Damanaki running as a Coalition-Pasok candidate, labour minister Miltiades Papaioannou says "There is a long tradition of cooperation between progressive forces in local politics. The tradition will be continued once again".

Damanaki is set to contact the leaders of Pasok, Left Coalition, Democratic Movement, Political

Spring and the Communist Party. She is considering running with two parties.

Damanaki said she is serious about being a people's mayor. "I believe in the success of this initiative", she says. "Beyond the desires of the various political parties, there are the desires of the citizens". She hopes the voters will back her.

[04] Polytechnic University-Anniversary

In honor of the event the General Secretariat for Greek Youth will be distributing the six videotapes entitled, "Polytechnio Memories" throughout schools in Greece. The black and white film which was shot by a Dutch cameraman in 1973 shows footage of the uprising.

On November 17th 1973, students barricaded themselves behind the university walls, calling for a return to democracy.

The military rulers responded by sending in tanks. At least 12 students are said to have been killed during the skirmish.

Petros Sfikakis, general secretary for Greek Youth said, "We hope these video tapes will encourage students to discuss three key-words: freedom, solidarity and resistance. Adding, "I would say these were the central ideas on which the Polytechnio uprising was based".

"Polytechio Memories" also includes a film by Dimitris Makris, narrated by Alekos Panagoulis, with music written by Mikis Theodorakis. The documentary deals with eyewitness accounts, confessions, rare footage, everything related to events which took place on the evening of November 17th, 1973.

The 1973 protest shook the authority of the dictatorship, which ended the following year.

[05] Mitsotakis-Athos

The honorary New Democracy president is on a private visit to the city with his wife Marika.

"This is a very succesful exhibition and should stay open beyond the end of the year, as programmed", said Mitsotakis, "because people from all over the world still want to see it".

During his weekend stay in Thessaloniki, Mitsotakis is expected to meet not just with friends, but with businessmen. And Friday, he had something to say about the economy.

"I'm worried about the way things are going", he told reporters, "because the government isn't implementing the policies needed at this time".

Pasok, he added, avoids taking responsibility, doesn't make the changes needed, and doesn't tell people the truth.

He said when he was prime minister, he gave people all the facts, even though it may have cost him votes.

[06] Soccer

The Greek side beats England in Iraklio Crete, in the first leg of their match up.

Greece gets both its goals in extra time, the second on a penalty by Nikos Lyberopoulos.

The 2-nil final score gives the Greek youth a

strong hand going into the revenge match in England on December 17th.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1997

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