Antenna: News in English (AM), 97-11-18

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

Last Updated: Tuesday, 18-Nov-97 10:55:04

CONTENTS

[01] Holbrooke

[02] Patriarch

[03] Simitis

[04] November 17th

[05] Economy

[06] Karamanlis

[07] Soccer

[08] Basketball

[01] Holbrooke

Richard Holbrooke made the comment to RIK, the Cypriot radio station, over the weekend.

In an interview with Antenna's Nikos Megrelis, the American diplomat added that the US supports Cyprus's bid to join the European Union.

Richard Holbrooke told RIK that it could take four or five years, or even longer, to solve the Cyprus problem.

The US diplomat, appointed White House mediator on the issue earlier this year, talked to Antenna's Nikos Megrelis about Cyprus's bid to join the European Union, and where the US thinks Turkey should fit in to Europe.

"We are in the middle of a process whose outcome is uncertain. There are three or four things going on at once. On December 13th the EU will invite several countries to begin accession talks for membership. Cyprus will be among them, Turkey apparently will not. The US believes Turkey should be a part of the European institutions as well as Cyprus. I've been talking to commissioner VDB of the EU, prime minister Junker of Luxembour, German officials in Germany yesterday, trying to see how this process will unfold. We strongly support the Cyprus bid to join the EU. But we also think Turkey should also get a good relation with the EU because a stable, secure, secular Trkey oriented towards the rest of Europe is an important thing for the stability of Europe".

Holbrooke denied reports in the Turkish- Cypriot press that he is proposing a tri- zonal, rather than a bi-zonal solution to the Cyprus problem.

"This is a completely ridiculous stroy. I don't know where it came from. Not only did I not propse it, I've never heard anyone propse it".

Asked for the US view on Greek-Turkish relations, Holbrooke said that getting confidence-building measures in the Aegean accepted by both sides is a top priority.

"We think they're both members of Nato and they ought to work out all sorts of measures between their military forces to keep in close touch so that there aren't accidents. In regard to Imia-Kardak, I think the issue is well understood. Athens and Ankara have different positions and I hope they can settle them".

The US Cyprus envoy believes that the spirit of Madrid, where Greece and Turkey reached a non- aggression agreement in July, is still alive. He told Megrelis that secretary of state Madeleine Albright pressed Greek and Turkish officials to renew that pact in New York in September.

Albright, he added, is intent to keep working on improving Greek-Turkish relations.

[02] Patriarch

Vartholomeos began his trip to the state in Pittsburgh.

After getting a warm reception from the faithful at the airport, Vartholomeos took part in a patriarchal divine liturgy.

As he has done so often on his US tour, the patriarch dwelt on the importance of youth.

"God bless your children", he told the faithful, "the young generation, to which we entrust the future of the Church in America and the Greek- American community. They will continue the beautiful tradition you started. With love and always united around our church, around the archbishop, who is devoted to you".

[03] Simitis

On his early-morning visit, Kostas Simitis chatted with out-patients and staff.

The clinic director said afterwards that Simitis was generally happy with what he saw, and only made a few observations.

But the prime minister's office later released a statement, saying Simitis had heard from some of the out patients that they didn't feel they were getting the attention they needed from the state doctors and other staff members. Others complained that cumbersome bureaucratic procedures sometimes mean it takes a long time for their problems to be taken care of.

Simitis said that health and welfare are incompatible with indifference and arrogance, and the latter have no place in the state system.

Ioanna Dimou, a nurse at the clinic, told reporters the prime minister was very friendly.

Not everyone Simitis spoke to restricted themselves to talking about health services. One woman complained that her state pension of 360 dollars a month is too small - half of it goes on rent.

The premier's visit fits in with the government's new policy aimed at improving its communication with the people.

[04] November 17th

Later, the annual march from the engineering school to the US embassy took place.

Holding a Greek flag bearing the blood of students who took part in the November 17th, 1973 rising, the protestors shouted, "The Polytechnio lives".

And they sang the Greek national anthem.

24 years ago to the day, Greece's military dictators sent tanks and troops into the Polytechnio to break up a student occupation that had been going on for days, and taking on ever- stronger anti-dictatorship tones.

The military dictators handed power over to the civilians less than a year later, and free elections were held on November 17th, 1974.

Over the weekend prime minister Kostas Simitis and other government officials paid tribute to the heroes of the Polytechnio.

On Monday, New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis headed a party delegation to the Polytechnio monument, and parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis, justice minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos and other government and military officials laid wreathes at the Polytechnio.

In Thessaloniki, people also celebrated the Polytechnio anniversary with laying wreaths and a march.

The anniversary was marked by Aristotle University in Thessaloniki and political youth organisations.

"I hope such struggles won't be necessary in the future" said Macedonia and Thrace minister Filippos Petsalnikos.

[05] Economy

France and Germany are proposing the body, which would coordinate EU economic policy, and would include only nations that join the EU's monetary union on January 1st 1999.

Britain, Denmark, Greece and Sweden are likely to stay out of the currency union at first.

And they fear the new body would marginalise them in EU decision-making.

A group of experts has been charged with the task of finding a compromise solution.

There is also disagreement about how the EU's single currency nations should be represented on the G-7. Smaller states want collective EU representation. But Britain, France, Germany, and Italy want to hang on to their individual G-7 seats.

[06] Karamanlis

During his last stop, on Kos, Karamanlis said what he calls Pasok's retreat and appeasement on foreign policy issues is dangerous.

"We must all display decisiveness when it comes to defending Greece's rights", he said, "but some people seem to be avoiding doing so".

Karamanlis also said he's noticed growing discontent among people with the government. "Instead of implementing bold measures needed in the economy", he added, "the government is imposing tough policies and making tax forays".

Karamanlis called on all those who believe that Greece deserves better, to support his party.

[07] Soccer

Aek is on the road against Apollon, and the home team draws first blood with a ninth minute goal from Nikolah Dikoumeh.

But that's just the beginning. Niko-laides levels for Aek 12 minutes later, and Batista puts Aek ahead with another first half goal.

After the break, Dikoumeh makes it 2-2, but Nikolaides completes his hat trick before

Tatsis gets one back late for Apollon. The final score: Aek 4, Apollon 3.

With that win, Aek has 8 wins, a draw and a loss.

Ionikos drops into second place, by virtue of the fact that its weekend bout was postponed.

Panathinaikos falls from first to a tie with Olympiakos for third after its loss and Olympiakos's victory.

In all the other weekend matches, the home teams triumphed with heavy offensive output.

[08] Basketball

Olympiakos is undefeated going into the contest on Pao's floor, and Pao is just a game out of first at 7 and 1.

With big men Dragan Tarlach and Dino Raja battling each other to a stand- off, it's up to the other players to tip the balances one way or the other.

And early on, hot shooting from Frankiscos Alvetis tips things Pao's way. The home team also stifles its guests offensively, and with superb play- making from Koch, overcomes an early deficit to go ahead 34-23 at the break.

Things go all Pao's way in the second half, as Byron Scott shines. He leads all scorers on the night with 21 points, as Pao runs away with it 68-48.

Elsewhere, Aris and Paok are 7 and 2 after weekend play. Iraklio is 6 and 3, after a big win over Aek. Peristeri and Panionios join Aek at 5 and 4, and Iraklis gets by Larisa.

Incidentally, Laris and Sporting have yet to win a contest this season.

The Greek Basketball Federation has announced the names of the players who will be taking part in next Saturday's all-star game.

The annual showcase event pits the best European against the best American players in the Greek pro ranks.

The European squad features Artouras Karni-sovas, Dragan Tarlach, Pedrag Stoyankovich, Zargo Paspalie, and Samir Gouta, and Greeks Angelos Koronios, Fanis Christodoulou, Frankiscos Alvertis, Giannis Yannoulis, Nikos Hatzis, Nasos Galakteros, and Nikos Vetoulas.

Coaching the European all-stars will be Giannis Ioannides, assisted by Giorgos Kalaf-takis.

Suiting up for the American side will be Victor Alexander, Willy Anderson, Eric Mik, Jose Ortiz, Byron Scott, Michael Hawkins, Franky King, Conrad McGrey, Connor Henry, Marlon Maxey, Brook Thompson, and Byron Nix.

The coaches will be Kostas DiamantO-poulos and Nikos Pavlou.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1997

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